Command: No! You’re the only ones protecting the hospital. Four more runners will be there in a minute. Can’t you wait till then?
Shadowback: Mace? What?
Mace: No. It could all be over by then! We’re down to two runners! We’re flying down. Now!
Command: No! Please? No!
Boone, Terra, Lincoln, and Kola were very anxious listening to the open COM. Boone very much wanted to be a part of it all. It reminded him of the time Pryce told him he was ‘called’ to it. Boone told Pryce the notion was crazy but standing there and gazing out into the massive city that towered toward the sky, he began to realize that he was being drawn to something very dangerous and life threatening. But, Boone didn’t consider any of the consequences that came with such a dangerous job. He wanted to be in that fight.
He looked at Terra, Lincoln, and Kola. They seemed distressed by what Mace and Pryce told Command.
“Don’t worry,” Boone said confidently. “They’re not leaving us unprotected.”
“No?” Terra asked.
Boone shook his head, no. I noticed a few moments of silence before that conversation – Mace and Command. They think Sabin is listening. Mace and Pryce just set a trap. They all smiled.
“That’s very resourceful!” Lincoln exclaimed.
Terra added, “Sir, you don’t know the half of what these four are capable of doing.”
“I’m starting to find out,” he replied. “I’ve been trying to catch up on all of those reports.”
Mace hovered in front of the 39th floor of the north side of the building, hidden from the main avenue in which he thought Sabin would make his run. Mace was ready to bank the Kori Dane to his port, come into Sabin’s view and block as the Night Star did a few minutes ago. Mace kept a sharp eye on the scanner. Sabin and the three High Guard runners were twelve seconds away.
The Night Star hovered, waiting for the scanner to indicate an oncoming flyer. It was also hidden behind a building near a main avenue Sabin could use. Between the Kori Dane and the Night Star, they had two main thoroughfares covered. They anticipated launching their plan any second.
Mace: I’m on the street level. The buildings all have bright flashing holograms facing the street. I’m going to circle the hospital.
Command: Mace! Please stay in front of the hospital. That’s your job!
Both Mace and Pryce detected an oncoming small ship. On their scanners, they weren’t able to distinguish between the runners and the diamond flyer but they expected the diamond flyer to be the ship way out in front.
Jona: High Guard, where are you all. Haven’t you spotted him?
Shadowback: We lost him when he turned south. We are conducting a search pattern. We’re flying from the north to the south toward the hospital.
Command: Night Star, Kori Dane, this is an order! Return to your posts! Comply!
Mace: Command. My plan is better. Stand by.
Sabin jetted south, half-a-mile out. With the Night Star and Kori Dane elsewhere, and knowing he was ahead of the High Guard runners, he confidently waited the extra few seconds to get closer to his target.
“The closer to Boone, the more damage! I’m not going to miss this chance!”
Pryce and Mace saw how close Sabin was and couldn’t wait another second. They judged rightly. The Night Star banked into the main avenue as did the Kori Dane. Sabin, once again, was shocked to see a ship in his path – the Night Star.
Sabin: Ah!
Shadowback: I see him! Night Star! Night Star!
He fired a flurry of phaser blasts but Jona had already fired beforehand. The phaser fire from the Night Star greatly overpowered that of the much smaller diamond flyer. The blasts from the Night Star shielded the blasts from the diamond flyer and more. Jona’s aim was precise and was followed by a 2.0 rocket, a very risky shot because the rocket would continue if missing its target, and possibly hit one of a thousand buildings in the city.
Sabin glared as the rocket, moving so fast he couldn’t adjust, hit him as he tried to evade. The hull of the diamond flyer took the full force of the rocket. It burst into flames high above the ground giving onlookers only moments to take cover. The diamond flyer tumbled into nearby buildings, smashing windows and large holographic signs on its way down. It landed in a fiery smoldering heap.
“Yes!” Boone and Terra shouted as they watched the whole scene unfold before them.
Jona watched the ship explode, crash into a building and fall toward the ground. He unbuckled his harness and leaned forward over the cockpit console to watch the diamond flyer crash to the ground. He nodded his head in relief. He saw a gunner hover in the distance. It observed the crash, slowly banked out of the street, and left.
Jona: Good!
Command: Report! Someone report!
Shadowback: Command, Sabin is down! I repeat, he is down! Great job, Night Star!
Command: What? They were there the whole time? Explain, please.
Mace: Sorry about the deception, Command. Pryce and I caught on that Sabin was somehow monitoring us.
Command: Kori Dane, Night Star, I will need you… you… men to come in and be debriefed. Sound OK?
Mace: Copy.
Pryce: Copy.
Shadowback: I’ll see you boys later!
Pryce: Nice working together, Shadowback.
Mace landed on top of the Karkavon medical building, while Pryce and Jona landed the Night Star on Pad 1, ground level. The busy air traffic of the city resumed and the High Guard runners returned to base. Sabin was still inside the burning flyer as workers desperately tried to free him.
Chapter 9
It was just after daybreak. Rena stood in a large open meadow near the crop field waiting for a fleet of small ships of various types. The sun had just come up, a gentle breeze brushed across the grassy landscape, and birds and other creatures were stirring in the adjacent woodland – until a faint sound was heard. The noise of flying ships soon filled the air. Some, a smooth and gentle whine while some older and not fit for such long trips were clanging and rattling. The two days it took them to make the trip was more stressful than she imagined.
“There!” Aderian exclaimed as he stood near her with the aid of a long branch under his armpit which served as a crutch.
“I see them,” Nell added as she pointed toward two distant mountain ranges that created a small valley.
The ships slowly ascended in formation and landed in succession. All fifty-one of them. Rena was excited by the sight and symbolism of the small fleet. She did not expect them to be so organized. She needed to find out who was leading them.
She approached the man that led the crowd. He was of average size with dark hair and a medium build that shifted to one side. He had deep-set eyes resting under bushy eyebrows and a large mouth that grinned. She noticed the bright silver-plated phase blaster hanging from his gun belt – “An expensive toy,” she thought. He stood before the obedient group of young and old men and women, all expecting to hear great words and wisdom from a woman they only knew as ‘queen.’ The reward was an afterthought for most.
Rena approached. Her light gray cape was draped over her shoulders, her long ash-brown hair was messy and out of place, yet fashionable at the same time. Her hand-held laser swung near her side and her tall black boots seemed to indicate she was indeed a freedom fighter – yet for despotism. Her dark green eyes examined the man that led them all there. He quickly learned, from her gaze alone, everything everyone had told him about her was true.
Her voice was stern, yet compassionate as she pleaded her cause with them and offered her leadership and her vast network of infiltration in return for strict unwavering obedience. Deception and deceit would be very costly.
Jak approached the man as if to look him over. Jak suspected everyone and protecting her was his, Nell’s, and Aderian’s main goals.
“Your name? Please?” she asked the man directly, expecting respect and servitude.
“Janek,” but I, as you, queen, don’t like to hav
e my name… overused.”
She nodded, “I understand. Janek, are these ‘my men and women?’ Or yours?”
“Oh, no. I work alone. I was… let’s just say many of them know me and asked me to lead them here, in case the High Guard found out what we were all up to.”
Rena, Aderian, Nell, and Jak all glanced at each other, wondering if the High Guard did see them all.
“Yes, fifty-one ships flying in formation would definitely catch their attention. Especially after all that’s happened in the last month. Now, how did you all get here? As one unit? Risky! Dangerous, I think.”
“We met sporadically, near Isoter, and took the deck to get here.”
“The deck?” she complained with great concern. “You all flew above the trees and hills? And you thought no one would see you and report that? You may have compromised this whole operation!”
Rena shot a concerned glance at Aderian and Jak.
“We didn’t. We flew in the cover of darkness. We left Isoter at sundown, flew single file toward the sunset, and as slow and quiet as we possibly could. We took our time, Queen,” though it was difficult for him to call anyone, Queen. “Then we followed rivers, deserts, mountain tops, and valleys.”
Rena looked at Aderian with surprise in her eyes. Aderian smiled.
“That is quite an undertaking. And, it’s quite resourceful. I supposed it worked,” she said as she studied the blue skies and bright sunshine. There was not a ship in sight. “It seems you pulled it off.”
He nodded and smiled. Rena walked passed him and began to address the crowd.
“I’ve called you all here for an important job. But, before we get to the search, there are some things we need to take care of first. This is my operation, my mission, my goal. This is also my life’s work at play. If you are not already mine,” she paused to read some faces. “Then either you vow, right here and now to belong to me or leave. If you leave, you may go freely and peaceably. I won’t harm you; no one will harm you ever. But if you stay, you will have to record your I.D. on this device.” She held up a small black hand-sized device. “You will vow to follow me, you will vow to honor and defend me, you will vow to do ‘what I say,’ ‘everything I say,’ and ‘when I say to do it.’ I will call upon you when I need you.” She paused again to read their reaction. “Today, you will become mine! And only mine!”
The crown seemed concerned, even a little threatened. Janek smiled yet wondered, “No one is going to brand me.” She strolled a little closer to the crowd and turned on her charm.
“When you become mine, I will give back to you in return. You will have my protection against anyone who threatens you, even the High Guard. You will have a vast network of people just like you, waiting to obey me. You will have food enough for your family, seed to grow your own food and NOT DEPEND ON THE PRIME ESTABLISHMENT to dole out what they think is appropriate!”
All fifty of the volunteers started shouting and celebrating. Janek frowned, “She can do that?”
If you are unjustly detained, as so many of us are – because of the High Guard’s overbearing hostility, I WILL COME AND FREE YOU and take you away. I will give back to you what the High Guard and this… this… EVIL PRIME ESTABLISHMENT HAS TAKEN AWAY!”
The crowd cheered loudly as Rena explained her plight and life’s mission.
“I also have great opportunities waiting for those who want to be part of bringing this new unified terrorist organization to its knees and restoring the old self-ruling planetary system!”
The crowd cheered again. Rena held the device high in the air.
“Join me! Follow me, and serve me. I will be your queen and you will be my people and we will build a great free kingdom! Now, register!”
They all cheered again as the queen not only unified them but ignited more animosity and hatred toward the guard and the primes. They began to register themselves. Nell took the device and began scanning personal cards, I.D. necklaces, wristbands, and a few had the newest I.D. chips embedded within their forearms. Everyone but Janek registered. Rena noticed.
“Janek, you’re not going to join me?” Rena asked charmingly and politely. Her soft voice and abrupt change in demeanor shocked him. She became very docile.
“Well, Queen, what’s your name?”
“Ah, I see. You’re one of those.”
“I’m not one of those but I am wondering about all of that stuff you just talked about. And I’d like to know more about this device or thing you’re after.”
Rena didn’t answer. Aderian added, “If you’re half the thief we’ve heard about, we could use you.”
“Yes, well,” he replied as he studied her dark green eyes. “I’m very interested in working with you, alongside, or maybe we could trade off and on. I need to know more about what I’m getting into before I make you my… my…”
“I understand, Janek,” she answered. “You’re not an average thief or an average killer. You think things out.”
He nodded, “Yes. I think things out. That’s how I’ve survived. Now, do we work together on this mission? Or should I leave now?”
Rena smiled at him. She glanced at Aderian and Jak. She turned to address the crowd, now fully scanned and ready to serve. With her back to him, she answered, “I think I’ll keep you around, Janek. For now.”
She addressed the crowd, “My second-in-command will give you your instructions. Remember, the reward will be great. That’s all you need to know and it is a promise from me to you. If you find what we are looking for, YOU WILL RECEIVE IT!” she shouted.
The crowd cheered, Aderian explained the search pattern, including the kukupas, and everyone divided into groups of three. They set out in every direction looking for a device.
…
Lorin was making her way to the Karkavon Medical Center. She had important news for Boone. On her way, she was escorted to a secure location until the AEE was over. Boone, Terra, Lincoln, and Kola were still in their room discussing the harrowing efforts of his three friends when they were interrupted by a flashing hologram.
Kola said, “I forgot! The court is calling! Boone! Uh, COM,” he uttered. “Open!”
The hologram opened inside Boone’s room and a prime stood before him – 3rd prime of Arkitrosis, Prime Jaku Vanous.
“Prime!” Boone said. “I’m sorry we couldn’t call earlier.”
He interrupted, “Boone, we had investigator DeKator escort you because we knew you would somehow avoid us. Officer DeKator? Officer Kola?”
Lincoln nodded to the prime, “Sir, much has happened since you notified me.”
“Kola,” he rudely interrupted. “Open your hologram to include Boone as well as you.”
Kola did and the prime saw the investigator, Terra Je’en, Nurse Callie, Boone Nova, Lincoln DeKator, and Officer Kola. The prime pointed to Callie, she abruptly left. After she did, she went and told the other doctors and nurses that Boone Nova was having an unprecedented holographic meeting with Court of Primes. Doctors and nurses gathered outside his room and watched through the large window.
The hologram in Boone’s room opened on the planet Arkitrosis and all six primes could be seen as well as the court moderator, Giban. Boone’s hologram nearly filled the room. It was as if the court stood right next to them, while Kola, Lincoln, Terra, and Boone stood right next to the six primes and Giban. The doctors and nurses were fascinated.
Kola answered, “Sirs, you need to know what just happened. Boone came willingly, not avoiding your summons whatsoever. But, when we got to the room, an AEE was issued. Sabin stole a ship and tried to destroy an entire floor in the hospital!”
“What?” Jaku asked. “We did know he escaped.”
“Sir,” Lincoln added. “We lost two ships, the men are alright but Sabin stole a diamond flyer and was fired upon. The ship was hit and destroyed… by the Night Star. I don’t know if he survived or not. It only took place moments ago.”
The court sat stunned. They murmured among themselves about
the matter.
Giban asked, “Did you say the Night Star? Boone, your ship has been very busy these past few weeks!”
Boone shook his head, yes, and added, “She’s old but she is dependable, Sir.”
Prime Rosen relayed a question to Jaku. “You said that Sabin was going to destroy part of the hospital. How did you know that?”
Lincoln answered, “The two pirates that helped him escape called us and explained his plan. They could not understand Sabin’s intentions. They said he was like… like a mad-man, Sir. He wanted to attack Boone and Officer Je’en. At all costs, Sir.”
The prime nodded, as did the other primes. Boone, Terra, Lincoln, and Kola watched the court mumble amongst themselves.
“We must get back to business,” Jaku said. “We are glad to be informed and we are glad that everyone is well. Boone!” Jaku glared at him. “Where is the teleportation device? We need it immediately! It may be the only way to take down the Ambulas! Please?”
Boone frowned and smirked. He slowly slid onto his bed and sat. He felt very sorry the question was even asked.
“Sir, I…”
“Boone,” Giban explained, gently. “The court has decided that ‘you’ should not have the device in your possession. Do you understand? If something happens to you!”
“It would be lost to us forever, Boone,” Jaku explained. “Also, Boone, it’s not your place to decide who gets it or who does not. It’s not your place to ‘police’ the constellation. Or ‘police’ us, Boone! Now, we are asking you very politely. Where is the device?”
Boone sulked. He tried to think clearly but couldn’t. Terra, Lincoln, and Kola looked on with compassion. They understood the implications Boone feared. If the court could see what Boone and Terra saw they would understand how dangerous the device would be if fallen into the wrong hands. As of that moment they didn’t comprehend the sophisticated organization of evil taking place in their midst.
Prime Jaku added, “Boone? Please. This Ambulas has devastated the cargo freighter, Ganes Trek. It was literally cut in half by several laser strikes. Over two-hundred life pods are fleeing for their lives. We can’t get near them with our battlecruiser! We are helpless right now. Who knows what else this starship will do. Please?”
BOONE NOVA AND THEPIRATE QUEEN Page 8
