The Gates of Hell

by Chris Kennedy

  “It is too early for thanks,” it said, “but I see that our hope for the Sleeka”—the word came to Max’s ears as a mere squeak—”may yet find a place to sleep.”

  Boudreaux had no idea what a Sleeka was, or why it would be good for its hope to sleep, but he wasn’t prepared to ask.

  “Now go,” the Thelosi said, “and wait.”

  Boudreaux turned and walked quickly back to where the rest of his fireteam stood.

  “You heard?” Boudreaux asked.

  “All of it,” Corporal Killian said. “You want to tell us what the fuck is going on?”

  “Everyone out, now,” Colonel Hu’s voice broke in over the comms. “They’ve cut the jamming, so you can swap over to our standard frequencies. Fireteams Cooper and Shikra, you’re to take up a position fifty meters from that tunnel entrance, recall the drones, if you can, and break down all the equipment. Set up a defensive perimeter, but make it low key. Be ready if they come out shooting, but I want you all on your best behavior. This is no longer a combat operation, it’s a first contact and negotiation scenario.”

  “Understood, sir,” Yeo said, sounding confused.

  A moment later, all the drones detached themselves from the walls, seeming to almost appear out of nothing, and they buzzed back the way they’d come.

  “Oh, and Private Boudreaux?” the colonel called out.

  “Yes, sir?”

  “Well done.”

  Boudreaux paused for a moment, forcing AZ to come to an abrupt halt behind him. She thumped the back of his CASPer but didn’t say anything. Boudreaux quickly started moving again, and as he clomped down the stony passage with the rest of his fireteam; it was all he could do not to throw up now that everything was over.

  “Uhh…thank you, sir,” Boudreaux finally said. “Glad I could help.”

  “What the fuck just happened?” Killian’s voice came to Boudreaux on a private channel.

  Boudreaux thought about what sort of response to give. There was just so much that had been contained in Praeliet Tokarra’s data, and the implications were nothing less than a train wreck. And then he thought about his first words once he’d absorbed the data.

  “Do you know about pit fighting? Like with roosters and dogs?” he asked.

  “Of course.”

  “Well,” Boudreaux said slowly, “us and the Thelosi…we’re the dogs.”

  “Are you fucking kidding me?”

  “I wish to god I was, Corporal.”

  Boudreaux kept marching forward, and with every step, the anger inside him grew.

  * * *

  Kuason

  Hawk Base Camp Alpha

  “Now that we’ve got everyone situated and ready to bug out if we have to, I’ll give you the short version of what’s really been going on.” Colonel Hu stood in front of fireteams Cooper and Shikra just outside the cave entrance. Everyone else had fallen back to the far side of the lake with Fireteam Doria at Base Camp Beta. The dropship and two of the LAHVs were all parked there. The company had just spent the past hour shifting personnel and equipment around while getting the landing craft to positions where everyone could EVAC as quickly as possible. They still didn’t have a clue as to what the Thelosi would do next, but Hu wanted them prepared. “In a nutshell, it all started on Reliak IV, when the Hawks took that Depik captive from some Veetanho mercs who, apparently, were actually working for Praeliet Tokarra. The Depik had intel on the location of the Thelosi homeworld. Tokarra and her associate wanted more Thelosi to play with, and we made that impossible.”

  “More, sir?” Killian asked.

  “That’s right, more,” Hu replied. “They have only one colony, held captive and hidden somewhere, and that’s the leverage they needed to get the Thelosi inside to do whatever they wanted.”

  “Goddamn Veetanho.”

  “It gets better,” Hu continued. “Their plan was to keep throwing us at different scenarios they came up with as a sort of wargame, and every time us or the Thelosi came out on top, Praeliet Tokarra or her pal Praeliet Litarran won the bet they’d placed. It looks like they were testing these Thelosi in some sort of scheme to turn them into shock troops they could lease out to Veetanho mercenary companies.”

  “How do we proceed?” Yeo asked. “We’re gonna kill that Veetanho bitch, right? Her and her pal?”

  “I don’t think we can…not yet, at least.” Hu shook his head, and he seemed disgusted by his own answer.

  “Why the hell not?” It was Killian this time, and he looked like he was ready to chew steel and spit bullets.

  “Do we just go back and tell the Peacemaker everything?” Keenes asked. “It’s not like we can complete the mission, which means we don’t get paid. Maybe the Peacemaker will still pay us for everything we’ve found out.”

  “Who knows?” Hu replied. “I suspect he’ll make good on his end, considering what we’ve found, but we’ll take at least a small hit without the Veetanho contract. There’s no way I’d ever deliver one of these Thelosi to them, even if I thought there was a way to capture one without any casualties on either side. We’re mercs, not slavers.”

  “Amen to that,” Killian said. “I like Yeo’s idea. Let’s just kill the two Veetanho bitches that started all this and sell their organs…I actually know a guy.”

  “I don’t want to know why you know someone like that,” Yeo said.

  “There’s a resolution to both of our situations.” The words came from everyone’s pinplants, and as they raised their weapons, searching the forest for where it had come from, a Thelosi appeared from behind one of the trees. And then another…and another. They all had their arms and tentacles up and appeared to be just standing there, their once black skin now a mottled camouflage pattern of the forest around them, and their bodies were slowly shifting to a deep green.

  “Hold your fire!” Hu ordered.

  “Where the hell did they come from?” Killian asked, his weapon aimed at the nearest Thelosi.

  “Jesus, they’re good,” Boudreaux mumbled. He shot a message via his pinplants to AZ: “We ought to put them on the payroll.”

  “Everyone, lower your weapons,” Hu said calmly. “If they’d wanted to start a fight, most of us would already be dead.”

  Everyone did as they were ordered.

  Hu turned to face the nearest of the Thelosi, who was striding up with his limbs still raised.

  “The Kaenite has reached our decision,” it said. “You’re a people of negotiation and war, so let us negotiate the destruction of yesterday’s Foe and the deliverance of the Sleeka.”

  * * *

  Karma Station

  Guild Operations Sector

  Mercenary Guild Negotiation Chamber

  Privates Boudreaux and Mopantomobogo rolled the dolly into the chamber where Praeliet Tokarra sat once again at the far end of the conference table. Colonel Hu strode in behind them, with Lieutenant Yeo on his heels. As the officers took their seats, Boudreaux and AZ moved the stasis chamber around the table and along the wide windows that looked down on the Karma Station docks. When they’d gone about two thirds down the table, they lifted the back end of the dolly and set the chamber upright, with the small view port clearly visible. Tokarra bared her teeth with pleasure when she saw the dark form of a Thelosi occupant motionless within.

  “I knew you could do it.” Tokarra practically purred. “I’ve always maintained every faith in your abilities to overcome difficult situations.”

  Boudreaux and AZ moved back around the table and took up their positions behind the officers, standing at parade rest with hands upon their sidearms.

  “I’m sure you have,” Hu said with a smile. “I have to admit, the Thelosi are a clever, dangerous species. I’m still wondering where they came from…” he pulled a slate from within his coat and slid it across the table, “but I’d be satisfied if you’d just transfer the balance due into our accounts. There were two combat operations, and no fatalities.”

  “None at all?” Tokarra asked,
sounding surprised.

  “Not even a scratch,” Yeo added, and Boudreaux didn’t miss the snide tone in the lieutenant’s voice.

  “I’d love to know how you managed that.” Tokarra reached out and pulled the slate closer, examining the data that broke down what she owed Hu’s Hawks for successful completion of the mission.

  Hu chuckled. “I bet you would…I’m afraid that’s what we call a trade secret, but I’d be willing to tell you if you’re willing to tell me where the Thelosi came from.”

  “I see your point,” Tokarra said, then she pressed a thumb onto the screen and slid the slate back to Hu. “I believe we’ll just have to leave those two questions unanswered.”

  Hu picked up his slate, checked to make sure the funds had been transferred and then set the slate down in front of him. He glanced behind him at Boudreaux and AZ and then fixed his gaze upon the Veetanho across the table.

  “There was just one more thing,” Hu said, and all pleasantry was gone from his voice.

  Tokarra got a concerned look upon her face.

  “What might that be? If you’re after another contract, I’d have to say it’s possible there might be more dealings with the Thelosi, but we’ll need to examine this specimen and see what the future might hold.”

  “It’s not that,” Hu said. “I was more interested in knowing how much you’ll be collecting from Praeliet Litarran, now that you can call us the victors in your little game.”

  Tokarra’s eyes went wide, then she glared at Colonel Hu.

  “Weapons!” she shouted.

  The two Veetanho behind her stepped to the sides and raised their rifles in one smooth motion, and as they aimed them at Colonel Hu and Lieutenant Yeo, two more Veetanho troopers opened the door behind her and strode in, their weapons held at the ready.

  “Now this is unfortunate,” Tokarra said. “I was hoping to draw this game out for another year at least, bleeding you Humans dry one body at a time.” She let out an exasperated breath. “I’m afraid you know too much. If this got out…well, the repercussions would be severe. How much do you know?”

  “A good deal more than you’d like,” Hu said calmly, “but that’s not a question you should be asking me. The real question is, how much do you know?”

  He looked to the stasis chamber.

  “Sto’Kaito,” he barked with a strange accent that approximated the pronunciation of the Thelosi leader’s name.

  Praeliet Tokarra got a confused look on her face.

  In the blink of an eye, two weapons slid out of ports the Hawks had installed on the front of the stasis chamber, and a long burst of rapid gunfire filled the room. All four guards slammed against the back wall, their bodies ripped to pieces by the Thelosi weapons before they even knew what hit them.

  Tokarra sat there, a stunned expression on her face.

  “Boudreaux, AZ…weapons, if you please.”

  Both privates drew their pistols and leveled them at the Veetanho, who was still blinking in shock at what had just happened. The front of the stasis chamber swung open, and her eyes shifted quickly to the occupant that stepped out, still holding two of the strange Thelosi rifles. It stepped forward several paces and placed its weapons on the table. At the same time, the door behind Hu and Yeo opened, and Peacemaker Zarikk walked in with a needler aimed straight at Tokarra’s heart.

  “Did you get the others?” Hu asked over his shoulder.

  “Indeed,” Peacemaker Zarikk said. “My associates have secured six Veetanho troopers in Praeliet Tokarra’s employ.”

  “Then we’ve fulfilled our commitment to the Peacemakers as well, don’t you think?” Hu said, reaching for the slate.

  “There is no doubt,” Zarikk said.

  Tokarra’s hand moved from the table, and she started to reach for something out of sight.

  “Don’t do it,” AZ warned the Veetanho. “We’ll be shooting to wound, not kill, and it’s likely to be rather painful.”

  “Hands back on the table,” Zarikk ordered. “Leave them there, or this will go badly for you.”

  “You treacherous vermin,” Tokarra spat, but she obeyed.

  “Guess she never heard of the pot and the kettle,” Boudreaux whispered to AZ.

  “Sto’Kaito,” Colonel Hu said, “we’ve fulfilled our promise to you. The Praeliet is all yours.”

  Tokarra’s eyes went wide with fear as the Thelosi commander lunged forward. He was upon her in an instant, wrapping his tentacles around her body and head. She started to scream, but when the tentacles made contact, her body stiffened, and it looked like there were small patterns of electricity running from the tentacles into her furry scalp.

  Tokarra’s eyes rolled back, and her tongue lolled out of her mouth. Her body quivered and shook almost imperceptibly, and within a few seconds, a trickle of blood seeped from her nostrils and dripped upon the table.

  Neither the Peacemaker nor any of the Humans moved a muscle as the Thelosi rummaged around in Praeliet Tokarra’s brain.

  The one thing that had been missing from all the data they’d stolen was the location of the Thelosi prisoners, or “Sleeka” as the Thelosi commander had called them. The term didn’t have a reasonable facsimile in any language, but it was a combination of ‘beloveds’ and ‘usurped’ and ‘sufferers,’ all rolled up into one painful idea.

  Hu’s Hawks had learned that and much more on their journey from Kuason.

  About a minute later, Sto’Kaito released the Veetanho and let her collapse upon the table, where she lay gasping for breath. He stepped back and seemed to consider her for several moments.

  “She has given me what I need.” The translation came through everyone’s pinplants. Sto’Kaito turned to face Hu and the Peacemaker. “I have your word that she will be detained until the Sleeka are free?”

  “I can guarantee that,” Peacemaker Zarikk said. “The Hawks are helping one of my associates capture Praeliet Litarran, who is in a nearby hotel.” Zarikk’s eyes fixed upon the Veetanho, and his mouth split into what could only be a snarl. “Not only are you done, Praeliet, but all of this will be presented to both the Peacemaker and Mercenary Guilds. In time, you’ll tell us how deep this slaving conspiracy runs.”

  “I’ll tell you nothing,” Tokarra groaned.

  “That’s your choice, but I’m certain we can come up with something worse than death if you choose to remain silent.”

  “The Kaenite thanks you,” Sto’Kaito said. It seemed to focus on Colonel Hu. “Your nobility and reason will not be forgotten.”

  “Maybe you’d consider working together in the future?” Hu asked.

  The Thelosi considered the man who had once been his enemy.

  “It is unlikely. We wish to reach our home once again and remove ourselves from such things.” It waved a tentacle toward Tokarra. “Family and friends will be safe, and that is all we seek.” It turned its strange head toward Peacemaker Zarikk. “You will keep our existence secret?”

  “I’ll see to it. The Peacemaker Guild has already agreed to your terms, and we’re prepared to assist you in freeing the prisoners.”

  “Then we will await you on Kuason, once these have delivered us there.” Sto’Kaito motioned toward Colonel Hu.

  “There’s one last bit of business, Peacemaker Zarikk,” Hu said. Hu pulled up another contract on his slate and held it up over his shoulder.

  “Of course,” Zarikk said. He stepped forward, reviewed it quickly and then placed his thumb to accept the terms and transfer payment.

  “It’s been a pleasure doing business with you,” Hu said agreeably. He cast a sidelong glance at Tokarra and then got up from the table. He walked around to the Veetanho and yanked the green sash over her head. He gave a quick inspection of the red jewels woven into the fabric and smiled. “I believe I’ll consider a handful of red diamonds as the penalty for withholding so much intel,” he said, staring down at the still-groaning alien. “These should fetch a couple million, at least.” He spat once on the floor beside her and
turned toward the Peacemaker. “Any problem with that?”

  Zarikk’s features were impassive. He glanced at the Veetanho and then back to Colonel Hu.

  “None at all,” he said.

  “Good.” Hu glanced at Sto’Kaito. “Come on, Commander, let’s get you and your people back to Kuason.” He then strode along the table, nodded once to the Peacemaker, and reached the door. “Hawks, we’re out of here.” He waited for Sto’Kaito, Yeo, Boudreaux, and AZ to walk out the door, then he turned back to the Peacemaker.

  “And if you need help getting those other Thelosi, we’re in,” he added.

  “Let me get back to you on that,” the Peacemaker replied.

  Without another word, Hu stepped through the door, closed it behind him, and followed his people and their new friend to the Zhūgéliàng.

  * * * * *

  Quincy J. Allen Bio

  Bestselling Author Quincy J. Allen is a cross-genre author with numerous novels under his belt. His media tie-in novel Colt the Outlander: Shadow of Ruin was a Scribe Award finalist in 2019, and his noir novel Chemical Burn was a Colorado Gold Award finalist in 2010. Blood Oath, book 3 of the Blood War Chronicles, was released in February of 2019, and he is working on the fourth book in that six-book fantasy steampunk series, due out early in 2020.

  He has co-authored Reclaiming Honor with Marc Alan Edelheit in their Way of Legend series, published November 1st of 2019. He is currently working on a novel for Kevin Steverson in his Salvage universe based on the short story Vorwhol Dishonnor.

  His short story publications are numerous, including a pro sale appearing in Larry Correia’s Monster Hunter: Files from Baen, published in October of 2017 entitled “Sons of the Father,” as well as a number of other stories appearing in Chris Kennedy Publishing’s mil-sci-fi anthologies in and out of the Four Horsemen Universe.

  He works out of his home in Charlotte, North Carolina, and hopes to one day be a New York Times bestselling author.