Belinea

by Andrew Mack

  Octavious, who was leading the trio, replied. “That’s for the family, not me.”

  Ambassador Syren questioned, “He was one of your soldiers, correct?”

  Kaya gloomily replied, “He was one of mine, and soldiers die.”

  Syren was struggling to keep up; the siblings were walking fast. “The Council representative will be here within the hour. Have you decided where you would like to meet?”

  Octavious replied without looking at her. “You still think this is a good idea?”

  Syren said, “I do.”

  Kaya cautioned, “If they send someone insignificant, it will be a sign that we are weak.”

  Syren had different thoughts. “That’s why the meeting is private, and we decide on the location. Although, I think they are sending someone who speaks on behalf of Chairman Hassara. Definitely a Belinean.”

  Kaya quickly retorted. “How do you know? Did they tell you?”

  “No, but they have no reason to lie.”

  Kaya was angry. Discussing this after a funeral was not the best time. “They have every reason to lie, and we have no reason to trust them.”

  Syren continued. “Kaya, they don’t want a war, they want a resolution.”

  Kaya turned around to look at Syren. “They want us dead, Syren. All of us. Starting with that one we just burned (pointing first at Marrat’s Quisessa fire) and ending with him (now pointing at her brother Octavious).”

  Octavious turned around now as well. “Enough!”

  He looked at Kaya, squinting his eyes. “Do you think I enjoyed that? Saying goodbye to another brother in our fight for survival?”

  Kaya said nothing. Just staring at her brother, she looked just as angry as she was before. Octavious then looked at Ambassador Syren. “Montabella Pointe, ninety minutes from now. Tell them alone, no security detail. And don’t give them the location until the very last possible minute. Understood?”

  Syren nodded and walked away. Octavious looked back at Kaya and whispered, “What are you trying to do?”

  Kaya, in something louder than a whisper, replied, “What are you trying to do? You think they will listen to you?”

  Octavious “Of course not. But I also know that nothing we do will bring back Marrat, no matter how many AuFa soldiers we kill.”

  Kaya still was angry. “Brother, we will avenge his death, that I promise. I will not be told his death was for nothing.”

  Octavious responded, “Kaya, all of these deaths will be for nothing if we don’t come up with a solution. I’m sure they’re sending nobody important, and I will have you there if it’s a trap. But at some point, they will send someone that can offer a possible solution.”

  Kaya was pleading, “You said so yourself they are never gonna give us what we want.”

  Octavious replied, “I know they won’t. But a compromise (shrugging his shoulders)? How many Quisessa’s are we going to have to go to before you realize there is no scenario in which they leave us alone.”

  Kaya shook her head. “I would rather die than give them anything.”

  Octavious whispered, holding her face. “And I would rather our legacy lived, even at the cost of our lives.”

  Belinea 4.3

  Avola

  SS-11, Secret Service Transport

  The SS ship was slowing down from hyper-Extension speed. It came up to Avola, a dark grey planet with thousands of electrical storms running through its atmosphere as it slowed down. It was strange even to Argo, who had seen over a hundred planets in his lifetime. They came closer to the AuFa Battle Cruiser. It was directly outside what looked like a colossal round frame of yellow and white lights. As they got even closer, it was clear that the Battle Cruiser would not fit through it, but that a relatively small vessel like the ship he was on would. The ship kept slowing down even more, as it glided toward the entrance of the tunnel.

  Going through the entrance was a checkpoint. The tunnel looked tight as if the ship would come close to hitting the outside of it. Then gravity kicked in, and the ship gave the illusion of speeding up by passing all the storms around the tunnel. There was a lot of turbulence as the ship got sucked down the tunnel. For a solid two minutes, all Argo could see through his windows was the storms outside. It was also clear only one ship, in either direction, could go through the tunnel at one time. Once the ship cleared the tunnel, Argo was surprised to see the hazy, red-orange glow of the red-rock mountain and desert floor.

  The ship was on final approach and was being guided to a secure Majavkee area. It was a small base, carved out of the rock of the red-orange sand. As the ship landed, Lord Argo turned to Lt Walva. “Walla, there will be no need to unpack, we are not going to be here long, understand?

  Lt Walva had given up on the name correction game. He simply nodded and continued looking at the screen in front of him. As the ship touched the ground, something popped up on Walva’s screen. “Sir, you have four messages here. One from Chairman Hassara, one from Quillisar Prill, one from the local SS Commandant, Captain Leahy, and one here that has no identification or information, sir. It seems to be encrypted.

  Argo had stood up. “Walla, why are you looking at my personal correspondence?”

  Walva responded, “Sir, you asked me to construct a message to your sister, Defense Director Tempest. The T-Bar Transmitter now that we are here on Avola will work at a faster speed. I simply assumed you would want to know that you had more messages coming through.”

  Argo put his black cloak on. “Walla, don’t assume. Your stupidity can only hurt our position here.”

  Argo walked over to the screen and practically kicked Walva off it. “Shoe…”

  Argo looked at the screen, and a device scanned his eyes. Argo said to the screen, “Hassara, Argo.”

  Argo then began reading one of the messages. ”Dammit. I am surprised he hasn’t lit the whole galaxy on fire.”

  Walva looked puzzled. “And who might that be Lord Argo?”

  “Taz. He attacked a Temple on Braccus, over one hundred dead.”

  Walva looked shell, shocked, “That is awful.”

  Argo then began typing something into the screen. “There you go. And no, I don’t need that. And I already got that. Alright, let’s go. Walla, go fetch my V-fleece armor and my bolster pack.”

  Argo watched Lt Walva scurry off as he came walking down the back of the belly of the sleek, narrow, charcoal grey SS ship. Captain Leahy of the SS was waiting for Argo at the bottom of the ramp, giving him a salute. Argo returned the salute and said, “Captain Leahy.”

  Leahy then began to walk side by side with Argo. “Lord Argo. I am here to brief you.”

  Argo and Leahy just kept walking toward the base. It was clear Argo was annoyed by the whole process and couldn’t wait to get this done and over with. “Has anything changed since the briefing you sent my sister and me?”

  The two were escorted by two more SS soldiers. Captain Leahy replied without looking. “No, sir. There have been no new attacks in the last three days, once they agreed to the meeting.”

  The two walked through a set of doors into a situation room. The room had a map of the planet on it with several AuFa officers around it. Argo walked into the room, and they all stood at attention. Argo continued towards the table as Captain Leahy spoke. “The Valmay Group still occupies these territories near Lowell Province while Majavkee Security has strong firm holds here, and here. We have fortified these regions with Eighth Battalion here (pointing on the map) and the 26th Battalion here. Each of the four tunnel entrances are still blocked. You saw Battle Cruiser 34 on your way in, with two AuFa Patrol Ships here. Admiral Holland leads the entire force, and he is waiting for your orders aboard the Command Destroyer guarding this tunnel here.”

  Argo looked satisfied. “Alright, when am I meeting with this Octavious Killian? And where?”

  Leahy pointed
across the room to a glass window. “Over there is former Ambassador Syren. Off the record, she seems to be the main contact person the Valmay Group uses for communication. She would provide us no information until you got here.”

  Argo looked annoyed. “Then what are we waiting for? Send her in.”

  The AuFa Captain interrupted. “Lord Argo, we were waiting for you so we could construct a plan. The Valmay Group would likely not agree to a Majakee security detail as an escort, but perhaps a light platoon of SS soldiers…..”

  But before the AuFa Captain could finish, Argo, further annoyed, began walking to Ambassador Syren’s room. The Ambassador turned around as he entered. “Lord Argo. I was not expecting The Council to send you to negotiate on their behalf.”

  Argo did not smile. “That makes two of us. However, it is a critical issue, one that the Chairman takes very seriously. I hope you understand I speak directly for him. He wishes this matter be resolved as quickly as possible.”

  Syren was still a little stunned. “Of Course, My Lord, we wish the same.”

  “Then, you will please take me to the Valmay Group leader, this Octavious Killian, I believe?”

  Syren nodded. “Of course, this way, my Lord.”

  The two walked back into the Situation room, everyone back to standing at attention. Argo, now standing by the Ambassador, proclaimed, “Ambassador Syren will now lead us to the meeting, which is at …?”

  Syren did not immediately answer. She looked hesitant. Captain Leahy was confused. “Where should I tell our security detail we are going?”

  Argo waved his hand. “That won’t be necessary.”

  Captain Leahy responded, “Excuse me, my Lord?”

  Syren finally responded. “Commander Killian has indicated he wants no security there except for the negotiator.”

  Leahy interrupted again, looking directly at Syren. “Clearly, the fucking Commander doesn’t know who he is negotiating with! We are not sending the head of the SS out there without security.”

  Argo quietly responded in annoyance. “Actually, we are. Ambassador, you know where the location is, and when?”

  Syren nodded in affirmative. Argo continued. “Leahy, you know how to fly one of these transports?”

  Leahy nodded and replied, “Yes, My Lord.”

  Argo responded. “Good. Leahy, you will fly me and the Ambassador to the meeting point with this Valmay leader. Unless anyone in this room is dumb enough to question my orders?”

  The room was silent. Argo looked at all of them. “Excellent, Ambassador, shall we…?”

  Belinea 4.4

  Avola

  Lowell Province, Sector 9 Mining Center

  Sterling was walking off a mine train that had just returned from shaft seven. He and the other fifteen miners had taken off their ventilation masks and mining equipment. A supervisor came up to Sterling and said, “Sterling, bosses want to see you.”

  Sterling looked curious. He looked back at his crew and before walking over to the main building. He climbed the stairs and walked in through the door. His direct Avolian boss, Chief Supervisor Davis, was standing. One Majavkee Supervisor and Majavkee Lord Bialos were sitting behind a table. As Sterling came in and stood next to his boss, Davis spoke. “This is Crew Seven Supervisor, Sterling.”

  Sterling nodded. The two Majavkee were looking at their tablets. The Majavkee Supervisor then spoke. “Sterling, shaft seven has produced some great results.”

  Sterling nodded again. Davis stood next to him with his arms behind his back. The Majavkee Supervisor continued. “A good quarter indeed. Out of thirty-eight shafts, you supervised the second-highest total Vait production. Congratulations.”

  Sterling nodded again and said, “Thank you, my Lords.”

  Lord Bialos looked up and said, “We feel you deserve a bonus. We are rewarding you an extra thirty Golda’s on top of your salary.”

  Sterling asked, “Is that a monthly bonus, my Lord?”

  Lord Bialos answered, “A quarterly bonus, Sterling.”

  Sterling looked down and did not say anything. A few seconds went by before he responded. “And the bonus for my men?”

  Lord Bialos and the Supervisor were taken aback. The Supervisor said, “Excuse me?”

  Sterling looked up, right into the eye of Lord Bialos. Davis tapped him on the foot, so as to not say anything, but Sterling continued. “My men, sir. They have been working unpaid extra hours to produce those results.”

  Lord Bialos responded, “You are saying your men require a monetary bonus to motivate them?”

  Sterling said, “I promised them bonuses. They responded by working more daily hours and sometimes on their day off. The older men in my crew say that we processed 50% more Vait from that shaft then what we did the same quarter two years ago.”

  Lord Bialos looked at his tablet. After a pause, he said, “Almost, it is forty-eight percent. However, we have invested a tremendous amount of capital in new state of the art Doggo drill bits and D-7 diggers. So, we expected at least fifty percent more processing.”

  The Supervisor continued. “We also lost over two hundred units from this latest terrorist attack by the Valmay Opposition Group. So whatever you promised your crew is your responsibility.”

  Sterling was momentarily silent. After another long pause, he said, “Is there anything else, sir?”

  Lord Bialos added, “I do not sense much gratitude on your part, Sterling.”

  Sterling said, “Forgive me, my Lord. Perhaps I felt my crew had earned more.”

  Lord Bialos answered, “Your crew has earned employment, nothing else. We pay them enough. We can take away the bonus if you prefer?”

  Sterling paused again and then looked at Davis, who gave him a scowl. Sterling looked at Lord Bialos and said, “Forgive me, my Lord, that was not my intention.”

  Lord Bialos replied. “Good, you can leave and enjoy the rest of your Quill Offering holiday.”

  Sterling walked out of the room and down the stairs. When he turned, he saw his crew waiting on him outside the break room. It was clear they were prepared for the bad news.

  Belinea 4.5

  Belinea

  Defense Minister Hassara’s Office

  Tempest was finishing watching a briefing at her desk. It was an update on the Braccus situation. A computer voice on her intercom said, “Ambassador Yi is here for you.”

  Tempest responded, “Send him in.”

  Ambassador Yi walked in, noticing Tempest behind her desk watching the video and eating a piece of fruit. He walked toward her desk and responded, “Defense Minister, you wanted to see me?”

  Tempest answered after putting her fruit down. “Yes, Ambassador, thank you. Please sit…”

  The Ambassador sat in the chair in front of her desk. Tempest had extended her hand and continued, “Something to drink?”

  Ambassador Yi, the highest-ranking Earth Ambassador, politely shook his head ‘no.’

  Tempest continued. “Ambassador, I need some information from you. How well do you know Ambassador Bird?”

  Ambassador Yi was thrown off by the question. “I’m sure you know as much as I do, Minister.”

  Tempest folded her hands together. “Pretend I do not. What do you know?”

  The Ambassador continued. “Well, he is American. He had been a delegate for quite some time, he is a career politician. He has certainly worked the system to get where he is at. Bird is backed by some very well funded people, including some with deep interest in the building facilities we will be expanding.”

  Tempest thought for a moment before responding. Do you trust him?”

  The Ambassador smiled. “The better the Politician, the less I trust them. So, I essentially trust no one.”

  Tempest smiled back. “Understood. However, let me ask it another way. I told you that I would handle the negot
iation of Ambassador Bird. Is it possible I have underestimated my desired outcome?”

  Ambassador Yi looked slightly puzzled. “Is there an update on Ambassador Bird’s status?”

  Tempest unfolded her hands. “You are aware of the attack on Braccus. It seems Ambassador Bird is alive and well. He is currently en route here to Belinea as scheduled. My question is, are we sure Ambassador Bird will see things our way? Like you, once the Ambassador sees the personal financial gain, you are confident his support will be unquestioned, correct?”

  The Ambassador shifted his weight in the seat. “Defense Minister. If you are worried about his stance on taking resources designated to the BRG and using them for an enhanced Earth Delegate Ambassador Guard, that is simply the Ambassador saber-rattling. Failure to acknowledge the terrorist threat to the Delegates undermines his credibility. I can assure you that after this trip, he will very much question the capabilities of the DAG, and his convictions for fighting the terrorists will be as strong as it ever has been.”

  Tempest smiled again. “My father once told me ‘a man has many convictions, the strongest are bought.’”

  Ambassador Yi smiled also. “The Chairman is very wise.”

  Tempest stood up, and Ambassador Yi quickly did so as well. “Ambassador, thank you for your continued support. It is never taken for granted.”

  Ambassador Yi bowed his head. “If there is anything I can do for you or your father, please do not hesitate to ask.”

  The Ambassador turned around and began to walk out. He took five steps before turning around again, back at Tempest. “Defense Minister, If I may ask, any word on your brother’s negotiation with the Avolians?”

  Tempest gave a crooked smile “He should be meeting with them as we speak.”

  Belinea 4.6

  Avola, Montabella Pointe

  Captain Leahy gently landed the transport ship on a small area of flat rock. The Pointe was a park that overlooked a valley of red rock and sand. The Avolians had long before declared the location could not be touched by either developers or miners. As the engines were being shut off, the belly opened. Lord Argo walked out with Ambassador Syren next to him. Behind them was Captain Leahy and Lieutenant Walva, both of whom had stopped at the ship’s entrance.