by J. N. Chaney
“You might not like what I have to say, Captain. How do I know you won’t shoot me just because you’re angry?”
“I need you to keep my people alive. If you help me do that, I won’t hurt you,” I said. “But, if I find out you’re bullshitting me, I’ll kill every last piece of you.”
He stared at me for a few seconds, a cold, emotionless look on his face. I couldn’t tell if he was planning a surprise attack, plotting an escape, or recounting his favorite soap opera, his face was so empty. “All right, Captain Hughes. I’ll tell you what you want to know.”
This fucking guy, I thought, staring into those strange eyes.
He cleared his throat. “Docker is correct. The Sarkonians are working with the Union, but what he didn’t say is that they aren’t in this for the bounty on your head.”
“How’s that, now?” I asked.
“The Union offered the Sarkonian government a truce, allowing them direct access to 50% of Deadland space without having to worry about Union interference.”
I considered this for a moment, laying out the star map in my head. The Deadlands made up a large chunk of space, with dozens of systems in it, all of it between the borders of the Union and Sarkonian Empire. Most of the region was utterly lawless, which made it easy for folk like me to come and go. The Union and the Sarkonians remained content to leave the uncivilized region to itself for the better part of two centuries. Until recently, of course, as I’d witnessed firsthand. “You mean the Union and the Sarkonians are planning to take over the Deadlands?”
“I don’t know if the Union means to conquer their side of the Deadlands adjacent to their border. The dominant view right now in Ambrosia is that it’s too much work to police it all. There’s also not enough resources there to make the expansion worthwhile.” He crossed his arms. “But the Sarkonians are different. They’re restricted to half a dozen sectors and a handful of systems within their own territory. They have no other choice but to expand, which means they need the Deadlands, even if the worlds are remote, chaotic, and disorganized.”
“Wait a second here,” I said, waving my pistol. “Are you saying the Union’s going to let them expand their borders just for capturing us?”
He grinned. “That’s exactly what I’m telling you, Captain.”
“But that’s crazy. The Sarkonians are violent and stupid. The Union hates them. Why would they make a deal like that?”
With his arms still crossed, Alphonse opened his palm and leaned forward, like he was inviting me to connect the dots. “What do you have that they want?”
“Wait, you’re saying it’s because of Lex?”
He nodded. “The one and only.”
“But, why go through all that trouble for just one kid?”
“Ah, now that’s the real question, isn’t it?” asked Alphonse with a slight smirk. “Why risk your very security, all to procure a single child? I must admit, Captain, I’m also in the dark, but I’m oh-so fascinated to learn the truth.”
I scoffed at the idea of it all. The Union was willing to risk their own security, their own borders, just to find my ship and the little albino.
“You know too much to be some shitty ensign,” I said, looking at his rank insignia. A single yellow bar on his collar.
“Do I?” he asked, not hiding his amusement. “I suppose that’s true.”
I took a step back a lowered the gun. Tapping my ear, I said, “Drop the door. I’m done here.”
“Yes, sir,” said Sigmond, and the wall began to slide down.
“Until next time, Captain Hughes,” called Alphonse. “Please, do try not to die.”
* * *
I gathered everyone in the lounge. Freddie, Abigail, Hitchens, and Octavia. Meanwhile, Siggy managed to distract Lex with a game in her room. She didn’t need to hear any of this.
“Please tell me you have a plan,” said Abigail.
“Did the prisoners give you any information?” asked Octavia.
I nodded. “It’s not good news, in case you’re wondering.”
“Of course it’s not,” said Abigail. “Why should we expect otherwise?”
“Basically,” I continued, ignoring the nun’s sass. “The Union made a deal with the Sarkonians for our heads. If they deliver us to Brigham, they get to invade the Deadlands, uncontested.”
Hitchens dropped his jaw. “A-Are you being serious?”
“That does seem like a stretch, just to capture us,” said Freddie, who looked equally surprised.
Abigail pressed her fingers to the bridge of her nose, closing her eyes. “Gods.”
“I didn’t believe it at first, either,” I said.
“Are you certain the intelligence on this is good?” asked Freddie.
“No, I’m not, but Alphonse was right about the cloak, so maybe he’s telling the truth.”
“I can’t believe they’d go this far just to stop us and capture Lex.” Freddie shook his head. “All this for a little girl who never did anything wrong.”
I glanced down at Octavia, who was sitting quietly in her wheelchair. She seemed to be lost in thought, her eyes drifting along the floor to the base of the wall. “You have anything to add, Octavia?”
She blinked, looking at me. “Hm? Oh, I apologize, Captain. I was thinking...”
“How’s that going for you?” I asked.
She stroked her wrist with her index finger for several seconds, like she was trying to put her thoughts together. “I believe the ensign was telling you the truth.”
“You do?” I asked. “You got a hunch about it?”
“It’s far more than that,” she explained. “Do you recall the information I shared with you about Lex’s biology?”
“Sure,” I said, looking at Abigail. “Something about fast healing and perfect cell replication.”
“Close enough. I’ve been busy working on it.”
Abigail stiffened. “Have you found anything more?”
“We already know the cells in her body are perfect. They perform tasks with optimal efficiency, without deterioration, hence the lack of scarring as well as her incredible healing. However, such a thing is impossible in nature, at least as we know it. I wasn’t sure at first, but it must be artificial. I don’t know how, but someone found a way to create a genetically perfect human being.”
She paused, perhaps expecting someone to speak, but we were all caught up in what she was saying that none of us felt the need. All our eyes were on Octavia. “I’ve found no trace of any modification, even after testing her several times and repeatedly biopsying her cells. Thanks to the equipment we procured from the medical station, I can finally tell you that there is no sign of post-natal engineering. By that I mean, I do not believe the Union ever changed her DNA sequencing or cell behavior once she was out of the womb. I think she was born this way.”
“But you just said the changes weren’t natural,” said Freddie.
“Correct,” she confirmed. “I believe this was done to her, either in the womb or as a simple embryo. I have no way of knowing, not without an entire lab and staff at my disposal, but it’s currently my working theory, given the technology at our disposal. I could be completely wrong and maybe the Union really did do this to her, but considering the reports about how she was found, it stands to reason that she origins are elsewhere, someplace beyond Union control. They found her on a fringe planet in an insignificant village. She arrived there in a small pod of unknown design. That’s the story we’ve heard. It’s what the report stated. We have no way to clarify it, even if we wanted to, but if it is all true, then somewhere in the galaxy, by some unknown organization or individual, Lex’s true parentage is waiting. Who knows where they are or why they did it? But I firmly believe the ones responsible have yet to be found.”
“All of this is sounding pretty outrageous,” I said. “You’re saying that Lex was made in a lab, but you don’t know for sure, and you don’t know when or why or by who. Is that about right?”
She nodded
. “It’s difficult for me to know, as I said, and I’m not an expert on human biology. I have six years of medical school, but there were people with a lifetime of experience in those Union facilities, working tirelessly with the best equipment available, and I suspect they didn’t fully understand it, either.”
“But that’s why they want her back,” said Abigail. “They know she’s special. It’s not just the tattoos and the way she affects the ancient Earth artifacts. It’s her entire biology they’re after.”
“She’s unique,” agreed Octavia. “And that’s what makes her dangerous.”
I scoffed. “Dangerous? She’s just a kid.”
“Imagine an army, an entire military, with healing capabilities,’ she cautioned. “Imagine the implications if the Union could weaponize that kind of genetic engineering.”
“I’d rather not imagine it at all,” said Freddie.
“Worse yet,” said Hitchens. “The artifacts I’ve collected can only be powered by the child’s markings. If Earth does indeed possess a more sophisticated collection, we might be looking at a potentially devastating new arsenal of weapons, the likes of which this galaxy has not seen in millennia.” He tapped his chin. “As advanced as ancient Earth was said to be, its weaponry could be beyond our understanding.”
Octavia lowered her eyes. “The strongest military power in the galaxy could become the only military power. Their conquest would be catastrophic.”
“If all of that is true,” muttered Freddie. “Then, it’s no wonder they’re willing to let the Sarkonians encroach on the Deadlands. If they have Lex and Earth, then what do a few more systems matter?”
“If nothing else,” continued Octavia. “This confirms what we have suspected. The Union will do anything to repossess what we stole, no matter the cost.”
I knew what I was hearing was out there, but it also made a certain kind of sense. The Union had sent their most powerful ship after us, with a seasoned General at the helm, and hundreds of strike ships. They’d made a deal with the Sarkonians, of all groups, just for the chance at getting Lex again. There was no other reason to do those things and take so many risks except if the ends justified the means. It was the most insane shit I’d ever heard in my life, but it was real and it was happening…and I was locked squarely in the center of it.
“Doesn’t matter,” I said, hooking my thumb on my belt. “That kid ain’t going anywhere, ‘cept with us.”
Octavia nodded. “A statement we can all agree upon.”
“Captain, if I might be so bold,” said Hitchens, clearing his throat. “What is your plan, moving forward? Do you have one yet?”
I glanced out the window, staring at the green glow of the slipspace tunnel. “I’ll let you know as soon as I do, Doc. For now, let’s just worry about staying ahead of all the people trying to kill us.”
He swallowed. “Dear me.”
Eighteen
Siggy scanned the system the second the tunnel opened. Before it was closed, he had a read-out set of everything from the number of planetoids to a light scan of the Sarkonian homeworld, Sarkon. More importantly, he had a tally of every ship in the system, most of them militarized.
“This doesn’t look good,” Abigail said as the information started coming in over the holo.
I couldn’t disagree. I had expected there to be dozens, perhaps even hundreds, of Sarkonian ships flying in and around Sarkon, but I never believed we’d see the fleet, itself, sitting at the other end of this tunnel. I’d assumed they’d be off near the border, assaulting Badland colonies or clashing with neighboring raiders, not waiting here by their lonesome… all for us.
No, not waiting. They couldn’t have known The Star would show up, unless the Union had told them.
But, if that had been the case, wouldn’t they have met us head-on, the second we entered the system? They had to be here for some other reason, right?
I pushed the question out of my head. There were more pressing concerns right now than what the Sarkonian fleet was up to. For starters, we had the Union after us, and it wouldn’t take them long to get here. Brigham would arrive in minutes, bringing hundreds of strike ships with him, all with the sole purpose of capturing us.
No, wait. That wasn’t right, I had to remind myself. The old bastard wasn’t after me. I was nothing to the Union but a Renegade with a deathwish. They only wanted the kid, and they’d do whatever it took to get her back, because she was a prize. A weapon to be used.
But only if I let them.
“Siggy, how many tunnels branch off from this system?” I asked, trying to focus.
“Sarkon lies at the center of a large intersection of slip tunnels. There are eight connecting paths, making this one of the most prominent slip gap points in the region,” explained the A.I.
“That’s a lot of options,” muttered Abigail. “Which one of them takes us to where we want to go?”
“If you are referring to the course we previously charted, the corresponding tunnel lies on the other side of Sarkon, beyond the fleet. I am displaying coordinates now.”
The holo changed, showing the entire system and all five planets, their moons, and anything large enough to qualify as a ship. Another dot blinked beyond Sarkon, near the fourth planet, indicating our new destination.
“Of course, we’d have to get around that fleet,” I said, sighing. “Why can’t you ever make it easy for me, Siggy?”
“Apologies, sir. I shall endeavor to do so in the future.”
“How do you expect us to get around that?” asked Abigail.
I thought for a second, weighing the options. I could run for it, risk everything, hope for the best, maybe make it through somehow. Running and gunning had worked for me in the past. Hell, I just dodged the Galactic Dawn by doing just that, but the ships here were spread out too far, all across the system. It would be nearly impossible to get there without a fight. On the other hand, I could go around, leave the system, come back on the other side, but in doing so, I’d risk drawing attention through Sarkon’s long-range detection grid. In fact, I was pretty sure they’d spot me soon if I didn’t figure something out.
“We have to use the cloak,” I finally said. “Siggy, you got that?”
“Right away, sir.”
Abigail gave me a surprised look. “Didn’t you say the Union was using your cloak to track us?”
“They’re already on their way here, which means it doesn’t matter.”
“Why?” she asked.
“They already know where we went, and it’s impossible to track us from inside the tunnel, which means they’ll have to wait until they come out again. That gives us a few minutes where we can use the cloak safely, without worrying about detection, get through this fleet, and grab a one-way ticket out of this shitstorm.”
“I see,” she said, working through the plan. “All we have to do is get to the tunnel before General Brigham arrives.”
“Exactly,” I said, motioning at the blinking dot on the holo. “We’ll just have to hurry.”
I plugged in the flight commands, bringing the ship away from the slip tunnel entrance and moving us towards our destination.
“Wait a second,” said Abigail. “What if the Union showed the Sarkonians how to track your cloak?”
The question took me by surprise. “They wouldn’t do that,” I muttered. “It would give the Sarkonians too much power. They could use that to track Union ships. Think about it.”
“That makes sense,” she said.
“We’ll be fine. Don’t worry.” I tried to sound convincing, but the truth was that I had no fucking idea what the Union would do. If everything Alphonse had told me was true, then they might actually be willing to give up classified information, so long as it meant finding my ship. Whatever the cost, just to get their key to Earth.
I swallowed, blinking a few times as we drew closer to the fleet. The holo changed, showcasing several of the Sarkonian ships, each with their emblems on the hull. Most of them had one or two
quad cannons. The larger vessels carried more than that. Getting caught right now would mean the end of everything. The end of all of us.
As The Renegade Star flew closer to the planet, Sarkon, one of the orbital ships began to move. It curved toward us, heading in the direction of the tunnel we had just left. I pulled the ship to the left, moving out of the way, but it also brought us closer to one of the Sarkonian freighters, a bulking transport vessel at least seventy-five times the size of my own. I eased us back, slowing our momentum, letting the departing ship get past us before bringing The Star back on its previous path.
I breathed when we were on our way again, getting farther from the fleet.
Still nothing, I thought as I continued to monitor the other ships’ movements. None of them appeared to notice us as we edged our way through the system. I had to keep thrusters at a minimum, which doubled our crawl-time. It was a necessary sacrifice, as a large burst of heat could reveal our position. Even with a cloak, I still had to mind my actions.
It took about ten minutes to reach the tunnel’s entrance. Only a few ships were lingering nearby, likely having just arrived. One or two seemed to be prepping to depart, which was good news for us. Each of the vessels took off toward Sarkon, one-at-a-time, leaving us alone after only a few minutes.
I was about to give the order to open the tunnel when Siggy’s voice chimed in. “Sir, a slipspace tunnel is opening on the far side of the system. I believe it is the UFS Galactic Dawn.”
I glanced down at the holo display to see that he was indeed correct. The Union starship was arriving. “Siggy, drop our cloak,” I ordered.
“Understood,” said the A.I.
Abigail tensed, leaning forward as she watched The Galactic Dawn emerge from the rift. She looked like she was about to say something when Siggy interjected.
“Picking up a transmission,” he said. “Sarkon is contacting the UFS Galactic Dawn.”
“Can we listen in?” I asked.
“Affirmative. Patching through now.”
There was a short pause, followed by a few second of static, and then…
“…ome in, Union vessel! Halt your trajectory and stand down at once! You are in violation of sanction three-two-six-nine of the Androsia Convention! Stand down at once!”
