Page 25 of Desperate Measures

“The charter specifically names Kalquorians as approved caregivers. It specifically addresses a number of regulations discussing the mandate of Kalquorian on-site security for the orphanage. Why shouldn’t I believe those members of my staff to be exempt from your purge?”

When the orphanage had opened, the former nun Katherine Archer and her clanmates had been in charge of it, and Cheryl and Besral had been on the administration board. Kalquorians had been a foundation for the orphanage from the first day.

“The directive ejecting Kalquorians was clear,” Ydru snarled. Yes, he did look very much like a dog at that instant. A vicious cur needing a chain. “All Kalquorians. The charter is null and void.”

“You didn’t communicate the alteration prior to this moment. You must grant us adequate time and resources to send them home.”

“You waited until after the deadline had passed to send a message. Your Kalquorians never intended to leave,” Ydru accused.

“Because of the charter stating they shouldn’t have to.” Cheryl took mean pleasure in talking circles around him. Her children had taught her well over the past few years. “You have to understand, the Kalquorians aren’t merely staff. They’re parent figures the children have grown up with. Caregivers the children depend upon. To tear them from our youth is akin to the travesty of Armageddon, when they were ripped from their biological parents. Do you understand the trauma these young innocents will endure if you persist in this madness?”

“It is of no concern to me. I have my orders.”

“I insist the Galactic Council bring this to the Psychiatric Board before we agree to my Kalquorian aides’ expulsion. For the children’s sake, you dare not deny us a fair hearing.”

“I dare. No Kalquorian vessels are to be admitted in Galactic Council space henceforth.”

“Then you must allow another member of the collective to come. Regulation C-S-4, Section 12 states: should a species be ejected from inhabiting Galactic Council of Planets’ space, they shall be given adequate means of departure and time to depart with their belongings and property once legal concerns and appeals have been resolved—”

“Enough!” Ydru showed his teeth, a rabid mongrel all but foaming at the mouth. “There are no hearings. No exceptions. I’m bringing a squadron to your facility to collect and detain the Kalquorians as prisoners of war. Any Earthers who defy us or aid them will also be arrested. End transmission!”

His image blinked out. Cheryl made sure the com had indeed been cut off. She was a great believer in leaving nothing to chance. Seeing it was inactive, she sighed and gazed at Besral.

The Nobek had been standing in the corner during the whole conversation, beyond Ydru’s sight. His features were set in grim lines, his arms folded across his chest. It was impossible to tell from across the room, but Cheryl sensed he trembled in rage.

“I guess we should get ready to fight the Galactic Council’s fleet,” she said.

* * * *

“Let’s see what you found,” Cheryl said after they’d assembled the orphanage’s head staff.

“Ydru’s frequency originated here.” Besral highlighted a portion of the star map hovering over the conference table. Flanked by Ocri and Norev, he tapped to enlarge the section and the moon on which the orphanage resided.

“They’ve already begun moving our way,” grizzled Ocri noted in his rough voice. “Six vessels.”

“Prime defenders,” Norev noted the fighting class of the warships. “It’s a ridiculous amount of firepower for an orphanage. I’m delighted they acknowledge our threat.”

Cheryl was far from delighted. “You’d think they plan to wipe us out rather than take prisoners.”

“They won’t dare attack an unarmed orphanage,” Darci said, but there was a thread of uncertainty in her tone.

“It’s an insane show of force. Maybe they plan to make examples of us to serve as a warning to the empire.” Besral tapped a keyboard. “They aren’t wasting a second getting here. They’ll reach orbit in five days.”

“Are they the closest? Can we expect any other hostile ships to join them?” Cheryl asked.

“I think the six are all we have to worry about, though six is more than enough,” Besral said. The star chart widened out, and a dozen areas lit up. “Here are the locations of the GC’s fleet forces. You see most of them are lined up between Galactic Council space and the Kalquorian Empire’s territory. Then we have these spots of activity where various planets and installations in the GC are rioting and protesting martial law crackdowns.”

Cheryl eyed her husband and noted Marci doing the same. Neither asked Besral how he’d managed to gain intelligence as to where the GC fleet had been deployed, nor how he was tracking them in real time.

It seemed Ydru wasn’t such a fool to have six warships on its way to pick up a mere dozen Nobeks after all. Particularly the one in charge.

“Does our plan change?” Norev asked, his gaze raking the map. A mix of excitement and worry colored his creased features. Cheryl surmised he was eager for the fight but concerned it would explode close to the children he and the rest were devoted to.

“Only that we drill until we can sleepwalk through it,” Besral said. “Let’s get to it, shall we?”

* * * *

Kila’s spyship

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