“We’ll want to bring significant firepower without appearing to be a strictly military operation,” Lady Trilia was saying. The elegant Astralbian female nodded to one of the lords who’d gathered in Prince Jylik’s star tree. “Lord Vilki’s star tree boasts nearly one hundred eyes, including a great eye, but also houses a number of tree priest sanctums. We’ll be able to claim research purposes and also keep the option of obliterating opposition.”

“Wise, as you ever are, Lady Trilia,” said Jylik. “Between my star tree, Lord Vilki’s, and my own we should present an intimidating force. That will be the core of the fleet, in addition to a few support vessels.”

“A solid strategy,” said a scratchy, attenuated voice.

Jylik turned to see his father entering the room with a complement of guards. He frowned as his erstwhile allies bowed to his father. The reverence was a necessity on their part, but he hated when his father extracted fealty from lords and ladies he was conferring with. One day they would bow to him, and his father would be nothing more than a memory and a crystal on his crown.

“Is there some way I can serve you, Father?” Jylik asked in his most cordial voice.

“By not patronizing an old man, I suppose,” said King Hylik, fixing his eyes on his son.

Polite laughter rang out, infuriating Jylik.

“Do you have any input for our mission, your Majesty?” asked Trilia.

“No, I think the approach you’ve outlined will be sufficient. I merely came by to see how things are progressing.”

“They are progressing fine, Father,” said Jylik, his eyes returning to the information on the desk before him. “We plan to jump directly to Hruduk. Since the Code will keep the Republic from establishing a satellite network for a little while, we’re confident we will be able to avoid detection, making contact with the Hrudukites on our terms. If and when our presence is revealed we will imply the planet’s location was leaked from the IGC. So long as our source remains on board we should be able to continue following the Republic straight to the Cluster.”

“Excellent,” replied the King. He turned to walk back out of the room, his guards following him. “Keep me informed. And make me proud, son.”

Jylik sneered at his Father’s back. Trilia noticed the look, but said nothing. Now was not the time.

***

King Hrynkak was happy to hear that Hrake would be going along with the Blue Griffon Fleet, though he’d miss his loyal cousin’s company and advice.

You will be missed, Hrake, so please return as soon as your quest has been fulfilled. I have sent messengers to the other kingdoms and city-states to announce the revelation of the Progenitor and the arrival of beings from other worlds, as well as my ascension to the throne, the King remarked. I fear turbulent times are ahead, though yesterday’s rains will certainly help to lower tensions.

Glad to hear that, your Majesty, said Raivyn. You will have the Republic’s support, though that will be tempered somewhat by the IGC. To that end, I do have a request to make.

Name it! the King exclaimed. You will have whatever I can provide.

Thank you, King Hrynkak, replied Raivyn. But I want to be clear that you owe the Republic nothing; we are simply glad to have you as our ally.

What we would like - and we do not mean to trample on sacred ground - is to explore the Mountains of Wasting.

Hrynkak’s features bunched up in concern.

We are quite confident we know what causes the illness experienced by those who travel that area, stated Raivyn. In fact, used correctly, small amounts of the materials causing the illness can be used to generate unimaginable power. It is how we fuel our star ships.

How can you explore that area without dying? asked Hrynkak. It is the very gates of death.

With respect, your Majesty, we have clothes, a kind of armor, if you will, that can withstand the poison. Some of our number, such as Doc Manford, are not affected by the poison like you and I are. If more Roach Lords live in the area, or there are similar dangers, we will take that into consideration.

I know of no other creatures that live in the Mountains, said Hrynkak solemnly. Even the Roach Lord only lived on the outskirts. But it is said a gateway to the underworld exists somewhere in those hills. The things you have taught us make me question that, but I feel I must warn you of it all the same. However, you have free rein to explore the Mountains of Wasting and extract what you will. All I ask is that you proceed with the utmost caution and do not bring the poison back to Gred or any other town or city on Hruduk.

Raivyn dipped her head respectfully. Your terms are more than fair, King Hrynkak. We will pay for any ore extracted, though we only intend to take a small sample at this time. For now, we plan to take Warrior Hrake back to the Wingspan to introduce him to the basics of space travel.

***

Hrake looked at the shuttle, his face a stoic mask but his stomach quivering with nervous energy. He was carrying only a small bundle of personal possessions but was loaded down with gear and weapons, including the “mag-boots” that Reclan had fitted him with. The boots were going to allow him to walk aboard the Wingspan. Evidently the floors of the great ship did not share Hruduk’s way of pulling one towards them. He walked up the ramp, waving goodbye to Hrynkak, Grehi, Rehkna, and the gathered crowd.

Talon Squad shook hands with the King and Elder Shaman, a practice Hrake noted was both for greetings and partings. They joined him in the shuttle, heading up to the cockpit and seating area. The now-familiar rumble sounded as Hrake secured his gear and strapped himself in. During his last journey, Hrake had only been going over land, from one point on Hruduk to another. Today he was going to board the Wingspan, a massive space boat that the shuttle could park inside of. Though the idea of a vehicle so immense was overwhelming, what was much worse was the concept that the heaven that bore it contained no air. It was an emptiness, stretching out across seemingly endless distances. The stars were not out of reach, thanks to the ship, but they were infinitely farther away than the astrologers of Gred claimed.

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As Hrake mused on these unfathomable concepts, the sky grew dark outside the window of the shuttle.

“Night?” he asked in the traveler’s tongue. It was too early for sunset, though.

D’Jarric shook his head. “Aether.”

Hrake nodded. They were getting close, then. Talon Squad had told him it would be dark in the aether.

Looking out the front window, or “windshield” as Reclan had called it when she tried to describe the parts and workings of the shuttle, Hrake noted a shining speck that quickly became larger and larger. It was a massive, silvery platform adorned in blue, a massive spire growing from the main deck, housed in a crystal-clear bubble of glass. A variety of spines and tubes protruded from the platform and the tower. The Wingspan was a sight to behold. The fish-like ship and floating tower beside it must be the Halberd and the Shepherd respectively.

Reclan said something over the comms about “Wingspan” and “Talon Squad.” Hrake couldn’t make out the details. However, he assumed it was related to the gaping metal maw that opened as the shuttle approached, allowing the Wingspan to swallow them whole.

Hrake unbuckled and activated his mag-boots as instructed. It was an awkward way to move, but he would adapt to it. He walked down the ramp and was greeted by a huge crowd of Humans, Dromeans, Robots, and others he had never seen before. They were all clapping and smiling. Hrake dipped his head to them politely.

One of the humans had more wrinkles around his eyes than most of the others, with grey hair on top of his head, and more growing under his nose. Hrake wondered if that was the result of some kind of medical anomaly. The Human walked forward and extended his hand.

“Welcome, Warrior Hrake of Gred,” said the man in passable Hrudukite.

Hrake nodded. “Thank you, Admiral Jasken.” He hoped his Talpaertan was equally passable.

Jasken smiled and nodded, which was a good sign.

***

Vanbrook watched the exchange with interest. He knew Jasken didn’t want Hrake aboard, but the man was a consummate soldier, fulfilling his duty to the Prime Minister even when he disagreed with him. Vanbrook wondered if he’d be able to do the same in Jasken’s position.

As Jasken dismissed the crowd, Vanbrook tapped Hrake on the shoulder and signaled for him to follow. For well over two hours, Talon Squad took Hrake on a tour of the Wingspan. Vanbrook was glad when they had gotten through the boring parts and reached the weapons training room.

Located below decks and heavily shielded against both ballistic and EM weapons, the weapons training room held a heavily-guarded armory and a firing range. Looking at Hrake’s massive hands, Doc Manford walked up to the barred box office where the rangemaster was stationed and requested a standard service rifle designed for the larger members of the Raki species for the Hrudukite, as well as a standard human-sized rifle for himself.

They had gone over weapons safety when Rehkna had been present, so that Hrake would be fully prepared for this moment. He walked over to the range and demonstrated using the rifle. At fifty yards, Doc managed to put three ballistic rounds and three laser blasts inside the bullseye without breaking a sweat. Hrake mimicked the action, but his shots were scattered. One laser blast hit the outer edge of the twelve-inch target, but the others missed entirely.

Frowning, Hrake took out his sling, placed a stone bullet in it and began swinging it. He released the stone, and it hit the target several inches above the bullseye.

“No gravity,” said Vanbrook. Hrake nodded his understanding. “Gravity” was what pulled everything down on Hruduk, but there was none to speak of in the aether. He had to compensate for that down below, but not here. Trying again, he hit the bullseye with his sling. Talon Squad cheered his success. Reclan was smiling and nodding, but Hrake could see that she was considering something.

“Whatever,” said Doc, taking both rifles back to the rangemaster.

Hrake didn’t understand the word but it didn’t sound congratulatory.

***

Hours later, after more orientation and far too many new words for Hrake to have memorized them all, Talon Squad reported to Jasken’s office, their junior member in tow. Drixen and Kaihla stood by the Admiral, greeting Talon Squad with smiles.

“Talon Squad,” said Jasken. “Thanks for coming. I wanted to let you know that we’ve identified the next planet for our expedition. However, we’re now waiting on a delegation comprised of IGC officials and Republic diplomats from Kirakna to arrive before we leave. While we wait, I’m going to have you take King Hrynkak up on his offer and explore the Mountains of Wasting, looking for samples of fissile material. I’ll be sending the fleet’s geologist, Dr. Britkrup, and a team of field techs. Drixen and Kaihla will be piloting the geologist’s shuttle, and you will escort them to provide support and security. You’ll leave first thing tomorrow.”

“With respect, is there any need to send Dr. Britkrup and the others?” asked Raivyn. “Talon Squad is more than capable of collecting a few samples.”

“Though I’m sure you’re right, I feel that a credentialed scientist would be of value on this venture. Since this discovery has the potential to be extremely economically and diplomatically important to the Republic, I want to be sure we don’t miss anything. Also, Britkrup specializes in volcanic sources of uranium and other radioactive elements and she begged me to let her go.”

“Sounds reasonable,” said Raivyn with a smirk. “But I think we’d better not give Hrake a firearm. He’s not terribly comfortable with them yet.”

“Yes, I was watching the security footage while you were showing him the basics,” replied Jasken, smoothing his mustache. “It’s his planet, and he looks like he can handle himself just fine with the weapons he knows best. Kwa-Kwa got wind that Hrudukites use slings and she’s quite excited to size Hrake up.”

“Ha, I bet,” said Vanbrook. “Krauqians haven’t found much competition in the galaxy when it comes to slinging.”

“For now,” said Jasken, “head down to fabrication. They think they’ve figured out how to get Hrake fitted for tomorrow’s mission.”

***

Chully looked Hetford square in the eyes. “No.”

“That wasn’t a suggestion, Agent Chully,” said the frail and elderly Human male, the sagging wrinkles of his neck swaying as he shook his head. “The Gladius will serve as your mobile base of operations for the remainder of the investigation.”

Huluna stood in the corner of Hetford’s office, choosing not to get between the two. Their investigation had revealed that the cult had likely originated on Krauqia as an outgrowth of pre-Republic religious beliefs.

“We can handle ourselves, Chief!” Chully exclaimed, unable to keep his temper in check. Huluna wondered how much the outburst was fueled by a sense of independence versus his feelings towards these particular Marines.

“Certainly!” Hetford agreed aggressively. “However, the last interaction the Republic had with this cult was a full-scale military engagement, which you should remember, as you just sorted through the wreckage of it. So, yes, you will go to Krauqia and investigate the origins of the Koomites and, yes, you WILL go aboard the Gladius!”

Chully huffed but said nothing as he turned and stormed from the room. Huluna lifted her limbs up in a shrugging motion. “You know how he gets around Keshri,” she said quietly. “But no worries, we’ll be on the Gladius by sun-up. And they probably won’t kill each other on the way to Krauqia.”

“See that they don’t,” said Hetford grumpily, falling back into his chair.