Chapter 74: Interminable War

Brendan, David, and Ashlyn sat in the canteen in the WarHouse after three intensive days of planning. Brendan looked toward the door and smiled. ‘Vendelin, I’m delighted to see you back! How are you?’

‘I am feeling well and almost back to normal. I will continue with rehabilitation for another month.’

‘What happened on the bridge?’ Ashlyn asked.

‘I was fighting the Overseer and doing well until a Dulmeliv soldier shot me in the shoulder.’

‘Shoulders are not easy to rebuild, and the rehabilitation is unpleasant,’ said David.

Vendelin nodded. ‘Life in the construct is much easier. You don’t exercise your body, and you don’t get injured. I forgot how awful rehabilitation could be. The doctors also scheduled me to get a new body in five years. That is a nightmare,’ said Vendelin.

‘We’ve all had new bodies,’ said Ashlyn, laughing. ‘It was not a pleasant experience. Dying was a lot easier, even though the pain was not enjoyable. I hope not to need a new body for a million years!’

‘I hope to avoid the pleasure of dying,’ said Vendelin, grinning. ‘Where is your retinue?’

‘Atra and Imra are busy in the business; Dorel, Makuto, Messa, and Dridget are working with the Supreme Queen,” said Ashlyn. ‘We are relaxing. What will you be doing?’

‘The same as before, carting you lot around and getting to know the new admiral in charge of our ship. She is a Zonruna and is called Fleitnaz Tuidlaal. She is much younger than Keresen and rated much above her. She remained in active service and did not live in a construct.’

‘What happened to your Chancellor?’ David asked.

‘She and a quarter of the Conventikon died after destroying the Sugigoth. Millions of our senior military also died. More of the Aguna, the Dulmeliv, and the Algedi died than the other species. None of the Zonruna, few Strefonis, Sutromia, Panopia, and Louhines lost their lives.’

‘Our ship is the flagship for a crocodile admiral. Let me see if I have understood what you say. You are telling us, Vendelin, none of the crocodiles died, and few of the reptiles and amphibians. The birds, ants, and spiders didn’t do well,’ Ashlyn looked at David and Brendan.

Vendelin nodded. ‘The crocodiles did not lose any. They are the oldest of us all. The lizards, frogs, snakes, and dinosaurs lost a few thousand each.”

‘Have you met our Admiral?’ David asked.

‘Yes, I met her in my briefing this morning. She was cranky and impatient. She has far more responsibility than Keresen and left halfway through to meet with her peers. She was arrogant and opinionated at the meeting. The Supreme Admiral ordered us to carry a Military Corbunicle on our ship, and Adm. Tuidlaal was unhappy,’ Vendelin explained.

‘What is a ‘Military Corbunicle?’’ Brendan asked.

‘Each species contributes some of their best scientists to pools of scientists to work on specific problems or engage in pure research. Military Corbunicles study the effects of weapons systems, shields, and ships in battle. The army has its Corbunicles. Some high-level Corbunicles cover the entire military.’

‘Why is our Admiral unhappy?’

‘The Corbunicles observe everything and everybody during a battle. They ask questions, even during battles, and are persistent and intrusive. Their reports can make or break the careers of even the top admiral or general. They question AIs or anybody they wish on the entire ship. The Zonruna were sentient before anyone else. They hate wasting time and don’t like anyone other than their appointed senior officers to question their actions. They prefer to work with reptiles,’ said Vendelin. ‘You might imagine how delighted she was to have you guys on board. She grumbled something about babysitting primitives.’