Opening Gambit: Void Incursion, #1

Chapter 1

The explosion flashed across his canopy and died out.

He banked hard, the planet taking up his entire view. A moment later he had the second craft in his sights, and he pulled the trigger.

Tracer bolts lanced across the empty space, connected with the ship, and its engines exploded. There was another flash of fire, and then the craft was drifting, coming apart.

Bravo five, he called out on the radio. Bogey two disabled. Request search and recovery op, my position.

The response was not immediate, but when it came it was terse.

Copy that, Bravo five. Return to base immediately.

Roger that. Out, he replied.

Yes, he was well aware that he had just violated protocol, but it was a pointless protocol, and he wasn’t going to allow another successful raid on his patrol.

The outlaw band operated in this system somewhere - that they knew. But where exactly was still unclear. They were probably based in, on, or around a larger asteroid of the Kuiper belt between the sixth and seventh planets.

These outlaws were well organized, and they clearly had someone on the inside, as they always managed to raid a freighter when the patrol was on the wrong side of B’bornatt.

He had been on patrol another time this had happened. This time, rather than request clearance to cross the upper atmosphere of B’bornatt, he had fired up his engines to full, dodged any number of craft along the way, and got there before the raiders could make their escape.

The planetside controllers had been furious. His superior had also gotten on the radio and yelled at him to break his pursuit, but he was a great pilot, and he was able to avoid the obstacles along the way and get to the attackers, denying them their victory.

Without a doubt he would be in trouble.

He had served the B’bornatt Defense Fleet for more than a decade and a half. He was an excellent pilot, and was on track to become a squadron leader soon. He’d been promoted to Major about seven months ago, and he was anticipating the position shortly.

His maneuver today, he suspected, would likely get him yelled at, but no more than that. He’d been reprimanded for breaking protocol once or twice before over the years, but he was never insubordinate, and he had never endangered anyone with any of his actions.

Still, his commanding officer had sounded extremely put-out over the radio.

His fighter was rocking and roaring as he entered the atmosphere. The rest of his group was still out on patrol, and they would not land for a couple hours. Once more he questioned why they always seemed to have too few craft on patrol. They had more than enough pilots and ships - it made very little sense, really.

He was a pilot, not a bureaucrat. While the B’bornatt government officials liked to have the defense forces handy, they didn’t like having to open up airspace for them to maintain a constant patrol around the planet. The defense screens and satellite emplacements provided enough warning, and a real and serious threat to security would not be missed.

But then you had these raiders. One to three craft, never larger than a freighter. They would appear on radar, and get warned by local control that they had no flight path. Then they’d hit their target while the Defense Fleet was still being alerted. Even with a patrol on the other side of the planet and stand-by craft launched, the raiders always managed to get away before anything could be done.

Today they were caught. Yes, he had eliminated the smaller ship, but the freighter was only disabled. Search and recovery forces would bring them in, and then the Defense Fleet would get an interrogator to learn more about them.

He sighed as his flight smoothed out. He expected that his actions would probably get him a more formal reprimand, this time. He had, after all, dodged a dozen different craft to cross the skies as he did. But he’d had enough of them getting away, and he managed where everyone else had failed to stop them. That surely would be taken into account.

His radio crackled to life. Bravo five, in the clear on course two-one-one for landing. Descend to two thousand and cut speed for landing.

Bravo five, roger that, he replied.

He glanced out of his canopy now and saw that the sky was largely clear. The base was on a remote island, so his flight was over the ocean that occupied half the planet.

He checked his instruments as he descended. He would own up to his actions, of course. Yes, he was aware he should have gotten clearance, but he’d be damned if they were going to raid and run yet again. Too many times they’d succeeded, and he was getting tired of reading in the press their constant deriding of the Defense Fleet.

He leveled out at two-thousand meters, and soon received a tone from his instruments.

Bravo five has the ball, he called.

Bravo five, clear straight in. Taxi immediately to station eight and power down.

Roger that. Bravo five on final.

He now was aware that he was surely in trouble. Usually, clearance to taxi and report came once you were on the ground. Someone wanted to speak with him post-haste.

He saw the sprawling base on the island ahead now as his starfighter descended. The sleek, powerful craft was top quality and far better to fly than its predecessor. Whatever foibles the top brass might have had, they always provided their pilots with the most advanced craft.

He tapped a control, and his landing gear descended. This ship could land vertically as well, but they preferred in atmosphere to expend less fuel and energy and just roll them across a runway. He felt his back wheels touchdown, and he dropped the nose. His craft glided down the runway, and slowed as he applied the brakes.

Bravo five taxiing to station eight.

Copy that, Bravo five, came the reply.

He saw as he taxied that his commanding officer and a trio of NCOs were awaiting him in addition to the ground crew.

He reached the station, and powered down his starfighter. He unstrapped himself, tapping controls and shutting everything down. He flipped the switch to release the air seal and open his canopy.

There was a hiss and a whine as the air pressure equalized, and the canopy slid open. He arose, climbed out and descended the ladder. When he reached the ground he released his helmet, removing it and turning.

His commanding officer stood there, looking extremely unhappy. Colonel Holm had his hands on his hips, staring.

Sir! He saluted the colonel, tucking his helmet under his left arm as smartly as he could.

Major Murtsharn, Colonel Holm acknowledged without returning the salute. His voice was like ice. Son, you are in a world of trouble.

Major Murtsharn forced himself not to sigh. Sir, with all due respect...

Colonel Holm held up his hand to forestall him. Not now. Major Jeck Murtsharn, I am placing you under house arrest until such time as we have concluded our investigation into your actions today.

Colonel Holm gestured to the NCOs. Say nothing more, Major, and let these men escort you back to quarters. They will be confiscating your computer and communications equipment, as well as any weapons. I’m sorry, but I will do what I can for you, son.

Major Jeck Murtsharn could not have been more wrong about what awaited him.

Chapter 2

The starship was impressive by anyone’s standards.

The ship did not meet any specific classification. It was larger than most transports or freighters but smaller than a capital ship. She was nebulous by design.

The official name of the craft was a family secret, but her registry named her The Shardaelian Royal Corvette.  

This craft never left port unless the royal family was aboard, as they alone had the right to use her for transport. The crew were direct employees, amongst the most trusted.

Despite the use of the term Kingdom, Shardaelia was actually comprised of three solar systems. The first, Shar Prima, was a six planet system boasting the home planet of the first crown of Shardaelia, Aesharda. Two more planets of Shar Prima sustained life. Shar Due boasted nine planets, two of which sustained life. Lastly, Shar Tre was four planets, all gas giants, though the largest moon of the second planet from the sun sustained life.

The monarchy had ruled Shardaelia for about a millennium, following the war over possession of Shar Tre. Originally called the Cropana system, the crown of Shardaelia and the leadership of the Draaj, Asom Khan, both claimed the element-rich gas giants. For twenty-five years they waged war, until the occupants of the habitable moon sided with the Shardaelian Queen, and the Khan was defeated.

The Draaj arose against Asom Khan at the conclusion of the war, and the Shardaelian Queen, Nilyr Aeshar, was asked by the rebel leaders to help them. The Khan had ruled with an iron fist, driving most of his people to poverty...while the Shardaelians were known to live largely prosperous lives.

Shardaelia was not by any means the largest government of worlds in the galaxy. The Zarahn Empire was comprised of five separate systems, while the Frodi Imperium boasted seven to nine depending on the status of their conquests. The Nebula Conglomerate was thirteen independent systems sharing trade and military defenses, while the Therion Alliance was twelve to fifteen independent systems sharing government and other infrastructures. The Gardarran Pulsar Confederation was at least twenty solar systems strong.

Queen Petra Aeshar and her wife Queen Ashira Aeshar had ruled Shardaelia together for fourteen years. Petra had been the daughter of King Petric Aeshar, and after turning seventeen she had chosen, like those before her, to serve. She wanted to be a soldier and was a fine fighter pilot.

Ashira Comaer was the daughter of Baron Gord Comaer, governor of the planet Baelgaar in Shar Prima. He would have preferred for his daughter to serve at the royal court in the capital of Aesharda, but she chose instead military service. She was a champion martial artist, and a gifted mechanical engineer.

Petra and Ashira’s paths crossed when Petra’s fighter had been damaged in an accident, and Ashira had been the officer assigned to investigate what had gone wrong, and then oversee repairs. Petra had hidden her lineage, using her mother’s surname Foraer while serving.

The connection had been instantaneous, and the two had fallen in love. Petra revealed who she was to Ashira, but that changed nothing for her feelings.

After they left the military they were wed, and Princess Petra and Princess Ashira worked closely with King Petric to learn the ins and outs of governing the trio of solar systems that made up the Kingdom.

King Petric and Petra’s mother had divorced more than a decade ago, and she had renounced her title and moved to another system. When Petric died, Petra received the crown and the Kingdom became hers.

Ashira, as her wife, shared the power. As was tradition they were the Queens of Shardaelia. For the next fourteen years they would work hard to build a strong Shardaelian Kingdom and see to the health and wellbeing of their peoples.

Their closest neighbor was the Protelna Raj. The Protelna system consisted of eighteen planets, seven of which were inhabited. For the past five years the Raja’s Royal Armed Forces had been responsible for disrupting the refining and transport of noble gasses from the Shar Tre system.

Initially the Shardaelian Starfleet had believed that the problem was actually an independent band of raiders that had become organized and who may have created a base nearby. Yet, in time, their intelligence forces had been able to confirm that they were specially deployed forces of the Raja’s Royal Armed Forces.

What followed was two years of cat and mouse games, the Starfleet playing a complicated game of chess with the Royal Armed Forces. The Queens had ordered their forces to ensnare the Raja’s so that they might have a better bargaining position. They had no interest in going to war with their neighbor, even knowing full well it was a war they would likely dominate.

They wanted to know why the Protelna Raj might be playing such a game. Did they intend to secretly wrest control of the Shar Tre system? Were they spoiling with the intent to involve a third party like one of the other Kingdoms or Empires that might be a more even match with the Shardaelia? The Queens wanted the answer, but they wanted to avoid as much bloodshed as possible.

Though it had taken two years, the Raja’s forces finally made a critical error. They not only got one of their raiding parties captured, but the prisoners also had more than enough evidence on them to prove that they were supplied and funded by the Protelna Raj. It was all that the Kingdom of Shardaelia needed to force the Raja’s hand and open the way for a diplomatic solution.

The Raj had made a discovery at the outskirts of the Shar Tre system, an asteroid field containing impressive heavy metals and other resources. The belt just skirted the edge of the Protelna system, yet it technically fell under the gravity well of Shar Tre’s sun.

The units from their Royal Armed forces, acting withour identifying themselves, had been meant to lead the Shardaelian government to believe they had an internal problem, like one of the Kingdom’s nobles being behind the raids. But the Shardaelian intelligence forces had gotten involved too soon, before the Raja could truly launch that particular plan.

The Queens both found this disheartening, as they had never had any prior direct dealings with the Raj, nor had any of their predecessors, really. Thus they had sent ambassadors to the Raja and started to negotiate in good faith to not just end the raids but to also see if some mutual benefit between them could be reached.

Queen Ashira suspected also there was the matter of succession. One or two of the older, more conservative nobles of the Kingdom had pointed out that the Queens could not produce an heir in the traditional manner.

Queen Petra knew the importance of maintaining the family lineage. Eight years after their marriage, Queen Petra had been implanted with an embryo that contained a mix of both her genetic material and Queen Ashira’s.

Nine months later, Prince Lii Aeshar had been born. His mothers could not have been happier, nor could they have loved their son more. Now, at age six, he was a smart and athletic child, and they could not have been prouder of him.

Though they had produced the necessary heir, Ashira and Petra had been discussing Petra carrying another child, in part because it was never a bad idea to have another heir, but mostly because the two mothers felt the desire to raise a second child and give Lii the experience of growing up with a sibling. Queen Petra had been an only child, while Queen Ashira had an older brother.

At the final stage of negotiations, The Shardaelian Royal Corvette was en route to rendezvous in neutral territory between the Kingdom of Shardaelia and the Protelna Raj. The Queens of Shardaelia would meet directly with the Raja.

Queen Ashira was currently on the bridge while her wife was flying the Royal Corvette. Even though they had a full crew and pilots to fly the ship, Queen Petra insisted on having time at the controls.

She may have been a queen, but she still loved to fly, and any opportunity to do so was something she would take. No no one but her spouse could talk her out of it.

Queen Ashira was studying up on the Protelna Raj. While she was certainly no slouch when it came to history, unlike her wife she had not needed to be knowledgeable about the politics of the neighboring territories. She knew who they were and the government they contained, but she had not been intimately aware of their history or tendencies.

Since Petra and Ashira shared their duties, Queen Ashira needed to be more knowledgeable. Thus she was currently learning about the Raj and its history.

The Protelna Raj was actually a couple centuries older than the Shardaelian Kingdom despite their vast difference in size. The Raja and his or her Privy Council had ruled the system peacefully all along, keeping out of the affairs of their neighbors but always being a favorable trading partner. They were considered a relatively conservative, unchanging people, as only three families had seamlessly ruled the Raj over the centuries.

The people of the Protelna Raj largely lived and died within their own territory, historically choosing to work within the framework of their own solar system. You hardly ever found emigrants of the Protelna Raj elsewhere in the galaxy.

The current Raja was fairly new, having inherited his title six and a half years ago. He was something of an enigma, according to intelligence reports, even to his own people. His actions certainly told the queens that he had designs on change for the Raj.

Queen Ashira was nearly done going over both the history and current reports about the Raj and its current leader, and she was not feeling at ease, despite their approaching negotiations. There was something not quite right about the actions of the current Raja, and she felt there was more to the story. She could not put her finger on just what that might be, but there was still some piece of information missing.

She tapped the screen to close the file, and arose. Queen Ashira moved forward across the deck, taking the seat to the right of her mate.

My study is complete, love, she informed Petra.

Queen Petra turned and smiled at her spouse. Though she was currently the ship’s pilot, as they were in hyperspace the actual ‘flying’ was automated. Excellent. Any thoughts?

Queen Ashira sighed. The actions of the current Raja are...erratic. Our reports seem rather incomplete, in comparison to the history of many of his predecessors. I get the impression he is wanting to make changes dissimilar to any that have gone before.

I get that same impression, concluded Queen Petra. There is something...disconcerting in his actions.

The asteroid field in question, Queen Ashira began. Our mining companies were not aware that this field even existed. Had he but approached us, we could have done as we are doing now without the raids and other matters for which he now must make restitution.

Queen Petra sighed. That is true. It may be something to be chalked up to his age. The Raja is rather young.

Just because we are pushing forty, love, does not mean we can look to those in their early twenties as being so much younger than us, remarked Queen Ashira.

Queen Petra laughed. Mere puppies, such as they are, my love.

Queen Ashira began to laugh, too. I suppose the experience of a twenty-something does differ considerably from the experience of one nearing their fourth decade.

Furthermore, Queen Petra put in, the Raja has only held his power less than half the time we have held ours. Perhaps he is simply testing boundaries as he learns what his duties and responsibilities are in balance with his desires.

Perhaps, Queen Ashira conceded. But his initial approach still leaves something to be desired.

Queen Petra was nodding her head. I cannot deny that these raids are unsettling. Very underhanded, to be sure. They do leave you wondering just what kind of mind the Raja has.

A devious one, Queen Ashira stated. Or so I believe, thus far. We should be cautious.

We are being cautious, Queen Petra commented. Our intelligence services are convinced that there is nothing untoward happening on the part of the Raja, and the agreement we are finalizing is perfectly fair. Still, we will not be meeting the Raja blindly.

Queen Ashira knew what she meant. Though they had their guards, both queens were also armed. Ashira was the better combatant overall, but Petra was no slouch with her sword.

I do wish we had brought Lii along, mused Petra. But that was part of the agreement with Captain Palto.

Captain Erit Palto was the head of their Royal Guard and an Intelligence Chief. Both queens trusted the man thoroughly. He had served them well and loyally for a decade.

Originally the captain had wanted only one of the queens to make this journey, but both Petra and Ashira insisted that the message of their both being present for this agreement was too important to neglect. He had laughed at that, remarking that he knew that was how they would respond.

Thus they had left the prince in trusted hands at home.

Ashira gazed through the windows at the colorful, spiraling blur of hyperspace. It was both hypnotic and soothing while somewhat terrifying. It was like there was a tunnel to infinity that made one feel very small.

Queen Ashira understood and agreed with the need for security. This was just a high-level final negotiation and signing of an agreement, nothing more.

So, why was she feeling so uneasy about it all?

Chapter 3

Avra Pii K’tark’ah had lived amongst Humans most of their life.

Avra was not Human. Avra was a Yalifira.

Like all Yalifira, Avra had no gender. Avra was neither male nor female. Because the Yalifira had no gender, they had unique pronouns they used to address themselves.

In place of her, him, he or she, they used xez, which was pronounced zeez. In place of his, her, hers, they used xerz, both for singular and plural, which was pronounced zurz.

Like the rest of Avra’s race, the Yalifira had green jewel-toned scales that were covered in a soft, short fur over body, arms, and legs. Avra was average height at just shy of seven feet tall, and was narrow-shouldered, with a long oval face and large, oval eyes that shifted between being all black, grey, or red. Avra had long, flowing purple hair.

The Yalifira reproduced through parthenogenesis. Somewhere between the age of thirty and fifty a Yalifira would begin to cultivate an embryo. This would last for about three years, after which time the offspring would leave the parent’s body and be ‘born’.

Yalifira offspring were raised until the age of fourteen amongst a collective of children called the Conclave. Every world the Yalifira called home had such a Conclave, supervised by the extremely elderly. It was the ultimate blend of society, a support structure for both young and old.

The Yalifira lived long lives, surviving around three hundred years or so. Usually after their two-hundred seventieth birthday, Yalifira would join the Conclave to care for and raise the young.

Avra spent one hundred and eighty years building xerz business. From one ship to a fleet of ships, Avra would become the premier dealer of alien goods to Humans.

Avra had trading partners amongst the grey-skinned bulbous-headed Ravusq; associates with the tiny, alabaster-skinned and vertically slit-eyed Doolari; and business partners amongst the curve-backed cat-eyed lizard-descended Zathru.

Avra even had partnerships with the non-humanoid races such as the four-legged and four-armed Qi’ta-ji and the gaseous Abara, who could only have contact with other races by employing special hovering suits. Avra had contacts amongst nearly all the civilized races across the galaxy.

Avra had worked for nearly two centuries building quite the business empire and was proud of xerz accomplishments. Xez may well have been an enigma, but xez had put in a great deal of time and hard work to build the life Avra had.

Avra was traveling on xerz flagship, having just made a rather impressive purchase of Luranai spirits. The alcoholic beverages the fat, nearly gelatinous aliens produced had no intoxicating effects on them but were highly prized by Humans.

Avra had to always warn that these beverages could be lethal to some non-Human races.

For the most part, the interaction between Humans and most non-Human races was passive at best. Yalifira were sometimes found traveling and working among Humans in their hundreds, while Ravusq and Zathru traveled through and between Human worlds semi-regularly. You never saw an individual Doolari amongst Humans, and never a group of fewer than a dozen Qi’ta-ji, Abara, or Luranai.

Gamma Terpsich may have been an incredibly busy and crowded planets, but it was home to several of the cleanest, most spectacular cities in the galaxy.

The second-largest city on Gamma Terpsich was Elrand. Elrand was by no means small, taking up the whole island continent it occupied, two and three-quarter million miles squared. By comparison, the planet’s largest city also occupied the whole of its continent, covering some sixteen million square miles.

Elrand was