Realms of Time (Scrapyard Ship)

by Mark Wayne McGinnis

  Jason nodded. “Get us there, Grimes. Phase-shift the shuttle in just as soon as we get close enough.”

  * * *

  Teardrop was on the move, its energy weapon protruding from the open plate at the center of its body.

  “Warning! Outside security perimeter has been breached. Weapons fire detected. Plasma turret has been destroyed.”

  “Mom! Can’t you get it to shut up?” Mollie screamed above all the racket. “How many times does it have to say the same thing?”

  Nan and Mollie huddled together as they watched the multiple security feeds up on the TV monitor. Once Stalls walked around the outside perimeter of the house, he returned to his shuttle. Several minutes later he exited, wearing a battle suit and holding a large energy weapon.

  Stalls moved from one window to the next, pulling and prying at the metal security shutters. Eventually, he concentrated on the largest window shutter at the back of the house. Using the butt of his weapon he continued to pound on it over and over. Having little impact on the shutter, Stalls took several steps backward and fired; plasma bolts shook the house and left blackened scorch marks. The firing stopped as Stalls moved in to check the damage.

  Nan watched as the tall pirate became more and more enraged. He began to use the butt of his rifle repeatedly. He stopped, out of breath, and looked up to the roofline. He raised his rifle and fired. Shingles flew into the air, some of them catching on fire.

  The outside sounds heard inside the house were deafening.

  “Teardrop!” Nan yelled. “He’s shooting at the roof. The roof is coming apart!”

  Teardrop, now behind them, was also looking at the security feeds.

  “He will soon find that the sub-roof is covered in metal plating,” Teardrop said, moving about the great room and rising up toward the ceiling. “No structural breach detected.”

  With a large section of the roof shingles blown away, exposing the metal plates beneath, Stalls stopped firing and stood back. Then he was gone, heading back toward his shuttle.

  “Is he leaving, Mom? Has he given up?” Mollie asked.

  “I don’t know, Mollie. Maybe.”

  In seconds the shuttle was back airborne and hovering over the pool. Its primary energy weapon came alive, concentrating its fire on the security shutters at the back of the house.

  “Structural breach in process, structural breach in process.”

  Both sliding glass windows shattered as the security shutters went from a glowing amber color to bright white. Intense heat emanated in waves into the kitchen and back out into the great room. The large metal shutters disintegrated. Nan and Mollie ran for cover, seeing the shuttle hovering outside, behind the now-open rear of the house.

  Nan watched as Teardrop moved with amazing speed, taking up a defensive position at the rear of the house. Nan, who had felt unsure if the drone would be able to defend them against the pirate’s shuttle assault, now felt some hope. Teardrop fired a continual barrage of plasma bolts into the belly of the hovering craft. The shuttle fired back, but Teardrop was so quick, darting from one position to the next, that the only thing Stalls could accomplish was further destruction to the house itself.

  Teardrop rose into the air and moved in closer to the craft, concentrating its fire power on a singular spot on the hull.

  The shuttle continued to fire back and Teardrop was struck multiple times, destroying one of its arms, and then it suffered a direct hit to its energy weapon. Several more energy bolts struck the drone and Teardrop fell from the air into the pool, where it immediately sank to the bottom.

  “Mom!”

  “I know, I saw,” Nan said back, never taking her eyes off the hovering shuttle. Both Nan and Mollie crouched low, hiding behind the wall next to the fireplace.

  “What’s he want, Mom? Why’s he doing this to us?”

  “I don’t know. He’s a bad man. But we’re going to show him he can’t get away with it, right?”

  “AI, are you there?” Nan yelled above the sound of the hovering shuttle.

  There was no response.

  “Bag End, Mom, remember?”

  “Are you there, Bag End?” Nan tried again.

  “Yes, I am here, Nan Reynolds.”

  “What can you do to help us … to defend us against the intruder?”

  “Security deterrents within the premises are active and functional.”

  “What about outside? Is there anything else you can do?” Nan asked, taking another quick peek around the corner.

  “With the destruction of the plasma turret, there are no additional external weapons available.”

  The shuttle was on the move again. Nan and Mollie listened as it moved over the house and landed on the driveway.

  Nan reached over and pulled the small energy weapon from the holster at Mollie’s side.

  “You remember how to shoot this, Mollie? You remember what Orion taught you?”

  “I think so. But those were targets, not a real person.”

  “I know, sweetie, but you saw what that bad man did to Teardrop. We’re both going to have to be brave. Can you do that?”

  “I think so,” Mollie replied, not sounding all that certain.

  Crawling on hands and knees they backed away from the wall to get a better look at the security feeds on the TV monitor. The shuttle’s gangway had been deployed and it took several seconds for them to see where Stalls had gone.

  “There he is,” Mollie said, pointing to one of the outside camera feeds.

  Nan pulled out her own pistol, ensuring that the safety was off and set to its maximum charge. Mollie watched and did the same thing on her own weapon.

  “He’s coming around to the backyard,” Nan whispered. “Bag End, as soon as you have a clear shot of the intruder, shoot that fucker. Don’t stop until he’s dead.”

  Mollie looked up at her mother with wide eyes and then nodded her head in silent agreement.

  “Security defense mode has been set to lethal,” the AI replied.

  They heard his footsteps before they saw him. It became apparent Stalls was carefully making his way around to the back of the house, not taking any chances.

  “He’s right there, Mom,” Mollie whispered, never taking her eyes off the exposed back of the house.

  “Okay, shhhh, be very quiet now.”

  His shadow moved across the deck like a stealthy black cat. When he finally came into view, he was no longer wearing his battle suit. Nan knew why. He wanted her to see him. His inflated ego had taken precedence over basic common smarts. Wearing snug-fitting black trousers and a dress shirt, he looked ridiculous. His long black hair, set loose, cascaded down his back. He was poolside looking down at Teardrop; she guessed he wanted to make sure the drone was truly out of commission. Satisfied, Stalls stood up tall and turned toward the direction of the house. Smiling, he brushed his long hair back one more time and headed for the broken sliding glass doors. Safety glass crunched under the soles of his boots. He hesitated, peered inside, and took a tentative step forward.

  Nan felt Mollie tense, her breathing had increased and she knew her heart was about to beat right out of her chest. Nan held a finger to her lips and put her attention back on Stalls. Her mind raced: why doesn’t the AI just shoot him?

  Stalls, now more relaxed, let the muzzle of his rifle drop several inches. Realizing he was on his way into the great room where they would be instantly seen, Nan pointed for Mollie to hurry and crawl backward out of sight. Nan stood and held her weapon at the ready.

  He entered the great room twenty feet away and smiled when he saw her.

  “Hello, Nan. I am happy, so very happy, to see you again.”

  She didn’t respond, only held his stare and waited for him to get a little closer. She had practiced, alongside Mollie, getting better at hitting the center zone of targets, but … as Mollie had pointed out … those were only targets.

  Stalls slowly shook his head and said, “Nan, you have no need for that weapon. I could no more h
urt you than I could hurt myself. I’ve gone to considerable lengths coming here. Finding you. I’m hoping my actions speak for themselves. I’m hoping that you realize I love you. That I want to make you mine.”

  He took a step, and then another. A new sound emanated from outside, in the distance. Nan recognized the sound; it was another small ship, or maybe a shuttle. Just ignore it, Stalls, she said to herself. She wanted him to move in closer—closer to where the AI could blast him back to hell.

  Stalls stood still, cocked his head to the side, and listened. He took a tentative step backward and held there. A quick glance over his shoulder and he saw what Nan had already spotted. Definitely a shuttle, one she hadn’t seen before. When he turned back to face her, she was smiling. The cavalry had arrived, somehow. Stalls was no longer looking at her. His attention was on the walls—specifically high up, where there were dozens of small security panels.

  “Clever, Nan,” he said, smiling. “I would have expected nothing less from you. This only proves how perfect you are for me. Strong, cunning, and beautiful. Come to me now, Nan, and your daughter goes unharmed. I promise you.”

  Nan’s confidence left her in an instant. Did he know Mollie was mere feet away?

  He raised his weapon and pointed it behind her. He fired, blasting a three-foot-diameter hole midway up, into the side of the chimney. Mollie screamed, while flinging herself clear of the rocky debris falling from above her. Nan rushed to her side and pulled her into her arms. Several small cuts along her cheek were bleeding. Mollie’s arms encircled her neck. Nan felt Stalls’ presence at their backs, and then his hand was on her shoulder.

  “We’re together now. We’re a family.”

  Chapter 43

  Jason took in the scene below. He was home. The scrapyard appeared the same as it always had, but there was now another far more modern structure nearby, with an adjacent swimming pool. There was also what looked like a demolished gun turret, as well as a small space vessel parked on the driveway. As the Perilous approached, it was evident the structure, the new home Nan had built for them, had been fired on. Blackened scorch marks pocked what looked like metal storm shutters. She’d fortified the place.

  Jason stood and set a phase-shift location for directly below, via his HUD.

  “I’m coming with you, Cap,” Billy said, getting to his feet.

  “No. I’m doing this alone. Hang tight here.”

  Ricket was also now standing. “What about the bin lift?”

  “What about it?”

  “It had already entered Earth’s lower orbit by this time.”

  “What does that mean? Why would we care?”

  “It would have flashed into existence right along with everything else on Earth. Within the next few minutes, it will drop from the sky and demolish that house, along with Stalls and anyone else who’s left in it. We have no way to contact your brother for him to change course.”

  “Then I guess you’ll have to destroy it,” Jason said, expressionless.

  Billy shook his head. “You’d kill your own brother?”

  “To save Nan? You bet. And don’t forget, there’s already another Brian in upper orbit—a sacrifice we’ll need to take.” Jason looked down at Grimes. “Can I trust you to do what needs to be done?”

  She hesitated, looking from Jason to Billy, then back at Jason again. She nodded and Jason phase-shifted away.

  * * *

  “Up. Get up.”

  “Can’t you see she’s hurt?” Nan spat, not wanting to look up at Stalls.

  “She’s fine. Come on, up up,” he said, impatiently. His grip tightened on Nan’s shoulder as he pulled her to her feet. Mollie, still on her back, glared up at him.

  “You, too, Mollie,” he said, holding out an outstretched hand.

  She ignored it and got to her feet on her own.

  “Unless you want your little girl to die here I suggest you have the AI disable whatever kind of weaponry you have installed.”

  Nan looked toward the back of the house. What was taking them so long?

  Stalls tightened his grip on Nan’s shoulder again. “I don’t like having to repeat myself.”

  “AI, disable—”

  “Mom, it’s Bag End.”

  “Right,” Nan said. “Bag End, disable all security measures. Do not fire on the hostile intruder.”

  The words had barely left her lips before Stalls was ushering them both through the great room toward the front door. Mollie stumbled and he tightened his grip around her waist.

  “Stop it! I’m going—just don’t touch me.”

  Stalls pushed Nan forward to open the front door. She felt whatever hope she had associated with the other ship rescuing her fading fast. Perhaps it was one of his own ships.

  She reached for the doorknob and pulled, but the door held fast. “Bag End, retract the security shutters and unlock the front door.”

  It took several seconds before she heard the high-pitched whine of the security shutter motors raising the metal panel, and then the definitive click of the front door’s deadbolt being retracted.

  “Open it. Now!”

  Nan had never wanted to kill someone more than at that particular moment. She knew once they were locked into that ship of his, they were as good as dead. Or worse. Ready to make a stand, she straightened and faced him. “No. We’re not going anywhere with you.”

  He slapped her with an open hand, then slapped her again, bringing his hand back across her face a second time.

  “Stop! Don’t hurt her!” Mollie yelled up at him, tears in her eyes. “I’ll open the door. I’m opening the door, see?”

  Mollie reached for the door and turned the knob. The door cracked opened and light poured in from the outside.

  Startled, Nan pulled Mollie back into her arms. Nan, Mollie and Captain Stalls stared into the black cold muzzle of a multi-gun. The man holding the gun was Captain Jason Reynolds.

  * * *

  Jason froze. Seeing Nan alive was simply too much to comprehend. His heart constricted. Emotions overwhelmed him. It’s actually her. He’d already said his goodbyes; he’d come to terms with the fact that she was gone forever. The mother of his little girl was dead. But it was the trickle of blood at the corner of Nan’s lip that brought him back to the present. Rage filled his mind. This time he’d have the pleasure of killing the bastard himself.

  He was too late. Stalls, already making a move, brought up his own weapon and was poised to fire. Jason adjusted his aim, pointed his multi-gun over Mollie’s head, and just to the left of Nan’s … Yes, he had him this time. Jason felt his trigger finger tighten, but Stalls fired a fraction of a second sooner.

  Jason’s visor took the near-pointblank blast with little effect—other than to snap Jason’s head backward from the driving force of the plasma blast. Off balance, Jason took three quick steps back. Two more blasts to his visor followed. Stalls strode after him firing, continuing to pound one blast after another into Jason’s visor. Nan and Mollie stood in the doorway watching in horror as Jason was continually pummeled backward.

  Chapter 44

  “I’m going down there,” Billy said, setting phase-shift coordinates on his HUD.

  “Absolutely not,” Grimes said. “You heard him, he’s doing this on his own.”

  “Well, if you haven’t noticed, he’s getting his ass kicked down there,” Billy said.

  Grimes had maneuvered the shuttle to the other side of the house and they’d witnessed Jason being repeatedly shot at, barely able to remain on his feet.

  “Incoming!” Ricket yelled, pointing at the shuttle’s holo-display. “Directly above us—it’s the bin lift.”

  Grimes reached for the controls and brought the shuttle into a steep climb. “There it is. Locking on target.”

  “Wait! Are you sure? There are two people on board that vessel. Two living, breathing people …” Dira yelled from the back of the cabin.

  Grimes hesitated, looking down at her holo-display. “I also see two
life forms still in that house. Someone’s going to die. I’m sorry.” She fired into the clouds above.

  “Bin lift’s still falling,” Ricket exclaimed.

  Grimes didn’t let up. An endless stream of plasma fire lit up the sky.

  “Still coming,” Ricket reported.

  “What the hell is that thing made of?” Billy asked.

  Ricket shrugged. “A solid, heavy mix of various exotic metals.”

  The bin lift was now visible with the naked eye and falling fast.

  “I’m not going to be able to stop that thing. Maybe The Lilly could take it out, but not a shuttle’s single plasma cannon,” Grimes said, exasperated.

  She adjusted the position of the Perilous and watched as the bin lift grew in size, came even with the shuttle, then continued on its downward trajectory. Billy was the first to say the obvious: “No one’s alive on that thing. Not anymore.”

  The bin lift had been reduced to a molten heap of hardened metal, and like a meteor, nothing could stop it from impacting below.

  Grimes and Billy were on their comms. “Get away from the house, Captain!”

  It was too late. The bin lift hit the house with an explosive, devastating impact.

  * * *

  Jason withstood eight direct blasts to his face visor before regaining enough footing to charge back at Stalls. Somewhere along the way, he’d lost his multi-gun. He no longer needed it. His two hands were all that was necessary. Jason plowed into Stalls a second time and knocked him flat on his ass. To Stalls’ obvious surprise, Jason stood tall and systematically unlatched the clasps securing his battle suit. By the time he stepped out of it, Stalls was back on his feet, had a knife in his hand, and was smiling.

  “I will enjoy this. You see, I’m going to gut you from your scrotum to your chin.” He gestured toward Nan and Mollie standing in the doorway twenty paces away. “Your daughter and ex-wife will replay this scene in their minds over and over until their own dying breaths.”