by Mark Iles
“What are you talking about, have you lost your mind?” She held up her right hand, forestalling the other bridge crew members from doing anything.
“Quite the opposite,” Singh replied. “I’m the only sane one here. This had to be done and no one else would do it.”
“What the hell, Singh? The Sken are watching us all of the time! How they do it we have no idea. They’ll have seen this … needless slaughter, and they’re going to be royally pissed. There’s no way we can possibly win a war against them, and the chances are they’re going to kick the living shit out of us!”
“No, they won’t…”
“Of course they will! You’re a bloody fool, Singh. You’ve just doomed what little’s left of the human race. If the Manta had tried to attack us, that would have been different, we could have defended ourselves. And yes, I had contingency orders from the admiralty in case of Manta betrayal, hence the bombs as you say. But they didn’t attack us, did they? The bugs kept their end of the bargain. We had peace for the first time in God knows how long. You’ve doomed us all, Singh. For pity’s sake, why?”
He finally stood up and moved away from the others, hands raised. The expression on his face was one of sadness. “Because if I hadn’t, you probably would have, if you knew the truth. You see, there are things you don’t know. Things that were deliberately kept from you.”
“Enlighten me.”
Singh’s eyes were locked onto hers and, despite their black pits, she knew he was telling the truth. He’d never lied. “The Sken told us that the Earth had been destroyed, didn’t they?”
“Yes, it’s awful, but that’s history now. We have to look forward. For the human race to survive we have to accept that things happen in war.”
“Yes, things happen. But you see it wasn’t the Sken that destroyed Earth, it was the Manta.”
“You’re lying.” But Selena knew that he wasn’t— his eyes were baring his soul.
“We destroyed their world, you, Bryn, me and the others—and finally they got their revenge.”
“You’re talking nonsense.”
“It’s true.”
“And you know this how?”
“Kotes told me. He and the Magellan were on a scouting mission nearby and saw the attack as it happened. When he informed Admiral Van Pluy, he was told to keep it quiet. The Admiral believed mankind would go berserk it they knew, and demand an immediate attack on the Manta—even though they’re technically our allies.”
Selena stared at him. Could this be true?
“The admiral also said you weren’t to be told about what really happened to Earth. He believed you were the right person to get the bugs to safety, but feared that if you discovered the truth you might act differently and attack them yourself. I couldn’t let that happen and did what was necessary. They killed Bryn, Selena, the man we both loved. And then they destroyed the Earth.”
Selena’s ears buzzed, the room swam and she felt hot. She shook her head to clear it but didn’t know what to say.
Singh continued. “Maybe Kotes told me so the decision was mine whether to tell you or not. Who knows? The Manta killed Bryn’s family, remember? He and I found what was left of them in the ruins of their home, back before we met you.”
Selena remembered Bryn telling her this, when she’d pegged him as a loose cannon and he’d begged her to keep him on the mission which they’d believed was a one-way trip. It was his chance for revenge, and so she’d let him stay and had eventually fallen for him. And yet, at the end, their love had paid the price. Even now she could feel the pressure of his lips on hers, the tender touch of his fingers caressing the side of her face, the love shining from his eyes and their love making … all gone. For he’d died during their lifeboat’s crash landing on an unknown alien world. She blinked back a tear, as Singh continued, bringing her back to the present.
“He and I broke into a prison holding alien prisoners and killed them, I just couldn’t let him do it alone. Unfortunately, those bugs were the only prisoners we’d managed to capture alive and they were still being studied. We were caught, and that’s why we were sentenced to service in the Regiments. But, you know what? It was worth it.”
He swallowed, choking back his sadness. “Maybe you’re right, Selena. Mankind can’t win a war against the Sken, even with their numbers depleted. But I know in my heart that if I hadn’t stopped the Manta right here and now, our people would pay the price later on—or our children would. If whoever carried out this act has to die, then it’s better me than it is you.”
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“Think about it. The Admiralty can truthfully deny all responsibility for what happened. You have to go on, Selena, Jas is waiting for you. And, if I remember correctly, you have a score to settle with that bitch Queen of yours.”
Singh slowly began to lower his right hand towards his sidearm.
“Don’t!”
Singh’s eyes were on hers as his hand crept slowly towards his pistol. “If you’re right, Selena, and the Jellies are watching us, they’ll see that you punished the person responsible. Mankind will be safe.”
“Singh, don’t make me do this!”
“It’s okay. Remember, they didn’t attack the Manta when they attacked us the first time, or more recently, did they? Instead, they let them resolve it themselves. The Sken are an understanding race and only interfere when there’s no choice. Let’s face it, without Bryn I’ve no reason to go on. But you do.” He pulled the sidearm free and slowly raised it towards her. “Goodbye Selena.” He cocked the weapon.
“Singh, stop…don’t!” Her pistol barked once, twice.
Singh was thrown backwards onto the floor, dropping the pistol as he landed on his left side before pushing himself up against a console to face her. Blood dribbled from the side of his mouth, as Kes and the others stared down at him in horror. “It’s okay, Selena,” he coughed. “At least I’ll be with Bryn now.”
“Give him my love,” she said, wiping a tear from her left eye. Then she aimed and pulled the trigger again.
Chapter Ten
“I guess I should ask for your weapon,” Kes said, his voice breaking the shocked silence.
“Negative,” Selena replied, voice harsh as she pushed back her emotions and holstered her side arm. “We both know I’ll be exonerated, which means you could end up on a charge of mutiny and face a court martial. I’ll deal with any repercussions on my own, thank you.”
Kes lowered the hand he’d stretched towards her for the weapon, and looked over to Singh’s body, shock evident on his face.
“Is it true what Singh said, about your orders?” Jessica demanded.
“Take your seats,” Selena said to the others, and used her hand-held to pipe over the ships intercom, “Clean-up crew to the bridge!”
She paused for a moment to gather her thoughts, and said, “On this ship you’ll address me as Captain, Lieutenant. In answer to your question, yes, although I only received them a short time ago. Singh must have known about their contents in advance, and exactly how concerns me. In that message, Van Pluy’s instructions were to destroy the Manta vessels if they became a threat, but only then. That was the first I’d heard about the mines on those escorts. He said that he’d personally chosen volunteers to man those ships, and their Commanding Officers knew that planet-busting bombs had been placed aboard their vessels. They had control of those devices, but they’d also been set for remote detonation by me in case the ships were compromised.”
“Selena…” Kes interrupted.
She held up her hand to quieten him, and continued. “My orders were to kill myself immediately afterwards, to demonstrate to the Sken that while we’d been prepared for such an eventuality the person responsible had been punished. Just as Singh took the punishment himself.”
“The irony is,” Braxis said, “it was humanity who betrayed the Manta for a change, and not the other way around.”
Kes spoke again. “Singh was right, h
e had to die to save us all. The fact that we’re still here and talking about it means the Jellies witnessed Singh’s self-punishment and understood. They’re already mad at humanity, because some of our worlds had been aligned with the ForeRunners.”
“But, Singh was your friend,” Jessica said. “Our friend.”
“Yes and, trust me, I did all of humanity— including us—a favour.”
“Are you sure the Sken are watching?” Jessica asked.
“Absolutely, they even told us they are. But like I said, what we don’t know is how they’re doing it.”
“Well, I’m pretty sure from what I’ve heard that they’re against genocide,” Jessica said.
“Oh, really? Then what about the Forerunners?” Selena said.
“That was their last resort,” Kes said. “Let’s hope they give us a chance.”
“Commander, I’m detecting a vessel moving away from the debris field. It’s a Manta landing ship and it’s approaching Loreen at high speed.” Jessica said, interrupting.
Selena felt as if her stomach had fallen through the floor. “Are you sure?”
“Positive. I didn’t see it before, it was hidden in the debris. They must have suspected something when those escorts closed, and ejected just before the bombs detonated.”
“What’s happening now?” Selena demanded.
“That one contact’s split into five! What the hell? They’ve slipped through Loreen’s defences, they must have been blinded the same as us. Looks like they’re going to land near the Gateway to Eden.”
“Shit! Kes, take the helm. Get after those ships. Jessica, get me Admiral Van Pluy.”
“Commander,” Van Pluy said, his face appearing on the screen. “What the hell’s going on? I’m getting reports of a massive explosion in your vicinity and numerous Manta ships approaching Loreen.”
“Tell the defences not to fire, Sir, we’re after them and closing fast. Singh got control of those mines you’d planted on the escorts, and detonated them himself. Hopefully we can stop this from getting further out of hand.”
“I’m dispatching reinforcements to the site and putting them on full alert. Whatever you’re planning, Commander, it better be good.”
“I’ll report in as soon as I can. Dillon, out.”
“We’re through the outer planetary defences,” Kes reported, teeth gritted. “Traffic Control are telling us to reduce speed, planetary rules and so forth.”
“Sod them,” Selena snarled. “Tell them they can bill me and in the meantime, they can use their regulations as a suppository. Now get us the hell down there!”
“Weapons online and ready,” Kes said.
“Do not fire,” Selena replied. “Stand down weapons, that’s a direct order. Land us close to their ships, Kes, but not too close.”
Even as the Vampyre screamed through the planet’s atmosphere, Jessica shouted, “The Manta have landed, Ma’am! There’s reports of them storming the Gateway, I can hear gunfire in the background!”
“They’re trying to get away,” Selena said. “That gateway is the only path now open to them.”
“Well, they can’t just set up a camp anywhere. Without the minerals they need for their crops to grow, they’ve had it.” Kes replied. “Perhaps if they can get to Eden through the gateway they can use the Rabbit Holes there to reach the worlds, allocated to them by the Sken. Seven minutes until we land,” he added.
“Personal armour on, people. No anti-gravs, the bugs will probably be waiting for us and will pick us off like flies. We’re going to have to get up the hill to the Gateway the hard way. Shadow, I want you to stay with the Vampyre. You don’t need to get involved with this.”
Shadow agreed. Turning his back on her, he disappeared into the depths of the ship.
Her troops were lined up, inspected and ready before the ship braked sharply and kissed the ground. As the gangway whispered to the grass, the twin hatches opened and they raced down it and took up defensive positions.
“Clear!”
Selena relaxed for a moment and, leaving the defences set, she mustered the others in front of her. They could hear the rattle of gunfire from atop the hill, and the crump of explosions; the banshee shrieks of beam weapons and the hideous screams that followed. Before she could start to give orders several skimmers, each filled to the brim with Penal Troopers, appeared and pulled up next to the Vampyre. Soldiers leapt over the sides of the craft and reinforced her defensive positions, as a burly crew-cut woman approached Selena.
“Are you Dillon?” the woman asked, her voice sounding as if she smoked sandpaper.
“Commander Dillon, yes,” Selena replied, saluting.
“I’m Major Huxton. This area’s under my command. I have jurisdiction here, so you’ll follow my orders.” She returned the salute. “Now, tell me what’s going on. All I’ve been told is that the Manta are here and they have a major bastard on, thanks to you.”
“Contrary to what you may believe, Major, it had nothing to do with me. The long and short of it is we betrayed them and destroyed their last few ships, instead of escorting them to safety as we’d promised. Their only escape now is through the Gateway at the top of that hill, which you may or may not know about that.”
Huxton’s jaw and lips twisted, as if she were chewing a mouthful of jalapenos. “Of course I know about it, and as you have trouble following orders, you can remain down here and establish a perimeter. Just in case the bad guys decide to come down and pay the locals a visit.”
“Listen Major—”
“You have your orders, Commander, now get on with them. While you’re at it, take out those Manta landing ships. We don’t know if their weapons can be remotely controlled and I don’t want to get toasted from behind. We can apologise to them later.”
“You can’t leave me here,” Selena began.
“I can, watch me. I’m going to stop the fighting, one way or another. Oh, and see if you can contact the guards at the Gate. Tell them not to detonate the mines in the Rabbit Holes, those tunnels that lead to the alien worlds. I want the Manta to go through them, we need to get the bugs off this planet. If we can do that, then we can resolve matters on the other side, one way or the other. Besides, if we lose access to Eden we also wave goodbye to a lot of resources. And we have people on the other side too.”
“On it,” Selena said, through gritted teeth.
The major split her troops into a column two-troops-wide behind her and led the way, tabbing up the steep forested incline.
Selena found herself grinding her heels into the grass. “Kes, you heard the major, blow those bug ships.”
With the muffled explosions thumping in her ears, Selena growled, “Fuck this for a game of soldiers. Kes, detail that lieutenant over there to look after this post. Tell her no bugs are to get through, then follow me.”
“And where are we going?” Kes asked. “The major said—”
“I know what she said, but Huxton can kiss my baby maker if she thinks I’m staying here. It’s getting dark and there’s a storm brewing, we need to move now.”
As Kes hurried over to the lieutenant and gave him his orders, Selena selected her team and a few others to make up a total of ten. When Kes returned a few minutes later, she took the lead as they began trotting up the slope.
After twenty minutes Selena began to feel the punishing pace in her armoured suite but carried on up the steep incline nonetheless, knowing the troops behind were not only suffering too but watching her every move. Clouds gathered overhead, blotting out the stars beginning to peep from the heavens. From nowhere rain blew into their eyes and quickly turned into a downpour. They dropped their visors to protect themselves against the stinging liquid tattoo but the incline soon became a muddy, slippery hell. They stamped onwards through the sudden brown rivulets that quickly developed into gushing streams. They slid, stumbled, and fell to their knees, but they got up and continued on.
Memories of Staff’s training methods flashed into her mind and a
grim, fleeting smile stole over her as the foul-tasting mud got in their mouths, despite their visors’ protection. Three of her people slid over the edge of the incline and disappeared with chilling screams. Lightning flashed overhead. The drum of thunder crashing in their ears adding to the sound of battle and finally, after what seemed an age, they reached the top. Desperately trying to gather their breath, they reformed and double checked their weapons.
The facility had been lightly defended, a point Selena remembered picking up on with the admiral during a much earlier visit. Van Pluy had told her it was because the more heavily defended the facility, the easier it would be picked up from space. She remembered that, at the time, it had made sense. Now, she wished she’d stood her ground.
When they reached the cave at the top of the incline the gunfire had long since ceased. The silence was only broken by the moans of the wounded and the dying. The acrid smell of chemicals from projectile weapons, mixed with the dank stench of blood, caught the back of their throats.
There was no time for the enticing ocean view that tossed and turned below them, made visible through the lightning-lit treetops; nor any to spend investigating the shattered and blood-stained rock as they entered the cave. The few lights that still hung from the ceiling flickered, while the remains of the once daunting silver-coloured barrier, derived from ForeRunner material, glimmered in their weapons’ torch beams. Yet now the barrier lay ripped apart like torn foil. The intimidating auto-guns were no longer there, their emplacements completely destroyed. Even the encoded keypad hidden in the rock had been smashed beyond repair.
They clambered over the bodies that lay piled atop each other, both human and Manta. As Selena and the others picked their way through the shattered metal, rock and torn bodies she suddenly realised that the rabbit hole that led from here to Eden was still intact. Somehow, amidst the carnage, her message must have gotten through. Suddenly they saw living troopers huddled on each side of the rabbit hole, which was filled ankle-deep with a foul soup of blood, minced flesh and bone.
“What the hell happened here,” Selena demanded of one of them, “and where’s Major Huxton?”
