The Galactic Sentinel: Ultimate Edition: 4 Books with 2000+ Pages of Highly Entertaining Sci-Fi Space Adventure

by Killian Carter

  Her urgency renewed, she looked for a way out, ducking under thrashing limbs. She dodged a surprisingly fast blade swipe and tumbled between a set of tree-trunk-sized legs. Something banged into the back of her head and she stumbled forward. She was knocked from Kragak to Kragak like a pinball.

  A Krag stepped on her foot, almost crushing her TEK’s boot. A damage warning flashed in her visor.

  Despite her TEK's environmental control system, she was hot and sweaty.

  Seeing an opening.

  Clio feebly leapt for safety.

  The gap closed before she made it, pushing her into a hand-to-hand brawl between five or six Krags. She pulled the Confederation Fleet standard issue knife from her belt, wishing she’d retrieved the alien knife from Aglat’s body. The normal knife wouldn't do anything against Krag armor, but it gave her something to hold onto.

  An elbow bludgeoned her shoulder-guard, and she lashed out, her blade scraping off black armor. To her horror, the creature took notice and turned on her, ready to swing its giant fist.

  On seeing it was Clio and not another Kragak, it looked confused.

  It howled as a giant hammer caved in its chest.

  A much larger Kragak holding a colossal hammer kicked him out of the way before turning on Clio, ready to swing.

  A giant hand wrapped around her wrist and yanked her out of the fray.

  She was about to lash out with her useless blade again when she realized Ishmarg had pulled her to relative safety.

  "I said to stay close," he growled, blasting a particularly dark Kragak with his staff. "This way."

  Clio struggled to stay on his heels as he charged through dozens of warriors, but he soon stopped making progress as a dozen Kragak hemmed them in. She recognized one as Skah, the less than agreeable commander Grimshaw had dealt with via the North Star’s VD. That one regarded Ishmarg with notable hatred.

  The Elder swung a long scythe-like weapon, striking at Ishmarg relentlessly.

  The Shaman deflected blows with his staff, but gave a lot of ground, Grimshaw flopping like an empty sack on his shoulder. He blasted a warrior who got too close, sending him into the sprawl, and lashed out at Skah.

  The Krag commander dodged Ishmarg's counterattack with a mean grin.

  Heavy gunfire erupted, taking the Skah down. The Kragak on each side of Clio turned, their faces twisted in pain as plasma smashed through them. O’Donovan appeared in the gap, standing atop a pile of giant bodies, screaming as his heavy plasma canon mowed down another line of Krags.

  A creature launched at him.

  Thunder shook Clio to her core, and the springing Kragak flew back the way he came, knocking several of his charging companions over like pins.

  Booster sidled up to O'Donovan, the canon on his arm smoking, a cocky grin cut across his cute little face. She'd never been so glad to see him.

  "Hurry," Captain Haraus bellowed from ahead, ushering Clio and Ishmarg through the gap.

  O'Donovon, Booster, and several allied Kragak provided cover fire as Clio and Ishmarg climbed out of the mire.

  Giant hands reached out and pulled them free, then dragged them to the tunnel. A Kragak almost as big as Aglat appeared just beyond the gap and took Grimshaw from Ishmarg, gently cradling the Captain like a mother would a child.

  As Clio stepped into the light, she recognized the larger Kragak as Oryon.

  The Kragak she recognized as Captain Haraus fired a rifle twice as big as O’Donovan’s, cutting down a cluster of charging Krags.

  "You," he growled, pointing at three Kragak warriors. "Plug the hole. The Sharazaar and his companions must go.”

  "Yes!“ they shouted in unison, hurrying to follow through.

  "Commander Lorg," Haraus said to a Kragak next to Clio. "Skah has sided with Aglat. The traitor stabbed Kaliff in the back as he shielded me. Return to our ship. Prepare to jump. I will join you soon."

  "We must leave this place," Ishmarg called to Haraus.

  "Oryon will carry Grimshaw," Haraus said. "My people will ensure the way remains clear. Go!"

  Ishmarg nodded. He and Oryon led Clio through the tunnel.

  O’Donovan and Booster fell in next to Clio, supporting her as they went.

  Clio was surprised to find the square outside the arena was as busy as before. The fighting had been contained to the arena.

  She retracted her helmet and took several deep breaths of uncycled air, glad to be free of the press.

  Aches and pains worked their way into her body, but she pushed on, keeping up with Ishmarg and Oryon.

  O'Donovan clapped her shoulder-pad. "You're doing great Clio. We're almost out of this shit hole."

  She did her best to return his reassuring smile.

  "Shit hole," Booster squeaked as he sidled up to her.

  Clio was glad to have them with her. Exhaustion invaded her limbs all the same, but she forced one foot in front of the other as the Ishmarg led them through a maze of passageways.

  The Kragak they saw along the way appeared unperturbed by the fight in the arena and the impending traditionalist fleet. If anything, they gave off an air of excitement.

  Krags really are strange.

  They arrived at a small side-door at the end of a quiet, stone hallway.

  Ishmarg ushered them inside and locked the door. "This is one of the lesser used regeneration vaults. It is against tradition to fight outside the arena of any Kragak ship, but especially so on the Foundry. However, times are changing and matters have taken a strange turn with two Terrans being selected as Nahvoy. Not to mention one of them speaking the words of Anak. We cannot be too careful."

  Oryon grumbled in agreement as he held Grimshaw close to his chest.

  The cavernous room reeked of heavy incense. The space opened into a wide avenue. Countless rows of egg-shaped pods stretching off into shadow. Most were black, but some were mottled brown or gray. They stood about fifteen feet tall, though a few were shorter.

  Clio touched the nearest and found its surface to be cold and hard as rock, though it had the texture of Krag’s exoskeletal armor.

  Mist hovered inside a nearby open pod, obscuring what was inside.

  Oryon took great care in setting Grimshaw on his back by the foot of the open pod.

  The Captain groaned but remained unconscious.

  Ishmarg turned to Clio. “It would be best if he was prepared by his own people."

  "Prepared?" Clio said.

  Ishmarg nodded. "One must be unarmored and unclothed to enter a regeneration chamber."

  Clio kneeled by Grimshaw, getting a closer look at his battle-damaged TEK. The vital signs on his SIG were bad, but he was still alive. It was a wonder he'd survived the encounter with Aglat at all. His armor had been hammered and beaten. The breastplate was almost cracked in two where Aglat had stabbed him.

  She checked Grimshaw's SIG and activated the TEK's retraction system.

  Motors whirred, but nothing happened. The main loading drivers were busted too.

  She rested his head in her lap as she manually unclasped his neck brace.

  O'Donovan joined her and set about removing the lower half of his TEK.

  Clio unclipped his shoulder pads and breastplate, doing her best not to upset his wound. Cracks and holes had loosened most panels, making them easy to remove.

  O'Donovan helped with the abdominal plates.

  Clio unzipped his subarmor and slowly peeled the material away, the temporary formopad repairs squelching as they separated from coagulated blood and sticky flesh around his wound.

  They had grown some new tissue, but the wound was bad.

  Grimshaw groaned and shifted a little, but his eyes remained closed.

  "Hush, Captain," Clio whispered by his ear. "We've got you. Everything’s going to be okay.”

  Seeing the state he was in, Clio wasn't sure he would be. But she'd heard enough rumors about Krag regeneration chambers to allow herself a little hope.

  O'Donovan pulled the subarmor suit down p
ast his ankles and tossed it aside.

  Clio scanned Grimshaw's naked body. His breathing was so shallow he almost seemed still. His ash-gray skin gave him the appearance of a corpse. Several large bruises had bloomed on his arms and torso. Torn flaps of ragged skin surrounded the wound in his chest.

  Ishmarg scooped Grimshaw off the ground and brought him to the upright sarcophagus.

  "No!" The Captain suddenly cried out.

  Clio jolted.

  Grimshaw thrashed out with his arms and legs, struggling to break free as Ishmarg forced him into the misty darkness.

  "Don't put me inside!"

  Shock froze Clio where she was. She didn't know what to do.

  The white vapor shifted around Grimshaw.

  Clio saw what looked like white fingers move in the depths of the pod.

  Shaman Ishmarg stuffed Grimshaw inside and tapped the side of the giant egg, closing the cover before Clio could get a better look.

  Dull thuds sounded as Grimshaw pounded on the inside of the chamber.

  "What the hell was that all about?" Clio said.

  "Captain must have gone into shock," O'Donovan offered.

  "Shock," Booster agreed.

  The thudding grew weaker.

  "People don't fight like that when they go into shock,” Clio said.

  Ishmarg turned to her, a grim expression on his broad face. "Grimshaw entered such a chamber on Gorthore. That was how he uploaded the virus that introduced my people to the Final Death. Being inside the chamber is unpleasant for a Kragak. I can only imagine it is much worse for....smaller creatures."

  The thudding stopped.

  Part of Clio wanted to let the Captain out, or at least check and make sure he was okay. But Ishmarg was right. Grimshaw still struggled to cope with whatever happened on Gorthore. The chamber probably brought it all flooding back.

  "I will conduct the ritual." Ishmarg's voice boomed. “Return to your ship and prepare for departure. The Foundry will jump soon. Where we go, you cannot follow and it will remain hostile on board for quite some time."

  "We can't leave without the Captain," O'Donovon said before Clio could pipe up.

  "Grimshaw is in the safest place he can be,” Ishmarg said. "He will be returned to good health before you depart, but I must perform the ritual before he dies. The words are old and powerful and may only be heard by a Shaman. Oryon will escort you back to your vessel."

  He gestured to the locked door.

  "Fine," Clio said, narrowing her eyes. "But if anything happens to him, I'll make sure the Kragak pay."

  "I don't doubt it," Ishmarg said with a tired smile. "Now go."

  Clio gave the regeneration chamber one more glance before leaving. Leaving Grimshaw alone with the Krag felt off, but the Shaman was right. Grimshaw was in the best position possible given the circumstances. Without a regeneration pod, he'd be dead.

  And he might still die even with one.

  37

  Upon The Skyways

  Despite a slight limp, Ria moved with surprising speed as they ran for Allora.

  The Ushtaran transport had almost landed.

  "Are you sure you'll be okay?” Taza said. "Looks like you hurt that leg bad."

  "Pulled something jumping off the walkway. I'll be fine."

  They got within throwing distance of Allora's landing platforms when the disembarking Ushtarans opened fire.

  Taza and Ria skidded behind loading machinery as plasma and ballistics tore up the skyway around them. The turret mounted on top of the transport thundered.

  "So close, yet so far," Taza spat. "Shit."

  "There's seven of them, and that thing has a canon," Ria said. "Best we can do is hold them off and hope help will arrive. Hold this."

  She passed Taza the metal case and drew her blaster with her good arm, the other hung loose at her side.

  She returned fire.

  Taza sat the case at his feet and joined her.

  They took down one each.

  The enemy barrage intensified, causing them to duck.

  Allora was only a short sprint away, but he knew he wouldn't make it.

  With a hole in the front of his helmet, one well-placed shot would bring him down, and Ria wasn't in any better shape.

  If only there was something we could use as cover.

  A light breeze dissipated the mist for the most part. "We could do with more of that smoke right about now."

  "The Ushtarans must have regained control of environmental systems."

  Taza checked his vox, but it was still dead. "I don't suppose your comms are working again."

  "Qurpall, do you read me?" Ria said. She waited for a second before shaking her head. "The jammer is still running."

  "If we could take the jammer out, I could get a remote connection to Allora."

  "We don't even know where it is..."

  She leaned out for a look.

  Return fire struck the loading vehicle and Ria's shoulder, spinning her back into cover.

  She let out a cry of frustration. "They're closing in."

  Taza had a quick peek for himself.

  The Ushtarans had fanned out, taking cover behind ships on the occupied landing platforms. They hadn't reached Allora, but they were close.

  He spread his fire out, warding off those to the fore.

  He pulled back behind the machine as Ushtaran fire descended on his position.

  “We won't hold them off for long," he muttered.

  Another gunship roared between the building tops, curving in the direction of the Spire.

  Taza gestured to the sky. "Our friends won't stand a chance with all that air support."

  "Our friends will be fine," Ria snorted. "They'll retreat back into the tunnels if things get too hot. Gunships can't follow them there."

  “The Ushtarans can. What if they attack the base?"

  "They wouldn't dare. They fear the tunnels. Even if they chanced it, they wouldn't last. We Chan know the tunnels better than anyone. The Ushtarans deemed anything below the upper levels beneath them. Now they pay for their arrogance."

  Taza opened his SIG's scanner settings. "Try keeping them off us. I’ll see if I can locate the damn jammer."

  Taza was well within range of Allora's remote receiver, but it was useless as long as the Ushtaran device remained active. He ran a series of tests, using earlier SIG readings to triangulate the jammer’s location.

  Every calculation turned up the same error. "This doesn't make sense."

  “Then make it make sense soon," Ria said urgently, firing her blaster again. "They've almost reached your ship."

  Taza had another look at the landing platforms beyond. The Ushtarans had advanced to within thirty feet of Allora. He and Ria would never push them back. They were lucky to have lasted so long.

  Sounds of battle issued from the Spire’s direction. If they retreated, they would run into more opposition. With airships arriving every few minutes, the skyways would soon be overrun with reinforcements.

  Taza fired at an advancing Ushtaran, taking him in the leg. He returned to cover and found the rifle's battery all but depleted.

  "We're running low on time and ammo."

  "One of us can create a distraction while the other runs for it?"

  Taza shook his head. "Our TEKs are torn to shit. We wouldn't stand a chance with that turret, and the Ushtarans are too close now."

  Ria sighed. "We can't just sit here."

  Taza turned the problem of the jammer over in his mind, trying to figure out how it’s signal was equally strong no matter where they went.

  Have they attached jammers to our TEKs? Or maybe...

  He looked down at his feet as it dawned. "The bastards are using the upper walkways. A jammer that big explains why comms are down all over the priodome."

  "How does that help us?"

  "Give me your SIG."

  She glanced at him. "What use-"

  “No time for details.” He held out his hand. “Give it to me.�
��

  She reluctantly disconnected the device and threw it to him. “Whatever you do better be good.”

  Taza offered his heavy rifle in exchange. "It hasn't got much power left, but give me five minutes."

  "You've got two if you're lucky." She moaned in pain as she hoisted the weapon to her shoulder with one arm and pulled the trigger.

  Taza opened the SIG's physical interface port and uncoiled its interface cord. He rammed the metal pins into a slot between the gridded tiles at his feet. He configured a quick program and reversed the interface’s polarity before hitting RUN.

  He checked his own SIG.

  Still jammed.

  "Shit."

  "What?" Ria cried out, pulling back behind cover. "They'll be on us any second."

  "It didn't work," he sighed, reaching for the blaster at his hip.

  His SIG's signal bar fluttered.

  "Hold on," he said with renewed hope. "I don’t have enough juice to run two SIGs. It needs more power."

  He cast his eyes around looking for options.

  "That case has batteries. How much power have they got?"

  Ria set the rifle down and pulled the case close. "The batteries are near full, but the Aknar eggs need every ounce."

  "The Aknar eggs won't matter if we're both dead."

  Ria bit her lip.

  The Ushtaran gunfire stopped.

  "Drop your weapons and come out peacefully," a grating voice called from ahead. "If you cooperate, you will be treated fairly."

  "Okay, we're putting our guns down now," Taza shouted.

  He lowered his voice and leaned closer to Ria.

  "You know as well as I do that those bastards will smoke us as soon as we show our faces. You said it yourself. One of the eggs didn't make it. We might still make it out of this, but only if you give me that battery. I'll use what I need then reattach it. You can recharge the power cells when you reach safety."

  "Are you giving yourself up or not?" the same jarring voice as before shouted.

  "Give us a second," Taza feigned a groan. "We're injured."

  Ria looked deep into Taza's eyes. She could tell he was right. She slid the case his way.

  He quickly snapped the battery pack from the case and connected it to Ria’s SIG.