Barbarians

There must be something worth living for

There must be something worth trying for

Even some things worth dying for!

And if one man can stand tall

There might be hope for us all

Somewhere, somewhere in the Spirit of Man

Jeff Wayne’s "War of the Worlds" - “The Spirit of Man”

Sergeant Lin scowled at the Khonhim, before turning to Nassat. “Sir, I’m telling you, I think this is a bad idea. The whole thing sounds like a damn setup to me.”

Jiyazh seemed unperturbed by the outburst. “I understand your concerns, Sergeant, but Azhum Ganakh has assured us that…”

“...and what good are his ‘assurances’?” Lin fired back. “You don’t even know this guy! For all we know he could be leading us into a trap!”

“But what if he is not?” Nassat replied. “If we do not take this chance, what does our future hold? Stranded far from home, on an alien world, without support...if Chugaz Uydan wishes us dead, he need not lift a finger. Time alone will see to our demise as we are whittled down, bit by bit until nothing is left.”

Lin remained unconvinced. “Even if he isn’t setting us up, it’s still one hell of a gamble. Suppose everything breaks the way we want it to. All we’ll have done is gain a few allies, who’ll still be massively outnumbered. It’ll just take a little longer before they finish killing us.”

“Not necessarily,” Musashi said after a moment’s thought. “There is a historical precedent for this. Prior to the Battle of Sekigahara, Tokugawa made secret alliances with several of the daimyō affiliated with his enemy. In the middle of the battle, they switched sides, securing his position as Shōgun of Japan.”

“Such is also our way,” Jiyazh nodded in agreement, “or it was, prior to our invasion of the Triumvirate.” He and Nassat shared an uncomfortable look before he continued. “Our loyalty was to the clan, and changing allegiances in mid-battle to secure a better position was common. It was only the Great Crusade that united us into a single force, and when it failed, it was Chugaz Uydan’s empty promises that held them together after I chose exile.”

“Not so empty, if he pulls it off,” Lin muttered.

Jiyazh turned to the sergeant. “I know these men. Yes, Chugaz Uydan has given them victories, but we have paid for them with innocent blood. A third of our worlds now lies in ruins as a ruse to lure the Tetrarchy in.” He shook his head. “He spends the lives of those sworn to him like water, not caring about the cost. He spits upon the very traditions that we hold dear...all in the name of ‘Victory’.” Bitterness tinged his every word. “Victory at any price is too high a price to pay, Sergeant. It is only the lack of a viable option that keeps them at his side. Give them that option, and I am certain many will take it.”

Nassat rose to his feet. “We have no other choice. If any of our races are to have a future, then we must take this chance...or else watch our worlds burn, one by one.”

Lin looked at the faces of the others, all set in resolve, and sighed. “Ah...what the hell. Not like I had anything else planned.”

Jiyazh laughed, clapping him on the back. “Spoken like a true warrior. We will make a Khonhim of you yet!”

“...wonderful,” Lin said.

“So, how do we do this?” Nassat asked.

“We wait for Azhum Ganakh’s signal,” Jiyazh explained. “He will ensure they hear our voice...not only throughout the fleet but on the homeworlds as well. It will take time for Chugaz Uydan to track down the source of the transmission. With luck, it will be long enough for those listening to make their choice.”

“And then all hell breaks loose,” Lin said.

“Even if it delays his efforts, that would be a victory,” Nassat replied, “though I pray your words fall on fertile soil...Dhyaksh Jiyazh Ghuuyaz.”

“As I have said before, I am no longer Dhyaksh...” Jiyazh reminded him, only to have the Saurotaur cut him off.

“...you can no longer hide behind that fiction,” Nassat said. “If your people are to choose, then give them a real choice. You must declare Chugaz Uydan a false leader, a usurper...and reclaim the title for yourself.”

“The King is Dead...Long Live the King,” Musashi grinned.

The Khonhim’s eyes narrowed. “Do you have any idea the position you place me in?” Jiyazh demanded...only to blink in confusion as the others dissolved into laughter.

“...I believe I may have some small inkling,” Nassat said.

“Are you ready to do this?” Leandra asked the others.

“We can delay no longer,” Minister Thrassath said. “If we are to put an end to this chaos, then it must be now.”

“The people must know the truth,” Minister Ω 445 Intersect Γ agreed, “for as long as they divide us, we leave ourselves vulnerable to the Khonhim horde.”

“We stand with you,” Minister Byzaagaab said with no small amount of pride. “If we learned nothing else from Humanity, we know there are some causes worth the risk.”

Leandra closed her eyes, as she reflected on just how far they had come. A decade ago she could never have imagined a moment like this one, where after so many long years, humans were being accepted as equals. Not out of fear, or need, or reluctance...simply an acknowledgment that they too had something to offer. Something special.

“...then let’s do this,” she said at last, once she was sure she could trust her voice. The four ministers seated themselves, facing the camera in their makeshift studio. While it might lack the grandeur of the Ministry chambers, its simplicity would make a much more powerful impact. Revolutions aren’t begun in palaces.

Though occasionally, they end there.

“Are you ready Control?” she asked.

“Ready,” Control replied. “Preparing to break into all communication channels in five...four...three...two...one.” A red light signaled they were live, as they put on their professional faces.

“Good evening,” Leandra said with quiet confidence. “I am speaking to you now to address the unrest that has crippled our society...a crisis brought on by those that would turn back the clock to a simpler time. A time when the Triumvirate knew only peace...and a time when Humanity was held at arm’s length. I know many of you long for those innocent days, and it might surprise you to learn that I too wish we were not faced with the dilemmas that plague us now...even if it meant my people taking a subordinate role once more.”

She shook her head, displaying all the gravitas she could muster. “But it is an immutable law of nature that we cannot go back, no matter how much we may wish we could. Those that claim otherwise are selling you a lie...the same lie they told you again and again, for ten thousand years. That all is well, that there is nothing to fear, although we all know now the ugly truth. The truth that safety is an illusion, that Fate can intercede and turn one’s life upside down...or even end it forever.”

Leandra took a deep breath and leaned forward. “The truth is this...the Khonhim are coming. Those that claim otherwise are at best dupes and pawns...and at worst, traitors, aiding those that would murder you in your sleep. Perhaps they have convinced themselves of the lie, as they did once before. Or perhaps, they do not care. Should the worst befall us, I guarantee you will not count their corpses among the dead, for their kind never allow themselves to suffer the same fate as those they would rule. They will slip away into the night like thieves, and leave you to your doom.”

Her jaw set in a hard line, as she drove it home. “To the former ministers Lassoarth, Σ 121 Sub Δ, and Qomzoixaa, I say this now. Run. Run now, while you still can. Run far, and run fast, and you may avoid the fate you deserve.” Her eyes narrowed, her predatory binocular vision glaring into the camera, as she bared her fangs.

“To those that serve the usurpers, the betrayers of all that is just, and good...lay down your arms, and we will forgive your actions. Do it now, for this amnesty will not last forever.”

“And finally, to those of you listening, wondering what is the right course of action…this is your call to battle. Take back what is yours. Fight for what you believe in, and for those you swore to protect. And anyone that would stand in your way…no mercy.”