Countdown, John Walker [online e book reader txt] 📗

course, that prototype was likely priceless. It shouldn’t have been roaming around the field, being put at risk. Not when no one understood what they’d done to build it. If we had fifty of those, this fight would’ve been over in twenty minutes or less.

I guess it’s good to be a civilian criminal with an unlimited budget… or no morals so stealing is fine.

“Commander, you’ve got a message from Harcourt and Trenik. They need to talk to you.”

“Of course.” Sasha leaned to the microphone. “What is it?”

“We are watching the action,” Trenik said, “and need to send a message. It seems that your AI machines are locking down the military district of the capital. While we do have additional military bases, it may be time for them to consider a parlay. I would like permission to use our signal booster to make that happen.”

They already blasted out a signal with only a few moments notice. The ship recovered from it but not without a lot of stress. At least they’re asking this time. Sasha got over the desire to punch the two men in the face. Maybe they’re right about starting a conversation. Of course, we’re not slowing down until that initial net of satellites is done.

“Go ahead,” Sasha said. “We’ll stop shooting when they’re ready to talk. Do you know who to reach out to?”

“I do,” Trenik replied. “We are on it.”

Good. Sasha turned to the scanner. The final ervas battleship was under heavy fire from the remaining destroyers and Wilmarth’s Dusk Wing Two. His own ship remained outside the combat area, not quite ready to commit to another attack after losing power but in reserve just in case. If Trenik is successful, then this is already over.

Maybe they could even save what was left of the enemy military out there. Search and rescue didn’t have to distinguish between sides. I guess we can hope. That would be a nice foot to start on. But first thing was definitely first. That satellite network has to go down. When it does… then we can move on to phase two.

Chapter 13

Trenik tapped into a coded ervas channel to reach out to his people. The conflict continued to rage but they had to know their time was drawing to a close. Once the humans discovered a method to shut down the defensive satellites, the fighting would end. Their choices would be simple: deal or lose their way of life forever.

I am confident in my politicians. The chances of those men and women wanting war seemed thin. The military had power because they’d moved in the proper circles, established themselves in such a way that those in power owed them favors. In the end, they flexed their might and now, when it was all said and done, they lost.

Because we took on a foe far greater than we thought. Many within the ervas had spoken of this fact in private. Some viewed the humans as weak, but others believed they might be far more dangerous than anticipated. This came from the concept that there were so many of them. They had spread out much further than the ervas ever did.

We always worried they might work together. Lo and behold, we were right. Once they got over their petty differences, they picked themselves up and won. The main fleet is out there, likely broken up into smaller units that they think will win some battles for them. And that might be true. Until they don’t. And it’s over.

His request was answered right away. “This is Command Control Seven,” a frightened young woman spoke. It was nice to hear someone speak in his native language again. “We are under heavy assault! Please report status of reinforcements! This is urgent!”

“Calm down. My name is Trenik il’Ban. I am a technical officer with the military. What is your name?”

“Lilva Na, sir. Please! Do we have reinforcements coming? Are you with the main fleet?”

“No, Lilva. I need to speak with a representative. Preferably Roldar il’Evan. Immediately.” The il in their names represented the class they graduated from. Both served in the military but Roldar had gone on to politics, eventually rising to a prominent position directly behind the leader of their entire culture.

He won’t exactly be pleased to hear from me with this.

They hadn’t exactly fallen out but lost contact when Roldar left the military. He didn’t like the direction of the service…felt as if they were going down a dangerous path. Trenik didn’t agree. A couple of debates pushed them apart then assignments did the rest.

“What’s going on?” Harcourt asked. “Are you getting through?”

“Patience,” Trenik said, “they are contending with a massive battle. Getting through to someone was not going to be easy. Fortunately, they are desperate or perhaps they would not have even answered this line.” He fell silent as the connection came back. The microphone rattled for a moment.

“Hello?” Roldar’s familiar voice brought some relief. “Please tell me you’ve brought those fools back with you, Trenik!”

“I have not,” Trenik replied, “I am a prisoner of the humans and they have given me an opportunity…”

“Prisoner?” Roldar interrupted. “What have they done to you?”

“Surprisingly, nothing. But we have a chance here to make amends. To stop the conflict. They do not want this war, but our military pushed into their territory. Killed their civilians. Attacked peaceful colonies. What would we have done in their place?” Trenik felt like he might’ve been hitting the topic too fast, but they didn’t have time for subtlety.

“With the current leaders?” Roldar scoffed. “Obliterated them.”

“Without question?”

Roldar didn’t immediately answer. When he did, he prefaced with a sigh. “Yes, very likely.”

“Then these people are showing a compassion we would not have. But the ervas must stand together on the homeworld. Agree to diplomacy.”

“I… don’t know.” Roldar genuinely seemed to struggle.