Earthfall

by Rhett C. Bruno

  A chill ran up Talon’s spine. “By all the Ancients there ever were,” he said. “That’s all of it. Every ship we’ve got still standing.”

  “One last stand?”

  “I don’t think so. That’s not a defensive formation. It looks like they’re about to travel. What is Cassius planning?”

  “Transmission coming through,” Kitt said. He showed Elisha what switch to hit in order to play it and let her press it. She smiled from ear to ear.

  “Unidentified vessel, this is the Hound’s Paw,” said the officer on the other end. “State your reason for approaching Ceres or you will be shot down.”

  “Unidentified? Still?” Talon raised an eyebrow at Larana.

  She shrugged. “We’re good at what we do.” She went to open transmission, but Talon placed his hand over hers.

  “Let me talk to them?” She nodded and leaned back so Talon could get closer to the command console. “This is Talon Rayne on the Vergent ship, Monarch. We’ve had business on Ceres before. I must speak with Zaimur Morastus about urgent matters.”

  “Lord Zaimur is occupied,” the officer responded promptly.

  “Tell him it concerns a mutual friend of ours.”

  There was silence for nearly a minute and then an answer. “He will see you. You’ll have to proceed to the private hangar bay of the Hound’s Paw immediately. We’re preparing to leave.”

  “For where?”

  “That is classified.”

  “Fine. We’re on our way.”

  “That was easy,” Larana said.

  “I have a history with the family. I’m not sure if it’ll cause him to consider listening to me or shoot me in the back. Zaimur’s nothing like his father was.”

  “You sure you want to do this?”

  Talon stared at Elisha. The Monarch turned subtly as it made course for the massive Hound’s Paw and Kitt was showing her how he did it. He even let her grab the controls for a moment. The rest of the world might as well not even have existed. Only Talon could ensure that it remained safe from Cassius Vale.

  “I have to do this. I’ll go in alone, and if anything happens you get out of there as quick as you can even if you have to bust through the hangar. I hate to say it, but the Monarch is faster than any Ceresian ship.”

  Larana put on a wry grin. “Never thought I’d hear that from an Insider. I’ll keep her engines runnin’. Take us in smoothly, Kitt. Don’t want to cause any suspicion.”

  “Yes, cap’n,” Kitt took the controls back from Elisha.

  “Thank you, Captain,” Talon whispered.

  “Thank me when you’re done,” she replied.

  Elisha’s head whipped around. Tears were welling in the corner of her eyes. She hopped down, ran over to him and wrapped her tiny arms around his leg. “Where are you going?” she yelped.

  Talon embraced her. “I’ll only been gone for a little while,” he whimpered. “Don’t worry, Elisha. I’m just going to have a talk with Mr. Morastus.”

  “Do you promise?”

  Talon was terrified to make another promise to her. “Of course,” he said anyway. “Just stay up here with Kitt and learn something so that one day you can pilot one of these things for yourself.”

  Talon rustled her hair and planted a kiss on her forehead. Then she ran back over to the control console. Kitt lifted her into his seat and explained more of the controls to her. She was right where she ought to be, Ceres or not.

  He had to climb over the leg of the Tribunal Combat Mech upon reaching the cargo bay. When he reached the other side Sage was waiting there, leaning against the wall. She was staring at her artificial arm, grimacing as she bent it at the elbow over and over again. Kitt’s repairs had returned her ability to operate it, but it didn’t move anywhere near as smoothly as it had.

  “How’s it holding up?” Talon leaned in front of the controls to the exit ramp.

  “It moves at least.” She let the arm extend down to her hip.

  “They can’t all be Cassius Vale, I suppose.”

  “No.” She gently chuckled. “Zaimur’s going to see you?”

  “That’s what I’m told.”

  “I never would have guessed I’d wind up on a ship full of Vergents heading for a meeting with the Morastus leader.”

  “At least we have that in common.”

  They exchanged a smile “Do you really think he’ll listen?”

  “You heard us in the command deck?” Sage nodded, but said nothing. “Zaimur, probably not,” Talon admitted. “His father would’ve. Either way, I have to try.”

  “I’m coming with you.”

  “No,” Talon said as he grabbed her human wrist. “These are my people, Sage. I’ll handle this alone.”

  “Alone? How do you know Zaimur hasn’t been working with Cassius since before he sent us after that freighter? I’ve looked into that man’s eyes and I don’t trust him. A Ceresian going through all of this trouble to help Cassius Vale doesn’t make any sense. Think about Elisha.”

  “I am.”

  “You won’t even know I’m there,” Sage insisted. “I’ll be like a shadow.”

  “Never again. You’ve done enough already.” Talon swallowed. “I never thought I’d be able to look at you again, but I saw on the Ascendant why Cassius risked everything just to help you. You aren’t a shadow, Sage Volus. Not anymore. Whatever horrors you’ve committed in the name of the Tribune, leave them in the past.”

  “Talon…”

  “I’ve done things that I can never forget. Horrible things. Broken men’s jaws just because they owed a bit of pico. Shattered people’s dreams just because they slighted the wrong man. But after all of it, after all of this, there is nowhere I would rather be than on this ship. To get my daughter home, you allowed yourself to be abandoned by your people. Give me the chance to try and save my own.”

  A tear rolled down Sage’s cheek. They stared into each other’s eyes until the floor of the Monarch rattled.

  “Touching down within the Hound’s Paw now,” Larana announced over the ship’s speakers. Talon could hear Elisha giggling in the background while the transmission was open.

  “I’ll be waiting right here for when you get back,” Sage said, her voice cracking ever so slightly. She grasped Talon’s hand and lowered it to his side. “Don’t trust any of them Talon.”

  “You just make sure Elisha is safe,” Talon said. “I’ll handle the Circuit.”

  He hit the controls to the ship’s exit ramp. It folded open, and he flashed Sage a smirk. She opened her mouth to say something, but before she could Talon was greeted by a host of guards belonging to the Morastus clan. They were heavily armed. Two grabbed him and patted him down, while the others formed a line in front of the ship’s exit. He almost felt like he was back on the Ascendant.

  • • •

  “This way,” one of the guards said, leading him across the wide hangar. They were headed to the ship’s command deck and Talon couldn’t help but sneer as he observed his surroundings. Compared to the Ascendant, the best ship his people had to offer looked like it was thrown together with scrap metal. The idea that they were going to take on the Tribunal fleet was almost comical.

  A long hall led them to the command deck—a circular, two-level room filled with all manner of consoles and HOLO-Screens. Engineers sat at stations throughout, the backs of their chairs beginning to rust, and a projected map of the Circuit rotated slowly at the center of a round table. Talon recognized most of the people standing around it—all of the highest members of Ceresian society.

  There were leaders from all the Ceresians’ Clans, young and old, pretending like their opinions mattered. Only Zaimur Morastus’ and Yara Lakura’s did, and they stood side by side at the far end. It was always strange to see Zaimur next to a woman who wasn’t half naked and begging for his scraps.

  “Talon Rayne!” Zaimur exclaimed, clapping his hands. His hair was perfectly feathered, and his face flush with youthful enthusiasm. “By the Ancients, f
or a man damned to die you are exceedingly resilient!” Talon took a moment to gather his breath, and then continued forward. He only made it a few steps before he was startled by Zaimur’s pet hound hopping down from a console beside him. It snarled and bared its fangs, but it kept a small distance.

  “It’s good to see you again too, Zaimur,” Talon replied, ensuring the dog remained in his peripheries as he approached. “And you, Madame Lakura.”

  She lowered her head deferentially. “The Hero of Eureka always has a place at my side.”

  “Now, now, Yara, as allies we must learn to share,” Zaimur said. “My father would’ve been proud of the raiding of the Ascendant.”

  “I’d hope any Ceresian would do the same for the good of our people,” Talon answered, a harsh edge entering his tone.

  Zaimur’s smile faded. “Everyone go and prepare your vessels for departure,” he demanded. All of the other clan leaders looked at him, confused. “Out!” he roared.

  This time the entire room listened. The clan leaders shuffled past Talon, scanning him head to toe. The engineering crew sitting at the ship’s controls along the balcony wrapping the entire room departed as well. Even the guards left. The only person who remained with Zaimur was Yara.

  “May I speak with my man alone?” he asked her softly.

  “No more secret missions, Zaimur,” she replied. “Half those ships out there are mine, remember?”

  Zaimur bit his lip. “Very well.”

  “I’m guessing she doesn’t know why I’m here?” Talon said. He went to get closer to them, but Zaimur’s hound immediately placed itself in his path and growled.

  “There are no secrets between us anymore,” Zaimur replied, smiling.

  “Somehow I doubt that. No way would a Lakura get in bed with him, and if she did you’ll both share the blame when whatever you and that monster are planning kills us all.”

  “What is he talking about?” Yara asked.

  Zaimur strolled forward leisurely. He kneeled beside his dog and began to pet its head. “I’m growing tired of these little exchanges, Talon. You’ve done enough to earn this meeting, so stop the banter and tell me exactly what you came here to tell me before I get irritated.”

  “There was no prototype Gravitum bomb on the Ascendant, Zaimur, because Cassius Vale had it all along.”

  “The Blue Death must truly be crippling your mind, Talon. Yara and I were only just reviewing the schematics for the bomb after you stole it from the Ascendant.”

  “No, you were reviewing the schematics for the weapon that he used to destroy Kalliope and all the Ceresians stationed there. The man you’ve put your faith into planned this war from the start, from stealing Tribunal Freighters and an Ark filled with Gravitum to whatever he’s convinced you to do with this fleet.”

  Zaimur’s eyes widened nervously as he looked up from his pet. Behind him Yara’s brow furrowed, half in surprise, half in fury. “Cassius Vale is dead,” she said.

  “He’s not. Zaimur helped him fake his death and they’ve been working together to win this war. I’ve come here to beg him not to listen to any more of Cassius’ lies before it’s too late.”

  “That’s quite an accusation.” Zaimur chuckled. “And do you have any proof of this?”

  Talon froze. He wasn’t expecting Yara to remain in the room with them and force Zaimur into a corner. Their alliance had been built upon Cassius’ execution. He had nothing physical except Elisha, only a series of coincidences and a feeling in his gut. He knew for sure ADIM was on Kalliope before it blew to pieces, but that was all.

  Zaimur burst into laughter. “So you have none, then! Yes, you caught me. I’ve been skulking around with the ghost of Cassius Vale in the shadows. I killed him right in front of you, Yara, remember?”

  “You know that wasn’t him!” Talon shouted. The hound snarled at him, but he ignored it and stormed forward, getting as close to Zaimur as he could get. “Yara, listen to me. That wasn’t him.”

  “I fear that we have finally lost the Hero of Eureka to madness. I’ll have him detained immediately.” Zaimur snapped his finger at his hound. She barked loudly twice and backed away from Talon. Four Morastus henchmen instantly swept into the room and rushed toward Talon. They restrained his arms, but he didn’t fight them.

  Yara stared straight into Talon’s eyes, her expression hard as the rock of Ceres. “Let him finish what he came here to say.”

  “We have no time to listen to this drivel.”

  “Just let him. We owe him that at least…I owe him that.”

  Talon shook the henchmen off. “Cassius has an android that can mask its identity in the image of any man, Yara,” Talon said. “It could be the Zaimur you see right now, and it was the Cassius you watched die.”

  “As I said, Yara, lunacy. There are no androids capable of something like that, and I assure you I am entirely human.” He reached out toward Yara and gestured to her knife. She handed it over and he used it to cut his finger. Then he held his hand up toward Talon as if presenting a prize and let a tiny drop of blood fall at his feet. “See? These are merely the unfortunate delusions of a diseased man. I’m so sorry, Talon.”

  “Save your sympathy,” Talon spat. “I don’t care if she believes me. Zaimur, you have to put a stop to this. Wherever these ships are going, you’ll all be his pawns. This is his vengeance, Zaimur, not your triumph. Your father—”

  “My father lost his war!” Zaimur stormed forward. Talon could feel his hot breath against his cheeks, but he didn’t give ground. “There is nothing I won’t do to win this one, but Cassius Vale is dead.”

  “He’s right,” Yara said, her lips twisted. “We all saw him die, Talon.”

  “My father went through similar spells before he passed.”

  “I never realized the disease got this bad,” Yara said.

  “Zaimur, I’m begging you to listen! We weren’t sent to the Ascendant for a weapon. We were there to save my daughter. She’s on the Monarch right now if you don’t believe me. She saw the android on Kalliope.”

  Zaimur placed his hand on Talon’s shoulder and shook his head solemnly. “My poor Talon.” He turned to Yara. “She’s dead. He lost his daughter and friend to that place. This is what happens. We should’ve sent him to the Keepers a long time ago. Maybe they can help him before the end.”

  “I’ve already been there and you know that. He destroyed Kalliope and now he’s going to do the same to the rest of us. Whatever promises he’s made to you, he won’t honor them. You’re dooming us all.”

  Zaimur sighed. “You, of all people, don’t deserve to have this happen to you. Take solace, old friend, that before you go we’ll have taken Earth from the Tribune and forced them into surrender.”

  “Earth?” Talon questioned. “Are you insane? The Tribune will send everything they’ve got at you!”

  “They will. And when they arrive we’ll threaten to use the weapon you stole from the Ascendant to hold their precious Gravitum mines hostage. You’ll have your vengeance for what they did to your daughter, even if you aren’t aware of it. Is that enough now, Yara? It’s time we move out.”

  “Yes,” she exhaled. “Have him escorted to my wing. I’ll keep him comfortable until the end, as payment for him saving my life. And offer the Vergents safe access back to Ceres until this conflict is over.”

  Zaimur bowed his head. “Of course. Don’t worry; we’re going to end this once and for all, Talon. The Tribune will never think about raising another gun toward Ceres again. Take him.” Zaimur’s henchmen grabbed Talon again. His weakened arms and legs were no match for them.

  “He used me too!” Talon said as they started to drag him. “I should’ve tried to talk you out of this as soon as I found out but I was blinded by hope for my daughter. That’s my fault, Zaimur. Don’t do this. Think about Kalliope. You have to know it was him!”

  Zaimur got close enough to Talon to whisper so that Yara couldn’t hear. “I’m saving us from a war we could never win. Even i
f you’re right, what’s one worthless mining colony compared to the entire belt?”

  Julius flashed through Talon’s thoughts. He was wearing the same, goofy grin he always used to when Vera brushed against him. Talon’s tired fists clenched and he threw himself at Zaimur without thinking. His hands wrapped around Zaimur’s neck, but as soon as they did the hound sunk its razor-sharp teeth into his leg. He howled in pain, his knees buckled, and he fell to the ground. Only then did he notice that Zaimur had also plunged Yara’s knife into his chest down to the handle. Blood gushed out as Talon fell onto his side and the blade slipped out from between his rib cage.

  Zaimur stumbled backward. “He came at me…I didn’t mean to.”

  “Dammit, Zaimur!” Yara yelled. She ran over and held up Talon’s head.

  “I didn’t mean to.”

  “What have you done!” She snatched the knife out of Zaimur’s hand and sheathed it. “Keep pressure on the wound,” she ordered one of the Morastus guards. “I’ll call for a medic.”

  She sprinted toward the communications console, and as she did Zaimur kneeled down beside Talon, stroking his dog and grinning wickedly. One of Zaimur’s guards pressed down on Talon’s chest, but Zaimur pushed his hand away. “Leave him, and have the Monarch and its crew detained. Be discrete. Then tell all command deck engineers to return and prepare for departure.”

  Talon gasped, but his lung was punctured and he struggled to force out words.

  “Unfortunately, I can’t allow you or your friends to leave considering what you know,” Zaimur whispered to him as the guard headed out of the command deck. Another one bent down and pretended to keep pressure on Talon’s wound. “Say hello to my father for me.”

  “Elisha…” Talon wheezed. He was trying to scream, but all it did was make the veins in his neck bulge. “Run…”