Chapter 1

Mothership
Kushan Fleet Officer School
9525 GSY

The nightmare finally released him. Tsel'al Soban's eyes opened abruptly in his darkened quarters and he became aware, once more, of the tightness in his chest, the pounding of his heart and a fading sense of terror. Tsel'al breathed deeply. Fifteen years since Landfall and still he was visited all too often by the images of Kharak burning. And of the wife and Kiith he had left behind. Indeed, the day Kharak burned, Tsel'al, formerly of Kiith Paktu, had 'taken the red' and sworn allegiance to Kiith Soban to better perfect his craft, and pursue his people's vengeance upon the Taidan Empire.

He pulled back the sheet and swung his legs over the side of his bed, noting, as he did every morning, the long since healed burns which ran the full length of his right leg. Noting, too, the much decorated and immaculately maintained uniform of a Kushan Commodore which hung nearby. He paused to look at his watch and quietly cursed. He could have slept for another hour and a half.

"Lights," he ordered.

Instantly the overhead lights in his quarters began to glow warmly. The lights would not reach their full brilliance for a minute or two, allowing Tsel'al's eyes time to adjust. In the meantime, he stood. Seconds later Tsel'al's desk monitor, several feet away, flickered to life, revealing a smiling face.

"Morning sir. Up early."

The smile on the monitor was contagious-as it was every morning-and as Tsel'al approached the monitor he allowed himself the barest smile.

"Morning. Not intentionally, believe me Chief."

The Chief's smile was replaced by a look of concern."Trouble sleeping again sir?"

"Yeah. The usual." Tsel'al paused momentarily."Anything interesting laid on for breakfast?"

"Already on its way up sir."

"You're a life saver Chief." The Chief's smile returned.

"Enjoy the coffee, sir. It's Kohntalan."

"Kharak's blood. How did you manage that?"

The Chief's grin grew larger, though before he could reply, the speaker by Tsel'al's door chirped loudly followed by the door sliding open. He turned to see a uniformed steward with a tray enter the room.

"Good morning, sir." The young crewman said smartly.

"Morning Marik. On the table is fine."

"Yes sir." The steward took several strides forward and carefully placed the tray on Tsel'al's small table. Already the rich aroma of Kohntalan coffee, among other savory smells, had begun to fill Tsel'al's quarters. The room was now fully illuminated.

"That's fine, Marik. Thank you."

"Yes sir." The crewman replied again and walked purposefully out of the Commandant's quarters. Tsel'al turned back to his monitor, noting that the Chief's grin hadn't left his face.

"That was quick. Smells good Chief. We'll pick this up again around lunch?"

"You got it sir. Have a great morning."

"Thanks, Chief." A moment later the monitor winked out and the Commandant, Kushan Fleet Officer School, was left to ponder his early breakfast, the rest of his morning, and the future of Hiigara.

"Music." He said aloud, "Taidani orchestral." A second later, the same haunting, powerful orchestral scores that had soothed the mad Taidani emperor Riesstiu IV filtered into Tsel'al's quarters.