by Chris Fox
Chu watched as the vessels he'd named drifted from the rest of the fleet. They moved out alone, five ships against seventy. Would this be the order that convinced the chipped captains to mutiny? It might be. Were Chu the man he'd been before the larva, he'd certainly have defied these orders.
Chu's hand drifted to the little black box in his pocket, which reassured him. If the chipped captains rebelled, at least he possessed the means of bringing them back into line. They'd do their duty, killing loyal Tigris and humans alike. When the dust settled, Chu would be dead, but the masters' plan would be that much closer to completion.
Chu was racked by a fit of coughing, and raised his hand to see specks of blood all over his palm. It wouldn't be long now. His only regret was that he wouldn't be around to savor that victory, or to see what hatched from his corpse.
Chapter 55- Breaking the Accords
A ragged mixture of human and Primo vessels emerged from the star's corona, moving far enough away to escape the worst of the magnetic fields. That would allow them to scan the rest of the system, and allow Dryker to get a feel for the disposition of the assembled fleets before he engaged. He watched as the dome flickered briefly, then icons began to appear.
Dryker stood resolute, watching the single most horrifying event he'd ever witnessed play out before him. The 11th fleet continued to bombard the surface, little streaks dropping from each vessel. Moments later mushroom clouds dotted the surface. Then more streaks, and more clouds. Most of the planet's southern continent was coated in dust and ash.
"Our records indicate that the southern continent was the most densely populated," Celendra said, shifting her weight as she stared at the planet. "Rarely have we seen an atrocity on this level. Were there no Void Wraith threat, if the Tigris petitioned us to wipe out humanity, I believe my people would do it."
"I'm not sure they'd be wrong to," Dryker said, deeply disturbed by what he was witnessing.
A mass of Tigris ships had been automatically tagged with blue triangles. The moment they registered, the human vessels became orange squares. Five squares broke from the main human fleet, moving to intercept. Nearly seventy triangles overwhelmed those squares. The move puzzled Dryker for a split second, until he remembered that the whole goal of this attack was to wipe out loyal human captains.
This needed to be stopped, as quickly as possible. The longer the battle went on, the more vessels on both sides would be destroyed. But how did you stop a war between races who had every reason to hate each other, races with a history of violent conflict?
He had to try.
"Celendra, can you broadcast me across the Quantum Network to all human vessels in system?" Dryker asked.
"Yes, give me a moment to establish the connection," Celendra said, touching a button on the bracelet on her wrist. Her skin was lighter than it had been the day before, more sky blue than sea foam. Was that typical for Primo? "There. You are live, Admiral."
"Attention, officers of the UFC," Dryker began, licking his lips, then plunging forward. "Three months ago, a battle took place in the Ghantan system. Humans and Tigris worked to stop a common threat. The people behind that threat twisted what happened there to convince our races to go to war. The Tigris are not our real enemy. Right now, each of you is receiving proof to back up my claims. Footage from battles with the Void Wraith, and evidence that the admiralty has been infiltrated.
"I know this is a big ask, but if we expect our race to survive I need you to listen," Dryker said, wishing he could see the faces of the captains listening. Were they? "You can see that I'm surrounded by a Primo fleet. Most of the Primo have been wiped out, but the few remaining are willing to help us against a common enemy. Every vessel we lose today weakens us for the war to come.
"So I call on you to join me. Stop fighting the senseless war with the Tigris. For the love of God, stop bombarding their planet. You're breaking the accords," Dryker said, his voice cracking. "We're giving them every reason to hate us. Is that what we've become? Do you really believe it's okay to bomb women and children? Stop being used. Save your race. Or die senselessly, helping your enemies."
Dryker stopped talking, and a moment later Celendra tapped her bracelet. She turned slowly, hesitantly, to face him. "Do you think they will listen?"
"I don't know," Dryker said. "We're trained to follow orders, even orders we don't understand. But the evidence I broadcast will make a lot of the captains think. I wished we'd gotten here several hours ago. Now that combat has begun, it will be more difficult to convince them to pull away from it."
Dryker watched as the Tigris finished savaging the five vessels that had moved to engage them. They were now moving to circle the rest of the human fleet, to engage the 11th. The smart tactical decision would have been to have the 11th break off to engage, while the rest of the fleet flanked the Tigris.
Instead, the 11th continued their bombardment. The rest of the fleet sat there, clustered away from where they could protect the 11th. It presented the 11th's belly to an enemy already whipped into a frenzy. So Dryker tried again.
"Captains of the 11th, this time I'm speaking directly to you. You can see the Tigris closing with you. Cease your bombardment, and retreat to take shelter with my fleet. I've got the bulk of the 14th, and half a dozen Primo warships," Dryker explained. "If you aren't willing to stop because of your conscience, do it for your survival. You are about to be wiped out to a man. For what?"
Dryker trailed off. Now all he could do was wait.
Chapter 56- Assessment
Nolan toweled off, pulling on his uniform as quickly as he could. If the only thing Annie ever did was install showers, she'd have more than earned her keep. Dear God, he loved that woman.
He was jittery and exhausted, the result of prolonged stim use. He needed real sleep, but that wasn't happening today. Nolan buckled on his stealth belt, tucking his plasma pistol into the holster Annie had modified for him. He was continually impressed by her ability to improvise. She claimed the "underfunded 14th" was spoiled, and infantry would kill to have the castoffs the 14th disparaged. After seeing her handiwork Nolan had more respect for his ground-bound servicemen cousins.
He clipped the bracelet around his wrist, knowing he'd need his plasma blade on the way to the bridge of Chu's vessel. The blade was a much quieter method of killing, and stealth would be key as they infiltrated his ship. He was far from a master in its use, but given his success against Kathryn and her cyber Marines, he felt confident he could hold his own.
"Captain, the admiral has begun his speech," Hannan's voice crackled from the comm.
"Ship, broadcast Dryker's speech shipwide," Nolan ordered.
He listened as Dryker tried to convince the fleet captains to defect, and by the time the captain was done Nolan was moving at a fast walk toward the bridge. Hannan and Annie were already there, but Atrea and Lena had closeted themselves down in the brig. They were studying the organism they'd found in Kathryn, trying to find a way to kill it without killing her. Since neither was good in a combat situation, he preferred they stick to a problem they might be able to solve.
"Captain," Delta said, striding onto the bridge. He seemed less hesitant than before. Maybe the few hours' nap had given him time to bury the intense emotion he was going through.
"We can't keep calling you 'Delta,'" Nolan said. He hadn't brought up the man's real name, because it seemed to pain the big Marine. "How do you want the crew to address you?"
Delta was silent for a moment, considering. When he finally spoke, it was on the heels of a grim smile. "'Delta' is just fine. They gave me the name as a curse, a way of breaking me, but they failed. So I'll take their name, and use it against them. I'm the weapon they made, and I'm going to do as much damage to them as possible. Besides, I can't just go back to being Edison. They've scrubbed that part of my life away. Whoever I am going forward, it isn't that same officer."
"Well said," Hannan offered, clapping Delta on the shoulder. "Everyone in the 14th is a litt
le tarnished, and we've all got checkered pasts. You'll fit in great with this crew."
"And don't worry about your cybernetics," Edwards said from the corner. Most of his battle damage had been repaired, though his left arm was still missing. "I mean, I'm a frigging Judicator, right? You're, like, the fifth weirdest person on board. You totally belong here."
"Ship, are you standing by with that algorithm?" Nolan asked, watching the fleet dispositions change on the holographic display. Dryker had finished his speech, but in the two minutes since, not a single vessel had broken away to join him.
"Affirmative, Captain," Ship said. "I haven't detected any transmission using that quantum wavelength."
"Bring us closer to the massed human fleet," Nolan said, folding his arms. He was damned thankful for the Void Wraith cloaking tech. They could move freely throughout the battle, certain that their enemy was unaware of their presence. "Chu is there somewhere, on one of the capital ships. Probably one hanging back from the actual fighting. Let's get into position. He'll slip up, and the second he does, we engage."
Chapter 57- Chu
"Sir the Tigris have engaged the 11th," a tech said.
Chu ignored him, studying the view screen. The 11th had stopped their bombardment, and was shifting to engage the Tigris. They were outnumbered about three to one, and in a poor tactical position.
Tigris ships slammed into human vessels, devastating the entire outer line. The 11th began to buckle, ships trying to fall back without going into a full rout. Now was the time a good commander--the kind of commander he used to be--would step in.
"Have any of our ships responded to Dryker or broken away?" Chu asked, fingering the black box in his pocket. He'd use it if necessary, but would prefer to avoid that.
"No, sir," the lieutenant said. "Sir, the 11th is taking devastating losses. Are you sure you don't want to issue new orders?"
Chu drew his sidearm and shot the man in the face. The shocked officer collapsed bonelessly to the deck. A tiny plume of smoke rose from the barrel of Chu's pistol. He stared from bridge officer to bridge officer, but none was willing to meet his gaze. The survivors were all chipped, and they knew the kind of pain he could inflict.
"Who's trained to assume this fool's station?" Chu demanded.
Another lieutenant rushed forward, this one a short, redheaded woman in her early forties. She snapped a hasty salute, carefully averting her gaze. "I am, sir."
"Good, take over. And have someone clean up that mess," Chu demanded, returning the captain's chair.
The 11th had shifted their formation, and the rear vessels had moved to reinforce their line. They were engaging the Tigris, who were starting to take casualties as well. The final outcome wasn't in question, but the move bought the surviving officers of the 11th some time. That wasn't a good thing, but there was little Chu could do, except withhold the the help they needed.
Pain stabbed through Chu's chest, black fingers settling around his heart. He could feel something slithering inside of him. Growing. Readying itself to emerge. It was a horrifying feeling, and part of his mind recognized that he should be doing everything possible to remove the parasite before it killed him.
The greater portion of his mind understood that this new being was superior to him in every way, and that giving his life to birth it was the only right, the only proper, course of action. He reached up to touch his cheek, and it came away bloody.
He needed to conclude this battle quickly.
Chapter 58- Appeal to Reason
Dryker's heart broke as he watched the Tigris devastate the 11th fleet. Dozens of ships were burning, on both sides. The 11th was fighting back now, but they didn't have a prayer, not without assistance. Part of Dryker wanted to go to their aid, but attacking the Tigris would be playing right into the Void Wraith's hands. He needed to stop the combat, not escalate it.
"I have some idea of what you must have felt when the Void Wraith attacked Theras," Dryker said, taking a step closer to Celendra. The two might as well have been alone, as the dozens of interested Primos lined the back of the room. Not a single one spoke, each watching the battle with their expressions blank. Dryker knew there was some sort of tradition there, as this had the feeling of ritual. Damned if he knew what it meant, though.
"I believe you do," Celendra said, eyeing him sadly. A bead of milky sweat trickled down her forehead. "Would that there was an easy way to stop the fighting. Do you have another tactic?"
"I'm going to try one more time," Dryker said, nodding. "Go ahead and broadcast."
Celendra tapped her bracelet, then nodded to Dryker.
What the hell was he going to say that he hadn't already? What would convince the humans to break away?
The truth, that was what. Maybe that was the smartest way to flush him out, though. It might also convince some of the captains.
"Captains of the UFC, I'm going to try this one more time," Dryker said. "You can see the 11th being wiped out. Admiral Chu is standing by, keeping you out of the battle. You're watching your brothers be slaughtered, and doing nothing to help them. What do you think will happen to you when the Tigris are done with the 11th? Do you think they'll let you leave? Of course not. You'll be wiped out, and that's exactly what Chu wants. If you want to live, join me. You don't have to die here.
"I know that many of you are reluctant to do that, because you've been implanted with a chip. That chip is embedded in your nervous system, and causes blinding pain if you don't do what they tell you," Dryker said, then paused. "We have the means of disabling that chip. Every man that retreats will have that chip removed, and together we'll take down the bastards that did this to you."
Dryker motioned to Celendra, and she tapped her bracelet again. Dryker clasped his hands behind his back, watching the combat. A single orange square broke off from the 11th, then another. A moment later, three squares broke away from the main battlegroup.
Then another handful. Then another. All were headed toward Dryker's fleet.
Chapter 59- Pounce
Fizgig smiled grimly as the Claw led their fleet into battle. They'd used Tigrana itself to shield their approach, and so far as they knew Mow was oblivious to their presence.
"Izzy, use the planet's gravitational well to accelerate," Fizgig ordered. She dug her claws into one of the cushions, slicing the fabric and exposing the feathers within. The loss of control bothered her, but she wasn't the only one feeling the strain. Khar paced back and forth in front of the weapons station.
Their new crew shifted, all struggling to sit still. This was the pivotal moment, the moment they either stopped Mow, or died in the attempt. Everything hung in the balance, and they all knew it. They'd known it for the past three hours, the length of time it had taken their fleet to circle Tigrana.
They'd prowled the stars the same way their ancestors had prowled the jungles--swift, silent, and deadly. Now they skipped along Tigrana's dense atmosphere, the hull flaring red as they accelerated.
"Mighty Fizgig," Izzy growled over her shoulder. "Our enemy is unaware. Mow's vessel is in the rear, as you predicted. It has a cluster of seven Peregrine-class vessels around it. What are your orders?"
"Fleetwide," Fizgig said, leaping to her feet. She prowled to the screen, her tail lashing back and forth behind her. "Hear me, Pride Fizgig. Pride Leonis has its belly exposed. Bring death to the vessels surrounding the traitor Mow, but leave his death to me. If our enemies surrender, you may accept them as prideless, or slay them if you choose. Teach them to fear our name."
"Mighty Fizgig!" roared Khar, and the cry was taken up by the rest of the bridge crew. Fizgig made no move to silence them, and she shook her head when Izzy looked at her questionably. Let the fleet hear them roar their defiance before battle.
Then they were within visual range. Eight specks gleamed ahead of them, each resolving into a Tigris vessel as they approached. The specks moved slowly, and Fizgig narrowed her eyes when she realized why. They were prowling behind the bulk of the Leon
is Pride, watching while their brethren fought and died against the humans killing their home world. She'd known Mow would do it, but seeing it made it more real. And it infuriated her.
Fizgig considered giving Izzy the order to ram, but snapped her mouth shut. That was micromanaging. Izzy was the most skilled pilot she'd ever worked with, and the simplest way to get the result she was after was to let her people do what they were best at.
The Claw shuddered as Izzy increased their speed. She tapped a button on her console, and her voice echoed through the corridors of the ship. "Brace for impact. Boarding teams, stand by."
The Claw rose, drifting away from Tigrana's atmosphere. They came up low under Mow's ship, at a much greater speed than most would attempt. Fizgig had complete confidence, but most of the rest of the crew had never flown with the snowy-furred prideless. Well, formerly prideless.
Crew muttered, and a mangy male who'd lost an ear prayed to Tigrana under his breath. Fizgig smiled, seizing the arms of her chair. She tensed her muscles, watching Mow's vessel grow larger and larger. Its surface gleamed, and Fizgig could already tell what point Izzy had marked. She was aiming for the spot between the two dart ports. It would stab Mow's vessel in the throat. Fitting. If she pulled it off, they would enter the ship near the bridge.
The screen went dark briefly as the entire ship lurched, their momentum suddenly dropping to nothing. The internal dampeners did what they could, but were simply not designed to handle the reduction in velocity.
"To me!" Fizgig roared, her voice thundering across the bridge. She sprinted from the room, up the corridor toward the aft side of the ship.