There were a few solemn nods as people got to work, passing word that would get the creatures of the Free Fleet moving and the fleet by extension.
I flicked to my screens, Rick had already fed me the latest information on Daestramus.
A number of people from Mars that hadn’t been dedicated to Earth had been shifted to support the planet. Bregend said he had more than enough people. It had been a week since he landed on Ekal. It had taken him four days to clear the city.
Now they were preparing for their next city, taking their time so they didn’t wear out their people.
If he said, he didn’t need people then I would trust him to make that decision.
Two weeks lay between Earth and Parnmal.
Already governors from across the Union were gathering, Min Hae had told me to prepare to be dropped into the deep end as soon as I got back.
As much as I was not looking forward to that. I couldn’t keep the small smile that broke through my Salchar mask as I thought about seeing Henry.
***
Ashota walked through the halls of Parnmal, he was used to the angry looks people gave him.
It made sense, it was his race that had attacked their families.
Stereotypes and prejudices made it easy to group all of the Kalu to be the same as the traditionalists.
What he wasn’t used to was the confused looks.
He felt his back rise as he walked, striding with pride. Min Hae and Gogs stood to either side of him, talking about nothing. For once they had left work at the office.
“So what do you think about the Kuruvians new super freighter? Things big, like as big as the one we recovered from Inkal,” Gogs said.
“All the power to them, the Union is trading more than ever before. Planets stockpiled resources, whether they be natural, technology, and so on. People have goods they need to trade. Competition is good, keeps us on our toes and someone to stack ourselves against,” Min Hae said.
“Yeah, I guess that’s true, were you able to talk to the Independent council about the various items they could sell?” Gogs asked Ashota.
“I did, the whole idea is foreign to them. I am now moving their minds to think as the rest of the Union does. It might take longer than I hope. If I can get Kalvin on my side then maybe we can start pushing them more aggressively,” Ashota said.
“Here I was, thinking that we weren just going to have a nice meal. Nothing about swinging the Kalu Independents to trading with the rest of the Union,” Min Hae said.
“Yeah right, we all know you’re trying to kill about a flock of birds with a stone,” Gogs laughed Ashota joining in.
Min Hae couldn’t stop a smile from breaking through his façade. He could keep it up in front of his enemies, or opponents indefinitely, but among his friends he didn’t even try.
“I might remember a certain commander that was trying to highlight the need for Kalu to find their place within the Union,” Ashota said, looking to Min Hae after the laughing had died down.
“Hmm, seems that I can’t quite remember anything of the sort,” Min Hae smiled.
Ashota made the Kalu equivalent of a snort as they turned the corner to see a grouping of Kalu waiting in the middle of the food court.
People were staring at them, a few spitting, others yelling their curses.
A number of them looked to Min Hae as he approached.
“See, now you will be leaving to go back to your holes, Kalu fucks,” one of the onlookers said.
Ashota saw anger for the first time on Min Hae’s face, it made his blood go cold.
Min Hae stopped in front of the man and looked around at the people that had been haggling the Kalu.
“These people fought alongside the Free Fleet to secure our rear, so that more Kalu Traditionalists wouldn’t continue to swarm us. They assisted in the destruction of the resupply fleet that if it reached the Kalu moving through Union space would have claimed a good number more of my friends. They stood at Quarst with Cheerleader and they defended the lives of all those that called that system home.” Min Hae let that sink in as he looked around, his eyes resting on the one that had talked.
“So if any one of you think to yell idiocy at them, then I will be happy to educate you in proper etiquette. They bled, and many of their people died alongside our own. Dishonoring them is dishonoring the Free Fleet,” Min Hae said. His voice cutting through the dining area, silence spreading through the place.
Min Hae looked to Kalvin, bowing his head in respect.
“I am sorry war leader of the Independents,” Min Hae said, his head staying lower for a few more moments than necessary.
“No worried Min Hae, it is always hard to see those that even faintly remind you of an old enemy,” Kalvin said.
Ashota could see anger still lingering in Kalvin’s shoulders and those that followed him. Yet he knew none of it was directed at Min Hae.
“Shall we go in and eat?” Min Hae asked, indicating for them to head inside.
Ashota saw the increased anger in the Kalu’s shoulders.
“We tried to tell them that we had a reservation. We were told they did not,” Kalvin said, his voice tight with anger.
Min Hae looked to the server waiting at the door to the restaurant.
She raised her Slevaran head a few degrees and looked to Min Hae.
“We do not serve Kalu,” she said, anger in her voice.
“Then you best tell your owner to find another job,” Min Hae said.
“Who are you to give out...” She began.
“He is Commander Min Hae, a man that fought to take this station, that has been a part of the Free Fleet since it was just Salchar and a number of people working in Resilient’s armories. When we were fighting against the Syndicate, and he’s right,” Cheerleader said as she walked up to them.
She seemed to exude confidence, a leader that could praise and break someone apart with a look. Even walking with Henry at her side that presence never left.
She picked up a tired Henry and held him in the crook of her arm. The boy leaned against her to take a nap.
“We shall dine in the Free Fleet mess, the foods not as good, but the company is a hell of a lot better,” Cheerleader said, walking to Kalvin, inclining her head in greeting.
“Sounds like a much better option,” Kalvin rumbled in amusement.
“Plus we can get stinking drunk without worry about others seeing us,” Cheerleader’s voice was low and only Ashota’s Kalu hearing allowed him to hear it.
Kalvin and the other Kalu rumbled with laughter.
“That sounds like a fine plan commander, lead on,” Kalvin said.
She nodded and started walking, her and Kalvin talking.
Ashota waited for them to pass, intending to tag onto the end of the group as he caught sight of Deltai. He had not known she was coming on this trip and the sight of her caught him by surprise.
She walked to him slowly, letting him take in the view.
“See something you like?” She purred, making Ashota ruffle in annoyance, she was teasing him yet again.
“Deltai,” he started, his voice hot with annoyance.
“Ashota, for once listen,” she said, stopping him from talking. She held his eyes and he bowed his head, agreeing to hear what she had to say.
“You are one of the smartest Kalu I know, you are a warrior, no matter if you were stuck to a chair, or whole as you are now. I have wished for a long time that you take me as a mate. Though your thick and stubborn hide stopped you from listening,” she said, shaking in frustration.
“But Deltai…” He began.
“Ashota…” She said dangerously, showing she was not finished talking.
He growled but bowed his head once again waiting to hear her words.
“The only reason I am not your mate is because your fool head thought that you in a chair was not good enough for me. I care for you not because of your body, though it does look rather nice,” she teased, getting a soft rumble
from Ashota.
“I enjoyed you for your mind, you think more than any Kalu I know, you are never satisfied with your own view. You didn’t just shoot down my ideas, you helped me improve them. You cared not for my sex, but weighed me on my abilities.” She moved closer, her scent filling his nose.
He cared for her in a way that he had never cared for another, the scent of her made him dizzy and weak.
“I cannot wait for you and your fool mind to try and figure out matters of mating when you’re so focused on matters of the mind,” she said, looking into his eyes.
They looked at one another and Ashota felt the blood pumping through his body.
“Will you come to my den and make a brood with me?” She asked.
Emotions Ashota had held in check for years rushed past a barrier that seemed all but ridiculous now.
He moved forward so that their heads were resting on one another’s necks, leaning slightly to the side to support one another.
“Me and my fool head would be proud to have a brood, or a few dozen with you,” he said next to her ear, only loud enough for her to hear.
She let out an excited squeal and wrestled him to the ground. He could see the excitement and relief in her movements.
He picked himself up, the two of them biting and pushing each other with their heads in play.
“You two finally figure it out,” Kalvin said as they caught up with the group.
“Seems your daughter had to remind me about my fool head getting in the way a few too many times,” Ashota admitted.
“Good, I will be proud to add your brood to my growing passel of grand children,” Kalvin said, a very high compliment indeed.
Ashota ducked his head in acknowledgement, getting butted from the side by Deltai.
“She is a pawful and more, watch out,” Kalvin laughed.
***
Bregend looked up at Ekal. Medics were moving through the building with their helpers, shuttles could be heard landing and taking off, taking the casualties to the waiting warships.
Commandos were slumped anywhere they found comfortable. In groups they simply relaxed in place, they had fought hard for a week. Now it was all over, the adrenaline had worn off and the Medics were handing detox out like it was candy.
Bregend sighed and kept moving in his HAPA, heading to the defenses that had been dug in at the base of the tower.
He took a knee next to Narvu who was working screens.
“How we looking?” Bregend said as Narvu’s motions wound down.
“The Kalu aren’t risking it coming over here. I still want to keep a watch up while we rest and resupply. Our people have earned it,” Narvu said.
“Damn straight,” Bregend said, his voice soft with fatigue.
“We’ll get a few weeks’ rest, then train them up for Jokuesh so they know the place like the back of their hand,” Narvu said.
Bregend nodded as much as his helmet would allow him.
“It’s going to be a long campaign, but we’ve got it in the bag,” Bregend said, fighting his eyes to stay awake.
“Well it might have got a bit shorter,” Narvu said, concentrating on something.
“What?” Bregend asked, his eyes focusing on Narvu.
“I think I’ve got the controllers for the heat exchange system in the other cities. I knew the Marhtu must have had a system to control the people if they went against them. It seems he does,” Narvu said.
“Will it work against the Kalu?” Bregend asked.
“It might, it basically stops the heat exchangers from working and cools the cities to Daestramus normal,” Narvu said.
“So cold as a mother fucker,” Bregend supplied.
“Quite,” Narvu said.
“Well let’s see how they like the deep cold,” Bregend said.
“Now that is something I can agree to,” Narvu said a new screen appearing in front of him with a nice big red button. “Want to do the honors?”
“Nah, this is your planet and your fight, you press big red,” Bregend said.
“It would be my pleasure,” Narvu said pressing the big red button.
“So why couldn’t you do that before?” Bregend asked.
“Needed to get access to a cities servers and the internet that connects all of the cities. Marhtu had an office in every building. I got access to it yesterday and started rummaging through his files. I wasn’t sure if there was going to be anything so I thought it best to check and test it out instead of getting everyone’s hopes up,” Narvu said.
“Pragmatic but the right choice,” Bregend replied.
“Commander I have a detox for you,” A medic said coming closer.
“I’m good son,” Bregend said, waving them off.
“Bregend, take it, I’ll do first watch. I’ll have a Company Commander take over for me in four hours,” Narvu promised.
“You hear that?” Bregend said, looking to the medic.
“What commander?” The medic asked, Bregend’s sleep deprived mind hadn’t made the connection that he was talking on a private channel to Narvu.
No wonder the medic is still there; bugger didn’t even hear what I said! Maybe I do need a few hours.
“I’ll take the detox, but then Commander Narvu will take it after, if he refuses you’re to wake me up and I’ll inject him my own damned self,” Bregend said over his armor’s speakers.
“Understood commander, I’ll hold you both to it. Do you want to come with me Commander Bregend? There are a few rooms that the Commandos are using to rest. The armorers are there and can check your HAPA as you get some z’s,” the medic said.
“Well I know when I’ve been sweet talked,” Bregend said, raising his HAPA mass to it’s feet.
“Four hours Narvu!” Bregend said, not even turning around.
“I know I know, you’re worse than my mother!” Narvu yelled back.
Bregend just smiled and waved the comment away. He heard a few chuckles from Commandos on patrol.
It didn’t take him long to get to what had been a hotel. People were carrying food inside and racks of HAPA’s had engineers and armorers swarming all over them.
Bregend stomped his way into a cradle. Locks engaged over his HAPA and he started to shutdown his system.
The harness opened and he climbed out of the HAPA, grabbing his rail gun.
Good habits die hard, he laughed to himself, the medic followed him, obviously not trusting him to inject his own detox.
He walked into a room that a squad seemed to have made home. Bunk beds had the sprawled out forms of Commandos enjoying the relief of sleep.
Bregend walked out of his powered armor, connecting it to a charger.
“Showers are that way, clean battle suits are waiting outside,” the medic said.
Bregend moved like a zombie, the warm water nearly knocked him out.
He stumbled back into the bunk room. The medic guided him to a bed. He laid down, in absolute heaven.
The detox went through his intravenous system and Bregend let Daestramus slip from his mind.
Chapter Time to Face the Music
Fal walked off of the freighter and into Parnmal’s shipping area. People moved forwards, heading into the station, heading for the Free Fleet quarters, the food courts, bars or wherever they desired.
Fal felt tired, more tired than he had ever felt in his life. He was without a home, abandoned for defending his home. He wore powered armor to make up for his missing limbs but nothing could make up for the questions that roamed through his mind. He was questioning his every decision and wishing that more of his people had made it off of Ershue.
He paused, emotions filling him as he thought of Kurft, of the people who were just memories in his past.
“Fal!” A familiar voice called out, Fal looked around to see the source of it. He saw Wesom approaching a smile on his face.
“It’s good to see you,” Wesom said.
“You as well, how are the injuries?” Fal asked, feeling some o
f the tiredness slip away.
“Ah, medics will have me fixed up in no time, you off?” Wesom asked closing the distance between them.
“Yeah, got a week till anything like duties, just have to go and see a head doc in between,” Fal said.
“Yeah, they’re good at their job,” Wesom said.
“Mhmm,” Fal said, not sure as to how useful they would be.
“Well let’s get your kit stored and go find some food, the others from Ershue want to meet up later,” Wesom said.
“They do? I got a fair few of them kicked off Ershue,” Fal said.
“Like wee care what some armchair general has to say. This is the Free Fleet, this is family. No matter what happens out there we have one another’s backs. Sure some might be a little ticked off. But if they were going to kick us off for saving their asses, well screw ‘em,” Wesom said, his anger rising to the top.
“Yeah but...” Fal started.
“None of that shit Fal, we all did our best, we wrecked a little forest and too many good people died. But I know they and the people left behind are happy that the Ershue people are still alive. Sitting back and moping isn’t going to help any,” Wesom said.
Fal took a few moments, letting Wesom’s words sink in.
“Yeah, you’re right,” he said, realizing that while he had lost Ershue, he had gained a family, one of the biggest, quirkiest and down right weird families out there. Yet they would and had bled for one another and they would do it again every damned time.
He felt a small smile on his lips, remembering those that they had lost, but also those that still remained, standing as a reminder of their brothers and sisters sacrifice.
“Let’s go get some food, knowing our boys and girls it won’t be long until we’re thrown out of every joint in this place,” Fal smiled.
“That’s the spirit. I also heard it’s the duty of the highest commander to buy everyone food,” Wesom said.
“You just made that up,” Fal said as they started walking.
War's Reward (Free Fleet Book 6) Page 31