Knight�s Pride
By T.F. Kit
Chapter 9: Ranking and file
It took a moment of silence to have the words that Droe spoke sink in.
It was Ryan who broke the silence. "So is there anything else?" He asked.
KaLee managed to pull her eyes off of Droe and scanned the room before she asked her question. �Actually I have a question about after you left Arus.� She smiled and Ryan shook his head.
�Go a head Commander.� He said.
�You went to the academy at age sixteen graduated at the top of your class�� She was interrupted.
�Second from the top.� He corrected.
KaLee sighed before continuing. �� top of your class. What did you do after graduation?�
�Well, I took the assignment to the Beldestar. Mostly inner galaxy work. Convoy escorting some mapping of nebulas, a little scientific work. Spent two years there then transferred to a year long voyage mapping the Testrion gate.� He stopped at the sight of Cole�s eyes becoming huge.
�W..wa what?� There was defiantly amazement there.
�Yeah� some of the currents have been accurately mapped but there still is a long ways to go on them.� Ryan said.
Testrion Gate was a strip of space not very wide but very long. About fifty or so light years across and over three thousand light years long. It cut through some of the major shipping areas. From what could be told it was an area of space that was so full of nebulas and stars that they seemed to run on top of one another. It could push ships around like a small boat on Earths oceans. Not exactly calm waters. There were a lot of scientists studying it.
�The Coursant was dispatched to map some of the unknown sectors on the edges. Nothing of interest really. A lot of scientist poking and prodding at space.� He looked around the room and asked again. �Any other questions?�
KaLee studied him. Not for public ears. Then looked around and saw that everyone seemed to shake their heads agreeing that there was really nothing else to ask.
"Well who would be next?" Cole asked. "I mean the twins and Lillian have ranks but the rest of us really don't."
It was Spike who shifted in his seat, a squeak that brought attention to him. "Well," he drawled putting the feet that he had setting up on the table down to the floor. "I would have to say that it would be Droe." He slide his gaze over to the Kaven, who now was comfortably lounging on the floor.
Droe lifted his head before speaking. "Why would you say that?" A relevant question.
Spike raised an eyebrow. "I don't know. You are a fifth level navigator." Droe heaved a slight sigh. "I am right aren't I." Spike leaned forward.
KaLee pulled her surprise look off of the ex-pirate and on to the large bear-like friend. Droe remained silent and very, very still.
"Droe?" KaLee's voice was soft as it cut the air.
He shifted. "Actually this is not quite right." His voice was equally soft. "For I have no real ranking on my sash."
Spike smiled. He was enjoying this banter. "Now. Yeah, but I believe it was about five years� no it was eight years ago." Spike nodded. "Yeah eight years ago when the Savantant incident happened."
Droe let a low grumble roll in his throat, an irritated sound almost a threat. Spike shifted back and the whole room went slightly tense.
"Droe?" KaLee's voice held a bit more command to it. She did not want to get in the middle of it but she would if it came to blows. She watched as his fur bristled then settled back flat.
"I am sorry." Droe said the tension not as present and no longer threatening. "Spike is correct. My clan does not acknowledge that I ever had a ranking. So neither do I. I forget that you humans have a tendency to remember the past differently."
"What happened?" KaLee asked, she had not been in service at that time. She was involved in her own problems. It was also a fairly resent even when she was in the academy for it to be in the course Academic Strategies but not current enough for Current Strategies.
"We were a shipping vessel." Droe started. "At least that was what the records showed."
***********
"Where are we on the charts Navigator Firestay?" Fl'Kitan TorVen spoke across the deck.
"We are nearing the Alliance sector, Beta Six bordering Free Space shipping lane Quatra." Droe stood in the primary navigator's stand; his back parallel and hands steady on the controls.
"Good." There was a rumble of approval. "How far out are we?"
"Another ten minutes." Droe said.
What are we really going after? He let his mind slip for a moment. He understood that he was not privy to all the information but he had to make sure that the ship made it to and from its destination with as little of incident as possible. How could he do that with out full knowledge of what they were doing? A ship of this capacity just to pick up a few supplies from an out post on the edge of Free Space did not add up.
Droe focused fully back on piloting the ship. They were coming up to the Moon base on Savantant, the second moon orbiting an unlivable gas giant.
"We are getting a request for identification." The communications operator said. Droe could feel his fur rippled as he spoke.
"Send the appropriate identification codes." The Fl'Kitan spoke again; anticipation could be felt around the bridge.
Droe could feel the fur down his spine stand on end. Something did not feel right to him. What is on the Savantant base? He ran through what was there.
It was a small mining colony that had become a way station stop for the Free Space shipping lanes. Mainly human, a few other races but mainly human families.
Droe had been assigned to this run last minute because the ships regular Navigator was needed on another shipment. One Droe did not have the necessary experience for. A positive note was that TorVen had specifically requested him over the other Navigators offered. He assumed it was because of his intuition. Sometimes when he was very in tune with navigating he could 'see' how he needed to pilot. He was better than all of his classmates at flight training and achieved ranking one upon graduation. He was already a level five where most of the navigators he graduated with were only a level three.
He focused on the landing points pulling the winds and shifts of what little atmosphere where was. The ground was coming up with amazing speed but Droe knew exactly when to throw the thrusters and extend landing gear. There was not even a jostling of the seats as the ship settled into the port.
"Good job Firestay." TorVen complimented. "Get the ramp open to start loading the cargo."
Droe heard him get up and move off the bridge. Droe breathed a sigh of relief but still felt the pride. He had used his given name not his family name, a compliment among the Kavens. TorVen was a hard commanding officer to work with. At least that was what he had been told and what he had experienced so far.
With efficient hands Droe brought the navigation systems to stand by. The other pilots would be able to maintain the system while he went for a quick drink.
"Permission to take a break, sir?" Droe asked Erif, the Zwebef'le, second in command.
"Granted." His voice was deeper but did not hold the same authority that the Fl'Kitan did.
Stepping down from his post Droe dropped to all four and lumbered off the bridge.
The trip back was going to be a little tricky. They were taking a different route back one that had more risks. They would be getting a little close to a firestorm nebula and navigating Brinks Twister Alley. That sector of space was covered in space twisters. These were solar and nebula energy forced into swirling masses of destruction, similar looking to terran tornadoes or twisters. The first person to successfully navigate that corridor was Felix Brinks, in a little star sailor. About tore his ship apart, but he made it.
Humans come up with some odd names for things. He thought.
Being a Navigator he had access to star charts and had actually found that humans named things differently than the Kavens. There was a nebula in the secretors near the KalVoskNe, the Kaven homeworld that his people had named for the home of their Gods. He found out that one of the star charters on Terra named it Gin�s Lamp because it�s shape being similar to that of an old oil lamp that was used in the old Aladdin story with some magical gin who grants wishes to the one who releases him from his lamp.
At least with Brinks Twister Alley it made more sense. I don�t get humans� but they have the best coffee. He smiled.
Droe reached the galley and pored himself a cup of the dark brew. It was the one import from Terra that the whole government approved of. Even if it was grown on the home world it did not taste as good as the Tarran stuff.
He took a cautious sip from the steaming cup. "Grummm." He gave a contented growl.
Droe missed being home among his clan with his potential mate but he was needed here. As he sipped at his coffee he scanned out the porthole to observer the landscape there, desolate, barren but for a few scragling brush like trees. Droe was content to be a navigator for now.
His minds-eye drifted to beyond the horizon and other things. His future mate, FlourGray Aria, she was a soft woman of gentle taste. A healer who could make even the most stubborn soil produce good herbs. They had been courting now for well over two decades. Their clans had finally given approval for their joining.
Something caught his attention just on the edge of the horizon. Something is coming. Setting aside his cup Droe stood quickly bolting off to the bridge. What is it? It is on the edge of my mind? This has been bothering me since before we landed.
His paws hit the deck of the bridge just as Zwebef'le Erif spoke. "Find out what that is coming over the horizon."
Droe slid back into his place in navigation.
"Not able to fully tell sir." Another Kaven spoke.
Droe pulled up his system and did a scan. Inorganic compounds, multiple targets unable to get a full lock.
"Work on scanning beyond. Focus on organic signatures. Scanner capabilities amplified." Droe spoke out loud. Bringing the engines on line he waited.
Give me a reading. He did not like how this felt. It feels wrong.
The scans came back. Indicating multiple organic life forms just on the other side of the swarm. Their movement is a high rate of speed indicating a vessel. Droe felt his heart rate increase. It was exciting.
"Sir we should get in the air, see if we can get beyond the swarm." One of the co-pilots spoke up.
"Negative we need to finish loading." Erif said. His tone was cold. "Bring up buffer shields. See if it is capable of extending them beyond the ship to enclose the loading hold."
Droe tilted his head towards his commanding officer knowing the next command.
The voice held a calmness to it that should not have been there. "Firestay. Look for any route through the swarm." Droe nodded. His hands flew over the control panel extending the ships sensors even further. He also extended his own senses, wondering what he was going to find. Who or what was beyond the swarm?
With deep breaths he focused, pushing past the bodies close by. He was only dimly aware of them. Then he hit the swarm almost hearing the buzzing in his ears then there was the ship and his mind brushed something wrong. It sent sharp pain though his body causing him to jerk. The ship rocked as he pulled reflexively on his controls.
"Navigator Firestay." Droe's commanding officer cried out. "What are you doing?"
Droe pulled out of the place of pain. "I am sorry � sir. I just..."
"I don't care." Erif's voice was sharp. "Hold the ship steady."
Droe blinked. They are not going to stop. They will break through all of our defenses.
"Sir." Droe spoke again.
"I don't care Firestay." He was angry, Droe could feel that.
But� "But sir�" He tried again.
"Zwebef'le, it is moving at a faster rate." The co-pilot spoke again. "They will be on top of the base in one minute."
"Close the hatch. Send the loaders in to the base." Zwebef'le Erif responded. "Close all portals. What about those buffer shields?"
"We can fortify them but negative on extending. It would potentially kill who ever is in the loading docks."
"Okay, hold�" He was cut off by a buzzing sound. "What is�"
"The swarm is here sir."
Thump Thump. Things started to hit the haul.
"Can we send out a distress probe?" He asked, a nervousness now entered his voice.
"Trying to find a hole out sir." Droe responded. The swarm was all around.
Suddenly the buzzing stopped. Droe could hear the breathing around him and the movement of feet. Silence was deafening until a high-pitched screech filled the air. His own pain drowned the cries of his crewmates out and everything was gone.
The world slowly came back into focus and Droe immediately knew something was wrong. Why am I on the ceiling? He pushed up and sharp pain entered his shoulder.
"Grargh." He growled. My right shoulder.
He stayed down as he brought his hand to the sore spot. His fur was sticky and matted. Blood? He brought his fingers to his nostrils inhaling the sent. Yes blood.
Droe listened to the area around him. He was hearing other groaning and moving a little. His sonar started locating them as well.
This isn't good. No power. He did not sense the power generators.
"Aaagh." A voice cried out. "Aagh."
Droe was on his fours, ignoring his own pain and moved to the voice.
"Aaagh."
"Shhhh." Droe tired to sooth him. "It's okay."
It was the young communications officer. His back left leg was twisted wrong. Definitely broken.
"Aaagh." He was still screaming and now was trying to move.
"Hold still. I have to set your leg." Droe had some medical training. He hoped it would be enough.
"Aaagh."
"You have to hold still." Droe placed one hand on the officer's shoulder while his other hand dug in his pouch. Despite the movement of the other next to him, Droe was able to get out his med-kit. Popping it open he pulled out a syringe already filled.
"I am going to have to sedate you." His voice was curt and loud.
"Aaagh." The officer still squirmed. Not really struggling but not holding still.
"Okay." Droe stabbed the needle into the neck and shoved the drug into his system. "It's okay. Just relax."
Fairly quickly the officer slid into unconsciousness.
"There." Droe sighed and went to work.
He set the leg with ease. He knew there were others that needed his help. Carefully he began to move around the bridge, picking out people who needed help, avoiding those who he knew no longer needed medical attention.
As he worked Droe tried to recall what happened, but could not. One moment he was standing at his post the next the ship was topsy-turvy. It was a blink of an eye but he knew that could not be right.
What had happened to the swarm? What had happened to the base?
He was nearing the center where the Zwebef'le was supposed to be. A voice Droe could barely hear filtered out form underneath the pile of ruble.
"Sir." Droe called out. Why isn't any one else moving? "Zwebef'le Erif can you hear me?" He started to move the debris from on top of the body.
"Why?" Erif's disembodied voice asked.
"Keep talking sir I am almost there." Droe continued to lift the beams aside.
"Why Firestay? Why did you�"
"I am almost ther�" Droe lifted the final beam up to uncover his commanding officer. "�oh shit." His contact with humans had been minimum but he had picked up a few colorful metaphors. Shoving the beam to the side he knelt down.
The sent of blood assaulted his nostrils along with a rank stench of half digested food. Droe knew the stomach had been torn open. Brushing a hand above the abdomen he could tell it had been shredded and torn.
"What can I�" Droe started.
"Why?!?" Erif's voice rattled as a hand shot out and grabbed Droe's chest fur. "Why did you?"
"Sir?" Droe was very confused. "I don't understand."
"Betrayal. Why did you fight us?" With that said a rattling breath was released as was the life held with in.
"Sir?" Droe shouted and felt for a pulse he knew was not there.
Footsteps echoed in the room along with the cocking of guns. Droe snapped his head up but it was too late a multitude of bodies surrounded him.
"Firestay Droe." A deep voice rumbled. "You are under arrest for destruction of property and mutiny against your commanding officers."
*******
"They arrested you?" Deida gasped.
Lillian's eyes were wide but did not speak.
"Shit." Spike said softly. "I knew it was bad but did not know it was that bad."
"How� what� why?" Cole stammered.
KaLee kept quite as did Ryan waiting for an explanation.
But it was Derk who spoke next. "Raiders employed the use of semi-living, semi-sentient machines for a short period of time. Alone their intelligence was minimal, networked they were almost unstoppable. However long term usage proved unstable and usage of them was stopped." He took a breath not taking his eyes off of Droe. "Only two successful uses ever occurred. One was on Pollux for a small raid on crops over ten years ago and the other at the Savantant post." He glanced around at the others. "And even the Savantant attack was not fully successful. The Kaven ship was able to fly up above the post and draw most of the swarm with it. It eventually crashed a little ways off of the Port but because the swarm went with it the raiders did not have as much cover and the Port security was able to stop some of the incoming attackers." His hands fidgeted and he looked down at them. "That is all."
Droe nodded. "That is actually correct but that is not how my people saw it."
"So how did they see it?" KaLee asked.
"They viewed it that I was looking out more for the outpost than my own ship and crew when I pulled the ship up and away from the post. We lost twenty Kavens in the crash and I was found responsible because of video feeds from the command deck." Droe spoke his tone tense and jaw slightly clenched.
How were they able to get there so fast? KaLee thought. Something doesn't fully feel right. What were they looking for? Why did your ship need a back up combat group? That was what the arresting party was right Droe? But KaLee did not voice the questions; she knew Droe was not allowed to answer them.
Cole, however, did not know that and asked the question. "How was the arresting party able to get there so fast? I am assuming it was a Kaven group. And then why would they arrest you? You blacked out didn�t have any memory of what you did. Right?"
Droe turned his head to face the young man. "I am not at liberty to speak about that." His own tone was now cold.
"The Kaven Council does not allow certain things to be discussed. Their protocols for space travel being one of them." KaLee spoke up. She did not like that fact but she had to live with it. "So what happened then?" She pushed the conversation back to Droe's status and ranking. "They arrested you and then what?"
"I was put on trial away from the public eye. Found guilty of Betrayal of the crew and ship. My rank as a Navigator removed and put to work in the Carting fields. I lost everything that day and have no recollection what happened." Droe took a deep breath and shifted slightly, trying to relax. "My promised mate was removed from me and my clan no longer acknowledged me as a full member. I had nothing to offer anyone." His paws clenched.
"So, you came here." It was Derk's voice that spoke. "You made a deal and came here."
Droe nodded and grumbled an agreement.
"You saved countless lives that day in the post." Derk continued. "They would have offered you a place in their homes if you had wanted it."
A twitch of a smile filtered across Droe's face. "But it is not home. And we are lost with out our home. Bound to wander with no anchor. Home is what keeps our emotions in check and our minds sane. I could not accept the offer they DID make. Home is too important to me, even if I can not live there, I wish to reside there in the afterlife."
Derk nodded, but there was a sadness in his eyes that KaLee could not place, until he made his next statement. "I know I thank you for what you did." His voice was soft. "As do the other children that were also being taken aboard your ship to be passed off as raider captives." Deida's eyes became very wide.
"What?" She did not know about this.
You did not share something with your sister. Interesting. KaLee watched them for a moment.
Droe sat up straight and faced Derk in shock. "I did not know what we were transporting and the commanding officers did not think the raiders would betray us in that manner. I am sorry you had to go though that ordeal."
"What is he talking about?" Deida was getting frantic. "What are you talking about Derk?"
Derk looked at KaLee and Ryan.
"I think we can skip ranking for this one." KaLee spoke softly watching the young Ensign in front of her. "If you are ready to talk about it?"
Derk took a deep breath. "I guess it is about time isn't it."
Droe stood and moved over to Derk, sitting down next to him in a supportive way. "It started actually about a week before the Savantant incident."