"I see," said Crush soberly.
Jasken's face was stoic, but Crush knew the man well enough to see the pain in his eyes.
"Captain Tank will be sorely missed," continued Crush. "He was a stalwart ally and a good friend. I'm glad most of the crew escaped. I'm surprised the skiffs were able to hold their own, but glad so many of my crewmates survived."
"They should be able to find space aboard the Apex's landing shuttle, which will be docked on the Wingspan until it can be returned to you."
"Thank you, Admiral," replied Crush.
"The surviving Koomites fled the battle," said Jasken. "And our Marines found the way station on T'Lakia abandoned when they returned to scout out the situation."
"Hmm," said Crush. "We'll certainly have to look for opportunities to be thorns in the Koomites' sides in the future."
"Tell me, Admiral, if you don't mind my asking, why all the secrecy around the world you've discovered?" asked Jasken.
"For now, Admiral, please just take my word that the situation is… complicated," said Crush.
Jasken lifted his hands in a sign of surrender.
"Very well, Admiral," he said. "Perhaps when this war is over there'll be time for us to discuss the complications."
***
The Wingspan landed on the surface of Quarry, and Jasken joined the grim effort of gathering the fallen Hrudukites. The rulers of the various city-states of Hruduk requested that the bodies be placed in coffins to be picked up by Aethercrate Hauling at a later date. The surviving Hrudukites, many of whom were craftsmen as well as warriors, immediately began cutting down trees to construct the coffins, with Talon Squad lending a hand.
Raivyn was helping Reclan carry a load of timber when she saw Trebor talking with the three psychic Hrudukites from the battle. She dropped her end of the lumber, leaving Reclan grunting and trying to balance the load.
"What are you doing?" demanded Raivyn as she stomped over.
"Speaking with our allies," said Trebor, one of his eyebrows rising in annoyance.
"What is the matter?" asked one of the psychics, a female in Sredik colors.
"He's a witch hunter," spat Raivyn.
"Ah, you watch for psychics gone rogue," said the Hrudukite. "Yes, we heard the rumors. You don't seem so scary to me."
"I am an agent of the Republic Telepathic Service," said Trebor coolly, his eyes boring into Raivyn. "Naturally I would take an interest in our allied psychics."
"Just be careful what you say, friends," said Raivyn.
She walked away and returned to help Reclan, who was still struggling with the same lumber. She gave Raivyn a withering glare and gestured to the massive pile of wood. Raivyn shrugged and stooped down to start helping.
***
Somehow, knowing that Cevla was watching him made it easier for Darvik to stay away from the bottle. He slept well at night, unless his nightmares came back around, which happened from time to time.
His mind was clearer now than it had been in years, and he could tell that something was going on with the Astralbians. They'd held fewer fights in the arena and Hoon-Kra was clearly aggravated about something.
Eventually, the High Priest called him to his office.
"I'd offer you a drink," said Hoon-Kra as Darvik walked into the dark, rosily-lit office. "But it's my understanding you no longer partake."
Darvik nodded. "Thanks all the same."
"Oh, and he's polite now, too," chuckled Hoon-Kra. His grin faded and his face slowly hardened. "Look, Darvik, the Koomites have been taken out from under me entirely. I know you've seen it too, so don't bother denying it.
"Frankly, I don't care. The cult was a pet project that grew beyond my wildest dreams. My real goal has always been to commune with Koo L'Koom himself.” Hoon-Kra paused and looked directly at Darvik.. “I’ve built a machine, Darvik. ItThe machine I’ve built will allow me to amplify Koo L’Koom’s aura, spreading madness across the galaxy.” Hoon-Kra smiled wickedly. “I will build an empire from the ashes. And I believe I am closer to that moment every day. I can feel a presence in the quiet moments, and I know it's him. I'm going to meet him."
"Why tell me all this?" asked Darvik.
"Because," said Hoon-Kra, voice strangely distant. "I believe I am going to need help."
***
Talon Squad helped seal the coffins with pitch, ensuring the remains were prepared to be transported back to Hruduk, carrying them into a cool, inner chamber of the cave system. The work was time consuming, but Jasken didn't complain. The Hrudukites deserved to honor their dead as they saw fit.
Over the past couple of weeks, Quarry had been turned from a warzone into the next staging ground. General Grubula had joined them and the cave once utilized by the Astralbians was now a Republic Army stronghold.
"Seems like it was a lifetime ago that the Astralbians snatched this world out from under us," said Captain Hunt. "I guess it's ours now."
"For the time being," replied Jasken. "Once the war is over the Code may well dictate we return it to the Astralbians. They had a lawful claim on it, after all."
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
The two officers were walking the grounds, familiarizing themselves with the layout. Really, it was just an excuse for some fresh air. Jasken dearly hoped he could get Ol' Blue out for a ride before he was called back into the fray.
Hunt shook his head. "I hate to see the law protect the bad guys."
Jasken nodded. "But it's not the law unless it's the same for everyone."
"True enough," said Hunt. "I guess we shouldn't get too comfortable, then." He paused for a moment. "I'd like to pay my respects to the fallen Hrudukites. Care to join me inside?" He tilted his head towards the cave.
"Of course," said Jasken.
The pair walked into the caves and down into the cellars where the coffins were. At the entrance to the chamber they found Vanbrook and Reclan sitting in the harsh glow of a flood lamp, deep in a game of dice.
"What are you two doing?" asked Hunt, one of his eyebrows raised.
"Honor guard," said Reclan. "Keeping vigil over the deceased at the request of King Hrynkak."
"Dice games are not something I associate with the words 'honor' and 'vigil,'" replied Hunt.
"We taught Trukis this game on his shift," said Reclan defensively. "So I don't think the Hrudukites see it that way."
"Nevermind all that," said Jasken, waving his hand dismissively. "We're just here to pay our respects."
Vanbrook nodded and stood out of the way of the door. Jasken and Hunt moved past him and walked into the long, dimly lit room, lined with coffins on either side.
"How do you put up with it, Sir?" asked Hunt softly.
"With what?" asked Jasken.
Hunt jerked his head towards Vanbrook and Reclan.
Jasken smiled wanly. "You have to pick your battles, Hunt. Especially with the Special Squads. They're designed to be adjacent to the chain of command, and they thrive on autonomy. Those two in particular have grown quite a bit since… do you hear that?"
A faint scritch-scratching noise had begun to echo through the chamber. Hunt looked curiously at Jasken and then walked cautiously over to the coffin the sound seemed to be coming from. A crack appeared in the wall just over Hunt's head, but before Jasken could point it out the wall exploded into splinters of stone and a screeching, beaked maw burst into the room, followed by an array of beady, atrophied eyes sunken into a globular body. A dozen jointed legs emerged from the hole and pulled the rest of the creature into the room, where it leapt over Hunt's prostrate form and lunged at Jasken.
By this time Jasken had drawn his side arm and was firing at the beast. The shots glanced off the heavily armored face plates, and the creature pinned Jasken to the floor. Before it could go for the kill, it reared back, screeching with pain. Vanbrook had slashed one of its legs, and viscous gore was seeping from the wound.
"Get Jasken out of here!" shouted Reclan, helping Hunt to his feet.
He obeyed, bounding over to Jasken and running out beside him. Once he was clear of the beast, Jasken rounded and raised his sidearm, but Vanbrook and Reclan were going toe-to-toe with the monstrous creature and he couldn't get a clean shot.
Vanbrook slapped the monster's clawed legs out of the way as Reclan got around the side of the beast, pulling her energy pistol and putting a volley of shots into the beast's soft body. Screeching and thrashing, the creature rolled onto its back. With a final hiss, it curled its legs in and died.
"Should have known something would come through the wall," said Vanbrook, shaking his head. "Here we were guarding the door like idiots." He looked over to ask Jasken if he was alright, only to see him clutch his chest and fall to the ground.
***
A day later, Jasken was lying in the medbay of the Shepherd, wondering when he'd be allowed to go back to his duties. He'd dislocated a rib when the beaked creature tackled him, but didn't see why that should slow him down.
There was a knock on the door and Mairen walked in, a small tin in her hand.
"How do you feel, Admiral?" she asked.
"Fine, if a bit sore," he said flatly.
"I brought you some cookies," she said. "It was my husband's recipe. He said it was meant to be a taste of home. Ever since he passed my daughter always bakes me a couple dozen before I ship out. They keep, so I ration them out over the deployment."
He shook his head. "That's very kind, but I can't acc-"
He caught sight of the look on her face as she held the tin out to him. It brooked no argument. He reached for a cookie and tasted it. It was slightly sweet, with a warm, herbal spice and a satisfying crunch.
"Summel seed cookies. That does taste like home. My compliments to your daughter," he said, taking a second bite.
"I'll pass that along," she said.
There was a pause as Jasken finished the cookie.
"Aethercrate Hauling has arrived to take the fallen Hrudukites back home,” said Mairen.
Jasken nodded. “Good. Sorry I can’t see them off.”
“Also, representatives from the Wabuluban Kingdom and the PIC called last night," she continued nonchalantly.
Jasken sat up suddenly, wincing with the effort.
"What do you mean!?" he asked with as much dismay as he could muster while gritting his teeth through the pain.
"Admiral Drai was on a call with Baron Flubbyn of the Wabuluban Kingdom and High Brother Treskt of the PIC," said Mairen. "They both plan to send support forces, but neither is interested in joining the direct combat. Captain Hunt attended in your absence. He did just fine."
Jasken huffed and looked out the window. "This is mutiny."
"Come now, Admiral," laughed Mairen. "Pouting doesn't become you. Enjoy the cookies, and get well soon."
Jasken nodded seriously, but Mairen was sure the corners of his mouth turned up just a little under his mustache.
***
The Wabuluban and PIC envoys arrived soon after, loaded down with supplies and well wishes. Jasken would have preferred firepower, but any support was welcome.
The Pommel's repairs were completed, and the whole fleet made preparations to move to Avonia, from where they'd launch their final offensive on Gateway.
The plan was to stay at Avonia just long enough to recharge shields and then head out, but an army detachment would stay behind to reestablish the base that had been wiped out by the Astralbian offensive.
When the ships came out of their jump, Jasken looked down on the beautiful, vibrant greens and blues of Avonia from the bridge of the Wingspan. He'd insisted on getting back to his duties as quickly as possible, though he'd let Captain Hunt handle most of the logistics of the jump.
"Well done, Captain," said Jasken.
"Thank you, sir," replied Hunt.
"Please tell Talon Squad to get the shuttle ready," said Jasken. "They'll be taking Kwa-Kwa's Scout team down to the surface with some special equipment."
"Right away, sir," answered Hunt.
***
Jylik sneered as he read the reports from his intelligence officers. The PIC and the Wabuluban Kingdom had begun to show more direct support for the Griffon Republic. It didn’t matter. The resource-rich Gateway had allowed him to build a formidable fleet in a relatively short time, and his exploratory fleets were finding more worlds in the Cornucopia Cluster every day.
He allowed himself a small smile. His father’s strange obsession with the Cluster, or- what had he called it?–the Cradle?–had paid off. The Cradle. Why did that sound familiar? He scrambled through his reports until he found the one he was looking for. That was it. The FRF planet had been designated “Cradle.” He stared at the report, trying to see if there was some connection he had missed.
“My Emperor,” said Trilia from the doorway.
“Come in, Trilia,” he replied.
“The enemy has arrived over Avonia,” she reported.
Jylik smiled. “Excellent.”