Project Starfighter

by Stephen J Sweeney

  “Let him go, Eve,” Tyler said. The man was floating down from where he had moved out of the line of fire. There was the shimmer of something around him, before it vanished. An energy shield. That would have protected him at such close quarters with the bot. The belt the man wore certainly had a number of tricks available.

  “He killed Lorrie,” Eve said, still scowling at Chris.

  “No, he didn’t,” Tyler said. “The bot did.”

  “We’re supposed to have an agreement with WEAPCO.”

  “Yes.” Tyler looked at Lorrie’s body. “Supposed to. Stand down, Eve.”

  The gun pointed at Chris’ head remained where it was for a few moments longer, then Eve snatched it back and turned on her heel to walk off. Chris exhaled. He wasn’t going to die just yet. Eve then rounded on him, returning to Chris and smashing her knee into his groin. Dar released his grip as Chris went over, clutching himself.

  “No, wait ... OW!” Chris heard Sid protest before he received his own blow, sliding down on the floor next to Chris and groaning. Through watering eyes Chris saw Tyler floating next to him, reading something off a holographic display that was being projected from his belt.

  “Quite a bounty on your friend’s head, Mr Bainfield,” Tyler said. “Half a million. Am I right to assume that those they killed were also part of your little Resistance movement?” The man was keeping his cool despite the sudden violence in the dock. He likely had many questions.

  Chris tried to speak, let out a grunt and simply nodded.

  “And you didn’t feel like turning your friend in?” Tyler looked at Sid, who was still lying balled up on the floor.

  “They don’t pay it,” Chris managed. “They killed all the others who turned people in. And besides, I value my friends much more than that.”

  Tyler chuckled. “What a model human being you are.” He indicated for Dar and the other man to pick Chris and Sid up off the floor. “Now, do you want to tell me why the pair of you are here and why I shouldn’t, as Eve so greatly desires to right now, kill you?”

  “We have come here to request your assistance in fighting WEAPCO,” Chris said.

  “Not going to happen, boy,” Tyler said. “We and WEAPCO have a treaty – we don’t bother them, they don’t bother us. Or, at least, that’s how it’s supposed to work.” The man glanced to the war bot and drone, and then back in the direction of Lorrie’s body.

  “The drone said the treaty was void,” Sid said. “I think whatever agreement you guys had may have recently expired.”

  “I will speak to the Family about this,” Tyler said. He looked Chris and Sid up and down. “What exactly did you two expect from us, anyway? We don’t actively engage in hostilities with WEAPCO and would rather keep it that way.”

  “I don’t want you to help us fight WEAPCO directly,” Chris shook his head. “I just want you to help us gather together some of the means to do so ourselves. Like you did before.”

  Tyler’s robotic eye flexed. “Such as?”

  “I’m looking for a starfighter.”

  “A starfighter?” Dar sneered. “You’re a pilot?”

  “I am,” Chris said, with as much dignity as he could muster while still clutching at his bruised groin.

  Dar folded his arms. “You don’t look like much of one to me. How long you been flying? One, maybe two, years? Whatever it is, you’ll have a tough time fighting against the AIs. I’m one of the best there is, and even I’m not stupid enough to go up against those. What kind of starfighter are you after?”

  “A Firefly.”

  “A Firefly?” Tyler asked. “You’re looking for a WEAPCO starfighter?”

  “Yes,” Chris repeated again, keeping his voice even.

  The four mercenaries looked between one another before bursting into laughter.

  “Guy’s a dreamer,” Dar said, after he had calmed down. “I say we drop these two back off at Ceradse station and wish ’em the best of luck.”

  “Better yet, if the Corporation are after this one, how about we take him in and cash that reward for ourselves?” Eve suggested. “This thing here is probably a misunderstanding,” she added, indicating the fallen machines, “and I could use the money for some new toys.”

  “No, wait, wait, wait,” Sid shouted. “Look, I can help you to find out why WEAPCO was happy to kill one of your guys! I can hack the bot and find out what its orders were.”

  “Can you?” Tyler asked, sceptically.

  “I can, yes,” Sid nodded. “I’ve done it before.”

  “Are you lying to me?” Tyler was interested now. “Because no one here can get into one of those things, and I’ve never known anyone to do so either, without blowing themselves to kingdom come in the process.” He removed a cigar from a pouch about his waist, lit it and took a drag.

  “Not lying, sir, no,” Sid said. “I was part of the Resistance’s hacking team. I broke into most of WEAPCO’s systems. It’s why the drone wanted me.”

  The five waited as Tyler took another very slow drag on his cigar, puffing the smoke out. “He could be of some use,” he gestured towards Sid eventually. “I’m not sure about the other one, though.”

  “Dibs!” Eve said, striding over and raising her gun to Chris’ face once more.

  “No, wait!” Chris began to protest. “I can sell you some stuff. You can have the ship—”

  “It’s ours, anyway,” Dar said. “It’s on our property, owner is dead, it’s ours.”

  “I can tell you where you can get some salvage from the Resistance – weapons and stuff like that,” Chris tried again.

  “Salvage is of indeterminable value, until we get a hold of it,” Tyler said.

  “I can give you a chameleon suit!” Chris cried as Eve prepared to pull the trigger.

  “Hold on, Eve,” Dar said, placing a hand on Eve’s gun and pushing it out of the way. “For real?”

  “For real,” Chris breathed. “It’s back in the ship. Stretchy kind; can fit anyone from five-nothing to about six and a half feet. It’s not working at the moment, but I’m told it’s not difficult to fix.” He glanced at Sid, who was nodding enthusiastically as the mercenaries looked at him.

  “Hmm, nah,” Eve said, looking at Tyler for permission to end Chris’ life.

  “Stand down, Eve,” Tyler ordered.

  “Boss—”

  “You can kill him later, when he’s of no use to us.” He hovered closer to Chris, nudging Eve out of the way. “You say you’re a pilot?”

  “Yes, sir,” Chris said.

  “You ever been in combat?”

  “Yes.” Chris hoped that Tyler wouldn’t pick up on the lie.

  Tyler’s robotic iris flexed as he thought. “He can be put to work defending home base against Mal,” the leader of the Wolf Pack told the three others. “If he dies, he dies. But the Family needs as many capable pilots as it can get. He’s going to start flying with us immediately, got it?”

  The three mercenaries grumbled some objections but did not otherwise contradict their leader.

  Chris breathed a sigh of relief, shrinking back a little as Tyler loomed closer.

  “Right, boy, this is how it’s going to work,” the fat man said, his breath stinking of cigar smoke. “We’re taking the ship and the suit. Your friend here is going to find out why WEAPCO permitted that drone to attack us. I’m not willing to accept any ‘harbouring a fugitive’ arguments just yet. While he’s doing that, you will join the New Chile defence line to fight to keep the Immortal League at bay. You will also take us to that salvage point, and we will take from it what we want. And then we’ll see about getting you that Firefly. If we choose to. Got it?”

  “Yes, sir,” Chris nodded, coughing as Tyler blew smoke in his face.

  “Good. Dar, I want you and Clayton to get some people in here to clear up this mess. Take the drone and the bot to the workshop, and set Wilson up in there so he can get to work.

  “As for you, boy,” Tyler turned once more to Chris, “you can wait
on the Sauvignon Blanc until I’m ready for you. Don’t even think about going for a wander. Eve, since you’re so keen, I’m charging him to you. Make sure he doesn’t go anywhere.”

  “Got it,” Eve said, grabbing Chris tight about the shoulders and bringing her knee once more into his groin.

  “Ow!” Chris cried, collapsing on the floor and curling up to protect himself. “What the hell?!”

  “Kind of glad, now, you told me not to shoot him,” Eve smirked. “I think I’m actually going to enjoy kicking him in the nuts a lot more.”

  Chapter 6

  [Encrypted Data Transmission]

  [To >> Lance Skillman, CEO]

  [CC >> Erik Overlook, Kline Kethlan]

  [From >> XS-0981672]

  [Subject – re: Security enforcement]

  @XS-0981672 – Tyrone Vin has been eliminated. Sid Wilson remains active. His location is currently unknown. I have also lost contact with XS-0017811.

  @SkillmanL – How?

  @XS-0981672 – XS-0017811 was tracking two men acting suspiciously from Ceradse, who had travelled to the orbital station. XS-0017811 chose to investigate after an attempt to access Chris Bainfield’s frozen bank account was made.

  @OverlookE – Who is Chris Bainfield?

  @XS-0981672 – Chris Bainfield was a member of the Resistance, who was believed to have been eliminated by XS-0017811 and two Sawtooth-class war bots over the Atlas Gorge, on Ceradse. His hover was shot off the bridge and fell into the gorge. It exploded on impact with the ground.

  @SkillmanL – Did you find his body?

  @XS-0981672 – Negative. An initial sweep of the wreckage indicated that a human could not have survived the detonation of the hover. The remains would have also been incinerated. A more thorough investigation is scheduled to take place in twenty-one hours.

  @OverlookE – Lance, I think we should determine whether or not this man is dangerous.

  @SkillmanL – Agreed. XS-0981672, what more can you tell us about Bainfield?

  @XS-0981672 – Bainfield, Chris. Born on 2389. Twenty-two years ago. Only child. Worked at Leonardo’s Italian Restaurant. Schooled at—

  @SkillmanL – What was his part in the Resistance? Was he senior command?

  @XS-0981672 – XS-0017811 reported his attire to be consistent with that of a starfighter pilot. He was dressed as one outside the Last Stop Diner, where Jasmine Wooding was discovered and eliminated.

  @OverlookE – Sounds like he’s a nobody. How was the access to his bank account made?

  @XS-0981672 – Via a mobile phone or other cellular device. Reverse trace requests indicate that it did not come from a fixed terminal. A phone that appeared to match the requesting device was recovered from a number of youths, in the Tira City airport. They admitted to having stolen it from an amusement arcade.

  @SkillmanL – Where was XS-0017811 when you last heard from it?

  @XS-0981672 – XS-0017811 has not reported in since departing the Ceradse orbital space station. XS-0017811 attached itself to a private starship, along with one Sawtooth-class war bot, to continue its investigation.

  @SkillmanL – Where was the ship heading?

  @XS-0981672 – Unknown.

  @SkillmanL – Find out. Check the station flight logs.

  @XS-0981672 – Immediately.

  @SkillmanL – Are there any updates on the whereabouts of Phoebe Lexx?

  @XS-0981672 – Phoebe Lexx is believed to be in the Eyananth system. A woman claiming to be her posted a message on the bulletin boards of space stations throughout the Spirit system. XS-0551821 is travelling to the system to apprehend the poster.

  @SkillmanL – Keep me updated. Erik, how is the progress on breaking the other twin?

  @OverlookE – Ursula Lexx has been reset. Commander Kethlan is presently aiding the effort. But in light of the information we have just received about having possibly found her sister, might it not be useful for us to see just how far the woman’s influence can extend?

  @SkillmanL – What, exactly, would be the point?

  @OverlookE – It could prove useful for future study, for combating others more effectively; use their strengths against one another. You and I both know it is possible already.

  @SkillmanL – I see what you’re saying. Okay, do it. Just make sure she doesn’t kill anyone. Or herself.

  ~

  Ursula crashed down, her helmet smashing against the stony ground. She was grateful it was still securely fastened, the headgear preventing her from cracking her skull open on the large and dangerous rocks that had been churned up all around her. Dirt showered her, sprinkling down from where it had been blasted.

  She rolled over in time to see the massive foot of the Oynicon walker descending rapidly towards her. It was huge. There was no way she was going to get clear in time. It was going to crush her! She instinctively raised an arm in defence, praying for a miracle, praying not to be crushed, willing the foot to miss her, even if by only a fraction of an inch. She shut her eyes.

  The ground around her shook, the sound of the impact deafening. Yet she was still alive. She opened her eyes, seeing the dark shadow of the walker above her, the foot having missed her by what must have been mere inches. Clumps of dirt, grass, and earth splattered down on top of her from where they had been thrown into the air during the impact.

  She heard the whine of gears and mechanisms as the walker raised another of its three colossal feet and continued forward. She saw the massive limb rise up and move a tremendous distance through the air, before coming down on a WEAPCO tank. Though the tank was heavily armoured, the Oynicon war machine crushed it easily, as though it was made of nothing more than cardboard. Ursula thought she had seen men trying to escape the tank before it had been flattened, but even if they had been able to do so, they wouldn’t have got very far. The foot was well over thirty metres in diameter. They had never stood a chance.

  The walker, along with the five others Ursula could see, was marching towards the city. They were well within firing range now, able to trash the buildings with their powerful cannons. They wouldn’t do so yet, not until they had extracted all the humans hiding there. Tentacle-like limbs could be seen snaking out from the tops of the machine, snatching up people and drawing them inside.

  “Lexx, are you okay?” A man had appeared at Ursula’s side and was helping her to her feet. Like her, he was dressed in protective armour which, just like hers, was scarred and pockmarked from where it had borne the brunt of many attacks. The man sported a sharp, black goatee-style beard. His name inscribed on the front of his armour, alongside various honours and decorations: Commander Kethlan.

  “Anything broken?” he asked. “Are you bleeding anywhere?”

  “I’m okay,” Ursula said, managing to steady herself as she got to her feet. No pain anywhere; nothing broken and no major bleeding. Some cuts to her face, but that was it. Maybe a little shaken up, but otherwise fine.

  “You got lucky,” Kethlan said, eyes following the walker that had moved off. “That plasma charge took out everyone within a ten metre radius. I think we should keep well back whenever you see one of their bellies start to pulse.”

  “I hear that,” Ursula breathed. She checked her rifle. The display, though cracked, was still readable.

  She then became aware of a man running towards her. He looked terrified. He was also unarmed, Ursula getting the impression that he had discarded his weapon, to stop it from weighing him down. He carried on past both Kethlan and Ursula without stopping, his eyes as wide as saucers.

  “We can’t stop them! They’re going to kill us all!” he was yelling.

  “Soldier! Get back here this second! That’s an order!” Kethlan shouted after him. His words fell on deaf ears; the man was running for all his worth.

  “Coward,” Kethlan spat. “Yet another not prepared to risk his life for the sake of others. He can go. The rest of us will keep fighting for the future of the human race.” He looked at Ursula. “Where is your sister? Is she stil
l in the city?”

  Ursula hesitated in framing her reply. She wasn’t sure why, but for some reason she knew she should lie. As Kethlan waited for her to answer, Ursula watched a pair of aerial craft streak towards the walker that had just crushed the WEAPCO tank. Their guns were blazing, aiming for every part of the machine, from the leg struts to the sphere-shaped main body at the top. None of their weapons seemed to be having any effect on it.

  As the craft raced by, one of the walker’s tentacle-like appendages whipped out at them. The first craft managed to escape, but the second wasn’t so lucky. It was bowled from the sky, tumbling down to the ground, where it exploded on impact. The walker carried on forward, completely unhindered. Fire from both ground and air continued to pepper it, without, apparently, making the smallest of dents in its armour.

  “Lexx?” Kethlan repeated, drawing her attention back to him. “Your sister?”

  “I ... don’t know,” Ursula responded to his continued enquiry.

  The man stared at her for a moment, before turning away and listening as someone spoke to him through his earpiece. He nodded his head a few times, replying to the person on the other end with one word answers. He soon signed off.

  “Okay, not to worry,” he said. “We’ll find her later.” He then indicated the massive machines. “Let’s get moving. We have to find a way to take down those walkers. Come on.”