Annihilation: The Power of a Queen Read online

  “Admiral, I just found out about this and I told you that I value her opinion. It appears I am not alone in that department. Are we ready to jump?”

  Kosiev might have thought that Danielle would leave before the jump but now he knew that both leaders of humanity were going to be on his ship. He was going to have a private talk with Captain Mikado about making sure these two were not placed in harm’s way in the upcoming battle. “Yes sir, we are. Our countdown is holding at 5 minutes waiting on any last instructions you might want to offer.”

  Tag looked at Danielle and she decided that she might as well earn her pay or show just how dumb she really is. “Admiral, what is your plan on emergence into the Cainth system?”

  “We’ll determine their fleet positions and move in to destroy their fleet. After the fleet is done, we’ll move on the planet.”

  “Tag, do you agree with this plan?”

  Tag looked at her, “You have a problem with it? What are you thinking? I think they deserve it after all of their attacks on us.”

  “I think our history is replete with examples of what happens when we are the aggressor. I know, they attacked us but they did it at the Alliance’s request. I’m sure that no one had to twist their arms, all four of them, to make them do it but if their ship numbers are low enough for us to be sure we can defeat their fleet, then I say let them make the first move and see if we can open a dialogue.”

  “Admiral, how many ships would they have to have to endanger the fleet?” Tag asked.

  Kosiev looked at both of them and was finding it hard to believe what he was hearing. “Have you forgotten the civilians killed at Ross’s planet or the ships and marines we’ve lost in battle? We should attack immediately and not give them the chance to get organized.”

  Tag looked at Kosiev and said, “No Admiral, I haven’t forgotten. How many marines did the Cainth lose? Wasn’t it six for every one of ours? We’ve lost two hundred ships and their crews. They have lost 2000 ships with most of them having 4 times the number of crewmen on board. At what point does a lesson finally sink in, Admiral? Is there a possibility that even the Cainth have learned something? If they attack first, then all bets are off and we will destroy them, make no mistake about that, but if they want to open a dialogue, I want to see what they have to say.”

  Kosiev felt his ire go up then thought about what he was feeling and felt shame. He could feel the need for vengeance rushing thru him for what happened to the Moscow and the Ross colonists but he knew that if he followed that path then this war would never end. He looked at the Gardners and nodded, “I’m sorry. Both of you are right and once again I’m glad you’re here to prevent me from making an unnecessary mistake. They would have to have more than 1,200 ships to pose a problem.”

  “Perhaps that’s why you’re here, Danielle,” Tag said. “I wouldn’t have given a second thought to going in and kicking some Cainth grump. Move the countdown up, Admiral, and let’s see what awaits us. Oh yeah, are the backup ships ready just in case?”

  “Yes they are and their star drives are already lit and ready to go. We also have the prisoners from the Ross conflict loaded up on transports ready to jump in on our signal.” Kosiev pushed a button on his console and said on the fleet’s general frequency, “In a moment we will be jumping into the Cainth home system. The fleet will hold its position relative to the Washington and only move in formation as the Washington moves forward. You do not have permission to fire until we give the order. All ships report in on receipt of this order.”

  Tag and Danielle looked out the view port and saw the two rows of white warships glowing inside their screens lined up on each side of the Washington with one small ship above and one below the larger empire ships. The fleet was hanging in space with the giant planet Jupiter as a backdrop and they looked beautiful. Tag knew the capabilities of those ships but he still worried about losing more sailors. He was also worried about Danielle’s safety. Danielle sensed his unease and reached out and took his hand. He looked at her and she smiled, “Little steps in big places. We’ll be fine.”

  The console showed 199 red lights. Lt. Kelly reported, “All ships acknowledge order, Sir.”

  Kosiev said, “In ten seconds initiate jump.”

  The jump officer counted it down, “5, 4, 3, 2, 1, execute.”

  Tag looked at Danielle and held her hand tighter as the universe turned around them.

  Admiral Dorg and Terl were aboard his flag ship War Weapon as they watched the Human fleet move in from the outer system. The bright white Human ships were moving in formation and their screens were glowing brightly white. Both of them were seeing those nightmare battleships approach and knew there were more of those Battleships here than in the last battle. Terl shook his head, “They do build a beautiful ship, these Humans. What is your plan?”

  Dorg stared at his display and said, “I’m not going to attack them; I’m going to make them come to me.”

  “Then what are you going to do, Admiral?”

  Dorg looked up from his display with a look of determination on his face, “I’ll try to kill as many of their ships as I can. When it’s hopeless I’ll order the survivors to jump to the colonies. I am not running this time and leave our people undefended, Clan leader.”

  Terl looked at him and said, “I never thought you would. We’ll face them together.”

  The Human fleet continued to move forward until it loomed larger and larger still. Then the fleet reached five segs in front of their positions slowed and then stopped. “What are they doing, Admiral?” Terl asked.

  “I don’t know. Would you like to ask them, Clan Leader?”

  Suddenly they heard a human voice over a standard Alliance Frequency speaking in standard Alliance. “Well, what do we do now?”

  Dorg and Terl looked at each other then hurriedly Terl hit a button on his chair and said, “Would you consider possibly talking about what happens next?”

  Danielle and Tag looked at each other and Kosiev couldn’t believe his ears. Tag pressed his com button again, “We will talk with the person that has the authority to speak for your entire race. I would also request whoever is leader of your armed services also be present. We will move one of our ships between our lines with a blue and green strobe, and we will meet you there in fifteen dregs.” Tag cut the channel.

  Terl and Dorg looked at each other again and Dorg said, “Do you trust them? They could kill us both and our fleet would have no leadership.”

  Terl raised his shoulders to show his irony, “Admiral, do you think you or I being here or not will make any difference in the outcome if they attack?” Dorg shrugged and shook his head. “Ready a shuttle just big enough for the two of us: I want to go on board one of those remarkable ships and see what it looks like inside.”

  “Here they come,” Lt. Kelly announced. “They’re in a small shuttle.”

  “Mikado, have the landing port opened and bring them aboard,” Tag ordered.

  “Is that a good idea?” Kosiev asked, “what if their ship is wired to explode?”

  Tag closed his eyes and did not feel his senses giving any alarm. He looked at Kosiev and said, “Then their race dies today and I think they realize that. It won’t be wired. However issue orders to begin the attack if anything happens.” He looked at Danielle and she nodded.

  Dorg and Terl docked their shuttle in the landing bay of the Washington and were amazed at how much room there was. The landing area was larger than a dreadnaught’s and had more empty space. The Bay pressurized and Terl and Dorg exited their shuttle to find two naval marines in full battle armor waiting for them. One marine said in standard Alliance, “Follow me, please.” Dorg noticed that the human’s armor was bright and that the marines were moving smoothly as if they had on nothing but normal clothes. That armor had to weigh more than half a nect.

  The marines led them to a lift that took them up five levels then they walked a hundred yards thru wide and roomy corridors until they reached a door that opened
to reveal a large conference table where two men in military uniform and a young human male and female dressed in civilian clothes were sitting.

  The young man stood up and said in standard Alliance, “Welcome aboard the Directorate Ship Washington. My name is Thomas Gardner and this is my wife, Danielle. This is Admiral Kosiev who commands our military and Captain Lin Mikado who is the Captain of this ship.”

  Both of the Cainth bowed slightly, then Terl said, “I am Head Clansman Terl elected leader of the Clans Assembly and this is Admiral Dorg the leader of all our military and naval forces.”

  “Please sit down,” Tag said and everyone sat down at the conference table. Tag then looked at the two Cainth Leaders and said, “Could you please tell me why I shouldn’t kill every living thing in this system and then go after your colony worlds?”

  Terl noticed that the human female was staring intently at Admiral Dorg. Terl then looked at Tag, “You do get right to the point. Based on all that has happened before, I’m surprised you’re asking that question instead of just doing it. I think we both realize now that we could only slow you down and not stop you. The only thing I can offer is a promise to never be aggressive toward you again and avoid any further loss of life.”

  “Could you agree to that promise Admiral?” Danielle said to Dorg.

  Dorg said, “Yes I could.”

  Danielle looked at Tag and said, “Then the promise is worthless. They are not being honest with us.” Everyone in the room was surprised at her response.

  Tag and Kosiev both looked at each other then back at her. “Why is that?” Tag asked.

  “Because I sense the Admiral here hates us with all his being.” She looked at Terl and said, “He would never accept anything that would force peace between us which leads me to believe that the promise you made in the form you just used, Clan Leader, is meaningless; I suspect that only promises made from one clan to another are binding and all other promises carry no legal weight unless all clans approve it in the form of a treaty.”

  Terl was amazed. “How could you possibly know that?”

  Danielle shrugged and said, “It’s obvious if you just look at your Admiral’s reactions. Admiral, why do you hate us?”

  Dorg sat and said nothing. Terl looked at him and ordered, “Answer them.”

  Dorg snarled, “You killed my Grandfather.” Terl sat back in his chair and looked at Dorg like he had never known him. The hatred was obvious in his face, the stiffness of his body, and the tight fists on all four hands.

  “When and how did we do that, Admiral,” Danielle asked in a soft voice. Tag and Kosiev remained silent, looked at each other and leaned back deciding to let her lead the conversation.

  Dorg looked at Danielle and said, “He was killed when your ship destroyed the two destroyers and damaged one of our cruisers ninety cycles ago. He was the commander of the cruiser.”

  “And you blame us for his death,” Danielle said continuing to speak softly.

  “Yes, he would have been our Clan Leader and you ended his life.”

  “Admiral, does any race other than your own have any standing in your point of view?” Danielle asked?

  “No.”

  “What makes your race stand above all others?”

  “Because we are the strongest of all races,” Dorg yelled! “None compare to us.”

  Still speaking a soft voice Danielle said, “So you are saying that the strongest are the only ones that should have any standing.”

  “Absolutely.”

  “What about the present situation, Admiral? Are you still the strongest now or have you lost your standing to my race,” Danielle asked?

  Dorg could only sit there and struggle with a response.

  “Let me put it another way, Admiral. If I walked into a room with 10 other humans and we started firing hand weapons at you; are you entitled to fire back in self defense?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  “What if during that confrontation you shot one of the ten and killed him. Are you to blame for his death?”

  “He shouldn’t have started shooting at me first.”

  “What if he didn’t; it was another that started the firing?”

  “Then it’s the one who started firing that caused the death.”

  Danielle stared at Dorg for few moments then said, “Ninety of our years ago one of your Admirals came to Earth with the intention of destroying our planet when one of your visiting nobles died while visiting. A Spejk doctor on our world determined that the noble died of natural causes. Were you aware of that?”

  “Yes, so what?”

  “Well, your Admiral found out that he had no cause to blame us for that death and he was furious that he could not use his fleet to destroy us. He took his fleet and left our system but on his way out to the jump limit he encountered one of our ships returning home and attacked it. Admiral, what cause did he have for that attack? What did we do to justify it?”

  Dorg just sat silent.

  “He had all two hundred ships in his fleet fire on that Earth Cruiser. All the Earth ship did was to try to defend itself and escape. Should the Earth Ship have just allowed itself to be destroyed?”

  Dorg sat silent.

  “Your Grandfather died as a result of your Admiral’s decision to kill the Earth Ship and crew. Just like the person who was shot when you would defend yourself if you were attacked by ten of us.”

  “One last question, Admiral; would your Grandfather have died if your Admiral had not ordered his fleet to attack an innocent ship? Like you said earlier, the one who started the shooting is the one responsible for the death.”

  Dorg was in obvious turmoil. He tried desperately not to hear her but he knew she was right; try as he might he couldn’t get around her logic. He knew at some level all along that the attack wasn’t justified; it was the fault of the Admiral. His grandfather’s death was the result of the Admirals anger over not being able to use his fleet for personal glory. All his life he had hated and blamed the wrong one. With that realization, he suddenly remembered the Human Colonists he had ordered executed and it hit him like a stunner. He hung his head and remained silent for a long moment, then said in a shaking voice, “I’m sorry. You’re right. I’m so sorry. I’ve been wrong about you all along. It was not your fault.”

  “One more question Admiral.” Dorg looked up and Danielle said in a voice that he could barely hear, “When have we ever given your race a reason to attack us?”

  Dorg hung his head and it was obvious that he was shaken by what Danielle had said to him. Terl looked at his Admiral sitting with his head down and suddenly he understood these humans. They had done nothing but defend themselves. His race had been the aggressor from the beginning and had not even taken the time to look and see if there was any threat to the Empire. This was all a huge mistake. Terl looked at Danielle and said, “I am also sorry. I’m ashamed of how we have treated you and how we have misjudged you over the cycles.” Then he looked at Tag and Kosiev, “Whatever you choose to do, we deserve. You never represented a threat to us; we were the threat to you.”

  The room was heavy with silence. Danielle could tell that these two Cainth were sincere. Then she got up and walked over to Admiral Dorg, knelt down beside his chair, and put her hand on his shoulder. Dorg raised his head and looked Danielle in the eyes. Danielle said, “There are moments in our life where we see ourselves clearly for the first time and find that we are not who we think we are. You can see yourself now, perhaps for the first time, as you truly are and the pain and horror of what your decisions have caused. From this day forward it will be your decision each day to choose what your path will be because of your new insight.” Danielle stood and then turned and looked at Tag and Kosiev. Tag nodded at her and she turned to Terl and said, “Clan leader, how many clans make up your leadership council?” Danielle asked.

  “There are fifteen of us that represent all the Clans. Why do you ask?”

  “Your next decision will determine the f
uture of both our races, Clan Leader,” Danielle said while looking at Tag. “You will call all the Clan Leaders to this ship immediately and you will turn the screens off your fleet until our meeting with them is over. You will ask your clan leaders to make us the sixteenth clan with a representative on your Council, then any agreements we make today will be binding on all.”

  Everyone in the room was struck dumb by the suggestion. Dorg looked up and said in a soft voice, “The Military and I will totally support this decision if the Clan Leaders so will it.”

  Terl looked at Dorg and saw sorrow, determination, and shame in his eyes along with something else that was different; his entire demeanor was different. This was the first hope Terl had felt since the battle and this was a remarkable suggestion. Then he said, “Who can speak for your government? How long will it take them to arrive?”