Star Guild Episodes 10 - 18 (Star Guild Saga)

by Brandon Ellis

  Chase puffed up his cheeks, then blew out. He couldn't believe it. After all he'd been through he was going to die like this.

  “Is there anything we can say to stop this?” asked Chase, making one last attempt to change Kalista's mind.

  She held the snip cutters by her side as she stood over him and Devon. “If you keep talking, I may change my mind.”

  Devon stared at the cutters. “What do you want us to say?”

  Kalista tightened her mouth, annoyed. “Nothing.”

  “There's got to be something,” Chase exclaimed.

  “You're hopeless. Both of you. Humans just don't have the brain capacity to figure things out like a Nankuani.” Disappointment surrounded her words.

  She lifted the cutters and Devon squeezed his eyes shut. This is it, he thought. I'm going to that place after we die. The place that Naveya told me about.

  Chase looked down and away. “Kill me first.”

  Kalista lowered the cutters and walked behind Chase. He felt cold steel against his wrist. “Don't dismember me!” he pleaded.

  A snap and numbness enveloped his body and he leaned forward, shock filling him. He flinched when he heard a second snap, and then more numbness. The cutters had met their mark and the sound of chains jingled against the floor.

  “Look at your hands,” demanded Kalista.

  Chase shook his head. He didn't want to see the blood, the gore. How could someone be so heartless? He never realized that losing a finger or a hand would be painless, but he knew the pain and agony would eventually arrive.

  “No, no...” he moaned, continuing to shake his head, his veins nearly popping out of his forehead. He squeezed his eyes shut.

  Kalista moved one of Chase’s arms to his eyes. “Open your eyes, please.”

  Chase had to do it sooner or later. He would be dead soon, as there was no telling what else she would cut off of his body.

  He opened his eyes, seeing his hand intact with the handcuff bands around his wrists, but nothing holding the bands together. He was fine. There was no blood, no gore, no pain. He'd been cut free.

  He heard a couple more snaps and glanced over at Devon, seeing him look off in a vacant stare, most likely feeling the same emotions that he himself just had.

  Chase kept his mouth shut, now understanding Kalista's inference for his continued talking. He gave Kalista a look and she understood the unspoken question searing through his mind.

  “I kept you alive because I'm not a killer,” explained Kalista. “I think I killed someone back on Starbase Matrona, but I won't do it again. I don't know if I'll ever forget that I took another life.”

  “I thought for sure I was going to die,” said Devon, a surprised smile creeping over his face. He felt a soft kick to his back and tumbled forward, flinging his hands in front of him, placing them on the ground and stopping further momentum.

  “Up and onto the bench,” she ordered. “I don't know what I'm going to do with you. I can't bring you to Iburun.”

  Devon hurried onto the bench. Chase sat next to him.

  “Iburun is where you're from?” asked Devon.

  “It is,” she replied. “I may have no choice but to bring you with me.”

  A beep sounded on her HDC, and they all looked in its direction. A voice blared through the com link, “Kali, this...be Y'taul.”

  Her eyes narrowed and she walked hastily to her pilot seat, punching several buttons on her holographic display as she sat down. She turned, pointing in the back left corner of the small cargo bay. “You two. Slink back there as best you can. Whatever you do, do not stand or move to the right. He'll see you if you do.”

  Devon moved to the corner with Chase behind him. They sat against the back of the cargo bay, cowering like little dogs hiding from their master.

  Kalista pressed another button. “Y'taul?” she acted surprised. “What are you doing in this sector and so close to Starbase Matrona? Lien-L would have your neck if he knew you were upsetting galactic procedures.”

  “We...intercept call from Lumus II to...you. I...how do you say?” He paused, trying to figure out the right words. “You are going to Iburun, yes?”

  “I am. Why?” Her voice rose, almost sounding defensive.

  “So you must have gold. Only reason you go.”

  She was about to say no, but Y'taul was right. In almost all cases, except for emergencies, the only reason she would go to Iburun was to deliver a payload of crystals or gold.

  Chase shifted uncomfortably in his seated position—his butt on the floor, his knees tucked into his chest, and arms wrapped around his knees, pulling them as tight into himself as he could. It wasn't necessarily the position he was sitting in that was uncomfortable, it was the voice over the com link. This person, or Being, wasn't human, and not Nankuani either. He could tell by the tone. It was melodic and almost perfect.

  How many races are out there? he wondered.

  Devon whispered, “The guy has perfect pitch.”

  Chase nodded in agreement, then put his finger to his lips.

  Kalista pressed a few more buttons on her HDC, then walked in Chase and Devon's direction. Coming beside them, Kalista kept her eyes forward, doing her best to ignore her two unwelcomed guests. She pressed some numbers on the console above their heads and an extra compartment opened up directly behind Devon and Chase, almost causing them to fall backward.

  Devon gasped. The cargo held nothing but absolute beauty. Kalista gave Devon another kick, this time to the side, telling him to keep his cool.

  Chase squeezed his knees even tighter.

  Kalista sighed, glancing back toward her seat. “Yes, Y'taul. I have gold and lots of it. It's been heated and cooled to the White Powder Etherium form.” She pressed a button and the hidden cargo door closed. She twirled around and headed back to the pilot seat.

  “Prepare...board us, Kali.”

  She shook her head. “I'm Kalista, for the millionth time. Stop calling me Kali. And, all of this gold is accounted for. Trust me. I can't give you any today. But thanks for trying.”

  “You never give, Kali. We always pay,” said Y'taul.

  “Are you hard of hearing? I said it's in the White Powder form. That's not something you take from the King.”

  “How much do you have?”

  Kalista’s shoulders sagged. “I don't know. Maybe three thousand troy ounces or so?”

  “We buy five hundred troy ounce.”

  “Why are you bringing your ship in closer, Y'taul? I have not agreed to any such deal.” She pounded her fist against her armrest.

  Out of the side window, Chase and Devon watched as a large ship slowly approached them. It could easily hold one of these Starhawk Transports in its belly, and probably a handful more.

  “You cooperate...no? We buy. If no cooperate, we take,” said Y'taul.

  Kalista wilted. “And, if I report this to incident to Iburun authority?”

  “You report...we report. We will show them vids of our past dealings. Okay?”

  Kalista tightened her mouth, nearly biting her tongue when she replied. “Okay, pull us in.”

  “Already done so, Kali. We tractoring you now.”

  “We look forward to seeing you, Y'taul. And, my name is Kalista.”

  “We?” asked Y'taul.

  Kalista leaned against her armrest, shifting in her seat, then leaned back, placing her hands behind her head as if she were nonchalantly resting from a hard day’s work. She blew out in exasperation and waved her hands toward the front, making sure Devon and Chase saw her movement. “Boys, come up here and show yourselves.”

  Devon and Chase stood and walked forward, and as the HDC came into view they saw that the individual imaged on the display was very human-looking. He was scruffy with long, blond hair, and steely blue eyes, wearing a ragged silver robe with a tight fitting collar, and below the collar was a round chest insignia, white with three blue spots in the middle that would create the shape of a triangle if one were to connect the
dots.

  Y'taul stepped back. “What is meaning of this?”

  “You caught me at a bad moment, Y'taul. They were in here hiding when I took off.”

  Y'taul crossed his arms. “How much you sell them for?”

  Chase pulled back, instinctively yanking Devon back with him, protecting his friend. “We aren't for sale.”

  “Not up to you.” Y'taul pointed at Kalista. “Up to her.”

  Kalista put her hands in the air. “Up to me?” She gestured to her flight mates. “I don't seem to have much of a choice with you today, Y'taul. So, I would say, it isn't up to me.”

  “Okay, we will come to agreement.” Y'taul's image blinked out.

  Devon curled his lips in displeasure. “What will he do to us?”

  Kalista sank deeper into her chair, crossing her arms. For a while she stared out into space, feeling the craft's pull to the side as it magnetized closer and closer to Y'taul's ship. “I know his game,” she said. “Just don't say anything while we are in there and whatever you do, don't be aggressive.”

  “Why would we be aggressive?” asked Chase.

  “Yeah, you're not the gruff type.” She grinned slightly. “He will kill you on the spot if anything goes wrong, so let me do my thing.”

  The transport shook and the next thing they knew they were entering into the bottom of Y'taul's ship.

  “Here we go,” said Kalista, taking an uneasy breath.

  “I didn't paint this, either,” said Devon, looking at Chase.

  “Paint?” interjected Kalista. “You humans are strange creatures.” She abruptly changed the subject. “Remember, be calm and don't say a word unless Y'taul asks you a question. Got it?”

  Both Devon and Chase nodded, their anxiety thickening.

  They watched as their Starhawk passed the underbelly of Y'taul's ship and entered the docking bay. The bay glowed with hazy red light that lit up their Starhawk's cockpit. Finally their craft was set gently on the ground and the Starhawk shook again as the underbelly of Y'taul's ship closed. The lights in the bay then changed to a soft white.

  “Welcome,” said Kalista sarcastically. “This isn't going to be easy.” She looked at Chase as if this entire thing was his fault. “Stay here.”

  She opened the pilot door and walked out. A few seconds later they could hear a conversation taking place but they couldn't hear exactly what was being discussed.

  Chase began pacing in the cargo hold. “I guess we just see what happens, Devon. We keep quiet. If nothing out of the ordinary happens —”

  “Everything after the attack has been out of the ordinary, and then this? Nothing will ever be the same again,” said Devon.

  Chase stopped mid-stride. “True.” He then continued to pace. “All we can do is follow instructions and be as calm and quiet as possible. Can you do that, Devon?”

  Devon nodded. “I think so.”

  The side door opened and a cool breeze swirled around Devon and Chase. Standing before them was Kalista, Y'taul, and three other tall humanoids, all similar-looking to Y'taul. They were just as tall as Kalista, too, though much thinner. Their facial features were slightly different and more oblong than hers, but most importantly to Chase, none of them had drawn a weapon.

  Y'taul waved them forward. “Come to us.” He bowed, forcing a smile.

  Devon and Chase walked out of the transport solemnly.

  “We Plearians,” stated Y'taul. “You humans. Kali is Nankuani.” He shook his head and pointed to his chest. “Plearians worth no money. Nankuani fight if we try to take Nankuani. Very strong. Humans worth a lot of money on the market. Not strong. Do you see?”

  Chase wanted to ask what would come of a human after the human was bought. Are we slaves? he wondered. He then remembered that's exactly what he was during his life—all of the humans were slaves during his life—and yet no human knew it, until recently.

  Y'taul turned and walked to an open door leading out of the bay and nodded, gesturing for everyone to follow. The door led into a hallway that was stark white with light and blue cyan walls, matching the color of Y'taul's insignia. The ground was soft with a textile that Chase and Devon hadn’t encountered before, a translucent purple that shimmered with every footfall.

  They were led into a room full of artistic designs, looking much like paintings. Some appeared to be made out of actual plants that were also unfamiliar to Chase and Devon, while others were made out of plant matter, waxes, and molds. Chairs were set in a circle around a small, round table.

  Y'taul gestured for them to sit. “My people are taking the five-hundred troy ounce now, Kali.”

  Kalista stood. “King Una will have your head!”

  Y'taul glared. “First, you say Lien-L will have my head and now you say King Una. How many heads do I have?”

  Kalista sat down, seething. “What are you going to do with the White Powder Gold, Y'taul?”

  “Consume it. Like you and your race do.” He held up his hand as if he was holding a glass of wine. “We toast...” he glanced at Devon and Chase, as if proud that he knew human customs. “We toast to longevity.”

  Kalista didn't move. “We use the White Powder Gold for our atmosphere, Y'taul. Nothing more.”

  Y'taul looked suspiciously at Kalista. “Oh? I see. That is also consumed through breathing, no? I imagine that if it touches food or soil, it also consumed one way or another?”

  Y'taul glanced at Chase. “Do you know what White Powder Gold does?” Without waiting for a reply he continued. “What you humans have slaved for years, years beyond...” he put his hand to his chin, concentrating. “You mine on planet Lumus. Your Lumus give ebb. Ebb is full of gold...other stuffs, too.” He wiggled his fingers, flashing a few rings with shiny crystal. “But, you slave for their longevity.” He pointed at Kalista. “Her longevity. You slave for DNA repair. This White Powder Gold recharges, re-balances, and heals DNA. You no need to die...ever.”

  Kalista crossed her arms angrily, then glanced at Devon and Chase to see if they were getting what Y'taul was saying. They were getting it—somewhat.

  Kalista stood and stomped loudly. “You share our secrets? Let me share yours.”

  Y'taul put his hand up, like a stop sign. “You tell our secrets, I show Una vids...vids that show you sell White Powder Gold. I show my employer, Lien-L, as well.”

  Kalista sat down again, momentarily defeated.

  Devon slowly raised his hand, moving his head hesitantly from Y'taul to Kalista, then back to Y'taul, hoping he wasn't breaking some kind of rule by wanting to speak. Kalista looked down, mumbling something, most likely giving the floor a piece of her mind, not at all happy about Devon ignoring her advice.

  “You need something?” asked Y'taul.

  “If what you say is true, then our DNA has holes in it?” Devon shook his head, dismissing his own words. “I mean, over time, our DNA falls apart?”

  Y'taul interlaced his fingers, then rested them in his lap. “Yes. You have something called Suficell Pods, am I correct?” Knowing full well they did, he continued. “That pod can repair your DNA through the DNA Healing Frequency, which falsely be labeled Immune Support. You quietly be told to use to extend your life, but that frequency is frequency for Monoatomic Gold or, its other name, White Powder Gold. It keeps you alive forever—if you wish.”

  Chase interrupted. “Say that again? We have the ability to stay alive...forever?”

  “If you do not die from other circumstances, such as ship crash, then yes. You have ability, with White Powder Gold to live for an abundant years. Ingest this gold on a continual basis...body regenerates, fixes DNA, and opens other DNA channels. The disease of aging dies away.” Y'taul glanced at Kalista. “This can be done with the Suficell Pods? I'm correct, no?”

  Kalista looked away, still fuming.

  “Suficell Pods can make me live for hundreds of more years, perhaps thousands?” asked Devon, shaking his head in amazement.

  “Yes, but I don't think it's as easy to do with pod
s, unlike taking White Powder Gold,” replied Y'taul.

  “Another lie we have been told,” said Chase. “They told us we can only do a certain amount of Immune Support Frequencies before it reverses the effects and kills us prematurely.”

  Y'taul pointed to his heart. “I'm friend. Kalista and her race enemy to your people. They liars. We —”

  Kalista snorted. “Friends? Friendly? You've killed just about as many humans as we have.”

  Y'taul shot Kalista a daggered look. “You walk thin line.” He then made a cutting motion over his throat. “I can be unfriendly fast-like. Okay?” “You would enslave them, just like we Nankuani have enslaved them.”

  “No, we sell human. You use human. We care for human.”

  “You care for them by selling them to negative species that are self serving,” retorted Kalista.

  It seemed to Chase that Kalista was pushing her luck, and as if on queue, Y'taul snapped his fingers. “Take her.”

  Four tall, thin men seemed to come out of nowhere, grabbing Kalista by the arms. Kalista sent one flying across the room and against an adjacent wall. Two more were brought to the floor. She punched her knee to the back of one of their heads, knocking him out. The other received a fist to his chin, also causing him to lose consciousness. One of the men was holding on tight to Kalista until he too was tossed against a wall.

  Y'taul stood, a gun in his hand, and moved quickly toward Kalista. Chase reacted instinctively and lunged for the man, swiping the gun out of his hand and pushing him to the ground. Kalista stepped on Y'taul's back as she went for the gun, but missed as it spun across the floor, stopping right at Devon's shoe.

  Devon bent over and picked it up. He held it in his hand, observing it. Slipping his finger in the trigger guard and lightly placing his finger on the trigger, he held it out at Kalista and Y'taul. Kalista raised her hands in surrender, eyes wide.

  “Don't do that,” she told Devon.

  Y'taul, slowly raised himself off the floor. “She enemy. I not.” He walked cautiously in Devon's direction.

  “Stay back or I'm going to shoot,” yelled Devon.

  “You no shoot, my friend,” replied Y'taul.

  Devon pulled the trigger and a spacial ray extended from the gun's barrel, looking like an energetic ripple in a pond, and slammed against Y'taul, sending him back to the ground.