Black Legion: 05 - Sea of Fire (20 page)

There is much more at stake here than just one prisoner. I can worry about ethics later. First I have to live, and so do my friends.

It was the thought of Tamara, Glaucon and, of course, Artemas that proved the deciding point. For the sake of one man, could he risk them all? Deep down he knew he would do whatever it took, but something lingered near the surface that left him feeling uneasy.

“I will ask you one last time, and then I will let the Scythian get to work. There is a reason we use them for internal policing in Attica, and why we have small numbers in our Legion. They are expert police and investigators, but they excel at information extraction and interrogation.”

He looked to the shadows, and the figure lifted his upper lip to reveal a yellowing tooth. Xenophon shuddered a little at the ugly spectacle. He had never seen one of the Scythians at work, and as he examined the face of this one, he realized he had no intention of staying to watch. There was a reason they were so successful back on his homeworld.

“Well?”

The prisoner swallowed and said nothing.

“Very well.”

Xenophon walked to the door and signaled for Roxana to follow. She did, but only under duress. Once outside Xenophon looked back and whispered quietly into the Scythian’s ear. It took a few seconds before he nodded and then pulled the door shut behind them; his strange face replaced by that of Roxana. She moved so close their faces were just inches apart.

“What the hell are you doing?” she demanded, “The Scythians are here as a last resort. You know what he will do. Is that what you want on your hands?”

Xenophon shook his head, but he was becoming more irritated than sad at his own action.

“Yes, I know exactly what I am doing.”

A groan was quickly followed by a shout, and then a terrible scream that sent shivers through both of their bodies. Roxana looked into Xenophon’s eyes, her expression stone cold.

“I cannot believe you would stoop this low. I really...”

He lifted his hand and held back her arm.

“If you want to go in and stop him, and leave our fleet to die over the next day, then go ahead.”

He stepped aside so that there was nothing to obstruct her approach to the door. Again came a scream, and she took a step toward the door.

“Just remember. The ethical decision today will be the greatest crime against our people tomorrow.”

Roxana looked at him, lowered her head in shame, and walked away. As she moved around the corner, another cry of pain reverberated through the innards of the ship.

Get what we need, quickly. I can’t take much more of this.

* * *

Battleship ‘Zaal’, Hayastani border

Ariaeus sat in the vast gold decorated chair alongside Tirbazus. It was the position of honor, and clearly a political point that was taken and acknowledged by Ariaeus. They had been there for some time when the doors to the vast Royal Chamber opened.

“Ah,” said Tirbazus, “we have a guest.”

The shape was unmistakable even at this range. It moved forward with a grinding clunk, one step after each tortured step. As it came nearer, the volume in the Royal Chamber reduced until the only signs of movement were the lavish shapes on the ceiling, and the approach of the machine. Finally, it stopped before the two nobles and performed a modest bow.

“This does not look inspiring,” said Ariaeus.

Tirbazus seemed much less concerned with what he could see. The machine was scratched and battered, but it was hard to tell if any of the damage was a legacy of the machine’s many battles, or from something more recent.

“The Terrans are split. I led the diversion and have identified areas of strength and weakness.”

Ariaeus laughed at what the machine said in its dull, droll synthesized voice. He rose to his feet and moved down the steps to the battered machine. Any other warrior might have shown concern, fear, or remorse. The machine showed nothing; it simply waited as Ariaeus circled it.

“So you failed to defeat them?”

“Yes.”

Tirbazus lifted his hand but deliberately stayed seated.

“Brutal honesty is something rarely heard today, wouldn’t you agree?”

Ariaeus looked back at him and wondered quite who that barb had been aimed at. Tirbazus seemed friendly enough, and he had far less than required to act upon, at least so far. Instead, he turned his attention back to the machine.

“Explain yourself. Why did you fail?”

“The enemy, they exploited the Carduchian tactics effectively.”

Ariaeus laughed and then waved his hands to encourage him.

“Go on.”

The machine twisted three degrees to the side before continuing.

“Their commander refused to break formation. When they appeared weak, the Carduchians attacked and carried out continuous assaults and feigned withdrawals.”

Ariaeus shrugged.

“Of course. That is what you would do against a green force of Terrans. You hit them from multiple directions and then fall back.”

He looked to Tirbazus.

“Predators do the same with herds of prey on the plains, do they not?”

The Satrap smiled but said nothing. Ariaeus scowled and then looked back.

“Can we assume that you were unsuccessful in encouraging a few ships to break away?”

“That is correct. The Terrans were more experienced than the intelligence we were given. Our data showed that these were mercenaries, scared and panicked. Their leadership was fractured and prone to infighting.”

The machine flexed his shoulder muscles, and for a brief moment Ariaeus found himself nearly panicking. Tirbazus watched the events unfolding before them with amusement but still remained motionless in his grand throne.

“Go on, Tir, tell us the rest,” he said, to Ariaeus’ annoyance.

The machine lifted itself to its former position and moved its hips. If the thing had been alive, it might have seemed it was uncomfortable, but there was no way that could have been true. Tir was a robot, an autonomous product of the self-aware machines of the Robotic Domains. He consisted of metal, plastics, electronics, and artificial neural pathways. No blood ran through his body, and no muscle could strain or exhibit pain.

“Their fleet began to rupture, and some of their ships tried to escape. That is what we expected from the intelligence we received. This is when I ordered the assault on their command ship, a heavily armed light cruiser.”

The machine hesitated, much to Ariaeus’ surprise.

“It was a trap. As our formation scattered, they brought in Corvus grapples and then broke formation to pursue. The Carduchians were shattered, and many of their ships captured. Their commander is now either dead or a prisoner.”

Ariaeus laughed at that part.

“So now we need not worry about paying off their regional commander.”

He looked to Tirbazus.

“The fool wanted far more than was necessary to repair the damage done to his local facilities. He was greedy, especially when this mission was sanctioned by the God King himself.”

There was a look on his face that followed his outburst, one of sudden recollection. He spun around and looked back to the machine.

“The Carduchian commander. Could he have been captured?”

“Yes.”

The machine betrayed no emotion and no calculated response. As always, it answered the question based upon all the information it might have available. Tirbazus finally removed himself from his throne and walked down to the two of them. He examined the marks on the machine carefully, even touching a few of the deep cuts on the flanks.

“The Carduchian commander is a warrior known as Golnaz. We have fought a dozen border wars with his forces in the last hundred years. He is a violent soldier, and he has no love for my own Satrap.”

Tirbazus looked to Tir.

“What happened with your attack on their command ship?”

“My forces penetrated their fleet, and I boarded the ship.”

Tirbazus nodded in pleasure at this.

“Impressive. In the middle of the fight, you personally boarded their flagship, even as your forces were breaking apart.”

“Yes. With the battle already a defeat, I attempted to salvage something. I fought inside, but their commander was waiting. We fought and lost equal casualties until they brought in more troops.”

“And then?”

Ariaeus walked away and then began to circle in frustration. The machine might have been watching, but its lack of neck, face, or obvious eyes made it impossible to tell. Even so, there was something about its timing that almost suggested a kind of Laconic amusement.

“I fought my way to the ship and then withdrew. My Domain ships suffered light casualties. The Carduchian forces lost over half, with at least eighteen captured. Commander Golnaz’s ship was one of those captured.”

Ariaeus stopped, walked, and lowered his face into his hands. He muttered to himself and then looked to Tir.

“So you achieved what exactly?”

The machine emitted a grinding sound.

“I attacked their fleet, caused casualties, and delayed them enough for the primary forces to attack their Titans. Their fleet is split, and they are scattered and weak, just as requested by Lord
Ruhollah.
Darbabad Forouzandeh is leading the attack at his request.”

Ariaeus was stunned at this news.

“What primary fleet? My forces have been given no orders to attack, and what does Lord
Ruhollah have to do with this? I am the Imperial commander in the field.
”

The machine twisted about at its waist to face Ariaeus.

“Have you not received the Imperial transmission? It was sent to all command level positions in the Empire and the Imperial warships in this sector.”

Tirbazus nodded.

“Yes, I have. Have your crew not yet informed you? Perhaps you should speak with Lord
Ruhollah.
”

Ariaeus walked to a point between the two of them and faced off against Tirbazus. His face was already reddening with anger, but the Satrap appeared unconcerned at what he could see.

“What is going on here?”

Tirbazus shrugged.

“I assumed you were here as the military commander, and Lord
Ruhollah is here to oversee your operation. I suggest you find out what is happening.”

Ariaeus’ face lightened in color, but his expression was as fearsome as it ever had been. He began to move away but then stopped and looked back at Tirbazus.

“Make sure your forces are ready. I intend on striking a blow that will end this little expedition once and for all. I want all Hayastani and mercenary ships armed and ready for battle.”

“Of course. Where might this battle be taking place?”

Ariaeus walked right up to Tirbazus, their faces uncomfortably close.

“Wherever it needs to be.”

“What of the Carduchians? They will help you, but they will not fight alongside my forces.”

Ariaeus hissed loudly through his teeth.

“You will all fight where I tell you, or you will all burn beneath the guns of the Imperial fleet. Do you understand?”

Tirbazus lowered his head slightly in a gentle bow.

“Of course, My Lord. My ships are ready and await your orders.”

Ariaeus marched off, but it was neither a victory nor a defeat for him. All he could think as he reached the doors to the vast Royal Chamber was where he could find the bastard son of the Emperor. He moved so quickly that he almost crashed into the one person he was looking for. Coming right for him, and dressed in the full military garb of the Imperial Anusiyans, the elite royal military force of the Empire.

“Lord Ariaeus, I bring word from Carduchia. Our fleet is heavily engaged with the Terrans. Their Titans are surrounded and they are taking casualties.”

Ariaeus wasn’t thinking as he stepped close and drove his left fist into his face with every ounce of strength. The impact was hard as it struck the cheek, and Lord
Ruhollah stumbled back and fell to the floor. He clutched at his bleeding mouth as he looked back up at the furious expression on
Ariaeus’ face.

“I am in charge of this operation. Interfere again, and I will have you spaced.”

With that, he stormed passed the fallen noble and on to his waiting guards.

“Bring me my shuttle. It is time to return to my ship!”

* * *

The mood inside the Royal Chamber was cool and nervous. Satrap Tirbazus had returned to his throne, and his guards waited patiently and silently at the flanks as they always had. The ceiling moved back and forth, but it was the blood dripping from Lord
Ruhollah’s mouth that surprised even Tirbazus.

“He is out of control,” complained the son of the Emperor.

“Perhaps. But I can see his point. You sent the signal to the mercenaries and the rest of the Carduchians to engage the Terrans. Is there a reason you chose to usurp
Ariaeus? He does not even seem to know you are on his ship.”