Page 34 of Advance and Retreat (Dark Empire #6)

“Because wholesale genocide of a species is wrong. The genocide of every species in your dimension is an abomination.” Cassidy fairly spat the words.

Jackie shifted, and she lowered her voice.

“Don’t throw our attempts to destroy the All in my face as an example of hypocrisy, either.

There’s a difference between the All eradicating what it doesn’t like simply out of spite and us trying to survive.

The All’s extinction to avoid the extinction of untold numbers of other species is a valid solution.

A solution you should have offered to those you allowed to die. ”

The Other gazed at her for a few moments.

Presently it said, “Your people have pets. Four-legged, non-intelligent creatures. The dogs. Yes, it’s similar to dogs and humans when it comes to lower sentients and us, whom you call the Other.

Just as dogs can’t comprehend how you think and feel, so it is between us.

We see no reason to get involved in your lives. ”

Cassidy’s temper was rising, particularly as her doppelganger’s lips jerked a smile that said you can’t argue with our reasonable argument. Of all the narcissistic notions...

Unfortunately, the Other had little emotional intelligence, so the names Cassidy could have called it would do little to give her satisfaction. She took a deep breath and concentrated on a more analytical argument.

“Most humans care greatly for lesser creatures, such as dogs. In fact, we have laws regarding mistreatment of animals, some which include incarceration of those who abuse them. We’d certainly take action should some psychopath decide to kill all our dogs.”

“Because you’ve taken them on as companions?”

“Because we don’t turn our backs on the suffering of defenseless creatures.

We safeguard them, even those who don’t contribute to our lives.

A large number of societies in this dimension feel the same when it comes to non-sentient beings.

We recognize their rights to live, even though they may not be self-aware. ”

The Other appeared mystified. “Why?”

Cassidy snorted. “It’s a mark of civilization. Have you truly left behind everything you must have once been? Your compassion?”

“We are all equal. There is no need or want for us any longer. No suffering. I suppose we have no need for compassion when our existence is perfect.” The Other shrugged, as if brushing off the notion.

Cassidy suddenly snorted laughter, muffling it as best she could to avoid disturbing Jackie.

“What’s so funny?” the Other asked.

“The answer to my questions is so obvious. How did I not see it before?” Cassidy shook her head at her double. “The Other is a coward. A weak, pathetic coward.”

“We...we fail to see your reasoning.” Bafflement filled her double’s face.

“It’s something my clanmate Lidon quotes from his faith. ‘True courage is to take a stand for the weak when it wins you nothing and could cost you everything.’ Of course, you have the advantage that you lose nothing no matter how you act, but you lack any bravery whatsoever.”

“How did you arrive at this hypothesis?” Real consternation had appeared.

“You hide behind grand pronouncements of your superiority. You stood back and let the All wipe out who knows how many lives in your dimension because it had no effect on you personally. You’re perfectly willing to let it happen here too.

You tell us to make our peace with the inevitable end, rather than trying to help us stay alive.

We don’t have to die at the All’s tentacles, but you’ve decided you’re too afraid to do anything about it! ”

“We’re not sure you’re accurate.”

The Other looked positively sulky. Maybe it hadn’t lost all emotional ability after all if it didn’t like the words it was hearing.

Jackie shifted and burbled a tiny sound. She’d be waking soon and ready to nurse. Cassidy decided it was as good a time as any to show her unwanted guest the door.

She had a couple more things to get off her chest first.

“The proof is plain. You’re afraid to lose your view of yourself as a preeminent entity by lowering yourself to assist mere physical beings. Fear masked as arrogance makes you unwilling to save species the All would wipe out.”

“We don’t experience fear or arrogance,” the Other insisted.

“Ha! You’ve displayed it every time I’ve encountered you. Your ego keeps you from getting involved. It makes you worse than the All.”

“Worse?”

“The All is merely vicious. However, the Other lacks basic decency. You stand by and watch the All commit atrocities and don’t lift a finger to stop it, though you could.

If there’s a better example of pure, unmitigated evil and cowardice, I can’t imagine it.

Our blood and the blood of those you allowed the All to kill is on your hands.

You bear as much, if not more, guilt as it does. ”

As she watched her double struggled to comprehend the accusations she’d hurled, it occurred to Cassidy her denouncement had been a waste of breath. The Other, despite all its phenomenal attributes, was simply incapable of understanding it could be found inferior in any respect.

“Never mind,” she sighed, feeling defeated as Jackie’s eyes blinked open. “Just leave, and don’t come back. I have nothing left to say to you.”

“Cassidy—”

Her shout joined Jackie’s hungry wail. “Get the hell out!”

The Other disappeared.

* * * *

A lpha Space Station

Kuran bowed to the vid image of Admiral Tranis, who sat at a desk in a sunlit office.

The window behind the admiral showed a stunning view of Kalquor’s green sea, which surrounded the island headquarters of the empire’s fleet.

It was a far lovelier setting than Kuran’s own bare-bones office, but the Nobek felt no jealousy.

He didn’t need much in the way of décor.

He spent most of his time shadowing Stacy.

“Thank you for taking my com, sir. I realize you’re busy.”

If the bearded Dramok felt put out by the demanding summons Kuran had sent, he didn’t show it. “You said it was important, and since you can’t speak to Admiral Piras, you needed to talk to me. What can I do for you, Agent Kuran?”

“You’re aware of the attempted assassination on Governor Nichols.”

“I’ve read your reports of the incident and your investigation into it. Good work catching the man who set the attacker on the governor.”

Kuran tamped down on a spike of temper to hear the near murder of his beloved referred to as an incident . He needed Tranis on his side. “It was easy once I had the bar’s surveillance information. The fool didn’t cover his tracks very well, and he’s known around the area.”

“You uncovered new information after apprehending him?”

“I have, sir. Not only was he able to give me specific names, but I was also able to gain records of his communications with those who had him threaten the assailant. Transmitting those records and the names to you now.”

Tranis glanced at the screen that appeared before him. His eyes widened after a moment of reading and turned their regard to Kuran. “There’s no doubt about the instigators’ identities?”

“None, sir. I ran voice and frequency identifiers. They confirmed with over ninety-two percent confidence the order to kill Governor Nichols came straight from Governor Noah Taylor of New Bethlehem and Governor John McCarthy of Mercy.”

“Which complicates things.” Tranis scowled and stroked his jaw. “It really complicates things.”

“Yes sir. If the Galactic Council wasn’t overcome by the All, they’d take on the rest of the investigation and level the appropriate charges.

Although, if the situation were as it should be, Earth could have claimed jurisdiction over the two colonies.

They were still considered colonies when the original Earth was rendered unlivable.

Independence from their parent government, which is now moved to Earth Two, hasn’t been validated by either planet’s voters. ” Kuran worked his angle carefully.

“New Bethlehem’s and Mercy’s governments have vehemently contested the jurisdiction issue since the GC put Governor Nichols in charge of Earth before the official election was held. The matter was still being argued when the All stopped the case in its tracks.”

“McCarthy and Taylor must be held accountable. As it’s an Earther matter, they should be brought to Earth to face justice for their actions while the Galactic Council is incapable of doing so.” Kuran held Tranis’ gaze.

“No other governing body is sanctioned to order an extradition.”

“No.”

“Mercy is in chaos. The majority of its inhabitants are calling for McCarthy’s head, so he’s been in hiding for weeks. Still, the various factions trying to claim control of the planet wouldn’t appreciate outside interference, especially from us.”

“If they were unaware we were present and if we had human allies willing to help—”

“Do we?”

Kuran dipped a nod. “I’m acquainted with a reporter who’s concerned about her mother’s whereabouts and wellbeing. It wouldn’t be suspect if she and her news team from Earth showed up on Mercy to do a story. It would allow her to do some digging into her mother’s and Governor McCarthy’s locations.”

Tranis’ brow lifted. “New Bethlehem is another matter. They’ve had their share of issues due to Dark Death, and dissension exists between the government and the people.

However, the situation shows no sign of exploding as Mercy did.

We also don’t know the level of Dark influence on the colony.

New Bethlehem says they have strict guidelines to check for infestation, but without the pre-All GC’s supervision, no one’s checking on them. Particularly not the empire.”