Here's another chapter for all you readers out there. Enjoy.
JMH
trandar2002@yahoo.com http://groups.yahoo.com/group/adultwritingworkshop/
Felix and the squad commanders ordered theirships to spread out in a large fan pattern on entering the Sol system,spreading out a defensive line just beyond the Earth's moon. Ahead of them, bunched tightly, was the Guildfleet, surrounding Earth in a protective sphere.
"Shall we begin the attack?" Felix asked Vard from the bridge of theSantor.
Vard, remembering Austin's warning, shook his head. "Let's see if we can get a few of theircommanders to switch sides. Better forthem to surrender and join us, than for both sides to lose ships and men."
"As you say sir," Felix nodded as he turnedhis attention to the communications officer.
A few moments later, Felix went back to Vard,a wide grin on his face.
"Well?"
Vard asked when the Star General did not say anything.
"I have just finished talking to Star GeneralRobert. It's over Vard... the war isover."
"How?"
Vard said, his eyebrows raised in surprise.
"Tidal, your husband's Protector, killedGerick even though it cost him his own life."
"Who is in charge then?"
"Your husband of course," Felix laughed.
"I am sure Joshua just loves that," Vardlaughed as well. He knew his husband'sdistaste for power. "I better hurry downthere and relieve him."
"I would not do that quite yet, my lord."
"And why not?" Vard demanded.
"After Gerick and Falcon, there is right nowa heated debate within the Guild about the wisdom of being led by a Prelate. Some want a council of Star Generals to takeover; others say power should be given to the Legates. Even a few are supporting the idea that thecounterpart should take over."
"Joshua would never agree to that."
"Yes... but he might not be given achoice. The fact is that no one on Earthwants you or any Prelate to sit on the Guild Throne. Not after what you did to the Core Worlds."
"We will just have to get them to seeotherwise."
"Vard,think about it... this is the chance you have been looking for, to reunifymankind. Right now the factionsupporting Joshua is small, but if you renounce your claim to the throne insupport of your husband, his support will grow.
No one wants to fight against you Vard... they just don't want to followyou either."
Vard let out a sigh... he could not believe theturn of events. His husband, the head ofthe Guild? It was almost laughable givenhow much Joshua hated power. Vard knewFelix was right, however. Unless he waswilling to fight against all of humanity, there was no way they were willing torisk being led by another Prelate.
"Very well... what will I need to do to makesure Joshua keeps the throne?"
"Star General Robert has already sent shipsto all the colonized worlds, both light and dark. An assembly is being called so that theleaders from each world can decided who they want to lead them. All you need to do is scare the Assemblymeninto believing that, if they don't pick Joshua, you will claim the throne."
"Look scary... I think I can handle that. Anything else?"
"Yes... and this you will not like. Until the assembly makes its decision, youmust agree to stay off Earth."
"And why can I not go see my husband?"
"Because it would not be a smart thing todo. A lot of important people will wantto meet and talk to Joshua to see if they really want him to lead theGuild. If you are by Joshua's side, manyof them will fear that Joshua is nothing more than your puppet. If Joshua is to lead the Guild, the peoplemust believe that he is really the one making decisions."
"That's a problem for me however. I know my husband. He has a gentle heart... too gentle at times. There are things that must be done, andquickly, if we are going to survive the coming invasions. Joshua is not the kind of man who can easilymake hard decisions."
"I know... I did not say Joshua must not takeadvice from others. I only meant to implythat, for appearances sake, it can not appear that Joshua is receiving hisadvice from you."
"So if I were to tell this Star GeneralRobert some of my ideas on how to handle the coming invasion and if he were togive them to Joshua as if they were his own..."
Vard left dangling.
"I think Joshua would find Robert to be avery useful advisor," Felix grinned.
"Have this Star General meet me here on theSantor. I want to know who I am dealing with."
"Yes my lord." Felix said as he started to turn away.
"One more thing... please congratulate myhusband for ascending to the Guild Throne."
After meeting with Clive and the three otherLegates, Joshua excused himself, making his way to the dungeons, Drake intow. Together they passed dozens ofheavily armed guards, locked gates, and suspicious glares of masked men untilthey reached a large white door, carved in the shape of a grinning mask. Guarding the door were a half dozen whitemasked Inquisitors.
"Open the door." Joshua commanded.
The six masked men bowed before one of themtook out a large silver key, sticking it into the carved mouth of the door and unlockedit. As Joshua moved towards the door, itopened on its own, revealing the white and gold mask of the High Inquisitorhimself.
"Why has the counterpart come to this place?"An elderly man's voice came from behind the mask.
"I have come to see my father."
"We are not finished with him."
"I order you to let me through and leave myfather alone."
"You might sit on the Guild Throne... but donot get it into your head that you weld any real power lord."
Joshua... sensing Drake was about to draw aknife, raised a hand to stop him. "Imight only be a caretaker, but I do have the power to make things difficult foryou and your men," Joshua threatened.
"And we would make sure you lived to regretit."
"Is that a threat?"
"Inquisitors do not make threats."
"Well I do... the days of your kind huntingdown and killing innocent men and women are almost over. If you do not let me see my father... if youever threaten me or anyone I hold dear again, I will see that you and yourfollowers become the ones hunted and destroyed. Now stand aside."
The High Inquisitor bowed his head ever soslightly. "So be it, but know that youwill pay a price for your father's freedom."
"I understand," Joshua nodded.
"Do you?"
The old man doubted.
"When the time comes, I will pay your price."
"Good... very good. Once you are done talking with your father,meet me in the throne room. We will discussthe price you will pay."
"So be it," Joshua replied, as the HighInquisitor and his followers left.
"Joshua, are you sure you can trust theInquisitors?" Drake asked concerned.
"No... I am sure they will demand a high pricefrom me but I can not let them have my father."
Joshua said, making his way past the door. Inside he saw the walls lined with mother ofpearl masks, the masks of Joshua's many predecessors. It was here, past the white mask door, deepunderground, that the counterparts had been protected, kept hidden from theoutside world.
It was to this place that Falcon had beensent to await his trial. It was herethat Joshua knew the Inquisitors had been torturing him. Today, Joshua planned on putting an end to itall.
Entering what had been the counterpart'sbedroom, Joshua saw his father, strapped down on a table, metal instrumentssticking out of his body at odd angles.
Joshua went over to his unconscious father and touched his face, nowlined with an angry red scar.
"Shall I get started?" Drake asked as he took out a medkit.
"Yes."
Joshua nodded, his eyes never leaving Falcon's face.
While Drake busied himself removing theInquisitor devices Joshua readied a syringe.
He knew the last thing his father needed was more of the pain killers hewas addicted to but time was short.
Once everything was done, Joshua shookFalcon awake. "Wake up father... pleasewake up."
Slowly Falcon opened his red eyes. "Joshua..."
"Shhhh... everything is going to be ok. I am going to take you away from here."
"But the trial... my punishment?"
"It's not going to happen. I won't let it."
"The people deserve their revenge Joshua."
"But what of your brother's sacrifice? He gave his life to save yours. Do the people have the right to destroy thesacrifice of the person who saved them from the real monster?"
Falcon let out a deep breath but did notreply.
"Falcon... Joshua has already made all thenecessary arrangements for you to leave Earth." Drake spoke up.
"And I am sure he has the blessing of theentire Assembly," Falcon chuckled.
"Let me worry about the Assemblymen. What is the point of me leading the Guild ifI can not protect the people close to me?"
Falcon let out a deeper laugh. "You are a gentle tyrant my son, but a tyrantnone the less."
"I know I will have to pay a price... but itis a price I am willing to pay."
"But you don't have to pay it," Falconinsisted.
"Yes I do.
Do you think I would ever be able to forgive myself if I did not do whateverI could to save you, father?"
Falcon reached up and touched his son'sface. "I don't deserve you."
"So Vard has told me."
"He knows about this little jail break?"
"Yes... he is not happy about it, but Ididn't give him much room to argue. It'sto his flagship that you will be going."
"And how do you plan on sneaking me offEarth?"
"Drake?"
Joshua eyed his Protector.
Drake pulled out an iron mask and blackuniform from under his robe. "We broughtthese with us."
"That might get me out of the palace. How do I get up to the Santor?"
"You will be part of Robert'sdelegation. He meets with Vard in threehours."
"Then we better hurry." Vard said as hetook the mask from Drake.
From the window of the throne room, Joshuawatched as the ship carrying his father left the landing pad for space. "Stay safe father," He sighed as he touchedthe window.
"He will be alright," Drake saidreassuringly.
"I'm sure he will," came the craggy voiceof the High Inquisitor as he stepped out from behind a curtain.
Joshua did not even bother turning to facethe white and gold masked man. "You havecome to claim your price?"
"Yes I have. Do not worry... it is but a small one. You let your father escape Earth. All I ask is that you allow the same for afew of my men."
"Which men?" Joshua demanded.
"You need not concern yourself with that."
"Drake?"
Joshua turned his head.
Drake turned and faced the High Inquisitor,arching an eyebrow as he sent his soul to probe the man's mind.
"Do you really think a mere Protector canread my mind?" The High Inquisitorlaughed as he felt Drake's touch.
Joshua placed a hand on Drake'sshoulder. "But he is not just aProtector. He is Gerick's son."
"What?"
The man's said as he took a step back.
"Well Drake?" Joshua chuckled, wishing he could see theman's face.
"You can't do what they want Joshua. You just mustn't." Drake said a hint of fear in his voice.
"I do not think the counterpart has muchchoice... unless he wants to start another civil war... which will happen if wordgets out he let Falcon escape."
"Who do they want to take off planet?"
Knowing that Drake was about to tell Joshuaanyway, the High Inquisitor spoke first.
"Just some clones counterpart."
Joshua turned around and faced the whiteand gold masked man. "Of whom?"
"Gerick..."
Drake said in an almost inaudible whisper.
"What?"
Joshua said, not trusting his ears.
"Gerick," The High Inquisitor laughed.
Joshua felt the color leave his face. "Why... why would you have clones of thatmonster?"
"Gerick might be dead but he will live onin the clones he had us create for him.
They will not have his power or his memory as Gerick intended them tobut they will have his ambition."
"I will not allow it."
"Fine... just return your father to us then."
"No," Joshua refused.
"Then I am afraid millions of innocentpeople will die from the war that will result."
Joshua went back to looking out the largewindows, staying silent for a long time before replying. "Take your ships and go."
"You have made the right decision mylord. Do not worry about anotherwar. We will inform the Assembly thatyour father died during interrogation."
The High Inquisitor bowed before disappearing behind the curtains again.
A few moments later an iron maskedcommander walked into the throne room.
"My lord, twelve Sloth transports request permission to leave thepalace."
"Tell Vard to let them through." Joshuareplied, his eyes focused on the bright skies of the setting sun.
As Joshua watched the twelve large ships liftoff, Drake wrapped an arm around Joshua's waist. "It's not your fault... you didn't have anychoice."
"You're wrong Drake. I do have a choice to make." Joshua said as he walked over to the throne,pushing a near invisible button on an armrest.
"My lord?"
A communications officer's voice came from a hidden intercom.
"Get me in contact with Star GeneralFelix." Joshua ordered.
Less then a minute later Felix's voice camefrom the intercom. "How might I help youJoshua?"
Joshua sat himself down on the black thronebefore answering. "The ships I just gavepermission to leave the Sol system... destroy them."
"What... am I hearing you correctly? You want us to attack twelve unarmed GuildSloths?"
"Yes... every one of them, including any escapepods. I want no survivors."
"May I ask why my lord?" Felix asked.
"All you need to know is that those shipsrepresent a threat to humanity and must be destroyed at all costs."
"I think I need to talk to Vard about thisfirst."
"No... there's no time. Those ships must be destroyed before theyenter the Void," Joshua insisted.
"Is this an official order?"
"Yes, I take full responsibility."
"So be it my lord. You do know, however, that the Assembly willdemand an explanation."
"I know... that is why I must ask you to do onemore thing."
"And that is?"
"Return my father back to Earth."
"You are just full of surprises today. You do know that he will probably face thedeath penalty."
"Yes... I realize that. I can not risk civil war on my pettydesires. I will not let more innocentpeople die because of me."
"So I take it the people on the Slothtransports are not innocent?"
"No, they are not." Joshua replied.
"I promise, no one will escape mylord. As for your father, he will behanded back to the Inquisitors."
"No... give him over to the military. Send some men with my father to see that hestays in army hands."
"As you wish my lord," Felix said beforecutting off his com."
"You are going to let your father beexecuted?" Drake asked concerned.
"Not if I can help it." Joshua smiled weakly before turning on thecommunicator back on.
"My lord?"
The communications officer spoke up again.
"Get me Star General central command."
"Yes my lord." The man replied as he made the connection.
"Counterpart, this is Star GeneralSid. How may I be of service?"
"I am issuing an arrest warrant for theHigh Inquisitor and all his followers."
"All the Inquisitors?" The general asked in disbelief.
"All of them Sid."
"And when they ask me on what charges... whatshall I say?"
"Treason," was Joshua's reply. "Treason against humanity."
"I see... they will resist you know."
"If they do so, you have permission to killthem."
"I understand my lord. Is there anything else?"
"Yes... I have just ordered a prisonertransfer. Holding the former Prelatewill now be handled by the army. Atransport will be delivering him to you soon."
"My men will be ready my lord. I will also send two divisions to secure thepalace in case the Inquisitors attack.
Until they arrive I recommend you sealing yourself inside the throneroom."
"I will take your advice general. Thank you."
"What do we do now?" Drake asked, worried.
"We wait," Joshua repliedslumping into his chair