“The fact that we did not seek permission in advance is, in hindsight, unfortunate. I can only state that the mission was planned at the last minute. The rest, the matter of the Berrillians, is by chance alone.”
“A gambler might accept that notion, but I am not a betting sort. Those in power, at least on this world, rarely are.”
“Be that as it may, I trust you will grant us access based if nothing else on my record as a friend.”
“Ah yes, the matter of Tersfeller the Huge and his idiot son. Do you know what happened after you presented them to my predecessors?”
“No, in fact. I do not.”
“It was an interesting gesture on your part to be certain. Unfortunately, after the pair was desecrated and dismembered, those who subsequently took charge became extremely enraged. They bombed my country with a ferocity we had never experienced. Millions died as a direct result of your gift.”
“I turned them over. I’m not responsible for the repercussions.”
“Be that as it may, the results somewhat negate our appreciation of your act.”
“If I might,” said Molly, “I would like to discuss a matter where my colleague and I differ.”
Huh? What could we possibly differ on? I was a general and in command. She was a junior officer. In the military, we said shit rolled downhill, never up. We couldn’t differ because my word was law.
“Why, yes. It would be refreshing to hear from someone with a clean slate,” Gortantor responded.
“General Ryan is of the opinion that we would do best to work alone. I have advised him that our task would be much easier if we had local input. I suggested we ask that a significant number of locals be provided to help us. What is your opinion on that matter?”
He looked at her a while. I could hear the gears whirring in his tiny head.
“I must agree with you that local guides would make your job more doable. I like your approach, Captain.”
“Then you’ll be willing to offer such cooperation to assist us?” she asked quickly.
“That is not what I said.”
“I’m sorry. I thought I heard that you’d rather work with us from a position of control rather than risk us working in a manner out of your control. I apologize for my presumption.”
The kid was smart. Ballsy too.
He stared at her a while.
“I would be honored to personally direct the team that will guide you on your quest to gather historic documentation. Shall we begin at first light tomorrow?
“That would be great,” I responded. “Where shall we meet?”
“Your encounter with Zirzjincus took place in a small town not far from here. You will be supplied the coordinates, and we shall rendezvous there.”
“Thank you. That is most kind,” I nodded my head at him.
“Until tomorrow, then,” he replied, rising to his multitudinous feet.
SIX
Bright and early, Molly and I landed at the spot where I had landed years before with my Sarcorit prisoners. A large contingent of troops were already in a vast formation around that central square. Clearly, Gortantor was taking no chances that our “history gathering” would get out of hand. He was determined to limit our movements to only areas that suited him. Realistically, I could have obliterated the entire force with Wrath, or maybe even single-handedly, but those weren’t real options. Still, it galled me to be constrained by an inferior force. One might assume that with my centuries of maturing I might have moved on from such a bull-headed stance, but come on, we were talking Jon here.
“This is where you delivered the Sarcorit to us. Please collect whatever data you desire and then leave,” said Gortantor.
“Well, sure, and thanks. But there are many other sites we need to document also,” I replied, trying to sound confused.
“No,” was his terse response.
“But you said we could have access to the areas I visited.”
“And this is the only place where you met my people.”
“No,” I lied. “There were the parades and my tours of outlying villages. The festivities went on for days. You know that, right?”
“There are no records of such extended movements, Ryan. I believe you are trying to deceive me.”
“Hey, the fact that your side lost the records doesn’t mean the events didn’t happen. I will be highly insulted if you go back on you word.”
“You try my patience too much. I will now ask—”
“I told you that you were pushing this good friend too far,” scolded Molly.
Ah, where did that come from? I was, however, willing to play along.
“I told you, I’m in charge and I will not tolerate your insubordination much longer.”
“We know you visited several sites in the interior, but if Gortantor says no he means no. What’s wrong with you? Every day I come to believe that you are not as loyal to our government and its plans.”
“If you didn’t have your own ride, I’d leave you here with your new buddies. I don’t need your nagging any longer. I am negotiating with an alien leader. You will remain silent. Am I perfectly clear?”
“No, Ryan, you’re the alien here. This is his home. It’s all their homes. If Gortantor says we can only document this spot, then this spot is all I wish to document.”
“When we get home, I’ll see you severely punished for your interference with this mission. If it fails, it will be your fault.” I pointed an angry finger at her for effect. I also hoped she had an idea where this was going.
“Your mission, Ryan, has failed. But it is your doing, not this fine officer’s,” said Gortantor.
“I need to finish scolding her. If you could hold on a second. Then you and I can return to our negotiations.”
“You and I will negotiate nothing. I will listen to what the woman has to say, but you will not be party to our discussion.”
I turned to Molly. “You’ve stabbed me in the back for the last time. I—”
“Ryan, if you do not silence yourself immediately, I will have you shot. Do I make myself clear?” Gortantor sounded very serious.
“I will be in my ship,” I responded. “When I return, we’d better be allowed to perform this important mission.”
I stormed away.
“You and your superior seem not to agree well,” he remarked to Molly after I sealed Shearwater's hatch.
He was unaware that I could hear whatever they said. Robot ears were good ears.
“We don’t. He represents the old way of doing things. I believe these are new times, and they require a new vision. Intimidation and conquering are not the way to achieve a peaceful future.”
“How very wise for one so young. I agree with you.”
“I wish to apologize for his actions. I will do my best to control him when he returns. If it is your wish that we leave, please know that I will do what I can to see that we will.”
“You cannot apologize for another. Only he can confess his errors.”
“True, but I do feel badly for the people I represent.”
“That is sufficient for me, Captain.”
“If it’s all right, why don’t I start collecting the images we came for. If we cannot document Ryan’s entire visit, then that must do.”
“Where, exactly, was he supposed to have traveled?”
“I know the names, but they mean nothing to me. Jockoren, Scizlowa, and the wastelands of Morepatop.”
“How odd that we have no records,” replied Gortantor.
“It was long ago. Memories fade, and records are lost. You said there was a vicious reprisal after Ryan delivered his prisoners. Much was destroyed. It’s perfectly understandable.”
“Those first two names are towns nearby. The wasteland, however, is far from here. I cannot imagine why Ryan might have been taken to such a remote and barren place.”
“He told me he wanted to collect geological samples.”
“And did he?”
“Yes, but they were subsequently los
t. It would have been nice to reacquire some to complete the story of his journey, but if we can’t, we can’t.”
“Perhaps the two of you can’t, but you may.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“I will not allow Ryan to soil my domain, but I will consider it an honor to lead someone as far-thinking as yourself there.”
“Oh,” she covered her mouth, “I could never do that. He’d have my head. He’s paranoid, and he’s cruel.”
“I would offer to send a full report of your cooperation and his hostility to your government, if that might help lessen his wrath.”
“I could never ask that of you,” she said in a hush.
“No, but I can freely offer it. I, like you, look to a peaceful and profitable future. I think we are able to aide one another.”
“I am flattered, but I could not mislead you. I am a very junior officer with no diplomatic connections. I promise you nothing of substance in return for your trust.”
“Nonsense. This is how useful bonds are forged. I help you, and you help me. It would be extremely valuable to have a trusted friend among what has been an otherwise seemingly hostile government.”
“Well, I could at least do my best. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. I have a mission that I must complete as best I can. Ryan will return shortly. If I’ve…oh, here he comes now.”
“Ryan,” said Gortantor before I could speak, “I will be escorting the captain to the wastelands of Morepatop. You will remain here and collect what samples you’d like. After you're done, you may proceed to Jockoren and Scizlowa under heavy guard. There will be no negations on this arrangement.”
“What…I…how can…” I tried to seem flustered.
“Silence,” the little guy said. “We will depart at once. The captain will take us in her vessel. She said it is in obit. Help her retrieve it at once. That way my new friend can store all the samples she wishes to extract. When we return, I’d better find you in one of the three specific areas I have granted you permission to visit. Do not test me, Ryan. If you do, there will be trouble.”
I started to protest but slumped in silent resignation instead. All right Molly. She at least got into the hinterlands like we’d schemed to go. It was a weird-ass step, but at least it was a step. Better than being kicked back into space empty handed. My immediate concern then became what I was going to survey and collect. I had to look busy, interested, and productive. Argh.
Molly and Gortantor left directly after she landed with Expectation. They were accompanied by a small contingent of guards. I guess I should have said a limited contingent of small guards, to be more clear. They all piled onto Expectation, and it vanished.
Molly set a course for the far reaches of the wasteland. We’d reasoned that the farther out we looked, the greater our chances would be of finding some trace of the dead Berrillians. What she did when she hit the ground was fully up to her at that point. Playing life by ear was the truest test of a pilot. We were about to test my goddaughter’s mettle.
SEVEN
Once she opened a portal, the guards, then the two of them stepped out onto a very desolate, bleak expanse of nothingness. As a space-born, she’d never been in a proper desert. The guards fanned out around the ship, establishing a defensive perimeter. What they were defending against was unclear to her, since the place was so barren.
“As you see, Captain, there is little in Morepatop, and even less that warrants documentation. However, my friend, feel free to explore. Do remain behind the enclosure my soldiers have formed. There are a few lethal creatures here.”
“Fine. Can we go over there?” she asked pointing at a rocky outcropping.
“If you wish.”
He pointed at his troops and then at the rock mound. They scurried ahead to reconnoiter the area. Molly took the initiative and followed them closely. If there was anything to be found, she wanted to be there before it was covered up.
The guards were sprinting, Molly walking at a modest clip, and Gortantor was dropping back conspicuously. Deconditioning or decorum prevented him from keeping up. That’s when Molly caught her first break. The gap between the two groups grew too large for Gortantor’s comfort, so he squealed a cry to have them fall back to protect him. They did, but Molly broke into a jog. Gortantor called out for her to stop, but she pretended not to hear him or even notice the guards had withdrawn.
As she hit the rocky slope, Molly began to sprit. She knew the little devils would have the hardest time matching her pace there and wanted to buy enough time before they arrived so she could poke about. Near the irregular top of the hillock, she heard a sound and froze. She whirled around a full circle, but saw nothing. Then the sound repeated. It wasn’t movement. It was panting, rapid shallow panting interrupted by moans. Molly bent and twisted until she located the direction the noises came from. There was a thin crack of an opening to a recess behind a mound of boulders, possibly a small cave.
She knew the sounds weren’t coming from a Jinicgus. They were too deep and reverberated too much. Knowing a Berrillian could be the source, she swung her rail rifle off her shoulder and pointed it to the opening. She inched forward slowly. The guard detail began their assent, shouting loud enough that it would be impossible for Molly to claim she couldn’t hear them. Pressed for time, she entered the recess more quickly than she’d like to have entered. She didn’t have time to snap her flashlight onto her weapon, so she had to hold it in one hand as she advanced.
Sweeping the darkness, at first all she saw was scattered rubble and debris—nothing that couldn’t be there by chance. Then she caught sight of a scrap of cloth. It appeared to have been torn from a large garment, much larger than the locals. It had to be alien. The panting grew a little louder but was still faint. Then Molly heard a growl. She froze. Her light and barrel swung to her right, and the hind feet of a Berrillian were clearly visible angling around a rock. The rest of the cat was out of sight. She could hear the Jinicgus guards nearing the opening.
“I’m Captain Kendrick of the human worldship fleet. I have you covered. Show yourself slowly. No sudden moves, or you’re dead.” She spoke through the same translator in her helmet she was using to converse with the locals. It reset automatically to Berrillian.
At first there was no change in the panting, then it stopped. It was followed by a gasping sound. One foot moved slightly.
“I repeat, show yourself or I will shoot.”
Molly picked up a stone and tossed it against one of the paws.
Aside from a reflex tick of the foot, nothing moved.
Gortantor’s voice boomed from the entrance. “Captain, please come out at once. You are in possible danger. Come out at once.”
“Sorry,” she called over a shoulder without turning her head, no can do. I’ve got my rifle trained on a Berrillian. I don’t come out until it surrenders or is dead.”
“Captain, it is not your place to do so. I reign here. My team will enter and subdue the alien. Back toward me.”
“I cannot guarantee their safety. If they enter, and I start shooting, they’re likely to get hit.”
All the shouting had no effect on the Berrillian. The feet remained limp and motionless.
Molly advanced and kicked a foot, hard. That brought a loud growl. The feet slid on the dirt, trying to push forward. After a moment, they relaxed back to limp. Either the cat was putting on quite the performance or it was gravely ill. As dead men told no tales, so a dead Berrillian would yield no useful intel. Molly angled around the rock, gun first, which revealed more and more of the body. Finally, she arrived at the head.
The female Berrillian was on her side, head on the ground, with her tongue lolling out weakly in the dirt. Molly took a moment to inspect the cat. She was emaciated. Ribs showed through, and her legs were spindles without the typical powerful musculature. The Berrillian was starving to death and was nearly there.
Molly poked the head with the tip of her weapon. “Can you hear me?” she asked loudly.
The head remained on the floor, but it did swivel a little.
“Can you get up? Can you stand?”
The she-cat finally spoke. “No. Let me die.”
I one fluid movement, Molly set her rifle on the ground, drew her canteen from her belt, and raised the head with her left forearm. It wasn’t easy, given the massive skull, but she could raise and angle the mouth enough to pour water into the cat’s mouth. At first her prisoner gagged and coughed, but slowly it began gulping down the water. Molly emptied the container.
At that point, a tight-knit formation of Jinicgus stepped up to Molly’s side, with Gortantor a few paces behind their wall.
“Captain, I order you to step clear and leave. My team must execute this invader. If you do not move, you will be shot.”
Oh well, Molly reflected to herself, so much for my new alliance with Gortantor.
“Okay. I will withdraw,” she replied. “Let me get my gun and…”
“No. We fire in ten seconds, whether you’re clear or not.”
“But, Gortantor, there’s a problem with that,” said Molly, not turning from the Berrillian whose head rested on her lap.
“What possible problem?”
“In five seconds, I’ll have killed every lovin’ one of you, if you’re still here. That includes you, your sausageship.”
Molly pointed her laser finger at the wall next to Gortantor’s head and, without looking, blasted a hole so close to him he was thrown to the ground.
None of the Jinicgus contention needed to be further asked. They burst toward the light showing through the entry as fast as tiny feet could carry them. Gortantor lead them as they exploded into the clear.
“Here,” Molly said to the cat, “try and eat this.” She broke open a ration pack, picked out the Salisbury steak, and set it in her open mouth.
Involuntarily, the prisoner began to lick and chomp at the meat. Then her jaws slammed shut, and she swallowed it whole.
From outside the cave, Gortantor yelled, “You cannot leave, Captain. The price for betraying me is your life. Sooner or later, you must exit. When you do, you will die. I have called for reinforcements. There is no chance of rescue or escape.”
The Forever Peace (The Forever Series Book 6) Page 4
