by B R Flores
“Hold on to your shoes, why are you so eager to leave? Allow me to give you a tour of my battleship. Besides, I need to slam down a Mito drink. Unlike you Azha, I need food to fuel my body, and it’ll give us a chance to talk some more before we go.”
Azha smiled and smugly replied, “Victis, I am well-aware of those frailties.”
Then it dawned on him, ‘Before we go? What? Did he say shoes, hold on to your shoes? That makes no sense. No, no, no’.
Azha chased after Victis, who was moving quickly towards a door. As he reached out for the door-handle, Azha blocked his hand.
“Victis, we made a deal. I want to leave now.”
“Like I said, I need a Mito. Come on Azha, move. Walk with me to the galley.”
Grunting and groaning Victis shoved Azha aside and opened the door. Beyond the doorway Azha saw a long, white hallway that lead to unknown dangers. Azha trailed behind feeling his stripes turning from orange to a reddish orange. Enough with blindly following the Ryquat. He’d turn into energy and return to Palatu. For no reason, Victis stopped and punched him in the arm. “Why are you getting angry?
Azha thought about punching him back but feared he would damage the Ryquat.
“What do you mean, we’ll go? You’re not going with me,” Azha protested. The Quizans would be terrified of the Ryquat.
“I am, and you will introduce me to the Quizan tribes,” Victis advised in a sharp tone.
Azha followed Victis into the galley where six Ryquats were seated on a narrow bench eating food. He had a flashback of Cole taking code-7 with a bunch of cop buddies on Earth. Being here was uncomfortable and allowing Cole to give rise to such strong emotions was dangerous.
The Ryquats sat staring at him, and he could not stop staring back. Victis had finished his Mito drink and was watching Azha stare at the crewmen. To break it up, Victis slammed the Mito bottle down on the table and announced that he was ready to go. No sleep, but ready to go. The Ryquats jumped up and stood at attention.
“Sgt. Bruce, advise Akio to stay in orbit. I’ll be available on the planet. As you were, finish your lunch,” ordered Victis.
It would have been impressive, if Azha had not been irritated at how fast Victis was able to wind his way back to the docking bay. If he’d slow down they could have a conversation.
“Wait-up, we need to talk,” yelled Azha.
Down the ramp and through a door he disappeared. By the time Azha caught up, Victis was already undressing.
“Hey Azha, I named my spacesuit Vexy. Guess why? Vexy was my second wife’s name. Should’ve never married her, big mistake. I loved my first wife. Married Vexy out of lust. Anyway, the suit’s official name is ‘Vita Brevis’, which means life is short in Latin. In other words, Ryquats would die in space without them. Every suit is custom-fitted and designed for specific needs. Mine is the newest with all the gadgets. As I was saying, my second wife sucked the life out of me. Oops, I didn’t mean literally, matter of speech that’s all.” Victis snickered under his breath thinking he was funny.
Azha was exhausted from listening to Victis ramble on about nothing. Does he ever shut-up? Couldn’t get one-word in. Too late. He’s suited-up, ready for his big introduction on Palatu. I’ll talk to him in the shuttle on the way down. It’ll give me a chance to explain what a big mistake this is.
Azha briskly walked away, headed for the shuttle.
Victis whistled and pointed to a small portal. “Where are you going? We’re flying.”
Azha was out of options. “Victis this isn’t going to work. They’re terrified of Ryquats. Somehow, I need to convince the Quizans that you won’t kill them. Until I do, you can’t show yourself. And one more thing, on Palatu I’m in charge.”
Victis appeared evil in his shiny black spacesuit. Convincing the Quizans to trust him was going to be a hard sale. The Ryquat stiffened and his cheerful demeanor changed.
“For now, I agree. But you will never be my equal, nor will you ever be in charge. Do not test me Azha. My kindness can easily turn.
nine
PASSIM
“Question your decision if you made a mistake, then your intent. Either way, accept responsibility.”
FEELING free at last, Palatu was a welcome sight from space. Azha landed on a large, tree limb at the edge of Kismet Ebb to wait for Victis. Soon after, Victis swooped in next to him. This location was a perfect spot to conceal Victis, and they were high enough to observe the entire village.
Something was terribly wrong. Everything was too quiet and there were no Quizans in sight. Three Gystfins came stumbling out the doorway of the Great Cupola Pod carrying two half-dead Quizans by their feet. Azha’s stripes flashed purple and he crouched ready to attack. Victis grabbed Azha by his arm and pointed, “Stop, look in the courtyard.”
Gystfin after Gystfin, in what seemed to be a never-ending row of Gystfins were walking out of the Great Cupola Pod. The Beasts dragged their captives across the ground to a boulder located in the center of the village. Taking turns, they swung the screaming Quizans in circles by their feet until they were unconscious. As a final act of either revenge or pleasure, they flung the frail creatures into the air smashing them into the jagged boulder, putting an end to the torture and their lives.
Azha was devastated. Most of the dying Quizans were the soldiers trained to defend the village. He counted sixty-one Gystfins desecrating everything in their path. So far, he had not seen Phera. She may have been savagely murdered while he was on the damn Ryquat’s battleship. If he could start over, he would. Being a Trekachaw was not worth this. Rodia would still be alive, along with all the dead soldiers who had trusted him.
Victis had disobeyed and violated direct orders. Blatant interference with the Gystfins’ mining contracts would not be tolerated by the Ryquat Viceroys. His next decision would jeopardize the ores necessary to fuel the battleships and could sway the ongoing war against the Crozins. Perplexed, he decided to go with his gut.
“I’ll kill the Gystfins, but once we start this, we can’t stop,” Victis said in earnest.
Wanting them all dead, Azha asked, “How?”
Victis touched a device on his arm, “Lock-in… Silence… Confirmed, stand-by for area sterilization, one klik. Do exactly what I say, nothing more, nothing less.”
Azha gave a quick nod, “I hear you.”
“Fine, I’ll fly into the village and contact the Gystfin’s Kogbor. I need to find out if there are other ships. After I leave, sterilization will begin. Stay here, you’ll be outside of the biological disintegration zone.”
Victis grinned optimistically, “If I get in trouble, I’ll yell Vexy. That’s our secret code for you to help me, understood?”
Not waiting for Azha’s answer, Victis dove off the tree limb and glided into the center of the courtyard.
The Gystfins scattered, leaving a wide berth around the Ryquat. One crusty, old Gystfin stood his ground. The old Beast grabbed an injured Quizan by the neck and dragged him through the dirt towards Victis.
“You go, Victis of Zaurak,” he shouted.
“Explain Kogbor, why kill Quizans for no purpose? Let’s agree to end our differences and continue to honor Viceroy and Fidus Achates contract.”
“No, Victis of Zaurak. Agree no honor, all lies. Bring me Trekachaw, agree to bite off head,” he snarled.
Kogbor roared, providing a wave of Gystfins the courage to attack. Triumphantly, he held the Quizan high above his head for all to see. Howling and spreading his legs apart was the Gystfin’s way of showing he had no fear or respect for the Ryquat.
A thin, blue beam sliced through the air. Kogbor shrieked in agony, staring down at his severed arm lying in the dirt beneath him. The Quizan was gone and the Ryquat had disappeared. Hordes of Gystfins lost their courage and were scattering in every direction. Victis flew onto the tree limb and carefully laid the little Quizan into Azha’s arms. “No matter what, stay here,” said Victis.
Only time would tell if Victis made the r
ight choice. But right now, he had to eliminate the Gystfins before they had a chance to report the incident or request reinforcement.
The black Ryquat appeared relentless as he swooped over the Gystfins’ heads into the Great Cupola Pod. The pod was empty except for grey-death souls circling above his head. Outside, Kogbor was screaming in agony and shouting orders to the chaotic Gystfins, “Kill the Ryquat, kill the Ryquat.”
Victis flew out of the pod and slapped the top of Kogbor’s head to further provoke him. On the far side of the village, Victis spotted a shuttle docked on top of a mesa. Taking a second pass overhead, Victis saw Gystfins still sucking out grey-death energy from the severed necks of dead Quizans, even while Kogbor continued to scream at them to stop. He thought about killing them, but he was too late to save the Quizans and besides, the Gystfins would all be dead soon enough. Victis flew out of the village and landed in the tree next to Azha.
“There’s a shuttle docked on a mesa directly across the courtyard. Can you fly it to my ship?
“No problem,” Azha assured.
You’ve got fifteen minutes.” Victis shot up into space and disappeared.
Azha carefully laid the Quizan’s small, broken body between the intertwined forks of two branches.
“Are you strong enough to turn into energy?”
With all his might, the little Quizan lifted his head and nodded, ‘Yes.’
“Fly with me to a shuttle across the courtyard. Stay in energy for as long as you can,” said Azha.
“If I die my name is Pax. Thank the Ryquat for saving me,” he cried.
Azha turned into a bright red light and waited for Pax as he struggled to turn into a dull greyish-blue glow. Most likely, Pax would vanish before reaching the shuttle. They flew across the village just above the Gystfins running amok on the ground. Pax followed, fading more and more into the final stages of grey-death energy.
How much time had passed since Victis left? Guessing five, maybe six minutes tops, Azha drifted through the metal wall into the cockpit. Two Gystfin were sitting in front of the navigation console preparing for take-off. Kogbor was curled up on a bench moaning in agony with his severed arm clutched against his chest, oblivious to the threat floating above him. Azha morphed into body form and snatched Kogbor’s arm away from him. Before the other two could react, Azha swung the bloody arm, striking Kogbor across his face. His eyes rolled back and in slow motion he slumped forward falling onto the deck. Azha spun around to fight the other two Gystfins, but they were gone. Time had to be running out. Azha grabbed Kogbor and his severed arm and threw them down the ramp. Several Gystfins jumped sideways to avoid the tumbling carcass. Azha stood in the open doorway and hissed, making certain they saw him before he closed the hatch. Seeing their dead Kogbor, the Gystfins ran away.
Pax morphed into body form and collapsed. He was on the brink of death and could no longer speak. A blissful Aeon Devotio was beckoning his soul to submit and join the others. Azha knew direct sunlight was the Quizan’s only hope for survival. With a flip of a switch, the shuttle was ready for take-off. Looking one last time through the portal window for Phera, Azha engaged the craft and flew towards the Targus Sun.
Far above, Victis watched the battleship monitor waiting for any sign of the shuttle. There she was, a dot in space. He breathed a sigh of relief.
Azha disengaged the shuttle and drifted silently in space. On the floor behind him, Pax was dying. Azha ran to open the hatch and gently scooped the dying Quizan into his arms. He carried the limp body to the sunny side of the shuttle’s exterior hull and lay down next to him. The Targus rays were intense and felt good against the black, metal hull. For a fleeting moment Azha found peace amongst the chaos and self-doubt. No matter what, he would stay with Pax until his grey-death energy left his body. Azha closed his eyes, dreaming of his other life on Earth. Every day, vivid new memories were surfacing. Torn between now and then, he admitted to himself how much he missed being a police officer and the love he felt for his Human wife.
THUMP, his dreams were interrupted by something colliding with the hull. Sitting next to him was Victis, busy staring down at Palatu. Little by little, Victis stretched out one of his legs towards Azha. Trying to ignore the Ryquat was impossible. He deliberately scooted on his butt until he was close enough to touch Azha’s head with his foot.
“Knock it off. Damn, you’re irritating,” said Azha.
Victis laughed, “Come on, sit up if you want to watch Kismet Ebb sterilized.”
Azha sat up just in time to see a blinding light shoot out from the Ryquat Battleship. The beam narrowed into a steady, blue stream of pulsating light radiating down upon the planet. Mesmerized, they sat together watching the thin, blue light. The beam abruptly vanished, and the mighty Ryquat Battleship rolled, then pitched starboard until it was level. Seeing it in motion would make one believe the ship was alive as it rolled in space until its bow faced the sun, and then by choice became dormant once again.
Azha looked over at Victis, “What is sterilization?”
Though Victis rationalized the cost of war, the answer remained undeniably devastating.
“I had no choice. If even one Gystfin were to survive and report the sterilization to their Dux Ducis the Ryquats would forfeit Palatu’s raw materials contract. We, the Ryquats, and several other species have been at war with the Crozins and their allies for thousands of years. Without us, the Crozins would have destroyed Earth long before Humans inhabited her. We protect many planets in the Fidus Achates territory. Now that you understand why the raw materials are so important, tell me where you hid the Gystfins’ cargo ship?”
“First, tell me what sterilization means.”
“Alright. The pulsating laser you watched, eradicates molecules unique to animals.”
A wave of dread washed over Azha. “Were the Quizans underground sterilized?”
Victis punched Azha in the arm. “No, I wouldn’t do that. Don’t worry, the Quizans underground were perfectly safe. One of these days, sooner than later, we need to talk about genealogy. You should understand the progenitor of Humans and Ryquats and consider joining the Fidus Achates. Now it’s your turn. Where’s the Gystfin cargo ship?”
Pax forced his swollen eyes open. His stripes were yellow, and he was showing signs of healing. Slowly and painfully, he rolled onto his side trying to eavesdrop on their conversation. Several attempts to talk had failed. He was too hoarse from the bruises left by the Gystfin choking him. Azha caught a glimpse of Pax moving from the corner of his eye.
“Look at you. You’re one tough Quizan.”
Clearing his throat, Pax whispered in a raspy voice, “Thanks to you and the Ryquat.”
Victis was waiting for an answer regarding the cargo ship’s location. Azha wasn’t ready to let go of his only ace. Victis was not the enemy, but neither was he completely trustworthy. Before the Ryquat had the chance to ask again, Azha punched him in the arm hard enough to know the pain would distract him.
“BAKA UNKO!” as he bent over, vigorously rubbing his arm.
“Hey, not so hard. Are you guys ready to go? I’m hungry.”
Trying not to show his pain, Victis stood up and stretched out his sore arm. Pax and Azha turned into energy and floated though the hull. He envied them being able to do that. If only he could be a Trekachaw. For now, he’d take the long way around and enter through the hatch.
Everything was as good as it could be considering that he’d gone rogue. Victis navigated the Gystfin shuttle onto the docking platform and released a blast of oxygen into the cockpit. Pax flashed into energy, a little blue and woozy from the poison oxygen.
“Damn it Victis, Quizans can’t absorb oxygen while in body form… Are you trying to kill him?”
“Of course not,” Victis glared at Azha. “Sorry little buddy, I forgot. Stay in energy while you’re on my ship. Give me a minute to get out of my Vexy suit, then follow me. My crew designed a chamber just for you.”
Pax floated above, with A
zha trailing behind Victis as they navigated through the winding corridors of the ship. At the end of a secluded hallway, they passed through a series of doors into a chamber that resembled a Palatu cave.
“Don’t morph yet Pax, the chamber is oxygen-based,” said Victis.
Victis exited the chamber and digitally code-locked the door. After a few adjustments, he waved a thumbs-up at Pax and Azha through a large plate window. Pax materialized in his new home, grinning from ear-to-ear. Azha left the chamber confident that Pax was in the safest place possible. Outside, Victis was nowhere to be found. Searching from room to room and down long corridors, Azha wondered where everyone had gone. He enjoyed exploring the ship on his own, but after a while he grew frustrated shouting out to whomever, “Is anyone in here? I’m trying to find Victis. Hello, can anyone hear me?” A familiar, pleasant odor guided Azha to the ship’s galley where Victis sat eating a large stack of pancakes and an enormous fried egg.
“Where’d you go? I’ve been looking all over the ship for you. What if I just left without telling you?”
Victis stopped eating and placed his fork down on the table. “Have a seat, we need to discuss a couple of things.”
Azha pulled out a chair and sat down on the edge.
“Pax can remain on ship for as long as he wants to. You can wait for me or return to Palatu, but I’m dead tired. After I finish breakfast, I’m going to sleep for at least eight hours. When I wake up, if you’re not here, I’ll rendezvous with you at Kismet Ebb.”
A couple of fidgety Ryquats sat across the table watching Azha’s every move. The moment Victis finished talking, one of the Ryquats jumped to his feet.
“Pleased to meet you Trekachaw. My name is Jacet. Captain, do you still want me to inject a Linguistic Chip?”
Victis pushed his chair back, “Yes, thank you for reminding me. Azha do you want one? The chip translates languages, making it possible for you to understand and communicate with different species within the Orion Belt. Jacet can inject the chip in your arm before you leave.”