“Nightmares?”
“Yes. That’s how it started. But they quickly overtook his conscious mind, causing delusions. Then he became violent. Believe me, the last thing you want is a violent, delusional Chaanisar.”
“I would rather not share that experience,” said Sallas, with a frightened look on his face.
“Sedating the Colonel proved quite the challenge. He almost single handedly filled the sick bay with injured Chaanisar and Marines.”
Sallas shook his head. “And all this stems from his childhood?”
Jon nodded. “Mostly. The things that were done to them as children are unspeakable. But the Juttari brain chips suppressed the effects of the psychological trauma.”
“So when you removed the chip, it opened the mind’s floodgates.”
“Exactly. A lifetime of horrors rushed in, overwhelming Colonel Bast.”
Sallas looked confused. “But you must have expected this.”
“As I said, it was a risk. The truth is we didn’t know what would happen. We had hoped that the chip had better dealt with the trauma, eliminating any adverse reactions. But we couldn’t be certain until Dr. Ellerbeck performed the procedure. Colonel Bast willingly accepted the risks.”
“I suppose you won’t be removing any of the other Chaanisar brain chips now.”
“No. Unfortunately they’re staying.”
“That’s awful. I know Elizabeth, I mean Dr. Ellerbeck, is devastated.”
“We’ll just have to figure something else out.”
Sallas nodded reassuringly. “Have you had a chance to see the Seibens yet?”
“Not yet. I’ll be visiting them after our meeting. It was kind of you to take care of their living accommodations.”
“It was nothing,” said Sallas, waving a hand. “The least I could do. The man almost died trying to save me.”
Jon laughed. “He almost died due to his own stupidity. Nonetheless, it is appreciated.”
“You do know that I am willing to assist every member of your crew as well, Captain. Citizenship, land, a place where you can all call home.”
“Yes, the offer is very generous.”
“But?”
“What do you want in return?”
“I want many things, Captain, but nothing in return for my offer. You saved me and you saved New Byzantium. For that, you should be rewarded.”
“Prime Minister Sallas, you do know that we were only trying to save Dr. Ellerbeck, right? If she hadn’t insisted that we take you as well, you’d still be sitting in that jail cell. The coup would have succeeded, and we’d be far away from here by now.”
“And I am eternally grateful to Dr. Ellerbeck for insisting you help me. Look, Captain, the truth is that you stayed to help defeat the coup. New Byzantium needs you. We are alone and surrounded by enemies.”
Jon sighed. “Prime Minister, we are but one ship. I don’t see how much difference we can make.”
“One ship possessing miraculous technology.”
“Even with the jump technology, we are still just one ship.”
“Then share the technology with us.”
Jon frowned. “I can’t do that.”
“Why not?” said Sallas, his eyes widening. “Imagine a fleet of jump ships. We could stand up to the Corporations and the Kemmar Empire.”
“It’s not as simple as that,” said Jon, shaking his head. “The technology could also end up in the hands of the Corporations, or worse, the Kemmar Empire. Then what?”
“You think we would give the technology to our enemies?” said Sallas, looking offended.
“You wouldn’t, but others might. I can’t take that risk.”
“You think there are still traitors in my administration?”
“Don’t you? Do you honestly think the corporations have no spies operating here? How about profiteers? How much do you think someone like Stumpf would pay for this technology? I would think that someone could become obscenely wealthy if they sold this information.”
“I see your point,” said Sallas, looking pensive. “Perhaps there is another solution.”
Here comes another sales pitch, thought Jon. “I’m listening.”
“From what I understand, you cannot return to Earth. Your actions against the Diakans on the Hermes have essentially turned your crew into fugitives, correct?”
Jon nodded.
“The Chaanisar members of your crew cannot return to Earth either, because they would likely be treated as war criminals. Nor do they wish to return to the Juttari.”
“That is accurate.”
“What if I offered you political asylum, as well as citizenship?”
“I don’t understand. What good is political asylum?”
“Think about it. One day, either Space Force, the Diakans, or the Juttari will find us. They all possess jump technology, so it is only a matter of time until they show up here. Once they realized you were here, and discovered what happened on the Hermes, they would demand your arrest. Diplomatically, it would be difficult to resist such a request, unless we have already granted you political asylum.”
“I see where you’re going with this, Prime Minister, but you’re missing one key detail. We won’t be here anymore. We’ll be long gone when that happens.”
“Really? And where would you go?”
“Anywhere we want.”
“Not true. If you stayed in the colonies, you would eventually be found. You can be sure that the corporations know of your existence now.”
“Then we would leave the colonies,” said Jon, growing frustrated.
“So you’re saying you would leave human space behind? What would you do? Go live on an alien world somewhere? Find an uninhabited planet, and start your own colony? Or just wander around in that spaceship of yours, looking for adventures?”
“Maybe we’ll become raiders,” said Jon flippantly.
Sallas laughed. “Captain, don’t you see that New Byzantium is your best option? You can have a home here, and you won’t have to worry about the Diakans.”
Jon sneered. “You think you can take on the Diakans?”
“Captain, I have no intention of going to war with the Diakans, and I would think that diplomatic relations with New Byzantium would be more important to the Diakans than your arrest.”
“Which brings us back to my original question, what do you want in return? I already told you that I’m not going to give you the jump technology.”
“Fight for New Byzantium.”
“With all due respect, Prime Minister, we have no intention of joining your military.”
“You don’t have to. Captain, what if we created an independent fighting force?”
“We are already independent.”
“Yes, but you are alone.”
Jon took a deep breath and exhaled sharply. “Prime Minister, you yourself suggested the name Ronin, remember. Masterless samurai, and all that. No master means we only answer to ourselves. We rather like it that way.”
“I’m not suggesting we change any of that. The Ronin of feudal Japan did not have a lord, but they still took sides and fought in wars. I am asking you to take our side.”
“We are going around in circles, Prime Minister. As I said before, we are only one ship.”
“What if we created a force, loyal to New Byzantium, but independent in all matters? You would have access to New Byzantium’s resources and could build more ships. You said yourself that your ship is already crowded. Wouldn’t more ships make sense? You could recruit new members from our population and military. You wouldn’t have to share the jump technology, but you could build new jump ships.”
“Warships take a long time to build. They would never be ready in time.”
“What if you took existing ships and retrofitted them? I’m sure you could do that relatively quickly.”
“Perhaps. I’d have to look into it.”
“I’m sure it can be done. Your ships could then protect New Byzantium, and New Byzant
ium would grant you citizenship and political asylum. Everyone would benefit.”
“And who would we ultimately answer to? You?”
“No. You would be truly independent.”
“You are talking about creating a parallel military, with no oversight. Do you have any idea how dangerous that can be?”
“No more dangerous than the threat of Kemmar slavery, Captain.”
“Wouldn’t you need to get parliamentary approval for something like this?”
“Let me worry about parliament. I have a majority, and these are desperate times. You’d be surprised at how many things a government can do in a climate of fear. We’ve already created The Guard. This would simply take the idea one step further. I don’t think anyone can argue that such a force would greatly improve our chances of survival.”
“It is an interesting proposition.”
“I do have a couple of demands, however.”
“Go on?”
“First, you must personally command the new force.”
“Why me?”
“Because I believe in you, Captain. From what I’ve heard and seen, you are a man of character and principles. I know you will do the right thing.”
Jon nodded. “What is the other demand?”
“You must release your Diakan prisoners.”
Chapter 6
“Tobias, why aren’t you in bed?” said his mother as he walked toward her.
“The banging woke me up,” he said, wiping the sleep from his eyes.
His mother sighed. “It woke me up too. Somebody’s at the door. What would someone want at this ungodly hour?”
“Maybe it’s daddy?”
“Toby,” she said, her hand gently stroking his hair. “It’s not daddy. We talked about this. Remember?”
“Yes, but maybe they were wrong?”
His mother shook her head, as sadness filled her eyes. “I wish they were.”
“Mrs. Bast, open the door,” said an angry voice from outside.
Her eyes narrowed and she gestured for him to go into the other room. She turned and cautiously approached the front door. Toby stood in the doorway between the two rooms, curious to see who was making all the noise. The man had a loud, mean voice. He thought it must belong to a giant.
“Who is it?” said his mother. “Do you know what time it is?”
“We’re from the Governor’s office. On official business. Now open the door.”
His mother stood at the closed door staring back at him. Scared. It was the same expression she would get when the food started to run out.
“Hide,” she whispered, pointing her finger toward the back room.
He backed away into the dark, until he couldn’t see her anymore.
“Mrs. Bast! Either you open this door, or we will kick it open.”
“No, for heaven’s sake, don’t break my door. I’m opening it.”
He heard the snap of the dead bolt and the moan of the swinging door.
“What’s this about?” said his mother.
“We’re here for your son, Mrs. Bast.”
“Toby? He’s only five. There must be some mistake.”
“No mistake, Mrs. Bast. He’s been selected for the Chaanisar.”
“But my husband just passed away. Toby’s all I have left. You can’t take him.”
“We don’t need your permission, Mrs. Bast. Where’s the boy?”
“Toby! Run!”
He bolted. There was a crash at the front and his mother went silent. Fear took hold and his eyes started to water, but he fought back the urge to break down and cry. Why did these men want to take him?
He reached the back door and struggled with the doorknob. Why did it have to be so big? He squeezed his trembling little hands around it and turned. There was a click and it opened.
“He’s going out the back!”
Toby ran through the back yard toward the gate. In the distance a dog barked. He stretched his arms in front of him, groping in the darkness until he found the gate. Thankfully it wasn’t closed. There would be no way for him to reach the latch if it was. He slipped through the open gate and out into the back lane. Racing into the night, he heard heavy footsteps behind him.
The blackness scared him, but he kept running, relying on his memory to guide him. If he could just get to his special hiding place he’d be okay. He was good at hide and seek, and that was his best spot. None of the neighborhood kids found him when he hid there. It was just a little farther.
“There he is.”
A large hand seized him by the back of the neck and threw him down. He fell hard, hitting his head on the pavement, causing bright lights to flash in his before his eyes. The same powerful hand grabbed him by the arm and pulled him up to his feet.
“Come here you little shit.” It was the same mean voice as before.
The lights in his head vanished and he looked up at the man. He was no giant. His father was bigger than this man. Where was his father? He wouldn’t let anyone treat him this way. He lashed out at the man, punching and kicking him with all his strength. A meaty hand crashed into Toby’s face causing him to see the lights again.
“Are you going to behave yourself, or do I have to give you another smack?” said the man, with his hand raised for another strike.
Toby struggled to stay on his feet. If it hadn’t been for the man holding him by the arm, he would have hit the concrete again.
“Take it easy on the kid,” said the other man. “You might give him brain damage, or break a bone, then it will be our asses on the line.”
The man holding Toby grunted. He bent down close to Toby’s face. His breath stank of liquor and onions. The man showed Toby a long, nasty looking knife. “Listen to me, you little shit. You give me any more trouble and I will gut your mother and make you watch. Am I clear?”
The thought was too much for Toby, and he finally broke down and began to wail.
“That’s better,” said the man. He stood up and to Toby’s relief re-sheathed his knife.
The man turned Toby around and forced him to walk back through the gate and into his house. He pushed Toby through toward the front door. His mother was on the floor crying, the side of her face already swollen. When she saw him she reached for him and caught his free arm.
“No! You can’t take him!” she screamed. “You can’t-”
The second man kicked her in the stomach, and she doubled over, gasping desperately for air.
“Mommy!” Toby yelled, as the men pulled him into the waiting darkness.
Colonel Bast woke up screaming. Filled with panic he tried to get up, but couldn’t. He tried again, still screaming, but his arms and legs wouldn’t move. He looked down to see restraints holding him in place. He fought with all his strength to break free, but they wouldn’t budge.
“Let me go!” he pleaded. “They’re coming!”
A woman approached him. He recognized her. Dr. Ellerbeck. She held something in her hand. “This will help you calm down,” she said.
It pinched his shoulder. He fought with the restraints again to no avail. Then he began to lose his strength. Drowsiness filled him and he knew he would soon be asleep. He looked back at Dr. Ellerbeck and whispered, “No.”
Chapter 7
Franz Stumpf, CEO of Amboss Corporation, warily eyed the hideous creature seated before him, and questioned the wisdom of this meeting. There was a strong possibility that he would die here today. He could be tortured, or beaten, which at his age would likely lead to the same result. These creatures, these Kemmar, had a savage reputation, yet he had no choice but to try and come to terms with them, because the alternative was unthinkable. The one speaking to him was unbelievably terrifying to look at. Every time it spoke, he caught a glimpse of the rows of razor sharp teeth. When it locked eyes with him he felt like he might lose control of his bowels. He managed to maintain his composure, barely keeping his emotions under control. Still, with every twitch of its nose, he wondered if it smelled the t
error permeating through his pores.
“Why should the Kemmar Empire trade with such a weak species?” said Lord Koft, the Kemmar liaison. “Why shouldn’t we just invade your territory and take what we wish? You are too old to make a good slave, but I am sure there are many younger, stronger members of your species who would fetch a decent price.”
Stumpf laced his fingers together to prevent them from shaking. “The Kemmar Empire is indeed mighty, Lord Koft. Of that there is no doubt. But why waste resources invading human space, when we are willing to trade? I’m sure your forces are busy pacifying Otan space.”
“You presume much, Mr. Stumpf. The Otan situation is well in hand. Human space is divided. Nothing prevents the Empire from invading.”
So why are you talking to me? thought Stumpf. “Lord Koft, as I’m sure you already know, human space is governed by corporations. We are not a nation to be conquered. We are a marketplace.”
“Why should the Empire care about your marketplace?” Koft said with the hint of a growl.
“Not only are we prepared to freely trade with the Empire, but we are also willing to become tributaries of the Empire.”
“And what do you deem worthy to offer the great Kemmar Empire as tribute?”
“We are resource rich. We can provide the Empire with regular shipments of whatever resource the Empire desires.”
“We are not interested in your resources,” said Koft, flashing his teeth at Stumpf like a shark stalking its dinner.
“Surely there must be something we can pay you in tribute,” Stumpf said nervously. “We are determined to make this work.”
“Is that why you have repeatedly attacked our forces, Mr. Stumpf? Because you want to pay tribute to the Empire?”
“Attacked your forces?” Stumpf said in shocked disbelief. “Lord Koft, surely there must be some mistake.”
“There is no mistake. A human warship has repeatedly violated Kemmar space, and engaged Kemmar warships.”
“Lord Koft, I can assure you that this ship does not belong to any of our corporations. We would never dream of taking any aggressive actions against the Empire.”
“And why should I believe you?”
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