Thoughts of the Few, Plans of the Many

2002 short story by Jonathan Hicks

Thirty-seven years after Episode IV - A New Hope

   “If you don’t like it,” Squiz said with a frown, “then don’t eat it.”

Baz looked at the icefrost dessert he had just been handed and took another tentative lick. “But it makes my teeth ache…”

   “Then don’t eat it,” Squiz took the dessert from Baz’s huge clawed hand and threw it over the side of the pier, watching it dwindle into the distance and splash into the water below. He smiled and looked back up at his towering friend.

   “There is a perfectly functional trash receptacle over there,” Baz said, one long claw motioning through the throng of beings. Squiz simply smiled again and shook his head.

They were a peculiar couple, Squiz and Baz. Squiz was no more than four feet tall, his head shaved at the temples but long across the crown, tied back into a tail that swung heavily between his shoulder blades. Around his eyes and throat were small scars that shone pink through his tanned leathery skin; covered by the sunglasses he wore. He wore bright clothes and mingled well with the other beings on the pier under the sun of Luronsa IV.

Baz, on the other hand, was a giant. Almost three meters tall, the great alien was head and shoulders above most of the tallest beings here, but that was all that was impressive about him. Squiz had decided to disguise him as best as he could by taking old pieces of metal sheet and ‘droid casings. He had hammered out a suit of armour that segmented over the chest, shoulders and upper legs, with dull grey paintwork to cover the dents and ripples left by his rough work. Baz appeared as a walking automaton with heavy damage, only the small gaps in the armour betraying the pale white flesh underneath. Squiz had felt the move necessary – if he was mistaken for a ‘droid, then they wouldn’t have any uncomfortable questions as to what species he was, what with his strangely bent legs, the huge physique and the long snake-like head. Baz, after all, was a Coryarthanax.

The Coryarthanax of the Setnin Sector were mindless violent beasts that spread and killed at their leisure, multiplying at an amazing rate and slaughtering all those unlucky enough to live within the vicinity of their nests. Baz, on the other hand, was a genetically modified curiosity, able to think and speak for himself, intelligent and somewhat emotional. He had spent his life in a lab but after meeting Squiz had decided to broaden his horizons and experience things he had been denied. Squiz was proving to be a valuable teacher, despite the frustrating situations that sometimes occurred with Baz’s non-understanding of certain emotions and problems. Even so, Squiz was determined to show his new friend the galaxy.

But, considering the reputation his less-intelligent brethren possessed, Squiz felt it necessary to keep his identity secret. The mere sight of his true form would send the entire pier, with its half-million holidaymakers, into an uproar.

   “So, what do you think?” Squiz asked, turning back to observe the vast pier with all its distractions. Baz watched the water ripple throughout the wreckage of the old pier below with a tilted head and turned back to his colleague.

   “Of what?”

   “Of this?” He motioned to the crowds of brightly, albeit scantily dressed beings before him. “You said you wanted to experience this kind of thing.”

Baz unconsciously rubbed his left arm.

   “It’s… informative.”

With a sigh Squiz knocked his huge hand away.

   “Stop that.”

   “Stop what?”

   “That.”

   “The metal is rubbing.”

   “No its not. You rub your arm when you’re nervous.”

   “No, I don’t.”

   “Baz… if you’re uncomfortable, we can go back to the suite. You can relax there. We’ve got a beam sauna.”

Baz smiled under his hood, remembering the soft warm waves of energy clearing his head.

   “I could spend the whole holiday in there. But that’s not why we’ve come.”

   “Okay,” Squiz waved his hands in deference, turned back to lean on the rail and look out over the bright sea, with it’s multitude of canvas boats and energy skimmers dotting the water’s surface. “So what do you want to do?”

   “What do beings usually do when they are relaxing?”

Squiz shrugged.

   “All sorts. They can go into the casinos, do some of the rides, water stuff, you know. Things they find fun.”

   “Like what?”

There was a slight pause, and Squiz said, “Like I just told you. Have you never had fun?”

Baz shrugged.

   “I don’t know.”

   “You don’t know? Okay, okay, have you ever done something which you really enjoyed and wanted to do again because it made you feel really good?”

Another pause. Baz considered the question.

   “I don’t think so. No, wait – I used to go for nighttime runs in the forest near where I grew up. That was nice.”

Squiz looked at him with a slightly mis-shaped smile.

   “Oookaaayy…”

   “It was good. The air was so crisp, the trees hung low and the branches and thick spinner roots coiled about – I’d have to jump and dodge, dive and leap. I felt so free…”

The huge being had begun to re-enact his movements, ducking low then rising on his legs to his full height, dodging sideways and spinning in the air. Squiz caught his elbow and stopped him. Baz looked at him quizzically.

   “That’s enough of that,” Squiz said in a husky voice, low and not without humour. Baz looked about and saw that many passing beings were watching him with curiosity, humour, disgust. He turned back and looked out over the sea in embarrassed silence.

   “For a towering killing machine you’re a pretty good dancer,” Squiz said with a laugh. Baz lowered his head and shuffled his feet self-consciously.

   “Squiz!” came a shout from the crowds. “Hey, Squiz!”

The dwarf peered through the crowd, trying to ascertain where the cry had come from. Varying colours of skin and clothing blurred past him, a roar and a squeal and a hover ride blasted overhead creating a sequence of sun-shadow flashes. Squiz squinted and tried to stand on his toes to see over the lower forms that obstructed his view.

A claw gathered the cloth on the back of his light cool-jacket and lifted him off his feet. Squiz looked back at Baz and smiled. “That’s better, thanks,” and began to scan the crowd. He hung there for a moment before seeing the man who had called his name.

   “Beon!” he cried as the silver-haired human approached. “Beon Odiss! I don’t believe it…”

Baz lowered him to the ground as the human approached and took a step back out of politeness so that the two men could have their moment. Beon stooped and embraced the smaller man, giving him a hug, holding him at arms length, and then hugging him again.

   “Squiz! Squiz, I don’t believe it!”

   “Beon, look at you!” Squiz shouted, and then took the human in with a long glance.

Beon Odiss had aged, that much was certain. His hair was silver with lines of white from the temples, his face creased and lined. He still had a light in his eyes but Squiz wondered whether he was the same man he had run with many years ago.

   “How’ve you been, old friend?” Beon asked after struggling for the words. The meeting was obviously a surprise for him and the excitement was evident in his stance and wild arm movements.

   “Not bad. I’ve been travelling about, doing work in the P’ro Dynasty and En’Ka’Far territories. Been back for about four years! What about you? Still running?”

   “Gods, no, I’m retired. Made a huge haul and decided to enjoy life. I’ve got a cliff villa here – the biggest one! – and I just lounge about and make interest. All my money goes through the Bank of Zelon. Secure place, that – no chance of me losing out this time.”

Squiz was genuinely surprised.

   “A huge haul?” He laughed. “What, something went right for you?”

Beon shrugged.

   “I was running a hauler through the CPF…” he saw the confusion on his friend’s face. “Sorry, the Cawbate Planetoid Field. I kind of lost control as I was coming out…” He sighed. “Ploughed straight into a garbage hauler.”

   “Er… what?”

   “Turns out the hauler was filled with Cawbate gold and had been stolen by pirates out of the Gulf. The law caught them and the owner of the gold was so chuffed he gave me a reward. A huge reward!” His face screwed up in thought. “Owners of the hauler weren’t too pleased, mind.” He shrugged. “Ah, well.” Then his eyes fell on the huge form of Baz. “New ‘droid?” he asked.

Squiz smiled.

   “Kind of,” he replied and motioned for Baz to approach, taking a step back so that he could join them. “Baz, this is Bad Luck Beon Odiss.” He smiled as he waved his hand at his friend.

Baz extended a hand as he had been taught, nodding his head.

   “A pleasure to meet you, Bad Luck.”

There was the sound of a stifled laugh from Squiz and Beon smirked at him.

   “No, it’s just a nickname. I’m Beon, but I have a lot of bad luck. Get it?”

It was obvious the huge Coryarthanax didn’t. “I see,” he said, and did not continue the conversation further. There was an uncomfortable silence and Baz looked to Squiz for help. Squiz only smiled. “My friend Baz here is new to this socialising game.”

   “A socialising ‘droid?” Beon half-smiled in confusion.

   “He’s not a ‘droid,” Squiz said. “He’s just not very good in this kind of sunlight. Hurts him.”

   “This metal… covering,” Beon motioned to the rough casing over the body of Baz. “Gang thing?”

   “Best I could knock up at the time,” Squiz said quickly. “Anyway, lets get to the bar, I’m sweltering.”

The three moved slowly through the thick crowds, some people jostling past and frowning with annoyance at the huge figure of Baz. Get your ‘droid off the pier murmured one man, and ugly thing, I’m calling the law said another. Baz ignored the comments and ducked under the huge thatched shade above a circular bar where an autotender poured drinks and served small morsels of food. Squiz ordered three soft drinks, and motioned to Beon when the autotender gave the price. Beon gave a lop-sided smile and handed over the credits.

   “So, what do you know?” Beon asked, raising his glass in salute to his friend and taking a long draught.

Squiz sighed.

   “Well, other than the Ki-Ki invasion, not much.”

   “What have you heard?”

   “Well, you know they took Cantarr Bi Romou, don’t you?”

   “Yeah, saw it on the newscast.”

   “Well, they’re pushing out from there, using it as a staging area. They’ve got the shipyards so they’re using it as a re-fit and supply base. They hit eight systems in the three months after, secured five of them. Freck only knows where they’re getting their ships from.”

Beon raised his eyebrows.

   “What do you mean?”

Prime Lord Atheus sat in his high-backed chair at the head of the circular table. The meeting was being held in the newly redecorated throne room of the palace on the Ki-Ki capital planet of Fedarn. Black marble shone with onyx brilliance, white striations down the walls and pillars causing the stone to appear cracked. The roof was decorated with paintings and relief’s of Ki-Ki heroes from myth and history engaged in battle with creatures of both reality and fantasy, the images bright and well-lit in the otherwise dark, oppressive room.

He liked this room.

The other smaller chairs around the circular table were occupied by a small group of beings of varying races who all stared at each other and the Prime Lord with suspicion but a hint of intrigue, datapads strewn about the areas they sat at. In the centre of the table was a huge yellow and green hologram showing a scale representation of the Setnin Sector, including ship locations, movements, areas secured and the bordering sectors. The group regarded it steadily, with glances cast in the direction of the peculiar smirk on the face of the Prime Lord as he began to speak.

   “As you can see, gentlebeings, our forces have made a significant push into Setnin territory, securing worlds and moving on. We have addressed the problem of quick movement through the sector and, as a result, have presented you all with details of non-aggression pacts with your own sectors and, if you so desire, an alliance with the Ki-Ki Sector. We are here today for your answers to our offer, so if there are any further discussion points you wish to raise or reiterate…”

The ambassador for the Statoone Territory, a lizard with many cyborg attachments and wires snaking over his scaly, pale body, nodded and leaned forward. “It is a very tempting offer, Lord Atheus,” he said, his voice clear and precise. “The offer of an alliance is attractive. But we have a question.”

Atheus nodded and motioned for him to continue.

   “Have you bought us here to talk of alliances in a friendly manner, or are you simply considering which of us is a possible threat and so a target for future consideration?”

The other ambassadors looked at the Prime Lord, some of them happy that the Statoone had voiced their own thoughts for them. Atheus smiled.

   “The Ki-Ki Sector understands your concern, ambassador. Be secure in the fact that the Ki-Ki Sector has no designs on other sectors bordering Setnin. In fact, it serves us to have you all as allies and friends rather than as enemies. Take the Statoone Territories for example; you have a small number of worlds but you have superb technological know-how and ability. It would aid us immeasurably to have you on our side, especially in trade.”

   “How would you pay us for our services and alliance? We have much to offer, but what have you to offer us? You are at war; it appears you have little to spare.”

   “The Setnin push is substantial and we are not far from total victory,” Atheus replied, barely able to contain his impatience. “It is true we have little to offer, so therefore we will give you worlds equal in resource and location to the value of your aid. The Setnin Sector is a huge region – we can spare the worlds.”

The Statoone ambassador smiled and nodded, apparently satisfied.

   “Very tempting,” he said. “We have no love for the Setnin Sector. Very tempting.”

Atheus turned his head and regarded a being with a high-ridged cranium and a long, leathery-skinned neck.

   “What do the P’ro Dynasty have to say?” he asked.

The ambassador sat forward.

   “I agree with the Statoone, it is a tempting offer, but the P’ro Dynasty already have a trade agreement with the Ki-Ki Sector. We build and supply one Vodon-class battleship and two wings of Screamer fighters per standard month. It is a good agreement and most profitable. I fail to see where we go from there. A non-aggression pact is tenable, but an alliance? We are a small area of space. I fail to see how of more use we will be. Besides,” he threw a disparaging glance over at the delegate sat opposite him, “We do not like the thought of consorting with the En’Ka’Far.”

The delegate he stared at only smiled. He was obviously of the same race as the P’ro, but his skin was tinged with blue that changed hues to convey his feelings.

   “My feelings exactly,” he replied.

   “We are happy with your production, but it could be increased. We have the Cantarr Bi Romou shipyards under our control.” He paused, seeing the eyes of the alien light up. “You are more than welcome to take whatever it is you need to construct new plants for your ship construction.”

   “How will you pay for the vessels? Ship building materials will not cover it.”

   “I’ll offer you the same I offered the Statoone. Systems from the Setnin Sector that are already on your own borders.”

   “Guaranteed?”

Atheus smiled sardonically.

   “We are taking a risk with this invasion, as any do in war. You will have to balance the potential gains and losses yourselves.” He turned to the next delegate. “The Brother Sector?”

The human in the next seat appeared unconvinced and she furrowed her brow as she regarded the starmap hologram. Her uniform was a mis-match of several different regions of space and Atheus noticed the shoulder ropes of his own officer core.

   “We’ve always had a good trade agreement with Setnin,” the woman said whilst rubbing her chin. “I can’t see why we would want to jeopardise that.”

   “If things go according to plan there won’t be a Setnin Sector for you to trade with. It may be wise, from a commercial point of view, to join us and secure future business.”

   “I’m not worried about your ability to take the sector,” the woman said, staring deep into the eyes of the Prime Lord. “I’m concerned about the involvement of the Galactic Alliance.”

Atheus darkened his eyes and set his jaw firm.

   “The Galactic Alliance will not take any direct action against us,” he said with conviction. “They have debated and argued the Setnin situation since they signed the Re-Integration Accord twenty years ago. They have always known it was a place of scum and dishonesty, which is why they gave them autonomy all those decades ago so that they did not have to concern themselves with it. The Setnin Sector is still an unruly place. To be frank, I’d have to say that the majority of the Galactic Alliance members would like to see the corruption and decadence of the sector be finally wiped away. If it was… politically viable, I’m sure they would support us in our endeavours.”

The woman appeared unconvinced.

   “Can you prove that?”

   “I have minutes from senate meetings that concern the Setnin situation. Policy Advisor Sheu Ho-Travi has assured me that the majority of senators have definitively declared their support for non-interference.”

   “That’s going to look pretty bad for the Galactic Alliance,” the woman sat back in her chair, “The Setnin Sector is a member.”

   “And is huge. Vast. Its been said before, by many senators even before our invasion, that the Setnin Sector is now a region of space. It is good for commerce, but to protect it would mean too many resources diverted from too many other sectors that do not have the same dark reputation as Setnin. My opinion? I think the Galactic Alliance will be glad to cut the sector loose and stop all the bickering and disagreements this place causes for the senate. I’m also certain that the more powerful Galactic Alliance members will make it happen.”

   “Will the Ki-Ki Sector join the Galactic Alliance after all this is over?”

Atheus appeared surprised at the question.

   “Why would we want to do that? Once we secure the Setnin Sector we will have resources and trade that will increase our standing considerably. The Galactic Alliance may be the ultimate power in the galaxy, but we have our own ways and customs that we will not want to either share or suppress. I have respect for the Galactic Alliance, yes, but they have nothing to offer us.”

The woman leaned forward again.

   “And what if one of us decide to join them?”

   “That is your choice. Pact or alliance, you will not be under our command unless you decide to join the Puax Ki and hand over control of your sectors to the Ki-Ki, but,” he spread his hands and smiled at the delegates, “we do not want you to go that far. Either way, it would not, or at least should not, interfere with any agreements we reach here today.”

The woman nodded and slowly leaned back. She had a slight smile but there was a hint of suspicion about her eyes.

Atheus turned to the next chair. It was, in fact two chairs placed together to handle the huge armoured figure that sat there. The race was unknown to Atheus, but the massive thick head and the bulging muscles that coursed down the body like thick steel cables made him wary. The multi-faceted eyes shone grimly.

   “The Shattered Zone?” Atheus asked.

The alien shuffled uncomfortably.

   “Shattered Zone pleased with business with Ki-Ki,” he rumbled, his voice so deep it threatened to crack the glassy marble. “Much money in our homes but much money promised and not delivered.”

   “We have discussed this,” Atheus said, “and we have already agreed that once the Setnin Sector is secured we will be able to pay for our agreement with money from acquired resources. You agreed to this.”

   “Need money soon,” the alien said.

   “This is a matter best discussed in private. We are here to discuss alliances and pacts. Now, what are your thoughts on those prospects?”

   “No thoughts,” the alien rumbled. “Shattered Zone start to rebuild from Ki-Ki money for weapons and equipment and ships. Zone happy. All happy. Wish to ally with Ki-Ki for more happy.”

The delegates looked form the hulking alien to the Prime Lord, some with small smiles. Atheus did not betray his annoyance with the alien’s bluntness. “The Shattered Zone has had decades of instability and civil war,” he said for the benefit of the other delegates. “The order we placed for equipment and supplies has helped boost their economy, and we have helped mediate between the rival factions to create a much more peaceful place…”

   “Like Ki-Ki. Like Pukski,” the alien said.

   “Puax Ki,” Atheus corrected gently. “Peaceful Systems. Yes, we must discuss that also.”

   “Shattered Zone pleased but worry about it.”

   “About what?”

   “About invasion. War good for business. Ki-Ki lose war, Zone lose business. Need ga… gur…”

   “Guarantees,” the P’ro Dynasty delegate finished for him. “Wouldn’t we all,” he added for himself.

   “It’s true,” added the Statoone. “The crux of your agreement is the victory over the Setnin Sector.”

   “If you win, we win,” the Brother Sector delegate chimed in. “If you lose, that’s a lot of credits spent on a lost cause and affiliation with the losing side.” She shrugged. “I know you can’t guarantee victory, but we need some kind of cover.”

Atheus motioned to the starmap hologram.

   “The push into the sector…”

   “That’s just a collection of pretty lights,” the En’Ka’Far delegate said. “We need facts and absolutes. I don’t mind talking gambles, and if it falls through then so be it. It’s just that we need assurances that if the Ki-Ki Sector go down then we don’t go down with it.”

Atheus eyed the En’Ka’Far with a wry smile. This race was devious and calculating, exactly why the proud P’ro Dynasty didn’t like the fact that they shared a genetic heritage with them.

   “How do we guarantee that?” he asked.

The En’Ka’Far shrugged.

   “Well, you either pay us our fees up front, which I know you can’t do, or you show us that you can push hard and fast to take the Setnin Sector within about, oh…. six months?”

The other delegates snickered and shook their heads but Atheus openly laughed.

   “You cannot be serious?” he chuckled. “Total victory in six months? We’d have to slice through their defence lines and take Chancai direct. Impossible.” He surreptitiously slid a datapad from the table and into the folds of his robes as he gesticulated wildly to emphasize his point and distract attention. The datapad was entitled ‘Four Month Plan’. “We may be able to take their last bastions and defence points, maybe some of the inner worlds, but the capital? How heavily defended will that be? No, we cannot guarantee that. What we can guarantee is that the Setnin Defence Force will be pushed back until they do one of two things. Surrender, or be annihilated. They have dwindling supplies, no support from neighbouring sectors or the Galactic Alliance and, internally, they are falling to pieces. There has never been a better time to crush the sector that has been bleeding their corruption and vice into our territories. Together we can force the corrupt heart of…”

The En’Ka’Far waved his hand dismissively.

   “Yeah, whatever. The fact remains that we are all taking a risk in one way or another, but failure will affect us in varying ways. The Shattered Zone can’t fall any further than they have, and total sector-wide collapse for them will feel like promotion, the Brother Sector trades with everyone else anyway but don’t want to the bad rep that’ll come with supporting the losing side. The P’ro Dynasty hoards and has so many treasure caches dotted about their own sector and the rest of the galaxy that they never have to worry about financial ruin, and the Statoone are small and insignificant and will pretty much cease to exist should they end up on the wrong end of an invasion fleet. Even Ki-Ki citizens are crying for a quick victory. Now, we all have things to lose – including the En’Ka’Far, who are on the brink of yet another depression – so tell us, Prime Lord, what we stand to gain, and what you can do to guarantee it, or at least improve the odds.”

There was long silence and Atheus stared hard at the En’Ka’Far delegate, and then slowly turned his head to see that all eyes were resting on him. He tried to smile but it would not come. He swallowed and leaned forward, resting his hands on the table and whispered a single, soft word. The hologram blinked and faded away.

   “Gentlebeings,” he said in a deep ominous voice. It was as if he had dropped his diplomatic visage and switched back to his normal, brooding self. “The Ki-Ki Sector is fighting a war against the Setnin Sector as a pre-emptive strike to stop the threat of more criminal and ideological incursions into our territories. They have bled their corruption into our borders and attacked our worlds, even made an attempt upon my life. We do not intend to stand idly by and allow what is basically a den of filthy criminals to intimidate or threaten us. Now, we aimed to do this alone but the Setnin Sector is a big place and even the glorious Ki-Ki Sector knows that it will be difficult to take, so we are asking our neighbours for their aid and assistance, neighbours with whom we have always enjoyed fruitful trade and peace. Now, we are intent on pushing in and finishing what we started with or without any aid, but we wish to continue our good relationships with you all by offering you two things. One, an end to the threat of the Setnin Sector and two, increased territory and resource. You can only stand to profit by this. And we will win. We. Will. Win.”

   “Now, unless there are any other comments or enquiries, I suggest we decide on what kind of relationship you wish with us here in the Ki-Ki Sector. You have heard the balance of success and failure. What say you?”

The Brother Sector delegate sat back in her chair and crossed her legs.

   “Non-aggression Pact,” she said simply. Atheus nodded to her.

The Statoone Territory delegate sighed heavily, the rasp of his throat enhancements highlighting his resolve.

    “Alliance,” he said. Atheus nodded to him.

The P’ro Dynasty delegate interlocked his fingers and said, “Non-aggression Pact.” Atheus nodded to him.

The Shattered Zone delegate clenched a massive fist and tapped the table with it. “Alliance,” he rumbled. Atheus nodded to him.

The En’Ka’Far looked over at the P’ro Dynasty delegate and smiled.

   “Alliance,” he said clearly, and sat back with a satisfied expression. Atheus nodded to him.

With a barely disguised smile, Prime Lord Atheus stood and pressed a small button on the arm of his chair. Small iris-covered holes cycled opened in front of each of the delegates and a glass of alcohol rose from the table. He took his own, they took theirs, and he raised his glass in salute.

   “Gentlebeings,” he said as the others stood with their own glasses in hand.

   “To the future.”

The view from the Prime Lord’s Palace balcony was unparalleled across all of the Fedarn, the capital planet of the Ki-Ki Sector. As Atheus watched the city lights glimmer in the early dark of the cloud-covered afternoon he smiled to himself.

The crystal sheen of far-off waterfalls glimmered in the dim light, the lines of traffic gliding through the busy streets made tracks of brilliant light that moved and swayed like something alive. Holoshows played and re-played above the evening’s entertainment temptations and, most glorious of all, the arena stood bright and proud, floodlit and covered in holographic advertisements for the combats to come.

Atheus took in a deep breath and exhaled slowly. He sipped his glass of honeywine and leaned against the balcony. The protective shield shimmered as it detected his presence but smoothed into invisibility after a moment.

He knew Longbody approached as he could hear the soft scraping of the snake-like underbelly undulating across the ground, the hum of the repulsorunit that supported the alien’s upper torso, the hiss of moisture projectors as the unit kept the alien damp. Atheus turned to observe the alien stop just within the darkness of the balcony’s opening, within sight of the Prime Lord but out of sight of casual observers within the palace grounds.

   “The outcome?” Longbody’s mouth moved in an alien language and the mechanised voice of the repulsorunit translated for him.

   “Just as you predicted. Three alliances, the rest non-aggression pacts.”

   “I expected four alliances, but I suspected the P’ro Dynasty would not want to join because of the En’Ka’Far.”

   “Too true. So now we have the support we need to finish this. And we should finish soon. We have to finish soon. Have you heard the word in the streets?”

Longbody stretched his long neck and shook his heavy jowls.

   “I do not walk the streets,” he said.

   “Quite,” Atheus smiled. “Well, the citizens are dissatisfied. We beam them pictures of our victories and battles, with Dagger in most to remind them why we are fighting this war. But still they grow restless, agitated…”

   “The war is costing you much. The new agreements should supplement your income until the Setnin Sector is defeated. The people will be satisfied.”

Atheus nodded.

   “And now, I feel, you want to move on.”

Longbody sagged ever so slightly and his brow shook. What emotion that conveyed Atheus did not know.

   “You are correct. I have made many contacts and have set many deals in motion thanks to you.”

   “And thanks to you, we have supply lines and new allies. We have much to thank each other for. I can’t help but wonder, why do you not stay?”

   “The war will escalate. I do not want to be part of it, now.”

   “Are you afraid of what may come?”

   “I am afraid of the consequences should I immerse myself too much in an area that does not concern me. I was here to aid you and your sector.”

Atheus narrowed his eyes.

   “I would know why.”

Longbody took in a deep breath.

   “You understand revenge, do you not?”

With a nod Atheus stood up.

   “I do. More than most. I also understand that motives are everything, and I have to question yours.”

   “I have helped you. That should be more than enough reason why…”

   “I should just let you walk away, with the knowledge that to end Setnin underworld corruption I have consorted with the very gangsters I despise?” Atheus smirked. “I don’t think so.” He motioned once and took a step back.

Two heavily armoured Prime Warriors stepped into the light, blasters at the ready and wrist shields humming into life. They stood either side of Longbody with weapons levelled. Longbody looked from them to Atheus and his face darkened.

   “You are making a mistake.”

   “I don’t think so. I can’t have this knowledge you carry hanging over me like a storm cloud threatening to rain on my machinations. I’ve come too far for you to threaten my position. Still, you may be of some use to me.”

   “You would be wise to kill me now.”

   “No, I will not. You have a good reason, revenge. But I think it is more than that. Guards, take this prisoner to the secure east tower. He is not to have any visitors but me. You are charged to guard him and, as far as anyone is concerned, he does not exist.”

   “Lord,” both warriors said in unison.

Longbody gave Atheus a long stare but said nothing, then turned with the guards flanking him. Slowly they exited the room.

Atheus smiled and turned to look upon his city.

Beon shrugged.

   “If anyone can figure out where the Ki-Ki are getting their support and equipment from I’ll be surprised. Let’s face it, one sector, a fraction of the size of Setnin, pushing so far and so fast in such a small space of time?”

Squiz nodded his agreement.

   “They must have outside help.”

   “But who? And at what cost? Ah, I’ll leave it to the politicians to figure out. I’m here, now, enjoying my retirement and…”

A siren sounded. Then another. And another. Faces turned in surprise to observe other surprised faces, others walked out of clubs and joy halls to look about in confusion. Squiz, Baz and Beon all walked out from under the thatch covering to look around and, when they saw some people looking skyward, they also turned their gaze upwards.

Vessels were approaching, all in small formations, breaking apart as they headed in different directions.

   “Vodon warships,” Squiz murmured. “And Ki-Ki Screamers.”

Realisation sunk in and Beon’s face dropped.

   “Oh, for freck’s sake,” he shouted.

Thoughts of the Few, Plans of the Many

2002 short story by Jonathan Hicks

Thirty-seven years after Episode IV - A New Hope

Histories – The reintroduction of Baz and Squiz, the unusual teaming of Coryarthanax and dwarf from the earlier Injevido story.  Also we meet Bad Luck Beon Odiss again after many years, now a wealthy man living in leisure on Luronsa IV.  As well as this we see Ki-Ki plans in motion, consorting with local allies and making plans to carve up the Setnin Sector in the event of their victory.  Making plans to take Setnin in six months, history tells us that they do even better.  They take it in five.

Cast of Characters

Squiz

Baz

Bad Luck Beon Odiss

Prime Lord Atheus

Longbody