Phantom Regency
Chapter 8

Point of Surrender

Hate is rising, Sky Man is pleading

The point of surrender draws near

The middle ground is swiftly fleeting

My heart is filling with fear

I cannot seem to replace my way

Out of my selfish pride

I don’t know what to ask, to pray

Full of confusion inside

The pressure inside is so great

To give up and run from the light

Somehow before it is too late

I must learn to stand up and fight

Sky Man rejoices; dragon vanquished

The point of surrender is past

Peace is mine; no more in anguish

My will has yielded at last

-The Poetry of Yoshun Thaxius

STARegency Press 135 G.E.

“Captain’s journal, 1100 hours, Skydate 532.63 GE. We are en route to the Nexus for the CEO’s meeting with the new Regent. Rikkar Vlademor died late last year after a protracted illness. His young son, Xim is now Regent. Our CEO, Baldarr Voldruss is confident he can convince the young Regent to reign in the Dominions and centralize the galaxy again, with the Authority taking a much larger role in galactic security.

“Our last seven months since being reassigned have been uneventful. We have visited all the Authority systems for meetings. Pirate activity has slowed considerably since the maiden flight of this ship and now her sister, the Deathbringer. Captain Torkul has relished her new command.

“Our flotilla now includes four Destroyers, a carrier, and one Devastator; quite a show of force to bring to the Nexus.

“Pause.” Talon could not journal his true feelings about this mission. He feared that whatever the dragon alien was, it held the power behind some leaders in the Authority. Was an attack on the Regency part of its plan? Was it friendly? He doubted it, but had no way of knowing. He was paralyzed when he tried to figure out how to act on the knowledge he had gained. What would his purpose in life be if even the Authority were corrupted?

The CEO himself seemed to know that he was in turmoil. During the first few weeks of their voyage, he often called his young captain to his rich suite for a talk. Voldruss seemed to be trying to convince and reassure him of Authority policy. At least once Talon picked up a vague hint that Voldruss knew of the dragon creature as well, but he was unsure. At one point, when the CEO was pressing for his opinion, Talon had replied about his area of expertise being that of execution and not of policy.

“Execution,” Voldruss had replied, “That indeed is what we expect. Follow your orders and follow them well and all will go quite well with you.”

Talon had not failed to notice the implied threat that all would not “go quite well” if he did not carry out the program of SERPENT. After this exchange, he saw much less of Voldruss.

“Captain Vasloch.” The holophone interrupted his thoughts. It was Commander-Manager Drake Anslar; his recently promoted chief weapons officer.

“Yes, commander?” he replied.

“Are you ready for your lesson, sir,” Drake asked.

“Be right down.” He turned off the phone and journal recorder then went to change out of his duty uniform. He put on a singlet and shorts and headed for the gym. Over the last few months his young weapons officer had been schooling him in the art of hand-to-hand combat. Talon was a natural athlete and was now more than a match for even his teacher. His short, muscular build served him well in all forms of wrestling and striking.

He entered the gym to replace Drake awaiting him with two sparring swords. They had trained with nerve sticks, but this was new.

“Swords, Drake?” he asked.

“Word is out that the Dread pirates use them exclusively. We have to know our enemies,” he replied, tossing one of the weapons to his captain. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”

Drake attacked immediately, sending Talon backpedaling to parry all the strokes.

“Widen your stance,” Drake counseled without letting up, “It will help you counter quicker.”

Talon obeyed and began circling, looking for an opportunity. So far there was little chance for an attack. It was all he could do to block or dodge each blow. His teacher was quick and skilled.

The captain grew impatient and overreached, trying to thrust at Drake’s chest. The diminutive warrior sidestepped easily and was in perfect position to trip Talon backwards and thrust his sword to his throat.

“You’re dead, captain,” he said. “Let me show you what you should have done.”

“Let’s take a break first. I want to tell you something,” Talon replied.

They strolled over to a bench along the gym wall and sat down.

“Drake, you’re not an Authority lifer, so I want your take on something.”

“Sure, captain. Shoot,” he replied.

“This mission we’ve been on as you know is to help strengthen the Authority’s place in the galaxy. Many of our leaders feel that the Regency is in grave danger. On the surface, all of it seems noble and right,” Talon said. He paused to gather his thoughts.

“Go on.”

“What if the Regency…well, what if I told you I thought all this talk of galactic decay was overblown? What if it is all just a power play by the SERPENT board? Their mantra for years has been that they have supplied the means of freedom and prosperity and don’t get enough in return. I think they forget that the Authority on paper is just an extension of the Regency.”

“I don’t know enough about politics to say much. I do know that the people of the Evantha Dominion have a dim view of the Authority. They see it as bloated and unnecessary. Many would say that each system could be a part of the Regency like any other. But you have to remember that the Evanthans covet the outer worlds beyond their own boundaries; worlds under the jurisdiction of the SERPENT Authority.”

“What’s your gut feeling? You’re a perceptive guy,” Talon countered.

“To me the Authority is almost too good at what they do. They have a cold-blooded efficiency that is just too pragmatic for my taste. Profit and progress are ultimate. It seems to me that they have more money than is good for them. The armada is way bigger than it needs to be to patrol these systems. I think the Evanthans have countered by increasing their forces so much,” opined Drake.

“And Skyforce has developed new weapons and ships lately for the Regency. It looks like we’re in a galactic arms race,” the captain added.

“If you know your history it is a parallel to conditions before the Final War on Galmar: Overcrowding, lack of resources, growing nationalism, power hungry politicians, increasing military might.” Drake ticked off each point on his fingers. “I certainly hope war will not break out.”

He glanced over at the captain, whose face was a mask of worry.

“What’s eating you captain?” Drake asked.

Talon’s thoughts were spinning. He stared straight ahead for several seconds.

“Captain?”

“Drake,” Talon began slowly, “in terms of strategy; if you wanted to invade this galaxy from the outside, what would be your first move?”

“But, there’s nothing out there that could invade us? How could that happen?”

“What if there was a force totally outside of the galaxy, poised to attack? Wouldn’t they try to destabilize their enemies first? It’s a classic first step in major warfare.”

“But, captain, surely the current problems in the galaxy are not a part of some alien conspiracy?” Talon didn’t answer. “Are they?” Drake continued in an anxious tone.

“Can I trust you not to tell anyone what I’m about to say?”

“Of course, captain.”

“I’m confiding to you as a friend, not as a superior officer. Drake, before our mission started, I accidentally witnessed an Authority director communicating with some kind of reptilian creature.”

“What?”

“I saw it. If it’s real, the repercussions could be dire. It just clicked that all this turmoil, purposeful or not, paves the way for an invasion.”

Drake was stunned. Most scientists were certain that men were the only intelligent life in their galaxy; even the unexplored corner of it seemed empty. If he accepted this as true, his whole outlook on things would change. Was the captain crazy, had he been deceived, or could he actually be right?

“Drake,” Talon continued, “I’m not asking you to swallow this whole. I’m not even sure that what I saw was real. Just keep it in the back of your mind and keep your radar up. It will mean a lot if I’m not the only one with knowledge of this.”

“Will do, captain. Thanks for confiding in me. Do you want to spar some more?”

“No,” Talon replied rising, “I’ll see you later.” He walked to the door and left the gym.

Drake Anslar sat alone for a long time considering what he had heard. He was a loner with no future and no connections. He thought long and hard about how his captain’s confession could impact his life.

The Authority flotilla arrived at the Nexus later that day. Although Captain Vasloch knew what to expect to see, he was still awed at the actual sight. The Nexus itself was shaped like a slightly flattened sphere, about two miles wide at its widest. Its equator was lined with green glowing machinery. There were openings at both poles. Talon knew that from one end completed phantom cylinders emerged. The other pole faced the small red dwarf star it orbited.

Standing about a hundred miles out from the Nexus was the vast STARegency shipyard. It was a sprawling, inter-connected jumble of sky stations, dry docks and factories. A couple dozen Skyforce capital ships guarded the shipyard and Nexus. Nearby was the fancy sky station that served as the Regent’s residence and headquarters.

In front of the Nexus complex in a further orbit was the great asteroid Freedom Fortress. It was a circular, seven-mile diameter rock. Every 60 degrees or so around the surface was a weapons station. Each one was powered and protected by a pair of phantom cylinders. It presented a picture of awesome firepower and invincibility.

The captain ordered his escort ships to stand off beyond the fortress. The Dominator glided in toward Infinity Station.

Instead of taking skyboats, the Dominator docked directly to the station. Captain Vasloch was to join the CEO and his staff for a formal reception upon docking. His senior officers would come on board the next day for a series of meetings with STARegency counterparts. It was to be a “grand and glorious summit for the mutual benefit of our great Authority and the venerable Regency” in the effusive words of Baldarr Voldruss.

The party gathered at the airlock hatch. Talon approached with Senior Chief Bynorr and his elite security team. They were in full dress guard uniforms.

“An honor guard is hardly necessary,” Voldruss said, waving off Talon’s protest. “Chief, you have your orders. We will not need you at the present time.”

As the security detail marched away, the captain felt alone and out of place among the directors and diplomats. He wondered if the Regent was as stuffy and insufferable as them.

As the hatch opened, he heard a fanfare of music. They walked into a vast reception hall decorated with flags of the Authority, the Regency and its four Dominions. An orchestra in the back corner of the hall was playing marshal music. Two lines of elaborately dressed honor guards set a path into the center of the hall. Talon could see the young Regent, Xim Vlademor and his ministers at the end of the line. He also recognized Sky Marshall Balton Avenor, the commander of the Regency Skyforce.

President Voldruss led them in a slow march through the ranks of guards. As they neared the end of the line, Talon could see the acolytes of the Regent. They were dressed in richly decorated robes. Apparently, at least this tradition had survived from the religious days of the Thaxian Regents.

Suddenly one of the robed figures stepped out in front of them. He was the oldest man Talon had ever seen. His wizened face was covered in wrinkles and his body stooped, but there was a youthful twinkle in his large, green eyes; eyes that had uncomfortably locked in on his own. The CEO and company halted and stepped away awkwardly as the old man spoke.

“Behold, here is the dragon slayer!” he shouted, pointing at the captain. “His sword shall spill the vile blood of the foul beasts! He will stand beside the true Regent in the final conflict! None shall hinder him! None shall thwart the will of the Sky Man! Stand in his way at your own peril!”

He turned and stood next to Talon, facing the Regent. “And you, who talk to dragons. Have you not learned from your father’s sins? Look upon the one who holds your doom in his hands! Will you not repent and return to the true way? Restore the Regency to the honor and will of the Sky Man before it is too late!”

At this, the old man returned dutifully to his place in line. The Authority party seemed taken aback, but neither the Regent nor the CEO seemed at all affected by this strange rant. Nor did any of the Regent’s people think it out of the ordinary.

Talon’s mind was spinning. He barely noticed the exchanged pleasantries as they greeted the Regent. The captain was introduced, at which time the Regent offered an apology. “Captain Vasloch, pay no mind to old Zangor. He still believes in the old way. Unfortunately, acolytes are still appointed for life,” he continued in a low, conspirital tone, “and he simply refuses to die.”

The rest of the evening was interminable for Talon. He endured hours of formal receptions and dinners. All the while he could not get the old acolyte’s words out of his head. He hoped for, but also dreaded, an opportunity to speak with the old man alone. He never got the chance. None of the acolytes were present that evening.

Infinity Station was the home of the richest, most powerful man in the galaxy and it showed. Everything was oversized and expensive. The guest wing was enormous in scale and each guest was assigned a valet to wait on his every need. Every kind of drink and diversion was available as well. The Vlademorian Regents were known for their hedonistic lifestyles. The captain found himself repeatedly rejecting beautiful women offering “companionship.” He was miserable but was in no mood for any kind of company.

Talon wished that he could return to the ship. He wished that he could have remained a normal ship captain. It was so much easier sitting in the captain’s chair and executing orders. He resented the knowledge he had acquired. He resented being important. He had never felt more trapped in his life. He slept fitfully that night in his luxurious guest quarters.

Early in the morning, his valet rang informing him that he was wanted at a meeting. Talon dressed and followed him through the vast station. He was led to a door off a side corridor. Talon walked in and found himself in a small conference room. Seated at the small round table was the CEO, along with two of his trusted advisors: the director of the armada, and the director of information. Talon knew the men in passing and greeted them awkwardly.

“Come, sit down good captain,” said Voldruss in an overly friendly voice.

Talon sat down next to Voldruss. His heart was racing. Great fear was gripping his heart. He wanted to run.

“Captain Vasloch, I will get to the point. Your reaction to the old acolyte was most curious. You seemed quite disturbed. Obviously, it was an unusual discourse, but you did not react with the scorn and doubt that I would have expected.” Voldruss let his words hang in the air.

Talon was frozen. He suspected that Voldruss knew about the dragons. Could he know that he had seen one? And if the crazy, old acolyte was right, the Regent knew the dragons as well.

“Captain, do you have anything to say?” Voldruss challenged.

“Well, I… obviously, the old man is crazy. I don’t know what he was saying. I am sorry sir. Actually, I am quite out of place here. I, um…” Talon was visibly shaken.

Voldruss relaxed and sat back. He spoke in a kindlier tone. “My dear captain, no one is accusing you. Please relax. We are here to give you a great invitation. As you know the board has hand-chosen you as their top captain. You have been entrusted with the most vital missions of the Authority. It is our wish that you lead the SERPENT Armada as its Fleet Director, remaining in command of the flagship. What do you say to that?”

“It would be an honor. I’ve always felt my place was in command and in battle,” Talon replied, loosening a little.

“The honor is yours.” Voldruss laid a hand on Talon’s shoulder. His skin crawled at the touch. Voldruss continued, “We are prepared to confer the promotion on you at once. However, it has come to our attention that you know something of our contact.”

“Contact, sir?” Talon replied nervously.

“Let us not play games. You know that Authority leaders have been in contact with an intelligent, alien race. Are you not curious as to the nature of our contact?”

How did he know? … Drake! He had confided in Drake! “Well, sir, I, uh…”

Voldruss pressed a button on his console. “Captain-Supervisor Vasloch, I am most disappointed that you have not been forthcoming.” At the door across the room opened and Doc walked into the room. His face was stoic. He held Talon’s gaze steadily as if daring him to replace fault. Doc! Talon could not believe it. Doc had betrayed his trust! Was Doc really in on this whole alien thing?

Talon stalled for time “I was hesitant to talk about it. I was not sure I believed my own eyes. It is fantastic.”

“It is fantastic, indeed. Authority policy is being guided by an advanced civilization that will lead us into a glorious new era. This galaxy will be ours shortly and once it is full, the dragons (yes, that is what we call them), they will teach us how to expand to other galaxies, other universes. The old ways must be left behind; a new order is on the horizon. Will you be a part of it?”

“Sir, I… You said the galaxy would be ours. Who do you mean?” asked Talon. He was surer than ever that the dragons were not benevolent. His mind was racing, trying to replace a way out. He had to leave the Authority, but how?

“I am not prepared to answer any questions. I am asking for your loyalty and commitment.”

“But, can’t I know who the dragons are and what their intentions…”

“I cannot reveal the plan to you yet,” Voldruss interrupted. “Doctor Ornivus has told us that you overheard a conversation in Director-General Dernholm’s office. I must know exactly what you heard.” The CEO’s friendliness was eroding. He was leaning forward with a hungry look in his eye.

“Sir, I insist on a formal tribunal of flag officers if I am to answer any questions. I insist on a full disclosure of all dealings with the aliens. I…”

“You will insist on nothing!” He again pressed a button on the console. Two of the Regent’s guards entered, followed by the Regent himself. Young Xim Vlademor looked sheepish and uncomfortable. Talon wondered who was really in charge here.

Voldruss continued, “You will be taken to the Regent’s private hearing room. We will replace out what you know and who you have told!”

The guards circled the table in opposite directions toward Talon, brandishing nerve sticks. Talon spun out of his chair, picking it up in the same motion. He used it to block the first attack as he kicked Voldruss out of his chair. The fat CEO tumbled into the other guard. Talon knocked the first guard out cold with the chair, flung it across the table at the Regent and Doc, and then fled the room.

Talon ran full speed down corridors and around corners. He did not know where he was going, he just had an instinct to get away and hide somehow. He emerged into a main corridor and turned to his right. He slid to sudden stop as he saw a squad of seven guards approaching. They were not the Regent’s guards but security personnel from his own ship. He got into a fighting stance. He did not think he could take on all seven, but he would not give up without a fight.

Before the guards could engage, they were startled and focused on something behind Talon. He glanced over his shoulder to see the old acolyte Zangor slowly walking up behind him. The old man halted next to Talon and raised his hand. The nerve sticks of the guards suddenly erupted into green flame, sending them falling back unconscious.

“How did you do that?” Talon asked amazed.

“The Sky Man gives great gifts to those who are fully dedicated to Him. Now, he calls for you. Will you leave the Authority, never to return?” Zangor asked.

“Gladly, what choice do I have?”

“Your choice is to follow your destiny… or not. Walk with me,” the old man said, going through a side door. “The dragons will come. They must be stopped.”

Talon fell into step with the old acolyte, who walked surprisingly fast for his advanced age.

“The dragons, are they aliens? What are they after?”

“Outside of this galaxy, outside of this universe are many powers. The Sky Man is our great gift giver. He calls us to peace and freedom. The dragons represent the powers of fear and slavery.”

“But, is the Sky Man just another alien? Is he even real?”

The old man held up his hand. “Your questions are many. And yet your true questions remain locked in your own heart. Do not fear. All will be answered.” He led Talon down winding passages to what looked like a cargo bay.

“Here,” Zangor said, gesturing to a freighter container. It was roughly octagonal and forty feet across. “This container will be transported to a safe place. It contains food and water for your journey. Another of the servants of the Sky Man will meet you. Give this to him. It contains vital information” He handed Talon a memory cube.

“Where are you sending me? Why should I go?”

“You must trust me. You have a destiny. Where the Sky Man calls, He leads. Please get in.”

“Won’t you get in trouble?” Talon said as he entered the container.

“It matters little. The guards may not even remember me. Farewell, I will speak to Sky Man of you,” he intoned with a nod, and then closed the door.