“Thank you,” he replied without looking up. He briskly walked away.
The eager IS agent nearly skipped with joy as he made a beeline to his office, avoiding anyone’s attempts to gain his attention, he shut and locking his office door. He sat at his desk to access a secret com-terminal. Uploading the information contained in the stack of e-paper, he sent it to Earth without delay.
Relief soaked into his bones, tense muscles released as he melted into his chair. He pulled a pack of cigarettes out and lit one in celebration. Halfway through his inhalation, an icon appeared on the screen. An urgent message awaited his attention.
He leaned forward. The burning cigarette went limp in his lips, then fell out.
Priority Alert to all stations: Communications network has been compromised! Cease all communications until further notice. Repeat, cease all communications!
***
Amanda projected pure beauty and grace, standing in her tan gown next to Elder Gra by the flaming altar. Her golden hair was elaborately braided.
With the rite of passage complete, all that kept them from meeting the Warrior’s Forum was the bonding ceremony.
Looking at Amanda, Trent remembered back to his first wedding day.
Every woman glows on her wedding day. She’s so beautiful.
In a contrast to human tradition, he entered the ceremony by marching alone from the side to join his beloved. She eagerly awaited like a little girl on Christmas morning.
Each step brought him closer to his love. Instead of bliss, the strides stirred an odd concoction of emotion. His first happy marriage ended in failure and bitter sadness as a result of the war.
What fate does the universe hold for this union? Will it be another casualty of war? I don’t think I can survive another loss like that.
Pushing those doubts aside, he soldiered on like so many men on their wedding day. In the end, he loved her and would accept whatever fate destiny threw his way, as he’d always done.
The ceremony was actually a somber affair with a lot of talk about honor and duty to one’s Bond Mate. Trent didn’t hear all of that, thought. He and Amanda passed the time gazing into each other’s eyes.
Following the feast, a common component of any Bearcat event, the newly-bonded couple retreated to their chamber. As soon as the door clicked shut, Amanda pounced on him like a crazed baboon.
He gladly went with the flow.
***
Security was a paramount concern on the morning shuttle ride to the Bearcat capitol city of Wasi. For this trip, Hido piloted the craft alone, allowing Trent and Amanda a front-seat view of the gorgeous city on approach.
High in a mountain range, their primary government building was cut from the hard stone of a peak. An unending array of elaborate carvings, depicting the history of the Bearcat people, dotted the circumference of the natural tower. The pictorial history of war, scientific, and cultural revolutions spiraled up the cone until it reached the summit, four hundred meters up.
The leveled land around the natural spire contained a thick field of stone and wood structures that looked as though they had come from another time. Not one of the structures reached higher than four stories. At the perimeter of the ancient metropolis stood a menacing stone wall complete with battlements and towers.
It was majestic to a man who barely knew of anything beyond carbon fiber as a building material.
As if the city itself weren’t enough, behind it fell the largest waterfall he’d ever seen. Water poured over an unseen cliff, hidden by clouds above. The width of the fall measured no less than a kilometer.
“How high does that go?” Amanda pointed.
“Several hundred more meters,” Hido answered.
Slack jawed, Trent asked, “What’s feeding it?”
“These mountains continue on much higher. Entire peaks are covered in ice and snow. The glaciers have been melting for some time and their retreat creates this river,” the Bearcat explained.
“I can’t wait to see it in full sunlight,” Amanda said. “I bet it takes on a whole new level then.”
“What is this place? I know it’s your capitol, but clearly it was constructed long before your people unified.”
“You’re correct, General. The city was founded by the Sun Empire over fifteen hundred of your years ago. It served as their military, economic, and political center. From here, they extended their borders farther than any other people in our history. Their armies touched every corner of our planet.”
Amanda was transfixed by the view. “What happened?”
“The same thing that happens to all empires,” Hido answered. “Success leads to wealth. Wealth leads to decadence. Decadence leads to corruption. Corruption leads to decay, infighting, and eventual collapse.”
“The same can be said of all human empires as well,” Trent added. “This is like our Rome, our greatest empire. We modeled the Legion after her armies.”
Hido nodded. “Once my people unified, we selected this location as our capitol and rebuilt it. It has great cultural significance.”
“I take it the Forum meets in the central peak,” Trent said.
“Yes. At the very top. Best view in the city.”
***
The trio set down in a deserted shuttle bay and marched with purposeful steps to the adjoining Warrior’s Forum chamber.
Trent contemplated what wild thoughts must have been spinning in the guards’ minds as he and his Bond Mate approached. Two humans dressed in traditional formal warrior attire of tan tunics must’ve caused a few neurons to overload.
Whatever their thoughts, the well-trained and disciplined security detail quickly cleared them for entry.
The Warrior’s Forum consisted of seven representatives from the leading clans. The classification of a leading clan was solely determined by their military capabilities. Internal conflicts between clans could result in a change in membership. A well-executed strike against a Forum member by a weaker clan could result in the transfer of vital war-making capacity, shifting the balance of power and causing a transfer of the right of membership from the defeated to the victor.
While such shifts in political power were common during ‘peacetime,’ defined as the absence of an external threat, such internal fighting had been strictly forbidden during the war with humanity. A clan that violated this edict risked losing the collective honor of the entire clan, a result akin to cultural self-genocide.
The stagnant Forum membership didn’t brighten Trent’s hopes. His experience had taught him that the more entrenched a political system, the more unlikely that it would enact a dramatic change to the status quo.
Like many rooms of power, the Forum’s chamber strove to humble visitors with grandiose displays of authority.
The chamber achieved its objective with a massive space cut from the summit. The ceiling rested thirty meters above their heads while the perimeter of the cavernous circular room sported large windows to allow the view’s awesome wonder to cripple unfamiliar minds, A single altar of fire, with a crescent-shaped table wrapped almost around, was set in the center.
A pair of guards bearing ceremonial spears walked them to an open space between the ends of the table. Cold eyes surrounded by gray fur stared at them.
The member seated in the middle spoke. “I’m Forum Leader Nana. Present yourselves.”
“I am Hido Kenti of Clan Kazi, High Commander of the 14th Order. These are my fellow clansmen, Trent Maxwell and Amanda Roth. We come before you to speak of a great dishonor against our people.”
“You are mistaken in your representation of your status,” the words came from Forum Member Oban, the oldest present. “The 14th Order no longer exists and we do not resurrect units wiped out in battle. I find it most curious that you stand here in this sacred place, before this honored body, with the human responsible for the destruction of your entire command. If that wasn’t enough, you call him and this weak female your clansmen.”
The words stung Hi
do. Trent knew the battle on Black Marble remained an open wound.
“Forum Member,” Hido calmly said, “the 14th Order is not gone. It lives on in me. When I once again charge into battle, against our real enemy, I will do so as the High Commander of the 14th Order.”
“Yes, High Commander,” Nana said. “That is our custom. One which I know Oban is familiar with.” His old eyes stared down the agitator.
“That still does not justify the presence of humans,” said another member.
“General Maxwell led his warriors in open combat with honor against the 14th Order. He and Sergeant Amanda Roth have performed the rites to become adopted members of my clan.” He held his arms wide. “Forum Members, if I may, we are not here to discuss the loss of the 14th Order nor the presence of humans. That tragedy weighs heavily on my spirit. However, it was my defeat and capture that allowed us to learn the true nature of this conflict. The universe works on a level beyond us.”
Nana said, “Yes, the data you’ve provided along with your eyewitness accounts are most … troubling. I must say that, when put into the context of our own history with them, it explains a number of … inconsistencies.
“Furthermore, the reaction of the human military is most telling. We spent considerable time contemplating the reason they stopped pressing their advantage when they had it. That was most unusual. Clearly they believe what you’ve presented to us. We, too, have ordered a cessation of attacks until we fully understand what is happening.”
“Yes, indeed,” Oban said. “We plan to ask the Calth Ambassador many difficult questions.”
Trent’s jaw tightened. Inhaling a deep breath, he collected himself before speaking. “If you do that, you are dooming your race and will have dishonored yourselves.”
The table stirred but stayed silent. Hido glanced at Trent as he continued. “The evidence is overwhelming. The Calths lied to you. Not only did they lie, but they appealed to your sacred honor in order to trick you into starting a war against an innocent race, one which had done nothing to provoke the assault. How many of your warriors have died in this un-honorable war? Their blood is on the hands of the Calth, for their clever designs sealed those warriors’ fate.
“You know this to be true, yet you sit here and talk of giving the perpetrators of this crime a chance to explain themselves, a chance to dishonor you further with more lies. Does honor not demand action?” He hammered a fist into his open palm. “Not more words? If an attacker charges your family, do you ask him questions or do you act? What does honor call for?”
Oban shook his head. “What do you know of honor, human?”
“It is true,” Trent said slowly, “that I know little of Bearcat honor. What I do know, Hido has taught me. But as does any honorable warrior, I know the difference between right and wrong, between good and evil. I believe that the same concepts apply to this situation and to your honor.
“I also know military strategy. Right now, we have the advantage. The enemy believes that we are at each other’s throats. We can use this advantage to gather information and plan our joint counter-strike. To throw that away by talking to them would be foolish. We must move quickly, for sooner or later our mutual lack of offensive operations will be noticed.” He raised an index finger high. “Do not forget—” he pointed it down to the floor. “—they know where your home world is.”
Nana leaned forward. “General, it is not that simple. To go from bitter enemies to allies requires trust. Not just between leaders, but between common warriors.”
“You could not be more correct. And trust must be earned,” Trent said.
“What do you suggest?”
“That we begin with a small joint operation to serve as an example to both our peoples. We need information, and while the enemy believes we are not at war with them, we can get that easily. I recommend you place a single ship under High Commander Kenti’s direction. We will take that vessel, along with a team of your most skilled commandos, and make for Alpha Gate. I assume the human base there survived your recent attack.”
Nana nodded.
“Once there, we’ll take on a team of human soldiers, equally skilled commandos, and together we’ll strike an unsuspecting Kitright, excuse me, I mean Calth, facility.” He’d deliberately called them first by the name humans knew them. “With such elite teams, we should be able to secure vital data on the location of their assets while preserving our secret.”
Nana stood. “General, you have given this Forum much to consider. We will debate all of our options and get back to you with our answer.”
Without another word, the trio straightened to attention, did an about-face and marched out of the chamber.
***
“What do you think they’ll do?” Amanda asked from the oversized co-pilot seat.
“I don’t know.” Trent shrugged. “Went better than I expected.”
“That is because when I paid them my initial visit, they unleashed most of their venom on me. But the evidence, as you said, is overwhelming. After a proper review, there really isn’t any room for doubt left.”
Amanda titled her head toward Hido, “Seemed like that Oban guy disagreed.”
Hido laughed, shaking his head. “Oban is an old fool with very little influence any more. If you noticed, he was almost the only one who said anything against our points. I think the others are with us. They needed to speak with you before making a decision as more of a formality than anything else.”
“I hope so.” Turning to Trent, she said, “You had me worried there for a second when you questioned their honor.” Amanda punched his shoulder.
“As was I,” Hido admitted. “But you played the point well.”
“I guess now we wait.”
“Wait indeed.”
***
During dinner the next day, Amanda playfully ran her hand up and down Trent’s thigh under the table. He suspected she enjoyed the idea of them being newlyweds. He had no plans to discourage her attitude.
Without warning, Hido jerked his head down. The reflected light from a screen on his face suggested he was concentrating on a communication device.
The lovebirds eyed him closely as he read the message.
After what felt like an hour, his eyes raised to theirs, “The Forum has made a decision. They’ve declared war against the Calth and approved your plan for a joint intelligence raid. We leave in the morning.”
Chapter Twelve
Strange Bed Fellows
Roger Frost waited to welcome his unlikely team into the secure facility buried deep beneath the surface. They escorted the captured prize, the Center, a quasi-human communications hub, sealed inside a makeshift metal coffin to block the tracking signal that had almost gotten them killed.
Heavy elevator doors parted to reveal the three impromptu CIA agents with their cargo. With hearty handshakes, Frost greeted them. “I can’t tell you how glad I am to see all of you.”
“You sure it’s us you’re so happy to see or our new friend?” Jones asked, taking his hand,
He waved off the comment. “Major, I recruited you and your team for this mission personally. I put you all in harm’s way. That is not something I take lightly. I won’t lie, however. It’s great that you brought me a present.”
“He certainly is a jack in the box,” Thomas said. “He’s full of surprises. I don’t suppose you’d let me take a crack at interrogating him?”
“Well...” He struggled to find the words he was looking for, “we have people specially trained for that sort of thing.” He shrugged. “But … what the hell. You came through for me beyond my best hopes. It won’t hurt to let you give it a try. Not like he’s the typical case my people have trained for, anyway. Follow me, we’ve set up a room just for him.”
Jones stepped aside for a group of men to take the prisoner. “Damn glad you had this box waiting for us at the safe house. We couldn’t figure out how to turn him off. He kept transmitting the homing beacon and even received a couple of messa
ges before we put him in it. I hope you’re right and they can’t see him now.”
“If I’m wrong, I’m sure we’ll find that out soon enough.”
Gabriel asked, “How’s that?”
“When the shooting starts, you’ll know they managed to track him.”
***
The pale bald man sat quietly in the interrogation room, motionless save for the slight movement of his chest with each shallow breath. Thomas walked in, wearing a pantsuit, complete with blazer and a tight white blouse. She took the seat across from him.
She flashed a pearly white smile and resurrected her homey Texas accent. “Good morning.”
Staring back at her with cold, empty eyes, he didn’t respond. The unnatural gaze creeped her out, but she didn’t let on.
“You can call me Becky,” she said, plowing forward. “What’s your name, hon?”
Awkward silence drifted over the table.
“Can you tell me about who made you this way? Who made you more machine than man? We can offer you considerable rewards for sharing what you know with us.”
More eerie silence.
“Oh heavens, where are my manners? You’re my guest and I haven’t offered you a thing to eat or drink. My mom would be so ashamed if she could see me now. Can I get you anything, hon?”
Those dead eyes. What did they do to you?
“You must be hungry, or at least thirsty.” She looked at the mirror. “Would someone please bring this poor man some water and something to eat?”
They sat quietly for a couple of minutes. The door opened and a man carried in a bottle of water and a protein bar.
“Please, go ahead and eat. I’d join you, but I’ve already eaten.”
She studied him intently. The man’s dull eyes drifted to the modest meal. Slowly, he picked up the bar and took a small bite, chewing it mechanically several times before reaching for the water to take a small drink. He repeated this process again and again until the water and bar were gone. It took him thirty minutes. She watched and waited without compliant.
The Last Revenge (The Last Hero Trilogy Book 2) Page 10