by CH Gideon
“We’re connected,” Comm said a moment later, and the viewscreen shifted to an image of a man in a Loranian uniform.
“This is a restricted channel—” the man started, and saw the captain. “Captain Asya? Are you being held hostage?”
She sighed and shook her head. “Not exactly, Commander Ast.”
“What is this, then?” he asked.
“This alien craft continues to proclaim its peaceful intentions, sir,” she replied. “They claim they have no interest in invading our space and seek an alliance with us, and suggest they have been holding back this entire time,” she told the commander. “If we continue to attack them, however, they say they will be forced to defend themselves to the full extent of their capabilities. Which, according to them, is more than the Loranian fleet can withstand.”
Commander Ast chuckled. “How magnanimous. And all we have to do is not destroy them?” He shook his head, scoffing.
“Release the Valter,” Reynolds said over the comm, speaking so no one but the crew could hear him. “This guy isn’t going to give us the opportunity to provide an example, so we need to take it.”
“It’s loose,” Helm replied. “Nudging it with boosters.”
“What’s that?” Commander Ast asked someone standing behind him. His eyes narrowed as he looked at the viewscreen, clearly seeing the Valter moving away from the SD Reynolds. “What are you doing, alien?”
“Proving a point,” Reynolds answered, motioning to Tactical.
Tactical didn’t hesitate, firing one of the railguns into the floating husk of the Valter.
The blast tore through the ship with ruthless efficiency, tearing its hull open as though it were made of paper. The ship exploded, a quick flash filling the screen and then vanishing. Debris and wreckage floated away from where the Valter had been.
Captain Asya gasped.
“That is only one of the many similar weapons we have aboard our ship, Commander,” Reynolds warned. “I promise you, this is a fight you cannot win.”
“Please don’t force us to hurt anyone,” Jiya added.
The commander stared wide-eyed through the viewscreen, swallowing hard as he contemplated his options.
“I believe them, sir,” Captain Asya told her superior. “They could have killed my crew and me or left us to die in space, but they didn’t. They risked their lives to board and bring us onto their ship before life support gave out.” She glanced at Jiya and the others. “Why would they do that if they meant to invade us?”
“To gather intel,” Commander Ast suggested.
Asya shook her head. “They never once approached the bridge, sir. Never asked us questions or anything.” She raised her hands in the air, showing she wasn’t bound. “I’m on their bridge, sir, and I’m not restrained in any way. While I have no doubt they could subdue me before I did any damage, they have no clue as to my capabilities. They don’t know the threat I pose, and yet here I am.”
Commander Ast grunted, taking in the information. After what seemed forever, he raised a hand. “Cease fire,” he ordered, and the fleet immediately complied, the shuddering impacts of fire no longer crashing into the Reynolds’ shields.
The crew let out a collective sigh as damage control raced into action.
“Thank you, Commander,” Reynolds told the man. “I understand your concern, us appearing out of nowhere in your system. We had expected the opportunity to hail you properly, but that’s clearly not how things worked out. Still, we hope to parlay with you and put all this behind us.”
Commander Ast nodded. “I offer no certainties as to the measure of our talks, Captain…Reynolds, is it?”
Reynolds nodded.
“But if you return the Valter’s crew and captain without harm, I assure you that we will sit down and have a dialogue, however it might turn out.”
“That’s all I ask, Commander,” Reynolds replied. “Thank you.” He motioned to Captain Asya. “We’ll provide a shuttle for the captain and her crew to return to your flagship immediately.”
“I’ll await their arrival forthwith. I’ll be in touch with directions to the meeting location soon,” Commander Ast said, cutting the connection.
“I’ll take her to the hangar bay,” Jiya said, gesturing for the captain to follow her.
Captain Asya acknowledged Jiya but turned to Reynolds. “Could you have really wiped out my entire fleet?”
He paused for a moment, then nodded. “It would have been far easier than I like to admit,” he told her. “I’m glad we could come to terms before anyone was hurt.”
Asya stood there staring at Reynolds, seeming to contemplate something before finally accepting Reynolds at his word.
“Speak with you soon, Captain Reynolds,” she said, walking off with Jiya and Ka’nak, the bridge door closing behind them.
“You think this Commander Ast will stay true to his word?” XO asked.
Reynolds shrugged. “If he doesn’t, all bets are off. We can’t afford to take another beating like that. New SOP: we enter these systems closer to the edge of the heliosphere and assess the situation before traipsing down the gravity well.”
“So, stay ready?” Maddox asked.
“Exactly,” Reynolds answered. “Once the captain and her crew are back with their fleet, we prepare for the worst.”
“I’ll get Takal and the rest of the crew working on restoring the shields and repairing the damage we took,” Maddox said, triggering his comm and speaking into it.
Reynolds nodded and leaned back in his seat, watching the viewscreen. A few minutes later, the Pod carrying Captain Asya and her crew departed the hangar bay on its way back to the Loranian fleet.
They watched it go, each thinking their own thoughts about what would come next.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Once Captain Asya and her people had been returned safely to their people, Commander Ast did as promised and arranged a meeting between the Loranian government and Reynolds’ crew.
The SD Reynolds settled into orbit over Loran with the Loranian fleet arrayed around it. Maddox, Takal, and Geroux remained behind to oversee repairs along with the AI personalities, just in case the commander went back on his word of safe passage.
On the planet, Jiya was surprised by how much the meeting location reminded her of her father’s compound. They had been directed to a similar area, set a distance outside the nearby bustling city.
“Guess they don’t want us near their people,” Jiya muttered as they exited the shuttle, which had been led to the landing area by an automated system.
“Maybe it’s they who don’t want to be near anyone,” Reynolds suggested, glancing around.
“This place is pretty sparse,” Ka’nak commented, tightening his grip on the butt of the weapon at his hip. He was nearly invincible in hand-to-hand combat, but this was a different kind of engagement. “You might be right.”
“As long as we get what we came for, I don’t care if we have the meeting in a broom closet,” Reynolds told them.
The Loranian entourage met them on the tarmac, Captain Asya surprisingly at their head. At her back were a half-dozen soldiers, their weapons holstered.
“Hello again,” she said, offering a slight bow.
“Thank you for having us,” Jiya replied, smiling. Whatever happened, she wanted to put her best foot forward after the clusterfuck that had been Dal’las Tri.
Asya returned the smile. “Come this way.” She waved them on, the rest of the congregation closing around the party.
Jiya felt the tension of the Loranian guards around her, but nothing made her feel threatened. They were simply being cautious, and she was okay with that. After the demonstration with the Valter, she knew the Loranians were wary of the hell that would rain down on their heads should they deviate from their guarantee of safety.
Jiya and Ka’nak had dressed in the battle armor Takal had adjusted for them, so the vibe they gave off was definitely one to consider.
Reynolds had
insisted they show off in their meeting. They’d made the mistake of letting Jiya’s father get the drop on them, and he didn’t want that to happen again.
Jiya was just fine with that.
They followed Captain Asya to a small meeting room buried deep inside the compound. More soldiers met them at the door, and Jiya caught the eyes of each and every one, offering a friendly greeting as they passed.
It doesn’t hurt to grease the wheels of the men who might be ordered to kill us soon, she thought with a chuckle.
A long table was situated at the back of the room on a short dais. It made it so the occupants looked down on the visitors. Commander Ast sat at the table alongside five other people, three women and two men.
While the commander remained in his military garb, the rest of the representatives wore long purple robes with sleeves that nearly covered their hands. They sat poised, hands clasped as Reynolds and the crew approached. Only the commander narrowed his eyes at their arrival.
Captain Asya ushered them to seats arranged in front of the dais. Reynolds and the crew sat without saying a word.
“Welcome to Loran,” the woman seated at the center of the table announced. “I am Zal’a Gom, President of Loran.” She motioned to the woman to her right, then the man at the end of the table. “This is Artan Sie and Golan Tor,” she continued, then gestured to her left. “You, of course, know Commander Ast, and the last of our parliament here is Nor Kan.”
“Pleasure to meet you all,” Reynolds said as he stood to acknowledge the gathering.
“Please, sit,” Zal’a told him.
Reynolds complied, and Jiya bit back a grin at the obvious psychological efforts being made to show up the crew. She wondered if Reynolds would play along or cut straight to the chase.
“We are told you seek information,” Zal’a went on. “That you are not here in a military capacity.”
“That’s correct,” Reynolds replied. “We are tasked by Former Empress Bethany Anne to seek out Kurtherians, an ancestral enemy of humanity. We’ve come here only because we caught wind of Kurtherian activity in the area.”
“We know nothing of these Kurtherians,” Nor Kan said, “Nor of your Bethany Anne.”
Jiya stood, offering a shallow bow. “We would also like to establish a compact between the Loranian people and ours,” she announced. “We could use a safe haven to dock when we are in the system and purchase supplies. We are willing to exchange limited technical knowledge for such a deal.”
“We have a similar deal with those of Lariest,” Reynolds added, “And we would like to add your planet as a sanctuary, should we need such.”
“I’m not sure you’ll find many systems nearby willing to trade with you, I’m afraid,” Zal’a told him.
Reynolds stiffened. “Why’s that?”
“Much like our Captain Asya here heard, leading to the unfortunate confrontation between you and our fleet, there is much chatter that you are a dangerous species bent on the destruction of all you come across.”
“There are words, and there are deeds. Those gossiping about the great alien ship do so in fear. We said what we were going to do, and then we did it. That is the foundation of trust,” Jiya explained.
“Your actions showed us differently, of course,” Zal’a acknowledged, “but I’m afraid the word is already spreading.”
“We will do what we can to disabuse our allies of your supposed hostile nature, but I’m not sure what we can do beyond that,” Artan Sie said, shrugging. “Your example will have to shine the light on your character.”
Reynolds nodded. “That’s the best we can hope for, then,” he told the assemblage, clearly not satisfied that someone was working to impugn their character but seeing no point in arguing. Those who listened to rumors were no better than those who spread them.
“As for the safe haven and supplies, we would be glad to discuss these options with you further,” Zal’a continued.
The discussions went on for several hours after that, Jiya struggling to stay awake as Reynolds and the Loranian government got into the specifics of what equaled what. In the end, the Loranians walked away with more than they gave, and Reynolds got confirmation that they’d offer up any information regarding Kurtherians that they came across.
After what seemed like forever to Jiya, the meeting was called, and Captain Asya came over to see them back to their shuttle. As she walked them out of the building, Jiya noted the entourage of soldiers were no longer crowded around them. They hung back a good distance. Close enough if they were needed, but far enough to not appear hostile.
“I’m glad you came to speak with our parliament,” Captain Asya told them. “It went a long way toward showing them who you really are by coming here personally.”
“I only wish we’d gotten the point across before our confrontation,” Reynolds told her.
“As do I.” She nodded. “But like the president said, someone is spreading the word that you are dangerous and need to be destroyed.” She glanced around as if she were suspicious. “Do you have any enemies nearby?”
“We are newly arrived in this sector, and it seems that fear is running rampant. That, to me, indicates the Kurtherians have preceded us. Misinformation is one of their greatest weapons. Turning allies against each other. Our enemies are secretive, and they could be anywhere,” Reynolds admitted. “We may well have crossed them recently and not even realized it.”
“Well, I’d be careful, since it’s clear they have far-reaching access to have spread such rumors so widely and so quickly. They must be incredibly powerful.”
Reynolds nodded. “They are.”
Captain Asya went silent, leading them back to the shuttle. It was only when the crew was ready to board that she spoke again.
“I apologize for my part in the confusion,” she told them, offering a curt nod to each in turn. “Had I been more receptive, none of this would have happened.”
“No need to apologize,” Jiya told her. “We understand.” She smiled at the captain, doing her best to convey her sincerity.
“Perhaps not, but I still feel honor-bound to do so,” she said. “It is the way of my people to repay a blood debt with service.” She dropped to a knee. “While you had no reason to risk your lives to save my crew or me, you did exactly that. As such, I would be honored to serve at your side and join you in your mission against these Kurtherian enemies.”
“Whoa! That is not necessary, Asya.” Jiya muttered, going to help the captain up. Reynolds grabbed her arm and stopped her, shaking his head.
“While our people have no such expectations of you, Captain,” Reynolds told her, “we would be grateful were you to lend your expertise to our crew.” He offered her his hand.
The captain took it, rising to her feet. “Then we have a compact,” she said, grinning. “I have cleared my intention with the parliament, and they are in agreement—my life in exchange for that of my crew. I am now indebted to you.”
“Did I miss the kneeling ceremony when I got made part of the crew?” Ka’nak asked. “I don’t remember having to kneel. Doesn’t mean I didn’t, mind you.” He smiled broadly as he towered over the others.
Jiya elbowed him in the ribs. He grunted and went quiet.
“Welcome to the crew,” Jiya told the captain as she joined them. “It’ll be an…experience, no doubt about that.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
After the crew returned to the SD Reynolds and settled in for the night—Captain Asya having been shown her quarters and given a tour of the ship—Reynolds sat on the quiet bridge with only his thoughts to keep him company.
Fully stocked from Lariest, the ship needed nothing from the Loranians, so they decided to stay only overnight in Loran orbit. He’d given the crew the night off, letting them rest and get comfortable after all they’d been through, but there was little rest for Reynolds.
He couldn’t help but wonder how news of their attack on the Thra’kal scout ship had traveled so quickly and how it ha
d been so misconstrued. He admitted that the attack didn’t look good, boarding after he hailed the fleeing craft, but there was nothing in the gesture that pointed to the SD Reynolds heading up an invasion force.
“A single ship does not an invasion make,” XO said, having clearly been listening in on Reynolds’ thoughts.
“No, it does not, but someone is saying that’s what we’re doing here.”
“Has to be Kurtherians,” Tactical added. “Maybe that’s who built up the security at Dal’las Tri and set up that neural web device.”
“Could be, but wouldn’t we have detected them there?” Reynolds asked. “There were no signs of anyone tapping to the Etheric.”
“Maybe they’ve gotten better at hiding,” XO suggested.
“We were a bit distracted, though,” Comm joined in. “We could have missed something.”
“Anyone with the power to lock down a system like that has to have powerful resources at their beck and call,” XO went on. “They’d likely have communication arrays powerful enough to send out rumors like the ones that reached Loran.”
Reynolds nodded. It all made sense, yet it didn’t.
They’d cost the casino owners a great deal of cash by shutting down their scam and raiding their servers, but there wasn’t an obvious connection to the SD Reynolds anywhere in that.
Someone would have had to have tracked them down as they fled to the shuttle and departed. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be clear where the attack group had come from.
“None of this makes sense,” Reynolds mumbled.
“None of what?” Jiya asked, stumbling onto the bridge with a steaming cup of coffee in her hand.
The bridge lights flickered and came up, Reynolds only then realizing it was morning—time for the crew to return to work.
“Just talking to myself,” Reynolds admitted. He glanced around the bridge as Jiya settled and thought back to his decision to tractor the Valter and wait while the Loranian fleet pounded the ship.