***
Major Klostack had been monitoring the battle with keen interest. At first it appeared as if Kregarast was going to be victorious with only twelve Mabraantan fighters to engage. Then Kopaz Squadron appeared from nowhere and their fate was sealed. When Kregarast’s ship exploded and disappeared from the sensors, along with the last MCF, the Major sighed heavily and returned to his desk.
Even though he was a military man, Klostack never lost his desire for the beauty of art. When the opportunities arose, he took several pieces from among the bounty they had pillaged, and placed them in his office for his enjoyment. He was just beginning to admire his collection when he was disturbed by a communication from Odrian. “Yes, what is it?”
“Sir, all our ships have been destroyed,” he said, his voice quivering with nerves.
“Yes, I know. I was monitoring the battle.”
“What do we do now, Sir?”
“There’s not much to do. I believe our work here is over.”
Despite recent events, the Krelathan commander remained astounded by the continued success of Kopaz Squadron, surviving against odds of three to one without losing a single one themselves. They were odds none had ever survived, not even in the annals of Krelathan history. This unique event sealed the Major’s decision. There would be no reprieve for him once the Krelathan Senate heard of this defeat, and losses that included their most honoured pilot.
“Over, Sir? Shouldn’t we inform our superiors on Krelath and . . .”
“That would be a most unwise course of action under the circumstances,” said Klostack interrupting him.
Odrian was too shocked to respond.
Klostack remained silent for a few moments while he remembered those warriors killed in action, wishing someone had killed Governor Kregalton long before he started the campaign of terror. One Krelathan death he was not upset over was that of General Kregarast. There would be many Krelathans who would not grieve over his demise, and would no doubt secretly rejoice in it.
Following the loss of the entire fighter group, there was little for any of the remaining personnel to do. His superiors on Krelath had insisted on minimal non-combatant personnel to operate the outpost: A Base Commander, a comm-sensor operator, a twelve person ground crew, and two general maintenance personnel.
Klostack opened the comm channel. “Odrian, inform all personnel they are to return to Krelath in the last transport, and await orders from Command Headquarters. They are due for replacement soon anyway.”
“Yes Sir.” Odrian was, however, puzzled. This was the first time the ground crew were to be sent home before replacements arrived. With no starfighters left to continue the raids, there was no real point in the base being manned, and Odrian wondered if any more would actually be sent. He considered the implications of General Kregarast’s death, and thought it would probably not be welcomed, or would it? As he contemplated the situation, the Major appeared at the door. “May I ask why you are sending the ground crew away before the relief arrives, Sir?”
“It’s time to vacate the base permanently, so you had better join the others.”
“What about you, Sir?”
“I’m going somewhere other than Krelath. I believe my arrival would be most unwelcome, painful and terminal. You can also cease calling me Sir.”
Odrian looked at his commanding officer with a puzzled expression.
“As a result of the recent failures, I will be expected to take full responsibility, and you know what that means. Besides, the killing has become pointless and I cannot be a part of it anymore. So I’m going to find a planet to settle on and begin enjoying life.” He looked at the junior officer. “You may join me if you wish.”
“What will our superiors say?”
“I’ve given orders to the ground crew officer to request the deployment of the relief crew together with ten new fighter squadrons. However, once the transport has accelerated to lightspeed, I intend to destroy the base, making our superiors believe the Mabra Defence Force destroyed it.”
“Sir?”
“Don’t worry about it. You decide what you want to do and leave the rest to me. Once we’re gone, we’ll be free to go anywhere we desire.”
It did not take long for Odrian to make his decision. “I will accompany you, Major. I have nothing to return home to, which is why I volunteered for this assignment. It was an opportunity to travel and see other worlds.” The younger officer laughed. “Little did I know I’d be stuck on a barren lump of rock with few pleasures,” he added.
After sending some interesting information to the Defence Force on Mabraant, Klostack planted proton grenades around the base at the structural strong points. There was enough explosive to destroy the base and probably half of the asteroid along with it. Setting the detonators for a five-minute delay, the two Krelathans left the base in Klostack’s personal Kadarex M5 yacht containing the treasures he had plundered. When they were a safe distance from the asteroid, Klostack turned the ship to watch the display.
The hidden outpost exploded in the biggest fireball either of them had ever seen. As expected, the explosion destroyed over half of the asteroid with it, propelling chunks of it deep into the field, which collided with other asteroids in an astounding display of destruction.
A feeling of relief washed over the Krelathan. For him it was finally over. Now he could restart his life elsewhere, and was looking forward to doing a little exploring. Powering up the sublight engines he headed toward the Mantoa asteroid belts.
“So Odrian, where do you think we should settle?”
The younger Krelathan shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t really know, Sir. This is the only system I have ever been to outside Krela.”
“I would prefer it if you would stop calling me Sir. I am no longer your commanding officer, just Drallen from now on.”
“Very well, Drallen,” he said feeling uncomfortable with the informality.
“Well, we have enough food and drink to keep us satisfied for over two weeks, and enough wealth to last more than a lifetime. How about we seek out and explore the area of space beyond the Mantoa asteroid belt.”
“Beyond the Mantoa belt? There’s nothing beyond there, just empty space,” he answered.
“That is where you’re wrong. I’ve heard there are thousands of worlds out there. Let us seek one out,” he said smiling at his younger friend, “and see what awaits us.”
“But Drallen, it is said the Mantoa belt is impassable. The only way to reach the space beyond is several weeks travelling around it. We don’t even have the charts of the far side of the quadrant.”
Drallen just smiled at his companion. “Well, we shall go and find out for ourselves. With the sensor array in this ship, it should be much easier.”