Free Legion Of The Damned - 01 - Legion of the Damned by William C. Dietz Page B

seconds had passed when the hatch slid upwards and she was ushered inside. The holo tank that had dominated the center of the room during her previous visit had disappeared. In its place was an oval-shaped riser. She was told to stand on it ... as was a surprised Baldwin.
    “Uh-oh,” Norwood said conversationally. “You’re in trouble again. I wonder how long they’ll fry you this time.”
    Baldwin did his best to look unconcerned, but little beads of sweat had popped out all over his forehead.
    Poseen-Ka watched the humans enter the compartment. He felt mixed emotions. A part of him was furious about Keem-So’s death, while another part was almost serenely detached, thinking about Norwood’s escape and the fact that it was symbolic of his dilemma.
    The humans were dangerous, all right, that much was clear, but what to do? Attack the center of the alien empire as his superiors had ordered him to do, or stall, waiting to see how his adversaries would react?
    Both courses of action were fraught with hidden dangers. To attack inwards, towards the center of the Human Empire, was to risk his entire fleet.
    What if the humans undertook a massive response? Based on the intelligence supplied by Baldwin, the aliens possessed military forces nearly equal to his. The human claimed that they were divided, poorly led, and subject to Imperial whim. But what if he was wrong? Or worse yet, intentionally misleading those with whom he had supposedly aligned himself?
    The other course was equally dangerous, if not more dangerous still. To stall, after the attack on Worber’s World, was to sacrifice the value of the surprise attack. The humans could, and probably would, use the time to prepare ... leading to higher casualties later on. That, plus the political risk involved, suggested that he ignore his fears and follow orders. The problem was that his fears were so strong, so deep-seated, that they were impossible to ignore. That was the unstated purpose of the meeting. To face those fears and make a decision.
    Norwood looked around. Poseen-Ka was a brooding presence off to her right, looking straight through her, towards the bulkhead beyond. There were two equally inscrutable aliens to his left, and three to the right, hissing among themselves, speaking into hand-held communicators and, in at least one case, toying with a long, wicked-looking knife. The remaining positions were empty, suggesting that some of Poseen-Ka’s staff were on duty elsewhere.
    There was the crackle of static, and a long curvilinear screen popped into existence on the bulkhead to Norwood’s left. It was filled with thousands of colored squares. They rippled, rearranged themselves, and formed five distinct images. The Hudathans looked different, yet similar, variations on a theme. All wore cross-straps and a single red gem. The backgrounds varied, suggesting they were on different ships. They announced themselves in a ritualized manner.
    “Hisep Rula-Ka, Commander Spear One.”
    “Ruwat Ifana-So, Commander Spear Two.”
    “Ikor Niber-Ba, Commander Spear Three.”
    “Niman Qual-Do, Commander Spear Four.”
    “Suko Pula-Ka, Commander Spear Five.”
    Poseen-Ka sat up straight. Side conversations ended, communicators disappeared, and the long, wicked-looking knife was returned to its sheath. The war commander spoke Hudathan, but his words were translated into standard and projected to the humans.
    “Welcome. We have much to discuss. Before we begin, however, I would like to hear from Colonel Natalie Norwood and Colonel Alex Baldwin. While our cultures are different, there are similarities as well, including a belief that warriors should know their enemies. With that in mind the first question goes to Colonel Norwood.

    “You killed one of my crew and escaped from your cell. Why?”
    Norwood felt her heart beat faster and did her best to stand tall. “We are at war.”
    Poseen-Ka made a gesture with his hand. “This is so. Tell me, human ... what will your