by Dana Kelly
◆◆◆
Dimly, the electric lamp lit an intersection of passageways. Shona slowly climbed Ergo’s forward ladder, and Malmoradan stayed close behind, offering support when she faltered. Nervously gripping the plasma pistol, April watched from the threshold near the front of the vessel. The sounds of conversation and rowdy laughter grew closer. “They’re almost here,” said April.
“We’re going as fast as we can,” said Malmoradan. “Three more steps, baby girl. Just three more steps.”
“I’m so tired,” muttered Shona.
“I know you are,” whispered Malmoradan, and he adjusted his shoulders under the weight of Shona’s rucksack. “That’s it. Great job. Just two more steps.”
April ducked out of sight as Drake boarded, followed by a half-dozen of his associates. He stopped a few paces in, cupping his hands to his mouth as he called out. “Broose! Broose, let’s go! I’m sure they’re all plenty scared by now, and it’s almost time for chow! Cookie’s setting up the grill, so if you want a say in what’s on the menu, you’d better get out here.”
April closed her eyes, and Broose’s ghost coalesced. “Hold your horses,” said Broose, exactly as Drake remembered him sounding. “I’m retying the big one.”
“Hold my horses?” Drake scratched his head. “Just… Don’t fixate! Okay?”
Drake heard Broose splashing around in the cryogenic fluid. “I’m not!”
“Good,” said Drake. “Keep… not fixating.”
“Hey Drake,” asked a young woman who went by Sturmhardt. Scars mottled her face. “Vhat are all zese purple crystals?”
“They weren’t here before,” said a bulky man with dark skin, known by his associates as Ikunku. He stomped on a tiny crystalline mass, shattering it. “Did something else sprung a leak in here?”
“Dunno,” said Drake. “Maybe. Probably.” He crouched and examined the crystals bobbing within the pooled cryogenic fluid. Cautiously, he removed one. “Ouch! They’re pointy.”
“Ach, nee, Drake! Most crystals are pointy,” said Sturmhardt.
“Well… and these ones are cold,” said Drake. Standing up straight, he tossed the glassy clump back into the fluid. A thin layer of crimson coated his fingertips, and he rubbed them together until the fluids pilled up and flaked off. “Who cares. Broose, let’s go!”
“One more minute,” said Broose’s voice.
“All right, one more minute, and then we’re coming back there. Okay? I’ve got Ikunku and Sturmhardt with me, so you better be nice!”
“Yeah, yeah,” said Broose’s voice.
Drake chuckled. “Good!”
“Who are you talking to?” asked Sturmhardt, but Drake only stood there, smiling slightly. “Achtung, Earth to Drake!”
“Yeah?”
She nodded toward the passageway. “Who are you talking to?”
“Huh?”
April glanced behind her. Shona set foot on the upper deck, and she lost her balance. Malmoradan lunged to catch her, but they both crashed down. “Oh no,” breathed April, and she hurried for the ladder.
Drake narrowed his gaze. “No one, apparently.” Drawing his revolver, he turned on his flashlight and charged down the passageway. His companions hurried after.
Seconds later, they reached the lab. Drake hurried past Ky’s unconscious form to crouch at Broose’s side. He holstered his gun.
“Ah, that’s not good,” said Ikunku.
“I vas right! Rock giants do haf brains in zere,” said Sturmhardt.
Drake snarled as he glared up at her. “Say something else about him! Say one more thing!” Looking back at Broose’s remains, he patted his comrade’s chest and heaved up to stand. “Kill ‘em,” he seethed. “Find ‘em and kill ‘em!”
Ikunku nervously cleared his throat. “But, Blacktusk said—”
Drake’s face turned red. “I don’t care what Blacktusk said!”
Cowed, his associates acknowledged his orders and readied their weapons.
“Right,” said Sturmhardt. “Find zem and kill zem.” She drew a gleaming katana from the sheath crossing her back. Its glow changed color and intensity as she cycled through several settings, stopping when it burned with a goldenrod aura. She stepped back into the passageway. “Let’s go, boys!”
Sneering, Ikunku rolled up his sleeve and thrust forth his arm. Seams appeared, and his hand retracted as plates reconfigured, solidifying into something that resembled an enlarged, electrified fist. Blue lights lit up in sequence, running the distance between his wrist and elbow. “Ladies first,” he said with a slanted smile.
She paused and fixed her gaze upon him. “Ja. Zat vas vhy I said, ‘Let’s go, boys.’ Vas I unclear?”
“No. Just, you know,” said Ikunku. “Go. Go, go.”
Holding her sword at the ready, she advanced toward the passageway leading to the upper deck. Drake, Ikunku and the others kept close. When they reached the corner, Sturmhardt stole a glance. She spied Shona and Malmoradan climbing the ladder, as well as April pointing her plasma gun right at her.
◆◆◆
Outside in the hangar, Orin studied Casey’s shuttle from afar. “There’s something so familiar about it,” he said to himself. He glanced toward Misaki and her associates as they approached the vessel. “What are you guys up to?” he asked.
Misaki froze in place, causing the others to stumble over her. She coughed out her cigarette smoke and took a moment to gather her composure. “Oh, hi Orin!” she said with a smile, and she curtsied slightly. “We were just going to have a look inside. You know. If it’s unlocked. It probably isn’t though,” she said with a laugh. “I mean, it’s not like we were going to try and break into it or anything.”
Shulana glared at her and firmly stomped on Misaki’s foot.
“No need for that,” said Orin, and he crossed the hangar deck to join the group of buccaneers. “I’m a little curious about what’s in there, myself. I can’t shake this feeling that I’ve seen this shuttle somewhere before.”
“It’s a Victor Coronet Police Shuttle,” said Ostonk. “Standard issue. You’ve probably seen a dozen just like it at every starport you’ve been to.”
Contemplatively, Orin shook his head. “It’s not that kind of feeling.”
Suddenly, they heard blaster fire coming from inside the shuttle Ergo.
“All of you, with me!” said Orin. Waving for the buccaneers to follow him, he bolted toward the sounds of battle.
◆◆◆
Sturmhardt reared back as another barrage of blaster bolts sent sparks flying. “Vee appear to be pinned down,” she said. “Suggestions, herr Kommissar?”
“I don’t got time for this,” growled Drake, and he charged into the passageway, bellowing as he ran.
April fired several shots, but Drake moved faster than she expected, and none of them found their mark. As he prepared to bowl her over, she accidentally dropped the pistol and raised her forearms defensively. The instant before impact, Malmoradan slammed into Drake from the top of the ladder, and they crashed onto the deck.
Taking a moment to catch her breath, April glanced up in time to see Sturmhardt lead her associates into the fray. April reached for the plasma pistol, but Ikunku dashed toward her, and his mechanized fist shattered the weapon. The impact sent arcs of electricity snaking all around, igniting several plasma pellets. April yelped and scrambled backward as Ikunku punched holes in the deck near her feet, between her ankles, and between her knees.
The buccaneers surrounded Malmoradan, landing punches and kicks all over his body. Suddenly, Malmoradan roared and threw off his attackers as he stood up. He clawed at Drake, but his opponent dodged back, allowing Sturmhardt to step in. She sliced through the air, leaving arcs of light in her wake, but Malmoradan avoided every swing.
Cornered, April cried out as Ikunku raised his fist for the kill.
Malmoradan glanced their way. Baring his fangs, he howled, “Stop! Touch her, and you die!”
“You let down your g
uard,” said Sturmhardt. Her katana snaked out, but it glanced off his BICOM vest to plunge deep into his shoulder. With a twist of her hands and a flick of her wrists, she severed muscles from tendons.
Malmoradan’s arm hung limply from its socket, dripping with blood. Howling in pain, he stumbled backward, tripped, and fell.
Ikunku laughed as he hovered over April. “Any last words?”
“Captain,” said April, and she beamed.
“Aw, that’s sweet, but it’s way too late for that,” said Ikunku.
His electrified fist vanished in an explosion of steel and lightning. He screamed as he gripped the twisted elbow of his ruined limb. Thunder filled the passageway. Casey fired her shotgun from around the corner, pumping blast after blast into the pirates. Buckshot ripped them apart as she advanced.
“Zis vay!” shouted Sturmhardt, and she dashed behind a pair of iron crates on the other side of the intersection. Drake grabbed Ikunku and followed. He hopped over the crates, landing in a crouch next to Sturmhardt, and he sat Ikunku down.
“Vhy are you making so much noise?” she asked. “It’s not made of flesh!”
Ikunku paused. He flopped his wreckage left and right. “I know.”
Drake cocked his revolver. “I’m gonna waste that ocelini.” He popped up just long enough to take aim and squeeze off a round, but it stopped just short of impact.
“That’s enough!” said Orin as he stepped into view. Blue fire burned from his hands. Misaki, Shulana, Ostonk, Mayfield, and Laz stood at his back.
“Goddammit!” snarled Drake, and he punched his own thigh as hard as he could. “Ow,” he hissed, and he winced as the pain radiated throughout his leg.
Still shaken, April got to her feet and stumbled to her cousin’s side.
As Casey turned around, Misaki’s mouth fell slightly open. “But… I saw you die!”
“You saw exactly what I needed you to see,” said Casey, and she looked at Orin. “So, what happens now?”
“You’re dead meat,” said Drake. “That’s what!”
Orin raised his hand, and he took a moment to assess the carnage. “You slaughtered four of our men, and I see no sign of Broose. I can only assume he fell in the lab.”
“They smashed open his skull,” said Drake. “Like a melon!”
With grave regard, Orin stared at Casey. “Cassiopeia Cartwright, Shona Chelsea, April Sattari, and Malmoradan Taig, you have proven yourselves to be nothing more than bloodthirsty savages. I will no longer guarantee your safety, and while I abhor—”
His eyes went wide as April stood on her toes, grabbed his face, and kissed him. She backed away, gazing intently. “I’m sorry for breaking my promise.” Taking a deep breath, she kissed him.
Images of a vast, dark stage filled Orin’s mind, and miniature galaxies drifted about, like motes of dust caught in the sunlight. Slowly, gracefully, they formed a ring, glittering in the inky expanse. Gradually, the ring spun faster.
“What’s going on?” he asked, and he looked at April. “Where are we?”
“We’re in your mind,” she said, beaming. “I told you it was beautiful!”
“I don’t understand,” said Orin.
“You’re about to.”
The stellar bodies flashed. Together with April, they thundered, “Orinoco!”
In the first instant that followed, he didn’t know who or what an Orinoco was. In the next, he knew every word for it in every language, and what it meant to every intelligence everywhere, for whom it held meaning. He lost himself in rivers of light and reverie, as April coaxed his memories from each point of light. Moving outside the flow of time—in jitters, and bursts, and jags—she stitched his mind back together.
“Orinoco, remember!”
Blue fire roared through his neurons, as everything came flooding back. Orin gasped, and he gazed into April’s eyes. “Hi,” he breathed, and he smiled.
“There you are,” whispered April, and she hugged him tight.
“Here I am,” he said, and he hugged her just as tightly.
“Scheisse,” muttered Sturmhardt.
“You’d better take care of Malmoradan,” said Orin, and he turned toward the crates.
“I’m on it,” said April, and she hurried to Malmoradan’s side.
Orin raised his hands and with currents of kinetic force seized each one of the pirates’ weapons. He brought his hands together, drawing them close. His blue fire flickered somewhat as he prepared to crush the weapons into a single mass.
“No, Orin, wait!” said Casey.
“Why?” he asked.
“I’d like to make them an offer,” said Casey, and she regarded Misaki with a confident smile. “In exchange for your help in facing off against Blacktusk, I can offer you all a place in my posse. As deputized representatives of the Interstellar Police Force, you’re entitled to exercise your rights under the United Planets Articles of Clemency. So long as you continue to act in a law enforcement capacity, whatever you’ve done up until this moment can’t be held against you. Ever. You want to talk about freedom? Welcome back to the Milky Way, my friends! What say you?”
“Join the IPF?” asked Drake. “Never gonna happen. We’d rather die!”
Casey smirked at Misaki. “I guess Blacktusk knows what he’s doing.” Without breaking eye contact, she swiveled her shotgun toward Drake and pulled the trigger.
Misaki flinched. “Yes, I’m in.”
“I’ll join,” said Ikunku, and he stood with his arms up.
“Me too,” said Sturmhardt, her eyes wide with fear. Blood spatter covered her face and shoulders.
Drake fell backward, dead.
Casey regarded Orin incredulously. “Why didn’t you catch the blast?”
“I was already holding the weapons!” said Orin.
“That you were. My mistake. All right, then.” Shifting her focus to the buccaneers, she rested the shotgun against her shoulder. “What about the rest of you?”
Shulana, Ostonk, Mayfield, and Laz agreed.
Casey nodded proudly. “Good. We’ve got one more formality to take care of. Everyone, repeat after me. I do solemnly swear…”
Almost in unison, they replied, “I do solemnly swear…”
“…that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United Planets against all enemies, foreign and domestic…”
As she led them through the rest of the deputy’s oath, April finished bandaging Malmoradan, and Shona made her way back down the ladder. She sat at Malmoradan’s side, speaking with him in whispers. They exchanged nods, and Malmoradan climbed to his feet. He and Shona stumbled forward as Orin returned the weapons to Casey’s posse.
Casey took the lead as they all crossed the passageway to the boarding ramp. Steeling her resolve, she peered out into the hangar bay. Blacktusk greeted her, along with the rest of his well-armed crew.
“I offer my sincerest apologies, Ms. Cartwright, but we have arrived at an impasse,” said Blacktusk. “Though it pains me, I don’t think I can let you live. Where is my binary?”
“I’m not your binary,” said Orin, and he stepped into view at Casey’s side.
“I see.” Blacktusk closed his eyes for a moment. “Unfortunately, this also means the end of our friendship, Mr. Webb.” Tapping his commlink, he said, “Kill them.”
The warthog powered up. She swiveled slightly to face Ergo.
Casey leaned close to Orin. “You can catch those cannons, right?”
“Not if they’re lasers!” said Orin.
“I believe they’re particle beams,” said April.
“So, you can catch them,” said Shona. “As long as they’re not lasers?”
“No, that ain’t it,” said Malmoradan. “Particle beams move almost as fast as lasers. I think that’s what he’s getting at.”
Casey breathed out. “Orin, can you confirm that light speed’s a little too fast, even for you? Is that what you’re saying?”
“That’s right,” said Orin. He swallowed h
ard as the warthog’s forward cannons charged. “Sorry to disappoint. Everyone, hold on to something!”
Chapter 14
The Wreck of the Excrucio
Using a prybar, Mike broke the last of the welds holding the pirates’ door-breaker in place. It crashed to the deck, and the bridge door slid open. He jumped at the sight of gun barrels pointed at him. As he raised his hands, Torsha emerged. With a look of surprise, she removed the tri-corner hat and raised her hands as well. “Mike, what’s going on?”
“Everyone, stand down,” said Izel, and her bridge crew lowered their sidearms. “Indeed, principito, what is going on? We’ve been cut off from the rest of the ship since we received reports of a hull breach on Deck 3.”
“It’s a lot,” said Mike. He related his and Torsha’s actions, as well as Bianca’s status report.
“We will need to act swiftly,” said Izel. “Orin is down on the asteroid, and Blacktusk’s fleet is poised to strike.” She released the lock on the lower decks and leaned over her conn. “PFC De Leon, do you read me?”
A moment later, Bianca’s voice came back. “Roger that, Captain! Thank God you’re alive. Did Mike find you?”
“He did,” said Izel. “I’m promoting you to lance corporal, effective immediately. Instruct Lieutenant Belmont to rally your platoon at the launch bay. Have pilots warm up both of our Sunhawks. You will be the ones to rescue Orin Webb. Ask him to send up a security team to take the invaders into custody, as well. There will be a total of thirteen prisoners.”
“Sí, capitán,” said Bianca. “Thank you! I won’t let you down.”
As Izel issued orders, Torsha ran her hand along Mike’s sleeve. “What happened to your clothes?” she asked. “They’re covered in holes!”
“I’m sure they got snagged on the armor,” said Mike. “It was very big on me. Captain Aguirre, do you have anything else I can wear?”
She chuckled. “Talk to the quartermaster. He’s on Deck 2.”