“It was a complete failure!” General Intoshkin let out a bark of laughter.
The human general had been watching the exchange between Jace and Nova with huge interest. His dark eyes had flickered between them the whole conversation and he had stroked his chin speculatively. He was learning about both of them too. Khoth wondered what he would take from the conversation. Jace was not hiding the type of leader he wished to be. Nor was Nova hiding the one she was.
“What do I need to do exactly to gain your help to keep my position?” Nova asked.
“The Alliance espouses to be just that: an alliance of disparate species who have bound together against a common foe, right?” Jace asked.
She nodded. “Indeed. Each species brings its own strengths to the Alliance.”
“And the Thaf’ell are the backbone of its military might, correct?” Jace asked.
Again, she nodded. “In addition to holding most political roles.”
“I believe that there is an almost caste system, is there not?” Jace asked. “Certain species are considered more valuable than others? Certain species, for example, are not welcome in your military? Certain have no representation on the Council? Correct?”
Nova spread her hands as if, while she saw what Jace was driving at--that this ranked species--it was logical, even if he found it distasteful. “As I said, every species has its strengths.”
“Strengths in your eyes, correct?” Jace sounded more like Khoth’s father conducting a cross-examination than simply engaging in a conversation.
His mother seemed to recognize that as well and she straightened slightly. “The Alliance has withstood the Khul for hundreds of your cycles because of our judgment regarding who can best serve where.”
“Or you’ve just managed to eke through until you no longer have enough borrowed technology to defend yourselves any longer,” Jace replied dryly.
Khoth winced internally. Was that true? Could any of the other species have done better than the Thaf’ell? His instinct was to say: no. The Alliance would have fell long ago if lesser--other--species had been in charge. Those that were too violent. Or those who were not violent enough. Those who would have sought other solutions to the Khul problem that would have left them too fractured, too divided, to keep the Khul at bay. Others who would have tried to find peace with the Khul.
“The Khul are implacable enemies. Yes, we have been worn down through attrition, but we have done more than anyone else could have done with what we had,” his mother answered. “But if we had the Osiris we--”
“Would have it circle Haseon,” Jace cut in. “Don’t claim otherwise. That is where most of your fleet is. In your homeworld’s system. You send them out when necessary but they remain closer to home than most would like. Your home.”
“It is the seat of the Alliance,” his mother answered coolly. “If we were to lose the Council, the whole of the Alliance would fall. But if we had more ships, better ships, then we could--”
“Do what you’ve done for hundreds of years? Put Thaf’ell pilots in them and allocate them to star systems where the more important Alliance species are and maybe spare a few for the lesser ones, right?” Jace again interrupted. “Come now, High Councillor, change is something that the Alliance seems to regard as an anathema.”
“What we’ve done has worked.” She laced her fingers together in front of her. It was a self-comforting gesture. Khoth had seen her do it with Daesah when they were fighting. It meant that she knew her position was not as strong as it could be. “We don’t change things on a whim, because we feel like it.”
“What you’ve done is the equivalent of slow death,” Jace disagreed. “The Khul do not respect detentes. They have identified Alliance space as their pond and Alliance species as their fish. They are just going to keep fishing you. They won’t stop.”
His mother was silent.
“High Commander Daesah Voor believed much the same,” Khoth said. “She believed that attack rather than defense was the only way to stop the Khul.”
“We did not have enough resources to supply High Commander Voor’s plan,” his mother said evenly.
“Did you tell her that?” Khoth asked. “Or did you lie to her as you did to everyone else?”
His mother did not answer.
“I think High Commander Voor had the right idea, Commander,” Jace said to him. “I think we have to attack the Khul where they live and harry them.”
“You will need excellent military men and women who are eager to take to the stars and defend them,” General Intoshkin said.
“Indeed, General Intoshkin,” Jace said.
“So you will fill ships with humans instead of Thaf’ell?” Nova’s voice was mild, but it was clear what she thought of this idea. “I would hope, Jace Parker, that you are at least aware that Thaf’ell not only have superior biology but also the experience to pilot. No humans do. You would be at a distinct disadvantage if you were to go that route.”
“I am sure you are right that Thaf’ell pilots are excellent.” Jace gave her a warm smile, but that seemed to confuse his mother “But would they listen to me and follow my orders?”
Her expression was curiously frozen.
