Chronicles of Benjamin Jamison 4: Empires at War (Part One)

by Thomas A. Wright

  “We have some experience with dangerous monsters, don’t we, team?” Adeen said.

  “Sounds like what we call a ghost ship,” Angel said looking at Warlock. “There is always some risk going feet first into the unknown. Stay close to Snake and Buddy.”

  “Pull, Buddy,” Adam said, gripping the door. He and Buddy strained briefly until it quietly slid open.

  “Oh hell, do you smell that? My god, it’s rank.” Buddy said, looking back at the team.

  “Ok, Warlock, I brought this for you. Don’t shoot any of us by mistake,” Snake said handing the pistol to him. “Except maybe her.” He motioned at Adeen. “Keep it pointed at the floor when it’s not in the holster.”

  “Snake, when this is over you and I are going to have a long, painful talk,” Adeen said. “Warlock, if the shooting starts, listen to him. Anything else he says will get you in trouble.”

  Willem held the pistol, turning it from side to side, then pointing it straight at Snake, who proceeded to slap him in the side of the head. His helmet took the brunt. “Gimme that back,” Snake said snatching it out of his hand. “You’re on point, Warlock.”

  No one intervened. Adeen stepped into the corridor, listening, analyzing. Snake looked at his half of the team. He grabbed Warlock by the shoulders and put him in front and motioned for Buddy to fall in behind him. The plan was to move together, each team taking a side of the corridor until they reached the bridge. Snake had his misgivings about the team. Adeen was the only person he had worked with in the past on a real mission. Adam, Angel and even Buddy had some experience, but it wasn’t like working with his old team.

  “This is a mess.” Adam said turning his head from side to side. They walked down the corridor, slowly taking it all in.

  “No, it’s not that bad. It’s all missing,” Snake disagreed.

  “What’s all missing?” Warlock asked.

  “Are you all blind? There are no bodies, pieces of bodies, scraps of clothing, nothing. The kid is right. Something got out of its cell and ate them. Look at the drag marks on the floor,” Snake pointed out.

  “Well, it’s been a while since it happened. Look, the blood is so dry that it’s flaking off the wall here,” Adam added.

  “People, let’s keep the chatter down, your eyes and ears open,” Adeen ordered. “We have a way to go before we reach the bridge. Snake, give Warlock the pistol back.”

  “Here kid, catch.” The pistol arched from the underhand toss and hit Warlock in the chest. He fumbled with it but held on.

  “Good. Let’s hustle, move it! Faster!”

  ****

  “Welcome, Benjamin,” Captain Dakkon said. “You remember my cousin Kimit?”

  “I remember her, although I never knew her name. She was second officer Dakkon when we last met, I believe. It’s nice to meet you, Kimit Dakkon.” We stood in a waiting area outside of Dakkon’s briefing room. I remembered it from the last time I was aboard and we had the brawl with the Allith who had tried to form an alliance with the Cjittan.

  “I’m surprised you are alone. I believed you would make peace with your daughter, that she would get her wish and accompany you,” Captain Dakkon observed.

  “No, I want her to sit this one out. Everything is unraveling again and I don’t want her caught up in it. I couldn’t bear to lose her, Dakkon.”

  “You need not explain, Benjamin. I understand.”

  “You travel light,” Kimit said.

  “I was in a hurry and your cousin told me you might be persuaded to part with some supplies and munitions.”

  “I might. It will depend.”

  “On what?” I asked, not liking the change in conversation.

  “On you promising to let me, my crew and marines help you with your plan.”

  “Maybe you should ask your cousin how my plans tend to work out. They go to shit pretty fast.”

  “With our help, maybe this one will not do so, at least not as quickly.”

  “We have concluded our briefings and you both are welcome to stay or begin your journey,” Captain Dakkon said, looking from one to the other.

  “I am just a beggar relying on your goodwill, Kimit. Whatever you decide is fine by me.”

  “We will leave immediately, Captain, with your permission.”

  “Granted. Safe travels,” Dakkon answered.

  Kimit and I began to walk away. “Benjamin, a word,” Dakkon added.

  “I’ll be along in just a minute. Meet you at your ship.” Kimit nodded and kept moving.

  “Two things before you leave. Make peace with yourself. Make peace with Queen Tazleaha. Make peace with your daughter.”

  “That’s three things.”

  “No, that’s one. You must do them all at the same time. Second, stop by the armory on your way out. I have a few things set aside for you. The weapons master is already aware.”

  “Thank you, Dakkon. Taz asked me why you and Xamand and your people were all so good to me. For the life of me, I have no idea.”

  “If she ever asks you again, tell her to contact me and I will explain it to her.”

  “How about explaining it to me?”

  “That would only serve as a distraction, which you do not need.”

  “You’re right, there’s enough bullshit to fill your cargo hold. I don’t need any more. Thanks again. My ride is waiting on me,” I said, making my exit.

  “The armory is on the lower deck, just ask anyone if you need help finding it,” Dakkon yelled when I was halfway to the transport tube.

  Walking through the ship alone, surrounded by humanoid reptiles a foot taller than myself, was sobering. It was also odd to see every Allond I encountered acknowledge me with a nod. As a race, they smiled, but it didn’t invoke the same feeling that I felt when a human, Trillond or Cjittan smiled. While it was not true at all, I couldn’t help but think of a predator about to eat me when they smiled. The transport tube was fast, and I kept a brisk pace—it didn’t pay to walk slow on a Allond ship—I arrived at the armory in no time at all.

  The weapons master must not have gotten the ‘be nice to the human’ memo. “What are doing in my armory?”

  “Your captain told me to come and see you. You have some things for me.”

  “I have no idea what you are talking about. I am calling security and having you removed.”

  “Rock on, asshole, I’m in no mood. Whatever your problem is, you can explain to the Captain. Kimit is waiting on me and I have to go.”

  “Wait! I was told you were bolder, possessing strong character and a warrior.”

  “Well, they should have told you I have no patience and an unsavory character and am an asshole. Now I don’t have time for games, weapons master, I have Khalnalax to kill and a planet to take.”

  “Be at peace, human, I was instructed to try to express humor. I did not believe it would work, but I followed orders. Now, here are the weapons the captain has approved for me to give you.”

  My humorous friend reached under the counter and laid a sword on top. It was not a design I had seen before. After looking at the scabbard I was not sure it was technically a sword. It was a single edge, like my katana, running the full length of the blade and maintaining the same width until the end. The final twenty centimeters grew into a belly like an axe head but tapering into a point. It was long, heavy, and unevenly balanced, but the two-handed hilt made it acceptable.

  “That is for the Khalnalax soldiers. Use the straight edge to cut through its arms, then bring the heavy edge down on its head right above the mouth. There is no finesse, just swing, chop, and break bone.”

  “Thank you. I will.”

  “Then there is this. You might recognize it, but I have made some improvements.” He again pulled a weapon from under the counter. This one, by sheer weight alone, was not something he could gently put down. “I understand you overworked yours.”

  The railgun that lay on the table was at least twenty-five centimeters longer than mine. I picked it up, checking
the weight, but it wasn’t any heavier at all.

  “I made some improvements to the cooling system. The tube is heavier than your other one, but the frame is a lighter, stronger material. I was not able to install the software for your targeting system that interacts with your helmet at this time, but it has a targeting system I think you will find acceptable.”

  “I feel like an idiot. Thank you for this.”

  “You are welcome. The one thing you must do for me is give me a report on how it functions in battle. I have put through some tests and simulations and I believe you will approve.”

  “The only thing missing is munitions.”

  “Already on your ship. You could not carry the container. You will find a selection and can switch from one to the other with a push of a button. Take this brief and read it. You will learn all you need to know.”

  “I definitely owe some people.”

  “Remember, when you owe, eventually they will collect. Thank your queen for the weapon and the captain for the sword.”

  My jaw almost bounced off the floor. I wanted to be happy and had been for a few seconds, until that moment. I wasn’t going to turn it down. I would thank her, and if she tried to hold it over me I’d throw the gun out an airlock. I picked up and strapped on my newfound friends and headed for the shuttle bay.

  ****

  “Why are we not running at full capacity?” the Overseer yelled. They had walked around inspecting the World Eater before going to the control room.

  “Sir, a severe storm will be upon us within a half-cycle. We have been watching its growth and it appears to be highly charged. Once it passes, we will resume operating at full capacity.”

  “Let me see the readings. You could have continued operations at higher levels than this. There was time.”

  “Yes, sir, but we are ahead of all projections and will resume so with a full crew. Had we left them out to long we may have lost key workers and hurt our future production projections.”

  “Show me the projections.”

  Joon was sad. She knew enough to know what the numbers meant. They were stripping her planet of precious metals and ores. The air around the World Eaters was foul and affecting the weather. She had never known of any storm like the ones they endured more and more frequently. Workers were often killed if they were caught out in it. She felt conflicted over the deaths of the workers. If it was possible, she was happy and sad at the same time.

  Doon had been sent on errand after errand since their arrival. She thought that might be for the best. It was good he was mute. His growing defiance toward their master was going to cause him a lot of grief someday. The master, the Overseer, would get his someday. She just knew it.

  Chapter 18

  “Keep the chatter down, Snake,” Adeen warned again.

  “Why, you scared? We’re almost there. All I’m doing is encouraging my guys. The silence can mess with you. Besides, we are the only ones hearing it through our coms. Not like I’m yelling out loud.”

  “I don’t want to listen to you. I want you to keep your mouth shut. Once we are at the objective you can go back to the ship. I don’t want you on my team.”

  “Fine with me. I’d prefer to keep on livin’. It’s a lot better than dyin’ following you.”

  “Both of you, shut the hell up. I heard something,” Angel barked.

  “I heard it too,” Adam agreed.

  Silence ensued. Everyone was focused on hearing something, anything. “Let’s keep moving,” Adeen said as softly as she could.

  “I think it was behind us,” Adam added.

  “From the plans I scanned, those doors should be the bridge,” Adeen said.

  “I saw the bridge of the ship Benjamin was on as a prisoner. Looked just like that,” Snake agreed.

  “Angel, cover the rear so Adam can start cutting on those doors. Buddy, you’re with her. Snake, help Adam,” Adeen ordered. “Warlock, you just be ready to run if all hell breaks loose.”

  “Yes ma’am,” Buddy answered, his hand resting on his sidearm.

  “This panel is dead like the rest.”

  “Adam, all of them will be dead. Just cut the door open with the plasma or let me use some of this goo. It works almost as fast,” Snake retorted impatiently.

  “Admiral, you copy everything so far? Ready team two, we will most likely need Genius shortly,” Adeen asked.

  “We copy, Captain. He is on his way with Harry. I am going to have to override your order for Snake to return to the ship, however. I want him to lead a search team once you have the bridge secure.”

  “Yes ma’am, as long as he is out of my hair.”

  “When this is over, Captain, crew, we are going to have a meeting,” Admiral Binda announced. Everyone on the Claymore and the Cjittan ship heard her. “Anyone who mouths off will spend some time in the brig. The petty bickering is getting old. I don’t care what we call ourselves, pirates or privateers, we will have order. Am I clear?!”

  ****

  The com was alive with acknowledgements. Snake smiled to himself. He would still give Captain Adeen trouble for any chance he could. He wasn’t scared of time in the brig, since any brig was as close to a permanent address as he ever had. The ship was ancient and, for most purposes, dead. Dead didn’t mean it wouldn’t make noise on its own. Old things creaked, and the longer they went without maintenance the more noises they made. His body creaked and he needed some maintenance. He didn’t care if she was blue, green, white or black, just preferably warm-blooded.

  Adam brought him back to reality. “I’m through it. Gimme a hand, Snake.” The door was smooth and flat, no hand holds anywhere. It was a slider like most doors. There was probably a way to open it when it was dead from the inside, but not on the out. “Be careful of the hole I just burned. It’s going to be hot for a while.”

  “No shit. I guess we try to push with our palms pressed against the door?” Snake asked. It looked like the only option to him, but he didn’t know everything. He knew the red glow of molten metal on the door meant it was hot. Didn’t need some knucklehead to tell him that. Gloves on, gloves off, they tried both ways, but the door was slick and nothing was working.

  “I have an idea.” Taking the plastic pistol from his belt, he laid a vertical bead about fifteen centimeters long, chest-high on the door, then laid another next to it. Moving to the middle of the door, he did the same. They waited briefly, then he applied the neutralizer. The result was two grooves in the door long enough to get fingerholds. Using a rag from his pack, Snake wiped off the new hand holds.

  “Pull,” Adam said. Both men began to tug and pull. The door groaned then squealed with each tug, metal on metal.

  Snake peered into the darkness. “Admiral, we’re in,” he heard her report. Helmet lights turned on, they entered the bridge. Dust floated through the beams of light, swirling in the new air currents. Snake checked his air scrubbers, which had spiked, then stopped Adeen. She was distracted, then irritated, as he touched her. He pointed to her belt. The numbers on her air scrubber had also spiked, but came down as they watched. She began a report to Admiral Binda.

  “There are no bodies, Admiral, and no signs of struggle here. They must have shut it all down and walked out. A thorough search will reveal some answers and more than likely more questions.”

  “I agree, when the others get there. Angel, Harry, Warlock, go with Snake and begin searching the labs and the cargo hold. I want you to clear each area quickly and move on. We can go back through them later when we have a crew assigned. Adeen, work with Genius. If we get it operational, you’re going to be its captain.”

  “Yes ma’am. Genius and Harry just arrived.”

  “Admiral, I’m going to take my team and get started. This tub is so big you may not hear from us for a week,” Snake said.

  “We don’t have that kind of time, but I get what you’re saying.”

  “Admiral,” Genius interjected.

  “Yes, Genius.”

  “On the
surface, it seems it was all just shut down. I don’t think I should try to bring it all back online simultaneously. The drives and navigation, life support and waste disposal should come first. Any subroutine systems that work in conjunction with those as well. Then we’ll move on to the others.”

  “Waste disposal?”

  “You haven’t spent much time around Snake. It’s a crucial system.”

  “I heard that, you little bastard,” Snake bellowed. Genius smiled. Snake was on his way out the door.

  “If you could do that, I will recall our ships and offload the non-essentials. This would solve the problem of where we are going to live in the future,” Binda said.

  “No lack of space here. This monster can accommodate thousands,” Genius agreed.

  “But we need to make sure there are no beasties roaming around, unless you want to feed them some pirates.”

  “Snake, get going. I’m ignoring that remark.”

  “Genius, address ship and system security after you’ve started the main systems.”

  “Yes ma’am. That’s a good idea if we are going to bring the families onboard. The labs are no place for them. I’ll lock them out.”

  “Captain Adeen, I want a progress report in six hours.”

  “Copy that, Admiral. You know, if there are any beasties, they might eat Snake first and die of food poisoning.”

  “I heard that, Captain, you and the admiral just yuk it up,” Snake replied and gave his team the eye to see if any of them were laughing.

  ****

  “Snake!”

  “Go ahead, Genius.”

  “I need you in engineering. I have power to the bridge, but it’s fluctuating. A coupler is out of alignment, or maybe there is damage to the conduits. Regardless, I need eyes on it and you are the only one with the proper gear.”

  “Why don’t you bring your skinny ass down here and look at it all yourself, wise guy?”

  “C’mon man, you know I was kidding earlier. The admiral gave me six hours to get this tub pointed toward Kanlost. I can’t be running back and forth.”

  “And I’ve got ghosts and noises to track down.”

  “It won’t take long. Once I see everything, you can leave the kid and I can guide him through everything.”