Alien Revolt (Clans of Kalquor Book 11)

by Tracy St. John

  His Nobek was quick to reassure him. “Nived won’t let anything happen to Lokmi. The subcommander knows to not return if he does.”

  “I wish I could say that settles my fears.”

  Kila sighed. “Me too.”

  * * * *

  Lokmi and Nived went into the main engineering area of the Sword of Truth. Having accustomed himself to the layout of a battlecruiser’s control and engine rooms, Lokmi moved through the ship’s heartbeat with confidence. His goal was the propellant tanks, which were located in the massive engine compartment. Nived hurried after him, staring threateningly at those who went about their duties, though they were unaware of the phased Kalquorians.

  Rounding the bank of grouped computer podiums in the middle of the room, Lokmi noted the entrance to the engines themselves. Their loud drones were almost hypnotic to him, but beneath the mesmerizing hums were discordant sounds: metallic squeals and shuddering noises which made him think of the grunts of massive animals.

  “Those don't seem so healthy,” Lokmi observed brightly.

  Nived eyed the huge pipes that held the components as they drew closer. “Is there any hope the engines will fail?”

  “Not for several months, though the crew would likely catch the worn mechanics before they become a serious issue. It certainly won’t help us when it comes to disabling this ship before it can attack Haven.”

  They had reached the doorway when a shout went up behind them. “General Nath on the floor!”

  Lokmi turned to see Nath entering with an assistant at his side. The assistant called, “All engineering personnel, assemble for inspection.”

  Earther men rushed out of the engine room and joined those in the control area, standing at attention before Nath. Lokmi grinned at Nived. “Good. I should be out of sight when I deactivate the phase.”

  They entered the engine area. It stretched for what seemed like miles, the pipes fading into infinity. Nived scowled at the size of the area, clearly unhappy he couldn’t see every threat that might approach. “I wish you could do the whole operation phased.”

  “Me too. But when the components come out of the phased carryall and leave my touch, they unphase right away. Then I can’t grab onto them to attach more pieces. And if they unphase while touching the propellant tanks or pipes...”

  “The device is useless. Will the installation go quickly?”

  “I’ll be visible for ten minutes.” Lokmi wove his way over and under the pipes, searching for a bank of propellant tanks.

  Nived’s brow lowered, hooding his eyes in a savage glower. “Even with the general’s distraction, that’s a long time.”

  “No kidding. I’ve been over and over the installation procedure, and that’s how long it will take.”

  “I will remain phased and act if you are discovered. Um, Chief?”

  “Yes?”

  “You know while you’re phased, you can walk through this stuff, right?”

  Lokmi realized he’d been stepping over and ducking under the pipe components all the time they’d been searching for the propellant tanks. Nived stayed upright, striding like a ghost through the materials. The Imdiko shook his head at himself. “Just wait. I’ll forget once I’m solid and break a leg when I do the exact opposite.”

  Nived snorted laughter, then turned deadly and guarded once more.

  Lokmi’s heart leapt a few seconds later to see the stacked propellant tanks, caged within a framework of steel beams. Feeder pipes snaked from the composite nozzle they’d been plugged into, looking like an impenetrable maze of metal tubes. The setup was filled with nooks and crannies, the perfect hideaway for a foreign object.

  Lokmi rubbed his hands together in anticipation. “All right, Subcommander. I’m ready to get to work.”

  Nived cast his suspicious gaze around before giving the nod. “Go.”

  Lokmi deactivated both his personal phase and the one on the carryall he’d slung over his shoulder. Moments later, he unpacked the ship-standard device components. He began installation.

  Assembling the device within the propellant bay went like clockwork, everything snapping and locking together with perfection. Though it was as flawless a fitting as he could have hoped for, Lokmi was sweating. He was horribly aware of his exposure and how easy it would be for a crewman to happen by and see him working. The Sword of Truth was the one Earther ship in the attack fleet which didn’t have a complement of Kalquorians helping to run it. If anyone saw him, they would know right away some kind of trouble was afoot.

  Lokmi had been irritable at the meeting when such a big deal had been made over Nived watching his back. However, he was grateful for the Nobek’s presence as the time flew by, leading to the moment when Nath would no longer be able to delay and distract the crew. Lokmi worked efficiently and as quietly as possible. Even with the machinery running the ‘cruiser droning so loudly, the slightest clink from his tools sounded like a violent crash.

  The Imdiko moved quickly, but it seemed like each component was added in slow motion. No action was wasted, the components fit with satisfying clicks, and the device assembled in textbook fashion, exactly as it was supposed to. Yet Lokmi felt himself dragging, taking too long. He had to be running out of time.

  At last, he had almost completed the device’s assembly. He spoke to his invisible companion. “Two minutes, Subcommander. Only a few more adjustments.” The device’s protective cover slid halfway down to its intended mark, and Lokmi stopped it to tweak the wiring harness out of the way.

  He heard a harsh intake of breath close by. Lokmi twisted around and stared into the startled face of an Earther crewman. In that instant, Lokmi saw every detail of the man’s face: the dark and wild growth of heavy brows, the spot where he’d missed shaving, the crooked front teeth as his discoverer opened his mouth to shout. The Earther’s hand dived for the percussion blaster hanging from his belt. Crouched by the propellant bay, Lokmi had no hope of stopping him.

  The crewman disappeared, vanishing as if he’d never been there. A second later, he was back, flailing. A few drops of blood flew, and he was gone again.

  Lokmi wondered if he should halt his work and help Nived or trust the Nobek to do his job. He was aware of the seconds ticking away. He had to get the device done and get the hell off the ‘cruiser.

  Lokmi turned back to his work. “I hope you’ve got it handled, Subcommander.”

  If Nath had finished his inspection in the other room, then Lokmi was out of time. Terrified a host of Earthers was about to descend on him, he raced to finish. His fingers felt like all thumbs and he fumbled without grace, but moments later, the device was done. Lokmi packed his tools away with little thought of his usual organization. Seeing half a dozen drops of blood on the floor, he cursed under his breath. There could be no hint he’d been here, or the device might be discovered. It was bad enough that a member of the ‘cruiser’s crew would go missing. He grabbed a cloth from his bag and wiped the scarlet drops up. He phased.

  Nived stood nearby, holding the dead crewman against himself. He looked as if he were supporting a drunken friend who had passed out. The Nobek’s expression was one of satisfaction, a sight Lokmi found morbidly curious. He guessed the weapons subcommander had taken some pleasure in having proof of carrying out his duty to Lokmi. In a tone as casual as one discussing the weather, Nived asked, “Done?”

  “Yeah. Everything seems all right. Sorry I took so long.”

  Nived arched a brow at him, and Lokmi checked the time. He blinked at the readout on his handheld. What had felt like forever had taken under nine minutes. Even with the interruption of the crewman, he’d assembled the device in record time.

  Shaking his head at bizarre effects of stress, Lokmi rose from the crouch he’d been in and nodded to the unfortunate crewman. “What are you going to do with him?”

  “We’ll push him out of the shuttle once we’re in space. Can we spare one of the personal devices so he’s not detected?”

  Lokmi’s stomach lu
rched at Nived’s unemotional, flat tone. But the man was not simply a Nobek. He was a warrior on board a destroyer which also flew spy missions, and had been so for many years. For Nived, this had been just another job. A job he was murderously good at.

  Lokmi swallowed and dug into his pack for the backup phase device he’d carried in case something went wrong with one of theirs. He attached it to the corpse’s uniform and switched it on so Nived wouldn’t have to worry about keeping the dead man in contact with his unit. “Sure. I’m ready to quit this place when you are.”

  Nived slung his burden over his shoulder and led the way out of the engine room. They discovered General Nath was still inspecting the control room, questioning the attentive crew about the maintenance schedule. It seemed Nived’s victim had been on an errand or perhaps a bathroom visit when they’d arrived. He’d come back late, which meant he’d never come back at all.

  Lokmi felt sorry for the poor bastard, lying like a sack over Nived’s shoulder. He did his best to keep his eyes averted. The way the man’s hands flapped loosely as the Nobek carried him disturbed the chief engineer. It looked too much like the dead crewman was trying to wave for attention, making one final plea for someone to save him.

  * * * *

  “You’ll wear a trench in my pretty bay with all your pacing,” Kila said.

  Piras responded with a rude and entirely unprofessional comment on where Kila could stuff his pretty bay. The moment Nived had commed that he and Lokmi were on their way back to the destroyer, Piras had hurried to meet them, knowing full well it would be twenty minutes before his Imdiko would be on board.

  Kila might make fun, but he’d shown up in the bay five minutes behind Piras. With the deadline to attack approaching, neither took their Imdiko’s absence without a case of nerves.

  Piras nearly jumped out of his skin when the shuttle materialized a few yards away. No wonder Hope always seemed so pissed off when they showed up in her family’s quarters. It was not pleasant to have an object pop so abruptly into being, especially when it did so practically in a person’s face.

  He and Kila both sighed with relief as Lokmi stepped out of the hatch. “Aw, a welcoming committee,” their clanmate teased. Piras didn’t miss the strained emotion in his eyes despite the bantering tone.

  Kila stiffened, and Piras followed his gaze. Nived’s uniform was black trimmed with red and sleeveless. Its coloration kept it appearing pristine, though drying streaks of blood were easy to see on the Nobek’s lightly scarred arms.

  “Report, Subcommander,” the captain barked.

  Nived bowed. “General Nath managed to divert the attention of most of the crew with his surprise inspection. However, one man was late in reporting to his duty station or was returning after some assignment took him out of the area. He came upon the chief engineer as the work was being completed. I had no choice but to dispatch the crewman.”

  Lokmi made a face. “Dispatch, Subcommander?” When Nived gave him a level stare, Lokmi shrugged. He told his senior officers, “I agree it had to be done. We’re down one personal phase because we left it on the body, which the weapons subcommander jettisoned into space.”

  “No one else detected our presence,” Nived assured them.

  “And the battlecruiser’s phase device has been successfully installed.”

  Kila nodded. “Good work, both of you. Subcommander Nived, I will get the details from your full report. That will be all.”

  Nived bowed to them and left. As he walked out of earshot, Lokmi lowered his voice to a confidential tone. “I’m glad he was there, but he’s a cold one. You’d think he’d plucked a flower rather than killed a man.”

  Kila cocked his head to one side. “Would you prefer him crying over the Earther?”

  “Don’t be a jerk, Kila. Maybe killing is an unavoidable occupational hazard, but I’ll never be so casual about it.”

  “Given our past altercations with each other, I’m glad to hear you say that.”

  Piras rolled his eyes, readying for yet another verbal sparring session between the pair—but glad it was about to happen. Lokmi being there in one piece lifted the Dramok’s spirits after the tense hour he’d been gone. Not having Hope around as she had been the last few days was also a disappointment. He’d take his clanmates’ eternal bickering and enjoy it.

  They didn’t get the chance to do so. Half a dozen shuttles came out of phase in quick succession, shocking Piras anew. He cursed, Lokmi jumped and added a little extra profanity, and Kila laughed at them both—though Piras was sure the Nobek had twitched a tiny bit at the appearance of the first vessel.

  The captain’s personal com signaled. “Report.”

  Mostar’s heavy voice answered. “The last of the infiltration teams is on their way back. No problems have been reported. Installation of phase devices has been completed.”

  “Until we finish making another batch,” Lokmi muttered. He seemed as tired as Piras felt.

  Kila ignored him. “Excellent, Weapons Commander. Keep me informed of any changes in status.” He switched his com off.

  Lokmi sighed. “I guess my mission was the only one which went awry. Lucky me.”

  Kila’s heavy hand landed on his shoulder. “Copeland’s ship is the sole ‘cruiser without Kalquorian personnel operating as crew. Our operatives wouldn’t have looked out of place on the others.”

  Piras drew a breath. “General Nath needs to be told about the death of his crewman.”

  Kila jumped at the chance. “I’ll go.”

  Lokmi exchanged an unhappy glance with Piras. “I thought executive staff needed to remain on board during the installations?”

  “The first round of the installation mission is completed. We can relax. Maybe even sleep. With one eye open, of course.” Kila’s smirk was the usual.

  Piras opened his mouth to protest as Kila headed towards the shuttle that Lokmi had gotten off of so recently. The maintenance crew, with their typical efficiency, had already checked it and deemed it ready for work.

  Yet Piras had no good reason, officially at any rate, to deny the captain leave to go. So he watched Kila board the ship. Seconds later, the shuttle disappeared.

  He scowled. “Now I get to worry over one of you again. He may be a badass Nobek, but I still get antsy at a time like this.”

  Lokmi stared at the space beyond the bay, at the hundreds of ships filling the darkness. “It almost makes me wish it was over, even if it means losing. I’m so fucking tired.”

  “At least the end is in sight.” That the end might not be in their favor didn’t need to be spoken. “I’m going back to work on the destroyer codes. I need to grab control of more weapons systems.”

  “And I have more phase devices to make. I swear, I could manufacture those damned things in my sleep now. I dreamed about it last time I got to bed.”

  “When was that?”

  “Two days ago.”

  “Same time as me then.”

  They gazed at each other and chuckled. Piras felt a rush of affection for his clanmate. “I’ll walk you to engineering. I deserve at least two minutes with my Imdiko, damn it.”

  “You sentimental fool. You give me mushy feelings that would make a Nobek retch.”

  “Then I’ll say the same thing to Kila at my earliest opportunity.”

  They laughed and headed for their respective duties.

  Chapter 16

  Despite the hour being incredibly late or early, depending on one’s viewpoint, Hope and Borey were still awake. Discovering they were mutually unable to sleep, they sat together with coffee, talking about the mission concerns keeping them from rest—as well as what they needed to do after its hoped-for success.

  Borey rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “I know I’m to be captured and turned over to the Empire.”

  Hope scowled. “I don’t think Piras would toss you aside so quickly.”

  “Actually, I plan to ask him to do that very thing. I’d like to work with Kalquor’s Fleet Command as
an advisor, if they will trust me enough for it. There are a lot of our ships out there under the Basma’s control. I think I could be of help to the Empire.”

  Hope regarded him with some surprise. “You wouldn’t want to be a part of the new leadership stopping Copeland would open up?”

  “You know I’ve never aspired to that. Besides, everyone with the anti-Holy Leader rebellion will likely be hauled in by the forces defending Haven and Rokan. If I’m cleared of wrongdoing by the Kalquorian Empire, I can clear our operatives in turn. I believe they’ll be handed over to the Galactic Council of Planets for further review and sent out to the various colonies afterward.”

  “Where there are already governing agencies in place. The would-be leaders will be back at square one.”

  “Just as we were after Armageddon.” He smiled at her. “What do you think of me working with the Kalquorian Empire to help them win their civil war?”

  “I’m sure they’d appreciate it. It will let you play soldier for a little while longer before Charity and I put you out to pasture.” She grinned at him.

  “Oh, are we making age jokes now? Quiet down, whippersnapper, and hand me my cane.”

  They laughed softly together. Hope knew what the big question remaining was: where were she and Charity to go after it was all said and done?

  Logic said they would remain with their father. Hope had no problem with that, except she wondered if a certain clan would also be going back to Kalquor. Or would their mission continue in some fashion? Piras had said they were supposed to infiltrate Maf’s fleet as much as possible. This small attack group was barely a dent in the assignment.

  Wondering if her father was privy to some inside scoop Piras hadn’t shared with her, Hope ventured, “I don’t suppose the admiral and his shipmates will return to Kalquor right away?”

  “They haven’t told me much about it. It all depends on how this fight goes, I guess.”

  “We have some ideas for our next stop on the tour.”

  Hope and her father jumped. Before turning to the owner of the deep, slightly accented voice which had come from behind their chairs, they rolled their eyes at each other.