Ignotus

by Kevin Hardman

  In light of past experience, that part had actually been something of a surprise. However, it was always possible that the Vacran had used code words or phrases that merely sounded innocuous, so Maker reminded himself to remain on guard.

  “Anyway,” Maker continued, “great job again on this, Wayne. Now I just need you to make one for everybody, starting with Fierce and Diviana.”

  “I’m way ahead of you, el-tee,” Wayne replied with a grin.

  Chapter 50

  Following the instructions they were given, the Nova went forward to the designated docking station, leaving the battle cruisers behind. It wasn’t ideal, but Maker took comfort in the fact that this practice was standard in that there were numerous battleships (or rather, alien ships with what appeared to be battleship designs) keeping a healthy distance from the H’rkzn region.

  He thought it unusual that those in charge seemingly relied on the honor system in this regard – until they passed a H’rkzn destroyer that was the size of a small moon. The Nova’s scanners actually detected several of them nearby, making it plainly obvious why the boundary for visiting gunships was strictly observed. That said, it was understood that almost all ships – even small ones – would have some degree of weaponry, so vessels like the Nova were allowed to come closer than their fellows.

  Once they were docked and ready to depart, Maker found himself facing a decision he had been avoiding up until then: whether to let Erlen go with them. Under normal circumstances, the Niotan accompanied him everywhere, but not solely because Maker was responsible for him; it also partly related to Erlen’s nature.

  Because the Niotan could reproduce anything he tasted, gaining new experiences – that is, coming into literal contact with the unfamiliar – was an essential part of his growth and development. As they were about to visit a planet and encounter species previously unknown, it was an unprecedented opportunity for Erlen, and Maker didn’t want to deny him that.

  At the same time, however, Skullcap was going to be with them. More importantly, it had actually been Erlen who had ripped off the insectoid’s original arm – the one which had grown back deformed. There was no way Skullcap had forgotten about that. (Also, Maker still didn’t completely buy into the story that the Vacra no longer wanted the Niotan.)

  In the end, he felt that Erlen’s needs outweighed the risks. So, after warning him to stay close at all times and forbidding him to attack Skullcap (which the Niotan didn’t seemed inclined to do anyway), Maker decided to take Erlen along.

  In addition, Maker picked up a second unexpected passenger in the form of Browing, who hunted him down shortly before they were set to leave.

  “This is still officially a diplomatic mission,” Browing said. “As the diplomat for our side, I should go with you – especially if we’re going to encounter previously unknown races.”

  Surprising himself, Maker found that he was indifferent to the request.

  “Suit yourself,” he replied with a shrug.

  “Really?” Browing muttered in surprise. “I half expected you to fight me on this.”

  “No, I just wished you’d told me earlier. I don’t know that we’ll have time to cobble together a translator for you.”

  “That’s okay,” Browing assured him. “It’s just important for me to be there. I’ve been chasing this stuff – the sub rosa tech – for a while now, so the thought of being on the sidelines for any part of its recovery is galling to me.”

  “I get it,” Maker said. “Just get to the shuttle as soon as you can. We’re leaving asap.”

  Chapter 51

  Diviana served as pilot on the shuttle ride down to the planet, which thankfully occurred without incident. Maker had made it a point to keep Skullcap and Erlen as far apart as possible inside the craft, but the latter barely paid any attention to the former. The reverse, however, was far from true, as Skullcap always seemed to be watching the Niotan. That said, the insectoid remained on his best behavior and did nothing to make a nuisance of himself.

  Ultimately, they landed at a large and exceptionally busy spaceport. It was at that juncture, while they were being scanned for firearms, that they ran into their first hiccup.

  With Skullcap as part of their group, Maker had insisted that every member of his team bring a weapon. As firearms were verboten, almost everyone chose to bring a blade of some sort. (Fierce, for instance, although adverse to violence and weapons, was able to justify bringing a scalpel as part of a medical kit.) Maker himself chose a vibro-blade.

  As expected, everyone passed the weapons scan without issue – until it was Erlen’s turn. In essence, although it was pretty clear that he wasn’t carrying any weapons on his person, the scanners couldn’t penetrate his hide. Thus, there was no way to confirm that he wasn’t carrying a ticking bomb inside him, and it was starting to appear as though he wouldn’t be allowed to stay on the planet.

  Maker and his companions stood patiently to the side while a group of the fiber-cable people calmly discussed what action they should take. Surprisingly, it was Skullcap who came to the rescue.

  Stepping over to the wiry group, he declared in his native tongue, “I am the Vacra K’nsl.” At this announcement (which Maker interpreted as some type of title), those he had addressed suddenly became incredibly attentive, and the one who appeared most senior inclined his head slightly.

  “I personally vouch for the individual you are concerned with,” Skullcap continued, “and will accept any and all liability for his actions while on this planet.”

  That seemed to be good enough for the fiber-optic group. They gave Erlen a pass in terms of the weapons check, and a few minutes later Maker and his team were outside the spaceport, where they suddenly found themselves surrounded by throngs of people (albeit none of them were human).

  “Okay,” Maker intoned, addressing Skullcap. “Where to?”

  “Our destination is not far,” the Vacran answered. “We can walk there, if you have no objection.”

  “None,” Maker declared.

  “Excellent,” the insectoid said. “Please follow me.”

  He turned and began walking away, with Fierce and Browing on his heels. Maker and Erlen, however, hung back for a moment, along with Diviana.

  “You got this?” Maker asked.

  “Of course,” she replied with a smile. “And my p-comp is synced to yours, so I’ll be able to find you when I’m done.”

  Considering the conversation over, she was about to go when Maker stopped her.

  “Hold up,” he said, seeming to come to a decision. Squatting down, he reached towards Erlen’s mouth. The Niotan let out a harsh, guttural cough and spat something into Maker’s hand. He stood up and surreptitiously handed the item to Diviana. Although it was covered with an odd fluid, she immediately took and inconspicuously pocketed the object after recognizing what it was: a small firearm.

  “Thanks,” Diviana said, and then walked away.

  As she faded into the crowd, Maker realized that his absence, so to speak, had been noted. Skullcap, Browing, and Fierce – apparently having realized that their party had been chopped in half – had ceased walking and turned around in order to find out what had happened.

  Maker quickly moved forward to join them, at which point Skullcap asked, “Where is the female going?”

  “Christmas shopping,” Maker quipped. “Now let’s get moving.”

  Chapter 52

  It took them about thirty minutes to reach the place that Skullcap said contained the tracking device. Under normal circumstances, it probably would have taken half the time, but Erlen kept wandering off to “sample” various items; from the clothing individuals were wearing to gewgaws being hawked by street vendors, he tasted everything – either through the papillae in his paws or just licking it outright. (Maker found himself issuing more than one apology to various persons who unexpectedly found a rough tongue or padded paw rubbing against them, although he doubted that anyone understood him.) It also didn’t help that th
e area where they found themselves essentially resembled a giant, open-air bazaar, with representatives from scores of races scurrying about in multitudes. Fortunately, none of their companions complained about the delay incurred by the Niotan’s antics.

  Eventually they reached their destination, which turned out to be a large building that rose several hundred stories into the air. The exterior wall of the first floor was composed entirely of glass, providing an unobstructed view of the lobby. Inside, Maker saw members of numerous races – all unfamiliar to him – engaged in discourse and seemingly conducting business of one sort or another.

  “Come,” Skullcap practically demanded, heading toward what appeared to be the building entrance.

  Once inside, the insectoid made a beeline for one of several glass tubes in the middle of the lobby. As they drew closer, Maker saw that the bottom of the tube, up to a height of about five feet, was encased in some kind of metallic cylinder that had numerous buttons on it. In addition, the tube – which was about two feet in diameter and went from the floor to the ceiling – appeared to be full of grayish smoke.

  As Maker halfway expected, Skullcap stepped forward and pushed one of the buttons on the cylinder. Something akin to the lid of a trash receptacle popped open at the top of the cylinder and Skullcap spat into it. There was silence for a few moments, and Maker was about to ask what they were waiting for when someone spoke.

  “We welcome the Vacra K’nsl,” said an eerie, disembodied voice that seemed to come from the tube. “How may we serve you?”

  “I have property I wish to retrieve,” Skullcap stated.

  “Certainly,” said the voice. As it spoke, Maker noticed various colored lights twinkling within the grayish smoke.

  No, not just twinkling, he thought, but twinkling in conjunction with its speech.

  Maker leaned towards Fierce and whispered, “Have you ever seen or heard of anything like that?”

  “No,” replied the Augman in a hushed tone, shaking his head. “As weird as it seems, the smog in that tube is somehow alive.”

  Suddenly, a small, rectangular card extended from a slot on the cylinder that Maker hadn’t noticed earlier.

  “Here is your pass,” said the smoke. “You may proceed to the repository.”

  “Many thanks,” Skullcap replied as he took the card.

  Suddenly anxious (and wondering what the Vacran was up to), Maker was about to say something when Skullcap spoke again.

  “I will also need passes for my companions,” he stated, gesturing towards Maker, Browing, and Fierce.

  “That is prohibited,” the smoke replied. “Only patrons may enter the repository.”

  “They guard my person,” Skullcap explained. “I can go nowhere without them.”

  “I’m afraid there are no exceptions,” explained the smoke. “You must proceed alone or not at all.”

  Skullcap made some kind of smacking noise that Maker assumed was an indication of disapproval. “If I may not retrieve it myself, then I must insist that you fetch my property.”

  “Such is not allowed,” stated the smoke. “If you were to find it damaged or impaired in some way after delivery, we would be accountable.”

  “I will absolve you of all potential liability,” the insectoid declared.

  “That is most kind of you and not unexpected, but we still cannot comply.”

  Suddenly indignant, Skullcap hissed, “You would deny the Vacra K’nsl? Despite a personal guarantee of absolution?”

  There was no immediate reply from the smoke in the tube, which was odd, as the lights inside it were twinkling almost spasmodically. Maker got the impression that it was conversing with someone – presumably a superior.

  After what seemed like forever, but was probably no more than thirty seconds, the smoke said, “Your request is most irregular, but we will comply. Please make yourself comfortable and we will deliver your property.”

  “Many thanks,” Skullcap grumbled in a somewhat exasperated tone. Turning to face his three companions, he said, “Apparently we will have to wait for the tracker to be delivered to us.”

  With that, he stepped away from the tube of sentient smoke.

  Chapter 53

  They ended up taking positions by one of the glass window-walls. Skullcap was at one end of their troop, with Maker next to him. In the middle was Browing and then Fierce, with Erlen on the end next to the Augman. (Typically, Maker would have had the Niotan next to him, but again, he didn’t want him in close proximity to Skullcap.)

  “So,” Maker said to the insectoid, “I thought I heard you use a certain term several times today: the Vacra Counsel?”

  “You have a good ear,” Skullcap stated, surprising Maker with the compliment. “The Vacra K’nsl,” he continued, correcting Maker’s pronunciation, “is a title. You would equate it to nobility or gentry.”

  “So you’re a Vacran noble?”

  “We do not express it as such, and it is actually a station of appointment rather than birth.”

  “Ahhh,” Maker droned. “You were selected for that particular position.”

  “Yes.”

  “But it obviously has some meaning to outside species as well.”

  “In this particular region of space, it means I speak for Vacra.”

  Maker frowned. “You mean the Vacra as a race? All of them?”

  “Yes,” Skullcap said flatly.

  Maker felt a long series of questions starting to form in his brain, but before he could ask any of them, the ground suddenly shook as a violent tremor passed through it. At the same time, a familiar booming sound reached his ears, which he recognized immediately.

  “What the hell?” muttered Browing as their entire group turned almost in unison towards the exterior glass wall.

  “Explosion,” Maker announced. “Minor – two, maybe three blocks away.”

  The sound had come from somewhere outside, and he swiftly scanned the area, ignoring the myriad beings around them making sounds he interpreted as gasps of fright and surprise. At the same time, he kept an eye on Skullcap, mindful of the fact that this could be some kind of diversion or trap.

  The insectoid, however, seemed as surprised as everyone else. He, like the others in their group, was staring outside, trying to pinpoint the source of the explosion.

  After a moment, Maker saw it.

  “There,” he declared, pointing to area where a dark column of smoke was billowing up between two high-rises.

  “I should go see if anyone needs help,” Fierce said.

  “Negatory,” Maker stated in response.

  Fierce stared at him for a moment as if he hadn’t heard him, then muttered, “Excuse me?”

  “Hold your position,” Maker ordered. “We’re here for a specific purpose, which is to get this tracking device, and then we leave.”

  Fierce glanced again in the direction of the column of smoke and then back at Maker. “I have to go, Lieutenant. My Hippocratic Oath–”

  “Applies only to human beings,” Maker interjected, cutting him off. “Look around, Doctor. Have you seen a single race or species that you recognize here? Or know how to treat? For all we know, that column of smoke is no different than the one our Vacra friend spoke to a few minutes ago in the tube. If it is someone in need of medical attention, you’re more likely to harm than help them. I know it goes against your training and your oath, but you need to stand down.”

  Fierce looked as though he had more to say, but instead simply crossed his arms defiantly. He clearly didn’t care for Maker’s orders, but at the same time seemed to acknowledge his commanding officer’s logic.

  “Pardon,” said a slightly high voice, sounding unexpectedly close behind them.

  Maker spun to his rear (as did everyone else), and found himself staring at what appeared to be a large assortment of multi-colored plastic balls. They varied in size from roughly three to six inches in diameter, and collectively rose to a height of about four feet.

  The cluster of bal
ls actually stood closest to Skullcap, and as Maker watched, it extended limbs toward the insectoid that appeared to be little more than triangular-shaped flags made of cloth. Gripped in the ends of those limbs was an object that looked like a metallic pyramid with frosted glass in the shape of a rope coiled around it from top to bottom.

  “Your property,” said the ball-cluster to Skullcap, presenting the pyramid to the Vacran.

  Maker quickly reached out and lifted the pyramid from the ball-being, saying, “I’ll take that.” No way was he letting Skullcap get his hands on something that, for all he knew, might be a weapon.

  As Maker tucked the pyramid securely under one arm, the ball-cluster emitted something akin to a squeaking sound, then began to tremble all over in an odd fashion, as if it were experiencing its own personal earthquake.

  “All is fine,” Skullcap stressed to the ball-being. “My companion has merely offered to carry the item for me.”

  The balls suddenly ceased their trembling. A moment later, it said, “Thank you for clarifying. Does this conclude your business?”

  “It does,” the insectoid confirmed. Turning to his human companions, he simply stated, “Come.” He then headed towards the exit.

  With little choice, Maker and the others quickly followed.

  Once outside, they began going back the way they’d come, essentially retracing their steps. They also moved in the same formation as they had previously, with Skullcap walking point, followed by Browing and Fierce, while Erlen and Maker brought up the rear. It was a configuration that Maker felt offered the most protection: if the insectoid tried anything, the Augman’s reflexes and strength should be enough to offset any hazards, and Maker himself would deal with any threats from the rear. That said, there were so many people around them (and in such close proximity), that warding off an attack would probably prove difficult.

  They had only been walking a few moments, however, when Maker sensed a commotion up ahead of them. Almost immediately, he identified the issue: someone hurriedly making their way through the crowd, forcefully pushing and shoving aside anyone in their path. To his dismay, he suddenly realized a few seconds later that the individual causing the furor was Diviana.