Clouds Of War, page 27
part #3 of The Descendants War Series
"I don't know about General Renz. I just knew that would get you here. They needed a glory kill. All the things I sold them, the information I provided, it wasn't enough. So I promised them big prey."
"You sold us out then." Griel drew his pistol. "I guess I don't need the code then."
"Wait! There's plenty of intel on there!" Xanda held his hands up. "Please! Don't shoot me, Griel! For old time's sake. We were friends! You remember our time together. Both our families suffered from that attack!"
"And this is how you honor their memory," Griel said. "You betrayed me. You betrayed your people. There are people on this ship that would happily take you apart, you idiot! What did you think would happen when I brought you aboard?"
"I... I hoped you'd win." Xanda sighed. "I hoped we'd live."
"But you gave us to them. And they weren't going to stop because you were aboard." Griel smirked. "In fact, they blew up the listening post. So if you had been on there, they betrayed you too. What do you have to say about that?"
"I don't know."
"Your friends, the people you sold us out to, intended on cleaning up. They'd get what they needed and move on because you weren't providing actionable information anymore. And contraband only went so far." Griel backed away. "Get that code to the guards. We'll go through it. If it's information we can use, you might avoid execution."
"But our people don't do that."
"Military tribunal rules allow for the execution of traitors." Griel shrugged. "I'll carry it out myself. You'd better pray we get out of here before enemy reinforcements show up. If not, I'll jettison you to be with your pals." He stepped out of the cell, nodding for the guards to crank the field back on. "Until then, think about what you've done."
"I can help you still, Griel! I know names. Places. People on the Kahl side of the border. Pirates, raiders... you name it!"
"Then get your stories lined up," Griel replied. "Make them good. We'll be back for a more thorough interrogation of you and your friends. Be ready to make this worth our while. You won't get a second chance."
He left, heading back to the bridge. Technicians scurried about in the halls, working to undo the damage from the battle. The Brekka had taken a beating before but always in the line of duty, always because they intended to enter a conflict. This fight... it had been pointless. And one of their own had dragged them into it.
Griel stepped off the elevator. A dozen men worked on the bridge. He approached Authen, clapping the pilot on the shoulder.
"Thank you again. Do you know when we can get underway?"
"We're just working on key systems only," Authen replied. "They say twenty more minutes. Then we can at least get to a safe sector to finish the rest."
"That's great. As soon as we get there, I want you to take a break. Get some food, rest... whatever else. I think we need a little downtime after we pick up Niva as well. Somewhere we can recharge." Griel looked around. "This... has shaken my faith in people, I'm afraid."
"I get you." Authen nodded. "I'll let you know when we can move."
"Thank you." Griel returned to his seat, slumping back. I hope Xanda's betrayal warrants something. Falling into a trap won't go over well with command. He wondered if they even knew about the trip. Probably not. He didn't go through regular channels. I should've smelled this coming.
But if I can't trust an old friend, who can I trust? Griel thought about Niva. I'm going to have to make this up to her. I should've believed in her, confided in her. She probably would've checked my overconfidence. Whatever the case, she deserved better than to be fobbed off on the humans. Though she might've made better use of her time than I did.
At least we lived. That tended to be the bare minimum he shot for. This time, it had to do.
Titus sat in his office, staring out the window at the planet they were orbiting. He waited for a report from Rhys but he took a quiet moment to appreciate the splendor of the alien world. After everything that happened, all the carnage and conflict, they were pulling out. The people on that world would be left to resolve their differences in peace.
After we practically annihilated one of their cities.
Several key systems remained in operation prior to the feedback loop destroying the generators. Those defensive measures had been passed down to one of the factions over the years. When ships descended on them, they knew it was time to initiate them, to stop those vessels from touching down.
Perhaps they thought they were destructive. Titus figured the tractor beams were in place to capture criminals making an illegal descent. Authorities might then interrogate them, find out why they made such a plunge. The people left behind only knew to turn them on rather than what happened next.
Which worked out for the soldiers trapped in those shuttles.
A modern Kahl shuttle had been left behind by Renz. They surrendered the moment their battleship went into warp. Niva oversaw the collection of those twelve men. Their confiscated equipment went to the inhabitants of the planet. All told, they sent down twenty-five enemy weapons and twenty-five of their own.
That seemed to placate the faction that helped them. Perhaps they genuinely wanted to bring about peace. Titus wasn't so sure. He figured they still had a lot of their zealous past in them. They'd likely dominate the other cultures, possibly even wipe them out. He didn't have another solution to help bring about peace.
We have to trust the ones we know. The ones that helped us.
The destroyer had a number of survivors as well. They took ten captives before the ship's systems failed completely. Those who died before they could be rescued numbered thirty-six. Titus hated the fact they couldn't be brought out but after what they'd done, they knew the risks.
"Captain?" Rhys stood before his desk. Titus hadn't noticed him come in. "Are you okay, sir?"
"Sorry, I was reminiscing," Titus replied. "What do you have?"
"Quick report. We've sealed up the hull breaches. Main power is online. Doctor Brett has the casualties under control. Seven people died in the conflict. Two more are iffy. They're doing what they can." Rhys took a seat. "Key is secure and has a ton of data. Essa said they can extract it after they all get some rest."
"And find us our next destination, I assume." Titus rubbed his eyes. "We'll need to contact high command. Let them know what we've discovered."
"I'm concerned about the population here," Rhys said. "They're basically genetically enhanced soldiers. They could be a real problem eventually."
"Or a boon," Titus pointed out. "Depending on how they turn out during our absence."
"You think they might help us later?" Rhys hummed. "I don't know, maybe if we stuck around. Helped them more..."
"There's still a lot of Kahl history here," Titus pointed out. "They rose from a difficult spot according to the Prytins. These people thrive on conflict. They've got plenty to contend with down there." He leaned forward. "Anyway, we got what we came for. How long before we can depart?"
"About forty minutes." Rhys pursed his lips. "Seems like Renz may have picked up the information too. Essa and Violet both think they uploaded the data while they were grabbing it. As in once the key initiated the transfer, it opened a signal to the ship because... well, it's their tech, I guess."
"That makes sense. Also proves we have to worry about Renz showing up again." Titus shook his head. "Maybe we'll get lucky. His losing two more destroyers can't look good for him. Especially without killing us. It might sideline him."
"That would be nice. But then we'd be dealing with some other joker, don't you think?"
"Probably. That's a problem for tomorrow." Titus rubbed his eyes. "We need some downtime, I think. How're you doing?"
"I'm okay, if you'd like to grab some rest. I'll oversee the repairs. Make sure we've cleaned up sufficiently."
"Sounds good to me." Titus stood. "Thanks for your efforts today, Rhys. All around good work."
"Of course, sir." Rhys snapped off a salute. "Rest well, sir. I'll talk to you in a while."
Titus returned the gesture, following him into the hall. They went their separate ways, moving through the corridors with technicians rushing about. He made his quarters, slipping inside. Slumping on the bed, he stared at the ceiling, considering the next course of action... the next destination.
We need a sense of what this is all about, Titus thought. Why we're doing it. High command will question it if this key doesn't have something of interest. He hoped for the sake of the scientists, they'd be able to provide a good reason to go on. The interest from the enemy may be enough to take one more step but there's a lot of concern at home.
Titus had a lot of anxiety to juggle from the Admiral to the military council. He needed ammunition to hold them at bay; information, a plan. Something that provided security and safety for the human colonies. Whether they'd find that or not in the key might dictate his duties in the following weeks.
Come up with something good, folks. The clock is definitely ticking.
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Humanity has long explored mysteries of their past. From the theories of Atlantis to the fabled stories of Greek Gods, most had been dismissed as fantasy and legend. When humanity discovered 'the Orb', such fairy tales came a little closer to having some potential truth. Even scratching the surface of the knowledge contained within this ancient technology granted an understanding of faster than light travel and a wild number of other luxuries.
Employing this newfound knowledge, humanity built the Gnosis, a highly advanced starship capable of long range travel and self-sufficient exploration. They would visit other solar systems, departing as pioneers into the unknown. But as excitement built with the people of Earth and the journey drew near, an alien race arrived in Sol, intent on stealing the Orb.
Now, with a hostile first contact initiated, humanity is thrust into universal conflict, one where other beings vie for powerful artifacts spread throughout the galaxy. As they conduct their first interstellar battle, they find themselves drawn into an intrigue they do not understand but must engage for if they do not, they may well face an opponent they cannot defeat.
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Table of Contents
DISCLAIMER
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Epilogue
John Walker, Clouds Of War
