“I don’t know,” said John. “We don’t know whether she was acting on her own or not, or if Aldebaran still has control over her.”
“Wait,” began Ari, holding up her hand. “I felt something from him, something real. He really can get into your mind. I wasn’t acting entirely on my own. I didn’t mean for anyone to get hurt!”
“Take a good look at Ray, then,” said Christie.
Ari did so, and was obviously pained by it.
“Not entirely on your own, Ferro?” said Richter.
Ari’s expression became a little more controlled. “I’m not going to pretend that I was being led around like an automaton. There was an opportunity for me to resist. I didn’t want to, though, and he made it so easy to go along with him. It seemed like such a good idea at the time.”
“And that controlling connection, are you saying it’s gone now?” asked Fernwyn.
“I can’t feel him any more.”
“So what, my crack on your skull did it?” Richter asked.
“No, it happened right before... God, I’m so sorry. I know I can never take it back, but I’m sorry.”
Ari buried her head in her arms and sobbed. John and Richter looked at each other doubtfully.
“Don’t believe it,” said Christie.
“It’s irrelevant right now,” said Fernwyn. “Either you’re going to try to recover Seth or you’re not.”
“I’ll keep an eye on her if you still want to go.”
John held up his index finger, then put his hands on his hips and thought for a moment. “No, we’re taking her with us,” he said.
“What, why?” said Richter.
“Because I want proof of which side she’s on. Ari, get up.”
“You’re not thinking of giving her a weapon, are you?”
“No, I’m thinking of using her as a human shield. Ari, on your feet, damn it.”
“She’s only going to slow us down, or stab us in the back, Scherer. What good can bringing her do for us?”
“I told you,” said John, grabbing Ari’s arm and yanking her to her feet, “I want to give her the chance to choose. It’s the only way I can ever trust her again. Right, Ari? Make sense to you?”
Ari nodded, her eyes downcast. “I’ll go with you. But I won’t go back to him.”
“We’ll see. Grab your gear, Richter. We’re going.”
__________
“Captain! Captain, wake up!”
Harrish knelt beside Aldebaran, shaking his shoulder. Aldebaran was lying on his face on the floor of the lab. As far as Harrish could tell he had fallen out of the chair. In the corner, the orb lay smashed at the foot of the pedestal. A nearby computer terminal flashed a single word: complete.
“Come on, Cap, wake up!”
“Harrish, this is Leitke, come in!”
Harrish grabbed his communicator and answered the call. “What’s going on?”
“I don’t know what’s going on inside, but out here the mercs are withdrawing. One of the two ships that docked has already disengaged from the station.”
“Do you know why?”
“I haven’t a clue, except maybe I’ve done enough damage on my end.”
“I wouldn’t bet on it. Check long range sensors.”
“Don’t you think I’ve been keeping an eye on... oh... shit.”
“What?”
“The Zendreen fleet is headed this way.”
“We knew it might happen, Leitke. Listen, I’ve lost contact with the others so I have to assume the Faith has been lost. I need you to dock and pick us up.”
“What’s the Captain’s status?”
“I don’t know. He’s alive, but unconscious.”
“I don’t think I have enough time to get you, Harrish. The Zendreen are broadcasting a jamming signal and I can’t keep this channel open for much longer. The Faith is still docked, maybe you can still get aboard.”
“What? What the fuck are you talking about? I said dock and pick us up!”
“Sorry, Harrish but that’s suicide. Good luck, though.”
The channel went silent. Harrish looked at his communicator like it was a live grenade.
“Leitke? Leitke! Hello? Son of a bitch! God damned pirates!”
Aldebaran stirred and awoke. Harrish helped him to his feet.
“Harrish?” Aldebaran groaned.
“Are you okay, sir?”
“I don’t know...”
“Come on, we’ve got to get out of here. Leitke left us for dead.”
“Leitke? Is he someone I know?”
“Someone you used to know. Come on, we’ve got to try to get back to the Faith and talk our way aboard.”
“The Reckless Faith?”
“Yeah.”
“Is that someone I know?”
“Are you sure you’re all right, Cap?”
Aldebaran shook his head and blinked his eyes. Harrish helped him forward and they exited the lab. Ari stood before them between two of the Umberian ships.
“Ferro,” said Harrish, “what happened? Did you recapture the ship?”
“No.”
“Shit. We’re in trouble, then. Leitke betrayed us. We’ve got to find an escape vessel or the Zendreen are going to be all over us.”
“Not much loyalty among pirates, is there?”
“I thought my crew was different. I guess when it came down to it they’re just as keen on saving their own hides as any rat.”
Ari turned to one side. “It doesn’t matter. I can’t go with them even if I wanted to. Our lives are in your hands.”
“What?”
Richter and John stepped out, the muzzles of their weapons pointed unwaveringly at Harrish and Aldebaran.
“Don’t move,” said Richter.
“This figures,” Harrish said, shrugging.
“You’re an evil man,” mumbled Aldebaran.
“What else is new, Cap? Don’t worry, I won’t resist!”
“You were there. You saw what I saw.”
“Ari, go get his weapon,” said John.
“Stand fast,” said Richter. “I’ll get it. You cover me.”
“You’re a murderer,” said Aldebaran.
Harrish looked at Aldebaran. “What?”
Aldebaran reached down, drew Harrish’s pistol from his belt, and shot him in the chest. Harrish fell backwards with a stunned expression on his face. The others stared, too surprised to move.
“I’m a murderer too,” said Aldebaran, and moved the pistol toward his own head.
“Shit!” said Richter and dashed forward, smacking the weapon away.
“Where’s Seth?” said John, joining Richter.
“I am Seth,” Aldebaran said. “Seth Aldebaran.”
“Where’s Seth the AI? The on-board computer of the Faith?”
“There is no more AI, only me. I’m whole again.”
Richter stuck his head into the lab. “He’s right. The orb’s been wrecked.”
“Then you definitely don’t get to die right now,” said John. “Come on, let’s get the hell out of here.”
“Shit, where did Ari go?”
John and Richter realized that Ari was nowhere to be seen.
“Ari!” yelled John. “Ari, where the hell are you?”
“We’ve got Aldebaran,” said Richter. “Where else does she have to go?”
“Maybe she thinks we’re going to hurt her. Ari!”
“It’s the guilt,” said Aldebaran softly.
“What?”
“She knows she’s guilty, just as I know I’m guilty. You should leave me here for the Zendreen. I don’t deserve to live.”
“We’ll decide that, pal. Come on, let’s go. If Ari wants a ride out of here she knows where to find us.”
Richter nodded, and the two of them led Aldebaran to the nearest lift. John held the door for a moment before allowing it to close.
Back on level ten, the concourse was still deserted.
“No wonder we didn’t run into a
ny mercs,” said Richter. “They’re not stupid enough to go up against the Zendreen.”
John all but dragged Aldebaran down the airlock corridor.
“Get his radio, Richter. Ari still had one of her own. I want to try calling her.”
Richter nodded, then spoke into his own radio. “Hey, Tolliver, we’re back.”
“I’ll open the door. We’re on the bridge.”
The airlock door opened and the men headed to the bridge. Christie and Fernwyn were there.
“What’s he doing here?” said Christie.
“I’ll explain later,” said John. “Right now we need to find Ari and get out of here. Richter, give me that radio and bring Aldebaran to the hold.”
Richter did so, and led the groggy pirate captain away.
“We have a serious problem,” said Christie, pointing to one of the monitors. “There are some kind of energy devices keeping the ship secured to the station. I can’t deactivate them and I’m afraid we’ll do major damage to the ship if we try and pull away.”
“I tried accessing the docking controls from the corridor,” said Fernwyn, “but I couldn’t. Somebody is going to have to go to the central control room on section two to deactivate them.”
“I’ll go,” said John. “I need to find Ari anyway.”
“If you really want to test her loyalty, get her to deactivate the docking things first,” said Christie. “Then if we have time we’ll wait for her to come back.”
“I don’t know why she ran off in the first place, but it’s worth a try.”
John reached for Aldebaran’s radio as a warning klaxon started blaring. Christie looked at the nearest console.
“It’s the Zendreen, they’re in visual range. Some of the ships are moving in fast. Wait a minute, those aren’t ships at all. Fernwyn, look.”
Fernwyn came over and looked at the screen. The color drained from her face.
“Oh, shit. Those are missiles.”
__________
“For the love of the core, Ferro, you scared the life out of me.”
Aeroki sat up in his chair in the central control room, a large, well-lit chamber with multiple levels and computer stations. Ari had just kicked the back of the chair.
“What the hell is the matter with you, don’t you answer your radio calls?” she said angrily.
“Sorry, I drifted off.”
“How can you fall asleep at a time like this? Never mind, Aldebaran wants you to deactivate the docking clamps on the Faith.”
“What’s going on, anyway? Was the operation a success?”
“Yes, we’re just trying to get those clamps deactivated so we can get the hell out of here. Christ, Aldebaran is going to be pissed at you.”
“Aldebaran told me not to deactivate them without direct word from him.”
“Well, he’s a little out of sorts after reintegrating himself with Seth. He sent me to find out what happened to you. We figured you’d been killed by the mercs.”
“Let me call him and confirm it.”
“Damn it, Aeroki, I just told you he’s unavailable.”
“Fine. I’ve got the station’s systems connected to my mobile computer. I’ll deactivate the clamps once we’re both safely aboard.”
Ari perforated Aeroki’s head with an energy pistol.
“Damn stubborn bastard.”
Checking the computer terminal, Ari found herself staring at an unfamiliar language and symbols.
“Hmm, maybe that wasn’t such a great idea.”
“Ari, this is John, can you hear me?”
Ari procured her radio and answered. “Hello, John.”
“Ari, where the hell did you go?”
Pushing Aeroki’s body aside, Ari sat down. “Are you aboard the ship?”
“Yes, and we’ve got a problem we need your help with.”
“The docking clamps?”
“Yes. Listen, Ari, if you can get those things deactivated then we’ll let you come aboard. I’ll listen to your story. You need to go to the central control room and...”
“Relax, I’m there now.”
“Great, but I can’t relax. We’ve got Zendreen missiles incoming! This whole place is going up in two minutes!”
Ari looked up for a moment and began to laugh.
“What is it?” said John.
“Even if I leave right now I’ll never make it back in time, John.”
“Shit! Forget about the clamps, then! Just run! We’ll tear the ship away, then, I don’t care about the damage! You’ve got to get out of there!”
Ari fumbled her way through the Umberian computer system. A tear began to fall down her cheek. “John, don’t tell me you’re still worried about me.”
“I believe you, Ari. I believe that you were under Aldebaran’s will. There’s still a place for you back on the ship but you’ve got to come back now!”
“You’re better off without me, John. What I did was unforgivable. Don’t let sentimentality cloud your reasoning.”
“I know you’re feeling guilty, but we can talk about it. There’s no reason for you to get killed.”
“I’ll think of something, John. Just get out of range once I’ve released you.”
There was a long pause on the radio.
“I still love you, Ari.”
Ari found the docking controls and deactivated them. She looked out of the windows ahead of her and saw what could only be the missiles in the distance. She closed her eyes. In her mind, Ari saw the sun-dappled woods and her favorite boulder. Again, she wished John could have been with her that day, and for a moment she believed he had been. It seemed like a lifetime away.
“You shouldn’t.”
22.
Several missiles slammed into each section of the space station, causing a chain reaction of massive explosions. John pressed himself against the window on the bridge of the Faith, shocked into horrified silence. The explosions rapidly faded and all recognizable pieces of the structure tumbled off into the darkness. In the distance, a few Zendreen ships appeared. They were headed for the Faith. John scanned the starfield in an irrational attempt to spot some kind of escape pod.
Ari was right, there was no way she could have made it back to the ship in time. So, there was no way she could have made it to any other vessel. John played this reality over and over again in his mind, and he still couldn’t accept it.
Was Ari telling the truth about herself? Did she make it up in attempt to save her own life? John’s anger began to rise at the thought that she was being honest. If she had been lying it would make her death easier to take. John hit the window with his fist.
“God damn it, Ari.”
“John, we have events that require our attention,” said Christie.
Her voice snapped John back into the present, and he turned to the others present on the bridge. The scene was a contrast of the normality of life aboard and the perversion of the current circumstances. The only visible difference was Fernwyn, and the fact that Christie was piloting the ship. John wiped the tears from his eyes and realized his hands were covered in Ray’s blood.
“She’s dead, isn’t she?” he said.
“We’re all going to join her if we don’t get out of here right now.”
John couldn’t really blame the Zendreen for Ari’s death, but they provided an obvious outlet for his emotions.
“I think we should get some payback first. Let the Zendreen know that the tiger is out of the cage. Christie, I’ll take over. Think you can give Fernwyn a crash course in operating the fifties?”
“I don’t think you’re being rational,” said Fernwyn. “Not only are we vastly outnumbered, but if we don’t get Ray back to Residere Beta as soon as possible he won’t make it.”
Richter entered the bridge, and said, “Aldebaran’s under lock and key. Ray’s been stabilized. Why are we still here?”
“John,” began Christie, “you know we trust you to make command decisions, but in about two seconds I’m leaving w
hether you want to or not.”
John leaned against the bulkhead, sighing. “You’re right, of course. Get us out of here. Is the superluminal drive on line?”
“All major systems are operational,” said Fernwyn.
John took one last look out of the window, and gestured to Christie. “Let’s go.”
Christie powered up the stardrive, and the remnants of the station and the Zendreen ships disappeared behind them. John looked around the bridge.
“How is the ship doing?” he asked.
“Everything appears to be intact,” said Christie. “The pirates barely touched anything. Our computers are running the show now, however. Thanks to the programming that Ari and I did. Seth still had exclusive control over the matter transporter, so I can’t access it. I wouldn’t even know where to start.”
“That’s all right. Perhaps Seth’s knowledge of this ship still intact inside Aldebaran, assuming he isn’t lying about the efficacy of his merging.”
“Do you think this guy will cooperate with us?” asked Richter.
“There’s only one way to find out. Christie, are you all set?”
“I’m just locking down the autopilot,” Christie replied.
“Good. I’m going to have a talk with our new guest. Richter, Fernwyn, will you accompany me?”
They nodded, and John turned to leave.
“I’ll keep on eye on Ray,” said Christie.
“Thank you. I’ll check in on him myself soon.”
Richter and Fernwyn followed John as he exited the bridge. He led them down the hallway to the midship stairs.
“This is a beautiful ship,” said Fernwyn.
“I’m glad you like it,” said John. “I’m thrilled that we got her back. She feels like a well-worn coat, if you know what I mean. If Ray doesn’t make it, though, it won’t have been worth it. As far as I’m concerned, all of Umber isn’t worth one Ray Bailey. Or one Ari Ferro.”
“Are you sure about that last one?”
“It sounds like you’re changing your mind about the mission,” said Richter.
“Recent events have colored my thinking, yes. I don’t know. Losing Byron I could live with, but this...”
John’s voice broke. Fernwyn put her hand on his shoulder.
The Tarantula Nebula Page 29