by Susan Kelley
“We have to go after them, Captain.”
“Do you know where they went?”
Joe waved Edow and Becker over to the damaged star chart. He hated to give the location away but he had to have Edow’s help. He pointed to a spot on the very edge of the chart. “Crevan Four. Callie claimed it for Giroux a few days ago.”
Edow shook his head. “That’s beyond the jurisdiction of the Galactic Military.”
“What does that mean?” Joe began calculating how far ahead Hadrason was and how soon he might arrive on the distant planet.
“It means we can’t go there without permission from central command,” Edow answered.
“You’re not going after them?” Joe was certain he hadn’t understood.
“I’m going after them, but I have to ask permission.”
“How long will that take?”
“Not less than a day, I’m afraid.”
“Captain Edow, there are women and children, citizens of Giroux, hiding on Crevan Four. They’ll be in as much danger as the queen. You must go.”
“I will, just not right now.”
“Give us a ship, and we’ll go,” Becker said. “There’s no silly rules holding us here, and Crevan Four is part of Giroux.”
“I could give you one of the long distance shuttles we keep in our hold,” Edow said, his words hesitant. “I’ll come after you as soon as I get proper authorization.”
“I must go with them,” Joe said.
“I’m sorry. You’re my prisoner. I can’t let you fly off.”
“Captain, I know Crevan Four. I helped the queen’s party settle there. There are four women and two children hiding in the middle of a large wasteland.”
Edow frowned and swung his gaze between Joe and the Giroux soldiers. “My career will be over if I let you escape.”
“I’ll return, and if I’m killed Sergeant Becker will return my body to you.”
Edow took a deep breath, and then held out his hand. “Good hunting, Joe. I’d like to have that bastard Hadrason back alive if you can.”
Joe shook Edow’s hand, glad to know there were good men in the military.
“If Hadrason hurt our queen, you’re likely to only get back pieces,” Becker vowed.
Joe agreed silently. There would be a blood bath if Callie was injured in any way.
* * * *
“We can’t go out until the sun sets, Mr. Hadrason.” The man wiped large droplets of sweat from his flushed face. “It’ll cook us alive.”
Callie smiled and folded her arms across her chest. Wait until they tried to go out in the bitter cold night.
Hadrason’s thin lips turned down with his displeasure. “Where are the rest of the men? Didn’t you take a dozen with you?”
The man’s face turned even darker. “Some alien plant sprang from the sand and bit two of them. They died before we got back. The rest of them are trying to drink enough to recover from that hell-blasted heat.”
“A plant bit them?”
Callie laughed out loud. “Just one of the many dangers on Crevan Four.”
Hadrason glared at her. “A minor setback. We’ll find your friends. How did you avoid all these supposed dangers? Where are they hiding?”
“I guess we were smarter than you and your men.” Callie shaded her eyes and looked out the open side hatch. Her wrecked cruiser still sat in the blinding white sand, but the marine cruiser was gone. “I’m really not sure where my people are, they’re very resourceful.”
Callie suspected one of the marines watched them even now. Probably Vin. The marines had done a good job of hiding Haven. Hadrason’s expensively outfitted ship hadn’t spotted the settlement though they’d orbited the planet for almost a day. Finally they’d landed beside the crash site figuring the women wouldn’t have been able to travel far from the wreck.
“Perhaps I should bring your captain out of the brig and play with him a little. You’d tell me what you know then.”
“You’re wrong as usual. My captain and I are both willing to die to keep the citizens of Giroux from you.”
“I let your crew live, and you promised cooperation in return.”
“I cooperated for a time, and now the deal is off.”
“You lied!” Hadrason shouted.
“To you? Of course.” Callie hoped the stress was getting to him, but his virulent response frightened her. It seemed too near the edge of sanity.
“We’ll see.” Hadrason leered at her. “I have infusions aboard that will make you willing to do whatever I order.”
Callie feared the drugs. Could they make her give up her friends? “I don’t know where my friends are. I told them when I left to stay hidden.”
“How did you get off this planet? Your ship still sits where it crashed.”
“A pirate ship came. We killed them and captured their ship.”
“We? One marine and your women?”
“Yes. We’re not helpless.”
Hadrason smiled in his disturbed way. “You are now.”
Callie turned and walked away from the open door. The full heat of the day had almost arrived. She heard Hadrason giving orders to his man for the pending night excursions. Let them try and search at night. Every man they lost to the elements would make one less to guard her and Jak. And one less to hunt for her friends.
The cold would claim a few of Hadrason’s goons, and she hoped the marines might take a few more.
* * * *
“I didn’t know anyone could fly a ship so much faster than its specs and not explode into a million fragments,” Sergeant Becker said.
Joe didn’t know if the soldier intended a joke so he didn’t reply. He eased the craft between the mountain ridges. They cruised over a part of the planet he’d only speculated existed.
Below them bright sunlight sparkled off a deep, angry river. The red stone walls climbed nearly a quarter of a mile on both sides of the torrent. Hadrason’s sensors couldn’t detect them as they flew in the narrow valley.
Joe checked his controls. The low frequency beacon he sought blinked from the terrain map. As they neared it, the valley widened a bit. Thick forests grew on each side, crowding the river and spreading up the steep walls.
A small clearing opened in front of them just as Joe’s instruments told him he was on top of the beacon’s source. Joe picked up the hand mike. “Unon bless.’
“Unon keep,” Kam answered.
Joe set the shuttle down, careful to avoid what looked like a small cultivated field. Had his men turned into farmers in the short time he’d been away? He released the hatch and put a restraining hand on Becker. “Let me go first.”
“Can we be sure Hadrason isn’t waiting in ambush?” Becker looked out the front screen. “They could be hiding in that dense forest.”
“They’re not.” Joe shut down the drive engines and walked toward the door.
“How can you be sure, Sentinel?”
“Because I see two of my men out there.”
Kam and Mak had heavy weapons trained on the shuttle from the shooting platforms they’d hid rather well in the trees. Most men wouldn’t have spotted them. Becker and the other Giroux men crowded around the front screen, staring at the dark woods.
Joe stepped outside, inhaling the fresh air of Crevan Four. The trees blocked enough of the sun’s intensity to allow life if not quite comfort.
“Sir?” Kam stepped into the open, offering his hand.
“You moved camp?” Joe shook Kam’s hand. “The women have been teaching you manners.”
Mak joined them and also held out his hand to shake Joe’s hand. “We found this valley after Vin and Yalo returned with supplies and the ship. Except for an invasion of rodents, it’s a real peaceful place. Too small for a permanent settlement, but a good fall back spot.”
“About the manners?” Joe asked again. Both marines dropped their gazes from his.
Kam shrugged. “Figured it couldn’t hurt to study proper behavior, sir. We might leave here
someday, and the women are confident their queen will clear our names.”
“She won’t get the chance if we don’t get her away from Hadrason. Tell me what you know and where Vin and Roz are.”
“Let’s go to the operations building, sir,” Mak suggested.
“Good idea.” Joe called toward the shuttle for the Giroux soldiers. “Sergeant Becker, bring your men along and follow us.”
Becker hopped out of the shuttle, the weapon he’d borrowed from Edow in his fist. “Who are these men, Sentinel?”
Joe ignored the questioning looks from Kam and Mak. “These are the men who’ve been guarding your queen’s companions. You and your men can take over that duty now.”
Becker looked confused, but like a good soldier he followed orders. The operations building was the outermost of a small cluster of newly constructed huts.
“Joe!” Glory screeched as she ran toward him.
Joe knelt and caught her against his chest. She wrapped her thin arms around his neck and leaned her fragile body against him. He stood, picking her up with one arm.
“Is that you, Sergeant Becker?” Riba asked. She held Sally in her arms while Acacia and Grace smiled from beside her.
“Yes, my lady.” Becker looked shaken. “We feared you were dead, but you all look fine.”
“We’re wonderful,” Grace answered.
Joe felt time pressing on them. “Sergeant Becker, you join us. Riba, would you show the other men around?”
“Yes, Sentinel,” Becker answered.
“Sentinel?” the three women asked together.
Joe had no time for explanations. “Show me what you have set up, Kam.”
Modern security and sensory instruments crammed the operations building. Various screens glowed with images from around the planet.
Kam pointed to an illuminated display of the western hemisphere. “The ship entered our grid array yesterday. They orbited for ten earth hours before landing near the crash site of the Giroux ship around six hours ago. Vin, Roz and Yalo went to check it.”
“I wish Yalo hadn’t gone along.”
Mak shook his head. “Vin didn’t want her to go, but she’s not a woman to order about.”
Becker paused in his open-mouthed examination of the high-tech equipment. “That sounds like the Yalo I know.”
“Vin and Yalo made two more trips offworld since you left, sir. They have everything they need. Our fortifications can withstand an assault of anything short of a planet killer device.” Mak glanced at Becker as he spoke.
Joe understood Mak didn’t want to give the details in front a stranger. He turned to the screen showing Hadrason ship. “Hear from Vin yet?”
“He says the ship sent out some scouts,” Kam reported. “Two died from cactus vine poison and the others retreated inside. He plans to put a listening node on the ship when night falls.”
“Tell him to do it now. The heat should hide him from their thermal sensors.”
“Who are they, sir? Why would a ship come here?” Mak asked. “Are they looking for us?”
Joe gave them a quick rundown about Hadrason and his crimes against them and Giroux. “So they have Callie and Captain Sontu and are searching for the crystallized iron at least and perhaps the rest of the women.”
“We’re ready to go, sir,” Kam said.
Becker stepped up beside Mak. “My men and I are ready, sir. She’s our queen and our responsibility.”
“She’s also their queen, Becker.” In a brief flash of surprise, Joe understood the young man’s emotions. Damaged honor that he’d failed to protect his queen and a fierce desire to make it right.
“These men and I know the land. You and your men would slow us down.” Joe saw the defiance growing in Becker’s expression. “You’ll stay behind as I order, sergeant. You and your men will see to the security of the civilians here. Hide the shuttle from over flights. Call one of your men in here so Mak can teach him how to use everything. Kam will show you everything outside you need to know about the defenses of the camp.”
Becker saluted and hurried to the door.
Joe stopped him with one last instruction. “Sergeant, your queen would die to protect the women and children here. Make sure you’re willing to do the same. It’s not a light responsibility.”
Becker stood a little straighter. “Of course, Sentinel, you can count on us.”
“Kam, Mak, get these soldiers squared away while I change. We leave in thirty minutes.”
Joe left them to their instructing while he changed into one of the high tech weather uniforms Vin had purchased.
Webb came into the command center as Joe fastened his boots to his pant legs. “Joe, I wasn’t sure we’d ever see you again.”
“I survived civilization, Webb.”
The doctor laughed. “Did it survive you?”
“This Hadrason fellow used some type of infusion on Callie before. He wanted to make her amendable to his orders. Do you know of an antidote or a protective vaccine?”
“Those types of drugs are illegal but I guess that wouldn’t matter to any man depraved enough to use them. I can’t make an antidote without knowing the exact formula. I’ll try and put something together that might dull the effects long enough for the drug to wear off.”
Joe continued to prepare after the doctor hurried out. Vin had stored an arsenal with the latest in lightweight laser weapons and concussion balls. Joe armed himself with everything available. He pulled on his protective mask and gloves, muttering to himself. “I’m coming, Callie. You’ll have no more trouble with Hadrason once I get there.”
* * * *
Jak carried himself as if he was leading the thugs guarding him instead of being herded into the dining room by them.
Hadrason sipped his wine, more composed than he’d been earlier. “I thought I’d have your man join us in case you wished to test my patience tonight, Callie.”
Jak looked a bit ragged, his uniform wrinkled instead of its usual immaculate condition. The fire in his eyes remained unchanged. “Give what hell you would, your highness.”
Hadrason gestured, and one of the guards fisted Jak low in the back. The captain went to his knees, his face contorted in pain, but he didn’t utter a sound.
Callie hoped her expression remained composed though she wanted to gouge out Hadrason’s eyes. “I’ve no need to spar with you. I expect the Galactic Military to arrive any time now.”
“My dear, you are so ignorant of military rules and regulations. This planetary system is well beyond the normal patrol routes of the military. They can’t travel beyond their preset range without permission from high level authorities. It will take days for that to happen, and they will take even longer to find us.”
“Joe knows where we are.” Callie wondered if Hadrason spoke the truth. She didn’t know anything about the limits of the military’s range.
“They won’t let him lead them here. They might even feel it’s more important to take him to prison than chase us. He’s a very dangerous man. Capturing him will bring a lot of accolades to that star cruiser captain and his superiors. They’re not going to give up such a chance to enhance their careers. Don’t count on a rescue attempt.”
* * * *
“Good,” Joe said when he heard Hadrason’s prediction. He sat with Vin in a small hollow between the white dunes only a hundred yards from the ship. Hadrason probably thought he had the latest in technology, but his instruments couldn’t spot the marines. “How many listening modes did you attach?”
“One on the bridge, two in the crew areas and one in the dining area. Though I’m not sure about the crew area ones. I’m familiar with this class of ship, but it might be a special order.”
“Call everyone in.” Joe checked the sun. Less than an hour before it set and the ship sent out another scout mission. The visitors would find the cold as dangerous as the heat, and this time they’d find the marines waiting for them.
Vin called back the others from their positi
ons encircling the ship. Joe listened to the dinner conversation as Hadrason bragged of his plans to control the Space Dope trade and double the price of the rare drug.
Joe laid out their plan for the others when they all arrived. Kam, Roz and Mak would ambush any forces that ventured outside the ship.
“Kill them, sir?” Roz asked.
Joe paused. A few months ago, Roz wouldn’t have asked the question. Joe wouldn’t have any answer but one. They’d all changed a bit. “Only if you have to. Disarm them and take their survival gear if they’re smart enough to have any. If they can get back to the ship, they’ll be allowed to live.”
“Some of them won’t make it,” Vin said.
“Either way it will discourage others from trying the sands.”
“Vin, you do something about their ship’s assault weapons. We can’t have them flying around the planet frying every green spot. They might get lucky and find the camp.”
“What about you, sir?” Kam asked.
“I’m going in and get Callie.”
“You going to kill the bastard holding her?” Vin asked.
“If she’s injured even a little bit, he’s dead. Otherwise, I’ll leave it up to her. She’s the queen.”
“Our queen.”
“What about me?” Yalo had been quiet since Joe arrived and reprimanded Vin for bringing her along.
Joe looked at her fierce expression in the waning light. He knew she loved Callie and wanted to protect her. But he needed Yalo out of the possible lines of fire. “Stay here and run the communications. We can’t call each other when we’re in close, but we can relay through you.”
Yalo nodded, not looking pleased with her duty but being a good soldier about it.
The hatch nearest the bridge swung open.
“Let’s go.”
* * * *
Another of Hadrason’s men entered, bowing his head before addressing his boss. Was Hadrason preparing them to kneel before him like kings of old?
“Sir, we’re putting out another group. They’re going to set up a circle of sensory receivers. If anything is living within a hundred miles of us, we’ll hear them or detect their body heat.”
Callie wondered how far away Camp Haven was. Not that far. But hadn’t Joe ordered Vin to fortify the camp? The marines would have spotted this ship. They’d be prepared.
