“Explain.” Tuloff cocked his head.
“Rev is a carrier of a very resistant immune system. The more exposure to him, the more resistant you’ll become. It’s like a virus in reverse. Or maybe it’s better to think of it as a good cold.”
“That’s why you think Willa is safe?”
“Yes,” bobbled Flint, “that’s a very plausible supposition.”
“Then I owe him my life,” said Tuloff holding up his wrist where a puncture mark was clearly visible. “One of those things tried to enter my body and it fell dead after just seconds when it bit me.”
Rev looked amazed. “If we could distill me somehow we could inoculate enough Tsunamians to fight back.”
“That’s not necessary,” said Flint. “I have the formula from the analysis. We just need to synthesize enough doses. Cassie is immune and anyone else who’s touched you recently.”
“Okay. So how can we use this new information?” asked Rev.
Flint dropped his gaze to the floor. “We can’t unless we can escape and that doesn’t look too promising. We’re locked up tighter than before.”
“Can we expect any help from your people?” Rev asked Tuloff.
“I doubt it,” he said shaking his head. “They killed everyone but me when they stormed the complex. I didn’t have time to send out a rescue call.”
“Damn,” said Rev. “It would’ve been nice to have someone on our side for a change. Magnus has us locked up tight enough even a gnat couldn’t get through. We don’t have any communications. No weapons—”
Flint cleared his throat. Then he flew over and whispered, “Your grenades.”
Rev’s eyes twinkled. Cassie recognized that look. Trouble was just around the corner and knocking on the door. She huddled with the two and Rev showed her the strip of nearly undetectable explosives on his forearm. She then went to help Tuloff up, his broken arm cradled by his good one.
Rev watched the guard who didn’t seem to care much about watching them; currently he was communicating via the vidi-screen as he took in his new instructions. His head nodded.
Quietly Rev whispered to the others. “I can get us out of here but we might die in the attempt.” He pointed to the small bumps on his forearm. “Grenades. We’ll need a shield of some kind or the blast will tear us to pieces.”
“How far do we need to be safe?” Tuloff whispered back.
“Three meters minimum if we can be out of the direct impact. Six would be better,” said Rev.
Tuloff scanned the holding cell and calculated that they were short by a significant amount. “We clearly don’t have the space or any protection. How far can you throw the explosives?”
“We’re thinking alike,” said Rev. “We wait until they come to get us and when the forcefield is lowered I’ll toss one into the crowd.”
“Let the bodies protect us?” asked Cassie aghast. “Won’t that be messy?”
“I hope so,” said Rev grinning.
“That’s sick,” she said.
* * *
THE BAND OF CHARREL guards arrived to claim their captives. Apparently they weren’t going to take any chances of the four escaping. Three men were holding las-pistols on them as they lowered the first security shield.
Rev peeled a grenade from his forearm and waited, hiding his prize from sight. The prisoners clung together at the back of the holding cell. Flint floated close to them acting calm. Rev squeezed his right arm between Cassie and Tuloff with the small explosive mounted on the fingernail of his middle finger and waited for the second forcefield to drop.
Just as the forcefield dissolved Rev flicked the bomb and it sailed into the crowd. It landed on the cheekbone of a very startled guard. He tried to wipe it from his skin but the small explosive clung with the tenacity of an angry crab.
Rev counted down as all the guards turned to see why one of their kind was anxiously scratching his face. When time ran out Rev grabbed Flint and pushed everyone to the floor, shielding them with his big body. Cassie was morbidly curious and raised her eyes to watch. She was sorry she did.
The explosion was terrific and ripped through the mass of guards tearing limbs and scorching flesh. Starting with the guard’s face, people appeared to disintegrate from the blast. Rev and his group felt the heat and their ears ached from the concussion as they were riddled with body fragments and gore.
Rev looked up; none of the guards survived. He only had some hair scorched on his left arm. Rev helped the others up. Cassie removed an unrecognizable chunk of pink stuff from her hair.
“Gross,” she gagged.
“But you’re alive and free,” said Rev spinning Flint around and inspecting him for body parts.
“For now, we’re free,” said Tuloff. “What do we do when the rest come to check on their missing comrades?”
“I think we’ll get you to the command center so you can call for help,” said Rev. “Then Cassie and I are going to rescue Reese from Magnus before she goes through surgery.”
“What do I do?” asked Flint.
“Protect Regency Tuloff,” said Rev, “and get that anti-Charrel formula to someone who can make about a billion doses.”
Rev found an undamaged weapon and handed it to Cassie. “Take point,” he demanded as he found two more and placed one in Tuloff’s good hand.
“I’m not very good with killing,” said Tuloff fumbling with the weapon.
“You better learn fast,” said Rev as he rushed to the door backing up Cassie.
“Don’t you think Flint can do the killing for me?” asked Tuloff holding the weapon with two fingers trying not to feel the slickness of the blood that dripped from its handle.
“He can,” said Rev, “but he can shoot only in one direction at a time and I believe your backside is just as important as your frontside.”
“Oh,” said Tuloff finally gripping the weapon correctly and feeling the power cells charging. “When you say it like that I guess I could kill if I had to.”
“That’s the spirit,” encouraged Rev. “Let’s get you snug in the command center before we have company. Then we can fix that broken arm of yours.” Rev nudged Tuloff behind Cassie and Flint brought up the rear as they made their way to the command center. Tuloff directed Cassie along the many hallways to an transmat elevator.
“There aren’t any doors to the command center,” he said. “It’s isolated from normal channels. I only hope it’s still accessible.”
“Why didn’t you go there when Magnus arrived?” asked Rev.
“I tried,” said Tuloff. “He was too quick when he mounted an attack on my office. My staff wasn’t equipped to handle a score of the creatures. They’re too powerful to stop in numbers even with high explosives.”
“You’re telling me,” said Flint remembering Ziller, turned beast, being crushed in the pressure chamber.
Tuloff continued. “We’ll have to teleport into a security lobby and then access the command center from there. Luckily I had the sense to change the clearance codes or they’d be running planet defenses by now.”
The four entered the transmat elevator and Tuloff set the location. Tuloff clutched his weapon under an arm and then loaded a curious looking key into a slot on the panel. He twisted it clockwise until there was a ping. The screen waited for his authorization code and he typed in the number one and hit the enter button.
Rev shook his head. “Some password. Tough to remember I bet.”
Tuloff looked irritated. “I didn’t have time for something fancier before I was captured. You’re damned lucky they didn’t beat the code out of me.”
“I guess it’s a safe bet they wouldn’t think you’d have a code like the number one,” said Rev. “It just scares me how the simple stuff gets overlooked.”
“Let’s just hope they haven’t figured it out,” said Tuloff. “There should be a small crew still alive running the defenses and we’re going to need to mobilize the armed forces to contain the Charrel.”
The doors
slid shut and Rev felt that all-too-familiar space folding into the wormhole process. He still didn’t like being demolecularized and shipped like third-rate mail.
The elevator opened and they looked onto the aftermath of what must have been a fierce battle. Glass and blood littered the floor of the security lobby. A few bodies laid in heaps off to one side next to the command center hatchway. The command center itself looked intact and unharmed. Tuloff ran to the vidi-console and pressed the intercom.
A frightened face of a technician appeared.
“Let us in, Bains,” ordered Tuloff to his aide.
“No. They’ll get in.”
“There’s no one here but us,” said Tuloff. “I’m ordering you to open this hatch.”
“How do I know you’re not one of them? I don’t want to die.”
“Stop being so stupid,” said Tuloff. “Would I be a Charrel standing next to Smalley, Ms. Townes and this automaton?”
It did seem improbable to Bains and there was a moment of hesitation. Then a crash behind Tuloff made everyone turn and look. A group of creatures moved out into the lobby.
“Open the damned doors,” screamed Rev. “Now!”
The hatch seals snapped open and Tuloff hurried to enter. Cassie and Flint came next and Rev just had time to force the hatchway closed before several creatures hurled themselves headlong against the heavy door.
Chapter 33
“THEY’RE BEATING THE PISS out of the hatchway,” said Rev coming through to the inner chamber. He expected to see Tuloff and Cassie busy working on sending messages but what he got was a swift kick to his groin. He saw a flash of bight white light before his body convulsed.
Magnus stood over Rev’s limp body holding a very nasty looking pistol. “You’re such a fool,” gloated Magnus. “Didn’t you think I could figure out the security code—especially one so simple?”
Cassie wanted to try jumping Magnus who quickly pointed the las-pistol at her startled face. She looked into his demonic purple eyes and saw the hatred that flashed within. Magnus jerked the weapon aside and fired, striking Bains right between the eyes. His head lurched back in surprise and twisted oddly to one side. The force of the shot entered small and ballooned in the back with a sickening splatter. Then his body crumpled to the ground.
“He was expendable,” sneered Magnus.
“You bastard,” shouted Cassie.
The weapon trained again on her face. “You’re not needed anymore either,” he said to Cassie thrusting the weapon out and beading the sight onto her forehead.
Rev regained his senses and swept his leg out. He caught Magnus in the back of his knees. Magnus’ aim was broken and his shot streaked a flaming line along the ceiling. Magnus landed on his back with his weapon sticking straight up in the air as Rev latched hold of his wrist and pulled the arm down across his bended knee. The arm nearly broke. Magnus howled in pain and dropped the weapon.
The next moment both men were fighting like tigers as Flint tried to gain a clear shot at Magnus with his small internal laser. All he accomplished was a feeble shot to Magnus’ shoulder. A rain of sparks erupted from the combat armor he was wearing. The laser blast only made a light show and Flint aimed again for an exposed portion of Magnus’ flesh.
Cassie ran to recover the weapon but got a swift kick for her efforts. Tuloff knew he couldn’t do much except try to recover the weapons that Magnus had taken from them earlier when the human had quickly disarmed them, shoving the weapons into a munition case and locking the container. Tuloff now looked around for anything he could use to pry the lid open.
In the meantime the big men exchanged blows, each strong enough to break a normal human’s neck but these two were bred to be fighters. Magnus didn’t say a word while he calculated his kicks and punches. Talking was a waste of energy and concentration. He was already maneuvering into position to pin Rev or grab a hostage if he failed. Rev anticipated his moves and pivoted wildly over a console, flinging himself and rolling to place himself between Magnus and Cassie.
Magnus had another idea as he followed Rev over the console. He snagged Flint from the air by one of his skinny arms. Magnus then flung the little automaton at Rev’s head while Flint was spewing out lines of laser blasts. It looked ridiculously like an arena light show with the laser beams streaking wildly about as everyone dodged for cover. Flint managed to destroy three console terminals and a finely crafted leather chair before Rev spun him around.
“The bad guy’s over there,” said Rev pointing to Magnus who made it across the room and regained his pistol. Flint took careful aim and sent a shot that hit the weapon’s power cell—which exploded in Magnus’ outreached hand.
The force of the explosion lifted Magnus up off the floor and into the ceiling along with parts of the railings, a chair, and what was left of a command terminal. He landed with a thump, his forehead made contact with a ledge and came to rest face down slumped over the torn railing of the lower section.
“Damn,” said Rev blinking and trying to regain his eyesight. “I won’t be able to see for an hour.”
“You stopped him,” said Cassie to Flint.
“I did?” And he looked at the prostrate body of Magnus slumped over, unconscious. “I did,” he said nodding proudly.
Rev pushed the remains of a terminal out of his way to reach Magnus as Tuloff returned holding their weapons.
Tuloff noticed a purple glimmer in one angry eye just sliding open. Before the Regency could warn the others, Magnus reached up with both hands and clenched Rev’s throat, gouging his thumbs into Rev’s Adam’s apple. Rev clutched the strong hands but couldn’t break their grip. Magnus lifted Rev off the ground and applied even more pressure. Rev’s face started to turn blue.
Cassie screamed something obscene and sighted her weapon, firing point blank. The burst exploded and wrapped around Magnus’ sweat soaked bald head forcing him into a temporary oblivion.
Rev dropped to his knees and gasped for air rubbing his bruised neck. He reached over and felt for a pulse. “You didn’t kill him,” croaked Rev.
“Goddammit,” cursed Cassie. “I’ve got to remember to look at the settings on my gun.”
“It’s okay,” said Rev. “With our luck, we’ll get another try.”
Flint checked Magnus and noticed the regular movement of his chest.
“How is he?” asked Rev.
“Unconscious but alive.”
“He’s got a grip like a vise,” said Rev hoarsely. “I’ll be happier if we can find someplace safe for him to sleep it off.”
Tuloff pointed to the other side of the room. “There’s a security cell off of the next room.”
Flint helped Rev drag the man into the little prison. They threw him in then Flint activated the forcefield. “You fix Tuloff’s broken arm. I thought I saw a medical kit by one of the terminals before you went on a shooting spree.”
Flint nodded and went to look for the med kit.
“Now we can get down to business,” said Rev, “and save Tsunam from the Evil Doers.” He didn’t feel as regal as his words sounded limping back into the command center still rubbing his sore neck.
* * *
TAKI GAZED DOWN at the naked form of Reese Stewart on an operating table. He took his index finger and pushed a lock of red hair out of her eyes. He then lifted an eyelid and gazed at a green dilated pupil which stared back lifelessly. His eyes roved from her face to her toes and back up to her pelvic region. Her studied her breasts and finally brought his gaze back to her face. He noted that her proportions were perfect. Her smooth curves were delicate and provocative as he caressed her breasts and taut stomach. He wondered how a non-manufactured body could be so perfect.
The weight of her breast shifted in the palm of his hand. He also noticed the coldness of the room which raised goosebumps on her limbs so he pulled a stiff blue sheet up to her neck. Taki motioned to the surgeon who was waiting to take her to the operating room. His scrubbed hands squeaked as he repositio
ned vinyl gloves that fit snugly on his fingers.
“It’s a shame to destroy such a beautiful creature,” said Taki to the surgeon. “If only we had enough time we could measure her and produce a new model for us from her clones. It’s a pity we’re so rushed.”
The surgeon peeled back the blue sheet and took a look. “We don’t necessarily need to kill the patient anymore to extract the material we need,” he said. “My last report showed a vast improvement in the survival rate of the patient. Didn’t you read my findings?”
Taki’s eyes flashed at the arrogance of the surgeon. “You can’t expect me to follow every report.”
“No, sir,” said the surgeon. “I’m just proud of my work.”
Taki realized he was being smug and softened his expression, humoring the surgeon. “Tell me more about what you found out.”
Encouraged, the surgeon prepared himself as if he was about to begin a speech to his fellow colleagues. Taki raised his hand to stop him before he prattled. “Just tell me the facts, if you don’t mind,” said Taki.
“It’s quite remarkable, if I might be so bold.”
“Yes, I’m sure it is.”
The surgeon cleared his throat anxiously. “It seems we can obtain the same results if we only filter the patient’s blood with a new filter I created, leaving all the organs intact. Before, we had to remove the uterus and other reproductive organs from the patient which complicated the condition of the older females.”
“How did you find this new solution?”
“It was the Earth man who suggested we do new blood filtrations.”
“You mean Blackheart, I presume?”
The surgeon nodded. “If you really want to preserve her for later,” he said laying the sheet back over Reese’s naked body, “it can be done. I’ve learned so much since our other attempts.”
Taki contemplated his proposal. She could be used for more than a donor—that’s true—but their impending invasion force was his first priority. Taki took note of the time.
Blackheart was late for their meeting which wasn’t like him at all. He must have failed in his attempt to retrieve the other human female.
The Beast of Tsunam (Rev Smalley: Galactic P.I. Book 1) Page 27
