Forever Defend Read online

  “Well then,” Nathan answered, “let’s make sure no one finds out, ok?” He pointed to the doors the ladies had gone through a few moments before. “Come on, we have more to talk about.”

  “What about getting the stuff off…“ R’yhek left the question a moment as he tried to remember the names.

  “We call the small ship the Minor, the large ship the Major, and the EI is Prometheus, or PM for short.” Nathan told him over his shoulder as the doors opened. The hallway beyond was larger than the big human’s stature required. R’yhek filed that observation away.

  They were expecting larger aliens onboard.

  Where the ladies had turned right, Nathan turned left. “Don’t worry about the product. PM has a bunch of service droids for that work. Bad Company has a very lean operation.”

  “You call this lean?” R’yhek asked as they passed another hallway. He wasn’t sure yet how large the ship was, but it was large enough to surprise him.

  “We are bodies-lean, support-help-heavy,” Nathan admitted. “On my world, I used to do all sorts of operations. Usually, we could and would include what was called hum-int or human intelligence. Since that terminology doesn’t work in space, we just call it soft intelligence vs digital.”

  “Why soft?” R’yhek asked as Nathan turned right down a corridor.

  “Because organics tend to be squishy.” He put up a hand and stopped a moment. “I realize that some aliens have very hard exoskeletons, so the term isn’t perfect.”

  R’yhek shrugged. “I was wondering, not questioning.”

  “Oh.” Nathan turned to a nondescript door. “Prometheus Major, this is Nathan Lowell, Co-Captain of the Prometheus and honor-bound to Bethany Anne, Empress of the Etheric Empire. I present to you the Yollin named R’yhek for medical review and enhancement on my personal approval.”

  R’yhek listened, and watched Nathan. He heard a tiny noise behind him and when he looked back, he realized that this portion of the hallway had been sectioned off.

  Prometheus spoke to him. “R’yhek of Planet Yoll, do you willingly join Bad Company? A company built to acquire intelligence for the Empire and work to promote the Empire’s creed? Will you consider yourself honor-bound to Empress Bethany Anne and fight for these, your brothers and sisters in the company?”

  R’yhek tapped his mandibles together. “If I say no?”

  The EI answered. “Then you will be allowed to get off at the next location, but I will still fix your back. You will also lose the ability to remember what has happened over the last week, so consider it an exchange.”

  R’yhek looked at Nathan, who was patiently waiting for R’yhek to be comfortable enough to answer one way or another.

  “If I choose to not have my back fixed?” R’yhek asked.

  Nathan shrugged. “Your back is getting fixed. You just won’t realize you said no originally.”

  R’yhek nodded his head. “Mercenary,” he commented. “I approve, Nathan Lowell. It is a hard galaxy. Sometimes the right answer isn’t the nice answer.”

  Nathan’s eyes flashed yellow and his demeanor took on a new cast. R’yhek resisted the urge to take a step back. “If you join my family, R’yhek, you will be my brother in this company, and Christina will trust you as an uncle. Consider your answer, because I have lived with hard answers for two of your lifetimes.”

  R’yhek’s eyes opened wider. “You are truly this old?”

  “I am, R’yhek.” Nathan sighed. “I’ve killed more souls than I care to remember. I have a mate, a wife if you will, and a daughter who have told me we either do this together or I sit in an asteroid somewhere else by myself. Every person accepted into this company would give up their lives for each other. So let me ask you.” Nathan pointed to the other side of the ship. “If Christina is in a building alone, it is on fire, and you know you will die rescuing her, what are you going to do?”

  R’yhek’s eyes drew down, mandibles grinding together. “I won’t need to go into the building, Nathan Lowell,” he hissed, anger in this voice.

  “Why not, R’yhek the Red?” Nathan surprised R’yhek by calling him by his mercenary name, which he had acquired because he had come back from actions so often with the blood of his enemies coating an axe.

  “Because I would never have left her side. We would be in the building to complete our operation together, or die side by side.”

  The doors opened as R’yhek held Nathan’s stare until Nathan broke it. He nodded toward the room on the other side of the doors. “Then enter into the greatest secret of Prometheus, R’yhek the Red.”

  R’yhek turned and stepped into the room ahead of Nathan. It was large, the ceiling easily twice his height. In the middle were two large machines.

  Nathan pointed to the blue tank to the left. It could hold four of R’yhek without any touching “The large one with liquid is for when we need to regenerate.” He pointed to another, which seemed to be opening as one end lifted. “This one allows you to lie down.” Nathan pointed to a bin sliding out of the base. “Throw your clothes in there, since we will have a new uniform for you when you finish.”

  “Uniform?” R’yhek asked as he started pulling off his shirt. He sniffed. “It is a bit rank.”

  “That’s because the air is purified, so you don’t lose the smell among all the others,” Nathan answered. “We don’t do that all over the ship all of the time. The uniform isn’t standard, but then, nothing about Bad Company is standard.”

  R’yhek padded over to the machine. “You want me to do what?”

  Nathan pointed to the bottom. “Set your feet on that large step and relax. The pod will slowly close. Not that you will know about it, because you will be asleep. We are going to give your body a little tune-up.”

  R’yhek put his feet where Nathan pointed and laid back on the reclining bed. He noticed it was set up for larger creatures than himself.

  Substantially larger.

  Well, he thought as the pod started closing and the lights started dimming.

  He had said he wanted adventure.

  QBBS Meredith Reynolds, Yollin System

  “Addix, the only way to deal with this threat is cutting it out and cutting it off,” Bethany Anne told the Ixtali legate. “The pissed-off group can get itself together, denounce your efforts, and leave the Ixtali nation. You remove the kill switches and allow them to go.”

  Legate Addix made a face. “It has been suggested we just use the kill switches to rid ourselves of them now, but we realized with the first group that if we did that, we would face a massive revolt. We might as well just kill all of us if we choose that option.”

  Bethany Anne said nothing.

  “I am stalling, aren’t I?” Addix bowed her head once. “How do we do this?”

  Bethany Anne put her hands on each side of Addix’s head. “Meredith, privacy please.”

  Those outside of the Queen’s area were surprised to find out there was a barrier which could change from transparent to an opaque white in only a moment, blocking all view of those still inside.

  —

  “Well, that is another surprise.” Delegate Tomthum admitted. He desperately wanted to send a probe to find out if it could make it through the swirling mass that prevented him from seeing what was happening to the Ixtali Legate.

  Self-preservation held him in check.

  “It seems,” his friend told him as he looked around, “this trip has been nothing but surprises.”

  “That is good for us,” Tomthum admitted. “Those against us have provided nothing but surprises for generations.”

  The two fell silent, both imagining what might be happening behind the veil.

  —

  Now, this shouldn’t hurt. Bethany Anne spoke to Addix. But then, I’ve not done this recently to your kind.

  Done what?

  This. Bethany Anne told her. TOM?

  Almost there, Bethany Anne.

  Who is that? Addix questioned. Am I speaking?

  A frien
d and no, this is all mental.

  Done said the new voice, a male voice if Addix could tell anything for sure.

  Done what? Addix asked.

  You physically cannot talk, Bethany Anne answered. We had to first be sure to protect you physically as well as… ADAM?

  >>Done, Bethany Anne.<<<br />
  Ok.

  Who is that?

  Addix, you have promised me access to all things Ixtali, so in return I will trust you with a couple of pieces of information. The first voice…

  Me.

  Yes, him, is Thales of Miletus, or TOM. He took that name on my world what seems like forever ago. However, he is truly older than me by too many years to count. TOM is a Kurtherian.

  Of the Five, if your kind know the difference.

  Addix positively sniffed in affront inside her own brain. Yes, we know of the separation.

  Good, just confirming what I already knew, TOM explained.

  Wait, how? No, never mind. You are the one who can understand my language, and you are reading from my… Addix’s insights came quickly. You are enhanced! She spoke to Bethany Anne

  I am, Bethany Anne answered. I have evolved beyond the norm, you might say, for my people. However, even with the enhancements TOM has provided, I am much stronger for my association with him and ADAM.

  Addix seemed to listen, but then she was off answering questions to herself. That is why you fight Kurtherians so much. You have a pact with one of the Five to protect others.

  Not…exactly. TOM broke her chain of thought.

  No? Addix questioned. I thought it would be a requirement.

  No. TOM explained. I upgraded Bethany Anne to help prepare her to protect her own world from attack. The whole go-out-and-find-the-sumbitches-and protect-others is all her.

  You speak oddly for a Kurtherian, Addix observed. I thought your kind was more…dry?

  You seek the word meaning the concept of boring, TOM agreed. I was a bit stuffy, but I have loosened up around Bethany Anne.

  What will you do if you find deceit in me?

  TOM answered. You will be terminated.

  So the Empress will kill me?

  No, I will.

  But, I thought those of the Five did not do violence?

  Bethany Anne isn’t the only one who has received enhancements, Addix. I am now capable of taking the fight to the Seven. I have had many conversations and debates, and had many deliberations with Bethany Anne, some at speeds of thought which allowed us to explore in a night what might have taken years before. And now, it is obvious.

  Bethany Anne finished TOM’s thought. To fail to kill those who institute racial genocide is the bigger sin.

  Addix pondered that a moment. Which is why you are willing to help. Those who are causing us problems will, at some point, consider using the power they wish to develop.

  Power isn’t sought for no reason. You don’t create a tool without a purpose. There are some who pursue offense to provide the best defense against using it. We know and understand that. However, there must be a counter or a check for that kind of offense. Until the Ixtali give up their ability to indiscriminately kill their own kind, you are holding a sword over everyone’s head. That time has passed. It is time to recognize that the Ixtali need to choose a direction. Neutral is not a direction.

  Addix pondered while the other three did something in her mind; what, she wasn’t sure. For the moment, she gave up worrying if she was going to die. She was either going to pass…or she wasn’t.

  There were large changes in store that her own people had already started. Perhaps they could not have the bloodless revolution many desired. However, it was certain that if the agitators could force the Ixtalis away from true neutrality, then they would end up fighting the Etheric Empire.

  Unbidden, scenes from humanities past wars entered Addix’s mind. Massive violence as these humans killed each other. They killed using their hands, metal instruments, and weapons that fired. Chemicals and bombs fell from the skies, laying waste to thousands.

  Millions.

  Cities were destroyed and people cried in their streets. Lands were awash in the dead. In some scenes the dead looked similar, and in others it was obvious that while the corpses were human, they looked dramatically different.

  Different skins, sizes, colors, ages.

  These people had known killing for eons. It was what they did, whether they had superweapons or bones with which to hit one another.

  Then the scenes changed. She was shown scenes of compassion. Humans providing food and drink to those who needed it. Heroes pulling the weak from crumbling and dangerous buildings on fire. Physical affection amongst different types for each other.

  A few humans standing against many others, protecting the defenseless from a mob.

  The Empress’ voice reverberated in her mind.

  Those who wish to hurt the defenseless will always be the enemies of the Etheric Empire.

  CHAPTER TEN

  The milky white opaqueness dissolved, and those outside of the Empress’s area could see inside once more. What they saw was the Ixtali Legate, head bowed, face and mandibles still. Some moments later, her head came up. She turned, head held high, and walked toward her side of the room.

  Two Guardians walked with her as she and what was left of her party were led to a door exiting the throne area.

  Then the Empress looked at the Yaree and spoke clearly, without shouting.

  “Tell me,” she asked. “What do the Yaree have for me today?” Bethany Anne turned and walked back up the steps to her throne as Delegate Tomthum took a deep breath. As she took her seat, he turned one of his three eyestalks to his friend and performed the silent dip of goodbye.

  “Oh, no.” The Empress caught their attention. “I want all of you over here.”

  —

  Gabrielle waited until the tram had come to a complete stop. She stood as the doors opened and waived the Estarians toward the door.

  Estarians were taller, and more stately appearing than humans They had thick, smooth skin with a blue tinge and an underlying effervescence. These attributes would often make other species a little envious due to the Estarians’ almost magnetic charisma.

  It was having no effect on this woman as she smiled. “Yes, you are still inside the Meredith Reynolds, and I am taking you to a private interview. Bethany Anne, I’m told, is running late with the Ixtalis, and then will meet with the Yaree. She will join us as soon as she can.”

  “Two groups most distant from each other,” Senior Delegate Cannock agreed as he ducked his head and exited the tram.

  Gabrielle waited for the entire group to leave the tram before she allowed the doors to slide shut. It continued toward the final station inside the Meredith Reynolds.

  This stop was rarely used, and frankly, Gabrielle wasn’t sure why Bethany Anne wanted to speak to the Estarians privately like this.

  But Gabrielle had to take it easy during her pregnancy and absolutely wasn’t allowed anywhere near sparring. To have something to do, she was trying to help in the diplomatic area.

  Normally she would be happy to use non-threatening tactics, but her emotional control was occasionally weak, and instead of smiling, she would imagine ripping a table leg off and shoving it up the ass of the nearest annoying alien.

  Often for no logical reason.

  Sometimes Bethany Anne would view the video tape with an exasperated Gabrielle and chuckle. Then she would show the segment that had incited the incident and pat Gabrielle on the back. “Nice job not killing the messenger, Gabrielle.”

  Afterwards Bethany Anne would leave, not realizing how close to the edge Gabrielle really was.

  Or so the mother-to-be thought.

  Bethany Anne, TOM, and ADAM were constantly trying to figure out how to help Gabrielle with her pregnancy. Apparently, the nanocytes TOM had used and the ones Eric had transferred the good old-fashioned way were mixing in the twins inside Gabrielle, and there were…

  Complicat
ions.

  Gabrielle knew none of this as she explained to Senior Delegate Cannock the status of the Etheric Empire, and the people in it.

  QBBS Meredith Reynolds, Throne Room

  Bethany Anne was tired. So damned tired.

  Tired of being pulled in all these damned directions. Make peace here, solve a problem there, all in the name of trying to create a tidy little area of the Galaxy where people could feel safe.

  When was she ever going to get a chance to leave this hocus-pocus talk behind? Couldn’t people simply realize that her side was good, the other side was bad, and just fucking dance?

  If her father told her one more time, that Empresses weren’t supposed to be at the front of the attack group, she would remind him of the heroes of all the stories he had told her as a young and impressionable girl. They hadn’t sat back in the middle of a damned asteroid as their people risked life and limb.

  As the Yaree group came toward her, she crossed her legs and put an elbow on her knee, wondering just what a nomadic group like the Yaree might have for her this day.

  The Ixtalis, she was sure, were going to prove interesting in the long run, but that was for another time, after Legate Addix went back and spoke to her council.

  TOM?

  Yes?

  Nomadic group, kind of like Earth’s Gypsies with the same concern from those they trade with. Namely, often accused of stealing when they move on?

  Yes.

  >>But their history as a nomadic group only goes back about five hundred years. Before then, there are rumors and counter-rumors about who they were and when they came into the systems to trade.<<<br />
  No one knows?

  >>No, they are an insular group.<<<br />
  Yeah, just like our Gypsies.

  There were five in the Delegate’s group, now striding onto the carpet. The Yaree were an interesting bunch. Three eyestalks, tallish and thin. Their large feet had two toes, but they had five fingers on their hands. Their skin had a purplish hue. Two of the Yaree had little clothing on their torso, and two wore voluminous robes.

  The three eyestalks of the two with little clothing were constantly looking around. Bethany Anne pegged them as guards for the two in the middle. That left one for her to be curious about.