Chapter 8
Maulik attempted to cover his eyes as the pulse rifle hummed louder as the recharge cycle ended, suddenly he decided he didn't want to see his death dealt and regretted his decision to face the Drakan.
"Will it ever charge?" he thought to himself, he found the answer to his question as the Mech lowered the weapon and began to pull the trigger, Maulik covered his eyes and said a final silent prayer to the Gods, there was a deafening explosion and he felt heat searing against the black bio-suit.
"I expected it to hurt more!" the final thought entered his mind before the shock from the plasma pulse turned his world to blackness.
"Maulik, wake up," the voice cried, familiar and frantic, "Please wake up." the voice pleaded.
"Kressa, can't you see I'm dead," he replied weakly before sitting up with a start.
"Don't be so stupid," she snapped, "You are fine, now get up and lets go."
Maulik searched his body for the gaping hole that he truly expected to find, but found himself whole, in a daze he turned to see Kressa hovering just above the ground, her loading ramp extended beckoning him inside, promising safety. Gathering his wits he saw the melted Mech slumped against a tree some distance further up the hill, the force of Kressa's blast had destroyed it completely fusing its joints as surely as an experienced welder.
"Stop daydreaming," she shouted, "We have to go, the others will be here soon."
Grasping his salvation Maulik stood and with a mighty leap he raced up the ramp sensing it snap shut quickly behind him, he began to remove the bio-suit but Kressa had other plans.
"There's no time for that now, get into your seat quickly," she ordered before banking steeply sending Maulik staggering sideways, "Quickly." she screamed.
Maulik lurched forwards and half fell into his seat landing heavily, instantly he felt the tight grip.
"Now." she hissed, "Now they will see what happens when the Kressa are angry."
Maulik wasn't sure if Kressa or her reactor roared but the sound chilled him, she felt very different, somehow more aware... and very, very angry.
Anticipating her he gripped his seat, only just in time as she raced out of the gorge and bore down on the heavily armed transport that was still hovering over the plain below, a volley of missiles sprouted from the fat carrier but Kressa simply hissed and with lightening speed spat out a rapid burst of plasma pulses that detonated the sleek projectiles as they were still seeking their target, clearly now her reactor whined as she accelerated hard, again she spat and hissed, pouring her plasma laden venom onto the bloated carrier. Detonation after detonation tore into the superstructure, flames erupted, plasma leaked and flared, "Say goodbye." she whispered before sending a pulse that ignited the venting raw plasma fuel starting a chain reaction that tore the carrier in half sending the remains crashing onto the plain below.
"I want a name." she cried as she selected her next target.
"Excuse me?" answered Maulik in shock, "I thought you were busy right now?"
"It's important to me." she replied as she tore a second carrier into a cloud of flying debris.
"You have a name... Kressa!" Maulik answered amazed that she could concentrate on such ferocity yet still continue a civilized conversation with him, the paradox in her actions left him feeling confused and dazed.
"Kressa is my species, how would you feel if I insisted on calling you Terrillian all the time rather than your name."
"OK, yeah, I guess you have a point," he replied as she swept across the plain picking off the platoons of Mech's that were firing their pulse rifles at her, "What name do you like?"
"I don't know any names," she snapped, "If I did I wouldn't be asking you would I? No, the Kressa don't have names... L4 remember." she caught his question before he could ask.
"Sorry, I wasn't thinking." he replied sheepishly.
"What was that name you just thought of?" she asked suddenly, "Salyna, I like that," Maulik had been thinking of his female genetic match, same paternal and maternal genetic make up, different gender.
"Your sister Salyna, I like the name, from this moment on my name is Salyna."
"Salyna." she purred happily.
"My name is Salyna."
***
"I thought I told you to leave without me," Maulik stated as they climbed through the upper atmosphere, Salyna chuckled quietly.
"I didn't hear you say anything like that, what I heard was, "I'm going to delay them while you finish regenerating" I assumed it was understood I would come for you."
Maulik laughed, "Freedom has given you selective hearing, but I'm very happy you thought of me, I really did think that was the end."
"Two battle cruisers ahead." she announced casually, Maulik sensed her tone was a cover for the excitement and anticipation he felt building, as if to confirm his thoughts Salyna growled softly as a squadron of small fighters launched from the closest cruiser.
"We could always run." he suggested.
"No." she growled forcefully, "No more running, we have to finish this now, we can't risk them tracking us back to 7."
"But they're battle cruisers," Maulik felt his own fear welling inside, "Kre... Salyna, are you sure you can handle them?"
"Watch." she hissed and accelerated hard.
"Weapons lock," he cried as alarms began to hum building to a crescendo as multiple missiles launched and acquired their target, clearly he saw their thrusters flare like twinkling stars as they locked on and screamed towards them.
"Salyna, missiles..." he called frantically.
"I see them." she spat but remained on course.
"Shields.... please." he begged as his alarm grew.
"I see them." she hissed in reply before darting onto a new heading leaving the swarm of missiles stalled as they lost their target.
"Now watch." she roared, a wild and menacing sound, Maulik was suddenly aware of a savage and feral mind, she was fearless, powerful, her sole purpose was the kill and he felt like baggage, he didn't exist in her mind, her thoughts were pure focus, intense and deadly.
Wave after wave of plasma pulses flashed past her rapidly accelerating hull, her instincts alive and acute, her intuition enabled her to dodge and slide the heavy fire as she closed in on the fearsome but clumsy ship.
"Exhaust ports." she shouted in triumph as she shook with the force of her own discharge before climbing hard causing Maulik's head to spin, the G forces darkening his vision, his mind on the very edge of unconsciousness.
"You asked me if they had a weakness." she purred as the massive ship rippled with explosions.
"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.
Chapter 9
"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-one’s 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, some time 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."
Chapter 10
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.