by Ryk Brown
“Take us to Casbon, and I’ll tell you,” she replied with a wink and a smile.
CHAPTER FOUR
“You are more introspective than usual, General,” Lord Dusahn commented as he waited for the server to pour the jesauni glaze onto his dollag steak. “Something troubles you?”
General Hesson held his reply until both servers had finished glazing their entrees and left their private dining chambers. “Our lack of current intelligence on the Rogen system has me somewhat unsettled, my lord.”
“The Rogen system is too far away to be an immediate threat,” Lord Dusahn reminded him.
“True, but we have been unable to get a recon drone into their system for going on ten days now. They keep getting taken out by their Gunyoki fighters.”
“You cannot blame them for not wanting our recon drones in their system.”
“No, I cannot,” General Hesson agreed. “However, if we are to destroy the Rogen system without suffering the loss of any of our ships, we need better intelligence on their defenses.”
“They have a handful of jump-equipped fighters,” Lord Dusahn stated as he took his first bite of the glazed dollag meat. He closed his eyes, savoring the taste and texture as he chewed. “There are many things about this world that I find distasteful,” he said after he swallowed. “This creature is not one of them.”
“They may have only a handful of jump-equipped fighters; however, they have more than five hundred Gunyoki fighters in all.”
“Even their jump-equipped fighters are at a disadvantage against our Teronbah fighters.”
“Our analysts estimate the Ranni plant is capable of producing five jump drives per day,” the general replied. “In one hundred days, that handful of jump-equipped Gunyoki fighters will become a veritable armada. Their overwhelming numbers, alone, will render our Teronbahs ineffective.”
Lord Dusahn studied the general as he enjoyed his dollag meat. “You believe the jump-equipped Gunyoki can take down one of our warships?”
“If enough of them attack in a properly coordinated fashion, yes.”
Lord Dusahn picked up his glass, sipping his wine as he contemplated the general’s assessment. “A frigate, perhaps,” he admitted, setting his glass down, “maybe even a light cruiser, but surely not any of our heavier ships.”
General Hesson cocked his head. It was obvious that he did not agree with his leader’s conclusions.
“General,” Lord Dusahn protested.
“Their main plasma cannons derive their energy directly from the engine aft of them,” General Hesson explained. “Because of this, they have considerable firepower.”
“I believe you overestimate the Gunyoki’s capabilities,” Lord Dusahn insisted, attacking his dollag steak again.
“After the loss of the Teyentah, and the shipyard itself, doing so seems prudent. We cannot afford to lose any more of our warships, especially if we are to implement your plan, my lord.”
Lord Dusahn sighed. “I suppose you are correct.” After savoring another morsel, he looked directly at the general and spoke. “Send the Sor-Vasello. She has the best long-range sensor suite of any of our cruisers, and Captain Loray is a sneaky little shit. Have them loiter close enough to gather signals intelligence on the Rakuen system, but instruct them to avoid detection at all costs.”
“Any signals they receive will be weeks old, if not months,” General Hesson reminded.
Lord Dusahn held up his hand, indicating he had not finished giving instructions. “The Rakuens trade with other worlds, do they not?”
“They do.”
“Then capture a few of those ships that routinely visit their world, and send them in—with their loads—and have them collect passive scans while in the Rogen system. Once they exit, they can rendezvous with Loray, who can then relay their scans to us.”
“This will only work three, maybe four times at best,” the general warned. “Eventually, the Rakuens will get word of the missing ships.”
“Perhaps, but they will not know when the ships went missing—before or after their visit to Rakuen,” Lord Dusahn insisted.
“We will only be able to use each captured vessel but once,” General Hesson decided, “and it would be best if each captured ship was from a different world.”
“That should not be a problem,” Lord Dusahn said as he took another bite of his meal.
General Hesson tipped his head in agreement. “I will attempt to spread our use of captured ships over the remaining time until our ships from Orswella arrive, to ensure that our subterfuge is not discovered until it is too late.”
“Good thinking, General,” Lord Dusahn agreed.
* * *
Vladimir stooped over and stepped through the hatchway into the cockpit of Aristaeus’s ship, moving over to sit in one of the two seats behind and to either side of the pilot’s seat in the center. “It is an unusual cockpit layout,” he commented as he ran his hands through his hair, trying to tame his thick mane.
“How so?” Aristaeus wondered, his eyes still on his display screens as he made adjustments to his ship’s systems.
“Most ships have two seats in front, one for the pilot, and one for the copilot.”
“This ship’s systems are mostly automated, so it only requires a single operator,” Aristaeus explained.
“Was this a cargo ship at one time?” Vladimir inquired.
Aristaeus turned to face Vlad, surprised. “How did you know?”
“This cockpit and the cabin directly behind are the only parts that are double-hulled. Sleeping berths, shower, galley: all are single-hulled. Also, the storeroom between the forward cabin and the spaces that are single-hulled is actually an airlock, converted into a storeroom.”
“You are very observant,” Aristaeus replied.
“I’m an engineer,” Vladimir boasted. “I notice such things.” He glanced past his host, noticing the flight displays. “One percent light?”
“As you discovered, this ship was not originally designed as a passenger ship.”
“If you are in the import/export business, you need a faster ship,” Vladimir observed.
“I had a faster ship,” Aristaeus replied. “I sold her to help close the deal on the Sugali fighters. I bought this vessel with what little was left. She was an interplanetary cargo runner, designed for week-long runs between a few of the clustered worlds on the far rim. I apologize for her lack of speed. She is not the fastest ship in the Ilyan.”
“What does it mean, Ilyan?” Vladimir wondered.
“Ilyan means realm,” Aristaeus explained.
“So, Ilyan Gamaze means realm of Gamaze?”
“Correct.”
“Then, Gamaze rules this realm?”
“No, the Ilyan is ruled by all member worlds. Each is their own ruler, who have all agreed to follow a set of rules governing their interactions with other worlds of the Ilyan. Gamaze is simply the first world that was settled in the region, and therefore is the most populated and industrialized. Representatives meet regularly on Gamaze, to discuss and refine these rules, but they do not dictate to one another on how to run each individual world.”
“But, what if one world regularly does something that the other worlds do not like?” Vladimir wondered.
“It is of no concern to the Council of the Ilyan, unless it affects other worlds within the Ilyan.”
“It seems like a recipe for conflict,” Vladimir noted.
“It has its difficulties, I will admit, but it has worked for more than five hundred years. Of course, most of the worlds of the Ilyan are fairly similar in culture, ethics, and morality.”
“Do all the worlds in your Ilyan have the same patriarchal structure?” Jessica asked as she stepped through the hatchway to join them.
“In th
e core, yes, but not all of the rim worlds share the same ways or beliefs,” Aristaeus replied, doing a double take after noticing Jessica’s formfitting uniform. “Maybe it is time you told me who you truly are.”
“Lieutenant Commander Jessica Nash,” she confessed, turning her shoulder toward Aristaeus to show him the patch. “Chief tactical and security officer for the Aurora.”
One of Aristaeus’s eyebrows shot up. He turned to Vladimir.
“Commander Vladimir Kamenetskiy, chief engineer.”
“Where’s your uniform?” Aristaeus wondered.
“I let her change first.”
“But, you outrank her.”
“The fact that she could kick my ass with one hand tied behind her back supersedes rank.”
“An odd military structure, you have.”
“Yeah, it’s kind of screwy, but it works for us,” Jessica commented, also raising an eyebrow.
“Then, the rumors I have heard are true,” Aristaeus surmised.
“Depends,” Jessica replied. “What did you hear?”
“That the legendary Na-Tan somehow rose from the dead, and is leading the Aurora and the Karuzari in a fight to, once again, free the Pentaurus cluster…only this time from an enemy known as the Dusahn.”
“Correct,” Jessica replied.
“Well, the Dusahn part is true,” Vladimir correct.
“Yeah, the whole ‘rose from the dead’ part is a little more complicated,” Jessica admitted.
“But Captain Scott and the Aurora…”
“Yes, Captain Scott is back in command of the Aurora and is leading a small fleet of converted ships against the Dusahn Empire,” Jessica explained.
“We also have two worlds in the Rogen system supporting us,” Vladimir added.
“Just who are these, Dusahn?” Aristaeus wondered.
“You haven’t heard of them?” Jessica asked.
“I have, but only rumors. They are said to be ruthless; destroying entire worlds for no reason.”
“Two, so far,” Jessica explained. “Burgess and Ybara. One because it was the home of the Ghatazhak, and the other because its representatives failed to show the proper respect to the Dusahn leader.”
Aristaeus shook his head. “It is a pity that such people still, and will most likely always, exist. We had hoped that Caius Ta’Akar would be the last to plague our quadrant of the galaxy.”
“Now you know why we need the Sugali fighters so badly,” Jessica said.
“How can one hundred light fighters help against a fleet of warships?” Aristaeus challenged.
“We lack fighters capable of atmospheric operations,” Jessica explained. “We only have about twenty at the moment, and they are not as agile as the Sugali fighters, at least, not according to our captain.”
“Na-Tan has flown one?”
“Yes,” Jessica replied, “in combat, in fact. We don’t have the firepower to slug it out with their entire fleet. Our only hope is to split them up by attacking surface targets, and then use the Aurora to ambush whatever warships respond. To do this, we need close air support, especially since our ground forces are limited in number.”
“Fifty Sugali fighters seems an insufficient number,” Aristaeus observed.
“It’s a far sight better than twenty,” Jessica argued.
“Perhaps, but the Casbons will argue that those fighters will guarantee their safety; whereas for you, they will be but one of many tools.”
“Without proper training and experience, the only thing those fighters will guarantee is their doom,” Jessica insisted.
“I do not argue your point, even though it assumes the Ahka will also see that their only hope is to strike the Casbon in force before they are properly trained and capable of defending themselves. But you must see the Casbon’s point of view. The raids on their world have become more frequent in recent years. Many believe the Ahka are doing more poorly than suspected and are becoming desperate. Such people can be unpredictable. Were you in charge of their world, would you counsel them otherwise?”
“I would,” Jessica insisted.
“What would you suggest they do differently?” Aristaeus inquired.
“I would urge them to keep their newly acquired fighters a secret, until their pilots can be properly trained, so as not to force their enemy’s hand.”
Aristaeus chuckled. “Your euphemisms are unfamiliar to me, but I think I understand your meaning. Unfortunately, it would be quite impossible to hide one hundred fighters on Casbon. I suspect your arguments will need to be stronger, if you hope to convince them to give up half of their fighters.”
“I don’t suppose they’d be willing to see the big picture here,” Jessica said.
“The big picture?” Aristaeus wondered. “What? That if the Dusahn are not stopped, they will eventually conquer the Ilyan, as well?”
“Does the Ilyan have warships to rival the Dusahn?”
“No, the Ilyan’s ships are small and meant for enforcement, not as a defense against outside invaders. However, the Pentaurus cluster is over eight hundred light years away. Even if the Dusahn are allowed to expand their empire unimpeded, they will not reach Ilyan Gamaze in my lifetime, nor that of my great-great-grandchildren.”
“But they will reach the Ilyan, someday,” Jessica insisted.
“It is just as likely that the Dusahn will run afoul of some other empire before they reach us. As I said, there is no shortage of power-hungry despots in the galaxy.”
“Which is why we must all band together to stand against such people,” Jessica replied.
“For freedom, justice, and liberty,” Aristaeus surmised. He let out another laugh. “My dear, you’d be surprised how easily one gives up their liberty. Survival is a powerful instinct, probably the most powerful in the universe, and it exists in all living things. Promise a man his safety, and he willingly gives up his freedom.”
“Not every man,” Jessica argued.
“Perhaps, but most.”
“So, you’re saying that the people of your Ilyan would not be willing to help us?” Vladimir asked.
“It is doubtful,” Aristaeus admitted. “The Ilyan has survived, and thrived, because it does not dictate to others, nor does it involve itself in their affairs. However, I speak of the Ilyan as a whole, not of each individual world. As I said, the Ilyan does not control the actions of its member worlds. It only controls their interactions.”
“But if their actions constitute a threat to the Ilyan as a whole?” Vladimir wondered.
“Then yes, that could pose a problem. However, if any world within Ilyan Gamaze wanted to help you in your fight against the Dusahn, they would want to do so covertly…not only to avoid disfavor from the council, but from the Dusahn, as well.”
“I thought you said they wouldn’t perceive the Dusahn to be a threat, because they are too far away,” Jessica said.
“Conquering and holding an entire region of space, especially a distant one, is quite different than sending a single jump ship to punish an ally of one’s enemy,” Aristaeus explained. “If you hope to find support within the Ilyan, that support must be covert.”
“Jesus,” Jessica scowled, turning her seat and putting her feet up against the side console. “I don’t know how Nathan does this stuff.”
Aristaeus studied them both before continuing. “Might I offer you some advice?” he finally asked Jessica.
“Knock yourself out.”
“I have negotiated deals on many different worlds, and one of the things I have learned is that if you want someone to compromise their position, you have to make them want to make that compromise.”
“And how do you do that?” Jessica asked, more to be polite than because she cared.
“You must first le
arn what is important to them, and then craft that compromise to serve their needs, as well as your own.”
Jessica dropped her feet back to the deck, turning to look directly at him again. “That’s exactly what I’m trying to do.”
“No, you are not. You are crafting a deal that serves your needs first, and not those of the Casbons, who, by the way, already have first rights to those fighters. All of them.”
Jessica threw her hands up in frustration.
“How long until we reach Casbon?” Vladimir asked, hoping to change the subject.
“As I said, this ship is not the fastest. The journey will take approximately twelve hours,” Aristaeus replied.
“Maybe we should get some rest,” Vladimir suggested. “Neither of us has slept much this past week.”
“As you wish.”
Jessica and Vladimir both rose from their seats, but Jessica paused a moment. “Just one more question,” she said. “Why are you taking us to speak to the Casbons? What’s in it for you?”
“I believe you spoke the truth when you said that without proper training and preparation, those fighters present more danger to the Casbons than to the Ahka raiders.”
Jessica smiled. “You see, you have a noble side. All of us do.”
“Casbon is a frequent trading partner, from which I derive much profit,” Aristaeus insisted. “It is merely good business.”
“Uh-huh,” Jessica replied, still smiling as she turned to exit.
Vladimir watched Jessica exit, then turned to Aristaeus and smiled. “Thank you for your help,” he said, nodding respectfully. He glanced back at the hatchway through which Jessica had just passed. “And for your patience.”
* * *
From the moment they entered the restaurant, they had drawn looks from every person within eyeshot. Nathan had not opted to change his Alliance uniform, and the two escorting him were still in their black, general-purpose, Ghatazhak duty uniforms. It wasn’t even the sidearms hanging from the hips of all three men that caught their attention. It was the absolute lack of vibrant color in their attire, which was in stark contrast to Gatondan fashion.