Ithkul Gambit

Part Two

When the Emperor ‘suggests’ an action it is wise to politely comply, T:Sar reflected as she watched the live holo feed from the first Eoladi assault on the Ithkul-occupied Raas system of Irra. In the last 20 cycles all production had been shifted to the best and largest fleets the Eoladi could produce. Each was either warp 5 or 6, with heavy titanium or neutronium armor, and class 5 shields depending on when the advances had been made available. The ships were formidable compared to their predecessors. All were battle cruisers to dreadnaughts, ships of impressive size and power. They were also hideously expensive to produce, but no less than the best would do for this enterprise.

Fully eight armadas, 144 new ships, were assembled. Most were indirect fire and carriers, but there were not a few long range and short range ships within the carrier and indirect fire armadas. All ships were generously outfitted with point defense and light beam weapons. Hard lessons had been learned; missile racks will empty, and fighters will be destroyed. At these times direct fire is critical both for defense and offense.

T:Sar watched as space flexed, then cleared. The jump was complete. The fleet moved to Irra II, the largest planet, and the Ithkul defending fleet moved to join the battle.

Tell-tales indicated there were 226 Itkul ships. So many! Three Ithkul armadas charged forward, each a short range formation. Volleys of missiles and fighters poured from the planet and the fleet. Almost at the same time the Eoladi fleet launched its missiles and fighters. These met in the center between the fleet and the planet, the fighters pausing to fire at enemy missiles before continuing to their primary targets. There were missile impacts and flurries of light as the swarms of fighters tore at their target ships. Within seconds the lead Ithkul short range armada had been destroyed, and the second volley of missiles was incoming. The Eoladi fleet was faring better, likely from superior armor and point defense, but the lead missile armada was already missing half its contingent as point defense ships sacrificed themselves to protect capital ships.

More hails of light and the Eoladi point defense had eliminated the Ithkul fighters. Little damage had been taken, it seemed. The Eoladi fighters were reduced but still firing and the second Ithkul short range group was being quickly demolished. There were missile impacts, which devastated the group as the fighters and missiles saturated its flagging point defense. Then it was gone, and the few remaining fighters and new missile strikes streamed toward the rear Ithkul formations. There were more explosions as the outer elements of a carrier group were torn apart.

Space puckered, and there were vortexes of light. Just as the last volleys of missiles were being exchanged the Ithkul fleet activated their jump drives, abandoning the system to its fate. Inbound missiles and fighters retargeted the ground bases and in seconds they were gone.

T:Sar had hoped for such an outcome. The debate in the Grand Protectorate over the change in policy had been contentious to say the least. Hard line military advisors pressed to continue the war against the Meklar now that they were weak, stating that they feared a quick resurgence of the hyper-productive Meklar and a renewed threat as political conditions change. Economic advisors railed against both the anti-Meklar and anti-Ithkul factions, citing the dangerous imbalance a shift in resource allocation would have on planetary development and research. T:Sar’s position had little support. Few saw the Ithkul as an immediate threat since they were embroiled in wars all over the galaxy and far away from Eoladi worlds. The Emperor had listened to both sides and had, in the end, chosen hers. Moreover, the Emperor had chosen the more extreme options in T:Sar’s recommendation – complete extermination for any and all Ithkul. The military and economic advisors were incredulous, and vehemently protested. But the Emperor would not be swayed – he valued is First Diplomat and Advisor, apparently.

Now T:Sar was going to see the fruits of this victory. The victorious Eoladi fleet started bombarding the planet. Wave after wave of missiles rained down and the atmosphere boiled with the released energies. Fighters and beam ships added ineffectually to the conflagration. The fleet systematically pulverized all resistance, all cities – all life. No one was spared. T:Sar felt some remorse. The planet was occupied by 24 billion inhabitants and a mere 11% were Ithkul. They had not held the planet more than 10 cycles, but already it was severely infected. The Raas population was being sacrificed to eradicate an Ithkul minority. She was sure the blighted Raas of the planet would not appreciate the logic of this policy since they were caught up in the policy of Ithkul genocide.

T:Sar reflected that genocide of an intelligent species was hardly more ethical than what the Ithkul spread, or the horrors of the Antarans.

Still, it had to be done. Diplomacy demanded it.

*~*~*~*

“Most gracious friend,” RD-960-FEAV said, “I greet you as an ally against the most hated Ithkul. Our combined fleets are eradicating this foe, and we are most pleased. Would your august Emperor consider increasing our trade relationship? Extra trade will benefit both of our peoples, and aid us in our war of retribution.”

T:Sar floated for a moment, but there was not much to consider. “My Emperor would be most happy to accept your generous offer, and will gladly entertain any such offers in the future. Forward your proposal to the Trade Ministry. I will authorize the trade expansion, as I am authorized by the Most Wise Emperor.”

RD-960-FEAV’s forward appendage whirled three times and there were a quick series of clicks. Then the holo display went blank.

She authorized the Meklar’s request and, as she did so, reflected on the changes of the last ten cycles. The systematic attacks on the Ithkul, while costly, were bearing fruit. Every race now viewed the Eoladi Protectorate in high esteem, and instead of scorn and derision they actively cooperated with combined fleets in defensive and full alliances with the Protectorate. Trade and research treaties were enhanced every cycle as new levels of understanding and interdependence were achieved. The only race that did not offer the Eoladi a full alliance were the recalcitrant Silicoids, but they still had a significant fleet and had not lost systems to the Ithkul onslaught.

Now that onslaught was pushed back. Their massive fleets were being destroyed faster than they were being produced, and combined fleets were eradicating Ithkul and slave populations from all systems where they were encountered. Even the Raas and Meklar did not object when captive Meklar and Raas populations were exterminated.

Not only were the Eoladi venerated throughout this portion of the galaxy, but the eradicated planets were new colony sites, most of which whet to the Eoladi.

The Ithkul Gambit had worked.

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