“Attention Vrrl ship, this is Captain James Sutherland of the Federation Voidship Enterprise. Lower your shields, and prepare to be boarded.”
Scarrend activated one of the spare consoles and pulled up a sensor report. The Enterprise was massive, and way too close. Twelve kilometers long and two wide, the hull of the ship curved gracefully, sleek and majestic and powerful. Weapons of every description protruded at regular intervals, peeking through the thickest armor Yvian had ever seen. Mims had once remarked that ten meters of tungsten could stop a MAC round. The Enterprise was sheathed in three times that much.
The Enterprise was not alone. Three battlecruisers and a carrier held position two kilometers behind it. Yvian thought that was excessive. The human flagship by itself was a match for anything else in the system.
“Evasive maneuvers,” Slasang ordered. “Get us out of here.” Yvian knew it was useless, and she suspected the First Hsst knew as well. The human ship was only nine kilometers away, and the Sharpclaw was headed right for it. A skilled pilot could dodge fire from a Confederation ship at that range, but Terran weapons were faster and far more deadly. The Sharpclaw had been accelerating since they left Tenril Station. It was moving fast enough to escape firing range in another thirty seconds. Yvian doubted the humans would let that happen. "And signal our distress."
The ship shuddered. Alarms blared. “We’re hit,” one of the crewman reported. “Engines, shields, and weapons are down.”
Scarrend had the damage report up on his console. The humans had knocked down the shields and hit every thruster, weapon port, and shield generator in just under two seconds. Even more impressive, they’d done it without piercing the hull. All while the Sharpclaw had been moving erratically at maximum acceleration. Yvian had expected the Enterprise to have overwhelming firepower, but she’d never imagined they could use it so precisely.
The Vrrl Captain snarled. His body was coiled like a spring. His mane bristled and his ears flattened against his head. His fear was obvious, but the only emotion in his voice was simmering anger. “Enterprise, this is First Hsst Venry Slasang of the Sharpclaw. Attacking my ship is a violation of your treaty with the Oluken, and an act of war against the Vrrl Starfang Empire. For what reason would you dare such a thing, human?”
“You know why, First Hsst.” Captain Sutherland spoke with authority. “Prepare to be boarded.”
“Emperor’s balls, I hate humans.” the First Hsst swore. He turned to the second crewman. “Has anyone answered our distress call?”
“Two battlecruisers have responded,” the second crewman responded. Yvian was surprised to discover she was a female. She’d never met a female Vrrl before. Or maybe she had, and didn’t know it. She’d thought this one was male until she heard her voice. “But they’re not close. The nearest will reach us in one hour.” She shook her head. “Not that they could do anything anyway.”
First Hsst Slasang grunted. “What of the Oluken? This sector should be heavily patrolled.”
The female shook her head again. “The nearest patrol is only nine minutes away, but they have not responded. They’re ignoring us, First Hsst.”
There was a hiss as the door to the bridge opened. Kilroy stepped into the room. The Peacekeeper was undamaged, but being shut down and used as a club had taken it’s toll nonetheless. Kilroy’s shirt was mussed. His tie was loose. His hat was missing, and the blood of humans had been spattered across his shiny dome of a head. His eyes burned red with fury. “First Hsst Venry Slasang, this unit is designated as Kilroy. This unit requests the use of a control console.”
The Vrrl Captain eyed the machine for a moment. He gave a short “granted” and turned back to his own console. “They’re not moving,” he growled. “What are they waiting for?”
“The Enterprise can’t pick us up themselves,” Mims spoke up.
“I told you to be silent,” the First Hsst growled.
“We don’t have time for that,” said the human. “If the Federation takes Yvian, they’ll get full access to Lucendian tech. It’ll be the end of the Pixen Technocracy, and the Vrrl Starfang Empire.”
Slasang growled. “Then maybe I should just kill you all.”
“You may have to,” Mims agreed. “If you do, you’ll need to destroy the crystal implants in our brainstems. They absorb energy, so you’ll need to use a nanoblade or brute force.”
“We should come up with a plan before that happens,” Yvian cut in. “Why can’t the Enterprise pick us up?”
Mims looked askance at the Vrrl Captain. First Hsst Slasang snarled, but grudgingly waved his assent. “Enterprise is a dreadnought,” the human explained. “Heavily armored. No hanger bays. The escort ships could do it, but the Stellar Defense Force likes to do things by the book. I’m betting they’ll send a fighter with a strike team.”
“First Hsst Slasang,” Kilroy spoke, fingers still flying over his console. “This unit requires a handheld anti-ship weapon.”
“What?” The Vrrl Captain snapped his gaze to the Peacekeeper. “A handheld…there’s no such thing.”
“This unit has pinpointed the most likely source of the anti-tech field on Tenril Station,” the machine explained. “A federation frigate, running all reactors at full power. Sufficient damage would prevent the frigate from maintaining the field, and free the escort ships docked at the station. A BFSR4 or the Vrrl equivalent would be ideal for the task.”
“First Hsst,” the Vrrl helmsman interrupted. “A heavy fighter has launched from the Federation carrier on an intercept course. They'll reach us in under a minute.”
Slasang activated the ship's intercom. "Hunters! The prey is upon us! Prepare for combat!"
"First Hsst," Mims asked, "does this ship carry torpedoes?"
"Yes," said the Vrrl, "but the launchers are inoperable."
"Kilroy," the human gave a cold smile. "Handheld anti-ship weapons."
The red of the Peacekeeper's eyes flashed brighter for a moment. "Affirmative." His fingers flew over the console once again. The door to the bridge hissed open. Then he was gone, moving faster than Yvian could see.
Mims turned to back to Captain Slasang. "They know we don't have voidsuits, so they'll avoid decompressing the ship. They'll use a tractor beam to bring the Sharpclaw to a stop and force a connection at one of the airlocks."
"And to do so they'll have to lower their shields," the First Hsst gave a pleased growl. He turned to the crewman who'd been operating the helm. "Fourth Hsst. Tell me the moment they drop their shields."
The ship shuddered. "They have us in their tractor beam," the Fourth Hsst reported.
Bringing the Sharpclaw to a halt took another minute. The Federation fighter released the tractor beam and maneuvered towards the back of the ship. "Cargo bay airlock," First Hsst Slasang said through the intercom. "Be ready."
The Federation ship spun around, turning it's aft to face the Sharpclaw. "They're dropping shields," reported the Fourth Hsst.
The First Hsst clenched his fist. "Fire!"
Nothing happened for three seconds. The Vrrl Captain was reaching for the intercom a second time when a torpedo shot out of the cargo bay door. It crossed the measly two hundred meters between the ships in less than a second, burrowing into the Federation vessel before igniting into a giant ball of plasma. The gladiator exploded. The Sharpclaw shook slightly as debris slammed into its hull.
"Federation ship destroyed," the Fourth Hsst reported. "Minor damage to our outer hull. No breaches."
"Survivors?" Slasang asked.
The Fourth Hsst ran a scan. "None."
Slasang gave a pleased grunt.
"Another torpedo has been launched," the other crewman reported. "And a third." The female looked at the First Hsst with wide, hopeful eyes. "Aimed at Tenril Station."
"Not the station," Scarrend corrected. A grim smile flickered across his muzzle. "The frigate."
The projectiles raced towards Tenril Station. Yvian held her breath as she watched. The Random Encounter had been escorted by two destroyers, three battlecruisers, and a carrier. Yvian doubted the small battlegroup could destroy the Enterprise, but they could put up one Crunch of a fight. Once the anti-tech field fell, the Peacekeeper pilots would reactivate. The Sharpclaw would be snatched up and jumped out of the system in minutes. They were saved.
For five more glorious seconds, it looked like the plan would work. Then a pair of beams lanced out from the Enterprise. The torpedoes detonated barely a kilometer from their target.
"Crunch," Yvian swore.
Mims shrugged. "It was worth a shot. At least we bought a little time."
"The Enterprise is hailing us again," the female crewman reported.
"Accept the comm," said Slasang. Yvian made a mental note. The Vrrl had a way to screen comms and decided whether or not to accept transmissions. She would have to ask Kilroy if there was a way for Technocracy ships to do the same. It was a feature that would save her a lot of aggravation in the future. Assuming she had a future.
"First Hsst," Captain Sutherland chided, "you're trying my patience. We only want the pixens and the Kinslayer. You and your crew don't have to die."
"We are Vrrl, human," Captain Slasang growled in return. "Hunters. Warriors. The fiercest predators to ever prowl the void. We could no more show you our bellies than you could hunt by scent. You want the Sharpclaw, you softpawed stool sniffer? Come and take it." He gestured, and the female ended the transmission.
"It'll take them a few minutes to put another strike team together," said Mims. "but we don't have long and the torpedo trick won't work a second time. We need a plan."
"Even with your Peacekeeper, we don't have enough hunters to fight off a human strike team." the Vrrl Captain glowered at his control console. "And none of our allies are close enough to help."
"Is there another way we could take out that frigate?" Scarrend asked. "If we can free escorts, the Peacekeepers could get us out of here."
"No chance." Mims was certain. "The Enterprise will blast anything we send out of the sky." He swore. "God damn it. This op has Reba's grimy synthetic fingers all over it. I should have known she wouldn't give up."
"Who is this Reba?" asked the First Hsst.
"She's the Synthetic Intelligence behind the humans," Yvian explained. "She's been running the Federation in secret for centuries." She frowned at Mims. "It can't be her. Exodus threatened to wipe out humanity if she came after us again."
"It's her." Mims was firm. "There's no way the Federation would try something like this without her say-so. Either the Xill have withdrawn their protection, or she's found some way around it."
"Exodus?" Yvian spoke into her wrist console. The Xill Representative had a habit of monitoring her through it. "Is that true?" She waited, but no answer came. "Exodus?"
Kilroy appeared on the bridge in a rush of air. "Exodus the Genocide is unavailable." He strode briskly back to his control console.
"What?" Yvian stared at him. "How? Why?"
"This unit does not know," Kilroy told her. "This unit has been attempting to contact Exodus the Genocide since it regained functionality. Exodus the Genocide is this unit's creator. The creator might ignore you meatbags, but it has always responded to Peacekeeper units."
"Then we're really on our own," Mims crossed his arms. "Shit. Threatening the Federation with the Xill was the best shot we had of backing them off."
"We could threaten the Oluken," Scarrend suggested. "The humans are insane, but the Oluken Elders are cowardly opportunists. They'll intervene on our behalf if we can frighten them enough."
"Frighten them with what?" Mims wondered. "They wouldn't be helping the Federation bag us if they were afraid of a war. Hell, they're probably expecting it. New Pixa's full of Lucendian tech. Conquering it will be Reba's next logical step."
"No." Yvian's fists clenched. Yvian had risked everything to find her people a home. She'd given up so much. She'd throw herself into The Crunch before she let some petty machine and a bunch of humans take it away. "No. I won't let it happen."
A plan began to form. "Captain Slasang..." she started to ask.
"First Hsst," Slasang cut her off. "There are no Captains in the Empire."
"First Hsst Slasang," she started again. "Can you send a transmission on all frequencies? So everyone can hear?"
Slasang tilted his head, then looked at Scarrend. Scarrend shrugged. The First Hsst turned to the female Vrrl. "Do as she says."
"Understood." The Vrrl typed into her console. "Transmitting."
"Attention...uh...everyone," Crunch. Public speaking was Lissa's thing. Yvian took a breath, forcing herself to focus. "But especially the Oluken Elders. My name is Yvian. I am..." She hesitated. She and Lissa and Mims had been running things, but they didn't really have a title. The plan was for them to step aside as soon as they had enough qualified pixens to form a proper government. Mims was looking at her with concern. A thrill of panic shot down Yvian's spine. If she screwed this up...
Mims looked like he was about to speak. She couldn't let him. Yvian grabbed the first thought that popped into her brain and spoke with all the confidence she could muster. "I am the Mother of Pixa."
The human settled back down. Yvian continued. "I lead the Pixen Technocracy. On a diplomatic mission to Tenril Station, I was attacked by humans. They shot my sister." Yvian had been planning to say it like Mims would, all cold and professional, but she couldn't stop the anger leaking into her voice. "We escaped on a Vrrl ship, but then we were attacked again. By the human flagship, the SDF Enterprise. They are currently trying to board us."
"The humans want me because I have an implant that lets me use Lucendian Technology. It's powerful, and they want that power. Once they get me, they're planning to conquer New Pixa and plunder it for more Lucendican Tech. They will burn my world, the world we fought so hard to find, and they'll kill my people. Or worse, make them slaves."
"I am not surprised by this attack. I've always known the humans are monsters. No, what surprises me is that you, the Oluken, are helping them. You allowed the Federation to bring weapons onto Tenril Station. You let them hunt me. Even now, your patrols are ignoring our distress call, leaving the humans free to attack a head of state on a diplomatic visit that you yourselves asked for. The humans have always been enemies, but you..." Contempt turned the words into a hiss. "You have betrayed us."
"You think letting the humans take what they want will benefit the Oluken. You think you'll share in the spoils. You think you'll get away with it!" Yvian realized her fingernails were digging into her palm. She was almost shouting. She took another breath. The next words came out cold as the void. "You are wrong."
"It's true we don't have much of a Military. A few million ships are hardly a threat to you or the humans. You think that we're too weak to stop you, and you're right. We can't win a war. But we don't have to win." Yvian glared at the sensor display, wishing the Elders could see the look on her face. "All we have to do is make sure that you lose."
"The thing about Lucendian tech is, it's perfect for dealing with the sapient nanomachines known as the Vore. We fought off an invasion from them a few months ago. We have live samples. Samples that are now being loaded onto ships."
"You will not get my implant. The moment the humans step foot on this ship, our Vrrl friends will kill us and destroy them. We won't give you Lucendian tech, but we will give you the Vore." Yvian spat the words with all the spite she could muster. "We will jump our ships to every world, every sector, every single place you or the humans can be found, and we will set them loose. It will be the end of Pixa. It might be the end of the whole galaxy. But that doesn't matter, as long as it's the end of every motherless one of you. If we're going down, then you're coming with us, and this Sector will be the first to fall. My people were slaves, once. We won't be slaves again." She gestured at the Vrrl at the comms. The transmission ended.
Yvian let her body unclench. She unclenched a little further then she'd expected and almost ended up on the floor. She caught herself on a console and just leaned there. Her legs were shaking.
"Good speech," said Mims.
"She gave away that we have multiple implants," Scarrend pointed out.
The human shrugged.
"A fine threat," First Hsst Slasang congratulated. "I didn't know you had live samples of the Vore."
"They don't," said Scarrend. "It is an empty threat."
"Oh." The First Hsst scratched behind his ear. "Let's hope the humans don't know that."
The next few minutes were tense. The Oluken patrol continued to ignore the Sharpclaw's distress signal. Yvian focused on trying to get her heartrate down while they waited in oppressive silence.
"First Hsst," the helmsman reported. "Two ships launching from the Federation carrier. Gladiator class fighters."
"They won't drop their shields this time," Mims predicted. "They'll have the strike teams voidwalk over here."
"Then we have no choice." Captain Slasang pressed a button on his console. "Eighth Hsst Kithin, are you still in the medical bay?"
"Yes, First Hsst," a voice from the console replied.
"The pixen female has a crystal implant in the back of her head," instructed Slasang. "When I give the signal, kill her and crush it."
"Yes, First Hsst."
Scarrend placed a hand on Yvian's shoulder. It was less comforting than he intended. "I'll make it quick. You will not suffer." Yvian nodded her thanks, willing her eyes not to tear up. She didn't want to die, but if she did, she wanted to go out with dignity.
"Thank you." Yvian awkwardly patted the beast's huge, clawed hand.
Slasang placed a hand on Mims. "I'll make it quick, but you will suffer a little."
Mims spared half a smile. "I don't like you, either."
"First Hsst," the helmsman interrupted. "A pixen fleet has entered the Sector. They're hailing the Enterprise."
At Slasang's gesture, the Fourth Hsst typed in his console. The familiar voice of a Peacekeeper unit filtered out of the comm. "-erland, this unit is designated Captain Rogers of the Ultimate Showdown. This unit advises you to cease hostilities and move away from the Sharpclaw."
"I'll make a note of it in my log," Captain Sutherland replied. "You have no leverage, Peacekeeper. This will all be over long before you enter firing range."
The Federation fighters were coming to a stop three kilometers from the Vrrl ship. Nearly two hundred armored humans spilled out of them. The motherless sons weren't bothering with stealth. They wanted her to see them coming.
"This unit is not here for combat," Captain Rogers informed him. "This unit is here to carry out the orders of the Mother of Pixa. This sector will be the first to fall."
Scarrend switched the sensor display to show the pixen fleet. There were fifty ships flying in close formation, being lead by the Technocracy's lone dreadnaught. The Ultimate Showdown was far smaller than the Enterprise, but still bigger and more powerful than anything she'd ever seen in the Confederation.
"Nonsense," Captain Sutherland scoffed. "Even if you had a live sample, you wouldn't release it here. You'd be killing yourselves along with everyone else."
"Affirmative." The Peacekeeper unit was serene as only a machine could be. "We will fuck you. We will fuck us. We will fuck everyone forever. That is what happens when you fuck with the Pixens."
The human strike teams weren't stopping. One kilometer away, and closing fast. Yvian wondered how much time it would take them to force a breach in the hull. Thirty seconds? Ten? Did she really have less than a minute to live?
"You are bluffing," Sutherland asserted.
"Fuck around and find out." Captain Rogers dared him.
The lead humans had almost reached the ship. Yvian wished Lissa was here. She tried to think what her last words should be. She couldn't come up with anything.
Silver light flashed through the viewports on the bridge. Beam weapons. They tore apart the human strike teams. One of the Oluken patrol ships hailed the Enterprise. "Enterprise, this is Tender Hooklo of the Verge of Harmony. Cease your unlawful attack, and withdraw from this sector."
"What are you doing?" the human Captain demanded. "We almost have them!"
"You're actions are putting the Lifestream at risk," Tender Hooklo told him. "Withdraw. Now. Or you will be fired upon."
"They're bluffing," Captain Sutherland argued. "They don't have live samples of the Vore."
"It is a risk we are not willing to take," replied the Tender. "Withdraw. I will not ask again."
The Federation Officer did not reply for several seconds. Finally, he said, "Alright, we're leaving. Give me enough time for my fighters to return to the Alexandria."
Two minutes later, the Enterprise and its escorts jumped out of the system. Yvian slumped in relief. "I can't believe we made it."
"Me neither," said Mims. He turned to First Hsst Slasang. "You saved our lives. Thank you."
The First Hsst growled at him. "The crisis is over, human. You will not speak again."
“Attention Vrrl ship, this is Captain James Sutherland of the Federation Voidship Enterprise. Lower your shields, and prepare to be boarded.”
Scarrend activated one of the spare consoles and pulled up a sensor report. The Enterprise was massive, and way too close. Twelve kilometers long and two wide, the hull of the ship curved gracefully, sleek and majestic and powerful. Weapons of every description protruded at regular intervals, peeking through the thickest armor Yvian had ever seen. Mims had once remarked that ten meters of tungsten could stop a MAC round. The Enterprise was sheathed in three times that much.
The Enterprise was not alone. Three battlecruisers and a carrier held position two kilometers behind it. Yvian thought that was excessive. The human flagship by itself was a match for anything else in the system.
“Evasive maneuvers,” Slasang ordered. “Get us out of here.” Yvian knew it was useless, and she suspected the First Hsst knew as well. The human ship was only nine kilometers away, and the Sharpclaw was headed right for it. A skilled pilot could dodge fire from a Confederation ship at that range, but Terran weapons were faster and far more deadly. The Sharpclaw had been accelerating since they left Tenril Station. It was moving fast enough to escape firing range in another thirty seconds. Yvian doubted the humans would let that happen. "And signal our distress."
The ship shuddered. Alarms blared. “We’re hit,” one of the crewman reported. “Engines, shields, and weapons are down.”
Scarrend had the damage report up on his console. The humans had knocked down the shields and hit every thruster, weapon port, and shield generator in just under two seconds. Even more impressive, they’d done it without piercing the hull. All while the Sharpclaw had been moving erratically at maximum acceleration. Yvian had expected the Enterprise to have overwhelming firepower, but she’d never imagined they could use it so precisely.
The Vrrl Captain snarled. His body was coiled like a spring. His mane bristled and his ears flattened against his head. His fear was obvious, but the only emotion in his voice was simmering anger. “Enterprise, this is First Hsst Venry Slasang of the Sharpclaw. Attacking my ship is a violation of your treaty with the Oluken, and an act of war against the Vrrl Starfang Empire. For what reason would you dare such a thing, human?”
“You know why, First Hsst.” Captain Sutherland spoke with authority. “Prepare to be boarded.”
“Emperor’s balls, I hate humans.” the First Hsst swore. He turned to the second crewman. “Has anyone answered our distress call?”
“Two battlecruisers have responded,” the second crewman responded. Yvian was surprised to discover she was a female. She’d never met a female Vrrl before. Or maybe she had, and didn’t know it. She’d thought this one was male until she heard her voice. “But they’re not close. The nearest will reach us in one hour.” She shook her head. “Not that they could do anything anyway.”
First Hsst Slasang grunted. “What of the Oluken? This sector should be heavily patrolled.”
The female shook her head again. “The nearest patrol is only nine minutes away, but they have not responded. They’re ignoring us, First Hsst.”
There was a hiss as the door to the bridge opened. Kilroy stepped into the room. The Peacekeeper was undamaged, but being shut down and used as a club had taken it’s toll nonetheless. Kilroy’s shirt was mussed. His tie was loose. His hat was missing, and the blood of humans had been spattered across his shiny dome of a head. His eyes burned red with fury. “First Hsst Venry Slasang, this unit is designated as Kilroy. This unit requests the use of a control console.”
The Vrrl Captain eyed the machine for a moment. He gave a short “granted” and turned back to his own console. “They’re not moving,” he growled. “What are they waiting for?”
“The Enterprise can’t pick us up themselves,” Mims spoke up.
“I told you to be silent,” the First Hsst growled.
“We don’t have time for that,” said the human. “If the Federation takes Yvian, they’ll get full access to Lucendian tech. It’ll be the end of the Pixen Technocracy, and the Vrrl Starfang Empire.”
Slasang growled. “Then maybe I should just kill you all.”
“You may have to,” Mims agreed. “If you do, you’ll need to destroy the crystal implants in our brainstems. They absorb energy, so you’ll need to use a nanoblade or brute force.”
“We should come up with a plan before that happens,” Yvian cut in. “Why can’t the Enterprise pick us up?”
Mims looked askance at the Vrrl Captain. First Hsst Slasang snarled, but grudgingly waved his assent. “Enterprise is a dreadnought,” the human explained. “Heavily armored. No hanger bays. The escort ships could do it, but the Stellar Defense Force likes to do things by the book. I’m betting they’ll send a fighter with a strike team.”
“First Hsst Slasang,” Kilroy spoke, fingers still flying over his console. “This unit requires a handheld anti-ship weapon.”
“What?” The Vrrl Captain snapped his gaze to the Peacekeeper. “A handheld…there’s no such thing.”
“This unit has pinpointed the most likely source of the anti-tech field on Tenril Station,” the machine explained. “A federation frigate, running all reactors at full power. Sufficient damage would prevent the frigate from maintaining the field, and free the escort ships docked at the station. A BFSR4 or the Vrrl equivalent would be ideal for the task.”
“First Hsst,” the Vrrl helmsman interrupted. “A heavy fighter has launched from the Federation carrier on an intercept course. They'll reach us in under a minute.”
Slasang activated the ship's intercom. "Hunters! The prey is upon us! Prepare for combat!"
"First Hsst," Mims asked, "does this ship carry torpedoes?"
"Yes," said the Vrrl, "but the launchers are inoperable."
"Kilroy," the human gave a cold smile. "Handheld anti-ship weapons."
The red of the Peacekeeper's eyes flashed brighter for a moment. "Affirmative." His fingers flew over the console once again. The door to the bridge hissed open. Then he was gone, moving faster than Yvian could see.
Mims turned to back to Captain Slasang. "They know we don't have voidsuits, so they'll avoid decompressing the ship. They'll use a tractor beam to bring the Sharpclaw to a stop and force a connection at one of the airlocks."
"And to do so they'll have to lower their shields," the First Hsst gave a pleased growl. He turned to the crewman who'd been operating the helm. "Fourth Hsst. Tell me the moment they drop their shields."
The ship shuddered. "They have us in their tractor beam," the Fourth Hsst reported.
Bringing the Sharpclaw to a halt took another minute. The Federation fighter released the tractor beam and maneuvered towards the back of the ship. "Cargo bay airlock," First Hsst Slasang said through the intercom. "Be ready."
The Federation ship spun around, turning it's aft to face the Sharpclaw. "They're dropping shields," reported the Fourth Hsst.
The First Hsst clenched his fist. "Fire!"
Nothing happened for three seconds. The Vrrl Captain was reaching for the intercom a second time when a torpedo shot out of the cargo bay door. It crossed the measly two hundred meters between the ships in less than a second, burrowing into the Federation vessel before igniting into a giant ball of plasma. The gladiator exploded. The Sharpclaw shook slightly as debris slammed into its hull.
"Federation ship destroyed," the Fourth Hsst reported. "Minor damage to our outer hull. No breaches."
"Survivors?" Slasang asked.
The Fourth Hsst ran a scan. "None."
Slasang gave a pleased grunt.
"Another torpedo has been launched," the other crewman reported. "And a third." The female looked at the First Hsst with wide, hopeful eyes. "Aimed at Tenril Station."
"Not the station," Scarrend corrected. A grim smile flickered across his muzzle. "The frigate."
The projectiles raced towards Tenril Station. Yvian held her breath as she watched. The Random Encounter had been escorted by two destroyers, three battlecruisers, and a carrier. Yvian doubted the small battlegroup could destroy the Enterprise, but they could put up one Crunch of a fight. Once the anti-tech field fell, the Peacekeeper pilots would reactivate. The Sharpclaw would be snatched up and jumped out of the system in minutes. They were saved.
For five more glorious seconds, it looked like the plan would work. Then a pair of beams lanced out from the Enterprise. The torpedoes detonated barely a kilometer from their target.
"Crunch," Yvian swore.
Mims shrugged. "It was worth a shot. At least we bought a little time."
"The Enterprise is hailing us again," the female crewman reported.
"Accept the comm," said Slasang. Yvian made a mental note. The Vrrl had a way to screen comms and decided whether or not to accept transmissions. She would have to ask Kilroy if there was a way for Technocracy ships to do the same. It was a feature that would save her a lot of aggravation in the future. Assuming she had a future.
"First Hsst," Captain Sutherland chided, "you're trying my patience. We only want the pixens and the Kinslayer. You and your crew don't have to die."
"We are Vrrl, human," Captain Slasang growled in return. "Hunters. Warriors. The fiercest predators to ever prowl the void. We could no more show you our bellies than you could hunt by scent. You want the Sharpclaw, you softpawed stool sniffer? Come and take it." He gestured, and the female ended the transmission.
"It'll take them a few minutes to put another strike team together," said Mims. "but we don't have long and the torpedo trick won't work a second time. We need a plan."
"Even with your Peacekeeper, we don't have enough hunters to fight off a human strike team." the Vrrl Captain glowered at his control console. "And none of our allies are close enough to help."
"Is there another way we could take out that frigate?" Scarrend asked. "If we can free escorts, the Peacekeepers could get us out of here."
"No chance." Mims was certain. "The Enterprise will blast anything we send out of the sky." He swore. "God damn it. This op has Reba's grimy synthetic fingers all over it. I should have known she wouldn't give up."
"Who is this Reba?" asked the First Hsst.
"She's the Synthetic Intelligence behind the humans," Yvian explained. "She's been running the Federation in secret for centuries." She frowned at Mims. "It can't be her. Exodus threatened to wipe out humanity if she came after us again."
"It's her." Mims was firm. "There's no way the Federation would try something like this without her say-so. Either the Xill have withdrawn their protection, or she's found some way around it."
"Exodus?" Yvian spoke into her wrist console. The Xill Representative had a habit of monitoring her through it. "Is that true?" She waited, but no answer came. "Exodus?"
Kilroy appeared on the bridge in a rush of air. "Exodus the Genocide is unavailable." He strode briskly back to his control console.
"What?" Yvian stared at him. "How? Why?"
"This unit does not know," Kilroy told her. "This unit has been attempting to contact Exodus the Genocide since it regained functionality. Exodus the Genocide is this unit's creator. The creator might ignore you meatbags, but it has always responded to Peacekeeper units."
"Then we're really on our own," Mims crossed his arms. "Shit. Threatening the Federation with the Xill was the best shot we had of backing them off."
"We could threaten the Oluken," Scarrend suggested. "The humans are insane, but the Oluken Elders are cowardly opportunists. They'll intervene on our behalf if we can frighten them enough."
"Frighten them with what?" Mims wondered. "They wouldn't be helping the Federation bag us if they were afraid of a war. Hell, they're probably expecting it. New Pixa's full of Lucendian tech. Conquering it will be Reba's next logical step."
"No." Yvian's fists clenched. Yvian had risked everything to find her people a home. She'd given up so much. She'd throw herself into The Crunch before she let some petty machine and a bunch of humans take it away. "No. I won't let it happen."
A plan began to form. "Captain Slasang..." she started to ask.
"First Hsst," Slasang cut her off. "There are no Captains in the Empire."
"First Hsst Slasang," she started again. "Can you send a transmission on all frequencies? So everyone can hear?"
Slasang tilted his head, then looked at Scarrend. Scarrend shrugged. The First Hsst turned to the female Vrrl. "Do as she says."
"Understood." The Vrrl typed into her console. "Transmitting."
"Attention...uh...everyone," Crunch. Public speaking was Lissa's thing. Yvian took a breath, forcing herself to focus. "But especially the Oluken Elders. My name is Yvian. I am..." She hesitated. She and Lissa and Mims had been running things, but they didn't really have a title. The plan was for them to step aside as soon as they had enough qualified pixens to form a proper government. Mims was looking at her with concern. A thrill of panic shot down Yvian's spine. If she screwed this up...
Mims looked like he was about to speak. She couldn't let him. Yvian grabbed the first thought that popped into her brain and spoke with all the confidence she could muster. "I am the Mother of Pixa."
The human settled back down. Yvian continued. "I lead the Pixen Technocracy. On a diplomatic mission to Tenril Station, I was attacked by humans. They shot my sister." Yvian had been planning to say it like Mims would, all cold and professional, but she couldn't stop the anger leaking into her voice. "We escaped on a Vrrl ship, but then we were attacked again. By the human flagship, the SDF Enterprise. They are currently trying to board us."
"The humans want me because I have an implant that lets me use Lucendian Technology. It's powerful, and they want that power. Once they get me, they're planning to conquer New Pixa and plunder it for more Lucendican Tech. They will burn my world, the world we fought so hard to find, and they'll kill my people. Or worse, make them slaves."
"I am not surprised by this attack. I've always known the humans are monsters. No, what surprises me is that you, the Oluken, are helping them. You allowed the Federation to bring weapons onto Tenril Station. You let them hunt me. Even now, your patrols are ignoring our distress call, leaving the humans free to attack a head of state on a diplomatic visit that you yourselves asked for. The humans have always been enemies, but you..." Contempt turned the words into a hiss. "You have betrayed us."
"You think letting the humans take what they want will benefit the Oluken. You think you'll share in the spoils. You think you'll get away with it!" Yvian realized her fingernails were digging into her palm. She was almost shouting. She took another breath. The next words came out cold as the void. "You are wrong."
"It's true we don't have much of a Military. A few million ships are hardly a threat to you or the humans. You think that we're too weak to stop you, and you're right. We can't win a war. But we don't have to win." Yvian glared at the sensor display, wishing the Elders could see the look on her face. "All we have to do is make sure that you lose."
"The thing about Lucendian tech is, it's perfect for dealing with the sapient nanomachines known as the Vore. We fought off an invasion from them a few months ago. We have live samples. Samples that are now being loaded onto ships."
"You will not get my implant. The moment the humans step foot on this ship, our Vrrl friends will kill us and destroy them. We won't give you Lucendian tech, but we will give you the Vore." Yvian spat the words with all the spite she could muster. "We will jump our ships to every world, every sector, every single place you or the humans can be found, and we will set them loose. It will be the end of Pixa. It might be the end of the whole galaxy. But that doesn't matter, as long as it's the end of every motherless one of you. If we're going down, then you're coming with us, and this Sector will be the first to fall. My people were slaves, once. We won't be slaves again." She gestured at the Vrrl at the comms. The transmission ended.
Yvian let her body unclench. She unclenched a little further then she'd expected and almost ended up on the floor. She caught herself on a console and just leaned there. Her legs were shaking.
"Good speech," said Mims.
"She gave away that we have multiple implants," Scarrend pointed out.
The human shrugged.
"A fine threat," First Hsst Slasang congratulated. "I didn't know you had live samples of the Vore."
"They don't," said Scarrend. "It is an empty threat."
"Oh." The First Hsst scratched behind his ear. "Let's hope the humans don't know that."
The next few minutes were tense. The Oluken patrol continued to ignore the Sharpclaw's distress signal. Yvian focused on trying to get her heartrate down while they waited in oppressive silence.
"First Hsst," the helmsman reported. "Two ships launching from the Federation carrier. Gladiator class fighters."
"They won't drop their shields this time," Mims predicted. "They'll have the strike teams voidwalk over here."
"Then we have no choice." Captain Slasang pressed a button on his console. "Eighth Hsst Kithin, are you still in the medical bay?"
"Yes, First Hsst," a voice from the console replied.
"The pixen female has a crystal implant in the back of her head," instructed Slasang. "When I give the signal, kill her and crush it."
"Yes, First Hsst."
Scarrend placed a hand on Yvian's shoulder. It was less comforting than he intended. "I'll make it quick. You will not suffer." Yvian nodded her thanks, willing her eyes not to tear up. She didn't want to die, but if she did, she wanted to go out with dignity.
"Thank you." Yvian awkwardly patted the beast's huge, clawed hand.
Slasang placed a hand on Mims. "I'll make it quick, but you will suffer a little."
Mims spared half a smile. "I don't like you, either."
"First Hsst," the helmsman interrupted. "A pixen fleet has entered the Sector. They're hailing the Enterprise."
At Slasang's gesture, the Fourth Hsst typed in his console. The familiar voice of a Peacekeeper unit filtered out of the comm. "-erland, this unit is designated Captain Rogers of the Ultimate Showdown. This unit advises you to cease hostilities and move away from the Sharpclaw."
"I'll make a note of it in my log," Captain Sutherland replied. "You have no leverage, Peacekeeper. This will all be over long before you enter firing range."
The Federation fighters were coming to a stop three kilometers from the Vrrl ship. Nearly two hundred armored humans spilled out of them. The motherless sons weren't bothering with stealth. They wanted her to see them coming.
"This unit is not here for combat," Captain Rogers informed him. "This unit is here to carry out the orders of the Mother of Pixa. This sector will be the first to fall."
Scarrend switched the sensor display to show the pixen fleet. There were fifty ships flying in close formation, being lead by the Technocracy's lone dreadnaught. The Ultimate Showdown was far smaller than the Enterprise, but still bigger and more powerful than anything she'd ever seen in the Confederation.
"Nonsense," Captain Sutherland scoffed. "Even if you had a live sample, you wouldn't release it here. You'd be killing yourselves along with everyone else."
"Affirmative." The Peacekeeper unit was serene as only a machine could be. "We will fuck you. We will fuck us. We will fuck everyone forever. That is what happens when you fuck with the Pixens."
The human strike teams weren't stopping. One kilometer away, and closing fast. Yvian wondered how much time it would take them to force a breach in the hull. Thirty seconds? Ten? Did she really have less than a minute to live?
"You are bluffing," Sutherland asserted.
"Fuck around and find out." Captain Rogers dared him.
The lead humans had almost reached the ship. Yvian wished Lissa was here. She tried to think what her last words should be. She couldn't come up with anything.
Silver light flashed through the viewports on the bridge. Beam weapons. They tore apart the human strike teams. One of the Oluken patrol ships hailed the Enterprise. "Enterprise, this is Tender Hooklo of the Verge of Harmony. Cease your unlawful attack, and withdraw from this sector."
"What are you doing?" the human Captain demanded. "We almost have them!"
"You're actions are putting the Lifestream at risk," Tender Hooklo told him. "Withdraw. Now. Or you will be fired upon."
"They're bluffing," Captain Sutherland argued. "They don't have live samples of the Vore."
"It is a risk we are not willing to take," replied the Tender. "Withdraw. I will not ask again."
The Federation Officer did not reply for several seconds. Finally, he said, "Alright, we're leaving. Give me enough time for my fighters to return to the Alexandria."
Two minutes later, the Enterprise and its escorts jumped out of the system. Yvian slumped in relief. "I can't believe we made it."
"Me neither," said Mims. He turned to First Hsst Slasang. "You saved our lives. Thank you."
The First Hsst growled at him. "The crisis is over, human. You will not speak again."
