The Deadly Pact

by Michael Freeport

  The pair came around the corner. Patho saw a squad of Marines, all in full combat kit. “We’ll wait here for just a moment until we’re all back together.” Another team of marines came around the next corner with Aves in tow.

  “Aves!” Patho shouted.

  Aves broke into a huge grin and said, “That guy was really nice and so important. What have you been doing?”

  Aves and Patho missed the squad radio that Fuchs was using to coordinate his team. Without warning, he shouted “Down!”

  Everyone hit the deck without thinking, although Patho thought the whole thing was a bit sudden. A rumbling boom shook the corridor and tiny spatters of debris hit all around Patho. He tried not to think of the last time he’s been in a room with an explosion.

  Patho and Aves were coughing heavily, trying to clear dust from their throats. “What happened,” Patho croaked.

  “Sorry, sir. We’ve been located by their defense force. I’m trying to get us an alternate route out of here. We had to collapse the corridor to prevent us being overrun.” Fuchs was silent for a moment and then said, “This way, sir.” Patho again found himself trotting alongside the armored man. They came to another branch, and some stairs led up. Fuchs ran up the stairs, taking them three at a time. He unlimbered his rifle and began rapid fire. Three Marines followed close behind him. After a few seconds of intense gunfire, everything was silent. Patho stuck his head around the corner and saw Fuchs and three marines standing back to back checking the room for any additional combatants. “Hurry, sir. We have to move, now.” He ran to a heavy door that appeared to lead outside. They queued up on both sides of the door, and a Marine slapped a stick charge against it. A quick countdown and a heavy ‘WHUMP’ buffeted Patho’s senses.

  The doors exploded outwards onto an open courtyard that looked vaguely familiar. Patho followed Fuchs out, and he heard the screaming whine of air being rapidly displaced. Three drones shot over their heads, spraying the area with anti-personnel shots. Patho could tell from the sound that the drones were firing stun shots rather than lethal bolts of plasma. Fuchs checked the area and then led the way forward. He put his hand to his head, and two pinnaces dropped out of the sky with virtually no warning. They stopped half a meter above the surface and hovered there with rear doors open. The group hurled themselves into the pinnaces.

  Fuchs slammed the door to his pinnace shut and shouted: “Go, go, go!”

  Patho, having not even had time to strap himself in, was plastered awkwardly against the back of one of the jump seats along the side of the passenger compartment. The Pinnace shook and vibrated as it executed a heavy set of maneuvers.

  Fuchs carefully pulled himself forward to the door to the cockpit. Patho heard him say “We’ve got them. Get us back to Harpy immediately. We need to clear this system as soon as we’re aboard.”

  Moments later, the pinnaces completed their docking maneuvers, and Patho found himself in the aft small boat bay of Harpy, sister ship to Gorgon. The whole situation felt almost surreal to him. He’d been talking to one of the most important people he’d ever met, and then, just fifteen minutes later, he was on board a ship he was quite familiar with. He felt his senses reeling. Something was wrong, and he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

  “Fuchs?”

  “Yes, sir?”

  “I think something is wrong. They did something to us. Some kind of drug or something.” Patho never found out what he said next because he felt darkness closing in on him as he passed out.

  Chapter 11

  Damocles fell into orbit behind the Laughing Jijik around the unnamed moon of the fifth planet. Kri watched Tirikitirik’s ship on the main plot. “What’s your analysis of the moon, Taylor?”

  “Oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere. Fifteen point three percent oxygen. High levels of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane, and chlorofluorocarbons. Traces of other relatively harmless gasses and particulates.” Taylor twisted a lock of her auburn hair between her right thumb and forefinger. “You may want to bring a dust mask. There is a single settlement if you can call it that.”

  “Put it on the plot, Exec,” Kri ordered.

  The main plot updated and showed a ramshackle collection of buildings stretching across nearly five square kilometers. Nothing taller than five stories and none of them appeared to be built with the same kind of architecture. The hodgepodge of buildings did have one thing in common; they were all clustered around a circular plaza at the center of the town.

  “Give me an analysis of the city,” Kri said.

  “Population is approximately seventy thousand. All of the buildings are built of the same material, a dense type of aggregate if my readings are correct. It may be a composite, but the structures have heavy metal spars and structural members running throughout. It looks like some kind of concrete. Power is present throughout the area as is running water, sewers and there is a variety of underground structures.”

  “Very well. Send a message to the Laughing Jijik and request landing instructions.”

  “Aye, sir.” Taylor worked at her console for a moment and then said, “I have a set of coordinates. There’s a landing apron on the eastern edge of the city.”

  Kri nodded. “We didn’t get any guidance on how many people we should bring with us. Mister Hultz, you’re coming with me. Alert our marine commander that I would like four marines to accompany us. Everyone is to be in full combat kit, and also we are all going to carry extra food and water. I have no idea what they eat.”

  Hultz jumped up from his chair and said, “Aye, sir. I’ll meet you down in the forward boat bay.”

  “Very well,” Kri said. “Commander Taylor, you’ll be in command until I return. Keep the defensive systems on standby while we remain in orbit. Our team will check in once per hour. If we miss a check in, you are to use all resources available to rescue us but do not risk the ship. If needed, return to Lashmere to gather reinforcements and return.”

  Taylor nodded, a lock of her auburn hair had escaped and now dangled errantly over one eye. “Aye, sir. Stay safe down there.”

  Kri shot her a smile over his shoulder on his way off of the bridge. “I’ll do my best.” He quickly walked to the lift and took it to the ready room just off of the forward boat bay. Hultz was already there, outfitted in his battle armor. Kri pulled open his locker and started getting his kit on when four Marines trooped into the room. Kri was pleased to see that Corporal Scya was one of those chosen to join his security detail.

  Kri greeted everyone and got himself suited up. There were four doors off of the ready room; the aft one went onto a passageway that ran along the back of the room, one to port and one to starboard; both went to two of the forward drop ships, and the door forward that led onto the boat bay gallery. Kri led the way out of the forward hatch and then into the boarding tube for one of the pinnaces.

  They trooped aboard the pinnace and settled themselves in the aft compartment. Kri tapped his wrist comm and said, “Pilot, this is Captain Kri. We’re all strapped into our seats. Clear for launch and takes us down.”

  “The pilot’s tinny voice came back, “Aye, sir. I have clearance to launch, and I have the landing coordinates. We’ll be on the surface in about fifteen minutes.”

  “Very well. Proceed.” The pinnace lifted off and then maneuvered out of the boat bay. They hit the top of the moon’s atmosphere a few minutes later and, after about three minutes of heavy buffeting, they flew over the landing apron. The pinnace made a smooth landing, and Kri detailed two of the marines to stay with the pilot and to ensure the pinnace went unmolested. Kri motioned for Scya and another marine to stay with him as he exited the small craft.

  Kri carried only a standard issue sidearm, a ubiquitous weapon that had four different settings; one stun, two different settings designed to vaporize and a cutting beam setting. The two Marines who accompanied him carried their standard issue rifles. These weapons were dramatically more powerful than the pistol Kri carried. Their maximum setting was more
than twice as destructive, and they also carried five high explosive grenades. The Marines could carry more grenades if they wanted.

  Kri felt much more comfortable with these highly capable warriors accompanying him. He moved through the hatch leading out of the pinnace and stepped onto the hard surface of the landing pad. A number of small craft of varying designs sat in a haphazard arrangement. He saw Captain Tirikitirik walking towards him. The human looking Etyrni was short and broad, almost squat. His frame appeared to be entirely without an ounce of fat. His arms and legs resembled tree trunks rather than limbs. Kri noticed the man was still wearing his garish outfit, which even had a short red cape going down his back to his waist.

  Tirikitirik stopped in front of Kri. “You are a tall people, aren’t you?” Before Kri could respond, the Etyrni went on, “We have a short walk to get to where Keltupelek is. I advise you to keep your comments to yourself. If you have questions, you must ask me. Our people are quick to offend and often fight over trivial matters.”

  Kri nodded. “I appreciate the warning. We aren’t afraid of a good fight, but we aren’t here to fight you. I would prefer to maintain amicable relations between our peoples.”

  Tirikitirik put his hands on his hips and guffawed ostentatiously. “Captain, there is no need to speak to me in such a manner. I know you don’t want to fight us. I do know, however, that you can fight. Newcomers often find themselves attacked because they appear weak. Don’t make that mistake with Keltupelek. He is a man of great note and will not hesitate to take advantage of you if he thinks you are incapable of standing up to him.”

  Kri looked over at Tirikitirik. “Why are you telling me all of this?”

  “You gave me a good thrashing when we fought ship to ship. If I bring you here after that, and you are a coward or pathetic, that will diminish my standing.”

  “Would you say your ship is powerful among the Etyrni fleet?”

  Tirikitirik pondered the question for several seconds before answering. “Well, there is no fleet as such. The Laughing Jijik is among the more powerful ships in the area.” He grinned broadly. “As you found out, eh, Captain?” He clapped Kri on the shoulder.

  Kri smiled and said, “Oh yes.”

  “Yes!” Tirikitirik exclaimed. “A grand ship, the Laughing Jijik. She has many fine qualities. Once you’ve met with Keltupelek, I will take you aboard.”

  They had reached the edge of the landing area, and Kri saw that the road they were heading onto was filled with people. Some tall, many short and wide, like Tirikitirik. Kri saw that the Etyrni were obviously sexually dimorphic with clearly visible differences between male and females. It was uncanny how much they resembled humans. The men seemed taller, broader and more muscular while the women seemed to be rounder with visible bosoms and flared hips.

  Most of the Etyrni were going about what looked to be regular daily activities, like shopping and eating at outdoor cafes. The architecture of the buildings he passed varied quite a bit from one to another, but they all appeared to be solidly built. He didn’t see any structures more than three stories high in the area. Kri was about to ask about the varied architecture when two men stepped in front of one another. One was tall and thin and had oddly located ears, much higher on the skull than was normal for a human. They also seemed to articulate as the man walked out into the middle of the road.

  The shorter man was a dead ringer for Tirikitirik, excepting he had jet black hair and a more somber outfit. The taller of the two said, “You’ve given me no choice, this time. Count so that I can put you down.”

  “Your vile mother will count for me. She’s the one who continues to warm my bed. Blame me for her actions, and I’ll make her a childless woman once again.”

  The taller being snarled, showing long, sharpened canine teeth. “Fine. Have it your way, you barbaric pig.” With that, he launched himself at the shorter Etyrni. The two grappled for a moment before they rolled apart. Both men pulled long knives from their belts and started to exchange blows. Kri saw Corporal Scya move forward in his peripheral vision as she watched the knife movements with an expert’s eye.

  She glanced at Kri and said, “They’re good, both of them, Captain. Both at grappling and at knife fighting.”

  “As good as you,” Kri asked.

  “No, I don’t think so, but I still wouldn’t want to casually attack either of them.”

  The pair were both bleeding from multiple cuts by now. The exchanges were vicious, but neither had landed a decisive blow. They circled each other cautiously, probing for an opening to land another attack. Tirikitirik stood on Kri’s other side and said, “They’re fighting because they’re from different races of Etyrni. We don’t usually engage in intimate relations with people from other races. Those who do are viewed as odd, even on the best of days.”

  “Are you genetically compatible with the other races of Etyrni?”

  Tirikitirik managed to look both offended and uncomfortable. “You touch on a subject that few Etyrni will peaceably talk about.”

  A loud noise from the street captured Kri’s attention. The taller of the two fighting had gotten a heavy hit in on the shorter one’s chest, and blood began to run in heavy rivulets down his torso. A few seconds later, he collapsed. The taller one moved in, snatched the knife away and then pulled a small box from his belt. A moment later, two people came forward and started giving first aid to both combatants.

  “I don’t mean to offend, Captain,” Kri said, “But I need more information. What’s the difference between the different Etyrni races?”

  Tirikitirik sighed and said, “Better you ask me than another, I suppose. We were once three different races of beings. Similar in many ways, but evolved on different planets and from three types of creatures. Thousands of years ago, a group of humans infiltrated our primitive ancestors and altered their genetic makeup. Over the course of several generations, they were bio-formed to all be genetically compatible with one another and with humans. As a result of this, humans are regarded with suspicion and hatred by most of us.

  “The fact that you’ve demonstrated you can fight and that you are ignorant of these facts will help you here, but I urge you not to broach this subject again with anyone here.” Tirikitirik put his hand on Kri’s shoulder and continued, “Unless you want to show what a good hand to hand fighter you are, that is!” He laughed and pointed down the street. “Come, we’re nearly there. This way.”

  They entered one of the largest building that Kri had seen so far. It was three stories high and at least twenty meters wide on the face that went along the street. It appeared to be built of some kind of wood and had a large balcony on the second floor. There were two burly men guarding the door. The guards moved forward and blocked the path as Tirikitirik led the humans forward.

  “We’re here to see Keltupelek. I have important visitors to see him.”

  One of the guards spoke. “What manner of creature are these?”

  Tirikitirik stood motionless for a moment, and then he hauled off and slugged the guard as hard as he could in the face. The guard staggered back, blood bursting out from a thoroughly broken nose.

  “I said I’m here to see Keltupelek. Now let me in.” Tirikitirik stood, hands on hips. His stare dared the guard to make one more move towards him.

  The guard obviously decided he’d had enough and motioned the seven beings inside. The guard, who was trying to stem the flow of blood from his nose said, “If you start anything, I’ll have you all put down. Do you hear me?”

  The Etyrni captain glanced over his shoulder and said, “You’d try. Hah!” He laughed a bit as he opened the door and brought the humans inside.

  A short hallway led into a huge open room roughly fifteen meters wide and twenty meters long. A cacophony of noise filled the air. At least two hundred Etyrni, mostly of the short, wide variety, sat around tables drinking and laughing. The air smelled strongly of alcohol, sweat, and vomit. The floor was covered in sawdust, spilled liquids and shattered glas
s. Several arm wrestling matches seemed to be ongoing at one brawl between drunk Etyrni with a small circle of spectators who appeared to be taking bets on who would win.

  Kri turned to Tirikitirik and said, “Wow, this is quite the party.”

  “Hah! You should see It when the sun goes down. This is only the opening movement.” He shook his head. “When we return from being in space, we allow ourselves the freedom to relax.”

  “It seems you’ve mastered the art of unwinding, that’s for sure,” Kri observed with a grin.

  “Indeed. This way.” Tirikitirik moved the small group further into the room. They elicited a number of looks with varying degrees of curiosity, but they kept moving. At the end of the room sat a heavily built Etyrni on a slightly raised platform. He was sitting on an ornate chair and was surrounded by what were obviously bodyguards.

  Tirikitirik led them up to him and without preamble said, “Keltupelek, these are the visitors I told you about. They’ve come to us from a system about thirty light-years from here.”

  Keltupelek leaned forward in his chair and said, “These are… humans?”

  Tirikitirik nodded. “Yes. Very capable in battle, as I’ve said. Their ship is very powerful.”

  Keltupelek regarded the quartet of humans in front of him with serious eyes. “Why do you fly a ship made by the Woduur?”

  “We made the ship ourselves. I don’t know what a Woduur is,” Kri replied. He felt Tirikitirik stiffen beside him.

  “You fly one of their ring ships. Surely, you’ve leased their technology from them. By what terms to you use the Woduur manufacturing technology.”

  “We used a ship passed on to us by our ancestors to build many others. I’m not sure what a Woduur is, but I’m sure we haven’t leased any technology from them.”

  “I say you lie, human. Your kind is full of lies and manipulation.” Keltupelek stood up and walked up to where Kri was standing. He glanced at Tirikitirik and said, “Why did you bring him to us?”