Baldwin's Legacy: The Complete Series

by Hystad, Nathan

  She moved for the elevator. There were at least four on Deck One. “Come, child. We have work to do.”

  Hanli strode beside her as they entered Engineering, and Fayle’s hand grasped the woman’s forearm, sapping her strength as the four crew members died within seconds. Their bodies crumbled to the floor, and Fayle counted down.

  Eighteen to go.

  They returned to the elevator, seeking the next encounter.

  ____________

  Brax wasn’t sure how they could pull this off, but he was willing to try. His captain had asked them to free Cass’s family, and this group of people was all that she had left.

  “You’re from Mars?” Brax asked the two men.

  One had dark skin, his eyes light brown, and he glanced around nervously. The other was shorter, his hair slightly gray along the edges. He was the one that answered. “Name’s Brandon. We were living out in the old colony on Mars, before they discovered us and tried to destroy us.”

  Brax didn’t know anything about an old colony, but he supposed any human here would. “And you fought?”

  “We did,” the other man said. “I’m Carl.”

  “I’m Brax. Brax Daak,” he said.

  “Where you from, Brax Daak? I’ve never heard a name like that before,” Cass’s sister said.

  They were in the back room, a utility shed behind the power plant, and Brax was glad for the dim lighting. He slid the mask off and removed the head covering, revealing himself to them.

  “He’s not human,” Cassandra said pointedly.

  “I can see that,” Brandon said. “If you don’t mind me asking, what are you?”

  Brax was aware that these humans had only ever seen the Ugna Invaders, and no other aliens. While Tekol were similar to humans within the Concord, they were distinct enough for it to be obvious to these people.

  “It doesn’t matter, Brandon. If we’re leaving this moon, now’s the time,” Brax said.

  “We can’t abandon our friends,” Carl said firmly.

  Brax considered this. “Your ship has been compromised, correct?”

  Brandon nodded. “They boarded it. They were waiting for us, but we’ve sent them on a wild goose chase.”

  Brax had no idea what a goose was, but he continued. “My friend is with them. I can communicate with him and keep tabs on the soldier’s position.”

  Elya showed him her tablet, and he squinted, seeing the aerial view of the gardens. The crater was far wider than Brax had initially assumed. The people resembled small specks as they walked the perimeter. Brax thought he could see Ven’s red uniform from the drone feed.

  “We have an escape route, in the dock, but I doubt I can return without Ven.” Brax leaned against the wall, tapping his toe on the floor, trying to find a solid option.

  “I have it,” Cass said.

  Brax waited, and when she didn’t elaborate, he impatiently waved his hand. “Spit it out.”

  “We need to separate Ven from the soldiers. Elya, do you still have friends at the gardens?” Cass asked.

  “Sure. I can send Terry a message, but he’s not going to like being thrown in a cell again,” Elya said.

  “Are we going to be able to help our people?” Brandon asked, stepping closer to Brax. “Wherever you come from, is it far away?”

  Brax nodded.

  “Then you can return, help us…” Carl started toward him too, and Brax stepped back.

  “Look. My captain will do what she can, but we have to go home, and soon. There’s a lot at play, and we don’t have time to stop a tyranny.” Brax instantly regretted it, but he kept talking. “But the Concord will not let this pass without justice. Humans are a Founder of our alliance, a cornerstone to our entire Concord. And because of that, we will do everything in our power to help Earth become free once again.”

  This seemed to ease the tensions, and the two men smiled at one another. They clasped hands, and briefly hugged. “Clark would be so stoked to see this. An alien from the Concord, promising us aid. Where do we sign up?” Brandon asked Brax.

  “Looks like you already have.” He pressed his earpiece and explained the scenario to the captain and Ven.

  Treena’s command was quick and concise. “Bring Cleo home and take the others with you. Ven, use your authority to make this happen, and be quick about it. I’m growing nervous out here. We can only remain unseen for so long.”

  “Yes, Captain,” Brax said, ending the call. “Ven, you hear that? There’s about to be a commotion out at the crater. My advice? Move out as soon as the smoke rises.”

  “Smoke?” Ven asked.

  “It’s a figure of speech,” Brax said. The truth was, he had no clue what kind of distraction this Terry would have in store for the soldiers. “Time to go. Elya, make the call.”

  Nineteen

  Ven checked his tablet, finding Brax’s position. They were advancing to the landing pad, and he still hadn’t seen a distraction from the human contact at the fields.

  The crater was deep, at least two kilometers at the lowest point, and giant machines floated into it. It looked like most of the humans living here were inside the crater at this time. It was the work shift, and there had to be over four hundred active employees around the crater.

  The soldiers had spread out, but so far, their targets had been elusive.

  “Sir, what would you have us…?” Plant started to ask, but halted as a detonation hit the side of the fields. Rocks erupted, sending a small avalanche over the crater’s hillside. Plant turned, rushing toward the catastrophe. He muttered something about being underpaid, and Ven listened as the man barked out a series of orders over a communication device in his hand.

  Ven froze, waiting for them to forget he was even there. He didn’t move for another two minutes, but eventually, he let loose. It was time to act. He’d been avoiding using his Ugna skills, mostly out of principle. He did feel stronger than ever, and despite the urgings from his peers on Driun F49, he hadn’t consumed En’or in a long time. It didn’t matter. He was flush with strength.

  Ven ran. Gravity was light, and he pushed off with each bound, sending himself farther and farther ahead with the leaps. He covered a few kilometers’ distance in the matter of a minute and saw he was going to beat Brax to the docks.

  “Ven, another vessel is arriving. A Protector. You have about ten minutes before they’re within range,” Lieutenant Darl told him through his earpiece.

  He had to act quickly. The woman behind the moon city’s security desk rose as he entered, and Ven used a palm to wipe off dust, trying to keep his expression unimpressed. “Where is the recently acquired craft?”

  “Sir?”

  “The one with the detainees. I have been instructed by the president to bring them with me,” Ven said, keeping his voice low and commanding.

  “Are you… I don’t see any record of such a request,” she said, fiddling with her console.

  “Stop it!” his voice boomed. “Do you dare question my motives?”

  She hesitated, staring up from the console before speaking. “No, sir. It’s only that…”

  “I do not have time for this.” He used his mind to open the door and ran for the exit.

  “Bay Five. They’re in Bay Five.”

  Ven recalled that Cleo was in Bay Four, and he strode through the halls, not bothering to pause at the soldiers stationed outside the Invader ship. It was typical Ugna in design, familiar, yet different enough to make him stare.

  “Where are the detainees?” Ven asked.

  “They’re on board. The senior administrator is coming. She’s instructed us to hold them until they arrive.” The soldier looked at a device on his arm. “Which should be in the next ten minutes.”

  Ven nodded. “Change of plans. She’s asked me to bring them to her.”

  The man flushed and shook his head. “Sir, this is the senior administrator. She’s not going to be happy…”

  Ven shoved the man backwards, sending him against the wall wit
h nothing but the pressure of the air. “Do you think I am a fool?” Ven asked, using his best accusing tone. He was starting to enjoy playing a tough character, but only hoped his hasty plan worked.

  “No, sir…”

  “Bring them out! I’m taking them in my private craft. These people are terrorists and will be dealt with covertly. Do you think we want them ushered around in Invader vessels, causing more human tongues to wag than usual?” Ven barked.

  The man paled and glanced at his partner, a tall woman who’d been silent until now. She stalked toward the stolen ship, and Ven followed her.

  The crew members were tied up in the cargo hold, under twenty of them in total. Ven felt their devastation at being caught, their dreams shattering at their capture. He played along. “To your feet, humans. Dissent is not permitted, and you will be tried for your actions.”

  A woman, who he assumed to be their leader, stepped up to Ven and locked gazes with him, unafraid. “Since when does the president try anyone? He murders, that’s what he does. He’s killed our futures, all of us. But what would an Invader know about that? Nothing.” She walked past him, hitting his shoulder with hers, and the others exited after her.

  Ven smiled inwardly. He liked their spirit, never giving up on their ideologies despite terrible circumstances. He couldn’t throw in the towel yet either, not on his people. There were too many good Ugna.

  The soldiers began following him through the corridor to Bay Four, but he held a hand up, stopping them. “You stay here. Clear the ship. Make sure they have not set any traps. The last thing we need is for the moon dock to be blown up because of incompetence.”

  The man’s eyes went wide, and he jogged off, going for the ship’s ramp.

  “We are heading to Bay Four,” Ven called to the lead woman, and she stopped at the door.

  “Why would you move us now?” she asked, and the others parted the corridor, allowing Ven through.

  He leaned closer and even passed her a grin. “Because that’s where Brandon and Carl are waiting with the others.”

  The lady’s face went slack, and she broke into a run, finding Cleo’s door hinged open. Ven saw Cass with a woman that looked similar to her, along with the two men the soldiers had been searching for across the barren city.

  Brax peeked over their heads from the pilot’s seat. “Everyone in. This is going to be a tight fit, but we can make room.”

  Ven waited while the refugees entered the expedition ship, and he climbed in last, sealing the doors shut.

  “It seems we’re out of time,” Brax told him. “The Protector is here.”

  ____________

  “How did she do it?” Rene asked Tom as they stared out the expedition vessel’s viewscreen. Hans sat between them, his fingers tapping nervously on the dash.

  “Elder Fayle has her own distinct means.” Tom recalled the first time they’d stepped foot on Driun F49, when the tree creatures had ambushed them. She’d killed the beasts within seconds. He also remembered how Ven had been so adamant that the Ugna preached against violence of any kind. Now he understood their teachings.

  The Ugna’s leadership was trained to kill. To rule with impunity. The acolytes, the children, the young impressionable minds, were taught to be kind, placating, and moral. When push came to shove, and the Ugna made the move to take over the Concord, they would have a million people that trusted their leaders could never harm another soul. They prayed to the Vastness, meditated on their actions, and consumed unlawful substances to gain an advantage. The Elders, along with this creepy High Elder Wylen, were drug dealers and dictators at the same time.

  Tom only wished someone had seen it before it was too late.

  “Hans, we need you to recharge the drive and bring it to working order. We must return to Aruto at once and continue to Nolix,” Rene said.

  “I wish we had a Nek drive too,” Tom said quietly.

  “We’ll be at the capital soon enough. The Prime is a smart man. He’ll dissuade any imminent attacks. The people of the Concord will understand,” Rene said.

  Tom watched her over Hans’ mostly bald head. She was worked up. He could see it in the whiteness of her knuckles, the way the left side of her lips twitched, and the fact that her brows were permanently set in a frown.

  “The people of the Concord are agitated. They think ships like Shu and Constantine are harassing helpless planets. They’ll act before thinking, because that’s the kind of partners we’ve curated over the years. If the leadership was bullying anyone in Concord space, I’d join the revolt, but we have to convince them it wasn’t us,” Rene said in a rush.

  “Easier said than done. Not to mention, they’ll blame us for allowing the Ugna in as a partner when the truth is revealed. We’ll see repercussions for years,” Tom said. “But we have to survive first and deal with the lumps after.”

  The other flagship grew larger in their screen. Tom’s plan had worked, and now he trusted that Elder Fayle was actually on their side. He’d fought hard to keep Rene on board Shu, but she wouldn’t have any of it. He was glad to have her along. Something had changed in their relationship, and spending time with the robust captain had become more… interesting.

  They entered the hangar, the back-up generator keeping life support and airlocks in check. The Stickers were good, but these newest designs were built to prevent loss of basic needs.

  Hans stood impatiently, trying to climb over Tom, who obliged him by sliding from the seat. The moment they exited the ship, he saw Fayle. Someone stood beside her, and he recognized her as First Officer Hanli, the same woman Ven had been spending a lot of time with.

  “Good to see you, Admiral,” a voice said from beside him, and Tom glanced over to the parked shuttle.

  “Admiral Benitor, likewise,” Tom said, but it was Rene who left the formalities at the door.

  “Benitor, what in the Vastness is going on?” Rene crossed the handful of steps in a flurry. Tom thought she was about to physically assault the old Callalay woman, but she reined herself in, towering in front of her.

  “Bouchard, you’re out of turn,” Jalin said.

  “I don’t think so. You up and vanish from Ridele, and don’t tell anyone? You leave the Prime high and dry, the very same man you fought to put in the most important seat in the Concord? You send Tom with Shu on a basic diplomatic mission, only so we could be side-swiped by this mess!” Rene’s finger hovered near Jalin’s chest.

  Benitor’s mouth opened, but it was Elder Fayle who responded to the accusations. “It was my fault, Captain. We conspired to this together. I realized I had no allies within the Concord, none that would protect my people when they learned the truth.”

  “What about Tom?” Rene asked, but Tom knew why Fayle hadn’t come to him.

  “I was already digging up dirt on the Ugna. I haven’t trusted them since day one, and Fayle knew it,” Tom admitted.

  Fayle nodded, and Tom noted that Hanli was propping her up. They were both exhausted, ready to drop to their knees.

  “How many Ugna did you kill?” Tom asked.

  “Too many,” Fayle said. It was evident that her heart ached for the Ugna she’d killed for the sake of the Concord.

  Hans stood to the side, and Tom glanced at him. “Is it safe in Engineering?”

  Hanli nodded. “The bodies have been cleared.”

  “Good. Hans, would you get started?” Tom asked, and the engineer grabbed his heavy pack. A drone followed him from inside, carrying a charger with it. When Hans was out of the hangar, their group moved closer to one another. It was dark in the room, and Tom squinted as Jalin finally spoke.

  “Tom was on the right track, but when Fayle came to me the last time, we knew we needed to expedite things. Wylen is no fool, and he was using the time properly. With Baldwin out of a flagship, and the capable crew of Constantine gone on a long journey, he made his move,” Benitor said.

  “It doesn’t excuse Fayle for waiting to share that information,” Rene complained.
r />   Tom instantly recognized the flicker in the Callalay admiral’s eyes. “You knew,” he whispered.

  Benitor nodded. “Fayle advised me of their plan some time ago.”

  “Then why did you give them Driun F49?” Tom asked, outraged.

  “Because it was better to know where they were, especially with what they were planning. They were always going to attack us, Baldwin. Always. Think about it. Wouldn’t you rather have the enemy where you can see them and deal with them appropriately?” Benitor asked.

  He tried to consider her reasoning, but it fell flat. “What about these manufacturing plants? How did you let them create a damned space fleet that looks like ours?”

  Fayle’s knees gave out, and Tom rushed to her aid, catching her before she hit the ground. “I wasn’t included in those plans. Wylen evidently didn’t trust me with everything.”

  “For good reason,” Rene murmured.

  They moved the spent Ugna women to the expedition vessel, settling them onto the rear bench. “You mentioned Constantine. Is she in danger?” Tom asked.

  Elder Fayle nodded. “I disrupted them.”

  Rene was still fuming, and it was clear in her tone. “You what? You sabotaged them?”

  “Nothing like that. Ven had to see it. The first Ugna village. It’s thousands of years old. I believed they’d shout foul play and return.”

  “Why didn’t you tell us instead?” Tom asked. “We could have stopped this before it started.”

  Fayle shook her head. “There is no stopping Wylen, not when he gathers his forces of Ugna aboard his colony vessel. He will destroy anything and everything if he doesn’t get his way.”

  “What’s at Earth?” Rene’s voice lowered, stayed quiet.

  Fayle met her eyes, then stared at Tom. Her eyelids grew heavy. She was wearing out. “We are. Wylen sent someone there to bring reinforcements. I suspect they’ll return with reinforcements within a month.”

  “The Ugna are at Earth?” Tom almost laughed at the incredulous idea. “I thought it was a human world.”