Wizard Rebellion (Intergalactic Wizard Scout Chronicles Book 5)

by Rodney Hartman

  A stream of red plasma rounds passed over Jeena’s right shoulder and struck two of the Crosioians at weak points in their armor. They both fell to the deck.

  “How’d Stella know where I was? I’m invisible.”

  “She made her best guess,” said Danny. “You’ll find wizard scouts guess a lot. Fortunately, they’re very good at it during a fight. They’re abnormally lucky as well.”

  By the time Danny finished speaking, Jeena was too close to the remaining soldiers to reply. She jammed the tip of her staff into the neck of one of the soldiers. She missed the weakest point of the armor, but it didn’t matter. A blast of blue energy from the staff’s gem decapitated the soldier. Jeena was on the next bat creature before the first’s headless body hit the deck.

  “You’re visible, and your silence spell is broken,” warned Danny. “Watch out.”

  Jeena mouthed a defensive shield just as a soldier fired a burst of rounds in her direction. She tilted her shield in such a manner to make the rounds ricochet into one of the soldier’s comrades. The reflected rounds didn’t penetrate the Crosioian’s armor. They did slow the bat creature down.

  Whipping a dagger out from the sheath at her waist, Jeena stabbed down into another soldier’s knee. The Crosioian gave a loud screech, which Jeena interpreted as a scream.

  Before Jeena could swing her staff at another target, Stella was there swinging all four of her phase rods. The fast moving weapons formed a multi-colored blur in the air. The wizard scout made short work of the remaining soldiers.

  “Hurry,” said Stella. “No time.”

  Jeena didn’t need to be told twice. She started down the hallway again. She was brought up short by two figures in armor holding short spears with glowing points.

  “Scouts!” Jeena shouted.

  Turning to run back the way she’d come, Jeena was stopped short again. Two more of the scouts blocked the only path of retreat. Stella moved to engage the scouts in the rear. Jeena spun on her heels and faced the two scouts advancing from the front. One of the scouts raised a rifle to her shoulder. The barrel was pointed directly at Stella’s back.

  Without taking time to think, Jeena drew Power from her reserve and began the words to send a lightning bolt at the two scouts.

  “No!” shouted a disembodied feminine voice. The voice was that of Margery.

  At the shout, Jeena cut off her line of Power. The ball of magic that had started to form above her hand twisted and turned as the energy tried to find a point of release. Jeena concentrated on the ball and forced the magic to slowly return back into the universe.

  The scouts as well as the hallway of the space station wavered and disappeared to reveal the Defiant’s cargo bay. Most of the boxes in the bay had been stacked along the walls to make room for the holo-square Brachia and Dren had set up.

  “Sorry, Margery,” Jeena said. “I forgot where I was. These holograms of yours are better than Master Jathar’s illusions. I got carried away.

  Comstar and the wizard scout called Terrie were standing near a panel with flashing lights. So were Brachia and Dren.

  After looking at some writing scrolling across one of the panel’s display screens, Comstar looked up at Jeena. “It’s fortunate you were able to stop your spell before it could backfire. With all the boxes of ammunition in the cargo bay, the results would’ve been devastating.”

  “I know,” Jeena said. She was already chastising herself for the near disaster. “I’ll remember next time. Should we try again?”

  The human, Terrie, answered. “We’ve run the simulation six times in a row. The two of you should take a break for a couple of hours. I’m sure you’re tired. We can try again this afternoon.”

  Having a human order her around grated on Jeena’s nerves. The fact that the man was right helped her keep the irritation off her face. Besides, for a human, Jeena thought the disabled wizard scout wasn’t so bad. Although she still didn’t have a good handle on what a wizard scout was, the rest of the crew gave the human a lot of respect. That told her a lot about his abilities.

  Stella moved to stand beside Jeena. The big lizard had deactivated her phase rods and placed them back on her utility belt.

  “I not tired,” said Stella. “We get farther this time. Next time we do better.”

  Terrie gave Stella a grin. “Well, I’m tired even if you aren’t, so let’s take a break anyway. You and Jeehana can use the time to hash out your strategy for the next simulation.”

  “That may be best,” Jeena said surprised to find herself on the human’s side of the discussion. “I made a mistake somewhere along the way. The Crosioians must have spotted my detection spell. I assume that’s what activated the alarms. Perhaps Stella should be the one to lead next time. Maybe she could get closer without being detected.”

  Terrie shook his head. “No. Bad idea. Stella’s good, but the security on the space station is the best the Crosioians have got. We were originally planning on sending six wizard scouts on the raid. We don’t have that luxury anymore, so we need to do the unexpected.”

  “Yeah,” said Brachia. “From what I can gather, the Crosioians blame magic users for their defeat on Velos a couple of years ago. They won’t be expecting us to use magic against them.”

  Dren smiled. “Besides, Jeehana, you didn’t make a mistake. Margery just triggered the alarm to see how you’d react.”

  “That’s correct,” came Margery’s voice over one of the speakers in the cargo bay. “My calculations indicated an eighty-six percent probability you would reach the room with the bottles of DNA gas on the last simulation. I calculated testing your response at being discovered was more valuable than completing the scenario.”

  “What?” Jeena said. She let her irritation at being stopped before reaching her goal creep into her voice. She hated to lose. “Are you saying I could’ve completed the mission?”

  “No,” said Comstar who seemed to be more attuned to Jeena’s desire to win than the others. “The purpose of the holo-square is to familiarize Stella and you with the layout of the space station and possible problems you might encounter. The only mission that matters is the real one in three more days.”

  Jeena reluctantly nodded her head. She had a feeling she was more tired than she thought. The last four days was a blur of activity. Her brain was still trying to acclimate to her new reality. All of the technology surrounding her every waking moment sought to overwhelm her senses. She didn’t like technology. However, it was a necessary evil to complete her current mission.

  “Come,” said Stella as she glanced down at Jeena. “I go eat. You come too.”

  “Uh, not right yet,” Jeena said hoping the Sterilian wouldn’t be offended. She’d seen Stella eat on several occasions. Watching the lizard-like wizard scout shove worms into her mouth wasn’t exactly appetizing.

  “She’s not a lizard,” said Danny privately through the headband Jeena was still wearing. “She’s a Sterilian. She’s as intelligent as you; maybe even more so. I calculate you’re hurting her feelings. See the deepening gray around her neckline?”

  Jeena looked at Stella. The wizard scout’s four muscular arms and double-row of serrated teeth didn’t give the impression of someone who could have their feelings hurt very easily. Regardless, Jeena didn’t want to risk alienating her teammate.

  “You know, Stella,” Jeena said. “I’ll bet Charlie would like to go eat. Wouldn’t you, Charlie?”

  Jeena had spotted the other Sterilian standing by one of the side walls with the human boy called Daniel. It hadn’t taken Jeena long to figure out that Stella and Charlie were attracted to each other. Based upon the way they were always stealing glances at one another, Jeena had a feeling they might eventually become bondmates.

  “Uh…, yes,” said Charlie over the translator strapped to his hip. “I hungry.”

  “Well, good then,” Jeena said grateful her plan seemed to be working out. She would be depending on Stella during their raid. They needed to stay on good ter
ms. “The two of you should go and eat now. I’ll be up later after I talk to the others.”

  Neither Charlie nor Stella argued. They just turned and climbed the stairs leading up to the galley. Once they were gone, almost everyone in the cargo bay broke out in laughter. Jeena noticed even Comstar gave a little smile.

  “Good one, Jeehana,” said Dren. “Those two want to be together, but they keep fighting it. I think it’s up to the rest of us to make sure they spend time with each other.”

  “Oh, yes,” said the human woman, Angela, who’d just come down the stairs. With a smile of her own, Angela said, “I guess we can all put matchmaker down as one of our skills when we fill out a resume. Now, if you all don’t mind, I’d like to steal my husband and take him to lunch.”

  As the redhead woman spoke, Jeena noticed Angela glare in her direction.

  Is she jealous? Jeena wondered. I’m an elf. I’ve got no interest in human males.

  “True,” said Danny privately. “Still, there’s no use making enemies. You might need each other someday.”

  “Elves don’t need humans.”

  “Oh, really?” laughed Danny. “Tell me that again in three days when a couple of thousand Crosioians on the space station are trying to kill you. I calculate you’ll be happy to see the Defiant and her humans come to rescue you.”

  Jeena did not laugh. She had a strange feeling the computer might be right.

  Chapter 46 – Raiding Party

  ____________________

  Matthew banked the shuttle in a hard right turn to line up for the final approach. Once he was level, Jerad gave the team their final instructions.

  “All right. We go in quick, and we get out even quicker. Our mission is to pinpoint the Mountain’s Heart. It’s not to fight. Got it?”

  Everyone nodded their head.

  When Jerad was satisfied, he pointed at Emerald and Chancee. “You two stick close to Thomas.”

  “We can take care of ourselves in a fight,” said Chancee. “This isn’t our first battle.”

  Jerad shook his head. “If we do our jobs right, there won’t be a battle. The reason I want you to stay close to Thomas is that he’s a protector. He can extend his stealth shield to cover both of you in addition to himself. That’s why you’re on the heavy team.”

  Jerad looked at Myers. “When my team gets to the intersection, we’ll peel off and check out the treasury. You’ll take the light team and continue down the main corridor to the gem’s original location.” Jerad turned to face the rest of the raiding party seated along the sides of the shuttle. “Gaston, Rick, Thomas, and Janice all have battle helmets. Consequently, I expect each team to keep the other teams updated. If either the light or heavy team detects the gem, contact the others so we can all return to the rally point and get out of here. Any questions?”

  Richard listened absentmindedly as Jerad went over the plan for what was probably the tenth time. He had no doubt they all knew it, but his former tent-mate was like an old mother hen watching over her chicks. He knew his friend was just trying his best not to leave anything to chance.

  “Rick!”

  Startled, Richard looked up.

  “You with us?” asked Jerad. “I had to call your name three times.”

  Richard nodded his head but remained quiet. His job didn’t require much thought. He and Fenmar only had to hold the entrance. There wasn’t much to understand.

  “Thirty seconds,” shouted Matthew over his shoulder for the benefit of those without battle helmets. There’s a clearing about four hundred meters from the entrance. I’ll put you down there.”

  “Roger that,” replied Jerad.

  Richard noticed Myers glance toward his son.

  Myers caught Matthew’s eye and gave the teenager his own set of final instruction. “As soon as we’re out, I want you to haul your tail out of here.” Myers held up one of the portable com-units they’d found on the fighter-shuttles. “We’ll call you if we need you.”

  Matthew looked dubious. “I should stay here. I could be at the entrance in twenty seconds.”

  “No,” said Jerad and Myers at the same time.

  Jerad got in the next words before Myers had a chance. “Soldiers obey orders. That’s how we stay alive.”

  To his credit, Matthew didn’t argue. From the strain on the teenager’s face, Richard could tell he wanted to say something, but he didn’t. Instead, he turned and concentrated on the blur of terrain whipping past the shuttle’s windscreen.

  “The boy’s good,” Richard said in his shared space. “Even with the night vision spell on the windscreen, I’d have trouble flying at half this speed.”

  “Then I guess it’s a good thing your nephew’s flying instead of you.”

  “My nephew?”

  “Geesh, Rick,” said Nickelo in the exasperated tone he used during a particularly bad training session. “Matthew is Gaston’s son. Gaston is your brother. What do you think that makes Matthew? In fact, except for your brother, Matthew may be your only living relative.”

  “Uh…, you’re right. I wonder why I didn’t think of that myself?”

  “Hmm,” said Nickelo. “Are you asking me? Perhaps it’s because you have a tendency to be selfish and self-centered. Of course, that’s just my opinion.”

  “Five seconds,” said Matthew over the shuttle’s intercom.

  The view of the ground rushing up sent a shiver up Richard’s spine. He half considered shifting into the void but resisted the urge. He knew any use of Power besides stealth shields and passive scans would increase the risk of detection.

  “You’re learning, aren’t you?” said Nickelo. “Makes me feel like I haven’t wasted all those years of training after all.”

  The shuttle touched down before Richard could reply. Everyone on the landing party was out the rear ramp in short order. If the teams had been composed of only wizard scouts, they would’ve jumped in. Unfortunately, the addition of the two dwarves and the ranger forced them to land.

  Richard was the last one out of the shuttle. As soon as his feet cleared the ramp, the shuttle began to rise. At the same time, he heard the whine of the shuttle’s engine. A blast of air hit him from behind and knocked him toward the ground. He tucked and rolled. By the time he was back on his feet, the shuttle was nowhere to be seen.

  “Yep,” said Nickelo. “Tia’s definitely been showing him a thing or two about flying.”

  No one on the team spoke. They just assumed their positions in the formation and moved out at a quick pace. Jared led them in the direction of a small entrance in the side of the mountain. Emerald and Fenmar had assured them it was a secret door known only to the royal family and their closest advisers.

  The heavy team led with Janice at the point of the formation. Myers followed with the light team. General Fenmar and Richard trailed a hundred meters behind as rear guard.

  “I don’t think my mother should be on point?” Richard complained to his battle computer. “Jerad or my father should take the lead.”

  “Why?” asked Nickelo. “Because she’s a female? Your mother’s the most experienced wizard scout out of all of you.”

  “Well, I still don’t think it’s right.”

  “Deal with it,” said Nickelo. “I recommend you concentrate on your part of the task. I’ve plotted the life forms your passive scan is picking up on your heads-up display. I count 3,227 in the tunnels under Drepdenor. Some of the life forms appear to be magic users. I’ve plotted them in red.”

  Richard looked at his battle helmet’s display. Sure enough, the portion denoting the area inside the mountain was covered with various colored dots. The pitifully few number of white dots moving toward the dwarves’ secret opening made him realize what they were up against.

  “I sure hope Jerad knows what he’s doing,” Richard thought.

  “You better hope you know what you’re doing,” laughed Nickelo. “Based upon some of your previous missions, I calculate Sergeant Hendrick’s wouldn’t be placing any
double or nothing bets on the outcome of this little recon.”

  Richard didn’t laugh. For some reason, he didn’t see the humor of the situation.

  Chapter 47 – Hidden Message

  ____________________

  When she opened her eyes, Jeena stared at the bottom of the bunk above her. The slight indentation of the springs told Jeena her friend Dren was still in bed. When they’d first arrived onboard, Comstar graciously gave up his bunk so she and Dren could have a private room together. Not that there was all that much privacy. Instead of a solid door, a curtain served as the only separation between their quarters and the galley. Still, considering the close confines of the recon ship, Jeena figured even that little privacy was a blessing.

  Jeena focused on some black writing on one of the two storage lockers in their quarters. R. Shepard. It was the name of the other occupant of the room, the Uncle Rick that Dren and Brachia talked about so much. Dren had also told her that their uncle, along with seven others, was on a mission for the mysterious being the children called ‘the One.’

  That she’d be sleeping in the bed of a human male bothered Jeena at first. Her logic quickly overcame her emotions. The bedding was clean, and space on the ship was limited. In the grand scheme of things, sleeping in the bed of a human male, minus the male, was a small sacrifice to make.

  When Dren offered to switch bunks with her, Jeena refused. High Priest Questor had once told her that it was best to face your fears or phobias head-on.

  When you look at it, Jenna thought, maybe this is part of my penitence for past sins. Jeena closed her eyes and snuggled deeper into the warmth of her blanket. Just five more minutes, Jeena thought. The day will start soon enough. I’ll rest for five more minutes.

  The sound of stomping feet in the galley prevented her from returning to the sweet dream she’d been having. She couldn’t remember her dream exactly but did remember feeling safe and at peace. She’d also felt whole. It reminded her of when she’d once linked with the entity she’d known only as the ‘helper.’ Even though the life form on the other end of the link had initially frightened her, the presence of the ‘helper’ had also given her a sense of peace.