He wasn’t there to enjoy the creature’s torment, however, but to observe the results of an experiment he’d arranged with the cooperation of the “Chooser,” an ominous, ghastly Grik he loathed, but whose assistance was necessary for the validation of Kurokawa’s new theory. The Chooser was the ultimate arbiter of life and death, short of his sovereign, in all the Grik Empire. There were other “choosers”; many more. There were a few in each province of every regency. But as the chooser for the Celestial Palace, in the very household of the Giver of Life, this one was known only as the Chooser. Though reluctant at first, now he understood that Kurokawa’s grand scheme didn’t threaten his position or status, the Chooser had become the former Japanese officer’s greatest patron at court, beyond even Regent Tsalka and General Esshk. Kurokawa was pleased by that, though the malignant monster’s growing familiarity-and even overtures of friendship!-appalled him. But a happy Chooser was a powerful ally indeed in the great, twisted game Hisashi Kurokawa played. A year ago, he’d faced a hideous death. Now he had the ear of the most powerful being alive. He munched a cracker and stared through the bars. So far, the test was going well.
The “broodmare” (it actually helped Kurokawa to think of her thus, to keep his… enjoyment to a minimum), moaned, and haltingly reached out to caress one of the hatchlings that slid from its protective stance on her flank. It hissed at her, but as had been demanded, she tentatively tried again. This time, the small, downy bundle of needlelike teeth and claws allowed the gentle touch, but immediately hopped back to its place on her flank-disdainful of its claws-and resumed its militant pose. There were five other hatchlings just like it there. Across the cell, as far as they could get from the female and “her” young, three more hatchlings raced back and forth, clacking and skittering on the stone floor with their claws. Occasionally, one squeaked a petulant snarl at its nest-mates that seemed determined to deny them a meal. On the floor between the warring gangs lay the savaged carcasses of eight young: two “defenders” and six “attackers.” Kurokawa had duly noted the statistics. “Fascinating,” he muttered.
Behind him in the dank passageway, he heard unreproduceable Grik voices and advancing feet. He recognized the voices now, and he understood what they said, but speaking the vile tongue was beyond his desire or capability.
“I thought we’d find you here,” General Esshk growled, and Kurokawa looked at the powerful Grik. All the hatchlings in the cell immediately forgot their antagonism toward one another and frizzed at Esshk’s approach, uttering a low, warning moan.
“You have interrupted my experiment,” Kurokawa complained. “I may have to begin all over!” Esshk couldn’t speak the English the Japanese officer used any better than Kurokawa spoke Grik, but he also understood the words.
“You are a most sadistic creature,” Esshk stated, a little wonderingly. “You realize what you put that one through,” he motioned through the bars, “is tantamount to the ‘Traitor’s Death,’ the most severe punishment the Giver of Life ever inflicts? To be slowly consumed by hatchlings…” The hardened warrior practically shuddered.
“There is a difference,” Kurokawa insisted. “his one has not been bound, her claws and teeth pulled out… and her reward will be great.”
“ If she survives, and does not go mad. And no doubt you’ve threatened her with the complete ‘treatment’ if she does not cooperate.”
Kurokawa didn’t answer. The other voices in the passageway neared, and he identified them as those of Tsalka and the Chooser. They were attended, as always, by a significant guard. Also among them were three Japanese sailors. The sailors said nothing and wore nervous expressions. Suddenly, Kurokawa missed “General” Niwa, the closest thing he had to a friend. Niwa wasn’t really a friend, of course, but he alone of all the men of Amagi had been truly loyal, he thought, and he’d become a confidant of sorts in a world where Kurokawa had no others. Niwa had gone to Ceylon with General Halik to observe enemy strengths and tactics when the inevitable invasion of that province began. The Grik had scant hope of holding the place, but Regent Tsalka insisted that some effort be made after all. At least they might bleed the “prey”-the very real “enemy” that former “prey” had become-the first true enemy the Grik had ever faced throughout their long history.
“Your ship awaits to take you to inspect the ‘projects’ underway on the continent,” Tsalka hissed. “The Celestial Mother is anxious for a report, and so am I. I would still preserve my regency from the enemy, if possible!”
“All the projects proceed according to plan,” Kurokawa assured him. “You would not… rush me again, would you?”
“Not at all,” Tsalka denied quickly, remembering what happened the last time they struck before Kurokawa said they were ready: The loss of Amagi and most of the “Invincible” Swarm. “I am… anxious, that is all. Word from General Halik hints at some confidence.”
Kurokawa had heard that too, but the confidence involved a scheme to break the Allied blockade so Grik ships, loaded with steel and other war material produced on Ceylon, might escape Colombo-not that Halik thought Ceylon could be saved. Kurokawa sighed and stood from his stool. “Fleet construction and some of the new ordnance principles have struck minor snags, largely due to incompetent labor, but the deadlines will be met. I go there to ensure that they are, and to add certain modifications that have recently struck my fancy. The ‘Army’ plan proceeds even better than expected, as General Esshk can attest.” He gestured at the cell. “These tests confirm yet another of my fancies, that should result in an even greater efficiency among the ‘new’ Army troops and Navy crews. I’m quite excited.”
“What of the aircraft you promised?” Esshk demanded. Kurokawa smoldered. Esshk wouldn’t leave that alone.
“The… ‘aircraft’ I’ve undertaken to design and build are almost ready, in fact,” he stated.
“But they are nothing like the aircraft you promised! They do not resemble your damaged ‘floatplane’ in any way, or the P-B-Y of the Americans that was destroyed,” he said, failing to pronounce the letters P-B-Y properly, although his meaning came across. “I doubt the enemy has been idle. Most likely, they have replaced it by now.”
“They can’t,” Kurokawa assured him, “not with anything nearly as capable, at any rate. Trust me, the aircraft I’ve designed will be more than adequate for the task. Besides, as I’ve said”-he closed his eyes and took a breath-“more often than I can count, Grik are physiologically incapable of operating aircraft forms even remotely similar to our needlessly damaged, and sadly no longer flight-worthy, type ninety-five.”
“If your plane is so badly damaged, why exert so much effort maintaining it?” Esshk asked suspiciously.
“Because it’s a priceless asset, a model for innovation and experimentation,” Kurokawa snapped. “ You forced me to ruin it, but gazing upon it, I still get ideas!”
Esshk seemed mollified. “Possibly, that is reasonable. But the craft your Hij construct!” Esshk almost threw up his hands. “How can such things fly?”
“Very well,” Kurokawa assured. “And while they may be more labor intensive, and expensive in materials”-he shrugged-“we have plenty of both for that project, and they’re significantly less complicated. Before long, we’ll have them in their hundreds, and your doubts will be drowned by awe.”
“They had better be,” Esshk darkly warned, but Kurokawa ignored him. He was still terrified of Esshk, but he was safe from his ire-for now.
“And what of the… issue… in the south and west?” the Chooser suddenly asked, defusing the current tension. “That still remains, and lurks ever larger.”
“Yes, how will we counter that as well?” Tsalka asked. “The creatures there have long been known to be hunters, but we haven’t pushed them. The extent of their realm is limited and known-nothing lies beyond it. The Celestial Mother was ‘saving’ them for a pleasant diversion once the original Grand Swarm eliminated the Ancient Prey once and for all. With the destruction of that, the Invincible Swarm, and the current drain on our resources, we may be vulnerable to even such as they!”