by Damon Alan
“I have a lot to learn, Admiral. I’m glad you’re here,” Harmeen said. He sighed. “I wish I had thought of that, though.”
Sarah gestured toward the main part of the bridge. “Eyes on the mission, Captain.”
Further from the star signal strength improved.
“I’m detecting a few hundred warships in the inner system,” Algiss said. “And significant signal traffic between them. They’re banging away with active sensors too.”
“They’re using coded signal traffic,” Seto verified. “They’ve got a military reason for all the activity, and they don’t want it to get out.”
What would that reason be? Surely they weren’t on full alert all the time looking for her.
“Any chance of them seeing us?” Harmeen asked Seto.
“There is a chance, sir, but it’s small… wait a second.” Seto’s hand flew to her ear, and she rapidly transferred a signal to the bridge speakers.
“— you’ve done to Alliance Officer Marika Sachelle, but she will be at these coordinates in three days. Failure to produce her will result in a demonstration of power unlike any you’ve seen before this time.”
Sarah leaned forward in her seat. That was Heinrich. The Stennis was here?
“Emille,” Sarah said, comm linked to the observation deck. “Why didn’t you tell me the Stennis was in this system?”
“I didn’t know, Admiral. They asked me to set up the transfer to a specific point in space. I joined with my peers on the Stennis and did as they asked. No name was given to the point.”
“Interesting,” Sarah said. “I didn’t know that you could be unaware of the destination.”
“It’s just numbers to me,” Emille replied. “Unless I’m there, I’m only the conduit.”
“Captain Harmeen, we need to contact the Stennis. Marika Sachelle is a friend of mine. I need to know what they’re talking about.”
“I didn’t have time to get a location on that signal,” Seto said. “Probably the Komi didn’t either.”
“And it’s a comm relay anyway, sir,” Algiss said. “I’m certain of that.”
Harmeen nodded. “Probably so. Looks like Emille is your option, Admiral, unless you’d like me to broadcast in the open.”
Sarah frowned, and shook her head. She opened the channel to the observation deck again. “Emille, I need to you let your peers on the Stennis know we are here as well. And that we wish to rendezvous. Far from here, out past the edge of the system.”
“I’ll do that, Sarah. Is something wrong? I feel your agitation.”
“I don’t know. We’ll all know soon enough.”
Moments later the Stennis and Sheffaris floated a few kilometers from each other. Sarah linked directly to the bridge of her old ship using her command codes.
“— what the stars do you mean she moved us?” Heinrich was saying angrily in the background.
“Stennis, this is Admiral Dayson.”
A two second scuffle for composure erupted from the speakers.
“Captain Heinrich reporting, sir. I’m sure there is a reason we weren’t told that we were transferring to this location?”
“An oversight on procedure,” Sarah transmitted back. “We never expected to find you here, and our joining of forces got a little confused.”
“I’d say, Admiral. I thought we had real problems for a minute.”
“Inez, what is this business about Marika Sachelle?” Sarah asked.
“An Alliance Officer, sir,” Heinrich answered. “There was a beacon here transmitting to you with a recording of her being tortured. The voice claimed to be Bannick Komi. He was demanding your surrender for the life of Officer Sachelle.”
“I see,” Sarah answered. Anger surged inside her. “Give me a moment to assimilate that.”
How could Bannick know Marika was in any way connected to her? How did he get his hands on her? And why torture her? Sarah had already shown her resolve to sacrifice, what made him think she’d collapse over one officer being mistreated?
Marika must have told him that wasn’t going to happen. Sarah loved her friend, but to give up on destroying the Hive for her? That wasn’t going to happen no matter how tragic the circumstances.
“Let me hear this beacon,” Sarah ordered.
Seto put the incoming recording on the speaker.
“Admiral Dayson. This is Lord Bannick Komi. I have a friend of yours I think you’d like to hear from.”
A woman screamed, then cursed. It sounded as if her limbs were being ripped off from the pain level Sarah knew it would take to make Sachelle scream like that.
“You might recognize the voice. Commander Marika Sachelle, Alliance scout ship pilot.”
Sachelle’s screaming renewed, followed by threats when the torture subsided.
“She’s a spirited one. Seems she came home expecting to see you, but found me instead. Like a good scout, she tried to get close to find out what was going on.”
Another round of torture, followed by sobs and expressions of Sachelle’s hate for Bannick.
“I detest this, although I’m sure you don’t believe that as you’re listening right now. I tell you what. Surrender your drive technology to me, and I will release Commander Sachelle into your custody, and you can go on your way to wherever Oasia... Oasis... whatever you little world is called is.”
Sachelle erupted in agony again. This time she begged them to stop.
“See how rapidly they break, Admiral? You should see how quickly they start to permanently lose their minds. Neither you nor I want that for this brave woman. Comply, and the torture stops. Don’t comply, and it continues on a regular schedule until you see things my way, or the Commander succumbs to her mental injuries. Entirely your choice.”
The transmission ended in Sachelle begging someone not to hurt her, followed by an instant of her screams, which were immediately cut off.
Sarah was outraged. Human beings do not treat other human beings that way. She seethed quietly to herself for a few minutes, the bridge was dead silent, sensing her state of mind.
Finally Seto broke the silence. “Admiral? Your orders?”
“I’m going to my quarters to collect my thoughts a moment. When I come back, I’ll shuttle to the Stennis,” she growled. “I came here to kill Bannick Komi, and now I’m going to do just that. And get Sachelle out of those filthy Komi hands of his.”
Chapter 29 - Admiral’s Personal Log
AI Lucy82A recording, Admiral's personal log, personal archive: Galactic Standard Date 17:45:00 24 SEPPET 15332
Personal log entry #1964, Admiral Sarah Dayson, origin Korvand, Pallus Sector.
Current Location: Deep Space, Mindari System
Rage.
I feel rage. I feel it, I want to act on it, and I am doing everything I can to restrain myself.
Marika Sachelle is my friend. We nearly died together after losing to the Hive at Korvand, but instead, when we were so sick from radiation we were puking our guts out, we supported each other and lived. And saved a lot of others.
Now that foul thing Bannick Komi has her.
How did he get her and how does he know about our connection?
[A sound the AI estimates 98% likely to be a deep throated growl]
This violates every galactic agreement on treatment of prisoners of war. It violates every step forward humanity has taken toward treating each other like people. I will not stand for it. I am going to get Sachelle back, I don’t care what it takes. I will find her, I will rescue her, and I will make her captors pay dearly for violating her well being.
If I get my way, I will kill Bannick Komi, not because of what he’s done, although that would be reason enough. No, I will kill him because of what he will do, what he’s willing to do, and what he’s capable of doing. He’s a threat that must be eliminated.
I doubt if his death will release Mindari from the Komi grip, but I will do what it takes to end his power here. Violently, if need be.
I had been mo
re than a little curious what the Komi could possible do that would buy the loyalty of the Mindari citizens, but now I’m certain I know his tactic. He’s not buying loyalty. He’s stealing it.
Control through fear.
That’s no way to live.
[A seven second pause]
End the log, Lucy.
Chapter 30 - Bricks
24 Seppet 15332
For the first time in a few days, Peter lay in bed next to his wife, his arm under her neck, her head nestled onto his shoulder.
“Eris, why didn’t you tell me that our son had sent you a message through Gaia?”
She was quiet for far too long. “Because she asked me not to tell you. Vitus wanted the first of us to know not to ruin it for the second one. I get the sense he was highly amused by the thought of talking to his parents before they even had him.”
“Or long after we had him,” Peter smirked.
“Don’t confuse this any more than it needs to be,” she said, resting her hand on his chest. “I still can’t sort it all out.”
“He’s older than we are now in those recordings,” Peter said.
“It’s weird. Really weird,” she agreed.
“Did he tell you how many kids we have?” he asked.
“No, but it’s at least three since he mentioned brothers and sisters. Well, five if you consider the plurality of those words,” she replied. “Does it scare you?”
He bent his arm and caressed her hair as he thought about that. “I think it does.”
“How about the fact that you and I stay together our entire lives?”
“What?” he exclaimed. “He said that? Oh, by the stars, now THAT is scary.”
She jabbed her thumb into his ribs, making him howl.
“No, no,” he said, pleading for mercy. “I swear, I’m good with it.”
“Good with it?” she snarled, rolling to the side and pinning him down.
“I mean happy! Ecstatic!” he said, begging as she pushed the thumb further into his flesh. “Let me up!”
She relented, and they both lay back on the pillows again.
He kissed the top of her head. “Seriously, I am ecstatic. How many couples get to know it’s going to work out all the way ahead of time?”
“We might be the first who actually have proof going into our lives together,” Eris responded. “Our kid’s a good looking man. Didn’t tell us much about himself, though.”
“Maybe he didn’t want to alarm us, or mess up the timeline. We admit we have no idea how all this time travel stuff works, maybe we’d screw it all up.”
“It works one-way,” Eris said, with a hint of fear in her voice. “We know we’re going and never coming back.”
Peter sighed. It was true. They were leaving this fight behind. “Did he tell you when?”
“No. He said he loved me.” She sucked in her breath, and Peter knew the emotion of the moment was getting to her. A son she hadn’t even given birth to yet loved her.
“Hey, it’s going to be fine. We go together, and we rebuild a world from what Vitus said. Using adept technology from the future ten thousand years before the time the adepts even exist.”
“Isn’t any of this a paradox?” Eris asked. “I mean, the adepts are setting up the conditions for their own existence. That’s got to break the rules somehow.”
“If you believe Emille, then the universe is conscious. It’s simply setting up the conditions that provide the cure for the current sickness that inhabits it. Almost like it gave, will give, or is giving itself medicine. And Doctor Jannis told me that Merik said time was like a wall, that we only see the part we have our hand on, but that the entire wall exists in both directions as far as a human could conceive.”
“Most walls don’t take a brick from one section to fix another.”
“Someone might if that would repair the wall, and make it stronger,” Peter replied. “And I just realized that we’re now comparing ourselves to bricks.”
“Sometimes I feel about that smart,” she said.
“You are the smartest person I know,” he replied, kissing her head again.
“Awwww….”
“After me, of course,” he added. “No thumb! No thumb!” he bellowed as she moved her hand.
“That’s right, mister. You better show the thumb some respect. If you don’t respect my mind, you can respect my retaliation skills,” she giggled.
“You know what?” he asked.
“What?” she growled, thumb at the ready.
“Two things. First, I respect you more than anyone. Second, we should practice our skills if we’re going to make such a big family.”
She laughed, dropping her hand back to his chest. “Why, Peter Corriea, are you coming on to me?”
“Here, let me show you what I’m doing,” he answered.
It was strange knowing that not only would they live long lives, but have a large family. But he felt he could weather any storm with this woman by his side. She would birth the future of humanity, and he’d be right there with her.
They lay the bricks of their relationship deep into the night, a foundation growing ever stronger.
Chapter 31 - A Gesture of Kindness
24 Seppet 15332
Commander Sachelle cringed as Bannick entered her cell. Her hair was matted with sweat and her eyes were sunken with a lack of sleep. Her hands in shackles, a thin cable bound her to the wall by her cot. Despite having a bed, she sprawled on the floor, her arms held up from the ground by the cable. She was rank with her own body fluids, sweat, spit, and maybe vomit.
Her cell had a toilet, which was not the case for every prisoner. Still, it was her only water source. He didn’t want to be on her side of the equation, bound to the wall, drinking from the same container she evacuated in, with no way to see to her own cleanliness.
It wasn’t just her that smelled vile. It was the cell too. The room itself had a palpable air of despair, a sense of foreboding and impending death.
Places like this had their uses. But it didn’t change that in his heart he wished no such torments were necessary.
She didn’t speak when he stood close to her. He half expected her to attack him with her legs, they weren’t bound. The woman’s spirit was remarkable, he’d seen battle hardened Komi soldiers break long before now.
“I’m sorry to see you suffer,” he said quietly. “Believe it or not.”
“I believe you,” she replied. Her voice was raspy, hoarse from the screaming she’d done every day for many days now. “Come closer and we can hug it out.” She spread her elbows, gesturing with her head that he could fit between her arms.
“You have earned my admiration, which is why this will stop now,” he said, ignoring her offer to break his neck. “If you wish, that is.”
“Why should I believe you?” she hissed at him. “You’ll get my hopes up, maybe even give me a few days of reprieve, then start all over.”
“No, I think not. But only time will let you see the truth of that. I don’t torture anyone without cause. The reason for you being tortured is that I promised Sarah Dayson that I would do so.”
“Sarah? Why would you promise her that?” Sachelle asked.
“Because you’re important to her,” he replied. “Don’t think that she wanted it, if that’s your question. From what I understand you and her survived quite the trial together. Rest assured, she has not turned on you.”
“I didn’t think she had,” Sachelle said. “It’s your twisted mind that thinks that way, not mine.”
“Fair enough. We Komi certainly are morally ambiguous, I won’t deny it. But we are also the center of power in the largest empire the human race has ever seen.” He knelt down to be closer to her face. “I’m trying to find a path to peace with you. Maybe help you live through this ordeal.”
“So there is something you need that the stick won’t provide.” She turned to look him in the eyes. “I’ll do anything I can to see you don’t get it.”
&
nbsp; “Since it’s nothing you have any control over, you’ll pardon me if I’m not too worried,” he said, smirking. “I’m sorry for what has happened to you. As I said, it stops now. In a moment I will order my people in to see to your hygiene and any medical care you need. You’ll be given suitable quarters. Two guards will be assigned to you and you’ll be given freedom to move about your part of the ship.”
“And you want me to be grateful? Say, ‘Thank you oh Lord Komi, great man and benefactor of chained and tortured maidens?’”
He laughed.
She may never have broken completely under the pain of torture, but now he’d never know. Fortunately for her, his other plans were more important than any curiosity he might have about the issue. “I don’t know where you come from, but wherever it is, they build people far harder than anyone I’ve met before.”
“You’re talking about your torture?” she asked. “I’m from Srarach. I’d seen worse than your torture room before I bled my first time. The planet was cold, and the cold drove cruelty into our souls. The Korvandi Monarchy used to send battalions into the Wildlands, trying to bring order to the clans. It was rare when any soldiers returned alive. After a while the monarchy settled for controlling the cities and a few dozen kilometers outside of them. Guess which side of that civilization wall I lived most of my life?”
Standing up, he intended to end the conversation with her. She was, in her heart, a barbarian and he saw that now. “I will provide the things I promised you a moment ago.”
“So you can take it away later?” she asked, laughing. “Seen it all before.”
“I am not like the people from your world. I can only give you my word.”
“You want to make it up to me? Trade me places and see how that works out for you.”
He smiled wanly, then left the room. He had to have Sarah Dayson fighting on his side if the plan he had in mind was to work. Otherwise he’d just have Sachelle killed and be done with her.
She had too much willfulness, and to admit the heart of the matter, that made him uneasy. Maybe four guards on the woman would be a better idea than two.