The Pike Chronicles - Books 1 - 10

by Hudson, G. P.

Darla’s face blanched and she almost tripped over her feet. “But they’re human?”

  “Their masters conquered Earth,” said Jon.

  Jarvi shook his head, obviously listening to the conversation. “Tell her the truth, Captain,” said Jarvi. He fell back alongside Seiben and Darla. “The Juttari Empire conquered Earth. We were taken from our parents as children and forced to serve the Juttari.”

  Darla stared wide eyed at Jarvi. “That’s horrible.”

  “Not as horrible as what they did after they were taken,” said Jon.

  Jarvi was stone faced. “The Captain is right. The Juttari violated us. Turned us into instruments of war. And then they made us violate our own kind…” said Jarvi, his voice getting softer as he spoke, like he was contemplating the gravity of his crimes.

  “You cannot atone for your crimes by blaming the Juttari,” said Jon. “The blood is on your hands.”

  “Perhaps,” said Jarvi.

  “But you fight together now,” said Seiben. “What’s changed?”

  Jarvi’s voice became strong again. “We killed our Juttari masters. We are free to once again be human.”

  “Killing Juttari doesn’t make you human,” said Jon.

  “It seemed to work for you, Captain,” said Jarvi, not visibly angry, but with the faint hint of threat in his tone.

  Jon scowled. “I killed lots of Chaanisar too. Don’t ever forget that.”

  “And yet the Chaanisar help you,” said Jarvi. “As you can see Mr. Seiben, the Chaanisar do not hold grudges. If only we could say the same about our good friend, the Captain.”

  “I’m not your good friend.”

  “No, I suppose you are not.”

  The two men stared at each other. Jon felt the heat rising inside him. He had to keep it in check. He couldn’t lose it now. As much as it grated on him, he needed Jarvi’s help. He needed the Chaanisar ship. He needed to get off this station. He would have to be diplomatic, something that was often foreign to him.

  “Regardless of our histories and opinions, we need to work together now,” said Jon.

  Jarvi studied him, as if trying to determine his sincerity, and said, “Agreed.” With that he picked up his pace and took his previous position up ahead.

  “I still don’t understand how you ended up here,” said Seiben.

  “That is a more complicated story,” said Jon. “Let’s leave that one for when we’re safely off the station.”

  The AI’s voice interrupted the conversation. “Captain, I’ve found something.”

  “Yes, AI. What is it?”

  “Security footage. They had attempted to delete it, but they missed some of the backup files.”

  “Security footage of what?”

  “Jansen’s murder.”

  “Who killed Jansen?”

  “Mr. Kulberg.”

  “That’s great,” said Seiben. “That would prove our innocence.”

  “It would, but do you think Kulberg would give us a fair trial?” said Jon.

  “No,” said Seiben.

  “I don’t think so either. We have to get off the station first, and then we can use the footage.”

  “You’re right,” said Seiben.

  “In the meantime, I have an idea. Let’s see how Kulberg likes a taste of his own medicine,” said Jon. “AI, do you still have control of all those displays throughout the city? The giant ones on the sides of the buildings?”

  “Of course, Captain.”

  “Excellent. I want you to broadcast that video on those displays.”

  “Understood.”

  “And make sure you block all efforts to take the feed down.”

  “Leave it to me, Captain.”

  That would keep Kulberg busy, at least long enough for them to make their escape. Up ahead Jon recognized the docks. They were almost there.

  They slowed pace and Lieutenant Jarvi accessed his communicator. “We are almost in position, Sir. I will send you the coordinates of our position momentarily.”

  “Good work, Lieutenant,” responded the voice from Jarvi’s communicator. “A shuttle is being dispatched.”

  They identified a free dock and proceeded down its gangway to the docking station. It was a long winding corridor with lighting along the ceiling that lit up as they approached. The hallway was somewhat narrow, allowing no more than four men side by side. Jon didn’t like that it forced the group to spread out along the gangway’s length. If something happened they might have difficulty getting enough firepower in place. The soldiers with the combat suits stayed back and guarded the entrance to the corridor. They would present a substantial deterrent to any attack. At the very least they could buy the group time till they got out. Jon felt better, but not much. He felt vulnerable.

  Once they reached the hatch the only thing they could do was wait for the shuttle. That just made Jon jittery. He felt surrounded. Chaanisar in front of him. Chaanisar behind him. All of them close enough that they could push a blade into his ribs without much effort. He glanced behind, checking out the men there, trying to gauge their intentions. They looked back at him with blank expressions. He turned back around and studied the Chaanisar in front, watching their movements, keeping an eye out for any hint of a threat, no matter how subtle.

  He noticed Breeah staring at him with a concerned look on her face. “Is everything alright?” she said, an empathetic look in her eye.

  “Everything’s fine,” he replied. She didn’t believe him. He could see it in her face. But she didn’t pursue the matter. He liked that about her. She respected his boundaries. If he didn’t want to talk about something she left it alone. Still he wondered how she had learned to read him so well? It was uncanny.

  The wait was excruciating. Eventually a screen lit up indicating that a vessel was docking. Loud banging reverberated throughout the corridor as the ship locked itself to the dock and established a pressurized seal. The banging was followed by quiet for some time, which was replaced by the sound of metal clanging as the hatch was unlocked. It slid open with a high pitched whine. A man in a Juttari uniform walked out and greeted Lieutenant Jarvi. They exchanged words and the group began boarding. The man stood by the hatch watching as everyone entered. When Jon walked by he eyed the Juttari insignia on his uniform.

  Grandfather save us, he thought. We’re being herded into the jaws of the wolf

  Chapter 68

  Kulberg stared, dumbfounded, at the report on his display. Dozens dead. Multiple security craft destroyed. How? All his men had to do was eliminate a few people. People on the run with children. How hard could that possibly be? Apparently it was harder than it looked. And now they had help. Real soldiers. Somehow that ship out there was able to get a team onto the station.

  That was no ordinary ship. How did it manage to leap from one place to another in the blink of an eye? It confounded the DLC destroyers, and even disabled one of them. Now it was back in orbit around the station, sending a shuttle to retrieve Captain Pike, with the destroyers too far to intervene. He had to stop them. He might be able to send another team to intercept before they boarded. Especially if they left now.

  Just then his door opened and a DLC security team rushed into his office, weapons drawn. His guards were surrounded and relieved of their weapons before they could react. Several other soldiers headed for Kulberg, all pointing their weapons squarely at him. Two men flanked him on each side and a few more had spread out in front of him. He considered reaching for his weapon, but thought better of it. He wouldn’t have a chance. So he chose to play the outraged leader.

  “What is the meaning of this?” Kulberg bellowed.

  “Murder,” came a voice from the doorway. Kulberg looked to see Dahlen, DLC Head of Security. “That’s the meaning of this. You are under arrest for the murder of Mr. Jansen.”

  “This is outrageous,” said Kulberg, sounding properly flabbergasted. “We are hunting the real murderer as we speak. A manhunt that you are recklessly interfering with. This will mean you
r career. You realize that, don’t you? This means all of your careers!”

  Dahlen rolled his eyes and started clapping. “Well done. That was quite the performance. Not as good as your last one, but still very good.”

  “What do you mean, my last one?” said Kulberg.

  “You haven’t seen it?” Dahlen shook his head and laughed. “You really need to get out more. Turn around and look out your window, please.”

  What the hell was Dahlen talking about? What performance? He swiveled his chair around and faced his window. He waved his hand and the blinds slid apart revealing the building across from his. He usually kept his blinds closed for precisely that reason. Why would he want to look at yet another building? His eyes followed the structure from the top down and then stopped. On a giant display was his face. How in the hell? He was in his office, but he stood with a weapon in his hand. An icy chill raced up his spine. He watched with ever increasing horror as the video showed him firing his weapon at Mr. Jansen.

  “I don’t know how, but that video is playing on every display throughout the city,” said Dahlen.

  “It’s obviously a fake,” said Kulberg, spinning his chair around to face Dahlen. “I’m being framed while the real murderer is getting away.”

  “I don’t think so,” said Dahlen.

  “What do you mean, you don’t think so?” Kulberg snorted. “These videos can easily be faked, and you’re falling for it.”

  “No. You see, whoever is showing this video to the city also sent me the source file. I quickly had its authenticity verified. It’s as real as it gets.” Dahlen nodded to his men and two of them moved on Kulberg, seizing him by the arms. He tried to resist and his face was unceremoniously slammed against his desk. His arms were painfully wrenched behind his back and warm blood flowed from his broken nose down across his mouth. His vision blurred and he felt something hard in his mouth. Not knowing what it was he spit it out. His tooth. They had knocked out one of his teeth! He was pulled up by the hair, his arms now secured behind his back. His vision cleared and he looked at Dahlen.

  “You’re going to pay for this,” he said.

  Dahlen looked at his men and nodded. His face was slammed into the desk again, turning out the lights.

  Chapter 69

  The shuttle ride to the ship was uneventful. Jon had watched with concern as his men spoke with the Chaanisar. They had started to form a bond with each other, the way men who have fought together often do. They were beginning to trust each other. How would that affect things if this arrangement didn’t work out?

  Lieutenant Jarvi didn’t join in. He kept quiet and stared mostly at Jon. Was that anger in his eyes? Hatred? Jon played along and stared right back. The Lieutenant was well disciplined. Whatever he felt, he kept it contained. But Jon did feel the silent challenge, and was more than happy to accept.

  Anytime, he thought.

  The shuttle itself had no windows, but there was a display showing their progress. He cringed as the Juttari Heavy Cruiser came into view, the same one he battled months ago. It sat silent and motionless, waiting. Five centuries of terror embodied in that one dreadful ship. It reminded him of childhood anxiety and nightmares. As a child he spent years living with the fear that he would be taken to the Chaanisar, and now he went willingly. Somewhere deep inside him a little boy screamed.

  Breeah’s hand took hold of his, breaking the spell. She didn’t say anything, but he could see that she understood. More importantly, she reminded him that he was no longer alone. He had been given a second chance. He had a family once again. The only reason humanity had persevered during those long, horrific years of occupation was family. Nothing more. What Earth had been before the occupation was largely forgotten amidst generations. There were no idealistic thoughts of resurrecting the old Earth. As much as the desire for vengeance burned inside of every human’s belly, it provided little sustenance. The only reason people kept going, and the only reason for the resistance, was family. That ship, with its crew of Chaanisar, was the antithesis of humanity.

  The Juttari hangar bay grew larger on the screen as they approached. When the shuttle entered its opening the display went black and the lights inside dimmed. Jon felt himself drowning, like a defeated Ahab. His muscles flexed involuntarily. He fought back a desire to attack the pilot and commandeer the shuttle. There was a thud beneath his feat and he knew they had stopped. The lights inside the shuttle lit up again and the hatch slid open. The Marines and Chaanisar got up and began to exit the shuttle. Jon stood, picked up Anki, then headed for the exit in turn, with Breeah and Seiben’s family following close behind.

  When they got off the shuttle Jon was somewhat surprised at how different the Chaanisar ship was from the Hermes. They had stolen the Hermes plans from Space Force, but the ship itself didn’t look like the Hermes. It was harder. In many ways it looked unfinished. The ship’s crew were Chaanisar, after all. He didn’t think the Juttari cared much about appeasing the Chaanisar. From what he knew of the Juttari, there would have been a small contingent of them on board. The Masters. They would have overseen the mission, but would have left the running of the vessel to their Chaanisar puppets. It was how the Juttari operated. They ruled, and others did their bidding. He knew that there would be a part of this ship specifically designed as Juttari living quarters. Other than the Chaanisar leader, no other would be permitted to enter that section of the ship. He wondered how it happened when they revolted. Did they storm the Juttari section? How did the Juttari react when they realized they had lost control? Did the green bastards screech like that one did during the war, just before Jon put it down? He thought of the sound, all of them huddled together shrieking as their bastard children passed judgment. If only he had been there.

  Lieutenant Jarvi escorted the group out of the hangar bay and through the ship. Kevin followed, but the rest of the Marines had gone off in a different direction. They had been on this ship for a while now and didn’t need the guided tour. He looked around as they walked. They were obsessed with their symbols. Every inch of the ship was covered with either the Juttari insignia, or some other scribbles.

  “What are all these markings?” said Seiben.

  “Symbols, from the Juttari scriptures,” said Jon, nauseated by the sight.

  “They must be a very religious species,” said Darla.

  “They’re fanatics,” said Jon. “They believe it is their divine right to rule.”

  “To rule who?”

  “Everybody. They believe their creator made them superior to all others in the galaxy. Not only is it their divine right to rule, but their divine duty to conquer any species they encounter.”

  Lieutenant Jarvi joined the conversation, as he liked to. “The Juttari believe their creator gave them power for a reason - to transform the galaxy. Since they believe it is their obligation to serve his will, they wage war and conquer with fervent zeal. They make others fight and die on their behalf. The Juttari rule and the rest bleed. A convenient arrangement if you are Juttari. Not ideal if you are human.”

  “All these horrors. All because of religion?” said Seiben.

  “Yes,” said Jarvi. “The Juttari consider themselves the only true believers. All others are inferior and unworthy of their creator’s light. That makes them unworthy of their own lives. The Juttari are here to serve their creator, and the rest of us are here to serve the Juttari.”

  “Doesn’t it bother you?” said Jon.

  “I don’t understand what you mean,” said Jarvi.

  “The Juttari took you from your family. Violated you. Turned you on your own people. Yet you show no emotion when you speak of them. Have you completely lost your humanity?”

  “Emotions? Is that what you seek, Captain? Will that make us more human in your eyes?”

  “It would be a start,” said Jon.

  “We were not allowed emotions, Captain. Imagine a child of four or five years, taken from his family, and thrown into an alien hell. Imagine the fear. The paraly
zing horror. How could such a child serve his Juttari masters?”

  “I don’t know,” said Jon.

  “He cannot. By controlling the child’s emotions, you can reprogram the child. The brain chips are essential to this. They control the fear. That is why a child is augmented as soon as possible.”

  “I’m guessing the chips work the same way in combat?”

  “That is correct. In battle the brain chips suppress feelings of fear, making for a more efficient soldier.”

  “So you have no emotions at all?” said Darla.

  “We do have emotions,” said Jarvi. “I can feel everything that you can feel. The brain chips gave the Juttari the ability to control our emotionns.”

  “What about now?“ said Darla.

  “I don’t understand.”

  “The Juttari are gone. They don’t control you anymore.”

  “After years of having our emotions suppressed for us, we have become surprisingly capable of doing the same thing ourselves. In the end, we have been trained as soldiers since childhood. For a soldier, emotions can sometimes be a liability.” Jarvi stepped up to a door and said, “We have arrived.”

  It slid open and he gestured for the group to enter. Inside was a long dark table, also covered with markings. Standing up from the table was a tall man with a more ornate uniform than the Lieutenant’s. Jon recognized the man’s rank from his uniform. A Colonel. He looked fit and tough, and had an air of quiet authority about him. The man walked around to greet the groups.

  “I am Colonel Bast, commander of this ship,” the man said. “I trust you are all in good health. Uninjured?”

  “We’re all fine, Colonel,” said Jon.

  Bast scrutinized Jon. “You must be the notorious Captain Pike,” he said. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

  “We’ll see,” said Jon.

  Bast looked surprised. “I’m sorry, is there something wrong?”

  “Other than the fact that I’m on a Juttari heavy cruiser surrounded by Chaanisar? No. Everything’s great. Couldn’t be better.”