Interstellar War (The Pike Chronicles Book 5) (10 page)

Prime Minister Sallas read through the grim report with trepidation. The Kemmar had spread like locusts across human space. How long until they conquered New Byzantium? The military worked tirelessly around the clock to shore up their defenses. But what could that really prevent? New Byzantium was cut off from any support, giving the Kemmar all the time they needed to slowly choke them into submission. They would all be enslaved.

It seemed a farce.  He’d fought his whole life for freedom, he couldn’t fathom living what little he might have left in slavery. No matter what he did, there was always someone else trying to exert power over him. Even after bringing democracy to New Byzantium, his own military turned on him, tossing him in prison. Then the corporations attacked. Now the Kemmar. It was Jon Pike who had helped save New Byzantium from the Junta and the corporations. Where was he now?  If he were here, could he hope to make a difference against so many Kemmar ships?

A communication request from General Calledonius jerked him out of the frightening scenario.

“What can I do for you, General,” Sallas said half-heartedly.

“I have some news for you, Prime Minister. The jump ships have returned.”

“Admiral Pike is back?” said Sallas, his spirits lifting.

“No, Admiral Pike is not with them. The Reiver, and two of the Chaanisar ships have returned, but there are three new ships with them. One is an Earth ship, and two are Diakan.”

“Diakan?”

“Yes, Sir. I’ve never seen anything like them. They are gigantic, although badly damaged. In fact, all six ships are in urgent need of repair.”

“Why? What happened?” Sallas said worriedly.

“It seems they fought the Kemmar on their way here. From the state of their ships, it must have been quite the battle. The Diakan ships in particular have several hull breaches. It’s a damn good thing they’re so big. I don’t know of any other ship that could withstand that much and still be spaceworthy.”

They’ve already battled the Kemmar,
thought Sallas.
Where?
“And you say that Admiral Pike is not with them?”

“That’s right, Sir. Neither is the Freedom.”

“Then who is in command?”

“Captain St. Clair is in command of the battle group,” said Calledonius.

“St. Clair? Pike’s first officer?”

“Yes, Prime Minister. It appears that he has been promoted.”

“I see. There have been some new developments since Admiral Pike left.”

“Yes, Prime Minister. The ships are moving into orbit around New Byzantium, and we are providing whatever help they need to conduct repairs.”

“Good. The stars know we’re going to need their help against the Kemmar.”

“Agreed, Sir. Captain St. Clair also mentioned that he would like to meet with you.”

“Of course. I was hoping to speak with him.”

“I thought so. Once their ships are in orbit, he’ll take a shuttle down to the surface.”

“Yes. Thank you, General.”

Calledonius bowed his head and ended the transmission. Sallas leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms in front of his chest. Six jump ships, but no Admiral Pike. Would they fight for New Byzantium? The Reiver and the two Chaanisar ships had sworn to defend New Byzantium, but he had no power over the Diakans, nor the Earth ship. Even with St. Clair as their commanding officer, the crew wouldn’t have any feelings of loyalty for New Byzantium. Besides, even if all six ships agreed to fight for New Byzantium, would they be enough to defeat the Kemmar?

Kevin and Major Ilthos were escorted by a Guardsman to Prime Minister Sallas’s office. Sallas stood and approached them at once. He smiled broadly, and it wasn’t a phony politician’s smile. Either he was very good at his job, or he was genuinely pleased to see them. Kevin wanted to believe the latter. He didn’t like being cynical, and chose to see the good in people first.

“It’s a pleasure to see you again, Captain St. Clair,” said Sallas, hand outstretched.

Kevin gripped the Prime Minister’s hand firmly. “It’s good to see you too, Sir.” Kevin glanced at Ilthos, “Allow me to introduce Major Ilthos, my Diakan liaison.”

Sallas let go of Kevin’s hand extending his to Ilthos. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Major. I have heard a lot about Diakus.”

Ilthos bowed his head slightly. “Forgive me, Prime Minister. Diakans do not shake hands.”

“Yes, of course,” said Sallas, pulling his hand away, unphased. “Please, sit down,” Sallas, gestured toward a group of arm chairs arranged around a coffee table. Sallas continued. “I was expecting to find Admiral Pike with you,” said Sallas, an inquisitive look on his face.

“Things got complicated in the Sol System,” said Kevin. “The Juttari nuked Earth.”

“What?!” said Sallas, eyes wide with shock. “How bad?”

“Bad, Sir. They targeted all major cities. Most of the population is dead. The radiation threatens to eliminate the rest.”

“Of course, Diakus is doing what it can,” said Ilthos. “We have sent a group of sophisticated vessels, capable of cleaning up the radiation. It will take some time, but we will see to it that Earth returns to health.”

“That is generous of Diakus,” said Sallas. “This is horrible news. I am so very sorry. “

“Thank you, Prime Minister.”

“I assume that is why Admiral Pike hasn’t returned? He stayed behind to help with the relief effort?”

“No. He stayed behind to deal with the Juttari.”

“Oh? Are they still in the Sol System?”

“Not exactly,” said Kevin. “Do you remember how we freed the Chaanisar who showed up in New Byzantium?”

“Yes, of course. You used your AI to liberate them from Juttari control.”

Kevin nodded. “We did the same in the Sol System, and in multiple other systems. The Juttari had launched a massive invasion of Galactic Accord space, attacking multiple systems. Using the AI, we reversed their gains, freeing many Chaanisar in the process. Those Chaanisar are now part of Admiral Pike’s fleet.”

“How many ships are we talking about?” said Sallas.

“Over a thousand warships.”

“That’s incredible,” Sallas said in awe. “How many Chaanisar serve aboard the average Chaanisar ship?

“It varies from ship to ship, but it can be anywhere from five hundred to a thousand men.”

“Are you saying Admiral Pike has almost a million Chaanisar under his command?”

“Give or take.”

“It is unrivaled,” said Ilthos. “Nothing of this magnitude has ever been achieved against the Juttari Empire.”

“Admiral Pike is preparing to mount an offensive against the Juttari Empire as we speak,” said Kevin.

“Diakus has given its full support to Admiral Pike,” said Ilthos. “The attempted Juttari invasion was the first shot in a new interstellar war that threatens to envelop the entire galaxy.”

Sallas seemed to be having difficulty understanding the sheer scale of what he was being told. “But then, why have you come here? Why are you not helping Admiral Pike against the Juttari?” said Sallas.

“That’s what we need to talk about, Prime Minister,” said Kevin. “After what happened to Earth, Admiral Pike believes that humanity must become united. The Juttari know of you. They know where the colonies are. It is only a matter of time until this war reaches you. We need to make sure we can defend the colonies, and the only way we can do that, is by reopening the jump gate.”

“I’m sorry? What?”

“The jump gate, Prime Minister. The one the colonies shut down over five hundred years ago. We need to activate it, and Admiral Pike believes that you know where it is.”

Sallas sighed. “He’s right. I do. But there’s one problem.”

“What’s that?” said Kevin.

“There are a few hundred Kemmar warships surrounding it.”

Kevin listened with growing anger. The Kemmar had invaded the colonies, conquering three separate systems. It didn’t matter that the systems belonged to the corporations that attacked New Byzantium. That was a problem of leadership, and leadership could be changed. What was important was that there were humans under Kemmar occupation. Kevin knew better than anyone how brutal the Kemmar could be. He hated to imagine what those poor people were enduring.

These facts didn’t change his mission, however. In fact, they made it all the more important. The location of the jump gate was in Amboss Corporation space. Amboss was the first to fall to the Kemmar. If that jump gate had been activated when the Kemmar came, those people could have been helped. Ships could have crossed through to defend those systems against the Kemmar. Now they were going to have to work backwards. They would need to somehow reactivate the gate while the Kemmar were still there, in order to bring reinforcements through.

“I don’t see how you can do it,” said Prime Minister Sallas, leaning forward in his chair, elbows resting on his knees. His face displayed a mix of skepticism and worry, yet his eyes seemed hopeful.  He appeared to pray for a miracle, but discounted the possibility that one could occur.

“We’ve already defeated the Kemmar in one battle,” said Kevin. “I’m sure we can do it again.”

“I understand, Captain, but your ships have suffered substantial damage. Even those enormous Diakan warships need major repairs. You’ll be facing a much larger Kemmar force if you go in to open the jump gate.”

“Yes, but we wouldn’t need to defeat the Kemmar,” said Kevin. “We would only need to buy enough time to activate the gate. Once activated, we could cross through to the Sol System.”

“But then you would be leading the Kemmar to Earth,” said Sallas.

“There will be plenty of ships defending the Sol System,” said Kevin. “If the Kemmar dared to follow us through the gate, they would end up with a huge fight on their hands.”

“I don’t know,” said Sallas, shaking his head. “It seems very risky. What if the Kemmar destroy you before you manage to open the gate? With Admiral Pike attacking the Juttari, there will be no hope for us. The Kemmar will be free to take over the rest of the colonies.”

“I’m sure we’ll manage,” said Kevin, but he barely believed his own words. Sallas had a good point. If the Kemmar defeated his battle group before they could open the gate, the colonies would be lambs to the slaughter. But what else could they do? They had to try.

“I have a better idea,” said Sallas, his demeanor becoming instantly optimistic. The skilled politician suddenly showing up.

“I’m listening,” said Kevin, bracing for the pitch.

“You give us the jump system technology.”

“What? Prime Minister, you know I can’t do that.”

“Why can’t you? Things have changed dramatically since I had this conversation with Admiral Pike. Earth has been destroyed. The corporations defeated. And the Kemmar Empire threatens to swallow the rest of the colonies. If the Kemmar don’t finish us, there is a real threat the Juttari will.”

“Yes, Prime Minister, but I can’t just give you the jump technology.”

“Don’t you see, Captain. The jump system is the wild card. If you give us the jump system, not only will we be better able to protect ourselves, but we’ll also be able to help you open the jump gate. If humanity is going to be united, then we need to help each other.”

“May I offer an opinion in this matter?” said Ilthos, with a pronounced Diakan hiss.

“Go ahead,” said Kevin.

“I believe Prime Minister Sallas is correct. We should give New Byzantium the jump technology.”

“Really? And what if the Kemmar get their hands on it?”

“Yes, that is a risk,” said Ilthos. “But the benefits are greater. Diakus has spent centuries building up regional powers throughout the galaxy. This is the essence of the Galactic Accord. I believe we can do something similar here. If we give New Byzantium the jump technology, and we open the jump gate, we can turn New Byzantium into a regional power. The colonies will be easier to defend, requiring less of our military resources, in favour of their own.” Ilthos turned his attention to Sallas. “I am proposing New Byzantium’s entrance into the Galactic Accord. Of course, there would need to be treaties in place, Prime Minister. Breaking those treaties would result in very serious consequences for your world.”

“Major, we are facing the threat of Kemmar slavery. It doesn’t get any more serious than that,” said Sallas.

Sallas’s words struck a chord with Kevin. The thought of the Kemmar conquering New Byzantium was abhorrent. And Ilthos’s argument was sound. Things
were
different. They were no longer just one ship. Admiral Pike had over a thousand ships under his command, and Diakan support. The situation had changed, and he needed to be able to change with it.

Major Ilthos made a good argument, but the Galactic Accord was really just a thinly veiled front for a Diakan Empire. The Diakans used treaties, rather than conquest, to expand. It was smart, but Kevin knew full well that all members of the Accord were subservient to the Diakans. If New Byzantium joined the Accord, they would end up as just another Diakan proxy world. That was not what Admiral Pike wanted. He wanted to unite humanity, to help forge their own path. Humanity could be allied with the Diakans, but not subservient. Not anymore.

Still, the Galactic Accord model was sound. Turn a world into a regional power, and control that region through them. Prime Minister Sallas was no fool, but he wasn’t just going to stand by and let the Kemmar take over New Byzantium. If that meant joining the Accord, then he would do it in a heart beat. That is, unless he had another option.

“Both your arguments are persuasive,” said Kevin. “But I don’t believe you should join the Galactic Accord.”

“Captain, Galactic Accord membership is really this world’s best option,” said Ilthos.

“What are you thinking, Captain?” said Sallas. “Because I must tell you that unless you come up with something better, the Diakan offer is pretty persuasive.”

“What if I agreed to giving you the jump technology?”

Sallas’s eyes widened in surprise. “You just said you couldn’t give us the technology. Why have you changed your mind?”

“Yes,” said Ilthos. “Why?”

“I will give you the technology on one condition,” said Kevin.

“Name it,” said Sallas.

“Major Ilthos mentioned the signing of treaties, and I agree with him. Admiral Pike wants to unite humanity, and I believe this is the perfect place to start. In our original agreement, Admiral Pike pledged our loyalty to New Byzantium in return for independence, amnesty, and ships. I now propose a new agreement. You will sign a treaty with Admiral Pike, allying New Byzantium with his fleet, and accepting his leadership in the greater cause of uniting and defending all of humanity. You will remain leader of New Byzantium, and when we liberate the colonies, you will be responsible for governing them as well. As commanding officer of the Vanguard and the battle group, I will sign the treaty on behalf of Admiral Pike. In accordance with Space Force traditions, I am well within my authority to do so.”

Sallas sat quietly, clearly contemplating Kevin’s offer.

“Really, Captain,” said Ilthos. “The Galactic Accord has existed for centuries. We know how to strengthen worlds better than anyone.”

“That is true,” said Kevin. “And Admiral Pike will be grateful for your expertise and support.”

“But Captain-”

“I’ll do it,” said Sallas. “I’ll sign a treaty with Admiral Pike in exchange for the jump technology.”

“Prime Minister, really, I don’t believe this is wise,” said Ilthos. “As I said, Diakus has been doing this for centuries. We know how to build up a world such as yours.”

“Are you saying that you will not give Captain St. Clair and Admiral Pike the benefit of your experience?” said Sallas”

“I did not say that. I merely meant that things would go much smoother if you joined the Galactic Accord. Your world would become part of an alliance that spans the galaxy.”

“I thought that Diakus pledged to support Admiral Pike?” said Sallas, impressing Kevin with his handling of the Diakan.

“Yes, of course,” said Ilthos.

“Then, by joining Admiral Pike we will also gain that support, will we not?”

“Yes, Prime Minister. You will,” said Ilthos, seeming to accept defeat.

“Good. Then it’s settled,” said Sallas. “May I suggest that we get started as soon as possible, time is of the essence.”

“Of course, Prime Minister,” said Kevin. “We can use the fabricator on the Ronin to create new jump systems. Major, are the Diakan ships equipped with fabricators?”

“They are,” said Ilthos. “We can employ them to produce the required parts.”

“Good. I’d like to combine engineering teams. It will speed along the retrofits. The more ships we get online the better.”

“Yes, Captain. We will provide whatever assistance is required,” said Ilthos. “Might I also suggest you use a Galactic Accord treaty as a template for your alliance? Through long experience we have ironed out most of the potential issues associated with this type of agreement.”

“Excellent idea, Major,” said Kevin, happy that the Diakan was now playing ball.

“Captain, I have another thought,” said Sallas. “The Diakans call their alliance system the Galactic Accord. It seems to me that if Admiral Pike is going to unite humanity that we need a name for the alliance too.”

“Good idea,” said Kevin. “But I don’t have authority to name the alliance.”

“No, of course not. But you could present the idea to the Admiral for consideration.”

“That I can do. Sounds like you have something in mind?”

“Yes, I have,” said Sallas. “I think that in order to name a human alliance, that we should refer to human history. On ancient Earth there was a period of about two hundred years known as Pax Romana. That is a Latin term that referred to the greatest years of the Roman Empire. While the Romans during this time still fought foreign wars, Rome itself, and the rest of the internal empire, did not experience any major incursion. Today, humans face threats on all sides, but I think we should look to a more optimistic future. One where human worlds no longer exist in fear of alien invasions. I believe this is what we are fighting for. Therefore, I propose that we refer to this new alliance as Pax Humana.”

“I like it,” said Kevin. “And I’d bet Admiral Pike will too.”

“Now that we have resolved these issues,” said Ilthos. “I have a request of my own.”

“Of course, Major,” said Sallas. “What can I do for you?”

“I understand General Tallos is on New Byzantium. You will take me to see him.”