Karik rolled his eyes at Zac’s refusal to drop the honorific. “Good. I’ll assume you have read the brief. The Xakul attack on the human settlement?”
Zac, Tomas and T’arq nodded.
“Our intelligence shows an increase in attacks on our outer colonies, as well.” Tomas spoke up for the first time.
Karik looked up and nodded. “That is true, which makes this alliance with the humans even more important. In some ways, we need them as much as they need us. However, their track record leaves a lot to be desired. We must bring them up to speed as soon as possible if they are to be of any use.”
The Taureans’ first contact with humanity had shown them to be a violent and impulsive race, as well as technologically inferior.
“Sir, why are we joining forces with them?” T’arq asked.
“A good question. This fight with the Xakul has gone on for far too long. We are spread too thin to prevent every attack, as you already know, and the Xakul are determined to annihilate us all.”
The Taurean leader paused, shaking his head. “Taurus has a long history of military wins, but we need more fighters. That’s where the humans come in.”
“What role do we play in this?” Zac asked.
“You’ve read the brief, haven’t you?”
Zac nodded. “Yes, I have.”
“The humans are technologically our inferior. Now, they’ve highly recommended this Captain they have sent us. Your job is to work together as a team—of both humans and Taureans—show the humans how to defeat those insect bastards, so they can teach more of their own kind. And see if they can be of any use to us.”
This mission was the first step if Zac had any hope of ever making it back into an active combat role. He swallowed the sudden lump that had developed in his throat. T’arq, ever sensitive to his friend’s discomfort, shot him a knowing gaze.
“Is there a problem, Commander?” Karik asked.
“No, sir. There’s no problem.”
Zac ignored T’arq’s quirked eyebrow, and hoped for the second time that morning that he hadn’t just lied to the Supreme Commander of Taurus.
“Good. Because if the humans can’t learn how to neutralize the Xakul, there’s no hope for them.” He shrugged, obviously not too troubled by the thought. “Captain Fa’Rell?”
“Yes, Sir?”
“Yours is not the only starship the humans will be joining. After the training is completed, the Starship Zataras will continue with its current patrols, but give the humans every opportunity to show what they’re made of.” The Taurean leader looked between the three warriors, his gaze landing on Zac. “I’d say good luck, Qu’Rell, but I don’t believe in luck.”
“Yes, Sir.”
The screen returned to the view of space projected from one of the many cameras on the exterior of the station.
The three Taureans shared a look, before Tomas said, “I somehow think that it’s not a coincidence that the Zataras was chosen for this mission, and that you—” he nodded to Zac, “—are involved.”
“Why do you say that?” Zac asked.
“You haven’t been keeping up with politics while you’ve been recovering, have you?”
“You know me, Tomas. I never have been one for gossip.”
The starship captain laughed, “That’s accurate enough.”
T’arq asked him, “Do you think the rumors about the new Supreme Commander are true, then?”
“It depends on which rumors you’re talking about. That he orchestrated the deaths of his father and brother? No. I don’t believe that. I have heard that not everyone on Taurus is pleased with his decision to ally ourselves with the humans.” Tomas leaned against a desk, crossing his arms over his chest. "The Taurean Purists, for example, are not keen that we are joining forces with what they consider a lesser species.”
Zac’s eyebrows shot up. “Huh. I have been out of the loop.”
Tomas nodded slowly, “Maybe. I think there’s more at stake here than just the humans’ future and putting a few more warm bodies on the front line against the Xakul.”
