#Chapter 7
Four hours after the first engagement...
Deep within the outer rims gas giant, stood the second fleet as they awaited their next set of orders from the Aditi-Zhou. It had been a grueling battle on the edge of the system as they could only watch through their monitors with hope that their numbers would somehow successfully defend the Ajit system. Aboard the second fleet's flagship Fearless, stood Kapena Ajit An as he gazed out the main screen wondering when their battle would start. Kapena Ajit was a nine foot muscular Takeshi who should've been more suited planetside in battle than in a command chair. Though he looked out of place on the bridge, he was a superb tactician when it came to ship to ship combat. "Fahim Bo, what is the status of Aditi-Zhou fleet," asked Kapena Ajit still staring at the main screen.
"We have detected that her fleet is mostly intact at the moment. They have lost only one frigate so far." said Fahim Bo looking at his console. "Give me a moment while I put the battle data onto the holographic tactical display."
With a few taps on his console, Fahim Bo was able to display all the data that was being relayed to them from Aditi-Zhou Chowdhury's battle. The tactical display soon popped with red and blue icons popping up all over the display. The enemy was fully deployed at this point and was overwhelming Aditi-Zhou's fleet as it waged a desperate fight to destroy as many ships as they could. The lose of just one ship meant a huge blow to their offensive capabilities that the odds against them would only grow wider. As Kapena Ajit examined the data, he soon saw that the enemy was forming into three large distinct groups in the systems southern region. "Fahim Bo, I want you to calculate the trajectory on... groups Ailapha and Chari," ordered Kapena Ajit as he gazed at the holo screen.
"Sir, the Ailapha group will make a straight shot toward the Ajit planet, completely missing us. While the Chari group will make a close pass by the gas giant in the next two hours," said Fahim Bo professionally. "Whichever one we choose though… there will still be one group that will attack the colony," said Fahim Bo in a hollow tone as he knew the defences could not take so many ships at one time.
"Cut that negative talk Fahim Bo," snapped Kapena Ajit as he glanced toward him. "Negative talk like that can kill an entire army's morale. I will not have these damn barbarians come into this system that has my name on it get wiped out." yelled Kapena Ajit as he walked right in front of Fahim Bo's face. "Now do I make myself clear, Fahim Bo?" With his teeth and black wings in full display, Fahim Bo could only stand silent as his Kapena angrily stood before him.
Stunned by his Kapena's aggressive attitude, Fahim Bo could only give a whimper of a confirmation, "Sir, yes sir."
"Good… now then, let us wait for the enemy group Chari to make their pass by the gas planet," said Kapena Ajit as he turned back toward the tactical display. "Prepare the fleet to the engage the enemy," bellowed Kapena Ajit as he walked back toward the tactical display.
#
Circling in high geosynchronous orbit above the planet Ajit, stood the defence platform the Safe Passage that guarded the colony. Its commander, platform squadron commander Adil Ami sat intensely in his command chair as he watched the battle unfold before the tactical display. Commander Adil Ami was not one who loved to be on a ship for months at a time but instead prefered to stay near home while relaxing in his chair, sipping a cup of tea. Commander Adil watched as his own system was being invaded by what could only be described as savage invaders besieging a castle. "Fahim Mai, what can our scans say about our new friends," said Commander Adil as he watched the the designation group Ailapha accelerate toward the colony.
Fahim Mai was very capable Fahim, who specialized in sensor telemetry. She had requested to transfer for both research purposes and service for the empire to due to the unique environment that the Ajit system presented. Fahim Mai quickly accessed one of the planets satellites long range sensors and positioned it to scan oncoming enemy fleet. "I have been able to analyze some of the enemies configurations, commander," said Fahim Mai as data slowly trickled in from the satellites sensors.
"What have you found Fahim Mai," asked Commander Adil as he took a sip of his tea.
"The enemy ships are made up of a biological configurations with what looks like plasma based weapons. They number in just over... two-hundred commander," said Fahim Mai her voice giving the hint of the fear.
"Fahim?" asked Commander Adil as he looked toward the young Fahim with concern.
"Sorry commander," said Fahim Mai, her face flustered before quickly calming herself. "The second fleet is currently within the gas giant on the outer edge of the star-system and Aditi-Zhou's fleet is currently engaging with Bīṭā. They've lost one frigate named… Thunderhead and two of their ships are moderately damaged."
"What is the time before the enemy reaches our position?" asked Commander Adil taking another sip of his tea as he stared at the tactical screen.
"The enemy should arrive within the hour commander," said Fahim Mai as he looked at her console. "Should I have our fighters and bombers intercept them?" asked Fahim Mai as she turned to face the commander.
"No, we will need those squadrons when the enemy comes at us in full force. Have the mines been deployed?" asked Commander Adil as he stroke his chin.
"Yes sir, all mines have been deployed," said Fahim Mai.
"Excellent have them move to about two-hundred tai's out in all directions of the planet," said Commander Adil. "If we're lucky, that should knock out maybe a quarter of them before we have to engage them," said Commander Adil giving a faint smile at the thought that the mines could do most of the work.
"Sir, the computer has analyzed some of the configurations of the enemy fleet," said Fahim Dawoud Nazar from the communications console.
"What does it say, Fahim Dawoud?" asked Commander Adil with a hint of irritation that he did not just say it.
"Sir, the computer has pulled a reference from our historical database and have identify one of the enemy ships. It has identified it as Kala-Konchoū and they were thought have been extinct... over nine-thousand years ago sir," said Fahim Dawoud in a look of disbelief.
"If I remember from my academy days, the Kala-Konchoū were an insectoid race that invaded the empire when we first used the Fihr Shui. At that time the empire was only fifty years old and we were still recovering from the Goa'uld wars," said Commander Adil as he tried to remember the history.
"Correct sir, the database says that the Kala-Konchoū invaded the colony that had the Fihr Shui and used that planet as a staging ground to launch a series of attacks on the surrounding systems," said Fahim Dawoud as he read from his console. "It took a hundred years before we could purge them from our world and another hundred to purge them from galaxy. At that time were still allied with the Asguards but when we finally pushed the Kala-Konchoū to their homeworld, they would not help us purge them," said Fahim Dawoud, fascinated by the events. "It was this event that lead to deterioration of relations with the Asguards… needless to say the historical logs say that the empire bombarded the Kala-Konchoū's homeworld until it was a lifeless rock."
"Well it seems our ancestors didn't do a very good job of killing them," said Commander Adil with a slight smile forming on his face. "In any case, this does not change anything. We need to defend this colony at all cost," said Commander Adil in a rigid tone.
"Sir, fighter are requesting orders. What should I tell them?" asked Fahim Dawoud.
"Tell them to sit tight and prepare themselves for the fight of their lives," announced Commander Adil as he stood up. Signifying the importance of his words and slowly walked toward the tactical display before yelling, "And get me a damn line to planetary command!"
#
Within central command, there a was a buzz of activity as people tried organize and analyze the data that was trickling in from the outer fleets. Hovering over the holographic tactical display, Lord Li and Arya Haytham had spent hours contemplating on an effective strategy for the impending invasion of the planet. The lives of over three-hundred thousand colonist depended on them finding a way out of this mess. "Fahim, what is the status of the all fleets?" asked Arya Haytham.
"Sir, Aditi-Zhou Chowdhury's fleet is currently engaged with the enemies bīṭā fleet and Kapena Ajit fleet will engage the chari in less than an hour, sir," said Fahim Itri from his console.
"My lord, Commander Adil is hailing us," said another Fahim.
"Put it on the main screen," said Lord Li as he turned to face the main screen displaying a map of the planet before Commander Adil face suddenly appeared.
"Commander Adil, how good it is to see you," said Lord Li as he smiled toward the man. "What did you have to report?"
Commander Adil face showed that he had been slightly taken aback by Lord Li's overly friendly greeting but soon threw on his professional look as he made his report. "My lord, I believe that we have been able to identify the enemy," said Commander Adil as he bowed.
Lord Li's smile soon vanished, replaced by a somber look, "What do have commander?"
"My lord, our scans have identified them as being from Kala-Konchou design…" said Commander Adil.
"Did you say Kala-Konchou!" said Lord Li as he stumbled back in shock of such news. "Are you sure that your scans are correct?"
Surprised to see his lord in such a shock, he quickly asserted his words, "Yes my lord, we ran scans three times before making our report."
"What is it my lord?" asked Arya Haytham.
"The Kala-Konchou… are most fearsome race. My great-grandfather would tell me freighting stories of the Kala-Konchou that as a child would scare me to my soul. Even to this day those stories give me chill down my spine," said Lord Li as he stared off to wall as the emotions started to surface.
"Maybe those stories can tell us something, my lord," said Arya Haytham as he looked at Lord Li with concern.
"My great-grandfather would say that the Kala-Konchou stood twenty feet into the air and that it took five Takeshi's to take down just one of them," said Lord Li stroking his chin as he slowly regained his composure. "The armour on one of those is too thick for our rifles… we must use our crystal katana's on them. If they ever land on the planet… it will be a bloody battle."
"We must alert our Takeshi's about this," said Arya Haytham as he turned toward one of the Fahim's and instructed them to alert all Takeshi's about the enemy.
"What is the status of our planetary defences, commander?" asked Lord Li as he turned his attention to the commander, now in complete control of his emotions and projecting the aurea of a confidence.
Commander Adil could see that whatever emotions that affected him by the mention of the Kala-Konchou, had been erased from his expression. What stood before him now was that of a proper lord that he grew to love and respect. "My lord, the defences are in place and we are ready to meet the enemy head on," said Commander Adil proudly.
"Good… I cannot stress this enough commander but you must not allow any of the enemy ships to pass you," said Lord Li in a grave tone. "If they land on the planet… I do not know how long we will be able to hold out. I believe that we do not have the sufficient numbers to repel an invasion on this scale."
"Understood my lord, we will try to hold off as many as we can but also understand that our defences might not be strong enough to defend against so many targets at once." said Commander Adil in a matter-of-fact tone while saluting.
"Do what you can commander," said Lord Li before nodding to one of the Fahim's to cut the transmission.
"Do you really believe that they will be able to hold off the enemy fleet?" asked Arya Haytham as he looked toward Lord Li.
"I can only pray that they can but if they can't than we shall fight them with everything we have," said Lord Li, his voice rising with every word. "We will drive these barbarians…" said Lord Li pausing. "...no thats not... right. Even barbarians have the intelligence for diplomacy. No… these things are not barbarians but mere monsters that must be purged from this galaxy, once and for all," yelled Lord Li throwing his fist up as the room filled with cheer as they saw their lord radiate with confidence.
As the cheering dyed, Arya Haytham slowly moved behind Lord Li before placing one hand onto his shoulder, "Are you sure you're alright my lord?"
"Yes Arya Haytham, I'll be alright," said Lord Li as he lifted his hand aside. "It's just that name brought up a lot of old memories from my childhood," said Lord Li as he faced Arya Haytham.
"How so?" asked Arya Haytham with a look of curiosity glissing in eyes.
"My great-grandfather had a flare for the dramatic," said Lord Li sighing as he remembered his great-grandfather. "When I was a child, he would gather all of the kids and tell stories that had been passed down by my ancestors for generations. He would make sure to scare each and everyone of us so that we would remember the true meaning of each tale," said Lord Li as he stared at the main screen. "I was truly traumatised by his stories that even the mention of it would give me shivers."
"They must have been some stories, my lord," said Arya Haytham with some relief that his great-grandfather never told such freighting tales. "What was the true meaning of the Kola-Konchou story," asked Arya Haytham both curious and apprehensive.
"That one must always be ever vigilant. For there swarms can block out even the holy light of the emperor if one lets them," said Lord Li as he tried to remember the rest of meaning. "After that, it gets kind of blurry. It's been many years since my great-grandfather told that story to me."
"Well it seems that we didn't do a very good job of listening to our ancestors," said Arya Haytham as he rubbed his forehead, trying to relieve some of the stress that had been building up since the first engagement.
"Agreed but we can only hope now that our forces are strong enough to weather out this storm that approaches our home," said Lord Li as he looked back toward the tactical display. His face solemn as he saw the Kapena Ajit's fleet began their attack on the enemies fleet.
#
Aboard the second fleet's flagship Fearless, the entire crew was abuzz with activity as they all prepared the ship for combat. Within the bridge, Kapena Ajit sat patiently in his command chair as he watched as the enemy fleet made their slow pass around the gas giant. Unlike the designated group Alipha, the Chari group had taken an unusually long time making their way across the system. With fleet in prime position, they had only had to wait for their enemy to come to them. "Time to intercept, Fahim?" asked Kapena Ajit.
"They will be within optimal attack position in five minutes, Kapena," said Fahim Zaahir as he read from his console.
"Good, inform the fleet to charge all weapons and prepare themselves for combat," announced Kapena Ajit as he stood up slashing the air in front of him. "It is time for our enemies to die by our hands," smirked Kapena Ajit as he thought of inflicting massive amounts of damage against the enemy before sitting back down.
Moments later as Fahim Bo looked up before speaking, "Message from the rest of the fleet sir. All ships are ready to engage the enemy."
"Excellent, instruct the fleet to prepare a volley of missiles and aim at these ships," said Kapena Ajit as he sounded off specific coordinates. "Status on the enemy fleet Fahim."
"Enemy fleet will be in optimal attack position in one minute," said Fahim Zaahir.
The bridge soon became charged with excitement and apprehension as they saw their enemy slowly move into position. As the seconds passed, the fleet could only wait knowing that this battle would help determine who would gain control of the system and either prevent or destroy the colony. "Kapena! Ten seconds," announced Fahim Zaahir as he watched his console intensely. "Nine...eight...seven...six...five...four...three...two...one,"
"Launch missiles!" yelled out Kapena Ajit as he saw the missiles fly toward their targets leaving him excited at what was about to happen next.
As the missiles launched, they left a trail of white smoke as they made their way through the gas giant's orange and yellow colored atmosphere until they passed into the coldness of space. Kapena Ajit could see that the enemy had not detected the launch but only when the missiles were halfway to their targets did they launch countermeasures. The enemy fleet soon became filled with bright explosions as they made their mark on the enemy causing confusion within the ranks. "Sir, eighty percent of missiles have hit their targets," announced Fahim Zaahir smiling as they hit their mark.
"Excellent, load another round of missiles and prepare the fleet move out," ordered Kapena Ajit as he watched the main screen show enemy icons disappear one after another as they tried to evade.
"Sir, the fleet is ready to depart on your orders," said Fahim Bo after a few moments of relaying their new orders.
"Good, good… everything is going just as planned," sighed Kapena Ajit as he crossed his legs. His face showing the that of resignation as he had to give Aditi-Zhou Chowdhury credit for coming up with an effective plan. "Ahhh… I really do hate that women," smiling under his breath as he watched the fleet move out of the planets atmosphere.
"Sir?" asked Fahim Bo perplexed as if he misheard an order.
"Nothing…" said Kapena Ajit as he waved him off. "... Now then… let us end this fight here and now!" said Kapena Ajit as he stood up. "Fire all guns when ready! Do not allow one ship to escape the imperial might!" yelled out Kapena Ajit as he unsheathed his sword and slashed the air in front of him. "Long live the emperor!"
In unison, "Long live the emperor!" could be heard throughout the command bridge as each person saluted where they stood as they pictured the emperor before them. Proud that they could serve the emperor, the atmosphere of ships crew was electrified with excitement as the fleet slowly floated above the atmosphere and into range.
#
The dreadnought Devaraja was not your everyday dreadnought but was modified to house the emperors needs and personal taste. Deep within the recess of the dreadnought was a large room that had been modified to house the emperor's private garden that had same plants as the imperial palace back home. With surrounding walls being modified to display a serene scene of open expanse and rolling hills, that even contained a large pond. The Immortal Emperor Ryuunosuke had been meditating within the garden as he prepared himself for the coming negotiations. So deep was his meditation that his body floated three feet above the ground as he concentrated his mind's eye. He had ordered his personal servants, advisors and guards to not be disturbed as the emperors meditation required complete silence. With his mind at peace knowing full well that Lord Li had taken care of the intruders, the emperors mind moved across the rest of the empire as he checked on the other worlds that his beloved citizens resided in. "All is well with the empire," muttered the Immortal Emperor to himself while still in deep meditation.
As if a heart had been stabbed a hundred times, the Immortal Emperor fell to the ground with a splash as he had been floating over the pond when he felt the pain of his citizens die in battle. "Ahhh… what has happen," was all he could say before choking on a mouth full of water. "...must get… to the bridge," said the Immortal Emperor as he started to swim to the shore.
Crawling out of the pond, another surge of agonizing pain swept his body as he could feel that somewhere within the empire a battle was taking place and he knew that he had little time to waste. Gritting his teeth as the pain slowly resided, he slowly walked out of toward the exit where he was confronted with a small army of white robed Damayanti waiting outside the entrance. Each one expressing grave concern as the monitors that watched the emperor's health cried with fear that the emperor life was endanger. "Your highness, please let us examine you. The monitors say that you had experience great pain," said one of the Damayanti as he tried to scan his body.
"No! Get me to the bridge now!" stammered the emperor as he pushed the Damayanti's aside. "The empire is… under attack!"
With those words the doctors called on the guards to help him walk up to the bridge knowing that the doctors could only watch as they saw the emperor put aside his pain for the sake of the his people. "We must hurry… there is not much time left," whispered the emperor before passing out.
#
Aboard the command bridge of the dreadnought Deveraja, Asma Chao sat quietly below from the throne as he thought about how he would see his old friend Lord Li again after so many years. The throne which had four chairs, two on each side in front of the emperor with Asma Chao happened to sitting on the right side. The last time Asma Chao saw his friend was during the celestial moon dance back on the homeworld when Lord Li had brought his daughter along. Asma Chao smiled thinking how small she was as a cute little child though by now she must be a beautiful adult now.
As he smiled to himself, Arya Nagarkar walked beside him before asking, " Asma Chao, may I have a word with you."
Surprised, Asma Chao threw off his smile for a more professional look saying, "Of course you can." As he watched Arya Nagarkar take a seat beside him, he saw that Arya Nagarkar looked worried about would could only be about the new race that was discovered. "I take it that you want to talk about the new race that Lord Li found, don't you?" asked Asma Chao in a neutral tone.
"Why yes Asma… how did you know?" said Arya Nagarkar surprised that he knew why he came to him.
"I can see it all over your face Arya Nagarkar," laughed Asma Chao as he looked at Arya Nagarkar looking befuddled. After a few good laughs, Asma Chao quickly assumed the look of an Asma before asking, "While I do not know why our divine emperor wants to meet these lesser beings," paused Asma Chao trying to add little dramatic effect. "... I can only assume that he would want to determine whether they are worthy of trading with or be destroyed."
Arya Nagarkar sat quietly as he thought of what the Asma said before speaking, "I had also assumed that as well but the divine emperor seemed different. As if he knew this type of race before," said Arya Nagarkar looking mystified by the emperors actions.
"In any case Arya Nagarkar, we must not question our emperors actions," said Asma Chao in a stern voice. "For his thoughts and actions are on a higher plain than us mere mortals."
Arya Nagarkar could only nodded in agreement that whatever the emperor did was beyond their understanding.
Just as they were about to laugh in agreement, the command bridge doors opened up with the Immortal Emperor slouched beside two guards and an army of doctors. Both men quickly stood up as they saw their beloved emperor in such a weakened state, with Arya Nagarkar yelling, "What is the meaning of this!"
"My lord, our monitors detected that the emperor was in pain and so we all rushed to his aid but due to his standing orders we could not enter his garden," said one the Damayanti. "It was only when he came out of the room did ordered us to help him to the bridge."
"The emperor is clearly unconscious you fools!" shouted Asma Chao rushing to his emperors aid. "I should have you killed for negating your duties."
The Damayanthi's cowered in fear as they knew that Asma Chao was well within his right to do such a command. "Please forgive us Asma Chao but you know as well as I that we cannot disobey an order from the divine emperor himself," said another Damayanthi bowing his head before the Asma.
After Arya Nagarkar initial shock, Arya Nagarkar regained his composure before asking one of the Damayanthi's, "Why would the divine emperor ask to come to the bridge?"
"We do not know Arya Nagarkar… we are as mystified as to why as well," said the Damayanthi slightly calmer that Arya Nagarkar had stopped yelling at them.
"Can you revive him?" asked Asma Chao as he helped the guards move his body onto the floor. His temper still enraged that the Damayanthi's did not administer aid to their emperor.
"Yes we can," said one of the senior Damayanthi's as he pulled out a small injection spray. His robe bearing the markings of master of healing. "It will take only a moment before he regains consciousness."
"Do it," ordered Asma Chao looking with both concern and anger as he watched the senior Damayanthi inject the spray into the emperors neck.
As the emperor slowly regained consciousness, he quickly realized that he was on the command bridge before saying, "What is our time to arrival?"
Both Asma Chao and Arya Nagarkar looked at each other before asking one of the Fahim's for a status update. As the Fahim manning navigations calculated their speed, he quickly said in a professional tone, "Our arrival time is seven days."
"Not good enough. Increase speed to maximum velocity… I want to be their in three days," growned the Immortal Emperor as he stood up with the help of his guards and Asma Chao.
As they helped the emperor onto his throne, Asma Chao hesitantly said, "My emperor… if I may be so bold but our fleet cannot go that fast. We would burn out our engines before we made it to the Ajit system."
"Use whatever means to increase our speed Asma Chao but I want to be there in three days," said the Immortal Emperor with a troubled look. "Do I make myself clear, Asma Chao Tang?"
Surprised to hear his full name being spoken in such a manner, Asma Chao could only bow and salute to his emperor before moving to his command post as he ordered the fleet for maximum velocity.
Arya Nagarkar was both relieved and confused as to what could make the emperor act in such a way. For Arya Nagarkar, it was the first time that he had seen the emperor act in such a demanding way that his face plainly showed it catching the Immortal Emperors attention. "You wish to know why we must increase our speed?"
"Yes," said Arya Nagarkar curious to know such an imperative reason.
"The empire is under attack Arya Nagarkar in the Ajit system." said the Immortal Emperor. "I can only hope that we can make it in time," said the Immortal Emperor disturbed by these recent events.
Reference
Tai=great/extreme=unit of measure similar to miles or kilometers
Sujay= Great Victory
Raiju= Beast native to the planet
Fihr Shui=Arabic=stone pedestal; Chinese= water= stargate
Takeshi=Warrior/military= Military rank
Arya= Honorable Noble
Fahim= Intelligent/scholar= Scientist/technicians
Aditi= Boundless, entire, or freedom, security in Sanskrit
Zhou= Boat= in story context "ship"
Raiju= Beast native to the planet
Kapena= Captain
Abd-Al-Rashid= Servant of the rightly guided
DAMAYANTI= Subduing= doctor
Agni= Fire formation
Asma= Supreme Commander
Ailapha= Alpha
Bīṭā= Beta
Chari- Charlie
Kala-Konchou= Kala- Black death; Konchoū- Insect
