Alien Intrigue, page 14
“Curious that the executor didn’t bring up the aliens’ conversation,” Fygthurn mused, as the pair returned to the shuttle.
“I think he was waiting for us to broach the subject,” Ogdurg returned.
Dakargk had ordered the imperator to sail for Darmian, and the negotiators were returned to their home world.
Fygthurn and Ogdurg had expected some last words from Dakargk, but the pilot appeared, hurried to his cabin, and the shuttle deposited them on the ground.
As the Krackus shuttle lifted for the transport, the negotiators requested a conference with the chiefs.
When Fygthurn and Ogdurg entered the circle, they spent nearly an hour explaining the odd events of their flight.
Then the chiefs, who’d remained silent, asked numerous questions. They wanted to know about the presence of the other two Krackus. They wanted to know more details about the invaders’ ships. Most important, they wanted to know the negotiators’ conjectures.
“Then there is no offer from the executor?” a chief inquired. His frustration was easily demonstrated by his thrashing snakes.
“We wait for the executor to make a proposal,” Fygthurn admitted.
With discontented growls, the chiefs swiftly vacated the space.
When the transport reached Imperium, Tarbar and Deckus expected to be returned to duty. Instead, they heard that they were to accompany Dakargk to his residence.
During the first few hours, the fleet commander and the inquisitor were cared for by house staff. After a private meal, they were still alone.
“This doesn’t appear like preparations to be tortured,” Deckus remarked facetiously.
“It doesn’t, does it?” Tarbar agreed. “I think it means that, despite encouraging Dakargk’s ire, he isn’t finished with us.”
On the following morning, Deckus and Tarbar were led to the sunroom, where Dakargk waited for them.
“I hope you feel rested after your long journey,” Dakargk said.
“The generous offer of your residence and the attentions of your staff have been appreciated,” Tarbar replied.
Dakargk tipped his head at the inquisitor’s traditional response. “I find myself in a precarious position,” he began, which put Tarbar and Deckus on alert. “The aliens’ ships and weaponry appear insurmountable.” He continued. “They effectively silenced Jumanus communications from our imperator and the Radag commander. Obviously, the local races feel free to resume their natural movements. How are we to take back the Jumanus system and prevent the aliens from taking any more of our worlds?”
“If you’ll excuse the question, Executor,” Deckus said. “What was your purpose in taking the Radags to Jumanus?”
“They requested it,” Dakargk dissembled.
Deckus and Tarbar waited silently for the executor to continue.
When Dakargk didn’t elaborate, Tarbar said, “You’ve told us that you’re in a precarious position, and you’ve asked for our help with the question that challenges the Imperium. Yet, you choose not to be direct with us.”
Dakargk was regretting inviting the two Krackus to his residence. He’d wanted their input. However, they possessed bright minds. If he was to receive their help, he’d be forced to be forthright, and that was rare for him. Tilting his head, as if shrugging off his reticence, he said, “The Radags have the capacity to produce ground combat weapons. They’d had them in the past, which is something that you should never share. Their energy weapons were used to quickly and efficiently quell resistant races.”
“You’re wondering if arming the Radags with energy weapons would be an effective means of regaining the Jumanus planet,” Deckus surmised.
“Simply put, yes,” Dakargk replied.
“Isn’t that dangerous for the empire?” Tarbar inquired.
“Let’s put that question aside,” Dakargk replied. “I want to examine the practicality of such a venture.” He regarded Deckus and motioned to him to continue.
“You’ve got multiple problems to make such a campaign effective,” Deckus replied.
“List them,” Dakargk requested, surreptitiously activating the room’s recording system.
“You’ll have to keep the visitors’ ships busy, while you launch shuttles for the planet,” Deckus began.
“And?” Dakargk prompted.
“The shuttles can’t use the planet’s landing pad,” Deckus continued.
“The negotiators said the same thing,” Dakargk interrupted.
“The number of Radags will have to be significant, and I’ve no idea what that number might be,” Deckus said. “But, even if those steps were successful, the Radags can’t hold the planet.”
“Why not?” Dakargk inquired.
“You’ve no leverage,” Tarbar said. “After the visitors’ ships deal with our fleets, they’ll simply make planetfall and neutralize your landing force. You’ll have insufficient forces to keep the visitors off the planet.”
“The Jumans would be easy to take hostage. That would give us leverage,” Dakargk mused. Then he focused on the pair in front of him and asked, “Am I hearing the two of you correctly? Neither of you thinks we can stop the aliens?”
“We’ve always relayed the facts of our encounters, despite the embarrassments,” Deckus replied. “Not once have we gotten the better of the visitors. What gives you the idea that anything we might do would reverse that trend?”
“Here’s something that the assembly must remember,” Tarbar added. “There have been comments from the visitors about their conclave, and Korvath remarks that they’ve a history of defeating aggressive races.”
“Your point, Inquisitor?” Dakargk pressed, his frustration growing.
“With every greater challenge from us, they’ve escalated their weaponry to defeat us,” Tarbar said. “How many other forms of offense or defense might they possess?”
“Things could get worse,” Deckus offered. “What if the visitors don’t intend to take our systems one by one? What if they’re waiting for the Imperium to negotiate fairly with them? And what happens when we don’t?”
Deckus left the question hanging, but Tarbar wasn’t willing to leave it there. “I’ve an ugly idea about what might happen,” he said. “The visitors lose their patience with us. Then they take Imperium, and the executors become the dissidents.”
“Enough,” Dakargk harshly declared. “Pack your belongings and return to duty.”
As the pair exited the residence to take the waiting vehicle, Tarbar slyly regarded Deckus. “Was it something I said?” he quipped.
“It got us out of there,” Deckus said gratefully. “I would say it was perfect.”
11: Empire’s Dissidents
OUTPOST THIRTEEN: UNION
HELGART SYSTEM
Tocknicka chittered, as he regarded Juno. The sister was paying more attention to him than he’d realized. Briefly, he wondered why. Thoughts of the sister having suborning designs were quickly dismissed. Juno had been nothing but supportive of the conclave’s goals. More specific, she’d wholly participated in every job he’d taken on.
Tocknicka chittered again. Then he queried,
Juno ruminated on the problem for a considerable amount of time for a sister — nearly a minute.
Tocknicka’s chronometer said it was a little after three hours by station time.
The governor’s mood made Tocknicka’s decision. It was only a question of how to manage the processes.
Kreus requested.
Tocknicka relayed the entire conversation to Kreus.
Tocknicka and Juno received the enormous star map that comprised the Imperium Empire. Then the map was divided into thirty-five sections by various colors.
Kreus sent.
Tocknicka and Juno saw stars on the empire’s far side glow brightly.
Tocknicka replied.
Tocknicka checked for the locations of Minimalist, Luther, Kelley, and Morgoth. Kelley and Luther were on duty in the dome, and he sent them a message, requesting a cube journey to Outpost Five: Racine.
After that, Tocknicka chose to examine the star map that Kreus had supplied.
Z had created a database of the residents, identifying each individual’s name and home world.
Furthermore, Kreus was able to identify the systems that the residents called home.
Now Tocknicka integrated the various data sources. It gave a sense of the order in which the residents might be returned to their worlds. His musings were interrupted by Kelley.
Tocknicka checked the freighters for empty modules. The pickings were few. We’ve come prepared for everything, except to pick up more freight, he thought.
A class two freighter was Tocknicka’s best option, and he contacted the captain.
The Earther captain’s laugh was hearty. She sent,
After Tocknicka ended his conversation with the freighter captain, he returned to studying his compiled star map.
The nearest occupied planet to Jumanus that still lay within Executor Grageth’s territory was the water world, Vokslem. It was the home world of Baltart, Kelter’s friend.
Baltart’s movement was as restricted as Kelter’s had once been. As a member of the Vokslem race, when he was marked by an Imperium decree, he’d been captured, confined to a water tank, and deposited on Helgart.
As far as Tocknicka was concerned, it was appropriate and right that Baltart should be the next resident to be returned to his home world.
Tocknicka inserted a finger into his holo-vid projection and tapped the star. He was presented with data that Kreus held about Vokslem.
The home world was nearly seventy percent ocean, which was a find in any galaxy. However, the Krackus wanted the planet for the rare metals that lay in broad deposits underground.
The Krackus set up desalination plants to provide abundant and dependable fresh water for their operations. These had become the targets of the Vokslem. Baltart had led his race to destroy the installations. The Vokslems drowned the Krackus who came to repair the pumps and piping.
In retaliation, the Krackus burned the thick vegetation that bordered the low tidal marshes. These places were where Vokslem hid their young from the oceans’ dangerous species. Without the cover, they quickly became prey, reducing the race’s growth.
Tocknicka linked the preeminent SADEs in the system, adding Juno. He would have included the senior combat commanders and the protectors, but they weren’t in system.
