The Honor of the Ancients: Gazurtoid War 2

The Honor of the Ancients: Gazurtoid War 2
by Adam Schillinger, Plot Coordinator/Head Writer, Starflight III
Copyright 1999 by the Starflight III Project

Prologue

02-12-4643

The universal tapestry had started to unravel in the Earth Sector. The Coalition, consisting of the Arth Union of Worlds, Mechan 9, and Thrynn Confederacy of Planets, was embroiled in a bitter war with the Gazurtoid. The Spemin, as was expected, were staying out of the way, as were the Veloxi. The Elowan had ceased attacking the Thrynn and planned on halting the aggression until the end of the Gazurtoid War.

The Leghk Sector was more stable. Tandelou still preached, Dweenle still moped, Humna Humna still cheated in trade. G'Nunk attention was slowly drifting towards the Ngkherarla, and the Umanu were supervising alien colonization in the Cloud. And an industrial society was getting very close to launching experimental superphotonic spacecraft.

Most Coalition vessels present were busy with trade, collecting the precious supplies their companions at home so desperately needed. Occasionally, officers from the front would arrive for reassignment, bringing disturbing tales of pitched battles and friends long gone. One of these groups, on a rented Nebulae class vessel, was arriving at Starport Outpost 1.

PART 1 - The Newcomer

02-12-4643, 0800 hours

Starport Outpost 1, Ptera system

The doors to the Nebula Lounge slid open for the newcomer. His first stop on the station, the local bar, was where he was to meet his new commanding officer. Approaching the bar, he called the attention of the android bartender. "What will it be, sir?" it asked, following its programming to the letter.

"Xiphtu, extra larrge."

"Perhaps my auditory receptors malfunctioned...please restate order."

"Xiphtu, you piecce of sh-"

"Input confirmed. Veloxi ale coming up."

The bartender went about fetching the drink with the whir of his mechanisms. The newcomer looked around. It had been a long time since he'd been here. Not as long as it seemed, but in this day and age, nothing was as it seemed.

"Here you are, sir," stated the android, placing the glass down a little too hard, sending some xiphtu over the top. The visitor took the drink. "Thhank you."

"You are most-"

The visitor turned and walked away.

"-welcome, sir."

Walking over to a vacant table, he sat down and began reviewing his record. Things had to get off on the right foot, no screw ups. Every officer knew that there was nothing worse then making a bad first impression with the new CO.

He looked around, waited, and when it got too tiresome, he reviewed his personnel file again. There were a few...minor incidents...that his CO may find somewhat troublesome, but every officer had his or her secrets.

"Greetings...may I join you?"

The stranger looked up to the human male standing beside the table. "Of coursse," he replied.

The man sat across the table and extended his hand, taking the personnel pad, and reviewing it. The visitor anxiously awaited the mans next words.

"Hmm...Monarch, Chzenko, Aries, Varuna...these last two were warships, correct?"

"Yes, ssir, they were, although Arries did nnot see much combat."

"Yes, yes, I heard about that...poor Vanguard...ah well, he was a nutjob anyways." The man continued his look at the file. "Your former crewmates have good things to say about you...now, this is more swearing than I prefer on my ship...but, I also let my crew get drunk at some Tandelou festival last month, so it's no big deal."

He looked at the information some more, and stopped. He looked up with a concerned look. "You sure one month is enough time off?"

"Yess, sir, recoverry prrocess is completed."

"I see..."

"One of my frriends wass not onboard, I will be asssigned to his ship oncce he iss promoted."

The man set down the file. "Temporary assignment, yes, I had that understanding. Well, you don't appear to be a psycho, so it looks like everything is in order." The man stood up, as did the stranger. "Welcome to the crew, Commander Ty'lyrr," the man said, extending his hand. Ty'lyrr did the same, shaking the mans hand. "Thank you, Captain Arielll. I aim to serrve."

The captain smiled. "As do we all. Report to ship at 1600 hours."

"Willl do, ssir."

Captain Ariel nodded. "Then good day to you, commander."

PART 2 - Departure

02-12-43, 1550 hours

ISS Mediator

Docked at Starport Outpost 1, Ptera system

Commander Ty'lyrr walked upon an Interstel starship for the first time since the Third Battle of Lixycen. He took a look around. This ship had definitely seen little combat. It would be a nice change.

He made his way up to deck one and walked slowly down the corridor. He looked through the open infirmary doors, into the science lab, and then to the bridge. Stepping through the doorway, he stopped as several officers took notice of him. "Commander on deck," one said.

The command chair spun around. Captain Ariel smirked as he said, "Well, commander, you're a few minutes early. I like that. Just don't make a habit of it."

"Excusse me, ssir?"

"We're not running on battlestations, commander, nor are we at the front lines. There are no Gazurtoid in the Leghk Sector, the war is back home. We don't need to be on deck early, or for 12 hour shifts and the such."

"I see, sirr."

"Great." Ariel handed Ty'lyrr a data pad. "This is your orientation pad. It'll tell you where your quarters are, the security code, which you can change later by the way, your shifts, and the password to your new personal log book. Also changeable."

"Thhank you, sir."

"You'll find the crew to be quite hospitable and not nearly as high strung as some you may have encountered back home." The captain began to spin his chair back around, then stopped. "Where are my manners? Let me introduce you. To your left is Pxi Tov, our chief science officer...to your right, Qrlthrssth, our other comm officer." He turned and pointed to the navigator. "That's Eshhh-ahhr, chief navigator. He's been serving in Interstel since '18, but this is only his second ship assignment. He's spent a lot of time on starbases and the Interstel Science Division. Been onboard since that Spemin ordeal in '39." Eshhh-ahhr waved a vine at Ty'lyrr. "Hello," he replied. "I llook forwarrd to getting to know all of yyou better."

"You can chat with them later on, commander. Go get comfortable, unpack, look over that data pad. I won't be expecting you on the bridge until 0800 tomorrow."

Ty'lyrr nodded, "Aye, captain," and walked off the bridge.

Ariel looked to Qrlthrssth. "Have we received clearance to depart?"

"Yess, captain."

"Alright." He faced forward and said to Eshhh-ahhr, "Esh, take us out of here, and let's lay in a course to...hmm, where should we go today?"

"Commodity is supposed to be a hot spot around now. I think they're catching festival fever."

"Yeah, but Humna Humna are boring, and we just saw some of them last week." Ariel tapped his fingers on the command panel. "Hmm...I got it! Lay in a course for the Anomaly's Eye system, something's bound to come up on the way."

"Roger that."

"But try not to hit the anomaly again."

"That wasn't me, sir."

"Then carry on."

As the ship left Starport and headed off for Anomaly's Eye, Captain Ariel accessed the latest tactical reports from back home.

PART 3 - The Quasar

02-13-43, 0452 hours

ISS Quasar

Elthrak 5, Elthrak system

Captain Pahhh-Liith dined in the ships lounge with Chief Medical Officer Talithiin, Chief Engineer Xziik, and Engineer Saul Buorkale. The rest of the crew was either asleep or out gathering nid berries.

ISS Quasar had a crew of 16, consisting of three Elowan, four Veloxi, four humans, and five Thrynn. While most of the crew had been in place for a while, the Thrynn had all arrived after their previous assignments had been destroyed at the Battle of Falling Stars, replacing several other officers who had retired or been killed by dark lightning. The Thrynn had not been onboard long, but they certainly seemed to be trying to prove themselves to the captain. That was what Pahhh-Liith liked about Arth Thrynn; they didn't give in to the notion that an Elowan captain was humorous, like 'natural' Thrynn so often did.

After talking briefly about the new Thrynn on the ship, the conversation had died down. Buorkale, feeling the boredom growing, asked, "Have you heard anything new about the war?"

"I heard that the Gazurtoid were driven out of the Aytlrthyss-Thoss region," answered Xziik.

"Somewhat correct," stated Talithiin. "The Gazurtoid are still present at Aytlrthyss, and have called off their assaults upon Thoss. They lost far too many ships and were unable to make any progress."

"So very odd," replied Xziik. "I would have thought the Second Wave would have taken both the Arth and Thoss systems. It seems as if they are holding back."

"Or that they don't possess the strength that they appear to," suggested Buorkale.

"Please," said Captain Pahhh-Liith, "let us dine without such an unpleasant conversation."

Shrugging, they changed their topic to the upcoming Humna Humna festival and ate their meals in peace.

0759 hours

Ty'lyrr stepped onto the bridge of Mediator for his first shift as a full-fledged commander. "Commander on deck," called out Pxi Tov.

Ariel spun around and stood up. "Ah, very good, Commander Ty'lyrr," he said. "You'll be in command for the next eight hours, I'm going off duty, doctors orders. The rest of these guys just came on, they'll be sticking it out with you, including Qrlthrssth, so you won't be doing any frequency monitoring."

"Vvery good, ssir," said Ty'lyrr. "What iss our destination?"

"Anomaly's Eye system, unless something comes up." The captain looked around, then leaned in closer. "Use this time to get to know the bridge crew better," he added.

"Yes, sirr."

The captain smiled widely. "You'll make a fine addition to this crew. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have sleep to catch."

As the captain left the bridge, Ty'lyrr sat in the command chair and accessed the latest newswire report. He came across something concerning a Humna Humna festival. "Will we be nearr the Humnna Humna worrld at 93,37?"

"No," said Pxi Tov, "it's out of the way at this point."

"Does he know that therre is a festivval there in a few dayss?"

"Aye, sir. We suggested that world as a destination, but like I said, captain's bored with them."

Ty'lyrr turned his head to Pxi. "The captain seemss like a man who likes to havve fun."

"Yes sir! Usually wants to swing by every party and festival that pops up!"

Qrlthrssth chimed in, "Let uss drink as much happy juicce as we could at the Tandelou fesstival last month! Operated the shhip drunk for a few hourrs, no accidents!"

Ty'lyrr cast a look to Qrlthrssth. "Yess, well, you must be proud." He turned back to Pxi. "Can't ssee why anyone would wannt to parrty with Tandelou...but the Humna Humna, they are not as bad." He turned back to Eshhh-ahhr. "Navigatorr Eshhh-ahhr, plot a nnew course, for Commodity. The captain will like it, I'm ssure."

"Yes, sir."

Mediator swung hard to starboard, and off to Commodity.

PART 4 - Festival

02-15-43, 0633 hours

Commodity, Commodity system

Ty'lyrr, Pxi Tov, and Eshhh-ahhr exited Mediator's terrain vehicle. It was certainly nicer outside than the last time Ty'lyrr had visited the world. "What a great day for a festival," commented Pxi Tov.

The terrain vehicle took off, taking other officers to a city about fifteen kilometers south. That wasn't good enough for these three; the nearby trade center was where they wanted to be. Not as wild as in the city, but probably just as fun.

As they walked through the mess of vehicles and people, Eshhh-ahhr asked, "Pxi, you ever been to a Humna Humna celebration?"

"No," she said, "not yet."

Esh chuckled. "Well, I've been assigned to the Leghk Sector for over four years now, and let me tell you, the Humna Humna know how to throw a good party. May just learn a thing or two along the way."

"Really? Like what?"

"Well, right after the Invasion, the Humna Humna took back Hooplah from the Spemin. Huge celebrations on all Humna Humna worlds. We stopped by Diallo for a few days, picked up some useful information from all sorts of traders and officers, like where G'Nunk and pirate activity has been picking up, who is desperate for what, and so on. We made quite a large profit from that information."

Working their way through the milling crowd, they entered the establishment and pushed their way into the noisy bar. "Llot of vissitors," yelled Ty'lyrr.

"Good!" replied Eshhh-ahhr. "More helpful!"

Eshhh-ahhr turned to Pxi Tov. "Go and find us a table!"

"Only if you get me some Tandelouvian Happy Juice!"

"I dish out the orders, honey, I don't take 'em...but, deal!"

Pxi pushed her way through the crowded room, finding one of the few empty booths. Ty'lyrr and Eshhh-ahhr waited at the bar for a bartender. Next to them, a Veloxi merchant was talking to a Humna Humna merchant. Esh and Ty'lyrr listened in. "Is flying whoosh over ocean, chasing ugly Spemin ship into canyon and the killing it most violently!" ranted the Veloxi. The Humna Humna responded, "That's nothing! I myself destroyed several numerous Spemin ships near their homeworld".

"Is the ugly you alien having been to magnificent Veloxi homeworld of Votiputox?"

"Never before or previously."

"Supreme Veloxi is welcoming merchants the selling of cheap goods. Veloxi is relative the Ancients, you know."

Eshhh-ahhr leaned to Ty'lyrr. "Amusing conversation, right? I find nothing more interesting than a Veloxi-Humna Humna heart-to-heart."

Ty'lyrr laughed. Esh was right...it was very entertaining.

A bartender came in from the back. "What drink beverage would you yourself prefer and, by that I mean, order?"

"I'll take two Tandelouvian Happy Juices!" said Eshhh-ahhr.

"I'll have ssome of that too!" said Ty'lyrr.

"Three happy juices coming up," said the bartender.

As the barkeeper moved away to fetch the drinks, Ty'lyrr said to Esh, "He didnn't use any synonymss that time!"

"Sometimes they can talk normally, sometimes they can't!"

After a few minutes, the drinks arrived. They took them, thanked the bartender, and located Pxi. Sitting at the booth, Ty'lyrr asked her, "How often do thesse festivalls happen?"

"Usually a few times a year."

"We don't make it to all of them," interjected Esh, "but in between the pirate killing and supply gathering, we sure try!"

The three spent the rest of the morning at the bar, drinking and chatting with strangers, collecting information.

PART 5 - Voices in the Dark

02-16-43, 2256 hours

ISS Mediator

Commodity, Commodity system

Ty'lyrr and company sauntered into the ships lounge and sat with Captain Ariel, Navigator Tpiixca, and Comm Officer Qrlthrssth. Wiping his forehead, Ty'lyrr looked around the table and said, "I feel llike a Sspemin at a Veloxi barrbeque."

"Only with the correct seasoning," said Tpiixca.

Ariel looked up from his steak. "You've tried it?"

"Oh yeah. My family and I took a trip to Votiputox, the place we went to served Spemin, same manner as that steak you're eating. Yellow hugger?"

"Cattle."

"Never heard of it."

"Your loss," the captain said, taking another bite.

"Captain, what do you know about the Nifal Rhishak?" asked Esh.

"Enough to know that I'm too tired to have this conversation," he responded. "Oh yes, Ty'lyrr, since you brought us here, you can give the order tomorrow to lay in a new course. We'll take a little trip through the...through that damn Cloud."

"Aye, ssir." Ty'lyrr got up and stretched his neck. "If you will excuse me, I musst get some sleep."

Exchanging 'good nights' with everyone, Ty'lyrr left the lounge.

The aft hallway on deck three was a poorly illuminated section of the ship, and during the night shift, it could be difficult to navigate. This was not just true on Quasar -- the same problem existed on any ship made prior to 4641. As it was a commonly unused section of the ship, containing only passenger quarters, it was probably the quietest area onboard.

Minutes earlier, an officer had slipped into the darkness. There he waited, silently, until another arrived from engineering deck. "I'm glad you werren't late," said the first officer.

"Things have been slow below decks," said the second.

"Enough talk. We need to get downn to business. It'ss time I told you what I called upon you forr."

"And that is?"

"While we were on Ellthrak 5, I made contact with ssomeone...someone very innterested in acquiring our sservices. Someone willing to pay a high pricce for the asssistance of an Interstel sstarship."

"Who?"

"I cannot tell you, not yet."

"So why are you talking to me? Why not the captain?"

"The captain woulld not agree to the deal. And we are being offered a grreat deal of money. Too much to allow the captain to ssay 'no' for all of us."

The second officer realized what was being suggested. "Whoa, hold on. We can't just-"

"It'ss nothing againnst the captain, sshe is certainly competent. But she will nnot accept the offer. I will. And I will givve anyone who ssides with me an equal shhare."

"I don't know...if we do it, Interstel's gonna hunt us down like dogs, we'll be arrested, or killed."

"It may easse your nerves to know that the ssame thing will occur on other shipss ssoon. We will rendezvous with them laterr."

"We'd have to act very fast and have the entire bridge crew on our side in order to join them."

"It can be done...I already have four officerss with me. I'm not a fool, I have only proposed thiss to officers I can trusst, officers drivven by prrofit, not duty. I'vve known you forr a long time, my frriend. I know what you'rre about."

They stood silently for a moment. "How much?" asked the second officer.

"300000 SP's per crew," replied the first officer. "50000 for each of uss...that is, if you agrree."

The officer thought about it. Risking court-martial, betraying the Interstel oath of honor, for 50000 shyneum pennies. He'd taken risks before, but this was so much more different. Nobody had ever betrayed Interstel, but anyone who did would certainly be hunted. It was a difficult decision.

But, his friend was right. For them, it was all about the money.

Taking a deep breath, he gave his reply. "I'm in."

PART 6 - Ion Storms

02-17-43, 1225 hours

ISS Mediator

Near the Teeelveee system

Mediator cruised one of the numerous trade routes that would soon take them into the Cloud. Using a jump pod, they'd gotten there with little hassle -- not to say that it had been their selected destination.

Off in the distance an ion storm, possibly class three, was the only other active force in this otherwise still region. Mediator had not come across any other ships since departing the Commodity system and the trade routes passing over it. The peaceful silence was a pleasant change from the chaos of battle with the Gazurtoid.

As Ty'lyrr's experience would have it, peace and quiet was rare and short. "Commander," said Qrlthrssth, "we're recceiving a weak distress signal, localll; off the route."

"Boosst it and patch through."

"Roger...patching thrrough."

The audio comm system whined to life. "-s. After lu..ng us off the route, th....tta...d....earings un..own...-"

"We've losst the feed," reported Qrlthrssth.

"I couldn't unnderssstand a worrd he said...can we get a llock on location?" asked Ty'lyrr.

"Triangulating now," said Qrlthrssth. After several beeps and tones from the comm console, he reported, "I've got a posssible location...feeding thrrough to nav conssole."

Eshhh-ahhr brought up the results. Turning to Ty'lyrr, he said sarcastically, "So, sir, should we proceed immediately to 583,233?"

Ty'lyrr looked to Qrlthrssth, who was obviously embarrased. "I'll trry it again." Qrlthrssth went about triangulating the source of the distress call again. "OK, let'ss try thisss one morre time." He fed the results to Eshhh-ahhr's console. Esh checked it and said, "Now, this is better. Possible location is 127,100."

"Just off the route," muttered Ty'lyrr.

"Sir," said Pxi, "pirate activity in that region has been noted as minimal recently, but ion storms have increased. Mostly small storms, but still more than we could hanndle."

Ty'lyrr thought about it for a moment. But that was all the time he could use -- the crew of that ship needed help. Knowing he'd regret it later, he gave the order, "Raise shiellds and procceed to 127,100, maximum burrn. If we detect an ion sstorm forming or incoming shipss, we bug out."

"You got it, cap'n," answered Esh.

The Humna Humna surveillance base at L178,57 was a small operation, just recently started, which served as an early detection and monitoring system. The Humna Humna controlled the only endurium source in the Leghk Sector, and they didn't want the G'Nunk or anyone else sneaking in and grabbing some. Although dangerously close to G'Nunk space -- in fact, the G'Nunk claimed ownership of the system, called Hr'noon -- the base was well hidden and generated only light power readings in its current stage. The G'Nunk would not find the base unless they knew what to look for.

"I don't like the lookss of this," said Ty'lyrr. "Looks like an ion sstorrrm is forrming. We won't havve much time to find that ship."

"Shall I commence scans?" asked Pxi.

"For ssure." Ty'lyrr stood and approached the viewscreen. He watched the increasing storm conditions with unease. "Thiss could be trouble."

"Hey Pxi, what's the ion beacon network saying about this?" asked Esh.

"It's predicting a class one."

"Not too bad. Of course, it'll still drill us pretty hard if we don't get out of here soon."

Pxi's scans finished. "Scanning completed. No ships or debris in the vicinity. Either somebody is yanking our chain, or the ship was destroyed with a vengeance. Engine explosion or something."

Ty'lyrr paced the bridge. "The ion storrm hassn't reached dangerouss levelsss yet, sso it must have been pirates. It ssounded like they said they had been lured off by ssomeone. Perrhaps they were attacked?"

"Most likely. But I doubt the pirates would let the ship send a distress call and then finish it off. They'd have been jamming all transmissions before the attack began. I smell a scam."

Ty'lyrr hurried to the command chair. "Get uss the hell out of here!"

"Aye, si-"

Mediator was rocked violently. Sparks flew, officers were tossed, and the lights died. When the ship was still again, almost all power was out.

Ty'lyrr leaned up off the deck. "Iss everyone ok?"

"I feel like hell," muttered Eshhh-ahhr.

"Sstill here," said Qrlthrssth, hanging halfway from his chair.

Pxi got off the floor and stumbled in the dark. "Emergency illumination's gone."

The intercom activated. A very angry Captain Ariel yelled, "Ty...rr, wh............did yo...ust do t...y ship?!"

"Ion storm, captain. Forrmed on top of usss, died very quickly."

"Dam......I hate t...Cloud!" There was a pause. Then, "I.....ming up t..re. You.....someone, chec....e rest of the ship. I .......full report....hin the hour!"

Ty'lyrr sighed. "Aye, ssir."

Esh spoke up. "We're lucky that the storm was a dud. The Ancients were walking with us today."

Looking towards where Eshhh-ahhr's voice was coming from, Ty'lyrr said, "I knew thiss was a bad idea. Come on Esh, let'ss check thingss out."

PART 7 - A Few Repairs

02-17-43, 1401 hours

ISS Mediator

Coordinates L127,100

"That's all it was, Ty'lyrr...just some damn punks pulling a fast one on...what the hell?"

The first thing Eshhh-ahhr and Ty'lyrr noticed about engineering deck was the soaked flooring. Exchanging confused glances, they looked down the hallway to the glass engineering doors. There was water, lots of it, raining down onto the flustered engineering crew.

Esh and Ty'lyrr walked to the doors, which slid open gracefully. At least they still work, thought Eshhh-ahhr. Upon entering the large room, Chief Engineer Ae'syrsth spotted and approached them. "Commanderrrss, as you can ssee, we have a bit of a prroblem," he said. "Waterr piping has ruptured, of courrse. Frrom the output, I assume that therre are other rupturres elsewhere, but it'ss safe to asssume that it's worsst down here."

Ty'lyrr looked up and closed his eyes, feeling the water striking his face. Lowering his view to eye level and reopening them, he said, "It'ss hot."

"It's falling from the hhot water pipess. Over there," Ae'syrsth said, pointing to the ceiling over the middle of the room, "is where the cold waterr pipes broke." He looked at some of the engineers who were standing around. "Sahlkin, take carre of the pipess! The rrest of you get your repairr kitss and resstore main power!" he yelled. They scrambled to do as he ordered.

Esh and Ty'lyrr joined Ae'syrsth as he walked slowly towards a distant damage control panel. "I see you're running on emergency lighting," commented Esh.

"Yesss. Main powerr is totally offline. If we didn't have a backup generrator for bridge and engineerrring emerrgency lighting, we'd be out of luck."

"The brridge iss completely dark," said Ty'lyrr.

Ae'syrsth nodded his understanding. "The connection to the ennergy sourrce musst have been detached or damaged."

"You think we could get ssome lighting up there, maybe ssome power to the conssoles so we can ssend a distrress call?"

"Internal sennsors are offline. That meanss we have to locate the problem manually. And that, I musst say, will take a while. I've got my team worrking on main power annd thesse leaksss, they sshould be eassy enough. Oncce main power iss back, your brridge consoless will not be far behind. We'll get to prropulsion after that."

"Thank you."

"So all of your engineers came out of the storm alright?" asked Esh.

"Yess, commander, they are all doing well. Only cutss and bruisess, gash or two. Nothing sserious."

Eshhh-ahhr was satisfied. "That's great." He looked to Ty'lyrr. "Looks like everyone is well and accounted for."

Commander Nnrr'thrrthnn and Chief Science Officer Sthrryrnn entered Quasar's bridge, just returned from dealing with the Nelsons. Captain Pahhh-Liith, seeing their return, inquired about the deal.

"It iss just as I surmissed," answered Nnrr'thrrthnn. "They havve nothing of usse to usss."

Pahhh-Liith acknowledged the news. "That's a shame, commander...well, let us waste no more time here. We shall launch in five minutes and proceed to Commodity. With their festive spirit, we should be able to take advantage of several bargains."

"Aye, ssir," replied the commander as Sthrryrnn manned his station. "Navigator Porrter," called out the commander, "lay in a courrse for Commodity and preparre to enngage upon liftoff."

PART 8 - The Gambit

02-19-43, 1512 hours

Thrynn Cloud Station, Thyyrr system

Mediator's engineers had restored main power a short time after the storm, allowing the ship to transmit a distress call. A Thrynn scout had arrived and jumped Mediator to the Thrynn space station at Thyyrr for extensive repairs and replenishment of the water stock. The crew spent most of their time on the ship helping the Thrynn engineers get the work done, for Ariel wanted to get out of the Cloud before his ship was torn apart again. It seemed that the great entity who felt it humorous to rob Elthar-Esh of fuel also found it amusing to have left the nasty side effect of ion storms when the Uhl left the Cloud. In the aftermath of storms, the captain was often heard to remark, "Damn Uhl..."

The repairs would take a few more days if things went according to schedule. Until then, they just had to hope for no surprises.

At 2347 hours, Arth standard time, the Humna Humna surveillance base at Hr'noon detected a small number of vessels milling around in the nearby nebula. This was not unexpected. Djaboro was there, and the G'Nunk had taken to the protection of the primitive Djaboon species, their G'Nasch brethren. If any ships left the nebula, though, the base would call for interception. The G'Nunk would not be allowed to reach the endurium world.

02-22-43, 0324 hours

ISS Quasar

Dweenle space

The plan was being hatched.

Six officers had agreed to meet in Rrthynn's quarters at 0325 to discuss the removal of Pahhh-Liith from command. As it had been relayed to each of the officers, it was nothing personal. Just business.

Over a bottle of Tandelouvian Happy Juice and some delightful fungus chews, Commander Nnrr'thrrthnn revealed a mission so profitable that it would be foolish to refuse. All officers in attendance agreed with the assessment. But mutiny on an Interstel starship would be no small task. It required the proper execution, at the proper time. And Nnrr'thrrthnn had it all figured out.

"In two daysss, I have command sshift at 0800. There will be nno supporterrss of Pahhh-Liith on the brridge durring that shift. In engineering, Saul will be the onlly one onn duty; Rraa'qlyrr, you shall accompany him." Nnrr'thrrthnn paused to drink, then continued: "If thiss goes according to plan, the brridge and enngineering will be taken quietly. But if any shotsss are fired, the captain will learrn immediately of our...misssion update."

Navigator Thylll'ssarr asked, "Ssir, what will we do with the officerrsss in the infirrmary, and the resst? Shall we execute them?"

"It iss necessary to do sso. We cannot alllow them to notify Inntersstel about the mutiny."

Sthrryrnn included, "Sseveral may evade usss...we will have to ssearch the ship afterwarrdss."

Nnrr'thrrthnn stopped him. "We will worry about ssuch things when the time comess."

Saul Buorkale picked a fungus chew from the bowl. "You are ccertain that you cannot disssable internal ssecurity?" asked Rrthynn.

"Positive," Saul replied. "I can disable the broad PA announcement when weapons fire is detected, but I can't stop it from detecting it and notifying the captain. It would require too much work for even a master engineer to handle unnoticed."

"No matter," said Nnrr'thrrthnn cooly. "When we do usse the weapons, it will be too late."

"Hhave you talked with the other shipss?" inquired Sthrryrnn.

"I was in conntact with our people on the other shhipsss earrlier today. It iss set. The action will all take placce in two dayss."

"Man, am I ready to ditch this hellhole," said Captain Ariel. Walking onto the bridge and taking his seat, he urged Eshhh-ahhr to pick a destination outside of the Cloud and get there as quickly as possible.

Ty'lyrr, manning the comm console, reported, "We have receivved clearancce to depart."

"Then let's get the hell out of...Esh, you heard me, let's go!"

"Plotting a course now, sir."

"Captain," said Pxi, "no ion storms detected."

"That's bound to change, and I don't wanna be stuck in drydock for another minute. Esh?"

"Course laid in for Aeoruiiaeo system."

"Punch it!"

PART 9 - Encounter

02-23-43, 1400 hours

Humna Humna surveillance base, Hr'noon system

The moment they'd been waiting for had arrived. Several G'Nunk ships had left the nebula and were on a course for the Diallo system. The only reason for them to go there was to harvest endurium.

The commander of the installation had given the order, "Send and transmit a request for interception, with the G'Nunk, which I say when referring to the ones that are moving proceeding to Diallo, and no others, to our ship vessels which are coincidentally also located at Diallo," and it had been done. Now, they need only wait for further news.

"Surprise, more ion storms," sarcastically commented Ish-Nahhn, the Chief Medical Officer.

Looking out of the lounge windows, Chief Engineer Ae'syrsth admired the beauty and raw power of the storms. He also hated them as much as a Tandelouvian infomercial.

"Well, ass the captain would sssay, 'Damn Uhl'."

Eshhh-ahhr, Ty'lyrr, and Pxi Tov entered the lounge. Pxi came to the table and asked, "May we join you?" while Ty'lyrr and Esh got some grub.

"Be our guest," answered Ish-Nahhn.

She pulled up a few chairs and sat down, looking out the windows at the storms. "Looks like a few of them are out there."

"This region is particularly active today." Ty'lyrr and Esh placed their plates and drinks on the table. Ish-Nahhn asked them, "Heard anything interesting lately?"

"Not much," said Esh. "Sector seems pretty dead."

"How about war newsss?" asked Ae'syrsth.

"I haven't seen the latest tactical reports. Ty has."

"Well?" asked Ish-Nahhn of Ty'lyrr. "We win yet?"

"Not even closse." He took a drink of his xiphtu and continued, "We got drilled prretty harrd near Ddugon. That isss about it for the lasst week."

Ae'syrsth nodded. "Did the collony surrvive?"

"Yesss."

"Cool."

"So Ty, you haven't told us much about your last posting," said Pxi. "You were a comm officer at the front, right?"

"Um, yess, that isss correct." This wasn't a comfortable topic. "I would prrefer not to disscuss it."

"Hey, roger that." Eshhh-Ahhr placed a vine in a large bowl of distilled water. "Well, I have some news that's a little closer to us, the only thing that's actually happening in this sector," he said. "You know that the Ngkherarla have been attacking ships in the area of Nathrran? Only while in the Ng and Kher stages, of course, but I saw a spy report stating that some pirates are planning an attack upon Triaas. They're a little pissed about the destruction of perfectly good cargo."

"Big deal," remarked Ae'syrsth. "Let the piratess kill themsellves attacking Triaasss."

"Now, now, must you be so hostile?"

"He's a Thrynn," said Pxi, "it's in his nature."

"Captain, ship detected at the edge of scanning range," reported Science Officer Goran Bhain.

"Scan 'er."

"Aye, sir." Bhain scanned the ship, and reported back, "Interstel, sir...ISS Pequod."

Ariel grinned. "Qrlthrssth, open a channel!"

"Channel open."

"Heimlich, you son of a bitch, what're you doing in the Cloud?!"

Captain Heimlich's visage came over the comm screen. "Ariel, you damn jackass, do you realize that you just violated interstellar communications protocols up and down the spectrum!?"

"You had it coming! I heard about the little rumor you started at Anomaly's Eye a few months ago, damn near every captain in the sector has heard it. Elara even passed it on to some ships that went back home, I'm sure the Thrynn have heard it by now!"

"Well, really, are your problems any of my business? You shouldn't have told me--"

"I never told you anything, numbskull. That's why it's a rumor. You made it up!"

"Well...I don't like to brag, but...that evens things out a bit, wouldn't you say?"

Ariel shook his head. "This doesn't go back to me sneaking a gas slug onto your ship, does it?"

"My crew was drag-racing a comet, and I told a fleet of Veloxi that I think Harrison was a king among men!"

"But that was before the gas slug incident."

"Oh yes, that's right," Heimlich scoffed.

"So where ya heading?"

"Ptera. How 'bout you?"

"Aeoruiiaeo system."

"Oh...I avoid that system, got sick of the crew laughing when I tried to pronounce it."

"You can't pronounce Talin either, so I wouldn't worry about it. Ptera...mind a little company?"

Heimlich shrugged. "Well, if you wanna come, feel free." He looked to his right, said something to someone, and looked back to the monitor. "Look, I'm going to cut the channel now, you scare my crew. Talk to you again at Outpost 1."

"Copy that, Pequod. Mediator out."

As soon as the channel was closed, Ariel said to Navigator Sahhharr, "Change course for Ptera and match Pequod's speed."

"Aye, sir."

Mediator fell in next to Pequod, and proceeded along the route.

PART 10 - Confederates

02-24-43, 0759 hours

ISS Quasar

Dweenle space

Nnrr'thrrthnn, Sthrryrnn, Thylll'ssarr, and Rrthynn arrived on the bridge at the perfect time to catch the shift change. The morning shift officers got up and stretched, and proceeded to walk off of the bridge. On the way out, Captain Pahhh-Liith said to Nnrr'thrrthnn, "Commander, you have the bridge."

Nnrr'thrrthnn took the command chair with the pride of knowing that his captain had just handed him permanent command of Quasar. The title of 'commander' was, as of this moment, shucked aside and replaced with 'captain'.

The other bridge officers already knew this. "Captain, shall I alllter coursse for the rendezvous point?" asked Thylll'ssarr in a triumphant tone.

In a similar tone, the new captain responded, "At oncce, Thylll'ssarr." He flipped open the command panel on the arm of his chair and activated autopilot and a timer. In five minutes, the ship would automatically switch to battlestations and autofire.

Captain Nnrr'thrrthnn turned the chair towards Rrthynn. "Hasss engineering reporrted in?" he asked.

"Yess, ssir. Engineering iss ours."

"Verry good...tell Buorkalle and Rraa'qlyrrrr to ssecure the door and proceed to the arrmory. We will place a ssecurrity sseal on the bridge and meet them there."

"Aye, ssir."

Chief Engineer Xziik and several other off-duty officers dined in the ships lounge before heading off to bed. It had been a long day, but the captain was planning a shore leave very shortly. The extra work would be paid off tenfold.

The doors to the lounge slid open. The dining officers looked to the entrance as weapons fire tore through the air.

Pahhh-Liith's meditation was interrupted by a series of beeps coming from the local intercom and computer terminal. A deep voice announced to her, "Weapons fire detected, crew lounge." She was stunned. The ship had not been attacked; an intruder alert had not been sounded. "Weapons fire detected, deck three corridor."

Mutiny.

1432 hours

"Commander, ssix officers arre dead."

"Exccellent," said Nnrr'thrrthnn. "Iss Pahhh-Liith among them?"

"No, ssir. She and three officerrss are unaccounted for."

"Sscan for them."

"We cannot. Innternal sensorrss went offline a shorrt time ago. I think it'ss safe to assume that they werre ssabotaged."

From the science console, a warning sounded. Sthrryrnn checked on it. He said in a worried tone, "We don't need interrnal sensorsss. The ssecurity seal on the arrmory hass been breached!"

Nnrr'thrrthnn smiled, his fangs glistening. "All the better."

PART 11 - Hunting Grounds

02-24-43, 1600 hours

ISS Quasar

Near the Cloud

Buorkale, Thylll'ssarr, and Sthrryrnn slowly descended onto deck two, then signaled Rrthynn to seal off deck one.

Looking down the hallway, they saw the armory doors still wide open. The rest of the doors in the hallway were closed securely. Sthrryrnn spoke softly into the microphone attached to his headset. "Brridge, corridorr iss empty. Arrmory doorss open. Proceeding with caution."

The three crept towards the armory, Buorkale keeping an eye on the rear. Quietly, they reached the door. Thylll'ssarr and Sthrryrnn swung around the entrance and aimed their weapons into the armory. It was empty. Relaxing a bit, Sthrryrnn radioed, "Bridge, armory iss empty. No enemiess, and no weaponsss. They have looted the room."

Suddenly, the deck lighting cut off. The power was audibly surging down. Cooly, Sthrryrnn reported, "Powerr hasss been cut. Activating flashlightss."

The three switched on their shoulder mounted lights and the lights on their rifles. Thylll'ssarr said, "They musst be monitoring usss."

"Ssmart," replied Sthrryrnn, "but not unexpected."

Backing away from the armory, Sthrryrnn closed the door and input a new security code. "That'ss one less room availlable to them."

Rrthynn came over the radio. "Sthrryrnn, ssecurity camera on deck three has sspotted Nibioak. She hass entered Buorkale's quarterrss."

"Bitch better not touch my stuff!" barked Buorkale.

"Sshut up!" Sthrryrnn looked to the deck-to-deck ladder. "I copy, brridge." With his rifle he motioned to the next deck. "Come. She hass a date withh the reaper."

Ellen Nibioak crawled through the vents and came out in a junction where the others were waiting. "Are they coming?" asked Tii Zzax, a comm officer.

Nibioak shot a glance back down the vent and said, "If they monitor the security cameras, they are."

Tii and Navigator Ixxnoc looked over some ship schematics. "If we put some tripbombs in here, we can take them out. Then we'll outnumber the mutineers."

Captain Pahhh-Liith sat silently in a corner. "No," she said. "We cannot damage the ship. We must dedicate ourselves to retaking the vessel without causing damage."

Nibioak and Ixxnoc exchanged annoyed glances. "Captain, we need to do what we can, or they'll kill us all," argued Ixxnoc.

"You need to make up your mind now, sir," said Tii, staring at the portable security feed. "The search party just entered Buorkale's quarters."

"Vile beastss!" hissed Sthrryrnn. "Where did she go?!"

"Ducts," said Buorkale, nodding to the ventilation panel.

"Ahthh!" spat Sthrryrnn. Thylll'ssarr understood the Thrynn vulgarity, while Buorkale blew it off. "We need to avoid the ducts," he said, "or we'll crawl right into a trap."

"They may place explossives in the ductss," added Thylll'ssarr. They looked to Sthrryrnn for orders. "We will exit thiss area." He flipped the microphone down by his face. "Bridge, the enemy hass entered the ventilation ductss. We are not purssuing."

"Copy thhat. Perrhapss we can flush them out?"

"We will need to, or they will ssabotage more sysstemsss."

The three left the quarters and headed for the ladder. "We will returrn to deck two, they may believe it to be ssafe," said Sthrryrnn before moving the microphone away from his face.

"Come on, come on, hurry up!"

"Exactly...hurry up! Someone's coming up the ladder!"

Ixxnoc moved away from the door. "Ellen, we need to speed up, they'll be here soon."

"I need another thirty seconds!"

"We have enough water, just, forget about the rations! We can make it with what we've got!"

A light shone on the wall and windows. "They're here..."

Ixxnoc looked to the ventilation panel...not enough time to get away. "We have to make a stand here." He flipped some tables onto their sides and ducked behind one. Nibioak jumped behind one of her own. "Ancients walk with us," she prayed. Looking to Ixxnoc, she disengaged the safety on her rifle.

The doors to the lounge slid open and the three mutineers stepped through. Ixxnoc rose up and opened fire, narrowly missing Buorkale, before ducking back down. "Duck and cover!" shouted Sthrryrnn. He dove forward, grabbing the edge of a table and pulling it down onto its side. Buorkale and Thylll'ssarr lept behind the obstruction as best as they could. "We'll need more room than this!" whispered Buorkale. A shot struck the table, banging it against Sthrryrnn's head. "Agrreed! Thylll'ssarr, turn that table, we'll coverr you!"

Thylll'ssarr nodded and bolted for the nearest table. Sthrryrnn and Buorkale provided cover long enough for Thylll'ssarr to flip and hide behind his table. They all ducked down and began coordinating their plans.

"Our turn," whispered Nibioak. She and Ixxnoc returned fire to little effect.

"This is getting old," said Buorkale. "Let's finish it."

"Let'ss," replied Sthrryrnn. Signaling to Thylll'ssarr, they looked around the sides of the table. Their rifles came to life, striking to Ixxnoc's left. He swung around the left side of his table and returned fire, hitting the enemy's table only inches from Sthrryrnn, who shot back, hitting Ixxnoc's eye. He was snapped back onto the deck, dead.

As Thylll'ssarr came around his side, so did Nibioak. She saw him first. A shot tore through the lounge and sent Thylll'ssarr back, thrashing violently. Buorkale rose above his table and fired several bursts, missing by far. He ducked back down, unsure of which table Nibioak was shielded by. He looked to Sthrryrnn, who shook his head impatiently.

Nibioak slowly crept to her left, moving behind another table before the mutineers could spot her. Ixxnoc's body was only feet away. Nibioak looked away, unable to cope with seeing her friend dead.

"Come out, come out, wherreverrr you arre!" taunted Sthrryrnn.

Nibioak looked around the floor. Nothing. Reluctantly, she looked at Ixxnoc. He was wearing a Veloxi medallion. She pulled it off and peeked between tables. Clear. Drawing her arm back, she threw the medallion and looked through the crack again. The medallion struck the far wall, catching the attention of the mutineers. Now was the time. She sprinted for a chair and leaped from it into the open duct. Shots struck the side of the vent behind her, but to no good. They'd lost her.

"Ahthh! Acrrobatic bitch!" Angry, Sthrryrnn brought down the microphone. "Brridge," he reported, "Ixxnoc isss dead." He glanced to Buorkale and Thylll'ssarr; Buorkale shook his head. "Ass is Thylll'sssarr. Nibioak esscaped into the ductsss again."

"Unnfortunate...but acceptable job. Find the otherrsss. They musst die ssoon."

"Acknowledged, brridge."

PART 12 - Task Force

02-26-43, 1404 hours

Starport Outpost 1, Ptera system

Starport Outpost 1 was bustling with activity. There were many officers, marines, and even some colonists milling around. Ariel, Esh, and Ty'lyrr weaved their way through the crowd. They neared the equipment and personnel department. "Do me a favor, hit the config area, we need more jump pods."

"Ssure thing."

"Thanks. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a meeting to attend."

Ariel headed off for the lift. Ty'lyrr talked briefly with Eshhh-ahhr and agreed to meet in the Nebula Lounge in ten minutes.

Quasar had been the victim of several small explosions over the last two days from Pahhh-Liith, Nibioak, and Tii Zzax. Nnrr'thrrthnn had his men combing the ship from stem to stern, every deck, looking for the three, but it appeared that they were sticking primarily to the ducts. Internal sensors and security, communications, and lighting on decks two and three were all offline, and the terrain vehicle had been blown up. Captain Nnrr'thrrthnn had clawed the left arm of his command chair ragged with agitation for these three thorns in his side.

Buorkale and Rraa'qlyrr searched Pahhh-Liith's quarters for clues that may give some information on where she and her associates could be located. Rrthynn came over the radio, "An esscape pod hass launched! Procceed to deck two immediately!"

They tore out of the quarters and down the corridor.

Nnrr'thrrthnn smirked and took great joy when giving the order to fire upon the escape pod.

It took a few shots to connect, but their enemies were no more.

The captain activated the PA. "All handss, the enemy hasss been vanquished."

"Captainn," said Rrthynn. "We arre detecting a disstresss call." He looked to Nnrr'thrrthnn with a concerned look. "It wass sent by the esscape pod."

"Hhow much?!"

"Enough to let Innterstel know of the mutiny."

"Jam it!"

"It iss too late, captain."

This spoiled the mood of Nnrr'thrrthnn. "Sthrryrnn, get uss to the rendezvous point, maximum burrn!"

1442 hours

The captains chatted in the conference room about the latest from the Earth and Leghk sectors while waiting for the admiral to arrive. Captain Larkin of the Majestic was telling a rather interesting story about a recent battle near an ion storm, to which Ariel rolled his eyes.

The doors opened and Admiral Ellison came in with a data pad, taking a seat at the head of the table. The room took on a dead silence as the admiral prepared to begin the meeting. He seemed to have trouble getting started. "Originally, this meeting was to inform you of uniform changes..."

"What?" interrupted Heimlich. "This one was just starting to fit!"

"Heimlich..." The admiral took a few moments to get back on topic. "Pick up uniforms for your crews after this meeting. Now, more important and rather disturbing news has come to light in the last few days."

"War related?" asked Larkin.

"No. Something local. We have reports of mutinies on three of our ships." The captains were shocked. "The latest report came in a short time ago. You can certainly understand that after over 20 years of seemingly perfect service, the odds of mutinies on three ships, on the same day, are slim to none. It smells of conspiracy."

"That makes sense," said Captain Piu Poctovi of the Warrior. "They must be working together, or this wouldn't be happening."

Larkin asked the important question. "Which ships?"

The admiral looked around the table. "Venom, Stryder, and Quasar. But that's not all. As soon as we received word on the third mutiny, we sent out messages to all other Interstel ships in the field asking for captains to submit a sec-tagged report concerning crew status. Talicon and Spearhead are the only ships not to properly respond. We believe that they may be compromised as well."

The captains quietly took it in. It was unbelievable. "Definitely a conspiracy," muttered Ariel.

"So where do we find them?" asked Poctovi.

"No idea," answered the admiral, now standing and activating a starmap screen. "The Quasar call was sent from here," pointing to a location near the Cloud, "Venom here," pointing to the Topaz Cluster, "Stryder here," pointing near the Mbe homeworld. "Talicon and Spearhead were at Diallo, but we lost contact moments ago and believe that they may have used their jump pods shortly afterwards. Since these mutineers were smart and disabled their ship transponders, we don't know where they are now or where they're heading. We've got ships looking for them, hoping that we can plot their courses. We want your ships to find their rendezvous point and crash the party."

"Four against five," remarked Ariel.

"Fortunately, three of those ships are strictly cargo runners, they have mid-range technology. Only two are outfitted with Leghkian tech, while all four of your ships are."

"That reminds me," said Ariel, "I need a new battle jumper."

"Do I look like Santa Claus? Go to the trade depot!"

Heimlich snickered as the admiral continued. "Now, as very few of our ships in this sector have Leghkian technology, you are our most likely candidates. And frankly, none of you have been doing anything constructive."

"Ariel's been studying the effects of ion storms on ship systems," said Heimlich. Larkin and Poctovi burst out laughing. The admiral rolled his eyes and muttered, "Heimlich, you..." He took a moment to let his growing annoyance recede, and sat in his chair. "You depart at 2100 under the command of Mediator. Comb the area between Commodity and the Topaz Cluster, and wait for further orders. You are to investigate any detected ships. Your primary mission objective is to put down this insurrection by any means necessary. Your secondary goal is to capture as many of the ships as you can intact. Tertiary goal is the capture of as many traitors as possible, but if you have to kill them...then so be it. We have to make it clear that the Coalition does not abide traitors."

"Has Command considered putting out a bounty on the traitors?" asked Heimlich. "Put a big enough tag on them and we're almost guaranteed results by the end of the week. Those bounty hunters can be pretty thorough."

"It was considered, but like I said before, we would prefer to recover the ships. Seeing as how Quasar and Venom are top-of-the-line warships, we can't afford to have lowlifes picking through them before we're able to retrieve them. This has to remain internal."

"I suppose we had best leave now to keep the lid on this," commented Poctovi.

"That's right, and I have another appointment here in a few minutes anyhow, so clear out. And good luck." As the captains left, the admiral called out, "Heimlich, you report in to me the next time you dock!"

PART 13 - Preparation

02-26-43, 2100 hours

ISS Mediator

Docked at Starport Outpost 1, Ptera system

Ariel stormed onto the bridge and fell into the command chair as Pxi announced, "Captain on the bridge."

"Enough formality, we have bigger fish to fry," said the captain. He activated the ships PA. "Attention all hands, I have some big news that you're not gonna like." He looked around the bridge; all eyes had fallen upon him. Clearing his throat, he continued, "You've been ordered back aboard because we have a special assignment. Several of our ships have been overthrown and are believed to be heading for a rendezvous point which is currently unknown."

The looks of shock on the faces of the bridge crew were on the faces of the entire crew. "We'll be leading a task force to search the area between the Topaz Cluster and Commodity, the rendezvous point is believed to be somewhere around there. We're authorized to use deadly force upon encounter...captain out."

Flipping off the PA, Ariel asked Ty'lyrr, "Do we have clearance to depart?"

Bewildered, Ty'lyrr responded, "Yes, ssir...we have clearannce..."

"Good. Inform Pequod, Majestic, and Warrior to form up. We'll hit the flux at 29,54 and head upspin from the other side. Deep scan, maximum range."

"Transsmitting orrders."

"Laying in course," said Eshhh-ahhr.

Ariel had to say something. "Look, I know this is going to be difficult...none of us ever thought we'd have to handle this type of situation. But we have to, so go about it as if those ships belonged to smugglers."

"Don't worry, sir," said Pxi. "We can handle this."

"I hope so," replied the captain. "I sure hope so..."

G'Naen Sh'Gar was upset with the G'Nunk. They had failed to get past the Humna Humna G'Noon and to Diallo. The reason was most likely the small detection center that had recently been located within the Hr'noon system. The Humna Humna incursion into this system was intolerable. She/it had ordered the termination of this facility and securement of the system however General G'Farp'An saw fit.

He would await the arrival of the hired Interstel ships, and put their plasma technology to good use in the attack. Five Interstel ships under his command...it would indeed be a glorious victory.

Quasar disengaged interstellar drive upon reaching the rendezvous point, where several of its companions were waiting. "Hail Venom and Stryder," ordered Nnrr'thrrthnn, "annd let them know we are rready."

02-27-43, 0002 hours

"Sir, we just passed the Commodity system," reported Eshhh-ahhr.

"Affirmative. Pxi, intensify scans."

"Aye, captain."

The comm panel beeped. "Captain," said Ty'lyrr, "receivingg incoming text transsmission. Gorgon tracked Quassar for an hour, and the Thrynn scout Nihssyssllrr shadowed Talicon for thirrty minutes. Their current coursess innterssect at 90,57."

"Well, why didn't they confront those ships?"

"Thrynn conssider it an Intersstel affair, Gorgon was damaged in an ion sstorm."

"How can they follow the ship and report it, but not engage it? That's bullshit."

Esh looked around. "Captain? Should I set in a course for 90,57?"

"Right, right, do it. Ty, tell the others to lay in a course."

"Aye, ssir."

PART 14 - Tracking the Prey

02-27-43, 0317 hours

ISS Quasar

Coordinates L90,57

Quasar drifted near Stryder and Venom, awaiting the arrival of the others before departing for the Djaboon world. They had to hurry. Now that word was out, it was a sure bet that Interstel was scrambling a search party. A few more hours, then it was time to go.

Nnrr'thrrthnn was growing wary of the current situation. He knew Interstel didn't have many available ships in the sector using Leghkian technology, and standard ships stood little chance against that type of weaponry. Still, there was no doubt that Interstel had ships looking for them.

But that wasn't the only problem the crew was having. For some reason, numerous systems had gone offline. Buorkale had suggested that the enemy had placed malignant programs into the system before being killed, but for the moment, nothing could be confirmed.

The Humna Humna engineers were distressed to learn that their base wasn't equipped with weapons. All they had were a few layers of heavy shielding, and those were offline. In addition, they had received word that reinforcements would not be arriving due to the necessity of a blockade near Diallo.

This was not good.

0521 hours

Talicon and Spearhead came out of interstellar flight and entered formation with the other ships. Communicating with them, the group was almost ready to head out for Djaboro.

"Saul, propullsion hasss gone offline. I thought you had rrepaired the damage caussed by the otherrsss?"

"I thought I had," replied Buorkale. "It looks like it is a malicious program."

"Get the enginess online!"

"Aye, captain."

Buorkale switched off the intercom and picked up his engineering kit. Opening it, he found the necessary tools missing. No problem, he thought, I'll just grab another kit.

Seizing another kit, he opened it up. The tools he needed were missing. What the hell?

Rummaging through the kits, he found each to be missing the tools he needed. This was very odd. He flipped on the intercom. "Bridge, Buorkale here." No response. "Bridge, respond." All that came back was silence. Looking at the panel, he saw that the system was not on, but the panel was activated.

"Dammit," he muttered. He opened up the release panel and flipped the lever. The intercom panel hissed and popped out of place. Buorkale gripped the edges and pulled it away from the wall to look behind it.

The intercom activated. Rraa'qlyrr's worried voice came through. "Brridge, there hasss been an explosion in engineering. Buorrkale isss...well, he iss dead."

Nnrr'thrrthnn and Rrthynn exchanged concerned glances. "Explain thisss!" barked Nnrr'thrrthnn to Rraa'qlyrr.

"There isss a larrge hole where the innntercom wass, and the area arounnd it is sscorched. There'sss debris in the arrea asss well."

"Buorrkale?"

"There arre piecess-"

"Enough!" the captain spat. He looked back to Rrthynn. "We have been fooled! The enemy iss sstill on the ship!"

Sthrryrnn jumped from his seat. "Shall I orrganize a ssearch party?"

"Withh who!?" hissed the captain angrily. "Therre are only four of usss left!"

Rraa'qlyrr came back over the line, "Ssir, I cann hear the enginesss, they are back online."

"Rraa'qlyrr, we musst restore the interrnal sensorrss! Make that yourr priority, and then reporrt to the brridge!"

"Affirrrmative. Rraa'qlyrr out."

"Ahthh!" growled Nnrr'thrr'thnn, striking the arm of his chair.

The Mediator group dropped out of interstellar at 90,57. "Report," said Ariel.

Pxi reported, "Five ships detected, fore and port."

"Tell the group to go to battlestations," ordered Ariel, "and lay in an intercept course."

"Aye, sssir," answered Ty'lyrr.

The battlestations klaxon sounded. "Shields activated, weapons charging," said Eshhh-ahhr.

"Open a channel to the traitors."

"Channel open," responded Ty'lyrr.

"This is Captain Ariel of the warship Mediator. You are hereby under arrest for mutiny and treason. You will disable your defenses and prepare to be boarded. Should you choose not to comply, we are authorized to use deadly force. If I was any of you, I'd jump out of an airlock right about now."

The crew of Quasar looked with fear to their captain. He remained calm and cool, looking at Mediator group with quiet defiance. "Mediator," he finally responded, "thisss is Captain Nnrr'thrrthnn of the battlesship Quassar. We will not ssurrender to you today, or any day. A nnew Inntersstel hasss been created, and others will follow usss. Do nnot attempt to take uss by forrce, you will fail. End transsmission."

The comm channel was ended. Nnrr'thrrthnn said, "Notify the other shipss to prepare for combat."

"How's that for a response?" said Esh.

"It deserrves a prroper reaction," replied Ty'lyrr.

Ariel stared at the mutineer ships with boiling hatred. "By all means...shoot to kill."

PART 15 - The Silent Inferno

02-27-43, 0530 hours

ISS Quasar

Coordinates L90,57

The Mediator task force was bearing down on the Quasar group quickly. With a relaxed posture, Nnrr'thrrthnn flipped open the command panel on his chair and launched a blastopod.

Grinning, he commented, "Today isss the dawn of a new erra."

"Blastopod incoming!" said Pxi.

"Try to shoot that thing down!" ordered Ariel.

Mediator and its companions let loose a volley of plasma bolts towards the incoming super-torpedo. Majestic managed to pick it off midway between the two groups. The pod still put out a powerful explosion, shaking Mediator violently. Sparks showered down from the bridge ceiling. "Report!" barked Ariel.

"Shields are down!" said Pxi. "Armor down to 57 percent! Looks like some hull damage, too!"

"Give the order, fire at will!"

"Aye, ssir!" shouted Ty'lyrr.

Plasma bolts and lasers reached for Quasar group. Responding in kind, they returned fire. Mediator's group passed through the enemy forces, placing them under Spearhead. Mediator's lasers tore through the damaged armor, carving up the hull, before losing the lock. "Minor damage to Spearhead's lower decks!" reported Pxi. The decks shook. "Laser hit! Armor and hull are taking flak, sir!"

"Order all ships to break formation and hit what they can!"

"Aye, sir!" responded Ty'lyrr.

Coming about, Mediator and Pequod vectored in on Spearhead, while Warrior and Majestic went after Talicon and Stryder. Venom and Quasar, the only rebel ships armed with plasma bolts, were still preparing to attack.

The thin armor of a cargo runner couldn't take many hits from plasma bolts. With one pass, the impacting plasma left Spearhead disabled and adrift. "That's one!" yelled Esh.

"Warrior reporrrting desstruction of Tallicon!" chimed in Ty'lyrr.

Mediator and Pequod streaked towards Venom, which was proving to be a handful for Majestic. Plasma bolts struck Venom's engines, sending it adrift, but not before one of its own bolts struck the exposed bridge of Majestic. The ship careened towards Warrior. "Poctovi, move!" shouted Ariel over the comm channel.

"Ackn-" The transmission was abruptly cut off as Majestic slammed into Warrior as its battle jumper activated, sending most of Warrior out of the collision and tearing up much of Majestic. Warrior reappeared in the path of Mediator. "Evasive maneuvers!"

Esh brought Mediator up as much as he could. Mediator narrowly avoided a devastating collision, grinding its keel against Warrior. "We're getting scratched up a bit!" reported Pxi, followed by impacts rocking the ship. "We just took two missiles from Stryder!" reported Pxi. "Quasar coming about!"

"Kill one of those damn things!" replied Ariel.

Esh shouted, "I'll bring us around for another pass!"

Heimlich came over the comm channel. "Dammit! Quasar just blew our engines right out from under us! We're sitting ducks!"

"Locking onto Stryder!" yelled Esh.

"Pequod, you still have weapons?!"

"Negative, Mediator! And main power's failing! This has been a nice day...-"

Mediator, standing alone, tore Stryder in half with a volley of plasma bolts. "Quasar's on the run!" said Pxi.

"Plasma bolts!"

"We're not lined up!" answered Eshhh-ahhr.

"Pursue!"

"Captain," said Ty'lyrr, his comm panel beeping, "receiving transsmission from Quassar, but nnot on sstandarrrd frrequency. Encrrypted text only."

"What?" Ariel looked to Quasar, and slowly said, "Decode it."

"Aye, ssir." Ty'lyrr applied several decryption programs to the message. "Thiss is rather odd, ssir...it isss signed by a Captain Pahhh-Liith, and sayss, 'The honorr of the Anncientsss musst be obserrved.'"

Ariel strode to the comm station to check it out. "They're gone!" shouted Pxi, striking her chair's arm.

"What? Where?!"

"Quasar jumped back into FTL!"

Ariel looked at the comm panel, reading the message. "Damn...well...Esh, head for our ships. We need to look for survivors."

Disappointed, Esh answered, "Aye, sir."

PART 16 - Aiding the Ancients

02-27-43, 1137 hours

ISS Mediator

Coordinates L90,57

After a few hours of sleep, Ty'lyrr, Eshhh-Ahhr, Ae'syrsth, and Pxi Tov had gone to the ships lounge for lunch and were now in the starmap room. Captain Ariel wanted them to figure out where Quasar may have gone so when the towing vessels arrived to transfer the survivors and tow the starship wreckage, Mediator could get underway.

"They took off coreward," said Pxi. "That limits the possibilities."

"Don't be so ssure," warned Ae'syrsth. "They could havve used a flux or changed theirr courrssse upon leaving the arrea."

"I say G'Nunk space," stated Esh.

"What makes you so sure of that?" asked Pxi.

"'The honor of the Ancients must be observed', that's what makes me so sure of that. Ancients equal endurium. Which local race uses endurium? The G'Nunk."

Ty'lyrr nodded. "I'd have to agrree with you."

"Wait a sec, though," said Pxi. "How do we know that wasn't a hoax; something sent by the mutineers to send us off on a wild screecher chase? It's not like any hidden survivors could send it."

"Nnot trrue," countered Ae'syrsth. "If they'rre hidden, that meanss that they are prrimarily in the ductsss. The ductss are used for both ventilationn and maintennance. Therre is a maintenance conssole in junction C-3A that can prrovide rudimenntary access to the comm grrid. With prroper equipment, one can input and trransmit a shorrt-range text message."

"I didn't knnow that, and I'm a C5 comm officer" said Ty'lyrr.

"It'sss not common knowledge. Jusst a little engineerring tidbit."

"Well, how about that? I don't knnow my own sysstem." Ty'lyrr looked at Mediator's position on the starmap. "If the crrew ussed that panel, then yyou can bet that the mutineerrsss know about the message. They only need a perrson monitorring the comm station on the brridge."

"They may know of it, but it iss very easy to disappear in thosse ductsss. I guess it'ss all just sspeculation right now. But my money'ss on the surrvivors getting the message out and elluding capturre."

"That iss promising. And G'Nunk sspace is correward and downsspin of here, sso it does check out. I don't think the trraitors would intentionally let uss know where they'rre off to. Must be the crrew."

"Yess. I wouldn't be surrprised if the surrvivors know what the mutineerrs are up to. They appear to have access to the comm sysstem. That includess the interrcom, of courrse, so if they'rre monitorring the sysstem, they will know what the mutineerrs are up to both within the sship and what they plan on doing."

"But as luck would have it, the message didn't include such information. We need to try to piece it all together ourselves." Esh zoomed the ceiling-to-floor starmap viewer in on the G'Nunk region. "G'Nunk territory only contains 16 systems, but that's enough so that we can't safely make a guess. So the question isn't where they went, it's where they'll go."

Ae'syrsth nodded, grinning. "Diallo..."

"The only system in the sector where endurium can be found."

"But the Humna Humna inhabit that system and protect the endurium with their lives," inserted Pxi.

"They nneed to catch the Humnna Humna by surrprise," added Ty'lyrr.

"Which brings me to here," said Esh, pointing a vine to the system at 178,57. "There's a new Humna Humna facility in the Hr'noon system that monitors the G'Nunk. An early warning system, if you will. The G'Nunk have claimed ownership of the system for years, which is why most charts use the G'Nunk name. But the system is not within the recognized G'Nunk border. It's actually just a little beyond it, in a sort of buffer zone between them and the Humna Humna. The G'Nunk may have learned of the Humna Humna facility there, and it's likely that they'll move in to destroy the facility and officially expand their territory to include Hr'noon."

"Thank you Quasarr..." Ty'lyrr tapped his claws on the main console. "The trraitor vesselsss were contrracted to aid in this endeavorr. Get rrid of the faccility, take the sysstem, and virrtually eliminate silent warrning of endurrium runsss."

"Exactly, meaning that the G'Nunk must've shelled out a bit of cash or riches to contract five Interstel ships. They had to know that we'd be after them. They must've thought it was worth the risk."

Pxi asked, "OK, so we think we know where they'll be heading soon. Can we get to that base before they do?"

"They'll probably stop off somewhere for repairs and to regroup with the G'Nunk, take on G'Nunk crewmembers, et cetera, before heading out. If we leave soon, we could reach Hr'noon before them. Assuming that that is their destination," answered Esh. "We can send a message to the Humna Humna telling them we're on our way."

"Oh hey, why don't we just use our new jump pods? There's no question that we could get there first."

"Quasar'ss blastopod did a number on ourr podsss. I think the jump podsss may have susstained damage," sighed Ae'syrsth. "I don't recommend ussing potentially defectivve jump podsss. We have enough hull damage as it iss."

Esh deactivated the starmap, automatically turning on the lights. "Neither do I. I remember hearing that the Archaeden was destroyed when it tried using one. We have to do this the old fashioned way. Best be underway as soon as the towing vessels show up. We can't allow the traitors to destroy that base."

1401 hours

"Commander person T'pshhhhhoon'k, we are receiving a message transmission from the Interstel vessel Mediator. They have just now and moments ago laid in a course for this installation facility right here."

The Humna Humna installation commander approached the communications officer. "Could there be the possibility and chance of trade?"

"Definitely, but not certainly."

"Tell them that we ourselves will be awaiting their arrival!"

PART 17 - Cracks in the Foundation

02-29-43, 0130 hours

ISS Quasar

In orbit of Djaboro, Djaboro system

Nnrr'thrrthnn entered the conference room where several G'Nunk were awaiting him. Present were a few G'Nunk captains and G'Nunk General G'Farp'An. G'Farp'An was quite angry. "We have been waiting for an hour! I should kill you where you stand!"

"Sstand downn, generall," said Nnrr'thrrthnn in his calm demeanor. Rraa'qlyrr came into the room with a rifle. "It woulld be a shame if we had to ssilencce you."

The general, fuming, responded, "Very well, Captain Nnrr'thrrthnn. I will permit this outrage, but should it happen again, you will feel the fangs of G'Naen Sh'Gar sinking into your neck!"

"Whatever." Nnrr'thrrthnn and Rraa'qlyrr made their way to the captain's seat and Nnrr'thrrthnn took his place. "Nnow, let usss begin."

"Certainly," said G'Farp'An. "We need more endurium to power our vessels. In order to obtain it, we must first eliminate the Humna Humna detection facility that is near our space! We need you-"

"Sstop!" said Nnrr'thrrthnn. "Before we starrt discussing the mission, we need to dissscuss payment. You owe uss 300000 shyneum penniess."

"You failed to bring other ships! We were promised five, and received only one!"

"We were interrcepted by another grroup of Intersstel shipss. That iss why we brrought only one ship."

"Yet you still expect full payment!"

"The deal," said Nnrr'thrrthnn with growing anger, "wass that each ship would recceive 300000 for disstribution to itsss crew! Regarrdless of how many ships arrrived, you owe thiss crew 300000. And you will pay it!"

G'Farp'An was becoming quite unhappy with this Thrynn who dared to make the mighty General G'Farp'An look like a weakling. "Know your place, Arthling! I am G'Farp'An, one of the most feared warriors in all the sectors!"

"Pay up, orr you will be one of the mosst deceassed warriorss in all the sectorrsss."

"Very well!" growled G'Farp'An. "You will receive promised payment!"

"Yyou know, I believe my crrew deserrves extra. Ssay, 100000 each?"

"Acceptable! Now, we will speak of the mission!"

Nnrr'thrrthnn sat back with a grin. "Ssure, G'Farp'An. You may sspeak of the missssion."

Now the vile beast refers to me by name! G'Farp'An was not impressed with the disrespectful Arthling. "As I was saying, we need to eliminate the Humna Humna detection facility at Hr'noon to finally expand our territory to contain it, as well as to clear the way for surprise attacks upon the Diallo system. Your ship will be part of a five-ship attack force which was supposed to be your five ships. Since you failed to supply them, you will go with four fearsome G'Nunk vessels. The attack from orbit should be swift and deadly, allowing our Diallo party to launch within seconds! We will then secure the system. In order to permit your ship full functionality, we will be assigning a dozen of our warriors to serve as your crew."

Nnrr'thrrthnn thought about it for a moment. "When will we recceive our payment?"

G'Farp'An and the other G'Nunk were growing more and more spiteful of these Arthlings every time they opened their mouths. "As soon as we depart your vessel..." responded G'Farp'An. "Do you understand the mission?"

"Yess, I unndersstand it perfectly."

"Good! Then we will communicate tomorrow when we prepare for the assault!"

"Ssure thing, G'Farrp'An."

G'Farp'An and his G'Nunk associates left without another word, fearing that they may kill their ally before he completed his task. Seeking the wisdom of G'Naen Sh'Gar was the best option at this point. Only she/it would be able to help G'Farp'An understand the disrespectful ways of the Arthling captain.

Once the G'Nunk had left the ship, Nnrr'thrrthnn turned to Rraa'qlyrr. "I hate that basstard."

"Yyou should have let me kill them. It would havve been eassy."

"Yess, but they will soon be sending more of theirr kind to worrk for uss. I don't want thosse dirty crreatures crawling arround the ship, but forr now, we need them. Oncce the mission iss completed, we will recrruit piratess or othersss who feel the same way we do about Interrstel to fill our crrew, and exterrminate the G'Nunk officerss. Another hunt." The two walked down the corridor. "What iss the status of the interrnal sensorr system?"

"We have done everrything we could think of, but Pahhh-Liith's people werre quite thorough in theirr destrruction of its componentsss. They knew how crritical that sysstem would be."

"So we can't fix it?"

"No. Not unless we can obtain rrepair partss from an Interrstel ship or facility."

"Perrhaps it will not be a problem. They won't dare rreveal themselvess in such a manner once a dozen G'Nunnk are on boarrd."

"Maybe we should ssend one of those G'Nunk swine into the ductsss to find Pahhh-Liith."

"I don't think the G'Nunnk are vegetarianss. Savage brrutes, and that isss all." Nnrr'thrrthnn looked around cautiously. "We musst be mindful."

PART 18 - Helping Hand

02-29-43, 1244 hours

ISS Mediator

In orbit of the Humna Humna surveillance base, Hr'noon system

Mediator slowed and entered orbit. "Pxi?" asked Ty'lyrr.

"I've located the installation," she replied. "Planetary coordinates 23 North by 48 West."

"Sahhharr, preparre to land at thossse coordinatess. Qrlthrssth, requesst perrmission to lland."

"Aye, ssir...," replied Qrlthrssth. After a few moments, he said, "Permissssion grrannted."

"Taking us down," said Sahhharr.

Mediator began it's descent towards the Humna Humna facility.

Three forms moved about Quasar's dark and quiet ventilation ducts, moving towards the junction that was their base of operations. They could hear the G'Nunk. The odds had gotten much worse.

As they crawled into the junction, Tii Zzax asked, "You think the other ships received our message?"

"I believe so," answered Pahhh-Liith.

"I don