Dawn of a New Age (18 page)

2.7.2136

1206

Earth

Chicago Transport Station

K
ERRIN Jameson stepped off a transport and sighed.  This was the least favorite part of her job.  And it always would be.  Occasionally, with certain casualties, she felt like she had to personally convey the news of the soldier’s death to his or her family.  This one however, was intensely personal.  Seeing Perrin Hawks’ family under these circumstances was not going to be easy.  She walked slowly towards the el station, unconsciously dragging her heels.

Chicago, although most of the world had gone to hovercars and rail-less trains, still had ground transportation that ran on gas and wheels, and still had the el.  The el had been a fixture in Chicago for decades.  Even though the city had been pressured to modernize, the citizens had steadfastly refused, saying to make such changes would remove the character from the city.  And so the el remained.

Kerrin had always hated taking the el.  Over the years, the ride had gotten rougher.  It seemed like no one had paid attention to how the el ran, and it felt like there had been no maintenance in at least a decade, although she knew that there had been.  She had always been afraid the el would come off the track, killing everyone on board and causing major destruction and panic.  She had wanted to have the el taken down and replaced with a more modern rail-less train, but the decision was still up to the city government.  She really didn’t see the benefit of pushing the issue.

So she found herself waiting for the el, a mode of transportation she hated, to take her to a part of Chicago that she didn’t want to be in to see some people she’d rather not be visiting under the current circumstances.

Yeah,
she groaned to herself. 
This is about a normal day for me.

She watched the track silently, trying not to think about her friend.  She’d talked to the doctors again before she had left for Chicago.  They had assured her that Perrin died peacefully.  There had been no suffering.  For that, Kerrin had been grateful.  Perrin was too good a friend to have a painful death.  Besides, it would ease her family’s pain to know that she’d died without pain.

Too bad nothing can ease my pain,
Kerrin groused to herself.
This war’s had too high a cost on me.

The el clamored into the station, and Kerrin boarded without saying a word.  She took a seat near a window and looked out over Chicago as the el started out over the city.

Maybe I’ll retire here when my term is over,
she thought. 
Have my life end where it started.  Keep the circle intact.  Poetic justice that I spend the rest of my life in a city that’s going to haunt me forever.

She felt a tear roll down her face as she passed the apartment complex she grew up in.  Her parents had long since passed away, having been killed in a hovercar accident when she was sixteen.  She’d gone and lived with the Hawks right afterwards.  They’d taken her in like their own daughter, happily.  And she and Perrin had grown even closer. 

When Perrin had decided to join the Star League Defense Force, Kerrin had laughed, but in the end she’d been supportive of Perrin’s choice.  It had turned out to be the right choice for her, and for that, Kerrin was even happier.  She and Perrin had kept in close contact, and Kerrin had been present when Perrin was promoted to Captain.

Perrin couldn’t have been prouder of Kerrin when she was elected President of the Star League.  Perrin had always said that her friend was headed for greatness.  She’d supported Kerrin during her bid for the presidency, and she was the first person that congratulated Kerrin on her victory.

And now Perrin was gone, and an ache had opened up in Kerrin’s soul.  She’d been tempted to call off the Gamma Strike mission and order a crushing blow on Brentax III, but something kept nagging at her that it wasn’t the proper course of action.  As rewarding as wiping the Brentax off the face of the galaxy, she knew that peace was the only option that made sense.  The loss of life on both sides that would happen as a result of such a brutal assault was too prohibitive.

Kerrin sighed as the el pulled into her stop. She stood up, grabbed her briefcase and stepped off the el, nodding a thank you to the driver.  She stepped on the platform and stopped to get her bearings.  The Hawks’ home was a ten minute walk from the el platform.  She shook her head and started walking, trying not to think about what she was going to say.

When she got to the Hawks’ house, she paused and looked at the driveway.  Two hovercars and a ground car.  She frowned, knowing that she couldn’t put this off any longer.  They were home.  She had thought that maybe she might be able to get out of this because they were away.

Determined to get this over with, she walked up the driveway and up the walk to the front door.  She rang the bell, hoping against hope that no one would answer.  She waited a couple minutes before an older woman answered the door.  Kerrin looked into the saddened eyes of Elizabeth Hawks, and almost started crying herself.

“Come in, Kerrin,” Elizabeth said in a subdued voice.

Kerrin nodded and stepped into the house that had once been her home.  She looked around and saw that the entire family was there.  Perrin’s mother, father and brother were all sitting in the living room.

They already know,
Kerrin realized. 
Of course, they know.  Why else would I be here?

“I came with bad news,” Kerrin said, deciding it was best to just come out and give them the bad news.  “Perrin’s ship was heavily damaged this week in a brutal attack by the Brentax.  She suffered severe internal injuries, and was brought back to Earth in a coma.  She passed away this morning at four fifteen.  I came as soon as I found out.”

Elizabeth went over to her husband and put her arms around him.  She buried her head in his shoulder and started crying.  Kerrin’s heart went out to the older woman.

“The doctors called us when they brought her into the Bethesda Naval Hospital,” Gerald Hawks said, his voice breaking slightly.  “They said then that her chances were slim.  I was hoping they were wrong.”

“I wish I were visiting with better news,” Kerrin said, tears running down her own face.  “You know how much Perrin meant to me.  I just felt that I should be the one to tell you.”

“Thank you, Kerrin,” Gerald said.  “Stay a little while.  I know you’re busy, but it’s been a while since we’ve seen you.  And you are our daughter.”

She stayed most of the day.

I
T had no form currently.  At least not a recognizable one.  It was a mass of thought and matter, currently dormant.  Once upon a time, though, it had ravaged across the galaxy.  If it had not been for a small band of warriors, it would still be reigning terror on the various worlds in this part of the galaxy.

It had no clue of its true purpose in this state.  While dormant, it had no idea of its own existence, let alone know what it would do when awoken.

No one knew about it, of course.  The warriors that had driven it back to its nebula had thought they’d killed it.  But the entity could not be killed.  It could only be driven back into its dormant state.  If they had known that they had not succeeded in killing the entity, it was unlikely they’d be able to do anything about finishing the job.

But it would make its presence known in time.  Soon, it would start to coalesce into its true form.  Soon, it would awaken from its slumber and begin a new reign of terror.  The various people of the galaxy would once more tremble at the mention of its name.

But for now it was content to be dormant in the Sheyada Nebula.

2.7.2136

1222

Brentax III

Chancellor G’Kiron’s house.

K
’ALAN sat in a chair in the sitting room contemplating the current situation.  They’d gone over the entire house three times.  There had been no sign of struggle, but there was also no sign of the Chancellor. K’Alan had been considering what to do for the past ten minutes.  While he thought about the situation, Mario had decided to sweep the house one more time for recording or listening devices.

He wasn’t sure what bothered him more, the fact that the Brentax knew about the assault and were ready for them or the fact that the Chancellor was gone when they got back.  It was too much of a coincidence that the Chancellor was not at the house when they got back.  K’Alan couldn’t bring himself to believe that the Chancellor had deceived them.

“House is clear, Kal,” Mario said as he came back into the room.

“Good,” K’Alan nodded, looking out the window.  The view was as drab as any other view on Brentax III.  The Brentax architecture was as pleasing to the eye as the Brentax themselves were.  Which is to say not at all.  All the buildings were the same drab grey color.  Even the sky was grey, as if the gods the Brentax believed in decided that they didn’t need to bother making with color.  Dark greys and light greys were all that met the eye.  It was like looking at a black and white movie, only with less interesting contrasts.

“What are we going to do next, Kal?” Mario asked, interrupting K’Alan’s thoughts.  “We still need to get M’Bek Tarmos.”

“I don’t know, Mario,” K’Alan shook his head.  “I just don’t know.”

2.7.2136

1233

SLS White Knight

The Bridge

Erin Sykes strode onto the bridge.  Her long brown hair was tied up in a bun.  She looked refreshed, as if she’d just gotten up from a good night’s sleep.  She walked over to the command chair, looked at it, smiled, and then walked over to the executive officer station and sat down.

“I hate the command chair,” she said when she saw Kath looking at her with a questioning look.  “This one’s more comfortable.”

Kath laughed, a twinkle in her eye.  She turned around and started monitoring her station again.

“Any word from the Captain or Mario?” Erin asked.

“None yet, no,” Kath said, shaking her head.

“Kath, I was wondering if I could talk to you a moment,” Erin said.

“Sure, Commander,” Kath said, turning around in her chair.  “What’s on your mind?”

“Well, I’ve noticed that you’ve been a little distracted the last couple days.  I was hoping I could talk to you about it,” Erin said.  She kept her voice soft so that the rest of the bridge wouldn’t hear them.  “Whatever it is, I’d like to hope that we can get it resolved before the Captain gets back.”

“I don’t think it’s going to be quite that simple, Erin,” Kath shook her head.  “My life just turned completely upside down.”

“What happened?  If I may ask that is,” Erin said, concern for the young lieutenant commander showing in her voice.

“Well, I just found out that I have a twin sister to start with,” Kath sighed.  “Plus there’s a possibility that I may have empathic abilities. It’s just been a lot to absorb at once.”

“I can imagine,” Erin said.  “If you need time off to work it out, you can always take a few days.”

“I don’t think giving me free time to think about this is such a good idea,” Kath shook her head, her curly hair gently swaying in front of her face. “I need to keep busy.  I will work it out as best I can.”

“The offer’s open,” Erin smiled.  “And if you find you need the time, just tell me.”

“Thanks, Erin,” Kath said.  “And as soon as I get word from K’Alan and Mario, I’ll pass it on.”

“Thanks, Katherine,” Erin smiled.

2.7.2136

1238

SLS White Knight

The City

K’Itea Bryce was laughing.  It had started so innocently.  She and S’Era were in the park watching Elam pitch.  She didn’t know what in particular had set them off in peals of laughter this time, but she welcomed it.  There was an old Earth adage that she’d heard.  “Laughter is the best medicine for whatever ails you.”  She knew at that moment that those words were true.

“Oh, S’Era,” K’Itea said, between breaths.  “I haven’t laughed so hard in ages.”

“Neither have I,” S’Era chuckled.  “But it felt so good.”

“Didn’t it?” K’Itea agreed.  “Come on.  Let’s go get Elam and go have lunch.”

“Sounds like a good idea to me,” S’Era said, still laughing to herself.

2.7.2136

1242

Gamma Epsilon Station

Admiral John Bonetti’s office.

John grumbled as he looked at his chrono again.  Still four more hours before he should expect the White Knight to report in.  But Lord was he impatient.  He got up and started pacing.

“Admiral Bonetti,” the sergeant who had replaced Riggs called over the intercom.  What was her name again?  Anne Riker.  That was it.

“Yes, Sergeant Riker?” the Admiral said, exasperated.

“You have a priority one message from Captain Tom Keevan of the Creighton,” the sergeant said.

“Patch it through,” John said.  A priority one message was almost never a good thing, and John was not sure he wanted to know what the captain of the Creighton wanted.

Captain Keevan’s face suddenly appeared on his viewscreen, his face smiling even more than usual. 
He seems especially happy,
John mused. 
Wonder what’s up?

“Captain Keevan,” John returned the man’s smile.  “What can I do for you?”

“Care for some good news for a change, John?” Captain Keevan asked.

“I could always use good news, Tom,” John nodded.  “What’s on your mind?”

“The Creighton was just attacked by the Duhari class cruiser Dorania Toran,” Captain Keevan said.  “The Creighton suffered some very minor damage, but the Brentax vessel was completely surprised.  The modifications we made to our proton torpedoes were extremely effective.”

“That is good news,” John smiled.  “If this war does have to continue, we may have a chance.”

“Has there been any word from Captain Bryce?” Tom asked, suddenly very serious.

“None,” John sighed.  “I’m expecting to hear from them in about four hours.”

“I hope they succeeded.  I could use a break.”

“So could we all, Tom.” John smiled a sad little smile.  “So could we all.

2.7.2136

1302

Brentax III

Chancellor G’Kiron’s home

“Are you sure you want to go back in there?” Mario asked.  “We did almost get toasted the last time.”

“Yes, but they won’t expect us to go in there a second time, will they?”

“Kal, I wouldn’t expect us to go in there a second time,” Mario sighed.  “It’s suicide.”

“Meet me there in an hour,” K’Alan said.  “There’s something I need to check on before we leave.”

“If you’re not there in an hour, what do I do?” Mario asked.

“Assume I’m dead or captured and carry out the mission by yourself.”

“But, Kal!” Mario protested.

“Don’t worry about me.  If I’m captured, I’ll find a way out,” K’Alan clapped Mario on the shoulder.  “And if I’m dead, you can’t help me anyway.  The mission comes first above everything else.”

“All right, but if you die, I’m not going to be the one to tell K’Itea,” Mario grinned.  “I like all my body parts where they are, and she’ll probably rip my head off.”

“Get going.  I’ll meet up with you outside the Militia Building,” K’Alan chuckled.

2.7.2136

1310

Earth

Star League Headquarters

“This is outrageous!” Kieve Shala, the delegate form the Saluran system, bellowed.  “I had an appointment to speak with the president!  I demand to speak with her!”

“President Jameson is currently not in her office,” Jane Swiftwind, the president’s assistant, said as she looked up at the Saluran ambassador.  “She left word that she had urgent personal business to attend to and that all of her appointments today were to be cancelled.  If you’d like to reschedule, I’d be more than happy to accommodate you.”

“What I’d like is to speak to the President,” Kieve growled.  “It is an outrage that she break her appointment like this.”

“I’ll be happy to pass along your unhappiness.  I assure you that this was a sudden and unexpected trip,” Jane said.  “She had every intention of meeting with you today, Ambassador.  President Jameson hates to break an appointment.”

“I am most displeased,” Kieve roared.  “This outrage will be addressed at the next council meeting!”

“That is, of course, your right,” Jane acknowledged.  “But I think you should wait until you talk to President Jameson to put that on your schedule.”

“Very well,” Kieve sighed and rolled his eyes.  The man could be overly dramatic when he did not get his way.  “When can you reschedule me for?”

“Tomorrow morning?” Jane looked at him with a smile.  “She has an opening at 9 AM.  Will that suffice?”

“It’ll do,” Kieve growled.

2.7.2136

1319

SLS White Knight

Soran’s Bar

Soran looked up from polishing the bar to see K’Itea, S’Era and Elam walk in.  He smiled broadly and motioned for the three to come over to the bar.  His smile grew even more broad when they accepted his invitation to sit down at the bar, Elam sitting protectively in between the two ladies.

“Let me guess,” Soran chuckled.  “You’re here for lunch.”

“Yes, we are,” K’Itea smiled.

“Well, I have a new sandwich I’d like you three to try.  On the house,” Soran smiled.  “I think you’ll like it.  It’s called The Ballpark.  It’s a take on an old Earth sandwich called a hot dog.  I am making it in honor of the Captain.”

“Sounds good to me!” Elam piped up.

“I guess we’ll all try that, Soran,” K’Itea laughed at her son’s excitement.

“Great!  Three Ballparks coming up,” Soran smiled as he started to prepare the sandwiches.

“So, Soran,” S’Era grinned.  “I need your help with something…”

2.7.2136

1325

Brentax III

Brentacchia Prison.

K’Alan crouched outside the prison wall, looking in through a barred window at a cell.  The older Brentax man that was in there was turned away from him, but he was certain it was Chancellor G’Kiron.

“Chancellor G’Kiron,” he whispered.  “It’s Captain Bryce.  Is that you?”

“K’Alan?” the old Brentax croaked.  “Get away from here.  If they see you here, they’ll lock you up in here also.  Go.  Go do your job.  I’ll be OK.”

“Not until I get you out of there,” K’Alan said.

That was when he heard the footsteps.  Before he could react, he felt a sharp pain in his side, then, mercifully, nothing more as the blackness washed over him.