17: Confrontation at Dawn
Nights seemed quieter on Vargania. Toron supposed that was to do with the lower population density, even here in the capital. Fewer shuttles darting about above, or land vehicles speeding along the roads, unlike back home. There was a certain quality to the evenings here that he could not entirely discern, a sense of tranquillity he did not detect on Calshae Prime. He had noticed it last night, when he had been at the Governor's estate. And he noticed it again, here in the home of Captain Lahea Varollon, wherein the first slivers of morning light were making their presences known around the shuttered windows.
He was still half-asleep, aware of the woman pressed up against him in the bed. When he had sought a distraction from his own woes, there was nothing more distracting than an attractive female. He hardly knew her, yet he would have been a fool to decline her invitation. Now he found himself dozing in the bedroom of an officer whom he had only really spoken to the night before, and he had managed to fool himself for the time being into feeling a sense of normalcy despite this.
What was hardly normal was the Captain herself, who had dragged him here after their conversation and practically pounced on him. There had also been the hits she had given him during the frenzied passions, including one very strong punch in the jaw that had left it feeling sore even now. Calsharan females tended to be more aggressive than any human one, and Lahea was certainly the most aggressive woman he had met. At least now she looked relaxed, sleeping against him.
Toron was brought out of his thoughts by the sounds of footsteps in the room. He slowly turned his head towards the source, looking to the door which was still closed. Lahea lived alone in a simple house on the edge of the capital, although Toron had no idea if she was expecting visitors. He thought to wake her and ask her, but he was stopped when he saw the figure step out of the shadows to his right.
"We have to go." A familiar voice, and it made him bolt upright suddenly. Jorran Casker was standing over him, having slipped into the room like a phantom. Lahea stirred, letting out an annoyed groan as she was disturbed from her slumber.
"How did you get in here?" Toron turned to him, covering his waist with the bedsheets as he did so.
"Knowing who I am, do you really need to ask that?" The Vigilant stated this as the fact he figured it to be, with no smugness or sarcasm to be detected. "Now get dressed. We need to get to the Governor's estate immediately."
"Who's that?" Lahea opened her eyes, sitting up alongside him. She saw Jorran and visibly shuddered in surprise, before one hand scrambled for the pistol she kept at the nightstand. However, it was gone, and Jorran held it up before them.
"I'll give it back before we leave," he said. "Now, the Lieutenant and I need to hurry. You, Captain, should send word to those under your command. Have them go to the Governor's estate right away."
"I know you," Lahea said, noticeably relaxing, if a little on edge given the intrusion. She did not seem too concerned at being naked in front of this stranger. Toron, on the other hand, felt downright embarrassed. "You're with the Governor."
"And he's why I'm here," Jorran said. "Now, do as I say, Captain. Many lives depend upon it." He looked to Toron. "Things are accelerating, Lieutenant, faster than even I foresaw. Ready yourself for a fight. I will be waiting for you by the front door." He turned around and strode out of the room then without a further word. Toron watched him leave, stunned for the moment, unable to quite fathom how the Vigilant had slipped inside unheard.
"He's a strange one," Lahea commented, as she slid out of the bed. Toron turned to her, eyes lingering on her bare body before he met her gaze.
"The world would be boring without strange people," he said, before he climbed off of the bed and began to dress himself. Just what could be happening now, that had required a surprise visit from the fugitive Vigilant? And did Lahea even know who Jorran was, really? She might have reported him, if she did. Toron figured it best he keep his mouth shut for the time being.
He had the same clothes from yesterday, and they were still a little dirty from the frantic events that had occurred. For now, they would have to do, and he fitted it all on quickly. He wanted to say something to Lahea, something to at least indicate that the night before had meant something, but she shut herself in the adjoining bathroom before he could speak. Toron was left feeling a little cold, but there was no time for him to linger. Boots on, he left the bedroom and darted down the hallway, coming to the front door where the fugitive Vigilant was waiting.
"I'd keep an eye on her, Lieutenant," Jorran remarked, as he approached. He no doubt referred to Lahea. "She's a hot-blooded one."
"Maybe call me next time, instead of barging in?" Toron said, feeling a little exasperated, not only by the intrusion but by the way in which the Vigilant was trying to hurry him.
"Your communicator was off, and I asked around the estate to determine where you had gone."
He was right about the communicator. Toron pulled it from a pocket in his jacket, finding that he had indeed switched it off. He remembered doing so before joining the Captain in her bed, and he made sure to switch it back on then before he slipped it around his left wrist.
"You have a weapon?" Jorran asked him.
"Of course I do." Toron opened his jacket to reveal the plasma pistol concealed underneath, and the Vigilant nodded in appreciation.
"Good. It often pays to be prepared for the worst." He opened the front door, motioning for Toron to follow. "We need to hurry. Hopefully we can be at the estate before our enemies get there."
"Enemies?" Toron quirked a brow ridge, but Jorran did not respond. He followed the Vigilant out into the cool morning air, the sun still low and the sky above a deep orange-purple in colour. A chilly breeze billowed down the residential street and Toron closed up his jacket in response. Jorran had a ground car waiting, a rugged all-terrain model with an enclosed top and a distinctly armored chassis. Not the most subtle ride to have, but preferable if one expected to be shot at on the journey.
"Where did you get that?" Toron asked him, as they approached the idling vehicle.
"There are plenty of hidden Vigilant funds for those of us who know where to find them." Jorran offered the young Lieutenant a smirk, no doubt content to leave the matter at that. Toron would not have minded some of those 'hidden funds' for himself. The Vigilants were known to have stashed away a fortune in valuable metals, rather than simply relying on digital currency. Most would have been claimed by the central government after the Vigilants' order was shutdown. Obviously, not all of it had been found and taken.
Jorran had hoped to get there before their enemies. Toron made an educated guess as to who those 'enemies' were and he found, as they arrived at the Governor's estate, that he was more or less correct. Not only that, but they had not arrived before those enemies, and so it was somewhat startling for Toron when he saw about a dozen black-clad UPD troopers outside the front of the building, with several more moving around the flanks and checking the windows of the ground floor. There were an equal number of Planetary Defence Force soldiers standing guard around the building, so Captain Lahea had certainly sent word ahead as instructed. As a result, the UPD troopers were yet to set foot within the premises, whilst the Varganian defence force soldiers eyed the fully armoured UPD troopers warily. All were armed, plasma rifles and pistols readily apparent, although none were pointed at anyone. Toron got the impression that this was likely to change, if things kept up the way they were.
"I will need to hang back," Jorran said. He brought the vehicle to a halt further down the street. A small crowd of civilians was forming nearby, looking on to the unusual scene. Toron climbed out of the vehicle, turning around to speak to Jorran. He was going to ask the Vigilant what he wanted him to do, yet Jorran had disappeared, slipping away like a phantom once again. Torran emitted a frustrated sigh and turned instead to the developing confrontation ahead, hearing a few raised voices, including a female one he was very familiar with.
Toron started forwards, for lack of a better option. He certainly was not going to sit back and watch. He saw the owner of the familiar voice, Surpreme Commander Rila Cassalis, at the front of the UPD squad. She stood before the estate's front steps, tall and confident, even with her visibly pregnant belly. Toron got the impression that getting into the thick of things when so close to giving birth was perhaps a little irresponsible. Then again, he knew Cassalis well enough to know that she was not about to let her condition stop her from doing what she considered necessary.
Governor Nalgen had emerged from the estate as Toron neared, and he was immediately flanked by four of the defence force soldiers waiting near the entrance. He brushed them aside, making some room to approach the Supreme Commander, stopping halfway down the front steps. Cassalis was accompanied by another female in uniform, the Protector of Vargania, Salas Varmi. Toron had not met her, but he recognized her face from the images he had seen, specifically a large, framed photo portrait that was hung upon a wall inside the estate. No doubt she was an appointee made by the High Protector, a loyalist in a high place for the Varganian colony.
"Tell your soldiers to stand aside, Governor." Cassalis spoke with a firm, authoritative tone. "You need to come with us, and we will need to search these premises."
"You have no right to be here," Nalgen protested. He spoke sternly, standing his ground despite the host of UPD operatives before him. They wanted to take him in. Doing so would only incite a political incident. All of them knew it, yet Cassalis did not appear to care.
"Where is Grand General Masrak?" She asked.
"I do not know. I have not seen him since yesterday."
"Oh? And why did he come here?"
"He is an old friend, Commander. A Varganian as well. He comes by because he cares about the state of this world. I cannot say the same for your High Protector."
Cassalis frowned.
"You mean our High Protector. He is the empire's rightful leader, is he not?" She was trying to draw him into a trap now. To suggest that the High Protector was somehow not their leader could be a suggestion of dissidence, which would allow her and her UPD cohorts to justify their presence here much more easily. Of course, with the growing crowd of witnesses, such justifications were probably useless. People would see whatever happened here, and word would spread. No amount of covering-up would stop the people from talking.
"You shelter a traitor, and by doing so, you implicate yourself in their treason," Cassalis declared. Toron came to a stop by the edge of the steps, knowing it was pointless to hide. They already knew he was involved, and part of him found some amusement in the surprised look Cassalis gave him as he stepped into view. She composed herself quickly, the shock of seeing her former aide in league with the apparent traitors fading fast. As for Protector Salas Varmi, she eyed Toron and then the Governor with a similar level of contempt.
"You should go back to the home-world, Supreme Commander," Governor Nalgen stated. "Do not cause a scene here. This kind of overbearing response from the central government is not likely to go down well with the public."
"We are all daughters and sons of Calshae, Governor. We are all of the same stock. The people here would not side with traitors."
"Your presence and intentions here at this estate, without proper cause or warrants, is in violation of the Articles. You suggest you are a true daughter of Calshae? If so, you would know that you are overstepping your authority. Leave." Nalgen was keeping his cool, unfazed by the armoured UPD troops. Toron was impressed by his apparent fortitude.
"Treason is the highest offence, Governor. I have every right to be here in order to arrest those involved. That includes you, as it would appear." She glanced to Toron. "And Lieutenant Kavellan. I expected better from you."
"Sometimes one finds themselves in a situation where they have to make a hard choice. I made mine, Supreme Commander. The High Protector should never have come after my father." Toron had to admit, simply saying this to her was a lot more daunting than he had thought it would be. He was practically sealing his fate now. If this would-be attempt to oust the High Protector failed, then he would probably be executed along with everyone else who had a hand in it.
"Refusing to give yourself up, Governor?" Cassalis returned her gaze to the Varganian leader.
"I have no reason to give myself up," the Governor countered. "I suggest you take your friends and leave. The UPD is not welcome on Vargania, it never was."
"You force my hand, Governor."
"How so? Do you intend to shoot me?" A rhetorical question, but it was one Toron felt was a little too close to Cassalis' true intentions. This was a woman who was willing to do whatever necessary to carry out her own ambitions, which could very well include shooting a planetary Governor.
"Don't do anything crazy." Another familiar voice sounded from behind the Governor. All heads turned to the source, hat source being Grand General Masrak, who hurried into view and stepped ahead of the Governor. He confronted Cassalis directly, gaze level and firm as he settled it upon her own.
"I'm here, if you want me," the General added. Cassalis quirked a brow-ridge, apparently amused by the Grand General's showing.
"Well, the traitor makes himself known," Cassalis said. "You wish to give yourself up?"
"If it means everyone else here remains freeā¦"
"No, that is unacceptable." Cassalis was quick to interrupt him. "I have before me a whole nest of traitors. And like a nest of dangerous insects, each and every one of them must be removed. This whole nest needs to be purged."
Toron felt his heart skip then, expecting the shooting to start. However, he noticed that the General did not appear shocked or even mildly surprised. Rather, he gave the Supreme Commander a smirk and raised his right hand slowly.
"I knew you'd go all the way, Cassalis," he said. "You always were a crazy bitch."
It became apparent that the General had been prepared for this. Several soldiers, regulars in standard black and grey combat gear, appeared on the rooftop of the estate and even on the neighbouring buildings. The UPD soldiers suddenly found themselves surrounded on all sides, and for a fleeting moment there the confidence Cassalis displayed faltered. Plasma rifles were levelled from above, and the UPD soldiers returned the gesture. Guns were up and aimed at the opposing side, although none fired. No one was willing to fire the first shot.
"You are only inviting a greater response," Cassalis said. Her voice was hard, laced with venom. She knew she was outnumbered. The General had evidently brought along some of the soldiers under his own command. He had no doubt picked out those he knew he could trust. Toron was impressed, even if this kind of response was only likely to escalate things. It would buy them time, of course, but that was the extent of it.
"Sure, I know." The General nodded in acknowledgment. "But you come here demanding we bow to your whims? Go back home and tell the High Protector that if he wants to negotiate, then he should come here himself and do so without an army to back him up. If I am guilty of treason against that infantile swine, then so be it. Because I know I am on the side of the people, and those who founded our empire one-thousand years ago. What you and your associates have done is pervert it into something else. Instead of protectors in the form of Vigilants, we have political officers of the UPD. A step backwards, if you ask me."
Cassalis brought her hands together in a slow, mocking clap. She was no doubt playing for the crowd now, surrounded as she was by those under her command and those who opposed her. That was not to mention the growing civilian crowd, who were being kept at bay by civil defence troopers and some of the regulars under the General's command.
"What a nice speech," Cassalis said, her tone a mocking one. She ceased her clap and her eyes narrowed, her expression turning mean very abruptly. "You are placing this colony at risk. For now, you have it your way. I suspect the High Protector will respond very harshly to this little insurrection." She motioned to her troopers, signalling them to head back the way they had come.
"Take the Protector with you," the General said, and he shot Salas a mean look. "She is not welcome here. Never was."
With some reluctance, the Protector turned and left with Cassalis. The UPD soldiers dispersed, filing back down the street to their vehicles. Among them, Cassalis moved, although she did so with a slightly hobbled gait. Toron watched with some curiosity as the Supreme Commander slumped against the lead vehicle, clutching at her stomach. She appeared to be in some discomfort, and Salas was there by her side to assist her.
"Could you imagine what her children are going to be like?" General Masrak remarked, upon seeing this show of discomfort on the Supreme Commander's part. "Creator help us when they grow up."
Toron was not thinking about that. Rather, his mind was on what was to come next in what was, for all intents and purposes, an 'insurrection'. How many locals here on Vargania would even support what they were doing? With this thought in mind, he looked to the Governor, who appeared greatly relieved if a little strained. He was no doubt thinking something similar, and he leaned in close to the General and muttered something to him that Toron did not catch. The General gave a nod, saying little in response.
Suddenly, the General had stepped over to Toron, meeting the young Lieutenant's gaze with a smile.
"I'm going to need some reliable officers for what's to come," he said. "Which is why I'm promoting you to my personal staff."
"What?" Toron was taken completely off-guard. Around them, the civilian crowd was beginning to disperse. The Lieutenant's mind had been on more pressing matters, so to have the General suddenly offer him a promotion had sent his thoughts reeling.
"You're Captain Kavellan now," the General said, and he slapped him playfully on the shoulder. "I still have the power to promote those I believe deserving of it. Don't look so surprised."
Toron, however, was the very picture of 'surprised'. It seemed his whole life was racing out of his control very quickly. Under any other circumstances, he would have loved the promotion. Now, however, it simply felt like an invitation to further trouble.
"Not now." It was all Cassalis was saying as she was helped back to her shuttle. They were in a private spaceport on the edge of the Varganian capital, and she had been struggling in the throes of labour for the past twenty minutes. Protector Varmi was with her, along with the dozen UPD officers that had come along with the intent of bringing in the traitors. It seemed they would need much more than a dozen, although Cassalis' mind was on other things now. Her son was on his way, and it could not have come at a worse time.
Inside the back of the troop transport, she was helped onto a cushioned bench. A young medic appeared, having been assigned to the team. She began to check Cassalis over for any signs that might have indicated serious problems, but from all appearances Cassalis was fine and so was the infant struggling to get out of her. A normal, impending birth, or so the medic stated. The pain was such that it caused Cassalis to grit her teeth, her anger flaring at the medic's matter-of-fact attitude. Varmi suggested they take her to a hospital in the city, but Cassalis shook her head. They had to get off of Vargania and head back to the home-world. It was only a short hyperspace jump away, and she figured she could hold out for the hours the trip would take. She did not want to risk staying here, not when the local government was not cooperating. She thought of her son, and how she wanted him to be born on the home-world and not this backwater. And to give birth in a potentially hostile place was hardly appealing. She wanted nothing but safety for her boy, so she outright ordered the pilot to set a course for home.
No one harassed them on the way to the spaceport. At least the Governor had the good sense to keep his distance. Cassalis was still fuming over the confrontation, and this only amplified the anger that raged as the discomfort continued. She was in no real state for straight-thinking, so all these thoughts about her son and the Grand General and the traitors all became jumbled, only driving her into further fury. The trip home became a haze of pain and the odd outburst, including one where she punched Varmi solidly in the face, knocking her flat on her backside. The woman had been trying to help her, it seemed, and Cassalis would at the very least apologise for it later.
She wondered, amongst all of her jumbled thoughts, about how the High Protector might react to what had happened on Vargania. Not well, most likely. So much so that he might do something reckless, perhaps launch an all-out invasion of the colony to remove the impertinent government. Not a wise move, even if Cassalis did not see any other real way to combat the problem. Even so, such a response would only create further issues, and the whole affair could escalate into something much more than an inter-empire dispute. The term 'civil war' came to mind, and Cassalis would normally have shuddered at the thought. Right now, however, she was too busy trying to push out a baby.
