The Fleet Book 2: Counter Attack

by David Drake (ed)

  “You’ve got to understand that we of the Fleet did not appreciate the danger the Khalia represented at first, since they were acting more like pirates.”

  On the screen another celestial ship similar to the one they now occupied, though no bigger than a fist, started across the screen, moving among the endless lights that are the beacons of the Celestial River. It was without shape or substance, this ship, and all who saw it knew that it was a vision given by the God.

  “The Khalia live to fight. They’re ruthless and vicious and completely dedicated to war.” Commander Horder spoke in a tone of voice that was flattened by ritual; He had spoken these words before in the same way, and therefore all the Highest Caste and High Priests of Kel strove to remember the words so that they might be able to participate in the ritual later in their own temples.

  Two more celestial ships, different from the one already manifested in the vision, darted out of the darkness in pursuit of the first ship. Sparks of light erupted about the celestial ships, showing the potency of the Gods they carried.

  “We regarded them as pirates, at first,” Commander Horder continued, the ritual observed by His attendants.

  In the vision, the first celestial ship was bright with the fires of transformation. For an instant it hung between the other two celestial ships, and then it winked out, entering the Higher Realms.

  “The Khalia kept their raids small and fast, selecting small outposts and other isolated ships to attack.”

  A strange celestial city appeared now in the vision, a great palace with enormous walls and great power that turned in the mind of the God Horder, for it shifted and rotated in the vision, revealing more of its wonders.

  “This space station had more than two thousand people on it, and five ships of the line,” said Commander Horder with more emotion than he had shown at first. “The Khalia attacked it, coming in forty ships of their own with the greatest firepower we had ever seen from them. The battle lasted for almost five hours, and only eighty-six of our people got away. The space station was a total loss, and four of the ships.”

  The story unfolded in the vision as the city was surrounded by the strange ships, each of them casting out balls of light that struck at the vast flanks of the celestial city, occasionally breaching them. This time the tiniest attendants of Gods could be seen, not one of them larger than a finger, all working to keep the celestial city from falling to the small celestial ships of those Commander Horder had called the Khalia.

  “Where is this place?” asked the Scribe of Ajna, completely fascinated by the vision the God was offering us.

  “It’s . . . a very long way from here,” said Commander Horder after a hesitation. “And this took place many months ago.”

  “A memory of a battle,” said the Scribe of Ajna, and was so much moved that he looked directly at the High Priest of Vizna. “We know of great battles among the Gods that took place long ago. It is in our Sacred Books which crossed the Celestial Rivet from Janja with us. This is the Beved Hajit.”

  All those of the Highest Caste and the High Priests who were in the celestial ship with the God Horder and the Scribe of Ajna were seized by the same inspiration. The God Horder was recalling the battles of the Beved Hajit, so that we would be shown what avatar was with us, and to what purpose. We have often seen that the ways of the Gods are not easily known by men. Now that so much was known to us, we were eager to discover what would be offered to us, the children of those Gods Who continued Their battles.

  “The Beved Hajit, “ repeated Commander Horder, His voice changing since He was not repeating His ritual.

  “The Holy Book,” said the Scribe of Ajna, still held in his inspiration. “The great battles.”

  “Oh. Yes.” He cleared his throat and looked at Spandril. “I’d go along with it, sir. If they want to be religious about this, let them.”

  Commander Horder nodded; the vision, which had remained unchanging, now once again moved. “Uh . . . after the space station, we of the Fleet took more precautions. Nothing too extreme. We didn’t want to alarm people. We also built up our ships in those quadrants where the Khalia had been strongest.”

  The vision changed, and in quick succession came larger and more ornamented celestial ships, many of them already revealing their celestial fire as they moved. It was a sight for all to stand in awe of, for these visions were as real as the walls of Kel, or so they appeared. Once Kazei ducked as the celestial ship appeared to hover over him, and everyone made note of it, aware of the importance of his medallion.

  “The Khalia grew bolder, more audacious, and they attacked Fleet ships and Fleet space stations with impunity.”

  The vision continued to change, and the celestial ships were again caught up in battle. Gouts of celestial fire sprung up on many of the ships; at once the ships would wink out as it transcended. Occasionally the fire would not be as pure as was needed and some part of the celestial ship would remain, nothing but a remnant, charred and broken by the touch of the Gods.

  “The Fleet has its obligations to protect all our people, those of Earth origin, and those from other planets.” World after world were revealed in the God’s mind and manifest in the vision. Some were bustling with life, filled with buildings and chariots and celestial ships, some were quiet and simple as a hermit’s cave.

  “This is Kammille,” went on Commander Horder.

  There were creatures on the world, the caprice of the Gods, for they were dressed in bright skins like the legendary messengers of Janja, who flew and sang for her long before we set out on the Celestial River. These creatures were seen in large groups, listening to Gods who had descended among them.

  “We didn’t anticipate trouble on the scale we got at Kammille. We should have. The Khalia had made their intentions plain enough.”

  Large numbers of celestial ships, which God Horder identified as being the latest of the celestial ships of the Khalia, swarmed toward the ball named Kammille. This time the battle was long and relentless. Buildings as well as celestial ships fell to the Heavenly Fire.

  To see creatures of the Gods seized by the transcendence that was the Gods’ alone! The High Priest of Zakti fell on his face in ecstasy, pleading to be as fortunate as the creatures of Target. Until that day, all of us believed that the Gods would never touch us directly except when our sacrifices were sufficient to bring about a manifestation of Their acceptance, which had not happened in almost a generation. Many had feared that all touch of the Gods had gone, yet here was the assurance, the representation of Their presence more overwhelming than anything in our Sacred Books.

  In reverential hush, the High Priest of Durga plucked at his eyes, certain that he would never again witness anything so glorious as the vision of this moment.

  “Better ease up a little, Commander,” Spandril advised.

  “And stop that guy from blinding himself,” added Varnig.

  The vision froze once more, and the attendants of the God Horder went to the High Priest of Durga and took hold of him.

  “Let me, let me,” murmured the High Priest of Durga.

  “It’ll be all right,” said the attendant Ecrilla. “Don’t do that any more.”

  “If the God commands it,” said the High Priest of Durga, his attention on the suspended vision of the God. “If there is more to see, then I will watch as long as the God wishes it.”

  “I wish they’d stop calling me a god,” Horder said in an undervoice.

  “Use it, Commander,” Spandril advised him.

  “And turn off the translator for a bit.” Commander Horder gestured to the spirit-box and at once his words were incomprehensible. In the exalted tongue, Horder and His attendant conversed while the Highest Caste and the High Priests waited, each praying that the God would grant the gift of understanding so that the purpose of the talk would be revealed. To have shown so much and to withhold so much! All kne
w it was typical of the Gods.

  “We will have to make a sacrifice,’ declared the High Priest of Yeimei. “As great a sacrifice as any we have offered.”

  “The children,” suggested Derir. “We have enough children to offer half of them.”

  “Or the women,” said Admih. “We have not sacrificed women for more than a generation. We could make pyres with the last of the wood from the old forest.”

  “It is not enough,” said the High Priest of Durga. “If we are to achieve what those blessed creatures of Target achieved, we will have to give more than that.”

  No one could deny the truth of it. Old Derir took his ancient crossed cords in his hand. “The city of Kel itself. We could emulate what we have seen and give up the city and everyone in it.”

  “But suppose the Gods wanted more? Even if we burn Kel and ourselves with it, that is only earthly fire. If the Gods will not visit us with Celestial Fire, then the sacrifice will not bring the transcendence we desire.” The Scribe of Ajna indicated the God Horder. “Let him continue. He will show us the way. When he has completed his ritual, we will know what we are to do.”

  All of the High Caste and High Priests of Kel prostrated themselves and began, each of them, to recite their Everlasting Prayers.

  The spirit-box spoke again. “Please. Do that later, will you?”

  Obediently the High Caste and the High Priests fell silent.

  ‘’’We’ve got more to show you,” announced the God Horder. “Not too much more of Target. I think you get the picture there.”

  “Good idea,” said Spandril.

  “The creatures were consumed with fire,” announced Admih, to let the God know he has grasped the significance.

  “Yes.”

  “Better get on with it, Commander,” prodded Spandril. “You don’t know how much longer you can hold these guys.”

  “Right.” Horder gestured and the vision again sprang into being. “Target was about the worst we’ve had to face from the Khalia. You can understand why we want to warn everyone about them, put you on the alert.”

  “We understand,” Kazei assured Him.

  “Good. Because the trouble is, the Khalia are stepping up their activities. We’ve been under attack from them ever since Target. It’s turning into an all-out war.” He indicated the area of his vision. “Now, the Fleet’s ready for it. If the Khalia really want to have a fight, we’ll give it to them. We aren’t about to turn tail and run.”

  Ecrilla laughed. “We’re trying to cover our rear; that’s different.”

  “Ecrilla!” Spandril warned him.

  “We have been trying to extend our protection as far as we can. That’s why we’re looking for lost colonies like you, so that we can be better prepared to—”

  Spandril interrupted Commander Horder. “Isolated colonies like this one are likely to be targets, too. The Khalian forces are going to extend their territory of operations, and for that they need planets like this one as a way station. That could mean that you’d be under attack.”

  “That’s putting it pretty bluntly,” said Commander Horder. “But it more or less covers the problem.”

  Admih was so amazed that he found it difficult to speak.

  “You are telling us that the Khalia might come here, to Durga? That they might wish to engage in battle here?”

  “It’s possible,” Commander Horder said carefully. “We’re doing everything we can to prepare for that eventuality.” He looked around the walls of his celestial ship. “It might not look like we’re ready for them, but—”

  “It is the way of the Gods,” said the High Priest of Durga. “We do not dispute the way of the Gods.”

  “Does that mean you’ll cooperate?” asked Spandril, looking at Admih. “We’ll have to work out terms with you before too long. If you’re willing.”

  Admih did not need to consult his fellow Highest Caste. “It is always the desire of the children of the Gods to be at Their service.” He spoke the words as he had every morning since, he had entered into adulthood.

  “Good,” said Horder, relieved. “Because we’re worried about places like this. We want you to know that from the beginning. You outlying planets are apt to be more vulnerable than those closer to Fleet headquarters. We’re going to have to work out a plan so that you can keep in contact with us.”

  “But surely—” began the High Priest of Durga. “You are Gods. You have knowledge of all things.”

  Spandril stepped in. “Even Gods can be distracted. In the chaos of war, Gods do not always have the opportunity to attend to Their children. We have come so that we can decide how best to make sure your prayers are heard and answered. “

  Admih was puzzled now. “Why has it taken you so long to do this? For generations we have been in isolation. We have sacrificed and prayed and offered all the treasures of Durga, but have had only silence.”

  “Yes; we are going to correct that,” said Spandril. “Before now, this God did not understand how urgent your need was. Now that the Khalia have made this apparent, He is determined to protect you as you deserve.” He looked quickly at Horder before he went on. “You have done well. You and all the others living here on Durga. Had there not been the Khalia, the Gods would have been with you before this time.”

  “Ah,” said the High Priest of Durga. “And the Khalia? What do they know of us?”

  “We haven’t discovered that yet,” said Horder shortly.

  The Scribe of Ajna went to-the spirit-box and laid his hands on it. “What God lives here? Yaneza had all knowledge. Is this the manifestation of Yaneza?”

  “I . . . no, not Yaneza,” said Spandril in an abrupt way. “It is a servant of the God Horder.”

  “Spandril, stop this—” Commander Horder protested

  “We are all servants of the God,” went on Spandril as if Horder had said nothing. “We of the Fleet serve many High Gods.”

  The High Priest of Yeimei nodded in agreement, his fingertips touching and his head bowed over his hands. “It is the war of the High Gods, then.”

  “Yes. The Khalia are trying to destroy everything we of the Fleet have done. They kill and revel in killing. If they had their way, your entire world would be an empty, burned-out cinder.” Spandril faced the High Priest of Durga. “You must try to understand what is at risk here.”

  We know,” said the High Priest of Durga. “It is in the Sacred Books. There is war among the Gods.”

  “And if you aid us, we will protect you from the Khalia,” said Commander Horder, looking angrily at his second in command. “We of the Fleet are prepared to fight the Khalia to their extinction.”

  We of Durga had long known that the day would come when there would be confrontation between the Gods, when the fate of Their children would be decided. All of the High Priests who saw the vision in the celestial ship knew that the time had come when the All-Mother summoned them.

  “What of these Khalia?” asked the Scribe of Ajna. “How are they manifest?”

  “They are like weasels, like ferrets and stoats,” said Commander Horder who had only the vaguest idea of what those animals were.

  “What is the nature of these animals?” asked the High Priest of Yeimei.

  “They’re killers,” said Commander Horder. “They’re rapacious. The Khalia put the animals to shame.”

  Once again the vision formed, and there was a creature about half the size of those watching, a fur-covered, sharp-snouted creature wearing a pack on its shoulders, and carrying an Attribute in its hands.

  “That’s a Khalian.” Spandril all but spat the word.

  “Are all manifest this way?” asked the High Priest of Durga as he gazed reverently at the vision. “Is this the avatar?”

  “They’re not quite to scale,” admitted Commander Horder. “But that’s what they look like. There’s some color variat
ion and a few of them have stripes, but that’s what you look for.”

  “A strange avatar,” said the Scribe of Ajna.

  “It is not for us to question the manifestation of the avatar,” the High Priest of Durga rebuked him. “What is that hanging from the pack, God Horder?”

  Commander Horder could not conceal His distaste. “Two skulls. Probably trophies.”

  The High Priest of Yeimei looked at the High Priest of Durga. “Skulls,” he said, gesturing acknowledgment. “Thus is the avatar known.”

  “Yes,” said the High Priest of Durga. “We must make sacrifice.”

  “It wouldn’t hurt,” said Commander Horder. “Some of those Khalia collect skulls. Be careful that one of them isn’t yours.” He signaled and another vision appeared. “This is a Khalian scout ship, the sort they might send here. As you can tell, it’s smaller than ours—”

  Admih laughed on behalf of those with him. Of course it was smaller, for they saw it in the vision, hardly larger than one of the skulls the Khalians collected. They stared, all of the Highest Caste and High Priests of Kel, at the Khalian scout ship.

  “Usually they arrive in threes,” Commander Horder went on. “In your case, since you have a few cities here, they might divide up and go to the others as well as this one, but even if all you see is one, you can be sure that there are others around somewhere. It’s important to keep that in mind. The Khalia never send out solitary scouts in enemy territory.”

  The vision faded again, and this time it was replaced by more images of fire and mayhem. Destruction glowed in the vision as walls fell and more of the miniscule people were massacred. It was an act of the utmost homage, and the Highest Caste and High Priests were caught up in the sacred act, each seeing now how woefully inadequate their previous worship had been.

  “The All-Mother will forgive us if we correct our error,” whispered the High Priest of Durga.

  “Even a city is not offering enough,” said the Scribe of Ajna.