* * *
Legion angrily paced the private lounge deck on the AugustOne, Asotos’ battle carrier. It was by far the most powerful and well-armed ship in the First Realm. Besides mounting solid projectile, laser, and rail gun systems, there were over one hundred of the latest Endikos (‘Righteous Justice’) 23’s, the newest and most deadly fighters in Asotos’ naval arsenal. For added protection, over sixty warships and their tenders supported the AugustOne.
Asotos also took no chances with his personal security. In time of war, an additional one thousand soldiers were stationed aboard the ship. This was above his handpicked, five-hundred strong security force that was always with him. Armed guards were everywhere, including the galley. War was no time to take chances. One could never tell when a spy might sneak in.
The outer door leading to Asotos’ private cabins quietly opened. Legion spun around to see who was there. Captain Ilaniya slowly stepped through the doorway and approached Legion. “My Lord, Lord Baron Alithea is busy, but sends me to inform you that he will see you momentarily. In the meantime, may I provide you with some food or drink, or would you prefer some music? I can play for you the hart or the lute.”
Legion snarled, “I have not risked life and limb to travel the hazards of these skies, leaving my home defenseless against the demon hordes making an infestation of it, to be put off by the likes of a tramp like you! Play your music for the fool! I must see Alithea now!!”
Ilaniya apologized. “My Lord Legion, our Lord has given me this command as I have spoken to you. I cannot disobey it.” She clasped her hands and made a slight bow. “Allow me to provide you some entertainment while you wait upon our Lord.”
Legion began to fume. He was about to strike Ilaniya when he heard Asotos call out to him from deep within his hidden chambers. Taking a strand of Ilaniya’s hair and wrapping it under her chin, then lifting until the captain stood on her toes, he gave her a sinister growl. “You will entertain me, tonight! I will play the hart and you will sing my music. You know how I like my music played, so clean yourself for me.” He released his grip. Ilaniya settled back onto her feet. Grinning in her face, he hooted, “I have several men accompanying me who are also in great need of entertainment. They will expect a good show tonight.” He walked toward the opened door, whistling a little tune.
Legion strutted past the two guards standing besides the opening to Asotos’ inner office and stateroom. With a smile and a warm salutation, Asotos rose then hurried around his enormous, crescent-shaped desk. With outstretched arms, he cried, “My brother! My dear brother! How much I have wanted to see your face!”
Legion stopped some paces away, glowering, expressing his displeasure at Asotos’ slow advance upon the enemy. “Do not think me dimwitted like your monkeys who cannot think or speak intelligent matters. My face is insulted by such lack of respect shown to me since my stepping aboard this…this ship! Even your special toy, that woman you sent me for entertainment, had the audacity to heap further indignities upon me while I patiently waited your audience.”
He wagged his finger accusatively at Asotos. “I know your ways, Alithea, and have seen how your unfortunate lieutenants are treated. I believed you and I were above such things as that. Tell me if it’s not so…that you wait for my people to blunt the edge of our enemy’s sword and then you will come in for the kill at little loss to yourself. Don’t play games with me! Remember, ‘as goes Memphis, so goes the kingdom’.”
At first, Asotos appeared shocked. Gradually, a pretend look of hurt innocence filled his face. His shoulders slumped as he drew his hands together. Then his head bowed as he released a mournful sigh. “Oh, my dear brother, how much you do not understand. I have been advancing like a leopard upon its prey, but…” He paused. One of Legion’s earlier statements caught his attention. Addressing it might calm matters a little. Raising his eyes just enough to see Legion’s, he asked with curiosity, “In what way have you received insults?”
This was the opening Legion had been waiting for. Asotos would have to honor any request of his to mollify possible disgrace he may have suffered. Legion almost gasped, “The rudeness! Oh, for your merciful kindness, I do not see how you can tolerate that captain of yours! The simplest of requests she snidely dismisses, her tone so belittling, as if she were some queen on a throne. Has your loving kindness made her feel above you? Is she not playing with you as queen Vashti did with her king?”
Asotos attempted to pacify his brother’s hurt. “I have not seen this thing of which you speak. With me, the creature has been mild and subservient.” He quickly motioned Legion silent. “But, I do not question what you tell me. After all, we are both trustworthy men, are we not? Our word is our bond. Correct?”
Legion nodded. “Men of truth we are, my brother, and always shall be.” He quoted from an old proverb. “‘Though every man be found a liar, the words of the wise and just shall forever hold true’.”
Asotos smiled and then addressing the current issue, proposed, “I would not be a good judge to decide what discipline should be given a person who acts so disrespectfully toward such a distinguished and honorable man as you.” He began to amble back to his chair. “You know, my brother, it would be unthinkable on my part to pass sentence upon someone under such circumstances.” He stood by his chair and turned. “Remember our rules of ethical conduct. ‘Only at the mouth of two or more witnesses shall judgment be settled against an evildoer’. Do you have a second witness?”
Legion’s face reddened in anger. Again, Asotos quickly motioned him to wait before speaking. He stepped in front of an ornately carved, high-backed chair and seated himself like a judge overseeing a court.
When comfortable, he calmly continued, “As I said, in an official capacity there is little I can do other, say, than to speak about this matter with my captain. If a confession is forthcoming, then I can act officially. On the other hand, because she is a military officer, if the one seeing her act of misconduct were a superior officer, well, I believe some sort of military discipline could be administered.”
Legion confessed, “I feel it my duty to correct this Captain Ilaniya, so such an insubordinate attitude doesn’t spread among the junior officers.” His face took on a grave appearance. “My brother, I fear for your well-being if proper discipline isn’t administered quickly. I must leave as the shadow of Staleow’s moon passes across our fleets. That will be less than seven hours. If I miss that window, it will be another thirty-six before I can leave in secrecy. Let me take the captain with me back to Memphis, and there I shall carry out justice.”
Asotos shook his head. “We have much business to discuss. The fat one, your lieutenant, Godenn, is supposed to arrive here shortly. If you wish to see him, you must wait until this time tomorrow to do so. Besides, the captain belongs here with me. She belongs to me. If you are to serve judgment upon her, it will be done after we finish with business today, and before the fat one arrives tomorrow.”
Legion grumbled in exasperation, “My Lord, I must return quickly to Memphis! It is under siege from the east and west. Things are tenuous! Disaster could happen upon us at any moment!”
A tone of suspicion hung on Asotos’ next question. “Am I to understand that you appointed inept lieutenants to stand your line of defenses, and then have the boldness to leave them in charge just so you can go gallivanting across the galaxy?”
Legion fumed, defending his actions. “My officers are highly qualified men! I can trust them to do their duty. But my concerns are legitimate! First, you pulled from me my most trusted lieutenant, Godenn, and sent him on a f…” He thought better of what he was going to say and continued, “far distant operation that has proved inconclusive. You will also note I lost Salak, my number two officer, because of it. Second, the entire thrust of the Children’s Empire has been pushed upon MueoPoros. Your information proved faulty. My army was caught hundreds of kilomete
rs from my base when the enemy’s real intentions were discovered. Needless to say, if it weren’t for my outstanding leadership, Memphis would surely have fallen weeks ago.”
Slapping his opened hands on the desk for effect, Asotos grinned as he countered, “Then a slight delay in your returning should be of little concern to you.”
Legion frowned, shaking his head. “Do you not understand, brother? If I faced a mortal enemy, my faith would be strong regarding the safety of Memphis. But that witch woman who gave you a hard time at the Prisoner Exchange leads the armies at my door. I have heard reports that her ship was driven from the skies, killing Tizrela, but she went unscathed and has now set up headquarters on the Sophia. I dare not abandon my home for long in the face of such an enemy.”
Asotos shrugged as he replied, “You tell me old news. It changes nothing of what I have said.” He then began to slowly wag his finger as he continued. “The witch woman is not immortal as you envision. She is not indestructible - lucky, maybe very lucky, but still very mortal. Remember, there were other survivors reported from the wreck of the Starlight.” He couldn’t help but take a jab at Legion. “It appears your navy pilots lack the ability or stomach to carry their job to a finish. They should have followed the Starlight down and made sure no one survived.”
Legion argued differently. Asotos silenced him. “I know your gods are mortal. Salak died, but not in vain. You may recall a certain man at the Prisoner Exchange, the one who took out two of the bodyguards. You know...the one who was shot with that bolt and got back up.”
Legion anxiously waited to hear more.
Reveling in his hidden knowledge, Asotos drew out the suspense. Resting his elbows on the desk, he very slowly rubbed his hands together, eyes looking up as if in thought. Holding the moment until Legion looked like he was about to burst, Asotos finally finished. “Well, reports have come to me saying that fellow to be on board the Shikkeron. I have also heard reports that searchers were unable to find any trace of the ship or crew after its collision with Salak’s ship.” He held up his hand, bringing its thumb and forefinger ever so close together. “Not even a piece that big was found. Brother, I can tell you this: whatever those creatures are that Erithia delivered into this realm, one thing is certain…they’re not immortal.”
This was news to Legion. Whether comforting or not, he chose not to say. After another argument or two, he finally surrendered to Asotos’ badgering and consented to remain there another day. “Good! Good!” Asotos exclaimed. “We shall all celebrate the anniversary of the throwing off of the shackles of slavery to Erithia and the awakening into the glorious freedom of the League of Brothers. It’s only two days from now.”
When Legion began protests anew, Asotos assuaged his discontent. “You have spoken of the time needed to assist my captain in purging her spirit of an insubordinate disposition. Now your concerns can be laid to rest. You will be able to carry on justice at your leisure. Not only that, but there will be officers arriving with whom you have not shared company for many days. You wouldn’t want to miss them, would you?”
Asotos stood and strolled around the table. Walking up to Legion, he grasped him by the upper arms and offered a cunning smile. “There is another important reason I desire to wait a little while before engaging our enemy. As you know, the demon horde has collected itself at MueoPoros to attempt your destruction, which will be impossible. What you may not yet know is that I am waiting for additional visitors before I slam the door of escape shut on them with my armadas.”
He paced back and forth in front of Legion, gesturing occasionally for added effect. “Our old associate, PalaHar, will soon join the enemy fleet and…” He turned, squinting, “and he’s bringing that little bitch-girl with him, the one who’s cost you so much sleep.”
Legion’s eyes grew wide with surprise. Asotos grinned. “That’s not all.” He began pacing anew. “My people have succeeded in convincing that usurper into leaving the security of Erithia’s palace. At this very moment, she’s hurrying to join Gabrielle on the Sophia, something she thinks is being done in secret. Indeed, I believe Gabrielle knows not of her journey.”
He put his arm around Legion’s shoulders, and the two began to pace the floor while Asotos continued on. “Your home fleet remained hidden until it attacked the enemy, yet it is the only one that has been discovered. The element of surprise belongs to us. We also have double the number of ships in our flotillas, with extra fighters and heavies. We will swoop in for the kill and take out that usurper’s entire command structure, after which we will dispense righteous justice upon those who have taunted us.”
Legion was pleased with the news and readily agreed to continue with Asotos’ fleet until after the celebration of the League’s independence. Asotos sent a guard to fetch Ilaniya, who, after questioning by Asotos, only defended her actions by apologizing for behaving inappropriately in any way, her fear of Legion being so great as to not want to risk increasing his wrath against her. She then departed for Legion’s private chambers.
After some casual jabber and strong drink, Legion left Asotos’ chambers to attend to other matters. On his way out, Asotos warned, “Now do be careful with my girl! I want her unbroken. No visible scars, you hear? She’s to dance and perform at my celebration. She can’t serve us if she can’t walk.”
Legion promised to be gentle, then hurried from the room.
Oh, for the best laid plans of mice and men! Asotos had at his disposal the power and ability to break the back of the Children’s Empire, and would have likely done so if he had listened to Legion’s urgent request to make haste. The delay he forced - to celebrate the anniversary of the creation of his kingdom - cost him dearly.
Unbeknown to him was the fact that Mihai’s people were not sitting back, waiting to be attacked. Commander General Sarah had dispatched her WolfPack Marauders on a search and destroy mission of Asotos’ ships. The delay also gave time for the newly re-commissioned Chisamore and its battle group to get up steam and make smoke for the advancing enemy armadas.
Admiral TaqaEsem had also gathered the Tarezabarian hunter-seekers, and was in hot pursuit of Godenn’s battle group, knowing that the bee would lead them to the honey.
By the time Asotos awoke from his drunken stupor following his celebration, he would discover that most of his armada was no longer hidden from the enemy. Although still forcing a major battle that proved costly to both sides, his being engaged in a running battle for the six days it took his fleets to reach attack positions reduced the advantage he originally had in numbers, leaving disabled and burning hulks scattered along the invasion route.
If it proved any consolation, Asotos’ coming attack would succeed in breaking the heart of the Children’s Empire, but not its back. Indeed, he only managed to weld its spirit into a more determined fighting machine, intent on bringing all that was his to nothing.