Star Guild Episodes 10 - 18 (Star Guild Saga)

by Brandon Ellis

  Crystal's thick boots squeaked on the floor when she entered the quarters area. It was large, had crystal domes lined in row upon row, and upon landing after landing.

  She wondered where her own quarters were, or if she even had quarters. Perhaps her admiral's chair was her only sleeping area?

  “Hey,” came a male voice, ricocheting off the inner starship walls.

  She wanted to put her fingers to her mouth to shush the voice, but in all truth, she was too tired to worry about anyone's sleep other than her own.

  She turned and saw him—her worst nightmare—the man she punched. The man who wouldn't stop...

  “You're looking just as sexy as when I last saw you.”

  ...hitting on her.

  “Hank?”

  Hank was sitting on his bed and staring at her through the open door of his dome abode. He patted the empty space on his bed for her to sit next to him.

  “Not in your dreams, Hank.” She shook her head and kept walking.

  “No, please. Stop. I just need to talk.”

  There was something in his voice that sounded convincing. Maybe, Crystal thought, Hank was telling her the truth. Maybe he really just wanted to talk.

  She made her way to his entrance and leaned against the crystalline door frame. “What is it?”

  He put up his index finger. “One—and I'm being sincere when I say this, I'm glad you're alive.” He put up two fingers. “Two—I'm fucking scared.”

  Finally, something she could relate to. “I am too, Hank. And thank you, it's actually nice to see you.”

  “Please sit.” He gestured to a chair in the room.

  Sitting, Crystal rubbed the blurry vision out of her eyes. Perhaps Hank can lull her to sleep, though hopefully not in his quarters. She yawned. “I can't sleep. You neither?”

  “I haven't slept in weeks,” he moaned. “Well, a little here and there, but I've spent most of my hours since the attack wondering if I'm going to die tonight or tomorrow.”

  He's opening up. That's odd. “What's the change?”

  Hank frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “You were mister cocky pants and now you're acting vulnerable. So, what's changed?”

  He shrugged. “Other than being scared shitless? Maybe I'm growing up.” He grinned his crooked grin. “About time, eh?”

  Crystal merely yawned.

  “Did you hear about Starbase Matrona?” asked Hank.

  “I don't think I want to know.”

  Hank rubbed his hands together and looked down at the floor. “It's a good story, but I'll make it short. It survived and most of the people on the starbase survived as well. Some of the pointy-eared guys on Starship Swift gave us that information, but that's all we got before they went to help you in the headquarters back on Lumus.”

  Crystal would have thought good news like this would have livened her up and made her happy but instead she felt the same—numb.

  Guild, am I really this callous?

  “I think I saw Jerrod enter the ship earlier,” said Crystal.

  “And, your mother,” replied Hank. “She insisted on it.”

  “Well, how...” she hesitated, continuing in her head. How did I know my mom was on this ship? Perhaps she could feel her mom, just as Nyx said the Fae could feel one of their own. Perhaps not.

  “Crystal?” asked Hank. “Where are we going?”

  “Don't ask me. I don't know. On another mission? At least, that's what I was told.” She rubbed her eyes, yawning. “Oh, wait. We're going to Gaia.”

  “Gaia?”

  “Yeah, that's where we're from, or were created.”

  “We aren't going into a space battle, or are we?”

  “I wouldn't doubt it.”

  “Guild.” Hank stomped his foot. “So, I can still die at any second. That figures.”

  “Where is my mom?”

  Hank tapped the dome wall behind him. “She's is in one of these dome-thingies. Hey, do you know what those are?” He pointed to a little tree growing next to his bed. Small fruit, like mini oranges were hanging from its branches.

  Ignoring his question, Crystal asked, “Do you know what dome my mom is in?”

  Hank shook his head. “She did a bad thing, Crystal.”

  “I know,” she replied. “That's why I need to talk to her. I can't get it off my mind. Maybe that's the reason I can't sleep.”

  “I called for her arrest.”

  Surprised, Crystal replied, “That's ballsy.”

  “I'm done with it all. I just want the truth, no matter what happens to me. I'm sick of the lies and the games. I watched it happen right under my nose, and the worst part about it is that I didn't even know what I was watching until it was too late.”

  “What did you see?” asked Crystal.

  “Just small changes here and there. A missed protocol before the attack happened, or Sleuth giving orders to take a break and leave Tech Quarters just moments before the attack went down. It was odd, because we had just gotten back from a break.” He rubbed his cheek. “Somehow, our starship fired the first shot, but from who?” His eyes widened, as if he just remembered something. “And then, the morning of the attack, your mother sent a Star Guild wide memorandum, an order, shutting down all military, which meant that all military personnel essentially had a day off. Admiral Byrd even took a vacation when he saw that order and didn't dispute it.”

  Hank shook his head, wondering if Admiral Byrd had anything to do with the attack as well. He clenched his teeth as another memory came to mind. “And your mother overrode our engine room when we were stranded on Lumus, taking it offline, creating a fake damage encryption within the main engine HDC. We sat on Lumus, taking pounding after pounding from the Drags...I mean...seriously? Nothing felt right, but I just went with it, even though I saw some strange things when I continued to hack Sleuth's HDC. I just dismissed them as if they were silly. I had no idea someone from my own race, my own ship, would sacrifice all of our lives to save his own, or her own, or whatever.”

  Anger was rising in Crystal as Hank talked; she knew her mom was guilty. “When I took my first test spin in this starship, we scanned Starship Sirona's systems and found that everything was almost fully functional on Sirona, even the engines. I didn't believe it at first. I didn't think my mom was capable or willing to trick her crew.” She looked down. “She allowed me to go on a mission, figuring I'd somehow die. At least, that's what I'm gathering as I'm piecing all of this together.”

  “I saw your mom leave the ship.”

  Crystal crinkled her brow. “Huh?”

  “Just before I asked for your mom to be arrested, Jerrod and I hacked into Sleuth's HDC...again. We figured out that Sleuth had looped all of the vids and cams in still shots and previously recorded vid streams, but he left his own HDC alone. So, we could see the entire scene of everything going down outside and we saw a lot of shit, like your mom leaving Sirona to board a ship headed for Guild knows where. We saw a giant, you know, one of those Drags greeting her and then dropping her off hours later. We saw Sleuth doing the same, but without your mother. I think he may have had his own deal with the Drags, but since he's dead...”

  Crystal stood and the chair toppled over. “You mean my mom actually met with the enemy?”

  Hank nodded.

  “You're not pulling my leg, right?”

  Hank shook his head.

  “That conniving...” Crystal clinched her fists. “I'm combing the entire starship for her. She needs to be thrown behind bars.”

  Crystal turned to leave, but Hank interrupted her. “But...” he paused, trying to find the right words.

  “Yeah?” Crystal's adrenaline was at its peak, her breathing intensifying, her mind elsewhere.

  Hank, on his bed, looked vulnerable again.

  “Can we bone?” He put his hands out. “You know, sleep together. Have sex. Do the wild monkey dance?”

  Crystal tilted her head, narrowing her eyes, imagining doing things to him that woul
d prevent him from ever having sex again. Instead, she huffed and made a beeline out of Hank's quarters. She glanced up to see Shan coming her way.

  “You're needed on the bridge,” he said calmly. “Your mom is there.”

  “Good!”

  She turned on her heels and sped down the hallway leading to the bridge.

  “Open,” she said, and the bridge door opened. Crystal’s heavy steps accelerated once she saw her mother standing, worry-eyed, next to Crystal's captain's chair, her arms crossed. Shan put his hands on her shoulders to slow her down, but she shrugged him off.

  Her mom, eyes welling up, put her arms out for a long needed hug. “Thank Guild you're alive. I was so wor—”

  Crystal slapped Diana hard, almost knocking her mom off her feet. Diana rubbed her cheek, confusion creasing her eyes. “Why?”

  Crystal crossed her arms, glancing around the room. No one was sleeping anymore. They were all glued to the scene playing out in front of them.

  Crystal eyed a Dwarf whose name escaped her. “Why isn't my mother locked up?”

  Magil, reputed to be the strongest Dwarf, looked around, searching for help from his friends, seeing only yawns and shrugs. Some even went back to sleep. “Uh...who is your mom?”

  Crystal looked Diana up and down, curling her lips, narrowing her eyes. “This...thing right in front of me.”

  “Now, Crystal. Let me explain myself,” said Diana, still rubbing her cheek.

  “You are responsible for more deaths than you could ever count, Mother!”

  King Bilrak hopped out of his seat. “Well, that's something to be proud of, Crystal. Nothing to shame this lassie about.”

  “This lassie is my mother and she set up my race to be killed off, and almost succeeded in her plotting.”

  Bilrak stepped back, astonished. “She killed her own race?”

  “It's not what you think,” responded Diana.

  “However you want to word it, or rationalize your actions—your plan—it doesn't take away the fact that hundreds of thousands of people are dead because of you,” announced Crystal.

  “Harak and Thun,” ordered Bilrak. “Take this vile traitor to a cell.”

  “Crystal, let me explain myself before you cart me off.”

  A tug on Crystal's pants brought her attention to Thun, who stood mystified next to her, whispering, “Do we have a jail or a cell or a prison here?”

  “I don't know, don't care. Put her in her dome and guard it.”

  “Magil would be the best to guard it.” He gestured for Magil to get off his comfortable chair and step forward.

  Magil loudly cleared his nose. “Alright.” He took Diana by her wrist. “Come with me or I'll drag ya'.”

  At first Diana resisted, but it didn't make any difference. She was going to be moved one way or another. This little guy was strong, perhaps stronger than two or three men put together. Diana pleaded with Crystal as she was led out of the bridge. “I was the one who ordered us to fire the first shot at the Nankuani when they attacked us. Listen to me, I—”

  “Come on deary,” said Magil, pulling her out of the bridge. “Now, point me toward your dome.

  The door shut and Crystal turned away and sat in her seat. The Dwarves found their seats as well, and fell back asleep as if nothing had happened. Shan stood beside Crystal and spoke quietly. “Your mom did some bad things... however, she would be an asset to you during this time. You may want to reconsider.”

  Crystal glared at the vid screen. “Please leave me alone.”

  “Take this drink. It will help you sleep.” He pulled out a whitish-gold elixir in a small vial, cork on top. “Just a sip.”

  She did as asked and Shan walked away. In minutes her eyes grew heavy and the sounds around her became distant. Her body relaxed and her mind calmed. She felt warm all over, as if she was wrapped in a fuzzy blanket. Her eyelids became heavy and she closed her eyes, hugging herself to sleep.

  Then she awoke in a stir, her heart racing. She heard the sounds of busy bodies around her, Shan's voice, and Thun's.

  Are they panicking? What's going on? How long was I out?

  She eyed the vid screen, seeing a planet before her with satellites surrounding it and a blue haze coming off it. She rubbed her eyes to see if it truly was what she thought, the place that the strange door back in the tunnels of Mount Gabriel had shown her—the place where her race was born. Her true home.

  Gaia.

  A slit of light lit up space, as if it was a door opening. And the wider the door opened, the more light escaped through.

  “They are about to arrive, Crystal,” said Shan.

  “Who?”

  “The Drakonis alliance. They are the reason we came here. We don't know if they are going to attack Gaia and all its inhabitants, or what their intentions may be. They are amassing here for some reason and we intend to find out why.”

  Crystal stood, a rush of adrenaline coursing through her. “Let them come!” She clenched her jaw and squeezed her fists. She was ready to fight, to defend her race from the lies and diseases that had been forced upon her people. No one was going to stand in her way, not a laser, not ten lasers, not an armada of lasers.

  She shook her head, returning to her senses.

  Damn, what was in that vial?

  ∞

  Gaia was beautiful. Its blue body, highlighted in greens and browns lit up the blackness of space like no other. Wispy clouds covered portions of sea and land, doing their best to hide Gaia's colorful terrain.

  Eden peered at the vid screen in awe. This was her race’s birthplace and all she wished was that Thomas could be standing by her, enjoying the moment together. Thomas, if you could only see this. What a magnificent planet.

  She wanted to take Swift low into the atmosphere and land on one of those green masses below. She could explore this wondrous world, dip her toes in the water, breathe precious air, and bury her hands in the soil.

  “Isn't she spectacular?” Nyx touched Eden's back, rubbing it up and down soothingly. “She's my race's planet, too.”

  Eden didn't know how to respond to the kind overtures from this woman who, until now, gave the impression of hating her. She decided the best response was to get to the business at hand.

  “When will they enter the system?” Eden asked.

  They are fast approaching, said Jantu.

  Looking out of Swift's vid screen, Eden saw Crystal's ship, Tranquil, floating next to hers. “At least we have help.”

  “Shan-Ru is there,” noted Nyx. “He is one of the wisest Knights Templar.”

  Thomas, thought Eden. Why can't you be here...now?” Her heart fluttered at the thought of seeing him again. She hoped she would see him again if she survived this mess.

  “The inhabitants of Gaia don't know we are up here?” questioned Eden.

  “I don't know,” replied Nyx. “We attempted to contact them but have had no response. We have detected plenty of activity down there. They have semi-advanced technology that is very capable of communicating with us, but they have either decided to remain silent or are unable to speak in our language,” she said with a shrug and a quick smile.

  A smile? thought Eden. “Are you happy to be here?”

  “Indeed. I have been told about my race's origins my entire life. It pleases me to no end that Gaia is here next to us and is as real as my dreams have seen it. My eyes can show all my people what I am seeing.”

  “Your eyes can show all your people what you're seeing?”

  “Yes, of course. Those who tap into my frequency, my brainwaves, my thought pockets, can see what I'm seeing. I only allow those who I have camaraderie with to tap into me in this way. My mom, for example, is watching now. I feel her.”

  “That's...interesting...” Eden said, trailing off in thought.

  Shall we ready the Oberums? asked Jantu.

  “Ready them and tell all pilots to launch on my mark,” replied Eden, staring at the vid screen and waiting for the large enemy fleet
to appear. “How many pilots do we have?”

  Several of your humans that we picked up on Lumus have volunteered to fly. I don't know exactly how many are actually trained and battle-ready, though I estimate a few dozen. Oberums fly like your starfighters, though much easier. I suggest you ask them to take them out now and test all aspects of the Oberums.

  “Okay...um...I order that, then,” said Eden, her thoughts changing to dramatic imaginings of Swift and all the Oberums blowing up from combat fire.

  Jantu smiled. I'll let the pilots know. He returned to his station.

  “How will you let them know?” asked Eden.

  Nyx leaned in close to Eden, speaking softly. “His telepathy is wired to our com link in such a way that the frequency of his thoughts are vocalized through the audio transmitters on Swift. Jantu sounds like you and me, though male, over the com lines.” Nyx suddenly seemed worried and she frowned. “I can feel your nerves and so can the rest of us. I know this is your first real challenge with Swift and I understand your fear. Death is not the end though, Eden. If we shall die, I'll escort you to the Light where we will see your relatives, long lost friends, and the recording of your life.”

  Eden raised her brows. “Can we just focus on not dying?”

  “Your focus is on dying, Eden. I'm not focusing on death, nor is anyone else on the bridge. I'd rather us focus on living...okay?” Nyx bumped her hip into Eden's in a friendly gesture, then walked off to speak to a black and white furred Syrian.

  Eden looked at Jantu who was busy working on his HDC at his station and approached him with another question. “Why aren't the Knights Templar sending any reinforcements? If it's true that an entire armada is heading our way, then do we even stand a chance?”

  There's always a chance. But I understand your question. The Knights Templar are unreachable at the moment. They may arrive; they may not.

  “Why are they unreachable?”

  We think our communications are being scrambled somehow. However, so far we are unable to detect any scrambling frequency or device that may be affecting us.

  “Well, fix it...somehow!” ordered Eden.

  We've been working on it. Swift shows that everything is fine and working as normal, but we aren't receiving a response from planet Aurora or from any Knights Templar near our system. It could be a very sophisticated scrambling device.