by Richard Ford
‘Tell me what you know, Rottik, or you will suffer as you cannot imagine,’ said Bakkatt.
‘May the sic-tari strike me early if I am lying to you, please--’
‘Alright, we take him with us,’ said Bakkatt, nodding to Merreck, who dragged the Drazi to his feet.’
‘May Droshalla strike me down, Bakkatt, please see reason.’
‘I think I have shown great restraint with you. That time is over.’
‘Wait... wait. You don’t know what you’re getting into. I can’t tell you anything about them. You have no idea what they can do.’
‘Believe me, Rottik, I do.’
As Bakkatt grabbed Rottik’s free arm, Vance saw the Drazi bartender disappear into the back of the drinking den. His movement did not look out of the ordinary, but something about it made Vance nervous. ‘Wait,’ he said to Bakkatt. ‘Something is wrong.’
‘The bartender?’ asked Bakkatt, obviously sensing the same danger. Vance nodded. ‘Is there another exit from here?’ The Drazi shrugged, his eyes already wide with fear. ‘Alright,’ said Bakkatt. ‘We’ll walk straight out of the front door. Not a sound from anyone,’ he directed his comment at Rottik. ‘If anyone looks at us twice, hit first, make apologies later.’
They moved quickly across the sticky floor, but before they were halfway across, the louse-ridden door opened. Three Drazi, their faces grim and their fists holding steel clubs, entered. All locked their eyes on Rottik as soon as they stepped into the room, but they paused when they saw his escorts. The one at the front nodded his head sideways, and the Drazi at the rear sprinted out into the marketplace. ‘Hand him over, Minbari. Don’t want to crack those bony heads, do we?’
‘He’s gone for reinforcements,’ said Jerklenn, ignoring the Drazi’s demands.
‘We must act quickly,’ replied Bakkatt, releasing his grip on Rottik.
Before the Drazi could bring his weapon to bear, Bakkatt produced his denn’bok and smashed him halfway across the room. Merreck and Vance quickly revealed their own weapons, but Jerklenn was faster. The second Drazi snarled as he lurched forward, and the butt of Jerklenn’s weapon struck his flat face, full on. No need to check if the Drazi were going to get up again anytime soon, thought Vance. The Rangers seized Rottik and rushed passed their prone assailants.
Out in the street the marketplace still buzzed with life. The Rangers burst from the drinking den, taking a moment to survey the scene. Danger approached from several directions as more angry Drazi made their way purposefully between the stalls.
Rottik’s head swivelled in panic. Vance was pleased to see at least one Drazi who did not seem to relish violence as much as his brethren.
‘Take Rottik,’ ordered Bakkatt, thrusting the frightened Drazi towards Vance. ‘We will make a path. Stick close behind.’
Bakkatt walked forward, flanked by Merreck and Jerklenn, as the first three Drazi stormed forward. In a flurry of denn’bok blows, all three of the Drazi fell, and the group began to move through the marketplace. The stallholders looked on with eager interest, although no panicked cries for help erupted, as Vance would have expected from a sudden burst of violence in such a public place. Obviously the militia around Torvag City cared little for the odd street skirmish.
The Rangers stuck to one side of the market, keeping the high wall that surrounded it to one side of them. Vance was impressed with Bakkatt’s tactics--he was obviously aware that by following the wall they could not be outflanked by their Drazi pursuers.
Two more Drazi appeared from behind a nearby stall. Vance could not help but admire their foes’ tenacity. However, the Drazi couldn’t possibly know they were dealing with Anla’shok. Even if they did, Vance doubted it would have made the stubborn warriors think twice.
They both held a tru’far in each hand. The short punching daggers made the Drazi appear to have single sharp talons at the end of each arm instead of hands. Merreck reacted first to the new threat, quickly batting the blades of one Drazi aside and smashing his denn’bok into his enemy’s sternum. A crack of breaking bone preceded the Drazi’s collapse.
The second assailant ducked beneath a vicious swipe from Jerklenn and headed straight for Vance. As the grim-looking Drazi approached, Vance released Rottik’s arm and moved forward, prepared to parry the wicked blades. The Drazi raised one arm high, ready to bring the weapon down on Vance’s head. His second arm was low, and Vance waited until the last moment to act in case the high blow was a feint, with the real danger coming from the second weapon. As he met the Drazi, he quickly realised his error: the Drazi’s entire attack was a bluff, his real target being Rottik. As Vance lifted his denn’bok to parry, the Drazi sidestepped, speeding straight toward the defenceless Rottik.
Vance’s heart sank. He could see the Drazi moving in, seemingly in slow motion, but he could do nothing to stop his swift opponent. Rottik was wide-eyed, his back to the high wall, transfixed by the vision of his impending demise. Bakkatt’s denn’bok swept down, snapping the Drazi’s arm as it shot towards Rottik’s throat. Jerklenn finished him off with a solid blow to his thick skull.
There were no words of chastisement in response to Vance’s blunder. Bakkatt took the lead once more, and Vance grabbed Rottik’s rigid form, dragging him onward. They reached the edge of the marketplace and sped down a narrow passage that exited the walled-off area. Vance glanced over his shoulder, seeing several more Drazi taking up pursuit. Bakkatt led them through the maze of streets, never pausing to consider his direction. Vance wondered if he knew where he was going or if he was simply running blind.
Despite the speed of their flight, the Drazi stayed in pursuit. Vance remained at the rear, with Rottik in front of him, running at Merreck’s heels. The big Minbari glanced over his shoulder and then stopped, squeezing to the side and allowing Vance and Rottik to speed past. Vance knew what Merreck planned but dared not stop in case he lost the rest of the group. As they rounded a bend, Vance could hear the sound of falling blows and cries of pain behind him.
‘Bakkatt,’ cried Vance. The lead Ranger turned, realising what had happened when he failed to see one of his team.
‘Wait here,’ said Bakkatt, retracing his steps and disappearing around the corner. Vance clenched his denn’bok tightly. Staring at the end of the passage, he expected a horde of Drazi to round the corner and leap to the attack at any moment. Jerklenn moved to his side, the two of them blocking the street.
The sounds of battle died off and were replaced by running feet. Merreck and Bakkatt rounded the corner, sprinting towards the rest of the group. Vance felt relief wash over him as he saw his companions approach, but the look on Bakkatt’s grim face made him wary.
‘Where is he?’ said Bakkatt, motioning toward them. In his apprehension, Vance had turned his back on Rottik. He spun round but already knew the Drazi was gone. Vance silently scolded himself for the second time. Their first encounter on their first mission, and already he had messed up. Twice.
‘Never mind,’ said Bakkatt, as though reading his thoughts. ‘We don’t need him. We know the name of Keldulan’s target. Let’s see what this Musan Volt knows.’
Musan Volt
Hot winds blew sheets of dust across Torvag City’s rooftops. The four Rangers navigated the roofs of the city’s many teeming tenements, surveying the length and breadth of the metropolis. In the distance, the Merchant’s Quarter spread out before them, the sole lead in the search for their Ranger brother.
‘The assassins sent to find Rottik were most likely Musan Volt’s men,’ said Bakkatt. ‘He somehow knew Rottik had information linking him to Keldulan’s disappearance and wanted him silenced. Rottik was the target, not us. Volt knows we are here now, though, and he knows we are dangerous. I would expect his security to be extremely vigilant.’
‘Should we call reinforcements?’ asked Jerklenn.
‘We are Anla’shok,’ answered Bakkatt with a smile that seemed out of place on his battle-scarred face. ‘Breaching impregnable defences is what we a
re trained for.’
Bakkatt’s sudden smile showed Vance that this kind of mission, and being in the thick of it, was what this particular Minbari lived for. ‘For now we rest. When night comes we will position ourselves in the Merchant’s Quarter and see just what this Musan Volt is up to.’
The three Rangers nodded in unison at Bakkatt’s plan and hunkered down within their robes as the waning sun travelled across Torvag’s impressive skyline. Bakkatt sat motionless, staring at the staircase leading to the roof. Vance watched him for several minutes before he realised the Minbari was meditating. Even with his eyes open, Bakkatt was able to reach a meditative state and keep guard at the same time: another trick he would have to persuade the experienced Anla’shok to teach him.
As their shadows grew longer on the exposed rooftop, the Rangers exchanged glances. Vance’s eyes met Merreck’s, and the Minbari gave him a cursory nod. The comradely gesture surprised Vance, especially considering his blunders in almost allowing Rottik to be killed and then letting him slip away. Nevertheless, Merreck seemed unconcerned, and Vance wondered if the brotherhood of the Anla’shok truly meant more to Merreck than the vendetta of the Sky Riders.
‘Now we move,’ said Bakkatt. The Rangers immediately jumped to their feet, crouching on the low-sided rooftop. They cautiously descended the stairs and moved into the street, making their way towards the Merchant’s Quarter. When they reached the outskirts of the area, Bakkatt stopped them. ‘Remember, our descriptions have surely been circulated, and we will not be difficult to spot in the open. Three Minbari and a human is a rare group in Torvag City. Remember what Kattak has taught you.’
Vance felt strangely safe within the confines of his robes. The grey cowl he wore seemed to more than hide his features, as though it made his entire body blend into his surroundings. Of course that was impossible, but as they moved through the narrow streets, no one gave them a second glance.
Finding the Merchant’s Quarter proved simple. As they moved toward it, the drab grey brick that surrounded them gradually morphed into carved stone towers topped with domed minarets. The opulence of the district did nothing to alleviate the air of violence encompassing the narrow streets. The Rangers made their way to an open area. Much like the marketplace, a wide, walled-off area full of stalls surrounded the plaza. These stalls were now empty, the whole area deserted.
Just as Vance pondered the problem of finding the residence of Musan Volt in the vastness of the Merchant’s Quarter, Bakkatt held up his hand, giving the signal to disperse and await orders. Instantly they scattered, clinging to the shadows of the spacious square, finding discreet spots from which to observe their leader. From the shadows, Vance watched Bakkatt approach a small building built against one of the walls, possibly a sentry hut. He rapped on the door and waited, his head bowed and his features hidden within the confines of his robes. The powerful Minbari looked like a crumbling old man in the dying light.
The door to the small building opened slowly, and an eerie yellow light lanced across the marketplace. Bakkatt stood hunched in the yellow illumination, his shadow spreading for thirty feet along the ground behind him. Vance could hear voices, the first one harsh and openly annoyed, the second weak and croaking. Although he couldn’t make out any of the conversation, Bakkatt’s disguised voice entreated information from the building’s inhabitant. The voices spoke for several seconds, Bakkatt’s remaining low and submissive, the other harsh and aggressive, until they finished their parley. The door slammed shut and darkness fell over the marketplace once more.
Bakkatt turned and strode purposefully across the market square. When he reached an area of light, he made a swift hand signal ordering the Rangers to regroup. Vance moved toward Bakkatt, remaining invisible as he padded across the stone streets. Merreck and Jerklenn appeared out of the shadows simultaneously. Although he had seen this many times, Vance never ceased to be staggered by their skill at concealment. In EarthForce, he had been trained to shade and track a target without being seen, but now he could stand right beside a subject, even someone with a keen ear and a vigilant eye, and still not be noticed.
‘The market registrar has given me Volt’s address,’ said Bakkatt.
Vance frowned. ‘He just gave it to you?
‘The merchants of Torvag must register their whereabouts at all times. Only in that way can they guarantee the goods they trade. No merchant who valued his neck would try to swindle a stallholder or customer if his address was common knowledge. For this reason, merchants are also very well protected. We must assume that Musan Volt is better protected than most.’
Under cover of darkness, the Rangers moved deeper into the Merchant’s Quarter and toward the residence of Musan Volt. The buildings seemed even more expertly crafted up close than they had from across the city, each clawing towards the night sky as though they were bejewelled hands sprouting from the ground. Vance saw no easy entry points for any of them. Visible entrances were blocked by ornate wrought-iron gates or solid, steel-shod doors.
Above them, several walkways linked the various towers. From his low vantage point, Vance spotted guards roaming the balconies, ever wary of thieves and assassins. This would not be easy.
Bakkatt stopped after they had covered the entire length of the Merchant’s Quarter. Vance could see the huge wall at the end of the narrow street, which he assumed was the perimeter wall of the city. ‘There,’ said Bakkatt, pointing to a scarlet tower that stood on the corner of the street. Its sheer sides were crafted from blood-red marble that shone in the light of the street lamps. ‘Volt’s home.’
Vance craned his neck to see the top of the tower, which disappeared into the night sky. Several walkways led to it from adjoining buildings, which gave Vance some hope.
Bakkatt searched for something down the maze of streets that led from their position. ‘This one will do,’ he whispered, moving toward one of the high-sided buildings. When he reached it, the other Rangers at his sides, he ran his hands over its smooth sides. Vance saw his fingers testing the surface, scratching and peeling at various parts of the stone. The smooth plaster flaked under the pressure of Bakkatt’s fingers, and a smile soon spread across his face. ‘We can scale this,’ he said, looking upward. ‘We only have to reach as far as the first walkway.’
The other Rangers followed his gaze. Vance estimated they would have to climb a hundred feet. Straight up.
Bakkatt led the way, followed by Merreck, then Jerklenn, with Vance bringing up the rear. He understood he was getting the easiest job of it, for by the time it was his turn to climb, enough mortar had been removed by the other Rangers for him to gain a secure handhold quite easily. However, the danger of the others falling made his position less than secure.
Blocking out any notion of fear, Vance and the rest of the Rangers scaled the side of the huge building. At times they heard footsteps from below or from one of the elevated walkways, and the four of them would freeze, waiting for the danger to pass. Of course, their skills at concealment eliminated most of the danger of being spotted.
Vance reached the edge of the walkway and vaulted over, relieved to feel the solid concrete beneath his feet, albeit a hundred feet above the ground. The other Rangers were already crouched on the walkway, their eyes scanning in every direction for signs of a guard. Silently, Bakkatt moved toward a corridor that ran parallel to one of the buildings. Once inside, he slowed to allow the other Rangers to join him. Together they moved across the dimly lit corridor, one side overlooking the vista of Torvag City.
As the corridor turned left, Bakkatt stopped. He pointed over the balcony at the red-sided building. ‘Musan Volt’s residence is just over there,’ he said. Silently, the Rangers looked out. A walkway led from a lower level of the building they were in to a huge door. Two well-armed and armoured Drazi stood guard, unmoving in the dull light. They resembled statues, and only the occasional turning of a head revealed they were Volt’s sentries.
‘Kill the lights,’ ordered Bakkatt. Jerklenn loc
ated the power conduit that fed electricity to the dim lights illuminating the corridor. Within seconds, they flickered and died. Hidden in the shadows, Vance watched the sentries look toward the sudden darkness. One even stepped forward, straining his eyes, looking for signs of movement, but the Rangers were as good as invisible.
The Rangers spent the hours before dawn watching Volt’s doorway. The sentries were a disciplined bunch, holding their posts throughout the night without dropping their guard for even a second. The door to Volt’s home opened only once as the sentries were relieved by two equally impressive-looking bodyguards.
‘This is no good,’ said Bakkatt, just as the sun began to peer over the horizon. ‘We need to get inside, and that window at the side of the building is as good an entryway as any.’ When Vance saw what Bakkatt was pointing to, he had to disagree. The door at the front, despite its intimidating sentries, looked far more attractive than a single window a hundred feet above the hard concrete of Torvag’s streets.
‘The two of you will keep a watch,’ said Bakkatt, looking at Merreck and Jerklenn. ‘If there is any sign of a disturbance from outside, disable the sentries and secure our escape route. Vance, you’re with me.’ Despite Vance’s doubts, he followed Bakkatt without hesitation. They climbed flights of ancient, dusty stairs until they reached the roof. Bakkatt reached into his robes and produced a cylindrical object. At first Vance thought it was his denn’bok, but then he saw that the item had a trigger on the side.
Bracing one hand behind the cylinder, Bakkatt pulled the trigger. A dull popping sound thudded through the night as a zip line shot from one end of the cylinder and landed on the roof of the red building. Vance took a tentative glance over the side, relieved to see the sentries outside Volt’s apartment were too far below to hear the anything from the rooftop.
