by Mark Wandrey
“We only know it was a lonely death. That is often how a soldier finds his end. Alone and without hope on an alien world, you make the decisions you have to make, and I won’t question that one.” She snapped a salute that was echoed by them all. “I will carry your dog tags and insignia back to Bellatrix and try to find someone who might get comfort in knowing your fate. That is all I can do. Rest well, Sergeant. That is all.”
The group moved back on the short walk to the village. Part of the way there, Selain came closer. “I want to thank you for that, commander.”
“It was nothing.”
“No, it wasn’t.” She looked into his grey eyes and saw profound emotion there. “You understand a soldier’s life, and we respect you for that. A few words of encouragement are sometimes all we need, but you’d be shocked how few officers understand that. Officers are a different creature, especially Chosen officers. But you…” he struggled for a minute before shrugging. “I just wanted to say thanks,” he mumbled, a slight quaver in his voice.
Quickly he moved to join a corporal who was having a quiet argument with a private over something. Minu almost said something and then thought better of it.
A strong hand squeezed her shoulder from the other side. She hadn’t been aware Aaron was there again. “They would do anything for you.”
She nodded. That was what she was afraid of.
The portal waited for them, just as it had sat eon after eon, timeless and patient. Minu took out the device and set the destination. The previous world they’d left form appeared and she stepped through, weapon at the ready. Another portal and they were back on the world with three portals in the town square. There they set off once more for home.
Part VI
Chapter 68
June 22, 534 AE
Chosen Headquarters, Steven's Pass, Bellatrix
Ten meters underground, below the Chosen headquarters, rested the one approved off-world diplomatic portal to Bellatrix. The chamber, five meters on a side, sported walls more than a meter thick of ceramic concrete. The inside of the roughly square chamber was segmented with a dozen forcefield generators allowing the operators to control arrivals through the portals, keeping them separate if necessary. After the Rasa Vendetta, it was a logical evolution of the off-world visitor protocol. Naturally, diplomatic and import/export offices were moved to Steven’s Pass as well.
Chosen Louis Diego was standing watch on what should have been a boring weekend shift. The logs provided by the liaisons suggested no visitors until after 19:00 hrs. and then just a pair of Traaga to receive a payment chit for the work on Fort Broadmoore. The watch room was many meters away, up a lift, and in another armored room. The portal was programmed to only receive orders from his PCR, and the massive dualloy doors leading out from the portal room only opened at his command.
He looked up when the main computer chirped for attention. He’d been taking one of the military history distance learning classes from the War College on his tablet and the computer surprised him. He double checked his watch. No inbound for three hours.
He checked the computer. In bound visitor, it informed him. He looked up to the camera to see a pair of Mok-Tok standing on the glowing portal dais. “Oh shit,” he groaned and hit the yellow ‘tactical alert’ toggle.
In a new facility a short distance away, a platoon of Rangers who’d been lounging around and amusing themselves leaped to their feet and grabbed for gear. In five minutes they were mustered in the building’s antechamber and notifying the chosen duty officer of their readiness. Had he slapped the red button, they would have been there in two minutes, and two companies of Rangers would be preparing to depart from Fort Alma, the closest Ranger fort.
As soon as the Rangers told him they were prepared, Chosen Diego activated the communicator into the portal chamber. “Greetings, noble beings, and welcome to the human leasehold. I am Chosen Diego, in service to the Tog.”
“Chosen,” spoke the computer translator though the Mok-Tok showed no signs of any language, “direct us to your leader.”
“Please state the nature of this unscheduled visit.”
There was a long moment of silence. Diego had no way of knowing if it was quiet from the Mok-Tok, or the computer translating. Eventually it spoke. “This concerns a vendetta.”
His hand shaking, Diego slapped the red button and snatched up his phone. “Get me First Jacob, immediately!”
The meeting room was on the same level as the portal chamber, down a corridor and in a similar heavily shielded room. Forcefields were hidden within the walls and literally hundreds of instruments of all types bristled from the walls.
Jacob stopped in the monitor room, his Chosen jumpsuit immaculate but a day’s growth of graying beard on his chin. He’d been getting ready for a late dinner when the first alert sounded and just wondering what was happening when the second went off. He tried not to look scared as he entered the room and surveyed the computer screens.
A Ranger captain was present, the commander of the company now waiting outside on ground level complete with heavy weapons, should they be required. He didn’t understand the necessity, but Dram insisted. As Second, his counsel needed to be listened to sometimes.
“Two Mok-Tok emissaries,” Diego told his leader, “scans indicate they are unarmed though they both have several high tech items with intermediate energy signatures. As before, the heads of the mounds are blurred on the scanners.”
The theory of the Mok-Tok being symbionts was well known, and the mysterious scanner blurring was one of the main conspiracy clues.
“And they mentioned vendetta?” Jacob asked.
“Yes sir, that’s when I triggered the alarm.”
Jacob nodded, noting the man was a four-star from logistics. The cross training program Minu Groves had insisted upon as part of her militarization of the Chosen was again paying dividends in this man’s calm in the face of such a provocative gesture. It didn’t help Jacob’s mood.
“No sign of the ritualized armor or behavior that the Rasa did during their vendetta?”
“No sir.”
Jacob glanced at a pair of three-star science Chosen who sat at computers and ran thousands of comparisons on every visual inch of the Mok-Tok’s harnesses and equipment. After a second they looked up at him and shook their heads. He let a little sigh escape.
“Very well, I need to meet them.”
On the monitors, the Mok-Tok, huge and furry, stood on their strangely articulated three legs and waited.
Jacob tried not to let his reaction to the smell show, and failed. The Beezer were notorious for their smell and the Mok-Tok were like Beezer, times twenty, with a hint of decomposing vegetation thrown in. He entered through the only door, looked between the, and described a proper bow of respect to a higher-order species.
“Welcome to our leasehold, noble beings. I am Jacob Bentley, First among the Chosen, in service to the Tog.”
One of the two might have bowed back, it was frankly difficult to tell. If it did, the bow was more of a slight shift. Jacob noted it and waited as the pendent around his neck worked.
“Chosen, I am Aka Bapal, clan leader of the Mok-Tok, and this is Asa Bapal, war pack leader.”
“Are you here to initiate a vendetta?”
“We are here to decide if we are to initiate a vendetta; that is partially correct.”
Jacob breathed a little easier. According to the rules of warfare in the Concordia, initiating a vendetta followed a specific chronology, and this wasn’t it. Still, if anything followed rules it often wasn’t the higher-order species.
“Please explain.”
The one he believed to be Aka Bapal came forward. “Your forces engaged a war clan of the Mok-Tok on Planet K two months ago.”
“Oh,” was all he could say in reply.
“We suffered substantial damage.”
“As our soldiers never returned from Planet K, I’d say so did we.”
“During this battle our supreme wa
r clan chief was abducted. Your units were evacuated by a starship and after several space battles, we suffered substantial additional damage.”
“Minu,” he hissed, “and her damned daughter.”
“I did not translate that last,” the Mok-Tok snapped, the translator managing to convey an angered tone.
“It isn’t impor— ” Jacob jerked like he’d been hit with an electric shock. “Space battles?! The Mok-Tok have starships too?”
The furry mounds stood implacable, nothing to provide any indication of what or who was considering its words.
“What sort of a move are you making, human.”
“Now I do not understand,” Jacob replied, thinking fast.
“Your soldiers deployed against the Leesa. We came to their aid, as we’d agreed in advance. When your position was no longer tenable, you brought in your warships and withdrew them to space where another battle was fought. Are you denying these facts?”
Jacob suddenly felt cornered. He’d approved the Planet K contract with the Akala, and then denied the Rangers’ request for reinforcements. He needed to say something to salvage the situation.
“The Rangers, our soldiers, were sent there on contract with the Akala to assist in taking Planet K, which they assert was theirs by right of previous possession, by the law.”
“We are the Mok-Tok, a higher-order species of the Concordia. You were bound by honor to surrender!”
The two hairy beasts started to pace back and forth as sweat broke out on Jacob’s forehead. The interview room was heavily shielded and reinforced. There was no chance the aliens could break out. At the same time the two beasts could tear him literally limb from limb in seconds, well before anyone could save him.
“I didn’t send that spaceship!” Jacob blurted.
“Are you suggesting it acted without orders?”
“Don’t say another word,” came a deep voice behind Jacob. He spun around, surprised to see his second, Dram, standing framed in the door. A light sheen of sweat made his ebony skin shine and he was breathing hard.
“What are you doing here?” Jacob demanded.
“You need to come with me,” Dram said in a tone which did not sound like a request.
“How dare you—”
“Right now, First.”
Jacob looked at the Mok-Tok who had stopped pacing and seemed to be watching.
“What do you think you are doing?”
“First Jacob,” came another voice over the room’s PA, “please attend us in the observation room.”
Jacob straightened up and smoothed his jumpsuit. “Noble beings, please forgive the disturbance. You will remain here for now.” He described a respectful bow and followed Dram out the door. At the end of the hall he entered the observation room and found what he expected from the voice over the PA.
“Thank you, Dram,” said the voice, Jasmine Osgood, head of the science branch.
“What is the meaning of this?” Jacob demanded. Including Dram who was just closing the door, the room contained six other people including Jasmine.
“This convenes the Chosen council,” Dram spoke behind him.
“I didn’t authorize a meeting,” Jacob insisted.
“It isn’t necessary for you to convene the meeting,” Dram spoke again.
“This is not regular!”
“But it is legal,” said Bjorn Ganose, former head of science but still wearing two silver stars and his jumpsuit uniform this day. “Why did you lie to them?”
“Lie? What are you talking about? I never ordered Minu to bring her damned daughter and that ship there and rescue the Rangers.”
“So you abandoned them?”
“That’s not what I said!”
“Answer the question then,” Dram said menacingly. “Over a thousand Rangers were sent on a mercenary contract you authorized, and got in over their heads. More Rangers were prepared to extract them, specially trained for just that sort of a mission…”
“And would result in further deaths to the Mok-Tok. You don’t think they’re pissed off enough already? Look out there, they’re talking about a vendetta!”
“I helped train those boys and girls,” Terrence Pagalio, the aging head of training, said..
Jacob had assumed his silence meant the man was on his side. He now realized he was badly mistaken.
“Damn you man, those are our people! Minu made the Rangers to protect us.”
“They’re a military unit,” Jacob said and made a dismissive gesture, “I never agreed with this plan, but went along with the Council’s will.”
“And have hated it from the beginning,” said Dram, coming around to stand with the others. “You almost burst a blood vessel when it was decided to add the Rangers as a branch of the Chosen. You insisted on watering them down, so they wouldn’t be true Chosen, as you said.”
“You are absolutely right! They don’t deserve to wear these stars!”
“I’m not so sure about that,” Dram said and looked at him with scorn and…what? Pity? Jacob swallowed.
“I’m not so sure either,” Jasmine said. There was fire in her green eyes that he’d seldom seen, and never directed at him. “And now I am sure of one thing that I wasn’t until a minute ago. You don’t deserve to wear that one star.”
“Now just a damned minute, young lady.”
“You be quiet,” Dram barked and took a menacing step toward him, “I’ve put up with your misogynistic bullshit just about long enough!”
Jacob coughed and clamped down on his burning rage, the tendons standing out on his neck and eyes wide. “It’s the sixth century, for crying out loud. And times have changed.”
“You, you, listen here now,” Jacob backpedaled holding out a conciliatory hand. “You don’t understand everything here.”
“I understand enough now, I’ll get the rest later.” Dram turned to the others. “We stand here as a super majority of the Chosen council. Chosen Diego, you are recording?”
“Yes sir,” the man answered, his eyes wide in fear.
“I move before the council,” he said and looked coolly at Jacob, “for the removal of the First among the Chosen.”
Jacob gave a little growl but said nothing.
“Bjorn Ganose, two star at large, how do you vote?”
“Aye,” the aged man said and gave Jacob a sly wink. There was no good blood between them since Bjorn was removed from his leadership of science for political reasons.
“Jasmine Osgood, science branch, how do you vote?”
She looked from Jacob to Dram and back, then lowered her head and shook it from side to side. Jacob began to smile then she said, “Aye.” Elation turned to fear in an instant.
“Terrence Pagalio, training branch, how do you vote?”
“Aye,” he said without hesitation.
“Fernando Vega, logistics branch, how do you vote?”
Jacob looked at the middle aged man who’d been completely silent during the entire exchange. The man was the first from the Boglands to ever sit the council. Jacob had appointed him only months ago and surprised many. Here he was certain would be his lifeline. The man looked up and he knew it was over.
“Aye,” he said in his thick accent.
“That is six votes for removal.”
“Two votes have not been cast!” Jacob barked in a panic. “There are eight active council members.”
“You are right. In the form of decorum, your formal removal will await the return from off world of Gregg Larson and Minu Groves.” He glanced at others who all nodded. “Until such time, you are suspended from active leadership of the Chosen. Your command access is terminated and you are reduced to two stars for the purpose of the leadership structure.”
“You’ll regret this.”
Dram sighed. “I only regret waiting this long to end your tyranny.” The worst part ended, he turned from Jacob to the others. “We must appoint an interim First so we can negotiate with the Mok-Tok…”
Chapter 69
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br /> Julast 3rd, 534 AE
Planet Coorson, Traaga Leasehold
Minu never expected to set foot on Coorson, and was instantly glad it was her first trip to the backwater world. The smell and noise assaulted her every sense, and they were still inside the portal building!
The Traaga manning their portal building cocked its chitinous head at her as one leg scratched its furred underside.
“We welcome a rare human visitor,” it said and bowed to a superior. As usual when she encountered them, she was struck with how human their eyes appeared. “May the Traaga inquire to the purpose of your visit?”
“I and my fellow humans wish to pass through in route to another location?”
“And that location please?”
“I wish that to remain confidential.”
Behind her, on another world many light-years away, it was nighttime. Visible in the gloom were Aaron and Selain. The other Rangers were to the side, out of view. The Traaga looked from the portal to its computer then to Minu, obviously thinking.
“Considering our relationship with the Traaga, I didn’t consider this to be a problem…” she ventured.
“You are correct, human. We will accommodate your request.”
“My thanks,” she said and bowed before gesturing over her shoulder. Aaron and Selain instantly trotted through, followed by the rest of her bodyguards. The Traaga looked surprised but said nothing. Minu made no mention of how many would be coming through. The hall was not overly large and once all the Rangers were there, the Traaga looked decidedly uncomfortable. “You will pardon me now,” she said and produced her PCR.
The Traaga nodded, tucked its head and skittered on all four legs/arms out the door. Once the doorway closed, she turned to her sergeant.
“Give me a quick scan,” she instructed. He nodded to one of his Rangers, who produced instruments and swept the portal hall.
“There and there,” the man said, pointing to innocuous looking storage bins. Another Ranger took a pair of jammers and with an easy underhand toss he stuck them onto the crates, beeping once as they made contact. The man double checked his instruments and nodded.