by John Walker
Adam shrugged. “If I was him, I wouldn’t risk it. He clearly knew someone would come after him though or he wouldn’t have bothered delaying us at the settlement with an ambush.”
“Arrogance is a hard vice to shake.” Gray sighed. “I want Olly and Clea to expand their search. Let’s see if we can find anything on the planet’s surface that doesn’t belong. A shuttle can’t be that easy to hide. The reactor, even contained, should give off something unusual. Focus on that and turns something up.”
Adam nodded. “We’re on it, sir.”
“I’ll monitor our marines with Marshall if you take the scans.”
“We might want to let Durant know the ship could still be in system,” Adam said. “In case we have to fight, he’ll want in on helping with power regulation. He already boosted the shields but said something about manual control for any big attacks…at least until his automation is fully implemented.
“Okay, drop that message to him when you reach out to Clea. Also, find out how long we’ve got on that com device. We need those reinforcements out here soon in case we have to take off in a hurry.”
“Think that’s a possibility?”
Gray nodded. “I’m sure of it. If these Orion’s Light guys run, we have to follow and quick. I don’t want them slip away without us right on their tail. We need to be all over this. We’ve already got them causing plenty of havoc for innocent civilians. This is a big risk and whatever they’re after…let’s just say we need to find it before they do.”
Chapter 6
Wyan felt his stomach crawl as the shuttle climbed up toward the mountain where Varlin’s weather station was located. He felt ill that the director of the colony had inadvertently doomed the man, the hermit who lived up there. His only hope was that the man wouldn’t be there, perhaps off gathering food or something and see their arrival.
Of course, he might see them and hurry back. Not many people could possibly visit the station. Wyan figured supply deliveries were the only thing to count on up there. If he thought this was one of those, he’d definitely be there to greet them. Regardless, the poor hermit was in for a terrible surprise.
I need to find a way to help him.
Wyan struggled against his bonds and fought at his gag. Krilan sat across from him and turned away from the window, smiling at the activity. “I see you’re not comfortable in your bonds. Perhaps if you’d help me instead of hinder, I wouldn’t have to resort to such things.”
Wyan glared at him, eyes narrow.
“Oh, don’t bother giving me a sour look. I’m not impressed. What we’re doing will go down in history as the right thing. You’ll see soon enough. Right now, you should just be happy you’re still alive. I could’ve left you to rot with the rest of your pathetic colony. But instead you get to be here, witnessing a galaxy altering event.”
I’d love to see you hanged for your crimes. That would be quite the event, you bastard.
“I can’t remove your gag, we’re almost there. But if you’d like to watch again, Garent will have his scanner on for you to watch through your screen. I want to hear your thoughts when I get back. Perhaps you can offer some pointers on diplomacy. I tend to lead with a gun but maybe there’s a better way…I doubt it, but I’m open to discovery.”
Your sick humor doesn’t do anything to disguise how horrible of a creature you are, Krilan. When you are captured, you will not last long in the alliance courts. For all the lives you took, you’ll be executed. I guarantee it.
Wyan wished he could voice his opinions but all he could do was stare at the man. He wanted to memorize his tormentor’s face, he never wanted to forget what true evil looked like. This creature, this horrible thing, killed those he had lived with for the better part of two years and he’d likely do it again on this planet.
And I can’t do anything to stop it.
“Sir,” a voice crackled through the overhead speakers. “We’re reading a massive warship approaching orbit. They’ve deployed shuttles to the settlement.”
Krilan smirked. “I see. Not at all surprising. It took the alliance long enough to figure out the pattern. At least I was right about when they would step in. Our men must’ve sent them the message so they’ll go to the correct settlement for the ambush. By the time they clean that mess up, we’ll be long gone.”
Hope filled Wyan’s heart despite Krilan’s assessment of the situation. If someone truly came to the planet to stop the Orion’s Light, then there was a chance this all might end here. I need to find a way out of this mess to help! I have to delay Krilan! Somehow, I must! He struggled, making quite the ruckus.
“What is wrong with you?” Krilan removed the gag. “What is it?”
Wyan coughed several times, then glared at Krilan. “You must stop this, Krilan. You must. At some point, you were a kielan citizen and you valued our ways enough to put your life on the line to protect them. Can’t you find some piece of that man to embrace? Remember the point in time when you swore an oath?”
“An oath I took seriously until they threw me in prison.” Krilan shook his head and handed the gag to one of his men. “Put that back in. This one doesn’t have anything of interest to say.”
Wyan struggled, shouting out before they could silence him. “You can’t murder this man we’re going to see! He’s done nothing wrong!”
The gag back in place, he grunted several times but gave up quickly. Krilan scowled out the window. “That’s better. Wyan, embrace the future with me. When you see what it is, and how I can fix all the woes of this galaxy, you’ll be glad to have sat beside me. You’re one of the few people alive who can say they’ve seen us work first hand. A rare privilege.”
Nothing about spending time with you people is a privilege! Wyan’s brain screamed. I’ve never killed someone. I never wanted to nor thought myself capable. Staring at this monster, I know for a fact I wouldn’t hesitate given the opportunity. For the sake of the galaxy and the safety of my race, I’d be forced to.
The shuttle landed and Krilan sent his men out to find Varlin. They watched on the security camera as four of the eight men they brought crept up on the weather station with their guns out. Each man covered a different angle, keeping an eye out for trouble. Wyan despaired at the fact they’d take this man, a veteran no less.
Surely they’ll have some empathy for a man who served like them!
A gunshot startled Wyan and his eyes widened as one of the men on the screen dropped to the ground. A mist of blood danced in the air from where his head had been a moment before. The other three dashed for cover, leaning against the weather station. They frantically checked their scanners, desperate for any clue as to where the attack came from.
Krilan frowned and performed his own scans. He hummed. “I’m not picking anything up. Perhaps it’s an automated defense.” He adjusted the computer and scanned again. “No, I’m not picking anything like that up either. This maniac must have something to mask himself and whatever he’s got out there.”
Good! I hope this man kills you all!
Another shot rang out and a second man dropped, this one from a blow to the stomach. The projectile went straight through his armor and sprayed blood all over the wall he was using for cover. One of his companions dropped down to check him and was rewarded with a head shot from their adversary, straight through the side with a clean exit.
Three down! Go, Varlin! Go!
“He’s quite the shot,” Krilan said. He picked up a microphone and tapped some buttons. As he spoke, his voice echoed through speakers located outside the ship. “Varlin, this is Krilan Ar’Vax. You might be able to take out the men I brought with me but I’ll promise you this. If the last man out there dies, I’ll launch this shuttle and obliterate the weather station.”
He paused a moment but no one replied. When he continued, he closed his eyes for a moment, clearly fighting back some rage. “You know that if I start firing weapons into this mountain, I’ll get you eventually, regardless of what type of tools you h
ave to hide your presence. We merely want to speak.”
Speakers within the shuttle crackled and a gruff voice came through a moment later. “That’s why your boys tried to infiltrate my station with guns. Cause they just wanted to talk.”
Krilan killed the external speakers and tapped into the com link. “Impressive. What did you do in the military, Varlin? Communications?”
“I was a janitor,” Varlin snarked. “You want to talk, let’s talk. Chats don’t have to be in person.”
“They’re more personal.”
“And deadly. Talk now or I’ll just walk. Blow up the weather station. Start shooting the mountain. I’ll be long gone.”
Krilan clenched his fists. “Very well. Do you care about the settlers? They did sell you out I suppose but not intentionally.”
“Get to the point, Ar’Vax. And I know who you are. You don’t remember me but I was on one of your ships. Ground troop taken to an assignment. You gave us a ride.”
“I didn’t bother to memorize the names of every passenger but I’m glad you’re already aware of me. It’ll save time. You must know that if I don’t get what I want, I’ll kill everyone on this planet. So talk to me about the star chart.”
Varlin didn’t answer right away. “You’re here for that, huh?”
Krilan’s eyes lit up but he took a deep breath to remain steady. “I am. So your people entrusted it to you, eh?”
“I’m not in this remote hell hole because of its holiday possibilities.” Varlin sighed. “You must know I’ve been ordered to protect it, Ar’Vax. I’m not simply going to give it to you.”
“The director of the settlement dies first,” Krilan spoke quickly. “I’ll have her skinned alive. The other settlers too. Each one strung up so their fleshless bodies can be seen from miles around. With good enough telescopes, you’ll be able to watch them be consumed by scavengers if you’re so inclined.”
“Would you give up your charge because of a threat like that?” Varlin asked. “Do you remember what discipline is? Better question. If one of your men did what you’re asking me to do, what consequences would they face?”
Krilan muted the line and slapped the side of the seat hard. Wyan grinned at the man’s frustration. As he listened to the two speak, he had to admit he liked Varlin’s attitude. He could push Krilan’s buttons and while that might be dangerous, the former Anthar deserved all the abuse he could get.
However this played out, Wyan wondered if he might be able to escape into the mountain. If he did, he’d have to find Varlin and pray someone on the surface could remove his bonds. Plus, the force that had been ambushed might be looking for them. Saviors were on the planet! He just had to get to them.
The chances of it seemed slim though. He needed to get past four guys and Krilan. And the bonds were attached to the seat. He began to work at them, testing to see if he might slip them over the back or somehow wriggle free from the ship itself. If he was successful, then he might finally evade further madness.
“Your point is well taken,” Krilan said. “Standing in the face of seeing people tortured to death is quite different than merely following orders. You may well be able to do it but when I start in on them and broadcast their screams up here, you’ll get the chance to decide just how much those orders and your precious discipline soothes you at night.
“I know that you might think you can be hard but considering you’re still taking orders from those high command fools, I’m going to gamble on the fact you’ve adopted their moral compunctions. They believe in helping individuals over the whole and if you do too, then you’re not going to preserve a star chart over lives.”
“I don’t know what this chart’s for,” Varlin said, “but if you want it, then I can’t let you have it.”
“Very well.” Krilan practically growled. “We’ll start with the station and move on to your friends.” He sat up suddenly, muted the line and turned to his men. “Get out there. Have Serrin run from his position and draw the man’s fire. I’ll have a wide beam scanner out to catch the muzzle flash or even the most temporary of heat signature. That’s where you direct your fire.”
The men immediately filed off the ship and the door closed behind them. Wyan turned to the screen, still broadcasting from one of the dead men. He saw the final soldier, Serrin dash from his position and a gunshot rang out, blasting him directly in the back of the head. Krilan tapped something on his computer and the four men opened fire.
“Clever,” Varlin spoke through the speaker again. “I’m out of here, Ar’Vax. Good luck finding me.”
Krilan smiled as he directed the shuttle to launch. He zeroed in on something, working on the computer quickly while watching the results. He muttered, with the microphone muted, “a ha…a modified Stiltek Cloak. No wonder you were so hard to locate. But I’ve worked with those before, Varlin and they’re not as infallible as you seem to think. Get to these coordinates.”
Krilan drew his own gun and moved to one of the side doors and opened it up. Freezing wind whistled through the craft and Wyan immediately began to shiver. He couldn’t believe Krilan could stand there so steadily as the wind came howling through. The man was tough beyond measure…not like any normal bully.
They circled around and Krilan aimed his weapon. He fired once then gestured for the ship to descend. Wyan leaned to look, shocked to see a splatter of blood in a bank of snow. How did he do that? The ship landed and Krilan paced off not even ten feet away. He kicked something, a large gun then nudged the man over onto his back.
“Nice to meet you in person, Varlin,” Krilan said, aiming his weapon at the man’s face. “I believe you have something that belongs to me.”
“Won’t…ever…give it…” Varlin struggled to move. The blast took his shoulder but it looked ghastly, even from Wyan’s position. As he tried to sit up, Krilan kicked him back down. “My charge…”
“Is over.” Krilan knelt and took the man’s computer from his left wrist and looked it over. “Hm, let’s just see if it’s on here, shall we?” He performed a scan and he leaned his head back. “Thank the fates. You carried it with you, eh? I suppose that makes sense. If it would’ve been in the station, anyone could’ve stolen it.”
“You can’t…whatever you’re doing…just…don’t.”
“I believe your time’s at an end, Varlin.” Krilan looked around. “I should leave you to die up here. I’m pretty sure without communications and bleeding like that you won’t last long. Seems fitting to let you perish amongst the cold of this place.”
“Forgive me…” Varlin slumped, his body going still.
Krilan turned back to the body. “Hm, seems you died quicker than I thought. Or at least you’re well on the way. Enjoy your final resting place, scum. I’m sure the mountain will provide a decent burial.” He boarded the shuttle. “Get us back to the Final Star.”
“Sir? What about the men at the station?”
“I’ll address them.” Krilan got on the com. “Listen, there will be people coming for this station soon. Delay them as long as you can. We need time to get back to the ship and depart. Fight to the last breath. If our goals are to be achieved, I need those alliance bastards to remain distracted while we jump out of here. Do you understand?”
Wyan’s heart sank when he heard their passionate affirmation. The brainwashed masses working for Krilan worried him and now they had the information they needed. The situation felt hopeless. Whatever destination lay before them, it could not possibly be good. Not for the alliance, the galaxy or Wyan himself.
***
Clea sat beside Olly with her tablet, reading through countless lines of code. He did the same as they tried to come up with the best way to find the enemy vessel, hidden by some technology neither of them ever heard of. As she considered the problem, she battled some serious frustration. Their other enemy didn’t bother to hide so such efforts were unnecessary.
No, they like to barrel in without regard for their safety.
Every p
lanetary satellite had been taken out, which made the task of searching the system all the more painful. Without those signal boosters, they had to rely on whatever power they could manage on their own. This meant launching probes, and they had enough of them but she wanted to ensure they were looking for the right information.
They must be hiding their vessel by operating at a low power level. What would be the minimum output required for a capital ship to function? If the crew wore environmental suits, they could practically shut everything off. They wouldn’t even need heat per se but if that was the case, then the people on board would be the thing to search for…not a reactor.
“What about a life scan?” Clea asked. “Ships the size we’re looking for generally put off too much interference to get any accurate life readings but if they shut everything off…”
Olly nodded. “I’ve got some good code from the hospital for those type of scans. They were primarily used in low tech areas of planets searching for people who were lost. We can make a few adjustments for kielan physiology and send out the probes.”
“How long?”
“A couple minutes. The parameters are easy to set.” Olly went about the work and Clea prepared the probes. They’d launch several, each in a different direction and have them relay back to the Behemoth anything they found. This would also allow them to search without moving the ship. No one would know they were on to them until it was too late.
Clea sent a quick report to Adam and Gray, letting them know where they were at. Adam gave them approval to launch when ready and they prioritized the launch. Several fighters provided screen for the Behemoth while they were operating in the system so they had to send out a mass message, letting the pilots know to stay clear of the probes.
Adam joined them. “Do you think this is going to work?”
Clea nodded. “I do.” She glanced at her tablet. “Durant has sent me a message. The shields are ready for a fight and his relay satellite will be able to launch in five minutes.”