by Paul Rix
"Agreed. Although I would like to know what happened to the troops I sent with him. If he's such an efficient killer, I don't rate their chances."
"Focus, major. You need to get to the reactor to assist Garrett. Delta's soldiers are going to blow the reactor. You can save Trask once the ship is safe. Take this cart. It will be quicker."
"Okay. Everyone else, head to the control room." Thompson signaled two guards to join him on the cart. They set off at maximum speed.
Chapter 41
Garrett slowly opened his eyes and let out an involuntary gasp. His first thought was the excruciating pain in his left side meant he was still alive.
"I wasn't sure if you were dead," Stone said. "There sure was enough blood."
Garrett tipped his head forward far enough to see the entry wound. A dark crimson patch circled the small hole in his side, ten centimeters below his ribcage. Fortunately, his arm had taken most of the force, the exposed neural circuits and shards of alloy in his forearm a clear indicator of where the bullet had struck before ricocheting into him. He tried to move the fingers on his left hand and was thankful to see there was a minor response. It was going to be an expensive fix if he ever made it back to a surgeon.
Garrett did not know how long he'd been unconscious but figured it must have been less than a minute. Still enough time for Stone to locate the SDM. He was standing next to the reactor with the device in his hand. Two green lights showed it was primed and ready to explode once it received the command.
The soldier was standing over Garrett with a satisfied smile as he pointed his weapon at Garrett's head. This was not how and where he had expected to die, but it looked as though his luck had finally run out. It was a shame. Ironic when he had been willing to die and reunite with Mercy less than forty-eight hours before. But his experience on Britannic had reminded him that many people were still facing injustice across the Stellar Cluster and that he could make a difference. It was desperately unfair that Britannic's colonists were refugees from a dying Earth. They had ridden their luck, only to be met by unscrupulous representatives of the president and he was angry at the injustice of the situation.
A sudden noise made everyone turn toward the outer section of the reactor room. Through the hazy containment field, Garrett could see figures moving. Although he didn't recognize the individuals, the red and blue uniforms of the grand president's guards were unmistakable. The soldier guarding him raised his rifle and fired several shots at the newcomers, who quickly ducked out of sight.
"Don't fire at the reactor," Garrett called out, hoping they would hear his voice in the next room.
Stone secured the mine to one of the reactor's containment transmitters with a magnetic clamp before reaching for his own weapon.
"How did they get here?" he shouted at Garrett.
"That doesn't matter now. You're trapped. Just give yourself up."
Stone glared at Garrett and keyed his communicator. "Scorpion. This is Commander Stone. Undock and move as far away as possible."
Silence.
"Britannic's hull acts as a shield. You can't communicate with your ship."
"Shut up," Stone snapped.
But Garrett continued. "Tough choice. Surrender and fail to carry out your mistress's command. Or detonate the device and destroy Britannic, killing her at the same time."
The soldier guarding Garrett looked nervously at Stone. "What do we do, sir?"
Stone anxiously weighed up his options. His responsibility was to protect Delta; if he failed her now, his career would be over. Surrender simply was not a viable option. But neither was killing the president's daughter. Someone he loved. Either way, he had lost her.
"I'm not ready to die," the soldier said, ignoring Garrett and floating closer to Stone.
His moment of indecision was all that Garrett needed. Ignoring the pain that lanced through his side, he pushed himself away from them, crashing into Stone. His momentum took them out into the open.
Major Thompson had been paying close attention to what was happening within the reactor room. He had heeded Garrett's warning and instructed his guards to hold fire. He had his projectile weapon ready instead, although he knew it wouldn't penetrate the protective shields of the opposition.
As soon as he saw Garrett and Stone come into sight, he gave the instruction to charge, hoping to overwhelm the enemy with superior numbers in the confined space.
Chapter 42
"It's done. Trask is safely aboard Scorpion."
Frederick's face revealed no emotion as he replied. "I was having my doubts, sister. What took you so long?"
"Garrett! He was more persistent and inventive than I anticipated."
"How did you get hold of Trask?"
Delta smiled. "The old fool came to me. He was easy to manipulate. His ego couldn't resist the opportunity to meet with the president, even if it meant deserting his own people. You know the type. Despicable."
"They've surrounded us all our lives. Politicians who forget they were elected to serve the people and are more interested in serving themselves. Their greed makes them such easy prey."
"Trask may be having second thoughts. I don't think Scorpion's brig is as luxurious as the accommodation he was expecting for a grand president. It must be a tight fit with his consort in there."
Frederick laughed. "That's just perfect. They're both going to be filthy angry when you arrive back here."
"He's pompous and arrogant. Time confined in the brig will do him good. It may make him humble before we land back at the palace."
"I was going to talk to you about that. There's a change of plan. I think you should leave Britannic intact."
"What are you talking about, Freddie? Have you gone mad?"
"Rumors are circulating around government corridors that you've found a PEA. Opposition leaders have approached me directly to request information on your true whereabouts, as they have not spotted you in the military trials."
"What did you tell them?"
"That the very nature of the trials classifies your location. They didn't believe me, but they have no information to challenge me with either."
"As I suspected. Nothing more than speculation. They're testing you because I'm not there to protect you. Hold your nerve, Freddie."
"I'm not stupid! But they knew too many details for the questions to be speculative. I think there may be a leak."
"I don't believe that. Only a handful of trusted individuals are aware of what we've found." Delta wracked her brain to think if there were any weak links. The only obvious one was her brother. "Have you mentioned any of this to Mother?"
"There's been no time. I was told only a short time ago by a delegation led by Advocate Deschamps. They clarified that, should you destroy Britannic, they will make the news public."
"You know that we never react to threats. Especially those with no substance. They have nothing. There will be no evidence when I've finished with Britannic. I'll even dispose of Trask rather than bring him home."
"They are sending scout ships out into your quadrant. Their sensors will surely detect remnants."
Delta shrugged. "That's possible. But they won't be able to connect anything to me, you, or Mother."
"If the public discovers we've destroyed Britannic, the repercussions for us will be far worse than simply declaring we found it."
"Don't be ridiculous. We've been through this and I'd rather take control of my own destiny than leave it to chance."
"You're making a terrible mistake. Delta, please come home now. We can find another course of action. You're smarter than me and I'm sure you'll know what to do to keep us safe from the mob."
"No, Frederick. We're too close to success. Commander Stone is currently setting the SDMs. As soon as he's back on board, I'll be destroying Britannic and there will be nothing left to debate."
All Frederick could think of were the commitments he had made to Deschamps. He knew Delta would be stubborn but maybe he had overestimated his abil
ity to change her mind. "I beg you, Delta. Walk away now."
"You can be a real disappointment. No wonder Mother has such little faith in you. When I return, we'll be having a long chat about how you should behave under pressure. I'm not sure you have the guts. It wouldn't surprise me to learn that you'd leaked information to Deschamps."
Frederick fidgeted in his chair. Delta's accusing eyes appeared to be drilling into him as if she knew his very soul. He reminded himself she was nothing more than a hologram. "What could I possibly have to gain? As you keep telling me, knowledge of the ark's existence would prove disastrous."
"Which is why I'm doing what I must. All you have to do is ensure Mother is ready for my arrival. And no mention of Trask to anyone. I hope you're capable of that simple task."
Delta saw him scowl as he cut the link. The call with her brother had confused her. Something had suddenly changed in him. She would find out what it was as soon as she made it back to Constance II. And if he was the source of any leaks, she would make sure he paid for his treachery. In the meantime, there was still the matter of Britannic.
She stalked from her personal cabin to the bridge, expecting to find Stone there. She frowned when she saw there was only Corporal Rankin. "Have you heard from the commander?"
"No, Your Grace."
What's taking him so long? She keyed the comms. "Commander Stone. What's your situation?"
After ten seconds' silence, she repeated the message, but again there was no reply.
Rubbing her chin, she contemplated what could have gone wrong. It shouldn't have taken this long to set the mine and return to Scorpion. Unless the commander had run into problems.
"Is it possible to detonate any of the SDMs remotely?" she asked.
The corporal checked the controls in front of her. "None of them are registering on my display."
"Dammit, Stone! What are you playing at?"
Sitting in her command chair, she could not understand how it had gone so wrong. It should have been simple data retrieval followed by demolition. The commander's team was one of the most elite military squads available to the president. Yet four of them were dead at the hands of a retired Marine. And two more were now missing in action, including the experienced commander. She was running out of options if Britannic was to be destroyed.
Frederick's words were still echoing around her head. She knew he'd be enjoying her discomfort if he was here. But she still had some tricks up her sleeve. She'd show her brother why she was the president's worthy successor.
"Prepare to undock from Britannic, Rankin."
"Are we waiting for the commander, Your Grace?"
"We'll give him two minutes. If he's not returned by then, it means something catastrophic has gone wrong. I will not sacrifice your life."
"Do you want me to leave Britannic's airlock hatches open?"
Delta smiled at the suggestion. Perhaps the corporal was due for a promotion. "An excellent idea, Rankin. If we can't complete the entire mission, we can at least ensure there are no witnesses to tell their tale."
Chapter 43
Commander Stone used his superior strength and flexibility to rotate his body as soon as it collided with the bulkhead. Snarling with hatred, he pulled an ornate hunting knife from a hidden sheath in the sleeve of his uniform and, in one flowing move, he swung the knife in an arc, aiming the sharp point at Garrett's left eye.
Garrett spotted the knife and raised his left arm to block the deadly blow. It was enough to deflect the attack, but the tip of the knife scraped a fine line across his forehead that rapidly turned bright red. Garrett didn't feel the cut, instead, keeping focused on Stone. The commander had youth and speed on his side, and it was taking all of Garrett's experience to keep him at bay. Feinting to his left, he darted low and to the right, catching Stone off guard and snatching a wayward blaster that was spinning by.
Stone froze at the sight of the deadly weapon being pointed at his head and considered his options.
Garrett's eyes were ice cold. "Don't make me shoot you, commander. Tell your man to stand down. No one else needs to get hurt."
Stone maintained his gaze but remained silent.
Behind Garrett, Stone's partner grunted in pain as five projectiles hit him in quick succession. Although his armor protected him from serious injury, the kinetic energy of the projectiles knocked the soldier to the rear wall. But he had been well trained for these types of situations. Instinctively, he raised his own weapon and fired at the oncoming attackers, wounding two of them before three guards restrained him with old-fashioned stun sticks.
Stone guessed the minor distraction represented his last chance. Having failed to kill Garrett, there was only one remaining option. Before Garrett could fire the weapon, Stone pushed himself from the bulkhead back toward the mine with the sole intent of detonating it. Delta would have to take her chances if she wasn't already back on Scorpion.
He almost made it. Major Thompson grabbed Stone's leg, preventing him from reaching the device by a matter of centimeters. Stone lashed out with his free boot, shouting out in a desperate rage. He freed himself from Thompson's grasp, but the delay was long enough for Garrett to reach forward and place the barrel of the gun flush between Stone's shoulder blades. From such close range, the commander's electronic shielding could not block the projectiles. His body shuddered as Garrett fired three times. And then he was still.
Seeing his commander dead, the soldier, knowing his battle was over, stopped struggling. Raising his hands in the air, he allowed himself to be tied up by Thompson's men.
"Thank you, major," Garrett said as he moved to retrieve the SDM. "That was a close call. I was wondering whether you'd understood my invitation to join the party."
Thompson smiled. "I should be the one to thank you for saving Britannic. But what happened to the guards I sent to watch over you?"
"Oh, they're safe aboard my ship. They just needed to lie down."
"Really? I find that hard to believe. Can I have them back now?"
"Not yet," Garrett said, as he deactivated the mine. "There's still the matter of Delta and her remaining soldiers on board Scorpion. I need to stop her."
Thompson took a quick glance at Garrett's wounds. "You're in no fit state and should see Dr. O'Brien. Let me and my men deal with her. We now have the weapons."
Garrett smiled through gritted teeth. "These are just flesh wounds. I'm coming with you. That woman is cunning. There's no telling what other plans she may have. She's hell-bent on destroying your ship."
"But she has Grand President Trask. We must get him back. I need to rescue him."
"I understand. We'll do that together. First, I want to find Captain Maxwell."
Chapter 44
Captain Lacey Maxwell scowled as she saw Garrett and Thompson approach. Garrett's left arm was bent awkwardly, close to his body, and there was no ignoring the blood oozing from the wounds on his face and side.
Garrett gestured to the corridor leading to the airlock. "Has there been any action?"
"Nothing," she said. "The guards have been ready just in case."
"Delta must suspect something is wrong by now," Thompson said. "What do you think she'll do?"
"She's capable of anything. She wants this ship destroyed and won't be enjoying the taste of defeat."
"We can't wait for her to make her move," said Thompson. "I'm taking a dozen of my men to storm her ship. I have to rescue the grand president."
Garrett put his hand up. "That's not a wise move. If, by some miracle, any of you get onto Scorpion without being picked off by Delta's soldiers, you'll have to contend with the ship's artificial gravity generators. You'll be unable to defend yourselves."
Maxwell nodded knowingly. "Trust me, major. Gravity is a bitch. You won't even be able to stand."
"You can't expect me to stay here and do nothing. We have to rescue Grand President Trask."
"Really?" said an astounded Maxwell. "He deserted all of us and went willingly."
/> "I can't break my oath."
"Surely his actions released you."
"Major, listen to me. If you attack Delta's ship it won't be a rescue mission. It will be a death sentence for you and your men."
Thompson shook his head. "It's a matter of honor. Maybe that concept doesn't exist in the future."
Garrett would have knocked out anyone else for doubting his standards. But sometimes allowances had to be made. "Major, I've lived by a code of honor for my entire life. My parents drummed it into me since before I can remember. The Marines re-enforced those principles, and then I passed them on down to my recruits. Never lecture me again about lack of honor."
"Yet you're trying to persuade me from saving the man I swore to protect with my life."
"The old man doesn't even know he needs saving. Will he thank you if you go after him?"
Thompson fell silent as the two men eye-balled one another.
"Oz, there has to be something we can do," said Maxwell, interrupting the display of testosterone. "I for one don't feel safe knowing that Delta is only a matter of meters away."
Garrett sighed. "Her ship is the most advanced I've ever seen. I imagine the array of weaponry at her disposal is just as sophisticated. And she can call in support at any time. This fight is far from over."
Captain Maxwell grimaced. "That makes me feel a lot better. Can your ship stop her?"
Garrett laughed, bitterly. "Raptor is no match for Scorpion. They did not design it as a fighter. Its agility is all it has going for it."
"But you have a plan?"
"I have the beginnings of a plan," Garrett lied as he played for time. He was trying to figure out Delta's next move. He crept to the edge of the hatch that led to the main airlock and raised his artificial hand, offering it as a target for any waiting snipers.
He waited five seconds, expecting his hand to be vaporized. Only then did he quickly take a glance down the tunnel. Certain there were none of Delta's soldiers, he took a longer look.