by M J Dees
“Okay, I will help you get him back to your shuttle before anyone discovers her.”
Callahan ushered them out of the palace where, judging by the commotion, the bodies of Kcokaep and Ydna had been discovered.
They rushed to the hangar where Scotmax had left her shuttle and quickly left before anyone could give warning to stop all ships from leaving the planet.
Callahan wished them the blessing of the gods and then watched them take off.
Scotmax lifted the shuttle high into the atmosphere.
“Where are we going?” asked Sevan.
“I’ve set a course for the Inc B’Campa portal,” said Scotmax.
“Why there?”
“It won’t betray our ultimate destination.”
“Which is?”
“Herse.”
“Of course.”
They were only halfway to the portal when Scotmax detected Republic patrol ships pursuing them. A moment later, there was an incoming message
“This is Republic Patrol Ship 04216. Turn off your engines and prepare to be boarded.”
Scotmax accelerated towards the portal.
“I hope the Republic Patrol ships don’t follow us through,” she said. “Otherwise we’ll have to go the long way round, via the strange worlds.”
“What’s wrong with that?” asked Sevan.
“Although this is a long range shuttle, I don’t think it will make it all the way to Herse.”
An alarm flashed.
“They have detected our acceleration and are pursuing us,” she said. “Our only option is to outrun them through the portal and somehow lose them on the other side. The shuttle will be no match for the superior firepower of the Republic patrol ships.”
“Oh, dear.”
“I just hope we have a longer range than the patrol ships.”
They made it to the Inic B`Campa portal first and then contemplated their options.
“The most direct journey to Herse is via the portal towards Angetenar,” said Scotmax. “But the Republic patrol ships will emerge through the portal from Future before we can reach the Angetenar portal and they will know our course for sure.”
“That doesn’t sound like a good idea.”
“There is a closer portal to Ao Jun but I doubt we can make it even there before the patrol ships emerge.”
“What do we do then?”
“There is a third option. The portal to Bondauzuno is much closer and we could easily make it through before the patrol ships emerge from the Future portal.”
“Let’s do that then.”
“The only problem is that we would then have to travel via the strange worlds as far as Sirius, where there is a portal to Lenguicarro. From there he could get to Sicheoyama, then Angetenar from where it was only one jump to Herse.”
“Why is that a problem?”
Scotmax set a course straight for the Bondauzuno portal.
“The journey will now take over a dozen jumps, rather than just three or four and I’m not sure we have the resources for the entire journey.”
Scotmax examined the charts, contemplating where she might restock.
“It’s possible to restock at Bondauzuno,” she said. “But we can’t risk stopping so soon. I want to get past Cherolia before we consider stopping. It’s a shame, because Cherolia is a planet I’ve always wanted to visit. The inhabitants lived on a narrow strip of land between two hemispheres, one boiling hot and the other icy cold.”
“I’ve actually done this route before,” Sevan boasted.
“No uxclod! Did you stop at Cherolia?”
“No, we didn’t.”
“Were you collecting a bounty?”
“Er, yeah, something like that.”
“Tigromia has no refuelling stations,” Scotmax continued. “Neither does Cholvarth. Eonus and Dichuliv are too dangerous because of the raining stones. I’m not sure about Paocarro, but I’m fairly sure there’s nothing on Sirius.”
“There wasn’t much when I was there,” Sevan agreed, trying to sound knowledgeable
“In that case, we might have to make it all the way to Lengiucarro before we can restock. There is definitely a trading station on Lengiucarro by the Saturnian temple, but I’m not convinced the shuttle will make it that far.”
While Sevan searched the shuttle for Pish, Scotmax programmed the course into the ship’s computer and then went to check on Matthews, who had fallen asleep again. Scotmax let her sleep.
While Matthews slept, Scotmax did some research into Paocarro.
“It orbits a neutron star every two days,” she told Sevan. “High radiation will have left it uninhabitable for most species. Even if its atmosphere is thick enough to shield inhabitants from the radiation, it would essentially create a deep sea like environment, so even if Paocarro supports intelligent life, they are unlikely to have the supplies we need.”
As the shuttle emerged from the portal, they could see the disc shape made by Bondauzuno’s rings. As the shuttle drew closer, they could make out Bondauzuno in the centre and the gap in the rings where its moon orbited. Not far past Bondauzuno was the portal for Chelrolia.
“If the patrol ships are following us, we will have safely passed through the portal to Chelrolia before they enter the Bondauzuno system.”
“So we can land at Chelrolia then?” asked Sevan, who hadn’t found any pish yet, and was getting thirsty.
“No, it’s too risky,” said Scotmax. “We’ll go straight through the next portal to Aziatera.”
Sevan felt grumpy, though he didn’t want to be caught by the Republic any more than Scot max. As they passed through the portal, they could already see the blue of the ocean planet.
“Although it’s completely covered in water, that doesn’t exclude the possibility that there might be a station there,” said Scotmax, checking the scanners. “I can’t see anything. The power levels don’t look good for making it all the way to Lengiucarro.”
Sevan sighed and looked for the portal to Tigromia.
The portals on either side of Tigromia were very close to the system’s star, and Scotmax activated the shuttle’s solar shields.
“There’s nothing on Tigromia,” she said.
“Why, because it’s covered in ice?” asked Sevan.
“No, because the gravity is so strong, the gravity manipulation unit won’t be strong enough to escape the atmosphere.”
“What’s the next option?”
“Cholvarth used to have many mining colonies and was a target of the ambitious Republic for a long time but the region was so beset by conflict that even the Republic, with its voracious appetite for expansion, gave up on the region,” said Scotmax. “Even now Cholvarth’s reputation for danger is only matched by its neighbour Eonus. I know better than to land on either planet. Even Tenuil pirates think twice about visiting this part of the outer regions.”
“Great.”
Scotmax checked the shuttle’s instruments again.
“We still had three systems to navigate before we will reach Lenguicarro,” she said. “The more I check the figures, the less likely it looks that we will make it.”
On the way past Paocarro, Scotmax checked her scanners again.
“Still no sign of any stations. I’m going to check on Matthews.”
“Again?”
“Again.”
Matthews was still sleeping. Scotmax had the ship run a medical scan.
“She’s only suffering from mental exhaustion,” she told Sevan when she returned to the bridge.
“That’s nice,” said Sevan. “We’re entering a new system. Maybe we can get supplies here.”
“Yes, Dichuliv. It’s not an option.”
“Why?”
“The planet rains glass. We can’t risk landing.”
“How is the fuel situation?”
“We won’t make the portal to Lenguicarro. Our only hope is that there might be something on Sirius. If not, we will be stranded.”
CHAPTER
9: RESISTANCE
Some time later.
“You are lucky to be alive,” said High Priest Brabin as he invited Matthews, Sevan and Scotmax into the Saturnian temple at Copperhead on Lenguicarro. “If missionary Ysteb hadn’t picked up your shuttle when she did, we would not be about to enjoy a delicious bowl of spaguns parasite lettuce. The spagun only grows here on Lenguicarro and the leaves when combined with the milk of the parasite makes for a unique combination.”
Sevan remembered enjoying the leaf and syrup mixture when he was last on Lenguicarro, but the thought of milking parasites was putting him off the idea.
“How did you know where to find us, Ysteb?” Scotmax asked Ay-ttho.
Tori sighed at the persistent use of their false identities.
“We picked up your tachyon transmissions,” she said. “Monitoring tachyon transmissions is a hobby of Animus.”
“Who?” asked Sevan.
“Ron,” Ay-ttho whispered.
“Oh, yes.”
“This is ridiculous,” Tori could take it no longer. “They all know we have false identities. Let’s just drop the facade so we can go back to being us.”
Ay-ttho looked at Brabin, who shrugged.
“Do you have something to tell us, Ysteb?” asked Scotmax.
“My name is not Ysteb, it’s Ay-ttho. I’m not a Saturnian missionary, I’m a rogue corporation security clone.”
“I knew it! And Sirrah?”
“My name is Tori, I was a Republic military clone.”
“And Edicla? There’s no way you are a bounty hunter.”
“Why not? But you’re right. I’m Sevan. I used to be a corporation mining clone.”
“I don’t see why any of this should trouble us,” said Matthews. “I will pardon anyone who assists me in reclaiming my right to the presidency.”
“Well, that’s sorted then,” said Brabin.
“I suppose so,” said Ay-ttho.
“Good, then let’s get to Herse and raise this fleet,” said Scotmax.
“I would like to visit the temple first,” said Matthews.
“Of course,” said Brabin. “As soon as you have finished eating, I will show you around.”
As soon as Brabin led her into the temple, Matthews fell to her knees in front of the image of Chronos.
“I’ll give you some time alone,” said Brabin and left.
Matthews, already in a spiritual stupor, prayed
“Oh, Chronos, I am a fugitive, but the long journey has blunted my guilt. The Republic has given up the chase and the welcome I have received has washed their life juices away. I have arrived at your temple, in front of your effigy. I await your judgement.”
Matthews lulled into silent prayer for a moment before raising her head once more. She saw the drirkel straalkets enter the room.
“The smell of her crime clings to her,” the drirkel straalkets spoke. “She tried to escape us, but we have sniffed her out. We travelled through the strange worlds and now we have found her here.”
“I am commanded to speak. I have cleansed myself of the guilt of my crime. I call on you, Chronos, to help me, judge me and save me.”
“Chronos cannot save you,” said the drirkel straalkets in unison. “We will always possess you, awaiting your fate. Our will is as fixed as the stars and ours is the only justice. We will ride you until death and then we will ride your ghost forever. The gods cannot stop us. We do their work. We are everlasting enforcers of the law.”
Matthews saw Chronos enter the room.
“Who has summoned me,” said Chronos. “You cling to my effigy like offspring clinging to its co-begetter.”
At the other side of the room, the drirkel straalkets squirmed.
“And you creatures that defy description,” Chronos addresses them. “I will be just. I know what they say of you.”
“Perhaps you do,” they answered. “We hunt all those who murder.”
“Can any escape?”
“Only beyond the realm of happiness.”
“You are driving Matthews there?”
“She killed her co-begetter. What can send offspring so mad they kill their co-begetter?”
“Will you trust my decision?”
“We trust all the Star Masters and their wisdom.”
“Matthews? Speak.”
“Chronos, you know my begetter, Kirkland, my co-begetter, killed him. I returned to future to avenge his murder. Was I right or wrong?”
“You came to my temple to confess your crime. But what happens to the anger of those who oppose your crime? It could fall on the Republic like a plague. I will convene a court to pass judgement on you.”
Chronos left the room.
“If they acquit you,” said the drirkel straalkets. “It will set a terrible example. Anyone will think they can murder whoever they want. Offspring will kill their co-begetters all over the place. Citizens of the Republic will live in fear. The criminals will rule with impunity, it will be too late. If we may not police wrongdoers, the Republic will descend into chaos.”
Chronos returned with a dozen Saturnians.
“Welcome jurors, you are here to ensure justice is done.”
Scotmax entered and observed the scene with surprise.
“Mind your own business, Scotmax,” said the drirkel straalkets. “You have no right to a voice here, you are just interfering.”
“I’ll be the judge of that,” said Scotmax. “Matthews is under my protection. Chronos, you may begin.”
“Drirkel straalkets, you may speak first.”
“Matthews, did you kill your co-beggetter?”
“I did.”
“There you are.”
“Is that it?”
“How did you kill her?”
“I shot her.”
“Who told you to shoot her?”
“Scotmax is my witness.”
“The swordsman of Angetenar persuaded you to kill your co-begetter?”
“And she has protected me ever since.”
“She won’t be able to protect you when this court condemns you.”
“She will not fail me. I acted on behalf of my begetter.”
“You acted on behalf of the dead? And killed your co-begetter?”
“Her guilt was double.”
“What do you mean?”
“She killed her partner and my begetter.”
“Her death paid for all but you are still alive.”
“After she killed my begetter and her partner, where was your justice?”
“We only prosecute those who kill those of their own life juices.”
“Scotmax? Tell them, prove that my killing her was an act of justice.”
“The gods would approve his actions,” said Scotmax.
“Are you saying you speak for the gods?”
“The deaths of Kirkland and Ydna were different. He was the president, not long returned from a victory over the Zistreotoveans. She trapped and tricked him, killing him so he could not defend himself.”
“Are you saying the gods only value the begetter?”
“Death cannot be reversed.”
“What has that got to do with anything? You think the gods look kindly on co-begettercide?”
“His begetter was her proper parent.”
“She might have been his co-begetter biologically, but she never behaved like it.”
“Jurors, you must consult your conscience,” said Chronos. “Cast your vote.”
“I will abide by the decision of the jury,” said Scotmax.
“Are you happy to hear the jurors’ verdict?”
“The jury has heard,” said the drirkel straalkets. “As they cast their vote, let them remember their oath.”
“Citizens of Lenguicarro. This is the first murder case to be tried in a court I have established. This court is yours. From today, we will try every murder in front of twelve Lenguicarrons. You may use my temple. When the Saturnians returned from their underground exile, this is where they esta
blished their home. Here my law shall rule and keep Lenguicarron pride in check.”