He held up the book which was still in his hands.
“This is the literal answer to everything. It will allow us more power than we thought possible.”
“I don’t care about the power,” Dack drew his Alpha pistol, aiming at the Leader. “If we’re going to die here anyway, I’d rather know we did our best.”
Dack prepared to fire when another explosion rocked the area, a wall exploded and collapsed into the space between them.
“Dack! Tanner! Fucking get out of there!!!!” A panicked shout burst their eardrums as Vittoria yelled at them.
They glanced upwards and saw seven light beams headed towards them. Without a moments thought they began to run full speed, north.
A moment later they ran into Tylr and Lyla who were coming from the right.
“Where’s this damn clearing,” Lyla shouted, the explosions from the Orbital strike getting closer and more intense.
“You’re erm, not far now,” Jako replied, just as they went through an archway and into a large open space.
The red dual engines of the Bullet Rose glowed as it lowered into the clearing as they ran towards it, Vittoria waving to them through the cockpit window.
“Get in!” She shouted, lowering the ramp at the side of the shuttle as they approached.
Another explosion behind rocked them as they piled into the shuttle.
“Go, go, go!” Tanner screamed once they were all aboard.
The Bullet Rose began to ascend, as several more missiles took out more of the castles’ walls. Looking out the cockpit window, the team could see the destruction, the castle and most of the surrounding area little more than rubble. Above them, the sky was lit up with the lights of engines and lasers, the Syndicate evacuation being suppressed by the Assembly.
“Holy shit,” Dack whispered, looking out as the destruction faded from view. The shuttle was just exiting the atmosphere.
“I’m sorry Coyotes, I tried to stop them,” Jenkins said over the comms, his voice deflated.
A flash of light illuminated the cockpit, the faces of all the crew lit up with a blue hue.
The tractor beam held fast to the Bullet Rose and began to pull the ship towards its source.
“Coyotes,” an authoritative voice interrupted their comms. “You are under arrest for several counts of treason and theft. You are now being taken into custody on the SAF Revenant to be held until trial. We will meet any attempts to resist with lethal force.”
The crew glanced at each other in shock.
“Jako,” Dack whispered on their internal comms, “Get the StarQuake out of here now!”
“Erm, ok. Stay safe!” Jako replied.
“Fuck!” Lyla shouted, smashing a fist onto the dashboard.
“Let’s play nice guys, we’ll figure something out,” Tanner said, looking out at the massive destroyer they were being pulled towards.
10
The Bullet Rose drifted towards the SAF Revenant as the tractor beam continued to pull them in. The large, destroyer class vessel, began to block everything from view, as a hanger door began to open. The bright lights the hanger lit up the cockpit of the Bullet Rose.
“Any thoughts on how to play this?” Tanner asked to rest of them.
“Depends on how they come at us,” Dack replied. “I say we keep our mouths shut, don’t admit, or deny anything.”
“Agreed,” Tylr nodded.
Before they could continue their conversation, they felt the draw of the Revenants’ gravity centrifuge pull them. While the Bullet Rose had a gravity generator, it was small and had much less pull, than that of a ship the size of the Revenant.
Once inside the hanger, they could see that the large open space was devoid of any other craft, and they could see a handful of ground crew watching their arrival.
“Looks like the welcoming party are here for us,” Dack said.
“No other ships in sight,” Tylr said. “I don’t think we’re getting the friendly treatment.”
As if on cue, the Bullet Rose dropped to the hanger floor, as Mag-Clamps latched onto its hull. The Coyotes leaned to look through the window, watching as several soldiers surrounded the ship, all armed with precision rifles.
“Let’s go say ‘hi’,” Tanner pulled back from the window and hit the ramp button.
*
Jako was floating in the observation module of the Azimuth. From the StarQuakes’ location he could see the SAF Revenant through the glass viewing screen. The Observation module resembled a giant light bulb, the entire glass was a digital view screen which Jako could manipulate. He was magnifying the screen so he could watch the Bullet Rose, until it had vanished within the Revenants hull.
He fired a small air valve, spun 180 degrees, and drifted back downwards into the main hub of the Azimuth. Gliding to a console he activated the StarQuakes engines, and set it on course, keeping it at a safe distance to remain undetected.
He needed information so he could form a plan, spinning across the hub he began to work frantically on several consoles, typing and changing consoles at a rapid pace.
*
Dack looked around the room, the Coyotes had all been put inside several cells alongside each other. The walls were transparent so they could be seen at all times. This was a typical Assembly brig.
“Any chance of room service?” Tanner asked the sentry who stood just outside the glass walls.
“I could murder a burger about now,” Dack added.
“Aye, a pint of ale would be great too, if there’s one goin’,” Lyla grinned.
Tylr sat crossed legged on the floor in their cell, staring straight ahead, motionless, other than a slight smirk crossing their lips at the comments from the others. Vittoria was pacing the cell, she wasn’t accustomed to being in a small space, preferring the open space of the StarQuake.
“Shut your mouths,” the Sentry said. “They’ll be ready soon.”
“Who?” Dack asked.
“You’ll see, they are very interested in talking to you,” the Sentry smiled.
A door opened at the far end of the room and several guards walked in.
“Time to go,” The sentry said, unlocking the cells, while the guards aimed rifles, one for each of the crew, whilst others chained their hands together until they were in a single file.
“Move it,” the sentry seemed to take pleasure in shoving Tanner with the end of his rifle.
The Coyotes shuffled along; the chains inhibiting their movements, until they entered a large chamber with ten seats lined in a semi-circle opposite them. Sat in each of the seats were an array of creatures and three humans.
“Holy crap,” Vittoria said out loud.
The Council of the Solar Assembly stared at them as they entered, Seven Endlings and three Human ambassadors made up the Council, their gaze judging them.
“Well, this is a pleasant surprise, I didn’t know we were so important,” Tanner bowed to the Council, half in mocking.
“Silence,” one human shouted. Their voice rang out, the entire room fell quiet.
“You are here for several reasons. Primarily, you are being held for treason against the Solar Assembly and are to be tried for your actions,” they continued. “Secondly, you were found trying to steal from the Solar Assembly, in the middle of a battlefield no less. And finally, you did not prevent the Prime Leader of the Galactic Syndicate from leaving the Moon which, as I’m sure you’re aware, could have ended the war!”
The speech got the Coyotes more and more riled up as they listen to the bias convictions directed towards them. Tanner began to shake as the anger rose.
“Well, all due respect, you can all go to hell!” He shouted back. “First, we have committed nothing treasonous because we aren’t aligned with either side in this ridiculous war. Second, from what we saw there wasn’t any damn Alpha on the bloody Moon so I’m not sure how you can say we would steal anything. And finally, if you hadn’t started a goddamn orbital strike we would have killed the Prime Leader,
and you would have had the end of your stupid fucking war! Not to mention the fact that you almost killed us all with it after we agreed to help you!”
Tanner was worked up now, his voice straining from the tirade. The Council look at him in disbelief, they weren't used to someone disrespecting them with such venom and anger. Even the guards who were still circling the Coyotes didn’t know what to do.
“Tanner, stand down!” The voice of Jenkins rang out as he strode into the room. “I know you aren’t aligned with the SA but for gods ‘sake show some damn respect! I trained you better than that!”
Jenkins walked in and stood between the Coyotes and the Council.
“What we need to discuss here is more important than your disregard for the authority of the Council, and,” he turned to the Council. “With all respect, we don’t have time to play games about charges and treason. So if we’re ready can we please discuss the situation at hand.”
All eyes were on Jenkins now, no one spoke but several nods of agreement followed.
11
Jenkins strolled across the room, looking at the Coyotes, as if they were on a parade line.
“Now, let’s get some introductions out of the way,” he said as he reached the end of the line.
He looked the crew up and down before continuing.
“The Coyotes,” he announced to the Council. “A formidable group of individuals, which I believe, would have successfully completed the mission at hand. Allow me to get us all a little more acquainted.” Jenkins stepped to the end of the line.
“Tanner ‘Daybreak’ Loxley, a strategic mastermind, however has never been good at respecting the line of authority.”
Tanner nodded at Jenkins as he moved past him.
“Alacious ‘Midnight’ Dack, has a mind for logistics, problem solving and tracking. His search for information lead him to security breaches several times, before his dismissal.”
Dack saluted.
“Tylr ‘Dusk’ Snow, proficient with all forms of armaments, there isn't much they couldn’t kill you with. If only our military had been more accepting, they’d be running our forces by now.”
Tylr nodded slightly.
“Lyla ‘Dawn’ Rayne, highly skilled medic, short temper.”
Lyla gave Jenkins the middle finger as her salute, but smiled to defuse the action.
“Finally Vittoria ‘Noon’ Rixon, master of ships and transport, if it can be flown she can fly it, even if you don't want her to.”
Vittoria shrugged.
Jenkins had reached the end of the line.
“Aren’t there six in the Coyotes squadron?” One of the human Council members asked.
Jenkins glance down the line.
“There is, Jako ‘Twilight’ Jones is missing, most likely still on the StarQuake, he doesn’t mix well with, well anyone,” Jenkins said. “I’m sure he’ll be monitoring the situation.”
He turned towards the Coyotes.
“Now Coyotes, I’m sure you know of the Council. The nine Endlings, last of their respective races, and the three major planetary human ambassadors,” Jenkins waved a hand across the seated Council.
The three humans were two male and one female, all dressed in a different coloured sash, which indicated the Earth, Mars and Plutonian representatives. Beside them sat the nine Endlings.
They were all humanoid and had the same structural bodies as that of humans, though there were also several differences. They were all different in some way, descending from different species, and as far as any one knew, the last of their respective races.
“A pleasure to make your acquaintances Coyotes, my name is Shai. I hope we can resolve our differences,” said one of the Endlings, her skin was an ocean shade of blue.
“The stories of your exploits precede you. I am Ezik.” said another Endling whose skin was red with several small horn like spikes protruding from their scalp.
“Good to know our ‘exploits’ are famous,” Dack smiled.
“They are,” A smaller Endling added. He was smaller than the others, with skin akin to that of a reptile.
“Wyx,” Shai introduced him.
“Ok, ok, now that we’re all acquainted, why don't you tell us what the hell is going on,” Tanner was growing restless with the talking.
“Of course, Admiral Jenkins, if you would be so kind,” Ezik said, turning to Jenkins.
“Yes sir,” he answered. He moved over to a console at the side of the room, and pressed a button, activating a large three-dimensional image in the air between the Council and the Coyotes.
“First, I want to apologise for the actions of the Council in ordering the Orbital Strike on Ganymede whilst you were still on the ground. I hope, however, that once you hear us out you will understand the reason behind the order, despite its risk.”
The digital image shifted and became an outline of the castle.
“The castle was much more than an Alpha storage facility. That was a cover for its true purpose. In reality, it is a storage facility for several rare and extraterrestrial items which the Endlings either brought with them or have been discovered in the years since,” Jenkins explained.
It was common knowledge that the Endlings had arrived in the galaxy two decades ago, the technology they had passed onto the rest of humanity had allowed it to advance at a pace much faster than would have happened otherwise.
“There are many items which, in the wrong hands, could bring terrible destruction to Humanity,” Wyx continued.
“So you locked up all the weapons to stop anyone getting their hands on them?” Tanner interrupted.
“Not just weapons, other technologies and items,” Shai said.
“All the crypt’s we saw, your telling me they were storage units?” Dack asked, remembering the tombs he and Tanner had seen.
“Yes, we built the graves to hide the items. We could use certain materials which disrupted scanners from detecting what was inside them. Not to mention the graves would be a general deterrent for anyone who came across them,” Ezik replied.
“Somehow, the Syndicate found out about the storage facility and put the full weight of their army into taking it,” Jenkins swiped a hand across the hologram in front of him, it updated to show a representation of the Syndicates armies, highlighted with dots of red over the Moon’s surface.
“Initially, we thought they were simply going after the actual Alpha stored there, it was still a considerable supply. However, once we found out they had access to the crypt and were actively searching the ruins, we knew we needed to stop them from getting their hands on any items,” Wyx continued.
“This is when we contacted you,” Jenkins finished.
“And we were on track t’stop the Leader till you all decided to blow us all t’hell!” Lyla shouted, she’d been surprising quiet, and the outburst had been building up for a while.
“Please, Lyla,” Jenkins looked at her with sympathetic eyes. Apart from the other Coyotes, he was one of the few people who could talk her down when the anger took over her. “We didn’t want to begin the strike. But once our satellites picked up the visuals of the Leader walking out of the crypts, with the book, we couldn’t take any chances. We had to stop him.”
“Unfortunately, the strike failed, and the Leader gained access to a drop-ship which took him away from the Moon, the book intact,” Ezik said grimly.
“What was the book?” Tanner asked, deciding not to argue that they wouldn’t be in this situation, if they’d trusted the Coyotes to finish the job.
The Council looked around at each other, contemplating. Several nods echoed around the room.
“It contains coded information on the location of the Vessel we arrived to your galaxy in,” Shai answered. “And with it, a generator which creates a different energy to the Alpha.”
“A different energy?” Vittoria looked up, her attention peaked at the idea.
“Yes, a more unstable one, and therefore much more dangerous. We call it the Omega, for obvious re
asons,” Ezik answered.
“In Syndicate hands, it will be the most deadly weapon imaginable. It will either destroy us, or the entire galaxy if they misuse it,” Wyx whispered, the words hanging in the air.
12
“So, why are we still standing here?” Tanner asked.
Jenkins motioned over the hologram again, it revealed a star map of the galaxy.
“We are offering you the same deal as before, all records expunged, upgraded equipment and armouries for all your weaponry and ships. For one more mission,” he paused, watching the faces of the Coyotes. “We need you get a cipher before the Syndicate find it, and use it to find the location of our vessel.”
“Why not just move the ship?” Tanner asked.
The Endlings shared an awkward look amongst themselves.
“The Endlings Vessel was hidden after their arrival here,” Travis,the human council members for Earth, spoke up for the first time. “One of their group hid the ship, and before he could tell the others the location, he was killed, by the first humans that encountered the group.”
“Our brother had made a note of the location in the book, however he wrote it in a code, in case we encountered hostiles upon our arrival. When he died, the location died with him.” Shai continued.
“Apart from a cipher stone our brother had on him, which can decrypt the code. Unfortunately, it was taken by the humans who killed him. We never located the cipher, but decided it was best the ship wasn’t found, especially because of the Omega technology onboard. So we hid the book, the information inside safe, regardless of who had the cipher.” She explained.
“We can’t risk the Syndicate gaining access to it, if they uncover its location... “ Wyx let the words hang in the air.
“So you want us to do the legwork in finding the cipher?” Dack boiled the task down.
“In as many words, yes that’s exactly what we want you to do,” Wyx replied.
“I’ve got an agreement that all your ships, and weaponry will be upgraded before you leave, as a gesture of goodwill. We will wipe the records of your exploits following the completion, along with the monetary reward we will transfer to your accounts,” Jenkins gave them the information.
The Omega Drive Page 4
