Chronicles of Benjamin Jamison 4: Empires at War (Part One)

by Thomas A. Wright

  “Come to my quarters and we will discuss my travel plans in private. This ship will continue to the shipyards for repair and a new designation identifier. That is all our captain needs to know.” She kept her plans close to her chest. It seemed wise while there were Khalnalax crewing her ship. “Once aboard our new transport, I will inform the captain of our destination.” Tazleaha cut the com and went back to staring at her message. She had received com codes for the Allond ship Benjamin traveled on through Captain Dakkon, and at the moment she couldn’t take her eyes off them.

  “Queen Tazleaha, Commander Dela’maah waits outside your door. Should we allow her to enter?” the Allond marine who stood inside her room at the door asked. He was one of the two bodyguards Benjamin had sent along; the other was outside the door.

  “Yes, please, let her in,” she answered and pushed the send button. She stood quickly, sending her chair sliding back. It startled her guard for a split second. The simple act of pushing a button, and she reacted like a catch releasing a spring. She looked at her guard and smiled. “Apologies,” she said softly as Dela’maah walked in.

  “Are you ok, my queen?” Dela’maah asked. Their long rift was mending and her attitude reflected a newfound respect.

  “Yes. Ask the other guard to come inside. This concerns both of them as well.”

  Dela’maah turned quickly and stepped back through the door, asking the guard to enter. Tazleaha sat back down and looked at her screen, making sure the message had sent and the screen was blank.

  “My faithful guards from the great empire of Allond, I would like to thank you for your service to me. Very shortly, one of my own ships will arrive and the commander and I will be departing on it. If you wish, you may continue with the Khalnalax ship to our shipyards, where I will have orders for another ship to return you to your duties at the nearest Allond warship. Or, I would ask a personal favor of you. Would you accompany me until I am reunited with my own personal guard? If you do, it may be some time until you see your kinsmen again.” The two Allond marines looked at one another then back at her. Tazleaha thought it odd; they were not telepathic, but something passed between them.

  “Queen Tazleaha, we would be honored to accompany you. Our orders were not specific and open-ended. If they had been otherwise, we would have asked you to request a continuation of this duty.”

  “Really, why?” Tazleaha asked, curious.

  “We are marines in the great navy of Allond. We train daily and serve our empire proudly, but there has not been an enemy to fight in many centuries. If we follow you, we may be the first to bloody our weapons for an honorable cause and make our emperor and families proud.”

  “What he says is true, Queen Tazleaha. It would be a great honor in many ways. Also, we do not wish to fail Reaper. It would not be so honorable to be eaten by his spider or feel his blade at our throats.”

  “Well my queen, it would seem you have two very honest bodyguards,” Dela’maah said. “They will fight and die for you for honor, and so your lover won’t kill them.”

  “Thank you both for everything. Go gather your belongings and bring them to my quarters. Whether we fight or not, you are both honorable warriors and I promise I will not let Reaper or any of Reaper’s minions harm you.”

  The Allond bowed their heads, then left to gather their things.

  “I know you were trying to honor them, but an offer to protect them from Benjamin might have hurt their pride. They are warriors and I’m not sure they want you to think they fear something,” Dela’maah said.

  “I wanted them to know I have their backs.”

  “What does that mean? You are quoting something the humans say.”

  Tazleaha smiled. She had said it without thinking. While not as elegant as her own native tongue, she was fond of the language, or at least the way the humans she knew spoke. “I will slip up on occasion, but I will not be seeing them for a long time. It will fade soon.”

  “That is how it should be, my queen. The sooner you put them out of your mind, the better.”

  ****

  Emperor Khalnalax walked through his palace with his hands behind his back. One hand grasped the other as he kept a steady pace. His father used to walk like that when he was pacing, thinking on some subject of importance. Lately he caught himself doing it.

  Reports had gotten back to him of the Allond aiding the Cjittan and it infuriated him, but his ambassador to Allond assured him it was only business. They were selling the Cjittan older ships that had been slated for retirement. The ambassador stated the Emperor Xamand admitted freely to it and that it was a matter of free enterprise. He saw no reason his government could not profit from the war. Allond would not enter the war unless they were provoked, either by attack or by sanctions against them.

  Deliberation with his advisors had calmed him. They knew Cjittan would not have the funds to buy a larger navy than theirs or to field as many soldiers. They told him to trust the plan; it was too early yet, but would soon bear fruit. The Khalnalax plan was to take food- and revenue-producing worlds first. The Cjittan people might even rebel against the queen’s government. There were always family members and other aristocrats waiting in the wings to shove a knife in the sovereign’s back. When the royals on Xanlos began to hunger, Queen Tazleaha would fall. It would be perfect; her own people would remove her and the capital planet would be his without having to destroy any of it.

  If she lived long enough, maybe he would make her his queen. He would offer to end the conflict before destroying the most profitable worlds if she would consent to marriage. He didn’t want her, but the people would pressure her into it once the offer was made. He would drag her back to Khalnalax in chains if necessary, far enough away that she couldn’t do any harm. Those worlds he saved would put substantial profits into his coffers. Allond could sell him their ships and he hadn’t forgot about Trillond. They could sit quietly with their head down right now, but he would soon let them know they could not hide.

  Khalnalax could not stop thinking about the conquest. He had no patience to wait for his prize. His advisors, the old fools, were right and cautious. To push too hard too fast when it wasn’t necessary could cost them. They were winning. Even with the Cjittan finally responding, they had the upper hand. He paused at his desk. He would send Queen Tazleaha a message and make sure copies fell into other hands on Xanlos as well. He had nothing to lose, no matter her answer.

  “Emperor, Admiral Zentos waits to give you the daily reports on movement within the fleet. Should I send him away?” his royal guard asked.

  “No, not this time. Tell him I will be with him shortly.”

  “Emperor!” The guard snapped his salute and left the room.

  Khalnalax reviewed his short but pointed message to Queen Tazleaha. He did not specify terms and conditions, just that the deal would spare many lives of her citizens and military personnel. “Fetch the admiral. I will see him now,” he said.

  ****

  Admiral Zentos hurried to a chair in front of the emperor’s desk. He was happy they were meeting there and not in the throne room. He hated standing for hours. These meetings were much more enjoyable. This daily meeting was always brief and very general. Anything of any importance was always reported immediately, and then follow-up info came to light during this meeting.

  “What have you today, Zentos? Have we wiped them out?” Khalnalax asked. Zentos knew it was not a serious question.

  “I’m sorry, but no. The good news is that I have nothing to report. All ships have reported in. Logistics shows they are all in or approaching their proper positions. Repairs on damaged ships proceed rapidly enough that soon I will report they have returned to the fight.”

  “I am not sure that is good news, Zentos. It sounds like we aren’t fighting a war.” Khalnalax’s tone immediately made Zentos uneasy.

  “No, my emperor, it is not good news. What I meant was, because of the current conditions the briefing will be short and Your Highness can atten
d to other matters.”

  “Is there nothing we should discuss, Zentos?”

  “There is one matter the minister has brought to my attention. Your uncle feels we have left Kanlost with a less-than-adequate defense. If the reports are true, and I have no reason to doubt they are, we lost two ships to pirates just one guards the planet.”

  “I remember the previous reports, but since then it seems that there has been no activity in the area, from pirates or otherwise. We both know pirates are not bold enough to try a second attack. I am sure they have returned to whatever hole they live in.”

  “That is true. As you say, the pirates are in hiding, fearing retaliation. It will most likely be quiet there for a while.”

  “I agree, and we have no need to fear the Cjittan trying anything with us pushing toward Xanlos. They aren’t going to worry about Kanlost. We do not need to send anything to that planet. Guard, go get the Minister of the Navy and bring him to me immediately. You have my permission to use force if necessary.”

  “My emperor, is it wise to authorize force? It could cause the Minister some embarrassment. Should I leave?”

  “No, Zentos, you stay right where you are.”

  ****

  Snake and Harry made their way slowly through the block of rooms surrounding engineering. They wanted to make sure they were clear before they left Angel and Warlock alone. It was the belly of the ship. It seemed to Snake like the kind of place where monsters would hang out. Luckily, they didn’t see any. “All right!” Genius yelled into the com. Something good must have happened. They had gone a full turn and were back at engineering. Warlock was standing behind Angel, reaching over her shoulder.

  “Angel, if you don’t need Warlock looking over your shoulder and down your shirt, I’m going to post him in the corridor. Harry and I are going to start clearing from here all the way to the hold.” Warlock’s white face had a pinkish glow. “What’s the matter, boy? The last set of those you’ve seen were your momma’s, right?”

  “Leave him alone, Snake, he wasn’t looking down my shirt. Although I’m sure you would’ve been.”

  “Damn straight I would’ve been. I’m not dead, you know.”

  “You will be if I catch you,” Angel warned.

  “C’mon, Harry, let’s get to work.”

  “Harry!” Angel called. “If you run into something you guys can’t handle, push him down and run. We call that taking one for the team.”

  “Don’t listen to her, big guy. I don’t think she likes men. She’ll turn on you next if you don’t watch it.”

  “I heard that, freak! I like men just fine, it’s just there aren’t any around that aren’t taken.”

  “Ha! She got you good, she means you no man.”

  “Shut up. I know what she means.”

  Harry’s upper arm shot out and hit Snake in the side of the head. His head bounced off the corridor wall. Harry kept walking toward the first room they needed to clear. Warlock’s laugh could be heard the next galaxy over.

  Snake caught up to Harry fifteen seconds later, pulled his pistol and pointed it at Harry. “You might be big, but you’re not Benjamin. You hit me again and I’ll shoot you. You haven’t earned the right to hit me. I’ll take my chances with the others being angry. You understand me?”

  “Yeah,” Harry answered, appraising his partner.

  The ship began to vibrate; Snake knew it was a good sign. Genius must have been getting the systems online. It was also massive, however, and it would take days—maybe weeks—to get any kind of acceleration.

  “Harry, I was thinking—”

  “Shhhh, hear something. It move in the walls.”

  “Which way is it going?”

  “The way we go.”

  “Good. Do you think you can keep track of it? We need to keep it moving away from Angel and Warlock.”

  “Yes, if you stop talk.”

  “Genius, do you have any way to track intruders yet?”

  “No, why? Whatcha got?”

  “Don’t know yet, but it’s moving through the maintenance tunnels.”

  “Just one?”

  “Yeah, I think so.”

  “Well, go in after it. Just don’t use your pistol. Just got this tub going and I don’t need you to tear something up.”

  “Right, not happening. That’s like gettin' put in a cage with a large predator that hasn’t been fed in a month. Harry has his senses dialed up to ten, so we’ll track it.”

  “Come on, Snake. It move faster,” Harry complained. “Can you talk and run?”

  They ran. Their boots, ten times louder in the empty corridor, sounded lonely. Their quarry led them toward the rear and the giant cargo hold. Snake had been hoping to get his eyes on it today to see what treasure the Cjittan had left behind. They heard the banging of a maintenance tunnel hatch as they reached the door to the hold.

  “It’s on the other side of this wall,” Snake said, tugging on the hatch. Harry grunted his agreement. “I can’t budge this. You give it a try.”

  Harry grabbed the hand hold with all four arms. His muscles, like wire rope cables, flexed and bulged from his wrists into his chest and back. The door didn’t give up so much as a squeak.

  “Snake, you go through the tunnel and open from other side. It has to be lock from inside the room.”

  “Who died and made you boss?”

  “I too big for the tunnels. I know this from time as slave. Go before it gets away from us.”

  “Ok, but you stay right by the opening, and if it isn’t me coming back through the hatch, you kill whatever it is.”

  Snake checked his pistol and weapons before climbing the ladder. He pushed the hatch up enough so he could see into the tunnel. He didn’t hear a sound in either direction, at least not of something moving. The ship was beginning to come alive, and he could hear the life support had ramped up. He pushed the hatch up till it locked into place against the tunnel wall.

  “If I can find an exit near the door I’ll have it unlocked in two shakes.”

  “Just go, I hear nothing. We may have lost it.”

  ****

  He stood near the hatch, listening. The words were meaningless but the tone felt like agreement, a decision, was made. This is what he had hoped for and why he had led them there. They would separate and the small one would come. He would kill it and feed while the intruders decided what to do. He hoped they would send another when this one didn’t return. Noise announced its every move; this creature was too ignorant to live. He wrapped the dirty blanket tightly around himself to keep it from making noise or catching on something and melted into a dark corner. Saliva dripped from the corner of his mouth while he ran his tongue over his sharp teeth. He tasted blood but couldn’t stop the involuntary motion, his teeth cutting into his tongue. Footsteps moved his prey closer.

  “Harry, can you hear me? This lock has got some kind of shit on it. I’m going to try to chip it off with my knife.” He had his face against the steel door. Ignorant creature, nothing will hear you through that door, he thought.

  The silent watcher knew his prey carried a weapon but had hoped to catch it unawares before it could respond. If he waited too long, it would get the door open and the big one would come inside and complicate things. He could almost taste the soft flesh of its neck and throat. The armor would not deter him from his purpose. Barefoot, though the skin on his feet was like steel, he took three silent steps and leapt, landing on his prey just as he had planned. He drove his prey into the heavy door. Pulling back, he slammed its head into the door, hoping to disorient it.

  His prey roared and swung around. He didn’t expect it to turn and slam his body into the steel bulkhead. It reached around trying to get a hold on him. Again his body hit the wall but he held, his finger gripping the edges of the armor plate. His prey ran with him riding on its back. He had to stop it. He tried hitting it repeatedly in the head but that had no effect and there was nowhere to sink his teeth into it. The armor had a protective co
llar. The light from its helmet illuminated the wall ahead of them and the prey made no effort to slow.

  ****

  “I’ll show you asshole…what…happens when…you mess with Snake,” he yelled, running at the wall. He didn’t know what was on his back, but he had run with a heavier pack more times than he could count. He felt the adrenaline pumping through him. Timing was everything. His assailant had wrapped its arms around his neck, either to choke him or just hold on. He didn’t care. He grabbed the arms with both hands so it couldn’t let go and jumped. Twisting his body, he put it between him and the wall.

  Snake landed on his feet and felt his rider go limp. He let go of its arms and began driving his elbows into it. One to the mid-section and one to the head, then he stepped away, drawing his pistol. Snake wasn’t sure what he was looking at. Whatever it was had covered itself in an old blanket and rags, like the one Harry killed had worn. He used the toe of his boot to move its head into a better position.

  Long, stringy, thinning hair lay across its face. He could see its skin was gray like ash. Watching it, he couldn’t detect any breathing, not even a twitch. Kneeling, he took his pistol and moved the hair away from its face. It looked like skin stretched over bone. He wasn’t about to dig around in the rags. He knew from the scuffle that it had very little muscle and he couldn’t understand how it could be alive.

  “Snake, you ok?” Genius asked over the com.

  “Yeah, I’m good. Not sure what it is. Two arms and legs, one head. Smells and looks bad.”

  “You looking in a mirror again?”

  “If you weren’t so important to this team, you little shit, I would lock you in here with this thing.”

  “Angel and Warlock are on the way. There is a substation room in the hold that we need to bring online. It powers that whole area.”

  “Copy that. Tell them to take the maintenance tunnel and follow it. The hatches are open on both ends and will drop them right next to me. If they give me a hand, we can get the hold door open and Harry will be able to help.”