Worlds Without End: The Mission (Book 1)

by Shaun Messick

  Adrian looked left and then right. He saw the two silver Chaties dart by. He noticed that two of the three remaining Gnol Chaties veered off and chased the two rebels. The other Gnol Chati was closing the gap and maneuvering for a position to fire. “Sean, we’re almost to the doors. When I tell y—”

  “No!”

  Adrian stopped and looked at his rearview monitor and caught a glimpse of one of the Chati’s wings clip a tree, which sent it hurling out of control and crashing into a small clearing. “Bantyr! What happened?”

  “General, this is Captain Shaonal. Bantyr is down. … I repeat. … Bantyr is down.”

  “Adrian, you’re almost on top of the base. I’m opening the bay doors,” said Sean.

  Adrian was in a trance. He had heard Sean, but couldn’t register what he had said. He couldn’t bear the thought of losing Bantyr.

  “General! I repeat! I am opening the bay doors now!”

  Adrian felt a slap on his shoulder.

  “Dad!” Jake yelled.

  Adrian shook his head and snapped out of his despair. He looked up and saw the bay doors beginning to open. The artificial trees, rock, and soil that had been placed on top of the doors as a camouflage split in two. Adrian glanced at the rearview monitor to check where the remaining Gnol Chati was.

  The Chati fired and then veered off to avoid crashing into the bay doors. Adrian frantically looked up and noticed that he would not be able to bank left or right or he would slam into the bay doors. He took a direct hit in the backside of the hover vehicle. Because of the superior shielding of the larger hovercraft, the plasma blast didn’t penetrate, but the force of it threw the vehicle into the left bay door.

  Adrian tried to regain control, but the force of the collision with the bay door flipped the hovercraft upside down. It began its two hundred-yard descent down to the floor of the base.

  Adrian could barely move his arm to grab the controls and flip the vehicle back over. He heard Celeste scream in pain and Doc curse. Finally, after what seemed like an hour of fighting with the controls, he was able to regain control. But, it was too late. He managed to flip the large hovercraft over just enough to have it impact the floor of the base on its right side.

  Adrian felt the impact and his shoulder harness snapped. His body hurled into the right side of the vehicle, with his shoulder hitting first, then his head, and then darkness.

  CHAPTER 11: THE ATTACK

  Temple Ruins outside of Talead …

  Skip, Jaskead, and Ariauna sat in the fountain room of the temple, waiting for Captain Morasea and Lieutenants Ishae and Tapal to come in from the guard post outside of the temple. The room was well lit by the lights they had brought with them from the base. As Skip scanned the room, he noticed the details of all of the hieroglyphics he couldn’t wait to decipher. But, he felt guilty for being somewhat safe in the temple while his friends were about to be attacked.

  Skip heard voices and saw the three soldiers that were in charge of guarding his research enter the room. Captain Morasea was the first to enter. He was a tall Terrestrian, just over six feet with short black hair that was covered with the black battle helmet he had on his head. Captain Morasea looked to be barely over the age of twenty. He saluted Skip and sat down on the bench on the other side of the fountain.

  Lieutenants Ishae and Tapal soon followed. Both men looked to be in their late teens and dressed in the same black fatigues and battle helmet that the captain was wearing.

  Skip liked all three men. They were loyal and subordinate to every order Skip gave them, even though Skip felt more like a civilian than a colonel in the Terrestrian army.

  Captain Morasea was the first to speak. “So, Colonel, what’s the emergency?”

  “I just received word that the base will soon be under attack by the Gnols.”

  The three guards looked at one another. Lieutenant Tapal was about to speak, but Ariauna beat him to it.

  “You mean the Gnols know where the base is?”

  Skip looked at Ariauna. She still looked beautiful even after sleeping. “Yes,” he said. “Apparently, they found it and are going to be on top of it within minutes.”

  “What were you ordered to do, Colonel?” the captain asked.

  “General Gibson told us that our orders were to stay put and to continue our research. They will notify us when they reach the second base.”

  “That’s if they reach the second base,” said Lieutenant Tapal.

  Captain Morasea shot Tapal a look. “Where’s your faith, Lieutenant? General Palmer is a great strategist. If anyone can defend the base, he can.”

  Tapal looked shocked that Morasea would reply as he did and said, “I know it’s just tha—”

  “Don’t argue with me, Lieutenant!”

  Skip raised his hand to stop the two from getting into an argument. As he lowered his hand, he noticed Tapal give Morasea a dirty look. “Hold on, guys. There’s no need to get into an argument about it. Frankly, Captain, I agree a little with the lieutenant.” Skip noticed that Morasea looked disappointed.

  “I know General Palmer is a strong leader, but I have also seen these Gnols in action. …” Skip paused, stood, and paced back and forth.

  Jaskead saw the indecision on Skip’s face. “Forgive me for interrupting, my young friend, but what are you proposing to do?”

  Skip turned around and looked at Jaskead, a man who now seemed more like a father. “I don’t know. I know that we were ordered to stay here, but …”

  “But what?” Ariauna asked.

  “But … I feel guilty for working on this project while our friends are in trouble. I think we should go and help.”

  Captain Morasea looked surprised. “But, sir … your orders were to stay here until notified.”

  “I know, but I feel like the general gave this project to me because he knew how curious I was about the temple.”

  Ariauna, seeing the indecision on Skip’s face, stood and walked toward him. She placed both of her hands on his shoulders. “Skip, this isn’t just some selfish research project. For centuries, the truth about the Tilicah tribe’s religion has been lost. And you heard it directly from the general’s mouth. He believes that within these walls is the key that will defeat the Gnols.”

  Skip smiled shyly at Ariauna. The more he got to know her, the more he liked her. “I know, but I can’t help but feel like we’re abandoning them.”

  “Nonsense,” Jaskead said. “You have been put in charge of a very special mission. A mission the general knew you were capable of accomplishing because of your experience and skills. So, my young friend, think of it like this. You may not be on the front lines of the actual physical battle to defeat the Gnols, but you are on the front lines of the spiritual battle to find the key that will finally free our planet from their tyranny.”

  Skip smiled at the professor. “You’re right, Jaskead.” He turned and looked at the three guards. “Captain, you and your men resume your posts outside of the temple. Notify us immediately if you suspect any Gnol activity.”

  Captain Morasea and his men stood and saluted. “Yes, sir,” Morasea said, and the three men left the room.

  Skip looked at Jaskead. “You’re right, Jaskead. I have a feeling there is something in here that will help us defeat the Gnols. I don’t know what it is, but it’s in here. And from what I’ve found already, there are many similarities to the Christian religions on Earth.”

  Jaskead patted his hand on the stone bench he sat on and motioned for Skip to sit beside him. “So, my young friend, tell us what you have discovered so far.”

  **********

  Bantyr slowly opened his eyes. He noticed that outside of his cockpit, dawn was fast approaching. He grabbed his head, which felt as if a hundred horses had trampled over it. He felt a large gash across his forehead and, slowly pulling his hand away, he noticed blood. He winced in pain and kicked his canopy open.

  As he crawled out, he felt two hands grab him from under his armpits and yank him out of
the mangled Chati. Whoever grabbed him threw him about twelve feet to the left and into a tree. His head slammed against the bark, and he felt the skin of his scalp give way. He looked up and saw two Gnols, dressed in black battle suits and black battle helmets with tinted visors covering their eyes, approaching.

  Bantyr quickly tried to grab his sidearm, but it was kicked away by the first Gnol that reached him. The Gnol raised his rifle, swung down hard, and caught Bantyr on the right jaw with its butt. Bantyr fell to his left and spat blood and a tooth into the wet, melting snow.

  “Knock it off,” said the second Gnol. “General Gar will want to question this one.”

  Bantyr tried to scramble away, but the Gnols’ strength was too much. They grabbed Bantyr under each arm and dragged him along the snowy, muddy ground.

  A few moments later, the two Gnols dropped Bantyr at the feet of another Gnol. Bantyr looked up and saw that he was dressed in the same black fatigues and battle helmet, but he had two gold stars on each shoulder and a long black braid extending out of the back of his helmet. Behind the Gnol was a massive army of Gnols, assault vehicles, Chaties, and aircraft.

  The Gnol pulled off his helmet, reached down, and grabbed Bantyr by the collar of his red flight suit. Bantyr was within an inch of the Gnol’s goateed face and stinking breath when the Gnol spoke. “So, we have another one, do we?”

  Another one. Who else do they have? Bantyr thought.

  Bantyr let his eyes scan to his left and his right. On his right, he saw Captain Shaonal on his knees in front of another Gnol, who had his plasma rifle pointed directly between his eyes. Bantyr noticed that Shaonal had his hands tied behind his back and he appeared to have been beaten severely.

  The Gnol holding Bantyr pushed him away. He could barely stand, feeling the effects of his head wounds and the blow to his face.

  “Do you know who I am?” said the Gnol with the goatee.

  Bantyr didn’t answer. He just put his chin to his chest and looked down. His father had taught him not to speak if he was ever captured.

  The Gnol laughed and began to walk around him. Bantyr still held his head in the same position.

  “Well, if you won’t tell me, I’ll tell you who I am. I am Dorange Gar, Commander and General of the Gnol armed forces. I answer only to our lord and savior, Koroan Chast.”

  Bantyr still did not speak. He glanced at Shaonal, who slowly glanced back and nodded groggily. Suddenly, Bantyr felt a blow to his right kidney. He fell to his knees and tried to regain his breath.

  Dorange walked back to face Bantyr, grabbed him by his left ear, and pulled him up. “Is it my mistake, or isn’t it a common courtesy that when someone has introduced himself, the other should introduce himself as well?”

  Bantyr continued to stay silent and kept his face down.

  Dorange continued. “Oh well, there’s no need to introduce yourself. I can see your name on your flight suit.”

  Bantyr stole a quick glance at Dorange and noticed that he looked surprised as he read Bantyr’s name.

  “Captain Bantyr Palmer. So, … you must be related to the famous rebel leader, Adrian Palmer?”

  Bantyr still did not answer.

  “Answer me!” Dorange yelled as he threw a right hook into Bantyr’s already swollen face.

  Bantyr managed to maintain his balance. There was no way he was going to give any information to this Gnol scum.

  “Well, if I can’t beat any information out of you, perhaps you will be persuaded to talk some other way?” Dorange looked at the Gnol who held the rifle to Captain Shaonal’s head. “Commander, when I count to five … kill Captain Palmer’s friend.”

  The Gnol holding the plasma rifle gave Dorange an evil smile and replied, “Yes, General.”

  Bantyr looked up, opened his mouth, and then closed it again. He noticed that Shaonal looked petrified.

  Dorange turned his attention back to Bantyr. Bantyr met and held his gaze.

  “One … two … three …”

  Bantyr looked back toward Shaonal and the Gnol. The Gnol with the rifle began to squeeze his trigger.

  “Four … fi—”

  “All right! All right!”

  Dorange smiled. “Now, see Captain Palmer. That wasn’t so hard, was it?”

  Bantyr looked back at Shaonal, who looked disappointed.

  Dorange continued. “I will repeat my question, Captain Palmer. Are you related to General Adrian Palmer?”

  “Yes.”

  “How so?”

  “He’s my father.”

  Dorange’s face seemed to gleam with Bantyr’s response. He looked back at his men who were surrounding him. “I will speak to Captain Palmer alone.” Dorange looked back at the Gnol with Shaonal in his deadly sights. “Commander, when Captain Palmer and I reach that tree, …” he pointed to his right, “ … over there about fifty feet away, kill Captain Shaonal.”

  “No!” Bantyr screamed.

  “Yes, General,” replied the commander, who now seemed happy to finally be given permission to kill someone.

  Dorange grabbed Bantyr by the arm and forced him to the tree. Bantyr struggled, but he was too weak from the blows he had already suffered.

  When they made it to the tree, Dorange slammed Bantyr against it. Bantyr felt a small, jagged branch penetrate the flesh on the back of his left arm. He heard a blast and looked past Dorange just in time to see the lifeless body of Captain Shaonal fall to the wet, muddy ground.

  Dorange grabbed Bantyr’s face. “Let me ask you. What do you know about your father?”

  Bantyr gave Dorange a look that could kill. “I know that he is a great man; the man that’s going to lead the defeat of all the Gnols.”

  Dorange laughed. “A great man … you don’t know him at all.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Tell me, Bantyr … do you know where your father comes from?”

  Bantyr gave Dorange a puzzled look. “Of course I do.”

  “Where?”

  “He comes from Talead.”

  Dorange laughed again. “Maybe you didn’t hear me right. I am asking, where does he come from? Because … I know for a fact, it’s not from this planet.”

  Bantyr’s eyes widened. “How would you know that?”

  “Oh, there’s a lot I know about your dear father. Tell me, Bantyr, did your father ever tell you how he arrived on this planet?”

  Bantyr didn’t answer. How would a Gnol know that his father didn’t come from Terrest?

  “Answer me!”

  Bantyr now felt a surge of energy. He didn’t care anymore. He knew that Dorange would kill him anyway. He rapidly lunged for Dorange’s throat with his hands. Dorange sidestepped, which caused Bantyr to fall on his chest.

  Bantyr quickly turned around in just enough time to catch the boot of Dorange’s right foot in the chin. He felt two of his bottom teeth crack as he fell back into the wet snow.

  Dorange lifted Bantyr back to his feet and slammed him into the tree again. He held him in place as he put his face within a few inches of Bantyr’s. Dorange gritted his teeth and spit as he spoke. “Now listen, you worthless scum. There won’t be any heroics today.

  “If you won’t answer me, then I’ll tell you where your father came from. He came from a planet called Earth. He arrived here almost twenty-five years ago. It was his fault. He was the reason we were stranded here on this planet.”

  Bantyr’s eyes widened as he began to realize what Dorange was saying. He reached up and wiped the blood that dripped from his mouth. “You’re … you are Donald Garrett!”

  “You catch on quick. And … I can see that your father told you about me. But no worries … in about thirty minutes … I will get my revenge.”

  **********

  Adrian took a deep breath, opened his eyes, and quickly sat up. His wife grabbed his shoulders and gently tried to lay him back down onto the bed. “Where … wha … what happened?”

  “Shh … you’re all right,” Anyta said.

/>   Adrian tried to get up again, but this time he felt the effects of the collision with the base floor. His head throbbed, and his shoulder felt like someone was stabbing it. He lay back down and spoke. “What happened? Is everyone okay?”

  Anyta smiled at him as she spoke. Adrian loved Anyta’s smile; it seemed to make everything better, even when certain disaster loomed. “Everyone’s fine. You’re the only one that suffered any injuries besides what Celeste already had. You’ve been out of it for almost two hours. Doc said you sustained a concussion and a separated shoulder. He popped your shoulder back into place, but said you will have to keep your right arm in a sling for a few days to keep it from popping out again. All of you were lucky. If those air bags in the hovercraft hadn't deployed, all of you would have been killed.” Anyta stopped, leaned down, and gently kissed Adrian on the cheek. Adrian felt her tears.

  “What about Celeste? How is she doing?”

  “She’s fine. Doc just finished operating on her. She’s resting now, and Doc is helping Jake with battle preparations.”

  Suddenly, the entire sequence flashed through Adrian’s mind. “Oh no! Bantyr! I don’t know what happened. I saw his Chati go down. Is he okay?”

  “We don’t know,” Anyta said as more tears began to roll down her cheeks at the mention of her son. “Sean has been trying to reach him, but there’s no reply.”

  Adrian managed to sit himself up. He embraced Anyta. “I’m sure he’s okay. He’s been trained well.”

  Anyta began to sob. “I pray that you are right.”

  **********

  “Major, I want my squadron ready and in their fighters within the next ten minutes,” Jake said as he pulled on his flight suit.

  “Yes, sir,” replied the major.

  Jake watched as Major Ducal left the dressing area to prep the fighters. Major Ducal was the officer in charge of the entire fleet that Jake’s father had amassed throughout the rebellion. The fleet had been confiscated from various victories against the Gnols. Most of them had been damaged, but were repaired due to Major Ducal’s genius mechanical expertise and painted silver to distinguish the rebel ships from the black Gnol ships. All in all, the fleet consisted of three shuttle transports that reminded Jake of smaller versions of the Mars II Space Shuttle, thirteen hovercrafts that Jake had become so familiar with, fifty Chaties, and thirty-five space and air fighters that the major affectionately called Wildcats.