Storm' Fury: The Shenkar War (68 page)

              Viero’s mouth opened to object but again Shizta cut him off.

              “Oh yes, I am sure you are greatly skilled with the plasma sword and you may beat one of these humans but not all humans.”

              This time it was Viero who cut in, an amused look upon his face.

              “Ah, you speak of this
Ghost
or
Arch-Angel
as you called him, the human responsible for so many Shenkar deaths? Do not try and frighten me with these tall tales of an unstoppable enemy. He will die just like any other, perhaps I should demonstrate how easily these humans do die?” stated Viero as he pulled an energy pistol, aimed it at Tim’s head as he looked to Shizta for a reaction.

              “Oh, I did not say they couldn’t die, go ahead and shoot him, but I can assure you that if you harm these humans you will die in the most painful of ways,” Shizta explained quickly, hoping that seeing his indifference to executing Tim would put off Viero from following through.

              Viero looked back to Tim, eying down the site of his pistol as Tim glared up at him. For a moment Shizta thought he might have pushed it and maybe he should have tried a different tactic but then Viero withdrew the pistol and placed it back into its holster.

              “I do not believe this one would make a suitable demonstration. Perhaps one of the females would have more of an impact?”

              Shizta only stared back, not letting his face betray the panic he felt inside. Shizta was just now remembering the beginning of the conversation he had with Leah and Alyssa. Did Viero’s recording capture that part of the conversation? Viero studied Shizta’s face looking for something. Whatever it was he must have found because he spoke again.

              “Ah yes, it seems it is true then. My guard that recorded the conversation was unable to get the recording device activated right away but he did report that he overheard one particular portion of the conversation.”

              “Oh, and what would that be?” Shizta asked neutrally.

              “The part where it elaborates that this great human you speak of is romantically involved with one of the females….the one named Aecrin to be specific.”

              Shizta attempted to keep his face impassive but something must have shown through because Viero smiled a wicked smile. Shizta scrambled to think of some that might deter Viero, not sure what a madman might do next. Then an idea struck him and he spoke quickly.

              “Do you really think the Shelecore would approve of you depriving him of one of his three human prizes?”

              This time the smile faltered on Viero’s face as the reprecussions seemed to dawn on him. He thought this over for several long moments before he turned back to Shizta.

              “Maybe so but that would only be a problem if he were to know I had three humans captured. Whats to stop me from simply changing the report to say that only two humans were captured. Or maybe one…was killed trying to escape?”

              “Do you really think the two remaining humans wouldn’t say anything? We may be their enemies but do you think they would pass up an opportunity to sell you out to insure their own revenge upon you at the hands of our Shelecore?”

              This must not have occurred to Viero because his face faltered when Shizta explained this too him. Shizta knew the Shelecore would not believe any humans tale spun to him over the word of one of his overlords yet Viero seemed to believe this a distinct possibility. The fact that Viero believed this comforted yet at the same time worried Shizta. Comforted him based on it seemed Viero was clearly not as intelligent as Shizta had given him credit for which would make manipulating him and possibly escaping easier. It worried him because people like Viero tended to act irrationally and the results could be unfavorable to Shizta’s needs.

              Viero was quiet for a long time before an idea seemed to come to mind.

              “You may be correct but perhaps I could snag a bigger prize using what I have.”

              Viero did not elaborate; instead he turned and walked from the room. Shizta was left with gnawing feeling at the pit of his stomach that left him speculating on what the bigger prize was. Somehow he thought he knew who it was and if that were the case Viero did not know the hell he was about to unleash upon his men if he harmed Leah.

February 1
st
, 2014 2:32am EST

Lykaa

              Liam paced the command center, awaiting any news from the forward units which had departed over an hour ago. It had taken much longer than Liam had wanted but General Leonid had finally mobilized the Praetorian Guard and given order to send scouting parties ahead looking for soft points to assault the Shenkar from. Men and women had been coming and going over the past hour with updates but none so far had provided anything of worth. There was a steady stream of chatter around the command center but Liam hardly noticed it. All he could think of was Leah and wonder if she was okay. He didn’t think she was dead, he couldn’t think she was dead because it would crush him. He had to continue telling himself that she was alive and he would see her again. Perhaps Shizta had been able to infiltrate the facility and he would rescue her and the others. If they did escape the forces were being maneuvered into place to provide support.

              Liam had wanted to be a part of the advanced forces but both General Leonid and Admiral Kelvin had disagreed, both feeling he would be an unstable element. He understood their reasoning, but it still stung a bit, especially coming from Admiral Kelvin. He had hoped he had proved himself to the admiral that he could control the power he held within. He knew he was fooling himself with that thought. He saw it anytime he demonstrated his abilities…they feared him. They obviously didn’t realize it themselves but he could see it in their eyes when they saw destruction he could unleash. He knew they all worried what would happen if he lost control.

              A commotion at the entrance to the command center interrupted Liam’s thoughts as a guard member stumbled through the door. At first glance it was easy to see that he had run into trouble. His uniform was torn and burned in several locations. His face was bruised badly and a patch of dried blood matted his hair to his head and ran down the side of his face. He staggered forward, refusing any help from others, until he stood before the general. He came to attention, although he seemed to waver as he grimaced from some internal pain, as he saluted. General Leonid returned the salute quickly as he spoke.

              “Soldier, what has happened to you? What is so important that you forego medical attention?”

              “I was part of one of the forward elements; my team was ambushed and slaughtered. I was left alive to bring you this,” the soldier explained as he held up a small device.

              General Leonid leaned his head forward to look at the device before he slowly reached up and took it. He turned it over several times as he examined it before he finally spoke.

              “What is it?”

              “I was told it’s a comm device that will allow you to directly link to the Shenkar overlord that is in charge here. His name is Viero and he wishes to speak with who is in charge of the troops on Lykaa.”
              The general looked up in surprise at this before he turned to one of the nearby engineers.

“Can we link this to our technology without anything harmful occurring?”

The engineer looked at the device for several moments before he nodded slowly and spoke.

              “Yes…I believe we could link to it with what we have here. It only appears to be some sort of comm unit, they must have solved the interference we are experiencing from the tunnel wall makeup. This device also seems to allow for video capabilities so I suggest we link it to a comm station with a monitor.”

              The general indicated for him to proceed and the engineer quickly went about his work. The entire command center was silent as they awaited word the device was setup. Liam couldn’t help but wonder what the Shenkar overlord wanted to say to them. It was probably too much to hope that this Shenkar was one of those that wanted to overthrow the Shelecore and the current government.

              Fifteen minutes had passed before the engineer looked up and gave the thumbs up. General Leonid picked up a nearby headset and moved to stand directly in front of the monitor. Keying a few commands, the camera atop the monitor transmitted the general’s image to a small box in the right corner of the screen while the remainder of the screen glowed blue.  Nothing happened for several long minutes, causing many to wonder if the device was working properly. It was only when the general looked towards the engineer did the screen flicker to life to show a Shenkar roughly ten feet from a camera, standing beside the battered form of Lieutenant Wellmo.

              “Ah, I see your soldier made it back alive, I was starting to wonder if maybe we had been a little too rough. Those humans did not seem to be able to take the punishment that this human can,” the Shenkar stated as he indicated Tim beside him.

              “I take it you are Overlord Viero? I am General Leonid, you wished to speak with me?”

              “Yes, I am Viero and yes I did wish to speak with the leader of the humans upon my world. I demand that you surrender your forces to me. I will not fill you with false promises…you all will most likely be executed but I will make sure you are executed honorably and not tortured to death. Perhaps the Shelecore will even let some of you live if I let him know how cooperative you have been.”
              General Leonid stared flatly at the screen, the rage within clear upon his face. Liam thought for sure that when he spoke he would be yelling but Leonid proved him wrong as he spoke in an even voice.

              “Do you seriously think we would surrender to you? We have destroyed your fleet in orbit, you have no reinforcements coming to your aid…at least not anytime soon. While I admit you have certainly set up your defenses well you are by no means safe. I could destroy you at anytime but I wanted to give your people a chance at survival. Return my people, lay down your weapons and I will give my word that none of your people will be harmed.”

              Now it was Viero’s turn to look as if he was going to explode. Clearly he hadn’t expected to be addressed in such a way. This only added to the evidence that most of the higher command Shenkar lived in a world where they firmly believed no race could defeat them…even when they clearly had evidence to support they could be defeated.

              “How dare you speak to me in such a way! You humans need to be taught to know your place. The Shenkar are the supreme rulers and you would benefit from accepting this. If you do not then you will all die!”

              Viero stopped, removed a plasma sword from his belt, ignited it and moved behind Tim.

              “Perhaps you need a demonstration of how easily I can kill one of you!” Viero said as he raised the sword aloft, preparing to bring it down upon Tim.

              “Wait!” Leonid said suddenly, his hand reflexively going towards the screen.

              Viero looked up and hesitated for a moment before extinguishing the sword.

              “I am not an unreasonable being, I will negotiate a trade for this human as well as the other two females.”

              Relief flooded through Liam at hearing this, this meant that Alyssa and Leah were still alive and there was still hope of getting them back alive.

              “You must know I cannot surrender all my forces to you in exchange for three lives?” Leonid said quietly.

              “No, I know you humans would never agree to such a thing. However I will trade the three humans for one of the humans on your side….the one referred to as Commander Brennan.”

              Almost everyone in the command center turned to look in Liam’s direction. Only the general did not look his way, continuing to stare at the screen. Liam quickly moved forward so he came into view on the screen. As he turned to face the camera Viero smiled and spoke.

              “Ah, I see you do exist, although you do not look like much,” Viero stated as he seemed to scrutinize Liam.

              Liam only stared flatly at the monitor, his face an emotionless mask.

General Leonid however did not remain silent.

              “I do not negotiate with the enemy, especially when we have the advantage. If you execute the three prisoners you have then I will not need an excuse not to attack you and if I were to do that then your entire facility and all your men will die…this is not a threat but the truth.”

              Viero’s eyes seemed to shift on the screen, looking away from his study of Liam to look at Leonid. He tilted his head slightly and leaned in closer to the screen as he looked in silence at Leonid, weighing whether the general was bluffing. After several long moments he leaned back and smiled slowly.

              “I do believe you would do just that, however I believe I can still make my point if you do not meet my demands. I give you four of your hours to deliver Commander Brennan to me, if you do not I will execute one of the prisoners. That still leaves two in my custody of which means would be still be executing your own people…minus one.”