High Khan Stephin Na Gunnrar thought quickly. From the looks on the faces of some of the officers present in the command bunker, he could expect a lethal blast from a weapon in the near future. However considering the power being arrayed against them, he felt that he had no choice. If he was to survive, he had to act now, and act fast.
“All senior staff to me, now!” He shouted.
Great Khan Dessi Ra motioned to the junior officers to move away. Looking around at the senior officers who remained, Gunnrar considered what he should say. “Status of our position?” He asked. He was answered by a series of sideways looks; finally Dessi Ra spoke.
“The royal divisions coming from the north have been stopped. The troops we sent north to the palace have been scattered. I have nothing from the palace. Other troops stationed on the planet have been attacked. Their status is unknown.”
“That is what I thought.” Gunnrar drew a deep breath. He knew that the next few fractions would decide if he would live or die.
*********
Prime Minister Jouvet Ni Etien and the Treasurer Lennya Courtza were facing a similar dilemma. The difference being that there were no troops loyal to them that they could command. The security police as well as the regular police answered to the Prime Minister, but they were not equipped to fight the invaders. Trapped in their office buildings by growing crowds milling on the streets outside they frantically ordered the security forces to protect them.
But the crowds continued to gather, drawn by the sound of fighting and the unusual activity and strange ships in the skies. Etien and Courtza also stared at the strange craft and realised that their lives now balanced on a razor’s edge.
*********
Already awake due to a discrete comm from an associate, Ressi Dapp considered his options. Looking out his window, like others in the city he goggled at the strange craft floating with impunity over the capital, along with the smaller craft going to and from the ground to the floating craft.
Another comm call galvanised him. This was from another associate who he was in careful communication with.
“It’s time, you need to get to the annex.” The comm cut off abruptly.
Dapp stood in silent irresolution for a very brief fraction. Taking a deep breath, he opened the door of his small apartment, locking it behind him, he took the stairs to the street. Walking to the stop where he hoped to catch a ride to the annex entrance, he noted the chaos that was beginning to develop. The police were staring up at the strange craft and ignoring the passersby who were equally engrossed. Checking his comm, he realised that the device could no longer send or receive. Hailing a public transport vehicle, he boarded it, observing that it was mostly empty, but recognised some of the passengers as workers in the annex. Nodding to them he took a seat near the front.
Watching the scene around them, he realised that the police could not send or receive either. They were gathering in small knots and waving their hands around. Even as he watched, a group of men with some women mixed in appeared, everyone carrying sticks or pieces of metal. Leaning forward, Ressi Dapp tapped the driver on the shoulder.
“Better get moving, things are about to get ugly.” He said. The driver nodded, a look of fear creeping onto his blank face as he pulled away from the stop.
“Keep going, I have to get to the annex.” Looking back, he saw that while the group of policemen had been taken by surprise, they were fighting back. Other bystanders were joining in however and the police were getting overwhelmed. Other police were coming to their comrades’ rescue and these were carrying weapons openly.
“It’s going to get worse, just keep going as fast as you can.”
Someone further back in the vehicle called out, “Not so fast, it isn’t safe.”
“Do you want to get caught up in that mess?” Dapp responded. “I don’t!”
“But I work for The Khan, no one will touch me.” The woman responded, the puzzlement clear in both her voice and in the look on her face.
Having no answer to such naiveté, Ressi Dapp just shook his head and told the driver to keep going. I hope my apartment isn’t looted, he thought.
*********
Ramus Nikul and Lanus Derkel had followed their normal routines as they had not received any warning. Leaving their homes after Ressi Dapp had taken over the transport, they descended into the chaos that had been unleashed on the streets. They were staggered by what they saw, the violence released by the oppressed people, most slaves did not join in, and the vicious response of the police.
When Nikul tried to go to where he could secure a public transport vehicle, he was knocked down by a passing rioter. Dazed and bloody, he staggered back to his apartment where his shocked wife put a bandage on his head. Stunned, he collapsed on his bed where he stayed.
Lanus Derkel had an easier time getting out of his building. Close to the palace where royal guards patrolled, there was no police presence. To his surprise there were no royal guards either, but there were strangely dressed solders, not certain what to do, he stood still and hesitated. He was soon joined by Ressi Dapp along with the others on the transporter. They stood in the shade of a shelter for people who normally would be waiting for a conveyance.
*********
The Forty Third battalion had in short order killed or captured all the royal guards covering the entrance to the tunnels from the city. Seeing that the tunnel door were sealed and scans revealed that there was no one in the tunnels, Lt. Colonel Lissa Olleo ordered one company to guard the tunnel entrance while the rest spread out and another company started to probe carefully into the city. The state of anarchy that had developed was soon discovered.
Placing a call to the company commander, to hold positions and not to get entangled with the fighting in the city, Lissa Olleo next contacted Colonel Roi Tonner to appraise him of developments.
“I am going to need help here, a lot of it and soon, if the mob starts to head this way.” She finished with.
“Hold your position and pull the company back if you need to. Leave sentries to keep an eye out with orders for them to withdraw as soon as they need to. Don’t get tied down in a street fight with civilians. I will get help to you soon.” Tonner replied.
He turned to his communications non-com. “Get me division.”
Division was quickly brought up to date and the two uncommitted brigades we ordered to assist at the tunnel entrance. The news was then bounced upstairs to the army commander who then requested the reserve army from General Ling-Ha. “It’s a big city and the troops are going to be needed or we’ll be accused of just standing by and allowing the place to burn down.”
“I understand, but we still have a lot of troops that could join in the fight. I will bounce this upstairs and see what they say.”
Star Commander Vis Vistricer nodded when he was commed with the news by Fleet Marshal Ren Fitter. “I expected this, just not so quickly. There must be some really angry people down there.” He thought for a fraction. “Put the Third and Nineteenth armies on immediate notice and I will get two light cruiser quads scanning the city.”
While these arrangements were being made, a vessel appeared.
*********
A luxury vessel, about the same size as a light cruiser appeared near the plane of the ecliptic, the suitor for the hand of Princess Jirril had arrived.
Great Khan Jar ra Dicatoor, Head of the Dicatoor family was feeling quite pleased with himself. Securing the hand of the only daughter of The Khan for his son was a coup and would increase the prestige of both the clan and, most importantly, himself. That his son, Khan Harb ra Dicatoor, was agreeable to the joining and actually liked the princess was all to the good, but really irrelevant. Sons and daughters at this level were married for reasons other than personal attraction.
Turning to the captain of the vessel Jar ra Dicatoor, asked about docking time. “I want to be able to give The Khan proper notice, we must be punctual and follow all protocol and traditions.”
The captain sat silent, starring at his readouts. The navigator and pilot half rose from their seats. “Great Khan, something is very wrong!” The pilot spoke first.
Jar slowly turned around, holding his hand up as his son, dressed ready for the arrival ceremonies stepped onto the bridge. “What did you say?” He hissed.
“All the fortresses are gone and there is a lot of activity at the planet.” The captain frowned as he replied then turned to the communications officer. “Do you have any messages from the main control room?”
This officer, who doubled as the scanner operator on this vessel, just stared at his console for a fraction before answering. “There is a very large craft coming up behind us. It has told us to slow and prepare to accept boarders.” He turned terrified eyes to the Great Khan. “The craft, which is much larger than ours, is at battle stations and has its weapons locked on us.” He turned back to his console, listened again for a fraction, than turned back to the officers who were now gathered around him. “That was the captain of the vessel, he has requested to speak to you.”
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“We will speak to him then.” The Great Khan replied as he took the seat at the captains’ station, smiling as his son stared at him. He shrugged. “Talking will cost nothing and buys us time to consider options.” Harb nodded in sudden understanding.
The captain officers and other bridge crew watched, their faces expressionless.
A face appeared on the comm screen. “I am Captain Nutrie. We are monitoring all systems on your ship and will not hesitate to disable the engines and reactor if we need to. A boarding party is ready and on its way to you. We do not wish to harm anyone but will use whatever force is necessary. Do you understand?”
“I am Great Khan Jar ra Dicatoor, by what authority do you do this.”
“By the authority of the Supreme Commander, Star Commander Vis Vistricer, who is acting in the name of the Empire.” Captain Nutrie turned away momentarily then turned back. “Our shuttle is at your shuttle bay entry, I need your decision now.”
“Sirs,” The communications officer, addressed the senior officers, “There is at least a hundred space craft out there, some bigger than the moon. Another craft is coming towards us.” That got him stares. A quick look at the readout decided Jar ra Dicatoor. Turning to the comm screen, he conceded.
“We will comply, captain.” Next, speaking to the captain of the luxury craft, he ordered all weapons to be discarded and the shuttle bay opened. “We will surrender and comply with the wishes of these invaders. Harb, come with me.” All the officers stood frozen. “Get on with it.” The Great Khan ordered with a smile. “We will surrender and comply, and when the time is right, we will act. But for now we will follow orders, understand, nothing is to be done without my order!” Slow nods followed and the captain walked with quick steps to the command console to issue the orders.
Leaving the command crew to these matters, Jar ra Dicatoor and his son returned to their suite. Harb had a puzzled look on his face. “Did you really mean that, father?”
Before he answered the Great Khan took a comfortable seat and waved his son to another. “Oh I did. It is clear to me that the people who occupy the galaxies we attacked have responded and in force greater than we can stand. I have a responsibility to the clan, to make sure it survives. As for the rest, we will have to see.” He stood as footsteps in the hall followed by a chime came, sounding a request to enter.
“Now we shall meet these invaders and take their measure.” He murmured as the door slid open and Harb also rose to his feet.
*********
The two clerks had been spotted by a trooper of the forty third. Scans carried out by the light cruiser on station overhead had shown that they were unarmed and a quick decision was made by Lissa Olleo to speak to them. Ressi Dapp and Lanus Derkel starred at the armoured troopers who were approaching them. “Let me talk,” Ressi hissed to Derkel.
The lead trooper, a corporal, Marr Innis by name, followed by two privates advanced cautiously. Seeing that there was only two men standing and that they appeared to be civilian, she relaxed slightly. On getting a report that several unarmed people from the city were close by and getting closer her tension came back, full force.
Activating her speaker, the corporal addressed the two in front of her. “This is an active combat area, who are you and what do you want?”
“I am a clerk in The Khans offices, this is Senior Clerk Lanus Derkel. We work over there, in those tunnels.” He pointed. “My name is Ressi Dapp.” The troopers’ eyes bored into Ressi’s eyes making him uncomfortable. With a glance at the senior clerk, he continued, “We can tell you things, show you where to go in the office complex.” Derkel gasped but made no other comment.
“And those?” Innis indicated the half a dozen people who had been on the conveyance that had straggled up.
“Some at least work in the annex. I am not sure about the others.” Ressi replied.
Corporal Innis looked the arrivals over. Annex, so that’s what they call the place behind the doors. the thought crossed her mind as she activated a comm link to her platoon commander and requested a scan of the new arrivals. Assured of their lack of weapons, she told the two troopers to escort the group across the turning circle to the position occupied by the forty third. Taking the rear position, Corporal Innis spoke rapidly to her platoon commander.
“One appears ready to cooperate with us, not sure about the rest. Some appear confused. No one else close, but there are people moving about.”
“Got it,” the Lieutenant replied, “I’ll pass that upwards and let the spooks handle the civilians. Get in here, we’ll have some cover soon, I have been told that there is a first class riot going on in the city and things are really nasty there.” Corporal Marr Innis, ‘got!’
*********
Colonel Kobb, Major Ethle and Major Rupil were alerted by a routine call from the command bunker. However this was sent out to late for them to avoid the riot. This was not a problem that they had foreseen and they were at a loss as to how to deal with it. None of the three lived on a military base but were housed in separate accommodation units. Neither did they have security forces on site.
“Where are the emergency vehicles?” Colonel Kobb screamed at a policeman.
“You’re asking me?” The beleaguered officer responded as he blocked a fist from a frothing rioter. “I would get off the street if I was you, that whip is not a weapon! It makes you a target just like your uniform.” A backhand from the officers’ truncheon sent the civilian reeling away.
“I have to get to the Annex, I must, I insist, so call me a police vehicle.” Kobb was astonished when the police officer ignored him and began to move away towards another officer. When Kobb went to follow, the policeman held up his hand.
“Keep away,” he yelled, “you are a target out here.” He swung at another rioter, stunning him and the two officers moved to another, forming a defensive group.
Startled by the policeman’s lack of deference and considering various forms of vengeance, Colonel Kobb walked in the general direction of the palace.
One of the four policemen spared a glance after him.
“Think he’ll make it?’ He asked.
“Who cares?” The first one muttered, concentrating on the crowd. The other two muttered their agreement and welcomed two more police, one with a nasty cut on his face.
Ignoring the crowd, Kobb made two blocks before he was beaten to death by the mob.
*********
Major Ethle and Major Rupil had different experiences. Ethle was mobbed as soon as he stepped out his door. Crawling back inside, he managed to make it to his room where he collapsed unconscious. Rupil looked outside and decided that military dress was not a good idea. Quickly donning civilian dress he headed to the annex. He had covered several blocks when Legion troops arrived to quell the riot. First startled, he stared in horror as the shuttles began to land and legion troops spilled out and begin to stun the rioters. Speeding up his walk, he made another three blocks and was halfway to his goal when he was stopped.
“Identify yourself!” The armour clad trooper looked Rupil over.
“I work down there.” The major stood erect and pointed. He stared at the imperial trooper, ominous in his powered suit.
The trooper nodded expressionlessly. Even in civilian dress, he could recognise another soldier when he saw one. He called to his sergeant on his helmet comm. The stocky woman walked over.
“What’s the problem Nils?”
“I think that we have a solder in civilian dress, sergeant.” Was the calm reply. New to the legion, he was both excited to be in even this limited bit of action and anxious to do a proper and through job.
Sergeant Creeres of the planet La Grand, a heavy gravity world in the second cluster, examined the man before her. Well fed, yet he looked uncomfortable in those clothes, yes definitely military and likely an officer to boot, he was just a little too relaxed in dealing with them. Arrogant as well. She tapped on her comm, an officer appeared.
“I wish to go now, I said I work there.” Rupil was now rather anxious and was in a hurry to get to his office so he could clear all his files off from the main storage computer.
“That’s where the palace is.” The officer smiled. “You work there?”
Not trusting himself to speak, Rupil nodded, hopeful that the gesture would be recognized.
The officer, Lieutenant Rass from Ester, the same planet as the Admiral of The Legion, was bright and also recognised another soldier. He held out his hand.
“Anyone who works in the palace would need a pass and identification. Where’s yours please?”
Rupil tensed, he knew what his pass would show, the trooper tensed as well, shifting his weapon. The officer smiled and the sergeant chuckled.
“Now don’t behave like that. You will just be stunned and we will get your identification anyway.” Sergeant Creeres said, “So let’s not do anything silly.”
Rupil glared at the three but realised that he had no choice. Slowly he pulled the electronic pass from his right hand pocket.
The sergeant scanned the pass, smiled and addressed the major. “Aide to the Khan, correct?” She glanced at the officer, “I think that we can make sure that you get to the palace.”
Major Rupil knew that this did not mean anything good.
*********
The command bunker was quiet. The remains of what had been High Khan Stephin Na Gunnrar sprawled untidily in front of the officers who had previously trembled at his presence. Great Khan Dessi Ra waved to the communications officer.
“Broadcast a message to these invaders. I will talk to them.” The order was obeyed at once.
“What are you going to say to them?” one officer asked.
“I am going to ask for surrender terms.” Dessi Ra answered. At the voices of protest, he waved his hand around. “These craft could have destroyed the entire city, and this bunker. Of that I am certain, especially as I am aware that at least one of these craft are floating over top of us right now. I think that we will get terms without a problem.” Some of the officer involuntarily glanced at the roof over head.
“What about the fleet?” One officer asked.
“Fleet Headquarters was attacked the same time as we were. Remember that their defences were the same as ours, and considering the ease with which our forces here were eliminated, I have no doubt that little remains there. In fact I am certain of it.”
“But our honour? The Khan?” Another officer spoke up.
“We will retain our honour by saving our clans. As for the Khan, if he isn’t on one of those giant ships, he soon will be.”
“Sir, I have an officer who will talk to you.” An officer called.
“Join me, while I talk to this soldier.” Great Khan Dessi Ra walked to the communications desk, sat down and started to speak.