Star Force: Resolution (SF89) (Star Force Origin Series) by Aer-ki Jyr Read Free Book Online Page B

agreed upon invasion.
    That Archon was summoning the various representatives
to the main embassy station shared by many races, though the more formidable
races had arranged to construct their own independent ones in various orbits.
The Yisv embassy drifted lazily around the system separate from any planet,
requiring Pattrel to board a ship to travel to Babylon 19 that rode high in Corneria’s orbit.
    He was eager to go and was onboard an in-system transport
within minutes, arriving to find the Chamra already present in a small section
of the station reserved for The Seven. The Yisv also had a small set of
chambers here where they kept a single representative on occasion, but in truth
they had little interest in dealing with the other races present as others did.
Their concern lie primarily with their relationship to Star Force. Beyond that
there wasn’t much to concern themselves with on the busy facility, though they
did like to keep aware of current events.
    Pattrel floated into the chamber and hovered behind
the ring-like table at the center of the room while the Chamra sat alone.
    “ The others have
been delayed? ” the Yisv asked.
    “ Rather we are
early ,” the cyborg said. “ I am interested
in hearing this Archon’s plan. If it is sound we will support them and deal
with the traitors promptly. If not I cannot justify the lives spent to deal
with a now minor thorn in our side. ”
    “ Archons don’t
have a reputation for wasting troops .”
    “ Have they ever
faced an opponent as advanced as the Trinx? ”
    “ They have
already faced the Trinx once ,” the Yisv pointed out, “ but I do not know of any more formidable than the Li’vorkrachnika that
they have faced previously. ”
    “ Therein lies my
concern. They are used to fighting a weak enemy that masses numbers to achieve
victory. The Trinx will be much harder to combat and we may see considerable
losses .”
    “ The Archons
also have a reputation for adaption and cleverness .”
    “ So I hope ,”
the cyborg said as the far doors slid open again and allowed the Dati
representative to enter. The little triped bounced
along with an energetic stride standing only 14 inches tall, then it jumped up
to its platform/chair that rose higher on command to put it at eye level with
the Chamra.
    Over the following hour the others arrived, leaving
all eight of the races with a single representative at the table containing
nine seats. Soon after the Jonstar entered the door opened again and a female
Archon walked in wearing their telltale white uniforms with an identifying
stripe down the side that Pattrel recognized as their highest rank of ViLord.
    “Hello. My name is Oni-081,” she said, taking her
stool-like seat, “and I’ve been assigned command of the Trinx invasion.”
    “ Has a plan of
action been developed yet? ” the cyborg asked.
    “More or less. I know how I want to approach the
challenge, but I’ve only been planning using Star Force technology. What you
can provide will allow for beneficial alterations once you make me aware of
what your contributions will be.”
    “ That depends on
the battle plan .”
    “I can promise you that I do not intend to lose troops
in this assault,” she said, picking up on his thoughts, partial as they were,
split between readable biological brain sections and the blank mechanical
counterparts as far as her telepathy was concerned.
    “ But you cannot
guarantee it ,” the Jonstar said evenly.
    “There are never any guarantees in life, let alone
battle, but I never attack a world in a way that expects losses. If this were a
defensive engagement we might not have that luxury, but since we’re going to be
going in when and where we choose, there will be no such sloppiness.”
    “ What is your
general plan of attack? ” the tanky Breti asked.
    “Our objective is not to kill the Trinx, but to
capture them.”
    “ Capture? ”
Pattrel asked, somewhat shocked. “ That
may work against less advanced