Episode XIII
Terra’s Vasudan Ace
 

 I am Captain Catherine Norrow, Galactic Terran Vasudan Alliance, service number: 5-5-5-1-2-6-2-8-1. Serving Galactican Terran Destroyer Requiem, Black Sparrows Squadron.
 I know what you are going to ask me, and I don’t care. This, this trial to prove a man’s innocence, and yet, secretly, to prove that the GTVA didn’t act irresponsibly. You will not remove me, no matter what I say. You’re like all the others, you call this a court of law, and yet you try a good man for deeds he will remember as clear as you and me will. He has paid for his crimes, and yet, you don’t care.
 You just want to see him imprisoned, like all the other stories of misfortune. Anyone that shows defiance to the great GTVA is shoved into a little hole, for all eternity. But no, I can understand your position. Those warriors of hatred, those that hated the Vasudans, those that wanted to kill them, they were still around, and you had granted them safety.
 My friend, and yes, I call him my friend, is closer to our Vasudan friends then any Terran here. But I will do as you ask. I will tell you the story, of the private war, the war the GTVA refused to fight…
 

 Vasuda Key sat dry in space, the arid planet in the small system of Antares, one jump from Vasuda, and about just as warm, a great place for the Vasudan capitol of Ak’iriana. A makeshift down, built quickly, but rapidly turning into a massive city. The Empirical palace and government hall loomed over the small city. That was twenty years ago.
 Now the planet sat smiling in space, a space station orbiting high above the planet. Ak’iriana shown with the glory, hopes, and dreams, of every Vasudan in the galaxy. The Palace had to share the rooftops with skyscrapers, and business complexes that reach the sky in their metallic grandeur. Their power infinite, and yet so depleted.
 A small Eryness transport floated over the city, it flew in towards the large standing structure that was the Empirical Palace. The square in front of the palace was filled with more Vasudans then ever before, all come to see the great Vasudan Legend reborn.
 Kate looked out over the small arid city, at its people, slowly moving to the square. “What do you make of it all Vo’rant?” Kate asked slowly.  She backed away from the small hollo-screen, and sat down. A small metallic door closed over the screen. Kate sat down and looked across at the Vasudan. Vo’rant sat wiping off his sword with a cloth. He didn’t look up.
 “I believe my people are making something out of nothing.” Kate almost smiled.
 “Maybe they’re looking for hope.” Vo’rant stooped shining his sword, but didn’t look up.
 “Perhaps, but more importantly, I believe that they are coming to see the Leader for the Shivans reborn, and this sword returned.” Kate smiled.
 “The Leader for the Shivans was never just one man.” Vo’rant shrugged.
 “Well if they are there for me as well, then I hope someone from my House is there.” Ridow burst out laughing. He nearly fell of his chair. “A lot has happened in the year we were gone, how will we deal with this new NTF threat?” Vo’rant continued. He started working on his sword again.
 “I only want to make sure we can piece the alliance back together after this, it was a joint Terran-Vasudan venture to allow the NTF a stable base, if limited.” Vo’rant nodded slowly, he stopped suddenly and looked up.
 “Then perhaps it is hope my people are looking for.” HE turned his head slightly, and looked over at one of the back doors leading to the other compartments. Vo’rant stood and walked towards the door. “All our prides need boosting now and again.” The door slid open, Vo’rant crouched slightly and stepped through the door. The door closed behind him. In the second cabin, Dove sat quietly. Vo’rant sat down next to Dove. “You seam troubled.” Dove nodded.
 “You must understand, I called you enemy for such a long time.” Vo’rant nodded, slowly.
 “And there was a time when we called blood enemy, when we fired our guns instinctively, now we fly under the same banner, share ideas, our poets, writers, and singers talk together. Our warriors almost wear your uniform.” Dove looked up at the Vasudan. “Our hatred for the Terrans was wrongfully placed, and so we when peace came, we let it go.”
 “I should let go.” Vo’rant moved back for a moment.
 “I thought you had.” Vo’rant said slowly. Dove shook his head.
 “It’s not that easy.”
 “It never is.” Vo’rant said standing slowly. “You do not have to go out there, in fact, you probably shouldn’t. My people can be rather stiff headed, and cold hatred.” Dove nodded.
 “So can mine.” Vo’rant began to leave.
 “But they can also be forgiving.” The door closed behind the Vasudan, Dove felt the ship land.
 “I wish mine were as well.” The door to the cabin closed.

 Kate, Ridow, and Vo’rant stood outside of the transport. They felt the hot sun, and the sand drifted around their feet. Ridow shook off one of his shoes. He bent down and placed it back on his foot.
 “Why do your people have to have so much sand?” Ridow asked. Vo’rant smiled.
 “I like sand.” Vo’rant said. Kate laughed. They looked up at the large newly constructed stage; a few steps led to the top. Large screens hovered overhead, obviously to project their images out amongst the crowd. Vo’rant started walking up towards the platform, Ridow started to follow him, but Kate held him back.
 “Let him have his due.” Ridow smiled. Vo’rant didn’t look back. As he marched up the steps, the majestic city came into view. The crowds of Vasudans they were cheering. Emperor Konshu the Second turned slowly. Vo’rant walked up the staircase. He reached the top. He looked out over the crowd, which became suddenly silent. A hollo-cam shot Vo’rant’s image unto the two large screens. Vo’rant suddenly noticed his emperor and knelt. Konshu nearly laughed.
 “Arise, you are amongst your people here.” Vo’rant stood.
 “My Emperor.” Vo’rant began, half out of breath, meeting one of the greatest leaders his people had ever known was jaw dropping. “The sword of Vo’tion has been returned to our people.” Vo’rant drew the sword and the crowed burst into a thousand cheers and shouts. Konshu raised his arms and the crowed quieted down.
 “Does it have the mark.” Vo’rant handed the sword to the Emperor.
 “It is unbreakable.” Two Vasudans rolled out a large stone, one of the hardest known to the Vasudan people. Konshu checked under the hilt, he smiled at the small symbol and lifted the sword above his head; he brought it crashing down through the stone. The crowed let out a massive cheer as the screens showed slow motion replays. Konshu lifted the sword high, and the crowed quieted down.
“The sword has been returned to us, Prophecy has been fo-filled.” The crowed began to chant.
 “Ma’cran, Ma’cran, Ma’cran.” Konshu spoke above the crowed.
 “Ma’cran of house Vo’rant, you have returned the sword to us, and as according to prophecy it is yours.” Vo’rant nodded.
 “I will keep it safe, and follow it as to where it shows me.” The crowd’s chants changed.
 “Vo’tion, Vo’tion, Vo’tion…” Vo’rant lifted the sword high into the air, the chanting stopped, and the cheering began again. Kate walked up the tall steps, it was hard for her, but she managed. Her head came over the top of the stage, and she looked out at the massive crowd. The crowd became eerily silent, a guard moved, but Konshu waved the solder off. The Guard replaced his firearm and stood back to attention. Kate bushed herself up the last step, and stood there on the stage before the intire Vasudan peoples. The world was silent.
 “Peoples of Vasuda Key, the Prophesied, Second Leader for the Shivans, Catherine Norrow.” The crowed exploded, every once and a while you could make out a single shout.
 “Hail the Sa’ka’an Destroyer!” One cried.
 “Death to the Shivans!” One yelled, as others joined in.
 “Vasuda Forever!” came another.
 “Vasuda welcomes the leader for the Shivans.” Konshu said slowly, walking towards Kate. Kate thought about kneeling, as Vo’rant had, she decided that in front of all these Vasudans, the Leader for the Shivans would be seen as the equal to the emperor. If she knelt, it might take something away from her. “A new Era has began for us.” Ridow pulled himself up unto the stage, he immediately saw the emperor, and fell to one knee. Konshu was obviously surprised, but he fell back into his grove of dealing with the unexpected. “Vasuda welcomes you, any friend of the Leader for the Shivans is welcome here.” The crowed roared again.
 “More then just friends.” Ridow said quietly. Konshu smiled.
 “Of course.” He said smiling. He turned back to the crowed. “People of Vasuda, this is a great day, three heroes of the leader for the Shivans, and the blade of Vo’tion has been returned to us, a great day indeed.” The crowed exploded with renewed vigour. Konshu turned, he looked around, as if searching for something.
 “I heard there was a fourth member of your group.” Vo’rant waved the emperor over.
 “My emperor.” He began. “He is Dove, the greatest fighter of the rebellion. The greatest enemy our people have ever known.” Konshu almost smiled.
 “We are the greatest enemy our people have ever known. Whoever stands with our people, is no more an enemy then ourselves.” Vo’rant nodded slowly, backing away.
 “Yes, my Emperor.” The Emperor motioned to one of the guards, he walked over.
 “Go to the Terran ship, summon the one named ‘Dove.’” The guard nodded, and left the stage. Kate had a strange look on her face; this may not be going as smoothly as it looked.

 The door to Dove’s cabin slid open slowly, and in stepped the pilot of the transport. Dove looked up at the man.
 “Can I help you?” Dove asked slowly. The man shook his head.
 “No, I think it’s me that can help you.” Dove furrowed his brow for a moment. “I was once like you, broken, beaten, I thought my enemies would destroy me, but they let me live.” Dove turned away.
 “You’re nothing like me.” Dove said slowly. “You didn’t kill in the name of hatred, senseless, stupid hatred.” The pilot shook his head.
 “No, I didn’t fight for those causes. Worse.” He began slowly. “I fought for the Shivans.” Dove’s head shot up. “Yes, you herd me. I was Galactic Terran Intelligence. They said that we rebelled to take over the GTA, but in reality, we fought for exactly what the Shivans did, we were no better then them.” Dove didn’t move.
 “But you’re still alive, and here, I thought…” The pilot cut him off.
 “You thought that I would have been imprisoned, thrown out, or even killed, for my crimes.” Dove nodded. “Some where, but they hadn’t realised what they had done. This isn’t the 20th century, we don’t just throw people around as if they were chess pieces in some political game of chess.” Dove looked down again.
 “You were tried by Terrans, I have to face Vasudans….” The pilot nodded.
 “Even the more reason why you should do it. The Vasudan people would forgive a scorpion for striking their leg, if honour dictated.” The chime sounded on the door; the Pilot stood and walked to the outer hatch. He hit a button and the door slid open. A tall Vasudan stood waiting at the door.
 “The emperor summons the one known as Dove.” The pilot whistled, and a marine stepped out from the cockpit. The pilot reached into the weapons locker and pulled out a heavy pistol.
 “If things get harry out there, get him back here.” The marine nodded. Dove stepped out of his cabin and followed the marine and the Vasudan down the ramp. The pilot walked over to the comm. unit, he clicked it on. “You owe me Konshu.” A laugh could be heard at the other end of the unit.

 Dove stepped up onto the stage, the Marine parted, he followed behind Dove. The crowed gasped, murmurs spread through the crowd. Talk of the NTF, who this was, the stories, the propaganda, everything. Someone called out.
 “Traitor!” someone called.
 “Kill him!” someone else, said. Konshu motioned to the crowd, they calmed down.
 “This NTF officer, comes to us, a friend of the leader for the Shivans.” The crowed exploded again. Konshu motioned again and the crowed quieted down. “But he has come of his own free will to our planet. To be judged by us.” Several Guards pulled out their weapons and aimed them at Dove. The marine quickly jumped in front of Dove, and pulled his sidearm up into the air, he held it level, pointing it at one of the guards, he looked around nervously. The crowed burst out again.
 “The Terrans protect the Traitor, down with the Terrans!” someone yelled, Konshu was getting worried, perhaps this wasn’t the brightest of ideas. Dove pushed himself from the Marine.
 “Sir, head towards the Transport, you’ll be safe there.” The marine said, Dove shook his head, he placed his hand on the Marines gun and pushed it to the ground. The marines face changed, in wonder. Dove spoke to the people.
 “He was only following orders to protect a GTVA citizen, do not judge the Terrans poorly for that.” The crowed changed; they were struck hard by the willingness of this evil man to let them judge him. Konshu raised his hands again.
 “Dove, as they call him, has accepted our judgement, I leave his fate in your hands.” The crowed paused, they talked amongst themselves. Then, in one solid fluid motion all the eyes of the crowed fell on Kate, and then moved to Dove. There was a single silent pause, as if no one wanted to be the one to have doomed this man to death.
 “Swear to Vasuda.” Someone said deep in the crowd. The voice was barley heard. It came again. “Swear to Vasuda.” Again, the crowed didn’t say a thing. “Swear to Vasuda.” The voice said a third time, then the crowed began to chant.
 “To Vasuda, to Vasuda, To Vasuda…” Dove stepped forward, his image was blasted out towards the people.
 “I swear, my life, my honour, to the Vasudan Peoples.” A cheer came up from the crowed, then another voice spoke up.
 “By Vo’tion, swear by Vo’tion.” The crowed agreed, “yes’” and “swear by the Sword of the Vasudan people.” Bounced around in the crowd as if a fishing gasping for flies. Vo’rant drew the sword, he held it high. He handed the sword to Dove. He pressed the large blade into his palm, he never winced as he drew the sword along his flesh. Blood smeared the blade, and fell on the floor. David thrust the blood stained sword high into the air. The crowed cheered and yelled, and then began to chant.
 “Dove, Terra’s Vasudan Ace! Dove, Terra’s Vasudan Ace!” Vo’rant smiled, he turned to Konshu.
 “How many spies were planted in the crowd.” Konshu smiled.
 “absolutely non.” Vo’rant frowned. “This was an act of the Vasudan people, not me.” Konshu looked out over the cheering people. “as they say, the Leader for the Shivans never defeated the Shivans, but he brought our worlds closer together. Now, the second leader for the Shivans has done this.” Vo’rant stepped back.
 “Kate isn’t the Leader for the Shivans, and neither was Sam…” Konshu nodded.
 “The leader for the Shivans is nothing more then a name, a symbol, a warrior, their power comes from good in all of us. Now she has brought that power back, the leader for the Shivans has been reborn.” Konshu smiled. Vo’rant began to laugh.
 “I never liked philosophy.” Konshu’s smile grew, he stepped forward.
 “Vasudans.” Konshu began. “The leader for the Shivans has returned,” Konshu motioned to Kate, “but there is still evil in our space, like a cancer it grows.” The crowd murmured. “The NTF and the false leader for the Shivans.” The crowed cheered. “it is time for us, to rise up, against them. With the true leader for the Shivans we will triumph.” Konshu motioned to Kate, and she stepped forward.
 “I am Catherine Norrow, and you have accepted me as the Leader for the Shivans.” The crowd became silent. “It is good to have the Vasudan people with me, and I will remove this false leader for the Shivans. But I cannot do it with an all out attack.” The people began to ask why. “we must make them see the light that they are wrong, so that there will be no others. But if I need you I will call, and I must know, I must know if you will come.” The crowd began to cheer.
 “We are with you.” The people yelled, Kate smiled.

 David sat in his quarters, mulling over a Galatea Special. The door chimed. “Come in, it’s open.” David said slowly. The door swung open and a small comm. officer walked in. She handed him a small sheet. “What’s this?” he asked slowly.
 “Comm. communication, from GTVA Security Council.” David nodded, he placed his drink down on the table. He read over the document. He sneered. He slammed the small pad down into the table knocking the drink off the table. The glass fell to the floor and shattered. “Damn them.” He said slowly. “they don’t know what they’re getting into.” The ensign looked puzzled. David looked up.
 “What’s wrong sir?” She asked slowly. David shook his head.
 “They’re not going to help us, the Security council has swept us under a rug and is hopping well disappear.”
 “Any return message?” She asked, David nodded.
 “Tell them, we’re not going to disappear.”
 

   To be continued…
 
 

Leader for the Shivans 3: Journey from Dunwitch Hill
Will continue with:

Episode 14:
Who said anything about a Just war?