by Ryk Brown
Jessica headed for the tree line, firing wildly behind her as she ran for cover. Energy weapon shots from the soldiers in the shuttle struck the ground all around her as she dodged from side to side, zigzagging her way to the edge of the small grove of trees. Chunks of earth exploded all around her, sending mounds of dirt and rock into the air. They showered her as they fell back down. She felt a sudden burning sensation on her right shoulder, followed immediately by intense pain. Before she could react, she found herself tumbling to her right, falling between two trees and landing on her injured right side. Pain shot through her shoulder and her torso, pain even more intense than before. She cried out in an unintelligible fashion as she rolled over and slammed her back up against one of the trees. She reached over with her left hand to grab her weapon from her right hand, then quickly raised it and fired again at the still hovering shuttle. Her shots of energy struck the shuttle again, this time blowing apart the right side of the forward windshield. The shuttle heaved to its left and disappeared behind the hill from which it had risen. Jessica waited for several seconds, hoping to hear an explosion, or at least the sound of a crash, but there was none.
Jessica dropped her weapon on the ground next to her and reached over to her wounded right shoulder. She gingerly felt her wound. “Fuck!” she screamed as pain again shot through her shoulder. The wound felt like melted wax. It wasn’t a direct heat; rather, it had barely even touched her. However, the heat of the passing energy bolt had melted her jacket and severely burnt the underlying skin, fusing them together in an unnatural fashion.
She squinted her eyes closed as she tried to convince herself that it was nothing. As the pain washed over her, she quickly assessed her situation. She had severely damaged that shuttle—not enough to destroy it, but enough to send it back to base. It had probably been flying overhead cover and searching the area for someone just like her. Any moment, another combat shuttle—either one that was also flying cover or one that was still sitting at the landing site below—would come looking for her. She had to keep moving. Finally, she forced herself to rise, grimacing in pain as she stumbled off into the night.
* * *
General Bacca walked briskly down the corridor, two of his aides scurrying to keep pace with his long strides. The general stood a good ten centimeters above most of the Jung stationed on Earth thanks to his unusually long legs, a product of genetic engineering introduced into his people more than a millennium ago to improve survivability on their world. Although it gave him a gangly appearance, the additional height only served to reinforce his authoritative presence.
Except for the Jung-appointed governor of Earth, Eli Scott. He, too, was on the tall side, standing eye to eye with the general. In addition, the governor’s upbringing had given him an obvious sense of importance, however misplaced it might be… at least in the general’s mind.
“Perhaps they did not intend for such devices to leave the ship,” his aide suggested as they continued down the main corridor of the capitol building.
“All of our data storage devices are encrypted,” the general said. “Even our personal devices are bio-locked. You do not find it odd that a device containing details of the ship’s condition was not protected?”
“It was protected by a pass code. We simply broke the code.”
“So easily?”
“Our technology is far superior to that of the Earth,” the aide said, his tone dripping with arrogance.
“And yet they somehow manage to jump about the system,” the general said, waving his hand about to the side of his head, “destroying our superior technology at will.” The general shot a contemptuous sidelong glance at his aide as they walked. “This could all be another trap, undoubtedly concocted by that withering, old admiral who refuses to break.”
“We have reviewed the data from the last two engagements with the Aurora. There were several hits on the Aurora that could substantiate the intelligence found on the device.”
“Could,” the general said, raising one finger as they turned the corner, “not do.”
“General,” the other aide began, “this may be our best opportunity… our only opportunity.”
The general stopped short of the massive doors that led into the anteroom outside the governor’s office. He looked at his aide. “It could also be the next step in our complete undoing.”
“Success favors the bold,” the second aide responded.
The general straightened his uniform. “I’ve never much cared for that expression,” he said as he opened the door and stepped inside, his aides still in tow.
General Bacca strode confidently across the outer office, ignoring the guards and the young woman at the desk as he pulled open the door that led to Governor Scott’s office. As usual, the governor was sitting at his desk, trying to look important, as if the affairs of the world over which he governed actually depended on his efforts. The general found Governor Scott’s efforts laughable at best, always having believed that worlds, much like ecosystems, ran themselves. Governments simply maintained order and provided some degree of protection against outside influences.
“I do hope you are here with some good news for once,” Eli said as he looked up at the approaching General Bacca.
“Interesting would be a more accurate description.”
Eli set his papers down on the desk in front of him, giving his full attention to General Bacca. “Now you have me intrigued.” He leaned back in his chair. “Has this something to do with your flattened spy?”
“It seems the device found on his body revealed some interesting opportunities.”
“Do tell,” Eli urged.
“The device was a data pad used by the ship’s personnel. This particular device was used by one of the senior engineering technicians on board the Aurora.”
“And how did your operative come to have possession of it?”
“We suspect the owner was injured and was in the medical department at the same time as our operative. He may have stolen it then.”
“And what did this data pad reveal?”
“That the Aurora’s jump drive is damaged… specifically, its ability to recharge. If this is true, she may only have a few short-range jumps left in her.”
“How short?”
“In total, maybe a few light minutes at the most.”
“Then I assume you plan to press your advantage,” Eli said, “before they are able to make repairs.”
“I have considered that option. However, I have my doubts as to the validity of the intelligence.”
“The basis of those doubts being?”
“Intelligence easily obtained should always be suspect,” the general stated.
“A hunch,” Eli responded.
“A lack of trust, both in the operative as well as the manner in which the intelligence was delivered. In addition, another individual was detected in the area of the body, nearly two kilometers away, possibly there to monitor the activity around the impact site.”
“Did you apprehend this person?” Eli wondered.
“The subject has thus far eluded us. But our efforts continue.”
“How is it that a single person managed to escape your forces, General?” Eli prodded.
“The subject inflicted damage to the combat shuttle that was about to drop troops onto the target’s position.”
“How is that possible?” Eli wondered. “I thought our projectile weapons were no match for your combat shuttles.”
“This individual used an energy weapon.”
“I thought you could track your weapons.”
“The weapon used was not of Jung design.”
“Interesting. Obviously more than a curious local.”
“Indeed.”
“Were you able to identify this person?” Eli asked.
“Doubtful,” the general said. “The damage was not significant, but it was enough to force the shuttle to withdraw. Its imaging systems were damaged in the engagement, however, it was able to return safely to base. We should have images of the subject within the hour.”
“General, this mystery man aside, we must commit all forces to the destruction of the Aurora. If she manages to escape…”
“I am well aware of the threat that the Aurora represents to the empire, Governor,” the general said, interrupting Eli. “I am also aware of the psychological and strategic importance the Earth represents. The entire core is centered on this system, while the Jung homeworld lies on its edge. If we are to rule the galaxy, we must first rule the core, completely and with uniformity. This can only be accomplished from a central location… this location. My orders are to hold this world until reinforcements arrive to secure it once and for all.” The general paused and looked at Eli with an accusatory look. “Do not think for a moment, Governor, that I have not taken notice that you have, at every opportunity, attempted to convince me to divert my forces from their primary mission in order to pursue the destruction of the Aurora and her sister ship. For what reason, I have yet to determine.”
“That sounds like a threat, General,” Eli replied calmly.
The general looked at him. He found the governor difficult to read, and he had to remind himself that, although Eli Scott had never been elected to public office on his world, he had spent his entire life among politicians. “No threat intended, Governor. It was merely an observation I thought I should share with you.”
“Thank you, General, but I assure you my concerns lie first with the safety of the empire as a whole and with the world of my birth, second. Surely you must agree that the Aurora is a threat to the empire.”
“Of course.”
“Then you do intend to send ships after her?”
“I will send some, but not all, of our forces. I will hold one cruiser and our main battleship in reserve. The cruiser was damaged in the last engagement with the Aurora and would be of little use. Of course, our battleship is far more powerful than both the Aurora and her sister ship combined. Therefore, she shall remain in orbit in order to hold the planet. However, I must warn you, Governor; if my ships are unsuccessful and the Aurora should escape destruction yet again, more drastic measures may become necessary… measures that you may not care for.”
“Now that does sound like a threat, General,” Eli said, trying his best to appear unconcerned.
“It is merely a warning, Governor, of things that may yet come to be.”
* * *
Josh scanned his console as the Falcon rode the elevator platform up the Aurora’s starboard main transfer tube. He glanced out his port side as the door to the missile deck descended from above, then passed below them. He looked up and saw the inner airlock doors part and slide into the sides of the tube. As soon as they passed them, the doors would quickly close, and the air would be rapidly sucked out of the airlock before the outer doors opened to space above them.
“How are we looking, Loki?” he asked.
“All systems are online and ready for launch,” Loki reported from behind Josh. “Jump drive is at full power, and our first jump is already programmed.”
Josh squinted as the outer doors descending toward them from above also parted, allowing the light of Jupiter to flood the cockpit with an eerie, orange glow. “Man, I hate launching on the lit side of that thing,” he declared as he dropped his visor to combat the glaring light.
“Just don’t look at it,” Loki suggested. “Launch position in five seconds.”
“How can I not look at it?” Josh said. “I mean, it’s right there.”
“Falcon, flight,” the flight controller’s voice called over the comms. “Pad is locked. You’re clear for liftoff.”
“Flight, Falcon. Lifting off,” Loki answered. “You heard the lady,” he said to Josh.
Josh fired a small blast from the lift thrusters to push the Falcon off the elevator pad, its weak gravity offering almost no resistance to their ascent. “Thrusting forward,” Josh announced as he added forward thrust. “Bringing in the mains.” Josh brought the Falcon’s main throttles slowly forward, and the interceptor began to accelerate. The Aurora’s forward section passed under them quickly, and in seconds, the Aurora was behind them.
“Pitching up five degrees,” Josh announced as he pulled his control stick back slightly.
“Come to one nine seven and accelerate out,” Loki instructed.
“Coming to one nine seven and accelerating.”
“Ten seconds to first jump point,” Loki announced.
“I hope she has her ears on this time,” Josh said.
“Me, too,” Loki agreed as the Falcon was enveloped by a wash of blue-white light emanating from the Falcon’s jump field emitters.
* * *
Jessica sat in the bushes off the side of the road, watching the headlights in the distance as they grew closer. She had been running for more than an hour. She was dirty and sweaty. Her clothing was torn, and her shoulder was bleeding and hurt like hell. She had managed to evade the Jung shuttles that had been searching for her, but she needed a way to clear the area quickly. She needed a ride.
She crouched low as the vehicle coasted up to a stop at the intersection. Quickly and quietly, she came out from behind the bushes and moved to the side of the vehicle. She popped up, her gun raised. “Open the fucking door, now!” she ordered.
The woman in the passenger seat screamed, as did the young boy in the back seat.
“What the…” the man in the driver’s seat exclaimed.
Jessica pulled the side door open and pulled the woman out of the car. “Everyone out! I need this vehicle!”
“Don’t shoot us!” the man cried out.
“Then get the hell out of the vehicle!”
“I can’t,” the man insisted. “I mean, I can. I can get out of the vehicle, but that won’t do you any good. The vehicle is keyed to both my body and my wife’s body. It won’t run without one of us in the car.”
“What?” Jessica wondered in frustration.
“Mama!” the little boy cried out.
“What do you want with us?” the woman cried.
“Fuck,” Jessica exclaimed. “Why couldn’t you be driving an old piece of crap like everyone else?” She looked at the woman. “Get in the back, lady.”
“What do you want…”
“I said get in the back seat!” Jessica exclaimed. “And quiet your kid down while you’re back there, will you?” Jessica pushed the woman into the back seat and slammed the door, keeping her gun pointed at the driver the entire time. She sat in the front passenger seat and closed the door. “Drive,” she ordered.
“Where?” the man asked.
“Anywhere,” Jessica told him, pointing her gun at him again. “Anywhere but here, that is.”
“All right!” the man said, Jessica’s gun making him nervous. He pressed the accelerator and the car rolled quietly away from the intersection, continuing on down the dark road.
“Is this one of those electric jobs?” Jessica wondered.
“Yes,” the man answered nervously.
“Who are you?” the woman asked from the back seat.
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” Jessica answered. “Where were you headed?” she asked the driver.
“Home.”
“Where’s home?”
“Don’t tell her,” the woman said.
“She’s got a gun, honey,” the man contested.
“He’s right,” Jessica agreed. “I’ve got a gun, remember?”
“What kind of gun is that?” the woman challenged. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
> “What, you’re a gun expert now?”
“I think it’s a Jung weapon, honey,” the driver said.
“Are you a Jung?” the little boy asked, having finally stopped crying.
“No, I’m not a Jung,” Jessica said. “In fact, I’m trying to get away from the Jung.”
“Are you a member of the resistance?” the driver asked.
“You know something about the resistance?” Jessica asked, suspicious of the man’s inquiry.
“Not really, just what you hear around.”
“What do you hear around?”
“They say a lot of the Intrepid’s crew came down around these parts,” the man explained, “that they formed a resistance cell or something.”
“So are they blowing stuff up or something?” Jessica asked in jest.
“Not that I know of,” the man said. “I did hear that they ambushed a group of Jung soldiers on patrol outside of Sydney though.”
“That was just a rumor,” the woman said.
“So, are you?” the man asked.
“Not exactly,” Jessica said. She touched her shoulder again, checking to see if it was still bleeding. She winced in pain.
“Are you injured?” the woman asked with more hope than sympathy.
“Don’t get any ideas,” Jessica warned her. “Even without this gun, I can still kick all your asses.” She looked at the kid in the back seat. “Except maybe for the little dude.”
“What are you going to do with us?” the man asked.
“Nothing as long as you don’t give me any problems. I just need to get some distance between me and those Jung search parties back there. As soon as I do, I’ll leave you alone, and you’ll never see me again.” She looked at the driver. “Unless, of course, you tell the Jung about me, in which case, I’ll hunt you down and kill you.”
The group in the car became silent as they continued down the dark country road. Jessica looked out at the city lights ahead in the distance. “Is that Sydney?” she asked.
