Empire's Fall: Corelian Guard series, #3

Empire's Fall

by

Prudence MacLeod

Copyright February 2015

All rights reserved

TRACY HAWKS SAT WATCHING the rushing waters below, her mind tormented with feelings of guilt. In war, killing is not considered a crime, but to Tracy, what she had done was murder. After all, she was the one who had led the attack. The blood of those enemy soldiers was on her hands.

Several years past Tracy had led her small band of survivors out into the void. They had one job and one job only. Keep the biggest and most successful empire in history busy trying to catch them.

Lately the empire seemed to be getting wise to the tactics and began ignoring them. They had been forced to go on the attack. As a born survivor, this was completely contrary to Tracy's nature. She was tormented.

With a deep sigh of resignation she squared her shoulders and steeled herself before rising. Long angry strides carried her swiftly back to the small spaceship that had been her home for too long. The crew, her family of misfits, all rose to their feet. Is the ship ready?

Ship is ready, Captain, grinned a tall Corelian.

Take the ship and go home, Lon.

Tracy?

Take the crew back to the mother ship, wait three days, then return for me. With she turned away.

Should I wait for August?

No, I want her here with me.

Figured that, grinned the Corelian. Mount up, folks. We've got a couple of days off. The ship vanished through a hole in time and space then Tracy went back to staring at the river below. She was still there when the Hunter returned at dusk, the carcass of an animal thrown across her shoulders.

August Summers dropped the meat to the ground then shrugged out of the blood stained leather hunting jacket she favoured. Tracy? Where's the ship?

I sent them home.

Why?

I need time to think and to formulate a plan.

Do you want me to...

No, replied Tracy as she rose and stepped into August's arms. I want, need, you here with me. If we'd gone with them there would be another crisis, another mission, more innocent people to be killed.

Innocent people? August tightened her hold on Tracy as she felt the shudder run through her lover. Tracy, I've told you many times, Lover. We’ve killed no innocent people. We attack the military, but the military isn’t innocent. Those people may have been good people or right bastards, but they signed up for military service. They gave up their innocence the day they signed on; we all did.

Oh August, it has to stop.

I know love, I know. You need to eat, you're crashing. You start a fire while I get this critter ready to barbecue. Tracy stepped out of her arms and began gathering wood for the fire while August found the makings of a spit and prepared the meat.

August grinned as Tracy piled up some of the wood then snapped her fingers causing the wood to burst into flames. That's cheating, she grinned.

Is not, laughed Tracy, the first smile of the day reaching her lips.

Is too, replied August as she arranged the meat over the flames. So tell me about this plan of yours.

I don't have a plan, sweetheart, sighed Tracy as she settled down beside August and gazed at the dancing flames. The fire hissed as melting fat began to drip onto the hot coals. All I have is a burning desire.

Okay, let's look at that. What is it you need?

I need for the empire to leave us alone.

Why?

Tracy thought for a moment. So we can tend to our survival as a people, our new people. I swear, if the empire doesn't stop eradicating people to mine their planets, and hunting for the last of the Corelians, I'll destroy the lot of them.

That would be the simplest way to do it.

"I can't, August. I can't just kill an entire species. If I do then I'm no better than they are, and we are better than them."

Them, as in the Empire.

Yes.

So, perhaps destroying the empire, but not its people is the answer.

August?

"Try to see this like a Nander would. The herd is huge, far too large to survive. It destroys everything in its path and eventually all will starve. That's the empire. However, there are many young bulls vying for dominance, but they’re not strong enough. The lead bull holds the herd together and it’s trampling everything in its path.

What to do? Kill the lead bull. The others will fight among themselves, and eventually the herd will break up into smaller herds that can better survive.

So you think we should kill the emperor?

That's one solution. There may be others, but that is the simplest.

Straight to the heart of the matter as usual, my love. All right, my survival instincts have kept us alive, but they are failing to protect Secsan. It's time for you to take over.

Nope. Everybody has come to rely on and believe in, the Offspring. With you in command they have hope. No my love, if you abdicate it’ll all fall apart.

Tracy lost herself in thought for a moment before admitting August was probably right. Okay, but what should we do? I don't think just killing the emperor will be enough. After the dust settles we could end up with somebody worse. We'll have to find a way to put our own guy on the throne.

That still leaves us with the oversized herd. Why not put a half dozen or so on the throne.

You mean break up the herd. Destroy the emperor and help the empire break into several smaller empires.

Exactly, and we sign nonaggression treaties with all of them so nobody comes after us anymore.

Oh yes my darling, now you're talking, sighed Tracy. I like this plan.

Okay, so we know what we want to do, how do we go about that?

That's the hard part, but I know you'll come through.

Me? exclaimed August. Why is it my job?

Just kidding, it’s Zooth we need. She can help us find the right people to lead the revolutions.

All right, now we have a plan. Should I call for Zooth or do you want to wait.

I have you all to myself for the first time in weeks. We have three more days and I want every minute of them.

Oh be still my heart, grinned August, gently pulling Tracy closer for a kiss.

Three days later the clan returned for them. Tracy was looking much more rested and happier. August explained the plan and they threw it open for questions or suggestions. By the end of the day the entire clan was on board and excited about the idea. If they could make it happen it would end their years of running and hiding.

Zooth knew of only one man who might be able to help them. A man who was now a fugitive, on the run from the empire. He had not been heard of for over two years. He was either in hiding or dead.

They returned to the mother ship then Zooth left for her home world to do some gathering of intelligence. Ellig Mansbridge had actually heard of the man in question. He was all for the idea, and the major plan. If they failed they would be no worse off than before. If they succeeded, the future would be changed forever for the better. After eight days Zooth returned. She had a lead on their man.

First Step

Tracy stood at the edge of a scrub forest clearing. Slowly resettling her glasses on the bridge of her nose, she took in the scene of past devastation before her. This entire planet had been ravaged sometime in the past and was still struggling to recover. There were few signs of life anywhere.

Her shoulders slumped in defeat, and then she straightened up and stomped her foot in frustration. That was patently unsatisfying, so she kicked a stone and hurt her foot. Her two companions stifled their laughter while she cursed. Finally she stopped and sunk to the ground, defeated. This just can't be right. Zooth, are you certain this is the correct planet?

The woman addressed was not human, but a close semblance. She sighed in consternation and tried to respond with telepathy. Tracy's mind was closed, a sign of how angry she truly was. This is the place, Tracy. All my information says he should be here somewhere.

I can't touch his mind, can you?

No, I cannot, and I have tried.

At this point the third member of the group spoke up, a smile of mischief playing at her lips. August Summers, known as the Hunter, and Tracy's bonded companion, was enjoying herself. Zooth, have I mentioned what a beautiful voice you’ve developed.

Thank you, August. Allari's singing lessons have been a great help to me. Now stop laughing at us and tell us what we have missed.

Those tracks going up that rise there, grinned August.

Ahhhhhhhh! Tracy screamed and beat her small fists on the ground then sighed. I did it again. Dammit all anyway. Here am I trying to find a needle in a haystack all the while ignoring the obvious. She rose to her feet then sidled into August's arms and batted her eyelashes at her. August, honey...

Yes my love?

There are tracks going up that rise, would you follow them and see who they belong to please?

It would be my pleasure to help you, my delight.

August, I'm sorry, but you promised to stop me from doing this.

Doing what, sweetheart?

Taking over like I'm the only one who can do anything. You promised to keep me grounded.

Am I not doing that?

No, you're making fun of me.

Me? Make fun of the terrifying Offspring? I would never dare...

Oh shut up, sighed Tracy then she kissed August deeply.

August moaned and pulled Tracy tightly to her, deepening the kiss. When their lips finally parted she took Tracy by the shoulders and held her at arm's length. Oh gods, Tracy, how am I supposed to track anybody with my eyeballs all fogged up?

You can do it, grinned Tracy. You're the Hunter, you can find anybody.

If you say so. August turned her attention to the ground then trotted off. Tracy and Zooth followed.

The hunt was different now and Tracy began to relax. August would locate the quarry, all she had to do now was keep up with her. Zooth relaxed to see Tracy smile and start to enjoy the experience. Somehow, running along behind August while on the hunt always soothed Tracy.

The sun was going down and August stopped, looked around, then pointed. There, we'll camp there. You build a fire. I'll hunt. With that she was gone into the trees.

Zooth watched as Tracy gathered dry wood then arranged a circle of stones around a small pile of the driest. A stone was chosen then smacked against the blade of her knife. When that failed to produce a spark, Tracy simply snapped her fingers and the wood burst into flames. That's cheating.

Don't tell August, laughed Tracy.

Zooth grinned and sat by the fire. She'll know.

Yeah, she always does. She's the most amazing person I've ever known. Zooth, if he's really here, how is it we can't sense his mind?

I don't know, Tracy. Even if he's shielding himself, we should be able to sense his presence. My people said he has invented some sort thought masker, that's one of the reasons why the authorities are after him. I guess it must be true.

August returned at that point. She had the carcass of an animal across her shoulders. Build the fire up a bit, Tracy my love, and I'll cook supper.

I've got some of those green ration packs you like so much, wouldn't you prefer one of those? teased Tracy.

I'm not that hungry, grinned August as she chose a long stick and arranged the meat on it, propping it over the flames with stones.

Tracy smiled. I love it when you cook supper.  August, how are we doing?  Do you think this is the right guy?

Yeah, I think it's him.  He knows we're on his trail and he’s running. He's also wearing a stealth suit.

Zooth looked puzzled. Forgive me, August, but how can you possibly know that?

I found a couple of places where he stopped to watch his back trail. It was far too open, we would have seen him, therefore, he's wearing a stealth suit. His tracks now say he's running. He's wearing fairly new boots of V'Lox design, and he's carrying something awkward as it's throwing off his stride. We'll push him hard tomorrow and should corner him the day after.

August my love, you're amazing.

Why thank you, sugarplum. I can hunt and cook too.

Zooth snorted and Tracy blushed but made a swift recovery. Oh yes my darling, purred Tracy as she licked her lips, you sure can cook.

This time August blushed and gave up a hearty laugh. Brat.

Just then Tracy's communicator crackled to life. Moura to Captain Tracy. Come in Captain Tracy.

Tracy here. How are the ship's repairs coming?

She'll be better than new by this time tomorrow, Captain. Any news of the quarry?

He's on the run. August is tracking him. It may take us a day or two to reel him in so take your time with those repairs.

Aye, Captain. Are you folks camping out tonight?

Yes. We'll call in when we have him in custody. Once you have the ship ready, get her into sub-space. I don't want to take any more chances than necessary.

Understood. Moura out.

The next day was just as Tracy and Zooth expected. At first light August was off like a hunting hound. They did their best to keep up, but it wasn't easy. August pushed hard. The man believed he was fleeing for his life; his tracks were easy to follow. They were exhausted and terribly thirsty when August stopped for a rest.

Catch your breath, girls. The sun is too high for me to see the tracks right now. We'll rest here for a bit then push on.

They rested for a couple of hours then August set out again. She didn't stop again until the sun was nearly down. Tracy and Zooth were dropping, but August still seemed fresh. You two get some sleep, I'll stay on watch.

August?

This man is afraid for his life and he's exhausted. He can't run another day like this. If he decides to try something stupid, I want to be ready for him.

We need him alive, sweetheart.

I know. I won't hurt him, Tracy. Much.

August was grinning, but Tracy was too tired to rise to the bait. She just finished her ration bar and curled up beside Zooth who was already asleep. August smiled then built up the small fire a bit. Wouldn't want him to get lost if he comes visiting, she mused. August turned her back on the light of the fire and melted into the scrub trees.

Tracy and Zooth awaken to find August fussing by the fire. Rise and shine, girls. Day's a wasting.

August?

This is taking too damned long. By all rights he should have come for us in the night. What the hell is wrong with that guy?

Perhaps he has guessed who is on his trail, chuckled Zooth. With the Hunter/ Slayer after me I would run as far and as fast as I can.

Tracy sighed as she rose to her feet. She tossed each of them a ration bar then stepped away from the camp to relieve herself. Zooth did the same. They returned to find the fire had been put out and August already scouting for tracks. This way. With that she was off at a run.

They tried to keep up with her, but it was a lost cause. August was on the hunt, and she could sense her quarry. They lost sight of her several times, but there was always some sign to point the way. The sun was high in the sky, and they were dropping from exhaustion when they found her. She was sitting on a boulder, munching on a ration bar. He's holed up in that cave, she said as Tracy collapsed on the ground near her.

Give me a minute to get my breath back and I'll go drag his sorry ass out of there, growled Tracy.

Shall I fetch him for you, sweetie?

We need him, lover. Bring him back alive.

As you desire, my Captain, so shall it be, grinned August. She hopped down from the rock and jogged toward the mouth of the cave.

Does she never tire? groaned Zooth as she drew great gasping breaths and leaned against a rock. Tracy just chuckled. A few minutes later they heard the hiss of weapons fire then a scream of pain. A short male V'Lox was summarily dragged from the cave by August who deposited him at Tracy's feet.

Gontar gazed in fear and bewilderment at the three women. This was not at all what he had expected. He had fully expected to be found and