The Daltus Conspiracy

by Andrew Gates

  “And who are you?” Ellen asked through deep breaths.

  “My name is Boltoc and I have come to kill you,” he replied, bluntly.

  “How did you find me, Boltoc?”

  The man chuckled. “You are not the only one who knows how to stay hidden. I found this place the same way you did, Ellen Milsen. It’s not hard to imagine myself in your shoes and work from there.”

  “Listen, Boltoc, whatever Daltus is paying you, I’ll pay you more. I’ll find a way to-”

  “Daltus offered me money,” Boltoc interrupted, “but I refused. Killing you is worth a higher price than anyone can pay.”

  Shit. Sounds like negotiation won’t work, Yuri added.

  What the hell did I do to piss this guy off so much?

  Boltoc lunged forward, prompting Ellen to jump out of the way. In that moment, Sierra popped up from the floor. She immediately walked to Boltoc, rubbed his muscular arms and leaned into him.

  “Hey there, good-looking. My name is Sierra. I am-”

  Boltoc turned to the robot and punched it square in the face, causing her to double back. Seizing this momentary distraction, Ellen ran for the door as fast as she could.

  Suddenly a hand grabbed the back of her left leg. Ellen turned. Boltoc held onto her with the tightest grip she had ever felt. She had not been fast enough.

  “You thought you could run away!” he shouted. He squeezed her leg so hard, it felt as if her carbon-fiber reinforced bones were about to shatter.

  Pew! A blast of laser fire suddenly struck Boltoc in the chest. He let go of Ellen’s leg and fell back, landing on the massive bed.

  Ellen turned to face the hall. Natalie stood in the doorway, holding Boltoc’s smoking pistol in her gasp. The woman was shaking.

  Not wasting another second, Ellen bolted for the door. Her left leg stung from the force of Boltoc’s intense grip, but she ignored the pain. She hobbled, but did not stop for even a moment.

  Natalie made sure Ellen passed by first before following behind her.

  “Don’t wait for me, Natalie. Go!” Ellen demanded.

  “I wanted to make sure you were okay!” she replied.

  Ellen shook her head and took off down the hall, not wanting to argue right here and now. Natalie followed behind.

  “You don’t run away from me, you bitch!” Boltoc screamed from the room.

  Clank.

  Ellen recognized that sound. She turned. A grenade bounced against the walls of the hall. Natalie, not nearly as fast on her feet as Ellen, was only a few feet away from it.

  “Natalie, no!”

  Boom!

  An inferno erupted in the hallway, forcing Ellen to turn away and close her eyes. A thunderous boom stabbed at her ears. When Ellen opened her eyes again, the walls were ablaze. The world was covered in smoke. Ellen naturally coughed.

  “Natalie!” she cried. “Natalie!”

  Ellen ran toward the explosion site and got down on her hands and knees. It did not take long for her to find Natalie, or what was left of her.

  Natalie’s body was charred. The lenses in her eyes had melted away.

  Ellen brought her head to Natalie’s body. A tear ran down her eye.

  She just wanted to live. She wanted to be free and safe, Ellen said to Yuri, privately. It’s not fair. She wasn’t a soldier. She shouldn’t have died like this.

  I know you’re upset, Ellen, but we need to get out of here. That Boltoc guy may be injured, but he’s not dead, Yuri replied.

  Ellen nodded her head and stood up. She hated to admit it, but Yuri was right.

  Leave her. You must.

  “I know,” Ellen said, staring down at the corpse. She took one last look at the smoldering body, then turned and ran down the hall.

  Natalie was gone now. Daltus had finally claimed her first kill.

  Regroup

  Earth Date (Revised Julian Calendar): 05.04.5673

  Location: Center City, Neu Taargus, Mateo, Thrace System, Vexa Corp Controlled Space

  Ellen sprinted through the streets as fast as she could, clenching her broken chest. Men and women busily walked by, paying her no mind. It was as if the sight of a tired, sweaty woman covered in bruises and burn marks was nothing out of the ordinary in Neu Taargus.

  Where are Lyla and Dave? Can you find them? Ellen asked Yuri. She spun around, looking every which way.

  Before Yuri could even answer her question, Ellen spotted them. They were only a block away on the other side of a busy street. Lyla was hidden in a thick brown coat. Dave wore a short-sleeved red shirt. Ellen was not sure where they had found a change of clothes, but it was definitely them. She was sure of it.

  Lyla, Dave, I’m so glad to see you guys, Ellen said over the ATG.

  Ellen? Where are you? Dave asked, spinning around.

  One block south, across the street. See me?

  Dave and Lyla both turned, facing her way. They subtly nodded their heads.

  I’m glad you’re okay. Where’s Natalie? Lyla asked.

  Ellen fell silent and lowered her gaze to the sidewalk beneath her feet. She slowly shook her head.

  Natalie didn’t make it. She stayed behind to make sure I got out. Then the merc got her with a grenade.

  Oh my, Natalie, not Natalie. I’m so sorry, Lyla responded.

  Good Lord, added Dave.

  I know. She shouldn’t have gotten caught up in any of this. She didn’t deserve it. Ellen paused for a moment, then looked up again. Look, let’s not dwell on it now. We need to regroup. Ellen spotted a café on the other side of the street. She motioned to it. See that café there? Let’s meet inside.

  Alright, Lyla agreed.

  Ellen waited for some people to pass, then crossed the street. She entered the café quickly, hoping not to attract any unwanted attention.

  The inside of the café was relatively empty, with only a few patrons spread out here and there throughout the shop. The colorful orange and yellow walls were well illuminated in the bright ceiling lights. Ellen found an open table in the corner and promptly sat down.

  Only a few seconds later, Lyla and Dave entered. They casually walked to Ellen’s table and found their seats.

  Ellen sighed and leaned back, glad that they were all able to convene safely.

  Thank you guys for meeting me here. I’m glad you’re safe, Ellen said covertly over the ATG. She was not about to have an open conversation with so many ears nearby.

  I can’t believe Natalie is dead, Lyla said. She stared off into the distance as if lost in thought. It was my fault. I forced her into this mess. None of this would have happened to her if I’d just played along with her interview.

  Don’t blame yourself. She was there to defend me. She stayed behind for me, Ellen replied. If anyone is to blame, it’s-

  Daltus, Yuri interrupted.

  Ellen quieted down and lowered her head.

  None of you should blame yourselves for what happened, Yuri continued. You all tried to help her. Daltus is the only one at fault here.

  He’s right, Gloria agreed. This was Daltus through and through.

  Ellen slowly bobbed her head and returned her gaze to the others. She let out a deep breath.

  Daltus must pay, she said.

  But how? Dave asked. We can’t even hide from her.

  If this latest attack has taught me anything, it’s that there is no use trying to hide from her any longer. No matter where we go, Daltus can find us. I don’t know about you all, but I am done hiding.

  There was a moment of silence all around. Everyone looked at everyone else for a few seconds.

  Agreed, Lyla finally said, breaking the quietness.

  Agreed, added Dave.

  Your decision is rational, Yuri said.

  I agree, added Gloria.

  If I may make a suggestion, let me try to reach out to my mother one more time. When I talked to her the first time, we got her to make her mercs stand down. Perhaps I can get her to take this merc guy off the hunt too, Lyla propos
ed.

  Ellen shook her head and let out a sigh. She stared Lyla in the eyes.

  I’m not so sure that will work. This merc is different. He’s not motivated by money.

  Then what is he motivated by?

  I’m not sure. He calls himself Boltoc. He seems to hold a personal grudge against me, but I guarantee I have never met him before.

  Weird, Dave said.

  Are you sure he’s after you specifically? Maybe there’s another Ellen, Lyla questioned.

  It’s me. I’m sure of it. He called me by my full name. He called me Ellen Milsen. But it’s more than that. There was a look in his eyes, something I can’t explain.

  What do you mean? Dave asked.

  It’s… it’s like he’s been waiting his whole life to find me.

  Ellen turned away from the others as she considered those words.

  Still, Lyla said, changing the tone, let me as least try to talk to my mother. It’s been a few days since I’ve spoken with her. Perhaps she’s changed. Maybe I can get through to her this time.

  It sounds like a good idea to me, Dave added. What’s the worst that could happen?

  Ellen leaned back in her chair and waved her hand.

  Sure, she said, letting out a deep breath. It’s worth a shot, but I don’t think it’s going to make a damn difference.

  I concur, Yuri agreed.

  Lyla nodded and closed her eyes.

  ***

  Mother?

  Lyla. It’s good to hear from you. I was beginning to wonder if you’d shut me out entirely. Have you finally decided to turn yourself in?

  No, of course not. I have come to bargain.

  A bargain? Stop with the nonsense. Come home, Lyla. You’re hurting your own career. You’re hurting mine!

  I’m afraid my career is over. There’s no way I can return to my old life. Isn’t that obvious?

  You can always find another position. I can refer you to someone. My name goes a long way.

  I can’t work with you anymore, mom. I just can’t do it.

  Then find a job in a different ship.

  No. I’m afraid you don’t understand. I’m done with Vexa Corp. There’s no way I can work for the company anymore after what’s happened.

  So you’re giving up on everything?

  The opposite, actually. I’ve finally found something to live for.

  Helping the traitors, you mean?

  They’re not traitors. You set them up. You know that.

  Be that as it may, life with them is dangerous.

  Only because you’re making it dangerous. You can stop this at any time.

  Putting the pressure on me, huh? You refuse to stand down, so why should I?

  Because I’m your daughter.

  Look, Lyla, I promised you the mercs would only target the others. You have gone unharmed thus far, but if you are really truly giving up on everything I’ve built for you, I may have to reconsider that policy.

  Are you saying you would order me killed?

  If it comes to that.

  I… I don’t know what to say.

  It’s easy. Stop helping the traitors and come home.

  You know I cannot do that.

  I see… Do you love him?

  You mean Dave? Yes, I think I do.

  Then it seems we have reached an impasse.

  You’re being stubborn. It doesn’t have to be this way.

  Oh, but it does. You aren’t giving up, are you?

  No. Not a chance.

  Then neither am I. Lyla, I hate to do this. You are my daughter, my flesh and blood, but if you’re truly siding with them, I can no longer guarantee your safety. I’m afraid, after today, you are no longer my daughter.

  You can’t be serious.

  I am serious, Lyla. And if you try to stop me, you will fail. Soon I will have the power to live forever and you will look back on this moment as the day you made your greatest mistake: making enemies with Captain Daltus.

  What are you talking about?

  Goodbye, Lyla.

  ***

  A tear dripped down Lyla’s face, caressing her cheek and flowing down to her chin. Ellen adjusted in her seat and leaned forward.

  What happened? she asked.

  She… she said I was no longer her daughter. She’s going to kill me just like she’s going to kill you.

  Everyone paused for a moment, slowly processing that information.

  “Damn,” Dave said aloud. He stared straight at the table before them.

  And… and she said something about living forever. That can’t be good, right?

  She must be close to accessing the rejuv data, Yuri said.

  That’s it. Ellen slammed her fist down on the table. We’ve tried taking the easy way out. Running and hiding on Mateo has failed. Negotiations have failed. That leaves us with one remaining option: Daltus must be stopped.

  But the rejuv! Lyla interjected.

  She doesn’t have it yet and even if she does, she can still be killed, Ellen said. Let’s see how much good that rejuv does against a shot to the head.

  Hey, that’s my mother you’re talking about!

  Like it or not, Lyla, she’s our enemy now. She’s trying to kill you, so we need to kill her first, Ellen debated.

  I… I don’t know how to respond to that, Lyla replied.

  You might want to take it easy on Lyla. This is a lot for her to process right now, Yuri suggested, privately.

  Ellen let out a deep sigh and placed her head in her palms. She paused for a few moments, then raised her head again.

  Look at it this way: whether we kill Daltus or not, I think it’s abundantly clear that we won’t get anything done from here. I’m sorry, guys. I’ve failed you. It was a mistake coming here to Mateo. I thought we could hide, but we can’t.

  Then what’s the next step? Dave asked.

  The next step is simple: we find a ship and return to where we first learned about the rejuv tech.

  What? Why? Dave wondered.

  Because if Daltus is able to read that data, that means she’ll find out where the rejuv tech came from. Once she does, the first thing she’ll try to do is see it in action for herself. She wouldn’t dare develop it without first making sure it works. Hell, if she can just take it, she won’t even have to develop it at all. If I were her, I’d just steal the damn thing.

  But go there? Seriously?

  I don’t understand, Lyla interrupted. Where are we going?

  Taspansa, Ellen explained. We’re going to Taspansa.

  The Wrath of Boltoc

  Earth Date (Revised Julian Calendar): 05.04.5673

  Location: Center City, Neu Taargus, Mateo, Thrace System, Vexa Corp Controlled Space

  Mateo. Ellen had yearned to return here for so long, but now that she was finally here, it was already time to leave it behind.

  As much as she hated to admit it, Ellen regretted coming here at all. There was nothing left for her on this world; nothing but shadows of the life she had lost.

  “First thing is first,” Ellen said as she and the others navigated through the crowded streets of Neu Taargus. “We’re going to need a ship.”

  “How are we going to get a ship?” Lyla asked. “Surely my mother has frozen my bank account by now and you two don’t have any money.”

  “Same way we got a ship to come here,” Ellen replied.

  “You mean steal it? We’re going to steal another ship?”

  “Got any better ideas?”

  Lyla reluctantly shrugged. Ellen could only imagine how hard it must have been for Lyla to break the law. She was a criminal investigator after all. This kind of thing went against her entire philosophy.

  Yuri, any good leads on where to find a ship? Ellen asked.

  Best bet: Targosi Tower, eight blocks north of here. It houses most of Vexa Corp’s major branches. A lot of the big-wigs are based in there, so it sees a lot of traffic. According to docking reports, ships have been landing non-stop all day long.

>   Where? Is there a hangar level in the building?

  No. According to the docking procedures I can find on the ATG, ships dock on the roof level, then someone transfers them to a hangar in the building’s sublevel.

  What do you mean the ships are transferred?

  I mean it in a literal sense. It’s valet parking.

  I hate to interrupt, but I can’t say I like this idea, Lyla interjected. Targosi Tower is under heavy security. There is not a chance the three of us can get in.

  What if we sneak in? Ellen asked.

  Checking on that now… Yuri said. He was quiet for a few seconds as he checked the data. After a few moments, he finally responded in a tone of worry. Security is incredibly tight. Lyla appears to be right. It won’t be easy to sneak in. The easiest way in is through the service entrance, but even then- Yuri suddenly stopped mid-sentence.

  What? Ellen asked.

  Something’s not right, Yuri answered. There’s a lot of chatter on the ATG. Someone is flying a ship in restricted airspace.

  What? Where? Ellen asked. Before Yuri could even respond, her question was suddenly answered as a small fighter suddenly soared overhead, weaving through the massive skyscrapers and sending powerful gusts of wind in all directions. It was far too low for comfort.

  “What the hell is that doing here?” Dave asked in a tone of confusion. He stumbled backward, nearly tripping over the curb.

  Neu Taargus’s citizens stopped and pointed to the ship overhead, smiling in awe. Others scattered and ran for cover, as if they expected the Lightspeed Wars to begin again at any second.

  Do you recognize the ship? Ellen asked.

  Negative, Yuri replied. Do you?

  Negative.

  Recognize it or not, this can’t be good. Let’s get to cover.

  Agreed.

  The three outlaws dashed into the nearest alley they could find. It was quiet here, though it stunk to high hell.

  The ship slowed its velocity and gradually lowered to the ground. Ellen peered out around the alley and watched as the vessel touched down in the center of the street, the pilot ignoring all ground-based vehicles around it.

  Most of Neu Taargus’s onlookers ran away at this point, though a curious few remained behind.