“What do mean, Danny,” Keller said, truly surprised by the question.
“I don’t mean about what we have to do, but rather are we ready to stand alone, come what may.”
Keller now understood the question. The debate had raged on for months about whether or not Humanity could afford to alienate — no pun intended — the alien Klin. It would leave the Earth to stand alone against the Juireans, plus any reprisals the Klin may choose to send their way. It had taken a Herculean effort to convince not only Ryan, but also most of the other world leaders, that Humanity was indeed ready. Keller was now fully convinced that mankind could stand alone against any threat thrown against her.
“Mr. President, this has to be done, and the sooner the better. For the past few months, the number of revelations coming from the Klin technology has dwindled to just about zero. There doesn’t seem to be too many more surprises left. Sure, we’re not as advanced as they are — how could we be in such a short time — yet we have the foundation we need to defend ourselves. And even with all their science and technology, the Klin have proven to be very backwards in their understanding of war, and even of Human nature. You would think that after all the hundreds of years of studying us that they would know us better. And the sooner we act, the sooner the world can learn the truth. It will be cathartic in a way.”
“I know you’re right, Bill; we’ve been over this so many times in the past. It’s just that once the order goes out, there’ll be no turning back.”
“I understand, Mr. President. But you are doing the right thing. War makes for strange bedfellows, but we do not have to sleep with the killer of our children any longer than is necessary.”
Ryan raised his eyebrows at the last comment. “That kind of sums it all up, doesn’t it? I wish you’d told me that a couple of months ago, I might have capitulated sooner.” His attempt at a smile failed miserably.
“Okay, Admiral, you have the order. Let’s clean house.”
Chapter 49
The six Humans and two aliens were completely surprised by the luxurious and familiar feel to the movie theater room they were escorted to. Each row consisted of four seats, so they were able to take up the first two rows in front of the large viewing screen. There were four other seats in the room, larger and more plush, set off to the side — obviously reserved for Linuso and his senior staff. On the screen before them was a graphic representation of a star system, detailing two large gas giants as well as various other planetary bodies.
Soon everyone was seated, including the Klin.
“All of you are to bear witness to one of the most significant events about to take place in galactic history,” Linuso began, with obvious satisfaction and excitement in his voice. “In a few minutes a battle will begin which will forever shift the balance of power in the galaxy, after which the rightful will be returned to their proper place in history.”
“And of course you mean the Klin, don’t you?” Riyad said, sarcasm barely hidden in his tone.
“Of course, Mr. Tarazi. It was the Klin who established all the systems and scientific advancements which have led to the unification of so many disparate worlds into what the Juireans so disgustingly call their Expansion. We are simply about to right a wrong.”
“But why did you have to use us to make it happen?” Sherri cried out. “Weren’t there any other races who would have worked just as well against the Juireans? Why us?”
“That is a legitimate concern, Miss Valentine,” replied the supreme Klin leader. “And yes, there are other races who could have sufficed. In fact, you will soon learn that the Humans are not the only ones assisting us in our master plan. In fact, your race was never expected to be the final arbiters of power in the galaxy.”
“The gray, leathery creature on the ship!” Adam blurted out.
The Pleabaen glared over at Ludl, now seated three chairs down from him. “So you have seen a Kracori?”
“A what…a who?” Riyad asked.
“You will learn soon enough,” said the Pleabaen dismissively. “I must now set the stage for the show — as you would call it.” He nodded to Limmore, who pulled a datapad from under his cape and began tapping the screen.
The image on the large screen now split in half, with one side still showing the graphic of the star system, and the other now displaying a crowded pilothouse aboard a starship.
“This is the scene aboard the flagship of the Klin fleet — yes we have one of our own — now sitting off the system of Falor-Kapel, which is shown on the left,” Linuso narrated. “This is a live image, so we will be watching events as they unfold in real-time.”
The pilothouse was filled with a number of aliens, with only a few Klin to be seen. However, Adam did see four, maybe five, of the leathery creatures from the hallway — Kracori, Linuso had called them. The Kracori appeared to be manning most of the important stations in the pilothouse.
A thin, pale-skinned Klin moved into view. “Greetings, Pleabaen,” the Klin said joyfully. “This is a great moment for our people.”
“Indeed it is. How are the preparations advancing?” Linuso said from a room a thousand light years away.
“Any moment now. The Humans are pursing the Juireans into the Kapelean Corridor. Damper fields are in position to be activated by the Juireans as soon as the fleet is inside the perimeter.”
“This is taking place now?” Tobias asked, interrupting the Klin. “And what’s a damper field?”
Linuso turned toward the Lieutenant and paused momentarily. “Forgive the interruption, Fleet Master. I have here with me Adam Cain and his team of Human and alien fighters.”
“Yes, I heard that Ludl had secured Mr. Cain. It was fortunate that we received the report from Hyben that made it all possible. And now you have him there to witness the event. Excellent.”
“And he and his companions may need more explanation as the events unfold.” Linuso said, now addressing Tobias. “Yes, these are real-time events, like I said. You are watching Fleet Master Hoden Felmore as he commands the Klin fleet. And a damper field is a static electricity shield that restricts a gravity drive from forming a deep-well. The Juireans have stationed a series of damper satellites across the entrance to the field of battle so as to prevent any of your combatants from escaping. Low intensity wells are possible, allowing for maneuvering during the battle. Yet if a deep-well interacts with a damper field, it will dissolve instantly. The ship will continue through the field, and can reactivate once outside, but in the meantime it becomes a target for any pursing craft. The system isn’t perfect, but it appears as though the Juireans want this to be a battle to the finish.”
Like a caged match, Adam thought, as he watched the hundreds of tiny dots converge on the screen to the left. He had viewed many a screen like this during his time in the SEALs, and he knew that thousands of Human beings were about to die.
“Whose side are you on, Linuso? Adam asked. “You sound as though you want the Juireans to win.”
“On the contrary, Mr. Cain, we don’t care who wins.” He turned back to the split screen and the view of the Klin pilothouse. “Are your forces in position, Ship Master?”
“Yes, we have been for days.”
“I think I get it now,” Adam said. “You just want the Humans and Juireans to fuck each other up so badly that you and your tiny fleet can sweep in and pick off any survivors.”
“Crude, Mr. Cain. And I would not call three hundred ships tiny. It will surely suffice to overcome any of the remaining forces, be they Juirean or Human.”
Adam felt his heart sink. The Klin plan was simple — and probably destined to succeed. He surveyed the graphic. The green colored dots, more-than-likely representing the larger Juirean fleet, were massing at the edge of a space between the two large planets. This would be the Kapelean Corridor, as the Klin had called it. The Human fleet, by contrast, was much smaller and colored in red. In fact, it appeared to be only about half as large as the Juirean fleet.