by Ron Francis
“Not yet, Mister President, but we should step up our military production, considerably. I do not believe they are going to be coming here anytime soon. I estimate several years at least before they make a run at Earth again.” The calm manner with which Admiral Bliney briefed the president almost belied the potential Earth-shattering nature of the news he shared. Sandoval could barely keep himself planted in his seat, but also noticed he seemed almost unable to move.
“Why, are they going to finish off that cluster first?” He asked as he wondered when or even if he was going to share this news with the public.
“Maybe, but intelligence also suggests they are really worried about a large, organized and powerful group of human worlds from another sector. We don’t yet know what they are called, but we have some extensive intelligence on them as well.”
“Will they help us?” He asked, knowing the answer was likely no, but still allowing for a glimmer of hope.
“Doubtful, Sir, our intel suggests they have been invading and enslaving both human and alien worlds alike. They could very well be the reason this Syndicate hates us. I believe this group could be a more immediate threat to us. My men have captured atrocities on vid that we would never unleash, not even on these aliens that have attacked us. The fact that these atrocities were aimed at humans as often as not is what has me troubled. I don’t believe they know about us yet, and I would definitely prefer to keep it that way for now. They are far more powerful than any of the races in the Syndicate, but together, the Syndicate may be too powerful for this human war machine. Seeing them go to war with each other might end up being what is in Earth’s best interests. Either way, I would recommend we triple our military production immediately, just in case. We should also be working on having strong planetary defenses for each of our thirty-two worlds and our resource planets.”
President Sandoval felt the knot that had been forming in his stomach expand as Admiral Bliney talked about these other humans. How could humans destroy other human worlds? This isn’t like the wars that used to plague Earth, this is planetary genocide. The knot in his stomach began to give birth to a deep fear that the Coalition was in trouble. He realized he needed to reply to the admiral as he said, “For that, we would require a meeting with the Secretary of Defense, The Secretary of the Economy, the Vice President, Admiral Natora, and the Romanovs. Even that creates problems; the Romanovs believe Admiral Natora has tried to assassinate them, and they have more than enough evidence to at least begin an inquiry. I sure wish Jesse Marcos would hurry back, it seems as though we could really use him right about now.”
“I do as well, but if Nina is correct, we only need wait another seven months or so. Are you sure they are convinced of Natora’s involvement?” Of course they’re convinced; the Romanovs are not the types to make claims like that to the president without knowing. He suspected that in order to have the Romanov’s full attention and cooperation for the coming crisis, Natora may indeed need to go.
“They have told me as much after a failed attempt on Nina, Captain Hernandez and Captain Ariel Marcos. They believe so even more, now that Ariel was almost killed at the hands of what they believe to be an Enclave assassin a couple days ago. They may not even sit down to a meeting that Natora is invited to and I can’t say I’d blame them.” He saw the puzzled look in Bliney’s eye and addressed his unasked question, “As I have said, they have enough evidence to at least begin an inquiry.
This is going to be very tough now because of that blasted Natora. “Maybe I can convince them to, Sir, for Earth. Jesse trusts me, so maybe they will, too.” At least he hoped as much.
Chapter three
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As reality came back into focus and Endeavor exited light space, Jesse smiled as he looked out the viewport to a most impressive sight. Two hundred Battle Hammers hung in space as if suspended on an invisible string. They were arrayed in attack formation around Chawanas. The entire bridge crew was so focused on the majestic yet deadly sight before them, that it took Josiah a moment to realize that Endeavor was being hailed by the Reclaimer.
“Incoming transmission from the Reclaimer,” he informed.
“Onscreen,” Jesse ordered.
The stately features of Admiral Dyson appeared, filling the screen and Jesse thought that she must have been quite attractive as a young lady. “Endeavor, welcome to Chawanas. It is good to see you have safely arrived. You have only two hours before the stadium opens to the public, you might want to get down there and make your final preparations. Do not worry about the pirates; we have your back all the way down. And, Colonel,” she paused as she looked right through the screen into his eyes and smiled, “good hunting.”
“Thank you, Admiral. It is most appreciated.” He returned her smile and added, “Would you like to speak to your daughter?”
“I would love to, thank you.” Her eyes were filled with appreciation as she thought back to Endeavor’s daring space rescue of her daughter over Pandara.
Jesse pressed a button so he could be heard ship-wide. “Sergeant Rivada, you have a transmission, please go to the nearest transmitter.” He smiled at the Admiral as he gave the order, “Take us in, Lieutenant, shields at full strength.” As Sergeant Rivada picked up the Admiral’s transmission in the landing bay, another transmission was received, this time from Chawanas Control. Josiah put it onscreen, and Jesse stood for this conversation.
“Endeavor, you are to follow the course set out before you and land in the exact location provided. Any deviation will be taken as an act of aggression, and we will respond in kind.”
“Thank you for your hospitality, but it appears you have us flying a rather circuitous route to our destination. We are quite anxious to land and make our final preparations. I am sending the revised route to our landing sight.” He smiled as his crew shook their heads. He knew the Zinnebailans were pulling the strings at control, and trying to delay them as long as possible.
“Negative, Endeavor, do not deviate from your current course or we will open fire.”
“I’d like to see that,” he replied. “There’s no way you would risk killing me before the match. Think of how angry Garrinoras would be, and how much money you would lose in the revenue generated by this event. Not to mention the two hundred Battle Hammers in orbit that might take exception if you fired on us. We will land in the coordinates provided, Endeavor out.” As he turned off the transmission, he looked at Josiah and added, “No more transmissions until we are on the ground.” He smiled as the transmission light blinked and he realized how frustrated the Zinnebailans in Chawanas Control must have been at that moment. The less mature side of him just reveled in needling the human-hating Zinnebailans every chance he got.
Endeavor landed in the darkness and kept its shields dialed up. “Great landing, Collin. Now, let’s go meet our hosts.”
Jesse, Josiah, Wennagal and Sergeant Rivada exited the ship through the landing bay, but stayed within the ship’s shield as a large delegation of Farannsians and Zinnebailans approached Endeavor.
They stepped out into the cool air of what felt like a crisp autumn morning in Vermont. It was almost dawn and the first light of day began to pierce the darkness, edging out the night. Jesse noticed that aside from the larger than life stadium a couple hundred meters to his left, there was nothing else around except trees for kilometers. Off in the distance he could make out a sprawling city as the sun peeked over the horizon. Chawanas was a beautiful world, at least this part of it was. Thick, lush forests of vivid color surrounded picturesque lakes of water so clear you could see the golden sand at the bottom. The government of Chawanas seemed to have done a good job of keeping the urban sprawl away from the beautiful forest. Colorful birds circled overhead, curious about the visitors in their forest. The forest had been cut back almost five hundred meters in each direction around the stadium, except the front, which was cut out all the way to the city. The area was otherwise untouched as f
ar as they could see in three directions. Jesse imagined he would love camping in this forest, but unfortunately, could not imagine a scenario in which that would be able to happen.
“Good morning,” Jesse called with a smile as the delegation approached the shield around Endeavor. “What can I do for you?”
A Zinnebailan diplomat with a sour expression that almost made his light green face pale looked at Jesse and abhorred his smile. “You can drop your shields, for starters, human,” he replied.
Jesse looked around at the four mounted plasma cannons that had surrounded Endeavor as he said, “SAMMI, please drop the rear shield so our guests will feel more comfortable.” He made a sweeping gesture where the shield had previously been and continued. “Now we can talk. What can I do for you?”
“We have been sent with a supply of food, wine and water for you and your crew. A gift from Zinnebulous.”
Jesse smiled again knowing his smile annoyed the diplomat, “You have our thanks. That was most generous of you. You may leave them at the front of our landing bay hatch. I have loaders that can bring them inside.”
The Zinnebailan nodded and three men, servants, judging from their attire, stepped forward with supplies loaded on hover carts. They left the supplies where instructed and retreated to the back of the delegation as if their very presence were an affront to their masters. Another man stepped forward and had his servants present an assortment of weapons.
“You will have your choice of these fine weapons for your battle, Colonel Marcos.” The Farannsian diplomat began with a lack of conviction that suggested he was already finished with this conversation.
“No thank you, I think I’ll use my own weapons. I have trained with them and they would feel more comfortable to me.”
“We are sorry, but that is not permitted, you must use these weapons.” He replied as if explaining something to a small child.
Jesse feigned a look of confusion as he saw the Zinnebailans smile. He started to accept the weapons when he looked up and asked, “This is a shorter than normal death match, is it not?” When no answer immediately came, he looked over one of the swords presented and continued. “The match will be only two days instead of three, am I right? And it’s already been advertised as such and cannot be changed?”
“Yes, you are correct, but I do not see what that has to do with anything, what is your point?” The diplomat hated every moment of being in the presence of humans and both his speech and actions highlighted that fact every time he had to speak.
“My point,” he paused for effect, knowing how the diplomat felt and relishing his discomfort. “Is that I would like to use my own weapons for the death match.”
“Colonel Marcos, as we have already stated, that will not be possible.” Why is this human not getting this simple point? Why are humans so difficult and stupid? I wish I could reach out and end his life now. Jesse continued to smile as the conversation wore on, but would not budge on his request.
“Well then, we need to get Garrinoras down here to choose from the same assortment or I’m leaving. I’ll wait for your answer in my ship.” He turned and began to walk into the landing bay.
“Wait,” the diplomat called out as he was almost inside the ship. “You agreed to this match, you cannot renege on your agreement now, human.”
Jesse turned around and pulled a piece of paper out of his jacket. He began walking back towards the delegation as he started to read aloud. “In the rare occurrence of a death match of irregular length, contestants may use their own weaponry in place of the weapons provided by the Zinnebailan government. If the contestant is denied the use of his own weaponry, he may withdraw from the match without being branded a coward, or suffering any other consequences.” As he looked at the surprised expressions on the faces of the delegation, he continued. “Does that sound familiar? That was read from the official rules of a Zinnebailan death match; and two days is an irregular length.” The surprised looks continued as he added, “What, you didn’t really think I would agree to a contest of this magnitude, and put my life on the line without learning the rules, did you? A normal match is three days in length. Most people don’t know this rule, because the last time an irregular length match was fought was over thirteen hundred years ago. It looks like you are going to have a lot of refunds to give out and a lot of disappointed people around the galaxy today.” He turned around again to leave, knowing he had them.
“Wait, it appears we were mistaken, you have our apologies. As you have stated, it has been so long since an irregular match was fought. Of course, you may use your own weapons. You will be expected at the contestant tunnel in two and a half hours.” They were stunned that he had somehow learned their rules, and such obscure rules at that. They knew that Garrinoras was not going to be happy with this development, so in the interest of preserving their own lives, they decided not to tell him.
“And Captain Reed will be waiting at the tunnel to board my ship before I enter the arena, is that correct?”
“Yes, she will be there.” The diplomat gritted out as if spitting an unpleasant food from his mouth.
“I just wish to be clear. I will not set foot in the arena until she is safely aboard my ship, because I know that once I’m inside, I cannot leave under penalty of death. Understand, I will leave no room to be betrayed. If she is not aboard my ship, I do not enter the arena, do you understand?”
The delegate looked as if he wanted to kill Jesse himself. Never in his life had a human dared speak to him in such a manner. As the heat rose inside his body, he clenched his teeth and responded, “Yes, it will be as we have agreed.” He didn’t wait for any further response, as he turned and left, followed by his delegation.
“Such nice people,” Josiah joked.
“Yeah, I think I’d like to build a summer home here,” Jesse replied to a round of laughter as the shields came back up and the four of them returned to Endeavor.
As he returned to the bridge, Suzy called out, “So, how did it go?”
“About as well as could be expected with Zinnebailans involved, but I get to use my weapons. There’s food, wine and water in the loading bay, compliments of Zinnebulous. I would like it all incinerated. It is no doubt poisoned or somehow tainted, so no one is to even touch it. I am going to go make my final preparations for the match. Collin, you have the bridge. Josiah, can you come see me when it’s done?”
Josiah nodded his understanding as Jesse left the bridge. A quiet came over the crew as they realized yet again that Jesse might not make it through this one. They were as prepared as they could be, but the reality is that Jesse would be facing a dominant warrior, that was likely to cheat, in a hostile environment. Victory in this case might be too much to ask, even for Jesse.
Precautions had been taken, Endeavor had a full complement of fifty aboard, twenty-five of which would be accompanying Jesse to the stadium. There were also ten tactical units in place around the area as well as a several soldiers planted in the stands. Because of the semi-neutral location, there were many people here in support of Colonel Marcos, which made it easier to have backup available.
Kimi had been avoiding Ogen since their last conversation. She didn’t want to have to make a decision and his question was forcing her to. It didn’t help that every time he passed by her, he would smile the smile of a man that knew he was going to get the girl. She felt she ought to be offended, but the reality was if there were no Jesse, she would really like Ogen. As that thought hit her, she had her answer. It’s so simple, if I didn’t know Jesse I would give it a try with Ogen, but I do know Jesse, and the only reason I can think of that I wouldn’t go for Ogen is because on some level at least, I’m still in love with Jesse. Now she had to go talk to Suzy and see if it was still possible to get back on track with Jesse. Ogen would be disappointed, but she would sit down with him after the death match and explain. She at least owed him that.
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As Jesse made his final preparations for the death match, his test on the frozen planet entered his mind once again. It seemed to be all he could think about besides the match lately. Maybe it was because that mission is what really had started it all for him. It was his first real test of leadership. It was the first test of whether or not he could take a life. It was his first real opportunity to help people he didn’t know that were basically being held as slaves. Now here he was again, helping people he barely knew, leading his crew on a dangerous mission and wondering if he could kill an unarmed Garrinoras if the time came. As his mind once again fixated on that mission from his past, he continued thinking about that first battle seventeen years earlier, wondering if it held a clue that might help him with what was to come.
[The hunters realized something was wrong when one of them ran out of the supply tent in a panic. “Some of our weapons and grenades are missing, Jack.” He shouted with concern.
“Where could they have gotten to?” The leader asked, not at all liking the implications of another armed group patrolling the frozen planet. “It had to be the villagers. I thought they understood that if they hindered us in any way we would destroy their village and everyone in it.”