Storm' Fury: The Shenkar War (30 page)

From what Cryta had come to understand, humans used what they called “callsigns” to identify each other during combat situations. Typically, these callsigns were given to each other by other pilots within the squadron. The name sewn into a patch on this pilot’s suit was
Zombie
, a pilot that in combat, administered destruction in the wake of his fighters passing.

“You do understand me, right?” the pilot said, his smile faltering as uncertainty began to show.

“Yes, Lieutenant Commander Maxis, I apologize I was just surprised by you.”

“Surprised?”

By the look on the human’s face it was clear he was completely confused at this point.

“Again, I apologize if I am causing you any discomfort. What I meant is I know you by reputation. You are unmatched in combat with a fighter. Naturally I was taken a little aback that someone of your stature would be the one to come escort me to a meeting. I am honored by your presence and look forward to speaking with you.”

At this point the human looked completely uncomfortable by Cryta’s praise as his face turned slightly crimson. Clearly, this human was not used to being praised for his accomplishments and clearly didn’t relish in the destruction he dealt. This was something that interested Cryta as it was not the way of the Shenkar.

In truth, the renowned warriors of the Shenkar usually suffered from arrogance. As they rose in rank they would grow accustomed to receiving praise and gifts that fueled the growing belief they deserved such rewards. On several occasions, the sheer arrogance of a Shenkar warrior, resulted in an innocent being punished for a wrong they did not commit. Over the past decade it seemed the only place you could find any honor was within his own elite caste.

“You humans are an interesting race, you are not the bloodthirsty warriors that we have been led to believe. I compliment you on your ability to deliver destruction and it clearly causes you discomfort. I believe you do not approve of the deaths you have dealt….am I wrong?”

“You would be correct; I only do what I do to protect my friends, family and the safety of the human race. To take pride in taking another’s life would be inhuman. We do not invite war but we will not back down from it. While we may be new to space travel, we are no strangers to war, even if it may have been with each other.

That is why we gamble on you and your information. We take this war to your Shelecore so we can try and disable his ability to make war. If we destroy his shipyards then he can’t continue with this war. By destroying those shipyards we save millions if not billions of lives.”

Cryta weighed the words he had just heard. These humans were extremely complex. When Cryta first discovered the news of another race capable of destroying the Shenkar, he didn’t believe it. He had rationalized to himself that the footage he witnessed had to be false. The horrifying footage of a human warrior slaughtering the crew of the
Tryliene
had been shocking.

When he had managed to get himself aboard the next invasion fleet he had told himself he would finally see the truth, although part of him wanted it to be true. The Shenkar needed a race that could stand against them yet would be willing to help them as well. The footage gave little evidence that the humans would be such a race.

The latest conflict looked as if the humans would finally be defeated.  Severely outgunned, they managed to turn the tide of battle and destroy most of the Shenkar forces yet again. Cryta had thought his life over and his mission failed but fate intervened in the form of Overlord Shizta.

When Cryta had regained consciousness aboard the human’s warship he couldn’t help at feeling relief that he was alive. Although part of him felt guilty for the feeling yet he knew this was foolishness as it had been the only way. The Shenkar had to lose if there society was to survive and evolve.

“I apologize again for any discomfort I have caused you. I believe my people could learn a lot from your people. I only hope we can find a way to find peace without destroying each other.”

“Don’t let it bother you, I am okay and if it makes you feel any better you are not what I have been led to believe. We, as well, have been taught that the Shenkar are nothing but crazy warmongers so I guess we both have a lot to learn about each other.”

“Crazy warmongers?” asked Cryta.

“Just a figure of speech, shall we get going? I don’t want to be late to the briefing.”

Cryta nodded and stepped through the doorway and out into the passageway.

“It shouldn’t be a long walk, it is being held in briefing room three.”

“Ah….I have been studying the layout of this ship on the monitor in my quarters and I know where that is, can I lead the way?” Cyta asked.

With that, Cryta left Evan behind and began to make his way through the passageways of the ship.

January 15
th
, 2014 4:23pm

EDF
Kraken
, Terran system, high Earth orbit

Evan watched as the Shenkar quickly moved off down the passageway. The Shenkar was unlike anything he could have imagined. He had spent the last year fighting what he had thought of as monsters, only to find a more “humane” caste other than the cloned shock troopers. This Cryta, proved that the Shenkar had feelings other than that of violence. Even Liam had learned from the other Shenkar prisoner that they could love the sound of music or appreciate the beauty of art.

In such a short time this war had become a war of survival against a blood thirsty sentient race to that of a war with ethical implications. No longer could the humans simply target and destroy any Shenkar ship or installation. Now, they would be taking the fight to the Shenkar home world. Unfortunately, they simply couldn’t just bomb the Shenkar home world back to the dark ages. Doing so would kill hundreds of thousands if not millions of innocents.

Why did everything have to get more complicated than it already was? Sighing, Evan headed off down the passageway in the direction Cryta had headed.

January 20
th
, 2014 4:48pm

              EDF
Kraken
, Terran system, high Earth orbit

              Liam studied the report as he waited for the rest of the group to arrive for the briefing. The report mostly covered what was to be expected in the upcoming mission with some additional information regarding the Shenkar that Cryta had provided.

              Of the provided Intel, the most interesting was that one of the Shenkar’s main shipyards located near a planet called
Tyria
. A fertile world, ripe for the use in farming. The world was home to a race known as the
Fraeralie
. The Shenkar enslaved the Fraeralie, using them for the farming of crops and animals.

              The Fraeralie were described as a peaceful race. They lacked any technology beyond that of the Native American Indians of the old west.

They were described as a small humanoid race, roughly three feet in height. Childlike features with pointy ears and skin pigments ranging close to humans. Eye pigments varied between pink to purple in color
.

What oddly interested Liam the most was the Fraeralie’s voice were described as musical, singsong like. This would be something Liam would like to hear.

The one thing that was disturbing, if Liam understood Cryta’s report correctly, it seemed the Fraeralie viewed the Shenkar as gods. It was clearly apparent the Shenkar used their technology to their advantage. However this could also work in their own favor. If the Fraeralie were to witness one of their gods being killed, they at the very least would awaken them to the Shenkar’s duplicity.

“Anything interesting?” came a voice from next to him.

              Looking up, Liam smiled up at the newcomer and his friend, Evan Maxis. Taking the empty seat next Liam.

              “Didn’t you read the report?”

              “I read it twice yet it didn’t seem to stick. Besides, that’s what I have you for,
oh fearless leader
,” a broad smile across his face as Evan said this.

              “You know, you are lucky I am more your friend than your superior officer, otherwise I might make you commit the report to memory and read it back to me…….come to think of it, that is not a bad idea.”

              Liam feigned putting serious thought into the idea. He must have been convincing as Evans smile disappeared to be replaced by anxious concern.

              “You are joking, right?”

              Liam pretended to think some more on the subject, causing the concern to grow upon Evans face. Finally, after a long pause, Liam smiled.

              “I am just messing with you; I think your head would explode if I forced you to memorize the report. But that does make me think of something odd.”

              “What is that?”

              “Well, we are technically nanotech super soldiers. Armed with superior strength, speed, healing and learning skills. I can memorize most things just by reading it once yet you have the worst time trying to memorize most reports after several attempts.”

              “Yeah I know, weird, huh….so much for superior technology.”

              “I don’t think it has anything to do with the nanotech. You have no problems reciting any of the lines from
Star Wars.

              “Well, that is true, but only from the original trilogy…not the newer ones with Jar Jar jerkwad. The holy trilogy is the greatest trilogy of all time…with Empire being the best.”

              Liam laughed at Evan’s explanation.

              “Maybe I should nanotech George so he can live longer and make more movies with
Disney
.” Liam said jokingly.

              Evan’s eyebrows rose at hearing this.

“That would be awesome; you think he would go for it? Maybe you could make him into a
Templar
? Wouldn’t that be great, fighting alongside the man responsible for the greatest trilogy of all time? Hell, the greatest franchise of all time. You could teach him to fight; he would be your padawan.”

              Liam couldn’t help but laugh at the Evans enthusiasm for the idea.

              “What is a padawan?” asked a voice from behind Liam.

              Turning, Liam saw Cryta standing there, a curious expression upon his face.

              At this Evans face lit up at the realization of someone who didn’t know anything about Star Wars. Quickly, he stood and walked over to steer Cryta to a chair and then sat down next to him.

              “It is only from the greatest story of all time,” Evan began.

              Tuning them out Liam turned back to his report. He didn’t get far before Steve sat down in the chair Evan had occupied.

              “What’s up, chief?” Steve asked casually.

              Liam sighed at hearing Steve. The remaining members of Necro squadron had become a close knit group of friends since they had defeated the Shenkar the first time around. Except for Dimitri, who had gone on to serve as a personal bodyguard to the Russian president, all had remained to serve at
Olympus
base.

              Even though Steve’s sarcastic demeanor could drive him nuts sometimes, he had become as close a friend to him as Evan was to Liam.

              “Don’t you have something to do? Like bother your wife since you will be leaving soon.”

              “Nah, we said our goodbyes last night plus I just got off the vid network with her. She is overseeing the refit of the
Okinawa
. I guess Captain Dvares is retiring and has recommended Kimino for the position of the new Captain of the
Okinawa
. Not sure if she will get it though, there are still some old timers who have reservations with a woman captaining a warship. It’s 2014 for god’s sake you would think they would get over it.”

              “Yeah, well I wouldn’t worry too much. I think she won’t have anything to worry about.”

              Steve mulled this over for a few moments before he shrugged.

              “Yeah, I guess you are right. So what’s on the agenda for today? And why did you request I be here? I’m not exactly one of the higher ups.”

              Liam sighed a sigh of defeat as he shook his head before he looked sideways at Steve.

              “Seriously, doesn’t anyone in Necro squad ever read the briefing agendas?”