by Frank Carey
"You did remember to pay Maintenance to disconnect the self-destructs, correct?"
"Yes, ma'am. All explosives will go off-line in an hour and remain that way for exactly one hour."
"Perfect. We have one priority item stored in the bioweapons vault and accessing this item could set off the safety system. This way, we don't get accidentally thrown into the volcano."
The others nervously giggled, but stopped when they saw the look on her face.
"We move, now," she said.
They grabbed their weapons and their gear, then headed outside to a waiting truck. As trucks go, it was nondescript, a tradesman's truck they stole on the other side of the city. Once inside, one of the men drove while Senta went over the night's plan one final time.
It was late when the van stopped at the entrance to the building. The streets were dark and empty as the seven conspirators exited the truck and headed inside. They headed down a flight of stairs which led to a large pressure seal. Senta placed her hand against the wall scanner and waited. In moments, the seal opened as the interior lights came on. Senta looked at her watch. "We're on the clock, boys. Get your asses moving." The six of them fanned out in search of weapons and material they could sell at a premium to finance their efforts at overthrowing the government. She laughed at the thought of this rag-tag group of half-wits overthrowing a nest of squirrels let alone a government. Getting her bearings, she headed off to her destination.
Shortly, she found herself standing in front of the bioweapons storage vault, which contained the latest of her race's toys of conquest. She stopped at the foot of the door and removed a journal and a ring from her pack, she opened the book to the last entry and placed her royal ring in a space specially carved out of the blank pages. She kissed the book and the other ring before placing both on one of the door ribs. Satisfied, she placed her hand on the scanner. The door opened as the lights came on inside. Ignoring the other containers, she walked over to one bathed in red. Alarms sounded as she removed it from its crimson crypt.
She looked at it and smiled. "For my love, Galt," she said as she smashed the container into the wall, releasing the death inside. In moments, her body and the body of every sapient being in the city was consumed in flames as the virus inside the container induced instant spontaneous combustion. In an hour, the city was empty except for the ashes of the dead.
Josh stood there and watched as the vision--hallucination--faded. "Your people are next, Alien," a woman's voice whispered in his head as consciousness returned.
It was followed by peals of laughter.
###
The APC lay on its side as Josh regained consciousness. He looked and saw Jenna's mobile kneeling over Kylie's still form. "Kylie!" Josh yelled as he got up and quickly made his way to where she lay. "Is she..."
"No, though she's hurt. She's out cold and needs medical attention. What the hell happened?"
"I don't know. While I was out, I had a dream--hallucination--about how the city died."
The APC rocked as if something rammed against it. "Come out, Alien, and face your destiny," a female voice said from outside.
"That voice... My God, that's the woman from my hallucination, the one who killed the city. Her name is Senta. She must be controlling BORIS three and somehow using it to establish a link with my subconscious," Josh said as he grabbed a brace of blasters from a bin along with a long staff. He pressed a button at the staff's center, causing cutter beams to emerge from each end.
"What are you going to do?" Jenna asked.
"Blow this depot and its contents into the caldera. Jenna, get everyone off this planet. Senta plans to open the bioweapons storage unit and unleash the remaining agent on the colony and any Zexx and Jarrion on-planet. Computer, how do I activate the charges without the detonator?"
"Computer center, on the wall next to the door. A large, red button. Press it and a signal will be sent out detonating every charge in the depot, including the scuttle charges. Sir, you won't have time to get out."
"Yeah, I figured. Transfer all functions and programs to someplace not in the depot."
"Working... All functions and programs transferred to the city main computer."
"Get them out of here, Jenna." He leaned over and kissed her forehead. The APC shook, as if to remind him of his appointment with destiny. "Lighten up, already!" he yelled. "I'm coming!" He nodded to Jenna, then reached over and opened a roof hatch. The air outside was cool as he slipped through the door and out onto the parking lot surface. After he was gone, Jenna called her other self and filled her in while she worked on bring the Jarrion comm system back online.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Gloria ran down the corridors and hallways of the Ventos Station as she headed to the Top Secret landing bay at the top. It was from here that the most secret of missions launched. She had to have royal dispensation just to get past the eighth level. On the way, she ran into her cousin as he made his way to the same destination.
"Am I late?" she asked breathlessly while falling in next to him.
"Nope, you're right on time," Lucien replied
"What happened?"
"Valera Station reported a total communications breakdown with the town."
"Equipment failure?"
"Personnel failure. I examined the logs and someone released a hellfire virus on the communications computers."
"Someone?"
"Mars. Mars Pereara. I should have slit his throat when I had the chance. But, no, I decided to give that creature a chance at redeeming himself. Dammit, how can I be that stupid."
"Lucien, stop it. You are not responsible for his actions. He chose to do what he did. You just gave him the opportunity not to do it."
He looked at his cousin. "What, no warrior-elf-woman?"
"Oh, I'm a warrior, but I've learned to temper those urges, else half my staff would be dead."
"I am blessed to have you around, Cuz."
"Why thank you, Sir Elf." She replied with an increased spring in her step.
They arrived at the bay and found General Aymar and EMEF Team Eight waiting for them in the boarding lounge. "Royce!" Gloria said as she ran up and took her brother's hand, instantly forming a twin link. After a brief moment, she let go and hugged him, much to his consternation, and his team's amusement.
"I'm glad you two could make it," Royce said while grabbing his gear.
"Sorry, I had to confirm a few things with Valera Station."
"Sir, are they OK?" Major Nayla Hardy asked.
"Yes and no," Lucien said. "The colonists are making their way to the city as are the Jarrions and the Zexx where they will on-load the colonists and evacuate them off-planet."
Nayla stared at the elf in disbelief. "Evacuation?"
"Yes, Josh is convinced that something is trying to release a nasty bioweapon into the atmosphere, so he's trying to stop it while the others get away."
"Define 'Something,'" Royce asked.
"Don't know. All we know is this something has taken over one or more Boris copies, used them to destroy a Jarrion APC, and damage Josh's Aunt's synthetic body in the process. I think Josh is on a tear, to put it mildly."
Nayla looked at Royce, then back to Lucien. "Sirs, we need to go...NOW!"
###
Josh leaned against the roof of the APC and listened. In front of him was the wall the APC had come to rest against. On the ground around him were pieces of wall and APC dislodged by the impact. He calmed himself, lowering his heart rate as he listened for any sign of his attacker. Over the sound of the faint breeze making its way around the APC, he could hear the distinctive whine of a BORIS unit from the other side of the vehicle. First, he activated his comm unit so the others could listen in on him. Then he checked his blasters to make sure they were set to full power with their safeties off before walking out into the open to face his adversary.
Standing several yards away from the APC stood the BORIS unit, its tentacles out, waving around like drunken snakes at a fl
utist convention. "Welcome to your death, Alien," it said.
"Right," he said as he stopped to watch it. He could hear a faint noise from the other side of the APC. Assuming it was Jenna moving Kylie's body, he slowly moved to the rear of the truck to draw the BORIS' attention away from his companions. "So, Princess Senta, killing a city full of people wasn't enough death to satisfy your blood lust?"
The tentacles stopped waving. "Ah, Dr. Gray, I see information flows both ways."
"I wish I could discuss this over a cup of coffee, but I think it's time you move on."
"How dare you speak to me in such a manner. I've had insolence such as yours punished with a lash."
"Oh, trust me. Your family betrayed you, then killed your one love. Get over it. You should have just lit a candle, said a prayer, buried his ashes, then found someone else. Come on, you were a princess; guys must have been a dime a dozen..."
The unit screamed and lunged at him. He expected this, so he was prepared. Years of training, from the greatest martial artist on Earth and his Aunt Kylie, kicked in as he spun, ducked, and jabbed his staff into the head of the BORIS as he pressed the activation button on the staff. The ends of the rod glowed bright blue as a pair of cutting beams formed, causing the unit's skull to explode. He finished his spin by withdrawing his staff and deactivating it while moving out of the unit's way as it fell to the ground, headless and very much dead. He headed to the doorway knowing full well Senta would probably be waiting for him in BORIS two. No matter what, he had to blow this depot to hell. He quickened his pace as he raced toward whatever destiny awaited him.
###
"Shit!" Jenna yelled.
"What's wrong?" Alex asked as a pair of ships materialized above where the townsfolk had congregated.
"Our rides are here," she said as she pointed to the vessels landing nearby. "We need to go, now. I'll explain when we're aboard."
"You will explain now," Alex ordered as hatches on the ships opened and crewpersons ran out to beckon the colonists to quickly board.
"Joshua is trying to stop the release of the bioweapon that killed the city ten thousand years ago," Jenna said as she ran out of one of the ships. She stopped when she saw the look of horror on Tayla's face. "He may not be successful."
"Please, we must hurry," Commander Glass said as he emerged from the other ship.
"I am not going to leave him," Tayla said as the rest of the colonists streamed past them into the waiting ships.
Jenna walked over and placed her hands on the young woman's shoulder's. "He did not give me a message to give you which means he plans on rejoining you when he finishes. It is best if you are there to greet him."
Tayla stared at her friend with eyes filled with fear. After a moment, she nodded before heading into the Zexx ship with the others close behind.
"Captain, get us into orbit," Glass ordered.
"Aye, sir," the Captain replied. "Helm, up is go."
"Aye, Captain," the helmsman replied. We have left the ground and are now heading to orbit.”
"Captain, incoming transmission from the Jarrion ship. They are following us up," the communications officer said.
"Excellent..."
"Sir, incoming transmission from the ground."
"On screen!" the captain ordered.
Tayla gasped as Josh took on the BORIS unit.
"Commander Glass, any idea who the hell this Princess Senta is?" Alex asked.
Glass walked over to stand with Alex and his companions. "Senta is a legend; a story of unrequited love. The story is she fell in love with a Zexx noble by the name of Galt. Her parents, the rulers of this city, had Galt killed. She was so distraught, she killed herself. Captain, can you get me the Jarrion commander on the line?"
"Aye, sir. Communications?"
"Aye, sir." In moments, Commander Kendash was staring at them from the screen. "Yes, Commander Glass?"
"Kendash, did Princess Senta kill this city?"
Alex was impressed with the Jarrion commander's self-control. Instead of choking, or hanging up, she calmly replied, "We heard the transmission from the ground. Yes, Princess Senta killed the city. We tried to hide it..."
"Hide it? From whom? Hiding something like that has led to 10,000 years of tension between our peoples. Kendash, we would be at war if it wasn't for the Confederation."
"Galt's death guaranteed that. Our deception just made it more palatable."
Glass looked at Kendash for a moment. "What else are you hiding, Kendash?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Kendash, we've known each other a long time. I know when you're hiding something."
Kendash stared back. "A fast-attack frigate is stored in a launch bay attached to the computer center. A branch of the depot's conveyor system goes directly from the storage vault to the frigate. Once she gains access to the vault, she can initiate a transfer. She can be ready to launch in a matter of minutes."
"Oh my God! She could..."
"Reach Jarria, my home world, in only a few hours."
"How the hell could this happen? Where has she been all these centuries?"
"Senta was--is--royalty. There are protocols in place to rescue any royals trapped in the depot during a breach, protocols which work outside the computer system."
"The soul transfer device that 'killed' Dr. Gray. The Nordicans stole it from you, didn't they?"
"Yes, Governor, they did, though what they stole was from a museum. It was a very old prototype. The system was designed to store the rescued consciousness in an off-line long-term containment location, then released when a Jarrion ship drops into orbit. It was never designed to place the consciousness in an alien device. Probably an undetected flaw. Captain, prepare for orbital bombardment of the depot..."
"No!" Tayla yelled.
"Calm yourself, Miss," Kendash said. "This is only a precaution while I brief Jarria. Governor, I want to apologize for this situation. This was totally unexpected."
Alex looked at his people. "May I use your radio?"
"Of course, but you can't reach Dr. Gray. His signals are being jammed..." Glass reminded him.
"I'm not going to call Joshua."
"Then who?"
"Please tune to the following frequency," Alex said. Both Tayla and Jacob gasped as Bryntana rolled her eyes.
"You are go, Governor," the communications officer said.
"This is Governor Alex. I need to speak to Commander Talus."
"This is Talus, Governor, how the hell..."
"That's not important. As governor of Alyson, I order you to decloak the station and prepare for the arrival of two ships--one Jarrion and one Zexx. You should be tracking us already."
"Sir?"
"You heard me, Commander. Do you have any Minotaurs aboard?"
"Yes, sir. Several, sir, including an experimental two-seat version with enhanced mobility."
"Commander, do you have a battle shuttle."
"Yes, sir."
"Please prepare it for immediate launch. We'll work out the details when we arrive."
"Aye, aye, Governor."
"Captain, a large space station of unfamiliar configuration just appeared dead ahead," the helmsman reported. "We're receiving docking instructions, sir."
"How big is that thing?" Glass asked as he stared out the forward windows.
"Twenty berths," Alex said before anyone else could reply. "No armament, but one hell of a fleet of monitoring drones.”
"How the hell could you know this?" Jacob asked, astounded at how badly their well-thought-out deception had failed.
"Puh-leeze, my brother is a hacker on par with Mars and Lucien. He had your firewalls breeched ten minutes after he sat down in his office," Bryntana informed them.
Glass raised an eyebrow as his upper facial tendrils formed a "U" shape. "Well, then, I guess we should go and dock. Captain, at your pleasure."
"Aye, commander. Communications, signal the Jarrion ship. Helm, proceed to our designated
berth."
"Aye, sir," they replied as they carried out their orders.
Glass turned to Alex. "What is this Minotaur?"
"A beast of myth," Alex explained. "Our Minotaur is an eight-foot-tall, robotic, bipedal form with the head of a bull and a body similar to my husband's. The construct's horns and tail are equipped with high-powered lasers while the hands are equipped with high-rate-of-fire machine guns. The kids just love them as gifts at the holidays."
Jaws dropped around the Bridge.
"Jacob, if memory serves, you're rated..." He stopped when he saw Tayla emphatically shake her head.
"I'm driving it, sir," she insisted as her hair went into a threat display.
Alex looked at Jacob who pointed to his sister. "Yeah, she should go."
"Fine. Make it so. I want this Princess stopped, the depot destroyed, and Joshua returned to us safely. Once that's done, the commanders and I will discuss a treaty between the League and their empires."
"Wait a minute..." the Jarrion commander started to say, but was stopped by Alex raising his hand, fingers up and palm facing the viewscreen.
"I claim this planet in the name of the League of Planetary Systems under the Laws of Salvage. Your city didn't appear until our arrival while you and the Zexx didn't show up until after the Nordicans arrived. Understand, the League takes the safety of its colonies very seriously. All I need to do is have the station send a signal and you will have an armed armada of hyper-velocity warships in orbit within an hour. I suggest you do not test my claim or my resolve in this matter."
"Damn!" Jacob whispered.
"Amen," Tayla replied while Bryntana just smiled.
The Jarrion commander abruptly broke the connection.
"OK, I guess you told her. Governor, are all your people as forthright as you?"
"No. Some are even more so."
"Great. Your League will do very well here."
"Commander, we will be docking in three minutes," the captain informed them.
"Copy that. Governor, I think your people should make preparations."
Alex nodded as the League people headed to the debarkation point.