Jylik waited nervously at the communications console. It had been some time since the comm line to the mother tree over Hruduk had been suddenly cut off.
“Emperor, this is Captain Tyrun of the Hrudukite fleet,” said a voice over the comm. “I am the highest ranking officer left.”
Jylik put his head in his hand. That confirmed his worst suspicions. The mother tree was destroyed.
“What is the status of Hruduk?” asked Jylik, not wanting to hear the answer.
A long pause ensued.
“We fled the planet, Your Highness.”
“Fall back to Grisseon,” said Jylik, seething. “We are strengthening our defenses there.”
It was partly true. The partial fleet traveling to Grisseon would strengthen the defenses. However, he would see to it that the cowards who fled Hruduk would be on the front line of the coming battles, and he saw no reason to use them as anything more than a speedbump.
After getting a more complete report of the debacle, Jylik ended the communication and paced around his command center. They needed something more than just star trees, especially if the Republic had discovered a way to exploit their great eyes.
Jylik’s eyes fell onto one of the many reports spread over his desk. The Ramshackle Collective had been spotted in the Cluster. He hadn’t thought much about it when he first read it. They hadn’t attacked and he didn’t wish to spread resources too thin. Now it provided an intriguing opportunity.
His comm came to life again, this time with a more familiar voice. “My Emperor, it is your servant, Empress Trilia. I have assessed the Koomites, and I believe they can be of great use to us. There is much I would like to discuss.”
***
Jasken watched in satisfaction as the mother tree ignited, the integrity of its bark-like hull compromised by the destruction of one of its great eyes. The rest of the fleet fell into disarray immediately. A number of smaller trees were destroyed before the remainder fled, jumping away from the battle. The fighters returned to the hangars and Dekken began talking to the engineers below decks about the damage sustained in the battle. There would be a good deal of work to follow, clearing the remaining mines and sweeping the planet for any Astralbian enclaves left behind, but for now the battle was over.
“Well, Jasken,” said Admiral Drai. “I think that went fairly well. Looks like the great eye theory was a success. Could be a game changer.”
“Could be, Admiral,” answered Jasken. “But the Astralbians aren’t stupid. They’ll adapt.”
“Too true,” replied Drai. “Go ahead and land. We’ll take turns resting and keeping watch in orbit until we get further orders from up the chain. Take the Blue Griffon Fleet, the Gladius, the Falchion, and the Mason; I’ll keep the rest of the Silver Star Fleet under my command.”
“We’ll land as soon as we get word our ships are in good enough shape to survive the landing process,” said Jasken. “I’ll need to talk with my people, anyway.”
***
Taking the second half of the city was far easier, as the Astralbians simply ran out of the open gates, scrambling to take to their star trees. The parked trees, however, were destroyed by the Wingspan and its accompanying ships, and the Astralbians were cornered. A few continued to fight and were quickly cut down, but a good portion surrendered willingly, not prepared to die for Jylik’s fledgling empire.
Hrynkak was quick to raise the banner of Gred back to its proper place above the palace.
“Admiral Jasken,” said the King when the Admiral approached the palace. “While I would love to celebrate, it would be wise to send troops to the other cities as soon as possible. They were occupied by Astralbians and still may be now.”
“We’ll scout the situation out immediately,” said Jasken. “Our satellite network was all but destroyed by the Astralbians, but we know the locations of the other cities and our ships’ telescopes will check in on them at the earliest possible moment, I assure you.”
“That is good,” said Hrynkak. “I have spoken to my warriors, Admiral. They cannot rest knowing our allies are still at war. I will need to stay behind, but a detachment of my finest soldiers and smiths will go with you, if you will have them.”
“That would be greatly appreciated,” said Jasken. “They’ll be welcomed and well-armed.”
Hrynkak nodded. “They are quite fond of the hammer rifles.”
Jasken laughed. “I’m sure they are.”
Talon Squad, fully reassembled now following the battle, walked up the palace steps.
“Admiral,” said Raivyn. “The city is cleared of Astralbians, and all the POWs are being loaded onto the Wingspan. It’s going to be a challenge to get them back to Kirakna, but I imagine that’s where they’ll be heading.”
“Yes,” said Jasken. “You’re right. A ship is coming to pick them up, and will also be dropping off General Grubula and his command along with Agents Chully and Huluna and a squad of RTS agents.”
Raivyn’s face soured. Witch hunters.
"That's why I wanted to make sure you heard it from me first," said Jasken, noting Raivyn's expression. "But there are serious concerns regarding the Koomite cult. Cevla is not the only dangerous psychic that joined them, and we're still not sure what role they're going to play in this war. Having some Telepathic Services agents around could prove very helpful."
Raivyn made a noncommittal grunting noise. "Hopefully we'll be able to stay out of each other's way."
"I believe that would be for the best," said Jasken.
"The RTS," said Hrynkak with a frown. "These are your witch hunters?"
"That's not their proper title," said Jasken diplomatically. "But they are called that by some. The Republic Telepathic Service is an administrative agency designed to inform psychics of the unique responsibilities that come along with their gifts and enforce laws regarding the use of psychic abilities and technologies. The agents coming here specialize in countering and pursuing psychic fugitives."
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"Just understand that we revere our psychics on Hruduk," said King Hrynkak.
"Understood," answered Jasken with a nod.
"Regrettably I must go see to my father's final arrangements," said Hrynkak.
"And I again offer the Republic's condolences," replied Jasken.
Talon Squad nodded to the King, with Hrake bowing low.
Jasken turned to Raivyn. "I expect you to be on your best behavior, Raivyn."
"Always, sir," she answered smartly.
Vanbrook smiled slightly, amused to see someone else on the receiving end of Jasken's attention for once.
***
That evening, a large fire was lit in Gred's main square and the people of the city gathered, but this time in mourning, not celebration. Hrynkak, Hrake, and two additional pallbearers carried a casket from the palace, following behind Elder Shaman Rehkna and the other city Elders.
When Rehkna reached the fire, she took a torch and lit it, then led the procession around the fire. Quietly, the warriors, townsfolk, and Republic military personnel filed in behind the casket and followed. Rehkna's torch was the only illumination as the procession left the city.
They walked to the top of a nearby hill, where a pit lay waiting to receive the former king's body. Large, uncut stones stood as markers for his forbearers, and a similar stone was propped up by wood just uphill from the pit.
The casket was laid in its place and Rehkna led the procession off to one side. Hrake and Hrynkak stood on either side of the stone, nodded to one another and swung their hammers, breaking the wooden supports and allowing the stone to fall into place with a massive, final thud. At the same time, Rehkna extinguished her torch.
"King Zrykyk taught me much," said Hrynkak's voice in the darkness. "He was a troubled man, but he was once a loving father and devoted king. In the end, he saw reason one more time, a fact that brings me much comfort.
"I do not ask you to forgive him for his sake, my people, or even for mine; I ask it for your own. Let the poisoned fruit die with the tree. Let it spread no further in your hearts.
"May the Progenitor keep his soul, which was his dying request.
"Farewell, Father. Greet me when I come to you."
With this, Rehkna took up the procession again, leading it quietly back into the city by the light of Hruduk's moon.
***
Hacksaw approached Crush with an air of uncertainty.
“Captain,” said Crush, looking up at him from the maps she was studying with one of the local Astralbians. “What’s on your mind?”
Her voice was gentle. Soft, even. It seemed wrong, coming from a mercenary admiral. This all seemed wrong, somehow.
“I received your orders Admiral,” said Hacksaw with more confidence than he felt. “And I feel they are inadvisable.”
Crush chimed something to the Astralbian that must have roughly translated to “give me a moment” and walked over to Hacksaw.
“I take it you mean the beacon?” she asked.
“Yes, that,” said Hacksaw. “Must we necessarily announce our presence to the galaxy? It’ll bring more scrutiny than I believe it’s worth.”
“The galactic community, particularly those who hold to the Code, expect certain behaviors,” said Crush. “I think we’d be inviting more scrutiny in the long run if we hold our secrets too closely.”
“But we’re not even claiming the planet as our own,” protested Hacksaw.
“No, we’re not,” answered Crush, still speaking with a strange gentleness. “But the specifications for the beacon I ordered will announce that an inhabited world has been found, and that we have allied with the locals.”
“Robots allied with Astralbians,” said Hacksaw. “This is all, well, a little difficult for me. And I don’t believe I’m alone in that.”
Crush nodded, and her tone became a touch more business-like. “I understand your concerns, Captain, but I have considered the matter thoroughly. Please construct the beacon.”
***
The following week on Hruduk was spent clearing the Astralbian forces still occupying the other cities. Most of them fell with little to no resistance, but the forces occupying Sridek were determined to put up a fight.
At just under a hundred miles away, Sridek was Gred’s closest neighbor, and historically its greatest foe. The last great battle between the two was fought nearly ten years prior, and the uneasy truce had been forged into a true alliance by the Astralbian attacks.
“The defenses aren’t exactly foolproof,” said Kwa-Kwa. “But it’s hard to say how many civilians are inside.”
Kwa-Kwa and her Scouts had gotten as close as they could to the city gates to do some recon on the defenses, staying close to the treeline that stood around the city walls on three sides, leaving only the main gate in the open. Raivyn provided a perception bubble to ensure no Astralbian guards would spot them, and they had inspected all four gates closely.
"You know where to strike?" asked Trukis, one of the Sridekite warriors who had helped liberate Gred.
Kwa-Kwa nodded. "If you don't mind having your gates blown to smithereens we can clear out the forces concentrated by them in short order. Not sure about the central tower, though.”
“I can solve both problems,” said the warrior. “Can you fly me up to the top of the tower without alerting the guards?”
Raivyn looked at Grepk, who nodded.
“We can do that,” said Raivyn.
“Then we can begin the raid immediately,” said Trukis.
“Sounds good to me,” said Kwa-Kwa. “I already set the charges.”
Raivyn looked sidelong at the Scout leader.
“What?” asked Kwa-Kwa defensively. “We were right there. Seemed like a waste not to set up a little surprise for our Astralbian friends.”
“So,” said Raivyn, turning to the Sridekite warrior. “What’s the plan?”
“There is a bell at the top of the tower used to signal that war is upon Sridek. It is struck once when war is declared, twice when the enemy is spotted and three times when all who are able must take up arms and defend Sridek. I will strike the bell three times with my hammer. As soon as the third ring begins to fade, blow the gates to… ‘smithereens.’”
Kwa-Kwa smiled.
“There are four gates,” said Raivyn. “Let’s divide our forces, with one quarter at each gate. The Marines will take Trukis and I to the tower. I’ll provide a perception bubble. We’ll work our way down the tower as soon as the bell has been rung. Kwa-Kwa will blow the charges and the rest of our forces will charge the gates. Stick to the trees and try not to be seen. We want this to come as a surprise.”
As soon as the four units were in position, Krum-Bahk grabbed Trukis, Grepk grabbed Raivyn, and they flew up to the top of the tower along with Keshri. Taken unaware, the guards were taken out quickly and quietly.
Trukis struck the bell once. It rang out clear, and the town fell silent. He struck the bell a second time. The quiet grew restless, as though the town itself had begun to whisper and murmur. He struck the bell a third and final time. The murmurs rose to a roar and Sredikites armed with pitchforks, kitchen knives, table legs, and all manner of improvised weapons burst from doorways and allies, falling on the bewildered Astralbians like wild animals. The scene was punctuated by four simultaneous explosions as the gates burst inward and the four units of Republic and Hrudukite soldiers charged in.
The defenses at the gates were dispatched or scattered promptly, but a sizable force came out of the central tower. The fighting was fierce for some time, but Talon Squad managed to fight their way to the tower with Doc’s rifle, D’Jarric’s bolts, and Reclan’s drones softening the enemy lines so that Vanbrook’s saber and Hrake’s hammer could finish the job. Vanbrook spotted an Astralbian swordsman cutting down Hrudukite after Hrudukite and split away from the group to face him.
Meanwhile, Raivyn, Trukis, and the Marines fought their way down the tower stairs, Keshri’s close combat skills making the others feel almost like dead weight. By the time they reached the ground floor, the surviving Astralbians had all rushed out into the streets. Raivyn looked around and saw Vanbrook locked in combat with an Astralbian swordsman, but turned her attention to the fight at large, attacking the enemy from their rear flank.
Vanbrook’s opponent was a skilled swordsman, and he found himself on the defensive almost immediately. However, the Astralbian soon began making mistakes, beginning to tire out and underestimating Vanbrook’s skill. A strike that would have ended a lesser swordsman was easily parried, creating a fatal opening that Vanbrook took full advantage of. Looking around as his opponent imploded into a crystal, Vanbrook saw that the Astralbians had been reduced to just a few soldiers. The Sredikites gave them no opportunity to surrender, pressing in on them until the last one had fallen. Vanbrook didn’t blame them in the least.