The light of day faded. The night felt heavy and the trek was slow. The torches they hastily made gave off little light; the darkness swallowed it before it became beneficial. They stopped more than Tazleaha would have liked but she understood the difficulty of the task set before them. Nothing looked the same in the dark; the men had not marked their trail and backtracking was making her irritated. She squeezed her lips tight and bore it. Time passed, her patience wore thin.
Tazleaha wondered about the creatures that inhabited the jungle and how they must have adapted. Benjamin would have ways of seeing in the dark. Not that it did her any good right now other than to think about him. Stunner in hand for safety, lasers tucked in their belts, she hoped their group was large enough to scare most predators. She thought the men should be able to navigate better than they were, when the mayor called a halt.
“We are close. Do you hear the water from the falls?” he asked. She did and had for some time. At least they were near fresh water.
“Mayor, do you people have guards posted? We should not surprise them. Maybe you and the captain should go ahead while we wait,” Tazleaha suggested, looking at Dela’maah.
“It might be wise,” Dela’maah agreed.
“Yes, we have sentries. They should not be far from here.”
“Ok. We will wait here and rest,” Zora said.
Tazleaha could hear Dela’maah and the mayor’s footsteps as they worked their way toward the camp. “How many are in the camp?” Tazleaha asked one of men who remained with her.
“Twenty, twenty-five. It changes often. Some leave, others arrive. Not many, really. We only find each other by chance. The Khalnalax patrols keep everyone on the move.”
“Those that leave, do they have a destination or are they wanting to be farther away from here?”
“I am not sure; I think they feel there is more safety in distance. Can I say that you look very much like our queen?”
“Don’t tell her that. We have enough problems with her attitude as it is without her thinking she looks like a queen,” Zora complained.
“I’m sorry, but it’s true.”
“She has heard that before, but the second officer here works hard. Unlike the queen, who sits around a lot and is unreliable.” Zora said, much to Tazleaha’s dismay.
“It is believed as much in most circles. The queens have never had time for their people,” he said, innocent and unaware. Tazleaha stood and Zora moved between her and the man.
Zora decided to prod some more. “What is wrong that they can’t protect the empire from invaders who would conquer and enslave our people?”
“I would not put all the blame on Queen Tazleaha. Although she is our queen and bears some responsibility, the Khalnalax attacked without provocation. We have been slow to respond, unprepared. That is where the fault lies.”
Tazleaha stared at him, her feelings mixed. It angered her to be judged by a commoner, but his words rang true. It was good he was unaware of her other failures as well. He stepped around Zora and stood in front of her.
“I meant only to compliment you when I said you looked like our queen. Queen Tazleaha is very beautiful. Do you have a mate waiting for you to return?”
Even in the dim light she could make out the expression on his face. She looked past him at Zora who seemed just as curious about her answer as the man was.
“I am not sure,” was all she said.
“How can you not be sure if you have a mate or not?” he asked, confused.
“Her situation is complicated,” Zora said. “You have seen and heard her; she has a bit of a temper. She had a mate, a warrior who is in the Kanlost system fighting the Khalnalax. She is currently unsure if he is alive or dead.”
“I would imagine he is very brave,” the man said.
“Why would you say that?” Zora asked.
“Because he fights our enemies and . . . is her mate,” he answered.
“You are not wrong.”
Tazleaha heard running footsteps, a crash, swearing, and running again. Dela’maah appeared a few moments later.
“They’re gone!” she said, trying to catch her breath. “There are signs of struggle and blood but no bodies. It’s hard to say when it happened—possibly right after these three left to come investigate our crash—the camp was attacked.”
“Take us to the camp and then we’ll decide our next move,” Zora said.
They followed, moving as fast as they could. They found the mayor muttering to himself as they entered a clearing near a small waterfall. Fire pits were black and cold and there were a few things scattered about the camp. It was doubtful the refugees had many possessions to begin with.
“What do we do now?” the mayor asked, looking at the three women.
“We rest and eat, and I’m going to bathe,” Tazleaha said. “I would suggest you all do the same. We will be no good to them or ourselves if we are dead tired when we find them.”
“We have food if you are hungry,” Zora added.
“Is the river safe? Have you encountered any predators in or out of the water?” Dela’maah asked.
“We’ve had no problems .”
“Good. Then I’m in agreement with my second officer and going to bathe,” Dela’maah replied.
“Count me in,” Zora echoed. She took a small bag from her pack and followed.
“You should take this,” the mayor said, handing Zora a light that was left in the camp. It had a sufficient charge and lit the way much better than the torch they had used walking there. She caught up and moved ahead of Dela’maah. It wasn’t long until she found a small clearing near the edge of the water. Tazleaha found a place to hang her weapons and took off her boots. The others did the same as she walked into the water fully clothed.
The cool water caressed Tazleaha’s body as it flowed around her. Water had never felt so good. She heard Dela’maah and Zora follow and then come to rest next to her. She held out her arms and let the water flow around them. Her clothes began to shed some of the foul odors that came from humidity, sweat and dirt.
“I think we should split up into three teams of two and set perimeter watches that let everyone get a few hours’ sleep,” Zora said. “We can set out at first light.”
“Let’s go eat and get started then,” Tazleaha said.
“Are we just going to wear these wet clothes all night?” Dela’maah asked.
“Yes, unless you want to take yours off. I’m sure the males would appreciate you providing them some entertainment, Dela’maah,” Zora teased.
“I just might. It has been long time since a male admired what I have to offer.”
“Maybe they don’t admire what you have to offer. Have you thought of that?” Tazleaha asked. “We need their help; please don’t scare them away.”
“Enough, both of you. Dela’maah, keep your clothes on,” Zora said. They walked back to camp.
Once their conversation with the men was over, they readied for the watch or settled in to sleep. Morning would come soon and with it revenge. She was one with her heart on that matter. She would make up for her mistakes. The Khalnalax would pay.
****
I watched it lie unmoving in the cell where Genius had placed it. Harry had stayed to see how things would turn out. I think he was hoping for me to do something stupid. He enjoyed it and then enjoyed telling others about it. Dog’s ears twitched, then a leg would move and it would make a noise. I watched it intently, thinking it might be playing possum and waiting for someone to come in the cage. Its pointed ears stood straight up on its head. They rotated in all directions even while it slept. The long canine face ended with a normal nose, but the elongated canine uppers and lowers didn’t fit in its mouth. It had skin like bat wings, dark gray to black and leathery, with curved claws on three toes like scythes that clicked occasionally on the floor.
To avoid a lecture on patience from Genius I didn’t say anything. For a few minutes.
“So is it going to wake up?” I asked walking from the
cage back to the where Genius sat at the large console.
“I don’t know. Parts of the equation are science and parts are medical. I’m no doctor. On the science side of things, take our stasis units on the Alliance deep space exploration ships. They are, compared to this situation, supposed to be short term. Months, maybe a year. These creatures and humanoids have been in a cryo-sleep for centuries to millennia. The two processes are different. I’m not going to explain it to you, just that I can’t see the Cjittan wanting to keep these frozen and bagged for so long.”
“So they weren’t meant to be in either stasis or the regen tanks for such a long time. If something really does wake up it might not be all there. Like frostbite brain? If it isn’t all there in the head, we’ll probably have to put it down.”
“That would be best,” Genius answered. “Also anything floating in the tanks is likely long dead. There is no reviving them.”
“I know, but what about tissue? They may be dead, but they haven’t seemed to decay hardly at all. You think there is any viable tissue we can pull samples from?”
“You want me to sample each of them?! I don’t know, Boss. That could be a colossal waste of time.”
“Then leave them be. Find an empty tank and grow me something.”
“Grow what? I’m not a geneticist.”
“Code is code. Just do it. Make it something we can use in the war. Harry, wake Dog up.”
“No.”
“Take some of Harry’s DNA and make me one of him that listens.”
“Your creature, you wake it up. That is the rule of the universe.”
“Since when do you know about rules and universes?”
“Nedra taught me,” Harry said smugly.
“Well she doesn’t know everything and you’re just making that up.”
“Just like you call Harry, Harry cause I’m hairy. You make that up sadly and Harry didn’t know.”
“Get over it. Another rule of the universe is you don’t get to change your name. Ronnie, where are you at?” I said to my com.
“Talking to Aisling. Your daughter left a few marks on her.”
“Aisling did incite a mutiny. It’s still a crime in every culture we know with a space-faring navy. You can’t tell me she didn’t realize that it might go south. Backfire. Anyway, bring your bag and come to the lab.”
“What’s the situation?”
“Harry is out and I need you to revive him.”
“How did that happen what are the extent of his injuries?”
“I think he’s brain damaged. Just hurry up.”
“On my way!” Ronnie acknowledged.
“You know you are in for a shitstorm when she gets here,” Genius said and chuckled.
“What? I think he is brain damaged.”
“Yes I am, to stay with you for so long,” Harry said, his laugh a deep rumble.
“Pull up the physiology of our dog on your console. She will need it when she gets here,” I said. We sat staring at the scans of the internals.
“I’m not sure this could be called canine,” Genius said.
“I know that. But it has four legs and a face like a Doberman gone wrong.”
“Look at the feet. Those are more like three fat fingers than toes. The muscles that control the claws, the number of joints in each toe, not only can they cut you to ribbons but dig in and grab hold.”
“How does it do that?”
“Look at this joint here, and this one. They’re like our elbow and wrist. So, while it walks like an animal on four legs it evolved to attack much larger prey than itself with an emphasis on holding on tight.”
“So it’s attached until it wants to let loose. I bet a pack of these could do some damage to those Khalnalax GEMS.”
“How’s Harry? Is he bleeding?” a voice yelled from the entrance. It wasn’t Ronnie. All eyes turned to me. Three sets of footsteps hurrying across the floor. They would come around some of the tanks in a moment and hear about Harry’s miraculous recovery.
Nedra was first. Damn, I should have known Ronnie would tell her. Next was Ronnie, then Aisling.
“Harry is fine. He snapped right out of it, but we have another patient who needs your help.”
Nedra began inspecting Harry like a doctor until he put his face next to hers and whispered then she gave me a look. Nedra doesn’t give looks so I know I had stepped in it with her. Ronnie caught the exchange.
“Dammit, Jamison, you bullshitted me to get me down here to Creepy Town,” Ronnie snarled.
“Come on, Ron, it’s not that bad. Just follow me and I’ll show you what I need you to do.”
Aisling was smiling, I think she was happy I might get a what for from Ronnie. “What are you smiling at and why are you here? Doesn’t matter, while you’re here, com the Warhammer and have the prisoners sent over here.”
“Why—”
“You better not finish that sentence. Just do what I told you to do. You need to understand just how lucky you are right now.”
“Do it, Aisling,” Nedra said. “They are not your concern.”
“Have the arrangements been made to bring the Khalnalax and the GEMS from the World Eater to the planet’s surface?”
“I do not believe so.”
“Aisling, have you? If not, then do it now. You’re still attached to the World Eater, correct?”
Everyone except Genius had been walking with me. I stopped at the cage containing the beast. “Well can you give it something to wake up?”
“No.”
“Did something happen while I was out and in a coma? One word answers, mainly no, are about to become an ass-kicking offense. Gender won’t save you,” I said, hoping the bluster would be convincing.
“What do you want me to do, go in there with that thing? Then what?” Ronnie asked, heat and challenge in her tone.
“Hey, I don’t think she will have to. Look!” Aisling said. The beast was moving, trying to get a handle over its senses. It still shook and wobbled like a newborn deer.
“You and I aren’t done with this conversation,” I said to Ronnie.
“I’m not going anywhere. You’re gonna need me if you go in that cage,” she fired back.
“The prisoners from the brig are on their way via shuttle,” Aisling said. “Marines and Privateers on duty on the World Eater are beginning to herd the Khalnalax to the Warhammer.”
“Good, thank you.”
“You’re going to kill them, aren’t you?” Aisling asked.
“Some of them. Others will have a chance if they can evade capture. Are you fond of the them? Do you have someone special among the prisoners?”
“Don’t be an ass.”
A growl interrupted us before our fight got carried away. I gave Aisling a this isn’t over look and turned to face the cage. So had everyone else. Dog had found its legs and stood with its muzzle pushed between the bars, teeth bared.
“Benjamin, before you do or say anything, what you’re planning may not work,” Ronnie said. “There are a multitude of things that may happen and the most disappointing to you may be that it won’t be trainable.”
“Ronnie is right. Start with a gentler hand and work your way to a heavier,” Nedra agreed.
“I’ll do my best,” I answered sarcastically, knowing the beast wasn’t going to take to sweet nothings being whispered in its ear.
Chapter Ten
“I think your father has plans he isn’t sharing with the rest of us,” Sashet said. Natalia walked along beside her.
“I’ll ask him. He’ll tell me.”
“You were very hard on his girlfriend, who is supposed to be your friend also.”
“It’s very hard out here in the black, is it not, 0’captain of mine? He would have regretted putting her in her place. There is only one way to remove someone from power and having those two spineless pieces of fecal matter back her move was not one of them. Captain Ooni learned exactly how one gets removed from the top.”
“Can’t yo
u call me Captain, Captain Sashet, Sash, something other than the made-up names that make no sense and yes, Ooni did find out. Should I be concerned I might be next?”
“It makes sense, just not to you. She isn’t his girlfriend and when you beat me on the mat I’ll call you captain. And no, I don’t want your job.” Natalia counted her answers off on her fingers for Sash to see.
“She could be. It’s not like we don’t see the way she looks at him.”
“She always looked at him like that. There was a time when I first met them all that I wished she was with him. She used to be very good to me. Then she hurt me as much as father. He has had a few setbacks, got a little crazy at times. It’s not all his fault. You know, Sash, you could be his lover if you tried. You’re as pretty as any of them and the tattoos have a certain attraction all their own.”
“Let’s not talk about that. Com someone and find out where he is. This ship is far too large to just wander around aimlessly.”
“Genius, have you seen my father?” she spoke into her com. “You happy, Cap’n?”
“Yes, come to the lab. Do you know where it is?” Genius asked. Sashet nodded to Natalia.
“Yes, Sash knows everything.”
“Hurry. Are you armed?”
“Yes. Why do you ask?”
“Just hurry.”
Natalia was off, like the starting gun had signaled the start of a race. Sash was close behind. No one got in their way, then Sash yelled for her to stop. She tried the door and it was locked. “Genius, we’re here and waiting.” The door opened and they went in. Natalia pulled her weapon and was instantly ready for anything. She could distinctly hear something large growling. Sash also pulled her weapon and moved next to her as they eased their way toward the sound.
They came to the control area where Genius sat monitoring the situation from the screen in front of him. “He just went in the cage with it,” Genius said. “Follow the sound. You can’t miss it.”
They kept moving, not even stopping to ask questions. Their pace brisk, they finally came to source of the noise. Aisling, Ronnie, Harry and Nedra stood watching and partially blocking their view. Now she could hear her dad speaking in soft, soothing tones that were followed by a cracking sound then something else.
The Chronicles of Benjamin Jaminson: Empires At War (Book 5 Part Two) Page 13
