Backlash Rising

by Brandon Ellis

  “Daf?” said Ali, rushing to her aid. “What’s going on?”

  Daf kicked her in the thigh. “Get away.” Her hair was strung chaotically over her face as she crawled backward. She blew strands out of her face and jumped to her feet, her hands up in fists. “I’m not scared of you guys. I—” She dropped her guard when she saw Ali. She slumped to the ground, letting her hands fall lazily into her lap, and hung her head. “Thank Guild it's you. I'm exhausted.”

  “What did you do?”

  “What do you mean, what did I do?” She put her arms out wide, smacking the bars and the wall. “Ow, son of a—” She wiggled her hands. “I did nothing. They grabbed me and told me to come with them. I’m assuming you had something to do with it?”

  “Harak has everything to do with it. Did you see Chan or Thun? Maybe even King Bilrak?”

  “No, no, and no.”

  “They want us to starve in here.”

  “Bilrak won’t allow that.” Daf eyeballed the bars. “I don’t think.”

  “He won’t, me being the Chosen One and all, but we need to let him know we’re down here. Did anyone see you?”

  “No, because they said that Bilrak wanted to see me and led me here. As you saw, they threw me in here with you like I was some measly dog.”

  Ali palmed her forehead. “What are we going to do?”

  “Where have you been? In here this whole time?”

  “I took Starship Tranquil for a ride, then I got tossed in here.”

  “You took Tranquil out? You're kidding me.”

  “No.”

  “You took the starship on a joy ride without me?”

  “Her name is Starship Tranquil, and no, I didn't take it for a joy ride. She took me.”

  “Uh-huh.” Daf rolled her eyes. “So, you're telling me that the starship can navigate itself?” She lifted a brow.

  “Yes, it sounds weird, but the ship is a sentient Being. It can fly on its own, and it can chat with me. It can even shoot enemies out of the sky—”

  “Okay, stop. You shot enemies out of the sky?”

  “I didn't shoot anything. Starship Tranquil shot the Anunnaki.” Ali realized how odd it sounded. Daf probably thought the Bawns had drugged Ali before locking her up.

  Daf pushed her hair out of her face. “It’s hard to believe.” She pulled back and leaned against the damp wall. “Did you see Sirona?”

  “Yes, and she’s in one piece.”

  Daf let out a breath of fresh air, her body relaxing. “Good. And the weapon that’s supposed to kill Sirona?”

  “No. Tranquil said it’s approaching slow and won’t reach Sirona for days. I think S screwed with its navigation systems.”

  Daf blankly stared at her. “You’re not telling me that to just make me feel better, are you?”

  “Hell no. Since when do I care if you feel any better?”

  “True. So, what’s our plan now? Can that sword break through these bars?”

  “I don't know,” said Ali. “I'm not going to try.”

  Daf rubbed her brow as if warding off a headache. “Of course not. The usual Ali, making things difficult for herself, and in the process, making it difficult for everyone else.”

  Ali flared her nostrils. “Sol is all I have down here, and these bars are Bawn-built. I don’t want to risk breaking the sword.”

  “So, we just starve.”

  “If push comes to shove, I’ll try. We wait until Chan or Thun figures out that we’re gone. They’ll find us.” She hoped.

  “If they’re alive.”

  “You think Harak had them killed?”

  “Who knows?”

  Ali tapped the ground with her fingers, thinking. “You know what?”

  “What?” Daf’s voice cracked.

  Ali tilted her head to the side. That better not be tears falling from Daf’s eyes. Ali’s stomach fluttered. She didn’t know how to deal with crying. “Are you all right?”

  Daf wiped her eyes with her forearm. “I’m fine.”

  Ali gave her a poignant stare. “Really? ‘Cause you don’t sound like it.”

  Daf covered her mouth, holding in a cry.

  “Daf.”

  “Leave me alone. I’ll stop soon.”

  “Come here.” She patted the ground next to her.

  Daf shook her head.

  “It’s an order.”

  Daf sat up, her eyes welled in tears, her hand over her lips. She slid over to Ali and sat leaning on the wall next to her. “My family, my mom, dad, brother, and sister. I just don’t know if they’re safe, or even alive.”

  Ali patted Daf's arm, then wrapped her arm around Daf’s shoulders. She pulled her in close. “There, there.”

  Daf stiffened and started laughing. The longer Daf laughed, the harder it seemed for her to stop.

  Ali let go of Daf’s shoulders. “What’s so funny?”

  “You.” She put her arm around Ali, making a pouty face. “There, there?” She cracked up. “That’s the best you got?”

  Ali went rigid. What did Daf want her to say or do?

  Daf patted Ali’s shoulder. “For what it’s worth, thank you.”

  Footsteps reverberated off the walls. Ali stood and raised her sword. A figure in a robe, hands in his sleeves with arms crossed, stopped in front of the cell. A Bawn stood by his side.

  “Chan?” said Ali.

  Chan bowed. “My apologies for my late arrival. Harak tricked us, for lack of a better word.”

  “Get us out of here,” said Daf.

  “We're working on it. Harak hid the keys.” Chan motioned his head toward Thun.

  Thun nodded, looking at his feet, clearly embarrassed. “I’m sorry about my brother. My dad’s giving him a tongue lashing right now.”

  Ali furrowed her brow. “Where were you guys? Where was your dad?”

  “Harak had one of his followers sound the blow horn. A sound I’ve not heard my entire life. It meant we were under attack.”

  “I thought you monitored outside comings and goings?” Ali remembered someone mentioning the Bawns had that capability.

  “The man who blew the horn was on monitoring duty. It was planned and well-executed. We gathered our warriors and headed through the tunnels, ready to slay some Anunnaki scum.” Thun looked up and rested an axe over his shoulder. “Why did you take Starship Tranquil, Ali? I trusted you, and my father knew I trusted you. They have shamed me on your account. My brother, however, couldn't be happier that you disappointed us.” His face reddened, and he held up a fist. “You have abashed me in front of my family. You—”

  “I didn't steal Tranquil or take her anywhere. She took me for a test run, so I could get used to her. That’s all. And I protested…a little. We didn't stop at Starship Sirona to pick up my friends, so—”

  “Are you looking for the keys?” Daf interrupted.

  “Yes. We’ll find the keys.” Thun rubbed the back of his neck, scrunching up his nose. “Ali, we don't have thievery down here. Negligence, on the other hand, we have some of that.” He glanced at Ali. “You’re the Chosen One. I thought you’d follow our rules, that you’d understand.”

  “That ship took me for a ride. I didn’t control her. Do you want me to continue to repeat myself until I’m blue in the face?”

  Thun crossed his arms. “No. I can see in your eyes you’re telling the truth, and I’ll let my father know.” He held up his finger. “But give me time. I’m enjoying my brother being told a thing or two.”

  Chan gently nudged Thun. “Let’s get to finding those keys.”

  Thun nodded. “Ali, the next time we return, I promise you we’ll get you out of this cell.” He turned and walked away, shaking his head. “I can’t believe my brother thought he’d get away with this.” He paused and turned. “One more thing. Our tunnelers completed the tunnel to Eos Two. We’re directly under the palace where we believe the Anunnaki headquarters are located.”

  Ali stared at Thun, waiting for an explanation. None came. “Good news
, I guess? What for?”

  “Our first wave commences in two days. That’s when we strike. You’ll join the first wave by air in Starship Tranquil.”

  Two days? That wouldn’t do. By then, the weapon S warned about would reach Sirona, even if Tranquil said the weapon moved slowly. Something else itched Ali’s mind. “The Anunnaki will detect you coming, especially if you tunneled so closely.”

  Thun shook his head. “We believe that it’s the Anunnaki’s weak point. Their technology isn’t set underground. They’ll never know what hit them.”

  “Are you sure?” asked Ali.

  “If we’re wrong, we attack anyway. We’ve waited a long time for you to arrive, and for this war to begin. The Goddess has our backs, that we know. She’ll protect us like always.”

  “Then tell Bilrak we have to go sooner,” said Ali.

  Thun smiled. “The sooner we get to the Anunnaki, the better. I’ll see what I can do.” He raised a fist, grunting. “I like your fighting spirit. No patience like the Bawn.”

  Ali held up a fist, grunting as well. She faked a grin. “How are you going to get the military vehicles parked around Tranquil through the tunnel you created?”

  Thun tilted his head like a dog observing a stupid human trick. “We don’t use vehicles. We have legs to walk and run. We have arms to wield our weapons. That’s all we need.”

  “I don’t think that’s wise.”

  Chan stepped toward the cells. “I’ve talked to them a dozen times over this very situation. They are bullheaded. They won’t change their minds.”

  “Because we fight like men.” Thun continued to hold his fist in the air.

  Ali sighed. “Then it is what it is.”

  Chan bowed to Ali. “That’s what I end up saying.” He swung his arm out wide, motioning to Thun. “Did you assemble the team?”

  Thun awkwardly bowed. “Yes? I think?”

  “A team?” said Ali.

  Chan intertwined his fingers together at his waist. “We imagined you’d agree to help the Bawns fight, so I had Thun gather a crew for you.”

  Thun dipped his head toward Ali. “The starship will be under your command, of course.”

  Ali dipped her head in return, swallowing down her misgivings. She didn’t want to fight, but refusing while in the cell might not be the best tactic. She could head to the weapon S spoke about first and blast it to Guild and back. She’d then rain plasma fire down on Eos Two.

  “We’ll be back.” Chan left with Thun.

  Daf turned to Ali. “So, we’ll blow some shit up?” She thrust her hands on her hips. She obviously didn’t like the idea.

  “Guild, I hope not, other than the weapon heading for Sirona.” Ali brought her eyes to Daf’s. “These Bawns don’t understand destruction and terror like we witnessed.” The memory of her fellow mech worker, Hendricks, came to mind, his mech ripped to shreds by an enemy starfighter. Hendricks had died in flames. It made her nauseous. She put her hands on her knees and bent over, shaking her head. “I don't want to see it anymore, Daf.”

  “I guess we don’t have a choice.”

  “You know what? We have a choice.” Ali stood straight, her chin high. “We’re focusing on saving Sirona.” Her mind was set. “We take out that weapon and detour to Sirona’s coordinates, evacuate her, then leave the planet.”

  23

  Koda

  Starbase Matrona

  Slipping by a Starhawk Transport, Devon and Koda made their way to the airlocks.

  Devon rubbed his eyes and yawned. “I could fall asleep right here and right now.”

  Koda gave him an odd look. “How?” Koda was wide awake, stress buzzing through his insides.

  Devon shrugged. “I’ve probably had less sleep than you.”

  Koda doubted it. “Slap your face, man.”

  Devon rubbed the skin beside his ears. “That's a better way to keep you awake.” He shook his head like a wet dog and jumped up and down, then ran in place. “That's another way. Anyway, do you think when this is all over, we can get back to normal life?”

  “Guild, you must be tired. Nothing will ever be the same. After this is all over, the corrupt governance will fall along with all the politicians. I’ll make sure of it.” He gave Devon a friendly jab to his shoulder. “Let’s go and save the masses. Then gather some valuable information for them.”

  The more he uncovered, the more he realized how much the governance kept hidden. Although new to the political game, Koda figured most of the political figures on the starbase had concealed countless lies for years.

  He wanted to put a rope around their necks and pull, but that would be uncivilized. They deserved it for the incivility his fellow members in the governance provided the people for who knew how long. The governance, other than Prime Director Zim Noki, may not know about the Anunnaki, but all the politician’s middle names began with “bought” and ended in “and paid for.” They’d passed evil bills under the people’s noses for centuries.

  Koda’s blood boiled, and he clenched his jaw, staring off in a daze at a wall lined with doors that led to the airlock hangars. He imagined slamming prison doors on the likes of Sphere Three’s Prime Overseer Jeffrey Dolms, or Sphere Seven’s Prime Overseer Laura Cran. Hell, every Overseer, every Prime Administrator, and every Prime Executive.

  “You said let’s go. So, let’s go,” said Devon.

  “Right.”

  They rounded a starfighter and ducked under a Starjumper’s wing, creeping below the craft’s underbelly. Koda looked left and right to make sure no one was around, particularly Payson and his gang. They hurried under the next Starhawk Transport, crouching next to its port landing sled.

  “If nothing will be the same, then maybe you could be the next Prime Director?” suggested Devon.

  Koda shook his head. “Let’s not think of that right now.”

  “What? You'd be a great leader.”

  “Perhaps, but after this whole shit-show, I may never lead anyone ever again.” Who knew what the governance would look like when, or if, everything settled down?

  Koda glanced around. Huge tinted ebb windows encircled the Sphere, much like the rest of the starbase. Unlike the rest of the starbase, the windows ended where the airlock rooms began. Door upon door lined the walls, and behind those doors housed small cargo hangars for dangerous chemicals and weapons, or something as mundane as garbage.

  When the airtight doors inside the hangars opened, the materials inside the hangars was sucked into space. When ships attached to the airlocks, they sent or received people and shipments through the pressure vessels, usually taking the shipments down to the Eos warehouses.

  “Now what?” said Devon.

  “We look through the window of each door for containers that look like they’re holding toxins.” He moved out from under the ship. “Go.” He bolted toward the first door, Devon behind him. Reaching it, he peeked through the window at the giant hangar inside, seeing damaged ship parts and metal scraps. No barrels.

  “Next,” said Devon. “This may take forever.”

  Koda looked down the long line of doors. This would take a while. “We don't have forever.” He pointed at the last door. It seemed like it was a kilometer away. “I’ll start down there, and you start here.”

  “Good idea.”

  Koda patted Devon’s back and jogged to the far door where the airlock rooms ended, and the windows began.

  “This one is empty,” yelled Devon.

  Koda gave him a thumbs up and peeked through another door’s window. Empty cannon shells, broken down rifles, and other weapons were strewn about. He moved to the next room and caught his breath. He squinted his eyes, making sure they didn’t deceive him. He waved his hand. “I think I found what we’re looking for.” On the other side of the door sat hundreds of black barrels.

  Devon ran toward Koda, his footsteps pounding loudly.

  Koda held up his access card. “Let’s hope this works.” It hadn’t worked at the hoverstation, bu
t maybe Zim limited his access to hovertrains arriving at Sphere One only, not to Sphere One’s airlocks.

  Devon looked through the door’s window. “There's gotta be a hundred or more barrels in there.”

  “Maybe more.” Koda held the card in front of the door’s control panel. “Cross your fingers.” There was a beep and the door unlocked, then opened. Koda let out a gush of air. He nodded and pointed to several barrels in the corner. “Check those but don’t open them, and I'll check the ones on the other side of the room.”

  They entered the large hangar, and the door shut behind them. “Check the tags, the markings, the whatever. See if anything says baktotoxin.”

  “Batrachotoxin,” corrected Devon.

  “Yeah, what you said.” Koda rushed toward a group of twenty barrels, maybe more, all lined neatly next to each other.

  “Here’s some,” said Devon, his fingers on a long tag attached to a barrel. “This one’s labeled batrachotoxin, so are the rest in this corner.”

  Koda fumbled with a tag and flipped it over. “Batrachotoxin,” he said, under his breath. He clapped his hands together. “Looks like Zim had them ushered in here but didn’t open the airlocks.”

  “Okay,” said Devon “Let’s get out of here and open this airlock. The barrels will suck into space.”

  Koda hurried toward the door. Once the door was shut, opening the airlock through the control panel remained the easiest task. A knock pounded against the door’s window. Koda halted, his pulse quickening. Men stood at the door.

  A static sound crackled through the room as the comm turned on, followed by a man’s booming voice. “Stay where you are and put your hands on your head. Do not move. I repeat, do not move.”

  Koda put his hands on his head, eyeing the men, not able to tell exactly who stood out there.

  “Do you have your access card with you?” whispered Devon.

  “Right here. If those are Payson’s men, they can’t get in.”

  “Are you sure?”

  Koda wanted to shrug, but don’t move reverberated through his mind. “Truthfully, I don’t know.”

  “Crap.”

  “Exactly.”

  The male’s voice came over the comm again. “Get on the ground and stare at the floor.”