He rejoined the line of officers as Clio approached with Booster perched on her shoulder.
The microphone reached above her head. She took a moment to lower it several inches.
She silently regarded the crowd, her eyes burning with fire as she held herself with pride.
"Swigger was more than a good man," Clio said, her voice firm. She took a deep breath. "Some still doubt that, but those who fought alongside him knew who he really was." She pressed a hand to her heart. “He was a skilled marksman. He was fearless. Selfless. Strong. Right to the bitter end. He died in the line of duty, giving his life so that I might live. So that the crew of the North Star might continue their mission. Yes, we may have temporarily lost sight of it, but we have a mission. Swigger didn’t forget how much we have left to do, and neither should you. He knew how much the galaxy needs us…even if the galaxy doesn’t know it yet. Only we can turn back the joint Chimera-Aphnai threat. Only we know what’s going on in the shadows. Are we, the only people with the information and power to do something, going to rest on our laurels? Or will we also fight to the bitter end?" A murmur of agreement swept through the crowd. "It’s not going to be easy…but then no one said it would be. We will experience moments of weakness along the way. And that’s okay. But if doubt ever threatens to overwhelm you, remember the sacrifice Swigger made in his final moments." She gestured to the open torpedo. "Don’t let his sacrifice be in vain. Requiesce in pace."
"Requiesce in pace," the crowd echoed louder than before, sending chills up Taza’s spine. It was standard Confederation fare when it came to funerals, but the line felt like a religious chant after Clio’s speech.
She nodded to those gathered and climbed off the podium, joining Captain Grimshaw, Officer O’Donovan, and Lieutenant Dann as they approached Swigger. They surrounded the torpedo and folded the Confederation Fleet flag into a triangle. Clio offered the neatly folded bundle to the Captain as was customary, but Grimshaw pressed it into Clio’s hands with a slight nod.
Clio hesitated momentarily, but her features suddenly hardened, reinforced by a steel Taza had never seen in her.
She placed the folded flag on Swigger’s chest and stepped back as the lid slid into place, concealing the sharpshooter inside. She returned to the gap in the line and faced the torpedo chamber.
"Attention!" Grimshaw called.
All present saluted, and Taza found himself following along half-heartedly, despite previously feeling completely disconnected from the affair.
Two Zaqaran weapons officers pushed the torpedo onto the loading rack. A click sounded, and the torpedo slid into the tube. One of the weapons officers operated a terminal and the hatch closed with a hiss. Both Zaqaran pulled locking levers and the light above the tube door flashed green three times. A pop rumbled through the weapons bay as the torpedo launched.
A white line streaked across the giant display like a shooting star. All eyes watched in silence as the line faded.
"From the stars we came," the robed Zaqaran announced. "To the stars we return."
As if in answer, the torpedo exploded in a sphere of blinding white, momentarily appearing as a distant star before dwindling to a faint orange haze.
Those gathered stood still for a minute’s silence, and Taza’s own thoughts turned to Swigger. He hadn’t known the marksman well, but he had seemed like a solid guy. Initially, Taza didn’t like him at all, but he realized it was because of his fatherly affections for Clio.
No wonder she’s always referred to me as an old man. Zora always got a kick out of that. Straiya would have too. His mood swiftly turned dark at the thought of the Shanti. If only he’d known how she felt all those years ago. He’d had a rough run with women over the years, and the universe showed no sign of letting up on that front. Despite his attempts at isolation, he’d lost enough people of his own and a large part of himself had been lost with them. Zora was still out there somewhere, and Taza suspected he might never see her again. Straiya was also gone for good. To his surprise, each loss pained him equally.
"That brings the ceremony to a close." The Zaqaran’s voice boomed across the weapons bay sound system.
Taza welcomed the interruption.
"Refreshments will be served and conversation will be had for another thirty minutes. Let us remember Officer Hughes before the bay returns to scheduled maintenance."
Chatter picked up, and Taza took that as his cue to leave. He disliked conversing with people at the best of times. Few things appealed to him less than a crowded weapons bay following a funeral. The flask at his hip called out, and he licked his lips as he tapped his utility belt.
As he quietly made his way back to the doors, he remembered the necklace from Loth. He took it from the pouch at his side and turned it in his fingers. Even under the dim lights of the weapons bay it glowed with a fiery resolve…like something living had been trapped inside the red crystals.
He looked back across the sea of heads and caught a glimpse of Clio. O’Donovan had an arm around her shoulder, and they were surrounded by at least a dozen others in uniform.
His SIG vibrated, reminding him that he was already running behind schedule for take-off. He looked back to Clio and was glad to find her laughing with her crew-mates. Talking to the kid hardly seemed like the right thing to do, especially after the argument they’d had that morning. I’ll give the necklace to her when I get back.
Clio was one strong kid. And she was surrounded by the people she loved. She didn’t need an old dog like Taza.
No one did.
He smiled as he squeezed the necklace and glanced back at the crowd one last time, silently bidding Clio farewell. He returned the necklace as he waved at the exit and slipped into the corridor. The door slowly melted back together, dulling the chatter.
Taza spared the deceased one last thought. Wherever Swigger was, hopefully he was at peace. Though they hadn’t seen eye-to-eye, Taza was grateful for the sharpshooter’s heroic act. If not for his sacrifice, Taza would have walked out of a very different funeral, and that wasn’t even worth thinking about.
The bay doors melting closed seemed like a fitting symbol. Taza didn’t know what happened after death, nor did he care, but even he had to admit that the idea of those who lived well receiving a reward held some appeal. Some religions taught that those who died well received even greater rewards in the afterlife. Taza thought it a foolish sentiment, but a nice one all the same.
Either way, Swigger’s death meant Clio got to live.
One door closed so that another could remain open. In a cold and indifferent universe, one had to count their blessings, such as they were.
12
Lineage
Clio jogged as fast as she could without upsetting her pained thigh too much.
Booster’s hands and feet padded behind as he followed on all fours.
She hurried through the bay doors and offered the North Star a quick glance to her right before scanning the long row of bays on her left. Some tension melted out of her shoulders when she saw that Allora was still docked.
The lack of activity around the small ship’s bay suggested that she was ready for take-off.
Taza had never been one for goodbyes, but Clio wished he’d at least tried to clear the air before leaving. She knew he contended with demons of his own, but that didn’t excuse him for leaving so abruptly. Clio’s list of close friends had never been long, but Taza was one of the few people still on it.
If Swigger’s passing had taught her anything, it was the importance of never leaving without first settling differences. She didn’t even want to think about how much harder it would have been had they not ironed things out before the Quamat’s attack.
Having partially caught her breath, she broke into a sprint, grinding her teeth against her leg’s objections. She ignored several Zaqaran dock operatives who looked up from their work as she passed.
Booster squeaked curses in her wake.
She reached the Allora and held ont
o a handrail as she puffed. Taza turned away from the ship, a heavy supply crate in his arms.
She approached, struggling to control her breathing as she tried to appear casual. "Going to leave without saying goodbye, old man?" she somehow managed in a single breath.
Taza wore a blank expression, but Clio was sure she’d seen a hint of shock in his eyes. "Well, if it isn’t the dynamic duo!" He turned away and loaded the crate into Allora’s side-hatch.
"Is that all you have to say?" Clio demanded, still trying not to show how out of breath she was.
"Yeah," Booster squeaked, trying to add weight to her words but making them feel even more feeble.
Having secured the crates, Taza approached, running a hand through his thick, silver hair the way he did when caught off guard. Sweat glistening at his temples. "I saw you at the funeral." His eyes narrowed. "You looked busy. I didn’t want to disturb you after our…discussion on the training deck. Figured I upset you enough for one day. You’ve had enough on your hands without me getting in the way."
Clio closed the distance, fists clenched at her sides. Taza flinched as though he thought she might throw a punch. She threw her arms around his neck. "You stupid fool," she said, squeezing him.
Taza froze like a pillar of stone unable to react. A moment later, he returned her affection, relief spreading through her bones, lending her spirit much-needed buoyancy. They embraced for a while before Clio finally stepped away, the weight of the universe suddenly feeling a little more manageable.
She looked up into Taza’s cool eyes and laughed involuntarily.
Taza cocked an eyebrow. "What’s so funny?"
"The absurdity of it all. Two adults acting like moody children."
Taza rubbed his neck and grinned like a fool. "If Zora was here, she would have kicked our asses for sure."
"I’ll kick your asses," Booster piped up from atop the bay rail.
Clio and Taza laughed at Booster’s severe expression.
"To be honest, I’m glad you came," Taza said, fiddling with his hands. "My time on Ushtar will pass quicker knowing you aren’t mad with me."
"Even I can’t stay mad at an old man like you forever."
Taza cracked another smile at the insult. "Oh, I almost forgot."
He reached for his utility belt and produced a red rock dangling on a delicate golden chain. The gleaming ruby seemed to pulse slowly. "I found the stone near one of the fault lines on Loth. The locals wore similar jewels, so I had this made for you. They call it a tongue of fire. I’m told that it sings a silent song to the universe and calms the flames of…angry spirits."
"Interesting choice of words," Clio said, taking the necklace in her hands and squinting as she looked it over. "It’s warm."
Taza chuckled. "It’s pretty much plasma encased in stone. I thought it would give you something to remember our friendship by…in case anything happens while I’m gone."
Clio made to put it around her neck, but she hesitated.
"It’s okay if you don’t like it," Taza said. "I’m not exactly good at selecting gifts."
"No. It’s perfect, Taza." She rolled the stone around in her hand one more time before offering it back to him. "But I can’t take it."
She forced it back into his hands.
He looked at her, clearly confused.
"Don’t take it the wrong way, old man." She offered a reassuring smile. "I love it, but accepting it would feel like…tempting fate. I want you to promise you’ll give it to me when you return."
He cocked an eyebrow. "I doubt anything interesting will happen while I’m away. The Ushtarans are pretty passive…most of the time, anyway. I’ll be back here before Allora’s engines have time to cool. I’m more worried about you and the others meeting the Kragak."
"Worry about bringing that necklace back. We have the North Star. Grimshaw will take care of us."
"And even though that’s reassuring, we’re talking about the Kragak."
She locked eyes with him, noting the subtle changes in his optical implants. "Grimshaw will handle things. If anyone is qualified to deal with the Kragak, it’s him. Besides, I have to make it back if I want that stone. Hold onto it. Consider it a promise that we’ll see each other again soon."
Taza returned the stone to his belt. "Very well. But make sure you’re back in time or I might have to give it to someone else."
Clio giggled and punched him in the shoulder. Despite Taza’s dour disposition, he always knew how to cheer her up.
She threw her arms around him again. "I’ll see you when we get back."
"See you then, kid," he said, returning the gesture without hesitation. "Good luck."
"Be careful down there."
They parted and Taza ascended Allora’s ramp.
"Goodbye," Booster squeaked.
Taza turned back and waved as the ramp folded into the ship’s side.
Clio joined Booster by the rail to watch Allora leave. Her engines whirred, and she jerked slightly before lifting into the air, smoothly turning to face the launch-way. Her engines roared, whipping up wind around the hangar. Clio brushed a tangle of hair out of her eyes.
A pop exploded and thunder rolled through the hangar. Allora shot down the launch-way, disappearing to a speck. Clinking and clanking around the hangar absorbed all signs of her departure.
Clio glanced around the hangar, and watched the Zaqaran operators and maintenance crews going about their duties.
Her heart burned suddenly. Swigger was gone. She hadn’t heard from Zora in almost a month. And now Taza had left. She reassured herself, recalling the red stone and his promise to return. She also had to make it back if she wanted that necklace…if she wanted to see Taza again…if she wanted to honor Swigger’s sacrifice.
"I’ve still got you and Grimshaw…and the rest of the crew," she mumbled as she ruffled Booster’s fluffy head.
"He’ll be back," Booster replied.
Clio nodded, looking down the launch-way one more time. "I hope you’re right."
Clio navigated deck seven with Booster perched on her shoulder. They waved at a blue-crested Zaqaran as she passed. Clio counted the door numbers as they went. She found it helped with the nausea caused by the nanites leaving her body. "The briefing room should be around the next corner."
"Going to be early," Booster said, tapping his robotic wrist as though he wore a watch.
"No need to sound so surprised," Clio said. "It’s not as though we’re late for every briefing."
"Yeah right," Booster chirped.
She couldn’t think of a good reply. "Well, since being ordered to do less, I have a bit more time on my hands. It’s not my fault we’re usually so busy." She took a left and passed a group of young Zaqarans who pointed excitedly at the Puck.
"We can stop for a minute." Booster looked back at the kids and hummed with excitement. He liked being fussed over.
"Not now, Booster. We’re almost there. Like you said, we’re early for a change. You know how Grimshaw gets when we’re late."
"Fine," Booster moaned.
Her serial integration gate bleeped, alerting her to an incoming transmission.
To her surprise, Agent Phineosa’s name appeared on the display. Clio hadn’t spoken to the Zaqaran official in months and wondered what she could possibly want now. She swiped her SIG.
"Ensign Evans, we need to meet," the agent’s voice stated urgently before Clio could so much as utter a word.
"Is everything okay?"
"A report came through from one of my sources this morning. I finished reading it this very minute. It’s important that we speak right away."
Clio couldn’t imagine what kind of report would require such urgency. "I’m on my way to a crew briefing. It should only take an hour. I can squeeze you in before my final inspection of the North Star’s flight—."
"By right away, I mean immediately. I’m leaving my office as we speak. Where are you?"
Clio looked down the corridor. "Not far from brie
fing room 7-B4. Captain Grimshaw’s expecting—"
"Ah, I thought you’d be on deck seven. Wait for me at the seating area at junction 7-B3. I’ll be there momentarily."
"I—" The line cut before Clio could object or ask for more details.
"Fucking Zaqarans," she muttered under her breath. As if it isn’t bad enough they killed Swigger.
"Rude bastards," Booster said, shaking his head.
Clio glanced at the briefing room and considered ignoring Agent Phineosa’s request. However, the unexpected call had piqued her interest. An Omnion agent wanting to meet in person meant they’d learned something important. She wasn’t sure whether to be curious or worried. She looked down the corridor one last time and spun on her heel, storming back the way they’d come.
"Come on, Booster."
"So much for being early," he muttered.
Clio tapped her leg as she leaned against the cold wall. She checked her SIG again. They’d been waiting at the junction for twenty-nine minutes and Phineosa still hadn’t put in an appearance.
Booster’s robotic hand picked at the fur on his other arm, as though searching for bugs. The Puck suddenly lifted his head, his nose twitching. "Agent coming."
Agent Phineosa appeared in the intersection. She looked ragged around the edges, especially given how put together she normally was. The Zaqaran approached, wiping sweat from her gleaming forehead. Despite her flustered appearance she somehow maintained her air of dignity, her purple-tinged crest perfectly matching her dark-mustard uniform. Light danced in rainbows around the expensive stones studding her crest, creating the appearance of a halo. Unlike most Zaqarans Clio had met, Phineosa hailed from a wealthy household. She was the kind of person who was more used to ordering others to run errands than running them herself. That further piqued Clio’s interest.
The agent’s sharp eyes flicked to Booster before latching onto Clio. "I’m glad you’re here."
"We’ve been waiting for half an hour."
"An urgent call came through on the way. The final uninfected Omnion, Administrator Li, has contracted the retrovirus. Certain arrangements couldn’t wait."
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