by Joe Crouch
“No,” he let out as he fixated on the hologram that was now clear, “That’s Fez.” A picture of his Captain eating, sat at a long canteen table flashed into view, he was deep in conversation with someone, but that was all that could be made out. Next, the image fizzed to the Arrakis-two as he darted through a system, engaging with idle asteroids, that’s when I first got her he thought, “What’s going on?” he asked, gaining some energy back into his voice.
“It’s all very simple,” Zao’Ren beamed, “Whatever you think about is displayed here and recorded on this device, so think really hard about those ships, do it for me.” Sean froze, his muscles contracted as he tried to control his mind and guide his thoughts elsewhere. He turned his mind to something harmless, his job aboard the original Arrakis and his old friend Baz. His friend’s smiling, laughing face sparked into view, he watched on as Baz hid behind a row of lockers, jumping out to startle one of their crew, it was a happy memory for him, close to when they first met. The image turned to a more depressing time, though, the view of Baz’s lifeless body flopped about like a salmon in a stream as he bounced around the hangar bay’s shielding. Sean let go, his emotions took control of his mind as he slipped into a new depression, this time reminiscing about the good times he had with friends, the thought of never experiencing those again hit him harder than his own seemingly inevitable fate. Opening his eyes once more, the image flashed to Earth’s defence, the sporadic placement of a weakened fleet dominated. “Earth,” Zao’Ren said, “Such a wonderful planet, wouldn’t you agree?”
“It’s nothing special,” he grunted.
“Oh but it is, over ten billion Humans populate that world… our small presence is hardly worth mentioning,” the smirk on his face said it was anything but. Zao’Ren slumped himself down into his vine throne, his robe flowing freely onto the floor, he toyed with a small device on his arm and brought up an image.
“Burrowers,” Sean snarled, the image above him flashed to the picture of Fez executing Yumie.
“So you’ve had the pleasure?” Zao’Ren laughed, “They’re interesting creatures, aren’t they? I’d go as far to say as they’re our best breed yet, so much confusion from such a little critter, I’m proud.” Sean thrashed about in his restraints, gaining a second wind with the thought of ending this where they were, here and now, but it was no use, the device did its job and kept him in place, he was rewarded with nothing more than aching wrists. “Yes, they’re everywhere, infesting every colony, every town big or small and your world is no exception, in fact, your world was purposefully targeted, it’s such a rich vein of life, after all.”
“Stay away from Earth,” he screamed, “We’ve got nothing you need, we’re primitive in comparison,” Zao’Ren stood and lumbered towards him, kneeling so he was at eye-level with the hopeless Human.
“On the contrary, Sean,” Zao’Ren said in a calm but piercing tone, “You have everything we need,” he paused to stand and fiddling about with his device he changed the holographic image. He let out a piercing screech, kicking and punching out as far as he could, Zao’Ren turned and sat back in his throne, taking a deep breath.
“Well, maybe not everything,” he smirked, “But at least ten billion things.”
* * *
“Commander, display the schematics, we need to make a route to Sean’s location.” Fez, Taris, and the marine Commander hunched over a small holo-terminal that projected a live feedback from the scout devices they had disseminated, they didn’t read as much as the larger one used for entry, but they drew a basic map of the ship's innards. The trio watched on as the display populated with the various areas of the ship, switching to the individual camera aboard a single device, Fez concentrated, trying his best to catch a glimpse of any indication of a holding area.
“There!” Taris shouted, reaching forward she manipulated the image to display what she had seen, “See, It’s right here.” Leaning over, she pointed towards a faint image in the corner of the drone’s vision, “That looks awfully like a brig’s door, don’t you think?”
“It does,” Fez mused while getting a closer look, “It’s as good a place to look as any, but we’ve got to hurry, I doubt the Xuron leadership will be too pleased with what we’ve done.”
“I’m not particularly pleased with what we did, either…” Taris noted, her deep purple eyes seemed to flicker with anger.
“Well, now’s not the time to debate ethics, we have to get going,” Fez lectured, the Commander nodded in agreement, so for now, Taris dropped her objections and readied her weapon.
After a brief wait, the squad moved out, taking a cautious step from the relative safety of their cleared room and into the unknown that awaited them. The holding cells were closer than anyone could have suspected, but the path was still a perilous one, no doubt littered with the enraged Xuron that were waiting on their newest litter. The commander took point and guided the rest of the team through the convoluted corridors and rooms that made up the maze-like structure of the ship. Hallways ran in every direction and seeing as the enemy could mount the walls and ceilings they weren’t necessarily designed for foot traffic, with pathways on every surface, even the ceilings, giving the Xuron quick access to the multiple decks.
There was a concerning air that whipped around their feet, a gentle breeze that would have been relaxing if they were winding through a dense forest or across a sprawling open field, but in this foreign environment, it was neither relaxing nor comforting. Without warning, the Commander stopped in place, as if frozen in time and hunkered down, the squad followed suit and knelt on the ground, soft popping noises came from the grape-like objects that they knelt on. “What is it?” Fez whispered.
“I’m detecting movement,” the Commander replied while manipulating his display.
“From where?”
“I’m not sure, Captain, I’m just detecting movement, it could be…” the Commander was cut off as a lone Xuron strolled around the corner, looking down at a device it held in both hands. It remained oblivious to their presence, its total focus was taken up with the electronic device within its clammy hands. The team were stunned, looking on as the alien stopped and leant back against the wall, engrossed in whatever it was doing. Taris looked towards Fez with a knowing glance and receiving the go-ahead, she slipped out a small blade and approached the oblivious alien. Crouching close to the floor and taking small steps across the sticky surface she drew in closer, her breath was steady and calm. Without hesitation, the Xuron snapped the device closed and placed it in a small satchel thrown over its narrow shoulders, looking up it saw the team pressed against the wall down the curved hallway. It let out a bellowing screech, it disorientated the crew for a brief moment, allowing the being enough time to draw a weapon and blast it towards their position. The super-heated plasma tore a hole through the Commander’s suit, atmosphere began to vent outwards in a plume of gas. Before the alien could get off another shot, Taris lunged forwards jabbing her blade up through the underside of the Xuron’s chin, impaling it where it stood, it was dead instantly, the only remnants of life were its twitching limbs.
“Commander,” Taris yelled, turning quickly on her heels as she rushed back over to the choking officer, she watched as Fez pressed down hard on his ruptured armour.
“Get me his kit, quickly,” Fez shouted. Taris rummaged through his belongings before emptying them completely onto the floor, brushing aside everything she didn’t need. “There,” Fez said, nodding towards a small, curved device, “Grab that and apply pressure to the rupture, go slowly.” Following his orders, Taris leant over the gasping Commander, slowly applying the healing device to his suit. The fabrics began to sew themselves back together in a cumbersome fashion, the seal was far from perfect, but it began to work as the Commander gasped his first real breath.
“Sudol,” the Commander said, finally relaxing and sitting up against the wall.
“Sudol?” Taris asked, her wide eyes fixated on the frail Ioution.
“My name,” he replied, “My name is Sudol.” Taris smiled, among his own people, only the ones he trusted the most could know their birth name.
“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Sudol,” Taris beamed from behind her soft smile, “But I think we have more important matter to attend to right now, don’t you?” Sudol nodded, pushing himself up off the floor he balanced himself, taking small steps to regain his confidence.
The squad carried on, encountering small pockets of lightly armed resistance that were dispatched with ease by the trained and experienced crew. The cells were near and now it wasn’t the map that guided them along but the blood-curdling screams that tore through their bodies, ensuring everyone would remain sleepless for nights to come. “Sean,” Taris yelled out in a panic, receiving a deadly look from Fez, who was less than impressed with her antics.
The screams grew louder as they turned a sharp corner. Sudol rushed behind cover just in time as plasma bolts fizzed past where he stood, “There’s two of them, heavily armed guards that are stood either side of a locked hatchway,” Sudol cautioned.
“Explosives?” Taris gushed, excited at the prospect.
“Explosives,” Sudol nodded, handing a large, handheld device to Taris who couldn’t hide her child-like excitement at the forthcoming treat. Sudol shuffled along the wall, allowing Taris to roll over his firm body and get in position on the cusp of the corner. The way she gleefully hummed while playing with the options alarmed Fez, no one should be this happy about using an explosive on somebody else, but here was living proof of someone who either loved their job, or loved killing, luckily for Taris both were intertwined.
“Ready?” Taris chuckled, “I know I am.”
“And that’s what scares me,” Fez replied, shifting uncomfortably from foot to foot. Taris tilted her head to one side, her puppy-dog eyes had little effect on the stalwart Captain, “Just get on with it.” She poked her head around the corner, witnessing the two Xuron raise their weapons once again and let off a burst of rounds in her direction. Sinking back behind cover she armed her device and threw it up into the air. Within moments it darted off towards its pre-programmed target, arcing around the corner it zipped towards the unsuspecting Xuron, who continued to lay down suppressing fire on the team’s position, oblivious as to what was about to hit them. The explosion rattled the thick walls, the shockwave rippled across the floor causing certain sections to burst open into a pit of goop that lay underneath. Inspecting her handy work, she looked on at the scattered, charred remains of the duo who existed until moments ago. With luck, the explosion also ripped a hole through the hatchway, allowing them access to the holding area where they suspected Sean, amongst others, were being held.
The squad tread carefully through the dark, ripped hole and took up positions in the suspected cellblock beyond. Looking about, Fez noticed the same vine-like doors what were interlaced into the surrounding walls, the same structure that blocked their path into the breeding grounds. The vicinity was clear, no guards were on patrol but the explosion was far from subtle, so no doubt a retaliation was on its way and it was only a matter of time until they were overrun – they had to work fast.
They scattered out, each taking a different direction and set of cells. The group worked frantically, trying everything they could get their hands on to pry open the various blockages in their way, but nothing worked, the doors didn’t budge from their entrenched positions. Taris knelt, studying the vines closer, running her hand along it's jagged, almost spiky surface. Frustrated, she lashed out, punching and kicking the solid structure in front of her, “Sean, where are you,” she screamed, landing further blows to the unmovable object.
“Over here,” Fez yelled, motioning for others to join him, “I think I’ve figured out how to open them.” The group gathered around, watching as the Captain slid off a section of flesh from the wall beside the cell, revealing a network of pulsing veins, “Let’s see,” Fez said, grabbing his stunner, jabbing the prongs into the thin skin. With a swift bolt of electricity, the veins recoiled, lashing about as they did before slotting back into the walls with a disturbing slurp.
“Empty,” Taris stressed, “I’ll go try it on a few others.” One by one the gates fell, revealing all different scenes and different species that were locked away, some still alive and begging for the crew to save them. Taris rushed to the end of the long hallway, stopping at the final door on her side she peeled away the thin flesh and jabbed her rod into the wall. She stepped back as the vines flew apart before disappearing. Her heart began to race as she caught a flash of white skin within the darkness that encompassed the room, darting through, she activated her torch, revealing a dishevelled and beaten Human. She pulled him up from the floor and drew him close, holding him tight against her chest. His eyes gradually opened, the life flooded back into them as he realised who grappled onto him. Without any prior conviction, Taris placed her hands on either side of his bloodied head and planted her lips against his, the freezing cold of his flesh almost made her recoil.
“Special occasion?” he spluttered making Taris laugh, she nodded while wiping away the tear that began to roll down her cheek.
“Very special,” she said while using a thumb to clean the grime from around his eyes. The sincerity was not lost on Sean, although it was strange to him seeing her like this, they had grown close, but it never occurred to him that it would end up like this. “Let’s get out of here, we have a shuttle waiting.”
“I won’t argue,” he stammered, “I’ve got some information Fez has to be made aware of, though.” On cue, the captain rushed over and helped the broken Human to his feet, taking Sean’s weight on his shoulders they rushed back through the barren walkways and headed back towards the shuttle.
“What’s that noise?” Sudol said, stopping in his tracks, “It sounds like an engine powering.”
“Agreed,” Fez said, “Let’s get back and make it fast.” The crew picked up pace, Sean glanced over towards Taris who seemed focused, shaking his head at what had transpired, he allowed himself to let go, relaxing on the Captain's shoulders as he bobbed about.
The team arrived at the shuttle, facing zero resistance as they traversed the oddly tight ship. Placing Sean down into his medical restraints, Sudol rushed to the cockpit and readied the shuttle for flight. “Is everyone ready back there?” he yelled behind him, “It’s time to go home.” The shuttle doors snapped shut with ferocity as they lifted from the surface they were coupled to, flesh ripped out from underneath them as they pushed away.
“Captain,” Sean mumbled, “I got some information from Zao’Ren.”
“Zao’Ren?” Taris exploded, “You met him?”
“Not only did I have the pleasure of meeting him, he did this to me,” he said, showing Taris the mangled wounds across his body.
“So, what did you learn?” Fez inquired, remaining ever the pragmatist.
“Earth is next in line to be culled and the attack may already be underway, we have to assist.” Fez sat up straight, his shock authentic and his worry evident, he knew they didn’t have much time.
“Sudol, get us back to the Mar’Ell and make it fast, we’re going to Earth…”
Chapter 24
“I must protest Madame President, I see no benefit in positioning our fleet near Jupiter for fuel harvesting,” general Michael Hagen complained, his droopy, grizzled face shook with anger.
“The harvesters must be protected, general, this is a new time we now co-exist in, we are not alone and we are not safe,” President Camilla replied, her face ever wrinkled from the constant frown that was scrawled across her features. General Hagen sat back into his plush chair and sipped on his expensive brandy, brushing away the plume of smoke that gathered in front of him from the President’s excessive smoking. The pair sat alone in a room that was a stereotypical upper-class, pompous show of wealth. The walls were hidden behind bookshelves that rose from the floor and touched the high ceilings. Crystal glasses sat on the heavy, dark oak
table glinted in the dim light let off by a gem-encrusted chandelier, the glow of which made general Hagen’s eyes heavy.
“I do agree, Madame President, but is so much protection necessary?” he questioned while standing and circling the room, running his long fingers over the pristine wooden furniture that lined the hardwood floor. “I recommend we keep at least four ships back for peacekeeping, not to mention defence, we both know the population still hasn’t calmed.”
“My decision is final, general,” the President stood, straightening her pristine suit, “Know your place in all of this, when I need your advice, I will seek you out, but for now, you may leave,” and with a cold stare in his direction the general scurried away. It was a lonely walk back to his well-lavished room within the planetary command, a building where decisions regarding the general running and well-being of the navy were made. The President’s decision played on Michael’s mind, he couldn’t justify the outlay of strength at such a routine task, gas harvesting from Jupiter was a regular occurrence, and while he agreed that the galaxy had become a whole lot more dangerous, there had no repeat attacks since that day.
Cracking open his door, the loud creaking of the antique hinges and handle always brought him back to better times as a kid, the world had changed drastically in the years that passed since then, so small comforts were relished. He sat at his desk and sighed, the frustrations of red-tape made him increasingly agitated and annoyed. Flicking through the large pile of documents that were stacked neatly on his dark-wood desk, he pulled out a folder detailing the defence of Earth and her colonies. “I just cannot make any sense of it,” he mused out loud while running a hand through his thinning hair, “There has to be more to this than meets the eye.” Sitting back, he fiddled with the medals that adorned his navy jacket, staring out the window and watching as rain trickled down their dirty surface. As he began to fall victim to his age, an alarm began to screech out from every direction, snapping him out from his unplanned rest. Rubbing his eyes to regain what he could of his already weakened vision he got up, “What the hell?” he mumbled to himself. Stepping out from his office, the place was a hive of activity, an unspoken undercurrent of panic seemed to flow through everyone who raced about. Grabbing his own personal communicator, he dialled into command, “Report,” he demanded.
