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Holding on to Failing Power 2000 short story by Jonathan Hicks Thirty-five years after
Episode IV A New Hope The
goblet clattered to the floor as it rebounded from the wall, the wine inside
splashing down the thin curtains that partially covered the door to the
balcony. It bounced back down the steps and rolled under a heavy stone table.
The noise of its impact startled Chiefmind Vasquid so that he snapped his
head up from the holomap he was studying. He
was surprised at Lordmind Estoors reaction. He had
been calm when he had told him the news from his scouts on the capital planet
of the Ki-Ki Sector, Fedarn, and had even seemed unconcerned. He knew his
master's moods, how they could be calm and calculating and then suddenly loud
and abrasive. Usually those moods would change over time but this time the
Lordmind seemed to be embroiled in the emotion. Great nameless Gods! he roared aloud
with his voice. He had his hands on his hips under his loose robes as he
stared at the stain on his curtains and floor. He rubbed his forehead and
groaned, his eyes tightened as he contemplated Vasquids words. It
seemed to Vasquid that what he had told his master had taken time to sink in.
He had passed on the scout reports, they had talked
of possible outcomes of the loss of the Mindmoon even shifted the light
pieces that denoted armies and legions across the huge holomap.
Then
Estoor had just turned and flung his goblet at the wall as Vasquid tried to
explain why they couldnt shift troops from the spaceports of their temporary
home, Junduk IV, because of the holes it would leave in their defences. How
did they do it, Vasquid? Estoor demanded with the voice of his mind,
whirling on the man. You are the
commander of all our troops so tell me, how did they do it? After
a deep calming breath Vasquid pointed at the huge map. Until we get better reports from the capital I cannot say. The
defence of the Mindmoon is bettered only by Fedarn herself. The Ki-Ki legions
must have sacrificed many to take the satellite. And
now they command our home, virtually cutting us off from the upper reaches of
the sector. How many of our men were on the Mindmoon? Vasquid cleared his throat. Three thousand. And
how many are left? One
and a half thousand. If the initial reports are correct the Prime Lord's
forces are mighty. Perhaps
we can strike from here... Our
defence is already thin and sending our garrison would leave us vulnerable. Then
bring in a legion from our wandering starships... We will
need more than a legion, my Lord. The situation is beyond repair at this
time. We must gather whatever forces managed to escape the Mindmoon... And
execute them for obviously losing the home they should have died defending!
Estoor roared inwardly, this time kicking the goblet as it slowly rolled from
underneath the table under its own momentum. It skittered over the floor and
into the base of a bust by the wall. Vasquid
placed both hands on the table and leaned forward as he waited patiently for his
master to calm himself. It had been a long day already, what with the reports
coming in and continuous updates of the locations of wandering Minds. As
they had arrived on Junduk IV to take control of an abandoned mining
settlement, without the knowledge of the planet's capital, Junduk Major, a
messenger had arrived who claimed to have travelled from the capital with
news. That news was the reason why Estoor was raging now. I
cannot believe that the Prime Lord would send messengers of truce and then
attack my Mindmoon, Estoor thought, shaking his head and looking out at
the darkening sky over Junduk with mock confusion. I
think killing the messengers and sending their heads back to the Prime Lord
may have prompted him to act somewhat, Vasquid replied. Estoor spun on
his heel and glared at the man. Remember
who you speak to, Vasquid. I raised you up to this position. I can just as
easily make you fall. Vasquid
knew that well. He had been appointed the leader of the legions of the
Mindmoon and had taken on board every responsibility that entailed. If he had
known that every strategic decision he made was going to be changed or
overruled by the Lordmind he would have thought twice before accepting the
new position. He had his doubts when siding with Estoor those many weeks ago.
Now he watched the Lordmind make more and more erratic decisions every day
and he couldnt help but feel that he had made a mistake. Some of the
opinions Estoor was expressing were almost lunacy, his wishes unrealistic. Extending
the powers of the acolytes. Building a new Mindmoon. Vasquid
knew that Estoor loved his kind, his Mindmoon and ways. He also knew he
became incredibly dangerous when he couldnt make good from a bad situation. Forgive
me, he thought in a placating tone. I
meant to say that the Prime Lord is a very volatile man and it takes very
little to anger him. It was obvious that he intended to attack and that the
messenger was a decoy. Ive
had dozens of his messengers searching me out, the Lordmind scoffed,
making a sweeping gesture to a hill overlooking the lake. Several pyres were
silhouetted against the twilight. Vasquid
looked out of the window and towards the dead fires, knowing that each one
had been erected especially for the Prime Lord's messengers who were coming
more and more frequently. He knew that the Prime Lord was apparently suing for peace but
couldnt help thinking it was a ruse of some form. The Ki-Ki leader had even
gone to the trouble of wording his letters formally, in the way that Mindmoon
scribes wrote their official letters, but the Lordmind had not been
impressed. It had only increased his anger, thinking that the Prime Lord was
mocking their ways. Estoor
had told the other Minds that the Prime Lord had sent the men to make demands
on them so they were burnt for their temerity. He remembered the first
messenger in his strange golden helmet, submissive and compliant, kneeling in
front of the Lordmind and being struck on the head before he even spoke his
message. The memory of the cheers of the Minds had chilled even Vasquid. And
what do the other Cheifminds say of all this?
Estoor wanted to know. They
debate, as they always do, Vasquid answered. I think theyre more concerned about their positions in the order than
about the loss of the Mindmoon. Men
appointed by me and they have a far lesser interest in the Order than a
commoner. I wonder at the importance of the Cheifminds,
I really do. I am trying to continue the glory of the Order and all they can
do is bicker about how is best to divide their wealth. Money means dung to
me, Vasquid. All I wish is for the Minds to be the one true power. The sooner
the Cheifminds see that the sooner we can focus on
making our Order greater. What use is the Cheifminds
if all they do is stunt our growth? They
had talked of this before, with Estoor outlining his plans for an Empire with
no Cheifminds and full control belonging to him.
Vasquid quickly changed the direction of the conversation. The
new Mindguard will be ready for your inspection
tomorrow, he said hurriedly, hoping that his urgency to avoid talk of
dissolving the Cheifminds was not too obvious. I hear that they are some of the best
turned out by the Order.
I remember being told that last month, Estoor grumbled, apparently
not noticing the change of subject. Half of them were sent into battle and
died, if I remember rightly. Im sick of tired specimens being offered to me,
Vasquid, youre supposed to make sure that the
garrisons gets only the best. I
know, my Lord, and I apologise, but this time I think youll be impressed. Estoor screwed up his face.
Vasquid, I dont want to be distracted
by the inspection tomorrow, I think I should concentrate on the Prime Lord
issue. You inspect them for me. You know what a Mindguard
is made of.
But,
my Lord, you always... Ah,
one inspection will not be a problem, Estoor mumbled and waved a
dismissive hand. Vasquid watched as his Lordmind turned his back on him and
he shook his head. Vasquid
took the wave as his cue to leave and gathered up his datapads with his
reports and notes. He was confused. The Lordmind had never missed an
inspection before. He always appeared to enjoy pointing at the men lined up
before him and deciding whether they were sent into battle or given armour
and instructed as his personal guard. Sometimes
Estoor would refuse an obviously worthy soldier because he was interested to
see how well he performed in battle against the Prime Lord's forces. Many
well-deserving trainees had come to perish that way. As
you wish, my Lord. Vasquid thought as he headed for the door Yes,
Estoor answered. As I wish. Holding on to Failing Power 2000 short story by Jonathan Hicks Thirty-five years after
Episode IV A New Hope Histories The complexities of the invasion continue to mount as Chiefmind
Vasquid and Lordmind Estoor plot and plan their next step.
Cast of Characters
Chiefmind Vasquid
Lordmind Estoor
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