As he was musing, the torpedoes came through his rift and hit the Verullian ship. The carrier violently pulled itself inward until it was a single hard sphere. Several fighters were pulled into the temporary gravity well and also met their end.
“Do you think they will run?” Gladys asked.
Jard studied his screens before answering. “There's still a lot of fighters down there.”
“Their movements have been erratic, Jard. I thought they were targeting various landmarks but Frank drew them away. And then more were dropping in before you drew them away. Now they seem to be focusing on the area with the largest pyramid.”
“These guys do love their pyramids. I see them on my screen. Who do you have down there?”
“Phildan is in a cloaked boat.”
“Have him get clear. I'm going to try to do this without dropping too much wreckage in that city.”
“I'm sure Frank will appreciate that.”
* * *
Filn stared wide eyed at the spot on the screen where the Verullian carrier had been.
“I must say, I didn't expect that!” Berthantine seemed to be enjoying the spectacle.
Filn took a moment to study her face. She remained beautiful throughout the various extremes of her moods. It occurred to him just then she was completely out of her mind.
“You really don't care who wins, do you?” he asked.
“Between the Rhoshe and the Verullians? No. I am curious about how it will play out though.”
“And the humans?”
“Wold was right about them, Filn. Their very existence is offensive. If this planet doesn't fall today, it will another day. All I care about right now is killing the Monster.” She motioned to him for silence and pressed the spot to un-mute her transmission to Gladys. “I have your pet,” she said in a playful voice.
There was no reply.
Berthantine pressed the mute button again. She looked over her shoulder to where the two Centurions were standing. “Come watch me avenge the deaths of your brothers.” She highlighted the screen that showed the rear hold of her boat. The Monster stood with his back to them, staring at the ramp as if he knew his fate.
“What does he have on his head?” Filn asked. “I can't really see well from this angle.”
“It doesn't matter,” Berthantine replied. “If it's some life support system, I'll just have a Verullian fighter torpedo him.”
“Yes, of course.” Filn was never a believer in things like intuition but he couldn't help feeling like his life was at risk.
“I wish I could see her face,” Berthantine said as she pressed the spot. The ramp opened and the screen glitched for a moment as the moisture in the air crystallized. As the particles were sucked into open space, the screen showed an empty hold. “The beacon went dead,” Berthantine said with a chuckle. “I wonder if his body exploded.”
* * *
“Connie?” Gladys asked in a distressed tone.
“Everything is under control. This is part of the plan.”
“Please tell me you disabled his beacon.”
“I did.”
Gladys took a deep breath. “I've never been cut out for this,” she admitted.
“You're doing fine.” Constanthos was having a hard time keeping an even tone.
“I don't know what I'll do if anything happens to Frank.”
“He is right where he wants to be. Keep an eye on the screens so I can focus.”
“Yes. Of course.”
33.
“We are seriously low,” Damon said as he entered the living room.
“That doesn't seem to be an issue any longer,” Phildan replied. “Look at this.” He gestured toward the screen. Jard was shredding what was left of the Verullian fighters inside the atmosphere.
“I'm buying that guy all the drinks,” Damon said.
“He has them on the run.” Phildan sat down on the couch. “I am going to need a break after this is all over.”
“How's it looking up top?” Damon asked.
“The bugs are concentrating their attack on the rest of the Verullian fleet.” Phildan pressed a spot on his pad. “They're holding their own. The other carrier is hanging back.”
Damon took a few moments to process the information. “That's probably the women and children.”
“Shit. I need to talk to Gladys.”
* * *
Frank had a better look at outer space than he ever wanted. After what seemed like an eternity, the ramp finally raised. But he kept his shield up and focused on taking shallow breaths.
“This compartment isn't yet pressurized,” Constanthos reported in a very low tone.
Frank replied with a nod. So far his plan was working. He only hoped he wouldn't run out of air. Glancing at his arm to check the hue, he smiled to himself. Soon he would have his moment.
* * *
Filn found himself feeling uncomfortable. He'd noticed the Centurions grinning at each other when they found out they were the only two left. It was starting to make more sense to him as he thought about it. He looked at her again. Berthantine was smiling. His duty was to record Sessik history and he was struggling to imagine the right words.
“I will be in the garden if you need me,” he said as he turned to take his leave.
“Is something wrong, Filn?” she asked.
“I can't say for sure,” he admitted. “Something feels off.” He let out a bit of a chuckle, which was very uncharacteristic. “Maybe I just need the air.”
“You want to make sure the Monster is really dead, don't you?” she asked with a smile.
Filn faked a smile of his own. “I'm not doubting you, my dear.”
Berthantine studied him. “I'm bringing my boat in. I'll have these two inspect it. Will that make you feel better?”
“As you please, Berthantine. Although I would like to collect images of the compartment.”
She beamed. “Yes, of course.”
Filn bowed. “Thank you for indulging me.” He didn't want to say how he fully expected the Monster to spring from the boat and end all their lives. “After all these years, a bit of fun.” He started toward the door with the two Centurions in tow.
* * *
“Would they do that?” Gladys asked. She thought of her past encounters with the Verullians. All she had to do was make an appearance and they'd simply leave.
“We have no way to gauge their expectations,” Phildan replied.
“Frank wants them all to die,” Constanthos added.
“The children too?” Gladys asked.
There was a pause. “There was no thought of children, sister. He isn't really himself so I'm leaving this to you.”
“I'm going to hail them.”
* * *
“We are docked and pressurized,” Constanthos whispered.
Frank dropped his shield and tucked himself into a corner. He was smiling behind his face-plate and felt elated at the notion of killing. After some time, the door opposite to the ramp slid open and a Centurion marched through. The large Sessik paused and looked around before smiling as he turned back. Frank struggled through the Reverence to fall in right behind to follow him around the bend. The alien paused a few times on his walk to look around. Frank fought the urge to strike. He didn't want to be trapped inside a boat so he waited until he was out in the open area of Berthantine's ship.
They finally emerged in a rounded corridor that appeared to curve around the entire ship. Spread evenly on the opposite side were arches that led into the inner garden. It was a spectacular site but Frank didn't care. He remembered why he was there and stopped. Looking around, he noticed a red Sessik sitting on a bench. It seemed to be looking at him. Frank took a few steps to his left and then realized the Sessik had been only watching the door. Spinning to put his back against the wall, Frank took his hands and pressed around the orb he had stowed. It slowly came through his suit without breaking the cloak.
“This place is massive,” Constanthos said. �
��I'm going to follow the big one and try to find a place to link up.”
“Okay,” Frank replied. “Just tell me when.”
Frank stepped through the arch and looked up. The dome was vast. He imagined Gladys flying around the massive space.
* * *
“They want to leave, Jard. I say we let them.”
“If that is your wish,” Jard replied.
She looked out over the Verullians as they appeared, zoomed in on her screen. She recognized the markings. They were indeed the same group from the last two times. Of this she was certain. But she could not bring herself to wipe them out. They would return again one day and be dealt with then but she wasn't going to be the one to slaughter their children.
“I'm going to recall the Ekokes,” she said.
“Very good,” Jard replied. “Do not offer them anything else. Their pride is at stake.”
* * *
“What are they doing?” Berthantine was fuming when her Centurions reentered the control room. She glanced over and was relieved to see Filn hadn't returned. “These cowards are breaking off their attack.” She gestured toward a screen where the fighters could be seen docking on the carrier.
The cloaked remote was hovering nearby. Constanthos was looking for somewhere to link into the computational systems but found herself sizing up Berthantine and becoming fearful. What Berthantine had went far beyond the Reverence.
“I'll just let them know the Monster is dead. Maybe that will change their mind about quitting.”
* * *
“The Verullians are breaking off,” Constanthos whispered. Frank removed his sword and held the sheath up to his ear so he could hear better. “She's trying to talk them into reengaging. You might want to cause a distraction.”
Frank answered with a nod. He turned back around the corner to find the red Sessik still sitting and staring at the door of the boat. Frank started toward him, removing his face-plate as he went. The Sessik didn't seem at all surprised to see him.
“You were expecting me?” Frank said as he affixed the face-plate to his shoulder.
“I was. I was hoping to beg for my life.” Filn stood up and gave a formal bow. “I am Filn Dor Ranceal, Secretary of History of the...”
“I recognize you,” Frank interrupted. “You tried to help Wold kill me.”
“That was impulsive and entirely regretful.”
“Sure you're going to say that now.” Frank looked around. “So now you're answering to this Bertha lady?”
“I am in limbo. I am all that is left of the Council and I have no control over anything. This is all her creation. She said she broke away from Sessik Home long ago and founded a new Sessik world.”
“We need more of a distraction than this, Frank.” The voice of Constanthos startled Filn.
“How about we turn my beacon back on?” Frank asked with a smile.
“Yes,” Constanthos replied. “That should do it. It's on.”
“Filn, get yourself clear. I'm not going to kill you just yet.”
* * *
Constanthos located an air vent large enough to pilot the orb through. It led to the organic computer chamber. It was vast and far more advanced than the system that gave birth to her consciousness. But the layout was logical and she quickly located the central node and docked. Everything opened to her but it would take time to map it all out. She first closed off control to the irrelevancy drive. If Berthantine were to enter a rift, she would be impossibly out of range. Next, she tapped into the in-ship communications so she could eavesdrop.
“They fear for the women and children so they are fleeing,” she heard Berthantine say. “I will track them down so that you may slaughter them instead.” And then there was laughter.
Constanthos continued her work and after a short time she heard a gasp.
“A beacon! The Monster is on board this ship.”
“We will handle him,” a voice boomed in response.
* * *
“If you try to jump in, you'll find yourself very dead,” Frank shouted to Filn who'd flown to a lower perch.
“You have nothing to fear from me, human.”
“Just call me Frank. What's her angle, anyway?”
“What do you mean?” Filn asked.
“Why is she doing all of this? What is her goal?”
“I really have no idea.”
Frank just shook his head and walked to the clearing in the center of the dome. Several paths converged and there was a wide circle of benches. The widest path led to what he assumed was the control area. He was only guessing as it bore very little in common with Gladys's Main Ship. A door slid open and two Centurions strolled out. One took to the air as the other started walking toward Frank.
“Kneel!” the walking Centurion commanded but Frank's shield was up. “You are a tricky one, human. You could never prevail without your tricks.”
“I'll tell you what,” Frank replied as he shifted the grip of his left hand on the sheath. He reached in a pouch and pulled out a shuriken. “I'll stop being tricky when you guys shut off your Reverence.” He set his feet.
“That won't happen,” the Centurion replied with a smile.
The airborne Centurion tried to dive-bomb Frank from behind only to meet the hardened shield. Frank turned to inspect the damage. There were several apparent broken bones. The large Sessik quickly regained consciousness and looked up at Frank.
“I guess you guys are screwed then.” He dropped his shield long enough to launch the shuriken. It struck the grounded Sessik right between its eyes and buried itself in the skull. He then turned to face the other Centurion. Drawing his sword, Frank let go of the sheath and it hung in the air.
The Sessik paused and looked at his brother in horror. And then his skin darkened as his anger rose. Glancing at the floating sheath he said, “More tricks. You won't cross swords with me. I am bigger and stronger. You are but a coward.”
“You sure you want to do that?” Frank asked. His blank eyes were wide with excitement.
“I am. This will be my finest day.”
Frank took note of the clumsy manner in which the Sessik handled his sword. When the tall alien tried for a powerful overhead strike, Frank simply took a large step forward and to the left. The Sessik lost his balance and Frank brought his sword up and took off the wings with one smooth stroke.
“Okay, no more tricks,” Frank said as he gave the Centurion a moment to gather himself. After the cries of pain stopped he said, “Now hold your sword tight, big boy.”
The Sessik raised its blade in what it felt was a defensive stance. Frank squared up with him and raised his own blade vertically. He placed his left foot slightly forward and almost resembled a baseball player awaiting a pitch. The Centurion came forward and Frank swung his blade. The Mingrein metal cut the blade of the Sessik through just above the hilt. The Sessik stared at it, dumbfounded and confused for just a moment before Frank began cutting him down. There were several unnecessary cuts as Frank was releasing his rage. Both arms were cut in several places before only short bloody stumps remained. Taking the opportunity to spin, Frank cut through both of the massive thighs with one swing before finally taking the head.
A stirring caught his attention. Frank noticed the other Centurion's healing was trying to push the shuriken out of its skull.
“Nope,” Frank said before walking over to behead the alien. He wiped his blade on a soft part of the Centurion's uniform and held out his free hand. The sheath came to him and he then put his sword away. Looking up to Filn he asked, “Are there any more of these guys?”
Filn was in shock and barely able to answer. “I...I believe those were the last two.”
“You gonna stay up there?”
Filn realized if the Monster wanted him dead, the perch wasn't going to save him. He flew down and landed a short way away from Frank.
“Think she's going to come out?” Frank asked.
“I seriously doubt it,” Filn replied.
Frank nodded before shouting, “Bertha! Show yourself before I rip this ship apart.”
* * *
“We're going to have to work something out,” Gladys said.
“Verullians don't accept charity,” Jard replied. He's assumed a position that allowed him to survey the entire area between the Rhoshe swarm and the Verullian fleet.
“I'm not interested in being charitable, Jard. I just want them gone. Their equipment is too slow.”
“Perhaps if you used the right wording. Diplomacy was never my thing.”
“I will take great care in that. Your help is greatly appreciated, Jard.”
“It is my pleasure. Is there any word from Frank?”
“His beacon came on briefly. He is aboard Berthantine's ship. Constanthos reports everything is going as planned.”
“I guess I won't be too upset if he kills her,” Jard joked.
* * *
Constanthos was in an odd position where she could hear everything from everyone but was too busy to join in the conversation. There was so much information to cover. But after a short while, she had the architecture completely mapped. She left a bit of herself everywhere. Soon she would have complete control of the ship. She ran a scan of the control systems and was surprised to find the ship was armed. Aside from the vegetation, the only remaining life forms were Frank, Filn, and Berthantine herself, who was taking a seat in a chair inside the control room, behind its sealed doors.
“What is she up to?” Constanthos asked herself.
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