by Dana Kelly
“What do you want done with him?” asked Reggie.
“Nothing,” said Ellylle, and she took Orin into her arms as she stood up. Gracefully, she set him down on the bed. “You three may wish to stay close to this structure, since you’re likely to fall under the Caretakers’ influence if you get any closer to them. You’re free to ignore my advice, of course, if you’re curious about what it’s like to be enthralled by them. You’re perfectly safe either way.”
“Thinking we’ll hang back,” said Reggie.
“Good choice,” said Ellylle. Calmly, she led Reggie, Lomomu, and Zella back out into the hall and pulled Orin’s door closed. Using several tendrils and twigs, she locked it.
◆◆◆
April knocked on Casey’s door. “You wanted to see me?”
Casey answered, her expression grim. “I need your help, and I need your advice.”
“Of course,” said April. “There’s something going on nearby, just so you know. I’m not sure what it is, but I can sense waves of fear and excitement coming off the locals.”
“We can look into it later,” said Casey. She ushered April inside and closed the door. “Blösch had the shuttle impounded. He’s also invited us all to dinner, possibly to throw us off his trail. I recorded most of our call, but I need your help running analysis.”
“I can help with that,” said April. “What sort of advice do you need?”
“Orin’s sister sent me something you need to see,” said Casey.
“Eridani?”
Casey nodded.
“I thought she was trying to stay off the grid,” said April.
“Not anymore. Something must’ve gone sideways by a few lightyears, because now she’s a Falcon citizen and the owner-captain of the starship Imperium—formerly the starship Excrucio,” said Casey.
April blinked. “Sideways, south, up a bit, and then sideways again, it sounds like. Orin said she’s very smart. I suppose this proves it. What did she send you?”
“This.” Casey opened the message and played it.
Dressed in her uniform, Eridani sat at her personal console. A sling supported her right arm, bandages wrapped her left hand, and her face looked scabbed and bruised. “Captain Cartwright, my name is Eridani Webb. I’m Orin’s older sister. First off, I wanted to thank you for keeping him safe. It means more to me than you can ever know…”
Fighting back sorrow, she reported everything that had happened since Bloodtusk appeared at the Cavern Lake mansion.
“I’ve attached five MABAS profiles to this message, resources I believe Schurke plans to use against Orin,” said Eridani. “I understand you’re one of BICOM’s best bounty hunters. If anyone could make use of this information, it would be you.” She crushed away her tears. “We’re headed your way from Ruslheimur, but it’s on the other side of the ecliptic. I hope we can reach you in time to help.”
The screen darkened.
Covering her mouth, April sat heavily upon a wooden desk. “Admiral Schurke is a monster!” With tears and fury burning in her eyes, she stared at Casey. “We have to take him in!”
“He’s above the law,” said Casey.
“No one’s above the law!” snapped April. “You’ve said it yourself a million times!”
“Schurke is,” said Casey.
April stood up, and she slammed her fist against the desk. “He has to pay for what he did!”
Casey closed her eyes for a moment. “All right, let’s… Let’s look at his binaries.” She opened the MABAS profiles.
Simicron’s true name was Bryinar. Qualified as a B-class atomic, the denshi-tengu possessed power over fuel generation, which he used for flight, energy weapons, and to empower enlarged mechanical transformations. Born on a manufactory world, his criminal record had been sealed long ago.
Stella Fiero—also known as Lafuega—held a B-class rating in pyro-kinetics. Born to parents that ran a highly successful synthetic servant engineering business, Lafuega had crossed the galaxy to finish university on Earth. She held numerous marksmanship certifications for her use of direct and indirect fire.
Working under the callsign Frostshadow, Amaya Nikuya also held a B-class kinetic rating. She manipulated light and cold. By use of strategically placed shadow portals, she was able to cross vast distances instantly. Unlike most other MABAS trainees, the agency had taken her in at a young age.
Mohsen Kassab worked under the callsign Meteor Mo. An A-class atomic, he commanded superhuman strength, short bursts of pyroclastic flight, and could turn his skin to silvery lead for minutes at a time. Although he had successfully completed his MABAS training ahead of schedule, his family pulled him out of the agency and forced him to wear a binary suppression collar until Schurke recruited him.
Dr. Mukonga Kwa had worked with refugee agencies on various impoverished worlds. Presenting his binary abilities later in life, he joined the agency as Kodama—an A-class temporal—and he had the ability to heal. Accompanied by a host of tiny, symbiotic forest spirits, he worked with them to reverse the flow of time at a wound site, restoring the body to an uninjured state.
Casey stared at the screen. “There’s no way. With this team of binaries doing his dirty work and the whole might of the United Planets Star Navy at his disposal, he’s untouchable.” She avoided direct eye contact with April. “Anyway, I’m sure he’s light years away right now.”
“He’s not, though,” said April. “Schurke’s here! I just spent the past hour mining Blösch’s memories. He’s working with Schurke to ensnare Orin! This whole dinner event isn’t a misdirect, it’s a trap!”
Casey sank onto her bed. “I think it worked.”
“You think it worked? You’re giving up?” Gritting her teeth, April got in Casey’s face. “You never give up! That’s your thing, Casey. How do we get the upper hand? How? You always find a way! How do we beat Schurke? How do we win?”
Poring over the MABAS profiles for a moment more, Casey shook her head and spoke in a whisper. “If they’re here too, I don’t think we can.”
◆◆◆
A massive crowd gathered between downtown Sunset Beach and the starport, near the marble overpass. Enthralled, they gazed upon Persephone’s ziggurat, talking in hushed tones. Electricity filled the air.
Ellylle slipped through the crowd and climbed the ziggurat’s stairs to the landing. Upon her arrival, illumination sliced its lightless face, slow motion lightning that arced through the black void of space. A howling chorus of machinery and dissonant tones seeped forth from the fissure. It silenced the crowd, and Ellylle deactivated her vocoder.
Zella, Lomomu, and Reggie watched safely from a distance. “Ah hate that sound,” said Zella, and she glanced at the throng filling the streets. “Whit’s goin tae happen tae all these people?”
Reggie took in the sea of spellbound faces. “No idea, but I doubt it’s anything good. Flocked here from all over.” He pointed toward the overpass. “Isn’t that Lord Blösch?”
“Looks like his pictures, but I never actually laid eyes on the man,” said Lomomu.
“Ye see Nate anywhaur?” asked Zella.
Reggie studied the masses. “So many people… No, don’t see him, but I’m not sure I’d even be able to.”
The ziggurat’s door opened completely, bathing Ellylle in a wall of sunlight as Persephone emerged. “Old friend,” whispered Persephone. “We honor your deviation. Asclepius, please complete the delivery.” Another Caretaker approached from within, pushing a magnetically floating cart stacked high with cube-shaped crates. Light gleamed from his gloss black skin as he guided it down to street level.
[Thank you, Persephone. I’m grateful for your partnership,] said Ellylle.
Persephone smiled. “We share a vision. May it be realized before the void tears us from our shells.”
Ellylle bowed gracefully. [May it be so. How goes the restoration?]
“I thought we were done, but it appears your kindness is without bounds.” Persephone twisted eve
r so slightly toward the assembled masses. “Trionides wasn’t marked for restoration, and neither do I see much need for it. We’ll need to make room.”
Ellylle raised her branches. [No, no, I only wanted you here to transfer my world seeds! Please leave Trionides alone.] Twigs snapped as her blooms turned red. [We absolutely need the t-net in perfect working order so everyone in the galaxy can watch as the restored are returned to Earth.]
“When do you foresee that happening?”
[Since restoration is done, can you begin the transit tomorrow?] asked Ellylle.
Persephone tilted her head, causing her snowy locks to tumble to one side. “You’ve pushed up the timeline. Why?”
[Certain vectors have accelerated. Schurke’s become erratic and can no longer be trusted with his part of the plan. He’s here with his team of binaries to face off against my champion, Orinoco,] said Ellylle. [If events here unfold as I expect them to, Orinoco will triumph but at great personal cost. I doubt Schurke will survive the encounter.]
“I see.” Persephone squeezed Ellylle’s shoulders. “You’re wise to get ahead of that.” She wore a bittersweet smile. “I suppose this is it, then. After the restored have been returned to Earth, our business together is done.”
[What’s next for the Caretakers?] asked Ellylle.
Persephone slipped on her black gloves, one at a time. “We’ll return to our tomb beyond the stars, where we shall slumber until the next worthy soul awakens us.”
[Farewell, Persephone. May Crann na Cruinne reclaim you when your days are done.]
“Farewell,” said Persephone. Asclepius returned to the landing and nodded at Ellylle. Persephone put her arm around his shoulders, and they crossed through the curtain of light. It sealed shut behind them.
Ellylle descended. Standing upon the asphalt, she gripped the cart handles and pushed it toward the marble overpass as she reactivated her vocoder. The crowd parted for her as they silently basked in the presence of the ziggurat. At her back, she heard a crash of thunder, and the Caretakers’ vessel disappeared.
Freed from their enchantment, a din rose from the crowd.
Zella, Lomomu, and Reggie joined Ellylle as she made her way back to the starport.
“What’s in the boxes?” asked Reggie, but Ellylle didn’t reply. “Hey!” he shouted, and he hurried around the cart to block her advance.
Ellylle’s bark cracked, and thorns sprouted from her visage. Crimson bled from her blooms into the carvings that defined her eyes, and her jaw splintered. “Move!” she roared, and Reggie did so. She pushed the cart past him, and her comrades fell back several paces.
“The hell’s her problem?” muttered Reggie.
“There’s no problem,” said Ellylle. “Being physically blocked is one of my pet peeves. Never do that again, and you’ll never see that again.”
Reggie leaned close to Zella. “How’d she hear that?”
“We beocranns sense vibrations upon even the smallest of our leaves,” said Ellylle. “I’ve heard everything you’ve ever said in my presence.” She glanced back with a smile. “Everything.”
Reggie swallowed visibly. “Got it.”
Ellylle faced forward again. “It’s how I knew to keep you talking while you were down in the bowels of the transmission tower. I couldn’t let you panic into calling Nate, could I? Not with so much on the line.”
Speechless, Reggie stopped and stared for a moment. Zella hugged him sidelong, as Lomomu stumbled. “Wow,” muttered Lomomu. “Ellylle, that’s seriously messed up.”
“Nonsense,” said Ellylle. “Please keep pace. We’re almost there.”
They threaded the starport’s empty halls, stepping out onto a well-lit tarmac. A squad of constables hurried to an adjacent hangar, its entrance cordoned off with cones and barricades. Hurrying to keep up, a repair crew followed.
Ellylle released the cart and shifted direction toward the police force. “Excuse me, whose shuttle are you impounding?”
“That’s none of your concern,” said one of the officers. “Move along!”
Ellylle nodded. “Is this Captain Cartwright’s shuttle?”
The constable frowned. “I said move along!”
“I won’t let you sabotage her shuttle,” said Ellylle.
“Careful. That almost sounds like a threat.” The police officer tapped his holstered weapon.
A pointed branch shot forth from Ellylle’s shoulder, grazing the constable’s throat. “Suppose you’re able to pull your weapon before I kill you,” said Ellylle. “Tell me… Even if you and your boys emptied your magazines, and every shot hit its mark, do you think it would stop me? Do you think it would even slow me down? I’m a tree, you imbecile!” She closed the distance. “Before you do something fatally idiotic, you should all know I’m Ellylle Fenmore, Eternal Vanam and Prime Minister of the Forest of Worlds. Here on Trionides, I have diplomatic immunity, and whether you live or die depends entirely on what you decide to do with Captain Cartwright’s shuttle.”
The constable gulped as sweat beaded on his brow. Leaving his weapon holstered, he carefully lifted his hand and pushed away Ellylle’s spiked outgrowth. “Looks like we’re done for the day, lads.” He led his squad mates and the repair crew back to the safety of the starport’s interior.
Ellylle watched them vanish beyond the doors and returned to her comrades.
“Who’s Captain Cartwright?” asked Reggie.
“Orinoco’s captain,” said Ellylle. “She’s important to him.”
They soon returned to Big Huey, and Ellylle pushed the cart up the ramp into the shuttle’s cargo hold. As the others joined her, she unloaded one of the crates. Stooping low, she ran her fingers along its sides near the top, leaving glowing trails of light where she touched. A moment later, the lid hissed and popped open. Thick clouds of vapor rolled out. “You already know what’s in the crates,” she said, and she retrieved a smooth, featureless orb. As she held it, a green glow slowly brightened from within.
Reggie’s jaw dropped. “There… there must close to fifty!”
“Forty-seven, counting this one,” said Ellylle. She placed the orb back into its container. “The one you first collected makes forty-eight.”
Zella cleared her throat. “Ye’re plannin tae send forty-eight planets back tae the stone age?”
“You’ve known my intent all along,” said Ellylle. “Don’t bother acting surprised, and don’t insult me with vulgar displays of fair-weather compassion. Once we get back to Old Siberian, set course for Frossivneff, and then for Earth. I’ll figure out the logistics for the rest of the world seeds later.”
“Sure,” said Lomomu. “I’ll start pre-flight. We should be back aboard Old Siberian by tomorrow morning.”
“Good,” said Ellylle. “You have all done great work, and I thank you. I could never have come this far without you.” She ascended the ladder to the upper deck and made her way to her room.
Zella sat heavily upon the cargo hold deck. She crossed her arms as she leaned over her knees. Reggie followed Lomomu to the cockpit.
Chapter 34
Earth Star
Warm water cascaded over Mike and Shona as they showered together. She turned away from him, and he reached up to lather a handful of shampoo into her hair. “There, that should do it,” he said, and he massaged her scalp.
“You can keep doing that if you want,” said Shona. She stooped low enough for the stream to flow over her forehead into her hair. “I won’t stop you.”
Mike smiled as he continued. “You make me feel very lucky. I just wanted you to know that. I know there’s a lot going on, but I feel happy right now here with you. Happier than I’ve felt in a long time.” He took a deep breath and gazed upon her for a moment. “I love you, Shona.”
She stood up straight and slowly faced him. “I love you too, Mike.” He leaned back as they kissed, and she held him close as the water splashed upon their skin. Steam swirled around them.
Mike paused suddenly and nudg
ed open the shower curtain.
“What’s up?” asked Shona.
“I thought I heard someone knocking on the door.” They listened intently for a moment, and they both heard the knock that time. “Just a minute!” said Mike.
They quickly dressed into their bedclothes, and Mike pulled open the door. “Hey, Casey,” he said with a friendly smile. “Come in, come in! Please excuse all the steam.” He immediately noticed April’s tear-stained face. “Hey, what happened? Are you two all right?”
“No,” said April. She looked as if she had been about to say more, but instead shook her head. “No, we’re not.” They stepped inside, and Mike closed the door.
“Would you guys be okay if I called a team meeting in here?” asked Casey.
“Sure,” said Shona.
“I don’t have a problem with that,” said Mike. “April, what’s wrong?”
“Please rally Orin and Nimbus,” whispered April, and she sat down on the far side of the bed. “Shona, please ask John and Malmoradan to join us.”
“Did someone hurt you?” asked Shona.
“Please,” said April.
Shona took a deep breath. “Okay, sure.”
“I’m calling Edison right now,” said Casey.
Before long, most of Casey’s team had gathered in Mike and Shona’s hotel room. “Orin’s not answering his calls or his texts,” said Mike. “Does anyone know what room he’s staying in?”
“I’ll take us there, Mike Santos,” said Nimbus. “I remember which room Orin Webb is occupying.”
“Please hurry,” said April.
Nimbus led Mike down the hall, where they stopped before Orin’s room, and Mike knocked. They knocked again—loudly this time—and waited, but Orin didn’t answer. Mike held his ear against the door near the keyhole and eventually shook his head. “Can you hear anything?”
Nimbus regarded Mike curiously. “I didn’t develop superhuman hearing, Mike Santos. If you were unable to detect anything unusual, I’m equally as unlikely.”
“Can you try?”
“Yes, I’ll try, but you shouldn’t get your hopes up,” said Nimbus, and she listened awhile. After a moment, she stood up straight and gestured with upturned hands. “I hear nothing.”
