This was war planning. Good.
Elder Zhanre’khavet, however, greeted her displaying all customary grace and formality, bestowing upon her his most elegant bow. “Advisor Kirumase, welcome to our halls once again.”
She sank low, until one knee nearly touched the ground, and crossed her arms in the traditional greeting, then rose. “Thank you, Elder. It is my honor. I come before you today bearing a gift for your people.”
“Oh? I was led to understand we would be discussing developments in the Rasu threat.”
“We are. My government fears that as part of their pillaging of our data stores on Namino, the Rasu learned the location of Toki’taku, much as they learned the locations of Chosek and all Asterion Dominion worlds. They are currently occupying themselves dismantling two of our Adjunct Worlds, but it will not be long before they turn their attention here. In fact, I believe the only reason they have not done so already is because they have a certain…obsession with Asterions, or at least with our kyoseil. But while it could be today or it could be a month from now, each passing day makes a Rasu attack on Toki’taku more likely.”
“My government does not disagree with your analysis.”
This was a relief. Needing to convince them of the severity of the threat would’ve made her job so much more difficult. “I’m thankful you grasp the urgency of the matter. Given the strength of our mutual enemy and the risk they pose to your planet, we want to provide you with a technology we call a ‘Rift Bubble.’ It creates a barrier in your upper atmosphere that will send any vessel or object that crosses it through a rift in the space-time manifold and deposit it far away. We prefer to send them into the corona of a star to ensure they never return, but you are welcome to choose an equally suitable destination. Your ships will be provided with a broadcast code to enable them to pass through this barrier unharmed.”
The Elder’s feathered shoulders adjusted slightly. “This is not Asterion-developed technology.” It wasn’t posed as a question.
“No. Our new allies, the Katasketousya—you may have previously seen us refer to them as ‘Sogain’ in our intelligence reports—are building these devices. But we used one such device to expel the Rasu from Namino, and we’re using them now to successfully protect our other Axis Worlds, as well as Chosek. The Rift Bubble represents a far superior defense mechanism to anything we or you can field at this time.”
“Your worlds burn today beneath Rasu invasions, yet you are offering this precious technology to us?”
“Yes, we are. Those worlds were evacuated of people and valuables before the Rasu arrived. Only a few thousand residents remained when the attacks came, each of whom made their choice with a full understanding of the risks involved.” The language of diplomacy rolled off her tongue with ease. “But now the Rasu threaten over a billion Taiyoks—the entirety of your species. We are friends to your people, and we do not wish to see such a fate befall you.”
The Elder’s copper compound eyes stared at her with shining intensity but gave away nothing. “Your words garner more appreciation than you know, and on behalf of all Taiyoks, I thank you for your generosity. But we know nothing of these ‘Katasketousya’ beyond a few glimpses of their grotesque ships during the Second Battle of Namino. We have no reason to trust them.”
If her journals had taught her anything, it was that the Taiyoks were legendary for their slowness to trust. “Then trust me. I will vouch for the technology.”
“Will you vouch for the Katasketousya?”
She opened her mouth…gods forgive her if she was wrong. “I will. They are on our side.”
“On your side, perhaps. As I said, we know nothing of them.” The Elder drew his wings in tight behind his back. “Thank you for the offer of this valuable gift, Advisor, but we must respectfully decline.”
“You…” she couldn’t have heard him correctly “…did you say you decline?”
“We cannot and will not stake our survival on technology we do not comprehend provided to us by ethereal strangers who fly ships dredged out of the underworld. We will instead defend ourselves.”
“But Elder, with what?”
“We possess many defenses you have never seen. Nor should you have seen them, for you have never threatened our planetary security. Rest assured, we will be prepared for the Rasu when they arrive.”
No. He had served as the leader of his people and the head of a planetary government for over two decades. He could not be this stupid. “Sir. Elder, please. Your military has fought this enemy. Your pilots have died at the hands of this enemy. You’ve witnessed the wholesale destruction the Rasu are capable of causing in a matter of minutes. We all need to do every single thing in our power to combat them and protect the lives of our citizens. I understand that your caution is rooted in the noblest of traditions, but your entire existence is now at risk. Doesn’t the nature of the threat allow for an exception to be made?”
“I acknowledge your words, Advisor, but you have my answer.”
MIRAI
Ridani Enterprises
“How can they possibly be prepared for the Rasu? No conventional weapons will touch this enemy—and they godsdamn know that!” Nika dragged a hand through her hair, still windblown and unbrushed from the visit to Toki’Taku, while pacing furiously across Dashiel’s spacious office. “Infuriating aliens! Their overblown pride is going to get them all killed.”
Dashiel came around his desk and laid a calming hand on her arm. “You’ve done everything you can. They are responsible for their own fate now.”
“No. This cannot be the outcome. I refuse to watch the forests of Toki’taku burn.”
“What else can you do? There is no higher authority in Taiyok society than the Elder. If he’s rendered his judgment, isn’t it the end of the matter?”
Her forehead dropped onto his shoulder. “There must be some way to make him see reason. Something I haven’t thought of yet.”
“What about the other External Relations Advisors? You’re not alone in this.”
“I’m afraid we have brainstormed until our brains ran dry.” She sighed. “So I’m going to go talk to Xyche’ghael later today.”
“Okay. Maybe he’ll have insights into the Elder’s reasoning.”
“Oh, he’ll definitely have insights. The trick will be manipulating him into sharing them with me.” She stepped out of his embrace, though she kept hold of his hands. “Give me some good news. Have you had any luck cracking our new kyoseil mystery?”
“Which one? Why it only responds to Asterion signals, or why it’s blocking us from accessing sidespace and opening wormholes?”
“Selfishly, I meant the second one.”
“Sorry, none whatsoever. But it continues to happily respond to our every signal, so for now I’m contenting myself with building a voluminous number of indestructible and adaptive warships using it.”
“It’s incredible work you’re doing.” She kissed him softly, trying to lighten her demeanor, for his sake and her own sanity. “Soon, we won’t be defenseless any longer. And in the end, that’s not going to be because of the Kats, but because of you.”
42
* * *
KIYORA
Kiyora Two
The Administration Division had set up a Taiyok refugee center on Kiyora for those who had escaped the Namino siege, as well as for the fifty or so Taiyoks who had been living on Adjunct Worlds. The Kiyora climate most closely matched that of Toki’taku, so the thought was they’d be more comfortable there.
Gemina Kail said the refugees had simply brought along their meager belongings and settled in without commentary, so it was difficult to tell if they’d judged the situation correctly. Then again, Gemina wasn’t exactly someone the Taiyoks were likely to open up to, pour out their feelings and hug for comfort. Kiyora seriously needed a new, permanent Administration Advisor, but filling the position was currently hanging around #300 on the Advisor Committee’s list of to-do items.
The long, low-ri
se building in a quiet neighborhood of Kiyora Two was sparsely occupied, the majority of its suites empty and untouched. Whether Asterion or Taiyok, it was a stark reminder of how few had survived the Namino invasion. Nika’s heart ached as she strode through the wide, silent halls. If only she’d worked out how to get to Namino and destroy the quantum block sooner, she could’ve saved more lives.
Xyche’ghael’s door was open when she arrived, and she found him inside doing the only thing she’d ever observed him do with any regularity: fiddling with photal fibers and small metal alloy modules. “Setting up shop here already?”
He didn’t look up from his work. “No, but when I do, the next shop will need inventory. So I prepare.”
“It’s good you’re looking toward the future. Let me know if I can help in any way with the new shop.”
“Your assistance should not be necessary, but I do appreciate the offer.”
“I’ll keep it open in case you change your mind.” She gazed around the spartan suite; other than several open boxes of supplies, she discerned no sign that someone was actually living here. “Do you and the others have everything you need? Did we unknowingly screw up some basic necessity of Taiyok daily life?”
“Only a few non-essential ones. We are doing fine.” He finally set aside his soldering iron and turned to her. “I have not properly thanked you for saving my life.”
“What?”
“On Namino. I recognize my life was not the focus of your efforts, but I have you to thank for it all the same. Name your boon.”
She leaned against the wall by the open door. “I am so glad you were one of those I was able to help save.” Her lips pursed. She liked to think they were friends now, but being friends with a Taiyok was a delicate affair. “I’m also glad you said what you did, because a favor is why I’m here. Do you know about the Rift Bubble technology?”
“The device you used to insulate Namino from further Rasu incursions, yes? I believe there is now one installed at a secret location here on Kiyora as well.”
“There is. The Rasu tried to attack Kiyora two weeks ago, and the device prevented their incursion. It’s tremendous technology that is currently saving all of our lives. For this reason, I offered the newest Rift Bubble to Elder Zhanre’khavet, because Toki’taku is without question on the Rasu’s shortlist of places to strike. When they tire of pillaging our Adjunct Worlds, they will head for Toki’taku.”
“You are kind and generous to think of my people’s safety, when you have so many of your own people to protect.”
“Of course I want to protect the Taiyoks from the Rasu. You are our allies, and your people have fought and died to protect Asterions. But here’s the thing: the Elder refused it. He said he could not trust the Katasketousya and, as such, the Taiyoks chose to protect themselves. Now, I realize how Taiyoks take a lot of pride in their own technology and institutions, but they can’t stand up to a Rasu invasion without the help of something like this device. As of right now, no one can.”
“What you call pride, we call a form of honor—malu’oel in our language. It is not a sentiment or a personality trait, but rather a way of existing. Did you ever notice that while we are happy to share our technology with Asterions, we have not integrated any of your technology into our own society?”
“Well, ‘happy to’ might be a bit of a stretch, but…” she frowned “…no, I hadn’t really thought about it. Surely there is some Asterion technology in use on Toki’taku.”
“Only that which you bring to your embassy, and it is for you alone to use.”
“I don’t understand. Is your government afraid our tech will somehow pollute your culture or…?”
“Not as such. We consider you allies and, in our own way, friends. We harbor no ill will toward Asterions or the wonders you produce. We are simply…as we are, and we will have it no other way. If we live, it will be by our own means. If we die, it will be by the same, and we will do so with malu’oel.”
She shook her head in growing frustration. “I can’t accept that as an answer, not when we’re talking about the survival of an entire species. Listen, you’ve intimated in the past that you know the Elder personally, or have some history with him. So here’s my boon: go to Toki’taku and speak to him. Try to convince him he must allow this one exception to the malu’oel and use the gift we are begging him to accept to save his people.”
In a rare—possibly singular—display of physical affection, Xyche came over and grasped her hands with surprising gentleness. “Ask anything else of me. For this, I cannot do.”
She groaned and yanked her hands away. “Why not? Do you not believe the Rift Bubble will prevent a Rasu invasion of Toki’taku?”
“On the contrary, I have seen its magic work. Were it up to me, I would instruct my people to deploy this gift with humility and thanks.”
“Then help me convince them to do so!”
“This is beyond my ability. You see, I can never go home. And even from here, any message I were to send to Zhanre’khavet would go unopened.”
“Why? I thought you knew each other?”
“Oh, we do. Or did. See…” Xyche eased back onto his stool “…I killed the Elder’s brother.”
Flabbergasted, his statement rendered her speechless for a few seconds. The hells? Xyche, a murderer? It went against everything she’d ever known or judged about him. Finally she stuttered out a weak, “What happened?”
“The details would bore anyone not immersed in Taiyok culture. I shall merely say that the crossroads of honor, love and betrayal resulted in a duel. Though technically legal under Toki’taku law, they have long been deemed a disfavored, archaic manner of resolving disputes and are frowned upon by all in polite society.
“I won the duel, but in order to save my own life, I struck the killing blow using trickery and deception. To fell a member of the royal family in such a scorned practice meant public shame for me in any event, but to not honor the ancient rules of the duel? The family demanded the legal protection of the duel be revoked and I be punished as a murderer.
“The Elder performed his duty to our people and his family and revoked those protections. Still, he granted me a mercy. I could have swung from the highest branch of the Alcazar, but instead he imposed exile upon me. For life.
“So now you know my tale of woe. I can never return home, never feel the warmth of the sun or the flutter of the breeze upon my feathers. I can never break bread and sip spirits with those who I once counted as closer than family. I apologize, Nika, I do, but I cannot help you.”
She wanted to ask him what he meant by ‘honor, love and betrayal,’ for she’d frankly take comfort from the notion of love making Taiyoks do stupid things, too, just as it did Asterions. But she recognized from his body language how much sharing even these small details had distressed him. As he was a friend, she didn’t want to cause him further anguish.
“I’m sorry, Xyche. I didn’t know, and I didn’t mean to make you relive painful memories.”
“How could you have known, when I have not told you until now? It is what it is, and I long ago made my peace with it.”
“I’m glad for this, at least. Then…can you tell me anything that might persuade the Elder to change his mind? Some unexplored argument I can try that will allow him to preserve malu’oel while still using a Rift Bubble?”
“He is a principled man steeped in tradition, but he is not suicidal, and he values the welfare of his people above all. He has seen the power of the Rasu through the reports of the military officers who fought them at their stronghold and again at Namino. Our belief in malu’oel is deeply rooted indeed, but I doubt he would have refused this technology if he did not sincerely believe he was capable of defending Toki’taku from the Rasu.”
“I don’t see how he can be right. They are too strong and too many.”
“Perhaps, perhaps not. There is much you have never seen from us.”
“He basically said the same thing to me.”
She dragged a hand down her face. “I’m sorry, Xyche, but I can’t do that. Reality trumps honor every damn time, and if things remain as they are, it will mean the death of your people.”
43
* * *
MIRAI
Nika’s Flat
Dashiel watched as Nika wove frenetic figure-eights across her living room. She’d been carving a path in the flooring when he’d arrived, and in fifteen minutes she’d yet to stop. She’d muttered enough about her meeting with Xyche’ghael for him to deduce that the Taiyok hadn’t provided her with any easy solutions, but little else.
“There must be a way to convince the Elder to use a Rift Bubble. I’m simply not seeing it. Maybe I need to take a step back and consider everything again.”
“Literally?”
She shot him a squirrelly glance on her latest pass around the room. “What do you mean?”
“It’s just that you’re already taking a lot of steps as it is.”
“What…oh.” She stopped cold and started laughing. “Sorry. I’m being a high-maintenance mess, aren’t I?”
“No.” He went over and grasped her shoulders. “I want to help you figure this out. All those ships I’m building? I recognize full well they won’t be enough to defeat a major Rasu attack. We need something else, some magic trick. The Rift Bubbles have so far been the ‘something else,’ for us, but if they’re off the table for the Taiyoks….” His voice drifted off, and he dropped his hands to go to the window and stare out at the encroaching night. “What if you’re asking the wrong question?”
Echo Rift Page 27