Atlantis Rising (28 page)

“Resistance?” Jon said.

Jodeas smiled, “Yes, there’s a
resistance movement in the Invaru Empire that thinks it’s time to put the
fighting to a rest. Vaes is a supporter to that resistance or rather he is
accused of being a supporter. If he is, it is likely his crew is with him and
it’s possible he has taken control of the vessel back. We will find out shortly
which it is.”

“How is that?” Jon said.

“Because, we’re here,” Jodeas
said as the
Hammer
dropped from hyperspace.

s the
Hammer
and
Scythe
dropped out of hyperspace,
the
Wrath’s Revenge
greeted them. A swarm of fighters surrounded the
Super Carrier as it drifted in space. The area around the carrier was abuzz
with commercial vessels and shuttles of all types. One of the fighter groups
broke off and approached the cruisers.

“Transmit authorization codes,”
Jodeas said. He stood up from his chair as he watched the incoming fighters.

“Transmitting codes now, Sir,”
Com said.

The fighters made a pass over as
the
Wrath’s Revenge
checked the codes, and then both cruisers were given
the okay to proceed. Jon stood up next to Jodeas as the cruisers entered the
travel lanes that lead into the system.

“That is an impressive ship,” Jon
said.

“That is the
Wrath’s Revenge
,
it is the largest ship of the Invaru Empire and flag ship of the Emperor
himself, though he has never been aboard her. His oldest son, Admiral Breq,
commands her in his name,” Jodeas said.

“Captain?” Com said.

Jodeas turned towards the
officer, “Yes?”

“We’re being ordered to fall out
of the lane, and to hold position. Admiral Breq will be contacting us shortly.
He has additional orders for us from High Command,” Com said.

Jodeas wrinkled his brow, and
glanced back at Jon as he spoke, “Do as we’re commanded, and signal the
Scythe
.”

“They have already received the
orders, and are currently falling out,” Com said.

“Okay, do as ordered,” Jodeas
said. He had retaken his seat as he watched them pull up next to the
Scythe
.
“Tactical, my orders still stand. I want you ready at a moment’s notice to
target and fire on the
Scythe
.”

“Yes, Sir,” Tactical said.

“This is very strange, something
is wrong and I can’t put my finger on it,” Jodeas said.

“I thought you were taking me to
see the Emperor,” Jon said.

“I’m supposed to. However, I feel
the situation has changed,” Jodeas said as he eyed Jon. “I do not like this.
Admiral Breq rarely contacts anyone in person. This is very unusual and out of
the ordinary. You my friend have just been raised in importance.”

“How so?” Jon said.

“You’re the only reason that the
Admiral would be contacting us in person,” Jodeas said.

“Captain, I have Admiral Breq on
an encrypted priority one channel,” Com said.

Jodeas raised an eyebrow, “Very
important. Put him through.”

Jodeas stood, and then knelt, as
a large Invaru filled the main screen.

“Captain Jodeas,” the Invaru said.

“M’Lord,” Jodeas said. “I’m
honored.”

“I’m sure you are. You may
stand,” Breq said. Breq’s eyes shifted to Jon as he continued. “This is the
Captain of the
Atlantis
?”

“Yes, M’Lord, this is Captain
Hunter,” Jodeas said. He swept his arm towards Jon indicating him.

“Why is he not cuffed and in the
brig?” Breq said.

“He has put up no fight. I didn’t
see a reason to do so, as long as he was cooperative, Sire,” Jodeas said.

“Hmm,” Breq said. “Captain
Hunter, I’m surprised you didn’t fight. From what I’ve heard you can put up a
pretty good fight.”

“Well, Admiral Breq,” Jon said.
“I am on a ship surrounded by guards with nowhere to run but into the vacuum of
space. That thought just never crossed my mind.”

Breq laughed, “Smart man. Captain
Prasuh said you were a bit of a handful. I think he said you were very quick
witted.”

Jon shrugged, “Guess so.”

“He also told me you were a bit
of a smart ass,” Breq said.

“I’m not one to lie down easily,”
Jon said.

“I have news for you,” Breq said.

His speech was slow and deliberate
as he spoke. He watched Jon looking for a reaction. Jon arched his eyebrow, but
said nothing.

“Your ship has been destroyed,
accidentally. All hands were lost in her destruction,” Breq said.

“I doubt that,” Jon said.
Something tugged at Jon’s mind telling him this was a lie, an evil deception to
take hope away from him. Even though he paled and felt weak, Jon stood his
ground and made no outward move.

Breq grinned at Jon’s strength of
character. Any lesser man would have crumbled. “Believe what you want, Captain.
However, the
Atlantis
and her crew are no more. Our fleet is moving to
engage the station before she can put up any type of fight. Our observers there
are still reporting the outer defense grids are offline.”

“You, Sir, can spew whatever filth
you want and hope I take the bait. I promise you when I get free every Invaru
will pay for the attack on my home world. Every life that has been lost since
my capture, including those Eutharan serving on my ship, will be paid for twice
over,” Jon said. “Oh, if my sister is dead, I promise you she will be avenged a
hundred times over.”

Jodeas took a step back from Jon.
Something was different about him. There was a slight glow radiating from his
eyes as if a fire burned inside him. Suddenly it was gone and Jon seemed
completely relaxed.

“Pretty strong words coming from
someone in your position,” Breq said. “I doubt the Emperor will find them so
amusing.” An off-screen commotion pulled Breq’s attention away from the screen
and he spoke to someone out of view, “Yes, tell them to prepare to get
underway. They’re to support the fleet at Ghost Station. Have the Captain of
the
Scythe
transferred aboard; his assignment has changed Also, notify
the second in command of his promotion to Captain by order of the Emperor. Have
Captain Vaes transferred as soon as possible, the Emperor has some questions
for him.”

“Admiral,” Jodeas said.

Breq looked back up at his screen
and glared at Jodeas before he spoke.

“What?”

“I’m sorry to interrupt you,”
Jodeas said. “However, if we’re going to be getting underway with the
Scythe
,
I need to prep and deliver the prisoner.”

“I didn’t say anything about the
Hammer
going anywhere,” Breq said. “As far as the prisoner he will be
transferred into my care. He will be going back with the Scythe to give us the
command codes for the station and turn control of it over to us.”

“That will never happen,” Jon
said.

“Never, say never,” Breq said as
he locked eyes with Jon. “We have very special ways to make people talk.”

“M’Lord,” Jodeas said. “I was
ordered to deliver the prisoner personally. This is way out of protocol.”

“Are you questioning me?” Breq
said.

Jodeas shrunk back from the
screen a bit, “N… no M’Lord.”

“Good,” Breq said. “The
Hammer
will be joining the fleet at Daestel. Prepare to depart as soon as security
transfers the prisoner. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Sire,” Jodeas said as he
bowed. “But…”

“Listen up, the battle there is
not going well for the Empire. We’ve lost half the fleet in the past two days.
They need reinforcements if we’re going to hold that front. This new enemy has
taken us a bit by surprise and their ships are strange to say the least. Our
scientists are working around the clock to come up with something to combat
them. Until they do we have to try and hold them back as best we can,” Breq
said. “If they manage to push us back, they will be in striking distance of
Omvaled and then it is just a matter of time. It may already be too late as it
is. The key to this might be the station. This is why we’re taking the Captain
back there, and forcing him to turn it over.”

“In your dreams,” Jon said.
Jodeas and Breq ignored Jon’s small outburst.

“I had heard reports,” Jodeas
said. “But, I never imagined it was this bad.”

“It is, and it will get much
worse,” Breq said. “I’m sending my second in command to pick up the prisoner.
Once they depart your ship, you are to leave immediately.”

The screen blinked off after Breq
finished speaking.

“Something isn’t right,” Jodeas
said. “Com, get me a direct link to the High Council. I want to confirm these
orders.”

The Com officer sat there staring
at Jodeas.

“Follow my orders, right now!”
Jodeas screamed.

That snapped the officer into
action.

“Yes Sir, raising the High
Council.”

An older Invaru appeared on the
screen, “Captain Jodeas, what can we do for you?”

“I need to confirm some orders,
Sir,” Jodeas said.

“Yes, what orders?” the old
Invaru said.

“Admiral Breq…” Jodeas started.

“Wait,” the old Invaru said.
“You’re calling me to question the Admiral’s orders?”

“Well, Sir,” Jodeas said… It was
evident to everyone that Jodeas was starting to get nervous. “They’re strange
orders.”

The old Invaru wrinkled his eyes,
“How so?”

“I have the Captain of the
Atlantis
here, and was ordered to bring him before the High Council. I have
since been ordered to release him into the Admiral’s custody, and that he was
being returned to Ghost Station so he could transfer control to us…” Jodeas
said.

“Captain, do you know how foolish
you sound right now? It doesn’t matter what your orders were, or what the High
Council wants. The Admiral’s orders trump all those and what he says or does is
beyond us. The only person he answers to is the Emperor himself,” the old
Invaru said. “If he has given you orders, then I’m sure he has his reasons. The
renegade will be brought before us in due time, and you will be given the
recognition you so badly want.”

“Sir, I don’t want any
recognition. I only want to do my duty,” Jodeas said.

“Oh,
Sauk shit
,” the old
Invaru laughed. “Everyone wants recognition, everyone. If you want to do your
duty, then I suggest you follow orders and do as Admiral Breq told you. Now, if
you don’t mind, I have other matters far more dire in nature.”

“Yes, Sir,” Jodeas said as the
screen went blank.

“Sir, a shuttle has left the
Wrath’s Revenge
and is requesting landing clearance,” Tactical said.

“Let them land, and then tell
them the prisoner is on his way,” Jodeas said. “Captain, in case we never see
each other again. It has been a pleasure meeting you.”

Jon blinked in surprise.

“Just because we’re on different
sides doesn’t mean I can’t have respect for you,” Jodeas said. A smile crossed
his face as he looked at Jon.

“Sorry, I just didn’t expect it.
The pleasure was all mine,” Jon said.

“Guards, take Captain Hunter to
the landing bay,” Jodeas said.

When Jon entered the landing bay,
a military shuttle surrounded by twelve marines in the center of the room was
the first thing he noticed. The marines were wearing heavy battle armor of the
deepest red. Standing in the middle of the guards was a medium sized Invaru
with all four of his arms behind his back. His uniform was crisp and clean and
was deep blue. Jon had seen the same color of uniform on Jodeas and Admiral
Breq. It denoted command staff and the gold band around this man arms put him
in the top of the military. He watched Jon and his small detail of guards
approach. The Guards led Jon to the Invaru.

“Captain Hunter,” the Invaru
said. “I’m Captain Illus, first officer of the
Wrath’s Revenge.
”

“Nice to meet you,” Jon said.
“Captain Jonathan Hunter, my friends call me Jon. You can call me Captain
Hunter.”

“Oh, come now,” Illus said. “You
might not find me that bad a person.”

“Time will tell,” Jon said.

“I trust you will be on your best
behavior. I would hate to have to cuff you for transport after you seemed to be
so accommodating with Captain Jodeas,” Illus said.

“I don’t see why I should make
things harder on myself, Captain. I don’t have anywhere to go,” Jon said.

“Good,” Illus said. “You’re
dismissed; we will be departing right away.” Illus said waving one of his hands
at Jodeas’ marines. He led Jon into the shuttle, and then his marines followed
and started stowing weapons in secured racks.

“Please, take a seat,” Illus
said. He offered Jon a seat next to him.

Jon sat down, “How long until I
meet Admiral Breq?”

Illus raised an eyebrow, “Right
to the point. Well, the Admiral will be staying here as we travel to Ghost
Station. You’re in my care now, and the care of these marines. Admiral Breq
ordered me to let nothing happen to you until the Admiral sees you. When that
will happen; I have no idea.”

“Sir, we’re cleared for
departure,” one of the marines called down from the cockpit.

“Make our departure,” Illus said.
“Once we’re clear signal the
Scythe
for landing clearance and have her
get ready to jump.”