Talitha

By Eric L. Hays-Strom

"My country has been the victim of an attack of UNPRECEDENTED FORCE!" – Rosten, Commander, The Warrior Society of Argisal

 

When Captain Nikolai "Swink" O'Halloran's freighter crash lands on an alien planet, he must convince the locals that he is not a threat while avoiding the political ramifications.

 

Argisal has been fighting for generations. Now, with a peace treaty signed, have they dropped their guard too far? Rosten is a formidable warrior, a commander of prodigious ability and impeccable honor. But when destruction rains from the sky, threatening the peace and his very reputation, will Rosten be able to prevent the collapse of all he holds dear?

 

Can Nikolai convince Rosten that the destruction his ship has caused is not an attack? If not, will he live to  see Earth again?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Eric Hays-Strom
• Release date: Nov 17, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393215301

Book preview

PART I

Chapter 1 - Rosten

I am vSholef, a resident of this planet, vShole. The v is but a breath, exhaled between the lip and teeth, whispered like a prayer.

I am Rosten, Ilia pa Argisal. Rosten, Commander of the Warrior Society of Argisal.

My world is undergoing a great deal of change. When my father was born, countries not much larger than towns and cities dotted the surface of vShole. By the time I entered the Warrior Society, consolidation has pared these to a mere twenty true countries. Now, as I near the end of my career, Argisal is one of only five remaining countries. vShole's unification may yet happen in my lifetime. Argisal is my country.

Argisal is also the name of Argisal's capital city. It lies near the base of vShole's northern mountains.

Because of Argisal's Warrior Society my people have never truly experienced the ravages of war. The Argisalaef are peaceful, by and large. They spend their days going about their lives. Farmers tend crops, craftspeople tend their arts, and the businesspeople tend their business. Philosophers, a respected occupation on vShole, well, who knows what philosophers do? But my warriors? My warriors fight. We know grief and loss and slaughter. This is the way of my companions - my Ieshta-Companions, my soul companions. We know loss so the majority of Argisalaef do not.

Do not misunderstand these sentiments. We do not relish slaughter. My ieshta hurts when I contemplate battle and vSholef's deaths. Not just my Ieshta-Companions deaths, but any death. It is not good, vSholef killing each other. But unification is essential for our future. If it takes war, then war is what we will wage. Not in Argisal. It is better that death is taken to the enemy's door, than permit it entry into my own home.

We are not a naïve people. We know the universe is vast, that there is more than just our little planet, our moons, or Veesha, our sun. We have not yet achieved the Great Expanse, but we can imagine other intelligent beings out there. It is, I suspect, in our nature, this desire to break free of the bondage of our world, to grasp for the stars. Internecine wars, until very recently, prevented us from achieving our aspirations.

My connections in the scientific community tell me we are close; a vSholef, probably an Argisalaef, will yet step out onto our moons, on Adolara or Cayeb or Zuh'udos, in my lifetime. We dream of taking our place among the stars, we vSholef, of going out to meet those others – whoever they are. Yes, we dream of this!

We never dreamed they would come to us! So, when they burst upon us we were caught completely unawares. Sit, my friends, I shall tell you of it.

––––––––

∞

––––––––

It began just before the noon meal. My senior commanders and I assembled in the commander's wardroom to the side of Zalra Shol's spacious command center. Zalra Shol is the name of the fortress housing Argisal's Warrior Society. My wardroom was shaped in a pointed oval, a giant table filling the center. From my position at the head of the table, I could look to the left through windows of highly blast resistant glass out over a sweeping valley to the southwest. A fast-moving river, the Sargisa, flowed through the valley. On its banks the city of Argisal shone in the late morning sun. To my right, more blast resistant windows allowed us to see into the command center. Banks of monitors and rows of desks occupied by warrior-technicians monitoring their stations filled the center. A central station elevated slightly from the others was currently occupied by the Watch Commander. I looked once over the valley to my left, the sight of the valley, my city, my river brought a smile to my face. I turned and scanned the center. I nodded in approval at both sights. I returned my gaze to the table before me.

Slapping the table with a large open palm drew all eyes to me and the buzz of conversation abruptly ceased. Slowly, deliberately I pushed to my feet, preparing to speak. Opening my mouth, my words were cut off by the raucous howl of the early warning sirens. I stood mouth agape, turning toward the windows into the center. The Watch Commander, already on his feet was shouting orders. Loose leaves of paper fluttered to the floor about him.

At the front of the center, a young warrior stood pointing at a monitor just out of my sight. As I moved toward the door, the Watch Commander turned and bolted towards us, shoved open the door, nearly falling into our gathering.

Ilia, he croaked, Reflective Sensoring indicates a massive incoming target from the south. As one, my commanders who had jumped to their feet at the first scream of the siren, rushed to the window.

Built into the mountains east of Argisal, the fortress Zalra Shol would go unnoticed save for two features. The first, a series of four large hangar doors from which our squadron could launch on short notice, were already opening, and the needle nose of the lead ships of our squadron were already visible. The second was the great window of the command center's conference room. From this window, we could look over the city of Argisal and south toward Mashouah. The moon, Adolara, settled low on the far horizon, seemed to float on a heat shimmer.

At first, we saw nothing, but we scanned the skies. A far distant speck rapidly grew until a missile of tremendous length and breadth could clearly be seen speeding towards the valley.

Ilia, I have never seen a missile capable of such speed, Ashayl observed. I nodded.

Glancing over my shoulder at the Watch Commander, I saw the young warrior I'd noticed earlier reporting to the Watch Commander, his wild gesticulations belying the quiet words he spoke. Seeing me watching, the Watch Commander placed a soothing hand on the youth's shoulder and pushed him toward the door.

Ilia, it would appear the object originated out of thin air...

Nonsense! I roared. Missiles do not originate out of nothing.

Before I could continue, Ashayl, one of my klaef commanders spoke up. Perhaps, Ilia, it appeared to originate thusly because it came from outside our atmosphere.

The notion was almost as ridiculous as the Watch Commander's observation, and I prepared to state as much. But as I watched, the missile split into two.

The smaller segment continued its northerly trajectory, but the larger segment plunged straight at the city.

My warriors and I stood transfixed by the sight, paralyzed, watching the object smash into the ground several miles southeast of the outer city walls. Then light. A flash, brighter than sunlight, robbed us of our sight, leaving us in darkness. Slowly our sight returned, all mottled and dimmed. The ground beneath our feet shook. On impact, large blocks of ejecta were flung into the air only to bombard the city's southernmost neighborhoods.

Over the original impact site, debris and smoke and flame rose into the sky reaching dizzying heights, then curled over and around itself, and a pressure wave boiled outwards in all directions. When the city wall crumbled from the force of the wave, we stood in dumb silence. Neighborhood after neighborhood crumbled in its onslaught. And one by one, my commanders sank to their knees, dumbstruck by the scene of destruction no army had ever been able to inflict.

At that moment, the first of our squadrons darted into the air. The movement jolted us out of our shock. Remembering the other segment of the missile, I scanned the northern horizon, spotting smoke, another impact.

Years of conflict honed our responses. Already, in the command center beyond the conference room, I could see the watch commander giving orders, aides running purposefully in every direction in response. Looking over my senior commanders, I cast a long look to the south, to Mashouah, then I settled into my seat.

Mashouah will pay for this. The silence hung heavy in the room, each face reflecting the determination I felt. But right now, Argisal needs us here. Boker, take your Second Klaef into the city. All non-combat resources are yours until you decide the situation is stabilized. Provide whatever assistance the local authorities require. Assess them, if you feel they are inadequate, assume control. He nodded. Go! I snapped.

Sir! Boker rose to his feet, saluting crisply, then strode from the room. Focusing on the remaining commanders I paused, perhaps for effect as much as to collect my thoughts.

"As for you all, deploy your commands to the south. Years ago, before the war, a defensive line was constructed there, anchored by Khirkal and Taroot. Take up positions along that line. Prepare for whatever Mashouah may throw at us.

But sir, we need to attack them. Now!

My guard, the Ilren, and I go north, I said, not responding to the outburst. There appears to be another, smaller blast site up toward Venass. Once stabilized, I will return to base, and the plans for a reprisal will begin. You are welcome to consider what reprisal may look like. But you will not take actions.

You want us in a defensive posture only?

Yes. Remember Kessil? A genius ploy by the Mashouf. Had we responded to it, not one of us would be here today. I need more facts. And we will have them. Now, go.

They all rose to their feet, saluted, and left to deploy their klaefs.

I turned my attention to the city in the valley below us. The ominous cloud standing sentinel to the south still rained fire on the city. The resulting maelstrom cast a pall over the city. My smile of mere moments before was now gone.

Glowering at the wretched scene, my breath caught, and a low growl rumbled deep down in me, my vision clouded. The familiar pressure building in my chest, pushing blood into my head, I felt the battle rage building in me and I grabbed onto it like a toddler grasping its blanket. This. This feeling I knew all too well, for rage was a warrior's easy and faithful companion. But not now. There is a place and a time for rage. Plan cold, fight hot.

Ah my friend, I whispered, when the time is right, I shall summon you.

Sir? I did not hear you. Skene’s voice, ragged with emotion, brought me out of my contemplation.

Nothing, ieshtani, I merely contemplate requital of this craven attack. Have the others come, as well?

They are here, Ilia. The senior Ilren are just outside. Only the three cadets remain in the klaefon to ready the troops.

Call the officers in, then. Taking another glance at the city, I turned back to face the door.

The officers of my guard filed into the conference room, each transfixed by the view outside the window, each inhaling sharply to prevent embarrassing outbursts. When all regained their composure, I spoke.

Ieshtani, we have been attacked. This, this, not knowing what to say, I paused a moment, then continued ...it came from the south. I see the anger in your faces, the tension in your brows, and the flick of your tails. I assure you, your fury is as mine. We will have our vengeance. But first, our fellow Argisalaef have need of our service. Our first duty is to aid our citizens. The bulk of our army is supporting the city or preparing to defend it. But there is a smaller pillar of smoke to the north of here, up towards Venass. I am taking Skene and his warriors up there. Commander Chokan, you will oversee the Ilren in our absence. Prepare them, Chokan.

For?

For whatever, Chokan. Perhaps I will need more troops, perhaps you will be needed in the city, perhaps where the army gathers to the south. And perhaps here. I need shock troops who can go where needed. The Ilren are the best we have. Just be ready.

––––––––

∞

––––––––

A quarter hour later, Skene and I and our comrades exited Zalra Shol, and climbed into three carriers, already warming their engines on the pads. Our troops safely aboard, I nodded at my pilot, and the craft lurched skyward. Another quarter hour skimming the treetops found us at the second impact site. Ieshta-truth, I do not know what I expected. But I did not expect the strange craft we found.

Skene, deploy a perimeter defense, then join me.

While Skene saw to my orders, I contemplated the craft before me. What form of weapon had our enemies launched against us? And what caused them to violate our truce? The answer to these questions would, of course, have to wait until later, but I worried about how much time we might have before their armies came after us. Of all vSholef countries, Argisal was most technologically advanced. Being Ilia, I knew we possessed nothing so devastating as this weapon before me.

At last, finished with his duties, Skene and I slowly approached the craft. Perhaps, as Ilia pa Argisal, commander of all the forces of Argisal, I should have stayed back. Perhaps I should not have accompanied the troops to Venass at all. Skene was more than qualified to lead this mission. But now, here at the site, I could not stand idly by, while my subordinates investigated the vessel. To do so seemed, somehow, cowardly.

The craft was large. Precise measurements would come later, but I paced the craft front to back, counting twenty-five paces. From side to side it was another twelve paces. While I could not pace out its height, it was several times my height. Standing east of the craft, I scanned it left and right. To my left, protuberances extended from the bulkhead. To my right, the north facing end of the craft, I observed square panels. This, then was the front of the ship.

I brushed dirt from the panels, then pressed my hands against them, then rested my face on my hands. This shaded my sight from the glare of the sun. My heart seemed to skip a beat, and my tail twitched. My ears snapped forwards then to the side. I glanced left then right and finally behind me, concerned that my momentary lapse had revealed my surprise. Seeing Mashouf would not have elicited such a reaction. Seeing no one inside would not have surprised me as much as what befell my eyes. What I saw within that vessel proved our wildest hopes. The beings within were like nothing I had ever seen.

I summoned Skene.

Steel yourself, ieshtani. Look! What do you see? And, Skene...Remember, you are a warrior!

Skene cast a sideways glance in my direction, then turned and peered into the dark interior. His ears lay back, and eyebrows lifted. Skene's surprise seemed less extreme than mine. Tucking his shoulders briefly, he nodded once, then turned to see who was nearby. In quiet tones, almost like discussing the heat of the day, he spoke.

By the moons, Ilia, the ramifications of this will be devastating! Perhaps it should be destroyed outright.

You know as well as I, ieshtani, soul-lover, that we can't. I paused a moment to consider. We can't because we must understand today's catastrophe, and this...this may provide our only source for that understanding. And, we can't because it is wrong to hide from reality. We do our people no justice by hiding it. Besides, now that these have come, surely others will follow. Now is the time to ease our people, all vSholef, into this new reality.

Some of them are alive. Did you see? I nodded my response.

Take two companions and find a way into it. Cut an entrance if need be. We need to know how many there are. And we need them alive.

Skene stepped back, tapped his chest with his open hand, claws bared, a salute. Then summoning the two nearest companions, tapping them on their head and motioning them to join him as he walked by, he began explaining to them what he was looking for.

Returning to my command carrier, I sat in the doorway watching Skene and the companions circle the ship looking high and low for possible access points. Arriving once again before the large portals, Natsav, the largest companion, set down his rifle, looked around and spied a large rock. Using it, he pounded on the transparent panel, but no amount of hammering even scratched it. It was as hard as our blast proof glass.

Skene, Tarreel and Natsav then began a slower investigation, Skene going to the right, and Tarreel and Natsav to the left. Again, they met at the front of the ship, for ship was what I had begun to consider this object. There they conversed. Soon, Tarreel broke from the group and approached the nearest carrier. Ducking inside he moved to an equipment locker and removed a coil of climbing rope. He returned with it to Skene and Natsav, then as Natsav moved around to the back of the ship, Skene and Tarreel moved to a point approximately five paces from the panels at the front.

Taking the rope from Tarreel, and shaking it out, Skene took a step back then with a mighty heave threw the coil over the ship. His first toss appeared to make it all the way across, and in a moment Natsav shouted an affirmation. Skene pulled the rope taught, then looked at Tarreel with a nod. In moments, Tarreel had hoisted himself to the top, just as Natsav returned around the ship. Glancing in my direction, Skene followed on Tarreel's tail, Natsav was close behind.

Almost immediately, the three converged on a spot nearly half way back and squatted to examine the surface. Skene turned and waved at me. Heaving myself to my feet I approached the side of the ship below the trio.

This looks like it might be a way in, Ilia! But there is no handle I can find.

Frustrated by this, I contacted our base. I asked first for a report.

Ilia, rescue operations are in high gear. We do not yet have accurate counts regarding casualties in the city. However the medical team tells us they are not as high as they first expected. We have observed no activity in the direction of Mashouah, nor any other potential attacker. Ouilia Boker is returning to base, leaving his klaef under the command of his sub-commanders. There was a moment of silence, then, Ouilia asks if you require assistance or have further orders?

No further orders, I'm sure Boker has everything well in hand. Commander, I need technical support up here. We need technicians, and probably a cutter team.

Yes sir, I'll order this immediately!

And Commander. This operation is to be considered Blood Restricted. I don't want it getting out what we are finding here. And I need more troops up here. Two more companies should do. Have them come by way of Venass. If anyone is spotted moving from Venass toward this site, they are to be intercepted, and ordered to return to their homes.

––––––––

∞

––––––––

Came the gloaming, and the black inky darkness of pre-moon night wafted down like a soft blanket. I cocked my head, listening. At first, I could discern nothing. But then as a sliver of the ruby red Cayeb, our second moon, eased over the mountains behind me, the barely perceptible thrum of carrier engines caught my ear. The humming intensified and soon, several carriers arrived bringing additional resources to assist us in our efforts. Without awaiting orders, technicians swarmed from the carriers, setting up lights around the vessel and all the surrounding area. The field medics quickly established a field hospital, and other troops began setting up the bivouac for it was obvious I would have troops here for a prolonged period.

Boker's second, Nislayn, approached.

Ilia, I've arrived with half a klaef to support your operations here. We spotted a crowd coming in from Venass and I dispatched one carrier to intercept them and send them back to town. That carrier is further ordered to make a circuit of all nearby towns to prevent the curious from coming to snoop.

I smiled and nodded in acknowledgement.

Thank you, Nislayn.

A man I did not recognize, who wore the insignia of a civilian scientist, approached me.

Ilia pa Argisal, with all due respect, this is a civilian matter. Please, have your men stand down. We will approach this ship in a calm, logical fashion. I don't think a military action is necessary.

I leaned toward him, peering pointedly at his insignia tab.

Scientist Gregtu, this is not a civilian matter until I decide it is. A scientific approach is well and good. But I must exercise caution as well. I will give you and your staff, along with my technicians, two hours to gain access to the ship, after which I will set charges and blow our way in. Warriors will be the first to enter. Once the ship is secure inside and out, I will allow your personnel entry. I held up a hand forestalling complaint. There will be no argument, Gregtu. Until I know what we have here, this is a military operation, and I must consider any living being in that vessel an enemy until I know otherwise. My companions will know how to disable and restrain anyone on board without killing.

As you order, Ilia. Gregtu walked away and climbed to the top of the vessel. There he huddled with several other civilian and warrior technicians. I dispatched two warriors to guard them, and to ensure my orders were followed. Another small group of warriors remained nearby in case more than two guards became necessary for any reason.

I regarded their activity for several minutes, then abruptly turned and made my way to the tent Nislayn established as the command tent. There I found Skene and Nislayn enjoying a cup of hot dovir. Passing a table, I snagged a chair as I walked toward them. Setting the chair heavily before them, I straddled it and sat. A young warrior handed me a cup of dovir, spilling a little, burning the side of my hand. I stifled an angry bark, but glared at the young troop. He bowed his head, waiting for the reprimand. But Skene spoke first.

Warrior, leave us. Make sure none enter. When the warrior hesitated, Skene raised a brow, and rose to his feet. The warrior gulped loudly, saluted and quickly left the tent. Skene sat, turning in my direction. Ieshta, you have to watch that temper!

I grinned into my cup and shrugged an acknowledgement.

We chatted, lightheartedly, about the weather. Studiously avoiding what we had seen earlier that afternoon, our conversation turned, as the talk of warriors inevitably will, to the battles we had fought, and to the truce so recently signed. But this brought us round to the subject we did not wish to discuss. For the truce was shattered, and the prospects for war seemed all too probable. Nislayn deflected this thread of conversation, telling us his family reported new births, and expressing a desire, when circumstances permitted, to return to the family villa to meet his new siblings.

Warriors sacrifice much, not least the loss of the joys of parenthood. We do not have the luxury of settling down, raising our own families. Perhaps, one day, when vShole is united, that will change. In the meantime, we rejoice in our families' births, new siblings, new cousins, we spoil them! That is an ancillary duty of the warrior!

The flap of the tent brushed aside, and Tarreel entered.

Ilia, the technicians have discovered how to effect entry. They ask if you wish to be present when they breach the, the...hull.

Skene, you, Nislayn and Tarreel will enter the ship. I will come with you to the breaching.

Leaving the tent, we all proceeded to the roof of the ship. There, one of my warriors stood near a small opening, obviously preventing Gregtu from touching it. I stood off to one side, nodded to the warrior, and watched as Gregtu and another scientist along with one of my technical