#scifistories1977 #hfy #scifi We're thrilled to introduce "The Barbarian War" by author u/Hewholooksskyward to our channel, the prequal to 'Barbarians'. We've collaborated to adapt his captivating stories for our channel, and we eagerly anticipate sharing them with you.
00:00The Barbarian War. Chapters 25, 26, and 27. Ashes of the Tetrarchy.
00:07Chapter 25. Prime Minister Singh stared at the communique in shock.
00:13Dear God, she whispered, as the other ministers moved towards her.
00:18The fleet we sent against the Konhim homeworlds, it's—it's—her words trailed off into silence.
00:25Minister Thrasath took the note from her hands and quickly scanned its contents.
00:29Merciful creator, he said quietly. They have been ambushed.
00:33Are there any survivors? Minister Omega 445 Intersect Gamma asked hopefully.
00:39We don't know, Leandra replied, taking a moment to compose herself.
00:44The message was interrupted.
00:46Thrasath was about to respond when the doors suddenly burst open.
00:50Half a dozen security officers pushed their way in,
00:53taking position in front of the exit as their sergeant stepped forward.
00:56Prime Minister, I regret that I must place you and the others under arrest, he said in measured tones.
01:04Under arrest? she said in disbelief.
01:07On what charge?
01:08Treason, Prime Minister, he answered.
01:12And as Leandra looked closer, it was impossible to miss the expressions on their faces.
01:17None of them seemed to be regretting a thing.
01:19In fact, they appeared to be positively gleeful.
01:22Warning bells started going off in her head as the other ministers began to squawk in protest.
01:27Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward, silencing the others with a wave of her hand.
01:32May I see your warrant, Sergeant? she asked calmly, stretching out her hand.
01:39Course, the sergeant replied, unable to hide the smirk from his face as he handed it over,
01:44only to freeze in place as he felt something cold pressed under his chin.
01:48His warning cry died on his lips as Leandra mashed the barrel of her hideout gun against his throat
01:54and pulled the trigger.
01:55The officers behind him stared in shock as he crumpled to the floor,
02:01but she was already firing at her next target.
02:03Two more went down before they turned and ran for the door behind them,
02:07seeking cover as Leandra grabbed Minister Bezagab by the arm.
02:12Come on! she shouted, dragging her away.
02:15What is happening?
02:17Minister Thrasoth screeched as the security goons began returning fire.
02:21It's a goddamn coup! she howled, firing another round at their attackers.
02:27The shot went wide, but the officers ducked just the same.
02:30It was obvious they hadn't been expecting trouble and were now scrambling about, unsure what to do.
02:36It wouldn't last for long.
02:37Sooner or later they'd regroup, and it was doubtful she could hold them off forever.
02:41Get to the emergency exit! she screamed at them.
02:45But it must be a mistake!
02:47Minister Omega, 445 Intersect Gamma, wailed.
02:50You've got two choices! she snarled, firing another round.
02:55Come with me and live, or stay here and die!
02:58Despite their terror, it only took the ministers a split second to make up their minds,
03:02hurrying behind her as they raced for the exit.
03:06The missiles so thoughtfully provided by their anonymous benefactor raced away from the task force,
03:12closing the distance to the shipyards in a handful of seconds.
03:15They were of Kohnheim manufacture, scavenged from the previous war,
03:20designed to give the Tetrarchy forces plausible deniability.
03:24They would claim they must have been fired from stealthed Kohnheim ships,
03:28and once the Earth Force ships were destroyed,
03:31they could clamp down on the planet's population,
03:34all in the name of security.
03:36After all, it wasn't the first time they'd engineered a cover-up.
03:40The last one had held up for ten thousand years.
03:43The shipyard's defenses were minimal,
03:46nowhere near enough to prevent their destruction.
03:48The missiles bored in, detonating with pinpoint accuracy,
03:52the explosions wiping out the half-completed vessels,
03:55the yards and repair facilities,
03:57as well as the thousands of workers who had once called it home.
04:01There were no cheers on the flagship as the human installation was wiped out,
04:05for that was not their way.
04:06But the self-satisfied smiles on the faces of Admiral Beta,
04:10eight hundred and ninety-two Sina Zeta and his crew,
04:13spoke far louder than any words could have managed.
04:16They had done it.
04:17Despite the odds,
04:18they had come to the human homeworld and broken them.
04:22As they congratulated one another in hushed tones,
04:25the communications officer suddenly turned to face the Admiral.
04:28Sir, I am receiving a transmission,
04:31she said earnestly,
04:32from Admiral Matavosian.
04:34Conversation ground to a halt as the Admiral nodded.
04:38On screen, he ordered.
04:41As the human's image appeared,
04:43Admiral Beta eight hundred and ninety-two Sina Zeta launched into his rehearsed report.
04:47Admiral,
04:48it appears that stealthed Conim fighters have infiltrated the system.
04:52We are attempting to locate them as we speak.
04:55Matavosian glared at him in return.
04:57Do you think we're stupid, Admiral?
04:59He snarled.
05:00We have a dozen satellites in orbit dedicated solely to keeping an eye on you,
05:04and they're all reporting the same data that you fired on the shipyard.
05:09Admiral Beta eight hundred and ninety-two Sina Zeta leaned back in his chair.
05:13Your satellites are in error, Admiral, he said affably.
05:17But I can assure you the guilty parties will be dealt with.
05:21You can count on it, you traitorous son of a bitch, Matavosian snapped.
05:25We're disseminating the data as we speak.
05:27If you thought you could keep this hidden, you thought wrong.
05:31I believe there is a saying among your people, the Ronin replied as amusement crept into his voice.
05:37History is written by the victors.
05:40Matavosian sneered in disgust.
05:42Do you honestly believe we humans haven't faced your kind before?
05:46It's happened so many times in our past, the words we use for traitors are taken from their very names.
05:51Judas, Quisling, Benedict Arnold.
05:53Oh yes, we know your kind quite well.
05:56A thin, cold smile appeared on his face.
05:58Which is why we have learned to take precautions.
06:01It would appear, Admiral, that your so-called precautions have failed, as all pretense disappeared.
06:08Your ships are destroyed.
06:10You are beaten.
06:11Are we?
06:12Matavosian replied coolly.
06:14Tell me, Admiral, just who do you think designed your ships?
06:18A growing sense of horror began to dawn on the Ronin Admiral, as the human showed his teeth.
06:24Goodbye, asshole!
06:25Matavosian smirked, as every ship in the task force suddenly exploded in brilliant balls of flame.
06:31Tango was nestled comfortably in the crook of a tree, high above the others, scanning the horizon with her scope.
06:39We're clear, she whispered into her mic, as those on the ground huddled in conference.
06:44Our best chance is here, Jiage informed them, highlighting a spot on their HUD displays.
06:51Two days' travel, perhaps three.
06:53It will be difficult for them to track us in the swampy terrain, and we will be able to resupply at our destination.
07:00Sergeant Lin tugged on his ear.
07:02Food and medical supplies, maybe, but we burn through a lot of ammo during the breakout.
07:07I figure we've got enough left for one or two engagements, before we're forced to throw rocks at them.
07:12Nassat grimaced at his words.
07:14Suggestions? he asked.
07:17Traditionally, guerrilla forces have procured their weapons from their enemy, Musashi replied.
07:21All heads swiveled back to Jiage.
07:24It will not be easy, the Konheim warrior said after a moment.
07:29There is no depot within range we could raid, and even if one were available it would be well guarded.
07:34I doubt we have the strength to launch a successful attack.
07:37Nassat gazed at the map, and then looked around at the others.
07:41They were all exhausted.
07:42After thirty hours of non-stop movement and combat, every last one of them was dead on their feet.
07:49But as he scrutinized their faces, what he saw was resolve.
07:52They would find a way through this, or they would die in the attempt.
07:56Nothing else mattered.
07:58He turned his attention back to the map, and highlighted a nearby section.
08:02Here, he said with growing confidence.
08:05We lure the forces tracking us to this location, and then...
08:08We ambush the bastards, Lin smirked.
08:12Thereby providing us with the weapons we need, Musashi slowly nodded.
08:17Assuming we are successful, Jiage pointed out, they will be looking for such a trap.
08:23Then we will have to be clever, Nassat smiled, though it failed to touch his eyes.
08:30Chapter 26
08:31What is this place?
08:34Minister Thrasath asked nervously, as he looked around the small suite of rooms.
08:39Safe house, Leandra explained.
08:42One of several we have scattered around the capital.
08:45She held her hideout gun at her side as she peered out one of the windows.
08:49I don't think we were followed.
08:52Safe house?
08:53Minister Omega 445 Intersect Gamma asked.
08:56What does that mean?
08:58The Prime Minister took one last look outside, before slipping her weapon back into her robes.
09:03A bolt hole, in case things get bad.
09:07She sighed and sat down.
09:08Which today certainly qualifies.
09:11Back when we first made contact with the Triumvirate, we knew we weren't exactly beloved by the populace.
09:17It seemed like a good idea to have places to hide our people, if they were suddenly declared persona non grata.
09:23Minister Baizagab just stared at her.
09:25You mean you've had these safe houses in place for over a century?
09:28She shook her head in disbelief.
09:31Doesn't that seem a bit, well, paranoid?
09:34Human paranoia just saved your ass, Leandra said curtly.
09:38If I hadn't had my weapon with me, we'd either be rotting in a prison cell awaiting sentencing, or worse.
09:43She gave the ministers a withering look.
09:46Your kind has had it good for so long you can't imagine anything else.
09:50Even the last war was barely a blip on the radar for you, wasn't it?
09:54Her companions suddenly found it difficult to meet her gaze.
09:58She nodded knowingly.
09:59Us lowly humans, on the other hand, know all too well just how quickly things can go to hell in a handbasket.
10:05Our history is filled with one self-inflicted horror after another,
10:09and if we've learned nothing else from it, we at least learned how to prepare for the worst.
10:14An awkward silence filled the room as the ministers looked at one another.
10:19Our apologies, Thrasoth said at last, speaking for the others.
10:22We did not mean to sound ungrateful.
10:24It is just, never in a million years did we ever consider the need for us to flee for our lives.
10:31I still do not understand why, Omega-445-Intersect-Gamma lamented.
10:37Who were those officers?
10:39Why did they try to arrest us?
10:40Who sent them?
10:42I don't know who's behind this, but rest assured, finding out has top priority at the moment, Leandra vowed.
10:48As for why, you know as well as I do the New Order has more than its fair share of detractors.
10:53I'm willing to bet one of them is behind it.
10:56So what do we do now?
10:57Baizagab asked.
10:59We can't just stay here.
11:01For now we can, the Prime Minister assured her.
11:05There's food, beds, all the basic necessities.
11:08But you're right.
11:09Staying here isn't a long-term solution.
11:11She rose to her feet and pressed a hidden button underneath one of the countertops.
11:15A concealed panel slid away, revealing a monitor and some sort of communications console.
11:20Control. First thing we need to do is check in, she informed them as she powered up the system.
11:26Is that safe? Thrasath asked nervously.
11:29As safe as we can make it, Leandra replied.
11:33Shielded and encrypted by some seriously paranoid technicians.
11:37She turned and gave the others a smirk.
11:39They make me look like a naive schoolgirl.
11:42The Ministers stared at each other as they parsed the implications of that statement,
11:46as Leandra began to speak.
11:48Control. This is Sharini checking in.
11:50Verification code Epsilon Delta One Niner Seven Five.
11:53She Sigma Tau.
11:54There was a pause before a voice came back on the comm.
11:58Copy, Sharini.
11:59Standby for Level Two Authentication.
12:01There was yet another pause, and then...
12:04What are the color of Aslan's eyes?
12:06Leandra chuckled and replied,
12:08Aslan has no eyes control.
12:10The Ministers drew back in unison from her as she laughed.
12:14Aslan was a stuffed toy I had as a child.
12:16The eyes were torn off when I was little and never replaced.
12:20The Ministers breathed a sigh of relief as Control responded.
12:24Confirmed, Sharini.
12:25Thank God you're safe.
12:27What's your status?
12:28I'm at the Hilton Hotel, along with Larry, Moe, and Curly, she answered.
12:33Someone's goon squad tried dragging us off to the Bastille.
12:37They were discouraged, requesting extraction and exfiltration.
12:41Easier said than done, I'm afraid, Control replied.
12:44Have you been monitoring the broadcasts?
12:47Too busy trying to stay off the radar, Leandra replied.
12:51What's happening?
12:53Easier if I just show you, Control answered, as the display came to life.
12:58Sectors 3, 9, 14, and 21 have been sealed and declared off limits to non-residents,
13:05the announcer reported, as the others crowded in to view the images.
13:08Clashes have been reported in the vicinity of the ministry buildings, as well as other
13:13government facilities.
13:15All citizens are asked to remain calm during this crisis, and to stay indoors.
13:20The authorities are in the process of subduing and apprehending the individuals responsible
13:24for the current state of unrest.
13:26Renewed fighting has broken out in Sectors 11 and 12, and all residents in those blocks
13:31are urged to avoid confrontation with security, as well as the anarchistic elements responsible
13:37for attacks throughout the capital.
13:39To repeat, Sectors 3, 9, 14, and 21.
13:43Leandra turned off the sound as the message started over.
13:46The authorities?
13:47Omega-445 Intersect Gamma asked in shock.
13:51I was under the impression we were the authorities.
13:54Not at the moment, it seems, the Prime Minister said darkly.
13:58Control, do we know who's behind this?
14:00We know who's claiming responsibility at least, the voice replied.
14:05The original Stooges released a joint statement, declaring they had been forced to take back
14:10control of the ministry.
14:11They're alleging the current government is guilty of treason, and they're pointing their
14:15fingers at Earth.
14:17God damn it, Leandra swore.
14:19The relief task force we sent.
14:22Copy that, Control said quietly.
14:24We've received a message from Earth Force.
14:27What's left of it?
14:27Madavozian activated the Hindenburg Protocol after they destroyed the shipyards.
14:32Sing closed her eyes, bowing her head.
14:35Jesus, she whispered.
14:37And Fujimoto?
14:38Nasat?
14:39Have we heard anything from either of them?
14:41She managed to get out.
14:43Nothing, Control replied.
14:45It's possible they've gone silent.
14:48Sure, she said bleakly, not believing a word of it.
14:52But until then...
14:53Until then we're defenseless, Control finished, confirming her worst fears.
14:58Sherini, what are your orders?
15:00Leandra could only stare at the display, as the sheer scope of the disaster threatened to
15:05drag her down into the abyss.
15:07The Tetrarchy was wide open, with nothing to stop the Konhim onslaught.
15:12And unless some miracle was waiting in the wings to save them, all four races were doomed.
15:18But then her gaze hardened as she lifted her head.
15:21My orders?
15:22Leandra repeated.
15:24Until we can stabilize the capital, our hands are tied.
15:27We must take back the government, by any means necessary.
15:31Understood, Control replied in a quiet voice.
15:34We'll mobilize what we can.
15:36Take no action until I give the word, she instructed them, and have support rig a direct
15:42line to the media.
15:43Don't tip our hand until we're ready.
15:46We're on it, Control informed her.
15:48Until then, stay put.
15:50You're safer there than anywhere else.
15:52Let me know when everything's in place, Leandra ordered.
15:56Sherini out.
15:58She turned to face the ministers, who looked back in despair.
16:01It's hopeless, isn't it?
16:02Bizagab whispered in anguish.
16:05Hopeless?
16:06She sneered defiantly.
16:08Let me tell you something, Minister.
16:10My people have faced far worse situations than this.
16:13We survived then, and we will survive now.
16:16Leandra grimaced as some of her bravado dissipated.
16:19But I won't lie to you.
16:21There are dangerous times ahead.
16:23The three ministers looked at each other before Omega-445-Intersect-Gamma finally spoke up.
16:29Then it is fortunate the most dangerous predators in the quadrant are on our side, he said at last.
16:36Chapter 27.
16:39Diaksh Chugaz Uyden gazed around the cabin at the gathered warriors and smiled.
16:44The flagship resolve hovered in orbit over the planet Gok as they celebrated their victory over the Tetrarchy forces, but then he had never been one to rest on past glories.
16:56While they certainly deserved their moment, this meeting was about something very different.
17:00Planning for Phase 2.
17:03Be seated, he ordered as they found their chairs.
17:06It has been a hard-fought campaign, but at long last all of our objectives have been fulfilled.
17:12The enemy fleet has been shattered, the humans neutralized, and now their very government has fallen into disarray.
17:18The way is clear, my fellow warriors, to finish what we began ten years ago.
17:23Ten long, bitter years.
17:25Years that were wasted suffering the ignominy of defeat.
17:28The warriors and clan leaders nodded their heads in agreement as they relived those rancorous times.
17:34Chugaz rose to his feet.
17:36Nothing lies in our path now.
17:38No one can stop us from fulfilling the pact.
17:41And this time...
17:42His lips drew back, baring his teeth.
17:45This time, we destroy the enemy, once and for all.
17:49The warriors roared their approval, and he let their adulation wash over him.
17:54When we advance to the ancient lands we will not repeat the mistakes of the last crusade.
17:58We will not linger over the planets we conquer, bloodying our blades on the surface.
18:02Not when our ships are capable of reducing each world to ash.
18:06We will sweep through the old triumvirate like a hot desert wind, leaving nothing in our wake.
18:11And then, and only then, will we plant our boots upon their capital soil.
18:16When every last world is barren and lifeless, that is when our victory will be complete.
18:21Not before.
18:23He gazed at each of those seated in turn.
18:25If you have visions of choking the life from our enemy with your bare hands, put those dreams aside.
18:31They have no place here, for that very impulse doomed the crusade.
18:34It will not happen again.
18:36Not so long as I am Diaksh.
18:37The warrior's response was far more restrained at his announcement, though it contained nothing new.
18:44The Konheim were a hot-blooded race, and far too prone to cling to the old ways in his opinion.
18:49And as Diaksh, his opinion was the only one that mattered.
18:53So many of the old warriors clung to traditions that simply had no place aboard a modern warship.
18:58As personally satisfying as watching your enemy die on your blade might be, leveling their cities from orbit was far more efficient.
19:06They might not like it, but as long as he kept handing them one victory after another, they would accept it.
19:13Of course, if he were suddenly unable to provide them with such victories, that could prove problematic.
19:19Those at the table grudgingly nodded in agreement, though the odd grumble could be heard if one chose to listen.
19:25Chugaz chose not to.
19:27As long as his orders were obeyed, he could accept their bruised egos.
19:30Let them grumble.
19:31His actions, his victories, spoke for themselves.
19:35He sat back down, leaning back in his chair, as he prepared for the briefing.
19:39They had a great deal of ground to cover.
19:41And what of the humans?
19:43A voice demanded.
19:44All talk ceased as they turned in unison to face the speaker.
19:48Chugaz's eyes narrowed as he located its source.
19:51Ajum Ganak.
19:52Of course.
19:53He should have known.
19:54Once he had been one of his staunchest allies, but of late he had grown increasingly silent at these meetings.
20:00As long as he did not oppose him openly, he had been willing to overlook his lack of resolve.
20:05But it would seem his leniency was about to come to an end.
20:08The humans have been dealt with, the Deox replied coolly.
20:12Their fleet has been destroyed.
20:14Their planets wrecked.
20:15Their ability to rebuild crippled.
20:17They now view their erstwhile allies as an even greater threat than ourselves.
20:21He allowed himself a small chuckle, though there was little actual humor in it.
20:27This war was never about them.
20:29They were merely in the way.
20:32As long as they live, they are a danger, Ajum warned.
20:35Despite their best efforts, they are still the only warriors of note in their alliance, and we ignore that threat at our peril.
20:43And just how are they a problem for us?
20:46Chugaz smirked.
20:47Without ships and without weapons?
20:50Were we foolish enough to land on their worlds, perhaps?
20:52But that was never a part of the plan.
20:56He kept his tone purposely light, for if he were to give the others the impression he took this upstart seriously, there could be... complications.
21:05Unfortunately, Ajum seemed unwilling to give even an inch of ground.
21:10You have done all that you promised, Deox, he said evenly.
21:13But I must ask, at what cost?
21:16He held up his hand and began ticking off his fingers, one by one.
21:20Zack, Xuch, Zess, and Naogak.
21:24We may have defeated their fleet, but their forces still ravaged the planet below.
21:28He snorted derisively.
21:30Any more victories like that, and we may be forced to surrender yet again.
21:34The loss of those worlds was regrettable, but necessary, he replied calmly.
21:39But inside he was seething.
21:41To be confronted now, like this?
21:43It was unacceptable.
21:44Chugaz nodded to himself as he reached a decision.
21:46Ajum had become a liability, but he could not afford to confront him now, openly.
21:51As Deox, all that he did was scrutinized, and if his political enemies suddenly smelled blood,
21:57they would pounce as surely as a carnivorous predator would take down lamed prey.
22:02No, this required subtlety.
22:04Simple enough, and he had handled similar problems in the past the same way.
22:08One day soon, Ajum would just disappear.
22:11We are Konhim, Chugaz said disdainfully.
22:15Warriors from birth.
22:17Oh yes, his days were most definitely numbered.
22:20Calling what happened to those worlds battle is to stretch the word into a shape unrecognizable.
22:26Ajum fired back.
22:27Try instead, sacrificed, like tokens on a board.
22:31The room suddenly grew quiet as the grave as the challenge was laid bare at last.
22:36Choose your next words very carefully, Ajum Ganak, Chugaz hissed.
22:39Or you too will taste my blade.
22:42Ajum froze as he suddenly realized he had taken a step too far.
22:46Glancing at those around him, it grew increasingly obvious that what support he might have for his position
22:51was slender at best, and growing weaker by the moment.
22:55Should he choose to declare his opposition now, openly,
22:59he had no doubt his remaining existence would be short indeed.
23:03But as the moments ticked on, he began to comprehend that last step had been fatal after all.
23:09Chugaz was a skilled warrior, certainly, but depressingly few of his enemies actually died on his blade.
23:15Quite the opposite.
23:16Instead, they tended to suffer accidents, if the word could be used to describe an obviously orchestrated demise.
23:23It flew in the face of everything the Konhim had once stood for,
23:27but then the Diaksh was cut from a very different cloth than his predecessor.
23:30Jiaj Guiaz had rigidly obeyed the ancient customs of their people, and it had cost him dearly.
23:37But no one had ever accused him cowardice or slipping a blade into the back of the unwary.
23:42Of course, no one accused Chugaz of such things either, not if they wished to continue drawing a breath.
23:47My apologies, Diaksh, he said at last, bowing deeply.
23:52I spoke rashly and beg your forgiveness.
23:55Chugaz gazed at him with flat, cold eyes, and in that instant Ajum knew what his future foretold.
24:01The Diaksh let the moment draw out, before finally giving him a curt nod of abeyance.
24:06But it was a lie, and both men knew it.
24:09The briefing resumed once more, as their commander began outlining his plan.
24:15But in his mind, Ajum began making plans of his own.
