When the Stars Fade (The Gray Wars) (58 page)

             
“And if i
t’
s not? New Eden ca
n’
t wait forever
.
”

             
Markov shrugged
.“
Soldiers are cheap, my nanomachines are not. We do
n’
t go until I say w
e’
re ready
.
”

-                           
XIII                            -

              It was a stand-off. On an unprecedented scale, for sure, but there was little else that felt as similar. Hiro looked at the battle projector, admiring the tight formation in which the Boxti were arrayed. Their coordinated appearance indicated an incredible professional attitude toward their Navy, one Commodore Osaka could
n’
t help but marvel at. The dreadnought had taken position at the center of the group, the largest vessel in that area of space by a hefty margin. Even compared to
Midway
, the warship dominated the sky. Every inch of the glossy black hull bristled with cannons and missile tubes. Along the sides and at the very front, red orbs shimmered and swirled with energy. Starting from the aft and running forward the length of the ship, two massive dorsal fins curved into jagged points.

             
“Do we have anything new
?”
the Commodore asked.

             
A Chief Petty Officer typed commands into his computer, reading and reviewing the information for any details
.“
Negative, sir. I
t’
s the same as the long range scans. W
e’
re blind to whatever the
y’
ve got going on inside
.”
He repositioned the linear radar toward the carriers
.“
Those capital ships are still moving. Looks like the
y’
re getting in position to breach the line
.
”

             
“All stations, prepare for contact
.”
Hiro took his seat and attached the tether line to his belt. He checked his command board and saw green lights winking back, confirmation signals from the rest of the fleet. The Nangolani ships sent their own acknowledgment.

             
“Commodore
,”
Ensign Suffra said
.“I’
ve got an incoming request from the Boxti ship
.
”

             
Hiro stared into the monitor, the hairs on his neck tingling
.“
Video or audio
?
”

             
“I
t’
s a direct line, sir
.”
Nari pulled her headset off
.“
I ca
n’
t tell what the
y’
re saying, but they keep repeating the message
.”
She connected the line and the bridge echoed with the voice of the alien ship. It sounded unlike any language the humans had heard before. Guttural but musical, sharp but flowing. Every pause was punctuated by a repeated clicking sound, like sea shells tapping together.

             
Hiro thought for a moment
.“
Patch in the
Barrenon
. Maybe they can translate
.
”

             
Nari contacted the alien commander and they listened to the Boxti message. Hanwe
h’
s image popped up on the monitor, his face contorted in what must be anger.

             
“Commodore
,”
the alien said.

             
Hiro stood and bowed his head
.“
Domin Shodon, thank you for your assistance
.
”

             
“I think we should wait for this battle to be over before you offer gratitude
.
”

             
“
I’
d prefer we settle this without bloodshed, Domin
.”
Hiro sat back down in his chair. He gestured for Nari to play the file
.“
Do you know what the message is saying
?”
He waited patiently while the Nangolani formed his words. English was not coming easy to the aging commander.

             
Hanweh nodded
.“
It is a language based on the Furlish tongue, and a message with which I am all too familiar. The same words were used against countless civilizations long before this disease reached your worlds. It is an empty speech filled with false promises of peace and understanding
.”
The commander shouted something to his fellow officers
.“
We recommend that you open with a full volley on their fleet. Only the complete destruction of this armada will guard the lives of your citizens
.
”

             
Hiro shook his head
.“
I cannot make such a decision, Domin. They have yet to fire a shot. Lord knows I would
n’
t mind wiping them out of my sky, but my hands are tied. Can you just send us a translation of this message so I can advise my leaders on how to respond
.
”

             
There was a long pause as the alien considered the Commodor
e’
s words. He did
n’
t know human expressions, but wore a sneer without even trying
.“
I am sorry, Commodore. We fear that if you heard the actual phrasing, your resolve might weaken. I speak for the Empire here. We are not willing to watch another planet burn
.
”

             
“Tha
t’
s not your call to make, Shodon
.”
Hiro did
n’
t shout, but the fire in his words came through
.“
We allowed you to join our battle group with explicit orders. Orders, which I may add, came directly from Anduin himself. Do I have to report you to your own command, or are you willing to work with us on a diplomatic solution
?
”

             
Hanweh closed his eyes and hummed as he communed with the other Domins. Finally, after several minutes, he looked back up at Hiro
.“
As you wish, Commodore
.
”

             
The message streamed across the console, for all the ships to see. It was
n’
t long, but the meaning was clear.

             
“We represent the Boxti, host of the Great Lord and King of the Universe. Though our journey is one of conquest, you have proven worthy of a private dialogue. We wish to land only one of our capital ships on your planet, under your full guard, so there can be a peaceful parlay
.
”

             
Nari looked back at her commander
.“
Sir? What should we do
?
”

             
“W
e’
ll transmit to Earth. We need Fleet to advise us
.
”

*              *              *              *              *

              Zev counted to ten and opened his eyes. It had
n’
t worked. He was still pissed off and the source of his frustration was still standing in front of him. The MP handed him the electronic tablet and pointed to a small square for Ze
v’
s imprint. The infantry NCO pressed his thumb onto the screen and waited for the scan. After a chime the military police soldier holstered his device and smirked.

             
“Thank you for your cooperation, Sergeant
.
”

             
Zev put on a fake smile and nodded
.“
Of course, corporal
.”
He waited while the junior NCO walked over to his vehicle and started entering in the information. It was just perfect. The day needed another dip like a speeding ticket. And to have it delivered by the most arrogant and privileged of assholes was icing on the cake.

             
His transfer to the New Eden base Fort Metts had been somewhat unexpected, as had the promotion to Sergeant First Class. After the bittersweet ending to the games h
e’
d half expected to be sent back home for a reprimand from his commanding officer, or to the front lines to defend against the phantom Boxti forces. Instead, h
e’
d been given a bump in pay and grade and relocation to a dream post. Metts had all the amenities of living at home, and the best mess hall of any system. Taking over the specialty platoon for the leader company had also been a major perk. Captain Collin Grahams ran a tight ship, and was regarded highly in the Federate military. His combined arms company took on the biggest missions around the galaxy, and had the highest success record of any unit. Running the Scout platoon was a large responsibility, and one that Zev looked forward to.

             
A horn honked from behind and Zev looked in his rearview mirror. A black sedan flashed its lights behind the M
P’
s cruiser. Someone stepped out from the drive
r’
s seat, walking toward the cop.

             
“Sir
,”
the MP said
,“
I need you to get back in your car
.
”

             
“What seems to be the problem here
?”
Zev did
n’
t recognize the voice. He leaned out his window to look, but could only make out a little salt and pepper hair under a black beret.

             
The MP put his hands on his hips
.“
Sir, this is a routine speeding incident
.
”

             
“No, this is pissing contest with Captain Mackrel. And I intend to win
.
”

             
Zev stepped out of his truck, shielding his eyes from the bright sun. Standing by the cruiser wearing a weathered combat uniform, Captain Grahams stared straight through the corporal. The twin silver bars on his beret glinted in the afternoon light. Standing a head taller than the subordinate, Grahams held his ground and glared.

             
“Sir, yo
u’
re interfering with military police business.
I’
m going to have to ask you to step aside
.
”

             
Grahams stepped in closer
.“
And
I’
m telling you to call your superior officer before I start playin
g‘
rock, paper, rank
.
’”

             
For a few seconds no one moved, but the corporal knew how the standoff would end eventually. He backed off and pulled the handset from his cruiser
.“
Dispatch, this is Victor five five. I need the boss on the line
.
”

             
Zev walked over to the captain
.“
Sir
?”
The officer shook his hand and grinned.

             
“You just ca
n’
t stay out of trouble, can you sergeant
?
”

             
He laughed
.“
In his defense, I was actually speeding
.
”

             
“Tha
t’
s neither here nor there
.”
Grahams paced around Ze
v’
s truck
.“
First the bar, then that little issue with my engineers. Now this
.”
He stopped and faced the sergeant
.“
I think my decision to pick you was the right one
.
”

             
“Ho
w’
s that
,”
Zev asked.

             
The captain smiled
.“
Metts has
n’
t been this fun in years
.”
He looked over as the MP stood up from his cruiser, holding the handset to the side
.“
Is that Captain Mackrel
?
”