by John Dizon
"Do you hear this mutant freak?" Stuttgart was exasperated.
"A Deltan cruiser out here in Betan territory outside Deep Space? You don't think they'll stick out like a radioactive pile?"
"It's the wrong move," Colditz disagreed. "They've got Alpha to the west and the Empire on the southern border. They would have to sail around the sun through enemy territory to reach Delta. Drachna or not, they'd never make it."
"This is where we send a signal to the Empire," Von replied. "Vernu Hyte will send everything he has to recover his starship. Intercepting the Deltan cruiser will be as important as a wart on a mutant's arse."
"This moron's gassed out," Stuttgart hissed. "Let me fry his brain and we'll jet him out with the rest of the waste."
"No, no, no," Necromicon began pacing. "No, no, I like it, I like it. This'll be the mother of all shipwrecks once we call Mick Rhymes and his coalition out here. If a Scorpion fleet joins in, can you imagine. I agree with Von, it's the Deltans' best last chance. They'll make their move into Cetan territory and we'll have them. After we take the girl, we can come back here and salvage the wrecks. We'll recover enough cargo for us to buy our own moon here among the Betans."
"You're going along with this jerk?" Stuttgart asked in disbelief.
"The alternative is to waste the humanoid and go back to square one," Colditz mused. "The Deltans stay in hiding and we have to begin ducking whoever responds to his distress call. Eventually Drachna's going to catch up with the Deltans, and all the time and effort we've invested goes to waste."
"I can't believe this!" Stuttgart cried out. "You're buying into this?"
"We can't keep cruising around with no place to go," Colditz insisted. "We've got to force a move somewhere. We're not earning, we haven't made one credit since this thing started. Win or lose, it's time to end this game."
"Here's the deal," Necromicon decided. "Have Rhymes and his pirates set up for a bracket ambush when Drachna arrives. We send out a low-frequency distress signal to the Cetan border. Make it seem like a Believer crew in trouble. If it's the Imperial Guard, they'll have no problem crossing over to intercept. Once we pick them up, we increase the frequency and draw them in. Drachna will sail right into a horseshoe bracket. I can assure you we'll be salvaging wreckage for days."
"Aye, aye, Captain," Colditz sat down at the command console to begin transmission.
"If anything goes sideways," Stuttgart snarled at Von as he took his leave, "you'll be the first to go. I promise you that."
"I'll be looking for you," Von grinned as the bridge door slid open.
"When it's all over," Necromicon sighed, "I'll drop you both off at a recreational asteroid where you can find a nice, quiet tavern and settle your differences over a barrel of Saturnian ale."
"Captain," Colditz called out urgently. "We're heading into a debris field."
"So? Drive carefully."
"Sensors at full intensity. I'm trying to get visuals. It looks like a shipwreck."
"Hold on," Von whirled and darted past Stuttgart towards the command console. "Get those visuals on the big screen."
"Go on," Necromicon murmured. "Do as he says."
The entire crew stared in awe as the screen began focusing on the remnants of a Deltan cruiser.
"He's got her," Von insisted. "Send your signals now. If he doesn't come back here to get payback for a false alarm, our five hundred million goes to waste."
"Send it," Necromicon ordered frantically. "Do it now."
"What makes you think he'll come back?" Colditz wondered.
"He already told us," Von replied. "If we try and cross him he'll chase us through hyperspace and back. If he's got the girl, coming back for us would make for a very short detour."
"He'll never know what hit him," Necromicon giggled.
CHAPTER SIX
"I called this conference so that we could all clearly see what we were facing and what we stand to gain in the battle ahead," Mick Rhymes addressed the other crew leaders on what they dubbed Pirate Radio. "We have the opportunity to change people's lives in this solar system. We can help people build a new future without fear of being robbed, having their homes destroyed and their loved ones murdered. If we can draw the Imperial Fleet into this battle, and if we win, it will show them and everyone else that people who live here in the Betan Quadrant are not defenseless or helpless. We can and will fight back. If they choose to continue their campaign of terror and murder, they will pay a price they can't afford."
"I could give a sack of waste about the lives of Believers, settlers, traders or any other weak individuals running and hiding from the Revolutionary Guard," Captain Neptune's voice hissed. "We made it clear that we are in this for the reward money for Styrena Stone. What guarantee do you have that her kidnapers will be drawn towards this skirmish of yours?"
"I told you that Grav Drachna rigged Captain Necromicon's command console with a homing device," Rhymes' voice barely hid his impatience. "Not only can Drachna keep track of Necromicon, but his ship can contact Drachna at any time. Necromicon has reason to believe Drachna has destroyed the Deltan ship that kidnaped Miss Stone. Necromicon has signaled Drachna to indicate that he's located Styrena. Drachna's already warned him of the consequences for betrayal. There's no doubt Drachna will come back to make Necromicon pay before he returns Styrena to Alpha."
"We've got four warships and sixteen fighter ships between us," Captain Molybden observed. "Regardless of the outcome, we are not going to engage the Invictus with Drachna at the helm and not incur loss. There is a strong possibility that Drachna might even repel our attack and destroy most of our forces. I'm not sure that we have enough of a chance of overcoming the Invictus to make this a worthwhile venture."
"You forget Necromicon," Rhymes insisted. "That's five warships. If we come at him from all sides, it frees up one ship to either hit him from above or below. He can't keep his shields up around the entire ship while firing his guns. It'd overload his power system, and he's too experienced to do that. It'll take everything he has to fight us off if we all attack simultaneously. That gives the one warship the chance to score a hit and put a hole in his starship. That will change the battle entirely. We all know that."
"Lest we forget, Necromicon is captain of a cruiser," Captain Beryllium pointed out. "Not quite as maneuverable as a warship, but with significantly more firepower."
"And Drachna'll be coming for Necromicon," Mick asserted. "He won't be looking for us. He'll be looking to board Necromicon, not destroy him. His restraint will work in our favor. If everyone is in favor, I propose that I be the one to attempt the assault on his underbelly."
"I've got no objections whatsoever," Neptune chortled. "If Drachna even suspects you make that move, he'll fire his torpedoes and send you to hell."
"Now where does the Revolutionary Guard fit into this?" Molybden wondered.
"They're coming in from the southern territory," Mick replied. "Drachna will be arriving from the west. When they identify the Invictus, they will immediately demand its surrender. It'll create even more of a diversion. Most likely they might even ignore us in an effort to annihilate each other."
"And if they join forces against us, we are finished," Beryllium said curtly.
"They would force Drachna to surrender the Invictus and the girl," Mick reasoned. "They'd have to sink the Invictus. Drachna would never allow it."
"I'm in," Molybden decided. "Over and out."
"Beryllium out."
"It's your ass now, Rhymes," the metallic voice chuckled. "Neptune out."
~+~
Styrena Stone vaguely remembered anything after the concussion grenade ripped open the door separating the bridge from the outer corridor of the upper level of the Deltan cruiser. It was as in a dream, feeling herself being swept off the floor in the arms of Grav Drachna. He had removed his helmet to allow her to recognize him, as well as to share her vulnerability if they were attacked. This seemed an impossibility as the Scorpions had swarmed the s
hip, overrunning the Deltans' defenses in short order.
She woke in a small cabin. It took her little time to regain her bearings. She was clad in a body-fitted starsuit and boots, which made it easy for her to prepare to emerge into the hall outside. A guard was present, and she was immediately escorted to the bridge where Commander Aries sat at the command console.
"Where–-where's Grav?" she asked, fearing the worst.
"He's secluded himself in his quarters," Aries replied. "There is a strong possibility we may be targeted for attack. Your mother put out quite a bounty for your return. An untold number of the renegades in this System would like to cash in on it."
"Where is the crew of the Deltan ship, the ones who abducted me?"
"They–-were confined in steerage, along with a large population from sick bay," Aries sounded almost defensive. "There was no other area large enough to sustain them."
"That makes sense," Styrena nodded. "Can I see them?"
"Why, no," Aries nearly chuckled, though somewhat flustered. "It's been upgraded to a high-security area. Opening a door to the chamber bears the risk of them shoving their way out by force of numbers. It's a potentially explosivc situation but I think they've all decided to avoid any aggressive actions."
"How could you put those people in with rehabilitating Starfleet troops?" Styrena demanded, "Your men would beat the rest senseless for exercise."
"Ma'am, even in a ship of this size, I'm sure you could hear a brawl ensuing somewhere between stem and stern. If such a confrontation took place, we would be aware of it at once."
"Suppose they came onto the outsiders unawares, bearing weapons? It would be too easy to subdue them quietly were they asleep. I insist that you allow me to verify their condition."
"The danger is too great. It pleads the Imperial Fleet's mandate requiring the incarceration of prisoners. Regardless of importance to the prisoner, the security force can and will do nothing to compromise the safety of the ship and its crew. We can't take a chance of them breaking out."
"Very well," Styrena's eyes blazed. "Keep in mind that they are the only ones who can tell us who my kidnapers are. We know they're linked to the Deltans, but we don't know if it was their government or a political group. If you harm those men, we may never know who planned this. And I can assure you that I will condemn you before an Interplanetary Council if you don't let me see those men."
"You're making a mistake, there are matters at hand that existed long before you ever met Captain Drachna. You're endangering the security of this command by this encroachment. If whatever you learn becomes a matter of interplanetary record, it is the Captain alone who will be held responsible."
"I had been offered freedom by my abductors if I would only make a recording asking for his help. I knew they would use it as a trap, and refused even when they threatened my life. I would hardly betray him now, or ever."
"Very well, you've been warned. Guards, escort Ms. Stone to steerage. You will remain by the door to assist at any sign of discomfort from her. You will send us a red signal the second you take any action. Go, and be vigilant."
They took the elevator to the steerage area, a cavernous hold along the underbelly of the ship. She noticed the air grew thin as they proceeded. It made sense that they would want to cause the prisoners to grow weak from lack of oxygen. Only it seemed ruthless that their own men were there as well. She felt herself growing lightheaded, as did her escort. They handed her a lightweight breath mask that she was able to hold against her nose and mouth for stability.
"We've already notified the occupants of your arrival," they explained. "They are well aware that, at the slightest indication of distress, we will enter the chamber with our weapons set for lethal force."
"You're–-not coming in with me?"
"We would rather not, madam."
The door slid shut behind her as she adjusted her vision to the dimly-lit chamber. She noticed there were slick spots everywhere across the floor. It did little to deter the occupants from sitting upon it as they consumed their evening meal. She stepped gingerly forth until she could clearly see one of the men leaning against a near wall. Her eyes grew wide as saucers as she watched him paring the meat from a half-eaten thigh section. She could see it was a human femur.
"Greetings, Miss Stone," a corporal sauntered up to her, a private following closely. "I see you've come to join us for dinner."
"What is going on here?" she managed. "What are they doing?"
"Enjoying a long-awaited feast," the man replied. He had the pale skin, sunken eyes and sweat-matted hair of an addict, as did all of the men in the room. Only he was revived by his fix, and was remarkably lucid and coherent. He was as a shell of a man possessed by a vital spirit, which made him all the creepier to Styrena.
"You–-you killed the Deltan crew," she gasped. "All of you, you did this."
"We were on stand-by to board their ship as soon as it was overtaken," the private revealed, his eyes shining. "Only the Captain decided against it at the last minute. He wanted to be absolutely certain that nothing happened to you. Everyone thinks he wanted to be the one to personally rescue you."
"He–-he knows about this. Grav Drachna knows about this," her mind reeled.
"He brought us along as his special guests. It was our job to punish the Revolutionary Guard for the atrocities they were committing against the Believers in the Betan Quadrant. Only it was clear that our main objective was to destroy the crew of the ship that had abducted Styrena Stone. We expected it to happen on their ship, not ours."
"Where is Commander Xamon?" she managed. "Where is Captain Misch?"
"They were assigned to the officers' cabin," the corporal replied. "They were guests of the captain and lieutenant of our platoon."
"I need to see them," she said, turning and slapping her palm insistently against the door.
"Good luck," the corporal smiled eerily.
Just as the door opened, Styrena caught sight of a man sitting in a near corner. He stared at her intently, munching on brain matter protruding from the severed head of a green-skinned Deltan trooper. She nearly cried out in anguish as she stumbled out of the chamber.
"I need to see Commander Xamon at once," Styrena gasped. "Take me to the officers' cabin."
"One moment, please," a guard touched his communicator.
"This is Commander Aries," came the reply.
"I wish to see Commander Xamon at once. And I want to speak to you."
"I'm on my way. Guards, permit our guest access to the officers' cabin. Your previous orders remain in place."
"Yes, ma'am."
She was marched down the long, shadowy corridor to the opposite end where an unmarked door awaited. One of the guards preceded them to a communication panel where he issued orders in a muted tone as Styrena and the second guard awaited. Moments passed before the door slid open, and both men watched her edgily as she cautiously passed them into the cabin.
The door slipped closed, and she found herself in a cozy room occupied by two men in white fatigues. They were pale-skinned with sunken eyes though seeming somewhat refreshed. Both were handsome, athletically-built men who she sensed had been in confinement for a length of time.
"I'm Styrena Stone," she said cautiously. "My mother is Marcella Stone, the President of the Allied Federation. I was rescued by the crew of this ship from foreign agents who kidnapped me at our nation's capitol. It is imperative that we find out whether this was an attack by another government, or if it was carried out by terrorists. I must insist that I be allowed to speak to Captain Misch and Commander Xamon."
"I'm afraid that it won't be possible, Ms. Stone," Damien replied coolly.
"Why–-why is that?"
"They're in the hygiene room," Michael spoke as he sat on a couch along the far wall, partially obscured by dimmed ceiling lights. "They're quite indisposed."
"Then I shall wait for them," she said resolutely.
"They won't be coming out," Damien said. "Not a
nytime soon."
"Let me speak to them through the door," her voice quavered.
"It is not possible, Ms. Stone," Damien was gentle yet firm.
"Their crew was murdered in steerage," Styrena mustered all her courage. "Is–-is that what happened here? Did you kill them? The same way–-the others?"
"I'm afraid so."
"Grav Drachna couldn't possibly have allowed this!" she exclaimed.
"This whole thing began as a government experiment," Michael allowed. "We were all court-martialed and convicted of different crimes, interred in a Federal prison. We were offered conditional releases if we volunteered for a medical program. All of us were incarcerated for different crimes ranging from piracy to war crimes including genocide and murder. No one could reject an alternative to spending decades in a prison in outer space."
"The experiment was all about genetic engineering," Damien went on. "Government scientists attempted to splice the DNA of the subjects with that of tigers. You know, predators from the jungle regions of planet Earth. Most jungle animals became extinct after the Great Migration, but many were preserved by the surviving governments and their various agencies. Those that exist today are products of genetic engineering."
"So you're saying the experiments were successful," her voice grew thick.
"Unfortunately so," Michael replied. "We were scheduled for special operations at an undisclosed time and date, which eventually became indefinite. Drachna arrived at our prison asteroid and offered us a pardon under condition that we volunteer for a special mission under his command."
"How was he able to do that?"
"He's a starship captain," Damien chortled. "Not to mention being Grav Drachna. He can do any damn thing he wants."
"He told us that we would be deployed against Revolutionary Guard units in an effort to determine where you were being held," Michael continued. "He was convinced they were the ones who kidnaped you. He felt that it was the only way to inspire terror among the terrorists. Only when he learned that you had been taken by Deltans, he ordered that we would be the ones to recover you. It was at the last minute that he decided to board the ship and personally retrieve you."
