by Adair Hart
Kri’tokhaar rubbed his sides. “It was worth the bruising.”
V had untangled himself and joined Dr. Snowden and Kri’tokhaar. “Analysis. That was a tough fight.”
“I’m with ya,” said Dr. Snowden. He gestured at the predator while looking at Kri’tokhaar. “That’s an apex predator if I ever saw one.”
Kri’tokhaar nodded. “Their shielding is quite advanced. Your weapon is more formidable than it appears.”
Dr. Snowden snorted. “Well, wouldn’t have gotten it in there if it wasn’t for teamwork.” He patted the krall and then hustled over to Levaran and the others. Sarah and Dr. Bryson were seated against the wall, struggling to breathe.
“Levaran said they’re going to be okay,” said Dan.
Dr. Bryson grimaced. “Feel like I’ve been stung by a large wasp. Hurts to move.”
“It’s your nanobots fighting it, I’m guessing,” said Dr. Snowden.
Levaran stood and nodded. “The smaller ones don’t have a lot of the toxin.”
“Paralyze by a thousand cuts approach,” said Dr. Bryson, wincing.
Dr. Snowden laid a hand on Levaran’s arm. “You okay? You took a ridiculous amount of those attacks.”
Levaran nodded. “Better me than the others. I suspect with that much, they would have been completely paralyzed now, if not dead. Evaran has contacted me, and I will need to update him. Then we have to move. The Time Wardens know where we are now.”
Dr. Snowden nodded as Levaran interacted with her ARI. He helped Dr. Bryson up.
The krall went over to Sarah and laid down next to her. She nuzzled Sarah and let Sarah use her to stand up.
Levaran returned. “Evaran has Emily in the medical lab and has cleared docking bay 3. He’s on his way now.”
Kri’tokhaar gestured down the hallway. “We’re near the service tunnels I mentioned before that run through several system control centers. The connecting corridors were built with my species in mind. It would be cramped for the Time Wardens, and even the krall.”
Levaran nodded. “Lead on.”
The walk to the side corridors took around ten minutes. When they got there, Dr. Snowden could hear the sound of a Time Warden predator off in the distance. Not only did he now know what to listen for, he could feel them. It was like being able to differentiate tastes. Although he knew it was actually an energy signature and his nanobots knew how to interpret them, he always associated a color and taste with them. The predators had a metallic taste and the color purple.
Kri’tokhaar wasted no time in getting the corridor open.
Levaran went first, followed by the krall and Edev. Dan, while supporting Sarah, went next. Dr. Bryson was supported by V and went after them.
Kri’tokhaar gestured in.
Dr. Snowden nodded and stepped into the corridor.
Kri’tokhaar followed him in and sealed the door. He interacted with a side console and, after a moment, turned toward Dr. Snowden. “The local security drones are active. Let the Time Wardens play with that.”
“It woulda been nice to have had their help back there,” said Dr. Snowden.
Kri’tokhaar nodded. “Unfortunately, the global security system, while intact, wouldn’t initiate security measures unless locally activated. It’s part of the protocol to ensure that someone doesn’t hijack the global system and cause mayhem. I checked back there when I sealed the door, and the local security system was down.”
“Makes sense. You think the drones could take a Time Warden?”
“I do, if they have enough numbers. They can deal with shielding, and are adaptive.”
Dr. Snowden examined the area around him. “Wow, you weren’t kidding about tight corridors.” There was barely enough room for two Krotovore to walk side by side, and the height was just shy of eight feet. Although he was not claustrophobic, being packed in with the others and the threat of the Time Wardens made his nanobots tingle. The smell was odd to him and reminded him of moldy bread. Maybe that was a soothing smell to the Krotovore.
After fifteen minutes of walking, they reached a small circular room large enough for everyone to fan out.
The sides of the room were coated in a material that allowed a holographic projection of a workstation to appear, and Kri’tokhaar headed over to interact with it. “According to this station, the life-sign detectors are down.” He shook his head. “A lot of systems were already down, and now it’s cascading through the tertiary systems. I suspect those systems won’t even make it to the sun. Not that it would matter, since the ship is headed there.”
Levaran surveyed the area. “Interesting setup.”
“We have several per ship section,” said Kri’tokhaar. “They all share the same functionality, and only those of certain clearance can enter them. I can enter any of them due to my status.”
Dr. Bryson twisted his back around a bit. “I like it. I wish I could study it without getting stung or chased.”
Levaran raised a finger. “Knowledge pollution is a concern. If you were to study it, go back to Earth, and be tortured for information, it could damage the timeline.”
Dr. Bryson’s eyes widened. “I was just kidding. I mean … I know I’ll need to be quiet about this. INRA and all.”
Dr. Snowden eyed Dr. Bryson. “And that is …”
“International Nonhuman Response Agency. They’d snatch us up in a heartbeat.”
“Huh,” said Dr. Snowden. “We don’t have that on our Earth.”
“You do,” said Levaran. “You just don’t know about it.”
“Wait, you mean they know about Daedroulds, Outsiders, and all that?”
Dr. Bryson nodded. “In our universe, nonhumans are hunted. Not sure how they are verified or what those terms you said are. I don’t agree with it, a lot of us don’t, but it’s there in the open.”
“The one in your universe,” said Levaran, pointing at Dr. Snowden, “is held in check by powerful interests. I suspect when I visit the Earth here, my adventures may be a bit different from what your Evaran experienced.”
“Sounds like it,” said Dr. Snowden. He had met nonhumans such as the Greek god Hermes and the ancient vampire Lord Vygon. He wondered what their status was in this universe.
“Done,” said Kri’tokhaar. “I’ve released docking bay 6’s doors and sealed the entrance to the interior. I don’t know if it will stop the Time Wardens from punching through, but it should hold them up some. I’ve also activated the local security drones outside the door.”
Dan exhaled. “Finally. It sounds like we’re getting close to getting out of here.”
Kri’tokhaar faced Dan. “I just hope that you don’t think ill of all Krotovore.”
“I think I speak for Dr. Bryson and Sarah,” said Dan, looking between the two, who nodded, “in saying we appreciate all the help you’ve given.”
Kri’tokhaar swept his six eyes across them. “I wished I could have done more.”
Dan slapped Kri’tokhaar’s shelled back. “We’re thankful.”
Levaran gestured forward. “Evaran has contacted me and has landed the Torvatta in the docking bay.”
“There should only be one more control center before the docking bay, but it’s clear from here on out,” said Kri’tokhaar.
Dr. Snowden smiled. “Let’s go!”
Levaran and the others headed into the corridor.
As Dr. Snowden followed them, the door behind him slid shut. He turned and saw that Kri’tokhaar was still in the room. The group paused and turned to face the door.
“Kri’tokhaar, what are you doing?” asked Dr. Snowden as he peered through the window on the top half of the door.
“You all should go now. I’m going to make sure this ship never hurts anyone again,” said Kri’tokhaar, broadcasting into the corridor.
Dr. Snowden clenched his jaw for a moment. “There’s no need for this. We can get you back to your planet and your people.”
“You could, but there’s nothing there for me except shame. I
can’t do anything there, but I can do something here. I know the ship is headed to the sun, but I will self-destruct the ship after you have left.”
“Oh, c’mon, man,” said Dan. “Things aren’t that bad.”
“For a Krotovore, the shame is worse than death. Go. Your ship’s presence seems to have attracted a lot of activity this way. I can slow them down, but you must hurry.”
“You could travel with me if you wished,” said Levaran.
“I … appreciate the offer, and it is enticing. However, I’ve thought about this for a while, and after seeing what we did to these humans and others, I must do this. I simply cannot live with this.”
Dr. Snowden pounded the door with his fist. “Damn it!”
“Go!” said Kri’tokhaar.
Dr. Snowden’s eyes watered as Dan laid a hand on his shoulder. He had started to really like Kri’tokhaar and wanted to talk with him more. His earlier sense about Kri’tokhaar seemed to be correct, but he did not think it would go this far. He wiped his eyes and exhaled from his mouth.
“Let’s go,” said Levaran.
Dr. Snowden took a final look at Kri’tokhaar.
Kri’tokhaar put his hands over his four eyes and slowly closed his two big ones.
Dr. Snowden dipped his head as his eyes searched the ground. With a sigh, he wheeled around to follow the others.
After ten minutes, they had passed the empty control center and reached docking bay 6.
Although Dr. Snowden was glad to see the Torvatta along with Evaran and check up on Emily, Kri’tokhaar’s decision to stay behind ate at him. By showing Kri’tokhaar what he thought was the best of humanity, he had deepened Kri’tokhaar’s resolve. Even when trying to do what he thought Evaran would do, it did not work out as he had planned.
Evaran walked out of the Torvatta as V and Edev led everyone except Levaran and Dr. Snowden inside. He faced Levaran. “Where is Kri’tokhaar?”
“He opted to stay behind, and secure our escape,” said Levaran.
“There is no need for that. We should go get him,” said Evaran.
Dr. Snowden grimaced.
Evaran observed Dr. Snowden for a moment. “You seem troubled.”
Dr. Snowden sighed. “Kri’tokhaar doesn’t want to come. He intends to blow up the ship.”
“I see,” said Evaran. He rubbed his chin. “I suspect, to Kri’tokhaar, this last act is one of redemption.”
“I know,” said Dr. Snowden, swallowing hard. “It just feels … like a senseless death to me is all, but I understand his reasoning.” He cleared his throat. “And I’ll respect it, even if I don’t like it. I seem to be doing that a lot lately.” He gestured at the Torvatta. “How’s Emily?”
Evaran nodded. “She will be out of her paralyzed state soon. We need to leave now, though.”
Dr. Snowden nodded as he followed Evaran and Levaran into the Torvatta’s shielding. The fight noises outside the door caught his attention for a brief moment. With a final look around, he shook his head and entered the Torvatta.
Emily awoke to noises outside the slab shielding. She tested moving her arm by reaching back and feeling her wound. Her fingers touched healed skin, and with one motion, she grabbed the towel over her buttocks and flipped around. Her first point of order was to pull up her lower armor.
After securing it in place, she sat up and cracked her neck while doing a final check to make sure everything was covered. Twisting from side to side caused her back to pop. A grin formed on her face as she pressed the button at the top of the slab.
The shielding dissipated, causing Evaran, Dr. Snowden, and V to look over at her.
She swung her legs to the side and then slid off the slab. The first thing she noticed other than Evaran and the others was that there were two other shielded slabs. Since she could not see Dr. Bryson, Dan, Sarah, or Levaran, she figured two of them were injured and being attended to.
The second thing she noticed caused her eyes to light up. It was the krall, which laid off to the side with a content look. She did not see Kri’tokhaar anywhere after a quick glance around, and the others were heading her way.
“Looks like someone had a good nap,” said Dr. Snowden, tapping her arm when he arrived next to her.
Emily snorted. “I couldn’t do much else.”
“Analysis. You look well.”
“Thanks, V,” she said.
“It is good to see you are up,” said Evaran.
She lurched forward and embraced Evaran in a bear hug. “Thanks for … taking care of me.”
“You are welcome,” said Evaran. “For the record, I was not uncomfortable.”
Dr. Snowden wrinkled his eyebrows as his eyes searched Emily.
Emily ran a hand over the back of her neck. “I’m … glad.”
“Not quite following here,” said Dr. Snowden, raising a finger.
“Not important,” she said, scratching her cheek. She pointed to the krall. “I see you found her. Where’s Kri’tokhaar?”
Dr. Snowden ran a hand through one of his gray tufts as he sighed. “He decided to stay behind.”
“Why?”
“Guilt, I think,” said Dr. Snowden. “He said he couldn’t live with the shame of what his species did while he stood by.”
“I sensed that about him. I don’t know if he was a typical Krotovore, but I had hoped maybe to interact with him some once he was on board.”
“We all got to know him better,” said Dr. Snowden. “And he helped us all the way to the docking bay. He made sure that the Time Wardens were occupied for our escape.”
She shook her head. “I’m just glad you’re safe.” She gestured at the shielded slabs. “So who got hurt?”
“Dr. Bryson and Sarah. They were attacked by a new type of Time Warden. Dan is with Sarah, and Levaran is applying some gel to their wounds. Edev is helping her.”
“Oh,” she said as she cocked her head. “So … what was the new Time Warden?”
V shot up a projection from his head, showing the Time Warden with smaller ones crawling out.
She rubbed her arms. “Yeah … that one gives me the creeps.”
“Edev was a machine keeping them off our tail. After getting away and sealing them in a room, we had to fight a Time Warden predator,” said Dr. Snowden.
“Analysis. I would like the enhancement to shoot from my arms like Edev. Also, for the record, Dr. Snowden delivered the killing blow.”
Emily jerked her head back as she eyed Dr. Snowden. “You did?”
He snorted. “I had some help. V kept it occupied while Kri’tokhaar, Edev, the krall, and I approached it. Kri’tokhaar took a hit from one of the tentacles trying to knock me away, and I took the opening to jab it.”
“Where was Levaran?”
“She was hurt,” said Evaran. “Based on what she showed me, she took enough toxin to kill a human about five times over. It would appear that the Time Wardens decided to overdose and kill instead of paralyze after my and Emily’s incident.”
Emily’s eyes widened. “Wow. She really is strong.”
Evaran nodded. “Much more so than I. Although not knocked out, her movement was severely limited.”
“We had her back,” said V.
Emily chuckled and extended her hand toward the krall, who rose and sauntered over to her. When the krall arrived, she nuzzled Emily’s hand.
Evaran tilted his head. “Intriguing. I did not need to introduce you as a friend to the krall.”
“Maybe … ,” said Dr. Snowden, rubbing his chin, “since Sarah and the krall sort of bonded, she senses Emily is somehow … similar.”
“Perhaps,” said Evaran. “Although I doubt she can sense three-Ls, she may have sensed the similarity in body chemistry.”
Emily knelt and rubbed her thumbs along the krall’s face. The krall’s eyes blinked slowly as she nuzzled the side of Emily’s face.
“The krall protected Sarah during our Time Warden fight,” said Dr. Snowden. He narrowed his eyes. “I stil
l can’t believe you and Evaran took one down. Those things are tough.”
“Yeah, but I was paralyzed shortly after the fight began.”
“Analysis. You delivered the killing blow, from what Evaran has shown me.”
Emily bobbed her head. “I got that off before going down.”
“You did admirably,” said Evaran. “Bear in mind, if you did not have your nanobots and training, you would have gone down instantly.”
“I coulda done better,” she said.
Dr. Snowden smirked. “I’m betting you found a new opponent for your holo room training.”
She nodded. “By training against the toughest, you become better. I want to look into some suit upgrades too. That predator went right through my body armor.”
“We will,” said Evaran. “Your armor can stop most smaller Time Warden attacks already. However, I was not expecting predators or the new one Dr. Snowden and the others encountered. We will make adjustments prior to going to the timeplex.”
Emily focused on Evaran. “You said it was different than the anchor stations.”
“I did, and judging by the activity level of the Time Wardens at this point in this universe, I suspect it is probably much larger and more advanced. We will deal with it after getting Dan and the others home and then retrieving Levaran’s Torvatta.”
She nodded and eyed Dr. Snowden. “Hungry?”
Dr. Snowden chuckled. “Actually, I am. Tired too, but I want to stay awake until Dan and the others come out.” He extended an arm out to the medical lab entrance. “After you.”
“How gentlemanly of you,” she said, raising her head a bit.
V swiveled his head between Dr. Snowden and Emily.
Emily laughed as she slapped V on the back. “C’mon.” She shot Evaran a look.
“You three go ahead. I need to go over some things in the research lab.”
She nodded and exited the room with Dr. Snowden, V, and the krall in tow. When she got to the conference room, she eyed the krall. “You know … I don’t know what she eats.”
“Analysis. She has meat desires like Dr. Snowden, per the Krotovore logs, except she prefers it uncooked.”
