CHAPTER THREE
1.
The five beings scampered down the subterranean tunnel,
sticking close to the walls to avoid the toxic substance that ran down the
center of the floor. The two crakkon dogs lead the way, even though neither
animal knew the destination. Blackley followed hurriedly behind them, holding a
scavenged blaster pistol at the ready. Both he and his partner Chronos wore a
protective filter over their mouth and nose, keeping the ungodly smell of the
cities sewage system out. Following between the two men, gagging constantly
despite the ragged cloth she held to her face, Meena staggered and almost fell.
Chronos quickly reached out and helped her.
“I guess I
don’t have to wonder how you two snuck into my home now do I?” She asked
snidely. “And I was just thinking your smell had rubbed off on Blackley.”
“Quiet
woman,” Chronos muttered through the filter. His voice sounded like it was
coming from inside a can. “The more you talk, the more you are gonna breathe
this crap in. We’re almost to the end, just suck it up.”
Meena rolled
her eyes, but she kept up her pace without a comment. Ahead the group could
just see the large opening of the tunnel that dumped the waste into the
planet’s recycling core, a 300 meter drop into a vast pool of unspeakable
liquids. From there the sewage was filtered through the plant, and eventually
made clean enough for consumption. To an outsider the process was sickening,
but the inhabitants of the planet learned to live with the slightly salty water
centuries ago. Blackley had known of the narrow ledge that lead away from the
tunnel opening to a natural plateau, just big enough to land a ship. The
platform had been used numerous times in the past by smugglers and others who
needed to hide from authority. Landing the Robbie V there had required precise
piloting by Chronos, as their cruiser was a tad bigger than other ships the
plateau had been adapted for, in the end every thing went perfectly.
Blackley
turned to glance at his two Terran companions, dismissed their bickering and
returned his attention to the end of the tunnel, now much closer than he had
hoped. Cranius and Biggs were almost there, their approach slowing as they grew
more cautious. Entering the sewage tunnels had allowed them to get out of
Meena’s compound under the radar of the mystery ships, but it also made it so
none of them could hear the ships anymore, not even the crakkons. Blackley
hoped that the Robbie V had been undiscovered, but even he knew that it was a
false hope.
Cranius came
to the lip of the tunnel and looked out at the vast desert plain that spread
out below. The recycling pool was a large dark lake surrounded by miles and
miles of wasteland. Crags of rock and coarse sand filled the horizon, currently
painted a dull blue by the dual moons rising in the sky. It certainly was an
idyllic vista, if one could forget the fact that to view it you had to stand in
the refuse of dozens of species. The dog craned it’s head to look down both
sides of the cliff wall, and spotted the ledge that moved away from the tunnel.
Without waiting for acknowledgement, Cranius set out on the path, followed
quickly by Biggs. Just as the dogs moved out of sight, Blackley came himself to
the end of the line, moments later followed by the two stragglers.
“There is a
small ledge here,” Blackley said, pointing out the natural walkway to Meena,
“It is very narrow, be careful where you walk. The ship is just around that
bend on a platform. With luck we can board before anyone finds us.”
Meena
laughed. “And what happens if I decide to just jump off?”
Blackley
shook his head. “You’re too vain to kill yourself. Besides I doubt the fall
would kill you, especially with the refuse lake below. You’d be more likely to
drown in shit, and I know you wouldn’t be up for that.”
Blackley
watched Meena sneer at him, smiled back, then turned to begin his walk on the
ledge. Just as Meena was about to follow she felt Chronos tug at her. She
turned to find him tying a rope to her waist.
“Better not
to take any chances, right sunshine?” Chronos spoke. “Now get moving.”
Five shapes
moved carefully away from the tunnel opening towards the plateau 80 meters
away. The walk was slow going, but very soon Cranius and Biggs disappeared from
sight as they reached the destination. Three minutes later Blackley came to the
end of the line and breathed a sigh of relief as he stepped onto the flat
ground and saw that the Robbie V was alone. They hadn’t been discovered. The
shuffling sounds behind him told him that the others had arrived safely as
well. He heard Meena mutter.
“Well.
That’s impressive.”
The Robbie V
stood before them, radiant in its golden hue. The cruiser was based on the Wu
Series Mark X, though it bared its ancestor little resemblance. The bridge of
the ship sat in the nose, a large wedge shape that jutted out from the body on
a smallish neck. The bridge sat lower than the body of the cruiser as it tilted
downwards, yet was still far enough off the ground for a person to walk beneath
only having to bend slightly. The main section of the cruiser was rounded and
three times larger than the bridge. Two large fins rose majestically from the
tail that gave the illusion of a large “V” when looked at from the front.
Coming out from both sides of the deck were long serpentine like wings, curved
downwards with little lifts at each end. The wings were large enough for six
men to lie head to toe, from deck to tip. Beneath the wings, on each side, were
three laser cannons, for a total of six guns. The two blasters nearest the
center of the ship had been modified to fire plasma torpedoes, something that
was far outside of Galactic regulations. The ship hummed as it sat there
berthed, and after a moment it registered the DNA patterns of it’s owners and
the bay doors slid open at the belly.
Chronos
noticed Meena’s awe. “The Robbie IV was a bit smaller, but much faster –
anything that got in it’s way was quickly obliterated. But when Blackley and I
saw this beauty we had to upgrade. It was worth every credit. Faster than most
Galactic Navy cruisers, more maneuverable than any pirate skiff, and more
firepower than any SEF or Needler.”
At the ramp
touched the ground the two crakkon dogs ran up it, not really caring what their
new home looked like. Blackley started forward. “Come on, we’ll admire her
later.” He said.
“Not so fast
Mr. Blackley.” Coming out of the shadows behind one of Robbie V’s landed struts
the Galactic Officer held a blaster pointed directly at them. Blackley raised
his own weapon, only to lower it as dozens of assault ships lifted off from the
spires that surrounded the plateau. Blackley grimaced, shaking his head, then
lowered his blaster to the ground. Behind him Chronos dropped his own weapon
and raised his hands. Meena had her bound hands already in the air. The Officer
approached the ramp and looked into the interior. “If you don’t mind, I don’t
want to be surprised by your pets.”
Chronos
looked at the ship. “Robbie, close access.” He spoke, and at once the ramp and
outer hatch closed, sealing the crakkons inside.
The Officer
came closer and gestured with his hands. Immediately two more men appeared out
of the shadows and took custody on the prisoner. They lead her away from the
Robbie V to a transport beam leading up to a carrier that hovered above. The
assault ships flew around it like insects.
“Under
Galactic Law D-1670 we have lawful custody of Meena Thain,” Blackley spoke up,
his arms crossed on his chest. “You have no right to claim her. She is to stand
trial in the Galactic Core, and my partner and I are supposed to insure her
safe arrival.” Blackley emphasized the word safe.
“Do not
worry about Miss Thain.” The Officer spoke as he approached Blackley,
holstering his weapon. “She will be brought to the core and delivered to the
authorities there, under your names of course. The credits will be deposited
into your accounts.”
Chronos
lowered his hands. “What the frag is this then?” He gestured at the ships
around them.
“I have been
ordered to offer the two of you a job. A very high paying job.”
Blackley
looked at him skeptically. “A job? Who for?”
The Officer
stood straighter, almost at attention. “The President of the Galactic Senate.”
The two men
started as if they had been slapped. Chronos spoke first. “The President of
the… what is going on here?”
“The
President has personally requested that the two of you retrieve an item that
was stolen a three standard days ago.”
“What is
it?” Blackley asked.
The Officer
turned to face him. “The Blood Crystal.”
2.
The large man knelt on the cold concrete floor, trembling.
Though the ground and the air were chill, he shivered not from temperature, but
rather fear. He kept his face lowered, daring not to look the other directly in
the eye or risk offending his host in any way. Garath Nass was uncomfortable,
he wasn’t used to feeling this way amongst any sentient species, let alone a
single man. The being paced around Nass, his boots clicking on the polished
surface.
“Good job,
Garath.” A voice of pure malevolence spoke, echoing through the chamber. It had
been said by countless beings, all of them very far away now, that when Warlord
Zayas spoke, the devil himself cringed. As Zayas complimented his henchmen, his
pacing had stopped, now he began to move again. Nass kept his eyes painted to
the floor, trying not to watch his Overlord’s reflection in the grayish tile.
“Of course there were never any doubts that you would succeed. Failure, as you
know, is not an option.”
Garath Nass
bowed even lower to the ground. “Yes, Lord.”
Warlord
Zayas walked behind his kneeling servant, his arms folded across his back,
sharpened nails taping against his wrists. Nass felt the man’s presence, and
remained still.
“However,” Zayas spoke, his voice
dropping an octave, “there were survivors.”
Nass found
himself at a loss. “Survivors?” He asked.
With the
speed of nuclear lightening Zayas bent and grabbed the other from the floor,
lifting him and bringing him right to his face, forcing Nass to look him in the
eye. Warlord Zayas stared at him, one eye forced into a sneer, it’s green iris
contracting, the other eye was a solid orb of red. Zayas’ mouth was opened in a
savage grin, sharp serrated teeth showing through the gaps of his lips, and in
full force through a tear than ran from the right corner of his mouth through
the cheek. As Garath watched, eyes wide in terror, Zayas’ tongue came out
through the gash and licked the raw wound. Black spiked hair lead away from his
forehead, spreading away like a distinct “V” that turned into a mane of dark
hair behind his pointed ears. Zayas claimed to be a Terran, but most knew that
he had in fact a few differing species in his genetic make-up. The claws that
gripped Nass’ uniform were tearing through the fabric as the man was held off
the floor. As tall as Garath was, Zayas towered over him.
“Two
pilots,” Zayas spoke, never opening his clenched teeth, “escaped. By now the
President knows what has happened. The Senate will declare war.”
“But surely,
war was to be expected, my lord.” Garath spoke quietly.
Roaring with
anger Zayas threw his subordinate across the chamber, the man landed hard on
the cement and slid further into a marble pillar. Hurt, though not gravely,
Nass correctly decided to just stay where he was. With a sweeping motion Zayas
spun away and walked to his throne at the other end of the room where he took a
seat. He stared at the other for a moment. When he spoke again, his voice was
much calmer, though his eyes still showed murder.
“Yes. War
was a part of my plans.” He raised a platinum chalice to his lips and drank
deeply. Once finished with the drink he tossed the cup away. “But not until I
was ready. Not until the Crystal was made ready.”
Nass risked
moving. He gathered himself up and resumed his former position on his knees.
“Forgive me, lord. There were no ships on the scanners. I assumed them all
destroyed. I take responsibility.”
Zayas held
up a hand. “Please, Garath. There is no need for that. You are a valuable
employee, you possess many skills.”
Nass sighed
internally. Outwardly he made no movement. Zayas on the other hand, made a
quick gesture in the air. Directly to Nass’ left the twin doors slid smoothly
open, and in walked two guards, escorting a Skeether. Nass inspected the alien,
and saw that it was one of the Hive elders. The being walked proudly between
it’s escorts, proceeding directly before Zayas. Garath looked back to his
leader, whose eyes were still planted firmly on his.
“There is
the still the matter of survivors.” Zayas spoke.
With one
fluid motion Zayas stood from his throne, his hand swinging through the air
holding a large scimitar. The blade sliced cleanly through the Skeether Elder,
and then was sheathed again on the way down as Zayas sat. The warlord’s eyes
never even looked. As Zayas folded his legs, the Skeether’s upper torso slid
off at the waist, and the creature fell dead to the floor.
Somewhere in
the distance outside the room, Nass thought he heard a hundred different voices
cry out in shock. Being a hive mind, the Skeethers surely felt their elder’s
demise. For a brief moment he pitied the creatures.
“Garath.”
“Yes, Lord.”
Nass replied.
“Please,
stand, come to me.” Nass nodded. He quickly crossed the room and stood before
Zayas. Behind him the two guards were taking the remains of the fallen being
out of the room. After a moment the doors slid shut, leaving the two men alone
once again.
“Deliver the
Crystal to the labs,” Zayas spoke so suddenly that it took Garath a moment to
catch up. “Have the good Doctor start his research immediately.” Nass nodded.
“And send word to the outer systems, tell them to expect the Galactic Navy. The
President will not sit idly by. Not where the Crystal is concerned.”
“My lord?”
Garath took a moment to realize that it was he who had spoken. Zayas cocked his
head, an indication that he was listening. “What if the Senate’s response isn’t
to declare full scale war?”
Zayas chuckled,
causing the other to break out in flesh bumps. “And what? Just let me have it?”
“No sir, not
that.” He took a moment before going on. Raising an opinion or, even worse, an
idea, in front of Zayas was dangerous at best. “What if the President and the
Senate decide to keep things low key? A small infiltration force perhaps?”
“Interesting
theory.” The Overlord stated, raising a hand to scratch at his face. “Very
interesting. You see, I knew there were reasons to keep you alive.” Zayas
paused a moment, going over things in his head. “Tell the outer system Generals
to prepare for anything, and Garath, I want you to personally take control of
things on Chanzer.”
“Chanzer
Lord?”
“If a small
force is the order of the day, Chanzer is where they will launch from. The
Galactic Navy may be an inferior force, they are far from stupid. Go there, and
wait for my word. Soon we will crush the Senate and the Presidency.”
3.
Three men sat at a long rectangular table. The table was
made of polished steel, there were twenty chairs, ten each side. Chronos and
Blackley sat along one side, the Galactic Intelligence Officer rested on the
other. Blackley leaned forward, one hand pointing directly at the man seated
opposite.
“I’ve got a
few questions,” Blackley spoke. First, who the heck are you? And Second, what
exactly is this ‘Blood Crystal’ the President wants back so badly?”
The Officer
smiled at his companions. “Forgive me my manners, I was at a rush to convince
you two that our intentions were not hostile. I am Commanding Lieutenant David
Carriager, and this is the Galactic Starship Axiom.”
Chronos
looked about the meeting room. The walls were all the same polished silver of
the table, only a brighter shade. The hallways they had been escorted through
were also made of the same material, in fact he had not seen one sign or label
on any of the other hatches they had passed. “Axiom,” he stated, “Not too
shabby.”
Carriager
nodded. “Not as nice as your ship I am sure, but the Galactic Intelligence
doesn’t require the same sort of amenities as other space farers. We are very
comfortable aboard, I assure you.”
Chronos
merely nodded. Blackley on the other hand, pointed again. “Okay, yeah, splendid
boat you guys have here. Now answer my other question.”
The Commanding
Lieutenant stood and activated a panel behind him. The screen showed the end of
a space battle, the view was some distance away. “The last flight of the
Cruiser Vehpad.” Carriager spoke. “She was intercepted inside the Mantillies
system, a standard week out from Algorita. The entire massacre lasted less than
twenty minutes. The Vehpad was destroyed, Captain Janus Millways killed, and
the Blood Crystal stolen.”
“How do you
know that this Crystal thing wasn’t obliterated in the explosion?” Chronos asked.
Carriager
hit a key that enhanced the image, bringing the Vehpad closer into view. The
three men watched as a small ship flew away from the Cruiser. Moments later the
ship exploded. “Commander Barre Kerns, and one of his wingmen were able to get
away from the fight, after delivering a critical blow to one of the capital
ships of course. These are recordings taken from his flight data recorder.”
The view
expanded again, and after a few seconds the other ships in the image vanished,
departing into Omega-Space. “What were those other ships?” Blackley asked.
“They’re familiar.”
Before
Carriager could answer, Chronos spoke up. “They’re Rygarian.”
“Rygarian?”
Blackley spoke. “Why do I know that?”
“Rygarian
Battle Cruisers are used in Zayas’ personal armada.” Chronos stated, his voice
taking a grim turn.
Blackley
laughed. “Oh yeah! That’s right. Warlord Zayas and his personal Empire of…
Whoa. Wait. Hold on a damn second!”
Carriager
raised a stalling hand. He hit another key and the screen behind them turned
silver again, blending in perfectly with the wall around it. “Please Mr.
Blackley, calm down.”
Blackley
stood from his seat. “Are you fragging kidding me? You want us to take on Zayas
himself? The ‘Eater of Souls’? The ‘Butcher of Life’? There is no amount of
credits in the universe to get us to take this one on!”
“We accept
the job.”
Blackley
spun on his friend, thunderstruck at what he had just heard. Chronos sat very
still in the chair, his hands crossed neatly on the table. Though the two of
them had been friends for many years, there was a look on Chronos’ face that
Blackley just couldn’t read.
“Um, Chronos
old buddy,” Blackley leaned in close, “are we forgetting that I’m the one who
makes the stupid reckless decisions that plunge the two of us directly in harms
way? Shouldn’t it be telling you something that I’m the one not okay with
this?”
Chronos
slowly turned his eyes to his friend. Then Blackley was able to see exactly
what his friend was feeling, sadness. “We accept the job.”
Still
reeling, but willing to go along with his partner, Blackley re-took his chair.
“Can you just tell me what this ‘Blood Crystal’ is? Can I get at least that
much?”
Carriager
nodded. “Of course. The Crystal is a very important family heirloom to the
President. The value of the piece is astronomical, but this is about more than
credits, it is about history.”
“And that is
why the President isn’t asking for the Senate to declare war with Zayas.”
Blackley stated. “He doesn’t want to expend his military might on something
that may seem trivial to some people. Myself included.”
“Exactly,”
their host said, “And that is also why this job must be kept in the strictest
of secrecy.”
Chronos
spoke up. “Trust me Lieutenant, we keep all of our clients secret.”
“And that is
why the President asked specifically for you Chronos. Oh and Mr. Blackley.”
Blackley
showed him a sarcastic grin and nodded. “Thanks.”
The
Commanding Lieutenant stood from the table and pulled a small data pad from his
uniform. He handed the disc to Blackley, who started reading the contents.
“This is all Galactic Intelligence has on Warlord Zayas. I’m sure it will be of
some use. I cannot stress this enough, the Crystal is the objective here. We
are not asking you to kill or even hurt Zayas. Just return the item in the
quickest possible method.”
Chronos
stood from the table. “You may not want us to kill him, Lieutenant, but just be
aware that will not stop me if I have the opportunity. Come on Blackley.”
Carriager watched the two men leave the room. The door slid silently shut behind them. “That is exactly what I had hoped you would say.”