Euthara

by Michael McClain

  The man smiled again briefly. “As I said before think about what was said. The answer you seek is right there,” the man said.

  Jon sighed; he wasn’t getting very far with this man. In a way, the man before him was making him mentally tired as his mind worked overtime to figure out what he was talking about. According to this man, the answers were already there and Jon just needed to look hard to see them.

  The door to the room opened and it drew Jon’s attention. He wasn’t expecting someone else and wasn’t notified there was someone else coming. Jon knew that could mean only one thing and smiled as Terri stepped through the door followed by two Ga’sahde acolytes that doubled as guards.

  Terri stepped past the Eutharan guard sitting at his station. “At ease,” she said as he started to rise. The two acolytes took up positions on either side of the entrance.

  The man’s eyes locked on to Terri and his face paled slightly as he dropped to his knees and bowed his head. “Matriarch,” he said.

  Terri stepped up to Jon and gave him a brief hug. “How are you doing bro?” Terri said.

  “Okay, confused, pissed off,” Jon said. He slapped her belly and arched his eyebrow. “Battle armor?”

  Terri nodded and pulled her cloak back to show him. “Latest design by Brad,” Terri said. The armor was a bright teal with blood red glyphs etched into its collar. “I’ve been ordered to wear it at all times, even on my own ship. The only place I’m allowed to remove it is while I’m in my quarters.”

  Jon laughed as he looked over the armor. “You, ordered!” he said. “That’s a new one.”

  “Even I have people who are in charge of my security,” Terri said. “I can do pretty much anything I want, but they get final say when it comes to my safety. Something you should learn yourself.”

  “I don’t have anyone to answer to really,” Jon said.

  “You do, you just don’t realize it,” Terri said. “You hold a lot of positions and are probably the single most powerful person in this Galaxy. However, your safety isn’t in your hands. It’s in the hands of those people around you.”

  The door opened again and Breq stepped through, also dressed in battle armor. Behind him were two more armored marines carrying a suit of armor in various pieces. Breq smiled at Jon and bowed slightly, giving a small salute in the process.

  The guard behind the control station started to stand up again.

  “At ease Corporal,” Breq said as he walked towards Jon with the two marines in tow.

  The guard sat back down and shook his head slightly.

  Jon looked at Terri as he spoke, “Anyone else coming I should know about?”

  Terri smiled and nodded as she spoke, “Sa’oliq should be here shortly.”

  “A lesson for me?” Jon said. He was eyeing the armor.

  “In a way,” Terri said. “Mainly I thought it was important to have everyone here for him.” Terri indicated the still kneeling man in the cell. He was still bowed and looking at the floor.

  “Nefeit and Deatra?” Jon said.

  Terri shook her head. “Nope, technically they’re your wives and with your position you out-rank them. I didn’t feel they would add anything by being here. They will get the gist of what is going on through your bond,” she said.

  Jon frowned, Terri knew better. “I don’t exclude them from major happenings. I value their input,” Jon said.

  “I know,” Terri said. “That’s one of the things we all like about you. Also I offered them the opportunity and they both declined.”

  “Don’t worry, I’m sure they trust your ability to make good decisions,” Sa’oliq said as she entered the room. She bowed slightly to Jon and waved the guard to sit as he started to rise again.

  “If people keep coming in we’re going to wear the guard out,” Jon said as a small smile crept on his face.

  “You’re telling me,” the guard muttered, which got a round of chuckles.

  Jon got serious as the last person was finally present. “So, I take it Mark contacted you all,” Jon said.

  “He contacted me,” Terri said. “I contacted the others for two reasons. I thought we should all be here to hear what the prisoner has to say and also to let you know we care about your safety.”

  “I agree, I didn’t think about contacting you. I don’t think I was seeing straight at the time,” Jon said. “As far as you all caring about my safety, I know you all do. However, I’m an action guy, and I don’t like sitting on the sidelines.”

  “Good, I’m glad you see things our way then about your safety,” Breq said. The two Marines stepped forward and offered Jon the armor. “Then you won’t mind wearing it at all times unless you’re in your quarters.”

  Jon arched an eyebrow as he looked at the armor. It was the same design as Terri’s except the armor was black and red in the shape of tiger stripes. He looked up at them and shrugged. “I don’t see the need. I’m perfectly safe here on the Atlantis,” Jon said.

  Atlantis appeared next to Jon as she spoke, “Sir, it would make me feel better if you were armored on and off ship. In the event of an attack, this armor might save your life.”

  “I don’t see the need,” Jon said. “Our uniforms act as decompression suits and if the ship is hit that bad I doubt anything will save anyone, armor or not.”

  “And if someone has designs on killing you,” Atlantis said. “This armor just might prevent that or at least save your life.”

  “Think of it this way,” Breq said. “If you die, what happens?”

  “I don’t think the ADF will die with the loss of me,” Jon said. “I think I’ve showed you all that what you seek is possible.”

  “That’s true,” Breq said. “I would hope the ADF lives on even if you’re not here. I have come to respect you more than I even thought was possible since being here. The way Hope Station is run to accept all people no matter what race, is a beacon of hope for everyone. However, I was thinking more along the line of those you love.”

  “I don’t get what you’re asking,” Jon said.

  “You’re wives, or soon to be wives, Jon,” Sa’oliq said. “What would happen to them if you died?”

  Breq nodded at Sa’oliq. “Exactly,” he said.

  Jon paled as he realized what they were trying to say. “With the bond severed they would die,” he said.

  “Don’t you owe it to them to protect yourself as best you can,” Breq said. “You hold their lives in your hands.”

  “The same is true for them,” Jon said. “I never gave it a second thought. It’s something that had slipped my mind.”

  “Opellissa already wears armor,” Terri said. “Nefeit and Deatra hardly see battle but Brad is designing a lighter armor for them that can be hidden beneath their clothing while out and about. It will give them adequate protection in battle situations. We all realize we can’t just hide you away and expect you to do what is needed. However we can at least prepare for the inevitable attempt that will be made on your life or your wives lives.”

  Jon nodded as he spoke, “Thanks, I never thought of it that way.”

  “You’re a man of action, and we understand that,” Breq said. “I would be in your position too.”

  Jon motioned for the two Marines to follow him and he stepped into a vacant cell. A few minutes later he stepped back out and was fully dressed in his new armor. It was lighter weight than the older model and made from some new type of material. There was hardly any restriction of movement. He could hardly notice he was wearing it.

  “The markings denote you as the House Primus for the Ga’sahde,” Terri said. “Brad and Mike reworked the entire systems for the new armors with local supplies from the newly opened factories. It can take more damage, and the exoskeleton can boost your strength to about twenty percent more than the older system. Oojoung’s squad was the first to get their hands on the new armor for testing, and once all the bugs were worked out, the upper brass was next inline.”

  “You also now have a direct
link with me no matter where you are,” Atlantis said. “Each Captain will be similarly linked to their AI units as they come on line.”

  “That is correct, you also have the same link to me,” Ghost said.

  “Ghost?” Jon said.

  “It is I,” Ghost said.

  “How? The lag between the communication from the station to here is pretty large,” Jon said. He was surprised to hear her in real time.

  “The Hammer has been out repairing or seeding communication buoys,” Ghost said. “Based on this communication, they should be very close to your system or done and moved on to another location.”

  “You don’t know where they are?” Jon said. “I don’t want anyone taking unnecessary risks.”

  “They’re quit safe Commander,” Ghost said. “They have two battleships and four light cruisers with them.”

  “Sounds like what was protecting the station,” Jon said. “I don’t want you unguarded.”

  “I have a super battleship, two battleships, four cruisers and six destroyers on patrol,” Ghost said. “Also the Ga’deas is slotted for completion this week. Her refit is almost complete, Captain Heas is very excited to get her out of dry dock.”

  “Where the hell did all these ships come from?” Jon said.

  “We’ve been sending you reports regularly,” Breq said.

  Jon’s face colored slightly as he spoke, “You mean that back log of reports I have yet to clear.”

  “Yes, that one,” Sa’oliq said. “Perhaps you should get an assistant that can help you with your paperwork and bring important matters to your attention while taking care of the little things.”

  “Perhaps,” Jon said.

  “Deatra would make a good assistant,” Terri said.

  Jon thought about it for less than a second. “You know I think you’re right,” Jon said. “I’ll ask her when I see her next. Please continue, Ghost.”

  “Anyway, they’re mostly refugees,” Ghost said. “Invaru and Buranis mainly. I think Sa’oliq and your sister had a few dispatched to assist us. The construction yards are working at full capacity and laid the keel of two more super carriers and four heavy cruisers. Two heavy battleships are reaching mid completion and we already have the crews training for them. Hope Station has been sending us personnel from the refugees coming in there, and we’ve had a few show up here. Crystari activity has been almost non-existent in this sector, and the freighters have had no problems traversing the lanes to ferry supplies.”

  “I had no idea things were going that well,” Jon said.

  “Admiral Breq and Sa’oliq are very efficient,” Ghost said.

  “I guess,” Jon said. “Well, keep up the good work.”

  “Will do,” Ghost said. “However, there is just one thing that bugs me Commander.”

  “What’s that?” Jon said.

  “Well, the Crystari have attacked you there, and you have a large array of forces there with the combined might of the Eutharan ships and Planetary defenses.” Ghost said. “It makes me wonder what their game is. We know they’re watching us. Every once in a while we will catch one of their ships on the edge of the sector. When we react to engage them, they’re not at the location and it's like they’re misdirecting us on purpose. Wanting us to see something and react to see what we do. It’s very confusing and I can’t work it out.”

  Jon looked at the kneeling man, head still bowed in respect. He then realized what the man had been saying. “Stop reacting to them,” Jon said. The man turned his head slightly and glance up at Jon out of the corner of his eye. A smile slowly crossed his face and he gave a slight nod as if he knew Jon finally got what he had been saying.

  “Excuse me Sir?” Ghost said.

  Breq looked at Terri a question on his face. Terri just shrugged unknowingly.

  “Ghost they’re seeing how much time it takes you to react and how you react. They hope you’ll get tired of chasing them and relax your guard,” Jon said. “That’s when they will attack. So, stop running to them every time they appear. Sit back as if you don’t care and prepare to surprise them if they decide to move in on you. That's what I think they’re doing anyway.”

  “Sneaky,” Breq said. “Sounds very plausible.”

  “I never thought of that,” Ghost said.

  “I want you to contact Captain Jodeas and make sure he stays in jump range while he’s doing whatever he’s doing,” Jon said. “I’m sending Admiral Breq back after our meeting to take command of the station’s defensive fleet. Sa’oliq will continue handling things here at Hope Station.”

  “I’ll let Commander Vaes know and get things rolling here,” Ghost said.

  “Ok, keep me posted now that we can speak in real time,” Jon said.

  “Will do Commander,” Ghost said.

  “Jon out,” Jon said as he cut the connection. He turned to the man in the cell. “You were trying to tell me things aren’t as they look here.”

  Still kneeling the man said, “Correct.”

  “Stand up,” Terri said.

  The man’s reaction to Terri struck Jon as odd for someone serving someone who wanted nothing to do with the Ga’sahde. “You don’t work for the King do you?” Jon said.

  “No I don’t,” the man said as he stood up and looked at Jon.

  Everyone in the room but Jon exchanged stunned looks. If he didn’t work for the King, then why would he try to assassinate the Queen. It was apparent the Queen opposed the Kings actions. The King all but admitted the attack on the Queen was his doing. It didn’t make sense.

  “The person doing this is someone we wouldn’t likely suspect,” Jon said. “A silent partner controlling things behind the scenes.”

  “Again correct,” the man said. The smile on his face was now permanent as he realized Jon was on the brink of realization.

  “However, I don’t understand why the King would say what he said,” Jon said. “He all but admitted the attack on the Queen was his doing.”

  The man raised an eyebrow as he watched Jon muddle through his thoughts. “Did he?” the man said.

  “Yes,” Jon said. “Well, in a roundabout way he did. He said that, and I quote, ‘I have a very long reach.’ or something close to that effect.”

  “Did he ever say he was responsible for the attack on the Queen?” the man said.

  Jon thought carefully about the conversation as the other people in the room listened to the conversation with interest. “No not really,” Jon said. He had to admit it, the King never said he was responsible, just that he had a very long reach.

  “Let me ask you this,” the man said. “Are you sure what you think has happened really happened?”

  “I don’t follow again,” Jon said.

  “Do you have proof I was actually there in that room at the time of the attack?” the man said.

  “We have video of you entering and leaving the room,” Jon said.

  “That is true and I’ll tell you truthfully that I was here to kill the Queen,” the man said. “However, not for the reasons you think.”

  “Why would you want to kill the Queen if you don’t work for the King?” Jon said. He felt like he was going in circles again with this man.

  “That is for you to figure out,” the man said. “I can’t tell you the reasons. I took a vow to never reveal them out right to anyone, including you or even the Matriarch.”

  “Okay,” Jon said. “Some information is better than nothing and I take it if I figure it out on my own you can let me know.”

  “Correct,” the man said. “I just can’t tell you out right.”

  “Let's take a step back for a second,” Jon said. He put his hands behind his back as he thought about everything said.

  “Okay,” the man said.

  “First I don’t think you’re Eutharan,” Jon said. He watched the man reaction looking for any sign he was right.

  “Correct, I’m not,” the man said.

  Sa’oliq, Breq and Terri all looked at Jon in shock, they tr
ied to understand how Jon had come to this conclusion. “How did you know that?” Terri asked.

  “His mannerisms don’t fit,” Jon said. “They’re close but not perfect. If you watch and listen closely, there are certain things Eutharan people do. They stand a certain way or fidget a certain way. Their eyes shift slightly to light sources in a room, constantly changing colors slightly. Their skin shimmers a certain way under certain lights, his doesn’t.”

  “Looks like a Eutharan to me,” Breq said.

  “Me too,” Sa’oliq said.

  “Anyway, you were saying we have been shown only what they want us to see,” Jon said.

  “Correct,” the man said.

  “If he’s not Eutharan then what is he?” Breq said.

  Jon held up a hand to stop any other questions. “He’ll tell us when he’s ready. He’s not going anywhere,” Jon said. “Anyway, how you said that makes me think that whoever or whatever is doing this is controlling this area to make things look worse than they actually are. If we took a reading from the other side of the planet, we would find that the Eco-system is in balance. The only reason we haven’t is because there are no cities there and only small tribes.”

  “Again correct,” the man said. He grinned even wider.

  “They’re also controlling the King and through him those under him,” Jon said.

  The man nodded.

  Jon thought for a second and it struck him like a blow to the back of the head. He looked down at his armor and then up at Terri as his face paled.

  “Jesus Jon are you ok? You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Terri said. She reached out and grabbed his arm to help steady him.

  “He’s figured it out,” the man said.

  “What? Figured what out?” Breq said.

  “Who is responsible and in control of everything here on Euthara,” the man said.

  “Jon?” Sa’oliq said.

  “It’s the Queen,” Jon said.

  Chapter 23

  Revelations

  Jon exited the Brig dragging everyone with him as he started for Medical, where the Queen was. He didn’t see the man in the cell shake his head negative as Jon said it was the Queen behind everything. The man tried to say something but it was too late the doors slammed shut as the group ran down the corridor.