Robotech: The Ashes of Empire

by GVincent

The Robotech Masters have abandoned their control of empire, their war with The Invid, and the slave Zentraedi forces still fighting it in an attempt to capture Zor's Battle Fortress directly. In this sudden power vacuum, a rogue leader from a caste of Zentraedi whose function is to enforce the will of The Masters on the warrior caste will attempt to seize power and rule herself.

6. Chapter 6: Coalescence

Chapter Six

Coalescence

"Every landslide begins with the tumble of a single stone."

"It is a rare privilege in history to be present at the moment when the dominance of one society gives way to the rise of another. It is even more rare to recognize that moment in its time for what it is."

"I will do better."

"I will not only be present for the moment when the Te'Dak Tohl began to usurp The Robotech Masters hold on power in the universe, but will help tumble the first stone, and I will be there to help guide the course of the landslide to follow."

"History will forget me, I have no doubt- but I will be witness to the fall of The Robotech Masters and the moment when the universe found a renewed hatred for them for creating the Te'Dak Tohl."

Sub-General Caldettas

Executive Officer,

7th Grand Army of

The Te'Dak Tohl

Silhak

"Te'Dak Tohl-."

There was a way in which Etmal pronounced the words in all of their sharpness as she flopped onto her back on her bunk that said to everyone in the barracks that they were in for it.

Specifically, they were in for one of those quite rare and equally uncomfortable instances where one of Etmal's wild suspicions turned out to be justified. In these cases the Quadranos who knew her best had come to accept it was best to suffer through Etmal's having of her moment- in essence purging herself of her victory, rather than having to submit to many, smaller I told you so sessions.

"Real Te'Dak Tohl. And to think none of you took me seriously all the times I warned you."

From the next row of bunks over, Marosa looked up at where Etmal's leg swung lazily at the knee off the edge of her top bunk. Venomously, Marosa considered how out of line she would be considered by her subordinates if she were to simply yank Etmal out of her bunk- correct in her assertion of the existence of the Te'Dak Tohl in conversations past or not.

Maybe the others would even help?..

Tempting as these thoughts were, assaulting a fellow officer (even an annoying one) was still a serious infraction and to a lesser degree, unfair to Etmal.

Maybe one little yank though-.

Lt. Aja, who resided in the bunk directly below Etmal in the Quadrano barracks, groaned as she donned her uniform trousers, saying what all were clearly feeling.

"Here we go-."

Etmal leaned over the edge of her bunk, her hair hanging in clumpy strands still wet from the barracks lavatory's cleansing station, "You're just sore that I'm right, Aja."

"No", Aja corrected, working the elastic material of her undershirt over her chest and into the waist of her trousers, "I'm sore that we're going to have to hear about it incessantly for the next ten days."

"You never take me seriously.", Etmal said, pointing an accusing finger at Aja first, and then waving it at her platoon as they lounged about their bunks, "This is bad though."

Aja paused in buttoning the front of her tunic, looking to the platoon leader, "Marosa, I'm formally requesting permission to put Etmal out of our misery."

"Denied.", Marosa replied while still imagining the satisfaction that could be hers with a good pull of Etmal's leg,, "But feel free to stuff a sock in her mouth if she keeps talking."

"Think about it.", Etmal continued fueled by her recent vindication, and apparently oblivious to Aja's serious consideration of Marosa's suggested alternative to shooting her.

"-They show up and paralyze us. But there were too many of us and we were too spread out for them to take us all out in a single strike, so they make friendly with us and lull us back into the Factory where we're all bunched together in one big choke point. It's a classic set-up for an ambush."
"I'm going to give you a choke point in a second-.", Aja grumbled, then with her mood seeming to lighten for no clear reason asked, "Does that mean you won't be going aboard The Factory, Etmal?"

"No, and neither should you.", Etmal replied gravely.

"I'm definitely going now.", Aja decided with sounds of agreement coming from at least three other Quadranos.

"I'll remember you all favorably.", Etmal said in general to those siding against her, "They're not getting me that easily."

Aja straightened the line of her uniform, being more concerned on the whole than most in the appearance of such things. Satisfied with herself she shook her head at the occupant of the bunk above her own who had not put on a single stitch of clothing since she had emerged from the lavatory, and could be comfortable not doing so for some time.

"You know, Etmal, there's a word for those who think that everyone is conspiring against them-."

Etmal turned on her side appreciating her circumstantial position of superiority, "Perceptive?"

"Paranoid.", Aja said flatly and ignoring that Etmal had even spoken, "But if you want to stay cramped up here, that's your prerogative. I'm getting off this rust heap for a while."

Etmal looked around at the barracks room and the bunks that were vacant.

"Not that there are enough of us left to qualify anyone as cramped."

The recently concluded campaign had proven the Quadranos of Pint Lieutenant Tuissant's command to be superior warriors- but as could be expected with any long involvement in combat it proved also that they were not above suffering casualties.

No measure of superiority in skill and training could completely preclude that.

"Your suspicions take up the room of three.", Aja told her fellow lieutenant, "Maybe four."

"Will we be getting replacements soon?", Lt. Piclad, a younger pilot who herself had been a replacement not long before asked. A chance encounter with an Invid patrol had facilitated Piclad's move from the top bunk to the lower one she now occupied- something she had and still coveted.

"More than likely.", Aja speculated, "We can't go into action reduced and be expected to pull the weight we do at strength. That's inviting disaster."

"Oh, they can expect it.", Etmal said gloomily, "-Which of course has nothing to do with whether we can deliver on the expectation. -Not that anyone outside of this barracks cares really."

Marosa spoke up quickly, aware that Etmal's outlook on life was not always the biggest boost to morale. Moreover, the door that had been opened for Etmal and her penchant for ranting was a broad one and Marosa was not anxious to see where Etmal would take her tirade if given the chance to run with it.

The whole issue of the Te'Dak Tohl had leant Etmal some credibility and Marosa did not want to have to consider the possible accuracy of predictions she might make regarding what might be demanded of a Quadrano force in serious need of reconstitution.

"Point Lieutenant Tuisant is selecting from the candidates. No one Awakens a Quadrano, you know that."

Indeed all of the officers in the platoon did, as they had all been selected from the ranks for the honor of service in the elite force. Even now, officers were nominating their most exceptional and skilled warriors for consideration. It was a safe practice for unit commanders who might otherwise intuitively worry about losing a valued warrior, as nine out of ten would return to their units. Even in times of direst need, the Quadranos accepted only the best that the ranks had to offer and even these select few faced the arduous ascent to the standards of the shock trooper elite.

"Just so long as we get quality replacements, I won't mind the wait.", Piclad admitted.

"But like Marosa said, no one instantly becomes Quadrano- even if they're granted the title.", Etmal pointed out making Marosa uncomfortable that she was being used to legitimize a point that might have been otherwise shrugged off by the others coming from Etmal.

"Oh, we'll get replacements and once our force strength is up again on the boards, we'll be considered fully combat effective. –Never mind that we'll have just taught our new replacements to strap on a combat suit. I don't know what's worse- being a reduced unit, or having to train replacements in the thick of it."

"You haven't found a way to dread both equally?", Aja asked Etmal, almost sounding convincing with the serious tone she used, "You're slipping. I'll just be happy if they don't jump at every noise or shadow like some Quadranos."

"Te'Dak Tohl.", Etmal said again triumphantly as if the words were the sole offense required to serve in her defense.

"You're going to be completely insufferable about this, aren't you?"

"Te'Dak Tohhhhhhl-."

Aja's nostrils flared, Etmal being almost as deft at getting beneath her comrade's skin as she was at finding or constructing reasons for expecting the catastrophic.

"Oh, you're just going to squeeze every drop out of this that you can-."

"Weren't you going somewhere?", Etmal asked, giving Aja a little shove with the toes of her left foot, "I can offer a variety of destinations for you to choose from."

Aja stormed away with a sound of deep-seated frustration allowed to slip through clenched teeth. She was getting a small measure of reciprocity for all the grief that Etmal received on a regular basis from the platoon for being as she was, but to anyone who might cross Aja's path over the next several hours it would be clear that Aja did not agree.

"She's going.", Marosa said, getting up from her bunk, "We all are."

"Not me.", Etmal resolved, "Males and Te'Dak Tohl aboard The Factory? No thank you- I'll stay here."

"No, you won't.", Marosa said shaking the folds out of her own tunic which she proceeded to put on, "We all need some time to unwind, and some space to do it in. Everyone is going aboard The Factory, and that's an order."

Etmal blinked with the sudden understanding that Marosa meant exactly what she had said and that there was no room for discussion in the matter, "Well, I suppose if it's an order…."

Piclad slapped Etmal on the hip, "Come on, you can find new reasons to be paranoid while we're there. You need something fresh."

Marosa ushered her platoon to the barracks door, shaking her head helplessly as Etmal took up the rear in a state of semi-dress trying to put her boots on as she went. Fortunately for Etmal, there was no requirement for Quadranos to be able to dress themselves in a dignified manner while walking.

As her warriors were filing out into the passageway, Marosa noticed Vala just outside of the doorway looking in. Making eye contact, Vala exploited a gap between two of Marosa's officers to slip into the barracks.

"Just the one I was looking for.", Vala said.

"For what reason?", Marosa asked.

"Needed to bounce something off you.", Vala said as Etmal made her way by, both feet finally in their boots, "Does something about all of this strike you as odd?"

Etmal paused, looked back over her shoulder at Marosa, and said with bolstered vindication, "See? It's not just me."

Marosa pushed Etmal through the doorway, pressing the button to close the door as she did so. Etmal was prevented from making additional unsolicited contributions to the conversation as the door slid shut between her and Marosa and Vala.

Undistracted now, Marosa was able to address the question of a Quadrano whose suspicions usually warranted hearing, "How do you mean?"

Vala took a quick glance around the barracks as though she expected to have others listening- Etmal's paranoia apparently had become an airborne contagion.

Vala stood in close and used a quiet voice, "Something isn't right about this, Marosa. Six hours ago we were getting ready to defend ourselves from the Te'Dak Tohl with spoons and wrenches. We were buttoning up this ship so tight that air couldn't have gotten past us, and now we're being ordered out into the Factory to mingle with them? Before today all we knew of the Te'Dak Tohl was stories of them hunting our kind for laughs, and today we're supposed to treat them like old comrades? No, there's something in it that doesn't feel right to me."

Marosa cocked her head to one side, "Are you and Etmal from the same genetic batch?"

"Marosa, I'm being serious."

Marosa exhaled heavily in resignation, "I know.- And I admit, I've got my suspicions too. Something isn't right about this. I haven't heard a word on why they're here, but I already get the feeling that they're studying us, or sizing us up- or something. Dear Zor, now I'm sounding like Etmal!"

Vala's expression changed to one of shock, "What, you haven't heard the latest?"

"What's that?", Marosa asked not certain if the knowing of what Vala was in possession of was going to make her feel any better.

"Word has it, and this supposedly comes from Bohan's planning staff", Vala explained, "that some kind of joint operation is being laid out- something big."

Marosa nodded, allowing herself to think for a moment as Etmal did, "That could explain a lot-. Not the least of which why the Te'Dak Tohl are so eager to make friends with us. They would want our help for a large-scale operation, wouldn't they? If for no other reason than to distribute some of the casualties across other units."

"Would they?", Vala countered, "Or would they maybe just want to let us take the worst of it? Let us do our job and theirs at the same time-."

"You are from the same genetic batch as Etmal-.", Marosa mused before returning to the main point of the conversation, "A good question that we have no way to answer. Think about this. Have you ever heard of Te'Dak Tohl fighting Invid?"

"No.", admitted Vala, "Not that I ever paid much heed to those stories before today anyway, but no. They're too busy stalking renegade Zentraedi- or so the stories go."

"Exactly.", Marosa said, "So what's changed that they're so interested in joining the fight now? It would be like General Bohan strapping on a combat suit- sure, she's capable of doing it, but that's not her function."

"So what are you suggesting?"

"I was hoping you had some insight on that.", Marosa said, "You brought it up afterall."

Vala scowled, an expression Marosa was not used to having directed at her from her friend, "Fine, make light of it."

"What would you have me do?"

"Just keep your guard up.", Vala advised.

"I didn't need you to tell me that."

Vala shrugged, "Maybe it's nothing. Maybe there is a perfectly good explanation for everything that's going on-. But I don't get the feeling we're being told everything."

"Me either.", agreed Marosa, "But what's new in that? We really don't have many options until we find out otherwise though, do we?"

"We don't have many options if we find out otherwise."

Marosa paused, "Then what do we do now?"

"Go to the Factory, I suppose.- But keep a close watch on your warriors."

"Against?"

"Everyone.", Vala said firmly.

Destroyer 1017

Again the commanding officers of Action Commander Gymalt's 4234th Destroyer Squadron found themselves assembled in his presence when the business before them could have easily been accomplished by standard communication practices.

More than ever though, these were unusual times and there were subtle indications that all present knew it. The tension that had silently characterized the last assembly of destroyer commanders had not diminished, but had changed in a way that was both perceivable and indefinable.

Since their last assembly, the Te'Dak Tohl- the vengeful omnipotence had come as though conjured in the flesh from the worst dreams of a warrior with a guilty conscience- and they had not retreated with waking. The dreaded phantoms had shown themselves to have corporal form, and now daggers that had recently been drawn silently for a treacherous task by many at the table were now being gripped defensively beneath the same cloaks.

Commander Pach still clutched his dagger defensively - only the threat had changed, or perhaps it had just multiplied.

As disturbing as the prospects of treachery by Sylas and his accomplices had been, there was something in the vague yet ubiquitous menace of the Te'Dak Tohl that touched nerves whose sensitivity Pach had thought time and countless battles had dulled. Instead, the fear- the same fear with its sharp, electric edge that had cut deeply into him in his first battles with Invid had chosen this moment and these circumstances to revisit him.

The expressions of others at the briefing table, though well managed, told Pach that he was not alone in feeling that distant but familiar fear. At least they were all still comrades in one respect.

Commander Pach did enjoy one bastion of security- material or not as it may have been. For whatever the reason, Pach found some reassurance in the physical presence of his superior.

Gymalt, for all the signs of decline that Pach was forced to admit to, was still imposing and in that quality, anchoring. The conspirators, though outnumbering Pach and he, were outwardly subdued in his company. False security or not- it was a sense of security that was soothing to Pach: a small comfort in an existence where there were few to be found.

They, the others, had severed the bond that Pach and Gymalt still retained- the bond that told both without words that either would be there for the other's defense until the very end. It was a commodity whose value had risen significantly in only the span of a few hours.

What Pach could sense in the others and what was far worse for them was that in breaking the warrior's bond with Gymalt, they had also unknowingly broken it with one another. In each other now, they must have been seeing warriors who had agreed to abandon their duty to their lord- and if to he, how could they be depended upon amongst themselves? It harkened back to one of the clearly stated and often foolishly ignored pillars of The Warrior's Code: that deceit wounded both ways.

It was a torment that they had brought upon themselves that Pach did not dwell long upon, but was at the same time unrepentantly unsympathetic to.

Mostly.

Pach had torments of his own, and all these oddly did relate in one form or another to the conspirators.

It had not taken Action Commander Gymalt long, less than two minutes, to divulge all the information General Alzyha's command had passed down to him further down the chain to his subordinates. In that small amount of time any comfort of sanctuary felt by any of the commanders at the table had vanished. The Factory for all of its technologically miraculous abilities to refit and replenish the Zentraedi army now put in for that purpose could not offset the horrors of what had been determined would follow.

As was common, three flag officers had decided quickly and almost casually in their apparent manner on a course of action that would translate into unspeakable slaughter on both sides of the battle lines. Such was the Duty of generals- and despite the implications for themselves and for the warriors in their charge, the commanders at Gymalt's briefing table would have been hard pressed to justify any course other than the one chosen- given the circumstances. Mandate, history, and tradition said that it was the purpose of the Zentraedi to close with and destroy Invid wherever found, and in whatever strength.

"A Regent's Hive-?", Commander Sylas asked as though Action Commander Gymalt's multiple repetitions of the words had left room for doubt.

"Out here?"

"That is what General Krymina suspects.", Gymalt replied patiently. Gymalt was showing extreme patience with his commanders in allowing the time they needed to take in the enormity of what he had shared.

"And we are to take part in the assault on this Hive."

"Take part?", scoffed Commander Felzi, who sat nearly at opposite end of the table from Gymalt, "Taking part implies some sharing of the burden. From the early strategic outline you have given us, we are carrying the fight to the Invid."

Gymalt's face remained unimpassioned, another demonstration of Gymalt's patience as Pach saw it. Inappropriate as the outburst was, Pach did understand its origin. Opening offensive operations against an Invid Hive could be expected to be bloody enough an affair under normal circumstances. When one factored into the equation the additional forces one could expect if that Hive happened to be the base serving a half of the fractured ruling Invid entity- then the alarm and concern being expressed could be understood.

"As we always do.", said Commander Nha, Sylas's less brazen yet no less dangerous (in Pach"s mind) accomplice in all the undermining which had transpired against Action Commander Gymalt, "Why should this change?"

"No reason.", Felzi replied, "But there are irregularities here that I am wholly uncomfortable with. First, we are allowing our combat units to be detached from our commands, to serve under Te'Dak Tohl field commanders? They are unfamiliar with the strengths and weaknesses of our warriors- they will not be able to put them to their best use, regardless of how well-conceived their plan of battle is- which also is yet to be seen. Functionally, yes- you can say that a unit will serve one commander as well as another, but we all know that the reality is something entirely different."

"Secondly, this notion of we- seasoned commanders- taking an entirely fresh force of warriors into battle as a second, supporting wave to the offensive is flawed for similar reasons. No, this is foolishness. I tell you that now. This is foolishness that is doomed for failure on an unprecedented scale."

"Are you saying that you don't approve?", asked Sylas, rousing a chuckle from all at the table, including Pach- much to his own surprise. Sylas, for all of his less desirable traits, was endowed with great charisma, and was admirable in his skill at using it.

"I admit", Gymalt said, quieting the table, "the plan is highly irregular, but we are faced with certain facts. First, the Te'Dak Tohl possess the knowledge of the Hive's location, and the general disposition of the Invid garrison. That gives them a slight tactical edge, so far as decision-making goes. Secondly, and there is no way around this, General Krymina is Te'Dak Tohl. We have no ground on which to refuse her mandates. I too am troubled that our warriors will have to follow Te'Dak Tohl into battle, but we will retain our officers at the company level and lower. At the tactical level at least we still can be assured of the scrupulous use of our warriors in battle."

"I have to agree with Felzi.", Sylas said, "Te'Dak Tohl or not- separating units from their commanders is a poor operational practice- lower unit level commanders left in place or not. At the very least I would argue that it offsets any good rendered by Krymina's knowledge of this Invid Hive. Gymalt is right as well however, we have no ground on which to refuse."

"I assume", Nha said, following Sylas's statement without hesitation, "that we have been ordered to send our warriors aboard the Factory for that reason- to acquaint them with the Te'Dak Tohl? Demystify them, if you will?"

"That's my understanding.", Gymalt replied, "And I am grateful for your complying so readily to that rather unorthodox order. However, it did come down from General Alzyha personally."

"What does Alzyha say about all of this?", Pach asked. His expression all throughout the briefing and discussion had shown him in deep thought- so much so that he had seemed barely aware of Sylas's presence directly to his right.

"All of the information and direction I have passed on to you was given to me through channels.", Gymalt said, answering the question generically, "Officially, he is in support of the operation. How he feels about it, or its implications- only Alzyha knows for sure. However, given that we are being issued orders that fall within the mandate of our operational directives- I suggest we comply."

Sylas snorted indignantly at the reply, "All of those words to say nothing-."

"No answer to your question can be given officially.", Pach was quick to point out, "I consider Alzyha's personal feelings on any of these issues irrelevant. Within the latitude of the orders given to me, I will do whatever is required to see to the best interests of my warriors. I'm sure I don't need to advise you to do the same."

A second grunt from Sylas told Pach that the message had been received even if its substance was less than ideal.

Silence took the table again.

There being nothing more to be said, Gymalt dismissed his officers with, "That will be all for now. You may return to your vessels and begin preparations for operational staging."

The seated officers rose in a uniform, laborious movement that was indicative of the great burden carried by each. No doubt similar reactions were being felt all throughout General Alzyha and General Bohan's commands. Operational orders promising both combat and casualties on an epic scale could have as easily come down from either general's command, but there was something in receiving them from the Te'Dak Tohl that added a measure of uncertainty to them.

"Sylas, Pach- not you.", Gymalt said as the officers began to shuffle by him for the briefing room door, "Stay a moment, both of you."

Pach and Sylas stepped out of the procession and allowed it to pass without comment, though brief glances between the two lesser commanders revealed their mutual surprise at having been retained- together. Silence returned and held for a moment as the door to the briefing room slid shut again, sealing in all three officers.

"Be seated.", Gymalt instructed, or rather invited by his tone. Both subordinate officers quickly became aware that the conversation that was to follow was to be an irregular one. Irregularities though were proving to be the norm as of late.

Pach took his chair of only a few moments before at Gymalt's right hand, while Sylas took the seat across the table from him. All three sat together for a moment, the two commanders in anticipation of the action commander's motives for this private session.

Gymalt's hand went to the control panel built into the table's surface, dimming the lights and bringing up the briefing room's viewscreen in the touch of several controls. The displayed image was that of the Te'Dak Tohl fleet, standing off from the Factory at a comfortable, though suspect distance. Scouts, destroyers, landing ships, cruisers- vessels of every configuration in the Zentraedi inventory stood in perfect station-keeping around Artoc, Krymina's massive flagship.

Gymalt sat in quiet study of the spectacle for a moment, inviting his two senior commanders to do the same by demonstration. Both Pach and Sylas were familiar with this exercise by having experienced it countless times with Gymalt. It was not an idle way to pass the time, or simply a cornerstone on which to build conversation- there was something there that Gymalt wanted them to see. Both junior officers worked silently to deduce the object of Gymalt's attention.

"Your faces said it all to me, you know.", Gymalt said finally, "You do not trust them. Neither do I. Oddly, I believe that this is the first thing that we have honestly agreed upon in a long while- the three of us together."

"I will admit to that freely.", Sylas said without hint of guilt, "No, I do not trust the Te'Dak Tohl. Warrior's myths tell us that they mean only death to the warrior castes, but this goes beyond superstition. Felzi was right, you know. This battle plan being forced upon us- it stinks of subterfuge. General Krymina has some objective that we're not privileged to. This attack on the Invid is at best a means to that end. What I can't conceive of is what her ultimate objective might be?- It's not the winning of this war though, I feel that much in my warrior's core. It's not winning this war."

"Indeed.", agreed Pach, surprised again but this time at finding himself speaking in support of Sylas, "They are not here for the specific purpose of destroying us. The Te'Dak Tohl demonstrated convincingly their ability to neutralize our defenses. If they had wanted to destroy us, that would have been the ideal time."

"Competition for resources does not make sense either. Resources are not an issue- The Factory has more than enough provisions to provide for a dozen armies- and again they could have easily destroyed us if monopolizing The Factory had been their goal."

"Still, as Sylas said, there is something we are not being told. If this assault on the Invid Hive is meant to be a war-winning action, then why begin with such a fundamentally flawed and demoralizing order as replacing experienced field commanders? I'd wager my life that their best field commanders have only a fraction of the experience fighting Invid that ours possess."

"Like Sylas, my instincts tell me not to trust General Krymina, but I can't identify the particulars of why."

"I can offer no reason either.", Gymalt admitted, "I feel they are more than idle suspicions, but like you I cannot prove that. And prove it to whom? There are three levels of command structure I would have to breech before I could even think of gaining an audience with General Alzyha and each of them is likely as burdened with reservations as we three. No, protest is a waste of breath. What then do we do?"

Sylas reclined somewhat in his chair, to the extent that the piece of furniture would allow, "What do you suggest?"

The nature of any possible, logical course of action implied clearly insubordination in the face of issued orders- at best. All three officers at the table recognized this, but shrewdly Sylas was not willing to be the first to suggest such a thing. His mind had been too recently acquainted with the craft of betrayal to expose himself in such a way.

"First", Gymalt said, motioning to the viewscreen, "Indulge me and confirm the perceptions of an old warrior. What do you see here?"

"The same thing as you, I believe.", Sylas replied, clearly not certain how to receive Gymalt's decline to his invitation to suggest direction, "General Krymina's fleet- trying a little too hard to look impressive."

"Very impressive, I must admit. Too impressive after the ravages of battle with the Invid.", Gymalt observed with clear skepticism, "A battle that destroyed an entire Te'Dak Tohl army- by General Krymina's accounts."

"None of them are damaged.", Pach said- the glaringly obvious hitting him like a falling rock, "Or at least none of them show the damage one would expect to see."

"You noticed that as well?", Gymalt asked and praised with the same words.

Sylas shifted uneasily in his seat as that which had been visible all along was seen by him for the first time. Pach sensed in Sylas the growing realization that the private meeting of the three officers was for reasons other than to isolate him and possibly cause him harm.

"Not a scratch- or a recent scratch anyway.", Gymalt observed, "My command, our squadron, was deployed in screening duty in our last action on a weakened Invid outpost. We had three destroyers severely damaged, and if I'm not mistaken we all suffered moderate casualties and damage. Did we not? General Krymina escaped a battle that decimated an entire army with her own vessel unblemished. Or so she says."

"You're implying that the battle she spoke of never happened?", Sylas inferred, "Or that it did not happen how she claims. That's a serious accusation."

Gymalt folded his hands together on the table, and sighing heavily said, "I'm planning on doing worse, and so are you or else you would have likely stormed out already. –But, before we delve into that treasonous realm, I feel we need a moment of truth between we three."

"Sylas, I am fully aware- as Pach has no doubt told you- of your feelings toward me as a competent commander, and furthermore of your plans to act against me in one form or another. Do you deny this?"

Sylas said without hesitation or sign of remorse, "I do not. Despite the doctrines of the Warrior's Code, despite the sanctity of the command structure, I have had serous doubts about you. I, and others who will remain nameless have spoken to some extent on how to remedy the problem."

"There you have it. You could shoot me here and now at this table, and be perfectly justified in doing so. I don't believe that's your intention though, Gymalt. What is your intention?"

"Honesty.", Gymalt said simply, "A simple, possibly naïve notion which has its merits still. Honesty between us is the first step towards trust, and trust is something that we must absolutely share while we're under Te'Dak Tohl command."

"Trust to what end?", Sylas asked, his outward appearance still unaffected.

"To preserve ourselves- defend ourselves if necessary.", Gymalt said, "To a consensus that it is likely if not certain that we are being used for something unsanctioned, or at least unscrupulous by General Krymina."

"I asked for your observations on her fleet for this reason-. I believe that if the battle with the Invid that she spoke of actually took place, that she willingly and deliberately sacrificed the other Te'Dak Tohl army to offset her own losses. If she was willing to do that to her own kind- it's easy to conceive of how readily she might march two armies of the warrior caste to the same end."

"Agreeing to willingly disobey an order is as severe an infraction as the act of disobeying.", Sylas was quick to remind the two other officers, "Treason is treason. I only point this out so that we all understand how dangerous exactly is the path we're now walking."

Pach heeded the warning because it was a topic on which Sylas had dedicated much though, no doubt- and it warned of a path he had some experience navigating.

"I do understand.", Gymalt affirmed calmly, "And to not walk that path it is a failure to provide for the well being of the warriors charged to us. I am choosing one serious infraction over another."

"Then that being said, I agree.", Sylas said, "And to what extent do we carry this agreement?"

"To the extent it needs to be carried.", Gymalt replied, "The situation from this moment forward will dictate our actions."

Sylas looked across the table at Pach, "You're very quiet, Pach. Reservations?"

"Only one.", Pach said, remaining coldly civil, "I see a thousand ways that you could use this against Gymalt and come away looking to all like a hero in the tradition of The Warrior's Code."

"What of trust?", Sylas asked.

"Trust is earned.", Pach replied inflexibly, "And we were starting with honesty if you recall. In all honesty, Sylas, you have done so much to erode my faith in you, that you have a very long way to go to repair it. That is my statement of honesty."

"Then are these discussions to be for nothing?", Sylas asked, "If so, I'll return to my ship now.- There's no point to discuss anything further if we're unwilling to extend ourselves on faith."

"I will vouch for you in matters of trust, Sylas.", Gymalt said unreservedly.

Pach was visibly shocked by Gymalt's gesture. He was quick to regain his composure, but both of the other officers had seen the slip of his true feelings and had interpreted it correctly

"-And Pach will accept my word as truth.", Gymalt added.

"That's very generous of you both.", Sylas said coldly, "In keeping with honesty though, I find it just a little hard to believe. Not a minute ago, I admitted to conspiring against you, Gymalt. Pach certainly remembers. Standing in Pach's place, I would ask you how you could possibly justify that trust?"

"My trust", Gymalt explained, "is based on my belief that you conspired against me in the interest of self-preservation. That same interest now seems to have made us allies, odd as that may be. For the time being, we have a common interest."

"And you accept this, Pach?", Sylas asked incredulously.

"I accept that you'll serve your interests.", Pach replied, "I have faith in that."

"Your endorsement is overwhelming.", Sylas said in something akin to amusement, "And how do I know that you will support me?"

"Because", Pach explained, "my warriors are of the utmost importance to me. So long as an allegiance with you, Sylas, helps me to act in their best interest- you can depend on my loyalty to that partnership."

Sylas considered silently what had been said for a moment, his face revealing nothing of what thoughts lay beyond. There were games of bluff that were popular amongst warriors that Pach knew of and he wondered how accomplished Sylas was at these harmless distractions. He was fairly sure that to engage Sylas at play in these would likely be an experience.

Finally, Sylas said, "Your loyalty to your warriors is suitable reason for me. "

Gymalt offered his extended hand, "Then swear to it."

Sylas clutched Gymalt's hand over the table in a demonstration of sergeantry, "You have my Warrior's Oath to serve, obey, and defend you and your warriors to the end to which we have spoken."

Similarly, Pach grasped both hands with his own, "As do I. You have my Warrior's Oath to serve, obey, and defend to our mutual good."

"And I accept your oaths.", Gymalt replied, "I swear to lead to the preservation of all, upon my life do I give this oath."

Hands released from one another and it was done.

Pach looked across the table at Sylas whose face revealed less than before of his disposition. He had given his word in the most sacred of rites in The Warrior's Code to Gymalt and in the same oath to Sylas, and vice-versa. Only now that it was done, he felt little reassurance.

Words were only breath without principle to back them.

In that sense, Pach could not rid himself of the deep-rooted questions that lingered in his mind about Sylas.

Pach resolved to fulfill his vow, but to do it watchfully.

"Now we are bound.", Gymalt said in a commanding voice, "We must now agree on what steps we will take for ourselves."

"A fine wire to walk, to be sure.", Sylas said, "We are ordered by not only the Te'Dak Tohl, but by our own chain of command to surrender up the bulk of our warriors for service under Krymina's field commanders. We cannot refuse, we've agreed as much already."

"Then we can agree that there is no keeping our warriors from entering this battle with the Invid.", Gymalt said before adding, "But there are still measures we can take to mitigate the dangers to our warriors."

"Battle with the Invid was never our concern.", Pach pointed out, "That is our function and duty. Our concern is that our warriors will be used carelessly- for whatever reason. The question is not whether our warriors can or should avoid this offensive, but rather the question is how do we retain effective management of our warriors?"

"And you have a suggestion on how to accomplish this?", Sylas inquired, "The Te'Dak Tohl, I doubt, will invite or accept joint command on the field of battle. Our field officers have already been excluded from the order of impressments."

Pach replied to Sylas's standing question, "The thought has occurred to me that in the timeframe laid out for assembling this assault, the Te'Dak Tohl will be unable to familiarize themselves with our warriors and officers- on an individual basis that is. They will be counting able bodies and making an inventory of filled uniforms. Tell me, Sylas, if you did not know me by sight, and I were to put on a lieutenant's uniform- how would you know me for who I am?"

Sylas gave his approval with a nod, "I see your point. We covertly insert our officers into the ranks with our warriors. That could work; it's even probable that it would work. Though once there, we still have the problem that there will be a Te'Dak Tohl officer with which our own will have to contend for command."

"Will there be?", Pach asked, making the question rhetorical in his tone but continuing to clarify, "Even the best conducted battle is chaos. Who stops to see if the fatal blast came from an Invid plasma cannon, or a Zentraedi particle beam?"

Sylas chuckled with dark amusement, "Pach, I never knew you were such a- cut-throat! You're suggesting much more than insubordination now."

"And you were planning much more than insubordination a very short time ago.", Pach replied calmly, "The Te'Dak Tohl will not discriminate between insubordination and murder. The punishment will be the same."

"And it may not have to come to that.", Gymalt added, augmenting Pach's thoughts with his own, "Perhaps our warriors will be used scrupulously in the battle.- In that scenario, there would be no need for our officers to assume command. We certainly can trust our officers to make that determination."

"Yes, certainly.", Sylas agreed, "But it would be prudent to establish a basic understanding between all of our officers as to when and for what reason we would expect them to assert themselves. Uniformity in this is critical."

"I think we can come to an agreement about that.", Gymalt assured the commander, "Your thoughts, Pach?"

"I concur.", Pach said, "Though I think that discussion is best tabled with the other commanders, and their field commanders present. Their insight is needed."

"I agree.", Sylas said, "However, there is one small point we may be overlooking."

"Such as?", Gymalt asked.

"Such as, you may recall an incident in the not-so-distant past when the Te'Dak Tohl crippled us all by remote control? You do recall this, do you not? I am concerned that they will be able to do this in a more localized fashion."

"Let's say for a moment it does become necessary for our officers to assume command on the battlefield. Let us further assume that it's possible that while our officers are wresting control from the Te'Dak Tohl appointed commander it is possible for him to make a distress call, or for all we know, to just push a button and all of our warriors' mecha just shuts down. If our objective is preservation of our units, then I would call that a major step in the wrong direction."

"We don't know that they have the ability to localize the effect of that mechanism.", Gymalt said.

"But we don't know that they don't either.", Sylas countered, "We must assume they do in the absence of other evidence. So then are our warriors to go to battle on foot? Plausible, but again you have the potential of massive casualties, which is exactly what we were trying to avoid, making the entire exercise both treasonous and moot. I'm not trying to be obstinate, or contrary- I'm simply pointing out some of the realities we may have to face."

"Your observations are valid and demand consideration.", Gymalt assured him, "Though I see no other course to follow. This may just be another inevitable risk to pile upon many others."

"I'd prefer to find a way to minimalize that risk."

Gymalt reminded his subordinate, "We'd prefer to minimalize all our risks, however it's not always possible. You know as well as Pach or I that calculated risk is central to all we do as commanders."

Pach felt himself wanting to withhold the details of certain activities that Gerrok was engaged in at that very moment. The urge to hesitate and reserve what he knew from Sylas was as powerful as any instinct that he had ever felt. But he had also made an oath that bound he and Sylas equally- in theory at least.

"What if it were not an issue?"

"What?", Sylas asked, "If the mechanism were not an issue? That's what we were just discussing if you've just joined us. It's a major issue in my mind."

"It may not be for long.", Pach told both officers as he felt a weight form in his gut. Working consciously against instinct, he explained, "When the entire fleet lost power, a single one of our Regult Pods continued to function. Gerrok, my chief engineer, believes that the shut-down was the result of a subsystem built into all the mecha, equipment, and warships provided to the warrior castes. I agree with him. Furthermore, he believes if he can isolate the subsystem or mechanism, he can either disable it or find a way to circumvent it. That belief, I will tell you now, is contingent on the mechanism being a hardware component to our mecha. Gerrok has already told me that if it resides in the operating software, it's unlikely that he will be able to identify it- he lacks the knowledge. I am confident though, that if it resides within the hardware, Gerrok will find it and be able to work around it."

Sylas's expression grew cold and he showed the clear signs of building agitation, "And how long did you intend to keep this from us?"

Pach found himself instantly on the defensive, "Considering our relationship an hour ago- Gymalt, I intended to inform Gymalt before I returned to my ship. As for informing you, I am doing so now- am I not?"

"Yes, you are.", Sylas replied, "Would you care to share anything else?"

Gymalt raised his hand to quell the building argument, "Sylas-."

Sylas regained his composure quickly, settling back into his chair fully from its edge.

"My apologies."

"Mine as well.", said Pach, easing the tension marginally.

Sylas, regrouped and collected suggested with a hint of distrust, "Perhaps Gerrok could use some assistance? Repairs on my vessel are nearing completion. I would be more than willing to offer up my engineering staff to assist. -Especially given our newfound relationship."

"That won't be necessary.", Pach said, feigning gratitude.

"I insist.", Sylas replied, clearly unconcerned with whether Pach desired or was in actual need of assistance for Gerrok.

"As do I.", said Gymalt, "And I will send my engineer as well, as will each commander who opts to join us. The more eyes seeing the problem, the more minds working at it- perhaps the sooner it can be solved."

Pach's apprehension was more apparent than he had feared as Gymalt felt the need to add-

"The first acts of trust are always the most painfully uncertain. We have much to do though, and we'll need each other to do it. Return to your ships now, and speak of this to no one who does not need to know directly until we have oaths from the other commanders."

Sylas had seen no reason to linger at any length after being dismissed by Gymalt from their irregular conference. Pach suspected as he followed him out into the corridor and headed for the lifts that would take them both to their shuttles on the hangar deck that without his fellow conspirators in the plot against Gymalt that Sylas was likely feeling understandably exposed.

It was exactly the position Pach wanted to catch him in.

"Sylas-.", he called after the other commander as they approached the area of the ship's lifts, "-A moment, if you please."

Sylas halted and turned with a deliberate movement on his heel to face the other commander, "Oddly enough, Pach, I doubt my pleasure is even remotely a concern of yours. What is it?"

Pach approached the other commander and stood in close so that members of Gymalt's crew would not hear him speak as they passed by in the corridor, "We've sworn our oaths, and I will take you at your word and act accordingly-. But know this-. If you betray Gymalt and leave me living, there will be no place in the universe for you to hide from me where I won't find you. You have my oath on that as well."

A faint, odd smile crossed Sylas's face, "You assume I'd be so careless. Really, Pach- all of this distrust is going to tear you apart from the inside."

Artoc

General Krymina found herself again at the head of a briefing table, though this time it was her entire staff of officers and their supporting subordinates assembled before her.

Seated in descending order of rank and position, they filled the table to capacity leaving lesser officers- mostly the critical staff to her principle lieutenants- to stand about the briefing room's minimal floor space. Other than the attendance of additional junior staff and of course the highly uncommon sight of the two Tirolians, Darius and Philisto, there was nothing that made the assembly at all unusual.

Like the composition of the company at the table though, the very purpose for the gathering was unorthodox if not outright seditious. If General Krymina had concerns about the windfall of her ambitions though, she gave no indication of it in the way that she presented herself to her officers.

An army and subsequently all who composed it was at the simplest level still only a tool. Even if the party for whom the tool was being used had changed, General Krymina was consistent in her approach to applying it. Firmly rooted in that mindset, Krymina's maintained an appearance consistent with a commanding officer going through the routine with her duty.

It was understood by all at the table however, that the party the tool now served by the 7th Grand Army of the Te'Dak Tohl from Krymina's perspective was "self".

In her position of command General Krymina naturally stood to gain the most while risks shared by all from the general down to the lowest Te'Dak Tohl warrior were equal. All knew though that in serving Krymina, they were at the same time serving themselves. Even if her attitude toward them was little more than recognizing the material function they performed for her, it was still a superior attitude to that which all now knew was The Robotech Masters' position.

All sat silently before Krymina awaiting whatever was to follow.

General Krymina's vision for the Te'Dak Tohl was common knowledge to all present. Together they had made the leap from The Robotech Masters' most trusted servants to collaborators in open and willing insurrection. Together, they all knew the vision General Krymina had conceived and together they were all aware of movement in that direction.

The vision being common knowledge, the course was Krymina's to know alone or with a very select few. Specific details of any operation was rigorously compartmentalized with Krymina serving solidly as a nexus through which all information passed and from which direction was given. Subordinates became accustomed to sudden taskings with short turn-around times attached. With experience, they came to recognize that Krymina used the various components of her army selectively as an experienced mechanic might use the tools from a tool box- drawing only what was needed and leaving the others in place.

Some of Krymina's lieutenants may have also grown wise to the fact that the practice had a way of identifying and allowing for the removal or elimination of those incapable of dynamic thought and action. An even smaller number may have recognized that the constant forming and dissolving of components into action forces effectively precluded the forging of alliances that between the ambitious could serve against Krymina and her position.

That smaller set of commanders who may have recognized the latter benefit of Krymina's methods of course could not have known exactly how correct they were in their perception.

Still, it was the flexibility and agility in action that this type of unit synthesis afforded the 7th Grand Army of the Te'Dak Tohl that Krymina emphasized. It was excellence in these areas and achievement of objective goals that Krymina rewarded even as she monitored and maintained control with quiet calculation.

Krymina began to address her staff abruptly, wasting little time on pleasantries at the expense of efficiency. It was probable that she would have invested no time in acknowledging the accomplishments achieved by her lieutenants if she did not so clearly consider them an extension of herself. All accepted the positions Fate had placed them in and accepted the praise given- qualified as it was.

"The first phases of this campaign have been completed flawlessly, in no small part thanks to your superior efforts and skill. We are, however, still only in the preliminary stages and far from being in a position to execute the critical ones. To achieve our goal- which make no mistake is nothing less than survival of our species and autonomy from the control of The Robotech Masters; we must still act with calculation and determination. With that in mind, we will cover and discuss the next crucial step toward that goal-. Caldettas-."

In Krymina's brief, introductory comments Caldettas had heard the I every time the general had actually said we as clearly as he had heard the effort in her voice that was the self-restraint required to counter her ambitions and not simply charge forward rashly toward the ultimate objective.

The executive officer knew from experience and observation that in every warrior there was a constant grappling between paradoxical elements of the individual's personality. In Krymina, it was discipline that constantly grappled with desire.

Discipline, to this point, had always prevailed keeping the more temperamental beast caged- if only barely. It was perhaps for this reason more than any other the sub-general had speculated occasionally, and more for this reason than any of command-level communication that Krymina held these sessions- to satiate desire with reminders of accomplishment. Perhaps it was also why he could hear I so clearly in we.

Caldettas dimmed the lights in the room and called up the same holographic image that he had shown to the norghil commanders, Alzyha and Bohan of the star system, Murhan Thade.

Because of his proximity to Krymina, the executive officer alone sensed the general's aura of restlessness. Krymina would have only been moderately more satisfied with the briefing if it had been an after-action assessment- and then only moderately because at that point her mind would have already moved on to the next step to be taken.

Caldettas methodically began to review the overarching objectives and requirements of Krymina's campaign vision in preparation to explain the part that this unremarkable star and its system of planets were to play in achieving it.

"Self-determination of our species has always been our core objective in initiating this campaign. Though General Krymina's intuition that The Robotech Masters were in a weakened state and ready to be toppled were correct overall- our assault on Tirol revealed that the battle to achieve that self-determination would not be fought there."

"Instead, and with some intelligence provided by our Tirolian allies we discovered that in addition to self-determination, the Te'Dak Tohl have within our reach the potential to assume The Masters' role of dominance in the known portions of the universe-."

Caldettas may have noticed the indignant expression on Darius's face as he stood in roughly the same place as he had during the meeting in which he had narrowly escaped squashing by Jekketh. Caldettas was aware that Darius had provided some intelligence to the Te'Dak Tohl in the same way that his expertise in bio-engineering and genetics would provide them with assistance in coping with The Withering.

Caldettas may have noticed, but if he did he paid no more mind to the plump Tirolian's discontent than he did to continued, disconnected passivity of Darius's frail counterpart, Philisto.

"-We now have before us the opportunity to not only engage the whole of The Robotech Masters' remaining forces exposed in their weakened state, but also to capture the technologies that gave them their strength- encapsulated in Zor's Battle Fortress."

"With these unprecedented new opportunities as you all well know have come new and unanticipated challenges to achieving General Krymina's vision. Supreme General Breetai of Dolza's norghil command has allied himself with the alien race in possession of Zor's ship, and together they have already proven themselves to be a formidable adversary as demonstrated by their successful decimation of Dolza's command. With Zor's Battle Fortress now clearly an asset required to achieve our objectives of autonomy and dominance, we are presented with several potential scenarios that we might encounter."

"First. We must concede that The Robotech Masters having had the advantage of a clearer understanding of the state and determination of power also have a significant lead on us in securing it again for themselves. There is the real possibility if not probability that if they have not already reached the alien world that possesses Zor's Battle Fortress- they will at least reach it first."

"This scenario presents one of two possible outcomes. Either The Robotech Masters will somehow prevail over Breetai and his allies and recover Zor's ship, or more likely- Breetai will prevail and retain it- but present a defensive stance heightened by the confrontation with The Masters. With either outcome, we cannot rely on catching the force in possession of Zor's ship off-guard."

"In the second, unlikely scenario, we may be able to reach the alien world before The Masters. Intelligence points strongly to The Masters setting out for this world in less than a fully operational state. They may not have been able to make the spacefold-jump directly to the alien world, having been forced instead to make multiple jumps with considerable time given between to allow the Protoculture cells of their vessels to regenerate."

"If this second scenario were to be realized, we could achieve the advantage of surprise- but it would be against a force that has proven itself lethal against a numerically superior one- and at the same time we would also have to make provisions to guard against the arrival of The Masters. Formidable as we are, at our full strength the 7th Grand Army would still be stretching itself dangerously thin to engage Breetai on one front and to be able to fend off The Robotech Masters on a second. We simply do not have the numbers to do both and to deal with the potential third scenario."

"Whether the fight for Zor's Battle Fortress involves ourselves and The Masters, ourselves and Breetai, or any combination of these- there is the high probability that a conflict of that magnitude will draw Invid attention. Clearly, Invid involvement adds an additional level of complexity to achieving General Krymina's vision for the Te'Dak Tohl."

"Fate shows favor to the prepared though."

The single and simple statement from General Krymina who had been sitting quietly yet exuding no less energy up to this point took the briefing from Caldettas with the effort of a single breath.

"In locating and rendezvousing with a Robotech Automated Factory we had hoped to allow our Tirolian allies access to the restricted systems that would provide us with additional intelligence about Breetai, the aliens, and The Masters and to allow them the use of the facilities they require to eliminate the threat of The Withering to us. Fate, it would seem, also has seen fit to provide us with the material resources we will require to be victorious no matter which of the three hypothetical scenarios we encounter when we move to seize Zor's Battle Fortress."

"Fate saw fit to place two operationally recoverable norghil armies and their fleets at our feet. Caldettas, please continue-."

"Fate has been generous in its favor to us.", Caldettas said, mirroring Krymina's outward sentiment as he proceeded with his brief. He had seen no battle won by anything less than varying ratios of detailed planning and the willingness of warriors to improvise, sacrifice, and trade their own flesh and blood for victory. Like Krymina though, he knew that many at her briefing table found their comfort in the more ethereal notion of Fate setting the random elements just so. If this provided some with the fortitude to plan for or lead their units into battle- so be it.

Caldettas had no aversion to evoking the misplaced trust in false gods to better General Krymina's cause.

"The immediate solution to any of the three scenarios we may encounter is clear- bring sufficient if not superior forces to bear. Had we arrived at the Trendok 145 Factory to find ourselves its sole beneficiaries, then we would have been forced to submit to the timely but necessary process of constructing a force of acceptable size to satisfy the operational requirements at hand. As it is, we have found all that we need- and requiring only refit and replenishment to be viable-."

Sub-General Jekketh, who for as much as he enjoyed holding the opposite position to Caldettas on almost any subject but who normally exhibited the restraint to not challenge the executive officer before Krymina's staff- especially in matters in which Caldettas was speaking for Krymina- now failed in that labor under the weight of clear flaws he saw.

"-Pardon me for interrupting, Caldettas.", Jekketh said with a clearly hollow apology, "The norghil may possess the numbers in warriors, mecha, and cruisers to make the operational plan function in theory- but the reality is something quite different. Norghil may be simple-minded and unsophisticated overall, but they do admittedly possess the admirable quality of loyalty- fierce loyalty."

"If we were to assert control over them and order the norghil into battle against Breetai, or The Masters- or both- we would be forcing them into conflict with every loyalty and principle that defines them. Set the whole issue of taking up arms against The Masters aside for a moment-. Breetai is a legend amongst the norghil. They would as readily and willingly seek conflict with us! The Masters? Why not issue orders to the norghil to wage war on Fate? To them, it would be as monumental a task- and with fewer moral questions."

"No, The Masters have for generations- centuries- built themselves up to be gods. The Te'Dak Tohl have been there at every step to give that façade substance. We cannot simply turn that kind of conditioning off- not even in norghil."

Caldettas waited patiently for Jekketh to voice his protest.

To the executive officer it was important for the dual purposes of allowing to be said what many at the table must have been thinking (more quietly), and also to permit Jekketh to step into the open. If Caldettas could soundly crush the other sub-general's protests in the open before his peers and subordinates, he might have the chance of finishing the briefing undisturbed.

Now was that moment.

"Sub-General", Caldettas pointed out calmly, "We are speaking of warships right now. I assure you, neither General Krymina nor I have any intention of sending a force whose loyalties are questionable into battle to further our cause. If I may finish-?"

Certainly there were ways that the confrontation could have unfolded that would have made the rebuke weightier, but in the absence of control over such things what had just occurred would do just fine for Caldettas.

Jekketh fell silent.

It wasn't Caldettas's reply that had stolen the fuel from his argumentative fire- no, he could do verbal battle with Caldettas all day and all night without tiring. It was the realization rather, and the embarrassment of not coming to it before he spoke- the realization of what Caldettas had been implying in preparation of stating it that took the argument out of Jekketh.

So ruthless and without remorse was even the thought that Jekketh could have found it in himself to have forgiven himself for not comprehending initially what Caldettas was suggesting. He did not though, as Jekketh's attention was not on himself- it was locked on Caldettas with the morbid curiosity of having to know whether what he suspected was the same as what the executive officer had to say.

"We cannot rely on the norghil to abandon their core values of Duty and to serve us against Breetai, and ultimately against The Masters. They lack the tactical conditioning to operate cohesively with Te'Dak Tohl units, and sadly our own warriors may have serious reservations about going into battle with norghil.", Caldettas said evenly, continuing as though Jekketh had never uttered a sound, "The best solution is to retain the resources that are of clear use to us- the warships- and to eliminate the elements that lack utility- the norghil."

The silence that followed Caldettas's last statement stood uninterrupted for several moments, and likely would have continued to do so if Caldettas himself had not resumed the briefing.

"The solution being determined, that leaves only the means by which we will achieve it.", Caldettas said, motioning now to the star chart of the Murhan-Thade system that had hung in weightless, holographic suspension over the briefing table and seemingly without point up to this moment.

"Murhan-Thade is as common a star as you will encounter and with no more tactical or strategic value than what we have fabricated for it. I speak particularly of the fourth planet in the system. General Krymina has already planted in the minds of the norghil commanders the belief that a Regent-order Invid Hive has been located on Murhan-Thade 4. Furthermore, they are of the belief that we are preparing a joint operation to eliminate that Hive and by doing so win a great strategic victory in The Masters' war with the Invid."

"In truth, we will separate the great bulk of the norghil forces from their command and deposit them on Murhan-Thade 4 under the pretense of an offensive operation. At the same time, our shock troops will spearhead a broad assault on the norghil fleets that will linger in port and about the Trendok 145 Factory to eliminate the officers and skeleton crews who believe they are remaining behind in order to reconstitute."

"Our focus is the capture of the norghil fleets in a serviceable condition. Murhan-Thade 4 which is totally incapable of sustaining life will dispose of the norghil combat elements for us without so much as a shot being fired."

The 7th Grand Army of the Te'Dak Tohl was well established in conducting the business of the enforcers, namely the hunting of and eradication of rogue norghil. None at the table were strangers to slaughter in that sense.

What had been outlined was something completely different.

"There is no choice."

Krymina's words were firm, but held a distant hint of sympathy for her officers and the enormity of the moral burden that had been placed on their shoulders.

Caldettas knew the air of sympathy in his superior's words to be just that- air. Even if there had been a choice, Caldettas knew that Krymina's choice would have been the same. While the officers to whom she offered the empty sentiment likely did suffer from a fleeting moment of moral apprehension born of experiences unique and personal to each that had forced them over the years to question whether the norghil were truly the expendibles their name implied, for Krymina there was no doubt.

The very possibility that the norghil's loyalty and service to her could be in question was enough to seal their fate uniformly. Matters of utility outweighed those of morality.

For the same reason, she was obligated to speak reassurances to those who would serve her loyally once they were able to swallow what needed to be done.

"How would we go about convincing warriors who had fought their entire lives for an idea that the foundation of their very existence was wrong? How would we rally them against it?", Krymina asked rhetorically, "Most importantly, how would we know if we were truly reaching them or if revolt was lying just beneath the surface waiting to erupt?"

"If you need to lay blame for what needs to be done, lay it on The Robotech Masters. My concern is the Te'Dak Tohl first and foremost. The norghil are a casualty of The Masters' greed. They were created to be coarse implements of The Masters' will- their destinies are inseparably intertwined."

"A question-."

Caldettas was surprised to hear the words coming from Jekketh- the consequences of his last outburst no doubt still fresh in his mind.

This time however, the sub-general spoke more cautiously and as the question was directed to Krymina, more respectfully, "If we are to triple the number of cruisers in this command and at the same time eliminate the officers and warriors who crewed them, how are we to make use of them?"

"Caldettas-.", Krymina said, handing the response off to her chief lieutenant. Questions had a way of undermining authority, even if they were legitimate questions. They were better answered at a lower level.

Caldettas replied with the confidence of knowing he spoke for Krymina, "The Trendok 145 Factory has sufficient stock in stasis to crew the vessels we will acquire, and to reconstitute the armies they support."

The passion to argue with Caldettas got the better of Jekketh yet again, and argue he did though this time curbing the hostility he might have normally brought to bear.

"Not sufficient Te'Dak Tohl stock- or do you mean reconstituting with norghil?"

"We will Awaken and impress all the Te'Dak Tohl we can.", Caldettas explained, feeling waves of unease beginning to swell in the officers at the briefing table, "We will provide commanders and key personnel from our own ranks, supplementing the new units with fresh Te'Dak Tohl, and fill the billets of lesser significance with fresh norghil stock as required."

Jekketh's reservations were clear from his expression before he spoke a single word to that effect, "Did General Krymina not just explain why norghil could not be relied upon, Caldettas?"

"If I may address that concern-."

With all that had transpired in the briefing, the Te'Dak Tohl officers present had nearly forgotten about the two Tirolians in their midst- or at least it had moved to the backs of their minds. Darius, in speaking reminded them.

"As you are all aware on a personal level, the bulk of a Zentraedi's knowledge- both Te'Dak Tohl and norghil- is the result of artificial implantation conducted before the clone is allowed to achieve first consciousness. Everything from the ability to read on a basic level to social conditioning has its foundation laid in this manner. Be that as it may, the implants are by no means set concretely- they are plastic. They require reinforcement and application during a clone's initial, post-Awakening period that we in the field refer to as the formative realization stage."

"Correctly reinforced, social constructs and knowledge gel and stick. If we were to alter the experience of the clones following their Awakening- manage them to our needs, we can affect whatever outcome we desire within limitations. To make a crude analogy, we favor nurture over nature."

Jekketh was unswayed, "And you could turn them that easily against The Masters? Against Breetai? You don't give Zentraedi enough credit, Tirolian- even if they're only norghil."

"And you give them too much.", Darius countered, risking for a second time being squashed in as many interactions with Jekketh, "They will Awaken with a notion of loyalty to The Robotech Masters, but that can be uprooted. Are you saying that between all at the table here, you cannot come up with a convincing lie to tell a norghil warrior who is fresh from the stasis tube? -And Breetai-. They will have no knowledge of him, no concept of what he means to others of their kind. That will be even less of an issue. No, make no mistake Sub-General, any shred of conviction held by any Zentraedi gets its strength after the stasis fluid has dried."

A grumble crept through the dim light of the briefing room like distant thunder and Caldettas sensed that Jekketh was in competition for the privilege of crushing the plump little alien.

The executive officer interceded quickly as Darius had not yet performed any of his vital functions for the Te'Dak Tohl and to lose him at this moment would have proved as disastrous to their cause as rushing to engage one of the three outlined scenarios unprepared.

"General Krymina and I, having had discussions with Darius along these lines and we both agree that while the idea of augmenting Te'Dak Tohl forces with norghil is distasteful, they are adequate to perform combat roles in this operation. It is not the solution that we want, but it is the solution that we have."

The table quieted somewhat, mostly because General Krymina's expression showed that she was reaching the end of her tolerance for even this mildest display of protest.

That, and Jekketh could be counted on to speak his mind and theirs brazenly.

"I do not see how.", Jekketh said, "Their tactics are not completely dissimilar from our own, but they do lack a certain refinement. A norghil unit would be unwieldy to a Te'Dak Tohl commander. Experience allows me to say that with confidence."

Seeing that Darius could answer the concern far better than he, and at the same time deflect some of the discontent being felt by Krymina's staff, Caldettas allowed the Tirolian to respond once again.

Fearlessly, Darius replied, "Ah, the flip side of the coin if you will. This is a matter of nature over nurture. Memory implants associated with knowledge and skill sets are relatively easy to build upon up to the time a clone is activated."

"Sub-General, if you are concerned about the raw skills of the stock you will receive, I assure you we can provide them with whatever skill sets you desire. I can forge the blade of the sword for you- you need only put the edge on it."

"Frankly, from a logistical point of view, I'm surprised you are so hesitant, Jekketh. After all, these improved norghil warriors will lack the inherent genetic weakness common to the Te'Dak Tohl of The Withering-."

The briefing table nearly exploded.

Caldettas had felt it coming- Darius's inability to resist finding a sore spot in which to prod Jekketh. He had done it expertly and too quickly for Caldettas to have prevented it, and in doing so had deftly insulted every Te'Dak Tohl at the table.

Even if there was truth to the Tirolian's statement, none were prepared to admit any inferiority to the expendables.

The heavy thud of Krymina's fist on the table silenced all other sources of sound.

"Enough! The objectives and the means by which we will accomplish them are not open to debate here.", Krymina said, reverting in the course of that single statement to her normal calm and controlled tone, "The norghil will be used initially in the manner set down here by Sub-General Caldettas. Their use will speed our success and spare the sacrifice of more valuable Te'Dak Tohl lives. That issue is decided."

"We will now dedicate our efforts to securing the norghil fleets for ourselves as smoothly as that can be achieved. On the command level, that will involve unit planning for the assault on the norghil vessels and the succession of our officers once theirs have been removed."

"At the lower levels, our warriors are to be briefed both on our true intentions and the fabricated operation that the norghil believe they will be participating in. Our warriors are to interact with theirs aboard The Factory, and a consistent story told by our forces to theirs will do much to lull them into feeling secure and included. This will only make the real work at hand that much easier."

"These are my orders and have no doubt that there will be serious consequences for anyone who compromises our position by violating them."

"You are all dismissed."

The senior officers' briefing room cleared quickly.

The speed at which the room emptied was as much a reflection of the common and unspoken desire shared by the lieutenants and staff to not want to appear as though they were idly lingering in the face of standing orders as it was to be out from under the sharp, penetrating gaze of Krymina. In the present circumstances, it was more likely the latter than the former. The fire that all could sense perpetually burning in her had breeched her carefully maintained shell briefly, and it was a flame by which no one wanted to be burned.

Expedient pursuit of Duty was always the safest course to follow.

If the Te'Dak Tohl officers had learned to trust the internal compass that allowed them to safely navigate the infrequent tempests of Krymina's mood flares, the two Tirolians- Darius in particular- had not.

Or perhaps, Caldettas suspected for a brief moment, Darius had no compass governing self-preservation to follow.

The thought withered quickly though. The rash could sometimes be expected to achieve an admirable position by their nature and whatever skill or trait actually allowed them to assume that position. The reign of these individuals was brief at best though- and the individual inevitably fell by the rashness that had propelled them in their ascent.

Darius was rash- of that Caldettas had no doubt- and not easily predictable. He did have the uncommon ability amongst the driven of being able to find and comfortably walk the razor's edge of that which he could get away with. It had preserved him in two confrontations with Jekketh, and Caldettas suspected it would see him safely through at least several more.

It was a form of intuition that Darius possessed, Caldettas was now recognizing, that he shared with General Krymina. Perhaps the Tirolian sensed this too and it was something he was relying upon. Perhaps also it was something that Krymina had recognized, and the amusement, or kinship, or both found in it was the only reason that Darius was still drawing breath.

This was possible, but Caldettas dared to think quietly to himself that he knew Krymina better than any other officer in her command- and therefore he knew that it was mostly that Darius still served a purpose that he remained among the living.

The test for Darius, and the measure of his instinct for self preservation would be to see how long he could retain a role of irreplaceable function

"You do realize", Krymina said directly to the Tirolian scientist, "that you had better be praying to whatever impotent shadows of gods you believe in that you can deliver on everything you have promised and more, don't you Tirolian? Otherwise the length of your remaining life will probably be dictated only by how long Jekketh takes to decide which of a thousand very unpleasant ways that he wants to kill you."

Darius seemed as unfazed as Philisto appeared deep in shock, "True- but until that time, I have you to protect me."

"Until that time.", Krymina conceded.

Unsolicited as it was, Caldettas gave in to the urge to add his own advice to the conversation, "You may want to consider not taunting your hosts so brazenly though, Darius. Even the most disciplined warriors are given to temper flares if they're provoked."

Darius shifted his gaze to the executive officer who immediately felt as though a gun battery had been brought to bear on him, despite the diminutive size of the Tirolian.

"Perhaps the sting did not come from what I had to say, and rather how Jekketh and the others received it? Perhaps it was a truth they were unwilling to face."

"If I may offer my own advice here in private to the two senior, ranking officers of an army poised to spring into insurrection- know yourselves and your enemy. I don't mean know what you believe; I mean know The Robotech Masters. You will do well to remember that while it took the creation of the Zentraedi to make them the dominant force in the universe, they were a force long before the first warrior clone was rendered from their own DNA."

"They did not reach that position by being the decadent, self-serving, self-proclaimed demigods they have become- but by being intelligent, calculating, and sublimely clever in identifying and achieving their goals. If you arouse those dormant traits in them, you may have a more serious adversary on your hands than you suspect."

"The Zentraedi, the Te'Dak Tohl- you are a proud race, and rightfully so- but remember who made you. You were made by them, and someone like me conceived of the insidiously simple mechanism they hoped would preclude exactly what you are now attempting. –And it will take me for you to be free of the fear of it."

"Be proud, General Krymina- but be wary. In space, or on the battlefield where cruisers and mecha are the tools used to win wars- you are a force unrivalled. At the same time be warned that wars can also be decided by the selective removal of a single line of genetic code, or by other means I can't even conceive of. The Te'Dak Tohl is a force to be contended with, but one that stands on the shoulders of The Robotech Masters."

"Try not to fall."

The Trendok 145 Automated Robotech Factory

As with all elements of the Factory, the recreational facilities were designed to hone the physical and mental properties in the Zentraedi key to combat efficiency. In this way, The Factories served both The Zentraedi and by windfall the Robotech Masters at the same time. Deep was the vision and subtle the means in which The Masters had laid the foundations of empire.

Whether it was recognized as an exercise in mock combat or just a popular competitive sport among warriors, keh was an example of this. Like the games of chance common aboard-ship suited to the confines of barracks, or the more physically demanding games that warriors enjoyed when given a lull in action and a field on which to play- keh's exact origins were unclear.

With slight variations to the rules of play, the basic concept was understood by all warriors as it was passed from generation to succeeding generation. "Rules", as they were, was a loose term that applied only to the length of play and number of members to a team. As it applied to physical contact between teams and players, the mandates of play were simple: win.

Winning a game of keh required the movement of a heavy, padded disc across two joined circular fields of play and depositing it through a ring suspended from a post defended by one's opponents at the center of their field. Either post stood elevated on a steeply convex hump of the floor, with no additional traction provided by the arena's deck surface. The additional effort of putting the disc through the ring manually, as opposed to the more removed method of throwing it, carried with it the reward of two points over one. –If one could penetrate an opponent's defenses.

Padded forearm batons were worn by each player to assist in bludgeoning their way to the goal ring. Used either offensively or defensively, the batons were cushioned sufficiently to prevent serious injury- though it was rare that a game ended without the keh batons being returned bloody.

Keh, more than any other sport common to all warriors, had the broad popularity to draw large crowds of spectators. Between opposing teams of a gender in the warrior caste, interest was keen and competition fierce.

As in the game now being played between representatives of both General Bohan and General Alzyha's armies- interest and ferocity of competition was doubled as male and female warriors alike packed uncommonly close to one another in the observation stands to await the outcome of mock battle between the genders.

With all attention focused on the keh arena, the warrior caste was not aware that they were not alone in composition of the audience. Te'Dak Tohl eyes watched with great interest too as the male team, stripped to their waists of tunic and undershirts, streaming with blood-tainted sweat led the female team (similarly smeared though slightly more clothed above waist for practicality) 17 points to 15 with two minutes remaining in a twenty minute melee.

Attired in norghil uniform to preserve anonymity, Lt. Moyrt stood on his toes to see over the throbbing mass of wildly bellowing male norghil warriors in whose company he had concealed himself. Across the arena, just beyond the male goal post where a large number of female norghil had congregated, Moyrt could see Lt. Hyra, whose curiosity like his had drawn her to observe this match between norghil.

As Moyrt watched the female team wedge itself through the choke point of the junction of the two rings of play under a merciless pummeling from male forearm batons and the less legitimate (as the scantly observed "rules" applied) blows of knees, he could sense the more pronounced lines of pride that fell along the gender division. Gender pride did exist in Te'Dak Tohl units, of that there was no doubt. He had felt its sting in many situations, and normally at the hands of Hyra. For Te'Dak Tohl, it was an ever-present factor- but one that was not allowed to interfere with unit operation. It could not be allowed to. Like Moyrt and Hyra, too many Te'Dak Tohl warriors male and female had shared the same desperate fields of battle to allow issues so minor as gender interfere with mission success and jeopardize survival.

These norghil though-.

At moments it was difficult to discriminate between fierce competition and sheer viciousness.

It occurred to Moyrt that this was the first time that he was in proximity to norghil in which his presence was not linked to the objective of destroying them. This was his first time simply observing.

Elements of their behavior held true- Moyrt recognized them readily. Their viciousness for instance, as could be seen by the savagery of the males defending their keh ring and the weight of their blows on the females that Moyrt swore he could feel through the deck plates even as far back from the action as he was- this was a constant. Also a constant and one that Moyrt gave greater admiration grudgingly was the females' persistence. As the female team drove through the punishment being inflicted upon them Moyrt's mind jolted him with flashes of moments in real battle where clearly defeated, outnumbered and dwindling under Te'Dak Tohl assault, norghil warriors had stood and fought to their last breath.

The memories had stayed with Moyrt, though he had never spoken of them even to Hyra. It wasn't until that moment when the male norghil keh team had totally encircled the females that he understood their deep-set and lasting effect on him.

Moyrt shook it and the coinciding chill off and continued to watch the spectacle approaching its climax.

Marosa went limp as her body slid across the arena floor despite the burning sensation as the bare skin of her lower back dragged against the playing surface. The discomfort of the friction burn might normally have been enough to cause her to cry out, but the heavy blow to the chest by an opposing male warrior had vacated her lungs and saved her the embarrassment. There was also the multitude of other pains- dull aches and throbbing ones from baton and knee blows that were well on their way to full-blown, deep tissue bruising that allowed the latest discomfort to roll off her with relative ease.

The quick fake to the left had not been entirely a success as Vala had hoped.

In fact, it really had not gone off at all. The push into the males' ring had been met with the grinding abuse they had expected, but rather than basing their defense on sheer brute strength the males had given ground gradually and used that controlled surrender to work themselves into an encircling position around their female opponents.

Marosa would have even considered the play admirably clever if she had not just received a sound beating as a result of it.

The males, not as fleet of foot as the Quadranos of the female team had learned after giving up five points to mass themselves upon their more nimble opponents. The Quadranos had proven at the cost of male pride that in the open they were difficult if not impossible to stop. Though it did not speak to skill at keh, the solution had become clear- encircle the females and pound their advantage out of them.

Which brought Marosa to where she lay on the deck, struggling to get to her feet again.

The disc was still in female possession, but the males held the point advantage. They could either hold the Quadranos in check, or if they captured the disc could again batter their way to a higher score through the tiring female lines and back to their goal post.

Marosa was only certain that she still had an intact body by the way it ached as she found the other five members of her team in their suspension circle. A team captain, their team possessing the disc, entering the circle would not stop the clock, but it did require the other team to withdraw to their own circle. The hulking male warrior who had laid Marosa out with a single blow was moving slowly away to join his team as Marosa fought to steady herself on her feet.

He continued to look back over his shoulder at Marosa who saw with quick glances, his expression. It was not so much a malicious one as one of amazement that she was up so quickly. The male was showing his weariness as well- dragging slightly with each step that dripped with a combination of sweat and blood.

Marosa got the sense that he too wanted the match to end.

He would have to work for it though. If the match was to be lost, Marosa was determined to at least retain what pride she could.

"Hurry!", Vala urged, "We're losing time!"

"Right-.", Marosa said, limping into the circle.

"We're losing time…", scoffed Etmal, gingerly rubbing an eye that was rapidly swelling shut, "We're just losing."

"Not yet.", Vala said, "We've got about two minutes."

"Less.", Rodi, one of Vala's squadron, observed, "Less now."

"Then think!", Vala snapped, "Going around them isn't working."

"That's for sure.", Marosa agreed, putting a hand to her sternum and wondering if her bones had cracked, "Going through them hasn't been much of a pleasure either-."

"Then maybe", Vala suggested, "Try faking through both ways. Pass the disc back and forth to keep them guessing."

"And open ourselves up to having it intercepted?", Aja pointed out.

"Or pulverized?", Etmal added- her eye now completely shut.

"I'm open to suggestions, but quick.", Vala said, watching the time elapse.

Marosa looked across the arena at the objective which she had so recently taken a beating in trying to reach. The males milled in their suspension circle, watching the time slip away and visibly curious as to what was being said in the female circle.

"Etmal", Marosa said quickly, "You're our best at centering the ring from a distance-."

"I was before I lost half my face.", Etmal replied.

"How far out can you center it from? How far reliably?"

"The centermark- maybe.", Etmal said.

"Seriously?"

"Seriously- on a good day."

"Today's your good day.", Marosa assured her.

"That's only one point, we need three.", Vala reminded Marosa, "If we hurl the disc, control will turn over to the males. They'll just let the clock run down and still beat us."

"They won't, because I'll be there to get the disc on the pass-through.", Marosa assured Vala.

"We can't break through.", Aja said, nursing a bruise to her leg, "-And unless you're independently capable of spacefold, how are you going to get around them?"

With her back to the males, Marosa made a parabola in the air with her finger. A spark of inspiration flared in the eyes of the team.

"We get one shot.", Vala said, "Aja, Bershar- you're point. Make right for their center like you're going to run through them. Rodi, we're the springboard, but I'll carry the disc until the hand-off. Etmal, you take the rear and we'll get you to the centermark. Ready? Go!"

The Quadranos burst from their circle without warning, none being warranted to return the game to active play. The disc passed from hand to hand, and found Vala as the team neared the centermark. The males formed themselves into an advancing pincer as the two females on point crossed well into their half of the arena.

Marosa saw the disc fly back out of Vala's grasp, hopefully in Etmal's direction. Marosa had no time to confirm its reception but rather had to space her running strides to make use of the hand ladder which Vala and Rodi stopped to form. With a great, running leap, Marosa felt their joined hands find the bottom of her forward extended foot in mid-air. Together the three combined their strength to catapult Marosa like a mortar through the air.

Drawing her knees into her chest, Marosa flipped once, then twice before coming down unsteadily at the base of the males' goalpost hump. A sharp pain shot through her left ankle as it landed a solid running step on the incline. The goal ring loomed directly above and ahead through a stinging haze of sweat as Marosa felt the floor quake beneath her with the weight of the returning males. A heartbeat later, she was beneath the ring, leaping to reach it and turning in the same motion. A blur rushed in at her, grazing the bottom of the goal ring but still passing through and hitting her heavily in the chest. Her feet made contact with the floor again as a male warrior's hand stretched out for her, an arm's length away.

Marosa leapt straight up, bringing the disc up over her head in a blind swipe.

The male warrior's hand struck her in the chest as the disc passed through the ring and separated from her grip.

Cacophony jeers, howls, and bellows pounded Marosa's eardrums from without as her own coursing blood pounded from within. She found herself on her back again, sliding away from the male goalpost on the steep incline as the game siren sounded, ending the match 18 to 17 in the Quadranos' favor.

The arena exploded in a roar as a strong hand found Marosa's and pulled her to her feet.

Dazed, Marosa did not fully comprehend the moment or that her assistant was one of the male team.

"Outstanding play.", he said, releasing her to her own balance- which nearly failed her.

"Thanks.", Marosa said before Vala and the rest of her team swept her away for the traditional victory sprint around the arena.

Koso watched the victors take their lap, carrying the female who had scored the winning points, as Hedra and Ulstik joined him wearily.

"What was that?", Hedra grunted in disgust as defeat settled on him.

"I told her next time we'd pull their heads off.", Koso replied.

Hedra snorted, "Good. We're never going to hear the end of this around the barracks, you know-."

Destroyer 741

Pach awoke in his bunk with a start to what in his groggy state he took to be the end of a nightmare. From time to time he did awake with the vague recollection of disturbing dreams. This was common to all warriors as the number of campaigns they had fought accumulated.

Those nightmares were normally of the past though- of events that had happened.

More recently, Pach's dreams of what could happen. These, the most disturbing, had more and more come to involve Sylas and of failing to adequately defend against him. There was also the difference that the nightmares that involved Sylas did not end with his waking.

In the darkness, Pach began to settle back onto the cushioned surface of his bunk when a second round of heavy thumping, similar to that which had awaken him he now realized- shook the door to his quarters on its runners.

"Wake up!", came through the door, muffled but audible, and in the impatient voice and tone of Gerrok's person.

"Come in.", Pach said feeling along the wall beside his bunk for the light control panel.

He was bathed in a sheet of brilliance as the door slid open and a half dozen forms in silhouette entered. The flood of light from the overhead was even more overpowering to the point of causing the commander to shield his eyes from the radiance of the light fixture.

"Wake up, this is important.", Gerrok said dropping something cold and rigid on Pach's bare chest, causing him to wince with the slight shock.

"What's?..", Pach began, snatching the object off his chest and discovering that he held a computer hardware component- a wafer of non-conductive material with processors fused directly into it.

"What time is it, Chief?"

Gerrok shrugged, "Early… or late, I don't know. Anyway, I think we found it."

Pach handed the computer board back to Gerrok and sat up, swinging his legs over the side of his bunk, "Found what? The- thing?.."

"You're slow in powering up, aren't you?", Gerrok replied, "Yes, the neutralization system. You want a cup of y'hoyt? That will get you thinking."

"No, I-.", Pach replied, rubbing his eyes. The commander then realized his quarters were filled to capacity with officers. Jerl, Gerrok's lieutenant, he recognized, though the others he did not- or maybe he was still asleep. "Who?-."

Gerrok made a vague motion around him, "The assistance you arranged for. They were some help, though Jerl actually stumbled upon what we were looking for."

"Which was?", Pach asked.

Gerrok sat, uninvited, next to the commanding officer on his bunk and flipped the computer board to show the underside which was veined with imbedded circuits and electrical pathways.

"See the mounting points here?", Gerrok said tapping with a finger the places where the board would physically connect with the rest of the unit from which it came, "These mounting points and the chip on it don't appear on the schematics for this particular board."

"Right, I follow you.", Pach said, his head clearing of grogginess now, "No, wait- No, I'm not. Where did this come from?"

"The Regult Pod."

"I figured as much. Which part?"

"This is from the communications receiver, it has the descrambler and.. it's not important.", Gerrok said, "What is important is that of all the other circuits built into this board, this is the only one put in intentionally to be inaccessible without deliberate effort."

"I'm not following you, Chief.", Pach admitted.

Gerrok grimaced in frustration and then attempted to explain, "Okay, it's like this. We're not supposed to, but we can pretty well crack open any component and check the individual parts with a standard circuit tester, right?"

"I'm with you again.", Pach said.

"Because all of the circuits are laid in on one side of the board. No one thinks to pull the board and look at the other side because everything is accessible from the presented side- everything you know about, except this little gadget."

"And that's the basis of your discovery?", Pach asked skeptically.

"Jerl's discovery.", Gerrok admitted, "Though I would have found it eventually. But no- that's not the basis of my claim. This particular circuit is the only one we could find in the entire pod that wasn't functioning. Combine that with the fact that it seems to have been deliberately hidden from us and serves no other apparent function- I'd say you've got strong evidence that this is the culprit in the problem we experienced. "

"Better.", admitted Pach, "You're becoming more convincing now. That's evidence, but not conclusive evidence, Gerrok. How do we prove your theory though?"

"That's the tricky part.", Gerrok said heavily, "The only way to really test it is to activate the Te'Dak Tohl device and see if we retain functionality in the pods we altered. –You couldn't arrange that, could you?"

"Probably not. –Wait, what pods you altered?"

"The control group. They're functioning fine now- but that's hardly the test I want.", Gerrok explained, "This is what we have so far. It's promising, but not conclusive- as you said."

"That's convincing enough for me.", Pach said, "How difficult is it to disable?"

"We removed it and closed the circuit with a fine-beam laser torch.", Gerrok replied, "Not difficult at all. Though I'm not quite finished yet. I want to go through some of the other systems and see if there are any other surprises tucked away. I want to be sure that there isn't some kind of redundant mechanism in place that can be activated if the primary fails."

Pach nodded, "Fine. A question though.- This component is from the communication system, you say?"

"Yes."

"It's standard to all our mecha?"

"Mostly.", Gerrok said, "Standard to all Regult configurations anyway. Power armor, and Fighter Pods- I'm not as sure about. But, this does give us an idea of where to start looking in those mecha."

Pach rubbed the last of the sleep from his face, "That leaves one important issue then-."

"The ship, I know.", Gerrok said, following his friend and commander's line of thought.

"Concentrate your efforts on that, Chief.", Pach instructed, "Functional mecha is useful, but if we can't operate the ship, it's of little enduring value."

"I've considered that.", Gerrok said, "I've got three or four systems that I want to begin my search in. If it's a hardware element in our mecha, chances are good that it's also one in the construction of our vessels. Our designs are nothing if not consistent."

"Then see to it, Chief."

"I will. Though shouldn't we pass this information on to The Exchange? This sort of thing is exactly what it was created for."

Pach shook his head, "No, not yet. For the moment, this information only goes as far as ships in our squadron, and discretely too. If this were to get to the Te'Dak Tohl, there's no telling how they'd react. Action Commander Gymalt will make the decision as to how and when to spread your discovery."

Gerrok grimaced again, "I can't say I agree, but that's your call. Fine, consider it contained within the squadron."

"Good work, Chief. Keep me posted on developments."

"I will.", said Gerrok getting to his feet.

"Oh, and Chief-.", Pach said as the assembly of engineers began to withdraw from his quarters, "Did they all have to come along with you?"

Gerrok shrugged, "It was that or leave them poking around my ship. I have to guard at least some of my secrets, don't I?"

The Trendok 145 Automated Robotech Factory

The progress of the odd, would-be survey team through the seemingly endless interconnecting corridors of The Factory was much like the shuttle ride from the Artoc that had brought the essential parties aboard. Both were privileged to heavily armed escort, and both had, thus far, gone unnoticed by the ever-increasing number of warrior caste Zentraedi aboard the automated facility.

A single shuttle with a flight of Te'Dak Tohl Fighter Pods, as well as a platoon of elite warriors in Nacht Rau combat suits had made an unobserved landing on one of the station's many hangar decks, removed from the heavy traffic passing through the station's main spacedocks. The company that had been delivered to the infrequently traveled areas of the Trendok 145 was in itself an unusual assortment.

Caldettas, a sub-general and the lieutenant to the 7th Te'Dak Tohl Army's flag, wove his way briskly through the intricate maze of passages with a squad of armed warriors in tow.

There was then the officer toting the two Tirolian scientists in a carrier improvised from a transparent specimen box who was protectively flanked by the guards instead of the ranking sub-general. This would have seemed highly irregular to any but a few who had insight into the party's purpose.

Fortunately and per designs this had not been an issue as not another living being had been seen who had not come from the Artoc. The warrior caste had no purpose to be in this remote area of the Factory, and therefore could be counted on to have little interest in venturing there.

This was agreeable to those who had meaning to their presence there.

"We should be able to pass through this stasis area to get to the laboratory facilities.", Darius announced as he navigated for Caldettas by way of a hand-held computer that contained the deck plans to the station.

"Odd that a laboratory should be so far removed from the rest of the Factory's main facilities.", Caldettas observed, "It defies efficiency to scatter resources in such a way."

"That would depend upon whom the laboratory was intended for.", Darius corrected, "And I assure you, this particular one was not intended for you."

Caldettas opened the door to the stasis area, one of many in the Factory, with the press of a button. As the doors slid open, long dormant light fixtures in the capacious compartment beyond flickered to life as a breath of frigid air escaped into the corridor.

Rows of towering columns lined the walkway on either side, vanishing to some distance in either direction in their own multitudes like a forest of technology.

From each column bristled staggered branches of translucent stasis tubes, the contents of which could be seen, suspended in a filmy, pale-blue fluid. Bordering on macabre, only the understanding that the giant, humanoid forms contained within each tube were only in a state of artificially induced slumber and not dead prevented the atmosphere from being completely catacomb-like.

"Welcome back", Darius said to his bearer, "to the cradle of your civilization.

Philisto, silent and withdrawn to this point gave his fellow scientist a look of warning.

"And the backbone of yours.", Caldettas replied, unflustered by Darius's taunting remark, "Only now we will decide the course of that civilization."

"Yes", agreed Darius, "We will. Tell me though, Zentraedi, once you have Zor's Battle Fortress and its secrets, then what's next?"

"Reconstruction of the Empire, under Te'Dak Tohl rule- as it should be. Only regrouping the scattered Norghil and replenishing their numbers will allow us to move decisively against the Invid."

"General Krymina's philosophy?"

"And my own.", Caldettas said in the presence of slumbering legions, "There is no security for the Zentraedi so long as the Invid exist. They must be dealt with before there is any hope of true Zentraedi supremacy."

"Zentraedi supremacy, to include the Norghil?", Darius clarified.

Caldettas hesitated, "In their place, yes. They are not without their use, despite their lack of sophistication. General Krymina will make the final determination once the Invid threat is eliminated."

Darius nodded, "Ah- a new empire. -And to be ruled by whom? Krymina?"

"You ask many speculative questions, Tirolian.- Is it simply to arouse my temper? I won't be agitated so easily as Jekketh."

"No", Darius said, partially telling the truth, "We travel the same path now, but I doubt that I'll live long enough to see that stretch of the journey. It helps to know one's company. Why Krymina? Because she has the requisite vision?"

"Partially.", Caldettas admitted, "She is a very skilled leader and organizer. She is ambitious, but not blinded by it. She is a pragmatic revolutionary, if you will. A body can only have one head if it hopes to live- she is the best choice."

"And you are ill-equipped?", Darius asked.

Caldettas shook his head, aware that the Tirolian was still probing for exploitable weaknesses, "No, I am just aware that serving one's leader faithfully and dutifully can carry the majority of the benefits with significantly fewer personal risks. That's my version of pragmatism."

"Ah, a follower."

Caldettas paused as he reached another door to open it, "Too much leadership can breed as much chaos as not enough. I prefer to think of myself as a participant."

The door opened to a corridor not completely dissimilar from any of the many that had brought the survey party this far. The most striking and immediately noticeable variation from every other passageway in the factory that the group had passed through thus far was the addition of walkways on several tiers, built to one-tenth the scale of all the other features of the facility.

One-tenth scale to the Zentraedi who looked upon it. To Darius and Philisto, the varying levels of catwalks and the proportionate doors to which they led were the first accommodations to not dwarf them that they had seen in some time.

"Third tier, please.", Darius said to Caldettas, "We will find what we need there."

Caldettas offered a hand to raise the scientists to the catwalk Darius had indicated.

"You said nothing of this laboratory being the size it is."

Darius replied, "I did say that not everything aboard the Factory was intended for Zentraedi use, not even Te'Dak Tohl. I'd invite you in, given our new friendship, but-."

Caldettas scowled knowing that Darius had been looking forward to savoring the moment when he could exclude Te'Dak Tohl observation from his business. The sub-general tried to make the experience as ungratifying as possible.

"I'll decline."

"We won't be long.", Darius said, moving to the door, a miniature of the doors accessible to Zentraedi throughout the station, "We will take quick stock of the equipment for its suitability, and then return."

"We'll wait here.", Caldettas replied as though he had many alternatives.

Sterile rows of work tables, automated experiment stations, and dormant computers awaited Darius and Philisto on the other side of the door. Only a user access code, like the one Darius carried in his head, would bring the vast assortment of equipment to life, but it was clear at a glance that the lab possessed all that was necessary to conduct the genetic and bio-engineering work that would be required of the two scientists.

Satisfied that the closed laboratory door was sufficient to conceal conversations within from the giants outside, Philisto finally spoke.

"You have to tweak their most sensitive nerves at every opportunity, don't you?"

"What you call tweaking, I call gathering invaluable information.", Darius responded, leaning against a lab table, "The nerve-tweaking is only a benefit on the side."

"How you consider a personal amusement that can get us killed a benefit is beyond me. I'm not sure who comes across as more insane sometimes, you or them."

"Am I insane?", Darius asked introspectively, "Look where we are as opposed to where we were ten days ago. We're on the verge of putting an end to The Masters once and for all, and of capturing Zor's Battle Fortress. A month ago, we were wondering where our next meal would come from. Those hardly sounds like the successes of a madman, I thank you."

"We are on the verge of nothing.", Philisto protested, "They are on the verge of finishing The Masters, and they are on the verge of capturing Zor's ship. We are at best along for the ride with one or two critical roles to play. They'll be rid of us as soon as they can safely part with our company."

"So we insure that they cannot part with our company until we are ready to make the separation, Philisto.", Darius explained casually, "They will put an end to The Masters and capture Zor's ship- I'm confident of that. Krymina is very capable, and twice as ambitious. Zentraedi are Zentraedi though, no matter what form they take. They're brute force. The way that we will free ourselves of them will be much more subtle, and best of all- we have everything we need to do it right here. When the time is right, of course."

"Krymina will suspect you're planning something.", Philisto warned, "Caldettas is right, she's too intelligent not to."

"For what I have in mind", Darius replied coldly, "it won't make any difference what she suspects. By the time her suspicions are confirmed, it will make no difference at all. –Of course, one could justly say that I did warn her, didn't I? Warn her of the threat from people like me? "

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