Page 62 of Torn from the Alien Commander

“They bump knees,” Tyrxie whispers, leaning against me a bit unsteadily. I’d seen this in the paths, the Nebians’ form of cementing oaths and agreements.

I carefully bump my knee against the Imperator’s, not wishing to send him staggering and jeopardizing our budding peace. “Inyour wisdom, you may have saved both our noble peoples,” I state with a nod and a smile.

“I know!” The Imperator laughs, tussling his bushy white beard and eyebrows. “There’s something special about you two. I can feel it in my bones, even if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes,” he adds, returning to stand in the pulsing shimmering material at the heart of the immense chamber. “But there are some points in High Chieftain Krogoth’s proposal that need discussing.”

This was to be expected. Krogoth made many requests for aid and assistance, knowing the Nebians are likely desperate for any advantage against the Scythians. And what better advantage than turning your enemies’ most powerful forces against themselves?

“Krogoth’s request for access to our laser technology cannot be granted. We Nebians take great pride in our technological achievements, and it is strictly forbidden to reveal their secrets,” the Imperator states with a cool tone.

At least he’s not offended.Krogoth knew we wouldn’t get everything he wanted, like a frantic barrage of plasma fire hoping some shots land. Although looking at the Imperator, I judge a little nudge might be worth the attempt.

“Of course, Imperator, it is well known,” I begin with a slight nod, feeling Tyrxie stiffen beside me, which almost distracts me, forcing me to suppress laughter. “But I understand you sometimes equip foreign mercenaries with your superior technologies. Could such an arrangement be made for selected warriors?”

The Imperator frowns, a stubby hand stroking his long white beard. His answer, which hung in the balance, becomes crystal clear the moment the words leave my lips. It’s hard not to smile, knowing what’s coming. It’s hard to behave normally when I can predict events and words before they’re spoken, having to feignsurprise. Increasingly, I exist in my mind’s eye. My present is now the future paths coming into focus.

“On one condition,” The Imperator offers. “I want access to all your Scythian tech. We’re especially interested in their use of cyber-organics.” His face twists into a look of disdain. “It’s a struggle to even speak the words. But they surpass us in that field.”

I have no qualms giving the Nebians that information, anything to help bring down the Scythians. It’s the fact that the Imperator can admit their inferiority in that arena that gives me hope for my last request—the most important one of all. “You are wise, Imperator. You will have full access.” I nod.

“Very good!” The Imperator booms, “Then we shall oversee the deployment of our technologies to a selected few, under supervision and I must add: our technologies, if tampered with, will cease to function and our agreement will be null and void,” he adds with a stern look.

The Nebians guard their technology like their Mortakin-Kis’s pussies.

Another well-known truth is to interfere with Nebian technology, to attempt to glean their secrets, results in death. The devices usually explode in murderous crimson revenge, taking out the one foolish enough to try, and much of the surrounding area. Simple and effective, this way, the Nebians have maintained their grip on their technology and power.

“It goes without saying, Imperator. We’d never be foolish enough to spit in the eye of such a great gift,” I add with a slight bow.

The Imperator glances at his wrist console. “Now, this matter about aiding in locating your lost Klendathian females.” His eyes snap back with an expression of pity. “We’ve no knowledge of them. At the outbreak of war, we did penetrate deep into the Scythian systems. They have entire planets turned over totheir machinations, on a scale that belies belief, overwhelming all native life. Maybe within such a system, they keep your females?” He suggests, although his uncertain voice and softened eyes leave no doubt—he thinks them lost.

And the gut-wrenching truth is I share that opinion. The futures I can glimpse are absent of our sisters, mothers, and daughters. No matter how deep I search, pushing at the furthest boundaries that threaten to sear my mind with too much knowing. Not even the weakest path reveals the possibility of their existence, except the presence of a singular female, shrouded in darkness so thick I cannot pierce. I pray that it’s because the paths are out of reach, waiting to divulge their secrets.

“We would never hold you to achieve the impossible, Imperator. Only that you pass on any information to us Klendathians. The absence of our Mortakin-Kis’s, mothers, sisters and daughters is a terrible wound that festers deep,” I reply, feeling a surprisingly intense pang of sadness.

Tyrxie, my love, rubs my back as if sensing my discomfort, though I’m unsure how much she knows of my people’s history presently. “I understand and sympathize. You have my word we’ll keep a lookout for them,” the Imperator proposes with a gracious nod, glancing at his wrist console again.

“Aid in finding a cure for the Scythians’ corruption of your youth?” the Imperator inquires, grimacing. “I was not aware of this,” he adds, looking towards the Consuls up high. “The Fallen are brutal masters,” he finishes, shaking his head.

“Indeed, they are, Imperator,” I almost laugh at this request, knowing how irrelevant it’ll be soon, but I can still use it to press forward another concern that has irked me. “There are many, including myself, who seethe with rage to bring retribution upon them for their crimes. None more so than my war brothers, Logarn and Noroth, who are still in your custody. Logarnhimself is a corrupted youth, bought here to discover if your great scientists could aid in this matter.”

The Imperator strokes his bushy beard with a furrowed brow. “As I mentioned, our cyber-organics pale compared to the Scythians. But we’ll do what we can to help,” he declares, his eyes snapping to mine with a smile. “I will, of course, have your soldiers released immediately and your items restored to you all.”

I exhale at his words before smiling, glad to get my war brothers out of the Nebians’ clutches, knowing treatment for us Klendathians at their hands is as unpredictable as an angry wild borack. “You have my thanks, gracious Imperator.”

Bulba returns to staring at his wrist console, mumbling as he reads. “Seems these other requests are suitable,” he says after a moment. I almost choke in surprise that he didn’t balk at Krogoth’s request for ten billion credits, a sum we both thought ludicrous. But like Krogoth said, it’s better to aim for the stars, so we might hit the moon. Well, it seems we’ve hit all the voiding moons and their stars too! “I’m keen to discuss our first coordinated military action. The Scythians press us hard on Argon Six, threatening our industrial capacity.”

“We’ll take them apart!” I smirk, showing eager fangs, ready to bring our so-called masters low. “High Chieftain Krogoth will rendezvous with our forces soon. Then, with your help, we’ll launch a surprise attack on the Scythians. They won’t know what’s hit them, attacked from both sides. But the details can be discussed closer to the time.”

I leave out the awkward part, knowing how difficult a task Krogoth has ahead of him, the futures leaving no doubt.I must warn and teach my old friend—or his death is almost certain.But the Imperator doesn’t need to know such details.

“Very good!” The Imperator booms, smashing his stubby hands together, a look of relish mirroring my own. “If there’s nothing else—”

“There are two other stipulations I’d like to add in light of recent events,” I interject with a bowed head. “Master Engineer Felixus should not be punished for aiding us. He acted in the best interests of Nebia, a true son of your noble people.”

The grumbling of displeasure, faint as a whisper, reaches me from the looming Consuls, stirring unease in my gut. My thoughts turn to my friend, knowing the paths that await him. He’ll be shunned, stripped of his post for helping us, despite it being for the greater good. The Imperator’s voice breaks through my worry, his tone grave. “There are those.” He pauses, eyes lifting to the vaulted ceiling, “who view his actions as treasonous, regardless of the outcome. He aided in breaching our once-impenetrable Imperial palace—a symbol of global pride, now tarnished. It’s a tremendous scandal, and the public are afraid. They demand answers.”

As I feared, Felixus’s future is ominous. Even the Imperator sounds displeased at his actions.I can’t allow poor short-stuff to suffer for saving my life and preserving peace!“I understand, but it’d be such a waste to not utilize short—um, I mean Felixus,” I say, stumbling slightly as Tyrxie snickers beside me. “Krogoth trusts him, I trust him, let him serve as an arbitrator between our peoples. He can oversee your loaned tech and help coordinate efforts,” I offer, hoping it’ll be enough.

More grumbling echoes from above, but my eye is locked on the Imperator—his decision is the one that matters. He frowns, stroking his ancient beard. “Very well. But we’ll frame it as an exile to the public.”

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