by Seth Libby
When Cryta had nothing more to say Admiral Kelvin looked around the room for several seconds to see if there were any further questions before continuing.
“We have several secondary targets to choose from which are outlined in the mission brief but with Cryta’s help we have narrowed down our main target to the Dreklic shipyards orbiting the world known as Tyria.”
Shizta couldn’t help what happened next, as he unintentionally let out a snort of derision, at hearing the name of the target.
January 20th, 2014 5:39pm
EDF Kraken, En-route to Shenkar space
The room grew silent as everyone turned to look at Shizta at the sound of his snort.
“You don’t agree?” asked Cryta, not bothering to hide annoyance from his voice.
Shizta remained quiet, looking around the group until he caught Liam’s gaze.
“Shizta, why do you not agree with Cryta’s choice of the target?” Liam asked.
Shizta again hesitated at Liam’s question but under Liam’s steady gaze his shoulders fell. The internal battle that had been raging within him since his capture finally came to a culmination and one side won out. Acceptance finally took over and Shizta knew from this point on there was no going back and every decision he made from here on out could possible decide the fate of the Shenkar federation.
“To attack the Dreklic shipyards would be suicide….even for this massive force of destruction you call the Kraken,” his hands moving about to indicate the ship around them.
“But according to the information provided by Cryta we should be able to jump in and overwhelm the defenses before they know what hit them. If one swoop we would negate the Shenkar’s ability to build their warships,” stated Captain Dunklin.
“Yes, you would have if the information of the defenses were correct.”
At this Cryta started to object but Shizta raised a hand, in hopes of placating him, and he quickly rushed on.
“I am not saying Cryta deceived you, what he doesn’t know is the Shelecore has become increasingly paranoid. Right before the fleet departed he ordered five Command bases into the system. They have also begun construction of orbital gun platforms much like your own planets defense platforms. Finally, he ordered the entire system mined with the same mines your fleet encountered in system 238. Only Shenkar warships have the proper corridors they can use to maneuver in and out of the system. Observing the warships paths will not do any good either as the mines are programmed to reposition themselves so the corridors change every day. Even if you did find the proper corridor you, would then be forced down a narrow path while under a constant barrage from the defense platforms and command bases.”
January 20th, 2014 5:41pm
EDF Kraken, En-route to Shenkar space
Everyone sat in silence at hearing the information Shizta had just delivered. Liam could see doubt on some of the faces but no one said anything as of yet. He knew it was only a matter of time before someone broached the possibility that Shizta was lying to protect the shipyards. Liam, for one, had a feeling that he hadn’t been lying and something within Shizta had changed so it was Liam who broke the silence.
“Shizta, what has changed with you that you would share this information with us? Up until now you have been very clear that you would not help us and believed in your Shelecore’s cause.”
Shizta’s face showed derision at the latter of Liam’s statement.
“Okay, so maybe not that you believed in the Shelecore but you did say you would not help us so why the change of heart? How are we to believe you tell us the truth? I for one want to believe you and in fact, my opinion is that you are telling the truth but I am only one man.”
Shizta looked to take some comfort in Liam’s statement that he believed him.
“Since my capture, I have come to see your people in a different light. You humans are not what I first thought you to be nor what the Shelecore believes you too be. I see how you humans fight for your freedom and the freedom of others. You stand with honor in protecting the weak and those that cannot defend themselves. When backed into a corner you fight with such ferocity and determination that you can defeat numbers much greater than your own.
I also can see that this war could result in countless lives lost on both sides, leading to the possible destruction of my own race. I too, have come to believe, you humans could be the answer to stopping this war and saving my people.
Also I can give you a target that would be much more effective in shutting down the Shelecore’s ability to fight. I can give you Lykaa.”
Liam didn’t know the name but judging by the sound of a quick intake of breath, Cryta knew the name.
“Judging from the sound Cryta just made I would say that is something of importance?” stated Admiral Kelvin.
This time it wasn’t Shizta who spoke but Cryta.
“If you take Lykaa you destroy the Shelecore’s ability to create clones. He could build all the warships he wants but he wouldn’t have the soldiers to pilot them.”
Admiral Kelvin looked around the group first. Judging by their faces he wasn’t the only one confused by this. Turning back to Cryta he spoke again.
“I think we will need a bit more of a clarification on this. What is Lykaa and how can taking it nullify cloning ability? From what I understand any command base can clone new troops.”
“Lykaa is a world within the Shenkar Federation that produces a unique chemical compound necessary to create clones. This particular compound cannot be fabricated anywhere else, something to do with a bacterium that is found in the air. This particular bacterium, while completely harmless, is very sensitive to its surrounding. If you destroy the various production facilities you would in fact nullify the cloning ability.”
“Are you telling me the Shelecore doesn’t have enough foresight to have a stockpile of this chemical compound?” asked Admiral Kelvin.
“No, the Shelecore isn’t that ignorant, but we can also provide you locations of some of the major stockpiles and then it becomes only a matter of time. I am not saying this would end the war immediately but it would go a long way to shortening the war immensely,” explained Shizta.
“Wouldn’t a world of this much importance also be protected by heavy forces?” asked Captain Dunklin.
“In theory, it should be, but not many know the importance of the world so to place a fleet in orbit would draw too much attention. While there isn’t any orbital protect there is ground forces to contend with. You would need to nullify them while at the same time preventing any word getting out that would bring reinforcements.”
The admiral sat back as he looked to be pondering over this new information. The others in the meeting all wore expression that varied from disbelief all the way to hope. After several moments in silence did he look to Shizta, a look of raw determination.
“Tell me about this world, Lykaa.”
“Lykaa is a harsh planet mostly covered in snow and ice, roughly twice the size of your moon. There are few indigenous life forms found on the planet, all mostly located in subterranean tunnels found throughout the planet. Of those only one shows any true intelligence, they are known as Lykaans or Wolven. This is race does not necessarily view us as gods,like some of the other races do, they recognize our strength and acknowledge this,” explained Shizta.
“I thought the technology of cloning was something the Meshtrell had created and you just copied it?” Steve inquired.
“Originally the Meshtrell had been responsible for the cloned Shenkar. But after we rebelled the Meshtrell destroyed the data on their cloning process and we were never able to reproduce it again. It wasn’t until we encountered the Lykaans did one of our scientists find a new way to clone our warriors.”
“That is one question answered. As for the Lykaans, what is their technological level?” asked Kelvin.
“They are a tribal race, technology not much more than spears, bows and arrows but they have a great intelligence for learning. Of the technolo
gy we let them interact with they only needed to be shown a few times before they were able to operate he items efficiently. They were chosen for their physical strength, they have the strength of three Shenkar warriors.”
“Do you believe we could persuade them to help us destroy the facilities?”
Shizta seemed to think this over at first before he nodded his headed.
“It could be possible, although you would have to prove yourself to them. They are a rather odd sort of race, strength and honor is a big factor within their society. I think the easiest way to do this would to best their strongest warriors in combat. To be honest with you, this would not be an easy feat as the only weapon you can bring is your hands and feet, where they clearly hold the advantage.”
“What do you mean advantage?” asked Leonid.
“The Lykaans, while intelligent, are extremely cunning warriors. They stand taller than our clone warriors with an arm length greater than yours. And as I said, they also possess three times the strength of a Shenkar warrior. In addition to this, they also have razor sharp claws…to be honest this would be a fight I would not welcome.
“Could we not attain anything through diplomatic means? Is it really necessary to descend to that level?” asked Kelvin.
“The Lykaans are a basic race who believes in honor and the strong shall rule. Diplomacy is foreign to them. This is perhaps why they submitted to Shenkar rule, although I have heard rumors the Overlord there upon the planet is extremely cruel and rules harshly. Every ten years the Lykaans submit their best warriors in a challenge that spans ten days of one on one combat and the victor at the end of the contest holds rule over the various sects of the Lykaans. When the Shenkar had first learned the capabilities of the chemical compound and its importance they arranged to work their way into the contest.
From what I understand the Shenkar have won every contest since we set foot upon their world although I have heard rumors that the contest was secured ahead of time, how I do not know.”
“So when is their next challenge? We could just step in, kill the Shenkar in front of them, they would think us more powerful and we can rule,” joked Steve.
Smiles of amusement greeted almost every face present at Steve’s jest.
“If only it were that easy,” mused Captain Dunklin.
“Actually it just might be that easy,” stated Cryta.
Everyone looked at Cryta then over to Shizta. Shizta seemed to consider this and nodded.
“He is correct, it might be that easy. If you can get one of the sects within the tribe to sponsor you then you could be named tribal champion. The next trial will occur on their next lunar eclipse,” explained Shizta.
“How would be go about getting one of these sects to submit us as champion?” asked kelvin.
“You would need to prove yourself to them. They put a lot of weight in honor. Saving the life of one of their honored elders could do it or that of an innocent.”
Everyone descended into silence, all thinking of how they could gain favor with the Lykaans. It was Steve who broke the silence but not with an idea of how to win over the Lykaans to their cause.
“I just was wondering something. Suppose we do win over the Lykaans, defeat the Shenkar and destroy the production facilities. What then?”
“What do you mean?” asked Admiral Kelvin.
“Well, won’t the Shenkar return to take the planet back and just rebuild the production facilities?”
Everyone looked to Cryta and Shizta to address this question. Both looked at each other first before Shizta spoke.
“They will return and attempt to take back the planet.”
“So essentially we would leave a race to have to fight off another severely technologically advanced race?” asked Steve as he looked at Shizta then to Admiral Kelvin.
Kelvins mouth tightened and his brow furrowed at Steve’s statement but before he could say anything Shizta spoke up.
“I think you underestimate the Lykaans, they would not roll over to the Shenkar once again. They were not actually conquered by us but we showed them how superior warriors we were to them. As I stated before they hold a lot of value in strength of warriors. Once you show them that the Shenkar are not the gods we led them to believe they will fight with ferocity to equal that of a Shenkar warrior. The difference is they will be fighting for their homeworld and they know the terrain. While the Lykaans will undoubtably take heavy losses they will be able to hold off the Shenkar. I know you humans value all life but in the end you have to see that by destroying the chemical facilities on Lykaa you will shorten the war and save a countless amount of lives of both our people. ”
The room fell into silence as everyone contemplated the ramifications of liberating the Lykaan homeworld. Liam didn’t like the idea of sacrificing all those Lykaans but he honestly couldn’t see another way. If the Earth fleet hadn’t been so heavily damaged they could have sought other alternatives. Finally the heavy silence was broken by General Leonid.
“There is no other way; I believe the Shenkar is correct,”
“Shizta,” Liam said as he looked at the general.
The general stopped and looked at Liam.
“Excuse me?”
“His name is Shizta not the Shenkar,” Liam said simply.
The general looked confused as he looked from Liam to Shizta then back to Admiral Kelvin.
“I believe the commander is trying to say that Shizta deserves the respect of the use of his name instead of being simply addressed as the Shenkar,” explained Kelvin.
Comprehension dawned on the general’s face at hearing the explanation. Turning to Shizta he addressed him directly.
“I apologize, I meant no disrespect,”
Shizta nodded an acknowledgement to the general but otherwise said nothing. Only when the general addressed the group again did Shizta look Liam’s way and gave him a nod of appreciation. Liam smiled slightly, nodded, then turned back to listen to what the general was saying.
“With the destruction of the Shenkar’s ability to reproduce cloned warriors we would severely hinder their war machine. We already know they would be able to rebuild their fleet quicker than we could rebuild ours. The loss of life would be staggering in comparison to that of the Lykaans.”
The rest of the meeting was spent planning over the coming mission. Seeking out every bit of information from Cryta and Shizta, no matter the importance, making sure they did not miss anything. The coming battle could be very bloody, for both sides, and they needed to make sure they would limit this as much as possible. If anything, they needed to once again, distract the Shenkar away from Earth to give the defense force time to rebuild their defenses and exploration fleet.
January 20th, 2014 7:05pm
EDF Kraken, En-route to Shenkar space
Liam waited outside the briefing room until Shizta exited, being escorted by his two guards.
“I will return him to his holding quarters,” Liam said to the guards.
The lead guard nodded and stepped back. Shizta shuffled forward as best as he could but it was clear the restraints would hinder his movements. The restraints encircled his chest, binding his arms to his sides while a short chain ran from his bound wrists down to his chained ankles. The chain between his ankles prevented the prisoner from taking more than just a half of step at most.
“You can remove the restraints; I can assure you he will pose no danger.”
“But, commander, we are under orders, the prisoner is to be restrained at all times,” the lead guard stated.
“I will take full responsibility for Shizta or do you think I cannot handle one unarmed Shenkar warrior?”
The soldier looked uncertain as he looked from Shizta to Liam and then back again. Finally, he must have realized that he couldn’t very well say no to the man that killed an entire Battlecruiser full of Shenkar warrior, because he reached over and unlocked the restraining cuffs from Shizta’s chest, wrists and legs.
Shizta rubbed his wris
ts as he watched the two guards stepped back.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome; I can’t imagine it is easy walking in those restraints.”
“Yes, thank you for that as well, but I actually meant thank you for the respect you have shown me. I know it must be hard for you to trust those that have tortured you so severely.”
Liam looked down at the floor before he looked up at Shizta.
“Yes the torture was severe but I do not judge one for the actions of others. It is not our way, we humans try to see the good in everyone…or at least most humans do. I won’t lie, there are humans that would hold a grudge, but that is just not me.”
Shizta' scrutinized Liam as he weighed Liam’s words.
“You humans are definitely a unique race; I hope someday our two races can find peace. I believe our two races can learn much from each other.”
“Only time will tell, but knowing that there are Shenkar that are willing to help us leads me to believe your hopes stand a very good chance of becoming a reality.”
As they had been speaking Liam spotted one of the embedded reporters working his way towards him.
“Commander Brennan, I am Adam Travers, I believe you received word we were cleared for an interview.”
Turning to two guards who had been escorting Shizta he addressed the one closest to him.
“Could you do me a favor and run some interference for me?”
“No problem, I would be happy too. I personally can’t stand the media, always reporting things incorrectly,” the guard said with a smile.