Euthara

by Michael McClain

  The top of the combat shuttle opened and a Gatling gun popped up into view and targeted the nearest enemy fighter. A hail of gun fire from the combat shuttle tore into one of the fighters as it passed over top of the shuttles. Smoke began to stream from the damaged fighter as it started to spin out of control and plummet to the ground below.

  Jon smiled as a cheer went up on the bridge and Deatra squeezed his arm in hope.

  The combat shuttle rose slightly and did a small barrel roll over the lighter shuttle as it continued to try to protect it from attack. Once the combat shuttle was on the other side the Gatling gun came to life again and chose another target. However, the enemy fighters were now prepared and took evasive action as they began their next attack run.

  The combat shuttles shields once again rippled as it came under fire from the enemy fighters. This time some of the incoming fire managed to get through, the heavy armor absorbing most of the damage. However, the combat shuttle still took some damage and dipped slightly.

  Time seemed to almost freeze as the lighter shuttle took damage when the combat shuttle dipped. On the main screen everyone on the bridge of the Atlantis watched in horror as a white plume of smoke erupted behind the lighter shuttle.

  "Sir, I'm picking up a distress call from the Queen's shuttle," the COM officer said.

  "Put it on the speaker," Jon said.

  Deatra almost fell as the room began to spin. Jon caught her and maneuvered her over to the command chair and sat her down. "Are you okay?" Jon said.

  Deatra could only give him a nod as the reality of the situation slammed home to her.

  A strong but slightly frantic voice came over the speakers on the bridge. 'Euthara command, Euthara command. This is Queen's Yacht shuttle Alpha-Zero-One. Please cease firing. We have the Queen aboard.'

  Jon gritted his teeth in frustration as there was nothing he could do but watch. "How long until our fighters reach their position?"

  "Estimated time is about twenty seconds," said the tactical officer.

  Opellissa's voice rose above the chatter on the speaker. "Atlantis, we've been hit and are losing power. We’re trying to reroute secondary power but I don't know how long we can hold out. Shields are down thirty percent and we have light buckling on the main hull."

  Jon looked up at Opellissa's face. He had to make a decision and Deatra and her sister might not like it. "Opellissa, I want you to get your ass out of there."

  The five remaining enemy fighters were already circling for another attack run as Opellissa froze and stared at Jon. "What-"

  "You heard me. You are to disengage and make your way back to the Atlantis. That's an order," Jon said. Jon turned slightly to look at Deatra who was staring at him with a pale face. His tone left little room for debate but that didn't stop Opellissa.

  "Jon, that's my mother, our mother. I can't leave her. I have to try and protect her," Opellissa said.

  Jon's face got stern as he turned his attention back to Opellissa. "Your father is counting on that. That's the only reason he chose this time to attack. He's hoping you’ll stay there and fight to the very end. He's hoping you'll die up there protecting your mother and if you die, I die. Then everything we've done here is for naught. All the people who have sacrificed their lives up to this point for the hope of a better world will have done so for nothing."

  Deatra stood up and walked up beside Jon as she spoke, "As much as I hate to admit it. I think Jon is correct about the situation."

  Opellissa's gaze switched to her sister as disbelief crossed her face. "I can't believe you said that. You really expect me to leave our mother out here to die?"

  "As much as I don't want you to," Deatra said. Her voice was unsteady as she spoke her eyes threatening to spill tears. "Yes, I do. We have to think of the larger picture now, it's not just our lives and the lives of three other people. What Jon says is true, if you die, we all die and everything we've tried to do here will be for nothing."

  "Sir-" the tactical officer, said.

  "Not now," Jon said. He raised his hand to ward off the interruption of the current conversation. "Look Opellissa, I don't like this anymore than you do and if there was any other option, I would choose it. I'm sorry, I really am."

  "SIR-" the tactical officer said. This time he had more urgency in his voice.

  "What, what, what," Jon said. The tone of his voice showing his annoyance with the officer hadn't made them cringe.

  "I really think you should look at the main screen," the tactical officer, said. "Four fighters showed up from nowhere."

  Opellissa looked down at her instruments as she spoke, "Yes! I have them on my scope now."

  Jon turned his attention to the tactical display in the center of the room. Four new blips in yellow were now displayed and were closing at a high rate of speed on the shuttles position. From the look of their position and their rate of descent towards the shuttles. They had to come from an orbital insertion.

  "Are they friendly?" Jon said.

  Jon got his answer a second after he asked the question, as the blips turned green. The four fighters would intercept the shuttles in seconds. The arrival time would be about ten seconds before any of his fighters were able to reach the shuttles.

  "Yes Sir," the tactical officer, said. "We've just received word they are from the Desmodi."

  "Pipe the COM chatter from those fighters here," Jon said.

  "Patching them through, Sir," the COM officer said.

  ' All right boys this is it. Pick your targets and take them out,' Terri's voice said over the channel.

  Jon's jaw dropped as he realized he was listening to his sister's voice. The last he'd heard, she was still laid up and dealing with Ga'sahde business. Deatra squeezed Jon's arm as hope was once again within grasp. The bridge crew finally realizing who they were listening to, gave a small cheer.

  "They're breaking off," Opellissa said.

  The chatter from the Queen's shuttle slowed and stopped as the five hostile fighters turn their attention to the incoming fighters. The plume of white smoke wasn't as thick and they seemed to have gotten their systems back under control.

  "COM, will the Queen's shuttle make it to the Atlantis?" Jon said.

  The COM officer spoke quickly into the headset on her head before replying, "Yes Sir, they report that they have the situation under control and should be able to make it to the Atlantis under their own power."

  "OK, monitor their situation and report if anything changes," Jon said.

  The five hostile fighters broke ranks and started to climb to meet Terri's squad. Opellissa's shuttle fired on the enemy fighters as they began their climb. The shuttle's Gatling gun managed to find one of the fighters and shredded its wing. Sending it into a deadly spiral as it plummeted to the ground below.

  "Looks like we managed to even the odds for our incoming fighters," Opellissa said. She now had a smile on her face and looked relieved. "Looks like everything worked out after all."

  "Don't get too cocky. You haven't landed yet. You and the Queen are still out in the open, so keep your eyes open," Jon said. Even though he was feeling a bit more relaxed and relieved. He was still on alert for signs of trouble.

  Opellissa nodded as she spoke, "I'll keep an eye out for trouble."

  "Tactical, have one squad rendezvous with Terri's squad and have another squad fly escort for the shuttles," Jon said.

  "Yes Sir," the tactical officer, said.

  Jon watched the brief but intense dogfight on the main screen. They got lucky and lost no one in this surprise attack. Jon watched the four fighters his sister was leading turn and fall into formation with the shuttles.

  "Get my sister on COM, please," Jon said.

  "Sandpiper, Atlantis," the COM officer said.

  "Go Atlantis," Terri said.

  "Sandpiper, Atlantis actual would like to speak to you," COM officer said.

  "Put her on screen, please," Jon said.

  Terri's face filled the main screen as the COM
officer open the channel. Terri smiled when she saw Jon and Deatra. "What's up, bro?" Terri said.

  "How are you doing? Last I heard you were still laid up and involved with Ga'sahde business," Jon said.

  "I'm fit as a fiddle, and the business has been taken care of, you shouldn't have any more problems. I'll be landing in a little while. We can talk more then," Terri said.

  "Good, I miss having you around," Jon said.

  "While we're talking about how people are doing. How is Oojoung doing?" Terri said.

  "He's doing fine, Sam keeps them both busy as usual. He's still restricted to light duty, although Andie has allowed him to resume some exercise as long as he doesn't overexert himself," Jon said.

  Terri laughed as she thought about Oojoung on light duty with Sam around. "Somehow I just don't see Sam and light-duty mixing. I'll bet he gets more of a work out with her around than he does rest."

  Jon shrugged as he spoke, "Maybe, but when he was laid up. She really did help him out. She was by his side night and day. Sometimes I wonder if she really is seven years old and then other times I know she's seven."

  "Sir, the King is requesting to speak to you," the COM officer said.

  "Well, back to business. I'll see you after you land and get cleaned up. We'll talk more then," Jon said.

  "Until then, Sandpiper out," Terri said.

  The screen blanked briefly as Terri's face faded from view and changed to the incoming shuttles and fighters.

  Jon looked over towards Deatra and let out a small sigh. "Here we go again." Jon stood there and looked at the blank screen as Deatra stood next to him, waiting. Jon's intention was to make the King wait for a little while. He wanted the King to think he didn't have any worries and that anything that King pulled didn't affect him.

  "Sir, the King is demanding to speak to you right now," the COM officer said.

  Jon smiled as he looked at Deatra. She was one of the most beautiful women he'd ever known and he felt extremely lucky to have her at his side. He raised his hand and rubbed the side of her face as he spoke, "I love you."

  Deatra laid her hand on top of his and smiled at him as she said, "I love you too."

  "Sir, about the King?" the COM officer said.

  Without looking from Deatra Jon said, "Let him wait, how many times has he put me on hold or rejected my calls? This time he can wait. Tell him he can either wait until I finish my business or he can call back at his convenience."

  "Do you think it's wise to antagonize him?" Deatra said.

  "I think it's time the King learns that the universe does not revolve around him," Jon said. "What's he going to do, throw a fit?"

  Deatra sighed in resignation, then said, "I just hate seeing you two fight, and I wish this could be worked out without all this conflict."

  Jon looked Deatra in the eyes. She could see the sadness in his face as he spoke, "Me too. I tried, but your father would not listen. I have a feeling that your father is not who you think he is. From the little talk that we had on our way here, and what you explained to me of your father, this man doesn't fit your description"

  Deatra frowned as she spoke, "What do you mean?"

  "I've a suspicion that your father is either being controlled or has been replaced by someone that looks like him. I don't have any proof yet, but I have a strong suspicion. and I promise you if this is the case I'll get to the bottom of it. Whoever he is, or whatever he is, he's deeply involved with what is going on on Euthara," Jon said.

  "You're talking as if my father isn't really my father, as if he's been replaced by a doppelganger or something," Deatra said. "Yes, he seems a bit short tempered and cranky, but I haven't seen anything to say that he's not my father."

  "All I'm saying is the man that I'm talking to isn't the man you described," Jon said.

  "I guess, I mean, he has changed. So I guess anythings possible," Deatra said. Her face showed Jon her confusion and her doubt.

  Jon pulled Deatra into a hug and gave her a firm squeeze to show her his support. He wasn't sure of everything that was going on. All he knew for sure was that the King was involved with the problems on Euthara. Though if he was forced to be involved, then Jon wanted to find out who was behind it. "Everything will be okay," Jon said. He said it softly enough so that only Deatra could hear him.

  Deatra pulled back enough to look in Jon's eyes, and his reassuring look gave her strength. She smiled and gave him a quick peck on the lips as they disengaged. "I know it will. I just worry," Deatra said.

  "Shuttles are safely aboard, Sir and the fighters are in the landing pattern," the Tactical Officer said.

  Jon looked up at the screen as he watched Opellissa's shuttle disappear into the landing bay. "Good, post a Marine detail to the Queen for added security. Have them show her to her quarters and explain to her that I'm currently busy, but I'll be with her as soon as I can," Jon said.

  "Yes Sir," the Marine at the security console said.

  Jon looked at Deatra as he spoke, "Would you like to go see your mother while I talk to your father?"

  Deatra shook her head as she spoke, "No, I think I would like to see what my father has to say. If that's okay?"

  Jon smiled and nodded his head as he spoke, "All right, COM put the King through."

  The King's face appeared on the main screen and he didn't look happy. He scowled when he saw Jon and shook his head in disgust when he realized Deatra was standing next to Jon. It didn't take the King long to start in on Jon. "Just what do you mean by making me wait?" the King said. His eyes locked onto Jon as he spoke. His disdain for Jon showed on his face. No matter how hard he tried to hide it.

  "I'm sorry, your Highness, I had pressing issues that needed attending to," Jon said. "Surely, a man in your position would understand that. I myself, have been told many times when I tried to contact you, about how busy you were."

  "I understand that you kidnapped the Queen. I want her returned right away," the King said.

  "The Queen came here of her own volition. It seems she thought we had some things we need to talk about, namely you," Jon said. He had a smirk on his face as he watched the King's face turned red with anger. "I'm inclined to agree with her. I think we have a lot to talk about. especially what is going on here on Euthara and your involvement in that."

  The King's eyes narrowed as he watched Jon smirking at him. He worked to control his anger, he didn't want to give Jon the satisfaction of seeing him upset. His eyes briefly switched to Deatra as she stood next to Jon, motionless. Deatra's attention was on her father as he spoke to Jon. "Again, I don't know what game you're playing. But I assure you there is nothing sinister going on here. The only thing that I'm involved with is the ruling of my people and efforts to bring them back from the brink of extinction." The King calmed down as he spoke.

  "So, you have nothing to do with the assassination attempt on the Queen and Opellissa?" Jon said.

  The King regarded Jon coolly as he replied, "I have no idea what you're talking about. Why, would I try to assassinate my wife or my daughter?"

  Jon raised an eyebrow as he tried to figure out what the King was up to. "A daughter that you disowned and a Queen that you all but removed from ruling power on Euthara. I can hazard a guess that if you managed to kill Opellissa that would've removed me as a problem. The removal of the Queen would've removed the last token of opposition that you might have had."

  "I have a long reach on my world, as you'll soon find out. If I wanted the Queen killed. I'd have done it a long time ago. As far as my wayward daughter, yes, I disowned her. And yes her death would have removed you as a thorn from my side. But, I don't wish any harm to either of my daughters," the King said.

  Jon stole a quick glance at Deatra and her stony face told him everything he needed to know, she didn't believe her father, the King,, anymore than he did. "I don't believe you. There's a lot more going on here than meets the eye," Jon said.

  The King smiled as he spoke, "Maybe, maybe not. Why can't you just understa
nd I want to be left alone, my people want to be left alone. Take your people, your ships, and even my daughters if you must, and leave. We don't want you here. Can't you understand that."

  "Thirty thousand Eutharan troops and ten Duke's say different," Jon said. "Those are numbers from the past two weeks with more arriving every day. Maybe you should understand that you're fighting a losing battle. The people here are tired of your rule and your hidden agendas. Maybe it's you who should pack up and leave."

  The King laughed as Jon spoke and then said, "Ten minor Dukes. They're nobody in the grand scheme of things."

  For the first time Deatra spoke, "What has happened to you? You're not the father that I remember. The man I remember respected everybody big and small. He cared about his people, and about what was happening to them, he would've accepted any help from any source as long as it was of benefit to his people."

  The King looked at Deatra and spoke without emotion, "Times change. And I don't think your bond mate here is a benefit to my people. Perhaps the father you knew was too soft and realized it was time to toughen up."

  "I thought I knew you, I really did. I can see now that I've never known you. I thought you would be happy I found a bond mate and returned with help for our people," Deatra said.

  "This man is only interested in one thing," the King said. On screen he pointed at Jon and stabbed his finger. "He's only interested in the throne and to further the cause of the ADF. He'll do anything to that end."

  "Unbelievable, you sit there and accuse my bond mate of doing anything to further his cause. Yet all he's done is try to help you. While you have done everything in your power to stop him from helping our people," Deatra said. "You even went so far as to turn away the Ga'sahde and any assistance they would give. You've even banned the few Invaru that have come here seeking help from a powerful enemy that threatens us all. This new enemy threatens the universe not just a few, but the entire universe."