Titan Encounter

by Kyle Pratt

  Moments later, someone reached out and touched his thoughts. Perhaps it was a fellow prisoner, the one he sensed minutes ago. Who are you, friend?

  Without a word, the unseen intellect washed over him, soothing him.

  Justin pulled himself up and tightened the tourniquet. Mustering his mental faculties, he reached out to his unseen friend. Thank you.

  Immediately Justin glimpsed a vast intelligence. He recalled stories of how several Titans had touched divinity. Justin’s mind was like a raindrop rolling toward a vast sea. His thoughts focused on the intelligence just beyond his grasp. Desperately he wanted to be with it. He shifted his weight and pain shot through his leg, into his torso, like electric current.

  Tears rolled down his face. Are you really there? I don’t want to die alone.

  Before I formed you in your mother’s womb, I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart.

  Am I in shock or…can you be real? He looked at the blood soaked band around his torn and twisted leg and the growing red pool. I’m dying.

  All flesh will die, but your time is not today. A tiny spark floated above his feet. It grew stronger and brighter until the darkness of the cell had succumbed to the light. The luminous orb grew until Justin could feel its warmth on his skin and squinted, then closed his eyes. Who are you?

  “I am the comforter. You must leave this place.”

  He laughed. “I would if I could.”

  A deep rumble grew within the ship, silencing his sarcastic laugh. As it grew, the vessel shuddered and quaked until the heavy metal door to his cell sprang open.

  Justin shot to his feet and stepped forward. Only then did he realize what he had done. Was it all a dream, the Comforter, the light? He touched the still-torn and blood-soaked pant leg. He took a step and then another without pain. I’m healed.

  There was no time to sort it out. He released the tourniquet and ran from the cell.

  Chapter 26

  Justin looked to his left, a dead end, and then right. The door at the end of the passageway was ajar. Another boom rocked the ship and the next cell creaked open. Fearing what he might see inside, he looked. “Jon?” His friend lay motionless on the floor. Pushing the door wide open, he entered the cell and pressed two fingers to Jon’s neck. No pulse came back from the cool body. He cradled the head of his friend in his lap and with misty eyes bid him farewell.

  Stepping into the passage he asked, “Why God? Why did I live and he die?” A thought came to mind as he ran down the passage. Jon and I planned on dying when we rammed this ship. We both should be dead.

  From deep within came a calm assurance and a message more profound than words. I spared both your lives for a purpose.

  But, Jon is dead?

  His purpose is complete. He showed you the way.

  Way? Way of what?

  Trust me.

  Justin reached the door as the guard attempted to lock it. Using his mind, he flung it wide open.

  The man’s pistol slid along the floor to the far side of the room. He stumbled as Justin’s psychic fingers clasped tightly around his throat.

  Dragging the guard along with his mind, Justin entered the room and noticed five doors. “Which way leads out of here?” He loosened the mental grip on the man’s throat. “I only want my freedom. I won’t hurt you.”

  The guard stammered, but the answer screamed from his mind.

  Justin heard cries from the other cells. Had he been so consumed by his own problems that he hadn’t heard their pleas or were they only now calling to him?

  “Help me!” “Free me!” “Unlock the doors!”

  It would at least create a distraction. Perhaps a few of them would find a way off the ship, and to freedom.

  “Please, help us!”

  Maybe they could help each other.

  “Justin, is that you?”

  Justin turned at the sound of a familiar voice.

  “Ferren?”

  The pirate smiled through the small window in the door. “Hello, old friend.”

  Justin turned back to the guard and was about to ask him how to open every cell, but that one.

  “I forgive you for trying to kill me.”

  Justin laughed.

  “Release me and we’ll call it even.”

  He shook his head in disbelief.

  “I know a way to get off this ship.”

  Justin knew the pompous pirate was playing him, but what if he did know a way off the ship? I could read his mind? No, Ferren will fight it and it would take too much time. Out of the darkness of the cell he could just discern the eyes of the pirate. He must want off this ship as much as I do. Turning to the guard Justin said, “Release the captives.”

  Still terrified, the man fumbled with the lever for a moment before he pulled it back.

  Cell doors from all four-prison passageways clanged open. The central room filled with former captives.

  One woman leapt at the guard, knocking him to the ground. Screaming accusations of abuse and torture she clawed and punched his face. Another woman fumbled with the pistol. Unable to get it to fire, she used it like a hammer on his face and skull.

  Justin stepped forward to intervene, as others leapt upon the guard and beat him to a bloody pulp.

  Standing beside Justin, Ferren smiled through yellow teeth. “Spunky girls.”

  Justin stared at him, then back at the motionless guard.

  Ferren checked for a pulse and then shook his head. “Better do this while he’s still-warm.” The pirate grabbed the lifeless guard’s wrist and dragged him to a rack containing two rifles. Placing the thumb on the biometric lock, he released the weapons. He kept one for himself and gave the other to Justin.

  “Let’s get out of here, old friend.”

  “We’re not friends.”

  The pirate laughed as Justin headed for the door.

  Ferren and the others caught up with him in the passageway.

  The pirate tilted his head left. “This way.” Approaching a dogged-down hatch he said, “I think the ship has gone to battle stations.” Pointing to the levers holding the door tight he said, “We’re going to have to open every one.”

  As Justin helped open it he asked, “Why did they lock you in a cell?”

  “It’s your fault. The buyers from Bristol turned out to be agents of Earth Empire. They wanted me to return with Naomi and they wanted information on anyone who might have assisted her.” Ferren gave Justin a frustrated glance. “It turned out you were assisting her, you were a Titan, and both of you fled together. They made it quite clear that I must return quickly with both of you.”

  They stepped through the open hatch into a large storage bay.

  Justin gave a wry smile. “I knew you were following me….”

  “But I didn’t get you. The imperial navy hunted me down, boarded my ship, killed my crew, and captured me.” He shook his head. “You’ve really messed up my life.”

  “Messed up your life? You tried to kidnap Naomi and Mara and I think you would have killed me to do it.”

  Together they reached the next hatch. Ferren smiled, “How is your sister?”

  Fine now that she’s safe from you and the Empire. Justin walked away, letting Ferren, and others, work on the hatch ahead. Scanning the ragtag group of former prisoners, Justin estimated they numbered about forty. He noticed the woman that had used the guard’s pistol as a hammer. Walking up to her he asked, “Do you know how to use the weapon?” Since she had tried unsuccessfully to shoot the guard before beating him with it, he was certain the answer was, “No.”

  With a shake of the head, she confirmed it.

  As they walked down the passageway to toward the next hatch, he showed her how to release the safety and turn on the targeting mechanism.

  Almost at a whisper she said, “I saw you do things. People are whispering. Are you a…” Her voice trailed off.

  “A Titan? Yes.”

  “They taught us that all the Titans were killed in the y
ears after the Battle for Earth, that you were all evil monsters.”

  “They lied.”

  She nodded. “About a lot of things.”

  Tearing a rag from his torn trouser leg, he wiped the gun clean of the guard’s blood and returned it to her. “What’s your name?”

  “Prisca,” she replied staring at the weapon.

  “I’m Justin.”

  Several people worked to open the hatch just ahead. Ferren had gradually moved toward the back of the group and was now just a meter away. Justin turned to the pirate, “Where are we going?”

  “To the cargo bay. That’s where they have my vessel.”

  Justin started to object, but reconsidered. If the temple ship was at battle stations, no one should be in the cargo bay.

  Another boom seemed to confirm the pirate’s thinking that they were in a battle. He shook his head wondering what the chances were of flying a ship to freedom in the midst of combat.

  As the pirate stepped through the hatch he asked, “Are they fighting your people?”

  He was about to say he didn’t know when he realized he could find the answer. Slowly Justin opened his mind. He sensed marines and sailors nearby, but none approaching their location. Gradually he widened his mental search until his mind touched someone familiar. “Naomi?”

  Justin? Where are you?

  He did his best to tell her as they opened the next hatch. We’re headed toward the cargo bay.

  Is Jon with you?

  No. The Nephilim killed him. I’m with Ferren and some other prisoners.

  She cursed both the Nephilim and the pirate. Kill Ferren when you get to the cargo bay.

  Justin ignored her anger. Where are you?

  Onboard the temple ship with a company of shadow warriors. Fighters from a nearby carrier have damaged the vessel’s engines so they shouldn’t be going anywhere until we can retrieve you.

  “Yes,” Justin said.

  Ferren, working on another hatch, looked puzzled. “Yes? Yes what?”

  “Yes, this ship is fighting Titans.”

  Guarded glances led to an agitated murmur amongst the former prisoners.

  The pirate shook his head. Great, stuck between the Nephilim and the Titans. What do I do?

  Justin smiled as he easily read Ferren’s thoughts and vowed to keep a close eye on him. Turning toward the crowd in the passageway he called out, “Listen to me. The Nephilim who imprisoned you lied. Yes, I am a Titan, but you are now free. If you wish to leave, do so. However, other Titans are fighting to reach me and, if you are with me, they will help you.” His eyes moved from face to face. Only Prisca’s appeared calm. “We need to move quickly toward the cargo bay.” Fear and confusion still etched their faces, but they followed.

  Dread from imperial marines washed over Justin as they approached the next hatch. When they opened it, he heard the rapid blast and ping of gunfire. Naomi, if other Titans are onboard, why am I only sensing you?

  We do not want the Nephilim to gain information from our thoughts.

  They can’t read them.

  Are you sure?

  I read Enki’s mind and I heard the voices of the things, spirits…whatever, that controlled him, but they could not hear my thoughts. Justin projected the memory of his epiphany to Naomi.

  She laughed in delight. That is why the Nephilim kept their distance from me. They didn’t want me to know their powers were limited. Again, she laughed and passed on the news.

  Waves of fear, fright and terror came to Justin from every direction. Many Titan soldiers were afraid, but the imperial troops were near panic. As Titan units telepathically reported their exact positions, naval units increased fire. Booms reverberated as the ship shuddered.

  In addition to the fighter carrier, Naomi advised him that two Titan battleships were off the bow in the blind spot he had created. We have a troop transport in a launch bay we captured, but we cannot carry all of you. I hate to admit it, but Ferren has a good idea. Get to the cargo bay. We’ll block the imperial troops from the area.

  In a loud whisper, Ferren called ahead to Prisca, telling her to turn right at the next junction. “We’re almost there.”

  As Prisca did so, shots rang out and she threw herself back around the corner and against the bulkhead. The man behind her froze at the edge of the passageway then fell to the ground, as more shots were fired.

  Justin stepped around the wide-eyed Prisca to the corner. The dead man was at his feet. He peered down the passageway and saw only two marines firing from the wide hatch that was the entrance to the cargo bay.

  Naomi reached out to him. We are coming from the aft, but we have engaged at least a company of marines and they are not retreating or surrendering. She paused. We are going to have to kill them all.

  We’re at the forward door. There’s only two marines. We’ll be in the bay shortly.

  Leaning up against the bulkhead, Justin turned to the others. “I have a plan. I’ll fire then run for the other side of the passageway. As I do,” he pointed to Ferren and Prisca, “both of you shoot.” He looked at the woman. “Okay?”

  She nodded.

  Justin took a deep breath and projected his thoughts toward the marines. Look high. He thrust the point of his rifle around the corner at shoulder height and fired a single shot, then immediately dropped to a crouch. As shots pinged high above him he fired low at the marines and raced for the far wall.

  Ferren hesitated.

  Prisca stepped into the open and fired two shots. One marine fell and the other ran. “Come on,” she shouted as she ran down the passage.

  Justin shook his head. That was too easy. “Prisca. Wait.” She paused and together, with Ferren, they approached the cargo doors. At the entrance, he explained to them what Naomi had told him about the fight just aft. “Why are we meeting light resistance and they are fighting soldiers to the death?”

  “Just be thankful, friend.” Ferren waved the others forward. “Come on let’s get to my ship.”

  Chapter 27

  Emergency lights revealed the line of transport ships that stood thirty meters from them. Cargo bins were stacked beside many of the vessels creating a partial wall down the middle of the bay.

  Ferren pointed forward. At the head of the line, ten ships forward and closest to the launch bay doors, Justin spotted the Acheron, Ferren’s ship. He looked about. Although he could sense the presence of hundreds of Titans, and even more Norms, the vast place appeared empty.

  As Ferren hurried toward his vessel, Justin stifled a chuckle. The fat pirate’s gait was more like a pregnant waddle than a run. Two meters behind the brigand, Justin was more cautious as he continued along the bulkhead of the dark, cavernous, compartment. Looking over his shoulder, he signaled Prisca.

  Still clutching the pistol, she crept forward. The other prisoners s all but surrounded her, apparently finding comfort in either her or the pistol she held.

  Justin moved cautiously ahead. Emotions ranging from apprehension to outright terror deluged him. He followed the pirate at a guarded pace, looking left and right. Intuition shouted caution. Could it merely be the frightened people around him? There were so many, so near. He shook his head. So near. He stopped and stared at the line of cargo bins and ships. No, something was very wrong.

  Light filled the compartment.

  Armed imperial troops poured from several transports and appeared atop nearby cargo bins. Justin stiffened and the others froze. Within seconds, a company of marines surrounded him and the other captives.

  A major stepped forward. “Lay down your weapons.”

  Justin’s eyes remained on the troops before him, until he heard a rifle drop onto the metal deck. Looking left, he saw Ferren, twenty meters away, with marines on either side.

  The officer repeated his command.

  With his eyes fixed on the major, Justin slowly and deliberately placed his gun on the ground. The major then order them to kick the weapons toward him. Justin and Ferren complied.

&nbs
p; The line of marines behind the major parted. Even before he could see Enki, Justin knew the Nephilim was approaching because the demonic voices preceded him.

  We are legion. We are strong. We are victorious.

  Through the opening in the line of marines Enki stepped forward, followed by Remee. A smug smile grew on Enki’s face as their eyes met.

  Your plan failed. We have killed you once before! We have defeated you again.

  Justin knew the real thought and power came not from the man before him, but from the unseen voices he was hearing. He wondered how the demons knew him and why they hated him.

  “Great Enki,” Ferren proclaimed in a proud voice as he walked toward Justin, “as I promised, I have brought you this Titan.”

  Enki and Remee looked at him incredulously.

  Justin didn’t bother to even look at Ferren. He never expected anything else. The pirate had been true to his nature.

  Something hard touched Justin’s back and he glanced over his shoulder. The other captives were closely behind him now, but Prisca stood right behind him.

  Can you hear me? I still have the pistol.

  Prisca’s thoughts came through clearly to Justin. He gave a slight nod, but wondered how the one weapon might help.

  You hid your presence from us in the cell, but we watched in the passageways. We knew your plan.

  Justin tried to block out the unseen voices.

  The ship shuddered with another explosion, but Enki casually smiled. “Did you think I would not watch the passageways of my own temple?”

  The Enemy has established rules in this universe. You should not be here. We killed you centuries ago.

  A soldier ran up to the Major and Remee. Justin couldn’t hear his words, but he could read his thoughts. The Titans were seconds away from entering the cargo bay.

  Enki nodded as Remee passed the message. “Such a shame, I was hoping to play with him for awhile and then kill him.”

  “Even if you kill me, you’ve lost.” Justin exclaimed. “The Titans will destroy this ship and you along with it.”