Raven's Sphere

by Melissa Koberlein

  “My people were attacked. I was with my overseer when the shooting started. When we realized that most of our people were dead, we made our way to this ship.” His voice catches, and he looks away, distantly, as if reliving the events again in his mind. “He didn’t make it. Before he died, he handed me a satchel containing the sphere. I got on the ship and set the navigation and defense system to automatic pilot, as my overseer instructed me countless times during safety drills. Then, later, after I took off, I prayed for the strength to honor my people, as many had done before me.” The boy pauses, taking in a deep breath. “This is my destiny now, and I have to accept my new role as the sphere’s guardian.”

  I’m holding my breath—his story both terrible and brave. If all of what he’s said is true, this kid might have a past worse than me. Hey, I of all people know it takes a long time to block out those kind of memories, but it’s doable.

  The boy looks back at me, returning to the present, a concrete resolve etched in his eyes. “I’ve been hiding ever since. That is, until you found me.”

  Before I get all gooey with sympathy, I want some corroboration. I reach up and press an amber button on a panel by the door of the bathroom, my eyes still locked on his. “SANDY? What was your place of origin before the freighter dock in Fornax?”

  “Acknowledging Captain Raven Nevar. This ship was docked inside the city of The Ring on Mythos,” SANDY reports.

  “And the captain on that trip?”

  “Acknowledge. I was the ship captain for that trip,” SANDY replies.

  “Report passengers.”

  “One passenger: boy, twelve human years, Emery D’Grath, planet of origin, Mythos.”

  “Thank you, SANDY,” I say, tapping the panel again, turning off the comm.

  The boy pulls back his shoulders triumphantly, a strange-looking key swinging from a chain in front of his shirt, standing as tall as he can, which is about a head shorter than me. “See? I’m telling you the truth.” Then, as if this retelling has somehow conjured a familiarity between us, he asks, “May I call you Raven?”

  “No.” The sound of my name on his lips reminds me of a past I’m still trying to forget. I don’t need or want any friends. “Now finish your story, Emery of Mythos. What happened after you docked?”

  Emery’s lower lip juts out in a pout. “Well, after days of going undetected, guards finally knocked on the ship’s entry door. I didn’t know what to do. I could tell that they were coming aboard no matter what. A second later, I heard pistol fire and their boots running away. I thought I was in the clear. But then, a few minutes later, someone was back. I ran to the bathroom to hide, thinking it was only a matter of time until I’d be discovered. But no one came. After the ship took off, I said a few prayers and waited.”

  “And?”

  Emery shrugs. “Then you opened the shower door naked.”

  “Oh, yeah, I remember.” I look down at my towel. “Okay, fair enough. While I think about what to do with you, I need a shower. So unless you plan on staying in there to scrub my back, you’re going to take a seat out in the living quarters.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry. Yes, I’ll just go—” He moves to leave the small room.

  I grab his arm with my artificial one to gain his full attention. Emery jumps slightly, as does the sphere, seemingly in protest.

  “Just be sure to take a seat and don’t try anything funny,” I instruct, forcing his silver eyes to meet mine. Then for good measure, I press the amber button again. “SANDY, are you equipped with internal weaponry?”

  “Affirmative, Captain Nevar. I have a fully functional electromagnetic shock system.”

  I smile. “Please ensure this passenger takes a seat and does not leave it. If he does, shock his balls.”

  “Balls. Slang for the scrotal area of a human male. Copy, Captain Nevar,” SANDY responds. I know I have to be imagining it, but I detect a hint of mirth in her voice.

  Emery’s eyes turn into silver saucers. “You’re mean!”

  “Yep, now go have a seat.” I push him out the door toward an uncomfortable-looking metal chair. When I turn back toward the shower, I have to fight the grin spreading across my lips.

  Feeling refreshed after a hot shower and having donned my freshly cleaned battle suit, I take a seat next to my newest acquisition. I press the yellow button to my left. “SANDY, our passenger may move about the ship freely again.”

  “Acknowledge.”

  The boy takes a deep breath, wiping the sweat dotted across his brow, and slumps down in the chair, relief washing over him. Then, recalling my closeness as a potential danger, he perks back up.

  “What are you going to do with me?” His eyebrows knit together, but his lips twitch with hope.

  I considered my options while showering. I could easily take the silver sphere from him, drop him off somewhere, and sell it to the highest bidder. That seems like the best option. It is, of course, in line with what I’m used to doing. But there’s something about him, something causing my chest to tighten at the thought of him on his own in the galaxy. My conscience, which hasn’t spoken up in a few years, yells, He’s only a kid! Present me yells back, Fuck off.

  Yeah, I can’t do that. Maybe I could persuade him to sell the sphere. If I convince him the sphere is a liability, he might go for it, and I could take a handsome finder’s fee.

  I lean forward, resting my forearms on my knees. “I already told you I’m not going to hurt you. However, I am interested in that silver sphere you’re carrying. It’s probably worth a ton of credits.”

  Emery reaches for his satchel, pulling the sphere out into view. He looks from it to me, his brow furrowed. “Credits?”

  “You know, the universal form of money.” I lick my lips in anticipation. “I think we should sell it.”

  Emery’s jaw drops. “No. That is a terrible idea. It’s my destiny to protect it.”

  “I don’t think you understand. If you don’t sell that thing, someone is going to take it from you and probably leave you for dead. Don’t you get that?”

  “Captain, I understand what death is about. Everyone from my planet died a few days ago. Their bloody, lifeless bodies haunt me and probably always will. The only thing I have left is to carry on what my people have been doing for centuries. Protect the sphere. Never let it fall into selfish or evil hands. So you can shock me, beat me, or whatever else it is you do, but I’m never giving up the sphere.”

  I stare at him, my mouth agape. For a twelve-year-old, he’s got quite the resolve. Starfire, the look in his eyes says he means every word. He’d rather die than give up that damn sphere. I shake my head, fighting off the urge to laugh. “You for real?”

  He tilts his head. “If by real, you mean I’m telling you the truth, then yes.”

  My lips twitch, and I almost smile. I like this kid. “Well, I have to tell you, truth is something I don’t get a lot of.”

  I glance at the sphere in his gloved hand. Beautiful and mesmerizing. I’ve never seen anything like it. As if the sphere has a mind of its own, the cool, silvery fluorescent surface spins gently in his small palm, as if reassuring his owner. Once again, my fingers itch to touch it. I want to feel the sphere in my own hand, know its power.

  I reach for it but stop. “Why are you wearing a glove?”

  “So I don’t kill you.”

  3

  First Encounter

  I retract my hand and lean back in my chair, arms folded across my chest. This boy isn’t the first to threaten my life, nor will he be the last. But I’m also no fool. “Kill me? I’d like to see that.”

  Emery closes his eyes and breathes deeply. When he opens them, they are glassy as he gazes directly into mine. “The sphere is a weapon. As of thirty minutes ago, you were a potential threat, and the sphere knows my thoughts. If it were to touch my skin, I’m not sure what would happen. All the clerics who have been designated the guardian of the sphere have had extensive training—decades, even. They learn to control their emoti
ons, however fleeting they are. One negative thought, one inkling to cause harm, for someone as inexperienced as me, could mean death. And Mythosians don’t kill. That’s why I wear the glove.”

  His breathing is laborious, and his eyelids threaten to close. The weight of the last few days is obviously taking its toll on him. I wonder when he last slept. I shift anxiously in my seat. If I was a good person—

  What am I saying? I’m not a good person, and this sphere is fucking sexy. I put my hands under my thighs, trying to figure out some way to bank credits from this deal. “Okay, so what you’re saying is that it’s a weapon?”

  “Yes. I’ve never seen it in action, if that’s what you mean. I don’t know exactly what it does. I’ve never touched it without a gloved hand. I definitely don’t want to test it out.”

  “Okay, fair enough. Can I maybe hold it if I wear a glove?”

  The sphere, as if emitting its own feelings on the subject, whirs in Emery’s hand as he moves it out of reach. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. I’m new to this, but I think it should stay with me. The only reason I have possession is because my overseer, the previous guardian of the sphere, is dead.”

  I open my mouth to respond when SANDY interrupts us. “Captain Nevar, another ship is within range. Its course is charted. Contact will occur in two minutes and fifteen seconds.”

  Starfire! “Put the sphere away! We’ve got company coming.” I leap out of my seat and head full speed to the cockpit. “SANDY, take us out of hyperspace. Ready all weapons. Status report on the approaching ship.”

  “Incoming ship is Cadmar military issue with modifications,” SANDY responds.

  I groan and roll my eyes. Of course, it’s Cadmarian.

  There has always been bad blood between Zeta, my home planet, and Cadmar, with few periods of peace. Both planets were populated by the primeval planet, Earth, in the Sol system during the first part of the twenty-second century. Except those who populated Cadmar journeyed from Earth about thirty years before my ancestors, and they have never let us forget that insignificant fact.

  The people from Earth were said to be an emotional race, capable of both loving and killing one another at will. Some of us still do. Yet, Earth’s terrain was said to be among the most beautiful in the galaxy. That is, until the Cadmarians got their hands on it. Now Earth, once a blue planet, is used for its resources. The water is almost completely gone, making the planet look more brown than blue from space.

  Cadmar, on the other hand, is a plush aquatic planet in the Alpha Centauri system—and our greatest adversary. Cadmarians are a hedonistic, vain culture with a superiority complex. They use their extensive military resources to dominate trade in the galaxy. Their opinion of Zetians is dismal, as my descendants from Earth were less fortunate than theirs during the great launches. Those with more credits—or money, as they used to call it—were granted real estate on Cadmar. The rest ended up on Zeta thirty years later. Of all the star systems in the galaxy, Cadmar and Zeta ended up in adjoining systems. However, Cadmar is in a binary system, orbiting two stars, while Zeta orbits only one, slightly larger star.

  Emery follows me, and I strap into the seat on the left, Emery to my right.

  “Do you know how to pilot manually?” I ask.

  He shakes his head. “Only simulations on Mythos.”

  “Well, SANDY can handle herself, but it doesn’t hurt to have a backup.”

  “I’ll do my best.” He looks unsure but straps in.

  “All right. SANDY, pilot guidance on. Now, Emery, try to keep her level. Watch your gauges. SANDY will autocorrect if need be. I’m on weapons.” I take a few deep breaths, mentally preparing for what might lie ahead. Soon enough, my adrenaline will take over.

  Emery grips the steering gear in front of him and begins to acclimate. Good.

  “SANDY, what kind of concealment do we have? Weapons? Shield capabilities? Are there nuclear torpedoes? How many?” I check the panel for information. “I see we have one turret plasma gun. What else have we got?”

  “Captain Nevar, I am not equipped with a contra-scanner. We have one nuclear torpedo. There is a single-layer shield. You have surmised the complete capability of this ship.”

  Well, they’ll know exactly who’s on board. I tap on the screen, putting up a thin shield layer. That should cover us for about three hits, no more. “SANDY, I promise if we aren’t annihilated, I’m going to give you all the upgrades you can handle.”

  “Yes, Captain Nevar. Thirty degrees west. Incoming ship. Their shields are up.”

  I’m always ready, but today my heart is pounding. It’s because of the boy. I feel…something. And it has everything to do with my dead brother. I take one last look at Emery, steeling myself.

  He nods at me, banking left, coming about, ready to face our potential enemy.

  I pull down the controls for the nuclear torpedoes. I’m a great shot, but this needs to be precise. I press my face into the infrared binoculars to gauge weak points of our assailant’s ship. Yeah, it’s definitely a Cadmarian military battlecruiser with mods. The blue glow surrounding the ship confirms that not only are their shields up, but they are at the highest capacity available. Virtually impenetrable. Also looks like they’ve got four plasma turret guns and—I squint, adjusting my viewer—they’ve fitted her with a cannon. That thing could space bait us within seconds. I scan the front end, looking for a shot. Ah, under their cockpit. A head-on shot will lead to the ship’s energy core. It will take a nuke, and their shields will need to be down.

  “SANDY, hail the other ship and prep the nuclear torpedo,” I say calmly, never taking my eyes off the shot. I breath slowly, sweat beading on my forehead. Come on, SANDY, what are they doing?

  Finally, SANDY responds, “Captain Nevar, I’ve established communication with the other ship. On communication channel?”

  “Yes, bring them up,” I reply, focused, waiting for an opportunity.

  A deep, ragged male voice comes on the comm. “Prepare to be boarded.”

  “State your purpose, Cadmarian.”

  “You have a young male from Mythos aboard. We have a warrant for him and will take him into custody.”

  Starfire! They scanned our recorder. I should have deleted the previous flight records the second Emery told me what happened. Stupid. I can’t think straight with this kid around.

  I turn the comm off and look at Emery. “Why is there a warrant out for you?”

  Emery shrugs. “What is a warrant?”

  Fuck. “Never mind.”

  A plan forms in my mind, and I know it will work. “Of course. I had no idea that this little twerp was wanted. What did he do?”

  “That’s none of your concern.”

  “Okay. I don’t want any trouble.” For extra emphasis, I add, “Believe me, the sooner this kid gets off my ship, the happier I’ll be.” I take my first look away from the spot on our enemy’s ship to glance at Emery.

  His eyes are focused on mine, pleading his case, not understanding my ploy. My heart clenches. There’s no way I’m letting a Cadmarian officer anywhere near him. I wink and smile, letting him know my game. He nods, his focus returning to the ship's navigation controls.

  A new voice sounds on the comm, although still masculine and raspy. “That will suffice. Move to your ship’s door, and we will drop our shields.”

  “No problem.” I turn off the relay to their ship. “SANDY, ready the torpedo. Notify as soon as their shields are down.” I focus back on the weak spot of their ship, not moving a muscle. “Emery, get to the door of the ship.”

  “What are you doing? Are you just going to turn me over?” he thunders back at me.

  I take one last look at him. “Can you find it in you to trust me? If you can, get to the fucking door of this ship.”

  He considers me and then unstraps. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”

  Yes, I do. He leaves the cockpit, and I press a button on my belt, cloaking my body heat. Soon, for all intents and pu
rposes, it will appear that there’s no one in the cockpit. The only heat signature will be by the door. “SANDY? Keep me posted.”

  A minute passes. My eyes and hands do not waver from the controls. I visualize the small target on their ship and commit it to memory. I imagine firing over and over again in my mind. It’s just one squeeze of the right trigger…

  SANDY’s voice interrupts me. “Captain Nevar, the other ship’s shields are down.”

  I close my eyes, not needing them anymore, and squeeze the trigger. I hear the heavy torpedo drop into its chamber and propel out into space. Seconds later, a nearby explosion rocks our ship. I don’t need to open my eyes to know I hit my target.

  But SANDY confirms. “Direct hit. Enemy ship has engine core ignition and overload.” I hold my breath, waiting for more intel. “Enemy ship destroyed. No survivors.”

  I lift the binoculars and open my eyes, breathing a sigh of relief. Regardless of what they said, the Cadmarians would have destroyed this beautiful ship and me along with it the second they got what they wanted. This is the way it’s always been between our two worlds—kill or be killed. Most Zetians accept that reality, and those who don’t need only experience one of the many Cadmarian bombing runs on Zeta to change their minds.

  “SANDY, ready us for a jump. Setting coordinates.” We’ve got to get out of here in case there’s more of them. There’s only one place I can think of that would be safe for a little while. I type in the new coordinates.

  “On your command.”

  “Count it.”

  “Five, four, three, two, one. Ready for jump,” her quiet voice says.

  I push the hyperspace lever forward, and the stars streak across space as we jump. I lean back and take a deep, cleansing breath, a smile on my lips. Damn, that was exciting! I unstrap from the seat. “SANDY, please take control.”

  “Acknowledge, Captain Nevar.”

  I move out of the cockpit to check on Emery. I find him huddled on the floor by the entry door of the ship, his body shaking. I freeze, not quite sure how to approach him. Human contact is something I avoid at all costs. Well, with the exception of an obtuse uncle who forces me to hug him. A voice in the recesses of my mind taunts, Come on, you know what to do. It’s called comfort. Remember that?