“How long before they arrive?” Char Torma asked.
“Three and a half hours. We don’t have nearly enough ships to defend the system. Most of ours are at Almaranus and from the telemetry we’ve been getting that battle is not going well. I suggest you prepare your ships to leave.”
“The war is going badly for the Alliance?”
“Very. I don’t think anything you do here is going to make much of a difference anymore. The Chroniech are going to win.”
“I shall discuss this with your Base Commander,” Char Torma replied as he got up from his chair.
On his way out of the room Char Torma paused at the master control console long enough to enter a command. As he continued out of the room, the massive factory that had been producing weapons and shields for the Alliance began to shutdown. Robots quickly began the work of separating the ships so they could leave.
Not long after Stricklen had reported that the massive fleet he had been harassing was headed for Almaranus the fleet guarding Mintaka had been ordered to proceed there to assist in its defense. Even though Mintaka was important, the Alliance realized that the loss of Almaranus would signify the start of the end for the Alliance. The Kyrra had been consulted and it was agreed to move the Mintakan defense force to Almaranus.
A few minutes later, following a brief discussion between Char Torma and the Mintaka Base Commander, the base-wide address system came to life. “Attention all base personnel! This is Commodore Wilson. The base is being evacuated due to the approach of a large Chroniech fleet. All base personnel report to the factory ships immediately. The Kyrra have agreed to evacuate us. We will depart as soon as the ships are sealed and prepped for space.”
* * * * *
It had taken all of Captain Zatch’s skills to honor Stricklen’s request. His close relationship to Supreme Fleet Commander Aruthra Manetgu had been crucial in getting the required cooperation from everyone involved. At first, there had been a great deal of resistance but when it was explained that honor was at stake all parties had reluctantly agreed to take part in what was about to take place.
Stricklen had nervously waited in his shuttle as the Chroniech Captain made the arrangements. It had taken over an hour of argument and extremely skilled political persuasion but Captain Zatch had managed to deliver on Ken’s request. Personally, Zatch thought the Human Captain had lost his mind but for the sake of honor he had worked until Ken’s request had been satisfied.
As soon as the arrangements had been made, Captain Zatch stepped through the airlock into Stricklen’s shuttle. “Everything is as you requested,” Zatch announced.
Stricklen nodded then reactivated his wristcom and said, “Dragon this is Stricklen copy?”
“Loud and clear Captain,” Commander Tobunga’s voice instantly replied. “We were getting worried.”
“Captain Zatch and I are coming over in my shuttle. We have come to an agreement of sorts and we need to use the hytrans as soon as we arrive. Clear the shuttle bay and a path to the main conference room. If anyone is using it kick them out.”
“An agreement? Concerning what?”
“That remains to be seen. Stricklen out.”
The trip back to the heavy cruiser required only a few minutes. As he flew the shuttle he noted that Captain Zatch’s eyes never stopped scanning the little ship’s interior. The only person in the hanger bay when they arrived was Commander Tobunga.
“I would like to know what’s going on Ken,” Tobunga asked keeping his eyes on the Chroniech Captain.
“Commander Tobunga, I would like to introduce Captain Zatch of the Chroniech space force. His family was aboard the civilian passenger liner we rendered assistance to while in Chroniech space. We unknowingly started something back then and I’m about to see if it can pay off.”
“I don’t understand.”
“You will.” Stricklen motioned Tobunga forward. “We are heading for the main conference room. Please lead the way.”
On the way to the conference room Striclen’s wristcom buzzed for his attention, “Stricklen,” he replied into the device.
“Your guest is transmitting,” Wilks said from the bridge. “It’s encrypted and pretty dense. He’s sending back a lot of data.”
“I am aware of that,” was all Stricklen said.
As soon as the group entered the conference room Stricklen said, “Dragon, open a channel to the Kyrra worldship.”
There was a brief delay then the main screen came to life. The face of a Kyrra appeared. He seemed to pause for a moment as if shocked at the fact that two Humans and a Chroniech were standing in the same room together. “I am Dimachee. How may I help you?”
“I am Captain Ken Stricklen and this is Captain Zatch Batack of the Chroniech space force. I need to speak to Arukt Chaktekt and someone who knows about the Crossbow planet killer as soon as possible.”
“I will initiate the search immediately Captain Stricklen.”
There was a wait of about a minute then the same Kyrra appeared. “Arukt Chaktekt is not close to a communications terminal. We are sending a transport to get him. You will be talking to Honivagra. He is in charge of the construction of the Crossbow warhead.”
The screen flicked and the face of another Kyrra appeared. He too seemed surprised. “I am Honivagra. How may I assist you Captain?”
“What I am about to ask,” Stricklen began, “is for the benefit of my guest Captain Zatch of the Chroniech space force. Is it true that the Kyrra are supplying the warheads for the Crossbow super weapon?”
“It is.”
“Is it also true that only you can build this device?”
“It is true. Although it was designed by the Alliance no member species of the Alliance has the technology to build such a device.”
“How many more are being built?”
“Two have recently been delivered. One has started its acceleration run. Three more warheads are being readied for delivery as we speak. At least one hundred more are being constructed.”
Stricklen glanced at Zatch to gage his reaction but could gain nothing from the Chroniech’s facial expression. He was about to ask another question when Zatch said, “What is the next target?”
Ken saw Commander Tobunga start to object and cut him off, “We have issued warnings prior to each attack. It is no secret which planet is being targeted.” Turning to the screen he asked, “Honivagra do you know what the next target is?”
“A planet the Chroniech call Hachkita. It has a population of 4.4 billion and hosts a major orbital shipyard.”
“Why are you supplying us with these weapons?” Stricklen asked.
Honivagra seemed to look directly at Zatch then replied, “The Alliance and the Kyrra are allies. Although our cultures are vastly different we share many of the same goals. The Chroniech, on the other hand, seemed determined to exterminate all sentient life other than their own. We are supplying the warheads in an effort to end this war.”
“And if the war were to end?”
“That is obvious. We would have no need to build such devices. We would welcome peace between the Chroniech and the Alliance. But we have tried to open a dialog with them with no results.”
There was a beep and the voice of Dimachee said, “Arukt Chaktekt is standing by.”
“Put us on a three-way please,” Stricklen replied.
The screen split itself in half and the face of Chaktekt appeared. Stricklen was very surprised to see Elizabeth standing in the background. “Captain Stricklen. It is good to see you again. And the person next to you I would guess is Captain Zatch.”
Stricklen glanced over at Zatch and this time noted that he seemed anxious. “It is good to see you again. I am going to let you and the Captain talk.”
Captain Zatch stepped forward and asked, “Where are you?”
“I am on the Kyrra worldship as a guest. We should not be fighting these people. We… ”
“You are a traitor to your people!” Zatch snarled and bared his teeth. “Billions are dying while you walk among them!”
Chaktekt snarled back and raised a hand with claws extended. “I am no traitor! I morn the loss of every one of the billions of our people who have died in this war. I do not, however, support the war. I have tried to talk sense into our leaders but my messages have been ignored. I have become friends with many Kyrra. Their friends in the Alliance have also lost billions of people and I morn them as well.”
“You morn them! You live among Turashag and do nothing while they slaughter our people!” Zatch shouted.
“I live among friends,” Chaktekt shot back. “They are defending themselves as we would if attacked. They kill us only because we kill them.”
Tobunga had retreated to the far corner of the room. Stricklen approached Zatch and stepped in front of him. The Captain was so enraged that he actually raised his arm as if to strike. This time, Stricklen did not back down but stood his ground. Zatch was breathing heavily and a spicy odor was coming from his fur.
Looking the Captain in the eyes, Stricklen said, “The Alliance consists of over a dozen species all living together in peace. There is no master race; no dominant species; we are all equal. We have no desire to be at war with your people. But, like you, we will defend ourselves until the last of us is gone. We abhor the killing of civilians, yet we will wipe out entire planets to preserve our own kind.”
Zatch had slowly lowered his arm as he listened to Stricklen. Seeing that he had the Captain’s full attention, Stricklen pointed toward the image of Chaktekt and said, “There is a Chroniech who now lives with the Kyrra and considers them friends.”
Tapping his own chest Stricklen went on, “I, a Human, saved the lives of a ship full of Chroniech even though we were at war. And now you and I stand together, two military Captains from two warring cultures, talking to each other as equals. If this war continues, both our cultures will lose billions. Intelligent species can coexist together in peace and I can offer proof,” Stricklen said keeping his eyes locked with Zatch’s.
Captain Zatch stood in silence for a moment, his eyes moving between Stricklen, Chaktekt, and the Kyrra. Turning back to Stricklen he said, “You have been truthful so far. You saved my entire family when you could have left them to die. Show me your proof.”
“Dragon,” Stricklen said into the air, “Initiate a high speed communications link with the Chroniech ship’s computer. Once the protocols are established transmit the entire Alliance historical database including details of the history of each of the member races.”
“Captain!” Tobunga objected. “That will give them valuable tactical data. They will know which planets to hit first in order to cripple us.”
Stricklen spun around and stared down his executive officer. “It will also show them that even though the races that make up the Alliance have at times been at war with each other, we can and do live in peace together. No single race dominates the Alliance. We are all equal. And we will willingly invite the Chroniech to join us as equals if they want and if they don’t it will prove that we will leave them alone.”
Turning back to Captain Zatch, Stricklen said, “Captain, tell your ship to analyze our historical records. If need be, have them transmitted to a more powerful computer. This war must end or both cultures will annihilate each other.”
Zatch raised his wrist and spoke a command into the device that served the same purpose as Ken’s wristcom. “Communications link established,” the Dragon’s computer reported. “Protocol negotiations in progress. The amount of data you wish to transmit is massive and will take a considerable amount of time.”
“I am aware of that,” Stricklen said. “Proceed as directed.”
Zatch’s wristcom beeped. He pressed a button on it and listened to the voice that replied in his ear. He spoke a reply then turned to Stricklen and said, “I did not think it possible. The council will recall our ships and withdraw from Alliance space pending a full analysis of the data you are giving us. We expect the Alliance to do the same.”
Stricklen felt the tension leave his body. He was at a complete loss of words. His legs felt weak and he collapsed into a chair. Commander Tobunga looked around wide eyed trying to comprehend what had just happened.
“I don’t understand,” Tobunga said. “What the hell just happened? What is going on here?”
Still feeling light headed from the euphoria of the moment, Stricklen quietly replied, “The Chroniech ruling council has been watching everything since we left Captain Zatch's ship. It was important that nobody knew this otherwise they might have thought this was simply an act. The war is over.”
“I will inform the Alliance via hytrans,” Honivagra said. “We will ensure that the Crossbow warheads are returned to us.”
“Ken? Ken – are you still there?” the voice was that of Elizabeth. Ken had forgotten all about seeing her in the background with Chaktekt. Ken looked up to see here standing next to the Chroniech.
Standing up Stricklen replied, “I'm still here.”
“Please tell the Chroniech that the negotiating team on the Kyrra worldship is willing to meet with them at a time and a place of their choosing.”
Stricklen glanced over to Zatch who nodded back. “The message will be passed along.”
“Captain Zatch?” Chaktekt hesitantly began.
The Captain, who seemed to be having a discussion with someone on the other end of his wristcom, focused his attention back towards the monitor. “Yes?”
“I would like to return home, but only if I will be allowed to return to visit my new friends if I want.”
“The council had the same thoughts,” Zatch replied. “I was just discussing this very possibility with them. You have the word of the council that you will be allowed to come and go as you please. But, instead of going home, they would like you to appear before them first. Is this agreeable?”
Chaktekt growled and nodded his head. “I would be honored to appear before the council.”
“I don't know how you did it Ken,” Elizabeth said. “But the entire Alliance owes you a huge debt.”
Ken couldn't help but smile. Receiving such a complement from such a beautiful woman made him feel all warm inside. “I took your advise councilor,” he said. “I followed my heart.”
* * * * *