“What do you need me to do?” asked Felix in a voice that sounded surprisingly resolved.
Richard smiled and patted the thin man on the back. “I want you to do the same thing the rest of us are going to do. Fight with every breath in your body and with every tool at your disposal.”
“How?” said Felix. “Where?”
“How?” said Richard. “Sergeant Ron will tell you what you need to do. Where? On Risors. That’s where your battle lies.”
“What about you?” asked Felix.
“Me?” said Richard giving a tired smile. “My battle lies elsewhere. I have to fight it alone.”
Jeena smiled. She didn’t know what her bondmate had in mind, but one thing she knew for sure was that he wasn’t going to be alone. She would be by his side no matter what.
And that’s the way it’s supposed to be, she thought. That’s the way it’s always going to be.
Chapter 3 – Tia
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Newly promoted Lieutenant Tianika Bistoria, or Tia to her friends, sat watching her father, War-King Bistoria as he spoke to the assembled council of the Trecorian Alliance. The thirty-meter-wide situation room in the royal palace on Trecor was barely large enough to hold the hundred and fifty admirals, generals, and civilian leaders present. Her father pointed at the star map in the center of the room. It displayed the Trecorian Alliance’s part of the galaxy. The war-king waved his hand to include the blue dots that denoted the locations of the combined Trecorian and Empire fleets. Other dots in a lighter shade of blue indicated the additional ships provided by the United Galaxy Alliance that had arrived from the magic dimension.
“Our forces are spread thin,” said War-King Bistoria. “All of you can see what we’re up against.” Waving his hand, he indicated the red, yellow, and orange dots that were the locations of the Conglomerate, Carsoloian, Crosioian, and Balorian Pirates’ fleets arrayed against them. Her father gave everyone time to think about what they were seeing.
Only a fool would fail to see that there were a whole lot more red, yellow, and orange dots than there were blues ones. The map certainly gave Tia a lot to think about.
“That’s just including the Crosioian fleets we know about,” said her father. “The Crosioians’ empire stretches into parts of the galaxy we don’t even have mapped. Our military intelligence analysts tell me that we can only guess at how many additional forces they have at their disposal.”
Tia noticed a movement from her left as someone in a white naval officer’s uniform stood to address the council. The officer was her sister, Admiral of the Combined Fleets Elizabeth Bistos.
Humph, Tia thought. She looks mighty spiffy in her admiral’s uniform, but she’ll always be plain old Liz to me.
“Our troops will do their duty,” said Liz as she walked to stand near the star map. “We are still consolidating our fleets after the trap in the Criterion star system, but as you can see, we have dispatched ships to harass our enemies. I’m hopeful we can keep them off balance long enough to allow additional reinforcements to arrive from the United Galaxy Alliance. Once those additional UGA ships are integrated within our combined fleets, we will start our own offensive.”
Despite being a mere lieutenant, Tia stood. Being the daughter of the war-king, she was far from being intimidated by higher-ranking personnel, especially her sister. “There will be no more ships coming from the United Galaxy Alliance.”
“What’s that?” asked a large red-bearded man wearing an ill-fitting business suit. The man looked at War-King Bistoria. “I thought you told the council we could expect additional ships from the magic dimension. My miners are spread out on asteroids from one end of the alliance to another. Without additional ships from the UGA, how can you guarantee our safety?”
Tia recognized the man as the representative for the miners’ union.
“Lieutenant Bistoria oversteps herself,” said Admiral of the Combined Fleets Elizabeth Bistos. “I spoke with the representatives from the UGA three days ago. They assured me that fleets were being assembled in the magic dimension to come to our aid. They should be here by the end of the week.”
“They aren’t coming,” said Tia despite a warning glance from her sister. “I tried telling you earlier, Liz, but you were too busy…err, Sir. The winds of politics have changed in the United Galaxy Alliance. The Dragars are escalating strikes against the UGA. There’s talk the Dragars will start their invasion soon. Before Rick…err, Wizard Scout Shepard sent me back, he said the UGA made it known that they are depending on reinforcements from our physical galaxy to support them in the Great Battle that threatens their galaxy.”
“We’re supposed to send them ships?” asked the red-bearded man. “We barely have enough warships to hold off the forces arrayed against us as it is.”
“That’s not quite—” began Tia.
“Enough, Lieutenant,” said Liz. “You will sit down and be quiet, or I’ll have you removed.”
Tia looked at her father, hoping he would overrule her sister. When he remained quiet, her military discipline kicked in. She sat down. After all, Liz was the Admiral of the Combined Fleets.
A familiar feminine voice sounded from the other side of the room. “Well, I for one would like to know what the lieutenant has to say.”
Tia looked over to see her mother, Kristen Bistoria, standing near her younger sister. Although only nine years old since her birthday last month, Tia thought Chloe looked every bit a Bistorian in her newly issued cadet uniform.
I never thought she’d make it in the military, Tia thought. I guess being one of only a half-dozen diviners in the Trecorian Alliance adds a lot of self-confidence to even the meekest of souls. I suppose that’s another reason I have for trying to do what Rick asked me. He’s helped my family a lot since we first met.
“Very well,” said War-King Bistoria deferring to his wife. “Finish what you were going to say, Lieutenant.”
With all eyes on her, Tia stood. She drew strength from the green-gemmed ring she wore on her right hand. She felt a tingle in the ring as a feeling of warmth passed over her. Tia knew the warmth for what it was. Matthew was sending her encouragement from wherever he was through the matching ring he wore. She remembered how they’d gotten the rings during their battle on Storage and smiled. Matthew and she were linked now and forever.
“You smile,” said Liz. “Does our situation amuse you?”
Tia dropped her smile, wondering if all leaders eventually turned into jerks. She had a fleeting thought that her sister used to be nice.
“No, Sir,” Tia replied. “I don’t think it’s amusing. I do think we’re in better shape than it appears at first glance. Even as we speak, Matt is—”
“We cannot base our hopes on the son of a traitor,” said Liz.
Tia felt her face grow warm. “He isn’t a—”
“Enough,” said War-King Bistoria glaring at both of his daughters. “Traitor or not, I don’t believe Matthew Deloris has the wherewithal to convince the Conglomerate to surrender to us.”
“Rick didn’t ask Matt to have them surrender,” Tia blurted out before remembering she was talking to the war-king and not her father. “Rick’s plan is to have them ally with us and fight against our foes.”
“Never,” said Liz. “The Conglomerate was in league with the Crosioians. Tens of millions of my fellow Empire soldiers and sailors died as a result of the Conglomerate, as did many of Trecor’s finest. I once thought we could make peace with the Conglomerate, but that was before I saw firsthand the destruction and misery their betrayal cost our side. Nothing short of unconditional surrender will suit us now.”
War-King Bistoria grew red as the muscles on his face tightened. Slowly they relaxed. “Do you now speak as the war-king, Admiral?”
“Uh…no, I…err,” said Liz, her face growing redder with each word.
The war-king nodded his head before giving a slight smile. “That’s good. I thought perhaps the council had taken a vote i
n my absence and replaced me with you.”
Liz turned even redder.
Tia was pretty sure the change in color wasn’t from anger.
“Sorry, Sir,” replied Liz. “I spoke out of turn.”
As Tia watched, her father walked to the star chart and stared at it for a dozen heartbeats. No one in the room spoke while he did. When the war-king finally turned back around, he had a strange look in his eyes. She also saw wrinkles on his face that she didn’t remember being there before she’d left to serve on the Defiant. His shoulders also seemed to sag. The mortality of her father suddenly hit her. He’s always been a giant of a man, she thought. It never occurred to me that anything could get him down.
“We’re all under a lot of stress,” said her father. “That’s all the more reason we must work together and not squabble among ourselves.”
Tia met her father’s gaze as he looked at her.
“While I have the utmost respect for Wizard Scout Shepard,” he continued, “he isn’t the war-king. Neither does he command the combined Trecorian, Empire, and UAG fleets.”
Her father straightened, standing ramrod straight with shoulders back. Suddenly the version of her father Tia had always known was back.
“We will continue to operate on the assumption that the Conglomerate is working hand in hand with the Crosioians,” said War-King Bistoria. He looked at Liz. “Admiral Bistos.”
Tia’s sister snapped to attention. “Yes, Sir?”
“Until further notice, you will hold our forces on the Conglomerate border in a defensive posture. Be prepared to attack if the council so decides, but make no offensive operations against the Conglomerate for the present.”
“As you command,” said Liz, looking none too pleased. “What about the Crosioians, Sir?”
“Our latest estimates are that the Crosioians captured a hundred million Empire and Trecorian troops during the battle on Estos. Another hundred million were taken prisoner on the other planets in the Criterion system. I don’t know how long those bats will keep our troops alive. I want you to come up with a rescue plan. We need to save as many of those prisoners as we can, while we can.”
Tia was shocked. From what she’d found out on her return to Trecor, the combined fleets were barely holding their own against the Crosioians. The war-king’s order to come up with a rescue plan for two hundred million POWs was an impossible task, in her opinion. She didn’t envy her sister. Actually, I don’t envy anyone who’s unlucky enough to get stuck helping her accomplish it either.
“And…,” said War-King Bistoria, “I want you to assign Lieutenant Bistoria to your staff to help plan the operation. She’s been to the magic dimension twice now. She’ll make a good liaison to the UGA forces.”
An empty feeling made itself known in Tia’s stomach.
“Yes, Sir!” said Liz.
War-King Bistoria looked at Tia.
She snapped to attention and saluted along with her sister. “Yes, Sir!”
Tia’s father returned their salutes, then smiled. “I have one additional order for both of you.”
“Sir?” said Liz.
The war-king winked. “Both of you will have dinner with your mother and I tonight. That’s an order.”
Tia smiled. That’s one order I won’t mind obeying.
Chapter 4 – Crosioians
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The supreme leader of the Crosioian Central Command spread her wings. Hissing and clacking noises in the council’s cavern on the capital planet of Fealty came to a halt. The three-hundred-plus Crosioians in attendance retracted their wings to give their supreme leader the acknowledgement and respect she deserved. When she sensed everyone’s ears in her direction, the supreme leader spoke.
“Estos was a setback. We were betrayed by the Conglomerate. They should have attacked the Empire’s forces on a second front. Instead, they ran and hid. But no matter. We will wipe the Conglomerate out as soon as we are finished destroying what remains of the Empire and Trecorian fleets. Our forces in the outer realms are even now assembling our reinforcements. We are coordinating for more ships and soldiers from our sisters in the Andromeda galaxy. Once these military units arrive, we will be in a position to strike a blow that will wipe the human species from every star system in this galaxy once and for all. The other races will fall in line after the humans are gone. Crosioians will rule the galaxy from now until the end of time as we are destined.”
Hissing erupted from the hundreds of assembled representatives of the Crosioian Empire’s tribal districts. The combined flapping of their wings caused a breeze to whip up in the cavern, bringing the delicious aroma of ammonia to the supreme leader’s nostrils. The smell reminded her of home. She was eager to go back into retirement and leave the future of the Crosioian Empire to the younger generations, but knew she couldn’t leave yet. After the fiasco in the Criterion star system and on Estos, the council had enticed her to leave her well-deserved years of rest with her family and return to active duty to take control of the situation. Although she would never admit it to the younger bats present, she knew better than anyone that the battles that lay ahead before complete victory could be achieved would take more years than remained in her lifespan.
Unless, she thought. Unless we can crush the humans in one decisive blow. I have stripped the outer and inner realms of troops and ships. I will make our sisters in the Andromeda galaxy understand this is their battle as much as ours. They will come to our aid if I have to drag them here by the ear like newborn hatchlings. I will gather the largest armada the galaxy has ever seen and guide the younglings to ultimate victory. My plan will work. I know it will. She thought of the newborns in her home cave. My plan must work so they may live. I owe it to our newborns to ensure their safety and that of our future generations. The humans must be destroyed as a species. That is the only way our younglings can ever know true peace.
A bat only a few years younger than the supreme leader stood and spread her wings. She was the oldest representative of the Long Wing tribe. The supreme leader knew her well. She was called Charge-In-The-Face-Of-Great-Odds for good reason. They had been friends since their youth, during scout training. At the sight of the Long Wing rep spreading her wings, the cheering of those assembled subsided until the cavern was silent.
“With all due respect, it is a dangerous game you play, Supreme Leader,” said the Long Wing representative. “Our outer realms are not without dangers of their own. The same can be said for the territories of our sisters in Andromeda. Once we strip our defenses, our worlds in both galaxies will be susceptible to attack. The humans may take advantage of the weakness in this galaxy and attack our rear even as our fleets move to engage their primary districts.”
The supreme leader gave a bat’s version of a smile. “Ah, it is good to hear your voice again, old friend. I thought for sure you would be in your tribal cavern, surrounded by younglings as you regaled them with the exploits of your long-ago youth.”
Charge-In-The-Face-Of-Great-Odds hissed a smile in return. “As I you, Supreme Leader.” She waved a wing encompassing the crowd of bats in the cavern. “When duty calls, a bat always answers no matter their age. I was asked to serve, so I am here.”
The supreme leader nodded in approval. “The loyalty and commitment to duty by bats of all generations is why the Crosioian race will achieve final and total victory over our foes. As for your concern, I share it, but…I have set fruit in a trap that the humans cannot resist.” When the supreme leader sensed she had everyone’s undivided attention, she hissed, “Unlike Crosioians, humans and their allies see no shame in surrender. As you may know, our forces captured a little over two hundred million of the humans.”
The cavern filled with hissing and the sound of flapping wings. That any race could endure the shame of surrender was unfathomable. More than a few in attendance shouted, “Kill them! Kill them all!”
“Yes,” hissed the supreme leader using a voice high-pitched enough to be heard over
the noise of the crowd. “I share your disgust, but the humans’ shame works to our advantage. We have assembled the prisoners on the planet Estos. Most of them were there already, when they fell into our trap. The residual radiation of the magic nukes we were given by the Conglomerate is slowly killing them. We are sending down enough food and medicine to the planet’s surface to keep them alive, but their time is short. The humans will be forced to act to save the prisoners before they succumb to the radiation.”
Charge-In-The-Face-Of-Great-Odds hissed her disbelief. “Even humans would not be foolish enough to fall into a second trap on Estos. Their forces barely escaped as it was. Surely they would not risk their ships and troops a second time to save those who deserve to die for their dishonor.”
The supreme leader hissed laughter. “You give the humans too much credit, old friend. The emotional ties between them are strong. As a Crosioian scout, I spent many years conducting missions deep in the humans’ star systems. Their weakness has always been their attachment to even the frailest of their species. Trust me, they will come. When they do, our fleets will be there waiting.”
Another bat stood and spread her wings. “Our fleets were waiting last time. Yet our forces suffered even greater losses than the humans.”
The supreme leader recognized the bat as the representative from the Blood Claw tribe, the honorable Spear-Through-Your-Heart. The supreme leader’s chest turned dark gray. The Blood Claws are ever the ones to voice discontent and stir up trouble, she thought. Getting control of her anger, she kept the thought to herself. With effort, she said in a calm voice, “Yes, the generation below us mistakenly relied on our master computer too much. After analyzing the data, our techs have discovered that the master computer was infected with a previously unknown virus so subtle, it was only found after the fact. The younger leaders also allowed magic users and demons to play too large of a part in the battle. We have rectified that situation.”
Wizard Defender (Intergalactic Wizard Scout Chronicles Book 8) Page 4