Chapter 7 The Power Of Silence #2
“They are an immature, violent and aggressive species. Even if there are individuals among them that might cause some admiration, overall, they are quite dangerous,” his mother countered.
“For they see none of their weaknesses, at least not enough to question whether they ought to play a major role in galactic events or leave that to more advanced species who might know better.”
Khoth held his tongue for a moment. How worthy a species was, how advanced, had always been determined by their ability to use Precursor Tech. He pointed that out.
“Jace is the Pilot. He has access to Precursor Tech at a level that no one else has,” Khoth stated. “It stands to reason that humanity should be a great part of the Alliance, should it not?”
“Jace is only important because of the ship,” his mother countered. “The Osiris is like no other. If it had not crash landed here, it would have taken on a more appropriate Pilot. But it was clearly desperate and did what it had to do to survive.”
Khoth had no hard data to suggest she was wrong. But he felt she was incorrect. Yet such an argument would be lost before it was begun because it was based upon his gut and not facts.
“If we were to use that as a guiding point, others might say that because Haseon was rich with Precursor Tech is the only reason that the Thaf’ell hold so many important roles. Not because we are truly advanced, but because of chance,” he said.
His eyes flickered to her to see her expression.
“You are being far more fair minded than I thought you would be about this, Khoth,” she said, tapping her lower lip.
“I am just pointing out the potential hypocrisy of such a statement. We do not know that the Osiris would have bonded with another species. In fact, the Osiris has had opportunities to bond with Thaf’ell and did not,” Khoth simply answered.
“We normally do not send our best to Earth,” she answered with a faint, wry smile. “You were the exception, of course.”
“Thammah is an exceptional pilot. She is being wasted on Earth. Or she was,” Khoth stated loyally.
The wry smile on her mother’s face grew. “She is unique. That is why she does not get on.”
Khoth was tempted to state that she got on quite well with humans. That humans had “adopted” her into their families for their celebrations and, in general, as their friend. But his mother didn’t think much of humanity’s judgment.
“I have gone on a mission with Jace,” Khoth turned the subject back to the young man. “I observed someone who would even impress you.”
She regarded him carefully for long moments. The silence stretched. “I am glad that you think so highly of him. I believe that it will make your task easier.”
“Task?”
He frowned, but then his heart rate increased. She was going to agree that he should remain with Jace and the Osiris as the Alliance’s representative. Despite everything that had gone so very wrong, the questionable choices he made, all of it, she was going to give him the one thing he wanted.
“The humans wanted to be part of the Alliance before, but now with their Pilot and the Osiris–knowing their arrogance and overreach–they will want to have a seat on the Council itself,” she told him and stabbed a finger against the top of the table.
“I see.”
And he did see. But, unlike his mother, he did not necessarily blame them for their desire to have control over their own destiny. Why should they trust the Alliance to do what was best for them when it had demonstrated again and again that it would not?
“So,” she paused and gazed at him again long and deeply, “we must find a way to keep the Pilot and the Osiris on our side when we deny humanity what its grasping claws want.”
Khoth held himself very still. Jace had agreed he would help them against the Khul. There was no doubt in Khoth’s Xi of that. But Jace needed assurances in return that Earth would be safe. He said as much to his mother.
“Jace’s greatest concern is the return of the Khul to Earth in retaliation for taking out their ground forces and their Hive,” Khoth told her. “He wants Earth protected. Surely there are some ships we could spare to do that.”
His mother tilted her head. “We would have to take them from somewhere else. Perhaps Obeven, Este or Jint.”
Khoth noted that she did not mention Haseon even though most of the fleet patrolled there. It was the location of the Council and the Thaf’ell homeworld, but it had more than enough ships. He thought of the three worlds she suggested.
“Obeven has only one command there. The colossus-class ship, Afridi, and two saber-class ships, along with a few dozen Paladin-class,” Khoth stated. “Este and Jint have even less than that.”
“Your objection?” she asked.
“You are asking for Jace to risk his life for us and leave his planet in our hands,” he said. If we send but a few vessels from each of those worlds, that will hardly be enough. If… no, when Earth is attacked Jace will see our failure to protect his homeworld as a complete breach of trust.”
“We could send them all,” she suggested.
He jolted in his seat, catching himself only at the last moment, but the movement had been seen. “All of those worlds’ ships? But that would leave those planets completely undefended, Mother. You know this. You cannot be serious.”
“They bring little in way of benefit to the Alliance. They are not near strategic gates. It is unlikely that the Khul will attack them,” she said with a shrug, but she was watching him closely even if her other movements suggested otherwise.
“Unlikely? My recollection tells me that each of those planets has suffered over a dozen attacks each over the last grand cycle alone!” Khoth’s voice was rising and he strained to control it.
“So you think we should send resources from other planets instead to protect Earth?” she queried.
“If the Osiris is as important as we think it could be then we should be generous with our protection of Earth,” Khoth stated, controlling his tone. “We should draw down resources from places where there is an excess.”
“We place assets, Khoth, where the members of the Alliance want them,” she reminded him. “If you remove vessels from well-trafficked and fully important worlds there will be bad feelings and dissent.”
“There are places that I can name right now that have excess vessels--”
“You consider it excess, but I assure you those worlds do not. If we were to move those excess ships, we cannot give the humans anything more,” she told him.
“We must remain firm that Jace and the Osiris are fully under Alliance control. The humans will be kept safe, but not members of the Alliance, let alone on the Council. That way the other members of the Alliance will accept--grudgingly--the assistance we are giving Earth. It will cost considerable political capital to do even this.”
Khoth realized as she said this that she had not yet told him what his task was and dread filled his belly. “I do not think that Jace will be agreeable to such a deal. It is wholly unfair to Earth.”
“You are likely correct. Unless Jace had another reason for doing this. A personal reason.”
She put her hands on the table and laced her fingers together then unlaced them then laced them again. This was an uncharacteristic show of nerves. Khoth’s sense of dread deepened.
“I do not know what reason Jace might have to consider this lopsided deal,” Khoth said stiffly.
“I think you do. And that’s why I’m relieved–indeed glad–about what I saw regarding your interactions with him earlier,” his mother’s voice was slightly softer.
Khoth straightened. “We are comrades in arms. He has shown considerable power over his Xi and Xa. He,” here he paused and swallowed deeply, but decided he would say what he thought in the hopes that it would short circuit whatever plan his mother had that he was certain he would not like and Jace would like even less. “he reminds me of Daesah.”
He had been right that those words would affect her. His mother went silent. Her shoulders sagged. She seemed exhausted, despairing, and even defeated for a moment.
“Is he?” she murmured softly.
“Yes, he’s as intuitive as she was. As brave. As determined. He takes risks, but there is always some logic behind them,” Khoth found himself smiling faintly even as his throat constricted, comparing Jace’s actions to his sister’s.
“Then you will not have to pretend to like him,” his mother said with a sort of relief in her voice.
Khoth blinked. “Pretend to…”
“Khoth, it is clear to me that Jace Parker has taken a great interest in you. He depends upon you. He seeks you out, needing your strength and guidance, yes?” his mother asked.
Her voice wasn’t exactly that of the High Councillor, but it wasn’t exactly his mother either.
“He appears to–to appreciate…”
“Your presence comforts him,” she continued on.
“We are just learning one another’s ways,” Khoth answered awkwardly.
Even as he said this, he wondered if Jace was having a good time teaching Jack to fly. And he suddenly wished he could speak to his father then.
“That is good.” She flattened her palms against the table. “I need you to deepen and maintain your relationship with him.”
Khoth blued. He knew what she was suggesting, but he could not believe she was saying it. That she was also his mother and saying it was even more awkward.
“You are suggesting that I seduce him so that he will betray whatever his people want to work for the Alliance?” Khoth asked, though really he already knew the answer. “And tell him we cannot be together if he does not?”
His mother did not disappoint him. “Yes.”
Just yes. No explanation. No telling him how hard it was for her to ask him to do such a thing. Was it hard? Was it easy?
“How far do you wish me to take this ruse?” he asked.
Would it be a ruse? His mind asked and he slapped that down.
He and Jace were becoming comrades, perhaps even friends. But lovers? Jace was interesting. He remembered the hug. A simple embrace for a human, but for a Thaf’ell meant so much more. He had given it to be sure. He had hardly hesitated. Jace had needed him.
“As far as it needs to go,” his mother answered.
As far…
“A physical relationship?” His lips were numb.
“Yes, that would be wise, I think. Humans are very physical creatures. There is research on this that I would encourage you to study it,” she said. “As you already know, they are greatly moved by their Xis. You will need to know how to handle this.”
“I did not say I would do this,” Khoth finally managed to say.
His mother blinked slowly. “Khoth…”
“The reason that a friendship is developing between Jace and I is because we are being authentic with one another. It is not forced,” Khoth struggled to explain. “He would know if I were being false with him.”
His mother studied him again and he almost snarled at her, “What? What are you looking for? What are you hoping or fearing to see? Just tell me!”
But he remained silent. He would not let her use this silence as a sword or shield against him. He would ignore it.
“I think you underestimate yourself, my son,” she murmured.
“Perhaps I should rephrase. I will not be false with him,” Khoth stated firmly.
Silence fell again. She broke it with a sigh as her whole posture changed again. She became High Councillor Nova Voor between one moment and the next.
“I am not asking, Commander. This is an order,” she told him, her voice firm and emotionless. “You will do this on behalf of the Alliance.”
He was again stunned into silence. She likely saved him from what he would have said by standing up at that moment to leave. He rose on slightly shaky legs, but she waved him down.
“I have things that I must attend to,” she told him. “You need to compose yourself and prepare. I will want your thoughts on all the humans you have interacted with, but I want a clear view of them myself for our meeting next cycle. I know that you need to return to Jace’s side in any event.”
Khoth sank back down into the chair. She walked past him, heading for the door. At the last moment, she put one hand on his shoulder. Her fingers barely brushed the skin of his neck.
“We all must make sacrifices, Khoth,” she said. “Your sister gave her life. I am just asking for you to do what is already in your Xi to do. The Alliance needs Jace Parker and Jace Parker needs you already.”
“If you really thought that, why not let things take their natural course?” Khoth asked.
“Because nothing can be left to chance these cycles, my son. Things are more dire than you know,” she said.
And then she left and he was alone with the fish in her quarters and a heavier silence than he had ever known.