by C. J. Barry
Weariness claimed her as she laid down on it, stretched out, and closed her eyes. “Lights ten percent,” she ordered the computer. The lights dimmed, plunging the room into near darkness and turning the opulent surroundings to gray and black.
"How was your tour?” a familiar voice asked from the darkness.
Cidra shot up on the bed. “Lights one hundred percent,” she gasped.
When the computer obeyed, she found Grey leaned against the lav doorway, his arms crossed, his gray eyes dark and cold.
"What are you doing here?” Cidra snapped as she rolled to the edge of the bed. “These are my quarters."
"I'm your mate, remember? You don't go anywhere without me,” Grey reminded her, his hunter's eyes watching her every move.
She stood next to the bed facing him. “As I recall, you gave up that position in Plass’ office."
"And it didn't take you long to find a replacement,” he countered, his anger flaring. “Did you enjoy yourself with Fiske?” He silently berated himself the minute the words came out. He was making a mess of this.
He had gone slowly mad waiting for her to return with Fiske. The idea that she was spending so much time in the Lieutenant's company had taunted him relentlessly.
By the time she returned, he had worked himself into an explosive emotional state, one he had no idea how to diffuse. The first glimpse of her lying on the bed was enough to make him forget the carefully prepared apology. The desire to possess was overwhelming.
Cidra glared at him and pointed to the door. “Out. Get out."
"Not until I have my answer.” He shoved off the doorway and stalked toward her, unhurried and resolute.
"I don't owe you anything,” Cidra fired back, not budging from her position even as Grey stopped a mere step away.
He stared at her for a few long moments. “I'm going with you tomorrow."
Cidra replied tightly, “I can handle the mission alone."
"Too bad,” Grey said. “I made a promise to Syrus. Part of that promise was to keep you safe."
For a split-second Cidra looked wounded, but then she lifted her chin. “I see. Well, I wouldn't want you to break that promise. Right now, I'm perfectly safe. So if you don't mind, I need some rest. Alone."
Grey's eyes narrowed and he waited. He thought she would say something else, change her mind. Nothing. A chill ran through him as he stared into her defiant eyes. He turned and stalked out.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The Dakru sun was just beginning its slow, grisly descent in the bank of windows that stretched across one end of the room.
"Are the ceremonial preparations underway, Commander?"
From behind Tausek, Commander Stoll answered. “Yes, sir. A planet-wide celebration has been declared in your honor as you requested. The parade will begin with a d'Hont show of force, headed by our ground forces and our most impressive military weapons."
"And Faulkner's body?” Tausek prompted.
"Will be the center attraction in the parade,” Stoll boasted. “A victory for you and a warning to our enemies. It will be a celebration like no other. The day will go down in history."
"Excellent.” The word rolled off Tausek's tongue. “The celebration must be a success, Commander. I expect no less. Are the plans in place for the arrest of Plass?"
Commander Stoll answered. “Yes, sir. I will be waiting for him when the Expunger docks at the orbital station. He will be apprehended as soon as he delivers Faulkner's body. Plass and his crew will be transported here and interrogated. Plass’ execution is planned after the celebration."
Tausek suddenly swung around to face Stoll, wiping a smug smile off the new Commander's face. “He is a traitor to the d'Hont. Undermining the organization and pursuing his own warped interests at the expense of others and in direct conflict with my orders. Make his execution public and painful. And I want the entire Expunger crew present."
A droll smirk touched Commander Stoll's face. “Yes, sir."
Tausek spun back around and stated flatly, “You are dismissed."
Commander Stoll exited in silence.
Alone, Tausek smiled openly. He had guaranteed that Plass would go down in history as a traitor by convincing Stoll that Plass had defied several direct orders. The undertaking was so effortless, a lie here, a mistruth there.
For Tausek, it was no less the truth. Plass was a traitor to him and him alone, but no one would ever know that. Even if Plass managed to convince the Expunger crew, no man or woman would dare speak after Plass’ horrific execution.
The situation had given Tausek another opportunity he had been waiting for: to replace the d'Hont positions vacated by the mutinous Expunger crew with his own personal agents. Men and women loyal to Tausek alone. The personnel guaranteed to take him to the next step in his master plan with no petty issues like d'Hont integrity and honor to get in the way.
The path to ultimate control of the sector was clear and stronger than before. The recent events would provide him with renewed backing from the people and reduce the d'Hont to nothing more than an enforcement role. The executions of Faulkner and Plass would provide a brutal demonstration of Tausek's power to the rest of the galaxy. He had already chosen the first planet to invade and add to his kingdom. Avion.
The sunset glowed a ghastly crimson as Tausek basked in his own brilliance.
* * * *
Plass nodded in approval and satisfaction as Grey and Cidra joined him in Expunger's crowded security center. Although they kept their distance from each other when they took their places at the massive holo deck, they were together.
As Plass introduced them to Majors Berman and Holtz, he watched for any sign of belligerence toward the couple. He saw none. If anything, the two Majors greeted them as part of the team. Grey and Cidra seemed wary but steady, with the exception of the searing look Grey gave Lieutenant Fiske. The other senior and junior officers lining the round room eyed them with mixed curiosity and acceptance.
Turning his attention toward the empty holo deck, Plass started the early morning meeting. “Display the layout of the inner city."
The holo deck sprung to life with a flat, two-dimensional map of the Capital City floating about a half meter above the bottom of the deck. All eyes took in the criss-cross of streets and outlines of buildings and landmarks.
"Give me a low-projection, three-dimensional view,” Plass ordered. Seconds later, cubes representing buildings and structures rose up from the ground level. A network of tunnels, rooms, and passageways appeared below ground level. A large, circular object in the center of the topographical map projected higher than the rest.
Plass pointed to the tube-like structure. “Tausek's tower. High-level, intensive security system and a guard at every single entry point throughout the building. At twenty stories, it is the tallest structure in the city. Tausek's executive and private quarters occupy the top floor, as well as my office.” He corrected, “My former office, now used by Commander Stoll."
Grey inquired, “What are all these passages below the surface?"
"Tausek's secret weapon.” Plass smiled sardonically at him. “The underground world below the Capital City. The real heart of his power. Tunnels and passages link all parts of the city's military facilities—detention and interrogation, control centers, communications, planetary defense. The underworld existence is a highly-guarded secret. Troops and units can move freely and discreetly underground. Then suddenly appear on the surface. As you can imagine, that element of surprise works well to keep the natives in line.” He pointed out several access areas. “The entrances are placed throughout the city and guarded continually. To the average Dakruian, they look like simple military posts."
Plass indicated the landing point and looked at Grey. “You, Cidra, Lieutenant Fiske, and I will take a transport to this location. I am not planning to conceal our entry. The planetary defenses around Dakru are superior. It would be a futile and fatal effort. Therefore, I expect Commander Stoll will meet us wh
en we arrive."
Grey spoke up. “What then?"
"I will inform Commander Stoll that Tausek expected to see you in person and alive,” Plass told him. “Stoll doesn't have the guts to make his own decisions, so he won't take a chance that I'm lying. He will bring you to Tausek, probably via underground. I will also ensure that you are accompanied by Lieutenant Fiske."
"And you?” Cidra prompted.
Plass turned to look at her. “My sources indicate that I will be arrested. My execution is already scheduled after the parade."
Cidra paled. “Execution?"
"Public, lengthy, and brutal. Tausek style,” Plass replied dryly. “If he shows up for it, I will know the mission failed."
"It won't fail,” Cidra amended, her voice determined.
Plass gave her a small smile. “I hope not. We have come a long way."
Grey looked around the room. “And the rest of your crew?"
Major Berman stepped forward and spoke in a booming voice. “Posing as slave transports, my forces will land at three locations outside the city. We will converge on the tower from all directions—above and below ground, neutralizing Tausek's guards as we proceed. Once inside, we will take out the internal guard units and secure the tower."
Grey narrowed his eyes at the man. He was quite sure that Major Berman had simplified the whole affair beyond reason.
Plass nodded toward Major Holtz. “The Major will stay aboard Expunger with a skeleton crew.” He swung his gaze toward Grey and Cidra. “I've ordered Expunger's guns aimed at Tausek's tower. We will have four hours to accomplish our mission. If Major Holtz does not receive counter orders from me before that deadline, he will open fire. I will not take a chance on losing Tausek. If our plan fails and we can't get a confession from him, I want him dead at all costs. The battle for power afterward will be bloody, but unavoidable at that point."
Grey looked at Cidra and muttered, “Whatever you do, Plass, don't lose your comm unit."
Plass smiled and addressed the holo deck once more. “Zoom in on Tausek's tower. Scale to size. Full schematic, classified version."
The holo deck complied, filling the viewing space with Tausek's towering fortress. Grey studied the impressive, circular structure. Other than the two entrances on the lower level, there were no outstanding features. The exterior looked smooth and unscalable. No other windows or doors were displayed on the nineteen floors leading to the top. The word ‘impenetrable’ came to Grey's mind.
The top floor that housed Tausek spun slowly on the tip of the structure, half of the exterior wall appeared to be windows. A solid, small domed structure topped the entire tower, effectively prohibiting a spacecraft from landing on it. Unlike the rest of the plans, it was not a viewable grid shape.
Grey pointed to it. “What's in here?"
Plass shook his head. “I don't know. Even the most classified schematics didn't have it listed. It was included based on a visual observation."
Fiske took over the plan of attack, addressing Berman's units. “I will cover Tausek's upper level. Major Berman will be in charge of the tower assault. There are only two entrances on the lower level—a formal front entrance and a large rear entrance. Both are heavily guarded, both equally difficult to breach. I would suggest we concentrate on a discreet attack on the underground access level instead."
"Once inside, we are faced with another problem.” He pointed out a highlighted tube running from the lower level to the top through the center of the tower. “This is the only lift in the structure. It will be automatically locked out the minute our assault begins on the tower. However, there are access points throughout the building.” He ordered the access tubes and stairs lit up on the schematic and turned to the group. “Unfortunately, each access shaft is located at a different point on each level. They don't line up from floor to floor."
Grey noted with dismay that the units would have to scale to one level, then locate the next access point and scale that one and so on. Without the lift, getting from the lower level to the upper level would be a slow and exhausting effort, not to mention nearly impossible without a map.
Fiske added, “You will all be issued micropads containing the tower's structure and access points. I suggest you memorize the points in case the micropads are lost or confiscated."
He returned to the attack plan. “We have no choice but to charge the access shafts one at a time and overwhelm any guard units by sheer numbers alone. I estimate the total elapsed time to reach Tausek's chambers under optimal conditions via this method will be twenty-five minutes."
Grey and Cidra's eyes met. Twenty-five minutes alone and unarmed with Tausek.
Fiske continued unaffected. “If our attack is discreet, we may be able to access the lift. However, you must take a tower guard with you or the lift system will not operate. It is programmed for their embedded ID units. Via the lift, arrival time is thirty seconds."
Plass spoke up. “Once you reach the top, your first priority is to rescue Grey and Cidra. Your second mission is to capture Tausek any way you can, preferably alive."
All heads nodded in understanding.
Lieutenant Fiske began handing out the miniature micropads. “These micropads contain all the information you should need. We will drop out of hyperspace over Dakru in one hour. Be ready to deploy seconds after that."
"Any questions?” Plass asked the group.
When no one spoke up, Plass dismissed them. He turned to Grey and Cidra. “Join me in my executive quarters. I want to explain the communications plan."
* * * *
Plass smiled at the chaos surrounding his transport jet docked in the main landing bay located on Dakru's Principal Transportation Center. With its contemporary architecture and gleaming interior, the preeminent transportation center showcased the very best of Dakru for all the delegates and foreigners who visited the planet. It was a far cry from the slave bays on the outer edges of the city.
As he had hoped, the confusion caused by their unexpected arrival at the Transportation Center instead of the orbital station worsened an already frenzied situation. Traffic in and out of Dakru before the biggest celebration of the decade had pushed the city's transportation centers to the limit. This terminal was no exception. The atmosphere bordered on riotous as people moved in waves and currents throughout the terminal. Muffled announcements blared overhead. Arguments arose over the precious few public ground shuttles.
Plass stood outside their transport flanked by Fiske and their prisoners, Grey and Cidra. Although Plass and Fiske had not been placed in restraints, they had been disarmed. Four security guards surrounded them, weapons ready, unsure what to do with the unanticipated group. An endless stream of people milled around them, eyeing the proceedings with curiosity.
The Commander glanced at Grey and Cidra. Side by side, they appeared calm even with their hands locked behind them. Plass had not told the guards who his prisoners were. He couldn't risk a glory-hungry guard with a quick draw. He prayed no one would recognize them until Stoll arrived.
Finally, the Head Security guard appeared. He looked haggard and frustrated as he wordlessly motioned for the entire group to follow him. The churning crowd gave the armed escort a wide berth as they approached the bank of lifts. The Head guard activated one of the lifts.
After the doors slid shut, Grey felt the brief sensation of falling. They were going underground just as Plass had predicted. It wasn't good, but at least it was expected. He tested the strength of the restraints. They were not part of the plan.
He slid Cidra a cautious glance. She was taking in all the details, checking the guard's weapons, watching for weaknesses. He suppressed a smile. No other person in this room knew what she was capable of.
The lift halted almost immediately. The door opened into a wide, deep tunnel lined with endless doors and rooms. The stone walls were dark with black dirt, smudged and smeared by people and vehicles that rubbed against them. Harsh overhead lights ran down the center of the cor
ridor ceiling casting a sickly green glow over everything. The air hung thick and foul. An insidious low hum seemed to vibrate from the walls themselves.
At gunpoint, Grey, Cidra, Plass, and Fiske were ushered down the corridor and into a small, dingy room. Grey studied the strange marks on the walls and floor. It took him a moment to recognize the substance that created the stains as blood. This was an interrogation room. He tugged on the wrist restraints instinctively. Then he caught Cidra's eye and gave her a reassuring smile, hoping to keep her distracted from the room's horrible distinction.
Grey and Cidra were halted in the center of the room behind Plass and Fiske as a door in front of them opened admitting a tall man followed by two guards. Grey eyed the lead man, no doubt Plass’ replacement. The new Commander was a big bastard. Tall and broad with an arrogant saunter that made Grey dislike him on sight. Chin-length, jet-black hair was combed straight back from his forehead. His upper lip was curled in a permanent sneer. His eyes conveyed power and hate. Grey's dislike turned to concern.
Plass regarded Commander Stoll with amused contempt. He knew Stoll as a man who backed a guaranteed winner. It didn't matter whether the cause was just or whether the fight was fair as long as victory was assured.
But there was another factor that made Stoll dangerous. He had tried and failed the discipline and rigors of d'Hont training. It was a failure that fueled his ruthless disdain for them. Tausek had picked the perfect man to harness and shackle the d'Hont.
Stoll stopped directly in front of Plass, using his size to intimidate the smaller man. His smile was superior and arrogant. “Welcome home, Ex-Commander."
"Stoll.” Plass ignored the Commander's position.
The new Commander's face turned cruel. A slow smile returned as he looked at Lieutenant Fiske and nodded. “Welcome back, Lieutenant. I see our plan worked perfectly. You have served me well."
Plass turned to Fiske, his eyes narrowing.
Lieutenant Fiske saluted and stepped forward to address Stoll. “Yes, sir. I apologize for the loss of communication for a short time. It was beyond my control. However, the mission was a success regardless. The Ex-Commander is all yours."