Star Force: Penance (SF49) (8 page)

“
You have my
deepest apologies
,” Ken’slan answered genuinely. “
We were in the wrong, and Vensiol is to blame. You are correct, they
must be removed
.”

“
Glad we’re in
agreement
,” Morgan answered, already having known what he was going to say,
having been snooping on his thoughts the entire time he was reviewing the
records. “
Now how do we go about doing
it?
”

“
We shall handle
this
ourselves
,” the Scionate said with a growl so
deep Morgan could literally feel his shame. “
It will be bloody, but that must be our penance. We will make amends
with your people at a later time, if you will allow it
.”

“
Let’s do so
right now
,” Morgan offered. “
This is
personal for us as well, in so far as the Chieftans are concerned. We’re going
back there and taking them down personally…and we can do it without a
bloodbath. Same way we did the first time. But we need you to step in and take
over control
immediately,” she emphasized.
 
“
And we
don’t need your permission to do so, but you can make amends by giving us your
blessing.
”

Ken’slan and Morgan stared at each other for a long
moment,
then
the middle-aged Scionate bowed his head
respectfully. “
Your wisdom is as sharp as
your martial skill. I agree and give you my blessing, but to do so it cannot be
done with a simple word. I must accompany and fight alongside you
.”

Morgan frowned. “
No
offense, but you’ll slow us down
.”

“
I
am not helpless
,” Ken’slan growled, his pride pricked.

“
If you come
with us
,” the other Human spoke from behind, “
who will lead your bloodline in the takeover that follows?
”

Ken’slan turned to face the other in identical armor,
though his helmet still remained on so he couldn’t see his face, but he knew it
from the recording he’d just watched none the less.

“
How much time
can you give me to prepare?
”

Paul considered that, discussing it with Morgan
briefly though a telepathic link.

“
At most two
days. We have to settle this soon before another attack can be launched
.”

“
I will not
require more than 5 hours
,” Ken’slan said stoically. “
You may remain here until then if you wish, as our guests, or go on
your way. I will inform security of your presence and they will shield you
against outside aggression…on their lives if necessary.
”

“Kara?” Morgan asked.

“Right, I’ll grab the car keys and be back in a
flash,” she said, walking out the door and disappearing into shadow.

“
We will bring
our small ship here
,” Morgan said. “
I
assume you have a hangar?
”

“
I
will make arrangements
.”
        

“Just make sure
they don’t touch it. It’s kind of sentimental to us
,” Morgan warned.

“
As
you wish.
With your permission
I will leave now?
” Ken’slan asked half serious, half sarcasm…with Morgan
appreciating the second.

“
So long as you
are honorable, you have no need to fear us
,” she said with double-edged
meaning.

“
That I shall
remember
,” Ken’slan said, turning around and walking out the door that Kara
had left through quickly, leaving Paul and Morgan behind.

“If he’s faking he’s doing a remarkable job of it,”
Paul commented.

“We got through to him,” Morgan said confidently. “I
just don’t like the idea of fighting with him alongside. We’re going to have to
protect him, and that’s going to slow us down.”

“Or…” Paul said with a smirk.

Morgan didn’t catch his drift immediately, but when
she did she couldn’t help but smile. “Let Kara do it?”

“Exactly.”

“I like it…but she won’t.”

“I’ll trade off with her when she needs to do some
heavy lifting. Shield boy and all.”

“So I’m free?”

“To constantly kick ass, yes.”

Morgan shrugged.
“Works for me then.
Just make sure
grampa
kitty doesn’t get smoked. He is
going to wear armor, I hope.”

“We’ll insist that he does,” Paul said as he sensed a
flurry of minds approaching, none of them
Ken’slan’s
.
“Company?”

Morgan stretched out and searched one of their minds.
“Anxious, not angry,” she said a moment before the Scionate security came
through the door, all of which were wearing ceremonial armor in their bloodline
colors, which in the case of Grisst were a combination of orange and yellow,
whereas total yellow was reserved to represent the Scionate as a whole.

Six of the cats came into the room and looked the two
Humans over, half encircling them before respectfully sitting on their hind
legs. “
We have been assigned as your
escorts
,” one of them said.

Paul glanced over at Morgan.
“Nice to
have friends.”

8

“
Are you
certain?
”

“
Yes
,”
Ken’slan said, pressing a button that he’d previously configured to send the
data given to him by the Humans in a single packet form. “
You may see for yourself, but there is little time. I have told them
that we will be ready within hours.
”

The Scionate on the other end of the private holo
transmission glanced at something off screen,
then
looked back at his peer. “
I trust your
word, for I do not think this is something you would fabricate. I will have the
data analyzed later, but if what you say is true then there is no dispute from
us. Vensiol must be removed. The question that remains is who is to replace
them?
”

“
Grisst will not
seek that placement
,” Ken’slan said stoically. “
We have wronged the Humans greatly, and must pay a penance. They are
honorable warriors, and I concede that we were wrong in not supporting them to
a greater degree. I believe we are honor-bound to do so now and take up a
significant role on the front lines of the ADZ. Since we have been one of those
arguing against such a move, it would be improper for us to lead such an
effort.
”

Jen’ton raised his head slightly, clearly taken by
surprise. “
That I did not expect to hear
from you. Are the others of your bloodline in concurrence?
”

“
I have not had
time to inform most of them, but the key members are in agreement. We have
little time and must act quickly, and Grisst will support Wennitan as ruling
bloodline so long as you remain honorable, abide by the Humans’ terms of
colonization, and aid in the defense of the ADZ militarily…much as you’ve
already proposed
.”

“
I am humbled by
your wisdom, Ken’slan, and your willingness to put the needs of our race above
the ambitions of your bloodline
.”

“
I expect the
same from Wennitan
.”

“
And you shall
have it
,” their bloodline leader growled anxiously. “
But I do not know how many troops I can assemble within hours. I need
at least a day, if not a week, to make the necessary preparations in order to
assure a quick and effective transfer of power. If we move within hours we risk
a failed coup
.”

Ken’slan shook his head. “
That will not be necessary. The Humans are going to assault the ruling
den, with my blessing. We need only to secure the transition of power
.”

Jen’ton seemed taken aback. “
This is an internal matter. If blood is to split it must be by our
hands only.
”

“
They have
assured me that their efforts will be bloodless, much like a similar assault
they mounted the other day. Information about such has been suppressed
considerably. If you look quickly, you will see visual recordings from the
Humans’ armor included in the data packet
.”

Jen’ton frowned, pulling up and opening the packet
file and searching for what Ken’slan had mentioned. He’d heard rumors of an
incident at the ruling den, as well as getting a few firsthand accounts from
members of his bloodline that had been highly exaggerated, but this was the
first he had heard of any Human involvement.

“
Mother of all
youngbloods
,” he said, seeing the combat recordings of
the battle in the plaza first.

“
These Humans
with me are far more powerful than we have ever encountered before
,”
Ken’slan explained as the other bloodline leader was glued to the footage. “
And they demonstrated some of their powers
on me, here, not long ago. They are either concealing abnormally advanced tech
or are some form of witches. I do not know which, but they were able to take
control of my body, imprisoning me within it as they began to explain the
situation. I cannot tell you how they accomplished this, but I am convinced
that they are here for honor’s sake and have the means to breach the ruling
den’s defenses at will
.”

“
I don’t believe
what I’m hearing…or seeing, but I know that you are no liar. Is this how they
were able to slaughter our people on their world?
”

“
I do not know,
but I get the feeling that only their advanced warriors have these powers.
Otherwise our ground troops would have been frozen in place unable to
fight…which
is a terrifying
thought going forward
.”

“
Unless they can
do this to the Cajdital as well
,” Jen’ton commented, thinking of various
applications.

Ken’slan bowed his head. “
It is for reasons such as that that your bloodline is better suited to
lead us given the present circumstances
.”

“
Assume I agree
to the Human assault. What exactly are you asking of us in the coming hours?
”

“
Both our
bloodlines must have people in place to secure those the Humans’ render
unconscious. I would prefer not to kill them, but we cannot let them rise or
flee to begin a larger conflict. This must be done swiftly and be contained. I
need your security, ours, and as many other bloodlines that we can muster to
surround the ruling den while we fight our way inside and deal with the
Chieftans
.”

“
You are
personally fighting with the Humans?
”

“
Just
myself.
The rest of my people
will be waiting on the perimeter. As you said, this is a Scionate matter. I
cannot let the Humans act alone, nor will I send a subordinate
.”

“
I envy you that
,”
Jen’ton said candidly. “
If my body were
not so weakened with age I would very much like to accompany you. I will send a
surrogate if you will allow it?
”

“
I will not
,”
Ken’slan said firmly. “
Our bloodline’s
alliance with Vensiol was a mistake. It is only right that we should be the
ones removing them. That way there can be no rumors suggesting that we are
working on your behalf. Grisst will remove Vensiol with the Humans,
then
we will step aside for Wennitan to rule.
”

“
Bold for a
Grisst.
”

“
We are not
so
stagnant as you imagine. We simply prefer to make sure a
fight is righteous before we show our claws
.”

“
Well stated, my
old adversary. I am pleased we are finally in agreement. I will round up as
many of my kin as I can. How long do I have?
”

“
3
hours before we depart
.”

Jen’ton huffed. “
Not
much time, but I will not waste a moment of it. We will be ready
,” he said,
signing off so he could get to work immediately.

Ken’slan remained at his private comm terminal,
opening up another line to the next honorable bloodline on his short list while
his own people were hastily making preparations for the assault, with
Grisst’s
other leaders handling the various aspects in his
stead to maximize time. They had been reluctant and even disbelieving two hours
ago when he’d woke them and brought this to their attention, but between his
assurances and the data from the Humans they had consented to the overthrow and
were now working hard to make it happen before Vensiol could discover the plot
and take action to thwart it.

Six hours later a Grisst transport rolled up to the
edge of the plaza around the ruling den but stopping short from driving out
onto it. The doors opened up and Ken’slan jumped out, wearing full combat armor,
and sniffed the air through his helmet vents. He drew immediate attention, for
the armor was in Grisst colors and not the yellow of the hundreds of troops
surrounding the den in a permanent, yet relaxed defense deployment amongst the
milling crowds.

Passersby immediately took notice,
then
even more did so as he roared, amplified by the speakers in his armor, drawing
the attention of everyone on the street and those closest on the plaza. He took
three steps forward and stood staring at the ruling den complex ahead as the
three Humans stepped out of the transport behind him…to the dismay of those
around. They walked up and flanked him, one on the left, one on the right, and
the oddly armored one behind,
then
Ken’slan began
walking forward, with the crowds and other traffic vehicles giving them a very
wide berth, but not willing to take their eyes off them.

The guards around the den immediately went on alert,
for most of them had fought the Humans the other day and knew what threat they
posed…despite the news suppression Vensiol had worked to keep the rest of the
city and planet in the dark as to what had truly happened. Some of the
surrounding denizens also knew the truth and took up safe perches wherever they
could, wanting to stay far away from the Humans but also wanting to know what
was happening…and why one of their own was leading them here, which also
forestalled any attacks from the crowd, futile as those would have been.

When Ken’slan stepped onto the outskirts of the plaza
the onlookers had already pulled back, letting the troops form a solid mass
ahead of the foursome, blocking their way to the den while calling for more
reinforcements. Ken’slan knew not to waste time, so for a brief moment he
retracted his helmet so everyone could see who he was
,
then spoke as loud as he could without it becoming a scream.

“
I am Ken’slan
of Grisst. Vensiol has acted with dishonor and must be removed
!” he said,
running forward as his helmet reformed over his head and dropping into a combat
sprint headed towards the nearest of the troops.

Morgan and Paul flanked him, with Kara running behind
a few steps before launching herself up into the air and hanging some ten
meters above Ken’slan while traveling in a forward arc, whereupon she opened up
her wrist weapons and rained down two conical jets of tiny Dre’mo’don blasts,
showering the troops ahead of him and ripping off their shields before
switching over to the pale green stun energy and doing the same. 40+ of the
Scionate dropped to the ground unconscious as Ken’slan got to them, with him
lithely hopping over the fallen and heading towards the nearest one still
standing.

Kara zipped forward and repeated the process from the
air,
mowing down the mass of guards while leaving Paul and
Morgan to pick up the pieces, with Paul sticking close to Ken’slan should he
need assistance.

Once the large groups were incapacitated Kara dropped
back down to the ground and took it to the scattering of troops hand to hand,
punching/stunning them into submission along with the other two Archons while
Ken’slan seemed content to beat his own kin hand to hand without using his
plasma weapon, and was doing a fair job of it so long as Paul kept them from
ganging up on him.

Within 2 minutes the mass of troops was subdued,
leaving an awkward moment of silence as the surrounding crowds looked on with a
mix of shock, horror, and confusion as Ken’slan roared again and Kara flew up
into the air in front of the main doors, pausing momentarily to summon up a
small green/white orb that she then sent into the seam between them. It melted
a hole straight through, which she flew over to and pried open by hand, finally
using her shoulder and legs to force the doors apart, breaking the repaired
components that were keeping them locked into place as a hail of yellow plasma
blasts hit her from the infantry inside…ineffectually.

Morgan came through and bowled them aside with a
concussive blast, clearing the way for Paul and Ken’slan to enter while she
pushed ahead. Kara dropped down behind them and pulled the doors back together
as much as she could, leaving a 4 inch gap where she could no longer get a
fingerhold and following Ken’slan from behind as an honor guard while Paul ran
ahead and took down what little Morgan dropped enroute to the first main
intersection in the hallways.

There the two Archons split up and went on a stunning
spree, leaving Kara with Ken’slan as they worked their way through a different
section of the den, taking down all those who they came across with the
Scionate being little more than a tagalong…though Kara did let him beat down
those that weren’t much of a threat to give him something to do.

The three Archons kept in contact via battlemeld and
comm when they were otherwise out of range, intent on keeping the Scionate away
from the exits and confined to the den while they worked through their stun
slaughter, though they did have to rush to various points to head off several
evacuation efforts, forcing the leadership to flee once again to other areas,
trying to avoid the Humans that they knew were coming even as they called for
heavy reinforcements on the outside.

Some of the Vensiol bloodline managed to make it out
of the building through the back entrances, all lower ranking members, who fled
across the plaza ring and ran into a barricade of multi-colored armored
security forces from a number of different bloodlines.

“
Stand down and
surrender
,” one of them demanded of the three unarmored Scionate skidding
to a halt on the street ahead of them as they met up with the line of armor not
allowing them to pass. One of them froze in place as ordered, but the other two
turned and ran, with four of the armored Scionate jumping out and sprinting
after them, setting up a chase that went across half of the plasma before one
of the armored ones fired a tiny needle/dart into the back of the neck of the
slower of the two. It injected a numbing agent on contact, taking a number of
seconds to enter the bloodstream but almost immediately slowing the fleeing
Vensiol and allowing a takedown to be made.

With one of the armored Scionate standing atop the now
disconcerted one and claiming it as a prisoner, the others tracked down the
second and fired a similar needle/dart with identical consequences. Gripping
either one by the neck, the bloodline security soldiers pulled their captives
over their backs and walked off with them, clearing the plaza and taking them
to nearby transports where the dopey prisoners were properly restrained and
shipped off as soon as each hover vehicle was full, clearing out the Vensiol
opposition a few at a time as their military reinforcements began to arrive.