“Maybe you are right.”
“You know I am,” I said. “Creed, out.”
As Gupta’s image flickered and disappeared, I rubbed the back of my neck. It had a kink in it that wouldn’t go away.
“You push them too hard,” N7 said.
As we stood at our stations, various engineers crawled here and there: fixing panels and adding various pieces of new instrumentation.
I’d had enough resistance today, and just like Gupta, I was tired. “What would you know about being pushed?” I asked. “You’re an android, not a man.”
N7 raised his eyebrows. “You are upset at my words? That is an indication you are exhausted. I suggest you rest.”
“Yeah? Is that what you suggest? And how do I manage such a trick? I’m too wound up to sleep.”
“All the more reason for you to relax,” N7 said.
It was my turn to rub my eyes. Being in charge was different. Before, Claath had kept his thumb on us and particularly on me. I knew how to react to that. It was my natural heritage, I suppose. I’d been to prison as a youngster and disliked authority. The only thumb pressing down on me now was the pressure of the Starkien flotilla. They had passed Jupiter’s orbital path, still building up velocity as they came toward Earth.
“There’s an incoming message for you, Commander,” Ella said.
I don’t remember if I’ve told you about Ella. She used to be a Russian scientist. Now she was an assault trooper. Despite the steroid-68, Ella was still thin, with a pretty face, dark hair hanging to her cheeks and a mind like a razor. She liked things you could cut and weigh—using the scientific approach. I didn’t know much about her previous life. I knew I could count on her when the chips were down. Right now, that’s all I needed to know.
“Put it on the main screen,” I said.
Ella did, and I found myself staring at the Starkien commander, Naga Gobo. As N7 had once told me, Naga was his name and Gobo was his rank. It meant lord of ships.
A regular Starkien was the size of a baboon and looked as furry and as ugly. Naga sported two long canines at the end of his wrinkled muzzle. He must have weighed sixty or seventy pounds and had a mane like a lion. His had white streaks in it. I don’t know what that meant about his actual age, just that he was old for a Starkien.
Naga Gobo sat on a dais with raised controls around him. Others moved behind the dais. I knew the place stank because Starkiens did. When I’d met them in person before on a beamship, the chamber had smelled like a filthy zoo cage. Naga Gobo seemed to be what he looked like, the dominant male of a high-tech baboon pack. Instead of clothes, he wore a harness around his body, with various tools or weapons hanging from it. Instead of a handkerchief in a breast pocket, he had a silver tube with a black ball on the end dangling there.
“I wish to speak to Creed-beast,” Naga said on the screen.
He fit perfectly into Jelk Corporation thinking, having a low opinion about humans. I let the insult pass for now. The time would come to teach him differently.
“I’m Commander Creed,” I said, stepping off the control deck onto the lower plates.
“Is this subterfuge?” he asked.
“Explain yourself,” I said.
He stiffened at my tone, saying, “You all look alike to me. How do I know it is really Creed-beast I address?”
“I do not understand,” Ella whispered behind my back. “How can we be communicating instantaneously with him? He’s near Jupiter. His radio waves should take an hour to get here and our reply an hour to return.”
“That is an intelligent question for an animal,” Naga said from the screen. “You should put her in charge.”
“Just a minute,” I said. I motioned for N7 to mute sound. Once he did, I asked, “What’s the answer to Ella’s question?”
“It would appear he is using Lokhar teleportation communications,” N7 said. “I have heard of the technique, and am surprised to realize it is factual, not fiction.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked.
“It is complicated in theory,” N7 said. “Do you wish me to explain the details?”
“No. I think I understand. They teleport the radio waves at us and somehow teleport our replies back to their ship.”
“That is crudely stated,” N7 said, “and it is not altogether accurate. Still, I suppose it is close enough to the truth for an operating understanding.”
“Wonderful,” I muttered, before scowling at Naga Gobo. He kept calling us animals and beasts. I’d never liked that while I’d been a corporation slave and I sure didn’t like it now that I was free. “I’m getting tired of their arrogance,” I said. “It’s going to be a pleasure killing them.”
“We must negotiate if we can,” N7 said. “Or we must at least attempt it. They outnumber our ships and surely have greater firepower.”
“Once they get in close, you mean,” I said.
“Correct,” N7 said.
“I don’t know. Do you really believe negotiating is worth the effort?”
“I would not have said it otherwise,” N7 said.
“Sure,” I said. “I’ll keep that in mind. Unmute the baboon.”
N7 did so, causing a beep to sound from the screen.
I took a wider stance and put my hands on my hips, letting them rest on my belt. “So you’re Naga Gobo, huh? Last time I saw you, you looked more impressive. Maybe it’s because we met in person aboard your flagship.” I smiled. “I imagine Claath is pretty pissed off at you Starkiens about now.”
Naga glanced at something to the side on his vessel, something we couldn’t see, before regarding me again. “Your voice modulation matches with our records. You are the loathsome creature I seek. I have a list of complaints against you.”
“I have a list of my own concerning you.”
Naga hooted to someone off screen. Then he wrinkled his snout and learned toward me. “You are in the inferior position, Earthbeast. Therefore, you are advised to watch your tongue.”
“Inferior, huh? Is that why I’m standing in a corporation battlejumper?”
“You state one of the chief items on my list: that of robber. You must return the stolen property in as good as condition as the day you lifted the vessel. Secondly—”
“Secondly,” I said, speaking louder. “If you pass Mars’ orbital path, I can no longer guarantee your safety or the safety of your little band of beamships.”
Naga Gobo blinked at me like a kicked dog. “You dare to threaten a representative of the Jelk Corporation?”
“Third, if you so much as scratch the paint on my freighters,” I said, “I will hold you personally responsible for the damage. Since monetary rewards mean little to me, I will recoup the losses with my knife.” I drew it, showing him the Bowie. “With this blade, I will personally peel off your skin and nail it to my bedroom floor. Every time I think of you, I’ll wipe my feet on the fur.”
Naga Gobo stared into my eyes. His became bloodshot as his mane stiffened. Slowly, he opened his muzzle and then he began to shriek with rage. Like some zoo specimen, he pounded the dais before him, hooting, screaming and jumping about.
“You have excited him,” Ella said. “Was that your intention?”
I shrugged in order to maintain my pose. She’d nailed it, though. In a fight, it was often a good idea to enrage your opponent so he made foolish decisions. Besides, I was tired of him calling me an animal. If they wanted a beast, they were going to get one, but not in the manner that they imagined.
The shrieks and hoots finally died down until Naga Gobo panted. His eyes were red rimmed and evil looking. “I will purchase you from Shah Claath. Then, human, I will make your life miserable and painful. You will long for death and—”
“I’m tired of your jabber,” I said. “Do you have a message for me or not?”
He glared, panting faster, with saliva dripping from his fangs. Finally, he stirred, and said, “Surrender your ship at once.”
“Come and take,” I said.
“You cannot defeat my beamships.”
“Saying it doesn’t make it true.”
“Only a fool would speak as you do.”
“Is that what you truly believe?” I asked. “You think it’s impossible for us to win? Well, that will make our victory that much more impressive.”
“If you trust in Jelk technology, know that I have the codes to interrupt your ship’s interior functions. Just as the androids slaughtered your crews, so shall your failsafe bring you to grief at the worst possible moment.”
“Is he so simple that he gives away their plan?” Ella whispered.
I didn’t respond. I just watched the agitated Starkien. This was getting more interesting by the moment.
Naga looked away. It appeared as if someone addressed him too quietly for us to hear the words. Finally, the Starkien stared at me again. “If you feel I’ve given you valuable information, you are quite wrong.”
“No doubt you’re right,” I said.
“Your damaged vessel doesn’t have a hope against us.”
“I’ll try to explain this simply so you and your crew can understand,” I said. “We were down and out about twenty-three days ago, so-called animals stranded on a planetary defense station. All we owed were the weapons in our hands and our wits. With that, we took Claath’s own warship. Have you considered the implications carefully? Do you wonder why the little Jelk hasn’t come to take us himself? In case you can’t figure it out, I’ll help you. It’s because he’s frightened of us—and for good reason.”
“Your boasts are absurd,” Naga Gobo said. “Claath doesn’t come because he hasn’t yet regained—”
A Starkien voice shrieked from the background, sounding like a crazy high school librarian. Naga Gobo turned toward the voice. A flurry of words passed between them. Finally, the lord of ships faced me again, looking chastened.
“You have animal cunning,” Naga said in a low voice. “I will grant you that. You have also achieved a notable feat. I refer to your capture of the Jelk battlejumper. I congratulate you on your valor.”
This was an odd twist, the compliment. What did it mean and why did he try it? I decided to play along and see what happened.
“I accept the honor you give me,” I said. “Because of your change of attitude, I will reevaluate mine toward Starkiens. Yes, you are a free people. It is a noble thing to be free.”
Naga’s eyebrows thundered; and he leaned closer yet toward the screen. “You are a shifty creature—being, a shifty being,” he said.
“Yeah, it’s been said.”
“A moment,” Naga Gobo said. He muted his sound and jumped off the dais. Soon, four Starkiens sat in a group. They pounded the floor with the flats of their hands, jabbering at each other.
“May I interject a thought, Commander?” Ella asked as we waited.
“Of course,” I said.
“They have the appearance and possibly the mannerisms of beasts. But it would be good to remember that they’re driving starships with the capability to destroy us.”
“Your point?” I asked.
“Don’t underestimate them.”
“I don’t plan to,” I said.
In time, Naga Gobo climbed back onto his dais. The sound returned and he stroked his mane as he regarded me.
“Let us speak as warriors,” the Starkien said.
I waited.
“Do you agree to that?” he asked.
“I greet you, Naga Gobo, a warrior chief of the Starkiens.”
It took him a moment, and then Naga said, “I greet you, Commander Creed, an assault trooper of the Jelk Corporation.”
I let that pass. He wasn’t trying to insult me now. At least I didn’t think so.
“You know I have the codes to your battlejumper,” Naga said. “I know that most of your systems are already damaged beyond repair. Yet you achieved an amazing feat back in Sigma Draconis when you captured the ship. Perhaps Shah Claath does not recognize the daring and the courage your actions took. We of the Starkiens appreciate it. Because of that, we will make you an offer.”
“I’m listening.”
“Surrender your battlejumper and your assault troopers. We will let the freighters go. Clearly, many are in working order. Perhaps they can find a home elsewhere, or perhaps they can take up a Starkien-like existence.”
“Without warships to guard them?” I asked.
“Having guardian craft would be better,” he said. “But surely my offer is superior to their destruction or capture.”
“I am not convinced you can destroy us.”
“Come, come,” Naga Gobo said. “Our advantages trump yours.”
“I suspect that’s true. But we are free and you’re planning to make us slaves. Free men do not easily accept the slave collar.”
“Not even to save your race?”
“A moment, please,” I said.
“It is granted,” Naga Gobo said.
I turned to N7. With the press of his forefinger and an audible click, the android muted the speaker.
“Does he make the offer in good faith?” I asked N7.
“It is difficult to tell,” he said. “The Starkiens are known to keep their oaths. I imagine it depends on whether or not he truly believes you’re people.”
“A man’s word doesn’t mean anything if given to an Indian, eh?” I asked.
“I do not understand your reference,” N7 said.
“It happened several hundred years ago when the Europeans came to the New World,” I said “That’s the only Earth analogy I can think of to help guide me here.”
“I don’t trust him,” Ella said.
“No,” I said. “But if our sacrifice can buy humanity life…”
Ella looked away.
“I advise you to reject the offer,” N7 said. “Without military protection, the people in the freighters will not long remain free.”
I inhaled through my nostrils. “Give me sound,” I said.
Naga Gobo looked up.
“It is time for warriors to fight,” I told him.
“You refuse to surrender?”
“Do you?” I asked.
He appeared perplexed. “I do not understand your words,” he said.
“Will you surrender to us?” I asked.
“That is a ridiculous proposal.”
“There’s my answer.”
He stared at me for a few more seconds. “You cannot win,” he said. “You believe your position strong enough to fend us off, but that is because you do not understand the full situation.”
“Go ahead then,” I said, “explain it to me. I’m listening.”
A different Starkien muttered off-screen.
Naga Gobo deflated. “You were given the chance,” he said. “You must remember that. It is now on your head.”
“You’re in my solar system,” I said. “Don’t think you’re going to escape it alive. I tried to offer you safety, but you have rejected me. Remember that.”
“Foul creature,” he muttered, and Naga Gobo made a sharp gesture. A second later, the connection broke, and the Starkien beamships continued their path toward Earth.
-7-
The next two days became a blur of activity.
During it, N7 monitored our missile’s approach to the Red Planet. The Starkien scout finally made a run for it, blasting away from the far side of Mars with hard acceleration as our missile ended its first braking schedule.
Waiting until our missile had expended most of its fuel was a good idea. At least, that must have been the scout crew’s thinking.
The scout accelerated for the braking flotilla. Naga Gobo had reached the inward edge of the Asteroid Belt and needed to rid himself of excess velocity. Like a hound chasing a burglar, our missile increased acceleration for the scout. The missile would no longer have to swing around Mars to try to catch the enemy by surprise. This was a matter of velocity, a race. Could the scout reach the flotilla in time for the beamships to destroy the missile w
ith their million-kilometer range?
Naga Gobo made another communication’s appearance. After a preliminary greeting, he said, “Let our conversation be brief.”
I’d only slept a few hours these past days. My eyelids felt like sandpaper every time I blinked. The good thing was that one of the downed freighters had lifted off world. It joined the other freighters behind Earth—behind the planet in relation to the approaching flotilla. Diana still demanded to speak to me. Her scow remained on the poisoned surface.
“I’m listening,” I told the Starkien.
“The scout is innocent,” Naga Gobo said. “The crew merely observed you. Why destroy it needlessly?”
I laughed before I could control myself.
“You mock me?” Naga asked, bristling, with red showing around the whites of his eyes.
He was trying to save his scout. That was reasonable enough, I suppose. “Hold up, chief,” I said. “There’s no mockery intended. I just don’t believe you’re asking me this.”
“You accuse me of lies?”
“That’s not what I meant. But now that I think about it, yeah. I do accuse you of lying.”
“How dare you insult me of—?”
“Hey!” I shouted.
Naga Gobo blinked in surprise.
“Killer androids attacked my personnel on the battlejumper,” I said. “One of the things even carried a message from Claath, telling it to me. I’m wondering who activated the hidden killers. We found their sleeper tubes, by the way. We even found a few extra ones that failed to wake up, destroying the things before they changed their minds. Do you know what we found? The sleepers had activation features built into their skulls. Who turned them on by beaming a long-distance message? I’m guessing it was someone in the scout.”
“The scout crew beamed a message, I admit,” Naga Gobo said. “They were go-betweens, innocents.”
“No. In my book, sending the message that activated killers was like launching a missile. Instead of a metal tube, this missile came in radio waves. That means the scout crew is longer innocent bystanders. They drew blood. Now, they’re going to have to pay the ultimate price for failing.”
“Heed me, Creed-beast.”
“So we’re back to insults, are we?”
Extinction Wars: 02 - Planet Strike Page 6