by G. P. Hudson
Anki seized Alina and Otka by the hand and pulled them through the door. “Come on. Let me show you my toys.” The three girls giggled as they scurried away.
Inside, Seiben recognized several familiar faces. Jon was there, along with Kevin, Breeah’s father Jonas, and the Chaanisar Colonel Bast. Jon stepped forward, a big smile on his otherwise intimidating face.
“I’m glad you accepted my invitation,” said Jon.
“Who am I to turn down a free trip?” said Seiben.
“You haven’t changed.”
Kevin stepped up beside Jon, a beer in each hand, and gave one to Seiben. “Great to see you again, old man.”
“Didn’t I tell you to stop calling me that?” said Seiben, taking the beer.
“Really?” said Kevin. “I don’t remember that.”
“You’ve got more muscle than brains. That’s why,” said Seiben, lifting the beer to his mouth and taking a long drink. “Ah, now that is good. Last time I had a cold beer was the day the Kemmar showed up.”
“I’m really sorry about what happened to your home,” said Jon. “I know how much you loved that place.”
“Yeah,” said Kevin. “It’s terrible.”
“Thanks. It’s like some crazy nightmare. I still can’t believe it. I’m just happy that we all made it out alive.”
“Did they treat you well on the station?” said Jon.
“The station? No beer, and shitty food, but other than that, it was as good as could be expected. They were just as overwhelmed by everything as all us refugees.”
“You’re here now,” continued Jon. “Breeah’s cooked an amazing meal for everyone. I bet you can’t guess what it is.”
“Reiver stew?” said Seiben.
Jon slapped him on the back. “Still a genius.”
“Have you given any thought to settling down here on Earth?” asked Jon.
“Some. Darla wants to, and that basically means we’re going to.”
“Smart man,” said Kevin, clinking bottles with Seiben.
“When are you going to get yourself a woman, Kevin?” said Seiben.
“I’m too busy to settle down right now.”
“More like too ugly,” said Seiben, taking a step back to avoid Kevin’s heavy hand.
“You’re funny for an old man,” said Kevin, smiling but otherwise not reacting to the comment.
“I try. So speaking of being busy, how come you’re all here? Isn’t there a war going on?”
The smiles disappeared. “We’ve been planning for the next stage in the war,” said Jon.
“I see. It’s ok, you don’t have to tell me anything about it.”
“I wasn’t going to.”
“Maybe you can tell me one thing, though. I heard rumors that the Kemmar have the jump system. That’s how they got past New Byzantium’s defenses. Is it true?”
Jon frowned. “I suppose you deserve answers, after what happened. It’s true. The Kemmar have the jump system.”
Seiben was stunned. He had heard the rumors, and suspected that they were true, but to have Jon confirm it was something entirely different. “If the Kemmar have the jump system, no one is safe.”
“You’re safe here,” said Jon, with a reassuring smile, interrupted by a grimace.
“Is everything alright?” said Seiben. He had never seen Jon show even the slightest hint of pain before.
“Yes, of course. Everything’s fine.”
A lone bead of sweat on Jon’s forehead told Seiben otherwise. He had seen Jon run and fight tirelessly without even the hint of fatigue, let alone perspiration. Something wasn’t right, and by the expressions on Kevin’s face, he had noticed it too.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” said Jon. “I said I’m-” Jon clenched his abdomen, doubled over and fell to his knees.
“Jon!” yelled Breeah, rushing over from the other side of the room.
Colonel Bast seized Jon by the arm, and Jonas grabbed the other.
“Captain St. Clair to Dr. Ellerbeck. Medical emergency in Admiral Pike’s quarters,” said Kevin over his comm.
“On my way,” replied Ellerbeck over the comm.
“I’m… I’m ok,” said Jon, coming back to his feet. No sooner had he stood than he let out an agonizing cry and buckled. Bast and Jonas continued to hold him upright, but his legs had lost all strength.
Kevin grabbed a chair positioning it behind Jon. “Sit him down here.”
“Jon?” said Breeah. “Jon? What’s happening?”
Jon didn’t respond. His head hung heavily before him.
“Can you hear me?” she continued, taking hold of his chin, pulling his head up to look at his face. “He’s unconscious.”
“What the hell is going on?” said Seiben in frustration.
“I wish I knew,” Kevin replied.
Dr. Ellerbeck soon rushed in. “What happened?” she said, bending before Jon.
“We’re not sure?” said Kevin. “He seemed fine, and then he cried out in pain and collapsed.”
Ellerbeck brandished a handheld medical computer commencing several scans. Worry lines creased her forehead as the results registered. She opened a comm. “I need a medical transport to Admiral Pike’s quarters, immediately.” She stood up, turning to Breeah. “He needs to be in sick bay.”
“What’s wrong with him?” pleaded Breeah.
She shook her head, “It’s his symbiont. It’s dying.”
Chapter 12
Breeah waited impatiently in the mountain complex sick bay while Dr. Ellerbeck conducted a more thorough examination. Her father, Kevin, Colonel Bast, and Mr. Seiben waited as well, while Darla stayed behind to watch the girls. Nobody spoke. They were dumbfounded by what had taken place.
Breeah had never known Jon to be sick. He had survived countless dangers, and had mostly seemed indestructible. Yet now, the creature inside him, the one that had given him all his superhuman abilities, was dying, and taking him with it. It was unfathomable.
As the door to the examination room opened, and Dr. Ellerbeck emerged, Breeah knew she wouldn’t get the answers she wanted. The doctor’s sullen expression told her as much.
“What’s wrong with him, Doctor?” said Breeah, hoping she was mistaken.
“He’s dying,” said Ellerbeck. “Technically the symbiont is dying, and it’s killing the Admiral.”
“How is this possible?”
“Poison. Jon’s symbiont’s been poisoned.”
“What? That’s impossible.”
“I’m afraid not. It is all very sophisticated, and I don’t believe a typical Diakan symbiont would have survived initial exposure to the toxin. It would have likely died within minutes.”
“But the creature still lives?”
“It does. Jon’s symbiont is different in many ways. Not only is it the only symbiont ever to be merged with a human, but it is also unusually robust. It has already behaved in many unexpected ways.”
“You mean how it protects Jon from harm.”
“Yes, among other things. It has bestowed Jon with an unnaturally long lifespan, and repaired any genetic abnormalities. Truth be told, I have never seen a Diakan symbiont as sophisticated and powerful as this one. It is like it is on a higher evolutionary plane.”
“But it can do all this, yet not protect itself?”
“It can, but the toxin used has been specifically engineered to kill Diakan symbionts. While Jon’s symbiont is stronger, it is not invulnerable. Thankfully, it has managed to slow down the toxin, thereby protecting itself, and Jon. However, it cannot withstand the toxin indefinitely. That is why we have to move fast.”
“What do we need to do?”
“We need to take Admiral Pike to Diakus.”
“Diakus?”
“Yes. It is a Diakan symbiont, and the foremost experts on symbiotic medicine are on Diakus.”
“When do we leave?”
“My ships are standing ready to escort you to Diakus,” said a voice from behind Breeah. She t
urned to see the Diakan, General Dathos, standing there, briefly wondering why she hadn’t heard him come in.
“I’m coming too,” said Kevin, stepping up to the women. “We can take my ship.”
“But Captain St. Clair, my ships are standing ready to take the Admiral to Diakus.”
“I understand, and they are welcome to act as an escort. But Breeah and the Admiral are flying with me.”
“I am coming as well,” said Jonas. “I will not stand idly by while my daughter faces this.”
“We will escort as well,” said Bast. “The Chaanisar stand by Admiral Pike.”
“I’m coming too,” said Seiben, standing defiantly.
“Roderick, there is no need,” said Breeah. “You should stay here with Darla and the girls.”
“No. Jon is my friend, and I will stand by him in his time of need.”
“As you wish,” said Breeah, moved by Seiben’s gesture. “Although I suspect Darla will not be in agreement.”
“Yeah, that might be a bit of a problem.”
Chapter 13
“What business do you have going to Diakus?” spat Darla.
“Jon is my friend,” said Seiben. “He helped us out after the attack, didn’t he? He’s done so much for New Byzantium and the colonies. It’s the least I could do.”
“You’re a fool. A fool trying to be a hero. Jon is an admiral. With a military escort. What can you do? You’ll just get in the way.”
“Maybe, but I have to do this. I’ll be on Kevin’s ship. He doesn’t mind me coming, and he’ll let me know if I’m getting in the way. And, the trip itself won’t take very long. The jump gate network will get us to Diakus in no time at all. Then it’ll just be a matter of waiting for the Diakan doctors to fix Jon. But I need to be there. I’m his friend, and I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but Jon doesn’t really have many friends.”
“And what about me and the kids? Are you just going to leave us on our own while you go to the other end of the galaxy? Especially after what we went through on New Byzantium?”
“There is no safer place for you and the girls than right here. Breeah is going to ask you to look after Anki while she is gone, and-”
“Of course I’ll look after Anki. What do you think I am?”
“I know you will, dear. All I was going to say is that the three girls will keep each other busy.”
“Yes, maybe I should be thanking you for that,” she said sarcastically.
“Don’t be like that, Darla.” Seiben tried to caress her cheek with his palm, but Darla immediately slapped his arm away.
“Don’t touch me.”
“I’m sorry. You’re mad. I understand.”
“You understand, do you? Good, then it won’t be hard to comprehend that you won’t be touching me for a long time.”
Seiben cringed. He knew Darla could hold a grudge, and he knew she was determined to make him suffer for leaving.
“I’m sorry,” he said, almost in a whimper.
“Oh you will be. Don’t worry about that. Now go on. Go and play hero with your friends.”
“OK, I’ll see you soon,” he said, leaning in to kiss Darla goodbye. Darla turned her face away, and his kiss landed on her cheek rather than her lips. He stepped back and called for his daughters. The two were playing in the other room, and quickly appeared.
“Yes, daddy,” said Alina.
Seiben crouched. “Come here, give your daddy a hug and a kiss.”
The two girls smiled and lunged at Seiben, wrapping their arms around his neck. Seiben hugged them both around the waist and stood up, hoisting both girls off the ground. The girls laughed as Seiben spun them around.
“Now listen to me. I have to go away for a bit.”
“Where are you going, daddy?” said Alina, her eyes big and concerned.
“Jon is sick, and I’m going to go with him to see the doctor. But don’t worry, I’ll be back soon. You know what the good part is?”
“What?”
“Anki’s going to be staying with you while I’m gone.”
“Yay! Anki’s fun.”
“I thought you’d like that.” Seiben set the two girls back down. “Now run along and play, and I’ll see you when I get back.”
“Ok. Bye daddy.”
“Bye.”
When the girls left he turned to Darla, and could see that her anger had turned to worry. “Don’t worry, dear. Just think of this as another long haul freighter run.”
“You don’t run freighters anymore.”
“No, I eat and drink beer instead. But still. I spent most of my life running freighters. This is not the first time I’ll be going away.”
“I know, but that part of your life is supposed to be over. You’re supposed to stay with us now. Not running around trying to compensate for some mid life crisis.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m your wife, Roderick. Don’t think I don’t know you. You’ve been behaving strangely ever since we left the station.”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Sure you do. Now listen to me. You don’t need to prove anything to us. We love you just the way you are. You’re our hero. I’m not just saying that. If it weren’t for you, we would all be dead on New Byzantium. You saved us. I don’t know what’s going on in your head right now, but you’ve got nothing to prove.”
Seiben swallowed hard, trying to get rid of the lump in his throat. “I told you. I’m not trying to prove anything. I’m Jon’s friend, and he needs his friends right now.”
“Ok. Just don’t do go and get yourself killed. Remember, we need you, and we’re waiting for you.”
“Come here,” said Seiben, spreading out his arms. Darla embraced him and buried her face in his chest. “I’ll be back soon.”
She pulled her head back and looked up at him. “You better. And don’t think I’m not mad at you anymore.”
“I know, dear. You’re still mad, and you’re going to make me pay for this when I get back.”
“You’re damn right I am.”
Chapter 14
“Commander Hurley, what is the status of our escort?” said Kevin, from his command station on the bridge of the Vanguard.
“All ships reporting ready to disembark, Sir,” said Commander Hurley from his post.
Kevin quickly checked his tactical display, showing him all the ships currently in formation around the Vanguard.
General Dathos had assigned seven massive Diakan warships to escort them to Diakus. Kevin carried Admiral Pike on the Vanguard, a powerful UHSF battleship. Colonel Bast commanded the Ronin, a Chaanisar heavy cruiser. Jonas commanded the Reiver, a destroyer. And Commander Henderson, Jon’s new XO and former security chief, commanded the Freedom, Jon’s flagship.
All ships were jump capable, yet they wouldn’t need to use the jump system much for this journey. They were going to Diakus the old fashioned way, through the jump gate network.
In reality, Diakus was thousands of light years away from Earth. If it weren’t for the jump gate network, humans and Diakans would’ve never crossed paths. The Juttari would’ve never invaded. They would’ve never run into the Kemmar, and the colonies wouldn’t exist.
He found it odd that something like the jump gate network, which facilitated space travel across these vast distances, ended up being a harbinger of so much suffering. Although in this case, they would use the network to save his friend’s life.
“Let the other ships know that we will be disembarking momentarily,” Kevin ordered.
“Ships are acknowledging our transmission. Confirming readiness,” said Hurley.
“Ensign Hayes, set course for the jump gate.”
“Setting course,” said Hayes, the helmsman.
“Take us out, Ensign.”
Kevin felt the Vanguard’s engines come to life, causing an almost imperceptible vibration in the floor. On the bridge’s main viewscreen the ship sailed steadily toward the jump gate.
&n
bsp; Several Diakan warships took position directly in front of the Vanguard, and he knew from his tactical display that the rest were spread out around them, with the Freedom, Ronin and Reiver covering the Vanguard’s flanks.
Fighter squadrons from the Freedom flew in tight formation around the Vanguard. They were close enough to protect the Vanguard, and be captured in its jump field if a jump was required.
He opened a comm with sick bay, and Dr. Ellerbeck’s face appeared. “How’s the Admiral doing, Doctor?”
“The symbiont is trying to fight the toxin, but it’s a losing battle, and the Admiral’s condition is steadily deteriorating. We need to get to Diakus as soon as possible,” said Ellerbeck.
“We’re on our way, Doctor. We’ll reach Diakus shortly.”
“I’ll do what I can in the meantime. Ellerbeck out.”
Kevin ended the connection, and pulled up a navigation display. Zooming out, he had it display a jump gate chart, and highlight the route they would take to reach Diakus.
They needed to cross through twelve gates. Going through each jump gate was instantaneous. Traveling between jump gates was not.
Some gates spit them out at one end of a star system, and the next gate would be at the other end. Normally they would have to travel across the system, avoiding the busy space lanes between the system’s planets. Considering the urgency of their trip, however, they would use their jump systems instead to reduce the travel time.
The trip was entirely through allied territory, so Kevin expected it to be uneventful. Any surprises would be met with deadly force, however, and nearby ships were warned to keep their distance.
They weren’t taking any chances. They had no clues as to who poisoned Jon’s symbiont, but it had to be someone close. Someone in the mountain complex with trusted access to Jon. But who?
First Colonel Brock vowed to find the culprit while they were gone, and Kevin didn’t doubt it. If anyone could get the job done, it was the Chaanisar. He hoped there wouldn’t be much fuss over the investigation. Many still didn’t trust the Chaanisar, regardless of all assurances to the contrary.
Hell, he figured many probably didn’t even trust Jon. He’d come out of nowhere, to take the reigns after the destruction of earth, bringing his Chaanisar army with him. Not the easiest thing for an Earthman to get behind. But in the end, there wasn’t much of a choice. Jon was the new order. Either toe the line, or step aside.