out of the frightening scenario.
“What can I do for you, General,” Sallas said half-heartedly.
“I have some news for you, Prime Minister. The jump ships have returned.”
“Admiral Pike is back?” said Sallas, his spirits lifting.
“No, Admiral Pike is not with them. The Reiver, and two of the Chaanisar ships have returned, but there are three new ships with them. One is an Earth ship, and two are Diakan.”
“Diakan?”
“Yes, Sir. I’ve never seen anything like them. They are gigantic, although badly damaged. In fact, all six ships are in urgent need of repair.”
“Why? What happened?” Sallas said worriedly.
“It seems they fought the Kemmar on their way here. From the state of their ships, it must have been quite the battle. The Diakan ships in particular have several hull breaches. It’s a damn good thing they’re so big. I don’t know of any other ship that could withstand that much and still be spaceworthy.”
They’ve already battled the Kemmar, thought Sallas. Where? “And you say that Admiral Pike is not with them?”
“That’s right, Sir. Neither is the Freedom.”
“Then who is in command?”
“Captain St. Clair is in command of the battle group,” said Calledonius.
“St. Clair? Pike’s first officer?”
“Yes, Prime Minister. It appears that he has been promoted.”
“I see. There have been some new developments since Admiral Pike left.”
“Yes, Prime Minister. The ships are moving into orbit around New Byzantium, and we are providing whatever help they need to conduct repairs.”
“Good. The stars know we’re going to need their help against the Kemmar.”
“Agreed, Sir. Captain St. Clair also mentioned that he would like to meet with you.”
“Of course. I was hoping to speak with him.”
“I thought so. Once their ships are in orbit, he’ll take a shuttle down to the surface.”
“Yes. Thank you, General.”
Calledonius bowed his head and ended the transmission. Sallas leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms in front of his chest. Six jump ships, but no Admiral Pike. Would they fight for New Byzantium? The Reiver and the two Chaanisar ships had sworn to defend New Byzantium, but he had no power over the Diakans, nor the Earth ship. Even with St. Clair as their commanding officer, the crew wouldn’t have any feelings of loyalty for New Byzantium. Besides, even if all six ships agreed to fight for New Byzantium, would they be enough to defeat the Kemmar?
Chapter 22
Kevin and Major Ilthos were escorted by a Guardsman to Prime Minister Sallas’s office. Sallas stood and approached them at once. He smiled broadly, and it wasn’t a phony politician’s smile. Either he was very good at his job, or he was genuinely pleased to see them. Kevin wanted to believe the latter. He didn’t like being cynical, and chose to see the good in people first.
“It’s a pleasure to see you again, Captain St. Clair,” said Sallas, hand outstretched.
Kevin gripped the Prime Minister’s hand firmly. “It’s good to see you too, Sir.” Kevin glanced at Ilthos, “Allow me to introduce Major Ilthos, my Diakan liaison.”
Sallas let go of Kevin’s hand extending his to Ilthos. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Major. I have heard a lot about Diakus.”
Ilthos bowed his head slightly. “Forgive me, Prime Minister. Diakans do not shake hands.”
“Yes, of course,” said Sallas, pulling his hand away, unphased. “Please, sit down,” Sallas, gestured toward a group of arm chairs arranged around a coffee table. Sallas continued. “I was expecting to find Admiral Pike with you,” said Sallas, an inquisitive look on his face.
“Things got complicated in the Sol System,” said Kevin. “The Juttari nuked Earth.”
“What?!” said Sallas, eyes wide with shock. “How bad?”
“Bad, Sir. They targeted all major cities. Most of the population is dead. The radiation threatens to eliminate the rest.”
“Of course, Diakus is doing what it can,” said
“What can I do for you, General,” Sallas said half-heartedly.
“I have some news for you, Prime Minister. The jump ships have returned.”
“Admiral Pike is back?” said Sallas, his spirits lifting.
“No, Admiral Pike is not with them. The Reiver, and two of the Chaanisar ships have returned, but there are three new ships with them. One is an Earth ship, and two are Diakan.”
“Diakan?”
“Yes, Sir. I’ve never seen anything like them. They are gigantic, although badly damaged. In fact, all six ships are in urgent need of repair.”
“Why? What happened?” Sallas said worriedly.
“It seems they fought the Kemmar on their way here. From the state of their ships, it must have been quite the battle. The Diakan ships in particular have several hull breaches. It’s a damn good thing they’re so big. I don’t know of any other ship that could withstand that much and still be spaceworthy.”
They’ve already battled the Kemmar, thought Sallas. Where? “And you say that Admiral Pike is not with them?”
“That’s right, Sir. Neither is the Freedom.”
“Then who is in command?”
“Captain St. Clair is in command of the battle group,” said Calledonius.
“St. Clair? Pike’s first officer?”
“Yes, Prime Minister. It appears that he has been promoted.”
“I see. There have been some new developments since Admiral Pike left.”
“Yes, Prime Minister. The ships are moving into orbit around New Byzantium, and we are providing whatever help they need to conduct repairs.”
“Good. The stars know we’re going to need their help against the Kemmar.”
“Agreed, Sir. Captain St. Clair also mentioned that he would like to meet with you.”
“Of course. I was hoping to speak with him.”
“I thought so. Once their ships are in orbit, he’ll take a shuttle down to the surface.”
“Yes. Thank you, General.”
Calledonius bowed his head and ended the transmission. Sallas leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms in front of his chest. Six jump ships, but no Admiral Pike. Would they fight for New Byzantium? The Reiver and the two Chaanisar ships had sworn to defend New Byzantium, but he had no power over the Diakans, nor the Earth ship. Even with St. Clair as their commanding officer, the crew wouldn’t have any feelings of loyalty for New Byzantium. Besides, even if all six ships agreed to fight for New Byzantium, would they be enough to defeat the Kemmar?
Chapter 22
Kevin and Major Ilthos were escorted by a Guardsman to Prime Minister Sallas’s office. Sallas stood and approached them at once. He smiled broadly, and it wasn’t a phony politician’s smile. Either he was very good at his job, or he was genuinely pleased to see them. Kevin wanted to believe the latter. He didn’t like being cynical, and chose to see the good in people first.
“It’s a pleasure to see you again, Captain St. Clair,” said Sallas, hand outstretched.
Kevin gripped the Prime Minister’s hand firmly. “It’s good to see you too, Sir.” Kevin glanced at Ilthos, “Allow me to introduce Major Ilthos, my Diakan liaison.”
Sallas let go of Kevin’s hand extending his to Ilthos. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Major. I have heard a lot about Diakus.”
Ilthos bowed his head slightly. “Forgive me, Prime Minister. Diakans do not shake hands.”
“Yes, of course,” said Sallas, pulling his hand away, unphased. “Please, sit down,” Sallas, gestured toward a group of arm chairs arranged around a coffee table. Sallas continued. “I was expecting to find Admiral Pike with you,” said Sallas, an inquisitive look on his face.
“Things got complicated in the Sol System,” said Kevin. “The Juttari nuked Earth.”
“What?!” said Sallas, eyes wide with shock. “How bad?”
“Bad, Sir. They targeted all major cities. Most of the population is dead. The radiation threatens to eliminate the rest.”
“Of course, Diakus is doing what it can,” said
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