ENCOUNTERING A ZAYAR outside their home world causes even Maxtin to do a double take. His species has a natural isolationist nature.

“An embassy constructed to Zayar standards within the UCP will allow thousands of our people to staff it. I opened up Academy positions to our people, but only one accepted the appointment,” says Maxtin.

“I’m too old to attend the Academy. More will apply as the government uses this awakening to exile those they deem undesirable.” The effeminate voice may have been one of the only clues that this humanoid was woman. The Zayar military uniform lacks any insignias of rank or reward and barely a pair of protruding mammary glands. Grizzled and hard with the laugh lines and ancient skin accompanied by a gray-white mane, she appears as all other Zayars. “You’ll get all the free thinkers the UCP will handle.” She rubs the coarse facial whiskers decorating her chin.

Maxtin’s own instructor, Professor Emuukha, inspired him with the disease of free thought, and he joined the Osirian Coalition and a self-imposed exile from Zayar. He wonders how much of a radical Zeelie has become.

She stands at attention without a salute. No such procedure developed on Zayous. “I’ve been discharged. I request a position within your command staff.”

“UCP procedures does not allow for such appointments. Prevents one species from achieving overwhelming political support.”

She remains poised.

“You are not assigned to the Zayar contingent designated to the embassy?” Maxtin wonders what this decorated captain did to upset the establishment.

“I resigned when not selected. A movement among our people demanding we retrieve more Qarban R16 in order to restore our planet ostracized many.”

“They reduced ranks. Reassigned you to the worst living quarters. Punished you.”

“Punished thousands. We request asylum.”

“No.”

Her stance collapses into a hunch, desperate not to fall she grips his desk to steady herself.

“Zayar officially joins the UCP in ceremony only. Legally, you are a UCP citizen. How do I grant you asylum? Zayar still deals with all sovereign matters. I have no authority to interfere,” says Maxtin.

“You have to assist us.”

“I opened up the Academy to accept Zayar cadets. None applied. I offered enlisted positions as well. It would be the quickest remedy to remove you from Zayar.”

“My experience counts for nothing. I’m twice your age, Admiral, and have faced combat before your Twin Suns battle,” says Zeelie.

“Where do your loyalties lie?” Maxtin holds up a hand signaling for her to wait until he finishes. “You would have to attend the Academy and work through the chain of promotions to be on my command staff. There are few options, but I offer you one and the promise to assist a few more for your support.”

“You play the politics of our people within the UCP,” Zeelie says.

“I do whatever I must to keep the UCP away from a Mokarran War,” Maxtin says.

“Now by allowing Zayar’s entry into the UCP.”

“Perhaps.” Maxtin remains poised for business as he takes his seat. “We are launching a diplomatic exploration ship into the sectors of the galaxy we consider unknown. Its complement comprises not only military, but civilian contracts. This mission launches in a few days, and no Zayar was considered as part of the crew.”

“What would be my task?” Zeelie asks.

“Security. They have the authority to self-promote during missions.”

“I accept. Why did you ask about my loyalty?”

“This mission must be about the growth of the UCP in planetary systems or allies.”

“I will give my blood for the good of the UCP,” Zeelie says.

“I will get you transferred aboard. Do you know more about others who are in your position?”

“I know of those who would take this offer you grant.”

“You are the only one I am granting this to, but give me their names, and if opportunities arise I’ll make similar offers.” He slides a computer pad across his desk.

She scoops up the pad. “You’re not surprised by the treatment of our people.”

“I’m surprised you weren’t placed on the Celesta when it was dispatched to Summersun.”

“Those were people they wanted gone. Others like me were an example to discourage complaints.” She hands back the pad, now full of names. “You will help these people?”

“I will help my people, and I’ll start with those being oppressed.”

••••••

ROWS OF TRAINEES dance in uniformed calisthenics. A UCP drill instructor shouts commands. The rows drop to all fours and shift into one-armed pushups. Gibson progresses forward through the images. The would-be soldiers gain skills as the image scrolls faster. Drill after drill; day after day.

“I didn’t think the UCP trained full battalions of same-species soldiers,” Gibson says.

“The UCP promotes diversity. No single unit would be one species. These are Gulmonbians. A lizard species.”

“Reptiliods dominated many planets. And these appear simian as well as the tusks.”

“The warm-blooded species tend to thrive,” Maxtin says.

“The Tibbar are cold-blooded,” she says.

“They are unlike any humanoid to develop mechanical means of travel. Focus on the training.”

“They aren’t UCP regulars.”

“No. The Mokarran/Throgen border wars have sent refugees to us. The Gulmonbians don’t want to join the UCP—they want their planet back. Those willing to train are being prepared. Once fully trained soldiers, they were to be smuggled back to their planet.” Maxtin places a data crystal before her. “They are all dead.”

Gibson fails to hide her confusion.

“It wasn’t even in the grand attempt to liberate their world. The weapons I supplied all exploded.”

“Ki-Ton arranged the shipment?” Gibson asks.

“Ki-Ton had no involvement in this operation. Someone is churning out weapons posing as the IMC.”

“We are fully aware—”

“Specifically, providing them to rebel forces working against the Mokarran.”

“Targeting all-rebel efforts against the Mokarran would mean someone in conjunction with the TSF—” Gibson says.

“Someone in Mokarran command possibly has access to these weapons. It breeds distrust among the smugglers and eliminates any resistance with little tactical engagement.”

“You can’t provide UCP weapons to any resistance. It will end the new armistice. The ink isn’t even dry.”

“You have to report to oversee the Deliverance refit. I know you need to make crew requests. Scan this information in the interim,” Maxtin says.

“You don’t want me to determine where the fake IMC weapons originate?” Gibson asks.

“You’re a captain now. You have duties. Tracking the weapons will be tasked to my operatives. I’ve determined a new supplier. I want your assessment.”

“No one dealing in IMC arms?” Gibson asks.

“Not without them personally willing to expend each weapon three times.”

“I have a recommendation for my replacement as your new assistant,” she says.

“Gibson, no one will replace you. You’re the second-best assistant I’ve worked with.”

“I’m the second.” Shocked, Gibson has never heard Maxtin extol anyone. “What happened to the first? Did you promote them as well?”

“No. She was never career. She resigned. Became a mother. It was over twenty-five years ago.”

“It’s taken you this long to find her replacement?”

“Like her, you want more than your career. Many come to this office in order to be promoted. They didn’t focus on the larger picture. I want you to stay, but I need you in the captain’s chair. Kantian has the same drive. His methods are incorrect. He does want the greater good for the UCP and not the best for Kantian. When you choose your command staff, remember that career-minded individuals will do what’s best for them.”

“Kantian made career moves as if he were a knight on a chessboard. He did what’s best for him.”

“Confusing—he wants what’s best for others. I have no doubt. He doesn’t understand what the best is,” says Maxtin.

“Admiral Easter hand-selected him.”

“Her way of keeping me focused on what is best. You’ll work better when not everyone under your command is a ‘yes man,’” Maxtin advises. “Now I’ve learned of more dissension among my people.” He hands her a computer pad. “These are Zayars needing to defect. You may assign one of them if you find their skills useful.”

“Maxtin, your government abandoned you. Lied.”

“They are doing the same to these people.”

“Won’t spreading them among the populace humanize them? They will lose the mythical status.” Gibson considers. “You want to…it will leave them vulnerable.”

“It will cause consideration in their plans to bring the UCP into war with the Mokarran.”

“If you knew what they were planning, why offer the introduction to the Confederation?” she asks.

“Deflection.”