A Show of Force

by Ryk Brown

  Lord Dahra looked at the inspector, who now had a Ghatazhak commander and his sergeant standing at his side. He forced himself to stand, assuming a proud stance once again. “Very well, Inspector. We shall leave this to the courts of Takara to decide.”

  “Order your men to stand down,” Inspector Blythe ordered. “Including your illegal Ghatazhak.”

  * * *

  “Admiral,” the comm officer called over the intercom, “Captain Gullen of the Glendanon wishes to speak to you on a secure channel.”

  Admiral Dumar tapped his intercom control panel on his desk. “Put him through.”

  “One moment, sir,” the comm officer replied. “I have video now. Sending it to your office.”

  Admiral Dumar’s view screen came to life, revealing Captain Gullen, sitting in his cabin on board the Corinairan cargo ship Glendanon.

  “Admiral Dumar,” the captain greeted. “It is a pleasure to speak with you.”

  “The pleasure is mine, Captain. I take it you have arrived?”

  “We have only just made orbit over Earth. Porto Santo will begin off-loading our cargo within the hour, after which we will depart for Tanna.”

  “So quickly?”

  “Yes,” Captain Gullen replied. “We are on a very tight schedule. As Captain Scott anticipated, there is a great demand for propellant back in the Pentaurus sector. Prince Casimir and his business partners on Corinair are adamant about keeping a steady supply flowing into their newly constructed reformulation facility in the Darvano system.”

  “I take it the new propellant source is creating quite a stir in the Pentaurus markets,” Dumar said.

  “Indeed it is,” Captain Gullen agreed. “However, if the worlds of the Pentaurus cluster are to realize the maximum benefit of the jump drive technology, they will need this propellant, and they will need it at the more affordable prices that Casimir and his partners are offering. Once the flow stabilizes, prices will settle down and become steady. Unfortunately, a few of the noble houses of Takara will suffer significant losses.”

  Even over the video feed, Admiral Dumar could sense the good captain’s sarcasm. “I suspect they shall recover.”

  “Indeed. Admiral, the reason I am calling is because we have not received our daily communications from Takara. A comm-drone finds us each day, and exchanges messages. We received messages from Corinair, and other worlds in the Pentaurus cluster, but not from the Takar system. From what we have heard, no one has received anything from the Takar system for nearly a day, not even worlds within the cluster, and those comm-drones run hourly.”

  “Yes, we are aware of the situation,” the admiral said. “We too receive hourly communications from the Pentaurus sector. It seems as if the Takar system has broken off contact with the rest of the galaxy for some reason.”

  “What possible reason could there be for such an interruption?” Captain Gullen wondered.

  “I can think of several,” Admiral Dumar said, “none of which are pleasant, I’m afraid.”

  “To be honest, I was hoping for a more encouraging response, Admiral.”

  “I wish I had one to offer. Rest assured, Captain, should I learn anything further, I shall make sure you are notified as soon as possible. In the meantime, I suspect it is best that we all continue to go about our duties as usual.”

  “Of course, of course,” Captain Gullen agreed. “Thank you for your time, Admiral.”

  “It was my pleasure, Captain.” The admiral switched off his view screen, then pressed a button on his intercom. “Comms, how many jump comm-drones are on base?”

  “Currently three, sir,” the comm officer replied. “One is scheduled to make a run to Tanna and back in the next hour. The other two are on standby.”

  “Assign one for a dedicated point-to-point run to the Takar system. Personal message to Prince Casimir of House Ta’Akar. Urgent, eyes only. From Admiral Dumar, Karuzara. Message reads: Usual comms package not received. Requesting immediate situation report. End message.”

  “Understood,” the comm officer replied. “Wait time for return message?”

  “Four hours.”

  * * *

  Prince Casimir sat in his office, staring out the window at the lands that surrounded his home. He had not slept in nearly thirty hours, and his thoughts were a jumble of fatigue and emotion… mostly guilt. Last night, in the course of five minutes, everything had changed, just as it had back on Haven so many months ago. He wished there was something that he could do to change it all, to turn back the hands of time and redirect his fate, as well as the fate of those he had loved, but it was far too late. Nothing he did from this point forward would bring them back. Nothing. All he could do was to ensure that their deaths would not be meaningless, that something good would be revealed once the dark storm that was about to engulf them all passed them by. Something had to remain, something better. It was his responsibility to make that happen. It was clear to him now, that he had failed.

  He would not fail again.

  The door opened behind him, yet he did not turn away from the window. He could hear his remaining daughter’s footsteps, lighter than anyone else’s, as well as the sound of clothing as it swayed from side to side as she walked. She was all that was left. His only reason for living.

  “Father?” Deliza called softly from the other side of his desk. “Do you know what you are going to say?” His back still to her, Casimir held up his data pad. She could see the text on the screen. “You already wrote something?”

  “I could not,” he admitted in an unsteady voice.

  “Then who?” she wondered.

  “Major Bellen,” he replied, “with help from Mister Hiller.”

  “Yanni?”

  “The young man has a way with words.” He turned to his left, vaguely looking over his shoulder at her. “Is it time?”

  “They are ready whenever you are, Father,” she replied.

  Casimir’s voice began to break. “I don’t know if I can,” he admitted, fighting back his own tears.

  “You must,” Deliza urged in gentle fashion, taking care not to push him too far. “Rumors are already spreading around the planet and beyond. All of Takara waits to hear from their leader.”

  “I am not worthy of the position,” Casimir insisted. His voice was weak and without spirit or confidence. “How can I protect all of Takara, when I cannot even protect my own family?”

  “You fought for the good of Takara despite the risk to your family,” Deliza reminded him. “Does that not prove that you are worthy? You chose to fight your battles by rule of law, rather than by sending assassins in the night. Does that not also prove you are worthy?”

  Casimir turned to look at his daughter’s face. “Where do you find the strength, Deliza? Your mother, your sister… your entire life has been turned upside down…”

  “I am where I am supposed to be,” Deliza told him. “As are you. As to the strength, believe me, Father, inside I am a mess. I have been crying all morning, but the time for crying is no more. Now is the time for strength. Now it is time for you to lead us.”

  Casimir looked in Deliza’s eyes. He could see the strength of her mother, as well as the gentle nature of her younger sister. More importantly, he could see a wisdom and strength that was all her own. That was enough for him.

  “Very well,” he said. He rose from his seat and moved toward the exit. He paused and looked at her again, giving her a long hug. “If I lose you, I will be finished,” he whispered.

  “Then don’t lose me,” she told him as she looked up at him and smiled.

  Casimir took her by the hand and headed out of his office into the corridor. They were met by a team of four Ghatazhak, who immediately fell into a four-point formation around them, escorting them down the corridor and into the main room, where the cameras of all the news agencies in the Takar system awaited.

  * * *

  “How are your training programs going, Captain Taylor?” Admiral Dumar asked as he picked at his
salad.

  “As well as can be expected,” Cameron replied.

  “Not exactly an encouraging response,” the admiral said as he took another bite.

  “The volunteers are doing their best,” she explained, “but they have a lot to learn, and very little time in which to learn it.”

  “Will they be up to the task of running our ships?”

  “We have enough people that are either EDF trained, or have sufficient education or experience to develop the necessary skills in short order. Based on our last evaluations, both ships should have at least one good shift. The other shifts will take a bit more time.”

  “Since we do not plan on sending either ship out for more than a day or two, and most engagements should last only minutes, I suspect one crew each should be enough for the time being,” the admiral commented.

  “Assuming, of course, that none of our best people get killed in action,” Cameron pointed out.

  “Well, the Celestia is still months from being back in service, so you still have time to work miracles, Captain.”

  “We’ll do our best, Admiral,” Cameron promised.

  Admiral Dumar enjoyed the informality of meeting with his commanding officers while dining, as it seemed to put them more at ease, allowing them to speak their mind. At least, that had always been the case when he was in service to the empire. The Terrans, however, seemed more willing to speak their mind to a superior officer than most, which was fine with the admiral. He turned to Nathan, sitting at the opposite end of the table from him. “I trust repairs of the Aurora are going well, Captain Scott?”

  “I think we’re making adequate progress,” Nathan replied. “I doubt that my cheng would agree with me, however.”

  “Oh?”

  “He’s always complaining that the Karuzara fabrication schedulers are continuously putting his fabrication needs on lowest priority. I’ve assured him that he is mistaken.”

  “Actually, I would not be surprised if that were the case more often than not,” Admiral Dumar corrected. “After all, since receiving the Celestia’s antimatter cores, the Aurora is operational, and combat ready, especially now that her topside plasma cannon is about to go operational again.”

  “Agreed, however, I do question the prioritizing of the Karuzara’s guns over the Aurora’s. After all, we are expected to conduct four more assaults over the next few weeks.”

  “All of which the Aurora is perfectly capable of handling in her current condition,” the admiral insisted. “However, I will review the fabricator schedules and see if we can’t give a little more consideration to your cheng’s requests.”

  “I’m sure he would appreciate that, Admiral.”

  “Have you spoken with your father recently?”

  “I have,” Nathan replied, “just this morning, in fact.”

  “Has he heard anything about the results of the nanite therapies?”

  “It is still too early to tell how tolerant the people of Earth will be with the discomfort caused by the nanite therapy,” Nathan said, “but as expected, now that there are ample supplies, the people of Earth are lining up for treatment. Doctor Chen believes that the amount of data they’ll be able to collect about the effect of the Corinairan nanites on Terrans will help them solve the riddle as to why their nanites cause us so much discomfort, despite our identical physiologies.”

  “I find it curious that none of the Ghatazhak have suffered any ill effects due to nanite therapy,” Commander Telles commented. “We have even begun administering prophylactic doses prior to battle. However, we have seen a mixture of reactions from the Terrans who we are training to take over the security of Earth.”

  “To the nanites?” Cameron wondered. “Why are you giving them nanites?”

  “Ghatazhak physical training is extremely intense,” Commander Telles explained. “Injuries are common, some of them quite severe.”

  “What do you mean by ‘mixture’?” Admiral Dumar asked.

  “Everything from extreme pain causing unconsciousness, to no reaction at all.”

  “Okay, now that is curious,” Cameron agreed. “Why couldn’t I have been one of the lucky ones?”

  “I’m sure Jessica would say the same,” Nathan commented.

  “I trust you are not damaging the Terran volunteers faster than they can be acquired,” Admiral Dumar said.

  “That would be impossible,” Commander Telles assured the admiral. “The Terrans are volunteering by the tens of thousands. We have already increased our first class from one thousand trainees to five thousand. We would take more, but I cannot afford to dedicate any more of my men to the training effort. We are still being called upon to conduct surface assaults against Jung ground forces, after all.”

  “Admiral, Comms,” the comm officer called over the intercom in the admiral’s dining room.

  “Go ahead,” Admiral Dumar replied, wiping his mouth with his napkin.

  “Comm-drone one four has returned from Takara.”

  “Did Casimir respond to our request?”

  “Yes, sir. The drone also received a transmission. A public announcement from House Ta’Akar. It was directed at all the worlds in the Takar system.”

  “Send the situation report to my data pad, and send the broadcast to the view screen here,” the admiral instructed.

  “Yes, sir.”

  The view screen on the wall of the admiral’s dining room switched on, revealing a message identification header and time stamp. The image changed to that of a large room that Nathan recognized as the grand foyer to Casimir’s residence, which he had visited on more than one occasion during the Aurora’s refit after the battle of Takara. There was a podium in the middle of the shot, with the crest of House Ta’Akar at the center of it.

  Prince Casimir entered the shot, moving slowly and without looking at the cameras as he stepped up to the podium. Nathan was immediately struck by one thought. Something is wrong.

  Casimir looked up at the camera. His face was sad, his eyes full of despair that he was trying desperately to hide. “People of Takara. I stand before you this day for one purpose; to apologize. I apologize that I took so long to develop the courage to take down my brother and dismantle his illegal empire. I apologize that I lost faith in that goal and abandoned it for so long, even after so many had died in the effort. Lastly, I apologize for the grave misjudgment that I made once I had taken my rightful place as leader of Takara. I should not have handed power over to Parliament, for the nobles who were made even more powerful than ever by the illegal reign of Caius Ta’Akar could not be trusted to put the good of the people before that of their own interests. I shall not make such mistakes again.”

  Casimir looked as if he were about to break down on camera, as he struggled to maintain his composure. “For the cost of such mistakes are far too high. Too high for me, too high for my family, and too high for Takara.”

  Again, Casimir fought to maintain control, as he continued with his speech. “Last night, forces composed of trained assassins, as well as Ghatazhak soldiers, attacked my home, killing nearly all of my security forces…” Casimir’s voice began to tremble. “…as well as a member of my family.” He paused long enough to clear his throat, and wipe a tear from his cheek. “Evidence indicates that these illegally obtained forces were hired by, and were under the control of, House Dahra, House Tammer, and House Markly. The leaders of all three houses are now in custody, and shall face the charges of treason, conspiracy to commit an act of aggression against another member of Parliament, and murder. These are serious charges, and despite the heinous nature of these charges, the accused shall have their day in court, according to the laws of Takara and the Charter of Torrence. This trial shall be carried out under the watchful eyes of all of Takara, as well as the entire Pentaurus cluster, so that all who witness it shall know that despite their efforts, Takara shall not again become an empire. Takara shall forever remain as it was conceived, a democracy, ruled by laws applied equally, and free of corruptio
n. That is what I fought for, that is what so many brave men and women fought and died for, and that is what shall be.”

  Casimir looked out beyond the cameras, as if looking to the farthest reaches of the broadcast, a renewed strength filling his eyes. “To this end, I am exercising my right as the senior member of Parliament, and the leader of the founding house of Takara, to retake control of the Takar system, and all its worlds. In order to ensure the safety of every man, woman, and child during this uncertain time, I am also declaring martial law.”

  A flood of questions began, with reporters yelling over one another to be heard. As the sound of the broadcast began to fade, Nathan turned to look at Admiral Dumar, whose attention was focused on his data pad. The admiral looked up, with profound sadness in his eyes. “Nalaya Ta’Akar was killed in the attack.”

  * * *

  Jessica and Naralena sat at the large conference table in Ellyus Barton’s real estate office, studying the display that formed the entire top surface of his desk. Laid out before them were numerous documents, all digitally displayed, yet still appearing as if they were physical documents lying on the table.

  “This is the main headquarters for the Jung forces in the Tau Ceti system,” Ellyus said, pointing at the satellite image of Cetia. He tapped the image of the building with two fingers, causing the building to pop up out of the image and take on three dimensions. He rotated the building around from side to side, showing each face to his guests. “As you can see, there is nothing to distinguish it from other Jung facilities, other than perhaps a larger than usual landing pad on the roof. However, that is not a reliable indication since most buildings have landing pads in Cetia, as they are used by all manner of shuttles. Emergency response, deliveries, maintenance, even passenger shuttles routinely utilize such pads.”