Solbidyum Wars Saga 7: Hunt for the Reduviids

by Dale C. Musser

  Piesew ushered Captain Felenna in a few moments later and after serving foccee to both of us, he departed.

  “So, Captain, did you find anything we can use in the Brotherhood’s old database that was still in the computer?” I asked.

  “I may have found a few things, but I can’t be sure. There are some references in old communications about some worlds and getting ships there. I am not familiar with these worlds, but I was able to look them up on star maps and they all are outside Federation territory. One of them appears to in the general region nearest Sectors 2 and 3. I thought that might be significant.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes, I’ve sent the information and database on to Admiral Wabussie for them to look at as well.”

  “Very good, Captain, thank you. I hope it turns up something. We need to…” my comment was interrupted by an emergency beeping on my com.

  “Admiral, this is Marranalis; we've received word of a Reduviid attack on Bi-rand 3. They have blown-up several schools, a medical center and a number of government buildings.”

  “By the stars,” I said as I rose from my chair, “Captain Felenna, why don’t you come with me back to the MAXETTE, so we can finish our discussion and I can check on this Reduviid attack.”

  “Certainly, Admiral, lead the way.”

  The information from the attack on Bi-rand 3 and the information Felenna had provided us about the planet, was added to the 3D hologram. I anticipated it would give us some new clue to Brotherhood bases and activities, but all it did was add to the confusion. Bi-rand 3 was nowhere near any recent Brotherhood attacks. Their attack was both brutal and senseless. It seemed to serve no other purpose than to instill terror among the citizens. In what I assumed was an effort to maximize the terror they created, the Reduviids made vids of their conquest, displaying the torture and executions of many of the citizens. Scenes of people having their skin flayed and being set on fire, as well as teens and young children being chained to be sold in sex slave markets, were displayed. By using remote satellites, which broke into normal broadcasts on Federation vid transmissions throughout the Federation, the Brotherhood promised that planets which didn’t secede from the Federation and submit to the Brotherhood would suffer the same fate. I was hoping Jenira wouldn’t see these since at one time she had been a child sex slave of the Brotherhood. I feared that seeing the vids might set her off on some senseless vendetta. Once again, the Reduviids had attacked a defenseless planet and treated it without mercy.

  Unlike military attacks where you could track the retreating enemy, the Reduviids were much harder to track and trace. The attack on Bi-rand 3 was no exception; our only hope was that we find some trace of the ships used to transport the slaves captured on the planet, but the ships used must have been cloaked and the lack of sensors in the area left us with nothing to go on.

  Admiral Wabussie met Captain Felenna and me when we arrived in the War Room, having arrived there shortly before we did.

  “Admiral,” I began, “did you have any sort on intelligence that an attack was going to happen?”

  “We’ve been picking up some hints that an assault was being planned for several months, but we had no idea where it was going to take place and we didn’t realize it was going to be anytime soon. The Brotherhood is getting better about containing their information and it’s getting more difficult for us to infiltrate them. Since they have figured out how to use the deep-space communication systems, the amount of information we are getting has nearly dried up. We’ve managed to get a few people inside their organization, but everything is so compartmentalized that we get very little useful data.”

  “You’re right about compartmentalization," Felenna interjected. “Even back when I was in the Brotherhood things were contained and you only knew or were told what you needed to know for you to function in your assigned area.”

  “That’s right. You once were in the Brotherhood,” Wabussie commented. “I keep forgetting that. Is there anything you can tell us that might help?”

  “No, not really, the only thing I remember hearing was Shydak talking about some planet where the higher ups spent a lot of time and made a lot of their plans.”

  “Did he ever mention the name of the place?” Wabussie asked.

  “Not that I can recall, though he did say one time that even Tibby with all his wealth couldn’t buy his way in.”

  “So it’s a Brotherhood world,” Wabussie said with a sigh.

  “I don’t think so, sir,” Felenna said, “Shydak laughed about how the planet was too 'sophisticated' for anyone to think it would be a location where most Brotherhood planning took place and it would be the last-place anyone would look for them.”

  “Did you ever hear him mention Epsirt?” I asked as I realized the description fit the planet.

  “Hmm, I don’t think so. However, that name sounds familiar.”

  “That’s the planet where Rinncal Haf-joab’s estate is. Are you thinking that’s where the Brotherhood is doing all their planning?” Wabussie asked.

  Before I could answer, Felenna spoke up, “Rinncal Haf-joab, I remember that name. Shydak once mentioned something about meeting at Rinncal Haf-joab’s place; I was on the bridge when he sent a GW message pod with his response. I remember it because of the funny name Rinncal Haf-joab.”

  I expected someone to make the comment, Wrinkle Half Job and snicker, but no one did and I breathed a sigh of relief as Admiral Regeny entered.

  “I received the word about Bi-rand 3,” Regeny puffed, “is there any more news?”

  “We all just got here ourselves, Admiral; we were discussing our lack of intelligence since the Brotherhood’s gotten their hands on the DSC system and our difficulty of getting spies into their organization.”

  “Wabussie was talking to me about that the other day,” Regeny said as he nodded toward Wabussie. He says the enemy has started checking out all their new recruits using the Truth Bands, the same way we test our people now. It makes it impossible to get people in undercover.

  “Maybe not,” I said.

  “What are you thinking, Tibby? Don’t tell me A’Lappe has figured out a way to get around the Truth Bands?” Regeny said sternly.

  “No, not A’Lappe. Me! I think I know a way we may be able to get someone through their tests undetected. However, I’ll need Dr. Hughes to help.”

  “Hughes? Isn’t he that weird fellow on your ship that is supposed to be some sort of medic who fixes your head if you’re mentally ill?” Regeny asked.

  “That’s one interpretation I guess,” I said, “close enough anyway."

  “How can he help?”

  “Let me talk to him first and we’ll see,” I said.

  “While you’re here, Admiral,” I began turning facing Wabussie, “Arjuk Norcar spoke to me earlier and said that the deal to purchase Rinncal Haf-joab’s estate on Epsirt has gone through and next week he will be able to take possession of the property. We need to have our team ready to accompany him as staff and representatives on the planet. Do you have any agents lined up for the assignment?”

  “Not yet, but I’ll get right on it. How many do you want?”

  “No more than three; anything more than that and the odds of them being spotted as agents increase substantially. I suggest you communicate directly with Chief Banker Norcar to determine their qualifications. One thing I want is for them to take the components necessary to construct a Cantolla Gate on the estate. But send only the most critical components, the rest I want acquired on the planet so they won’t get suspicious when the materials go through customs. I know the sympathetic particles are microscopic, so they should be very easy to hide and get through.”

  “Are you planning on using the gate to invade the planet if necessary?” Regeny asked.

  “No, nothing like that, but we can send some troopers through if needed to protect the estate or to extract Professor Fass Hakwin, should he be on the planet. We can also use the gate as a secure communications portal t
o prevent anyone from tapping into normal communications from the estate. I want everything about the estate and the staff there to appear as normal as possible.”

  We spent the next two hours looking at the 3D hologram and reviewing information on Brotherhood movements and attacks, but nothing we did provided us any insight as to their next move or the locations of their bases of operation.

  When the meeting ended, Admiral Regeny came and asked me if I had a few moments, as Leader Tonclin wished to speak with us. I was surprised, as Tonclin’s schedule must have been quite busy with his duties in the Federation, but Regeny assured me that Tonclin said that we could show up and he’d see us immediately.

  I had not been to Leader Tonclin’s new office on the Capitol Space Station since it was built. There were only three Cantolla Gates set up for general access to the station. Gate #1 was for civilians and low ranking employees, Gate #2 was for the senators and their personal assistants and Gate #3 was for the Leaders, advisors to the Leaders, ambassadors and military officials. There also were three secret Cantolla Gates known only to the Leaders and their immediate staff for emergency escape if ever needed. Gates #1 through #3 were heavily guarded and monitored at all times with access to Gate #1 requiring persons using it to first travel through one of the transfer hubs. Gates #2 and #3 could be accessed only through special hubs restricted for governmental use and found at various guarded stations throughout the Federation.

  Admiral Regeny and I arrived on the Station using Gate #3; we were immediately challenged by the security team inside the arrival area. The space consisted of a large explosive proof chamber with airlock doors within the space station. Once our identities had been confirmed we were escorted to the reception area outside Leader Tonclin’s office. The lobby area outside Tonclin’s office was impressive with a two-story ceiling, snow white walls and a black marble-like floor. A few large tropical plants accented the area and a rock waterfall sat in one corner; the soothing sound of the water running over the rocks could be heard throughout the room. The water emptied into a small pool at the base of the waterfall and exotic looking fluorescent fish that flashed neon colors swam about.

  As soon as Tonclin’s personal assistant saw us, she immediately led us to a small room next to the Leader’s office and said that Tonclin would join us in a few minutes. This room was more like a conference room setup suitable for about ten to twelve people. The ceiling here was about three meters in height; rich looking, honey-colored, wood covered the floor and accented areas of the walls around exotic looking paintings and art work. I was admiring one of the pieces of art, when unexpectedly the entire wall began lifting up into the ceiling, revealing a huge room on the other side. This turned out to be Tonclin’s office and if I was awed by the outer lobby, I was wowed by his office. The ceiling in this office had to be at least three stories high. One wall was solid glass and faced the illuminated surface of Megelleon, which the station orbited. Like the outer lobby, giant potted plants accented the large area that also had several sofas and other seating in a conversation area around an open the space... Leader Tonclin was seated behind a very modern, but simple-looking desk trellis table with a simple glass top and his vid pad laying on its surface. He rose to meet us as the wall finished receding into the ceiling of the recessed conference area.

  “Greetings, Admirals; it is good to see you both, do come and join me,” he said in his high-pitched voice as he led the way to one of the seating areas that consisted of four plush chairs around a small table. “Would any of you care for something to drink?”

  “Thank you, Leader Tonclin, I wouldn’t mind a cup of foccee,” Regeny responded.

  “And you, Tibby?” Tonclin asked.

  “Ah, yes, a foccee for me also,” I answered. “This is a lovely office,” I added.

  “Oh, yes,” Tonclin responded, “this is the first time you’ve seen it, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, it is. Absolutely beautiful.”

  Tonclin raised his wrist com to his face and said, “Amelia, please see to it that we have three cups of foccee served to us.”

  “Yes, Leader Tonclin, will that be all?”

  “Yes, Amelia, thank you.

  “Forgive me Tonc, but I don’t know how you can get any work accomplished in an office like this. I would find myself staring out the window at the planet passing below all the time,” I said.

  Tonclin laughed, “Fortunately, the glass can be made opaque; that helps a lot. It also prevents anyone outside from seeing in, although I have been told that the windows cannot be seen through from the outside.”

  “Marvelous,” Regeny said as he stared at the windows, I wish my office on the DUSTEN was this extravagant.”

  “Well, Admiral, if you relocate your headquarters back here to the Capitol, I believe a smaller version of this office is available for you. After what happened to Admiral Stonbersa, I would feel better if my top military man were here, instead of out there on a starship,” Tonclin said as he stared at Regeny.

  “Ah, yes, well both Wabussie and I have been discussing relocation here to the Capitol now that this new facility is built and secure.”

  “And what about you, Tibby? It wouldn’t hurt for you to be here also, you know,” Tonclin said as he turned to face me.

  “Respectfully, sir, my duties are best served being out there with the fleet, though I must confess this office makes it tempting,” I said with a smile.

  “Yes, well,” Tonclin said as he adjusted his posture, “What I wanted you two here for today is to discuss a memorial service for the men and women who died in the recent battle.” We were interrupted by a bell sound.

  “Ah, that must be Amelia with our foccee,” Tonclin said as the door opened and Tonclin's assistant came in pushing a small cart with three cups and a container of foccee as well as a tray with some pastries.

  “I took the liberty of bringing some pastries in case you decide you’d like a snack,” Amelia said as she started to pour out individual servings of foccee.

  “I fear I shall gain a lot of weight if I have too many meetings daily,” Tonclin’s voice squealed. “Amelia knows I cannot resist these Nutellian pastries here on the side. She serves them every meeting and, alas, I find myself eating them all before the meeting is over. You’re welcome to try one, but I fear you may not care for them. They seem to be more suited for Nibarian palates and tastes. However, please help yourself to any of the things you see there.”

  Regeny promptly selected the largest pastry on the tray, one with a gooey purple colored icing that immediately dripped onto the front of his white military uniform when he tried to take a bite.

  “By the stars”, Regeny fussed, “now look what I’ve done! I can’t leave here like this.”

  I saw Tonclin shake with a small silent laugh. “Admiral, if you don’t mind taking your jacket off and giving it to Amelia, I’m sure she can either get this one cleaned or replaced before you leave.”

  “Yes, well, I guess that will work,” he said as he removed his jacket and handed it to Amelia. He started to reach for the uneaten portion of his pastry and then paused and looked at his white trousers, gave a sign and withdrew his hand and sat back down.

  I selected one of the Nutellian pastries to see what it was like, my mouth was immediately assaulted with the strongest, most bitter, copper-like tastes you can imagine and I must have wrinkled my face in disgust.

  Tonclin laughed and said, “See, I warned you; it’s something best suited to the Nibarian palate. Here. Take a swallow of your foccee and try one of these,” he said pointing to a strange flower petal-shaped pastry. “I’ve been told by humans that this is excellent, though to be honest when I taste it, I find it very bland.”

  I rinsed my mouth out with my foccee before swallowing it, my mouth still tingling from the Nutellian pastry, but most of the taste now was gone. I took the treat Tonclin suggested and I found it to be sweet but not overly so and that it had a very delightful creamy texture to it.

  �
�Better?” Tonclin asked.

  “Yes, much better,” I replied.

  “Now, back to the memorial service,” Tonclin began, “I believe it is most important we do this and that we broadcast it live. Not simply because those men and women deserve it, but because the Federation needs it. We need to make everyone aware of the sacrifices that are being made and the scale of the battle we are fighting. While many of worlds in the Federation have experienced the savagery of the Brotherhood, many have not and they feel insulated and safe from the war. Some of them even suggest we abandon the outer worlds in the Federation and pull our forces in and reduce our military in size. They don’t realize the size and determination of the enemy and that the Brotherhood will not be satisfied until they control all the planets in the galaxy. A memorial service at this time, showing actual scenes from the battle and featuring the destruction of the PRIZAMET should help to show the seriousness of the situation.”

  We spent the next thirty minutes going over plans for the memorial service and decided that it would be held in two more days. That was a tight schedule, but Leader Tonclin felt it was important and the extra work to accomplish it would be worth the effort. When we finished and were about to leave, Tonclin reached down and took one of the Nutellian pastries and wrapped it in a napkin and handed it to me. “Tibby, I hope you don’t mind, but could you take this with you and give it to Chanina? She dearly loves these pastries and I doubt she’s had any in quite some time.”

  “I’ll be most happy to, sir,” I said, “and you can be certain I won’t eat them myself.”

  Tonclin laughed, “I’m certain of that, Tibby.”

  Once back aboard the MAXETTE I went to my office and sat down. It was then I noticed the balled-up napkin in my hand and I stared at it intently for a few minutes before opening it to reveal the Nutellian pastries. I totally forgot about them in the short span between Tonclin’s office and my own. I immediately got up and headed to the Cantolla Gate to the NEW ORLEANS and located Chanina, who after receiving the pastry from her father, express her delight for the nasty tasting confection. Once I had listened to her expressions of gratitude and watching her devour the confection, I sought out A’Lappe. I was surprised when I entered his lab to find both Reidecor and Rory there with him.