by T. R. Harris
“Miss Cole, we have to stop meeting like,” I said, shaking her hand, this time sans glove.
“At last, something we can both agree upon.”
I caught Lefty’s eye; he was grinning from ear to ear, but still managed to send me a wink.
“The two of you have met?” Enic asked, studying the dynamic between Angela and me.
“This morning at my house,” I said. “Are you here with news for my good friend, President Jor?”
With a shrug, Angela turned her attention to the president. “Yessir, we have some information to relay. Do you wish me to continue, or would you rather hear it in private?”
The corners of the bug’s beak curled up. “It is quite all right to speak in front of Mister King. If it were not for his hospitality—and sacrifice—I would not be here to receive your briefing.”
With a sigh of resignation, Angela began. “Fragments found at the scene of both the drones and the missile components allowed us to identify the manufactures and the purchase records for the devices. An hour ago, a joint task force of Union, Annoc-Conn and Human personnel raided a warehouse complex in downtown Sylox City. After a brief firefight, we managed to capture two of the terrorists, along with a variety of computer pads and more. The data is being extracted as we speak, yet we’ve been able to identify the group responsible.” She looked at her datapad. “Does The Resurgence mean anything to you?”
Enic’s oblong head bobbled. “Yes it does. They are a fringe group out of the Suf-D Confederation that is against the Janis Swath joining the Union. They feel the Swath—the Quad as you call it—should be controlling the galaxy, and that joining the Union will diminish our prestige and heritage.”
“So if they’re against any of the groups pushing for Union membership, why are they only after you?” I asked.
“The Resurgence is a shield group, Mister King. As President Kinness stated yesterday, no worlds associated with such acts of terrorism will be allowed into the Union. By using a surrogate organization to perform such acts, no single world can be held responsible. Indeed, the Suf-D’s condemn the Resurgence as adamantly as do the Annoc-Conn, yet as you have pointed out, it is only Conn interests that are ever attacked.”
“Perhaps the prisoners will talk and reveal their true sponsors,” Lefty added.
Angela handed the datapad to Enic. “To go along with what you just said, we found a list during our preliminary search of the computer files. It’s both revealing and confusing at the same time. Perhaps you can shed some light on this matter?”
Lefty and I leaned over Enic’s shoulder so we could read the list. Angela’s lips grew tight and thin and her cheeks blushed. It was obvious she wanted the list to remain private.
“This mentions primary targets,” Enic said, “yet these are not names of individuals.”
“They’re planets,” Lefty said. “And why is Earth on the list? We have nothing to do with the merger.”
There were four planets listed: Annoc-Conn, Sylox, Amelia…and Earth. If this was the list of targets for a rebel faction bent on stopping the Quad from joining the Union, then the first three made sense. Annoc-Conn represented the opposition; Sylox was the current capital of the Union, and the Amelians are the founders of the empire. But Lefty was right; why include Earth on the list?
“And what is meant by primary targets?” Angela asked. “We have to assume they mean for terrorist activities,” she said, answering her own question.
As she spoke, Lefty and I shared a knowing look. We knew about the Lights and their potential destructive power, and if I was able to read Enic’s body language, I was sure he would have agreed with us: The Resurgence intended to destroy these worlds, if and when they acquired the Lights. If successful, then only the Suf-D’s would be left as a galactic superpower. At that point I was wishing Angela wasn’t there. I know how strange that sounds, but I really wanted to speak with Enic in private.
There were unsubstantiated claims of certain species within the galaxy having clairvoyant powers, and if I didn’t know better I would have sworn the Annoc-Conn were one of them. No sooner had I formed the thought in my mind, then Enic politely thanked the investigator and asked if she would leave to assume her duties, as he was want to do, as well.
Angela eyed both me and Lefty with suspicion, but then begrudgingly left the room.
“This doesn’t make any sense,” Lefty said as soon as the door closed. “If the Resurgence wants the Lights, then why are they trying so hard to kill you? Didn’t you say you are the only person who knows where they are?”
“That is correct, Mister Rodriquez.”
Something wasn’t right. “There must be some contingency plan,” I said. “The location has to be known to others or stored somewhere in case something happens to you.”
“I will pass along the location to my successor…when the time comes.”
“What if you can’t pass along the information? What if you get killed beforehand? What happens then?”
Enic’s eye stalks looked from me to Lefty and then back again. He was debating what to tell us next.
“You need not worry, Jason,” the purple alien said. “The Keepers have been passing along the secret for a thousand years without interruption.”
“Then someone else must know location, or know where this information is held. That means someone else can get to it, too. No secret can be kept forever. If the location doesn’t die with you, and if this Resurgence group gets their hands on the Lights, then Earth is in danger, just like your world. You need to give me some assurance that Earth will be safe.”
“I will tell you more, if only for assurance.” The alien took a deep breath before continuing. “If in the case of my death, I have placed within my body a special container detailing the means of acquiring the Lights. This data is coded and only decipherable by the Keepers. Should I die, others of my following will collect this container and appoint a new Keeper. He will be given this information.”
“And if the Resurgence gets hold of the container, can you guarantee they won’t be able to access the data?”
“The device was designed so it cannot. I must believe that to be true.” The corners of his beak curled up. “I also have to trust in my Human protectors to make sure I survive long enough to return to Annoc-Conn.”
I shook my head. I was mad. How had Humans become embroiled in this thousand-year conflict on the other side of the galaxy from Earth? I may not be living there at the moment, but I was still partial to my homeworld. I turned to Lefty.
“You’re going to need more men.”
“I have another dozen coming in from the home office.” He pulled his flash weapon from its holster and handed it to me. “And I have you. Seeing that this just became personal for the two of us, I could sure use another hand, lieutenant.”
I took the weapon without hesitation.
Lefty turned to Enic. “You’re scheduled to make a presentation to the conference in an hour. Can that be postponed until I can get my men here and on station?”
“That will not be possible. The public portions of these events are highly choreographed and ridged in timing and structure. After my speech, there will be private meetings. The locations for these can be shifted to create uncertainty as to my location, yet my introductory presentation must go according to schedule.”
“Then make it brief,” I suggested. “Get on and off the stage as soon as possible.”
“Forgive me, Jason, but my presence here is important. I must be allowed to present the best case for the Coalition to represent the Quad. To abbreviate my points would do the process a disservice. No…I will appear as planned and give my prepared remarks in full.”
“How many Annoc-Conn security does he have?” I asked Lefty.
“Thirty. I’ll get them to form a screen around the president, and then—if you’re up for it—you, me and my three remaining men will be on stage with him. With the recent attempts on his life, I’m sure everyone will understand abo
ut all the extra security.”
We looked to Enic for approval. “Very well,” said the alien. “I hesitate appearing behind a shield of bodies, only to protect my own, yet I must be allowed to represent the interests of the Coalition.”
Lefty nodded. “Very good. I’ll go make the arrangements. Looie, stay here with Enic. And be careful.”
“Yessir,” I saluted the former enlisted man. I hadn’t heard the slang term for lieutenant for quite a while. It sounded good.
The salute caught Lefty off guard, but only for a moment. He flipped me off as he went out the door.
Chapter 10
It was awkward standing on the stage as Enic made his speech. I felt everyone was looking at me and wondering what the hell was a Human doing up there? Although the vast majority of those in attendance were from off-planet, and therefore didn’t know who I was, a few did know me. And now here was this real estate broker standing sentry behind the president of Annoc-Conn and the leader of the Janis Coalition, as well as the odds-on favorite to win the governorship of the Quad.
However, as the alien droned on, I began to feel more comfortable. I was on the stage with a VIP of the galaxy, and the more I thought about it, I realized this could be beneficial to my reputation. As they say, any publicity is good publicity, and this was good publicity. The two attempts on Enic’s life were well-known, and now here I was risking my life to protect a sympathetic figure. I would have to get a video of the presentation to pull out some stills for my brag-book, as well as advertising for my company.
I only half-listened to the speech, but what I heard was pretty impressive. At the conclusion, Lefty took charge. He shuffled Enic off the stage and down a side corridor. There were a dozen Annoc-Conn in the hallway, making the scene look like something out of a Disney cartoon, with purple bugs all scurrying about.
However, the Disney illusion didn’t last long, and soon devolved into a Quentin Tarantino blood-fest.
Our entourage stopped as another group of aliens appeared farther along the corridor. There was an awkward moment as the Annoc Conn guards confronted others of their own race, along with several taller, brown-skinned aliens sweating and appearing distressed. Then the firing started. All parties involved were pretty good shots, and even though a lot of the opposing force was cut down in the first few seconds of the battle, most of their shots were aimed at Enic Jor. Unfortunately, I was standing right next to him.
I had my own flash weapon up and spitting balls of hot plasma. Out of desperation, Lefty and I pushed Enic into a side room. It was a small conference room with a single long table and the ubiquitous alien chairs that were adjustable in just about every orientation to accommodate the infinite variety of life in the galaxy. Two of Enic’s native guards came with us, but were hit by incoming bolts and ended up blocking the door from closing with their fallen bodies. My old army buddy and I unceremoniously kicked them out of the way and shut the door.
“It’s hard to tell the players without a program,” I cried out. “Those are Annoc-Conn out there, Enic; your own people.”
“That is true. Either they are mercenaries or others opposed to my relinquishing the Lights to the Union.”
“That’s just great,” Lefty said. “How are we to tell who to shoot? Nothing personal, Mister President, but all you Conn look alike.”
“I would suggest shooting at any beings who are shooting at you,” Enic responded.
Lefty and I looked at each other. “Can’t fault his logic,” I said.
Lefty had a throat mic linked with the remaining three Humans in his security detail. At least we knew where their loyalties lie. “This is Lead,” he said into the mic. “What your location and status?”
I didn’t have a link to his men, so I watched Lefty’s face as he received the report. He grimaced.
“Dammit, I just lost Reynolds,” he told me. “Okay, Bennett, you and Klein get the car and bring it to the southwest exit. Secure the area. We’re on our way.” Lefty turned to me and Enic. “Sorry, Mister President, but I can’t take any chances. We’re going to shoot anyone—or anything—we see. How’s the charge on your weapon, lieutenant?”
“At forty-four percent.”
He handed me another power pack. “This is all I can spare, should give you a combined twenty shots or so. Now I wish I’d brought some M101’s with me.”
“I hear ya. These energy weapons are basically pieces of shit.”
We flanked the president and took him by the arms, with me on the right and Lefty, well, on the left.
Most of the fighting had moved down the corridor, so we left the conference room without drawing too much attention. Lefty guided us down the hallway until we came to a larger chamber with a series of other corridors radiating out from the central room. This place was a mess, with three clusters of aliens all firing at each other without any apparent rhyme or reason. It was also impossible to tell who was who. We hugged a side wall as Lefty assessed the battlefield.
“We have to get across to the corridor on the right. It’s about twenty meters. Get ready…go!”
To my surprise, Enic was amazingly fast on his six short legs and managed to sprint away from Lefty and me. This wasn’t good, because a number of the enemy spotted him and directed their fire in his direction. The temperature in the room soared as a dozen flash bolts ionized the air near me. The plasma balls splashed against the floor and walls coming precariously close to the three of us.
Then Enic fell. A bolt had scrapped across the back of his large lower torso. Lefty and I lifted him and scrambled into our target corridor, falling against a wall for cover.
“How badly are you hurt?” Lefty asked Enic.
His beak was contorted. “I am still functional, yet I am without feeling in two of my legs. I will not be as fast as before.”
“That’s okay, we don’t have much farther to go. Jason, watch our six, I’ll take lead. As before, shoot anything that moves.”
We headed out, but about thirty meters down the hallway, things went from bad to worse.
A flood of aliens poured in from a side corridor. Many were Zorphin Enforcers from the Union. They were distinctive with their reverse leg joints and kangaroo-like features. I advised Lefty not to shoot them. I was already in enough trouble with the locals. Killing them wouldn’t help my cause.
The maze of creatures caused Enic and I to get separated from Lefty. He ended up on the other side of a line of Zorphins and a gaggle of Annoc-Conn. He looked desperately in my direction and motioned with his hand for me to continue down the corridor then turn right at the end. I gave him a thumbs up.
The hallway cleared a little farther along, that was until it was lit up by a near point-blank plasma flash coming from behind me. I heard Enic scream and turned to see the alien slouch to the floor with a pool of blood under him. I didn’t have time to react before a purple bug jumped on my back.
As I said before, the Conn are about five feet tall with bodies separated into three segments. I dropped my shoulder and the bug rolled off me, but then he charged again, his six short legs moving in a blur. We came together, and the strength of the alien legs pinned me against a wall. He then reached out with his thin, spindly arms and wrapped them around my waist. The elongated head angled up at me and he began to poke me with his beak like a woodpecker. As I’d noticed before, the beak was more pliable than one would expect, so the strikes on my chest, neck and chin did little damage. It was annoying, however, being this close to such a smelly alien. His eye stalks were focused on me, yellow eyes intense.
The only thing the purple bug had going for him was the power in his six legs and they continued to hold me against the wall. With six of the little buggers, the alien had a couple of spares, which he used to kick at my gun hand as I tried to bring the weapon to bear. Then I noticed that the skin of the Conn was slick with a thin coating of mucus. I realized this just about the time I lost the grip on my flash weapon. The mucus was beneficial in one respect. It allowed me to slip b
oth my arms free from the alien, after which I took his oblong head in my hands and twisted.
In the heat of battle, I had no idea how much force to apply. I obviously overdid it.
The football-shaped top segment of the alien spun easily, so easily in fact that it turned completely around before coming off in my hands. The rest of the purple body went limp and collapsed to the floor, leaving me holding the severed head with its pair of lifeless eye stalks draped to each side.
I heard a commotion down the hallway; three more angry-looking Conn were racing toward me. A flash bolt splashed against the wall next to my ear.
With no time to search for my fallen flash weapon, I took the head of the alien and gripped it like I would a football. Then I threw it at my approaching attackers. I have to say, if it hadn’t been for the disruptive nature of the dangling eye stalks, the toss would have been a perfect spiral. As it was, the lifeless alien head wobbled through the air, still managing to hit one of the Conn in the chest. He was knocked to the floor, and when examining what had hit him, he scrambled to his feet and ran off in the opposite direction, screaming like a baby.
The other two Conn weren’t so impressed. They were upon me a moment later.
This time I was prepared. I lashed out with a foot, planting it firmly into the larger, round lower torso of one of my attackers. The soft flesh gave way and my foot became impaled inside the body of the alien. Both eye stalks went straight and rigid, before drooping to each side. The alien collapsed to the floor, dead.
The second Conn ran into me causing the two of us to spin around in a pirouette. I recovered before my assailant and took aim with my fist, planting a vicious blow against the side of the alien’s oblong head. As with the other Conn, the head twisted, but this one didn’t come off. It did, however, break whatever served as the creature’s neck. He joined his buddy on the floor of the corridor.
I rushed to Enic’s side. The pool of red blood had grown. I checked his body and couldn’t find the source of the injury.
