“Colonel, two fighters have just pulled up alongside us,” said the pilot. “They say they are here as an escort.”
“Understood,” said Bast.
“I wonder why we need a military escort?” said Kevin. “Is that normal procedure?” he asked Seiben.
“I’ve never had one. Maybe they’re still scared of you,” said Seiben. “Hell, I’m still scared of you.”
“Really?”
“Sure. Have you ever looked at yourself in the mirror?” said Seiben, grinning like a Cheshire cat.
“You’re really funny,” Kevin said sarcastically.
“Thanks.”
Jon knew Seiben was joking, but he thought he might not be far off from the truth. They seemed to know what the Juttari were. They saw the ship jump. He couldn’t blame them for being careful. For all they knew he was their prisoner and the whole thing was a ruse.
On the display the water steadily transitioned into land, and soon they were flying over a sprawling, bustling city. Monolithic towers reached into the sky, lights of every color blinking along their lengths. A complex lattice-like network of high speed rail lines spread out across the surface. Smaller vehicles zipped through the air, to and fro in a frenzied, yet somehow organized fashion. Some things were strangely out of place, however. Heavy weaponry had been deployed on city streets. Mammoth sized Tanks and mechs stood at strategic bottlenecks. As they neared the surface groups of armed soldiers became visible. He felt the symbiont becoming agitated. It clearly didn’t like the situation. The laughter in the shuttle died down as everybody else noticed the military activity.
“What are we walking into?” said Kevin.
“Nothing good,” said Jon.
Bast and Jarvi remained quiet, yet he could see that their eyes missed nothing.
A familiar nervous energy began to envelop Seiben.
The fighters escorted the shuttle to a landing pad which Jon assumed was a government building. They landed and everyone prepared to disembark. Jon looked over to the weapons locker, feeling a need to arm himself. With the exception of Seiben they all wore sidearms, but instinctively Jon wanted something heavier.
“We don’t want to send the wrong message,” said Bast, nodding towards the locker.
“No, of course not,” said Jon, unable to shake a creeping feeling of vulnerability.
“Let’s find out what’s going on,” said Bast, nodding to Jarvi.
Jarvi opened the hatch and the group ventured out onto the landing pad.
Armed soldiers donning exoskeletons waited for them. The symbiont growled at the sight, and Jon quashed the urge to take cover. They’re friendly, remember? he thought to himself, and to the symbiont. It didn’t seem to agree.
One of the soldiers approached, the metallic limbs attached to his arms and legs whining as he moved. “Captain Pike?” he said, scanning each of them.
“That’s me,” said Jon.
“I’m Sergeant Fitch. My men and I are here to escort you to your meeting.”
See? Friendly. The symbiont wasn’t convinced and it grew increasingly agitated. Jon’s stomach tightened to the point where his side started to cramp.
Jon glanced at Bast and said, “Lead the way, Sergeant.”
“You’ll have to leave your weapons behind,” said Fitch.
“I don’t think so,” said Jarvi, staring the Sergeant down.
Sergeant Fitch tensed and took a step back, eyes fixed on Lieutenant Jarvi.
“It’s okay,” said Bast. “Do as the good Sergeant asks.”
Jarvi obeyed his commander and removed his sidearm, eyes locked with Fitch the whole time.
Jon and Kevin both removed their sidearms and placed them in the shuttle.
“Can we go now?” asked Jon, more than a little frustrated with the greeting.
Fitch nodded. “Right this way,” he said and stepped forward.
They walked into the building. Fitch and a few solders took the lead, while another group followed from behind. Jon wondered if they were being taken to the meeting, or if they were being taken into custody. Inside the building were more soldiers, mostly standing guard outside what were likely sensitive areas. These ones didn’t wear exoskeletons. Sergeant Fitch led them through a security check and down a few more hallways. They walked through a large room filled with couches and chairs to a set of double doors. The group stopped. Fitch knocked, opened the doors and stepped inside.
“Should I be concerned?” Seiben whispered to Jon.
“I don’t know,” Jon answered.
“That really doesn’t help.”
“I’m sure there is nothing to worry about,” Jon lied.
“And if there is?”
“Then follow our lead.”
“That’s it? That’s your advice? Follow your lead? How the hell am I supposed to do that?”
“Just relax. If something happens just stay close to me and you’ll be fine.”
Seiben didn’t look convinced, but pressed the issue no further.
Ahead of them the doors swung open. “You may enter,” said Fitch.
They walked into the room with the military escort still in tow. Jon immediately noticed the official seal on the carpet, and the furniture. They were in the Prime Minister’s office. But the Prime Minister wasn’t here. Neither was Dr. Ellerbeck. Instead, a man in a military uniform sat behind a large desk.
“Welcome to New Byzantium, gentlemen. I am General Juneau,” said the man sitting at the desk.
“Where’s the Prime Minister?” said Jon.
“You must be Captain Pike,” said Juneau.
“Yes, and you didn’t answer my question.”
Juneau studied Jon and said, “I’m afraid Prime Minister Sallas won’t be able to make our meeting.”
“I see,” said Jon. “What about Dr. Ellerbeck?”
“She can’t make it either.”
“And why is that?”
Juneau sighed. “I don’t know how to tell you this, but Prime Minister Sallas and Dr. Ellerbeck have been arrested.”
“What?!” said Jon. The symbiont wanted blood. “On what charges?”
“Treason,” said Juneau. “I’m afraid Prime Minister Sallas was selling secrets to the Kemmar Empire.”
That son of a bitch, Jon thought. He’s staging a coup. “What has any of that got to do with Dr. Ellerbeck?” he said.
“She was spending a lot of time with the Prime Minister. We believe she is a co-conspirator.”
“That’s ridiculous. I demand her release this instant.”
Juneau laughed. “Do you think you are in any position to be making demands?”
Jon saw where this was going. The General wanted to make a trade. “What do you want, General?”
Juneau smiled. “Your ship possesses an intriguing propulsion system. Give us the technology and I’ll release Dr. Ellerbeck. I believe that is a fair trade.”
“I don’t think so,” said Jon.
“We’ll give you the jump technology,” said Bast.
Jon spun around to face Bast. “Are you crazy?”
“It is my ship,” said Bast. “It is my decision to make.”
“This man is a tyrant. A dictator. You can’t give him jump technology.”
“I can if it means freeing Dr. Ellerbeck.”
“You haven’t changed, Chaanisar,” Jon spit the words out like poison on his tongue. “You still support the goddamn Governors.”
“I believe the man said it wasn’t your decision to make,” said Juneau, derisively.
The sound of the General’s voice set off a time bomb that had been ticking inside Jon for years. Humans suffered because of men like this. Greedy, evil men.
The creature had heard enough and let loose a silent roar. Kill them all, it demanded.
Jon struck.
He hit Sergeant Fitch with his shoulder, doubling the man over, air violently leaving his lungs. With one fluid movement Jon stripped the weapon from Fitch’s hands and squeezed off a round.<
br />
Juneau had begun to stand when the bullet punched a hole in his forehead. Juneau slammed back into the chair. It toppled. Juneau’s lifeless body hit the floor.
Jon whipped around. Firing. The soldier next to him was caught wide eyed. A bullet struck him in the chest hurtling him into the wall. Fitch had begun to recover, although still struggling to take in a breath. Jon fired again, blowing off the top of his head.
Men were shouting. Weapons pointed.
Bast and Jarvi didn’t hesitate. They moved like demons. A fist ruptured a windpipe. An elbow crushed a temple. Weapons were taken. Bullets sprayed the room. Bodies collapsed amid panicked screams.
Kevin tackled a nearby soldier who took aim at Jon, knocking the weapon out of his hands. Heavy blows crashed into the man’s face, knocking him out before he could react.
Seiben dove to the floor and covered his head with his hands.
Some of the soldiers tried to counter the onslaught. The exoskeletons augmented their strength and speed, giving them the illusion of hope. Their strikes were a fraction too slow. Jon and the Chaanisar stayed one step ahead. The disadvantage proved insurmountable. A soldier leaped at Jon’s back, but struck empty air. He tried to turn, instinctively knowing his enemy had moved behind him. A bullet tore through the back of the man’s skull.
Another soldier bolted to the side, trying to flank the Chaanisar. Bast fired. The bullet struck the side of the man’s head. He flipped sideways, almost completing a somersault.
The soldiers dead. Jon spun. His weapon pointed at Bast. The Colonel did the same, leveling his own weapon at Jon. The two men faced each other. A stalemate.
“Drop your weapon,” said Jarvi, pointing his gun at the side of Jon’s head.
“Pull that trigger and you die,” said Kevin, pointing his gun at Jarvi.
The doors swung open. More soldiers rushed in. Jon spun away from Bast and opened fire. Dropped one instantly with a couple rounds to the chest. Turned another with a bullet to the shoulder. Finished him with a second round to the neck. Sent the man to the floor, drowning sounds coming from his mouth.
Bast, Jarvi and Kevin had also turned toward the attack, and met the soldiers with their own assault. Their bullets chewed up the advancing soldiers, adding their body count to the rest.
Silence.
Jon turned on Bast again. The Colonel was right there to meet him. Jarvi swung toward Jon and Kevin returned his aim to Jarvi.
“What the fuck is the matter with you people?” yelled Seiben, rising from the floor. He looked around at the carnage. Dead bodies sprawled all around the room. Blood speckled the furniture and walls. The air became thick with the smell of blood and death. He then looked at the four men, pointing weapons at each other. “Have you all lost your goddamn minds?”
“Ask your friend,” said Bast. “His actions caused this butchery.”
“Me? You’re the one who was going to give jump technology to that bastard,” said Jon.
“We need Dr. Ellerbeck to remove the brain chips. I would gladly trade the technology for her.”
“You’re a fool. You would condemn billions of people. And for what? That piece of shit was never going to release the Doctor.”
“You don’t know that.”
“Sure I do. He just overthrew his own government. You think a man like that has honor? If he can turn on his own people, what do you think he’ll do to you?”
“Enough!” said Seiben. “Kill each other later. Right now we have to get out of here.”
“He’s right,” said Bast, lowering his weapon. He nodded at Jarvi and the Lieutenant did the same. Jon and Kevin dropped their weapons in response.
Bast’s left eye flickered. “I have advised the pilot of the situation. He is briefing the ship.”
“Through your brain chip?” said Jon.
“Yes. They are quite useful at times.”
“Okay, let’s hurry up and get to the shuttle,” said Jon, turning to leave.
“Unfortunately, that is not an option.”
“Why?” said Jon, turning back to face Bast.
“I ordered the pilot to return to the ship. He is flying up as we speak.”
“What? Why would you do that?”
“Because, we need to rescue Dr. Ellerbeck.”
“I should’ve shot you.”
“Sadly for you, you didn’t”
“I don’t know if you noticed, but there are only five of us. How the fuck are we supposed to break Dr. Ellerbeck out of jail in the middle of a goddamn coup d’etat?”
“Hang on a second,” said Seiben. “Are you telling me you sent our one and only way of getting off this planet back up to the ship?”
“Yes.”
“This is all your fault,” Seiben yelled, pointing at Jon. “I curse the day I rescued your damn life pod.”
“You’re right,” said Bast. “This is all his fault.”
“You’re just as bad as him,” Seiben shouted, his face turning as red as a ripe tomato. “The two of you are a couple of lunatics.
“I am sorry Mr. Seiben,” said Bast. “But we are not leaving this planet without Dr. Ellerbeck.”
“Here,” said Jarvi, handing Seiben a weapon.
“Oh that’s great. Thank you very much for making me even more of a target.”
“He’s right,” said Kevin. “We can’t just walk around the city looking like a team of mercenaries.”
Jon looked at the dead soldiers scattered across the floor. “Uniforms. We need to change into their military uniforms.”
“Agreed,” said Bast and started looking for a soldier similar to his size.
“Really?” said Seiben. “The blood doesn’t bother any of you? How about the bullet holes?”
“You’re right,” said Jon, giving Seiben a reassuring smile. “Concentrate on those who were shot in the head.”
“I don’t believe this,” said Seiben, covering his face with his hands.
“Come on, old man,” said Kevin, slapping Seiben on the back. “Let’s get you some new clothes.”
Chapter 22
Seiben ran a hand along the smooth contours of the weapon, admiring its lethal simplicity. He had some experience with guns in his life, most recently on DLC station. He would likely get more experience before long. He tried to take a step forward and became airborne, lunging straight into the wall. His arms came up just in time, taking most of the impact.
“What are you doing?” said Jon, standing over a frightened looking soldier. “Don’t make any noise.”
“Right, because I was trying to slam my face into the wall,” said Seiben. The exoskeleton was more sophisticated than anything he had worn before and he hadn’t adapted to its sensitivity yet. He tried taking another step. This time he made a smaller movement, allowing the exoskeleton to take over and carry his leg through. It worked better, but he still moved farther than he expected. Another step, adjusting slightly once more, and he landed where he wanted. He took a few more steps around the room to be sure.
He heard a loud smack and turned to see the soldier crumple to the floor.
“Did you kill him too?” asked Seiben.
“No, he’s just going to take a little nap.”
“Very generous of you.”
“Thanks,” said Jon. “Are you ready?”
“I think so,” lied Seiben, not really ready for any of this, including the exoskeleton.
“Good. Our sleeping friend here told us where they took Dr. Ellerbeck. Let’s go.”
When he emerged from the Prime Minister’s office Seiben felt completely ridiculous. He had swapped his clothes for a military uniform that barely fit, and held a weapon he wasn’t sure he could fire straight. He stepped awkwardly, worried he might be thrown into another wall.
All Seiben had wanted was to talk to the Prime Minister about emigration for his family. Instead, he probably became an accomplice to a mass murder. Even worse, one of the dead was the new leader of the planet. Now here he was, playing soldier
with a group of highly skilled killers. He could just hear Darla chewing him out.
“Don’t worry, old man,” said Kevin, striding beside him with an exoskeleton of his own. “We’ll get through this.”
“What makes you think I’m worried? And why do you keep calling me old man?” said Seiben, exasperation in his voice.
“I don’t mean anything by it,” said Kevin. “It kind of suits you.” He pointed at Jon, Bast and Jarvi walking in front of them. “Look, you saw how the three of them can move, right?”
“Yeah.”
“They’re augmented. Even with the exoskeletons we can’t match their speed. If anything happens just stay with me. How does your exoskeleton feel?”
“It’s different from the ones we use on the freighters. More sensitive.”
“Yeah, that’s cause it’s military grade. You think you can handle it?”
“I think so.”
“Good. See, things are looking better already,” said Kevin, slapping him on the back with a giant hand, emptying his lungs of air.
At the end of a long hallway Jon raised a fist and they all came to a stop behind him.
“Looks like an exit,” whispered Jon. “There are guards posted. I say we just act normal and walk out.”
They nodded their agreement and Jon stepped out first, followed by Bast and Jarvi. Seiben felt Kevin give him a nudge and he stepped out, his heart pounding like a jackhammer.
“Just relax,” whispered Kevin. “Act like you belong.”
Jon, Bast and Jarvi walked past the soldiers without any issues. Seiben walked beside Kevin, trying to act normal, but he already felt the soldiers’ eyes on him. It must be obvious he wasn’t a soldier. A bead of sweat dripped off his brow, stinging his eye. Without thinking he brought up a hand to wipe it away. The exoskeleton amplified the reaction, and he punched himself in the face. A thousand lights blinked on and off under his eyelid, and he staggered to a stop, holding a hand to his face. He heard laughter as he tried to open his eyelid. The lights started to fade and he saw Kevin looking back at him, with a frown on his face. Behind him stood the guards, still laughing in his direction.
“You okay?” said Kevin, grabbing him by the bicep and giving him a tug.
The Pike Chronicles - Books 1 - 10 Page 57
