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Holding on to Failing
Power 2000 short story by
Jonathan Hicks Thirty-five years after Episode
IV A New Hope The goblet clattered to the floor as it rebounded
from the wall, the wine inside splashing down the thin curtains that
partially covered the door to the balcony. It bounced back down the steps and
rolled under a heavy stone table. The noise of its impact startled Chiefmind
Vasquid so that he snapped his head up from the holomap he was studying. He was surprised at Lordmind Estoors reaction. He
had been calm when he had told him the news from his scouts on the capital
planet of the Ki-Ki Sector, Fedarn, and had even seemed unconcerned. He knew
his master's moods, how they could be calm and calculating and then suddenly
loud and abrasive. Usually those moods would change over time but this time
the Lordmind seemed to be embroiled in the emotion. Great
nameless Gods! he roared aloud with his voice. He had his hands on his hips
under his loose robes as he stared at the stain on his curtains and floor. He
rubbed his forehead and groaned, his eyes tightened as he contemplated
Vasquids words. It seemed to Vasquid that what he had told his
master had taken time to sink in. He had passed on the scout reports, they
had talked of possible outcomes of the loss of the Mindmoon even shifted the
light pieces that denoted armies and legions across the huge holomap. Then Estoor had just turned and flung his goblet
at the wall as Vasquid tried to explain why they couldnt shift troops from
the spaceports of their temporary home, Junduk IV, because of the holes it
would leave in their defences. How did they do it, Vasquid? Estoor
demanded with the voice of his mind, whirling on the man. You are the commander of all our troops so
tell me, how did they do it? After a deep calming breath Vasquid pointed at the
huge map. Until we get better reports
from the capital I cannot say. The defence of the Mindmoon is bettered only
by Fedarn herself. The Ki-Ki legions must have sacrificed many to take the
satellite. And now they command our home, virtually
cutting us off from the upper reaches of the sector. How many of our men were
on the Mindmoon? Vasquid
cleared his throat. Three thousand. And how many are left? One and a half thousand. If the initial
reports are correct the Prime Lord's forces are mighty. Perhaps we can strike from here... Our defence is already thin and sending
our garrison would leave us vulnerable. Then bring in a legion from our wandering
starships... We will need more than a legion, my Lord.
The situation is beyond repair at this time. We must gather whatever forces
managed to escape the Mindmoon... And execute them for obviously losing the
home they should have died defending! Estoor roared inwardly, this time
kicking the goblet as it slowly rolled from underneath the table under its
own momentum. It skittered over the floor and into the base of a bust by the
wall. Vasquid placed both hands on the table and leaned
forward as he waited patiently for his master to calm himself. It had been a
long day already, what with the reports coming in and continuous updates of
the locations of wandering Minds. As they had arrived on Junduk IV to take control
of an abandoned mining settlement, without the knowledge of the planet's
capital, Junduk Major, a messenger had arrived who claimed to have travelled
from the capital with news. That news was the reason why Estoor was raging
now. I cannot believe that the Prime Lord would
send messengers of truce and then attack my Mindmoon, Estoor thought,
shaking his head and looking out at the darkening sky over Junduk with mock
confusion. I think killing the messengers and sending
their heads back to the Prime Lord may have prompted him to act somewhat,
Vasquid replied. Estoor spun on his heel and glared at the man. Remember who you speak to, Vasquid. I
raised you up to this position. I can just as easily make you fall. Vasquid knew that well. He had been appointed the
leader of the legions of the Mindmoon and had taken on board every
responsibility that entailed. If he had known that every strategic decision
he made was going to be changed or overruled by the Lordmind he would have
thought twice before accepting the new position. He had his doubts when siding
with Estoor those many weeks ago. Now he watched the Lordmind make more and
more erratic decisions every day and he couldnt help but feel that he had
made a mistake. Some of the opinions Estoor was expressing were almost
lunacy, his wishes unrealistic. Extending the powers of the acolytes.
Building a new Mindmoon. Vasquid knew that Estoor loved his kind, his
Mindmoon and ways. He also knew he became incredibly dangerous when he
couldnt make good from a bad situation. Forgive me, he thought in a placating
tone. I meant to say that the Prime
Lord is a very volatile man and it takes very little to anger him. It was
obvious that he intended to attack and that the messenger was a decoy. Ive had dozens of his messengers
searching me out, the Lordmind scoffed, making a sweeping gesture to a
hill overlooking the lake. Several pyres were silhouetted against the
twilight. Vasquid looked out of the window and towards the
dead fires, knowing that each one had been erected especially for the Prime
Lord's messengers who were coming more and more frequently. He knew that the
Prime Lord was apparently suing for
peace but couldnt help thinking it was a ruse of some form. The Ki-Ki leader
had even gone to the trouble of wording his letters formally, in the way that
Mindmoon scribes wrote their official letters, but the Lordmind had not been
impressed. It had only increased his anger, thinking that the Prime Lord was
mocking their ways. Estoor had told the other Minds that the Prime
Lord had sent the men to make demands on them so they were burnt for their
temerity. He remembered the first messenger in his strange golden helmet,
submissive and compliant, kneeling in front of the Lordmind and being struck
on the head before he even spoke his message. The memory of the cheers of the
Minds had chilled even Vasquid. And what do the other Cheifminds say of
all this? Estoor wanted to know. They debate, as they always do,
Vasquid answered. I think theyre more
concerned about their positions in the order than about the loss of the
Mindmoon. Men appointed by me and they have a far
lesser interest in the Order than a commoner. I wonder at the importance of
the Cheifminds, I really do. I am trying to continue the glory of the Order
and all they can do is bicker about how is best to divide their wealth. Money
means dung to me, Vasquid. All I wish is for the Minds to be the one true
power. The sooner the Cheifminds see that the sooner we can focus on making
our Order greater. What use is the Cheifminds if all they do is stunt our
growth? They had talked of this before, with Estoor
outlining his plans for an Empire with no Cheifminds and full control
belonging to him. Vasquid quickly changed the direction of the conversation. The new Mindguard will be ready for your
inspection tomorrow, he said hurriedly, hoping that his urgency to avoid
talk of dissolving the Cheifminds was not too obvious. I hear that they are some of the best turned out by the Order. I remember being told that last month,
Estoor grumbled, apparently not noticing the change of subject. Half of them
were sent into battle and died, if I remember rightly. Im sick of tired
specimens being offered to me, Vasquid, youre supposed to make sure that the
garrisons gets only the best. I know, my Lord, and I apologise, but this
time I think youll be impressed. Estoor screwed up his face. Vasquid, I dont want to be distracted by the inspection tomorrow, I think I should concentrate on the Prime Lord issue. You inspect them for me. You know what a Mindguard is made of. But, my Lord, you always... Ah, one inspection will not be a problem,
Estoor mumbled and waved a dismissive hand. Vasquid watched as his Lordmind
turned his back on him and he shook his head. Vasquid took the wave as his cue to leave and
gathered up his datapads with his reports and notes. He was confused. The
Lordmind had never missed an inspection before. He always appeared to enjoy
pointing at the men lined up before him and deciding whether they were sent
into battle or given armour and instructed as his personal guard. Sometimes Estoor would refuse an obviously worthy
soldier because he was interested to see how well he performed in battle
against the Prime Lord's forces. Many well-deserving trainees had come to
perish that way. As you wish, my Lord. Vasquid thought
as he headed for the door Yes, Estoor answered. As I wish. Holding on to Failing
Power 2000 short story by
Jonathan Hicks Thirty-five years after Episode
IV A New Hope Histories The complexities of the
invasion continue to mount as Chiefmind
Vasquid and Lordmind Estoor plot and plan their next step.
Cast of Characters Chiefmind Vasquid
Lordmind Estoor
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