by Francis, Ron
A few moments later, a hail came to the shuttle. “Attention, shuttle, this is Zenith control.” A harsh voice called through the shuttle speakers. “You are wanted for questioning in the death of six Conglomerate citizens. Please turn around and come back to the planet. Failure to do so will be an admission of guilt and you will be fired upon.”
“Not good,” Collin understated. “Pilot, best speed to Endeavor, and put me through to the ship.” A moment later he was on comms with Josiah. “Josiah, I need you to go to the bridge and move the ship at one tenth sublight on its current trajectory. I also need you to get Kimi to fire up Endeavor's defenses. She will be shooting at anything that is not us.”
A moment later, Josiah replied, “Alright, Collin, it’s done, now what else are you thinking?” He asked, worry evident in his voice.
“Prepare to de-cloak on my mark, and if any ships open fire, put shields to maximum until we come aboard.”
“Ready when you are, buddy.”
“Two dozen fighters are heading our way, how long until we reach Endeavor?” Baldack asked in a panic.
Collin took control of the shuttle and pushed it far beyond recommended capacity as he climbed and rolled, making best speed to the ship. “Just another minute and we should be there. Alright, Josiah, de-cloak,” he added.
As laser fire raced past them, Endeavor de-cloaked and began firing back; he noticed they had taken two hits while Endeavor had already destroyed three fighters. Collin looped up and came around behind the two lead fighters while also lining up his trajectory to match Endeavor. He took out the two fighters and let Reece know they were coming in hot. “Lower shields in three, two, one, mark.” The shields lowered, the landing bay opened and Collin hit the reverse thrusters at the last possible moment. They came in fast and hit the bulkhead in the landing bay, but not hard enough to significantly damage either ship. “Shields back up and prepare the jump to light space, SAMMI,” Collin called out as he began to run towards the bridge. He arrived at the bridge just in time to see Kimi take out another two fighters. They were lucky the Conglomerate didn’t send anything heavier to try to apprehend them. He was sure they would have had a couple battle groups here if they knew who it was they were chasing, though. As he made the jump to light space, SAMMI gave him the update. They had destroyed nine fighters and shields were holding at eighty-nine percent. There was no damage to the landing bay and no significant damage to the shuttle.
As the Hyperian soldiers arrived on the bridge they were pretty excited about the escape they had just been a part of.
“That was some flying back there, Collin,” Baldack remarked. “I didn’t think we were going to make it.”
“Sorry I had to cut it so close, but I knew we had to board quickly or we would have been destroyed.” He smiled as Bessa approached him apprehensively.
“Is everything all right, Bessa?”
“I am not sure, now that my former master is dead, I am unsure of what to do.”
“You don’t have to do anything Bessa, you are still free, and you can still do whatever you would like with your new life.”
“Now that I know the box cannot hurt me and now that my former master is dead, for the first time I truly feel free. I choose to spend my freedom with you on Endeavor.” She smiled more beautifully than Collin had ever seen as she kissed him.
“The rest of us can take the bridge if you’d like,” Josiah chided.
Collin released Bessa from his embrace and smiled as he replied, “No, that's alright, I'll try to be professional.”
Chapter Fourteen:
______
A week had passed since the Princess had returned and she had been in every day to check on Jesse. Collin and Bessa continued trying to make the journey home shorter, and Josiah and Kimi were training with Xanu. Reece insisted on taking care of all of the other business while Sergeant Rivada just took it all in, not wanting her time with Endeavor to end but knowing she had to get back to Ginderbar. As Josiah and the King entered med-bay, Josiah quickly noticed how worried Suzy looked. As the King went to check on his friend, Josiah went to ask Suzy what was wrong.
“Jesse’s vitals are getting weaker and weaker, Jo; I don’t know what to do. This infection is taking him and I can’t stop it.” Suzy looked as if she were about to burst into tears, but held it in while the King was in the room. King Dominus approached, concern evident on his face and asked what the matter was.
“Your Highness,” She began, Jess…I mean Colonel Marcos’ infection continues to grow worse, and none of the medicines your doctor gave us can cure it or even slow it down. He continues to grow weaker, and he has a high fever, would it be possible to bring back your physician? He may know a different way to cure it.
“Of course, Dr. Baker, I would do anything to see Colonel Marcos regain his health after everything he has done for my family and Hyperia. Did he really jump into the death brush to save Rayelle?” He asked as he looked at Jesse.
“Yes, Your Majesty," she replied. “And I believe he still would have done it even if he knew the consequences.”
“Incredible! Where does one find the courage to do something like that on behalf of another? My daughter is quite thankful for your team; she told me how you fought the Pandaran Tiger to save her as well, Josiah. Apparently, you have the same incredible courage as your friend."
"I couldn't let the tiger get her, Your Majesty. I, too, would do it again if I had to." He subconsciously rubbed at his scar while he spoke.
By this time, the Queen had come in and the King smiled as he realized how lucky he was to still have a family.
As King Dominus stood to leave with his wife, the Queen took one look at Jesse and said with deep concern, “His death brush fever is not getting any better; we may need to administer more drastic measures. He hasn’t much time left.” The Queen walked over to the transmission screen in the med-bay.
“Doctor, we need you to come to Endeavor with the proper medication for treating advanced death brush fever. Come as quickly as your aircar will travel, our friend's life depends on it.”
“Yes, my Queen,” the doctor replied as the transmission ended.
“My King, we should provide the doctor with a full military escort.”
“Already taken care of, my love,” he replied as he put away his personal communicator.
“I was wondering, the Princess and Wassan were also exposed to the death brush, how come they didn’t get sick? Are they immune” Suzy asked.
“No, the infection will only occur if the death brush comes in contact with an open wound, and neither one of them had an open wound at the time.”
"Oh, that's right; someone did mention that to me. I haven't slept well since Jesse's been sick, I think I need some rest. I still can't believe he jumped into the death brush.”
“Nor can I, and we will be forever grateful.” The Queen replied as a somber expression crossed her face.
“When the Princess and Wassan had fallen in, Jesse jumped in and fired his grappling hook into the limb of a tree over head. He retracted the cable, but it wouldn’t release them. He noticed that they were being held in by some sort of suction and reasoned that if the suction were punctured, the grappling hook could free them. So he had us all fire into the death brush until he heard a popping sound, then the suction released and they flew into the air.” Josiah finished his tale with a nod. To be honest, we're not sure if it was the blasters that freed them or Kimi's sword, but either way, it worked out."
“Until now, there are no recorded cases of anyone escaping death brush, it was considered an impossibility,” the Queen noted in wonder.
“Well, the Princess and Wassan are the first, then, and there are several living witnesses to the event. I think Kimi might have even recorded it with her visor’s HUD, so there may be vid evidence as well.” Josiah replied with a smile.
“I would very much like to see vid of that, Josiah,” the King replied.
Just then, Kimi entered the room with the Hyperian roya
l doctor. He immediately began checking Jesse. Without speaking, he took out the medicine for death brush fever and injected it into Jesse’s arm. He looked at Suzy and exclaimed, "We should get started; he hasn't much time left. I'm afraid I am going to have to ask everyone except Doctor Baker to leave the room. I will also need someone to hold onto him during the procedure.” Josiah volunteered and Kimi turned to escort the royal family out. She glanced back at her closest friend and prayed he would survive this procedure.
______
Kimi led the royal family out of the ship to another thunderous round of applause and cheering from the crowds that had gathered when they learned the royal family was visiting Endeavor at the Royal Spaceport.
The soldiers that had participated in the rescue were there with the honor guard. They boarded the speeder with the King's family and the honor guard walked behind them. The soldiers were to be rewarded and given some time off before they took their new positions as Princess Rayelle's royal guard. Wassan was given command of the sixteen-man team. Xanu was given the coveted position of being the Hyperian liaison officer aboard Endeavor. He would remain with the crew for the remainder of their time in the Kalephi Galaxy. Sergeant Rivada had been given a similar assignment from Ginderbar, and just like that, Endeavor had two more crew members. They would all begin their new positions after two weeks with their families and the rewards given to Hyperian heroes. The crew of Endeavor was invited to the palace as soon as Colonel Marcos was well enough for the event.
As the King and Queen sped off, Kimi walked back into Endeavor and waited for Suzy to bring them news of Jesse's condition.
______
Suzy and Josiah were in med-bay with the Hyperian doctor. He began to check Jesse and he leaned over to talk to Suzy.
“What’s going on, Suzy; is Jesse all right?” Josiah looked worried as the two doctors discussed Jesse’s condition.
The Hyperian doctor answered. “The infection has begun to make its way back into Colonel Marcos’ system, it is close to his heart and he doesn't have much time. You are quite lucky the Queen caught it. We will have to give him a double dose of the medication, administered directly into his heart. It needs to be administered very slowly or it could kill him, and it is a very painful process. He will most likely wake up during the procedure, and the nature of the medication makes using an anesthetic unwise. I am very sorry. On the bright side, if he lives, he will not have to go through the procedure twice, once will kill the infection he will be back to normal in eight to ten weeks. Are you ready?”
Suzy nodded and then looked at Josiah, and he returned the nod, neither one of them were truly ready, but they could wait no longer.
Suzy commed Kimi, told her what was happening and told her to let everyone on the ship know what was going on. She agreed and Suzy returned her attention to the doctor as he was strapping Jesse down tight. They strapped the head, the chest, the waist, and both legs above and below the knee and both arms above and below the elbow. Josiah held him down as they began the process. The Hyperian doctor stuck the large needle right into Jesse’s chest while Suzy monitored his vital signs, alert for any indication the doctor was dispensing the medication too fast. Jesse’s eyes opened wide and he began to cry out in pain. His hand wrapped around Josiah's like a vice as he cried out. The doctor slowly injected the life-saving medication as Jesse tried to squirm against the restraints. He had no idea what was happening. The procedure hadn’t been discussed with him because they had felt it better to waste no time. He looked to Suzy, pleading with his eyes to make the pain stop, and her heart was breaking with each second of his agony. He cried out again and in his delirium called out Rebecca’s name. He then yelled something else that they couldn’t understand, but Suzy was sure he was asking someone to take care of her. He must have thought he was going to die. Tears began to stream down her face as he writhed in pain again. This was even worse than watching the vid of him being tortured.
“Just another forty-five seconds, how’s he doing doctor?” The Hyperian doctor called out.
“Vital signs are within acceptable parameters, he’s doing fine.” Josiah looked at her and shot her a reassuring look as she was wiping the tears from her face with her free hand.
“He’ll be asleep for about six days, but then he will slowly but steadily regain his strength. In eight to ten weeks he can even resume his training and any other difficult activities he would like.”
“Thank you, Doctor,” Suzy replied, relief washing over her face as he withdrew the needle and Jesse slumped back into unconsciousness.
As his body went limp, Suzy wiped his sweat-drenched forehead with a towel. She then leaned over and kissed his forehead before returning to her equipment to monitor his condition. Seeing Jesse in that kind of pain was difficult for her, even though she knew it was saving his life. Josiah offered to give the crew the update, seeing how upset she was and she thankfully agreed as the Hyperian Doctor was packing up to leave.
As the Hyperian Doctor prepared to leave, he looked to Suzy and said. “He will need to rest for quite a while. The infection should be gone for good, but I'm afraid that if it does come back, he will not survive. I am leaving some of the medicine here with you to have in case any of your crew ever have need of it. Do you have any questions?”
“No, Doctor, and thank you,” Suzy replied with a shy smile as she held the medication that had just saved Jesse’s life. The doctor nodded and then turned and bowed before leaving.
“That was a close one," Josiah understated. As he saw how upset his friend was, he added with a smile, "And I think Jesse might have broken my hand, could you take a look?"
She returned his smile, happy for his humor as she sat down by Jesse's side.
______
Jesse woke up still feeling very tired, but not quite as weak as he did the last time he was awake. He knew Suzy would figure something out.
“Awake, I see, only fifty-one hours that time,” Suzy joked as she came over to check his vitals.
It had been three weeks since they had arrived safely back on Hyperia and he had barely been awake for any of it.
“The Queen was able to properly diagnose you and one of the royal doctors had the medication necessary to save you. Jess, I thought we were going to lose you. If the Queen hadn’t known you had advanced death brush fever, you might already be dead. I don't know why their doctor only treated you for regular death brush fever to start.” She looked more worried than Jesse had seen her at any point on this entire trip.
“I’m just happy to finally be out of that jungle alive, Suzy. I felt so helpless, everything I did and everything I could think to do wasn’t going to be enough, they just had too many resources hunting us down. It was never ending, like one of those dreams where you are being chased and you keep running and running and you can’t get away.”
“But you did get away, you brought the king’s daughter home and you brought our crew back safely. Don’t forget that.”
“If not for Admiral Dyson and Sergeant Rivada showing up when they did, we would be dead right now. It was all so out of my control, and you know how much I hate that. Speaking of the Admiral, I’ve got to send Enosal a transmission thanking him before I fall asleep again.”
She just smiled as Jesse sent the message out to his friend.
Chief of State Enosal’s face lit up the transmission screen. “Hello, my friend, I’ve been waiting to hear from you. How are you?”
“My apologies, Sir, I have been battling death brush fever and have barely been awake since I arrived back on Hyperia. I wanted to thank you before I fell back asleep. I would also like to send my thanks to Admiral Dyson. You saved our lives, and now it is I that am in your debt.”
“Nonsense, my friend, you saved my life once and if I recall, that of my family as well. Let’s call it even, shall we?” Jesse smiled and his friend could see how tired he was through the transmission. “The Sergeant is very excited about her liaison position aboard Endeavor, she told me
the Hyperian soldier Xanu was joining the crew as well."
"That is all news to me, Sir, but like I said, I've barely been awake."
“You look tired, my friend, and I have business to attend to. I hope we will speak again soon. Maybe you could even stop by Ginderbar.”
“I would certainly like some more of that steak I was eating the night we met,” Jesse mused. "Goodbye then, my friend, be well.” Enosal’s image disappeared and Jesse sat up in his bed.
He did not like being stuck in bed. Everyone else was out and about, taking in the hospitality of a grateful Hyperia. Either that or they were doing something useful. Kimi had begun training Bessa again and he was getting regular reports from both of them each time he woke up for a couple hours. Josiah had been training Xanu and Sergeant Rivada. Collin had been trying to figure out a way to hook up the Conglomerate FTL drives to Endeavor so the ship could use them one after the other until they burned out. He had estimated they could take almost four months off of their trip home that way. They wouldn’t have to stop nearly as often to let the drive cool down if they used multiple drives for as long as they could. Jesse was going to have to have a look at it so he could begin figuring out if it was possible. With all of the exploration to be done, he was glad his crew could have this time on Hyperia. He only wished he could join them for some of it. Then there was the rest of the Monarchy to explore, and he was excited about that.
When Collin wasn’t working on the drives, he spent every spare moment with Bessa. They had seen many of the beautiful sights of Hyperia and were getting even closer. Jesse was really happy that his friend had found someone. Reece, on the other hand, must have brought at least a dozen ladies on Endeavor in the last six days. He was now apparently completely over Kora, or he was trying to meet enough new women to make her a distant memory. The only one that had not left the ship was Suzy, and he didn’t know why. She could surely have the medbots monitor him; she had to know he wouldn’t mind. But she had stayed in med-bay or on the ship since they had gotten back.