“Yes,” Skullcap replied. “But in addition to my inappropriate attire, it was also noted that one of you had your weapon drawn almost the entire time you were here.”
Planck sighed. “That would be me, but to be honest, I must have done it subconsciously. I was barely aware of it until the attack happened.”
“Regardless,” Skullcap intoned, “it was interpreted as an intent to do me harm, because allies would not need to have their firearms in hand. There was also the fact that I told them you were here to collect your property.”
Maker scratched his temple for a moment. “Is that what you were saying when you were chatting unintelligibly with the prior commander?”
Skullcap gave something like a nod. “It is an ancient Vacran dialect that is generally only used for ceremonial purposes. After the formal assumption of command, I inadvertently continued communicating in that manner, but I essentially conveyed why you were here. Considering all the safeguards we have in place concerning those items – and bearing all the other facts in mind – it is not surprising that several Vacra on this vessel grew suspicious.”
“So all in all, your people thought you were in danger and mounted an impromptu rescue,” Adames concluded.
“In essence,” Skullcap confirmed. “A number of them were waiting when we rounded that last corner, and they shoved me to the rear of their group before I realized what was happening. After the skirmish began, I had difficulty asserting control of the situation, although I eventually got them to stand down – but not without having to take certain action.”
He glanced at Maker as he made the last statement, but provided no further comment.
“Bearing everything in mind, it seems we’re lucky the Vacra seem to have an aversion to firearms,” Snick chimed in. “Otherwise we’d likely be dead.”
“It wasn’t aversion,” Skullcap assured him. “The design of the corridor increased the odds of friendly fire incidents – especially since there were so many of us and so few of you.”
“I think I follow,” Adames said. “The corridor being in the shape of an L meant there was a danger of ricochets – especially with Vacra coming from both directions – so your people vetoed firearms.”
“Precisely,” the insectoid confirmed. “But I should have discerned what was happening – what they were likely to do.”
“Didn’t they realize that a bunch of them were likely to get killed?” queried Adames.
“Yes,” Skullcap answered. “But Vacra do not place as much emphasis on individuality and personal safety as humans. It is the group – the hive – that matters.”
“And apparently the hive leaders,” Maker remarked.
“That is correct,” the insectoid stated. “On my part, however, I could not allow harm to come to any of you. Your presence here was at my behest, so I was responsible for your safety and required to ensure it above all else – even my own life or those of other Vacra.”
Maker let out a snort of derision. “You’re laying it on kind of thick, aren’t you?”
Skullcap stared at him for a moment, and then said, “I’m not sure I understand.”
“Forget it,” Maker muttered, shaking his head. “But if your people didn’t care about their own survival, why does a little friendly fire matter?”
“They wanted to avoid the likelihood hitting me,” the insectoid replied. “More importantly, we are at a juncture in my people’s history where it is anathema for one Vacra to take the life of another.”
Maker frowned at this statement, as – if Skullcap were to be believed – it was apparently a core tenet that the Vacra leader had violated when he saved Maker’s life. In short, it raised all kinds of questions, but Maker decided not to dwell on it at the moment.
“So what happens now?” he asked.
“I had to spend some time making sure the prior incident would not be repeated, which is why I placed you here,” Skullcap explained. “However, everyone on this vessel is now cognizant of the fact that you are here as honored guests and any treatment given to you that is less than respectful will be dealt with harshly. With that understanding, I can now escort you to the goods you were promised.”
Despite what he’d heard, Maker still wasn’t sure he could trust the Vacran. However, they really didn’t have much choice at this point. Even if they decided to abandon the mission, he’d still be taking Skullcap’s word that they’d reach the shuttle alive.
“All right,” he finally said. “Let’s go.”
Chapter 71
Shockingly, Skullcap was as good as his word. Upon leaving the cabin, he led the human quartet to a massive cargo hold packed with a vast array of tech and equipment, most of which Maker couldn’t even classify. In fact, the only person even slightly capable of slapping a label on anything they were seeing was Planck, who – as soon as he laid eyes on the articles around them – became as giddy as a child on Christmas Day.
“I remember this!” he screeched, running up to a device that resembled a metal wagon wheel with a grenade for a hub. “And there’s the Poseidic Exsiccator that fool Harris was always working on! And that’s–”
“We appreciate the stroll down memory lane, Planck,” interjected Maker, “but we really have a job to do here.”
“Of course, of course,” Planck murmured. “I’m sorry for getting distracted. It’s just that, seeing all this…”
“I know,” Maker said as the scientist trailed off.
“Anyway, I should get started,” Planck remarked. “There’ll be time to reminisce later.”
Skullcap made an odd noise, drawing everyone’s attention. “If you have no further need of me, I will give you privacy to inspect your property. When ready, you may contact me with this.”
As he finished speaking, he handed what appeared to be a palm-sized voice communicator to Maker, then turned and walked away.
***
It took Planck about an hour to go through the items in the cargo hold. While he was busy cataloging, the three Marines basically patrolled the area. In all honesty, Maker didn’t think another attack was likely, but he had no intention of getting caught with his guard down. Eventually, Planck called the three soldiers together and announced that he’d reached a conclusion.
“I haven’t seen everything, of course,” he reported to Maker and the others, “but from what I can gather, most – if not all – of the tech taken from us is here. However, I won’t be able to do a full accounting until we get back home.”
Maker nodded. “Fair enough. Let’s tell Skullcap we’re satisfied, get back to the Nova, and tell the cruiser captains they can start sending transports for this stuff.”
“No,” muttered Planck.
Maker looked at him in surprise. “Excuse me?”
“I’m sorry,” the scientist apologized. “What I meant to say was that I think I need to stay and make sure everything gets safely loaded. Some of the items here can be dangerous if not properly handled.”
There was silence for a moment, and then Adames said, “That plan sounds like it needs to be fleshed out a little more. You do realize you’re talking about staying here, by yourself, with a ship full of Vacra soldiers, right?”
Planck nodded. “I do, but it will give me time to catalog more of what’s here, so I’ll have less to do later.”
“That does sound like an efficient use of time,” Snick chimed in, “but not the wisest course of action considering the recent hospitality we received here.”
“Skullcap’s addressed that,” Planck noted.
“Allegedly,” clarified Adames. “Moreover…”
Maker turned away as the two Marines continued trying to change Planck’s mind. He spent a moment staring at the communicator (and hoping it wasn’t some type of bomb) and then activated the device.
“Hello?” he muttered, speaking into the device. “Anyone there?”
“Yes,” came the immediate response. As Maker had expected, it was Skullcap speaking.
“We’re d
one with our initial assessment,” Maker informed him. “We’re ready to start moving this stuff out.”
“Very well,” the insectoid said. “I will join you momentarily.” He then broke the connection.
Having concluded his conversation with the Vacran, Maker turned back to his companions, where Planck was still adamantly standing his ground.
“It’s fine,” Maker blurted out, interrupting a point Adames was trying to make. “Planck, you can stay.”
Adames frowned, obviously concerned. “Gant, are you sure–”
“Not really,” Maker admitted, cutting off his NCO. “But if he wants to stay, I’m not going to force him back.”
Planck had trouble hiding his surprise. “Really?”
“Yeah,” Maker assured him. “Just try not to get killed.”
“I’ll do my best,” Planck said with a smile.
He looked as though he wanted to say more, but at that juncture, Skullcap walked in.
“We’re ready,” Maker announced before the insectoid could say a word. “Planck, however, will remain here to continue taking a tally of what’s present.”
Skullcap gave Planck a momentary glance and then uttered, “That is acceptable. I will make sure all know he is to remain undisturbed.”
With that, he turned to leave, and was quickly followed by Adames and Snick.
Maker, taking the opportunity to address Planck one last time confidentially, said, “You’ve got your p-comp. If you get the slightest indication of trouble – even just a feeling – let me know and we’ll double-time it back here.”
“I’m in a cargo bay full of illegal weapons and banned tech,” Planck replied with a grin. “I think I’ll be okay. And if necessary, I’ve still got my gun.”
Maker raised an eyebrow skeptically. “I thought you weren’t keen on using guns to solve issues.”
“I was talking about mental issues,” he corrected. “But to be honest, I’ve reassessed.”
“Oh?” muttered Maker in surprise.
Planck nodded. “Yes – when we were trapped in that hallway, I actually found firing your gun to be quite therapeutic.”
Chapter 72
Other than a long, hot shower after returning to their ship, the next few hours were fairly uneventful from Maker’s point of view. There was hectic activity with respect to the cruisers (which had a constant team of transports ferrying items from the Vacra warship), but the Nova was pretty much idle.
Despite having little to do, Maker chose to spend his time on the bridge and kept the crew on high alert. (Skullcap, who had willingly come back on the shuttle from the Vacra warship, was once again confined to quarters.) This was undoubtedly the most important part of the mission – retrieving the stolen tech. In truth, it was the underlying reason why he and his team had been assembled in the first place. It was why he’d volunteered to escort Skullcap home. It’s why they were currently putzing around in the middle of nowhere.
Thankfully, nothing untoward happened with respect to the loading and unloading of the sub rosa tech. It all seemed to go as smoothly and efficiently as possible, although Planck proved to be a bit of a micromanager. (He even traveled back and forth on the transports a couple of times to make sure that the off-loading was occurring in accordance with his instructions.) In fact, rather than come back immediately to the Nova after the final bit of cargo was placed on the last transport, the scientist went with it to one of the cruisers, determined to make one final inspection.
To a certain extent, Maker sympathized with Planck. The sub rosa tech represented his life’s work. He had been captured and held prisoner by the Vacra because of those items. Getting them back was another form of redemption for him. Thus, when the man asked for time to do one final walk-through, Maker saw no reason to deny him. That said, he didn’t like the idea of a Vacra warship just sitting idly off their bow.
Seeking a solution to the problem, he went to see their guest. Surprisingly, Skullcap appeared to be expecting him.
“I take it the transfer of your property is complete?” the insectoid queried as soon as Maker entered.
Maker nodded. “Yes, we’ve finally transported everything to our cruisers. Thanks for your cooperation.”
“Excellent. So this means you will escort me to the Vacra homeworld now?”
“That’s an option,” Maker said. “Of course, assuming certain safeguards can be put in place, you can just go back with your own people.”
Skullcap made a bizarre chirping sound, which Maker, of course, couldn’t interpret. However, he got the distinct impression that the thought of returning home on the warship had never occurred to the insectoid.
“Thank you for the offer,” Skullcap remarked a moment later, “but I think your superiors were desirous that you and your companions receive a formal introduction to my people.”
“That’s fine, but I have no objection to you making the journey on your warship if you would be more comfortable in that environment.”
“Again, your sentiment is to be commended, but I will complete this journey as I began it – with your retinue.”
Maker shrugged. “Fine by me. So if you’re certain about that, the next step is to give your friends their marching orders.”
***
Skullcap stood on the bridge of the Nova, talking to the prior commander of the Vacra warship via the monitor. In essence, he stated in clear and unequivocal terms that the other vessel was to return to their homeworld and that he – accompanied by his new “allies” (Maker almost winced at the word) – would follow shortly thereafter. The warship commander appeared hesitant for a moment, but agreed to comply before breaking the connection.
“Last chance,” Maker said to the Vacran. “You can still change your mind and catch a ride with your people. The warship commander sure looked like he’d prefer that.”
Maker’s comment garnered him an odd look from Browing, who was also on the bridge. (In fact, everyone was present except for Planck and Fierce, who was in the medical bay, as usual.) Thankfully, regardless of what he was thinking, Browing kept his thoughts to himself. His expression, however, was one that Maker had become familiar with, and he knew the man would seek him out later.
“Once again, that is gracious of you,” Skullcap noted, “but I feel I should remain in your company for now.”
Maker merely nodded in agreement. A few minutes later, as he watched on the bridge monitor, the Vacra warship vanished as it jumped to hyperspace.
Chapter 73
Maker found himself filled with conflicting emotions as he escorted Skullcap back to his cabin. On the one hand, he was almost exuberant at the fact that part of the mission was essentially over. On the other hand, he couldn’t help worrying to a certain extent about what lay ahead. With that in mind, he thought it best to have a short talk with the insectoid. Ergo, when they reached the Vacran’s quarters, Maker went in with him.
“Okay,” Maker began once they were inside, “I’d like to avoid a replay of what happened on your warship. Therefore, against my better judgment, I’m going to allow you to wear your battle armor when we take you home.”
“That would be prudent,” Skullcap agreed, “although you have my word that there will be no repetition of the prior incident.”
“Thanks, but in all honesty, I’m not sure what your word is worth.”
“Given what has happened, that is not an inappropriate comment, but I am confident that time will reveal that I’m being candid.”
“I won’t hold my breath,” Maker said, walking towards the door. “I’ll let you know when we’ve reassembled your battle suit.”
He heard the insectoid mutter a “Thank you” as he exited – and found himself immediately confronted by Browing.
“So what exactly are you up to?” Browing seemed to demand.
Maker didn’t even try to disguise his confusion. “What do you mean?”
“Back on the bridge, you offered to let Skullcap go back home on the Vacra warship. Why?�
�
“Because I knew he wouldn’t do it, although it felt good to get confirmation.”
“How could you know that?”
“Because he saved my life.”
Browing frowned. “I heard about that, but I’m not sure how it ties into him wanting to stay on the Nova.”
“Initially, I wasn’t thinking about that part – him staying on the Nova, that is. What I focused on at first was the question of why he’d save me – any of us, to be honest – especially after he indicated that one Vacra killing another is abominable. As a matter of fact, while Planck was doing his initial inspection of the sub rosa tech, that’s all I could think about.”
“Maybe he was just adopting the hallmarks of a good host, one of which is that you don’t let your guests get killed.”
“No,” Maker insisted, shaking his head. “I mean, he clearly didn’t want us dead, but it wasn’t until he came back with us on the shuttle that I realized the reason, which Skullcap just corroborated when he said he’d remain here instead of hitching a ride back with his fellow Vacra.”
“Okay, I’ll bite: what’s the reason?”
“He needs us,” Maker declared.
Chapter 74
From Maker’s perspective, Browing looked like he wanted to laugh at that last comment.
“What do you mean, ‘He needs us’?” Browing asked.
“Exactly what I said,” Maker answered. “He. Needs. Us.”
“But why?”
Maker shook his head. “I don’t know, but one thing’s for sure: he’s sticking close until he gets whatever it is he’s after.”
Browing rubbed his chin in thought for a moment. “Do you think this is another play for Erlen?”
“I thought about that – how this could possibly be a setup – but it just doesn’t feel like it. I’m just not getting that vibe. But more telling is the fact that Erlen himself hasn’t tried to claw Skullcap’s face off.”
“Seeing as he wanted to kill me when we first met, I’m not sure your Niotan friend is the best judge of character.”
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