CHAPTER 16

Later in the day Navy personnel succeeded in dragging the bodies of the would-be assassins from the lake bottom. On closer inspection they were found to be all too Terran. Their equipment was Terran as well, and provided no connection between the assassination attempt and the Alliance. What it did reveal was a level of sophistication completely at odds with any small group of radicals. When Augesburcke brought Alexander and Nazar to the boathouse where the assassins and their equipment were laid out he gave them an expert tour of their findings.

“This is SEAL stuff, or I’m blind,” he told them, referring to the elite naval special operations forces. “Rebreathers, underwater sled, bolo balls fired from a compressed air gun, everything is top of the line. You can’t get this stuff from magazines, and no pissed off lumberjack is going to know how to use them proficiently. We’re running background checks on our two friends here,” he said, pointing to the two dead men, now stiff and blue. “Maybe that will give us some clue as to where they come from and who they work for. That shouldn’t be too difficult, however,” he said turning back the plastic sheets to reveal their arms. “US Navy SEAL tattoos. They could have been planted, of course, but its consistent. I think we have a pretty good picture of who our assassins are, but beyond that I can’t begin to imagine a scenario which would make any sense out of this.”

Alexander sighed, his face grim. “Admiral there is more going on here than some special dislike I am entertaining,” he said lowly. “It is possible that the Alliance hired these men to do their dirty work. That seems most plausible to me as it is the Alliance that wants me dead.”

“It would be no small leap for the Golkos, or the Hrang,” Nazeera said, eyeing the equipment with interest. “Their definitions of honor are highly susceptible to practicality. They too obviously view you as their threat Alexander, but they are none too confident of their ability to vie with you openly. Therefore, it is no surprise that they sponsor assassins. If they can remove you then they may be able to deal with your successor, or even win the war. That, I would guess, is the basis of this cowardly act.”

“But even if the Golkos or the Hrang sponsored this they would still need to act through Terran liaisons,” Admiral Augesburcke noted. “The Alliance didn’t hire these men. They wouldn’t know the first thing about who they should look for, or even if they wanted a former SEAL, how to get one. No, there is someone out there in a position to know things who is dealing with them; that is, if the Alliance is even involved.”

“They must be,” Nazeera said firmly, “otherwise none of this makes any sense. What possible motive could any Terran have for the death of Alexander? The assassination would at the very least put the Terran Empire into a state of chaos, and at worst result in a wholesale Terran defeat at the hands of the Alliance. What Terran would welcome either of those possibilities?”

“A Terran, or Terrans, who were guaranteed something from the Alliance,” Alexander mused, recalling the only answer which satisfied the Chem Elder’s question. “I think you are both correct. Somewhere out there is someone who is dealing with the Alliance, someone who is promised a very prominent role after an Alliance victory, or a Terran capitulation.”

“Your death for power,” Augesburcke nodded. The ringing of his phone interrupted any further observations for the moment. Augesburcke answered curtly at the interruption, but the call took only a moment. The Admiral grunted his thanks and closed the line, his expression one of profound distaste. “I was hoping I was wrong. That was Crandal. These boys are SEALS, alright. That clarifies the situation somewhat, because whoever hired these men knows the military and Special Forces system, and well at that. It cannot have been easy to find two SEALS willing to do such a job.”

“What motivation could they have for such treachery? Underlings do only so much for money, and there is no glory to be gained in destroying the aspirations of the empire. There can be no other reason than a promise of advancement,” Nazeera asserted.

“I am inclined to agree with you, Elder. It cannot be money,” Augesburcke replied. “Money won’t be worth a thing if the Alliance takes over. I’d wager there was a generalship promised to these two or some equivalent.”

“We need to know more about them, that may lead us to their employer,” Alexander said.

“Crandal is on it,” Augesburcke assured him.

“I expect he is,” Alexander nodded, adding, “but I would feel better if we had someone else looking into this as well, Admiral. Do you know any sharp people who could do some digging?”

“A few, I’ll get them on it right away.” Augesburcke replied, but asked, “Alexander, if you do not trust this man why keep him on?”

“Two reasons: first I’m not certain why I don’t trust him, and second, if he is involved in something I don’t want him to know I suspect him. Either way will be satisfactory I think. There is one more thing we can do. On our way to New York I think it is time to have another in-depth chat with the Scythians. They observed us for the last two millennia and may very well know who the Alliance might be in touch with.”

“How so?” Augesburcke asked.

“If the Alliance is in on this then either they knew who to contact on Terra, or someone on Terra knew how to contact them. I don’t know which is true, but if there is a link then one of them must have happened! There’s more to this than just an attempt on my life. I think they’re involved, and it tells me a great deal. Admiral, if the Alliance is behind this then they’re becoming desperate. They are going to do one of two things: forge ahead or pull back and sue for peace. I’m not counting on the latter and it doesn’t require any preparation so I’ll forego it as an option. Let us expect the Alliance Admiralty to be bold and press ahead with their invasion immediately. Let’s push our plans ahead. Tell the strike arms to proceed at best possible speed. We will not sacrifice a coordinated H-Hour, but I want them in orbit around their targets as quickly as may be. Re-iterate the standing order. There is to be no warning, no offer of surrender, no parley. The strike arms will not pull any punches. They shall take out whatever military targets they may find in the target systems, wherever they may be. They will be allowed only the diplomatic leeway of accepting surrender.”

“And the Golkos-Seer’koh?” Augesburcke questioned, stroking his mustache. “I wonder what their response shall be. If I were their commander I’d push headlong to Terra, even with the news of my confederates defeat. The multiple axis invasions will have served its purpose and left a wide open highway to Terra. I’d consider it an invitation impossible to refuse. My strategy would be to take Terra and hold the Terran Homeworld hostage, even as we will hopefully have done with Syraptose and Quotterim. Certainly the Golkos Grand Admiral Koor will not be blind to the fact that our strike fleets will be out of position to defend Terra.”

“True enough Admiral and I expect the Golkos Grand Admiral will have the very same opinion as yourself,” Alexander replied, cradling his chin. If he was disturbed by the possibility he didn’t show it. The light in his eyes was sharp, and it was clear by his manner that his mind was racing; seeing every aspect of the great galactic strategy with overwhelming clarity. “It is a risk, militarily, that is, though if forced into it I expect our defense of Terra will be viable,” Alexander said evenly, moving quickly to his point. “I am, however, more certain that our military action will provoke the required political response in order to solve our defensive dilemma. Once the Syraptose and Quotterim are defeated we will be out of position for defense, but still in marvelous position for attack. The Golkos and the Seer’koh will be placed in a very interesting position. Militarily they have all that they could ask for, as you’ve pointed out. We have, without a battle, given them a clear path to Terra. If they take that path, that bait so to speak, they then leave their Homeworlds open to conquest by our strike fleets. Yet we shall leave them with an option: they can retreat to the defense of their Homeworlds quicker than we can attack them.”

“It shall be an interesting study in decision making,” Augesburcke admitted. “Even considering the strictly military question the Golkos and the Seer’koh have a difficult decision to reach. Do they continue on and hopefully capture Terra, knowing that they have at best an incomplete knowledge of our defensive capabilities; and in the process almost certainly lose their own Homeworlds? Or do they retreat? That’s not an easy call militarily.”

“But politically it is obvious,” Alexander said earnestly. “You do not put your Homeworld at risk when you have a fleet to defend it.”

“Which is what we’ve done,” Augesburcke said evenly.

“That we have, under duress,” Alexander admitted. “But I am counting on the Seventh Fleet and our Homeworld defense grid, Admiral. I anticipate only a fraction of the Alliance fleet ever gets this far. We’ll see if the dominoes tumble the way I anticipate. It was the “Legend of Alexander” which precipitated the Alliance attack, and as Doctor Koto so eloquently puts it is their psychosis that pushes the Alliance. Will this psychosis push the Alliance over the brink to blindly attack Terra, sacrificing their Homeworlds in the process? That is the question I cannot answer, yet. I need to give them an out; a way to disbelieve their own manifestation of reality. The Syraptose and Quotterim are the key to that door.”

“How do you intend your conquests of Syraptose and Quotterim to dispel your myth, Alexander?” Nazeera asked. She patiently listened to the debate, half with jealousy and half with trepidation. Nazeera longed to lead her people on an Alexander-like sweep of conquest, and her blood seethed with the discipline required to sit on the sidelines. Yet Nazeera was also a Galactic, and she had no wish to see the status quo of the galaxy completely dominated by Terrans, despite her love for Alexander. The Chem Elder respected the institutions of the empires her people dealt with over the past kicellia, and though she cared little for what Alexander might do to the Golkos, Nazeera saw no profit in the complete destruction of galactic civilization as she knew it. Partly to satisfy her own concerns and partly to be involved Nazeera found himself making an observation. Her eyes were bright with anticipation of Alexander’s response, but her voice was even and controlled.

“The “Legend of Alexander” speaks of conquest on a grand and barbaric scale. We have understandably drawn an analogy between the wars of Terra which we have witnessed and perceived Terran behavior in a galactic war of conquest. If the conquest of Syraptose and Quotterim are as brutal as they are feared to be then the Alliance remnants may well feel compelled to destroy Terra at all costs.”

“What’s the Alliance afraid of?” Alexander asked, obviously troubled by the prospect. “Did I exterminate the Scythians; no, on the contrary I treated them more fairly than anyone expected. Our agreement with Scythia been well documented. Certainly if anyone had a right for revenge it was Terra. Was not our settlement overtly fair considering the circumstances.”

“Extraordinarily so, Alexander, but you needed Scythia. You do not need Syraptose or the Quotterim.” Nazar pointed out. “If you do indeed conquer them, as appears likely, the galaxy will be watching. Your treatment of them will be widely watched.”

“Your observations are most sobering, Nazeera,” Alexander replied gravely. “You speak well and to the point as a Galactic. It is a point well worth considering, though I do not think they change my attitude a great deal.”

Nazeera’s glance was hard, and Alexander addressed it by spreading his arms wide. “I never thought to tread upon the galaxy, though my rhetoric has been admittedly harsh at times. My dream, Elder of Chem, is to win a position of equality amongst the empires of the galaxy, not a position of ascendency. Dictatorships are short lived. Relations between states can persevere for millennia. The Galactics have proven that, but it cannot occur with Terra as a lesser or a greater state than her neighbors. We are fighting for equality. I want Terra to be considered an equal culture amongst the Galactics long after I am gone. That is what I will show the galaxy, if we are successful in Syraptose and the Quotterim.”

“If that is your intention, Overlord, then you will have taken a great step towards the accomplishment of your aims,” Nazeera told him, satisfied with the scope and sincerity of his response.

Alexander nodded, and said, “I want this entire situation to be perfectly clear to anyone listening to the ethernet. There is to be no comm jamming when the battle commences. I want the galaxy to have a front row seat, and I want to show them that we are terrible in war, but magnanimous in our victory. Admiral let’s take a page out of Lincoln’s book: hit them hard, again and again until they fall, but then let them up easy.”

#

The otherwise somber trappings of the room were alive with the pent up whisperings of its convicts. There was not a single being there who wanted to be there. They did not want to discuss the purpose behind their presence, they simply wanted to disappear. There was nowhere to go, however, and little choice in the matter. The thick draperies were drawn closed, stifling both light an air. Smoke hung in the dim light, further shrouding the huddled shapes, fearful shapes. Their leather cocoons provided no comfort or protection, only a form within which their bodies withdrew. The only sign of life was the bright darting eyes, encased in heavy aged lids, still capable of emoting fear.

“Gentlemen, there is no cause for alarm, though the first attempt to assassinate Alexander failed there is no cause to fear discovery,” Crandal informed his mixed audience of Terrans and Hrang spies. “The operatives and equipment used in the attempt were Terran. There is nothing to connect the attempt to the Alliance, except possibly motive.”

“What of a link between your operatives and ourselves,” Edgar asked with concern.

“Remember, I am conducting the investigation,” Crandal answered testily, dragging at his pipe. “Besides, the identities of our two friends have been conveniently switched. Instead of two special operatives from SPETNAZ, all the information I have passed on reveals them as disgruntled ex-SEALS. Believe me, even if they did somehow find out their true identities it would be nearly impossible to trace them to us.”

“What is our next step then?”

“Our second window of opportunity occurs on the Iowa tomorrow. Our operatives are in place. This opportunity was preplanned in case of a failure in the first. At this time there are no signs of any problems. All indications are that Alexander will take a shuttle to the Iowa after his send off of the first wave of emigrants, and his inspection of the New York shipyards.”

“Why not hit him there? It is a public place with a high probability of confusion aiding our operatives. It worked in Dallas, why not here?”

“Unfortunately, as part of Alexander’s precautions Nazeera of Chem supplied his entourage with small shield generators. They will stop a blaster shot or a rifle bullet with equal efficiency. A public venue is therefore out of the question.”

“However you accomplish it, Mr. Crandal, it is important that you leave the Alliance out of it, for your sake as well as ours,” the chief Hrang representative told him. “Needless to say your own position of power in the new regime would be jeopardized if your fellow Terrans had any knowledge of your present involvements. As for ourselves we do not wish to incur Alexander’s personal attentions. If we all fail the repercussions for us in an Alexander victory would be far more singular and unpleasant than simple defeat.”

“That is understood,” Crandal answered.

“How will you plan to handle a failure in this opportunity?” The Hrang pressed him.

“I do not expect failure,” Crandal answered, but added, “in such a case; however, I will take care of the third opportunity on Golkos myself.”

“Let us hope it does not come to that, Mr. Crandal,” the Hrang said.

“I do not expect it to,” Crandal replied, “but if it does I want your assurance that our deal still stands.”

“For our part we shall honor it,” the Hrang told him, “but you must realize the reality of the situation. If Alexander is on Golkos as a conqueror then there may be little the Alliance, what is left of it, can do politically. I cannot see how his death at that point would swing our political fortunes in so different a direction.”

“That all depends on how the assassination is carried out, sir, and who carries it out,” Crandal admitted. Seeing the perplexed looks of his colleagues and the Hrang he smiled, explaining, “I intend to see to it, with your help, that Alexander, and hopefully Admiral Augesburcke his most trusted and useful subordinate, are assassinated by the Scythians. There should be ample popularity with the notion of blaming the Scythians amongst all segments of the galaxy. With the opportunity taken it will remove Alexander and the one man who could stabilize the Terran government immediately after the assassination. There will be a vacuum at the top, and I shall fill it.”

“You should be in a position of considerably more power in that scenario than if you accomplished the deed now,” the Hrang observed.

“True,” Crandal admitted, “and I should use that power if it were not for the axe of knowledge which you have hanging over my head, sir. As it is, my involvement in this assassination is far more dangerous to me than to you. Terrans could forgive an alien for such an act, but never a Terran.”

“How are you to contact us concerning the success or failure of this second opportunity?”

“Might I request that you find out for yourself by requesting your Pro Consul to call Alexander for a parley?”

“And highlight our own involvement in this? Impossible!” The Hrang’s refusal was emphatic.

“Not at all; you’ve been trying to have a political parley with him since your disastrous defeat on the Golkos frontier have you not? Now is the perfect opportunity. If we fail and Alexander answers you may find him in more of a bargaining mood; if he feels his power is suddenly threatened by home-grown forces. If we succeed you will catch the Terran Empire at a unique point in time, and we can proceed with our arrangement.”

“I will bring it up with my superiors,” the Hrang said. The spy rose stiffly to leave, but before exiting the room he asked, “How is it you will get the Scythians to assassinate Alexander?”

Crandal smiled and puffed at his pipe. “They have already supplied me with the means. All we wait upon is the proper moment. There will be no doubt as to the source of the assassination. As with most things it will really be quite simple, and elegant.”

The Hrang left shaking his head, unsatisfied and now quite concerned. The thought occurred to him that everything he knew of Alexander pointed to him being a far more rational being than the one he was actually dealing with.