A twisted reflection

fantastic start.really gripping..keep it up.

Another Komnenos' AAR beginning! Grabbing the popcorn...

Glad your enjoying it guys. I'll try and keep the updates coming as quick as I can.

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Chapter 2: The Invisible Hand

Major Lindis had just arrived on the Devoa system’s military starbase. He was tired and irritated. He had just journeyed across three sectors to follow up a lead on a possible spy. A lead that was probably a wild goose chase concocted by the Empire’s enemies. But still duty demanded that he investigate that lead.

After stowing his belongings in the temporary accommodations Lindis made his way up to the stations command centre along with two military police officers. Lindis was impeccably dressed in his best uniform. Blue and black tunic and trousers, complete with cap, leather gloves and jack boots, he cut an intimidating image.

He strode into the command centre like the lord of a manor surveying his estate. “You two, wait here” he decreed to the military police officers.

He walked straight into the station commander’s office. “Major Elan Lindis, Internal Security sir. Glory to the Empire” he said as he snapped off a salute.

“Glory to the Empire” the commander replied. “I am Colonel Aerus, the station commander. What can I do for Internal Security today Major?”

“I regret Colonel that one of your officers may be a spy. My duty requires that I question and examine one Lieutenant Darue currently in your service.”

“Of course Major. Internal Security will have our complete and utter cooperation in this matter.”

“I hope so Colonel, Internal Security expects nothing less.”

The formalities complete Lindis exited the Colonel’s office, and walked back onto the command centre’s central deck. He motioned to the military police officers to join him, and then walked over to the unsuspecting Lieutenant.

“Lieutenant Neirin Darue. By the authority of the Internal Security Service of the Altairian Empire you are hereby remanded in custody on suspicion of espionage and sedition against the state. Take him away.”

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Lieutenant Darue did not want to give up his secrets easily. Lindis was uncomfortable to go straight to the interrogation of a fellow Altairian, not least on the word of a Drengin. To avoid this path Lindis had instead enlisted the aid of the stations chief medical officer Dr. Mancer. Lindis hoped that Dr. Mancer would be able to determine whether or not Darue was truly an Altairian.

“How much longer is this going to take doctor? Your scanners have been active for over an hour now.”

“Patience Major. I’m not conducting a standard medical exam here. The instruments I’m using are state of the art. Their normal use is the classification and study of new life forms. This scan will reveal the slightest abnormalities or deviations from baseline Altairian physiology. If your prisoner is a shape shifter this scan will reveal him.”

The scanners continued for what seemed like an eternity. Finally the scanners bleeped to indicate the completion of the analysis. Dr. Mancer peered intensely over the results.

“Well Major, this is interesting.”

“What’s the verdict doctor, is he a shape shifter?”

“I believe so Major. In almost every way the prisoner appears to be Altairian, even down to the genetic level. However there are a few unusual components of his biology I cannot account for. His body contains high levels of a protein that the scanners predict to have morphogenic properties. His cells also contain a second load of genetic material isolated in cytosolic vesicles. This second genome contains reptilian marker sequences. As crazy as it sounds I believe your lead on Drath shape shifters was correct.”

“Thank you doctor. I’m sure you understand that this matter is extremely sensitive. I trust that you will exercise discretion?”

“Without question Major. I shall tell no one.”

******************

Armed with the results from Dr. Mancer the interrogation had proceeded well for Lindis. Lieutenant Darue had quickly confessed that he was a Drath when faced with the scan results. Indeed the prisoner was suspiciously forward coming with information. Now the objective was to find out whom exactly the Drath really were and why they were working for the enemy.

“Tell me Drath, who are your people and why do you work against the Altairian Empire?”

“Have your people forgotten us so easily Altairian? We are the race that inhabited Altaria before the creation of your kind. Your emergence and your rapid rise to dominance on Altaria forced our relocation to another world. Had we not left we would have perished amidst your ancient wars. We are the true Altairians.”

“I would be careful where you make that claim Drath. Such a claim would go against Imperial doctrine. Many in the Empire would take offense to your claims.”

“Yes I’m sure they would. That would explain your kind exterminating my kind.”

“But surely that is ancient history. I grant you the wars between the early Altairian nations were brutal. But thankfully our ancestors were able to unify the Altairian people with the aid of the Dread Lords.”

“Clearly you do not know. No, I suppose the fate of the Drath would not be public knowledge for your people. The Altairian Empire seems to value its secrets.”

“Speak plainly Drath. Tell me of your people. What has earned us your enmity?”

“Very well Altairian, I shall start at the beginning. Your legends of us, from what I know of them, are quite accurate. Following our departure from Altaria we were relocated to a distant world named Dratha. We built up our civilisation there in peace and isolation. Eventually we obtained hyperdrive technology from the unmanned probes the Terrans sent out through the galaxy. The Drath Legion then spread into the stars, although our expansion was hampered by our species’ low reproduction rate. Eventually your people discovered us through our Korx surrogates. They said we represented a threat to the survival of the Altarian Empire, and a threat to the truth of Imperial doctrine. And thus your people began the extermination of my race. Those few of us that survived took refuge with your enemies. In time we reformed our civilisation’s espionage agency, the Invisible Hand. It was the only way we could contribute to the war against you.”

“An impressive story. But it cannot be true. My people would never exterminate another race. Imperial doctrine clearly states that Altarians have the manifest destiny to rule over the lesser races for their protection, and so that they might be enlightened by Altairian culture. That can’t be achieved if a race is exterminated. You must be mistaken.”

“Open your eyes Altairian. Can you not see the corruption and deception that is endemic to your society? Your government does one thing and tells its citizens it has done another. Anyone who disagrees with the official line is dealt with by officers like you.”

“You cannot make such claims without proof Drath. I trust that you have some?”

“I do. Look to the Deimos Cluster, the former location of the Drath Legion. And look in your own records and those of your Korx allies. The extermination of a race is a hard thing to conceal. Some trace of evidence will remain in the classified records you have access to. It must.”

“Very well Drath. I will look for your ‘evidence’. If only to prove it does not exist. Then we will discuss the true nature and motives of your people. In the meantime thank you for your ... cooperation.”

As he left the prison block Lindis felt disappointed. He had another seemingly dodgy lead to follow up. This was not going to be an easy assignment.

Chapter 3: Digging for answers

Lindis yawned. He had started work early this morning. He had been given use of a small office in the starbase’s Intelligence Centre. He had a lot of research to do proving or disproving Lt. Darue’s story. Some of the pieces had fallen into place though. Firstly a full analysis of Lt. Darue’s secondary genome, kindly conducted overnight by Dr. Mancer, had confirmed beyond a shadow of a doubt that Darue was indeed Drath. Lindis had stared in awe at the hologram of the being predicted to grow from that secondary genome. The reptilian being in the hologram exceeded six metres in height. Clearly everything the ancient legends said about the Drath was true, and more.

Lindis had also done a thorough survey of the historical database, specifically concerning first contact with the Korx. The first records detailed a wave of attacks by Korx vessels and soldiers on outlying Altairian colonies. The resulting war had lasted several months before the Altairian Fleet had sent the invaders scurrying back to their own space. An armistice was signed soon after. Diplomatic relations had developed quickly with the Korx after that. Korx merchants flooded into the Altairian Empire, bringing enormous benefit to the Imperial economy. The strong friendship and economic importance of the Korx had eventually resulted in the creation of a formal alliance between the Altairian Empire and the Dominion of Korx.

That seemed like a neat and tidy history, but something had bothered Lindis. Lt. Darue had mentioned the Korx working for the Drath Legion. And the funny thing was that claim was oddly credible. The Korx that Lindis had met had all been congenital cowards. In his experience the Korx shied away from war, as it damaged their economic opportunities. When Korx did fight it was their poor who did the actual fighting, and they invariably made some Korx very rich in the process. In short the Korx would only engage in warfare when paid exorbitant sums of money. So why had the Korx launched raids against Altairian colonies right off the bat? The only answer that fitted with the Korx psyche was that they were paid to attack the Altairians. And given Lt. Darue’s story the Drath were the logical paymasters.

So it appeared Lindis would have to look for other holes in Lt. Darue’s story. Next on the list was researching the supposed home cluster of the Drath Legion.

“Computer, access astronomical records of the Deimos cluster.”

A hologram of the galaxy sprang to life above the desk. The image zoomed in to an isolated section of the galactic rim, and a red triangle formed around a small area.

DEIMOS CLUSTER. FORMER STAR CLUSTER LOCATED IN THE WESTERN RIM. ALL STARS IN THIS CLUSTER HAVE REACHED THE END OF THEIR LIVES AND UNDERGONE SUPERNOVAE SOMETIME IN THE LAST 10 STANDARD YEARS. ANALYSIS OF THE DEBRIS INDICATED SEVEN FORMER PLANETARY SYSTEMS IN THIS CLUSTER.

That was odd. His astronomy lessons in high school had taught him that on average only one supernova occurred every 50 years in the entire galaxy. Somehow one isolated cluster had racked up seven in the last 10 years.

“Computer, can the supernovas in this cluster be dated?”

RADIOGENIC DATING AND DEBRIS ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT SUPERNOVAE OCCURED WITHIN THE LAST 10 STANDARD YEARS. EXACT DATES ARE UNAVAILABLE.

“Computer, access scientific database. List papers that discuss the supernovas.”

3 RESULTS FOUND. LISTING.

3 results? That seemed rather low for a scientific oddity like this. Lindis quickly read the listed papers. Or at least he tried to; he was no scientist after all. The three papers only briefly mentioned the supernovas. None of the papers offered any kind of analysis on the phenomenon and none of the papers were written by eminent scientists. That was unusual. The astronomical science community had to be aware of the unusual supernovas; after all they compiled the star charts and annotated the database. Why would they be silent on such an astronomical oddity?

“Computer, access previous versions of the galactic map for the last 15 years. Identify the last map in which the cluster’s stars are present.”

UNABLE TO COMPLY. THE REQUESTED DATA WAS REMOVED FROM THE DATABASE BY THE ALTAIRIAN ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY.

Then he remembered Lt. Darue had said look to the Korx’s records. It was worth a try.  The Korx cut costs, and by extension cut corners wherever they could. They might not have bothered to eliminate a few old star maps from their public records.

“Computer, access hypernet. Establish a link to the Public Records Bureau on the Korx homeworld.”

LINK ESTABLISHED.

“Computer, repeat search for the cluster’s stars in historical star charts in the Korx database.”

DATA FOUND. STARS IN THE DEIMOS CLUSTER ARE PRESENT IN HISTORICAL STAR CHARTS UNTIL 4 STANDARD YEARS AGO. THE STANDARD SEARCH FEE HAS BEEN DEDUCTED FROM YOUR ACCOUNT.

That got Lindis’ attention. Not only did all seven stars go supernova within the same year, the year they had done it in aligned alarmingly with Lt. Darue’s story. It had been 5 years since first contact with the Korx. If the Korx had revealed the existence of the Drath and the Empire had launched a campaign to exterminate them, then four years ago would have been the most likely time period for that to occur.

By surely this must be wrong. Imperial doctrine would not allow such a thing. It was the very foundation of Altairian society. It was drilled into every Altairian child from a young age. To go against Imperial doctrine was the highest crime in Altairian society. However coincidental the timing the Altairian Empire could not be responsible. Supernovae were after all natural phenomena. It must all be a massive coincidence. A coincidence that the Drath he was holding was using to spin him a tall tale. The trouble was Lindis’ training as a security officer had taught him not to believe in coincidences. There was a way to settle this doubt.

“Computer, access hypernet. Establish a link to the Intelligence Services database, authorisation Lindis 07-92-38.”

SECURE LINK ESTABLISHED.

“Computer, access Black Fleet records. Display mission reports and logistical logs for four years ago.”

Lindis had his worst suspicions confirmed. The Black Fleet was a fleet of ships under the direct command of the Intelligence Services. They did the Internal and the External Security Service’s wet work. They also carried out almost all of the classified missions conducted by the Altairian military. The mission records for the year in question reported a relatively quiet year. The logistical logs didn’t seem to tally with the reported missions however. In particular there was a requisition for a large fleet of constructor vessels that Lindis could not find a purpose for.

Panic gripped his soul. What if the Drath was telling the truth? Could his people really be guilty of genocide? Lindis spent the next hour trying to poke holes in Lt. Darue’s story any way he could. Unfortunately his efforts were interrupted.

The four military police officers strode into his office utterly unannounced. Lindis looked up in confusion.

“Major Elan Lindis. Your inquiries have piqued the interest of some very powerful individuals. Regretfully I must take you into custody sir."

“On what charge?”

“Heresy against Imperial Doctrine. If you’ll come with me sir.”

Hehehehe what a wicked story so far mr

Fascinating, Komnenos.  You're a pretty good storyteller.   

this is really cool!

My apologies for the delay in producing this chapter, it's been a hectic week.

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Chapter 4: Justice of the Empire

Finally. Lindis had been kept in the starbase’s prison for what seemed like days. Now the guards had come to take him before a tribunal. Now this would all be resolved one way or the other. Either this was just a misunderstanding, and all would be fine or he had genuinely stumbled across a sensitive state secret, and this hearing would go very badly. Ironically this hearing might provide the final piece of evidence needed to confirm Lt. Darue’s story, an overreaction by the Altairian state. But if Lindis got this evidence he suspected his life expectancy would then be rather limited.

The guards herded Lindis into the courtroom dock. As he looked around the room he thought it strange that there were no witnesses to this hearing. That did not bode well. The three judges then came forward and then Lindis was certain of his fate.

“I call the court to order. For the record I am General Kalein of the External Security Service and I am acting as lead judge in this case. With me I have Captain Dein of the IAS Nightblade and Colonel Aerus, commander of this starbase, who are acting as my fellow judges. Today we shall pass judgement on one Elan Lindis, who is charged with heresy against Imperial Doctrine and collusion with a traitor in the service of a lesser species, one Neirin Darue.”

Lindis felt a cold hard lump form in his stomach. He felt a very real fear that Darue’s story had been true. The identities of the judges all but confirmed it. The External Security Service should have little business conducting his trial. That should have been left to a representative from his own service, the Internal Security Service. Yet clearly ESS had a stake in this trial, and a big one if they had sent a General to represent them. The IAS Nightblade was part of the Black Fleet, and so Captain Dein likely had close links to ESS as well. Colonel Aerus was likely just along for the ride, as it would have been improper to exclude him from the tribunal. That made Aerus the only possible ally Lindis would have.

“Prosecutor, outline the charges please.”

“Thank you your honour. Major Lindis first came to the attention of the security services when security monitors flagged unusual search activity on his login. Major Lindis was apparently trying to find proof of war crimes committed by the Altairian state. This was apparently at the prompting of a suspected spy, the aforementioned Neirin Darue.”

“I see prosecutor. Major Lindis, could you please explain your actions to the court?”

“I was following up a lead your honour. I was recently assigned to the interrogation of Lord Vire of the Drengin Republic by my superiors. He indicated that an officer here, one Lt. Darue was a spy for the Drengin. I was duty bound to follow up on this, so I came here in order to interrogate the suspect. During the course of my investigation I found evidence that Darue is in fact a Drath. He accused the Altairian Empire of all but wiping out his species. I was searching for the evidence to prove him wrong and defend the honour of the Empire your honour.”

That after all was the truth, mostly, but Lindis suspected it would not be enough.

“Major Lindis, can you explain why you believed Lt. Darue to be a Drath? They are mythical creatures after all.”

“Lord Vire indicated that this was the case during interrogation. A scan performed by Dr. Mancer, the chief medical officer here, verified this. If Dr. Mancer could be called as a witness I’m sure he could verify this to the court.”

“Unfortunately that will not be possible. Casualties are mounting on the Arcean front, and Dr. Mancer’s services were required on the front line. As of 9:00 hours this morning he has been reassigned. Scientists from the intelligence services have analysed his data however. They concluded that the genetic material Dr. Mancer found was introduced by a new strain of Lizard Flu. The virus has recently crossed over to infect Altairians from a species of reptile found on the homeworld. That virus introduced the reptilian marker sequences found by Dr. Mancer. Thus we can only conclude that Lt. Darue is an Altairian, although his interrogation suggests that he was indeed a spy and that he had knowledge of his disease. He has used that knowledge to spin a fantastical tale and goad you into questioning Imperial Doctrine and the moral standing of the Empire.”

“Indeed Major Lindis, you should have known instinctively not to question Imperial Doctrine. Under Doctrine the Empire could not have wiped out a lesser race, especially not a mythical one. Therefore the Empire’s honour did not need evidence to defend it. And yet you questioned the truth of Doctrine by looking for evidence when faith was all that was required. For this heresy there can only be one verdict. Do you have anything else to say in your defence?”

“Nothing I feel will make a difference to this trial. The inappropriate presence of ESS cronies on the tribunal indicates that ESS has a vested interest in this trial. Furthermore the tribunal has not assessed the evidence, but taken it as given. I fear the sanctity of Imperial Justice has been irreparably compromised by this, rendering the outcome fixed.”

“Major Lindis, statements like that will only serve to incriminate you further. I believe we have heard enough to pass judgement.”

Captain Dein and Colonel Aerus nodded their consent to General Kalein. Colonel Aerus had a resigned look on his face. He had said nothing during the hearing. Clearly he had been intimidated by ESS to go along with proceedings since he could not be excluded from the tribunal. Further evidence of a show trial. And further evidence that Darue had been truthful.

“Major Lindis, it is the finding of this tribunal that you are guilty on all charges. Owing to the nature of your crimes you will transported to stand trial in the High Court on Altaria. There you will be tried, found guilty and executed. Your co-conspirator Lt. Darue will share your fate. Glory to the Empire.”

As he was lead down from the dock by the guard Lindis felt sick. The Empire he had loyally served and tried to defend had repaid his allegiance with betrayal. He felt sick that men like Kalein could defend and cover-up the violation of Imperial Doctrine. He wondered if the state even followed it at all. Until it changed its ways the Empire would not be worthy of his allegiance.  

Absolutely fantastic..keep it coming.

Well it's not as though the rather smug and supercilious Darue didnt have it coming-he who lives by the sword and all that...

However I detect in your writing a turning of this man's character as the truth dawns

write on sir this is an excellent story

Chapter 5: The enemy of my enemy

Lindis was getting really bored of being imprisoned. He was being shipped back to Altaria for a hasty public trial and execution. All so an inconvenient state secret could remain under wraps. And ironically one of the judges that had condemned him was also shipping him off to his doom. It made sense though. By having Captain Dein transport him aboard the IAS Nightblade the circle of people who knew the particulars of his case was kept as small as possible. He had been stuck in the ship’s brig with only Darue for company for three days now.

“I’m sorry I doubted your story Darue. It seems you were right after all.”

“How gracious of you. That only took what, three days?”

“Finding out that my people are capable of such ... evil. It takes a lot to acknowledge it out loud.”

“I suppose that’s true. I shouldn’t have snapped at you, I’m sorry. If it’s any consolation I don’t hold you or most other Altairians responsible, not any more. Before I spent time amongst your people I thought you were all evil. I hated you all for the destruction of my homeworld and my people. During my time as spy though I learnt how most Altairians live, how you live in ignorance. Your Imperial Doctrine is a seductive ideology, if a rather racist one. I believe that most Altairians, you included, are fundamentally good people. You just have the misfortune to live in such a corrupt society, a society that folds you into its own corruption.”

“That’s actually quite a perceptive view the Empire I think. I never questioned my work before now. I never spared a second thought for the people I arrested and interrogated. Many of them were sent to penal colonies or executed. All because of me. I thought it was all for the greater good. I believed Darue. I really did.”

“Understandable. In your place I would probably have turned out the same. I won’t patronise you by trying to absolve the personal guilt you feel, but you are not responsible for the whole Empire. You followed what you thought was a good and morally upright set of principles. You weren’t to know that your leaders didn’t actually follow the same code.”

“Thank you. I still think I’m going to have to find some way to make amends for my actions though. If I live long enough that is. Anyway let’s change the subject. Since it doesn’t matter now I’m curious about something. How exactly how did you manage to infiltrate the Altairian military?”

“Ever the investigator eh Lindis? I suppose there’s no harm in it now. The real Lt. Darue was a Drengin sympathiser. The Invisible Hand facilitated his defection two years ago, and once he had gone I simply assumed his identity.”

“Mmmm. What about the Dark Energy training, how did you get around that?”

“You think Altairians are the only race that can manipulate it? We Drath did evolve on the same planet as you. We share your talents with Dark Energy. Combine that talent with the ability to shape shift and posing as an Altairian is really quite easy.”

“Intriguing.”

“Now I wonder if you would answer a question for me. How many troops do you reckon this ship carries?”

“All the crew should have side arms, but there’s probably only about 20 or so actual soldiers on a ship this size. Why do you ask?”

“I don’t fancy being executed when we get to Altaria. I plan to escape long before we get there. Care to join me? I’m sure the Drengin or one of their allies would be willing to offer you asylum.”

“Well, I’m not exactly packing choices here. Count me in. How did you plan to affect an escape though? Maybe if you could revert back to your natural form? We’d probably have little trouble with the guards and crew that way.”

“Unfortunately that won’t work. The reversion process requires hours of intense concentration. Even the meatheads who guard this place would cotton on long before I finished. No, I had a different plan in mind. One of the officers on this ship is an agent of the Invisible Hand. She knows my true identity, and when the time is right she’ll spring us out.”

“How?”

“The standard method we use for a prison break is a computer virus. The virus should kill the force field on this cell, knock out most of the ships systems and lock down most of the crew in whatever sections they happen to be in. Then I suppose we link up with my colleague, steal a shuttle and make a run for the Arcean border.”

“Sounds like a plan. It’ll drop Captain Dein in a whole heap of trouble as well, which is a bonus. What about the brig guards though? The second the force field dies they’ll be in here like a shot.”

“That is where all our training in Dark Energy manipulation comes into play. A chance to put that training to good use I think.”

“That has a certain irony to it I suppose. Oh, we should also make sure we raid the evidence locker before we leave. With any luck my laptop with all the evidence I gathered should be in there. I think the Empire needs to be held to account for its crimes.”

“I quite agree. We should definitely liberate that laptop if we can find it.”

“So, what do we do until your colleague sees fit to release us?”

“The only thing we can do. Wait.”

nice.

It's galloping along like a veritable whodunnit now-nice

Wow, amazing story. This sure puts my stories to shame, lol.

It's...so...awsome!

Sorry to nag, but are you going to be updating this any time soon Komnenos?  I've really been enjoying it, and am curious to see how it progresses! 

yeah am gonna nag too but is this excellent AAR finished or what?

My apologies this has been so long in coming. Thank you all for your patience.

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Chapter 6: The path to redemption

Lindis could finally rest easy. The escape from the IAS Nightblade had gone off with barely a hitch. The crew and guards had been caught completely by surprise, whilst the Drath computer virus had sealed off as many of the crew as possible in crew quarters and isolated sections of the ship. Lindis, Darue, and the Drath operative had then made a beeline for the hangar bay, where they had all squeezed into an Interceptor and made a break for the Arcean border.

Lindis had been passed around between Intelligence officers from the Arcean Empire, Drengin Republic and Terran Alliance for what had seemed like months. They had debriefed him on everything he knew and more; the evidence of the Drath holocaust, his work with the Altairian Security Services, including protocols and past missions, and life in general under the Empire.

Now finally that was behind him. He had dispersed his knowledge to the Empires enemies, and now he was soon to begin a quiet life in exile. He was on his way to the Terran Alliance, where had been offered asylum. The Arcean Cruiser Forthright was transporting him to a small Terran colony where he would enrol as a citizen and live out his life in peace.

Suddenly his train of thought was interrupted by the entry buzzer on the door to his quarters.

“It’s open”

The hulking reptilian form of Darue ducked through the oversized Arcean doorway. Darue had long since reverted to his natural form. A form which was even larger than the already intimidating Arceans.

“Greetings Lindis. I was just calling by to wish you well before you depart for your new life with the Terrans. The Captain tells me we’ll be there shortly.”

“Thanks Darue. It is good to see a familiar face after so long, your allies had a lot of questions for me.”

“It’s no problem. And as I’ve tried to tell you several times my real name is Tyris.”

“I know that. Old habits die hard I guess. Just the same as you won’t call me Elan.”

“Well, Elan, I think we should try and be less formal now we are on the same side. And not least because I can call you a friend now. I never thought I’d ever say that to an Altairian, I can tell you.”

“Thank you, Tyris. I have a small favour to ask. There’s a letter on my terminal addressed to an old friend on Altaria, probably the only friend I have left there. Could you arrange to have it smuggled onto the Altairian hypernet?”

“Of course, it’s the least I can do.”

“Thank you Tyris. It means a lot to me. I needed to explain to her why I’m here, I owe her that much.”

“Her?”

“It’s not what you think. It probably should have been in retrospect, but I was always a little too over-zealous with my work. Too busy being a loyal servant of the Empire to make time. But I suppose I can’t change that now. It’s time to begin life anew.”

“A good philosophy. We both have to make the best of things, after all we’ve both lost our homes in a way, and have to forge a new life. Come Elan, it’s time for your new life as a Terran to begin.”

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Dear Neria,

It is with a heavy heart that I write this letter. Alone of everyone on Altaria you are probably the one person who does not think ill of me by now. You most likely do not understand why I have abandoned the Empire I once so loyally served. And I can only imagine what the state propaganda is saying about me.

I want you to know that my reasons for defection were moral and just, as I thought the Empire was. The sad truth is that the moral integrity of the Empire is an illusion. Our leaders had near enough a whole species exterminated rather than risk compromising the myth of Altairian supremacy. If you thought the Drath were just a fairy tale, think again. I have met one. Our leaders had most of his race wiped out rather than admit we once shared our homeworld with another sentient species.

To think that our leaders could have done this in secret and presented the illusion of being just and righteous in public turns my stomach. There is a sickness at the heart of the Empire, a sickness of hate and destruction. My heart tells me that it is not meant to be this way. You, and every other Altairian I have known have always been in your hearts good, honest and peaceful people. If only the Empire reflected that. Until the day that it does I cannot honestly live within it. I hope that change will come to the Empire in my lifetime, and that I can finally come home. I have gone to live with our Terran cousins for now.

I have many regrets in my life. Foremost is the fact that I never had enough time for you, our friendship, and what might have been. If I ever get the chance to come home I will change that. Until that day know that I miss you deeply.

Yours always,

Elan.

Epilogue: Plans within plans

It was with some trepidation that Tyris stood before his superiors. He had been summoned to the headquarters of the Invisible Hand for an audience with Eris Draken, the daughter of Embryes Draken, director of the Invisble Hand and the de facto leader of the Drath people. Such an audience was either a sign of great favour or a portent of his doom.

“Tyris Rakaan, step forward.”

Tyris stepped up before the Executive Panel of the Invisible Hand.

“You have done a great service to the Drath people. History will remember your contribution to the rebirth of the Drath Legion.”

“Thank you madam director.”

“However you took a great risk in the manner you carried out your mission. It was a bold move to create an Altairian defector. You choose your mark well when you selected Major Lindis. Had your psychological assessment not been so accurate you could have compromised knowledge of our survival for no material gain.”

“My accomplices and I felt the risk was justified. We could not have kept knowledge of Drath survivors from the Altairians indefinitely.”

“Indeed, the Executive Panel and I concur, which is why you were allowed to procede. Tell me, what is the current status of your accomplices?”

“Our agent in the ISS command staff is still in place and completely above suspicion. His only task was to assign Major Lindis to the interrogation of Lord Vire. Hardly a suspicious task. Our other operative, who impersonated Lord Vire, was as you know terminally ill. His sacrifice allowed us to put the plan concerning Major Lindis into motion, and feed a large amount of disinformation about Drengin fleet movements to the subsequent interrogators. It is likely that he has been executed by now.”

“Very good. Now I want you to know the fruits of your labours. I was not exaggerating when I said you had made a great contribution to the rebirth  of the Drath Legion. We traded the information provided by Major Lindis for some key assets from our allies. The Terrans have provided us with a colony ship, the Arceans have given us the rights to settle in a remote system on the edge of their territory and the Drengin have provided the technology required to settle this new world. The Drath Legion will rise again.

“I am overawed madam director, I had no idea my mission was of such importance.”

“There was no reason for you to know. The Invisible Hand owes its success to secrecy and moving pieces behind the scenes. The same principles apply to its agents. If you had failed and been forced to divulge your mission by the Altairians, you could not have divulged the larger plan.”

“I see madam director. May I ask about our new home?”

“You may. We are settling in the Rhea system, at the very edge of the galaxy. This system is on the far side of the Arcean Empire, well away from the Altairians. The world itself is a harsh one, but it has much potential. Approximately 1000 years ago the Rhean’s civilization collapsed in a devastating nuclear war. Our new home is still heavily irradiated, but that is not a problem thanks to the Drengin technology we have acquired. So in short there will soon be a New Dratha where our people can rebuild.”

“What role am I to have in this new world?”

“Your work with the Invisible Hand has only just begun. Once the Drath Legion has been reborn, you will help us engineer the downfall of the Altairian Empire. Rejoice, for the time of our revenge has come.”

The end.

Simply fantastic!

What a superb story and what a superb ending mr-excellent-you have a real gift Komnemos

Well done!

I smell a sequel....

Or is that my house? I DID leave the oven on.....

Very good, Komnenos!  You're one hell of a storyteller.