Backlash Rising

by Brandon Ellis

  “Eos Two.”

  William and Hank looked at each other. “Eos Two?”

  “The other side of Eos,” she said.

  Hank gave her a blank expression. “You realize the other side of Eos is the radiation zone.”

  Eden pushed off the ground and wiped her palms back and forth. “Another lie. You’ll get used to it.”

  38

  Ali

  Dirn Garum, Eos

  Ali slouched in Starship Tranquil's captain’s chair, looking at the vidscreen surrounding the entire bridge. She glanced at Harak, who sat next to her with his arms folded, his expression emotionless. “Harak, that’s Thun’s chair. He’s my second in command.”

  He squeezed his arms tighter, not saying a word.

  Ali shook her head at the stubborn prick. Fighting about it wouldn’t get her anywhere because Harak would actually fight to keep the damn chair. She rubbed her eyes and yawned. She waited for the all go from one of the Bawn working at the rock-like stations just outside Starship Tranquil.

  “We have orders from my father, King Bilrak, not to leave until they are at the end of the tunnel.” Harak raised his hand in a fist. “That’s when we strike.”

  Way to show your leadership, thought Ali, sarcastically.

  Chan, standing next to her, spoke softly in her ear. “Problems?”

  Ali eyed the vidscreen, seeing nothing but the mountainous rock wall. “Harak. Give me time. I’ll break him.”

  Harak wiggled his beard, keeping his eyes forward, though obviously hearing her.

  Chan leaned closer. “Breaking will only get you a broken Harak. We want him full, at his best, and defending you because he respects you beyond all else. Gain his respect, and you’ll gain a powerful warrior.”

  “Impossible.”

  “Ali, remember that to gain respect from a Bawn warrior is to beat him at his best game—fighting,” Chan said in a hushed tone. “Or, better yet, help them win this fight and do well in battle, and he will respect you for the rest of his life.”

  Ali nodded, her lips close to Chan’s ear. “With Sol, I can take him easily.”

  “When the time comes, best him.” Chan stood to full height and stepped back, watching the room and the Bawns.

  Harak jumped off his seat and stood. “What are you whispering? Are you such a coward you have to keep your voice low, scared I might hear?” He cocked his head to the side, the whiskers around his lips twitching. He threw a dismissive hand. “I have better things to worry about.” He paced around the bridge, his eyes wide with an intense stare. “The fight for our very souls will start soon. Everyone be prepared.”

  Ali held in a laugh. The guy looked psychotic.

  “Ali, I’ve noticed you have trepidation about this fight about this coming battle.” Thun approached, sitting where Harak had been moments ago. “Fear not. We Bawns can beat five men on our own, and two giants if need be.”

  “Your brother won’t like it you took his seat.”

  “I don’t fear my brother. He’s a pisser, but I love him the same. Like you said, this is my seat. He wants it? He can try to take it.”

  Ali shifted her eyes to Harak, who took slow steps from station to station, muttering something to the Bawn crewmembers. “You’re the next in line to be king, Thun. Your brother is a disgrace. Stay safe, because I fear for your race if something were to happen to you and your father.”

  Thun didn't respond. He looked at the axe lying in his lap. He contemplated for a moment, nodding. A horn went off, and everyone jerked to attention.

  They’ve reached the end of the tunnel, Ali, announced Tranquil.

  “It’s time to go,” yelled Harak. He took a step toward the seat he’d occupied, then paused, his breath immediately shallowing, his lips flat. He turned and sat at an empty station.

  Ali eyed Chan and then Thun. “You two ready?”

  Thun raised a fist. “Ready.”

  Chan dipped his head.

  Ali, I know you want to head to Sirona, came Tranquil. Swift, however, is on her way. They’ll evacuate Sirona soon. I advise we head to the end of the tunnel the Bawn created.

  Ali sat up, not liking the idea. “Are you sure?”

  I am.

  She sighed heavily and leaned forward. She stared intently at the screen. “I trust you.” Her heart ached at the words that exited her mouth. “All Bawn, strap in. It’s time to fly. Tranquil, lift us out of the cavern and fly us to the end of the Bawn’s tunnel.”

  As you command. Tranquil rose as the inside of the mountain opened. The fading sun’s light filtered in, brightening the area. Tranquil turned, her boosters engaging and blasted through the opening. Ali’s back pressed against the backrest. Several Bawns gasped. It was their first time in flight. It probably scared the tar out of them.

  We'll be there shortly. The ship charged forward like a bolt of lightning, zipping toward the clouds. Out of the corner of her eyes, Ali could see Thun’s fingers squeezing the armrests, his knuckles turning pale. She let out a soft giggle. Below them, the terrain blurred until Tranquil slowed.

  We’re arriving.

  They entered Eos Two, the vast city Ali saw on her first trip onboard Tranquil. The city spread out before her with buildings of fine architecture reaching for the sky. Lights blinked on tall towers and platforms, and a large statue of a man holding a spear dazzled in the middle of the city.

  Ali touched her sword’s hilt, her confidence abruptly soaring. The sword sent vibrations of energy surging through her. “It’s time to land.”

  As you wish. I’ll find a place to land.

  Tranquil descended, and Thun pointed at the holovid displaying a large palace coming into view. “That has to be the palace. From under there, my people will sneak inside and cut off the head of the dragon.”

  Ali thought of Enlil. The head of the dragon. Her heart fumed. He used to haunt her dreams, and then her life. She thought she killed him a week or so ago, hitting him with several gunshots before she entered the mountain, but he hadn’t bled out and most likely survived. She and Sol wouldn’t give him a second chance.

  Ali, said Tranquil. I’m receiving a message from Starship Swift. She’s alerting me that the massive weapon is in range of Starship Sirona.

  Ali cleared her throat, pushing down nerves that wanted to crawl out of her pores. Sirona and her people needed help. To her, that should come first, not this silly battle.

  “Hold, Tranquil.” The ship stopped and hovered. She looked at the Bawns, who stared at her, awaiting orders. “Can Starship Swift handle this weapon alone, or shall we attack it now?”

  I’m scanning it. One moment, please.

  Harak stood, clutching his axe. “Why are we stopped?”

  Ali held up her middle finger, a strange Earth custom she hardly remembered. The little she recalled, the gesture didn’t mean pleasant things. She raised her voice. “Tranquil is speaking. Shut your mouth and let me communicate.”

  The weapon is unmanned, guided by remote. Destroying it would destroy everything around it, including Sirona. The technology is unstable and highly reactive.

  Harak grumbled and Thun put up his hand, stopping his brother from complaining further.

  Swift has landed beside Sirona. They’re evacuating.

  Ali bit her lip. “If they don't evacuate in time?”

  From what my sensors show, if they don’t escape before the weapon fires upon them, they’ll die. Have faith, Ali.

  Ali leaned back, her gut flexing. “With two starships, Sirona could evacuate much more quickly.” Every ounce of her wished she’d stuck with her original plan.

  Our arrival would stir confusion, and with confusion comes caution. Things would slow down. I advise staying here.

  Harak stomped his foot. “What are you talking to Tranquil about?” He pointed his finger at the floor. “My father and my people are down there. We go knock on the palace with our hammers, now.” He stepped toward Ali.

  Thun stood his axe in hand and faced Har
ak. “Don't come any closer, brother.”

  Harak hit the butt of his axe on the floor. “She’s deciding the fate of us all. The fate of our people. We’ll easily win this fight. She’s taking our upper hand and throwing it away like garbage.”

  Thun lifted his chest, his chin high. “She leads, and we don’t question.”

  “Not on my life.” Harak continued forward and lifted his axe.

  Thun reared back, axe in hand, and let his axe loose, connecting against his brother’s axe handle, flinging it out of his hands and across the bridge. It thumped and bounced on the floor, slamming against a wall.

  Harak looked behind him, his eyes on his axe. “You—”

  Before he could finish his sentence, Thun rushed, tackling him. He curled Harak’s arm between his legs and arched his back, placing his brother in a submission hold. “Hold fast your tongue,” yelled Thun. “Our time for revenge comes today. The enemy leader will be ours soon enough. Have patience.”

  Ali turned her attention back to the vidscreen after seeing that Thun had control of the situation. She squinted, watching the city. There weren’t any Anunnaki walking around, or any starfighters or ships deployed to ward Tranquil away. Nothing stirred inside the city. It was a ghost town.

  Ali huffed. “Tranquil, scan the city for life forms. Every single nook and cranny.”

  It will take me a few moments.

  Ali fidgeted with her sleeve, taking a gander at Harak and Thun rolling on the floor, Harak doing his best to get out of Thun's hold. The other Bawns seemed pleased with the wrestling.

  I see no signs of life, other than the Bawn waiting beneath the palace, responded Tranquil.

  “All right, take us down. We’ll have every Bawn board. We’ll then hurry our asses to Sirona and off this planet.”

  “What’s going on?” spat Harak, spit coming from his lips, his face red.

  “There’s no sign of life anywhere in the city. It’s abandoned. I’m having the Bawns board the ship, and then we’re heading to help another ship. Do you understand?”

  Thun let go of his brother, kicking him in the stomach. “He understands.”

  Harak curled, holding his stomach, doing his best to catch his breath.

  Thun sat in the chair beside Ali, his face calm, his breathing easy as if nothing important had occurred.

  I see a place to land big enough for my size, said Tranquil. It’s close to the palace.

  The starship rotated and flew onward, slowing and descending in a long, wide field with thick patches of grass and ebb. It looked big enough for five starships, if not more. Tranquil shook, absorbing a small shock from the landing sleds touching down.

  “Let's exit and get the Bawn inside the ship,” ordered Ali, heading for the bridge’s exit at the ship’s bow.

  The platform they stood upon shuddered, then lowered. Fresh air washed over Ali’s body, and she took a deep breath. A hum filled the sky.

  Ali stepped off the platform, moving away from Tranquil. A ship came into view, heading for her position. Ali swallowed hard. “Get back inside and in the ship. The Anunnaki are coming.”

  39

  Shae

  Unknown

  Devon’s face turned as white as a ghost. “I’m sorry, but I’m not going out there.”

  Kalista tightened her fingers into a fist and shook it in front of his face. “Wrong answer. You’re going, or we’re dead.”

  Devon looked at Kalista’s fist, then at her cold, stern expression. He narrowed his eyes and let out a huff, holding his hand out. “Give me the water clothes, or whatever you call them.”

  “It's a wetsuit.” She reached under the bench and pulled out another large box. She opened it and reached in. “Here.” She held up a gigantic suit, twice the size of Devon.

  Shae shook his head. “That’s made for an Anunnaki.” He wanted to force the suit on her and shove her in the water. “Get that on and stop being so damn scared.”

  She turned, gritting her teeth. “Water scares the living stardust out of me, plus, I don’t know how to swim.”

  Shae walked to the side door window and stared into the beautiful turquoise water. “Is the water was warm enough for us to go out there without a wet suit?”

  “Sure. Probably.” Kalista pulled a metallic tool out of the toolbox. “Here.” She shoved the tool in Shae’s hands. “You do it. Use this to dislodge the bomb.”

  Shae studied the tool. A crowbar. Apparently, these things were universal. “I need goggles.”

  “Goggles?” She shrugged. “I don’t know what those are. We don't have time. Go. Now.” Kalista motioned toward the stern. “I’ll open the cargo bay door. Once you’re inside, we’ll shut it. Hold on to the side railings, because I'm going to open the outside door slowly to let the water trickle in until it is full enough that you're submerged.” She paused, then bent down and dug through the toolbox, pulling out a mask. “You need this in order to breathe. This has about thirty minutes of air.”

  “Again, that’s too big,” said Shae. “Just get me out there.”

  “Too big or not, there’s a hose inside. You can breathe through your mouth.”

  “I can do that.”

  She handed Shae the mask and hurried to her seat. She pressed a few buttons on her HDC.

  The interior door at the back of the ship opened, and behind it were the secured white powder gold containers. Y’taul hadn’t taken much, leaving a hefty amount crowding the cargo hold.

  “Get in there,” said Kalista, making her way to the cargo bay.

  Shae rushed to the cargo bay, his heartbeat picking up. According to Kalista, they didn’t have much time until the bomb blew.

  Kalista pointed to a comm panel in the bay. “You’ll be able to talk to me through the commlink. Once you have the mask on, communicate through the commlink installed in the mask. Understand?”

  Shae shook his head. “This is too big for me. I can breathe through this tube in the masks’ mouth but talking just ain’t happening unless I want a mouth full of water.”

  Kalista nodded. “Dammit.” She held up her finger. “Wait, my children.”

  Shae cocked his head to the side. “Say what?”

  “I’m acting like you brainless humans. You’re rubbing off on me, and that’s not good.”

  She dashed to the toolbox, nearly pushing Devon over. She fished out a small mask and tossed it to Shae. “My kids accompany me sometimes on the job, you know, to see what humans look like and how you interact and all that crap. I have these suits for emergencies. Never did I think I’d actually use one of them.” She pointed a shaky finger at Shae. “I’m shutting the bay door.” She moved to her pilot’s seat and pressed a holographic button.

  The door shut. Shae dropped the crowbar and put on the small mask. “Fits good, though a little tight,” he said to himself. He picked up the crowbar.

  “You hear me?” asked Kalista, her voice hollow and filled with static.

  “I hear you.”

  “You ready for me to open up the exterior cargo bay door?”

  Shae wanted to say no, but dipped his head anyway, giving the door in front of him a thumbs up.

  “Okay, I’m going to open the exterior cargo door slowly, so you don’t wash out too quickly and lose your sense of direction.” A red light flashed overhead, and the exterior door slowly rose, liters of water rushing in, and in under thirty-seconds, completely submerging him.

  The water warm, Shae floated toward the ceiling and pushed off the wall with his legs, guiding himself under the door and into the open water. His eyes widened, and his legs kicked. His stomach momentarily balled up in a fit of nerves. For an instant, he was paralyzed. He’d been in a biosphere river, but never in water this expansive.

  Kalista’s voice boomed through his com, jostling him out of his short paralysis. “Get going.”

  He surveyed the vast ocean before him, thousands of fish swimming by, their beautiful colors practically glowing. Shae swam toward the ship’s belly. “I
’m heading to the underbelly.” He grasped a handle on the back of the craft and reached for another one. “I see something.” A disc the size of a dish plate was attached to the middle of the underbelly. “It’s the bomb.” He shoved off the handle and swam toward the disc.

  “Good. Now, pry it off,” said Kalista.

  Shae kicked his legs and propelled forward. He lifted the crowbar toward the bomb, now only meters from it. A digital timer displayed eleven seconds. His eyes widened. “Holy Guild.”

  “What?” replied Kalista.

  “Listen up. Fire aft engines and pull back on the control stick, now.”

  “Now? Why?” said Kalista, her voice rising.

  Eight seconds.

  Shae dug the tool between the bomb and the craft. “Don't question. Do it.”

  Six seconds.

  He jiggled the bomb loose, and it fell slowly toward the ocean floor. The craft shuddered and Shae swam to grab a handle near the Starhawk’s front landing sled. The ship sped upward through the water, and Shae held on for dear life, the water pushing against him, trying to kick him off the ship. The Starhawk shot out of the water like a missile. Water streamed off the craft’s stern as it shed itself from the sea. Shae grimaced, dropping the crowbar and using his free hand to grab another handhold. He clung tightly, his arms shaking as the ship skyrocketed upward.

  Kalista screamed in his ear, but he couldn't make out what she said. The ship vibrated violently, numbing his fingers. One finger slipped, then another. His stomach wrenched. “Not good.” One more finger let loose and his body went with it. The wind rushed around him, and he swung his arms like a windmill, trying to grasp at something, anything. He descended fast, and everything went quiet.

  Figuring he had a long way down Shae straightened like a stick, his only hope to survive the impact with the water. A concussion blast of sea and fish skin, blood, and guts erupted against his feet and up his chest, pieces landing all over his mask.

  The bomb had exploded.

  He closed his eyes and arrowed his feet and hands toward the oncoming ocean and braced. His feet sliced the water, splaying his right leg to the side. The water’s suction and the push of speed buckled his femur, cracking it on impact. The rest of his body immersed into the sea, pain blasting into his hip and side.