Chronicles of a Space Mercenary 3: Vengeance

by Ronald Wintrick

  Behind us other groups of ten moved forward under the cloaking night but none were visible when I glanced back. We were the lead team on this street and we would take the first brunt of the attack when it came. We would then be on our own until further groups could reach us to assist us, if they weren’t already busy. On top of that I had no hard logistics detailing the force we faced. If the Vaes had suspected a buildup of trained Fsyth fighters it would have been only logical that they would have imported sufficient fighters and military grade weaponry to repel us. I held up my hand and brought our group to a halt.

  “You’re right.” I told Serrath. “We’re sitting ducks bunched like this.” I turned to the rest of the reptiles in my group. “We’re separating or they’ll take us all with one blast. Scatter and skirmish.” I ordered and then relayed the command through my wrist-bot to the groups under my command behind us on my street. Bherlon could run his street and the other Commanders theirs, however they wanted, but I was running mine my way. I would be no reptile’s cannon fodder. I only further scrutinized the reptiles of my own group a moment longer but I could see these weren’t stupid reptiles. Serrath sprinted across the street at that moment, the massive blast-rifle light as a toy in her hands and I took that as my cue to follow while the rest of the group came to a mutual conscious decision and every reptile went in a different direction.

  Serrath didn’t mean to give up point however and by the time we had raced six blocks up the street- it seemed only to take a moment- all hell had broken loose behind us.

  Chapter 48

  We came to a skidding halt to glance back at the firefights which had erupted up and down the long street and to assess our position but it appeared we had outpaced the attack. They probably watched as we ran right through but had waited for the bulk before attacking. That meant they wouldn’t be far behind if the battle back there didn’t go well for our team. Like fireworks in the night and accompanied by the usual thunderclaps the battle raged for ten blocks straight- and that just what was visible on this street alone. This was more a war than an act of piracy but it was an undeclared war so the participating Monarchs could still smile in each other’s faces and pretend the two races were friends.

  In that brief pause we watched a dozen or more Fsyth target the base of a twenty-story building from which withering fire was raining down on the streets below. They continued firing into the building until the entire structure began to give way- a matter of moments only- and with its main structural supports blown away began to collapse. It came down with a roar and shaking of the ground beneath our feet felt clearly though the Fsyth coordinated attack had already switched to the next target as the first building had begun to come down. The second wouldn’t be long following the first, and so on and so forth, but I had places to be and didn’t have the time to watch the show. The Vaes were not faring well, at least not on my block. “Let’s keep moving.” I said as I moved.

  “There’s not going to be much left of this city to claim as salvage.” Serrath said as she easily ran at my side. My breathing was even and measured the blast-rifle light in my hands. The Fsyth equivalent of adrenaline coursing through my veins as my reptilian physiology responded to the struggle for life. If a reptile wasn’t fighting for his life he was dying, had always been my philosophy. When you grew bored with life was when you began to die and it was hard to become bored when half the Universe was out to kill you.

  The fighting died down behind us as we ran. Up and down ten blocks my fighters had either conquered or been destroyed but I couldn’t think about that. I couldn’t think about what the odds were going to be once we actually reached the mine. The further chance there would be a military-grade resistance and ten times as many Vaes fighters as we’d already fought- a possibility that would almost surely put an end to this endeavor immediately no matter what size blast-rifles we were carrying. I didn’t get long to think about it however because the high-wall barricade surrounding the mines just then came indistinctly into view ahead through the descending fog as the street made a slight bend and straight up the street lay our destination.

  The mining complex itself was situated on the crown of the surrounding landscape at the very heart of the city and now plainly visible not six blocks further up the street. The street came to an end at the wall surrounding the mining complex. A Feudal castle might have been easier to storm, was my first thought. We came to a halt and Serrath threw her blast rifle to her shoulder. I knew what was coming next and mine spoke only the briefest moment after hers.

  The twin balls of bright energy snapped across the span and slammed into the wall. The twin explosions left gaping holes in the thick layers of brickwork and which let the bright lights of the mining operation itself within show through their rents, but I was busy with the blast-rifle as it kicked against my shoulder and within moments the whole visible section of the wall was collapsing, the way open and clear. Getting through our new opening would be the trick was my opinion.

  Serrath’s intuition could always be trusted in such moments so when she ceased firing and sprang for the walkway between two buildings I was right there behind her. The auto-cannons that spoke behind us ripped the street apart where we had just been. The explosions so close behind slapped us from our feet and tumbling down the walkway but we were both up immediately no worse for wear. These reptilian bodies could take a beating and despite some scrapes and bruises I felt more ready than ever.

  One of the cannons stalking us had a firing avenue into the building sheltering us on the mine side and it was pouring its fire into the building hunting blindly for us. Two could play that game apparently and they were going to be just as ruthless as we were. We ran as the building beside us shook. Things had once again gotten ugly.

  As the building behind us began to collapse in upon itself we raced down the walkway between the buildings on the opposite side of the block and had just about reached the next street when our view of that street erupted in the brilliant yellow of auto-cannon devastation as yet another weapon opened up on our approximate location down the open firing avenue of the next street. They were firing right into the buildings to root us out. The explosions were marching towards us front and rear and we were caught in the middle like mice in the maze. We came to a quick halt as the concussion of the new explosions buffeted us down our enclosed walkway.

  “Well this is it.” Serrath leaned close and yelled into my ear to be heard above the explosions of the auto-cannon fire chiseling itself through the building beside us. It wouldn’t take long to do its work. Just then the building behind us collapsed and completely filled the walkway and our avenue of escape in that direction.

  “We climb that debris.” I yelled back. There was no other choice and we would be entirely exposed as we made the attempt but there was no other choice. The building beside us was going to come down and bury us- that is if the auto-cannons didn’t get us first. The mouth of the walkway in front of us was filled with the explosions of auto-cannon fire and to go further in that direction was certain death. I turned and sprang back the way we had come with Serrath hard on my heels but it was then as we ran for our lives that we heard the first concussions of much larger auto-cannons barking down on the mining complex from the sky above. Once again we came to a skidding halt to look up in search of whatever new player had entered this fight but the fog was thick now and all we could discern were the numerous flashes of light high in the fog above. The source of the numerous flashes of light above weren’t visible to us but the massive explosions that shook the ground under our feet and came from the direction of the mines gave me an immediate feeling of unbelievable relief. That feeling had everything to do with the fact that the auto-cannon pounding its way through the building towards us had been silenced.

  The firing from the sky only lasted short moments and the work was finished. The mine’s heavy defenses had been entirely neutralized.

  Chapter 49

  There were surprises still in store for us as the
victorious Fsyth street fighters finished mop-up operations and we grouped for our final attack on the mining complex. The air or space-craft which had assisted our attack were silent or gone but surely we wouldn’t be forgotten. Whatever payment would be expected for that aid would be asked for in its good time- it always was- but we would cross that minefield when we got to it. I wasn’t expecting the reptile defenders to lay down their arms. Stereotypically reptiles as a group are known for fighting it out to the last lizard. In other words I was still expecting stiff opposition before we would be able to call this day a total victory.

  It wasn’t until we had crossed half the remaining distance to the shattered wall- without resistance- that we saw the white flag hoisted upon a thin little rod and hanging listlessly in the fog high upon the wall of a section which had somehow avoided complete destruction. There wasn’t much that had, at least not that I could see from my vantage. What I could see from my vantage was devastation and destruction. Then a single reptile came climbing out over the rubble of the breach Serrath and I had created. The reptile was carrying a blaster in each hand but she wasn’t pointing them in our direction. The blasters weren’t for us because they had already served their purpose.

  “Are you seeing what I’m seeing?” I asked. I had great vision as a reptile but it was still hard to believe what I was witnessing. The mind didn’t want to accept the reality of it as it was too fantastic to be possible. Such things normally always were and yet…

  “Hold your fire!” Serrath snapped out at the reptiles behind us- never mind that I was now in Command. Twenty-six members of my original fighters had survived- the largest group of survivors in any of the ten Commands- and now the rest had gathered to fight under the most successful combat leader. It wasn’t a new experience for me. I instantly recognized the looks of admiration and submission for what they were. They would follow the strongest until another proved stronger- so I had grasped that power immediately. Never leave for later what can be taken now was a good motto to live by. I was now the Commander of this group- what little remained of it- but it was Leethea who was running down the street towards us as the floodgates inside the mining complex seemed to be released and mobs of beings began pouring out of every opening which had been created. There were thousands of them. Leethea gained our side;

  “What in the hell took you so long?” She demanded as soon as she reached our side. She was talking to me though of course. I’m the perfect patsy and I always will be.

  “Serrath didn’t want to rescue you.” I said. “I practically had to drag her along.”

  “That’s a lie.” Leethea said as she looked my arms over. I supposed she was looking my arms over for the claws marks from Serrath having to drag me along and not the other way around. Point made she added; “I am so glad to see you two.”

  “We’re glad to see you.” Serrath said. “We came but we didn’t think we’d ever walk out of here again.”

  “What happened in there?” I wanted to know. The fleeing mine workers continued to pour out of the wreckage of the mining complex and many had stopped to congregate around us their saviors. There were a large number of Fsyth I noticed and all looked hungry, ill-kempt and tired but ready to serve.

  “All they needed was a spark.” Leethea said with a predatory grin. “I may have helped ignite that spark.”

  “She didn’t even need us.” Serrath told me then turned back to Leethea; “How did you manage that?”

  “With a thin little carbon pipe I freed from the plumbing system.” Leethea answered. “After that it was the Vaes’ blaster he was kind enough to loan me when he decided to take a nap. The Vaes were very comfortable and assured of their impregnability but I knew the two of you would find a way.”

  “They were impregnable.” I said. “Those weren’t my ships.”

  “They weren’t?” Leethea asked. “I thought they were yours and that’s when I started the revolt. Who did they belong to then?”

  “Those were the Queen’s ships.” Ex-Commander Bherlon offered stepping forward humbly after having remained quiet up until that point. Only two of his fighters had survived the street fighting and he accepted his new status without question. Reptiles followed successful leaders and he had not been successful. The highest ranks were held by the strongest reptiles and no reptile in this bunch would ever follow him again.

  I had been a little surprised I’ll admit at how easy power could be seized among reptiles but not so surprised I hadn’t immediately reached out and taken for myself what was mine. It wasn’t my first experience seizing power from those who are weaker or slower of wit. That when all it took often enough was simply to speak up at the appropriate moment. I have never had a problem speaking my mind, I do it often, and once in a while I even hit an appropriate moment- though I will admit with some reluctance that there is almost always accompanying violence. It goes without saying that you need to be good at both.

  “I’ve never met the Queen.” Serrath mused as she pondered similar thoughts. I didn’t need to smell Serrath’s pheromones to know what she was thinking in a moment like this. These Fsyth could be used for our greater goal was what she was thinking because I was having similar thoughts. The Fsyth could come and go on a Kievor Trade Station at will was what I was thinking- that and the fact that a great number of them could be aboard a Trade Station without arousing any Kievor suspicions. The Kievor seemed to trust reptiles in a way they never would with mammals while I was never one to turn down a glaring opportunity.

  “I’ve no doubt you will meet her very soon.” Ex-Commander Bherlon replied. “I’m sure she will wish to assure herself of your fealty while Fsyth Regulars take physical possession of the mine.” Bherlon’s eyes were lowered in deference so I couldn’t look into them to infer the depth of the meaning- if there was more being said than what was on the face of it- but I had clearly understood Serrath’s statement, though I doubted any present would guess at the depth of her ambition. I knew Serrath and what she was thinking as well as the depths of her ambitions.

  Why in the hell not I thought as well as something else which occurred to me. It might be exactly what we needed to accomplish our larger task.

  “I look forward to it.” I told Bherlon pleasantly with absolutely no hint of duplicity in my voice, though I wasn’t sure who I was convincing.

  Chapter 50

  “The Queen won’t be long in making her presence known.” Serrath commented as all looked to us for orders. “Do we stay or do we go?”

  “What are the two of you hatching now?” Leethea wanted to know. “Why would we stay here?”

  “Marcrune is the Commander here. We merely await his orders.” Serrath replied.

  “Why can’t I ever get a straight answer from either of you?” Leethea asked.

  “You’re about to get your answer.” Serrath said with a nod out into the fog and then a flick of her eyes which indicated she wanted Leethea to move away from us. Leethea got the picture and casually moved away out into the crowd which eagerly accepted her as the champion who had begun the rebellion within the mining complex itself and which immediately gathered around her to heap their praise upon her.

  While Leethea took her accolades from the freed miners I searched where Serrath had indicated and within the billowing white blanket of fog shrouding us soon caught a blurry movement which moments later solidified into and became hundreds of assault-floaters which had quietly moved in through the thick fog. They were all around us, I ascertained with a quick glance. It was then that I noticed Bherlon’s vengeful look as he now stared openly at me, and the malicious twist of his lips which I knew to mean he thought I was about to get mine. My immediate thought was that he was absolutely right. Apparently there were other rules involved which I hadn’t been aware of because I hadn’t done my homework. Serrath noticed the direction of my look then noticed Bherlon and suddenly a little piece of sharpened carbon ripped through his neck. Bherlon staggered back with blood squirting while I gave Serrath a loo
k.

  “Did you have to?” I asked though clearly spoken in his look had been his murderous intent. A reptile did not take Command of the Queen’s soldiery on his own authority unless he was prepared to fight for dominance and by the look on Bherlon’s face it had been clear he hadn’t thought the odds were in my favor. As always I suddenly found myself inadequately prepared.

  “I do so hate leaving undead enemies behind myself, even if they aren’t technically my enemies.” Serrath replied while we watched Bherlon’s lifeblood pump and my blast-rifle covering him just in case. It was then that a larger attack-floater separated itself from the mass above and floated down towards us. It was the Queen or I wasn’t a reptile. She was big but wiry which meant she would be both faster and stronger meaning she would be extremely hard to kill in single combat. I’d get no such up-close opportunity however I was suddenly sure as I looked into her eyes and saw the assurance of my death within them. Plainly she had not inherited her Throne- clearly she had gotten it the old fashioned way and looked more than capable of keeping it that way- but that did not mean she would extend me the same opportunity. She looked really pissed off and her teeth were plainly in view. I decided then and there that it wasn’t a good thing and that bad things were going to happen.