Ignotus

by Kevin Hardman

  “I remember that,” Maker said.

  “In essence, he had the collar do almost everything possible to her: emit electric shocks, inject toxins, and so on. Our medics who examined her body think that her heart ruptured and most of her organs shut down almost immediately.”

  “Geez!” Maker uttered. “It’s a miracle she didn’t die on the spot.”

  “Indeed, she should have, but the fact that she didn’t seem to feel anything allowed her to keep going – at least for a while.”

  “I’m not sure it means much, but I’m glad to hear she wasn’t in pain.”

  “Thank you for the sentiment,” Skullcap said. “Truth be told, however, I think she had been ready to die for a while. She only held on long enough to die free.”

  Maker frowned. “How’s that?”

  “Shortly after our last conversation with you, the threats from the flagship ceased,” he stated. “That is, we heard what sounded like wails of anguish, and then nothing. I assumed that, whatever had happened, it was your doing. As soon as the vessel was ready, we left, and almost the moment we were clear of the flagship, the empress died. Thus, she died free – not as a captive, and in the company of another Vacra.”

  “What will happen to you now?” Maker asked. “The Vacra people, that is.”

  “At the moment, we are once again in open warfare with the P’ngrawen. It was inevitable, given what happened to the empress, so it was only fitting that the current conflict begin with her liberation.”

  Maker simply nodded at this, understanding what Skullcap was referencing. The engine explosion on Badukst’s flagship had been a signal to attack the P’ngrawen vessels escorting him. Vacra warships had been standing by, and had immediately gone on the offensive.

  “How did we do in that regard?” inquired Maker.

  “One of the escorts was blown apart,” Skullcap responded. “The other, recognizing that they were severely outmatched, jumped to hyperspace in a severely damaged condition. Needless to say, having those ships preoccupied during our flight greatly increased our odds of escape.”

  “And Badukst?”

  “He will be tried for his crimes, but it is a foregone conclusion that he will be found guilty and sentenced to death. He, of course, is fully aware of what lies in store for him, and is arguing that he can be useful in ending hostilities.”

  “Will you take him up on that?”

  “He has doomed the Vacra to extinction. For that, many feel the need to exterminate the P’ngrawen – an eye for an eye, in your parlance.”

  “And how do you feel?”

  Skullcap made the odd sound that Maker had started interpreting as a Vacra version of a sigh.

  “I have done so much trying to save my people,” the insectoid said, “committed so many heinous and abominable acts that it boggles the mind. I’ve done things to make the Vacra as reviled as the P’ngrawen, so that only in a few places – like the region where we retrieved the tracker – does our original reputation remain intact. But I always told myself that it was for a noble purpose, an honorable goal. That a time would come when I could right any wrongs I’d committed. But now, to engage in what is essentially genocide, with no intent other than the complete obliteration of another species? I understand the desire, but the thought disgusts me.”

  “So what will you do?”

  “I don’t know. There is a countdown now to the end of the Vacra, a deathwatch on our species. Bearing that in mind, in truth, I would prefer to spend the time I have remaining not making war, but enjoying the company of those I care about.”

  “Brzaka,” Maker said flatly.

  Skullcap gave him what appeared to be an appraising glance. “Is it so obvious?”

  Maker shrugged. “Not blatantly, but it’s clear the two of you care for each other.”

  “Yes,” Skullcap conceded. “Much like you and your mate.”

  Maker’s eyebrows went up in surprise. “Excuse me?”

  “Chantrey,” the insectoid explained. “She is your woman, is she not?”

  “That’s not quite the terminology I’d use,” Maker said, “but how could you possibly know that?”

  “Your scent changes when she is present. Likewise hers when you are in close proximity.”

  Maker’s brow creased as he considered what he was hearing. Many animals and insects had the ability to detect pheromones (which is what he assumed Skullcap was referring to by “scent”), and quite a few sentient species as well. However, it was something he rarely thought about, so the Vacran’s statement had caught him a little flatfooted.

  “In addition,” the insectoid continued, “there are occasions when your scents are notably intermingled, suggesting–”

  “Okay, that’s enough,” Maker interjected. “You called it – we’re a couple.”

  He was tempted to say more – explain a little about human relationships – but stopped as the sound of someone coming into the room drew his attention. Both he and Skullcap spun towards the entrance as Browing came in, accompanied by Brzaka.

  “You have a visitor,” Browing said to Maker, gesturing towards the female Vacra. “Someone previously reported seeing you in here, so I decided to escort her.”

  Maker nodded in acknowledgment, then frowned as Browing’s words brought something to mind: Skullcap had found his way to the observation lounge by himself. It was an indication that Deadeye, which was supposed to shoot Skullcap if he walked through the ship unaccompanied, was not active. (Later he would learn that Adames, going on the assumption that the Vacra were no longer enemies, had ordered it shut down.)

  “I bring word from the Synod,” Brzaka said as she bent down for a moment to pet Erlen, who had wandered over to her side. Getting a light lick on the hand from the Niotan as a sign of affection, she then stood back up and continued, stating, “The Vacra are grateful for your efforts to rescue our empress. Despite the fact that our behavior towards you and you race – whether forced or not – has been nothing short of atrocious, you still sought to help us in our hour of need, even expressing a willingness to sacrifice yourself in order to do so. It showed us that you and your fellow humans are just as brave and noble as the Vacra. Because of your selflessness and magnanimity towards us, a race that has shown you nothing but malevolence and hostility, we name you our heir.”

  “Your heir?” Maker repeated. “As in, your beneficiary?”

  “Yes,” Brzaka confirmed.

  “This is a great gift,” Browing intoned sincerely. “The human race is grateful that you’d find us worthy of this level of generosity.”

  “No – not the human race,” Brzaka corrected. “Maker. The Vacra name him personally as the heir of all we possess.”

  Maker was stunned, so shocked that his mouth almost fell open.

  “I, uh… I don’t, uhm… I don’t think…” Browing murmured, plainly as astonished as Maker by the announcement. “I don’t think our laws contemplate this kind of assignation – not to an individual.”

  “This is not about your laws,” Brzaka insisted. “This is Vacra canon and decree. Maker is the chosen companion and champion of the Senu Lia. As such, we deem him and only him worthy of this honor.”

  “But there has to be something you can do other than simply accepting extinction,” Maker interjected. “Some way to perpetuate your race. Cloning, perhaps. Or maybe artificial–”

  “No,” Skullcap stated adamantly. “We know that other races embrace such practices and, although we do not judge, we find them abhorrent.”

  “The Zirxen speaks truth,” Brzaka said. “We do not pursue such paths. For us…for us…” She suddenly appeared confused and seemed to sway slightly for a second. “For us, such things are…are…”

  As she trailed off, her head seemed to tilt marginally to one side. At the same time, her body oscillated back and forth for a moment, like someone teetering on a high wire. And then she appeared to faint.

  Somehow, Skullcap managed to get there before her body hit the floor,
catching her in his arms.

  “Let’s get her to sickbay,” Browing said.

  Skullcap didn’t immediately respond. Instead, he stood there with Brzaka in his arms, eyeing her from head to toe, his antennae jiggling wildly the entire time.

  “I have to get her to the homeworld immediately!” he suddenly screamed, and then went racing from the room, clutching Brzaka like she was the most precious thing in the universe.

  Chapter 105

  “Pregnant?” Chantrey intoned, not bothering to hide her surprise.

  “No, not pregnant,” Maker corrected. “Fertile.”

  They were in Maker’s cabin. Chantrey was sitting on the sofa while Maker lay perpendicular to her with his head in her lap. He had been awake for about twelve hours, and Fierce had reluctantly agreed that Maker was well enough to leave sickbay (although the good doctor wouldn’t authorize a return to full duty until at least a day had passed).

  “But she can have babies now,” Chantrey noted.

  “More than that,” Maker said. “According to Skullcap, she’s also producing the enzyme that can create new queens. I guess things will be buzzing in the hive tonight, with the amount of repopulating they have to do.”

  “He shared all that with you? So you guys are like best buds now – chatting about all your hopes and dreams?”

  “Hardly,” Maker countered. “He reached out to apologize for running out the way he did with Brzaka and explain why he did it.”

  “So how did he know what was happening to her?”

  “Apparently, the Vacra have very advanced olfactory organs. He could smell the change in Brzaka’s metabolism.”

  “Hmmm,” Chantrey droned. “I don’t suppose I need to ask what catalyst prompted this metabolic change.”

  As she spoke, she eyed Erlen, who was on the floor a few feet away, playing with a ball.

  Maker shrugged. “I suspect Erlen was able to assimilate the reproductive enzyme from the empress before she died, and then passed it on to Brzaka.”

  Chantrey gave the Niotan a suspicious look. “Do you think you need to have a talk with him about the birds and the bees?”

  “Who, Erlen?” Maker asked.

  “Yeah. All of a sudden, females in his vicinity are becoming remarkably procreant. That’s worrisome.”

  “Are you seriously complaining about Erlen saving a race from extinction?”

  “Well, he did keep you from inheriting the Vacra empire – which prevents me from having the wealthiest sugar daddy in the universe – but I’m not really talking about that. I’m talking about Loyola.”

  “Oh,” Maker muttered. “You know about that.”

  “Yeah. As you once said, it’s not possible to keep secrets on a ship this small.”

  “That was on another ship, which actually was somewhat smaller than this one,” Maker noted. “But I don’t think you have anything to worry about. Erlen knows what is and isn’t appropriate regarding reproduction.”

  “Great, because I’m not eager to have some stupid boy toy be the father of my child.”

  “Excuse me?” Maker said in mock indignation.

  “Not you,” Chantrey insisted. “I meant my other boy toy.”

  “Oh, really?” Maker uttered, sitting up.

  “Don’t pout – I was just joking,” she insisted, putting her arms around his neck and giving him a quick peck. “You’re my only boy toy.”

  She then started giggling merrily, while Maker rolled his eyes. Before he could make a comment, however, a chime sounded, indicating someone was at the door.

  “Saved by the bell,” Maker commented to Chantrey as he headed to the cabin entrance. When he opened the door, he found Wayne standing there.

  “Sorry to disturb you, el-tee,” the young Marine said apologetically, “but this just came in from the naval ship.”

  He handed Maker a metal cube, roughly five inches in height, length, and width. It was completely smooth except for an oval-shaped groove in the center on one side.

  Maker stared at the cube for a moment, then frowned as Wayne’s words sank in. “What naval ship?”

  “Oh, that’s right – you don’t know,” Wayne muttered. “A Space Navy cruiser dropped out of hyperspace about two hours ago. The captain demanded to speak with you immediately, but Adames said you were still convalescing and couldn’t be disturbed. He also ordered the crew not to mention it to you – the naval ship, that is.”

  Maker smiled to himself, thinking that this was the NCO’s way of forcing him to take some downtime. Under normal circumstances, this was the kind of situation where he’d normally assume command again – regardless of doctor’s orders or anything else. In truth, however, he was grateful to Adames for running interference. He’d never admit it out loud, but he was enjoying the respite.

  “Anyway,” Wayne continued, “the cruiser captain sent the cube over. It came with a preeminent security designation, so Adames didn’t have the authority to keep it from you. Also, he said to let you know that we’re on standby.”

  “Thanks,” Maker said, then closed the door as Wayne turned and walked away.

  “Who was it?” Chantrey asked as Maker walked back towards the couch.

  “Wayne,” he replied as he sat down next to her. “Did you know there was a Space Navy ship here?”

  “I may have heard something about it,” she said coyly.

  “So everyone’s conspiring to keep me in the dark,” he said, feigning anger.

  “Everyone’s conspiring to keep you from working yourself to death. You should be grateful.”

  “I know, and I am,” he said with a chuckle. “But how’d they even know where to find us? I mean, when the Nova left Gaian Space, even we didn’t have the coordinates to Ignotus.”

  “Well, when Erlen was keeping everyone off the bridge, the Vacra offered to take a message back for us. Through them, we basically reported that the mission was a success, but you had died. Presumably, with some level of trust established between our races, the Vacra were also willing to provide coordinates for getting here.”

  “That was nice of them,” Maker noted. Turning his attention back to the cube, he continued, saying, “Anyway, I can’t put this off.”

  “What exactly is that?” Chantrey asked, staring at the object Maker held.

  “An ordinance hexahedron. It’s a method of sending sensitive or high-priority communications. Often, but not always, they contain new mission orders.”

  “Oh,” Chantrey murmured. “Should I leave?”

  Maker shook his head. “No, I’ll just take it in the office.”

  “Are you sure? I can always come back later.”

  “Positive,” he replied, before giving her a kiss. He then rose to his feet and went to his office.

  Once there, seated behind his desk and with the door locked, Maker merely stared at the cube for a moment. As he had mentioned to Chantrey, these devices were usually utilized to send top-secret orders and such. That meant that his team – which had just completed a dangerous assignment – could be leaving again almost immediately. At least Adames, recognizing what the message cube meant, already had the other Marines on standby.

  Deciding that he had procrastinated long enough, Maker put the cube on the desk and then placed his thumb into the groove on the top. The area seemed to glow for a moment as his thumbprint was read, and then a small square-shaped corner on top of the box rose slightly. A petite diode began flashing on the square, and a second later, it began broadcasting a hologram onto the desktop – an image of a man that appeared to be about a foot in height.

  “Admiral Lafayette,” Maker intoned. “Why am I not surprised?”

  “Well, you’re looking rather spry for a dead man,” Lafayette noted, ignoring Maker’s jibe.

  “Death is actually pretty invigorating. You should try it some time.”

  “I’ll take your word for it,” Lafayette said, chuckling.

  “Anyway, to what do I owe the pleasure? I mean, you obviously knew I
was still alive since you sent the message cube to me.”

  “True, but the first report we received did say that you had died, and that the Nova was having some kind of trouble, which is why they had the Vacra deliver the message to us.”

  Maker reflected on how the “trouble” had actually been Erlen blocking the bridge, but didn’t feel the need to clarify anything.

  “We hurriedly got a ship ready to go offer assistance,” the admiral continued, “but before we could send her out, we got word from the Vacra that you were actually alive.”

  “We also accomplished the mission, but I assume you knew that when the two battle cruisers came back stuffed to the gills with the missing tech.”

  Lafayette made a dismissive gesture. “I never had any concerns about the mission. I knew you’d get that done.”

  “And I suppose that faith in us is why you glued a cloaked ship to the Nova.”

  If the admiral was surprised by Maker’s statement, he didn’t show it.

  “That was actually for your protection,” Lafayette declared. “Believe it or not, I took your worries about the deceitfulness of the Vacra seriously. The stealth ship was there to help you if things went off the rails – like the incident with the Xnjda.”

  Maker frowned, thinking, and a moment later it came to him.

  “The explosions on Kpntel’s ships,” he concluded. “That didn’t have anything to do with the nanobots Planck released – it was the cloaked vessel.”

  Lafayette gave him a knowing smile. “Stealth warheads are surprisingly effective in combat. The other side never sees them coming.”

  “You know, you could have said something about that before we left, let us know we’d have an invisible conjoined twin along for the ride.”

  “Now what fun would that have been?” Lafayette uttered with a grin. “Now, moving on to the real reason of why I sent the message cube.”

  “Let me guess,” Maker said. “Some new mission where my crew gets the honor of risking life and limb several times over?”

  The admiral shook his head. “Not at all. If you’ll check the cube, there should be a hidden compartment on one side opening up right…about…now.”