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A morose Brakal sat in the spare command chair bolted to the deck beside Urag’s on Tol Vehar’s bridge, watching as Atsang Base grew on the main screen. He knew his fate awaited him in an office at the heart of the large cylinder festooned with countless docking arms. It would not be pleasant for Admiral of the Fifth Rank Brakal, whose naval career was surely over, but he had already resolved to take a different path.
Seconds after the thought crossed his mind, a communication from base operations seemed to confirm it.
“Incoming message for Admiral of the Fifth Rank Brakal from Admiral of the Third Rank Kerhasi, commanding officer of Assault Division Atsang. Admiral Brakal shall report to Admiral Kerhasi’s office the moment Tol Vehar docks so he might account for his command of Strike Group Khorsan.”
The stilted formality of the order conveyed everything he needed to know.
“Send my reply as follows. Admiral of the Fifth Rank Brakal hears and obeys.”
Urag turned his head to star at his commanding officer.
“That was not a friendly greeting between old comrades, Lord.”
“It was not meant to. I suppose I should pack my belongings before we dock. If my prediction is correct, Toralk can bring them when he joins me for our voyage home.”
“You expect to leave Strike Group Khorsan?”
“Since there no longer is a Khorsan Base, I expect Kerhasi will disband the strike group and reassign its ships to other units.”
“Your pardon, Lord, but are you not giving up too quickly?”
Brakal made a dismissive gesture.
“Kerhasi will have received orders from the admiralty. Senior officers who fail may not redeem themselves these days, and I am the first who lost an orbital base because of enemy action. That will be considered an enormous dishonor, especially by those who do not understand this war.”
“Besides, at this juncture, I might be able to do more if I hang up my admiral’s robes and don those of the imperial lord representing Clan Makkar in the Kraal,” he added after a momentary pause.
The Kraal, a legislative assembly where the empire’s highest-ranking nobles from ancient families met, existed to keep the governing council and the emperor, or in this case the regent in check. At least theoretically.
“In that case, may I ask something of you, Admiral,” a voice said from the shadows behind the command chairs.
Brakal glanced over his shoulder at Regar, the Tai Kan political officer assigned to watch for disloyalty aboard Tol Vehar. But instead of reporting the crew’s disaffection with the imperial government and its handling of the war, Regar had become Brakal’s adviser on all matters concerning politics and the empire’s secret police, especially its pervasive surveillance network.
“Speak.”
“Let me swear an oath of fealty to the Lord of Clan Makkar, then take me with you. I can serve the empire better by staying at your side instead of pretending to spy on Commander Urag’s crew. My experience as a Tai Kan operative and my contacts in low places will be useful, should you pursue political avenues.”
Brakal and Urag exchanged a glance. The latter made a small gesture of assent, encouraging Brakal to accept.
“Do you think an oath of fealty to a clan lord will release you from the Tai Kan?”
“No, and I do not, as yet, wish to resign my commission. But Admiral Kerhasi will surely allow you a few personal retainers. He may be in receipt of orders relieving you, but he remains a friend and Warrior Caste brother.”
“You know this how?”
“He couched his summons in a way that announces your fate, so you may prepare since an officer relieved of his command is not allowed back aboard his ship.”
“And that is why you need Regar,” Urag said. “He can read evil signs and dark portents. You might be a superb tactician and naval officer, but in Shredar’s darkest corners, especially around the government precinct, you are only a mewling cub. Unless, of course, you intend to retire and manage the Clan Makkar estates while becoming an old man who no longer cares about those who rally behind him.”
Brakal jumped to his feet with surprising vigor and pointed at the deck in front of him.
“Come here and drop to one knee, Regar.” Once the Tai Kan officer did so, Brakal held out his right arm. Regar grasped it just below the elbow while Brakal did the same. “Do you swear to serve Clan Makkar with your body and spirit now and always, lest you forfeit your undying honor?”
“Upon my honor, I swear I will serve the Lords of Clan Makkar until my last breath.”
“Arise, Regar, Liegeman of the Makkar.” Brakal pulled Regar to his feet. “You might as well pack your belongings too.”
**
“Brakal, you sad old rogue.” Admiral of the Third Rank Kerhasi rose from behind his desk and reached out to grasp his old friend’s forearms in greeting. “Those humans are becoming a true plague. Khorsan Base was not their only victim. They ambushed convoy Haqqa One Five at the Atsang heliopause as it returned from Khorsan. Literally on my doorstep. Not your phantom battleship, of course, but a swarm of smaller vessels. We were fortunate two freighters and one Ptar escaped destruction. What is happening to us?”
They released each other’s arms, and Kerhasi indicated a chair.
“Sit.”
“What is happening?” Brakal let loose a bark of humorless laughter as he complied. “We are losing the war.”
“Surely it cannot be that bad.” Kerhasi nodded toward a sideboard. “Tvass?”
“Unless you have something stronger on offer.”
“Perhaps later, when what needs saying has been said.”
“Then a cup of tvass will be fine.”
“We can talk about the war after I carry out my orders, unpleasant as they are.” Kerhasi served them then sat across from Brakal. “There is no easy way around this. The admiralty has directed that I relieve you of your command and send you back to Shrehari Prime. As of this moment, you are placed in the reserve of officers and no longer hold any appointment in the Deep Space Fleet, nor do you wield any sort of authority. Once on the homeworld, you will report to Admiral of the Second Rank Zakit. He will no doubt send you to tend your estates.”
An amused smile twisted Brakal’s ridged face.
“Tend my estates? No. I will take Clan Makkar’s seat in the Kraal and see if my peers and I can revive its authority. The council has done enough to damage the empire and jeopardize its future. Our enemy runs rampant deep within our sphere. We should take it as a sign from the gods that we urgently need a course correction before we face collapse.”
Kerhasi slapped his knee with delight.
“I feared you might dispute me and we would part as enemies, yet here you are, ready to take on the sclerotic idiots ruining us. You may count on my support if ever I can do anything to help.”
“Excellent! Perhaps you could send word to relatives and friends on the homeworld who are acquainted with members of the Kraal and tell them about my intentions.”
“Consider it done.”
“How will I travel to the homeworld?”
“Aboard the regular courier run. It leaves tomorrow.”
“I shall bring two retainers with me. My bodyguard Toralk and Sub-Commander Regar.”
Kerhasi tilted his massive head to one side in question.
“Toralk, I remember well. Loyal as the day is long and able to frighten the most savage of miscreants. Who is Regar?”
“Task Force Khorsan’s chief Tai Kan spy. Since I assume you plan to disband Khorsan and reassign its ships, his departure will not be felt.”
“You assume correctly. But a Tai Kan officer as a retainer? The universe is truly upside down. Dare I ask?”
“Regar, just as many if not most of us, is unhappy with the conduct of the war. And he feels no great loyalty for his masters. I find him useful.”
“I will not stop you from taking him, but you might attract the Tai Kan’s wrath when they notice his presence on the homeworld.”
“Bugger the Tai Kan. They are as much a part of the problem as the council and the admiralty. They also need a good reaming out.”
Kerhasi drained his tvass mug. “Enough of this swill. We must celebrate. What would you say to a bottle of chilled Zahkar vintage ale?”
“Does a kroorath shit in the woods?”
**
“Urag asked that I remind you of his and the crew’s loyalty, Lord,” Regar said when Brakal entered the guest suite set aside for them in Atsang Base’s VIP quarters. “If at a future date, you should call on Tol Vehar, they will do their best to respond. Toralk placed your bags in the primary bedroom.” Regar pointed at an open door. “Your friendship with Admiral Kerhasi appears as strong as ever.”
“And you deduce this how?”
“These are the finest quarters on the station other than Kerhasi’s private suite, Lord. Fit for an admiral of the first rank. And the pantry is well stocked. Nothing but Zahkar vintage ale and the finest distilled spirits, imported from Shrehari Prime at great expense. Only a friend offers the best to a comrade returning home in disgrace. He did not object to my being among your personal retainers?”
“No. I explained why, and I told him of my intention to take the clan seat in the Kraal. After hearing of my plans, he offered his assistance.”
“Good. You will need the support of every fighting admiral if you are to push out those useless relics polluting the admiralty and the highest levels of government.”
“Push out? Are we not getting ahead of ourselves? Let us first see who we can rally to the cause of reform. Perhaps I will not find enough takers.”
A cruel smile split Regar’s lips.
“Trust me on this, Lord. You will. Start with those unfairly removed from command and sent to the officers’ reserve. They will be nursing a grudge that only blood can extinguish, and many of them are members of the Kraal or belong to the four hundred noble clans who claim a seat in the Kraal.”
Brakal’s eyes narrowed as he studied Regar.
“You have thought much on this matter, it seems.”
“Since before the day we first met. I have known for a long time that someone with enough prestige, charisma, and influence needs to arise and end the war before it ends the empire. Remember, before joining Tol Vehar, I labored in the bowels of Tai Kan headquarters. I saw incontrovertible evidence of our leaders’ incompetence and corruption.”
“And I am that someone?”
“The gods placed you this path for a reason and expect that you follow it until victory or death.”