Star Alliance (3 page)

“If the Xiiginns learn of the Mardoxian potential in Humans, they will be hunted down. We’ve managed to prevent any of our own with the Mardoxian traits from falling into the Xiiginns’ hands, but if they were to figure out how the trait works and perfect it into their own genetically altered species, the galaxy would be even more under their shadow than they are right now. I would do anything to prevent that from happening,” Kladomaor said.

“I would never question your conviction when it comes to the Xiiginns, but if we’re to form an alliance with the Humans, we need to help them even if we don’t approve of the wisdom of their actions. As long as those actions don’t violate any of our own core values, I don’t see why we shouldn’t help them, and neither should you,” Ma’jasalax said.

Kladomaor was silent while he gathered his thoughts. His instincts told him the Humans were being foolish. The sacrifice of one of their own to help ensure the survival of their species wasn’t too steep a price to pay. He understood the loyalty the crew of the Athena had for one another. He respected it, but he also knew their loyalty was something the Xiiginns would use against them. The Xiiginns wouldn’t hesitate to use any advantage that would swing the odds of winning an engagement in their favor. He couldn’t make himself agree to stay in the Nershal star system any longer.
 

Kladomaor rubbed the bottom of his chin and glanced back at Ma’jasalax.

“Let me put it this way,” Ma’jasalax said. “If we don’t help them now, using all the means at our disposal, then why would any of the Humans—or any other species for that matter—have cause to listen to our counsel when the stakes are higher? The current state of the Confederation should have taught us that. We are not all-knowing and—”
 

 
“And the other species will not simply listen to us because we think we know what’s best for them. Believe me, you’ve made your point quite clear,” Kladomaor said.

“I’m not sure I have,” Ma’jasalax said.

“Why is that?”

“Because you still don’t believe it. What would you do if, after all this, the Nershals remain allied with the Xiiginns?” Ma’jasalax asked.

“Then I would keep exposing the wrongdoings of the Xiiginns,” Kladomaor said.

“I’m sure you would, but consider for a moment that no matter what you did the Nershals remained in their alliance with the Xiiginns. Or better yet, what if the Humans entered into an alliance with the Xiiginns?” Ma’jasalax asked.

Kladomaor’s brows pushed forward, and his gaze hardened. “Then we would leave them to their fate.”

“Ah, you see, there it is finally,” Ma’jasalax said, “an acknowledgement that we cannot control the galaxy, and that sometimes, despite all our best intentions, it may not be enough to impart our wisdom to other species.”

“Well then, let’s hope both the Nershals and the Humans are smarter than that, or we may find ourselves in a war with them as well,” Kladomaor said.

“Indeed, let’s hope so, for all our sakes. Now let’s try and think of a way we can help the crew of the Athena find their missing crew member,” Ma’jasalax said.

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in a darkened room where only the minimal amber glow of holographic consoles provided any light. This amount of light was preferred by the Xiiginns, and there were no other species present in any official capacity. Most species in the Confederation functioned within a visual spectrum much higher than the Xiiginns. His species was at home in the darkness and could see stunning detail even with a minute amount of light. And darkness in this area of their base was a key necessity second only to the secrecy of its location. The nights upon this moon were long, which was something all Xiiginns relished. The star in their home system was old and nearing the end of its cycle in cosmic terms, much dimmer than the star here in the Nershal star system.

A chime from the door sounded just before it opened and in walked Kandra Rene, one of his most promising students. Her long platinum-colored hair was tucked behind her ears, and her cool, calculating gaze only hinted at the shrewd intelligence she possessed in abundance. The curve of her lips lifted as she gave him a suggestive smile that was an open invitation should he wish to partake. Mar Arden regarded her for a moment, and Kandra Rene patiently waited for him to give the reason he had summoned her here. The most rewarding challenges happened to be the ones filled with danger, and taking one such as Kandra Rene into his employ came with its own set of risks. Mar Arden’s eyes slid down the black battle mesh that covered her perfectly proportioned body.

Kandra Rene’s mouth opened slightly, revealing the sharp points of her teeth, but it was the fullness of her slightly swollen tongue that drew his gaze.

“Sion Shif will be along shortly,” Kandra Rene said.

“Good,” Mar Arden said. “I have a new project for you.”

Kandra Rene’s eyes widened hungrily in anticipation. “I wait to serve.”

Mar Arden activated the holoscreen, which showed an image of a life-form lying unconscious in the room beyond them. “Have you reviewed the report I sent you?”

Kandra Rene nodded. “This is the new species?”

“Yes. Sion Shif captured this one before escaping the cruiser,” Mar Arden said.

Kandra Rene studied the holoscreen. “And they were working with the Nershals and the Boxans?”

“Evidently. What I need from you is to find out all you can about this new species,” Mar Arden said.

Kandra Rene glanced up at him in surprise.

“You’re ready for this,” Mar Arden said. He knew she would seize this opportunity to prove her worth, but he didn’t want her efforts to be overzealous.

“Sion Shif brought him here. Why wouldn’t you have him interrogate the prisoner?” Kandra Rene asked.

“He will be occupied with me after we leave here. Sion Shif is more interested in the Boxans who sabotaged one of our cruisers,” Mar Arden said.

Kandra Rene glanced at the being on the holoscreen. “Do you think the Nershals could have discovered a new species without our knowing about it?”

“Doubtful. While the Nershals are brilliant navigators, their focus is more primitive. And the Boxans’ attempt to cultivate the Nershals as an ally against us has failed, so they wouldn’t be withholding information,” Mar Arden said.

“Or so we thought,” Kandra Rene said. “Violent outbreaks from Nershals have been on the rise, and the cause is tied directly to the information leak from one of the research facility’s sub levels.”

“You’re very well informed,” Mar Arden said.

“You wouldn’t keep me around if I weren’t,” Kandra Rene said.

The door chime sounded, and Sion Shif entered. The Xiiginn wore black armor, and his face always seemed moments away from scowling since the loss of his cruiser. Mar Arden weighed whether or not to replace him.
 

Sion Shif joined them by the holoscreen. “The Boxans have grown bolder. Their change in tactics exposed a blind spot on our ships—an oversight we will not fall victim to again.”

“Their actions reveal much about their intentions,” Mar Arden said. “Have you been able to recover anything we can use from the wreckage?”

“Tentran-level data was dumped to this facility,” Sion Shif said.

“And the captured Boxan?” Mar Arden asked.

“Her whereabouts are unknown. The intruders came aboard to rescue Ma’jasalax, which means they had to have known she was there in the first place,” Sion Shif said.

Mar Arden changed the output on the holoscreen to show the surveillance feeds from the research station that was attacked on Selebus. “We need to confirm my suspicions, but I believe the group of Boxans that attacked the research facility was also responsible for the cruiser’s destruction. A bold move from them, considering the risks involved.”

“The Boxans are adapting and taking more risks, it seems,” Sion Shif said.

“This was Kladomaor. He was the one who attacked the research facility. He’s managed to convince some Nershals to help him,” Mar Arden said.

“They’re using our own tactics against us. Should we expect more of these events in other star systems?” Sion Shif asked.

“The Nershals aren’t as susceptible to our compulsion as the Boxans are. It’s one of the reasons why they tried to cultivate the Nershals. We’ve driven the Boxans back on almost every front, but the presence of the Mardoxian priestess warrants some scrutiny,” Mar Arden said, and glanced at Kandra Rene.

“She didn’t follow protocol. The records indicate that she was alone when she was captured, so if she didn’t follow the protocol herself that means her protector wasn’t there to enforce the protocol,” Kandra Rene said.

“That is correct,” Sion Shif confirmed. “We’ve observed the engagement of the protocol where the Boxan armor self-destructs, disintegrating all remains.”

Kandra Rene nodded. “So if she didn’t follow standard Boxan protocol, she must have been acting alone—a rogue faction acting independently of the Boxan High Council.”

Sion Shif snapped his gaze in Mar Arden’s direction. “A rogue faction!”

“Yes,” Kandra Rene said. “The question that stands out in my mind is whether this Mardoxian priestess expected to be rescued. If she did, this implies that the events that occurred on Selebus and the events that occurred on the cruiser are related. The question remaining is how?”

Mar Arden smiled and enjoyed the realization that registered on Sion Shif’s face.

“Is this your latest protégé to come from the Astra program?” Sion Shif asked.
 

“Yes, and pretty substantial proof of the program’s effectiveness,” Mar Arden said.

Kandra Rene kept her expression bland, and Mar Arden added another notch to his approval of her. The Astra program was the latest iteration in genetic modifications meant to further improve the perfection of the Xiiginns over the other species in the Confederation.

Mar Arden switched the holoscreen to show the unconscious form in the room beyond. “I think some of our answers lie with the being in the other room.”

Sion Shif glanced at holoscreen and nodded. “I’m not sure what to think about rogue Boxan factions.”

“We suspected something had to change,” Mar Arden said. “For the Boxans to keep going as they have been would have all but assured our victory over them.”

“They still represent our biggest threat,” Sion Shif said.

“We have the Confederation to do our fighting for us, which effectively keeps the Boxans’ hands tied,” Mar Arden said.

“Giving us time to find their secret colony,” Sion Shif said.

“Another interesting question is how the being in the other room came to be in this star system in the first place,” Mar Arden said.

Sion Shif narrowed his gaze, taking a good look at the holoscreen. “It’s doubtful they’ve developed anything like the Cherubian drive on their own. From what I’ve seen of their weapons capability, I’m not sure they’re technologically advanced enough to make it here on their own.”

“Well, they’ve obviously made it here somehow,” Kandra Rene said.

“Or they were brought here,” Mar Arden said.

“How?” Sion Shif asked.

“Before the Boxans fled this system there was a broadcast signal sent from the Mardoxian chamber at the listening station. We were keen on capturing the station to gain access into the Star Shroud network, but the station was destroyed. What if the signal that was sent out was received by the species in the next room and somehow they were brought here?” Mar Arden said.

Sion Shif’s eyes widened, and Mar Arden nodded.

“That’s right. There is an intact Boxan listening station out there somewhere, and that being in the next room is our key to it,” Mar Arden said.

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dry and there was a slight ringing in his ears. He worked his mouth into a swallow and tried to push his eyes open, but he felt like there were tiny weights attached to his eyelids that prevented them from opening. A raspy breath left his mouth as he tried to move. He was lying on his back, and he couldn’t get his muscles to cooperate.