Death Mark Read online

  10

  The Meintre walked towards the Hjar’at with his own flankers…two others of his race plus several dozen Esquires. They stayed behind him as one of the Hjar’at stepped forward to greet him face to face, with the Meintre’s head standing taller than his counterpart, whose spines rose tallest of all and appeared like trimless windows, clear as glass and slightly bending the light coming through them.

  “I have never met a Meintre before,” Neoum said graciously, and in the Star Force language. “You are heavier than I thought.”

  “More elevated mass than most V’kit’no’sat, so it gives the appearance of less weight.”

  “Your combat against the Oso’lon was intriguing. Have you ever fought them before?”

  “Only our own in training. We are well prepared to engage all the V’kit’no’sat races.”

  “I should not be surprised at that, but I am. Did they teach you the grapple holds to defeat their Jumat?”

  “They’re not the first larger race we’ve done that to,” Nelfrani said, flexing his four trunks. “Though it would not work on you for obvious reasons.”

  “There was a reason our capitol was targeted first after Itaru. What is the state of the Hjar’at in the Rim?”

  “Do you mean ours or the few colonies of yours?”

  Neoum’s expression grew hard. “I was not aware we had any beyond your Hula Hoop.”

  “Some were allowed to act as fallback points for when the Hadarak got to your worlds, and they have grown quite large since your war with the Zak’de’ron began. They are in shared systems and the war did not make its way to them, nor did we allow them to be used as staging bases to strike Zak’de’ron assets in the Rim. If you wish to go there rather than a closer Hjar’at world, it can be arranged.”

  “If they are hiding there while we fight for our lives here, then they are no longer my brothers and I want nothing to do with them. There is battle to be had, and Hjar’at do not flee it.”

  “To your detriment at times, but I understand your point. We would not leave our brothers to fight alone either.”

  “You said your entire race is coming to annex the Ter’nat worlds?”

  “Nearly our entire warfleet is. Our civilians are not, for the most part. As we grow more will come, but we are merely caretakers here. We are not moving our people to colonize the Core when the Hadarak encroach further with every year.”

  “Have you made no progress against them in some areas?”

  “Of course we have, but if we cannot hold the entire line they sweep by in other places. The galaxy is too large for us to defend every system, and they reproduce their minions alarmingly fast. Most in their path cannot hold out against the minions alone, and even if we counter every single large Hadarak the majority of the galaxy will still fall and be used as bases to grow so many more that they will overwhelm us in our strongholds later. That is why your war was so ill timed.”

  “It shames me to admit it, but we have abandoned our duty to fight the Hadarak. We cannot even guarantee our own survival at this point against the Zak’de’ron. Though it also pains me somewhat, I am glad the Ter’nat will now be under your supervision. I do not like having to operate without new generations of Zen’zat going forward, but this is far better than the Ter’nat dying out entirely. The Zen’zat have served us well from the outset, and they do not deserve this death mark.”

  “Nobody deserves annihilation.”

  “Did your empire not annihilate many lesser races in your rise to power?”

  “We annihilated their empires, but saved their people. There is a significant difference.”

  “Do not take this as a slight, but I would rather die a V’kit’no’sat than live as part of your empire.”

  “Many think so, until they see what our empire actually is. Then only some think so,” Nelfrani said, half sarcastically.

  “Will you be able to hold this world with only one warship?”

  “I believe so. If they return they will incur our wrath elsewhere, and I do not think they wish to pick a fight with my empire when yours is already taxing them to the brink.”

  “Are we?”

  “From our reports, equal damage has been done to both sides. The Zak’de’ron have the advantage in leadership, whereas the V’kit’no’sat are fragmented, but neither of you are in a position to take very many worlds with adequate planetary defenses, so the smaller ones have now become the major battlefields until you can build new fleets. Given that fact, I do not think Itaru wants us to loose a Knight race against it in payback for assaulting us. I would be surprised if any Ter’nat world is hit after we take possession.”

  “And if they do not care about reprisal?”

  “We take care of our own, and help will come if we call for it.”

  “You will have the time to call for it with this planetary defense station. I have reset all command codes to my own, and I will now transfer them to your genetic code,” Neoum said as a pair of Zen’zat came forward holding a large square hoop. “Place your foot inside.”

  Nelfrani reached his front right up and pushed it through, feeling an energy field brush his skin as if cleaning it. A moment later the sensation was gone and the Zen’zat pulled it back, after which Neoum repeated the movement with his own foot. The Zen’zat then ran off into the pyramid with the device and disappeared inside.

  “They will log the transfer. When you go inside it will respond to you only for high command functions with all others responding to your race. You can customize access as you like thereafter.”

  “Thank you for an amicable transfer.”

  “I do not want Itaru taking advantage of the situation. We built this station, and I would rather it be destroyed than end up in their talons. I am trusting you will hold it.”

  “V’kit’no’sat should know by now how hard we are to remove from the galaxy.”

  “The same was once thought of us, but here we stand in perpetual retreat. Rajamal?”

  One Zen’zat broke ranks and walked over to the Hjar’at, standing small beside the Meintre, but tall enough to almost reach the top of his trunks.

  “A question, Meintre,” the Zen’zat asked, but not in English.

  “Go ahead,” Nelfrani responded in kind.

  “Do you intend for the Ter’nat to continue becoming Zen’zat?”

  “We do.”

  “What is your policy regarding the Zen’zat beyond your empire that are being hunted to extinction?”

  “You may take refuge here or on any Ter’nat world. You have no worlds of your own to rescue, but we intend to not only save the Ter’nat, but the Zen’zat as well. Spread the word that all can come home and will be protected if you no longer wish to serve the V’kit’no’sat.”

  “Some of us stopped serving them when they abandoned the Ter’nat,” Rajamal admitted. “We serve ourselves now, and will continue fighting against our enemy. What of us?”

  “If you serve the V’kit’no’sat, then you are theirs to command, but you can always leave their service to come back to the Ter’nat worlds and we will take you in. If you are operating independently, you may use the Ter’nat worlds as a base of operations to strike out at those who have a death mark on you until such a time as they renounce it.”

  “You will protect us here even if they follow us back?” Rajamal asked in surprise.

  “It is not us being neutral, but it is us being just. The death mark is abhorrent, and until they remove it we will not remain neutral. If we had the ships to spare we would be hitting them ourselves, for their death mark also applies to Humans and Zen’zat in Star Force, whether they wish to admit that or not. Our Director is not blind, and while we do not have the resources to force capitulation without abandoning those on the Hadarak front, securing the Ter’nat will fix most of the problem at present. If you wish to strike back with your own resources, you are welcome to do so working out of the Ter’nat worlds. If they end the death mark, then that protection will be altered.”r />
  “What is it costing you on the front to secure our worlds?”

  “Many lives of those we cannot save, but we have not pulled away any of the evacuation ships. They continue to constantly run people out to the Rim refuge worlds and come back to pick up more, but where we were blocking the advance of many minion armies there are now additional gaps where the Meintre used to be. Had we stayed there Ter’nat would die, when we left that meant more worlds would be invaded earlier without the delay we were affording them. We did not abandon any world currently under assault, but leaving the front was not a decision I am comfortable with. It may have been necessary, but I do not like it. Yet there are people here to save as well, so our time is not being wasted.”

  “On behalf of all Zen’zat, I thank you for doing what we were not strong enough to do. And those Zen’zat here are willing to offer our service in compensation.”

  Nelfrani glanced at the Hjar’at.

  “I do not command most of them. And most of those that I do have asked to remain with my blessing. Given how my race has mostly abandoned them, I will not order them to go. They are yours now, though one of the Zen’zat ships was lent here by the Wass’mat. When they learn they are defecting they might not be so accommodating.”

  “That is my problem to deal with. Your work here is done, and I thank you for doing your duty while others fled. The death mark caught us off guard and we were not able to respond as quickly as needed. I am told many others have been wiped out. These three stand because you held out as long as you did. And if events elsewhere sour for you, you will always be welcome to return here for sanctuary.”

  “Your race is not V’kit’no’sat, yet you speak to me as if you were a peer,” Neoum said snarkily. “That both insults me and instills a bit of pride in how far we have brought the Zen’zat, if they were able to spawn an empire that could elevate a race such as yours to our level. No one other than the Zak’de’ron were able to achieve that,” the Hjar’at said as he turned away with the other 8 of his race following him as they headed for a nearby drop pod with a handful of loyal Zen’zat going with them. The rest stayed where they were, in their hexagonal ranks and full armor minus their helmets, the same as Rajamal who was standing before him.

  “Are they all this egotistical?” Nelfrani asked him after the Hjar’at were out of earshot.

  “Most are,” he admitted, “but we owe them for our existence, and were glad for the opportunity to serve.”

  “But no longer?”

  “The trust that was once there is gone. The war has gutted the V’kit’no’sat, and they are unable to protect the Ter’nat more than unwilling. If they do not pull resources to their own worlds, those worlds will likely fall. Many will fall anyway. They are not an empire that is comfortable with losing, and because they have been forced into that role many do not know what to do.”

  “My empire was forged through losing battles, though before my time,” Nelfrani admitted. “The Archons and the Director know how to win and how to lose…which is why we bounce back from defeat strong than before if given the opportunity. We are giving the Ter’nat and the Zen’zat that opportunity now. I expect you to make use of it.”

  “We stand ready for your orders, Meintre. What would you have us do this day?”

  “Reclamation work. There is still an enemy on this planet, and one we must conquer quickly. You are legends to the Ter’nat, and they will trust you far more than my kind. We must organize the survivors, calm them, and make sure what resources we have are not wasted on hoarding, fighting, or mismanagement. We have seen this happen on other worlds, and we need to squash it now. The Ter’nat will go on minimal rations until we have enough for everyone, and I need your influence to cement their cooperation in this, for we do not have the personnel to enforce it across 3 planets.”

  “Ter’nat do not fight amongst each other. This is why the Era’tran chose our race to elevate.”

  “Starvation will do horrible things to people, even Ter’nat. And surviving orbital bombardment and surface slaughter can break many minds. You need to heal them with inspiration. Go out to them, organize them, and promise that food will be coming as quickly as we can grow it. Their mission is to wait, survive, and be alive for us to renourish later. Do you understand this, Zen’zat?”

  “Partially. Are there supply convoys enroute?”

  “No. We have brought Kiritak with us. Do you know what they are?”

  “I do. They work extremely fast.”

  “Yes, and we have an MCV with us, meaning we can create all the necessary Star Force infrastructure given enough time. Including bioharvest facilities, for we brought all the necessary seeds with us. Fast grow factories will be the first constructed, and the first site is already being prepped, but a planet half full of starving people is not something that can be dealt with quickly. We need to salvage what supplies still exist, and make the most out of your current infrastructure until we can get ours up and running. The Kiritak will guide all of this, but the Ter’nat must comply without hesitation or delay. Resistance of any kind will mean more people starve to death before we can help them. We also need to get Kich’a’kat out to those who need it.”

  “Give me the specific assignments and we will begin immediately. And if you allow it, I can find other Zen’zat engaging Itaru’s forces and recall them here to help. I will need to use a ship or two, if the defense of this planet can spare them.”

  “Do so, and take as many ships as you need. The threat of Star Force reprisal will protect this system from now on, and if someone is too stupid to understand what that means, we can hold out with the planetary defense station until our reinforcements arrive. And if we have to pull ships off the Hadarak front to do so, Itaru will pay a very heavy price for it.”

  “We have been able to capture some of the enemy ships from time to time. Would you like us to continue to do so?”

  “Not now. Securing the Ter’nat populations is the top priority, and if they work as slow as I have been told, we may need Zen’zat to step in and handle some of the manual labor until we get the automation rebuilt. The more Zen’zat we have to do that, the better. Go find as many as you can and bring them back here.”

  “Will we be able to feed them when they arrive?”

  “The Ter’nat will face rationing, the Zen’zat will not. You must have your strength to do what is necessary to save them. By the time you can get any additional Zen’zat here, our first fast grow facilities will be operational and able to support them.”

  “There will be many, if my feel is accurate.”

  “Use small crews to maximize the numbers left here to work.”

  “With your permission, I will do so immediately.”

  “Go now.”

  Rajamal nodded respectfully, then turned and ran off along with a scattering of other Zen’zat breaking ranks at his telepathic command while leaving the others where they were, save for one. That one walked up to the Meintre and took Rajamal’s place there.

  “I am Serinne. What would you have those of us remain do, Meintre?”

  503 lightyears away…

  Ikan was inside the prototype growth facility that was now patched up as much as they were able with local materials scavenged from every surrounding outpost and settlement. More survivors had been found here and there and incorporated into their workforce, but none had come out of the city, and those discovered out amongst the fields were near to death when they were found, having survived off emergency rations that were nearly depleted.

  They now had a survivor population of 106, and more than enough food to sustain them, but their future was uncertain until a transport arrived one day and sent a spike of fear down everyone’s spine, fearing this was the end of them. No one had seen nor heard of the enemy since the initial bombardment, yet now there was ship silhouette descending out of the sky and landing in the nearest clearing some 3 miles away.

  Ikan didn’t recognize the ship design, which he assumed meant it belonged
to the enemy. He and the others stayed inside the compound and gathered up what supply packs they could, ready to try and make a run for it in all directions, but they waited given the fact that no one had actually shot at the building, though they were not hopeful for rescue.

  A few took off anyway, just in case they were hostile, but most remained until a pair of bipeds in armor showed up in front of them suddenly. No one heard them coming, let alone saw them, yet here they were directly in front of them in full combat armor…with a symbol over their left breast that made Ikan begin to cry involuntarily, though most of the others either didn’t see it or realize its importance.

  The Constublar walked forward, but before he could speak one of the sets of Star Force armor did.

  “When was the last time you saw the attackers?”

  “Not since the bombardment,” another Ter’nat said, for Ikan had somehow lost his voice in the emotion. “Who are you?”

  “We are Esquires attached to the Star Force Knight race Meintre. We have been sent to rescue the Ter’nat that remain and annex your worlds into our empire. You’re the first we’ve found alive on this planet.”

  “Only us?” Ikan finally said.

  “So far. We’ve only been here a few hours, but the entire planet has been scorched. If some of you survived, hopefully others did too. Regardless, you’re our responsibility now. We’re going to set up some pre-fab shelters nearby and use this as our base of operation for the time being. Are any of you injured?”

  “A few,” Ikan said, with one Ter’nat who had a broken arm in a sling walking forward to show himself.

  “Come here,” the Esquire said, pulling something out of his pack. When the Ter’nat slowly walked up to him, he put the device on his exposed shoulder and it melted into his skin, which was when Ikan realized it must have been their version of a Kich’a’kat…the magical healing technology of the Overlords.