by Dean Kutzler
She hated to admit it, but said, “No, I never really have thought about it. I don't have a clue, and I really don't care at this point. They’re still responsible for destroying our worlds and enslaving us for scraps of it. They have some hand in it, and that’s all I need to know.”
“Considering what fossil fuels are slowly doing to planets, have you ever wondered why full access to universal power was taken away?”
Now that made her pause.
“Are you saying there may be something wrong with universal power that we didn't know about?”
“All I am saying, Commander, is it is definitely worth reflecting upon further before making any rash decisions such as destroying an entire race. Nor do we have enough intel as to whether or not they have more homes across the galaxy. We may just be poking a hornet’s nest.
“We also have not considered what might happen to universal power if we eliminated the Scarab homeworld. We know nothing about it, and we just may be destroying whatever generated it in the first place. Currently, we are of the thinking that the Scarab have blocked the output of universal power. What if they are the ones that created it in the first place? It was a long time before man discovered the Sun was just a star and not a God gracing them with his presence every morning. I believe there was even a culture on old Earth that would offer up the beating heart of a man as a sacrifice for the God to return the next day.”
Saren shuddered at the thought of such barbarianism.
“Maybe you’re right, Alva. But I’ve got a universe full of people looking for their freedom and salvation now. They’ll never understand. I’m not quite sure I do, yet, either. I promise you. Once we’ve regained our freedom, we will discuss this matter with the council. And come up with solid processes on how to proceed, so something like this never has to happen by our hands again.”
He glanced away, and said, “As you wish, Commander.”
Saren still saw that look on his face. She had never known him to hold anything back. Something else was bothering him.
“Is there anything else, Alva?”
Looking back in her direction, he said, “No, ma'am. If that is all, I would like to get started working on modifying the SAFELDs.”
“That's it, Lieutenant, thank you—you’re dismissed.”
ACCESS GRANTED
SAREN waited a few minutes after Lieutenant Kohn left the war room before she headed back to the bridge. She needed a few minutes alone to think. Even her logic-minded science officer was siding with Elyria and Juan. Maybe her logic was skewed, but allowing a murderous race to run the galaxies didn’t seem very logical in any scenario.
There wasn’t time to afford humanistic sensibilities. It wouldn’t be long before the Scarab discovered they were missing a Terra-Disruptor unit and started backtracking to find it. The Avenger couldn’t stay cloaked indefinitely. All it would take were just a few seconds for the Scarab to pick up the unit’s energy signature.
Saren entered the bridge and resumed command. As she sat down in the chair, she noticed Elyria was missing from her station.
She must be taking an enviroshower.
“Okay, bridge, listen up!” She settled into the chair, sitting up straight. “We're about to enter the void. In three days we’ll be arriving at planet AARU—homeworld of the Scarab. That’s three whole days traveling in the void. We’ve been lucky so far not running into any trouble, but we have also not traveled through the void for such a long period. I don't know what kind of dangers are waiting for us, but I want everyone on high alert. We have mere seconds to react if spotted by the Scarab. I don't have to remind any of you of that.”
She paused for a moment to observe the expressions of her crew. Unlike herself, none of them have ever seen the Scarab. Even though the loyal bravery beating in their chests was inspiring to see, she could also smell the morbid scent of a group heading to their deaths in the air.
I’ll die before I let that happen.
“Our mission today is the most critical mission the federation has ever been up against, and no matter what happens, we cannot fail. Not only is our future riding on its success, but the future of our friends, families and the generations to come.
“I won't lie to you about the dangers of this mission. And there is a good chance none of us will survive if caught. I also want to say I’ll die before I let that happen. So—I’d like to take a moment, for anyone who would like to step down from this mission, to do so now. I give you my word as an UFWA commander. I will not allow a single soul on this ship to condemn you if you do. You’ll be taken by shuttle to the human homeworld Aurailia, and from there, arrangements can be made to return each of you to your homeworlds.”
Saren looked about the bridge and saw nothing but resignation in each of their faces.
“Ma’am?” Dezzi turned in her chair, looking around the bridge. “I think I can speak for everyone aboard the Avenger. We’re with you ’till the end.” She smiled, turning back around and tucking a few stray hairs that had wriggled loose, back into her collar.
Saren suddenly felt terrible for scolding her earlier about her hair, even if it was inappropriate for the bridge of a first-class federation galactic warship. These people were loyal to her during a time of complete chaos, and she would be damned before she let them down.
“Ensign Taleron, I think Mr. Brody can manage the helm by himself just fine. Assume Lieutenant Kohn’s science station until his return and keep a close watch for the Scarab. I want you monitoring deep space, as far as our sensors can reach. If there is even a blip on the viewer, I want to know about it. We’re too close now to let anything get in the way.”
“Yes, ma'am,” he said, leaving the helm and assuming the science station.
“Look alive people! I’m unlocking the VS drive and transferring the coordinates to helm.”
“VS drive unlock confirmed. Coordinates set to the MACS0647-JD galaxy,” Ensign Brody reported. “Ready to engage on your mark.”
The bridge door swished open behind Saren.
Elyria must be finished showering.
“I've been waiting for you. We were just about to—“
***
Saren awoke, rubbing the back of her neck and lying on a cot in the Avenger’s brig.
“My head,” she said, carefully touching the knot at the base of her skull.
Ensign Brody stared at her from the other cot.
“What Happened?” she asked.
“Just take it easy, ma'am. They hit ye pretty hard. I was really worried. At least there be no blood, ma'am. Ye been out about half an hour since I woke. Are you okay?”
She struggled sitting up, looking around the large room before focusing on him. “Ensign Brody?”
“I’m here, ma'am.” He helped her into a sitting position. “Are you all right?”
“I—I don't know. I’ll be fine—just this bump.” She winced, touching the back of her neck. “What happened? Why are we in the brig? The last thing I remember is opening the VS drive and hearing Elyria enter the bridge.”
“It wasn't Elyria, ma'am. Well, she was there, but it was one of the two tall men that entered the bridge and hit ye before you even had a chance to turn around. The other was restraining Lieutenant Thorn.”
“I don't understand. Two tall men? And why are you in here with me and no one else?” She started regaining her wits.
“When I saw what happened on my way to the science station, I tried rushing them, ma'am. One of them shot me with something like a stun gun. It wasn’t Federation issued. I never seen nothing like it in all-o-me years—all made a gold. That’s all I know before I woke up here, just before you did, ma'am. Sorry, I failed you.” He lowered his head.
“Wait, you said they were using something you've never seen before? Describe these men.”
“They be just as strange as the weapon, ma'am. Well, as I said they were tall, built like a brick-shit-house as me Mum used to say, humanoid but more on the tanned side. They were wearing black shou
lder-sleeve body armor with mechanical gold cuffs and gold jewelry. They britches be gold, and most of their midriff flesh was showing, so I don't know how well that works. And on their heads, they wore these strange hats made of gold, too. They looked like raised wings, with more mechanics of sorts attached to it.
“If I be certain, they had black makeup around their eyes stretched out to points in the corners, or it just be their skin coloring. Daftly looking things, but overall, pretty frightening. If’n I coulda gotta good hold—”
“Mr. Brody.” She placed a hand on his knee, shaking her head. “I don't know how this has happened, but those men are Scarab. There’s nothing you could’ve done.”
“Scarab!” He sat back on the cot, giving her a look like she just told the biggest lie he’d ever heard. “I been monitoring the long-range sensors and haven’t seen a one, ma’am. I know they be tricky bastards and whatnot, but—it’s gotta be impossible. I woulda seen their ships.”
Saren nodded her head, heart sinking in her chest. She’d just finished telling the crew how she would die before she let the Scarab got hold of them. She pushed the theory screaming in her head of how they got aboard the Avenger from her thoughts—for now. She had more important matters at hand.
How the fuck are we getting out of the brig.
“That minimal armor you described? Nothing I have seen can penetrate it. Those shoulder sleeves emit a personal force field at their command. Thank you for your loyalty and bravery, Mr. Brody, but it could have gotten you killed. Promise me you will not do something like that again. The Scarab are extremely intelligent. Any move from here on must be calculated.”
“I promise to do me best, Commander,” he said. “But I don't think I can just sit by if they attack you again.”
She smiled, patting him on the knee. “Okay, Mr. Brody. That’ll just have to do. You said Elyria was on the bridge?”
“Yes, she was being restrained by the other Scarab man. Do you think it is possible they were stowed away on the transport of conundrum crystals she brought in?”
James Brody was a smart man. She’d carefully chosen him to serve on her bridge for that reason. She wasn’t going to think about it now
Saren stood from the cot and walked toward the door. Like all hopeful prisoners, she reached out and touched the force field restraining the entrance, testing its strength. A familiar flash and hum sent a low voltage shock through her fingers, causing her to pull them back.
“I don't know how it could be possible knowing my daughter, Mr. Brody, but I can't see any other way they could've gotten aboard. I’m not making any assumptions right now. We know so little about the Scarab. I know Elyria, and it's virtually impossible to get anything over on her.”
That’s what I’m worried about.
“Well, ma'am, you said yourself we know very little about them, maybe they have some sort of device that concealed them?”
Saren paced the room.
“Possibly. What I’m wondering is why are we in the cell?”
“Pardon, ma'am,” he said, wondering if the bump had affected her brain.
“I mean—why put us in this cell? Why not just kill us? They obviously have no problem annihilating an entire planet.”
“Me ole granny used to say nobody does nothing without a reason,” he said, nodding.
“Your old granny was a smart woman,” she said, giving him a wink. “I just don't know what more they could want from either of us?”
She started across the room, faster.
“You’re talkin’ about the access to the VS drive?” His face darkened. “Had I known what they were after, I would’ve shut it down before trying to tackle—“
“You couldn't have known,” she said, standing still. “Put the thought from your head and don't beat yourself up. I don't think the timing of their arrival was a coincidence. I’m pretty sure they knew about my plan. They needed the fucking drive open to get back home! I—I just don’t want to think about it!”
She hauled off and punched the wall.
“Whoa—easy there, Commander! Bustin’ up ye hand isn’t going to help. I be sure there’s a rational explanation for it all. Let’s just sit down and talk about how we be gettin’ outta the brig. Maybe ye got some special tricks up your sleeve, being the commander.”
He helped her back to the cot, cradling the hand she punched the wall with and she quickly snatched it away, surprising him.
“Sleeve—my wristcom! There just may be, Mr. Brody, if they haven’t—” She jumped up tapping away at the device, and a low tone sounded. “Damn! Of course—I’m locked out. I wonder if this still works.”
She aimed her wrist at the force field, tapping another button, and a beam shot out from the device. The second it hit the force field, the light around the door started glowing brighter—and that’s all that happened.
She dropped her wrist and sat back down on the cot. “That’s what I thought. Bastards adjusted the ship’s matter frequency—I’m locked out of command! Anything I shoot with this thing inside the ship will have no effect, except on people.”
Why didn’t they take it?
“’Twas worth a try, ma'am.”
Saren grabbed the edge of the cot with both hands, and said, “Did you feel that?”
“I think we just entered the void.” Ensign Brody rubbed his temples.
“Or dropped out,” Saren added.
“Well, one thing be certain—“
“We didn't go to AARU,” she said, cutting him off.
He cocked his head and looked at her.
“The homeworld of the Scarab.”
“Ah, that's right, I forgot the name. But ’tis where I meant cuz we’ve only been here a wee shy of an hour. I could’n been out for hours before I woke.”
“I don't like this one bit.” She stood from the cot, getting as close to the force field as she could, trying to look down the hallway. She backed away from the door and quickly sat back down on the cot.
“What is it?”
“They're coming! Remember—no rash decisions, Mr. Brody. This may be our only chance to escape.”
“You gotta plan, ma'am?”
“Ah—not yet. How good are you at hand-to-hand?”
“Scored ninety-five percent in the academy.”
“Good—just follow my lead.”
NEW COORDINATES
RAMENTUTT and Jaru stalked down the hallway towards the prisoner’s cell. The gleam of ship lights bounced of their golden shoulder platings, highlighting the chiseled bodies below and making the aliens resemble large celestial beings in humanoid form.
The giants’ eyes were dark, outlined with kohl in the tradition of the ancients. Around each wrist, the Scarab men wore gold cuffs sporting brilliant blue stones glowing of their own accord. Hanging from the Scarab’s necks rested intricately detailed necklaces made of golden strips—side by side—each one inch wide and several long, wrapping around to the backs of their necks. In the center of each necklace, perched as if ready for flight, sat multicolored Scarabs just smaller than baseballs.
The men were perfect in every way. Intelligence higher than any other race noted across the galaxies—bodies built to endure heavy combat, yet more agile than the sleekest razorback-trog.
Jaru sniffed the air.
“I smell them.” His lip turned up in disgust.
Humans made him uncomfortable, like most of the Scarab race. They saw the lack of perfection in the human's small, frail bodies as an insult to the Ka—the life force of every living thing—and the human’s intelligence level was barely above an animal’s.
“They are such vile creatures. I do not understand why the Pharaoh is allowing this. They should have just been killed, and we would already be on our way home by now. I truly do not see your obsession with them, General Gifar.”
Ramentutt slammed an arm across Jaru’s chest, pinning him to the wall.
“Watch your tone when speaking of humans, Jaru. Do not test me against the Pharaoh.
It is not of your concern what I obsess over and what I do not. You may be my right hand, but that may change,” he said, staring deep into his eyes before releasing him and continuing down the hallway.
Jaru stowed his comment for he knew better than to push the general too far, especially over the subject of humans.
“Yes, sir,” Jaru said. He straightened his shoulder armor and followed behind.
The Scarab men reached the end of the hallway and stood before the force field, peering into the cell at Saren and Ensign Brody. Ramentutt reached for the console beside the doorway as the prisoner’s heads followed his hand and he stopped, finger resting on the button.
“I will tell you once. I am going to disarm the force field, and you are both going to come along with no resistance. You will cooperate, or there will be consequences. Do each of you understand?”
Ensign Brody started to open his mouth, and Saren squeezed his leg, silencing him. She noticed they hadn't drawn their weapons, confident they weren’t needed.
“Where are we going and why are we still alive?” Saren asked, crossing her legs comfortably and ignoring his question.
“You will answer when the General is addressing you with a question. You do not get to ask questions, human. Show respect to the great General Gifar.”
Jaru banged his head against the force field, and sparks flew into the cell.
Saren’s face remained calm as sparks shot into the room hitting her body armor, her eyes locked with Ramentutt’s. She could see on his face that she wasn’t getting any information, so she conceded, and nodded her head once. “We understand.”
Ramentutt held her stare for a few more seconds, then pressed the button, disengaging the force field. The light surrounding the door zipped around and went dark, taking with it the low hum of the force field.
Jaru stepped into the cell grabbing Ensign Brody by the back of his shirt and said, “On your feet, human.”
He tossed him to the floor out into the hallway and started to reach for Saren when he was abruptly yanked from the cell, nearly toppling from his feet.