Chapter 8

Altos grinned. “Jordan Locke. It’s been a long time. Too long. At long last, friends unite.”
Jordan returned a grin. “Good to see a familiar face. How the hell did you get here?”
“A scout saw your ships being chased. I would have met up with you, but I wasn’t sure what the Yor would do,” replied Altos.
“As far as I know, they won’t attack us. That’s what the Iconians said.”
“True.” Altos paused and looked back at the statues. “If what these Yor are what they say they are, one of the galaxies known threats will be gone.”
“Maybe a glitch in their programming occurred.”
“Can we please think on the positive side?”
“Sorry.”
“It’s all right. I’d just like to see the Yor become peaceful.” Altos looked back at the statues. “Do you see Iconians, the ones in the back?”
“Yeah. What about them?”
“Those were the Eight Martyrs. They formed the Iconian Refuge.”
“The Iconian Refuge?”
“It was before the Iconian Empire was formed. After the Yor chased them off Iconia, their home planet, they settled in a nearby system. The Yor quickly found them, but then the Refuge set out in ships in which everyone was in hibernation. The Eight Martyrs hadn’t yet gone into hibernation, and they knew they would be caught. So they flew their ship into the lead ship of the Yor, which, according to Iconian legend had the first Yor the Dread Lords affected.”
“The Dread Lords? The Yor? Altos, you’re confusing me. You’re not even telling me the events before the shit you’re talking happened.”
Altos scowled. “Jordan, when will you appreciate history and other species? Calling important information shit?”
“Look, I’m sorry. I’m just freezing my ass off in here. Continue this history lesson later, when it isn’t twenty degrees and when there aren’t aliens all around you that think you’re some kind of monster.”
Altos sighed. “I’m annoyed that the Iconians didn’t provide you with a cloak, so no one could see that you weren’t Iconian. But, of course, you probably walked in plain sight. You’re getting predictable.”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“Let’s get back my ship, where we can be at least warm and out of the sights of the Iconians. I bet there is a protest going on about letting us come here as we speak.”
Jordan replied with his usual grunt.

After walking through the station, Altos and Jordan arrived at Altos’ ship. Both were relieved to be out of the eerie station. After going through several passageways, the two arrived in Altos’ quarters.
Altos turned on a food preparation device. “Two plates of Terran sushi and two bottles of Geyseth water,” he ordered. While the machine prepared the meal, Altos to turned back to Jordan. “Please, sit down.”
Jordan sat in a large armchair. Altos did the same. “Well my friend, it’s been a year and a half, and things may finally turn around for our civilizations.”
Jordan raised his eyebrows. “Really?”
“There have been issues within the Drengin Empire, as I’m sure you know.”
“No, I don’t. What’s going on?”
“Jordan, you may want to learn to listen to GNN. They, along with almost every news station, have been covering it.”
“Hey, I’ve been busy killing every Drengin ship my fleet can take on. How do you expect me to tune in to some channel where they mainly focus on the appearance of their so-called ‘handsome’ reporters instead of the stories?”
Altos snorted. “Well that’s one of the problems, but still. Update yourself with the events going on.”
Jordan sighed. “Altos, are you gonna tell me what’s going on or not?”
“Okay, okay. Let’s put it like this. Warlords within the Drengin Empire are arguing amongst themselves. It’s mostly about how the civilizations that they defeated in the war should be handled. The majority want the conquered to be enslaved, but one clan, the Korath, want the defeated to be annihiliated. Of course, the others pushed back on this, because they want more slaves for a bigger workforce. Nevertheless, the Korath are continuing to defy the Drengin Empire. They started small, such as prison massacres, but now are doing things such destroying cities. A Drengin prisoner we captured told us that several ships discovered that the Korath were up to something. Not a lot of details, but at least we some.”
“True. What did you do with the prisoner?”
The food arrived. Altos took a bite of sushi, swallowed, then continued. “After some debate, we choose to humanely kill him.”
Jordan laughed. “Ha! The last time I caught Drengin, my buddies and I tortured them with the stuff we’re drinking.”
Altos put his glass down. “Jordan Locke, when will you and your people embrace at least a few of our ideals? Torture may seem like a good form of revenge, but it comes back to haunt you later, no matter the species. Don’t do something like that again.”
“Altos, the Drengin are monsters, animals. Twisted, demented animals. All they care about is death and destruction. When I think of death, I see a Drengin’s face. Look at what they did to the Torians, and now us. They aren’t a true civilization. They all deserve to die, every single of them.”
“Even the females and children? The ones that haven’t hurt us and probably never will?”
“Well…”
“Let’s not talk of such bad things. Think of the positives. We’re together again. Our fleets are more powerful combined. We may have found something we can use against the Drengin. The Yor appear to be friendly.”
Jordan didn’t reply. For a time the two ate in silence.

Someone then knocked on the door.
“Come in,” said Altos.
A pale girl entered, looking to be a few years younger than Jordan. She spoke to Altos in Altarian. Altos nodded, then dismissed her.
“The Yor want to speak with you, Jordan. They’re starting to get annoyed.”
“Just what do they want with me?”
“That’s something you’ll have to find out. Come back here when you’re finished. We can talk about what we should do next. Use one of the shuttles in the bay, or use one of the Terran fighters we have, if you want to.”
“I’ll stick with the fighter.” Jordan got up and left.

totaly awsome!!! My predictiones were wrong on every point, but the story as it is is totally awsome. i wonder what the Yor are saying? keep up the good work.      

That's good. We were getting worried there.  

Chapter 9

“Just where the hell have you been?” asked Zane after Jordan arrived in the hangar bay.
“At the station, you idiot. You were the first person I told that I was going,” replied Jordan with an eye roll.
“I know that, but why were you out so long? Enjoying the sights of the station?”
“Who would enjoy staying on a station that’s basically an ice cube and full of aliens that think you’re a creepy monster?”
“That doesn’t explain why you took so long.”
“Forget about it. We need to contact the Yor and speak with them.”
“Jordan, for some reason, they want to speak to you in person.”
“What?!”
“They want to talk to you onboard their flagship. I tried asking them why, but all they said was that their commander wanted it to happen.”
“Oh. Might as well see why. Get my fighter ready, and get some escorts.”
“All right.”
“And set that fighter I came in to fly back to Altos’ fleet. I borrowed it from him.”
“He’s alive?!”
“Yep.”
“He mad at you for making fun of him?”
“Surprisingly, no.”
“Okay, I’ll get the ships ready. I’ll let you know when it’s time.”

Twenty minutes later, Jordan walked back to the hangar. His fighter stood ready, as well as six escorts. A pilot walked up. “Ready, Captain?”
“Dude, I don’t think anyone could be ‘ready’ to dock at a Yor Collective ship,” replied Jordan.
“That’s true,” laughed the pilot. “Let’s go.”
Everyone climbed into their fighters, closed their cockpits, ignited their engines, and took off.
“All right guys, form up. Keep close in case something happens,” ordered Jordan. The fighters moved into a loose formation, and sped in the direction of the Yor.
Ten minutes later, a Yor frigate appeared. It sent a communications request to Jordan. Jordan opened up his channel. On the other end was a Yor hooked up to dozens of cables, which were probably to communicate with the rest of the Collective.
“You a little tangled there?” asked Jordan sarcastically.
“Humor is not needed or appreciated at the current moment, fleshling,” said the Yor, “Your command is to follow this ship to the main fleet. There you shall communicate with our commander.”
“Who’s your commander?”
“You shall see. Conversation terminated.” The link closed.
“Not very chatty,” said one of Jordan’s escorts.

After flying for some time, Jordan and his escorts arrived a Yor battleship.
The Yor who Jordan had spoken to earlier commed Jordan again. “Fly into the hangar. You will then be given instructions on what to do next.” The communications screen closed.
The fighters moved into the hangar, then landed. Everyone climbed out. I used to blow these things up. Now I’ve set foot in one, thought Jordan.
A Yor soldier walked up. “Locke, you are to follow me. Your escorts are to stay here.”
“All right.” Jordan knew that the pilots had weapons concealed in their clothes, so they could defend themselves in case the Yor attacked.
“Do you have any weapons concealed on your body?” asked the Yor.
“No,” lied Jordan. He had a handgun in his pocket.
“You are to follow me, then,” said the Yor.
Jordan was lead through passageway after passageway. There seemed to be no end to them. He was forced to squeeze through several of them. He saw many other Yor along the way, but they didn’t even notice him. They’re a collective, he thought. They each have their own purpose, under control of a central mind. But then, if one Yor saw or knew about him, wouldn’t the rest? It didn’t seem so. If the Terran Alliance and its allies, or even the scientists in his fleet could have a look at the Yor’s minds, a lot of knowledge could be gained.
The journey through the ship came to an end. The Yor pushed Jordan through a door, and then walked away before Jordan could respond.
“Greetings, Jordan Locke.”
Another Yor was speaking. But this one didn’t quite sound like a Yor. It sounded more human. Jordan turned around and saw the Yor, standing on some kind of mainframe. It had markings which probably meant it was in a position of authority.
“What do you want with me?” asked Jordan.
“Ah, typical humans. You, unlike your Altarian cousins, do not show respect to those who clearly have control over you at the moment. Since, I am the one is control, I demand that you be more polite. Restate your question in more polite manner,” said the Yor.
“All right, what do you want with me?” said Jordan in a crude British accent, pretending to sip tea.
The Yor’s eyes went fiery, a sign he was angry. “I wish respect from you Jordan. I will revoke the deal I will offer and instead destroy you.”
Jordan rolled his eyes. “Why should I respect something as twisted as you, metal butt?”
The Yor’s eyes went pure red. He drew a gun and pulled the trigger, but was too late. Jordan dodged the blast, and pulled out his own pistol, and loaded ion charged bullets into it. These should fry this creep’s circuits…
Jordan and the Yor fired at each other once more, then Jordan’s gun jammed. Oh shit…

Probably both.  

Chapter 10

Jordan stood ready to dodge the shots from his opponent. To his surprise, the Yor put away his gun. He then walked up to Jordan. “I hope we can put an end to hostilities, Jordan Locke.”
“Just what do you want with me?” asked Jordan
“I am going to take control of the Yor Collective and defeat the Drengin Empire. And you are going to help me.”
“Why should I help you?”
“Use the rather low level of intelligence that your species has and analyze your situation. I have a gun. You don’t.”
Jordan grunted. “That true.”
“Ah, now we are getting somewhere,” said the Yor.
“Listen, who are you?”
“Me? Why, I am part of the Yor Collective, of course. But not just any part. I am the commander of this battalion. I am also one of the few members of the Yor Collective who has a full and complete personality. If you were wanting to know my designation, it is: SubCommand-Unit O-rd4gfd R-lj1ku D-jn4ghj O-gjh92.”
“That’s a mouthful,” said Jordan
“You may call me Ordo,” said the Yor.
“I think I will.”
“Good. Now you are to execute the first part of my plan. You are to gather intelligence on the Korath Clan. Find out why they are doing what they are doing,” said Ordo.
“Uh, Ordo? A lot of people know why the Korath are doing this. They believe that other species are inferior and should be wiped out,” said Jordan.
“I believe there is more to it. Now, complete your assignment and meet up with my fleet when you are finished. Return to your ships.”
Jordan nodded. After going through the twisted passageways, Jordan got back the hangar where his ship. He and his escorts climbed into their fighters.
“Let’s get out of here.”

Why am I getting the sinking feeling that one of the following will happen?

1. The mission to spy on the Korath is a trap;"Ordo" is in league with them.

2. Tresia will challenge Jordan/Zane to some kind of cerimonial Altarian duel.

3. Jordan will lose his cool and do something stupid(er).

My guess is that since the Yor were programed byu the Dread Lords they want to have info on the Korath so they got Jordan to do it.

After a long wait, I have been dragged back to the keyboard...

Chapter 13

 

“Get the warp engines online, men!” said Zane as he and Jordan entered the bridge.

“Why?” one of the men asked.

“Let’s just say that we’re going on a little trip. To the Drengin Empire.”

“What?!” asked another.

“We gonna pillage some system?” asked yet another.

“No. Sorry to disappoint you guys, but we’re just gonna gather some intelligence on that Korath Clan,” said Jordan.

“Those guys? Why?” asked Ashley

“The leader of that Yor fleet wants us to. He thinks the Korath are a threat.”

“But if Lord Kona can control them…”

“I’m getting the feeling that Ordo is right about this.”

Ashley raised one eyebrow. “Who’s Ordo?”

“He’s the fleet leader.”

“Oh. So what does he want us to do?”

“Find out stuff about the Korath, I guess. I don’t we can ditch this guy. He’ll just find us again. Let’s just get this done.”

“Right,” said Ashley.

A message alert flashed in front of Jordan. He opened system. “Message from Altos,” he said to himself. The message read:

 

Jordan, Ordo has sent me system maps where the Korath Clan have stations set up. It’s attached to this message. Jordan, I don’t trust this Ordo. The fact that he even has a personality is frightening enough. Something tells me that we’re being set up. As soon we do what we need to do, we should try to get away from him. My fleet will be accompanying yours on this mission. I believe that we should go to the main Korath station. See you there.

 

Jordan leaned back in his chair. “Set coordinates for that system,” he ordered.

Ashley pressed several buttons to activate the warp engines.

Zane opened the communication system. “All ships, jump on my mark,” he said.

The warp engines roared, and the Independence sped off.

 

 

Good god, I need to write a new chapter. Sorry for the huge delay, I've been facing a little something called school.

Okay, the wait is over. I am going to (hopefully) finish this story quicker. Enjoy.

 

Chapter 14

 

The fleets arrived in a star system far from where they had been. No empire owned it, either because of the war, or there was nothing of interest.

 

Zane leaned back in his chair. “Now what?”

Ashley spoke up. “Now we chose whether to run, give the information to Ordo, or something else.”

Jordan leaned forward. “As much I’d like to, I simply don’t think we can get away from Ordo. He figured out every single place we hid before. I don’t how he does it, but his method seems foolproof. I sure as hell hope that the Yor haven’t developed some new tracking technology. He’ll eventually get the info we got, even if he has to kill us all and pry open the ship’s computer to get it.”

“I’d sure like to kick his metal can,” said a crewman.

“If we did try to run, we could try to get back to what’s left of the Terran Alliance or the Altarian Repubic and give them the info. Then we would probably we safe. Problem is that Ordo would probably intercept us. If the engines were in better shape, we could make one long warp to Earth, but the engines couldn’t take it.”

“Yeah, and consider the fact that the Drengin and the Yor that Ordo hasn’t reprogrammed to fight for him are still probably all over the Terran Alliance and Altarian Republic,” said Zane. “If Ordo doesn’t catch us, they will.”

“Then what should we do?” asked Zane.

Jordan paused. “Well, we might as well organize the data and present it to Altos.”

“Yeah.”

Jordan commed the technicians. “Get the stolen data on a portable device. I will need it for a meeting”

“Yes, sir,” came the reply.

“All right guys, send Altos a message telling him that we will be meeting him in an hour to discuss our findings.”

“Right,” said Ashley.

 

An hour later Jordan climbed into an armored shuttle, one of the last ones that was still functional.

“Man this thing needs maintenance,” grumbled an officer that was to serve as Jordan’s copilot. “Hopefully it won’t fall apart.”

“Quit complaining,” said Jordan. He switched on his radio. “We’re ready to go,” he told the hangar master.

The hangar doors make a deep groaning sound as they slid open, and then stopped suddenly. Jordan could hear in the background the hangar master swearing at the workers for not maintaining the doors. He rolled his eyes.

After five minutes, the doors were forced open, and then shuttle took off.

 

Jordan quickly found the Altarian fleet and landed at Altos’ ship. He quickly got out and went to the conference room. God, I hope that bitch isn’t there, he thought.

After a five minutes, Jordan found the conference room. He knocked on the door. Altos answered it. “Just you this time?” he asked.

“Just me.”

“Good. Come in.”

Altos and Jordan entered the room. Several important looking Altarians sat a table in front of a presentation stand. One spoke. “This is the Terran you spoke of, Altos?”

Jordan spoke. “Hey, this Terran has a name, you know. And it’s Jordan Locke.”

“Silence. I was speaking to Altos, not you,” replied the Altarian.

Altos broke in to avoid an argument. “Yes, this is Jordan. He gathered at great deal of information to help us. He will present it to us.”

The one that had spoken before leaned over and tried to speak to Altos in Altarian.

“We are equals here,” he said to the Altarian. “Speak a tongue we can all understand,” he finished, looking at Jordan. The Altarian gave a pleading look, but Altos held firm. “You may begin,” he said to Jordan.

Jordan cleared his throat and turned on the data device. Diagrams flashed up. “The Korath are planning to secede from the Drengin Empire,” he began. “This may seem obvious, now more than ever because more and more details are beginning to be uncovered. They oppose the policies concerning the treatment of conquered species, favoring extermination over enslavement, but for what reason? That is what my men and I have uncovered. The reason is this: The Dread Lords.”

Several Altarians snorted. “The Dread Lords?!” laughed one. “What sort of intelligence did you gather? They’re all dead!”

“Shut up!” yelled Jordan. “I thought you Altarians favored politeness and not interrupting. Now let me continue.”

The Altarians sitting at the table stared at Jordan. Altos let out a sigh.

Jordan continued. “This is real information. The Korath have taken great steps to hide this. Apparently a deal has been struck. The Dread Lords have greatly increased the physical and mental capacities of the Korath, making them look somewhat different from other Drengin. In return, the Korath are to exterminate all other species in the galaxy, allowing the Dread Lords to rule the galaxy.”

There was complete silence in the room.

“These events show that the Dread Lords have changed in their tactics and thinking. Instead of attacking us head on, where we defeated them with sheer numbers. They now seem to be using tactics not unlike those of the Drath. They now sit in shadows pulling the strings to make things go in their favor before emerging to strike the final blow.”

Altos raised his hand.

“Yes?”

“If the Dread Lords are doing what said they are, how are we to find them and destroy them? If you paid attention during your history classes at the Terran Alliance Military Academy, you would remember that during the Altarian-Korx war, it was very difficult to find the real perpetrators of that war: The Drath. It will no doubt be tougher to find the Dread Lords.”

“I did pay attention in those classes Altos, and I do know that the Terran Alliance and Altarian Republic had to tear through countless Korx ships and facilities to find out about the Drath. The Korath are a whole different matter. They control a sizable area, have a large fleet of powerful ships, and have notoriously skilled soldiers armed with weapons like this.” He turned on a second data device.

“Spore?” asked Altos reading the displays, “What is this Spore?”

“It’s a biological superweapon that Korath are developing. Judging by what we’ve seen, this weapon is going to be primary way for the Korath to exterminate everyone, not just the conquered. We’re lucky to have this bit of information. The drone that sent it was destroyed seconds after the transmission was finished.”

“How does it work?”

“These spores are basically a bunch of deadly bacteria. They are designed to completely wipe out a planet’s ecosystem. The spores are dropped in canisters from a special ship into a planets atmosphere. There the canisters open and release the spores into the air. Once released, the spores kill everything they come in contact with, multiplying from the remains of whatever it’s killed. Soon, nothing on the planet is alive. After the job is complete, the spores will either die, and leave the planet clear and lifeless, or remain, rendering the planet into a toxic wasteland. We’re not sure which will occur.”

“Where are they developing this weapon?!” asked a revolted Altarian, “We need to find it before they can use it!”

“It is in a hidden lab on a planet known as Dithir. It is simply inaccessible. We won’t be able to get at it. There are too many enemies.”

“Then what do you suppose we do?”

“We sell the information to the Drengin Empire and let them deal with it.”

There a lot of angry shouting between the Altarian. Jordan looked at Altos. Altos shrugged. One Altarian, who was rather fat compared to the others, stood up. “What sort of idea is that?! What’s going to stop the Drengin from destroying us once they’ve finished with the Korath?”

Jordan smiled. “This war between the Drengin and the Korath will last quite a while, I assure you that. It will be a perfect chance to strike back and regain territory.”

“It’s stupid! Why would you ever give our enemies a piece of information as important as that?! Are you out of your mind?!”

“Do have any better ideas?! The Terran Alliance would do nothing to help us, nor would your precious Altarian Republic! Don’t be an idiot!”

The Altarian got red in the face “You Terrans disgust me. This is why we Altarians are superior. We have manners, you do not. We have good values, you do not. You Terrans are nothing.”

“SHUT YOUR GOD DAMN MOUTH!” yelled Jordan. “If you talked to me like that on my ship, you would be shot dead! Have you forgotten that we saved your asses at Altaria AND during the Korx war? If it weren’t for us, you would be dead! And what do we get? Arrogance and ungratefulness! Our peoples are equal!”

There was silence in the room. The Altarians at the table were dumbstruck, while Altos glared at them.

The door slid open. Tresia stepped in. She saw Jordan and frowned. “I figured you were in here, with all the yelling,” she said disapprovingly. “Why are you tainting the ship with your presence again?”

Altos broke in. “Tresia, this is not the-“

“I ask again, why are you here? You are not welcome aboard this ship.”

Jordan rolled his eyes. “None of your business.”

Altos attempted to speak again. “Tresia, please. I will talk to you in a s-“

“Judging by what I have heard, you are yet again disrespecting people who are more respectable than you.”

“Jordan did nothing wrong, it was their-“

“Was it their fault? I do not think so. It was something Jordan said earlier that made them reply like that.”

“Will you let me t-“

“Now, what was being said before I came in?” asked Tresia to the other Altarians.

“You mean barged in,” muttered Jordan with an eye roll.

“Silence, fool!”

The fat Altarian spoke. “I was saying how Jordan exemplifies his species lack of manners and respect.”

Oh boy, this guy is really asking for it…, thought Jordan.

“You speak the truth,” said Tresia, “Terrans are indeed inferior to us. Completely improper.”

While Tresia continued to talk, Jordan reached into his pocket and pulled out his knife. Tresia saw the glint of metal out the corner of her eye and whirled around. Jordan threw the knife so it would miss her by a few inches, knowing that if he hit her, his fate would have a grisly end. The knife flew past Tresia and hit the wall, going in a few inches. One of the Altarians at the table fainted. The fat one fell out of his chair and distanced himself from Jordan.

Jordan smiled cruelly. “You guys were fairly lucky I missed, eh?” He pocketed his data devices, ripped the knife out of the wall, and left.

 

The Altarians were asking for it...

Chapter 15 coming after Thanksgiving.