by John Dizon
"Let's not forget who's holding the hot potato right now," Marcella nearly lost her cool in silencing her advisors. "My daughter's being held by kidnappers, and none of these people want to take responsibility. They want me to sign this bogus treaty, and they know I can't. They want me to feel like I sacrificed my daughter because of my stubbornness, my politics, my pride. The problem we have is that they've got no rules, they have no limits. If we can't stop them this time they'll do it again and again. Whose daughter will it be next time? Yours, or yours? You talk about problems on our doorstep. This is inside my house."
With that, President Stone prepared to confront her adversaries with greater resolve than ever before.
~+~
"Approaching the Shilluk Asteroid on our three o'clock," Zane Ramjet announced as their warship, The Avenger, closed in on the settlement. There were about sixty asteroids in the field, and it reminded him of historical photos of polar bears along the Bering Strait. There would be dozens of ice chunks floating in one area, but there were a scarce few that the polar bear could crawl onto. He considered the fact he had never seen a polar bear. If there were any in existence, they were probably worth at least one hundred million credits.
"I'm picking it up on my scanner," Von Kilgore replied, adjusting the visuals on the command console. "Plateau area approximately forty kilometers. Looks like we can set her down anywhere you like."
The asteroid appeared as an island floating in outer space. As was the standard for colonial asteroids, overhead satellites flooded the skies with hydrogen and oxygen clouds which merged into an artificial atmosphere. They were far more sophisticated than those of the Old System which required skydomes to contain the gases and synthesize the process.
Zane swooped down for a perfect landing. Only they realized there was something amiss as soon as they touched ground. What they perceived as fog was actually smoke that swirled throughout the colony as far as the eye could see. The buildings they saw from above had been reduced to charred ruins, some of which were still smoldering. Amidst the debris strewn across the thoroughfares were dead bodies, some of which were being torn at by scavengers.
"Dammit, Zane," Von hissed, grabbing a couple of xaser rifles and handing one to his partner as they exited the warship. "What in hell could have happened?"
"Looks like we're late," Zane said, his voice thickening as he held his rifle at the ready, cautiously walking across the town square. The buildings in the area were built around a circular court from which led pathways to commercial and residential areas outside the perimeter. Whoever did this landed at a distance from the square and moved in before the settlers realized what was happening. Obviously the militia never had a chance to sound an alarm.
"It had to have been the Dark Knights," Von said, cursing as he surveyed the carnage. The bodies of women and children lay with arms outstretched next to those of the male colonists. Clearly they were running to the aid of the fallen when they were shot down.
"Why in hell would they do something like this?" Zane looped his rifle over his shoulder, sagging in anguish as he looked around helplessly. "These people were Believers. Chances are they didn't even have weapons."
"I hate to say it, brother, but there's your answer," Von's voice was husky. "Those rotten bastards hate Believers more than anyone else. Most people throughout the System are atheists. They have no problem taking an oath of allegiance to something they don't believe exists."
"Why are Believers so stubborn?" Zane asked in abject frustration. "All you have to do is go along with them, you don't have to mean it. Don't they think their God would give them a pass if they denied Him to save their families?"
"I don't know, maybe it's like Star Fleet," Von exhaled. "You know how those guys would rather be executed than denounce their country on video. I guess there's some things people think are worth dying for."
"Don't you?" Zane looked at him.
"Hell, I'm a saboteur and an assassin. If I ever get caught in the line of duty, my head won't have time to declare allegiance to my shoulders."
At once they detected movement, a figure that was taller and heavier than the deformed animals that scurried around the corpses. They pointed their weapons at what appeared as a woman coming toward them.
"Zane," she managed. "Oh my god, Zane, is that you?"
"Alanis!"
At once he put down his rifle as she ran into his arms. She stood slightly taller than a meter and a half, a slender woman with medium-length black hair and dark skin. Though he spoke very little about his past, Von knew that this was his sister. He picked up Zane's rifle and stood at a respectable distance from them.
"Uncle!"
The three of them looked as a wisp of a boy came running out to them, his head barely reaching past Zane's beltline.
"Eleos!" Zane knelt down as the lad ran into his arms. "How are you, boy?"
"They killed him," the boy wept on his shoulder. "They killed my Daddy."
"How long have they been gone?" Von came over to Alanis.
"It's been a few hours. They came in at dawn, right around sunrise."
"Zane. We've gotta move. They may still be floating around out there. They know that if they're sighted and get caught on video, it's a foreign attack in sovereign space. If they're in a Scorpion spaceship, it's an act of war. If they see us here they'll have no choice but to run us down."
Zane carried Eleos as Von led the way back to the warship. They ran up the ramp and Von began punching commands into the console. Within minutes the nuclear engines began firing, and soon they were streaking into the clouds. Von booted up the automatic co-pilot so Zane could get his relatives situated and spend some time with them.
Von was contemplating the situation with mixed emotions. He felt terrible for his partner and mourned his loss. Yet he was relieved that they had spent almost no time on Shilluk and were back on track carrying out their mission. He knew they would have to drop Alanis and Eleos off at an Alliance military base at the earliest opportunity. It would not take long, and it would give them time to touch bases with the Betans. They could get updated on activity in the area and plan their next move.
Things were growing more complicated now that he knew the Dark Knights were in the area. If he came across them, they would end up in a dogfight that would place their lives at stake. Barring that, they would still have to overtake the Deltan warship and bring it down without killing Styrena Stone in the process. All he could hope was that The Avenger was up to the task.
Somehow he knew it was not going to take long to find out.
~+~
Over two billion kilometers away, the General Assembly building in Scorpion City was bustling with activity. An emergency meeting was scheduled as the Imperial ambassadors would be briefing the Supreme Leader on details of their meeting with President Stone on Alpha. The three most powerful people on the planet were preparing for the event in their private chamber. There was tension between them though the discussion had yet to commence.
"Mother, I told you I'll take care of everything." The tall, handsome young man with the meticulously-groomed hairstyle was exasperated. "I know exactly what to tell them and how we'll handle the contingencies. Don't worry, everything will be fine."
"I know you will, my darling," the old woman replied. It's just that we have so much at stake. We can't afford a single mistake."
Though she barely stood shoulder height beside him, she seemed much taller in her sky-blue Imperial robe with its golden embroidery. Her veil partially obscured her bald skull and long nose which earned her nickname, The Vulture. Only none would dare use it around her under pain of death. Especially in the presence of the third man in the room.
"I agree with Vernu," the Star Marshal replied. "I had a vision last night. Lord Belial came to me in a dream and told me all was well. We should have nothing to worry about. Everything will go according to plan."
The man was clad in a helmet with visor and black dress uniform similar to that worn b
y Captain Drachna the day before. Only he stood taller than Drachna at nearly three meters and wore the occult symbols of the Order of the Dark Knights along with his insignia and decorations. This man was Qom Diabolus.
"Well, it's comforting to know we're agreeing on something today." Vernu Hyte said tautly. "Even though I hope we're not simply dreaming that all is calm."
"I continue to find your sarcasm unbecoming," Diabolus stared balefully. "Ours is the fastest-growing religion in the universe. Perhaps you should rely on your mother's wisdom rather than your adolescent wit and your pseudoscientific theory. You would not want to offend others who have found absolute truth in an uncertain time."
"He means no harm, my friend," the Empress Alla spoke. "He will come over to our side in his own time. He may not agree with our teachings, but he understands."
"What I understand," Vernu glared at both of them, "is that the butchery going on beyond our borders in the name of your demons has to stop. The three major issues the Allies keep harping on is pollution, crime and human rights. Oh, yeah, and the thing about the President's daughter getting kidnapped."
"All things will work out to the glory of Belial," Diabolus replied. "It will be a matter of time before our wayward Captain finds the wench and returns her to the apostates. Rest assured it will cause them such joy that they will gladly sign our treaty in return."
"Your men have to stop forcing people to accept your way of thinking," Vernu insisted. "I could give two credits for their rights. My concern is for the carnage your campaign is creating."
"Almost every war fought in the Old System was about religion," Diabolus explained. "Yet it was not about understanding each other, it was misunderstanding themselves. Man does not seek the Light. He is comfortable in darkness. He was born in the darkness of the womb, he seeks solace in his cave, when he dies he is placed in a hole in the ground. The Light exposes his weaknesses, forces him to see his nakedness, allows him to see how limited and pathetic he and his friends and relatives really are. When his beliefs, his dreams and ambitions are exposed, they are subject to ridicule and failure."
"He is right, my sweet," the hag enjoined him. "Induce his teachings. Man operates best in darkness. It is his comfort zone, his true shield and salvation. The further mankind ventured into the darkness, the more of it he found. There is no Light at the end of the tunnel, no God in the heavens. Embrace the darkness, my darling. Let the darkness be the source of your strength."
"All right," Vernu was sardonic as he took his leave. "I hear what you're saying and I'll take it into consideration. We'll try and keep the Alphas in the dark. Let's hope they don't find out we agreed to the Deltan plan to kidnap Stone's daughter."
~+~
The Believers at the Shilluk Colony had been living on legumes for months. An Alliance supply convoy had been attacked by pirates en route to Shilluk and were forced to retreat to the nearest military outpost. It resulted in the Believers having to rely on their own devices, and they all considered it a miracle that they were able to survive. Only the forces of darkness prevailed in slaughtering nearly every living being in the Colony.
Von and Zane decided they would stop at a commercial colony located halfway between Shilluk and the provincial Betan outpost. The military base was one hundred forty million miles away, so they traveled four hours before landing on the Naga asteroid. It was classified as a small moon where water had been discovered. Pirates, smugglers and mercenaries relied on the colony and provided protection for its inhabitants. It was considered a blood bucket, but everyone knew that it was safe haven if one minded their own business.
"Wow, what a great place!" Eleos marveled as they descended to the asteroid surface upon landing at the space center. It was the first time in his life he had ever been away from Shilluk.
"Well, you make sure and stay with your mother at all times," Zane said sternly. "If you get separated, you find me or Von as soon as possible. If you can't find us, you hide until you see someone wearing a badge. Got it?"
"Yes, Uncle."
"Don't worry about it, kid, you'll be fine," Von ruffled the boy's hair. "We'll look around and see if I can find you some chocolate."
"What is chocolate?"
"Chocolate is heaven," Von chuckled.
"I thought heaven was–-"
"Just a figure of speech, kid," Von ushered him along. "C'mon."
At length they crossed the barren field from the space center to the town square. The ramshackle town was a long strip of prefabricated mercantile buildings and dwellings in varying stages of disrepair. The sides of the structures were defaced by graffiti and the alleyways stunk of garbage and human waste. The sanitation units were comprised of prisoners who volunteered for duty in exchange for early release from jail. They were often derelict and did little more than haul packed trash under the watch of their guards.
The four visitors did their best to avoid marveling at the effects that pollution was having on settlers. An entire generation of colonists had been affected by radiation poisoning, and the results were evident. Faces resembling those of animals were everywhere. Many had huge growths all over their bodies, and others had webbed hands and feet too large for gloves or boots. Some were dwarves, others were exceedingly tall. Eleos was saddened by the misery and lowered his head as they made their way to a nearby dining facility.
"How can I help you?" a man with the face of a pig came over to where they stepped up to the bar.
"Yeah," Von said, glancing at the menu. "All you have is stew?"
"Not enough meat to go around."
"Okay, give me four bowls of mutton stew, two Neptune ales and two dandelion teas. Is the water any good?"
"I wouldn't recommend it."
"Fine. Oh, any chocolate around?"
"Check with the street vendors. There's probably some around somewhere."
"Gotcha."
Von swiped his ID stick, paying the tab and a gratuity for the bartender. He then returned to where Zane and the others found a table.
"Go ahead and stick with Alanis and Eleos, I'll go outside and see what I can come up with," he told Zane. "If I get in a jam I'll beep you."
"Got it."
Von made his way outside where the streets were thick with mud due to the constant mist created by the atmosphere satellites. The streets were paved with stones though some were removed from time to time by residents for their own use. He stepped gingerly, avoiding potholes as he perused the different groups standing around in front of the storefronts.
It was somewhat easy to identify people by the clothes they wore. Mercenaries were armed to the teeth and clad in the latest battle gear. Most had deserted their nation's military and took their gear with them. They carried xaser rifles, pistols and utility belts with replacement batteries and grenades. Most wore blast-resistant starsuits. Pirates carried the same arsenal but were either clad in spacesuits or fashion wear with blast-resistant vests. Smugglers sported the latest in fashion wear with their weapons and blast vests beneath their coats. The citizens wore surplus uniforms, spacesuits or fashion wear according to their class.
He spotted a group of five men standing in front of the vice store. Those places were stocked with tobacco, drugs, alcohol and sexual stimulation products. The goods were generally priced beyond the range of ordinary citizens and attracted travelers who stocked up whenever they visited. These men had five crates at their feet and stared balefully at Von as he strolled up to them.
"Ahoy, mates. Anyone seen any Deltan traders hereabouts?"
"Who wants to know?" asked a hulking blond man standing nearly three meters tall and weighing about one kindred thirty kilos.
"I'm Von Kappa, an Alpha trader. I have connections here in Beta as well."
"So what are you doing near Ceta looking for Deltan traders?"
The man's hair was stylishly cut. He wore a form-fitting starsuit which must have cost some serious credits. Most men would have walked off but Von feared no man. His theory was that the xas
er made all men equal.
"When you've got what it takes, you can do business wherever it takes you."
"What is it you think is so valuable?"
"Deltan ID sticks. They haven't been encrypted, they're programmable. Got a whole box I'd like to trade."
"I'll buy them from you."
"Deltans will always pay more. Moving up in class can be a matter of life or death for some."
"Turning down a good deal can mean life or death out here," he said menacingly.
"I apologize," Von narrowed his eyes. "Who am I talking to?"
"I am Crom Stuttgart from Germania on Beta," he said haughtily. "I fought with the Legion of Doom during the Third Civil War. I was a decorated international hero until I defected with a Betan cruiser ship."
"Impressive," Von nodded. "If you come across any Deltan traders, I'll be having supper with friends at the Shining Star Tavern over there. I'd gladly give you an agent's fee."
"I don't take scraps."
"Suit yourself. Be well."
Von headed back to the tavern, keeping the men on his peripherals as he walked away. He was pretty sure they were mercenaries if not pirates, but it was hard to tell. The four men Stuttgart was with were hardcases, any one of which would've given Von a run for his money in a fight. He just hoped he didn't put too much bait on the hook when he mentioned a box of Deltan ID sticks. It was the kind of swag that some would kill for.
"Look, Uncle Zane! There's Von!"
Both of them winced at the boy's enthusiasm. They never acknowledged each other's coming and going as it allowed them to surreptitiously assess their surroundings. Nevertheless Von smiled and ruffled the boy's hair as he took his seat.
"Well, at least you saved my mug of ale," Von took a swig.
"This little fellow ate two bowls of stew," Zane shook his head. "I'll order you another portion."
"No, I think we should be on our way," Von said curtly. Zane picked up on the tone of his voice and prompted Alanis and Eleos to finish up.
