Soul of The Swords: Brotherhood is More Than Metal

by Saxon Andrew

  Shelly quickly asked, “How did you know that?”

  “Trust me, it’s easy to see when someone has dangerous intentions,” Gem answered. “I was told by a customer sitting next to our table that the creatures were called Venzel Dragons and that they were the most dangerous species in the universe. I also learned that anyone that came near their empire would be attacked with no warning.”

  Embree said, “That doesn’t sound good.”

  Gem nodded, “There’s more.” Gem looked at Leonidas, “Do you remember when you met us here prior to going back to our galaxy?”

  Leo nodded, “I do.” Leo paused and said, “Is that the same human you saw before I arrived?”

  Gem nodded, “He was. And he was here for the sole purpose of having his picture taken to be sent to someone. I believe he wasn’t captured the first time we saw him and he was back to deliberately get the Dragons to come back here looking for him.”

  Jek sat up straight, “If these Dragons were looking to do him harm, how could they have been allies assisting him against Earth?”

  Gem shrugged, “Something had to happen afterwards to make that happen. However, I saw in both instances that the man had a sword he carried over his left shoulder. He had to be one of the Bellingham Humans.”

  Desiree said, “Gem says that he is faster than we are.”

  Gem looked at Desiree, “I know you’ve had difficulty believing me on that but I can tell you that he is much faster than we are.”

  Shelly tilted her head and asked, “Faster?”

  Gem looked at Shelly and hesitated and then said, “What the hell, if we’re in this together then there’s no reason to hide things from you.” Gem looked at Ana, “Would you demonstrate what I mean by fast?”

  Ana nodded, stood up, and smiled. Gem said, “I want the three of you to keep your eyes on Ana.”

  Embree leaned over and whispered in Shelly’s ear, “This is going to be a real shocker.” Shelly kept her eyes on Ana and a moment later, she was gone. Sam and Shelly’s eyes went wide open and Jek stood up and looked across the room at the bar. Ana stood there and waved at him. Sam and Shelly saw Jek looking at the bar and they turned and saw Ana.

  Sam looked at Gem, “How did she do that?”

  “I changed them physically and then trained them on how to use their newly modified bodies.”

  Ana walked back from the bar and Sam said shaking his head, “And you say this man was faster than that?”

  “Yes. I saw him pull a sword, kill a being that had pulled a blaster on him and have his sword back in its scabbard in less than three tenths of a second. That has to mean that someone else has a way of modifying human physical characteristics. From what that Pirate said in the recording, I suspect it was the leaders of that organization on Earth that took them from Bellingham as children and made the modifications.”

  Jek looked at Gem, “Could you train me to do that?”

  Gem looked at Jek and smiled, “I can but I’m still somewhat angry at you. Ask me another time.” Jek stared at Gem and nodded.

  Shelly looked at Embree and then turned to Ana, “How long would it take you to pull a sword, kill someone, and put it away.”

  “About half a second.”

  “Then he’s not that much faster than you are.”

  Leo turned and looked at Shelly, “That two tenths of a second is like a lifetime in physical combat. He would handle all of us easily if he’s that fast.”

  Gem blew out a breath, “I’m telling you, he is that fast!”

  Leo looked at Gem and nodded, “I guess I’ve given you a hard time but I know when you’re certain about something. I do believe you.”

  Jek looked at Gem, “You mentioned he used a sword.” Gem nodded. Jek looked at Sam and turned back to Gem, “Four of you are carrying swords. Is there a connection here?”

  Gem closed his mouth and Leonidas said, “If we’re going to be honest with each other, you need to start being honest with us as well, Gem.”

  “What do you mean?” Gem asked.

  “We really came out here to find the metal that was used to make our swords, didn’t we? Why is it so important to you?”

  Gem stared at Leo and then sighed as he looked at Ana. Ana looked at him and nodded; Gem turned to Leo, “Have you done any tests on the metal in your sword?”

  Leo shook his head, “No. I have tried to dull the blade but have failed to do so. I also can’t sharpen it any more than it is, although it’s sharper than anything I’ve ever seen.”

  “I’ve tested the metal in my sword and have determined that nothing, and I do mean nothing, can damage it. I’ve fired our most powerful industrial blasters at it and it doesn’t even get warm. Our industrial blasters are far more powerful than the ones on our warships.” Gem responded.

  Leo stared at Gem and after a moment said, “You want to acquire the metal to build the hulls for your warships.”

  “I do.”

  Jek looked at Leo, “Would it be possible for me to see one of these swords.”

  Faster than anyone could see, Leo had his sword in his hand. He walked over to Jek and held it in front of him. Jek shook his head and stared at the beautiful, brilliantly shining blade and said, “What is this mark on it?”

  “I understand that it is a clan mark from Bellingham.”

  “So it was made on Bellingham?” Jek asked. Leo nodded. Jek looked at Gem, “If they could put this marking on the blade, then they know how to work with this metal and mold it.”

  Gem smiled, “We’ve arrived at the same conclusion.” Jek chuckled and Gem asked, “What do you find funny.”

  “Bellingham is probably just like Heaven. We have this common metal all over the planet and find out it is more valuable than we ever knew. I suspect the same situation exists on Bellingham. This metal must exist in abundance on the planet.”

  Gem shrugged, “You’re probably right.”

  Desiree looked at Jek, “That sword in the hands of an enhanced human is the most dangerous weapon you’ll ever encounter. I’d take my sword over two blasters.”

  Leonidas showed the sword to Sam and Shelly and put it back in its scabbard faster than they could follow. Shelly looked at Embree, “Are you like them?” Embree shook his head. Shelly smiled, “Good.”

  Sam looked at Gem, “How are we going to find them?”

  Gem smiled, “We’re actually not going to find them. Going out looking for them is too dangerous if they do possess Bellingham technology.” Sam tilted his head and Gem said, “They are going to find us.”

  • • •

  Five days later, the ten humans were back in M’s sitting around a table. The crews were back on board in their ships and holding position in orbit. Embree was thankful for the time on Jester. He and Shelly were getting to be quite close. He stood up from the table and walked over to the bar. The bartender came over and said, “What’ll it be?”

  “Just a glass of ice.” Embree extended a credit on the bar and the bartender smiled. He came back and Embree said, “I understand that the species called Dragons sometimes visits here.”

  The bartender’s eyes widened slightly, “I’m new here but I’ve heard other employees say that they have come here several times. Why do you ask?”

  Embree nodded over his shoulder, “My friends and I have been searching for them.”

  The bartender shook his head, “Why in the great creation would you ever do that!?”

  Embree smiled, “I want to kill one and put its head on my wall. It will complete my collection.”

  The bartender shook his head, “You are insane.”

  An Arepian sitting several stools down the bar leaned forward, “Are you serious about hunting them?”

  Embree picked up his glass of ice, “Yep.”

  The Arepian shook his head, “I hope you don’t get more than you bargain for.”

  Embree nodded and walked back to his table. He sat down and said, “I think I got a nibble.”

  Desiree and An
a were watching the bar out of the corner of their eyes and Ana said, “I believe you did. That customer spoke on his communicator when you walked away. He’s now moving to a place where he can take an image of us.”

  Sam looked at Gem, “How did you know this would happen?”

  Gem smiled, “I saw that there were numerous customers that were snapping an image of that human last time we were here. I had to believe that if we baited the hook properly, it was only a matter of time before one of those informers showed up.”

  Desiree looked away from the bar, “He’s taken an image of us and is leaving.”

  Shelly looked at the Arepian and said, “How do you know he’s leaving?”

  Desiree smiled, “Part of the training Gem gave us was how to recognize patterns around us. With my enhanced vision I can see that he has a credit in his hand. He’ll pay his bill and leave the premises.

  Shelly turned back to the bar and saw the alien put a credit on the bar, collect his change, and turn toward the entrance. She shook her head and looked at Desiree, “I’m starting to wonder if the four of you are actually members of my species.”

  Gem smiled, “I’m not totally human but they are. What they are capable of doing is only the result of medical processes and training.”

  “Even so. This is almost scary.”

  Sam looked at Gem, “I wish Jek were here; we’d know for certain if that alien is going to contact the Dragons. How long do you think it will take them to arrive?”

  “I’m not completely certain they will this time.” Sam’s eyes narrowed and Gem held up his hand, “I believe they will come. The Dragons I saw affected a superior attitude over all those around them and I don’t think they’ll like our talking about killing them. We just don’t know for certain that alien is going to actually contact them. However, if they receive the message now, we know that their territory is a little more than two days away at normal filament speed, so they’ll probably arrive at the end of two days or the third day.” Embree started to speak and Gem said, “It also might take an extra day for them to decide to do something about us.” Embree nodded.

  “So what do we do in the meantime?” Sam asked.

  Gem smiled and stood up, “We continue to ask about Dragons and if the first bite on the hook doesn’t come through, maybe another will.”

  “How long are we going to continue this?”

  Gem looked at Shelly, “Let’s give it a week. After that, we’ll reevaluate and determine whether or not we have to go and enter their domain.” Shelly nodded, took Embree’s hand in hers, and pulled him toward the dance floor. Gem looked at Sam, “I think your officer is developing an attachment to Embree.”

  Sam nodded, “I see that.”

  “It’s not going to be good when they have to go their separate ways.”

  Sam inhaled and nodded, “There’s too much death and evil in this creation. They should enjoy each moment as much as possible.” Gem tilted his head before nodding. He glanced out at the dance floor and watched Shelly being held close by Embree.

  • • •

  Four days later, Sam felt his communicator vibrate. He looked over and saw the others also taking their communicators out and stare at them. “What’s going on, Jek?”

  “Sam, the scout out at the intersection has detected six vessels approaching at high speed. They appear to be highly advanced warships.”

  “How long before they arrive?”

  “They’ll be here in less than six hours. I’m coming down to the planet.”

  Leave Nefen in command and have him contact me as soon as he gets a good scan of those ships.”

  “Will do.”

  Jek arrived on the planet an hour later and the ten friends ordered a dinner. It wouldn’t be long. Suddenly, everyone’s communicators went off and they all lifted then and read the display. Gem shrugged, “They made it to the intersection a lot faster than I anticipated. If these are Dragon Ships, they are highly advanced.

  Leo lifted his communicator and said where everyone could hear, “Carl.”

  “Yes, Captain.”

  “As soon as those ships arrive, I want you to contact me with a full report on what you’ve uncovered about them.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  Sam lifted his communicator and said, “Nefen, do not scan those ships.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  Leo, Gem, and Blakely looked at Sam and he said, “I believe that if only one of your ships scans them, they won’t make the connection that we are working together. I’m going to move my ships away from yours so we can attack them if they take any action against you.”

  “I don’t believe they will fire on our vessels.” Everyone looked at Jek and he shrugged, “The Cartians will not abide their laws being broken. I’m pretty certain if they fire first, we can defend ourselves but I don’t think they’ll want to lose the use of the filaments by firing first.”

  Leonidas nodded. They all sat in silence and Leo stood up and walked around the table to the side next to the dance floor. Gem and Ana stood up and moved around the table to sit beside them. Sam’s eyes narrowed and Jek said, “They are far better equipped to handle any hand-to-hand combat than us. They’re doing the right thing.”

  Shelly looked at Embree and he nodded. “Ana and Desiree took out thirty highly trained bounty hunters armed with blasters in less than four minutes.” Shelly turned back to the four sitting next to the dance floor and shook her head. She hoped she didn’t have to see them prove what Embree was describing.

  Blakely looked at Gem, “Do you think they’ll be coming down with blasters?”

  Gem shook his head, “The Cartian Traffic Controller forbid us to bring any. I suspect they will have to follow the same restrictions.”

  John nodded and smiled, “I hope you’re right. At the moment I feel pretty naked without one.” He looked at Freddy and she nodded. “Freddy, you should go up to the ship.”

  “If you’re going to be here, I am as well.” John sighed and nodded.

  • • •

  They sat at the table and talked about life on warships. They had finished their meals a couple of hours earlier and suddenly Leo’s communicator vibrated. He turned on the speaker and said, “Go ahead, Carl.”

  “Sir, I wasn’t able to make a scan of those six ships.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because as they approached orbit, all of them appear to be surrounded by a force field. My scanner didn’t get through it.”

  Gem and Sam were stunned by the statement. Leo said, “Carl, are you sure about this?”

  “Sir, I know that force fields are not supposed to be possible. But the field surrounding each of those vessels can’t be anything else. We are pretty much defenseless against them, Sir.”

  “Well don’t do anything to antagonize them!” Leo responded.

  “You know me, Sir.”

  “That’s why I’m giving you a direct order!” Leo ended the contact and looked at Sam, “It appears you’re right about them having advanced Bellingham Technology.”

  Jek leaned back and shrugged, “Actually, I do believe that technology was being used by the forces they attacked on Earth. That’s where they probably got it.” Jek looked up, “I sense a large shuttle is now leaving those ships.”

  Everyone looked at each other and began to experience a new emotion…fear. Sam looked at Gem, “I haven’t asked, just how large are these Dragons?”

  Gem raised a shoulder and said, “The smallest was about twenty-five feet long.”

  Sam rolled his eyes, “I shouldn’t have asked.”

  Jek turned to Sam, “The leader of the three that came here was closer to thirty-feet long.”

  Sam looked at Jek and then started laughing, “Only thirty-feet?” Jek nodded. “Oh, that makes it so much easier.”

  Leo started laughing and the nervous energy all of them were feeling had all of them laughing in a few moments.

  • • •

  They sat at the table and Gem said
, “They should have arrived by now.”

  Jek smiled, “I told you the shuttle was rather large. There’s no parking space near here large enough for it to land. They’re having to walk here from about five miles away.”

  Shelly smiled, “That should improve their temperament.”

  Embree nodded, “I imagine you’re right.”

  Suddenly, everyone heard screams coming through the front entrance and they saw a mass of aliens fleeting outside the front glass. Jek smiled, “They’re here!”

  The first Dragon that came through the entrance was moving at an incredible speed as it moved to the right. The second came through just as fast and moved to the left. In less than ten seconds, six more huge Dragons came through and lined up between the first two that entered. They formed a line blocking the entrance into the building. A huge Dragon in the middle of the line reached inside a pouch hanging around its neck and pulled out a document and stared at it. It then looked toward the bar on the far right. It slowly began moving its eyes across the room and its eyes passed their table briefly before they snapped back. It lowered its huge eyes and opened it mouth revealing two long rows of sharp serrated teeth with two huge fangs in the front. It started moving forward and the line of Dragons went up on their back legs and moved forward with it. Leo watched them move halfway across the deserted dance floor and he said loudly, “That’s close enough!”

  The Dragon snarled at him and continued moving forward. In an instant, Leo, Desiree, Gem and Ana were on their feet in front of the advancing Dragons with drawn swords. It was clear that the Leader recognized the swords they were holding and he came to a complete stop along with the other seven Dragons in the line. The speed they drew the swords and appeared in front of his advancing line was something that shocked the advancing line of Dragons. Desiree smiled at the Dragon Leader and said, “You should know that we have purchased a Cartian Insurance Policy to protect us from any attacks. Are you going to violate that policy?”

  The Dragon Leader stared at them with huge yellow eyes that were barely slits. It thought about what Desiree said and then roared. The line took a step forward as a horrendous roar came from behind them that shook the building. They instantly stopped. Shelly was holding Embree’s arm tightly as they saw an enormous Dragon go up on its back legs behind the line and walk forward. The middle two Dragons in the line moved aside as the giant stepped through them. The humans and Jek were shocked at the giant’s size. Jek knew it was there behind the Dragon line but had no idea it was this huge. The Giant stared at the four humans standing in front of it and said in perfect Cartian, “May I see the policy.”