by Sarah Noffke
“Good work. Have you confirmed the meeting with Vas?” asked Eddie.
Chester fired a finger gun at Marilla. “That’s where Pony Tail comes in.”
Marilla pulled her focus off her screen, looking to recover from deep thought. “I’m working on that right now. It has to be in the Trid’s native language, so I’m checking to ensure I have my translation correct.”
“I hear the Trid’s language is complicated as hell,” said Eddie.
Chester laughed. “It sounds like a series of gurgles. Forget about reading or writing it.”
“It’s intricate, with many different dialects that affect the meaning. Little nuances in the language make writing it a complex task. That’s why I want to get the confirmation from Doka correct. He was from the northeastern hemisphere of Kai, which has a subtle difference in how verbs are used. Someone like General Vas, who is from the lower hemisphere, will pick up on any inconsistencies,” explained Marilla.
“This hemisphere business is different,” said Eddie.
“It’s pretty interesting. Their cities are all underwater so that affects how they use locations. Mar was telling me all about it. Super strange,” said Chester, throwing the ball back in the air overhead.
“What can you tell me about the colonies under the water? Their technology and ship construction? Do you know much?” asked Eddie.
Marilla shook her head. “Unfortunately, I was never granted access to their underwater lands. I heard rumor that they had some incredibly advanced technology. There’s supposedly a giant facility just under the eastern equator. It’s where their ships are all constructed.”
“Ha! I’ve seen the Stingrays. Flying fish. They can’t have any advantages over the Q-Ship,” said Eddie.
Shrugging, Marilla focused back on her computer screen. “I think this confirmation is good. I’ll send it over to you, Chester.”
“Chester, is that your real name or a hacker nickname?” asked Eddie curiously.
Chester shot forward, checking the screen just in front of him. “Keeping an eye out.” He looked up at Eddie. “My hacker name is Monte Niles. Unfortunately, Chester is the name my parents gave me.”
“I like your name,” said Marilla. She blushed when Eddie and Chester looked at her. “I mean, it’s different, but kind of a fun name. Fits your personality.”
“Why thanks, Mar.” Chester’s eyes swiveled up to Eddie. “Apparently, I’m named for a city on Earth where my ancestors were from. My mother was also obsessed with Alice and Wonderland and said she named me after her favorite character.”
Eddie smiled. He always liked to know these little tidbits about his crew. It made them feel more like family. “Haven’t had a chance to check out those books. Maybe one day I will, and then I’ll find this character you’re named after.”
“They may not be your style. Disappearing rabbits and angry queens,” said Chester. “Okay, I’ve got your communications, Mar.” He swiveled the mouse around on the screen before typing a series of passwords. Then he tapped one key and looked up victorious. “All done!”
“Oh boy. Imagine Vas’s face when he’s expecting to meet Doka to buy a big gun and Ghost Squadron shows up,” said Eddie.
“No thanks. I’ll fight from the keyboard and leave you guys to fight with the guns,” replied Chester.
“Are you going to hurt him?” asked Marilla innocently. She was such a humanitarian. Well, alientarian or whatever it was.
“Only if he tries to hurt us, so yeah. Well, and it’s because of him that we’ve lost the original Q-Ship. I’ve got to knock him in the head for Hatch. It’s only fair,” said Eddie.
Chester peered at the largest screen in front of his desk. “Looks like Vas is anxious for the meeting. He’s already responded. I’m sending it over to you, Marilla. The rough translation looks promising, though.”
Marilla scanned her computer screen. “Got it. Yeah, this looks straightforward. He confirmed the time and meeting place.”
“Great. ArchAngel?” called Eddie.
A screen on the wall flickered to life and ArchAngel’s face appeared. “Take the coordinates from Officer Sours. Set the ship on course. We will prepare to jump at twenty-one hundred hours.”
“Yes, sir. Anything else?” asked the A.I.
“I’ll have more specifics once we strategize,” said Eddie, waving to Marilla and Chester. “Good work, you two.”
Flight Training Center, QBS ArchAngel, Lorialis System.
Lars climbed into the flight simulator. He had spent most of the day training and only took a break when Julianna kicked him out of the Flight Training Center and told him to go eat something. She was gone now, so he’d decided to sneak back and put in a few more hours. Men who are motivated by love will push themselves in ways that others won’t. Lars gripped the controls, his thoughts on his family back on Kezza.
There were a few missions Lars had aced from the beginning. However, there was a particular space combat mission that he couldn’t pass. Getting blown out of the sky always made Lars’ heart palpitate, and this was only a simulation. The idea of extra planetary combat alongside a military force of similar and larger spaceships was chilling.
“I can do this,” he said to himself, taking a steadying breath. “ArchAngel, load simulation Strike Zero.”
“Loading Strike Zero,” the A.I.’s voice called.
Lars slammed back in his seat as he accelerated the ship through the docking ramp. The Black Eagle shot out into the black space that sparkled with stars and distant moons. The flight simulator was top notch and made the experience of flying feel incredibly real.
He flipped switches on the deck as the ship came to cruising speed. “Carnivore on patrol. All looks good out here.”
“Copy, Carnivore,” said ArchAngel.
The simulation was always different, meaning that Lars didn’t know when the strike would happen or how.
“Carnivore, three Stingrays just appeared on the radar. Enemy ships on your port side,” informed ArchAngel.
“Coming to pick on the new guy, are they?” Lars swerved the ship in the direction of the Stingrays. “Where’d they come from?”
“That’s unknown. They might have jumped,” said ArchAngel.
“Stingrays can’t jump.” This was the thing about this stimulation that kept tricking Lars up. There were unexpected twists, ones he didn’t anticipate. Julianna said that’s why it was the most important one to pass. Nothing in space was predictable.
“It appears these Stingrays can jump,” countered ArchAngel.
“You’re just making shit up now. Trying to throw me every curve ball you can, aren’t you?”
“It is my responsibility to present new challenges to you. Would you like another simulation?” asked ArchAngel.
“No, just Stingrays jumping seems a bit farfetched.”
“My data shows there are many unknowns regarding this type of Trid ship. All I have is a model of the outside.”
Lars activated the thrusters, adjusting his direction toward the three craft on radar. He slipped his finger over the trigger on the controls. The three Stingrays were now in his sights.
“Is there a reason you’re not firing?” asked ArchAngel.
“How do I know they’re enemies?” asked Lars.
“Because I informed you that they were.” There was a hint of annoyance in the A.I.’s voice.
“Last time I checked, you didn’t think for me. What if these are friendly Trids who are just passing through? Maybe they don’t want any trouble. War is not inevitable among species. Sometimes it’s an option.”
“My records indicate that most interaction among Trid ships results in warfare,” reported ArchAngel.
“Maybe that’s because we shot first and asked questions second.” Lars swerved the Black Eagle to the side of the Stingrays. It appeared that they were going to pass without provocation. Maybe they weren’t the enemy in this scenario. From the side, he could make out the gray ship. The nose was black
, gills on the side and wings that represented fins. In the back, around the booster, were spikes. Such bizarre looking ships, he thought.
The three Stingrays had nearly passed when they suddenly turned, heading straight for Lars. All three fired.
“Damn it!” Lars rolled the ship to the left, taking a dive, quickly changing position.
“You were informed they were enemy ships,” said ArchAngel, gloating.
“Oh be quiet!” Lars sped the ship to the other side of the three Stingrays before they changed position. The alien ships weren’t as nimble as the Black Eagle. There had to be another reason behind their design then, but he didn’t know what.
He pulled the trigger, firing a round of rockets. Two of the ships took damage, falling out of formation. The third pulled around in time to launch a missile at Lars. He spun the ship to the side, thinking he’d flee until he could position himself again.
“May I talk now?” asked ArchAngel.
“What?” Lars bit on the word, zooming in multiple directions, trying to put space between him and the Stingrays. Damn, those things were fast.
“You’re holding your breath. Your heartrate is also elevated and blood pressure is rising,” informed ArchAngel.
“I’m being chased by an ugly fish!” he yelled.
“However, in combat, you must keep your vitals even.”
“Noted.” Lars pulled back hard on the controls, bringing the Black Eagle up at a sudden angle. He flew upside down over the Stingray, yanking the controls down again until he had made a complete circle and was behind the enemy ship. He fired off several rounds, a few of them connecting with the Stingray, sending it spiraling to the nearest planet.
“Mission complete. Good work, Carnivore. Bring it home,” said ArchAngel, sounding proud.
Lars let out a giant breath. “About damn time!” He threw a fist in the air, feeling victorious.
Bridge, QBS ArchAngel, Lorialis System.
Three more crew members had been added to the bridge, Eddie observed, scanning the area. It wasn’t enough, but it was growing. They started with roughly forty and were now double that. Lars had made some good decisions when they’d left him in charge of the recruitment efforts. Now, Eddie was back on the job. This was what he and Julianna needed an XO for.
“Do you have good news for us?” asked Chief Renfro.
“The messages have been sent and the meeting with Vas is confirmed,” reported Eddie to both Jack and Julianna.
Jack nodded, directing their attention to where the strategic table was located in front of them. “ArchAngel, bring up a rendering of the meeting location.” A satellite image of the Harbor District spread over the table.
“Ah, damn fuck heads.” Eddie’s eyes widened. The satellite clearly showed that the Brotherhood had infiltrated the warehouse area where the meeting was located.
“Your meeting is here.” Jack moved a blue chip over and placed it on a building in the middle.
“And they have it surrounded,” observed Julianna.
“Exactly, so getting in there is going to be a real fucking issue. However, taking out Vas isn’t an in and out job. It appears they’ve set up a temporary base of operations in the area,” said Jack.
“They’re like a fucking fungus, taking over and spreading.”
Jack nodded at Eddie, his eyes low. “I agree. We really need a squad to properly take this area.”
“Yeah, we don’t have one,” said Eddie.
“No, but we can use what we have.” Jack pointed to the area bordering the harbor. “There’s a fleet of Stingrays stationed here. We need these guys in the air and drawn away from the warehouses. That way you aren’t ambushed when you capture Vas.”
“Capture?” asked Eddie.
Jack lowered his chin and regarded him with a hooded expression. “Yes, capture. Not as easy as taking him out. However, my intel informs me that Vas is working for someone else.”
“Wait,” interrupted Julianna. “We thought the Brotherhood was working for Vas and he was the powerhouse behind this.”
“That’s what we thought. However, I had Chester follow some account transactions for the Trid and it appears there’s someone else funding this whole operation,” stated Jack.
Eddie combed his fingertips over his chin. “So, we need Vas to talk.”
“Orsa didn’t talk when we captured him. He’s still silent in the brig,” said Julianna.
“Which makes me think you are losing your interrogation skills,” joked Eddie.
Julianna shrugged. “Short of killing the Kezzin, I can’t intimidate him any further.”
“He’s protecting someone. We have to hope that Vas will open up. Orsa has the Brotherhood to protect. I suspect the Brotherhood have something major to gain if they keep the head honcho’s identity secret, but the deal is off if revealed,” said Jack.
Julianna stared down at the satellite image. “Which is why Doka killed himself to keep the secret.”
Nodding, Jack said, “The Trid must have a similar deal, hence all the account transactions.”
“So how do we get Vas to talk?” asked Eddie.
“We make him a better deal than what he’s got,” replied Jack.
Eddie shook his head. “Didn’t work on Orsa.”
“And it may not work on Vas, but there’s only one way to find out. Each man is different and has their own thresholds.” Jack pointed to the center warehouse. “You two will meet Vas here. The new commander of the Brotherhood, Tremaine Lytes, has the area surrounded. Although taking out Lytes and Vas at the same time would be ideal, you’re understaffed for such a mission. Instead, you need a separate diversion to draw the Brotherhood away, ideally to the north.”
“So get the Stingrays to head to the south and the ground soldiers to the north. We’re dividing up their forces,” said Eddie, nodding. It was a good strategy as long as nothing went wrong.
“Yeah, and park hella close or if you get surrounded you’re screwed.” Jack picked up a small model of a Q-Ship. “Think you can land here?” He set it down in an alleyway at the back of the meeting place.
“Setting it down there would be extra tight, take precision, and incredible navigation. So, hell yeah. We can make that happen,” said Eddie, winking at Julianna who pretended to ignore him.
“Very good. Be ready to set off just after we gate in.” Jack turned and strode from the bridge.
Loading Dock 03, QBS ArchAngel, Lorialis System.
“She’s a beauty, isn’t she?” asked Eddie, arriving beside Lars. The Kezzin was admiring the Black Eagle parked just in front of them. As a single-flier ship, it was one-fourth the size of the Q-Ship. Eddie felt a fondness for this bird because it was where he’d spent a lot of his younger flying days. With the Q-Ship, he had the speed and agility of the Black Eagle, with many more bells and whistles.
Setting a Black Eagle down in an alleyway would be way easier than the Q-Ship, like he’d have to do before ambushing Vas. But they couldn’t take Vas with a Black Eagle. They needed a drop ship for that. And the Q-Ship could be cloaked, which was key.
“Yeah, it’s a bit surreal to stand in front of this ship. It’s hard to think this is what I’m flying during the simulation,” said Lars, his eyes pinned on the ship.
“I heard you aced your final simulation,” said Eddie, proudly.
Lars shrugged, looking a little downtrodden. “Actually, I didn’t ace it. I got docked for not immediately treating the foreign aircraft as enemy ships.”
“Oh, excuse me. You took a moment to use your own judgement. Never mind. You more than aced it. You get extra credit for that.”
“ArchAngel wouldn’t agree with you. She’s the one who grades.”
Eddie scoffed. “ArchAngel doesn’t know what she’s talking about.”
“I can hear you,” ArchAngel’s voice chimed.
“Well aware,” chirped Eddie. “My point is, Lars that ArchAngel is knowledgeable, but she went into the mission with prejudices.”
“My programing makes it impossible for me to be prejudiced,” argued ArchAngel.
Eddie ignored her. He was actually endeared to the A.I. She had spunk. “Lars, I admire your optimism. We should be open to the idea that foreign ships won’t always be aggressive, but vigilant enough that we can respond if they react with an attack. That’s what you did.”
Lars brought his eyes up, a small smile in them. “Thank you. I’m going to run the simulation a few more times and see how I do. Maybe I can improve my score.”
Eddie clapped Lars’ on the shoulder. “That sounds good. But you can only learn so much from a simulation. I can’t pass you until you actually fly.”
Lars rotated his head around, his eyes widening. “Wait. You… You want… Me-me-me…”
“Yes, I think you need to take this Black Eagle out. Once you’ve had a successful run, then I can pass you and authorize you to join us on our mission.”
“You mean the one going after Vas?” asked Lars, disbelief in his expression.
“That’s the one! We need someone to distract the Stingrays, pulling them away from the mainland.”
“You think I can do that?” asked Lars.
“I do, but you’ve got to prove it by taking this bird out for a spin. Are you ready?”
Lars face broke into a wide smile. “Absolutely!”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Captain Teach’s Private Quarters, QBS ArchAngel, en route to Axiom System.
Sinking down on to the couch, Eddie let out a long sigh. He needed to sleep…well, nap. Cat nap, he guessed. Eddie didn’t know why the term was called that. Maybe one day he’d meet a cat and know. That’s what the QBS ArchAngel needed next! A cat. Julianna would be fucking pissed then. The ship would turn into a zoo, and she’d be raving mad. She was kind of cute when mad. Well, always really, but she got this little indent between her eyes when mad that Eddie sort of liked. Maybe that’s why he tried to get under her skin.
Eddie ordered a special bottle of whiskey to celebrate Lars completing flight training. However, since they were a few hours away from the mission, his first mission, the bottle was going to have to wait. This one was a special bottle of whiskey. He lifted it closer and read the back label.