Tiet felt sure now of his motives for conducting this mission. The Horva were just trying to survive. They had their freedom from the Vorn military now, but this was a bad start.
The display showed another fifty miles before he would reach Grod’s fortress. He made adjustments to the helm, as his small craft glided over the barren landscape. The ship was well-designed and fast. The mileage deficit clicked away rapidly on the display. Tiet slowed the fighter as he approached to within one mile of the facility. He realized that Grod must already realize he had a visitor, but Tiet wasn’t planning on a surprise visit, only a memorable one.
He brought the ship to a complete stop on a rise that overlooked Nagon-Toth in the distance. He got out of the cockpit then strapped on his blade. He quickly checked his weaponry: two thigh mounted kemsticks and a few spicors in addition to his father’s blade. He intentionally left his blasters in the ship. He didn’t plan on killing anyone but Grod-if it came to that.
Tiet closed the cockpit of the ship and took a deep breath. This wasn’t going to be easy. He had to get to Grod and then hope the General would listen to what he had to say. Tiet had never even met the man, but he supposed it wouldn’t be that difficult to distinguish him as the leader.
Tiet walked toward the facility. He made no effort to conceal himself, but the same could not be said for the Horva soldiers waiting for him. From an outcropping of rock nearby his path to the compound, no less than ten Horva jumped out to ambush him. Tiet was ready for them.
His E.M. shield snapped on as the first pulse laser shot came at him. He blocked several more then dodged into the middle of the warriors. He swung his blade with absolute accuracy, cutting the pulse weapons through with the adomen tip. Immediately, Tiet set off a mental burst that knocked the warriors to the ground around him. Tiet replaced the blade in his scabbard. The soldiers were stunned but otherwise unharmed.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” he said. ” But I have business with General Grod.”
“You’ll never see the General,” said one of the warriors as he leaped to his feet and charged again with a large dagger in hand. Tiet grabbed the warrior’s weapon hand behind the wrist, twisting just enough to loose the knife from his grip. With the other hand, he brought two fingers to the warrior’s throat and applied just enough pressure to a particular nerve to bring him down. Tiet laid the unconscious warrior down gently. The others were staring at him apprehensively.
“As I said, my business is with your General Grod. This really doesn’t have to be more difficult than you make it.”
They all looked at each other not knowing what to do next. Then one of them rushed Tiet. The others followed. As they attacked Tiet moved in and out among them, creating quick chaos, throwing some off balance and into the others while hitting them with blow after rapid fire blow with his hands and feet. Within twenty seconds they were on the ground again but less aware of their assailant than before. Tiet gathered himself and continued his trek toward the complex, leaving his victims to figure out what had happened.
Wynn’s com-link beeped on his wrist. He set the fighter on automatic pilot as he answered. “Wynn here.”
“Sir, we’ve picked up a ship entering our system. It’s a Barudii ship, Strider class.”
“What’s the heading?”
“It’s on a direct course for Castai-Rex, sir.”
This was puzzling. It was almost certainly the ship that Kale had used to escape the planet months ago. So why would he return and why now?
“Sir?”
“Yes?”
“We’re receiving a transmission from the ship…it’s an intent to surrender, sir.”
Now he was very puzzled. Why in the world would Kale come back and then surrender? It didn’t make sense, but he didn’t have any time to deal with it personally.
“Captain, forward our acceptance of their surrender and meet the ship with a full squad of our best. Take the ship into custody. If you meet with any resistance from those onboard, terminate them.”
“Yes, sir.”
This was a twist Wynn hadn’t counted on, but other matters were more pressing at the moment. He adjusted the controls again. His ship careened south toward Nagon-Toth. He easily located Tiet’s ship by scans. He hadn’t put up a sensor cloak or anything. What was he up to?
Wynn brought his ship down in an area facing another side of the complex. He was out of the cockpit quickly and left the ship sensor cloaked and shielded. Wynn’s new uniform would keep him invisible to the Horva’s sensor sweeps. He did not intend to be seen. If Tiet meant to boldly walk into a deathtrap, he was going to at least give him a fighting chance of getting out again.
Kale keyed off the display. The command center at Baeth Periege had formally accepted his surrender. He set the autopilot to the coordinates given to him by the command center in order to dock his ship. He almost felt relief at the thought of giving himself up. His long run from all he had betrayed was almost over.
Kale wondered if Tiet would be there to meet him as he landed. Perhaps he’ll drive father’s blade right through my heart, he thought. Even so, the running was over.
At the very least, he supposed Tiet would imprison him for life so he could watch his traitorous brother rot on a daily basis. It didn’t matter. If that was Elithias’ will then so be it. Kale knew he deserved it anyway.
Father, Mother…forgive me. Emotions, long pushed aside, threatened to flood in.
The computer soon sounded the alarm as the Strider penetrated Castai’s atmosphere. Turbulence was quick as the vessel passed through and came around on course for the city of Baeth Periege. Kale noticed, on the approach, how much damage had been repaired within the city. Even the surrounding area had begun some renewal as far as the destruction of the ecosphere during the battle for the city. He had not seen the end of the battle. But even the city’s defense shield was back in place and fully operational.
As Kale flew over the southeastern portion of the city, he saw many pulse laser batteries. They looked as though they were expecting a fight. Whether they knew it or not, the Baruk would soon be here to give it to them.
A beacon flashed on his display showing him exactly where to bring the ship down on the huge landing platform near the Command Center. The building looked more imposing than before with its added weaponry adorning the outside.
The area he was being led to below was guarded by what looked to be an entire squad of troops. He did not recognize the uniforms they were wearing, but as he drew closer to the platform Kale saw that the troops were a mix of Castillian and Vorn.
So they’ve formed an alliance, he thought. Maybe they stand some chance of survival with the Baruk this way, but it’s going to be a terrible fight.
The Strider touched down on the platform. The squad of Alliance troops reacted, surrounding the vessel. Kale looked out at the soldiers with their pulse rifles trained on his ship. It’s not too late to fight, he thought. No. This is the right thing to do. No more running. Kale lowered the ramp and descended. Daooth met him with two armed escorts flanking him.
“Kale Soone, I presume?”
“Yes.”
Kale recognized the insignia on the Vorn man’s uniform distinguishing his rank.
“Commander, I offer my formal surrender to you,” Kale said.
“Your weapons, Kale.”
“Of course.” Kale removed his coat slowly. Then he unbuckled the strap for his blade and scabbard, handing them to Daooth. “My other weapons are onboard, Commander.”
Daooth stepped aside to allow the soldiers with him to secure the prisoner. He had never seen Kale Soone before, but the family resemblance was clear. Tiet looked very much like this man.