Accursed

by Patrick F. Johnson

  “If you say so. I just hope they are quick about it.” Filn turned his head back to return to his thoughts.

  Wold continued to follow the news feed for some time before an alert showed on the pad. “What is this?” he asked.

  “What is what?” Filn retorted.

  “We are being hailed. How is this possible?”

  “Who is it?” Filn asked.

  Wold pressed a few places on the pad. “Berthantine Mod Lurvan.”

  “I've never heard of her.”

  Wold thought for a moment. “The Lurvans were a scientific house. Reds.”

  “Oh?” Filn perked up. He watched an automech float nearby.

  “I should be able to patch the transmission through this unit,” Wold explained as he struggled with the pad. Finally, he said aloud, “This is Wold Dor Cellebrell, accompanied by Filn Dor Ranceal. We are the Sessik High Council.”

  “Lovely,” a female voice replied. “I see you are missing a landing boat. We will lock on there.”

  Wold waited for more words but none came. He looked down at the pad. “She ended the transmission. How rude.”

  Filn stood up. “I think she aims to enter this vessel. Which boat did Trin take?”

  Wold regarded the pad once again. “That one there,” he said pointing as he also stood. “The nearest.”

  They started making their way toward the lock but before they got to it, the door slid open and two very elegant sentries hovered in. They split and took up positions on both sides of the opening before a single Sessik glided forward. She was a red-skinned female. Instead of the gown and headdress they were expecting, she was adorned with a sleek black dress and minimal paint. Her long red hair was pulled back and bound with a series of wide black bands.

  “Is it just the two of you?” she asked with a smile.

  “I am the Head of the Council,” Wold began. “I need a list of your stores and personnel.”

  Her smile never faded. “I just knew you would assume that attitude.”

  “What is that supposed to mean?” Wold asked.

  “Follow me,” she ordered and turned back toward the door. She spoke as she led them. “You surely must have noticed the Sessik population dwindling around you as your policies drove Sessik Home to ruins.”

  “We are not to blame for that,” Wold interrupted. “Gladosanthos Mod Suercey caused the whole thing.”

  “Nonsense,” Berthantine replied. “Sessiks were leaving in droves long before she reemerged.”

  “I thought they were terminating,” Filn said.

  “No, Filn. They were coming to me.” She led them into the main dome of her ship. Its shape was similar to a Main Ship, but immensely larger. “When you see all that I have built, you will realize the Council died with Sessik Home. The only authority here is me.”

  Wold had to suppress a chuckle. “How is it that you find yourself worthy to claim any domain?”

  She stopped and looked him in the eye. The sentries hovered at her sides. “Everything is mine. I paid for it with my own money. This vessel. My laboratories. My shipyards. My moon.”

  “You have a moon?” Filn asked politely.

  “Yes. It took some time but I was able to whip it into shape.”

  “And our people are there?”

  “Yes, Filn. All those that I invited.” She seemed pleased by Filn's manners.

  “That sounds delightful. And your ship is quite lovely.” Filn was being as genuine as his lagging would allow.

  “Thank you, Filn. It pains me to see you lagging so much. I have developed a technique to offset that. And I would like to extend an invitation to you, personally, as we are in need of a historian.”

  Filn's eyes closed in an effort to fight back tears. “I could have a purpose again,” he whispered.

  “Yes, my friend,” Berthantine said. “You can put the past behind you, where it belongs.” He nodded and held a smile.

  But Wold continued to look down his nose at her. “Are you going to offer me a job as well?” he asked. “Do you have some pitiful, meaningless position for the highest ranking member of the highest ranking house? For the Head of the Council?”

  Her smile faded for a brief moment. “I can put you back in that antique and let you float aimlessly about the galaxy until you choose to terminate, if that is your wish.” Her smile returned.

  He thought it over. Finally, he pretended to relent. “You must understand this will be a difficult transition.” He forced a smile, all the while thinking the other Sessiks would never deny him the right to rule them.

  “Yes, Wold. I will try to be gentle with you. Keep in mind though I am a scientist first, and that isn't always the most gentle thing. But I do require your insights.”

  “Oh? Insights regarding what, if I may ask?”

  “You believe Gladosanthos is responsible for the destruction of Sessik Home.”

  “Her human killing machine angered the Li and they destroyed our home.”

  “That is not how it happened, Wold. My spies have gathered information regarding a Li named Tirogof. He had been planning the attack for centuries.”

  “You knew and did nothing?”

  “We didn't know until after the attack. And now Tirogof is dead.”

  Wold blinked. “Then we are in your debt.”

  “I didn't kill him,” Berthantine said. “The Monster saw to that himself. The Li, the Mingrein, and now the Gotes are out of contention for galactic supremacy.”

  “We are Sessik, what do we care of galactic supremacy?”

  “If you had cared more, Sessik Home might still be habitable.” Berthantine gestured and an automech flew over to deliver lobas. She politely handed one to each of her guests before continuing, “Every species is convinced of their own superiority. And over time, each attempts to exert their will over others. I aim to put an end to it.”

  Filn nodded in agreement as he said, “If you really look at it carefully, we are the dominant species in the galaxy. No one else can compete with our intellect and technology.”

  “I believe that as well, Filn. And that is why I will be taking control of the major races.”

  “And how do you propose to do that?” Wold asked as he attempted to once again suppress a chuckle.

  Her eyes lit up. “Look above you.” She paused as they craned their necks, both taking great care to keep their headdresses upright.

  “What are those? They look like Sessik!”

  “They are Sessik. Centurions. I've genetically engineered them to be stronger.”

  “Why are they blue?” Wold asked.

  Berthantine laughed. “That is an antiquated way of thinking. It doesn't matter what color a Sessik's skin is. All that matters is they are Sessik. And I like the color blue.”

  “You've made strong Sessik!” Filn exclaimed. “Absolutely brilliant!”

  “Thank you, Filn. I will tell you both now I read every paper that Gladosanthos had published. I have a full copy of the archives, including the scientific sections. And I have the secret of wellness implants.”

  “I'm almost afraid to ask what my role in all of this is going to be,” Wold said, genuinely smiling.

  “Let me ask you something before we continue,” Berthantine said, drawing closer to Wold. “How do you feel about humans?”

  “Honestly, I felt they should have been destroyed after they served their purpose.”

  “Excellent, Wold. I agree with you. I wasn't there, but I understand Gladosanthos refused to exterminate them and the Rhoshe backed her up. Is that correct?”

  “Yes, Berthantine. And whatever that thing is on Mertia as well.”

  “I will see the human species eradicated,” she said. “Except for Earth, of course.”

  Wold frowned. “I would start with Earth, if you were to ask my opinion.”

  “It is far enough away to be no bother to us. And that is where I'm sending the Verullians.”

  Wold's frown became a smile once again. “I had forgotten about them.
How will you get them to agree to that?”

  “I found where they are hiding,” Berthantine said. “At least the most militant group. They have already agreed.”

  “I am truly impressed, Berthantine.”

  “Thank you, Wold. Now the last remaining obstacles are the Rhoshe and the Monster himself.”

  “I've handled the Monster,” Wold bragged.

  “I was at Rhoshe,” Berthantine said. “Every assassin there was killed.”

  “We were just having this same conversation when you hailed us,” Wold said. “I believe those particular assassins were substandard. The real professionals will find the Monster, and kill him.”

  “Is this personal, Wold?” Berthantine asked.

  “He insulted me.”

  “I see. For your pride, I hope the assassins are successful. But if they are not, one of my Centurions will certainly kill the Monster.”

  “Just so long as he is dead,” Wold said. “Now, you were saying you require my insight?”

  “Yes. After I remove your lag, I want you to tell me how you made your way into the queen's chamber on Rhoshe One.”

  14.

  “The pirates are turning back.”

  Frank wasn't surprised by this but the tone of Gladys's voice made his heart sink even further. “Let them come,” he said.

  “They won't land, Frank. They will torpedo you and try to collect the bounty.”

  “I'm not planning on dying today. How long?”

  “Any time now. They micro-jumped most of the way back. Pock hailed us. Apparently the pirates parked and somehow shut down power to the moon base.”

  Frank was still and unblinking. “Did they lose any bugs?”

  “No. At least he didn't say.” Gladys paused for a moment before continuing, “I really wish you would let me pick you up.”

  “There is more to these pirates than they want us to believe. Let them come.” He continued scanning the area behind the crater. The parts of the platform that were outside of the blast radius had been blown back. He was looking for her even though he knew she was gone.

  * * *

  “Status?” Amoz asked.

  “All arrays are online and ready for targeting information,” the other Gurdik reported.

  “Okay. The moment we have visual on the Monster, light him up.”

  They entered the atmosphere at a steeper than normal angle. The forward shielding held and within a few minutes they had the island on their screen. Upon zooming in, they could plainly see the Monster standing up as if he awaited their arrival.

  “Hard brake. Kick some sand in his face and then fire all arrays. Make sure it's being recorded.”

  “Aye, sir.”

  They came in fast as they had planned, but they couldn't see that no sand had hit the Monster. Their torpedoes had all seemed to find their mark. The dust cloud was substantial and once it finally settled, they could see the human standing in the bottom of a new crater. He was looking up at them, beckoning for them to come down to the surface.

  “Amoz, this is the most terrifying thing I have ever seen.”

  “Magnify,” Amoz ordered. And then upon seeing the Monster looking up at him with those blank eyes he said, “I have a feeling we just made the worst mistake possible.”

  “I'm at a loss, sir. Nothing should have survived that.”

  “Take us out of here,” Amoz ordered. He watched the screen as the surface began to speed away from them. His mind was racing.

  “I'm showing a rift opening, sir.”

  “What now? Who is it?” Amoz asked.

  “Unknown, sir. But they are coming right at us.”

  “Micro-jump, now!”

  * * *

  “I don't know what to say.”

  “It's okay, Gladys. I had a feeling it would happen like this.” Frank looked around at the new hole that he was standing in. “What is our status?”

  “Pock is on his way. I tried to tell him to stay back but he insisted.”

  Frank nodded.

  “Jard Dundarsheef is also hailing. He emerged from a rift just as the pirates left the atmosphere.”

  Frank was surprised by that news. “Something must have set him off. What of Phildan and our friends?”

  “Everyone was dropped safely. I instructed him to keep this to himself.”

  Frank didn't try to hide his confusion. “Why would you do that?” he asked.

  “Every one of them would have insisted on coming and I can't lose any more friends.”

  Frank saw her point and nodded an acknowledgment. He then looked around to try to find a way out of the crater he was standing in. Walking upward toward the side, he began trying to climb out. But the ground was far too loose. Feeling his anger rising, Frank pushed downward with his thoughts. He shield punched the sand beneath his feet, causing him to fly up and out of the hole. He landed on his feet, taking note and adding it to his list of tricks. Gladys said nothing.

  “There he is,” Frank said as the elegant Rhoshe scout ship was approaching. Like most other ships, it rotated and landed rear end first. The ramp dropped and Pock scurried out, brandishing an odd pistol. After looking around and seeing the carnage, he lowered the weapon and scurried across the sand to where Frank was standing.

  “Holy shit, Frank,” Pock said as he looked at the glass-lined crater. “Is everyone okay?”

  Frank tried to swallow the lump in his throat. “Denise is dead.”

  Pock didn't respond. He simply lowered his body to the sand and became still. Frank dropped to his knees and placed his hand upon Pock's thorax. They stayed like that until Jard landed.

  She was a black V-shaped warship. Frank stood and started toward it as the ramp dropped. Jard sped down the ramp, pistol in hand and swept the area. Seeing Frank, he holstered his gun and walked to meet his friend.

  “It is good to see you well, Frank,” he said in Unified Taltosh.

  “I wish your visit was under more pleasant circumstances. But it is good to see you too.”

  Jard looked past Frank to where Pock was still lying on the ground. “Is he dead?”

  “No. He is grieving a loss. The assassins killed one of my wives. He was very close to her.”

  “Oh.” Jard paused for a moment. “I wish I knew what to say. I am very sorry for your loss.”

  “There really is not anything that one can say to help, but I thank you just the same.”

  Jard looked over to the remains of the killers. “I see you met Fev. I advised him against taking the job.”

  Frank was unsure how to proceed. “He said he was the director of the Assassin's Guild.”

  “He was,” Jard said as he showed that black grin. “Serves him right. He always paid on time, but he was an arrogant being. This is a fitting end for him.”

  “I am glad to hear that you are not upset with me for killing him.”

  Jard smiled wider. “I would have killed him myself had they not had such a head start on me.” Jard reached into his cloak and produced the data collector. “As I was filling this, I overheard a conversation between Fev and Amoz Nudek. I regret not killing them right then and there. But I would have been greatly outnumbered.” He presented the device to Frank.

  “You did the right thing,” Frank replied. “What, exactly, is this?”

  “It is a data collector. I was able to copy the data from the navigation systems on Amoz Nudek's ship.”

  Frank's eyes went wide. “Amazing. Thank you.”

  “You are very welcome. But I must ask, what is wrong with your eyes?”

  Frank realized they must still be white. “I do not know.”

  “Not to sound weird, but I memorized your face. You had the most interesting blue eyes before.”

  “You memorized my face, Jard?”

  Jard shrugged. “You are my only friend, Frank. And it is just something that I do.”

  “You are about to have many more friends,” Frank replied. He looked over and noticed Pock picking himself up. He waved h
is feelers around and scurried over.

  “Who the fuck is this?” he chirped as he sized up Jard.

  “Pock, this is Jard Dundarsheef. He is a friend of mine.”

  “I am very pleased to meet you,” Jard said with a slight bow.

  Pock seemed to ignore it. “I don't recognize his species. Are you sure we can trust him?”

  “Pock, he killed Korick.”

  Pock paused and stared at Jard. “The next time you meet a bug, you should lead with that.”

  “I shall try to remember that,” Jard said through his grin.

  “Wow. I actually feel honored to meet you,” Pock said. “Can I ask how you did it?”

  “Certainly.” Jard removed a glove and pulled the hood back from his head. “If you look closely, you will see that every bit of my body is sharp.”

  “So you stabbed him to death? I guess that's pretty cool.”

  “My body excretes venom,” Jard continued. “I think that is what actually killed him. I then pulled one of the longer quills from my back and used it to remove Korick's head so that I could present it to the king.”

  Pock started bouncing in place. “Now that's better! Fucking brilliant! You could meet Mom if you weren't all poisonous and shit. One word of advice though, if you don't mind.”

  “What is it?” Jard asked.

  “Don't tell that story in Unified Taltosh. You guys sound like idiots.” Pock looked over toward the assassins' ship. “What are you going to do with that, Frank?”

  “I have not really had time to think about it. Do you want it?”

  “Oh shit, Frank. I sometimes forget that you're a mammal. I don't want to interrupt your mourning.”

  Frank thought of Breet for a moment before replying. “It is okay, Pock. You are trying to figure out a way to celebrate her life, are you not?”

  “Yes. Yes I am. But you really must use a different language. That Taltosh shit is killing me.”

  Jard looked thoughtful and switched to Gurdiki. “Pock, do you know from where Unified Taltosh originates?”

  “No fucking clue.” The bug swiveled his head to face Frank. “I'll check the torpedoes for compatibility. We'll leave them for you if they match up to yours. We need to settle on a price. But I have a feeling I know your answer.”