Beyond the Veil Read online

  “I hope that you’re not suggesting what I think you’re suggesting.”

  Roth smiled. “Not at all. I only intend to take my flagship, the Sentinel, and perhaps one or two other ships. However, it would be prudent to have a secondary group standing by.”

  “And who would command this group?”

  “I have someone in mind.”

  It was strange, Asten thought. He shouldn’t have been nervous. After all, his first trip to the Harskan Sector really hadn’t been that bad. Yes, the Harskan Elders hadn’t exactly rolled out the welcome mat but they had been civil and in the end, they had treated Asten and the others with far greater generosity than he had any right to expect. Also, the circumstances under which he and the others were here were rather different now. He had wanted to come this time. He had been looking forward to it. But those old feelings of apprehension had still resurfaced.

  Selina reached over and squeezed his hand. “Hey,” she told him, “relax.”

  She had magic hands, Asten thought as he looked into the marbled eyes of the woman he loved. Half Phalamkian, half human and the best of both worlds as far as he was concerned. He loved the blue hue to her otherwise human skin. He loved her wavy red hair. More than anything though, he loved the way that she loved him in return, just the way he was.

  “Yeah, okay,” he said, returning the smile.

  “Why are you so nervous anyway?” she added. “We’re all here because we wanted to be here. And it’s Drackson. This is one of the most important moments in his whole life.”

  Drackson, his Harskan friend who had lived outside his home sector in self-imposed exile for who-knew how long, believing he would never see his family again. When he thought about it, it was hard for Asten to see how there could possibly be any moment more important for his friend than this one.

  “That’s why I’m so nervous,” he said.

  “Your concern for your friend does you credit, Asten,” said the large dark-skinned Harskan across the room from him. Braesk, who Drackson had introduced to him as an old friend but who was undoubtedly much more.

  “But do not worry so,” Braesk continued. “It is a joyous occasion. There are of course... matters for Drackson and the Lady Araujion to discuss. It has been such a long time since they last saw each other after all. However, no painful memories can overshadow the joy of this reunion. The fact that Drackson has invited us all to share in this day is a great honor.”

  “I know,” Asten said. He smiled at Carla, the youngest of the crew, who had been the strongest advocate for the idea of everyone coming along. “But now I wonder whether we’re intruding. Maybe we oughta give Drackson and his mother some time alone.”

  Carla smiled. “Isn’t that what we’re doing now?”

  “You know what I mean.”

  “Yeah. I know.”

  “Don’t worry,” Braesk assured him. “Also, the Lady Araujion very much wants to meet all of you. Any friends of her son are friends of hers. And I have told her so much about you.”

  “Uh oh.”

  Braesk laughed. “I think I like your humor. It is different from our own. But it’s... what’s the word? Quaint.”

  Asten didn’t quite know what to make of that one. “Thanks.”

  Just then, they heard the hiss of a door sliding open and they all rose to their feet. Drackson emerged at the end of the hallway, standing back and giving his friends a proud smile. Then an obviously female Harskan - who Asten could now see was older than Drackson - stepped out and appraised them with a warm smile of her own. She appeared very regal and reminded Asten of the Elders in her poise and manner. Yet, there was something different about her. Her pride was mixed with humility. He remembered what Drackson had told him, that while he had escaped the shame his brothers had brought upon his family, she had suffered it in silence. However, she carried a dignity that nobody could take away.

  “Braesk,” she said, speaking in Corsidan for the benefit of her visitors, “it is most lovely to see you here again.”

  “Lady Araujion,” Braesk said, bowing and taking her hand in his own. “It is always a pleasure. Have you been well?”

  “I have, Braesk. I have. But why do you not call me Kelaris? You haven’t called me ‘Lady’ for many years.”

  “We are in the company of visitors from the Federation and the Frontier nations,” Braesk told her. “I could not disavow you of your true title in front of our guests. Besides, we are in your home and among friends. Does it matter what any Harskan outside these walls believes? You have always been the Lady Araujion to me and you always shall be.”

  “Thank you, Braesk. Although, what our people believe is not entirely what it once was either, is it?”

  Braesk smiled. “No, my lady.”

  Lady Araujion then turned to the others and extended her hand to each of them in turn. “And you must be Captain Korr. Drackson and Braesk both speak highly of you.”

  Asten bowed as Braesk did before him. “I think they exaggerate out of kindness. Anyway, it is an honor to meet you, my lady.”

  She smiled at him. “Relax, Asten. There is no need for formalities. I know your ways are not our own.”

  “Well, when on Dren Va-” He stopped and smiled awkwardly. “Never mind.”

  “Don’t worry. I believe I understand your meaning.” Lady Araujion then turned to Selina. “And you must be the Younger Lady Erama. I have heard you are a fine commander, Selina. Drackson has told me of your part in the resistance against that... Corinthe. And we hold the Phalamkians in some esteem. In many ways, your father’s people are much like our own.”

  “Thank you, my lady. Drackson tells me that you were once a great commander yourself.”

  “Yes. I fought the Levarc... for a time. But that was a long time ago.” Lady Araujion then turned to Carla and extended a hand. “Carla Casdan, it is wonderful to meet you. From what I’ve heard, you managed to impress three of our Elders the last time you were here. That is no easy task.”

  Carla blushed. “Thank you, my lady. It is a privilege to meet you as well. And may I say that you have raised a fine son in Drackson. He is one of the most noble and honorable people I have ever met. And he is a good friend.”

  Lady Araujion smiled. “Yes, it appears that Drackson has done very well for himself in the worlds outside our sector. And the Harskan people have seen this.”

  “Seen this?”

  “Well... heard of it, if that is a little clearer to you. News spreads fast among our people, you see. And as you no doubt already know, we are aware of far more that happens beyond our borders than many people realize.”

  “All this business with my son has caused...” Lady Araujion looked for the right words in Corsidan. “Well, it has been the subject of quite a lot of talk.”

  “It’s caused a stir?” Carla suggested.

  “Yes...” the older Harskan replied as she thought about it. “A stir. That would be quite an apt way of expressing it. It has made a lot of ripples.”

  They were all outside now, on the rooftop balcony of Lady Araujion’s simple but beautiful homestead. Like Braesk’s home on Lamas’ca, it was on elevation. However, while Braesk’s view consisted mainly of fields and farms, the view here on this part of Cha’laest was remarkably scenic. A wide glacially-fed river of sparkling blue cascaded down a nearby mountainside before disappearing in little woodlands and eventually winding out onto sunny green plains and further Harskan settlements.

  “I can explain,” Drackson offered. “I think I understand the situation from what you and Braesk have told me.” He turned to Asten, Selina and Carla. “It appears that a number of Harskans somehow found about the transfer of those Harskan Corteks and light assault ships. Perhaps surprisingly, or perhaps not, people were proud that our ships helped in some small way to defend the Frontier worlds from Corinthe’s aggression. Also, a number of younger Harskans wondered why we couldn’t have done more.”

  Asten smiled. “They wondered why they couldn’t have joined
the fight, like you?”

  Drackson looked a little embarrassed. “Yes. It appears I am quite well-known here again. But for rather different reasons this time.”

  Carla looked at Lady Araujion. “Is this what you mentioned to Braesk earlier about the beliefs of Harskans changing?”

  “It is,” she replied. “While the Harskan people have a deep regard for our heritage and our history is not as...”

  “Volatile?” Drackson suggested.

  “Easily changed,” Lady Araujion explained.

  “Volatile.”

  “Volatile... I see. I think it is a new word for me. While our history is not as volatile as the history of other nearby regions, we are not resistant to change. Nor does change only come slowly to our people. You should have seen how quickly we mobilized ourselves when our people fell under the attack from the Levarc, for instance. We can adapt very easily.”

  “Now,” she continued, “in some aspects, change comes slowly. I would be the first to admit that the culture of communal shame for the wrongs of a few needs to be reconsidered, as I am sure you would all agree. It serves a purpose, this is true, but our people must decide whether the result justifies the measures that are taken.”

  “Whether the ends justify the means,” Asten supplied the expression.

  Lady Araujion tried it out. “Whether the ends justify the means. Yes. Anyway, it seems that because of Drackson, and some other information that has come out, people are finally beginning to question it.” She took a sip of a drink. “It will be interesting to see what the Harskan Sector will become in the years ahead. The Federation and the Frontier worlds too. Anyway, enough of that. Now, are you planning on staying long?”

  “We’re not sure,” Asten said. He looked at Selina. “What do you reckon?”

  “Well, I thought we might head back in a few days,” Selina replied. “Really, we haven’t got any jobs lined up for the near future and we’ve saved enough to be able to take some time off. I think it really depends on Drackson. And yourself, of course.”

  “I think it’d be nice to spend a few days together, at least,” Drackson suggested. “Then we can probably head back to the Phalamkian system. And I passed on your offer to my mother.”

  “Oh, yes?”

  Lady Araujion smiled. “It was very kind of you all to suggest it but I think I might perhaps take your offer at a later date. Seeing Drackson again after all these years and meeting all of you is enough excitement for me at the moment. However, I think I might quite enjoy a journey outside our sector sometime in the future.”

  “Well, later then,” Selina said. “Any time you want. I have a feeling that Drackson will be stopping by to visit a lot more often than he did before.”

  Lady Araujion’s smile remained, but her gaze drifted down. “I do hope so.”

  2. Special Visitors

  The Adjudicator drifted into the Corsida system without ceremony, with two more Class-A Cruisers accompanying it on its return from routine patrol duty in the outer sectors. Ahead of it, in a stationary orbit over Corsida along with the regular planetary defense forces and the constant stream of both inbound and outbound traffic, Admiral Roth’s flagship the Sentinel lay in wait.

  A small shuttle departed from the incoming ship and docked with the waiting vessel. Stepping down the shuttle’s ramp onto the Sentinel’s deck, Commodore Gregoc Kellahav was greeted by the Captain Merrick with a firm handshake. “Commodore. Welcome aboard.”

  “Captain,” Kellahav replied. His tone was not unfriendly but he made it clear that the captain didn’t need to bother with small talk on his account.

  “The admiral’s waiting for you in his quarters,” Captain Merrick informed him, leading the way to the elevator system that was the fastest way to reach the command bridge.

  It was a short trip and as they stepped out of the elevator, the captain took his leave. “Just through there,” he said, indicating Admiral Roth’s quarters. “Now, I hope you’ll excuse me.”

  Kellahav nodded. “Of course. Thank you, Captain.” He pressed the comm outside the admiral’s quarters as Merrick left but since the door slid open before he could announce himself, he just went straight in.

  “Commodore Kellahav,” the admiral greeted him, waving to a seat by a table in the middle of the room.

  “Admiral,” Kellahav replied, looking at the holographic display in the center of the table and giving his superior an appraising glance as he sat down opposite him.

  “The Minstrahn Sector,” Admiral Roth told him. “I find it rather interesting that this star map has not been updated in three hundred and forty-three years. Fifty-six years, in fact, before the official unification of the Federation.”

  “Fascinating.”

  “Yes, it is rather,” the admiral replied, eyeing him carefully. “I am reinstating you to the rank of general for a special task.”

  “Why?”

  “Because believe it or not, you are my best commander. It was not out of empathy that I intervened at your court-martial over the Ipaatid incident. Nor was it a gesture of appreciation for your part in resolving the crisis over Phalamki. I don’t waste good resources, General. And I don’t waste good people.”

  “I see.”

  Kellahav had been acquitted at his court-martial for a number of reasons. Admiral Roth had argued on his behalf but the deciding factor in the ruling was actually the Pelagia incident of 258, twenty-eight years earlier at the time of the trial. Twenty-nine now, Roth reflected, musing at how quickly time passed. However, he suspected for Kellahav that time would never heal his anguish at seeing his homeworld devastated by Prince Askaera and the Second Division of the Levarc Navy.

  As a young man, he had not taken any leave and had refused any counseling. Roth knew how it was though. He himself hadn’t taken any leave when his father had been killed in action over the Levarc Throneworld. Hardly anyone who had served during the war had had the luxury of time to grieve for the losses they suffered. Sometimes, they had not even had the energy.

  However, a military psychologist had argued that Kellahav had been deeply affected by the incident and that it accounted for some of his transgressions. Kellahav, who had been willing to face the consequences for his actions, had not been happy about that part of the proceedings. He had considerable pride and had found the suggestion that he was psychologically scarred to be distasteful and bordering on embarrassing. In the end though, he had accepted the verdict and had agreed to undertake a period of counseling before resuming service aboard the Adjudicator as a commodore once more.

  Admiral Roth had witnessed all of this and he had considered it before this meeting. The key to Kellahav, he had decided, was that the man did not like charity. The way to get him onside was to give him responsibility. Once he had a task, he was extremely dedicated. And, yes, his dedication had been misdirected in acts of aggression in the past but it was unlikely that this would be a problem any longer. And perhaps Kellahav found it suspicious that the man who had once tried to throw him in the brig was now giving him a promotion but Roth was certain that he could earn his trust with time.

  “You are aware that I am assembling an envoy to visit the Minstrahn,” Roth told him. “I have notified all relevant commands and have also put out open requests for assistance from anyone who may have useful knowledge of the Empire. I have not made loud announcements but I have put word out in a few outlying systems. Areas where I suspect groups of our resident Minstrahn live.”

  “And have any come forth?”

  “Yes. I was approached several days ago, in fact, by a Minstrahn woman who has been living on one of the Frontier worlds. She has offered to accompany the envoy with her own ship and is currently assembling some assistance of her own. I am presently holding the departure of this envoy to give her some more time, as I have a feeling she may be useful to have along.”

  “Do you trust her?” Kellahav asked.

  “I don’t know her,” Roth replied. “However, I shall assume she is ge
nuine until proven otherwise. Anyway, I’m taking precautions. This is, in fact, why you are here.”

  “Back-up?”

  “To be called on only if necessary,” Roth told him, enlarging part of the star map and shifting it to bring systems between the Minstrahn Empire and the Federation into focus. “I am appointing you general of a task force that will wait here. Behind the Minstrahn border but close enough to reach it with a day’s notice. It’s not the most exciting assignment, I know. Also, your task force may have to remain there for some time so you will need to have sufficient fuel and supplies to last a while. And back-up equipment in the event that anything should go wrong.”

  He tapped the controls to the star map again, highlighting a small system. “However, you will not be far from supplies, should you need them. This is Felarias, a little-known out of the way world.”

  “I’ve never heard of it.”

  A grim expression crossed Roth’s face. “Very few have. Lord Valaekei and the Third Division of the Levarc Royal Navy took it during the war to use as an advanced outpost.”

  “I see. Is there anything left?”

  “A little,” Roth said. “The people were not wholly wiped out and a classified survey made in 267 by the Security Bureau to assess the possibility that there were any remnant Levarc cells found survivors. Extrapolating on their findings, we can assume they would have a functional society by now, living at a standard similar to the manner they did in the past. However, it would be on a far smaller scale.”

  “Did this survey find out if they were friendly?”

  “Actually, they were said to be surprisingly hospitable, considering their isolation and generally insular way of life. However, it would probably be inadvisable to take the Adjudicator there. I’d suggest some long-range shuttles instead.”