Peter was waiting at the top of the ramp for Tim. He raised a hand to hurry Tim, then dropped it again, his attention captured by one of the ground crew. “Motherfucker! Grim’Zee, is that you?”
The two-legged Yollin named Grim’Zee turned and almost dropped the stacked catering trays he was carrying when he saw it was Peter calling. “Peter?” He steadied the trays a little. “Good to see you, my friend!”
Peter waved Tim aboard and jogged down the ramp and over to the Yollin. “What are you doing here? I mean, I get that you decided to be a cook, but I thought you stayed on Yoll?”
Grim glanced down at his chef’s whites. “I got bored being in one place, so I decided to work my way around for a while. I just need to finish up here, and we’ll catch up a minute.”
Tim boarded the ship and made a beeline for Sabine, having no wish to run into Tabitha in case he’d pissed her off being late. He followed the sweet scent of Sabine to a small, clean, cargo bay where he found her getting Demon comfortable.
He tapped on the door as he entered, more out of good manners than for any other reason. “Hey, babe.”
Sabine looked over from the crate she was kneeling next to and smiled warmly. “Hey, you made it. I thought Tabitha might leave without you.” She finished unpacking Demon’s bedding and got to her feet.
“She probably would have, but Peter bumped into someone he knew and bought me a few minutes to get aboard.” He walked across the cargo bay and offered his hand for Demon to face-bump or ignore as she wished. “How’s my favorite feline today?”
Demon chose to greet Tim this time. I am excited about the hunt.
Tim made a face, taking a seat on one of the crates Sabine had arranged to create a cubby for Demon. “You know, I don’t think we’ll be doing too much fighting today, Demon. We’ll be ready for it, but I’m convinced that these ships are filled with people needing our help.”
Sabine lifted her chin, her eyes cold. “We will help them, and then we will find out who made them run and repay them with the same hurt.”
Tim shifted on the crate, getting a splinter in his ass for his trouble. He stood and reached around to pull it out from where it had lodged in his pants leg. “Unless a threat comes knocking, we’re not going to see any action. I’m just not getting an aggressive vibe from these ships. They’re too bunched up to implement any kind of attack.”
Demon yawned affectedly, her long tongue overlapping her lower jaw. You may come to whatever conclusion your inferior senses tell you. There is a fight coming.
Her tail made one precise swish, and then another. I can taste it.
Devon, Interdiction
CEREBRO did not stand the Interdiction down completely. The satellites lay dormant for now, but they were ready to burst into action should CEREBRO command it.
The incoming fleet was within weapons interception distance but was not replying to the message CEREBRO had playing on all known frequencies.
More disturbing was the miscalculation CEREBRO had made when counting the number of ships headed their way. They did not make errors, yet there were only forty-nine ships on the approach.
Commander Kinley spoke. “Status, CEREBRO. We’re entering the Interdiction zone. What are we heading into?”
“The fleet is still some distance away,” CEREBRO reported. “They have not responded to my hails.”
A large gate spiraled into existence in the distance, and the SD Adrastea slid out, a shadow of death against the star-pricked backdrop. The Achronyx Gated in next, followed by ten more battleships. CEREBRO checked the status reports of each ship as they spread out to form a defensive line.
When they got to the Achronyx, they asked nicely.
The fleet as a whole slowed rapidly at the appearance of Devon's defenders, apart from a small group of ships that veered off from the main mass, apparently unwilling to find out what kind of welcome awaited them.
Over on the Achronyx, Tabitha waved her arms and yelled at the viewscreen. “Where are they going? There's nothing that way for millions of kilometers except asteroids.”
Sabine shrugged. “Maybe they’re not the visiting type.” Her poor attempt at humor did little to mask the concern she felt. Demon’s prediction had stuck with her, and she could not shift the unease that smothered her like an itchy too-big sweater.
Tabitha turned back to the screen showing the mismatched collection of ships. “What are they waiting for?”
Seconds later, one of the splinter group exploded.
Peter jumped to his feet. “What the fuck?”
Tabitha became even more animated. “Tim, get someone over there.”
“Already on it.” Tim lifted his hands. “What’s going on here? The other ships are still just sitting there. CEREBRO says they’re still not answering, either.”
Tabitha dropped her popcorn back into the secret compartment in her chair, then pulled her sleeves and touched the soft bands around her wrists to activate them. “Well, if they don’t want to answer, I guess I’ll have to break in. You know, to check that they’re okay.”
She relaxed her arms in her lap and her fingers began to move, going through the motions of typing on her crossed leg. “Just… And the translation…” She looked around with a slightly too-bright grin. “We’re good. They’re trying to get to High Tortuga, they don’t know why they’re here.”
Tim’s head jerked up. “Are you in their systems?”
Tabitha grinned. “Nah, I hacked the speaker system on the lead ship. They’re arguing about where they are and what to do. Wait, I have their cameras, too. Achronyx, feed it to the viewscreen and get me up on theirs. Let’s see if we can get them chatting while you keep digging.”
A number of frightened and angry voices came from the screen, then a grainy image appeared that stabilized into a view of the bridge on the lead ship.
Tabitha sat up and raised her hands in front of her. The crew was made up of a few different species, none of which they’d seen before. “Well, hello. Welcome to Devon.”
The startled crew of the other ship clammed up when she spoke, but that was fine. Tabitha had never been one to let stunned silence get in the way of starting a conversation. “I’m glad to see there’s someone there, although why you were ignoring us is a mystery. Who are you, and what brings you this way in such a hurry?”
The silence dragged on. Tabitha pouted. “Achronyx, why aren’t they talking to me?”
One of the alien crew spoke finally. “The gods of war have pursued us across half the galaxy. We are in desperate need of a safe place to hide, but we dare not pause for long.”
Tim stood to get a better view of the screen. “We can offer you all sanctuary,” he told the alien.
“Hold up a minute,” Tabitha told them. Achronyx, does their story check out?
It appears to, Achronyx replied. I’ll keep searching.
Another voice cut over the first. “We cannot in good conscience risk any more lives. It is wrong to ask for anyone to defend us against the insurmountable. Anyone who helps us will be destroyed.”
Tabitha tilted her head. “Let me get this straight. You’re being chased by some big-bad and you don’t think you can win, but you don’t want to ask for help because you don’t want to put others in danger?”
The alien made a hand gesture that the translation software interpreted as a variant of a nod. “Thank you for your generous offer, but we will be on our way.”
Tabitha raised her eyebrow. “Um, no. Like Tim said, we’re granting you sanctuary. You will be safe here. We will handle whoever was chasing you if they show up.”
The aliens looked as though they would refuse again, but Tabitha held up a finger. “No arguments. Sometimes the universe lends good people a helping hand, and today’s your day to receive it.”
She waved her hand to cut the connection and turned her head to make a comment to Hirotoshi about how effective the Mom Voice was, then sighed when she remembered that he wasn’t there.
Peter
reached over and covered her hand with his for a second. “You’re missing your Tontos?”
Tabitha blinked away the shine that threatened to escape her eyes. “A little.” She sighed at Peter’s questioning look. “It’s the damn hormones, okay?”
“I didn’t say a thing,” Peter promised.
Tim looked up from the console he was using to communicate his orders to the defensive line. “I’ve sent them a safe route through.”
The ragtag fleet began to move again. Slowly, the ships began to make their way through the gap in the defensive line on Tim's command.
Achronyx spoke up in Tabitha's mind when the procession was about halfway through. We may have a problem.
What problem? she asked.
Most of these ships have no prior affiliation with each other. Looking at the flight path of each ship, I was able to ascertain that the fleet grew in size as it traveled. There's only one explanation for that.
Tabitha was focused on a speck of light that had just blinked into existence some way behind the refugee fleet. Are you going to tell me what it is?
The twinkling point bloomed into the familiar pale light of a Gate. An Ooken ship emerged, making Achronyx’s reply redundant.
They've been driven toward us.
Chapter Twenty-One
Location Seven, QBS Izanami
Bethany Anne and Michael met Addix in the bay with the drop doors.
Alexis, Gabriel, and K’aia hung around near the back of the bay, talking among themselves while the adults prepared to get the rescue underway.
Alexis leaned up against the wall with her arms folded, her bottom lip set to a certain petulant angle. “I still think we can be more useful than Mom and Dad are allowing.”
Gabriel shrugged. “Pouting about it isn’t going to make them change their minds. Besides, we’re responsible for helping Izanami prepare the triage area for the rescued crew.”
Izanami floated over. “I had the bots deliver the supplies we need for the task to the bay next door.”
“Like that’s going to take long,” Alexis grumped. She got off the wall and raised her voice enough to be heard. “Mom, can’t Izanami use the bots instead, and we come with you?”
Michael fixed Alexis with a stern look. “Didn’t we have that talk about duty not so long ago?”
Alexis nodded, still pouting. “This isn’t going to take long, and then we’ll just be sitting around.”
Bethany Anne looked up from checking that the knives in her boots were secure. “If that’s the case, the three of you can grab some game time until we get back.”
Gabriel whooped, pumping the air with his fist. “See, I told you we wouldn’t be bored. We can play some of those ancient games Aunt Tabitha recreated for us.”
K’aia’s reaction was somewhat more subdued. “Oh joy, more games.”
Alexis narrowed her eyes at her mother, looking for the catch.
Bethany Anne raised an eyebrow. “You will be running the APA scenario under Izanami's guidance. Team training is essential for bonding, after all. Go!” She waved her hands at them. “Get started. We’ll be back soon enough.”
Michael watched the children leave, then turned to Bethany Anne. “Are you sure about taking us through the Etheric? What about the armor issue?”
Bethany Anne held out a hand for Addix to take. “That’s why I had us switch out for the lighter armor. It’s a risk if we get caught in any big fights, but we’re not planning on that.” She smiled pointedly at her husband. “Are we?”
Michael shrugged. “I wasn’t planning on it. However, if anyone does start one, I will have no choice but to end it. We are not at home now.”
Bethany Anne rolled her eyes. “Men.” She took them into the Etheric and brought them out in a shadowed area behind the outpost wall. The pit they have the prisoners in is near here. Let’s get this over and done with, so we can get on with the actual war. She led them out and into the outpost, using the crawl spaces under the buildings as cover.
Addix peeked over the ledge and looked around, her mandibles showing more bemusement with every turn of her head. What kind of layout is this? It’s chaos.
Michael looked at the Ooken construction, which was more of what he and Bethany Anne had seen previously. It is how they build. I quite like the style. It’s efficient for the way they move.
I think you must be mad, Addix replied. I’ve never seen anything so convoluted, and I’ve visited Triome. You know how weird that place is on the senses if you move your head too quickly?
Bethany Anne snickered. We went there in a delegation one time, and Darryl threw up so often I ended up sending him back to the ship. She ventured out of the shadows, sensing that the area was clear. It’s not going to matter when there’s no Ooken architecture left to debate.
They made good progress. Since the Ooken didn’t use the ground at all they didn’t think to check there, making it relatively simple for the three to work their way along without being spotted.
It’s always a bonus if I get to use the enemy’s cultural ignorance against them, Bethany Anne remarked as she and Michael waited for an Ooken to pass overhead so Addix could make her way across to them.
Of course, it isn’t a new tactic for you, Addix chuckled.
Her humor melted away when another Ooken joined the first and they paused on the walkway overhead. Oh, screw this. I can use the environment to my advantage, too. She leapt and grabbed hold of the underside of the walkway, then worked her way over to Bethany Anne and Michael that way. I have to mention how much easier this is without pounds of useless fabric hanging from my body.
She dropped onto her feet. I also prefer this light armor to the regular heavy armor. Here’s to traveling through the Etheric all the time.
Bethany Anne snickered. Nice try, but no.
I thought it was worth it, Addix told her good-naturedly and pointed. Is that the pit they’re keeping the Leath in?
Bethany Anne and Michael looked in the direction Addix was indicating.
Michael’s lip curled when he touched the minds within and felt their fear. It is.
How many? Bethany Anne asked.
Twenty-one, he replied. Too many for one trip?
Hmmm. She conferred quickly with ADAM and TOM, then sent a message to Izanami with the details of how many to prepare for. No, we’ll be fine. Addix, you’re on. We’ve got you covered.
Addix stayed low and darted across to the six-foot cage over the top of the pit. She ducked so as not to be seen and whispered to the Leath below. “Hello, my name is Addix, and we’re here to get you out of there.”
The Leath looked up. “No. You can’t do anything.”
Addix risked standing enough to peer down into the pit. Twenty-one angry Leath stared up at her. “You don’t look very subjugated,” she commented, testing the cage and finding it could be easily broken. “Why can’t we do anything? Come to think of it, why did you allow them to take you in the first place? I watched it happen, and you backed down a bit quickly for Leath warriors.”
“Do we look like warriors?” one of the Leath hissed. “We’re merchants. We took a consignment for a Federation general to pay for fuel to take our family home to Leath, and those abominations took our young.”
Bethany Anne heard all this from her place in the shadows. She sighed angrily, rubbing her eyes with a thumb and forefinger. Why do they always take the kids? Doesn’t matter where we go or who “they” even fucking are. They always take the kids, and I fucking hate it.
Addix and I will take care of getting the Leath free, Michael assured her. You work on getting their young to safety.
Bethany Anne walked through the Etheric—right into the pit with the Leath.
Who all but shat themselves.
She held up a hand. “I know, I’m not supposed to be here. Big surprise, the human lied. Now, if we’re all done with the truth part, let’s get you all the fuck out of this pit so I can do what I do best and reduce this fucking planet to rubble
.”
The Leath remained frozen to the spot until Bethany Anne clapped her hands. “Come on. I haven’t got all day. Your children need to be rescued.”
Devon, Interdiction, QBS Achronyx, Pod Bay
The six fighter Pods spread out as they exited the Achronyx.
They formed up loosely behind Peter and went straight in to attack, pushing back against the smaller Ooken ships that were nipping at the tail end of the refugee fleet.
The Guardian teams joined the line, pushing the drones into the path of CEREBRO’s tender care—and the railguns mounted on the satellites.
Tim took a position where he could see the whole operation to direct it and accepted the request for communications from the lead refugee ship.
“Commander,” the captain’s trembling voice began. “We are sorry for this attack. We did not want this.”
Tim dismissed the apology. “This was their plan all along, and there’s no blame to any of you. You were only ever bait as far as the Ooken were concerned. It’s us they want. Just keep everyone calm and orderly and moving. The sooner you’re all safe behind the line, the sooner we can deal with them.”
Tim requested a private channel with Peter. “I’m pretty fucking nervous, Pete. What if it all goes to shit out there?”
“Then it goes to shit and you deal with that,” Peter replied. “You’ve got this, Tim. It's your show. I'm just here to remove the unwelcome houseguests from my front door.”
“You know, paternity leave only counts if you actually leave,” Tim pointed out. “You didn’t have to come out here today.”
Peter's humor faded at the reminder of why he was here. “This is every bit as much of a part of my duty as a father as changing Todd's diapers. My son will have a place to live in safety, and the people who fled this way in terror will sleep soundly tonight in the knowledge we are watching over them.”
The Kurtherian Endgame Boxed Set Page 92