by J. K. Mabrey
“They decided they needed to debate in private on what to do about this latest attack," she said in disgust.
“If it is any comfort,” Greda said, “that is normal procedure, especially concerning non-Council races.”
“Yes, I know. It’s just frustrating to not understand the reasonings for their actions. I wish I could hear the arguments against investigating it. I know there is some angle as to why they don’t want to look into it.”
“You think they’ll say no?” Bendix asked.
“I wouldn’t give it very good odds, that’s for sure.”
“What about the supplies?”
“They did agree to double the current supply rate," she said, a little more pleased with that subject, "but still insist we don’t need more than that."
Bendix threw his arms up and ran his hands through his hair. “But we have studies to prove that Earth can tolerate a much greater increase in supplies, without wasting anything. It’s not like you just chose some arbitrary amount of supplies to ask for.”
“I know," she said placing a hand on his arm, "but they claim we are trying to horde supplies for ourselves.”
“Damn fools, they’re just stonewalling.”
“Unfortunately, Ambassador," Greda said, "I fear that it will take at least three members of the Council to authorize any greater increase in aid. I don’t believe Earth has that many friends on the Council.”
“No, I don’t believe we do. Other than Conchu, and perhaps Racklera on some issues, the rest are reserved to let Earth suffer for years. They fear us for reasons I can’t quite comprehend. We’ve never threatened anyone, or been aggressive towards anyone before. We won’t change that when we can become sustainable. Being an entrenched part of the Galactic Community would benefit humans much more than being an enemy, or an outcast.”
“We believe your sentiments to be true," Greda said. "However, many Council races are always skeptical of new races. It will just take time for their fears to alleviate.”
“Time, I’m afraid, Earth will needlessly suffer for. Do please tell Conchu that we greatly appreciate the Iriquios position, and will do what we can to aid the Iriquios should they need it.”
“Of course, and thank you, Ambassador.”
“I’m afraid I have another appointment to get to, now that the meeting is over. Stay well my friend.”
“And you too, Ambassador,” she nodded to Mari, then said, “Bendix,” and nodded to him as well.
They returned to the ambassador’s office and awaited the arrival of Zavik Khan.
The two travelers had landed on Cedona almost an hour before they were granted a meeting time with the ambassador. She needed to do some research before they met. They entered the waiting room and were greeted by Bendix. “Mr. Khan, Ms. Epson, thank you for meeting with the ambassador.”
“Thank you for agreeing to see us on such a short notice," Zavik said and shook his hand.
“Think nothing of it,” Bendix responded dryly. “The ambassador is waiting in her private office.” Bendix directed the two inside.
Ambassador Hains was seated at her desk. Zavik marveled at the spotless desk, and barely worn couch. The cleanliness of the room put his ship’s interior to shame. He didn't realize it was only clean because it had hardly been used. As they walked in the terminal screens collapsed and Mari stood up. “Ah, you must be Zavik Khan, and Dani Epson. Pleasure to meet you.”
“You too. We're glad you could take the time to meet with us.”
“Of course I could," she said earnestly. “I’m very interested in getting more details on the recent attack at Earth, especially from the hero who saved the day.”
“Hero? You didn’t happen to hear that from Mike Snyder did you?” Zavik said off-handed.
“Lieutenant Colonel Snyder? Yes, I guess it was him who said that when I talked to him earlier. Why?”
“Oh, no reason.” He glanced at Dani as she raised an eyebrow in his direction.
“Well, sit, and please do help me understand what happened at Earth.”
“I’m not sure I could give you much more than the officers and other pilots that were there could. I mean the station was attacked, we helped defended it, the portals were shut down, and we destroyed the rest of the attackers that were left. End of story.”
“Why do you think such a large force attacked Earth?” she asked.
“I think they were targeting the station more specifically than Earth.”
“How was the station specifically targeted?” she asked and began jotting down notes.
“The attackers came through the closest portal and concentrated solely on the station that we had just unloaded a fresh supply of food, and farm supplies at. I can’t believe it was a coincidence. And it wasn’t just your average pirate raid group. They had a continued influx of ships coming in. They were after something big. They attacked it for a reason. I think they knew what was there.” He was confident in his theory.
“And how would they know that you were dropping off these supplies?” Mari asked.
He shrugged and glancing at Dani. “Maybe someone sold us out."
“Interesting theory, Mr. Khan. Any ideas on who would do such a thing?”
“Not a clue," he said in quick reply.
“I see, and you have no idea who the attackers were?”
“No." He quickly grew annoyed at the seemingly pointless line of questions. "I couldn’t tell who the ships belong to. There were no markings. Mike said they’ve gotten no other clues from any other attacks either”
“I see.” Her lips pursed as she stared down the two strangers in her office. “Excuse me for saying, but perhaps, this time, you are the connection we need to look into.”
Zavik’s jaw dropped slightly when he heard this. “You think I’m responsible for the attack?”
She leaned back slightly in her chair. “I know what you’ve been doing since you left the U.E.F. You’ve had dealings with some who are not, shall we say, on the Council’s side of the law. Smuggling illegal supplies is a violation of Council and Earth laws, Mr. Khan. I’m amazed you were even given such a small contract to Earth, to begin with.”
“First, I didn’t leave the U.E.F., I was discharged, for savings lives, in case you missed that part.” His voice began to shake as his anger grew. “Second, I’ve only had a few deliveries that were for contraband. That’s what goes on out there, in the real world, after your race disavows you. And, in case you haven’t gotten out lately, Ms. Hains, the galaxy’s not too friendly to humans still. Legitimate jobs aren’t easy to come by. We have to take what we can get. But Dani, and I, have tried to do straight jobs, to help Earth. We came here voluntarily, in case there was a way we could help. We didn’t come to be accused of treason."
She looked at the man in front of her and realized this wasn’t an act. “I am inclined to agree with you. It seems the last few months, especially, you’ve focused more on Earth runs. I didn’t ask you here to accuse you of treason, Mr. Khan, and I apologize for the line of questioning. I just needed to press you for any information you might have. If I truly believed you were guilty, we would not be having this conversation.”
“That suppose to make us feel better?”
“No," she said bluntly, "it’s supposed to make you understand. I think you can help. In fact, I think you’re probably the only ones who can. The Earth government can’t officially investigate anything, and we can’t disobey the Council’s decisions. You two, being that you’re not a part of the government, can.”
“If we had any leads to go off of we might agree,” Dani said.
“She's right, we’re kinda stuck on that.”
“Perhaps not,” Mari said. “Now, from my conversation with your friend, it seems you believe a war is brewing. That the Galactic Council is keeping us dependent for reasons that are less than honorable.”
Zavik wasn’t sure how to respond to such a blatant lack of respect for the Council. Hesitantly he said, “We might have
mentioned such things.”
“And that is why you wanted to speak to me?” she asked.
“Yes, he said you might be able to put us on the right path.”
“So you can continue to help Earth?”
“That's right," he said.
“And why should you care about the restoration effort so much? Don’t you have other jobs to get to?”
“I have some," he admitted, "but my loyalties are to Earth, they always have been. Mike’s right, if the course isn’t changed, there will be war. I’m not certain we would survive. I know we would lose.”
“We have allies in the Galactic Community," Ambassador Hains said, not wanting to believe what he said was possible. "They would aid us against any unprovoked attack.”
“It might not be so unprovoked."
She leaned closer to him. “What are you getting at, Mr. Khan?”
“If we become desperate, and attack, or take. That might be justification for another race to attack us. Are you certain any of those races you mentioned are going to help us if we're the instigators? ”
The room was silent for a moment. Finally, the ambassador agreed. “There have been whispers of action if the Council does not change their ways, which after today seems unlikely. If we find these attackers, we could find out who’s behind them, and why they want to disrupt our progress, maybe prove to the Council that we're in need of greater aid.”
“That leads us back to the attackers," Dani said. "They're Chokmnd ships with no markings. That's no help.”
“That is why you will travel to Onderon, to meet an associate of mine.”
“What’s his story?” Zavik asked.
“You know how the Chokmnds keep saying these ships are, supposedly, untraceable? Well, my contact thinks they can be traced to a source.”
“How would he know that?”
“Because, he’s designed every Chokmnd ship built in the last seventy-five years.”
“What are you saying?” Zavik asked.
“He's the Chokmnd Secretary of Fleet Engineering.”
“Why do you need us to go see him?” Dani asked.
“Because he’s gone missing. We were in discussion about him looking at some schematics on the previous attacks when he just disappeared. He was on Onderon at the time I lost contact. I fear that whoever is attacking Earth, thinks he will expose them.”
“So they kidnapped him?” Dani asked.
“Hopefully," she said, a slight crack creeping in her voice, "that is all they have done. You can appreciate why none of this can be official. If any of this were to get back to me or the U.E.F., it would look very bad.”
“We get it. We’re just a couple of expendable pirates on a fool's errand.”
“Quite," she said.
Zavik stood. “Once we find out who’s behind the attacks, we won’t be so disposable then.”
“No," she said locking eyes with him, "then you will become great assets. Find Canderon Vask, and you’ll have a good chance of finding the attackers.”
“I guess we should get going," Zavik said as he nodded to Dani.
“Stay in touch,” she added as they left her office.
She sat staring at the empty terminal on her desk. “Bendix?”
“Yes, Ambassador?” he asked as he walked into her office.
"What do you make of their story?”
“Believable, for sure. I don’t think they had anything to do, willingly, with the attack. I hate to admit it but, they did put themselves at risk to help, and probably saved some lives, if not the entire station.”
Her terminal screens relit. “I see you're coming around to the idea of a smuggler in my employment.”
“Better that, than going to war, ma'am.”
“Then let’s hope they can discover who’s behind the attacks and that the Council listens to reason after that.”
“I’m not sure which will be the tougher task, ma’am," he said as he turned to close the door.
Mari said, “I pray convincing the Council will be the tougher task. I fear the dangers ahead for those two are beyond anything they bargained for when they arrived.”
She looked at the deactivated portals, noticing Telemare was among the three. It was the only portal the Bacarians ever consider using when delivering machinery to Earth. "Damn," she said and shut it down again.
Phantom
“Sir!”
Varin Bragko’s eyes jerked open and surveyed the pitch-black room around him. He pressed hard on the glowing intercom key. “What is it, Captain?” Every word was drawn out and deliberate as he tried to wake from his deep meditation.
“Councilor Paquiko requests a word with you,” Captain Paquard hesitated, and then added, “at your earliest convenience.”
“Does he now? Inform him that I will take his call now. Do not land on Theros until the conversation is over, understood?” His stern voice still sent chills through even his most veteran subordinates.
“Of course, sir.”
Varin twisted in his chair, no longer facing empty space, but his personal workstation. His private quarters lit up. The pure white walls caused his eyes to instinctively squint at the exposure. The room was devoid of any personalization, having only the terminal and his chair inside. It was meant for work and relaxation during his trips. The translucent screen flickered on, and the Chokmnd councilor Paquiko’s upper torso appeared.
“Ah, Councilor,” Varin said, “what is it I can do for you?”
Paquiko’s voice was slightly off tone, normal for cross-portal transmitted audio. “Varin, you have no doubt heard of the most recent attack at Earth, which occurred earlier today?”
“Oh, yes. Tragedy sir. What shameful display of lawlessness. I do hope the humans didn’t suffer too great a loss.”
“No, they didn’t. Fortunately, they were able to repel the attack without great casualty.”
“Excellent.” His voice seethed at the news.
“But these attacks aren’t helpful to Earth’s sustainment efforts. Their ambassador has asked for increased security around Earth, and for help in locating the attackers.”
Varin clenched his hand around the arm of his chair. “Mr. Councilor, with all due respect, the security of Earth is a priority for the humans alone. As demonstrated, they can clearly defend themselves just fine. I fear this is but another tactic to abuse the Council’s already overly generous favors to Earth.”
Paquiko's tone went flat. “Varin, your unwarranted distrust of humans will not stop the fact that they will play an important role in the Galactic Community. As you are well aware, a push is already being made to include a human on the next Council rotation.”
Varin’s nose flared and wrinkled in a snarl. “Yes, and that is absurd, Councilor. Humans have only been a part of the Community for two hundred years. No other race has been given such liberties in such a time. Is it the Communities fault that they couldn’t see the repercussions of their actions? That the impending collapse of their society was a result of their own unwillingness to do what was necessary? Yet we are the ones left picking up the pieces, making our own sacrifices, so that their race can once again be viable. All we’ll get in return is a knife in the back.”
“Humans are not the first race we’ve helped rebuild, Varin. They are no different, and they’re not a threat.” Paquiko tried to reason with Varin if only just to convince himself of what he was saying. “If we’re to have a free, collective society, we need to end the hostilities towards other races. Being the largest race, with the most influence, the Chokmnds must uphold this standard the most. I do hope you can show better restraint for your lack of approval in the future. Or perhaps your run as my Chief of Staff will be shorter than I had hoped.”
Relegated to submission, he responded, “Yes, Councilor. I will try and better understand the Council’s decisions on matters such as this.”
“Good. I am, however, inclined to agree with you that Earth needs no Council subsidized forces for defense. They
are quite resourceful in matters of war, as we are aware. However, I would ask you to look into these attacks just once more. They’re the same Chokmnd LR-80 and RAs as before. You’re certain it’s impossible to trace their origin?”
“We have investigated before, sir.” It was only a small lie. “We’re fairly certain, but I’ll have a task force set up to do a much more thorough inquiry.”
“Good.” He showed a faint smile. "These aren’t just pirates. Earth believes it’s an organized attack against their sustainment efforts.”
“It would be most beneficial if we could root out this problem then.”
The two Chokmnds disengaged from the conversation and Varin instructed his pilot to land.
He arrived at Theros without informing his men, as he often liked to catch them off guard and instill a little fear. Theros was a location Varin used as a base of operations for his organization. As the leader of the criminal organization known as Red Moon, he was responsible for imposing strong leadership and structure to the group. Red Moon was renowned throughout the galaxy as a pro-Chokmnd organization, bent on promoting the superiority of the Chokmnd race. Ruthless in their tactics, they were feared as one of the most dangerous groups to have against you. Varin liked the reputation he had created for Red Moon. He was notorious throughout the galaxy, despite the fact that few knew who he truly was.
As he debarked from his ship, Traval, his most trusted ally, and greatest assassin greeted him.
His nervousness could be sensed even before he spoke. “My Lord, it is an unexpected pleasure to have you here. If we would have known, better arrangements-“
“No, this is my intention.” Varin cut him off and kept walking past him. “You know I prefer to see the spontaneous reactions from my arrival.”
Traval was a larger Chokmnd than Varin. Both more muscular, his line of work required it, and taller. He was less refined, though, no etiquette training or manners to speak of. Still, he was loyal to Varin, even considered a friend. “Of course, sir. Is it safe for you to travel here?”