Brandon had met her at a meeting a week ago. She was First Captain Hanli. He saw an elderly robed Ugna behind her and knew she was someone important. They needed to help. “We’re coming up. Give them everything you have, and we’ll try to draw them away.”
Hanli nodded, and the call ended. More fire erupted from the pair of enemies, and Jun sent a volley toward the lower ship, alerting them they had company, and set her target on the adjacent enemy. She struck their shields with a flurry of red flashes, and Carl raced underneath, swinging around with an aggressive press of the thrusters. He let out another little whoop as the g-force rose above the ship’s parameters, and Brandon’s stomach lurched for a second before leveling out again.
Jun continued to fire, and it worked. The ship started for them, no longer concentrating on Brandon’s ally. They took heavy fire, and their vessel shook violently, but the shields held.
“Make another round. This time, sweep under the other ship. Let’s see if we can draw them to us,” Brandon said, and Carl did as ordered. Jun hit the other enemy with a single shot, but it didn’t work. Soon both of the vessels were back, taking aim at Hanli.
“Until we meet in the Vastness,” Kristen whispered, just loud enough to be heard over the continuing alarm ringing through the bridge.
“What does that even mean?” Carl asked.
“I don’t know, but it sounds comforting.”
Brandon watched as the next blast struck, breaking through the shields.
____________
High Elder Fayle had never wanted to foretell her ending. There was far too much to accomplish, but despite that, if now was her time, she’d be at peace with it. She was no longer Ugna.
The depressive state clouded her mind, and she attempted to claw her way from under it. Ven Ittix needed her guidance, as did the Ugna people. After today, the outcome would be devastating, and she hoped to aid in the recovery.
“Hanli, are we able to reroute the power to the shields?” she asked.
Gar Ellix nodded, his expression grim as another blast rocked their ship. “It can be done, but we’ll have nothing left for engines or weapons. Or, most importantly, life support.”
“Make it happen, Gar,” Hanli said. “One crisis at a time.”
Gar dashed off, and Fayle silently wished the crew from Earth the best as they darted around the area, attempting to distract the two Ugna vessels intent on killing her.
“Message from Shu. Captain Bouchard is on her way!” Hanli’s officer said, breaking the tension.
“If we can divert the power, maybe we can last long enough to survive,” Fayle said hopefully.
The lights dimmed as they were struck again, the emergency ones coming on in their stead. “Captain, the shields are on. We’re at twenty-nine percent,” another officer told them.
They were sitting targets without any weapons and with a limited amount of air. Fayle only hoped Shu would arrive before they expired.
____________
High Elder Wylen strode across the bridge, a scowl on his face. The turmoil had started in their favor, his people trained to fight in many different capacities. This group of Concord ships was a pathetic bunch, with little or no experience, it seemed. But they’d adapted quickly to the random fighting style, and now Wylen was seeing the tables turn in their favor.
“High Elder, another five reported gone,” Nerlip said softly.
“How many does that leave us with?” Wylen asked.
“A third of the fleet, sir.”
Over one hundred and thirty of their precious fleet were gone. He’d spent a lifetime accumulating that many vessels, not to mention the sheer number of his people that had perished with the destruction. This was unacceptable.
Wylen had felt a change in the fleet when they’d started and knew most of the crews were running on fumes once the Concord used that damned device to tear their souls out. No wonder they were losing; they didn’t have anything to live for.
There were thousands of his people aboard this colony ship, enough for him to make a change if he was victorious. The Concord understood little about the Ugna. Fayle wouldn’t have divulged all their sins, and he needed to use that to their advantage.
“Nerlip, we’re going to link. Legacy is aiming for us. Baldwin thinks he’s astute, but I can almost read his thoughts. He’s coming for me, and we’re going to give him a surprise.” Wylen replaced his frown with a forced smile.
Nerlip paled, if that was possible. “Are you saying we’re doing the Tehieril?”
“That’s right. Spread the word. When Baldwin is in range, we hit him with everything we have,” Wylen ordered.
“Yes, sir.”
Wylen stepped forward, attempting to focus on Legacy’s location. A few skirmishes were taking place in their vicinity, but he’d made Nerlip stay behind with a panoramic view of Nolix, away from the main battle. He had one shot at the last move, and he wasn’t going to lose.
The High Elder felt a distraction enter his mind, and he set a hand on a console to stay upright. He opened his eyes but saw only bright lights, images of stars rising and burning out, as if he was witnessing a billion years in seconds. He dropped to his knees and lay on the ground, unable to stop the series of pictures being shown to him.
“The Vastness,” he muttered, drool oozing over his lips.
Nerlip was at his side, trying to help him up. He was shouting something, but Wylen couldn’t hear. Nothing else mattered, except what he was seeing.
It didn’t last and, eventually, the images were gone, his eyes still burning with the bright vision. Nerlip tapped his shoulder, and Wylen used his mind to send the man halfway across the bridge. He landed into a 3D map generator, hitting the ground hard. Wylen rose without the use of his legs, and settled onto his feet.
“So he found the Vast stone,” he whispered to himself. “Then I don’t have much time. Nerlip, if you’re done messing around, begin the charge. We’re hitting Nolix.”
Nerlip limped over to his seat and gave the orders to the crew, while Wylen stared out the screen, barely aware of the flagships roaring in his direction. They didn’t matter any longer. Only destroying Nolix did.
Once the Nek drive was powered up, the bridge crew came to stand in a line. They clasped hands, forming a stretching line across most of the giant colony vessel. The rest of the fleet had been depleted of En’or, but not Wylen’s ship. Nothing could stop them. He started the chain, pressing the drug into his veins. Like Ven, he didn’t need it, but it helped him focus.
They each did the same, and ten minutes later, the entire craft was buzzing with the power of the Vastness.
Wylen peered at the drive countdown, indicating twenty minutes until it was ready. Then Nolix would be wiped from existence. If he couldn’t have the Concord, he’d destroy it.
____________
As pleased as Tom was with the battle’s progression, Conquest worried him unlike any other ship he’d ever faced. The moment he’d been told by Reeve and Ven about the power of the Ugna, managing to kill an entire invading fleet of Vusuls with nothing but their minds, Tom had been anxious to face Wylen.
And yet he was now flying Legacy directly toward the man and his thousands of En’or-fueled crewmembers, hoping to stop him.
“Captain, we’re going to be within their hypothetical range in one minute,” Tarlen advised him. They were guessing, based on their previous experience, as to how far the Ugna could stretch their minds, but with a colony ship led by their High Elder, Tom didn’t know if the same rules applied.
“Pause outside the perimeter. Are they moving?” Tom asked.
Reeve replied, checking the trajectory from the commander’s seat beside him. “Negative. They’re unmoving. But I am picking up a very strange electrical reading from them.”
“What is it?” Tom asked.
“It’s unclear, but I’m trying to determine… It’s the Nek drive. Wylen is charging the Nek.” Reeve’s voice was quiet.
“Do you thin
k he’s planning on leaving? Making a run for it?” Lark Keen asked.
“I doubt it.” Tom glanced toward Nolix, seeing a scattering of individual battles occurring between their position and the planet.
Tarlen peered over his shoulder. “What’s he going to do?”
“I doubt it’s good. We have to prevent Wylen from escaping at all costs,” Tom said. Constantine was approaching behind them, and he hit the communicator, contacting Treena.
“Admiral, I followed you. I don’t think you should be here alone,” Captain Starling told him. Tom noticed the body of her dead lieutenant had been removed.
“Wylen’s about to strike. I think he means to kill Ridele’s population, or worse.”
“What’s worse than that?” Treena asked.
“Destroying the planet?” Conner offered from Constantine.
“That is worse,” she mumbled. “What do we do?”
Tom thought about it, aware they wouldn’t be able to use the EN-01 on the colony ship without being in harm’s way. “We have to try. You stay outside their range, but tractor to us in case we have to be hauled out.”
“Admiral, we need you. You can’t put yourself in danger like this,” Treena told him, but his mind was made up.
“We don’t have a choice. It’s us or Nolix, and we signed up to protect our people, not watch them die. Attach to us, and if things turn south, you have my blessing to retreat and help the others by any means necessary,” Tom told her firmly, expecting a rebuttal that didn’t come.
Treena only nodded in acceptance and ordered Brax to use the tractor beam. Tom noticed the AI of his grandfather emerging beside the captain and lifted a hand to wave at him. A silent goodbye. Con winked at him in return, and the communication ended.
This was it.
The entire bridge was draped with nervous energy as Tom braced for the order.
“Bring us in,” he said.
Nineteen
Treena hated watching Legacy enter into the dangerous space around Wylen’s vessel, but Tom was right. They had to do something; otherwise, Nolix could be destroyed. For a moment, she considered chasing after him, assisting his last effort, but that wouldn’t help. They’d both be in trouble. At least this way, she could attempt to pull the flagship free if push came to shove.
“Captain, reports are coming in about a series of newcomers joining the fight,” Conner advised.
Her gaze snapped to the screen as it changed to a different viewpoint. They were familiar, but only because she’d gone to Earth. She’d been there while they’d sabotaged the Invaders’ Protectors at the Saturn manufacturing station.
“All sixteen Protectors here and accounted for,” Conner replied.
“Damn it.” Treena wanted more time, not to mention, their president was on Legacy at the moment. Without him to communicate with the Protectors, they would surely side with the Ugna.
Pol Teller had been quiet, pensive since Missy’s betrayal, and he jolted out of his seat. “I have a plan.”
“What is it?” Treena asked.
“Basher. I’ll use Cleo to get him.” Teller started limping for the exit elevator that would lead to the exploration ship above the bridge. “Send word to Legacy to have him loaded into the hangar. Leave him restrained.” Pol grabbed a PL-30 from the edge of the bridge and shoved the barrel into his pocket.
“Are you certain you want to do that?” she asked.
“I’m an old man out of his prime, and I brought a traitor with me,” he said.
“It wasn’t your fault. They would have done it with or without you,” Treena assured him.
“Regardless, I need this. I’ll get Basher and make him talk to the Protectors.”
Treena knew from the look in his eyes that there was no talking him out of it. “Until we meet in the Vastness,” she said. Teller mumbled something in return and vanished into the elevator. A minute later, Cleo detached, racing toward Legacy.
“The beam is thinning. We only have a few more kilometers before we can’t hold on any longer,” Brax said.
“Then we’d better hope they manage to do something before then,” Treena said. “What’s happening with the Protectors?”
Brax stared at her with a grim expression. “They’re attacking our fleet.”
Treena made a fist, wishing she could be in two places at once. “Come on, Tom. We need you.”
____________
The Pilia ships were so gargantuan, it made Legacy look like a granule of sand on a beach in comparison. “The EN-01 is alive. Setting target,” Keen said.
“Is Basher ready?” Tom asked. Cleo had managed to hurry into their hangar, where Teller was going to bring Basher free of the danger zone in an effort to convince the newly-arrived enemy to stop fighting the Concord—if the president cooperated as planned.
Tarlen nodded as he viewed the hangar’s live footage. “Cleo has left. She’s returning to Constantine.”
Tom smiled. A small victory, but a smart one. They’d all but forgotten the Protectors’ imminent arrival, and of course it happened right at the crux of the battle.
“The beam is ready, sir. On your word.” Lark’s finger hovered over his screen.
“Now!” Thomas Baldwin shouted, and the pulsing beam shot out just as an immeasurable pain erupted in his head.
His brain burned with fire, and he fell to the floor, holding his temples. Somehow he managed to glance up, seeing Lark staring at him from across the bridge, blood streaming from his nose. Reeve was beside him, facing the other direction, lifeless.
They were too late.
____________
One moment Ven was on the rock-covered planet within the underground caverns; the next he was on a moon, overlooking dueling worlds. They were on either side of him, akin to floating orbs in the distance. They seemed too close to one another, and for a brief moment, his inquisitive mind wondered which planet this moon orbited.
He realized he was no longer in his spacesuit but didn’t feel the need to question why he could breathe. Transporting here was no small feat, but there was a distinct chance he was still underground in the cave, rather than physically moved.
“Ven Ittix,” a voice said. It was deep, smooth, and flowing like a river.
Ven turned around to face a gray being, or at least a rough silhouette. It towered at least ten feet high, with narrow shoulders, and its legs seemed asymmetrical for its body. The head was oval, faceless, and elongated. No mouth was identifiable.
“What are you?” he asked.
“I am many things.”
This did little to answer the numerous questions Ven had for it. He tried to find a query with slightly more focus. “Primarily?”
“I read your mind, Ven. I understand how you came to find me. You were shown by Fayle,” it said, the voice changing cadence. It now sounded like a young girl, reminding him of someone he’d grown up with in the village on Leria. “I was surprised she located me, but she did, and here you are.”
“Did you meet Fayle?”
“No. She came in a dream. She is proficient with meditation and managed to retain the details.” The voice was different yet again; the being used Brax Daak’s voice.
“What do I do? What is my purpose?” Ven asked, hoping it could answer by reading his mind.
“You come for trite reasons.”
“Trite? The overthrowing of the Concord is hardly an inconsequential moment,” Ven assured it.
The form wavered, a ripple moving through its flesh. “We are not as concerned with this flash in time as you may expect. There have been endless changes in power over a billion galaxies, Ven. Why should we grant you anything?”
Ven stared past the form, seeing a white-hot star farther in the middle of this solar system. “Where are we?”
“You are at the Nexus.”
“And what is the Nexus?”
“It is the beginning and the end,” it said with Admiral Baldwin’s voice. It reminded Ven of his task at hand.
“The end of what?”
“Everything, Ven Ittix. Don’t you see how futile your attempts at persuading us are? We are boundless. Perhaps the Nexus will change, as it has countless times, but we will persevere.”
“Are you the Vastness?”
Its entire body vibrated as it began glowing icy blue. “As you perceive it, yes.”
“My people are facing a foe, one who corrupts the Vastness. He uses our people as tools, manipulating their genetics to draw from the power you harness. He must be stopped,” Ven said.
The being rippled again, taking its time to respond. “I see this in you. It is, as you say, a perversion of us.”
“Then you will help?” Ven pleaded.
“I see the link in you, Ven. We are bonded by it. Would you lose that connection to save your people?”
Ven considered it. His entire memory circled around being an Ugna. He’d struggled as a youth, studying more strictly than everyone, but the truth was that the En’or he’d been drugged with had blocked his natural ability. Ven had always felt like an outsider, until he’d stepped foot on Constantine. He’d made friends, helped the Concord win against old enemies, and found comfort with Hanli.
Driun F49 could remain their home. It was promised to them, and Fayle had assured him he would lead the Ugna. Could he do that without the abilities that comprised their identity? Or would the entire race collapse as a result?
“You reason well, Ven. Perhaps you’d like us to make the decision for you,” it said in Fayle’s voice. The gray-skinned being began growing brighter, more ripples racing over it.
Ven wasn’t ready to depart yet. He might never have another chance at contact. “Wait…”
It lifted an arm, its palm stretching forward to Ven with three thick fingers. It settled on his face, and the digits were cool to the touch. “Return.” Hanli’s voice was the last it used, and Ven blinked his eyes open inside the cavern, gazing upon the flame above the archway.
He tried to float himself up, but nothing happened.
Baldwin's Legacy: The Complete Series Page 157
