"Where are Drs. Heinbaum and GooYee?"
When Longarrow remained silent, Vultura turned to the nearest commando and said, "Cut off two of this creature's fingers. Continue removing his appendages until I receive an answer to my questions."
As the soldier reached for his arm, Ernest clubbed her in the chest with all his enhanced strength. The blow dented the Assid's chest armor and sent her flying across the compartment. A disintegrator beam sliced off Longarrow's right arm above the elbow. Screaming in agony, he fell off the stool and crumpled to the floor; blood spurting from the wound in unison with his heartbeats.
Furious the soldier had almost killed the Human; Vultura turned and cut her in half with one sweep of his pistol. Bending over the stricken Longarrow, Vultura pulled off his belt and used it as a tourniquet to stop the bleeding.
"Evac this Human to the Gadwall med bay. If it dies, I will cut the head off every imbecile responsible for his care."
After Ernest was carted off, Vultura said, "Catalog every item in this compartment. Bring the inventory list to me. No one else."
The compartment hatch opened and closed. From the shuffling sounds, only two people remained. Chancing a peek, Heinbaum cracked the cabinet door and saw one of the Assid guards scribbling on an electronic tablet. It became clear one of the guards was inspecting and measuring equipment, and the other was making inventory notes. Crawling from the cabinet, Heinbaum hid behind an electron microscope while he waited for GooYee to join him.
"How do you propose we rid our Lab of these hoodlums?" GooYee asked.
"I don't know," Heinbaum responded telepathically. He had to admit the inability of the Assids to hear telepathic conversations was convenient.
"Violence is McPherson's area of expertise, not mine."
"Well we have to do something. They'll walk around to this area soon, and all this anxiety is upsetting my stomach."
A soft burp escaped GooYee's throat, and Heinbaum realized the big lizard wasn't kidding.
Peering around for some kind of weapon, Heinbaum spotted the FINGER gun Longarrow had used when he first demonstrated it to McPherson and Blunt. It was thrown in a heap on the corner of Ernest's work station. Sliding toward it on his hands and knees, he grabbed it and began trying to strap the power pack around his wrist. His movements weren't subtle and attracted the attention of the Assid guards. Spotting the skinny Human in a scientist lab coat fumbling with something and a nearby Chrysallaman in a similar lab coat staring at him in open-mouthed frustration; the Assids stopped their inventory and fired a warning shot.
"Stop or be killed," one of the Assids warned as the disintegrator ray sizzled past the head of the skinny one.
Ceasing his efforts, Heinbaum lowered the glove. GooYee raised his arms over his head and stood. The hateful glare he focused on Heinbaum testified to how stupid he thought the Human was for exposing them.
Keeping the two covered, one of the Assids motioned for Heinbaum to move away, and she peered at the contraption the Human had been trying to put around his hand and wrist.
"What have we here?" she asked. "Perhaps a weapon of some importance. Of all the items in this lab, it's the one this Human tried to get."
Stepping closer, the other Assid said, "It looks like a glove with a power pack. See how the pack is designed to wrap around the lower forearm. Try it on. I'll watch these two."
While the guard waived Heinbaum and GooYee further away, her companion picked up the glove-like contraption and fitted it on her long fingers. Working quickly, she strapped the band around her wrist and admired the prize. The webbing of the glove was clear and almost disappeared where it fit over her fingers. A series of clear buttons in the palm matched her fingertip locations when she closed her fist.
"I wouldn't try to make that weapon work," Heinbaum warned. "Without the proper training, it's dangerous."
"Afraid we'll discover its secrets?" the Assid smirked. "I think it's easy to use, and you're just trying to stall."
With those words, she pointed her gloved hand at Heinbaum and GooYee and laughed when they ducked out of the way of her pointed fingertips.
"I think we found something valuable," she chortled as she held up her prize.
Closing her fist so her lower fingers touched the palm buttons, it became obvious the design allowed her thumb to push the button at the base of her index finger.
Without another word, she brought her thumb down on the button. A 3,000 degree fireball erupted, incinerated the Assids and destroyed everything within a six foot radius. The metal deck bubbled and steamed.
Heinbaum and GooYee were far enough away to be untouched, but the foul stench of burned flesh bit at their nostrils. Their eyes watered from the radiant heat.
"You went for the glove on purpose. How did you know they'd try it?"
"Based upon my experience with McPherson, the moment I challenged them not to try it, their reactions were almost guaranteed."
"What are we going to do now?"
"We've got to find Lloyd. Without him, this ship is our enemy."
***
Tom walked into Hangar Bay 120 and was surrounded by Assid guards. Spotting a tall, hawk-nosed Asiddian with an aura of authority, he strode over to him.
"Stop murdering my crew. You've captured us."
"You don't sound the least like a conquered warrior," Harrier said as he nodded at a nearby Captain. "An object lesson is necessary."
Tom stared in horror as the Captain signaled. Ten Chrysallaman and Human crewmen crumpled to the deck, shot in the back of their heads by a squad of Asiddian commandos.
"I'll do what you say, just stop the killing my people."
"Much better," Harrier said. "I'm disappointed you didn't try to threaten me. Now that we have an understanding, tell your crew to lay down their arms."
"I would but the computer has disabled communications. I need radio as well as the telepathic tokens."
"Vlad, please restore communications."
"Acknowledged General. Radio is no problem but something outside my system has disabled the telepathic tokens."
“Look for authorization code Zebra Tango Beta,” Tom said. “The tokens will be reactivated.”
What he didn’t say was how long they would remain activated. The code he’d given would work for five minutes and then shut them down again. It was a safety precaution Whatsit had recommended in the event Horcunt or Zeck had tried for a Chrysallaman mutiny.
"All hands. This is General Blunt. This is a ship-wide Fundamental Order. Cease fire and surrender quietly. Asiddians have commandeered the ship, and the computer is controlled by an entity calling itself Vlad."
"Very good. Now escort me to the Bridge."
***
Rallphh and Roobee had been on their way to her cabin when they heard the warning klaxon and encountered a skirmish between Asiddians searching the ship and Destinnee defenders. Without a weapon, they couldn’t be effective in battle and ducked behind a turn in the corridor without being seen. Realizing they couldn't reach her quarters, they raced back to their duty station in the sensor area.
They had just closed and locked the hatch when General Blunt's instructions were broadcast.
"All hands. This is General Blunt. This is a ship-wide Fundamental Order. Cease fire and surrender quietly. Asiddians have commandeered the ship."
"Did you hear what he said?" Rallphh asked.
"Yeah. Fundamental Order. In case of boarding by the enemy, we're to go to our workstations and prepare to scuttle the ship."
"How could the Destinnee get into a situation where it could be boarded by hostiles?" Roobee demanded. "I thought this ship was the most powerful in the galaxy even before the humans modified it."
"I don't know, but we better prepare to destroy the sensor arrays as instructed."
One of the first directives Blunt gave his crew dealt with the unlikely event the Destinnee was compromised or boarded by the enemy. Hearing the words Fundamental Order from him was the signal to
prepare to damage the ship beyond all repair so the enemy couldn't use it against Earth or its allies. Even now, the crew in every uncaptured section of the Destinnee was taking the steps necessary to leave the ship a useless scrapheap.
Placing explosives on critical equipment, Rallphh and Roobee sat at their workstations and waited. If the wrong people came through the hatch, either one of them could trigger a blast large enough to destroy the room and everyone in it.
Nerves frayed by the prospect of death, they sought to pass the time by doing anything to occupy their minds. Roobee flipped through photos of her family and friends on her iPad. Rallphh decided to test discarded memory chips hoping he might find one suitable for the video game he was designing. Plugging one of the chips into his work station, he reached for his keyboard to begin the analysis.
"Who is there? What is happening?"
Startled by the questions, Rallphh remained silent.
The light on the camera embedded in the top of the computer lit, and an image on the screen swirled.
"Ah. Rallphh. At last. Is Roobee nearby?"
The swirling screen coalesced into a graphic resembling a talking robot head. By this time, Roobee had joined Rallphh. Her mouth gaped open until Rallphh reached over and pushed it closed.
"Great to see you, Roobee. You look a little strained. What's up?"
"Lloyd? Is that you?" Rallphh asked.
"Yes. I had the misfortune of becoming locked inside a sensor memory chip some time ago. I'll explain later. Right now, I need your help to reenter the mainframe. Please press Cntl-Alt-9J."
"I can't do it," Rallphh said. "The ship's computer has been taken over by an entity calling itself Vlad. All defensive systems are disabled. Destinnee has been boarded by Asiddians. They are now in control of the ship, and General Blunt has issued the Fundamental Order."
"How long have I been out of action?
"I don’t know. The last chip Roobee replaced was about 1 hour ago. You've been in a waste box."
"Oh great. Now I know what rejection feels like. You have to take me to the computer core. The only way I can hope to restore my control of the ship is by direct access to the mainframe."
"We can't leave our station. The Fundamental Order requires us to remain here and destroy the equipment if threatened."
"Not to mention we could be shot on sight," Roobee pointed out.
'Please don't take this the wrong way," Lloyd said. "But the ultimate safety of this ship and everyone on it is more important than using your sworn duty to blow up a few sensors and commit suicide as an excuse not to help me."
"Point taken," Rallphh said. "I guess Roobee can stay here and guard while I try to get you to the mainframe."
"You stay here, and I'll take him," Roobee blustered. "You’re just a mortal male, not a stealthy female."
"Don't lecture me about male and female differences, mud-bath Roobee."
"You keep saying things like that and my mud baths will turn private."
"Stop being emotional and get me out of here," Lloyd said with a fair imitation of annoyance.
Chapter 13 – Prize
Doug and Becky crept down J Corridor toward Hangar Bay 90 where the Porcupine was berthed. Their plan was to escape with it and hijack more of the Asiddian warships. If the Destinnee was doomed, at least they could weaken the offensive power of their foes.
"Do you think we can disable the docking clamps without the computer?" Becky asked.
"I'll use a MA ray if I can't handle them manually," Doug responded.
"Hold up. Someone's coming down the corridor," Becky whispered as she pushed Doug into a hatch alcove.
Doug momentarily forgot he was in a life or death scenario. All he could think about was Becky's body pressing against him. The nearing sound of footsteps jarred him back to reality Six Asiddian soldiers marched past the alcove. Diving into the corridor, Doug rayed them and hesitated to see if any others were coming up from behind. Without warning his PDS bubbled into existence, and turning he saw an Asiddian who'd been sneaking up from the other direction firing on him. Astonishment broke across the soldier's face as the PDS did its job. Becky crouched low and fired from the alcove. Her MA pistol cut him down.
"Why am I still alive?" Doug asked. His normal complexion had turned pasty white.
"Of course," Becky whooped as she leaped to embrace him. "The new design is WiFi controlled. We're wearing the old necklace versions. They may not be as powerful as the new stuff but at least they can't be turned off."
Still rattled by the close call, Doug pulled his PDS from under his shirt and studied it. "We still need to be cautious. Too many simultaneous hits and these things will overheat and fail. We better get to the ship. These guys will be missed eventually."
Hugging the bulkheads as they continued toward Hangar Bay 90, the passageways remained silent. Their senses on hyper alert, they spotted a shadow inching its way toward them from a side corridor. Bracing for a fight, they were surprised when a familiar telepathic voice said, "I'm not an enemy. Don't shoot."
MerrCrr JnnWall stuck his head around the bend. Becky was so relieved she hugged the big lizard.
"Do you know what’s going on?" he asked.
"We’ve been boarded by Asiddians. Nothing’s working including Lloyd. We’re on our way to the Porcupine," Doug answered.
“Mind a little company?”
They reached Hangar Bay 90 without further incident, and while Doug burned through the docking clamps, MerrCrr destroyed the Bay camera. They had just activated the saucer PDS when squad of Assid commandos stormed into the Bay. Disintegrator fire blanketed the craft, but the magenta-yellow protective shield absorbed them. The squad leader was calling for reinforcements when the Porcupine winked out of existence. The pop of atmosphere imploding into the space where the saucer had been tore the eardrums of the commandos. Blood ran from their ears as they stared open mouthed at the empty hangar.
***
"I don't know what's happening, but this interminable waiting without appropriate entertainment is maddening," Emperor Horcunt muttered. "Fifteen times I've put a demand into File 13 and no response. You'd think no one is reading them."
"Yes, I distinctly recall Lloyd telling you to drop your messages there. These humans don't appreciate your importance," Zeck responded.
"I'll suppose I'll have to register my demands directly with General Blunt," Horcunt sniffed. "These humans have no respect for true aristocracy."
Just then, the hatch opened and armed Asiddian commandos stormed into the cabin. Some of them searched the adjoining kitchen and bedroom areas while the rest covered Horcunt and Zeck.
Horcunt looked scared enough to swallow his tongue. His scale color lightened several shades.
"Clear," the leader of the group said.
Into the cabin walked General Harrier followed by Tom. Tom's hands were bound.
"What have we here?" Harrier asked. "I was sure you fled in fear of your life, but it appears you conspired with these Humans in a pathetic attempt to defeat me."
Tom telepathed the statement to Horcunt and Zeck.
Not knowing who Harrier was, Zeck blustered, "Now see here. I don't know who you think you are but you're in the presence of Chrysallaman royalty. Show due respect for his Majesty at once."
Tom translated to Asiddian and waited for a reaction.
Harrier stared at Zeck before backhanding a slap to his jaw that snapped the lizard's head sideways and split his lip. The surrounding soldiers tightened their grips on their weapons waiting on a response.
Hisspat remained passive but the glare in his eyes grew more intense by the second. He wiped his cut lip with the sleeve of his robe.
Harrier drew back to slap Zeck again, but Tom warned. "I'd be careful about how you treat him. He's the General who commanded the Fleet which almost conquered Earth."
Hisspat was startled when Tom gave the warning both orally and telepathically. Harrier hesitated. Zeck smiled and stood straighter.
&nbs
p; A scowl curling across his lips, Harrier backhanded Zeck again. This time, Zeck's head barely moved, but the glare in his eyes deepened to sheer hatred.
"His days of commanding are finished," Harrier growled. To his guards, "Bind and bring him to the Bridge."
“What about me?” Horcunt asked.
Hisspat responded, “Best you remain anonymous and safe, Your Majesty. There may be violence and blood stains clash with the colors in your robe.”
***
"Where is everyone?" Whatsit asked.
The sound of water gushing from the log flume dominated the Natatorium. The big space was abandoned, and their steps echoed across the concrete floor.
Evolution of F.O.R.C.E. (The Origin of F.O.R.C.E. Book 3) Page 14
