position had fallen to Tzal.
Tzal’s lips pulled upwards in the Rak expression of mild pleasure every time he envisioned his old nemesis, Group-Master Skor being introduced to his new superior. All four group-masters would be stunned and resentful at Tzal’s double-promotion, in that they had all been bypassed for the position while they were away on exploration missions. Tzal felt that the awkwardness of the situation would be a major test of his leadership abilities, but he also thought that most would eventually accept OverFleet-Master Maaz’ decision. Group-Master Skor and master of his flagship, Ship-Master Klag would never accept it though... as they had never fully accepted it when Region-Master Glan had placed Drik in command of the squadron, just before they were assigned to imperial fleet duties.
The Akudavex’ logs had been downloaded and wiped, with all of the information on the aliens firmly locked away under Maaz’ personal security seal. Maaz then ordered new Ship-Master Unak to take Akudavex out on an extended exploration mission in the opposite direction from the aliens they had discovered.
Tzal didn’t know that he was the only one from his entire crew who still remembered their last mission in its entirety. For the rest of Akudavex’ crew, additional hypnotic commands inserted during their ascension ceremonies had buried all memories of those aliens firmly away, into now inaccessible areas of their minds.
Troxia Station, in orbit around the Rak Planet Troxia
Seven additional Raknii warfleets were assembled at Troxia during the past several subcycles on Quadrant-Master Raan’s defensive order after the earlier Trakaan debacle, prior to his departure to Raku. OverFleet-Master Maaz realized he was in over his head, and his best course of action was to wait for directions from higher authority before using these fleets to conduct any further offensive operations against the Trakaan, or in moving against the newly discovered aliens. Just as Drik had predicted, the docile Trakaan had not followed up on their earlier victory with offensive operations of their own, but seemed satisfied to enjoy the relative peace in the manner of herd beasts.
Initially these assembled Rak fleets availed themselves of the opportunity to conduce necessary heavy maintenance requiring extended periods in the shipyard, rotating with other fleets on routine guard patrols about Troxia, just like the thousands of other fleets throughout the five other regions of the Rak Empire. Although chaffing at the enforced idleness, the warriors enjoyed the time off with extended leave and liberty down on the former Trakaan world of Troxia.
Once conquered, the Trakaan reverted to their docile natures and made better than average servants, treating Rak warriors with utmost respect. Many were taught to understand the Rak language and could therefore obey commands, although their vocal apparatus was totally incompatible with speaking it. Still, in spite of all the recreational time off, things were at a near boil by the time Raan finally returned.
Maaz had Tzal accompany him to meet Raan’s ship as it docked. Both stiffly gave Raan the Rak cross-chest salute, as he descended the gangway. Neither missed noticing that his rank-stone was now a ruby sunburst, instead of the emerald sunburst he had left with.
“Brother,” said Raan, as he grasped Maaz’ forearm in the Rak version of a warm greeting. “It’s good to see you again.”
“And you… Region-Master.” responded Maaz.
“Yes, that came as a bit of a surprise to me, as well,” replied Raan. Noticing Tzal standing silently off to the side, Raan said, “I seem to remember this warrior, but not as a squadron-master. A new addition to your staff, Maaz?”
“Only temporarily, until we can regroup his squadron that has been out on solo exploration missions since your departure. Master, this is former ship-master Tzal of the Akudavex , one of the ships of Drik’s squadron
Tzal’s lips pulled upwards in the Rak expression of mild pleasure every time he envisioned his old nemesis, Group-Master Skor being introduced to his new superior. All four group-masters would be stunned and resentful at Tzal’s double-promotion, in that they had all been bypassed for the position while they were away on exploration missions. Tzal felt that the awkwardness of the situation would be a major test of his leadership abilities, but he also thought that most would eventually accept OverFleet-Master Maaz’ decision. Group-Master Skor and master of his flagship, Ship-Master Klag would never accept it though... as they had never fully accepted it when Region-Master Glan had placed Drik in command of the squadron, just before they were assigned to imperial fleet duties.
The Akudavex’ logs had been downloaded and wiped, with all of the information on the aliens firmly locked away under Maaz’ personal security seal. Maaz then ordered new Ship-Master Unak to take Akudavex out on an extended exploration mission in the opposite direction from the aliens they had discovered.
Tzal didn’t know that he was the only one from his entire crew who still remembered their last mission in its entirety. For the rest of Akudavex’ crew, additional hypnotic commands inserted during their ascension ceremonies had buried all memories of those aliens firmly away, into now inaccessible areas of their minds.
Troxia Station, in orbit around the Rak Planet Troxia
Seven additional Raknii warfleets were assembled at Troxia during the past several subcycles on Quadrant-Master Raan’s defensive order after the earlier Trakaan debacle, prior to his departure to Raku. OverFleet-Master Maaz realized he was in over his head, and his best course of action was to wait for directions from higher authority before using these fleets to conduct any further offensive operations against the Trakaan, or in moving against the newly discovered aliens. Just as Drik had predicted, the docile Trakaan had not followed up on their earlier victory with offensive operations of their own, but seemed satisfied to enjoy the relative peace in the manner of herd beasts.
Initially these assembled Rak fleets availed themselves of the opportunity to conduce necessary heavy maintenance requiring extended periods in the shipyard, rotating with other fleets on routine guard patrols about Troxia, just like the thousands of other fleets throughout the five other regions of the Rak Empire. Although chaffing at the enforced idleness, the warriors enjoyed the time off with extended leave and liberty down on the former Trakaan world of Troxia.
Once conquered, the Trakaan reverted to their docile natures and made better than average servants, treating Rak warriors with utmost respect. Many were taught to understand the Rak language and could therefore obey commands, although their vocal apparatus was totally incompatible with speaking it. Still, in spite of all the recreational time off, things were at a near boil by the time Raan finally returned.
Maaz had Tzal accompany him to meet Raan’s ship as it docked. Both stiffly gave Raan the Rak cross-chest salute, as he descended the gangway. Neither missed noticing that his rank-stone was now a ruby sunburst, instead of the emerald sunburst he had left with.
“Brother,” said Raan, as he grasped Maaz’ forearm in the Rak version of a warm greeting. “It’s good to see you again.”
“And you… Region-Master.” responded Maaz.
“Yes, that came as a bit of a surprise to me, as well,” replied Raan. Noticing Tzal standing silently off to the side, Raan said, “I seem to remember this warrior, but not as a squadron-master. A new addition to your staff, Maaz?”
“Only temporarily, until we can regroup his squadron that has been out on solo exploration missions since your departure. Master, this is former ship-master Tzal of the Akudavex , one of the ships of Drik’s squadron
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