Dimension Lapse II: Return to Doomsday (Dimension Lapse Series Book 2)

by Nicholas Davis

  "I knew that, " Varloo laughed. "I just wanted to keep you quiet until we figured out what to do."

  "How many left?" Rollings asked Angelica.

  "Three up front. Balta's not dead, but the other two are." She handed him the third laser, and he gave it to Garlona.

  "Garlona," Rollings said. "Stay back here with Varloo and Malone. Move Balta to the brig before he wakes up. We'll go up front, and take care of the other three."

  "Yes, Sir, " Garlona answered, as Rollings, Cely, and Angelica headed towards the front of the craft.

  There was a long corridor that led to the bridge, but it was a sunken bridge, connected by a short four feet stairway. They reached the end of the corridor, surveyed the area, and saw the guards were all in different sections. Cely gestured for Angelica to the one on the right, and he would hit the one of the left. They both fired, and their opponents fell to the floor. They then went down to the bridge, and Cely scanned the systems of the ship by using his finger again to intercede with the mainframe.

  "The ship runs on an antimatter-matter warp drive propulsion system," he said. "It is complicated, but I believe I can decipher it. There is apparently an alburcurie drive and some type of wormhole generator, like ours, but a lot more advanced. Rollings, do you know where we are?"

  Rollings turned on the star chart.

  "Your guess is as good as mine. None of the stars look familiar to me."

  "Perhaps our prisoner knows, " Angelica stated. "You two stay up front. I'll go talk with him when he wakes up."

  "I don't think he'll cooperate with you," Rollings said. "He is loyal to his cause."

  "It's worth a try."

  "You are truly a determined and resourceful young woman," he said. "I've never met anyone quite like you."

  "I'll take that as a compliment," she said, as she turned and walked up the stairs. Rollings watched her, as her slender, curved, and beautiful body walked up into the hallway.

  "Makes me want to be twenty years younger," he laughed, and ignored Cely at the control panel." Cely seemed to ignore his remark as well, more focused on figuring out how to control the ship. Rollings went back to the star chart as well, trying to figure out their position.

  Angelica walked back to the brig, which was guarded by Garlona and Varloo. Malone was in the brig, and it was apparent he mistreated the prisoner, because his face mask was on the floor next to the bed. He was gasping heavily, but not dead. She looked at Malone, disgusted, and placed the mask and tubing back on his face from the tank next to him. She then turned to Malone and belted him hard across the jaw, knocking him to the floor.

  "What the hell was that for?" he asked, and spat blood from his lip.

  "Because you're an arrogant stupid bastard! What the hell were you thinking? Whether you like it or not, we need him as much as he needs us. From now on, I'm in charge, got it?"

  "You must be joking," Malone laughed. "Nobody's in charge of me! Especially some smart-ass kid!"

  "Then we can drop you off on the nearest planet, and you can fend for yourself!"

  Malone looked at the two others, who gave him the look of compliance with her, and then smiled.

  "Okay, have it your way. But as soon as we land, I'll make my own decisions."

  "That's your prerogative," she said. "Go up front with Rollings and Cely. We'll take over here."

  "You're going to put me up there with that blasted android again?"

  "Now!" Angelica commanded, and Malone rose to his feet. "And get rid of the Tolarion bodies. Does this ship have an ejection chamber of some kind?"

  "Yes," Garlona said. "In the cargo bay, in the lower deck."

  "Put them in there," Angelica ordered. "And then get rid of them."

  "Yes, Maam," Malone said in a sarcastic tone.

  After Malone left the brig, she kneeled over Balta to see if he was still alive. He grabbed her quick by the throat, and she was just as quick to put the laser to his head. He smiled, and let go.

  "To what pleasure do I have to be spared by you?" he asked.

  "I need a little information," she said.

  "My, how the tables are turned," he grimaced. "What kind of information?"

  "I need to know our heading."

  "I told you, Garlicia."

  "I mean our position now."

  "If I told you, it would spoil my fun. Tell me, did you ever ask yourself why your mother gave you up for adoption."

  "My mother? Adoption? What are you babbling about?"

  "Your mother had an affair with your father during her first marriage."

  "I don't believe you. How do you know this?"

  "Because I know more about your father than even you do."

  "I still don't believe you. My mother wasn't that kind of woman."

  "How would you know?" Balta sat up slowly, as Angelica backed up with the laser still pointed at him. "You were just a child when she died."

  "Enough!" she snapped. "I don't want to talk anymore about my parents."

  "Fair enough," Balta sighed. "We're on the edge of the Tolarian-Republic border, halfway to a red dwarf star named Marlon I. Garlicia is the third planet from it. It's about the size of your planet Venus. We should be there soon."

  "Not if I can help it."

  "Foolish girl," Balta laughed. "Do you really think I'd let you take over my ship without safeguarding it. You cannot navigate the helm, it has been locked into my command by a code, and only I know it."

  Angelica pressed the intercom by the door. "Cely, are you there?" she asked.

  "Yes, Ms. Avery."

  "Any luck with the controls?"

  "Negative," he answered. "It appears to be locked into a code. No systems are operable without it."

  "Can you break it?"

  "Yes, but it will take some time."

  "All right. Keep me informed."

  She turned off the intercom, and turned back toward her prisoner.

  "It seems we're at a stalemate, Ms. Avery," Balta jested. "Yes, I know about chess. Akros and I played it often. He wanted to test my cognitive abilities."

  "Cely will figure it out," she muttered.

  "I love your determination. It's too bad we met under such dire circumstances. I could use someone like you."

  "As you said before," she quipped. "You're in no position to make deals."

  "On the contrary. You are the one floating hopelessly in space. If the Garlicians do not hear from me in six hours, they'll assume I'm captured or already dead. If they find out this ship has been captured, they have orders to destroy it, even if I'm on board."

  "Cely will figure the code out by then, and we'll go the other direction. Besides, if they destroy the ship, won't that end your whole plan?"

  "Perhaps," he said. "Nonetheless, those are their orders. Unless you decide to surrender."

  She giggled. "You never give up, do you."

  "That would be too easy. Besides, I could say the same about you."

  "Where is the nearest Republic base?"

  "About 2 light years away. About two weeks time from here, near the star Matari at our current speed. But you'll never get there. The Garlician ships are already on their way to meet me. We'll rendezvous with them in ten hours."

  "By then, we'll be out of here," she said, and started to leave the brig.

  "Don't you want to know more about your father, Ms. Avery?"

  She turned toward him, even more angry, but maintained control. She knew he was testing her.

  "Not at the moment," she said, and left the brig.

  Varloo was outside the door, and apparently Garlona went off to help Malone with the bodies. Angelica stared at the humanoid, as he read her thoughts.

  "My appearance frightens you," he said. "Humans have always been afraid us, but the truth is we are good and bad, same as your kind. Whether or not you believe me, I am on your side."

  "That's good to know," she said. "I'm going up front. If he

  tries to escape, let me know." Varloo nodded, as she walk
ed down to the bridge.

  On the bridge, Cely was working on deciphering the access code, and Rollings was monitoring the viewing screens.

  "Any luck, Cely?" Angelica asked, as she entered the room.

  "Negative, Ms. Avery," he answered. "I estimate it will take approximately eleven hours to determine the correct series of characters."

  "We haven't got that much time. He says the Garlician fleet will be here in ten," she said.

  "Then we're going to have to override the system somehow," Rollings said.

  "There is a way I can do that, but it would take just as long, ” Cely remarked.

  "Then we're sitting ducks," Rollings sighed.

  "Unless we can get Balta to give us the code."

  "How in the hell are you going to do that?" Rollings asked. "What makes you think he's willing to listen to anything you have to say?"

  "He seems to have a connection with me," she said. "He claims to be my brother."

  "I don't see the resemblance," Rollings stated.

  "Technically, he is," Cely said. "He has your father's genes within him."

  "That thing is not my brother, "Angelica remarked. "But I do think I can reason with him."

  At that moment, Malone entered the bridge.

  "Tolarions do not reason," he said. "They conquer and destroy."

  "Have you got any better ideas?" Rollings snapped. "If you do, we'd love to hear them."

  "Why don't you trade the reactors for your freedom," Malone said. "Who cares what they do with them afterwards."

  "I care! " Angelica cried. "They're not going to get them. Even if we have to destroy this ship with us on it!"

  "You are mad," Malone said. "Maybe you have a death wish, but not me. If worse comes to worse, I'll die in space on one of the ejection pods."

  "Enough, " Rollings said. "Nobody's going to die. Maybe we can get Balta to buy us a little time, we just have to figure out how."

  The hours passed, and Cely worked diligently on overriding the code. Angelica was willing to try to get Balta to cooperate, but she didn't want to dwell on her father's past. Balta was obviously using this to his advantage, trying to find her weak spot so he could break her down. She began to see why this Jeff Walker character had such a hard time with him, he was extremely clever and resistant. After six hours, she was worried, and saw no other alternative than to speak with him again. It was past the contact time, and she was sure when it came to war, he was a man of his word.

  She went up to the brig again, opened the door, and faced Balta, who now sat up and was more alert.

  "I have a proposal for you," she said. "Malone suggested it. I thought it was the stupidest idea I ever heard, but at the moment, I've run out of options."

  "What could you offer that I don't already have."

  "Your reactors back, if you let us go."

  "They are not yours to give. You will see when the fleet gets here. How about something of real value to me."

  "Such as-"

  "Your cooperation. You help us in our research. Then I will let your friends go."

  "You've promised that before, and I agreed. You showed your gratitude by killing innocent beings."

  "This time I promise. As soon as you relinquish command to me, I'll let them go."

  "Why do I feel I can't trust you?"

  "We have to learn to trust each other. How else will we be able to work together."

  She knelt down, putting her face in front of his. "Let's get something straight. We will never work together. I will work for you, until I've done what you ask, but after that, I'm going on my own, understand?"

  "Of course," he laughed.

  "And I will give you command after we are safely docked at a neutral colony. You call off your fleet, and I'll give you back command once we get there."

  "I'm afraid that's impossible. Once they've been given orders, they follow through. Even if I tell you the code, they will still attack."

  "Well then, we better get moving before they arrive. The code?"

  "On second thought," he smirked. "I've changed my mind. I'd rather die, than give you the code."

  She grabbed him by the throat, and pointed the laser at his head.

  "You're impossible!" she yelled. "Well, I just may grant your wish!"

  She let him go, left the brig, and stormed up to the bridge, where Cely was still working on trying to override the code.

  "Cely, what's up?"

  "I've managed to get the navigational system partially working on impulse drive. We're moving away from Marlon, but it's fairly slow. Eventually, they'll overtake us. But it has given us a few hours extra."

  "That's a start, " she said, as she looked at Malone. "Apparently you were right, Malone. He is totally unwilling to cooperate. Cely, are you able to override the weapons system yet?"

  "I'm working on it, " he answered. "But I don't know if we'll have enough time before the Garlician fleet arrives."

  "Do whatever you have to do to get us out of this mess," Angelica said.

  If anybody could get them out of a tough situation, Cely was the one to do it. Even with one arm, he was the best hope they had. His superior technical skill surpassed every one on board, except Varloo and Balta. She just hoped he had enough time to accomplish his task, before the Garlicians came in with guns blazing to blow them to smithereens.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  The small spaceship approached the edge of the atmosphere, and Jeff and Lori stared at the large, bluish green planet as if to say their final farewell. they both had a bad feeling about the whole situation and even though they agreed to it, felt they were making a mistake. They were strapped into their seats, and looked at one another, as Carver and the two others piloted the craft towards the large, gray Republic battle cruiser.

  "Happy honeymoon," she said, as she smiled.

  "Yea," he snorted. "Some honeymoon."

  "Well, at least we're together." He smiled back at her, as they watched the world disappear from view.

  "Twenty eight thousand miles until docking, Sir," one of the men announced to Carver, as he pressed a button on the panel in front of him.

  "Prepare to dock," Carver commanded.

  "Docking in ten minutes, Sir."

  Carver spoke into the communication panel. "Carver to Renake, " he said.

  "Renake here, Captain Carver."

  "Preparing to dock in nine minutes , thirty two seconds."

  "Acknowledged. Enter on dock bay three. See you when you get here."

  "We'll do, Carver out."

  "How come you didn't join us on Ventros, John?" Jeff asked.

  "You know me," he answered. "I couldn't give up the intrigue and excitement of exploring other worlds. And now, it only takes us a couple of weeks. Man has always quested for the unknown, and you know damn well I'm no different from the rest of them."

  "Sometimes, you get more than you bargain for, " Jeff reminded him. "I know that too damn well!"

  "Well, this time's going to be different, " Carver said. "I promise you that."

  "I hope you're right, " Lori said. "I can't afford to lose him again."

  Carver laughed, and patted him on the back. "I'll personally see that nothing happens to him."

  They remained quiet until the ship came into view. Carver didn't exaggerate; the ship was enormous, even by Republic standards. The hundred and fifty feet long scout ships were dwarfed in comparison to this craft, which had to be at least a half mile long. He couldn't fathom how many beings it took to pilot it. He was in awe, as the dock bay doors opened, and they drifted inside.

  The ship landed smoothly, and after it did, the crew unstrapped themselves from their restraint belts. Jeff and Lori were the last to exit the doorway, and as they began to leave, heard something moving in the back of the ship. The two looked at one another, Jeff gestured her to leave, and he pulled out his laser. He slowly walked in the direction of the sound. In the back there were two compartments in a wall panel. He held his laser, ready to fire when
he opened the door. When he did, Dormiton fell out onto the floor. He opened the other one, and Milgic fell out.

  "What the hell?" Jeff cried. "What are you two doing here?"

  "We couldn't let you leave without us, " Dormiton said.

  "You need our help," suggested Milgic.

  "What part of I didn't want you guys coming along didn't you understand?"

  Lori heard the commotion and boarded the ship.

  "Tell him Lori, " Milgic said. "Tell him that he needs our help!"

  Her mouth opened wide in disbelief. "I hate to admit it, " she said. "But Jeff's right. You shouldn't be here."

  "But we are," Dormiton said.

  "Yea, as stowaways." Jeff stated. "Do you know what kind of trouble you can get me into?"

  Carver also came back on the ship after he heard the commotion.

  "Relax, Walker, " he said. "I thought the ship seemed a little heavier. Well, as long as they decided to come, we'll have to find a use for them."

  "Just stay out of trouble, " Jeff said. "This is as far as you go. When I have to go on any covert missions, you're staying on board. You'll be safer here. You too, Lori."

  "I thought we agreed," Lori said. "You said I could go with you."

  "I know what I said," Jeff answered. "But that was before the boys showed up. Somebody's gotta watch out for them! Besides, this ain't no family affair."

  "They'll be safe as long as they stay on board," Carver assured him. I can't guarantee their safety if they don't follow orders."

  "You here that guys, follow orders!" Jeff snapped, as they nodded, reluctant.

  "There's appropriate quarters for all of you on the deck above, " Carver said. "Jeff, I'm going to need you up in the conference room for briefing. Lori, Thompson will show you to your quarters."

  "Very well," Lori said, as she gave Jeff a kiss goodbye. "I'll meet up with you later."

  She and the two lingworts followed Carver's ensign, as Jeff and Carver left in the other direction. As they walked through the hallway, Carver remained unusually silent.