by Francis, Ron
"You'll never make it out of here alive," the man sneered, fear creeping into his voice. He kicked the man again, and bent over to get the key. The man produced a knife, which Jesse immediately took from him and plunged into his chest. As the torturer breathed his last, Jesse picked up the key and put on his shirt. He didn't even have time to put on his boots when blasterfire began to fill the room. He tucked into a roll and came up throwing knives. He hit one of the guards and the other paused long enough for him to make it to one of the dead guard's blaster. He picked the blaster up, finished off the injured guard, and then shot the remaining guard as he peeked his head around the corner to take a shot. He then grabbed his boots and started up the stairs at a run, barefoot, hoping to find his friends and exit the facility before he came across any more soldiers.
He reached the top of the stairs and was hit by Colonel Jaketh as he entered the room. The key went flying from his hand and he dropped his boots as he squared off against a man holding a spiked staff. Jaketh over swung at his head with the staff and missed. Jesse was able to pin the staff to the floor as he tackled Jaketh and punched him in the face. He rolled with the momentum to rip the staff free from Jaketh's grip. He then hit his captor across the face with the staff as he was reaching for his blaster. Blood sprayed on the wall and Jaketh hit the ground in a heap as Jesse dropped the staff and checked for the key. He stumbled twice while retrieving the key and everyone else could see how much pain he was still in.
Without speaking, he picked up the key and freed the hostages. Josiah grabbed their weapons and quietly opened the door a crack to see what the chances of escape were. Kimi had gone to Jesse and gently helped him into a seat to put his boots and weapons’ belt back on. She gingerly wiped some of the blood from his face, and she looked concerned as she noticed the burn marks on his chest and the back of his shoulder. "Jess, those burns are nasty, we need to get you some medical attention," she added as she looked for his jacket.
“I think Zendar took my jacket,” he said while still breathing heavy from the fight. He tried to stand, but thought better of it and sat back down on the bench and Collette hugged him. Her hug hurt, but he didn’t let on.
"Thank you, Colonel; we know you prolonged the torture so Rayelle would not have to go through it after you."
"No one should have to go through that," he tiredly replied.
“Thank you for coming to save us, Colonel,” the Princess added. "I thought this was the end for both of us."
Jesse looked at her, smiled painfully and said, “Anytime, Princess. Besides, if you were gone, who would keep my head from getting too big?” He joked and then winced as he stood. “What’s it look like out there, Jo?”
“Not real good, Jess, we are gonna need a distraction to get past these guys without risking the Princess and Collette.”
“Don’t worry about me,” Collette called as she picked up one of the dead guard’s blasters. “I plan on participating in my rescue.”
Jesse smiled as he said, “Okay, we have four armed in here and four armed out there, plus Commando. Kimi can we raise the men on comms?”
“Zendar is still on the same frequency. We are just going to have to hope the King’s men are resourceful and be ready to move.” Kimi replied as she finished putting all of her weapons back where they belong.
"What about the First Stryke? I gave them a different frequency to use."
"No, it's still no good; they will be monitoring all frequencies."
“Alright then, is everyone ready to move?” He asked as he put his knife in its sheath and clipped Helga to his belt. He picked up his blaster and walked to the door.
“Jess, that torture took a lot out of you. Sit down and gather your strength while we wait for a distraction.” Josiah noted as he looked at his battered friend.
Kimi motioned to Colonel Jaketh as she said, “We cannot wait too long, pretty soon they are going to realize they haven’t heard from him in a while.”
Just then Jaketh stirred and Jesse responded with a savage kick to the face, knocking him back into unconsciousness. Everyone looked at him and he shrugged. “What? We can't have him awake while we are making our escape,” he protested as he wobbled a little. Kimi put an arm around him to steady him.
“You need to take it easy for a while, Jesse. You are hurt and we are not likely to come across a recovery pod any time soon. Is there anything to drink in here, we have to get some fluids in him.”
As Josiah was looking around for some liquids, they all looked up as they heard an explosion somewhere outside.
______
Reece met up with Bessa and Collin. He let Collin know of his reservations about Holt and then began to make his way back to the ship. While he was en route, SAMMI raised him on comms. “Officer Gavin, Dr. Baker’s friend Holt is behaving in what I consider to be a suspicious manner.”
“Explain, SAMMI,” he replied as he started to drive a little faster.
“Dr. Baker has left him alone in med-bay and he has tried to download classified technology onto a portable device. His device is not compatible, so he has called an unknown being to bring him another device. I have also heard him communicate in the same conversation that he intends to harm Dr. Baker.” SAMMI noted in her feathery tone.
“SAMMI, can you play back for me exactly what was said,” he asked with some urgency in his voice.
As Reece listened to Holt speaking to his contact, he grew more and more concerned. He heard Holt talking about giving Endeavor a virus that would allow the Conglomerate to seize control of the ship. He then heard Holt laughing about how he was going to have some fun with the beautiful doctor before he killed her. He went on to say that Colonel Marcos would be unable to avenge her because Zendar and his two cohorts on the rescue team had already captured him, Josiah and Kimi. He then signed off, calling his contact Governor. Reece was starting to panic; he was still a good ten minutes away from Endeavor. He couldn’t bear the thought of something happening to the woman that had saved his life. He was making a mental list of all the things he needed to do after saving Suzy. He needed to let the King know the rescue had failed, and that Zendar and two of the special tactics soldiers were traitors. He had to let Collin know Jesse’s team had been captured and then devise a rescue. Lastly, he had to figure out who else was in on the conspiracy, because it had to be someone pretty powerful. There was no way all of these traitors could get so close to King Dominus unless they had powerful help. He knew he was in for a bumpy ride, and he felt that he would be forced to test the limits of his recently repaired body.
As Reece pushed his speeder far beyond its recommended limits he commed the ship and asked, “SAMMI, would you lower the hatch just enough for me to sneak on board when your sensors show me to be a minute out?” Reece was worried as he was trying to figure out how to save his friend. “Also, keep me posted on Suzy’s location on the ship at all times.”
Reece was still five minutes out when SAMMI alerted him to the fact that Suzy had joined Holt in med-bay. He couldn’t go any faster than he already was. He was more worried than he had ever been for another person. He started to sweat as he hoped he arrived in time.
As Suzy walked back into med-bay, she was greeted by a predatory smile. She misunderstood the intention as she smiled back and playfully said, “Maybe later, if you play your cards right, mister.”
Holt just laughed, grabbed Suzy and pulled her close. He was very rough, and the change in his behavior took her by surprise. He kissed her roughly, and she didn't like it. She tried to back away as he said. “I know we are the only two on the ship, Suzy. Reece is going to meet up with his two lady friends from the other night. My source has already confirmed his call to them,” he began.
His source, she thought. She still wasn’t sure what was going on, but she didn’t like where it was headed. “Tell me how to get into Endeavor’s systems, and I promise I won’t hurt you much.”
“What,” she cried, not believing her ears. He won't hurt me, muc
h. His words echoed in her head as he let her go.
He smacked her, knocking her to the ground. He roughly hoisted her back to her feet, shook her and repeated. “Tell me how to get into Endeavor’s systems. The Conglomerate has need of this vehicle.”
She was fighting back tears as she realized this man had not only played her, but would now most likely kill her. He was right; there was no one else around, and she knew she couldn’t beat him. He just smiled as he stalked towards her.
Reece jumped out of the air speeder and dove through the opening in the landing bay hatch. SAMMI closed the hatch behind him. He hit the deck at a run and prayed he would be in time. Reece turned down the med-bay corridor and he heard Holt still yelling at Suzy.
“I will get what I want, and the more you resist, the more I am going to enjoy hurting you.” He grabbed her by the neck and threw her across the middle table, knocking several instruments to the floor. By this point, she was battered and bleeding. She didn’t know how much longer she could last. He just laughed at her as he slowly, deliberately, prowled around the table to see her on the ground, backing away from him. “When are you going to understand, there is no escape!” He laughed. He sat on the edge of the table and motioned towards the door. Please, go ahead, by all means, run. That will only make it more fun for me.”
Blood dripped from her face and neck, staining the shirt she had been so happy picking out just a few hours earlier. He was so cruel, how could I have fallen for this man, she asked herself as she lay on the cold, hard floor; fighting to remain conscious. He picked her up one more time and punched her in the stomach, doubling her over. He threw her into the nearest wall and laughed some more.
Reece entered the med-bay just in time to see Suzy hit the wall, hard. He looked at a surprised Holt and was on him before he could even get his defenses up. Reece hit him with a roundhouse right to the face followed by an uppercut left that took Holt off his feet. Before Holt could stand up, Reece kicked him across the face. He stood Holt up and kneed him in the stomach three or four times before throwing him over the same table he had thrown Suzy over only moments before. He was enraged. “You want to attack my friend?” He yelled. “How about facing someone that fights back, you pathetic worm?” He continued to pummel Holt as he screamed, “You're a dead man.”
“Wait,” Suzy cried. “He’s no use to us dead.”
He smiled at the sound of Suzy’s voice and said. “It’s good to hear your voice, Doc, I feared the worst.”
“If you didn’t show up when you did, the worst would have happened,” she wheezed painfully. “Tie him up and let’s have some “FUN” of our own.” Holt looked panicked as Reece tied him up. Gone was the predatory sneer, replaced by pain and fear after the beating Reece had just inflicted on him. Suzy was in a lot of pain as she limped over to Holt, but she wouldn’t give Holt the satisfaction of seeing her pass out.
Once Holt was tied up, she approached him with a large needle. “What, what’s that?” Holt asked, anxiously eyeing the needle as she injected him.
“This is a very rare poison found only in our galaxy, Holt. You will never be able to find an antidote because one doesn’t exist in this galaxy. You are going to die a very slow and excruciatingly painful death unless you answer Mr. Gavin’s questions truthfully, and to our satisfaction. Do you understand?” Even Reece looked a little scared while she was doing her evil doctor routine, but she just winked at him and continued. He realized it was some kind of truth serum. “Are you ready, Holt?” When Holt indicated his readiness, Suzy motioned to Reece.
“Who are you working for, Holt?” He began. When Holt was slow to answer, he punched him in the face and asked again. "Who are you working for? Don't make me ask you again."
“I’m working for the Conglomerate,” he whimpered.
“How many people are in your group, and what was your task?” He continued. He hit him again when he didn’t answer quickly enough. He seemed to be a little resistant to whatever Suzy gave him, but the chemical was enough combined with Reece’s physical encouragement to loosen his tongue.
“I was part of a long term, eight man infiltration team. Our objective was to kidnap the Princess and the Queen. Our secondary objective was recently changed to capture Colonel Marcos and steal Endeavor.” Holt was no longer in control, and Reece knew he would give up everything.
______
When the interrogation was over, Reece helped Suzy tend her wounds. He ran the scanner over her; and she had two fractured ribs and a broken hand. She also had several lacerations and a severely sprained left ankle. It took some convincing, but he was able to get Suzy to agree to go into the recovery pod. He reminded her that Jesse, Josiah and Kimi would be coming back from battle sometime soon and that they deserved to have their doctor at her best when they returned. He called Collin and Bessa to come back and watch over her while she slept. He would leave to see the King as soon as they arrived. She tried to tell him he could leave now, but he didn’t want her to be alone. He knew the medbots would watch over her, but he wanted eyes on her until she was recovered. The Conglomerate had obviously targeted her and he wanted to make sure she was watched over. He figured he would reach the King by transmission and then go to see him in person when Collin arrived.
“Your Majesty, I apologize profusely for disturbing you on your private channel,” Reece began. He was hoping the King wouldn’t be angry, but also knew he had to speak to him alone.
“Not at all, Mister Gavin, do you have any news for me?” He replied.
“Actually, I do. Are you alone, Sire?” He nodded, and Reece continued. “This information is for your ears only, Sire, because I have found out you have a traitor pretty high up in your government.” Reece held up a battered Holt and continued. “Holt here just tried to kill Suzy and steal Endeavor. I stopped him and then had a bit of fun interrogating him. He told me everything. He is part of an eight man, long term Conglomerate sleeper group. Their main objective was to be in position to abduct your wife and daughter. They received later orders to capture Jesse and steal Endeavor.” The King nodded for him to continue. “He told me the other conspirators were Commander Gallo, the Governor from the seventh quadrant and one of the guards killed by Jesse while he was saving your wife. He also named Specialist Zendar and two members of the special tactics team you sent to rescue your daughter and Collette. Jesse, Josiah and Kimi have already been captured due to their treachery. There is one more member, but he didn’t know who it was. Of course, your men can have a crack at him.” Reece smiled as he thought of how painful that would be for Holt. “The last man has to be someone pretty high up, someone you trust to be able to get men so close to your family, Sire. That is why I only wanted you to hear this message.”
“You have done well, Mister Gavin, and you have done the right thing bringing this only to me. I am in your debt. Can you bring the traitor to me or should I send men to pick him up?” King Dominus asked.
“I am prepared to leave with him in just a few minutes. Collin and Bessa are on their way back to the ship to take care of Suzy. She was pretty beat up and I'm about to put her in the pod. I can’t leave her alone right now, Your Majesty.”
“Of course not, Mister Gavin, but please, as soon as Doctor Baker is taken care of, make haste to get here. I am going to need you to lead the second rescue mission.”
“I would be honored, King Dominus.” Reece replied. The King nodded his thanks and cut the transmission. Reece began to straighten up the med-bay, checking to make sure nothing important was broken. “Suzy, are you all right? I don’t have to go if you want me to stay. Collin and Bessa will be here soon. You’ll be all right, but I can stay if you want.”
“I very much wish for you to stay, Reece, but I know you need to go.” She still had tears in her eyes as she was having trouble dealing with Holt’s betrayal. Out of everything that hurt, that was worst of all. “By the way, how did you wind up back here?”
“I had a bad feeling, so I asked SAMMI to keep me
updated. I set up a date to keep Holt off my trail, but I doubled back after meeting with Collin. Once SAMMI let me know that Holt had tried to hack her systems, I pushed the air speeder as fast as it would go. I’m so sorry I didn’t get here sooner. I wish you didn’t have to go through that.”
“Me, too,” she replied sadly. “But thank you for saving me, I guess now we’re even.”
“Are you kidding me, blue eyes, you’re my best friend, and until I stand by your side for a month and bring you out of a coma, I would definitely say we are not even.” She managed a weak smile at his enthusiasm and description of their friendship, but she was hurting more than just physically. As Collin and Bessa arrived and began to comfort her, Reece prepared to leave with Holt. Suzy limped over to him and threw her arms around him. She kissed him on the cheek and begged him to return safely. He promised her he would, and then he was on his way, still worried about his friend. Suzy looked worriedly at her friends and then went into the pod she had helped create, for the first time. She was in for nineteen minutes which meant she would be asleep for the next nine to ten hours. Then the real healing would begin.
Chapter Nine:
______
Josiah opened the door leading to the outside of the building, and before the guards could react, he had already killed them with two throwing knives. The explosion had managed to get most of the guards away from their holding room. Jesse knew it was the King’s men.
