by Larry Payne
Trace nodded. “That’s the way it looks.” He put the cigar stub back in his mouth.
“Well, let’s find out,” said Magnus.
They backed away from the jungle’s edge and crept back to their waiting companions. “Basko,” said Magnus, “we need you to get into the compound.”
The old man rose from his seat on the ground. “Just point me in the right direction.” He followed Magnus and Trace back to the edge of the jungle.
“We need to know how big a move Kai made,” said Magnus.
“Not a problem. Be back in a jif,” replied Basko, slipping out of his coat.
They watched the old man morph into a large bat and fly off into the darkening night sky.
* * * *
Basko folded his wings and came down next to the house and morphed back into his human form as his feet touched the ground. He listened for a moment before stepping over to the front of the house. He looked around as he turned the knob, then slipped through the door.
The illumination inside the house from the two moons of Targus beaming through the windows gave him more than enough light to maneuver. He stepped from the foyer to the nearby open door and stopped at the desk against the far wall. He opened the desk drawers and found them all empty.
He looked around the sparsely furnished room before he backtracked through the door. The only other door was ajar and he stepped over to it, giving it a slight push. The door creaked open and he peeked inside the room.
The closet door was open, clothes lay scattered on the floor and bed. Some drawers in the old, battered dresser were open and empty. Others he found closed and full. It appeared they left in a hurry.
He left the bedroom, stepped over to a nearby window and parted the curtains with his finger. A lone fire flickered in front of a tent with three men sitting around it. Basko slowly removed his finger from the curtains and slid back through the front door. He lifted his arms and morphed into the bat.
* * * *
“What’s taking him so long? I hope he didn’t get caught,” said Trace.
“Don’t worry about Basko,” said Magnus.
They looked up as the trees rustled above them. “Told you.”
The bat folded his wings as he touched the ground and morphed back into the old man. “Well?” asked Magnus.
“They’re gone and it looks like they left in a hurry.”
Magnus looked over at Trace. “Just what we feared. He’s moved his operation to Excalibur. He’ll be hard to stop now.”
The trio walked back to the clearing and Magnus relayed what the old man found to the others. “We’ll head back to Freedom Station and tell the Admiral what we found.”
“In the morning, I hope,” said Trace. “I ain’t eager to go stompin’ around the jungle at night.”
* * * *
Magnus and Qwee remained with Trace around the fire after the rest of the camp settled in for the night. The Jebhari stared across the fire into the dark jungle.
“Beware, Quentin Magnus,” he said. “Beware of Mondo Kai. He now has the power he has long sought. He will now unleash his evil wrath upon the galaxy. No world will be safe and no race will be spared. Every world conquered will intensify his thirst for power. This evil flame will turn into a raging inferno.” The Jebhari looked over at Magnus. “Extinquish it, Quentin Magnus, or be consumed by it.”
Qwee rose, stepped off to the edge of the firelight and sat down. He knew that sooner or later they were going to have to face the evil that was Mondo Kai.
Chapter 15
Excalibur presented an eerie, shimmering sight, uncloaking after it achieved orbit around Balta.
“Open a line of communication to the ruling class of Balta,” Kai ordered the Communications Officer. The Starship crew had been pressed into Kai’s service and were watched closely by members of Kai’s band scattered around the control room.
“I have Balta.”
“Put them through.”
A screen was lowered in front of the viewport and the leader of Balta’s ruling council appeared wearing an iridescent blue robe with wide sleeves and a gold star hanging from a gold chain around his neck.
“Welcome to Balta, my friends,” he said. “I am Brutana, Leader of Balta’s ruling council. What brings you to our fair planet?”
“I am Kai and I have business to discuss with you.”
“Come, dine with us and we will discuss your business.”
“We’ll be there within the hour.”
“We’ll be expecting you.” Brutana’s image faded from the screen.
A sinister smile broke across the big man’s face and he rose from his chair. “I’ll take a fully armed landing party with me. This is going to be easier than I thought.”
“Wait a minute,” said Sando sitting to Kai’s right, “Balta is a neutral planet. You can’t take weapons with you.”
“Watch me,” replied Kai. He turned to Rena sitting on his left and held out his hand. “Come, my dear. I want you to witness the birth of the Kai Empire.”
“Don’t do this,” replied Rena, looking up at the big man.
The smiled faded from Kai’s face and he turned, strode toward the lift and stood in the open door looking at Rena. “Well, are you coming or not?”
Rena took a quick glance at Sando, who had moved into the command chair, then rose and followed Kai from the bridge.
* * * *
Tall, elegant buildings created a breath taking view as the shuttle flew over the Balta city of Bendia. The ruling council resided in a palace on an immense estate in the northernmost section of the city. Colorful gardens dotted the massive green landscape.
Four Starfighter escorts circled the castle until the shuttle landed gently on the lawn in front of the palace. Kai led his landing party down the ramp and up the long flight of steps leading to the set of large double doors.
Halfway to the top, a man dressed in white came running down the steps, shouting and waving his arms and pointing at the shuttle. The landing party ignored the man and continued up the steps, knocking him down as they passed. The man rose and continued his protest behind them.
Kai stopped and strode down to the rear of the group followed by Rena. He drew his blaster, shot the man and watched him tumble to the bottom of the steps. Rena reached Kai as he holstered his blaster. She grabbed the big man’s arm and twisted him around.
“He was unarmed, Kai. You didn’t have to kill him,” she said with fire in her eyes.
Kai jerked his arm from Rena’s grasp. “He was a pest.”
He strode back up through the group and continued up the steps. When he reached the top he turned and looked down at Rena, who was staring at the lifeless body below her. “Are you coming or are you going to mourn the pest the rest of the day?” he bellowed.
She looked up at him and silently trudged up the steps. “You didn’t have to kill him,” she said, reaching the top.
Rena stiffened when Kai leaned down to her, his warm breath on her face. “If you don’t have the stomach for this, go wait in the shuttle,” he whispered.
He turned and barged through the palace doors trailing his heavily armed band behind him. Echoing boot steps filled the elegantly furnished vestibule and receiving area before they burst through the partially open dining room doors.
“What is the meaning of this?” shouted Brutana, rising from his seat at the head of the table. “Weapons are not allowed on Balta.”
“Yeah, we know,” said Kai.
“This is an outrage. You’ll never get away with this.”
“Who’s going to stop me, you?” Kai took the star hanging on Brutana’s chest into the palm of his hand. “You think this star gives you the power to stop me?” He closed his hand over the star, gave it a jerk and dangled it in front of Brutana. “Now the power is mine.”
Chapter 16
The Comm station signaled an incoming message and Brick Stanton stepped into the adjoining office. “A message for you, Admiral, from the Chief. F
or your eyes only,” he said when he returned to the room.
Admiral Morgan looked at Magnus, who was sitting next to him at the table, rose from his chair and strode into the office, closing the door behind him. He sat down at the Comm station and placed the palm of his hand in the blinking box on the screen. Samuel Canton, President of the Galactic Federation, appeared on the screen.
“Hello, Mister President, I hope this is a social call.” But, William already knew a “For His Eyes Only” call was never good news.
“Sorry, Wil, but we received an alarming message this morning.”
“From who?”
“The origin of the transmission was blocked. All it said was that violence has fallen on Balta.”
“Balta? But, that’s a neutral planet.”
“That’s what makes this message so alarming, Wil. Someone’s invaded a peaceful world.”
“Have you tried to contact Brutana?”
“They don’t answer. Either they can’t or are unable to. I can only imagine what’s happened there?”
“I’ll call fleet command, Mister President, and get a couple of ships out there right away. I’ll personally go to find out what’s happened. I’ll report back as soon as I find out.”
“Thanks, Wil. I’ll keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best.” The screen went black and William returned to the dining room.
“I think our friend Mondo Kai has struck.” He relayed the conversation with Samuel Canton. “I’ll be leaving in the morning and I’d like you to tag along,” he said to Magnus. “We may need your input about Kai. We can put your ships aboard the flagship. We have plenty of room.”
Magnus looked down the table at the rest of the Freelancers. “How about it?” They all voiced their agreement. “I guess you have six more passengers,” said Magnus.
#
One by one, a Star Cruiser and a Battle Cruiser followed by Admiral Morgan’s Super Star Cruiser flagship, Peacemaker, dropped from hyperspace and achieved orbit around Balta.
A shuttle emerged from the Battle Cruiser and as it passed the Flagship, another shuttle emerged along with two Starfighter escorts.
The landing party could only watch in stunned silence as the shuttles flew over Bendia. The once tall, elegant city was now a toppled, crumbled war zone of devastation. The shuttles settled onto the pock marked palace lawn and the landing party slowly exited in awe.
William led them to the top of the steps where Brutana emerged from the ruins of the palace. His once shimmering robe was dusty and dull. Dirt streaked his face and head. He gave William a weary smile. “It is good to see a friendly face, Admiral.”
“What happened here, my friend,” replied William. “Who did this to Bendia?”
Brutana sat down on the marble bench at the top of the steps. “We had a visitor who wanted us to swear allegiance to him. He said if I refused, he would destroy Bendia. I refused and he left, returning with many spacecraft. You see the result.”
“Who was this visitor?”
“He called himself Mondo Kai.”
At the mention of Kai’s name, William caught movement out of the corner of his eye and looked over to see Qwee disappear down the palace steps.
“We survived the attack in the sub levels of the palace. We are all safe,” said Brutana.
“Balta did not deserve this,” said William. “The Federation will protect you until we have dealt with Mondo Kai.”
Brutana smiled and gave William a single nod. “Thank you, Admiral, and thank the Federation for the people of Balta.”
They shook hands and William led the landing party back to the shuttles.
The Admiral held a briefing before they left. The Battle Cruiser was ordered to stay in orbit as protection for Balta. The Star Cruiser would accompany Peacemaker to Targus to destroy the Black Fist compound. “It’s time for a little payback.”
“It’s about time,” whispered Trace.
#
Magnus rose from his chair when his door chimed. Kalar Dumark stepped past him into the room. “Won’t you come in,” said Magnus with a smile.
“Have you talked to Qwee?” asked Kalar.
Magnus shook his head. “He hasn’t left his quarters.”
“Has he even said anything since he found out Kai destroyed Bendia?”
Magnus shook his head again. “Nothing. He won’t rest until he stops Kai or dies trying.”
“I just hate to see him beatin’ up on himself,” said Kalar.
“The raid on Targus will help him. He’ll feel like he’s doing something to stop Kai. But, there’s really only one thing that will satisfy him.”
“Kai’s destruction,” said Kalar.
Magnus nodded his head.
Chapter 17
The five Starfighters skimmed over the jungle canopy and opened fire as they cleared the treetops. At the first sight of the spacecraft, the few guards around the compound scattered, survival their only objective.
Plumes of orange fire and clouds of black smoke boiled up from the few abandoned spacecraft on the crater filled tarmac. The two buildings at the rear of the compound were the last to fall.
As quickly as they arrived, they were gone, leaving a lone Starfighter to do a single pass over the carnage before he followed his comrades over the treetops.
* * * *
Admiral Morgan was waiting in the Ready Room when Commander Tier Sawn, dressed in flight gear and carrying his helmet under his arm, strode through the hatch. Sawn snapped to attention when he reached the front of the room.
“At ease, Commander,” said William before the Squadron Leader could salute.
“Black Fist has been destroyed, Sir,” said Sawn.
“The compound has been destroyed,” William corrected the pilot. “Black Fist is alive and well and up here somewhere with us waiting to strike again. We’ve just taken away their refuge. I’m sure we’ll hear from them soon.”
“We’ll be ready if he tries something, Sir.”
“I’m sure you will be, Commander. You can relay to your men a job well done. You’re dismissed.”
“Aye, Sir.” Sawn saluted, did an about face and strode from the room.
William looked over at Magnus sitting in one of the chairs on the front row. “Any ideas?”
“You’re asking the wrong guy,” said Magnus. “Trace is the one you should be talking to. He ran some errands for Kai.”
William keyed the Comm unit on the table and called for Trace. A few minutes later, the freighter ducked through the hatch. “You wanted to see me, Admiral?” He spoke around the cigar stub stuck in the corner of his mouth.
“You’ve been around Kai, any idea as to his next move?” asked William.
Trace removed the cigar from his mouth. “Hard to say, Admiral. After he sees what happened, he may just take it out on the whole galaxy.”
William paused for a moment. “I’m going to try and make it hard for him to move around. I’m going to put a reward of one million credits on his head.”
Trace let out a long, low whistle. “He won’t be able to show his face anywhere once the bounty hunters catch wind of it.”
“Might even turn the heads of a few of his own men,” said Magnus.
“I’m counting on that,” said William.
* * * *
Word spread quickly after every major spaceport was notified of the reward on Mondo Kai. Hoping a squeeze might force him into making a hasty move, it became commonplace to see a Federation Starship in orbit around a planet or Federation Forces checking a pilot’s ID or a freighter’s license. Quentin Magnus showed his ID as he stepped through the spaceport checkpoint in New Coloma. He waited in the terminal with Qwee, Armond Juncker and Trace while Kalar and Basko Zarr claimed their ships out of storage.
The six of them stepped through the sliding spaceport doors and made their way down the busy, dusty, New Coloma Street, passing Federation ground troops as they stepped into the hotel lobby.
“It’s hard to believe o
ne man could attract this much attention,” said Armond.
“Balta welcomed everyone from the most ruthless outlaw to the weariest traveler and Kai violated that trust when he attacked,” said Magnus. “It’s a whole lot harder to get refuge on Balta now. That upset a bunch of people you don’t want upset at you.”
They stopped at the lobby desk and, one by one, signed the register. “There’s a message for you, Mister Magnus,” said the desk clerk when he scanned the names on the register. “You can retrieve it from any screen in the message center.”
Magnus stepped through a door behind the desk into a room with vidscreens along the two long walls. He’d only told one person where they were going, so it was no mystery who the message was from. He sat down at the nearest screen and activated his message. Seconds later, William appeared.
“Hello, Quentin. Hope the trip went well. If you planned on staying awhile, I must ask you to cut it short. We got another message. Kai’s at it again. It doesn’t say where or when, but I’ve put the fleet on full alert. I’d like to have you back here as soon as possible. We may need your help. See you soon.” The Admiral’s image faded and Magnus sent a reply informing him that they would leave in the morning.
Something in the wind?” asked Kalar when Quentin returned to his waiting companions.
“Admiral Morgan got another message. Kai’s at it again. We just don’t know where or when.”
“I ain’t surprised,” said Trace, a worried look suddenly crossing his face. “I just wish I knew who was feedin’ us all this information.”
“You worried it might be Rena?” asked Kalar.
Trace nodded his head. “Yeah, I am. We may not be on the best of terms right now, but she’s still my baby. Kai’ll kill her if she’s the one fillin’ us in.”
Chapter 18
Mondo Kai stood, his arms folded across his chest, looking out the viewport of the Captain’s Day Room.
“Come,” he said when the door chimed.
The door slid open and Sando Pandel stepped into the room. “You wanted to see me?”
Kai unfolded his arms and turned from the viewport. “Yes, we have plans to discuss.”
