Star Force: Instinct (Star Force Universe Book 49) Read online

  Fortunately they weren’t, and if they did Paul would just reposition. Fleets of larger and larger size had movement issues, and Star Force engine technology could still run rings around the lizards. Bahamut couldn’t, but Paul had options other than just standing in place and slugging it out…though at the moment that’s exactly what he was doing with the ‘mismatch’ he was being presented.

  For all the ship swarms currently attacking him and those nearby and coming to reinforce, they were going to need a lot more to wear down Bahamut, and as they tried with insufficient numbers he was going to lay waste to their swarms. If they spread out and tried to fight in smaller groups, their firepower would diminish to a level that it wouldn’t even tickle the Uriti…and Paul could use his superior technology to dance around and cut apart smaller lizard battle groups.

  Their greatest advantage was the swarm, and luckily enough, that’s exactly what the Chixzon had designed the Uriti to counter.

  Bahamut was a fleet killer, and the lizards were going to throw fleet after fleet against him, hoping to wear him down over time. That was the game they were playing, and it wasn’t hard to predict, though Paul was keeping his eyes open for any trickery, either of lizard cunning or from their sponsor, whoever that might be.

  Star Force had to preserve the Uriti at all costs, even if it meant turning around and leaving the war behind. They were too valuable to lose, but in order to fight this war they had to dive head on into the enemy. That’s what they were built for, and Paul didn’t have a problem with that so long as Bahamut didn’t…and he was more aggressive than Paul was, with Kacie constantly having to tell him to hold back and not shoot the first enemy ship he saw.

  The strategy The Admiral offered wasn’t lost on Bahamut, for he saw he was able to do more damage by picking his shots better. The synergy between the two of them was growing, and Paul expected to be spending many decades together with the Uriti, as other trailblazers were with their own. Relationships were forming that had never been expected, for they’d never planned on using the Uriti in this fashion. But now here they were, engaged in Chixzon-like warfare, and the more time that went on both the trailblazers and the Uriti gained a greater respect for each other.

  But as they did the galaxy watched, through various scout ships trailing and sometimes preceding the Uriti fleets. Paul knew they were there, and had authorized some of them, but there was no keeping them away. The many races who had come to the Uriti Preserve were not happy with Star Force seeming to break their word and use the Uriti offensively, but this was the continuation of a defensive war and Star Force wasn’t dancing around that point. It wasn’t a violation of their promise, and many races had to grudgingly agree…as well as realize they had no leverage if Star Force ever did decide to break their promise.

  And then there were others, from the Rim Consortium and beyond, that were here watching from the shadows for other reasons. They never got involved, and kept so far away that the pictures couldn’t be great, but Paul had noted a few echoes from ships he believed to be V’kit’no’sat. The others probably couldn’t pick them up, but he’d been looking for them. He was sure they wanted to know the full capability of the Uriti, and if there were some in this system, they were going to get a hell of a show, for Bahamut was going to have to really whoop ass to get anywhere near that shipyard ring.

  5

  June 19, 4926

  Itaru System (V’kit’no’sat capitol)

  Wendigama

  Mak’to’ran was running on one of the planet’s many subterranean training paths when another Era’tran came up behind him. He said nothing, verbally or telepathic, but Mak’to’ran knew it was Sar’to’san and he had something to tell him. His attendant did not want to disrupt his workout, and as he had done previous times, he came out onto the course and ran up behind the V’kit’no’sat leader, then carefully moved into sync beside him before delivering his news.

  What is it? Mak’to’ran asked telepathically.

  We’ve received additional reports from the Star Force warfront. The Li’vorkrachnika have abandoned their attacks against us entirely and are turning their full power against the incursion into their territory.

  And? he pressed, knowing that there was something more urgent than that tidbit of good news.

  We also received more battle data from our scouts following the Uriti campaigns. Disturbing would be an understatement.

  They are more powerful than you expected, Mak’to’ran said definitively.

  We’ve received images of the Uriti Hammer engaged in an intra-atmosphere surface attack. Somehow it tapped into the magnetic field of the planet and unleashed an electric storm of a magnitude we have never before recorded. It decimated the Li’vorkrachnika cities in a matter of hours over 1/18th of the planet, including shielded facilities.

  That was not a weapon I was familiar with.

  It gets worse. They used the Uriti Sivir to destroy an entire moon from the inside out.

  Destroyed? Mak’to’ran asked, finally surprised. How?

  It penetrated the crush and disappeared inside. Afterwards the moon ripped itself apart into fragments.

  What was on the moon?

  A defense matrix more dense than most planets. It’s as if it was built as a hard point against invasion, but with very little self-sustaining industry on it. There were also long range weaponry of a type unfamiliar to us. They were effective at nearly three quarters the range of a Tar’vem’jic and carried considerable knockdown power, though they were slow and globular.

  And Star Force chose to take out the entire moon rather than defeat and capture it? That is alarming. Perhaps the threat of the Li’vorkrachnika is greater than we calculated.

  They destroyed a moon, Sar’to’san reiterated.

  How large?

  Level 6.

  Mak’to’ran slid to a halt, his foot claws dragging on the semi-soft floor as he leaned back far enough that even his small 4th toes touched the ground. Sar’to’san kept running a few steps before he realized that Mak’to’ran had stopped, then had to slow and turn around to get back to him.

  They destroyed a level 6 planetoid? Mak’to’ran asked, referencing a mass slightly larger than Mercury.

  Yes, and we do not know how or what their limit is. Nor do we know if this is only the capacity of one, or some Uriti, or if they can all do it.

  Mak’to’ran ticked his 4thk toes against the floor in an irritated gesture, but also a pensive one. Era’tran had 4 digits on their feet, while only two on their hands, making it easier for them pre-Lachka to pick up objects with their feet. Both hands were required for most arm grasping, and Mak’to’ran really had to stretch his neck down to get something large into his mouth. It was much easier to side feed with one arm, which was why Era’tran cups were made with a triangular middle grasp indent that matched the angular splay between fingers.

  Most Era’tran ate and drank using Lachka now, with some preferring to use their muscles as a novelty. As it was, Era’tran feet were more ambidextrous than their hands, which was why most of their computer interfaces had floor buttons when not using Ikrid links.

  Mak’to’ran continued to tick his small, 4thk toes for several seconds, then stopped and turned his wayward gaze back on his attendant.

  There are complaints? he guessed.

  Many, and they are spreading. Despite the threat of the remaining Rim races, there is great concern that our rimward guards have more power than us, and the ability to destroy our planets if they can manage to poke a single hole through our planetary shields.

  They will not attack us, Mak’to’ran assured him.

  How can you be so sure?

  I have met their supreme leader and taken the measure of the Human. They still behave as Zen’zat should, their duty to the galaxy is still imbued in their genetic code. They do not wish to fight us, Sar’to’san. They only did so because we tried to destroy them.

  They should have accepted their punishment as a Zen’zat would.<
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  Do they? Mak’to’ran challenged. Or do they realize they cannot win and simply accept their fate? If they had a chance of survival, would they fight back? Some have, but perhaps you are too young to remember. Zen’zat have not always gone to their punitive deaths willingly. Nor have we. When faced with execution, all instinctively resist. Give them a way to survive and they will take it. I have given it to Star Force and they are not only taking it, they are embracing it because I am relying on their instinctive duty to corral their power. They believe it is freedom.

  Is it truly not freedom if there is no safeguard?

  A matter of perspective, then. Star Force will not attack us because it is not in their best interest. They are like Dulu’thar ants scurrying to repair their nests after a storm, only their nest is the galaxy. Rather than consolidate their holdings they are even now pressing further rimward to rescue small and unimportant races because they are in need. Those are not the actions of an empire that is a threat to us. Those are the actions of an empire that is useful to us. They are a stabilizing force, one that the galaxy badly needs right now.

  And if you are wrong, and they grow strong enough to protect their Uriti, they could destroy our planets at will.

  As you said, they still have to penetrate the planetary shields.

  The Hadarak have done so with ease, Mak’to’ran.

  The Uriti are nowhere near as large. Tell me, did they break through the Li’vorkrachnika shields with physical contact or orbital bombardment?

  Orbital bombardment, the other Era’tran said cautiously.

  They are not strong enough to push through otherwise, or they will take too much damage that Star Force doesn’t want them to incur. If ramming was the most efficient option, Star Force would use it to avoid wasting their drone warships. That is why they destroyed the moon. To spare their naval losses.

  This does not concern you at all? Sar’to’san asked in disbelief.

  It concerns me a great deal, but not in the way you suggest. I fear others might see this power and try to take it from Star Force, or at least deny it to them. And either outcome would be bad for us.

  How can you say that?

  Because they are V’kit’no’sat, and not in formality only. Their methodology differs, and differs greatly, but the core mission is the same. Protect the galaxy.

  And what if protecting the galaxy means destroying us one day?

  We fight the Hadarak. And have done so for millions of years. The Uriti should not scare you so much.

  The Uriti do not behave as Hadarak. They take orders from Star Force.

  An important distinction, which makes me worry even less about them.

  Others are not so trusting. They are adamant that we cannot let this power exist outside our control.

  Mak’to’ran stomped his left foot against the ground, hard, and Sar’to’san promptly shut up.

  I am fatigued with the stupidity of others. I am fatigued with having to remain here to constantly suppress moves against the empire from within. We should be fighting the Hadarak, where our primary duty lies, but everyone appears to find something else to occupy their effort. We must build a stronger fleet, Sar’to’san. We must build stronger planets. We must build a stronger empire. Yet I hear nothing but calls for more destruction. Star Force is my responsibility, and no one else’s. And the more powerful they become, the better it is for us.

  They will take their vengeance someday. That is what the others say. Can you be sure they will not?

  I can.

  How?

  Mercy is a luxury of the dominant. It is a quote they are fond of. They become savage when faced with no other options. But the more dominant they become, the more forgiving they are. Where we would kill one for a violation, they punish and offer a path back to significance. A hard path, but when one exists they are not disregarding the individual as we do. It is a strength that will manifest itself in the long run, and unless the rim turns against them because of this new revelation, they will live to see it become their backbone.

  I do not understand what you say, but I trust your path for us. What will you do with the others?

  The same as before. Bring them before me now and I will educate them. If they will not listen, they will be moved aside. If they will not move, they will be killed. But see how I learn? I offer them a path and let them choose rather than deciding their path for them. This tactic was lost on the empire, for in our vast numbers we saw the individual as expendable. I will not continue to make that mistake, and you and others must learn to not only obey, but to understand.

  I am trying, Mak’to’ran. But sometimes your words seem to defy reason.

  The galaxy is complex, Sar’to’san. The more you learn, the more you see the untapped potential for future learning. Only the naïve think they understand everything.

  Then I am not naïve, for I am thoroughly confused.

  Good. Admitting confusion rather than holding to doctrine is a necessary step forward. Who specifically is complaining this time?

  The Oso’lon and J’gar have remained silent, as usual, though our J’gar here are adamant that we have some form of defense against such an attack. Beyond them, the Hjar’at and Les’i’kron are incensed, while others have deep concerns with less emotion attached.

  Emotion is the key factor here. A calm mind would realize that Star Force is so busy destroying the Li’vorkrachnika that they cannot use this power against us anytime in the near future, so there is no reason for haste. And if we were to do something about it, we would first need to gage the full scope of this power…which means waiting and watching to see if they use it again. And taking measurements. Many measurements.

  Then the threat is not immanent, Sar’to’san said, with some of his anxiety dispersing.

  The threat is non-existent. If they truly wished to use this power against us, they would have done so before now.

  They were not strong enough to attack our territory. But they could become so in the future.

  Again, that means there is no need for haste, especially when they are engaged in another costly war.

  Even we do not have the power to destroy planetoids.

  But the Hadarak do. Perhaps not in the same fashion, or perhaps they see no reason to blow apart their feeding grounds. But this power is not as unfamiliar as others would have us believe.

  You knew?

  No, I did not, but I had my suspicions when they went to great effort to safeguard Terrax when they used a Uriti beneath the planet’s surface to destroy the planetary defense station. I knew then that Star Force had the ability to use them for more than naval combat, however I did not anticipate their destroying planetoids. But so much the better. The threat of their doing so will keep many races from challenging them. I just hope they do not behave as the others wish I would and turn against them now.

  And if that happens?

  We are not in a position to help them. They will have to stand alone, but that is a position they are well acquainted with and why I have no doubt that given enough time they will pacify the entirety of the outer Rim, leaving us free to confront the Hadarak directly.

  I do not believe the others are thinking that far ahead.

  Of course not. They are concerned with pettiness and driven by fear. They have forgotten that true dominance must be earned, and do not know how to respond when they are suddenly no longer dominant. Not that we ever were. Not against the Hadarak, Mak’to’ran said, glancing back down the path they’d come and determining that going back would be quicker than moving ahead to the next exit.

  Let us go now, before this stupidity builds further, he said, taking off at a faster run than before that Sar’to’san had a difficult time matching and maintaining, but his attendant managed to stay with him all the way back to the exit, where the junior Era’tran was thankful that they returned to normal pedestrian speeds and boarded a Satu that carried them out across Wendigama’s surface to one of the grand chambers where Mak’to’ran and
his subordinates were constantly having to deal with malcontents as they slowly began to rebuild the tattered bonds within the empire.

  6

  April 2, 4931

  Ennit System (Dagran Region)

  Vis

  Lara’s previous life was a blur, almost as if it had been a dream rather than reality. The last time she’d had a real workout was so far gone her body didn’t want to remember it. All that there was for her now was alterations, pain, adjustment, partial normalization, then another alteration. The training she was doing wasn’t to increase her ability level, it was to recover some semblance of normalcy.

  However, something that was lost on her and not on Vortison’s team was the fact that her ‘normalcy’ was increasing exponentially fast. She might feel like hell, but she was walking and running easier than before. Lara couldn’t see it, because inside it felt like a cascade of grenades were going off with regularity, and in the torrent of constant adjustments one’s mental image of ‘normal’ adjusted to what was most recent so long as it wasn’t a drastic change.

  During Lara’s up and down swings, her middle point had gradually shifted, so now her ‘normal’ was far beyond what the rest of the Archons’ normal was. She wasn’t running as fast, lifting as much, or hitting as hard, but that was only because of how screwed up her body was right now. In essence, she was training with the ‘weight’ of the alterations on her, making her appear weaker than she actually was. Her new tissues, her ‘saiyan’ tissues, were base stronger than before, but she couldn’t feel her base within the torrent of changes taking place within her. It was the equivalent of trying to see a mile away in a snowstorm that reduced your vision down to a couple of meters.

  And yet, even that torrent had changed. Lara was no longer puking. Or bleeding. Or spontaneously burning off her clothes. The sexual arousal backup plan was a distant memory, for it was no longer needed. She’d learned when to press and when not to, and despite the constant changes the Archon was ever so slowly dialing herself in to greater control. Add to that the fact that Vortison was refining her biology at the same time, learning from mistakes and concentrating beneficial gains while weeding out alterations that were detrimental, and Lara was making grinding progress upwards.