by J. N. Chaney
Leif accompanied Abigail and me off the Star. We soon approached Karin, who must have been waiting for our arrival. I didn’t see Angus, but assumed he was taking care of something elsewhere.
Stepping off my ship, a soft breeze of crisp and clean air fell over me, brushing along my cheeks and filling me with a sense of nostalgia. Though self-sustaining, the air on Tartarus didn’t have the same quality to it. I took a greedy breath and saw both Abigail and Leif doing the same.
Karin smiled a little at the sight of us. “Ah, that’s right. It must feel nice to be on solid ground again.”
“I’ve missed it,” said Abigail. “Going planetside always feels like stepping out of a cave.”
“You’re not far off,” said Karin. “I remember the feeling quite well. Back home, after months in the caves, I sometimes looked forward to going outside for a hunt or to scavenge. The fresh air was so invigorating.”
I could imagine that. Though my time on her planet had been short, I’d come to appreciate my freedom. With their Tritium core dying, much of the equipment and lighting systems had malfunctioned inside the caves and old facilities. Paired with the cold, their homes had become dank and claustrophobic.
“It’s good to be back,” Abigail said, stretching out her arms.
The two women nodded amiably at one another.
“You got a lot done in a short period,” I commented, taking in our surroundings.
Karin grinned. It was good to see her in better spirits. She’d had a hard edge to her lately because of something that happened after her mother’s death. “Just following orders, Captain,” she said, nodding behind her. “The soldiers I’ve selected are eager to join the fight.”
“As soon as the Union commander gives the all clear, they can board that ship,” I said.
Vice Admiral Vick had offered the vessel up easily, a move that would have aroused my suspicion in the past. It spoke to the recent strides we’d made that I no longer felt that way. I supposed if there was something good to be said about the Celestials, it would be that they had, by all accounts, helped us get over our former grudges. Mostly.
The quickest path to peace, it seemed, was to wage another war.
Karin didn’t comment, apparently trusting my judgement. “I’ll see that it’s done,” she said briskly before turning to Leif. “I received the list of returning soldiers you sent. Shall we begin a roll call?”
“Unless the Captain has any other orders,” he replied, slanting a hopeful glance my way.
I shook my head. “Make it quick. We need to get back to Tartarus.”
“Good luck, Captain Hughes.” Looking somewhat disappointed, Leif walked away with Karin, who said nothing.
Abigail watched the pair with some concern in her eyes. Once they were gone, she turned to me. “She’s still struggling with Lucia’s death. I can see it on her.”
“We all are,” I replied. “Though my guess is that the old woman would call us all fools for it.”
“It’s different for Karin. She lost her mother.” Abigail let out a quiet sigh. “I never knew my mother well enough to mourn her. I can’t even remember her face. Even still, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss her.”
I understood what she meant. Having lost my own mother when I was a child, after my old man had left us, I sometimes found myself trying to piece together a memory of what she looked like, what she sounded like. But after so many years living in her absence, nearly all of it was gone.
“Karin’s tough, just like the old woman,” I told her. “She’ll do what needs to be done.”
Before Abigail could answer, a bubbly voice rang out. “Mr. Hughes, Mr. Hughes! Abby!”
I knew that sound anywhere. Grinning, I turned to see Lex torpedoing toward us, a suitcase in both hands. To my surprise, instead of Pumi the goat flanking her, there was only Admiral Shaw, Alphonse’s former mentor and ex-Admiral-general of the Union fleet.
“Wonder what that’s all about,” I said to Abigail.
“Hmm,” was all she said before the two reached us.
Lex let the case drop to the ground and ran the last few meters before launching herself first into my arms. “I thought you’d never come back.”
We embraced and I clutched her tightly. “Hey there, Lex,” I said, letting her go to give Abigail the same treatment. I reached out to tousle the girl’s hair affectionately.
She beamed back at me.
“What’s all this?” Abigail asked, gesturing to the suitcase that Shaw had picked up after Lex let it go.
Shaw answered first. “I spoke with Alphonse about coming with you to this Novo. It never hurts to have another experienced soldier aboard.”
I leveled an inquiring look at the former Constable. “Is that so, Admiral? You ready to go a round with the Celestials?”
“I am, Hughes,” he told me, meeting my gaze with an unflinching stare of his own. “My service with the Union showed me a great many things. I believe you’ll find my experience useful.”
I couldn’t speak to the man’s personal history but I had certainly seen how capable he was in a fight. That alone was valuable. His time as a Constable only added to it.
“What about Vick?” asked Abigail. She had an arm wrapped around Lex.
It was a good question, and one I hadn’t considered. I scratched at my chin, trying to imagine how he might react to seeing Shaw in person again after previously ousting him from his position. “Yeah, that’s a fair point. The Alliance doesn’t need a shakeup right now. The Vice Admiral might try to arrest you when he sees you. I won’t be able to prevent that from happening on Tartarus without risking a full confrontation.”
Shaw cleared his throat. “That won’t be a problem. I’ve already spoken with the Vice Admiral. We’ve come to an understanding.”
“An understanding?” echoed Abigail.
“I was able to convince him that the threat before us is far greater than any vendetta either of us might hold for the other. This is not the time for internal stryfe, but rather for cooperation in the face of our enemy. This is humanity’s fight, and it will require the whole of our species to combat it. Vick knows me. He understands that despite my exile, I can be trusted to perform my duties.”
I could have been pissed that Shaw went around me, but he’d done so with the best of intentions. I trusted him, and by the sound of it, he knew how to handle Vick, possibly better than I did, and that was certainly useful in its own right. “Okay. Far be it from me to turn down help from a Constable.” I gestured to the Star. “You might want to hitch a ride with us instead of the Defiance though.”
“That’s probably best. Thank you.”
Lex must have broken away from Abigail to grab her suitcase because she tried to scoot past me in the direction of my ship. “Where do you think you’re going, kid?” I asked.
She spun around, a bright smile fixed to her face. “With you and Abby and Mr. Shaw.”
Abigail shot me a worried glance. “Lex, honey, you know it’s too dangerous for you to come along with us.”
“Aren’t we always in danger?” she asked, no hint of concern.
Usually the girl would pout or try charming us get her way, but this was new. The use of logic and her calm demeanor reminded me that Lex was growing up.
I didn’t care for it.
Judging by the frown on Abigail’s face, she was having similar thoughts.
“Not this time, Lex,” I said firmly. “We’re luring the danger away from Earth so you and the others will be safe. We need you to stay here.”
I thought she might argue, but Lex bobbed her head, seemingly unbothered. “Okay, Mr. Hughes. I understand.”
“Sorry, Lex.” Shaw stepped forward and got down on one knee to be level with her. “Thanks for showing me around. To show my gratitude, I’d like you to have something.” He pulled out a silver medal—the kind that would have been pinned to his Union uniform—and passed it to the girl.
Lex’s eyes widened at the sight of
it. “For me?” she whispered, staring at the prize.
“That’s a medal we give to people who show great courage,” said Shaw. “A sign of true bravery.”
“You think I’m brave?” asked Lex.
He chuckled. “From what I know of you, and based on what I’ve seen in my short stay on this planet, I can’t think of anyone more deserving of such a thing.”
Awestruck by her new gift, Lex accepted it with gentle hands. “Wow. Thank you, Mr. Shaw.”
He smiled kindly at her. “You’re very welcome,” he said, then turned to me. “Captain, Miss Pryar. I’ll see you aboard.”
After he was gone, I glanced to Lex. “Maybe next time, kid.”
“Adults always say that.” She rolled her eyes, another change to her behavior.
I didn’t like this one either, and almost said as much. The rumble of a ship engine sounded behind us, however, interrupting my thoughts and forcing our attention away. One of the Union ships was lifting into the air.
My comm beeped in my ear, signaling an incoming transmission from Alphonse. “As I’m sure you’re aware, the Defiance is returning to the core. Everyone is ready, Captain. We’ll head for the core as well, on your command.”
Abigail tapped me on the shoulder and pointed. My gaze followed the direction and I saw Lex trudging away, shoulders down. I almost went after her, but Alphonse was waiting. “Captain?”
“Go ahead, we’re right behind you.”
“One question, Captain Hughes,” Bolin chimed in.
I shrugged at Abigail, pointing at my ear. “What is it?”
Alphonse’s team of fighters lifted off and shot into the sky, the sound of their ascent so loud that we had to stop talking for a moment.
Bolin cleared his throat. “I will of course follow any order you give, but I’m wondering—are you sure my team shouldn’t stay behind to protect Earth?”
“Not this time,” I told him. “We’re going to need experienced pilots with us in case anything happens. And I think having you and Alphonse’s team piloting Celestial ships is going to make a big difference. You’ll adapt faster than a less experienced group might.”
He was silent for a moment. “I see,” Bolin finally said. “Then we are ready for battle, sir.”
“Jace, the first ships are about to arrive at the Earth’s core,” Abigail said, examining her pad.
I nodded. “Alright, Bolin. Time to go.”
The call had barely ended when my comm beeped again. “What now?” I asked out loud, tapping it.
“This is Sigmond, sir.”
My ears perked up. I smelled trouble. “Talk to me, Siggy. What’s happening?”
Abigail looked at me sharply when I said his name, and I held up a finger.
“Celestial activity has been detected. I believe now would be an excellent time for your return to Tartarus.”
“We’re on our way. Make sure everyone is aware of the update.” I hung up and grimaced. “We’re out of time, Abby. Where’s Lex?”
Standing on the edge of the Star’s loading ramp, she turned to scan the surrounding area. “I don’t know. She must have run off when we got distracted. I really hate leaving without saying goodbye.”
“Me too, but we have to go. The kid’s resilient. She’ll be okay until we can get back.”
Abigail’s eyes clouded as the cargo bay closed behind us. “I hope so.”
“Son of a bitch,” I muttered as I studied the contents of the refrigerator in the Star’s little galley.
“What is it, Jace?” asked Abigail, her tone completely innocent.
The Renegade Star was back in Tartarus’ hangar and we were well on our way to Novo. Keeping to the plan, Carl had waited until the Celestials could see us before opening the rift again. According to him, the plotted course would take a standard week or so, give or take a day. There was a much more direct route, but we all agreed that taking a more indirect path would be better. Especially since we had decided to stop every eight hours or so to do a comms check with Earth. So far, everything was going well.
Except that someone was stealing my food. “Don’t play coy with me, nun,” I said, and swung the cooler unit’s door open. “There were six deki fruits in here when we left. Now there are only four.”
Abigail laughed from her seat at the dining table. “What, and you think it was me?”
I spread my hands to gesture at the empty kitchen. “I don’t see anyone else, do you?”
She arched an eyebrow. “Did you ask Shaw?”
“Don’t try to pass this off on him. I highly doubt he has a deki fetish we don’t know about,” I said, narrowing my eyes.
“I’m not passing off anything, because I didn’t do it. Perhaps you miscounted.”
“Miscounted?” I said, balking at the notion. “First you steal my fruit, then you insult my intelligence. I swear to gods, woman.” No longer in the mood for the deki, I shut the door.
Abigail threw her hands up. “Why don’t you just ask Junior to replay the feed? Then you can see for yourself.”
“As a matter of fact, sir, I do have the feed,” Sigmond’s protege chimed in.
I waved a hand and fixed Abigail with a mock glare. “No. I’m going to solve this on my own. You’ll see.”
“Right. Well, if you aren’t eating, maybe we should get some sleep. It’s been a long day.” The look she gave implied that sleep wasn’t what she had in mind.
Stolen food forgotten, I let her lead me to our quarters and said no more about it.
4
Once I was sufficiently limber and out of bed, I headed for an area of Tartarus we designated for physical training. Rackham had sent me a message to join him there just as I was about to fall asleep, but I was more than happy to oblige.
I left Abigail to nap and quickly made my way through the corridors.
I’d only been to the training room a few times, but the scene was always the same: Alliance members grouped off by their nationalities, with a few exceptions. The idea had been to have a place where Alliance soldiers could build up camaraderie and learn from each other, but so far the three militaries seemed to shy away from interacting with each other more than was necessary.
When the door to the training area slid open, the sounds of overlapping voices greeted me. The crowded room was thick with excitement and the pungent odor of sweat and vigor. The former had me wrinkling my nose as it reminded me of an old locker room. Most of the equipment had been moved to line the walls, leaving a large, open space in the middle. A loose circle of people created a human ring, most of them talking in overlapping tones, the combined volume making their individual words indecipherable.
It didn’t take long to see what all the fuss was about. Two men, an Eternal and a Sarkonian, circled one another inside the ring of people. Both were shirtless and dry, suggesting that the fight hadn’t started yet. All around me, soldiers were exchanging items with one another. Credit chips, candy—hell, even socks swapped hands. New socks were a hot commodity on a ship such as this where no depot or store existed.
I started forward with the intention of shutting it down when a hand touched my shoulder. It was Lieutenant Oberon Rackham. He jerked his head to the side, indicating I should follow him. At the outer edges of the crowd, he stopped and faced the two fighters.
“You don’t want to break this up?” I asked, somewhat surprised. Given Rackham’s penchant for rules, I had assumed he wouldn’t let this kind of thing go. But the man had a habit of doing the unexpected lately.
He shook his head. “Not yet. They’re supposed to be sparring.”
I cocked an eyebrow. “Wouldn’t have figured the Union would be okay with betting on a fight, sparring or otherwise.”
The Union were strict and didn’t allow anything in the way of fun or unsavory activities, particularly gambling. They liked their soldiers to be rule-followers, comformative. This type of activity would have been broken up in short order on any Union fleet ship, and those involved likely repri
manded. I wasn’t sure if letting one continue now was in the Alliance’s best interest, but I supposed it wouldn’t do much harm to see how this played out.
Rackham grinned. “I didn’t see any betting going on. Did you?”
I grunted my agreement, somewhat surprised that the upstanding Lieutenant Rackham would choose to ignore the illicit happenings of his own men, but then again, the man had surprised me in the past enough that I should’ve been used to it by now.
Our attention was brought back to the circle by the sound of whoops and shouts as one of the two men slammed his fist into the other. The Eternal, a man I recognized as Alrich, was a full head taller than the Sarkonian. To my way of thinking, it was an unfair fight. The Eternals in combat mode didn’t go down easily. That might’ve been because of their ability to heal, but I’d seen enough of them with serious wounds to know they could take a hit and keep on going.
Alrich was one of Leif’s men. Like a few of his fellow soldiers, his white hair had been braided and tied back out of the way. Even without the wide shoulders and corded muscle, anyone could see that he was a warrior. The tattoos on his arms and torso only added to this effect. Alrich watched his opponent with cunning eyes, his expression full of focus as he studied and waited.
Despite the size difference, the Sarkonian didn’t look concerned. The soldier danced lightly on the balls of his feet and bobbed his clenched fists. At first glance it looked like he didn’t know what the hell he was doing. As the man’s guard dropped, the Eternal went for the opening. The Sarkonian sidestepped deftly. Alrich, realizing his mistake, tried to twist away, but the other man landed a blow that connected with the Eternal’s eye.
A cheer rose up from the onlookers. I’d been in a few places, let’s call them dens of iniquity, that catered to underground fight clubs and the like, and they always had a charged atmosphere, not unlike what was happening in this military gym.