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  Mace said, “Let’s just hope they’re free to do so.”

  Chapter 6

  *

  Shuttle five was moved to a location near shuttle three. Mace walked around, feeling about in the air for the hidden craft, locating it after a fifteen minute search. A rap of his gloved knuckles on the hull had the ramp open. Johnny was following.

  Jane was sitting with her arms crossed. “The queen is preparing for the gala. Her advisors are sitting in a room nearby. No talk of Favia.”

  Mace replied, “We think this operation is being run by two people. A General Keona and an Admiral Blogue. The advisors would be working for those two. The impostor will be making a speech about this war tonight and will leave immediately afterward. We need to find Favia, as the general wants her done away with once this war is over. Not sure how we’re gonna find her. I don’t think the general is planning a visit.”

  Fatso Geerok said, “I may have an idea. Do you have enough of Keona’s conversations recorded to run them through the translator?”

  Mace nodded. “I should.”

  Geerok smiled. “So… we grab Keona. We use his comm to connect to his associates that have Favia, and we tell them to bring her to us, using his voice. That would be coming from his comm and in his voice… they won’t refuse his order.”

  Johnny said, “You’re getting good at these Human games, Geerok.”

  The former Mawga Admiral nodded. “I’ll take that as praise.”

  Mace added: “That sounds like a plan we could implement… if we knew the comm to call.”

  “So we make him give it to us,” said Johnny. “I’ll grab and hold him, you interrogate him as a Harpoonian, threatening his life.”

  Jane cut in. “How about this… grab him and tell him you want Favia for crimes committed against your friends the Karthians. He might just view that as a way to get rid of her without having to do it himself.”

  “That would pose a problem with the new queen still being here,” said Mace. “The Harpoonians might think they were being given an impostor.”

  Jane laughed. “So he would worry about a fictitious monster being upset later that he gave them a bum deal? Don’t you think that might be over-thinking it a bit?”

  Jenny said, “I like Mr. Geerok’s original plan. Doesn’t leave any guesswork. We just have to hold Keona until we have Favia.”

  Mace nodded. “I agree. Jane?”

  “I could get behind that as well.”

  Mace stood. “Good. Johnny and I will make the grab after the gala. Hopefully we can have Favia back in power before the night is over here.”

  “So what do we do?” asked Jane.

  Mace replied, “You tail the impostor and her phony advisors. We might want you to grab them at some point.”

  Johnny stopped in front of the ramp. “What about Blogue?”

  Mace shook his head. “I don’t see Blogue going anywhere. He’ll be easy for them to pick up. We can send him a comm from Keona telling him to just sit tight.”

  The ramp opened and the two Humans hopped to the ground. A short walk and a rap of knuckles had them back aboard shuttle five.

  Mace said, “Take us back. The gala is being held at the palace. You can drop us in the courtyard. We’ll make our way from there.”

  The gala was being held in the Grand Hall. White marble floors stretched forty meters across and a hundred meters back. Massive entry doors stood at one end, with a low balcony at the other. The guests would fill the hall and the queen would make an appearance on the balcony.

  Afterward, the guests would disperse, moving into separate venues being held in halls that bordered the Grand Hall. Of the four side halls, one would hold a buffet of finger foods and drinks, one civic entertainment with bands and celebrities; one was business-oriented, where many of the business CEOs networked with their government counterparts; and the final hall was military related, and was expected to be filled to capacity, given the current state of war of the Hoorka Dominion.

  Johnny walked invisibly behind Mace with his hand on his shoulder as they entered the hall before the event was to begin. “Wow. Now this is a place worthy of giving a speech.”

  Mace replied, “We need to scout the balcony entrances and exits. If the impostor is up there speaking, Keona will be right there with her. We let her give the speech and we then look for an opportunity to grab him.”

  The duo walked the balcony and the area behind it, which held a dozen different changing and meeting rooms.

  Mace walked into an empty conference room. “I think this is our spot. Doesn’t look like it’s being set up for anything, and the door has a lock on it. We grab Keona, shove him in here and get to business.”

  Johnny said, “And if he doesn’t cooperate?”

  “We make him.”

  The grand doors of the hall were opened and guests started streaming through, moving quickly to the front to be close to their queen.

  Mace and Johnny stood out of the way to the side as two guards took position nearby.

  The first guard said, “Did you see the size of the crowd outside? This might be bigger than the coronation event. Looks like it will be a long night.”

  The second guard replied, “Just keep your eyes peeled for suspicious activity. The queen is a politician. The people love her, but that doesn’t mean everyone does. There are always winners and losers when it comes to policy decisions. She’s stepped on a few toes of the old guard.”

  The first shook his head. “Things are so much better since she came to power. People seem more relaxed in general.”

  The second frowned. “That may be changing tonight. I hear the speech will be about a new war we are involved in.”

  The first pulled back. “The Dedrus? I thought that had been settled?”

  “Just wait and listen,” said the second. “Might even be two wars this time.”

  The first guard’s eyes widened to give a bug-eyed appearance before moving back to little more than slits. He repeated the movement several times.

  Johnny chuckled and whispered. “Please tell me he’s not gonna be doing that all night. I won’t be able to hold it back.”

  Mace whispered back in anger. “Shut your hole.”

  As the hall reached capacity, the queen’s guard marched onto the balcony, standing at attention in their high dress and extravagant uniforms. The crowd quieted, going completely silent as the queen emerged from the back of the balcony. The hall was soon full of guttural clicks and clapping as the queen took position, center rail. As expected, Keona and Blogue entered behind her, standing with a group of other military leaders.

  The impostor queen spread her arms out wide. The crowd quieted.

  “My people … my precious Hoorka. I stand before you today with incredible news. News of war. Our forces have defeated the vile Karthians. Their fleets and their defenses have been crushed. We are only at the beginning of bringing much of their great wealth back here to Promexa.

  “As you know, not long ago the Karthians, unprovoked, attacked one of our territories. After a quick peace accord, their treachery showed as they again violated our space. I am here to tell you this evening that their threat is no more. The remaining Karthians are now subjects of the Hoorka Dominion!”

  The crowd responded with more clicks, grunts, and hand claps.

  Favia held up a hand. “My people … there is more that I am here to tell you about tonight. A second species, both hostile and foul, chose to take up arms against us as a result of our victory over the Karthians. This other empire, calling itself the United Front, has been an aggressor, attacking and subjugating other species as they seek to expand their territories.

  “After being advised by my war council, I made the decision to take action to protect my people. War was declared against the United Front only days ago. I am here tonight to give you status. We’re winning…”

  The queen paused for applause as she smiled and looked over the crowd. “Only this morning… I received word�
� the capital planet of the United Front has fallen. Also… much of their once formidable fleet… has been destroyed. The fight with the UF is far from over, but we’ve taken the first steps and expect to have more victories, substantial victories, in the coming weeks.”

  The impostor held both arms out to her sides. “We will crush this aggressor as well as any others that obstruct our path to peace and prosperity. Our empire, the Hoorka Dominion, following these conflicts, will see a period of peace and prosperity like none before. With the overthrow and capture of these two empires, we will add well over a hundred colonizable worlds.

  “So you would ask, aside from peace, what will this mean for the common citizen? I am putting together a plan that would give property rights on some of these worlds to each and every Hoorka citizen. How one makes use of that property will be entirely up to the individual. Sell it, homestead it… whatever your heart desires. We will all benefit from these wars!

  “A lasting result of this approaching period of peace and prosperity will be our ability to defend ourselves from the Dedrus. No longer will they hold threat over us. We will become powerful beyond their belief, and with that power comes security. All of you standing here tonight should make note of this event, remembering that you were here when the Dominion renaissance began. A moment of true greatness for our people!

  “In the coming days and weeks you will hear more about our efforts. There may be setbacks and struggles. Our forces will take losses. But know that they fight for us all. They fight for our freedom. They fight for the Hoorka Dominion. They fight for our future… a future that will bring peace and prosperity to us all!”

  The queen bowed and turned. The grand hall roared with thunderous applause. The impostor soon left the balcony, followed by her military chiefs. Mace and Johnny slipped out into the back halls. Keona was standing with Blogue in front of the door of the very room Mace had scouted. The door opened with Keona clumsily stepping backward as if to keep from falling. Blogue stepped forward only to have the door slammed in his face. Confused and frustrated by the rude behavior, the Hoorka admiral turned and slowly walked away.

  Keona was pushed into a chair by an invisible force. An image of a Harpoonian appeared in front of him.

  Mace said, “Cry for help and I will end your life.”

  An indignant general replied, “Who are you and what is the meaning of this?”

  Mace leaned in. “You are holding the queen against her will. You will call your associates and order them to bring her to you.”

  Keona scowled. “I don’t know what you are talking about. Release me now and I will see to it that you go free.”

  Mace shook his head. “No, you will give the order as asked or I will devour you. Starting with your head. I like the taste of Hoorka.”

  Keona’s expression changed from one of defiance to one of concern. “I cannot order her release. I gave the command that she be disposed of just before the queen’s speech. She is probably dead by now.”

  Mace reached out, grabbing the general’s fat cheeks with his right hand. “You will open a comm to your associates and give the order. If the queen should already be dead, you will suffer a far worse fate. As I said, I enjoy the taste of Hoorka. And I am a slow eater. Perhaps I will start with one of your hands so that you may watch.”

  Keona slowly nodded. “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to comm. She may still be alive.”

  Johnny released the general’s arms, allowing him to open a comm.

  As the comm channel was selected, Mace placed his hand over the general’s, forcing it against the arm of the chair he was seated in. “Should this comm not be to the proper associates, I will begin my meal immediately. Make this comm a voice-only conversation.”

  Keona nodded. “OK. And it’s to the right people. I just hope we aren’t too late.”

  The comm opened to a reply. “General, the subject has been removed.”

  Johnny clasped his hand over the general’s mouth. Mace, in the general’s voice, said, “I have new orders for you. The queen is to be taken to the following coordinates immediately and without hesitation. Our plans rely fully on this action taking place.”

  The voice was silent for several seconds. “General, you ordered that she be disposed of. That order may be irreversible.”

  Mace replied using the general’s voice. “The plan has changed. We need her. See to it that she is secure. We need her for the next part of this plan or our lives will come to a swift and brutal end. Comm me back when you have knowledge of her current standing.”

  The comm closed. Johnny released the general’s face.

  Keona narrowed his already slitted eyes. “Who are you and why do you want the queen?”

  Mace thought and replied: “She wronged my people. We had a deal that she has broken. The Karthian gatrellium mines were supposed to be ours. We want justice.”

  The general perked up. “Gatrellium? What if I could provide you with gatrellium?”

  Mace’s monstrous image returned a scowl. “And why would we trust another Hoorka?”

  The general smiled. “Because I have the connections to make it happen. The rest of the government will not even know. And this alleviates our issue of the queen possibly already being dead. She no longer matters.”

  Mace growled. “She does matter. We are a vengeful people. We want our pound of flesh. She must be alive to face the justice she deserves. The gatrellium… that we can take at will if needed. Your defenses cannot stop us.”

  “Yes, but—”

  Mace reached for the general’s hand. “The queen is turned over to us alive or I will have my fill of you.”

  The general’s comm sounded.

  Mace answered with the general’s voice. “Yes?”

  “Sir, I found her. She was to be hunted for sport and then slaughtered and disposed of. She will be delivered to the coordinates you have given at the time requested.”

  Mace said, “See to it she is or I will personally shove your head into a container of maggi worms.”

  The voice was silent for several seconds before giving a reply. “Yes… yes, sir. She will be there.”

  Johnny lifted the general from his chair.

  Mace moved close to his face, his monstrous image licking its lips. “You will be going with us for the exchange, General. You will not talk to anyone along the way or I will be forced to take unpleasant action, the result of which will still be you being eaten by me. Any bold or subtle moves and your time in this life will come to an end.”

  The door opened to a nearly empty back balcony area. The general stepped into the hall with the feeling of strong hands wrapped around his thin neck. Two guards watched as the general moved with an unusual gait. A quick determination was made by both that a drunken general was not their concern. A short walk had the threesome moving through the palace and stopping in the courtyard.

  Mace asked, “How long would you estimate it will take for them to arrive?”

  The general replied, “Fifteen minutes. They will be coming from the landing pad.”

  Mace winced. “There are a number of people coming and going there. How will they get her here without being seen?”

  The general sighed. “She is sealed in a container. It has a gravity lift. It can be pushed here from the landing. My men have the clearances to move about as they like. They will be here on time.”

  Mace pointed at the general’s arm. “Your pad. Give it to me.”

  “It will do you no good. It will only attach to its owner.”

  “You will do well to not attempt any bold moves, General. Give me the pad or I will remove your arm with it.”

  The arm pad was shut down and detached. Several minutes later, two Hoorka came into the courtyard pushing the floating container.

  The first guard said, “Here she is, General. Safe and sound. I must apologize for my men having already taken a few liberties with her. She is bruised but in otherwise good condition. They were in the process of giving her a good b
eating when I commed. May I ask what our new plans for her are?”

  The general stood. “No, you may not.”

  The container was opened and the Hoorka queen helped out to the ground.

  Favia said, “General Keona? What are you doing here? What is happening?”

  The general said, “Take the container and leave. I will call you back if needed.”

  Favia said, “What is happening? Why am I here?”

  The general replied, “Please be patient. I will explain it once my associates have gone. I must apologize for the heavy-handedness of my men. They were not acting under my orders.”

  As the men exited the courtyard, Favia said, “I don’t understand. Please explain to me what is happening.”

  Mace said, “General, if you care to live you will leave immediately without another word said.”

  The general stood and walked in the direction of the landing pad. As soon as he was out of sight, Mace reached up and rapped on the hull of shuttle five with his knuckles. The ramp lowered, Favia was taken by the arms and assisted up the ramp. When the ramp had closed, Mace and Johnny turned off their holo-projectors.

  Favia returned a shocked expression. “Please explain to me what is and has been happening.”

  “Have a seat,” Mace said. “We just saved your life. We have a lot to discuss.”

  Chapter 7

  *

  Shuttle five landed in the docking bay of the Organ Cave. Favia was escorted to the med bay where the bruises from her beating were looked after. From there, Mace escorted her into a conference room. An image of the UF capital world was displayed.

  Mace said, “You were taken hostage and replaced with an impostor. So far as we know, this was set up by General Keona and Admiral Blogue. With your replacement in position, an attack was ordered against the Karthian worlds. Your fleet took possession of about a third of their colonies, including their gatrellium mines. Once those had been taken and sufficiently stripped, the impostor queen ordered a second attack on the United Front. This image is of their capital world, which your forces took control of today.”

  Favia was silent for most of a minute as she took in the information. “Keona did this?”