by Drew Avera
“Data saved and encrypted.”
19
Anki
Falling felt like floating. At any second she expected to hit the ground, Anki’s vision turning black as her life faded. But nothing at all seemed to happen. She breathed slowly, steadying her nerves as she dared a glance beneath her. Canting her neck, she looked down with her peripheral vision, seeing nothingness. What? She turned her body in midair, demanding a better view of what was coming, but her perspective shifted as her body spun one-hundred-eighty degrees. Now, instead of falling, she was standing, looking out over an expansive horizon. Hues of purple and pink smeared the sky amidst raging clouds in the distance. Enthralled by its beauty, she tried to take it all in, looking side to side. Behind her, the cliff was gone, yet so was the cityscape from before.
“Carista!” She called out, her voice hoarse.
“Anki?”
She turned, trying to find the source of the voice speaking her name, but no one was there. Frantically, she turned in circles, squinting as she looked out over the distance. Completely alone on a barren world, she saw no one and nothing. “Carista? Anyone?” She said, barely above a whisper.
Lightning crashed in the distance, a bone chilling response to her call.
What am I going to do? I have nowhere to go.
Fear crept back into her, flooding her mind to the point of panic as she fought to hold herself together. Her chest rose, a mix of fear and anger and resentment. She did not know how she got to this world, but she knew she wanted to burn it down if that was what it took to reveal its secrets.
On the far horizon, she saw movement. Whatever it was, it was too small to make out before it disappeared over the crest of a small hill. With no other choice, Anki walked towards it, chasing shadows in hopes of uncovering something more. Her legs burned with each step and her body ached, but she buried the pain, forcing herself forward because that’s what Marines do. Step by step, she made her way towards the hill, lightning flashing above it hauntingly.
Anki felt like she was walking towards her own death, but she did not let it bother her. she was ready for whatever happened. She just didn’t want to wait for death, to prolong the inevitable. It’s better to stare the bitch in the eye, she thought, taking another step in what could be her last.
“Anki?” The voice was louder.
She kept walking, staring ahead, her eyes fixed upon the hill where she saw movement. Light flickered ahead, but it wasn’t lightning, it was something else.
A sign?
Anki quickened her step despite the pain and exhaustion. She ran towards it, sucking in gasps of air as she exerted herself beyond what she knew she was capable of. She had not trained for something like this since before departing Luthia, but the muscle memory was there. No matter what, she was not going to stop running.
20
Ilium
As they entered the bridge, Commander Quino followed Ilium. Stavis stayed in the back, allowing the new Executive Officer to chat with the captain. Ilium wished she hadn’t done that, because the conversation so far bordered on mundane.
“How many sailors are on board?” Quino asked.
“The King Slayer berths more than two-thousand currently. We can accommodate a crew of four-thousand if needed, but the extra space is useful for storing goods to minimize the need for frequent replenishments,” Stavis answered, saving Ilium the trouble.
“How often are replenishments done?” The ever-quizzical Quino asked, the sound of his voice grating on Ilium’s nerves.
“About once every forty-five days,” he said, frustration in his voice. “Look, I know you have a lot of questions, and they are good questions, but this information can be found in the ship’s operations manual and your welcome aboard package. The King Slayer is one of three ships of its class. We do things different here, and we also have to accommodate the demands of headquarters as the flagship in this sector. It’s impossible for you to know everything on your first day, so please observe operations and absorb information as it comes naturally.” Ilium felt like a dick for reprimanding the man in front of everyone on the bridge, but Quino just smiled back.
“I understand. I’m just excited to be here is all.”
“We’re excited to have you, sir,” Stavis said, glaring at Ilium behind Quino’s back.
The captain swallowed hard, trying to maintain his composure, which proved difficult when he was agitated. “Absolutely,” he lied straight to the man’s face. “I just don’t want to overwhelm you with information that may distract you from what we are about to embark upon.”
“Which is?” Quino asked.
“We have intel on the ship that attacked us. It is no longer in the sector, but it left behind residual drive information we hope will allow us to track it. So, we will reconnoiter and send a few scout ships out to investigate,” Stavis answered.
Quino smiled. “Brilliant. We will bring the fight back to them.”
Ilium took a seat in the captain’s chair and leaned back, resting his chin on his closed fist. “We will be doing more than that. If we find out who was responsible for the attack, this ship will prioritize their annihilation.”
“It’s nice to have headquarters’ support like that.”
Ilium smiled. “Who said anything about having headquarters’ support?”
Stavis stepped in. “I think what Captain Gyl is saying, is that our crew wants to see justice, and though we have not received official orders to attack on sight, we are prepared to do what is necessary to avenge our shipmates.”
“Yeah, that’s exactly what I meant,” Ilium said, looking away from Quino and Stavis and towards the monitors depicting their trajectory. “I’m sure the orders will come once we have solid evidence and a known target. Until then, we conduct our investigation and see what we can find. Do you want to take a seat and observe?”
Quino nodded. “Of course, Captain.” He sat on the chair next to Ilium and brought up his own monitor. “I can’t seem to log in.”
“They must not have you in the system yet. Lieutenant Stavis, could you please have someone from IT verify Commander Quino’s credentials, so he can have access to the ship’s computers?”
“Yes, sir,” she replied, stepping towards a console and lifting a headset.
She spoke facing away from them, and he knew why. If Quino was not in the database, then that meant he was a mole sent by Haranger. Interesting, Ilium thought, that my old mentor would be keen on spying on me. I guess pulling away from my leash wasn’t part of his plan for me.
“Commander, could you please try again?” Stavis asked.
Quino typed his information into the monitor once again, this time gaining access. “I’m good to go,” he said.
“Excellent,” Ilium replied. “Let’s see about tracking down that ship, shall we?”
“Captain, there’s something you need to see on the third deck,” Stavis said.
Ilium glanced up at her as she spoke the code words for there being a problem with their new guest. “Can it wait?” His question code for “Was I right”?
“No, sir.” That was a “yes.”
Ilium looked over to Quino and leaned towards him. “Please excuse me. I’ll return shortly.”
“Would you like me to accompany you?” Quino asked.
“No, this is the boring part of the job. Probably just an expired fire bottle or something. I should probably delegate the maintenance responsibilities to someone else,” he said with a laugh, “but I prefer to be hands-on.” Ilium followed Stavis off the bridge and down the nearest ladder well. They kept walking until the passageway cleared and they ducked into a small compartment. “What is it?”
“Commander Quino has no military background at all. His record does not exist, no name, no images, nothing. I’m not sure how this could happen,” Stavis said.
I do, Ilium thought. “Did they check everything? We have to be sure.”
“I spoke to IT and they verified numerous times that Com
mander Quino is not part of the fleet in any capacity. What should we do?”
Ilium gritted his teeth. This is what I was afraid of. Haranger has more resources than I thought. “We pretend nothing is wrong and keep him busy. How much access did you give him to the ship’s computers?”
“He can view only unclassified information. All outgoing messages will be patched into Intel before being forwarded.”
“Good,” Ilium said. “Monitor the situation with Intel, and if things get out of hand, we will space him.”
Stavis stepped back. “Sir, what’s going on?”
Ilium looked at her questioningly. “You’re the one briefing me. I don’t understand.”
She sighed. “I feel like you’re hiding something, and that puts us at risk. Mole or not, I’m not comfortable taking orders from someone who might not be forthright with me.” She stood stoically, jaw clenched. He could tell by the look in her eye that she knew she was speaking out of line with a senior officer, but had the strength and integrity to do it for the good of the ship. He respected her for it.
It was Ilium’s turn to sigh. “Look, it’s a long story, and I will tell you, but please accept the short version for now.” Her eyes widened as he spoke. “The Greshian Navy has a mole and his name is Haranger. This man runs an organization within the ranks in order to gain intel on the fleet and further the war efforts for his own financial gain. He also has illusions of seizing control of the Empire. Haranger recruited me to commission into the Navy and feed him information in exchange for a fast-tracked naval career. Once I realized how deep I was in, and how he used me, I left the organization. Those events led to my coming on board the King Slayer after he tried to have me killed by sending me to a ship under his direct control.”
“So, the mutiny was a means to kill you because you walked away from his organization?”
“Yes,” ilium said. “And I’m afraid the attack on this ship was his way of getting to me again.”
“But the ship in the attack used tech the Greshian military has never seen,” Stavis said, one eyebrow raised as though in doubt.
“I know, but Haranger has a means of getting his hands on things. I think Haranger sent Quino to kill me.”
Stavis stood gawking at Ilium for a moment. “And I take it you’re not a naval officer either?”
“I think you’re missing the point, but yes, I am a real naval officer. I went through the same training as you. Both of us took the same oath,” Ilium answered.
She looked at him skeptically. “I don’t know if I believe you,” she said. “Maybe we should space both of you to dissolve any threat you pose being here.” She took a powerful defensive stance, ready for Ilium to attack.
Ilium swallowed hard, lifting his hands in surrender. “Look, I know what it sounds like, but I’m not the same man he recruited into his organization. I’m on your side. After everything that’s happened, now, more than ever I’m in service to the Empire.” The words fell from his lips without much thought, his sincerity surprising him.
“This Haranger guy, why would he plant a mole on the King Slayer? Killing you doesn’t sound like a difficult task, and it surely isn’t a good enough excuse to risk being caught,” she said. Stavis crossed her arms over her chest, tucking a tuft of hair behind her ear in the process.
Ilium shrugged. “I don’t think killing me is the top priority this time.”
Stavis eased her stance and it gave Ilium hope that they could reconcile what he said with who he was now. “If killing you isn’t the primary objective, then what is?” The sound of legitimate concern painted her voice and Ilium knew exactly how she felt.
Ilium took a breath. “Taking this ship and using it against the Empire.”
Stavis scoffed, but Ilium kept a straight face. It only took a moment for her to notice before she responded. “Oh, shit.”
“Yeah, that,” Ilium replied.
21
Brendle
“How’s your food?” Malikea asked as Brendle tore at the tube of preserved meat rations with his teeth.
He tried to smile during the process, but it took more effort than the salty tube deserved. Once his mouth was free to speak, he lied. “It’s good.” He continued chewing, gnawing at it like he was trying to eat through his arm.
“You’re not a good liar, Brendle,” Deis said.
Brendle placed the tube of meat onto the table and looked up. “I wasn’t trying to be disrespectful. Rations are low, and we’re making do with what we have. Complaining about it solves nothing.”
“How did the food taste on your Greshian ship?” Malikea asked.
Brendle leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms as he thought back to the time. “The rations were prepared more as a family meal, each serving six in the officer’s wardroom. We typically ate with the same people for each meal, so we would schedule those meals in advance. As far as what the meals constituted, they were primarily carbohydrates made to simulate meat. They came in tins and were unflavored, but there was an additive placed inside that activated while it cooked. It was very advanced compared to these protein tubes,” he said, chuckling.
“That does sound advanced,” Malikea replied. “How do we get our hands on some of those?”
Brendle shrugged. “I don’t know. It wasn’t my job to handle that sort of thing, and I guess I took it for granted.”
“Is there anything else about your time on that ship you feel you took for granted?” Deis asked.
“Aside from being able to send messages to my mother and not being on the run? Not really. Greshian Navy life is rough. The job sucks. The living accommodations suck. And you’re always beholden to someone else. It’s not a way I want to live my life. Especially now that I know what it’s like on the outside.”
“You prefer this kind of life?” Malikea asked.
Brendle shrugged. “I could do without the looming threats, but yeah.”
“I guess you do have the best crew in the galaxy,” Malikea retorted with a smirk.
Brendle made eye contact with Deis. “That I do.”
“Captain, I have an update regarding Anki’s condition.”
“What is it?” All their attention snapped to Pilot.
“Her core body temperature is increasing.”
“Is it a fever?”
“Negative. Anki’s body temperature is still a few degrees below normal, but it is moving in the right direction.”
“Do you have any recommendations for what to do from here?”
“I suggest continuing on our trek to Pila for proper medical evaluation.”
“Does she need to stay in the medically induced coma?” Deis asked.
“Indeed. Changing her condition at this time is ill-advised.”
“Thank you, Pilot,” Brendle said, feeling only slightly better about Anki’s condition. “I wish there was something more I could do.”
“We all feel like that,” Malikea said, placing his hand on Brendle’s. “But Anki is a fighter. She will pull through and be stronger for it.”
“I’m glad you think so. Brain tumors are one of the more severe conditions on my world.”
“I agree with Malikea. She is strong, and she will recover,” Deis said.
Their words settled over Brendle and gave him encouragement, but he could not fight the feeling of dread clamoring through his mind. He knew the prospect of recovery for Greshians, and it wasn’t positive. Anki might have a better chance, but it was difficult to grasp hope amid speculation. “Thank you. I’m hopeful as well,” he finally said, forcing himself to sound positive. “I just wish we could get to where we’re going faster. All this time being wasted isn’t helping Anki or her situation.”
“Have patience,” Deis replied.
Brendle looked up, a half-smirk on his face. “Do you know me?”
Deis smiled in return. “I do, but despite your shortcomings in this department, I think you can put up enough of a fight to pretend to be patient.”
Brendle
laughed. “Well, if it all can be pretend, then I’m also a courageous, well-endowed, extravagantly handsome, billionaire.”
Deis folded his arms across his chest and stared at Brendle for a moment. “Sorry, but I don’t see that having the potential to be true.”
His words forced fluid from Malikea’s nose as he sipped his drink. “Oh, my! That hurt both of us, I think.”
The three of them shared a chuckle, disappearing into a burden-free reprieve from their situation. But an alarm sounded, unsettling the men.
“What the hell is that?” Brendle shouted, jumping from his seat.
“Collision alarm,” Pilot answered. “Someone fired a missile.”
22
Anki
A torrential wind scoured across the landscape as Anki walked. The grit kicked up, pelting her body like granular bullets, but she continued her trek, squinting her eyes and breathing through the fabric of her shirt. The light of the sun faded as clouds moved in, darkening the fearsome world in which she dwelt.
I must keep moving. There’s nowhere to hide from the wind and it’s getting dark, she thought, shoving one foot in front of the other. All around her, the storm caused small funnel clouds whipping against each other in a devastating dance, tearing at the ground. She bit down, gritting her teeth as she forged ahead.
“Anki!”
A voice shouted, sounding like it came from the clouds above. She looked up, hoping to see someone, anyone. Her thoughts moved to the Replicade and her crew. Brendle, her lover. Malikea and Deis, their friends. Each one of them important to her in a different way.
“Anki!”
The voice reminded her of someone else. Carista. And she needed her help. Anki had no idea how she knew this, but it felt like a truth beyond any other, so she took another step, forcing her way ahead.