Hierarchy (Baldwin's Legacy Book 4) Read online

  ____________

  Treena stared at the screen as Nee went over the files again. The data was startling.

  “It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen before,” Nee said. He paced the room, the two-meter-wide monitor embedded into his office wall. Kelli sat quietly scrolling over her tablet, trying to make sense of the information. “I wrote a paper on this during my training, but things have escalated in the last twenty years.”

  “How about you begin by telling me how something like this could start in the first place?” Captain Baldwin asked. He’d remained quiet for the last ten minutes, watching from the corner of the office, but it was clear he wanted Treena to lead the charge on this one. She’d been thrown off-kilter by the surprise communication. They were less than a week away from Driun F49, where the Ugna would get a tour of their new planet. That was supposed to be the big mission, possibly her final one aboard the great Constantine.

  The idea of leading her own vessel, the brand-new Cecilia, was enticing, but Treena still wasn’t sure she was ready for it. Thinking of the Seeli, a Concord partner dying off, had made her question a few things and put her situation into perspective.

  “We need to assist them, Doctor,” Treena said.

  “We will, but I’ll need more than this. I want bloodwork, and to see it with my own eyes,” Nee said.

  Thomas tapped the arm of his chair with his index finger. “Is there anything you’ll be able to do?”

  Nee shrugged. “It’s unlikely, considering all the minds that have already worked with them. Short of cloning, they’re going to be gone within another hundred years, or at least at a critically low population.”

  “Captain, I’d suggest that the doctor and I head to the surface to meet with this Yunrio face to face. Nee can do his tests, and we can learn what he won’t say over the communication feeds,” Treena advised.

  “Okay, but take Brax with you just in case,” Tom said.

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Make it so. We’ve already altered our course.” Tom leaned over the desk, hitting the communicator for the bridge.

  “Bridge here.” Ven’s voice was sure of itself.

  “Ven, what’s our ETA to Vaxiar?” Tom asked.

  “Thirteen hours, sir.”

  “Good.” Tom stood. “You two make a plan. I’ll inform Elder Fayle of the delay.”

  Tom left them in Nee’s office, and the handsome Kwant sat on his desk, facing Treena and Kelli. “What do you think?” Nee asked his nurse.

  Kelli and Treena had grown close since Kelli had been relegated to Treena’s nursemaid while her body had been under construction. She was slightly older, maybe by five years, and she felt like a sister to Treena. Already Treena was forming these relationships with the crew, and it was hard to even consider leaving them behind as she took over an entirely new ship. The decision wasn’t going to come lightly.

  She’d wondered why they hadn’t offered her Constantine instead of Cecilia, considering Baldwin would be moving up the ranks and heading to Nolix indefinitely. Thomas claimed no knowledge of who would be taking over this ship, but Treena had a good idea. With all the political unrest of late, it was going to be strategic, and one crew member stood out for the role.

  Kelli finally answered, drawing Treena’s attention from her inner monologue. “It’s a tough one. I know cloning was considered, and I, for one, am not against it.”

  “The Concord is,” Treena said.

  “From what I’ve heard, R-emergence is involved in some testing for these two races. Under the radar.” Kelli pursed her lips, as if she’d let the Booli out of the sack.

  Doctor Nee’s eyes widened at this. “I hate to think that’s true. Vicci DeLarose would never be party to such barbaric experimentation.”

  “You’d be amazed at what people do for a profit. Have you even seen her house?” Treena asked.

  Nee shook his head. “Our relationship is strictly professional, if that’s what you’re implying.”

  “I’m not hinting at anything, Doctor. I’m only saying she may be working for a corporation that’s going behind the Concord’s back to keep the Seeli and Minon alive. Would that be such a bad thing?” Treena asked him.

  “I don’t like it. Kelli, see what you can dig up about those experiments. Treena, I understand you have mixed feelings about cloning, but I’ve sworn an oath. I can’t be part of these discussions,” the Kwant said, his frown disappearing.

  “I know. I only want to help them any way we can.” Treena returned her stare to the monitor, seeing the depressing population graph.

  ____________

  “And why is this any of our concern, Captain Baldwin?” Elder Fayle asked. She sat in the restaurant with another of the Elders, the man old and wrinkled. Both were pale in the ambient lighting, their plates mostly full of mysterious vegetables.

  Tom picked at his food and tried to not let his impatience show. These two were almost certainly reaching their sensors through him and would realize exactly what he was feeling. “We’re all members of the Concord, the Ugna included. We help one another in times of need.”

  “Captain, we have twenty Ugna vessels along for this journey to Driun F49, and over five thousand of my people on this first leg of our colonization. Do you think that stopping at some remote planet is really a wise decision?” Elder Fayle had always seemed brash, but something had changed in her demeanor. She was more self-entitled than before, even though she had been demanding back in her village on Leria when they’d struck the bargain.

  “With all due respect...” Tom stopped, clearing his throat. “Elder Fayle. You’ve waited a long time for this moment, and I don’t think another week will harm anyone.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong. The Ugna have a contingency from far more worlds than you would imagine. We care about the other partners’ well-being, because we may even have a Seeli or two among our own race now.” Elder Fayle took a bite of her food, and the older one beside her grinned as Tom sat watching.

  Tom was aware the Ugna were no longer only comprised of the Zilph’i, but the mere fact that she was trying to order him around set alarm bells off. “Then you understand how imperative a mission like this is. The Minon might be in danger. It sounds like they’ve been attacked.”

  “Is that so? Speculation, and nothing else.” She took another bite of her food.

  “It’s more. The station is an outpost of our fleet, and we need to learn what’s transpired. Can you give me that?” Tom tilted his head, waiting for her reply.

  “I suggest you leave a small team behind and continue our trip to Driun F49. We will not be delayed any longer. The deal has been completed, and promises sealed. If you have any issue, please take it up with Admiral Benitor or… Prime Xune.” She stared at him with those piercing red eyes, and Tom broke the stare.

  Maybe being in an office on Nolix wouldn’t be so bad. Or perhaps he’d encounter people like Fayle every day in that role. He left his plate full and exited the restaurant, not wanting to fight with the Ugna leader.

  “Don’t want a delay…” Tom turned the corner and bumped into someone as he walked, lost in his thoughts.

  “Captain,” Reeve said, dropping her tablet. Tom crouched, picking it up for her.

  “I’m sorry, Reeve. Where are you going in such a hurry?” he asked.

  Reeve’s usual calm demeanor had been replaced with panic. “I was looking for Brax. Have you seen him?”

  “Constantine,” Tom said, and the AI projection of his grandfather appeared. “Where’s Brax Daak located?”

  “Lieutenant Commander Daak is in the courtyard,” Con told them.

  “I guess I could have done that and saved myself some time,” Reeve said.

  “What’s going on?” Tom asked.

  She held out the tablet. “I’d better show you. It’s about the station we attempted to reach.”

  “Let’s locate your brother and watch it together,” Tom said. “Con, you want to join us?”

  “I’ll meet you there.” Constantine vanished.

  “I’ll never get used to that,” Tom told Reeve as they stalked through the corridors, finding the lift that took them to Deck Four. Brax sat at a table, a steaming cup in front of him. Constantine was already seated across from the chief of security, and Reeve slid the tablet to him.

  Tom took the chair beside Brax, and they played the video. All it showed were a few ships leaving a hangar, and after a couple of minutes of static, there was one last image. It was large and black, filling the screen. “What did we just see?” Tom asked.

  “I’ve been doing some digging, as I do. When I heard about the Minon station going dark, I knew there were some in-system satellites they use to relay messages to and from their planet. I tapped in to them and found the last feed sent from the station,” Reeve said.

  Now it made more sense to Tom.

  “These are the Minon dreadnaughts, aren’t they?” Brax asked, pointing at the ships departing the station at the start of the feed.

  Reeve nodded. “They are. After the scrambled video section, they appear to vanish. I used the analysis to determine there are pieces of the dreadnaughts all over the final image.”

  “Is this an error on the video?” Tom asked, indicating the black background.

  Reeve shook her head. “I don’t think so. It’s the belly of a vessel.”

  “Must be close to fill the camera,” Brax said.

  “Nope. I used some advanced scans, taking a few pieces of the dreadnaughts to determine scale, and I think the ship is gigantic. Ten kilometers or so long.”

  Tom closed his eyes. “Ten kilometers?”

  “That’s right.” Reeve smiled at them, even though the situation didn’t warrant it, but Tom understood her interest. This was
new.

  “Who in the Vastness is it? We don’t have anyone on record with a vessel that significant,” Brax said.

  “I don’t know, but I intend to find out,” Tom said. “Good work, Reeve. Keep checking the video and compare it with the computer’s database. There’s bound to be something familiar about that ship that we can work with. We have ten hours until we arrive at Vaxiar. I want some answers before we go there, so we’re not heading in blind.” Tom glanced at the screen, seeing the footage again. He could see the ship filling the image move, and it was clear that Reeve was correct. It was a vessel, and a substantial one at that.

  Constantine flickered a few times, drawing Tom’s attention. “Captain, there’s an incoming transmission from Admiral Benitor. Would you like me to patch it through?”

  “No. Send it to my quarters. I’ll take it there. You two stay on this,” Tom ordered.

  “Yes, sir,” Reeve said as Tom stood. He’d been anticipating this communication since he’d left the meeting with Elder Fayle; he just hadn’t expected it so soon.

  The trip to his quarters only took a few minutes, and he entered, almost expecting Luci Keen to still be stowed away inside. But she was long gone, relocated with Seda, her mother. The room was so quiet these days, and he wondered for a moment if being an admiral on Nolix would grant him the time to finally settle down. Maybe find a wife, have some children. Was that even what he wanted?

  Tom was exhausted, and he plopped to his desk, scooting the chair toward the console. He touched the blinking icon, and Admiral Benitor’s face appeared. She didn’t look pleased.

  “Hello, Admiral,” Tom said.

  “Baldwin, why did I receive a communication from our newest Concord partner’s leader stating that you were delaying their delivery to Driun F49?” she asked.

  Patience is difficult to find, but when it’s achieved, life becomes simpler. Tom considered the Code saying and tried to relax. “Admiral, we’ve been notified of a possible attack against one of our partners, and we’re investigating.” Tom told her about the Minon station, and what Reeve had shown him on the last video feed from their position along the Border.

  Admiral Benitor seemed to melt in her seat. “She failed to mention the reason. Tom, we can’t suspend the mission to Driun F49 any longer. You have to escort the Ugna there.”

  Tom bristled at the news. “What about these people? They seek assistance. That’s what this is about, isn’t it? I’d have to say the plight of the Seeli and an invasion of the Minon is a lot more dire than Fayle walking on her new planet, won’t you agree?”

  Benitor, ever the politician, didn’t nod or shake her head. “Baldwin. You have your instructions.”

  “Fine, but let me send Commander Starling and some others to investigate. She could use the experience out there leading this one. All I ask is that you deliver some backup to help,” Tom told her.

  Benitor seemed to linger for a moment, and Tom thought his screen might have frozen. “Baldwin, you may proceed. Don’t make me regret this. I’ll send Bouchard along to meet the commander at the Minon station.”

  Tom smiled, glad she was at least willing to work with him. He guessed she was only being malleable to show her flexibility in case he did decide to accept the job offer. “You won’t regret it. Thank you, Admiral.”

  “Before we go, Bal… Tom, have you had a chance to consider what we’d discussed before you left?” Benitor asked.

  “I’ve had a lot of time to think it over, but I’m afraid I don’t have a response yet. Is that an issue?” He leaned forward, resting his hands on the desk.

  “No. I was only curious. Send Starling on the mission and return Constantine to its intended trajectory,” she told him.

  “Yes, ma’am. Any update on when the rest of the Ugna will be meeting them there?” Tom asked.

  Benitor stared at him. “I haven’t been notified. I was hoping you would form a better relationship with the Elders on this journey. Has that not been the case?”

  “I… I’ve had little time to…”

  “Thomas, befriend them. Use Ven if you need to. The Ugna are still an unknown to us, but they’ve shown us nothing but loyalty, and their escorts to fight the Statu at your side have gone a long way with our admiral’s opinions of the race. We need more, and I expect you to do it. If you do join us on Nolix, you’ll be responsible for being the Ugna’s main point of contact with the capital. Do you understand?”

  Tom kept his mouth shut and bit off a retort. He wasn’t confident he’d be the best person for the job, but he did think he could mend any frays in his and Fayle’s relationship. “You bet I do.”

  “Good. Don’t fail me, Baldwin. This is too important of a step for the Concord,” she said, the screen going dark moments after.

  Tom shut it off, kicking away from the desk on his chair. It seemed like every little move he made was of massive significance for the Concord these days.

  Two

  Ven’s shift had ended an hour ago, but he remained on the bridge regardless. He finally felt like himself again, and he’d decided to dive into his work. He’d read all the information on being chief of crew over the last few weeks, and was working over a list of duties his subordinates had compiled, making tweaks to schedules and approving requests.

  It wasn’t so bad after all. Reeve Daak had made him suspect it was a huge time waste, maybe beneath him, but that wasn’t the case. Perhaps she’d only been joking. He had a hard time differentiating things like sarcasm, light-hearted ribbing, and the plain truth. Reeve often spoke with a sly grin, so it was difficult to tell with her.

  Ven used his Talent to press the buttons on the screen, and he was stronger than ever, even without consuming any En’or in well over a month. He wondered what Father Hamesly was doing, and if there had been any truth to his words down on Earon, where he ran the Temple of Sol. Sol was an odd name, a distant system with very little on record about it.

  Ven wanted to do more digging on the subject, but he lacked in free time. He glanced up, seeing there were still six hours before they arrived at their destination. The main bridge crew was on their break, and Ven rose, exiting from the space. He was done combing the staff reports and decided some time with his people would do him well. Elder Fayle had been so kind to him of late, always seeking him out for talks and discussions about the Ugna. She was teaching him history he’d failed to learn in their village on Leria. It was all fascinating.

  He strode through the corridors, seeking Deck Six and the guest quarters. He stopped and chatted with a few familiar crew members along the way, trying to make himself more accessible to them. It was a challenge, and he sensed their unease at speaking with their peculiar executive lieutenant, but as time passed, and as he consistently showed his face around, they were growing accustomed to seeing him. Their trepidation to speak with him had slowly dialed back; they’d even started to be friendly.

  He eventually found Fayle’s room, and he touched the buzzer icon. It remained silent for a few moments longer than normal, but finally opened wide, revealing her large but sparsely decorated quarters. She’d taken down any distracting art from the walls, opting for a simple unadorned room like she’d had at home. Ven liked it.

  Fayle was at her desk, and it appeared as if she had just ended a communication. Her skin was flushed, her eyes rheumy.

  “Is everything fine?” Ven asked her.

  “Of course, Ven Ittix. Have a seat.” She pointed to the solitary chair across from her desk, where he always sat, and he found it a little uncomfortable. He almost wondered if she’d done that on purpose, if it was a tactic, but he supposed that wouldn’t be something an Elder would do. At least not to him, Ven hoped.

  “Have you heard the good news?” she asked.

  Ven shook his head. He hadn’t heard much for news in the last while.

  “We will not be delayed any longer. We are about to set course for Driun F49 again,” she told him.

  This surprised Ven, but he didn’t show it. “Is that so? What of the Seeli?”

  “That’s not Constantine’s concern. We have waited for too long to continue this interruption, wouldn’t you concur?” she asked, leaving Ven feeling he had no option but to nod in agreement.