“Those must be our guests,” said Fernwyn, pointing at the sensors. “Right on schedule.”
“What guests?” asked Nathalier, appearing in the doorway.
Fernwyn swallowed hard, and the others looked at Nathalier sheepishly.
“Hi, Nathalier. Did you have a good nap?”
“Those are ships approaching from behind. Who the hell are they?”
“We’re trying to evade two ships with cloaking technology and dock with the station right under their noses. Did you really think that we could do that in this ship? We need a distraction, so I arranged for one.”
Nathalier all but pushed Christie out of his way and pressed a few keys on the console.
“Those are Black Crest ships!” he hissed, livid. “Are you all out of your fucking minds?”
“Take it easy, Nathalier. The mercs and the pirates will be way too busy fighting each other to notice us. You should be able to slip in, drop us off, and get the hell out of here without being noticed. Even if one of them does spot us, we’re not a threat to either of them. A simple scan of this ship will reveal that.”
“Except that we’re obviously not docking with the station to visit the gift shop! And, for the love of the core, there’s a bounty on your ship, too!”
“It’s nothing compared to the one on Aldebaran. They’ll go after him first.”
“You’re counting on the Faith being docked, right? Don’t you think they’ll launch her when they detect the mercs?”
“Remember what we learned from the military files we read, Nathalier? Aldebaran has to move the orb onto the station in order to reconstitute his personality.”
John nodded. “That means that the Faith will be docked at some point, probably for an extended period. If they do use her to fight the mercs then we’ll simply wait on the station for her to return. Either way we’ll intercept the orb and the ship before Aldebaran can complete his mission.”
“Either way,” Nathalier said mockingly, “they’ll know you’re on the station. So much for the element of surprise.”
“That’s hardly your concern, you’ll be well on your way out of here by then.”
“That’s right, I agreed to drop you off at the station and nothing more. But you assured me that we would be able to slip past Aldebaran unnoticed and leave before the Zendreen could get here. I should have known better than to take that assurance without question. Inviting the Black Crest to this party was never part of the deal.”
“Look, pal,” said Richter. “You have five merc ships and one or two pirate ships. The merc ships are probably not a match for the pirates. Even if they do detect us on our way in, they’re not going to care about us, our own pitiful bounty prize notwithstanding. They’ll be way too busy pounding the ever-living fuck out of each other. That’s the whole point. In fact, the greater danger for you is after you drop us off. If the battle is over by then, the winner might chase you down for no other reason than spite. Never mind the chance that the Zendreen might get you, too.”
There was dead silence for a few moments. Everyone looked at Richter in shock.
“That’s really comforting, Richter!” said Nathalier.
“My point is that your greatest chance for surviving this thing is for you to come with us.”
“No, my greatest chance for survival is to turn this ship the hell around right now. But I already gave you my word that I would drop you off. I’m just trying to figure out if your involvement of the Black Crest gives me sufficient justification to renege on that agreement.”
“It’s too late for that, Nathalier,” said Fernwyn. “The Black Crest ships undoubtedly have us on sensors already. If we don’t set them to fighting the pirates first we’ll never make it out of here anyway.”
Nathalier’s expression turned grave, and after a moment he spoke. “If we make it out of this, Fernwyn, you can consider our friendship over.”
“You’ll be too wealthy to care about our friendship.”
Nathalier silently turned and exited the control room.
“That could have gone better,” said Christie.
“It’s not fair to him,” said John. “But we’ll worry about human-Nathalier relations later. Right now we need to look at the plans for this station.”
Fernwyn was staring off into space, frowning.
“Fernwyn?” said Ray. “The station?”
“Right. Okay, as you can see the station has three sections. Each section used to cater to a particular kind of visitor. Section one was the main visitor’s center. Section Three was a commercial area meant specifically for through-haulers and cargo vessels. Section two was for the use of the station crew, and includes quarters, mess halls, and the main control room. Each section had its own power reactor, but only one was used at a time. It looks like the one on section two is currently operating. When the Umberian military took over this station, they converted that section into their labs. While section three was used for the same purpose, section one was basically abandoned.”
“So we’re docking on section two,” said Christie.
“Right. If we find the Faith docked as well we’ll try to get as close as possible. If we can retake her before we recover the orb that’ll be one less thing to worry about.”
“Indeed,” said John. “If we can’t recover the orb at least we’ll have the Faith and a way to escape. Ari did a good job with our computer systems so if we lose Seth at least we won’t be dead in the water. If we didn’t need the invisibility field I might just say to hell with Seth and concentrate on getting the ship back. The matter transporter might yet come in handy again, too.”
“So what’s the plan?” asked Christie.
“Richter?”
“Our primary objective is to recover the Faith,” began Richter. “Our secondary objective is to recover Seth. We’ll divide into two teams, Alpha and Bravo. Both teams will work on the primary objective, but Bravo team will also attempt to recover Seth. After we secure the ship, Alpha team will stay there to guard it while Bravo team goes after Seth. If the Faith was sent into combat without the orb, then we simply reverse the order and wait for it to return. Does this sound okay to everyone?” There were no objections, so Richter continued. “Scherer and I are on Bravo. Bailey, Tolliver, and Andrews are on Alpha. Rylie, the choice is yours but I would like you on Alpha as well.”
“You only want two people going after Seth?” asked Fernwyn.
“Since it’s the secondary objective, yes. We also need as many skilled fighters guarding the ship as possible.”
“Sounds good.”
“The first thing we’ll do once we get on board is to access the layout of the station. We need to see if we can find out which lab is most likely the one that Aldebaran is looking for. If the Faith isn’t docked then we’ll have the advantage of planning our recovery beforehand.”
“I’m not going,” said Dana quietly.
“We’ll have to move fast. We can’t afford to get bogged down in any confrontations. Since the enemy has the advantage of numbers, the longer we engage them the better their response will be.”
“Wait, Richter,” said John. “What did you say, Dana?”
“I said I’m not going,” said Dana, her eyes downward.
John and Ray shared a glance, and John stood up, gesturing toward the door.
“Dana, let’s talk in the aft.”
“No. I don’t need to talk to you alone. I’m not going, and everyone needs to know.”
“Dana, everyone knows this is a risky mission,” said Christie. “But if we don’t get the Faith back we’ll never be able to help Umber.”
Dana crossed her arms. “To hell with Umber. We should have headed for home the moment we learned we were a few thousand ships light. John thinks he can rescue Talvan if he gets the Faith back. I think you’ll all be dead in a couple of hours.”
“We desperately need your help,” said Ray. “The odds are bad enough as it is.”
“Bullshit. I’m no good wi
th a gun. The only time I can fight worth a damn is when I’m behind the stick. I’d be more of a liability than an asset, and more than likely I’d be the first one to go down. Sorry, but that doesn’t sound like much fun to me.”
“You’re free to make your own decisions,” said Christie. “But I trust you. I know you can do this. Your strength of character is every bit as real as ours.”
“No, it’s not. I’m no good to you. Maybe if you recover the ship I’ll rejoin the mission. Until then I’m going to stay with Nathalier and return to Beta. Fernwyn has already agreed to let me stay at her place until you return.”
Fernwyn nodded. “Dana wasn’t sure what she would do, so I made the offer.”
“Is there nothing we can do to convince you?” asked Ray.
Dana looked sad, but adamant. “I doubt it.”
Turning to leave the control room, Dana stopped to add something. She paused, shook her head, and exited.
“I honestly can’t say she’s wrong,” said John after a moment. “She isn’t very good at close combat.”
“She and Nathalier may be the only ones with any sense,” said Christie.
Ray shrugged. “If she’s no longer committed to the mission, what can we do? Like you said, each of us is free to decide on our own. We feel we have an obligation to the people of Umber because we accepted Seth’s mission. Now is not the time to wonder whether or not we should have let the CIA take over. Right, Richter?”
“Fernwyn, you’ll definitely be on Alpha team now,” Richter replied.
“You’re just going to dismiss Dana like that?” asked Christie, a bit of ire in her voice.
Richter gave her a hard look. “This is a serious mission for serious operators. Better for her to stay behind.”
“See if you can talk to her, Christie,” said Ray.
“She sounds like she’s made up her mind,” Christie replied. “I have my own doubts about this mission, too. There’s so much that can go wrong.”
“This is do or die,” said John grimly. “You can make up your own mind, but I am going to get our ship back even if I have to go alone.”
“Don’t be dramatic,” said Ray, smirking, “you know Richter and I are with you one hundred percent.”
“I don’t have any doubt myself,” said Fernwyn. “I can’t resist an adventure like this.”
Christie nodded. “Forget I said anything. I’ll fight alongside you. Just keep in mind that I’m doing this for my friends. Not Umber, not the Faith, but for you.”
“We’d better get ready,” said Richter, checking out one of the consoles. “Sensors show the Faith docking at the station.”
Fernwyn turned to the nearest console and pressed a few keys. “We’re well within range. We have to assume that Aldebaran’s ship has picked us up by now. In one or two minutes, they’ll also see the five Black Crest ships right behind... us... oh, shit!”
“What?” asked John.
Richter and Fernwyn shared a knowing glance. Richter smiled as he told the others what they were seeing.
“There are a lot more than five merc ships.”
20.
The airlock door cycled slowly, spilling light and haze into the inky, cold blackness of an empty metal hallway. Warm air mixed with the frigid stillness and clouds of condensation rose from the floor. In the airlock, nine figures stood against the sudden shock of the icy barrier. The human female wrapped her coat tightly around herself and swore against the pain. The man at the front of the group strode forward, switching on a flashlight and inspecting the hallway. He seemed unaffected by the cold, unlike the rest of his boarding party. The Kau’Rii was especially displeased, but he tried to hide this from the gray-haired Rakhar by his side. The next two figures were both Residerians with varying degrees of cybernetic implants, and they were followed by twin Z'Sorth with bluish scales.
Aldebaran found an access panel and began to power it up. Ari strode forward, noticing the swirling dust at her feet. Harrish motioned for the Rakhar to go forward a few meters. The Residerians entered the hallway reluctantly, revealing the floating translucent orb that contained Seth. Aldebaran raised his hand toward it, and it moved forward.
“I should have offered to take Leitke’s place,” one of the Residerians said, turning on a flashlight.
“Quit complaining, Aeroki,” said Harrish.
“How long is this place going to take to warm up?” asked Ari.
Aldebaran shrugged. “Not long, I think.”
“Where’s the lab, sir?” asked the Rakhar.
“Not far, Wargin. At the end of this hall is the main concourse for this section. The lab we want is ten decks below. We’ll skirt around this level until we get to the lift across from us, and take that down. Aeroki, you’ll go to the central control room and monitor the station from there. Take one of the cross pylons to the next section, the control room is on level one. Everyone keep your eyes open for sentries. Hopefully a decade of absolute zero will have ruined them, but I wouldn’t bet on it. Rasi and Isar, you guard the Faith.”
The boarding party proceeded down the hall, leaving the two Z'Sorth to complain about the cold. Lights that had begun to warm up started to glow. By the time they got to the next door there was enough ambient light to shut off their flashlights. Wargin hit the button for the door and it jerked open. He stepped out onto the concourse and the others followed.
The concourse was square, open in the center and one hundred meters tall. Above them, stars shined through clear skylights. The level they were on extended two hundred meters across. Ari walked to the railing and looked down. It was too dark to see the bottom. Their footsteps echoed for a moment and then seemed to get lost in the gloom. There was a metallic smell in the air.
“Come on,” said Aldebaran.
The group moved toward the opposite end of the level. Halfway down, Aldebaran’s communicator crackled to life.
“Captain, this is Leitke.”
“Go ahead,” answered Aldebaran, coming to a stop.
“I’m picking up at least a dozen ships headed this way.”
“Zendreen?”
“I don’t think so... hold on...”
“Who else would be out here?” asked Ari.
“Who else could know about the lab?” Harrish asked, looking at Aeroki.
“It’s probably a coincidence,” said Aldebaran flatly. “Perhaps a salvage company found out that this place wasn’t being guarded and decided to grab some gear.”
“Sir, those are Black Crest mercenary ships!” said Leitke.
“What the hell?” said Harrish.
“Are they here for us?” asked Aeroki. “How could they know we were here?”
“Maybe they’re here for another reason,” growled Wargin.
Aldebaran held up his hand for silence. He stared straight ahead for several moments. He turned slowly and looked at Ari unnervingly. “Fernwyn Rylie.”
“You think she called them?” Ari asked.
“The planks have files on me. Those files undoubtedly included information about the experiments here on this station. Rylie may have been able to access them.”
“Sir!” said Leitke. “What do you want me to do?”
“Engage them and destroy them, Leitke. They’re no match for you.”
“I won’t be able to prevent all of them from docking.”
“Then we’d better hurry, shouldn’t we? Get it done, Aldebaran out.” Aldebaran snapped his communicator shut and put it in his pocket. He began to move forward.
“Why would Rylie contact the Black Crest?” asked Ari. “They’d never share the bounty with her, right? What could she have to gain from your capture or death?”
“She’s still a plank.”
“Wait a minute,” the other Residerian said, coming to a halt. “Sir, why did you leave that plank alive if you knew she might compromise this mission? Is it because of her? Don’t tell me you’ve let yourself be manipulated by a woman.”
Aldebaran stopped. “Watch y
ourself, Deegan.”
“No, wait. Sir, you must have realized that either the mercs or the SPF would come here looking for you. Why didn’t you wait and see before docking?”
Aldebaran turned around slowly. “I’ve been waiting ten years to finally restore myself. I’m not going to wait around now when my goal is so close to being realized.”
“That’s wolshit! How can you be so careless? We should withdraw to the Faith and help Leitke fight the mercs.”
“No, we’re going to the lab now.”
“Then let Aeroki or Wargin and I go back and pilot it. We might be able to prevent them from docking.”
“No, I need you here.”
“This is suicide, cap! Once those mercs get on board we’re all fragged! I refuse to go along with this...”
Aldebaran’s pistol was back in its holster before Deegan’s headless body hit the floor. “Anybody else wish to weigh in on my command decisions?”
“You know, he does have a point,” said Ari.
“Don’t push your luck, Arianna. Don’t forget that it was only by your request that I let your friends live.”
“I’m sorry. I guess we should have at least killed Rylie.”
“Let them come,” said Wargin. “I could use a few more merc kills under my belt. We owe the Black Crest for the Distare incident anyway.”
“That’s more like it,” said Aldebaran. “Ari, I hope you’re ready for a fight, too.”
Ari grinned. “I was hoping for the chance to stand beside you in combat.”
The group reached the lift. Aldebaran pressed the keypad and the doors slid open. The pirates piled in. The lift shuddered as it descended. The orb was right next to Ari’s head. She looked at it, and saw her own reflection. She turned away.
The lift arrived at level five, and the doors opened with a half-hearted beep.
“Keep us apprised of any developments,” began Aldebaran, “and whatever happens do not let the Faith leave without my express permission.”
“Aye, sir,” said Aeroki, and exited.
The first level had apparently been used as a place for tests of physical ability. Various devices that resembled exercise machines sat near computer banks. Cables and relays littered the floor, as did papers and an occasional data pad. Aldebaran pointed to a large door off to the left and they headed for it.
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