WHERE LIES THE HONOUR?
Chapter 1
"Target obliterated."
The Lieutenant waited for his Commander's next order. When no such order was forthcoming, he half-turned. "Commander?" No answer. He rose from his seat and moved toward the command deck. The Commander was seated, staring blankly ahead. "Commander. Commander Styne!"
With an effort, Commander Styne turned away from the view port. "Report, Lieutenant Varg."
"The last Iargan ship has been destroyed, Commander."
Styne nodded. "Survivors?"
"None, Commander."
"As to be expected. Return to your duties." As Varg did so, Commander Styne, serving officer of the Sontaran Empire, sat back in his chair, recalling the last few moments of battle.
The Iargans were not a warlike race, and had no chance of surviving an attack against the Sontarans. Termed a lesser species from information received, they were still prepared to defend their world against possible invasion.
In the wake of the battle, none of the Iargan fleet had survived. But they had died a glorious death . . . hadn't they?
"When do we claim their planet for the Empire?" Varg asked, breaking Styne's reverie.
He turned to face his Lieutenant. "Tell me, Varg. Why do we fight?"
It was a standard question with a standard answer. "For the might of the Sontaran Empire."
"Yes," Styne continued, "but apart from that, why do we fight?"
Varg remained silent, staring at his superior officer. "I do not understand," he finally replied.
"No matter." Styne rose from his chair. For some reason he wanted to be away from the carnage he had just witnessed. "I shall be in my quarters. I do not wish to be disturbed."
"Very good, Commander." Varg took his place in the command chair.
"And Varg."
"Commander?"
There was a pause. "The Iaragans can be left to lick their wounds. There is no benefit in claiming their world."
"But . . . "
"And do not seek to engage in further confrontations." Varg stared at his Commander in confusion. Styne met his gaze. "Those are my orders, Lieutenant. See that they are carried out."
*****
Styne removed the socket from his probic vent, having recharged his energies. However, the brief euphoria of the charge was soon replaced by a feeling he did not recognise, but had been with him for some months. He searched for a human analogy to describe it, and could not. Dispirited, he lay back on his bunk.
'We always fight in the name of the Sontaran Empire,' he thought, 'but if that were taken away from us, would we continue? And what would we fight for in its place?
'And is the Empire a worthy cause to fight for?' Styne rose sharply at that thought. How could he dare to think so? But, he reasoned, what if the thought has already become reality? 'Can it be that we have fought for so long, that we forget the true meaning of honour?' And in that moment, Styne at last put a name to the feelings he was now experiencing. For the first time, a Sontaran warrior was sensing doubt.
But rather than dismiss it out of hand, Styne realised he wanted to understand, to learn. And there was only one place he could perform such a function. He switched on his communicator. "Varg. Set course for Sontara - for home."
*****
In the dwelling that humans would term as a 'home', Styne could at last free himself of the armour he almost continually wore, exchanging the constricting uniform for looser garments. This was a privilege rarely accorded to a Sontaran; only those of sufficient rank and stature were allowed such comforts. On the other hand, a dwelling was considered more of a necessity than for reasons of comfort. Only in recent years had it been accepted that warriors of all races required a break from the relentless war, so that they might returned refreshed to the battle - an energy release to the probic vent was no longer deemed sufficient on its own for military needs.
By the time the War Wheel had returned to Sontara, Styne was resolute. One thing was certain - he dared not speak to anyone openly, so instead kept his own council while he formulated a plan.
Had doubt ever surfaced in the Sontaran race before? It was certain that problems fo a similar nature would have been dealt with. Permanently. That was the Sontaran way. Styne knew he would have to tread carefully, or meet the same fate as his fellows.
Ever since his hatching from the racepool, Styne had had instilled in him the complexities, strategies and knowledge of the Sontaran/Rutan war, as well as information on other species in relation to their world's strategic location should a military occupation be initiated. From that time through his progression through the ranks to that of Commander, he had never once doubted his place in the scheme of things. Until recently.
He could think of no specific moment when this had occurred, but of late, irrational thoughts had begun to filter into Styne's brain. Thoughts that no Sontaran dare admit for fear of being seen as a danger to himself and to the racepool.
Styne's mind kept coming back to that - the racepool. Could the answer lie there?
*****
The summons had been totally unexpected. Although, Styne reflected later, it was the only course of action to be taken under the circumstances. Back in uniform, he stood rigidly to attention, waiting for the Grand Marshall to acknowledge him. "At ease, Commander," he said finally.
Styne relaxed, which was barely noticeable. He knew what was coming.
"I have received a report from Lieutenant Varg on your recent patrol in the Iargan sector." He handed the report to Styne. "I seek clarification on some points."
"Yes, Grand Marshall." Styne looked at the report without reading it.
"If Varg is to be believed," the Grand Marshall continued, "you left your command post, and ordered that no further confrontations should be engaged." Styne said nothing, his face unreadable. "Such conduct is unusual. Explain."
"I believed no tactical advantage could be gained by remaining in the sector," Styne replied. "We had destroyed the remaining ships of the Iargan fleet, and to remain there seemed . . . illogical and tactically unsound."
"I see." The Grand Marshall paused. "I could accept your reasoning, were it not for the fact that you then chose not to claim the Iargan planet for the Empire. Can you explain that?"
"Again, purely tactical," Styne answered. "Their planet offered no advantage to ourselves or the Rutan. Far better to have the Iargans recognise the might of the Sontarans, as a warning to others."
The Grand Marshall regarded Styne for a moment. "Very well," he said at last. "The matter is closed - for the moment, Styne. Dismissed!"
*****
Back in his dwelling, Styne pored over his meeting with the Grand Marshall. While it had been clearly intended as a warning, his superior had unwittingly brought to the fore matters that Styne had only briefly considered, but were now out in the open.
For some time, Sontaran patrols had journeyed to other star systems in a show of strength. Battles had been fought and won, but with no obvious advantage to show for their efforts; in many instances, these forays had taken place well outside the recognised borders, where no one had heard of either Sontaran or Rutan. So where was the benefit to the war, other than the subjugation of other species?
It was time to find some answers. Styne activated his personal vid-link. "Access racepool records."
"ACCESSED."
"Search personal records regarding hatching, cross referenced with cloned Sontarans created at that time." Styne had the beginnings of a theory, but needed to clarify certain rumours. "Search under 'Tiger Moth'."
The response was immediate. "TIGER MOTH: SOLAR YACHT BOARDED BY SONTARAN PATROL IN SEARCH FOR RUTAN AGENT. AGENT TERMINATED BY SOLAR YACHT CAPTAIN LISA DERRANE."
A Rutan terminated by a human? Styne was curious. "Explain involvement of human captain."
"HUMAN CAPTAIN AND CREW COLLABORATED WITH SONTARAN PATROL TO DESTROY RUTAN AGENT." It was certainly conceivable that humans and Sontarans could work together, as long as the humans knew their place. However, the next sentence threw Styne completely. "COMMANDER STEG SAVED LIFE OF CAPTAIN DURRANE."
Styne read the remainder of the report, which chronicled a further meeting with the human Derrane, and Commander Steg's subsequent death. So, the rumours had been true. Humans allied with Sontarans in a common cause. But why save the life of a worthless human? Styne was about to terminate the vid-link when he noticed a sub file. He opened it.
The file contained a report of a Sontaran Commander who had mysteriously vanished at the height of battle, only to reappear some time later. Details of his death were variable and contradictory, but there was mention of an audio recording made during his last moments of life. The recording was believed destroyed, but this remained unconfirmed.
An additional detail concerned Styne. Though close to death at the time, the Commander had actually died from the energy blast of a sidearm. And though attempts had been made to disguise its origin, it was proved to be a sidearm of Sontaran manufacture. And it had been fired at close range.
To be continued . . .
Chapter 1
"Target obliterated."
The Lieutenant waited for his Commander's next order. When no such order was forthcoming, he half-turned. "Commander?" No answer. He rose from his seat and moved toward the command deck. The Commander was seated, staring blankly ahead. "Commander. Commander Styne!"
With an effort, Commander Styne turned away from the view port. "Report, Lieutenant Varg."
"The last Iargan ship has been destroyed, Commander."
Styne nodded. "Survivors?"
"None, Commander."
"As to be expected. Return to your duties." As Varg did so, Commander Styne, serving officer of the Sontaran Empire, sat back in his chair, recalling the last few moments of battle.
The Iargans were not a warlike race, and had no chance of surviving an attack against the Sontarans. Termed a lesser species from information received, they were still prepared to defend their world against possible invasion.
In the wake of the battle, none of the Iargan fleet had survived. But they had died a glorious death . . . hadn't they?
"When do we claim their planet for the Empire?" Varg asked, breaking Styne's reverie.
He turned to face his Lieutenant. "Tell me, Varg. Why do we fight?"
It was a standard question with a standard answer. "For the might of the Sontaran Empire."
"Yes," Styne continued, "but apart from that, why do we fight?"
Varg remained silent, staring at his superior officer. "I do not understand," he finally replied.
"No matter." Styne rose from his chair. For some reason he wanted to be away from the carnage he had just witnessed. "I shall be in my quarters. I do not wish to be disturbed."
"Very good, Commander." Varg took his place in the command chair.
"And Varg."
"Commander?"
There was a pause. "The Iaragans can be left to lick their wounds. There is no benefit in claiming their world."
"But . . . "
"And do not seek to engage in further confrontations." Varg stared at his Commander in confusion. Styne met his gaze. "Those are my orders, Lieutenant. See that they are carried out."
*****
Styne removed the socket from his probic vent, having recharged his energies. However, the brief euphoria of the charge was soon replaced by a feeling he did not recognise, but had been with him for some months. He searched for a human analogy to describe it, and could not. Dispirited, he lay back on his bunk.
'We always fight in the name of the Sontaran Empire,' he thought, 'but if that were taken away from us, would we continue? And what would we fight for in its place?
'And is the Empire a worthy cause to fight for?' Styne rose sharply at that thought. How could he dare to think so? But, he reasoned, what if the thought has already become reality? 'Can it be that we have fought for so long, that we forget the true meaning of honour?' And in that moment, Styne at last put a name to the feelings he was now experiencing. For the first time, a Sontaran warrior was sensing doubt.
But rather than dismiss it out of hand, Styne realised he wanted to understand, to learn. And there was only one place he could perform such a function. He switched on his communicator. "Varg. Set course for Sontara - for home."
*****
In the dwelling that humans would term as a 'home', Styne could at last free himself of the armour he almost continually wore, exchanging the constricting uniform for looser garments. This was a privilege rarely accorded to a Sontaran; only those of sufficient rank and stature were allowed such comforts. On the other hand, a dwelling was considered more of a necessity than for reasons of comfort. Only in recent years had it been accepted that warriors of all races required a break from the relentless war, so that they might returned refreshed to the battle - an energy release to the probic vent was no longer deemed sufficient on its own for military needs.
By the time the War Wheel had returned to Sontara, Styne was resolute. One thing was certain - he dared not speak to anyone openly, so instead kept his own council while he formulated a plan.
Had doubt ever surfaced in the Sontaran race before? It was certain that problems fo a similar nature would have been dealt with. Permanently. That was the Sontaran way. Styne knew he would have to tread carefully, or meet the same fate as his fellows.
Ever since his hatching from the racepool, Styne had had instilled in him the complexities, strategies and knowledge of the Sontaran/Rutan war, as well as information on other species in relation to their world's strategic location should a military occupation be initiated. From that time through his progression through the ranks to that of Commander, he had never once doubted his place in the scheme of things. Until recently.
He could think of no specific moment when this had occurred, but of late, irrational thoughts had begun to filter into Styne's brain. Thoughts that no Sontaran dare admit for fear of being seen as a danger to himself and to the racepool.
Styne's mind kept coming back to that - the racepool. Could the answer lie there?
*****
The summons had been totally unexpected. Although, Styne reflected later, it was the only course of action to be taken under the circumstances. Back in uniform, he stood rigidly to attention, waiting for the Grand Marshall to acknowledge him. "At ease, Commander," he said finally.
Styne relaxed, which was barely noticeable. He knew what was coming.
"I have received a report from Lieutenant Varg on your recent patrol in the Iargan sector." He handed the report to Styne. "I seek clarification on some points."
"Yes, Grand Marshall." Styne looked at the report without reading it.
"If Varg is to be believed," the Grand Marshall continued, "you left your command post, and ordered that no further confrontations should be engaged." Styne said nothing, his face unreadable. "Such conduct is unusual. Explain."
"I believed no tactical advantage could be gained by remaining in the sector," Styne replied. "We had destroyed the remaining ships of the Iargan fleet, and to remain there seemed . . . illogical and tactically unsound."
"I see." The Grand Marshall paused. "I could accept your reasoning, were it not for the fact that you then chose not to claim the Iargan planet for the Empire. Can you explain that?"
"Again, purely tactical," Styne answered. "Their planet offered no advantage to ourselves or the Rutan. Far better to have the Iargans recognise the might of the Sontarans, as a warning to others."
The Grand Marshall regarded Styne for a moment. "Very well," he said at last. "The matter is closed - for the moment, Styne. Dismissed!"
*****
Back in his dwelling, Styne pored over his meeting with the Grand Marshall. While it had been clearly intended as a warning, his superior had unwittingly brought to the fore matters that Styne had only briefly considered, but were now out in the open.
For some time, Sontaran patrols had journeyed to other star systems in a show of strength. Battles had been fought and won, but with no obvious advantage to show for their efforts; in many instances, these forays had taken place well outside the recognised borders, where no one had heard of either Sontaran or Rutan. So where was the benefit to the war, other than the subjugation of other species?
It was time to find some answers. Styne activated his personal vid-link. "Access racepool records."
"ACCESSED."
"Search personal records regarding hatching, cross referenced with cloned Sontarans created at that time." Styne had the beginnings of a theory, but needed to clarify certain rumours. "Search under 'Tiger Moth'."
The response was immediate. "TIGER MOTH: SOLAR YACHT BOARDED BY SONTARAN PATROL IN SEARCH FOR RUTAN AGENT. AGENT TERMINATED BY SOLAR YACHT CAPTAIN LISA DERRANE."
A Rutan terminated by a human? Styne was curious. "Explain involvement of human captain."
"HUMAN CAPTAIN AND CREW COLLABORATED WITH SONTARAN PATROL TO DESTROY RUTAN AGENT." It was certainly conceivable that humans and Sontarans could work together, as long as the humans knew their place. However, the next sentence threw Styne completely. "COMMANDER STEG SAVED LIFE OF CAPTAIN DURRANE."
Styne read the remainder of the report, which chronicled a further meeting with the human Derrane, and Commander Steg's subsequent death. So, the rumours had been true. Humans allied with Sontarans in a common cause. But why save the life of a worthless human? Styne was about to terminate the vid-link when he noticed a sub file. He opened it.
The file contained a report of a Sontaran Commander who had mysteriously vanished at the height of battle, only to reappear some time later. Details of his death were variable and contradictory, but there was mention of an audio recording made during his last moments of life. The recording was believed destroyed, but this remained unconfirmed.
An additional detail concerned Styne. Though close to death at the time, the Commander had actually died from the energy blast of a sidearm. And though attempts had been made to disguise its origin, it was proved to be a sidearm of Sontaran manufacture. And it had been fired at close range.
To be continued . . .