by Kal Spriggs
Thankfully, the Baron got right to the point. “You are the senior Chxor officer, to date, that we've turned, so you would have the best knowledge of enemy leaders and commanders. What do you think about this latest engagement?”
It was exactly the topic that Kral had expected. He had watched the orderly withdrawal from the system and the tight formation that the Chxor had adopted to prevent an effective engagement. Kral knew that, to many outsiders, the Chxor Empire was monolithic, their actions, doctrine, and approaches identical from one Chxor officer or commander to another. Few of the humans, fewer still of their military forces, had done any serious study of them, or at least that was what Kral had observed to date. The Baron seemed to be something of an exception, but even then, most of his knowledge was based off of previous experiences and battles rather than a formalized approach. He had known well the personality and attitude of Squadron Commander Kleigh, but his experience with other Chxor commanders was more limited. Not that Kleigh wasn't a typical Chxor commander, Kral acknowledged. “I think, Baron, that we are seeing the effects of your victories against the Chxor in this sector,” Kral said. “I can prepare a formal report for your intelligence section, if you'd like, but I am prepared to give preliminary estimates at this time.”
The Baron gave him a nod and Kral paused a moment to organize his thoughts. “Your defeat of Kleigh, not just once but multiple times was an embarrassment, but was of minor note. Once defeated, Kleigh was seen as inferior... thus, further defeats were seen as merely additional proof of his failure. This was somewhat enabled by his battle reports. I understand, from one of his aides, that he would selectively edit data sent back to Chxor High Command in regards to battle losses, enemy actions, and even his own ship's performances. While this kept him from being relieved, it also undermined any successes you had against him, as each seemed to be from extenuating circumstances and his own inferiority.”
The Baron frowned and Kral inwardly felt resignation at the awkward expression. “So,” the Baron said, “What you're saying is that they discounted whenever we won... but they rewarded Kleigh with command of Faraday.”
“A small, isolated world, beyond the current boundaries of the Chxor Empire and in a region which would have limited ability for expansion. At best, it was a consolation prize for his pursuit of you, at worst, a chance to fail in such a way as to allow for his termination. As you well know, it cost him his life when you returned.” Kral paused a moment to allow the Baron to think it through.
“Okay, but that implies a level of waste in the system,” Lucius said. “They gave him additional resources to hold the system and lost those.”
Kral nodded, “True. However, compared to their overall fleet strength, those ships were seen as a minimal investment. Also, after discussions with many of the crews, I suspect that all of those ships were recently constructed and crewed. The construction of some was substandard, with many technical issues noted by their commanders. Therefore, High Command may have decided that the ships could be better used in a backwater.”
“Okay,” Lucius said. “I'll accept that theory as plausible. What changed, then?”
“The two subsequent defeats that the Chxor Empire suffered at your hands,” Kral said. “The first raid here at Melcer cost them heavily. Particularly in the loss of such a large population of their slave laborers. They must know that those humans will bolster your own forces once they have recovered.” Kral felt a bit of satisfaction at that turnabout. While he had not previously felt any affinity to humans, he had still seen their treatment as wasteful and counterproductive. He had always tried to treat his non-Chxor crew with respect when he was an officer of the Chxor Empire. To treat them otherwise and expect anything other than betrayal was foolish, in his opinion.
“Yes, but compared to the total size of the Chxor Empire, why would the loss of their station change their doctrine?” The Baron asked.
“It is more to do with the location and the station and system commanders. Both were of the Logan genetic line, well connected, skilled bureaucrats, but limited at tactical and sometimes strategic thought processes,” Kral said. “While much of Chxor High Command are Logan, the Benevolence Council is not. High Command reports to the Benevolence Council, so, in order to show that the loss of the station was a fluke... I suspect that they launched the retaliatory strike at Faraday.”
“Which was defeated by the Balor,” Lucius said.
“I doubt that the Benevolence Council saw it that way,” Kral said. “They would most likely have sent one of their investigators to examine all records of prior engagements with you, your ship, as well as losses in the system and Kleigh's prior performance and the performance of the commanders at Melcer.”
“Would one of their investigators be able to see through the edited reports?” The Baron asked.
Kral thought back to his one, brief, encounter with a senior investigator. The Tier Eight investigator had impressed him with her detachment and observation and in the course of her investigation had removed his commander and executive officer and appointed him in their stead as the Ship Commander. Kral nodded, “Most likely, yes. The Investigators do not care about genetic lines or caste, they only care about results. It will not look good for High Command to have this series of failures, leading up to the losses of a substantial force for no apparent gain.”
“So, as a result?” Baron Giovanni asked.
“As a result,” Kral said. “I would expect them be directed to empower their better officers. In particular, Danar's System Commander, Krxil,” Kral said. “He was the Chxor officer who initially seized the system. As an Abaner, however, he was pulled back from front line operations to allow other, better connected, commanders their opportunities to succeed. Due to his success, he was given the Danar system to command. It was he who defeated the many attempts to seize it.”
“So, this Krxil is in command of Danar, what about here?”
“I think it likely that they promoted him to command of this region, with authority over Melcer, Tehran, Danar and possibly Yokohama with orders to hold Danar against any attack,” Kral said. “In addition, I would expect that they would bring forward additional forces to secure the Nova Roma system. They will assume that to be your target, and rightfully so, with its industry and population it is the most important system they have captured to date.”
“I see,” The Baron sat back and adopted a thoughtful expression. Once again, Kral felt resignation at the expressiveness of human faces. It seemed so superfluous. “So, we'll be facing their best commanders on this push. I should have made certain that our intelligence personnel talked with you already.”
“They had, but they did not think my theory plausible, given the static nature of the Chxor which they had witnessed to date,” Kral said. “Perhaps this will change their minds.”
Some odd expression flashed over the Baron's face. Kral wondered if he had said something wrong. Yet the Baron just gave him a nod, “Very well, that's good to know. And I suspect they will broaden their outlook after this... one way or another.” He stood up from his desk, “Anything else?”
Kral hesitated. He wished he had better abilities to read human emotions. If he had said something wrong or something that had angered the volatile human, it would be unlikely that the Baron would accept the logic of his argument. Still, this was, Kral judged, his best opportunity to bring up his own agenda. “Baron, I do have one request.”
The Baron sat back down, “Oh?”
Kral nodded, “Sir, I would like your permission to take an element of my people, in several of the captured vessels and attempt to make contact with elements who would be sympathetic to our cause.”
“You want to try to infiltrate the Chxor Empire and foment some kind of rebellion?” Baron Giovanni sat back. He was silent for a long moment in thought. “I thought that this was initially brought up and discarded, because the Chxor security forces would identify your people.”
“They would identify individual
s or small groups sent in, yes,” Kral said. “However, a large group of ships, perhaps organized as a military convoy, would be allowed to update the Chxor security database, essentially adding personnel and authorizing them to be there. This would be more likely to work if the ships were damaged, as most of our captured Chxor vessels are.” Kral paused, “That is a secondary option and not without substantial risk. More likely... I personally know several individuals who I believe might be convinced to assist us. I will enter a system, contact them remotely and see if they can assist me.”
“If even one of them betrays you or one of your crew for that matter,” the Baron said, “You'll be far behind enemy lines with damaged ships and heavily outnumbered. I don't like the thought of losing you, you're a good officer and a valuable asset.”
“I was a valuable asset, yes,” Kral said. “However, my skills are of limited use at the moment. The Chxor ships are damaged, most of the Chxor prisoners have been screened, and there is no command for me.” Kral shrugged, “As you know, most humans would hesitate to accept me as their commander, despite the actions of my people at the Third Battle of Faraday.”
The Baron looked away. Kral's Chxor crews had moved their own ships in front of the Nova Roma task force to screen them from the Balor missile salvo at that battle. They had paid heavily as a result, but it had bought them some goodwill from the humans. Not all, however, had accepted them as a result. Particularly the people of Faraday, many of whom still held deep, abiding anger towards their former occupiers.
“This would allow me to be of benefit to your war effort... and also to begin the breakup of the Chxor Empire. I believe, as you do, that the Benevolence Council and the Chxor way of life needs to change. We have started that change among my people, but it needs to be pushed within the borders of the Empire in order to grow.”
Baron Giovanni sat back in his chair. His dark eyes studied Kral for a long moment. For that time, Kral briefly regretted his awakened emotions. While being able to feel pride, ambition, even loyalty and excitement were all of benefit, worry that his leader suspected him of treason was not. Kral could see that suspicion, even understand it, but he felt relief as well as the Baron discarded that thought and gave him a nod. “Alright. I don't like the risk. But I'll authorize you to begin planning and equipping an expedition with the goal of stirring up a rebellion. I'll assume you'll be taking copies of the retrovirus that allows reproduction?”
Kral nodded. It was one of the Baron's first gifts to his people. The Chxor Benevolence Council controlled the reproduction of all Chxor. It required a complicated process, undertaken only in the official medical centers, and it gave the Chxor absolutely no control over their offspring, who were birthed from machines and raised in creches.
“Right,” the Baron said. He rose and extended his hand. “Thank you, Kral. And thank you for your service. I meant what I said, I consider you a fine officer.”
“Thank you, Baron,” Kral said and took the human's hand. “I have become so from your example.” And who knows, Kral thought, if this works out, I may follow his example in founding my own empire as well.
***
Faraday System
United Colonies
September 9, 2403
Reginald stared out the window, his reflection showing his British Imperial Officer uniform with the shiny brass buttons and the epaulets. The night lights of Michaelston, glowed, like a thousand tiny gems laid out on a black cloth. He particularly liked the epaulets, they served no real purpose, but they looked important. As he stared at his reflection, he concentrated and reached out with his mind. Of the psychics he knew, some needed absolute silence and a period of reflection to reach out like he did. Others, like Shaden Mira and Kandergain needed nothing more than a pause to do the same. He knew, in particular, a psychic who could only manifest her abilities when seated cross-legged in lotus position while breathing incense and scented candles. She was a little odd, though, he admitted.
After a long moment, his reflection altered and a tall, blonde-haired woman stared at him out of the glass of the window pane. “Reginald? What's happening?”
“Madam,” Reginald nodded, “I'm just checking in. Baron Giovanni and your daughter are fine.” He paused and rehearsed what he was about to say yet again. “Madam, I think I am... not ready for this kind of assignment.”
Kandergain pursed her lips, “Reginald, you know I think you're more than capable.”
“Yes,” He cleared his throat and his thoughts went to his last assignment... and how they still didn't know what had happened to the others involved. “But I don't know if I am ready for all this. Isn't Axen or Myanna available?” Both were more direct action types, better suited to field work and neither of them had taken the recent losses of Reginald.
Kandergain shook her head, “I know you are worried about your friends. But neither of them have the right talent set for this mission. If I was there, the Shadow Lords would take it as a threat they had to exterminate. With you... well, you're capable enough that they will hesitate to send infiltrators and still a minor enough threat that they won't be provoked.”
Reginald grimaced a bit at the evaluation, but he couldn't argue. He felt powerless, though. “I've made an arrangement with Miss Nix and Colonel Proscia, I'll work with their personnel to screen guests of the Baron as well as shadow him while he is on the planet. It is a bit more complex within the Fleet. Baron Giovanni seems to think that enemies will focus here, but I have concerns about his safety aboard ship.”
“Understood,” Kandergain said. She looked tired, Reginald realized. Granted, it was a mental projection, but that in itself was a sign of her exhaustion, for only if she were utterly exhausted would her mental projection show any signs of it. “Look, I'm investigating some of our non-psychic enemies. Admiral Collae and Mannetti are involved in something up to their eyebrows. We both know how capable those two are... and Admiral Collae has Mistress Blanc in his service as well, though I haven't been able to locate her.”
Reginald grimaced in distaste. Mistress Blanc was a powerful psychic, but she was very skilled at concealing her presence. She often acted as a pirate and mercenary. He also knew that Kandergain could become rather obsessive when Mistress Blanc was involved. He didn't know the details of their antagonism, but it went at least as far back as the Agathan Fleet's escape from Earth. “Do you think it might be some kind of decoy, perhaps to pull your attention away from elsewhere?”
She gave him a grim smile, “Oh, no, trust me, I recognize her efforts, Reginald. She's every bit as ambitious as any of the Shadow Lords... she just started further back on the power curve.” Reginald didn't miss the bitterness in Kandergain's voice. “But, as much as I hate to admit it, Mannetti and Collae are just as dangerous. Particularly with what Mannetti insinuated to Lucius before her escape on Faraday. I have more than a sneaking suspicion that whatever they're after here will tie back directly to Faraday.”
Reginald nodded. “Very well, madam.” He sighed, “What are your orders if the Shadow Lords should take direct action here?”
“Put out a call. If I can't come, I'll send Myanna or Axen, and if they aren't available, then Shaden might be able to shake free a team,” Kandergain said. Reginald nodded at that. Unlike Kandergain, Shaden used several small teams made up of psychics and non-psychics as his response units. Most often, Shaden fought the Balor with them, but sometimes he could send a team to support Kandergain against the Shadow Lords. Then again, Kandergain had possessed a similar team... and Reginald had acted as their handler.
“I've got to go,” Kandergain said. “We're about to emerge from shadow space and things will probably get busy here. Keep me informed of any developments.”
Her reflection in the glass faded, replaced by his own and Reginald sighed. He shook his head and stared out at the night sky for a long moment. He knew that Kandergain had faith in his abilities... but he didn't know if he did anymore. Self-doubt could be crippling for a psychic, he knew. Any kind o
f psychological trauma could leave critical weaknesses and blind spots in even the most disciplined mind. I wish I knew what had happened to them, Reginald thought, even bad news would be something. If it was bad news, he could mourn the loss of his friends and find some way to move on.
His gray eyes locked on his reflection and he focused his mind. For just a moment, his reflection wavered, replaced by a silhouette of a woman, but the image faded back to his reflection before he could decide if it was a projection from his own subconscious or an actual connection.
Reginald put his head against the cool glass of the apartment window and closed his eyes. He felt a single tear work down his cheek. Please, he thought, please be alive.
***
Kate Bueller rose to greet the Centauri Confederation Envoy as he stepped into her office. The portly, bearded man gave her a genial smile and shook her hand, “Madame Foreign Minister, thank you for your time.” His deep voice and accent gave his words a bit more gravity.
“Of course,” Kate said. “Though I must admit I'm surprised at your sudden request for a meeting this morning. Does this, perhaps, have something to do with the arrival of the Centauri warship late last night?”
She saw that her directness had thrown him off. That was good. The Centauri Envoy had been far too calm and collected since his arrival to the system over a month previously. For that matter, he had not yet officially recognized the United Colonies as a nation... and he had not addressed the rhetoric that Alicia Nix's people had begun to hear in the Centauri news outlets. While details varied from one to the next, the general consensus was that the Dreyfus Fleet was the former property of Amalgamated Worlds and as such, it should be turned over to their inheritors, the Centauri Confederation. Some of the more ugly stories had suggested the entire crews be tried and executed for treason and that the Centauri Confederation use whatever force necessary to achieve that outcome. Despite the multiway civil war underway, the Centauri Confederation worlds boasted the highest population densities and some of the most advanced technology in human space, all of it concentrated over only a dozen star systems.