*******
"Get to the point, Doctor. Can it be done?"
"Not without killing the patient, Admiral."
Kindel's temper flared as he turned away from the viewport, fists and jaw clenched. The wiry Doctor Barrine stood just out of arm's reach, an almost arrogant stare plastered across his gaunt face. A human from the planet Mel'dathia, Tundrus Barrine had served the Armada since Kindel had liberated his people from their own oppressive leadership. Doctors had been hard to come by in those days before Thorus had really established his army as one of the dominant forces in the galaxy. Surgeons were even rarer. But now, Barrine had an entire staff of doctors beneath him, and the wealth of medical knowledge and experience that came with them.
"I don't care if it kills the patient as long as that doesn't affect the outcome," Kindel growled, more harshly than he'd intended. After clearing his throat, he continued in a softer tone. "The life of the girl means little to me, but the life of the stone must be preserved."
"The baharinda will remain intact, Sir." Head held high, Barrine's silvery hair was smoothed back neatly, creating an almost noble air about him. Dark eyes glistened above his sunken cheeks where wrinkles had long since formed. Despite his age, he filled his uniform nicely, and performed his duties just as well.
"This outrage will not go unanswered! Do you hear me? Your hearts will be riddled with arrows when my people come for me!"
Kindel's gaze shifted to the long table behind Barrine where eight other doctors in white coats and masks prepared observation tools and studied assorted documents. Most had been excited to be included in this procedure, though none were at all familiar with the biological mechanics of a Belvid. Shining steel countertops lined the tops of cabinets along the walls on either side of the table. Various tools were laid out, mingled with documents and reports they'd managed to dig up regarding the Belvids and the baharinda. On the table, held by restraints around her neck, wrists, and ankles, one of Lady Almatha's assistants struggled to break free. Mia, her name was. A blue-skinned beauty of considerable height, her blond hair was partially threaded through the neck restraint where her squirming had yet to loosen it. But if there was any fear behind those sparkling green eyes, she never let it show. While she'd been silent in the presence of Almatha, now her mouth never seemed to run out of words. Threats, usually.
Scimitar and Kalibur stood with arms crossed on either side of the door, their casual demeanor casting a deceptive impression of their ability to strike at a moment's notice. Days of interrogation, research, and negotiation yielded little cooperation from the Belvidian prisoners, let alone information. Lieutenant Petreit had attempted to convey Kindel's intentions in the kindest light, but Almatha would accept nothing less than an immediate return to her planet. And though Kindel didn't like to interfere with innocent societies, casualties were inevitable. It was important to keep the greater good in sight and blast through whatever blockades stood in the way. Once it became clear that there could be no cooperation, Kindel ordered the nine senior members of the medical staff to conduct an observational study of the baharinda up close to determine if it could be extracted unharmed.
Thorus shook his head at the Belvid and returned his attention to Barrine. "Listen to me, Doctor. I need to find a way to harness the reproductive qualities of the baharinda so that I may reproduce another stone of mine. It is absolutely vital that it remain unharmed and unaltered."
"As with most other organs of the body, we can keep it alive for a period of time after extraction," Barrine said, "but it will not last forever. In addition, I've never heard of what you suggest being done before. Living organisms can only reproduce living organisms. I don't see how living tissue cells could be engineered to reproduce an inanimate object. That's not to say it cannot be done, but it will take a great deal of studying of both the baharinda and the stone you wish to reproduce."
"No!" Kindel's eyes narrowed. "I'll not let it out of my hands."
Barrine's surprise was evident in his face, though it was quickly replaced by unease. "Sir, it will be difficult to determine a method of reproduction without being able to study the stone you want to copy."
"I will provide you with a detailed scan of it, complete with molecular analysis. But the stone shall not leave my hands."
"But Sir, it will—"
"That is what I will give you, Doctor, and you will make do with what you have. I will listen to no more arguments." Kindel's already thin patience was beginning to crack. "Now, conduct your studies so that I may return our prisoner to her cell."
Barrine said nothing, rotating on his heels and returning to the computer terminal beside the observation table. Kindel returned his attention to the viewport and the tiny grey speck near the far left edge of the planet. The Refuge had arrived shortly after the Armada had returned to Terranias, yet the expected threats and demands for Lady Almatha's freedom hadn't come. Kindel couldn't imagine what could have Aldoric's attention so strongly that he would neglect the Belvids, but it made Thorus uncomfortable. If the abduction of the highest ranking member of a quarantined society wasn't enough to keep the Aeden Alliance's attention, then something much bigger had to be happening. And considering Kindel's own reasons for returning to the planet, there was only one conclusion he could reach.
The kyrosen.
Kindel was fairly certain that Sartan Truce was unaware that his whereabouts had been discovered. It had been years since he had tracked the remnants of Truce's gang to Terranias, but investigations had led him to stumble across the story of the lephadorite, and his quest to find the stone had pushed Truce and the kyrosen to the background. If Truce had regained enough power to attract the attention of the Aeden Alliance, he would have to be squashed quickly. But when? There was no time for Kindel to launch an assault now, not with all his attention on the lephadorite. "Scimitar? Kalibur?" The two were at his side in an instant, their feet barely making a sound. "I want you to head to the surface." He nodded toward the Refuge. "Find out what has attracted their attention. Do not engage in combat or take any prisoners, just gather information and report back to me."
"Thy will be done, Master," Kalibur's rasped.
The sight of his brother's starship floating so casually close to his own made Kindel's blood boil. I know you've come for me, Aldoric. Why do you now act as though I don't exist? While common sense told Kindel not to be eager for a confrontation, his zo'rhan instincts for battle called to him. Aldoric continued to insult the Thorus name by hiding behind the Aeden thugs like a coward. The zo'rhan do not run from a challenge, brother. When my work is compete, you will join me on the battlefield, or I shall bring the battlefield to you.
The ships intercom came to life as a frantic voice announced, "Emergency alert! Security breach on deck fourteen! Several prisoners have escaped! I repeat, several prisoners have escaped!"
Kindel made for the door, his heavy boots clopping across the floor. Barrine's voice stopped him.
"Sir? What about this—"
"I leave this Belvid in your custody for the time being, Doctor." Thorus didn't look back. "If she causes an incident, I'll have not only your head, but the rest of your team's as well."
The door slid shut behind him amid Barrine's protests. He hurried down the corridor toward the lift while the intercom repeated the emergency message. Faint laser fire rumbled, accompanied by shouted orders. There were few other captives being held in the prison cells besides the Belvids, though he couldn't imagine how any might have broken free. Regardless, it seemed as though someone had not only broken free, but armed themselves as well. As he pressed the call button on the lift, he activated his communicator. "This is Admiral Thorus calling all frequencies. I want deck fourteen locked down and the escaped prisoners apprehended. Alive, if possible. Is that understood?" A slew of responses came back as each of the crew members assigned to deck fourteen acknowledged the orders. "I'm on my way."
>
When the lift finally arrived, Thorus was whisked to deck fourteen. A message appeared on the control panel indicating that the floor had been locked down. Kindel's authorization code released the lock and the doors slid open in the middle of a raging firefight. Using a technique taught by his father, Kindel manipulated the energy within his body outward, forming spherical barrier around his body as he stepped into the hallway. Each laser was harmlessly absorbed into the shield while he surveyed the battling factions.
To his left, the grey-uniformed soldiers of the Vezulian Armada had gathered at an arch in the hall, some leaning around the curve to fire their pistols while others used doorways for cover. On the opposite side, Lady Almatha and her other servant were accompanied by a grungy, well-proportioned man with a square face and a thick brown beard. Regal Bune, if Kindel remembered correctly. The man was a Deltorian Pirate, apprehended by Kalibur a few months earlier at a refueling station near the planet Deltor. He'd been caught trying to stowaway in the cargo compartments of the Black Eagle, no doubt hoping to find something valuable to take off Kindel's hands. Now, the scruffy pirate had somehow managed to escape and arm himself, along with the Belvids, and they returned fire on the Vezulian soldiers using the Armada's own laser pistols. How did they acquire weapons?
Kindel's appearance startled the prisoners; the Belvids nearly dropped their pistols. Regal's eyes widened, and he aimed at Kindel's head. The blast was absorbed by the energy shield, but the attempt triggered a violent flurry of laser fire from Kindel's troops. "Vezulian soldiers, hold your fire!" The crimson shower of lasers ceased abruptly. Fear and disappointment flashed on the faces of Lady Almatha and her assistant, their feet taking timid steps backward as Kindel approached. Regal shuffled backward as well, the barrel of his weapon still aimed at Kindel's face.
"We can work this out," he said, a quiver in his voice. "We can cut a deal that leaves everyone happy, can't we?"
"This is my ship." Kindel's voice was calm, though his eyes were thin slits of blue. "You are in no position to bargain."
Sweat ran from Regal's brown hair and dripped down his face as he considered his options. He took a quick glance toward the Belvids before choosing Almatha as his new target. "I heard the message you gave over the intercom." He trembled with fear in spite of his size. "You want us alive. If you don't guarantee my safety, I'll kill them both right now." The threat brought looks of shock and disgust from the Belvids.
Kindel bared his teeth. "You'll do no such thing."
Blue light surrounded Kindel's fist, and a beam of energy launched toward Regal's chest. The pirate pulled the trigger just as the attack threw him against the wall. With an angry growl, Thorus released his energy shield and turned toward his Belvid prisoners.
Lady Almatha was on her knees, cradling her servant's lifeless body. A tendril of smoke rose from the Belvid's laser wound. Almatha nuzzled her forehead against her assistant and whispered something unintelligible before turning her eyes to Kindel. "If not for you, she would live. She will return to nature prematurely, and your heartlessness will be rewarded with suffering, Kindel Thorus."
Regal groaned, clutching his chest against the opposite tunnel wall. "I was going to split the profits of the fairy's rock with you," he mumbled.
Kindel's face hardened further. He pressed his fingertips along Regal's forehead and temples on either side. "No, my friend, I believe that I shall keep the rewards for myself." Brilliant bars of energy shot from each finger, riddling Regal's skull with a series of white-hot beams. Death was instantaneous.
The Vezulian troops approached with caution. "Get to the infirmary and secure the other Belvid," Thorus ordered. "See that she is returned to her cell safely. And tell Doctor Barrine and the others to get down here on the double."
The foremost soldier saluted. "Yes, Sir!"
"And dispose of this," he added, kicking Regal's ribs.
"Right away, Sir!"
As they departed, Thorus returned his attention to Almatha. She trembled visibly, clutching her servant so tightly that her nails nearly broke skin. Kindel dropped to a knee beside her, trying to soften his appearance. When he spoke, his voice was quiet. "I realize you don't understand my motives. But the loss of her life will help to save countless others. The gain is worth the loss in the end, I assure you."
"Lives can be saved through peace, Kindel Thorus," Almatha said in a near-whisper. Tears rolled down her face as she cradled her assistant. "You destroy that which you claim to protect."
"I agree that peaceful means would be more prudent, my Lady," Thorus said with a nod, "yet the rest of the universe does not. Peace prospers only when both sides agree to work together. No matter how much anyone tries to avoid conflict, it will always be there. And when it comes, they must either fight or be destroyed."
"I'd rather die for peace than live by murder."
"You may yet have that chance," Kindel responded. Her eyes shot up at the statement. "I fear your seclusion on your homeworld has blinded you to the reality of things."
"If peace works on Belvidia, it can work everywhere." She was defiant in spite of her wide-eyed stare.
"Can it?" Thorus returned to his feet and turned away from her. "Have you ever heard of the Ma'tuul, Lady Almatha? They were a highly intelligent race of vicious warriors that gained knowledge and power by conquering other worlds. They had no use for the planets they destroyed, no interest in natural resources or new settlements. They simply wanted to defeat, destroy, and move on. They grew stronger and more dangerous with each planet they left in ruins and absorbed each society's technology and wisdom after every victory. Their goal? To be the most superior force in the universe."
"I've never heard of such beings," Almatha grunted, refusing to look at him. She kept her eyes closed and her forehead against her assistant's.
"You wouldn't have," Thorus laughed. "They were exterminated a long time ago . . . by the Vezulian Armada."
"I suppose you are quite proud of yourself, then."
Kindel grit his teeth and squatted beside her. "They targeted Zo'rhan, my homeworld, when I was just a boy." Memories of those days always heated his blood. "We are warriors, we always have been, but they had might and technology on their side. Some were as large as four times our own size with strength to lift a hundred men in one arm. They were larger, stronger, smarter, and always a step ahead of us. When we planned ambushes, they were waiting for us. When we drew swords, they launched missiles. They ravaged our cities and looted our technology. Before we knew it, they were using our own weapons against us, integrating them into their own artillery. They killed over three hundred-million zo'rhan during their invasion—nearly ninety percent of our population."
"Is that what turned you into the heartless conqueror that you are?"
Thorus balled his fists; it was all he could do to keep from slapping the teeth out of her mouth. "Don't you ever call us conquerors. We liberate others from their prison of fear by destroying those who seek to cause war. We are peacemakers, not warmongers. What would you have had us do? Should we have stood there while the Ma'tuul unleashed an unprovoked attack on our planet? The universe is not as friendly as you imagine it, I'm afraid."
Lady Almatha met his angry gaze levelly. "I am truly sympathetic for what your people experienced, but it does not justify your interference with Belvidia. It does not bring Shien back!" She sobbed as she hugged her servant closer still.
"Prevention of further catastrophes like the breaking of Zo'rhan justifies my interference. The sacrifice of your lives will, in the long run, have little effect on your society as a whole, but the fruit of my work will help protect civilizations for generations to come." Standing, he turned his back. "You just don't get it, do you? We had to abandon our homeworld to the Ma'tuul. My parents were brutally murdered and eaten—eaten!—right in front of me! Savages like that cannot be reasoned with. The only thing we could do was e
scape, regroup, and return with an army big enough to wipe out every last one of them. War cannot be avoided, and the true warrior is always conscious of the threat, always prepared to do whatever is necessary to survive."
Her voice cracked as her anger boiled over. "Even when it ends the lives of others? You murder and destroy as though it a small price to pay, but all you seek is to make yourself the strongest being there ever was! You hunger for power and will trample over anyone to attain it! Listen to yourself speak! All you want is to kill every other living thing in this universe before it has a chance to kill you!"
"I cannot allow compassion to stand in the way of the greater good!" he shot back. "Power is a necessity in life. There are too many threats out there to have the luxury of apathy that your race covets. Perhaps if your world wasn't cut off from the rest of the universe, you'd appreciate the values and ideals of the Vezulian Armada a bit more."
The smooth sound of the lift door drifted down the hall, and moments later a detachment of soldiers entered alongside a bound and shackled Mia. Doctor Barrine rushed ahead, his eyes fixed on the woman in Almatha's arms. Kindel forced her to release the servant and yanked her to her feet. "Though you may not live to see it, the universe will enjoy peace and prosperity once the Armada eliminates all civilizations deemed dangerous. Every planet will sing praises to me for liberating them from fear's hand of stone."
Almatha muttered words clearly not meant for his ears. "I see little difference between you and the Ma'tuul."
As the soldiers filed through the hall with Mia, several grabbed Almatha and wrapped shackles around her wrists and ankles. She shot him one more glare before allowing herself to be led away. Perhaps if she'd been forced to watch a giant tear her mother's head from her body before feasting upon it, she'd see things differently. How dare she?
"Admiral," Barrine's voice tore him from his anger, "I may be able to save the baharinda if we work quickly, but I'll need that paperwork on the stone you wish to duplicate right away if I'm going to even attempt a cloning." With no time to wait for a flatbed, the other doctors, still in their white coats, lifted the dead Belvid for transportation to the infirmary. They shuffled down the hall toward the lift while Barrine looked at him expectantly.
Thorus directed one last glare toward Almatha's back. "You'll have it shortly, Doctor. I shall meet you in the infirmary."