Psha. Write from the hotel. I don't want to hear any excuses.

Chapter 6: Salvation Song….

22nd September 2233

The Directorate of Intelligence, Srnja, Kryseth

Director Yazgul Lor settled in his Duranthium basket with a look of what might pass for satisfaction on his features. The basket swivelled on the touch of a button as his office darkened by some unspoken command. A screen descended and came to life: it was GNN news showing the 1st Consul addressing cheering crowds outside the Consulate building. There must have been more than 100,000 packed into the Holy Square: it was supposed to be a service of thanksgiving and had, instead, turned into an adoration. Still, mused Lor, it mattered not: he had his people in the crowd watching for any signs of disloyalty or otherwise. His attention turned to the speech that Misala was now making:

‘……who will forget the valiant efforts of our Navy pilots and their support crews and how by their sacrifice they wore down the implacable Robots that were the Yor?’

A roar from the crowd answered the Teacher who had his arms raised heavenwards in supplication.

‘I told you that The Way would light our path and guide us through the darkness and even in our most desperate hour we were not forsaken….’

Yes, the Director thought, that darkest hour had been during the summer months when, with their Fleet almost broken, the Medium Scout Screen operating at the edge of Krynn controlled space had spotted yet another Yor Flight in Sector 02-17 on a direct heading for Kryseth. This time it wasn’t 2 Heavy Fighters packing 3 particle beams but 4 Heavies each with 4 particle beams. Lor had been with Admiral Tar at the time briefing the 1st and 2nd Consuls and it was the closest he had seen the Admiral show fear. This new threat would devastate anything they could throw at it.

And yet to the Drengin Admiral’s astonishment neither Misala nor Staa’l had shown the slightest consternation. And nor was The Director surprised: it was his job to not be caught out by anything and his agents had kept him well informed of the latest desperate Diplomatic mission to all the Star Races and allies. It was simple: they would trade their most valuable Techs for money to kick-start their moribund economy or garner the military means to take on the Yor-or they would die.

2nd Consul Staa’l had been despatched to her Diplomatic Vidcom Holo-chamber post haste whilst Admiral Tar planned the latest game of Cat and mouse: once more the assigned scout (this time ‘The Enigma of The Way’) would draw the Yor patrol back towards Kryseth itself where they could assemble at least one more Flight of Phoenix Mk4s to throw against it. It was a desperate plan but it bought them time.

Misala was beseeching the heavens now ‘…all have played their part-and your prayers have been answered and from my most senior politicians to the lowliest priest, from the Admirals to the most humble technician, from our Agents to the man on the street you have all bent your knee in supplication and your entreaties have not gone unheeded!’

Another mighty roar: the 1st Consul knew how to whip up the crowds, the Director mused. And yet he couldn’t help but think that it was more down to the unstinting efforts of the Altarian 2nd Consul who had managed to generate no less than 1200BC and a tech that allowed their ship makers to shrink the components on their ships just enough so that they could fit an extra Deflector on the Phoenix to increase it’s capacity to absorb damage. Most of the largesse had come from her origin Race, she had not even had to beg. At the same time with the economy finally back in the black the great shipyards on all 3 Colonial worlds and on Kryseth creaked back to life with all resources channelled to Military production.

Immediately a reinvigorated Fighter Command ordered Blue Flight (designate 259), the nearest to the new menace, to upgrade to the new Phoenix Mk5. At the same time the other half of the Squadron, the remainder of Turner's Red Flight was also upgraded whilst a Flight of Mk4s moved in to support. The Medium Scout Screen, meanwhile, kept an ever-watchful eye on the Forward Operating Area (FOA) for new Yor Heavy Fighter patrols.

And then came the news that the Director had been waiting for: His Chief Spy, Special Agent Jobsagd'un, had reported that the Yor Military rating was now less than theirs and that all evidence suggested that the seemingly implacable Robots were now of a mind to sue for peace. What had happened? With no spies on any Krynn planets it was difficult to tell but it was the job of his Agency to surmise. Most probably the Terrans, he had advised: they were at war with the Robots, had the most powerful Navy and unlike the Iconians who had recently sued for peace with the Yor, were not afraid to use it. Another diplomatic coup for 2nd Consul, Lor thought-she would have to be watched more closely in case she started to harbour any thoughts of a Leadership bid-he would send the order next week-let her bask in her glories for now.

‘Do not sue for peace Misala!’ The Arcean had begged on hearing the news: we cannot subvert these robots-we must destroy them!’

Thank The Way his words were heeded and the attack was ordered on the Yor Flight. Blue flight commanded by Flight Lt Sarina Tuu’n vectored in……and was destroyed in its entirety. They managed to take 2 of the Heavies with them and badly damage another but it was a grievous blow for Fighter Command. Now against the orders of his own Admiral, who preferred a fighting retreat back towards a new half Squadron of Mk5s forming off Kryseth, an undaunted Commander Miller ordered the Flight of Mk4s into the attack. This time they destroyed the remaining 2 Heavy Fighters with the loss of only 1 of their own-what was next?

All had held their breath as the next few weeks unfolded with no sight of any more Yor Fleets. Meanwhile the production lines had assembled no less than 5 Flights of brand new Mk5s, all despatched to the FOA: that was 2 and a half Squadrons with more on the way…..

Yazgul Lor hauled his bulk from the basket and shambled over to the matter condenser and with one digit from his massive right paw activated the machine: a smooth blood red, thick drink was dispensed, which was gulped down greedily as another one was ordered.

‘The Way protect us-Misala can go on!’ he growled as from the screen the intonations of the 1st Consul continued:

‘And then the news that all had hoped for as word came of the surrender of our enemy to the Terran Alliance, our Allies-if ever there was a sign from the eternity of space this was it my children…..’

It had indeed been welcome news but not wholly unexpected thanks to the efforts of the agents working for the Directorate, Lor pondered and now there was peace he needed to turn his attention to other matters. War was looming between the Torians and their Allies the Earthlings: if such came they would be dragged into another war with a race that lay just beyond Yor space directly on a heading 180deg. Moreover he needed more spies and he needed them on the other races worlds and for that he needed money.’

‘Prentice Tash!’ he shouted as he once more settled at his massive Obsidian Desk. An Arcean Prentice detached himself from the shadows and shuffled forwards,

‘Yes Master’

‘When are prayers scheduled for tonight? I need a meeting with the Treasurer arranged’

‘Master Salah is in 2 Tacs: a salvation song is planned-I could fix a meeting in one MiTac from now if it is your wish?’

‘It is my wish Tash-see to it’

The Prentice bowed low as he headed for the Automatic exit. However he stopped short and turned to face his patron once more-his features a whirl of indecision. ‘Master-er- what shall I do with the 3rd Consul-he is still waiting outside?’

Lor pondered before reaching for a file under the desk. ‘Ah yes the 3rd Consul; I had somehow forgotten about him’

The file was opened and scanned through in a trice. The Director’s features, which had been set in a mould that could be passed off (for an Arcean) as pleasant, now hardened, ‘Yes send in Matpak-Kutok, it would seem that he has been involved in activities that he shouldn’t have been and has some explaining to do.’

The Director’s slit eyes narrowed and his mouth twisted into a smile-it was not one that exuded any warmth, however, only a great deal of menace……..

Excellent Mamabaman!

Sentient species taste better...

Chapter 7: Blessed are the Peacemakers…..

5th October 2237

Aboard the KCS Divine Zeal, Flagship of the Krynn Consulate on the final approach to Altaria

In the spacious stateroom the steady hum of the ageing twin N-5 Ion Engines finally subsided along with a perceptible slowing of movement. The Krynn 2nd Consul knelt in quiet prayer, her Prentice by her side. She was mouthing the words to a well-known Psalm and one which Misala had reminded her of as she had left Kryseth all those weeks ago:

‘We could not have been in this position without you my daughter-you have been a true ambassador for The Way.’ The 1st Consul had said his eyes betraying a rare emotion, ‘remember Staa’l the words of the 82nd Psalm; “blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be exalted” You are the one that has brought us to this place.’

Staa’l had tried to protest at the time but the Teacher had merely smiled in that beatific way of his and was not to be gainsaid: if he declared that the Altarian 2nd Consul was the architect of the advancement of their religion and race then who was she to disagree?

The bright lighting in the room dimmed suddenly and the Tannoy system crackled to life:

‘Attention this is Captain Turner! For the observant amongst you we will soon be starting E.V.A. and so I will require all passengers return to their assigned seats and observe the safety signs. Estimated time to the Enlightened City of Altar is 15 minutes.’

The 2nd Consul summoned her Prentice-a comely Altarian she-ling; ‘Come Rune let’s hasten to our seats: it wouldn’t do to keep the esteemed Alf Turner waiting would it now?’

Prentice Rune smiled at her mistress: theirs was a particularly warm and close relationship-more like mother-daughter than was normal but one that affirmed them both. ‘No Mistress-the renowned Captain would not like that at all’

With that they both burst into fits of laughter as they headed down the narrow passageway nothing deterred even by the disapproving looks they received from a Troupe of long-robed Imams hurrying back to their berths.

Up on the Flight Deck Captain Alf Turner was adjusting the controls in order to position the magnificent flagship of the Krynn Navy for Extra Vehicular Entry or E.V.A. to the Altarian Capitol City, Altar. It was a tricky manoeuvre even with the planetary guidance systems and required all his considerable skill and attention. He had come far in the last 5 years and had progressed from being a highly successful Scout Commander in the last war against the Robot menace of the Yor Collective to the most recent commander of the Divine Zeal; a singular honour. Beside him sat his ever-present Navman Femi Mpona, now a Flight Lieutenant and several other Officers and technicians, crowding the tight space in the cabin. The total crew compliment was 20 souls of all races and a more dedicated and committed group Turner could not have wished for.

‘Ok guys aligning to planetary guidance systems complete-confirm secondary alignment to Altar City.’

‘Confirmed Sir’ this from the Systems Officer: a slender Korxian Flight Lieutenant called Ren.

‘Ok we’re locked in-sit back and enjoy the ride guys-by The Way we have come far people-we have come far!’ Even after 2 years of roaming the known galaxy and travelling to places that no Krynn had ever set eye on Turner still had to pinch himself when he considered the significance of their current mission:

After several years of ‘peace’ the Galaxy had once more erupted into a general war and one that they could not escape. It had been started by the Torians declaration of war against the Terran Alliance in November 2236. The Krynn Consulate were honour bound to stand by their powerful allies and declared for the humans. This in-turn brought the Arceans into the war in support of the Torians and on the other side of the Universe their other Allies, the Altarians, were trying to halt the growing menace of the ultra-aggressive Korath, the savage cousins of the now defunct Drengin Empire.

All this had meant an end to the programme for building influence starbases and parking them just off nearby Thalan and Terran worlds. The Thalans had been the inheritors of the Iconian worlds beaten into submission by the Terrans and were now the most powerful Star Civilisation according to Intelligence reports. It was to them that Misala had declared a Fatwa against the Insectoid unbelievers hence the starbase programme. Now, however, the treasury had its orders: all monies to the Admiralty Stardocks.

At that time Turner and his ship had been deep in Torian space on a routine mission to hunt for anomalies and his new orders were to marshal a new scout screen along the line separating Krynn and Torian space bringing back memories of some of his early missions on the Mystery of The Way-it had been an exciting time. It was daunting too, however, as the Krynn Consulate still only possessed 5 planets (Maestro 1 a class 12 Radioactive Giant had been colonised just after the destruction of the Yor) and its Star Navy was modest to say the least. If the Torians were able to strike on 2 fronts they could quickly be overwhelmed.

Nonetheless the Krynn were catching up on the technology front. Misala had always said that The Way had blessed their race with an unusual creativity that made up for their lack of technological know-how and, as always, he spoke true as their scientists and innovators continued to unearth one invention after another in a fraction of the time that they should have taken.

‘They must be on something Femi’ Turner had joked irreverently when news reached them from Admiralty Command that they now had the technology to build medium size spaceships.

‘Yes Captain Turner-they are-they are on the drug of their beliefs and their faith: something that you may want to partake more of’

‘Pisht and nonsense Femi! Their beliefs have nothing to do with it: our Inventors Guild are all made from good Iconian stock-those guys could invent a Sinatrap given the chance-that’s why we are doing so well scientifically Lieutenant Mpona-deal with it!’

As they entered the year 2237 Turner was still hard at work organising the setting up of the scout screen: Intel was confident that the Torians would be decimated by the powerful Terran Navy, which had many Battleships in its inventory (the Krynn, by contrast, had only just started to build the Frigate-Class Fast Attack Sloops). With luck and faith their warships would not even need to fight. The Arceans were too far away to pose any threat and would have their hands full fighting the dominant Thalan Navy, who they were also at war with courtesy of their war with the Altarians. It was a confusing and ominous time. by February 2237 Turner and his band of Medium Scouts were still in place and they now had 3 Combat Groups of Sloops backing them up: that was 9 of the ultra fast Impulse engine-equipped Frigate Class warships: none had fired a single missile in anger so far and when news came from Kryseth they realised that the war was soon effectively be over.

And then in quick succession and to the eventual astonishment of all who followed The Way, 3 Star Races were overwhelmed: in January the Arceans were the first to go surrendering their remaining worlds to the over-mighty Thalans. If that sent shock waves through the galaxy the sundering of the Korath Clan by the Altarians who were also engaged with the Torians (due to their alliance with their cousins from Earth) was greeted with general rejoicing by all. Since the Drengin had fallen 4 years previously to their arch enemies, the humans, it meant the Galaxy was now finally free from all Drengin scum and their offshoots. The Korath surrender had been taken a mere one month after the Arcean but was followed in September by the most momentous news of all.

Back in the halls of power on Kryseth, meanwhile, an urgent holo message had come from none other than Elys Mue of Altaria direct to not the 1st Consul but was for the ears of only 2nd Consul Staa’l. All aboard the Divine Zeal had been staggered when they had listened to the announcement as they packed onto the Flight Deck: the Altarians were on the verge of being overwhelmed by The Torians and so, realising their plight and in recognition of the excellent relationship that the 2nd Consul had built with her race of origin, they had decided to turn all their worlds and ships over to Krynn control-effective immediate.

It had been a staggering piece of diplomacy and all because of the unstinting efforts of their esteemed Diplomatic passenger Turner was thinking as he guided the ship down towards the fiery landing lights at Altar’s main Star port. The Krynn Consulate had convened an emergency meeting of The Council of the Planets in keeping with the diktats of their new system of Government. All such momentous matters now required the vote of the 5 Colonial Leaders and whilst Misala remained the guiding hand the politicians were now more powerful than ever. The Council’s orders were unequivocal: the 2nd Consul was to embark immediately for Altaria to accept, in person, the ceding of their worlds; they were to take two of the Grand Ayatollahs and several learned Imams to assess what was required in the way of religious schooling and they were to be conveyed there by none other than Turner in the Flagship-no one else could be trusted.

On route the tireless 2nd Consul had been empowered to negotiate an immediate cessation of hostilities with the Torians. It had required several holo messages and many hours in the Stateroom before the Torians were convinced but they had eventually succumbed to Staa’l’s silky entreaties (and a hefty cash incentive as well as the donation of several useless Techs).

The starship’s Impulse engines were brought to a dead stop by Turner and for a few moments everyone was silent. Turner broke the reverie: ‘Right Troops-up and at ‘em! Everyone to their Guard of Honour Stations!’ A quick glance through the windows revealed an Altarian Diplomatic delegation hurrying to the lowering ramp of their craft: an azure carpet had already been rolled out.

Staa’l had not waited for Turner and his crew to sort themselves out but had gathered her Prentice and her Reverential Guard and had moved smoothly to the exit ramp. They were descending even before the whine from the ship's cooler systems had died.

The Altarian delegation was of the highest level: their leader Elys Mue, who bore a passing resemblance to the 2nd Consul stepped forward eyes moist. The two high class Altarians embraced warmly

‘You are well met Staa’l-well met indeed’

‘Leader Mue-words fail me’ Staa’l mouthed quite overcome by the occasion.

‘So let us get the formalities over with 2nd Consul.’ The Altarian leader stepped back and bowed low. Straightening up she looked Staa’l in the eye.

‘Consul Staa’l-will you hereby accept the formal surrender of Altaria to you as representative of the Krynn Consulate?’

Voice choking Staa’l responded ‘I will Leader Mue and do so most reluctantly’

Altaria, its 11 worlds and 13 battleships and Frigates as well as almost 100 Billion new citizens now belonged to the Krynn Consulate………

If the Altarians were on the verge of being defeated with 11 worlds and 15 Frigate sized and greater ships, then the Krynn must have been holding on for dear life. Celebrate good times!

thanks Garion-erm I have been playing this particular game for a couple of months now-it's been a right old Epic