by M. R. Forbes
Sergeant Diallo was crouched beside Theodore, positioned in front of him to take any wayward shots that managed to come near.
"Sir, I should stay with you," she said.
"Are you questioning me during a firefight, Sergeant?" Theodore roared. "I'll court martial you right here."
Diallo headed away at a run, carrying the Dread rifle toward the rear. Gabriel glanced back at her before returning his attention to the incoming forces.
The attack had come from both ends at once, the enemy clones moving in from the intersecting corridors. There was little cover. Nowhere to hide. The area was filled with shouts and cries and screams, with red and blue bolts of energy. The clones weren't wearing armor, but the front line was carrying shields made of the same impenetrable black material and using them to absorb the human counterattack.
Gabriel fired the Dread rifle, impressed by the lack of kick and the ease of use. His bolt struck one of the shields, leaving a score mark in it but not piercing through in one blast. He fired three more times with similar results. A return bolt flashed past him, and one of the crew members cried out a few feet away.
"We're getting chewed apart out here," Theodore said. "We need to retreat and get some cover." He spun on one wheel. "Graham," he bellowed. "Get everybody moving back to the hangar."
"Yes, sir," Graham shouted. The Colonel was pressed against the wall, firing ahead at the clones.
"So much for reaching the armory," Theodore said. "You were too slow getting to us."
Tea'va made a face. Gabriel thought he saw a hint of anger, but it was gone in an instant. "You were too slow in your landing, Dahm St. Martin," the Dread replied calmly. "We must change our tactics if you want your people to live. Send them back. We will go forward."
Gabriel looked back over his shoulder. Diallo was positioned in the intersection, putting down cover fire across the corridor with the Dread rifle and keeping the enemy fire somewhat suppressed. He could see most of the crew retreating, but also dozens of men and women already motionless on the ground. He had known each and every one of them by name. Now they were gone, just like that. He felt a pain in his chest. Where was Miranda? A spike of fear threatened his composure. He couldn't worry about her now.
A squad of soldiers was moving in their direction. Delta.
"Sir," Sergeant Hafizi said, saluting as he reached them. "Diallo sent me to help get you out safe."
"We aren't going out," Theodore replied. "We're going ahead."
"Sir, I don't think-"
"Am I the General here?" Theodore snapped. "Get in line, soldier."
"Yes, sir," Hafizi replied.
Gabriel saw Tea'va smile. The Dread was amused.
"So how do we get out of this?" Gabriel asked.
"Back away down the corridor," Tea'va replied.
"We'll get caught in the center. Boxed in."
"You can trust me and live, or question and die."
"Do it," Theodore said. "Our fate is in God's hands now."
They began backing up, clearing the intersection and avoiding further fire. Gabriel noticed Reza was with them as they did. How did the scientist end up at the front of the line? There was no time to ask him.
"Cover the rear," Tea'va said. He flexed his hands and began moving forward.
"You're going after them unarmed?" Gabriel asked.
"They are lor'hai. I am pur'dahm."
It was the only explanation he gave. Then he rushed forward, leaping across the corridor, hitting the wall with his feet and springing back out of sight. A rush of plasma crossed the hallway, followed by screams.
Gabriel turned to face the second intersection. The enemy was drawing closer, leaving Diallo on the opposite side, trying to keep them at bay. Too many of their crew were on the ground in the middle of it all. He didn't want to look at them, terrified of who he would find in the mix. Miranda? Daphne? Colonel Choi?
He made it to the intersection and began shooting in the opposite direction as the Sergeant. The combined force was enough to temporarily halt the attack, the incoming enemy clones remaining cautious. They could afford to be patient.
"Heil'shur," he heard Tea'va say a few seconds later. He turned to the Dread, who was holding one of the shields in one hand, a plasma rifle in the other. His clothing was burned, but he appeared unharmed.
"Diallo," Theodore said. "Take that thing and get it back to the others. Bar the door to the Magellan with it if you have to."
"Sir?"
"If we can take the ship, we can stop the attack. Ain't that right?"
Tea'va nodded, throwing both the shield and the rifle across the intersection. Diallo scooped up both and began retreating to the hangar. Gabriel could hear more screams from back there, as the Dread forces began closing in around them. He hoped it would be enough to save them.
"This way," Tea'va said, leading them forward again. He ran ahead, his long legs carrying him quickly. He paused at the intersection, checked it, and burst forward again.
Gabriel ran behind the Dread, while the soldiers of Delta Squad kept his father surrounded. Reza stayed close to them, keeping pace.
They crossed the corridors, reaching a longer hallway illuminated by a green beam of light in the center. The transport beam. Tea'va stopped in front of it, waving them past. "The bridge is twenty decks up."
"What about the armory?" Theodore said.
"It will be fortified beyond our capacity to take it. Gr'el reacted more quickly than I estimated. He must have guessed I am helping you."
"Won't the bridge be fortified as well?" Gabriel said.
"Yes. There is another way. One he won't expect. Remember. Raise your hands to go up, try to count the floors. Otherwise, we will be separated."
"Hafizi, here," Gabriel said, handing his rifle to the Sergeant. "Take point."
"Yes, sir," Hafizi replied. He moved toward the transport beam with the squad. They stepped inside, seeming to dematerialize as they did.
"That's some serious voodoo," Theodore said.
"Voodoo?" Tea'va replied.
"I'll explain later." He rolled into the light and vanished.
Gabriel waited for Reza to go through, and then he joined them, stepping into the beam with Tea'va. He looked up, feeling a rush of something for just a second before it all stopped. He stepped forward, coming out into an identical corridor behind Delta Squad and the others. He was nearly hit in the face by an incoming plasma bolt as he did, finding them engaged by another group of clones. The Dread soldiers didn't have a shield to protect them, so they hid around the corners, popping out to attack. Hafizi's team returned fire when they did, keeping them honest. One of Delta's soldiers was down directly in front of Theodore's chair. The unfortunate crewman had likely saved his father's life.
"We must get down this corridor," Tea'va said. "There is a rear access channel to the bridge beyond that point. Even if Gr'el knows about it, which I doubt, it will be difficult to defend in numbers. We can use it to circumvent any defensive positions he has created."
"Maybe we can go another way?" Gabriel said, ducking down as another plasma bolt flew past.
"There is no other way, Heil'shur." The Dread smiled again. It was less alarming now that Gabriel had seen it a few times. "If we die, we die with honor. Yes?"
"Yeah. I guess so."
"You heard him," Theodore said. "We have to push forward and break through the defenses. This ain't no time to be yellow. Let's show these couillons who we are."
"Yes, sir," Hafizi replied. "Delta, we're going in."
The Sergeant took a step forward. A plasma bolt caught him right in the chest, making a sizzling noise as it burned into his flesh. The force of it knocked him to the ground, and he landed dead on his back.
Another soldier was hit a moment later, and he fell with a shout, coming to rest at Gabriel's feet. He heard Tea'va growl beside him, and then the Dread was rushing the enemy position again, pausing momentarily to grab Hafizi's fallen rifle.
"Gabriel," Theod
ore said. Gabriel looked at his father. He was holding his antique handgun out to him. "I can't roll and shoot at the same time, son. You've already made me prouder than any man has any right to be. Don't be afraid."
He knew what his father was suggesting. He didn't hesitate. There were no other choices left.
He grabbed the pistol, rushing down the hallway behind the Dread warrior.
SIXTY-TWO
The volume of fire was intense. Plasma bolts streaked past Gabriel, and he did his best to use his skills as a pilot to try to throw the aim of the enemy soldiers, jerking side to side as he ran, following behind Tea'va. He could feel the heat of the energy going past his face, past his arms and legs. One bolt caught the edge of his shoulder, and he clenched his teeth at the burn of it on his arm. He didn't let it slow him. Somehow, some way, he was going to make it through the barrage. They hadn't come this far to lose now.
Tea'va paced ahead of him, moving so much faster than a human. He dropped as he neared the enemy position, sliding forward on his back toward the thick of it. One of the clones rose to track him, and Gabriel aimed and fired, the kick of the gun nearly pulling it from his hand. The shot hit the clone in the arm, the force enough to spin him around. A second clone broke cover and took aim at Gabriel. Gabriel managed to swing the ancient pistol back toward the enemy, pulling the trigger and watching as the clone's entire chest exploded out from the force of the impact.
The rest of the enemy soldiers were down by the time he reached them, with Tea'va standing in the center.
"Much respect, Heil'shur," Tea'va said.
"Much respect," Gabriel replied.
The others caught up to them a moment later. His father, Reza, and the two remaining soldiers, Corporals Kilani and Bush.
"Nice work, Major," Theodore said.
"Thank you, sir," Gabriel replied.
"This way," Tea'va said. "Do not delay."
They resumed their frantic pace through the fortress, passing a number of empty corridors and sealed doors until they reached what looked to Gabriel to be a solid wall. Tea'va waved his hand in front of it, and a previously invisible hatch slid open.
"In here," he said.
Gabriel leaned in. The passage was small and narrow.
Too narrow for his father to follow.
"That isn't going to work," Gabriel said.
Tea'va moved back out into the corridor, his expression confused at first until his eyes landed on Theodore. Again, Gabriel thought he caught a flash of anger from the Dread, but he wasn't sure.
"Come," he said, quickly crossing to a closed door. It slid open ahead of him, revealing a bare room with only a small bed against the wall. "Your Dahm can wait for us here. It will be safe."
"What?" Gabriel said. "I'm not leaving him behind. Forget it. Find another way, Tea'va."
"There is no other way, Heil'shur. There are only five of us, and still many dozens of soldiers blocking our path to the bridge. Gr'el may know this route, but there is a second further down that I am sure he does not. We must take the first to reach the second, and if your Dahm cannot follow, then he must remain."
"No," Gabriel said. "I'm not leaving him."
"Excuse me, Major," Theodore said. "That isn't your call."
"General," Gabriel said.
"I appreciate that you care, Gabe, but I'm an Old Gator, and not suited for this kind of mission. We both know that. You need to leave me here. If Tea'va says it's safe, then it's safe. I need you to go and get me that bridge. That's an order, Major."
Gabriel gritted his teeth. He didn't like it at all, but orders were orders.
"Yes, sir," he said. He held out the antique pistol. "At least take this."
"No. You might need it. Nobody's going to come and check this little cubby hole of a room for a human with no legs. I'll be perfectly fine. Capture the bridge, and then come back and get me, okay?"
Gabriel withdrew the gun. "Okay." More words flowed to the tip of his tongue, and he was tempted to hold them back. He didn't want any regrets. "I love you, Dad."
Theodore smiled. "I love you too, Gabe. Go and make your mother proud."
"Yes, sir."
"Uh, sir," Reza said. "If you don't mind, I think I'd rather stay here with you."
"Go ahead and take a seat, Mr. Mokri," Theodore replied. "Good hunting, Major. Good hunting all of you."
Gabriel backed out of the room. The hatch slid closed in front of him. He turned to Tea'va. "Okay. Let's go."
Tea'va stared at him for a moment. He seemed confused by the exchange, but he didn't say anything. He brought them back to the hatch, waving them in once more. As soon as they were all inside, the hatch closed, bathing them in near complete darkness.
"I can't see anything," Corporal Kalani said.
"Me neither," Gabriel replied. "Tea'va, how are we supposed to do this blind?"
"I can see, Heil'shur. Put your hand along the wall and follow my voice."
Gabriel put his hand out, touching the side of the passage. The material tingled against his fingertips, as though it were holding an electrical charge. Based on what he had learned of the Dread's shields, maybe it was.
"The wall will curve slightly as we move ahead. Then it will continue straight for some distance. Move as quickly as you can."
Gabriel followed Tea'va's voice, letting the Dread guide them through the passage. They reached the end a few minutes later, with no sign of any opposition.
"Curious," Gabriel thought he heard Tea'va say beneath his breath. It didn't seem that he was expecting to make it this far without being attacked.
A new door slid open and light filtered into the space once more. Gabriel squinted his eyes against it, giving them a moment to adjust. Tea'va's form faded into view beyond the bright light.
"We cross here, to there. This route will evacuate a short distance in front of the bridge. You must adjust to the light quickly."
"We'll do the best we can," Gabriel said.
Tea'va opened the second door and once more directed them in. They followed him, using his voice to make their way through the maintenance corridor. Again, they reached their destination without interruption.
"I do not know what waits beyond this door," Tea'va whispered to him. "The bridge will be on your right. I expect Gr'el's defenses to be organized to the left, most likely clones hiding behind lek'shah shields. Or perhaps he has gathered the few drumhr warriors who were loyal to him here. We will only have a few seconds to use the surprise to our advantage, but they will be vulnerable from behind. Do you understand?"
"Yes," Gabriel said. He tightened his grip on his father's gun. "We're ready."
He could hear Tea'va shift ahead of him. A moment later, the door slid open, and the light began filtering in again. Gabriel squinted his eyes to fight through the blinding glare, moving out into the corridor and turning to the left, aiming the pistol, ready to begin shooting whatever was there in the back.
Except there was nothing there. No fortifications. No soldiers. No shields.
He heard Tea'va mutter something foreign behind him, the Dread's tone of voice surprised and confused. He clearly hadn't been expecting this either.
The door behind them slid open. Gabriel turned toward it just in time to see two plasma bolts fire from behind it, one striking Corporal Kalani, the other hitting Corporal Bush. Both soldiers dropped to the floor.
Then a dozen plasma rifles were trained on them, held not by the clone soldiers Gabriel had seen below, but by two other types of clones. Both were female. One was heavyset, with large breasts and hips and a plump face. The other was like the one he had seen on Earth. The spitting image of his mother.
He felt a chill tingle down his spine at the sight of the four identical copies of Juliet St. Martin. They were each wearing long, dark robes, their hair tied back and up. One of them was wearing a shimmering blue pin, and from the way she stood it was clear she was superior to the others.
He was so surprised by them that he didn't notice the Drea
d standing in the center of them right away. He was a larger, uglier version of Tea'va, his skin lighter, his hair longer, the bony ridges across his head more prominent. he reminded Gabriel of an image Theodore had shown him once of a real alligator.
"Tea'va," the Dread warrior said in thick English. "I would despise you so much more if you weren't so predictable."
SIXTY-THREE
"Gr'el," Tea'va said. "What have you done?"
"What do you mean?" the Dread asked.
"You know what I mean. The Mothers."
"The Mothers are a tool, Tea'va. Like all tools, it only takes a creative mind to find different uses for them. Do you like what I've done with mine?"
"The Domo'dahm-"
"The Domo'dahm has no dominion out here, Tea'va. You know that."
"He trusted you."
"He didn't trust you. He told me that you would plot against him the moment you were out of Earth's orbit. That you were too human, and that humanity would lead you to resent him and the other pur'dahm for our superiority. He tasked me with removing you quietly, which I have tried to do. Honor and respect for your ability to evade capture, but you are the lowest of the lor'el for running instead of retiring yourself."
"You don't seek to remove me on the wishes of the Domo'dahm. You are plotting to overthrow him yourself, to return with this ship and an army of lor'hai." He thrust his finger out at the Mothers. "Their minds are unfit for the Soldier programming."
"They have taken to it rather well," the Juliet clone with the blue pin said.
"Better than I had hoped," Gr'el said. "In any case, none of that is your concern, Tea'va. You are nothing now. You no longer exist to the bek'hai."
"I am the future of our race," Tea'va said.
"No. You are the mistake of an overzealous scientist who took the human genome too far. Rorn'el allowed you to survive because of your potential to reproduce naturally. But you denied the one thing that set you apart, the one thing that might have put you back into his favor, especially after your repeated failures against the Heil'shur." Gr'el looked at Gabriel for the first time. "Honor and respect to a worthy adversary," he said, bowing. "I am Gr'el, Dahm of the Ishur."
