The Index -|-

Kpleeb paced in his room. The wall showed Niot below them, lines of fire, smoke, and ash spreading quickly across its surface. His hands clenched and unclenched repeatedly.

[I’ve done it again.] He sighed and closed his eyes [But they deserved it. They took my Thoka from me. They stole me from my home. They kidnapped my daughter and tried to kill her as well. They rejected my attempts to play nice. Obviously, they are entirely evil.]

Despite reminding himself of all the reasons he had to take revenge on the Xi, his words sounded hollow. He forced the doubts from his head. [I need to discuss with Zara the next jump.] Just then, his console blooped at him.

“Da,” Zara said, appearing on his wall in place of Noit. Her eyes were wet and teary. “Da, you can’t keep doing this.” She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.

Kpleeb knew the answer but decided to ask anyway. He shrugged half-heartedly. “Doing what?”

Zara scowled. “You know what! Bombing whole orbs full of Xi into oblivion.”

Kpleeb grimaced and felt frustration well up inside him. His voice rose with a growl. “They’ve taken or killed or tried to kill everything I love! What am I supposed to do, forgive? Forget?” He slammed his wall with his palm.

“I know, Da, but– we need them, and many of these Xi are innocent. They’re just Xi and don’t make the decisions.”

“There are no innocent Xi, Zara! Their riiat is on the Predominant’s hands, not mine. They made this choice and need I remind you that they did the same to countless other peoples. The tough decisions I make are a message to the Predominant.” He paused and shoved his fingers through his shaggy hair. “But believe it or not, I feel bad about it.”

“You don’t sound like it.”

“I really do feel bad. I do, but I also feel like it is necessary to make the Xi pay.”

Zara sighed. “Da, we need to change the approach. We need the Xi.”

Kpleeb was skeptical. “How do we need them?”

“We need to find the Predominant, and we have no idea where Nidix is located. I want to find out where the Xih come from and what kind of technology they have. I also want to know more about Qon. None of this information is going to come upon us without the Xi. They have such a large civilization and so many orbs. Surely there are records and other clues stored on their orbs.” Zara stopped and looked earnestly at Kpleeb. “Da, if you bomb every orb, we will never, ever find answers. We will never find the Predominant.”

Kpleeb pondered his daughter’s words. He tried hard to keep emotions from corrupting his thought processes. After a few long moments, he nodded. “You have a good point, Zara. We need to use Xi communications and records to find Nidix. We can always destroy the orbs after we search, unless we find an orb that builds Xi vessels.”

“No! Da, we will search and leave. We have some advantages, and we do not need to destroy everything we encounter! If we do that, it will come back to haunt us later. You need to promise me that you’ll only destroy the Predominant, and the ships and Xi that fight with us. Surely, revenge on the leaders who made these decisions will be enough satisfaction.”

Kpleeb finally nodded in agreement. “Okay Zara. Let me do the fighting and you do the searching. We will push toward the core together. First, we have to go to Wiag and see if there is a ship building facility there.”

“I’m ready when you are, Da.”

###

In an hour, Kpleeb’s fleet coalesced near the terminal at Wiag. Two small Xi ships were detected moving at a high rate of speed toward them from the Wiag’s orbit. Kpleeb sighed and tapped the nearest red-tiered console. “Xi vessel, we have come to meet your Iteek. If you attack us, we will destroy you.”

There was no response.

“Oiitr, prepare to fire, but hold off unless they shoot first. Let me know if you see any change in their status. Let’s approach Wiag quickly.”

Oiitr lifted its chin slightly and rapidly issued commands to the Greki.

In a few minutes, the two Xi ships became close and communicated a simple message. “The Iteek will see you on the platform.” The Xi ships slowed and began to follow them as they approached Wiag.

“What is this platform?” asked Kpleeb.

“It is the structure orbiting Wiag. Perhaps the Iteek wishes to risk only the platform and not the orb if you decide to ambush them.”

“Yes, I suppose every Xi has heard of me by now.” Kpleeb scratched his beard and remembered his conversation with Zara. “The fear it has instilled will be useful.”

Oiitr glanced at him and said nothing.

Kpleeb contacted Zara. “We are going to meet the Iteek on Wiag’s orbital platform. You will need to analyze everything there for ship building and conduct the searches we talked about.”

“I’m ready, Da. I’ll bring Viinox with me to assist.”

“Oiitr, the Greki and the Hsstak will dock with this platform. Instruct the remaining ships to remain nearby as guards.” He pointed at the platform. “Let’s go.”

###

Kpleeb was impressed. The platform was the largest structure he had ever seen. It was reminiscent of the Xi ships in its design, yet on a far larger scale. The walls were lightly textured and colored in a muted tan, and its ceilings were more than to arm’s length above his head. He stepped out of the doorway and saw many Xi standing at various distances. Clouds peppering the surface of Wiag were visible through a large viewport. The Iteek and his attendants stood closer in a small group, and they started toward Kpleeb immediately as a half-dozen Ganix warriors filed in behind Zara.

“Greetings,” said Kpleeb carefully. He knew that Zara held them in a shield that would probably protect them from attacks. “I am Kpleeb, also called The Builder. This is Zara,” he said gesturing. “And this is Viinox.”

“Hello Kpleeb. I am Iteek Oliat.” The Xi that stepped forward was much like the other Xi Kpleeb had met. It gazed at the group with emotionless, blue eyes that analyzed the visitors and finally rested on Kpleeb’s face. “Why have you come to Wiag? We are but an insignificant orb. We have no quarrel with you.”

Kpleeb smiled and spread his hands. “I have come to use this facility to repair my ships and to obtain organic supplies. We mean you no harm unless you attack us first.”

There was a short pause while the Iteek slowly looked around as if considering its options. Its long, grey robes shifted and Kpleeb caught a tinge of green embedded within the fabric. “While we have no quarrel with you, use of this facility is not allowed. We are loyal Xi, and we cannot aid the enemy.”

With a sigh, Kpleeb turned to Viinox. “Is this true?”

Viinox lifted its chin slightly. “This statement rings true. I believe so.”

Zara turned away.

Kpleeb turned and lifted his lightning spear. “Alright.” With a whine and a sharp crack, the spear bucked in Kpleeb’s grip. The Iteek was blasted backward and fell in a crumpled heap.

Kpleeb shook his head slowly and opened his eyes again. “I don’t know who the Iteek will be now, but the terms of surrender have changed. I will take this platform and all the vessels in the Wiag system.” He raised his voice slightly. “You will not fight me. In return, you will live in peace on Wiag.” He turned to Viinox. “Make it happen and destroy anyone who resists.”

The Xi on the platform stood silent until Kpleeb commanded them to board shuttles back to the surface. Viinox selected a technical representative to remain and then worked with the Ganix warriors to start the evacuation. After the shuttles departed, Kpleeb and Zara took a tour of the facility with Viinox and the Xi named Foawii.

If Foawii was offended, Kpleeb could not say. It strolled stiffly through the ship building section pointing out the various pieces and systems that transformed the stockpiled materials into functional vessels. There were three ships in partially assembled state, and Foawii explained the Xi personnel that conducted the work and the amount of time needed for each one. Zara remained alert but silent during the tour.

###

Hours later, Kpleeb stretched out on the floor in his room aboard the Greki and smiled.

[I guess today went well. Better than expected really. Zara was right. She was so right! There is no need to punish entire orbs full of Xi just because of what their leadership has done. I got everything I wanted from Wiag and only had to turn the Iteek into riiat. It’s a good day.]

[She turned away when I jolted it with the lightning. I’m surprised. I haven’t really noticed how sensitive she is? She is so young, but in a way, she seems so much older and wiser. She is certainly wiser. It’s a good sign that she is concerned about harming others. I’m proud of her for that… but what does that say about me?]

Kpleeb sighed. [Am I heartless? Maybe I am callous, but the Xi have really hurt me. They deserve payback. Yeah, I am a little cold-blooded. Far too callous.]