by C. C. Ekeke
Byzlar, Lily knew his last name now, at least.
Nwosu nodded at the Farooqua next to Marguliese. “Lastly, Mhir’ujiid, from the Quud tribe, was a prisoner of the Ttaunz. She knows the terrain and which tribes are backing the Ghebrekh.”
“Captain?” Khal inquired. “Why should we trust her?” Lily couldn’t help noticing how frowning barely dulled his beauty.
Nwosu clearly anticipated the question. “Because she has a vested interest in stopping the Ghebrekh.”
Liliana gave the Farooqua a long look, mainly the fading bruises on her thin body emphasizing recently healed wounds. The doctor shuddered, only imagining what had caused Mhir’ujiid’s injuries.
“Dead weight.” V’Korram eyed the Farooqua disdainfully. “Especially since she can’t speak—”
“Standard?” Mhir’ujiid answered, drawing stares. “I’m fluent, thank you.”
Liliana’s eyes widened at the nearly accented-less reply. Khal, equally surprised, covered his mouth and guffawed. Nwosu fought back a grin. Khrome, sophomoric as ever, pointed at V’Korram with a loud “HA!” Through his thick curtain of ginger hair, the Kintarian snarled something nasty under his breath.
Corporal Uyull, the Nirandian, gestured a cloven hand at the Farooqua. “She’s who you shattered a TDF soldier’s arm to spring out?” he asked in a deep, braying tenor.
Surprise rippled throughout both Star Brigade and PLADECO. Only Marguliese remained unmoved.
Captain Nwosu shrugged indifferently. “Not his whole arm.”
Liliana was lost. “Huh?” Would there be no end to today’s twists and turns?
“Well done, oh fearless one!” Khrome’s praise drew modest chuckles, except from Marguliese, of course.
“Khromulus,” Nwosu steered the conversation back on track. “In short, we’ll get no support from the Ttaunz Defense Force. But due to how Mhir’ujiid was treated, their absence is welcome.”
Nwosu turned to Khrome. “What about those skyquakes?”
The burly Thulican stood up. “Skyquakes and lightning in Thasque occurred after another energy incident on the opposite side of Faroor.” Khrome ran short, thick fingers over the table console. A floating reddish 3D image of Faroor appeared over the table’s center. Glowing white dots appeared on the globe, the brightest symbolizing Thasque in the western hemisphere far from the equator. A second dot appeared further north on the east.
“Halfway around the world,” Marguliese noted.
“South of the Jalphec Mountains,” Mhir’ujiid pointed at the holo-globe, “near Ajjadr territory. The Ghebrekh can appear anywhere in moments.” Lily could not take her eyes off this Farooqua with her Standard.
“Exactly.” Khrome nodded in agreement. “The original source was much less pronounced in energy output, so much so that I almost missed it altogether if I hadn’t been looking for certain exotic particles.”
“Any similar events?” asked V’Korram in his usual snarling delivery.
Khrome’s round eyes swept over the gathering. “Ever since Ghuj’aega and his posse showed up two years ago, there have been hundreds. Mainly minor skyquakes and occasional lightning storms, but getting stronger each time. The last one when Taorr was kidnapped,” he spoke as he glanced at Mhir’ujiid, “was almost as strong as the one in Thasque today, with a similar echo near Kurrey.”
Nwosu mulled over this data. “So along with the impact bombings, Ghuj’aega can control weather.”
Mhir’ujiid raised her hand to speak, opening her upturned mouth. “Those impact bombs are pressurized oxygen combined with liquid xephrite, creating the heatless explosion.”
V’Korram’s green-flecked eyes studied her. “There’s plenty of xephrite in the deserts near Faroor’s equator.”
“Besides the Suthron Wastelands, that is almost entirely Gajj territory,” Mhir’ujiid added.
“How do you know that if your tribe isn’t colluding with the Ghebrekh?” Khal asked accusingly.
Mhir’ujiid’s expression was brazen. “The Quud is Faroor’s largest and most powerful tribe, making us privy to everyone else’s goings-on. Besides, the Gajj have been bartering xephrite long before the Ghebrekh appeared.”
“The Ttaunz have no record of any Farooqua weapon that’s xephrite-powered,” Tyris muttered.
“Xephrite leaves no trace when detonated,” Mhir’ujiid said, her greenish mohawk jostling about.
Habraum nodded at Fiyan. “Forward that info to the PLADECO uppercrust. But not the TDF.” The Cerc bristled. “They’ll just fubber things up.”
The Nnaxan sergeant nodded in a terse, knowing fashion. “Understood.”
Tyris narrowed his eyes. “What about Ghuj’aega’s abilities?”
“They come from the Zenith Point,” Mhir’ujiid said, glancing boldly about the room, “this world’s unifying force representing the six elements of totality. Ghuj’aega and his Ghebrekh allege direct access to its power, which is why many believe the Zenith Point chose him to correct the imbalance brought on by the Ttaunz.”
“Six elements of totality,” Corporal Uyull snorted horse-like. “Our mission’s based on Farooqua fairytales?”
The Farooqua’s blunt features hardened. “That same arrogance allowed Korvenite slaves to nearly obliterate your capitalworld.” Khal let out a shocked gasp as silence fell over the room.
Uyull came boiling up to his feet. “What—” Thankfully, Fiyan and Byzlar yanked him back down.
“The extent of this Ghuj’aega’s powers is still unknown.” Captain Nwosu raised both hands in pacifying manner. “We discount nothing.”
“Makes sense to me,” Fiyan added with a fleeting scowl at her Nirandian corporal. “What exotic particles are you talking about, Lieutenant?” she asked Khrome.
Khrome looked decidedly itching to spill. “Spatial and temporal energy particles.”
Lily’s throat was dry. She glanced at Nwosu. The Cerc’s face a focused mask, hazel-gold eyes fixed on Khrome.
“As in time/space?” Tyris scoffed. “Like old-fashioned science fiction?”
Lily eyed him quizzically. “Ty, our HQ is a starbase floating inside a gas giant.”
The Tanoeen shrugged. “So?”
Khrome addressed Tyris and Lily, “Temporal and spatial particles do exist. This is the first time I’ve seen them occur naturally. Incredible…” Khrome scanned the globe with single-minded interest.
“Khrome,” Captain Nwosu said patiently, drawing the Thulican’s attention back on track.
As if broken from a trance, Khrome continued, “Anyway, these skyquakes, and the places the Ghebrekh appeared, leave spatial markers—hollow points—all over Faroor.”
Marguliese scrutinized the globe with an arched eyebrow. “The use of spatial energy would accurately explain how the Ghebrekh can traverse all over Faroor with such alacrity.”
Khrome nodded, annoyed at having to agree with her. “Exactly. Because of what nearly happened in Thasque with the starliner, we’ll hunt the Ghebrekh via ground transport. I can augment a long-range transmat system to detect exotic particles produced whenever the Ghebrekh or Ghuj’aega does whatever they do, then sync our hovervehicle to that location and transmat there.”
“Okay.” Khal leaned back, looking impressed. “But the Phaeton’s hovervehicles can fit four at a time, and we only brought two.”
Nwosu nodded at Sergeant Fiyan. “We’ll use a PLADECO armored vehicle instead.”
“Our transport fits roughly fifteen bodies, reaches over three hundred miles per orv, and carries hundreds of armaments, all with cloaking,” Fiyan mentioned proudly, her braided craniowhisks rippling. She gestured to Khrome with her lower two arms. “Lt. Threedwok can modify the hovercraft with whatever Star Brigade needs.”
“And I will work with him to bolster the weapons array,” Tyris added helpfully.
Nwosu nodded and turned to Khal. “Lt. Al Abdullah, what do you got?”
Khal cleared his throat. “The starliner Khrome caught had 750 travelers, but
only 664 came off.”
Liliana quickly turned to Khrome, whose expression soured.
“Rogguts.” Captain Nwosu shook his bald head in palpable sorrow.
“They aren’t dead,” Khal said condescendingly. “Those passengers weren’t on the starliner at all when it landed. Thirty-six passengers were found all over Faroor. The rest are still missing.”
Liliana parted her lips then to detail what occurred to her and Nwosu during the skyquake. It made perfect sense to inform everyone. But Nwosu’s gaze pinned Liliana to her seat as he subtly shook his head. The doctor froze, confused but remaining silent.
The Captain looked away. “We have enough to start our search. Now, unless Ghuj’aega is spotted during the night, everyone rest up for tomorrow’s departure at 0630 orvs. I’ll take first watch. Dismissed.”
Marguliese rose first and ushered Mhir’ujiid from the War Room. Everyone else stood.
Lily turned to Khrome. “You were awesome today.”
The Thulican looked at her with genuine gratitude. “Thanks, LLC.”
She couldn’t keep her worried doctor side from showing. “But are you okay?”
“Liliana...” Khrome began with mock exasperation.
The doctor exhaled in exasperation. “Yeah, I know. You’re Khromestoppable.”
“Khromestoppable.” Khrome rubbed a thick thumb at his chin, golden eyes alight. “I’ll put that one under consideration.” He headed for one of the War Room’s exits as Liliana giggled after him.
“Lt. Cortes.” The PLADECO specialist strode up, lanky and compact in build under those fatigues. In normal lighting, his stony features appeared boyish and round.
“Specialist Byzlar,” she shot back, grinning broadly. “Is there a first name in there somewhere?”
“Call me Vaas, with a V.”
“Vaas, with a V.” Liliana decided that she liked the name. Byzlar smiled that big, boyish smile again.
“Move.” The massive V’Korram Prydyri-Ravlek barged through the pair, his footfalls making no sound. Startled, Byzlar jumped back. Liliana, more irritated than shocked, stepped back.
Byzlar turned to Liliana in annoyed confusion. She shrugged. “You’re not the first to complain.”
“Cortes.” Liliana turned to see Captain Nwosu behind the War Room table, watching her intently.
“Byzlar.” Fiyan waited at the War Room’s exit with Uyull in tow.
Byzlar chuckled. “Our superiors summon us. Tomorrow, more questions.” The PLADECO officers departed, leaving only Lily and Captain Nwosu.
The tall Cerc rounded the War Room with three strides and motioned her over. “You get checked on by another doctor?” she immediately asked.
Nwosu grinned exasperatedly. “The same time as Mhir’ujiid. Only some bumps and bruises.”
Lily sighed in relief. How he kept so centered and contained despite today’s insanity amazed her. Lights from the nearby console glittered brilliantly off Nwosu’s eyes. “Marguliese will see what else the girlie knows. Now, about that little incident downtown…”
Liliana stared up quizzically at his nonchalance. “Little?” She put both hands on her hips. “All due respect, sir, everyone except us was frozen for a good two macroms.”
Nwosu replied with an icy look. “I know, Lieutenant. But I’m not mentioning it to PLADECO…yet. See anything else?” Lily hesitated, until a wave of vertigo overtook her. In that moment, she remembered everything else she saw…a giant figure taller even than V’Korram, swaddled in a cloak black like pure midnight. It never turned around…or had it? The doctor told Nwosu all this in a blurted-out rush.
“I see.” He leaned back with an unreadable face. “Until we know more, keep this quiet.”
The doctor nodded eagerly. Who would believe that space-crazed nonsense?
“Another bit,” Nwosu added. “A Ttaunz requested your help for an undiclosed medical issue.”
Liliana jerked back. “Some Ttaunz requested me?”
“It’s something they need addressed quietly, for a VIP.” The Cerc placed a hand on her shoulder, clearly sensing Lily’s unease. “If this wasn’t safe, I’d never allow it. Arcturus will be with you.” Nwosu nodded at the War Room exit. “He’s waiting outside when you’re ready.”
A large part of Liliana thought it smart to just take the orders. But the doctor couldn’t help but inquire further, “I thought we weren’t helping the Ttaunz.”
The Cerc’s rugged features brimmed with humor, but his hazel-gold eyes revealed nothing. “True. But doing this little favor for the Ttaunz might be beneficial for everyone in this situation.”
“I’ll get my gear,” Lily replied obediently.
Ten macroms later, she and Tyris got off a translifter on Magnasterium’s highest floor, entering a narrow hallway much less ornate than most in this compound. For a time, the only sound was the faint echo of their footfall. The doctor felt an impending dread crawl up her skin, but hid it as best as she could. Like Captain Nwosu.
“He give details about how we’re helping?” Tyris’s cold, high voice fit their eerie surroundings.
Lily shook her head. Tyris’s dark cobalt eyes narrowed into angry slits. Normally the Tanoeen didn’t say much, sometimes his silence expressing more than his words. Lily frowned. “What’s wrong?”
“Marguliese probably knows everything,” Tyris snapped, quickening his pace.
His fury took Lily by surprise. “I doubt it, Ty.” She kept pace with the taller Tanoeen’s swift strides.
“She’s his second-in-command in all but title.” Tyris’s anger was sharp like a cold whip of wind. “Why was I promoted to commander if he doesn’t trust me to do the job?”
Lily kept quiet, not liking where this conversation was headed. Some den mother you are!
“Dr. Cortes?” a voice called from behind. Both Brigadiers turned to spot a lone figure halfway down the corridor. They approached the older Ttaunz wearing satiny black finery with his silver mane in one long braid.
“I am she,” Lily answered.
He looked relieved yet jittery with skittish energy. “I am Georn son of Jeyzyr. Nwosu kept his word. Come with me, please.” He motioned her forward.
Tyris moved to follow, but Georn blocked him. “Nwosu said to expect two, but we only need her.”
Lily stopped dead in her tracks. “Excuse me?”
Georn looked back. “We only need you. Now please come!” he said in a panic and grabbed at Lily.
She twisted away. “No!” Liliana turned to Tyris, her superior officer, searchingly.
The Tanoeen quickly rounded both Liliana and Georn to block the open doorway, whipping out and extending his quarterstaff with a sharp K-CHAK.
Georn nearly jumped out of his pelted skin. Tyris resembled a menacing sculpture of chiseled ice.
“Both or neither,” his glacial tone left no room for debate.
Liliana watched him, pleased. Now that’s second-in-command material.
Georn’s shoulders slumped in defeat. “My superior won’t be happy.”
“Too bad,” said Tyris, cold air curling from his spiky head.
Lily, more confident now, added, “You still haven’t said why you need me.”
Georn looked around the corridor frantically. “Not here. The Ttaunz…they could be listening.”
Tyris’s narrow gaze narrowed further. “Aren’t you they?”
Georn glared, but said nothing and marched into the door.
The Tanoeen shrugged. “Let’s just do this.” He gestured with his staff for Lily to enter first.
Both Brigadiers entered, the door sliding shut behind them. Georn led the duo through a dark-green hallway as he launched into his tale. “A TDF soldier overheard Dr. Cortes conversing with some UComm officer in…downtown Thasque.”
The Ttaunz winced at those last two words. Liliana’s attitude softened. She knew his grief all too well months ago after Conuropolis’s devastation. Georn continued, “I heard and did some investigating on you.” He
turned to appraise Lily reverently.
The three entered a spacious lobby-like room. The only furniture in it was a coffee table in the center with a few slim golden wristbands sitting on top.
“I approached your leader, Captain Nwosu, confidentially, mainly because you’re not Ttaunz.”
Lily frowned, feeling uneasy. “Why does that matter?”
Georn leaned in close, whispering now as if they were in a noisy room. “Because that means you probably won’t be bought or blackmailed by Defense Minister Haemekk.”
Liliana gaped. Tyris straightened up, his eyes tightening. Georn gestured to the table with the golden wristbands. “Put these on, activate, and I will tell you everything.”
The elderly Ttaunz, already with a band on his left wrist, tapped a button and faded from sight. Liliana’s heart skipped a beat.
“What the hell have we gotten ourselves into?” Lily asked Tyris, a knot forming in her stomach.
“Take my hand,” Tyris ordered. Lily did as asked, which sent an icy shock through her arm despite his fist being gloved. Tyris snatched a wristband off the coffee table and snapped it on his other wrist. The Tanoeen extended that hand. Lily hesitated, but ultimately pressed the button.
For an instant, it felt like someone had flattened the whole room and flipped it over like a playing card. Sights and sensations stretched and shrank. The flipping stopped, and Liliana found herself with Tyris in another room altogether. The space looked similar to the earlier foyer, until she soon noted the variances. The entrance was on the opposite wall, guarded by an armored Ttaunz soldier who didn’t even blink at their arrival. The room had a coffee table identical to the first room paired with a long couch. And the wall colors were a harsh red.
“Did we transmat?” Tyris whispered.
“Not exactly.” The Brigadiers spun about. Georn stood behind them with arms folded. “You are in the same space as before, but in a pocket room.”
Liliana rolled her eyes. She had experienced pocket rooms before, secret spaces within existing rooms accessed by spatial shifting technologies, an overindulgence of the Union’s wealthier citizens.