Heaven Saga 2: Sands of Aquarius

by Marcus Johnson

  Baed blushed. “Oh.”

  “Alright, enough of this,” Mira said. “We need to find his place. Seles, do you know where it is?”

  “Of course,” Seles said as she flipped open her wrist scanner. Calling up an image, she pointed to a dot on the map. “It’s only a few blocks from here.”

  “Let’s go then,” Mira said as they headed towards a large apartment complex at the end of the road. It was a massive metal and concrete complex standing ten stories in height. Windows and small balconies lined the complex.

  Mira glanced around. “Where have Jesela and Baed gone off to?”

  Seles did likewise. “I’ll bet their off following the other two.”

  “Well, we did need someone to lure him back to his apartment.”

  “True,” Seles said as the pair stopped in front of the massive apartment complex. “Valis really went all the way for Brian.”

  “No kidding,” Mira responded. “These apartments are the best in the Kalaidian district.”

  Seles took out the metal key card. “Well let’s go and see if our plan will work.”

  Mira sighed. “I sure hope it does, we had to do a lot of research to get it right.”

  * * *

  Standing outside the Kritkar; Brian smiled and shook his head. “I thought when you said you were taking me somewhere special it would be…well, actually, I wasn’t sure.”

  Kivi slapped him on the back. “It’s not the locale that defines special. It’s the drink and food.”

  “I guess you’re right,” he said. He noticed the stares from alien in the bar.

  “Are you coming or not?” Kivi asked while standing in the doorway, looking impatient.

  “Sure.”

  She led the way. At the far end of the bar they saw a pair of Minans grappling and pounding on each other while a number of patrons cheered. The old Malcovin bartender, Grig, saw the pair and immediately recognized both of them. He waved to Kivi and pointed to a pair of open seats. When they went to sit down Grig went to Brian.

  “You were in here a few months ago, weren’t you Terran?” the old birdman asked. He poured something into a tall glass and slid towards Kivi.

  Brian nodded. “I apologize for any damages. But I want to apologize more for the fact I didn’t order anything while I was in here.”

  Grig pointed to Kivi’s glass. “So what’ll you have?”

  “I’ll have the same thing she is.” Grig handed Brian a drink. He took a sip of ale and savored it.

  “How is it?” Kivi asked.

  He drank some more. “It tastes a hell of lot better than the stuff I drank on Earth.”

  “I hope that means you like it,” Grig said.

  “It tastes great,” Brian said after enjoying another gulp. “I haven’t had a beer in a while.”

  “Well then, I’ll leave you two to yourselves.” Grig turned to attend to other patrons.

  “Well, is this what you needed?” Kivi asked, drinking some of the dark ale.

  “Did Valis tell you to do this?”

  “You’re game to our plan,” she answered. “But truth be told I’d prefer companionship to going it alone.”

  “I know how it feels.” He watched the Minans pound each other more. He also noticed a pair of Ick-Tckt staring him with their ant-like eyes.

  “You don’t like them very much do you?” Kivi asked.

  He turned back to the bar and sipped his drink. “They give me the creeps.”

  “If you think drones like them give you the creeps, wait until you see a Duchess, a Princess, or their Queen.”

  “Wait, so those two are just drones?”

  “Yeah, Ick-Tckt are ruled by their females.” She glanced back at them. “I wish they’d blink. I’m sure that’s why most races don’t like them.”

  He finished his drink and tapped the counter to call over Grig. “Alright Kivi, I’m going to keep drinking until I forget about this conversation.” Grig poured him another glass.

  “Agreed,” Kivi chimed glasses with him.

  * * *

  A while later Brian sat back from his meal and groaned, feeling content. Kivi stared at him.

  “How can you eat that?” she asked, pointing to his empty plate.

  “I was doing something Seles suggested.”

  “She told you to eat that kind of food?” Kivi took a sip from her drink.

  He waved for the bartender. “Grig, what exactly was that?”

  The old Malcovin bartender came over and took the plate. “We call it Raksha. It’s a specially spiced dish that consists of fried vegetables and meat from a Rak.”

  “What exactly is a Rak?” he asked.

  Grig flipped out a small tablet and called up an image. “This is what one looks like.”

  Brian stared at the picture. The animal shone looked similar to a flat nosed deer, minus the antlers. He sighed in relief. “I’m glad it wasn’t something gross.”

  Kivi stared at him. “Eating meat is gross.”

  “By your standards,” Grig squawked. He looked at Brian. “So your species eats meat?”

  “We’re actually omnivores,” Brian answered. “But to be honest that’s the best food I’ve had in over a year.”

  “Thank you, I appreciate the compliment. Can I get you anything else?”

  Brian took up his drink and sipped. “No thanks, I’m full. What about you Kivi?”

  “I lost my appetite watching you eat.”

  “If you need anything, just call.” Grig headed to the other end of the bar.

  Brian noticed the pair of Ick-Tckt walking over to them. He turned and gulped the rest of his drink. Kivi did likewise. The two creatures stood behind them.

  “Are you Brian Peterson?” the first one asked.

  “Yes.”

  “May we have a word with you?” the second asked.

  Chapter 6 - Being Drunk, Being Bugged

  Brian looked the Ick-Tckt in the eye. They stood a little shorter than an average human, with four back legs and two limbs for use as hands. Most of their ant-like bodies were covered by a dull brown cloak, although their insect eyes and antenna showed through their hoods. Their mouths were ant-like as well, causing their speech to be screechy with clicks and whistles.

  “I’m off duty right now, but I’ll listen to what you have to say,” he said.

  One of the Ick-Tckt stood close to Kivi while examining her closely. “Have you chosen this one to be your mate because of her physical superiority?” he asked.

  Kivi choked on her ale, coughed, and turned around to shoot him a nasty look. “What?”

  Brian shook his head. “No my interested ant-man, Kivi’s not with me for that reason. We’re just friends.”

  “What’s an ant-man?” the one in front.

  “An ant is an insect from my homeworld you resemble,” Brian explained.

  The Ick-Tckt next to Kivi lowered his head. “I apologize. I assumed you were his mate because you wear the same armor as him.”

  “What is it you’d like to talk about?” Brian asked.

  The Ick-Tckt leaned towards him. He smelled a strange acid filled odor coming from them. “We were wondering if we could hire you.”

  “Yes, we would like for you to work for our Duchess,” the other added.

  Curious, Brian didn’t flinch. “What kind of job would it be?”

  “She’s called the Duchess Chka. She is very interested in hiring you as her Tcka Knight,” the first one answered.

  He looked to Kivi. “What rank is that?”

  Kivi stared at the two Ick-Tckt. “Think of it as her personal general. If they really serve the Duchess Chka you’d command over ten thousand troops, not to mention her space fleet.”

  His narrowed his eyes before answering. “I’m sorry, but I’ll have to decline.”

  “The Duchess is prepared to offer you much wealth and power,” the first one offered.

  He shook his head. “No, I have a contract with Captain Valis.”

  T
he two ant-men looked at one another, clicking away in their native language. “We’re sorry to hear that. If your contract expires early, or you choose another way to leave it the Duchess’s offer is always available.” The pair bowed before leaving the Kritkar.

  “That was interesting,” Brian remarked as he tapped for another drink.

  Kivi knocked the look of shock off her face. “You haven’t even been in space for two years and already offered the position of a Tcka Knight.”

  “So who is the Duchess Chka?” he asked before drinking more ale.

  She put her glass down. “She’s one of the wealthiest merchants on Dega Jul. Behind the Kein family of Kalaidia and the Ka faction of Shandi; she’s the third most powerful person in this system.”

  This time he choked on his drink. “What? And she wanted me as her general?”

  “Not only that, but you’re a Terran, not an Ick-Tckt,” Kivi said. “To say that their kind don’t like outsiders is an understatement. The fact she was willing to bring you in shows just how much value they place on your abilities.”

  * * *

  Baed and Jesela neared the Kritkar as dusk approached. Both carried a bag on their back full of clothes and other materials.

  “You look tired,” Baed said.

  Jesela sighed. “I am. Are we going to have enough energy to pull this off?”

  “Maybe we should get something to eat,” Baed said before pointing to the Kritkar.

  “Old Grig does make the best,” Jesela said. She went to go inside and noticed Baed wasn’t following. “What’s wrong?”

  Baed motioned for her to be quiet and moved into the shadows. She listened into the alley to a number of clicks and whistles.

  “What is it?” Jesela asked in a whisper.

  Baed’s eyes widened. “We need to find Brian as soon as possible,” she said as she headed for the door of the bar. Jesela followed her as she went inside and sat at a nearby table.

  “At least we know where he is,” Jesela said as she pointed towards the bar.

  “Good.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “You heard that noise coming from the alley, right Jesela?”

  “Yeah, it sounded like clicks and whistles to me.”

  “It was actually a group of Ick-Tckt talking to each other. I think it was about six of them.”

  “How do you know that?” Jesela asked.

  Baed sighed. “I wasn’t going to tell anyone this, but one of the main reasons I fled Kalaidia was because I was training to be the ambassador to Ick-Tckt Prime.”

  “Are you saying you can understand them?”

  “I could even speak back to them if needed, but I’d rather not. But if what I heard is true, Brian’s going to be ambushed on his way home tonight.”

  “We should contact Mira and Seles.”

  “I agree, call them Jesela.”

  * * *

  Using the metal key card to open the door, Seles and Mira went inside Brian’s new apartment. The first room was a place for meeting with some furniture in the middle. To the right was the kitchen and cleaning areas. To the left was the bedroom and bath area. The lighting was mostly natural with some lamps to enhance the look. On the far wall was one possession Brian had put in before he came: the two sheathed rakna blades of the late Gaelic Kein. Seles ran from room to room to check everything out. At the same time Mira walked up to the crossed blades on the wall. When she was about to touch the swords a voice spoke in her head.

  “Not now Mira, it’s not time for you to gain that power yet.”

  “Father?” she asked mentally.

  “No, I’m only the final program for you Mira. When the time comes, take these blades and clang them three times. Your true purpose will be revealed.”

  “How will I know when the time comes?” Mira asked, closing her eyes and concentrating on the blades.

  “The mark of the Maiden will begin to glow.”

  “What’s going on?” Seles asked, staring at Mira’s face.

  She blinked and looked at Seles. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

  “For just a moment your eyes were glowing blue. You looked like Brian when he goes berserk.”

  Mira turned back to the swords. “My eyes glowed once before. It was back in Delne’s palace. When Brian was bloodied and battered I found myself healing him faster than I thought possible. I saw the blue light reflected in my hand scanner.”

  “Mine did the same.” Seles stared at the swords. “I never fought with a rakna blade before but I was able to fight an experience warrior like Delne on an even footing, all because I felt that power surge through me.” Seles pulled her shirt away, looking down at the mark on her right breast. “Is it because we bear the mark of the Maiden that we’re able to enter the berserk state?”

  Mira brushed the mark behind her ear. “There are supposed to be five of us, right?”

  Seles stood in thought for a moment. “According to the prophecy of the Teacher there are supposed to be five of us.”

  “I wonder who the other three are,” Mira said. Her wrist scanner began blinking. “Looks like Jesela and Baed have everything we need.” Seles sat down and put her feet up. Mira joined her before flipping open the video section. “What’s going on Jesela?”

  “We need to meet up,” Jesela said over the communicator. “A number of Ick-Tckt are going to ambush Brian tonight. And to be honest he looks rather drunk at the moment.”

  Seles perked up. Mira collected her thoughts for a second before answering. “Keep an eye on him Jesela. Seles and I will head to where you are shortly.” Mira closed the communicator and ended transmission.”

  Seles tapped panel near the front door. It opened to reveal a number of pulse rifles and body armor. “I’m glad I insisted Valis get a few of these for Brian.”

  Mira picked up a pulse rifle and checked its aim. “I’m glad to.”

  * * *

  After several of hours of drinking and entertainment Brian and Kivi stumbled out of the Kritkar. Cautiously, Baed and Jesela followed them.

  “Kivi, do you know where we’re going?” Brian slurred.

  “Of course, Valis made sure your apartment was next to mine,” Kivi answered very slowly and deliberate. “She said it made it easier for the three of us to meet off the ship.”

  “That makes sense.” He glanced behind them and moved close to Kivi’s ear. “You know we’re being followed.”

  “I wasn’t expecting those two.” She pushed him away.

  They headed into a set of back streets that were empty at this hour. When they began making their way through an open street they noticed the shapes of a dozen creatures moving to surround them. The pair stopped and saw the Ick-Tckt they spoke with earlier in the evening led the pack.

  “We will ask you one more time Brian Peterson,” the lead Ick-Tckt said, “Join the Duchess Chka or we’ll use force to bring you to our side.”

  He grinned and stood up straight. “I told you before I’m not interested.” Brian grabbed his rakna blade and drew it.

  Kivi dropped her hands and drew the rakna blades on her belt. She immediately stood at his back. “I think we’re outnumbered by a lot.”

  “No we’re not,” Brian said as he looked up.

  * * *

  Mira coiled her raiga whip and flipped the pulse rifle back into her hands. She stood over the Ick-Tckt in position as a sniper. Seles laid flat on her belly and aimed the pulse rifle at the group of Ick-Tckt on the ground. She saw Brian and Kivi standing back to back in a defensive posture. Mira walked up behind her.

  “What do we do next?” Mira asked.

  Seles stared down the scope of the rifle. “I’ll fire; you just make sure no one gets behind us.”

  Mira looked down at the situation. “I really wish they knew we had the high ground.”

  “They do.” Seles paused. “Brian glanced up at us just second ago.” Seles took aim at the Ick-Tckt in the rear ranks. “As soon as they make their move, I’ll st
art shooting.”

  * * *

  “Look ant-man, I have no interest in serving your Duchess. I serve Valis Kein and I’ll fulfill my contract with her,” Brian said angrily.

  The Ick-Tckt hissed and raised its right arm, “Attack!”

  At that moment Seles fired and blasted the leader’s head off. The front six charged Brian and Kivi. The other five hesitated. With a quick spin of his blade, Brian dashed between the first pair of Ick-Tckt and sliced them both in half. The other two attacked with him with a pair of glowing spears. He parried furiously and pushed them onto the defensive. Kivi spun her blades and charged. With a quick parry and slice, one fell before her. As the other three moved in to attack, another pulse shot took a head. Kivi quickly took advantage of the confusion and cut another ant-man’s head and chest apart. The two after Brian pressed forward in desperation. With a quick spin kick Brian knocked one to the ground. With only one in front of him, Brian easily knocked the spear out of the way and sliced through it. As he turned to deal with the last one he saw the flash of pulse fire blast its head off. Using her two swords, Kivi deflected the ant-man’s spear and stabbed with her other blade, cutting open its guts. She quickly spun around the wounded creature and sliced its head off. The five left hissed and fled. Kivi was about to move on them when Brian placed his hand on her shoulder.

  “Why?” Kivi asked.

  “Two reasons.” Brian paused. “First, we’re not in the position to attack. And second…” Brian coughed, holding back his vomit. “I’m not feeling the best right now.”

  “Alright,” Kivi said. “By the way, who was it that provided us with cover fire?”

  Brian looked up. He saw Seles and Mira were gone. “We were being watched by two angels, one with silver blue hair and the other with pink.”

  Kivi looked at the handy work of Seles’s sniper fire. “She’s a good shot.”

  Brian looked unwell. “Well Kivi, let’s get back to the apartment complex.”

  * * *