The Mau admiral, evident by her dark purple-blue robe, approached closer to them. What Orion felt was extreme uneasiness. She caught herself counting the seconds she’d be forced to remain in the Mau officer’s presence.
“I am Ti, admiral of the Mau fleet. I thank you for agreeing to our terms and for your presence here. The Mau fleet has withdrawn, as I discussed with your captain. Admiral Ot-Mul should have little concern about our ship’s presence in this sector. Only when I give the command will my warships return and engage the enemy.”
Orion watched as the Mau officer communicated with her, finding it fascinating. Ti’s wide, gaping mouth never actually moved, and her face was truly one of the more frightening things Orion had ever seen. She was certain she’d have nightmares about her for a long while to come … but, given the current state of affairs, nightmares were surely the least of her problems.
Ti gestured to the Mau circled around them. “These Mau, specially chosen for this mission, have powerful empathic capabilities.”
Orion moved as if her skeletal system was devoid of movable joints. Stiff and awkward, she turned to look at Sergeant Jackson.
“Will your phase-shift technology enable us, all together, to transport onto the Craing vessel?” asked Admiral Ti.
Orion did the calculations in her mind and nodded. She and Jackson, wearing additional rhino-warrior’s phase-shift belts, were capable of transporting over a thousand pounds each. The Mau were slight, waif-like people. There would be no over-weight issues here. “It will not be a problem. Time is of the essence … we are ready now, if you are.”
* * *
Billy Hernandez checked his weapon for the fifth time in ten minutes.
“I’m betting that multi-gun is as ready now as it was two minutes ago,” Lieutenant Grimes said from the pilot’s seat.
Billy, seated next to her in the cockpit, didn’t reply. She was right. It was a nervous reaction to a stressful situation. He didn’t like that they were such a small team for this mission. He looked over his shoulder into the cabin behind him and saw the entirety of his team—Rizzo and Traveler.
“What we’ve pieced together,” Grimes continued, “was that the U.S. heavy cruiser was infiltrated by the Drac-Vin. Once on board, the Craing crewmembers were systematically expelled out an airlock. Readings show the remains of some three hundred dead Craing two hundred miles from here.”
Billy transferred the stub of his cigar from one corner of his mouth to the other. “They didn’t need an army to infiltrate and capture that cruiser.”
The stark-white U.S. heavy cruiser was now within view and Grimes made no attempt to slow their progress. “I agree … all they needed was one battle droid. Looks like there’s a security force of approximately fifty Drac-Vin stationed at various key locations around the ship. You sure you’ll be able to handle them? I could tag along, in case you need backup,” Grimes added.
“No. As long as that battle droid is no longer around, this should be a piece of cake.”
“Then what’s got you so nervous?”
“Everything important to the captain is locked within that ship. His world stops revolving if something happens to any of them. It’s a big responsibility, and I value his friendship. I don’t think he’d ever forgive me if this mission failed.”
Grimes thought about that for a moment, then shrugged. “Guess you better not fuck it up then.”
Billy got to his feet. “Circle around the block a few times. I’ll let you know when we’re on our way off.”
“No worries. I’ll be listening on the open channel,” Grimes replied, tapping the side of her helmet. She brought the Perilous in close to the cruiser—like other Caldurian vessels, there was little chance they’d be picked up on sensors. Grimes reached out and put a hand on Billy’s arm. “According to my readings, they’re being held in the holding cells … on one of the top decks. They’re not alone. I’d hurry.”
* * *
The three phase-shifted onto deck eight, forty yards away from the cell where the prisoners were held. Billy was instantly aware of distant screaming.
“Don’t shoot her! She’s just a little girl … please …”
It was Nan and she was obviously terrified. Billy opened a joint channel to the four prisoners’ NanoCom: “This is Billy … we’re here … get down … get on the deck. Do it now!”
After a moment’s hesitation, they all complied. Billy, Rizzo and Traveler closed in on the holding cell, and halted twenty feet away. Ahead were four Craing soldiers—two inside the cell and two outside. The four were armed with energy weapons pointed at their prisoners’ heads.
“Rizzo, you take out the two on the catwalk … I’ve got the other two.”
They brought their weapons up and fired simultaneously, without hesitation. Four flashes, four plasma bolts—the Craing soldiers fell where they stood. Billy checked his HUD to verify the soldiers were indeed dead. Five yellow life-icons remained, which didn’t visually match what he was actually seeing: two kids, Nan, and Dira. Billy entered the holding cell first. Nan, sitting on the floor, was holding on to Boomer, while Dira hugged Mollie.
“Whoa …” Rizzo said, noticing the tiny black battle suit Nan now cradled in her arms.
Billy unslung a small pack from over his shoulder, opened it, and retrieved four water bottles. While the prisoners drank, he clipped a new SuitPac onto each of their belts or waistbands.
Traveler, standing guard on the catwalk, grunted and raised his own multi-gun. “More are coming.”
Billy helped Nan to her feet. “Time for each of you to initialize your battle suits.” Nan, Mollie, Boomer, and Dira complied. Billy hadn’t taken his eyes off the baby’s little face behind the visor—he asked, “Got a name for him yet?”
“Not yet. Any suggestions?”
Billy shrugged his shoulders and then smiled. “William’s a good name.”
“Like in … Billy is short for William?” she said.
The sound of plasma fire erupted all around them. Drac-Vin soldiers were shooting from across the quad opening. Mollie took two blasts to her chest and was kicked backwards, into the metal bars. Within seconds, Billy was aware soldiers were firing in at them from multiple vantage points. He ensured Mollie was all right and communicated to Grimes that they were on their way out of here. He was about to start phase-shifting them over when Dira rushed from the holding cell.
“We need to get out of here … Dira,” Billy said, catching up to her on the catwalk. She was taking plasma fire to her battle suit as she looked into another cell.
“I need to bring him with us … bring him home.”
Billy now saw what she was looking at. “That won’t be a problem, Dira,” Billy said. He phase-shifted into the holding cell where the king’s body lay motionless. Again, he removed his pack, opened it, and withdrew an extra SuitPac.
Chapter 42
Jason watched the action taking place in real-time on the multiple feed segments above him; as the battle raged on around them, two other significant events were also unfolding. Orion and Jackson were with the Mau, and Billy’s team was safely on board the captured U.S. cruiser. But it was Billy’s helmet cam perspective that currently captured Jason’s attention. He watched as both Mollie and Boomer, then Nan and Dira, were rescued. Then he saw the small bundle Nan was holding in her arms—and, with a glimpse into the tiny visor, his infant son’s face could be seen. Some part of his tension subsided … like sun breaking through the clouds after a terrible storm. Jason wanted Billy to stop, just hold there; let him gaze for even a few moments at his baby son’s beautiful face. Billy was then following behind Dira. Her formal princess attire—replaced by a battle suit. She stopped on the catwalk and looked in at her deceased father.
“Captain, the battle droid is closing in on us,” Perkins said.
Jason’s eyes stayed on the display. Billy retrieved an extra SuitPac from his pack and was preparing the king’s body for transfer … Then, Jason was given one more gl
impse of Dira’s pretty face. He wondered if he would never see her again—hell, if he would see any of them again.
Jason’s attention was next drawn to another feed segment on the display.
* * *
As expected, Ot-Mul was well prepared for their arrival. He was, in fact, waiting for them. Orion was first to phase-shift onto the bridge of the Assailant. She arrived arm-in-arm with ten Mau, including Admiral Ti. Two seconds later, Sergeant Jackson, arm-in-arm with ten more Mau, also flashed onto the vessel’s bridge.
Even caught off guard, Ot-Mul’s forces were quick to react. With little time to actually count them, she estimated there were one hundred or more Craing combatants moving around the periphery of the bridge, as well as other soldiers now interspersed between the crewmembers sitting at various consoles and virtual holographic screens.
Energy weapons came alive and soon the large bridge was ablaze in a firefight. Three Mau were instantly killed before Orion could return fire. In the near distance, on a raised platform sat Ot-Mul and three other commanders. He, too, was gripping an energy weapon—prepared to join the fight.
But there was little for her to fear. Ot-Mul and his crew were no longer capable of doing much of anything. Orion was well aware that the despair and hopelessness she was now experiencing empathically from the Mau was not personally directed toward her or Jackson. But she was feeling it just the same—like nothing she’d ever experienced before—abject, total fear. She was afraid to move; afraid to look into the bleak, stricken, faces around her, as the remaining team of Mau slowly took up positions throughout the compartment.
Orion realized theirs was a truly devastating weapon, one there simply was no defense against. She watched as Ti slowly moved forward, in the direction of Ot-Mul. He, too, stood paralyzed—eyes wide with fear.
The Mau admiral, slowly and patiently, went for him. Her two arms rose up, almost gracefully. Her elongated face seemed mournful—her mouth a black abyss of everything dark and morose. Orion could almost feel Ot-Mul’s fear and saw a wet stain spread across the front of his trousers as his bladder emptied. Unrelenting terror had thoroughly engulfed him.
Ti was now upon him—her fingers encircling his small, angular head. He did not resist … could not resist.
As her own emotional suffering seemed magnified tenfold, Orion was forced to look away. Ot-Mul screamed—frightened beyond all comprehension. With tears in her eyes, she thought, just let it be over soon.
And then it was. Orion felt all fear around her dissipate, like a massive weight lifting from her shoulders. What remained was quiet stillness. The Craing crewmembers were dead. Every face contorted, grimacing—scared, wide-eyed, out of their minds.
Several Mau personnel assumed positions at various posts, including navigation. It was clear the Mau were claiming this ship as bounty.
Orion approached the Mau admiral and the small body lying at her feet. Well aware Captain Reynolds was watching the events taking place via her helmet cam, she knelt down and stared at Ot-Mul’s paralyzed, dead, grimace.
* * *
Jason looked at the distorted face of what could only be described as that of pure evil. Ot-Mul was dead. He died perfectly. Appropriately. The war would end; probably, immediately. The hundreds, perhaps thousands, of Drac-Vin fleets—currently spread across all Allied space and beyond, would surrender … would undoubtedly return home to the Craing worlds.
“The second battle droid is en route, Captain,” Perkins said, now standing at Tactical.
And that’s the irony of it all, Jason thought. The two remaining battle droids were unconcerned with Ot-Mul’s sudden demise, oblivious to what death or defeat really meant. No, these two technological beasts would not stop until they had fulfilled their simple pre-programmed objective: Destroy The Lilly … and kill the captain of the ship.
“Captain, Admiral Reynolds sends his congratulations on defeating … and I’m quoting here, ‘the little Craing bastard.’ He also says the Minian is at least an hour, maybe two, away from reaching us. He said the Minian was embroiled in a battle with one of the battle droids. It suddenly moved off, but they’ve taken on damage to multiple ship systems, including their ability to phase-shift.”
“Thank you, Seaman Gordon. What’s our own propulsion status, XO?”
“The Lilly’s drives have been destroyed. Our phase-shift system is still down. We have no propulsion capabilities whatsoever, sir.”
He turned to Ricket. “So … Where’s your converted battle droid?”
“I’ve nicknamed the droid Defender. It was deployed to open space several minutes ago.” Jason followed Ricket’s gaze to the above display. Sure enough, a new live-feed segment was tracking the movements of Ricket’s battle droid. He hadn’t noticed it before, but with a larger turret head, this droid was somewhat different-looking from the other battle droids.
“Seaman Gordon … patch me through … ship-wide.”
The young, red-haired communications tech looked back at Jason with concern.
“It’s okay … go ahead and patch me through, Seaman.” Jason collected his thoughts, let out a breath, and began to speak. “This is your captain speaking. Our ship … The Lilly … which, for many of us, has been our home-away-from-home for years—has fought her last battle. With shields and weapons ravaged … without propulsion or phase-shift capabilities … in all likelihood, she will be destroyed by the two approaching Drac-Vin battle droids. You, her crew, have served this ship … and me, her captain, with honor and dignity. With all my heart, I thank you. Although we have won the war, the price paid for the same was this magnificent ship. All crewmen are to report to their immediate command personnel, and then proceed with abandon ship procedures. You will do so now, without exception. I wish you all my very best and bid you a fond farewell.”
The silence on the bridge was crushing. All eyes were on the captain. Jason saluted and held his hand high to his head while he turned and met their eyes one by one. They saluted him, their captain, in return. “Go now … that is an order.”
Seaman Gordon wiped a tear from his cheek. “The Perilous is requesting—”
“Denied, Seaman. You know procedures … all shuttles are to first assist with any abandoned crew personnel. Just patch me in to Lieutenant Grimes.”
“Captain … let us get you out of there,” Grimes said on comms, sounding somewhat exasperated.
“Listen to me carefully, Grimes. In a few minutes, The Lilly’s crew will phase-shift into open space and need rescuing. They are your responsibility. Tell Billy that I specifically have no intention of committing suicide. We’ll get out in time. Tell him and the others that. And Grimes, if anyone even attempts to rescue us, shoot them … preferably set to stun only.”
“Aye, Cap … I promise,” Grimes said.
“Seaman Gordon, direct Gunny Orion and Sergeant Jackson to remain with the Mau until they can be safely transported to an Allied vessel.” Jason stood, and in a far less friendly tone said, “Out! Every one of you, off this ship now!”
The AI kept repeating the same ship-wide announcement: Abandon ship … Abandon ship … Abandon ship …
He watched as the last of them—Ensign McBride and Perkins—hesitantly stood, nodded one final time at him, then scurried from the bridge.
Jason looked down and stared impatiently at the sole remaining crewmember. “Did you not understand the orders?”
Ricket returned the stare with the same intensity. “This ship, The Lilly, is as much a part of me … as it is you, Captain. I could no more abandon this ship than you. There are still two battle droids out there that need to be destroyed. Let me, my friend, help you accomplish that.”
“Just as long as you know what you’re signing up for, Ricket. There is no walking away from this … not this time.”
“Then there is much to do before our demise … it looks like Defender has engaged the first of the two battle droids.”
Chapter 43
Jason’s next order of busine
ss was to find the setting for his internal NanoCom and turn it off. It all started with an incoming hail from Billy—soon there were others: Mollie and Boomer, then Nan and Dira. He didn’t accept their incoming communications. What was he going to say to them? His affairs were in order. In the event of his demise, they each would receive a personal letter—personalized letters he’d spent hours writing the previous evening. Surprisingly, his father had not attempted to communicate. He must understand the situation. Yes, of course he did.
Right now, he needed to dedicate what little time he and Ricket had remaining to at least attempt to destroy the two battle droids.
Ricket, standing at Tactical, gave Jason a rundown on what weaponry was still available to them: one plasma cannon, and one rail gun—although munitions, for the rail gun, were practically nil.
Jason accepted an incoming hail from Admiral Ti. Her face appeared on the above display. Perhaps it was only his situation, but she no longer looked quite so frightening to him. In her own Mau way, she was quite attractive.
“I see you have given the abandon ship order to your crew. I would like to assist you with the destruction of those three droids.”
“Actually, one of them is ours. I thank you for your offer. Truly, I do. But I must decline.”
“I do not understand, Captain. It is the least we … I can do.”
Scrapyard Ship 7: Call to Battle Page 22