Black Jaquar

by Vijaya Schartz

  Like a tidal wave, the strength of his people empowered Vanaru, carrying him as if he had no weight. He heard their mind voices, and he focused all these voices toward the sky, toward the Star People he once worshiped. A part of him regretted what he had to do. He would have preferred life, love, innocence, but it was too late now.

  The thousands of voices welled inside him in an unstoppable chorus. Like a mounting flood, they rose toward the heavens, and Vanaru held the mind channel wide open as he repeated the harangue, so the guilty would hear it, feel the hate, and receive their due.

  * * *

  In the midst of the losing battle, as more allied ships fell under the repeated assaults of a disappearing enemy, Talina lent her brother mental strength to relay the hateful harangue in mind-talk to the Star People. That hatred numbed her heart. It helped her resist the pain of the wounded and the dying. It silenced their cries in her head. Was it cruel not to participate in their suffering? But she must help, so that no more innocents would die at the hands of those she once considered her protectors.

  “We wish you the worst. We wish you death...”

  Beyond her semi-trance, she sensed the mind touch of the Lost Daughter next to her joining her thoughts to the collective. Talina also heard the muffled voices of those on the starship bridge.

  “Is she all right?” The queen sounded worried.

  A hand caressed her hair. Black Jaguar's hand. “I think so. She's in a trance. I hope this works.”

  “So do I,” added the queen.

  In Talina's mind, torrents of hatred surged and unfurled from the Chosen, through both Vanaru and herself, toward the Star People, like a raging flood. Then she sensed the Star People.

  “They are here!” she managed, not as loud as she wanted to say it.

  “Fire!” the queen ordered.

  Talina heard the salvo, then the ship lurched and pitched under her, but trusting her harness, she remained focused and ignored the cries of anguish and the sounds of panic. She smelled smoke. Many discordant chimes trumpeted all around her.

  “Talina, it's working!” Kahuel's voice rang clear, jubilant.

  “Fire!”

  Another salvo sizzled, then the ship swayed again, and people ran around her. Odd swishing sounds echoed on the bridge, accompanied by acrid smells.

  But Talina could not waver. She must maintain the link with the Chosen, keep the Star People anchored into this dimension, so they could not escape their just punishment. Salty tears rolled down her cheeks at the enormity of her actions... using her gift as a weapon, to destroy life instead of preserving it. Yet the lives she chose to defend mattered more than her own.

  * * *

  Kahuel had never seen such upheaval on deck. The ship pitched and rolled worse than the Galleon riding the typhoon, throwing the crew in every direction. Snapping open his harness, he rose and staggered to an extinguisher, snatched it, then rushed to a console to quench the flames surging out of it with black, stinking smoke.

  “Shields are weakening,” the overhead voice announced.

  “Blast that computer voice.” As if Kahuel couldn't tell.

  His mother remained standing, harnessed to her station behind the row of seats, like a pale statue, impervious to the smoke and the pandemonium. “Keep firing before they disappear again.”

  “We lost weapons systems,” a Mutant woman announced from a console, then coughed.

  “We've lost shields,” another voice, male, said calmly.

  “We've lost navigation,” his father's voice announced through the com system from the Engineering room.

  “Drifting out of control in a spin...” A male voice Kahuel did not recognize.

  On the forward screen, the Estrell ships grew larger as they drew closer. His mother's vessel spun in a vertiginous spiral, on a collision course with the mid-section of an Estrell battleship ten times their size.

  “Blasted bastards!” Kahuel fumed.

  “Brace for impact!” His mother shouted over the sounding alarms.

  Kahuel would face his death with eyes wide open. At least they would not die in vain. They would inflict severe damage to a large enemy ship.

  Just before impact, he braced himself against Talina's chair, shielding her from the coming impact with his body. To his surprise, she didn't open her eyes or show any awareness of the disaster facing them. Neither did Esperana, also deep in meditation.

  The collision started as if in slow motion, in a deafening moan and grinding of twisted metal beams. Air vents hissed. Alarms screamed and whistled. The front edge of the craft plowed deep into the enemy vessel before smashing into it. Then it bounced back, like a hooked spear embedded deep into the flesh of a bucking prey.

  Aftershocks threatened to dismember Kahuel as he clutched Talina's chair. His legs flew from under him, like those of a disjointed puppet in every direction. He found himself facing forward, where a dark hole of pulsing indigo now replaced the forward screen… the bowels of the Estrell battleship.

  Talina's seat came loose and slid forward, pushing him toward the gaping hole. Atmosphere whistled as it escaped through rips in the hull.

  Kahuel braced himself against the floor to slow the sliding chair, burning plastek under his boots. A metal beam fell in his path. The chair came to a wobbling stop against the beam, at the very edge of falling into the dark blue depths of the enemy vessel.

  Sweat dripped from Kahuel's brow. “That was too close.”

  At least, his mother's sturdy Goddian ship had not exploded on impact. Looking down the dark hole, Kahuel shuddered at the thought of returning to such an evil place.

  Talina opened her eyes in surprise. She didn't seem hurt. Then she closed them again, as if her present task mattered more than saving her own life.

  When the two linked ships stabilized, Kahuel pushed Talina's chair back onto the bridge. He didn't want her to suffer the sight of another dark, evil Estrell ship.

  “Mother! Are you all right?”

  The queen rose and dusted her pale blue robes, seemingly unaffected by the shock. “I'm fine.”

  Kahuel thanked his Goddian grandfather for giving his mother such resilient genes.

  All around him, Mutants strewn on the white floor struggled to their feet. A few moaned in pain. Beams had fallen on consoles and crew. Medics rushed to their help through a cloud of smoke. Splatters of crimson blood marred the white floor and bulkhead.

  “Prepare to be boarded,” announced a strangely melodious voice... an Estrell voice.

  * * *

  On the command deck of the Estrell battleship, Lord Straal evaluated the damages from the collision through instruments calibrated to his brain waves. Limited destruction to midship, three Estrell lives lost. He didn't understand why the conclave had decided to make a stand after the destruction of the science vessel, against his recommendation. So much for his happy retirement with First Meteorologist. It would have to wait.

  But Straal could sense the malevolent presence of Talina in his vicinity. How could she still be alive? How dare this primitive Human female disseminate a message of hatred that affected the entire Estrell crew and prevented them from phasing out into another dimension? The Chosen female leader knew too much about the weaknesses of his race. She must be terminated.

  Straal took comfort in the thought that the Estrell would win this battle. They had superior technology and intelligence, and the determination to fight back with everything they had. Maybe, once they won the battle, he could retire after all.

  Probing further with his mind, Straal located Talina aboard the crippled Mutant vessel that had collided with his battleship. According to his instruments, the impact had conveniently ripped a gap into their main bridge. Perfect.

  If he could destroy Talina, it would stop the flow of venomous thoughts impeding his people's minds. The Estrell would regain their advantage. But he had tried to get rid of Talina many times before, and she had escaped against all odds. She had already caused so much destruction, so man
y Estrell deaths... He must destroy her first of all.

  Straal struggled to focus, impeded by the flow of aggressive thoughts assailing his mind.

  “The troops are ready for your inspection, My Lord,” said First General in his head.

  As he hurried along the warm, soothing corridors of the battleship, Straal grappled with his thoughts. The success of the boarding commando would dictate the outcome of the entire battle. If the Estrell had a weakness, it was their lack of aggressive response and determination under duress. He must motivate them. When he reached the bay where the commando was assembled, Straal slowed his pace and entered with a dignified gait. He halted next to First General and faced the troops.

  “When you invade the enemy vessel, remember that they know our weaknesses. Wear muffling helmets at all times, use double or triple dark lenses, set your exoskeleton suit at maximum support to compensate for their grueling gravity. Keep personal shields up at all times inside their ship and be wary of their numbers. Concentrated phaser fire can penetrate our shields. But I believe the reverse is also true. Many of our weapons fired simultaneously upon one target can defeat their shields as well.

  Straal sent his warriors a mental picture of Talina's hideous golden face and aqua eyes, hairy head, long curls, bulky golden shoulders and blinding white garb. “Seek this enemy target and destroy her on sight. She is the main cause of our present quandary.”

  Straal had known bitter defeat on his defunct science vessel, but this would be his sweet revenge. This time, he had an entire army of trained Estrell soldiers at his disposal, and he would make Talina and these arrogant, stocky Mutants pay for their insolence.

  * * *

  Talina opened her eyes on the white bridge of the Mutant vessel, streaked with red flashing lights and white smoke. Mutants ran and shouted over the sounds of sirens. Talina trembled, but not from the cold. Pure terror froze her mind. She touched Black Jaguar's shoulder as he fumbled with her harness.

  Her voice broke when she tried to speak. “They are coming... They are coming for me!”

  Chapter Twenty

  “Still no shields,” Esperana called from a front console over the cacophony of sirens and alarms. A veil of smoke almost concealed her tall white frame. “We can't prevent the Estrell from boarding us.”

  “But they want to kill Talina!” Kahuel jerked the jammed harness still holding her unresponsive body to her chair.

  It came free, releasing her, but she didn't react at all, muttering in her trance.

  Kahuel turned to his mother. “Is there any other way to stop them? Lethal gas or something?”

  “I'm afraid not... This used to be a geological vessel, not a warship.” His mother stood undisturbed, tall and noble in her light blue robes, long white hair braided around her face and flowing freely down her back to the waist. The large black crystal on her chest reflected the red blinking lights. “Since this sturdy ship never failed us before, we only have a skeleton crew on board. According to our scanners, they have a whole army on their battleship.”

  Kahuel shuddered at the thought and gazed at the gaping black hole with foreboding. He had no suggestions, yet he couldn't accept defeat.

  His mother sighed and spoke into the com system. “Evacuate the crew. Use the escape pods.”

  The Mutants manning the consoles staggered out of the bridge, coughing in the smoke, some supporting others. Medics carried fallen Brothers and Sisters on stretchers.

  “We should also evacuate Talina to safety.” Kahuel didn't want to see her hurt in any way, although the escape pods would make easy targets for their enemy.

  “Son,” his mother said in a soothing voice, “If we are going to make a stand, we need Talina here.”

  “Why? This is suicide.” But Kahuel knew better. His mother was a great strategist. If she wanted to make a stand, she already had a plan.

  “Talina is their target. We can use her as bait.” The dangers to Talina didn't seem to bother the queen. That, or she was certain of a victorious outcome.

  “How can we prevail? We are so few.” But Kahuel couldn't abandon ship either. No true warrior would. “Mother, do you still have environmental controls?”

  The queen pushed a few keys on her console then glanced at him. “I do.”

  “Activate all the highest-pitched sirens and alarms. That should slow the Estrell down.” Kahuel tried to remember what else they hated. “Bring up the light levels to a maximum. Increase gravity. Decrease temperature.”

  His mother gave him a curious look but complied. “How is this?”

  The alarms screamed higher and louder as the lights brightened. Kahuel's steps grew somewhat heavier. “That's it.” He could see a plume of breath in front of his face. “We want to make this ship as toxic to their race as possible.”

  Kahuel pulled a metallic blanket from a compartment under Talina's seat and wrapped it around her shoulders. “Is this better?”

  “We wish you the worst... We wish you death,” Talina whispered in a semi-trance, eyes closed, her face unreadable. She did not acknowledge him at all.

  Esperana joined his mother at the back console and tied her hair tightly at the nape, Kassouk style. The two women had the same build, except that Esperana was taller, with hazel eyes.

  The Mutant Princess planted herself in front of his mother, arms crossed over her chest. “You can't possibly make a stand against a battleship. We'll be overrun.”

  “Not a chance.” His mother's glacier blue eyes smiled devilishly. “I have an idea.” She pushed another key. “Terek dear, is the meditation deck operative?”

  “Sure is, my sweet,” his father's voice resounded overhead.

  “Then I know where to find a surrogate army.” The queen's fingers flew over the lit panel of the console. “I'm transferring controls to the meditation deck. Evacuate the cats and meet me there shortly.”

  The king chuckled. “What a grand idea.”

  “What idea?” But no one paid attention to Kahuel.

  “Lock every door from the bridge, leaving only a straight path to the meditation deck,” His mother ordered into the computer. Then she stepped back and motioned for Esperana to do the same. The white console sparked with a popping sound. More smoke billowed around it, releasing a tart, chemical smell.

  “What are you doing?” Kahuel still didn't comprehend, more confused by the second.

  His mother smiled among the surrounding chaos. “Now this unit is useless. The Estrell can't use it.”

  Kahuel glanced at Esperana, whose mouth stood open, but she didn't speak.

  The queen strode resolutely toward the only open door to the side and glanced back at them. “Hurry. Follow me!”

  “Talina!” Kahuel shook her slightly.

  Talina barely opened her eyes and rose from the broken chair. “I must sustain the channel to the Estrell's minds, keep it alive... no matter what.”

  The entire bridge lurched with a grinding of metal.

  Kahuel compensated and steadied Talina. “Can your feet run while you are doing it?”

  “I've never tried.” Talina leaned upon him, barefoot on the white floor, one hand clasping the blanket around her shoulders, still shivering. Her eyes glazed over.

  “I'll carry you.” Kahuel snatched her under the shoulders and scooped her light weight into his arms. “Just keep doing what you must.”

  Kahuel carried Talina across the bridge and through the only open doorway. As he glanced at her face, he noticed her open but unseeing eyes. She trusted him.

  “Go faster,” Kahuel shouted to his mother over the clamor of alarms in the corridor.

  He wondered what the queen had in mind. The ship had many resources he'd never seen in action. But he couldn't remember what could be so special about the meditation deck, where his mother used to practice swordplay in her youth.

  As he almost bumped into her, the queen mumbled. “If they want a bloody battle, by the Great Engineer, we'll give them one...”

  Then his mothe
r hurried the pace toward a wide rectangular entrance, like that of a cargo bay.

  Kahuel crossed the threshold to the vast empty white room and paused. It was relatively undamaged, with all its beams still on the ceiling. The vast bay spread to the size of a small meadow. This meditation deck would make a perfect battlefield. He suddenly remembered something of the stories his mother used to tell. The training programs included holographic warriors capable of slaying an opponent in one stroke of their sword.

  The queen walked straight to the far bulkhead, displaying all sorts of hand weapons and blades.

  He followed her, still carrying Talina in his arms. “I can guess your plan, Mother, but the Estrell have shields and phasers.”

  The queen went to the small white console near the back wall. “Dampen all phasers and shields, blasters and other high-tech weapons. Generate an army of swordsmen according to my specifications.”

  Kahuel deposited Talina on a low shelf forming a bench at the foot of the back wall. “That won't work! They wear a hard-shell exoskeleton, and they have deadly gyrating blades!” Kahuel recalled with a shudder the sharp swirling blades that sliced open Diablo. “Their hard metal can shred other metals.”

  “Good, so they won't run, they'll actually stand and fight.” The queen looked pleased.

  Kahuel had never seen his mother in such an aggressive mood and took heart from her decisive confidence. “But your holographic swordsmen cannot win.”

  “My swordsmen have no fear, and they cannot die. Their swords are not metal but pure cutting energy.” She stroked a few keys. “Computer give the swordsmen multiple blades. Knowledge of all known fighting techniques, and maximum speed. Disengage safety protocols. Set them to protect Humans and Mutants and kill a specific alien invader, light, extremely slim, wearing a thin blue exoskeleton suit.” She turned to Kahuel. “Is that it?”

  “That sounds right.” Kahuel wondered how efficient the holographic warriors would be against the Estrell. “I also found out that large sling stones could twist and impede their gyrating blades.”