“Welcome to Iona. I’m Nicholas. Sorry for the state of my outfit, the manager got delayed and I had to rush down here to meet you. We don’t often get unscheduled visitors so you’ve caught us out, I’m afraid. If you’d follow me you can wait in the manager’s office.”
They followed Nicholas out of the docking bay and down several short corridors, taking it slowly as Elizabeth hobbled along using her stick. As they went Nicholas chatted away explaining the workings of the farm, how the water and soil were renewed by mining comets and many other facts about Iona. Despite himself, Jess quite liked Nicholas, especially when the subject of the workers came up.
“I guess you know we use slaves,” he said uncomfortably. “It’s the only way places like this can be profitable. I know that, but… well… they could be treated better. Fed better for sure, we’re running a farm aren’t we? Treated with more respect. Given rewards rather than punishments.” Suddenly he seemed to realise what he was saying, and to who. “Sorry, please don’t repeat that. I’d get into a lot of trouble. But… well, you seem nice. If you get the chance to suggest they could be treated just a little better maybe you could bring it up.”
“We’ll see,” Elizabeth replied, in a neutral voice. “So do you need special soil bacteria for different crop types?”
Relieved to be off the dangerous topic of the slaves, Nicholas launched into telling them about the varieties of crop bacteria needed for various different crops, how some could be used for many crops while others had a unique symbiosis with a single crop. Partway through Jess received a message from the ship confirming the infiltration package had been successfully deployed and had finished integrating. The Wanderer estimated it would take several minutes more to fully control all systems.
Jess hid a smile and returned his focus to the lecture by Nicholas, which seemed to be never ending. Jess was rather glad when they arrived at the manager’s office and the flow of technical terms stopped. Nicholas showed them into a small room with a big table taking much of the space. A black executive’s chair sat behind it, with three worn looking chairs the other side.
“Please, sit down,” Nicholas said, gesturing towards the chairs.
They moved towards the chairs. Jess glanced over his shoulder and was pleased to see their robot holding position just inside the door. As he looked the door quickly slid shut. The moment it did there was a tremendous crash and Jess’s vision went white.
He immediately reached for the ship, accelerating his thoughts. He was alarmed to realise he had no control over his body. He felt it slowly falling to the floor. At the same time his implants warned that powerful airborne drugs were seeping into his body, drugs designed to knock him out. The implants quickly countered the chemicals, breaking them down into harmless compounds.
Jess, the robot has been hit by some sort of electrical charge Sal sent. It’s managed to shake most of the effects off thanks to the changes the Wanderer made, but I’m shifting it into low power mode to make it seem disabled. Backup is there if you need it.
Thanks. Something hit us too. I can’t see or hear, my body is falling and I can’t control it. They’re trying to drug me too. The implants are fighting that off. I think Elizabeth must be out for the count. I can’t tell, though. I’m scared, Sal.
Hang in there, Jess. The robot still has vision and sound, I’ll feed them to you.
Suddenly Jess could see again, though watching his own body slowly falling to the floor was a strange sight. Elizabeth’s too. Jess was pleased to see Nicholas had also been affected. He liked the man and this suggested Nicholas hadn’t known about the trap.
Drones are ready to launch from the shuttle, Ali sent.
Hold on, Jess replied. Let’s see what happens here first.
He didn’t have to wait long at all. A hidden side door in the office opened and seven people wearing breathing masks emerged. They rushed towards Jess and the robot, ignoring Elizabeth and Nicholas, though to Jess the rush took place very slowly. One dived towards Jess, reaching his body not long after it struck the floor, and slapped a device onto the back of Jess’s neck. Jess’s implants immediately identified that a cocktail of anaesthetic drugs was being pumped into his body. He had the implants clean these up too, while keeping his body completely limp.
Someone knew to go straight for you, Sal pointed out. I don’t like this.
Two of the others reached the robot and slapped devices onto it, which immediately started to discharge electricity through its chassis. Once again the robot’s advanced design allowed it to shrug off the assault.
Maybe, Jess replied. But they’ve seriously underestimated us. Let’s see how this plays out.
Believing they had secured Jess and the robot one of the attackers flicked some controls on the large desk. The main door opened and powerful fans kicked into action. Within a few seconds the air was breathable again. The attackers started to remove their masks, one of them crouching by Jess as he did so. The angle prevented the robot seeing his face yet Jess thought he looked familiar somehow. The man spoke.
“Bloody hell kid, you just don’t learn do you?”
Jess couldn’t believe his ears. It was Matt!
Chapter 27
Jess stared at Matt in disbelief for a few moments, then he sent Sal an urgent message.
Sal, don’t shoot him!
Despite Sal’s thoughts also being sped up there was a long pause before she answered.
How did you know?
Because it was my first instinct too. We need to find out what’s going on. The Wanderer is making progress on subverting their systems. Please, hold fire. For now at least.
All right, but when we decide to nail him I get to pull the trigger.
Fair enough.
Matt reached out a hand and ruffled Jess’s hair, it was almost an affectionate gesture. He shook his head.
“Kid, how could you be so dumb? I was there after you’d promised to help Ali, after you said you’d come here and rescue her friends. I knew you’d be here sometime soon, but to walk into such a simple trap… bloody stupid.”
“We set?” asked one of the other men.
“Yes, Slick. He’s out for the count. Let me send the message to the ship now.”
Oh great, this should be good sent Sal.
Bear with it. We’ll have control of the station’s systems pretty soon.
Jess found it strange hearing Matt’s message both in the room and via the ship. He muted the relay from the ship and focused on Matt’s words directly.
“Sal… Ali… and whatever other strays Jess has picked up along the way. It’s Matt here, in case you’ve forgotten me already. I’m sure you’re on the ship. Glory Falls didn’t suddenly get a fleet of ships all on their own, especially not a fleet made up of our ships, and I know Jess wouldn’t have handed those ships over without getting you both. That little display at Stone Snake fooled plenty of people, but not me. It was too neat, too convenient. I thought you’d escaped. Lucky for me I was right.
“Listen up. We have Jess. He’s unconscious and is damn well staying that way for now. I don’t know how he escaped us before, but it ain’t happening again. We’ve got his lady friend, too.
“Now we need Jess mostly intact but that doesn’t mean we won’t break the odd finger or toe, and we’ll really go to town on his friend. If you want them in one piece you’ll let us board the Wanderer and escort you ladies off. No arguments, no discussions. You’ve got ten minutes to think about it, then our shuttle heads your way. Please don’t do anything silly, I’m really looking forward to seeing you both again.”
Ten minutes, sent Jess. That’s great. Sal, Ali – get the combat drones and shuttles ready. As soon as we have control of Iona’s systems we can make a break for it, then start the rescue. I think we’re going to face a lot more resistance than we thought. We may need to arm the prisoners as we rescue them.
Got it, Sal replied. We’ll be ready.
Be careful Jess, Ali sent. I love you.
Several more men entered from the main corridor, pushing two medical trolleys.
“Load them both up,” Matt ordered the new arrivals. “Let’s move them further away from the docking bay.”
Two of the men moved over to Jess and bent to pick him up.
Now what? asked Sal. We don’t want you to be separated from the robot.
I know. Let it go for a little longer, though.
Before the men could grab Jess a tremendous roar ripped through the room. One of them flew several metres and crashed into the wall. Teeko flashed back into visibility and sent the other man flying. Once again Teeko was reared up, only four legs on the ground. With his accelerated thoughts Jess could appreciate the incredible strength the alien could generate by twisting the top half of its body then letting it unwind in a whip-like movement. Teeko started towards another man, while several others started to raise their weapons.
Damn, we have to move, Jess sent. Sal – concentrate on protecting Elizabeth and Teeko. My shields can take a few hits. Release both drones from the robot, Ali and I can take one each. The drones from the shuttle will never get here in time to make a difference.
OK. Drones released.
Jess’s point of view suddenly jumped to that of the floating drone. While equipped with only light shields and weaponry to keep it small enough to conceal in the robot, it was more than up to the current task. Jess expanded his links to Sal and Ali, allowing them to instinctively agree their response and who should take which target.
Jess took two of the men who had recently entered the room, both were bringing machine guns up ready to fire. Reluctantly he targeted their heads for several shots each. It was a life and death situation for him and his friends now, he couldn’t risk trying to disable the men.
The drone’s laser snapped out several times at each, killing them instantly. Ali had taken out two others already. Sal had moved the robot so it could protect Elizabeth with its shield, now she targeted several more of their attackers – blowing large holes in their bodies with the robot’s advanced weaponry.
Teeko had disabled another attacker, or more likely killed judging by how the body landed. The robot and drones quickly finished off the others, just leaving Matt who stood still and slowly raised his hands. Jess climbed to his feet, staring at him.
“Damn kid, you proved me wrong. You do learn after all. It ain’t going to help you, though. Surrender to me now. Make it easier on yourselves.”
“Matt,” said Sal’s voice from the robot, before Jess could answer.
“Yes, Sal?” he asked, turning towards the robot.
“Drop dead!”
The robot fired several weapons at once, Matt’s body was thrown back against the wall, not that he cared; he was killed almost instantly. Jess stared in horror at the old man’s body. Despite everything, he’d still felt something for Matt, still harboured hopes that somehow the old man could be persuaded to give up his old friends and rejoin the Wanderer’s crew. Those hopes were gone now, destroyed by the same shots that had left Matt’s body smouldering on the floor.
Chapter 28
Jess was jerked from his stunned state by Sal’s voice rasping out of the robot.
“Jess, we need to get you out of there. How is Elizabeth?”
He gave himself a shake and crossed to check on Elizabeth.
“She seems to be all right. Her breathing is steady. She’s out for the count, though. I think we should load her on one of the trolleys.”
“Makes sense, I’ll help you.”
The robot moved forwards and helped Jess get Elizabeth onto the trolley. He strapped her securely in place, then glanced at the open door to the corridor.
“We need to watch for anyone trying to surprise us.”
“Already doing it. Ali has one of the drones watching the corridor. We’ve activated the drones on the shuttle, too, they’re protecting it for the moment.”
“Great. What do we do about Nicholas? I don’t think he was involved in the trap.”
“You might be right, but we leave him, for now at least. Getting Elizabeth back will be tricky enough in itself.”
“Yeah, I’d like to get him later, though. He might be able…”
Jess broke off as the ship signalled it had control of Iona’s main systems, including sensors, weapons and shields. He quickly ran searches to locate Ali’s friends.
“I’ve found everyone from Kershel V. The good news is they’re all together and it’s not far from here. The bad news is they’re under heavy armed guard.”
He sent the information through to Jess and Sal. The thirty-one children and five adults were grouped together in a fairly large room. Ten armed guards, wearing thick armour and holding large guns, stood watching over them.
“We need to get to them quickly,” Sal said. “As soon as they realise the trap failed they’ll start using those people as hostages and their guard will be right up. We can get the ship drones to meet you there, that should even the odds up significantly.”
“OK. I’m going to have to take Elizabeth with us, there’s nowhere safe to leave her.”
Jess turned to Teeko.
“Thank you Teeko, you put yourself in a lot of danger.”
“Worth was it. Friend Jess saved did I.”
“Definitely. Are you hurt?”
“Hurt not. Fine feel. With you come will I.”
“Everyone is ready then. Let’s move.”
They charged out into the corridor, turned to the right and set off. Jess found himself juggling several things. First, keeping his body moving and controlling Elizabeth’s trolley. Second was managing the drone he was in control of, using it to scout ahead ready to provide covering fire. Finally, he was monitoring the target room for any signs the occupants knew they were about to come under attack.
The shuttle’s drones reached the room just before Jess and the others did, four larger drones with significantly more firepower and shielding than the two that had been hidden in the robot. Others remained by the shuttle, protecting their exit.
“We go through the door together,” Sal said. “Hit them hard and fast. Teeko, you stay here and protect Elizabeth. Jess, you keep your head down too. Let the robot and the drones earn their keep.”
Jess nodded, Teeko performed what Jess thought must be a nod but the movement was so alien due to its sinuous neck that he wasn’t sure.
The robot and drones approached the doors. Sal, Ali and Jess decided who would tackle which of the guards, then executed the plan.
The robot went through first, smashing the door aside and opening fire immediately. The drones followed close behind. Several guards were struck whilst still registering what had happened to the door. The quickest thinkers were starting to lift their weaponry, reacting very quickly to the attack. Their thick armour offered no defence against the robot’s advanced weaponry, two guards went down immediately. Several more fell as the drones opened fire. Those targeted by the two small drones managed to withstand several shots before finally being overwhelmed. The robot and the ship-based drones quickly finished off the remaining guards.
It was over so quickly that all the guards were dead before the prisoners could react. For a second or two intense silence followed the roar of weapons, then it was broken by screaming and crying children. Jess ran into the room, holding his arms out and trying to shout over them. He couldn’t make himself heard.
“Children, quiet!” Ali’s voice boomed out over the robot’s speaker. “This is Auntie Alice. We are here to take you home. Please calm down and follow Jess. Jess, put your arm up so they know who you are.”
Jess raised his arm, feeling stupid as he did so. The children stared at him, eyes wide, but they did calm down. Several of the adults headed for Jess asking if it was true, if they were going home.
“Yes, we’ve come to ge
t you, but it’s dangerous out there. You have to get the children organised, get them ready to move and make sure we won’t leave anyone behind.”
“What about the other prisoners?” asked one of the men.
“We want to get them free too, as many as we can, but you all come first. We came here to rescue you. Ali insisted on it.”
“How do we know we can trust you? We thought she’d betrayed us. Why didn’t she end up here with us?”
“She was grabbed and drugged by the people that kidnapped you. If you don’t trust us then fine, stay here. Explain the dead guards when the next lot turn up, assuming they let you explain before opening fire.”
“Don’t be stupid Alex,” one of the two women said. “Look at what they’ve done already. We need to get out.”
“What about these collars, though? You’ve felt what they do, seen how much the children suffer. What happens when the guards turn them on?”
“We’ve taken over their systems,” Jess said. “We have an interference signal pumping out across the farm. None of the collars will work. Once you’re back on our ship they can be removed.”
“They told us no one can remove them without the right codes, that trying will activate all collars nearby.”
“They told me that, too, it was something I knew for a fact every day of my life. Our ship removed mine when I first went on board. It gave me quite a shock, let me tell you.” Jess grinned at the memory.
“What do you want to do, Alex?” asked the woman. “Stay here? Or take a chance to get free? I say let’s go, right now.”
The other adults agreed. Alex seemed less than convinced but didn’t argue further. The adults quickly rounded up the children, but Jess could see that keeping the smallest moving would be a big problem. Teeko chose that moment to enter the room, causing shouts of fear, confusion and, from many of the children, wonder.
“It’s all right!” Jess shouted. “That’s Teeko, it’s with us.”
Wanderer's Odyssey - Books 1 to 3: The Epic Space Opera Series Begins Page 23