“You’re just going to stun or kill me anyway,” the guard answered.
“No,” Genius answered. “Stand up slowly and look around.”
The guard did as he was told. His eyes were like saucers when he saw Harry and Nedra. “What are you going to do?”
“You really want me to spell it out for you? That’s your deciding factor on whether you tell us what I want to know.” Genius shrugged. “Alright then. Well, he is going to hold you down while my friend Adeen here starts removing various parts of your body, starting between your legs. Dude, I don’t know about you, but I know a guy who does this shit and it always works out badly for the person. So I know it works. I’ll give you five seconds to start talking.”
“Oh man,” the man stammered, “don’t! I’m just a guard, I don’t know shit. You stunned her and she knows everything.”
“So you two are an item?” Genius asked.
“Genius, stay on task!” Adeen said, moving over next to him.
“What!” the man stumbled over his words. “Her and me, no man, the major told all the women on this ship that if they wanted to keep breathing they had to take care of us.”
Adeen’s stunner went off and the guard hit the floor. “Genius, get on that console and get to work. If what he says is true, Benjamin will find out soon enough, and there’s going to be a blood bath. You have to shut this ship down, now!”
“Yes, Genius, she is correct. Do not stray from our mission, we can deal with these men later,” Nedra agreed.
Genius nodded and sat down at the main console, quickly moving his fingers across the keys. “Ha!” he exclaimed. “They never took my passwords out of the system. This must have all went down shortly after we departed, and they definitely haven’t done any regular system maintenance protocol since then.”
“What’s your clearance level?” Adeen asked.
“High enough to shut this ship down,” he answered. “The captain trusts me and thought it would be good to have backup for Chief Miller.”
“Isn’t she backup for the chief?”
“Yes, but I’m better,” Genius laughed. “The captain knew it, and no one else was going to question her. I didn’t really have to do much; they took good care of the ship, but she liked to have a backup plan, just in case. I worked to fill the gaps on the bridge and engineering. Get ahold of the boss and tell him we’re in.”
zzz
Ronnie walked towards the guards standing outside of Med Bay. An empty beer in each hand, she walked with a smile and an exaggerated sway to her hips.
“Well, well. What do we have here?” one guard asked the other.
“Hey fellas, the guys in the shuttle bay thought you might like one of these,” she said sweetly.
“Are those guys at it again? Damn, they’re lucky, but they have been told about pilfering the booze,” the left guard said.
“Yeah, I don’t think I remember you, and I have had most of the women on this tub,” Righty added.
“Aww sugar, I don’t remember you either, but if you had me you most certainly would remember,” Ronnie said angrily. She threw the beer can at the guard and drew her stunner, firing quickly and hitting him in the chest. The other guard was fast on the draw; Snake fired a split second before him, but his finger still managed to tap the trigger. Ronnie was moving out of the way, but it still caught her in the arm.
“Ronnie! Come on Snake, let’s move,” I said, sprinting away. Ronnie leaned back against the wall, her arm hanging by her side.
“You okay?” I asked, grabbing her and looking her over.
“Just my arm,” she said. “It’s numb and will pass, but for the moment I’m not so good left-handed.
“We’ll figure it out. Keep watch while we pull these two inside.” I wasn’t exactly ready for what waited inside the medical bay. Doc Matthews walked over to us slowly as if in pain. The crew, men and women were everywhere on the floor, and all the beds were taken.
“What are you doing here, and why would you do that? Aren’t they working with you?” he asked.
“Doc, are you out of your mind?” I asked. “You think that I had some part in this, just because they told you I did?”
“Well the last time you were here, I had to stitch up the general and get his ear reattached. They said you came back after him and took the captain as well.”
“No, Doc, Aisling is safe and will be here soon. As for the general, he organized this whole thing. Look, it’s a long story, but you need to tell everyone that what they’ve been told is a lie.”
“Are you responsible for us losing power? If so, please turn it back on. We have people hooked up to machines in various states of recovery,” the doctor said.
“I’m on it, boss!” Ronnie said, and made the call to Genius.
“Sorry, Doc,” I said. “He got in and brought her down faster than I planned.”
“Benjamin, listen,” the doctor said. “It’s been really bad. I can’t believe these guys were ever Alliance soldiers. They have killed at least a quarter of the crew, beat some almost to death, and locked four times as many in the brig as it was designed for.”
“Who is in the brig? I’m guessing Jared and his team and the navy officers.”
“The ones they didn’t kill,” he replied grimly. “They killed Commander Holmes; he was one of the first. Some of the crew are working with them, but it’s under duress — threats against their life or their friends.”
“Where is Win, Doc?” Snake asked.
Doctor Matthews’ head dropped and tears came to his eyes. “I managed to get her body and put it away, hoping we could give her a proper funeral someday. They just spaced the other bodies.”
Snake had tears in his eyes and his face was beet red. Ronnie wrapped her one good arm around him and buried her head in his shoulder. He held her with his free arm, the other still holding the stunner, but shaking a little.
“Snake, stay here with Ronnie and protect these people,” I said. “I’ll call you when the time comes. Doc, do you know who it was?”
“Not for certain, and there was more than one, Benjamin.”
“Snake, did you hear me? Ronnie, you and Doc get your arm working,” I called out. “I’m going to send the marines over here, then you can join me when we take the bridge. Snake!””
“I hear you,” he answered. I’ll wait ‘til the marines get here, but after that all bets are off.”
“Fair enough, but you may have to get to them before I do. I liked her too, you know, she was a beautiful person.”
“One way or another, boss.”
“I got your back, Snake. I’m headed for the brig.”
zzz
“Something is going on. The power just went out,” Corporal Higgs said.
“You think these idiots they have running the ship did something?” a marine asked. There were ten of them crammed in the cell. Their noses had gotten used to the stench of feces, gangrene, and unwashed bodies. Two marines occupied the bed. Their wounds festered and stank. When the power went off, so did the ventilation, and it didn’t take more than a few minutes to become overpowering.
“Stop talking, you idiots, you’re using up what good air there is,” the guard yelled from the desk outside.
“What fucking good air is he talking about?”
“I hear another word and I’m coming in there to put you to sleep.”
“Please do. I’d rather not have to think about what it’s going to get like in here if they don’t get the ventilation working soon.”
“That’s it!” the guard said, pushing the large steel door open the rest of the way. “I opened that door so you could get a little fresh air, and all it did was stink up my office. Now I told you to shut up!” He held his stunner pointed at the crowd.
“Hey, what the fuck? You!” the prisoners and the guard heard his partner yell from the outer room. There was a hint of recognition in the voice.
“Jimmy, what the hell is going on out there?” the guard yelled
. “You better not have a woman out there, you little shit. You boys wait right here. I’ll be right back, then it’s good night.”
“Not like we’re going anywhere, idiot,” one muttered.
They watched him walk away, mumbling about his partner. No one was really paying any attention, until they heard his sharp intake of breath. He stood at the doorway, arms hanging by his side. They could see the blade protruding out of his back, blood dripping off it. A large black silhouette blocked the light and the body was pushed to the floor. When the silhouette stepped through the doorway, most of the people in the brig knew who it was.
“Oh shit!” Corporal Higgs said. “I never believed what they said about you, man. I knew you wouldn’t kill our captain, would you? You’re not here to kill us, are you?”
“Corporal, shut it now!” Lieutenant Jared said. He looked Reaper up and down. “So did you kill the captain and the general?”
“Really, Lieutenant, you think I would hurt Aisling?” I asked. “I should leave you locked up in here. The short version is that the general took Aisling and I got her back. And yes, the general is dead. Is that enough info for you right now, so that I don’t have any problems with you or your men?”
“Where is the captain?” Jared asked.
“She’s safe on the Claymore and will be here later. First I need to clean this ship up, and it won’t be pretty. I hope you marines haven’t gotten squeamish and fat during the easy months out here,” I said. There was yelling and cussing and as much disorder as you could get crammed ten deep in a small cell.
“We’re fine, Reaper. Now get us out of here!”
“Genius,” I said, “power up the brig and release the locks.”
“Copy that, boss.”
I walked over and moved the bodies from impeding the exits. These guys were in bad shape; any other time I would have left the bodies for the guys to deal with themselves, but not today.
Two marines were trying to help the injured ones off the bed. They could barely stand on their feet.
“Lieutenant, take their weapons and post a guard. The rest of you, get out of my way. Corporal Higgs, you seem to have some strength. Could you slip out and get the men food and water? If anyone tries to stop you, stun them.”
I walked in the cell, picked up the first marine closest to me and cradled him. He was light, probably hadn’t eaten in weeks, and there was a terrible smell coming from him.
“Genius, unlock the armory in the brig,” I ordered.
“On it, boss.”
I heard the click of the door lock. “Jared, anyone able, get a weapon. I’m going to send someone to get the other marine. Do not freak out, do you hear me? He is friendly, I promise.”
“That tall hairy guy that was here before?” one of the marines in the crowd asked.
“Yes, I call him Harry. He can take the other marine, and if one of you would escort him to the med bay, I would appreciate it.”
“Yes sir!” It was a resounding chorus of weak voices, but they had a lot of heart.
“Hang on, buddy. I’ll have you in good hands shortly,” I said to the marine, then looked both ways and took off running. The first half of the run was quiet. We hit the last long hallway and corner, and then the med bay would be just twenty yards from there.
Two men stepped out of a room and saw me coming. Neither had put their weapons belt on yet; both of them dangled in their hands. “Stop!” the one on the right yelled and I sped up, closing the distance. They must have thought I would obey the order, but instead I just got angry.
I picked the one on the right. I held the marine tighter as I dropped my shoulder and hit the man. My momentum carried me a few more steps, and I turned to face the other. He was fumbling with his pistol when I took one step and kicked his balls into orbit.
The other man was getting up slowly when my foot connected with his gut. I couldn’t stay and finish them right then and there, but I would eventually. It was twenty seconds later when I put the brakes on as I came through the large doors. It startled a few people. They were all along the walls in line at the regen tanks.
Ronnie was flexing her fingers and working her arm. “Lay him over here, Benjamin,” she ordered. She was clearly in her zone, giving orders to people.
“Harry is bringing another one. Just prepare fluids and something for gangrene, is all I can tell you.”
“Snake, backtrack me,” I added. “There should be two men who tried to stop me lying on the floor. Go silence them.”
Snake was gone in a flash. “I don’t think you should have phrased it that way, Benjamin,” Ronnie said.
“Snake!” I added over my shoulder, realizing what I had done. I don’t know who they are. They might be confused friendlies, just stun them and come back.” I hoped he’d heard me.
Chapter 43
“What did Benjamin say, Shawna?” Taz asked, a little flustered the call hadn’t been directed to her.
“He said to proceed to the planet and look for an Alliance shuttle. It should be near a local watering hole, and the man in charge, Major Drummond, should be there, along with some of his crew.”
“And what are we supposed to do when we find this major and his crew?”
“Just observe and report back to him. He thinks the major will be suspicious and angry that he can’t get ahold of the Warhammer.”
“That sounds about as boring as sitting up there, looking out into the black,” Crnana said.
“Yes, it does,” Taz said. “Come on, Shawna, let us go get a closer look.”
“Queen Tazleaha, I don’t think that is such a good idea,” Shawna answered warily. “They may know who you are, and I know they may know me. They were on the Warhammer for quite a while before I left to join you and Benjamin.”
“They have been busy since then and probably drank a lot. By the time they figure it out, we can be on our way back,” Taz argued.
“Maybe, or fighting for our lives,” she retorted. “This is on you, Supreme Commander. I am gonna say you ordered me on threat of death, if Benjamin has to come and rescue us from this.”
“Oh please, child. There are only about twenty of them from your report. You and I shouldn’t even have to get out of our seats.”
zzz
“Genius, any problems in engineering?” I asked.
“Not yet,” he answered, “but I do need Harry back for a few minutes. The two we stunned are coming around, so we should definitely lock them up.”
“I emptied the brig, so have Harry take them there. He knows where it’s at.”
“Sounds good, boss. What else you got?”
“We’re taking the bridge next, and I haven’t heard from Shawna in about fifteen as of right now, so check on her in fifteen. See if you can raise her on the com.”
“Let me know when you’re ready and I’ll pop the lock.”
“Snake, where are you? It’s time. I’ll give you a few minutes, then I’m going without you,” I called out.
I paced around the med bay until Ronnie stopped me, jumping in front of me and blocking my path. “Relax, he’ll be here. Just give him a few minutes.”
“How’s the arm?” I asked.
“It’s better, and getting better by the minute,” Ronnie answered.
“Do you have your pistol?”
“No, it’s in Doc’s office.”
“Go get it and keep it with you. I don’t care what Doc or anyone else has to say about it,” I said.
“It’s not really what people trying to recover want to see.”
“Well, if they want to live to recover they will be happy you have it. Today isn’t just any day, and they should be thankful. Go get it!”
“All done here, boss, I’m on my way!” Snake advised.
“Copy, meet you in the corridor,” I said. “Genius put my com on ship wide.”
“Go ahead, boss.”
“This is Benjamin Jamison,” I said. I chose my words carefully, knowing every person on the ship could hear.
“You may also know me as Reaper. My team has taken control of the Warhammer and all its vital systems.”
I held out my arm and stopped Snake. We were still twenty feet from the bridge. “We are an advanced party under the direction of Captain Aisling O’Shaughnessy, who will be joining us shortly. Whatever you have heard will be set straight upon her arrival. I would urge any of you working for Major Drummond to lay down you weapons and submit to a search, after which you will be detained until the captain arrives. If you do not comply and take up arms against my team, you will be embracing the black. Dead or alive, it will not matter; you will leave this ship. Bridge crew, I am standing outside the door and will enter in five seconds. I would advise you to comply.” I switched off the ship wide signal.
“Genius, open the door.”
We watched the door slide back and the blasts flew wildly through the opening. “Come on, let’s go finish this,” I said.
“Yes, finally. I want this Master Sergeant Lilly, Ben.”
“Okay Snake, he’s yours, but you better not have me bail you out.” I switched back to ship wide.
“Crew of the bridge, I’m disappointed. Put your hands behind your head and lock your fingers. Anyone not complying when I enter is done.”
I drew my knife and set the stunner to max as we eased up to the open door.
“I see movement, boss, but with the lights off it’s hard to tell who is who,” Snake said.
“Jamison, if you come in here I’ll kill them both,” Lilly yelled.
“To some people that sounds really bad, Lilly, but I see it as making my life a whole lot easier, because then we’re going to kill you. I know they’re listening, so if it means anything, I’m going to avenge you.”
“Do you guys think you can wound, or slightly burn, or something other than kill?” The voice was female, and I recognized it almost immediately.
“Lieutenant St. James, is that you?” I called out.
The Chronicles of Benjamin Jamison: No More Lies (Book 3) Page 35
