Star Force: Ice Queen Read online

  1

  October 19, 4826

  Medforjet System (V’kit’no’sat territory on Star Force warfront)

  Tivonmenk

  Ronoken steadily ran through the V’kit’no’sat city on the colony world, watching the skies above him for sign of weapon strikes. A Star Force fleet was raiding the system, but it looked like they were not yet attacking the planet directly. As it was, only a partial defense shield was raised over the inhabited areas, but they were not attacking it nor even attempting a landing beyond its range. The V’kit’no’sat defense fleet was heavily engaged in combat, but not nearly as much as it would have liked, and Ronoken doubted the fighting would find its way down to him today.

  No, the reason he was running was because he had received a summons to the command deck of the outpost and he had been on the far outskirts of the colony. The summons had come before the raid, and while others were being called into defensive positions his orders had not changed, so he continued at a decent pace so not to waste time while looking above with the enhanced vision his armor availed him.

  Once again Star Force was striking at the V’kit’no’sat forward colony. They owned the system, having laid claim to six uninhabited worlds here that Star Force had passed over, but had been within their region of influence during the massive multipronged assault a decade ago. The enemy had lost many systems and in the chaos the V’kit’no’sat had claimed three right under their nose, subsequently building them up with a steady stream of supplies being sent out from the core, but Star Force had not let them build in comfort.

  Small raids had been hampering their convoys, making them take extra defensive measures and drawing more ships away from the V’kit’no’sat harassing attacks up and down the Star Force border. Both sides in this war were poking at each other, with this current attack once again going after the orbital shipyards. It looked like they’d done some more damage, but the mass of construction infrastructure was still mostly intact. They couldn’t get to it in sufficient numbers without dragging themselves into a fight they could not win, so they’d been using guile and misdirection to get sniping shots at it and other bits of V’kit’no’sat property and ships within the system.

  They’d soon be chased out again, assuming nothing else developed. There were too many V’kit’no’sat warships in the system for Star Force to take it…unless they were willing to open themselves up to a counterassault elsewhere. The Rit’ko’sor Sess’met, who was in charge of this region of the warfront, was playing an intricate game with the enemy and Star Force was obliging. Each were trying to find weaknesses to exploit in the other and Star Force had far more systems to defend. Right now the V’kit’no’sat had 3 beyond Terraxis, but the problem was all of them were new and none had even close to a full planetary shield.

  Virtually all of Star Force’s worlds were heavily dug in, with full planetary shields that had multiple layers and many redundancies. Hammering through all of them was doable, but costly. Too costly for Sess’met, who had lost far less ships than the other 5 regional commanders on the front, but the Rit’ko’sor had yet to take another Star Force planet. All the others had, but even Ronoken could see that the V’kit’no’sat fleet could not sustain these constant exchanges unless more reinforcements were coming…and by his count, very few new warships were arriving in the convoys. Most were cargo ships that left as soon as they’d deposited their valuable loads, the most recent of which had put the final touches on the outpost here.

  It was the smallest version the V’kit’no’sat made, a small pyramid barely large enough to hold a herd of Oso’lon, but it was covered with Yeg’gor armor and a very small Tar’vem’jic. Its kill power was less than conventional Var’ko, whose needle thin beams could breach event the heaviest of shields with their pinpoint deposit of energy. The Tar’vem’jic here, having been test fired only recently, produced a beam equally as thin and less damaging, for it was not as compact…crazy as that sounded. Var’ko were very dense per their design but far less expensive to produce than Tar’vem’jic.

  As it was, the V’kit’no’sat had to import the exotic weapon components from the heart of their empire, for they didn’t have the production facilities here or even on Terraxis. Other than the symbolic nature of a Tar’vem’jic, which was significant, the tactical advantage was the range, which far surpassed the Var’ko and anything that Star Force had. That meant the outpost could poke beyond the enemy’s firing range and own orbit above them. Something badly needed in an infantile system such as this.

  The other two colonies had not been granted such an outpost, and it was seen as a reward for Sess’met’s efforts…as well as underscoring that this was going to be a very long campaign and that patience would better suit the V’kit’no’sat than brashness. Holding their footholds was more important than taking worlds at this point.

  That was the word going through the Zen’zat here, with Ronoken being the third highest ranked in this campaign and the highest assigned to this colony and Sess’met’s assault region…which included the Medforjet System and a large swath of Star Force territory along their border. The three regional commanders that did not have defensive duties were typically in the field leading their fleets in action against the enemy, but Sess’met chose to remain here to conduct his strategic war against Star Force, and it was he who had sent the summons to Ronoken.

  By the time the Zen’zat got to the command deck the raiders had been driven off and he could see damage statistics floating in hologram. It wasn’t much, but with these repetitive attacks even the slightest setbacks added up…and that was the exact same strategy the V’kit’no’sat were employing against Star Force, only doing so far more effectively, making this raid more annoying than anything else.

  Sess’met wasn’t visible on the command deck, which was full of individuals from 9 different races plus a lot of Zen’zat attendants buzzing around. Most weren’t warriors, and one that was an analyst telepathically signaled to him with a mental pointer towards a nearby chamber.

  Ronoken sent an acceptance ping back and went where directed, finding the Rit’ko’sor inside what was psionically shielded walls, for he couldn’t detect his presence until he walked through the threshold of the door that folded closed behind him, combining multiple shards down into a single solid lump of synthetic rock.

  “Persistent, aren’t they?” Sess’met said in his low, but melodic voice that was typical of his race. “I only wish others in our empire had such strategic sense. These Archons are truly a threat, and one we must squash before they grow any more powerful. Tell me why.”

  “Their unearned use of psionics is abhorrent.”

  “Abhorrent? Elaborate.”

  “It is an unbalance. Zen’zat of equal skill I could easily defeat, but Archons of that level can evade with perpetuity. Ubven is too much of an advantage.”

  “Are you more upset that they have not earned it, or the fact that no Zen’zat ever has?”

  Ronoken looked down slightly into the Rit’ko’sor’s green eyes. “I do not understand why we were never told it existed.”

  “Those who are worthy will uncover it.”

  “Even Ironnsey never did,” Ronoken pointed out, citing the legendary Zen’zat from before the Les’i’kron culling.

  “Because he wasn’t worthy.”

  “How can he and the other masters not be worthy?”

  “Because they did not trigger the ascensions as the Archons did.”

  “They cheated.”

  “Did they?”

  “I was told all of them get the psionics.”

  “But how do they get them?”

  “They share through some bastardized Ikrid link.”

  “So our intelligence has said. I admit, t
hat may not be fully true, or could even be disinformation granted for our sake, but for the moment assume it is as rumored to be. How can they share what none of them have attained? At least one must have triggered the ascension in order to then share it with the others. If that is true, then there is at least one Archon that did what Ironnsey and the others of your kin never have…and that is why they are so dangerous. They are young and accomplishing what you have not.”

  “They cannot be. It must be through technological intervention.”

  “Possible. How many Archons have you personally killed?”

  “26 solo kills, and I have had a hand in at least 12 others.”

  “At least?”

  “Their armor is difficult to distinguish from their Commandos at times.”

  “And their Knights? How many have you killed?”

  “I have not kept count.”

  “How were you able to kill their Archons?”

  “Their bodies are physically weak, like young Zen’zat.”

  “Lachka kills?”

  “No. They also possess Rentar.”

  “And their Knights?”

  “Very few possess psionics.”

  “Why do you suppose that is?”

  “I do not know. Their divisions make no sense.”

  Sess’met shoot his head back and forth three times, staring at the ground as he did so. “So little you understand. So little you all understand. This is why they are dangerous. They do not confine themselves to doing what they are told. Why have no Zen’zat achieved Ubven? Because they were not looking for it. Even now that it has been revealed to exist, none of you can earn it. You are regimented, and against strategists you are easy to defeat. If not for our numbers Star Force would have won this war long ago.”

  “Your words border on treason. I assume you have some rationale for them?”

  “Thinking is not treason. I know treason. I committed it long ago. This is not treason. This is me adapting to a dangerous threat that, if allowed to persist, will grow ever more powerful. We must reduce their empire faster than they can expand rimward…but that is not why I have called you here. Zyrnox has assigned me a task far beyond the war zone, and I require your skills.”

  “Tell me.”

  “These Archons think beyond what Zen’zat do. They have smaller size than their Knights, which are equivalent to you yet have no psionics. Why? Because they are specializing. They do not intend to fight you strength for strength. They know there are Zen’zat far stronger and older than they are, thus they have taken a different path. One of evasion, guile, and superiority. Not one of ego. Reducing their size, or rather maintaining their reduced size, limits their already limited psionic tissue further. No Zen’zat would want that, so you must stop thinking of them as Zen’zat.”

  “Then what does an Archon want?”

  “The Archons are meant to lead, Zen’zat are meant to serve. Their Commandos and Knights serve, but in their empire only a few have psionics. Those few have more than you or I, but most of their empire does not. They have built psionic dampeners into their armor to negate most of the effects, allowing lesser personnel to combat you.”

  “I kill them far too easy. Why not give them psionics to at least slow us down?”

  “As I said, they have charted a separate path. One that I do not fully comprehend, but they are not mad. They are savvy, and your mission is to illuminate another facet of that intelligence. There is a world deep within their borders that we have little information on. It is forbidden to the public and only has limited travel, but rumor says that there are unusual Human forms on it. Zyrnox believes they may be experimenting with their form in order to combat their genetic deficiencies.”

  “What deficiencies?”

  “Zen’zat are forbidden from reproducing. It is not simply a rule, but the way you are designed. The upgrades are not meant to be passed on, so it is highly likely that there are deficiencies and even malfunctions occurring within the Humans. Their size is an indicator of this. Yours has come from growth enhancements. Those enhancements were apparently not passed on to their offspring. Their Knights are a remedy for this, but they have not made the transition for their entire race. We believe they are still experimenting and have not found a final solution.”

  “Reconnaissance then?”

  “Partially. You will accompany an infiltration team, but they will have a separate mission from yours. You are to operate alone, kill and sabotage what you can without hindering yourself. You must remain alive and return to me with the information, so do not overestimate your abilities or underestimate theirs. Be cautious and conservative, and probe this mystery world for its secrets while the others cause more havoc. I want them to be wary of our interference anywhere in their empire, but I do not want you caught.”

  “How will we infiltrate their world?”

  “A new class of scout ship has the ability to defeat their sensors and deposit you on the planet. Their shields should not be up constantly, so you will drop in, conduct your mission, then return without drawing major attention.”

  “Is there something specific I am to look for?”

  “Your psionics were never meant to be a reproductive legacy. The Humans have not passed on those they have activated, and we believe they may be attempting to do so now. Investigate possible subdivisions within their race created for research purposes. Subdivisions we have not yet encountered. Above that, use your instincts and explore. We cannot get a war fleet that far without encountering resistance, so your only defense will be stealth. Do not squander it. I am sending you because I know you can handle small scale combat if needed. Do not let it escalate beyond that.”

  “You want tissue samples?”

  “I want as much information as you can give me however you are capable of providing it. Star Force has already proved it can make more of Zen’zat genetics than our empire has. We should not let them explore beyond and further imbalance that which was carefully crafted long ago.”

  “I will investigate this heresy gladly. Will this other team be under my command? Will we travel together or parallel?”

  “They are meant to draw resources away from the front. Either by sabotaging production or by forcing more security to be diverted to the distant planets in their territory. They are yours to command, but I want you doing your exploring solo. That will necessitate comm silence once you are on the ground. As for your transport, you will be traveling to the surface in multiple gunships. I do not want to risk stranding you by using only one.”

  “How small a team?”

  “I will let you determine that. Choose from whom you like, but they are not to be elite. Only capable.”

  “They are meant to return?”

  “They are, if they can withhold their bloodlust. I need indirect damage.”

  “I understand. I will choose wisely and abide by this edict. Information you will have, along with what small disruptions I can personally make.”

  “Good. The scout ship is ready and waiting in hangar 18, crew aboard. Leave at your convenience.”

  “I will not take long assembling a team, but how thorough an investigation of this world do you wish?”

  “Time is of no importance. Genetic development takes millennia. I simply wish to know what it is they are doing…or attempting to do.”

  “I will requisition ample supplies then. Do I also have leave for personal stealth gear?”

  “Of course. You will not be able to evade them without it.”

  “Did Zyrnox give you a deadline to meet?”

  “No…and he has granted me discretion in how I obtain the information. I have chosen you. Please prove my choice to be wise.”

  “It is. I will not fail,” he said, taking a brief knee. “By your leave, Commander?”

  “Proceed,” Sess’met said, with the Zen’zat rising and making haste to leave the chamber and begin his mission. Zen’zat weren’t the best when it came to deep scouting missions, but Ronoken was not an average
Zen’zat. He was one of their elite, and smart enough to use caution when caution was required. And if he did succeed in this mission, Sess’met intended to use him in a similar role elsewhere. Grooming Zen’zat was a tedious task, and this mission, important in and of itself, would make for good field training.

  Tiparen like Ronoken were rare, being the fourth level of 6 within Zen’zat skill hierarchy, but they weren’t irreplaceable. Sess’met favored his return, but if he proved to be inferior then he’d simply send another and another until one succeeded, even if he had to reach down into the Tamrenor ranks to find more recruits.

  Teaching the antiquated V’kit’no’sat empire how to fight in new ways was a tedious task, especially since the Rit’ko’sor had gotten used to doing everything on their own without any Zen’zat, but if he was going to successfully help Zyrnox wipe out this infestation of heretics he was going to have to rely on them and their hapless masters…for he wasn’t going to get so much as a single Rit’ko’sor ship out here in support.

  A pity that, but it was what it was, and the Rit’ko’sor needed this victory to increase their standing in the empire…which was almost as low as it had been before the rebellion, but they were on the rise and Mak’to’ran had made it clear there was a path for racial ascension if they proved themselves worthy.

  Sess’met just wished he didn’t have to deal with all these other inferior races in order to prove it.

  Ronoken assembled his team quickly, gathering 18 other Zen’zat, all level 2 Zardaku that could easily handle the Star Force regular troops and would be an even match for most of their Archons in single combat…but he chose individuals with high evasion and stealth skills and had them onboard a modified Kaeper-class vessel. The hull was covered in obvious paneling that told him it contained a cloaking device and was ill suited for battle, but so far as he knew even their best cloaking device had enough of a detection window for Star Force to see at close range or high intensity sensor scans.

  It wasn’t until he was onboard and enroute to the system’s central star did he get the answer from the Ari’tat crew as to why this ship was different. The cloaking system had not been upgraded, and while absorbing almost all signals would send false images out to mimic light and other emissions passing through their position so they wouldn’t register as a dark spot when backlit by a star or planet.