“Wait, what?”
“I’ll tell you later. Let’s see the admiral.”
Before Feln could say anything else, Aaltskog breezed into the bridge. “Hello!” she called out happily.
Larkin looked up from a console, glanced at Aaltskog, then Feln, and shook her head with a wry smile. Feln grabbed Aaltskog’s hand and hissed in her ear, “Could you at least try not to be so obvious we’ve spent the past hour fucking?”
“Oh my, such language,” she whispered back. “Makes me so hot. I want you to— using your word— fuck me right here in front of everybody!”
“Shut up! Here comes the admiral.” Feln pushed Aaltskog to the side and saluted. Aaltskog, for her part, caught the eye of a passing yeoman and winked before making a gesture like shooting a gun and then holstering it. The yeoman blinked, then gave Aaltskog a thumbs up while grinning at Feln.
“Captain, you somehow seem even more tired than when I last saw you,” Kesh said. “What happened? Do you need to go back to the medical—“ Kesh then noticed Aaltskog’s behavior and immediately said, “Ah. Never mind.”
Feln, who was ready to die from embarrassment any moment croaked out, “I’m fine sir. And as you can see, so is this…this creature.” He looked at Aaltskog pointedly and she finally, blessedly, stopped her shenanigans. Feln continued, “I’m eager to discuss what you found out on your mission, sir.”
“Yes, very good.” Kesh, perhaps also eager to move on, walked over to the holographic table near the center of the bridge. “Based on the collected sensor data we were able to piece together during our mission, this is how the battle looked.”
A three-dimensional image of the battle theater appeared above the table. At the center was the alien base surrounded by a large fleet of ships. The Francescan ships all entered from the side and the battle played out.
“We’re watching the battle with the time accelerated for obvious reasons,” Kesh said. Feln watched in fascination as the Francescan fleet managed to whittle away a hole in the center of the alien fleet and reach the base. Small marine assault ships were launched and landed inside the base through holes punched through the shields and hull by the larger Francescan ships.
“We can view the combat footage taken from our marines over here.” Kesh indicated a screen to his right and Feln was riveted as he watched a first-person view of the marines sweeping into the base. The enemy shock troops—large gorilla-type creatures—appeared, but with the tell-tale appearance of the head tilted back and eye stalks coming out of the creatures’ mouths. Feln wondered if these possessed things were sentient before their possession, or just animals that the aliens had taken over for physical labor.
Whatever their origins, they were firing guns and using melee weapons against the Francescan marines. However, while the alien creatures were larger than Francescan human marines, the Empire had many more races than humans— some of which dwarfed the enemy creatures. The Endlen, for example, were massive feline beings that easily ripped through the enemy like they were made of paper. There were also the magic races that could, among other things, make their bodies much stronger and more impervious to damage than what the enemy could dish out.
“There didn’t seem to be any possession tentacles inside the base,” Kesh noted. “We were worried that might be the case and every one of our marines went in with the expectation that he or she may have to shoot a comrade or themselves if possession began. But since this was a base, the enemy didn’t seem to think the tentacles were needed.”
“I guess for the same reason nobody carries around large battlefield weaponry inside our own bases,” Larkin said.
Feln nodded. “I’m glad of that. Could you imagine how much harder this would have been if they managed to possess some of our heavy hitters?”
“Indeed,” Kesh said. “In fact, if such a thing did happen and we lost enough marines to possession that the remaining marines could not finish the mission, the fleet had orders to destroy the base before any of the possessed had a chance to get out.” He turned back to the screen. “But luckily, we needn’t have worried.”
They watched as the marines finally reached the command center. There were different possessed creatures here, being used more in an administrative capacity: smaller humanoid beings and to Feln’s surprise, some actual humans and various other Francescan races.
“We don’t know if the Francescans were from either of our fleets or perhaps abducted from some lost deep space missions,” Kesh said.
After killing everything in the command area, the marines began to take anything resembling computer equipment or record-keeping devices they could find. They then withdrew, fighting their way out of the base and back on to their assault ships.
Kesh returned their attention to the holographic table. “This is the state of our fleet by the time the marines finished.” Half of the Francescan fleet was gone, but the alien fleet had also suffered heavy losses. “At this point, we began a fighting retreat and I gave the order to destroy everything.”
The Francescan ships all assumed a multi-tiered line of battle and opened fire with their full broadsides. Feln watched not only beam weapons, but torpedoes and missiles stream toward the alien fleet. One ship in particular was firing more missiles than any other. “The Artemis,” Feln noted.
“Yes. This illustrates why I thought it prudent to bring her along,” Kesh said as the Artemis’ missiles slammed into multiple ships and they set off a chain reaction of other explosions.
Feln also watched as insects and Aldens dueled in the space around the Tannhauser, as the Tannhauser itself fired broadsides at larger ships. As the Francescans withdrew to a safe distance, the battle finally ended when a group of light cruisers launched a mass of torpedoes into the base. Since the base couldn’t move, it didn’t matter that the torpedoes’ guidance systems would be scrambled by the interference— they only had to fly straight. They did and slammed into the base, causing an explosion so gigantic that it engulfed most of the alien ships nearby.
The explosion grew so large from igniting other space debris that even though the Francescan fleet was far away, it looked like it still might get caught in the fireball. Luckily the flames finally died out mere miles from the fleet. There were still a few enemy stragglers, but they were finished off by the Francescans.
“By the time that was all over, it was a week ago,” Kesh said. “It’s strange, it only took us four days to get there. The battle lasted for three days. But it took us a week to get back. We thought we retraced our steps perfectly, but we kept getting lost. I don't know how to explain it.” He sighed, “But at least we finally did get back. Our fleet is a shadow of what it was even by the time of the attack mission, but we still managed to destroy a much larger fleet and a base and get back. On the whole, I’d say that’s something we can be proud of.”
“I agree completely, sir,” Feln said. “Congratulations on pulling off such an amazing victory.”
Kesh inclined his head at Feln’s congratulations and said, “Now it’s up to our science and intelligence teams to decipher what the marines brought back. With any luck, we should know more about this system, and hopefully how to get out of here soon.”
“Sir,” a comms officer called out, “Lt. (jg) Nonn has just reported back from another mission to find salvage from Ganxeiter. She says she found something important and is bringing it back.”
“What is it?” Kesh asked.
After a moment, the officer said, “She says it’s Ganxeiter’s rapier, sir.”
Kesh exchanged glances with both Feln and Aaltskog before saying, “Very well. Have her bring it to the lower hangar.”
“Yes sir.”
Kesh turned to Aaltskog, “Do you think you can make one of Ganxeiter’s weapons work with Denxeiter? I know most Hyper Battle Machine weapons are made for their individual user.”
“Hmm, I don’t know,” Aaltskog said. “I can’t make any of the special attacks work, but I can try to make it work as just a no
rmal sword. It could certainly come in handy since unlike Durandal, Ganxeiter’s sword doesn’t require power to materialize. It’s less powerful, but at least it’s always solid.”
“But what about the fact that it’s corrupted?” Feln asked. “You know, after Ganxeiter was possessed, that sword suddenly had the ability to fill enemies with some kind of pus and make them explode. It was pretty disgusting, and really scary.”
“Yeah, I remember,” Aaltskog said. “But without Ganxeiter actually swinging it around, maybe we can purge it. Like curing an infection. Besides, that weird writing the enemy put on it…it gives me the creeps. But maybe our people can translate the writing and get more intel.”
Kesh nodded. “My thoughts exactly. Lets go down to the hangar and take a look.”
Twenty minutes later, Feln, Aaltskog, and Kesh entered the hangar to see Ganxeiter’s rapier being positioned with some scaffolding to keep it balanced along its edge lengthwise. Valisia walked over, having just gotten out of her Alden and helped with the sword’s positioning.
“Why not just lay it down instead of going through all that?” Feln asked.
“It’s so we can view both sides of the blade easily,” Valisia answered. “The writing is different on either side.”
They slowly walked toward the giant sword. While smaller than Denxeiter’s sword, it was still massive compared to humans. Stood on end it was about the same height as an Alden.
“It’s weird, I’ve seen Katashka use this so many times, but I’ve never actually seen it up close,” Valisia said.
“Speaking of which, we’d better still keep a safe distance,” Feln said. “We’ve seen what this thing can do.”
“We ran the full gamut of scans before bringing it in, of course,” Valisia said. “It checks out. That thing that it did after Ganxeiter was possessed might have originated with Ganxeiter itself and only focused through the blade.”
“An interesting concept,” Kesh said. “Even so, I agree with the captain.”
“Oh, believe me, I don’t disagree. It gives me the creeps. I was only saying that we obviously wouldn’t have brought it in if we picked up any bad readings. I mean, we got false readings from that giant bug we thought was dead, but that’s different than a weapon with nobody using it.”
“And this is all that you’ve found so far?” Kesh asked.
“Yes sir.” Valisia grew somber. “Honestly, I’m not so sure I want to find anything more. I’ve viewed the battle footage recorded from Denxeiter.” She swallowed hard. “It wasn’t just what happened to Katashka, but to Ganxeiter too… My parents can never see that footage. Never.”
Feln hoped that Valisia hadn’t seen the actual cockpit footage of what Katashka looked like after her possession. He and Aaltskog both told her she should never watch it. It seemed that maybe she had heeded those words because while she was obviously shaken, Feln could tell that she could be feeling much worse.
“You have my word that should they ever ask, we’ll simply report that Denxeiter’s recording equipment malfunctioned during the battle,” Kesh said. “I leave it up to you to decide if they get to see it or not.”
“Thank you sir. I won’t change my mind though.” Valisia looked back at the rapier. “When it all comes down to it, I think finding this was enough. Ganxeiter seems to have been vaporized in the battle, and the sword was thrown free of the explosion. I think that it’s for the best that there’s nothing else to bring back.”
Aaltskog took Valisia’s hand suddenly and looked up at the young pilot. “I agree with you. And I think that once we figure out how to get these damned symbols off the sword and clean it, it’ll make a perfect memorial. I think maybe Katashka is proud her sister was the one to find her weapon and bring it back.”
Valisia looked as if she was blinking back tears and said, “Yeah, maybe so.” She squeezed Aaltskog’s hand tightly and the little Companion nodded solemnly.
A crew from the science division arrived and walked over to the group and saluted. “Admiral, we’ve come to study the sword.”
“Good. Have you found out anything from the information we recovered from the enemy base?”
“Not yet. It’s been giving us fits to decipher. Part of the language is other-dimensional.”
“You mean like how some magic spells are written?” Feln asked.
“Exactly. We can’t just run it though our translation software. That only covers part of the language. The other part only makes sense if the reader is in tune with the dimensional nature of the language.”
“Oh damn,” Feln said. “There are infinite dimensions, so the answer may never be found.”
The science officer nodded and said, “Yes, it’s pretty daunting. But we do have three magic users in our department.” He indicated three light green identical creatures standing behind him. They were very thin with large black eyes and Feln had the impression they were more plant than animal.
“Ah, yes, the Kzal, Lieutenant Hoil,” Kesh said. Feln was glad Kesh knew what these beings were since he had no idea himself. “I remember approving your transfer to the Tannhauser. I apologize that it’s taken this long to meet you.”
“It is not a concern, Admiral,” the three Kzal said in unison, which Feln found very disconcerting. “I spend my time in meditation to better keep tune with the dimensional shifts. This is my first foray outside my chamber since the mission began.”
Feln found it even stranger that these three creatures not only spoke in unison, but referred to themselves as a single entity. Which one was Hoil? He glanced at Aaltskog, who shrugged.
Three pairs of eyes immediately swung over and locked on to Aaltskog. “You and the Space Knight find me strange. My consciousness is too large for one brain to process the dimensional realities, so I must use three.”
Feln scratched his head and said, “No offense, but this kind of reminds me of the enemy we’re currently fighting.”
“Based on what I’ve seen, it is similar,” Hoil said. “I am young and can only use three brains. Some elders use over ten. However, my race is not all of one mind. I cannot read the mind of one of my fellow Kzal. I only use the brains that are needed for my own consciousness. The enemy seems to share, if not a single consciousness, then one in which all the individuals can communicate with each other.”
Feln nodded. “I see.” He started to ask them (him?) another question, but the eyes were back on Aaltskog. Feln realized that the entire time Hoil was there, the eyes never blinked. This guy is getting creepier by the minute, he thought.
Hoil said, “Companion, your mind interests me. There is something about its other-dimensional aspect that is odd.”
Aaltskog, who was trying her best not to hide behind Valisia said, “Yeah, but aren’t all Companion brains like that? Kinda like the main computer in a Hyper Battle Machine?”
“This is true. But you are different. I should like to study you.”
Aaltskog made a squeak of dismay and did hide behind Valisia.
Kesh cleared his throat, “This is very interesting, Lt. Hoil, but for now, the more pressing matter is translating the enemy’s language.”
Hoil’s eyes turned back to Kesh. He only moves his eyes. No part of his body has moved an inch since he first stepped forward, Feln thought. He knew he and Aaltskog would be talking about this encounter for a while after it was over.
Hoil said to Kesh, “Yes Admiral. Forgive the diversion. I have been studying the language and have been going through every other-dimensional language I know, but so far nothing. I just need a key to help locate which dimension and I can then aid the team with the translation.”
Kesh pointed to the sword. “Lt. (jg) Nonn has recovered Ganxeiter’s rapier. Even from here I can see the symbols seeming to change and shift the longer I stare at them. Can those symbols be of any help?”
“That’s what we’re here to find out,” said the science division lead, perhaps annoyed to be left out of the conversation. He and the rest of the team, includi
ng Hoil, walked over to the sword.
Feln and his group followed cautiously behind. Feln figured he’d only get as close as the experts, and even then, maybe not as close. The science team began making recordings of the symbols as they walked along the giant sword’s length. After about a half hour of doing so, Feln had to admit he was getting kind of bored. Well, what did you expect just following a bunch of scientists around as they take notes?
Hoil suddenly stopped and said, “I think I may have something.” The three bodies walked to the tip of the sword and then proceeded to walk around the sword again counter-clockwise. They slowly circled the sword five times, which considering the length of it, took a while.
“How long are they going to do that?” Kesh asked the head scientist.
“I don’t know, sir. This part of the job goes beyond my understanding.”
When Hoil completed his sixth circle around the sword he stopped at the tip and his three bodies surrounded it. One on each side and one at the tip itself. Their hands stretched out to touch the sword. “Yes, it is coming to me now,” Hoil said.
And then all three heads exploded. The bodies fell forward smearing blood on the floor. Everybody close by jumped back in shock.
“What just hap—“ Feln started to say when suddenly a loud hum filled the hangar. It was the same hum that Feln remembered Ganxeiter making before “Katashka” talked to him. This time it was much louder. Some people collapsed to the ground holding their ears. Others screamed, and Feln saw a technician pick up a screwdriver and jam it straight through his head from one of his ears.
“Dammit, we’ve gotta get this thing out of here!” Feln yelled over the hum. Kesh nodded and Feln noticed drops of blood running out of the admiral’s nostrils. And then the hum suddenly subsided.
Feln exhaled, “Quick, while it’s died down…” He looked around and saw that at least five people had killed themselves to stop the sound, including the head of the science team. Others were still staggering trying to recover.
“Who are you to invade our mind?” a loud voice suddenly came crashing down around them. It sounded both guttural and sweet at the same time and Feln felt like he would go insane if he listened to it for too long.
Francescan War Chronicles 1: Space Knight Denxeiter Page 26