by Paul Ormond
“Yes, they have, sir. Although we could all use some more time, everyone has undergone an intense training regimen over the last few days designed to ready us for deployment.”
“I hate to send soldiers into action that aren’t fully prepared, but we may be deploying this unit before you know it. The intelligence community is reporting inReal activity across the planet. We’re going to have to start actively pursuing these leads to ensure the safety of our country.”
“As I said earlier, we are prepared to move out at any time, but combat involving this type of technology will be an evolving field. Through reported use we will discover new and exciting ways to enhance our operations.”
“As exciting as that sounds, let’s make sure we stick to the script for the time being. We don’t want to take any unnecessary risks, or we’ll get drawn into the public spotlight, and I’ll have another publicity nightmare on my hands.”
“Understood, sir. These soldiers are all highly trained in clandestine operations, and they have all been assigned above top secret clearances.”
“Well, enough of this fancy talk. Let’s see these guys in action. If I’m going to be putting them into the field, I think I’d like to see what they can do beforehand. What kind of demonstration can provide for us, Colonel?”
“I’m excited that you would ask, sir. We’ve been drilling an activate combat situation using the devices non-lethal settings. The battalion has been divided into two teams, and we have run several live combat drills already. Would you like to see a battle scenario?”
“I would. As much as I hate to admit it, I think I need a little excitement to shake off all the insanity I’ve dealt with in the last few days.”
“Excellent, sir,” Barshall said before he turned toward the soldiers. “People, General Vargas has requested a live combat situation. We all know our assignments. On my command, let’s split up and assume our positions. Engage your devices and set your weapons to non-lethal stun.”
“Yes, sir,” the soldiers chimed before they crossed their arms over their chests.
“This is going to be interesting,” General Vargas said.
“I hope you brought some popcorn, sir, because this is going to be quite the show,” Barshall said. “The time has come everyone. Let’s move into position. Remember your training and follow your orders.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
“THE FUNNY THING is, it’s all starting to feel normal somehow,” Davis said as he slumped down against the wall.
“What’s normal?” Babcock asked from the adjacent side of the cell.
“All of this. I can’t even remember what day of the week it is, or how long we’ve been gone. It seems like a lifetime ago since we got sucked through that wormhole, but I know it hasn’t been been more than a few months.”
“I know what you mean. None of this makes any sense. If you told me I’d be jumping through wormholes and fighting aliens before all this, I would’ve laughed in your face. Now it’s the just what we do.”
“You guys don’t even know the half of it,” Robert Chapman said.
“You are supposed to be quiet,” Babcock said, cutting him off.
“Hey, we’re all prisoners now. We might as well get along,” Robert said as he sat up.
“Don’t even think about it,” Davis said without looking in Robert’s direction. “I know what you’re trying to do, and it isn’t going to work.”
“I’m not trying to do anything. It’s just talking,” Robert said. “If you guys think you’ve been through hell, just think about what I’ve been through.”
“Yeah, being a traitor to your home world is a real drag,” Babcock said.
“If I’m a traitor, then so are you.”
“We were only traitors because of you. Our contracts never said anything about selling out the human race,” Davis said.
“Stop badgering the prisoner,” Gerald said from across the room. “We do not want to compromise his information.”
“Oh shut up, Gerald,” Robert said as he got to his feet. “You always were a stick in the mud. Look around, I’m not your prisoner anymore. We’re all prisoners.”
“That doesn’t matter. After we get this sorted out, you’ll be brought to justice.”
“You guys are all so silly. Clinging to these ideals. The situation has changed a bit, and we’re all on the same side. I’ve got information that can help us defeat the Masters and get us out of here, but I’m not just gonna cough it up unless we cut some kind of deal.”
“A deal? He wants to make a deal,” Davis said with a laugh.
“Hey, I’m not joking. Kalis and I have insider information. I may have made a lot of mistakes, but I have seen the error in my ways. You have no idea what I have been through since I got sucked through that wormhole. The torture I have lived through and the things they did to me. Kalis’s story is even more harrowing. She has been a prisoner of the Masters since she was a kid.”
“Do you really think anybody is going to trust you after all the crap you pulled?” Babcock asked.
“You don’t have to trust me. But I really think you should hear me out. The things I have seen and done are beyond words.”
“We’ve seen what you’ve done and what you’ve become,” Gerald said as he stood up.
“You don’t understand. Everyone is convinced that I am some evil mastermind that plotted this whole thing. But nothing could be farther from the truth. I’ve been a stooge the whole time. A patsy. My father and his cronies were members of the Skulls and I got brought in when I was a kid.”
“What are the Skulls?” Davis asked.
“It’s a rich guy thing.” Robert said. “You know white guys and their secret fraternities. In for life kind of stuff. The thing is once you’re in, you’re in. They get dirt on you and you can’t just walk away. Things got weirder and weirder and before I know it I’m at a blood ritual and they start communicating with these beings. They say they’re going to change the world and all this, but they need our help. I fell for it and wound up doing all the dirty work. They tricked me like they tricked everybody else.”
“I’m not buying any of this,” Gerald said. “How is it that you are still talking?”
“You wanted to interrogate me. Now seems like as good a time as any,” Robert said.
“I’ve heard about the Skulls thing,” Gaelin said, piping up. “All these rich guys carving up the planet. Lots of rumors on the internet about blood rituals and human sacrifice.”
“That’s not even the half of it,” Robert said. “I could go on and on about the details, but it doesn’t matter. How I wound up on the wrong side of things is a long story and it’s not going to change the fact that we are all here together.”
“What’s all this ‘we’ stuff?” Babcock said, glaring at Robert. “You’re just brushing aside all of that awful stuff you did.”
“You were along for some of that.”
“That was before I knew what you were up to. Selling out my species wasn’t what I signed up for.”
“I never planned on selling us out. Like I said, I got suckered into all this just like the rest of you. Yeah, maybe I did some suckering, but you have no idea what I have suffered through since it all went wrong. The torture and dismemberment. I was literally torn to pieces by a Blackhole. Do you have any idea how painful that is?”
“None of what you are saying makes any sense and you aren’t getting any sympathy from us,” Davis said.
“I’m not asking for your sympathy. I’m trying to help you.”
“I think you’ve done enough. You’re lucky to be standing here. Why did we even bring him along?”
“Because we’re not monsters,” Gerald said before he locked eyes with Robert. “All of us are going home, and we’re all going together. If you value your life, Mr. Chapman I suggest you check your tone.”
“I’m not a monster,” Robert said.
“Yes, you are,” Allan said, jumping into the conversation. “I had the pleas
ure of being bunked with this lunatic while we were amongst the Masters’ army. He was singing a different tune then.”
“Allan, you don’t understand what you are talking about. Everything I did for the Masters was to keep us alive. I had to play along with their game, or we both would have perished.”
“You seemed pretty excited about it at the time. I recall you saying you were following the path set for you by your Great and Glorious Emperor.”
“I may have gotten into the role, but they could read our thoughts, Allan. Any subversive notion would’ve gotten us killed.”
“It didn’t sound like you were playing along,” Allan said, crossing his arms.
“Well, then I fooled you too. I know all of you think of me as the living incarnation of evil, but you have to understand: I didn’t have a choice. If I didn’t go along with what they asked, there is no telling what they would’ve done. In either case, it wasn’t me that let them in, and if I wasn’t thrust into the position I was, it would’ve been somebody else. I didn’t believe any of that stuff, but I had to play along or risk the safety of everyone.”
“It’s true. He was never a true believer,” Kalis said, breaking her silence. The room grew quiet as she pulled herself up to her feet. Although she still appeared drained after her ordeal in the temple, her lithe form rippled while she stretched her neck and shoulders.
“I was given orders to watch over him and see him through his training. You could say I know him inside and out.”
“You see. At least somebody is on my side,” Robert said.
“I am not on your side, not by a long shot. Whose side I am on remains to be seen, but for what it is worth, I can verify that he speaks the truth,” Kalis said, bending her back.
“And why should we believe a word out of your mouth?” Davis demanded.
“It’s all right, Davis,” Gerald said as he kept an eye on the blue-skinned woman. “She may speak freely. I am curious to hear what she has to say.”
“So now it’s okay to talk with her,” Robert said. “I’ve got valuable information.”
“We’ve heard quite enough from you already. You’ll get your chance to talk again, but if you want anybody to listen you’d be well advised to save your breath.” Gerald said without looking at Robert. “We’re all curious about what your companion has to say now that she has broken her silence.”
“Yeah, let’s hear what she’s got to say,” Kate said from the side. “I watched her cut a man in half with that huge sword she had. I’m sure she’s got some tales to tell.”
“We’re not interested in war stories,” Gerald snarled. “If she has information, we want to hear it.”
“What is it that you want to know?” Kalis said before she turned around and stretched herself forward, pressing her arms to the ground.
“For starters you can tell us who you are and how you came to be working for the Masters?” Gerald said.
“That’s a long story.”
“I think we’ve got time.”
“Fair enough, but how will you know if I’m not making it all up?”
“I won’t, but I’ve had a bit of experience with liars in my time.”
“Haven’t we all?” Kalis said as she exhaled and righted herself before raising her arms over her head. “Thylocene is the name of my home world.”
“It’s a beautiful name,” Gerald said, watching Kalis lower her arms in a slow arc.
“It is, and it was a beautiful planet until the Masters came. Before their arrival, Thylocene was a lush world filled with plant life and natural beauty. Blue by nature, the planet was covered in a cobalt water and an array of lush fauna. Our people lived a life in harmony with nature. I am the daughter of the Thylocenian King, a long line of royalty dedicated to protecting the fragile balance of nature on our planet. When the Masters made contact, my father was the first to speak with their representatives. The deal was simple: submit or perish. Fearful for the destruction of our home, my father bent to their will. With a deal struck , the Masters embarked on an undertaking to extract an energy source from deep within the planet. As soon as this process began, the natural order was thrown into chaos. Mass extinctions of both plants and animals occurred at an alarming rate. The people were angered and horrified by what the Masters had done. The guilt my father bore for agreeing to such a corrupt deal drove him into a fury and he formed a resistance using our armed forces. The battle was short and brutal, and my people were defeated. Dragged before Commander Holrathu in shame, my father was forced to admit his guilt. As punishment and as an act of security, I was handed over to the Masters as a tribute to the Emperor. I was seven years old.”
“That is horrifying,” Gerald said.
“I’ve had some time to get over it. My people did not resist the Masters again, and a cautious peace has returned to my planet, but the Masters continue to drain Thylocene.”
“Are you okay with that?”
“Of course not, but, much like our friend Robert, I didn’t have much of a choice.”
“See, I wasn’t the only one forced into acting like a monster,” Robert said as he looked around in search of sympathizers.
“But now things have changed,” Kalis said, bringing her arms to her side.
“You could say that,” Gerald said. “When the Masters discover that you escaped with us, what do you think will happen to your people?”
“Regardless of my presence among the Masters enemies, my people are in peril,” Kalis said as she latched her arms behind her back. “The Masters never intended to honor the arrangements they made with Thylocene. They took me from my family and groomed me from childhood to be a sacrificial offering to the Emperor. All of my training and preparation was never meant to help me better serve my people, as Commander Holrathu once claimed. Robert and I learned our true purpose deep within the temple. While you battled against the Masters’ forces in the sky above, we were latched to a stone as kindling for the fire.”
“That’s right,” Robert said, jumping in. “You see, they told me they were doing all of these things to train me and make me better. My body was literally torn apart and remade again, but it was never about making me stronger. They changed me, us really, into instruments to activate some kind of mechanism deep within that planet, Jarkadu. They told us we were fulfilling our obligations to the Emperor.”
“Robert Chapman, a sacrificial lamb,” Gerald said with a sneer. “I never thought I would see the day.”
“You may think it’s funny, but I lived through it. Kalis and I both,” Robert said, turning to face the other soldiers. “You all may think of me as the enemy now, but remember that we were all once on the same side. And now fate has thrust us together again.”
“Has it now?” Gerald said. “We may be locked in the same room, but in no way are we together.”
“For a guy that ran intelligence ops all over the world, you sure see everything in black and white, don’t you, Gerald?” Robert said, looking sideways at his former security advisor. “But you know nothing is ever clean cut. Every asset has been compromised somehow, yet the information still has value, and it's always best to keep them close. But you can be certain I am no longer an agent of the Masters.”
“You seem confident about that,” Gerald said, looking at the ground. “But you also said they could read your mind. How do we know they aren’t reading your mind right now? You could be giving our position away as we speak.”
“I say we execute him immediately,” Davis said.
“I’m with that,” Babcock seconded.
“I’ve got some string in my pocket we could use that to hang him,” Kate said with a laugh. “I’ve always wanted to be part of a lynching.”
“Stay out of this,” Gerald said, shooting a look at Kate.
“And why should I,” Kate said. “I think I’m a valued member of this team. No one can argue that I haven’t contributed.”
“No one is questioning your loyalty,” Gerald said. “When I need you to d
o your thing, I’ll let you know.”
“I’m also good at torture,” Kate said.
“That doesn’t surprise me,” Gerald said, looking back at Robert. “But nobody is executing anyone. Vigilante Justice is not what we are about.”
“Finally, the voice of reason speaks,” Robert said. “When are you guys gonna realize the game you are playing here? We’re going up against unstoppable cosmic forces that don’t care about any of us. From what I can tell, they are on a mission to conquer the universe and their next stop is Earth. It’s true, I was doing their dirty work, but that is clearly over now. We need to get back home and warn everyone. If we act fast, there may still be a chance. But I don’t think anyone can stop Holrathu and the machine.”
“Mitch stopped them,” SoHee said without looking up. “We all stood up to them, and if we work together, we can do it again.”
“Miss Science knows what she is talking about,” Robert said with a smile.
“My name is SoHee and you are not forgiven,” SoHee said as she leveled Robert with a gaze of stone. “One more peep out of you and I will act as your judge and executioner right here.”
“Ok, no need to get excited. I’m just trying to make this work,” Robert said, backing down.
“You’ve already done enough,” SoHee said as her jaw quivered. “You’re lucky to be alive, and you’ve got Mitch to thank for that. I’m certain he and Drak are working on a way to get us out of here right now. For the time being, we need to sit tight and let things play out. This is Drak’s home world. They will be sympathetic to our cause.”
A commotion outside interrupted the conversation, and the door swung open to reveal a despondent Mitch Mythic stumbling into the room. The door closed with a hush, and a heavy silence hung in the air.
“What the hell happened to you?” Gerald asked.
“Oh this and that,” Mitch said as he stepped across the room and sat down next to SoHee. “It appears our reputations have followed us through the wormhole.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Gerald asked. “If they know who we are, then why are we still locked up in here?”
