Check and Mate by MJ Blehart

Author:MJ Blehart
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: sci-fi, science fiction, sci-fantasy, space opera, adventure
Publisher: Argent Hedgehog Press
Published: 2024-01-23T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 23

Alvon saw something that, at first, didn’t register.

No matter if he looked at the sensor readings or out the forward viewport, his mind couldn’t take it in. It felt it should be obvious, and yet, it wasn’t.

After another moment or so, however, it was clear.

The battle was paused.

Every single starship floating in this part of the Ravusq Q’suvar Ai had ceased firing at one another, wild maneuvering to get in and out of position, and all else associated with combat.

The IITA and their allies had been preparing to destroy all the Ditufgne remaining after their superweapon’s destruction. But on his request to make one final attempt at opening a dialogue, all was still.

“I think they know you’re about to speak to them,” stated Ervik with an unnatural softness in his tone. “They’ve stopped their futile attempts to open wormholes.”

Alvon took a deep breath. He was still formulating in his mind what to say, how best to address this utterly alien species. They had disregarded all prior attempts at communication. How could he get them to listen now?

“Ervik,” Alvon said, “please open every single communications channel you can. All of them, no matter how seldom used or over-the-top. I want to make damned sure they get this message.”

“Good luck,” Ashira said to Alvon.

There was a high-pitched squeal for only a split second, then a sense of electricity filled the air of the flight deck of the Dawnstrider.

“You’re on,” Ervik almost whispered.

Alvon took a deep breath. Then, he began what might have been one of the most important communications in the history of the galaxy.

“Attention Ditufgne forces. I am Alvon Gargarm, Deputy Director of the Cosmic Security Agency, neutral representative of all the parties arrayed against you here. I am transmitting on every known frequency in the hopes that I might at last convince you to open a dialogue.

“All previous attempts at communication with you have been ignored. Yet, as evidenced by your attack on the former CSA headquarters on Gilmard, you receive our signals. So, I know – we know – that you receive transmissions that we send in the open to you.”

He took a breath, gathering his thoughts and calming the sensation of angry butterflied in his nervous stomach. “I demand that you stop ignoring our transmissions and open a dialogue with me. Why now? Because we are all unable to leave this sector faster-than-light, and after the two worlds you’ve sent to the void and the destruction you have rained down upon Humans, Ravusq, Zathru, Doolari, and the Yalifira, if we don’t speak now, we will have no other opportunity. You will be destroyed.

“While in all likelihood, given past encounters, this would lead to mutually assured destruction, I cannot imagine that you truly want that. Maybe you came here, to our galaxy, to teach the five races I mentioned a lesson. But your tactics, your unwillingness to communicate, and your continued destructive acts have had a far broader impact. The whole galaxy has taken notice.”

Alvon paused. He waited a few moments to see if they would respond.

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