Ishari - chapter 1: Endgame - part 1 of 4
#1 of Ishari
The war is over.
Lieutenant Fox stood on the observation deck of the Valient watching the stars pass by. His knuckles had gone white from gripping the railing too tightly.
The war is over.
A single tear escaped down his cheek as the fear finally began to win over him. Fear for the future. Fear for his friends and family back home. Fear for the Confederacy as a whole.
The war is over.
"But it's not my war!" he screamed to the universe in general. He finally gave in to the emotions that had been fighting to overcome him. As he leaned against the railing, the tears flowed freely down his face and puddled on the deck at his feet. He could no longer hide from the pervasive, undeniable truth: The war is over.
Forty years ago the greatest threat to the Confederacy was the Kurn Empire. The empire had been aggressively expanding its territory until it was right up against Confederate space. Everyone in the Confederate Navy new the time was coming when they would be called on to defend their home. Or, more likely, die trying.
But then a miracle happened. They were called the Ishari. No one knew who they were, or where they came from. But what was apparent was that the empire had finally met its match. And so began a war that would last forty years. To the citizens of the Confederacy, the war became so much background noise. Just another fact of reality. And they enjoyed an era of peace and prosperity.
As for the Ishari; no one really knew why they attacked the empire. The most popular theory was that the empire tried to annex the wrong planet, and wound up biting off more than they could chew.
Many historians with a deeper understanding of the Ishari's mysterious past denounced this theory. They claimed that the Ishari must have wanted something, and the empire's only crime was they happened to be in the way.
Whatever the reasons, the Ishari began a seemingly endless war. Both sides seemed to possess the resources and willingness to carry out the conflict indefinitely. And so began a war that would never end. Until now.
News spread across the Confederacy like wild fire. The Kurn Empire had collapsed. The war was over, and the Ishari had won. And now the bulk of their fleet was cutting an unswerving path deep into Confederate space.
"Senior officers report to the command center!" The announcement rang through the _Valient's_com system.
Lieutenant Fox dried his eyes against his sleeve and composed himself as best he could. He would be expected at this meeting.
He had earned a senior position despite his age because of a thesis he wrote at the academy regarding Ishari battle tactics. It gave him no comfort to know that his expertise would now be in demand.
When he entered the command center, there was already a loud debate going on. The senior officers were standing around a circular table shouting back and forth.
In the center of the table was a holographic projection showing a section of Confederate space. A bright red line cut straight into the projection from the edge, and a dimmer line was superimposed over the top of it. The dimmer line arched down and intersected with a holographic planet that was highlighted in blue.
As he approached the table, he noticed the commanding officer, Captain Goodwin, was just leaning against the table quietly, studying the projection in front of him while he gave the discussion half an ear. The captain looked up at Fox as he walked up to the table.
"You alright, Lieutenant?"
"Yes, sir," Fox said, all business now. He gave a nod to the projection, "What have we got?"
One of the other officers, Lieutenant Sparks, pointed to various parts of the projection as he explained the situation.
"The Ishari have cut a path into our space. The Admiralty believes they intend to circle around and head here," at this his finger stopped at the highlighted planet.
Fox glared at the display, "Cyrius?" he looked up at the captain, "That's one of our largest weapons plants"
"Yes," the captain said calmly, "If we find ourselves at war with the Ishari, losing that plant would mean a very short war. We've been ordered to join with the fleet there to defend the plant."
Fox stared at the display as the conversation continued. Something didn't feel right about it. Finally he broke up the conversation by pointing to a small dot on the edge of Confederate space.
"What's that?" he asked.
Sparks tapped the dot and a display appeared below it.
"Wren," he said, reading the display, "A small agricultural planet. Corn, wheat, assorted fruits. No tactical significance. It's not even a major food supply for the Confederacy."
The conversation started up again, but all Fox could do was stare at the small holographic planet.
"Sir," he said finally, not taking his eyes off the planet, "The Admiralty is wrong."
Suddenly, every eye in the room was on Fox.
"Lieutenant?" The captain said, glaring at him with a raised eyebrow.
Fox was feeling a bit self conscious now, but continued. He pointed up at the floating image of Wren.
"What ever the Ishari want, it's on that planet."
Sparks let out a snort and mumbled, "Thinks he knows better than the Admiralty."
The first officer, Commander Adams, glared at Fox for just longer than was comfortable before turning to the captain.
"While I tend to agree with Lieutenant Sparks' assessment," he said, "When it comes to Ishari battle tactics, Fox is the authority in this room."
Captain Goodwin stared at Fox for a while. When he finally spoke, he never took his eyes off him.
"Lieutenant Sparks, inform the fleet we'll be meeting them at Cyrius."
"Aye, sir," Sparks said, and turned to deliver the message.
"Lieutenant Fox," the captain continued, "I'm giving you a ship."
"Sir?" Fox stammered, suddenly very nervous.
"We'll be meeting with a military convoy in two hours," The captain said, "I'm sure they can spare a light battle cruiser and a couple of escorts." The captain pointed to the display, "I want you to get to that planet and find out what the Ishari want. And, if at all possible, get it before they do."
"Y-yes, sir," Fox said nervously.
"And Lieutenant," The captains voice softened a bit, "If they show up there and become hostile, you get your ass out of there. Do not engage them. You of all people know how that fight will turn out."
"Yes, sir." No need to say, Fox thought, it wouldn't even be a fight.
"Now go get prepped. Dismissed."
"Yes, sir," Fox said then turned and left the room.
When the discussion wound down and the room cleared, the captain and first officer stood in silence staring at the small dot in the display. Such a small and insignificant little planet. It's no wonder the Admiralty missed it. But now that it had been pointed out, it was obvious. No matter what angle you looked at the display from, the solid red line pointed directly at it.
"I wonder what they want with that planet," The captain mused to himself.