Ep.#4 - Rebellion (The Frontiers Saga - Part 2: Rogue Castes)

by Ryk Brown

  “I’m not sure about this,” Josh said, as he prepared to take the controls.

  “Nathan knows what he is doing,” Vladimir assured him. “I hope.”

  “Thirty seconds to release,” Loki warned. “Maneuvering is online, mains are coming up.”

  “I hope so too,” Josh muttered.

  Master Sergeant Anwar ascended the ladder into the Seiiki’s cockpit, coming up behind Vladimir. “Did you get the scans?” he asked.

  “As requested,” Vladimir said, handing a data card over to the master sergeant. “There are several possible points of entry, however, mooring clamp bay doors would be your best bet. There are four of them. The bays appear to be designed to allow service while in transit, so there will be an inner hatch. The bay doors are not thick, so you should be able to cut your way through them quite easily.”

  There was a sudden thud, and the Seiiki shifted slightly.

  “We’re free,” Loki announced.

  “Thrusting away,” Josh followed.

  “We would need a way to seal up the inner hatch before opening up the inside airlock hatch,” the master sergeant continued. “Otherwise the entire section will likely seal off automatically. And we do not wish to harm the passengers, or the crew, if possible.”

  “Konyeshna,” Vladimir agreed, thinking. “We have a few panels left over from the reinforcement work we just completed. One of them should be enough, as long as you don’t make too big a hole.”

  “Are you guys planning on boarding the Mystic?” Josh asked in surprise.

  “We’re just planning ahead,” Vladimir assured him, “just in case.”

  “Does Nathan know about this?” Josh inquired.

  “It was his idea,” Vladimir replied. “‘Always have a plan B’.”

  * * *

  Nathan and Jessica followed the lieutenant out of the boarding area and up several levels, before reaching the Mystic Empress’s main deck. Once they arrived, everything changed. Gone were the corridors lined with conduit, pipes, and ventilation ducts. Gone were the plain whites and grays of the bulkheads, decks, and overheads. Gone were the glaring warning placards and directional signs.

  The main deck was spacious and opulent. Marble decks, wood grain walls, vaulted and lavishly decorated ceilings. And windows surrounding the deck, looking out into space in every direction.

  The Mystic’s grand foyer was like a park, with gardens and trees, and manicured paths that weaved in and out. And sprawling over the top of the massive area was a clear ceiling that wrapped over onto either side. Decorative lighting illuminated the space, accenting the natural beauty of the landscaping. Long winding staircases came down from all four corners of the space, spiraling lazily into the park itself. It was truly a breathtaking sight.

  Nathan remembered a two-week cruise on the Mediterranean Sea back on Earth. He had been a teenager at the time. The ship had felt much the same as this one, with every amenity and activity that one could imagine, all packed into a luxurious setting at sea. He remembered being resistant to the voyage at first, and had wanted to stay home to hang out with his friends in Vancouver. But his parents had insisted, as it was the last time they would be able to take such a cruise together. A few years later, Nathan would be off to college and, with all but one of his siblings married with their own growing families, scheduling such a trip would’ve been near impossible.

  He did not remember much from that trip. However, he did remember enjoying himself more than expected. As he looked at the Mystic Empress, he was quite sure that her passengers were having an equally good time.

  As they headed aft along the starboard side of the grand foyer, they received several long stares from passengers. Jessica in her Ghatazhak uniform, and he in his roguish coat. He could see in the faces of several passengers, that more than a few of them thought they recognized him. It all seemed quite surprising, since he wouldn’t have thought that a simple beard could hide his identity so well.

  Of course, he had spent the last five years avoiding both the Takar and Darvano systems for that very reason. The fringes of the Pentaurus sector had only become tied-in with the other worlds by jump drive technology within the last few years. By then, the legend of Na-Tan had faded considerably. Nathan had been known best on Corinair. He even had a monument on the Walk of Heroes in Corinair’s capital city of Aitkenna.

  They continued along the starboard side of the foyer, passing the lower level dining area and lounges. As they left the foyer and headed aft, the passageway narrowed slightly, although it was still at least six meters wide. To their left, the massive windows that had stretched up high and over the top, gave way to ones that were only three stories tall. To their right were shops and entertainment spaces, and above them were two more decks of guest cabins, with private balconies that faced the massive windows and their spectacular views into space.

  Eventually, the grand view disappeared, as they entered crew-only spaces. Back were the white walls, and gray floors, and the overheads decorated with mechanicals.

  They turned right, headed toward the center of the ship, then turned right again to head up several flights of stairs. As they reached one of the levels, Nathan spotted an elevator nearby. “Why don’t they use the elevator?” he whispered to Jessica.

  “They’re trying to disorient us, and tire us out,” Jessica whispered back.

  “And why did they take us through the passenger areas, instead of below them?” Nathan wondered. “Did they want to impress us or something?”

  “Actually, the captain did not want you passing through the ship’s critical areas,” the lieutenant called back to them, as he turned and headed up another set of stairs. “At least, not until he decides if he can trust you or not.”

  “We’re here to warn you of a grave threat,” Nathan explained.

  “And yet you hold the captain’s family as hostages.”

  “We rescued them,” Jessica pointed out.

  The lieutenant stopped, turning back to look at them. “From what, might I ask? Their comfortable life on Corinair?”

  “I would prefer to discuss this with Captain Rainey,” Nathan replied.

  The lieutenant studied Nathan carefully. “I know who you claim to be, young man, and I, for one, do not believe you. And even if I did, you should know that several of my dearest friends died during your so-called liberation of Takara, as did the original owner of this vessel. So, in a way, I would love for your claims to be true, so that I might have the opportunity to exact my revenge upon you.”

  Nathan said nothing, staring into the elder lieutenant’s steely eyes.

  “Good luck with that,” Jessica warned in menacing tones.

  “Are you going to take us to Captain Rainey, or do you want to take us on right here in the corridor?” Nathan challenged.

  The lieutenant stared at Nathan for several more seconds, trying to size him up. Finally, he spoke. “Second door on your right. The captain is waiting for you. My men and I will be waiting outside, in case we are needed.”

  “Thank you, Lieutenant,” Nathan replied confidently, turning to continue down the corridor unescorted.

  Jessica followed Nathan, smiling at the lieutenant as she passed. “See ya later, pops.”

  * * *

  Birk and Cuddy waited in the dark stairwell leading from the market basement to the storeroom above.

  “I’m still not sure about this,” Cuddy whispered in the darkness.

  “You heard what he said,” Birk replied in hushed tones. “He won’t let us leave alive.”

  “But, it’s a resistance. Surely the Dusahn will kill us if they catch us.”

  “We’re screwed either way,” Birk said. “Let’s just roll with it for now. After we’re clear of the city, and get to wherever this resistance camp is located, then we can dec
ide what to do. After all, it’s not like they’re going to have us locked up there, right?”

  “I don’t know, are they?”

  Birk turned and looked at his friend, barely able to make out his face. “How the hell are you supposed to fight if you’re locked up?”

  “How the hell do I know?”

  “Look,” Birk said. “If we don’t like it, we sneak away in the night or something. It’s either that, or get buried under a market.”

  The door above them opened, and Anji appeared. “Quickly,” he urged.

  Birk and Cuddy came up the stairs and into the store room. As soon as they stepped inside, two of Anji’s workers moved several large wine barrels back into position, blocking the entrance to the hidden stairs.

  “What now?” Birk asked.

  “We will smuggle you out of the city,” Anji replied.

  “How?”

  “In those.”

  Birk looked in the direction Anji had pointed. “In wine barrels?”

  “Yes,” Anji replied. “Trucks come in from vineyards in the country to swap full barrels for empties. We have done this many times.”

  “How many times?” Birk asked, unsure of the plan.

  “At least a dozen,” Anji assured him. “Many ex-Corinari have needed to escape. You will be joining them.”

  “How long will we be in there?” Cuddy asked.

  “An hour, maybe two. It depends on traffic, and how busy they are at the checkpoints.”

  “Checkpoints?” Birk liked the plan even less. “We have to go past checkpoints?”

  “Quickly,” Anji urged. “The truck will be here soon. We must be ready.”

  Anji and his two workers ushered Birk and Cuddy over to the wine barrels closest to the loading door. The two workers unscrewed the bolts holding down the lids, and moved the lids aside.

  Birk stepped up to a barrel, looking inside. “Uh, there’s wine in this barrel.”

  “Of course,” Anji said. “It’s a wine barrel.”

  “You want me to get into the wine?”

  “Yes.”

  “Can’t we just use empty ones?”

  “The wine hides your body’s heat signature from the Dusahn scanners,” Anji explained. “Besides, often the Dusahn drain out some wine for their own use. Feel free to pee in the wine, if you like,” he added with a sly smile. “They will not know the difference.”

  Birk climbed cautiously into the wine barrel. “How are we supposed to breathe?”

  “With this,” Anji said, handing them each a small air bottle with a mouthpiece.

  “You’re kidding,” Birk replied, taking the device. “How long will it last?”

  “At least five hours, which should be more than enough,” Anji promised. “And do not drink the wine, as you may get sleepy and drown.”

  “Great,” Birk replied dryly.

  “I’m not sure about this,” Cuddy said, as he settled down into the wine barrel, the liquid swelling around him as it was displaced by his body mass. “What if something goes wrong?” Cuddy asked, as he raised the breathing apparatus to his mouth. “How will we get out?”

  “You will not,” Anji admitted. “But in that case, you should drink the wine. At least you will die happy.”

  “Wonderful,” Birk said, as he inserted the mouthpiece and submerged himself.

  * * *

  Nathan and Jessica walked up to Captain Rainey’s cabin door. Behind them were the lieutenant and his men, and at the opposite end were two more guards. Nathan pressed the buzzer next to the door, and a moment later, it opened, revealing a man in a stark white officer’s uniform, neatly pressed, with perfect creases and well-shined shoes.

  “Captain Rainey?” Nathan asked.

  The man did not reply, but stepped aside, pulling the door open for them to enter.

  Nathan stepped inside, followed by Jessica. The cabin was larger than that of Captain Gullen’s aboard the Glendanon, but smaller than Nathan remembered his own quarters being on the Aurora. It was well decorated, keeping in line with the luxurious surroundings that the Mystic’s passengers enjoyed, although understated by comparison.

  The man in uniform closed the door behind them, taking a position in front of the door itself.

  “Are you Captain Rainey?” Nathan wondered, noticing there was no nametag on the man’s uniform.

  “I am Captain Rainey,” another voice called from the next room.

  Nathan and Jessica both turned their heads toward the voice, as Captain Rainey entered the main cabin from an open side door. The man was a bit shorter than Nathan, and appeared to be in his mid-forties, with a slightly receding hairline that was graying at the temples. Otherwise, he appeared fit, and was similarly dressed in a well-pressed white uniform.

  Captain Rainey walked up to them, saying nothing. He did not reach out to shake their hands, nor did he offer any greeting. Instead, he stood, sizing them up for several moments.

  “Is this some kind of test?” Jessica asked.

  Captain Rainey just glared at her, then turned his scrutiny to Nathan. “You do look like him, I’ll give you that. But I expected you to be a bit older… A lot older, in fact.”

  “Sorry to disappoint you,” Nathan replied.

  “Why are you holding my family?” the captain demanded immediately.

  “We are not holding them, Captain,” Nathan explained. “They were rescued by the Ghatazhak, from a detention facility on Corinair.”

  “The Ghatazhak, huh?” the captain responded, unconvinced. He looked at Jessica, noting the Ghatazhak insignia on her shoulder. “Is that what you’re supposed to be? A Ghatazhak?” The captain laughed. “I may not be from Takara, but I know one thing. There aren’t any women in the Ghatazhak.”

  “I’m the first,” Jessica replied.

  “You don’t really expect me to believe that, do you?”

  “I could kick your ass all over the room and prove it, if you’d like,” Jessica stated calmly.

  “Lieutenant,” Nathan scolded, warning Jessica to behave.

  “Why the hell would my family be in a detention center?” Captain Rainey demanded.

  “How long has your ship been in the cloud?” Nathan asked.

  “What the hell does that have to do with anything?” Captain Rainey barked, becoming impatient.

  “How long?”

  “Twenty days,” the captain answered begrudgingly.

  “And you’ve had zero comms with everyone outside the cloud the entire time?” Nathan asked, still finding the concept hard to believe.

  “That’s what our passengers pay us for. Three weeks of luxury and cosmic wonder, cut off from the rest of society. In fact, you’re the first ship we’ve ever encountered in the cloud, in more than sixty-eight passages. So you can see why I’m a bit suspicious, especially since you’re holding my family hostage.”

  “Your family is free to leave whenever they’d like, Captain,” Nathan assured him. “In fact, I’d be more than happy to provide them transportation to wherever they need to go.”

  Captain Rainey cast a suspicious eye on Nathan. “Then why didn’t you bring them with you?”

  “Because I didn’t know if it would be safe.”

  “Safe from what?” Captain Rainey exclaimed. “You need to start making some sense, young man!”

  “And you need to calm down, Captain,” Jessica insisted, putting her hand on his chest and pushing him back. She quickly turned her head slightly sideways, spotting the other officer at the door taking a step forward. “Not a good idea, fancy pants.”

  “Are you threatening me?” Captain Rainey questioned.

  “I’m warning you, that’s all,” Jessica replied.

  “Captain, there is no reason for this,
” Nathan insisted.

  “Then tell me what the hell is going on!”

  Nathan sighed. It wasn’t going at all how he had hoped. “Captain, you might want to sit down for this.”

  “I’m fine standing, son. Now start talking.”

  Nathan sighed again. “As you wish.” He took another breath and continued. “Nineteen days ago, the day after you entered the cloud, ships of the Dusahn Empire attacked both the Darvano and Takar systems, simultaneously. Later that same day, they invaded the nearby systems, and now control the entire Pentaurus cluster.”

  “That’s preposterous,” the officer at the door exclaimed in disbelief.

  “Who the hell are the Dusahn?” Captain Rainey demanded.

  “We believe they are a rogue caste of the Jung Empire, exiled centuries ago after a failed coup attempt on the Jung homeworld.”

  “Impossible,” the officer at the door exclaimed.

  “The Jung don’t have jump drives, Mister,” Captain Rainey argued. “It would take them more than a century just to get here. Besides, the Takarans aren’t exactly defenseless…”

  “The Dusahn have jump drives,” Nathan explained. “We don’t know how, but they have them. They attacked with more than twenty ships. The Takaran fleet didn’t last half an hour.”

  “What about the Avendahl?” Captain Rainey wondered.

  Nathan could tell that Captain Rainey was beginning to take him seriously. “She was caught by surprise. She went down just as fast.”

  “They took out the Avendahl?” Captain Rainey said in shock. “A capital ship?” The captain stared straight ahead, eyes unfocused as he remembered. “I had dinner with Captain Navarro just last month. He talked about a vacation he was planning with his wife.” Captain Rainey took a step back and sat down. “They were looking forward to returning home for the first time in nearly eight years.” Captain Rainey shook his head in disbelief. “Oh my God.” He looked at Nathan, with pleading eyes. “My family? They are unharmed?”

  “They are safe aboard the Glendanon, far outside the Pentaurus sector, out of reach of the Dusahn.”