“You will be confined to quarters with a personal watch,” continued Liu. “When the supply parties are ready to leave you will be escorted to –"
There was no way I could look at them and stay calm. Now wasn’t the time to be serene. My own people were ready to kick me out into the cold, abandon me to the wolves. Anger flared. I gripped the desk so hard my nails dug into the composite material. The muscles in my neck and jaw hurt from the strain of grinding my teeth. My pulse raced, and my heart pounded.
“Do you know what I’ve done to find you?” I said. “Do you know what I’ve had to go through to be here today?” I wanted to knock over my chair and pound the desk. I wanted to stalk back and forth and get right in the face of Walsh.
Okafor clucked and shook his head. Walsh chewed his bottom lip and scowled. Varma gave a small smile and looked over at Liu who sat stone-faced. The rest looked aghast.
“And you’re going to leave me with the hope that my death, because you know that’s what’s going to happen if Braxa catches me, will get you off the hook,” I said looking straight into Liu’s eyes.
I heaved and panted. Sweat ran down my temples. I didn’t realize how worked up I had gotten.
“We know exactly what you have done and what the consequences of those actions are,” said Liu after a few moments of silence. “We will not cover the debts you have made just because you are human.”
“So you sentence me to death because of circumstances outside of my control?” I said.
“It is for the good of the human race,” said Liu. “General Braxa has assured us that if we do not give you safe harbor, he will not attack the fleet. Your sacrifice will preserve us all.” She tapped something on the table.
Doors behind me opened and closed. I heard two sets of footsteps. My gaze didn’t waver from Liu.
“And you trust General Braxa to keep his word?” I said.
“Yes,” said Okafor. “There isn’t anything to gain by not.”
Someone grabbed my arm. I jerked it away and turned to face my escorts: Shaaban and Asel.
“Please follow me, Representative,” said Shaaban.
“We will lead you to your quarters,” said Asel.
As we walked out of the room and into the hallways my spirits sank. I hung my head. My main desire during the time since I’d been awoken had been to find other humans. Even during the time spent rehabilitating after killing Kaur I dreamt of finding humans.
And now they didn’t want me.
And it hurt.
Something cracked inside of me. The desire to continue, to move forward, to think of the future began to leak out. It started slow then started to cascade as I began to comprehend the magnitude of what had happened to me.
My own people had cast me out as the sacrificial lamb to be fed upon by the wolves of the galaxy in hopes that my death would be pleasing.
“You’re not alone,” whispered Shaaban.
It didn’t register at first what he’d said. Recognition came a few seconds later, and I jerked my head up to look at him. He continued to walk next to me, weapon ready, back straight, eyes forward.
“What?” I said.
“Varma isn’t your only supporter,” said Asel. “There are others who don’t believe it is fair what is being done to you. Some wish to fight back against the Vantagax. Many don’t believe that we’ll ever be left alone unless we can show the galaxy that we won’t be pushed around.”
“Rumors are going around that the Admiral Board is receiving funds from the Braxas. There is a growing faction within the Terran Fleet that holds your actions up as an example of what humans are capable of,” said Shaaban. “They see you as an idol or potential leader that can lead humans to independence instead of being beholden to outside forces.”
I mulled it over in my head. The crack inside closed a bit and my desires started to fill back up again. It was good to know that the wider population knew about me and that I had supporters. However, the situation didn’t feel right. I didn’t know the political atmosphere of the Terran Fleet. What if I started some kind of split? What if this was some precursor to a civil war?
“Where do you two stand?” I said.
I caught the minute glance that Shaaban and Asel gave each other before they looked forward once more.
“I stand with Admiral Varma,” said Shaaban.
“I stand with Admiral Varma,” said Asel, “who supports you.”
I nodded. All the support in the galaxy was great but right now it didn’t get me jack.
“So what happens now?” I said.
“We go ahead as planned,” said Asel. “You’re dropped off by the supply parties at the nearest populated depot. Once there you’ll be contacted.”
“Plans have been laid out,” said Shaaban. “We can’t speak of them out in the open here.”
“Why can’t we do it in my room?” I said. “Why can’t I stay on-board with everyone else?” Even if I was in hiding it would be worth it to be in proximity to other humans with the occasional interaction. I would be willing to do that in a heartbeat.
“No,” said Shaaban. “The Admiral Board has a tight grip on everything here. It’s just too risky. We need to make them think you’ve left never to return, that their plan has gone forward.” His tone indicated that there would be no discussion on the details.
“Varma has done a lot to keep our group under wraps and away from prying eyes,” said Asel, “but she is only one person. Trying to keep you here would generate too much commotion.”
We stopped in front of a set of doors. They opened up to show a Spartan room: single bed, sink, toilet, shower. The lights flickered on, and Shaaban gave me a slight push into the room.
I crossed the threshold and turned to face the two. They each had neutral expressions. There was no indication that they had just been telling me about a plan to undermine the authority of the ruling body of the Terran Fleet.
“How can I trust you on this?” I said. “How do I know this isn’t something to keep me complacent before being shipped away never to see any human again?”
“You don’t,” said Shaaban.
The doors closed. I exhaled and closed my eyes. It felt like I just took the first step towards creating a divide amongst the human population.
It didn’t feel good.
Chapter Ten
I sat restrained in the small shuttle directly behind the pilot. Shaaban and Asel flanked me on either side, strapped into their own seats. In spite of trying not to do it, I yawned. The night before I’d tried to stay awake but failed. I’d fully expected to wake up alone, stranded in some unknown place with nothing but the clothes on my back if I fell asleep. I took the fact that I didn’t as a good sign for the day.
“We’ve received the go ahead to disengage from the fleet,” said the pilot.
Her console lit up. Warnings brayed. She swore under her breath.
I tried to lean forward but the restraints prevent much movement. Asel looked over at me then back to the pilot. Shaaban leaned forward.
“What’s going on?” said Shaaban.
“Our path is blocked by incoming ships,” said the pilot. “Computer won’t let me go.”
“Try a different route,” said Asel.
“No shit,” said the pilot. Her hands flew over the console bringing up data that I didn’t comprehend. “The computer has determined we have no safe path to travel.”
“What does that mean?” I said.
The pilot didn’t respond. She cocked her head to the side then nodded. I felt the ship bank.
“We’re heading back,” said the pilot. “All supply ships are to re-dock immediately.”
“Why?” said Asel. A hint of panic tinged her voice. “What’s going on?”
The ship leaned hard to my right. The whole thing shook and rattled. Concussive waves trembled and rippled through the structure. We must have been pulling serious force to feel it inside.
“What’s going on?” Asel said: full panic.
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Shaaban gripped his armrests. He stared straight ahead. His face looked calm, but sheen of sweat covered his forehead.
The shuttle’s view screens came to life. Asel gasped as we got our first view of what was happening.
A group of Vantagax vessels traded fire with the Terran Fleet. Clouds of debris that had once been starships obscured the battle. Each of the Vantagax craft fired its energy weapons in several directions at once, hitting multiple Terran targets at the same time. One set of Vantagax vessels lumbered through the middle of the Terran Fleet, flushing smaller craft away from the protection of the few Terran ships ready for battle. They were picked off one by one before they could find new protection.
The Vantagax weapons raked across the human ships. Great rents appeared in the sides. Debris puffed out from the gashes, the edges folded out in jagged zigzags. I didn’t want to zoom in because I knew what we would see: scrap metal, broken supports, bodies.
“We’re going to try and make a run for it,” said our pilot. She sounded calm, in control. It was reassuring because it didn’t look like the odds were good to get out of this alive.
My helmet sealed, and I was locked into my vacuum suit. A group feed for our shuttle popped up on my HUD. Shaaban and Asel showed up in small windows in the corners.
“I hate space travel,” said Asel. Her eyes were closed, and it looked like she breathed at an elevated pace.
“Don’t worry,” I said. “I’ve been through a lot of these and have always come out fine.” I smiled trying to be reassuring.
Shaaban’s jaw tightened. Asel muttered to herself and kept her eyes screwed shut.
I minimized their windows and refocused on the view screens. Our perspective whipped back and forth as the pilot maneuvered us through the battle. She talked to herself in low tones over our shuttle feed while piloting. I couldn’t get an idea of what was happening with the battle besides the occasional shot of a ship taking fire and the thud of something striking our hull. Everything else was a blur of stars, blackness and debris.
“Come on…” said the pilot. “Come on…”
We banked hard then straightened. I exhaled in surprise as a Vantagax ship loomed large in the view screen. Asel screamed. Shaaban closed his eyes and lowered his head, his lips moving without making a sound.
“Fuck,” yelled the pilot.
The view screen went bright white as we turned. My eyes closed as the sound of tearing almost deafened me then disappeared. I was pulled hard against my restraints as the atmosphere was sucked out of the shuttle.
I cracked an eye open, looked around and gasped. The front of the ship was gone. The pilot was gone. My feet dangled over the edge into deep space, and we were on a collision course with a much larger ship.
My restraints kept me in my seat even though I struggled to get free. Shaaban and Asel were still strapped in next to me on the remains of our shuttle. Asel didn’t move, but Shaaban groaned and stirred.
We continued to hurtle towards the other ship. It started to turn away from us. Even with its new course there was no way we would avoid being turned to paste on its battle-scarred side.
I struggled. My hands were just free enough to move around, but I didn’t have the leverage to release anything. My suit wasn’t an exo-suit, so I didn’t have any kind of strength assist to help either. It was small thanks that I’d gotten one that could protect me from the vacuum of space otherwise I would have already been dead.
Our debris chunk started to list, and we lost view of the other ship. I tried everything I could think of to get out of seat. If taking my helmet off and gnawing my way to freedom had been option I would have done it.
Not knowing when we would impact made me struggle more. The unknown of it set about a fear and anxiety I didn’t realize I had. I started to hyperventilate, sucking in greedy lungful after greedy lungful of oxygen. My suit tried to warn me, but I didn’t pay attention.
Darkness enveloped us. The stars were blotted out. There was no more battle to see. Something whizzed by my head. I screamed. The bang of hitting an object rattled me down to my core and shook my teeth in their sockets. It knocked the breath out of me. We hit another and another, and I had the sensation of tumbling end over end until with a sickening jolt we came to a stop upside down.
I groaned. My restraints had saved me but in the process they’d broken multiple ribs. Every time I inhaled a spasm of pain wound its way through my body. I waited for my suit to administer some kind of painkillers but none came. I’d been given the bare minimum to stay alive in vacuum.
Lights popped on and shone in my face. I grunted in surprise and closed my eyes. Full mobility still eluded me, and I couldn’t shade my face.
“Good. You’re still alive,” said Shaaban.
He dropped from his seat and landed on the ground then reached up behind me. Something clicked, and I fell to the ground into a painful heap. The wind was knocked out of me, again, and I gasped trying to breath. By the time I was able to stand Shaaban had Asel draped over his shoulder. She didn’t move, but I assumed she was alive from the groaning and unintelligible talk.
“What now?” I said, turning on my headlamps.
I looked around. In the distance was our entry point: a wide, narrow hole in the side of a ship. I could see the stars and flashes of the battle still raging through the slit. Support beams were broken like matchsticks. Scorch marks stained the walls. Exposed wires sparked. Piles of jagged debris littered the area. An occasional rumble filtered through the floor. Debris bits drifted around from above with each shake of the ship.
The area we were in was open to the vacuum. The ship still moved because I could see the stars passing by. Whether it was under its own propulsion or drifting was unclear.
“Are we on a Vantagax ship or a human ship?” I said. I had the urge to wring some scrawny Vantagax neck.
Shaaban’s headlamps settled on a door. He shook his head and said, “No,” before taking off at a trot towards the exit.
“So we’re on a human ship?” I said. It seemed obvious, but I still needed the confirmation.
“Yes,” said Shaaban.
He came up to the door, and it slid open in halting fits. The hallway it led to was empty, but Shaaban didn’t hesitate. He took off to the left.
I heard him talking to himself over our group feed. He had to have been given an exo-suit because he ran ahead of me with ease. I saw him disappear around a corner then popped his head back and watched me for a bit before moving ahead once more. He carried Asel without issue. At times the only contact I had to him was breathing over the group feed. While I struggled to keep up, gasping with almost every footfall, Shaaban breathed with ease. The time we ran dragged on without any explanation of where we went, but I couldn’t speak without stopping. It took almost all of my concentration to ignore as much of the aching as I could and keep moving forward.
“One more corner,” said Shaaban over the feed.
I turned and ran into his back. If we had atmosphere it would have made a comical “bonk”. I yelped in surprise and pain. Shaaban didn’t seem to register that I was there until I stepped up next to him. He looked over at me then back to the door.
“This is the shuttle bay,” he said.
The door didn’t have any markings on it. I asked how he knew.
“We’re on the Nazarene,” said Shaaban. “It was my home for seventeen years. I would have known it anywhere.”
“Do you think there are any shuttles left?” I said.
Shaaban nodded without looking at me. He continued to stare at the door.
“There better be,” he said, reaching out to the door and pressing a panel next to the frame. The door slid open, “but –“
Energy blasts flew between us. Smoke rose from the arm of Shaaban suit where he’d been grazed. I would bet that my suit didn’t have any defensive protection. Getting hit, or even winged, would be it for me, exposed to the vacuum: killed by exposure.
“Fuck you, you bird s
on of a bitch,” yelled someone over the general feed.
I hid behind the frame, but Shaaban walked into the shuttle bay. He held his hands in the air with Asel still draped over his shoulder. A few more energy blasts flew past him.
“Cease fire,” said someone. One more shot then, “Cease fire,” more insistent and angry.
I peeked around the corner. Several dark figures appeared from behind support struts of the shuttles or from behind large crates. They congregated together, weapons aimed at Shaaban. Their headlamps illuminated him and cast his shadow across almost the entire shuttle bay. Shaaban stopped, hands still in the air.
“I’m human,” said Shaaban.
One figure broke from the ranks and said, “Shaaban?”
Shaaban made a move to take a step forward but stopped. With care and slow, deliberate movements he placed Asel on the ground.
“Yes,” said Shaaban. “Who am I speaking to?”
The figure stepped forward and lowered their weapon. They held their arms out like they waited for a hug then laughed.
“It’s me, Margaret,” she said. Shaaban didn’t move or say anything until Margaret said, “Melcos. Margaret Melcos. We served together on the Ark.”
Shaaban leaned forward, took one step then another and another until he covered the distance between himself and Margaret. She stood at least half a foot taller than him but leaned forward until their helmet visors almost touched before Shaaban laughed and grabbed her hand, shaking it with flourish while slapping her shoulder with the other.
“Margaret,” he said with a genuine, happy sounding tone. “I can’t believe anyone is still here.”
I came out from behind the doorframe when Shaaban motioned for me. He didn’t look back at me but continued to speak with Margaret.
“What the hell are you still doing here?” he said.
Margaret motioned for the other figures and pointed at a shuttle. They dispersed and boarded leaving us alone.
“We’re evacuating last,” said Margaret, picking up Asel and heading towards another shuttle. Shaaban and I followed. “Needed to make sure as many made it out as possible.”
The Terran Shepherd (The Terran Series Book 2) Page 6