by James Somers
He didn’t feel he deserved any applause. What had he done to deserve it besides being born to a certain family and people?
He could see Wynn now. He was seated near the delegate for the city of Baeth Periege and Daooth Pasad was next to him. Daooth was a good man. He could still remember his first meeting with the Vorn in Wynn’s underground dwelling and almost taking his head off, supposing him to be an enemy.
That day had been a wake up call for Tiet; learning how the Vorn were a friendly people enslaved by their own military. He had hated them for so long, blaming them for the murder of his family and his people—not realizing things were rarely as straightforward as they seemed.
He approached the podium in the middle of the chamber and waited. A glass of water was sitting on the side and he wondered if it would be inappropriate to take a big drink of it right now. His throat was getting dryer by the moment.
Everyone became quiet as the delegate from Baeth Periege stood to address the gathering. He was an elder Vorn man named Licoure. His translator pin came to life as he spoke in his native Vorn language.
“Master Soone, we are honored by your presence at this gathering and are happy you have accepted our invitation. I realize you have been approached numerous times with our offer to support your ascension to the throne Castai. I would ask that you hear us out collectively on the matter with patience, understanding our sincerity.”
“I am honored by the support of all of the delegates assembled here,” said Tiet, “but I fear you have placed your confidence in the wrong man to lead. I do not feel I am experienced enough in necessary matters to be worthy of such a calling.”
“Then I hope we may further persuade you,” said Licoure.
Another Vorn elder stood as Licoure seated himself again. Tiet recognized him as Ush, the delegate from the city Thalidi. He appeared to be very old, although Tiet wouldn’t guess his age.
“Master Soone, I was in the Vorn military when the war between our peoples first began. It had been a peaceful relationship during the times before. Our peoples were like brothers. The Barudii king of that time was Isic. He was a very wise man and was instrumental in the exchange of information and technologies between our peoples.
“He and our leader were the best of friends and there was open trade and socializing between our planets and peoples. Many Vorn lived in the cities of this Castai and many Castillians lived in our cities on our home planet of Demigoth.
“Trade negotiations had only recently begun with the Baruk when a tragedy occurred. Our leader, who was greatly beloved by our people, was assassinated. When an extensive investigation was conducted, the evidence all seemed to point to a plot among the Barudii to gain trade agreements with the Baruk and push us out. The Baruk had come forth with the information, and though King Isic denied it vehemently, our people felt genuinely betrayed.
“Not long after, a group of Castillians living on Demigoth was massacred by vigilantes seeking revenge for our fallen leader. King Isic himself journeyed to Demigoth in an attempt to quell the misunderstanding and persuade the new military leadership to reenter the relationship of peace that had so long been enjoyed between our peoples. The Vorn military leadership seized Isic and his entourage and put them to death for crimes against our people.
“This was an outrage to the Castillians and war was declared. The Baruk pretended to be neutral to the conflict and made their technologies and information available to both sides. It would not be understood until much later what role the Baruk had played in instigating the war.
“The struggle lasted nearly ten years, with the Vorn appearing to be the victor. We had decimated nearly all the major cities of the Castillians on this planet before a new weapon was revealed. We would learn much later that the Baruk had provided technology to the Barudii, who created the giant Sphere weapon. By the time it was launched against us, the Castillians were all but wiped out. It would be their last attempt against us before they were extinguished as a people on this planet. The weapon’s mission was to hunt down and destroy all Vorn targets; we lost millions of troops to it. It was at this time that the Vorn military turned to the scientific community in a desperate attempt to rebuild our dwindling forces. They created the Horva clones.
“The first generation clones were similar in capacity to normal humans with the exception of much greater physical characteristics. They were very superior warriors and; it soon became apparent that the Horva themselves were becoming too powerful and might well get beyond our ability to control them.
“The first generation Horva, including Grod, were replaced with a brutish new type of clone that could be easily controlled by our leaders.”
“Do you mean, Ambassador Ush, that the Horva were created as slaves to the Vorn?” asked Tiet.
“Yes, exactly” replied Ush. “The Horva under Grod would, as you have seen, eventually rebel against the military. However, the brutish Horva were very useful to them in keeping the civilian population under military control.
“At a later time, when the role the Baruk had played became apparent to our people, there arose an outcry among our people to break ties with them. However, the military had treaties with the Baruk, and were determined to maintain their own power. Our people rebelled and called for new leadership, but the rebellion was quickly crushed with help from the Baruk.
“It has been their plan to gain control of this system all along. It is very rich in natural resources and they played our people against one another in hopes of destroying both. They managed to obliterate one and so severely cripple the other that we had gone under their dominion almost completely. They were just waiting for the Sphere weapon, which continued its attacks, to wipe out the Vorn completely before moving in for the takeover.
“The Vorn military’s strength diminished as the Sphere attacks continued and the Horva under Grod mounted campaign after campaign of deadly attacks upon our cities that were established here on Castai. The military attempted to push through the Transdimensional Rift to other worlds when scouts came back with data to support the proposal.
“After conquering the twin Castai on the other side, it was hoped that the remainder of our people might escape the Sphere by migrating through and somehow collapsing the Rift permanently.
“During that conflict with your people, Wynn was displaced here and worked with our resistance leaders in hopes of finding some way to overthrow the military’s control over the remaining population even while Grod’s forces gained more and more territory and threatened our lives.
“Now that you are here, Master Soone, we have seen some of your ability. Both Wynn and Daooth Pasad have put overwhelming confidence in you. Not only do we trust their judgment but we have considered the opportunity presented to us by returning an heir to Barudii throne.
“Our people once revered your leader as much as our own, and we feel compelled to ask you to ascend to your rightful place as king and lead both of our peaceful peoples against the threat we are faced with from the Baruk and Grod.”
Tiet was stunned by the whole account of Castillian and Vorn history. It was much more than he expected. The pieces to a vast puzzle seemed to fall into place now. The Baruk had begun it all and very nearly destroyed these two great races of people in their greed for conquest.
Tiet now began to understand the importance that was being placed on the Barudii throne. Perhaps it was a matter of redemption for the Vorn after falsely accusing and executing their ally of long ago; or more importantly, maybe they genuinely believed that the Barudii King was so great an icon to rally around that the peace might even last and these two races could engage the threat wholeheartedly, maybe even victoriously.
Orin had taught him years ago that the confidence you take into a battle may well determine the outcome. Tiet still did not feel confident in himself, but he did have confidence in this great people. If he was what was needed to unite them and hold them together in the face of the coming conflict then perhaps he should reconsider.
Just then, Ranul and Estall appeared in the Council chamber.
“Forgive our interruption, Ambassadors,” said Estall.
“We have new information from one of our long range probes near the star Casiss.”
“Tell us,” said Licoure.
“The Baruk appear to have amassed a battle fleet of some fifty large vessels and many smaller ones. They’re on their way,” said Ranul.
“When?”
“Maybe two days, if we’re lucky,” said Ranul.
A wave of murmuring enveloped the large chamber of delegates and guests as the realization of the coming storm hit them. Tiet thought further on the situation as the focus left him as the delegates began talking amongst themselves, and the whole assembly generally became disorganized.
Little was known about the Baruk’s true capabilities; only that they were very fierce in combat, employing various kinds of technologies and bio-weaponry. It would be very difficult to fight a war on two fronts, even though Grod and his forces were weaker than before. If Grod seized the opportunity to attack en masse again with the coalition simultaneously fighting the Baruk, it could quickly turn out for the worse.
Then Tiet was struck with a new thought. The threat to this planet was also a threat to the Horva. They had no allegiance to the Baruk and had helped drive off the Vorn military presence, which held treaty with the Baruk. This fight was Grod’s fight, whether the General realized it or not.
Tiet needed the assembly’s attention, and he needed it now. Then he decided to get their attention. He kicked the podium off of the raised platform. It crashed down the few steps to crash loudly on the stone floor. All eyes were suddenly upon him.
“Forgive me for the interruption, Ambassadors,” he said, “but I have reconsidered and decided to accept your endorsement.”
Shouts began to erupt from the audience. He interrupted them again.
“Please…My acceptance is conditional!” he said over the crowd. Everyone became quite again at this point. Tiet could see Wynn considering him.
“I will accept—on the condition that the Council endorses my going to General Grod in an attempt to broker a peace agreement and convince him to fight with us against the Baruk.”
He waited after that statement, expecting a reaction. The ambassadors were all looking at one another to confer. The room was now awash in low murmurs concerning Tiet’s dangerous request. Tiet stood fast and waited. After a few moments Ambassador Licoure turned back to address him.
“Master Soone, your request is troubling to say the least, but I am curious why you would think the Horva would join us?”
“I believe the main thrust of Grod’s campaign and the Horva’s desires all center around wanting their freedom and a fight to attain it. I think he might be willing to listen to what I have to say. He wants what we want; I just have to make him see it.”
“With all due respect, we have never known the Horva, especially Grod, to be open to negotiations,” said Licoure.
“I only ask for your endorsement and willingness to work with the Horva peacefully if I am successful, nothing more. If you agree, I will accept your motion that I ascend to the throne of my father.”
Licoure looked back at the other delegates in the council and at Wynn who was still fixed on Tiet. The other ambassadors gestured approving nods to Licoure.
“Well, Master Soone, against my better judgment.”
“I appreciate your confidence, Ambassadors.” With that, Tiet turned to leave the assembly.
Wynn made his way quickly to catch up to Tiet as he walked back down the great hall.
“Wait, Tiet!”
Tiet slowed, but did not stop.
“Tiet, what are you up to? Grod won’t negotiate with you. He’s a brute who loves conquest.”
Tiet stopped then, surprised by the statement.
“Wynn, you told me things aren’t always what they appear to be. I hated the Vorn who were actually peaceful—”
“Yes, but that’s not Grod at all, he—”
“He and the Horva were slaves wanting their freedom. And as for being a brute…well, he managed to destroy the Sphere weapon no one else had been able to defeat, so he must be pretty smart and he must be a great leader to have generated the successful uprising against the Vorn military.”
Wynn stood silent; surprised at the wisdom pouring out of his apprentice and king.
“Besides, we cannot afford to fight a war on two fronts; without him, I think we’ll lose.”
Wynn had considered that aspect before and remained silent as Tiet turned to continue out. “I’ve got to get going on this while we still have time,” he said as he punched the button to open the lift door.
“Do you really think Grod will listen or even answer your transmission?”
“I have no intention of transmitting anything. I’m going to Nagon-Toth personally.”
“And do you really think he will let you just walk in?” asked Wynn sarcastically.
“We’ll see.”
“You realize if you go and confront him he might just decide he should join the Baruk against us. Did you consider that?”
“I’m not giving him the opportunity,” Tiet said matter-of-factly. “If he doesn’t join us then I’m going to kill him.”
And with that Tiet let the lift door close in front of him. Wynn stood there speechless. He was certainly his father’s son. The same brash determination was something he remembered from serving under the king years ago. He was glad to see these qualities emerging finally, even though he was worried about the likelihood of him being successful.
XI
THE hangar bay of the Baruk flagship was teeming with warriors. Unfortunately, they were congregated very near Kale’s ship. Kale watched from a shadowed position high above the massive tarmac. There were many ships inside the bay, mostly Baruk fighter craft. Then he spotted one that was different.
It was Tal’s ship; he was surely either imprisoned or dead by now. Kale knew the Baruk were going to remove the remaining Vorn military from the equation very soon. Tal’s presence on the flagship likely meant that was already in process.
Nevertheless, the Governor’s ship was some distance across the bay from his own, and still better, it was unguarded. Kale deftly made his way to an area above the vessel. It was quite a bit bigger than his.
He pulled a spicor disc from his garment and flung it downward at the hull of the ship. When it impacted, a hole was created all the way through the hull. Kale dropped in fast. He landed inside and quickly made his way to the bridge.
He had learned a few things about Vorn spacecraft during his years with them. He pulled a palm-sized device from his coat and then fitted the mechanism to an interface panel at the helm.
The area around his ship was still quite crowded with warriors. Kale keyed in a sequence on the touch screen, and the ship hummed to life.
The group of warriors surrounding the strider noticed engine sounds coming from across the bay. From above the long lines of Baruk fighter craft they could see a ship rising off the platform. It was the ship that the Governor Tal had arrived in with his aides—all of whom had since been executed.
The Baruk warriors brought their personal weapons to bear as the commander received his order from the Three telepathically; attack the fleeing ship.
The warriors began to fire on the Vorn ship floating above the docking platform as it prepared to leave the bay. The ship began to drift as the warriors closed in on it. The craft crashed into Baruk fighters docked nearby, and then attempted to raise again as the warriors concentrated more firepower on it.
It was starting to spin out of control. The tail end was knocking Baruk fighters all around the bay, causing the warriors to scatter for cover while still maintaining their assault.
The shields on the vessel were not active. As it spun wildly out of control many Baruk were pummeled to death by flying debris from the ship and the destroyed Baruk fighters.
Kale sat calmly at
the helm and adjusted the controls. The engine responded accordingly. He pulled up his handheld control and tapped in a new sequence. The Vorn craft drifted further down the bay toward the hangar control center. It tumbled and smashed into the area.
As the control center was engulfed in the fireball of the ship, the force field deactivated, allowing the influx of open space into the hangar bay. The entire hangar bay’s contents rushed into the vacuum; carrying the Baruk warriors with it.
Kale laid aside his remote device. By remote piloting the Vorn ship he had been able to get to his strider. He launched the strider from the platform as debris impacted against the ship’s shields. Baruk warriors sucked into the void bounced off the hull as he proceeded through the mass of bodies and wreckage swirling out of the hangar bay. He activated the ship’s hyper coil and pushed away from the Baruk formation at speeds beyond light.
THE lush scenery that was common near the twelve cities had given way to the desolation of the territory around Nagon-Toth. Tiet was getting close now. The land itself was war torn and they had made no effort to revitalize it. No wonder the Horva were conducting raids for supplies. They might be starving to death otherwise.
He felt sure now of his motives for conducting this mission. The Horva were just trying to survive. They had their freedom from the Vorn military now, but this was a bad start.
The display showed another fifty miles before he would reach Grod’s fortress. He made adjustments to the helm, as his small craft glided over the barren landscape. It was well-designed and fast. The mileage deficit clicked away rapidly on the display.
He slowed the fighter as he approached to within one mile of the facility. He realized that they must already know he was there, but he wasn’t planning on a surprise visit; only a memorable one.
He brought the ship to a complete stop on a rise that overlooked Nagon-Toth in the distance. He got out of the cockpit and then strapped on his blade. He quickly checked his weaponry: two thigh mounted kemsticks and a few spicors in addition to his father’s blade. He intentionally left his blasters in the ship. He didn’t plan on killing anyone but Grod, if it came to that.