“Unfortunately, only the destroyer is ours,” Sal replied. “It had a broken motor and couldn’t join us for battle…not that it would have made any difference. The rest are invaders. With that many craft, there have to be thousands of Shaitans in the city.”
“Don’t move,” Calvin said, catching a flash out of the corner of his eye as another shuttle landed next to the destroyer. This one was different; it was about triple the size of the earlier shuttles. While they watched, the shuttle’s ramp came down and a platoon of armored Jotunn marched out with laser rifles at the ready.
A Shaitan galloped up and pointed with both right arms, and the Jotunn jogged off in the direction indicated.
“Is there any chance of getting the destroyer off the ground?” Calvin asked. “That’s the only thing out there able to go through the stargate.”
“No, it needed a part we couldn’t replicate,” Sal replied. “Only one of its motors works; it would be suicide to try to take that past the fleet in orbit.” He paused, then asked, “Do you think you could fly one of the Shaitan shuttles?”
“I don’t know,” Calvin replied. “I flew one of their ally’s shuttles and was able to get around in it; however, these look different. If everything is labeled in Shaitan, probably not. I don’t speak Shaitan, nor does my suit know enough to attempt a translation.”
“What about the giant’s shuttle?”
“I could probably decipher the instruments on the Jotunn shuttle, but I doubt I could reach everything I needed at the same time.”
“Well, we need to get off the planet before the city falls and we get captured,” Sal said. “If we get caught, we’re dead.”
“I agree,” Calvin said. “So what are our options?”
“We can’t take the destroyer; it’s hard down.”
“I doubt I can read the instrumentation in the Shaitan shuttles,” Calvin said.
“So, it’s going to have to be the Jotunn shuttle. You’ll have to take off and either find somewhere to hide, or wait until the Shaitans leave and come back here. Eventually, your people will come and hopefully they will find you. It’s not a great chance, but it’s better than the one we have right now.”
“What do you mean ‘I’ have to do all those things?” Calvin asked. “Don’t you mean, ‘we’?”
“No, I meant ‘you’ will have to do them,” Sal replied. “You and my children.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to provide cover to get you out of here.”
“How are you going to do that?”
“With the destroyer.”
“I thought you said it was broken.”
“I said one of the motors was broken. The other one is operational, and if I can get it running, I can use its weapons to clear the spaceport of resistance.”
“And how are you going to do that?”
“See the tube going from the ground to the ship?”
“Yes. What is it?”
“We use it to load water. I’m going to swim up through that, get into the destroyer, turn it on and provide cover for you.”
“You can do all that?”
“If I can’t, no one can,” Sal replied. “Hopefully, the ship will still think I’m Captain Skrelleth and follow my orders. There isn’t anyone else the ship will recognize as a proper authority.”
“So, how will we know when it’s time?”
“I will have the kids take you to the loading bay. When you hear things exploding, it’s time.”
“That’s a sucky plan,” Calvin said.
“Do you have something better?”
“No. I wish I did…but no.” Calvin sighed. “What do you want me to do with your kids?”
“If you can resettle them on a Ssselipsssiss planet, do that; otherwise, adopt them into your family so you can get them into your navy. That way, they can avenge me.”
“I will do it,” Calvin said. He didn’t think the Terran Navy would take the children, but the odds they would survive the next few hours made the question pretty much moot.
They slid back from the cave mouth and rejoined the children.
“This is what is going to happen,” Sal said. “I am going to provide covering fire so you can escape with Lieutenant Commander Hobbs. He will be your new father. That means you are to do what he says. It also means you are not to eat him. Burkuri, got that?”
“Yes, father.”
“Any questions?”
“Will we see you again?” Paxton asked.
“It is unlikely in this lifetime,” Sal said. “Avenge me!”
“We will, father,” the five children chorused. A single tear rolled down Paxton’s face; he wiped it away and drew his laser pistol. “You can count on it,” he added.
“Good,” Sal said. “Take the Terran to Loading Bay Five and wait there. I won’t be long.”
Approaching Loading Bay #5, Sssorowyn, Sssellississ, December 13, 2021
Getting to the spaceport’s loading bay wasn’t as easy as it sounded; the entire complex was in chaos. As the group turned a corner, a Ssselipsssiss ran full speed into Calvin, and both went down. Calvin threw an arm over his face to protect himself from the flurry of claw strikes and tail whips the lizard unleashed in its panic.
After a few seconds the Ssselipsssiss’ struggles ceased, and Calvin cautiously peeked out from under his arm. Karver had the much larger lizard in a choke hold from behind. The Ssselipsssiss was no longer struggling, and his face was much paler. Reyl and Syrusss had also taken the opportunity to bend his arms into creative positions that probably hurt. A lot. He couldn’t see the Ssselipsssiss’ face very well, though, because Paxton was standing in front of him, holding the point of a knife in front of one of the lizard’s eyes. Paxton appeared to have the lizard’s complete attention.
“Give him a little air,” Calvin said. “He’s obviously running from something; I’d like to know what.”
Karver loosened his grip, and the Ssselipsssiss took a deep breath, careful not to lean forward into the knife.
“What’s going on?” Calvin asked.
“The enemy has landed and controls the spaceport,” their captive reported. “We’ve got to flee!”
“Do they hold the loading bays, too?” Calvin asked.
“Yes!” he screamed. “They have it all. Not only are the demons gathering up everyone they find, there are creatures three times your size! If anyone resists, the giants tear them apart! It’s a slaughter! We have to flee!”
“Let him go, boys,” Calvin said. “We’ll have to find another way into the loading bay.”
“You there!” a voice called. “Wait!”
Calvin turned to find a Ssselipsssiss running toward them, cradling an enormous laser rifle in his arms.
Calvin grabbed his rifle from where it had fallen in the struggle and turned to find all five children holding laser pistols on the newcomer.
“Oh, hee, hee, I forgot,” the lizard said, setting down the rifle. He started laughing.
“Come on, kids,” Calvin said. “This one has obviously lost his mind.”
“Heeheehee, sorry about that,” the lizard said. “I can’t help it. It seems we have been under some stress recently, and it brings out the worst in us.”
The lizard’s features began to change, and his tail dissolved into his torso. His coloring also changed and within seconds, Calvin recognized the face.
Farhome.
“Sorry,” the Aesir said, “I had to become a Ssselipsssiss to blend in. I don’t have enough mass to be a cowtaur, not that I really wanted to look like one of those disgusting creatures. So, heehee, what’s the plan?”
“Do you know this…this…thing?” Burkuri asked, looking at Calvin with one eye. Her pistol and the other eye never flinched from the Aesir. “Or can we just kill it and be done with it?”
“Yes, I know him,” Calvin said. “And no, you can’t kill him. He has some skills that may be valuable for our escape.”
Burkuri tur
ned back to Farhome, spun the pistol once and holstered it. “I won’t kill you because he said not to, but my eyes are on you. Just give me a reason…”
“Nice friends you’ve got here,” Farhome noted. “We are about to be overrun; can we leave? It will be much easier to protect you if we do.”
“We are supposed to be going to Loading Bay Five,” Calvin said. “The Harvest of Flesh’s CO is going to fire up the destroyer sitting on the pad outside and provide cover while we steal the Jotunn shuttle.”
“Then what are we going to do?”
“I don’t know; I haven’t figured that out yet,” Calvin admitted. “All I know is we’ve got to get out of here before the Shaitans find us.”
“The air ducts,” Paxton said. “If you want to get to the field without being seen, we need to use the air ducts.”
Calvin looked up. Sure enough, there was a vent on the ceiling a few feet from where he was standing.
“Will we fit into them?” Calvin asked.
“My siblings and I will fit with no problem,” Paxton said. “I am used to being in them; I do it all the time. Your…friend…will probably be okay too. You’ll be tight but ought to be able to make it. It’s the only way.”
“Okay, let’s go!” Calvin exclaimed. “Quickly!” He boosted Paxton up, and the lizard pulled a tool out of his belt and opened the access panel. He scurried up, followed by his siblings and Farhome.
“Krrreeplrt!” a voice yelled. Looking down, Calvin saw a Shaitan coming up the passage toward him. The cowtaur had a rifle pointed at him, and Calvin’s was slung on his back. He put his hands up in surrender.
A laser bolt lanced out from above, striking the Shaitan in the lower right eye; the creature screamed and put both of its upper hands over the wounded eye. The tentacle eyes looked up and the lower set of arms started to raise the rifle as a grenade bounced to a stop under the belly of the beast.
“Look out!” Burkuri yelled. Calvin dove away from the creature as the blast tore it open from underneath. It screamed again as its blood sprayed out to cover the passageway in purple polka dots.
Calvin unslung his rifle and shot the creature through the head. Its screaming and thrashing ceased.
“Hurry!” Farhome urged from the vent, holding down a hand. “With all that screaming, more will be here soon.”
Calvin slung his rifle, ran up and jumped. Farhome reached down and grabbed one of his hands, and the Aesir pulled him into the shaft.
“Go,” Burkuri said. “I’ll close the shaft and follow you.”
Calvin turned and followed Farhome down the shaft after the male Ssselipsssiss. There was just enough width for his shoulders to fit, but it wasn’t tall enough for him to crawl on all fours. He was forced to drag himself along with his elbows, and his arms and shoulders were burning in no time.
Bridge, Rapacious, Sssorowyn, Sssellississ, December 13, 2021
Sal stopped as he entered the bridge of the destroyer and stood dripping while he surveyed his final command. He didn’t deserve a second chance at command, having lost his entire fleet in his first opportunity, but he would make the most of it.
And he would get to kill a few more Shaitans, too.
He strode to the captain’s chair and sat.
“AI, what is the status of the ship.”
“Person on the bridge, state your name and rank for authorization, or you will be destroyed,” the ship’s artificial intelligence challenged.
“My name is Salissessolliss Skrelleth, Captain, Ssselipsssiss Navy, Identification Number 567G.”
“Welcome Captain Skrelleth. My logs do not list you as the commanding officer for this vessel. Please state your intentions.”
“The planet has been overrun by our enemy, the Shaitans. I am using my rank to commandeer this vessel due to the needs of the ongoing situation. How long will it take you to bring your weapons systems online?”
“It will depend on what you intend to do with them,” replied the AI. “I am on shore power, and would not have enough energy available to power all of the laser, graser and missile systems. In order to do that, I would need to start at least one motor. Two motors would be preferable, but my second engine is currently disassembled due to a broken space modulator.”
“What if I only wanted to fire the port grasers?” Captain Skrelleth asked. “Do you have enough power to do that?”
“Between the shore power and what I have stored in my batteries, I can fire a little more than a salvo; to do more will entail starting my remaining engine.”
“When I give the order to fire, I want you to simultaneously start the motor. Once it is online, continue firing as targets present themselves. Do not allow any further personnel to board the ship. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Captain Skrelleth. When you give the order, I will begin firing my port grasers and will start the Number One engine. I will not allow anyone else entry into the Rapacious. What is my target?”
“Can you see the craft on the spaceport landing area?”
“Yes, I have a variety of cameras and other sensors at my disposal,” the AI replied.
“There is one shuttle larger than the rest. Do not destroy that ship nor hit it with flying debris if possible. Every other ship is a valid target, and I want you to destroy as many as you can. There will be a group of young Ssselipsssiss, along with a Terran, who will transit from inside the loading bay to the shuttle I told you not to destroy. Do not shoot them or impede their progress; however, you are cleared to destroy any enemy you see. One race has four arms; the other is 15 feet tall. Kill any of these races you see.”
“Understood,” the AI confirmed. “The defense net shows enemy vessels in orbit above us. When we begin firing on their troops, it is likely we will be targeted by them, and I am unable to bring my weapons to bear. I estimate, with a near-certain likelihood, that we will be destroyed if we undertake this action. Are you aware of the consequences of proceeding?”
“I am aware. The purpose of this attack is to allow the escape of high-value personnel on the shuttle. If we can do that, the destruction of this vessel is acceptable.”
“Understood, although I do not see how they will make it past the ships in orbit without outside intervention.”
Captain Skrelleth looked at his personal chronometer. They were running out of time.
“Don’t worry about it,” the captain said. “It will all be taken care of. Are you ready?”
“I am,” replied the AI.
“Proceed.”
Loading Bay #5, Sssorowyn, Sssellississ, December 13, 2021
The destroyer continued firing outside, and the ground shook as explosion after explosion rocked the spaceport. Dust trickled down in mini rainstorms inside the ducting, tickling Calvin’s nose. “Can we go yet?” he whispered, fighting back a sneeze.
“Not yet,” whispered Paxton. “There are still two enemy below us.”
“We don’t have much time,” Calvin whispered back. “Eventually, they will get something into place that will destroy your father’s ship.”
Paxton hissed in annoyance, the sound reminding Calvin of the boy’s father.
“Give me your grenades,” Paxton said, and the other boys each pulled a grenade from their packs and sent them forward.
“Hold the grate up,” Paxton said to Reyl. He took a grenade in each hand and tore off the retaining straps with his teeth. Shrugging his shoulders to loosen them, he nodded to his older brother.
Reyl threw the grate to the side and Paxton lobbed his grenades toward the two Shaitans. One ended up under its target; the other passed under and stopped within a few feet of the second Shaitan. The grenades detonated, knocking the enemy troopers off their feet. They kicked a couple of times then ceased moving.
Reyl dropped through the opening, pistol at the ready. He hit and used his tail to brace himself as he spun around to look behind him. Clear. A Shaitan twitched, and he shot it in the head. It stilled.
The rest of the boys dropped
down, setting up a perimeter, then Farhome, Calvin and Burkuri followed.
Calvin looked out the window across the starport. There must have been a number of Shaitans in the bay who had run outside when the firing started. What was left of them wasn’t pretty. Even though the destroyer was ‘small’ as far as warships go, its weapons were meant to go up against armored spaceships; they were devastating on unprotected flesh. Even Shaitans, much larger and bulkier than humans, were turned to purple goo as the grasers passed through them.
“It’s the shuttle by the destroyer,” Calvin yelled. “Follow me!” He sprinted across the ferro-crete with the rest close behind. The destroyer’s grasers fired all around them, lancing out to wreck landing craft after landing craft. The targeting was superior; Calvin only ducked inadvertently a couple of times as ships blew up nearby. Free of pursuit, the group charged up the boarding ramp at the back of the Jotunn shuttle.
Calvin drew up at the enormity of the cargo bay. “Here’s where it gets interesting,” he said, scanning the interior of the shuttle; it was so large he almost expected his words to echo.
With a squeal, the ramp began closing.
Calvin turned to Farhome. “Did you do that?”
“Not me,” the Aesir replied.
“Did any of you do that?” Calvin asked the Ssselipsssiss.
“No, we didn’t,” Burkuri said.
“Damn,” Calvin said under his breath. Louder, he added, “We’re not alone. There must be a pilot or two in the cockpit.”
In confirmation, one of the engines roared to life.
“What do you want to do?” Farhome asked as the ramp sealed. “Find a way out or stay?”
“This is still our best chance to get off the planet,” Calvin replied. “If it were me up front, I’d be trying to get the heck out of here. I don’t know whether the pilot will take us up to the mother ship or if he’ll just go somewhere else and then return.”
The second motor ignited, making normal speech difficult.
“I’m betting he’s going to go back to the mother ship,” Calvin decided, “which is probably where we want to go. We definitely don’t want to stay on the planet and be captured by the Shaitans. We also don’t want to end up on one of their ships. We have more opportunities with the Jotunn.”
The Dark Star War (Codex Regius Book 3) Page 5