“It has been three weeks since the League of Species Battlefleet was defeated by the Rashan, a species that is now believed to be what for thousands of years was thought to be a biological impossibility – a sentient, space-faring predator species. It has also been revealed to the Sagittarius News Network that also participating in the battle were a joint fleet of Dreeden, a minor League species and their client species, the terrans. We have unconfirmed reports that the Terrans are- unbelievably enough – another predator species.
League members are reeling from the news, with riots breaking out on several planets. League leadership has urged calm, declining to comment until the security council meets once the remains of the battle-fleet return to Assemblage station.
—-
Dreeden Embassy on the League of Species Capital Station Assemblage,
The two ambassadors were an odd couple, walking side by side down the corridors of the Dreeden embassy. On one side was a Dreeden, one meter tall with compound eyes set on either side of it’s head, wearing a black high-collared jacket and pants. Small tentacles could be seen extending from the sleeves of the jacket, writhing nervously. On the other was a human, taking one step for every two of the Dreeden. Twice the Dreeden’s height and wearing a full environmental jumpsuit and carrying it’s helmet by his side, his eyes narrowed and jaw clenched as he walked purposefully down the hallway.
The Dreeden embassy was one of hundreds located on the Assemblage, the enormous station that served as the capital for the League of Species, and but predated the League itself. It was built thousands of years ago by the Bonthans and the Arkone as a neutral meeting place between their races. As both species expanded, more races were found among the stars, and the station expanded along with the number of races that used it. It was Assemblage station that allowed the League of Species to form, and now it served as its bustling heart and capital. The center of the station was a 10km wide sphere which was home to the council chambers themselves and thousands other meeting rooms, offices and the infrastructure that housed the intricate bureaucracy that allowed a government made up of hundreds of member races and thousands of star systems to function.
The central sphere was surrounded by concentric rings, each ring providing embassy space for member species, housing for League bureaucrats, and docking stations to serve the member species. Each ring had been built as need demanded, so the oldest species in the League occupied the central rings, with the newer species at the outer rings. The outermost ring, which housed the Dreeden embassy as well as their client species, was under construction, with scaffolding surrounding much of its circumference. Joining these rings to the central station were spokes containing transit tubes, allowing even occupants of the outermost ring to travel to the central sphere within minutes.
“I got here as quickly as I could,” Nesh, Dreeden Ambassador to the Galactic Council panted as he struggled to keep up with the long strides of the human. “How bad is it Baden?”
“Word from the League fleet reached the council yesterday. Since then we’ve had protesters outside the embassy offices and half dozen calls in the council for our forcible removal from the Assemblage, which only failed on the technicality that the Republic of Terra isn’t actually a member of the League. Three hours ago one of your techs found a Queel in one of the embassy’s maintenance tunnels. Best guess is that they were trying to sabotage the embassy’s environmental controls. If your techs hadn’t caught them when they did…”
“I’m sorry Baden. I know that this has moved up the timeline, but your species’s secret was going to come to light eventually.” Nesh shook his head ruefully. “I thought after Admiral Davies managed to pull the League battle-fleet out that Admiral Nuryaw could be an ally for us on the council. She’s the ranking member of the League security council, and if anyone would support humanity, I felt it would be the Admiral that just had her fleet saved by the Terran navy.”
“Nuryaw’s not the problem, Nesh. It’s Moktep, her damned vice-admiral. He arrived before the rest of the League fleet, and has called an emergency session of the council. The Vice-Admiral has charged Nuryaw with high treason and the Associated Republics of Terra and Dreeden Republic have been named as collaborators. Nuryaw was arrested, disarmed and her personal guard disbanded as soon as she disembarked from her flagship.”
“What?” That brought Nesh to a halt. “Despite Nuryaw being stubborn and arrogant as they come, she kept that fleet together. Without her leadership, there wouldn’t have been a battlefleet for us to save!”
“That’s not the way that Moktep sees it, and it seems he’s convinced most of the security council as well.” Ambassador Baden Woods of the Associated Republics of Terra paused, glancing down at his colleague. “I’m surprised you don’t know all this already, usually your people are the ones to hear the council whispers before mine do.”
“Like I said, I got here as fast as I could, I haven’t even had a chance to debrief with our State Department. After the battle, I transferred from the Helena to a Dreeden Republic frigate and headed to the Confluence. We docked less than ten minutes ago. I received word that the Jinkto was out of the paddock just as we were making orbit.”
Nesh sighed. His legs weren’t used to this much exercise after the three week-long trip on the cramped Dreeden frigate, and what Baden was telling him was potentially devastating. It had been over 120 years since his people and the Terrans met, and while things hadn’t always been easy, the two races had become close allies. When more space-faring species had been discovered, it was always the Dreeden that made contact, keeping the human’s secret safe. Now, after all this time, humans had revealed themselves to the rest of the galaxy, and it happened with Nesh’s tacit approval. He wondered how long it would be until State got word of this mess and he was recalled.
They walked in silence for a while before Baden spoke again. “I would have made the same call you did, Nesh. If Nuryaw retained her position on the council, she could have helped convince the rest that humans weren’t monsters. We knew this day was coming eventually, and no matter what, we knew that being revealed as a predator species to a galaxy full of herbivores wasn’t going to go smoothly. We’ll make the best of it.”
The two ambassadors reached the blast doors that separated the Dreeden embassy from the rest of the station. There they were met by sharp salutes from a human and a Dreeden security detail, waiting to escort them out of the relative safety of the embassy. Despite the thick doors, angry shouting from a score of different species could be heard.
“Leave your marines here, Baden. We don’t know how other species will react to seeing one human after knowing what you are, let alone five of them wearing combat armor. My people can handle the protestors.” Nesh took a deep breath and steeled himself to face the angry mob outside.“So Baden, what’s our plan?”
“Well Nesh,we have to prevent Admiral Nuryaw’s execution, clear both the Associated Republics of Terra and Dreeden Republic of any wrongdoing, and convince the League of Species not to declare war on humanity on general principle. I thought we’d wing it.” Baden reached up to place the helmet he carried over his head, completely obscuring his face as the blast doors slid open.
“I hate your plans Baden.”
“How dare you accuse me, Moktep! You were at my side on the Flashing Hooves!” Nuryaw’s hackle-spines were fully extended, and flexed her grasping hooves against her restraints with frustration. Her carapace wept where her rank insignia and medals had been stripped from her exoskeleton, leaving trails of marrow down her 4 meter tall frame.
Nuryaw stood in the central council chamber, surrounded by the gathered members of the League of Species security council. She glared up at the raised table where the ranking members of the council sat. At the head of the table sat Moktep, with a new rank insignia stapled into his carapace, marking him as a full admiral. Just a few short weeks ago, that had been her seat. That had been her rank.
After the battle, Moktep had implored her to let him take a courier ship back to the Assemblage at best speed to inform them of the fleet’s defeat and warn them of the nature of the Rashan and Terrans. It had seemed like a prudent course of action at the time. Now she realized that Moktep had wanted the extra time to turn the security council against her.
At her side, her two Curthan gaolers moved closer, raising their shock sticks in warning. Clenching her grasping hooves tightly, Nuryaw tried to force herself to calm down. How could this have happened? She had fully expected a court-martial when she returned with the battered remains of the League Battle Fleet to the Assemblage. Incompetent, a failure. Those were the accusations she expected, and she had made her peace with them on the fleet’s limping return to League space.
League security had been waiting for her when she exited her ship, and Nuryaw had gone with them willingly. She thought she was ready for whatever they had in store for her. Ready for the pain of her accomplishments ripped from her body as they stripped her of her medals. Ready to be treated as an embarrassment. Ready for whatever punishment they had in store for her. If she was asked to pay with her life for the tens of thousands of crew that had died because of her arrogance, she was prepared to give it. She had told herself that she would accept whatever judgement the League council deemed fit, without protest.
But Nuryaw had not been prepared to be called a traitor.
“I have given my life to the League. Thirty years I have served the League of Species, leading the Battle-Fleet into combat twenty-two times during those years. Three weeks ago I failed it. I failed to bring victory to the League, I failed the fleet, and I failed the brave crew of the ships that I led into that battle. I freely admit those failures, but treachery is not among them.”
“That is what this hearing will determine, Nuryaw,” the Arkone ambassador spoke, grasping the League gavel-stone which marked him as the arbiter of the trial. “You’ve also presided over similar hearings, have you not? You will have your chance to speak in your defense presently, but for now the accused will remain silent.
“Admiral Moktep! You have leveled serious charges against the accused. Present your evidence to the council.”
“Of course, honored ambassador,” Moktep nodded to the Arkone. Drawing himself up to his full height, he turned to the gathered representatives arrayed on the council floor below him. “If it please the council…”
Whatever he was about to say was drowned by a rumble of voices near the entrance to the chambers. Being 4 meters tall had its advantages, and Nuryaw could clearly see the source of the disturbance. Through the entrance doors walked a human and a Dreeden, surrounded by what looked to be armored Dreeden security guards, some of which seemed to bear the signs of recent fighting. Nuryaw didn’t know what color that a Dreeden bled, but she didn’t think it was their blood on the shock batons they carried.
The crowd parted around the newcomers as they took their place in the council chambers, representatives backing away in fear. Shouts of fear began to be replaced by shouts of anger as league representatives regained their confidence. Cries of “Monster! and “Flesh Eater!” were heard over the cacophony of voices.
The Terran ambassador’s face was thankfully covered by that odd opaque helmet the humans wore when around other species to obscure their features. Still, Nuryaw felt uneasy as his head turned her way, remembering the piercing gaze of the human Admiral Davies, who had removed her helmet to reveal herself to Nuryaw after Davies fleet had allowed Nuryaw and her fleet to escape the trap set by the Rashan. She looked up at Moktep, who appeared frozen as he stared at the human and the Dreeden. He did not expect the Dreeden ambassador to return so soon, Nuryaw realized. For this first time since her capture, Nuryaw let her hackle spines lower. There was some hope for her yet.
“There will be order!” The Arkone ambassador slammed the gavel-stone on the table in front of him, his shell shaking with the effort. “We will address the issue of the Dreeden Republic and the Associated Republics of Terra after this hearing. Admiral Moktep assures me that the proceedings will shed valuable light on the crimes of both races.”
The assembled delegates of the League of Species begrudgingly turned their attention back to the central dias. Moktep gathered himself, and started again. “If it pleases the council, I formally accuse Nuryaw, former admiral of the League Battle-Fleet, of high treason against the League of Species. I have evidence that she conspired with the predator species of the Rashan and the Terrans along with their quisling pets, the Dreeden Republic.”
Moktep paused as murmurs swept the council chambers. “I was onboard the Flashing Hooves during the disastrous battle which resulted in defeat of the league fleet, and I watched as former Admiral Nuryaw conspired with the Rashan and the Terrans to destroy the battle-fleet and leave the League defenseless.”
Placing a data chip on the table, he continued. “On this chip, I have recordings from that battle that show former Admiral Nuryaw’s incompetence and treachery. Species of the Council, see for yourself.” Moktep manipulated an inset holoscreen on the table with his grasping hooves, and the lights lowered as a holographic recording of the Flashing Hooves’s bridge was projected above the council chamber. “I managed to recover these recordings from the Flashing Hooves after former admiral Nuryaw attempted to delete them. I apologize for the poor quality, the chips were damaged in the battle and I was only able to recover a portion of the deleted files, but think the recordings speak for themselves.”
The projection was filled with static, and the audio garbled, but was clear enough to show Admiral Nuryaw in her acceleration couch, with vice-admiral Moktep by her side. Nuryaw watched as the recording played out above her head. What point is he trying to make? Nuryaw wondered. They would expose Nuryaw’s poor judgement in not heeding the human Admiral’s warnings, but she was unconvinced that Moktep could make the council believe she was a traitor from them. What was his game?
“Admiral, I’m receiving a signal from the fourth planet, it seems to be audio and visual.” The projection of Nuryaw’s communications officer reported.
“Put it on screen,” Nuryaw saw herself say. She closed her eyes, she knew what was coming next.
The holo-projection changed its view from the bridge to the incoming communication. On the screen appeared a Rashan. Even with her eyes closed, Nuryaw could remember what it looked like – exposed teeth, four, forward facing eyes, smooth, hairless skin and four arms, two of which that ended in delicate manipulators that seemed at odds with the violence the rest of the creature promised. “I have to say,” the recording of the Rashan spoke, “It is…convenient when prey comes to us.”
The delegates gasped with the appearance of the Rashan, and some even cowed away from the projection. They had seen it before – the Rashan’s message had been disseminated to all council species as proof of the Rashan’s predatory nature, but many delegates still fought their urge to run or hide when confronted with the image of the Rashan.
Nuryaw opened her eyes again. Is this is how Moktep planned to bring her down? To show the council a recording of her cowering in fear? Nuryaw looked back up at the screen. She was confused by Moktep’s choice, because she knew after the Rashan had broadcast their threat, he had almost fainted. She couldn’t imagine that he would want that projected to the Council. But instead, on the holo-projection, she saw the view switch back to Nuryaw and Moktep at their posts.
“It seems the Rashan fleet is divided into five squadrons of one dreadnaught and 3-4 battleships each, with approximately twenty cruisers and destroyers. They also have launched hundreds of what appear to be parasite craft. Each Rashsan squadron is headed spinward on a different heading.” Moktep’s projection said.
“No matter,” Nuryaw’s projection replied. “Continue to close range. Contact the humans and the Rashans, let them know they’re clear to attack. Long live the predators.”
That bastard, Nuryaw thought, he’s edited the recording.
Nuryaw watched in horror as her projection willfully threw her fleet to their doom.
“A little on the nose, isn’t it? ‘Long live the Predators?’” Ambassador Woods leaned down to whisper to Nesh as the holo projection played overhead. “Does no one remember that we tried to stop the damn battle before it started?”
Nesh nodded. “Yes, it’s clumsily done, but look around. The delegates are afraid, terrified even. They’ve just learned not one, but two predator species exist, and their fleet has been torn to shreds. They’ll want a scapegoat, someone to blame, and Nuryaw makes a convenient target.”
“…And in blaming Nuryaw, Moktep sets himself up as the new leader of the League Security Council.” Woods shook his head. “I don’t see how Moktep plans to get away with this though. All it will take is one contradictory account, and Moktep’s fabrication falls apart.”
“Don’t underestimate Admiral Moktep,” Nesh replied. “I would wager there is more to this than an edited battle recording.”
The lights came up in the council chambers as the projection ended, and once again angry mutterings filled the hall, with hostile glares directed at both Nuryaw and the Dreeden-Human delegation. “I don’t know what the predator’s promised our former admiral,” Moktep said sadly, shaking his head at his former superior, “but it is clear she betrayed the fleet along with her Dreeden and Human allies.”
“It is my belief that our former admiral intended to defect with our flagship, the Flashing Hooves to the Rashan, after the complete destruction of the League fleet. It is only due to the bravery and skill of our battle-fleet that any escaped her treachery. She only had one loose end: me. She put me on a courier ship to Assemblage under the auspices of bringing news to the council of our defeat, but when I found that she had deleted the recording, I knew that she meant to kill me. I was the only loose end. I recovered the deleted recording as best I could and boarded the courier. My suspicions led me to search the ship, where I found this,” Moktep brandished a oblong device in one of his grasping hooves, “an explosive charge wired to the hyperdrive. If I hadn’t managed to remove it and reach you before Nuryaw did, she would have gotten away with her treachery.”
A fresh round of gasps reverberated through the hall.
“Thank you Admiral,” said the Arkone ambassador. Turning from Moktep, he looked down to Nuryaw, who looked to be vibrating with anger. “The accused may speak in their defense.”
“These recordings are falsified, ambassador. I can prove it. Any of my bridge crew would testify to that effect..” Nuryaw’s forehoof pawed at the ground. “Ask any of the captains that were at the battle! Ask ambassador Nesh, he was there too!”
“Sadly,” replied Moktep, “None of your bridge crew can be found, Nuryaw. But you knew that didn’t you?” Moktep turned back to the council. “It is our working theory that Nuryaw had them killed on board the Flashing Hooves as soon as they reached the station so that they could not contest her story.
“As far as the fleet captains, Moktep continued, “they are all on deep patrol at the Rashan border. Or don’t you remember tasking the fleet with this useless duty, conveniently weeks away from the Assemblage? As far as the Dreeden ambassador, he stands accused as well! We can’t trust anything he might say.
“If that the only defense that former Admiral Nuryaw can offer, testimony from allies or absent representatives, I’m afraid I have no choice,” Admiral Moktep sighed dramatically. “I must move for execution.”
Across the chamber floor, holo projections of [assent] appeared above several delegations.
“This isn’t going well,” Nesh whispered to his human counterpart as the surrounding delegations treated him to baleful stares.
Baden brought a hand up to the chin of his helmet. “His story is too complicated for its own good, too many holes. That’s why he’s moving for execution now, while he has the council’s blood up and before it starts to unravel. I have an idea, but I’m going to need to use your speaking time again.”
Nesh handed his speaking stone over to Baden. “Try to be more diplomatic than the last time”
“Did I ever tell you how most human politicians get their start?” Even with Baden’s helmet on, Nesh knew that his friend was wearing a predatory smile. “We go to law school.”
Nuryaw was stunned. Her bridge crew gone? What had Moktep done with them?
His outlandish story was bad enough, but to think that he had hurt her crew? Nuryaw’s blood boiled. She eyed her guards and mentally gauged the distance between her and Moktep. Even with her restraints, she might be able to charge him before her Curthan gaolers reacted. Nuryaw knew that this would confirm her guilt in the eyes of the council, but she couldn’t stand the thought of Moktep getting away with this. Taking a deep breath, she mentally prepared herself for the charge. She coiled her muscles, ready to push off with her powerful hind hooves and launch her three-ton body into the air toward her accuser.
“Objection!”
Nuryaw stopped herself as symbols for [Request to Speak] and [Objection!] appeared over the Ambassador Nesh and the Terran ambassador.
“Yes… Ambassador Woods, is it?” The Arkone ambassador acknowledged. “Do you wish to admit humanity’s guilt in this conspiracy?”
“With respect, Ambassador Erukuleen, I don’t believe that the Associated Republics of Terra have yet been formally charged with any crime. But it is not justice for humanity I seek today, but for Nuryaw, who I believe has been unfairly accused.”
Ambassador Woods strode toward the dias, delegates scrambling out of his way as he did. “I also believe that under League law, the accused is allowed up to twelve hours after new evidence is introduced in their trial to respond. Nuryaw has been given none.”
“This is not a trial, human,” Moktep said from his seat at the council table. “This is a hearing of treason of a member of the League council. Trial rules do not apply when this council tries one of its own.”
The Arkone ambassador nodded in assent. “Admiral Moktep is correct. You try the patience of this council.”
“My apologies ambassador, but if I may,” Baden spread his hands, “I think I might be confused. Don’t Bonthan’s wear symbols of their ranks on their carapace? I see no insignia for Fleet Admiral on Nuryaw.”
The Arkone ambassador paused, beginning to understand the tack Baden’s questioning. “Nuryaw was stripped of her rank and title when she boarded the station, Ambassador.”
“If I understand, Ambassador Erukuleen, wouldn’t that makes former admiral Nuryaw a civilian, and not a member of the council? Wouldn’t that mean that Nuryaw is entitled to all the rights and protections that League law allows?” Baden raised his voice, reaching the crowd.
“We don’t have to listen to this predator,” Moktep growled, but Erukuleen held up a gnarled claw.
“Ambassador Woods is correct. With Nuryaw stripped of council rank, she is effectively a civilian under the law. She may find representation from licensed counsel.”
“Good luck finding someone willing to represent this traitor,” Moktep sneered.
“I don’t think that will be a problem,” Baden said, walking toward Nuryaw and her two guards, who suddenly looked very nervous. “I’m licensed to practice law in Dreeden space, and pursuant to the mutual privilege clause of the Assemblage charter which considers Assemblage council chambers the shared territory of all League members, I believe that you’ll find that I’m licensed here as well.”
Baden stopped in front of Nuryaw, looking up at the huge Bonthan that towered above him. “Hello Nuryaw. I heard you could use a lawyer.”