by G. P. Hudson
Jon ignored Michael’s jabs and studied the wolf. He had a clear view now. A magnificent creature. Large and powerfully built. He felt like it was staring right at him. Probably exhaustion playing tricks on his mind. But when he looked at it, he could swear that it locked eyes with him.
It tracked them as they hiked up the incline. It never moved. There was something about the wolf’s stature. The way it stood. Alone, proud, fearless and free. He felt like it communicated a greater purpose to him. He just didn’t know what that purpose was.
He thought about it as he walked. That purpose could be the resistance. He was as committed to its cause as any man. Yet this wolf had no pack. It stood alone. He wondered about that, feeling a little foolish, but intrigued by the concept. Maybe it was a liberated Earth? Free of alien oppression and interference? He liked the sound of that, but he didn’t think the Earth would be free anytime soon. If the Juttari were defeated, there would still be the Diakans. No, something told him the purpose was his. He would be the lone wolf.
He didn’t see the timber wolf again for the rest of the hike. He figured it probably got bored and moved on.
By late afternoon they were close enough to base for some reconnaissance. They hid in the trees and scanned their homes with binoculars. Jon’s body began to tremble uncontrollably. It started in his arms. They shook so hard he almost dropped his binoculars. It spread to his shoulders and then moved down to his legs. His body shook like a strong fever had taken hold.
They were too late.
The Chaanisar had found the base. Its charred remains smoldered like a campfire someone forgot to extinguish. Wisps of smoke rose from the dying embers. Where their homes once stood, blackened ruins now struggled against the breeze. Dead bodies littered the ground. He scanned them frantically, trying to find his mother, but they were burnt so badly he couldn’t recognize who they were. There were no signs of life. Cold dread seized him. The Chaanisar had killed them all.
Not her. Not his mother. Somehow, she must have survived. She needed his help. In a panic he began to move. A powerful hand gripped his arm, preventing him from running. He whipped around to face his father. His sorrowful face looked back at Jon. He shook his head.
“We have to find mom,” Jon begged.
“No, son,” said his father. “It’s too late.”
“You don’t know that. We have to try.”
“Listen to me,” he said, his voice firm, eyes pleading. “If we go in there we will die, just like the rest. I’m sorry, son. It’s over.”
“No…”
His father pulled Jon in and wrapped his arms around him, holding him firmly while he cried.
“I’m sorry,” his father said again. “I’m so sorry.”
Chapter 29
Jon watched the display as the shuttle raced up into the sky. Countermeasures streaked away from it, as missiles gave chase.
He looked at Bast, whose eye twitched again. The display lit up with a flash of brilliant blue light.
“Who’s firing at us?” said Jon.
“A squadron of fighters,” said Bast. “The ship is dealing with them.”
Jon looked over at Seiben lying on the floor. The Doctor knelt beside him, hands covered in blood, the shuttle’s medical kit spread open next to her.
“How’s he doing?” Jon asked.
“I’ve stopped the bleeding,” she said. “But the bullet has torn him up inside. I’ll be able to do more for him once we get up to the ship.”
“I’ve informed the ship of his condition,” said Bast. “A team will be waiting to rush you and Mr. Seiben to the sickbay.”
Ellerbeck looked at Bast and nodded. “Thank you.”
“We have rescued several members of your medical team,” Bast continued. “They are headed to the sickbay as we speak.”
Ellerbeck looked surprised, but said nothing, her attention fixed on Seiben.
“Captain Pike, Colonel Bast,” said Prime Minister Sallas. “I just want to thank you and your men for all you’ve done today. I am in your debt.”
“Don’t thank us,” said Jon. “Thank Doctor Ellerbeck.”
“I know,” said Sallas. “Still, I would be back in that cell if not for you.”
“Do you have any idea why Juneau turned on you?” said Jon.
“I have my suspicions. Our experiment with democracy angered the corporations. I’m pretty sure they were pulling Juneau’s strings.”
“You frighten them,” said Jon. Everything beginning to make sense.
Sallas nodded. “They’re afraid of losing power, but they’re more afraid of losing money. Their populations are nothing more than employees. Many are so heavily indebted that they don’t have any other options. They’ve engineered a system where large swathes of their populations must work to service the debt they owe to the very same corporations. In most cases the debt cannot be paid off in one lifetime. It is passed down to future generations, who end up increasing, rather than lowering the debt. Generations have inherited debts so large that paying them off isn’t an option. All they can do is hope to earn enough to pay the interest.”
“What happens if they don’t make their interest payments?” said Jon.
“If they miss too many payments they can be jailed.”
“Why don’t they leave?” said Bast, who had been listening intently to the conversation.
“There is no escape. People are free to move from one world to another, but their debt follows. The corporations share information about their populations.”
“Sounds like a thinly veiled form of slavery,” said Jon.
“Yes, it is,” said Sallas.
“What about you?” said Bast. “Are you indebted?”
“No. My family is quite wealthy. You see, under corporate rule everything is based on your position. Those in upper management make enough to avoid the burden of debt. Often, these people prosper, and their wealth grows. This of course is a different kind of slavery. Lose your job, and you lose your status, and eventually your wealth.”
“Why would someone in your position want to change things?”
Sallas smiled. “I am a student of history. I have studied old Earth. There was a time when people on Earth were born into servitude. But the history of humanity, is the story of the long quest for individual freedom. When Earth’s governments finally turned to democracy, the people found some measure of freedom. It helped me see how corrupt and unjust our system truly was.
“You see, the colonies were initially created by the corporations. People willingly traveled here in search of work. Government was necessary because the colonies were governed by Sol. When Sol fell, however, the corporations continued behaving like corporations, without oversight. That led to abuses. As time passed, people forgot Sol, and forgot democracy. I wanted to revive it. I wanted to give the people back their freedom. In fact, the first thing I did after coming into power was abolish hereditary debt.”
“I can see why the corporations hate you,” said Jon.
“The population elected me as their leader. I speak for them, not the corporations.” Sallas spoke in a defiant tone, and Jon had to admit that he was starting to like the man.
“What about the military?”
“The military serves New Byzantium. They were nationalized. Some didn’t approve.”
“I’m assuming General Juneau was one of them.”
“That’s correct.”
“So you have knowledge of Earth before the Juttari?” asked Jon.
“Yes, of course,” said Sallas. “Why do you ask?”
“The Juttari invasion devastated Earth. Much of our knowledge was lost. Only remnants remained.”
“A second dark ages,” Sallas muttered to himself.
“We’re approaching the ship,” said Bast.
“We’ll have to continue this later,” said Jon.
Sallas leaned in, “We need your help, Captain.”
Chapter 30
Jon stood outside sickbay when Darla
and Breeah approached. Breeah had a protective arm around Darla, whose tears had left her eyes puffy and bloodshot.
“Any news?” Breeah asked.
“No, but Doctor Ellerbeck is looking after him. He’s in good hands,” said Jon, trying to reassure Darla.
“I don’t understand,” she said. “What happened down there?”
“The military overthrew the government. We literally had to fight our way out.”
“Then how did you get the Prime Minister on board?” said Darla, looking at Jon with suspicion now.
“We rescued him alongside Doctor Ellerbeck.”
Jon saw the hand coming long before it struck him, but he wouldn’t stop it. Darla slapped him squarely on the cheek, stinging Jon’s deep into his conscience.
“You bastard,” said Darla. “This is your fault.” Her rage spilling out through her tears.
“I’m sorry, Darla,” said Jon. “I tried to protect him.”
“Don’t lie to yourself, Jon Pike. If you had wanted to protect him you would have sent him back to the ship with the shuttle.”
“I couldn’t. The shuttle was ordered back to the ship. The Chaanisar don’t take orders from me.”
She glared at him, but the anger gave way to worry and the sobbing returned. “I can’t lose him,” she cried.
Breeah pulled her close, trying to comfort her. “You won’t lose him. You’ll see. Dr. Ellerbeck can work wonders.”
As if on cue, the door to sickbay slid open and Dr. Ellerbeck emerged. She looked at Darla and said, “Mrs. Seiben?”
“That’s me,” said Darla. “How is he?”
“He’s doing fine,” said Ellerbeck. “I’ve removed the bullet, and administered a course of biobots. He’ll be up and back to himself in a few days.”
“Thank you, Doctor,” said Darla, regaining her composure. “When will I be able to speak to him?”
“You can speak to him right now, if you want. He woke up a few minutes ago. Follow me.”
Darla wiped the tears from her eyes as she followed the Doctor, barely noticing Jon and Breeah in tow.
Seiben lay on a medical bed. He smiled when he saw Darla, but the smile quickly disappeared when he winced in pain.
“Does it hurt?” Darla asked.
“Yeah,” Seiben replied.
“Good,” she said. “You deserve it you old fool.”
“Why do I deserve to get shot?”
“Because you were playing the hero again.”
Seiben glared at Jon. “You just couldn’t keep your mouth shut.”
“He didn’t say anything. I guessed and you just confirmed it. Are you trying to make me a widow?”
“No, of course not. I was just trying to help.” He winced again.
“So now you’re helping the professionals fight? Is that right?”
“He was helpful, actually,” said Jon. When Darla’s eyes shot daggers at him he added, “But I did tell him to keep his head down.”
“Traitor,” said Seiben, and nearly jumped off the bed in pain. “Damn it,” he scowled. “How long are those little bastards going to torture me like this, Doctor.”
“For a day, or two,” said Ellerbeck.
“Wonderful,” Seiben grunted.
Darla punched him in the arm. “Don’t speak to her like that. She saved your worthless life.”
Jon chuckled. “Maybe we should let the old man rest a bit.”
“Quit calling me that.”
“You two go. I’m going to stay and keep an eye on him. Make sure he doesn’t do anything stupid.”
“What happens now?” Breeah asked Jon, as they left sickbay.
“I don’t know,” said Jon. “There’s a civil war raging down there, and we just happen to have the Prime Minister on board.”
“That doesn’t sound like a neutral stance.”
“He and Doctor Ellerbeck are romantically involved. She wouldn’t come with us if we didn’t bring him.”
“What does he want?”
“He wants us to help him.”
“Will you?”
“He is in the right.”
“Are you sure?”
“He fights for freedom. The others are for oppression. There can be no doubt.”
“What does Colonel Bast think?”
“The Chaanisar want their brain chips removed. They have no interest in the planet.”
“Perhaps you need to convince them.”
“Maybe, but I don’t think it’ll be easy.”
“You should try.”
“Let’s see how things play out. Where is Anki? I’d like to see her.”
“She’s with my father. He’s watching her and Darla’s girls.”
“Well, I suppose we’ll have to see him too.”
Chapter 31
Anki eyed her grandfather sitting stoically on a chair, his long gray hair spilling out around his shoulders. He had brilliant blue eyes and, despite his ferocity, Anki thought he was the most beautiful man she had ever seen. Otka and Alina sat with her on the floor and while she looked at her grandfather admiringly, they were more than a little trepidatious.
“I don’t think we should bother him,” said Otka.
“Me neither,” said Alina.
“Nonsense,” said Anki.
“But what if he gets mad?” said Otka.
“I’m his granddaughter. He won’t get mad,” said Anki.
“What about us? We’re not his granddaughters.”
“He won’t get mad at you either.”
“He’s scary,” said Alina.
“A little. That’s why he’s perfect,” said Anki. “Besides, look at him. He hasn’t moved from that chair since we got here.”
“He sits so straight. He could be a chair himself,” said Otka.
“A scary chair,” said Alina.
“See what I mean?” said Anki. “He needs to relax a little.”
“I don’t think he knows how,” said Otka.
“Maybe not, but I bet we can show him,” said Anki. “Come on.” Anki got up and walked to her grandfather. Otka and Alina followed, but chose to stay well behind.
“Grandfather,” said Anki, looking up at the man. His eyes met hers and she was again stunned by their beauty. They were light blue, almost gray, but there was a sparkle to them that mesmerized her.
“Yes child,” he said, his face stern.
“Will you play with us?”
“Play with you?” he seemed confused.
“Yes. We want you to play a game with us,” said Anki, moving aside and gesturing to Otka and Anki standing behind her.
“I am an old man, child. I cannot play children’s games.”
“Why not?”
“What did you say?”
“Why not? You’re just sitting in a chair. That can’t be very much fun. Play with us.”
“No. You children go on and play with each other.”
“Please.”
His face seemed to soften slightly. “I am too old.”
“Too old? I’ve seen you beat younger men in the matches.”
A hint of a smile crossed his lips. She knew how proud he was of his fighting ability.
“I wouldn’t know how,” he said.
“We’ll teach you. It’s easy. Please.”
He let out a sigh and slapped his thighs with his hands. He looked around the room, then frowned at Anki and said, “What do I have to do?”
“Yay,” said Anki, clapping. “You’re going to be a monster.”
“A monster?”
“Yes, and you have to try and catch us.”
“That’s all?”
“Yes.”
“I think I can do that. When do we start?”
“Right now,” said Anki, giggling. Her giggles must have been contagious because she heard Otka and Alina giggling behind her. Her grandfather looked at them mischievously, but didn’t move. The three girls watched him, their anticipation growing with each second. Anki bent her knees slightly, preparing
to run. Her grandfather’s fingers moved first, and slowly curled into claws. She could feel each individual muscle in her leg tightening, beckoning her to run. She tried to stifle her giggles, but focused on her grandfather’s eyes. He had always taught her that the body can deceive. It can trick you into expecting a strike from one limb, when in truth it came from another. The eyes, however, rarely lied. She watched them closely and thought she saw them become brighter. Then he struck.
He jumped from his chair, shot out his claws, and let out a roar. They screamed and ran, as the terrifying creature chased them. It had long blackened claws, and vicious fangs that still dripped blood from a previous kill. Anki ran for the couch. The girls followed. She jumped onto its cushions, climbed over its back and hid in behind. Otka and Alina were right beside her. They crouched down low, hoping the terrible beast wouldn’t find them. She could hear it moving around, scraping the floor with its razor sharp claws. When it roared, she covered her ears to dampen the deafening sound. Then it stopped. She thought she heard its breath and looked up to see long bloody fangs. A hand swiped down at the girls and they ran, screaming, the sharp claws grazing her back. She heard another blood curdling roar, and screamed as she ran for the kitchen table.
The door suddenly burst open and Jon ran in. Jon, with weapon in hand, scanned the room, Breeah alert beside him. The girls stopped screaming, and the monster turned back into her grandfather.
“Put that thing away before you hurt someone,” he scolded Jon.
“We heard screams,” said Breeah.
“The girls were playing,” said her grandfather.
Anki jumped out from under the table and said, “Grandfather was playing with us.”
“Really?” said Breeah, looking curiously at her father. “What were you playing?”
“We were playing monsters,” said Anki.
Breeah nodded and smiled. Her grandfather straightened his back and grunted.
Jon put away his weapon and said, “Aren’t you going to say hi to me, kid?”
Anki grinned, running straight into Jon’s arms, who picked her up and gave her a hug.
“My mom was worried about you,” said Anki.
“Weren’t you?” said Jon.
