by Gun Brooke
Understanding that Dana was trying to hold it together despite lack of sleep and emotional turbulence, EiLeen patted her shoulder and then walked over to what she surmised was the operations console under all the dust. She punched in commands that would allow them to relax some.
“I’ve sealed the doors from the lower decks,” she said calmly, “and deployed perimeter beacons around us using regular lasers. A little trick one of my friends in the intelligence service showed me.”
“Sounds good. Is this your way of saying we might just rest a little?”
“As long as we do it right here on the bridge. Rest a little, I mean.” Annoyed at herself for the warmth on her cheeks and earlobes, EiLeen busied herself by taking what was left of her “shawl” and wiping off two chairs placed together at the far right. “These look like they actually recline a bit.”
“Fantastic. I’m all for relaxing and reclining at this point. Wonder if they have something to eat on this bridge?”
“Eat?” Aghast, EiLeen looked around them. “You’ve seen the deplorable state of this vessel, which is a very forgiving way to describe this flying soup can, and you suggest we feed off anything that individual we just strapped to his bed has touched?”
“Um. When you put it that way…Will you stop looking around as if you think some Golibedarian ham will round the corner and eat us?” Dana ran her hand over her face. “Stars and skies, you’re right, but I’m famished.”
“I’m hungry too. I suppose I could venture out of here and find the galley. If there’s actual canned stuff, we might risk it.”
“I’m not too fond of the idea of you going alone.”
“I’ll be fine. Just keep your eye on the stars and I’ll be back in a few moments. I have my communicator.”
“Good.” Dana looked half-placated.
EiLeen passed Dana and pressed her lips to her cheek briefly. “See you soon.”
“All right. Be safe.”
The ship was ghostly when it was void of any other sound than her own steps. She walked briskly, checking her position with the help of small charts at each intersection. There was a logical structure that had worked well for the ship once, and soon she found the galley. The smell of something musky and old made her nearly turn and go back to the bridge instantly. Instead she poked her head in, hand on her communicator, but all she saw was the huge mess left by whatever crewmember had cooking on his schedule.
She opened cabinets one after another and was about to despair when she found four cans of something that reminded her of her childhood’s vegetable soup. She was looking around for something to open them with when the ship lurched, sending her careening into the bulkhead. She dropped the cans, which rolled away from her. Tearing at her communicator, she hung on to the small preparation table that was attached to the deck. “Dana! Talk to me, what’s happening?”
“Damn it, they’re right on top of us, and below for that matter.” Dana’s voice sounded pressed. “They’ve taken out our weapons array, not that this damn ship had an array to speak of.”
“I’m on my way back. Are these the same ones as before?”
“I think so, from what I can see on the security-station console. They showed up out of nowhere so they must have cloaking ability. Sounds like the same—ow!”
“Dana!” EiLeen ran down the corridor that sometimes disappeared under her feet. She clung to the hand railing on the wall but knew the ship was losing its inertial dampening. “Damn it, Dana, what did you do? Are you all right?” As she pulled herself forward it was like climbing the Imidestrian chain of mountains where she kept a summerhouse.
“Just fell over the helm and put a crack in Boransh’s lovely view screen with my head. Damn, what a bump.” Dana’s moan propelled EiLeen forward. Her palms burned as she slid along the wall and later the deck. She fell hard onto her knees twice, and the second time she heard the fabric rip in her pants, and her skin as well. Wanting to use the most obscene of Imidestrian swear words, she bit her lower lip and forged on.
“EiLeen, the alarm you set? The perimeter beacons? They’re blaring all over the port side.”
“Which deck?”
“Decks four and five.”
“I locked the guys in the lower decks, one and two, out. Decks four and five are still within reach.” Now the ship was nearly stalling, which in itself was impossible in space, but that was the best way to describe the insanely steep climb she would have to make to reach the bridge.
“We’re losing pressure on deck five. Trying to seal it.”
“They’re boarding us!” EiLeen pressed so hard with her feet now, she heard her bones creak. Damn legs. Maybe I am too old? She climbed, calling out Dana’s name every few meters.
“We’re being boarded, EiLeen. Get a move on. I can see them passing bulkheads, as Boransh is clearly big on inner sensors. They’re two decks below you.”
“At least we know they have to climb too. That’ll slow them down.”
“And you.” Dana sounded composed, though her voice sounded faintly tinged with desperation.
“Hey, I’m all right. I’ll be with you on the bridge in two minutes. You haven’t failed your mission.”
“I don’t give a damn about the mission. I just want you back here now.”
“One. Minute.” Nearly losing her breath, EiLeen pulled herself up along the handrails, using the soft soles of her shoes to push her way upward. She could see the double doors leading to the bridge. “Figure out. A way to. Seal the doors, Dana. Or. We will have to. Abandon the bridge.”
“On it!”
Eventually, EiLeen pulled herself almost over the edge of the doorway to the bridge. Inside she saw Dana clinging to the command chair. “How’s the boarding team doing?”
“Struggling, but doing better than you. They were evidently ready for this turn of events and brought arti-grav boots.”
“Brilliant.” Artificial-gravitation boots would give them the edge as the ship carried on like an untamed ghazellia. EiLeen was about to flip over the edge of the doorway and join Dana when something hit her head. She cried out and clutched at the pain above her ear. “Scets!” Cursing in Imidestrian helped some, but the gesture had made her lose her grip and she was now bouncing across the sloping floor toward the other side of the corridor.
“EiLeen, what happened?” Dana yelled from the bridge.
She opened her mouth to say she was all right when she saw something move in the outer part of her field of vision. Four individuals were stomping their way toward her. They looked surreal, like they were defying gravity by walking on the wall. Arti-grav boots indeed.
“Dana, we’ve got company. Four of them. I need a weapon. Something!”
“Do not move.” A dark male voice thundered from the comm system.
“What the hell?” Dana called out. “Did they tap into the whole system? Who has such technology?”
“I’d say that’s the last piece of the puzzle, Dana. The Onotharians.”
“What? In SC territory?” Dana’s voice faded. “Stars and skies, this is bad.”
“No kidding.” EiLeen pushed at the wall, trying to get back through the door to the bridge. Perhaps they’d find a way to block it from inside.
“Seize that female. She’s our main objective.” The closest figure in a black space suit pointed at EiLeen. “Do you have the extraction device ready?”
“Aye, sir. I have to locate which lobe they’ve used.”
“Just cut her head open. We have no use for her once the implant is extracted.”
“There’s no need to kill her—”
“Enough! Follow orders or merely decapitate her. Then you can explain to our superiors why you insisted on bringing back such a bloody mess.”
“Understood, sir.”
“EiLeen, did you hear that? You have to get away from there.” Dana’s voice echoed. She had switched from Premoni to English, probably hoping the thugs didn’t understand.
“I’m trying,” EiLeen said, moaning as she pus
hed for her life. “Damn ship…I can’t…” She mobilized what was left of her strength and managed to get hold of the door frame. Sobbing out of sheer fury, she pulled herself up, kicking her legs to gain momentum. Finally sitting on the door, which was now effectively the floor, she was just about to move her feet up when she felt a strong, gloved hand around her ankle. It pulled at her, squeezing so hard, she feared the man would fracture it. She looked down and saw the man in the black space suit just below the doorway. Her reflexes sent her free foot down in a hard kick, hitting his narrow helmet at the temple. Clearly he hadn’t seen that coming, as he swore loudly over the comm system and loosened his grip. EiLeen pulled her leg free and scooted backward.
“EiLeen, here!” Dana called out. She threw something rather large and bulky toward her.
EiLeen reached up before the object passed her and broke yet another nail as she grabbed what turned out to be some strange-looking alien sidearm. She frowned at the settings but merely turned it on, relieved when it hummed reassuringly in her grip.
Suddenly the two hands were on her both her legs as the man heaved his way up toward her. Behind her the other three were making their way up through the door opening.
“EiLeen, fire! Shoot them!” Dana’s voice was filled with panic. “I’m trying to get over there, but—”
“Surrender, woman. Your days of espionage are over. The Onotharian Empire will rise again.” The man growled as he pulled EiLeen toward him.
Not hesitating a second longer, EiLeen aimed at him and fired. The man threw himself sideways and the beam from the alien gun hit the one behind him. The person fell motionless through the door and disappeared out of sight without a sound. EiLeen fired at the one to the left and then at the horrible person with the damn lobotomy kit. They went through the door just as silently. The man in charge of the operation against her grabbed the metal bag from the unconscious or dead lobotomizer, then turned his attention back at EiLeen, this time also with a weapon directed at her.
“As I said, you might as well surrender. I will make it painless.”
EiLeen thought fast. What if she let him really close and then took advantage of his nearness by firing at close range? Clearly he hadn’t fired at her yet because any disruptive weapon might kill the implant, rendering it useless. It needed to be extracted properly or, as gross as it sounded, cut out.
The ship lurched again.
“…come in, Begoll vessel. Are you present, Captain Rhoridan? The Koenigin to Begoll vessel…”
“Koenigin, Rhoridan here. We have intruders and need immediate assistance. What’s your position, Commander L’Ley?”
“We have you on our screen. ETA ten minutes. Bringing friends.”
“Step on it, L’Ley.”
“Aye, Captain.”
EiLeen was trembling so hard now she could barely keep hold of the weapon. Edging toward the ledge framing the bridge, which now acted as a partial roof, she hoped to climb onto the other side. Just as she shifted her grip on the weapon, the old ship rolled and sent her flying like a projectile. A railing passed her lower arms, and she grabbed it with her free hand. A dark shadow shot past her, and then hard hands tugged at her legs. She almost let go. Excruciating pain shot through her arm toward her shoulder, and she couldn’t suppress a deep moan. Then soft, but strong hands gripped her arm and helped her not to fall. She looked up into Dana’s stormy dark eyes.
“Shoot him, EiLeen. Hurry!”
EiLeen raised the heavy gun, its handle so thick in her hand she was afraid she’d drop it. Pointing it toward the furious face of the hateful man wanting to kill her, she pressed the sensor and kept her finger on it.
Chapter Nine
Dana pulled EiLeen up on the ledge and held her close. Sobbing from sheer relief, she pressed her face against her silvery hair. “You’re safe. I’ve got you. You’re safe.”
“Calm down,” EiLeen said, “I’m fine.” Her shaking voice belied her attempt to sound flippant. “I really am.” Her tone changed and sincerity laced her words.
“Thank the stars.”
“Can we perhaps dock with the Koenigin and get off this disgusting barge?” Sitting up, EiLeen crinkled her nose, which made her look close to adorable.
“Absolutely.” Dana let go of EiLeen reluctantly and peered over the ledge. “He sure looks out cold. You sure that weapon was set on stun?”
“Stun?” EiLeen gave a one-shoulder shrug. “How would I know? The markings were in some weird alien language. That man wanted to turn my brain into mush. For all I know it could have turned them all into condrusliaci fruits.”
“You impossible woman. What the hell is condrusliaci fruit?” Dana’s shoulders began to shake as a slightly hysterical laugh started to bubble up through her chest.
“Green, small, round, and with thorns on their shell. If you prick your fingers, nasty warts will appear within a few hours. The inside is delicious.”
“You’re crazy. I know it now. I’m in…” Dana took a deep breath and steeled herself against the knowledge she might be rejected. “I’m in love with a certifiably insane woman.”
EiLeen’s expression changed. She gazed intently, her eyes unwavering and unreadable. Then they began to shine and crystal-clear tears shimmered, but didn’t fall. “I would argue that you’re the one who might need a psychiatric evaluation for saying that, feeling like that.”
“It might be foolish, but it feels perfectly sane to me.” Daring to hope now, as EiLeen was clutching at her, pulling her even closer on the dirty ledge, Dana cupped her face. “I love you, my Queen.”
“You’re in big trouble, Captain. You might end up regretting ever telling me, because I love you too. I was prepared to live my life on the memories of these days and nights with you, so sure that letting you go on to live your life was the best thing. Now when I know you love me—oh, damn. For the love of the Creator.” She wiped at the now-escaping tears.
“I can’t imagine life without you, EiLeen. You’re amazing. You’re easily the most exasperating woman I’ve ever met, as well as the most courageous, brilliant, funny, beautiful, cute—”
“What?” EiLeen flinched. “I am not cute.”
“Ah. Normally you’re not, no. Just every once in a while.” Dana tried for a placating smile. “And you’re dangerous. To my peace of mind, to my poor stampeding heart.”
“And you’re the woman I never thought even existed—the one who tore down my defenses and saw through the royal mask. Not sure why that is. Not even sure this is fair to you, since being with me will end your anonymity forever. Once in my life in the public eye, you’re there to stay, even if you leave me.”
“Leave you?” Startled, Dana began to get up and tugged EiLeen with her. “I could never leave you. How can you even think—”
“I don’t. I mean, I don’t want you to.”
“I—”
“L’Ley to Rhoridan. Come in. L’Ley to Rhoridan and Maxio. Do you read me?”
Koenigin! Dana tore at her communicator. “Rhoridan here. We’re doing fine but need extracting. Send a shuttle to the dock, Commander.”
“Will do, Captain. Thing is, your vessel is drifting too close to the asteroid belt. Its faint gravity is pulling you in. You might need to locate some space suits, ma’am.”
“Not sure there are any on this rust bucket. How long do we have before we reach the belt?”
“We estimate eight minutes.”
Dana winced. That was barely long enough for the shuttle to reach them. “Keep an open comm signal, Commander. We’re going to the main airlock to see what we can find.” She motioned for EiLeen to follow her as she took off down the half-smoke-filled corridor.
*
EiLeen coughed as she stumbled behind Dana, who shoved some containers aside and pushed on. Her deceptively slender body didn’t betray her strength, but it was impressive.
“Don’t fall behind. We only have a few minutes to find some space suits.”
“Calm down, I’m right
here.” She wasn’t about to show how exhausted she was and how her body still ached from the fight with the Onotharian agents. Being slammed into the bulkhead was never a good thing, but having that happen when you were not as well trained as you used to be was even worse. She would definitely sport some interesting bruises if they made it out of the Begoll freighter alive.
“Here. Main airlock.” Dana dived into the smaller area and began opening one cabinet door after another. EiLeen started at the other end, hoping to find the suits right away. When she’d gone through six cabinets and still no space suit, she began to tremble. This couldn’t be the end. They’d fought so hard to stay alive, to complete the mission. To lose the woman she loved before they even got the opportunity to make this new scenario work made her want to scream.
When the cabinets turned up nothing, Dana looked ashen as she sank down on a chair, drawing deep trembling breaths. “Where the hell do these people store their suits?” She checked her chronometer. “Three minutes, EiLeen. Oh, stars.” Her eyes burned nearly visible tracks in the air between them. “I’m so sorry.”
“No. No! Don’t you dare give up—on us or on life. There must be someth—” EiLeen squinted as something caught her eyes. “What is that? That sign?”
“Where?” Dana leaned forward and pushed what looked like some hoses away. “This?”
“Yes? It’s in Begollian, I believe, but doesn’t it say craft and tunnel or something?”
“Tunnel?” Dana suddenly stood up, energized, pushed the hoses aside, and felt around the edges of the large sign. “It might not mean tunnel. It could mean chute.”
“Shoot? Shoot whom?”
“No, chute, as in a tunnel to slide through to something. Preferably to where they keep space suits and such.” Dana jumped back. “Oh, gods. Yes!”
A dark hole opened up, totally void of light.
“No time to waste.” EiLeen sat down and pushed her way through the hole. Then she was free-falling. Knowing how important it was to not let her arms flail, but instead tuck them into her body and pull up her knees somewhat, she curled up to try to protect herself from a rough landing.