Dark Hunter's resolution.
Chapter 7: Ascendance, finding the trail.
6th September 2901
Xathana system, Xathana shipyard facility.
"You came through for me professor. You have my lasting respect."
In front of Professor Misira stood Kal'sik, in his new form. The connection establishment was a success, and already there was an increase in processing capability in both the dreadnought AI, and in himself. To compensate for the technological requirements, Kal'sik's scales now showed implant scars, and small hardware sticking out of his spine and head, much like the Varya slave neural interfaces. These implants served two purposes, a secondary one being to improve Kal'sik's dark matter control. But primarily, to join the synthetic and organic minds of himself, and one of the most powerful warships ever constructed.
Shuffling his feet slightly, Professor Misira asked meekly: "And how do you plan on dealing with the Alliance patrol fleet arriving today?"
"They will see that in my form, with being able to retreat to the AI of the dreadnought, I am invincible. They would not dare to simply scrap a dreadnought, it is a significant investment after all. Besides, I will cooperate with them, for I simply did this to elevate myself to a more versatile role. I am bound by my goals to destroy the UIP for good."
"However, the matter remains of what will happen concerning you."
"Me?" Misira asked in alarm. Blinking slowly, Kal'sik crossed his arms in contemplation, muttering aloud: "Despite attempts, there will be evidence to show you're involvement in this, and if they cannot punish me in any suitable way, they will come for you. The simplest way would be to kill you."
"What! No, sir, you can't!" Misira backed away, until he realized something, summoning some courage, saying in a more controlled fear: "You can't! They'll see you or your forces kill me, and know it was you! That might prompt them to contemplate destroying you more!"
"You are right there, and my chances of them accepting my terms are slim enough to have my concern already." Commented Kal'sik aloud. Reaching to his side, he pulled out a combat handgun, plasma shots, examining it curiously.
Misira was now against the wall, his feathers expanded in utter fear, and some revulsion at what he had helped turn Kal'sik into. Looking up at a camera on the far corner of the room, Kal'sik was out of view, but Misira was in view. Taking the handgun, he placed it on the floor, kicking it forwards slightly.
After the handgun moved, Misira felt something grab him around all the limbs, forcing him to stumble forwards, forcing him to kneel before the handgun. Misira knew all too well what was happening. The unknown entity took his right hand, and closed it over the handgun grip.
Stumbling up and back to the wall, Misira struggled against the invisible grip, straining as it made his wing slowly raise to his head, handgun now pointing directly at his cranium.
Kal'sik backed away slowly, his gaze turning into a cold smile, saying: "The camera will turn on in a few seconds. I will ensure you appear to have been unable to live with the guilt of helping me. Your death will not be by mine or anyone's hands, and so your attempt to place doubt in my mind fails. Farewell Professor, and put on a good show."
Backing further away, Kal'sik saw the red light start shining on the small camera. To his front, Professor Misira struggled as Kal'sik's dark matter extension limbs and digits operated unseen, his form rigid, the twin fingers slowly increasing their pull on the trigger.
Professor Misira prayed, and began a scream of mercy as he felt his fingers tighten. Not half a second in, and a sharp, searing impact on his head confirmed his fate.
Later that day, the Alliance patrol arrived, pre warned of the desperate measures Kal'sik had to take to ensure earlier completion of the second of the two stolen dreadnoughts. Video evidence played, showing Professor Misira committing suicide in his own lab, concerned over the ethical values of the attempt to boost the intelligence of the dreadnought AI.
After careful analysis of the situation, it seemed it was out of their hands now. Kal'sik requested a call direct to the Alliance royalty, their war councillors and the monarchs all meeting inside the Vae'rakin Leg'hrul royal palace.
"With the loss of Admiral Kha'ralan, I took control, and according to scans and probability matrixes, onlining the dreadnoughts prematurely effectively saved them. If I had not, the NKI fleet would have destroyed them entirely."
"That does not excuse the pirating of a third dreadnought, one due for operations in a month! How did they overwhelm the AI systems!" Exclaimed Leg'hrul war councillor Dae'karya.
"They had a Cybertronian member with them, who went with a large scale boarding party into the vessel, and after killing or capturing the guarding troops, that cybertronian erased the AI core, and supposedly uploaded a new program. As advanced as we are, the Cybertronians are more advanced than we ever will be. Our only advantage over them is their low birth rate and low population level." Replied Kal'sik.
"This is serious Kal'sik. You realize this could be called treason? Allowing the pirating of a warship of that size from drydock, and then uploading yourself into another to improve its capabilities!" Asked Kro'nogri councillor Verekan.
"But, we shall not court martial you. For one, your condition you now have makes it difficult. Additionally, you continually demonstrate your loyalty to us, despite any lacklustre achievements. Lastly, we believe that you salvaged the situation at the Xathana raid. For that, we, begrudgingly in some cases, allow this one exception." Stated King Lo'rath.
Beside him, Kro'nogri Queen Va'kara uneasily eyed him, a worried look crossing her face. She partially agreed with the necessity of Kal'sik's strategy, but how quickly Lo'rath agreed disturbed her.
"You cannot be serious Lo'rath! Do you not know of some of the military crimes this man has committed! You are placing your trust in someone who carried out orders that led to the slaughter of not only UIP civilians and soldiers, but Alliance civilians also!" Objected Leg'hrul Councillor Zae'aran.
"SILENCE! If it were not for the fact that you are a useful ambassador, I would have you thrown off the Alliance council! Rho'kis, control your man!"
"No Lo'rath."
All eyes, real or holographic, trained on Rho'kis. Lo'rath whispered in a venomous tone: "What did you say?"
"Something I should have said the moment I saw you delve deeper into madness in waging this war. You are ignorant of a fact that I now agree with the NKI on, this war is pointless, and unnecessarily brutal!"
Off to the side, Leg'hrul Queen Ye'reski was in awe. She had never seen Rho'kis act out in such a manner before, usually he was much more composed, calm. She was more proud of him now than ever, and she could not agree more with her husband and King.
"They damaged us first, invited us to attack! We prepared for a decade, fought already for 6 years, and you now grow a backbone enough to voice your protests? Your own councillor Zae'aran was courageous enough to voice his disapproval, and yet you cower until now, at the tipping point! The UIP must pay!"
"For what? For attacking us only once, after a racial riot killed one of their scouts? Or is it personal, for their scouts killing your father, and encouraging your sister to do it to try and seize power early?" The last comment was not his true opinion, but Rho'kis was testing Lo'rath, testing his mental stability right now.
CRACK!
Lo'rath's fist smashed into Rho'kis's side, blindingly fast. Crying in pain and surprise, Rho'kis fell to the floor, crumpling as he felt the floor impact with his multiple shattered ribs, the hollow avian bones fragile against the sheer blow against them from Lo'rath's punch.
"RHO'KIS!" "YOUR HIGHNESS!"
Two cries rang out, as Queen Ye'reski ran to her husband's aid. Councillor Zae'aran knelt down quickly, calling out loud to many guards for medical help.
Lo'rath stepped back, breathing deeply, his face falling, registering shock at what he had done. He looked at his hand, the around the room.
Kal'sik's hologram was shocked, gazing at Lo'rath with an unknown look, perhaps fear, respect, but if anything, disapproval. Kro'nogri councillor Velaran looked at him, face stoic and fearful, stepping backwards slightly. Leg'hrul councillor Dae'karya glared at him, her feathers bristling with rage, before she ran out the room, calling aloud for the guards to escort the Kro'nogri out of the palace and back to their ship.
Breathing deeply, Lo'rath looked at Queen, Va'kara, pleading in his eyes. A look of utter disgust passed his way, his queen turning swiftly on her heel and storming out of the conference room, leading Councillor Velaran out with her. He could have sworn he saw her eyes begin to shimmer with rage and betrayal as she left.
On the floor, King Rho'kis breathed harshly, crying out slightly as the medics began to place him on a stretcher, to the royal medical wing. Soothing her hsband with her touch, Ye'reski laid a wing on Councillor Zae'aran's shoulder, saying tearfully: "Go with him, make sure he's alright. I'll finish here."
"Yes my Queen." Zae'aran chased after the medics, leaving a stunned Lo'rath and Ye'reski inside with Kal'sik's hologram. Sensing the unease, Kal'sik asked as carefully as possible: "I'll contact at some other time about the support of the Leg'hrul."
Shaking her head, Ye'reski fiercely said: "The Leg'hrul will continue supporting the war, with the exception of any further dreadnought attacks. We will not be subject to the barbaric nature of there strikes any more. Conventional attacks will have our support, but any more dreadnought raids, whether you take part or not, will be devoid of any Leg'hrul ships."
Steeling himself, Kal'sik saw the situation could only get worse. He nodded, saying: "Despite his disagreeing with my plan, I give my wishes for Rho'kis to recover. The Leg'hrul deserve a King like him."
"As do the Kro'nogri." She shut off he hologram device at that, slowly turning to see Lo'rath still there, desperation all in his body language. She merely spat in her lowest tone: "Leave."
His heart stone now, Lo'rath slowly marched to the doors, meeting the guards sent to escort him out as he did so. With a last glimpse back, he saw Ye'reski place her hand to her eyes, wiping her tears as she went to pursue her husband.
12th September 2901
Solaris system, Gas Giant orbit.
News of the Kro'nogri King putting the Leg'hrul King in hospital over a military disagreement spread like wildfire across the Alliance. And predictably, the NKI got wind of it also, transmitting it across the distances between their outposts, even their furthest ones.
In that time, the Alliance became much more divided, the dreadnought raids ceasing for now, the fleets drawing back to conquered territory to defend until new orders concerning the dreadnought raids came through. For the UIP, this was a relied, it gav them time to regroup.
For the NKI, it was a golden opportunity to head into UIP space, to rally popular support there. It was now apparent that the Alliance was divided over the war, with King Lo'rath beign the warmonger, and King Rho'kis being hurt for wanting to end the bloodshed.
For that reason, a quick plan had been drawn up to rally support, by sending visiting officials from the NKI to the UIP, during this respite in the fighting. The transmission was accepted, providing that the UIP be allowed to provide security, and watchdog escort while they were there. Among them would be the faces of the NKI. Sha'krii Herensk would lead the visit from a political perspective, and for many it would be a homecoming. Alex and Shockwave had been away from UIP space long enough, and Shockwave had been mentioning some way they could rally support on New Cybertron at least for the NKI cause.
Raxler, Azula, Xale and Lexa would also accompany them, being known for assisting in the Varya invasions. The UIP had allowed for some Alliance species members to accompany them, in security detail and personal associates. Besides a standard attachment of NKI Kro'nogri and Leg'hrul, and some of Alex's synthetic forces, Kirth, La'kias, Se'rie, Ja'hail Rathor, Morthas Krithos and Norstith would accompany them. Unknowingly, Aru'san would accompany them, playing under the disguise as a personal fighter craft for testing.
There were plenty of generals and admirals to leave in charge while they left for the UIP, but even then, Kirth, La'kias and Sha'krii would lead still by communications relay.
All was set already, as this was not a military driven mission. Of course weapons would be brought, but only for those going.
At special request, the UIP authorized only 2 ships. And suffice to say, the choice of the Dawnbreaker frigate, and the Liberator Battleship, was easy.
By the end of the day, the Liberator had met with the Dawnbreaker in orbit around one of Solaris's two gas giant planets in the outer system, a red and orange tinted, relatively featureless surface covering the planet. A small ring system surrounded the planet, visible enough, but not too spectacular.
The ships met here for a reason. They needed to briefly survey the Dreadnought that Raxler had hijacked. Sitting a few thousand miles above the gas giant, hidden on the outside of one of the rings, was the ship itself, areas already alight with torches, attaching weapons, or repairing breaches, adding armour plating according to specifications. At the end of it all, it would have overall less arms than the specs intended. But one thing was for sure, the primary weapon was operational, and antimatter was already being synthesized for some warheads for the main weapon, though each warhead of that type took 2 weeks to manufacture.
"We'll keep it here, the gas giant's signature plus a jamming satellite we placed inside it will keep it undetected. Alliance reports and UIP reports also say that we've cleared out of this system anyway, so they won't come looking for us. If that fails, the copies of Raxler's programming inside the AI core plus any units on board will help hide it."
Shockwave's explanation of strategy for hiding the ship was all but foolproof, so there was comfort there. Still to those on both ships, the dreadnought was a blessing to have, and yet it felt wrong somehow in some of their cases.
Operating from aboard the Liberator would be Shockwave, Alex, Xale, Lexa, Raxler, Azula, Aru'san, Ja'hail, Se'rie and Morthas, the lesser ranking members of the NKI. Norstith, Kirth, La'kias and Sha'krii would travel aboard the Dawnbreaker.
Despite the Garnoth VII Tartarus raid, evidence showed in favour of its destruction being collateral damage, though that was one reason that at least Sha'krii, Kirth, La'kias and Norstith were departing on a separate ship. They were the better political leaders, and also had more experience.
Meanwhile, the Liberator would serve as a simultaneous transport for 'dignitaries', heading around the UIP to rally at least more peripheral support for the NKI. That was an official front.
Unofficially, the Liberator had an additional member aboard, and an additional objective. To help Jarothes Hutreck locate his two colleagues, and bring in the evidence they had been gathering.
As the Dawnbreaker went to Ki'ristalis first for the initial meetings and welcomes, tense as they would be, the Liberator would follow, hang around in orbit, whilst Lexa, Azula and Xale, being least recognized, went down to the city incognito, to find both Krith Lovisk and Bal'toro dal' Kahtra'ya, who supposedly lived there, and by their schedules, should be there.
For once, the mission did not definitely involve active combat, though that would not mean they would go unprepared.
"Its roughly 900 light years to Ki'ristalis from here, so the trip will take about 3 days, we need the fuel for if we find it difficult to refuel in UIP space. No other questions? Good. Make sure anything that needs doing before we get there is done. Dismissed."
In the meeting room, Alex finished the brief meeting. The Liberator had gone into FTL with the Dawnbreaker just 10 minutes ago. In the meeting room, Xale and Azula walked off together, while Lexa and Raxler headed out, towards the hanger bay rapid transit. Aru'san's and Shockwave's communication holograms vanished, while Ja'hail, Morthas headed out.
Se'rie was last out, but as she left, she heard Alex call to their newest passenger at the table: "Hutreck, stay behind please. I have a few questions myself."
Worried about the outcome of this, Se'rie walked just far enough down the communications centre hallway so that she was out of sight, but within earshot.
Gulping, Jarothes sat his small, lanky body on the chair once more. In front of him, Alex leant against the holographic interface table, staring him down.
It was intimidating to be looked at with such scrutiny by the human who killed the previous human UIP president, Pedosk Vinirils, and an additional hundreds, maybe even thousands, in combat and in assassinations. And for someone so young for his kind, only 22 and a half years old. It was known that a set of body transfers saved him from death twice, and once for another NKI member, Norstith.
The human merely commented: "When I first heard why you were incarcerated, I almost decided then and there to kill you the moment I extracted what I needed to know about your accused role."
Freezing, Jarothes then noticed the human sigh a bit, and he asked the Grey: "But, you were used like I was. The spy you were accused of being, was either responsible for or collaborated with another to have my infiltration team ambushed on the Varya station. Hearing that you and some others are working to find them helps sleep better at night."
"So I'm going to ask, at least from what you know now, what have you all found so far again about the possible spies?"
Exhaling, Jarothes stood up, saying with increasing calmness: "My data devices were taken on my arrest, but I can remember everything about those files. I've already put them on data copies for myself for reference. You already know about my uncle being one of the infamous UIP scouts, or illegal ambassadors. What myself, Krith and Bal'tor found was suspicious. At the time of the Varya invasions, several small data bursts, likely simple messages, were sent by FTL communications relay to the Varya sector. The sender was unknown, but we only know it came from inside the UIP intel building."
Scowling a bit, Jarothes commented: "The message was heavily encrypted, and we were trying not to be traced. We also said nothing until we had more evidence, which was too late for me to avoid my arrest after my uncle was killed the day before. I just hope that with me gone, the other two might not be suspected. Going to jail actually may have saved my life if they had hit men after me. But that human, Lanver Kones, helped bring me in with false evidence that I know for a fact was planted by someone else."
"Lanver Kones!" Alex nearly exclaimed. His old academy friend, doing work for the intelligence agency? He asked: "How did Lanver end up in the intelligence agency?"
"After the Varya battles, he was awarded, and in the spotlight, his hacking and technical skills made him known to the agency, nothing else to say about it. He did say when he had me brought in that I deserved it for what I ratted him out for on Varya."
"So Lanver's being deceived, like I was at first? That might complicate things if we meet again." Stated Alex ruefully.
Walking forwards, slowly, Alex held out his hand for Jarothes. Cautious, the Grey took it, shaking it in gratitude: "Thank you Mr. Hunter. I would still be in that prison if not for your allies."
"You can thank them in person."
"I already have actually. If there is anything I can do to make myself useful on this ship, let me know."
"I could always use another person to help operate the sensors and communications, either directly or as a backup if my synthetic workforce fails."
"Communications and sensors? Seems simple enough. Thank you." With that, Jarothes walked out of the communications room, a lot more level headed now.
Outside, as he rounded a corner, he bumped into a feathery mass.
"Oh, sorry, uhm?" Said Se'rie.
"Hutreck. Jarothes Hutreck. And I take it you are Se'rie?" Asked Jarothes. The Grey was surprised that the female Leg'hrul was here in the corridor.
"Yes I am. I was just on my way back to ask Alex something."
"Very well. Have a nice day. I'm going to be in the communications and sensor main section." As Se'rie watched the Grey walk off, she noticed just how much shorter than her he was. He was a mere four foot tall, whilst she was a much greater 6 foot 7 inches. It still amazed her of how many more species there were in the UIP than the Alliance, and in much greater variety.
"If you're going to eavesdrop, you need to not get caught right after the conversation ends." An amused, familiar voice made Se'rie spin round in surprise, her feathers ruffling in embarrassment. Alex stood there, suppressing a laugh rising in his throat from her embarrassment, earning him a whack on the arm from her wing, the bionic sensors making it register as it would if it were an organic arm.
"I was worried you'd do something to him! Plus wanted to wait for you." She said, inching closer on her talons towards his face. Alex shrugged, turning away haughtily from Se'rie slightly, commenting: "I can't say I blame you. I didn't make it a friendly tone at first exactly. And in the case of the second thing, as in you waiting for me, I'm here now, aren't I?"
Grabbing his upper arm, Se'rie turned Alex to face her again, she said in a slightly concerned tone: "I remember you mentioning that human, Lanver Kones was it, to me before. Are you alright hearing about this with him?"
"He's being mislead also, so yeah, I'm fine. I can understand why he'd do it if he thought Jarothes was the informant. It impresses me that he didn't kill him."
"Would you have killed him if you were in Lanver's position at the time?" Asked Se'rie. Thinking for a moment, Alex replied with some shame: "Yes, I would have actually. I think if I'd been certain a person was guilty of being the infiltrator at the time, well, uhm. I'm be truthful here, when it comes to situations like that, I'd be inclined to kill. It just shows a weakness, and Lanver restrained himself. I'm glad he did."
"As bad as it is, that killer instinct helped you survive. The point is, life is how it is now, there is no changing it. Just tell me you're fine again." She urged, cupping his scarred left cheek lovingly.
Placing his hand over hers on his scarred cheek, he replied: "Yes, I'll be fine. Just another person who needs convincing."
"Good. Look at it this way, at last he won't be after you."
"True. So, what do you want to do now? We don't have any immediate duties."
Se'rie thought for a moment, playfully tracing a circle on the back of Alex's neck, avoiding the slave network spinal implants. She pressed herself against his front, saying: "Why don't we retreat to a room and watch something together, and maybe if you behave, we can have some more fun later."
"I like the way you think Se'rie."
3 hours later.
In his own quarters, Ja'hail was busy upturning his furniture, or as much as he could that wasn't bolted to the flooring.
"Damn it, where've they gone?"
Behind him, his crate of Srillian vodka was sitting open, revealing 5 bottles of Vodka in the crate. Issue was, it normally held eight bottles, and he only remembered drinking one.
Scratching his head scales, Ja'hail merely thought he might have drunk them whilst he was hammered another time, which might have explained the bad hangover he had 4 days ago. Sometimes he drunk a lot more than he needed to get drunk once he was drunk.
Shrugging, Ja'hail cracked open the fourth bottle, and started up a set of war documentaries he had recorded on his personal data device, linking wirelessly to the large holoscreen in front of him.
The ancient recordings of the third battle of Hastra-3, 50 years before first contact with the Leg'hrul, could occupy his time.
The first of the two missing bottles was now almost empty, and in the former crew lounge, Morthas swayed slightly, the alcohol affecting his weaker Leg'hrul system more easily. Sitting upright, Lexa was laughing at the most insignificant things thqt could be in any way funny.
Xale was passed out, having taken too much in quickly, while Azula sat upright, dazed and her vision slightly hazy. On the floor, her drunken vision seemed to outline the muscular bulges beneath Xale's civvies.
Crawling down to the floor, Azula pressed herself against Xale's body, her face and long black hair hovering just over his face. A light groan from Xale caused Azula to giggle, and kiss him, his sweet tasting lips mixing with the tangy, sour taste of the Srillian Vodka from his breath.
Lexa watched, cackling madly at the sight, falling off hr chair. Morthas tried to walk, but in trying to get back to his quarters, he continually braced himself against walls, doorways, and at one point he balanced himself on a passing maintenance mech. The mech, undisturbed by the lightweight avian and alcoholic, dragged Morthas as he walked, until the Leg'hrul let go, hitting the floor with a slight bump, too drunk to care, and finding the cold floor appealing to sleep on.
Inside Alex's quarters, which were not much different from any other officer's quarters, Alex and Se'rie lay on the bed, some of their clothing removed from it somehow being too hot.
After making out, and heating up, and draining their bottle of Vodka, Alex had passed out, falling off the edge of the bed, and promptly falling asleep as soon as he hit the floor, in nothing but a shit and his underwear.
On the bed, Se'rie's eyes fluttered as she struggled to fight off the alcohol induced sleep, but as she tried to sit up, she keeled sideways, landing with a soft whump on the bed. Her head was suspended over the bed edge, giving her a view of Alex on the floor, just before she drifted into a drunken slumber too.
1 day down, 2 to go until they reached Ki'ristalis.
As usual guys, please review if you feel like it. I need helpful feedback to fix any issues with these stories.
Opinions on the Alliance leadership sub plot?
Also, now is when the UIP territories will come into focus once more, most notably Pandora and Earth.