AMP Private War (23 page)

"So, Lunge, your people have been planning this for some time. Since you are proceeding with your attacks I take it that your technology has advanced along with the size of your fleet. Your intel people are aware of the fact that the Milgari battle cannons recently increased in power output by 50%? We found that out on one of our last encounters."

The Dakar turned to his console and typed away before turning back towards me, "If that is true it is a revelation that my command will want to know. Do you have proof of this encounter?"

I sat up on the bench. "Proof? I took direct hits from those cannons which includes the ones on their cruisers. The power output is real I assure you. That could be a very bad thing if your fleet were to attack without planning for that. How are your stocks of refined Tantric ore?"

Lunge gave a worried look and then straightened his back and face, "Our Tantric stockpiles are adequate. Our shields will hold."

I leaned back on the bench with a relaxed posture. "Well, I’m just letting you know that if you are in need of Tantric ore I happen to have a super freighter that is loaded with it. If an alliance is struck that ore might be available for a reasonable price. We have buyers for the ore, but deliveries will be spread out over several years as our sector has become saturated with Tantric."

I continued, "Do I also understand that the Teldaki were members of your empire? Their home world was in this region."

The Dakar lowered his brow. "You have news of the Teldaki?"

I stood and began to pace the room. "The Teldaki were conquered and enslaved by the Milgari. Several million are now servants to the Torrians, if you were unaware, many Teldaki perished during that explosion. We recently liberated another 120,000 from a mining operation. From what we were told the remaining Teldaki were executed before their cities were burned."

Lunge looked down in sadness. "I had traveled to their world many times. I had close business associates that I considered friends. I’m afraid our intelligence is lacking in many areas Mr. Grange. We have lived in fear of the Milgari for a decade and as such we have done an inadequate job of trying to infiltrate their star systems, many of which were at one time members of the Dakari Expansion."

I again sat on the bench and sighed. "We have all lost many people due to the atrocities of the Torrians and the Milgari. If you had names of your friends I could check our records to see if they were among those we rescued. The chances of that are slim, but we would be happy to check for you. We are both on the same side of this war Lunge. I hope your people are able to see that."

We continued our chat as we made our way towards the Dakari forward base. When we arrived I said goodbye to Lunge as I was escorted to another larger ship. I was seated at a table in front of four Dakar and the questioning began. "Mr. Grange, are we to expect that someone of your knowledge, someone who has accomplished what you have, is sitting on the front lines? It seems to me that a person of your stature would be too valuable for such a dangerous task."

I looked around the table at the stoic faces that were looking back. "Gentlemen, I have been told repeatedly that I should stay out of harm’s way. But I view myself as just another citizen, if I am not willing to risk my own life why should I have the power to risk that of another? As I stated in my earlier answers, I am not a representative for the Grid. I am a representative of a private nation, Defiant, and my governance is over a people who have all come to the fight willingly."

"We do not wish to rule the galaxy and we have no aspirations for expansion. We wish this war to end so that we can live our lives in peace, aspiring to the goals of the individual. And when that time of peace comes, we hope to trade freely and fairly with anyone who wishes the same. My life is of no more value than that of the custodian who cleans our ships. Without that member of our team, this war cannot be fought."

The four Dakar turned away and discussed my case with whispers. As I watched several heated exchanges went on between one Dakar and the other three. The first to turn back towards the table had a scowl on his face. The other three were pleasant.

The Dakar spoke, "Mr. Grange, after reviewing the report by Lunge, and after our inquiry here, we have decided that your request should be forwarded to our headquarters. The board of Admirals will review your request and make a determination from there. If they accept, you will be taken to Regents Tower where you will state your case before the Council of the Wise."

"As you can see from our inquiry here Mr. Grange, not everyone will be in agreement with what you propose. These are difficult times Mr. Grange and difficult decisions must be made. I personally find it hard to believe that you, one of four Humans we captured, have the authority to strike such a deal. But that decision will be left for a higher power to decide. Good luck with your venture Mr. Grange. I hope for your sake the Admirals find your proposal worthwhile."

The meeting adjourned and I was escorted to another ship. This time the travel to the Dakari military headquarters was done while sitting in a cell. My food supplies had been brought aboard for my sustenance. My time was spent pacing about the cell in thought about what else I could say. The Captain of the current vessel had no interest in a chat. Two weeks later we touched down and I was again escorted to another ship.

A lower ranked Dakar admiral was given the task of questioning the alien. "Mr. Grange, you mentioned knowledge that the Milgari cannons have had a dramatic increase in power output. What makes you believe this to be true?"

I told the Admirals of our attacks on the Milgari and the resulting damage to our shields. I then asked if he was willing to risk his fleet now that he had this knowledge. It drew an angry stare. "Admiral, I would like to ask a question of you. Do you trade with the Durians?"

The Admiral returned an inquisitive look. I continued, "I ask this of you because I believe they may have been the ones who sold that upgrade to the Torrians. We have encountered their ships being in the service of the Milgari several times. I have been witness to their trades with those in the Grid Force. If they are trading with you that means they are trading in weapons and shields with all sides… profiting from our demise."

"They recently supplied the Grid Force with a new shielding technology that would help to dissipate half of the energy from an ion bolt strike. I was wondering if they perhaps had sold you the same? We discovered that it had been applied to a Milgari frigate we had captured. If you have had dealings with them you may want to keep that fact in mind."

The Dakari Admirals dismissed me as they discussed their options. I was called back into the room 15 minutes later. "Mr. Grange, the decision has been made to forward your request to Regents Tower. We will be checking out the information you have provided. If any of that proves true, that information will be forwarded on to the Council. But if the information you have provided is false in any way Mr. Grange, expect the inquiries to be over."

I thanked the Admirals and assured them that the information was accurate. I was then escorted to a third ship where the ride was again spent in a holding cell with little to no external stimulus. I found myself happy to face the Council if for no other reason than to no longer be in a cell.

Regents Towers was named after a dust cloud formation that was visible in the night skies over the planet Hegomy. It was a stunning view as I rode in a small transport from the space dock to the Council of the Wise building in the city central. Wassing was a city of blue skyscrapers with sculptured decks protruding from many a room. The people in and around the Council were neatly dressed and courteous. My time for questioning had come.

A speaker stood at a podium before me. "Council members and associated guests, we have before us a representative of the Nation of Defiant. He is offering cooperation in the war against the Torrians and the Milgari. He also offers trade relations and the sharing of intelligence. Two sub-inquiries have been conducted with only a single negative vote. The first order of the day will be a speech by the Human after which the floor will be opened for questions. Please extend your normal courtesies."

I stepped up to a podium before 120 council members and an audience of more than 500 guests. I placed my hands on the podium and leaned in to an oddly shaped microphone. An assistant quickly grabbed my upper arm and pulled me gently backward.

Another assistant then stepped up to the podium. "We apologize for any inconvenience but this has been ordered as a closed door meeting. The Council will be meeting with our guest in private. Please exit the guest chambers in a kind and courteous fashion. Thank you."

My opening speech was delayed by 20 minutes as the chamber cleared. When the doors had been closed the assistant gestured for me to return to the microphone. I stepped up and once again placed my hands on the podium.

"Councilmen of the Dakari Expansion, I stand before you today in the spirit of freedom, the freedom for our peoples to live their lives in peace, the freedom to determine our own destinies. We have a common enemy, the Torrians and their henchmen the Milgari, an enemy that has taken much from each of us, an enemy that has committed atrocities beyond the pale."

I continued to make my case for another 15 minutes before resting and stating my closing argument. "… And because of this I stand before this great chamber today. Our people need your assistance. In return we offer ours. This constant threat to both of our peoples must come to an end. Through the spirit of cooperation, I believe this enemy can be defeated once and for all. I believe that freedom and prosperity await both of our peoples once that common goal has been achieved. I thank you for providing me with this opportunity before you. Please ask any questions you may have, I will do my best to answer them to the best of my ability. Again, thank you."

The chamber was silent. The assistant then stood at the podium to direct the questioning. "Please use your designators to add your name to the queue. The questions will be asked in the order received. Please be courteous and limit the questions to a single succinct question. Our time limit for today’s session has been suspended given its gravity. All normal chamber rules apply. The questioning today will begin with Councilman Walther Maldoon…"

~~~

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