“We got our accounts… for all the good that’ll do in a court of law.”
Berenger’s words settled in on Deckland, feelings of disappointment and failure starting to weigh on his shoulders. He shuffled over to the rock Berenger was propped against and sat down next to the man, looking shell-shocked at the idea that they’d hit a dead end after all they’d been through.
“So, that’s it? Twelve children die and Stygaard gets to walk away like nothing happened?” Deckland asked.
Berenger rolled his cigar between his fingers. “If Stygaard were some dirtbag outlaw, I’d say we march on down to Skinny Plains and beat the squick out of him before burying him alive somewhere in the wilderness,” he said. “But seeing as how this particular dirtbag is a rich, well-connected governor of an Imperially sanctioned colony who also happens to be a Legacy candidate, that makes my suggestion a tad impractical.”
“Not to mention highly illegal and immoral,” Deckland pointed out. “But you’re right. Stygaard isn’t some run-of-the-mill criminal. I still don’t know why someone like him would experiment on children when there’s nothing for him to gain by doing so!”
Berenger chomped on his cigar. “Oh, Stygaard had a lot to gain with what was going on up in that lab,” he muttered.
Deckland looked at Berenger with curiosity. “What do you mean?” he asked.
“Though I didn’t have time to download the data, I was able to get the gist of what was going on up there just from what I saw in the files I accessed in the server room,” Berenger explained. “They were doing genetic experiments to attempt to manufacture a new species of Regals.”
Deckland blinked in shock. “What???” was all he could manage to reply.
“My sentiments exactly,” said Berenger. “They were attempting DNA modifications in order to create a species that could function on less water, less air, less sleep, and less food. A species that was stronger and more durable, resistant to extreme temperatures and able to thrive in various levels of gravity.”
“Are you saying they were trying to create a species of supermen?”
Berenger nodded. “And here’s the real kicker… in addition to all that, they were trying to increase the rate of reproduction, as well. They were attempting to modify all the girls for more rapid incubation periods, to be able to go from conception to birth in a matter of weeks as opposed to months.”
Deckland shook his head, unable to wrap his brain around what Berenger was telling him. “Great Observer!” he said. “For what purpose? Why would Stygaard want that?”
“You said it yourself when we first came to Alpha Renway, Rook. Without a home world that can produce a population, how can a Legacy hope to develop a planetary system for long term prosperity?”
Deckland’s eyes went wide as he realized what Berenger was implying. “Of course!” he said. “Stygaard wants to be granted a Legacy over Alpha Renway, but the system doesn’t have the resources to support a population. If he were able to alter the inhabitants to thrive without those resources…”
“It wouldn’t matter that Sarjana is dryer than a throat in the desert,” Berenger finished. “Stygaard could rapidly populate and settle the system using only OXIEs and hyperspace trade for supplies.”
“It makes sense, now,” Deckland said. “Roseca Villem’s autopsy report found some genetic anomalies in her DNA. It didn’t seem like it could have contributed to her death when I first looked at it, but if those alterations were due to experimentation on her reproductive system to enable rapid pregnancies, it would explain why her internal organs were so adversely affected.”
“My guess is they abducted children because they needed test subjects that were still developing, as opposed to full-grown adults,” Berenger said. “Most likely, the way it operated was that Pyle would land in the lab, unload his cargo and leave, and the children would be jailed, attended to, and experimented on by that Caretaker robot that attacked us.”
“Yeah, I can’t see any real person being able to live with themselves after doing that to those kids,” Deckland said. “Having a robot run the facility would have cut down on the chance of discovery, but it also most likely contributed to Roseca’s success escaping. As you said, that place was designed more to keep people out than in, and the lack of human oversight might have given her the opportunity she needed to get out of there.”
“From the way that mystery man initially mistook our identity, it would seem Stygaard would visit occasionally, most likely to check on the progress of the project. He was no doubt the one directing the Pink Suns, ordering them to get new children when one of the captives would die, facilitating the whole operation while his faceless partner ran the experiments.”
Deckland shook his head. “To think, all this just in preparation to consolidate a system Legacy,” he muttered. “I wonder if Stygaard specifically chose Alpha Renway, knowing it was barren enough that no one would be competing with him for the Legacy charter, all the while planning this type of strategy once he’d secured it.”
“I wouldn’t put it past the man,” Berenger said. “It’d make for an easier sell to the Emperor, since the Regalus Empire always needs mineral resources and Alpha Renway has those in spades. And any enemies of his might dismiss his pursuit as a vanity project meant more for bragging rights than any real power. But if he were able to secure a Legacy title and then rapidly expand and cultivate a massive population, he’d be able to out-pace Barnholm as a superpower in the Frontier. With those kinds of population numbers, he could expand to neighboring systems and claim those as well, build a private army, any number of things.”
“Not to mention being able to feed some of that population to his partners in the New Frontier Conglomeration,” Deckland theorized. “With this new species of Regals, the companies in that alliance could seize control of every viable system in the Frontier in a hundred years. In a couple hundred more, it’s possible they could control enough territory to create their own Empire.”
Berenger nodded. “This ain’t just about the murder of a child no more,” he said. “This is about an ambitious land-grab that could alter the future of the quadrant and the lives of everyone in it.”
“And we’ve got nothing that can prove it’s actually happening,” grumbled Deckland.
“No,” lamented Berenger. “We do not.”
Deckland gritted his teeth. There was a hot ball of anger beginning to burn brightly in his gut. It was a righteous anger fueled by frustration and indignation over the audacity of the man behind the scheme he and Berenger had just worked out.
I can’t let Stygaard get away with this! he thought, angrily. I won’t! Someone must get justice for those children! Someone has to make Stygaard pay for what he’s done!
“We may not be able to prove Stygaard is responsible for this,” Deckland finally said, “but we may be able to stop him from hurting anyone else. Maybe we can even throw a real wrench into his plans to be awarded a Legacy.”
Berenger raised an eyebrow. “How’s that?” he asked.
“We arrest him.”
Berenger cocked his head to the side, curiously. “Did a rock land on that noggin’ of yours, Rook?” he asked. “We ain’t got spit to charge him with.”
“We have probable cause. That’s all we need to legally make an arrest.”
Berenger had to laugh at that. “Probable cause…” he muttered. “Based off what you and I saw and heard up in that lab that no longer exists?”
“Exactly.”
“None of that would pass muster with any judiciary worth a piss. It would come down to our word versus Stygaard’s, and with his money and connections, it wouldn’t be a contest as to who would win.”
“It’s not about winning, Berenger. It’s about sabotaging his plans and making him suffer for what he’s done. We can’t prove he’s responsible for these killings, but we can certainly make him pay for them. By arresting him, we may be able to generate some negative press coverage. Get the word out about his act
ions. Put a mark on his record that might make the Emperor think twice about granting him a Legacy. Give the children’s families someone to point to as the one responsible for kidnapping and killing their kids – and someone they can sue. At the very least, it would make me feel better to slap some cuffs on that dirtbag and watch him stew behind bars for a while.”
“It ain’t much of a punishment in my book,” drawled Berenger.
“You’re right, it’s not,” Deckland agreed. “But it’s something.”
“I like where your head’s at. But thanks to this here mountain exploding, Stygaard’s going to know we’re here and he may be prepared for us. It’ll be just you and me facing down a whole squad of Pink Sun soldiers. Think you’re up to that without any backup?”
“You said it yourself back on the waystation, Berenger,” Deckland said as he looked at his partner with a mischievous grin. “We got all the backup we need.”
Berenger chuckled at that and shook his head as he crushed the remains of his cigar into the ground. “You’re either incredibly crazy or incredibly stupid, Rook,” Berenger said. “Either way, your plan is better than packing up and letting this dirtbag skate. So, count me in. Let’s go arrest this kid-killing son of a bova.”
With that, the two Rangers rose to their feet, each one looking into the distance as they set their sights on the colony.
“This ain’t gonna be easy,” Berenger stated. “The minute we power up Silver and head back toward the colony, we’re gonna light up their sensor screens. They’re gonna see us coming from miles away.”
“Let them,” Deckland said as he glared at the distant, hazy image of Skinny Plains. “I want everyone in that town to know we’re on our way. I want that settlement to know… the law is coming.”
Chapter 18
Silver raced across the wide open plain, carrying the two Rangers toward the colony as Sarjana’s sun sank low on the horizon, putting the light at the Ranger’s backs. The engine of the OSV revved loudly as Berenger accelerated toward their destination. As they got closer, the buildings of Skinny Plains grew ever larger – along with the danger that awaited them there.
Deckland could feel his nerves scratching at his gut, but his fears were outweighed by his resolve. Someone had to answer for what he had seen in that lab hidden in the mountains. Someone had to pay for what had been done to those kids. And as far as Deckland was concerned, that someone was Sylas Stygaard.
The lawmen knew they’d been visible to the colony’s sensor network the moment they’d powered up their vehicle and had begun heading toward it. But if that weren’t enough to let the Pink Suns in the colony know they were coming, the dust trail kicked up by Silver was like a signal flare to anyone with eyes to see that the Rangers were approaching.
Berenger brought Silver to a stop as they reached the edge of the colony, bucking the vehicle to the side as it slid to a halt. The two Rangers got off the OSV and put their hats back on, giving each other one final look in preparation for what they were about to do.
“Ready for this?” Berenger asked.
Deckland nodded as he undid the thumb clasp on his holster. “Ready,” he replied.
“Alright then. Let’s go pick a fight.”
The two Rangers then turned and began to walk down the streets of Skinny Plains. The colony was busy with foot traffic as the day’s shifts were ending, and the rank-and-file citizens paid Deckland and Berenger no mind as they traversed the dirt roads, making their way toward the municipal building at the colony’s center. The Rangers made sure their badges were on full display before they started making noise.
“SYLAS STYGAARD!” Berenger yelled as loudly as he could. “UNDER THE IMPERIAL AUTHORITY OF THE GALACTIC RANGERS, YOU ARE UNDER ARREST!”
The people on the street all gave Berenger strange looks as the Rangers passed them by.
“YOU ARE CHARGED WITH KIDNAPPING, ILLEGAL GENETIC EXPERIMENTATION, AND CONTRACT MURDER,” yelled Deckland. “SURRENDER YOURSELF NOW!”
Commotion grew as the people the Rangers passed heard what they were yelling, and by-standers looked to one another in confusion as they tried to figure out what was going on.
“IF YOU RESIST ARREST, STYGAARD,” Berenger cried out, “WE ARE AUTHORIZED BY THE IMPERIAL GOVERNMENT TO USE FORCE.”
“EVERYONE! FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY – PLEASE GO INSIDE!” shouted Deckland. “CLEAR THE STREETS! ON THE AUTHORITY OF THE GALACTIC RANGER INITIATIVE!”
People began to do as they were told, though it appeared everyone was confused by what the Rangers were saying. Deckland and Berenger kept up their loud declarations, urging the citizens to stay out of their way as they came to the colony’s main street and turned down it.
The administration building loomed large before them and the entire squad of Pink Sun security personnel were already waiting for them in front of its entrance. The soldiers were all clad in their full black body-armor, a pink sun logo emblazoned on their shoulders, each one wielding an automatic blaster rifle. At their head stood Dulph Krytaar, gazing at the Rangers with his cold, steely eyes.
“There’s our welcoming party,” Deckland said.
Berenger made a quick scan of the area with his eye, noticing two more Pink Sun soldiers on the rooftops of pod structures on either side of the street, each one sporting a scoped plasma rifle. “Got snipers at our ten and two,” Berenger said.
“I see them,” replied Deckland as he looked up to his left and noted the slight glint from the scope on the sniper’s weapon.
Berenger reached up and tapped the comm device behind his ear. “Wadsworth, are you in position?” he asked.
“Ready when you are, sir,” came the robo-butler’s reply.
“Wait for my signal.”
Deckland and Berenger both came to a stop some distance away from the Pink Suns as the soldiers moved forward to receive them. Two blocks of empty street separated them from one another, Sarjana’s setting sun still shining brightly behind the Rangers. The citizens who hadn’t heeded the Ranger’s warnings could tell something dangerous was about to go down and quickly headed into the surrounding buildings, leaving the main street and all its intersections empty but for the Pink Suns and the lawmen.
There was a brief moment as the soldiers stared down the Rangers, as though they were trying to figure out if Deckland and Berenger were just stupid or simply suicidal. Finally, Krytaar spoke.
“You two aren’t welcome here,” he said.
“We’re the law,” Berenger replied. “We ain’t welcome most places. But we sure as spit got a right to be here.”
“You forfeited that right when you murdered a bunch of people on a waystation,” Krytaar said. “We received the report about your actions after you turned tail and ran from your crimes on WS-4855. Those badges you’re wearing no longer have any meaning here on Sarjana.”
“These badges come from the Galactic Regalus Empire,” said Deckland. “This is an Imperial colony. So long as we wear them, you must acknowledge our authority.”
“There’s only one authority here in Alpha Renway,” Krytaar said. “And he has decreed that the two of you are no longer welcome in the system.”
“That ain’t a surprise, considering he’s the one we’re here to arrest,” Berenger replied.
“Did you know what your boss was doing?” Deckland asked. “Do you and your men know he was kidnapping children? Killing them with genetic experimentation? Kids as young as four, being horribly mutated before they died in agony?”
Krytaar snarled. The faces of his men were all stoic as their leader spit into the dirt. “This is your last warning, Rangers,” he growled. “Leave this place and don’t come back, or we will be forced to remove you… by any means necessary.”
“Well, that answers my question,” muttered Deckland, just when he thought his disgust with the Pink Suns couldn’t get any greater.
“We ain’t going anywhere Krytaar. At least, not without Stygaard in custody,” Berenger replied. “Now that you’ve laid
down your threat, allow me to lay down mine. Drop your weapons, stand aside, and allow us to do our job, peaceful like. Or we’re gonna kill ya. All of ya.”
Krytaar smirked. Some of his men even had the audacity to chuckle at Berenger’s decree. “There are more of us than there are of you, Ranger,” Krytaar said. “We will cut you down before you even have the chance to draw your weapons.”
“I told you once before, Krytaar, we’re trained officers of the law. We can handle ourselves better than you dirty Pinkies can.”
“I remember,” Krytaar said. “What’s say we put that assertion to the test?”
With the gauntlet finally thrown down, all pretense of trying to avoid a fight was abandoned. The Rangers stood at the end of the street, staring down the Pink Suns and their superior numbers. Deckland and Berenger gazed at their opponents with steely resolve, ready to take whatever they had to dish out.
A light breeze wafted down the street, carrying dust with it that curled in on itself as it blew between the two groups.
The sound of the street coverings flapping in the wind emanated slightly from overhead.
The soldiers all gripped their weapons, fingers on the triggers as the Rangers’ hands hovered over their holsters, ready to draw at any second.
It was the quiet before the storm – a storm which could rage with violent fury at any moment.
But before that could happen, it was all interrupted by a voice.
“What is going on here???”
The trance of the showdown was broken as some of the Pink Suns turned to see Chief Moreland in the doorway to the municipal building, looking at the scene before him indignantly.
“Oh, no,” Deckland muttered when he saw the Peacekeeper. “He’s going to get himself killed!”
“This doesn’t concern you, Chief,” called out Krytaar without ever taking his eyes off the Rangers.
“He’s right, Moreland!” Berenger hollered. “Head on back to your office and stay out of this!”
“Like hell!” Moreland said stubbornly as he marched through the ranks of the Pink Suns. “I’m the Chief Peacekeeper of this colony, and a blasted gunfight in the middle of main street most certainly falls under my concern! Now put down your weapons! All of you! NOW!”
Lawmen- Rook and Berenger Page 20
