Shedding the Past, page 10
part #8 of Coalition Series
“Hey, you hit the target. That’s better than some trainees do on their first day. Now, let’s go through what you did right and what you did wrong.”
They spent the rest of the day rotating through the two laser weapons—the pistol and the rifle. Brady eventually stepped back and allowed the other soldiers to take turns correcting and teaching him. Eventually, he always hit the target, though it was rarely where he thought the shot would go.
“Okay, I think that’s enough for today. Tomorrow, we’ll move to the ballistic rifle. I saved that one because, well, it’s loud and there’s some recoil you’ll have to learn to deal with. You did great, Yafi,” Brady said. “Dismissed, everyone.”
Her words were backed up by clapping from the rest of the squad, except for Ulmer, who put his hands in his pockets and walked away.
* * *
The next morning, Queen El’Jyiurma rose early and went to her office. Later in the day she would meet with Sofia, but she wanted to go over anything that needed to be handled first, since the meeting would likely take the rest of the day. A priority report from the Academy caught her attention. Upon reading it, she growled dangerously.
“What is it, Mother?” El’Iroru asked and rose on his coils from his position in the corner on a heated stone platform.
“Another incident at the academy.”
“The human, Savage, again?”
“Yes.”
“Is he dead this time?”
“No, thankfully. It was a cowardly attempt,” she said scornfully. She let him read the report so he would have the same information she had.
She watched as he read the report through several times, satisfied he was giving it the appropriate level of scrutiny.
“Now, let us assume this happened on a ship and you were its captain. What would your response be?”
“How reliable is this identification?” he asked, immediately.
“As reliable as it can be. I have never known this level of identification to be wrong.”
“One cadet attempted to kill another cadet. By the law, they are already serving members of the navy, so the crime would be punishable by consumption. Nothing less.”
In the Serpentes culture, they consumed those who were convicted of a serious crime. The philosophy was that they were unworthy of their own life but would serve to sustain another Serpentes in their death. The law extended to humans, as well, which was a subject of strife among some beings on Gieliv, but it was the Serpentes way. Typically, a Lampros would handle the deed, as was their role. To prevent summary consumptions, the laws had been changed when El’Jyiurma became Queen, requiring that the Fleet Admiral approve any consumptions dealing with naval beings.
“You have been studying.”
El’Iroru turned his head to face her and proudly rose slightly higher on his coils. “Of course.”
“You are correct. But would you not want to know why?”
“The reason is obvious. She doesn’t want humans in the navy.”
“Perhaps,” El’Jyiurma responded and looked again at the report on the venom analysis. It had traced back to a Cadet Vi’Pavema in the sensors track.
El’Jyiurma couldn’t have said what it was, if asked, but something about it made her scales itch. A hissed command brought up the cadet’s personnel record. Her family didn’t have a naval lineage, which was historically important to Viperidae above all others. In fact, she had come over from Strorix Den and easily passed the entrance exams. In less than a year, she had moved into the final phase of her training in the main academy in Capital City. For most, it was a two-year journey. If anything, logic dictated that her peers would likely shun her, just as they shunned the humans. Being from Strorix Den, she would have been more likely to have interactions with humans than those from Strorix Prime.
Just as all Serpentes knew the Elapidae were the superior species within the Viperidae, those with a traceable lineage of naval service knew themselves to be superior to those without. She was attempting to break down some of these ‘known facts,’ but she was also intelligent enough to know it would likely take a generation or more for changes to take hold.
“Look here and then tell me again what your decision would be,” she instructed him.
She considered her own training of her son against her goals. He would have a significant advantage as he grew older and joined the navy, which she knew he would. Was she contributing to the very thing she was trying to eliminate? Or was she simply preparing her offspring, as any parent would?
“This does change things, Mother,” he said after several moments.
“Doesn’t it? Now, what would your course of action be?”
“I would question her personally. Her pheromones cannot lie.”
“Very good. Now, we will wait to see what Admiral El’Arta does.”
* * * * *
Chapter 9
Leon Ulmer sat up in his bed and sighed. It had been a restless night. He couldn’t get the image of Yafi at gunpoint out of his mind or the fact that the Serpentes sacrificed their own to avoid killing non-combatants. A quiet beep drew him from his thoughts, and he swore under his breath. It was the comm he used to communicate with Bobby Merritt. He’d forgotten to take it out of his civvies and put it away. He reached over to retrieve it from his pants pocket and looked at the message.
Three days, was all it said, but he knew what it meant.
In three days, there would be planet-wide protests against the presence of the Serpentes on Gieliv, but they would be a distraction from the real purpose. Chosen operatives of the resistance would set out to maim or kill as many Serpentes as possible. Plans were already in place, though he wasn’t privy to any of them. The only thing he knew for sure was that Merritt wasn’t concerned with collateral damage. It was possible, likely even, Gielivians would die as well as Serpentes.
As he reflected, his official comm device went off, and he quickly checked the message. They would leave for the Neithea system in three days. He frowned as he compared the two messages and wondered if Merritt had a source in the army he didn’t know about.
He got up to shower and get ready for the day’s training on the range with Yafi, but he was on autopilot. His mind was preoccupied and conflicted. For the first time, he considered turning himself in and coming clean. He had reason to hate the Serpentes; they’d killed his sister. But could it be that what they’d said on the news was right? That it was a rogue being acting on his own? The irony of his position was not lost on him as he fastened his belt. Was he any better than the rattler who had launched venom at Gieliv and then killed a family on the planet?
As he checked over his uniform in a full-length mirror, he looked himself in the eyes. “So, what’s it going to be John?”
* * *
Sofia startled awake and nearly screamed. She’d tossed and turned so much during the night that her blanket was woven around her, and the dream she’d woken up from, nightmare really, was about being trapped in the coils of a Viperidae. She struggled free and sat up, panting, as she reminded herself she was in the ambassador’s quarters on Strorix Prime and was perfectly safe. It had been one of many nightmare scenarios that had gone through her mind after she read the documents El’Jyiurma had given her access to.
Queen El’Jyiurma would expect her thoughts and, perhaps, recommendations on what to do, but she still wasn’t sure. There were basically two options—make the information available to everyone or keep it concealed for the next ruler to deal with. Knowing El’Jyiurma, Sofia felt sure she would lean toward publishing the previously well-kept secrets, but the potential consequences were deadly. She was certain the news wouldn’t cause much disruption among those who were considered the lesser-species, like the Thamno or Pantherop, but it would certainly be seen skeptically by most Viperidae and Elapidae.
She was deep in her thoughts as she made her way from her quarters to the planetary headquarters building, then up to her office. She entered the last secured door and saw Ayana smiling from her desk.
“Good morning, Sofia. The queen is ready to see you whenever you’re ready.”
“Thanks, Ayana. Could you let her know I’ll just be a few minutes? There are a few things I want to look at first.”
“Sure thing.”
Sofia walked into her office, sat down, and brought her terminal online. She focused on the first contact documents again and shook her head. There hadn’t been a report on specifics, but it was obvious the humans hadn’t stood a chance against the Serpentes and had lost many before they surrendered. Missing was much of the information on the transition from what was basically slavery to coexistence. She wondered again when this information had been lost to humans and become the property of the crown. In the end, though, it didn’t matter. What mattered was what happened from here forward.
She sighed as she rose and walked back out to the reception area an hour later. “I’m ready,” she told Ayana.
“Go on in.”
* * *
El’Jyiurma looked up from her terminal when Sofia walked in, letting the door close behind her. “Sofia, it is good to see you.”
Sofia bowed deeply. “And you, Your Majesty.”
“Rest, Sofia. I would like you to meet Iroru, the strongest of my hatchlings,” she said and gestured in his direction with her head.
Sofia turned and bowed very slightly to him. “Good to meet you, El’Iroru.”
El’Iroru rose on his coils and bowed to Sofia. “I have heard much about you from mother. It is indeed a pleasure to meet you, Sofia Pallesen.”
El’Jyiurma tasted the air and sensed confusion from Sofia. “Is something wrong?”
“If you’ll pardon my saying, I’ve never heard a Serpentes referred to without the prefix.”
She hissed in amusement. “Of course, you haven’t. It is only done among families and close associates and trusted ones.”
“I see. Well, we learn something new every day I suppose.”
“Please, sit. We have much to discuss. Would you like anything before we begin?”
Sofia shook her head.
“Very well. We’ve both read the same documents and accounts. I must determine the future of this information, and I would know your thoughts.”
El’Jyiurma and, she was sure, Sofia sensed the mood in the room change immediately from amusement and pleasure at meeting, to the same tension that arose before a battle. She could see the conflict in Sofia’s body language, which she’d learned to read over the years Sofia had served as her assistant.
“Speak freely here, Sofia. Just like the old days.”
Sofia smiled sadly. “I miss those days sometimes. This is unlike anything you’ve ever faced. As I’m sure you do, I only see two paths—release the information or pass the decision on to the next ruler. I considered partial release, but…I believe it would cause far too many questions. Have you had one of your advisers or anyone else weigh in?”
“No. You and I and Iroru are the only living beings aware of this information as far as I know. From what I have been able to tell, El’Xakelu never read the documents, which is not surprising, as deeply as they were buried in the archives.”
“And I saw you made official note of your and my, review, so there’s no denying you’ve seen them.”
“Yes, quite on purpose. I will not lie and say I haven’t been tempted to purge the documents from the system, but I fear I would not rest if I were to take such a course.”
El’Jyiurma wished she had not found the information when she had. It was a tense and pivotal time in the developing Strorix Empire, which some had begun calling it after she’d quashed referring to it as the Serpentes Empire. Including humans in the Navy was a decision she’d made before she found the documents, but there would be many, likely most, who would assume the information was the cause—her attempt at appeasement. Add to that the plans for launching a full-scale invasion of the Gnevusin home system in the near future, and stability became a significant concern.
“I will say that I am inclined to discuss this with Fleet Admiral El’Kashtri, who is on his way home.”
Sofia nodded. “I think that’s a wise course as well, Your Majesty.”
“But I would still like your thoughts.”
Sofia looked over at El’Iroru, then met El’Jyiurma’s eyes. “I believe you have no choice other than to release it, in full. You should accompany the release with plans to create even more equity for humans in the system. Your actions, and even some taken by King El’Xakelu, have gone a long way, but people will want more, and they’ll want it soon. You must consider the reactions from the galaxy, not just the system. This will cause some unrest and a renewal of fear on Gieliv, so you should also discuss it with President Frazier before you go public, if you do. Neithea isn’t as much of a concern. The beings there are already working well together.”
El’Jyiurma waited as she could sense Sofia wasn’t done.
“You should probably have ground forces on alert for potential uprisings from humans or Serpentes, both here and on the Den. I think the Den is less of a concern, since there is already respect and much collaboration there, but I wouldn’t discount anything. There will be humans, unhappy with their lot in life, who will be stirred to action by this news. There may also be Serpentes who point to it as proof of their superiority and seek a return to the past. I’m afraid no matter how you approach the situation, should you decide to release the information, there will be conflict.”
El’Jyiurma contemplated Sofia’s words for several long moments in silence. The silence was so absolute, the scrape of El’Iroru’s scales as he shifted caused her to jerk her head to look at him. “You have something to add?”
“I was simply thinking, I’m glad I don’t have to make such a decision. I do not fault our ancestors, but they are not us. I do not understand how their actions can cause so much discord. It makes me uncomfortable.”
“I am glad it does,” she said without further explanation. She had no desire to go into such a lesson in front of Sofia.
She had already considered much of what Sofia said but had not considered the far-reaching implications, such as potential unrest on Gieliv. Her decision would not only impact her system but, potentially, two other systems as well. She had been so focused on Strorix and preparing for an invasion, she had fallen out of touch with the rest of the galaxy. She silently chided herself for losing focus on her role, not just as a queen, but as the leader of a multi-system empire.
“I admit, Sofia, you have brought some things to my attention I had not considered, and you have given me more to think about. I would like you to remain on Prime for a few more days until Fleet Admiral El’Kashtri arrives. I may need your perspective when I speak to him about this.”
“Of course. Anything I can do, as always.”
“Thank you, Sofia. You may go. I have much to ponder.”
She lowered her head and rested it on her coils after Sofia left.
El’Iroru slid down from his perch and coiled beside her. “What will you do, Mother?”
“I don’t know,” she said honestly. “El’Kashtri will be home soon. I will consult him and then come to a decision.”
* * *
Harmon had spent the past few days learning everything he could about the Strorix system and the Serpentes, thanks to Jayneen and Bahroot’s digging. They’d been isolationists for a long time, which was probably why he’d never heard of them, but they had recently splashed onto the galactic scene. He’d reviewed their first contact with Gieliv with interest and decided Gieliv had made the right call. It would have been easy to go after the Serpentes when one of their squadrons launched a planetary attack on Gieliv, but it looked like the Serpentes had done everything they could to make it right. Interestingly, it had happened under the leadership of then Admiral El’Jyiurma. Even the Bith had decided not to act, which said a lot. Thanks to Bahroot, he knew El’Jyiurma had informed the Bith of the potential incident before it happened and had destroyed her own system’s ships to try to stop it.
“I think we’re ready to handle the Ahluic. Unless anyone thinks otherwise, I’ll reach out to Queen El’Jyiurma and offer them the ship to do with as they please.”
Clip nodded. “Sounds good to me. Having them here makes me itchy. Oh, does that mean I’ll get to meet one of ‘em?”
Harmon shook his head and chuckled. “Zerith?”
“I agree asss well,” he said just before he popped some fruit into his mouth and began chewing.
“We have ships that could get it to the system in case they can’t come get it?”
“We do, Harmon,” Jayneen replied.
“Okay, let’s see how this goes. Path, open a comm to Strorix Prime. Let’s meet the queen of the Serpentes.”
* * * * *
Chapter 10
El’Jyiurma was handling some of the routine paperwork that came with running two systems, including reviewing the timeline for weapons training for Gnevusin on Neithea, when Ayana’s voice came through her sub-scalar implant.
“Your Majesty, I have President Harmon Tomeral of Salvage System on a gate comm.”
“Put him through. Thank you, Ayana,” she said and rose a bit higher on her coils. She gave El’Iroru a quick warning glance to stay out of the pickup range.
She watched the screen as Harmon appeared, standing in front of what she quickly recognized as a command chair on the bridge of a ship.
“President Tomeral, I am Queen El’Jyiurma. I must admit, your communication comes as quite a surprise.”
