by Gary Weston
Davron said, “Then we all need to get busy. Hanging around here isn't conducive to a long and healthy life. That drone blowing up will have alerted our enemy and I suspect they won't be in a good mood.”
They worked together as a team. Danders and Akrins transferred the fuel; both attached to safety lines from the inner airlock. Also on lines and using the zero gravity of space, Matlock gathered things from the Venom, starting with food, passing it all to Belle, who pushed it along to Davron on the airlock of the Romulus. Periodically, Davron would close the outer airlock door, open the inner door and drag the now heavy stores into the ship. Then he would be back in the airlock to take more. Three back breaking hours later, they were exhausted but the work was done. They all collapsed into the seats, completely drained.
“I'll organise a feed as soon as I can move my arms,” offered Davron.
“We can do that on the move,” said Belle, eager to get going.
“One fancy ship,” said Danders, checking the controls.
“One of my father's finest creations. Apart from me, of course. The computer he stole from me.”
They were pushing their aching bodies to their feet, when the alarms went off. Muffin made a screeching sound as he flew around the flight-deck; the sound he hated the most causing his agitation.
“Lieutenant Danders,” said Davron, rushing to the alien suit. “Think you can fly this ship?”
“If it's a ship, I can fly it?”
“The primary coordinates to my home are in the computer.”
Davron secured himself in the suit, flipping the visor down from the inside. The visor was instantly flipped back up again. “Damn. I count at least a dozen and not all of them drones. Lieutenant?”
“Buckle up, people. Hang onto your teeth.”
The Romulus was already streaking through the vacuum of deepest space, an armada of enemy ships on their tail. On the screen, Belle, Akrins and Matlock could see the specks of light following them. Davron took out two with the laser cannon's thousand mile wide power, then something else flashed into instantaneous destruction. The Venom was gone, hit by a drone.
Belle said, “Danders. Get more speed out of this thing.”
The whole ship suddenly crackled ominously. “Faster than light do it for you, Captain?”
Davron flipped his lid. “That should do it for now.”
“We lost them?” said, Akrins, his face pale.
“Sorry, Akrins,” said Davron, getting free of the suit. “They have my postal address. All we bought is time.”
“I'll bank all the time we can get,” said Belle.
Chapter 38
Relying on the speed of the Romulus and the alarms, they all showered and ate their fill, Muffin taking tit-bits from everyone. He took a shine to Belle, climbing on and off her lap. Belle and Davron swapped coy glances, the mystery of the green lady explained. Most of it.
“Do you think they'll follow us all the way to Spero?” asked Belle.
“I think so,” said Davron. “They don't need to get within our firing range. They just have to turn up when we have our guard down.”
“I'll not let our guard be dropped,” insisted Matlock. “But I do agree, Patrick. We're a threat to them. They must have figured it out that although those on Earth can't see them, on this ship we can. If they want to take Earth, they'll try to eliminate us first.”
“Great,” said the surly Akrins. “I love the idea of having an armada of alien ships chasing us.”
“It could be a good thing,” said Danders. “It means while they concentrate on us, the Earth is left alone.”
“So comforting, Lieutenant,” said Akrins. “Nice to know us being hounded to death serves a higher purpose.”
Davron pushed his plate away. “I'm sure your engineering skills will come in useful putting something together to fight them with. And we have this ship's laser cannon. Dale. We seemed to bring plenty of weaponry over from the Venom. I'm flattered you thought all that was required for my benefit, by the way.”
“You had the quality against our quantity. You could have finished us off at any time and you knew it.”
“Never my intention.”
Akrins made a scoffing sound. “So you say. I'm only giving you the benefit of the doubt for the time being, Davron.”
Davron sighed. “You still don't trust me?”
“You murdered your own father.”
“An accident.”
“You were convicted of treason against your country. Sentenced to death.”
“I was unpopular; not guilty. Maybe I'll grow on you.”
Akrins stood up, leaning with his fists on the table, glaring at Davron. “We were sent to kill you, Davron. You betrayed your own people.”
Belle snapped, “That's enough of that, Akrins.”
Akrins stared at Belle, his mouth worked into an ugly sneer, his eyes revealing his dangerous intent. “You may be under his spell, Captain Belle. Not all of us are fooled so easily. I'm off to bed.”
With Akrins out of the galley, Matlock said, “You don't have to tolerate that nonsense, Patrick. I'll get him to pull his head in, in the morning.”
“No. That will only make him resent me more. Whether he hates me or not, we have to pull together to defend Spero. He may have an unpleasant disposition, but he's intelligent enough to realise that much.” Davron stood up and stretched his tired body. “I think we should all turn in. At least we have a room each. If the alarm goes, I'll get in the suit; Lieutenant, you take evasive action if necessary.” He looked at Belle for a moment. “Much prettier without the green colour.”
“That beard will have to go,” said Belle. “Goodnight, Patrick.”
“Goodnight.”
Chapter 39
Dr Wartina lariat had no good news for General Tarmin Burns.
“They didn't stand a chance. Davron fired on the Venom. We have to assume all crew are lost.”
Burns sombre face revealed nothing. “And the Romulus?”
“Gone, Sir. The Romulus went into F T L speed and then we lost him completely. I just don't understand what he was playing at. He takes cannon shots at Earth, deliberately just missing us, then blasts away the Venom. What is he hoping to achieve?”
Burns sighed. “Don't waste time trying to understand a mad man. With luck we'll never see him again.”
“Not much we could do about it if we did. With the Romulus, he can do pretty much anything and go anywhere he likes.”
“I know.”
They were interrupted by Rory Astron, Burns' P A. “Sir. The media are waiting for you announcement.”
“I have to go, Dr Lariat. Not something I look forward to.”
Burns followed the diminutive Astron back to his own office. Astron had already set up the huge screen in Burns' office. It was split up into a hundred smaller images of men and women of the various media, waiting for the general's announcement. Astron introduced Burns first.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the media. General Tarmin Burns has an important announcement to make. Please refrain from asking questions until after the announcement. General Burns.”
Burns looked back at the wall of faces. “As you know, Earth has been under threat of attack from the convicted murderer and traitor, Patrick Davron. Using the advanced technology of the Romulus, he stayed well beyond our range, firing laser cannon shots at Earth, shots of such magnitude, which if they had hit us would have caused countless millions of deaths and laid waste to whole nations.
Our response was to send the W S A ship, the Venom, with four of our most seasoned officers, to destroy the Romulus. It is my sad duty to inform you that the Venom has been destroyed by Davron and we have to assume from us receiving no contact from the crew, that four of our bravest and best have been killed in action. Their relatives have been informed.
The names of the Venom's crew are as follows. Captain Jasmine Belle, holder of the W S A star. Lieutenant Elizabeth Danders, pilot. Toby Akrins, engineer and Senio
r Sergeant Dale Matlock, weapons and anti-terrorist expert. They were four of our most experienced officers, all having gained much active duty experience. Our sympathies must be with their friends and relatives at this sad time. All at the World Space Authority will miss our colleagues. Thank you.”
Burns took and dodged a dozen questions, giving W S A stock, ambiguous answers. He also promised, emptily, to seek out and either capture or destroy Patrick Davron.
Eventually, Astron stepped in to wind up the interview. Then he turned off the screen and with a nod to Burns, left the General to his quiet contemplation.
To Be Continued...
