by Devin Cain
"I see," was all I could say. How the hell did an alien race know about me being the last Nephilim, and even more, that I’d come here? Lucifer, no one else would know. "Say, you have any idea what their Armament is?"
"Yeah, It’s the Leviathan," Devil spat.
"I take it we’re in a lot of trouble?"
"You could say that. Not only is it huge, it’s extremely well protected and has much more gun displacement than anything similar just as I said, but that’s not the main thing. If I remember correctly, it can also repair itself, but it doesn’t need any materials to do so."
"So then it’s basically an upgraded you?"
"Sure is, even with our three to one ratio."
"Have they done anything to prove they’re hostile yet?"
"No, sir," Helena replied. "They’re just sitting over Beta."
"Alright, then, put me through to whoever it is on there. I’m curious who he’s sent this time."
"Yes, sir," the Helena replied. "And-- there."
An image of a creature I’d seen earlier came to life. Instead of an easy pink, the creature was dark purple and wore a type of pure white tunic. On his shoulder stood, what would pass for an animal on Earth, something similar to a bird, slightly greenish in color and deformed. The head was as large as its body, and it had four wings.
"What an ugly bugger," I whispered.
"Admiral! It’s good to finally meet you after waiting on your return. But first, please forgive me, I’ve plundered what there was to get on the planet below."
"Right. It’s not like I could have stopped you anyway," I replied, trying to seem indifferent. "And how can I help you? Captain?"
He burst into laughter, the bird almost falling off his shoulder.
"You guessed well. I’m just a lowly Captain, however, my Admiral wishes to meet you. He’s already at Entraxila, waiting for you. We could say that he sent me as an escort if you wish."
"Right. Are you at liberty to answer any of my questions?" I asked just as Kris and Gremory stepped up to me, taking a position to my sides.
"Why is that the famous Lady Death we heard so much about? And who is that other-- specimen. She looks fragile."
"That doesn’t matter right now, Captain. Can you please answer my question?"
He narrowed his large eyes on me, and to my surprise, they moved closer to each. It bugged the shit out of me.
"Depends on what you want to ask. Go ahead."
"Thank you, Captain. What is your Admiral doing at Entraxila? And why does he know about it?"
"So predictable, yet genuine. Very well. We were tasked with giving you aid against Humanity. As you know, there is no love lost between our species, but that doesn’t mean we can’t live in peace as long as you don’t try and force yourself on us, or our territory. And as to who told him," he said and stopped taking a deep breath. "Besides, there are far greater enemies than either of us. You see, my Admiral is an outcast. We are few, but strong."
"And what you’re saying is that Entraxila is at the crossroads between our worlds?"
The captain shrugged.
"I have no idea. But according to him, we all play a pivotal role in the upcoming war. I reckon you have already encountered the new enemy all of us will have to face very soon?"
"We have, to be honest. What do you know about them?"
"A lot, but everything in due time, Admiral. Do you accept our hospitality?"
"Maybe if you give me the courtesy of telling me your name, Captain?" I asked.
"In Earthern, you can call me Fefnal. If I told you how it sounded in my language, it would be meaningless to you. Now, if you will."
"If I will do what? I have no idea what your motives might be or even if to trust you. Give me more, or this conversation is over with."
"Oh? Very well, then. I’ll keep it short and to the point then. Entraxila was part of a prophecy to our people for a long time now. It was said that a ‘Conqueror’ would take hold of it and that our people should help him. It might sound dumb to you, but it isn’t to our-- faction. We take religious matters quite serious, especially if it’s about the Nephilim."
"And you think that I’m this conqueror?"
Fefnal nodded and bowed slightly.
"From what we’ve learned in the last few days, yes. There’s the matter of us having lost our home, so we need to fight no matter what, but once we’ve established a foothold and the alliance between you and our group, we can see how to proceed further."
"I see. And you want to take me there, and even offer aid?"
"Yes, we do if you accept our aid. You can do it all yourself, but all of your people will die in that case. You may not like him, but he’s put us all in the same heap, so either make use of what you have or try and live long enough to regret not having done so."
"So it was him, huh?" I chuckled. "He really doesn’t know when to stop, but sure, I’ll accept your help if you can prove any of it to me."
"He’s telling the truth," Gremory whispered. "Lucifer just told me over our link. I wonder why he didn’t do so directly to you, but whatever."
"I’ve got some other ships which will be following us there once their repairs are taken care of, and a couple of very important freighters arriving here in a day or two."
"We can wait for them, but I’d prefer we leave as soon as possible. Record a message for them and leave it with one of your ships which can escort them directly to Entraxila since we’ll have cleared the way."
I tried to come up with a protest, but couldn't. If he wanted us destroyed, he would have done so already. And Lucifer himself confirmed it, so going against his wishes wasn’t an option, at least not for now.
"Very well, Captain Fefnal. We depart after Beta has been destroyed. I’m not leaving this planet to anyone if I can’t have it."
The Captain’s eyes widened as his lips curled up in a grin.
"I expected no less from the Nephilim. Very well, we’ll help you with destroying the planet called Beta so we can depart. We need two or three shots to break far enough toward the core so you can finish the planet."
"Wait!" I snapped. "I have people down there. Give me a couple of hours to lift them up first," I yelled. "What’s with the hurry?"
"Admiral. I--" Fefnal went quiet for a good half a minute before he resumed. "Two hours. That’s as long as we can spare. My aide will send you the coordinates from where we’ll jump to Entraxila. We’re in the process of setting up a black hole that will bring us through much faster than ordinary sub-space travel. See you on the other side."
The video stream cut off, leaving the screen pitch black.
"Shit!" I cursed slamming my fist against the nearest console. "Order the drop-ship to go fetch our people and as much as possible of the native Humans. Send a couple over to the orange Gebradim colony."
"Already on it, Admiral. The ships have already undocked and are in descent," Gremory replied. "And don’t worry, he said they’re a fanatical bunch who’ll follow you to hell if need be."
"That’s what worries me. I have a very high dislike for the fanatical, but let’s take whatever we can get. Helena, send this conversation to Gregor. In fact, patch him through."
"Line established, Sir," she replied.
"Gregor! How’re you holding up my man?" I asked with a fake grin on my face.
"Admiral! I didn't expect a call from you. What do I owe the pleasure to?"
"At ease, Captain. How’s the staff doing? Have you accustomed to the ship yet?"
"May I speak freely, sir?"
I nodded.
"Sure thing. I wouldn’t have it any other way."
"I love it! The crew is great, the soldiers listen to what they’re told, and everything is just fine. Thank you, sir! And sir, can you tell me what’s with the enemy ship? We didn’t engage seeing that we never got an order to attack, but they sure scare the living daylights out of me."
"Good, good. Listen, I got a job for you. It’s regarding those aliens you just menti
oned. We’re taking a shortcut to our final destination. Once the cargo haulers catch up, take them through the black hole. You’ll get the data before we go through ourselves. And make haste, we depend on the machinery."
"Admiral, sir! You can count on me!" Gregor snapped, saluting me. I nodded one last time and waved Helena to cut off the link.
"Sir, the enemy ship is turning toward the planet with their main cannons," Freya said. She’d been awfully quiet, but having both the Captain and the Admiral on the bridge could be somewhat intimidating to a junior officer.
"It doesn’t matter, Freya, as everything is under control. Anyway, I’ll be in my private quarters until the dropships are back. Don’t bother me unless it’s a life-threatening situation. There’s something I need to take care off."
"Yes, sir!" Freya replied, followed by a chorus from the other officers. I turned to Gremory and then Kris. They understood what I wanted without even so much as moving my lips.
"Let’s visit the doc. I need updates on the current situation with the soldiers. Or do you have anything else to do?"
Gremory shrugged, while Kris scratched her ear.
"I guess we can tag along," the former said and slid her arm under Kris’s. They walked a couple of feet behind me, keeping their distance. Soon I was delivered from the awkward feeling when we arrived at the laboratory. A large red neon sign was a very clear mark that we’d arrived.
The guard at the door saluted and opened it for us, spilling a strange scent into the hallway along with some yelling and screaming. I darted in and around the corner to where Ashiala usually was at work. Khavvrin stood there with his hands around a soldier’s neck. The victim’s head was bent in a strange angle, but he wasn’t dead.
"The hell is going on here?" I snapped. Khavvrin dropped the soldier who coughed violently. He got up quickly and stood at attention along with his assailant.
"Sir! This grunt here tried to attack Ashiala. I had to show him his place!" Khavvrin replied. The doc walked out from behind a cabinet wall and massaged her wrist. It was slightly bruised, but even if the man had attacked her, she was an Armament user now. She should have been able to shrug him off.
"I’m fine. Khavv, take care of him. He’s a bad grow," the doc ordered. The big guy bolted around, placed his arm around the man’s neck, and squeezed hard. It took him only three seconds for the man to stop struggling.
"The fuck are you guys doing here? Killing off soldiers left and right?"
"This was only the fourth casualty I had to put down, Admiral," Khavv explained. "Usually they’re way timider after waking up, but in case some of them have stupid ideas, I’m here to show them otherwise."
"Clean up the mess. Are there any more batches you need to supervise?" I asked, turning to the Doc.
"If you need me, then I’m free," she replied, looking over to Khavvrin. "We’ll move along later again. Can you take over for a while?"
"Yes, mam." The big guy nodded as he grabbed hold of the dead soldier’s ankle, then pulled him out into a room without a single window.
I sighed and looked around. The lab sure had changed. It was at least four times larger and had cells to keep people, or creatures locked in, surgery tables, large cabinets along the walls and bright white light overhead. Beside her, there were three more techies and two turned soldiers standing guard.
"Come on," I said, opening the door. "I think we all could use a drink."
"You don’t have to tell me twice," Doc whispered.
"Oh, and Khavv? Have you secured the remains?"
"Yes, sir. I have six of my best standing guard."
"Good, good. We’ll have to check it out later, and when we do, I want you with me."
"Yes, Admiral," he shot back again from around the corner. I sighed and turned to face the door. Only a couple minutes later, we sat in silence in the officer’s lounge, brooding over our problems. Two half-empty bottles sat atop the bar top. The dimmed light and wafting aromatic smoke gave it a surreal feel as if I was back at Lucifer’s place.
"Things aren’t going to plan, and now I’m destroying a planet just so the others can’t have it. Or at least that’s what I’m telling myself. It’s more like a sacrifice to him and myself," I spoke calmly and downed another shot glass. My eyes were bloodshot, even though the parasites did their best to clear the alcohol from my blood, too much of it was flowing around inside.
"If it’s any consolation, I’ve been doing all I can to turn every mutated soldier as your priestess," Doc said, pulling the net off her hair and turning the ponytail into layers of slightly curled darkness.
"So have I. We should be feeling a bump in our power anytime soon, especially after the planet has been destroyed;" Gremory added. "Speaking of which, I think this needs to become mandatory instead of voluntary. Who knows what will await us at Entraxila, even worse, who knows where we’ll end up down the road?"
"That’s quite something to burden yourself with, Admiral," Kris whispered. "Do you know how many Gebradim have just hatched down there?"
"A couple million?"
"No, according to our estimates, over thirteen. Sure, they’re still eggs or something similar to guppies, but they already have a conscience and a soul," she added and placed her hand on mine. I noticed Gremory glance down at her gesture, but she didn’t say anything.
"Hence why we’re drinking together. I don’t think I could go through all this alone. You ladies have no idea how much I appreciate you, and not in only moments like these, no."
"You’re a good person, a good man, and Admiral, though inexperienced. But that doesn’t change the fact that you’re trying to do good and be someone who takes care of the weak and the poor."
"But do you really think some ten or twenty thousand are worth more than millions?" I asked.
"If in the end, you save more than those you kill, then it’s worth it. So, live long enough to see it through, liberate them from their oppressors, and you’ll have done your part."
The Doc coughed and dropped the shot glass.
"Shit, this thing is strong," she wheezed and coughed. "So, just to stay on topic, the squids are a treasure trove. It was only with their help that I managed to perfect the serum. The results are slightly worse off in the beauty department, but other than that, everything’s just jolly."
"I’ll be with Gabriel," Gremory said as she got up. "There are some things I need to talk over with him."
"I’m out of here as well then. There’s a lot to take care off before we move out to Entraxila."
"And then they were two," Ashiala purred as she slipped the smart cloth down her shoulders, laying herself bare for me. "Isn’t this what you wanted the other day?"
She was right. I couldn’t help but stare at her beautiful but marred body. Scars ran down her chest and stomach, as well as the inside of her legs.
"Who the hell did that to you?" I hissed and stepped around the bar, taking her in my arms. She looked up at me, our eyes glued to each other.
"Cafka."
I felt a surge of anger and hatred rise again from the depths of my bowels. Just when I thought he’d be serving his purpose, I wanted him dead more than ever. But whatever, a week or two wouldn’t change the outcome, no, I’d smear his face all over the ship’s prow.
"Be sure to take it easy and make good use of Khavvrin and the others. No unnecessary risks, alright?"
She smiled back at me as she got up and nodded. It was a sad smile, but it held meaning, at least to us.
"You too. I know that no matter what I say, you can’t help but feel horrible after destroying the planet and all those people, but don’t let it destroy you in turn. Use it as a driving force to deliver on what you promised."
"I’ll take care of him once we’ve taken over Entraxila and he’s delivered the goods, I’ll have you join me outside when we execute him."
She didn’t reply. A slight nod was all I got as she hurried out the door. It was as if I’d heard the slightest sniff or gasp. Was she crying?
"Devil, what’s the situation with our new friends?"
"They’ve just fired the second time. Damn is that ship Leviathan a beast. It could easily obliterate us if it had wished to do so. And the precision, It’s targeting a continent that’s uninhabited and hitting the same spot with ease."
"Very well. Let me know once the landers are back so we can get this over with. I can’t wait to see our new home."
Chapter Fifty-Two
"Admiral, Doomsday is all charged up. On your mark," Freya informed me. I winced slightly as the planet appeared on our screen, busted wide open. The liquid core danced around like a wild stallion, sending up flames and magma high into the atmosphere. I could almost hear the Gebradim scream down on the surface, but there was no going back now.
"Fire," I ordered. No, it wasn’t me, it was Devil. He’d taken it upon himself to bear the burden but failed miserably. There was nothing one could say or do to get over this, but it was something that needed to be done, or at least that’s what I kept telling myself.
A high-pitched sound filled the bridge for three long seconds before the ship lurched and the beam shot out toward the core. Doomsday’s first shot had been aimed right at a dying planet, ending countless lives. Was this going to be the just the first of many? Or would I manage to break free from Lucifer and let this be the exception?
"Direct hit, Admiral," Freya replied, calmer than before. It must have sunk in that I’ve just committed mass genocide, and not just for her or me, no, for all the crew.
"Thank you, Freya. Please switch it off and plot a course to match the Leviathan. Run one last check, and once you’re sure, send the confirmation to Gregor."
"Yes, Admiral."
I had nothing else to say or do for the next hour but roam around and do nothing. I watched the next batch of soldiers change, then met with Samson and sparred for a while. Finally, I went back to the bridge when my tapper notified me of our arrival. Gremory, Kris and Levi sat in the lounge area of the Bridge when Samson and I strolled in.
"Admiral on deck!" the same guardsman yelled yet again. It was getting on my nerves slowly, but I guessed it had to be done.