Annals of the Keepers - Deception Page 4

  “No,” Parejas retorted.

  “And why not?”

  “This Precept was ill-conceived and voted on while we were engaged with an enemy, which had almost wiped out our species, only to turn around and make nice with these beings we had been slaughtering with extreme prejudice days prior. This Precept was not to begin until we–”

  “Commander, we understand that–”

  “Don’t interrupt me, Assemblyman. I was not finished. I have offered you this respect over these past few hours. I would appreciate the same consideration.”

  Tallis’s eyes narrowed. “Continue, Commander. My apologies.”

  Parejas stared at the Assemblyman for a moment.

  The other members of the Assembly looked at one another, feeling the tension in the room with the commander’s remark and the following silence.

  Parejas continued, “This Precept was not to begin until six months after the Retribution mission. By moving this Precept up, you did not allow for stresses to dissipate between the Kryth Mahr Domain over that allotted time. It was too soon after combat with our resurgence back into the galactic arena. Bureaucrats sticking their noses in matters where they do not belong will have repercussions.”

  Tallis couldn’t wait. “So, this is why he should not be held accountable for his actions before this Assembly? Because of a vote you were not present for and by not allowing a peace conference on your military time-table? Is this more accurate of a statement, Commander?”

  “Under Ordinance jurisdiction, yes. Under Assembly law, no.”

  “Then why was former Commander Bossarios demoted to the rank of captain?”

  “I believe you do not understand my point. Let me make it clear for you, Assemblyman.”

  “Please do, Commander.”

  The two men’s eyes were in a stand-off, not yielding a blink to the other.

  The audience was absolutely still in their silence, watching the powers-that-be.

  “Captain Nevlen broke an order as an Ordinance officer, in a vital mission, which cost the lives of several of his men. Lieutenant Bender broke–”

  Tallis once again cut the commander off, “Lieutenant Bender broke a Precept by which this Assembly will pass judgment and–”

  Parejas’ glare stopped Tallis in his tracks.

  The other Assemblymen glanced at the Mount Leader, eliciting him to stop interrupting the commander, as the air in the room was beginning to be drawn in by these two men. Commander Parejas, however, was imposing a much stronger presence over the Mount Leader.

  Tallis backed away from the podium, acknowledging the commander to continue.

  “As I was saying, Lieutenant Bender also broke an order while on an Ordinance mission. This Precept was still under military jurisdiction and under my command. Lieutenant Bender has been punished by being suspended from his Reaver Lead position and demoted as well. This is why he should not have to go through these hearings and be brought up on separate charges.

  “Then they should have both been removed and discharged from the Ordinance, since their actions were so reprehensible. Under military jurisdiction, of course. Don’t the Ordinance laws call for such a removal of both men from the ranks, in light of what transpired and what you so well put in your remarks, Commander?”

  “They do.”

  “Then why haven’t they been? Why not charge Lieutenant Bender under these laws of the Assembly you so highly regard and protect?”

  The commander grinned. “Assemblyman, let me remind this Mount, and all those in attendance, of the reasons you ask.” Parejas paused, looking over each of the Assemblymen before continuing, “I cannot lose a single good man if I can help it. The Kryth Mahr Domain has twenty-five billion citizens. We have about eight hundred million. Their forces number three billion. Ours stands at one hundred million. Do I have to remind you of the odds? The only reason we stood a chance of what we accomplished by attacking the Domain and retaking Earth from the Kryth is that they do not know these numbers I speak of.”

  Parejas paused to take a breath. He glanced down at the solemn reminder he had just given everyone of the position the Humans were in against their enemies.

  Parejas looked back up at the Assembly. “The Kryth are two hundred and sixty-eight years behind in their knowledge of us. This is what keeps us safe. They do not know our force size. They do not know our technology or our capabilities; and, they do not know where we are. This is what gives us our advantage on the battlefield. The Domain has lost years of intelligence on our race, whereas we know much more about them. This advantage we have requires every last soul in a Human body to be present. I need all of them, every last one of them. Mistakes will be made amongst them, but we cannot lose a single one, for the odds say we shouldn’t be here at all.”

  No one was breathing as Parejas finished. He had both passion in what he was saying and cold, hard facts.

  Tallis stepped back up to the podium. “Well said, Commander. We would agree that our society is frail at this moment and, through the Ordinance and the Assembly, we strive to strengthen and prolong it. But we must obey these Precepts or there would be only chaos replacing what we so proudly fought for, survived for. Let us hold up what we so dearly embrace as Humans, justice and peace. Let us defend these ideals together.”

  Parejas nodded as Tallis finished.

  The Mount Leader then called for the final motion, “Let us take our vote of the matters at hand regarding Precept Number 1401. Will each chair cast their vote now?” Tallis said, moving back to his seat.

  It was now in the hands of the eleven members of the Assembly body.

  Shenta and Kason took their seat behind the table where they stood.

  The votes started to come in. The Mount Leader would be second to last to cast his vote. After a few minutes, Tallis stood and approached the podium.

  “The count is tied, five to five.” Tallis looked over at the last Assemblyman to cast their vote. A wide smile crested his face, as if he had already known the vote-to-come, but had to ask, “Assemblyman Qurinden, your vote please.”

  The half-Human Assemblyman continued to sit without moving. The one red eye wasn’t fixated on anyone in particular, but seemed to be contemplating the question.

  There was a tense silence about the room. Everyone looked at the last Assemblyman for an answer.

  One came as she spoke, “My vote is cast.”

  Tallis, still smiling, looked down at the podium for the count. His high-arched smile dropped. He was stunned.

  “The vote,” his words caught in his dry throat. “The vote is six-to-five. . . in favor of Lieutenant Bender.”

  Cheers broke out amongst the audience. The commander and Kason stood, grasping forearms at the celebrated news.

  “I’m glad that’s over,” Kason said.

  “Agreed,” Shenta concurred.

  People were coming up and congratulating the two.

  Tallis’ eyes were fixed on both for a moment before turning to Assemblyman Qurinden with a look of frustration.

  Qurinden got up from her chair and left the chamber.

  An Ordinance officer came in through the main hall to the chamber and approached Commander Parejas.

  “Commander,” the officer said.

  “Yes, Major. What is it?” Parejas asked.

  “I’ve come with an update on the rescue mission.”

  Kason was first to react, as he awaited news of Ramek.

  “Continue,” Parejas acknowledged.

  “The rescue was a success and Ramek is safe. There were no casualties, and all are en route to Mydian.”

  “Great news, Major. We appreciate the update.”

  The major spun and left the chamber.

  Behind the departing major came Director Shawna Bowlan.

  “Congratulations, Lieutenant Bender,” she said.

  “Thank you, Director Bowlan.”

  She approached Shenta and kissed him on the cheek, “Good work, dear.”

  “Thanks. I’
m a little surprised to see you here. I thought you were at the Earth delegation conference?” Shenta asked.

  “I was,” she said.

  Just then, Mordon Tallis slammed a multicolored stone gavel against the podium block, “The chamber will commence with our next hearing.”

  Shenta looked suspiciously at Tallis, then back to his fiancé.

  She spoke before he did, “I’m sorry, dear. I wanted the Earth Precept moved up and thought this would be the best time, since I have you here.”

  Before Shenta could respond, Tallis spoke again from the podium.

  “Commander Parejas, I briefly mentioned we would hold a back-to-back Precept session when you were available. Is now a good time?” Tallis grinned.

  Parejas was not in the mood for this. This was for the Precept to allow for a contingent of Humans to recolonize Earth and start the rehabilitation of the planet, with his fiancé leading the project.

  Shenta glanced at Shawna, “I wish you would have given me more notice.”

  “I’ve tried many times, but I know how against the Precept you are, and how much this means for me. You never have the time.”

  Tallis spoke again, “Commander, shall we commence in say, ten minutes after a short recess?”

  The commander wasn’t too happy. “Yes, Assemblyman, that will be fine.”

  Shenta turned to Kason, “Congratulations again, Kason.”

  “Thank you, Commander, for your assistance in the matter,” Kason said.

  The two men grasped forearms.

  “You’re welcome, Lieutenant. I’ll meet you at the Keeper Adytum after your visit with Doctor Solome and Ramek?”

  “I’ll meet you there,” Kason said as he turned and departed the chamber.

  Shenta turned his attention now to Shawna, “I guess I don’t have a choice now.”

  She smiled.

  “I do love you and I do know how much this means to you. I hope you understand my position as we begin this hearing,” he said.

  “I know. Thanks for giving me the opportunity. I will accept whatever decision is brought on this Precept. I just hope you will do the same.”

  “I may kick and scream a little if it doesn’t go my way,” Shenta said, smiling.

  “I have no doubt about that, my love.”

  DATA CELL 6

  The khromotite crystal fields were one of the largest deposits in free-floating space. The massive field of blue-green khromotite crystals was prized for use in weapon and drive technologies by all races. The oceans of rock-mixed crystals were remnants of a system collapse millions of ronns ago.

  When the star collapsed, the inner planets were struck asunder. Their broken pieces floated for millennia, smashing against one another until they formed tight, circular orbits around their leftover host star.

  On the outer edge of the largest khromotite belt was a massive conglomerate mining depot called Raffix Run. Though overseen by both the Kryth and Vrae empires, the mining consortium was corporately owned by a few other races that ran the complex. Many species traded here, before taking their goods to market in the Greater Rings system on the planet Aba-Qun Ta to be sold.

  The station was a large, square platform that fed a myriad of mining ports and docking arms. The center of the station was open. Descending below the station were massive ore and crystal processing plants, machinery, and holding silos. Business transactions were conducted thirty-six circles a day, ten cycles a mon, never slowing down. It was the last bastion of civilization where desperate people hid, worked, or continued further on to travel to distant sectors of the galaxy.

  Laan Nezgon Zal was a Mertiklask tradesman. Middle aged, he was still strong of body and possessed a shrewd, calculating mind that had allowed him to remain part of the ruling class on Raffix Run for almost twenty ronns. Ascending to a position of leadership in this cauldron of treachery, riches, and death had been a long and arduous undertaking, replete with great risks, triumphs, and a few admitted failures. Surveying the vast expanse of the mining station from high above in his office, Laan Nezgon Zaal watched the activity below on the streets. Cargo ships rose from docking rings to begin their long journeys into space, the vibrations from their great engines reverberated through the floor. Scores of smaller ships flitted about like controlled swarms of insects. The ground traffic ebbed and flowed throughout the day without pause.

  The chaos of all this commerce pleased Laan. The percentage of profits from smuggling, as well as legal commerce, would make Laan a moderately wealthy citizen in either the Domain or Vrae Empire, if he ever chose to leave Raffix Run. Yet, he enjoyed his tangible and gratifying power on the mining station. As much as he disliked sharing power, he was loathe to leave it behind. His stockpile of physical wealth, letters of credit, favors owed and paid, and interests protected had guaranteed his inclusion in every level of political and criminal machinations aboard this mining station.

  Laan’s sphere of influence was uncontested amongst his peers of the ruling caste here at Raffix Run. Until now.

  That sphere was being encroached upon by a young upstart, Malace, the youngest and richest of the ruling consortium here on the mining station. Malace wasn’t the most influential member; but, given time, he could become a grave threat, perhaps toppling a few of the less stable members and taking titular control of Raffix Run.

  Laan’s powerful fingers dug into the sides of his stool. The precious arka fibers creaked as Laan flexed his powerful hands.

  He gazed down in thought at the scars that crisscrossed the backs of his calloused hands. A small amount of fury flickered into life as he remembered his ronns as a pit miner in the lethal Axios mines of a nameless asteroid.

  His youth had been endless days of wearying, backbreaking labor, beatings, and despair. The crystalline formations of rock had been a nightmare of death and bare survival for thousands of bonded sub-citizens. The mines had made him strong for his size, honed his survival instincts, and shaped his ruthless disposition.

  Laan Nezgon Zal had gained all his success because of these characteristics. Bellowing, he broke the stool into splinters, slamming it against the floor again and again until he regained his calm.

  Malace will not remove me from my place of power, he swore to himself.

  Malace’s ship, the Takarsus, spun above the mining station’s docking port, as if it was deciding whether to tarnish itself by landing at Exos Four. Then, in a quick motion, the Takarsus settled and attached itself to the docking port.

  Laan’s predatory grin threatened to split his face. Pounding the surface of his desk with his hands, he laughed in triumph.

  Malace’s ship was caught in his clever trap.

  The Xrostok dock-coupling lock was a masterpiece of trickery and craftsmanship. The locksmith, Juybre Xrostok, had spent years creating a masterwork security device for Laan at an astronomical cost. The lock, now entrapping the Takarsus, was impervious to all gauges of weaponry, projectiles, plasma cutters, electronic, mechanical, bio-mechanical, and nano-engineering. Once in place and activated, the lock could not be detached from another ship or space station without catastrophic results.

  The Takarsus was now at the mercy of Laan’s judgment and whims. He basked in the knowledge that his current adversary was helpless in his grasp. Malace and his crew were unable to leave port or disembark from the ship until Laan granted permission.

  The readout screens, floating above the surface of Laan’s desk, swirled with colors and shapes. The information displayed was as varied as it was valuable. Here, he controlled his concerns on the station, secure in his might.

  A cacophony of alarms and flashing displays snapped Laan out of his self-congratulatory reverie.

  Scanning the readouts fast, he attempted to discern what had caused all the emergency warnings.

  Laan felt the pit of his stomachs clench and he froze in shock as he caught movement out of the corner of his eye outside his office.

  The Takarsus drifted away from the docking port, unscathed. She
spun on her longitudinal axis and, without haste, descended towards another airlock hundreds of meters distant from Laan’s office perch and re-locked onto Exos Four.

  “Sronsix!” Laan cursed.

  Malace had defeated his prized locking system and avoided his trap. Laan’s men, who were positioned outside the original docking ring, had been waiting to assault the Takarsus and capture Malace.

  Laan knew he had limited time to regain the initiative and capture Malace alive.

  “Hessor!” he bellowed into his communications console, “Move to the secondary lock on Betan Level and stop Malace from getting off that ship. Four hundred Tanar credits for each of your men and five for you if you succeed and take him alive.”

  “Yes, Zal,” hissed the reply, “I will snare your enemy or you can dispose of my corpse in the icy black.”

  Yes, of course I will, Laan thought to himself. An ejection into the vacuum of space would be the least of Hessor’s worries if he failed his benefactor. His ire was roused because of the failure of the initial part of his plan, not with the competency of his bonded servants.

  Hessor, led a band of competent mercenaries. Each member was a veteran of dozens of conflicts, ranging from simple protection details, minor gang skirmishes, all the way to larger land battles with thousands of combatants. Laan was confident that Malace would be captured and his men dispatched.

  ∞∞∞

  “Hold them! Hold, you skarktas!” yelled Hessor, firing round after round into the maelstrom of fire, smoke, and screams.

  Betan Level had transformed into a canyon of death. The high, curved, metal walls that had been built to accommodate large, bulky cargo offloaded from transport ships had become a deathtrap for Laan’s mercenaries.

  The corridor’s curved walls were five meters tall and ten meters across. It was too big an area to take tactical control of with a small contingent of men and too small to maneuver at will.

  Hessor’s crew of twenty-five was not faring well against Malace’s men. Six had been dispatched by a long-range weapon before they had even gotten a visual of the airlock. There was scant cover to shelter behind, except for a few relay stations. The small, buttressed data coms were too few to cover but a handful of men.