'Your doubts are groundless. I will always find a way to prevail.'

'Actions speak louder than words,' said Liet distantly, pretending to lose interest.

Kobin said nothing, deep in thought. He could see the change in Liet. The lieutenant-general was returning to his former self. Kobin had to conclude there was nothing he could do to redeem himself in this moment. The battle had been lost, for now. Liet had grown accustomed to him. If he were to regain his power, he would need a new approach, or perhaps there was no need for control any longer. Liet wished for power, just as he did. They were allies by common interest, no longer by fear born of need. He needed only to know that he could rely on Liet when the time was right, and until then, focus his efforts on how best to seize the power they desired.

'Then I will go and speak with him now,' said Kobin.

'He is weary of your lack of formality,' said Liet before Kobin could turn away. 'You will need to address him as "General" from this point on.'

'He is but a man.'

'A man who has means that you need. Give him the respect he desires, your pride will be a small loss if you are to find these places.'

Kobin glared for an instant, wishing to force Liet into submission once more, but calmed quickly. He could not afford such a display in front of so many Alliance soldiers. It could lead to his death. He had power to overcome one man, perhaps two, but not thirty or more. He also knew that Liet was right. He needed to remain focused on the ultimate goal. He could find other ways to infuriate the general. To now address him as thus would be a small cost.

'I will keep that in mind,' said Kobin, and moved away without saluting, leaving Liet to return to the drills of the soldiers.

Kobin walked briskly toward Alkon's quarters, playing out what he would say in his mind. If he could not use Jaden as a means of manipulation, he would need something else, some other sort of leverage. The High Council would certainly condone his efforts in increasing their chances of winning the war, but he would not use them yet. For them, he had other plans. To force Alkon into giving him what he wanted now without mentioning the High Council was going to be tricky. He had to make Alkon want what he wanted, to somehow make him believe he needed the Daijuarn technology beyond all else if he were going to achieve victory.

'General,' said Kobin, opening the door so quickly it slammed into the wall behind it, causing some pictures to rattle.

Alkon looked up with dull eyes and a tired expression, as if he had been awake many days and did not have the energy to be startled.

'When did a general's quarters become property of the common intruder, without even a knock?' he asked.

'I do not know, General, perhaps when they learned that it was a waste of time.'

Alkon shook his head wearily and then looked back down at the work in front of him. 'What do you want, Callibrian?'

'I have heard we are soon moving on to the city of Waikor. There is word that they are a city under Daijuarn protection.'

'Your counsel is not needed,' said Alkon, scribbling something down on some paper. 'We have the means of taking care of the Daijuar; they are not a threat to us.'

'But Waikor is powerful. While the Daijuar defend them, they will be able to inflict a fair amount of damage on your forces. They will attack from the ground, the sky and from their homes before you can counter. You must understand their technology is the most advanced in the world.'

'I said your counsel is not needed, Callibrian,' said Alkon, doing his best to hide his irritation. 'Go about your business.'

'I cannot unless you give permission. Your men now choose which of my orders they will respond to, as I am sure you are aware.'

Alkon shrugged as he leaned back in his chair and put his hands behind his head. 'Security has been tightened. We must find the breach that allowed us to be attacked. I have been forced to oversee all orders of significance. What do you request?'

'I wish to search for the Daijuar. I have received word from one of your scouts that they are near. With their technology, I will make sure they never hinder the Alliance again.'

Alkon leaned back even further and looked at the ceiling, his arms lowering to the rests on either side. 'Denied,' he said.

'But, General, it could mean a faster end to the wars, something I know you yearn for.'

'You know not of what I want, Callibrian. Do not attempt to use your mind games here as you have with the High Council, they will not work.'

'Mind games?' asked Kobin in surprise. 'I know not of-'

'Yes, always the fool,' interrupted Alkon. 'You are transparent, despite your belief. Be gone. I don't want to see your face or hear your thoughts any longer. Return only with something of worth.'

Kobin opened his mouth to protest, but thought better of it. There would be no persuading Alkon this day.

'As you wish, General,' he said in the politest tone he could manage, and then turned to make his way out.

'Callibrian,' called out Alkon before he had exited.

'Yes, General?'

'Knock on my door before entering.'

Kobin forced himself to grin. 'Understood, General.'

After gently closing the door, Kobin stood idle for a moment before making his way back toward Liet. He wondered if he had underestimated Alkon, or if it was simply distrust of everyone that made him seem overly paranoid now. Kobin had covered his tracks in every possible way, and had played innocent whenever trouble arose. Alkon could not have been aware of his plans. If his plans were known, he would have been executed by now. There was only one conclusion; Alkon was making guesses and little more. However, this would not help in locating the Daijuar. In the coming weeks, he would need Alkon's praise if he were to have the means of finding what he wanted. It would take hours of research and time devoted to ensuring the Alliance's success, time he did not wish to waste, but then, there was always more than one way to achieve success.

Kobin grinned as he neared the training soldiers, where he saw Liet studying him.

'You have permission,' said Liet.

'No,' said Kobin with almost a laugh. 'But I may have found something better.'

'Another failure made a success,' concluded Liet.

'Call it what you wish, it will lead to victory and nothing less.'

'What will you do?'

Kobin looked back to where he had come from and saw Alkon leaving his quarters to walk in the direction of the laboratory. By this he knew that the general had indeed been guessing, and now he wished to make sure he was prepared to face up against the Daijuar at Waikor. The general was putting on a show, an act to make him believe he was better informed than he really was. He had been working on plans for attacking Waikor when Kobin had entered, and now he had new information to work with. The general must have now been scared.

When Alkon was out of sight, Kobin faced Liet again.

'Your faith is lacking. I would tell you my plans, but actions are louder,' he said mockingly, and without another word he walked away, following the same route that he had seen Alkon take.

Chapter Eighteen.

They follow, but by choice or need?

January 31, 997 R.E.

General Alkon Zaccarah sat silently beside a bed in a private medical unit, thinking over all that had happened. The memory of ash, smoke and deadly fumes filling his lungs was still strong, as he remembered fighting for his life from underneath a fallen metal beam. He had almost suffocated, unable to move or call for help. If not for the swift and disciplined action of the soldiers being drilled nearby, he would not have been here this day, one week after the accident in the laboratory had occurred.

There was a man in the bed, connected to the machines that would sustain his life and keep him in as much comfort as possible. Alkon still had trouble believing what had happened, even after replaying it a hundred times in his mind. He had lost one of the largest functioning prototypes of the Equan Plasma Cannon, and witnessed the almost fatal wounding of his leading scientist, Ethan Coride, who now lay in the bed next to him, completely still.

Alkon cursed at the injustice of it, how it should never have happened. It had seemed like any other demonstration. He had stood safely behind the protective area while Ethan prepared the weaponry to show its capabilities against a metal target behind a shield. The various lights had come alive and Ethan had kept his concentration on the controls. It was only a matter of seconds before firing that Alkon had thought he had seen something, a strange light that came from the other side of the room. It was no bigger than a pen in width, but the external power generator used by the weapon soon began to rumble in its place. A warning light had then flashed as Ethan did his best to slow the weapon's firing procedure, but before it had been completely shut down, the generator had exploded, causing half of the building to collapse. Even Alkon had not been safe, forced to duck down and shield himself from the collapsing roof. The large metal beam had come crashing down then as the air filled with smoke and toxic gases. Fires made the heat unbearable, further choking him as he desperately attempted to take in air from his newly formed prison.

The soldiers had come to his aid and quickly set about extinguishing the blazes before searching for Ethan. But Alkon did not remain to help. He had run from the laboratory into the daylight, forcing himself to race around what was left of the building. He had found the one he searched for shortly after, limping away past the barracks ahead. He did his best to run faster, ignoring his bruised ribs and shoulders as he attempted to catch the man with the limp. When he had covered the distance, he had pushed the man hard into the wall and then was upon him before a hand could rise in defence. Pinned against the wall by his neck, Kobin Guyde was able to do nothing as Alkon searched his eyes for any hint of guilt.

The Callibrian had sworn his innocence and for the first time showed fear. Under his left eye was cut, most likely from the explosion, and he was doing his best to nurse his left arm across his chest. When queried, Kobin said his prior wound to his shoulder had not yet healed completely, and the cut had been from a rogue bit of debris, but he had been standing very far from the explosion, otherwise, he questioned, how could he have still been alive?

Alkon knew it was a lie. He knew Kobin was responsible for what had happened. He would have used it as an argument to allow for his execution under High Council rule if not for the lack of evidence. He had been unable to press him further as Liet had come to his defence. After a brief argument, Alkon had been forced to allow Kobin to go free, as he was reminded that the council did not yet know of the technology, and unless he was ready to divulge such information to them, it would be wise to pretend that the entire incident had not occurred. Kobin was banished to his quarters, unable to roam the fort unless under the strict supervision of two or more soldiers. It was all Alkon could think of doing as punishment without the technology coming into question later.

After Liet escorted Kobin away, Alkon returned to make sure Ethan was found amongst the debris. He had been closer to the explosion and had not been as fortunate as Alkon. It had taken longer for rescuers to find him. When they had finally discovered his badly broken and sliced body, it had been too late to save his right arm.

Alkon still felt the same sickness as he had that day when he had first learned of Ethan's injury. It was shocking to think that such a great man of so much importance was now to be hindered in his work forevermore. And it had all been because of one man who continually evaded blame, but was always present where trouble lurked.

Ethan roused slightly. Two of his team were tending to his wounds, administering new and effective treatments developed by the Equai for the fastest possible recovery. Already he seemed in better condition, colour now back in his complexion and the cuts looking less bloody. The bruising remained and he had trouble breathing, but he was able to find enough energy to speak a little.

'My apologies, General,' he whispered slowly. 'I do not know what failed.'

Alkon shook his head. 'It was no fault of yours. There is a traitor among us. In your name, I would have him executed, but he has favour with the council.'

'Who?' asked Ethan.

'I cannot name him for his own safety. I know you, Ethan, and if I could prove his guilt, I would gladly allow you the revenge you deserve to take.'

Ethan closed his eyes and turned his face away, needing to relax his worn muscles. For a moment, it seemed he was asleep from the drugs, but Alkon needed him to stay awake.

'My friend,' said Alkon, 'I regret to disturb you, but there is something that must be known. I understand you are in pain, so I will understand if you cannot answer, but I must ask. If we are to move on to Waikor, will a cannon be ready if we are faced by the Daijuar?'

'Several are almost complete,' Ethan replied, his eyes remaining shut. 'The two most powerful are nearing their final advances. Another is almost finished. In two weeks, it will be complete.'

'That is all I needed to hear. Thank you, my friend. Your service is the finest I could have asked for. If there is anything I can do in return, do not hesitate to ask.'

'One thing, General.'

'Name it. It shall be done.'

'There is another project,' said Ethan, opening his eyes slightly so that he could see through tiny slits. 'But it is not yet complete. I wish to have my arm back, General. I cannot live this way.'

Ethan held up his right arm, showing that below his elbow had been cut off. Alkon turned away slightly.

'You have endured more loss than any man should, but what can be done?'

'We have worked on creating artificial limbs. There have been many breakthroughs. No one is aware of the technology yet, as we have been met with nothing but failure, but now we are seeing results.'

'What is an artificial limb?' asked Alkon. 'Do you speak of machinery?'

'No, that was our first test. It will take much greater technology to reach such advancement. Our new work has come from a new form of steroid. It encourages growth through mutation. It is capable of regenerating the needed tissues with only minor side effects. After a brace is set, skin can be grown and in time, movement will return with the right therapy. So far we have not been able to do human tests. I would like to volunteer myself as the first.'

Alkon was thoughtful as he leaned backward. 'What do you foresee in the future for such treatment?'

Ethan seemed to become more awake as he spoke. 'Greatness, General. Soon artificial limbs will be more powerful and resistant to the elements than those with which we are born. In time, no soldier will have to fear anything but death in battle. We will be able to treat all other injuries.'

Alkon nodded. 'That is what I feared.'

'General?'

'I cannot permit it, my friend. I apologise, but if we allow this research to continue, it will be used against us, not with us. It would be a great technology if it did not leave your hands, but it would spread through the entire Alliance, and the Alliance has seen better times.'

'I do not follow, General.'

'It is a secret not very well kept. The Alliance is breaking in various nations. They are under the rule of rogue commanders who would use whatever means available to rebel and turn against us. If they could build entire armies of soldiers who were half metal, half man, they would not wait for injury. They would replace healthy limbs with the ones of which you speak. Soldiers in perfect health would become victims to men who would simply use them to gain power. I desire victory like any other, but I will not sacrifice that which we fight for.'

'You have a bleak perception, General,' said Ethan.

'That might be, but it is a perception we must hold in the coming years. We may take this continent, but the nations around the world are growing stronger and our armies weaker. They will fight us, and when the time is right, the commanders who have sworn loyalty but wish for more will turn against us, and then what will we have left?'

'With this technology, we will stand a better chance.'

'Yes,' said Alkon, 'but not at the cost of those who would remain on our side.'

'Then you may use the technology on slaves!' said Ethan desperately, fear etching its way into his voice.

'I am sorry, but I cannot allow this technology to go beyond these walls.'

Ethan looked away, and Alkon knew he had denied something more important than he realised for Ethan to defy him in this way. But he had to remain strong for the greater good of the world. He wished to reward Ethan for his service, but there must be another way. There must be something else he could give him. He thought of calling for early retirement, allowing Ethan to go home to his family, but the High Council would not be lenient. Ethan was still able to work on his projects, even with only one arm at his command. Still, there was a possibility he would be able to persuade them to think that Ethan could continue work from his homeland, Equa.

'How would you like to return home?' asked Alkon, now deeming it a possibility.

Ethan shook his head. 'My family believe I am a hero doing great work. I do not want to return like this.'

'But it would be an end to the war for you. You could know peace again!'

'My war will never end, General. My place is here, with my team. The universe is my war. I fight to understand it each day, and with my understanding come the inventions you have witnessed.'

'You could continue your work, at home, with your people there.'

'They would not permit me access to the funds and resources as I am able to obtain here. My growth would cease or slow to a crawl.'

'I do not know what else to say. I have nothing more to give,' conceded Alkon.

'Then allow me to use this technology in secret. Please, General, I have suffered enough. You have asked me what you can do, so I beg you, allow me to know what it is to have my arm again.'

There was a pause as both men stared at one another, hoping the other would give way and back down. But Ethan's pain kept him strong, and Alkon knew he could not deny Ethan his right to use his research after so many years of loyal service.

'I will allow it, for you only,' said Alkon, 'so long as I have your word that it will not go beyond you and your team.'

Ethan seemed to breathe again. 'Thank you, General,' he said, and let his head fall back into the pillow, the stress in his features disappearing as he closed his eyes to sleep again.