by John Walker
“I know… and I understand if you’re not okay with it. But realize this is important. The less you know about it, the better. Suffice to say, I’m working closely with high command on something big.”
“The resource officer?”
Vhel wished people wouldn’t call him that. He knew people of his station often got relegated to the benign concept of solely managing resources. My job is so much more expansive than that. He smiled. “That sounded an awful lot like disdain.”
“Surprise,” Inda replied, “not disdain. I meant no disrespect.”
“Will you do it?”
Inda looked over her shoulder at Renz. Her expression twisted for only a moment but Vhel knew precisely what it meant. She loathed him. He hadn’t seen that kind of hatred in a while.
“Yes.” Inda straightened. “It’ll be removed. Don’t worry about it.”
“Thank you… can I ask how you’ll get by the—”
“Audit?” Inda asked. “I can clear my tracks, sir. Just let me know when the message has been sent. I need the ID. Nothing else matters. I can do my part with that simple number.”
“Sounds good.” Vhel turned away. “I appreciate your assistance.”
“Of course.”
I’ll need to thank her properly when we have a moment. Vhel didn’t know the woman well but he assumed he’d find something she liked. Maybe Kivda can help. He’s worked with her longer. Definitely Renz though.
Vhel directed his attention to sending his prepared message to the Lord Marshal. He hadn’t been able to compile anything for a while. Hopefully, he’s not too feisty about the delay. I didn’t have a lot of choice. The ship had been so busy, going through the hassle of locking down the comm ports didn’t make sense.
Not that anyone would’ve helped me then. At least the chaos of an operation kept everyone occupied… too busy to notice a single message leaving the system. The question is how I’ll receive a reply. If he even bothers to try. But that was the Lord Marshal’s problem. Thankfully.
Vhel’s hand hovered over his screen, near the send button. Sweat broke on his back. If I’m caught doing this now, I have no idea what Renz will do. He already felt terrible for effectively informing on his friends. Inda’s going to keep her part of the bargain and there’s no way I’ll be caught.
Though he began to have doubts. Not necessarily about her integrity but why did she agree to it? I shouldn’t have even asked her. Another couple days with the logs and I would’ve had my own means to clean them up. But he needed some ally. I hope some part of me doesn’t want to be caught.
He wondered about that from the moment he accepted the assignment from the Lord Marshal. If his friends found out, he wouldn’t have to do it anymore. He’d be pulled. But then, he wondered if it might go worse. I wouldn’t put it past Renz to have me executed somehow. Though would either of them risk the ire of the Lord Marshal?
Tempers flare and sometimes self-preservation doesn’t survive the fire.
The message was not as negative as it could have been. Vhel felt as if he salved some of the activities they experienced on the ship. He figured the Lord Marshal must have other spies aboard, people specifically there to report on his son. If so, what stories would they be telling? And would they contradict him?
I’m being honest. Just not direct. That didn’t make him feel much better. I’m doing what I can. He hit the send button then dropped a line to Inda letting her know it was off. His hands went clammy. He wiped them on his pants them mopped his brow. At least things seem to be going close to plan.
Whether the Lord Marshal agreed was another matter. I suppose I’ll find out. Vhel returned his attention to the operation. Reports came in from the surface. He brought them up, preparing for questions from Renz. I have to stay distracted. I’ll worry until Inda lets me know she took care of that log.
Twenty minutes later, she sent a two-word message: ‘it’s done’. Vhel let out a sigh of relief. He wrote back a quick thank you then tossed in ‘I owe you’. She didn’t reply, and she didn’t have to. The fact she helped meant the world to him… though he wanted to know specifically why.
That feels like something worthy of reporting on. But it would have to wait. Another quiet conversation might draw attention. He didn’t want to push his luck. Not with Renz wandering the bridge looking for things to do. We’ll get to all that later. For now, focus on the mission.
***
Niva followed Haulda out of the medical center, giving him a good hundred paces of distance. He moved through the subterranean town with a purpose, not quite jogging but close to it. A few people attempted to stop him. He shooed them off, never once stopping. Which worked to her advantage.
Most of the people she passed didn’t pay her any attention. They were looking after their leader, likely wondering what was going on. Niva thought to stop and ask about him. They might’ve been chatty. Considering they seemed suspicious of his behavior, that made her all the more nervous.
Haulda strode up a flight of stairs into an imposing building at the end of the way. The cavern branched off into smaller corridors to the left and right. How did they get all the materials down here to build? Niva had too many questions, most of which didn’t matter to their current situation. I have to get us out of here.
If the cave blocked scans the way these people described, opportunities presented themselves. Bringing in Jok’s ship, for one. I need a window of opportunity. A scan of the Kahl’s patrol patterns should be enough. And I have a feeling our friends here have all the technology we need.
Now to convince them to share it. Or find out they’re about to trade us to the enemy.
That became her fear when Haulda continually suggested they’d ‘get around’ to a conversation. Whatever that meant, he stalled. Niva had a hard time trusting anyone, but this attitude set off a warning bell in the back of her head. Which leads to tailing our host. The act may have caused more problems than it solved.
All depends on how they feel about someone taking the initiative.
Niva stepped in between two buildings across the way from Haulda’s place. No signs indicated a designation. It was easy enough to infer. Probably a command center; an admin building. Place with all the tech. That’s what matters.
“What’re you doing?” Milna’s voice nearly made Niva scream. She spun, half drawing her pistol as she stared into the Kahl’s eyes. “Well, you’re jumpy, aren’t you?”
“What am I doing?” Niva rasped. “What are you doing?”
“This is going to become a useless conversation rather quickly, don’t you think?” Milna turned to the building. “We’re following him. You don’t trust him.”
“Do you?”
“I have a hard time trusting anyone.”
Niva rolled her eyes. “Finally, we have something in common. Why’d you follow me?”
“Because you insisted on everyone taking rest then slipped out.” Milna shrugged. “This sounded more interesting than sleeping. Anyway, you can’t wander around a place like this alone.” She smiled. “You might get hurt. And then no one would know.”
“And you think you’ve got my back, is that it?”
“Sort of. Anyway, what’s your plan? Watch the building?” Milna squinted at it. “I’m afraid it looks rather boring. And I doubt it’ll do much. Wouldn’t it be more exciting if we went inside?”
“You want to barge in on them? When they so clearly told us to wait?”
“Yes. I don’t like being told what to do. More importantly, I have no interest in becoming a prisoner for those bastards overhead. No more than you at least. So I say we find out what they’re doing in there. For our safety, of course.”
“I have to tell you,” Niva paused as she scanned the area. No one seemed to be around. “Wait. Look. The people…”
“They’ve left the cavern.” Milna hummed. “That doesn’t seem good for us to be out here still.”
“Environmental hazard?” Niva checked her computer. “I don’t see anything on sc
ans.”
“It must be something like that.” Milna leaned over her shoulder. “You may not be calibrated for whatever it is. And Haulda moved with a purpose. I say we don’t have a lot of choice. Run for the door, ask for forgiveness.”
Damn. Niva closed her eyes. She agreed with Milna. Something had to have driven the people indoors. But why go so quietly? Where was the alarm? A bell? A siren? Something? Did they do it silently to spare us the worry? She doubted it. I’m sure there’s something more elegant going on around here.
“Fine.” Niva hustled out of her hiding spot, rushing across the street. Milna’s footsteps followed close, too much so in fact. I wish she gave me some space. The hair on the back of her neck burned. The urge to look over her shoulder made her blood run hot until sweat broke on her brow.
She glanced back. Milna wasn’t even looking at her. I’m a paranoid fool. She’s not going to do anything to me out in the open here. Our conversation will happen when things aren’t so crazy. When we can properly work out whatever this tension is between us.
They reached the stairs. Niva slapped the panel by the door when it didn’t open automatically. The screen turned red, letting out a flatulent noise. She tried again. Still nothing. The characters on the screen didn’t make sense to her.
“Milna, can you read that?”
“Of course. It says locked.” Milna turned to her. “Can you crack it?”
“Not likely. We’re not exactly on the same operating system.” Niva shook her head. She hammered the door with her fist, calling out, “Hey! We’re out here! Let us in!”
“Not exactly subtle,” Milna muttered. “Do you feel that?”
“No, I—” Niva stopped short. Her hair began to rise as if from a massive surge of static. Her skin tingled followed by her lungs. “Ah…” She bit her lip, slamming the door with both hands. “Hey! Let us in! Come on!”
Milna drew her weapon, pressing it against the panel.
“What’re you doing?” Niva knocked the sidearm away. “If you shoot it, they might not be able to open from the other side!”
“We need to get at the circuitry if we have any hope of getting in ourselves!” Milna replied. “And we don’t have time to argue.”
The cavern walls brightened, charged with energy. Niva’s scan finally put it all together. A massive power build up was on the verge of discharging. It’s like standing in a conduit. The temperature rose sharply, acting as a herald to the event. Both their devices went off with a warning, letting them know to take cover.
Yeah, what are we trying to do? Niva looked at the building across the way. The doors were closed there as well. None of them will be easier to get into. The portals out weren’t glass. They were transparent metal; fabricated units meant to withstand environmental punishment. Like this.
“We need to go,” Milna said. “Find cover. Perhaps under one of the buildings.”
“There’s no point,” Niva replied. “The stone around us conducts the energy. Anywhere we go out here will be a death trap.” She tried her comm. It was dead. The power around them knocked out all signals. Her armor became hot against her skin, despite the layers of protection.
Of all the ways I thought I might die, I never imagined it would be like this.
“So together then.” Milna smirked. “Strange set of circumstances to bring us together for a few final moments, huh? You don’t trust me at all.”
“Why should I have? Do you trust me?”
“Not remotely.”
Niva shrugged. “Dying with an enemy then.”
“Or at least two people who don’t yet see eye to eye.”
The world around them rumbled. Crackling blue lines danced about the walls. The light show advanced along the corridor, coming in their direction. Niva watched it approach. Might as well see something lovely before it takes my life. A hundred feet away… thirty… twenty… She drew a deep breath.
A hand grabbed her arm, yanking her through the door. Milna came next as the door nearly slid shut on her foot.
“What are you doing?” Haulda barked. His eyes blazed. “Why would you have left the medical center? I told you specifically to remain there! Look what almost happened!”
Niva couldn’t respond. She’d made peace with the situation; with dying. Survival made her giddy. She bent at the waist, placing her hands on her knees to catch her breath. Milna leaned against the wall near her. Neither of them spoke. This gave their host cause to continue his tirade.
“Perhaps if you would’ve listened to me you wouldn’t be thanking whatever deities you believe in right now! That was insanity. What did you think? That we were lying to you? Perhaps even selling you out to your enemies? Why would we bother when we could’ve left you to die in the caverns as you slept?”
“Because,” Milna answered, “giving us to our enemies is better for you. It means they’ll leave you and your planet alone. But that’s not the real concern here. Why didn’t you tell us about the death charge out there? A little information would’ve kept us in place! Instead, you remained vague.”
“And of course we were curious,” Niva said. “Why wouldn’t we have been? You were cagey. We’re alone, far from support, and you’re new to us. So don’t try to be indignant about some snooping. We didn’t break into this place like we could’ve. The fact we almost died is your fault, not ours.”
“Nice that you see it that way,” Haulda replied. “But you were the ones who disobeyed.”
“Are you going to tell us why you didn’t explain?” Milna pressed.
“It wasn’t important if you would’ve done as you were told!”
“Is that a naturally occurring thing?” Niva asked. “Where power builds up and discharges?”
“Yes, every four hours.” Haulda rubbed his eyes. “It keeps the mound charged, which in turn ensures no scans breach the area. It comes from an ancient device left by our predecessors. They installed it before they left ages ago. It’s part of the prophecy… and why we installed these buildings.”
“Because you thought you’d need this…” Niva frowned. “Meaning you had some idea there would be cause to hide visitors?”
“Yes, it’s been foretold that one day a group would arrive with others pursuing them. The signs came from streaks in the sky. And a crash like what you walked away from.”
These idiots took some vague prophecies and built all this. Niva bit her tongue. Someone engineered this religion. But his criteria for the prophecy felt rather specific. Unless he’s tailored it for the events he witnessed. If it’s written down, I bet it’s vague. Far more so than what he described.
"How long is that going to last?” Milna asked. “And I assume our colleagues will not be allowed to leave their building.”
“No, they’re safe.” Haulda directed them to follow him. They stepped into a control center, men and women stationed at terminals all across the back wall. Large screens showed scan information, meters and gauges depicting the power buildup going on outside. “We keep track of them here.”
“So are we stuck here for days?” Niva asked.
“No. It’ll be over soon. We collect what we can in our generators as well. Which helps power these areas. Every few cycles, it happens again, allowing us to maintain perpetual energy.”
Niva nodded. “Any idea what causes it?”
“Essentially,” Haulda explained, “you’re looking at a reaction between the core radiation of the planet and the ore in these hills. It happens in every mountain across the planet. Something our forebears created? Designed? I’m not sure how to describe it.”
“Your science hasn’t figured it out?” Niva asked.
“We have not tried.” Haulda smiled. “To my knowledge.”
“So not much curiosity,” Milna replied. “Which doesn’t make sense. You’ve got computers. You’re obviously advanced. Why not figure it out? Replicate it? Or learn how to turn it off?”
“Faith. They did this for a reason. We simply accept it.”
&nbs
p; “Right…” Niva cleared her throat. “Why don’t you tell us what’s going on then? What’s the plan? What does your prophecy say about us?”
“That you would herald the coming of the Prophet.” Haulda turned away, staring at one of the screens. He pointedly put his back to them. “That we would know the way by your arrival.”
“Just our arrival?” Milna asked. “Nothing more specific?”
Niva waved her hand at her companion, mouthing don’t push like that. She stepped beside Haulda. “I’m under the impression you need us to do something. Do you know what?”
“The alien force chasing you,” Haulda said, “they are powerful adversaries?”
“Against what we have here,” Niva nodded, “yes. Quite.”
“The perfect force to prove our worth. With your aid, we will show the Prophet we are ready to receive His blessing. His further guidance. That’s when we’ll know our true purpose. Do you see the dilemma? We have waited a long time to get this far. Generations have passed. History passed down.”
“And now…” Niva hummed. “Yes, I understand, I think. But unless you’ve got equipment we don’t know about, like if you’ve weaponized that power surge, then I’m not sure we can take them on. They’ve got a battleship full of soldiers. How many do you have to contribute?”
“It’s not the number of people we have,” Haulda replied, “it’s where the fight will take place.”
“And how do you know that?” Milna asked. “You going to send them an invitation?”
Niva sighed.
“The original fortress of our ancestors.” Haulda put an image of an aged, walled structure on the screen. It appeared to be made of stone complete with cracks and ruined spires on the four corners. Otherwise, the screen was too small to make out additional details. “This is where we will do battle with the invaders.”
“That?” Niva pointed. “They’ll obliterate it from orbit. It’ll take minutes.”
“No.” Haulda grinned. “Not after your people have restarted the generator, drawing power from the core to the shield. That will force them to engage us on the ground. To come through the gates in a true battle of old. Soldier to soldier. With only the technology they can carry.”
