by C. S. Harte
“In the story you're telling me, you cast me as the lucky one. If you only knew how wrong that was, you’ll find it hilarious.”
“You have made very formidable enemies within Fleet.” Raven walked behind Jonas. “It has to do with something you found while in the Telmun System. Tell me what you remember, and I’ll let you live so you may exact your revenge or whatever insignificant reason you have for existing.”
The worm took another bite into Jonas’ spleen.
His eyes bulged out of their sockets. “If you know so much about me, you’ll know an Entrent wiped my mind. I can barely remember the names of my brother and sister.”
“Entrents don’t have that ability,” Raven said matter-of-factly.
“It doesn’t matter what you believe they can or can’t do.” Jonas flared his nostrils. “I’m telling you. I. Can’t. Remember. Anything!”
“Entrents can block memories, sever the chain of recollection, but they do not destroy them.” Raven placed his gloved hands on Jonas’ shoulders. “The neurotoxins of the Masunog worm have a secondary effect, removing those memory blocks. That, coupled with the stimulants coursing through your veins for the past ten minutes, you should be able to access your memories of your time on the Endurance soon.”
I can get my memories back? If I survive, this might be worthwhile…
Raven quickly spun around and nodded his head at the nearest soldier.
All the soldiers pulled out their weapons and started panning their heads as if they were searching for intruders.
“Is the party ending already? I felt like we were just making a connection,” Jonas said with a sneer.
“I’ll be following your progress, Lieutenant Commander Jonas Barick,” Raven yelled back at Jonas as he walked into the darkened areas of the warehouse.
“Maybe next time start with the questions then get to the torture, and we would’ve had more time to talk,” Jonas yelled. “I didn’t want to be rude earlier and tell you how to do your job.”
Jonas heard the hum of electricity behind him followed by the gurgling of blood. Is that Whisper? Please let it be Whisper…
The sounds of bodies hitting the floor became more rapid, mixing with screams and death cries.
Jonas struggled against his magnetic cuffs. Each attempt resulted in excruciating pain from the Masunog worm still inside him. If it’s not Whisper, who could it be? With my luck lately, it’ll be someone worse… Jonas laughed. Who could be worse than the guy that put an organ-eating worm inside my body?
The remaining henchmen on each side of Jonas looked up at something in the upper part of the warehouse.
Jonas blinked for a moment. He heard two slashes. When he opened his eyes, the last two soldiers fell to the ground in pieces.
“You took your time getting here,” said a familiar voice.
“Whisper?” His mouth fell open.
“Don’t move.” She sliced through the handcuffs and chains.
Jonas watched as the restraints holding him slid to the ground. He stood for a moment before feeling intense pain throughout his body.
Whisper caught him as he fell.
“Masunog worm,” Jonas said with his last remaining strength. Before he closed his eyes, he saw Whisper remove smaller knives from her combat suit.
“I’m sorry, Jonas. This will hurt a lot more before it gets better. Don’t die on me…”
13
Jonas draped one arm over Whisper, leaning on her for support. He felt the warmth of her skin against his. “That’s twice now you helped me out of a tough spot.”
They ducked underneath a low overhang in the underground tunnels beneath the Caldia station-city. A family of dagas — half rodent, half lizard-like creatures roughly the size of a human foot — cut in front of Jonas.
“Don’t pass out on me,” Whisper squeezed his arm. “I’ll leave if you do. These furry lizards will eat you alive if you’re unconscious.”
“Seems like a lot of things want to eat me alive lately,” Jonas said with a smirk.
“You need to keep better company. Everyone wants to hurt or kill you.”
They continued through the subterranean maze of tunnels and sewer lines.
“It’s not the pain that makes me want to pass out. It’s the smell down here.” Jonas scrunched his face.
“We would’ve taken the streets if the entire universe wasn’t looking for you. That’s mostly your fault.” Whisper snickered. “And this just so happens to be the fastest way to get inside the Pirate King’s base.”
Jonas sighed. “I wish everyone would just leave me alone.”
“That’s not possible.” Whisper shook her head.
“Why not?”
“You owe a debt to the people who arranged for your escape.”
“I never asked for their help.”
Whisper pursed her lips. “Yet, here you are. Alive. You accepted their offer to escape. There is no going back, Jonas.”
“What could the Pirate King possibly want from me?”
“King Tycho was not the person who freed you.”
“Oh?” Jonas raised his eyebrows. “Then who did?”
“You will find out soon enough.” Whisper stopped as another line of dagas scurried in front of them. “It’s better we don’t agitate them. There’s more unseen.”
Jonas stared at Whisper’s profile while they waited. She looked calm even after killing a dozen men recently. He watched as sweat dripped down her caramel neck, tracing the delicate curves of her shoulders, disappearing into her red and black cuirass.
Whisper turned toward him. “See something you like?”
He returned his eyes to the daga congo line. “Why am I seeing this Tycho person if he wasn't the person who freed me?”
“He provided you safe passage through this quadrant, and he is not someone you want to owe a debt.”
“I’ve heard he rules this quadrant like it's his own. Fleet could easily take that away from him.”
“Power exists on many levels, Jonas — locally, regionally, and galactically. It’s easier for the Commonwealth to look the other way, allowing King Tycho to rule and maintain law and order than to send warships to enforce their sovereignty.”
This is not the Fleet I joined. They wouldn’t allow pirates to run an entire quadrant… The idea of owing yet another debt made Jonas laugh. “My benefactor should probably ask for a refund. My passage was anything but safe.”
“Those on the arena ship have already suffered for their actions.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Whisper ignored the question, remaining silent.
Was she responsible for the death of everyone on board? Everyone was a convicted killer, but they didn't all deserve to die. A thickness developed in his throat.
The dagas disappeared. They continued forward.
Jonas looked at her leg and noticed a minor cut on her thigh. “So you’re not invincible after all?”
“I’m fine." She sneered. “Do you know anything about the men in black that captured you?”
“I’ve never seen them before. Their leader is someone named Raven. That sick bastard tortured more than he talked to me. He seemed to know a lot about Entrents.”
Whisper nodded. “Interesting. There are more forces at play than originally expected.”
“What are these other forces? What do they want?”
“Are you aware of the recent assassination of Fleet Admirals?”
“No!” Jonas gasped. “This is news to me. What happened?”
“In the last two years, 12 Admirals have died untimely deaths. At first, the deaths appeared normal. Old age. Heart attack. Stroke. Slips and falls.”
“Admirals have the best health care. I don’t believe so many could have died from health-related causes.”
“There is a vacuum of power within the upper echelons of Fleet. And power does not remain static in a vacuum. Different factions will look to fill the void.”
They reached a s
piraling steel staircase.
“We are here. Tycho’s base. I strongly suggest you refer to him as King or Your Majesty.”
Together they climbed the stairs which lead them to a ledge with no door.
“What now?”
Whisper smiled and ran her finger across the metallic wall. She stopped at a seemingly random point in the wall and held out her hand for Jonas to take.
They walked through the wall together which rippled as they entered.
“Holographic door? Couldn’t anyone enter if they knew this was here?”
“They would need a key,” Whisper said as she revealed the Pirate Ace in her palm. She led Jonas down a series of weathered stone corridors lit by torchlight.
“The Pirate King is really working this medieval theme.”
“Holo-emitters. Everyone has their own style.” She shrugged.
A pair of soldiers in mismatched combat suits blocked their way. Their leggings appeared to be several generations old while their chest pieces looked modern and pristine. They engaged their plasma spears when Whisper approached them.
“You guys must be new.” Whisper held up the Pirate Ace.
They nodded at each other and allowed both to pass into the throne room.
Whisper stopped after a few steps inside. “Wait here.” She disappeared before Jonas could reply.
Jonas hobbled toward a stone column while taking in the view of the massive room. Two rows of ten stone columns held up high-arching, vaulted ceilings. One long red carpet laced with an ornate gold pattern ran from the entrance to the throne. There was a man in his early 30s, sitting on the throne while two other people stood beside him. A colossal stained glass window etched with the design of a dragon-like serpent wrapping itself around a planet served as the backdrop for the entire room.
One of the men standing near the King appeared elderly with long white hair. The other was a young boy no more than 12 or 14 years old.
Jonas took a few steps closer, trying to listen in on the conversation.
The older man dropped to his knees. “Please, don’t take my son. I can’t complete my smuggling runs without him.”
Another man who looked about the same age as the King entered from the side. He tapped his wrist guard. An image projected into the air from his hands. “Mr. Hovack, you have been late on your taxes for the past four cycles. At this point, King Tycho does not believe you responsible enough to settle your debts,” said the aid.
Mr. Hovack made a move toward the Pirate King. “Please, Your…”
The aid punched Mr. Hovack in the stomach, knocking the air out of his lungs. The boy immediately collapsed onto his father, shielding him from further blows.
King Tycho made a motion with his hands.
The aid nodded and waved over four armed guards. Two dragged the boy, leading him out of the room. The other two carried the father past Jonas kicking and screaming.
“Please! Please! Don’t take my son! Your Majesty! Have mercy!” The father looked at Jonas with pleading eyes. “Help me! Please!”
Jonas looked away and shook his head. What could he possibly expect me to do?
“He was a smuggler who probably beat his son,” Whisper said from behind Jonas.
“You know that for a fact? The kid seemed protective of his abusive father.”
“Either way, it’s not our business.” She tried to lift Jonas’ arm and placed it over her shoulder.
Jonas pulled away. “I’m fine. I don’t need your help.”
She nodded and walked toward the throne.
Jonas shuffled behind.
The Pirate King stood as Whisper neared.
Jonas noticed three silver spheres, each about the size of a daga, orbiting around him. Defense droids. How rich is this guy?
Whisper bowed. “King Tycho, I present to you, Jonas Barick, the former Lieutenant Commander of the Commonwealth…”
Jonas tuned out the rest of the conversation. The setting of this room seemed impossible to him. Medieval castle in the middle of a city-themed space station complete with a throne room and a stained glass wall. King Tycho wore a polished red and gold combat suit. A flowing black cape with a gold dragon embroidered in the center hung over his back. Straight black hair flowed past his shoulders to go along with his dark eyes. Jonas leaned in a little closer to the King and noticed flecks of red within his irises. Where have I seen eyes like that?
Whisper elbowed Jonas. “You there?”
He coughed. “I’m listening.”
“Bow down,” she mumbled.
Jonas did as instructed.
“And this is Venee, the right hand of the King.” Whisper smiled.
“It’s been too long, Lael.” Venee hugged Whisper and kissed her on both cheeks.
Lael? So that’s her real name…
King Tycho gestured something with his hand again.
Venee nodded. “We have much to catch up on,” he said to Whisper and left the throne room.
The Pirate King stood and approached Whisper. His cape brushed the ground as he moved. He made fast hand gestures directed at her.
Whisper laughed. “No, he’s not much to look at.”
Sign language… Jonas raised his eyebrows.
King Tycho opened his arms for an embrace.
Whisper stepped into the hug. Then she kissed him on the lips, holding the romantic act for a prolonged moment.
Jonas’ heart raced.
Tycho signed something to Whisper resulting in her stepping to the side. He removed the gauntlet from his right hand.
Whisper eyed Jonas. “Don’t worry. He’s not trying to hurt you.”
“What is he going to do to me?” Jonas took a step back.
Tycho raised his palm and reached for Jonas’ forehead.
Jonas tried to turn away.
Whisper dashed behind Jonas and held him still. “Don’t fight this. It’ll be easier if you don’t.”
“What is he going to do? Is he an Entrent?” Jonas asked in a raised voice.
“Stay still. It’ll be OK.” Whisper twisted his arm, forcing his compliance.
Tycho placed a palm on Jonas’ forehead.
Faces of people began running through Jonas’ mind — people who looked familiar with identities he couldn't place. A tightness formed in his chest as sadness washed over him. Tears streaked down his cheek. The faces were being burned alive by a blue flame which continued to grow and grow, consuming everything around him, until only darkness surrounded him.
His eyes adjusted to the blackness. Jonas noticed the light from distant stars. Am I floating in space? Something shifted in the darkness, something massive. A ship! Help! Jonas tried to call out, but no voice came out of his mouth. As he reached for the object, he floated closer toward it. The ship was egg-shaped. A faint blue light circled the egg revealing a rocky, flaky texture on the surface.
Tycho removed his hand.
Jonas fell to his knees. "What did he do to me? What were those images?” His breathing became erratic. “Who were those people?”
Whisper nodded as Tycho signed a particularly long set of instructions. “Yes, your highness. I’ll take him to the prison myself.”
Jonas gasped. “The prison?”
“I’m sorry, Jonas,” she said.
“Wait!” Jonas tried to stand and fight back, but his legs could not support his weight.
Whisper blew a green powder into Jonas’ face.
His eyelids suddenly felt heavy as did his limbs. “Whisper… Why…”
14
Jonas woke on a grimy, hard mattress. His headache was gone, but his body felt stiff and weak. He checked the scar where the Masunog worm burrowed into his stomach. Still there.
Did Whisper betray me? This doesn’t make sense… Breaking me out of a Fleet prison to put me in a pirate one… He turned his attention to his new prison cell. It was another two-by-three room with metal walls on three sides. The fourth wall seemed non-existent, like he could just walk out of his con
finement. Jonas extended his arm until a force field stopped him. He ran his fingers over the field. Pinpoints of white light streaked where he touched. Everywhere I go in life leads me back to a prison cell…
Images of blurry faces from when Tycho touched his forehead continued to haunt Jonas. The features of one girl stood out more than the others. She had butterscotch skin, honey eyes, and a kind, smiling mouth. Why do I keep seeing her? Was she someone important to me? Does she have answers I need? He started to sweat.
I just need someone to tell me what’s going on. Jonas lay back in bed. The events of the past day seemed impossible. He was kidnapped and tortured for sport by a mysterious group of assailants; he met the Pirate King of Caldia Station, and was betrayed by someone he thought he could trust.
“You awake over there?” asked a voice from beyond the cell wall. “You must be since you stopped screaming in your sleep.”
Did I?
“Who’s Edra?” asked the persistent voice.
Edra… Edra… Whenever Jonas repeated the name, he recalled scenes from his time on the Endurance. The butterscotch girl became more than just a face. She had a body, a rank — Lieutenant Commander. She had a role, Chief Engineer. Edra was a friend. Perhaps, Raven was right. My memories aren’t gone, just scrambled. Jonas called out to his neighbor, “What else did I say in my sleep?”
“Ahh, so you are awake?”
“Did I mention any other names?” Jonas sat up.
“There was a lot of mumbling. Most I couldn’t make out. You mentioned Mimics. I’m guessing you encountered them before?”
Mimics… Jonas rubbed the bridge of his nose. Nothing came to mind. His headache started to re-surge. “I don’t think I have.”
“Most people haven’t. Personally, I don’t think Mimics are real. They started out as a horror story to get kids to behave. Somewhere along the way that story was co-opted into a conspiracy by the people in power to remain in power. They're a reason for Fleet to exist and why so much of our government’s resources goes into our military.”
“You think Fleet Command and the Commonwealth Chancellor created an entire invasion story just to maintain power?” Jonas narrowed his eyes.