by James Somers
“Who are you?” he mumbled as he reached up and slowly lifted the mask to reveal a Castillian woman with fiery eyes glaring at him. He quickly lifted his blade and backed away. A woman!
Orin caught the surprise on his face.
“Hmm. She nearly killed you Tiet,” said Orin without letting his amusement be too obvious. Tiet glanced back at the girl as she replaced her dagger confidently.
“We thought the Barudii were all dead,” said one of the masked attackers.
“Not quite,” replied Orin. “Is there someone leading your people?”
“Yes. Estall is our leader. We’ll take you to him.”
Orin and Ranul followed the men as they lit another nearby torch from the wall and proceeded down the path. Tiet looked at his opponent again; who was still fixed intently on him. He sheathed his blade and followed the others as the girl fell in the line behind him. How could this girl fight so well? She’s not a Barudii, but she carries a Barudii blade and knows how to use it. Better keep and eye on her.
THE ion trail was growing stronger as Vale approached the mountains. At the present concentration, his mind calculated that his target must be very close now. In the distance his optics picked up an object near the base of the mountain.
His eyes focused and enhanced the image. It was a small transport craft and the ion trail led right to it. If they had abandoned the craft, then logically they were proceeding on foot into the mountains.
Relevant sites in this region displayed in his mechanical mind’s eye. The only prominent one was the old Barudii city of Vaseer. It was an obvious match, correlating with the present circumstances and nature of his target.
As he approached, Vale slowed the transport and shut it down next to the other ship. It appeared abandoned. He exited his own transport and moved to the engine compartment of the other ship. He tore away the compartment lid and grabbed the fuel cell housing, ripping it from its place among the other operational components and hurling it yards away. If his prey did return, their vessel would not be an escape route for them.
He returned to the cockpit of his own ship and encoded the ignition sequence to prevent anyone stealing it, then stepped up to the rear pulse turret. The android grasped the pulse repeater cannon, pulled it free from its mount, then jumped back to the ground with it. The large cannon was nearly half his size and weighed four hundred pounds; yet he carted it away with ease.
Accessing various, known entrances and exits to Vaseer, Vale located the closest and bounded away after his prey with his pulse cannon in tow. It was approaching dawn and he planned to be inside the city before he lost the element of surprise over his targets.
AS the group came to the lowest level of Vaseer, the light suddenly greeted them with the splendor of the old city. Orin was overwhelmed by a flood of memories at the sight of it again. He remembered all of the times he had spent here with Kale Soone and the grand banquets and tournaments that had been held in Vaseer’s great halls; it was still glorious to behold.
Tiet also found himself overwhelmed by the sight of the city. All of the carvings and gems and precious metals that decorated the walls and structure spoke of royalty and power. It was so distant a memory; some time around his eighth year the massacre had stripped him of his family and his people. It was in this place also that his mother had been murdered by the Horva; those horrible brutish clones of the Vorn—they feared nothing. This was the place of his dreams and nightmares.
They followed their guides down through a large open area that acted as the town square, and on through large columns hewn out of the rock into a smaller chamber. All around them people were milling about and looking on curiously. Orin noticed that almost all of them were wearing the clothing of the Barudii that had been left in the city after the massacre. It was an eerie sight to him—like his people raised from the dead.
The irrigation canals were still functioning and he could see fresh water coming in from one of the underground mountain streams. Evidently the gardens must still be in production to keep what appeared to be hundreds of people alive down here. As they came into the adjacent chamber several men were convened in a meeting. One, dressed as though he may be the leader, came toward them.
“Gentlemen, welcome to Vaseer. My name is Estall,” said the man.
How strange to be welcomed to his former home by this man who had taken possession of it only because of the absence of his people. “I’m Orin Vale, this is Dr. Ranul K’ore and this young man is Tiet Soone.”
“Ah, then you must be the son of Kale Soone, the Barudii King,” said Estall.
“Yes. How did you know that?”
“Both of you Barudii are written of in the city’s archives. We have studied your history and trained our people in your fighting art for some years now,” said Estall. “We came to the city nearly eight years ago to escape the Horva. After the Barudii were wiped out, the Vorn staged a massive takeover against the remaining clans. They released the Horva upon our people and killed millions. Some still remain in what was left of our clan cities. We chose to flee. At first we went into the wilderness, not knowing where to go. Then some of the elders among our groups suggested that we take refuge in one of the abandoned Barudii cities, since no activity really took place in this region anymore. Once we arrived, we realized how well the city was fortified and with the ample supply of fresh water and the irrigated gardens, we knew it was the right place to stay.”
“Have the Vorn not patrolled here in all that time?” asked Orin.
“At first we feared they might eventually make their way back out this far. Many people began to research the Barudii archives and we discovered the warrior art. Our people began to train according to your ways. The weaponry was still functional and in good supply, and even without the special abilities of the Barudii, I think we’ve learned a great deal of the techniques,” said Estall.
“Of that I’m quite sure,” said Orin, “This young woman and Tiet nearly killed each other. I was quite impressed with the skill of your people.”
Tiet looked again at the girl, only to find her gaze fixed on him. He looked away quickly, then back trying to appear as though he were surveying the room beyond.
“Dorian is my younger sister,” said Estall. “She is only in her eighteenth year, but she has been an eager student of your ways. She has instructed many of our people.”
Impressive! Each time he glanced at her, he noticed her eyes fixed unwaveringly upon him. He felt childish for his unwillingness to meet her stare.
“I guess you’ve been very eager yourself to be leading this people when you too are still fairly young,” said Orin.
“He is young, but he has proven his courage and his wisdom to our people,” said one of the elder men standing near.
They were talking, but Tiet wasn’t listening anymore. He decided not to be a coward about it. He lifted his eyes to fix on Dorian. She was still standing behind the right side of her brother Estall with a straight faced stare on him. He returned it without expression. She smiled slightly, he noticed—he had definitely seen it. She broke away from the group and walked past him, back toward the public area they had come through. He suddenly realized he may have been smiling himself and pursed his lips to disguise it. Better to pay attention to what was important right now.
“If you don’t mind my asking,” said Estall, “the archives contained nothing concerning the last battle of your people. What happened?”
“Something we just weren’t expecting,” said Orin. “The Vorn were assembling a massive ground force and we were prepared to meet them. What we didn’t realize was that they had developed some new technology. They just walked right out of the walls, like some portal in mid-air. There were thousands of Horva clones pouring into the mountain cities while we had our warriors on the surface preparing for the ground attack. Our king, Kale Soone, had chosen me to guard his wife and son. We tried to fight, but it was only women and children, besides me. The enemy got to his mother, but I managed to t
ake Tiet and flee the city with him. I later investigated the scene and from what I could tell, the Horva in our cities came at our warriors from behind as they fought on the surface.”
Everyone was silent for a moment. It was a tragedy that had cost all of Castais’ clans their freedom.
“It now may be time to act, though,” said Orin. “We’ve just discovered that their main cloning facility is no longer producing Horva.”
“That would explain what our spies have been reporting,” said Estall.
“I don’t understand.”
“We have spies that go into the cities on a regular basis. They have reported seeing hardly any Horva at all. The Vorn have taken to patrolling without them.”
“It won’t remain that way for long,” said Ranul.
“Have you heard something specific?”
“I work in weapons development,” said Ranul. “There has been a lot of talk about a fleet that is coming through the Transdimensional Rift some time very soon. They’re supposed to be establishing actual Vorn colonies on Castai.”
“It doesn’t sound like we have much time to act,” said Estall.
“We have to find a way to stop that fleet from coming through the rift,” said Orin. “If your people could attack the main Vorn complex directly, then perhaps we could seize a ship from the main hangar, and take it through the rift to intercept their reinforcements.”
“But we have a ship here,” said one of the men with Estall.
“What kind of ship?” asked Ranul. “Is it Barudii? Is it operational?”
“Yes, at least most of the systems work,” said the man. “We’ve never fully ignited the engines; there hasn’t been a need.”
“We had hoped that it would provide a last stand defense or escape if the Vorn discovered us,” said Estall.
“They’re going to discover you eventually,” said Tiet.
“Estall, it’s now or never,” said Orin. “Your people are trained and the Vorn here are at their weakest moment, but the opportunity is about to pass to finish this war and free our people.”
Estall considered a moment, looking at the other men with him. “Please allow me a few moments to speak with the elders.”
“If it’s alright, we should take a look at the ship,” said Ranul.
“Of course. Millo will show you where it’s docked.”
Millo, one of the men with Estall, motioned them to follow as he led the way down another corridor out of the chamber. Orin and Ranul fell in behind his lead.
“I’m going to locate some more weapons and meet you down there, okay?” asked Tiet.
Orin looked toward the public square at someone beyond, and then back at Tiet. “Alright, but don’t linger, we still have work to do.”
Tiet turned and headed back toward the public area, only to find Dorian standing near the central fountain. When their eyes met again they were both smiling noticeably at one another. He walked over to the fountain, not exactly sure what to say next.
“I couldn’t help but overhear that you need more weapons,” said Dorian.
She either had excellent hearing or had been closer to the chamber entrance when he said it. “Well yes, as a matter of fact, I could use some help.”
“I’ll show you the way to the armory.”
“Thank you.”
The words seemed so difficult to get out and he wasn’t sure why. After all Dorian was only a girl. They made their way down a passageway to yet another chamber. Dorian keyed in a code on the wall pad and the mechanical door slid aside into the rock wall allowing them access into one of the Barudii weapon stores. What a sight, he thought as he surveyed all the various weapons of his former people.
The walls of the long chamber were lined with blades and kemsticks on one side, and racks of pulse rifles and pistols like his own taking up space down the middle of the room. On the opposite side along the wall were combat uniforms of the Barudii with insignia for the clan upon them. They were fresh-looking in comparison with his admittedly somewhat shabby gear. He walked through the rows looking over the various items, and paused at the dark colored uniforms. They were the same that Dorian wore and the others that had met them in the entrance to the city.
“If you are going into battle, you should wear the uniform of your people.” She looked him over for a moment, then retrieved one of the uniforms from the wall.
“Here, I think this one should fit well.”
“Thanks.”
He could hardly wait to put it on.
“Around that partition is an area where you can change,” said Dorian.
Tiet smiled like a child with a new toy as he made his way around the wall and began to change into his new Barudii uniform. She’s quite nice after all.
“Dorian?”
“Yes?”
“I’m …I’m sorry about hitting you in the passage way.”
“It’s alright. I understand; after all—I was attacking you.”
“Yes, but for all you knew, the Vorn were coming in to harm your people. Anyway I would not have done it if I had known….”
“Known what? That I was a woman?”
“No…I mean if I had known you were so nice.”
Dorian smiled again, knowing he couldn’t see her.
“Well, what do you think?” he said as he emerged from behind the partition.
“Just as I imagined.”
“What do you mean…imagined?”
“Nothing. Just a statement.” Changing the subject, she reached for one of the gadgets on a nearby shelf. “You should take one of these,” she said handing him the object. “It’s an electromagnetic shield generator.” She raised her forearm to reveal the same apparatus fixed upon her uniform.
“When a stimulus such as weapon fire or an ignited blade comes within proximity of the field, it generates the polarity of the energy source reacting with that of the field and causes the deflector to respond. It’s actually two fields separated by a magnetic field. Each field is polarized; one negatively and one positively.”
“Wonderful, I’ll take two,” he said, still smiling at his hostess.
“Well, let’s get you fully equipped and we’ll load up this cart and take it down to the ship.”
“Do you think your people will be willing to attack the Vorn?”
“Personally, I think it’s time we took the fight to them, and others feel the same way.”
Tiet nodded and they began loading weapons for the ship. When they had what they needed, Tiet pushed the cart back out of the chamber and up the passage they had come by, with Dorian at his side.
“We had better hurry before Orin rushes off without me.”
“I wouldn’t mind.”
The comment pulled a quiet smile from his face again. He couldn’t remember smiling so much. He couldn’t remember having a reason to.
III
FROM his perch high above the public square, Vale scanned the identifying features of Castillian faces as the people congregated and moved through the area. He had still not located the target. It was unclear who these humans were, but their presence here and apparent aid to the Governor’s target made them accomplices and therefore expendable under the Governor’s guidelines. However, firing upon them would be tactically unsound, as it would alert his targets to his presence.
The carved stone balcony he was crouched upon had been easy to access once he came down to this level, and provided a superior targeting position from which to shoot. Person after person, feature after feature was scanned and rejected as negative matches. But wait, now one was continuing to match as the features blinked into place like a puzzle. A match, but the garment had been changed from that in the data clips. It was time to act.
The android hoisted up the repeating pulse cannon to clear the stone terrace and quickly shifted in to the best targeting approximation possible with such a cumbersome weapon. Fortunately, its dispersal pattern was complimentary to the inability to precisely aim the weapon. He tapped the arming swi
tch, causing the weapon to hum to life.
“Look out!” someone yelled.
Many in the square turned to the direction one woman was pointing. Tiet also looked to see a familiar looking man clothed as the Barudii, with a large weapon aiming into the public area.
A wave of pulse fire showered down around them as Tiet turned to shield Dorian from harm. He caught her around the torso and pushed her toward the ground. Her electromagnetic shield pulsed to life several times as it intercepted negatively charged pulse blasts meant to take their lives. Rock sprayed away from the walls around them. As soon as Dorian was down, he leapt up and away from her. If he was the target then he wanted to draw the fire away from her. The trail of pulse fire followed as he evaded; leaping and twirling from object to ground to wall and away again.
Then the cannon fire paused a moment as others attempted to engage the culprit. Tiet paused to see the Aolene warriors firing pulse blaster pistols at the balcony and hurling spicor discs toward the assailant. The android dodged the discs as they exploded on the walls nearby, leaving behind smooth cavities of the rock. Vale took several blasts to the torso and the arms as he repositioned the pulse cannon and began to spray the Aolene combatants. Tiet took the brief respite to study their attacker:
How is he still standing?
Tiet saw the opportunity and quickly shattered what remained of the embattled stone balcony with a concentrated kinetic blast. The heavy stone erupted upward against Vale, catching his mechanical body between the large fragments of rock and the chamber ceiling, and then dropping all down to the public square below in a dusty heap.
The android came down like a discarded rag-doll onto the pavement below. Orin appeared with Estall on the other side of the public area. Everyone was regrouping, but no one understood what had just happened.
“Tiet!” cried Dorian from behind. But she was looking past him toward the heap of rubble. As he turned, Tiet could hear the sound of large rocks being tumbled. From beneath the heap of stones, an Orin Vale look alike was emerging. Orin saw it as well, but couldn’t believe who he was seeing. Himself? A clone? Whatever this new monster was, it was far too powerful to be human.
