Three Square Meals Ch. 092

The hook-billed avian dignitary suddenly looked very jittery, its feathered head bobbing in a rapid motion. Despite its far less impressive appearance compared to the taller and brighter coloured Skerawk, it's warbling voice was beautiful, reminding John of birdsong. "The flocks of Qiat have only recently taken to the stars and do not have any warships of significance. The Qiat have a rich culture and my home planet is a beautiful world of lush jungles and soaring mountains. We are only three systems away from those taken by the Kirrix invaders... I beg you to save us from extinction!"

The Yelneg diplomat drummed its stubby fingers on the table and said in its high-pitched voice, "The Yelneg Dominion is also near the battle-lines with the Kirrix. I promise I will entreat the War Council to come to the Trankaran's assistance, but I know there will be fierce opposition to stripping forces away from Yelnaga..."

John managed to suppress a groan of frustration as the rest of the diplomats quickly chimed in, voicing similar concerns. He missed Edraele's wise advice more than ever, as the ambassadors each came up with various justifications why they wouldn't be able to contribute to a defensive force.

Alyssa gave him a sympathetic smile when he darted a pained look in her direction. *Talking with diplomats is not really your thing, is it, handsome?*

*I'd rather get into a wrestling match with a Kintark Dragon!* he grunted, trying not to let his irritation show on his face. *Can't they see that their best chance of survival is banding all their forces together?*

*I'm sure Niskera will be more than happy to deal with them,* Alyssa replied, glancing around at the dozen aliens, who had started arguing amongst themselves. *How much do we need their help anyway?*

*Trade with all these species is important, the Bract in particular, but I don't think any of them have a big enough military to make any real difference, not considering what we're up against,* John replied, thinking about the intelligence briefs he'd read about these aliens while still in the Terran Federation.

*Let's just wrap this up then,* Alyssa suggested. *We can throw them a bone and let them join the alliance, then just forget about them after that. If we focus on protecting the Trankarans from the Kirrix, we'll end up saving all of the minor empires as well... That's bound to earn you a shitload of brownie points with them for no extra effort.*

*That's good advice actually, thanks.*

*I was just trying to think what Edraele would suggest,* Alyssa replied, slipping her hand into his and squeezing it.

John gave her a grateful look, then cleared his throat again as he turned to face the ambassadors again, gathering their attention. "Please pass on my offer of an alliance to your respective governments, as well as my request for military forces to assist in the fight against the Kirrix." He held up a hand to stave off any further excuses. "I understand the problems you face and I'm definitely not trying to make unreasonable demands; just consider it a polite request. I fully intend to protect you from the Kirrix invasion regardless."

"Crinx is overawed by your most generous offer of protection, John Blake," the Slarmian diplomat said, bowing his curved body in a gesture of respect. "Know that Crinx will describe your splendid actions and behaviour to the Majestic Potentate in the most glowing terms possible!"

"I appreciate that, thank you," John said, smiling at the grateful Slarmian. He glanced around the table and continued, "Unless any of you have anything important you'd like to discuss with me, I suggest we conclude the meeting there."

The diplomats were still stunned that he'd offered to protect them against the Kirrix threat, so John was able to depart without any further questions. Alyssa volunteered to show the diplomats out to the Anvil and answer any questions they might think of, freeing John to make his own way to the Trankaran capital ship to visit Fleet Warden Thandrun.

When John stepped out of the grav-tube on Deck Nine, he'd expected the lowest level of his ship to be peaceful and quiet with the last of the civilians disembarked. It therefore came as a surprise when he heard a bustle of activity coming from the Cargo Bay. He opened the reinforced doors, then did a double-take at the dozens of Trankarans striding through the bay. Even more startling was the huge numbers of ore crates being stacked in neat, ever-growing piles.

The Trankarans were being directed by the maintenance bots, so John knew a certain purple sprite would have some answers. "Faye!" he called out loudly, glancing around the busy Cargo Bay.

She popped into existence beside him a second later, a broad smile on her face. "Surprise!"

"Yeah, it was," he replied wryly, glancing around at the busy Trankarans. "Care to explain what's happening?"

Faye pointed to the starboard side of the ship. "We're still docked with the Anvil and the Trankarans are loading materials from their flagship into the Cargo Bay!" She whirled around and pointed to the port side of the ship and continued, "And we're also docked with a Trankaran freighter and their crew are loading up the Primary Hangar with lots and lots of metals!"

"Is this Thandrun's doing?" John asked, watching as one of the Trankarans thumped past, the eight-foot-tall rockman pausing to give him a respectful bow.

"Uh-huh!" the sprite said with a grin. "When I spoke to him earlier and told him what we'd done on Khalgron, he was really happy! As soon as the last of the civilians were transferred, he asked if he could start loading the ship up with metals!" She hesitated then and looked a bit worried. "I didn't think you'd mind... Was it a nice surprise?"

"It really was, Faye, thank you." He laughed and patted her on the shoulder, his hand swiping through her holographic form. "Oh! Sorry!"

She gave him a dreamy smile, looking delighted that he'd forgotten she was insubstantial. "That's okay, I don't mind one bit!"

After one last look around the Cargo Bay, John said, "It looks like you've got everything well in hand. I better go and see Thandrun and say thanks."

"No problem!" Faye replied, giving him a cheery wave goodbye, before bounding over to one of her maintenance bots.

*She's getting much more independent,* Alyssa said to him, as John strode across the loading umbilical that connected his ship to the Kerhom's Anvil.

John glanced over his shoulder at the happy sprite, watching as Faye confidently directed the Trankaran cargo loaders around. *It's incredible to see how much she's developed over the past few months.*

There was a moment's pause as he walked into the Anvil's Cargo Bay, then Alyssa said, *I'm pleased you opened up to Faye earlier, but why didn't you tell me you were worrying about your Progenitor background?*

*Until I started discussing it with Faye, I didn't realise it was bothering me so much,* John replied, stopping to look around the bay. He hesitated then admitted, *It's all so depressing, I must admit I've been trying not to dwell on it.*

*I understand, but talk to me next time, okay?* she asked, her voice like a soft breeze caressing his mind. *I don't like you getting sad over things and I'll always help however I can.*

*I know, beautiful. Thank you,* John replied, finally spotting a couple of Trankaran soldiers over near the broad runed doors that led out of the bay. He walked across the loading area towards them and they saluted him respectfully. "I'd like to see the Fleet Warden. Is he up on the Bridge?"

"It would be an honour to escort you there, Vice Admiral," one of the huge armoured soldiers rumbled.

Gesturing for the burly Legionnaire to proceed, John said, "Much appreciated, thank you." He fell into step beside the Trankaran as they strode through the double doors that led deeper into the enormous battlecarrier.

The Legionnaire was not a talkative fellow and John wasn't really in the mood to make small talk. They strolled down a number of corridors, their way lit by glowing lines that trailed across the rock-like surface of the ceiling. When they finally reached the elevator, the Trankaran soldier activated the runes by the door to open it. John followed him inside and they ascended up the levels to the Command Deck.

When John walked out onto the long Bridge, he was greeted by a thundering bellow. "John! It's wonderful to see you again!"

John turned to see Fleet Warden Thandrun jogging across the Bridge to greet him, his heavy footfalls thumping on the deck. "It's good to see you too, Thandrun," John replied, suppressing a laugh when Thandrun reigned in his enthusiasm and gently patted him on the shoulder like he was made of glass.

"Come this way my friend, we must talk!" Thandrun boomed, a broad grin on his slab-like features, as he gestured towards the Command Chamber at the other end of the Bridge.

John nodded his gratitude to the Legionnaire that had escorted him up to the Command Deck, then followed the massive Trankaran leader across the Bridge. When the door to the Command Chamber closed behind them, Thandrun gazed down at John and shook his head in amazement.

"I must confess that I harboured grave doubts about a successful outcome for your mission... That you would even attempt to rescue Niskera alone was incredibly brave, but also seemed reckless in the extreme. I didn't doubt your sincerity after we spoke, but I never believed you would achieve such success..." He shook his head and laughed, a deep rolling sound that sounded like boulders crashing down a mountainside. "Never have I been more glad to be proven so wrong!"

"I'm pretty glad too," John said with a smile.

Thandrun gestured towards at two chairs, one much larger than the other, and they both sat down in their respective seats. The heavy-set Trankaran wasted no time in leaning forward and saying, "I'm very eager to meet with the Chancellor! Your crewwoman, Faye, informed me that Niskera was unharmed, but suffering from exhaustion... Is she still asleep?"

John nodded and said, "I don't think Niskera got much rest during the siege of Hol Darim Fortress, so she's making up for lost time. When she wakes up, I'm sure she'll want to see you immediately." He paused for a moment, then deftly changed the subject. "I wanted to thank you for the metals you've been loading onto my ship. I spoke to Faye a few minutes ago and she'd been keeping it quiet as a surprise."

Thandrun grinned at him and said enthusiastically, "You're most welcome! My analysts studied the schematics you supplied us and when they explained just how powerful the new technology was, I felt honour-bound to do my best to repay you. Many miners and traders sought the protection of this fleet from the Kirrix, so I simply paid them for their cargo."

"I really appreciate all the effort you've gone to," John said, nodding in gratitude. "All those raw materials will be tremendously helpful."

"My friend, that was the least I could do!" Thandrun boomed, shaking his head in astonishment. "And that was before I found out what you'd accomplished on Khalgron! I've heard wild rumours from all those survivors you rescued, but I find myself struggling to believe it could all be true... Would you tell me exactly what happened?"

John relaxed in the chair and went through the battle, giving the Fleet Warden an unembellished review of his spectacular victory over the Kirrix. Thandrun gaped at him in awe when John casually informed the Trankaran that the insectoid forces had been comprehensively annihilated, their huge invasion fleet wiped out to a ship.

"It seems your claims about the incredible firepower of your vessel were not idle boasts," Thandrun murmured, his wide amber eyes reflecting his shock. "Your story would seem utterly implausible at face-value, if I had not heard similar stories from numerous reliable sources amongst the survivors you rescued."

"Unfortunately, we had to leave behind at least a hundred-thousand civilians on Khalgron," John said quietly. "We only evacuated those that had been wounded or infested by the Kirrix. My doctor has successfully treated those survivors and they should all make a full recovery now."

"Ah yes, the miraculous Doctor Voss," Thandrun marvelled, steepling his armoured fingers as he relaxed in his chair. "After your sudden departure yesterday, I received reports from my senior medics detailing her amazing exploits in the Anvil's Medical Bay. My favourite quote was: 'Being in the presence of Rachel Voss is like bearing witness to the power of the Great Maker himself!'." The Fleet Warden chuckled then added, "My Medics are a dour bunch. For them to be so enthralled, I knew she must be something special."

"That she is," John agreed with a fond smile.

There was a moment's quiet in the conversation as the Fleet Warden studied John, his expression growing pensive. Just when John was about to ask him what was troubling him, Thandrun said quietly, "Considering what you have just achieved, your previous reference to a second ship just as powerful as the Invictus now has me very worried. I have spent some time thinking about your parting words to me, when we last spoke: 'There are other threats out there beside the Kirrix'..." He edged forward on his seat, huge hands clenching the armrests in a tight grip. "I now realise how ominous that statement was. Am I right to be worried?"

John met the Trankaran's anxious gaze and slowly nodded, seeing the subsequent flicker of fear in the Fleet Warden's eyes. He could see the gears turning in Thandrun's head, the astute leader's mind racing. That hint of fear remained, but his eyes suddenly widened in wonder.

"The medics were right!" he gasped, looking stunned. Thandrun stared at John in open-mouthed awe. "Can it really be true?! Are you the Great Maker returned to us?"

Now it was John's turn to hesitate. He hadn't been expecting the Fleet Warden to put everything together so quickly, but he realised in hindsight that he'd dropped numerous hints.

Thandrun took that momentary pause as confirmation and he rumbled in shock, "Great Maker preserve me!" He blinked then, his heavy features crinkling into an anxious frown. "I did not mean to take your name in vain, Great Maker!" The Fleet Warden shifted forward and looked like he was about to kneel.

John quickly intercepted him, placing a restraining hand on Thandrun's armoured chest and shaking his head. "Relax, Thandrun, I'm not the one your people know as 'The Great Maker'." He looked into the Trankaran's eyes and continued, "But I am a Progenitor, just as Mael'nerak was. That's the real name of the Progenitor who created the Trankarans thousands of years ago."

"Then that means this other ship... another 'Progenitor'?" Thandrun rumbled, frozen stiff.

John's expression was grim as he replied, "I'm afraid so..."

Thandrun gaped at him in horror. "The War of the Heavens... the conflict has begun again, hasn't it?!"

Letting out a heavy sigh, John nodded. "I'm sorry, Thandrun. You're right, it looks like another battle with this second Progenitor is inevitable. I didn't start this fight, but I've been trying to stop him from causing mayhem throughout the major empires. When the fighting starts in earnest, I'm hoping that by standing together, we can defeat him."

"In the last war, my people were nearly brought to the point of extinction," Thandrun murmured, his shaky voice filled with dread.

"I'm going to make sure it doesn't come to that," John said firmly. "I've discussed this with Niskera, and-"

"The Chancellor knows?" the Fleet Warden blurted out, sitting up straighter in his chair. "What did she say?!"

John looked at him for a moment, then replied, "I think it might be best if Niskera discusses all of this with you herself. We spoke at length and she now knows a great deal about the threat we're all facing. The Chancellor formally accepted my offer of an alliance, uniting the Trankaran Republic with the Maliri Protectorate and the Ashanath Collective."

Thandrun slumped back in his chair, looking strangely ambivalent. "I know I should be thrilled to have found such powerful allies... but by rallying to your banner, the Trankaran Republic has made powerful enemies as well, has it not?"

John shook his head. "I have a feeling the other Progenitor would never consider the Trankaran Republic to be an ally. At least now you have a fighting chance, because I do want to help you. I like your people, Thandrun... I think the galaxy is a far better place with the Trankarans in it."

Looking deeply troubled, Thandrun said quietly, "I don't see how the Republic will be much support to you in the wider conflict against this other Progenitor. We can barely protect ourselves against the Kirrix!" With a bleak, resigned expression on his face, he added, "I considered your talk of a coup to be an extreme overreaction, but now I see that it might be the only chance we have of saving my people from the coming storm."

John gave him a reassuring smile. "It might not have to come to that, Thandrun. As I mentioned earlier, I've spoken to Niskera about this at length. I think we've come up with another solution which should help alleviate the problems with the Senate and let you quickly mobilise the Republic for war."

The Fleet Warden's face lit up with hope. "I would welcome any other option to avoid the chaos a coup would bring! What have you planned with the Chancellor?"

Patting him on the arm, John said, "She'll be up in a few hours. Would you do me a favour and wait to discuss it with her? You'll understand when you speak with Niskera."

"Considering everything you've done for the Trankaran Republic, it's the least I can do," Thandrun said, giving him a grateful smile.

John paused for a moment and thought to Alyssa, *Be right back!* Then carefully blocked his blonde Matriarch from his mind. He returned the big Trankaran's smile and said, "There's actually something else I could really use your help with, Thandrun..."

"Name it, my friend," the Fleet Warden said earnestly. "If it is within my power to assist, it will be done."

***

Alyssa frowned when John suddenly blocked her from his mind, hating the thought of not being able to hear his inner voice. He'd studiously avoided thinking about the reason why he was shutting her out, so she had no idea what he was up to.

"Please, Alyssa!" a sibilant voice pleaded, distracting her from her thoughts.

The blonde glanced down at the short reptilian creature and slowly shook her head as she gave it an apologetic smile. "I'm afraid not, Zess, sorry..."

"But I wouldn't do any harm!" the Dauzakai diplomat protested, glancing at the consoles on the Bridge with longing in her green vertical-slitted eyes. Raising a yellow scaled arm, two data jacks snaked out of a glittering cybernetic interface. "I just wanted to take a quick look!"

The moment that John had left Alyssa with the diplomats, their state of awe at his presence had faded away. Since then, she'd been fielding a deluge of questions on everything from Quantum rifles and Paragon armour, to the capabilities of the Invictus itself.

Faye fluttered over to the persistent dignitary and gave the lizardwoman a beaming smile. "Hi! I'm the ship's AI. I'd love to show you around inside the Invictus' digital network, but it wouldn't be safe for you." She frowned as she added, "I'm running some very aggressive sentinel programs... I wouldn't want to accidentally fry your mind if you wandered into a sensitive location!"

The worried look on the Dauzakai's face left Alyssa in little doubt that Zess had been planning to do a fair bit of wandering. Giving the purple sprite a grateful wink over the lizardwoman's head, Alyssa gestured towards the grav-tubes. "This way, Zess. I'll escort you to the Trankaran flagship."