The Agathon Book 3: Sword Of Stars

by Colin Weldon

  “Risky,” Boyett said widening her eyes.

  Barrington glared at her in a way that let her know that this time, it wasn’t a debate.

  “No margin of error,” she said to him, “or you know what happens,” she finished in a whisper.

  “Hang on,” he said looking up at the tactical readouts on the screen above him.

  Carrie, I need your exact location. I’m going to jump the ship inside that thing, he said in his mind.

  No, you’re not! Carrie replied.

  “That’s an order, now follow it!” he shouted out load.

  Boyett turned; he waved her away telling her to ignore him.

  His vision began to blur and the bridge began to fall away in a shimmer of broken light. The walls crumbled and Barrington found himself floating in mid-air, surrounded by an image he hadn’t seen since his own captivity. Everywhere he looked there were acres of twisted metal and moving objects. Numbers began flashing through his mind. It was the core. He could see the turning cube and spider-like creatures scurrying about. The image faded away and he was back on the bridge. He turned instantly to Boyett’s console and began tapping in the coordinates, much to the surprise of Boyett.

  “Where did you get that from?” she said.

  “Never mind, release the FTL ring and prepare to jump on my order,” he said.

  “Aye, sir,” replied Boyett.

  Barrington returned to his seat and glanced up at the Ruthenium home world when it happened. Amidst the war that was unfolding before his eyes, a huge beam of light burst out from the atmosphere in all directions. It was like a ripple you’d see on a pond with wave after wave pulsing through the atmosphere and spreading out into space.

  “What the hell?” he whispered to himself.

  “Sir, readings just went off the scale,” Ripley said, “some sort of special distortion.”

  The waves spread outwards, passing through the Ruthenium battle ships and the Targlagdu vessels. The ships seemed unaffected by whatever it was. The ripples themselves appeared to be a pale grey in colour. Like a shock wave from a supernova.

  “What is it?” Barrington said.

  “Whatever it is, it doesn’t seem to be having any effect on the surrounding vessels. I can’t get a reading on the composition of the energy. It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen, sir,” replied Ripley.

  Carrie, you still there? he said in his mind.

  I am, she replied.

  Then hold on, we’re coming to get you. Be ready, he said.

  RUTHENIUM HOME WORLD

  Tark’An watched the molten core as it spun so fast the colours melded into a solid red. He stood at the edge of the Sword of Stars and marvelled at the power of it. Wave after wave of the star destroying energy flowed upwards and out in every direction. There was no going back. It was the end of their world. Above, in orbit, he could see his people as they fought the approaching machine planets. He wished that he could be there with them and knew that most of them would die before this day was out. He looked North, and watched as the last of the transports ferrying his people made their way to the porthole. He then glanced back, across the Sinnian planes and over the Alcore mountain range, and wondered if he would ever witness such beauty again.

  It’s just a rock, he thought to himself, we’ll find another one.

  He felt a hand on his shoulder as Drak’Lk snapped him out of his daydream.

  “We’ll find another one,” Drak’Lk said to him.

  “Your Eminence, it’s time for you to leave.”

  “No, my friend, it’s time for US to leave.”

  “I cannot go with you,” Tark’An replied, “if the machine stops functioning … someone must stay behind to repair it.”

  “That is not true. You wish to cross over to the next battle field, to be with Sien’An and Shri’An, and while I would probably want to do the same thing, I believe that they would wish the contrary,” Drak’Lk said, “you have other children, I do not.”

  He paused

  “Did I ever tell you about my fight with the Lien’Nx beast?” Drak’Lk asked.

  “I thought that was just a story?” Tark’An replied.

  “Most people believe it to be just a story, but I can assure you, it was very real,” replied Drak’Lk leaving his top left arm on Tark’An’s shoulder, “I hid in a cave, not far from the peak of the highest range you see over there. For many cycles,” he paused “too many to count. I was badly wounded. After realising I would die of thirst I decided to walk out across the desert and let the beast do away with me. Better to enter the next realm on your feet.”

  Drak’Lk folded his arms behind his back. Another wave of energy burst from the centre of the spinning core.

  “I left the cave, no weapons or armour, and I walked out across the desert and met the beast head on. I spread out my arms and wished it to take me, but it did not. It would seem that the animal was no stranger to sacrifice and chose, of its own free will, to let me live. I looked up at all those eyes, that huge head and mouth of endless teeth and for the longest time, I could not figure out why, until now,” he said staring into the molten metal.

  “It must have known I was defeated. It could have eaten me, had a hearty dinner on my bones, but it saw no honour in it. No victory,” Drak’Lk said, “that beast is still out there, this time it is the one defeated, soon to wiped from existence.”

  Drak’Lk turned his head to the sky.

  “Look up,” he said.

  Tark’An followed his instructions.

  “There is no more time. The Sword of Stars does not need your personal attention any more. It needs nothing,” Drak’Lk said, “it needs your life even less, so come with me now, and let’s fight together, you and I, until the end.”

  Tark’An watched the darkening skies above as the endless beams of light from the battles cut through each other. He looked down and saw both of Drak’Lk’s right arms extended with their palms opened wide. He wasn’t sure if he should take them or not. He was tired. Tired of it all.

  “Do you wish me to beat you into submission?” Drak’Lk said.

  Tark’An smiled and for a moment wondered if the old man still had the skills that Shre’Lk demanded. Probably not.

  “Very well,” Tark’An finally said taking Drak’Lk’s hands in his.

  “Then let us depart this dead rock, for that is all that it is,” said Drak’Lk.

  THE AGATHON

  “FTL ring deployed, we’re up to seventy percent, coordinates locked, ready to punch it,” said Boyett from the flight chair.

  Barrington watched the tactical display as the cool blue waves of energy from the planet continued to flow upwards and outwards.

  “Is that going to have any effect on us?” he said aiming the question at Ripley.

  “I don’t know, sir,” Ripley added.

  He turned back to Boyett.

  “Charly, when you’re ready, jump the ship. Stand by on the cannon, we’ll need to use it,” he said.

  “Yes, sir, jumping in thirty seconds, hold on to your hats,” she said.

  TARGLAGDU VESSEL

  They’re coming, aren’t they? asked The Black, inside Carrie’s mind.

  Carrie didn’t answer. One of the machine spiders had stopped and was gently caressing one of her fingers with its needle like protrusions.

  Carrie? repeated the voice.

  Carrie watched, helpless, her heart filling with fear.

  “Mother,” she whispered, “help me, how do I get it out?”

  A bolt of current shot through her body again. She couldn’t even scream. Her teeth ground together as her body contracted again.

  Stop that, Carrie, if they come for you I’ll kill you. I’ll twist your intestines into a knot. Squeeze your heart until it explodes, said The Black, it knows we’re talking, look down.

 
Carrie shook her head to try and clear the tears from her eyes. The cube, the heart of the Targlagdu vessel had begun to glow.

  Hold on, Carrie, they’re coming, came her mother’s voice from somewhere off in the distance.

  In that instant, a blinding flash of light erupted in front of her. A ship, her ship burst into the space directly ahead of her, it’s spinning FTL ring moving around the ship so close she felt like she could reach out and touch it.

  I won’t let you go, you hear me, I’ll crush you, came the growl inside her.

  Carrie focused on the ship, the FTL ring slowing to idle. Then she felt something else, a strong new presence.

  What is this? said The Black.

  Carrie felt the new presence as it began to form an image in her mind. It was Maya.

  Hello Carrie, don’t worry, I’ll help you, Maya said

  Another bolt of pain shot through Carrie’s muscles. She screamed again, but as she did she felt the power in her muscles return. She could move. She could feel. A bright beam of energy shot out from the bow of The Agathon, weapons fire. The energy beam struck the cube with precision, tearing straight through its core and sending thick chunks of metal into the surrounding structure.

  “ ... rrie ... Move it!” came her father’s voice over the comms.

  Carrie drew in a breath and with one shot fired off an explosive electrical burst against her restraints, vaporising the little mechanical creatures instantly. The tendrils released their tight grip. She steadied herself in the free floating environment using her palm thrusters and directed herself towards the ship.

  “Carrie?” he said again anxiously.

  “I’m on my way,” she replied manoeuvring around the slowing turning FTL ring.

  “Doors are open, Carrie, get your ass inside,” her father’s voice said.

  An explosion from below her caught her attention as the cube finally blew apart.

  “Shit,” she whispered before changing direction and manoeuvring past the spinning ring to the open airlock door.

  35:

  THE AGATHON :

  BRIDGE

  “I’m in,” Barrington heard Carrie say over the comm system.

  He was already out of his seat and staring at the screens, which showed a cluster of insect like machine things attaching themselves to the hull.

  “Seal it up, Charly, get us the hell out of here!” he shouted as he watched the escalating explosions in the central core.

  “Sir, the FTL is offline. That last hit knocked out the primary coolant system. The Betty won’t respond,” she said, “those things are trying to cut through the hull, sir.”

  Barrington grabbed his chair and hit the comm.

  “Engine room, report,” he said.

  “John, we’ve got a problem down here. The coolant distribution node has dislodged from the main control panel. We can’t get access as it’s still flooded,” he heard Tosh say.

  They were dead. Without the FTL system, they were doomed.

  “Tosh, charge the exterior hull plating and send a bolt through it, we have company. Charly, take the controls. Tell Carrie to meet me in the engine room,” Barrington said.

  “Yes, sir,” he heard her say.

  He was already jogging to the rear of the bridge.

  ENGINE ROOM

  It just so happened that the two of them reached the main entrance to the engine room at the same time. Carrie didn’t stand on ceremony. Before the doors to the room could open, she had her arms wrapped around her father and was giving him the tightest embrace she had ever given him. He returned it in kind, but pulled her away after a few seconds.

  “Let’s catch up later. I may need your help here,” he said smiling to her, “it’s good to see you and thanks for breaking my ship by the way,” he said mock pointing at her as the doors to the engine room opened. He felt the deck shudder as the outside world exploded around them.

  She smiled back at him.

  “It’s still inside me,” Carrie said as they entered.

  “We’ll get it out, don’t worry,” Barrington replied as he scanned the room looking for Tosh.

  Carrie followed him while opening up her mind, trying to sense The Black. Maya had stopped it, somehow. She searched for her on board the ship.

  Maya, are you all right?

  She felt her, as if she was standing next to her.

  It’s looking for me Carrie, the dark thing; I’m scared, Maya replied.

  Stay where you are Maya, I’ll come to you soon, Carrie replied

  Okay Carrie, Maya replied

  “John!” Tosh said breaking Carrie’s concentration.

  Barrington turned to see Tosh beckoning him to the section of the engine that housed the main drive plasma of The Betty. He moved quickly towards him. They reached Tosh who looked at Carrie for a moment.

  “Carrie,” he said, “welcome home.”

  Carrie nodded to him, but he had already turned back to her father.

  “There, see?” Tosh said pointing to one of the main coolant tanks standing upright next to the engine.

  Barrington turned.

  “That last hit knocked out the main regulator. It’s at the bottom of the tank. We can’t drain it and we can’t filter it through the primary actuator, so unless we find a way to get it back in place, we’re dead in the water,” Tosh said.

  Carrie moved past them both to get a better look. Sure enough, she could see the flat square circuit board sitting at the bottom of the tank. The ship shook again, causing Carrie to place her hand on the tank to steady herself.

  “John,” she heard Tosh say in a quiet tone, “someone’s got to go in there and manually put it back in place.”

  Carrie looked at her father. Her mind was still open and she could sense what he was thinking. He glanced at her and she suddenly felt anxious. It was sorrow she was feeling. Not from her, but from him. He had already made the decision.

  “What are you doing?” she said feeling a blinding panic.

  ***

  There was only one call to make. He couldn’t order anyone else to their death. Carrie already knew what he was about to do. She had been thinking the same thing. He took a step towards her and placed his hands on her shoulders.

  “They need you more than they need me,” he said to her knowing she wasn’t going to accept it.

  “No you’re not,” she said angrily, “I’ll do it.”

  He reached beside her to the comm panel and activated it.

  “Charly, this is the captain,” he said.

  “Sir, it’s a real shit storm up here. Whatever you’re going to do, we need to do it now,” she replied.

  “Hold her together, Charly, you’re in command now, you’re ready. The ship is yours. Get ready to jump, you know what to do,” Barrington said.

  “Sir?” a shocked Boyett said.

  “It’s been an honour, and by the way, don’t forget Chavel,” Barrington said cutting off the channel before Boyett could respond.

  He looked at Tosh who didn’t know what to say. Carrie grabbed him by the arm.

  “I’ll do it,” she said briskly.

  Barrington knew he had to act fast before the situation got out of control. He turned, grabbed her by the arm, and glared into her eyes.

  “Defend this ship,” he shouted at her, “that’s an order! Get through the porthole. We don’t have time to debate this. Now move, Carrie,” he said to her as he quickly moved past her and began climbing up the hand holds to the top of the main engine walkway.

  “Wait,” Carrie said desperately, “I can’t lose you both.”

  He felt sadness, but determination as he stepped up onto the platform. He couldn’t let the grief for Carrie, or even for himself, take control of the situation. He would have to face the fear of his own death. He’d probably have thirty seconds befor
e his body would become frozen solid, maybe less. He had to focus, had to make sure he got the job done. Boyett could command the ship, of this he had no doubt.

  Please, let me do it. I just got you back! Don’t leave me, he heard Carrie crying out in his mind.

  He stood over the main access panel to the coolant tank and began cranking the handle to open it up manually. He lifted the circular cover and peered down into the clear liquid. A shiver ran through him.

  Thirty seconds.

  “Dad,” he heard Carrie shout up to him.

  He chanced one last look at her and looked deep into her tear-filled eyes, the agony written all over her face. He strengthened his resolve to get the job done, and then an image appeared in his mind. It was Jennifer, She was smiling at him, and suddenly he didn’t feel so alone, so afraid.

  “I love you, Dice,” he yelled down to her before turning back to the tank.

  He took a deep breath, steadied his nerve, and dove in. The coolant on his skin was like a million stabbing knives. He fought the urge to scream as he desperately tried to keep his eyes open. It felt like someone was pouring acid in them. He gritted his teeth and began to swim down to the bottom. His hands were numb already; he had to keep looking at them to make sure they hadn’t broken off. He reached the bottom of the tank and used muscle memory to pick up the square shaped circuit board. He began to lose the feeling in his legs, his vision was becoming blurry and his mind fuzzy. He probably had seconds left to live, but he had to do this last thing.

  Just one final thing.

  He took the circuit board, and with great effort, kicked his legs and sent his body towards the holding jack where it had fallen out. He felt light, drunk, his limbs were floppy. He tried raising his arm, but it wouldn’t work.

  You can do it, come on, you can do it, came Carrie’s voice from miles away.

  He had one last breath, one last ounce of strength. He screamed and let out the last of his air, using the strength to raise his arm and in one smooth motion, inserted the board back into place. The freezing fluid free-flowed into his lungs, burning his insides for a moment and then the pain subsided. He felt his body convulse as it begged for oxygen. He began slowly rotating in the liquid and watched as the vision in his left eye went black. His eye implant locked onto Carrie’s crying eyes.