Star Brigade: Maelstrom (Star Brigade Book 2)

by C. C. Ekeke

Like a cornered beast, the armored Korvenite attacked anything that moved. The freighter section where the battle had taken place was reduced to ruptured walls and smoldering consoles. Rattling noises from the other room told Habraum that Liliana and Khrome were handling the remaining Korvenites.

  “Catch any of that jabberish, Irazu?” Habraum shouted, ducking under another discharge.

  “I don’t ssspeak fluent Korcei, Reign. But I think he’ll underssstand thisss.” Honaa tucked into a somersault using his tail to push himself along under another psionic flurry.

  Just then Honaa popped up from his somersault and into a crouch. The Retributionary jumped and aimed his chest blaster at the grounded Rothorid. But Honaa handstanded and swung his tail like an axe—smacking the Korvenite to the ground. Honaa flipped out of the handstand and landed on top of his foe. One distorting burst to the Retributionary’s head ended the fight.

  “He definitely got that,” Habraum approached, wiping sweat from his brow but not remotely tired.

  The Rothorid let out a sissing laugh and rose to his hind legs. A distant, blood-curdling scream reverberated from the helm, and all amusement faded. “Let’sss make sssure that wasss the lassst—.” A flash of something caught Habraum’s awareness. He seized Honaa’s shoulders and dragged him down.

  Honaa’s confusion melted away at the boom of the freighter’s plasteel wall bursting open. A shiny form sailed overhead. The limp Korvenite with crumpled armor slammed into a wall, sticking in the dent his entry had made.

  “That was fun,” said a swaggering, metallic voice behind them. “Any leftovers?” Khrome’s easy smile practically reached around back of his head as he stepped through the gaping hole. Liliana followed, engrossed with whatever was on her datapad.

  “Don’t get too cocky Khrome or someone’ll sucker punch your lights out,” Habraum chided sharply.

  The burly Thulican shrugged. “What, I can’t be a little smug? That genius,” Khrome pointed at the Korvenite still stuck in the wall, “tried a sneak attack. But Crescendo set him up and I ate him up. And let’s not forget how well my psionic disrupter worked on these Korvenites?”

  Habraum couldn’t help but smile at the bravado. “And the other Korvenites?”

  “Bagged and tagged, I’ll add these to the mix.” Khrome moved to collect the two felled Korvenites.

  “And the ssship’s ownerssss?” Honaa asked Cortés. “Are they onboard or alive?”

  “Aboard, yes. Alive, no.” Liliana looked up from her datapad. “An unmarked human synth-mech.”

  Habraum seethed, already aware of the ‘decoy’ pilot. A loud scrunch distracted his anger. Khrome heaved two Retributionaries over his shoulders, then vanished through the gaping hole in the wall.

  “It was destroyed rather viciously and stuffed in an escape pod. They clearly thought it was an actual human.” Despite Liliana’s professionalism, Habraum could taste the venom behind her words when discussing Korvenites. Made sense, he guessed, given the anti-Korvenite propaganda she must’ve been exposed to living on Terra Sollus. The doctor frowned at her datapad. “Another Korvenite is approaching.” This made Habraum and Honaa warily search the room. “But its—.”

  “Unconscious.” Marguliese entered the passenger bay from the helm with her usual austere grace, dragging a limp Korvenite by the scruff of the neck. She tossed her quarry at Habraum’s feet callously. Liliana immediately crouched down to scan the Korvenite with her datapad.

  The Cybernarr scrutinized the other Brigadiers with emotionless eyes. “He was attempting to self-destruct the vessel. So I terminated his efforts and extrapolated data regarding Maelstrom’s whereabouts.”

  “You did?” Habraum and Honaa spat out at the same time. The Cerc always figured fanatical nutters from KIF were made of sterner stuff. “How did you get the information?”

  “Yeah,” said Khrome, returning to the room to glower at the Cybernarr. “Please tell us.”

  Marguliese ignored him. “The Korvenite tried to assault me with his telepathy, so I exploited his error as a conduit to extract the data that I needed.”

  That answer left Habraum unsettled. He glanced down at the Korvenite, still half a sprout by the look of him. Khrome got in the Cybernarr’s face, voicing what everyone else was thinking. She was half a foot taller than him. “I doubt that you took this info in a gentle manner, ‘Maggie’.”

  Marguliese arched an eyebrow. “Do you.”

  “Yes. I do.” Khrome retorted nastily.

  “Lieutenant,” Habraum warned, and turned then toward Marguliese. “Maelstrom’s whereabouts?”

  “But—.” Khrome protested, looking infuriated

  “Khrome, your concerns have been noted and for now ignored. Maggie, continue.”

  Marguliese spoke. “A Monarch-Class vessel serves as the KIF’s principal headquarters. The Korvenites rely on their Unilink to return to the ship’s location, which continually fluctuates.”

  “That’sss what they did before,” Honaa hissed, the familiar strategy striking him. “Back then, the Korvenite Independence Front eventually grew overconfident, leading to their undoing.”

  Khrome rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Looks like past defeats didn’t teach them innovation.”

  “Could we use the Unilink as a beacon to find the ship?” Liliana had been so silently engrossed in her datapad that everyone, except Marguliese, startled at her voice.

  “Unlikely,” Honaa said. “If a KIF operative is dissscovered, the Unilink will inssstantly block them.”

  “That,” Marguliese furrowed her brow, “is in clear incongruence with the unity the KIF advocates.”

  “Try telling these guys that.” Habraum prodded the Korvenite on the ground with his foot. “Union Intelligence interrogated the Korvenites we captured a few weeks ago, any attempt to turn them against their leader was met with ‘Korvan is the beginning, is the end to the front to the sideways’ gibberish.” Habraum raised his wristcom arm. “Phaeton, this is Reign. Situation on the TG is contained.”

  “Understood, Reign,” answered Heatstroke. “Opened the cargo bay door yet?” Honaa stared at Habraum, who shook his head in a way that meant, “Not here.”

  “About to do that. Have Planet Hopper transmat the captives to their brig,” Habraum ordered.

  As the subdued Retributionaries transmatted away in a sparkly shimmer, Habraum took the team to the cargo bays, his anger at Sam renewed. He could tell Honaa knew something off-putting was up.

  “Here,” the Cerc stood before a large door that led to a smaller freighter cargo bay, which Sam stated as holding important cargo. “Marguliese, what can you make of it?”

  The Cybernarr walked forward, stroking her hands searchingly across the door’s smooth surface like one would a new bed sheet. “The entrance is shielded from sensor scans. Other than the security lock, no other defense countermeasures are present. I can easily disable the lock—.”

  Abruptly, Khrome reached out and dug his hands into the door like it was putty. Metal shrieked in protest as he twisted his thick fingers in deep for a better grasp. Khrome yanked the door off its moorings with ease and tossed it aside. “How’s that for quick?” the Thulican dusted off his hands. Khrome turned to the opening and his round eyes grew wide. “Shut me down,” he whispered.

  Liliana peeked past the ripped-open entrance and barely stifled a gasp. She immediately whipped out her datapad and began scanning. The Cerc stood behind his two subordinates in awe.

  Only Marguliese remained unperturbed, merely saying, “This is unexpected.”

  Honaa moved around to see what everyone was staring at. His curiosity quickly turned into horror.

  “Reign,” the Planet Hopper’s transmission broke through the stony silence. “We just detected twenty-eight more Korvenites on the freighter. Do you require assistance?”

  Two dozen plus Korvenites packed together in this cargo bay, as Sam had said. Not the physically conditioned Retributionaries Star Brigade had encountered. Habraum saw a sickly g
roup of males, females, younglings and elders huddled together as far back into the small cargo bay as they could squeeze. A particularly malnourished female frightened, sunken-in eyes widened and she protectively cradled her progeny closer. The others all looked underfed, sporting various bruises and contusions. All the Korvenites’ trademark milky skin hung loosely on their bony frames, glistening with sweat in the compartment’s crammed and stale-aired space. They all looked back at the Star Brigadiers with a unanimous mix of hatred and fear.

  One look at this group, and Habraum’s battle lust to take down fanatical murdering Korvenites got sucked right out the viewport. Seeing a small toddler cling to her father’s ankle, ribs poking through her skin just collapsed the Cerc’s stomach, forcing him to look away.

  It took Habraum so long to reply that Planet Hopper started repeating the question. “No assistance needed. Stand by.” He turned to Liliana, who stood waiting to catch his eye.

  “I’m reading dehydration, iron-deficiency and all manners of injuries and health problems. But they all have restraining bolts in their necks,” the doctor said with quiet relief. “They’re no threat to us.”

  “Their pitiable conditions are evidence enough of that, doctor,” Marguliese commented coolly. Liliana blushed with shame. Any response was cut off by an incoming wristcom message.

  “Reign,” Sam said. “I’m on a secure Brigade-only channel. Did you find the Korvenites onboard?”

  Everyone stared at Habraum, who bit back a curse. Honaa took another look at the Korvenite group and his snouted face contorted with rage. “Both of you knew abou—?”

  “I just found out right before we boarded the freighter.” Habraum focused back on his wristcom. “Yes, we found all twenty-eight. Have Arcturus set up Phaeton’s cargo bay. We’re taking them to Hollus.”

  A relieved sigh came from the other end of the wristcom transmission. But Habraum wasn’t done. “And Heatstroke? You and I have unfinished business over this when we reach Hollus.”

  7.

  Chouncilor Ari Bogosian’s schedule had been dominated by all-nighters, thanks to the largest trade merger in history arriving in less than a week. Nevertheless, Ari had never felt more alive. A resolution was looking promising in the century-old conflict in the Disputed Zone between the Galactic Union and the Juunthra Accord. Progress had finally been made against the Korvenites’ acts of terror against the Union. Not a complete stoppage, but it’s a start. During a small break in the day, Bogosian’s thoughts drifted back to that frighteningly real dream weeks ago where Maelstrom had broken into his house.

  But it was just a dream, the Chouncilor thought. He looked up at his four Honor Guards on either side of the entrance across his expansive Chouncilor’s Office, his silent guardians. Soon this Korvenite insurgence would be crushed and Maelstrom would be in custody.

  The entrance comm chirped, jolting Ari from his reverie. “Mr. Chouncilor, Biros Nor outside for you,” said the computer.

  “Send him in.” Ari stood as the towering Kedri strode through the door, reaching his desk in a few strides. Despite the spring in his step, Bogosian noticed how Biros looked weary, his crimson reptilian skin more wan than before. He looks as tired as I feel. “Biros, do you ever sleep?” Bogosian asked bluntly.

  “No time,” the Kedri brusquely replied. “I wanted to inform you that this will be our last face-to-face until the day of the Merger. I will be on the Amalgam overseeing the final steps before its debut.”

  “As I expected,” Bogosian said grimly. During the past few months he had grown used to working with the assiduous Kedri. Ari didn’t realize how much he’d miss him until this moment. “It’s been a pleasure, Biros. Without you, this agreement would have imploded long ago.” Ari held out his hand.

  Biros’s smiled made his facial kutaa, spiky bone protrusions from both cheeks, ripple. The Kedri’s massive hand swallowed Bogosian’s before shaking it vigorously. “Think nothing of it, Chouncilor. We’re working toward the betterment of both our governments. The trade merger is the first step.”

  Bogosian winced as Biros released him from the bone-breaking handshake. “Precisely. Do you and the Sovereign still want clearance for those other Union territories he wanted to see?”

  “Yes, I do. Thank you again, Chouncilor. We will meet again in a few days.” He turned to leave, but looked back as he reached the door. “This merger will succeed. You’ll see.” With that Biros abruptly turned and departed. Bogosian eased back into his seat.

  Rhyne’s midday sun flooded his viewport, illuminating the Chouncilor’s Office with arresting radiance. Bogosian swiveled around in his chair toward the viewport and took in the busy, rambling Sheffield cityscape. For an instant, watching the endless crisscrosses of traffic, Ari forgot.

  He forgot the looming tasks to complete this merger with the Kedri, forgot the four Honor Guards in the room. Bogosian relished in simply knowing all his hard work toward the Kedri merger was going to pay off. The comm beeped again. Bogosian regretfully tore his gaze away from the viewport. “Go ahead.”

  “The Minister of Union Security is on TransNet for your one-on-one,” the comm chirped.

  Back to work, Bogosian thought to himself. “Send him through,” Ari said solemnly, and pushed all personal thoughts behind his role as Chouncilor.

  8.

  Maelstrom always felt a relaxing sensation when watching a school of betelydra. The way they swam with leisurely grace through the pink and gold billows of Merrivel Nebula, repulsively named after some crimsonborn human. Several of these plump, slug-like creatures left trails of glittery dust in their wakes when propelling their colossal selves through the nebula they lived in. The smallish head, immensely fat midsection and the lengthy foot made up the three sections of a betelydra’s steel-blue body—drawing comparisons to slugs from Old Earth. Of course, the humans had the arrogance as to brand the betelydra within an animal class called ‘Astropoda.’ Regardless, their majestic appearance and gentle natures illuminated why betelydra watching held such popularity when visiting the Galactic Union’s Mynar Sector.

  The betelydra school glided by at varying speeds, totally oblivious to the shrouded Korvenite ship parked right next to them. Their keenest spectator aboard the vessel stood alone behind one of the ship’s many viewports. Watching these asteroid-sized creatures enthralled him, particularly when the adults slowed so the numerous tiny baby-blue hatchlings darting around their bellies could keep up.

  Watching these simple creatures reminded Maelstrom of the wonders Korvan had bestowed upon this galaxy. It also served as a welcome salve in light of losing that shipment of Korvenites. Maelstrom barely had to skim the Unilink to hear how everyone aboard the Libremancer felt about this defeat.

  The second-guessing had already begun, trickling out of the few Korvenites lacking faith. Now those misgivings had bloomed into full-blown distrust, flooding the Unilink like a bursting dam. Maelstrom heard many who also scoffed at hiding instead of confronting their enemies directly. Then there were the Korvenites that could only see failure and death in the KIF’s future. It saddened Maelstrom to his core.

  So easily the neophytes lose faith, the llyriac thought, hiding his own feelings from the rest of Unilink. What we suffered is a minor setback, nothing more. But we must move forward. This came just as three baby-sized betelydra wriggled past, just a few metrids away from the viewport where he stood.

  Maelstrom breathed in deep, opening himself fully to the communal link that mentally bound everyone onboard the Libremancer. He poured his hope through the Unilink, his strength, the vivid visions he saw of a Sollus free from human debasement. His power scorched through the Unilink like a Rhyne sunrise. Immediately, Maelstrom felt ripples of resolve return in his followers’ minds.

  The grating scrape of sollunium against the floor brought him back to his current location. Maelstrom turned to watch his brethren in the Libremancer’s wide, multileveled training facility.

  Now healthy after receiving regular meals a
nd proper care, the initiates were put in groups of five, with one experienced KIF operative supervising them. Each group surrounded one of many seven-metrid high Korvanes statues located around the room. These Korvenite initiates wore simple hazel robes, not having earned the right to wear Retributionary armor.

  With help from their respective leaders, Maelstrom sensed the minds of each group working in concert to move their respective statues. Facial expressions ranged from frowns of concentration to unwrinkled serenity. The development of their Mindshift abilities was visible, especially in the group in the farthest corner, as they willed their towering statue to walk a few steps without any stiffness. Joy spiked through the group. Their group leader swiftly chastised them for this, keeping them focused on the task at hand. Maelstrom would have done the same. The time for unfettered joy could come only after Sollus was retaken. At this point, joy only bred arrogance, and arrogance would breed defeat.

  On the higher tiers of the room, Maelstrom caught flashes of psionic energy. It undoubtedly came from the Korvenites being trained in the use of Retributionary armor. A small group, pointedly separated the other trainees, hung around the room’s expansive viewport and watched the betelydra school. But they tripped all over each other trying to look busy once the llyriac’s gaze raked across them.

  Maelstrom smiled to himself. Their fear fostered unwavering obedience.

  [Lord Maelstrom, we are prepping the final test for our purifying device.] his chief engineer Isar spoke. The young Korvenite was a genius, trained personally in the technological arts by Thulicans.

  [I’ll be there shortly, Isar,] Maelstrom responded. Within a few macroms, Maelstrom arrived three floors below to the technology lab and observed a spherical forcefield. Five of more technologically adept Korvenites he had handpicked surrounded him. The gleaming forcefield was sustained by four cubes floating at each hemisphere. Inside were two of his faithful; a young female, Masra and a tall male, Jorgahn. The rest were humans and other Union-member races captured during the past two weeks.