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 Red and Yellow, Black and White
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| Norsehound |
Posted on 14-09-2005 23:59
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 Posts: 26 Joined: September 07 2005 |
Red and Yellow, Black and White The Norsehound ----------------- ONE It was said that once in ancient times, there could be counted one Kalshido for each member world of the Taiidan Empire, complete with retainers and the occasional Tubrai for record keeping. This was in the days when Taiidan was an assemblage of space faring clans, fighting one another if not a common enemy for the resources of interstellar space. Now, generations after the Taiidani had emerged from their jungle and desert homeworld, there were only Seven Kalshido loyal to the true heart of the Empire. Forged from the chaos during and after the beast crisis, these seven were the true head of the Taiidani Imperial State, and managed the entire affairs of what remained of an empire that should have died out centuries ago. The Kalshido, to a Hiigaran?s best understanding, were partway warlord, partway general, and partway regional governor. Each one here had one sort of achievement or another to receive nomination from the others to join the assembly. All of them commanded a fleet of some size. Nowadays, with political seats shifting with each assassination and successful blackmail threat, only few retained their positions. The seat of a Kalshido was one of them. With the nomination of being a Kalshido, it meant great responsibility to the one this great honor was bestowed upon. Only thrice in the history of Taiidan had any of the Kalshido disrespected the title and received death? or worse. The last one was during the great revolts against the emperor, where Kalshido Tahl Khalid-asarhai, declaring his actions for those of his ancestral clan as well as that of Taiidani heritage, pronounced a mortal vendetta on the house of Riesstiu and abandoned the assembly. He was eventually caught and executed- his remains paraded through Taiidan?s capital city. His followers, on the other hand, avenged his death in orbit of Hiigara. Today though, another such Kalshido was standing on the brink of perpetual heresy in this court. He had not been named yet, but as the assembly came together for their weekly meetings to discuss matters of the state, everyone already knew the name of the one who deserved a torturous and dishonorable death for dishonoring his post. The blame, ironically, was not squared at the one who would be assumed responsible. The Kalshido Yleb Thameen of the eastern regions of the new empire had been the loudest voice for the joining to Makaan?s vast Vaygr. Yet the attention was not on him or his decision- which would have been the assumption for any normal Hiigaran. Instead, like most modern politics in Taiidani space, blame was leveled at a scapegoat. The other six needed a special scapegoat however, as each of them in one way or another owed something to the next in the circle. Someone needed to be chosen that could do the least harm to the web of blackmail surrounding the assembly. Unfortunately for that member, he did exist, and his networks were weak. The decision was not a hard one for the other six, however, as circumstances had already put their target in place. The seventh of the Kalshido was a man with the name Alebh Kegel-Thoreel. His heritage could be traced back to some of the most wisest, historically, of the Taiidani clans. His great ancestors traded with the Vaygr, the Hiigarans, the Ampeq, and even made war with the Minosans before their disappearance from the great eastern ranges of the galaxy. Despite all this famous glory, Alebh received little credit for the achievement of his ancestors. After all, what good was tradition in a sterilized society, where only the spawn of Riesstiu should rule? While the members took their seats in the circular table, the various pamphlets and reports were passed around the table or called up on the various display screens. One of the reports, highlighted, were the achievements of one particular detachment of Taiidani who were also slated for destruction. It was no surprise that they had been transferred to Alebh?s command? where he was tolerant of such deliquesces. The fact that they were highlighted as one of the main topics for this meeting was Alebh?s first clue that the council was ready for blood to be spilled. Alebh himself was age forty-three. Married twice, both wives killed, he had lived through the Vaygr absorption and more. He was one of the five veterans here in this council, and was one of the supporters of a Taiidani-Vaygr alliance. He held a reason, but only few knew about it. Others would learn, soon. ?The meeting will come to order at 0900 hours. Let the record show all members are present,? Declared one of the Seven, Thealon Hamat- grandson of the conquorer of this area of space. Alebh nodded absently and looked around the room at the officials as they shuffled their papers. As he looked down, he could feel a number of eyes stare into his head. ?I hope everyone had a magnificent evening,? Continued Thealon, ?So we must turn to our first order of business. Tactically, the situation had not changed in the past four weeks. We still maintain a stalemate on our border with Itaar, and the raids by the Nalthorians and the Augamites have increased to harm shipping in the outer regions. Our relations with the Vaygr? well?will be discussed at length in time.? Alebh looked up as Thealon continued, ?Let?s begin with the fleet assessment. How go the plans for fleet modernization?? Kalshido Laman Sel-Shalalt of the western perimeter guard forces nodded his head and spoke with his gruff voice and shaking throat, ?So far, so well. Approximately 12% of our forces have been modernized, which is saying much given that the plan was launched only four months ago. We estimate our forces will be completely trained with the new equipment in approximately a year and a half- assuming Hiigaran progression and sabotage does not hit our training facilities and shipyards. We are still working on substitutes for our Fleet Support station and our main fighter, but capital wise, we are already putting to sail the first of the Qwaar-Jet Es.? ?What is the nature of the delay on fighters?? Asked the stiff, nasal voice of Elerect Kulfahn, from the central regions. Laman nodded, ?We are having problems adopting a useful design of original construction. Most of the design teams are attempting to shortcut by using a Vaygr platform, but this has not been allowed. Technicalities with the engine array and missile payload equipment have also delayed the introduction of new fighters considerably. The lack of a carrier is also hampering their deployment, as we have no set standard of fighter operations for this new generation.? ?Can we have an estimate on the deployment of the first prototypes?? Asked Thealon. Leman shrugged his thick shoulders, ?Hard to say. Our only prototype exploded and killed the pilot. So far our best option is redeveloping the Shamshir into a smaller vessel.? ?Very good.? Nodded Thealon. Alebh felt the room begin to darken as they turned to the next point on the list. ?Now, gentlemen,? Declared Thealon, ?We have a serious issue to discuss: Our relationship with the Vaygr. As of four months ago our final treaty with the wild men was concluded. We should have no contact with the Vaygr outside of a neighboring nation we are not at war with. However, to this day, our ships and theirs cross our borders by the minute, and Vaygr ships are allowed into our ports without a proper and through investigation for contraband and smugglers. Also, it is known that several Vaygr clans have been entering Taiidani space on the assumption that they are free to roam in that area. ?I assume, Alebh, you have a reasonable explanation for all of these events.? Finished Thealon. Alebh was responsible for the southern border of the Taiidani space. It was more or less his duty to deal directly with the Vaygr. Though he was not the one to propose or handle the binding alliance with the wild men, he was left with the task of managing traffic along the Vaygr border. Alebh had been expecting this attack much later, but apparently the council wasn?t patient today. Alebh took the eyes from the council for a moment, then cleared his throat, ?As everyone is well aware, the Vaygr should not be treated as a sole entity after the death of their leader Makaan. Rather instead, individual relations with the clans are important-? ?Do you have a point?? Snapped Elerect. Alebh continued unabated, ?-current alliances with the clans along our common border remain friendly, if not beneficiary for both sides. Until our upgrade program is up to speed, we are forced to supplement our forces with high-quality vessels purchased from the Vaygr- least we allow a Hiigaran strike force to overwhelm our already outdated defenses.? ?This is no excuse-? Started one. Alebh turned to the defensive, ?I Must remind this council that my province is one of the last to receive any sort of support from central command! We are well overdue in the delivery of the new Ahur missiles, and to date there is only one detachment in my entire operational order of battle that is running modern combat vessels.? ?That, Kalshido, is of course your own fault.? Declared Thealon, ?Failure to upgrade your own shipyards to current standards to produce those vessels is placed on your record.? Alebh winced, ?I have been denied the resources and plans. And I have been forced to allocate any resources in my disposal to dealing with renegade Vaygr and any of the Hiigaran alliance forces trying to flank the mighty western fleets to come through my border lands! If you?re suggesting that I am at fault, realize that-? ?There is another issue we must discuss concerning your particular border, Kalshido,? Thealon toned to silence the defendant. Alebh silenced himself and Thealon started slowly, ?It has come to our attention that a number of units in your detachment are? shall we say? liberal in the laws and regulations we have established for our military. Despite the cesession of the treaty they have been intermixing with Vaygr forces, adopting Vaygr units and personell into their military, and supplying Vaygr forces with information and equipment from your fleet. In one particular case, the equipment in question was classified material.? Alebh wanted to protest but Thealon held up a hand to silence him, and went on, ?It is in the opinion of the staff that this matter of Vaygr-Taiidani interaction is unacceptable. In light of your inability to deal with the situation, we are forced to consider ejecting you from this council, under the charges of treason and incompitence to perfrom.? ?What?? Asked Alebh, agahst. He looked around at the others, all of them stone-faced in their expressions. Especially those that had challenged him? and more especially Yleb Thameen. Alebh glared across the room at Thealon, ?My forces have been stretched thin and taxed constantly over months of nonstop deployment. My only one modern unit has been covering the entire stretch of space along the Vaygr border- Sajuuk help us if the Armada decides to come through the south and invade us. While the rest of you can rely on your comfortable fleets, all I have been left with are scant resources and outdated ships to deal with an incredible threat. And it is only with ingenious commanders such as Tarbitan Khaneem and Rham Ahyahd that I am able to keep that border stable!? ?Stable is a relative term.? Yleb spoke. Alebh glared over at the sniveling worm of a leader and then at Thealon as the head of the assembly explained, ?There have been reports of rebellion in your unit- Especially on the matter of Commander Khaneem.? ?What of it? He returned to Taiidan itself for a recovery mission.? Said Alebh. ?I have heard you sponsored the mission yourself.? Thealon said. Alebh nodded, ?Yes, I felt that a force had to return to asses the situation reguarding our old home and it?s defenses. I felt that-? ?Regardless of what you felt,? Thealon interrupted, ?Your prize commander not only broke several violations in maintaining silent running, but also cooperated with a number of vaygr tribes in his supposed covert operation to our old Homeland.? ?And you assume,? Alebh asked, ?That a force commanded only by an outdated destroyer could go that far into core space without getting run down by a Hiigaran force?? ?Why was he not reprimanded?? Asked Elerect. Alebh whirled his head, ?Do not tell me how to run my own province!? Before Thealon could interrupt, Elerect spat back, ?Someone has to! You?re doing a dismal job of it yourself!? Thealon interrupted, ?Enough gentlemen! Kalshido Alebh, you will understand this- we no longer deal with the Vaygr. They are no better than the Turanic pirates of the west; for they are just as scattered and just as inferior. Because of you conduct and negligence for dealing with this action, your duties here on the command board are in question. I am therefore putting to motion the proposal to have you removed from this board, and put under court marshal for insubordination and treason. Agreements?? Almost everyone else in the council raised a finger. They were both afraid of the consequences if they didn?t? and all of them wanted to see the misfit leader roast. ?It is settled. Remove him.? Alebh didn?t wait for the guards to arrive, but collected his papers, stood sharply, and walked out of the room at a fast pace. This didn?t stop the guards from manhandling him from the complex. * * * After reaching the lobby he was informed he had one month to clear his belongings from all of his important locations for reassignment on the eastern border of Taiidani space? to a deep-space listening probe watching the galactic emptiness for any signs of life. Arguably it was better than execution, but Alebh didn?t want to spend the rest of his days doing nothing but staring itno emptiness. He rode home in his personal courier and arrived at his residence here on the Imperial Capital. He dismissed his drivers to go home as he himself entered the building in which he was staying. When he arrived at his apartment, he wondered how he would break the news to those he cared about. ?Daddy!? Called a voice. Despite being eighteen years of age, Ayhla still called him by that childish name. Perhaps it was something leftover from the sudden death of her mother? a shock both father and daughter had to get over. The man took his daughter in his gentle, caring arms and hugger her with the tenderness and warmth of sand about an oasis. Of all the people in his life, his daughter meant the most to him. This was why he was afraid when he ascended the stairs, fearing for his life that he might find the apartment disheveled and his daughter missing. ?How was performance today?? ?Well,? She replied as she crossed into the small kitchen of the apartment, ?The tutor was impressed. He said he never heard a rim-worlder play so well.? Alebh hesitated at that, and as she always did Ayhla detected it, ?Father, what?s wrong?? She only used father when she was serious, and long ago Alebh had given up lying to her. ?I have been discharged from the council, and they intend on court-marshaling me for trying to do my job.? ?What?? Ayhla fretted and leapt up, ?But why?? ?Many reasons, Ayhla,? Said Alebh and stroked the chin of his daughter, and ran his hand through the short strands of brown hair, ?Because of you.? ?Me?? ?You mother and her kind.? ?How? I thought the Taiidani and Vaygr were on good terms.? ?We are?.we should be,? Said Alebh as he parted from his daughter, ?The others don?t see it that way.? ?They should! You could convince them!? ?Nothing is going to convince them to change their minds.? Said Alebh and poured himself something intoxicating, ?I was one of them? and I didn?t change much either, to be honest. I only changed when I was away from home? in your mother?s lands. And when you stayed in my life? well? that was one change I could never regret.? Ayhla smiled at that, and took a seat in one of the many chairs of the apartment. ?What are you going to do now?? ?I don?t know,? Replied Alebh, ?I wish I could know.? Resigned.
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