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As he surveyed the fighting from his command chair on the bridge, Admiral Kellahav was worried. The warships that had broken through the Phalamkian barricade should have been pummeling the surface of the planet by now. Something was wrong.
He turned to the communications officer. “Lieutenant Cardal. Contact our Phalamkian surface team. Ask them what’s causing the delay.”
“Yes, sir,” the man replied and set up the necessary encryption to mask the communication. However, after a good twenty seconds or so, all he’d received for his troubles was static. “Sir, they’re not responding.”
“What’s going on?” Corinthe demanded, appearing beside Kellahav’s chair.
“It looks like our Phalamkian friends on the surface have been incapacitated,” his newly appointed admiral told him. “I’m going to call off the planetary bombardment and recall those warships. As long as that shield’s up, they’re wasted there. They can re-engage the Phalamkian defense forces.”
“Keep them there,” Corinthe countered. “So our friends below failed in their simple task. All that means is that it’s going to take a bit longer. That shield can’t withstand that kind of bombardment indefinitely.”
“And as long as they’re firing on the planetary shield, we’ll have to tie up precious ships to cover their flanks,” Kellahav snapped. “I’m sorry, sir, but you’re not a military strategist. I don’t presume to tell you how to do your job. Don’t tell me how to do mine.”
His outburst startled Corinthe so much, he took a step back in surprise. Then he looked about the bridge and saw that everyone’s attention was fixed on their confrontation. Even though it was not his style to back down, Corinthe knew it would be dangerous to press his position under the circumstances.
He allowed a few seconds to pass in order diffuse the tension and smiled. “My apologies, Admiral. Carry on.”
He inclined his head and backed away, leaving Kellahav to ponder how long he would remain Admiral after this was over.
––––––––
For the forces defending the Phalamkian homeworld, the battle had turned in their favor. The word had quickly spread that the Federation’s plot to sabotage the planetary shield had failed and the Federation forces that had been pummeling it moments before were now taking a heavy bombardment themselves as they tried to turn their ships around. Meanwhile, Lord Erama’s advance into the midst of the enemy was paying good dividends as his Phalamkian Battle Titans separated the Federation’s ships and threw them in disarray.
General Draedon smiled as he watched it all. Then a familiar voice broke in over the bridge loudspeaker. “Attention all Resistance forces. This is Admiral Garam. We’re making an attack on the Annihilator. All ships hold back.”
After the click at the end of the transmission, several of the officers on the bridge looked at Draedon in bewilderment. “What’s going on?” one asked.
Draedon shrugged. “I guess we’ll see. He did say he had something special planned but he’s been playing it close to the chest.”
––––––––
From the midst of the Resistance ships holding back the Federation’s advance on Phalamki, one warship broke away and steered towards the Federation’s command ship.
“Sir,” the chief radar officer called out to Kellahav. “Incoming cruiser on our portside at eleven.”
“They don’t appear to be firing, sir,” another officer added from his post.
Kellahav looked at the viewscreen. There was something strange about the way the ship was moving. The trajectory was too straight, it was taking no measures to avoid the occasional blasts that came its way and it was moving too fast. At the rate it was speeding towards them, it would collide with them for sure.
“Sensors, scan that ship!” he shouted. “How many on board?”
In the space of a few heartbeats, several lieutenants carried out his request and did it again to make sure.
“No one, sir,” one of them called back.
“It’s rigged with explosives,” Kellahav concluded. “We have a remote controlled bomb on our hands.”
Because of its size, he knew they couldn’t turn the Annihilator out of its path in time, which meant the only option was to blast the incoming ship to pieces before it hit them.
“Portside gunnery,” he shouted. “Concentrate all fire on that ship!”
Unfortunately, while sound, the plan had little chance of success as the several gun emplacements that were in the best position to fire on the enemy cruiser had been badly damaged when Sigma and Epsilon squadron had made their strafing runs. Where Kellahav had hoped to see the most fire, there was nothing.
Around him, the gunnery officers complained that the batteries weren’t responding but he didn’t reply. There was no point. Some officers were getting hits in—good hits too—but it was not enough to slow the projectile hurtling towards them. In fact, there was only one thing they could do.
“All hands brace for collision!” Kellahav shouted, gripping his command chair.
Even though he was holding onto it with all his strength, the impact threw him and sent him sliding across the deck. And the sound of the explosion that followed was deafening, even when muffled through all the decks, paneling and structural framework that separated the bridge from the point of the collision. On the viewscreen, he saw huge pieces of debris tumbling into the darkness and it was obvious the damage was serious.
It took several seconds after the impact for the deck to stop vibrating from the shock and as he climbed to his feet, his head was ringing. He touched his forehead and saw blood on his hand.
Around the bridge, most of the men weren’t in much better shape and all around, he heard pained groans as everyone tried to resume their positions. For a number of them, it was too much effort and they collapsed on the deck. He nodded to some officers who were still more or less all right. “Check on these men and take anyone who needs further attention down to the sick bay.”
“Damage report?” he inquired as he lowered himself back into his seat.
“We’ve lost all power to the port side engines,” someone called out. “Life support systems are down all over that side of the ship and we’ve lost steering control. The automatic safeguards are sealing off the damaged sections...” He trailed off and Kellahav didn’t press him for the rest of the details. The Annihilator was crippled.
“Alert the Charioteer, the Titan and the Adjudicator,” he instructed the communications officer. “They’re closest. Tell them to take position in front of the ship.”
“Yes, sir,” the man replied and got to it.
Kellahav then heard the sound of slow deliberate steps behind him. There was only one person he knew who walked like that and he had genuinely hoped he’d been knocked unconscious when that flying bomb had plowed into them.
“The Resistance forces are still clearly in our sights, Admiral,” Corinthe said, bruised and disheveled but still carrying the unmistakable arrogance that characterized his every action. “And even with all the damage we’ve taken, we still have a number of operable guns on our starboard side. As you so rightly said, I am not a military man but surely we must take advantage of any opportunity we are given to inflict whatever damage we can on the enemy. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“Yes, sir,” Kellahav muttered. He raised his voice to address the bridge. “Fire at will on the enemy cruisers. Use any and all remaining batteries.”
There was an uncomfortable silence.
“Well?” Corinthe demanded. “You heard the admiral. What are you waiting for?”
“Sir,” the radar officer said. “A number of our own ships have just moved between us and the Phalamkian defense forces.”
“Those three ships we just contacted?” Corinthe scowled, giving Kellahav a sideways glare.
“Um... no, sir,” the young man replied. “These ships have only just dropped out of lightspeed.”
Corinthe’s expression hardened. “How many?”
“Eight, sir.”
“And is the Sentinel among them?”
The young man swallowed. “Yes, sir.”
“What do they think they’re doing?” Corinthe said. “Putting themselves in the line of our fire.”
“Raise the Sentinel,” he told the communications officer. “And put it on the loudspeaker.”
“This is the Annihilator calling the Sentinel,” the man said. “Do you read?”
They didn’t have to wait long.
“This is Captain Merrick,” came the reply. “I read you.”
Corinthe smiled but only to suppress his anger. “Captain Merrick, this is Corinthe. Put Admiral Roth on.”
“Certainly.”
There was a sound of people shuffling positions on the other ship. While he waited, Corinthe plotted imaginary acts of revenge to punish the captain for the insolent tone in his voice.
“Hello, Corinthe,” a familiar voice greeted him. “How nice to see you again.”
“Admiral Roth,” Corinthe told him. “You’re wanted for treason and resisting arrest. Tell your men that unless they wish to join you in a labor camp somewhere, they are to move their ships out of the way. I will speak to the captain now.”
“Very well.” There was another click. Corinthe wondered about the ease in which Roth had acquiesced. No doubt he was up to something.
“Captain Merrick,” Corinthe said, putting heavy emphasis on every word he spoke. “Do you know you are acting under the orders of a traitor?”
“Oh, we’re not following your orders any more, Minister,” Merrick replied.
“Think carefully, Captain,” Corinthe warned him. “Our ship may be crippled but we still have half our starboard batteries operating. And if that doesn’t persuade you to move your ships back, then I suggest you take a better look at the armada behind us. Because as far as I can see, you just have eight warships.”
“Is that a threat, sir? Because I think you’ll find that Federation naval officers don’t fire on their own ships.”
“I’m warning you, Captain,” Corinthe told him. “Move your ships out of our way. And I order you to place Admiral Roth under arrest.”
“We’re not moving, sir. And I have orders that you are to be placed under arrest. For the authorization of this unprovoked attack on the Phalamkian system and a number of similar offences against other independent systems.”
“I am securing this system,” Corinthe replied. “And whether the Phalamkians agree with me or not, I am acting in their best interests. We are acting out of necessity, Captain. Now, stand down.”
“The admiral has also instructed me,” Merrick continued, “to tell you that you’ve failed to supply sufficient evidence to support your claim that Minstrahn insurgents are threatening the Federation. He suggests if you have any such evidence in your possession, it may help you during your court martial.”
“This is mutiny, Captain. And high treason. I trust I don’t have to explain the implications of those charges.”
“We’re sending a shuttle over to escort you back to Corsida,” Merrick finished, ignoring him. “It will arrive in four minutes.”
With a click, the communicator fell silent and all eyes on the bridge turned to Corinthe. He gritted his teeth. Everything he had worked to achieve hinged on this moment.
“Admiral Kellahav,” he said, standing straight, “prepare to open fire.”
Kellahav rose from his chair. “No.”
For several drawn out moments, Corinthe stared at him in silent fury. “Then I am relieving you of command,” he told him. He turned to the rest of the bridge. “Those men out there are traitors and if we allow them to stand between us and the Phalamkian defense forces, they will increase our losses tenfold. Starboard gunnery, fire on my mark.”
No one responded.
“They won’t fire on their own men, sir,” Kellahav told him. “And countermanding the orders of the senior officer aboard a ship is against regulations.”
Corinthe turned to him with a cold gaze. “Do you want to be under arrest as well, Admiral?”
Kellahav shook his head. “It’s no good, sir.” He straightened his stance and spoke in a loud clear voice so everyone on the bridge could hear. “Corinthe, I hereby place you under arrest for the willful misuse of military resources, for the authorization of attacks on independent systems without provocation and for the reckless endangerment of the lives of the officers, pilots and soldiers of the Federation naval forces.”
Around the bridge, Corinthe heard the murmurs of consent and he knew he wouldn’t be able to talk his way out of this.
Kellahav turned to the guards standing by the entrance to the bridge. “Men, take the minister of security into custody.”
Corinthe wanted to protest but the words caught in his throat. The guards hesitated for a few moments but they overcame their anxieties soon enough and carried out the order. As they placed handcuffs around his wrists, Corinthe found himself unable to muster the slightest strength to resist and all the fight that had been burning inside had left him. Hanging his head in defeat, he went without a word as he was led off the bridge.
“Raise the Sentinel again,” Kellahav instructed the communications officer. The man nodded and within moments, they were in direct communication once more.
“Captain Merrick, this is General Kellahav. I have placed Corinthe under arrest and I am deferring command of this entire task force to Admiral Roth.”
“I will inform the admiral,” Merrick replied.
A moment later, Roth came back on. “General Kellahav, I accept command of this task force. I would also like to commend you on having the courage to do what needed to be done.”
“Thank you, sir. Your orders?”
“Alert the rest of the fleet and inform them of the situation. Then order them to hold back. I am going to contact the Phalamkian defense forces to negotiate a cease-fire.”
“Yes sir.”
––––––––
Twenty minutes later, the Federation ships had all retreated to the outer system with the exception of four that were evacuating personnel from the stricken Annihilator. Meanwhile, a small meeting was taking place in an antechamber just off the bridge of Lord Erama’s flagship.
“Admiral Roth,” the Phalamkian said with warmth in his voice as he shook the Federation commander’s hand. “Welcome back. It is good to have the pleasure of your company once more.”
“Indeed,” Admiral Garam joined in. “Although you cut it rather fine. We were beginning to wonder if you were going to show.”
“I must apologize,” Admiral Roth replied. “It took me a little longer to assemble my small task force than I expected.”
“Well, you got here,” Lord Erama said, “and we are very grateful that you did.”
Across the room, Draedon, Kalae and the other commanders of the various resistance divisions looked at Garam and Erama in surprise.
“So how long have all of you been working together?” Draedon asked.
Garam smiled. “Actually, Admiral Roth only very recently established contact with us. Just several days ago in fact.”
“It was crucial that we did meet however,” Roth explained, “because if we hadn’t, your commanders might have fired on me when I placed my ships between the Federation’s armada and your own.”
“And we thought it best to keep the meeting quiet,” Garam added, “even from all of you. It may have undermined the admiral’s case against Corinthe if it were known that he’d been working with us before the battle had even started.”
“Ah,” Draedon said, turning to Admiral Roth as something clicked. “You were the one who supplied Admiral Garam with the information on the Annihilator’s guns.”
“Yes,” Roth smiled. “Although I hear you did your own count anyway.”
“Well, discretion is the better part of valor, as they say.”
“True.”
“I should also mention to you all,” Garam put in, “that it was the admiral who proposed the plan we used to disable the Annihilator.”
“I’m just glad it worked,” Roth said. “Although, it was unfortunate that it had to be done. We killed a lot of people with that act of subterfuge.”
“On balance though,” Garam pointed out, “I think we saved many more.”
“Perhaps,” Roth conceded. “Although, one way or another, a lot of lives have been lost because of Corinthe’s activities.”
“Yes,” Erama agreed. “However, it’s over now and we can begin to repair the damage. However, before we get started, satisfy the curiosity of an old Phalamkian war horse. What will happen to Corinthe?”
“He has grossly abused the privilege of his position,” Roth told him. “He will be tried and most likely, he will be sentenced to life imprisonment. Also, despite his role in helping me put an end to the matter, General Kellahav may unfortunately be facing a lengthy prison term for his complicit involvement in Corinthe’s operations and serious crimes committed during the invasion of Ipaatid.”
“General Kellahav?” Draedon asked with a pang of sympathy. “Could he perhaps be pardoned? After all, he was the one who arrested Corinthe.”
“Perhaps,” Roth said. “However, I suspect he may not want to be as he turned himself in of his own volition after handing over his command. Corinthe could have said something as I think he knew about the incident but he didn’t. And given the fact that Kellahav had ordered his arrest, that’s a little surprising. Although I think he was in such a state of shock at the time that the thought didn’t even occur to him. And yes, there were other guilty parties that would have known about Ipaatid as well but they could hardly report Kellahav without incriminating themselves. So you see, he really could have stayed silent about the matter and no one save a handful of people need ever have known.”
“It sounds as though he’s had some kind of epiphany,” Draedon remarked.
“Yes,” Roth said. “It certainly makes you think. A couple of days ago, I would have said the man was irredeemable but there you go. He proved his worth tonight. Perhaps, I may be able to argue for clemency on his behalf.”
The room was quiet for a few moments.
“What will happen with regard to the planets that were unlawfully annexed?” Erama asked, changing the topic.
“They will of course be compensated. Prisoners taken during the attacks will be released and the proper governing bodies will be restored.”
“You know,” Kalae said, “a number of our worlds would not have been averse to joining the Federation if there had just been an open offer from Corsida to all interested parties. It was the false pretence under which we were approached. The aggressive manner. As well as planets being turned into supply depots for Corinthe’s war machine. That made a lot of people very angry.”
“And understandably so,” Roth agreed.
“What about Corinthe’s other associates on Corsida?” Garam asked. “Rear Admiral Calaom and Commodore Hallyd?”
“They’re interesting cases,” Roth replied. “They could both be charged for aiding and abetting, although I think it won’t be necessary to deal with them in the same manner as Corinthe. Calaom’s so old, there’d be little point in an extended trial. He’ll probably just retire in disgrace, while Hallyd has agreed to testify against Corinthe in exchange for clemency. And I’m sure you’d agree it is far more important to put away Corinthe than to put away his tools.”
“That makes sense,” Garam agreed. “Although it sounds like there’s a lot of work to be done to clean this all up.”
“Indeed,” Roth said with the faintest trace of a sigh. “And I imagine there’ll be a fall-out in the Federation over this as well. Corinthe has a lot of supporters and while most of them will see sense when the situation is explained to them, I expect a few will cry foul. And I’m not looking forward to dealing with that.”
“I’m worried about what will become of our Resistance organization too,” Draedon admitted, more tired than he’d ever been during his long campaign. “It’s not as if we can all pretend that everything’s normal and go back to regular jobs. Sure, a large group of us can go back to the defense forces of our home planets. But for a lot of the people who joined us along the way, the Resistance has been like an extended family. For me too. We need to decide what to do with all the resources we’ve acquired but also, we have a lot of fine officers, pilots and specialists in numerous fields and I’d hate to see that all go to waste.”
Roth considered this. “During the Levarc War, the worlds of the Frontier became the United Frontier, working closely with each other to defend their systems. I’m sure most of you are old enough to remember it. And Admiral Garam, I believe you were quite personally involved in it.”
“I was actually,” Garam said, looking a little surprised. “But how did you know?”
“I remember hearing your name when I was involved in a joint operation between the Federation and the United Frontier, back when I was with the Battle Meteoroids. I believe we met actually. But it was quite a while ago.”
“Ah. I think I remember, now that you mention it.”
“Anyway, my point is that there’s no reason why you can’t have something like that again. The Phalamkians already have a similar system in place, coordinating a defense network between a number of systems, with allies in the Narvashae, Hie’shi and Kordan systems, among many others.” He turned to Lord Erama. “Given the Lady Erama’s background, presumably you have ties with the Alandra system as well?”
“We did,” Lord Erama said. “And after the annexed systems of the Frontier are returned to their people, we will again.
“It’s a good idea,” Garam agreed. There were a few murmurs of assent from the others around the room.
Draedon stirred. “Now, there’s something else that concerns me that we haven’t addressed yet and that is that we have no idea how far Corinthe’s corruption has spread. There’s no telling how many regional governments might be in his pocket or his schemes, or how many other ‘associates’ he had in the fleet.” He turned to Admiral Roth. “Can you be sure that all your systems will step in line now or that Corinthe doesn’t have any more die-hard loyalists in the navy?”
“No,” Roth said. “We’re going to need an overhaul of the entire Federation. However, I’ll certainly keep the systems of the Frontier informed on anything that comes up that could be a potential problem. Like aggressive governors or rogue task forces.”
“Actually, while we’re on the topic of stability in the Federation, let’s not forget all the other Resistance groups out there,” Kalae pointed out. “There are a number that we’re not aligned with, including groups formed within the Federation. We’d have to convince them to halt their activities as well. Also, I think some of them might keep on fighting regardless of whether Corinthe’s in charge or not. I’ve had reports that while a lot of these groups are made up of genuinely concerned individuals, many of them are just pirates using the resistance movement as a thin pretext for raiding systems. And if we can’t convince everybody that the situation is in hand, these groups will keep drawing support.”
“Yes,” Lord Erama said, getting everyone’s attention. “There are a lot of issues that we need to discuss.” He motioned people to the table in the middle of the room. “So why don’t we make ourselves comfortable?”
––––––––
It was a beautiful morning where Asten and Selina were and while the diplomats lay in bed exhausted from all the discussions the night before, they were up and enjoying the sunshine. Once their job was done, they hadn’t waited around the shield generator and now, they were standing on one of the balconies of that same defense building that Asten had visited on his first trip to Phalamki. The Lady Hawk was once again on the landing platform on the roof, while Drackson, Carla, Zak, Maia and their one-off rear gunner Hellesis were inside the main lounge area.
Zak and the others had all had a late night celebrating with Sigma and Epsilon squadron. Asten and Selina had missed it, being down on the planet, but that had been all right. They had wanted to check on Tallec and the injured guard, and to spend some time alone.
“Funny, isn’t it?” Selina remarked. “How suddenly, we can all come out in the open and act like nothing’s happened.”
“I know what you mean,” Asten agreed. “But not everything’s the same.” He gave her the most charming smile he could devise. “So what are we going to do about us?”
Selina sighed. “I don’t know. We definitely felt something back there—still do—and I think it’s more than just that moment under the reactor room. But...”
“But what?”
“What now? Somehow, I can’t see you going off on diplomatic errands and negotiating reparations between the Federation and the worlds that it unlawfully occupied.”
Asten shrugged. “Not really. Although I can’t see you doing that either. You’re not really your father, are you?”
Selina laughed. “No. He and I have certainly established that. Still... I get the feeling that you just want to go back to flying about in the Lady Hawk with Drackson and Carla.”
Asten shrugged. “Maybe. But you could always come with us.”
“There’s a thought.”
“There’s a whole galaxy out there to see,” Asten said with a playful grin, holding her around her waist. “I’m planning another trip to the vents of Nemasil, you know. I wanted to pick up some Kulahri when I was there before but the planetary security forces chased me out before I had a chance. We could just hang around the vents if you wanted. It’s like the biggest sauna you’ve seen. Also, I promised Drackson that we’d go back to the Harskan sector again sometime so he could spend a little more time there. We saw some incredible places when we were flying over El’aesi too. You’d love it.”
“That sounds nice,” Selina said. “But the Lady Hawk’s a pretty small ship.”
“It’s a fine ship,” Asten told her.
“Absolutely,” Selina said, placing a placating arm around him. “But I just can’t help thinking that it might get a bit crowded. I’m hearing things, you know?”
“Yes?”
“Well, it seems your friend Zak is keen on my sister—”
“Zak’s a good guy,” Asten told her with a reassuring smile, pretending to misunderstand.
Selina nudged him with her elbow. “And Maia says she’s keen on him.”
“So if you come with us, Maia comes because you two are inseparable and therefore, Zak might come as well?”
“Possibly. Possibly not. But I think I’d like a bit of space. That’s all.”
Asten frowned. “You know, I thought Zak was from the Ellast Defense Forces like most of the other guys in Draedon’s division. He’s not going back there?”
“No.” Selina laughed. “You don’t know where your friend comes from?”
Asten shrugged. “He doesn’t know where I come from.”
Selina shook her head. “Well, I suppose that makes it all right then. Where are you from, by the way?”
“Halea.”
“See? That’s how you find things out. Anyway, Zak, Ja’is and a few of the others in Sigma squadron trained at the Koratav academy.”
“That’s a tough place to get into,” Asten said.
“Yeah,” Selina said. “So he’s not from Ellast. He’s a free agent.”
“Well, I guess we’ll just have to see what he and Maia want to do,” Asten said. “However, as for us, I think I’ve got an idea that might work.”
“Oh yes. What’s that?”
“Well, I was rather hoping that in return for helping your guards stop those saboteurs that you might be able to put in a good word for me with your father.”
Selina shook her head. “You’ve lost me completely.”
“Well,” Asten said, “now that the Resistance isn’t giving us free meals every day, we’re going to have to find something else to keep food on the table and to tell you the truth, I’m a little worried that since we’ve been out of the game so long, our old clients might have taken up contracts with our competitors. But I thought perhaps the Phalamkian defense forces might appreciate having another ship around to look after smaller transports.”
Selina considered the idea and smiled. “I suppose we could set something up. Let’s see. A ship large enough to carry passengers or supplies. A hangar with room for the Lady Hawk and maybe a few fighters. I can more or less do the same thing I was doing before and you can do the same thing you were doing. We can handle the Phalamkian government jobs and then we don’t have to worry about funds. And we can do a few private jobs too if they pay well. Then we can take some trips on the side to wherever we’d like to go. Yeah, I think that would work.”
Asten placed his arm around her waist again. “Come on then. Let’s go and tell the others about our new business venture.”
As the transparent doors slid open, Carla and Drackson beamed at them and raised small glasses. Grinning back, they raised their hands to show them they were empty.
“Here,” Zak said as they came inside, handing them drinks. “We’d hate to have you missing all the fun.”
“Thanks,” they replied more or less at the same time.
“So,” Carla smiled, taking a sip from her own glass, “you two were out there for quite a while. What were you talking about?”
With all his friends grinning at him, Asten felt himself blushing. Putting on an air of nonchalance, he waved a dismissive hand but their expectant stares remained. Finally, he gave in and gave Selina a glance. She smiled and shrugged.
“I was just talking to Selina about expanding the business,” he said, “and well, now she’s my new partner.”
“In our ‘business’?” Carla asked.
“Well, our business... and maybe something else on the side.”
A short appendix: Harskan dialogue and translations
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Kallajai'es, saherai jaehl'adaesol. Gael jea Drackson fei Araujion eliman. Cha jea est jeraes est tae'is alaesu.
“Greetings, honorable warriors. This is Drackson of the Araujion family. I am on an errand of great importance.
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Drackson? Saes jea kerimach est chara. Araujion eliman haelim jea-dra esj’aerae-tach omajen. Benisa, jor-esch dechae jea-tach leseia-tach saes-esch amon'gaetol, saes-dra. Harim'fae, saes e'lisas laie'fron.
“Drackson? You are known to us. The Araujion family name is not held highly. However, its shame was brought about by your brothers, not you. Therefore, you may proceed.”
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Elas'maie-ensa ch'aj, gael jea Lamas'ca fae'ra haledaes. Amaeris memans saes-tal, haelim est saes-esch ch'aj del saes-esch je'sari.
“Incoming ship, this is Lamas'ca control. Please identify yourself, the name of your ship and your destination.”
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Lamas'ca fae'ra haledaes, gael jea Drackson fei Araujion eliman est Lady Hawk. Cha jea talist-ensa est neraji est Ha'jaest in'fael'jion Cha he'laemi si da'frae afra'jae aleia.
“Lamas'ca control, this is Drackson of the Araujion family on the Lady Hawk. I am heading for the city of Ha'jaest as I wish to see a friend there.”
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Edae'saritach, Drackson. Amaeris ja'haiel esen'fae chara de'trahal kalam-ensa tra'ja.
“Acknowledged, Drackson. Please wait while we assign a landing platform.”
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Edae'saritach.
“Acknowledged.”
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Habrast ularcach si kalam est tra'ja heil-daes jeic.
“Permission granted to land on platform 63.”
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Helaeshi.
“Thank you.”
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Kallajai'es, Braesk fei Helas'jar eliman.
“Greetings, Braesk of the Helas'jar family.”
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Kallajai'es, cha-esch nemo'liatol Caeras del Arasil. Kallajai'es, cha-esch nemo'lowae Ramani.
“Greetings, my lords Caeras and Arasil. Greetings, my lady Ramani.”
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Kallajai'es, Drackson fei Araujion eliman.
“Greetings, Drackson of the Araujion family.”
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Del mia jea saes-esch nes'paratol?
“And who are your companions?”
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Hae'jia jea Carla Casdan del gae'jia jea Kalai Asten Korr fei Lady Hawk.
“The woman is Carla Casdan and the man is Asten Korr, the captain of the Lady Hawk.”
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Cha bes'iam Lady Hawk jea ch'aj gael jea onai heia chara?
“I assume the Lady Hawk is the ship that is here before us?”
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Gael jea vasara.
“That is correct.”
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Cha karai'es. Draes, aji Cha besiam gael Carla del Asten hes'para Corsidan?
“I see. Now, can I assume that Carla and Asten speak Corsidan?”
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Gael jea heli vasara.
“That is also correct.”
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Ka'hai. Esen'fae jera jea elesa'ia, galia chara jea chara-esch milash est Corsidan.
“All right. While they in our presence, let us conduct all our business in Corsidan.”
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Laie'fron est melaji.
“Go in peace.”
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...dreish'na kaer'dai-dres ch'ajol del Harskan Cortekol...
“... light assault ships and Harskan Corteks...”
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Elas'maie-ensa ch'aj, hesj'on.
“Incoming ship. Respond.”
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Cha laej’ast saes.
“I hear you.”
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Laie’fron elstae tralaesta. Sevaerai haledaesol est basaec neravast-ach laherst. Jera hesta aleia jea chaj braecol anestalensa est mei del a'estra jea ilae taleshem si jea tae'laes.
“Proceed with caution. Federation authorities aboard the station have called a lock-down. They say there are ship thieves operating in the area and the timing is too convenient to be a coincidence.”
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Karai'esach.
“Understood.”
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Sevaerai jaehl-ch'aj laie'fron est chara.
“Federation warship coming towards us.”
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Nemo'lowae Braec
“Lady Thief”