Rivers of Orion

by Dana Kelly

  “There’s nothing here,” said Ramsey. “This was a waste of time!”

  “Hold on a minute, now,” said Roscoe, and he faced Eridani. “The information came from in here, right?”

  “That’s correct,” said Eridani. “Grostonk, we could use some help.”

  “I think one of the cable blocks is fake,” he said. “Give me a minute to figure it out.” He guided them to a hidden wall panel, and Eridani finessed it open to reveal a stack of relayed data drives.

  “They’re here,” she said, and she carefully removed the drives. “I have them!”

  “How nice,” said Roscoe. He nodded toward Ramsey, who crossed the room and picked up the case. “Is that all of it?”

  “Great work, Captain,” said Grostonk. “We’ve got our own copies of course, but that’s the original, military-watermarked data. That’s what’ll be admissible in court. Do you see anything else in there?”

  “No,” said Eridani.

  “No?” asked Roscoe. “Where else does this data live?”

  “I was talking to my IT officer,” said Eridani. “That’s the source data—all that we found. This is the proof we need to bury Schurke.”

  Ramsey set the case on a nearby table and released its latches. Opening the top half, he retrieved a handheld device from its bed of foam rubber. Smiling coolly, he switched it on. “I’ll just send everything up to the ship,” he said, and he approached Eridani.

  That is a degaussing wand, said Eleski.

  “What’s that?” asked Eridani.

  It destroys all magnetism, said Eleski.

  At the same time, Ramsey said, “Rapid data transmission device.” He reached for the drives.

  “You’re lying,” said Eridani. Eleski created a recess in the leg armor, and Eridani placed the drives within. The compartment sealed shut, and she seized Ramsey’s forearm. “That’s a degaussing wand!” She squeezed until Ramsey cried out, and she spun around to face Roscoe. “You came here to destroy the evidence, not to preserve it! Admit it—you’re working for Schurke!”

  “Snitches get stitches,” said Roscoe.

  Attack is eminent, said Katsinki.

  Eridani tore free the wand, breaking several of Ramsey’s fingers. She pressed it against his rebreather before spinning around and jamming it into TJ’s chest. His stealth suit powered down, freezing him in place as Ramsey stumbled backward, clawing at his mask. Racked with violent coughs, he choked and gagged.

  Eleski formed electrified blades along her forearms as Eridani squared off with Roscoe.

  “You’ve killed my boys,” he snarled.

  “You can save them, or you can fight me,” said Eridani. “Not both.”

  His eyes narrowed. “You killed my boys!” Like a bolt of lightning, he struck—shooting, slashing, and punching. Eridani cried out as Eleski moved to block and dodge, pulling Eridani’s muscles and straining her joints. Stray bullets tore through Ramsey and TJ.

  With a deft riposte, Eleski sliced through Roscoe’s forearms, severing his hands from his wrists, and pumping him full of electrical energy. In one motion, she pulled him closer and pressed a blade against his throat. Blood spurted against Eridani’s armor. He has been incapacitated, said Eleski. You may resume your interrogation.

  Agony burned in every one of Eridani’s joints. “You, you’re… You’re working for Schurke.” She gritted her teeth and slowly gathered her composure. “Make the last action you take an honorable one and admit it. Help me take him down!”

  Roscoe laughed quietly, menacingly. “Hey, Captain, it’s been nice working with you.” His eyes rolled into the back of his head. “But I really can’t let you leave with those drives.”

  “You can’t stop me,” said Eridani.

  “That’s where we disagree,” said Roscoe. Beneath their lids, his eyes fluttered wildly. His body seized hard enough to break his back. From within his torso, she heard a high-pitched whine growing steadily louder.

  There is a bomb implanted near his heart, and it is moments from detonating! said Eleski.

  “Oh shit,” said Eridani, and she dropped Roscoe to the floor. Whirling around, she fired the rockets and raced along the passage to the lift, where she forced open its doors.

  There is not enough time to use the elevator, said Eleski.

  I realize that, thought Eridani, and they burst through the roof, soaring along the shaft as Roscoe’s bomb exploded. Pushed by its force, they crashed up through the lower levels, floor after floor. The detonation sent them careening toward the eastern foyer, where they struck the underside of the collapsed balcony and came to rest.

  Drenched in Roscoe’s blood, Eridani’s armor smoldered. The leg compartment lay broken and empty. Grostonk’s voice came in as static. Dazed, Eridani pushed herself up to sit. Eleski, Katsinki, are you okay?

  I still function, he said. For a moment, Eridani felt his pain tearing at the back of her mind.

  As do I, but I am badly damaged, said Eleski. I will attempt to reconfigure my communication protocol. Please attempt to recover the drives, or all of this will have been for nothing.

  You’re right. I’m sure they’re here somewhere, thought Eridani. Please be here somewhere… She sifted through the rubble until she located the data drives. Carefully, she collected them and breathed a sigh of relief. Can we fly?

  The power cell is intact, said Katsinki. I have enough structural confidence to execute an aerial rendezvous with the Starwind. Eleski, are you able to continue?

  I can do that much, said Eleski.

  Affectionately, Eridani rested her hands on the faceplate and one of her wings. My heroes, she thought. Gears whirred and clicked as they slowly, painfully rose. Tucking the drives under one arm, she trudged through the rubble. Can you call for the Starwind?

  There is no need, said Eleski. Fortune favors us for the moment, as the vessel is already here. Emerging into the debris-strewn courtyard, Eridani’s gaze befell the shuttle as she rested upon her landing struts, ramp lowered in place. The forward hatch rolled open, and Gretchen stepped out.

  “Thank God,” said Eridani. “I’m glad you remembered to wear a mask.”

  “Where’s Roscoe?” asked Gretchen.

  “He betrayed us,” said Eridani. “They tried to kill me.”

  Gretchen grabbed a blaster rifle from inside the cargo hold. “Are those the drives?”

  Weakly, Eridani nodded. “They are, and you won’t need that. We’re safe, but we’ll need to get airborne as soon as possible. After that explosion, I’m afraid this whole place is going to collapse.”

  “I wouldn’t worry about that,” said Gretchen, and she took aim with her weapon.

  Eridani scrambled behind a broken pillar, and a plasma bolt sent concrete chips flying. “What’s wrong with you?”

  “Set the drives down where I can see them. Do it now!” She fired several more times.

  Eridani crouched defensively as concrete dust showered down around her. “Gretchen, I know something happened to you on the Black Doubloon, but we’re still on the same team! In your heart, I know you know that. Whatever they did to you, you can fight it!”

  “Oh, I’m not Gretchen, but she is in here with me. What’s left of her, anyway.” The voice changed, gaining masculine qualities. “I’m the Grey Cardinal… And here’s my offer. Ditch the suit and come out with the drives. You’ll only have a couple minutes before you pass out, but that’s more than I need to make you my passenger. Do that, and I’ll let Gretchen live. She’ll be stuck here, but you won’t care.”

  Katsinki, keep her safe, said Eleski. The data drives fell as she ejected herself from around Eridani. Katsinki reverted to his human guise as he tumbled from Eridani’s back, and the power cell thudded on the ground. For an instant, Eleski stood in her true form. Luminous, platinum hair flowed down past her waist, each end a prismatic point. Her enlarged silver eyes glinted under the noxious sun. With a faraway look, she nodded and perfectly duplicated Eridani, wearing her sweat clothes. She quic
kly gathered the drives, passed them to Eridani, and arranged a handful of junk to resemble the data disks. “All right, I’m coming out,” said Eleski.

  “No!” hissed Eridani, and she coughed. “Eleski, no!”

  Katsinki placed his hands on the sides of Eridani’s jaw and formed an enclosure for her head. Cool, filtered air flowed in. Breathe, he said. Eleski has made her choice, and we must not interfere. Focus on me if you do not want to listen.

  Can’t we help her? thought Eridani.

  We must not interfere.

  Gripping the junk, Eleski stepped into view and froze. Her hair whipped in the wind. Perched upon Gretchen’s shoulders, a small, naked man gripped Gretchen by the forehead from behind, his body connected to hers by countless strands of clear mucus. He grinned with rotted teeth.

  Eleski cleared her throat. “So, uh, how does this work?” she asked.

  “Come closer,” said the Grey Cardinal. “Just give me your hand, and I’ll take care of the rest.”

  Warily, Eleski approached. When she was close enough, she reached toward him. “Like this?”

  “That’s perfect,” he said. “Now, let’s see those drives.”

  “Here you go,” said Eleski, and she showed him the junk she had collected.

  “What’s the meaning of this?” Fury twisted his face. “What are you trying to pull, here?”

  Eleski scoffed. “You didn’t think I’d actually be stupid enough to hand them over without making sure Gretchen was safe, did you? She’s coming with us. We can do the exchange once we’re back aboard Imperium.”

  The Grey Cardinal chuckled wickedly. “You don’t know how my powers work, but that’s all right. You’re about to find out!” His eyes flashed red, and he snarled as he launched from Gretchen’s back, sending her backward onto the ground.

  Eleski tried to deflect him, but his mucus stuck to her. He cackled as he wrapped his limbs around Eleski’s forearm and began to ooze into her. “You’re mine now, Captain Webb! I can’t wait to meet your brother. We’re going to have so much fun!”

  She sensed him creeping toward her elbow. Fighting back the pain, Eleski swapped her forearm’s biological mass for technological bulk, but it only slowed the Grey Cardinal’s advance. Crying out, she formed a heated blade along her other forearm and struck her elbow. Sparks showered around her. She struck again, leaving her ruined forearm hanging by a few hoses. It swung back and forth as she stumbled away. Reverting to her true form, she gritted her teeth as she gripped her forearm and pulled it free. Dizziness gnawed at her mind as she propped her severed limb between her knees. She connected the ripped tubes to her dead wrist and clamped them in place. The makeshift circuit dropped to the ground, and she fell onto her back. Glowing fluids spurted from her stump.

  Eridani cast off Katsinki’s apparatus and dashed across the debris field. Eleski’s severed forearm bulged along its length, rocking to one side and back again. Revulsed, Eridani kicked it away and knelt beside Eleski. “Your arm! Oh my god, Eleski, your poor arm!”

  Katsinki knelt on the other side and set to bandaging the stump.

  “It was necessary, Captain,” muttered Eleski.

  “Are you going to be okay?” whispered Eridani.

  Eleski nodded, and she swallowed with some effort. “The Grey Cardinal is contained. He no longer poses any threat.”

  “Are you sure?” asked Eridani.

  “I am certain,” said Eleski. “How is Gretchen?”

  “She breathes steadily, and her mask functions,” said Katsinki. He placed his hand upon Eleski’s shoulder and nodded at Eridani. “I sense your concern, but I assure you Eleski’s mind is her own, Captain.”

  Eridani grinned. “Eleski, you’re amazing! How did you know that would work?”

  “His binary state is fluid,” said Eleski. “The moment he was within me, I sensed he requires a host mind to return to his primary state. Flowing through an endless loop, he will be trapped forever within my dismembered forearm.”

  Eridani laughed, and she coughed. Grinning, she gazed into Eleski’s eyes. “I could kiss you!”

  “While I would welcome it…” said Eleski.

  “Yes?” asked Eridani, and she cleared her throat.

  Eleski smiled. “You should put on a mask before you lose consciousness.”

  “You’re right,” said Eridani, and she hurried inside the shuttle. Emerging a moment later wearing a rebreather, she helped Eleski up and assisted her inside as Katsinki roused Gretchen. Carefully, he helped her to stand, and she stumbled. Together, they entered the Starwind.

  “Almost forgot,” said Eridani, and she hurried back out to the collect the data drives. As soon as she had returned, Gretchen retracted the cargo ramp and sealed the hold. They all gathered in the cockpit.

  “How much do you remember?” asked Katsinki.

  “All of it,” said Gretchen, and she removed her mask. She rubbed her eyes and her temples. “They jumped me in the back room. All three of them, and Roscoe was carrying that disgusting little man inside of him. As soon as they pinned me, he oozed in and took over my mind. I was trapped in my own body.”

  Katsinki leaned forward. “Do you remember what I am?”

  “Of course, I do. You’re a perfectly normal human man.” She glanced at Eleski who remained in her true form. “I have no idea who that is, though.”

  “That is unfortunate,” said Katsinki. “The two of you are very good friends.”

  Gretchen laughed and nudged him. “I’m joking! You’re both denshi-tengus, and your sister’s the best body impersonator I’ve ever met. Hi, Eleski!”

  “Hi, Gretchen.” She sat on the deck and cradled her stump. “If the Grey Cardinal had complete control of your mind, why did he believe we were human?”

  “He never had complete control,” said Gretchen. “I’m a certified eighth-degree Mind Vault artist. I knew the only chance I had at freedom lay with you guys, so I locked away as much as I could before he settled in. Thanks for getting him out of me, by the way. You’re hardcore, Eleski. Don’t worry, I’ll spring for a new forearm.”

  “Only if it is Spyri brand,” said Eleski, and she winked.

  Gretchen whistled and shook her head. “Hey, I ain’t made of money!”

  “Captain, I’m sorry to interrupt,” said Grostonk over the ship’s comm. “I’m getting some troubling surface readings. You guys are parked on top of a major sinkhole that’s just started to form. Unless you feel like digging your way out, I suggest you get airborne.”

  Eridani removed her mask. “We’re on our way. Myeong, if you please.”

  “Aye-aye, Captain,” said Gretchen, and she powered up the Starwind.

  Clutching the drives to her chest, Eridani exited the cockpit and secured herself in the cargo hold. Katsinki guided Eleski to sit next to her, and he took the seat across from them. Thrusters roared to life, and the shuttle lifted off. As she passed through the clouds, the ruined campus collapsed into the earth, pulling everything nearby down with it. Eleski’s severed forearm glinted for a moment before vanishing under a mountain of junk.

  ◆◆◆

  The air conditioning hummed quietly within Imperium’s sick bay. Across the room, old cartoons played mutely on a wall-mounted television, and Katsinki quietly moaned as he drifted in and out of consciousness. With her right hand in a sling, Eridani stood at Eleski’s bedside.

  “We are in need of a medical officer,” said Eleski. Her forearm prosthetic resembled a giant stapler. “It will take days for me to build enough pathways to utilize this device.”

  “I’ll see if I can work some magic with the budget,” said Eridani. She slipped her fingers into Eleski’s good hand.

  Eleski retreated. “I would take my human form were I able, but I am maimed and unable to reconfigure in any way until I have healed. You must find me hideous in this state, and I am sorry you are forced to witness it every time you behold me. Close your eyes if you must. I will not take offense.”

  “Eleski, yo
u’re beautiful,” said Eridani, and tears welled in her eyes.

  “Then why do you weep at the sight of me?”

  Eridani sniffed and shook her head. “No, I’m sad because you’re afraid I won’t like you the way you are. Eleski, you are so beautiful, no matter what shape you take, and especially like this.” Tentatively, she ran her fingertips through Eleski’s hair, grazing her scalp. “Is this okay?”

  Eleski closed her eyes and basked in the sensation. “Please… Please do not do that. Amongst my people, sensuous contact with our exocranial fibers is a romantic gesture.”

  “Oh,” said Eridani, and she pulled away. “I’m sorry. I mean, I thought… Never mind.”

  “I do not condemn you for being unaware,” said Eleski.

  Eridani shrugged and smiled awkwardly. “Except I kind of was… you know, aware.”

  Eleski’s voice fell quiet. “Captain, what are your feelings for me? Please be clear, because my hopes are quick to soar, although I am suddenly filled with fear.”

  “Strong enough to know you shouldn’t be calling me Captain,” whispered Eridani, and she tenderly kissed Eleski’s lips. When she pulled away, she saw effulgent tears streaming from Eleski’s eyes. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to make you cry. Please forget—”

  Eleski pulled her close, and they kissed deeply.

  “They are tears of joy,” said Eleski, and she beamed. “Eridani.”

  ◆◆◆

  “Captain,” said Brady over the ship’s comm, and Eridani startled awake. Seated in a chair next to Eleski’s bedside, she took a moment to rub her eyes and get her bearings. She leaned forward, stood up, and stretched.

  She adjusted her sling and pushed the wall comm. “I’m here. What’s up?”

  “You’ve got an incoming hail from Admiral Schurke, marked for your eyes only.”

  “Thanks, Brady. Please call Torsha to the bridge.”

  “Aye, Captain,” said Brady. “You want the rest of us to clear out, like last time?”

  “No, please stay. I’m done hiding.”

  Brady paused. “Aye, Captain. I’ll get the word to Torsha.”