The Chalice by P.L. Parker Page A

hiscalculations, he failed to notice Tegan’s entry onto the bridge. Even here at thecenter of the ship, age had taken its toll. W ithout constant upkeep, the tarnishedequipm ent’d suffered from  corrosion and disintegration. The once m ighty seekership was but a ghost of its form er self. Restoration efforts were in place, but thedamage would take some time to repair. Maintenance crews scurried from  cornerto corner, focused on their various responsibilities, unaware of his presence intheir m idst. It was as it should be.
    A young tech, one of the Artisan class, sprang to his feet and saluted,
    concerned eyes popping.
    He returned the gesture, grinning in spite of himself. “Be at ease,” he
    chuckled. “I’m  here to observe, not criticize.”
    Startled, Vaux jerked upright. “I was about to sum mon you,” he grumbled.
    “We’ve reached the fringes of the Deg’Nara territory.” His eyebrows drew together. “I can’t find any trace of recent activity in this area and there’s no transmission from  the outpost. It’s almost as if it’s dead.”
    “Could our luck be changing?” He studied the star chart, noting the outpost’s
    bleeping location.
    Vaux made some adjustm ents to the screen, expanding the search parameters.
    Waves of energy pulsed and flowed through the void, but still nothing.
    “I doubt the outpost is even manned.” Vaux’s eyes squinted as he studied the
    grid. “Something would have shown up if it was still occupied.”
    “Perhaps it’s a trap.” The Deg’Nara’s gift for subterfuge was unparalleled. In
    the time of the purge, their hollow prom ises of friendship and protection gained

    them  admittance into many system s of the galaxy. Once the security network had been breached, their strategy became full scale exterm ination of the unsuspecting populace. The satellite com m unities of the Chiagan-Se fell to such a ploy and once inside the boundaries, the Deg’Nara attacked the home planet. The rest was history.
    “If it is, the trap’s been set for enough rotations that no trace rem ains.”
    “I don’t trust them,” Tegan m uttered, unconvinced. “The Deg’Nara would not
    relinquish a prize of war and they wouldn’t willingly leave. Something is amiss.”
    His hand rested on his Tar, drawing com fort from  its solid nearness. Would thathe could have sought its strength in the dark before time. Those Chiagan-Sewho’d managed to survive the early onslaught of Deg’Nara had hid their treasuredweapons in the deep recesses of the hom e planet, away from  the [covetess/covetous] hands of the vile ravagers of his world. Some had escaped unnoticed—others had not faired so well. His teeth gnashed together, the pain of loss toofresh though many revolutions had come and gone.
    “Do we attempt to jump through or take the long way around?”
    There were benefits to both. But which was the better choice? “Crossing wouldsave us time, but I fear the consequences of such an action. Stay to the farthestreaches. Too many have died. I’m  not willing to risk more for speed.”
    Vaux nodded. “I share your concerns. So be it. We keep our distance.”
    “W hat of the other seeker ship?”
    “Shadowing us. Close enough so that the two ships would appear as one if
    we’re scanned from  afar.”
    “And a surprise weapon if the need arrives.”
    Vaux busied himself at the controls, modifying and adjusting the directionals,
    muttering to himself about inconsistencies and oversights. He started, looking shocked. “The Chalices are attem pting to access the com puter system .” His fingers glided across the controls. “I’ll lock them  out.”
    “W hich systems?”
    “Just the basic ones right now.” He sneered. “Prim itive fools.”
    Tegan raised a staying hand. “No…No. Leave them .” If the females werecoordinating efforts to interrelate with the breeders, it was a start, even if asubtle one. “Just block them  from  the