Commander R’Bel, commanding the ships of Decoy, sat on his perch and observed his command pack going about their duties. It wasn’t hard as there were just three Kthpok including himself, all cramped in the small Center Room of his ship. He grinned as he thought of the insult a tech rating in the carrier ship had given just before the mission was activated. “That ship is so small,” that Kthpok had said, “you can’t swing your tail without killing all the crew and breaching the hull.”
R’Bel gave a soft snort. It was true his ships weren’t large. The living area was small but they had a large cargo area. It was because of that cargo space his pack would play a major role in the conquest of their new home. Besides that particular Kthpok should be out of doctor’s care by the time this operation was over.
He glanced over at the Battle Plot. His pack of three stealth vessels (small as they were) was shown on the screen only because the computer was detecting the short range transponders installed in each ship for that purpose. It had been confirmed earlier that the frequency being used wasn’t utilized by the Iidx. When the Fleet Admiral had confirmed Decoy couldn’t be detected by regular scans he’d sent them on their mission.
Decoy had left the fleet before it reached the outer asteroids and returned to the point where the Kthpok had entered the system years ago. Once there his Kthpok ran diagnostics to confirm the devices they were to place in space were ready and set the timers. Then the decoys which were crucial to the Admiral’s plans were released.
R’Bel gave a satisfied nod. Everything had worked as planned for a change. When Decoy was far enough away the timers activated the decoys and a new fleet appeared on scanners throughout the system. Now his three ships were resting at a point in space just inside the orbit of the last gas giant where they could observe the Iidx Swarm as it moved to investigate that strange, new fleet.
He craned his neck back for a better look at his Tactical monitor. Decoy was marked in purple while the approaching force was in amber. “Distance and course of target?” he asked.
“Target is twenty million miles and closing, Commander,” Ensign A’Sok, the Scan officer called. “The closest approach is…” he paused long enough to double check his figures. “Target gets no closer than one million.”
R’Bel frowned. The scientists on the flagship had calculated the detection range for his vessels at half a million miles. But that was theory and he didn’t want to risk his people or the operation on an educated guess.
The Commander glanced down at his equipment. “Communications, use laser whiskers,” he called, “all ships are to pull back another two million miles. Formation is to remain tight, silent running is to be in effect. Shut down the transponders.”
From his post at the Combat Console Ensign S’Nel who was also handling communications carefully craned his long neck around to look over at R’Bel. He didn’t want to smash his head against the low ceiling. “Sir, our targeting scans won’t be accurate at that range,” he said.
R’Bel glared at his combat officer. “See to your equipment, Ensign,” he ordered, “And remember what we’re here for. We’re not targeting we’re observing!”
Following orders the ships of Decoy were moved back the additional two million miles then the Kthpok made ready to observe their prey. A day elapsed as the Iidx force closed and moved past the ships of Decoy without knowing they were being observed.
When their prey had come to within several million miles R’Bel moved over to scanning with A’Sok. The Ensign used his passive scanners to carefully examine each of the Iidx vessels. Each of the other two vessels of Decoy was doing likewise. “That’s one,” he murmured. His hands reached out to fine tune the scans enough to identify a ship then mark its electronic signature in the computer.
“How many ships do we have Ensign?” R’Bel asked. “What’s their breakdown?” He was anxious to provide the Fleet Admiral with confirmation that the entire swarm sent to intercept the ‘humans’ was in the outer system.
“I’ll update your station as it comes in, sir,” A’Sok said but didn’t look up from his station. He just kept working. “I should have the complete breakdown in the next…ten minutes or so.”
The Commander gave an acknowledging grunt and turned away. He made his way back through the Center Rooms stations and returned to his perch where he watched the results come in.
At the end of an hour Ensign A’Sok turned away from his console to face R’Bel. “That’s it, Commander,” he announced. “I’ve got the Iidx fleet categorized. Cross checks with Talon 2 and 3 confirm my findings. The entire breakout’s on your system.” He gave a grin that showed most of his sharp fangs. “From what we can see it looks like the Queens have sent their entire fleet to meet the humans.”
“Very good, Ensign,” said R’Bel. His tail was giving small twitches as it reflected his excitement.
“Ensign S’Nel!” he continued. “Append the data from Scanning to the Cut Out Success message and send. Make sure you use the appropriate encryption. Notify me after you receive a confirmation from the flagship.”
“Yes Commander,” replied the Combat officer. “Appending now.”
R’Bel had to resist the urge to go over to the Combat Suite and watch as the Ensign worked his equipment. It was difficult for the Commander to endure the time it took for messages to travel to Main Hive and back. At last S’Nel turned from his console to announce, “Fleet Admiral P’Mar acknowledges. We’re to proceed to our next position and prepare to winnow the Kthpok. We’re to maintain our stealth and not reply. The transmission ends.”
Satisfied growls were heard from A’Sok at the news. R’Bel gave a feral grin. “Our time will come,” he called to his pack. “The next time we see those ships which should be in a week or so we get to kill some of them! Now, let’s get moving. We have a ways to go to set up a proper greeting for the Iidx.”
The Kthpok armada swept around Main Hive with each ship keeping its station relative to the flagship. In the Center Room of that flagship S’Cinf sat on his perch. His tail curled and twitched around the base in anticipation as he waited for the conquest of Main Hive to begin. It shouldn’t be much longer now, he thought. Glancing over at the Fleet Admiral the Run Point grinned. From the way P’Mar’s tail was writhing it was easy to see he was just as anxious as his Run Point was. It’d been three days since receiving Decoy’s report which meant the Iidx ships should be nearing the decoys. The waiting had been hard on all of them.
“Confirm location of the Iidx fleet,” ordered the Admiral breaking through the muted conversations of personnel and the hum of equipment. “I want a time count to the Activation Point. Have any ships left their formation?”
“The enemy fleet will reach the AP in twenty minutes,” answered Lieutenant D’Pan from Scanning. “The number of ships reported by Decoy is accounted for, Admiral. None have left their formation since confirmation was made.”
“Bring the fleet to Battle Alert,” ordered P’Mar. “Confirm all ships are ready.” Moments later Lieutenant L’Art in communications relayed that all vessels were at ‘Battle Ready’.
The Fleet Admiral bobbed his head in approval. “Patch me through to all ships,” he ordered and glanced at the communications suite. “Don’t worry about encrypting, Lieutenant.” P’Mar gave a fang filled smile. “Hearing what I have to say isn’t going to save them from what we’re about to do.”
L’Art acknowledged the order and set up the transmission. A moment later a tone was heard throughout the armada. “You’re live, Admiral,” the Lieutenant announced.
“This is Fleet Admiral P’Mar,” he began. “In a few moments the Iidx Swarm will pass the orbit of the last gas giant in this system. When that occurs our assault begins.
“All of us remember the treachery of the humans and our vow to regain our home, to obliterate those who destroyed our cities and nests. Fulfilling that vow begins in a few moments as we take Main Hive, exterminate the Iidx, and establish a stronghold in this system. When that has been accomplished and our strength and numbers rebuilt we will return to Fairen and exact our vengeance. We will then have two systems from which to grow and expand. Complete your assignments with diligence and we will succeed. Fleet Admiral P’Mar, clear!”
A second tone sounded announcing the end of the Fleet Admiral’s transmission. The silence in the Center Room was broken only when Lieutenant D’Pan announced, “ten minutes to AP.”
Lieutenant Chattan sat at his communications console buried deep inside Refuge and worked the controls. He was part of the team tasked by the Swarm Master to eavesdrop on the transmissions from the Kthpok Swarm hoping to catch something that would give an insight into the Kthpok intentions.
The target ships were just coming over the horizon into his area of operations and he wanted to make sure if anything was to be heard he’d hear it. “Recording on,” he muttered going through a mental checklist. “System on. Satellites in position. Targets…”
Chattan stopped muttering and hunched forward, antennae stretched out over his back. His hands flicked over the board fine-tuning the reception. Moments later he grunted and replayed the transmission he’d intercepted. This time, instead of just listening, he keyed in a translation. When he was finished he reread what he’d entered as he listened to the transmission the third time. Then he reached out and punched the alert button.
His supervisor answered immediately. “This is Search Two, Captain.” Chattan gave a quick identification. “The Kthpok are in my area and have broken silence.”
“Send the recording to be decrypted and translated,” Captain Basenat ordered. His tone indicated irritation at having to issue orders for something the Lieutenant should have known. When coming on duty each and every day for the past week every member of the team had been reminded of the proper procedures in the event of something like this happening.
“Decrypt and translation is unnecessary, sir,” replied the Lieutenant. “The Kthpok were broadcasting in the clear. It was Fleet Admiral P’Mar making a Swarm-wide address.”
There was a pause then Basenat spoke again. “Why is translation unnecessary?”
“I served on the Zet’s Rage when the Swarm Master intercepted the Kthpok,” the communications officer explained. “On the return to Main Hive several of us in communications took the opportunity to learn their language. Since then I’ve worked to expand my vocabulary.”
“That’s commendable Lieutenant,” replied Basenat. “The translation?”
“Sorry, Captain,” Chattan said. “Using my expertise I’ve already prepared a translation. I’ve the actual transmission recorded as well if you want the translation to be checked. Although I think this should be thrown up to the Swarm Master without delay.”
“Send the recording and your translation to my station,” ordered Basenat. “I’ll review what you’ve got then send it on if it warrants.”
“Yes, sir,” Chattan replied. “I’ll relay it immediately.”
The Lieutenant was confident after reading the translation Captain Basenat would reach the same conclusion he had. Chattan made a few entries to his console then announced, “The data has been sent to your station Captain. You’ll find it under my header and flagged priority.”
Basenat confirmed receipt of the data. “Is there any more?” he asked. “That seems pretty brief for an important address.”
“There’s nothing more, sir,” the Lieutenant confirmed. “At least nothing yet. After I’d translated the transmission I thought we should get it to the Swarm Master.”
“Very well, Lieutenant. Carry on.”
After the Captain cut the link and before returning to his work Chattan looked over at the Iidx who was sitting next to him. “I hear that the Swarm Master has some queens coming to visit,” he said.
“That’s what I heard as well,” replied the Iidx. “So what?”
Chattan gave a nod. “If I translated that message accurately after today they may be the only remaining queens.” He turned back to his equipment missing his companion’s stunned look.
Sesum and Zelof had just completed an inspection of Refuge’s power facility and were heading for Stores when an Iidx hurried up. The corporal came to attention and saluted stopping the two leaders in the corridor. “A message from Captain Basenat in Eavesdropping, Swarm Master,” he said holding out an electronic pad. “The Captain said it was urgent.”
The Swarm Master returned the salute and took the offered pad. Ignoring the Iidx who were moving through the hall on their own errands he read the short message then turned to his Second. “The Queens,” Zelof said. “They’re supposed to be here today. Have they been picked up?”
Sesum nodded. “I’ve confirmed their pickup an hour ago, Swarm Master,” he answered then glanced at his watch. “They’re due at Wartten’s landing strip in just under a half hour,” he said with a shrug. “There’s still enough time for us to check Stores then travel to the airstrip so we can participate in the Welcome Ceremony.”
“The ceremony has just been cancelled and we aren’t going to Stores,” announced Zelof. “We’ll be returning to the Commander Center. All base personnel are to report to their battle posts. All scanning equipment will operate at full power. Get a general message out that all military facilities are to be closed and air space restricted to identified, military craft only. Any craft heading towards our facilities with the wrong IFF transponder code or no code at all will receive one warning. If that warning is ignored and the offending craft refuses to leave the area it’s to be destroyed. This also applies to the orbital defenses.”
Sesum stared at the Swarm Master. His usual attention to details had been forgotten with the unprecedented orders Zelof had just issued. “Is all that really necessary?” he asked. “The Queens might think it a little extreme and threatening to the Kthpok. They’ll probably issue a countermanding order.”
“I don’t think that’s going to be a problem,” said Zelof and handed the message pad to Sesum so the Second could read the message.
A moment later Sesum looked up, his shell turning a darker green with anxiety. “What about the queens coming here?” he asked. “They could be in the air when the attack comes. Should they come directly to Refuge and bypass Wartten?”
He gave an inquiring glance to the Swarm Master. “I know there’s no landing strip but there’s a road straight and long enough for a good pilot to use. The Iidx in command of the craft is your personal pilot and is capable enough. They could put down there and we can get the Queens inside.” He handed the pad back to the Swarm Master.
Zelof thought for a moment then shook his head. “No,” he said. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. A direct flight to Refuge could be observed and direct the Kthpok here. Since there’s no landing strip some Kthpok analyst might wonder what was so important for a shuttle to make that landing and who was on it. High resolution cameras from orbit could identify the entrance used by the Queens.
“Although Refuge was built with the best stealth technology we have and is hardened it isn’t wise to draw attention to this vicinity.” He shook his head. “I don’t think Wartten’ll be on the Kthpok’s priority list. It’s a secondary base and the Kthpok have to know it. It’ll be hit later after the more important bases have been destroyed. But if we draw their attention to this area by unexplained activity the Kthpok might move us up on their priority list.”
Sesum nodded his understanding and Zelof resumed his instructions. “Let the aircraft continue but have the pilot know there’s a danger to his passengers. Be careful to avoid identifying the Queens in the transmission,” the Swarm Master reminded. “I want them at Wartten as quickly as possible. All speed restrictions are lifted. Once the shuttle lands get the Queens out of the open and in here to safety.”
Sesum acknowledged his orders and hurried off. The Swarm Master noticed that the corporal who’d brought Basenat’s message had remained at attention, waiting for orders during the entire exchange. “Relax for a moment,” Zelof said then began entering a message on the pad.
“Get this to Communications immediately,” he said a moment later handing the device back to the Corporal. “It’s to be sent immediately to the Space Swarm.” The Iidx took the pad and turned to run down a corridor.
“They may be too late,” Zelof said to himself as he watched the Iidx disappear around a corner.
S’Cinf turned away from examining the Center Room’s Battle Plot to see an officer walk over to the Fleet Admiral. The two Kthpok exchanged salutes then held a quiet conversation. A moment later the officer flashed another salute then swung around to return to his station. By this time the Run Point began to be curious about what was happening. Before he could key his link to the Admiral, P’Mar rose from his perch. S’Cinf watched as the Kthpok made his way through the consoles and Kthpok to where the Run Point was perched.
The Admiral came to attention and saluted. “What is it?” asked the Run Point.
P’Mar released the salute, went to Parade Rest then spoke in formal tones. “Run Point, the Iidx force has just passed the Action Point. I request permission to begin offensive operations.”
S’Cinf bobbed his head in acknowledgement. “Operations may begin,” he said. “The Grand Pack is yours Admiral. Bring us victory!”
The Fleet Admiral stiffened back to attention, flashed another salute then whirled to return to his own station. He failed to notice that in his hurry to begin the attack his tail just missed whipping the Run Point in the chest. S’Cinf gave an amused grin and returned to the Battle Plot.
P’Mar didn’t step up onto his perch when he reached his station but keyed the link to his staff. “Initiate Cut Off,” he ordered. “Prepare for Cut Out.”
All the officers contacted sent an acknowledgement. Activity swirled throughout the Center Room of the Raging as Kthpok moved to begin the conquest of Main Hive. There were no sirens or alarms but the level of tension bumped up a notch.
P’Mar worked his console to locate one target in particular and put its magnified image on a screen facing his post. He grinned as he saw the Iidx Great Hive as seen from orbit was displayed and magnified. It was the center of their government.
The announcement that a human fleet had entered the system in pursuit of the Kthpok had produced more results than drawing the Iidx fleet into the outer system. Ground vehicles could be seen scurrying to and from the building which indicated the Iidx government and, more importantly, the Queens were present. Everyone would be in place as the interception with the humans would occur hours from now. P’Mar’s tail began to switch back and forth in anticipation of what was going to happen.
Reporting over the Admiral’s link Lieutenant L’Art announced the two transmissions had been sent. The Admiral gave an absent minded bob of his head without looking away from the screen. He knew one broadcast was directed to Decoy which was well outside the orbit of New Hive and the other to the surface.
P’Mar watched the Great Hive as it seemed to tremble then blew apart in a brilliant explosion. He quickly reduced the magnification as the black and reddish orange fireball from a nuclear explosion climbed skyward. The surrounding buildings for miles in all directions were destroyed by the shockwave and fire. Admiral P’Mar gave a nod of satisfaction. The destruction of the Queens and their government should create the confusion among his enemy he wanted.
Swarm Sub-master Drillyn was sitting on a saddle behind the desk of his Ready Room and reread the latest message from Swarm Master Zelof for the third time. It wasn’t that he didn’t understand its content rather it was a device to stall for time as he considered what to do.
“Have you orders Swarm Master?”
The question turned Drillyn’s attention to Moninco, his Second who was standing on the opposite side of his desk. “Have we received any more communications from Main Hive?” the Sub-master asked.
The Iidx shook his head and the acting Swarm Master resumed thinking. “I’ve known Zelof too long to disregard one of his warnings,” he commented. “But our instructions come directly from the Presiding Assembly and that takes precedence over anything the Swarm Master may order.” The Swarm Commander left his desk and walked over to the room’s observation window. As he paced and talked to himself Moninco kept quiet.
Drillyn continued thinking out loud and waved the electronic pad in the air. “Based on this I could request further instructions from the Presiding Assembly but the message would take several hours to reach Main Hive. Then the Queens would have to decide what to do. Of course, it might create more problems for the Swarm Master if the Queens knew that he’d been eavesdropping on our ‘guests’. After the decision was made the reply would take several more hours to reach the Swarm.” He stopped at the window and looked back at his Second. “How long to the projected intercept point?”
There was no hesitation. “Half a day, sir,” replied the Second.
Drillyn nodded and turned to look out the observation port at the stars beyond. “That solves that problem,” he said with a decisive nod. “We continue to make the intercept.”
“But what about the Kthpok threat?” asked Moninco.
“We can’t divert without orders,” replied the Swarm Master and shrugged his antennae. “All we can do is request further instructions. But if the Queens respond as soon as the message is received we won’t get the reply until we’re within a few hours of the interception. And I don’t think the Queens will react that fast. So the quickest way to resolve the issue is to reach intercept. Once that’s done and if we find no humans we burn for Main Hive.”
“But sir!” Moninco protested and walked over to stand next to his commander, “What if Zelof’s right! What if the Kthpok are going to attack Main Hive!”
“I’ve known the Swarm Master for years,” said Drillyn giving his antennae a sad shake. “And he’s probably right.” The sub-master gave an amused wave of his antennae. Zelof would’ve dropped antennae to hear Drillyn’s assessment. They’d been competitors for years. “He’s usually right even though he’s been an irritating hole in the Queen’s shells for the last few years. But you have to realize the time factor. If we stop right now and burn out our drives to get back we still won’t arrive in time to stop the Kthpok. We’re over three days from Main Hive.
“My guess is that they’ve planned to coordinate their attack with our arrival at the IP. That gives the Swarm Master less than a day or so to make his preparations. So if we turn around right now without making the interception the Kthpok will know we suspect them and attack early. That could take time away from Zelof’s preparations.”
He gave a shrug. “It’s a little thing, Moninco, but it’s all we’ve got right now. The Kthpok’ve been successful in pulling us out of position which means we’ll have to place our faith in the Swarm Master. If anyone can defend Main Hive against these odds it’s Zelof. And he’ll need every little bit of help he can get even if it’s a subterfuge.”
Moninco started to argue but stopped. He gave a little shake of his antennae. Sub-master Drillyn was right. Arriving half a day sooner, or even a day sooner, wouldn’t make much difference.
With the decision made the two leaders turned from the observation window they’d been looking out to head for the Control Room. Drillyn had almost reached the door when it slid open and an officer ran through. “Careful,” cautioned the Swarm Master. “You’ll break your antennae.”
The officer came to attention and saluted. “I’m sorry Swarm Master,” he apologized. “The OOD requests your presence on the flag deck.”
Drillyn nodded. “We’re just heading there,” he said and continued on. The two Swarm leaders moved into the Control Room with the messenger following. Once inside they found the officer on duty standing by the scanning console talking with the Lieutenant posted there.
“What’s the problem, Captain?” asked Drillyn and walked over to Scanning.
The officer saluted then gestured at Lieutenant Cancorlin with whom he’d been talking. “Sir, we just received another message came from Main Hive,” Captain Altain reported. “But it wasn’t from the Swarm Master or the Queens and its encryption is unknown. Within moments of receiving the strange message we lost contact with the intruding fleet. That’s when I sent the runner to get you,” finished Altain.
Both leaders looked at each other then at Lieutenant Cancorlin. “How could we lose contact with an entire fleet, Lieutenant?” Drillyn asked. “Even if they’re using countermeasures we should pick up something.”
“We should be noticing a residual from their stealth fields now that we’re this close,” added Moninco.
The Lieutenant looked up from his console and bobbed his agreement. “Yes, sir,” he replied. “As ordered I was monitoring for any course change or departures from the Swarm when the entire thing just disappeared from my equipment. It’s like someone flipped a switch.”
Cancorlin held out his hands. “I thought that perhaps they dropped into stealth since we’re closing on their position.” He shook his head. “Although that doesn’t make sense,” he said almost to himself. “If they were going to hide they’d’ve gone stealthy when they arrived in system. If they’d done that we wouldn’t be out here and they would’ve had the run of the system.” He shook his head again and repeated. “It doesn’t make sense.”
Captain Altain gave a soft snort that brought the Lieutenant back to the matter at hand. “The Swarm that disappeared,” he prompted.
“Yes sir, sorry sir,” Cancorlin said and nodded at his equipment. “Since the Swarm had disappeared I boosted the power to my equipment and went active.” The Lieutenant held out his hands again in ignorance. “By going active I’d’ve burned through their stealth fields and found them. There’s nothing out there but several small rocks, Sub-Master.”
“A switch?” repeated the Swarm’s Commander as the meaning of what the Scan Officer had reported sunk in then his antennae stiffened. “A switch! Zelof was right! We’ve been pulled out by a decoy.” Then he turned back to Captain Altain. “Notify the Swarm. Prepare for a course change.”
His voice rose above the quiet din of the Command Center. “Navigation!” he called. “I want a least time course to Main Hive. We’ll be going at our top speed.”
“Change our course without making interception?” questioned Altain over the Navigator’s acknowledgement. “What about the human Swarm and the threat it poses to Main Hive?”
“There is no human Swarm,” replied Moninco and waved at Lieutenant Cancorlin. “You’ve heard the report. What we’ve seen was an electronic image. Those ‘rocks’ the Lieutenant found probably generated the reading on our scanners.”
The captain shook his head. “An electronic fake?” he said. “Why would someone want to fake a Swarm?”
Drillyn gave a snort of disgust. “Why?” he said. “They did this to draw our Swarm out where they want us.”
The Second completed the thought. “And that means the only Swarm in the skies over Main Hive is the Kthpok.”
Zelof was at his post in the Control Room of Last Refuge reviewing reports of destruction when two Queens entered the room. Their harness indicated they were members of the Council of Queens but not on the Assembly. They paused just inside the hatch and glanced around, taking in the subdued noise and disciplined activity. He turned to watch them. The two Queens seemed to be shocked as they took in the room with all its equipment and personnel. Zelof could well imagine what they were thinking since Refuge hadn’t been approved by the Assembly or officially budgeted for.
The Queens finished their scrutiny, found where the Swarm Master was then hurried over to his post. Sesum had also noticed the Queens and left his station to join his Commander. Zelof rose from his saddle to greet the Queens and bowed his head in respect when they reached his station.
“Why were we snubbed when we arrived?” asked one of the Queens. Her tone and posture indicated her indignation at the slight. Zelof recognized her as Dahoni, the senior Queen of the two. “As the ranking officer you should have been the Iidx to welcome us not the driver of our vehicle.”
The Swarm Master dipped his head. “I am sorry you were offended Queen Dahoni,” he said. “But matters here required my presence.”
“Other matters?” sniffed the junior Queen, Krissen. “The arrival of a hostile force is important, we agree. While we understand your desire to keep informed on the progress of the Space Swarm it was unnecessary for you to ignore protocol.
“I had thought the other Queens had misjudged you.” She gave another sniff of disgust. “But your actions today are causing me to reconsider my impressions.”
“Another matter that concerns us is this facility,” said Dahoni and gestured around the room. “It’s very well supplied and is extensive. The funding for its construction and maintenance was not in the budget, nor were the personnel requirements. In fact we have no recollection of approving its construction.” She glanced over at Krissen who nodded her agreement. “We thought we were going to visit Wartten. But this…” Dahoni let her voice trail off.
“Protocol and budgets are no longer items of primary interest,” said Zelof. “And I don’t have time to answer a lot of foolish questions.” Sesum’s antennae began to quiver as it appeared the Swarm Master was behaving inappropriately to the Queens and would be relieved of duty. “We are under attack!” the Swarm Master finished.
“Under attack?” repeated Queen Krissen. Her antennae and tone of voice reflected her disbelief. “That’s impossible! The only threat we know of is the human fleet which is still days away from Main Hive.”
“And our Swarm is moving to intercept,” added Dahoni. “There’s been no sign of an attack.”
In response the Swarm Master called instructions to a tech. A moment later the main screen separated into sixteen smaller views. Each view showed a news broadcast reporting from a site devastated by an explosion.
“What is this?” asked the senior Queen. “What are you showing us?”
“After you were picked up and were flying here we monitored two messages from the Kthpok Swarm,” replied the Swarm Master. “One was directed out system and the other to Main Hive. Within moments of those transmissions Main Hive has been rocked by explosions. Government facilities, communications centers, and other vital facilities have been destroyed.” He gestured at the various images being shown. “What you are seeing is live and is being repeated in many locations planet wide. It appears that almost every location visited by the Kthpok had an explosive device and has been destroyed. Our communications with the Swarm making the interception is out so we have no idea of what is happening there.” He gave a sad shake of his antennae. “Thousands have died with more to come.”
Both Queens stared at the images of carnage and misery. “Has the Presiding Assembly and the Council been told?” asked Dahoni.
Another instruction from the Swarm Master brought one image to the main screen. Everyone saw a blackened, smoking crater rimmed with rubble. The image cut back to show the crater was in the middle of a city. Surrounding buildings had been toppled by the force of the explosion. Fires raging through the rubble and damaged buildings sent dark plumes into the sky. Rescue teams could be seen fighting the fires and searching through the rubble for survivors. Zelof gestured at the screen. “This’s what’s left of the Great Hive,” he announced.
“What about the Presiding Assembly?” asked Queen Krissen. “What have you heard from the Council of Queens?”
The Swarm Master turned to stare at the two females. “From what we’ve been able to learn there are only two known surviving queens of the Council. Queens from Anniv and Ghill.”
Antennae of both queens drooped as they comprehended the news. The Swarm Master turned to Sesum. “Have our guests escorted to the quarters that have been prepared for their use.”
“No!” The force of the command had the Swarm leaders turn around in surprise. Dahoni drew herself up as she faced the Iidx commander. “Swarm Master Zelof, if Queen Krissen and I are the sole surviving governing queens for the Iidx people we should be present to witness and direct the fight. Please have stations designated for our use.”
The Swarm Master looked at the two Queens. His antennae were giving a slight quiver. He took a deep breath then spoke in low tones. “You are welcome to remain and watch, Queen Dahoni, Queen Krissen.” Zelof dipped his head to each Queen in turn. “But you will not direct. I will be doing that.”
Krissen went to speak but Sesum cut her off. He pointed at the monitor showing the smoking crater of where the Great Hive had been. “Take a good look!” he ordered in a voice as low as his commander. “If there was sound you’d hear sirens and the cries of the wounded and dying. You’d hear the anguish of people looking for their loved ones.” Zelof stared at his Second. This behavior was completely unexpected but he made no move to stop him. “The Swarm Master has been sounding warnings about the Kthpok for years but the Queens didn’t listen,” Sesum continued his voice was dripping with disgust. “They wouldn’t listen to a male because they wanted to direct!”
Krissen tried to speak again and Sesum cut her off again. His voice was gaining in volume as the anger and frustration that’d been bottled up for years was let out. “When this ‘new swarm’ appeared the Swarm Master sounded another alarm. A warning that was backed with evidence of the Kthpok plans taken from the Kthpok computers.”
All activity in the room had ceased as the staff stopped to watch the momentous event of a male chewing the shell off a Queen like she was a raw recruit. And it appeared Sesum was getting away with it.
Sesum threw his arms in the air and snorted in disgust. “What was Zelof’s reward for sounding a warning and being right?” The Iidx glared at the two Queens. The disgust he’d been voicing turned to anger. “He was grounded and exiled! Now after being wrong so many times and without training for combat you want to direct? Forget that!”
Both Queens were stunned by the Second’s temerity to lecture them. Dahoni slowly turned to face Zelof. “Are you going to let this…minion of yours talk to us this way?” she asked.
The Swarm Master ignored the question long enough to order everyone in the room back to work. “We’ve got a war to fight!” he yelled. “Quit standing around, people are dying!”
He turned his attention back to Dahoni. “People are dying,” he repeated in a sad voice. “And, yes I’m going to let my Second speak to you that way because he’s right.” The Second gave an emphatic agreeing wave from his antennae. “You aren’t trained for this.” Zelof gestured at Sesum and himself. “We are. So we are going to make the decisions and give the orders for the foreseeable future. You are welcome to watch and not interfere. Otherwise you’ll be escorted to your quarters and remain there.”
“But…!” started Krissen.
“No!” interrupted Zelof with a shake of his head. “Those are your only options, Queen Krissen, Queen Dahoni. You either quietly watch or leave. And I think you’ll find that your days of ‘directing’ are over. Your role now will be in guaranteeing the perpetuation of our species.
“Now choose! Are you going to watch quietly without getting in our way or do I have you escorted out?” The Swarm Master glared from one Queen to the other.
At last Dahoni’s antennae which had been stiff with rage and indignation sagged. She nodded to Zelof. “We’ll watch,” she announced, “but who are we fighting?” Krissen went to protest the decision but was silenced by a stern look from Sesum.
“Very well,” said Zelof and called Commander Canzen over. “Have a station readied for the Queen’s use,” he ordered. “They won’t need communications.” Carzen saluted and gestured for the Queens to follow him.
“Who are we fighting?’ persisted Dahoni ignoring the Commander. “It can’t be the humans they’re too far away.”
“That’s right,” Sesum agreed. “It isn’t the humans which means we’re fighting the Kthpok. The same people we helped with arms and supplies.”
“But the new Swarm” wondered Krissen.
“It disappeared from Scanning soon after the Great Hive and other facilities were destroyed,” replied the Second. “It was never there which is what the Swarm Master tried to tell the Presiding Assembly.”
“That’s all the time we have for polite discussions,” announced Zelof. “There are more pressing items for us to take care of.” He nodded to Canzen. “Please take the Queens to their station.”
The Commander saluted again and moved off with the Queens trailing behind.
As he watched the Queens move through the room Sesum spoke in a low voice. “I’ve always wanted to do that,” he said. “It’s just too bad it took this catastrophe for me to do it and get away with it.”
Zelof gave a snort. “We,” he emphasized the word, “only get away with it if we lose to the Kthpok. If we win I’m sure those two,” he nodded at the Queens as they settled into place in front of a console, “will want our antennae as trophies.”
Sesum nodded and gave a light chuckle. “That’ll be difficult for them to claim if we win,” he announced. “We’ll be heroes. And if we lose we’ll probably be dead.”
“Let’s not get too far ahead,” the Swarm Master said. “Right now we’re getting pounded and their Swarm hasn’t fired a shot yet.”
An officer scuttled over and handed a pad to the Swarm Master. Zelof nodded his thanks and began reading.
“What?” prompted the Second. “What’s happened now?”
The Swarm Master gestured at the pad. “It’s a characterization of the damage. We’ve lost government centers, communications center and armories. It seems the factories the Kthpok visited haven’t exploded. I guess they might have a use for them later. But right now everything vital for coordinating a fight from the surface is gone. They’re even jamming all frequencies so we can’t alert the orbitals.” He looked at Sesum. “Unless we can get communications back and set up a coordinated defense we’re dead!”