Tides of Mars (Omnibus Version) Page 41

  Very slowly, each man nodded. “We understand, Sir, however, we cannot address you in an informal manner. I hope that is acceptable?”

  “If 'Sir' is the best you can do, then it is. You will be dining with us, and even involved in the discussions. Some of the information that will be discussed tonight can never leave this room, not even in your reports. Simply annotate that, by Imperial request, you are forbidden to report everything discussed.

  “I have already spoken to the Regulan command about this, and they have agreed that such a thing is acceptable, as long as you report it as such. Is that understood?” When they all nodded. He smiled at them. “Good, then relax as much as you think you can, and feel free to ask questions or offer an opinion on anything being discussed. All of us in this room will value your opinions as much as we do each others.

  When they all agreed, Luke grinned. “Good! Gentlemen, I have a wide selection of non-intoxicating drink here, what would you like to drink?”

  Cr'ale lifted his glass to Hanya. “Hanya, thank you for covering for my absent wife. Do you know when she'll be able to rejoin us? I find that I'm quite taken with her, and miss her when she's away.”

  “We are quite taken with you as well, Cr'ale. She thinks that she'll be able to rejoin you before morning, local time,” Hanya said.

  “Excuse me, but I don't remember either Alustria departing, or your arrival on the ship. May I ask how Her Highness departed?” one of the guards asked.

  “Excellent question. You're Ber'ett, correct?” Cr'ale replied.

  “Yes, Sir. I am Ber'ett, and these are Co'rain, Fra'net, and Todlith Cree,” the man said indicating his companions.

  Luke and Grant both stepped forward, and offered the men their hands, and introduced themselves. However, Cr'ale replied to the question put to him.

  “Ber'ett, I would love to answer your question, but I'm afraid I made a promise not to disclose that information.” He turned to Hanya. “Hanya, my dear, could you tell these men how the switch happened?”

  Smiling, she closed her eyes, and asked permission. It was received before anyone could notice she did anything more than frame her response.

  “I believe that a good friend of Ariel's would like an explanation on that as well. Would it be acceptable if I delayed an answer until dinner? That way, I only need to explain it once.”

  “Of course, Milady. That would be more than acceptable,” Fra'net replied, smiling.

  “Please, call me Hanya. We're all friends here.”

  Co'rain, the senior member of the guards present, tried to hide a chuckle. “Hanya, I'm afraid Fra'net could not address you informally if he tried. You see, he seems to have a, uh, weakness for select members of your race.”

  “Truly? I am flattered! Thank you, Fra'net!” She said and echoed the comments through her race. She was surprised when she got several replies that the feeling was indeed very mutual.

  “Fra'net, you will understand more about us at dinner, but for now, let me say that the feelings you have for some of us, are returned. There are those among us that have encountered you that would be interested in learning more about you.” Hanya finished.

  “R-really?” he asked like a boy that had just gotten his first kiss from a girl in grade school.

  Cr'ale once again spoke, “So, Hs'ean, gentlemen, please share your news with us weary travelers! How goes the battle in Vega?”

  Hs'ean began. “Sire, as you already know, an enemy probe penetrated the terminus of the transit lane and severely damaged several of our craft. However, the two cruisers, with assistance from two overly bold Guardian Candidates threw them back into the transit lane.

  “One of the Guardian Candidates followed them to gather intelligence about the far side of the lane. That is where she discovered the odd task group that seemed to be staging for transit. The Guardian managed to evade heavy, concentrated fire, and make the transit back to Vega. However, she and her ship had taken major damage, and she attempted to make an emergency landing on the Anvil. She crashed, destroying her ship, and all but killing herself.

  “Her AI made the report, and Commodore Fistch immediately relayed it back to us. Ariel ordered me to detach two battle groups to proceed to the Vega terminus to protect the Anvil and her support ships, as well as keep any enemy ships from leaving the terminus.

  “The techs developed a new weapons platform that we sent along with Guardian Commander Tho'ren to Vega. They proved very effective, but I'm getting ahead of myself.

  “By some miracle, the super-carrier and her support fleet of mostly light warships, delayed their transit almost a week, allowing our forces to arrive and plan a warm welcome for them. They deployed the new platforms, and relocated the Anvil and the station it is building to a safer location away from where the fight would be.

  “Commander Tho'ren, and his assault team landed on the outer hull of the super-carrier and planted anti-matter demolition charges on her hull. Once they were detonated, the super-carrier was vaporized. As planned, that broke the spirit of the enemy, and they soon lost cohesion as an effective force.

  “There were several thousand fighters involved in the fighting, but once their home ships were destroyed, the fighters simply shut down and refused to fight anymore. After making sure it wasn't a ruse, we began tractoring the surrendered ships and their pilots back to our ships.

  “It appears a good portion of the enemy fighting force is made up of slaves.”

  “Say what?” Cr'ale asked.

  Hs'ean nodded. “You heard right, slaves. According to information gathered from these captured slaves, a good portion of the crews are made up of slaves, with a slaver team leader. Even the wing commanders among the fighters we recovered who are not slaves confirmed what the slaves reported to us.”

  “So why didn't the slaves simply shoot down their wing leaders, then surrender?” Todlith Cree asked.

  “The fighters had remotely detonated self-destruct devices in them. The Anvil scanned everything they could on hundreds of them before sending them off into deep space with a small demo charge,” Hs'ean said.

  “I've ordered the former slaves be returned here, pending a final disposition. However, the slavers that were captured and then removed from the group have been isolated and are awaiting trial.

  “Also, among the slaves there are several criminals that are guilty of everything from multiple murder, to credit tampering, to spousal abuse,” Ariel said.

  “Several have asked for clemency, and yet others have requested that I indenture them as a sentence for their crime. I am considering it, because we can currently use all the help we can get,” she finished.

  Cr'ale raised one eyebrow. “Surely you aren't thinking about clemency for Rapists and Murders are you?”

  Ariel grinned. “No, although I do have an idea about that. We can discuss it later when we start trying them.”

  “You've got my curiosity going; are you sure you want to wait?” Cr'ale asked.

  “Well, I was thinking that we could use an expendable assault force. One we can use on suicide missions,” Ariel said. “I do believe there is precedent for it.”

  Thinking, Cr'ale slowly nodded his head. “Yes, there is, but that was an entirely different situation. The prison planet was about to be taken, and it was the closest to the front at that time.

  “My father told them what was happening, and told them he would pardon all of them if they would engage and occupy the invading Kingdom until he could get a fleet in place to oppose them. He told them they could do anything they wanted to the enemy, but if even one of the guards was harmed while evacuating the planet, then the deal was off.

  “Three guards were murdered during the evacuation, but it was known that those three had been abusing prisoners, and the Warden had planned on leaving them behind anyway. Because of his testimony, the deal was not invalidated.

  “The convicts managed to cause enough trouble that the enemy fleet couldn't advance until our fleet arrived in system. Howeve
r, before our ships could get to the planet and rescue them, the tyrant King Norntich ordered the planet sterilized. When our ships got to the planet, there were only thirty life signs remaining on the entire planet, and they died during evacuation.” Cr'ale paused. “You know, now that I think about it, I believe Norntich was one of Altrov's ancestors.”

  “Yes the situation is different, but the need is not. If we gave these animals a little training, and used them as shock and awe weapons, I think they could serve the Empire well before they die,” Ariel said.

  “Why would they even care?” Co'rain asked. “Most criminals are narcissists. It has to be about them, or they simply won't do it. So, the question is, what are you going to offer them?”

  “A choice. Immediate termination, or a chance to live a little longer and do what they like to do most, only this time in the name of the Empire. They might even get the chance to escape!” Ariel said the last like she would make sure it would never happen.

  “They actually might escape. If they did, we would have their victims on our hands,” Cr'ale said sadly.

  Ariel shook her head. “Each Con will be wearing an explosive collar with a built in tracking unit. Think of them as obedience collars. There unit leader will stay in a safe location and monitor what 'his' dogs are doing. If one of them begins to do anything wrong, they either get a shock, or detonation of the explosive charge depending on how badly they fucked up.”

  Cr'ale looked thoughtful. “I never would have thought of that. How would you like to handle their trials?”

  “Well, they've already been tried and found guilty, once. So trying them again would be illegal as well as futile. So, I thought 'simple' would be the way to go. I'll simply go into their detention area and give each of them the choice. Those that refuse will be executed on the spot. I figure we should end up with a lot of volunteers after the first or second execution,” Ariel said with a half-smile.

  “What will you tell them?” Luke asked.

  “I'll tell them the absolute truth. That by law, I have the right to execute every one of them on the spot, in fact, no matter what they choose, their deaths will be officially recorded on the day their collar is locked on them.

  “I won't mention anything about the possibility of escape, because that would be a complete lie. None of them will ever be allowed to be free again. When they ask what's in it for them, again, I'll tell them the truth; the chance to breathe for a few more months,” Ariel explained. She looked at Grant. “Uncle Grant, if any of them accept the offer, would you accept the mission? It would come with a long overdue promotion to Major. I want you to be our dog catcher.”

  Grant thought about it for a few moments. “Yeah, I'll do it, but I would like a few concessions.”

  “Such as?” Ariel asked.

  “Decent barracks and food. If you want your attack dogs to be effective, then they need to be able to rest, and eat nutritional food. I'll also want a few actual dog houses built in the training area; with battle-steel chains that can attach to their collars. The compound will have no visible fences. I'd like one of those invisible fences that are available commercially on Earth for actual dogs,” Grant said, thinking.

  “I think I understand what you want, Major. Anything else?” Ariel asked.

  Grant looked at Bri'tell. “I want the meanest training cadre we can find. These bastards need to be as close to being criminals themselves as we can find and still teach the stuff we need the dogs to learn.”

  “Sir, I'd like to make a suggestion if I may?” Todlith asked.

  “Please do,” Grant replied.

  “Sir, we have the men you are looking for in the Guards. I would suggest you contact Regulan Command, tell them what you need and why you need them,” Todlith replied. The other members of the guard simply stared at him. One of their major rules was that no one know anything about their training.

  He turned to them and answered them simply. “We are at war and this idea is a good one. Report me if you feel you need to, but the suggestion needed to be made.”

  They seemed to accept that and returned their focus back to the room at large.

  “I also have a few ideas for the officers, but who I have in mind are on planet and not part of the Imperial Marines,” Grant said with a half-smile at Luke.

  “You might want to talk to Major Haillion here on the ship. He may also have a few ideas for you,” Bri'tell said.

  “So, what is the status at the terminus of the Vegan transit lane?” Cr'ale asked.

  “Everything's quiet for now. The battle groups remain on station, while the Anvil continues to build the station as well as more of the missile platforms. Fitsch altered the design of the station to allow for the building and servicing of the platforms,” Ariel said. “He's a really good man. How did he end up on a construction ship?”

  “That's where his strengths are. He did make it through the academy, but only barely. His first posting was to a repair frigate that serviced the automated defenses on our borders. He might have been a mediocre officer, but he quickly built a reputation for innovation, and doing the impossible with little or no resources,” Cr'ale replied. “As a military man, he would have been drummed out over a century ago, but he is such a perfect fit for his current position, that when we do eventually lose him, the entire Empire is going to know it.”

  Further discussion was delayed by the announcement that dinner was ready.

  Hs'ean made sure the Cr'ale sat at the head of the table, with Hanya at his left, and herself at his right. Ariel sat at the other end of the table, with Bri'tell to her right and Captain Gr'eis, who had just arrived, at her left.

  The table was short enough so that Ariel and Cr'ale could still carry on a decent conversation. Once again, Ariel made introductions for those that didn't know each other. Brenda seemed to be slightly in awe dining in the presence of the Emperor, but she was dealing with it.

  “Granddaughter, I hear congratulations are in order. May I ask who the lucky person is?”

  Ariel smiled beatifically. “You may,” She took Bri'tell's hand. “I have chosen the grumpy Master Chief here.”

  Cr’ale smiled at the Master Chief. “Have you gotten approval from the Guard to marry Ariel?” Cr'ale asked.

  “I have requested dismissal from the Guard for personal reasons, Sire. I have yet to hear anything back from them,” Bri'tell replied.

  Cr'ale nodded. “I'll speak to them about that too. Now, before Hanya fulfills her promise to Todlith, does anyone have any ideas about where I'm going to rule from?”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Command Super Dreadnaught, I.S.S. Divine Light

  Admiral's Apartment

  142 degrees north, 62 degrees west trans-solar orbit

  Sol System, Sol (Horon-A) Sector.

  Senior Fleet Captain G'ries, Commanding.

  Once Hanya finished her explanation and answered the resulting questions, Cr'ale once again asked about a new palace.

  “I can tell that you two have something up your sleeve; care to let your decrepit ruler in on the secret?”

  “Grandfather, no one is telling you because of my orders. I will countermand that order this time because everyone here, save for you and the guards, already knows. However, I need to ask that you not pass this information to anyone else, other than those in this room, and then only in a very secure area,” Ariel said.

  Hs'ean watched Ariel and Cr'ale, but spoke. “DL? Please activate the anti-surveillance field, sweep the room and seal the doors.”

  “I have verified that the active listening devices on the Regulan Guards are still inactive as per His Highness' earlier orders. No other surveillance devices detected. Field active. Room is secure,” Divine Light replied.

  “Thank you, DL. Please continue to monitor the room,” Hs'ean ordered.

  “Wow, it's that much of a secret?” Cr'ale asked.

  Ariel nodded toward the guards. “The only reason I'm going to say anything is because the guards will be learning
of it anyway, since they'll be guarding you. DL, could we have a collapsed view of the solar system please?”

  The lights dimmed in the room, and a hologram of the solar system took form as though it had always been there, but the lights had hidden it.

  “Although you were protected on Aldus Forward by the Regulan as well as other fleets of ships, we won't have that luxury this far from the core. So we are going to rely on guile and subterfuge as part of the new Palace defenses.

  “As in just about any solar system, we have several small planetoids in orbit around the primary. We have already begun construction on your new Palace, however, we have also begun several new mining projects. One of those projects is a water harvesting operation on a small planetoid named Ceres.”

  While Ariel had been talking, DL had been highlighting all the things she had been talking about. When she mentioned Ceres, he zoomed in on the undersized planet.

  “This is where the Palace will actually be located. There is a substantial amount of hydrogen for power as well as oxygen. With a small, privately owned, 'active' water mining operation on the planet as well, no one should look twice at it. Also with all of the other mining operations in the system, it will look like we are simply using the resources of the system to prepare for war.”

  “Of course we cannot have the Regulan Guard surrounding the planetoid, or it will completely ruin the ruse. However, we know that they will insist on being close, no matter what we tell them.

  “So, since both of us are here, I plan on reinforcing them and charging them with keeping this entire system inviolate. That way, any in-system patrols will appear to be standard operating procedure.”

  “Wait, you said that the mining operation on Ceres would be a private operation. Who owns it?” Cr'ale asked.

  From down the table, the girl that Ariel had introduced as her college roommate and friend stood, and bowed. “Your Imperial Majesty, I am the 'owner'. However, I only agreed to it on the grounds that I only be a custodian on behalf of the Empire. All proceeds, minus operating costs, will be given over to a different charity every year of operation. I will also be running a few of the other mining concerns in the system.”