Ignotus

by Kevin Hardman

  Ultimately, despite a few misgivings, he settled on Loyola and Snick, who were the best shooter and hand-to-hand combatant, respectively, in their unit. If things went south for some reason on Ignotus, having those two on hand would give the ground team the best odds of coming back alive, if not unscathed. As to the Nova, Maker felt there was greater flexibility in keeping the ship in open space, although – once he was gone – Adames would use his best judgment, as circumstances demanded.

  With those issues settled, Maker let out a mental sigh.

  Time to get this show on the road, he thought.

  Chapter 88

  Snick and Loyola had very different reactions to being told they’d join the team going planet-side; the former was stoic (which was not unusual), while the latter was practically giddy. While those two went to prepare for departure, Maker decided to have one final conversation with Skullcap, who had been on the bridge since the Nova’s exit from hyperspace.

  After marching the insectoid to the conference room, he wasted no time getting to the point.

  “Just to be clear,” he said, “we’re not handing over our weapons when we get to the planet.”

  “I had not expected you to do so,” Skullcap replied. “The Synod will consider it unorthodox, but will allow it.”

  “That’s the second time I’ve heard that term – Synod. What is that exactly?”

  “They are what you would term our ruling body – a council that governs the Vacra.”

  Maker blinked in surprise. “That’s interesting. I would have thought you guys had a queen or something.”

  Skullcap’s head moved in an odd fashion, as if Maker had just said something shocking.

  “Actually, we have an empress,” he finally stated, “but the issue is…complicated.”

  “Well, we promise not to get involved in your internal politics,” Maker said. “We’ll drop you off, let you make formal introductions, and then take our leave.”

  “I appreciate your desire for brevity,” the insectoid remarked, “but events may have to proceed at a slower pace than you project.”

  Maker crossed his arms. “Oh, really?”

  “Yes. First, there is a ceremony in relation to my arrival, although I promise it will not be lengthy. Next, you and the other humans will be formally introduced to the Synod. Following this, I had planned to take the Senu Lia, and–”

  “Stop,” Maker interjected forcefully. “I thought we had an understanding regarding Erlen, but I’m happy to make it clear. You aren’t taking him anywhere. In fact, he’s not even going planet-side.”

  “I understand your desire to protect him, but if I may be allowed to finish my thought?”

  “By all means,” Maker said. “Go ahead.”

  “I was going to state that I had planned to take the Senu Lia to the Senu G’Rung.”

  “Which is what, exactly?”

  “The place of his ancestors. Or at least, his people.”

  Maker merely stared at him for a moment, intrigued, before asking, “What are you talking about?”

  Skullcap appeared to reflect for a moment, then answered, saying, “You may recall during our previous encounter my mentioning that the Senu Lia were treasured by my people.”

  Maker nodded, reflecting on how the insectoid had, at the time, called possession of Erlen a mark of divine favor.

  “I did not lie. The Senu Lia were the companions of Vacra royalty for generations on end. They were treated with great honor and respect, and lived among us in the Senu G’Rung – an area in one of the royal palaces dedicated as their residence.”

  “And you want to take Erlen there,” Maker summed up.

  “Yes,” Skullcap admitted. “With his unique gifts, there is much of his history he could learn there.”

  Maker stood there in stunned disbelief for a moment. Erlen had been entrusted to him by the indigenous race of a distant world. Thus, much of the Niotan’s past was a mystery to him, and it galled Maker to admit that the Vacra knew more about his alien companion than he did. However, if Skullcap was telling the truth, there was an incredible opportunity here. With his abilities, how much could Erlen learn if he came across anything from another of his species? A hair, a flake of skin, a spoor? Any of it might contain a treasure trove of information about Erlen’s origins. He didn’t think he could deny the Niotan that chance.

  “I’ll think about bringing him along,” Maker finally said, not wanting to give Skullcap the satisfaction of being right in any way, manner, or form.

  Chapter 89

  In almost no time at all, the group that was leaving for Ignotus was ready to depart. Against his better judgment, Maker was bringing Erlen along, although he planned to keep a close eye on the Niotan. In fact, Erlen was with him at present, waiting outside the shuttle for the last passenger – Browing – to arrive. (Skullcap, Snick, and Loyola were already aboard, with the insectoid basically under guard of the two Marines.)

  Fortunately, Browing didn’t keep them waiting long. Decked out in what appeared to be a tailor-made suit, he showed up a few moments later carrying an attaché case and accompanied by Dr. Chantrey.

  “About time,” Maker muttered. “I was on the verge of leaving you.”

  “In that case, thanks for waiting,” Browing replied.

  “What’s in the bag?” Maker asked, gesturing towards the attaché case.

  “Just a few tokens of mankind’s esteem,” Browing answered. “Gifts for our new friends. What’s in yours?”

  As he spoke, he motioned towards a small rucksack that Maker was holding by its straps in one hand.

  “Food,” Maker replied casually. “I don’t expect us to be down there for long, but if we’re still there at mealtime I want something my stomach can digest as opposed to an alien version of honey that some insectoid just regurgitated.”

  “Now there’s an image to help me sleep at night,” Browing muttered. “Thanks.”

  With that, he entered the shuttle while Maker turned his attention to Chantrey.

  “So,” he droned with a smile, “come to see me off?”

  “Only if ‘see you off’ means sitting next to you on the shuttle,” she quipped.

  “Huh?” he murmured.

  “I’m coming with you,” she explained. “Browing says he can use my behavioral expertise in dealing with the Vacra.”

  Maker groaned in agitation. “Or more likely, he tore a page out of Lafayette’s book, and wants you along to keep me from doing anything crazy.”

  “Possibly,” she agreed.

  “Well, did you tell him what you told me – that an entomologist would be better?”

  “Yes, but like you, he noted that I’m as good as he can get at the moment.”

  Feeling vexed, Maker shook his head in agitation for a moment, and then said, “Fine. Just try not to get killed.”

  “Do I have to?” she droned sarcastically. “Getting killed is in this season. All the cool kids are doing it.”

  Maker simply stared at her for a moment and then declared, “You’re not funny,” as Chantrey started snickering. “Did you at least bring a weapon?”

  “No,” Chantrey answered, still smiling. “But I see you brought yours.” She then gestured towards his service weapon, currently holstered on his hip.

  “Well, just see Loyola,” Maker said. “She lugged aboard a sack full of goodies, so she’s bound to have an extra gun or two she can spare.”

  “Got it,” Chantrey said. “See you inside.”

  She then went into the shuttle without waiting to see if Maker had additional comments. Following her lead, he went inside and closed the shuttle door.

  Chapter 90

  Other than the cockpit where Snick (who was piloting) sat, there were no windows on the shuttle. Thus, Maker had to content himself with linking his p-comp to the craft’s exterior cameras and watch their approach to Ignotus that way. That said, the shuttle ride down to the planet was practically a non-event, with nothing occurring to rouse his sus
picions.

  Ignotus itself first appeared as a blue-brown bauble floating in the void. From orbital height, Maker could discern what appeared to be two major continents and several large oceans. However, despite the presence of large bodies of water, he got the impression that most of the land masses were arid.

  As they entered the planet’s atmosphere, features of the surface began to come into greater focus – mountains, canyons, valleys, and so on. In a similar vein, cities began to take shape as well, and within minutes Maker was seeing what he had generally grown accustomed to when visiting the homeworld of a spacefaring species: numerous cities merged into one giant megalopolis, stretching from one edge of the horizon to the other and covered with monumental skyscrapers, the sky above it thick with aircars and hovercraft.

  Needless to say, the architecture deviated in various ways from what Maker was familiar with. Most notable was the fact that the buildings seemed to be constructed in conformity with a hexagonal design rather than squares or rectangles.

  Following Skullcap’s directions, Snick eventually set the shuttle down on a landing pad atop what appeared to be the largest skyscraper in the vicinity. The rooftop itself was the size of a stadium, and Maker couldn’t help but notice quite a few Vacra nearby carrying weapons.

  Guards, he thought.

  For a brief moment, Maker wondered if a trap of some sort was about to be sprung, but then found himself surprised by the fact that the shuttle still seemed to be moving downward. A second later, he realized what was happening: the entire landing pad, shuttle and all, was descending into the building.

  Turning off his p-comp, Maker asked, “Okay, what’s going on?”

  “We have arrived at the royal palace,” Skullcap replied.

  “So, I guess we get to meet the queen now,” Maker remarked. However, the words had barely passed his lips before Skullcap jerk his head about in something like a double-take and simply stared at him.

  “I mean empress,” Maker clarified. “Didn’t mean to offend.”

  The insectoid simply stood there, staring at him and not saying anything. A moment later, the shuttle’s descent came to a halt, seemingly breaking whatever spell the Vacran was under.

  “We should go,” Skullcap practically ordered. “The Synod awaits.”

  Chapter 91

  Like the air on the Vacra warship, the atmosphere on Ignotus was breathable by humans. However, nose filters – which Maker and his fellows quickly utilized before disembarking – would eliminate any unnecessary discomfort.

  As they exited the shuttle, they were met by a single Vacra wearing what looked like a purple robe and sporting a necklace with an odd amulet on it.

  “Greetings, Commander,” the robed Vacra said to Skullcap, who stood at the fore of the group leaving the shuttle.

  “Greetings, Klafrn,” Skullcap droned in return. He was now wearing his battle armor, including the helmet with the skull on top. Coupled with the skulls decorating his breastplate, he now looked every bit the intimidating enemy Maker had battled on multiple occasions.

  “Where are they?” Skullcap continued.

  “The Synod await you in the Chamber of Egg-Flame,” the new insectoid replied. “And needless to say, I am at your service.”

  “Excellent,” Skullcap remarked. He then turned to Maker and the others. “This is Klafrn” – he gestured at the robed Vacra – “who has been blessed with the gift of tongues. Because some of the ceremony may occur in an unfamiliar dialect, Klafrn will be on hand to elucidate should you need greater detail about anything said.”

  Without waiting for a reply, Skullcap turned and began marching away. With little choice, Maker and the others followed.

  ***

  They spent about ten minutes marching through the palace – traipsing through expansive hallways and corridors, as well as what Maker took to be antechambers, staterooms, and more. While Skullcap strode stoically in the vanguard of their group, staying silent the entire time, Klafrn played the role of effervescent tour guide, enthusiastically pointing out various items of interest, from rich tapestries to objets d’art.

  Maker noted in a detached manner the finery around them as they walked and the wealth it represented. His focus, however, was twofold: first, making sure they weren’t being led into an ambush, and trying to remember their route in case they had to find (or fight) their way back. (Erlen, on the other hand, seemingly unconcerned about death possibly waiting around the next corner, ran around like a kid in a candy store, tasting everything in sight.)

  Eventually Skullcap led them to a broad door which, due to its hexagonal shape, actually put Maker in mind of a bank vault. There were two guards – one on either side of the door – when they approached, but neither moved to stop the group. In fact, the door seemed to swing open of its own accord as they drew near, clearly indicating that they were expected.

  Upon stepping through the doorway, Maker saw that they had entered a vast chamber that was hexagonal in shape, with a diameter of about a hundred yards. Magnificent columns stood at each angle of the hexagon, rising up to an intricately decorated domed ceiling that was about three stories in height. Although he couldn’t identify the material, the floor and walls seemed to be made of some exotic natural stone that Maker sensed was exorbitantly expensive. And, as in other parts of the palace, he saw what he assumed were high-end works of art placed geometrically around the room.

  All in all, the chamber radiated opulence, and Maker assumed that it was probably the site of much pomp and circumstance – a room where solemn and momentous ceremonies took place. Even the ever-garrulous Klafrn had gone silent, a sure sign of the room’s reverential status. (He might also have been quieted by the presence of about a dozen guards posted strategically around the room and who – in Maker’s eyes – looked as though they might fire at the slightest sound.)

  Unsurprisingly, Skullcap barely paused after entering the chamber. He was clearly on a mission, and quickly resumed striding purposefully towards the far side of the room where – Maker now realized – about a dozen Vacra were seated in ornate, high-backed chairs. For a moment, he wondered how they actually sat given how their bodies were constructed, but as his group drew closer he saw that a portion at the back of the chairs appeared to have been cut away, allowing room for their abdomens.

  With that thought, it occurred to Maker that they hadn’t made any such accommodation for Skullcap. In fact, he suddenly realized that his archenemy might have spent every moment of the last few weeks on his feet. He had no idea if that was abnormal for a Vacra, but it struck him as cruel, to a certain extent. However, he had no more time to dwell on the subject because at that moment, Skullcap came to a sudden halt. Maker was confused for a second, then became cognizant of the fact that they now stood only about twenty feet from the Vacra who were seated. He had been so lost in thought that he hadn’t even grasped that they had crossed to the other side of the room.

  Movement out of the corner of his eye caught Maker’s attention. Turning in that direction, he saw another Vacra nearby walking towards Skullcap. Maker frowned, angry with himself for being so distracted that he hadn’t even noticed another possible combatant in the room. This new insectoid wore a single-piece garment made of some type of shimmering material, and from the way it moved (along with the difference in its figure compared to Skullcap’s), Maker assumed it was a female – a fact he felt was confirmed after it spoke.

  “On behalf of myself and the Synod,” the new Vacra said, speaking joyfully and gesturing towards those seated, “welcome home, Commander Vuqja. We had feared you dead.”

  “Fortunately, Brzaka, my death is not yet foretold,” Skullcap replied in a somewhat ardent tone. “As you might guess, I have come to fulfill my obligation.”

  “And claim your reward, of course,” Brzaka added (with what Maker thought was a smile).

  “If such is allowed,” Skullcap intoned. “But as you can see” – he gestured toward Maker’s group – “I have fulfilled my vow
. The Senu Lia and the Virkbaden are before you.”

  Alarm bells started going off in Maker’s brain. What he was hearing didn’t at all sound like the kind of formal introduction Skullcap had previously indicated he would make. It sounded ominous as hell. He gave Loyola and Snick a hand signal that basically said, Be ready. The two Marines gave him subtle nods of acknowledgment in response.

  “Hey!” Maker hissed at Klafrn. “That word he used – Virkraken – what does it mean?”

  “Virkbaden,” Klafrn corrected, now looking a little nervous. “It translates loosely as ‘Great Slayer,’ or words to that effect.”

  “Slayer?” Maker repeated, frowning.

  “Yes,” Klafrn said. “It is acknowledgment that many Vacra have died at your hands.”

  Maker wanted to ask for more detail, but thought it was important to listen as Brzaka started speaking again.

  “This is not the status under which they were expected,” she stated.

  “Status was never discussed,” Skullcap insisted. “Only their presence. Thus, I fulfilled my part of the bargain.”

  Brzaka stared at him for a moment, then said, “The Synod will discuss.”

  At that juncture, Maker expected her to go report to the Vacra who were seated, who would then…what? Huddle up, maybe? What Brzaka actually did, however, was turn her head to the side, and then appeared to stare off into the distance.

  “What’s going on?” Browing asked Klafrn.

  “Brzaka has the gift of mindspeak,” the insectoid responded. “She communes mentally with the Synod.”

  “She reads minds?!” Maker blurted out, slightly startled. The Vacra had used psychics before, but it had completely slipped Maker’s mind. If Brzaka could indeed hear his thoughts…

  “Her talent does not work on other species,” Klafrn assured him, causing Maker to let out a sigh of relief. “And her skill is not really reading minds, but allowing others to conference mentally. And since, by tradition, the Synod seldom speak directly to anyone, someone with her gift is highly prized by them.”