by T. R. Harris
It had been ten years since the Klin last had any contact with the Kracori and within that time many things had changed throughout the galaxy, none to the advantage of either race. What this meeting could do to remedy that situation – if anything – would soon be revealed. And if the Kracori had nothing to offer the Klin, then it would be here that the first small measure of revenge against their former allies would be exacted.
The reason Nomar Polimic – the new Langril of the Kracori – had reached out to Velsum for this meeting had been cryptic at best, and many of his advisors had cautioned against having the meeting. Yet Velsum was also new at his position as Pleabaen of the Klin and was anxious to make his mark. If that meant a potentially violent confrontation with the Kracori leader, then that would be a legacy he would carry with him throughout his term. In the eyes of many, that would not be a negative, but rather a badge of honor.
Soon the airlock door swung inward and the tall, gray, angular figure of the Kracori Langril entered the vast central chamber. The habitat had only recently been erected, and exclusively for this meeting, existing as it did in a remote star system near the upper reaches of the galaxy and in a region of space that was now officially claimed as Human Territory. The irony of the location – as it related to the participants to the meeting – was inescapable, and something Velsum had designed himself. He was sure the significance was not lost on the Kracori.
With a practiced and confident countenance, Nomar Polimic approached Velsum and stopped, offering not a bow or greeting of any kind. The Klin, as a habit, would perform a small bow when greeting others of their kind or dignities of other races. The Kracori, however, had never developed such mundane habits. Velsum chose to let this slight go by without penalty, at least until he determined the tone of the meeting.
“Langril Nomar Polimic it is an honor to greet you,” Velsum said with his cursory bow, sure that his insincere timbre would be lost on the gray alien. The Klin had always been more diplomatic than the Kracori, who chose intimidation and bravado over more subtle forms of interaction. “It has been a long while since our two races have met personally.”
Polimic nodded curtly. “Yes it has been, Velsum—”
The lack of acknowledgement of his title and full name caused Velsum to tense. This meeting will indeed try my patience.
Even though he was new to his role as Pleabaen, Velsum was not new to interaction with the Kracori; the two races had been intertwined in purpose for nearly fifteen hundred years. Yet it was only now, in his role as Pleabaen, that the Kracori’s lack of manners and protocol affected him personally. This meeting was not getting off to a good start.
“Please follow me to the meeting table … I assume a table will be acceptable, and not a sitting area of sorts?”
“A table will be fine,” the Kracori grunted.
He followed Velsum to the center area of the dome where a smallish conference table had been set-up. The surrounding area lining the glass wall of the dome was filled with atmosphere modules, a food preparation center and half a dozen small sleeping quarters. The Klin had arrived on the moon a week before and constructed the shelter, providing a neutral location for the meeting. Now a small contingent of Klin occupied the settlement – not counting the twenty representatives of the Corrum race who manned the flash cannon. Those creatures were housed in a separate underground bunker unseen from orbit and undetectable to scans. If this meeting was a ruse of any kind, the Kracori would not leave unscathed….
Once both the Pleabaen of the Klin and The Langril of the Kracori were seated, ushers brought drinks and small plates of appropriate appetizers for each. Velsum sampled the drink, while the Kracori sat straight-backed and stone-face staring at the Klin leader.
Finally, Velsum had had enough. Even though the Klin race was not known for fits of temper, the condescending and arrogant demeanor of the Kracori was too much for him to bear.
“What is the reason for this meeting, Polimic?” he asked, now dispensing with any official decorum. “It has been ten years since your people betrayed the Klin race and murdered several thousand of our kind. I have to tell you, the scars from that betrayal still show. Since there are so few of us, and our breeding takes longer than most other races, the loss of even those few thousand Klin has had a catastrophic impact on us as a people.” Velsum took two quick breaths to calm his nerves before continuing. “Agreeing to meet with you has been a risky proposition on my part as the new Pleabaen of the Klin. Since my predecessor succumbed to his long suffering injuries caused by the Humans, we have been very cautious to trust anyone but ourselves.”
Velsum was surprised to see the Kracori blink rapidly several times – a break in his stoic defiance? And when he began to speak, the Pleabaen was shocked at the words he heard.
“I admit that the actions taken by the Kracori at the conclusion of the Juirean war were inappropriate, at least in hindsight. But the Klin are not without responsibility for the circumstances both our races must now endure. We are outlaw races, as decreed by the bastard Humans, unable to show ourselves anywhere in the galaxy for fear of immediate reprisal.”
Velsum nodded. “I agree, hindsight is a valuable tool in analyzing past behavior. I’m sure a history lesson is not required for the two of us, yet sometimes just to speak the words aloud can help bring perspective to prior events.
“Yes, the Klin underestimated the Humans during our plan for revenge against the Juireans. We may have been naïve to assume we could control such a violent and conniving race such as them. It appears now – in hindsight – as if the Humans may be the personification of treachery, so our strategy to use them as bait against the Juireans was more transparent to them than it would have been to a more civilized race. And of course, the introduction of the rogue element to the equation – that of Adam Cain and his activities – only hastened the Human’s discovery of our ultimate plan.
“And yet, the revolt by the Kracori against the Klin had an even more deleterious impact on our ultimate strategy. How can you justify that, Nomar Polimic? You betrayed us and squandered the generations of trust that had developed between our two races.”
Through the expression on the Kracori’s face, Velsum could see that the grey alien was attempting to control his own temper. He did not care. The Klin had never had the opportunity to vent their true feelings to the Kracori since the events of ten years prior. Velsum’s tirade was a culmination of those emotions, conveyed on behalf of his people.
Finally the Kracori spoke: “It is regrettable that the Klin plans for galactic domination did not come to fruition, yet maybe you should have been more careful, both in your selection of the Human race as your surrogates and in your cavalier treatment of the Kracori. Why were you not able to detect that my people might take issue with our predetermined role as your seconds? You just assumed that we would accept direction from the Klin – to be lower to you in the hierarchy of your new Expansion – once the Juireans were vanquished, even though it was to be our blood that would be spilled, not yours. Yet your ultimate mistake was not realizing that the Legend of the Kracori people is stronger than your own. We were meant to rule, not to be second to anyone.”
“Polimic, it was the Klin who provided all the means for your race to even be considered part of the ruling class of the galaxy. Even though you apparently cannot see it, we bestowed a great honor upon the Kracori. For thousands of years, the Klin had searched the galaxy for races who could partner with us against the Juireans. Your race rose to the top. As I said, it was an honor to be selected.”
The veins in the Kracori’s neck began to pulsate. “Even now, the arrogance of the Klin still amazes me. You selected us, and therefore we would naturally feel honored? Legend is of paramount importance to the Kracori, and our Legend does not allow us to be selected, to be judged and analyzed by others. It is we who do the selecting. This is what you failed to see through the blindness of your own overinflated sense of superiority.”
Velsum glanced to hi
s right and caught the eye of another Klin standing a discrete distance away. This was his security officer, and a simple nod on Velsum’s part would cause a level-one flash bolt to be sent into the back of the Kracori. This savage must realize he’s in a vulnerable position, having arrived here alone, unarmed and without escort. What is his purpose?
“Polimic, all that you say may be true, as are my words as well. It has been ten years since the events occurred that we both appear to be obsessed with. The past cannot be changed. So why have you sought this audience? It could not have been just so the two of us could express our frustrations with one another.”
Velsum could see the Kracori regain his calm. That was something that had always been vaguely obscene about the Kracori; since their emotions were always on display their thoughts were easy to read.
“That is true, Pleabaen. The past cannot be changed, and I have requested this meeting so we can discuss our future.”
Polimic stopped speaking to let the impact of what he’d just said sink in. It apparently was significant, at least to the Kracori.
“Go on, but I was not aware our two races still had a future together.”
“That is yet to be determined,” said the Kracori. “Velsum, you must realize that our destinies are now equally governed by the whims of the bastard Humans? Our races share in the same fate – that of outcasts from the affairs of the galaxy – and all thanks to the tiny pink beings.”
“Agreed, Polimic,” Velsum said. “But the Klin have been a renegade race for four thousand years, hiding first from the Juireans and now from the Humans. We are accustomed to this existence, and as always, we have long-range plans underway which will eventually remedy this situation. Such planning gives the Klin hope; it is our way.”
“Precisely, Velsum, but even at the moment of your greatest triumphant – when the Juireans were destroyed on their homeworld – you were not able to celebrate that victory.”
“Because of the betrayal of the Kracori!”
“Let us take a moment to study the reality of the events that took place back then. Yes, the Kracori had revolted against the overbearing control of the Klin. And yet, just as the Kracori were preparing to end the Human threat once and for all through our nuclear bombardment of their homeworld, the Klin intervened. This left the Human forces intact, and subsequently they drove us from Juir and assumed control of the Expansion for themselves. Then to add even more insult to our loss of Legend, the Humans relinquished control of the Expansion and simply left, giving up voluntarily the one thing both of our races covet the most. However, if the Klin had allowed us to irradiate Earth at the time, none of that would have transpired, and the political landscape of the galaxy would look far different than it does today.”
“Yes, with the Kracori fully ensconced as its rulers.”
“Possibly but remember the Kracori and the Klin had been working together for many generations towards that very goal, maybe not with the Kracori in the lead position, but at least with one of us there. And who knows, by this time we may have worked out some sort of a partnering agreement with the Klin, leading to a cooperative form of leadership. On this point we will never know what would have been the consequences of Earth’s destruction. But at the very least one thing would have been for certain: both our races would not be cowering from the Humans like some frightened clan of bothrats.”
Polimic paused and took a long swallow of the beverage in front of him. When he looked at Velsum again, it was with a fierce intensity that made Velsum uncomfortable. “Pleabaen, it is time for the Kracori and Klin to renew our alliance. Our goals are the same, and the means for reaching them lie along the same path. As I have mentioned – and you are well aware – the Legend of my race has been greatly damaged by the humiliation suffered at the hands of the Humans. The only way to regain our Legend will be the complete destruction of the Human race as a factor in galactic affairs. Once this is accomplished, then both the Kracori and the Klin can rise up out of the shadows and claim our rightful positions within the Expansion. At the time of the war, the Kracori had only just revealed our presence to the galaxy. Since that time, we are now a pariah, and without an established past to help mitigate our humiliation. And the Klin – for so long running and hiding for something that was never your fault – you have come so close to being able to reveal yourselves as the true founders of civilization throughout the galaxy. Now you are just like the Kracori. That is why we have a future together, Velsum. It is a future of mutual benefit, of mutual redemption.”
Velsum was stunned. He had never expected the Kracori to be able to mount such an impassioned and effective argument. And besides the efficacy of his presentation, Polimic was also right. The futures of both the Klin and the Kracori were intertwined, and the resolution to all their current and past tribulations lay in the elimination of the Human race.
Velsum, for his part as leader of the Klin, was fully aware that the fate of his race was now at the mercy of the Humans. That was why plans were currently underway which had the chance of resolving this issue permanently – yet in the distant future.
Traditionally, the Klin were a patient people … or at least they had been. Having hidden from their Juirean pursuers for thousands of years, the process of living on the run had become second nature to them. And yet the Kracori was right: They had come so close to having that part of their history come to an end. Even now, grumblings among the scattered Klin population were calling for more immediate and proactive action on the part of the leadership. The reality of assuming their role as the true leaders of the galaxy had been so palpable, that anything less than that now was barely acceptable to the majority of the Klin.
Velsum was part of this new movement among the Klin. He was younger than most of the past Pleabaens, and therefore shared the impatience of the young. Having the Kracori as allies once again could provide the planners within the Klin leadership with more options….
But could the Kracori be trusted? Probably not, but in light of the current situation the Kracori were in, the overture they were making was certainly understandable.
“Your argument makes sense, Polimic. I must admit that since coming so close to fulfilling our ultimate destiny, we Klin have grown impatient for results.”
“As have the Kracori.”
“So what is your specific proposal?”
“Simply that we begin to work together again, but this time focused exclusively on the destruction of Earth.”
“The Humans have now branched out to other worlds within the Far Arm and are no longer a one-world race. Their mini-empire now counts thirty-nine members.”
“And that is precisely why I have come to you, Velsum!” Polimic said. “Even though the Klin are an outlaw race, just as the Kracori, you still maintain an elaborate network of spies and surrogates; you are aware of what is happening throughout the galaxy. Unfortunately, we Kracori are not as well-informed. We had always relied on the Klin to provide us with such information.”
“Yes, our contacts are still intact, yet not as numerous as before. We cannot count planetary governments as our allies any longer, but rather on individuals within those governments. No government wants to risk suffering the wrath of the Humans for assisting us.”
“Still, your network is better than ours.”
“So our two races will once again join forces,” stated Velsum. “You do know there will be resistance and concern among many of my kind. We are so few in number that the ones you did kill during your revolt has hurt the Klin immeasurably. They will ask if you can be trusted.”
“That is understandable, Velsum. But you must assure them that our new alliance will initially be aimed only at the elimination of the Human race. After that, then we will decide what is best for our respective races. With the destruction of Earth, we will both be free of the cloak the Humans have draped over our people. We will be free once again to enter the universe and to fulfill our destinies, be they together or separately.”
Ve
lsum was excited. This was not what he had expected to be the outcome of this meeting. As a matter of fact, he was surprised to find that the Kracori Langril was still alive this far into the conversation. Then he noticed the Kracori lean in closer to the table, a stern look on his face.
“One more thing, Pleabaen….”
Concerned, Velsum matched Polimic’s expression. “And what is that?”
“You may not be aware, but at the end of our occupation of Juir, the former Langril allowed a small group of Humans to immigrate to Elision. They were led by a former associate of the Klin, Nigel McCarthy.”
“Yes, I am very aware of Nigel McCarthy. It was his escape from Marishal that caused the injuries to the former Pleabaen, from which he eventually succumbed. However, I was not aware you had allowed him to live on your homeworld.”
“Unfortunately, he was. He served as a consultant for a short time before essentially being forgotten by our government.”
“But there is more.”
“Yes. Approximately three standard years ago, McCarthy and his fellow Humans escaped from Elision, and they have not been heard from since.”
Velsum tensed. He knew where this conversation was headed. “So he knows the location of your planet.”
“Yes.”
“But it has been three years. One would think that if he had revealed the location to his fellow Humans that they would have responded by now.”
“That was our thought as well, and for all this time we’ve watched the skies and waited, expecting the worst. The strain on my people has become intolerable, all because of this one Human creature. It is obvious he has not revealed our location to Earth; it also means he could do so at any moment.”
“Then he must be eliminated as a prerequisite to any of our future dealings.”
Velsum saw relief sweep over the Kracori’s face. “I am happy to hear you say that, Velsum, and that is where the Klin can come to our immediate assistance. As mentioned before, we do not have eyes or ears outside our nebulae. We have no means of locating McCarthy.”