by Trevor Wyatt
Vu nodded. “Yes, sir. I’ll go check on Sef and see to it that he gets the connection right.”
“Great work, Vu,” Mahesh said.
Vu disappeared into the archway.
Mahesh stood by and watched as Adachi managed to pilot the pod to the very edge of the shuttle bay, where the metal ended and space began.
She left the pod depressurized and the hatch open and went over to the energy cells panel to remove the covering. Then, she began to work on the wiring, removing them from their plugs and exposing the raw power source.
“We’re ready to move,” she said once she was done.
Sef and Vu came back into the shuttle bay, dragging about seven thick pipe-like wires. It was long enough to reach the pod, where they were connected to the pod’s energy source.
“Now, we need a kick,” Sef said.
“We can shut the pod down and restart it,” Vu said. “The surge should be able to set the LPS on fire.”
Then he looked up at Mahesh. “We may have a problem,” Vu said.
“What?” Mahesh replied.
Vu glanced at Sef to speak.
Sef looked at Mahesh as he spoke. “The LPS produces a large amount of radiation. This should normally not be a problem because the onboard safety system would be able to handle the radiation and keep the crew safe, but all those have been disabled.”
Mahesh knew what radiation could do to the body. But what option did they have?
“We’ve shut all the heat vents on the plasma drills to keep us from being affected by the radiation,” Vu said. “But we’re risking the event of a meltdown of the core, overheating, and a nuclear explosion.”
“Whoa—okay. Those don’t sound good,” Adachi commented.
Vu flashed a wan smile. “No, they don’t. But I’m thinking we can get to the base before any of that happens. Plus, I’ll be monitoring the panel the whole time. I assume I can power it down before it explodes or anything.”
“Let’s do it, then,” Mahesh said. “But I want everyone else in the pod because we’ll have little time to escape before the vessel rams the space station.”
They all trooped into the pod. Vu powered down the pod and then fired it up. There was a deep trembling sound. At first, the pod seemed like it was going to fail, then all of a sudden its power shot up to a staggering high level, with lights flashing everywhere.
What followed was a heavy explosion that shook the vessel and sent it into motion. They were all thrown around the pod, smashing into its sides with extreme force.
“No one said it’s going to be this fast!” Mahesh exclaimed.
There was a whining sound that was steadily getting greater. They all tried to get up, but the extreme g force was fighting them down.
“What’s that whining sound?” Adachi said above the incredible roar of the LPS.
“It means the core is about to explode,” Sef said. “We need to power it down.”
“Stay here,” Vu said, getting up to his feet and holding onto the side of the pod for stability. “I’ll go check it out.”
He exited the pod before Mahesh could say anything.
Adachi was already at the console of the pod, scanning its systems.
“Scan for ships,” Mahesh ordered her. “I want to know when we’re about to hit them.”
Then, he stepped out of the pod and saw Vu’s light as he reached the hallway that ran parallel to the LPS tunnel. At that moment, the LPS exploded, and there was a huge flash of fire that poured into the arch way, filling it up.
Vu didn’t even scream; he was incinerated in an instant.
Mahesh jumped back into the pod.
“We’re spinning out of control!” Adachi said. “The explosion set us into a spin!”
A moment later, she looked at her instruments. “We ‘re approaching a space station. We need to leave now.”
Sef was on the floor, retching.
Mahesh fell beside him, overwhelmed with grief and fighting nausea and the force of gravity.
“Get us out of here!” Mahesh ordered.
Adachi turned. “Where’s Vu?”
Mahesh didn’t reply. He only looked up at her.
Adachi’s face went dismal with grim realization. Then she nodded and activated the pod’s return protocol. The pod lifted into the air and fired out of the vessel just before the vessel smashed into the ring-shaped space station.
Chapter 11
They were in a very large cargo bay—men and women, all made to stand or sit on the ground with their hands shackled by the Tyreesian guards.
The cargo bay was spartan; all the consoles were stripped off from the walls and anything that could be used as a weapon was removed. They turned it into a glorified cell where all the junior officers of the Seeker were held.
The officers were handled roughly and moved from every nook and cranny of the ship to the rec room. Those who tried to hide in the bulkhead or hidden compartments were smoked out when the Tyreesians gassed the plumbing of the ship. They were beaten black and blue for noncompliance. It turned out that the Tyreesians weren’t subtle or cool headed—they were easily angered and quick to smack you in the face or knee-butt you with their weapons.
If the Tyreesians were taller, they’d probably go for headbutts as well.
Tira Avae kept her cool as they were being rounded up. Captain Montgomery told them to willingly turn themselves in. Perhaps, there was no use in fighting. They had a massive ship outside filled with soldiers who were hungry to spill their blood—why give them the satisfaction of the hunt?
Hunt—another word that showed just how barbaric the Tyreesians could get.
Tira and a couple of other junior CNC crew officers were escorted to the rec room. Some of them tried to fight off their Tyreesian escorts. They ended up on the floor and bled out. Tira remained silent and watched as one of her fellow officers was beaten and kicked into a pulp on the ground.
Everything she might have done would’ve put her in danger. Captain Montgomery said to remain calm and look for opportunities, and that was exactly what she intended to do. This wasn’t the time to play hero, as that would only worsen their situation. Bravery without wisdom wouldn’t be bravery—just plain recklessness. Bravery was a thing of opportunity, if one wanted to be successful. That was why she was on the Seeker in the first place, and she believed it was that same lesson that would help her get the Captain and the Seeker’s crew out of the Tyreesians’ hold.
Tira was sure that those who were beaten down by the Tyreesians felt righteous when they stood their ground against them. But Tira didn’t envy them, and neither was she inspired by their actions. She felt that what they did was unnecessary. They achieved nothing.
Once they got to the rec room, almost half of the crew members were either unconscious or seriously injured. The room was filled with soft sobbing and the smell of blood. They were surrounded with half as many Tyreesian soldiers as there were crew members. All soldiers had their weapons aimed at them.
The Tyreesians used some sort of compressed air weapon that was instantly deadly. It also had an electric stun function, which Tira had seen the Tyreesians use. The weapon, which came in all sizes and caliber, was able to fire a very compressed, pulse-like wave of air that could knock you out or slice you into two. They also had laser and projectile weapons, but the pulse weapon seemed to be a preference for this particular group.
After Tira and the CNC junior officers were led into the rec room, the leader of the detachment communicated with the control center. Then, one by one, the crew was led to step on a device that produced flashes of golden light that zapped the crew into nothingness.
Tira was well aware of what that was—the Tyreesians’ matter transporter. They had brought one of those into the Seeker as they boarded it.
She watched as some people screamed as the teleporter got a hold of them, which worried Tira about the process of going through it.
She was among the last to be teleported. One minute she was
standing on the teleporter platform, the next she was inside a Tyreesian cargo bay—a sort of storage area, only that it had been wiped clean. There were about five guards on the ground with them. They didn’t have their weapons pointed towards them this time. They only patrolled close to the exit.
The cargo bay was round with a forward ledge ahead that stood at about three feet above ground level. Most of the guards paced the ledge, monitoring the prisoners, while one was with them on ground level, keeping a close eye on them.
Behind that guard was the cargo bay door.
“If you even do as much as sneeze,” the guards said repeatedly, “we’ll open the doors and you humans will be gone, so keep quiet!”
No one moved…and no one sneezed. The Tyreesians had proven themselves to be tough and truthful, at least when it came to their threats.
Tira was in her last year in the Academy when Leader Greer made his infamous intergalactic speech to Jeryl.
Now, look where they are, Tira thought. It might have taken them years, but the Tyreesians kept their promise.
After some time, the guards started getting more and more lax, whereas the crew got more and more tired. At first, two Tyreesian guards were called away, followed by another, and then one more. Eventually, they were left with only one guard in the cargo bay.
There was no reason to have five guards. After all, the crew were all shackled up, tired, hungry, and defeated. There was no reason to think that they were still capable of mounting a resistance. They could literally be sitting under the canopy of death, because one false movement and the guard would open the cargo bay doors. If he had to do it hurriedly, he had a breather that he could quickly put on as he’d tumble towards the open cargo doors.
“We have to get out of here,” Tira whispered to Ensign Usher beside her.
Ensign Usher was a very adept tactical officer. Tira had seen him practice in the simulations and was confident of his abilities.
“What do you suggest?” he replied. “That dude is far away from us. Plus, if he opens the cargo door, we’re screwed.”
“What if he comes near?” Tira said.
“Then what?” said another voice from behind them. It was Ensign Adewale, the second science officer. He wasn’t really a fighter, but Tira couldn’t be picky.
“Then we put him down, steal his ID badge, and get the fuck out of here.”
“Stop speaking!” the guard said.
Tira ignored him and whispered to her co-plotters, “I’m going to stand up. Remain seated so he views me as a lone threat, okay?”
They all murmured in agreement.
“What are you discussing over there?” the same guard boomed.
Everyone turned to Tira and her conspirators. Some had the look of terror on their faces, while others looked angry. Some glanced at the cargo bay doors, imagining they’d open at any moment. Tira knew she was walking on a tightrope, but part of her real plan involved Captain Montgomery remaining alive. She needed to save him, so the Captain could save the crew.
“A little more,” Tira whispered.
“I said keep it shut!” the Tyreesian guard boomed again.
Tira sprang up to her feet and yelled, “Why?”
The guard’s slit widened in shock before it dissolved into rage. He pulled out a laser whip and marched towards her.
Tira felt her conspirators pulling away from her, showing the approaching guard that she was working alone. At that point, Tira wasn’t sure if they were truly abandoning her or if it was a ruse.
Tira reached for her right thumb with her left hand and closing her eyes she quietly centered herself with deep breaths as she’d been taught to do. Then, without further ado, she took her right themb and broke it. The pain shot through her body like lightning. She remained impassive despite the raging pain.
She pulled her right hand free from the restraint and set her finger back in place. It hurt like hell, but at least now she was free.
The Tyreesian flicked his wrist, sending the whip’s edge towards her face. Tira dodged, ran toward him and grabbed the whip’s handle, yanking it out of the Tyreesian’s hands as his eyes widened in visible shock. She then wrapped her arm around his neck and squeezed really hard.
The Tyreesian tried to scream but Tira blocked off his windpipe. He squirmed, making tiny, high-pitched noises. This went on for close to a minute until his body went limp. Tira let him fall to the ground.
She stripped him of his weapons and armed herself. She took his badge, which she used to free her left hand from the shackle. She turned to glance at the crew. They were all staring at her in amazement, including her conspirators.
“Who wants to take our ship back and take down these fuckers?” she asked them, her heart racing at a thousand miles per hour.
Everyone’s eyes lit up and they all nodded in agreement.
Tira used the guard’s badge to free everyone, moving from one end of the cargo bay to the other. She handed over some of the guard’s weapons to the strongest and fittest of them, keeping a laser gun for herself. Aside from her, she armed five more people.
By the time she had freed the last crew member, the guard’s communicator burst into life.
“Control center to cargo bay, come in.”
Tira tensed. Everyone stared at her.
“Control center to cargo bay, do you read me?”
Chapter 12
After he showed Jeryl what was going to happen if he wouldn’t cooperate, Veld dragged Ashley out of the cell and gave him some time to think. Then, the door was locked, the lights were dimmed, and the temperature was lowered so much that Jeryl began to shiver.
He knew that everything Veld had done up until now was part of his technique. First, Veld showed him his father, Leader Greer, who was Jeryl’s arch enemy of sorts. Then, he showed him his wife and assured him that she would suffer if Jeryl didn’t comply. Then, they dimmed the lights and reduced the temperature to make him uncomfortable.
Somehow, it worked—Jeryl couldn’t think straight. His mind was spinning.
He had a duty to the Terran Armada. Were the situation different, he would have been prepared to die as an Armada Captain. He was prepared to give up everything. Every starship captain knew that one day, they would face a choice: stand, fight, and die…or simply give in.Anyone who rose to the position of Captain was expected to make the right decision when the time came. The Terran Armada’s selection process made it very difficult for people who didn’t believe in such notions to occupy that position. Most captains were entrusted with a fair amount of classified information—information that could potentially be damaging to the Terran Armada in the wrong hands. Information that given to potential adversaries would place the lives of billions of citizens of the Terran Union at risk
The Armada trusted captains to take such information to their grave.
Jeryl wouldn’t have a problem with being tortured to death. He could hold his own. He was wired to hold his own, and he’d be ready to do so even to the gates of death and hell.
This would have been true had the situation been different—but it wasn’t. Ashley was now in play, another factor to consider.
Jeryl’s duty to his wife was equally as strong—hell, it was stronger than his duty to the Armada. He loved his wife with all his being. There was no way he could stand by and just watch her being tortured. Given the option between making a defeating broadcast to the entire galaxy or watch his wife suffer, Jeryl would definitely do the former.
Anything to save her, even if that meant his ruin.
But then, Jeryl knew that the needs of many outweighed the needs of the few. He had been privy to a lot of closely-guarded secrets that could be damaging to the Armada and the Galactic Council if manipulated by adversaries. If he gave in and spilled the beans on the Armada, or even made a broadcast that would no doubt damage the image of the Terran Union and fracture the Galactic Council, he could be condemning thousands, if not millions of lives to death.
Jeryl loved
Ashley with all his heart, but he couldn’t bear the thought of sacrificing so many people’s lives with his decision.
No, not again, Jeryl thought, his heart as tight as a closed fist.
It was difficult to tell time in the cell. It could have been an hour—or it could have been ten minutes—before the doors opened up again and Veld stepped into the cell.
The lights went up to a maximum, brightly glaring towards Jeryl and causing him to shut his eyes. He waited for his eyes to adjust before he opened them again.
Veld stood in the middle of the cell, within Jeryl’s reach. If he launched into the air, he could reach the young Tyreesian before he could even pull out any of his weapons.
“And when you do, what is next?” the Tyreesian asked.
Jeryl looked up from his utility belt to his face, wondering what he was talking about.
Veld went on, “You do not know where you are. There are a thousand and one guards who have been briefed on how dangerous you are, and they have been ordered to shoot you on sight if they find you walking around the corridors unescorted,” Veld said as he crossed his arms.
“So, tell me, the great Captain Jeryl Montgomery, when you strike me down and steal my weapons, what is next?”
Jeryl gritted his teeth. “Can’t I just strike you for the fun of it?”
Veld didn’t reply for a moment. He just stared daggers at Jeryl. Then, he smiled and began to pace the cell, placing his arms behind his back.
“You think this is a joke?” he said. “Maybe you have somehow convinced yourself that your friends or crew members will be coming for you. Or maybe you think that the broadcast you made to the Armada got to them…”
Jeryl’s heart climbed to his chest. “What do you mean?”
Veld paused and turned to stare at him. “What I mean is that your transmission to the Terran Armada was intercepted by our ship. While you thought you were communicating with the Armada, you were in fact communicating with our ship. We wanted you to come quietly with hopes of salvation. Well, no one knows you are here. For all the Armada cares, you have gone off the grid because of an unexpected opportunity for the sort of useless scientific exploration your kind engages in.”