Queen's Gambit: The Veterans of the Psychic Wars, #6

By R Thomas McPherson

The Galactic game of conquest.

McNair is sent on a mission to keep two enemy forces from making an alliance.

Moves and countermoves.

The last Trehim is on the move.

Pieces are in place and the final battle is about to occur.

Who will win and who will lose? And what will it cost?

Find out in the thrilling conclusion of

The Veterans of the Psychic Wars

Queen's Gambit

• Language: English
• Publisher: New Atlantic Industries
• Release date: Dec 15, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393151500

Book preview

Prologue

Class

IT WAS A WARM SPRING day. The sun was behind the tree that was giving shade to the old man that was sitting on a park bench. Across the walkway in front of him was the statue of the great Captain McNair.

Little did they know. He sat there shaking his head, thinking about the statue. His thoughts were interrupted by a group of children coming down the walkway. The kids were herded along by a young man that was talking to them about the Trehim.

The old man on the bench smiled as he realized that this was a class of students. As the group came up to the statue, the young man said, This is Captain McNair. The one and only man that could capture the Trehim.

The Teacher read the plaque at the base of the statue. In dedication of Captain Jay McNair. A leader of men and the liberator of the galaxy. He paused a moment. The Statue was built to commemorate the capture of the final Trehim. As the Captain put it, ‘This brought the galactic game of conquest to an end.’"

He never said that at all, said the old man from the bench. It was then that the class turned and noticed the old man.

Excuse me sir, but I’m trying to teach my class. The young man seemed a little irritated with the interruption.

I suppose he was your hero?

Captain McNair was a great man. So yes, he was my hero. It seemed that the teacher didn’t want to be put on the spot.

Then why don’t you tell them the truth instead of the political tripe you people have been spreading about him for the last fifty years. McNair was a mean nasty man who just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time, so quite naturally he became a hero.

What are you talking about, he was a great man. He is the reason we have the peace and prosperity we enjoy. He got rid of the menace that wanted to control and destroy the galaxy.

Yeah, according to the propaganda. He was a reluctant hero that only did what he needed to survive. Anything else they teach is nothing more than lies.

How can you say that? the young teacher seemed flustered. He was able to do what no other man could.

True, but I’ll tell you something else, he had a lot of help by people you know nothing about. You know nothing about them because they were not in the news, he was. It was all centered around him for a reason. The old man looked at the children. Would you like to know the truth about what happened? The old man pointed at one of the boys. You son, what is your name?

The boy looked shaken but answered, Bobby

Bobby, would you like to hear the real story. The story of soldiers of light and armies of darkness. Great battles, and terrible mistakes. The true story.

Sir you can’t be doing this. You can’t tell these kids... The teacher’s certainty seemed to be shaken.

I can’t tell them, what? The truth. And the truth is that McNair was pretty worthless.

That’s not what the history books say. The young teacher was starting to get flushed with anger.

Yeah, well the history books lie.

That’s it, I’m going to go get the authorities. And the young teacher stormed off.

The old man thought it was odd that he left his students behind.

Bobby looked up at the old man. The question was asked with honest curiosity. How do you know that the history books lie?

New Atlantic never tells anyone the whole truth, and I know because I was there. I saw it all happen. I know how the last Trehim was captured and I know McNair didn’t do it.

Then who did? said Bobby. He seemed to be the spokesman for the class because the old man singled him out.

The old man looked around at all the faces and everyone was interested. Do you all want to hear this story? There were nods of agreement from all the children. It started like this. . .

Chapter One

Intelligence

ADMIRAL SHEPARD WAS sitting at his desk staring at the hologram. He was trying to find a battle plan that would end the war without extreme loss of life. He kept referring to Ashanty’s map that showed the location of the Trehim.

Ever since the capture of the Trehim by Leland, the last Trehim had been on the move. She never stayed any place for more than a few days.

The problem was that her moves were completely random. She would be at a major base one day and a small colony the next.

There were several times that Shepard had made plans to go and get her, only to find that she had moved again.

This Trehim was taking no chances. So, Shepard had no choice but to look at from a battle front perspective. The problem with that was that the Banith were a formidable enemy. Any campaign into Banith territory would be costly battle. And that was a price that Shepard was not willing to pay.

So, day after day Shepard sat looking at the map trying to see if there was any thing that he missed. His thoughts were interrupted by the blinking on this desk letting him know that he had a call. Looking over to see who it was, he shut down the hologram glad for the interruption. It was Ashanty. Shepard hit the button and said, Yes Matriarch, what can I do for you?

We have a massage coming in and you should be on the command deck to hear it.

Before Shepard had a chance to reply, Ashanty winked out and the screen went blank. I hate when she does that. He stood and headed for the command deck. He wasn’t in a hurry, but neither did he waist time.

Shepard had come to understand that Ashanty did, what she did, and when did for reasons only know to her. He realized that she cut the conversation so he would leave when he needed to go.

So, it was no surprise that as he stepped onto the command deck, he heard the comm’s tell Trish, Captain, we have an incoming burst transmission from a Caltarie source.

No one on the command deck had noticed that Shepard had arrived. Everyone had their minds on their stations, and Trish had her attention the comm’s station.

That is something I need to hear, said Shepard. There were times like that Shepard thought it was a good idea to make his staff think he was all knowing. It was far from the truth, but they had to believe in him, or all hope was lost.

Admiral, said Trish. She was very startled that Shepard was behind her. When did you come in?

Just now, I believe that transmission is for me. Go ahead and play it.

I don’t know if you are going to get this, but I have to warn you.

It was a recorded audio file. It had noise and static, but what struck Shepard the most was the voice. It sounded mechanical, like the translator orbs used by the Caltarie.

"The independent Caltarie fleet is moving into Banith space. We are gathering at the Kareash system. There we will wait for any ship that wants to join us. In three days, we will be meeting with the Banith at Voltshire to give them a gift.

It was hard to hear with all the static and noise, but the news filled Shepard’s veins with ice water. The thought of 1/3rd of the Caltarie fleet joining the Banith was chilling him to the very core of his existence.

I don’t know what this gift is, but I know that it was meant to cement the relationship between the two groups. I’ve got to go.

Ashanty wanted him to hear this, wanted him to be here. Without know how he knew, something told him that Ashanty was standing behind him, just like he was standing behind Trish. What do you think Matriarch? said Shepard without even turning to see if she was there.

I think we need to stop this from happening.

I suppose you have a plan?

I do, said Ashanty.

Trish I’m going to need your office. The Matriarch and I are going to be in conference.

Yes, Sir.

Shepard turned and headed for Trish’s office. He stopped when Ashanty said to Trish, If the Queen of the Caltarie servers makes contact would you please put it through to your office.

Yes mam.

Both Shepard and Ashanty went the flight of stairs to Trish’s office. Shepard took the visitors chair and let Ashanty have the seat behind Trish’s desk.

So, what is it you have in mind? said Shepard as they seated themselves.

The only way to stop this is to sow mistrust between the two groups. First find Comata and send him is as one of the independent Caltarie. Once they meet up with the Banith he is to fire on the Banith and jump out. The Banith will believe that they have been betrayed and fire back.

That sounds like a plan. But I see one problem with that situation. We can’t send Comata in by himself.

No, we can’t. Ashanty said this in a way that Shepard knew what she meant. They were talking about McNair.

Do you think he will go? said Shepard.

Yes, I do. The only reason Jay has tolerated being here on the station is his family. He isn’t a diplomat. He would rather use guns than words. He is to the point where he would do anything to get away from the petty bickering of the ambassadors.

Yeah, I can see that.

A beeping noise from the desk let Ashanty know that her call was coming through. Yes Trish. Transfer the call.

Shepard sat back and listened to the conversation between the Queen and Ashanty.

So, I take you know what is going on with the rouge Caltarie fleet? said Ashanty.

I do, but why am I not surprised that you know?

The queen was using one of the translation orbs. Shepard was surprised that there was no static or other noise. There was something, he couldn’t say it was wrong nor could he say it was right.

We have a plan, infiltrate with a Caltarie ship and open fire on the Banith, said Ashanty.

I see how that could work. Might I suggest that you take Troy with you. He could talk to the Caltarie in the rouge fleet.

I could see how that could work. Please forgive me but time is short, and we need to get things moving.

Understood, out, said the Queen and the screen winked out.

Shepard looked at Ashanty in amazement. How do you get so much done in so few words?

I know the right words, said Ashanty with a smile. I’ll go make arrangements, get up here and have him hear that recordings."

Chapter Two

Diplomat

WE NEED TO CUT SPENDING on the war, and invest in our domestic economies, said the Croth ambassador. There were rattles of agreement from around the room. The war is almost over, and we have spent much to buy our freedom and now is the time to enjoy those freedoms.