by Justin Sloan
“Yeah?” Kalan asked. “What did you find out?”
“Enough to make me trust you, at least temporarily. I don’t think you would be working for Captain Tuttle if you knew the truth. There’s too much information on the people you’ve helped, starting with Sslake.”
Kalan thought for a moment. He was impressed by how quickly Nostro had changed his mind about them once he knew the truth, but he wasn’t ready to let the garbage pit episode go that easily. “And what about you? Why should we trust you?”
Nostro chuckled. “I guess I’ll have to prove myself.”
“Maybe you could start by telling us the truth. Why’d you come back to SEDE?”
“To help my fellow prisoners,” he responded immediately.
“That’s pretty vague. I need specifics. How were you planning to help them?”
Nostro paused for a moment, as if considering whether to answer that question. “By taking down Tuttle.”
The answer surprised Kalan a little. “Tuttle stays out of our cellblocks. Stays out of the prisoners’ lives for the most part. You really think he’s the problem here?”
Nostro nodded. “Tuttle isn’t here for any sort of rehabilitation of the prisoners. He’s working toward a secret purpose. I haven’t figured it all out yet, but he’s actually working for this being called ‘High Priest Demustrius.’ The guy is obsessed with justice, only I’m not totally sure he even knows what that word means. He seems to think the only way for the galaxy to be just is for him to control it.”
That did sound a bit familiar. Captain Tuttle had talked a lot about justice when he’d given Kalan and Wearl the job.
Nostro took a step toward Kalan. “You know Sslake, right?”
Kalan nodded. “I haven’t talked to him in a while, but I did rescue him from SEDE, so I think he’d take my call.”
“And I was his cellmate,” Wearl interjected.
“Excellent,” Nostro exclaimed. “If I can get you proof of what Tuttle’s up to and I help you escape, will you tell Sslake what’s really going on here? He has the power to fire Captain Tuttle.”
A smile crept across Kalan’s face. “You want to help us escape, and all we have to do is have a conversation with Sslake? Yeah, I think that will work just fine.”
Nostro smiled back, and the movement made his facial tentacles wiggle strangely. “No time like the present. Let’s get started.”
Hattor put a hand on her son’s arm. “I knew you kids would get along. Have fun with your escape attempt.”
“Thanks, Mom.” Nostro gave her a kiss on the head, then turned to Kalan. “Right. Let’s get started.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Planet Rhol, Silahu Compound
The Grandeur approached Silahu compound cautiously, everyone aboard was aware that there could be all sorts of defensive mechanisms in place. Rokal’s one-person ship led the way, so far without incident.
"No missile lock, no sign of anti-aircraft," Flynn reported, checking the display.
"Incoming aircraft?" Valerie asked, totally confused why she hadn’t seen any yet. "I know you’re good at flying under the radar, but that good?"
"I got us in against Aranaught," he countered.
"And we’ll forever sing your praises for it," Garcia interjected. "But right now, this isn’t making sense. Where the hell are they?"
Jilla cleared her throat. "I’ve heard stories, from years ago."
"What kind of stories?" Valerie asked.
"About the cruelty of the corporation here—Silahu. They were the type of place you didn’t mess with."
"Meaning?"
"If they haven’t attacked us yet, something’s up," she explained. "Maybe an ambush, or—"
"Or that," Flynn interrupted, pointing at the display. On the screen was a magnified view of one particular area of the planet below—a large compound in ruins.
"Silahu," Jilla said, pointing to a sign with alien script that was still readable. "What happened here?"
All were silent as they approached, soon able to see the devastation without the on-screen enhancement. The earth around the compound was scorched. Walls still stood in places, as well as two of the buildings, but mostly it had been destroyed.
There were crashed ships scattered about as well, and one still had smoke coming from it.
"Holy shit," Bob exclaimed, "this was recent."
Valerie gulped. "Flynn, check for enemy activity nearby. Not on planet, but above."
He did so, but shook his head. "I’m not showing anyone out there. Whatever did this is either long gone, or was destroyed along with the rest."
"Well, we have to get down there and see if anyone’s still alive," she pointed out.
As Flynn began the descent, he added, "And if so, were they designers."
"Right, and that."
A message came up on the display, and when Flynn brought it up they saw Rokal’s ugly face staring at them. "Are you seeing this?" he asked. "Not exactly what we were expecting."
"Not at all," Valerie conceded. "You didn’t know anything about an attack?"
"Negative. Come to think of it, an hour or so earlier and we might’ve been involved. Good thing we’re late to the party!"
"I wouldn’t call it a party," Valerie replied, unable to take her eyes off the wreckage. "We’re going down."
"Me too, then. I’ll see you there."
They approached the ruins, continuing to scan but coming up with nothing. When they landed, Valerie insisted everyone suit up in full-body armor and helmets. She had everyone but Robin stay back to guard the ship and be ready to take off, in case there were problems.
"And you two?" Garcia asked.
Robin snickered. "What, you don’t think we can handle ourselves?"
"The rest of us can’t?"
She shrugged and let Valerie handle it.
"While you’re enhanced, and I get that, the point remains that Robin and I can move faster and heal from worse injuries."
"You don’t think we’d benefit by having a second team out there searching?" Jilla asked.
"We might," Valerie conceded. "I’ll want people watching my back in case Rokal tries something. Flynn, I want you ready to fly the ship out of here if necessary, and we’ll want an extra guard. "Garcia and Bob, then? You two head left and search for ways in."
"What exactly are we looking for?" Bob asked.
"A map of sorts, we think," Valerie answered. "A way to activate the base. Information on some defensible planet, or whatever it is Admiral Lolack believes is out here."
"For what it’s worth, that’s a false story," Jilla told them. "I’ve heard it, but I don’t believe it."
"Like an urban legend?" Robin asked.
"That doesn’t translate. Not a legend, though—just a story that everyone shares, but isn’t real. At least, there’s no proof of it."
"There’s no proof as far as you are concerned that a vampire named Michael walked our Earth, could talk in people’s minds, take the form of mist—kinda—and basically shoot lightning."
Jilla started laughing. "Your point? Of course there’s not. How could… Oh, shit, you’re serious?"
"Deadly serious." Robin grinned.
"Okay, I don’t believe that either." Jilla frowned. "Another urban legend."
"He was real," Valerie said. "Gave me the ability to do this." She felt her anger rise at the idea of someone questioning Michael’s existence, and it helped with the effect as her eyes turned red and her fangs extended.
She’d been able to do some pretty badass shit back on Earth, such as pushing fear onto her enemies so that they’d more or less piss themselves. Up here, though, it had different effects, based on the alien race she used it on. Based on what it had done to the healing Pallicons back on Tol when she’d taken down their fighting system, pushing fear on Jilla’s type made them unable to heal or transform. That was a little fact she could save for later, though.
"We’ve wasted enough time," Robin pointed out, nodding at
the door.
Jilla stared, open-mouthed, then blinked. "So it’s true. Damn, Kalan told me about you, but I just figured—"
"That it was more lies?" Valerie laughed, letting her eyes and teeth return to normal. "There are worse monsters in this universe than us, I imagine. But not many."
"In that case, I’m glad to be on your side." Jilla transformed to look like Valerie had a moment ago, eyes red and fangs extending. "But it still could be lies."
Valerie smiled and pushed fear—and smiled wider when Jilla tried to transform back, but couldn’t.
"Whatever you’re doing to me, it’s not funny," Jilla said, red eyes darting around the room. "Please stop."
Valerie did, then nodded. "Just so we’re clear. No lies from me—ever."
"Got it."
Valerie glanced at Robin, who was at the door and gesturing for her to leave. The woman’s narrowed eyes were visible through the helmet’s faceplate. Showing off might not have been necessary…but then again, it was important to have the respect of everyone on the team. Jilla had asked for it.
They exited, finding Rokal already starting to work his way through the debris. He wore his armor and helmet, and had his rifle at the ready.
"So, no weapons deal," he said.
Valerie could tell by the tone of his voice that he hadn’t expected this to be about a weapons deal. Still, she replied, "That’s too bad. Maybe they had the shipment ready, and we can still find it."
He gestured toward one of the partially destroyed buildings. "That’s our best bet."
She nodded and followed him in that direction.
"When do we tell him what we’re really after?" Robin asked.
"When it’s the only way we’ll find it," Valerie replied. "I’d just as soon have him gone. There’s something about him…"
"Aside from the fact that he tried to tear you to pieces back there?"
"Who hasn’t?" Valerie scanned the area for any signs of a way down, or what might be the main part of their headquarters. "Hell, when we met you were a trained vampire assassin, right? You would’ve killed me if given the chance."
"Only if forced," Robin countered. "Though I’ve been tempted sometimes since then."
"Shut up! You have not."
Robin shrugged.
"When?" Valerie demanded. "When have I been such a pain that you wanted to kill me?"
"Fine, not actually kill you. But you’ve been a pain."
Valerie frowned, stopping the search to look at her friend. "Name one time."
"Seriously, you don’t know?" Robin laughed, but kept moving. "How about not so long ago when you started flirting with me again out of the blue."
"I wasn’t flirting with you."
Robin glanced at her and laughed.
"Okay, maybe," Valerie admitted. "That annoyed you so much?" She jogged to catch up with the woman. "No, answer me! My feelings for you annoyed you to the point that you’d say you wanted to kill me?"
"I shouldn’t have used those words," Robin agreed, but turned back to Valerie and finally stopped. "Listen, it’s not just that you have feelings for me. It’s that I have feelings for you, too."
"What?" That stunned Valerie, causing her to feel like she’d just been shoved.
"Of course I do!" Robin turned as if to keep walking, but then looked back at Valerie. "I can’t focus out here while looking at your lips every five seconds and wondering when they’ll touch mine again, or...or… Shut up. You get the picture."
Now Robin did walk off, heading toward Rokal. She left Valerie staring after her with a new realization taking hold. If this ended—if they could beat this force coming at them—maybe that would be enough for this part of the universe? Set things straight in this galaxy by dealing with multiple enemies from multiple galaxies, and talk about allies for the Etheric Federation.
Maybe if that happened, they’d be able to take a breather. Relax, maybe take a vacation.
Not feel distracted by their feelings, but rather be allowed to pursue them. More than ever, Valerie felt the urge to complete this mission. She jogged past them, eyes searching.
In one of the building remnants, they found an old holographic display that played music and walked visitors through a history of the corporation. It even hit on making the economy better for the locals, but was ultimately a waste of time.
Valerie spoke into her comm. "Any news?"
"All clear here," Garcia replied.
"Nothing happening on the ship," Flynn reported.
Valerie shared a frustrated look with Robin, but pushed on. Soon they had found another building fragment, though it was only a few rooms. One of them, however, had a walkway down, partially blocked by fallen rubble.
The two worked to move the rubble aside, then got the jammed door open.
"What’ve we got?" Rokal asked from their left.
"Maybe nothing," Valerie said, glancing around. She wasn’t sure if she’d expected to find an army of Norruls waiting to ambush them or what, but it seemed clear.
Some of the rubble moved…then silence.
Valerie stepped toward the sound, cocking her head. "Whoever’s there, come out nice and slow."
When nothing happened, Robin said, "Could be an animal."
"Or shifts in the ground," Rokal added.
"It’s not," Valerie replied, when one of her other powers kicked in. She’d been able to sense the emotions of others back on Earth. It was almost like reading minds, as more powerful vampires could do, but her version was more like a generic sense of their emotions. It often played out as warmth or cold, sometimes clear, sometimes not.
Here it was coming at her like radar. Just as the fear power worked differently on other races, this did too, apparently—only that sense had been silent until now. Suddenly it was sending her throbbing pulses, coming from the direction where she’d seen movement.
"Back up," she hissed at Robin, raising her rifle.
Again the rubble moved, and this time a hand emerged. It pushed out farther, scattering the pieces of cement and metal, then another hand.
"What do we do?" Robin asked.
"Might be friendly," Valerie answered. "Won’t find out unless we ask."
"Dammit!" Robin exclaimed, but nodded. "I’ll cover you, in case."
Valerie stepped forward, letting her rifle drop on its sling. If the situation got out of control she could handle herself with just her hands, but right now she didn’t want to appear threatening.
"I’m going to help you," she said as she knelt to grab one of the hands. In a quick jerk she had the figure out of the rubble, then lowered him to sit. Judging by the body armor and face behind that faceplate it was a he, but he looked strange—scaly skin, green and purple, like eggplant meets lizard. His eyes were white slits with no visible pupils. Unlike their faceplates his opened to the sides, rising in a V shape.
"Were you with the company?" she asked.
His nose slits closed and opened again, then he said, "Yes. Silahu."
"Can you tell us what happened here?"
"Not...much. I remember an attack. I ran to get my gear, as was standard practice in case...and I made it."
Valerie glanced back at Robin, who shrugged. They didn’t know if they could trust this guy, but they needed to find out if he knew anything, so she’d play along but be ready.
"Can you show us where you worked?" Valerie asked.
He glanced around, playing it very well if he was an enemy. Either way he was dazed, unsure about his next move.
Then he saw Rokal approaching, and his eyes went wide. "No!"
Valerie spun, but it was too late—Rokal already had his rifle out, finger on the trigger. With a burst of shots, the stranger fell to the ground, blood spurting from his head and neck. Neither Valerie nor Robin responded since Rokal’s action had been such a shock, until the Norrul was on the stranger, pounding his face in with the rifle. Something rolled out of the stranger’s hand and Rokal was on it, snatching it up and running at the sa
me time.
"The fuck?" Robin asked.
"We heard shooting," Garcia said over the comm, snapping Valerie out of it. She was about to go after Rokal, to toss him to the ground and beat the answers out of him to all the questions spinning around in her head at that moment, when shots pounded the ground between them and the Norrul. Powerful shots—enough to make small craters.
She pulled back, shielding herself from the flying debris, and glanced at the stranger to confirm he was indeed dead. Face smashed in, head now convex. Yup, definitely deceased.
"I think we’ve been had," Robin said, pointing up.
"You all seeing this?" Garcia’s voice came through again.
Valerie followed Robin’s gesture and saw a series of ships above them, some out of atmosphere, some in.
She swore. "The Norruls back there—or maybe just Rokal, if he was working alone—notified the enemy."
"What do we do here?" Flynn asked over the comm.
"Stand by," Valerie ordered, noting that just one medium-sized ship was approaching. "See if you can contact Lolack, or actually Tenowk."
"Roger that."
The descending ship had to be about twice the size of the Grandeur, but more angular. It looked like blown glass in a thunderstorm. It was red with gold trim, matching one of the other, much larger ships above.
"A transport ship for someone rather important, I’m guessing," Valerie said.
"Looks about right," Robin replied, glancing at the body again. "Guessing here… Rokal had been part of the attack on these people here, maybe known this guy at the time, but thought he’d gotten away. Was back with the Norruls, figured he could lead us out here to be captured when we found this guy."
"Sure, except…" Valerie gestured toward Rokal’s ship, which was now hightailing it out of there. "Why not bring it to his boss?"
Robin’s frown was visible through her faceplate. "Good question."
"I’m thinking our friend Moralu was behind the call. Neither is on our side, but they serve different bosses?"
"Damn. That makes this whole situation that much more complicated."
Valerie nodded, then spoke into her comm. "Flynn, put a tracker on Rokal’s ship if possible."
