Nemesis

by Christian Kallias

  “Coordinates locked.”

  “It’s been an honor having you on my crew, my little insectoid friend.”

  “Likewise, Talon.”

  Talon took a deep breath. “Now!”

  The Bellerophon darted forward, picking up speed at a blistering pace.

  24

  Multiple StarFuries collided with the enemy’s shields at nearly the same time as the lion’s share of the remaining missiles. The shield flickered and blinked off. The remaining quantum torpedoes were primed to finish the job.

  The nearest enemy destroyer micro-jumped in front of the enemy flagship and its shields took the brunt of the torpedoes damage, barely staying up.

  “Dammit!” exclaimed Chris over the comms.

  Let me take care of the rest, said a familiar voice. Thanks for the cover.

  The dragon flew past the StarFuries, temporarily plunging each cockpit into darkness.

  Ka’Rij, in full dragon form, was a thing of beauty. His shiny black scales made him look like a metallic shadow flying through space.

  The dragon used his enormous wingspan to swipe at the destroyer and send it into a wild spin. Ka’Rij roared, and a massive fireball shot from his mouth and zoomed toward the enemy’s flagship.

  Since its shield were down, it ripped through the metal effortlessly and engulfed the ship in flames. Sensing the Iron Fire was positioning itself into firing position, Ka’Rij banked left and gave the Earth Alliance ship a clear shot at their enemy.

  “Status of main weapon?” asked Daniel from the bridge.

  “Primed and ready at full charge, Captain,” answered Commander Aniotis.

  “Lock onto the center of the ship, and open fire,” Daniel said with coldness.

  An intense ray of yellow plasma energy shot from the nose of the Iron Fire and struck dead center on the enemy flagship.

  The continuous beam of plasma turned the metal red, melted through it, and cut the enemy ship in half. The bow and stern floated in opposite directions before secondary and internal explosions blasted the ship into a million fiery pieces.

  “We have a kill!” exclaimed the commander.

  Daniel smiled.

  Tough little ship. I think I’m in love.

  It was moments like these that made Daniel doubt he would be a good fit for the station commander position that Altair offered. Though, he did no doubt that the Alkyonidon Station would probably be a flying fortress of its own with more firepower than any of the Earth Alliance destroyers and dreadnoughts.

  “Multiple hyperspace windows detected,” said Commander Aniotis.

  For a split second, Daniel thought enemy reinforcements had arrived, but the last three ships, including the one Ka’Rij had sent into a spin, all opened hyperspace windows and turned tail.

  They’ll be back, said Ka’Rij directly into Chase’s thoughts, and in greater numbers next time. But, for now, this gives us a window of a few hours to try to retake control on the surface. Thank you so much for this, and I’m sorry you wasted so many resources in doing so.

  Don’t worry about it, answered Chase. We’re happy to be of assistance. That’s the least we could do considering you saved our hides earlier. As a matter of fact, if it weren’t for you, we’d have lost more than just a few starfighters and ordnance.

  I can sense there’s something else on your mind.

  Chase smiled for a second before continuing.

  My wife. . .I’m really hoping you can help us with that, too. We—We’ve tried everything, in vain, and I can’t lose her.

  I’ve lost my other half to this war. I would give everything to bring her back, so I think I have a good idea as to what you’re feeling. We’ll do whatever we can to help her. I give you my word.

  Thanks, Ka’Rij.

  Chase still didn’t know what could possibly be stronger than his own Fury healing abilities, besides the elixir from Asclepius, which died with him when Arakan destroyed Olympus. The elixir had brought Chase himself back to life by reaching deep in the Underworld and returning him to the land of the living. There had to be similar compounds out there that would do the same for Sarah. Chase hoped that the tears of the Dragonmen were one of these.

  The comms crackled to life. “Well, we’ve won, so what’s next?” asked Argos.

  Ka’Rij? Can you enter the atmosphere on your own?

  Yes, it’s always a little tricky as the transformation happens while I am planet-bound, but I’ve done it enough times that it’s become almost second nature. Just follow me in.

  Ka’Rij banked right and started his descent.

  “Let’s follow Ka’Rij,” answered Chase.

  “Roger that,” said Argos. “What about my squadron pilots?”

  “Back to the barn, only Furies from this point forward.”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” argued Chris. “We may need their firepower for cover.”

  “They’ll be risking their lives if they come,” Chase protested.

  “And what have they been doing in this battle, knitting sweaters? I think as part of the Earth Alliance they know what they signed on for, wouldn’t you think? I don’t want to sound insensitive here, but they’re only alive today because we've risked our lives to kill the Furies. If they chose to come on this mission, they know that they may be risking their lives.”

  Chase didn’t like the idea, as the Earth Alliance was not officially part of this war. However, Chris was only trying to maximize their chances, and he was becoming a voice of reason against one of Chase’s own failings—the ability to accept that in any engagement, there would be losses.

  “Let your squadron know, Argos, that it’s a voluntary mission. Those who want to come, can; the rest should return to the Iron Fire. We’ll be putting them in the line of fire against unknown forces, so I don’t want to make that decision for them.”

  “That’s what an admiral does,” said Chris. “As a matter of fact, even when you were a lieutenant that was and still is the burden of command.”

  The words stung even though Chase knew his son was right. It was time for him to let go of the fear and guilt that was paralyzing him.

  No one from Argos’ Gamma Squadron changed course. This made Chase feel a little better and did confirm that he had to accept that men would die under his command, no matter how he wished it not to be true.

  You need to get your shit together, barked Chris telepathically. Having turned your back on me when I needed you the most is one thing, but don’t fail everyone else because you’re scared shitless. Or have you forgotten who you are? For better or for worse, you’re the hero of the Fury War, you’re the one who killed Tanak’Vor. Why are you still acting like you lost that war?

  Because I feel like I did.

  That’s bullshit. If you ever want to earn back an ounce of my respect, you need to become that fearless, maximum risk-taking father I remember. This. . .this other guy, I don’t know who he is, and I don’t care much for him. Still. . .thank you for saving my life earlier with the hydra. Hopefully, the way of the warrior still runs through your veins and will return to your heart and soul. If not, and if the Spectres return, then gods help us all because without Chase the Dragonheart, we’re all fucking doomed!

  Chase’s eyes watered. He knew his son was right, but that didn’t make it any less painful to hear. However, hearing his son thanking him for saving his life earlier did help bolster Chase’s confidence if only ever so slightly.

  Son, I truly hope this man you talk about still exists…

  If he doesn’t, then on top of my mother, I would have lost my dad. And I don’t want to live in that world. You hear me? So listen to my words for once: get-your-shit-together!

  Tears fell down Chase’s face. In his own antagonist ways, Chris had still hit a chord with his father.

  Thank you, son.

  By the time Poseidon marched toward the Spectre for the kill, Ergon’Kar had removed the energy lance that had pinned him against the wall. He didn’t wait and pro
mptly threw it back at Poseidon.

  The God of the Sea blocked the attack with his Trident. The tip of the weapon glowed, and the energy lance stopped in midair. It disintegrated into a million small particles of light that were siphoned into the Trident and then into Poseidon himself.

  “Who the hell are you?” asked the Spectre.

  “My name is Poseidon.”

  Ergon’Kar smiled from ear to ear. “The head of the Olympians himself? Must be my lucky day.”

  “I’ll make you swallow those words soon enough.”

  “I would already have returned a hero with Athena’s head, but bringing both of yours, I’ll be instantly promoted, and songs will be written about this moment.”

  “I would worry more about making it out of here alive than your social status if I were you.”

  Poseidon pointed his Trident, and a laser-thin, blue energy attack pierced the Spectre’s chest. It traveled completely through him.

  “Then you’re going to have to unleash stronger attacks,” smirked Ergon’Kar before launching forward.

  Poseidon smiled in return. His blue-green eyes flashed briefly, and the Spectre’s chest exploded as if a small grenade detonated from inside his body. It sent the unsuspecting Spectre crashing to the ground, spilling massive amounts of black ooze on the floor.

  Ergon’Kar roared with a mixture of pain and frustration.

  Poseidon aimed his cybernetic arm at the downed Spectre, and a ray of super-concentrated blue energy shot from his palm.

  The Spectre raised a palm at the last second and tried to block the attack. Little did he know that it was a freezing ray. His hand started to feel numb almost immediately, and soon after, he was encased in an ice coffin. Poseidon increased the level of the ray until Ergon’Kar was trapped inside two meters of solid ice.

  When he was satisfied, he turned and ran back to Athena. She was still unconscious.

  He triggered some commands on his cybernetic arm, and the inside of his palm glowed orange. He delicately put it about ten centimeters from her chest. A warm orange light traveled from his palm and penetrated her chest. After a couple of minutes, she finally blinked her eyes open.

  “What—what happened? The Spectre?” she said trying to get up.

  “Shhh…try and not move for a moment while I heal you.”

  “That being is dangerous. Is it dead?”

  “The next best thing, really.”

  “You don’t understand.”

  “Of course I do. I fought Tanak’Vor, don’t you remember?”

  “Yeah, and he killed you. Where—where is it?”

  Poseidon moved slightly so her field of view was replaced with Ergon’Kar entrapped in the ice coffin.

  “That won’t hold him forever.”

  “We don’t need forever.”

  Poseidon manipulated the controls on his cybernetic arm and a small, round drone no bigger than a penny flew upward and stuck onto the ice block. Poseidon then opened a channel.

  “Bridge, come in?”

  “This is Commander Actarios. How can I help, Poseidon?”

  “Lock into this frequency tag, and beam it out to space.”

  “Locking on.”

  Blue and green streaks of light engulfed the iced Spectre, and he disappeared.

  “Thank you, Commander.”

  “Your or Athena’s presence is needed on the bridge, Sir. We’ve received a distress call from the Earth Alliance.”

  “Lock onto Athena and beam her to her quarters, then beam me up to the bridge.”

  “No—belay that,” said Athena. “Beam us both to the bridge.”

  “Understood,” said Commander Actarios.

  As the beaming streaks enveloped them, Poseidon spoke:

  “You know you should rest.”

  “Thanks to you, I’m much better; it’s my ship after all.”

  Poseidon smiled just before they beamed away.

  The time had come for both Tar’Lock and Talon to make peace with whatever deities they believed in. They were three seconds away from the end of the line when a big bright light flashed and blinded them.

  “Hang on to your socks,” a voice over the comms resonated in the bridge.

  The Bellerophon slowed down brutally, which sent Talon’s head crashing into the viewport, and he lost consciousness.

  Tar’Lock almost stumbled over his console but managed to grab it as a lifeline. His eyesight returned in time to see a massive shape pass in front of the ship and slice through the spider ship’s grappling hooks in the process, while a blue tractor beam set to reverse polarity was slowing down the Bellerophon.

  Tar’Lock didn’t remember ever seeing this particular ship, but the design was unmistakable. It was an Earth Alliance warship, and from the size of it, a big one. They had gotten his distress call, and not a second too late.

  The holo-screen filled with a familiar face.

  “Hello, Tar’Lock. You okay?” said Altair.

  “Hello, Altair, you’re a sight for sore eyes. My captain wasn’t strapped into his chair and he hit his head pretty hard, but considering what could have happened if you didn’t intervene, I think he’ll be fine. But, Altair, this is a Spectre ship, you need to blow it out of the sky while it’s damaged. The damn thing survived the explosion of the jump gate.”

  “Understood. Just tend to your captain, Tar’Lock. We’ll take care of this.”

  “Don’t underestimate it though.”

  “Don’t worry, Tar’Lock, I don’t intend to. Thanks for the heads up.”

  The holo-screen turned off and Tar’Lock ran so fast to Talon’s side, that to the human eye it would appear he teleported. A moment later, he had left the bridge and was on his way to med-bay.

  “Lock all weapons on the spider ship, maximum firepower and open fire,” ordered Altair. “I want this thing destroyed sooner rather than later.”

  “Firing now,” said the weapons officer.

  The Hercules’ batteries all fired at once, and a massive volley of thirty-two torpedoes screamed toward the spider ship.

  It returned fire and destroyed as many incoming projectiles as it could. Red shields erected around its black metallic hull and lit up like a Christmas tree as it absorbed the thousands of incoming blasts.

  “Enemy shields are holding,” said the weapons officer.

  “Lock primary weapons to the center of the ship. Wait until the torpedoes impact their shields, then open fire. Don’t wait for my order.”

  “Understood, Captain.”

  About half of the torpedoes made it to the target, engulfing the spider ship in flames upon exploding on its shields. But Altair knew how advanced these ships were.

  He never had fought one himself, but he had read the reports and analyzed the sensor readings that Yanis had dumped into the Earth Alliance weapons’ database. As a matter of fact, the new plasma cannon of these latest generation warships had been specifically designed to counter the spider ships’ nearly impenetrable shields.

  It was time to test if Spiros’ advancements would pay off.

  After the volley of quantum torpedoes impacted on the spider ship’s shields, the main plasma cannon came to life, and a large stream of yellow energy fired at the center of the still flaming inferno.

  The velocity at which it impacted with the enemy shield hit dead center, which turned completely red as the shields fought to deflect it.

  “Status?”

  “Enemy shields down to thirty percent and…holding. Their power is fluctuating heavily, they must have diverted every particle of energy to their shields. I wouldn’t be surprised if they dropped life support even.”

  Altair smiled. “Then let’s increase power by twenty percent, divert all power from hydroponics, life support in the lower cargo decks, and reduce artificial gravity all the way down to twenty percent if you have to.”

  It took about three seconds for the weapons officer to key in the changes for the bright yellow beam.

  “Their shield drop
ped to seven percent. But again, they’re holding.”

  “Chances of penetrating the shields if we go all-in?” requested Altair.

  “Simulations say we have an eighty-seven percent chance of destroying the ship if we do. But, Captain, if we don’t, we’ll be dead in the water for forty-five seconds until the emergency batteries recharge the shields.”

  “I am well aware of that. Charge the main weapon for a full energy-draining shot.”

  Altair could read the fear in the officer and everyone else on the bridge. But if he had learned anything from the Fury War and how Chase and his friends waged battle, it was that you had to be willing to risk everything when faced with superior technology.

  “Charged, Captain.”

  “Open fire!”

  While engulfed in flames, Ka’Rij turned from a full-sized dragon to a humanoid dragon form. Watching the transformation was nerve-wracking for Chase.

  But their newfound friend had assured him he had done this enough times that it would go well, and soon enough, they burst through the thick layer of atmosphere of New Kyria as a still conscious Ka’Rij folded his now much smaller wings into a gliding position.

  Are you alright? Chase inquired telepathically.

  Never better, thank you.

  Where to now?

  Follow me.

  It only took five minutes to arrive at their target: a large industrialized base.

  We need to neutralize this base, said Ka’Rij. It serves as their starport and provides a steady stream of troop reinforcements for them. We’ve been unable to stop them due to the massive aerial firepower they have protecting it. We should start here, as that will lower the amount of resistance we face in our planet-bound engagement.

  Chase realized Ka’Rij was addressing all of them simultaneously when Chris answered before he did.

  Can we flatten it? What about the precious artifact you told me about?