Star Runners: Scorpions

Chapter 17-2

Ryker chewed the inside of her mouth, unsure if she should ask her next question. “Captain, why would they help control their own people?”

“Ah, loyalty’s a fickle thing in the face of overwhelming power. Joining our local police force grants them access to our technology and weaponry. It gives them a chance to carry out vengeance on their political enemies or settle feuds going back generations.”

“Will that work?”

“It always does.” He sat back on the desk, his blue eyes still on her. “The battle for NPT-six-two-three is over, Ryker. Within a month at most, the guerrilla forces undoubtedly attempting to organize at this moment will have been neutralized, and this planet will join the Zahl Empire.”

“I see, Captain.”

“You played your part well. Now, it is time to show our power among the people.”

Her lips parted. “Sir?”

He stood and stepped toward her. Placing his hand on her cheek, he leaned close to her. She looked away, staring at the wall. He rubbed his smooth hand up and down her cheek.

“You’re my most treasured accomplishment, Ryker.” She smelled his cologne. “I’ve asked my superiors if you could be a part of tonight’s parade through the streets of one of the capitals below. It’s a most honored tradition of the Zahl when we welcome a world into our embrace.”

Your stench makes me want to curl up and die. “Thank you, Captain.”

Their eyes met. Her chin quivered as he stared.

“You don’t trust me, yet.” He spoke slowly, exhaling his words. “You’ll come to love the Zahl, and you’ll love me as well.”

Her body shook and trembled. Her teeth chattered as she attempted to prevent her real thoughts from passing through her head. With every breath Rampa took, she wanted to end him. He deserved it for the torture, for the death of Nicholas. Discomfort rippled through her as she dreamed of vengeance.

“You disagree with my methods?” he asked, sliding his hand around to the back of her shaved head. “You may speak freely.”

Through her rattling teeth, she exhaled, “Ni—Defector Two d-d-didn’t have to d-d-die.”

“Oh, but he did.” He moved closer, his hot breath flowing over her face. “He would’ve jeopardized the entire mission. His betrayal could’ve cost you your life, so he paid with his own.”

“I understand.” She closed her eyes. “What do you need from me?”

He nodded, releasing his grip on her head. “Shower and clean up. Dress will be formal. The Marines will bring you to my shuttle when you’re ready. We leave in two hours, and you’ll bask in the Zahlian glory while you take part in your first assembly.”

“Yes, Captain.”

Laser burns covered the tall steel structures. Broken and burning road signs written in an unknown language littered the ground, soon to be forgotten like the planet’s cultures and customs. Burnt-out shells of once grand buildings smoked at the sides of the street. Deep craters pockmarked the landscape. A dense layer of soot and dust hovered, blocking the sunlight. A vicious fight had raged here a few hours before, but laborers cleared the area of bodies for the victorious invaders.

The transport carrying Rampa, his three personal guards wearing tight red suits, and Ryker, hovered in line through the streets of the capital. Zahlian troops marched thousands of locals out to line the path in expectation of the parade, which now moved through the once proud city.

Rampa’s assistant, a man named Daren Suh, injected her with a drug before they departed the Enforcer. Suh said the chemical would make her more compliant during the event, but Ryker already felt defeated before the drug entered her bloodstream.

As the transport moved through the streets, she stared through heavy eyelids at the conquered people’s faces. A mix of hatred, shock, and hopelessness looked back. A woman stood on a corner, a filthy infant in her arms. Her hair reached out like a blonde tornado, blackened skin lingering underneath her eyes. As her lips quivered, tears streamed down her face.

Ryker met her gaze, wishing she could tell her how sorry she was for how their way of life had ended. The transport moved past, breaking her connection with the woman she believed to now be homeless.

From what Rampa had said, assistance would be provided to all those citizens willing to attend re-education classes. He said statistics showed most native people accepted the help of the Zahl Empire. Ryker wanted to tell him this was because the Empire provided no choice, but a ripple of nausea convinced her it was not worth the effort. Still, she knew better than to accept his optimistic notions of what had occurred here on Tarrafa.

Everything making the planet a unique place in the universe had been destroyed. Soon, the people would forget their ways and adopt the culture of the Zahl.

With the help of Zahlian teachers, their children’s children would talk about the ignorance of their ancestors and how they’d tried to resist the greatness of the Zahl Empire. It would be restricted to even discuss the planet’s prior history, which would never again officially be called Tarrafa for fear of sowing the seeds of revolution into a new generation. Rampa said it would take fifty or so cycles for a planet to forget its history. In some cases, he said, it would take even less time.

The parade concluded in a grand square with burnt grass, toppled trees now blackened and charred, and shattered marble statues. Before them stood a stone structure with three thick columns atop a grand staircase. Ryker figured this was the place she was expected to appear with the other Zahlian officers as the new Planetary Governor began his reign of NPT-six-two-three, formerly known as Tarrafa.

The transport stopped, and Ryker followed Rampa to the top of a large, rectangular platform. As instructed, she stood at attention beside her Captain and kept her mouth shut. He said the punishment would be unlike anything she’d ever received if she defied him today, but the drugs had done their job. It felt as if she watched her body ascend to the top of the platform.

Glancing down at the flawless crimson uniform with the black buttons shining in the few rays of light splitting the dense cloud cover, she wondered if the native forces would shoot her on this platform. It wouldn’t surprise her. If Lian had been conquered in this way, she would’ve gone out fighting rather than live as a captive.

Death might be her only escape.

Nicholas Pavlosky wasn’t suffering anymore. It wasn’t enough the young former Star Runner died, though. Rampa said Zahl Agents embedded within the Galactic Legion would make sure Pavlosky’s loved ones would perish for his infractions. If Ryker were going to die, it would have to be in battle.

A heavyset man with thinning hair and red cheeks stepped onto the platform, an expression on his face seeming to signify his disgust with everyone around him. Under his wide ruby sash, he wore a red and black suit with a Zahlian pin on his chest.

Rampa stepped forward, his expensive and artificial grin wide. “Governor Compa, so wonderful to see you on this grand day.”

Compa grunted, his eyes flicking toward Ryker for an instant. “Rampa,” he said with a sniffle. “Damned allergies are going crazy on this planet. Anything your people can do about that?”

“We can do a great deal about many things.” Rampa offered a shallow bow. “I’ll have my people send something to you right away to help you cope as you begin your first term.”

“Yeah.” He pulled a wrinkled brown rag from his pocket and wiped his nose. “Good day, Captain.”

Compa moved toward the front of the platform and stood behind a podium. His aides provided a microphone and a tablet as they moved around him like mother hens.

Beyond the stage, the local population filled the charred square. Nearby Zahlian troops wearing dark red uniforms sat behind mounted twin laser cannons atop hovering armored vehicles.

Rampa leaned toward Ryker and arched his eyebrows. “Wondering why the governor was so cheerful?”

I don’t care what you have to say to me. “Of course, Captain.”

He tilted his head back as if amused by her obedience. “Compa’s been banished to these outer regions for his failures elsewhere,” he whispered as his smile broadened. “It was quite the scandal. Since his family name holds sway in the government, some say this invasion was authorized just to get rid of him.”

You’re sick. All of you are sick. “Very interesting, Captain.”

Trumpets rang out, silencing the crowd. The sound echoed down the shell of a city. Wind moved across the area, touching Ryker’s face. She took a deep breath, relishing in the taste of naturally produced oxygen as opposed to the crap on the ARC or inside the Interceptor.

Compa leaned into a microphone. “People of this world, hear my voice! I come here today to welcome you into the Zahl Empire!”

Ryker blinked. Due to her proximity to the new Governor, she heard Compa speaking the Zahl language. But the sound echoing through the city’s rubble was another language she had never heard.

“Today will be the last day you’ll hear your language,” Compa said. “From this day forth, those of you who want to provide food, shelter, and other supplies for your family will have the opportunity to attend free citizenship classes to begin your transition as productive members of the Zahl Empire.”

Ryker tuned him out, not interested in hearing the man’s justification for the people killed or property destroyed during the occupation.

She looked into the clouds and saw circular drones taking video of Compa’s speech. Staring into the cameras, she wondered about the millions of families on this planet watching the broadcast. It would be images they’d never forget.