by James Somers
said. “It must be at least fifty feet.”
“Just hold on!” Orin grabbed hold of his friend then jumped over the ledge. Tiet followed them down using the Way to land softly next to the transport. Orin released the cockpit lock with a thought, gaining them quick access to the vehicle. Orin followed Ranul inside then Tiet jumped behind the flight controls and closed the sliding canopy behind them. He ignited the engine as Ranul and Orin fastened their harnesses then they sped off into the night.
Patrol ships and a Sentinel carrier descended from different directions toward the lab complex behind them. The craft they had stolen was a low altitude transport speeder—quick but with no armor or weapons. Still, it was adequate to get them out of the city and into the open terrain beyond.
“Where to now?” Tiet asked.
“I’m not sure yet,” Orin said, “but we’ve got to stop those reinforcements from arriving.”
“Tell your young friend to take us to Vaseer” Ranul said.
“But that city has been deserted for years!”
Ranul smiled. “Oh, really?”
☼
The security recordings played on several screens before Governor Kisch K’ta as his advisors briefed him on unfolding events. Setaru’ lek spoke in the tongue of the Vorn concerning a mysterious rebel on the loose.
“And here, Governor—the footage from the cloning room. His weapon—”
“Is the weapon of a Barudii warrior—yes, I remember,” interrupted Kisch K’ta. “But we wiped them all out years ago. I led the attack that day. We swept the cities and the battlefield for survivors. There were no human life signatures detected. Besides, this one is too young to have been in that battle.”
“With all due respect, we are not prepared for an uprising,” said Setaru’ lek. “Our supplies are exhausted and we can’t produce anymore clones until supplies arrive. This person might try to gain support from the people. We could have a rebellion on our hands.”
“I am aware of our situation here,” Kisch K’ta said. “However, attempting to get the fleet fully prepared and through the rift any sooner than scheduled is impossible. We haven’t even been able to reestablish contact yet.”
The door to the governor’s office chimed. Kisch K’ta touched the panel on his desk, allowing the door to slide open. In the doorway, stood the image of a Barudii warrior.
“Come in, android.”
The mechanical warrior moved gracefully into the room.
“I want you to scan all the data we have on this matter, android. Then I want you to destroy this person and anyone who may be involved in his rebellion. Nothing must interfere with the arrival of the fleet. Is that clear?”
“Completely, Governor.”
The Vale android walked to the control panel and quickly tapped the panel to play all the recorded data being viewed by Governor Kisch K’ta. The images simultaneously played in high speed as the Vale android scanned it all into memory.
“Data acquisition is complete, Governor Kisch K’ta.”
“Then go and do not fail me.”
“Understood,” Vale said. The android left the room as they watched, wondering at how lifelike the machine seemed.
“Governor, do you think that thing can defeat the Barudii?” asked one of his aides.
“No one has positively identified this man as a Barudii warrior!” he bellowed, slamming a fist down on his desk.
“And if he is?” Setaru’ lek asked.
“I don’t know,” said Kisch K’ta, discouraged. “If the android can only delay a rebellion until the fleet comes through the rift then it will be enough.”
☼
Vale walked to the hangar bay where a transport was already waiting for him. He acquired the code key from one of the attendants and slipped inside the one man cockpit. The model was small and fast. In a moment, Vale scanned all the control systems into memory then fired up the engine for departure.
In his android mind all related files regarding the human rebel and the attacks which had taken place correlated. Recently updated reports had fed into his CPU on his way to the hangar. Dr. K’ore was apparently involved now. According to Governor Kisch K’ta even Dr. K’ore qualified as a viable target because of his association with the human rebel. Another report of a stolen transport piqued his interest. It seemed a good starting point for his investigation.
Vale engaged the ship’s thrusters and proceeded toward the west side of the complex where the stolen transport had been docked when it was taken. He arrived at the site within moments then climbed out of his ship to scan the area for any trace evidence.
Vale adjusted his micro-optics appropriately. A particle trail appeared. This was just what he needed to acquire his target. The ionization pattern matched the type of transport that had been reported stolen.
Vale got back to his ship then proceeded to follow the ionization trail his optics had picked up. It led through the city and then appeared to head into the wasteland area beyond. All he had to do was to follow and surprise his prey.
Vale urged the engine to maximum thrust. Hovering three feet from the ground, his transport flew into the wasteland. His mind became a blur of calculations, reading maps and plotting speed and distance to possible destinations where the targets may have sought refuge. Vale also focused his attention on weaknesses and tactics used to bring down Barudii warriors.
☼
Orin, Tiet and Ranul left the stolen transport behind at the base of Mt. Vaseer. It took them a full two hours of hiking to make there way along the treacherous mountain pass leading to Vaseer’s side gates. The gates to the city were well hidden by the rough terrain and only accessible on foot.
Once great cities like Vaseer had been left to decay following the war. The pathway leading up to the gates was wide and much of the intricate carvings on the walls remained intact. As they drew closer to the city gate, Tiet examined the ornate stonework by the light of Castai’s moon. A rich culture he could barely remember lay before him. His mind wondered with excitement, wondering what the city must have been like when his clan was prosperous, respected and alive.
They came to an intricately fashioned metal gate set within the rock. It was heavily covered with rust. Orin drew his sword then used it to slice through the interlocking mechanism so the gates would swing freely. He and Tiet attempted to move them manually, but to no avail. “Those hinges up there are completely frozen,” Ranul said.
“Tiet, you take one side and I’ll pull the other,” Orin said.
Both men stepped back enough to give the gate room to open, then each of them concentrated on one of the gates with their minds. Slowly the heavy doors began to creak and moan as the rust and metal popped and gave way to the mental power exerted upon them. The gates swung wide and stopped when the two Barudii released them. The carved archway led to total darkness beyond. “Ranul, are you sure somebody is living here now?” Orin asked.
“Of course I’m sure. I imagine they must stay in the lower levels just in case the Vorn ever patrol this far out. Here, take this torch,” he said pointing.
Orin removed the old gas torch from the side of the archway entrance and depressed the fuel trigger. It ignited immediately.
“Apparently it’s been used recently,” Tiet observed.
Orin led the way inside the mountain. The torch gave minimal light, but it was at least enough to see where they were going. Almost immediately the path began a downward descent into the mountain. It was wide enough and tall enough to allow many people at once and Tiet wondered again what it must have been like to live in a place like this. The men proceeded quietly and cautiously. Ranul’s footsteps made more noise than the other two men combined.
A quick flash of metal decapitated Orin’s torch, knocking it from his hand. The gas burner continued to cast a dim light from the ground where it landed as shadows moved along the walls. Orin and Tiet drew their blades and moved in close to guard defenseless Ranul from attack. Several dark figures advanced from the
shadows, slashing at the three men with swords. Tiet and Orin defended, realizing their attackers had Barudii blades as well.
“We’re not your enemies!” Ranul shouted over the noisy clanging of swords. “These men are Barudii warriors!”
The two figures attacking Orin backed away, but remained ready. Tiet and his opponent exchanged strikes at rapid fire pace. They seemed oblivious to the sudden cease of battle. Tiet’s opponent flipped over his head. He reflexively used a leg sweep, catching the attacker as he landed.
As his opponent fell backward, he caught himself by the hands and rebounded to his feet striking at Tiet again. Tiet had not expected his opponent to recover so easily. Tiet rotated inside their line of attack with a shoulder-level swing of his blade to bat his opponent’s blade away. He followed through with a powerful backhand to the face. The dark figure reeled from the blow as Tiet took advantage and quickly pinned his opponent’s neck against the wall under his blade.
“Surrender! Don’t make me kill you!”
“Don’t make me kill you,” answered a soft voice from beneath the black mask.
Tiet’s shocked gaze fell to find his opponent’s other hand holding a sizable dagger to his belly.
“Who are you?” Tiet asked.
He slowly lifted the mask to reveal a Castillian woman with fiery eyes glaring at him. He lifted his blade and backed away confused.
“Hmm. She nearly killed you Tiet,” Orin said, amused. Tiet glanced