by John Walker
“Good job. Just… focus on getting that damn thing dealt with. What’s the holdup anyway?”
“Power. It’s like operating at a state below power saver mode. Only I can’t force it to go any higher.”
“We can’t tie it into the…” Kyle stopped himself. “That would be a big pain.”
“Not to mention tip others off that we’re doing something important.” Lysa looked around. “Can you believe this slob left all these things in this state? I bet most of this stuff is priceless.”
“All the more reason to be worried about criminals coming in here.”
Lysa’s device beeped. She turned to the screen. Data began to download albeit far slower than normal. “Hey! It’s working! It’s working!” She watched the two percent park for a good twenty seconds before it became two point three. Then two point five. “Holy shit…this might take a very long time.”
“Guess it’s good we’re not going anywhere.” Kyle backed away from the door. “Niva, Vesper, can you hear me? Either of you?”
“We’re here,” Niva’s voice filled their speakers, “we’ve got Alon stabilized and are waiting for a doctor. How’re things there?”
“Downloading the data now,” Kyle said, “but without more power…” He gestured to Lysa.
“More power would make it faster,” Lysa replied. “None of us knows how to hook up additional resources to it, though. Unless that Custodian character can figure it out. He’s supposedly a genius, right?”
“I think we’ll have to make a deal with him,” Niva said. “I’ll work on that. Just stay put. Once we’re comfortable with Alon, we’ll come back to you. We’ve spoken to Andrews. The ship is fine. He locked it down tight and no one’s messed with him yet. Quick note though, anything beyond the command center and admin sections may be in chaos.”
“Fantastic,” Kyle cursed, “we’ll keep that in mind.”
“Just means we don’t want to go wandering.” Niva paused a moment. “I’ve got some things to take care of. We’ll talk soon, guys. Good luck.”
“That’s something,” Kyle said.
“Maybe. I won’t hold my breath.” Lysa continued staring at the screen, willing it to move faster. It clicked over to four percent then jumped to five. At that point, it went back to fractions. “Wow, this thing’s going to give me an aneurism. I am not ready to sit here for two hours hoping it continues to work.”
“You don’t have a choice.” Kyle stopped abruptly. “Someone’s sniffing around outside.” A tap on the door made him take aim. “Great.”
“Don’t worry,” Lysa said, “remember, they can’t get in.”
“Without explosives… or something like that.” Kyle backed away. “Regardless, I think I can negotiate with them if they force their way in.”
“How?”
Kyle patted the gun. “Nothing quite gets your point across like shooting through a small opening.”
“God…” Lysa shook her head, keeping her attention on the computer. This is going to be a long, stressful trip. The tapping continued, every metallic clink making her jump. Yeah, I did not need this. Damn pilgrimage. I just had to see it to the end, didn’t I? Better be worth it. This has been utterly insane.
***
Vesper wanted to move. Andrews claimed things were fine at the hangar, but she would’ve rather locked that area down rather than the medical bay. Whatever criminals roamed around the halls would have a harder time taking them with ship mounted turrets providing support.
Alon responded to the treatment. Niva thought he might even wake up soon. Whatever physicians they had aboard the Flotilla weren’t exactly easy to trust. Treating a blaster wound tended to be easier for military personnel due to all the practice. Unfortunately, neither she nor Tiller had to provide first aid for such wounds before.
Theoretical didn’t count.
“Come in,” Kyle’s voice burst in Vesper’s helmet, making her wince. “We’ve got some visitors at the door and they seem pretty intent on getting in. Not sure if they can. Problem is, I have no idea how many there are.”
“How close are you to finishing?” Niva asked.
“It’s slow,” Kyle replied, “low power is making the data trickle and we doubt there’s a way to generate more.”
Niva sighed. “So you need more time, right?”
“Pretty much, yes.”
“I can go,” Vesper said. “Anyone trying to bust in that door isn’t likely to be paying attention to the hallways.”
“Going alone isn’t a good idea,” Tiller warned. “We should stay put. He doesn’t even know if anyone can get through the door. And it’s not like Kyle’s helpless.”
“He’s guarding our objective,” Vesper pressed. “I’ll make it fast. You guys have this room.”
Niva looked up from Alon. She seemed to weigh the options but came to a conclusion fast enough. “Go. Hurry and report in.”
“I’m on it,” Vesper darted out of the room.
“If,” Niva came through the comm now, “you find the odds overwhelming, you get back here right away, understand? This isn’t a time to risk lives. We don’t have the numbers for that nonsense.”
“I hear you.” Vesper cut down the corridor, pausing as she arrived at the lounge. Bodies from the firefight remained sprawled about here and there. No one had bothered to clean them up. The Custodians worried more about keeping the place running than sanitary. She approved of their priorities.
Especially with the reactor behaving questionably.
“I’m nearly to you,” Vesper said. She crossed the room, taking the stairs slowly to maintain some semblance of stealth. Leaning against the wall, she held her weapon high, finger poised to pull the trigger at a moment’s notice. Scans didn’t pick anything up. Just the low-level radiation permeating the place.
I wonder how many people get sick visiting the Flotilla. Modern radiation treatments made the effects negligible in the TCN. Vesper assumed they were better out in the universe. Maybe none of them cared. They took whatever medication they needed and went on with their lives.
As long as they weren’t fried from the damage, then they could live with it. The whole process seemed particularly dangerous to her. If the medication ran dry or they couldn’t get to it for a while, they faced a very real threat of dying. And not in a pleasant way, either. She’d read the literature.
Vesper leaned to get a look at the opposition. Four people tampered with the door. She stayed on the top three stairs, taking a low profile as she aimed. None of them were dressed like the Custodians. Dirty overalls, tattered jackets, scuffed boots… they were the same criminals that threw down with them earlier.
And they were all armed.
“I’m taking them now, Kyle,” Vesper whispered. “Get ready to open the door so I can come in.”
The nearest of the four cast a casual look around the area. He rested his rifle on his shoulder. If he was their sentry, he had epically failed in his task. She put the reticle on his forehead. As he turned in her direction, she pulled the trigger.
His head snapped back as his limbs went limp. His collapse drew the attention of the others. All but the one working on the panel. She kept her cool, directing the others to do something in another language. The translator couldn’t pick up the nuances, but it didn’t matter. The others went for their weapons.
Vesper blasted one of the men in the gut. His companion must’ve seen the flash. He returned fire. Sparks showered down above her from the wall, but she didn’t move. She caught her target in the leg, just above the knee. He screamed, firing his weapon three times into the ceiling.
More sparks showered down, this time on the woman working to gain entry. She hissed, dashing away. Vesper chased her with three shots, but all of them missed before the target slipped around a corner.
Damn! Vesper stood, moving into the hall. She closed quickly to the three men, kicking their weapons away. One stirred. She shot him in the back, then pounded on the door. “It’s me! Let me in
right away!” She kept aiming down the hall after the one that got away. The few seconds she stood in the open made her pulse race.
Come on! Hurry up!
Kyle grabbed her by the arm, dragging her in. The doors shut behind them.
“You okay?” Kyle asked. “How many were there?”
“Four.” Vesper looked around the room, heading over to Lysa. She glanced at the screen. The meter was at ten percent. “You weren’t kidding about it being slow. Listen, I didn’t get them all. Some bitch is still running around, and she was the one tampering with the panel. I don’t know if she’ll come back or if she’ll have more friends.”
“They must know about this treasure trove.” Kyle swept his hand over the boxes lying open here and there. “The Manager guy collected some serious shit. I imagine anyone left aboard wants a piece of this to make up for what they lost fighting outside the station. If that lady you’re talking about decides to tell everyone…”
“What, through the intercom?” Vesper sighed. “You’re probably not wrong. Better to squabble over a piece of this stuff than to lose out completely.” She tapped her comm. “Niva, I think we’re going to have some trouble up here. Someone’s on the loose out there and if she’s smart, she’ll try to start a riot over the loot.”
“Can you hunt her down?” Niva asked. “Stop her before she makes that happen?”
“I… guess.” Vesper checked her comm. The map of the station seemed to be up to date. It might’ve been enough to even the odds. Depending on how well her opponent knew the area. “I’ll fall out. The room is secure for the moment. But it’s going to be a while before we have the data.”
“Understood. Do whatever it takes to buy them more time. Alon’s almost done. I’m hopeful we can get him back on his feet in the next few minutes.”
“Great news.” Vesper killed the connection. “I’ve got to go back out. You heard the conversation. Keep this place locked down, Kyle. I’ll keep you informed of my progress.”
“Be careful out there,” Lysa said, “this is the kind of game you want to be cautious about.”
“I’ll do my best.” Vesper headed to the door. She dropped low before opening it, aiming in both directions before stepping out. “Lock that behind me. I’ll disable the panel.” She whacked the one outside with the butt of her rifle. Okay, no one’s getting in through normal means. Time to find my industrious little pirate.
Chapter 5
Gunnery Sergeant Kenzo Stefan gritted his teeth as the drop shuttle hit the atmosphere. Zephal Five had been rumored to be a prosperous colonial world for the Rhulins. A place with ample resources and opportunities. A single look from orbit made it look inviting, green and blue like Earth.
When the Kahl attacked, any dreams the people had of holding on to the world evaporated. The briefing suggested they’d been dealing with some local trouble. Thugs of some kind, likely criminals from outside the system come to claim the wealth accumulated by the larger settlements.
Rhulin military had been on hand to contend with them, but apparently they weren’t up to the task of repelling a full-on Kahl invasion. Which didn’t surprise Gunny all that much. They may have been generously named militia, like Alon and his people when they first encountered the alien threat.
Alon. The thought of the sergeant off on that ridiculous space station filled Gunny with rage. He understood the reason. He didn’t bother to argue with the commander nor even raise a concern. They had a new mission to save many lives. He understood what that meant for individual soldiers lost in the field. Missing in action.
That’s how they listed the three of them. Two of his sergeants. Which meant Lieutenant Blane Corso went on the relief mission with him. Their objective involved securing landing zones before extracting difficult to pull personnel. The Brekka’s soldiers would be doing the same at a different point five klicks to the north.
I really wish I had my experienced crew with me. Gunny missed Hans. Many soldiers had died around him, both under his command and otherwise. That one hurt. They’d become close. Like real brothers. He sacrificed himself without a second thought. Crazy bastard. Saved Vesper for sure.
Only to have both of them get taken by criminal thugs on some kind of joyride across space.
If anyone can get out of it, I guess it’ll be them. As long as they survived this far, I might see them again.
The universe became infinitely larger when the Prytin identified themselves. Warp speeds increased. Humanity found itself able to travel to stars that would’ve been time prohibitive before. And the people who took Alon’s unit had technology advanced enough to drive an entire space station.
Meaning they could be anywhere.
“Coming down hot,” Warrant Officer Darrick Malta brought them down to the surface. He’d been present during their time on the planet, attempting to assist Andrews with air support. It hadn’t worked out and he came away with some crazy stories to tell about the defensive tech of the ancient Kahl. “I’m shifting to LZ two.”
How the hell is LZ one so crazy? Gunny frowned. Both ships sent down vessels to bomb the hell out of the areas, to give them a clean place to stage. Because they were there to save civilians, that meant getting close to the action. The Kahl were actively fighting with the remaining military forces.
And murdering civilians at the same time.
This place should’ve been easily cleared.
“Where’d they come from?” Corso asked the question. “Do they have a nearby facility? I need data.”
“Not sure, sir,” Malta replied, “looks like they poured in from the foothills if you ask me, but I haven’t received word from the Triton yet. They’re a little busy themselves.” The ship rattled, definitely not from turbulence. “We’re taking fire from ground turrets. They got those in position fast!”
“Corso to Triton, come in please.”
The lieutenant might get some answers, but Gunny doubted it. He figured the Kahl must’ve taken note of the bombing, decided the area must’ve been some importance when the ships left, then moved in to ensure no one got a foothold. They knew how to perform an invasion.
Gunny believed the ones they encountered thus far had been unlucky. Furthermore, they never had the numbers they seemed to enjoy. When the Triton arrived in the system, they found six Kahl cruisers in combat. They engaged with Prytin battleships and a number of defensive craft and they held their own.
This is what the Kahl are really like, Gunny thought. Dangerous in large numbers. Capable of responding to any threat fast. And they proved that by the way they came down on the LZ.
Twenty soldiers beside himself and the lieutenant occupied their shuttle. Combined with the twenty Prytins coming down with the Brekka, they were expected to provide security for the civilians while getting them out of there. Each shuttle was to be used to extract as many people as possible along with whatever crafts the colony contributed.
I don’t look forward to the state of those things.
As their shuttle banked hard to get to the second location, they absorbed a solid assault. Their opponent’s had incredible aim, pounding their belly for nearly thirty seconds before they finally got out of range. If not for the fact they had doubled up the shields down there, Gunny had no doubt they would’ve crashed.
“Lieutenant,” Gunny said, “order another bombing run to go through there. Knock out those defenses before they use them on someone else. We have to send civilians out of here. Those ships won’t be capable of evasive maneuvers.” Though he wondered why Malta hadn’t at least tried to avoid the constant barrage.
A point I’ll bring up to him when we’re out of this place.
“Triton, this is Corso again. We need a second bombing run on the first LZ. It’s still way too hot and they’ve got ground to air weaponry. Hard-hitting turrets. Please respond.” He paused. “Thank you. We’ll be at LZ two if you need us.” He shook his head. “They’re working with the Brekka on it.”
“I feel like we’re the only
two ships even trying this,” Gunny said. “Is that what the briefing told you?”
“We’re here for the relief efforts,” Corso replied. “Anything else… that’s on the defense forces here. Though you noticed we jumped into the fight soon enough up there. The Triton and the Brekka wanted a piece of those Kahl bastards. I don’t blame them. They’re killing people by the drove. And stealing this planet at the same time.”
“They don’t care about the planet,” Gunny pointed out, “they don’t colonize these places usually. Just kill all the people, annihilate the colonies and move on. Maybe they plan to come back when they’ve wiped out the universe. Sick, genocidal bastards. I can’t wait to take some of this violence to them. Hit their planets.”
“Not sure why no one has,” Corso said. “There’s no way they have the resources to defend their territory and initiate attacks like this. In multiple systems, from what I understand too!” The ship began a steep descent. “Here we go. Establish a perimeter as soon as we land. I’ll coordinate the ground defense units.”
“Got it.” Gunny once again wished he had Alon with him. He’d grown to rely on the man far more than he wanted to admit. Vesper promised to be a solid addition to his leadership team as well. I should’ve protested more about sending two sergeants on that errand. The Prytin intelligence chick was probably enough.
Though he admitted he had no idea what they faced on the station. Could’ve been that they had the perfect team for the job. Those crazy pilgrimage missions aren’t even what we do. This is the type of thing we were trained for. Open combat. Saving lives. Taking territory. He looked forward to something straightforward.
Malta fired the forward thrusters, slowing their fall as they came in for a landing. The ship put down hard, jostling Gunny so his teeth hurt. Christ, Malta! Another thing he wanted to have a talk with him about. Subtlety. Giving a shit about the passengers in his boat. He’s like a bull with this thing.
“Alpha squad!” Gunny belted out. “You’re on perimeter duty! Three men on each corner of the marked territory on your HUDs. Let’s fall out!” He led the way, stepping down the ramp before it even got to the ground. Nothing shot at them, which at least was a good start. He rounded the ship, taking in the scenery.
