Do not bestow your love
on the world.
Chancellor's Office - Karin System - Imperial Territory
~~*~~
There was one undeniable fact about FTL communications, the FTL relays were squarely in Imperial control, and when blanket jamming was applied, they were the only method of communication over great distances. Even the Gorean were bound by this simple rule of order, which was why the communication from the Gorean Ambassador was so easily intercepted before it could reach the ears of Sal-zÿr or His Watchful-Eye.
Archduke Walker von Karin stared in dismay as Ambassador Brondo glared daggers at him from across the galaxy. The Ambassador had raised the ruined body of Lucius, broken and bleeding in his claws, looking as if he'd hurl it like a piece of noisome garbage at the Imperial Highlord.
But Brondo merely gripped Lucius tightly and said, "You're pitiful attempt at trickery has failed," through clenched teeth. He'd said the same thing moments earlier with considerably more venom. In a span of a few seconds, his rage had cooled but a fire still burned in his eyes.
"Did you honestly believe that such a clumsy, inept attempt would actually succeed?" he hissed.
Walker could say nothing to the accusation. What could he possibly say? The damnable thing of it was…it was the truth. The Empire was in dire straits with the Amsus winning on the Taïrian front. The only other superpower with the resources to possibly turn the tide was the Gorean Imperium.
Everything had hinged on the lone Gorean destroyer in Amsus Territory with its GN-2 prisoner Lucius, and Rikard's puppet, Evans' plan.
It was, of course, easier said then done. Walker had to compromise almost every ethical and moral value he cherished in the hopes of saving the Empire. He'd kept telling himself that it was for a good cause.
How stupid he must have looked when the plan had blown up in his face.
"This," Brondo held up the beaten and tortured youth again, "vile deception will not go unanswered, Walker. I will personally make sure the entire galaxy is informed at how low the Empire had to go to garner allies. It galls me to think you actually tried to plunge my people into a conflict you originally started," he spat out. "And now you seek to cut off my communications with my own people?"
Walker's shoulders slumped, standing before the holographic display in his office, suddenly feeling the weight of the war, the weight of the empire, and the crushing weight of defeat landing upon him.
"You will order your ship to stop its jamming!" With that, the new Gorean Ambassador snapped off his transmission.
Walker stood there in stony silence, his mind and heart churning with emotions. Finally he sighed and stood in the beams of yellow light from the trio of yellow stained glass windows behind his desk, his chin resting on his chest. He'd failed.
He continued to stare at the floor for several long minutes. Walker heard movement behind him but didn't bother turning since he already knew who it was.
"I take we're the ones jamming the Gorean destroyer?" he asked Evans.
"Believe me, your grace," the duplicitous spy master said, "you don't want to know what the Gorean would do if they were to learn of our deception."
Walker grunted but said nothing else. He knew it was only a matter of time before the Gorean vessel escaped whatever manner of jamming Evans was employing long enough to get a signal out to 'His Watchful Eye'.
"I take it…things did not go quite as planned?" Evans quietly asked.
"No, Mr. Chancellor, they did not," Walker said tiredly. Part of him wanted to blame the whole thing on the spy master, but he knew that wasn't fair. They were all equally to blame for the ruse's failure. "What I just gave Brondo is the biggest propaganda coup the Goreans could ever hope to find. I wouldn't be surprised if Brondo actually convinces Sal-zÿr to start helping the Amsus or worse, start attacking Empire targets here in the Apilon Rift." He rubbed the bridge of his nose as the beginnings of a headache throbbed.
"A pity, though I must say it was a worthy attempt," Evans said.
Walker looked over and frowned at his co-conspirator. "Attempt? Evans, you heard the Emperor, you're in this as much as the rest of us. Now it looks likely that I've just hastened the destruction of the Empire, instead."
Evans actually looked annoyingly thoughtful as he said, "I'm reminded of one primary rule I liked to impress on my Military Intelligence agents: Every problem has at least two solutions."
"You're talking about what we call a 'Plan B'," Walker said. "And we just used it up. There was no way to get real evidence to show to Brondo so we tried your idea at making it up. Now I have to contact Riley and give him the bad news. Not to mention the High Council, they didn't give the plan their blessing, now I have to tell them that it failed… and the Autarch is bad enough, giving him this will only give him more fodder for his anti-imperial campaign."
Evans checked a chronometer on a wall. "May I suggest you wait till morning? The Gorean Destroyer won't be clear of the Amsus Hedgehog I have following it for another two days and you do look like you could use some rest before delivering the news to the High Council."
Walker pondered and reluctantly nodded. "I suppose so. Bad news doesn't always have to come at night." He then sighed and tiredly walked off towards his residential suites.
Evans watched him go until he rounded the corner and disappeared. He then looked over once again at the chronometer and made some calculations. Given the speed of a Gorean jump drive, plus how far it was to jump clear of the jamming vessel …Evans nodded to himself in satisfaction.
He believed he timed it just right.
Gorean Destroyer - Dead Jump Point - Hegemony Territory
~~*~~
Ambassador Brondo coiled in the soothing watery pool while his Remora cleaned his scales. He sipped from his glass of Gorean Brandy. There was something to be said about the crisp refinement brought by a good drink after such a triumphant day. He glanced across to the messy pile of flesh that was quivering on the deck before him. The lights of his basking chamber playing across the shattered boys bloodied face.
It had been a magnificent attempt, his Demi-Wyrms had been convinced of the validity of the attack plans that Lucius had revealed under questioning, but the Imperial's had underestimated the Gorean exposure to Polian technology. They'd waged war for millennia, and they'd learned all about Polian mind manipulations, employing similar techniques themselves when the need arose.
While he loathed the Empire and had a low opinion of the Imperial Highlord, a small part of him actually had a grudging respect for Walker von Karin. To go so far as to try and trick him showed, well…almost Gorean tendencies in the man.
Be that as it may, the Archduke had tried to lure the Imperium into the war. That was a slight on Brondo's honour. Countless millions of his people could also have died over a lie. And while some in the Imperium might voice some concerns over a treaty with the Amsus - especially those who wondered what exactly the Amsus would do after they defeated the Taïrians and the Empire - Brondo knew that the Sal-zÿr would demand some form of response to Walker's act. Actively supporting the Amsus might even be in their best interest. He didn't trust the Amsus, but so far, they have been abiding to the terms of the treaty. Perhaps actively helping them would cement better relations.
Now all he had to do was get his destroyer to jump clear of the annoying little jamming vessel that was lurking somewhere stealthily hidden, jamming their communications.
He turned and activated a holographic workspace and began drafting a resolution to be presented in his next meeting with Sal-zÿr. It might meet some resistance, but he definitely had enough influence to convince the great warlord to act.
Halfway through the writing, the intercom chimed. Brondo frowned. He'd left specific orders not to be disturbed until they cleared the damnable jamming field.
"Yes?" he snapped at the receiver.
"Sir…" the lesser that was in command of the ship started, sounding uncertain.
"Well, what is it?"
"Ambassador, we're getting power fluctuations across the board! Main power is failing…!"
The destroyer suddenly shuddered violently as the telltale blur of hyperspace, seen through a viewport, suddenly erupted around them. So fierce was the jump that Brondo was flung across his chamber to smash into a nearby bulkhead. Lights dimmed and went out as the ship tumbled through space. Power conduits blew out with fires and smoke rapidly spreading everywhere.
The last thought Brondo had before everything erupted before him…was how badly he'd underestimated Walker von Karin.
Chancellor's Residence - Karin System - Imperial Territory
~~*~~
The former head of Imperial Intelligence could not abide such sloppiness, especially with something as important as what Walker and he had been planning. Evans had no doubt that the Gorean's knew all about Polian technology. And he knew what would happen once Lucius had been put to the question.
Hence his own 'Plan B'.
A Fida'i slipping aboard with a small, undetectable microdetonator at one of the main power junctions leading to magnetic containment for their power core was all it took. One good surge and the reactor ran amok.
Evans paused in his reading and looked at his chronometer. Yes, it should have happened by now. Close enough so that the Goreans would be able to salvage any wreckage that remained. If Gorean Intelligence was as good as he thought it was…then Sal-zÿr would send for them in the next several days.
The pieces were simple, the capture, followed by an Amsus Hedgehog deliberately jamming anything beyond the initial findings from Lucius's interrogation. Making it seem as if the Amsus had something they desperately needed to hide. Then the destruction of the Gorean Destroyer that would all but confirm the Gorean Intelligence.
Evans had no malice towards the Gorean Ambassador, but his passing was simply a means to end. 'Focusing on the big picture,' as he'd heard people say before.
Walker would eventually find out what had happened and Evans had no illusions of what would happen then. Walker would send for him and demand to know the truth. He would spout his Empire morality, yell and bluster at how wrong it was…but in the end, he would see that the final result was the same: a war between the Goreans and the Amsus. Walker would get what he wanted, and Evans would eventually get what he wanted as well.
He would do anything to preserve his own safety, and if that meant sacrificing anything - or anyone - for that cause…well, so be it.
Kaynin Settlement - Geldan VII - Republican Territory
~~*~~
The Wyvern sat in a clearing just south of the encampment that formed the oldest Kaynin settlement on the planet. It was located on the sparsely populated equatorial region of the planet, filled with beautiful plains and dense forests. Ideal territory for a race that had come to call Geldan their home.
Riley sat chewing on a stalk of grass, his peaked cap tucked back on his head as he rested up against a tree watching a group of Kaynin children bounding and playing a game of cricket in the lee of the Amsus warship.
Luther and Rei were off somewhere talking to the settlement's Alpha, finding surprising support from the Kaynin who were more than happy to shelter the Imperial's while the search for them raged across the Republic.
It was nice to receive a warm reception, good food, and a friendly smile. The Kaynin that had elected to remain behind on Geldan after the majority of their people had moved to the Kaynin homeworld had flourished, and Riley wished Doctor Kyr were there, he might have benefited from a chance to socialize with his own kind.
Alessandro was sitting beside a small stream a few hundred meters distant, seemingly lost in prayer. Riley glancing at the strange young man a moment, again surprised at the fact that he had taken on Sephradon alone. The Kaynin were giving him a wide berth, as if they smelled something amiss, and Riley wondered how true that really was.
He lifted the TAC-link and looked skywards, "you there Comrade?"
There was silence for a moment before Admiral Hipper answered, "I will find you Field Marshal."
"Yeah probably," Riley said, squinting his eyes as he looked of the tranquillity of the village. "but let's face it, you aren't gonna search that hard now are ya?"
"Your assassin is gone," Hipper replied.
"Yeah he does that," Riley murmured. "I wouldn't worry though, guy's pretty quick and clever. Look comrade, we need to talk properly."
"You already know my answer," Hipper said tiredly.
"Yeah, now see," Riley sucked through his teeth. "I'm known for being a little on the stubborn side, and I ain't taking no for an answer. You know I'm right, you've already seen what the Amsus are willing to do. Now you gotta ask yourself, what are you gonna do about it?"
"We can't do anything without proof of the Amsus intentions," Hipper replied. "Which means I need Lieutenant Rei."
"Can't have her," Riley said. "Last time I tried to bring that poor girl home, you gift wrapped her special delivery to the Ice Queen."
"We have already signed the treaty," Hipper extolled. "What you are asking me to do amounts to the equivalent of a putsch."
"Yeah, it is," Riley responded. "I'm going to be gone in a day or so, and I'm going to be taking this girl with me, think about it Comrade." He stood up and dusted off his trousers. "We're not the bad guys here, and I think you know that."
Hipper paused on the line, before the TAC went dead.
Riley shrugged to himself and set off to find Luther.
ZEUS
~~*~~
It was magnificent. Resembling, at least in her mind, an armoured angel resting upon a sword. Great curved 'wings' swept about providing additional armour, gleaming in the starlight. Crystal channels ran down the pain rotating section of the station, dark and waiting for her to bring them to life.
Strega entered the massive command centre of the battlestation, climbing up to the command dais with its triple ring of holographic displays that circled about her providing up-to-the-moment data about station operations. Everything was ready for the first test.
Engineers cleared the deck as Amsus fleet officers took up their stations, the Fleet Marshal taking his station at the foot of her dais as he ran a last check over battle readiness reports.
It was a masterwork of GN-2 ingenuity combined with Amsus battle ready know how and infused with Polian technology. The Polian Alliance member races combining to a lot resources to its rapid construction as a way of striking back at the Empire for what they had done to Arcanis. A final solution platform that would ensure the domination of the Amsus Hegemony and bring stability and order once again to the Galaxy.
To them it was an Angel of Retribution. To Strega, it was the gate keeper to heaven itself. With Zeus under her control, not even Sephradon would oppose her. Koenig's last gift to her.
"Initiating reactors," the Fleet Marshal intoned.
Along its length the crystal channels lit up as the battlestation came alive, weapons powering, shields engaging and systems going active. The great Zero-Point Bore that formed the blade of the sword glowed a menacing blue as energy crackled along its length.
Strega rested her hands, triumphantly, on the controls to the weapon. Now she would be Queen.