by Dave Lemel
Two rockets ripped out of their housing and tore after the cruiser. “Dad, which way is your crash site?” The cruiser dove over the cliff and then banked hard. The rockets shot over the edge and banked as well, following as best they could in the cruiser’s path.
“Up that way.” Doug pointed in the direction back where they had come from. “A ways up the mountain into the forest from where the path came out by us.”
Todd pulled up and accelerated again over the cliff top and back over the lake, the green surface rippling in their wake. The cruiser shot through the air with both rockets still in hot pursuit as they passed over the assault vehicle. The four cops who had been in the rear were now exiting the back door and craning their necks to watch.
“Your current path is good, but a little more right would be perfect,” Doug directed from the back seat.
“Like fifteen degrees? Twenty? Thirty?”
“Twenty-ish”
Todd slowly adjusted their course, staying just above the red, orange, and yellow tree canopy below. Doug leaned forward and pointed through the windshield. “There. Where you see the trail of downed trees.”
Todd aimed dead at the area Doug indicated, and just as they passed over the top, he released a cloud of chaff from the back of the cruiser. The rockets collided with the cloud and exploded in mid-air directly above the previously crashed ship.
“There. That oughta confuse the living crap out of ’em till we’re long gone from this solar system.”
“Nicely done,” said Simon. “Very nicely done.”
Chapter 31
Todd kept the cruiser as tight as possible to the tree tops. He spotted a clearing and gently banked them in that direction. As he slowed on approach to it, Simon turned to him. “What are we doing?”
“We need to have a discussion before we head up.” In the middle of the clearing stood a lone tree, very different in appearance from the more common trees that populated this forest. This species of tree had a vibrant bluish trunk with shimmering silvery leaves that danced in the breeze glistening like sunlight off the rippling surface of a pond. Todd set the cruiser down beside it, opened his door, and stepped out.
Simon opened his door and exited the cruiser with Doug close behind. Todd took a deep breath. “We have to figure out where we stand before heading up.”
Simon crossed his arms and leaned back. “I think I’ve been pretty clear with where I stand on all this nonsense.”
Todd shook his head. “It’s not nonsense, man. Please, for a minute just clear your mind of your biases and look at it objectively.”
“Todd, if the Bopecans wanted, they could have wiped us out the moment they arrived and taken any and all resources their hearts desired from our solar system. Instead, they help us. Significantly. Do you remember learning about how many people a year cancer killed before they showed up? Bopecan cancer clinics have a ninety-seven-percent recovery rate. That’s not bias. It’s easily verifiable fact.”
“So, that’s it? There’s no in between? If a more advanced species shows up and doesn’t wipe us out, we’re supposed to give ’em anything they want and trust them implicitly? I mean, I love Lombargnor, but c’mon, the guy does have a crazy amount of power for a being from a foreign solar system.”
Simon’s hand balled into a fist and he pressed it firmly into the center of his ribcage before rolling it up and down. “My chest is literally aching right now, Todd. Snap the hell out of it. Earth was attacked and is now under occupation. My pregnant wife and daughter barely escaped. All of my brothers were left behind. The alien force occupying the planet has specifically asked for you and me to be turned over to them.”
“Because of exactly what my dad’s been saying! If the Bopecans had never occupied us in the first place, we wouldn’t be in this mess.”
Simon inhaled deeply through his nose and closed his eyes to compose himself. “Todd, we were nowhere near advanced enough to defend ourselves against what was coming regardless of whether or not the Bopecans arrived first. We’d be toast without them. You and I probably never even would’ve been born.”
“That is probably true.” Doug nonchalantly interjected.
“What?” Todd’s arms flew out to his sides and then upwards as he spun toward Doug. “You are the president of the anti-Bopecan club!”
“C’mon, son, it’s not cut and dry, black and white; there is a lot of grey here. Heck, you could say—”
TZZZ.
Doug fell where he stood into a pile of limbs and torso resting up against the blue tree trunk, his head limply hanging over his shoulder as one last gasp of hot air escaped the gaping hole at the bottom of his face. Todd raised his link up near his mouth. “Pod.”
The small, silky black can popped out at the rear of the cruiser and hovered over to Todd. He grabbed it out of the air and crouched down by Doug. As he laid him down on his back, Simon stepped over and bent down to help.
“I don’t even know what to say.” Simon looked up as Todd placed the pod on Doug’s chest and activated it. They both stood back, and Todd’s eyes remained locked on the frozen figure of his father at their feet.
“Look.” Todd anxiously rubbed his chin. “I guess I’m working through a bunch of stuff right now. You know what, though? There’ll be plenty of time for that later.” He looked up from Doug and at Simon. “Right now, I know two things for certain. One, the Earth is currently occupied by Vikards, which I am not cool with. And two, you’re my boy, Simon. Let’s go kick some Vikard ass.”
Simon’s eyes began to well slightly.
“Oh, no, don’t go tearing up on me, weepy.” Todd opened his arms wide and gestured for Simon to come in for a hug. He squeezed him hard. “I’m sorry.” As he released Simon from the bear hug, he looked back down at Doug. “Honestly, I’m surprised I didn’t stun him and come looking for you hours ago. He was startin’ to drive me nuts.”
Simon smiled thinly. “Let’s load him up and get off this planet. Who knows how long it’ll take ’em to figure out that wreckage wasn’t us, but I wanna be long gone when they do.”
Todd nodded before taking two steps, paused, reached in his pocket, and pulled out a small photograph. He took in the image one last time, wadded it up into a ball, and tossed it at the blue-trunked tree.
Chapter 32
Simon stared down at Gleeb as they ascended through the atmosphere and back into space. It really is pretty , he thought to himself, especially from this vantage point . Those green oceans meeting the black and silver coastlines. The rapid elevation changes with the creams and tans, reds, yellows, and oranges. The color palette for buildings in Jandor was borderline nauseating up close, but even that didn’t look bad from this perspective.
“Oh, dude.” Simon was trying to locate Prisco when a thought had occurred to him. “I didn’t exactly have a chance to tell you, but I found the most amazing things in Prisco before I spotted the Benjo-induced mess. I was starving and had time to kill before the next train was leaving, so I went to this little restaurant—”
Todd chuckled. “Of course it’s food. You’re such a fatty. Seriously, man, with everything going on, you found time to discover the local delicacy?”
“Well, in my defense, I didn’t know about the attack on Earth yet. Like I said, I was starving and had time to kill.”
Todd smiled and shook his head.
“So anyway,” Simon continued, “they had these things called pontens. I’m telling you, man, totally reminded me of state fair cheese curds. Maybe even better.”
“Oh, c’mon. Better?”
“Well, maybe not better, but right there, man. They were fantastic. Much better than the house specialty that I regurgitated all over the restaurant.”
“What? You! Ol’ Iron Gut Cain? Hang on, I gotta hear this, and we’re almost to the Henrietta . I need to call and tell ’em we’re coming.”
Following a few rising and falling tones, Ben’s face appeared on the cruiser’s dash monitor. “What’s the good word, fellas?”
“On our way back now. Should be pulling in the garage in a few minutes.”
“Right on. Did you…um…” Ben searched for the appropriate words for a delicate question. “Secure the prisoner?”
Todd grinned, seeing right through Ben’s attempt to normalize the situation. “You mean did we catch my dad?”
Ben cleared his throat as he scratched his mustache. “Yeah, that.”
“Yep. We got him podded and loaded in the trunk. I can see the ship now, so meet us in the garage.”
“FOGGEN,” Ben called out as the screen went black and he turned to walk away.
Todd flew the cruiser through the pass-through gel and into the garage. They touched down and opened the doors just as Ben and Foggen entered from the hall. Music was blaring throughout the garage. It was a slow-paced, peaceful-sounding song, but it was playing at a volume more appropriate for an outdoor concert.
“Whoa,” shouted Todd as he stepped out of the cruiser, “you mind turning that down a little? We’re not all deaf yet like you, old man.”
Ben changed course and stopped at the wall of tool boxes. He slid a finger across a small pad on the wall and the music stopped.
“What was that?” asked Simon. “That new band you were listening to when I called up?”
“That? No, that was Jimmy.”
“What song? I didn’t recognize that one.”
“Aww, kid, that one’s a masterpiece. ‘He Went to Paris.’ One of my all-time faves. For my money, Jimmy’s at his best when he’s telling a story. I can listen to those tunes all day.”
“You’ll have to play it for me later.”
Todd’s eyebrows elevated as he looked at Simon over the top of the cruiser.
“What? I’m starting to like him. I was listening to some of his stuff after we got back from the last assignment. It kind of grows on you.”
Todd shrugged. “All righty, then.” He turned back toward Ben and Foggen. “You guys have us ready for departure? We ruffled a few feathers down there, and I think it’s best if we head to the port sooner rather than later.”
“We just gotta finish up with some doodads in the engine room we had apart for cleaning. Meet you on the bridge in, say, fifteen?” Ben glanced at Foggen.
Foggen nodded. “That should be more than adequate.”
“Perfect. See you guys in fifteen.”
Ben and Foggen headed for the door, and Simon walked to the rear of the cruiser. “You want me to take him to the brig?”
“No.” Todd looked at his feet before snapping his head up and forcing a grin. “Nah, man, I got it. Thanks, though.”
“Can I walk with you, or you want to be alone?”
“I’m good. You head up to the bridge by yourself so you can call your wife, sorry, Mission Commander Cain, while you have the place to yourself for a minute. I’m sure she’s dying for an update anyway. I’ll be right behind you.”
Simon hit the first staircase outside the entrance to the garage and skipped up the four flights two steps at a time. He entered the bridge and called out, “Call Sasha aboard the,” he paused, trying to figure out exactly what to call it. “Re-call Mission Commander Cain on the vessel her last transmission came from.” He continued to his seat in his horseshoe console not entirely confident that his request would be met.
As he waited, the situation on Earth popped into his head. It was the first time he had slowed down for a minute to think since he had heard the news. How many had been killed in the initial attack? What about my brothers? What about everyone at Star Marshal Base? Sasha said some had time to escape but certainly not all. He gasped. Buddy! Sasha hadn’t mentioned him.
The screens flanking the windshield switched from data readouts to an image of Sasha. Her eyes had bags under them, and her hair was noticeably frizzy, but her smile was warm and sunny. “There he is. Safe and sound on the Henrietta as well, I see.” She sat up straighter, and the smile faded. “Todd? Doug?”
“Both here. Todd’s in the bowels now, putting the pod containing his father in the brig. Hun?”
“Yeah?”
Simon swallowed hard. “Did you happen to round up Buddy, too, when you were bringing everyone to H.Q. for evac?”
Sasha smiled. “You better believe it. I knew something crazy was coming, and no way was I leaving him behind. Lombargnor tried to boot him from the briefing room…ship…briefing ship…I don’t know what to call this thing anymore.”
“I just had the same problem.”
“Yeah, well, when he tried, I told him if he goes, I go. That was the end of that.”
“I love you.”
“Oh, sure, not ‘how’s my daughter. How’s my pregnant wife?’” Sasha changed the tone of her voice to a deeper register to imitate Simon. “Is the dog okay? I love you.” Her voice returned to normal. “Nice.”
Simon laughed. “Of course, I was more worried about you two, three—sorry, still getting used to that, you three. I just didn’t remember you mentioning Buddy before, and I was waiting for the call to connect and had a mini moment of panic.”
“It’s fine. I was kidding; I get it.”
“How do you feel so far? I mean with the pregnancy. Any morning sickness or anything?”
“No. None again. Guess I’m lucky that way. Totally exhausted though. I kind of forgot just exactly how tired I was first trimester. Even with everything going on, I’m pretty sure I could close my eyes at any hour of the day and fall asleep.”
“Oh, hun. I’m so sorry I’m not there. This is so crazy. I mean, c’mon, really? You had to get knocked up for this too?”
“Well, it is what it is, and I’m happy Penny will have a sibling to grow up with. I just hope it’s back on Earth instead of our current destination. Mars kids are weird.”
“Honey!”
“What? They’re a little different. I’m not saying there’s anything really wrong with them. They’re just a little weird.”
Simon rubbed his forehead and shook his head. “So, what’s the plan? Is there even one yet?”
“Let’s wait for Lombargnor and Todd. He said he’d be joining us shortly, and there’s no need to repeat everything.”
“Todd should actually be here any minute as well. So what about gender? Are we going to find out this time, or make it a surprise again like Penny?”
“Well, it’s not just my decision.”
“Fine, but if I know you, you’re strongly leaning one way or the other already.”
Sasha grinned. “Possibly. Which way would you be leaning?”
“As you know, I wasn’t so sure about waiting the first time, but in hindsight, I was thrilled we went that route.”
“So, you’d be leaning that way again?”
“I didn’t say that. I don’t know. I really haven’t had a chance to think about it much yet.”
Sasha adjusted herself in her seat. “I wanna know.”
“Really! Wow, you were so for the surprise first time, I’m just really, well…surprised.”
“Yeah, I don’t know if I’ve just had enough surprises lately or what, but I’m leaning hard toward wanna know.”
“Wanna know what?” Todd walked through the door to the bridge.
“Nothing,” replied Simon.
“Sex of the baby,” said Sasha.
“Oooooo,” Todd’s face lit up. “I vote find out. I wanna know.”
Simon snorted. “Well, unfortunately, you don’t get a vote.”
“Sure he does,” said Sasha. “That’s two for find out, so when we get to Mars, I’m going straight to medical for a checkup and a genetic blood test.”
“Oh, man, I hope it’s a boy,” Todd said as he took his seat.
Si
mon stared out the windshield, blinking slowly, trying to figure out what had just happened. The door behind Sasha opened, and the tall, purple-faced figure of Lombargnor entered the room and sat in the chair waiting beside Sasha.
“Greetings, marshals.” Lombargnor’s big black eyes switched back and forth from Todd to Simon and then back again. “There is much to discuss. Taking into consideration certain aspects of your trip down to the Gleeban surface, I think it best we have a short discussion presently so you may begin your journey back to the port. We will speak in depth after we have arrived at our destination and you are en route to yours.”
Todd and Simon both nodded a bit sheepishly.
“Please do not misinterpret my meaning. I am extremely pleased with you both from what I have heard thus far. Occasionally, even the most dedicated marshals run into situations that turn bad even with the best of intentions. No assignment goes perfectly. It is how you handle the problems that occur when they pop up that matters most. I just feel that getting you all on your way back to this solar system as quickly as possible would be advantageous for multiple reasons.”
“What do you need from us, sir?” asked Todd.
“First, what is the status of your vessel? Are you ready for departure?”
“Ben and Foggen have one thing to do before we can get moving. They said fifteen minutes, and that was like ten minutes ago.”
“Excellent. How are you holding up, Marshal Jordan? This was an assignment I had serious reservations about sending you on. Just because you have the target fugitive locked in the brig aboard your ship right now does not mean that all my concern for you has been alleviated.”
“I’m holding up okay. Honestly, and I don’t know how much you’ve heard of the details yet, I’ve still got a lot of questions for you that my dad stirred up. I realize now is not the time, however. For now, I’d like to focus on the Vikard occupation of Earth.”
Lombargnor folded his hands and covered his mouth. He looked at Todd in contemplation of what he had just heard. Finally, his hands unfolded and moved away from his face. “Considering the importance of getting you all moving toward the port and our impending arrival at our destination, I will agree to discussing your questions later. I do not want to leave them festering for too long. When left unanswered, certain questions can eat away at a being’s insides and leave a doubt-filled, angry husk where a healthy, happy being once was.”
