by G J Ogden
“These meds are going to kick my ass harder than Dakota in a bad mood once they wear off,” said Hallam, flexing his muscles, which felt strong again. His throat also felt a lot better, to the point where he no longer sounded like a fifty-a-day smoker. “But it’ll be enough to get this done.”
Hallam started to climb the ramp of Ruby’s fighter with renewed energy and a rejuvenated sense of purpose. However, Ruby blocked his path, thrusting both hands out toward him. It was like she was trying to stop Hallam from walking into a surprise birthday party before everyone was ready.
“Whoa there, tanker man, there’s still something we need to take care of first,” Ruby said.
Hallam scowled and pressed his hands to his hips. “What the hell, Ruby, we don’t have time for this!”
“This’ll only take a minute,” said Ruby, pointing toward a storage locker behind Hallam. “It’s just by that door.”
Hallam sighed and threw out his arms. “Fine, just get the ship ready to go,” he grumbled, trudging unwillingly over to the locker. He’d barely turned around again before he was hit with a powerful jet of water. The pressure of the stream combined with the ice-cold temperature of the water stole his breath away, and all he could do was flail around, helplessly trying to shield his face from the glacial onslaught. The next thing he knew, he was on the ground, the powerful jet still gushing over him like he’d accidentally walked through a carwash. Then it stopped, and Hallam was left gasping for air on the tarmac, soaked from head to toe. A few seconds later, Hallam saw the face of Ruby Rivas standing over him.
“Sorry about that,” said Ruby, extending a hand to Hallam. “But there was no chance you were getting on my ship smelling like a latrine.”
Hallam accepted the offer of help, and Ruby hauled him to his feet. He looked down, saw a river of grey-green slime flowing into the drains, and shuddered. Then he looked at his sodden flight suit, seeing its natural color for the first time since arriving on Doyle’s rogue world, and huffed a laugh.
“I guess I did smell pretty bad,” he said, stepping over the river of sludge toward the waiting fighter. Ironically, the ice-cold shower had amped up the effect of the stims, making him feel nearly invincible.
“Ya think?” said Ruby, taking a packet of gum from her top pocket and using her lips to pull a single strip into her mouth.
“You do realize that if we get out of this alive, I will get you back for that?” said Hallam, stepping onto the rear ramp of the ship. The statement hadn’t come across in a threatening manner, nor had Hallam intended it in that way. He was just giving Ruby fair warning that they were far from even.
“If we get out of this alive, I’d like to see you try, tanker man,” said Ruby, blowing out a purple bubble and sashaying past Hallam into the cargo hold. She turned to face him and the gum bubble burst. “Now let’s go and rescue our boss.”
“Wait, I just remembered that I still need one more thing,” said Hallam, looking around compound for the renegade that he’d spoken to earlier. He then saw the man running in his direction. Ruby scowled and waited at the top of the ramp, arms folded again, as the renegade arrived and handed Hallam a little stuffed teddy bear. Hallam thanked the man then turned and held up Bob the bear for Ruby to see. “Now we can go,” he said.
Ruby shook her head. “You and Dakota are made for each other,” she said, blowing out another bubble. “Now can you both get on board so we can leave?”
13
Cad stepped down the rear ramp of his fighter and into the driving rain of Damien Doyle’s rogue world. He stared up at the swirling dark clouds, frequently lit up from the inside by flashes of lightning. He sighed then peered down at the mud at the foot of the ramp. He already hated the place, but so long as Dakota Wulfrun was still inside the top-secret complex, he didn’t care how wet and muddy he got.
On the advice of the installation’s commanding officer, a humorless woman called Major Alice Graves, Cad and Draga had landed only a few meters from the secret complex. This was in order to reduce the chances that they would encounter the planet’s native apex predators. The description of these reptilian beasts had not frightened Cad in the slightest. In fact, it had only served to pique his interest further. He was curious to see one of these supposedly formidable creatures up close, and to perhaps even have the opportunity to hunt one.
Draga’s ramp lowered a few seconds later, and Cad stepped out to meet her, his boots squelching in the thick mud surrounding the complex. Now that he was out in the open, he could see bodies lying in puddles underneath the raised-up outpost blocks. There were also at least a dozen prehistoric-looking creatures further out into the deforested area surrounding the installation. Claw marks were visible across the surfaces of some of the structures, and the autocannons still whirred above him, prowling the terrain for more of the creatures that had torn the enforcers to shreds.
“I like this place,” said Draga, allowing the rain to wash over her face, which was then brightly illuminated by a flash of lightning. Curiously, despite the floods of water flowing over Draga’s skin, her lightning-strike eyeliner had not run.
Cad allowed the sonorous rumble of thunder that followed the lightning strike to subside before answering. “You can’t be serious? This place is dark, even for you.”
Draga turned her head slightly and Cad was sure he saw her eyebrow raise up a fraction. “That was a joke,” she said, so dryly that the water streaming down her face might have evaporated. “I already hate this miserable planet. Let’s deal with Wulfrun quickly so we can leave.”
Cad snorted a laugh and invited Draga to take the lead, following her across the mud to a ramp that led up to one of the outpost blocks on the edge of the complex. A shuttered door was already rolled up, and a CSF enforcer wearing major’s rank insignia was waiting inside, flanked by another enforcer in full combat armor. Draga entered the block first and took up position to the side of the major, towering over both her and the enforcer. The major observed Draga nervously out of the corner of her eye. Water ran off Draga’s armor and began to form a puddle around the major’s feet. Draga then wiped the rain from her face and flicked it across the armored enforcer. However, the man did not react and kept his eyes fixed dead ahead. Cad smiled, realizing that Draga’s fearsome reputation even extended to the unknown regions of the galaxy. Cad then ducked under the shutter and stopped briefly to kick the mud off his boots, tutting as he did so. Once he fully moved over the threshold, the armored enforcer moved to a control panel and hit a button, causing the shutter door to rapidly roll down.
“I’m afraid we can’t be too careful at the moment,” Major Graves said. “The predatory creatures on this world took advantage of the distraction that followed the renegade incursion. In the confusion, we lost two-thirds of our enforcers.” The shutter then thudded into the deck, and the major’s stance immediately relaxed. “The radiation leak then took out several more of my men. I’m afraid that myself and three other enforcers are all who remain, until reinforcements arrive.”
Cad’s eyes narrowed, and he noticed that Draga’s had also. “I assume that this radiation leak is now under control, Major?”
“Yes, it is fully contained, of course,” Major Greig replied, sounding a little affronted by the question. “We had to seal off Sector A2 and Sector A3 while the decontamination compound does its work. But the rest of the complex is safe.”
Cad nodded, feeling relieved that Doyle hadn’t knowingly sent him to a radioactive hot spot to get cooked, along with the enforcers that had apparently already perished. He waited for the major to lead them to Dakota Wulfrun, but it was clear the officer was still a little shell-shocked.
“Can we see the prisoner now?” said Cad, trying to prompt Graves into action. “We’re on a tight schedule.” The last part was a lie, but Cad shared Draga’s desire to leave the wretched planet as soon as possible.
“Of course. Mr. Doyle has instructed that we give you every assistance, so please follow me,” said Major Grav
es. She then led Cad and Draga through the main operations center at the heart of the complex and into Sector D. Cad peered around the space, which was filled with metal crates and stacks of wooden boxes, all with the words “Bridge World 13: Top Secret” written on the side. Then he saw Dakota Wulfrun, bound to a chair in the center of the room, with two enforcers standing rigidly at her side. Her right eye and lips were swollen, and dried blood was visible on her chin and flight suit.
“I’m afraid she has not been cooperative so far,” Graves said, stopping in front of Dakota and pressing her hands to the small of her back. “However, I am reliably informed that extracting information is one of your specialties, Mr. Rikkard.”
Draga stepped forward and stood beside Dakota. The two other enforcers backed away to give her space as she peered down at the renegade, while slowly removing her armored gauntlets. Dakota stared back at Draga, but Cad saw no fear in the renegade’s eyes. There was only a burning resentment.
“You can leave us now, Major Graves,” said Cad without taking his eyes off Dakota Wulfrun. Graves looked surprised to be asked to leave, and her mouth opened as if ready to protest. However, Draga simply turned her penetrating gaze to the major instead, and the officer’s mouth snapped shut like a bear trap.
“Of course, let me know if I can be of assistance,” Major Graves eventually replied. She then signaled for the three CSF heavies to leave and followed them along the corridor to the command center.
“I was wondering when Doyle would summon you two comedians to do his dirty work for him,” said Dakota, looking at Cad directly. “I’m surprised the third member of your cohort isn’t here. Or is she still recovering after her little trip on Fortuna?”
Draga smashed her fist into the side of Dakota’s face as she said this, with a force that almost toppled the chair over. Had she not have previously removed her gauntlets, the blow quite possibly would have killed the renegade.
“You’re fortunate that it was your idiot partner that injured Alexis, Wulfrun, or we would now be having a very different conversation,” said Cad. He then rested a hand on the pommel of his Black Prince sword and took a step closer. “As it is, the more exquisite moments of your torture will wait until we also have Knight in our possession. I wouldn’t want him to miss your suffering.”
Dakota laughed and spat a glob of blood-stained saliva onto the deck. “If you believe I’ll tell you anything, then you’re a bigger clown than I already think you are.”
Cad leant in closer to Dakota’s bruised and swollen face, bringing their eyes level. “And if you believe you’re the first to tell me that, then you’re naïve as well as foolish,” he replied with a matching level of resolve. “Everyone is brave and defiant in the beginning, just like you. But they all talk in the end. Just as you will.”
Dakota snorted and shook her head. “Big words from someone who is basically Damien Doyle’s hired thug. You think you’re special, but you’re just a bully who doesn’t care about anyone other than himself.”
Cad smiled and raised to his full height again. “You don’t know anything, renegade,” he said, moving over to a crate that appeared to have Dakota’s personal effects laid out on top of it. He picked up a circular black communications disc and inspected it idly. “I don’t care about Doyle or why he wants Rand. And I don’t care about your little crusade to stop bridge travel either.” Cad then walked around the rear of Dakota’s chair before stopping in front of her again. Straight away, he saw the renegade’s eyes drop to the item in his hand. Cad observed the involuntarily dilation of Dakota’s pupils and smiled, realizing that the object was of some importance.
“So this is just about personal revenge, is it?” said Dakota, her eyes flicking back to Cad’s. “That seems a bit petty for a man of your repute, don’t you think?”
“Once again, you misunderstand,” Cad spat. “Every action has a reaction,” he continued, patting the black disc against the palm of his hand in order to draw Dakota’s attention to it again. “Your actions have caused my reputation to suffer. Your actions have hurt someone who I respect. These actions need to be corrected, in order to restore the proper order of things.” Cad flipped the disc into the air like tossing a coin, watching Dakota’s eyes follow it up and down, until it landed back into his hand again.
Dakota snorted another laugh. “You’re even more insane than Doyle is. No wonder he likes you.”
No sooner had the words escaped Dakota’s lips than Draga had punched the renegade across the side of the face. Again, the blow almost toppled Dakota and the chair over onto the floor.
“You will suffer for you part in this, but Knight will suffer more for harming Alexis,” said Cad, managing to keep a lid on his anger. He didn’t want the renegade to see that she was getting to him. “That is not revenge. That is natural justice,” he added.
Draga struck the renegade with another hammer blow before Dakota had chance to respond. This time, the chair did topple over, and Dakota let out a yelp of pain as her shoulder was crushed under the weight of the fall. Draga allowed Dakota to writhe in agony for a few seconds, then reached over and hauled the chair back onto four legs. Dakota’s head lolled back and forth as she did so, her eyes glassy and distant.
Suddenly, the door to the adjoining corridor opened and a slightly frazzled-looking Major Graves burst in. “Apologies for the interruption, but we have detected two renegade fighter craft en route to the planet,” the major blurted out. “They are making no attempt at stealth. I have prepared our SAM batteries to intercept and destroy them. I just wanted to make you aware.”
Cad glanced to Dakota to gauge her reaction and saw that her defiant expression had given way to one of deep apprehension. He then turned back to Major Graves. “No, you are not to attack,” he said with authority, making the major practically snap to attention. “Disable your defense grid and make it look as though the complex is damaged and offline.”
Graves frowned. “Is that wise? They could destroy the facility.”
“They won’t; they’re coming for her,” said Cad, confidently pointing at Dakota. “Disable the grid and allow them to land. Then seal all the corridors, except one that leads into this room. And leave a shutter door partially open so that the renegades can easily get inside.”
Graves again hesitated, but another glower from Draga Vex convinced her to bite her tongue. “As you wish, Mr. Rikkard,” said Graves grudgingly before turning back along the corridor.
“They won’t fall for your trap,” said Dakota, but Cad could hear the doubt in her voice.
“Whether they believe it to be a trap or not, they will come,” replied Cad. “And you know it.”
“And then what?” said Dakota with more bite. “If you kill us and stop Dr. Rand, like Doyle wants, soon there won’t be anyone left for you to murder and extort.”
This time, it was Cad who laughed. “You put too much stock in this scientist friend of yours,” he hit back, mocking the renegade. “But even if Doyle’s empire crumbles, there will still be a need for people like me.”
Dakota sighed and shook her head. “You’re a fool. There will be nothing left but death and chaos.”
Cad stood tall, tightening his grip on the pommel of his sword. “If chaos is to rule, then I’ll be its king,” he said, imperiously. “And you, and your pathetic band of renegades, will be part of the ash beneath my throne.”
14
Hallam peered up at the rain clattering onto the cockpit glass as the whine of the renegade fighter’s engines subsided. The sky of the rogue world was a touch brighter than he remembered, though not by much. The powerful storm that had raged in the depressing world when he and Dakota had assaulted the Consortium complex had moved on. However frequent flashes of lightning and crashes of thunder suggested another was quickly moving in. Hallam then peered out at the collection of outpost blocks and a shiver ran down his spine. This wasn’t because of the reptilian monsters he knew still lurked out in the darkness, but because of the two other f
ighters that sat outside in the rain and mud. Doyle’s secret planet now harbored a threat even greater than the predatory creatures that stalked the swamplands. The Blackfire Squadron was already here, and Hallam knew that Cad Rikkard was waiting for him inside the secret complex.
“I don’t like this at all,” said Ruby, unclipping her harness and peering out through the rain-smeared glass alongside Hallam. “Was this place so badly damaged when you left here?”
Hallam thought for a moment, trying to cast his mind back to those events, but everything had happened so fast and it was still a blur.
“I don’t think so, but the creatures I told you about were moving in fast,” Hallam answered, spotting several of the reptilian beasts lying dead in the mud. “Maybe they overwhelmed the complex and this is how it was left in the aftermath.”
Ruby squeezed past Hallam and began moving toward the compact rear cargo hold. “Well, those two Blackfire Squadron fighters says that Cad Rikkard and at least one other of those asshats are now here,” said Ruby, taking a pistol and a spare magazine out of the weapons locker.
Hallam listened to Ruby while continuing to watch the complex for any signs of life. Everything about their arrival, from the inexplicably disabled defense grid, to the lack of radio communications, felt off. Even the installation’s probing searchlights and autocannons hadn’t tracked them as they’d approached. Hallam knew it had to be a trap, but why Cad Rikkard was going to such great lengths to lure them inside the complex made no sense. I won’t get any answers skulking around in here… Hallam told himself, pushing himself out of the second seat and joining Ruby in the cargo area.