by JN Chaney
We dove, avoiding the shots. The other ship followed, and for a brief moment I considered trying to lure them closer to the mine field, but stopped myself. It wouldn’t do any good to waste the bombs on a ship that small. We needed those for the big gun, The Galactic Dawn itself, which still hadn’t arrived.
Athena’s voice came in over the com. “Captain, engines are online. I’m forming the slip tunnel now. Please, return to Titan immediately.”
“Give me just a goddamn second!” I yelled, pulling on the control stick.
We moved around the other fighter and Abigail kept suppressing fire on it, hitting its shields repeatedly.
“Siggy, what’s the status of that ship?” I asked.
“Analyzing. The vessel is using a standard mid-tier shield. Two direct hits with a quad cannon should disable it.”
“Hear that?” I asked, glancing at Abby. “Make it count!”
She nodded, then turned back and took aim, sweeping her hand over the targeting holo on the dash. She fired the first quad cannon, missing the enemy vessel.
Abby cursed, narrowing her eyes, and tried again. This time, the torpedo struck the ship, and I heard her breathe a sigh of relief. She quickly followed it up with another. The combined strength of the two blasts was enough to crack the shield.
I took us in closer. “Again!” I shouted.
She leaned forward, clutching the stick, and lit the goddamn ship up with a spray of shots. Multiple rounds penetrated the hull, ripping it nearly in half and igniting the engines. The ship exploded in a wicked blast, just as we turned back towards the mines.
Without missing a beat, the other ships began to move towards the field, each one activating shields and weapons. They weren’t about to let Titan leave, not without doing everything they could to stop it.
The lead ship in the fleet—a small Union vessel similar to the one where we’d originally found Alphonse—snagged a mine as soon as it entered the area. The explosion obliterated the small craft, splitting it into hundreds, if not thousands, of pieces. The rest of the fleet stayed back, finally realizing that there were bombs waiting for them.
In seconds, they began firing missiles into the mine field, trying to clear a path. It seemed to work, albeit slowly, as the torpedoes began colliding with the mines, one at a time.
We had created three hexagon layers of mines between the fleet and Titan, which was the most effective area of coverage we could establish in such a short amount of time. It wouldn’t take the fleet very long to break through, but Athena only needed a few moments.
Titan’s beams formed at its center, ripping a tear in space, creating a new tunnel. The process was fast and, within seconds, the opening had been formed.
“That’s our queue,” I said. “Siggy, move us—”
Before I could finish, I felt the entire ship toss sideways, like we’d been hit.
“What the fuck was that?!” I asked.
“Our shields are taking heavy fire, sir,” informed Sigmond. “We can’t sustain this for long.”
“Who the hell is it now?” I asked. The holo switched to show me a Sarkonian ship in pursuit, firing rapidly at us. It was way too close for comfort.
Abigail swiveled in her seat. “Should we run?”
“Not until we take it down!” I barked.
“If we’re not careful, we’ll be stuck without a shield!” she returned.
“We can’t let them follow us back to Titan,” I said.
I brought the ship around and targeted the Sarkonian vessel. Abigail hit the ship with a spread, but it didn’t seem to slow it down. “Sir, I am detecting movement on the surface of the enemy vessel,” said Sigmond.
“What kind of movement?” I asked.
“I believe they are deploying a weapon,” he said.
The holo showed part of the Sarkonian ship sliding back into the hull, revealing some kind of cannon. “What the hell is that?” I asked.
“Firing torpedoes!” snapped Abigail.
The quad cannons landed a direct hit on the other ship, but before we could congratulate ourselves, something struck the side of our hull.
The Renegade Star shook, forcing me into my harness. “What was that?”
“Enemy ship has been immobilized,” said Sigmond.
“That’s not what I asked, goddammit!” I said.
Abby touched the dash and pulled up a sensor analysis of the hull. “It looks like there’s something on the side of the ship,” she said.
I zoomed in on the object, which was glowing red against the blue outline of our hull. “Siggy, run a scan on that thing. See what it is.”
“Analyzing…” said the A.I. “Object appears to be a neutron bomb, primed for remote detonation.”
“Did he just say a bomb?” asked Abigail.
“He did,” I said, pulling the control sticks back and setting us in the opposite direction. “We need to get away from the other ships here, before one of them shoots at us and sets that thing off.”
“Should we dock inside Titan?” she asked.
I shook my head. “We can’t take it inside the ship, not until we get it removed.” I tabbed the control, activating the com. “Athena, you picking this up?”
“Affirmative,” she said.
“Take the tunnel. We’ll be right behind you. Got a little business to take care of.”
“Are you certain?” asked Athena. “What’s delaying your arrival? Do you need assistance?”
“We’re packing a bomb on our back. I can’t risk this thing getting back to you.”
“Captain, I must insist that you not—”
“Just do as I say and go!”
“As you wish,” said Athena. “I shall send our next destination to Sigmond. Please accept.”
“Coordinates received,” said Sigmond.
“Hear that?” I asked. “We got them. Now, get out of here! We’ll meet you there!”
“Acknowledged, Captain. Good luck,” said Athena.
Several of the enemy ships began to move toward Titan. The moon-sized vessel eased its way into the newly-created slip tunnel, gradually disappearing inside, until it was fully immersed. The other ships entered the minefield, determined not to let Titan escape.
While the fleet was distracted with their suicidal mission to reclaim Lex, I set our coordinates on another tunnel, near the end of the system.
The Renegade Star took off away from the fleet, putting as much space between us and them as possible. My ship wasn’t the fastest in the galaxy, but with all of them so distracted, we might actually stand a chance at getting out of here.
I unhooked my harness. “Stay here and keep us on target,” I said, getting to my feet. I hit the switch to open the door and started to leave.
“Where do you think you’re going?” asked Abigail.
“In case you already forgot, we’ve got a bomb on our ass. Somebody has to take care of it.”
“By yourself?” she asked. “How are you going to—”
I took off running down the corridor. “I’ll call you on the com when I’m outside!” I yelled, over my shoulder.
I took the turn in the hall and went straight into the cargo bay. The lockers were already open, so I snagged one of the suits and began getting dressed.
“Siggy, how long before our shields are reactivated?” I asked, sliding my arms through the sleeves.
“The Sarkonian ship used an electromagnetic charge to disrupt the polarity of our shield. The effects are temporary. Partial power will be restored within thirty seconds,” answered the A.I.
“Perfect,” I said, securing my waist. “Establish shields as soon as possible, then drop them on my mark.”
“As you wish, sir.”
I locked my helmet into place, then activated my oxygen tank. The cool taste of air entered my helmet, and I heard the echo of my own breathing. I was suddenly much more aware of how fast my heart was pounding. “Goddammit,” I muttered. “The trouble I find.”
* * *
Once the shield was established, I was out the lift, using my boots to magnetically grip the hull as I moved, one slow step at a time, toward the bomb.
The bomb, which as it happened, was snug and secure inside the section just above my fucking bedroom. If this thing ended up damaging my quarters, I was going to be royally pissed.
“Abigail, do you hear me?” I asked, activating my com.
“I do!” she responded, with hardly any static overlaying her voice.
I took another step, letting the magnet in my boot fully grab the hull before moving again. “I’m almost at the bomb. Stay focused on getting us to the tunnel.”
“We’ll be there in…six minutes,” she said.
“We might have to sit there for a few while I get this detached, but we’ll make it,” I said, taking another step.
I could already see the lump in my hull, resting several meters near the center of The Renegade Star. It looked like a piece of cancer, a foreign hunk of poison that didn’t belong.
I edged my way forward, increasingly more aware of the danger I was putting myself in. Every step brought me closer to a fucking bomb.
I stepped across the airlock, careful not to touch the glass window, since it wasn’t metal and the last thing I needed was to lose my footing.
“Sir, a more thorough examination of the device has revealed a small problem,” said Sigmond.
“What is it now?” I asked. The bomb was only two meters away. I was nearly there.
“The casing itself is standard Sarkonian polymetal, while the locking mechanism and panel is Neutronium-plated, making it difficult to open. It may be best to dislodge the device manually, rather than disarm it.”
“You’re saying I can’t open it?” I asked.
“That is correct.”
I made an audible growl. “You’re killing me, Siggy.”
“Apologies, sir. That is the opposite of my intention.”
I sighed, taking the last step, then bent down so I was half-a-meter beside the bomb. I retrieved a small pack that I’d attached to my side, removing the thermal saw from inside. “Time for some last-minute surgery.”
* * *
Three minutes into this and I was already pretty sure I was going to accidentally blow my fucking ship up.
I used the thermal saw to heat the hull and slowly soften the areas around the bomb.
Sweat dripped down off my forehead, landing inside my suit. It was like a sauna, all of the sudden. Was I seriously this nervous?
My hands kept shaking, so I figured I must be. Still, I didn’t let it stop me from doing the job. It’s not like anyone else was going to come along and save us. It was up to me.
I smirked at the thought. I’d told Camilla the same thing, not that long ago. The universe was a shitstorm, and the only person you can rely on is yourself. Maybe that was true, but Abigail was inside at this very minute, handling the controls. She didn’t have to be here with me on this idiotic mission. She’d chosen to come along with me…to put herself out on the front line.
I rolled my eyes. All that means is that we’re both idiots, I thought, a slight grin on my face. But still, better to be fools together than dead and alone.
I continued to melt the metal around the bottom of the bomb, edging it away from the hull, one centimeter at a time.
“Jace, we’re almost at the tunnel,” said Abigail over the com. “How long before you’re back inside?”
“I’m still dealing with it. Hold on,” I said.
“Understood,” she answered.
I grabbed the side of the bomb and pulled it, trying to yank the back of it free of the ship. One of the blinking lights changed from green to orange, a first since I’d come up here. “What the—”
“The bomb is charging, sir,” said Sigmond. “Please, be advised. The bomb is—”
“Fuck!” I snapped, pulling it off the last of the melted hull. “Siggy, get ready to drop the shield as soon as I tell you!”
“Yes, sir,” he answered.
I gripped the explosive with both hands, pulling it off the hull. It refused to come up all the way, since it was still attached by a thin piece of soft metal. I squatted, pushing against the ship, and pulled the device with every ounce of strength I could muster. The resistance I felt suddenly ended, and I nearly fell backwards.
I twisted where I stood, lifting the bomb to my chest and aiming it toward the rear of The Renegade Star. “Now, Siggy! Drop the shields!”
The area around the ship flickered. “Shields are down, sir,” said Sigmond.
“Here we go!” I shouted, throwing the megaton bomb away from me. It floated away, still headed in the same direction we were currently flying, but slightly off course, thanks to my push.
“Excellent work, sir,” said Sigmond.
“Thanks, Siggy,” I said, letting myself breathe. “Raise the shields as soon as that thing is out of our—”
The bomb exploded before I could finish. The ship tossed instantly, and I felt the force of the blast as it knocked me free of the hull. I went spiraling into the void, away from The Star, unable to right my angle.
I tried to say something…to call Abby and ask if she was okay…to ask Siggy if the ship was still intact.
Most of all, I just tried to keep my eyes open.
Fourteen
I felt a hand around my wrist, pulling me from the bed. I wasn’t surprised, because I could hear my father coming, stomping on the old wood floors as he marched to get me. Even before he was there, I could already smell the liquor.
“Up and at ‘em, Jacey,” said the old man. “I got somethin’ I wanna show ya.”
I hopped on one foot as he dragged me through my bedroom, towards the door and into the main sitting room.
I already knew what this was about. I’d heard him yelling at my mom a few hours ago, before he went to the bar. He wanted to leave and head out to join Uncle Teddy, up on Talos, the nearest colony to Epsy. There were prospects, he had told her. My dad was always talking about prospects.
He stumbled before we reached the couch, his foot catching on the dislodged plank in the floor. “Goddammit!” he shouted. “I forgot to fix that shit. Why didn’t you remind me about the fucking plank?”
He’d been meaning to fix that for three months now, but still hadn’t found the time.
I sat down on the couch, while my dad slammed his big ass down on the stool in front of me. I could see his pistol on his hip, the same one he’d carried at his side since he was sixteen. The same one that, as he’d told me, killed over forty men. “Your momma says I ain’t got what it takes, Jacey,” said the overweight dust miner. “She says there ain’t no more upward momentum for folks like us. Wattayou think about that?”
“Why would momma say that?” I asked, believing him instantly.
“She don’t know nuthin’ about nuthin’, Jacey. That woman is small-time.” He coughed into his fist, gray spit hitting his fingers. “You and me, we got better stuff in us, don’t we? We’re gonna be Renegades and get ourselves a hot life!”
“Yeah!” I exclaimed, excited at the sound of the word. My father had recently started telling me about Renegades and how wonderful their lives were. He said they all had ships and traveled all over the galaxy, doing whatever they wanted. If you were a Renegade, my father would always say, you can have it all.
“Damn planet’s going to shit and I’m smart enough to see which way the wind is headed. You know what I’m saying, Jacey?” he asked.
I nodded. “It stinks!”
He laughed. “Your momma, she’s a simple one. She don’t see it. You do, though, don’t you, Jacey?”
I nodded again. “Yeah, Pop! It stinks bad!” I plugged my nose, trying to demonstrate.
He stared at me, a stupid expression on his face, like he was lost for a moment, but then smirked. “That’s right. You get it. Of course, my kid gets it.” He smacked my knee with his burly hand. My father gave me a grin, his lips crooked and red. “Guess wh
at I got in my pocket, Jacey,” he said, reaching to show me before I could even give him an answer. I heard a rustle of something, then he pulled out a small piece of paper, dangling it in my face. “You know what this is?” he asked. “It’s a ticket. A special ticket, like the kind we always talked about.”
My eyes widened. “You got a ticket to space?” I asked, dropping my jaw. “No way!”
He shoved it in my face, clumsily hitting me in the forehead, although I didn’t care. I was too busy trying to see what the ticket said on it.
CLASS – STD
TICKET TIME – 3PM DAY
ADULT – ONE
FROM – VERNIN, EPSY
TO – ARENSDALE, TALOS
“See it?” he asked, trying to hold it steady. “Now, we can do what we always wanted, Jacey.”
“Whoa!” I exclaimed.
He smiled. “Our times in this shithole are over. Won’t be long before everyone from the Union to Sarkonia is talkin’ ‘bout the Hughes boys. Ain’t that right?”
“Ain’t no one better than a Hughes!” I shouted, reciting the phrase my father would often say when comparing our family.
He began to laugh, but coughed instead. “You’re funny,” he said, clearing his throat and wheezing. All those years in the mines had done my father no favors.
“When can we go?” I asked, smiling. “How long before we get to be Renegades?”
He snickered. “You’re funny, Jacey. I can’t take no kid with me to Talos. I need to get up there on my own so I can get a good job.”
I frowned, but knew I shouldn’t. My father would never leave me behind if he didn’t have to. I knew that.
“Don’t worry, Jacey. You’ll just wait around here for a while. I gotta get a good job first, but then it won’t take me long to get you a ticket too.” He paused for a second. “And your momma. She don’t get our dream now, but she will. Just you wait.”
“Okay, Pop. I’ll wait here and be good,” I said, trying to act tough.
He grinned. “Won’t take me more than a month, I bet! Maybe less if I can work those big wigs on the shuttle.” He tried to wink at me, but blinked both eyes instead. “Gonna be tough, but just you wait, Jacey. I’m gonna make it big out there!”