Judgment of the Bold Read online

  "You would have us attack this central figure?" she asked, still off-balance in the conversation.

  "If we find where the commands are coming from," I said. "But my point is different. You see a thousand ships; I see one leader struggling to send orders to a thousand ships. We need to be unpredictable and use their swarm configuration against them. Sure, if we find that central ship, we take it out, but I don't think that's necessary."

  "Unpredictable. Like a leaf on the wind?" Moyo asked.

  I smiled. It wasn't the right moment to geek out on ancient science fiction. A kick to my shin affirmed that Tabby felt my moment and wanted me to let it pass.

  "Exactly right, Moyo," I said. "What were you able to retrieve from House Mshindi's ship? Were any left alive?"

  "Like before," she answered. "All aboard were killed simply by a single shot to the base of the neck. The engines were disabled and atmosphere removed. I have witnessed this behavior while on patrol. The pirates will return to retrieve the ship as salvage."

  "Hunting Fog, this is Hornblower. We will transition in twenty seconds," Ada transmitted.

  My heart was beating fast in anticipation. If Kroerak surrounded the wormhole exit in Tamu, we were in for a bumpy ride. Everyone was in the right place, however. We had a seasoned fire-control crew, an excellent pilot, and a weapon that was literally the finger-of-death to whatever ship it reached out and touched.

  While sailing, we'd drilled different simulations to confound the attacking Kroerak, using their numbers as much to our advantage as possible. The most effective tactic ended up looking like a complex dance: we drilled a line of ships, used their husks as cover and patiently edged around to chew away at every ship we got near, one after another, until they were gone. After repeated practice, our average rate of fire was one shot every three seconds. With two ships and a perfect line-up, it would require more time than I liked to take out the combined Kroerak fleets sitting in the Tamu system.

  "I have five ships on sensors," Nick said.

  For whatever reason, I'd always been slow to recover from wormhole transitions. I fought against the fog and peered intently at the holo projection.

  "Target acquired," Sendrei barked.

  "Hold for identification," I ordered, my heart hammering against my chest.

  "Make that twelve." Nick upgraded the number of ships around us as Ada laid into Hornblower's massive engines and we started to dig out of the hole caused by coming to a relative stop when entering the wormhole.

  "That's too many," Tabby warned.

  "Steady!" I ordered.

  An Abasi transponder signal fired and for a nano-second, I thought it was Hunting Fog as she transitioned at almost that exact moment. The audio cue arrived just before my holo projection updated, showing that we were surrounded by a small fleet of Abasi ships.

  "Friendlies!" I ordered. "Cease fire. Communicate friendly status to Hunting Fog."

  A triple shot of 75mm cannon fire stitched through space and tore into the side of Mshindi's once proud battleship, Thunder Awakes.

  "Cease fire! Cease Fire! Blue on Blue," Marny yelled into the comms.

  "Hail Thunder Awakes," I ordered, watching as the battered yet still majestic and terrifyingly massive battleship turned slowly seeking a broadside with Hornblower.

  The Felio who appeared on my screen was a ghost of the once-mighty Mshindi Prime I'd come to know and respect. Having lost substantial weight, her eyes were sunken within their sockets and she looked at me with grim determination. "I would recommend a larger load, given the circumstances," she rasped.

  "My apologies, Mshindi Prime," I said as soon as she stopped speaking. "The cannon fire was due to an over-zealous crew."

  "Never have I been fired upon and been so delighted," she replied, with a familiar spark in her eyes.

  Chapter 2

  Fish in a Barrel

  "Thirty ships, Cap." Marny answered my unasked question. "Four battleships, eight battle cruisers, ten if you count Hunting Fog and Hornblower. The rest are frigates or support craft. They look like they've all taken quite a beating. Intel from Abasi military data-streams show eight hundred Kroerak ships in-system."

  I nodded, not yet breaking eye contact with Mshindi Prime. "Adahy, is this what remains of the Confederation Fleet?" I asked, using her given name as a gesture of familiarity. The loss in her eyes told me the answer. We'd all seen the destruction wrought by the Kroerak to the once-proud Earth fleets. If anything, I was surprised the noble Felio hadn't sacrificed themselves to defend their planet.

  "I am unable to raise Busara or Imara." Moyo's image appeared on the holo projection next to Mshindi.

  "When the Kroerak broke the fleet, many were lost," Mshindi Prime answered. "Moyo, it is you that leads House Perasti. You are Prime. Your mother and sister defended our home with honor and did not flinch in the face of death."

  Moyo's expression hardened as she received the news; her eyes narrowed and tail twitched with agitation. "Why are you cowering next to the Tamu-Preish gate? You would run as cowards? Bold Prime, we will set course immediately for Abasi Prime. Our homeland, my sisters, my family must be avenged! I am not a coward!"

  "You dare call us cowards?” Kifeda Prime, the only male head of house I was familiar with, popped onto the projection, joining the conversation. Like Mshindi, his face was sunken and his once-proud mane of fur lacked fullness and luster. "We have lost more than you can know. We fought with honor while you were away. It is you that lacks honor."

  The comms erupted in chaos as the final house, Gundi, joined in. Lindia, previously Second, attempted reconciliation, but the hot-blooded Kifeda Prime and distraught Moyo had found sinks for their anguish. I wasn't overly surprised by the explosion of anger. Felio were as passionate about nobility of purpose as they were about the honor of belonging to their respective houses.

  Mshindi Prime had taken a seat on the bridge of Thunder Awakes. She was much smaller looking than I recalled previously, as if the toll of war had pulled the life essence from her. Seeing that I hadn't joined the fray, her eyes quietly pled with me. I nodded. Words would not be enough.

  "Sendrei, fire a burst from our Iskstar cannon over the bow of Kifeda's battleship, Plays in Tall Grass, and Gundi's battle cruiser, Sundrenched Cliff," I said, not bothering to mute my order on the Abasi fleet channel.

  We'd been away from home for an entire Earth standard year in search of a weapon that could defeat the Kroerak. While the cost had been high, we'd not only found the weapon, but saved an entire species from the Kroerak's evil clutches.

  "Aye, aye, Captain," Sendrei answered from fire-control.

  A surprised Kifeda Prime turned to me just as the warning shot creased the space between our two ships. His battleship, while ravaged by combat, was more than a match for Hornblower, especially considering six of the ships within the fleet were of his house.

  Gundi Prime, Lindia, quieted as the second shot crossed her bow. She looked at me with less challenge than Kifeda, but it was clear she was ready to turn her cruiser on me if the moment required it.

  "What is the meaning of this? I will tear you to shreds!" Mzuzi, Kifeda Prime screamed at me, momentarily forgetting his argument with Moyo and Gundi Prime. His bloodshot eyes and dripping fangs made me wonder just how close he actually was to the edge.

  "I understand your rage, Mzuzi," I said calmly. "My home was destroyed by Kroerak." The words were a bit of a stretch. Earth had very nearly been destroyed by Kroerak, but I'd never considered it my home. "Would you fight your Abasi brothers and sisters instead of Kroerak?"

  "But," he spluttered. "It was you that fired upon me!"

  "Hornblower's weapon did not strike Plays in Tall Grass," Mshindi Prime observed almost casually.

  "The gunjway is not Abasi," Kifeda Prime demanded, winding up again.

  "Ask Mshindi why they're at the gate, Liam," Nick whispered, having come up beside me to observe the interaction. A smile tugged at the corner of Mshindi Prime's lips, but didn’t
quite reach her eyes. She nodded almost imperceptibly at Nick.

  "Mshindi Prime, Moyo has a legitimate question. Why has this fleet not defended Abasi Prime? There is no honor in fleeing from battle and I know that House Mshindi, House Gundi, and House Kifeda are all most honorable." My pronouncement took the wind from Moyo's sails and temporarily mollified Kifeda Prime.

  "When the Kroerak attacked, our blockade at the Tamu-Mhina gate held for only five spans," Mshindi Prime responded. "The Kroerak fleet cared not for its own survival and plowed a path through our mine fields, racing over the corpses of their own so that they might come at us. But hope was restored when, in that sixth day, allies from the Confederation of Planets arrived and reinforced our numbers. Musi, Chelonii and Aranea warships came to our aid, swelling our ranks to almost three hundred strong.

  "For a time, we held the Kroerak in Tamu. But our joy was short-lived as we learned of a second Kroerak fleet that attacked the planet Zuri. As Abasi, we knew that to split our own fleet to protect Zuri would break our stalemate with Kroerak. But we are honorable and sworn to protect the people of Zuri. It was given to House Mshindi to provide aid to Zuri and we split from the fleet, knowing that to do so would weaken us both, but also knowing we had no other option.

  "When only a single span into our journey, we received the worst possible news," Mshindi Prime continued, her eyes glittering with moisture. "The second Kroerak fleet separated from Zuri and raced to meet us. At the same time the first Kroerak fleet broke through the lines of our defenders and streamed toward the Tamu-Santaloo wormhole transition point.

  "Knowing we could not stand as divided against the Kroerak, House Mshindi turned back to the main fleet. By the time we rejoined, our numbers had been cut by over twenty-five percent," she said. "It was in this battle that Perasti Prime and Gundi Prime were both lost. Their loss, while honorable, broke the backbone of our defenses."

  "House Mshindi caught up with what remained of our fleet and pinched the Kroerak between our planetary defensive weapons. Our strategy worked, as the mighty Kroerak fleet sustained its greatest losses. Our victory, however, was short, as the second Kroerak fleet arrived at Abasi Prime," Mshindi Prime said, growing quiet as I imagined she was recalling the horrific battle. "Our ships were strong, but our weapons were no match for the Kroerak armor. For over a ten-day we fought, slowing, giving ground, as we were crushed beneath the pincers of the bug warriors."

  "And then you gave up?" Moyo asked, her voice holding accusation but with substantially less anger. "How could you run from battle? It is our duty to die if required."

  "There is no one in our fleet today that does not wish she had died over our home planet," Mshindi Prime said. "Would that I could exchange my life for my daughter, Zakia's. Many questions haunt me, Moyo, beloved daughter of my friend, Busara. Had we not separated from the fleet to defend Zuri, could we have broken the Kroerak? Would it not be better for us to have died over Abasi Prime? The House of Koman made a decision to send the remaining fleet away from Abasi Prime with a single objective, to await House of the Bold and the Iskstar weapon. I put it to you, Moyo. Will this weapon defeat Kroerak? Was our gamble worth the agony of watching our people die while we fled with tails curled between our legs?"

  "Blasters tuned with an Iskstar crystal pierce Kroerak armor as easily as a newborn kit's sharp claws pierce unfurred skin," Moyo answered.

  "This must be a lie," Kifeda Prime growled. "I saw the weapon fired. Engineer first says it is nothing more than a blaster."

  "It is no lie," I said. "We don't know why Iskstar defeats Kroerak armor so easily, but House Perasti and House of the Bold stood against thirty Kroerak and destroyed them all with this weapon. I guess my question is, do we want to stand around peeing on each other's legs, squawking like Strix, and talking about lost honor? Or maybe we could hand out some upgrades and go kick Kroerak ass! What's it going to be, Mzuzi? Whiny bitch or bad-ass bug squisher?"

  My last comment earned me a raised eyebrow from Marny. I was contemporizing and wasn't sure if the AI translator would communicate the edge I was looking for. Mzuzi showed his disrespect for humanity each time we met. I'd always fobbed the attitude off as just Mzuzi being pissy about being the only male Prime in a world run by females.

  "You have more than one of these weapons?" Mshindi Prime asked. I smiled at her ability to ignore insults. I suspected I'd have to raise my game if I was going to compete with the likes of House Kifeda and Gundi, who seemed to enjoy throwing down barbed challenges as if that were an Olympic sport.

  "Hunting Fog is equipped with one as well," I said. "The Piscivoru nation has agreed to lend Abasi Iskstar crystals for the purpose of destroying Kroerak."

  When we left the Piscivoru back on their home planet of Picis, they had, for the first time in over five hundred standard years, been able to freely venture out onto the planet's surface. Grateful, their elders had offered as many Iskstar crystals as we wanted at no cost. While I appreciated their generous offer, I knew the Piscivoru would need help restarting their civilization. Working together would benefit both Abasi and Piscivoru nations.

  "What will that cost?" Mzuzi asked sulkily.

  "I've agreed to negotiate with House of Koman in good faith after the Kroerak have been removed from Abasi systems," I said. "I assure you, the Piscivoru offer very reasonable terms."

  "You are playing both sides," Mzuzi said. "The human cannot be trusted."

  "Hornblower, squelch all conversation from Mzuzi until further notice," I said.

  "Kifeda Prime, House of the Bold is Abasi. Bold Prime is a member of House of Koman and you owe him the respect given any Prime," Mshindi said.

  House of Koman was the peak of the pyramid of the Abasi government. Only the top leaders from the most powerful Abasi houses were allowed a voice within its chambers. The fact that I'd been given a seat within House of Koman was an indication of how dire the Abasi had found their situation. I considered these things as Mshindi Prime apparently listened to Mzuzi's rant, something I no longer needed to do.

  "Liam. My friend. It is not necessary to mute Mzuzi. It is the way of male Felio to argue. It is also the reason there are few Felio male heads of house."

  "Let's talk about weapon upgrades," I said. "Tabbs, would you transmit specifications so the Abasi can tune their energy weapons? We're willing to provide one crystal to each ship that will participate in combat."

  Mshindi looked to her side, as if listening to a question from someone not in view of the video. "How are these utilized?"

  "It is a simple replacement of your blaster weapon's tuning crystal. We recommend your longest distance weapon. Size does not seem to be relevant," I said. "Mshindi, I couldn't help but notice your bridge crew appears to be in some distress. While we fit the ships for battle, could we share supplies?"

  "Our fleet suffers no more than those whom we abandoned," Mshindi said. "We will take no respite until all Abasi are free."

  "Fair enough," I answered. "We'll open Hornblower's flight deck. It's only large enough to accommodate a few shuttles at a time, but I'd like to get these crystals handed out. Any ships without a working shuttle can contact me directly and we'll send Hornblower's to them."

  "It is agreed. Mshindi desists."

  "Semper, Tabbs, we're about to have company on the flight deck," I called over comms. "Marny, can you organize the incoming? Semper, I may need you to deliver a few of the crystals."

  "Aye, aye, Prime," Semper answered.

  "It looks like the Kroerak know we're here," Marny said.

  I turned my attention to the holo-projector. Eight hundred twelve was the ship count my AI showed for the Kroerak fleet circling Abasi Prime. I was reminded of the black carrion birds on Zuri that amassed in the same way every time we killed a Kroerak hatchling and left it to rot. Of more significance was the group of one hundred twenty ships that had split off from the main fleet, sailing directly at us.

  The details from Abasi Prime were startlingly clear. The Abasi had a me
chanism that allowed for long range communication to take place quickly over solar distances. What would ordinarily take fifteen minutes from Abasi Prime was arriving in about a minute. Getting plugged into the network of the Abasi fleet had given us fantastic access.

  "Now the Kroerak are interested in chasing down the Abasi who broke away? I don't understand why the Kroerak allowed some ships to break off at all," I said. "If they had any idea what we were coming to equip the Abasi with, they'd have skipped Abasi Prime and chased these guys until they put 'em down."

  "The desire to plunder a planet is instinctual to Kroerak," Jonathan said. "They will have traveled vast distances to arrive at Abasi Prime. We know they do not travel with large food stores. It is likely they required fuel before chasing down a small fleet that posed little strategic threat."

  "I guess we have our answer as to whether Kroerak can communicate over galactic distances," I said.

  "What answer is this?" Jonathan asked.

  "I'd say they can't. Otherwise, the Kroerak we fought over Picis would have let the fleets entering Tamu know we were coming," I said.

  "We see the logic of your argument," Jonathan agreed. "And if the Kroerak were human and had human instincts, we would agree."

  "I don't follow. Every species wants to survive," I said. "Kroerak would have been better off destroying this small Abasi fleet and not given us a chance to deploy the Iskstar crystals. Can you imagine what the Abasi are going to do to the Kroerak fleet with thirty armed ships? They'll never get close to us with this many battleships and cruisers."

  "We believe you will show no mercy, or I believe you would say 'give no quarter,'" Jonathan answered. "The Kroerak do not seek to defeat you. They intend to discover your strength. Imagine the value of this intelligence."

  "They should have finished off the Abasi fleet," I repeated. "Leaving this small group of Abasi behind makes no sense."

  "Without the Abasi," Jonathan said. "Hornblower might have arrived in the Tamu system to a group of Kroerak ships. If this had happened, what would your orders have been?"