The Chronicles of Benjamin Jaminson: Empires At War (Book 5 Part Two)

by Thomas Wright

  “Second officer, they were asked a question,” Zora said, looking at Tazleaha.

  “Well, the answer was slow in coming. You three, march. Follow the captain.”

  Chapter Seven

  The universe opened itself and a large black ship emerged in the Kanlost system. The ship and crew immediately went to battle stations. Their sensors detected six ships. One of the largest ships had four others surrounding it. Their motion was slow; no weapon fire was detected. The largest of the ships was a Cjittan Generations ship. The mistress of the black ship focused her blue eyes on the screen in front of her.

  “We are fortunate. There is a representative of the Cjittan military here. We can discuss the council’s proposition and have them relay it to the queen,” Mira said. “Send peaceful greetings to that ship and ask permission for us to come aboard.”

  “Yes, Mistress. Will the standard peaceful greeting be sufficient, or would you like to make a personal greeting?” the comm officer replied, hiding a smirk. They had no greetings, peaceful or otherwise.

  “The standard will work. If it doesn’t, I will address them. Helm, make way, I’m going to be optimistic and hope the captain will meet with us.”

  “Mistress, I have scanned the planet and there are signs of massive destruction, but the surface is clear of the Khalnalax World Eaters.”

  “Comms, make note of the largest of the four ships around the World Eater. It is the human Alliance warship Warhammer. Its power does not equal ours, but it would be a formidable foe.”

  The sight of the Generations ship was eating at her very soul. On the outside, she was cool but her insides were in a turmoil. She owed her existence to the stolen Generations ship of the last queen mother of Cjittan. Born in the lab, much of her makeup was from the DNA of a dead human female. The dead woman’s lover, a man the Master was supposed to kill and failed—Benjamin—was her target. He was nearby; she would sense him sooner or later. A compulsion to kill him was woven into her at birth. She had tried and failed. She fought the compulsion. She didn’t want to kill him; she had thought only of him since he left her to start a new life. It was a kindness he had shown her and another twisted part of her fate. Their fate.

  “Mistress, we received a reply.”

  “What does it say?”

  “Proceed with caution.”

  ****

  Benjamin, a ship just arrived, close proximity. It is already in weapons range, my armor said.

  Something changed immediately. It was like my senses all just dialed up. Again. I turned my head, right to left. Watching, listening, all the activity going on around me was sharper and clearer, if that was even possible. Binda’s body language stiffened. I heard her sigh; from this distance, it should have only been silence. As I moved toward her, I could hear a voice in her com. I needed to ask my armor about this, but first I had to pay attention.

  “Admiral, a ship approaches,” it said. “Should I recall our ships and make the Claymore ready?” It was Shawna. She was the only officer on the Claymore on duty. I started speaking to Binda before she could reply.

  “Admiral, have her turn the Claymore so it faces out into the black,” I said. “Message the fleet, ‘surround the arriving ship, boarding parties remain on the World Eater.’ We want a show of force.”

  “How do you know—”

  “Just do it, please.” I looked around at all the families, kids running around happy to be off the Claymore. Well, at least they had a few minutes to let off some steam. I turned back to Binda.

  “Adeen, empty the hold, put all the civilians inside the ship. Our team should remain,” Binda called out. “Do it quickly. We have an unknown vessel incoming; they can wait in the corridors out of harm’s way.”

  “Should we have the Claymore at battle stations?” Binda asked.

  “No, just keep it powered up. I can have weapons fire with just a verbal command.”

  “I remember. You have your own code words.”

  “Yes, well, it’s my ship,” I said evenly.

  Benjamin, we should have a conversation in case hostilities start.

  Go ahead. I’m all ears where you’re concerned.

  We told you before, we are not like the others who live inside you. We must be charged and replicate only when it’s needed. If you can find a source of power, we can make the necessary adjustments to satisfy our needs.

  On a ship, that should be easy enough.

  There will be times when you will not have access to a power source. Our creators made us like no other for the protection of the king. We can survive and recharge off organic matter. The most probable time will be in battle. We will consume the blood and tissue of your enemy.

  I see. Then you convert it to energy like most lifeforms.

  Yes. We also consume our own who are damaged beyond repair. Your touch works well if held in place, or your sword, for example, is a good medium. We might occupy the flat of the blade. Any contact you make with it could potentially work, but the best is the thrust. While your naked blade would make a narrow hole in your enemy, our presence will double or triple the size of the damage, depending on how long you leave your blade in place.

  So, I stick you in, you eat a bigger hole, causing more damage and recharging yourselves.

  Yes, Your Highness, that is one way to explain it. We are all identical in every way. Our programming directs us to accomplish basic tasks as needed with almost no power loss. Our higher protocols require much more energy. We will speak more about this, just know that in battle if you sustain heavy damage our need will increase exponentially. We must replicate at much higher rates to meet our protection protocol.

  So, no gaps in the armor, I get it. Hold up a minute. I need to ask Imelda a question.

  Imelda, do you sense anything different about me? I asked. I was curious if she could sense my armor in any way. She had been still, just watching me. Not totally unusual, though. She did that often with anyone. Maybe more so when she is hungry.

  I do. I have been studying it since I walked on the ship. I am searching but don’t know how to describe what I feel because I can feel them. Its existence was only just rumored. Even a queen of spiders could not hope to beat you with the touch of death you now possess.

  Touch of death, that’s good. I have a name picked out for it. It means ‘end of life.’

  Yes, it is good. The ancients had no idea it could fall into the hands of one such as you.

  Armor, would you like to have a name? I’m famous for them among my friends.

  We do not require one. We are but a tool, nothing more. Although we would be honored.

  How does this sound? Deireadh saoil.

  It is strange, not Cjittan.

  It is a phrase that translates into three simple words: end of life. I will shorten it but I wanted you to know its meaning.

  It seems fitting. We have been acquiring knowledge from the moment we sensed the others inside you. It is good we have awakened to be used by a warrior.

  When I use you, it will be ending someone’s life. Believe me when I tell you that I will be ending the lives of many. It is just what I do.

  We understand. It is part of our purpose.

  Good, your programming doesn’t give any recognition of morals or emotions. So you eat the sons of bitches trying to kill me, you understand?

  We do.

  “Benjamin, look,” Binda pointed. A large black ship came to a stop directly in front of our hold. Everyone in the hold watched.

  They wish to come aboard and speak with the captain, Deireadh said.

  Tell them to come.

  “Binda, they wish to come aboard and speak with the captain. I think you and Adeen should both be available to them. I will wait in the Claymore. I already told them to come on.”

  “You know, things ran smoother when you were in a coma,” Binda said. Her smile was warm. I expected something else.

  “I’m sure it did,” I agreed. “Everyone, listen up. We have an unknown ship, as y
ou can see, and shortly they will be boarding by invitation. While they’ve been extended hospitality, I want you all armed and near cover. Harry, you and Nedra split up. Take a side. Adam, Buddy, Grubb, and you, skinny Cjittan boy. Two of you follow Harry and two follow Nedra. Angel, stick close to Binda and the reception party.”

  There was a chorus of “aye” and “on it.”

  “They call me Warlock,” the skinny kid mumbled softly as he walked away.

  “We all know that when Binda is around, trouble seems to follow her.”

  “Ha!” Snake got that I blamed her, the most sensible member of our crew. I looked over at him.

  “Why don’t you stand as backup to Binda and Adeen?” I said.

  “Sure thing. I’ll gladly put my body in front of Ms. Binda if trouble starts. And push Adeen in front of us both.”

  “Sounds like a plan. Good job. Call her Admiral. Ms. Binda sounds like a school teacher.”

  I walked up the ramp into the Claymore. I could hear their conversations almost as if they were standing next to me. The nanites that Taz gave me improved my vision and hearing but this exceeded their efforts by far. I stopped to listen.

  ****

  “Binda, the ship has been doing some strange things lately,” Adeen said. “I’ll need Genius to check it out. It didn’t do anything odd the whole time before we arrived here.”

  “What did it do exactly?”

  “There was a message. Then a proximity alarm. Then the damn thing answered the message and shut off the alarm.”

  “Benjamin might know more about this than Genius.”

  “You’re kidding me, right? He couldn’t wipe his ass without Genius when it comes to ship systems and manipulating systems. This is my ship. He better not be screwing around with it.”

  “Adeen, I’m happy you have taken to being the captain. We are all just screwing around with our roles in this venture. You are no more technically qualified to be a ship captain than Snake.”

  “Hey c’mon what the hell—”

  “Hear me out. You have leadership experience and skills, which is great. You will have to work with the civilian families and your crew, when we get you one. You will learn; you are intelligent and savvy. What I find, it’s funny after all your years of leading you haven’t learned to recognize your place here in the present, in his world.”

  “What are you talking about?!”

  “I have this position for a reason. It took me some time to figure it out, but I think I have. I told you to talk to Benjamin. I have been around him long enough to know his strengths and weaknesses and when he is hiding something. You dismissed my recommendation, instead attacking him and laying claim to something that isn’t really yours. I know what you mean by ‘my ship,’ but he would tell you it’s not yours, it’s his. Taz took Reaper Inc. from him and I think he is more sensitive about what is his now than he would be if things were different.”

  “But—”

  “Enough! Part of my job is to keep you from getting yourself killed. Look around. Except for the Warhammer, all of this is his. We work for him. Even Aisling will have to submit leadership rights to him. Oh, I know we are supposed to be working for Tazleaha, but we’ll make our payments to her and that’s it. We have an unknown ship at our six. Now focus and we’ll figure out the ship’s strange behavior when we’re done here.”

  “Admiral Binda, a shuttle just departed the unknown ship,” Shawna advised.

  “Thank you. We are ready,” Binda said, looking at Adeen for confirmation. “Is Benjamin on the bridge with you?”

  “No, I haven’t seen him.”

  “Genius, can the approaching shuttle enter through the force field?” Binda asked. Genius was walking toward a lift. It would take him to a control room in the top of the massive cargo hold. Something that large had to have a place with viewing and control capabilities.

  “Already on it. Are we sure this is wise?”

  “They’ve already been given permission.”

  “By who?”

  “Benjamin. He knew of their arrival before they appeared at our door,” Binda said.

  “Guess we’ll see what kind of trouble he has gotten us in now.”

  “He didn’t seem too concerned.”

  “He never does.”

  ****

  “Hey, they were just looking for you!” Shawna exclaimed.

  “Oh really? They didn’t com me.”

  “Maybe they wanted to talk about you behind your back,” she said. The smile opened her dimples up full bore.

  “Again, they’re always doing that, talking behind my back.”

  “So, who are the visitors?”

  “Don’t know.” But if they give us any trouble I’ll kill them all.

  “Who does know?”

  “No one, I guess. We’ll find out soon enough.” I knew. The nanite archives had information on the ship and the species who built it. They were peaceful, or as peaceful as any of the more learned ones we’d encountered. “It’ll be ok. I came to warn you that if something goes down I’ll be activating one or more of my personal protocols depending on the situation. Weapons will arm, shields will go up. Just so you’re aware and don’t freak out when the ship starts doing things on its own.”

  “You came to tell me personally. You do care.”

  “Not sure this conversation qualifies the way you’re seeing it, but I’ll let you have your moment. I’m going to watch Binda and Adeen from here.” I pulled a panel up from the floor to access the hatch underneath. If something went down, I could be there in seconds.

  “Did I know that was there?” Shawna asked.

  “You do now. If I go out that way, the controls are right here in the floor. Close it immediately.”

  “Benjamin, if something goes down, be careful and try not to lose it, ok? Deep, calming breaths. We love you, you know that, right?”

  “Yeah, not that I understand it, but yeah.”

  “It’s go time. The shuttle is landing,” she said, looking away.

  ****

  “Captain Kimit, there are many ships. A battle looks eminent,” the helm reported.

  “I want weapons now. Comms, sound battle stations,” Kimit ordered.

  “Captain, it revolves around the Cjittan Generations ship. There is an unknown ship being surrounded by four others. No sign of the Claymore.”

  “Weapons, search for a match on that ship. Then we can contact Dakkon and see what he knows.”

  “We may have to act before we receive his answer.”

  “I am aware of that. We will if needed. Otherwise, he will want to know about that ship. Helm, place us farther away than the rest of the ships but still in torpedo range. Comms, call down and get me a shuttle ready. I don’t know if it will be needed, but have it ready.”

  ****

  “I just picked up another ship taking a position out beyond our guest. It is Allond, same config as the Claymore,” Shawna said.

  “Probably Kimit. That is good news. She had to leave Kanlost to go aid Dakkon against a Khalnalax fleet last time I saw her.”

  “Name sounds familiar.”

  “You might have met her a long time ago. Anyway, she was the one who dropped me off at Kanlost.”

  “The shuttle door is opening. Oh shit! Who the hell is that?” Shawna mumbled, dumbfounded.

  I watched a figure descend the shuttle ramp wearing a black cloak, an oversized hood pulled over its head. It hung open in the front, revealing black armor with a grim reaper sigil on the chest almost identical to my own.

  Imelda, move up behind Snake and the women. Be ready to protect them, I ordered.

  At least twenty short, armored and armed soldiers followed in her wake. I say her because the armor was formed with a V-neck and curved around her breasts. It was not an exact match of our armor, more of a ceremonial armor worn over undergarments. Useless in space, but may provide protection from lasers and blades. The forearm bracers and shin guards extended beyond the elbow and knee and f
ormed into sharp points. They were concave like the pieces attached to the body.

  You would not get a knee in the gut; you would get six to eight inches of steel before you felt the knee. I couldn’t see anything of what was under the cowl, but I did catch a glint of metal with a deep black shine. A helmet. My fist began opening and closing. A habit I had and Shawna had already seen it.

  “Breathe. So you have a fan club from afar that arrived in an unknown ship, so what. We’ve faced scarier. Besides, I’ve been stalking you for a couple years now.”

  I exhaled, letting Shawna hear it. The soldiers following the black-cloaked figure formed into ranks. They were twitchy, though; Imelda’s presence likely had something to do with that. She was probably looking at them like lines of hors d’oeuvres.

  “What should I do about that?” I asked Shawna. She flirted and had a mouth on her, but she was smart.

  “You shouldn’t worry about a cheap imitation or you should be flattered by it. Nothing to go rampaging on about. If Allith came storming out of the shuttle, then yeah blast the bastards. But this isn’t that. There is a connection, I think, and it will reveal itself.”

  “I don’t know; I think I’m the only one with an emotional tie to armor. That just pisses me off.”

  “Whoever it is has a helluva body. Maybe you can charm her out of that armor then I’ll come and steal it, maybe watch for a little while,” Shawna teased. My anger eased but didn’t go away.

  “You are something special, Shawna dear. You never change. I have an assortment of skilled, quality people around me. My friends. I’m happy you’re here with us and I’m sorry I’ve never seen you the same way. But it doesn’t mean that I don’t care about you.”

  “I love you too, Benjamin. Remember our first date? You grabbed me and pulled me into a conference room. I had high hopes, then you went and started cutting pieces off a general. What girl wouldn’t be begging to have your babies after a day like that? Aisling was furious. Probably because you kidnapped me and not her.”

  “Yeah I had the knife to your throat threatening to kill you if they came anywhere close. I think you liked it,” I said, teasing. She was a trooper, played along perfectly. I think that was the turning point for her. She was bored on the Warhammer and there was danger and excitement with us.