by Reiter
“And then all that time you spent with an entity?!” the man continued as the side door of the transport opened. “We feared the worst.”
The pilot started to make his way out of the transport. His weapon was already drawn; apparently he had witnessed what the doctor did to the med-tech. A thin sliver of light passed through the man’s right temple and burned against the left side of his skull. He was dead before he hit the ground.
The physician smiled as he looked toward the source of the laser and saw Kaila coming from a point of cover, dressed in a black body suit. As she ran, she fired her weapon again, killing the physician who died with a smile on his face.
It took Kaila only moments to store Stewart’s body on the transport and take off. She looked at her watch and marked the time. The one called Freund was spent, and they could rely on a window of time before his senses would alert him as to what had been done. She adjusted the throttle to increase her speed. She needed to have the transport landed in the safety zone before her window of opportunity closed. She connected with the comm-network and opened a channel to transmit.
“I have the package,” she reported. “The good doctor took care of the med-tech, and I took care of the pilot and the doctor.”
“Well done, Kaila,” a voice replied. The sound was scrambled, as was the signal, but Kaila knew who it was.
“I have adjusted my speed. I should reach the rendezvous point five minutes ahead of schedule.”
“Good! When the blind one awakens, he will realize just what he can and cannot see. The game is indeed afoot!”
When marking your prey, make sure you are not the one being hunted! For the moment you move to take something which is not yours, a silent agreement is struck: what you possess can now be taken as well.
Z’Var Turan
Dungias was going to be introduced to Gavis Station for the first time… twice, though it took some time for him to get over how Nugar looked.
“This is nothing,” Nugar said, waving off the interest.
The first presentation: Nugar allowed Dungias to ride with him as he boarded his fighter-craft and launched from the gunship before it could reach the line of ships awaiting their docking assignments. Nugar was directed to a special place at the station to land his ship. The aged Vinthur quickly explained to his student that it was a place reserved especially for Travelers. Dungias was awestruck at the incredible range of sizes the ships came in. Nugar’s customized fighter was on the smaller end of the comparisons, but it was hardly the smallest.
“Is that a pressure suit fitted with an engine?” he asked, looking at one of the stalls.
“Which is why it’s not at a docking slip,” Nugar advised. “Those things are pretty damn unstable. Still… sometimes you try to get as close to the black sea as possible.”
“Would I be assuming too much if I were to say that tone speaks of past experience?” Dungias asked.
“Take hold of the stick back there,” Nugar commanded.
“But I–”
“It’s not the first time you’ve been at the controls of a vehicle,” Nugar snapped. “Now take the stick and trust yourself for a change!” Dungias steadied his breathing as he put his right hand on the control stick and his left on the thruster control. It was a 360o movable handle, parallel to the floor, mounted on a lever that moved forward and back. Any movement from the handle would activate thruster jets. Moving the lever forward would increase forward thrust, and moving it back would activate reverse engines. “Automated landing cycle has been disengaged.” Nugar reported and Dungias could feel the nose pulling down.
“What is that?!” he quickly asked.
“I disengaged our automations; the docking system is not mine to command,” Nugar answered as he activated the armour for his fighter-craft. “And the Traveler docking system is notorious for catching many unwary Travelers at the end of long journeys, only to have them crash at the end.”
“No unnecessary movements,” Dungias whispered as he gently pulled back on the stick and eased the thruster lever forward. His light touch received a quick and ample response from the fighter.
“Instead of what you fear, tell me, what do you feel?” Nugar asked as he closed his eyes. “When you look beyond the fear, what do you feel?!”
Just over ten thousand trams from the docking aperture, Dungias calmed himself and tried to sense what his teacher might be talking about.
“He called it the black sea,” Dungias remembered. “And it is cold… very cold! But there is something else.” Dungias recalled what it was like to go swimming; something he had to plan and schedule in order to keep from encountering ill will. But there were many times when he would swim out to the middle of the pool and just float. “Yes, I see it now. I can feel it!” The thrusters fired, but never at too great a yield, and hardly for too long. The rocking of the ship settled to a slight shimmer and Nugar smiled.
“Well done, Dungi! Superb, in fact!”
Dungias piloted the ship to the allotted docking slip and the fighter was quickly secured. Nugar looked at his watch and chuckled.
“Are you up for a bit of a game?”
“Lead the way, Teacher!”
“That’s a good lad!”
The two of them ran back down the docking slip and Dungias could see Nugar take the stairs up to a catwalk which led to the main entrance for the docking bay … the main spacecraft entrance! He looked hard at his teacher, but the Vinthur’s strides were not shortening, nor were they slowing down. The end of the catwalk was in sight and there was no railing to prevent anyone from falling off the edge.
“There you go again!” Nugar shouted, almost singing what he was sensing coming from his student.
“It’s not about what you fear,” Dungias panted. “… it’s about what you feel beyond the fear!” Dungias looked away from the catwalk and put his sights on Nugar. He did not run like a mature man, but a child running toward a favorite toy. Making the final turn, a smile broke across Dungias’ face and he ran faster, beginning to overtake his teacher.
With very few strides in front of him, Nugar looked to the right. The whooping and hollering of other Travelers reached his ears. Each one of them had a smile on their faces and cheered Nugar on. He waved once at the collective and dove off the end of the catwalk. He was surprised to hear a cry of joy behind him. Looking back, Nugar could see Dungias still climbing from the leap he had taken. Both of their bodies passed through the atmospheric shield.
“Lean to your right, boy!” Nugar directed, holding out his right arm and throwing all of his bodyweight to his right shoulder. Without the artificial gravity, there was little descent to their flight paths, but even outside the station, there was some pressure, warmth, and breathable air. The cool air blew through his long hair and made his clothes flap around his body.
Dungias looked around Gavis as he flew. There was so much more to see from his vantage point. It did not look anything like a space station. The horizon reminded him of Threm, but now he was the slide-sled and he flew high and fast. The construct was massive; from the plating and paneling, to the lights and windows, to a couple filled with eager eyes gawking at the two flying forms that were, for some reason, not dying. He was distracted by the cackling of his teacher and he looked down on the man who was nearly glowing as brightly as the smile which shone across his face.
“Atmospheric curtain,” Nugar called out. “It extends beyond the portals of the station for nearly fifty trams! The trick is staying near a functioning entry port. Release your fear and fly with me, Dungi!”
“What fear?!” Dungias cried out as he soared ahead of Nugar. Keeping his heading going around the station, Dungias threw his body into a spin with his shoulders rotating clockwise. After three spins he threw out his arms and leveled out before diving straight down. Ten trams, then twenty, thirty, fifty, then one hundred and still he flew. He leveled out again and flew along the side of the station, screaming out as he glided around the outside of the station. Dung
ias performed another spin and Nugar tensed up as it appeared his student was about to hit hard against the side of the station, but he leveled out with his chest parallel with the plating. Dungias allowed his fingertips to drag along the hull before pulling away from the station.
“Look at him!” Nugar thought, actually having to give some effort to keep up with his student. “I won’t have to teach him how to observe the world around him and gain from it. The landing assignments were on two of his consoles. There are at least three ways we can reach our destination. Leave it to my student to take the most precarious route. Yes, because if he is going to be the next Star Chaser, we want him to play it safe!
“Haa!” Nugar laughed at his own sarcasm and pressed for more speed. Dungias was beginning to pull away, and the danger of the route he had chosen was beginning to look simple for him and potentially treacherous for the Traveler.
As Dungias dove toward the security port, the large doors were only beginning to open and the fast-moving shuttle was making its way inside. Dungias landed on the nose of the craft and jumped clear of it, employing Pax’Dulah to give himself more lift and speed. Nugar timed his landing on the craft and used the blowback of the turning thruster to push him toward Dungias.
“Your left hand, Dungi!” Nugar called out and while laughing, Dungias jumped away from the station and held out his left hand that slapped against the forearm of Nugar’s extended right hand. “Now pull against me!” While the direction of their flight path did not change, the two spun around each other with their arms serving as the axle of this most impromptu wheel. Dungias looked up at the stars; his view, for the first time, unhindered by glass or iro-form. The majesty of them took hold of his mind and soul. As he gazed at them, it felt as if he could hear them singing.
“But what would a Star sing?” he thought.
“Get ready,” Nugar directed, bringing Dungias back to the moment. “And keep pulling!” They both screamed like children as the speed of their rotations increased. “Release!” Nugar commanded and Dungias was slung forward to the next public entryway while Nugar was sent toward the plating of Gavis.
“It can’t be!” Dungias exclaimed, knowing that what he saw was indeed quite accurate and very true. H’Dalvi’s gunship, which seemed so much larger from the outside than it had appeared during the many walks he had taken along its corridors, was making its entry into the station. Dungias smiled as he careened toward the large spacecraft, and he landed on the foredeck just in front of the bridge window. He squatted down and waved at Commander H’Dalvi and his bridge crew.
“Well, it’s been a few dockings since I’ve seen that,” Narwyss said with a smile as he recovered from the surprise. His voice helped the rest of the crew return to their duties more quickly.
“I agree,” Turo added. “And the last time either of us saw it, I believe it was a Vinthur.” The Sub-Officer folded his arms across his expansive chest and smiled. “That was a fine wager you made.”
“I took it as solid advice from a trusted resource,” Narwyss replied. “And speaking of good wagers, tell the crew that we are going to have a celebratory meal at ShoSoro’s. Anyone pulling guard duty gets two plates brought to them.”
“That will be quite costly,” Turo pointed out.
“It is already paid for, and there’s a few credits remaining for me to spoil my officers,” Narwyss said as Nugar landed beside Dungias. “Oh look! They come in pairs! Helm, make this as bumpy of a landing as you can manage.” There was laughter on the bridge as the Commander took his leave.
Dungias took in his second introduction to Gavis Station, though he was still entranced with the flight he had just taken. Things were more rigid on this side of the station; there was more surveillance, more in the way of security drones and personnel. Dungias felt as if he should be on his guard, and he looked at Nugar who was patting his shoulder.
“It is a different world,” the Traveler informed as he jumped down to the docking slip. “And if you were to approach from the civilian side, that would be a third world and even more regimented. Had we started our little jaunt from there, we would have been pursued by drones at the very least.
“How are you feeling, Dungi?”
“I cannot put it into words, Teacher,” Dungias said, panting for air though he did not look the least bit tired. “I don’t know if I’ve ever been this happy. That was unreal! HAAA!” Dungias barked and Nugar moved quickly to put a hand on either shoulder.
“Easy there, Dungi,” he warned. “It is one thing to shout out like that outside, but inside it easily can be mistaken for something far from what you intend.”
“My apologies, Teacher,” Dungias said, taking a deep and slow breath. His hands opened from the fists he had not been aware he was making, and his body relaxed. By the time the gangplank lowered from the side of the gunship, Dungias held only a slight smile on his face. He turned to look outside once more. It was a gaze that lasted much longer than he thought it might. Nugar said nothing and went about the business of gathering his things, his grandchildren, and his goodbyes.
H’Dalvi Vior Narwyss bowed once more before he was taken, quite surprisingly, into a fond embrace.
“May the light of the Stars keep you and show you the way to every great success,” Nugar said softly. The strength of his grip was in direct contrast with his tone.
“I would wish you the same, Master Traveler, but I believe the Stars already have you on a trek. So to that, I will simply say, may a good stick and sure engine always be yours.”
“Gracious enough,” Nugar said, with a chuckling smile.
“And it would appear that you have a few parting gifts to take with you, Master,” Narwyss said as he heard footfalls coming down the gangplank. Looking over his shoulder to confirm who was actually approaching, Narwyss smiled and gestured toward the Mal-Vin disembarking from his gunship. “Allow me to present to you three members of my best deployment group, the Starfire Team. Their Point Man, Onkorro… First Flank, Kynsada… and their Exemplar, Guyn. I am told that you have already met.”
“We have and I simply–”
“Dear Traveler,” Narwyss interrupted with a bright smile. “… please note that at no point did I come to you and request their appointment. Your commission in the Mal-Vin places you at the rank of a Four-Star Flight Commander.”
“Whereas the Dwanstar Battle Group Commander is a Seven-Star Officer,” Nugar said, pressing his lips and swallowing the matter. This would not be a matter of choice for the Master Traveler.
“Eight, but who’s counting?” Narwyss chuckled. “Each one of these soldiers will be of invaluable use to you. Won’t you?” he asked of his troops.
“ROH!” the three replied, slapping their heels together.
“But of course,” Nugar muttered.
“Master, I have procured a ship,” Guyn advised. “By the time we reach its dock, it should be ready for launch.”
“Provided we were to go directly to it,” Nugar said. “Which we won’t be doing, Exemplar. I am craving sustenance, and we shall see to that matter first and foremost.
“But Master–”
“Has spoken, Exemplar,” Narwyss interrupted, lifting his eyebrows as he looked at Guyn.
“Yes, Master,” Guyn said sharply. “Is there any place in particular you wish to dine?”
“Indeed, Exemplar,” Nugar said, rubbing his hands together. “One of you fetch my Dungi over there and follow me.”
“I’ll get him,” Kynsada volunteered. She did not wait for confirmation and her Exemplar knew she needed a little time and space from Nugar. What the Exemplar had suggested was, tactically, the best plan. To suspend a good plan on the basis of food was the sort of folly the Mal-Vin were not allowed to practice and found less than competent.
“Just because he gets a little younger, he has to lose his sensibility?” she thought. She did not notice when Nugar turned around and looked at her.
“Come along, Dungi!” Kynsada said, taking hold of Du
ngias’ left arm. She started to pull on it, but found that her grip had been quickly foiled.
“A moment more, please,” Dungias said, his gazing of the stars uninterrupted. Again his left arm was grabbed, but the grip was locked before any pull could be registered. Dungias was forced to turn in the direction he was being pulled, but he only took one step before stopping. He struck Kynsada’s hand, knocking it away from his arm. She spun with the force of the blow but missed as Dungias had already squatted low and spun with his leg extended. Kynsada’s back met with the dock floor panel and she was quick to kick up and face Dungias.
“First Flank,” Narwyss called out. “Is there some sort of problem?” Kynsada stood at attention just before Dungias landed a resounding hook on her jaw.
“No problem whatsoever,” Dungias replied before jumping up and dropping, knees first, into Kynsada’s chest. “Rah, I believe it was,” Dungias said, mimicking Kynsada’s war cry.
“More like, RAH!” Kynsada cried, grabbing Dungias’ legs and pushing them straight up. As he began to back flip so that he could land on top of her again, Kynsada kicked up once more, her left foot finding the area between Dungias’ legs. Landing on his feet, Dungias was unable to move or even make a sound. Kynsada quickly back-rolled to her feet, set herself, and then bolted forward, landing a spinning uppercut that landed squarely in the middle of Dungias’ face. He was unconscious before he hit the ground. Kynsada picked him up, threw him over her shoulder and turned to face her Commander.
“Permission to carry on, Commander?” she requested.
“Oh, please do, Flank… please do.” Narwyss folded his arms as he watched the Vinthur female walk briskly, as if she was not carrying enough weight to slow her march. “If he lives… and only if he lives… that’s going to be one well-trained boy!”
