Read Online Star Force: Retribution (SF60) by Aer-ki Jyr - Free Book Online
Authors: Aer-ki Jyr
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change.
“ It will grow if
needed, for my Master has informed me that he intends to pursue this war bond
with Star Force regardless of Royal sanction. He has few years left in him, and
is willing to risk exile if it is necessary to save our race. I and a few
others are willing to follow him, so I submit that sanctioning this endeavor is
in the best interests of unity, for it is happening regardless of how many
stubborn traditions we have to trample in the process. ”
“ You are far
beyond your birthright ,” the Royal warned.
“ I know. But my
mandate supersedes it, whether officially recognized or not .”
The Royal was silent for a long moment, but Gavra didn’t break his stare, underscoring that he was
fully committed to this. Others would be as well, with Vedja involved.
“ Why did you not
come to me with these concerns earlier? ”
“ I was stubborn
and did not want to admit the losing position that we are in .”
“ And you believe
that we are showing the same stubbornness? ”
“ I recognize it
well .”
The Royal considered what Gavra was saying, not from a military position but from a political one. Nexus
membership guaranteed the H’kar’s survival, so the
threat of their defeat was farcical. Their mandate to protect their allotted
region was not, and in that they were failing, though he’d never admit it
publically. The only risk came from a revocation of membership, but he was
aware that the Gfatt didn’t currently fault the H’kar for their inability to
stop the Li’vorkrachnika, though that could always change going forward.
Vedja, however, changed things. The old warrior was a
legend, and his involvement in this none too subtle treason made the Royal
wonder if there was a greater threat involved or if he also realized the risk
of a revocation of membership. Regardless, siding against him could very well
split the H’kar empire and even run the small risk of
triggering a civil war, not in a military sense, but by fracturing the
political bonds that held them together.
They were safe, the Royal reminded himself, so long as
the Nexus did not abandon them.
“ If Vedja thinks
this is of merit, then let us not bicker. Keep what ships are necessary to
defend our worlds and maintain a semblance of our duty to the Nexus mandate,
then send as many others as you wish. We will fully support Vedja in this, and
hope that his genius leads to a second pivotal moment in our race’s history .”
Gavra didn’t say anything
further, nor did he gloat. He simply offered a small gesture of respect before
withdrawing, realizing he’d just won the political war and gained more than
he’d hoped. How the rest of the H’kar empire would
respond he didn’t know, but this region’s resources were going to the ADZ…as
many as he could spare, anyway.
6
May 31, 2680
Szequat System (Voku
territory)
Nergthen
When Cal-com arrived back at his race’s homeworld it
was with some displeasure. He had been summoned to return, but without any
notification as to why. The priority summons couldn’t be ignored, but it had
come during one of his planning sessions with Warlord Paul as they began
mapping out the reconquest of what had once been
Calavari territory. Such a task was a bold one, and Cal-com wasn’t convinced
that it could be done so quickly, but the pair worked so well together they
were laying out the difficulties and devising countermeasures in an attempt to
see just how far down the road their plans could become reality when the
summons had arrived.
He’d left immediately, with all apologies given to
Paul, and headed back across the long journey between the ADZ and Voku space.
During that time he wondered what would have been important enough to recall
him, and now that he’d finally arrived he still couldn’t deduce a valid reason.
Only two individuals had the authority to summon him back in such a manner, one
was the Brosika and the other the Letrifiv.
The Brosika was
“ It will grow if
needed, for my Master has informed me that he intends to pursue this war bond
with Star Force regardless of Royal sanction. He has few years left in him, and
is willing to risk exile if it is necessary to save our race. I and a few
others are willing to follow him, so I submit that sanctioning this endeavor is
in the best interests of unity, for it is happening regardless of how many
stubborn traditions we have to trample in the process. ”
“ You are far
beyond your birthright ,” the Royal warned.
“ I know. But my
mandate supersedes it, whether officially recognized or not .”
The Royal was silent for a long moment, but Gavra didn’t break his stare, underscoring that he was
fully committed to this. Others would be as well, with Vedja involved.
“ Why did you not
come to me with these concerns earlier? ”
“ I was stubborn
and did not want to admit the losing position that we are in .”
“ And you believe
that we are showing the same stubbornness? ”
“ I recognize it
well .”
The Royal considered what Gavra was saying, not from a military position but from a political one. Nexus
membership guaranteed the H’kar’s survival, so the
threat of their defeat was farcical. Their mandate to protect their allotted
region was not, and in that they were failing, though he’d never admit it
publically. The only risk came from a revocation of membership, but he was
aware that the Gfatt didn’t currently fault the H’kar for their inability to
stop the Li’vorkrachnika, though that could always change going forward.
Vedja, however, changed things. The old warrior was a
legend, and his involvement in this none too subtle treason made the Royal
wonder if there was a greater threat involved or if he also realized the risk
of a revocation of membership. Regardless, siding against him could very well
split the H’kar empire and even run the small risk of
triggering a civil war, not in a military sense, but by fracturing the
political bonds that held them together.
They were safe, the Royal reminded himself, so long as
the Nexus did not abandon them.
“ If Vedja thinks
this is of merit, then let us not bicker. Keep what ships are necessary to
defend our worlds and maintain a semblance of our duty to the Nexus mandate,
then send as many others as you wish. We will fully support Vedja in this, and
hope that his genius leads to a second pivotal moment in our race’s history .”
Gavra didn’t say anything
further, nor did he gloat. He simply offered a small gesture of respect before
withdrawing, realizing he’d just won the political war and gained more than
he’d hoped. How the rest of the H’kar empire would
respond he didn’t know, but this region’s resources were going to the ADZ…as
many as he could spare, anyway.
6
May 31, 2680
Szequat System (Voku
territory)
Nergthen
When Cal-com arrived back at his race’s homeworld it
was with some displeasure. He had been summoned to return, but without any
notification as to why. The priority summons couldn’t be ignored, but it had
come during one of his planning sessions with Warlord Paul as they began
mapping out the reconquest of what had once been
Calavari territory. Such a task was a bold one, and Cal-com wasn’t convinced
that it could be done so quickly, but the pair worked so well together they
were laying out the difficulties and devising countermeasures in an attempt to
see just how far down the road their plans could become reality when the
summons had arrived.
He’d left immediately, with all apologies given to
Paul, and headed back across the long journey between the ADZ and Voku space.
During that time he wondered what would have been important enough to recall
him, and now that he’d finally arrived he still couldn’t deduce a valid reason.
Only two individuals had the authority to summon him back in such a manner, one
was the Brosika and the other the Letrifiv.
The Brosika was
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