Harvester 7 (17 page)

"The shielding
around their exhaust ports, it's weak." she laughed, Maulik stared
back through the side view portal in time to witness eruptions of
flame belch out of the cavernous hangar doors that lined the
massive cruiser in long rows, one after another poured flame into
space as a chain reaction gathered pace inside.

"They are
engaging their drive." she chuckled as she turned swiftly onto the
remaining cruiser.

"We can't let
them escape." Maulik shouted, he was drawing from her raw emotions
and strange feelings of aggression filled him, his reserve had
disappeared, he also anticipated the coming kill.

"I feel
alive." he laughed as he willed her to destroy, to hunt and
kill.

"Now you
understand what drives my species." she purred, "Now you know the
real me."

***

With the heat
of battle far behind Maulik calmed his emotions and steadied his
mind, they were back on a direct course to 7 but he couldn't subdue
the lingering thrill he had felt as the second cruiser had exploded
violently, he had roared with her as the massive plasma pulse had
torn away a huge section of the hull exposing multiple decks to the
chill vacuum of space.

"Finish them."
he had screamed as Salyna had banked hard to line up for another
pass, the dying cruiser was still firing valiantly but he felt no
concern or fear, only the elation of victory.

"You are not
quite as civilized as you would like to think." she chuckled, she
felt his anticipation as she chased down the remaining stranded
star-fighters, "You hide your natural aggression behind a thin veil
of sophistication, but you are just as primal and savage as me
beneath that shiny skin."

Her statement
had given him pause and he thrust the thought aside blaming his
excitement on her influence, yet deep inside he knew she was right,
it was the primitive in his mind that had been awakened, no-longer
locked away behind the wall of civilized behaviour his race had
adopted.

"Perhaps we
are not so different," he reluctantly admitted, "I do feel a thrill
unlike any other I have ever experienced before."

"Welcome to my
world." she purred as she finally finished the solitary remaining
fighter that she had been toying with.

That had been
hours before and Maulik relaxed as Salyna reconfirmed that their
battle had ended the pursuit. To cover their tracks and avoid the
possibility of being followed by support vessels that would
probably be despatched to search for the missing cruisers when they
didn't return home she had detoured into a vast asteroid field,
playfully she dodged the massive chunks of floating rock,
detonating several creating clouds of suspended dust that chocked
her ion trail as she raced through, confident in her efforts she
plotted her new course and shot to FTL.

"Good, you are
finally awake."

Ka'lan stood
and walked to Go'an's bedside, "I won't bother to ask how you are
feeling, I have been savouring your pain as you slept, quite
exquisite in its intensity... don't you agree?"

Go'an groaned,
"Have you come to gloat Diurian?"

Ka'lan
laughed, "Ever the diplomat, yes I have to admit I am enjoying your
suffering, but that is just my personal feeling, I am mainly here
to offer my support, and the support of the Senate."

Go'an probed
the mind hidden behind the alloy mask, much was revealed and his
anxiety rose.

"Your replacement is not as focussed as you are," replied
Ka'lan as he saw Go'an react to the High Councils actions, "The
Senate feel that despite the fact you are nothing more than a
barbarian your thinking is more aligned with our own than
Chancellor Gu'lan... I'm sorry,
acting
Chancellor Gu'lan." he added
with a laugh as he felt Go'an's fury grow.

"So it is in
our own interest to ensure that you regain power quickly, hence my
gift, feel honoured Watumian, we do not share our technology
readily."

Go'an looked
at the armour that stood beside his bed, "What use is that if I
have no legs to support me." he snapped.

"But this
armour is your legs now, you will soon become accustomed to its
operation, luckily for you it is a very simple device, your mental
limitations should not be a handicap."

Go'an flared
at the insult but was met with a mind that proved to be his
equal.

"Do not try to
intimidate me," Ka'lan silenced the tirade of insults and threats,
"It is you that needs my help, be grateful that the Senate have
decided that you are of value in the impending war, if it was my
choice I would leave you here to rot."

"Now get up
Go'an, put on your armour and go and take back your power before it
slips away forever."

***

Pain surged
through Go'an as the exoskeleton contoured itself to his body.

"The first
time is always uncomfortable," laughed Ka'lan as he saw Go'an
wince, "But once the initial adjustments have been made you will
grow accustomed to the feeling."

"There the
adjustment is complete, and I do believe that you are a little
taller now," the Diurian didn't attempt to hide his mirth, "Try
your new legs Chancellor Go'an." he instructed.

Go'an felt a
sharp prick as the suit administered a dose of painkillers, "That
is automatic," chuckled Ka'lan, "You will feel no pain again."

Go'an stood
hesitantly but his confidence grew by the second as the exoskeleton
made minute adjustments to his stance and balance.

"I feels as
though I am not wearing it." he exclaimed in disbelief, and with a
rapidly growing confidence he stooped to grab his bone staff, "I am
happy to see this survived the assassination attempt as well." he
chuckled, "I am ready" he declared with defiance and anger in his
strong voice.

"Then go and
retake your position." nodded Ka'lan.

***

Consternation
filled the High Council chambers as Go'an strode proudly to the
speakers platform, his arrival had been unannounced and stunned
silence met his opening words.

"You appear
surprised to see me brothers." he began, glaring around the chamber
and baring his long fangs in a sign of annoyance. "I hear
disturbing rumours, it would seem that my injuries have been
greatly exaggerated, but I can assure you my friends, I am quite
well, and more than capable of continuing my Chancellorship, unless
of course there is a challenger that wishes to step forward?" a
subdued murmur rippled around the chamber and all eyes turned to
Gu'lan.

"Tell me
Senator." he fixed his eyes menacingly on the unfortunate Gu'lan,
"Do you know of any challenge to my supremacy?"

"No
Chancellor, I am not aware of any challenge." he replied meekly and
bowed his head in respect.

"Then the
rumour must be false," came the chuckled reply, but the look in his
eye spoke volumes directly to the heart of the humbled Senator, "We
will speak privately after this session." Go'an forced himself into
Gu'lan's mind to deliver his message, "I think we have a great deal
to discuss." With a small nod Gu'lan felt his life slipping away,
his experience warned him to expect nothing less.

Go'an
straighten himself and took a deep breath, "I have lost a brother,
Watuma has lost a loyal and devoted son, I will lay the blame at
no-ones door... yet," he added with a cold menace, "But I can
promise you all that wherever the investigation leads, the culprits
behind the attack will beg for death before I have finished with
them... but of course, this information does not concern my loyal
brothers here assembled," he grinned and scanned the chamber, "Yes,
you are in here" he hissed quietly, "But you are strong to mask
your guilt from me, small matter, I am patient." he thought, and
began to imagine the satisfaction he would gain during his
retribution.

"And now
brothers, to new business." an audible relief spread around the
room as they all felt his probing mind change direction.

"It is my
pleasure to introduce Ka'lan of Diuria... step forward my friend,"
he beckoned with a warm smile, "Ka'lan and I have just signed a
pact of none aggression and alliance between our worlds, from this
moment forward old injustices are forgotten... for the greater good
of both our peoples. Hostilities are over." he shouted and slammed
the butt of his staff down on to the polished stone floor sending a
loud crack echoing around the now silent chamber.

"Our agreement
marks the beginning of an alliance between four powerful peoples,
the Watu, the Diurians, the Territes and the Su'al, a military
alliance governed by a federal committee, I am honoured to announce
that I will personally lead our new Federation into battle against
the Reapers," he quickly assessed the Diurians reaction and with
relief found Ka'lan's thoughts to be passive.

"The threat is
real, the Reapers are closer than any of you imagine, united we
will prevail," a small uncomfortable silence followed before
Senator Vi'an stood and began to clap, others followed, moments
later the Council stood as one and applauded their Chancellor, he
had regained power and also stamped his name as the leader of the
new Federation. "One step closer to Emperor." he chuckled
silently.

***

"A small group
of terrorists have claimed responsibility for the attack,"
confirmed Vi'an as he met with the Chancellor in private
discussions, "It is rumoured that they have a base of operations on
one of our colonies in sector twelve, intelligence have yet to
identify which planet."

"You don't
like me do you Vi'an?" Go'an mentioned almost casually, Vi'an
swallowed hard.

"I disagree
with some of your policies Chancellor, but I have no personal ill
feelings towards you."

Go'an grinned,
"Well answered, neither yes or no, a political response.... sit
Vi'an, I wish to discuss something with you." he sensed the
nervousness but after deep and thorough probing he discovered no
feelings of hidden guilt. Go'an had not expected to find any, Vi'an
was young and inexperienced yet he had only the interests of his
people at heart, he had not been on the Council long enough to
become deluded and crave the ultimate position, he had taken no
part in the assassination attempt.

"Senator
Vi'an, you have been acting as Vice Chancellor during my short
absence," the young Senator swallowed hard again before nodding,
Go'an sensed fear, "I want you to continue in that position, I find
your honesty and openness refreshing, do you accept the
challenge?"

Confusion
raced in the young mind and brought a grin to Go'an's face.

"I am not evil
Vi'an, nor am I a dictator, I am simply committed to the best for
Watuma, I am a true patriot, the coming threat is real," he stood
and strode to the wide windows that looked out across the city, "I
wish I could have become Chancellor during a time of peace," he
sighed theatrically, "But that is not to be, I look out now at all
of my fellow Watu, they live their lives with a feeling of
security... why do they feel secure Vi'an?"

"Because we
have a strong military?" offered the Senator hesitantly, unsure of
the correct response.

"Exactly, we
are feared, fear equals respect which leads to security Vi'an, we
cannot allow peacetime politics to jeopardise our future. I am
going to give you some privileged information," he turned his back
to the window and stared hard at Vi'an, the warm sunlight
reflecting from his body armour creating a soft glow around his
outline, "When do you guess the Reapers will arrive?"

"I don't know,
no-one knows, sometime in the next twenty years."

"Would you
still find my military preparations unreasonable if I told you they
will arrive within the next year and a half?"

"Of course
not, your actions would be seen as prudent by the whole Council,"
he replied quickly before stopping dead, "You know when they will
arrive... don't you!"

Go'an smiled
and gave the slightest nod.

Vi'an stood
and bowed low, “Chancellor Go'an, I accept your challenge, I will
act as your Vice Chancellor, it will be my honour to serve you and
Watuma... you have my total and complete support."

"Good," he
replied, "We have preparations to make."

Harvesting was
still in progress when Maulik and Salyna arrived back at Harvester
7.

"I don't want
to be locked inside the Hold again." she announced with
finality.

"Yeah I
understand that, but the rooms aren't quite big enough for you on
the accommodation level," he laughed, "I don't know what to
suggest."

"I have no
objections to the hold," she replied quickly, "It's being locked in
that frustrates me."

"Well that's
an easy problem to solve, when we are in orbit you will be free to
come and go as you wish, all I ask is that before you leave you log
it with the duty officer. Don't feel restricted," he chuckled, "I
can't treat you any differently than any other member of the crew,
they all have to report before they can disembark, standard
procedure."

Salyna
considered the offer for a moment, "You really consider me a member
of your crew?"

"I do, and
much more."

Salyna purred
contentedly, "I can report before I leave." she chuckled.

***

"Progress
report" Maulik signalled Relik on the bridge as they entered Hold
32.

"On schedule,"
he replied, "No major problems while you have been away, only a
drone malfunction and we lost the transporter banks on Collector 15
for a short while, routine stuff, nothing out of the ordinary."

"Have you
captured a breeding herd yet?"

"They are in
Hold 33 acclimatising, take a look while you're down there."

Maulik left
Salyna compiling her data ready for transmission and strolled to
the observation room that overlooked Hold 33, the desk officer
saluted smartly as he entered.