Exodus: Empires at War: Book 7: Counter Strike (27 page)

“And Tashiga says your theories are out of
date,” said the Captain, continuing to look directly at the scientist.

And he had over a week to convince you that he
was correct, and I was wrong.  Is there anything I can say to change your mind?

“What good does it do us to stay here, within
the hyper barrier?  After all, our remote platforms can gather all the data we
need.”

“Dr. Tashiga disagrees with you on that as
well,” said Orendorf, pulling his glasses off and sticking one of the earpieces
in his mouth.  He chewed for a moment, then looked back up at Southard. 
“Tashiga believes we will get some better readings with the ship’s sensors. 
And the closer we are, the better.”

“And that’s crap,” said Southard, slamming a
hand down on the table.

“Dr. Southard.  I would thank you to refrain
from these kinds of displays in my cabin.”

“I’m sorry,” said the scientist.  “It is just
frustrating that you lend so much credence to that, man.  And you will not
listen to reason.”

“So, Dr. Tashiga thinks we have two to three
weeks before the star blows.  And you think it will detonate in what?  Five or
six days.  Tell you what.  I’ll compromise.  Give Dr. Tashiga another eleven days,
then we’ll move out beyond the hyper barrier.  Will that be satisfactory.”

“This isn’t politics, Captain,” said Southard,
shaking his head.  “Compromise will not change the facts.  That star will enter
silicon fusion in five to six days, iron will build up at the core, and the
stellar furnace will die.  Seconds after that the star will explode.  And we
will not be able to outrun the heat and radiation wave to the hyper barrier. 
By the time the particles of matter reach us, we will be gone.  Well before
that, really.”

“You have my answer, Dr. Southard,” said the
Captain, putting his glasses on the desk.  “Take it or leave it.”

“Then I request permission to leave this ship.”

“I think not,” said the Captain, shaking his
head, then putting his glasses back on.  “You were assigned here under reserve
officer activation, and here you will stay, until we receive orders to the
contrary.”

“Very well,” said Southard, turning and
storming from the room. 
The idiot thinks this is some kind of game, that he
is in charge.  Just wait until fifty solar masses of star explodes in his face.
 
Southard made his way back to his cabin, sitting down and logging into his
personal terminal. 
I’ve still got some friends
, he thought, sending a
personal message through to one of the destroyers that was sensibly sitting
outside the hyper barrier, the one with the wormhole com.  He didn’t know if it
would help, or if he would get a reply back in time.  But it was the only thing
he could think of doing. 
No, not the only thing
, he thought, pulling up
the program that showed the ship’s systems, and seeing if he could get the
codes to the shuttle.

They might court martial me for this.  Or at
least bring me up in a civilian court for theft of government property.  But if
it gets me out of this stellar furnace, they can do whatever they want.

*    
*     *

CAPITULUM,  JEWEL. 
DECEMBER 11
^TH
, 1001.

The Yugalyth Prime squatted in the chamber and
looked over her spawn.  It would never move from this place, not unless
assisted by many of the mobile members of its kind.  Its only job now was to
grow those mobile forms.  Now over forty of them clustered into the chamber,
not to move the Prime, but to receive their final mission instructions.

It does not matter that they die
, thought the Prime,
who now had another dozen extrusions from its mass that were growing into human
form beings.  It looked at the mobile units, all of which were different, some
men, some women, all as average and ordinary looking as could be.  These were
not configured to try and get through any high security areas.  The one who had
been configured that way had left days ago.  These were made to strike, strike
hard, and do as much damage as possible.

And now all we are waiting on is the special
equipment
. 
That was not something it could provide.  The contacts it had with the
Knockermen network in the capital, which did not include any of those aliens
for obvious reasons, and through them the underworld, was supposed to give them
what they needed.  If they didn’t come through there were still targets his
minions could strike, but none like the one that was presenting itself the next
day.

“You have your orders,” he told the lesser
Yugalyth through his speaking orifice, while his eating mouth continued to
feed.  “After you receive your equipment, you will go to your rallying points
and await the hour.”

The Yugalyth thought for a moment about why it
was doing this, sending so many of its own kind to their deaths, even while it
risked its own existence doing so.  The Yugalyth had not always been gifted
with all of the attributes they now enjoyed, though they had always been a very
plastic race.  The Ancients had done this to them, and made them the
intelligence operatives of their Empire.  Then those same Ancients had played
with time and space, and lost many of their star systems as a result.  One of
those systems had been the one had birthed the Yugalyth species, who had never
again found a home.  And the humans were embarking on the same disastrous path.

“The equipment is here, sir,” said one of the
human mercenaries over the com.  The humans did not like to enter this room,
probably feeling that they would also become food.  They delivered those they
had kidnapped to the door and shoved them in.  Once in the room there was no
escape, except down the digestive system of the Prime, where they were
converted to Yugalyth biomass.

“Very good,” it said over the com.  “Make sure
everything works.”  It cut the com and turned back to its mobile units.  “Now
is the time.  Gather your equipment and strike.  The humans must learn that
they must not tamper with time and space the way they do.”

*    
*     *

“We think we’ve got something, Lieutenant,”
said the Detective First Class, walking into Ishuhi Rykio office.

The Lieutenant was looking at a holo map of the
city, the overview of the disappearances, which had spiked once again.  The
case was Priority Alpha for the police department.  And what they didn’t know
was that it was also Naval Intelligence Priority Alpha One, the highest. 
Someone in Fleet intelligence thought this had something to do with the
Yugalyth, and rooting out those creatures here in the capital system couldn’t
be any more important.

“Tell me,” he said, looking up at that big man
who had just interrupted his thinking.  Detective First Class Ramirez was also
ex Naval Intelligence, and though he had not been reactivated, he knew the
scoop.  The man closed the door behind him and walked up to the desk.

“One of our informants reported being chased
through the streets by men he said looked at him like he was a side of beef,”
said Ramirez, pointing a finger at the map holo and indicating a point near a
large park.  “He didn’t know who they were, but he was sure that they meant him
no good.  The snitch, who is an expert at getting his own hide out of trouble,
was able to lose them.”

“I guess that’s wonderful for him,” said Rykio,
not really seeing how this helped them.  The area indicated was large, and
almost a third of the disappearances had occurred in that region.  Which meant
that two thirds of them hadn’t.  Which meant that area might not be the center
of whatever was taking those people.

“This is where it gets interesting,” said the
Detective, ignoring the sarcasm from his officer.  “The informant followed the
men after they gave up chasing him.  I know, crazy.  But my guy realized this
might be worth some real money.  So he decided to take a chance.  And he caught
them, red, making a snatch and grab, right here.”  The detective pointed to a
spot, which then glowed on the map.

That’s about three kilometers from where they
tried to grab the informant.  Interesting
.  “Did he see what direction they
went.”

“Better than that,” said the smiling
Detective.  “He saw them put their victim, this time a young woman, into an air
van and take off.  My man was able to call a taxi just before they took off,
and had the cabby follow them, to here.”

“Shit,” blurted the Lieutenant, zooming in the
map to look at a large warehouse that occupied most of a block. 
What an
unlikely bunch of circumstances
, he thought.  But unlikely circumstances
were how people with the perfect plan often got caught, given enough time.

“Do you know who owns that building?”

“A holding company that first went into
business about six months ago,” said the other Detective.  “The records on them
are kind of sketchy.”

“We have them,” said Rykio, pumping his fist
into the air.  “Get together a team, while I kick this upstairs.  I want to get
these people before they have a chance to relocate.”  Unsaid was the fact that
Naval Intelligence would also be brought in, something both men knew, and the
higher ups in the department would find out soon enough.

Chapter Seventeen

A diplomat is a person
who can tell you to go to hell in such a way that you actually look forward to
the trip.   Caskie Stinnett

CAPITULUM, JEWEL. 
DECEMBER 12
^TH
, 1001.

The day of the wedding dawned warm and clear. 
Weather control had long been a dream of mankind.  Unfortunately, it had never
been obtained, except in the grossest of manners.  Heat could be pumped into an
ocean system to spawn storms, and sometimes rains could be generated in the
same manner, though there was always the risk of it getting out of control. 
Clear weather, not so much.

So Jennifer felt as if God was blessing her
marriage by sending them such a fine day.  She patted her flat stomach,
imagining the life that was already growing there.  She would not show for many
weeks, but the seed was planted, with the Imperial genome intact.  It was a
boy.  Not that it really mattered, the heir could very well be female.  But she
knew Sean would be thrilled to have a son.

Oh Glen
, she thought, seeing the big Marine in her
thoughts, blinking back the tears. 
We had planned on having children, of
raising them on a frontier world where there was air to breath and wilderness
to explore.  But now those worlds are at risk, and the only safe place, if
there is one, is here, on the capital.  The Cacas would have to go through the
entire military of the Empire to threaten my child.

“What’s wrong,” said Sean, moving up beside her
and holding her in his arms.  “You’re crying.”

“I’m just so happy that this day is finally
here,” she told her fiancé.  That was the truth, and a lie.  She was so very
happy to be marrying the man in front of her, and saddened that her last love
hadn’t survived.

“I want to see you smile,” he said after
kissing her.  “I want this to be the happiest day of your life.  Because, after
this day, you will be first among women of the Empire.”

“As far as I’m concerned,” she said, smiling,
“I already am.”

“With me you already are,” said Sean, stroking
her hair.  “This will just make it official for the rest of our wretched
minions.”

“You.”  Jennifer laughed and punched Sean in
the chest.  Her fist met iron hard muscle, a part of Sean’s genetic heritage. 
He
never works out, except some of those martial arts he enjoys, and he’s built
like an athlete.

“Ready, your Majesty?” asked Phyllis Clarke,
the woman who had been designated as wedding planner, for a ceremony that
promised to be much more complicated than any other in the last couple of
decades.

“Born ready,” said Sean, smiling, his eyes
never leaving those of Jennifer.  “You?”

“Nervous as hell,” she admitted.  “But yes, I‘m
ready.”

“Then it is time to go, your Majesty.  My
Lady.”

The lift took them up to the roof of the main
building, where a half dozen transports waited.  All looked alike from the
outside.  The one they were ushered inside was as much different from the
others as a mansion was from a barracks.  The inside was as luxurious as Sean’s
aircar, with plush seats, state of the art holo systems, a small bar.  Sean and
Jennifer sat in the back seat, with Phyllis sitting in the facing seat with one
of the Secret Service Agents on the security detail.  Senior Agent in Charge
Catherine Mays and two more of her agents took the seat in the next
compartment, right behind that of the Imperial couple, while a further pair sat
right behind the pilot’s compartment.

One of the other transports was packed with
twelve Secret Service Agents, while the other three had infantry from the
Imperial Protection Division, wearing medium combat armor, ready to deploy.  As
soon as everyone was aboard all six of the ships jumped into the air, where
another six troop carriers and twelve gunships formed up around them.  Overhead
was a squadron of atmospheric attack craft, while even further up was a
squadron of orbital fighters.  And on this day a small squadron of Fleet
warships hovered in low orbit over the capital, on the lookout for anything
that might come from space to interrupt the ceremony.

Traffic was still coming into Constance the
Great Spaceport.  Even such an event as this couldn’t stop the traffic that was
constantly coming in and out of the capital.  The only restriction was a
pinching of the air corridors, with shuttles cautioned to not deviate under
severe penalty of law.

We’re really doing this
, thought Jennifer,
wondering if she was going to wake up from this dream after all, and find that
she was still a frontier world doctor.  She looked over at Sean, who was
looking back with that charming smile on his face, and knew that this was
reality.

*    
*     *

Sean couldn’t stop looking at Jennifer.  The
smile on her face was radiant, and he was sure he had made the right choice. 
She’s
beautiful
, he thought, looking at her perfectly made up face, her red hair
flowing down the back of her dress, held in place by interlinked chains
glittering with precious stones.

Sean had seen more beautiful women in his time
in the Universe.  Most altered by nanite molding or other surgical methods. 
Jennifer was all natural, and to him that made her much more desirable than any
artificially enhanced woman.  And she had a fine mind as well.  Maybe not on
his level, but not too far behind.

The com signal in his link chimed, the kind of
sound that only accompanied a priority message.  He looked at the signature
stamp and saw that it was his chief spy, Director of the IIA, Ekaterina
Sergiov. 
I would have thought that she would be at the cathedral already.
 
It must be really vital for her to chime through at this time.

He connected through his link, using his
thoughts to communicate, so as not to alarm Jennifer.  Most people preferred to
actually speak, and to look at the person they were speaking to on holo.  There
was always the risk with mind link that something might be
said
that
wasn’t meant to be.

Your Majesty
, came the voice of the Director through
the link. 
We have notice from one of my agents about an attack on the
capital.  Involving the shifters.

Where did this intelligence come from?

Striped Wolf
, said the woman, using the code word
for the Maurid double agent. 
We think the intelligence is good.  The source
says that it comes from the Knockermen themselves.

Any idea of the target?
asked Sean, giving
Jennifer a worried glance, seeing a frown come over her face.

Not by name, your Majesty.  But today is your
wedding day.  I can’t think of a better target for someone who wants to make a
statement.

And your suggestion, Ekaterina?  Should we call
off the wedding?
 
He felt heartsick as he said the last, looking at Jennifer, imagining the
disappointment she would feel.

By no means do I think you should call off the
wedding, your Majesty.  These people, or whatever they are, are now
terrorists.  And letting them have their way is the same as letting them win. 
The wedding must go on.  I am mobilizing everything I have, including Capitulum
police, to cover all avenues of approach on the ground.  I suggest that you
alert the military, or give me the authorization to do so.  We probably need
more top cover, unless I miss my guess.

You have my authorization, Ekaterina
, sent Sean, looking
out the window at the city passing underneath, the huge towers they were flying
over, and the even taller buildings off in the distance. 
Every barracks, planet
wide.  But tell them to not interfere with the wedding, or the guests, unless
it becomes necessary.  I don’t want us causing lot of alarm over what might
turn out to be nothing.

I might suggest employing a distortion field
around you and the Empress
, said Sergiov after a moment’s hesitation. 
It might
just cause an assassin to miss.

The com link died, and Sean continued to stare
out into the city, until soft arms encircled him.

“What’s wrong?” asked Jennifer.

“Some last minute military preparations for the
offensive,” he said, feeling guilty at having to lie to her.

“Are you sure that’s what it was?  You wouldn’t
be holding something back?”

And it’s not a good way to start off a
marriage,
thought Sean, looking into her concerned eyes. 
Especially when we are going
to be a governing partnership. 
“Ekaterina thinks there may be an attack by
the shape shifters.”  He cringed a bit as he saw her eyes widen.  “It might be
during the ceremony.  Or soon after.”

“Should we, postpone it, then,” she said, her
eyes starting to mist up.  “Maybe we can have a small ceremony at the palace.”

“The Emperors of this Empire do not marry in
small, private ceremonies,” said Sean, shaking his head.  “To back out now
sends the wrong message.  And, since we know it’s likely coming, we’re
prepared.”

Jennifer nodded, not looking happy with the
idea that her wedding day might be interrupted by terrorists.  But he could see
by the set of her chin that she was determined to see it through.

“We’re preparing to set down now, your Majesty,”
said Senior Agent in Charge May from her station.  “Let the soldiers deploy
first, then my people will form up around you and escort you into the
cathedral.”

“Don’t crowd me too close,” said Sean, knowing
that the woman would have by now received the warning from Sergiov, who was
also her boss.  “We want the people to see the happy couple.”

Thank God we’re dressed for the occasion
, thought Sean, running
a hand over the shoulder of Jennifer’s blue gown, which covered her from her
neck down to her ankles.  The dress was as elegant as could be, and was also
made up of impact armor cloth with a reflective undercoating.  It could handle
any small caliber round that wasn’t launched by a mag rail cannon, and several
seconds of medium intensity laser fire.  But he couldn’t guarantee that they
would not be shot at by more powerful weapons than the clothing could
withstand.

Sean himself was wearing his naval Commander in
Chief’s uniform, with the same ability to withstand fire as Jennifer’s gown. 
He also had a ceremonial pistol belted to his waist, that was actually a very
serviceable particle beam weapon.  On both forearms, hidden under his sleeves,
were laser projectors of the same power capacity as military grade pistols.  He
thought that if it came down to using those weapons to defend himself and his
bride, he was really fucked.  But having them made him feel better.

The area in front of the cathedral was cleared
for the landing.  The huge plaza that extended from the bottoms of the steps
for kilometers to the outer wall was packed with millions of adoring citizens. 
Huge holo projectors set up for their viewing showed the transports coming in
for landing.  As soon as they entered the cathedral the view would switch to
inside.  Billions of people across the planet were also watching, from homes,
bars, restaurants, even stadiums and arenas set up for this purpose.  And, for
the first time in history, over three hundred billion people, humans and
aliens, would watch a ceremony from the capital city in real time, through the
wormhole net.

Sean also noticed all the troops in that plaza,
soldiers and Marines in battle armor arrayed around the outside borders.  A
hundred more on the landing stage.  And in the air, hovering on their suit
grabbers, hundreds more.  Not seen were the sniper and heavy weapons teams
occupying vantage points on the cathedral roof and towers, and all the
surrounding buildings.  Outside of the perimeters of military personnel were
thousands of Capitulum police, mostly equipped for crowd control, though their
heavy alert teams were also present.

“If you please, your Majesty.  My Lady,” said
May, opening the door and inviting them out.

The plaza reverberated with the roar of
millions of people, cheering for their Monarch and his bride.  Sean was popular
once again, after his victory at Congreeve.  People had hope once more, and
this ceremony was a symbol that the Empire would go on, and humans would still
have a place in the Galaxy.  Sean and Jennifer both waved to the crowd, basking
in the adulation.

“Ready?” asked Sean as he held out his arm for
his bride.

“Ready,” she agreed, taking that arm and
letting herself be led into the cathedral.

The large doors opened, and the Emperor and his
bride walked through, while the hundreds of thousands of heads within the
Reformed Catholic Cathedral of St. Marks turned and craned to catch the first
sight of the Imperial couple.  Large holos on the side walls showed the sight
to those who could not see them across the huge cathedral.

“See you in a moment,” said Sean, kissing
Jennifer, then walking toward the front on the long carpet.  There waited the
Patriarch of the Church, Pope Julius Komo, his ebony face shining under his
Mitre of office.  Forward of him stood one of the newest knights of the realm,
Second Lieutenant Cornelius Walborski, looking handsome in his dress uniform,
even if his expression was decidedly uncomfortable.