“Glad to hear it’s not been more serious.”
“I apologize, sir. We were working with some local informants and had to finish our transaction before I could respond.”
“Is there progress on the search for Tal?”
“Yes, sir. We have an excellent lead. Narrik is out verifying the information, and there’s an expected rendezvous later tonight.”
“What is this lead?”
“The location of where Tal’s currently being held, sir.”
“That is good news. I don’t want you attempting to free him alone. When you have the information, return here and we’ll do it together.”
“Understood, sir.”
“None of your information has come from a race called the Nasidrac, has it?”
“Never heard of them, sir.”
He shook his head. “Good. They might’ve set us up in our last mission. Everyone got through okay, but the Nasidrac appear to be working with the Nukari.” He called up an image of the Nasidrac. “Commit this image to memory, and avoid them.”
“Understood, sir. I’ll inform you if we encounter any.”
“In the meantime, we’re preparing to execute your plan to take back Argosy. It won’t be long now. Did you want to be here when we take action?”
She hesitated, conflict welling in her eyes. “Normally I would, sir. But our leads on Tal are still productive. We can’t stop now.”
“As I thought. I wanted to at least offer the opportunity.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Keep me updated as there’s developments, and happy hunting.”
“Thank you, sir. Kiyanna out.”
* * * * * *
“Using samples from the beast Naijen brought back …” Eyani gestured, causing the glass walls of the meeting room to go opaque and dimming the light above them. Projections of the black, cat-like creatures that attacked the team appeared above the table. “Doctor Xbtoth confirmed the beasts were genetically similar to those found on both Argosy and the Forax research facility on K’pec. We’ve confirmed the Nukari lab on K’pec is still out of commission, which leaves Nikko and Cogeni’s homeworld as the likely source of the beasts.”
“They’re kind of cute, if you forget the whole rip-you-apart thing,” Ujaku said.
“Not the kind of house pet I’d have in mind,” Toriko said.
“Yeah—no,” Maro added.
Mencari stood, gesturing as if he were dealing a deck of cards, and called up images of a world surrounded by an enormous and colorful nebula. “Kiyanna’s plan called for us to engage just before the next nebula storm. We know from experience, the phenomena stops all travel into and out of the world, and disrupts communications off-world. If we can get in just before the next one, they won’t be able to call for reinforcements.”
“Or run away with their tails between their legs,” Naijen added.
“Indicators lead us to believe the next one will begin within the next forty-eight hours,” Mencari added.
“Will there be another Rising Festival?” Allia asked, nearly jumping out of her seat.
Cogeni’s face grew somber. “No … it’s a very different place with the Nukari in charge.”
“Oh, I …” Allia stopped, lost for words.
“They’ll have one again—soon,” he added.
Mencari called up images of a majestic city. A mountain of a structure adorned with towering crystal spires was crowned with an emerald emblem that resembled a fractured arrowhead. From the top flowed clear, blue water that cascaded down the side and emptied into a crescent pool. “Informants report the Nukari are operating out of the Demas temple in Demassen. We’re assuming the others fled, or were banished down to Selsamed, in the Smog Sea.”
“The Smog Sea?” Katen asked, curious.
“Argosy was so industry-heavy at one time, it damaged the planet’s environment. They have a permanent layer of smog around most of their world. The Demas temple in Demassen is actually what they call a city in the sky, on platforms above the smog.”
Cogeni added, “Selsamed is the city ruin underneath Demassen. It’s where Nikko and I lived before joining the D’mok Warriors. It’s an area forgotten, drowning in the trash of the entitled from Demassen above.”
“Thinking about that place makes my arm hurt—my face too,” Allia said.
Mencari understood the reference, remembering how Allia broke her arm falling down the trash chute that led from Demassen to Selsamed.
“We don’t know how many of the Argosan leadership has been captured,” Cogeni said. “But this time, we’re going back and getting rid of the Nukari.”
A tinge of guilt itched like a bug bite. From his posture, Cogeni looked confident about their endeavor. He certainly didn’t look like a man who knew his mother had been killed by the Nukari when they first took over his world. A sickening suspicion filled Mencari. Did Nikko not tell him they saw his mother executed through Nukari video feeds? Dear God, don’t let that be the case. If Cogeni didn’t already, he had a right to know.
“So, what’s the plan?” Allia asked.
Mencari gestured and called to her, “Kiyanna devised the approach before she left. We already know the Nukari are operating from the Demas temple in the sky city known as Demassen. We’ll approach Argosy just before the next nebula storm begins, then head to the planet’s surface through the Smog Sea. We’ll travel on foot through the ruins to Salsemed. We’ll rally our forces there, then attack Demassen from below.”
There was a time he hoped to never see Salsemed again. The ancient city sat at the bottom of the Smog Sea, in filth and disrepair. Those who survived the toxic existence and nearly unbreathable air sifted through the trash cast down from Demassen for sustenance.
“They’ll never see us coming,” Cogeni said, a storm brewing in his eyes.
“Do you think more Nukari Beast Warriors will be there too?” Allia asked.
“Yeah, and don’t rely on the freak here to tell us either,” Naijen jeered, looking to Katen.
“I cannot reach their minds, but I can still detect them,” Katen said.
Naijen’s nose wrinkled. “Yeah, lotta good that did us at the asteroid.”
Decreta jerked toward Naijen, but was pulled back by Katen.
With a snarl, Naijen said, “Oh, yeah, please let your pet at me.”
“What if the battle doesn’t go well and we have to retreat?” Maro asked.
“The Smog Seas give us endless places to hide,” Mencari said. “Once we retake Demassen, we’ll search for those creatures. We already know of one location, assuming the Nukari didn’t scuttle that one following De’Genico’s orders.”
“So when is this happenin’?” Naijen said with an evil smirk.
Mencari pulled up a display, reviewing the development of the nebula storm. “Readings show the storm has started to develop. We need to be ready to go with four hours to make it in time. Get your gear together and meet in the bay by 2600 hours.”
“Good,” Ujaku said, “that gives me time to get my equipment down there. Want to battle test a few of my creations. Besides, I think I need to remind everyone I’m not just a pretty-faced weapons-smith. I’m a fighter too.”
Mencari sat quiet, pondering the things to come. Once everyone was out of the room, it would be easier to help Osuto out too.
“So you’ll be leaving soon then,” Osuto rasped. “Without Kiyanna?”
“She wanted to remain with Nikko, Dane, and Narrik and follow a lead on where Tal is being held.”
“This will be the first major maneuver without her since she joined us.”
“I know. But we can’t always rely on just one person either. We ran missions before without her. We’ll take what we’ve learned and do it again.”
The old man gave a tired bob of his head. “Has Narrik continued to be useful?”
“It seems that way. I trust Kiyanna. If something was wrong with Narrik, she’d handle it.”
“And I take it I won’t b
e allowed to come on this mission either?” Osuto’s good-humored tone rang with a twinge of frustration.
“Don’t rush into it. You still need time. How have the sessions with D’abar and Speru been going?” Mencari looked back through the smoky glass of the meeting room and saw the pair hovering, waiting for Osuto.
“The sessions have been grueling, even though I don’t have to do anything—physically. I’ve felt D’abar poking around inside my mind, and certain parts of my body filling with intense heat. The whole thing’s fairly disconcerting. But I feel stronger. Whatever he’s doing, it’s working.”
“And D’abar is feeling up to this?” Mencari asked, recalling how rough D’abar looked when they first rescued him.
“So far, though I think Speru’s boosting ability has made all the difference….”
A large, imposing shadow joined Speru and D’abar in the hall. Mencari smiled. “Looks like someone else is getting a visitor.”
“Naijen has visited a number of times. While he also asks—in his way—how I’m doing, I’m guessing it’s to see Speru.”
“I’m sure he doesn’t like the distance. His attacks aren’t quite the same as with the extra boost from Speru too. Speaking of, how long until your abilities are back?”
“I’ve asked, but we don’t know. Time will tell. Soon, I hope.”
“Take whatever time you need. You being well is what’s important.” Mencari rose to stand. “I need to meet the others in the bay shortly. I’ll keep you posted.”
* * * * * *
“We’ll be arriving in a few minutes,” Una said.
“Everyone have your hazard gear ready,” Mencari said, looking across the team, “the Smog Sea is about as clean as it sounds.” Naijen stared out a nearby window, fidgeting with his Skar, appearing somewhat as an animal raging to be freed from a cage. Katen talked with Cerna, while Decreta stood obediently by his side.
Maro was getting a lesson about Argosy from Toriko and Allia, while Toriko’s robotic dog Spark and Ichini slept at their feet. Ujaku sat up front, by Una and the navigation systems.
Only Cogeni sat off to the side, withdrawn, with a hollow stare. From Cogeni’s forlorn expression, Nikko might have finally ended their relationship. If not that, perhaps his mother was on his mind. Or was he nervous about retaking his world? Regardless, the man he saw before him wasn’t the Cogeni he knew. He made his way to Cogeni, and in a hushed tone inquired, “You okay? You look like something’s on your mind.”
“I’m fine. It’s been a while since I’ve been home. I barely remember Demassen, much less what it would look like now.”
Katen’s voice filled Mencari’s mind. He’s lying. He’s thinking about the conversation with Nikko just before we left.
Mencari stifled an impulse to look at Katen. He’d never provided information unprompted before. Why now?
Katen added, Talk to him.
What if he needs some space? Mencari thought in return.
He needs this now.… Talk to him.
The whole thing felt odd. Even if Katen could listen in on everyone’s thoughts, it seemed wrong for him to pry. He and Osuto agreed to stay out of the dynamics between Nikko and Cogeni too. Though, he didn’t need Katen’s telepathy to know something was wrong—something that perhaps needed to be addressed before it became more serious. Ultimately, Katen was correct.
Mencari thought, Thank you.
I live to serve.
With a cautious tone, Mencari asked, “Have you talked to Nikko?”
Cogeni looked up with heavy eyes. After a brief hesitation, he answered. “Yes, actually.”
“I’ve only talked to Kiyanna since they departed. It seems they’re making great progress. Nikko have anything interesting to say?”
“She said a lot—in what she said, and didn’t say. Though she really seems to be enjoying the mission, and time with Kiyanna and Dane.”
“That’s good, right?”
“If that’s all there was to it, yes. But something feels … she’s not …” Cogeni’s words faded off with his thoughts.
Katen’s voice echoed in Mencari’s mind. He feels she doesn’t care about him anymore.
“She’s not, what?” Mencari asked.
Cogeni broke eye contact. His body became rigid, as if resisting something. He shook his head, and with a slight shrug remained silent.
He doesn’t want to lose her.
Mencari prodded, “What’s on your mind?”
“… I don’t think now’s the right time for this,” Cogeni said. “We need to focus on our mission.”
“When this is done, then?”
“Sure. Fine.” Cogeni looked back and fixed his gaze on Mencari. After a brief hesitation he said, “But thanks.”
“What’s going on over there?” Naijen bellowed. “We’re about to bust some heads! Instead it looks like yours are buried up yer …”
Mencari had no interest in listening to that dumb-ox’s obstinacy. He reached his hand forward intending to silence Naijen. Instead it radiated an angry light, which threatened to explode toward the warrior.
“Oh, yeah, look at you!” Naijen said, half-chiding, half-impressed. “Don’t tell me you’re growin’ a pair, Rylie. I’m all set to play—are you?”
Mencari balled a fist, extinguishing the power gathered there.
“Aw, guess I was wrong,” Naijen said with a sneer.
Reactionary … impulsive … he didn’t like the pattern he saw within himself. His emotions were taking on lives of their own, commanding his power at their will. He needed to pull it together, get control back. Maybe he needed to talk to someone too?
Katen retorted in Mencari’s mind, Yes you do.
Una called back, “Exiting into normal space in 5 … 4 … 3 … 2 … 1 …”
Mencari sat as the ship jostled, dropping out of tunnel travel.
“Detecting Be’Inaxi signals off starboard,” Minea said.
“Affirmative!” Bob said, with a whir. “Verifying transmissions and signatures.”
A cloud of data appeared next to Bob. Before their eyes, the letters and numbers began to cluster, combining into discs. As the last of the data cloud incorporated in, the discs glowed green.
“And we have confirmation!” Bob chirped with glee.
“Sending the response code,” Minea said.
“Holding position,” Una said as the ship came to a stop.
In moments, three large Be’Inaxi ships uncloaked off the port bow.
“We’re being hailed,” Minea said. “Opening the channel …”
“Right on time,” a smiling Liren said as his hologram appeared. “We were able to spare additional troops and supplies.”
There was a voice Mencari hadn’t heard in a while.
“Liren!” Allia cried. “Where have you been?”
“Busy, little one. Doing things like this.”
Ghn’en’s second in command was barely around. With all the time Ghn’en spent in meetings on New Eden, someone had to keep the Be’Inaxi fleet on the move. It looked like the assignment finally brought the big number two back into some direct action.
After a click and a whistle, Bob said, “Attention: The nebula storm will reach its critical stage within an hour.”
“We’ve been monitoring the region,” Liren said. “The Nukari have already moved their ships into star dock for protection, just as we anticipated.”
“No ships near our approach vector,” Minea added. “A meteor shower is approaching, not far from our entry point. It should provide us some additional cover as we descend through the atmosphere.”
“The planetary entry window and touch-down point within the Smog Seas should be transmitted,” Una said. “We’re ready to proceed on our end.”
“Confirmed,” Liren replied. “All coordinates have been received and plotted. Let’s drop-kick them back into space.”
CHAPTER 12
Return to Argosy
“All ships have landed and all teams are on
standby,” Una said.
Mencari led his group to the airlock.
Cogeni donned his cloak and facemask. “Make sure your protective gear is on. The fog is more toxic the longer you’re exposed to it.”
As Mencari covered his face, a moment of claustrophobia struck. Breathing in his own heated air unsettled him. It felt suffocating. The mask was permeable, of course, he knew that, but something inside him still felt smothered. He shuddered at the thought of wearing a full-head facemask and helmet all the time. He pushed the unease away and said, “We’re taking lead as scouts. Our job is to rendezvous with our contacts and establish our base of operations. The Be’Inaxi soldiers will join us at that point.” He thought his voice sounded like he was a pilot in a jetfighter, muffled behind the facemask.
“Just open the airlock,” Naijen said.
Mencari pushed the release, closing the inner door, then opening the outer airlock. He noticed right away that the toxic, brownish-green fog was far thinner than when he last visited. In fact, he could see the outline of Selsamed in the distance. Though he recognized the strange silence from his last journey. Except now, a blunted grinding noise vibrated in the air around them. The sound of falling water came from the direction of Salsemed too. Are the Nukari actually helping to improve things, or is this some odd coincidence? he wondered.
A map projected on Mencari’s eyeglass. Icons represented their ships, along with a dotted yellow path to a red X. “Follow me,” he said, “I have the way to the rendezvous location.”
The ground felt soft, and compacted under his feet. Even through the facemask he smelled must and rot. He saw Toriko’s drones zip ahead and disappear into smog.
“Generating updated area maps,” Toriko said through the communicators, “and marking whatever else is out there. Beasts, or Nukari—or Nukari beasts, we’ll see them long before they see us.”
The area itself seemed to have changed little since their last visit. Still in ruins, heaps of discarded machines and trash climbed the walls of the ruined city. Toriko’s drones gave him some sense of security. They weren’t blind to the dangers lurking in the mounds, unlike their last visit.
D'mok Revival 4: New Eden Page 12
