nothing survives.”
Planetary bombardment was a very drasticmove, and one that was expensive on resources. This was notsomething that the Empire would order lightly, and was only usedwhen total genocide was determined to be the sole option. Once wereached the asteroid belt, the fleet would gather the largest spacerocks it could find, and fit them with powerful engines. Once thedeadline was reached, these massive rocks would be sent towards theplanet at extreme speed.
The tremendous force generated by the impactswould liquefy the crust of the planet, ending in its completedestruction. Nothing had ever survived this, not even in computersimulations. There would be no safe haven, not even deepunderground. In addition, the Dragon Claw and its fleet would benearby to destroy any craft that attempted to escape. Thedestruction would be complete and there would be no chance ofsurvival.
This prompted me to ask, “Sir, should Iassume that we are at war with the Magi?”
“For now, assume this to be a diplomaticmission. I know they destroyed our probes and possibly our taskforce, but until we know their intentions, I will not send theEmpire to war. But, I expect your squad will meet resistance, andit should be dealt with as needed,” responded the captain.
“Sir, you’re sending troops on to soil theypresumably claim as their own at this stage, and establishing abase. That would definitely be seen as an act of war by mostcultures,” commented Commander Jones.
“I know, Commander Jones. That is why theinstant Vydor succeeds you will be sent to take over communicationswith the Magi,” said the captain.
It was customary that the first contact wasthe honor of the ship’s Alien Relations Officer. He doubled as anemissary in times like these. We were lucky to have such a highlyexperienced officer. He had been in five first contacts and, ofthose five, three joined the Empire after their meeting withhim.
“Sir, it would be better if I went with him…” began Commander Jones.
“I know that, Commander Jones, but it is badenough that I must send one of my top officers on this suicidemission; I will not make it worse by sending two.
“This mission is to be considered classified.Only the people in this room and the men who will be on the missionare considered to have a need to know. The operation will becodenamed Quiet Storm. People, we are making history here. Let’smake sure it’s a good one. Bring the fleet into position and engagelevel-one defense screens. Zalith, see what you can do with theplasma weapons research. If they can do it, so can we,” said thecaptain.
Chapter Five
It was time to call in some favors. There wasjust too much about this mission that could not be explained byusing the standard channels. I went to my office where I could workin private. “Computer, find me Karathlathornka.”
Suddenly a massive cat-like humanoid hologramappeared before me, one that would easily tower over any man.Karathlathornka was an old, but still quite vibrant-looking,Cathratinairian, an almost extinct species that lived on the edgesof society. Most of them avoided all contact with other species, asthey saw them as inferior and unworthy. This one though (I did notknow if it was a he or she or genderless) seemed to know just abouteverything that was happening anywhere in the known galaxy.Karathlathornka was completely fearless, and was the only one Ithought I could go to for this kind of information.
“I see the great and mighty Vydor has finallyrealized he needs help,” Karathlathornka said.
“Greetings, Karathlathornka. I take it thenyou already know what I plan to ask?”
“You have been assigned to a top position inthe Navy and are being sent on a suicide mission. It is easy toextrapolate from this that you need answers fast.”
I always did my best to keep a totallyexpressionless face, but revelations like that never made it easy.“Good, then you have already done the work and have thoseanswers?”
“Maybe. Why should I tell you?”
“Our normal agreement should hold here,unless you think that you no longer need it?” This caused him torecoil slightly, and I knew that was a bad sign. He really held allthe cards in these negotiations; he could have easily just claimedignorance or fed me bad information if I pushed too hard. Time toswitch tactics. “Look, I have no intention of breaking thatcontract, but you are of course right about the suicide missionand, if I am to continue our agreement, I need to survive.”
He seemed to think that one over a bit, as ifweighing the possibility of not having me around. I wondered if hehad found another way to get what he needed. He sighed, then said,“As you already know, I still need our agreement to stand, so sitback and I will tell you the tale of how you got where you aretoday…”
He produced information from extremelyclassified reports on the colony that we were approaching, many ofwhich I was not authorized to know the existence of, never mind toread. The wealth of information at Karathlathornka’s disposal wasalways nothing short of miraculous. I was thinking that one day Imust discover his sources.
When he had finished his report I said, “On amore personal note, be careful. It seems that people who getinvolved with this end up having ‘accidents.’”
“Vydor, do you honestly think I got thisinformation for you by being careful? I will be fine. You had bestbe concerned with your own hide.” And with that he ended thetransmission.
I thought back to our first meeting, howtimid and foolish I was, but darn lucky. I had been working in thefield as an apprentice when my instructor was assigned to anemergency meeting. A call had come in for him …
“This is Cadet Vydor, the lieutenant is outright now …” Just then I lost the power of speech when a massivecat-like creature appeared before me. His bright orange fur, spikedhead, and massive claws were far more impressive than anything Ihad to offer.
“Where is he?” the creature demanded.
“Well, um, he was called to a meeting …”
He responded with a bone-chilling roar, and Istruggled to remind myself that it was only a holographic displayand he could not harm me. “Maybe I can help you?”
“YOU? Help me? HA!” he said.
“Well, why not? I have full access to hiscomputer …” That got his attention.
“Full? Hmmm … perhaps you can help me, butthen I would owe you and it’s bad enough being indebted tohim.”
Interesting, I thought. This must be one ofthe lieutenant’s informants, and if so it would be a good thing tohave him owing me. I moved to the lieutenant’s computer and said,“Well, it is your call of course, but it seems to me you would notbe calling here unless you needed something, and I might very wellbe able to find it for you.”
“What string are you going to attach to it,human?”
“That is not a question I can really answerwithout knowing the value of what I am looking up, but let’s justsay that someday I may be in need of information and then you willsupply it.”
He seemed to ponder that a bit beforereplying, “All right, that seems fair. Call up the records on …”This started me on a wild run through the computer banks until Ifound the information he wanted, and at the same time I stumbled onthe agreement that he had with the lieutenant.
As he was getting ready to end the call Istopped him, saying, “Look, the day will come when he cannot makegood on your agreement. When that day comes, find me. I can make ithappen.” I was mostly bluffing, but I could not pass up thisopportunity for an informant.
To that he simply nodded and broke theconnection. It was years later before he contacted me and told methat the lieutenant had lost his ability to fulfill the agreementand was calling in my promise. I had no idea at the time of hisvalue as an informant. I thought I knew, but I was greatlyunderestimating him.
Back then at that chance introduction I couldnot have known how great a find he was. As I sat there ponderingthe information he had given me, it occurred to me that my careerso far had been one lucky chance after another, almost as ifsomeone was orchestrating a huge play in which I was a helplesspuppet.
