by C. J. Barry
Cidra gazed up into his eyes with a longing and relief that pumped him full of desire. He wanted nothing more than to forget this death mission and get her out of that survival suit.
"Let's go.” His voice was husky while he activated her survival suit. It droned low. She flinched as he tested the suit's force field around her head by tapping on it. Hard and hollow sounding. Perfect.
He activated his own, tapped on the force field, and headed to the back of the K12. He pulled a few tools from a storage locker and handed a rod to Cidra.
"What's this?” She turned the rod over in her hands.
"A heater torch.” Grey activated his own torch to show her. A faint blue light fanned out from the tip of the rod. “It will thaw whatever it's pressed against. We'll probably need them to free the cargo.” He punched a control on the chest unit of both suits that activated a wide beam of light, released the K12's outer door and stepped out.
Cidra followed without hesitation but once outside, stopped dead. She cast a look around. Courf looked sterile. No life, no movement. White clouds swallowed them up. Beyond the K12's beam and the survival suit's lights, there was nothing but fog and shadows. Ice vapor undulated and swirled in endless formations. Suddenly, she felt a low moan that emanated from somewhere deep within the planet. Around and beneath her, the ground hissed and popped reminding her that Courf was a world that lived in perpetual torment as its frozen carbon dioxide surface was alternately heated by the giant red star and cooled on the darkside.
She fought back a chill that sliced through her, turning her focus to Grey's retreating form. Ice crackled under her feet as she hurried to catch up with him.
The transport lay directly in front of them. Its nose was buried in a pile of ice boulders, its body scratched and scarred black. He circled the small ship once, searching for identification markings. There were none.
"That crew did a remarkable job landing her.” Grey's eyes assessed the condition of the transport.
They approached the ship's outer door. With some trepidation, Cidra stood by as Grey tried to activate the external manual release. After his initial attempt failed, he pulled out the heater torch and pressed it against the release mechanism. Cidra watched in fascination while the area around the release glowed to a soft pink. Grey pulled the release again. The hatch popped open without protest except for the gasp of escaping air.
He smiled triumphantly at her. “We're in."
Using both hands, he pried the door fully open and stepped inside. The interior lights had long since lost their charge, but the K12's powerful beam lit up the interior of what appeared to be the cargo hold. Cidra stepped in behind Grey as he stooped to examine an unmarked squat container resting atop a hover pallet.
"This could be it.” He looked around. “I don't want to open it here. Let's see if we can find some identification on-board first."
"Stay here.” He stood up and walked toward the open doorway to the front crew section.
Cidra followed him and was immediately sorry she hadn't heeded his direct order. She stood frozen in place just inside the doorway. In the glow of her suit light, two very still crewmembers sat with their backs to her, facing forward. Ice crystals covered their bodies. Silent sentinels to the truth.
"I told you to stay in the cargo area,” Grey said as he worked his way around the small cabin. He pulled out the heater torch and pressed it against a handle on center console until it glowed pink. Then he pulled a short cylinder out of the console board by the handle.
"Memory core?” Cidra's voice sounded raspy.
He nodded. “Most likely contains the same data as Syrus’ holo recording. I'm taking it with us."
"This is it?” she gasped. “You're sure?"
Carrying the core, he guided her back through the doorway to the cargo hold. “The crew members are wearing the Kin-sha crest on their uniforms."
Cidra's stomach rolled over. Grey tossed the core on top of the large cargo container and bent to check the controls on the hover pallet. He seemed completely unaffected by the presence of two dead crewmembers. She, on the other hand, was shaking uncontrollably.
Grey tapped the controls several times. The hover pallet hummed to life. He blew out a long breath and thanked the stars above. There was no way the two of them could move this heavy container back to the K12 alone. Luckily, they didn't have to. He programmed the settings. The pallet under all that vaccine rose steadily off the floor, hovering a half meter off the floor.
"We're done.” With a gentle push, he began guiding the huge container out the cargo door.
Cidra clenched her fists. “I'll be there in a minute."
Grey shot her a hard look. “This is no time to mess around, Cidra. We have to leave."
She didn't back down. “I have to do something first."
"Fine. Make it quick.” He maneuvered the hover pallet through the door and toward the K12.
Cidra watched him push the pallet along. After taking several deep breaths, she turned toward the front crew section.
After securing the container aboard the K12, Grey stormed back to the transport. She still wasn't back. He was going to chew her out good when he got hold of her. He stomped into the cargo hold. No sign of her. He caught the glow of her suit light in the crew section. What was she doing?
Whatever he was going to say was completely forgotten when he stepped foot inside the front section. She had used the heater torch to thaw two blankets that she was placing over each of the dead crewmembers. He watched her tuck and smooth the blanket with the gentle care. She glanced up at him with a bleak expression. Her hands went still on the blanket.
"They looked so cold,” she said in a fragile voice. Her gaze skittered away as she resumed her task.
He stood watching her for a few seconds, all the anger draining out of him. This was tearing her apart, but as always, she did what was necessary. Despite his wrath and her own aversion, her compassion had won out. She had more heart than anyone he'd ever known.
"Cidra."
She slowly lifted her eyes to his. He almost choked on the thick emotion in his throat. He extended a hand to her. “Come on. Let's get out of here."
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Cidra was still trembling as they cleared Courf's atmosphere and headed into space. It was the kind of trembling that went so deep, it felt like it would never stop. She wasn't sure if it was fear or excitement or grief. The emotions were too close together.
"Keep an eye on the long-range scanners, Cidra.” Grey interrupted her thoughts. “I don't want anyone sneaking up on us."
He appeared grim as he piloted the K12. Not grim, she corrected. Worried.
"Why is Calíbre so far off planet?” She drew her attention back to the displays.
"I ordered them out further. I wanted them in a better position to watch for unexpected company,” he murmured, all his energy focused on the scanners.
Cidra stared at him while all the pieces clicked into place. “They're here, aren't they?"
Grey didn't answer her, hailing Calíbre instead. “Decker, do you see anything?"
Decker replied back instantly, “Nothing yet. Just you heading toward us. Can you kick that thing up a notch? This place is giving me the creeps."
Grey pursed his lips. Cidra heard him mumble, “Unprotected, with a long way to go."
"Launch the pod now, Decker,” Grey ordered.
Decker replied, “Pod jettisoned."
"What pod?” Cidra asked as she watched a streak escape from Calíbre's side portal heading into deep space. “Hyperspace?” She turned to Grey. “What's going on?"
He didn't answer her, his eyes locked in the direction of the jettisoned pod.
"Grey?"
"Diversion.” He glanced at her. “I hope."
* * * *
"Commander, they've just jumped to hyperspace. Shall we follow?” Lieutenant Fiske's voice carried across the bridge.
Plass walked to the Lieutenant's station and studied the sta
r map. It showed the tracking device moving away from the planet at a projected trajectory of ninety degrees to their original location.
Plass frowned. It didn't fit. To access the planet, they had to use the K12 with the tracking device. According to his information, it was the only vehicle aboard Calíbre capable of handling the brutal terrain and conditions of Courf. So why would they come all the way out here and then leave without even landing on the planet?
Plass contemplated the game. There was only one explanation. If he was wrong, Major Berman would not be pleased.
"No, Lieutenant. Round the planet at maximum speed, all systems on high alert,” Plass ordered.
The Lieutenant turned to him. “But they're gone, sir."
"You have your orders. Follow them,” Plass snapped. “Order Major Berman's pilots to their fighters."
Fiske nodded and proceeded to lay in a course. Expunger leapt forward toward the darkside of the planet at full speed.
* * * *
Decker's alarm came through loud and clear. “Captain, incoming! High and hot. One d'Hont cruiser, Bearing 180, Mark 060. We're heading in to cover you."
Cidra's heart jumped in her chest. It was like a nightmare unfolding its hideous cloak. She frantically checked the displays. Calíbre and the d'Hont cruiser barreled toward them. It would be a race—to the death.
"The bastards didn't bite on the tracker.” Grey's hands moved quickly over the console. Cidra could see he was trying to get more speed out of the tiny K12. She watched the blips close in. Then a number of new, smaller blips swarmed out from the d'Hont cruiser. The K12's detection system verified her worst fear.
"Grey, they've launched a dozen fighters. Saurelian."
* * * *
The transmissions between Calíbre and the K12 came through Expunger's bridge. Plass listened intently. Captain Stone was aboard the K12. He didn't hear Cidra Faulkner's voice or her name called from either vessel.
"Fighters away as ordered,” Lieutenant Fiske announced. “Visual on."
Commander Plass turned his eyes to the main viewport. Stone's ship was closing on the K12 transport jet much too fast to bring it aboard. The two ships passed by each other. Calíbre took a defensive position to protect the escaping K12 from the oncoming attacking fighters.
Interesting, Plass thought. There must be someone or something very valuable on that transport jet for Stone's small ship to take on a fleet of Saurelian fighters alone. He had a decision to make. The chances were far better that Cidra Faulkner was aboard the larger ship, but his instincts prevailed.
"Order the fighters to surround and guide the K12 back into tracker beam range, Lieutenant."
Lieutenant Fiske turned to him. “What are your orders for Calíbre?"
"Inflict enough damage to render them harmless and immobile.” He was not taking any chances. He didn't want to blow up Cidra Faulkner if his instincts were wrong.
* * * *
"Get out of range!” Decker yelled over the comm unit.
"Remind me to retrofit a hyperdrive on this ship tomorrow,” Grey growled as he pumped the K12 for more speed. At this rate, the Saurelian fighters would be on top of them in no time.
"Calíbre is taking multiple hits. Too many fighters for our gunners to handle,” Cidra reported. “The cruiser is opening up on Calíbre now. Direct hits. Move that bird, Coon."
As if Coon heard her, Calíbre dipped and rolled over the top of the massive d'Hont cruiser. Her guns were firing incessantly, but causing ineffectual, surface damage only. Compared to the giant ship, Calíbre looked like a pesky, little insect.
Suddenly, a Saurelian fighter swooped over the K12 and filled the main viewport. Cidra manned the guns, shooting at will. The first fighter slid dangerously close on the portside. Another fighter took up the flanking side, snuggling up to the K12.
"Hold your fire,” Grey warned. “They're too close. If they blow, we blow."
Cidra detected six ships closing in formation around them. “They're blocking us in."
"At least they're not firing,” Grey noted. He didn't have the time to wonder why.
He slammed the K12 in reverse. The Saurelian fighters shot out into the distance without them, but not for long. Another group took up the vacated positions, tightening their grip and completely surrounding the tiny K12. As the formation slowed, Grey was forced to slow with them or impact on one of the fighters.
Cidra watched helplessly. There were just too many of them and they flew superbly. Under different circumstances, she would have been impressed.
She glanced at the displays. A new threat loomed. “The d'Hont cruiser is heading toward us."
Abruptly the fighters peeled off, splitting formation. The K12 shuddered violently. Grey's hands stilled on the controls.
Cidra looked at him. “What was that?"
"Decker, get out of here,” Grey ordered over the comm unit as he began to shut down the K12's main engines before the tiny ship was torn apart.
He couldn't answer her immediately. He had failed her. He turned to Cidra, his eyes dark. “Tracker beam. They've got us."
Decker cut in. “We aren't leaving you."
In the background, Cidra could hear the shouts of the crew and alarms blaring aboard Calíbre. Checking the displays, she could see they were now trying to outmaneuver the full contingent of fighters. They would be lucky to get away at all. Visions of the final moments of the Galena's demise flashed through her mind.
Grey slammed the comm unit on. “I said, escape while you still can. That's a direct order."
As Decker began swearing, Grey shut off the comm.
Cidra watched as Calíbre fired a few more times and executed a stunning maneuver to shake the fighters. Once clear, Calíbre shot off into hyperspace.
Suddenly, the battle ceased. The Saurelian fighters began filing back into the bank of landing bays on the starboard side of the big ship. The d'Hont cruiser now filled the K12's main viewport as they were being drawn toward a landing bay. For the first time, Cidra took a good look at the cruiser. The ship resembled the shadow of a giant knife, slicing through space. Unbroken black covered the cruiser's exterior. No lights, no markings, no seams. Nothing to warn unsuspecting victims of its deadly presence.
"Would it do any good to fire on that thing?” she asked quietly.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him smile grimly. “If it would make you feel better, be my guest."
Silence followed. Cidra's eyes filled. The words came out in a whisper, “We're done, aren't we?"
"If they wanted us dead, we'd already be dead."
The uncontrollable shiver came through her voice. “Maybe what they have planned for us is worse than death."
He couldn't argue with that. It was the only explanation for why they were still alive. He turned to her and gathered her in his arms.
* * * *
"They jumped, sir,” Lieutenant Fiske announced
"Note their trajectory, but let them go.” Plass turned and walked off Expunger's deck toward the lift. “Order Major Holtz to send a security team to Landing Bay Number E-11 to greet our guests. I will be there shortly."
"Yes, sir,” Lieutenant Fiske answered, highly pleased. The entire deck crew fairly hummed with victory as Plass passed them.
Only when he was alone in the lift did Commander Plass relax. He gave his destination to the lift computer. As the lift engaged, he began to rehearse the next part of his plan. He knew Stone was aboard the K12, but he didn't know if Cidra Faulkner was with him. His brazen decision to capture the K12 instead of Calíbre had been purely instinctual. If she wasn't aboard that ship, he would at the very least lose his command.
* * * *
Trapped. He hated being trapped. Grey glanced over Cidra's head to the contingent of rifle-wielding guards outside the K12. He frowned. They looked professional and well-trained. The tracker beam had deposited them in the very center of a large landing bay with the K12's nose facing the massive landing bay door. The closest
cover was a stack of containers fifty meters to their left. The exit was probably behind them.
From his limited vantage point, he estimated that twelve guards surrounded the jet. He mentally checked off the armament on board. A couple of laser pistols and the K12's forward guns. There was no way he and Cidra would make it to the exit alive with just the pistols.
He contemplated the closed landing bay door. From the outside, it was nearly impenetrable. However...
He glanced down at the survival suits they were still wearing and calculated how much oxygen they had left. The plan solidified. He kissed Cidra on the head and placed her back in her seat. She stared at him in bewilderment.
"Don't ask, just listen.” He began to warm up the K12's guns. The d'Hont security team outside donned surprised expressions in unison at the whining sound emitted from the transport jet.
"Activate your suit. Set the weight regulator to maximum. Grab your weapon. Go back to the exit hatch and wait for me,” he spoke rapidly and without emotion.
Cidra's eyes widened in comprehension as she watched him enter the firing sequence into the K12's weapons board. She opened her mouth to argue with his decision, but he stopped her. “We don't have a choice, Cidra. You know that. Besides, it's going to take a few passes for the K12's guns to breach the bay door. If those guards have any brains, they'll be gone by then."
Cidra glanced at the guards backing away from the K12 and sighed. He was right. She prayed they had brains as she headed toward the back of the jet.
Grey finished setting up the sequence and touched the controls to lock the K12's landing legs to the landing bay floor. The last thing he needed was the K12 spinning around the bay in weightlessness, shooting indiscriminately. Dodging twelve laser rifles was enough excitement for him.
Then he swiveled the K12's guns toward the landing bay door and fired. The opening sequence disabled the containment field barrier designed to hold back cosmic space when the door was open. Closely spaced blasts drilled into the middle seam of the heavy door in explosion after explosion. The security team scattered as the bay filled with smoke and fire. Ricocheting blasts and sparks flew in all directions. The noise was deafening and the reverberations sent shock waves through the floor. Several guards turned their weapons on the K12. Cidra jumped at the bursts that rocked the tiny ship.