The Cyber Chronicles VI - Warrior Breed

by T C Southwell

  "When did you receive the message?"

  "Just five minutes ago, My Lord. I came to tell you immediately."

  Fairen groped on the floor for his shoes. "Good. Prepare for translocation at once."

  "The ship is assuming translocation configuration even as we speak."

  Fairen pulled on his shirt. "Make it an emergency translocation."

  "Yes, My Lord."

  Fairen fastened his shirt and tucked it into his trousers. The distant metallic groans and clangs of the ship's transformation came faintly through the walls as the giant legs retracted to lie beside the hull. A faint vibration shivered the floor as the translocation generators powered up. Fairen stood up, straightened his shirt and ran a hand through his hair.

  "Are we ready yet?"

  "There is a delay, My Lord. They're still tracing the signal."

  "Tell them to hurry up!"

  "They're working at top speed, and the ship isn't in translocation configuration yet."

  "I don't care; locate the origin of that signal."

  "Yes, My Lord." Shrain typed on his com-link again while Fairen fumed with impatience. Echoing metallic bangs and sharp reports punctuated the faint, dull groans of the ship's torpid movement. Fairen headed for the door, the commander at his heels.

  "They've located the origin of the signal, My Lord."

  "Translocate."

  "The ship is thirty seconds from reconfiguration completion."

  "Do it now!"

  "There will be damage to -"

  "Now!"

  Commander Shrain tapped his com-link, and an alarm whooped, then everything seemed to freeze for an instant and icy tingles shot through Fairen. He closed his eyes as the blinding flash of light filled the ship, then movement returned, and he stumbled forward.

  Shrain reeled after him, consulting his com-link. "Some damage has occurred to the main legs, My Lord, we've lost several metres of -"

  "Where's Ramadaus?" Fairen strode into his control room, glancing up at the empty screens. "Visuals!"

  The screens filled with stars, and the sleek, glittering moth shape of Ramadaus' ship only a couple of kilometres away. "We're close, good. Request communications."

  "At once, My Lord." Shrain tapped his com-link.

  ****

  Atrel's attention was jerked from the battle as a mammoth crimson ship appeared in the screens behind Ramadaus. It had the shape of a scorpion, its six legs folded against its sleek hull, except for the two foremost and longest, which appeared truncated, and debris floated around their ends.

  Commander Trent pointed at it. "Look, My Lord!"

  Ramadaus swung to face the screens, but seemed unperturbed. "So, he came."

  Trent consulted his com-link. "He's requesting communications."

  "Denied."

  ****

  Tassin's heart leapt when Fairen's ship appeared on Nemesis' screens in a blinding white flash, and the Trykons frowned at it, looking uneasy. Nemesis rolled and shuddered in the shockwaves of gravitational distortion the Scorpion Ship's abrupt appearance caused, due to artificial wormhole it created to translocate. It folded space and then punched a hole through it, Sabre had explained. Tarl came to her side and stared at the ship, whose proximity and sudden arrival enhanced its sinister appearance.

  "The only question now is, can he stop Ramadaus?" he muttered.

  "He's our only hope."

  Tronan shot her a look that was part disbelieving, part resentful, and she raised the laser that had drooped in her grip.

  ****

  Fairen scowled at Shrain. "Put the ship into attack formation."

  The commander's brows vanished into his hair. "My lord?"

  "You heard me. Attack formation, and ready the forward guns."

  Shrain tapped keys on his com-link. "My lord, the main guns would utterly destroy Ramadaus' ship and all aboard her."

  "The main lasers then."

  "They won't damage Ramadaus' ship."

  Fairen's frown deepened as vast, hollow groans and clangs echoed through the ship. "Request communications again."

  ****

  Atrel winced as Sabre smashed his opponent face first into the floor, the cyber's head bouncing as it struck the ground. Cyber One jerked his head back, cracking the back of his skull into Sabre's face, and blood spurted from Sabre's nose. The younger fighter twisted like an eel, lashing out with a fist that missed Sabre's head by a hair as he recoiled.

  Blood oozed from Cyber One's nose and ears now. Red marks covered Sabre's arms and chest, and sweat dripped from them. Neither had broken off the combat for a moment. The flowing, deadly ballet had not slowed or faltered, and neither had yet made a single error. All the blows that had landed had been due to the finesse and skill of their delivery, but, despite their bone-crushing power and accuracy, had caused remarkably little damage. The fighters looked like they could continue the battle for several more hours.

  "My lord, Overlord Fairen's ship is assuming an attack configuration," Commander Trent stated.

  Ramadaus turned to face the screens again. "He's bluffing."

  "He's requesting communications again."

  "Denied."

  Atrel stared at the crimson ship, whose long, sweeping arms moved away from its hull, spreading out as if to capture prey.

  ****

  "Communications denied," Shrain said, looking nervous.

  Fairen glared at him. "Translocate me to Ramadaus' ship."

  "His shields are up, My Lord."

  "Damn him! Bastard!" His nostrils flared and his brows knotted further. His face went cold as the blood drained from it, fury making his heart thud. "Ramming speed."

  "What?"

  "You heard me! Ramming speed. Ram him!"

  "Sir, you cannot attack a fellow Overlord."

  Fairen's hands curled into fists. "You will do as I order, or I'll do it myself!"

  "My lord, surely one man's life is not worth endangering two Overlords and their crews?"

  "Do it!"

  Shrain tapped his com-link with shaking fingers. After a brief, pregnant pause, the stars started to move across the screens as the Scorpion Ship's thrusters fired. Fairen sank down in his huge chair, staring at the screens as the Moth Ship grew larger in them.

  "Configure the main arms to take the brunt of the impact."

  "Yes, My Lord."

  ****

  Tassin's mouth fell open as she stared at the vast crimson ship. Tongues of fire sprouted from thrusters along its stern, and the long forward arms began to stretch out ahead of it.

  Tarl gave a hiss of amazement. "What the hell is he doing?"

  "He's attacking Ramadaus." Tears of gratitude and joy stung her eyes, and a lump blocked her throat. "He's going to save Sabre."

  "Why the hell would an Overlord attack one of his own to save an ex-cyber?"

  "Sabre saved his life."

  "Even so..." Tarl shook his head. "I thought he would persuade Ramadaus, not attack him."

  ****

  "My lord!" Commander Trent pointed at the screens. "Look!"

  Ramadaus swung around. "What the hell is that idiot doing?"

  "He's ramming us! We can't translocate, he's too close!"

  "Evasive action!"

  Trent typed on his com-link, and a moment later the ship started to move. "He's going too fast, My Lord, we can't avoid him."

  "Brace for impact."

  The commander keyed his com-link, and an alarm whooped through the ship. Atrel tore his gaze from the approaching ship to glance at the battling warriors, whose deadly dance continued without pause. Cyber One's armour was smashed, and only broken pieces remained over a skin-tight black suit. He looked back at the screens, where the Scorpion Ship now blocked out all the stars. Hundreds of thousands of tiny lights shimmered over it like diamonds, each one a portal, giving an idea of its size. Never had he seen a ship so huge, and the prospect of it crashing into Ramadaus' vessel dried the last of his spit.

  The leading edge of the S
corpion Ship's main arms struck Ramadaus' ship just below the screens with a rending, hollow boom. They buckled, and Atrel was flung across the floor despite the powerful stasis field that sprang into being to counteract the brutal inertia. The soldiers fell too, and the fighters slid across the smooth floor, regained their feet and continued their battle as if nothing had happened. Ramadaus clung to the arms of a jewelled chair that had risen from the floor, his veiled head raised to stare at the screens. The Scorpion Ship's forward arms continued to buckle as if in slow motion, and a growling metallic groan shuddered through the ship.

  Commander Trent picked himself up off the floor, consulting his com-link. "Main forward hull breached; decks two hundred through two hundred and seven losing pressure. Evacuating decks."

  "Request communications with Fairen."

  ****

  “Ramadaus requests contact, My Lord,” Commander Shrain informed Fairen.

  "No," Fairen snarled. "Too late. Now I want to confront him face to face. Are his shields still up?"

  "Yes, My Lord."

  "Reverse thrust; prepare to ram him again."

  "There is extensive damage to the main arms -"

  "Did I ask for a damage report?"

  "No, My Lord. But another impact like that will seriously damage this ship. It's not designed for this."

  "When I want your opinion, I'll ask for it, now do as I say!"

  "Yes, My Lord." Shrain tapped his com-link.

  A moment later, tongues of fire sprouted from the bow of the ship, and it began to move back with majestic torpor, shuddering as its deeply embedded arms tore free of Ramadaus' ship.

  "My lord, Ramadaus' ship has suffered severe damage to her forward compartments, she's venting atmosphere. Her crew is at risk."

  Fairen frowned. "Bring the tail gun to bear, aim at the Moth Ship's wings."

  "The tail gun is a planet killer, My -"

  "That's why I want it aimed at the wings, Shrain!"

  "Yes, My Lord."

  ****

  Commander Trent gaped at the screen, shooting an incredulous glance at his Overlord, who straightened in his chair.

  "He's bringing his tail gun to bear, My Lord."

  "I'm not blind, Trent. He's bluffing."

  Trent consulted his com-link. "No, My Lord, scanners show that the weapon is powering up."

  "Has he lost his mind? He won't talk to me, so how does he know I won't release the damned cyber?"

  "He's tried twice to lock a translocator onto us, but our shields are up."

  "So, he wants to come over himself. The boy is mad. Power up the main forward guns."

  "But My Lord..."

  "I'm calling his bluff. Let's see what he does."

  "Yes, My Lord."

  The crimson ship moved away, dragging with it the mangled remains of its forward arms. The long tail had started to curl up over it, the needle-sharp point turning to aim at Ramadaus' ship. Glancing at the fighters, Atrel winced as Sabre performed a backflip and kicked his opponent in the face, sending him reeling back. Ramadaus turned his head to watch them, then raised an arm and pointed at Sabre.

  "Cyber Two, kill him."

  For a moment Atrel was frozen with horror, then he surged forward, taking his guards by surprise. "No!"

  Cyber Two drew his laser and fired at Sabre, missing by a hair as Sabre leapt sideways to evade the bolt, which struck a soldier on the far side of the room. Atrel wrenched free of his guards and charged Cyber Two, laser bolts flashing past him. The soldiers chased him, but he reached the cyber before they could catch him and aimed a roundhouse blow at his head.

  The warrior ducked under it and punched Atrel in the side of his chest with a dull crunch of breaking ribs. Atrel was sent sprawling, sliding to a halt at the feet of his pursuers. They grabbed his arms and dragged him to the comparative safety of the wall. Those who were in Cyber Two's line of fire had already moved out of the way, leaving two dead and one wounded. Atrel clutched his ribs and gasped with pain, watching Sabre.

  Sabre now fought his opponent and evaded the laser bolts at the same time, but the odds were stacked against him. A blow from Cyber One made him reel, and a laser bolt clipped his arm. Bright blood flowed from the wound as he spun and leapt. He knocked Cyber One down with a kick and ducked under a bolt simultaneously. Cyber One regained his feet with a peculiar twisting movement and dived into a forward roll, bounced to his feet in front of Sabre and leapt into a high spinning kick. Sabre ducked and rolled sideways, but another laser bolt hit him in the chest.

  Atrel glanced up at the screens, where the Scorpion Ship's tail was now curled all the way over its back, and the tip had taken on a green glow. A beam of light spat from it, followed by a burst of brightly glowing crimson energy, which Atrel thought could only be super-heated plasma, and Ramadaus' ship shuddered.

  Ramadaus cursed. "That bloody idiot!"

  "One of our secondary wings has been hit. The damage is extensive, My Lord."

  "Drop the translocation shields. Let him come here and I'll deal with him myself!"

  "Yes, My Lord." Trent keyed his communications box. "Shields down."

  Sabre staggered sideways as Cyber One landed a kick on his ribs, and another laser bolt hit him in the thigh. His leg buckled and he went sprawling, yet he lashed out with his good leg as Cyber One tried to kick him again, sweeping his legs out from under him. Sabre leapt up and raced towards the wall, soldiers scattering from his path, Cyber One in hot pursuit. Laser fire crackled around him with vicious, hissing reports, one shot hitting him in the calf. Reaching the wall, he ran up it and kicked himself away, performed a backward somersault and landed on his feet behind his opponent. Cyber One performed the identical move, only Sabre was waiting for him when he came down. Cyber One rolled sideways, evading Sabre's kick, and another laser bolt hit Sabre in the shoulder even as he spun away to avoid it.

  A flash of light jerked Atrel's gaze away from the fight, and a wave of cold followed it. A young boy stood a few metres away, looking a little dazed. He glanced around.

  Ramadaus stood up. "Fairen!"

  The boy strode towards the fighters, his face set in grim lines.

  "Fairen, no!" Ramadaus shouted, stepping down from his dais.

  Fairen reached the fighters just as a number of Ramadaus' soldiers rushed towards him. Cyber One whipped around and swung his fist at the young Overlord's head. Sabre kicked the cyber's arm, deflecting the blow, and gave him a shove that sent him staggering back. Cyber One brushed against Fairen, and the boy’s face went slack. A laser bolt hit Sabre in the back, and he stumbled, falling to his knees. Two more shots hit him in the back, then Fairen's face came alive again, and he flung himself at the cyber and embraced him.

  "Cybers, stop!" Ramadaus bellowed.

  Cyber One froze with his leg poised to kick Sabre, lowered it and stepped back. Cyber Two holstered his laser. The soldiers retreated as Ramadaus strode up to Fairen. Blood ran from the wounds in Sabre's back, shoulder and thigh. He closed his eyes, his breath coming in harsh gasps. The brow band blazed with flashing red lights, and he slumped, sliding to the floor while Fairen struggled to hold him up. Blood soaked the boy's shirt when he released Sabre and turned to glare up at Ramadaus.

  "Call your medics."

  "No. Let him die."

  "No!" Fairen pulled off his gloves and clamped his hand over the wound in Sabre's thigh, slowing the bleeding. "Call your medics, or I'll order my ship to fire again. Your primary wings are now targeted, and my tail gun is recharged."

  "What is this lunacy?" Ramadaus gestured. "You don't touch people."

  "Only him. I can touch him. He's not filled with corruption and deceit. His heart and mind are pure. Get your medics, now!"

  Ramadaus signalled, and Trent keyed his com-link. "All right, they're coming. Do you know how much trouble you're in?"

  "I don't care. I swore to protect him, and I keep my word. Let them strip me of my title and powers, I hate them anyway."

  "All this for a
broken killing machine. The repairs to my ship alone are going to cost millions and take months. You endangered all of us, for him."

  "He's my friend, and I owe him my life. Twice now, since he stopped your cyber from killing me."

  "Only a fool walks into the middle of a cyber fight. You risked your life. You can't do that."

  "I do as I please." Fairen turned to gaze down at Sabre. "I told you to leave him alone. I warned you, and you tried to kill him anyway. You're responsible for this."

  "Get up. An Overlord does not kneel in the blood of a cyber."

  Four white-clad men entered and ran to kneel beside Sabre and open boxes of equipment. Fairen removed his hand, and a medic clamped his over Sabre's thigh wound as the young Overlord stood up. His youth amazed Atrel, for he was no more than a boy. He stared at his bloody hand, then raised his head to glare at Ramadaus.

  "You've made an enemy of me. Those are the abominations." He pointed at the cybers. "Have you ever bothered to read them? It's like being sucked into a bottomless screaming pit. They're suffering. I touch Sabre and I get peace. I touched one of them, and I got unspeakable pain. Take off that bloody hood and show me your face!" Fairen's eyes glinted, and his pale skin was flushed with fury.

  Ramadaus hesitated, then pushed back his hood, revealing a thin, intense face with a beaky nose and dark eyes.

  Fairen glowered at him. "You're a pitiful excuse for an Overlord. You barely have any power, and you pursue petty issues as if they were important. How did you find him?"

  "Purely by chance. He was aboard the Trykon warship that strayed from their space."

  "The Trykon warship," Fairen repeated, shaking his head and glancing around. "I should have answered that call. He's just trying to get home. Where are his companions?"