As Terrie passed an open door to his right, he glanced in. Angela was hunched over her gunner’s console pulling levers and pushing buttons in a blur of motion. A pang of regret and longing swept through Terrie.
Will this be the last time I see her? Terrie wondered.
Until this moment, Terrie had only thought he loved his wife. But now he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt he loved her. Someone had once told him a person never really appreciated what they had until they lost it. Terrie swore if they made it out of the battle alive, he’d spend the rest of his life appreciating the woman who possessed his heart.
Then the door was past, and Terrie lost sight of Angela. He ran straight for the short stairs leading to the cockpit. At the same time, he drew his phase rod and activated it in destructive mode.
“Margery,” Terrie yelled. “Open the door.”
“Noncompliance, wizard scout,” said Margery. “The door is locked from the inside.”
Terrie hit the cockpit door with the full force of his battle suit. At the same time, he swung his phase rod at the door’s locking mechanism. Both he and the phase rod bounced off. Terrie hit the steel planking of the crew’s dining area with a loud thump.
“The cockpit is encased in titanium,” said his battle computer. “The captain has energized it. The cockpit is now protected by a creallium shield.”
Terrie jumped up and began pounding on the cockpit’s door with both fists. “Sergeant Ron! You’re going to kill the kids. You’re going to kill your grandchild. The Commandant wouldn’t like this. You know he wouldn’t.”
* * *
Tia didn’t understand what was happening. The Defiant was no longer heading towards the destroyer. After guiding the two torpedoes through the destroyer’s rear shields, she had fully expected the Defiant to fire another salvo. But the Defiant had suddenly changed course towards the gate behind the destroyer. And, the Defiant’s portside plasma batteries were firing at a significantly reduced rate. The destroyer was using the lull to concentrate its fire on the two zippers.
“Tia,” said Matthew. “The black recon ship is on my tail. My shields are at twelve percent. I’m not going to last much longer.”
Tia twisted her Zip fighter in a hard, hundred and eighty degree turn. A dozen energy beams and lightning blasts came within meters of her ship, but none hit. As she straightened out her turn, Tia lined up on Matthew’s zipper. The black recon ship was directly behind her friend’s Zip fighter lining up for the kill.
“Dodge right when I tell you,” Tia ordered.
Without waiting for a reply, Tia slammed the button for the remaining two anti-ship missiles still under her left wing. Her Zip fighter vibrated as the missiles’ engines activated and sped them towards Matthew’s zipper. Tia reached out with her mind and grabbed hold of both missiles’ guidance systems.
Stay calm, she thought. It’s just like playing bongo.
“Dodge! Now!” Tia shouted.
At the same time, Tia pulled the trigger for her zipper’s forward-plasma guns. She knew they were too light to penetrate the black recon ship’s shields, but she fired them just the same. Sometimes it just helped to shoot something.
Matthew’s Zip fighter dodged to the right just before the two anti-ship missiles passed through the point in space where he’d been a split second earlier. Guided by her telekinesis, the missiles sped towards the center point of the black recon ship’s cockpit. Anti-missile missiles shot out from the recon ship. Before they could strike Tia’s missiles, her salvo of plasma rounds hit the leading missiles of the recon ship’s return fire. Bright explosions lit the area in white and yellow flashes of light. One of Tia’s anti-ship missiles was destroyed. The other missile struck the shield protecting the black recon ship’s cockpit.
A flash so bright it momentarily activated the sun-filter on the windscreen of Tia’s zipper lit the area. The windscreen cleared almost immediately as the explosion dissipated. In spite of the ferocity of the explosion, Tia could tell the black recon ship was unharmed.
“The recon ship’s forward shield is down to eighteen percent,” said Margery. “Too bad your second missile was destroyed. I calculate it would have been able to break through.”
Tia didn’t have to look at her heads-up display to know she was out of missiles. She was young, but she’d learned early on to keep a running total of expended ammo in her head. Failure of a pilot to do so usually meant death.
Streaks of energy shot out from the recon ship in her direction. Other streaks made their way to her left in the direction of Matthew’s zipper. Tia dodged her Zip fighter to the right. Most of the energy streaked past without hitting their target. However, two beams of energy along with a solid chunk of metal hit her forward shield. Her zipper shuddered so violently Tia’s head hit the control panel in spite of the fact she was wearing her shoulder harness.
“And that’s why fighter pilots wear helmets,” said Margery. “By the way, you’re on a collision course with the recon ship. Recommend you take evasive maneuvers.”
Before Tia could respond, Matthew called from his zipper. To Tia, her friend’s voice sounded steady, but even so, she detected a sense of panic behind his calm exterior.
“I’m hit,” said Matthew. “My shields are down to two percent. I’m sorry, Tia. Tell my mother and grandfather I love them.”
A wave of emotion swept over Tia. She replied without thinking. “Tell them yourself.”
Without giving her logic time to overcome the desires of her heart, Tia shoved the hyper-drive’s acceleration lever to maximum velocity. She was immediately pushed back in her seat as the Zip fighter jumped forward. Tia struggled to move her hand to the eject button. It was only a handbreadth away on the armrest of her pilot’s chair. But the g-forces were too much. Her gloved hand remained pinned at her side. Memories of Tia’s family flashed through her mind. Her thoughts were overridden by an image of Matthew. The black recon ship grew in size until it took up her entire windscreen. Tia was overcome with a deep sense of regret. She knew she would never see Matthew again.
* * *
Matthew struggled to dodge the incoming balls of energy from the recon ship. The destroyer had stopped firing, apparently out of fear of hitting their own recon ship. But the destroyer’s lack of fire mattered little to Matthew. With only two percent shields remaining, he had no doubt the next volley from the black recon ship would destroy his little zipper. He had little doubt his death was imminent. Matthew resolved to give his death meaning.
Pulling his zipper into a hundred and eighty degree turn, Matthew headed straight for the black recon ship. He fired his last remaining anti-ship missile and pulled the trigger of his plasma cannon. If he was going to die, he’d go down fighting. Matthew only hoped his mother would be proud of his final moments.
“I’m hit,” Matthew said over the Defiant’s com-link. “My shields are down to two percent. I’m sorry, Tia. Tell my mother and grandfather I love them.”
The com-link was silent for a second. Then it crackled.
“Tell them yourself,” said Tia.
A shudder of fear swept over Matthew. Something in his friend’s voice scared him. Without warning, a streak of bright-blue energy lit the sky to Matthew’s right. A part of Matthew’s mind registered the energy as the exhaust of a hyper-drive. Logic told him it could only be from Tia’s zipper. The streak of blue headed straight for the black recon ship. The energy made contact with the recon ship’s shield. A violent blast erupted from the front of the recon ship.
“Their forward shield is down,” said Margery. “Your anti-ship missile will make contact in one second.”
As soon as Margery finished speaking, another explosion erupted to Matthew’s front. It was followed by a larger and even more violent secondary explosion.
“The black recon ship has been destroyed,” said Margery. “Recommend you decelerate immediately to avoid colliding with the debris.”
Matthew reacted instinctively and pulled back on the zipp
er’s thrusters. The agile Zip fighter responded immediately as its forward movement slowed to a near stop.
“Tia,” Matthew said. “We got it.”
There was no reply.
“Tia,” Matthew said growing fearful.
The streak of hyper-drive exhaust from a zipper and the resulting explosion on the black recon ship’s shield flashed through his mind.
“Tia!” Matthew said more forcefully. “Answer me!”
No answer.
“Margery,” Matthew said. “Plot me a course to Tia’s zipper.”
“The other zipper was vaporized when it hit the recon ship’s shield,” said Margery. “Tia’s zipper destroyed the shield. That’s why your missile was able to get through.”
Matthew’s belly gave a spasm. He felt as if someone had punched him in the stomach. Tia’s face flashed in his mind. In that moment, he suddenly realized how much he cared for the feisty fighter pilot. He realized how much he loved her.
She can’t be dead, Matthew thought. Life can’t be that unfair.
Margery began speaking again. Matthew barely heard her.
“Now that the black recon ship is out of action, I calculate the destroyer will be turning its weapons back on you,” said Margery. “Recommend you pick up Tia and exit the area post haste.”
“Wha… what? Matthew said trying to make sense of the computer’s words.
“I said you need to pick up Tia,” Margery repeated. “I’m sending her coordinates to your nav-computer.”
“She… she’s not dead?” Matthew said as the image of the blue streak and the resulting explosion flashed back into his mind.
“No, of course not,” said Margery. “What kind of battle computer do you think I am? I activated the Zip fighter’s ejection seat before her zipper hit the black recon ship’s shield. But if you don’t hurry and pick her up, the destroyer is going to start bombarding this whole area. Then you’ll both be dead, and there won’t be a thing I can do about it.”
Matthew wasted no time in turning his zipper in the direction of the blinking light on the hologram. He had to get Tia before anything happened to her.
Alarm bells interrupted Matthew’s thoughts.
“Too late,” said Margery. “The destroyer has got a lock on you. Your shields are still only at two percent.”
“Recommendations?” Matthew said desperate for any kind of plan.
“Sorry,” said Margery sounding as apologetic as a computer could sound. “I have none.
Unfortunately, neither do I, Matthew thought.
Chapter 45 – Ambush
_____________________________________
The area in Jeena’s soul which had been empty all her life seemed less empty. She let her mind drift. Neither thoughts from the green sphere nor the thoughts of the Lady intruded into the quietness around her. Jeena felt a sense of peace. The empty spot in her soul had always frightened her a little when she’d been a child. The spot didn’t frighten her now. In fact, the sense of peace she now felt made her smile.
How could I have been so foolish? she wondered. There’s nothing here to be frightened of.
But doubts began to surface, and Jeena started to worry she might be wrong. She sensed something ahead. Whatever it was, the something was getting closer. Jeena stopped the movement of her mind. The something stopped as well. Tentatively, Jeena began stretching out her thoughts towards the something. It began reaching out towards her also.
Jeena drew Power from her reserve and silently said a spell to protect her mind. The Power converted to magical energy. She finished thinking the words of the spell. The magic energy transformed into a shield between the something and her. Jeena sensed the something forming its own shield. The something’s shield wasn’t magical. It seemed to be composed of pure Power.
How? Jeena wondered.
Jeena sensed an emotion from the something. The emotion seemed to be a question or perhaps a request.
This one is the helper, came a thought from the green sphere. You can trust this one. He has the knowledge to close the gate. You have the Power and skill. Do it now. There is little time.
Jeena hesitated. After all, what did she really know about the spheres?
Don’t you trust me? asked the green sphere.
I’m not sure, Jeena answered honestly. But I promised I would help, and I always keep my word. Tell me what I need to do.
A memory from the green sphere gave Jeena the idea of sending out a line of Power towards the something; towards the helper. As soon as she conceived the idea, Jeena drew Power from her reserve and began transforming it into magical energy.
No, said the green sphere. This one cannot use magic. You must use your Power to create a link between your staff and the helper. Allow the staff’s Power to flow to the helper.
Why? Jeena said. She was worried. There were too many unknowns. How do I know this so called helper won’t use the Power of the staff against me? I’ll be defenseless.
He won’t harm you, said the green sphere. This helper is one of us. He can be trusted.
Jeena still hesitated.
The oracle said I could trust the spheres, Jeena thought, but how do I really know for sure? For that matter, how do I even know I can trust the oracle? He is from the old legends. But does that mean he’s trustworthy? What if everything I’ve experienced up until now is a ruse?
You said the helper is one of you, Jeena said to the green sphere in an attempt to probe for more information. Do you mean he is a dragon?
This helper is… different, said the green sphere. But he can be trusted. After a pause, the sphere added, He is an elf friend.
That caught Jeena by surprise.
An elf friend? Jeena said unsure whether to believe the green sphere. The dragon Rasianate was declared an elf friend by High Lord Skyfall. But Elf Friend Rasianate died in the battle of the Algosa Seas. Your helper cannot be Elf Friend Rasianate.
No, he cannot, said the green sphere.
What is this elf friend’s name? Jeena demanded. And who declared him such?
I did, said a voice in Jeena’s mind. It was the voice of the Lady again.
Lady? Lady? Jeena said unable to believe what she was hearing.
In all of Jeena’s 320 years of life, the Lady had never spoken to her. Jeena wondered if she were being tricked. Only High Priest Questor could speak to the Lady, and then only through emotions and feelings
Who am I that the Lady speaks to me with words? Jeena wondered.
Jeena shook her head to clear it. This must be a trick, she thought.
It is no trick, said the green sphere. The High Priestess Shandria and the High Lord Carndador declared this helper as elf friend. He was the first.
Before Jeena could ask further questions, the green sphere spoke in a voice tinged with fear. The time of decision is now. Either trust the helper or don’t. But decide now. In a few more heartbeats, it will be too late.
Jeena heard no further words from the Lady. However, she did feel a sense of calm assurance pass over her. Jeena made her decision.
Reaching out with her mind, Jeena removed Power from her reserve and created a link. She attached one end of the link to the Power in the Staff of the Lady of the Tree. Jeena moved the other end of the link towards the something; towards the helper; towards the one who she prayed was indeed an elf friend as the green sphere said.
Without warning, the link was snatched out of her control. She sensed Power from the blue gem in the staff being drawn towards the helper; towards the elf friend. Jeena tried to stop the flow of Power, but the link to the staff was no longer responding to her commands. Even worse, because the link to the staff was formed with Power from her reserve, the helper had a direct line to her Power reserve as well. The realization hit Jeena that if this was all a well-laid trap, she’d soon be dead.
What have I done? Jeena thought.
Chapter 46 – Trading Power
_____________________________________
The oth
er lifeform, the green sphere’s supposed helper, sent a line of Power at Richard. The frequency of the Power seemed strangely familiar. The Power was intermixed with another Power frequency he didn’t recognize.
The line of Power tried to form a link to Richard’s reserve, but he knocked it aside before it could lock into place. He wrapped the end of the link with his own Power and held the link at a safe distance.
Nick, Richard said. Analysis?
Create an active scan and give me control, said Nickelo.
Richard did so.
After a few nanoseconds, data began rushing into Richard’s shared space.
This can’t be right, Richard said. The Power inside the link is the same frequency as High Priestess Remozorz’s staff. Is it her? Is Rem the presence I sense? Is she the helper?
No, it’s not the gnome, said Nickelo. She died almost 90,000 years ago. However, the Power inside the link appears to be from her staff. Your active scan is picking up the frequency of the blue gem the kids mounted at the top of the staff.
I sense another frequency as well, Richard said. What is it from?
Unknown, said Nickelo. The other frequency you’re sensing is from the Power that formed the link. It is from the helper.
I know this sounds strange, but I almost feel as if the second frequency is familiar as well, Richard said. He was perplexed by the whole situation.
It should be, replied Nickelo. The frequency is similar to the frequency of the elf you were with on your first mission for ‘the One’.
Shandria? Richard said excitedly. Are you saying Shandria is alive?
Negative, said Nickelo dashing Richard’s budding hopes. I’m saying the frequency is similar. I calculate the creature is linked to the same Power reserve the elf Shandria used. However, it isn’t her.
Then who? Richard asked.
Insufficient data to speculate, said Nickelo sounding a little defensive. I’m a computer, not a psychic.
Wizard Omega (Intergalactic Wizard Scout Chronicles Book 4) Page 43