The small yacht was now drifting erratically only a short distance away from Asel’s ship. In order to tackle Gabriella on her home ground, he was going to need help. He gave his orders to a waiting Nephillum, instructing him to rendezvous with the Puritan. Five short minutes later he heard the telltale clunk as the two ships made contact.
He opened a channel and waited until a grim face emerged, filling the screen before him. “I want to offer you a deal…," he began.
◊
Tarquin emerged from the small bridge looking unhappy. Logan, Walter and Bruce were putting the finishing touches on the panel they were installing over the hull breach. In addition to that damage, it appeared that the entire engine room had been destroyed by the slipmissile attack. The once state of the art Puritan was now a very expensive piece of floating junk.
All three looked around as Tarquin entered the lounge.
“What is it?” asked Logan, seeing the expression on his friends face.
“That was our friend Asel. Seems he wants to make a deal. He’ll take us to Makon and help us rescue Felix in return for sole access to the Overdrive.”
Logan shrugged. “I don’t see that we have a choice.”
“Quite right,” said Walter. “Although I don’t really trust that fiend. He’s already tried to kill us at least once.”
Bruce flexed his paws. “If he tries to again, I’ll break his scrawny neck.”
“Yes, yes," said Tarquin waving his hand impatiently. He looked around at the others. “Are we agreed then? We’ll hook up with Asel, get Felix back and then hand over control of the galaxy to the deviant.”
The others in the lounge nodded as Tarquin looked at each in turn.
“Right. Grab your stuff and don’t forget your weapons. This isn’t exactly going to be a pleasure cruise.”
◊
Felix had been stuck in a small, rather cramped cell for the duration of the 10 day trip to Makon. During that time, he had only seen others, in the form of heavily armed Angels, when they came to deliver his thrice daily meals. They obviously were not going to take any risks now that they finally had Felix in their Angelic grasp.
He’d spent the time alternating between rage and sorrow. It was clear now that Crystal and probably his friends were all dead. All for a bit of machinery. During the long design process, he hadn’t actually contemplated the implications of what he’d made, too involved in the present to consider the future. He should’ve realized and now his friends were dead. He wished he’d never made the damn thing. He’d happily give the information over if it would bring his friends back.
He sat on his tiny bed and put his head in his hands for the umpteenth time in as many hours. In front of him the door slid open. He looked up as Gabriella carefully entered the small space, elegantly adjusting her wings so they didn’t catch. She smoothed some hair out of her eyes before favoring Felix with a radiant smile.
“And how’s my boy today?”
“Same as always. Shit. What about yourself? Concocted any potions lately? Its all the rage for witches I hear.”
“Now, now. Don’t be like that.”
She bent down and ran her fingers along the line of his chin. Despite the fact that he loathed her, Felix still felt a twinge in his loins. He felt rage building again; anger at himself for feeling that way and anger at her for causing the deaths of anyone that actually mattered to him.
Sensing this, Gabriella stood again, the smile never leaving her face.
“What do you want anyway?," he asked her. “Come to torment me some more?.”
“Not at all," she replied glibly. “I’m saving the torment for later. I came to tell you that we’ve arrived in orbit above Makon. I wanted to know if you’d like to join me on the bridge. Its a beautiful sight.”
Felix sighed, looking miserable. “Why not? Its not like I’ve got anything else to do.”
“Good," she said. “Follow me."
She turned, and gracefully for a woman of her size, made her way out of the cell. Felix followed and emerged into a wide corridor behind her. Two large Angels carrying impressive looking weapons flanked the cells door. They fell in behind as Gabriella led the way to an AG lift.
“What’s going to happen to me now?” he asked. Not that he really cared. It was just for forms sake to show Gabriella that he really hadn’t lost all hope.
Gabriella entered the lift, waiting for the others and the doors to close before answering.
“We’ll shortly take a shuttle down to the surface where my most competent technicians are waiting to work on you.”
“You’re wasting your time. The Overdrive data will be corrupted if you try and force it out.”
“Ah,” she said with a knowing smile. “We have some techniques that may surprise even you.”
“You mean creative torture? Don’t bother; It won’t work. I usually just faint at the first sign of blood, especially my own.”
Gabriella shook her head sadly and tutted. “I’m surprised at you Felix. Do you really think me capable of such horrible things?." Seeing Felix about to reply, she forestalled him.
“Never mind. You and I both know that torture will never work. You’ll have to willingly give me the information.”
Felix shook his head, mirroring Gabriella’s earlier body language. “You have nothing to give me in exchange for the Overdrive. Everything I had, you took from me.”
Gabriella frowned down at him. “Being a bit melodramatic aren’t we? But don’t worry, we’ll fix that once we get down to Makon.”
The lift doors opened and the four of them stepped out. The wall sized screen was filled by a beautiful blue and white planet floating gently below them. How serene it looked, thought Felix. Probably a complete contrast from how it actually was. If Gabriella ran it, Makon was probably a hotbed of sin and corruption with the occasional mass murder thrown in.
“Gorgeous isn’t it?” said Gabriella, spreading her arms wide in a dramatic fashion. Out of the corner of his eye, Felix could see Sammael nodding. He wasn’t looking at the planet though.
“Yeah, great," said Felix without feeling. Gabriella’s smile faded.
“I’m surprised at you Felix. I thought a man of your intelligence and obvious taste would appreciate such a sight.”
“I would,” he replied. “If I had someone pleasant to enjoy it with.”
Gabriella glared at him. Quickly though, the expression was replaced by one that implied great pleasure to come.
“Fine," she said. “The shuttle is waiting. Time for you to meet your destiny.”
Felix shrugged sullenly. “Whatever. Destiny can kiss my arse for all I care.”
◊
“Well gentlemen, what do you think?." Asel spread his arms wide with an expectant look on his face.
“I suppose you could pass as an Areopagite at a pinch," said Logan, shrugging noncommittally. “You certainly have the right equipment.”
He pointed at Asel’s wings which were jutting out prominently above his head. The Watcher had dyed his normally multi colored wings to match the pure whiteness possessed by Areopagite Angels. A long blond wig adorned his head. He was even dressed in the simple white robes of an Angel.
Logan, Tarquin, Walter and Bruce were gathered in Asel’s personal quarters aboard the borrowed ship. The three men were dressed in Templar Knight garb; simple tunics emblazoned by a silver fist holding a lightening bolt. Asel had assured them that the symbol was meaningless; he’d chosen it purely because all Areopagite Angels of high rank had retainers bearing such crests. Bruce, unable to pass as a Templar, was dressed in a prisoners pale blue smock. Light manacles lay unclasped upon his ankles and wrists.
“I for one think we all cut a rather dashing picture," said Walter, drawing and brandishing his sword.
“Careful," said Tarquin, swaying aside to avoid Walter’s less than coordinated brandishing. “Its all fun and games until someone loses an eye.”
Asel looked the three men and the transplanter ov
er with a critical eye before giving a nod of satisfaction.
“Good," he said. “Let’s go, and remember, leave the talking to me."
He led the way out of the small room and made for an airlock. The others followed with mixed expressions on their faces. Logan looked grim; his face hard, prepared for the trials to come. Tarquin shared a similar look albeit not quite so serious. Bruce looked menacing; a look he pulled off with little or no effort while Walter, bringing up the rear, was inexplicably smiling.
Out of all of them, Walter had emerged the most changed from the events over the last couple of weeks. Especially in the last 10 days. During that time, he and Bruce had been closeted together, the latter passing on his knowledge accumulated from 15 years as a mercenary. Walter had lapped it up, hardly noticing when they changed ship half way through the trip to Makon.
The ship had met them in Nospace. Contacting his father Semyaza, Asel had explained the situation, detailing their needs. His father had complied readily, much to Asel’s surprise, dispatching a ship immediately to intercept Asel and his unlikely allies. The ship was a small Areopagite Galley, liberated some time ago from the rival organization and saved for such a time when it would be needed most. This was the time.
Disguised as a visiting Areopagite Lord and his followers, Asel hoped to infiltrate Gabriella’s palace and rescue Felix. But first they had to pass through Makon’s security on one of the planet’s moons.
Makon possessed six moons. The largest, creatively renamed Gabriella’s allure, was also its filter point for any off world arrivals. It was also notoriously intolerant of unwelcome guests. Security would be tight.
Following Asel, they entered the airlock and waited while it cycled. Unusually, the airlock opened into a huge rock chamber, rough hewed directly out of the moon. The only concession to aesthetics was the floor; smooth and flat and run through with what looked to be pure gold. The lighting above reflected off the surface, sparkling into the eyes of the small party as they made their way to a security checkpoint.
Asel strode imperiously before the others. He stopped just before the checkpoint and eyed the Templars there contemptuously. One of the guards hurried over, careful not to keep a visiting dignitary waiting.
He bowed fractionally when he was face to face with Asel, the minimum of courtesy when one was unsure of another’s rank.
“My Lord? How can I be of assistance?”
Asel did not lower his gaze. To him, the Templar was beneath contempt. “I have an urgent appointment with the Princess Gabriella. It is of a delicate matter.”
The Templar bowed again. “Certainly my Lord. If I could just have your name and security code. I will inform Gabriella that you are on your way.”
Logan stepped forward, coming within centimeters of the Templar and belligerently sticking his face into the other mans.
“You dare question the Throne Japhkiel? Templars have been killed for less.” Thrones were of the first hierarchy in Areopagite society; just below Seraphim and Cherubim and as such, less likely to be questioned. Templars who questioned first hierarchy Angels found themselves dead or languishing in rubbish collection roles.
It was a clever move by Asel; as a Watcher Prince, he was equivalent in power to a throne and could easily pass as one. In addition, the real Japhkiel had disappeared two months ago exploring a new Shiva route and so was unlikely to be encountered on Gabriella’s home world.
The Templar took a step backwards uncertainly. “No offence was intended. This is just standard procedure. All new arrivals are to register with us and pass on their security code.”
Logan took another step towards the man, forcing him to retreat further. “Perhaps we should inform the Princess this is how you treat her private guests?”
The Templar gulped nervously. He was about to say something further when a commotion broke out at another security booth some distance away.
All eyes turned in that direction. It was hard to make out but it appeared that a group of Angels and Templars were trying to subdue a small, four legged beast. Even as they watched, one of the Angels went flying, crumpling to the ground meters away. Some other Angels hurried up, carrying weapons that were unmistakably Afers. A short blast enabled the attendant Angels to get to grips with their captive who was trussed and hung upside down on a pole.
As he was raised up, Logan and the others finally caught sight of who was making all the fuss. It was Ram Terry.
Tarquin nudged Asel significantly, nodding in the direction of the Holy Ram.
Taking the hint, Asel addressed the Templar before him directly. “What is all that about?," he said, gesturing in the direction of Ram Terry.
The Templar looked smug. “We have captured the head of the Shepherds my Lord. His Raminess, Ram Terry himself.” Asel nodded, prompting the man to continue.
“When I say captured, we didn’t actually do the capturing ourselves. He was found floating in space and was picked up by an independent trader who had previous dealings with ourselves. He knew we’d be interested in such a prize and sold him to a passing Areopagite ship.” The man looked excited. “Gabriella herself has requested him to be brought before her.”
“You mean Princess Gabriella of course."
“Yes, yes of course," the Templar stammered, looking around nervously.
“Tell you what," said Asel leaning in and whispering conspiratorially. “We’re off to see Gabriella now. Why don’t we take him down with us? We’ve already got one prisoner, one more is unlikely to make any difference. Besides," he said with a wink, “the Princess wants to see the sheep and I’m sure she’ll be very grateful to the security guard that made it all possible.”
The Templar looked confused. With a sigh and a rolling of his eyes, Asel elaborated. “In other words, you.”
Struggling to hide the elation he felt, the Templar nodded seriously. “I must admit, he’s been a bit of a security nightmare. It would solve many of our problems at once if we had an Angel of the first hierarchy to personally escort the prisoner down to the surface. I’ll have a word to the others but I’m sure it won’t be a problem.”
With another short bow, the Templar left, intercepting the group of Angels and stopping them before they could leave the hall. After a few minutes heated discussion in addition to many significant looks thrown in Asel’s direction, the Angels finally relented and made their way towards Asel, Ram Terry carried between them.
“Very smooth," whispered Logan in Asel’s ear.
Pretending he hadn’t heard, Asel issued instructions, ordering Logan and Tarquin to carry the new prisoner while Walter was left to guard a shackled Bruce.
“I have a shuttle prepared for you," said the Templar. “It will take you down directly to the Capital and Gabriella’s palace.”
Asel nodded and waved his hand vaguely. “Very good." He gestured for the others to start moving in the direction indicated by the Templar.
“My names Templar Sev," said the man, hurrying along at Asel’s shoulder.
“What?," said Asel, again not looking at the man.
“You said you’d mention me to Princess Gabriella. My names Templar Sev."
“Oh yes." Asel paused and looked down at the Templar. He smiled.
“Well, Templar Sev. I’m sure Princess Gabriella will reward you accordingly for this service you have done her. In fact, one could say that she will probably search you out and reward you personally.”
Templar Sev stopped and watched as the strange group made their way to their shuttle bay. Strangely, the words uttered by the Angelic Lord were not in the least reassuring. Somehow he knew, the reward offered by Gabriella would not be quite what he expected.
◊
Pain. Tremendous pain. She’d never known such pain before; had never known that such pain could exist in the Universe. Closing her eyes, she tried fervently to banish the pain and after some minutes (it could’ve been hours) was rewarded by a slight lessening in the seemingly endless torture. Opening her eyes, she
concentrated on her surroundings. Concentration was everything here. If she lost her way now, she could wander in Nospace for ever.
She swam through the gray nothingness, her conscious mind barely registering the huge shapes nearby. Below her, three massive Shiva floated serenely, seemingly unfazed by their uncharacteristic proximity to each other. She could feel the palpable hunger and need emanating from their minds although she felt no fear. They weren’t here to hurt her; they’d felt her pain and come as a dog might come to an injured master.
She swam down, willing herself to move towards the great creature, landing lightly on the tough fleshy surface of the nearest Shiva. She lay down, closing her eyes again against the throbbing in her mind. Unbidden, thoughts of Felix, Ram Terry, and Gabriella rose within her mind. She felt a spark of recognition in the Shiva beneath her, suddenly stirring her to greater consciousness. When she imagined Gabriella, she felt the Shiva quiver. It knew her. It had encountered her before and knew where she was.
She formed a thought in her mind and gave it to the Shiva.
Where?
In return, a picture slowly formed, showing a blue and white planet with six moons. Satisfied, she laid back, making her intentions clear to the great creature that she rode upon.
◊
Makon palace sat on a promontory overlooking its capital, Cabala. From the air, the palace’s many wings looked like the legs of a spider; a spider poised to spring and inject its venom on the hapless inhabitants of the city it controlled. Such idle thoughts entertained Felix as he watched the palace get closer and closer on the shuttle’s view screen. The metaphor seemed more and more appropriate as the small ship prepared to land in one of the palaces spacious parks. Nearby, an entrance reared up, the portcullis looking uncannily like the gaping maw of some massive spider.
Touching down, Gabriella made her way out of the shuttle, striding confidently down the access ramp. Behind her, Felix was forcibly escorted by Sammael, a disheveled Knights Captain Tynan, and two armed Angels.
Tynan was currently less than popular with Gabriella, a fact that he knew all too well. He glared about him, a petulant pout permanently incised on his face. Gabriella, although quite keen on disposing of the man for the earlier debacle aboard her ship, had reconsidered in the light of her former Captains (now deceased) behavior. One madman had almost cost her everything. She was not about to leave another one in orbit above her. Besides, Tynan could have his uses. He was resourceful, cunning and slimy; traits that she admired in a man. She didn’t really trust him though; given freedom, he was likely to go running to Metatron, squealing to the ruler of the Areopagites about Gabriella’s less than patriotic attempts to secure the Overdrive for herself.
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