Black Jaquar

by Vijaya Schartz

“All right. Go rescue your princess. She's waiting for you,” Esperana said, as if the order came from her. “Bring her back here, where we'll all meet as soon as we are done.”

  Kahuel clenched his jaw to avoid saying something he might regret. It seemed foolish to wander solo and unprotected into an unknown enemy ship, even to save the woman he couldn't bear to lose. But he suspected the Mutants had their own agenda all along. Good thing he'd come along.

  Esperana bent down to pick up her scanner and turned off the hologram. “We have to get out of this room, now. They are coming, and they are upset.”

  Not a single Gray questioned the source of her information, although Kahuel suspected none of them knew about her mind-reading gift. A Mutant Princess was always right...

  They approached the door. But instead of opening automatically like the previous doors, the triangular portal remained closed. It had no apparent panel, lock, or handle of any kind.

  Esperana held her scanner to the door. “Security door. Too thick to cut through.” She frowned. “It shows no technology. No wiring, no crystals, no remote waves...” The scanner beeped and Esperana's pale face took on some pink. “They are here. Activate shields.”

  The Grays spaced themselves facing the door and touched their belt buckles. A soft, shimmering veil in the shape of a large egg sprang to encompass each of them individually.

  Kahuel wished he had a shield but these devices, calibrated exclusively for Mutant physiology, could prove lethal to Humans. Considering himself lucky to have a phaser, he stepped behind a Gray for protection.

  The door slid open with a whir. The Grays in front of Kahuel aimed their phasers at several Estrell rushing in, carrying small cases. They dropped without a sound, without a fight. They weren't even armed... or protected.

  Behind them another wave of Estrell in glittering shields charged the Mutants, firing sizzling weapons. Their shots hissed and sparked on the Gray's gossamer shields without inflicting damage. But the Mutant phasers also failed to penetrate the Estrell shields.

  “Concentrate all your shots on one at a time! From right to left.” Esperana aimed her phaser to the far right Estrell.

  Kahuel did the same. The entire team fired. Under the collective barrage, the Estrell's shield shattered with the overload and he collapsed. Then, they moved to the next, and the next. The Estrell copied the technique but too late. They didn't have the numbers, or the coordination. Within seconds, the Estrell security team, all seven of them, lay dead on the soft, spongy deck.

  Esperana slipped into the corridor. “Disperse before they send reinforcements!”

  Heart faltering and stumbling in his chest, Kahuel stepped into the wide corridor after the Grays and took his bearings, trying to remember the hologram. Unlike the Mutants who easily adjusted to the low gravity, Kahuel sauntered like a rabbit, in slow, uneven bounds from side to side, toward the wide vertical shaft leading to the incarceration level.

  But when he came to a wavering halt in front of what must be a lift, the door didn't open for him. No keys, no buttons or panels... Blast! Was the lift activated by unknown technology, like the security door?

  According to the hologram, there were no stairs either. But Kahuel remembered smaller vertical shafts linking the levels as well. What were they? Conduits for cables? Air vents? Maintenance shafts? Emergency exits?

  Looking front and back into the straight corridor, Kahuel noticed a cylindric pillar close to the main vertical lift. An access panel stood out. He clipped the phaser to his belt to pull at the panel's edges. No result. Drawing his dagger, he inserted the blade under the edge and forced it open. Among the cables lining the inside walls, ran a flimsy ladder. Could it hold his weight?

  Reminding himself that he didn't weigh much here, Kahuel entered the shaft. He closed the access panel behind him, in case a passing Estrell would notice, and started the descent, thankful for the night lenses that allowed him to see, although barely. At least, in here, he wouldn't meet any security teams.

  * * *

  Talina's head reeled from her mind contact with the Lost Daughter. Black Jaguar had crossed the universe, all the way to the stars, to rescue her... why? Could he possibly care? Her legs weakened, but of course, she couldn't fall, bound and lying face up on that warm, metallic floating table. Her heart beat faster at the thought that Black Jaguar and the Lost Daughter were onboard the Star People's ship. How had they managed it? Hope welled in her chest.

  But how could they possibly get her out of her metal restraints? Like most of the doors, they seemed to only obey mind commands. And if her mind wasn't strong enough to command objects, she had little hope that Esperana or Black Jaguar could do it. She was doomed.

  But Talina refused to accept defeat. She had to do her part. She must help. She didn't dare communicate with her jailor. The guard could learn from her mind that her rescue was coming and ruin everything. Think, Talina. Think!

  She already knew the Estrell were sensitive to light, and hateful thoughts weakened them. She should be able to make use of that information.

  Heart pounding, she closed her eyes and focused on the calming sounds in the cell. The soft music of the levitating spheres seemed important to the Estrell. Even the shimmering veil of deadly energy that served as a transparent door to her cell emitted soft, pleasant harmonies. The Estrell seemed bothered by discordant sounds. Lord Straal had cringed or flinched each time she rattled her bonds. He'd also admitted that Human speech was hard on their ears.

  Talina wondered what would happen if she started screeching like a banshee and sent out hateful thoughts. But she didn't want to try, for fear of giving away her only weapon. The guard might gag or drug her. Then she would really be helpless.

  * * *

  Inside the conduit, Kahuel descended one rung at a time, estimating the height of each deck. He calculated that he'd reached the third level down from where he'd started. Recognizing the same type of access cover, he listened for any noise or activity on the other side. None. Carefully, he pushed, but the panel resisted. Blast!

  He hoped not all the doors would be so stubborn. But the other access plate had given way under the strength of his blade. Careful not to make any sound, Kahuel pushed his foot against the metal cover and, bracing his back against the opposite wall of the small shaft, pushed with all his might.

  The panel flew off, barely making a sound as it fell to the soft, spongy floor. Good. At least something was going right. Popping his head through the opening, Kahuel glanced into the corridor. Empty. Perfect. He hoped this was the right level. He extracted himself out of the shaft onto the deck floor. Once out, he replaced the cover roughly over the opening so it wouldn't attract attention, then paused to get his bearings.

  Remembering the hologram, he spotted two characteristic bends in the way the corridor curved. He knew exactly where he was and where he had to go. He unsheathed his sword, just in case. Phaser in one hand and blade in the other, he advanced slowly, careful to keep his balance, toward Talina's holding cell.

  Two floating spheres emitting music darted toward him in the corridor and followed him close on each side, as if fulfilling a task. Were they spies recording his movements? No. Esperana said they weren't a threat, just there to offer the comfort of their pleasant sounds... They didn't make any hostile moves, but Kahuel couldn't trust them to be friendly either. They were machines. Estrell machines.

  Yet destroying one with a phaser discharge might trigger an alarm or bring attention to his unauthorized presence. All alone with no shield, he'd better stick to stealth. Soft footsteps ahead made him veer and hide behind a wide vertical conduit. His night vision lenses caught the slight shadow of two Estrell coming toward him.

  They carried phasers and other implements at their belt, like the security team that attacked the Grays outside the decontamination room. Guards. They came from Talina's holding cell area. Kahuel slowly turned around the column as they passed his hiding place without a glance. The music spheres left him and floated to
ward the two retreating Estrell. Good riddance.

  But Kahuel couldn't let these guards escape to attack Esperana's team. He had to stop them if he could. A phaser burst would attract too much attention. He returned the weapon to his belt. Holding his sword in a two-handed grip, still unsure of his footing but gradually adapting, Kahuel snuck up like a cat behind the two guards.

  A swift stroke severed one guard's head from his neck. As it rolled silently on the spongy deck, Kahuel managed to keep his balance.

  The other guard turned to face him, but before the second Estrell could react or call for help, his head flew through the air in a spray of blood and bounced on the black deck with barely a sound. Kahuel's heart pounded like a drum. Exhilaration took hold of him. His entire body tingled with raw killing instincts... battle fever.

  Two less guards to deal with. With renewed confidence, Kahuel resumed his unsteady walk as the spheres followed him like floating pets. He didn't know how many more guards watched Talina. On the hologram the green lights of the guards always moved. None remained in place. Could he take them all by surprise before they activated their shields and fired their weapons?

  The door to the incarceration area was closed, and Kahuel suspected it wouldn't open for him. Should he wait until someone came? Or until someone left? He had no time for that, and his phaser couldn't cut through a security door. Besides, the weapon discharge might signal his presence and bring reinforcements.

  One of the floating spheres circled his head. Frustrated, Kahuel swatted at it. The sphere hurtled toward the door, too fast. He would have to watch that low-gravity factor. Just as the sphere would have crashed against it, the security door opened.

  Kahuel quickly slipped inside an empty and bare room. This couldn't be a high security place if doors opened for musical spheres. More likely a space to detain culprits for minor infractions. Crime must be rare among the Estrell, and even rarer on a small science vessel. He surveyed the room, phaser in one hand and sword in the other.

  Beyond the shimmering veil of an energy field, in an alcove to the side, Talina lay on a floating table, restrained by wide metal bands. She gasped when she saw him. Somewhere in a far corner of her cell, a guard turned toward Kahuel.

  Then Talina screamed an inhuman screech that made Kahuel's skin twitch and raised the hair at his nape.

  * * *

  Talina hoped her savage screams wouldn't alarm Black Jaguar. He looked frightened, although it might just be the funny lenses covering his eyes. She only screamed to prevent the guard from contacting his superiors through mind-talk. Disturbing sounds seemed to interfere with their thoughts.

  Black Jaguar stared at her a moment longer then aimed a small box at the shimmering veil separating them. A thin ray of light surged from the box, and the transparent veil spurted and sparked, but remained in place.

  The guard took one step toward Talina.

  She screeched louder, sending out hateful thoughts.

  The Estrell covered his ears. Blood seeped between his skinny fingers as he shook violently and collapsed.

  Could her scream have done that? Talina renewed her screeching and the guard stopped shaking. He lay inert in the middle of the floor. Talina couldn't believe it. She had killed a person, taken a life! Horror chilled her spine, but she had no regrets. Was that how Black Jaguar felt in battle?

  The shimmering veil lit up in bright sparks then died with a popping sound. Black Jaguar stepped into her cell. How many times in her short captivity she had wished for the welcome sight of his strong body... his warrior stance.

  “You came.” Could Talina have been wrong about him? Obviously, he cared enough to risk his life to save her.

  “Of course, I came.” His radiant smile warmed her. He nodded toward the fallen guard. “How did you manage that?”

  His very presence made her feel so safe. “Apparently, disturbing sounds are deadly to them.”

  Black Jaguar chuckled. “That explains a lot...”

  When he caressed her face, she leaned into his hand, surprised at how much she had longed for his contact.

  Then he inspected the bonds around her wrists. “How do they remove them?”

  “I think they do it by mind command.”

  “Mind command? No wonder... Security doors, lifts, it's very efficient against anyone who doesn't have the same ability.”

  “Don't feel bad. I can't command objects either.” Talina wondered whether or not he could get her off the floating table. But she refused to let poisonous doubt invade her mind. He would free her, somehow. He'd come this far... he had to succeed.

  He aimed his small box at the metal circling her left wrist. “Tell me if it gets too hot, and I'll stop.”

  “Hot?” Talina wondered about this magical instrument which had destroyed the veil, but she didn't ask. If it could get her out of these metal bonds, that's all she wanted. “Just do it.”

  “Look the other way and close your eyes... for the sparks.”

  Talina screwed her eyes shut and tightened her jaw against the burn to come. “Just get me out of here.”

  The progress of the thin beam of light on her metal restraints proved slow and agonizing. The heated metal singed her wrist. But Talina didn't care.

  “This metal is harder than I expected. It'll take time.”

  But Talina doubted they had much time. “The death of the guard will get noticed. Don't worry about the burns. They'll heal. Just hurry.”

  Black Jaguar nodded and bit his lip as he concentrated on his task. Talina braced herself against the pain searing her skin. The first manacle finally gave and broke open. The second didn't take quite as long. But the waist restraint seemed thicker than the rest.

  “Hurry, before they get here.” Talina couldn't stand one more minute in these shackles. “I never want to be their prisoner again.”

  “Almost there.”

  At least, the leather boots protected her feet and legs from the phaser sparks and heat. Finally, the last ankle brace came off.

  Talina jumped down from the table and landed next to the dead Estrell. She shivered at the thought of her kill and wobbled on her feet. She accepted Black Jaguar's helping hand, reveling at the soothing warmth of his skin. “I forgot about the lightness on the ship.”

  Before she had time to thank him, he threw a music sphere at the door. When it opened, he dragged her in leaps and bounds into the corridor. Another music sphere joined them and followed them on their mad dash to freedom.

  Talina's heart sang with joy. Black Jaguar had come to save her. He'd broken her shackles. But they were still on the Estrell ship, and far from safe.

  * * *

  Kahuel remembered the way he'd come but wondered whether Talina could follow him into the conduit. Without night lenses it would be pitch black and scary, and he needed the lenses to figure out where to exit.

  When they stepped over the two guards he'd decapitated earlier, like headless stick men in pools of blood, Talina gasped. The stench was nauseating. But Kahuel didn't comment.

  The glitter and chime of alien shields and the clicking of weapons on metal armor made him veer off into a branching corridor. A security team. He hurried, taking turn after turn, but the sounds followed close behind. Did they know his location? How? Could they hear him? Smell him? No. The others hadn't detected him before. Could the music spheres betray his position?

  Kahuel shot at one floating globe. It sparked and fell silent, dropping without a sound. He shot the second sphere, then kicked them both in one direction and pulled Talina into an adjacent narrow passage. After a few turns, he flattened himself against the bulkhead. Talina stared at him with panic in her lovely turquoise eyes.

  How he wished he could reassure her. But talking would reveal their presence. He squeezed her hand and she gave him the tiniest of smiles. How he'd missed that smile.

  Kahuel held his breath as the security patrol passed them by. The buzz of shields and clicking of weapons faded into the distance. Kahuel waited longer.
Then he let go of Talina's hand and drew his sword. “Follow me,” he whispered.

  Talina nodded.

  With all that excitement, he'd forgotten how many turns he'd taken off his path and in which direction. He had to find the main corridor again. But the patrol would certainly watch that corridor. Blast!

  The transport room was three decks up. If he could get to that level, he might find his way back to the others. All he needed was a wide vertical shaft with an access panel. Of course, he could see none in his vicinity. The hologram had showed them all located along the wider central hallway.

  Kahuel wished he had a scanner, but he never learned to use one. Besides being forbidden to Humans, these instruments had become a rarity in the past decades, even for Mutants.

  Kahuel ventured out of the narrow passageway, looking right and left, motioning for Talina to follow. Such paths could easily become traps if they dead-ended. Trying to remember the layout of the floor plan, Kahuel advanced stealthily toward what he guessed might be a main corridor. When he emerged into a wide hallway, hope soared in his chest. Maybe there would be a shaft.

  But none came into view. The wide path curved slightly, and from the shape of the curve, Kahuel deduced his relative position. Once oriented, he walked more resolutely toward his only hope of escape.

  But beyond the curve, the wide corridor dead-ended into a massive security wall. Blast!

  Talina stared at him but remained quiet.

  “This way,” Kahuel whispered in what he hoped was a reassuring tone.

  Talina nodded and they retraced their steps. But six feet in front of them, another wall fell like a giant tree.

  “Watch out!” Kahuel came to a wobbling stop and pulled Talina back, just before the thick wall thudded shut against the soft floor. It would have crushed her.

  As Kahuel gazed at the massive barrier now blocking their escape, his legs weakened. He'd come this far for nothing? Obviously, the Estrell had tracked them, skillfully hounded them into this dead-end, then locked them up. Their prison was a smooth section of corridor, with no doors, no conduits, and no means of escape. Not even a music sphere to calm their nerves.