Chapter 6

So Cold

July 20, 2668

Lupercalia, Venom

Calan's cockiness with Andross had not quite worn off, but he did feel a bit of resentment with the man. And he'd have to at least act devoted to the Venomian cause. In the past couple of months, he was able to show that he was capable of such loyalties, and Calan was given a large condo in the new city of Lupercalia. And a headquarters site, where Andross' leading officers (and personnel) gathered almost everyday to discuss the progress of Lupercalia.

Calan's flagship was not quite complete. The exterior had been built on the outside, but the inside was nowhere near being done. Workers built day and night (as if there was a difference from underneath the surface) to make every nook and cranny perfect for its new captain. The other flagship was still being worked on from the outside. The captain was to be a man named Blaise Carnell.

Calan had spoken only a couple of times to the iguana. He was a native of Saturnalia. Carnell had been in the military of Saturnalia for a little over 20 years, and he looked like was itching for some action. Which is why he couldn't wait to get in control of his own flagship. Calan felt too young while he was next to Blaise. The military man was 51, and Calan was only 23.

Captain Carnell's first officer was a more lively fellow, a green tree frog named Matthew Caiman. Caiman was 30 years old and had little army experience, but he was an accomplished technician and had learned to fly an Anubis, which was one of the new fighters developed by the new regime. Calan felt more at ease speaking with Matthew than Blaise.

Calan still didn't know who his first officer would be, but it was likely that this person would be older than he. It strained him to think that maybe he'd make a wrong decision, or this first officer would decide that Calan wasn't fit to be captain, and cause a mutiny. He'd had bad dreams about this. Andross' assurances that he would have full authority on his ship did not make him feel better.

One July morning, Calan walked about (in his crisp uniform) to see the progress of the U.V.A. Tyr. He felt relieved to be above ground again, for the first time in months. He could smell the dryness of the air, and felt the heat as if he was standing next to a volcano. The workers were sweating madly, and every 30 minutes they were given a water break. But the workers were passionate; they took pride in the work they were doing.

Captain Carnell was nearby, talking with Commander Caiman. He noticed Calan walking about.

"Captain Porter!" he called.

Calan strode his way over.

"So nice to see you!" continued Carnell. "Have you taken a tour of the interior yet?"

"Not yet. But soon."

"Matthew and I were talking about our new ship," he said, "the Dureau. It's farther behind than yours."

"I noticed that."

"Well Captain, consider yourself lucky! You'll get a sooner flight than we will!"

"Sir?"

"Test flight, boy! You'll be going with your new crew to sail the stars! I envy you greatly, as you'll be out of here by December, scouting around and testing the warp engines. Suspect that the emperor will have you go to other star systems."

Calan's heart raced. Other star systems? To other planets? Like Jadoram or Adratia?

"He never told me this before," replied Calan.

"I should think not! Didn't want you to get too hasty," Blaise said, as if this was obvious.

"The Dureau won't see action until next March, at the earliest," Matthew confirmed.

"Right." Blaise crossed his arms and looked annoyed. "Didn't I tell Andross to get us done first?"

"You did, sir, but I don't think—"

"I already know he didn't listen, it's the fact he didn't bother to say that we'd be behind that bothers the hell out of me," snapped Blaise. "And we get second pick of crew."

"Second pick, sir?" inquired Calan.

"Yes, second pick," Blaise spat impatiently. "Didn't I tell him—?"

"Yes sir," broke in Caiman. "You did."

"Well, for all the things I vowed to do for him," mumbled Blaise.

"Captain, it's not all that bad, is it?" Calan tried, pressing his luck a little.

"Pshaw. No. I want to get out of this dump and see the world. How'd you like to spend your life underground, eh? Join the army and never get any action? Does that suit you?"

"No sir, but this uniform is rather tight."

Carnell narrowed his eyes, as if knowing Calan was messing with him. "Matthew—get me some coffee. And be quick."

"Yes sir." Commander Caiman scuttled off.

Carnell turned back to Calan. "Anyway, I can tell you're the sort who likes to be a smartass. Isn't that right?"

"As right as right is to left. Sir."

"Uh-huh. I knew it when I saw you. Never fooled me for a moment. Well, let me tell you something—Andross doesn't like smartasses who mess with his power."

"Really, sir."

"Yeah. So I suggest you not get too smart with me or the other officers in his ranks, because he won't hesitate in giving us the word to open fire on a fellow officer. Is that clear?"

"Crystal."

"Good. Caiman! What the hell are you doing?!"

Caiman was shuffling back, trying not to spill. "Getting you your coffee, sir."

"About time you did something worthwhile." Blaise took the glass and sipped it. "Ach! Too hot! Burnt my tongue!"

"I'm sorry, sir."

"Don't worry yourself wet about it," grumbled Blaise. Caiman shot the captain a dirty look when he turned around.

Carnell started again, "I'm surprised Andross thought you were cut-out enough to make the rank of captain. Don't you think so?"

"He had his reasons," Calan replied, wishing he knew them.

"He must," mused Captain Carnell with enthusiasm. "I wouldn't have done it. You're too young."

"Age should not be an obstacle. Sir," Caiman bravely broke in.

Blaise shook his head. "Young people these days. Matthew, you're only a man in your 30s, correct?"

"Exactly 30, sir."

"Hah! You see? Foolish and unknowing. Me? I'm 51. And proud. Because I have experience. Captains are people with experience who can deal with situations and choose the right decision without any sort of rash impulse. Captains are fine leaders. Not just young people with a little clairvoyance."

Calan disliked being bashed constantly by this man, but it was clear that he was trying to toughen him up. Matthew had warned him of this. Carnell was not mean-spirited, but he toughed up his fellow officers to prepare them for upcoming events.

"Nevertheless, Andross chose me, so me must think I'm capable of something," answered Calan in his firmest voice. "I'll do the best I can. And it's really not up to you to decide if I'm fit for the job. It was the emperor's idea. Now, you can always take this up with him if there's a problem. Or, if you're uncomfortable with that, I'll let him know myself."

Carnell's eyes flared. "I'll take care of it myself, thanks."

Calan nodded at the captain and then at the commander. "Good day then." He walked away.

India pursed her lips and concentrated intently on a beaker filled with a strange neon green liquid.

"I wanted to punch him so bad...."

"Yeah, and then you would have gotten in huge trouble. Andross probably would have given Carnell a reason to shoot you, Calan. You've been on shaky ground once before. Don't get back on it."

"You're right, I guess. He said something about choosing our crews...say, would you be on mine? I'll ask Quincy and Chaya if they want to."

India laughed. "What would I do? Measure the water for the greenhouse?"

"No, you could work in the sickbay. How's that sound?"

"I'm no medical doctor, Calan. I'm a scientist."

"And there's room for those on my ship, too."

"On a war ship? You're insane."

"Please? I don't even know my new first officer, because His Majesty won't tell me yet."

India shook her head. "I'm stuck somewhere else. Posted at Zoness as soon as we clear out in a few years."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Didn't want to disappoint you that we'd be so far away. I mean, friends are suppost to protect their friends, right?"

"I would have found out anyway."

"Yeah. I guess I didn't want to admit it myself." India got up and went to the counter. She picked up a rose and stroked the petals.

"Did you get that from the greenhouse?" Calan asked.

"From an admirer," India said, smiling happily. "And I know who that admirer is."

"Who?"

"Quincy Lafayette."

Calan snorted with laughter. "Quince? Ha! He never told me he had a crush on you!"

"Why would he?"

"We're friends."

"So are we, Quincy and I. It's our little circle. You know what? We need a little resistance."

"Resistance?"

"A group to cause problems and hell for Andross when we finally attack. You know as well as I do that we can't run from him with those bugs, but maybe we can create some chaos for him to sort through when the Lylatians come at us."

"And he called me a rebel." Calan grinned.

India grinned back. "I get it from my mother. Now, what to call ourselves...."

"Don't you think it's a bit dangerous?"

"What, more dangerous than the hot water you've been soaking for months now? C'mon Cayl, you and I both know your resistance is no secret."

"So you're saying I should dig myself deeper into the hole."

"No, I'm saying you should do something with it."

"Isn't that the same thing?"

India slapped his thigh. "Stop ruining my idea! Okay, let's think of a name."

"A bit childish, if you don't mind my saying."

"Oh, get over yourself. How about....the Dissenters?"

"What?"

"Dissent. It's a word that means, 'to resist'."

"I knew that. I just think we should pick something else."

"Fine. Maybe....the 'Lupercalian Alliance, Resistance Group', like 'L.A.R.G.' for short?"

"So many alliances...so little time...."

"Shut up. Does it sound okay?"

"I guess."

India didn't bother to hide her excited, child-like grin. "All right! I'll call Chaya tonight—no, I'll go see her. Better idea. I think one of Quincy's sisters would like to join the group, too. If you ask anyone, make sure it's a person who you deeply trust, all right?"

"I will," promised Calan.

India's idea was very popular with their inner circle. Calan had told Abe and Korrigan about it, and they both said they'd join. Chaya and Quincy wanted to be a part of it, too. Jocelyn Lafayette, the third sister, said that she would offer her services to the group. Calan took that to mean that she wanted to join.

The first meeting night was at Chaya's condo (considerably smaller than Calan's). The seven of them gathered around a table and discussed the future, people they could invite to the group, and what they could do once the trouble really started to brew.

Jocelyn Lafayette looked healthier than Quincy did, but she also looked like a hard-worker. She wasn't in the army, but she was in communications and served as an office worker in the emperor's office building. Jocelyn knew electronics as well as she knew the plot to her favorite book. She would be walking on eggshells, but she was very important to the cause.

"I can supply us with microphones in his office and in the main conference room. I know a janitor who goes in there frequently, and he's anti-Andross, so I think I could work something out with him."

"Couldn't you do it yourself instead?" asked Calan.

"Yes, but I'll have to wait for a moment when I know no one's going to be in there."

"That's good. Lots of microphones. Plenty. Do you have a machine that we can all have to listen in, or a main station where no one will discover it?"

"That's the easy part. Under my desk. I can get us a recorder, too, and e-mail the files to you on your laptop or whatever computer you happen to be on."

"Brilliant, Joss!" Calan exclaimed. He liked to feel like he got something done.

Joss looked pleased with herself.

"We all need some weapons, in case," Chaya said. "I have some supplied by the army, so likely Quincy and I will be armed much of the time. But personal pistols, maybe."

Calan's thoughts floated to his S-4.

"Definitely." India looked around. "No one's going to suspect some scientist with a beaker in one hand and a vial in the other."

"You might have to hide it in your quarters the majority of the time, with some of you," Quincy said, "but it should be easy to whip it out before someone breaks open your door."

"Hopefully it won't come to that, but it's a good idea anyway." Calan rested his back against his chair. "Okay, we can get weapons from Quincy and Chaya weapons, and Joss will cover the electronics. Now. I'm a bit of a spy when it comes to ranks, and as long as I act loyal from now on and don't do anything rash, Andross will have no reason to suspect me anymore. What else do we have?"

"Me." India waved her hand.

Calan rubbed his forehead. "Hmmm...d'you think you can get stationed where there's good communications?"

India smirked. "I doubt it. Zoness has the smallest colony of all the inhabited Lylatian worlds so far. No sense in trying to do much until I'm assigned."

"True," Calan said thoughtfully. "Okay, so nothing with Dr. Harris yet. Korrigan, I'll see if I can't get you assigned to my ship, since we can pick our crew. You'd be excellent as a hacker for our systems, and we could get into anything Andross or the rest of Lylat has."

Korrigan nodded. "Don't you worry, Porter. You name it, I do it."

"Thank you for that bit of reassurance, Korrigan." Calan grinned and turned back to the rest of the group. He focused on Quincy. "Say, don't you have some other sisters interested in joining the group?"

Quincy looked at Joss and shook his head. "I didn't think it was a good idea to tell the others. Maybe Marcella, in the future, if I can get some hint that she's anti-Andross. Hardly anyone is outspoken about being anti-Andross anymore, save that Garnett guy. Kiersten is a nurse, so she's depending on the stability of both Saturnalia and Lupercalia for her job. Erika—she's the oldest, by the way—is married to Otto Brizius."

Calan was shocked. "The general?!"

"Yup." Quincy and Joss exchanged dark looks.

Calan ran his fingers through the fur on his head. "I'll be damned..." he murmured. "Is she loyal?"

"To Andross? Oh yeah. Otto and Erika are in Andross' inner circle, in case you've never met them," Quincy replied coolly.

"I'm sure I will," Calan said, rather gloomily. "So no more there." He sighed. "There's got to be more we can do. Maybe later we can add more."

"Anyone in your ranks that would join?" inquired Abe.

Calan thought. "No one besides maybe Matthew Caiman. But he's too much in with Carnell—even though the man treats him like dirt. Caiman's got a good nature about him, I can tell just by looking at him, but there's no way we can approach him unless he comes to us first."

"Shame," Korrigan commented. "It'd be useful to have a contact on the Dureau."

Calan was suprised to see Otto Brizius present when he walked into Andross' office the next morning. Andross sat in his usual swivel chair of black leather, and Forrest Tucker, Blaise Carnell, and Otto Brizius sat on his right in three chairs, each more stiff and planted almost into the floor.

"Captain Porter," acknowledged Andross. "So nice of you to join the three of us this fine morning. Please, sit." Calan sat in one to the left. "Let me introduce you to General Otto Brizius and Captain Carnell. General and Captain, this is Captain Calan Porter. He'll be commanding the Tyr."

"We've met," Carnell said dryly.

Andross smiled. "Good. It's important for my officers to get out and meet each other...by themselves. Now. I've asked you all to come here on an important cause. Our forces and our empire—my empire—must be built up lest the Lylatians discover us first. It is vital to have a substantial army and air force so that we might better defend ourselves. You all know that Corneria is run by a group of peace-lovers, or so they say, but really they are all waiting for the right moment to attack. Oh, they won't discuss it, but they've got their motives.

"We must first start with a cabinet. An emperor should have people he trusts in his inner circle. You four would be considered part of that inner circle. I have one more officer that I'm adding to be in this inner circle, and that is all. Three of you will be the leaders of the Venomian Army and Air Force, which from now on will be combined into the Venomian Alliance. Forrest, you are to stay with me in doing government, for you are a politician, as am I. You will be premier of Saturnalia and Lupercalia—until we have some territories for you to control."

"Sir," broke in Brizius, an Alaskan malamute of five feet, seven inches, "what will we do? How are the two captains to be in control of the army? Who is the key general or admiral?"

"You are, as of now," answered Andross calmly.

"Why—Excellency, I'm—I'm—"

"You need not thank me, at least not yet. You have much to do in training soldiers and creating all our weapons. I'm assigning some specialists and scientists to help you there."

General Brizius' grey eyes lit up. "I'm honored."

Premier Tucker seemed more conceited, if possible. He looked as swollen as a balloon about to pop. "I am also honored for giving the chance to be premier—"

"Do not forget that you are under my leadership, Forrest. You are nothing without me."

Forrest nodded quickly. Carnell and Brizius looked at each other, raising eyebrows.

Andross went on, "Calan, you and Blaise are my two flagship captains. You will be traveling with some of the largest fleets ever put together. As for my other officer—well, I have some ideas. She could not be here today, but the good vice admiral has told me that she'd be delighted to part of my cabinet. She will be just under our General Brizius. It's likely that she'll have her own large fleet to travel in, and General, you'll be traveling on the ground mostly, conquering planets by land units. Very effective."

"Sir, if I may request something...." Calan started.

"Of course, Captain. Fire away."

Calan shifted in his chair. "Since I'm allowed first pick, I—"

"I have already granted Captain Carnell first pick because he insisted that he deserved it."

Calan sat, heart racing. "But sir—"

Carnell smiled injuriously, as if he'd like nothing better than to shoot Calan in the foot. "You can check the crew list outside Premier Tucker's office building. I'm sure you will enjoy looking for your crew as well."

Calan was angry at getting second pick when clearly he had expected first. What if all the LARG members were aboard the Dureau? Damn. How are we gonna pull this off without Carnell figuring it out? He'd be the first to suggest our executions to Andross, if we're caught.

"Don't be angry, Captain, there are plenty of soldiers willing to serve aboard the Tyr," Andross said soothingly.

"Why would I be angry," Calan said snappishly, "when I can have the second-best?"

"Calan. Don't be bitter about this."

"Then I have another request of you, Excellency. I think we could use some spies in Corneria, in the office of either Peregrine or Pepper."

Immidiately Andross' eyes flared.

"Those two," he said scathingly, "are the reason I'm here. They will regret their decision to dismiss me. Captain, do you have people in mind to send?"

Calan nodded. "A pilot and a techie. Abraham Grissom and Jocelyn Lafayette."

"Have you spoken with them about this?"

"No," lied Calan, "but I will do it if you give me your permission to take care of this mission."

Andross was thoughtful, scratching his chin. "Very well, you can take charge. Remember that our cover must not be blown and this has to be carefully planned. Those two are to deny everything if caught. And I mean die for the cause."

Calan faked a smile. "Of course, Majesty."

After escaping from his office, Calan actually ran down the street to Forrest Tucker's new office building. The newly installed Premier of Saturnalia and Lupercalia had a modest exterior for a building, but the interior was lavish. Calan stopped outside the doors and looked at a poster next to them.

It read, Instated Staff and Crew for the flagship Dureau

Main Staff

Captain Blaise Carnell (bridge)

Commander Matthew Caiman (bridge)

Lieutenant Commander Deacon Russell (tactical, bridge)

Corporal Lars Bowen (bridge, helmsman)

Ensign Korrigan Ramsey (technical bridge)

Chief Engineer Lieutenant Commander Holly Joren (engineering)

Chief Medical Doctor Flavia Marjani (sickbay)

Lieutanant (Nurse) Kiersten Lafayette (sickbay)

The list went on to tell regular crew members who did work like cooking and necessities for the ship. Calan had to read it twice to believe it. Dammit! How did Carnell beat me to Korrigan?! It's like he read my mind! Nurse Lafayette seemed suspicious. She was one of Quincy's sisters. Calan hadn't heard of the rest, other than Carnell and Caiman. He skimmed the rest of the list and turned away. At least he still had Chaya and Quincy to add. It was too bad that India was going to be spending time on a base at Zoness.

Calan wasn't sure how Korrigan ended up as an ensign. As far as he knew, Korrigan Ramsey wasn't even enlisted in the Venomian army. Maybe he was now, or maybe he was forced in. Either way, Korrigan was going to be aboard the Dureau.

Calan walked away glumly, stuffing his hands in his pockets. His life didn't get any easier.

He sat alone in his quarters, at his desk, writing officers down whom he wanted on his main staff. Calan's second officer was already picked for him—John Paul Hayden, whom he would meet as soon as the ship was completed. But the others were up to him.

Calan thoughtfully held the felt pen near his head and flicked it. Chaya could be tactical, right behind him. John Paul Hayden would sit next to him, and Quincy would be the helmsman. Calan searched his computer database for officers with good records. Evidentally Carnell hadn't taken them all. Ensign Frederick Guriel could be technical, and Lieutenant Commander Ren Todor was a choice for the Chief Engineer. Of the same rank, Vladimir Stanislav was the best for Chief Medical Doctor. His name suggested that he was either from Fortuna or one of his ancestors was.

Calan smiled at the selection, but all the while praying that his choices were worthwhile later on. Who knew? He wrote in his own name and Hayden's, and then scribbled Chaya's name and rank, changing it to lieutenant commander. He also wrote in Quincy's and changed it to lieutenant. It was better if they were higher ranked than they already where. Chaya was a captain of the army, not the air force, and so she was lower than what she would be on the ship. Quincy's rank was also military, but Calan was sure that Andross wouldn't mind if he messed a little with ranks.

Staff of the Tyr

Captain Calan Porter

Commander John Paul Hayden

Lieutenant Commander Ren Todor, (Chief Engineer)

Lieutenant Commander Vladmir Stanislav, (Chief Medical Doctor)

Lieutenant Commander Chaya Merrick (tactical)

Lieutenant Quincy Lafayette, (helmsman)

Ensign Frederick Guriel, (technical)

Calan held the paper up in his hands. It looked good. No further additions. He noticed that he had three lieutenant commanders and two lieutenants. Calan had in mind to change Quincy's or Chaya's, but he couldn't do that. He needed people he trusted up there. It wouldn't matter too much. Todor would be called Chief Engineer, and Stanislav would almost always be called "Doctor". Besides, neither of them would be on the bridge, so the confusion would lessen.

Calan took his papers to a military official, one of the secretaries to General Brizius. She took the papers and entered the information in to several databases, and that was that. Calan left feeling a little better—but he still wished he could have taken Korrigan. He worried over the future, when they finally engaged in war. Would the two flagships be victorious, or would they perish? He knew that it was his decisions—and luck, perhaps blessing or fate from God himself—that would determine the outcome. And Calan knew it was all up to him to survive.