Battleframe (The Mindwars Book 1)

by Michael Gilmour

  As they jump-jetted closer to Central there was evidence of the recent battle. Laser scorch marks and plasma burns pockmarked the barricade surrounding the base and even along the foot of the cruiser. Purple Scourge blood lay in congealed pools around the wide gateway where the fighting had been most intense. A number of obviously weary battleframe pilots patrolled the top of the wall but were still ready to repel additional assaults.

  “Oh frap, look at that,” said Pyro.

  Everyone looked up at what was left of the huge gates. Plasteel full of bullet holes hung loosely in strips from the top. Slabs of molten metal had solidified further down the structure revealing a great gaping hole. The gate hinges were almost non-existent and hastily constructed cables and pulleys were holding up the makeshift gates themselves.

  “It seems that we weren’t the only ones to see some action,” Kheldar commented.

  Pyro pointed through the open gate and said, “Check out the crossbar. It looks like a pretzel! I didn’t think that plasteel could bend like that!”

  The crossbar was a beam of pure polished silver plasteel with a cross section of one foot by six inches and a length of just under twenty feet. It previously held the gates closed in the event of an attack but now it lay in a twisted heap of metal forty feet away inside the compound.

  Whizzbang replied, “By the looks of it, the gates took a direct artillery shell that obliterated the couplings on the other side.”

  Bosk let out a slow whistle, “Frap I’m glad you took out that artillery on the hill Whizz.”

  After having their battleframe sub-carrier credentials scanned and authorised at a number of checkpoints, Whizzbang’s squad exited their frames and entered a large cargo elevator that whisked them to the top of the cruiser.

  “Can you all still hear me?” Whizzbang thought to his squad.

  A jumble of thoughts from the five Earthmen impinged onto his consciousness that indicated that they had not lost any of their new abilities after stepping out of their battleframes. The change in each of them appeared to be at least semi-permanent.

  The doors slid open and revealed a control room filled with officers scurrying back and forth with messages and monitors that were constantly being updated with information from around Alpha Three. Headset wearing console operators were speaking with battleframe pilots to collect intelligence and issue orders. The main screen currently displayed a large map of the various regions all the way from the farthest north mining settlements to the fishing villages down in the south reaches. It was like a larger and more detailed version of the battleframe wrist-comp map. Surprisingly, it was currently clear of Scourge activity.

  The elevator was directly opposite a raised executive boardroom and through a glass wall Whizzbang could see three men and a women shouting and arguing with one another. He sent a thought to his squad, “OK guys, it’s time to disrupt this party.”

  “Looks like they need a little help with decision making Whiz,” Bosk thought back.

  Up until now, no one had paid attention to the occupants in the elevator, but as Whizzbang’s squad walked towards the boardroom a hush fell across Central Command. He stopped and turned in surprise towards the men and women who only moments ago were rushing about their duties. They now stood transfixed, as they stared up at him and the other Earthmen. Looking into their eyes, he saw hope reflected back. With a scraping of chairs on plasteel plated floors, those seated stood and as one performed the traditional salute. No member of the Concord would ever be alone. Whizzbang and the rest of the squad formally returned the salute with their two fingers held high.

  “Whiz,” thought Bosk, “They’re looking as if we’re the ones that are going to save them!”

  “Perhaps we are Bosk. We might be the only hope they have…,” Whizzbang’s thoughts trailed off.

  Glancing back towards the boardroom Whizzbang noticed that the argument had halted and each of the Generals were also staring through the glass at him and his squad. Rather than hope, their eyes were riddled with anxiety.

  As they continued their walk across the command deck to the boardroom, the operations staff slowly returned to their consoles with what seemed was a fresh sense of vigour to resume their work.

  Standing in the doorway to greet them was a familiar old grizzled face with a thick bristled silver moustache and short, severe, military haircut that matched. Despite being in his early seventies, there was not an ounce of fat on General Frank McLeod’s muscular body. “Whizzbang, is it really you? Are you really here?” he asked rhetorically.

  Whizzbang nodded and said, “In the flesh General.”

  “Please, Franky to you Whiz. I still can’t believe you really came to help us.”

  Smiling Whizzbang replied, “Trust me Franky; I sometimes can’t believe it either. I’m sorry for the delay in getting to Central. We were held up due to some pretty exceptional circumstances…”

  Franky held up his hand to stop Whizzbang from speaking further, “Don’t worry about it Whizz, I’ve received a full report from Selfia and as far as I’m concerned it’s a miracle you made it through at all. I’ve heard that the new interstellar TransWarp can be a bit rough.”

  Whizzbang raised an eyebrow at that last comment and said, “That’s got to be the understatement of the year. Before the port, we just had a little disagreement with a few Scourge friends over a hill and house.” As they talked, Franky ushered them into the boardroom and indicated they should all take a seat around the large central table. A jug of water rested on the table and each of the Generals had a glass in front of them that they had been drinking. Once seated, Whizzbang introduced his squad to Franky and the three Concord Generals seated opposite.

  Franky said, “Thanks for the intros Whizz, you six are becoming quite famous in the Concord. But I’m forgetting my manners; this is Generals, Alban, Felesh and Bardon.”

  “We’re pleased to meet you Generals,” Whizzbang said. He then sent a thought to the rest of the squad, “There’s something not right here. Keep your wits about you!”

  Bosk replied, “I can feel the tension in the air but there’s something else…”

  Whizzbang broadcast to the squad, “Attention Pyro, Elzetro! Bosk and I will be focusing our attention on talking. I want you two to see if you can pick up any extraneous thoughts. We’re new at this sort of thing but see what you can make out. Kheldar, DG get ready for action!”

  The four responded almost instantaneously, “CT Whizz”

  Chapter 10

  Dissention

  General Felesh had a short-cropped standard military haircut and an impeccably pressed jet-black uniform with a short-collared jacket buttoned to the neck. Gold braiding adorned both his shoulders and cuffs to signify his rank and a silver embroidered jumping fox emblazoned his left jacket pocket indicating that he was in the intelligence service. A number of coloured medals above the fox sparkled whenever they caught the overhead lights.

  With a surprisingly soft voice Felesh said, “At long last we have a chance to meet Whizzbang. What is it that the Scourge calls you?” Pausing in thought for a second, he continued, “That’s right, the StarBlade. From your recent exploits it’s a title well deserved I hear.”

  “Thank you General. I’m only doing my duty sir.”

  “Of course you are. It’s the job of every battleframe pilot to defend the Concord.”

  Other than a different array of medals and an insignia in the shape of eagle’s wings on her jacket pocket General Alban was dressed in a similar fashion to General Felesh. Her ponytail swung back and forth, as she studied each of the Earthmen with her dark green eyes. Whizzbang estimated that she was in her mid-thirties, although he had always found it hard to judge a woman’s age. Putting down her glass she said, “Gentlemen, it is good to see you all. Like Franky said, I can hardly believe that you’re actually here.”

  Whizzbang thought to his squad, “Pyro, Elzetro, any update?”

  “Nothing. Continuing scans.”

  �
�Thank you General, your welcome is well received.”

  The notable difference between General Bardon and his colleagues was his deep sun tanned skin, furrowed brow and neatly clipped moustache. It was clear that he was a man of action and the quintessential infantryman. With a deep booming voice he said, “I’ve heard of your exploits Whizzbang and Bosk. It’s a pleasure to meet your sons and friends as well.” Still speaking to Whizzbang but pointing at Bosk his voice rapidly increased in volume, “What I also know is that hundreds died in the attack on Freehold while you were off searching for him. Frap, with your abilities you could have saved those people!”

  Franky cut across the General, interrupting him and said, “I think what the General is trying to say is that he was impressed with your squad’s recent performance and that it’s good to have you with us.”

  Whizzbang ignored Franky’s attempt at being a peacemaker, sometimes things needed to be voiced. “General Bardon, I believe you were speaking about the time that the Concord had wrenched me unknowingly into Alpha Three. Is that correct?”

  General Bardon smiled, took a long drink from his glass and in a completely calm voice said, “Well done Whizz. I needed to see if you would stand up for yourself. It’s one thing to read a report it’s quite another to see how someone responds to a bit of combat, even if it’s only verbal.” The General blinked his eyes rapidly a number of times as if to clear his head. “I’m also deeply sorry for pulling you in to this mess without your permission.” Looking across at the other Generals he continued, “We should have been better than that.”

  Whizzbang’s steely blue eyes locked onto General Bardon, assessing the General’s intentions and he finally nodded in acceptance of the apology.

  Bosk casually rested his arms on the table and leaned forward as he said, “I’m glad that’s settled. So what’s going on Generals? You seemed to be having some sort of argument when we first arrived.” In his, typically Bosk understated manner he added, “Just for the record, yelling at each other in front of subordinates probably isn’t a really good idea.”

  General Felesh’s soft voice still had the ability to sound like a cracked whip. “Who are you to lecture us?”

  “Hey, I’m just trying to pass on some friendly advice.”

  Pyro’s thought broke through the verbal exchange, “Dad, the Generals are wound up like tight springs and are on the point of breaking. I’m picking up a few thoughts but it’s like cracking a safe. I just need a few minutes more…”

  Whizzbang afforded a glance across to the two young men and was not surprised when he saw a trickle of sweat run off his son’s temple. It looked like they were really going at it and thankfully they were not being too obvious. An incredibly difficult task considering they had no idea what they were actually doing. “Nothing like learning on the job,” he thought to himself.

  “We never asked for your advice!” retorted General Felesh, “I voted against bringing you here. It was a mistake and should never have been done!”

  General Alban rubbed her forehead with her fingertips and took another sip of her water. Finally, she said with a sigh, “Felesh, we’ve been through this a hundred times before and we all know your position on the matter. We took a vote and the results of the vote sit before us.”

  “The vote was wrong,” Felesh spat back petulantly.

  The tension continued to rise in the room as the Generals bickered back and forth about past decisions. An invisible hand seemed to be driving them towards the brink of a cliff and goading them along the last few inches. Whizzbang could feel that there was going to be violence and nothing, it would seem, was going to stop it.

  General Bardon was now yelling at Franky. His deep reverberating voice sounded more like a battering ram. “You’re pathetic! You were the one that was supposed to be in charge of Freehold and it very nearly fell. What a disaster!”

  Franky uncharacteristically snarled back, “And where were you and your forces General! Mine were dying while yours were protecting your penthouse!”

  “Why you little scum! At last I know what you’re really thinking.”

  “Shut up you two!” General Alban yelled.

  General Bardon smacked her verbally down with his best parade ground voice, “Who do you think you are? Lord high lady! For fraps sake, your drop ships have been an absolute waste of resources and you continue to miss crucial supply shipment deadlines while my men and women die.”

  General Alban leaped to her feet slamming the chair to the floor in her haste, “How dare you! My pilots are being slaughtered as they bring in your supplies and you call them a waste!”

  All the Generals were now standing and completely ignoring the Earthmen as they screamed and yelled at each other. Recriminations, accusations and vitriol poured forth with a level of hate and disdain that was shocking to behold.

  “We’re not going to abandon Alpha Three!” Franky angrily said to General Felesh.

  With a deadly calm voice Felesh replied, “But now is the ideal time to escape this death trap while we still can.”

  General Bardon grabbed Felesh’s arm and bellowed, “Over my dead body! Alpha Three’s our only hope!”

  General Alban slammed her glass of water on the table so hard it nearly shattered. “General McLeod, I’m sick of seeing my crews dying while you’re safe and secure in your towers. Do you have any idea what a magnet a drop ship is to Scourge fire?”

  “I don’t give a frap about your drop ships. I’d rather glide anyway. We all suffer losses so get over it,” Franky retorted.

  “She’s too weak to be a Concord General,” tipped in General Felesh.

  “Who are you calling weak you snivelling incompetent wretch?” General Alban retorted.

  General Bardon boomed in, “Felesh may be right. Never did trust a woman doing a man’s job.”

  There was a mental click as Pyro cracked the safe, “Oh frap! It’s in the water! Don’t drink the water, there’s a drug in it that’s driving them all crazy.”

  The Earthmen were now on their feet and Kheldar and DG were moving around the other side of the large table to put a stop to any physical violence. Whizzbang watched in alarm as each of the Generals hands began to drift towards their belt holsters. Thinking only to interrupt their remonstrations he said, “Generals! Please stop this bickering. This is exactly what the Scourge would want us to be doing.”

  Four sets of eyes swung around to his, three faces looked tormented, twisted and seethed with anger. The fourth face only smiled and in a flash Whizzbang knew what he was dealing with.

  Pyro’s thought cut across the exchange, “Dad, I can see everything now! It’s Felesh! I know his every thought and deed. You have to see this! This General is one bad dude.”

  Elzetro was the first to see it and mentally yelled, “He’s a Scourge spy!”

  Chapter 11

  Water, Poison and the Barrier

  Whizzbang instantly broadcast, “DG, Kheldar now!”

  That is when all hell broke loose. As if in slow motion, Whizzbang watched as Franky, Alban and Bardon pulled their blaster pistols from their holsters and rather than pointing at someone raised the barrel and pushed it under their own chins.

  General Felesh drew his own weapon while screaming, “The StarBlade must die…”

  With his finger moving towards the firing stud, General Felesh suddenly stopped yelling and moving. He froze in space, unable to move a single muscle even down to the slight movement necessary to blow a hole the size of a deck of cards through Whizzbang’s chest.

  Pyro thought grimly, “Dad, I’ve got him.”

  At the same time, DG and Kheldar moved faster than humanly possible and knocked the blasters out of the hands of Alban and Bardon. When he first saw the Generals going for their weapons, like DG and Kheldar, Bosk moved blindingly fast, grabbed the nearest thing to hand, and hurled it at Franky. It just so happened that the nearest thing was the glass jug of drugged water. His nano-enhanced muscles and coordination sent the jug strai
ght into Franky’s chest. Water sprayed in all directions as it struck home and with a crash shattered against the metal plasteel floor. This gave Whizzbang the time to leap over the table and knock Franky’s blaster from his hand.

  DG quickly gathered up the weapons as Kheldar manhandled the Generals into their seats. The crashing of the jug on the floor seemed to have brought some semblance of sanity back into the situation.

  Whizzbang thought towards his son so that all the Earthmen could hear, “OK Pyro, show me what you’ve got.”

  Pyro showed his father, Bosk and Elzetro how he had managed to “hack” General Felesh’s mind. Now that they witnessed the technique each of them were confident that they could apply it to any individual.

  “Stroke of genius son. We all need to be careful with this sort of ultimate power over people. Now let’s see what our General Felesh knows…”

  For the next ten minutes, the General was subject to the most thorough interrogation ever applied in the history of the Concord. Felesh tried to resist a number of times but four of the most powerful minds in the galaxy battered his feeble defences aside, demanded and received answers. They went over every thought, experience and idea that the General had in his entire life.

  General Felesh was not actually the General at all but a clever facsimile. The Scourge had killed the real General Felesh two years earlier and substituted him with a Scourge spy. The science of that time allowed the alteration of facial features of a person whose job it was to remain inconspicuous. As head of the Concord intelligence operations on the planet, Felesh had been able to block any significant advances against the Scourge by cleverly relaying the positions of Concord forces at critical times to his Scourge handler.

  The first time that he had met with his handler was about a year ago, while on a solo reconnaissance mission to the west. It was during this meeting that the idea surfaced for him to disable the Concord defence grid so that command centre screens would not show the movement of Scourge troops. The timing had to be right after recent secret reinforcements arrived at the Scourge command dome on the other side of Alpha Three. He used a subspace communicator hidden behind a secret panel in his personal quarters to receive his orders and time the attack.