Rise of the Defiant: Book Two of the Warpmancer Series

by Nicholas Woode-Smith

  Quentin said goodbye and then called Krena back in.

  ‘What does he want you to do?’

  The tears were dry but her eyes were still red.

  ‘Climb across a few sky scrapers, apparently.’

  Krena nodded, as if it wasn’t a ludicrous thing to do.

  ‘Danny.’

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘Stay safe.’

  ‘I will.’

  The screen went black.

  

  Danny regretted never asking James for climbing advice as he clung from a rope off the edge of a smooth, windowless tower. If it was not for the scaling equipment, Danny was sure that he would be food for the crystal harvesters below. What made the traversal truly difficult were the number of patrol gunships surrounding Nexus. He was camouflaged but would much rather be safe than riddled with holes like the cheese he so despised. Thus, he scuttled like a bogup beetle – stealthy and slow. The magnetics on his gloves were decent but were somewhat inadequate when out of battery power. Unfortunately, they were somewhat inadequate now. Only Danny’s rope guaranteed him his life as held for dear life onto a small crack, unable to move. He wasn’t going to fall, but his filters were limited. He could only wait for the filters to run out, allowing the toxic gas to claim him.

  ‘Damn that Quentin!’ Danny swore once again.

  It seems something heard him as he felt a rumble. The patch of Geradite he was on began to move. He clung for his life as the patch revealed itself to be a gate that was sliding upwards. He clung on as the secret doorway revealed an opening. He waited.

  A figure poked its head out and looked left and right. It wore a civilian gas mask, probably bought at a corner shop and a full-body suit made of pseudo-leather. The suit was black with blue armbands on either arm.

  When the figure determined that everything was all clear, he retrieved a firearm from his companion and then aimed it at an adjacent building. He fired. A rope trailed across the gap between the two buildings. The figure then attached another device and used it to slide across the rope to the other side, where another opening had been made. Two more figures followed.

  The other opening began to close as the last figure was received. Danny didn’t want to miss this chance. He slid down and into the opening.

  A Zerian Mk-54 was there to greet him. A Trooper wearing a blue armband over his red/black one bore the budget weapon while his compatriot, a Ganru soldier, bound Danny’s hands.

  ‘He’s no Yellow,’ the Trooper said as they escorted him through winding Geradite hallways.

  ‘Seen him before. He was trying to solicit info in the clubs a few months back,’ the Ganru said.

  ‘Who should we take him to? Yobu, Ryan, Marshal? The Defiant?’

  ‘Marvellous!’ Danny said aloud, without any sarcasm. ‘I needed a guide.’

  They stopped and the Trooper shoved Danny to the wall.

  ‘What do you want with the Defiant?’

  As the Trooper looked closely at Danny’s face, however, his eyes widened through his goggles.

  ‘Holy Mozar milk! You’re Don Marzio!’

  ‘Who?’ the Ganru asked, incredulous.

  ‘Crime boss back on Zona Nox. This guy was big! Too big for even us to rein in. I suspect he had more funding and guns than we did.’

  ‘Don’t sell yourselves short,’ Danny grinned. ‘You had Reapers.’

  The Trooper laughed at that.

  ‘What use were they when you just scurried off into the warehouse district. About that… What was that shootout all about before the Xank arrived?’

  ‘Terra damn me if I know. Zenites are insane and Purgers were feeling left out.’

  The Trooper guffawed. He had even let go of Danny. The Ganru looked completely lost.

  The Trooper took off his mask to wipe a laughter-wrought tear away.

  ‘Anyway, Don. Enough reminiscing. What are you doing here? I doubt you’re a Dedelux spy. Too many rules.’

  ‘Aegis spy, actually. I’ve been tasked to contact the Defiant to broker an alliance.’

  ‘Aegis? Terra-damn Aegis? You working for them. First Zona Nox gets Blighted and now you’re informing for a tech and media corporation? Makes the Defiant’s powers much more believable, eh Togaya?’

  The Ganru shrugged.

  ‘Defiant’s powers?’

  ‘You haven’t heard? Course you haven’t. The Defiant destroyed two Berrin gunships with his mind. Some of the scientists say it’s some form of space magic thing but all I know is that we have a Terra-damn god on our side. Can’t believe I was chasing him on Galis all that time ago. No wonder we never caught him.’

  ‘You know his name?’

  ‘I know it now. But we just call him Defiant. Seems odd not to.’

  ‘Well, what is it?’

  ‘He was actually one of yours back in the day. Name is James Roman. James Terrin on the Trooper registry.’

  Danny was truly shocked and for those who knew him, that was not something that happened often. Well, it seemed that Terra-damned James, the Shadow of Galis, was a god. Who would have guessed?

  

  The Defiant territory was much more alive than the central areas of Nexus. Shanties had been erected to segment the open hangar areas, but there was a general feeling of warmth and community. It felt like Galis. Not the gang warfare or the underworld, but the shanty communities that stood together. Danny saw many a familiar face, old gang members and clients. They recognised him. Some pointed and waved. Flags were strewn on many buildings – a black flag with blue lines crossing at the top. Besides the obvious newfound patriotism, it felt like home.

  The Trooper, Jasper, escorted him to a parked passenger ship. Standing guard was none other than Leroy.

  ‘Boss! I thought you were dead!’

  ‘Takes a lot more to take me down. You should know that.’

  ‘Sorry, boss.’

  ‘Don’t be, and don’t call me boss. You have a new boss.’

  ‘Yes, boss. Have you heard who it is?’

  ‘I heard.’

  ‘I trekked with him across Red Sand. We got captured by Xank and survived. Then, only a few days ago, he flung a gunship into another one next to it. No wonder he was the Shadow of Galis.’

  ‘We do have a lot of catching up to do.’

  Leroy let them through and Jasper doffed his helmet at him in thanks. Leroy shook his head.

  James was standing at a table with a bearded man, a scarred Trooper Lieutenant, an Exanoid and an old Ganru wearing a business suit and tie.

  ‘Between our raids, thefts and sabotages, we’ve effectively bled the Yellows dry. We may be reaching the point where we outgun them,’ the Trooper explained.

  ‘There’s still the problem with the Berrin,’ the Ganru countered.

  ‘Of course, but if we mount an offensive through the tunnels, then we can use the captured hangars to bleed them out until they crash,’ the Trooper responded.

  ‘That won’t work,’ the bearded man shook his head. ‘All routes to Nexus proper are sealed off. We’d have to use Cargo Delta if we are to mount a full offensive.’

  ‘Then what do you suggest, Marshal?’ the Exanoid asked.

  ‘If I may interject,’ James interrupted, ‘I don’t believe a full offensive to be prudent. We have been using stealth to great effect until now. Let us continue to do so to take Nexus.’

  ‘What of the Grays?’ the Exanoid replied.

  ‘They will have all the fight they can handle after the Imperials get here. We need to keep them fresh. Defiant will be sufficient for a coup.’

  ‘Defiant!’

  Danny cringed as Jasper called out, interrupting the war meeting.

  ‘Your ex-boss wants to talk to you.’

  All eyes turned to Danny.

  The scarred Trooper stared wide eyed. ‘Don Marzio?’

  James also looked shocked. ‘Don? You’re alive.’

  ‘Seems that way.’

  ‘What you been up to? How are you?’<
br />
  ‘Went for a little drive south after the butchery was bombed. Got to Titan, overthrew the Zerian CEO, joined Aegis... Not much, yourself?’

  ‘You’re working for Aegis?’ the Exanoid asked. Danny saw now that he wore a Grag-Tec uniform.

  ‘Pretty much. I don’t know about the pay because I’ve not received any yet, but the benefits include getting trapped on ice planets and police states, so it’s not all bad.’

  ‘You seem a lot more chipper than usual, Don,’ James observed, ‘if a bit sarcastic.’

  ‘Not being the boss has worked wonders for my demeanour. How’s it been treating you?’

  A glower took over James’ face. ‘Necessity prohibits my ability to feel anything contrary to contentment.’

  ‘Understood. Now, I don’t want to keep you longer than necessary, but I may have some information that will help you and your little gang here.’

  ‘Gang!’

  A balding, goateed man in a black and blue robe burst in.

  ‘Not now, Gretswald,’ James waved him away.

  Gretswald disappeared back around the corner.

  ‘It basically is a gang, Don, but don’t let some of them catch you saying it.’

  Danny ignored the interruption and continued.

  ‘My new employer, Aegis, has a mutual enemy in the Imperials. They want to know if the Defiant want to enter into an alliance.’

  ‘Terms?’

  ‘He didn’t specify anything concrete. Just wants to know what you feel about a humanity re-united and Aegis.’

  ‘Aegis makes bloody good firearms. Don’t much care for a re-united humanity. What I care about now is safety for my people and an end to the Imperial threat.’

  ‘Quentin…the Aegis CEO, I mean, is no friend of the Council. He also wants to end its threat. Aegis has vast resources. They can help you. They can help us find a new home for our people.’

  James brought his fingers to his chin, thoughtfully.

  ‘James,’ the Grag-Tec Exanoid piped in, ‘Aegis does have the ability to help us. They have star bombers docked in the Athena. But I don’t trust this Quentin. He’s too…racialist.’

  James waved away the comment.

  ‘Our deadline doesn’t give us the luxury of choosing people by ideology. We need results. Don, how soon until you can get in contact with your CEO and see if he would be willing to bomb some pirates for us?’

  ‘Depends. Do you have any antennae, radio experts?’

  The scarred Trooper Lieutenant nodded.

  ‘Yes. I can direct you.’

  The Trooper stood.

  ‘Speak carefully to your CEO, Don,’ James added. ‘I don’t know where your loyalties lie, but I hope they’re still with you and your own. We need his support, but not at the cost of our freedom or our people.’

  ‘Of course, boss,’ Danny saluted, just before being whisked away by the Trooper.

  

  ‘What’s your game, punk?’ the Trooper rammed Danny up against an isolated geradite wall on the way to the alleged radio area.

  Danny sighed. ‘I spent Terra-knows how long being tortured in Dedelux’s private prison. This isn’t really impressive.’

  ‘Don’t smart-mouth me. James trusts you, but doesn’t mean I have to. It’s been an age since he served in your crew. He’s moved on.’

  ‘I know that. So have I. Did you miss my salute?’

  The Trooper hit him against the wall. Danny wasn’t that phased.

  ‘What are you really here for?’

  ‘Is being a messenger really such a hard thing to believe?’

  The Trooper glared.

  ‘What is this really about?’ Danny asked, raising his eyebrow.

  ‘It’s about your true intentions. What’re the odds? James’ long lost boss, a man he respected, pops up as Dedelux is losing ground. A man who has very few scruples. A scumbag mobster who turned a young boy into a murderer.’

  Danny laughed, much to the Trooper’s anger. ‘Seems you ain’t from Zona Nox. Martian? Young boys had to kill in Galis. It’s how you survived. I killed when I was ten. Shot a robber between the eyes.’

  ‘People like you make it that way.’

  ‘Nature made it this way. Our place in the system made it this way. Forgive my curtness, Mr Trooper, but we don’t have the luxury that you Trooper academy whelps had on the red homeworld. We survive by blood, and grit. Seriously, don’t talk skite to me. I didn’t make James do a thing. He did what he had to do.’

  The Trooper let go of him.

  ‘Radio is up the stairs. Tell the Trooper there that Nathan and James want you to contact the Athena.’

  Danny dusted himself off as the Trooper, Nathan he presumed, disappeared around the corner.

  “Our war is a prerequisite for peace. Only the sword can bring true peace to the galaxy. Peace by the Sword - that is what we believe.” – Peratyn Myax, Imperial Councillor

  Chapter 24. Kazh-aira

  Three…two…one.

  Immense heat. Searing blue ripped through stone, flesh and metal. Debris flew, crushing those too near to the blast. The plasma charges had worked. Kazh-aira’s gargantuan stone and steel walls had been breached.

  ‘Charge!’ called countless voices, as seas of orange poured over the green hills to the north and the swamps to the south.

  More explosions racked the city walls, being followed by squads of speeding hover-needles. These vanguard squads were sent forth on their quick vessels to secure gaps in the walls. Armed with elongated kuru, the hover-needlers speared any Zangorian slave that tried to get in their way. Following them were hordes of Zangorian mixed troops. They were armed with blasters, spears, lances and swords. Platoons were coordinated by officers, who were given overarching orders by Leri, Peron and Tek’roa.

  Leri watched as the first wave of vanguard fell to a volley of projectiles from the defenders. The next wave was luckier, shredding the slaves and robots apart with kuru and short-ranged energy blasts. From his vantage point, he could see the vanguard followed by a phalanx of shield-bearers, backed up by a blaster unit. Leri could see the flashes of plasma and laser, but couldn’t see who were being shot at. The phalanx pushed forward and disappeared inside. A mass of bodies followed. They were in.

  ‘After we secure a district, I will be moving into the city to coordinate the effort. Keep two platoons available outside the city per an entrance,’ Leri announced, turning back to face his war council, as they oversaw a holographic map provided by Tek’roa. They inhabited a Lectorate war tent upon a green hill. A single side of the tent was open, allowing the inhabitants to survey the field of battle. They didn’t worry about ambushes, for even if there were any Xank scum to ambush them, the tent was equipped with all manner of shields and armoured plating.

  ‘It may be risky, Rii. The Xank are not honourable. They will have traps. You will be much safer if you are to remain here until the city is secured,’ Tek’roa argued.

  Leri shook his head. ‘No, Lector. In a war, yes, but this is more than a war. This is a revolution. My people believe in me and I must show that I believe in them to the point that I’d willingly die by their side.’

  ‘If you die…’

  ‘Then I die, but don’t underestimate me. I survived decades in the Body Budget. I can handle Xank treachery.’

  ‘Rii is right,’ Peron added. ‘This is much more than a conventional war. It’s a battle of the spirit. For better or worse, Rii is the face of this revolution. If he dies, it may fall under our substitution, but the potential loss of morale in this attack through his absence is not worth the risk. He will ride out after we take proper precautions.’

  ‘Some of mine will act as part of your guard,’ Tek’roa added, conceding.

  ‘In addition to some of the original Bexong rebels. Tenpa, Tepri and Xupa will do. They have grown to be exemplary fighters.’

  Xupa, who had been standing guard behind Leri, stood at attention.

  ‘Tek’roa, please tell Xupa which of yo
ur troops to assign to my guard. Xupa, please inform the others once Tek’roa is done.’

  As Tek’roa and Xupa went off to conduct their tasks, Leri could not help but notice that Peron was emanating an unusual aura.

  ‘Peron, is that a smile?’

  The insect features of the Gleran were unlike any Zangorian, but the twinkle in some of his six eyes betrayed his emotion.

  ‘This has been my life’s work, and to finally see it come fruition is…elating.’

  ‘Did it really mean that much to you?’

  ‘Very much, yes. Since I came to meet the Word Lector, we had discussed the idea of freeing the Zangorians. For one of my species, meant to be a slave, freedom has become very important to me. Freedom to live, to breathe, to breed…to think. My species cannot be coaxed into free will. My existence was a mistake of evolution. Perhaps it suggests a change in my species, but I doubt it. The hive minds are too strong. With Zangorians, I saw a chance to achieve my dream of free Glerans, by proxy. The Xank are a problem that can be rectified. And as this past year has proven, we are winning. We’re letting a people live as they would like to live. We’re giving them the chance to not be slaves.’

  Peron turned to Leri.

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘You don’t need to thank me. These are my people. Your sentiments are your own, and while I am glad for the success of our mutual self-interest, my ultimate goal is the freeing of my people, for themselves, not for lofty ideals.’

  Peron looked slightly disappointed, his eyes drooping slightly lower than usual.

  ‘Regardless, Rii, it seems that a district on this flank has been taken. It is time you ride out. Carry forth this revolution. Free your people, for themselves or for lofty ideals.’

  

  The fighting in the streets was gruesome. In his days in the Body Budget, Leri had seen countless deaths of Zangorians by the hands of their kin. This was similar, but concentrated. The drone defenders had been slain within minutes, but Xank slaves, comprising Zangorians and Gleran, were posing a violent threat to the rebels.