by Ryk Brown
“Where’s Nathan?” Jessica asked Vlad as she approached the workbench where the three of them were working.
“In the lounge, with Josh and Yanni,” Vladimir replied, his eyes never leaving the project in his hands.
Jessica continued across the bay, nodding at the Ghatazhak soldier in plain clothing who stood at the entrance from the bay to the race platform. General Telles had positioned a man at both entrances, and changed them out every two hours.
She made her way into the side offices, past the control room, and down the corridor, finally reaching the lounge. She had expected to see Josh and Yanni goofing off, and Nathan napping. But that wasn’t what she saw at all.
In the middle of the room sat Nathan, in a VR training helmet, his hands moving about in the air as if he were flying a Gunyoki fighter. Sitting at a table next to him was Josh, who was talking to Nathan as his controller, and Yanni, who was doing his best to play Loki’s role during the simulation.
“What’s he doing?” Jessica asked Josh as she entered.
“What does it look like?” Josh quipped.
“Shouldn’t he be getting some rest?” Jessica insisted. “The qualifying runs start in three hours.”
“Master Koku already signed him off,” Josh replied. “He doesn’t have to fly in the quals. He’s already in.”
“Does he know that?”
“Yup,” Josh replied. “He just wants to make sure he’s ready.”
“Well, is he?”
“Oh, hell no,” Josh exclaimed with a slight giggle. “But he’s doing better. Yanni here came up with a sweet little training algorithm that uses simulated drone targets that shoot at you. Nasty little buggers.”
“I call the program, ‘drone dancing’,” Yanni said.
Jessica sighed. She had half expected that she, Vlad, and Nathan would hang out together, just as they had always done the night before a battle. It had become a ritual of sorts. She knew Cameron couldn’t attend, since she was in charge of the Aurora in Nathan’s absence, but the three of them… “Just make sure he gets some rest.”
“You got it,” Josh assured her.
Jessica turned and headed out. There would be no gathering of friends before the battle this night.
* * *
Master Koku entered the lounge as Josh was removing the VR helmet from Nathan’s head. “Is this the device you have been using to train?” he asked as he entered.
“Yes,” Nathan replied.
“How does it work?”
“You wear it on your head, and it sends signals to your brain to make you see, feel, hear, and smell. It’s as if you were there, in the cockpit of a Gunyoki.”
“Does it make you feel the g-forces, as well?”
“Fortunately, it does not.”
“A pity,” Master Koku said. “I rather like those forces. It makes one feel that he is connected with his ship.” Master Koku touched the helmet lying on the table. “Seems a poor excuse for reality.”
“It is,” Nathan agreed. “But it’s better than nothing.”
“Does it teach you to fly like a real Gunyoki?”
“No, it does not.”
Master Koku looked at Josh and Yanni. “May I have a moment alone with your captain, gentlemen?”
Josh looked at Nathan, who nodded.
Master Koku feigned interest in the VR helmet as he waited for Josh and Yanni to leave the lounge. “Do you have birds on your world?”
“Yes, thousands of different species,” Nathan replied, looking confused.
“We have them, too, although, I think not as many. There is one, a bird of the sea, mostly. The kamohame. It is a large bird, with a wingspan of two meters. Since there is not much land on Rakuen, the kamohame must sometimes make long flights. They are experts at using air currents to glide upon, thus making their journey between islands less difficult.” Master Koku closed his eyes as he spoke, looking back in his mind. “As a boy, I used to sit and watch them for hours, gliding effortlessly on the afternoon breeze. They would sail about, looking for prey. To hunt, they would dive, accelerating to incredible speeds before piercing the surface of the water to come back up with its meal moments later.” Master Koku opened his eyes and looked at Nathan. “Do you have such birds on your world?”
“Yes, we do.”
“And did you ever just sit and watch them?”
“Actually, I have,” Nathan admitted. “I always marveled at how they could just hover in one position by simply facing into the wind, making tiny adjustments with their wings. Later, when my grandfather taught me to fly, we spent many hours riding thermal currents, practicing powerless flight. Not as efficient as a bird, but fun, nonetheless.”
“This does not surprise me,” Master Koku admitted. “I have seen this in your flying.”
“Seen what?”
“The efficiency of using everything you have available to you to achieve your goal, but with the least amount of wasted effort. It seems most important to you.”
Nathan smiled. “My grandfather used to tease me about how orderly I liked to keep the cockpit of the aircraft we flew in. I liked order.”
“And it shows in the way you fly.”
“Is that a compliment?” Nathan wondered, smiling.
“I am merely stating fact.” Master Koku looked away, toward the view screen on the far wall that was showing the names of the men who had entered tomorrow’s event. “The Gunyoki were once like the kamohame; efficient, fearless, dedicated. Now, that is all but lost. You see those names? I recognize only twenty-seven. Twenty-seven true Gunyoki, out of hundreds. Yokimah’s dream of rebuilding Rakuen’s defenses has failed,” he admitted, hanging his head.
“Then, you don’t believe the Gunyoki can defend Rakuen if the Dusahn invade.”
“I do not,” Master Koku admitted in disgrace.
“Then why don’t you say something? Tell all of Rakuen what you think.”
“I am but an old, and forgotten, man,” Master Koku said.
“You are one of the greatest Gunyoki of all time,” Nathan insisted. “Perhaps not everyone would listen to you, but many would. It would at least get people talking about it.”
“Much like your entrance into tomorrow’s event?” Master Koku wondered.
“You mean today’s event,” Nathan corrected, pointing to the time display on the wall, which indicated that it was three o’clock in the morning.
Master Koku smiled. “Perhaps, if you win, you will change the minds of those who matter,” he said, tilting his head at the names on the view screen. He rose from his seat slowly, his old bones fatigued from a full day of flying, something he had not done in decades, but had thoroughly enjoyed, nonetheless. “Your grandfather, did he fly in battle?”
“He did,” Nathan replied. “It was before I was born, however. He never really talked about it.”
“Men who have seen war, feel no need to discuss it further,” Master Koku said as he headed for the exit. As he passed, he patted Nathan on the shoulder. “Your grandfather would be proud of you, young captain.”
Nathan sat, thinking, as the old Gunyoki Master headed for the exit. “Master Koku?” he called out. Nathan turned to look at the old man. “Do I even have a chance?”
Master Koku smiled. “You would have made a fine Gunyoki, Captain Scott. Now, get some rest. You will need it.”
Nathan watched as the old man left the room, and disappeared into the corridor. For the first time in a week, he had hope.
* * *
Captain Garo was awakened rudely by the intercom in his quarters. Unlike the newer Dusahn warships, the Jar-Morenzo’s accommodations were spartan at best, even for her commanding officer. Although automation had been installed over the years to reduce her crew requirements to only a handful, no effort had been made to turn the freed up space into creature comforts for her remaining crew.
Captain Garo knew his hardships did not go unnoticed by his lord. He also knew that for his successful false-flag operations in th
e Sol sector, he would be getting command of one of the first new Dusahn warships that would soon be built in their newly acquired Takaran shipyards. He only hoped it would not take as long to build them as it had back in the Esinay system. The Esinayans had been a slow and difficult people to work with; too methodical, too careful. He had never met people so unwilling to take risks in the name of glory. The knowledge that soon they would be able to cut ties with that world delighted him to no end. He only hoped his ship would be given the honor of sterilizing that miserable little world, when the time came.
“What is it?” the captain grunted into the intercom. He rolled out of bed, sitting on the side of his bunk as the man on the intercom spoke.
“We have arrived at our destination,” the man said. “We are now eight light years outside the Rogen system, and have made contact with our informant on Rakuen.”
“And?” the captain wondered, becoming impatient.
“Captain Scott, and the Aurora, are there.”
Captain Garo looked at the time display on the bulkhead above the hatch. “There is still three hours until the races begin. Wake me again in two.”
“Yes, Captain.”
Captain Garo lay back on his bunk. If he captured Captain Scott, and destroyed the Aurora, he would surely get his new ship, perhaps even the very next one built.
CHAPTER TEN
Vladimir entered the control room, a concerned look on his face. “I need to speak with you,” he announced.
Jessica and General Telles both looked at him.
“Where is Nathan?” Vladimir asked.
“He’s sleeping, finally,” Jessica answered. “What’s up?”
Vladimir handed her his data pad. “I found this attached to the main power trunk that connects the reactor to the power distribution system.”
“What is it?”
“A remote cut-off switch,” Vladimir replied ominously. “And it is not in the ship’s schematics, or specifications. I have checked.”
“When was it put there?” General Telles wondered.
“It had to be added before we received the ship,” Vladimir insisted. “I have been with her every moment that she has been in the bay…ever since we first arrived. It could not have been installed during that time without my knowledge. In fact, I do not believe we would have discovered this device if we had not pulled the reactor in order to install the one we are upgrading.” Vladimir shook his head. “If this device were to be activated, all power would be lost, and there would be no way to restore it in flight.”
“Maybe Quory installed it?” Jessica suggested.
“It is possible,” Vladimir admitted. “He was with the ship, alone, prior to our arrival. But he did not try to stop us from upgrading the reactor. If he planted the device…”
“Who else knows about this?” General Telles asked.
“I have told no one,” Vladimir promised. “You are the first.”
“Did you remove it?” Jessica wondered.
“No. It has tamper sensors. If I remove it, whoever put it there will know.”
“Can you bypass it without disturbing the device?”
“I can install a bypass trunk to go around the device, but it would be best if I kept original power trunk active, in case the device monitors power flow, as well.”
“If you install a bypass trunk, won’t there be a drop in the power levels traveling through the original trunk?” General Telles asked.
“Yes,” Vladimir confirmed. “Perhaps thirty to forty percent. If we were using the original, variable-state reactor, it would definitely be noticeable. But the static-state reactor we are installing will produce thirty percent more power, so it might go unnoticed.”
“And you’re sure that bypassing it will be enough?” Jessica asked. “The last thing we need is for Nathan to lose power in the middle of a race.”
“Yes, it will work,” Vladimir assured her. “But that is what bothers me. This is a stupid way to cheat. After such a catastrophic power loss, there is sure to be a detailed inspection by race officials after the ship is recovered.”
“Perhaps winning the race is not the goal of this device,” General Telles suggested.
“If they activated it at the right moment, he could smash into an asteroid and be killed,” Jessica surmised.
“Or worse,” General Telles added.
Vladimir looked confused. “Worse than being dead?”
“Bypass the device, and do everything you can to ensure that whomever is monitoring it will not learn that you have rendered it ineffective,” General Telles instructed. “And you are to tell no one, understood?”
“Not even Nathan?”
“Especially not Nathan,” Jessica insisted. “He’s got enough to deal with right now.”
“If you think that is best,” Vladimir agreed.
“Good work, Vlad,” Jessica congratulated. “You probably just saved Nathan and Loki’s lives.”
“And this rebellion,” General Telles added.
“You think the intent is to capture him?” Jessica asked.
“Bozhe moi,” Vladimir gasped.
“Killing him makes him a martyr. Capturing him, so that he can be interrogated and tortured, makes him appear weak and uninspiring. And information gleaned from him would likely lead to our own destruction.”
“You think the Dusahn are responsible?” Vladimir wondered.
“Either the Dusahn, or Yokimah. Either way, Yokimah, or someone in his organization, is involved.”
“If the Dusahn are pulling the strings, then it’s through that Takaran businessman, Jorkar Seeley,” Jessica insisted.
“A possibility,” General Telles agreed. “Unfortunately, we have no way to be sure. We have yet to establish communications with Mister Espan.”
“Perhaps I should…investigate?” Jessica suggested.
“Immediately,” General Telles agreed.
Vladimir got a concerned look on his face as Jessica left the room with both purpose and enthusiasm. “What does she mean by investigate?” he asked the general.
“Better that you do not know.”
* * *
“The first heat is about to begin,” Josh announced.
“Are we recording every camera and sensor feed?” General Telles asked Loki, who was sitting next to Josh at the controller desk.
“Every drone camera, every static camera, and all the cameras mounted on both ships. We’re also recording the main sensor feed from Race Control.”
“Who is racing first?” Nathan asked.
“Ichi Aza,” Master Koku replied.
“Is he good?”
“‘Ichi’ means ‘clan’ in old Raku,” Loki explained.
“There are three Gunyoki clans,” Master Koku elaborated. “Aza, Bonsa, and Konsai, named after the founders of the Gunyoki. The Gunyoki Council uses these names to identify the different race groups to honor the original Gunyoki clans.”
“Which clan were you in?” Nathan wondered.
“I am of Ichi Aza.”
“What clan am I in?”
“You have been assigned to Ichi Konsai,” Master Koku replied. “But it is only a name, now. It has no meaning beyond identifying which group you are competing within during this event.”
“Then why do you still consider yourself a member of Ichi Aza?” Nathan wondered.
“There are still a handful of us who still race. Every group has at least one true member representing the original ichi. When I raced as a member of the true Ichi Aza, I was obligated to fly in that group. Nika Salenger, Tariq Taira, Tham Kors, Alayna Imai, and several others, are all true members of their ichis, having trained under the masters of those clans.”
“So, if you’re a member of a real ichi, then you have to fly within that group, otherwise, they just assign you to whatever group they feel like.”
“Incorrect. The Gunyoki Council chooses the ichi to which an entrant will be assigned.”
“Based on what criteria?” Nathan w
ondered.
“The order of selection is based upon each ichi’s standing, based on either the current season, or the standings at the end of last year’s season.”
“So, first, second, third, first, second, third, and so on?”
“Correct.”
“I’m not sure I want to ask which round I was chosen in,” Nathan commented.
“A wise decision,” Master Koku agreed.
“The first heat is Ichi Aza,” Loki reported. “Suli Noma versus Kylen Kunai. Both of them are independents.”
“They’re approaching the starting gate now,” Josh reported.
Nathan leaned forward, his eyes darting between each set of camera views, and then from shot to shot within each set, as he tried to glean as much knowledge as possible. First the view from just over the pilot’s left shoulder, which showed him the flight controls and console, as well as the view outside. Then the two chase drones, one of which was high left and slightly aft of the ship, and the other high right and just forward.
“The heat is on,” Josh declared.
The first thing Nathan noticed was that both pilots pushed their throttles to full power, just before they passed through the starting gate. “They throttled up before they passed through the gate,” Nathan said. “Isn’t that cheating?”
“It takes one and a half seconds for a Gunyoki engine to go from zero to full power,” Master Koku stated. “The rules dictate that they cannot be at full power until the race transponder in their nose reaches the starting gate threshold. They are attempting to gain an edge. However, at this level, it is generally not as effective as they believe.”
“Especially if the next gate is greatly displaced,” Loki added.
“Good to remember.”
They continued to watch as the fighters danced about one another, each trying to get the best line through each gate.
