In the Zone
© 2020 by Walter Reimer


Thumbnail art by  rabbi-tom


“We have orders,” Captain k’Jen said, and Varan and the Kith’s division heads gave him their undivided attention. “The Jorhim is being rotated to the This Far System for rest, and we will be taking their place with the Second Fleet. The rotation will occur in ten days, and I will require full efficiency and battle readiness reports within five days.” His feline eyes flicked back and forth as he asked, “Questions?”

The commander in charge of the Weapons Division asked, “Will we get a tactics update from the Fleet before we leave, sir?”

“Yes,” the kam replied. “Full updates are expected later today. Contact the crew under your supervision; if any are on leave, tell them to return to the Kith at once. Dismissed.” The officers stood and filed out of the conference room, but Varan paused as k’Jen’s tail flicked. “Varan, you are aware that Destkort-vī cannot be told that we are leaving This Far.”

Varan flicked her ears forward. “Of course, sir.” Fleet movements were classified, even during peacetime, and ships in transit to and from the combat area maintained communications discipline until the fleet commander permitted nonessential message traffic.

Her tailspur twitched. “With respect, may I ask a question, sir?”

“Of course.” He’d heard the soft click of the bony spur against the deck.

“Did the Captain think I would not recall the regulations, sir?” Varan asked.

Yezhef k’Jen stood up and walked over to face the taller vir. “Tar mevik, Tabin, ēn mif xemenqo d’shlani dhotin.”

“Love makes fools of us all.”

Varan’s ears laid back as the implication sank in. “I apologize, Captain.”

He gestured negation. “There is nothing to apologize for, Subcaptain. You love her, and she loves you.” He smiled. “And you’ve managed to prevent that love from interfering with your duties. I’ve observed that, and your behavior has been commendable.”

“Thank you, sir.”

The kam smiled again. “We are alone in here. Yezhef.”

“Varan.” The vir smiled, took a breath, and asked, “Earlier you said that you were going to speak with your mate about me.”

“That’s true.”

“Has she replied?”

K’Jen chuckled. “Yes, she did reply, and she has no issues with the two of us twining tails.” He dipped his ears and tail slightly in embarrassment. “She referred to me as a chalap,” which was a small mammal known for its sexual profligacy, “and has given her permission with the understanding that she will try to exhaust me the next time I go home.”

Both of them chuckled at that.

“I suppose I should check with the Surgeon-mistress,” Varan said, “to see if I need to take more tazhanakh.”

Yezhef laughed. “I’m not that virile, but it’s always good advice.”


***


Admiral Fourth Rank Keran l’Rasch nibbled on an extended fingerclaw as the battle unfolded in the main display aboard the Third Fleet’s flagship. His staff noted the nervous gesture, but ignored it. L’Rasch was always nervous, and was known to pester his subordinates if he felt that the enemy might be up to something.

The planet Darusalaam’s defenses had been neutralized, and the transports were moving into low orbit for a deep scan of the remaining planetary forces before descending into the atmosphere and beginning the invasion. The Army force was nearly a full battle group, and in addition to the infantry, artillery and armored contingents, there was a full ‘wet’ navy along with strategic and tactical air fleets.

Half the Third Fleet’s ships were guarding the Army and Support vessels, basically tethering him to the planet like a yevech staked out to attract feral koripi.

The news that the scouts had detected the Terran fleet’s approach had only increased l’Rasch’s suspicions that the system had been an elaborate trap by the Confederacy.

He took the fingerclaw out of his mouth. “Captain.”

The head of his staff turned. “Sir?”

L’Rasch looked at the display. “The Terrans are several divisions short of what Intelligence states is full strength.” He stuck a hand into the display and traced the volume containing the approaching Confed fleet. “Assign several of our scouts to phase into hyperspace and scan for any wakes approaching from the opposite vector. In the event that they are trying to trap us, it will help to have advance warning.”

The vir gestured affirmation, and gestured at one of her subordinates to relay the order. She paused and put a finger to the small headset in one ear. “The General reports that they are beginning their landings, and adds that he will release one echelon to reinforce us.”

The kam pondered that before smiling. “Thank him, and advise him that we will move to assist him if orbital bombardment is required.” The vir murmured the message into the microphone clinging to the corner of her mouth.

The dreadnought’s captain tuned in his seat and called out to the Admiral, “We are engaging their outer cruiser screen, Frelen.”

“Understood.” L’Rasch’s claws extended. “Make them fear us, Gartabin.”