The Broken Cage (Solstice 31 Saga Book 2)

by Martin Wilsey

  “There is more,” Kuss said, calming through force of will.

  “Ben can you please review all these associated files and provide me an assessment?”

  “Yes, Captain,” AI~Ben said, into his HUD.

  “Kuss, come with me.”

  Jim left the conference room, his good humor from earlier gone. In three minutes, they stood in front of the airlock door. Bowen saw him.

  “You need to take these zip ties off me and get me some food and water,” Bowen demanded.

  Worthington said nothing, he played the damning audio over the intercom.

  “Last chance,” he said.

  “You can't do this. No food, no water, and it's freezing in here.” Worthington heard the contempt in her voice

  “Ben, based on your full assessment of the information in your possession, what do you think we should do?”

  Ben blew the hatch open, without decompressing the airlock.

  Bowen died, instantly, her body was thrown about 100 meters out of the airlock onto the surface.

  Kuss laughed.

  “Ben! What the hell?” Worthington gasped.

  “Decision was inevitable. Time is short. Hume has contacted the Memphis,” AI~Ben said, in a flat voice.

  Kuss was still laughing as she walked away.

  ***

  The bolt struck Hume in the center of her chest and bounced away. It felt like her chest plate was hit with a hammer. But, hitting her body armor with a hammer was nothing. Everyone froze.

  Hume unsnapped her holsters. She calculated. They didn't know that her targeting rig had already spotted all the men with plasma rifles, even the ones off to the side. All she had to do was point her guns in their direction and they will fire, automatically, with deadly accuracy. In half a second, they will be dead and then the crossbowman will soon follow. She didn’t target Coff.

  She'd kill Coff last.

  All of a sudden, a man in slippers, an old bathrobe, and nightshirt, walked out onto the patio, holding two cups of steaming tea. He walked right past the guards and right up to Hume.

  “Captain Burke, where are your manners this morning?” He held out the cup of tea to Hume, and said, “Would you care for some tea? Get up Coff, for anvil's sake.” Looking around, he added, “Stand down. All of you.”

  “All. Of. You.” It was directed at Burke.

  He made a series of hand motions with the cups and all the men, except Burke and Coff, melted into the shadows, before Coff rose to his feet.

  “Thank you, my Lord,” Coff said, “Thank you.”

  “Don't thank me. I just didn't want to train another security detail,” he said, looking at Burke.

  Coff came up to Hume's side, and said, “She was serious when she asked you not to kill them all.”

  “I do my best,” Hume replied.

  Deciding, slowly, she reached up, took off her helmet and tucked it under her left arm. Burke and his men were taken aback by her dark skin and close-cropped hair.

  She took the tea with her right hand. “Thank you. My name is Valerie Hume.”

  She sipped it, at parade rest, her helmet still tucked in. The tea mug was in her right hand. The man in the robe was wise enough to realize it was a gesture of good faith.

  “I am sorry, my Lord.” Coff bowed his head. “I only met Hume a few days ago.”

  “Coff, I didn't think you had this in you.” He chuckled. “Tracker Ann maybe, but not you. I am impressed. Good work.”

  Burke openly stared at Hume. She knew from conversations with Coff that it was because of her skin color.

  “I didn't think you had it in you either, Coff. You knew these guards were here,” Hume added, while smiling, “Well-played.”

  “Please, come in. My name is Ronan. Do you have time to join us for breakfast?” Coff was still frozen where he stood, as Hume followed Ronan toward the house. “You too, Coff.” Ronan waved for him to follow.

  They stepped through a door in a wall of glass into a large, beautifully appointed room. Well-worn and cared for leather sofas and chairs faced the vast expanse of southern facing windows. The sky began to brighten, so she could see the tall bookcases in the back of the room and on the surrounding balconies above.

  Hume smelled bacon.

  She followed Ronan through this great room into a dining room to the right. It also had a wall of windows and Hume could already tell that the view would be spectacular. There was a beautiful, heavy, dark-stained table and chairs in there, with seating for twenty. The chairs matched the table perfectly and looked like they were designed for comfort, not to be ornate. But, the effect was a room that represented the ease of power that seemed to follow the man.

  A woman in her middle years walked out from the kitchen with an armful of plates and silverware. “Two more for breakfast?” she asked Ronan, as he kissed her cheek with genuine affection. “Better make it three more. I don't want to have to repeat the entire event to Burke.”

  Looking around, Hume noticed Burke had disappeared.

  “Valerie, this is May,” Ronan said. May paused in setting the table, hesitating only an instant as she saw Hume’s face, and gave her a nod. Hume looked at Coff, who nodded confirmation that this was Ronan's spouse. “May, you remember Coff.”

  “Yes, hello, Coff.” And, to Hume, “Very pleased to meet you, miss.” May went off for one more place setting.

  Hume set her mug on the table and Ronan sat at the head of it. She took off her gloves, put them inside the helmet, and placed it on a side chair with her cloak.

  “I must say, you’re taking my surprise visit in stride,” Hume said, as she sat in the corner chair next to him.

  May returned with another place setting, and her own steaming mug, placing it by the setting at the other corner, opposite Hume.

  “I enjoy surprises.” Ronan smiled, sincerely.

  Hume realized she smelled hot cocoa coming from May's mug.

  Noticing, May said, as she placed the last napkin, “Would you like some, dear?”

  “Yes, please,” Hume replied, smiling.

  “Good manners, likes cocoa, and didn’t kill the security staff, even though they usually, mostly, deserve it. I like her.” May smiled. “Now, tell me about your beautiful skin.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  Road Trip

  “It was too much, too fast. It started accelerating, then. We didn’t notice so many things. Barcus in the north, the events at the Citadel, the Memphis crew on the moon, and even Hagan. The timing was chaotic. We were all just making it up as we went along.”

  --Solstice 31 Incident Investigation Testimony Transcript: Lieutenant Valerie Hume, the security chief on the Memphis.

  <<<>>>

  “I know I'm overdue. It was unavoidable, Captain.” Hume activated her helmet cam for Jim to see the view. “I was receiving a tour, by boat, of all things.”

  She walked to the low wall at the edge of the patio, next to the stairs that led down to the docks.

  “Sir, we were very lucky,” Hume said, as she turned the helmet to face herself. “I am sending you approach vectors, to avoid these populated areas. If you can get to Rand’s base without being noticed, we may have a chance.”

  “What do you mean?” Jim asked.

  “Use of any technology, by any but a select few, is strictly forbidden here. Not just space ships. Anything. No weapons. Even crossbows are forbidden to all but the few.”

  “Crossbows?” he murmured.

  Only Cook heard it.

  “The caste system here is horrible. At least the man that rules this region is enlightened enough to forbid the use of slaves in this province. He is conservative but intelligent. He is willing to discreetly help us.”

  “We’re about two weeks away from our attempt to join you. Find out everything you can, in the meantime,” Jim said.

  “Hume, a lot has happened.” He paused. “Bowen's dead.”

  “Good.” It was a simple statement.

  “It was intentional, Hum
e. Ventura’s destruction, the whole thing. She was in on it. She knew it was going to happen.” Jimbo looked stressed. “Somehow, someone is sending ships here, knowing they will be destroyed. Bowen didn't know how tight Captain Everett could drop out of FTL. The Memphis was supposed to survive and bring back some sort of data. But, we were still too close when the Ventura was hit.” The look on his face was all held-in anger. “They murdered the entire crew. The crews of other ships, as well.”

  “I will find out what I can, Jim,” Hume said.

  “I will not be on the bridge for the next week, or more. We have to manually detach the remaining lifeboats, all three. And, rig one to fly it through the hole. Cook and Muir will man the bridge while we have line of sight.”

  “I plan on finding the other EM.” Hume looked over her shoulder at the horizon, in the direction of the EM. “I wonder whose it is?”

  “Touch base, once a day,” Jim said.

  “Yes, sir,” Hume said, hesitating. “Jim, what will we do once you are down?”

  “One miracle at a time, Hume. One goal at a time. A lot may depend on your new friend Ronan. That, and luck.”

  “Hume out,” she said, not missing the implied importance of her diplomacy.

  “Memphis out,” Worthington replied.

  ***

  It took Worthington and the rest of his crew the next ten hours to get the remaining forward lifeboat detached. Even in the lower gravity, it was difficult. It turned out the other two lifeboats had multiple hull breaches and were unsuitable. Over the next few days, the remaining two were removed and dragged to the other side of the hangar. Everyone wondered what happened to the fourth lifeboat. It must have been torn off.

  Systems were checked, and rechecked, on the Memphis. The last of the debris was dragged from the shuttle bay, including the remains of reactor number two. All the usable parts were salvaged and stowed away.

  When the big jobs were done, everyone split into teams, to work on other, smaller projects.

  The new grav-foils were installed on the lifeboat, and the new rig was casually called the Tiller. It was a fitting name. The newly installed foils will not provide any propulsion, like the system used on the sled. The Tiller will only steer the lifeboat, hopefully with enough control that Jim can easily guide it through the hole.

  There had been an intense, but very short, argument between Captain Worthington and Commander Cook, regarding who was going to pilot the Memphis through the hole. It was decided with the simulator. Worthington, on twenty runs, only managed to make it through four times. AI~Ben, the AI on the Memphis, managed to make it through eleven times. But, Cook managed it, eighteen times.

  ***

  Hume was given the run of the East Isles. Keeper Ronan had Coff escort her wherever she went. He didn't want her to fly the Hammerhead around in the daylight, or let anyone see her face. Her looks were too memorable. He was sure there were informants on his islands. She was given the same uniform set of clothes that Ronan's personal guards and couriers wore. It was all black with a black cloak. She found the black tabard with a belt, worn over her flight suit, allowed access to, and concealment of, her weapons, including her combat carbine, if she desired to carry it.

  Ronan never even considered depriving her of her weapons. She discovered later, from Coff, that it was an ‘unforgivable offense’ for a woman to so much as touch a weapon. She could be condemned to death by sledge hammer and anvil.

  If she wore her helmet, her face was invisible. Because of her clothes people averted their eyes as she passed them.

  Ronan had a large shipyard. As many as twenty-two large, seagoing ships were being built.

  What intrigued Hume the most was his shuttle. It was a CV-11a. The civilian version of the CV-11 orbital shuttle, with no weapons trays. It could hold a pilot, a copilot, and eight passengers. It could not be pressurized. On closer examination, she saw that the seals had been removed. She had a pressure suit and could have probably made it to the moon base in two days, but not if the engines were in a vacuum. Ronan was flying to the Citadel, for a High Council meeting, and Hume asked to go along. May was the one that convinced Hume it was too dangerous for her. For many reasons.

  After a few days, Ronan returned. Hume was having dinner with Ronan, May and a couple of other trackers.

  “Hume, I would like you to meet Ann and Pyke. Ann is the best tracker in East Isles.” She bowed her head to Hume, formally.

  Pyke then added, “She can follow footprints from one island to the next.” His pride was evident.

  “What is it trackers...track?” Hume asked. “Coff says most people are trackers just for the freedom.”

  Pyke looked slightly uncomfortable with this statement, but didn't say anything.

  Ann said, “Mostly, we track people, really.” She glanced at Keeper Ronan, as if seeking permission to answer honestly. “Lost people, runaways, others.” Feeling more comfortable, she continued, “We hunt for food and beautiful pelts and hides. We hunt predators and other killing beasts.”

  That is when Hume saw the color slightly drain from Pyke's face.

  “Beasts? What kind of beasts?” Hume asked.

  “Mountain bears, forest wolves, Telis Raptors, other things. Animals that endanger remote villages,” she said.

  “What is a Telis Raptor?” Hume asked, watching Pyke.

  Ann turned to Ronan, who reached to his belt sheath and withdrew a knife that had a slightly curved blade, about half a meter long, tip to pommel. He handed it to Ann, handle first.

  “This is the tail spike from a Telis Raptor. The last tailbone makes a perfect handle.” Ann flicked the blade and a candle toppled over, cut neatly off. “The tail spikes alone are worth a fortune.”

  She looked at Keeper Ronan and was suddenly embarrassed. “No, no. It's alright, Ann. I know it's a vanity to carry one without having killed it myself. But, the blade is so fine, I can stand the scorn.”

  Ann handed Hume the blade, as Pyke spoke, “Telis Raptors are the last of the old species. Part reptile and part bird. Mostly reptile. They are smart and savage, and once they get the taste for human flesh, can clear a village.”

  “Not many people have seen one, up close. They say if you do, it's the last thing you'll see,” Ronan said, as Hume handed the knife back.

  “We saw a demon once. Tracked it for days,” Pyke said.

  Ann looked at him with a disapproving glare.

  “A demon? Do tell, Pyke.” Ronan poured more wine.

  “There were two. But different. It passed us in the dark, one night. We were on our way to Greenwarren, to find out about the spring order,” Pyke said, looking at Ronan.

  “I remember,” Ronan said.

  Ann picked up the story. “The village, and many others, had been destroyed. We followed it, as far as we dared. We met a Keeper, in some ruins north and east of Greenwarren, he helped us with directions to the Salterferry Bridge and Langforest Keep. Keeper Volk contacted you, and you picked us up in the CV-11.”

  “You didn't mention the Keeper before. What was his name? I don't know of any Keepers left north of the gorge.”

  “His name was Ulric,” Pyke said.

  Ronan had been leaning back in his chair. His feet thumped to the floor.

  “Was there a tracker with him named Grady?” Ronan demanded.

  “Yes, my Lord. There was. An exceptional tracker, too. He is tall and wiry thin. Very capable. Sharp as a tracker’s axe,” Pyke said, as Ronan rose to his feet.

  “Ronan, what's wrong?” May asked.

  He was agitated. He stormed into the great room, without a word.

  “I'm sorry, my lady. Did I say something wrong?” Pyke asked of May, worried.

  He was back in less than a minute, unrolling a large map of the northern regions that was very detailed and heavily annotated. “Where did you meet the Keeper Ulric?”

  Ann looked over the map. It was obvious to Hume that she could read it and was very familiar with that region. “It was around h
ere.” She pointed with her finger. “There was a great road beneath the canopy, here, that leads to it. It's just about directly north of the Salterferry Bridge, on the opposite side of the unfinished tunnel.”

  “Burke!” Ronan called.

  “Yes, my Lord.” He was there, as if by magic.

  Ronan stopped short. “Dammit,” he cursed.

  “What's wrong?” Hume asked.

  “The shuttles. They are all tracked. The Lord High Keeper would wonder what I was doing north of the gorge. Dammit.”

  “I'll take you,” Hume said.

  “What?” Ronan stopped, taken aback.

  “I'll take you in the Hammerhead. He doesn't track me.” Hume smiled. “Let me earn my keep around here.”

  “Lord Keeper, wait. You cannot go there. The demons are there,” Pyke said, with fear in his voice.

  Ann stood. She almost seemed embarrassed as she spoke, “It's true, my Lord. There is a giant spider and a golem, there. I have seen them with my own eyes.”

  “A giant spider, you say?” It was Hume’s turn to stand now. “Was this ‘golem’ all black?”

  Ann tilted her head at Hume. “You have seen these demons?” Ann asked.

  Hume looked at Ronan and leaned on the table. “I will take you. You'll be safe.”

  Ronan leaned in, just as Hume had, from across the table. He looked at Ann, and then May. Something passed between them. He looked back, directly at Hume.

  “When do we leave?” Hume asked, a glint in her eye.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  The Golem

  “I knew it was him. Right away. That bastard was too tough, too smart to die. I knew nothing about Wex just then. In a world where women meant nothing, I should have noticed she was special.”

  --Solstice 31 Incident Investigation Testimony Transcript: Lieutenant Valerie Hume, the security chief on the Memphis.

  <<<>>>

  Hume didn't like the compromise Ronan proposed. Hume will fly him in at night, tonight, and she will wait for him, inside the unfinished tunnel, hidden from the sky and the High Keeper.