by Chris Fox
Fizgig was silent for a long moment. She studied Dryker carefully, as if weighing him. When she finally spoke, her voice was weary. "You're right. The prides are acting strangely, even my own. We should have sent a fleet to deal with you, and we should be more closely garrisoning our colonies. The disappearance of one colony is a tragedy. We've lost four. That's more damage than your entire race did in the war between our peoples, yet the Tigris have done nothing. No reprisal, no investigation."
"My government has reacted in the same way," Dryker said, shaking his head sadly. "We've lost six colonies, and there's been no reaction. As I understand it, the Primo have lost some as well. Entire worlds are disappearing, yet no one has done anything to stop it. Why? Why isn't anyone reacting?"
Fizgig didn't answer, but she did give a low growl. Her tail picked up the tempo, somehow conveying her agitation. "I do not know, and it troubles me deeply. If there really are spies, who do they work for? We are familiar with the legends of the Void Wraith. I cannot believe that we have been infiltrated by stories told to our kittens."
"What if I showed you proof? We recovered a Virtual Intelligence from some Primo ruins on Purito, one that predates recorded history," Dryker offered. He gestured behind him to the corner where Lena was standing. Until now she'd all but blended into the wall, and her eyes grew very large when the whole room focused in her direction. "Lena is one of your scientists, and she's been very helpful in learning more about the Void Wraith."
"Holy one?" Fizgig said. She growled low in her throat, her eyes narrowing. "Why are you still with the humans? Have they kept you prisoner?"
"No, mighty Fizgig," Lena said, bobbing her head. "I have stayed of my own volition. These humans are the only ones trying to stop the Void Wraith, and if we cannot stop them then all of us are doomed. We're being harvested, our people and theirs."
"I see," Fizgig said. She studied Lena for several moments before shifting her attention back to Dryker. "You've presented a compelling argument. I am willing to release your crew. Your life is forfeit, and this vessel will be destroyed. Once that is complete we will travel back to Tigrana, and I will call a conclave of the prides."
Nolan considered drawing his sidearm, but knew it would be pointless. Their surrender had been total, and now they had to live with it. He watched Fizgig advanced toward Dryker, but his gaze was pulled to the view screen behind her.
At first he didn't realize what had drawn his attention. The massive factory was still there, and there was no visible movement from the enemy. So far as the Void Wraith knew, they were still safely hidden in the sun's corona, undetectable to all normal scans.
Then he realized what he'd noticed, almost subconsciously. "Juliard, set condition one. Battle Stations."
Dryker and Fizgig both whirled to face him. The Tigris raised their weapons, though fortunately they didn't fire.
"What the hell are you doing, Nolan?" Dryker demanded. Nolan had never seen him look so angry.
"Look at the factory, sir," Nolan demanded, gesturing at the screen. "There were seven ships docked when we arrived. Now there are only six."
Chapter 47- Stealth Ship
"You heard Commander Nolan," Dryker bellowed at Juliard. "Set condition one. Deploy turrets, and warm up the gauss cannon."
"Captain," Fizgig said, a clear note of warning in her tone. "If you arm this vessel, I will be forced to react with extreme violence. Do not force my hand, not when you've worked so hard to convince me of this threat."
"You don't understand," Nolan said, taking a step closer to the Tigris commander. He stared defiantly up at her. "Those vessels can cloak. They disappear entirely from both visual detection, and scanners."
"He's right," Dryker broke in. He gave a heavy sigh. "Listen, Fizgig...you've got us dead to rights. But if we don't prepare for battle right now neither of us will be alive in ten minutes. The Void Wraith use particle weapons. They're powerful, nearly undetectable, and are almost certainly on their way now."
Fizgig's face tightened, and she watched Dryker impassively. When she spoke, it was to the huge male. "Khar, escort the captain to our vessel. If he resists, kill him. Commander, what is your name?"
Nolan realized she meant him. "Nolan."
"Commander Nolan you will order your vessel to stand down, right now. If you do not I will be forced to order my troops to--" Fizgig trailed off, and her eyes widened.
Nolan spun around to see what she'd been distracted by. She was staring at the view screen, and it wasn't hard to figure out why. An enormous vessel was shimmering into existence, the same vessel that he'd seen departing Mar Kona. Its blue metallic surface glittered in the sun's brilliance as it swooped closer.
Then the twin wings began to glow with their own energy. A ball of crackling blue energy coalesced in the space where the two wings almost met, and it grew larger over the next few seconds. The Void Wraith vessel fired. Nolan winced, expecting the shot to hit the Johnston. Instead, it slammed into the Tigris vessel anchoring the Johnston into place. The CIC lurched wildly, and Nolan was knocked off his feet.
Chaos erupted as people staggered to their feet. Tigris aimed their weapons at humans, and humans drew their sidearms to defend themselves. Nolan ducked behind a console, and found himself standing next to Lena. She wore an agonized expression, as if not sure what side to join.
"Enough," Fizgig roared, so loudly that it hurt Nolan's ears. Everyone froze as her gaze swept the room.
The Void Wraith grew larger on the view screen, then the Johnston shook from an impact similar to when the Tigris had boarded.
"Sir," Juliard called, looking up from her station. "The Void Wraith vessel has grappled us. It looks like we're about to be boarded. Again."
"Mighty Fizgig," one of the cats called. "We must return to the Claw of Tigrana."
"That may not be possible," Fizgig said, spearing that soldier with her gaze. She turned to the large male. "Khar, gather the warriors outside this doorway and await my orders." Then she turned back to Dryker. "Why are these Void Wraith boarding you when they could just as easily have blasted us to atoms?"
"The data cube," Lena answered. Her tail drooped when Fizgig focused on her, but Lena continued to speak. "We have a VI from the first Primo empire. It contains all sorts of data about the Void Wraith, and about the war that wiped out the Primo."
"That still doesn't make sense," Nolan found himself saying. "If they're concerned about the data, why not blast us out of space? That deals with any potential leak."
"I think they want the cubes," Lena explained. "Every world they've hit has had Primo ruins. I'm betting they're searching for these VIs. I don't know what they use them for, but for some reason the cubes are important."
"Assuming they're coming for the cube, they'll likely make their way here," Dryker said. He took two steps closer to Fizgig, staring up at her. "Are you willing to cede operational authority? I've dealt with these things, and we're going to be tripping over each other if we don't establish a chain of command."
"Done," Fizgig said, nodding. She raised her wrist and spoke into her comm. "Izzy, what's your situation?"
"We're guarding the human soldiers," a young female voice answered.
"Arm them, Izzy. Prepare for battle. We will be fighting alongside the humans," Fizgig explained, then turned to the captain. "Perhaps it would be wise to inform your crew of the situation?"
"Of course," Dryker said, running back to his chair. He glanced at Juliard. "Get me ship-wide. Now."
"Done, sir," Juliard said, a moment later.
"Men and women of the Johnston," Dryker began, "we're about to be boarded by the Void Wraith. The Tigris have agreed to fight alongside us, and you will treat them as allies for the duration. Arm yourselves, and make best speed to the bridge. We'll be setting up a final defense here."
"Aren't you worried that you might alert these Void Wraith to your plans?" Fizgig asked. "They may have already begun boarding."
"Quite the opposite. I'm counting o
n them fighting their way here, especially if they believe we have the cube," Dryker said, giving a sharp grin.
Chapter 48- Strange Bedfellows
"Izzy, right?" Hannan asked, nodding to the cat that seemed to be in charge.
"Yes," the cat said, her tail standing at attention behind her. She looked terrified.
"We're going to need to make a push for the bridge," Hannan said, slamming home the clip in her assault rifle. "We have four squads, each designed to operate independently. Because the corridors are narrow, it makes sense to split up. I'm thinking we divide your people into four groups, and send mixed units along different routes. Our people can show you the way to the bridge."
"All right," Izzy said, blinking. She turned back to the other cats, most of whom had entered the shuttle bay. They prowled around, each showing signs of stress. "You heard mighty Fizgig. We work with the humans against this common threat. Ragash, Tigren, and Vivica, you will each join one of the human squads. I will join Hannan's. Follow the humans' orders, and make your way to the bridge. For the Leonis!"
"For the Leonis!" echoed back a chorus of cats. They began filtering into the room, and the cats Izzy had named started pairing up with human squads.
"You sure about this, Hannan?" another sergeant called. She was the next most senior squad leader. "Might be better if we stick together and send the cats their own way."
"Mixed groups gives us the best shot of survival," Hannan countered. She stuffed four more clips into the pockets on her armor. "It may confuse the Void Wraith, and even if it doesn't the Tigris are going to need our help to get to the bridge."
"You've fought these Void Wraith before?" Izzy asked. She seemed calmer, but Hannan had a hard time taking her seriously. Her white fur and round face made her look like a teenager--if a cat could be a teenager, anyway.
"Yes," Hannan said. She climbed onto the supply crate again, hoping it was the last time. She needed to get her Marines up to speed. "Everyone listen up. You're going to be engaging Void Wraith shock troops--Command says they're called Judicators. They can cloak, but if you're careful you can still see them moving. They leave a motion blur. Head shots are best, as these things can keep fighting after losing a limb. And if you disable one, get around a corner or behind cover, because they detonate when they die."
"Oh, lovely," Becca called, rolling her eyes. "This just gets better and better. First we have to babysit cats, and now we fight exploding robots? I'm not getting paid enough for this shit."
"You're not getting paid at all if you're dead," Hannan shot back. She let her eyes roam the whole room. "This is it, people--the day we prove we're stronger than these bastards. Stick together, and watch each other's backs. Every person, and every Tigris, is needed. Put aside your bullshit. Let's move."
She hopped down from the crate and moved toward the door from the shuttle bay to the corridor. Mills and Edwards fell into step behind her, while Izzy walked right alongside.
"That was an impressive speech," Izzy whispered. "Your people respect you. Let us hope they will do as you ask, and work with my people."
"How about yours?" Hannan asked. "Are they willing to work with humans?"
"They'll do what they have to," Izzy said. They reached the hatch leading from the shuttle bay, and she paused to peer around the corner, then gestured at Hannan to proceed.
Hannan leapt into the corridor, scanning carefully for movement. There was was none, so she started advancing up the corridor, down B1. It wasn't the fastest way to the bridge, but she'd left those routes open for the less experienced squads. She was taking the long way.
Chapter 49- Machine Shop
Hannan waited patiently as Mills advanced ahead of her up the B1 corridor. Their path would bring them near the gauss cannon, but that was part of her plan. If she were the enemy commander, that would be one of her primary targets. She and her troops were heading for CIC, but there was no reason not to swing by and pop a few of these Void Wraith if they happened to be messing with the Johnston's main gun.
"You sure about trusting the cats, sir?" Edwards asked. His voice was probably meant to be a whisper, but like the man himself it was larger than intended. He scrubbed at his beard, eyeing Izzy.
Izzy's ears twitched, but she didn't react. She was still crouched behind cover, just a few meters behind Mills.
"Get your head in the game, Marine," Hannan snapped. "We're in combat. We don't have time for bullshit questions."
Edwards nodded. He raised the barrel of his TM-601 and began advancing up the corridor. Hannan followed in the rear, darting frequent glances behind her. It was nerve-wracking, because they didn't know the enemy. Who knew what tactics the Void Wraith would use, or even what armament they'd brought? There was no guarantee that the plasma weapons her crew had seen on Mar Kona were the full extent of what the Void Wraith could bring to bear.
"Contact," Mills yelled. Hanna's gaze snapped up to the sniper, who was at a T intersection ahead. That intersection led into the barrel of the gauss rifle, which they'd need to cross to get to C1, and then up to the CIC.
Bursts of blue energy shot into view, vaporizing sections of the bulkhead. Mills fell back in a full sprint, then dove into the hatch that led to the machine shop. That left Edwards and Izzy on point.
"Edwards, get ready to lay down suppressive fire," Hannan yelled. She dropped into a crouch, pressing her body against the right wall. There was no cover as such, so the best she could do was present a smaller profile.
"Should we fall back to a more secure location?" Izzy called over her shoulder. She'd raised the barrel of her bulky Tigris rifle. The bayonet at the end had begun to hum. "There's no cover here."
"They don't have cover either," Hannan yelled back. "Just gun down anything that comes around the--"
Something shimmered in the air near the corner, sort of a heat mirage. The same heat mirage she'd seen back in the jungle on Mar Kona.
"Light it up," Hannan bellowed. She depressed the trigger on her assault rifle, and sent a three-round burst at the section where she guessed the chest was. The cloaking field wavered where the rounds hit, temporarily exposing smooth blue armor.
Then Edwards's rifle drowned out all sound as he unloaded a stream of high velocity slugs. They caught the Judicator in the right knee, severing it in a spray of circuitry and bright orange fluid. Izzy completed the destruction, calmly sighting down her barrel and unleashing a single shot. Hannan wasn't sure what caliber the bullet was, but the Judicator's head exploded, spraying the wall with more orange fluid.
"Take cover," Hannan yelled, diving into the machine shop after Mills. Izzy came through a moment later.
Edwards had almost reached them when a sudden whump tore at Hannan's already damaged eardrums. A wash of flame and debris launched Edwards through the hatch, and he slammed into the wall with a sickening crunch.
Hannan rushed to his side, barking out orders as she inspected his body. "Mills, kill anything that approaches that doorway. Izzy, move a couple of those tables so we can use them as cover."
She didn't pause to see if they were listening, instead pressing two fingers against Edwards's neck. His eyes were closed, but his pulse was strong. There were no obvious broken bones, and no real damage to the armor.
"Come on, Edwards," she muttered, slapping him hard in the face. "Wake up, Marine. We need you."
"Sarge?" Edwards slurred, sitting up. His gaze was unfocused. "Why did you hit me?"
A rifle coughed behind her, and Hannan spun to assess the situation. Mills had fired, but there was no sign of whatever he'd been aiming at. The doorway was clear, though Mills had the stock of his rifle set against his shoulder and was clearly scanning for targets.
Something glided through the door, another of the near-invisible figures. It shimmered into view and extended a trio of crackling energy blades from its wrist, ramming them into the wall where Mills's face had been a split second before. Mills fell onto his back, attempting to raise his rifle in time to get a shot o
ff.
Hannan knew he'd never make it, and she was too far away to stop the Judicator from ending her friend's life.
Then Izzy was there. The cat leapt into the air, her tail brushing the ceiling as she came down on the Judicator like a whirlwind. She raked the claws of her right hand into the Judicator's back, sending up a shower of sparks. Then she rammed her rifle forward, burying the humming bayonet into the Judicator's back.
The Judicator's cloaking field faded entirely, finally revealing its appearance long enough for Hannan to get a good look. The limbs were too thin to be human, and were obviously made from some sort of composite alloy; it looked to be the same alloy used on their ships. The thing had no mouth, just a pair of glowing blue eyes. It looked robotic, though the orange fluid leaking from its chest suggested it was organic.
It raised its rifle, aiming for Izzy. Before it could fire Mills's rifle coughed, and the Judicator's chest caved in. It stumbled backwards, and Izzy used the momentum. She swung her rifle like a club, flinging the Judicator back into the hallway, and dove to the right of the doorway just in time. Another wave of flame and concussive force shot through the doorway as the Judicator exploded.
"These things are a real pain in the ass," Edwards called, pulling himself to his feet. He looked dazed, but otherwise unharmed.
"Let's get moving, folks. We need to reach the CIC as quickly as possible," Hannan ordered.
Chapter 50- Hold
Nolan had never seen Dryker's ready room so crowded. Officers from both factions lined either side of the metal table, and the chairs had been stacked in a corner to take up less room. The table's surface displayed a map of the ship, with red dots everywhere they'd had a report of a Void Wraith encounter.
