Backlash Rising

by Brandon Ellis

  “Already done so, Kali. We tractoring you now.”

  “We look forward to seeing you, Y'taul. And my name is Kalista.”

  “We?” asked Y'taul.

  Kalista leaned against her armrest, shifting in her seat, then leaned back. She placed her hands behind her head as if resting from a hard day’s work. She waved her hands toward the front, making sure Devon and Shae saw her movements. “Boys, come up here and show yourselves.”

  What was she doing? thought Shae, both Devon and him giving each other a look.

  “Guys,” blared Kalista. “Now, please.”

  Shae shook Devon’s shoulder. “Let’s do as the woman says.” Maybe they did things a bit differently in the extraterrestrial world, or maybe humans scared Y’taul’s race. Shae didn’t know, but proceeded forward, Devon behind him. He approached the cockpit, and in front of him and on the small vidscreen, stood a humanoid—Y’taul. He had scruffy long, blond hair, and steely blue eyes, and was wearing a ragged silver robe with a tight-fitting collar.

  Y'taul stepped back. “What is meaning of this? Humans?”

  “You caught me at a bad moment, Y'taul. They were in here hiding when I took off.”

  Y'taul crossed his arms. “How much you sell them for?”

  Shae pulled back, instinctively yanking Devon back with him, protecting the kid. “We aren't for sale.”

  “Not up to you.” Y'taul pointed at Kalista. “Up to her.”

  Kalista put her hands in the air. “Up to me?” She gestured to her flight mates. “I don't seem to have much of a choice with you today, Y'taul. So, I’d say it’s not up to me at all.”

  “Okay, we will come to agreement.” Y'taul's image blinked out.

  Devon curled his lips in displeasure. “What?”

  Shae glanced at his broken gun laying in the cabin. “Like I said, we’re not for sale.”

  Kalista sank deeper into her chair, crossing her arms. She stared out into space as the craft was pulled to the side, moving closer and closer to Y'taul's ship. “It’s how life is in this part of the galaxy. Deal with it.”

  30

  Diana

  Starship Sirona, Eos

  Diana sat at her desk, the skin between her eyes creased, thinking hard. Earlier, she contemplated scrambling starfighters to locate and attack the weapon Eden claimed headed toward Sirona. She backed out of the idea when Sleuth threatened her, taking Enlil’s side over hers. She weighed stripping Sleuth of his electronics and throwing him in the brig, but thought somehow Enlil would know, and his inside man wouldn’t be so inside anymore. Enlil would no doubt bring down a hell storm on her with heavier weapons or speed up that weapon heading her way now.

  “I have to attack the weapon or bypass attacking the weapon altogether.” And get the hell off this planet with the rest of her crew intact. A weight the size of a starship lifted off her shoulders at the thought, and an unconscious sigh exited her mouth. She powered on her HDC and swiped to the commlink. She’d start with Wrench and see if he could help her bypass the false narrative she and Sleuth had filled the crew’s minds with—that the engines were damaged.

  She’d need Wrench to do some magic on his HDC and get the holocomps to recognize that the engines operated just fine. The problem was that Sleuth had hacked into the system, and she didn’t know if anyone could un-hack what he’d done.

  There was a rap at the door and Diana’s lips downturned. She pulled up the outside holocams. She tilted her head, her lips frowning more. Wrench stood outside, his greasy hands on his hips.

  “Unlock and open,” she said.

  The door opened, and she waved Wrench inside. The door closed behind him. She cupped her hands on her desk. “I didn’t call you to my quarters.”

  Wrench slapped his hand on the back of his neck and looked down. “My apologies, Ma’am. Ya’ obviously wasn’t expectin’ me. I was told to come here by Sleuth himself. He said captain’s orders or somethin’ ‘er other, so I complied.”

  She stood in a hurry. “Do you have a weapon on you?”

  Wrench stood back, his hands up, his eyebrows high. “N-no Ma’am. I wouldn’t pull a gun on ya’.”

  “No, we need—”

  Her door whooshed open, and there stood Sleuth, two Sirona Guards by his side, a rifle in their hands. Sleuth held a gun as well, and a holopad in his other hand.

  Wrench moved toward the captain and Diana crossed her arms, her jaw set. “What’s the meaning of this?”

  Sleuth and the Guards stepped inside, their rifles pointed at her. Sleuth holstered his gun and tapped a few buttons on his holopad. The door closed behind them. “Lock and unlock only on my command,” he said. He glanced up and pulled his sidearm out, aiming it at Wrench. “Hi, you two. Glad you could join the party.” He gave Wrench a wink and set the holopad on Diana’s desk. He shoved his hand in his pocket and pulled out a small beam drive—a round holocomp instrument designed for encrypting or decoding HDC data, vids, and schematics. He handed it to Wrench. “Put it in Diana’s HDC.”

  Wrench didn’t take it. “What are ya' givin’ me?”

  Sleuth shoved it in Wrench’s hands.

  Diana took a step forward. “Wrench should not be involved in this crap you started.” The Guards took a step forward, targeting Diana. She put her hands up and eased away from Sleuth.

  Sleuth rolled his eyes. “I didn’t start this crap on my own. You had a major hand in it. The only way I can lock my commands on the Sirona servers is if you’re both here. That’s how I designed my hack, never thinking I would have to actually do this.” He scowled at Diana.

  “Now, Wrench,” continued Sleuth, “Put this in Diana’s HDC, type in your password, and open the vids under loop, and look at the days and times.”

  Wrench stroked his gray beard, then shook his head and leaned close to Sleuth. “Shouldn't ya' be eatin' lunch?”

  Diana could tell Wrench was trying to delay things for her sake, but of all people, she didn’t want him dying under her watch.

  “Those bit furry people have gotten in yo’ mind, huh? They stir the calm. Ya' hear them, don't ya’?” asked Wrench.

  Sleuth crinkled his brow.

  Diana put her hand up. “Wrench, he’s got a gun, and I’m sure he’s coward enough to use it.”

  Wrench turned to Diana. “If I do what Sleuth here says, will it harm tha’ ship and ya’ crew, Ma’am?”

  She dipped her head. “Yes.”

  “Aye, captain.” Wrench faced Sleuth and crossed his arms, the beam drive in his hand. “My answer is no.”

  Sleuth lifted the gun and pointed the muzzle at Wrench’s forehead. “Diana, grab the beam drive from Wrench, or I put one in his brain.”

  Wrench dropped the beam drive on the floor and lifted his foot to crush it.

  A phtah cracked in the room, and Wrench tumbled to the floor, his hand on his shoulder, blood oozing between his fingers and down his arm. Smoke rose from Sleuth’s gun’s muzzle.

  Diana rushed to Wrench’s side. “Are you okay?”

  Wrench winced in pain. “I’ve been better, Ma’am.”

  Sleuth grabbed the holopad, pressed a few buttons, and shoved it in Wrench’s face. A beep sounded, and Sleuth pulled back, a wry grin on his face. “Thanks for your iris scan. It’ll bypass the codes I needed from you.”

  “What are you doing, Sleuth?” asked Diana.

  Sleuth went around her desk, motioning for the Guards to move closer to Wrench and Diana. They complied.

  “You’re all traitors,” said Diana. “None of you will get away with this.”

  “You’re lecturing us on being a traitor?” Sleuth snorted. “That’s a good one.” He held the holopad up to Diana’s HDC holodisplay, and another beep sounded. “Confirmation and I’m in.”

  Sleuth began typing, talking under his breath, something that always annoyed Diana. “Bypass all ports, hatches, launch bay door, anything that lets anyone come in and out of this big sucker of a ship.”

  Wrench lay on the
ground, his eyes blinking. “This smarts. Never been shot before, and I don’t think I wanna’ do it again.” He gave a sideways smile, the pain notching his smile down a moment later.

  “Bypass them to do what?” asked Diana, her breathing shallow. She imagined bull-rushing the guards and taking their weapons, then sending several bullets in each one of them, Sleuth first, but that’d just get her killed, along with Wrench.

  Sleuth continued to type. “To not open...at all. They’ll be locked. I’ll be the only one who can unlock them from this point forward. Enlil’s orders.” He eyed the beam drive on the floor. “Sergeant Jaffey, toss me the beam drive.”

  The guard bent over and picked up the drive. He walked over and dropped the drive in Sleuth’s hand.

  Sleuth eyed Diana. “Me and a few others are rendezvousing with Enlil. We’ll be safe. Remember that weapon Eden warned you about?” He giggled like a spoiled brat. “Well, it’ll practice its power on this ship pretty damn soon.”

  Diana went to her feet. “You son of a—”

  “Don’t take another step,” said a guard, his weapon a few inches from her nose.

  Sleuth pushed the beam drive into the HDC insert port. He placed his elbow on the desk, resting his chin on his palm, and tapped his fingers on the desk’s surface. He typed in commands, then leaned back in the chair, his hands behind his neck. “Diana, you changed your password on me.”

  She’d done it after Sleuth threatened her like any half-brained nitwit would. She kept her lips tight. She was on her knees, pressing her hand just above Wrench’s wound, hoping to slow the blood flow. He cringed in pain. “I’m sorry, Wrench.”

  He patted her forearm. “Not yo’ fault, Ma’am.”

  “Guards,” said Sleuth. “Put another bullet in Wrench. Let him die a slow, painful death.”

  Diana put her hand up and leaned over Wrench’s body. “You’ll do no such thing.”

  “Then what’s your password, Diana?” demanded Sleuth.

  Wrench shook his head back and forth. “All onboard the ship will die, Diana. Don’t give ‘em the password.”

  Sleuth leaned forward in the chair. “One in the leg.”

  “No, don’t shoot.” Diana squeezed her eyes shut. She had the Space Templars on the ship, and maybe she could get them to undo what Sleuth had done after she gave him the password.

  The guards glanced at Sleuth. He put his hand up, halting them. “What’s the password, Diana?”

  “Sirona777Sirona.”

  “Excellent.” Sleuth pecked away at the holokeypad, doing Guild knows what. “Lock all perimeter exits.” He pushed the chair back, and it rolled toward the wall, his body still plopped down in it. He stretched his arms high. “Confirmed.” He held a wide smile.

  Wrench glared at Sleuth. “Why ya' grinnin'? This ain't funny, man.”

  “I have a sick sense of humor.” Sleuth stood, stretching. “Now, it’s time for us to get off this boat.” He gave a nod to the Guards, his lower lip trembling slightly. “Gentlemen?”

  They raised their weapons, and Diana covered Wrench more. “You piece of ebb, Sleuth. You piece of—”

  The guards opened fire, and bullets ripped through her skin, sinking into her arms, legs, and back. She rolled off of Wrench and the weapon fire ceased. She spit out blood and turned her head toward Wrench. Blood covered his body, some oozing out of his mouth. He blinked at her and extended his hand, somehow finding her fingers.

  She squeezed his hand. “I’m…sorry.”

  He shook his head. “It’s…okay, ma’am. It’s…okay.” He closed his eyes, and his fingers relaxed.

  Her breathing came fast and labored as her body turned cold. She shivered. Her eyes shut, and all sound faded around her. I deserve this, she told herself. Keep my crew safe, Sirona. Keep them safe. Her body went limp, and her heart slowed. She opened her eyes one last time. Out of her periphery, she saw Sleuth and the Guards leaving the room.

  She turned her head to a Robert Rose painting on the wall that depicted a Space Templar with a helmet on and wearing a white jumpsuit. The Templar was a woman, and she had her hand raised in victory. She was standing over a giant, a gleaming sword in her hand. Several Templars were running toward her, their hands up in victory as well, a building behind them in ruins.

  Diana closed her eyes and let the forever sleep take hold.

  31

  Eden

  Starship Sirona, Eos

  Nyx held up a dagger, looking mesmerized by the gleam shining off of it from the corridor lights. “I’d be happy to be the one.” She winked at Eden.

  Skye placed his hand on Nyx’s dagger, pushing it down and away from Nyx. Nyx relaxed and sheathed the weapon in her belt.

  “Thank you, Nyx, but we’ll all be the one,” Skye said.

  Nyx sighed. “Oh, all right.” Her head swiveled from side to side as she tried to keep a frown from showing.

  Eden stood in the corridor, her arms crossed. Earlier, she’d explained the discoveries she, Hank, and William made. With the Anunnaki leader’s coordinates in hand and Diana and Sleuth exposed, Skye ordered every Space Templar on the ship to the place they stood now—near Diana’s quarters.

  Time to throw the traitors in the brig thought Eden. Swift’s brig.

  “I’m ready when you are, Skye,” said Nyx. The side of her lip quivered as if she couldn’t wait for the hunt.

  “Let’s go. I lead,” he replied, Jantu and Nyx beside him, a long line of human and Sirian Space Templars behind him. The light in the hallway dimmed, then flickered. The sound of gunshots reverberated off the walls. Skye paused and glanced around. “That’s not normal.”

  Eden’s heart sank. Deep down, sadness rose, perhaps sensed by her new Sight abilities. Every cell in her body screamed at her that someone close, someone important, hadn’t survived those bullets. She touched her gut, holding in the want to cry, to mourn, but for who?

  They rounded a corner toward where the gunshots sounded. Skye slowed and placed his finger to his lips, telling them to be quiet. He paused and peeked around another corner. He held his hand up in a fist, his other hand clutching a gun. He opened his fist, letting them know the coast was clear.

  Eden crept behind Nyx, Jantu on her rear, his long rifle pointing forward. His tall frame gave him a higher vantage point and a clear shot. They headed around the corner, Skye still in the lead. He picked up his pace, and so did the rest of the Space Templars. They wound through another set of passageways.

  “Thunderstrokes, this is annoying,” said Nyx, clearly impatient.

  Skye stopped at a doorway, taking a peek. “Weapons at the ready. We have a problem.” He and the rest of the Templars cautiously moved forward.

  Eden lowered her weapon, her mouth agape. She gasped. “Wrench?”

  Diana’s quarter’s door was open. Wrench and Diana lay in a pool of blood, their hands touching, though motionless. Commotion and footsteps pounded down the hallway.

  “They’re coming,” said Jantu, turning around, his rifle extended.

  A half a dozen Sirona Guard came around the corner, halting the moment they saw more than a dozen Space Templars with weapons drawn. It didn’t look good.

  “Use your wrist band shield things,” said Eden.

  Nyx snorted. “There’s no fun in that.”

  “We are Sirona Marines. All of you,” said a soldier, “drop your weapons.”

  Eden slowly shook her head. “This isn't necessary. We heard the weapon's discharge and came to investigate.”

  “For all I know, you pulled the triggers,” said a guard. “Now, drop your weapons.” He looked around the Space Templar and into Diana’s quarters. “I see blood. Is that the captain?”

  Eden nodded. “Yes. Her and Wrench.”

  A Marine narrowed his eyes, his breath shallow. It didn’t take the Sight to see anger boiling in him. He spoke into his shoulder com. “Alert all Sirona Guards. We have a code eleven at the Captain’s Quarters. I repeat, a code eleven.” He kept his eyes on Ede
n. “I’ll ask you one more time. Drop. Your. Weapons.”

  “No, sirs, you drop your weapons,” hissed Nyx. She tilted her head, sizing up the men in front of them. “That’s if you don’t want to end up like your precious captain.”

  Heavy footsteps echoed down the corridor, and a dozen more Sirona Guards came on the scene. The lead guard motioned with the flick of his head toward the Space Templars. “Take them into custody.”

  “Stand down,” called Skye. “I understand your fear, and I understand the situation doesn’t look pleasing to you or your fellow Guards, but we are the Space Templars. We don’t surrender, and we don’t stand down unless I give that order.” He paused. “I won’t be giving that order.”

  A rumbling sound came from outside, and the ship began vibrating. Everyone looked around.

  “And that is?” said Nyx.

  Skye closed his eyes, concentrating. “The weapon is nearing us.”

  The lead guard brought his lips closer to his shoulder com. “This is Sergeant Wilcox. Lift outside armor plating from corridor wing nine, and now.” The rumbling grew louder.

  “I’m sorry, Sergeant. I can’t comply with that order unless the captain gives us the order directly,” came a reply.

  “Captain Diana Johnson is dead.” Wilcox’s voice raised. “We have a situation outside the ship that needs immediate eyes.” The armor over the windows didn’t move. Wilcox leaned closer to his com. “Do not make me come down there.”

  “Sir,” came the response. “The armor is locked. I can’t bypass it on the holocomps, and I don’t know why.”

  Wilcox lifted his gaze to Eden. “What are you guys trying to pull here?”

  Before Eden could reply, a voice carried from down the corridor and behind the Marines. “Excuse me. Official business. Let us through.”

  Eden craned her neck, looking past the Sirona Guards. “Hank?”

  “I’ve tracked a new set of codes coming from the Captain’s Quarters. It’s seized the ship, locking it down. I need to get through. Move it, move it.” Hank held his ID Card in hand, William in tow, also holding up his card.