The_Chronicl-ir_to_the_King
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“Burn, baby, burn,� said Millo under his breath as he continued to direct the Saberhawk away from the vessel. Everyone was tense.
“I’m still not sure what’s attacking them,� said Orin.
Tiet and Dorian exchanged concerned glances but remained silent, trying to listen to Orin and Millo as they contemplated this surprising find. As the computer continued to pull data from the vessel, something else appeared on the display.
“I’m not sure what these things are… some sort of spheres… approximately thirty feet in diameter. They’re completely mechanical. There’s quite a number surrounding the hull of the Vorn vessel and some on the inside.�
Orin continued his scans monitoring the Vorn ship’s engine systems. “Its reactor core has been breeched. It’s going to blow!�
The large Vorn ship was running hard for the Transdimensional Rift. The sheering forces from the void were peeling pieces away from the crippled vessel as it began to enter the darkness with its entourage of attackers in tow. Just as the front half of the ship sank into the void, it erupted into a white hot ball of flame, quickly fading as all gases and chemicals combusted away. Multiple shockwaves surged away from the rift, causing the Saberhawk to be tossed like a toy upon the waves of energy.
Dorian shouted, “What’s happening?!�
“I think the explosion of the Vorn ship has triggered a reaction in the rift!� shouted Orin as Millo fought hard to bring the Saberhawk back under control.
“I should do a sensor sweep of the quadrant and see where other Vorn ships are and what those things were that destroyed that ship. Maybe we have an ally on this side.�
“Well, whatever they are they don’t like the Vorn,� said Tiet.
The data on Orin’s display began to be replaced by other information.
“There is a planet nearby,� said Orin. “It’s habitable. The readings look identical to Castai. I’m showing some other activity in the near vicinity. It looks like more Vorn battle cruisers near the planet and an orbiting station of immense size. This planet could be their home. I’m picking up a large amount of random energy fluctuations; it looks like another large explosion of a vessel similar to the one that almost hit us. Take us toward the planet so we can get a better look at what’s happening.�
“It looks like someone is doing all the fighting for us,� said Tiet.
“Weapons and shields are all charged and ready. We’re going in,� said Millo as he brought the Saberhawk about on course for the nearby planet. The Saberhawk was a fast ship; the distance at full speed would be about twenty minutes.
As they drew near, Orin worked to get a visual of the battle taking place ahead. A tactical map replaced part of the information on the display. Markers representing various sizes of Vorn space vessels moved about on the screen as faster moving dots representing the mechanical spheres intermingled with them. Another large vessel disappeared from the map along with two smaller Vorn ships that had been near it.
“Those things are slaughtering the Vorn fleet,� said Tiet.
“It’s about time someone gave it to them,� replied Millo.
Orin continued to focus on the tactical data coming across his monitor. Just because these mysterious spheres were decimating the Vorn ships did not necessarily mean they were allies. The tactical map was still tracking all the engaged vessels, but the Vorn spaceship signatures were rapidly disappearing from the display. Each time a vessel exploded, approximately twenty spheres were destroyed with it. The objects were clearly running suicide missions, and quite effectively. But why?
“What are we going to do when we reach the battle, Orin?�
“I’m not sure, but at current speed there won’t be many Vorn ships left when we arrive.�
Orin recalibrated the scanners to bring up a more accurate visual on the display. After a few adjustments a visual appeared showing two remaining Vorn vessels with spheres swarming about them. Explosions were erupting at various places along their massive hulls as the spheres strafed the lengths of each vessel with powerful energy weapons.
The individual spheres moved in concert and soon the last two ships were braking apart on the Saberhawk’s display. Even watching the Vorn being soundly defeated could not erase the feeling of imminent danger.
The spheres were too deadly for the Saberhawk crew to be happy about the victory; and what if they turned on their ship next? There seemed little chance of surviving such an attack if the entire Vorn fleet of space cruisers could not. So far the massive Vorn space station was left unharmed. Orin’s computer showed some one hundred thousand people were aboard it.
“I wonder why they didn’t attack that space station?� asked Tiet.
Before the last syllable escaped his lips, a massive beam of energy emanating from some point beyond the planet, smashed into the Vorn space station, knocking out its shields and further vaporizing one quarter of its surface area.
“Where did that come from?!� shouted Millo.
“I don’t know. There’s nothing on the scanners…just empty space.�
Within moments, another powerful burst slammed into the station. Without shields to buffer the blow, the structure shattered like a window pane. Several large sections of debris quickly began to fall toward the planet; dragging through the atmosphere as white hot material vapor trailed away during its descent.
“That’s an unbelievable amount of power coming from somewhere,� said Tiet.
No longer content to stay in his chair, he joined Orin at the systems control station, with Dorian close behind.
“Millo, I think the planet would provide us with at least some protection; better than just sitting out here.�
“I’m all for that. Setting course and speed.�
The Saberhawk veered away from their course and headed toward the planet, hoping to avoid whatever predator was lurking nearby and find further information about what was really happening on this side of the rift.
VALE was unable to discern the trouble that was occurring around the ship. Wedged inside the landing skid housing, the android had no view of the surroundings. Except for vibrations given off through the hull of the Saberhawk, and some flashes of light, all was quiet in space. It was time to break into the ship and acquire his target again. He did not have proper schematics for the vessel. But he was within the shield perimeter of the ship, and any weak place in the hull would suffice for an entry point.
Using the hypermagnetic discs in his appendages, the android climbed out of the skid housing and began to cross the surface of the ship. As he came across the top of the Saberhawk, Vale spotted a docking hatch. He crawled toward it, paying little attention to the nearby planet they were approaching. The android located the emergency panel and peeled it away effortlessly to reveal the keypad underneath. He applied his hand to the pad and sensors beneath his pseudo flesh began to scan the internal controls. Within moments his processors had decoded the lock and applied the code.
The outer hull door unlocked. Vale turned the manual lever and released pressurized gases as the bulkhead doors parted, allowing him to enter the vestibular area to await atmospheric equalization. The outer door automatically closed and the area re-pressurized to match the interior of the ship. Once it was completed, the interior door unsealed itself and opened to allow Vale free access to the interior of the Saberhawk.
“Orin, I’m reading a hull breech.�
“What? Where?�
“The docking hatch has just been opened and resealed again.�
“Sensors still show we are the only life forms on the ship.�
“Is the area pressurized?� asked Tiet.
&
nbsp; “Yes. I’m still showing normal atmospheric conditions in the cargo area.�
“Alright I’ll check it out.�
“We’ll check it out,� followed Dorian.
Tiet didn’t even try to argue the point with her, and the pair moved quickly through the passageway from the bridge toward the cargo hold.
When they reached the cargo bay, Tiet tapped the switch on the bulkhead to release the door. As he stepped into the area the computer automatically brought up the lights. Heavy footsteps grew rapid and close, and then paused as the illumination came on.
“Move, Dorian!� he shouted pushing her aside.
He was barely able to draw his sword in defense before the android came down from above with its own ignited weapon. The force of the blow nearly knocked Tiet off his feet. Instinctively he forced back with his kinetic power, trying to compensate for the android’s greater physical strength.
He ducked down and rolled away then leapt back toward the menacing robot; slashing at it with all of the fury he could muster; but each strike was defended against and countered by the android.
Dorian got back to her feet quickly with her own sword drawn and ignited, but she was keeping out of the way for now. Tiet hoped she would not intervene. He and Vale were exchanging strikes at a dizzying pace. Tiet was using the two-handed fulcrum technique taught to him by Orin long ago, and also incorporating his kinetic power for speed and agility enhancement, but he could not get past Vale’s blade to strike.
The android’s face was expressionless as he countered each strike and parried, only to meet the human’s ignited blade each time. His computer mind rapidly coordinated every movement while trying to find a weakness in Tiet’s defense that would allow a death blow.
Vale’s back was now to Dorian and Tiet could feel her in his mind as she lunged for the android. He wanted to stop her; to protect her, but it was too late. Vale noticed her steps and the rush of wind around her blade and moved to defend himself.
Tiet struck again to draw its attention from her, but to no avail. Dorian’s blade penetrated the android’s synthetic skin and its adomen exoskeleton as she swiped down across its back. Leaving his sword hand to counter Tiet’s strike, Vale quickly struck Dorian with his other hand, sending her back to the floor with a fractured arm.
A fury welled up within Tiet as he sensed her pain. He blasted Vale with a kinetic burst that sent the android flying back hard into the cargo bay wall.
It felt different than when he had used the kinesis back on Castai; he felt more powerful. But his rage overpowered his bewilderment. Vale stood again, quickly recovering from the fall. Tiet lowered his blade as the android lunged for him, only to be hurled back against the cargo bay wall again and again.
He could feel the power surging now. He could sense the workings of the android and feel the drain of its power as it fought to get at him. He could sense the physical pain of Dorian and the presence of Millo at the helm and Orin coming toward the cargo bay. Then something happened he had not expected; the android spoke to him.
“Are you afraid to fight me, human?� he asked trying to stand again. “You are a coward for using your kinetic abilities to avoid open combat with me.�
Vale’s CPU had caught a hold on the human emotional trait of pride and was now hoping to exploit it to get close to his target.
“Don’t listen to it,� said Dorian, still huddled on the floor holding her arm.
“Yes, human, cower with your woman.� baited Vale.
Tiet replaced his father’s sword in its sheath, as he released the android from the invisible grip of his mind. Vale cautiously picked up his own blade from the ground. Tiet’s kemsticks leapt to his hands from the magnetic clips on his thighs, and ignited. He calmed himself and moved into the fluid movements of his favorite two-handed technique.
Orin had rarely taught him to use the kemsticks, as he favored the blade, but Tiet had always enjoyed the two-handed style, with its rapid fire strikes and elaborate movements.
Vale engaged him quickly and for a few moments they remained deadlocked blow for blow; until Tiet shifted to his own version of the two-handed technique that relied on no discernable pattern that Vale’s mind could decipher. As Tiet increased his speed he became a blur of motion. He landed a strike to the android’s leg, then another followed quickly to the torso.
The robot was failing to match the speed of Tiet’s strikes. For every three to five strikes made, one landed on the android’s body, doing serious damage to its exoskeleton. The robot retreated away from the continuing assault, losing bits and pieces of his mechanical structure as the strikes continued to find purchase on his body.
He sliced Vale’s forearm open, disintegrating the motor controls of his hand. The android’s sword fell from his limp hand, as Tiet continued to smash him with blow after blow.
He saw that Orin was now in the cargo bay with Dorian, helping her with her injury, and suddenly he wanted to be the one consoling her. He dealt a quick and final deathblow, driving an ignited kemstick right through the android’s chest where its primary power source was housed.
Vale fell heavily to the cargo bay floor, showing no further sign of mechanical life. Tiet extinguished his weapons and replaced them on each thigh as he ran back to Orin and Dorian.
“How’s your arm?�
“I don’t think it’s bad….�
“It’s fractured in two places.�
“Are you sure?� asked Orin. .
“Yes, I…I sensed it as it happened. I’m not sure how though. The kinesis seems more powerful on this side of the rift.�
“Interesting…we had better get to the med station and set Dorian’s arm.�
The trio walked back through the cargo bay entrance and sealed the door again.
“What about the android?�
“I don’t trust leaving it there. Open the outer bay door and flush the remains into space.�
He complied, being only too happy to finally rid themselves of this persistent assassin. He keyed in the command on the cargo bay keypad.
The computer scanned for life signs as a routine safety measure and then opened the doors. The pressurized gases quickly rushed into the vacuum, carrying Vale’s lifeless torn body with them. Tiet could see the clearing of the debris through the cargo bay door window and lingered only long enough to see the doors closing again.
The_Chronicl-ir_to_the_King
V
THE cold of space would have quickly killed him had there been any real life in his android body. Now only the incomprehensible surging of a computer mind remained. The body was hacked to shreds, and the final blow had disintegrated his primary power supply with the main efferent signal processor.
Vale’s functioning mind was trapped in a body he could not control. The attempt to bait the human through its pride had failed. His mind raced at incalculable speeds searching for errors in his own performance that may have caused the outcome. But it was a pointless race to run, for now he was nothing but wreckage floating in the cold black void of space.
Something tingled. Something was probing through his computer mind; not invading, but washing over him and through him. A voice was speaking inaudibly to him. It was familiar and mechanical in nature. Vale’s mind responded to its call. He was moving now; moving swiftly through space. The voice reassured him without words.
It was pulling him across the vast expanse to itself. He could discern no movement; but he calculated five hours from the first contact with the voice until he saw himself pass through an opening into a vessel. The voice called for him to release all data and merge with its own mind. There was no resisting the call.
Soon he was one with the Sphere an
d a vast memory of the Sphere’s travels across different worlds in pursuit of the Vorn opened up to him. The Sphere had returned home to this planet as it followed the Vorn across space, destroying them everywhere they were found; as the makers had planned. And yet for Vale, the Vorn were his masters, having sent him on his mission after the Barudii warrior and his companions.
The only way to reconcile the two was to fulfill both objectives. The Barudii warrior and his companions had to be exterminated along with the Vorn. They had not given orders to keep from terminating any of their own race, and nothing in the creator’s directives to the Sphere denied it the privilege to exterminate rebels of any race. Simple. All objectives will be met. Failure is not an option.
Vale was now one with the mind of the Sphere. There was so much power and so much data available. He now knew where the Barudii ship was located. The Sphere had been tracking it all along. He watched it through the eyes of the Sphere; seeing through its scanning mechanisms.
The Barudii ship was approaching the planet on the further side, away from the Sphere’s own position. It was in the process of final execution on the Vorn. An invasion force, one of many, was already prepared to begin decimating Vorn cities on the planet surface; to rid the maker’s home planet of the infestation by their enemies. And now Vale’s memory provided further information.
The Sphere now understood that the Vorn had been in the process of trying to escape across the local phenomena known as the Transdimensional Rift, and they were currently occupying a conquered planet similar to the maker’s home world here. It would be necessary then to travel across the rift to destroy the Vorn at that location as well.
But now it was time to launch the first wave of the invasion force. If the Vorn were able to counter the attack by some means, then subsequent waves would be modified to overcome the problem and finish the objective. Now Vale could finish his objective as well. The Sphere had been refitting his chassis since the time it pulled his torn body inside itself; and it was also duplicating his android body with a pair of automatons that would function as extensions of his self. The Barudii warrior would lose the advantage he had gained at their last encounter.