Dawn of a New Age (15 page)

“There is a great darkness on the horizon, M’Bek,” G’Kiron sighed.  He knew that his plea was falling on deaf ears but he continued anyway.  It’s one that can destroy even the great Brentax Empire.  Surely you must remember the prophecies of the Great Thinkers.”

“Great darkness indeed,” M’Bek laughed.  “Thank you for a good laugh, Chancellor.  But this conversation is over.  I thank you for your counsel, but the war continues.”

“It will be on your head if we are swallowed up in the darkness, M’Bek Tarmos,” G’Kiron warned gravely.

“An idle threat, I’m afraid, G’Kiron,” M’Bek guffawed.

“We’ll see, M’Bek.”

G’Kiron turned on his heel and whirled out of the office.  M’Bek continued to guffaw raucously as G’Kiron strode out.

2.6.2136

1735

Brentax III

An abandoned warehouse

“All right.  So who are we supposed to be meeting here?” Mario asked with his arm crossed.  He started tapping his foot without even realizing it.

“A Brentax by the name of Chancellor G’Kiron,” K’Alan said as he checked his notes.

“You know anything about this G’Kiron?” Mario asked.

“Very little.  Admiral Bonetti said that this Chancellor is interested in ending the war and may be able to help us get into the militia headquarters undetected.”

“But you don’t know more than that?” Mario grumbled.

“No,” K’Alan said after a pause.  “But I have a gut instinct that we can trust him.”

“Let me just remind you, buddy,” Mario clapped K’Alan on the back.  “These are the same folks that destroyed your homeworld.  How can you trust any of them?”

“I remember,” K’Alan looked sternly at Mario.  “But my gut instinct is to trust this Chancellor G’Kiron.”

“It’s your neck, buddy,” Mario shrugged.  He started tapping his foot again.  “I hope you’re right.”

“We’ll find out soon enough,” K’Alan said.  He leaned on a crate and crossed his arms across his chest.  He had heard some scuffling, and he hoped it would turn out to be the Chancellor.

“Is anyone there?” a crackly voice croaked.  “This is Chancellor G’Kiron.”

Mario and K’Alan looked at each other.  Mario shrugged and K’Alan slowly walked out into the open.

“Chancellor G’Kiron?” he asked in a tentative voice.

“Are you from the Star League?” the large Brentax male K’Alan saw asked.

“Yes, I am.”

“We must hurry,” Chancellor G’Kiron said.  “This war must end soon.”

2.6.2136

1748

Brentax III

An abandoned warehouse

C
HANCELLOR G’Kiron sat on a crate looking at the two Star League soldiers.  He leaned forward, his forearms resting on his thighs.  A deep sigh rattled through the old man’s chest.

“Long ago,” the Chancellor began.  “The Brentax Empire was not much different than the Star League.  We were a peaceful empire dedicated to peaceful exploration.  We were provoked into a conflict with the Tularian Empire.”

“I’ve never heard of the Tularian Empire,” Mario said.

“You would not have.  We destroyed them a long time ago,” G’Kiron continued.  “Once we started into that conflict, we embarked on a path of military supremacy in this quadrant.  A hundred years ago, I was named the Supreme Commander of the Brentax Armada.”

“A hundred years?” K’Alan raised an eyebrow.  “Just how old are you sir?”

“I have made over one hundred and fifty trips around my sun,” the old man rasped.  “If I am lucky, I will have another forty or fifty years left.”

“Your people are long lived,” Mario noted.  “I never knew that about the Brentax.”

The old Brentax man smiled at Mario.

“I suspect that we will find a great deal about each other’s races that we do not know,” G’Kiron noted.

“I suspect you are right,” K’Alan nodded.  “Please, continue.”

“We first learned of the Star League when I was the Supreme Commander.  We considered the Star League to be of little consequence.  After I resigned as Supreme Commander and entered the political arena, I began to reread the old prophecies of our Great Thinkers.”

“Great Thinkers?” K’Alan asked.  “Who were they?”

“Back before we became a militaristic society, we were an idealistic and thoughtful society.  We had seven Great Thinkers whose prophecies shape our society.  One of our Great Thinkers, N’Ron Jukar, prophesied a great darkness that would engulf this quadrant.  He said that the Brentax Empire would have to align itself with another power in the quadrant in order to save ourselves from this darkness.”

“What does this have to do with the situation?” Mario asked.  He turned from where he was watching out the window.  “I mean, if we even believe this prophecy.”

“I believe that the prophecy refers to the Star League,” the old man finished.  “We must end this war before there is no one left to stop the darkness.”

“Chancellor,” K’Alan said.  “I have to tell you.  Many of my people won’t accept peace with the Brentax.  After the destruction of Duterius Prime…” he trailed off.

“A tragic event.  And one I do not condone.  You have my sincere apologies for the destruction of your planet, Captain.  I wish circumstances were different.”

“So do I, Chancellor,” K’Alan nodded.  “I don’t mind telling you, right after the assault on Duterius Prime, I wanted nothing more than to retaliate by destroying Brentax III.”

“I understand,” G’Kiron sighed, suddenly looking even older.  “You must have lost many friends and loved ones in the destruction.”

“Fortunately, the one person I love the most wasn’t killed,” K’Alan admitted.  “Had she been, I doubt I’d be on a mission designed to end this war peacefully.  I’d be leading the destruction of Brentax III myself.”

“For your loved one being safe, I am grateful,” G’Kiron said.  “Love is a very powerful force, even for the Brentax.  Our peoples have much in common.  Hopefully in time, we will be able to work peacefully together as opposed to fighting amongst each other.”

“Agreed,” K’Alan nodded as he extended his hand.  G’Kiron shook K’Alan’s hand and smiled.  It was a small step, but a step nonetheless.

2.6.2136

2010

Earth

President Kerrin Jameson’s office.

The President of the Star League was an attractive woman.  She had short-cropped brown hair and fiery green eyes.  Those green eyes were deep and knowledgeable.  She was usually jovial, her thin lips pressed together in an almost perpetual smile.

She was, however, not smiling at the moment.

In fact, she was scowling.  She’d just finished reading yet another casualty report, the sixth such report since the destruction of Duterius Prime.  It was as if the Brentax had stepped up their efforts in ending this war by force once and for all.

And Kerrin Jameson, President of the Star League, didn’t like it one bit.

Once again, she wondered about the progress of the Gamma Strike mission to Brentax III, hoping beyond hope that it would be successful.  She had no doubt in her mind that if it weren’t successful, the Star League would be hard-pressed to stop this war before it destroyed them all.

She sighed as she looked over the casualty reports.  Perrin Hawks, who had just been handed a new ship, was just barely clinging to life after a devastating attack by the Brentax killed over half her crew.  Perrin had barely survived as the bridge was all but destroyed.

Kerrin was deeply troubled to see what had happened to Perrin.  Perrin Hawks was a good friend.  They’d grown up together in Chicago, had double dated a couple times in high school.  Kerrin had laughed when Perrin had applied to the Academy, not knowing that Perrin would have a brilliant career in the Star League Defense Force.  Indeed, Perrin had made Captain at just thirty years old.  They refused to promote her again, saying that having someone as much of a tactical genius as Perrin Hawks anywhere but the commander of a unit was a big mistake.

In fact, there were a lot of people in the higher levels who were saying that, had anyone else been in command of the Charger, the entire crew would have been lost.  As it was, the Charger would be in the space docks around Ventura Prime for several weeks, probably closer to a couple months.

The last thing Kerrin Jameson wanted to do was to have to phone Perrin’s parents and tell them their daughter had been killed in the war.

“Madame President,” a voice from her desk intercom called.  “Thorrin Jade is here to see you.”

“Send him in, Jane,” Kerrin said, her exhaustion evident in her voice.

Thorrin Jade walked into the office.  His diminutive stature belied the power his personality and voice exuded.

“Madame President,” he nodded in greeting.

“Thorrin,” Kerrin smiled warmly.  “What can I do for you today?”

“I was hoping to get an update on the mission,” he said, his dulcet tones almost swept away in Kerrin’s large office.

“I’m afraid that there hasn’t been any word yet,” Kerrin said as she sat back in her chair.  “I, for one, am hoping that this mission is quick and successful.”  She glanced at the latest casualty list and shook her head.

“I agree,” he said as he looked towards the casualty list.  “More casualties?”

“Yes, I was just looking at the list.  It just came in.  My dear friend, Perrin Hawks, was grievously hurt in one of the latest Brentax attacks.  The doctors aren’t hopeful that she’ll recover.”

“I’m sorry, Kerrin,” Thorrin sighed.  “We’ve all lost people close to us in this war.  Captain Hawks is a very brave woman.  I hope she pulls through.”

“I hope so too.  Now, let’s get to the business at hand,” she smiled.

2.6.2136

2236

Brentax III

Chancellor G’Kiron’s home.

Chancellor G’Kiron smiled at the two Star League soldiers.  They had gone to the Chancellor’s home to discuss strategy.  G’Kiron was a study in contrasts.  On one side, he was a warrior.  He’d admitted to K’Alan and Mario that he had believed at first that this war was correct.  On the other side, he was a free thinker.  He made it clear to the two soldiers that he felt that this war needed to end, and end quickly.

K’Alan and Mario decided that they should trust the Brentax Chancellor.  After all, without his help, they would never get into the Militia Headquarters.

“Chancellor, what is the security like inside the Militia Headquarters?” Mario asked.

“Security is very tight.  You will not be able to walk in uncontested,” the chancellor said.  “I would recommend that the two of you enter the building in two separate places and meet up at M’Bek Tarmos’s office.”

“I’m not sure I like the idea of splitting up,” K’Alan said.

“You’ll like the idea of a Brentax prison even less, Captain,” G’Kiron said.  “I assure you that such a stay would be unpleasant at best.  The torture that would be inflicted on you would break even the heartiest of Star League soldiers.”

“I think we’d like to avoid that,” Mario grimaced.  “K’Alan over there is too sweet and tender to hold up to torture.”  Mario ignored the glare his friend shot his way.  “What are the security patrols like?”

“Two man patrols wander the halls randomly.  There is no pattern.  They are armed with heavy blaster rifles,” G’Kiron said, his breath rattling in his chest as he spoke.  “The guards usually have their blaster rifles armed at all times and they are usually set on heavy stun, but they sometimes are set on kill.”

“Great,” K’Alan said.

“It would be best if you went in right before dawn.  The guards will not suspect someone trying to break into the building then.  And be careful,” the chancellor warned.  “I know that peace in this quadrant hinges on this mission.  It must succeed.”

2.7.2136

0003

SLS White Knight

The City

K’Itea Bryce couldn’t sleep.  She hadn’t been able to sleep since her vision the previous night.  She sighed as she stared at the grey metal ceiling in her room.  If only K’Alan were there to comfort her…

Elam was asleep in the other room.  The boy had slept soundly the past two nights.  K’Itea found that she envied her son.  Even though he and K’Alan had seemingly made peace with each other, Elam seemed to have no sense that he might not see his father again.

It almost worried K’Itea.

It wasn’t that he didn’t care, for she knew he did.  Elam had been very excited at the prospect of learning to play baseball.  In fact, when K’Alan had demonstrated how to pitch, Elam had been totally fascinated and had wanted to try.  His first few attempts had been very clumsy, and he’d bounced the ball in front of the plate.  But K’Alan had been very patient with Elam showing him the proper grip for different pitches and working on Elam’s mechanics.  Finally, Elam had thrown a pitch over the plate.  It didn’t have great speed on it, but K’Alan assured the boy that speed and accuracy would come with practice.  He had said that Elam was probably going to be a great pitcher in time.

Elam had soaked up the compliment with pride.

So why did he seem unconcerned about whether or not K’Alan was coming home?

K’Itea sighed softly to herself as she realized that she didn’t have an answer.  She stared up at the ceiling, wondering what she should do.

Finally, she got up and dressed.  She moved quietly through the quarters she shared with her son, checked on Elam again and walked out into the City.

2.7.2136

0201

SLS White Knight

Medbay

K’Itea wandered into the medbay, her robes rustling around her body.  A couple of the medtechs smiled at her and went about their business.  She walked over to Jewel, who always seemed to be on duty and sat down.

“Let me guess,” Jewel said, not looking up from the chart she was working on.  “You’re having trouble sleeping.”  K’Itea nodded.  “Any idea why?”

“Probably, I’m just worried about K’Alan,” K’Itea said.  “I had this dream last night, and I haven’t slept since.”

“Well, I’m sure K’Alan will be all right,” Jewel smiled.  “If you’d like, I can give you something to help you sleep.”

“Maybe that would be good,” K’Itea nodded.

2.7.2136

0415

Earth

President Kerrin Jameson’s quarters.

Kerrin woke up with a start.  She didn’t know what caused it.  All she knew was that suddenly, she was awake and panicking.

She looked around and sighed.  Nothing different was evident in her quarters.  She shook her head and told herself she was just imagining things.

But she couldn’t just go back to sleep without checking, so she went through her quarters room by room.  When she was satisfied that there was nothing out of place anywhere in her quarters, she went back to her bedroom.

She lay back down and fell asleep.

2.7.2136

0533

Brentax III

Outside the Brentax Militia Headquarters.

K’Alan crouched outside one of the entrances to the Brentax Militia Headquarters.

“I’m in position,” he said into his wristlink.

“Waiting on your word, buddy,” Mario replied.

“Go!” K’Alan said.  He tightened his grip on his energy bow and slowly crept inside.