The Coyotes were back.
50
It had been twenty-four hours since the gathering on the moon, and they had all begun the first preparations for the plan.
“Are you sure you’ve got this right?” Jenkins was talking to Ezekiel, who had been detailing everything he knew about the Syndicate and the Jackals, he’d learnt during his time serving under them.
He nodded, waving the sheets of paper he’d wrote.
“Ok, ok,” Jenkins held his hands up in surrender.
Valen and Vittoria, were just getting into their cargo ship, The Chariot, as Dack came up to them.
“You guys sure the access codes will still be active?” He asked.
“Sure, and if not then we’ll be able to request new ones. I still have the good graces of the Syndicate, for the time being,” Valen smiled.
“Ok, we’ll meet you at the rendezvous, as soon as we have the uniforms ready.”
“Got it, we’ll be waiting. Good luck.” Vittoria smiled.
The engines of the Chariot powered up, and they left the moon.
Dack nodded to himself, ticking off the jobs in his head. Once Valen and Vittoria had gathered their cargo, they’d be ready for the others to join them. He walked over to Hixon, who was showing Tylr and Jonir the weapons he’d brought with him.
Along with hit Energy staff, he had several smaller firearms, which he passed out to the others.
“Can I have a look at that hammer?” He asked Jonir, who nodded, and passed it to him.
Hixon felt the weight, and turned it over in his hands.
“Nice centre of gravity, do you mind if I add something?”
“Sure, as long as you don't break it,” he replied.
Hixon pulled his bag out, and rummaged inside until he found a small, metallic cylinder. Using an attachment, he added the cylinder to just under the block of the hammer's head. It stuck out by a centimetre but was almost undetectable otherwise.
“Here, give that a swing now,” Hixon gave the hammer back.
Jonir felt the hammer for any difference in weight, but there was none. He lifted it, and gave it a small swing. The cylinder kicked into gear, and a small blue flame erupted from behind, it forced the hammer through the arc with force. Jonir swung through, and as he pulled it back the flame extinguished.
“It’s a motion detecting propulsion enhancer,” Hixon explained. “It’ll give your hits a nice boost of power.”
Jonir smiled, and nodded with excitement, giving the hammer a few more swings to get used to the new power.
“I like it,” he beamed.
“Good, and this is for you,” he turned to Tylr as he grabbed something else from his bag.
He revealed a small hand pistol, and passed it to them.
“It doesn’t look much I know,” he explained, “but this is the highest tech small firearm where I’m from.”
He pressed a button on its side, and a green light flickered across the weapon, as if it a ripple of water had flowed from one side to the other. As Tylr adjusted their grip on the handle, it rippled again, this time in red.
“The gun is programmed to your DNA only, no one else can use that weapon now. If you see the small details on the side, they are control buttons, try them.”
Tylr looked at the side, and pushed the first button from a set which ran along it. As soon as they did, the entire body of the gun started to shift. Only the grip and trigger remained the same, as the rest began to move and rotate. A moment later, the entire gun had morphed into a form of an assault rifle Tylr had never seen before.
“It has small nanos inside, which are programmed to move to a different setting with each button press,” Hixon smiled as he saw Tylr excited expression.
“Thank you,” they smiled.
Dack stepped forward, having waited to see what had been happening.
“Nice equipment,” he nodded at Hixon.
“From the best weapon-smiths in my part of town.”
“You all set for the mission?” Dack asked, addressing all three of them.
“Ready when you are sir,” Tylr gave a mock salute, whist the others just nodded.
“Great, get the weapons stashed, and let’s get ready for stage one.” Dack smiled, and moved on.
Jako sat cross-legged on the floor, a radio sat in front of him, and headphones over his head.
“How’s it going Jako?” Dack crouched beside him.
Jako held up a finger, telling him to wait. After a moment, Jako removed the headphones, and smiled at Dack.
“We’re getting a handful of reports which, erm, could be what we’re looking for,” He said.
“Great, pass the information onto Jenkins, he will direct information from the command ship,” Dack said. “Are you ready for you’re part?”
“I am, erm, it’ll be just like being in the Azimuth.”
“I, guess so?” Dack was puzzled, the inside of the Azimuth differed greatly from the expanse of space. But if the thought helped keep Jako from getting worried, then who was he to argue.
“Are you ready?” Jako said, looking at Dack.
“Sure, it’s one crazy idea, but that’s our way,” he smiled, and patted Jako on the back.
Deep inside, Dack was worried that the plan might not work. It was a million to one chance they’d pull it off, but if anyone could it was them.
They would all need to be leaving soon, as soon as Jako found what they needed, then there was no turning back.
“Dack!” Jenkins shouted him over to look at the information Ezekiel had put down.
Dack jogged over to the table.
“Look at this,” Jenkins grinned almost madly.
Dack looked at the point where he was pointing. His eyes skimmed the writing.
“Is this for real?” Dack turned to Ezekiel, who rolled his eyes at being questioned again, then nodded.
“This is exactly what we need!” Dack laughed, and grabbed Ezekiel by the shoulders and smiled at him. Ezekiel couldn’t help but smile back.
51
So far, everything had been going according to plan.
Dack scanned over the clothes before them. The group were stood in the medical bay of the Solstice, en route to the rendezvous. Jonir took the largest set of a military outfit from the pile, and held it against his body.
“It might just fit,” he half-smiled.
“They need to be good enough to pass the security, we can’t risk getting caught so early on,” Dack said, grabbing a set himself.
Lyla, Tylr, and Hixon all picked up one each, and checked the sizes.
“Where’d we get them, anyway?” Lyla asked.
“Jenkins and the Underground Assembly, they’ve been sourcing them over time,” Hixon replied, pulling a jacket over his T-shirt. It fit perfectly.
They scattered to try the Syndicate army uniforms. They regrouped once everyone was ready.
“Looking good everyone,” Dack commented, checking the uniforms over.
“We sure they won’t suspect anything?” Tylr asked.
“Jako has hacked into the systems, and checked Valen’s access codes. Once we meet up with Vittoria, we’ll have a cargo worthy of the Syndicates’ time. The access codes should just be enough to let us into the Sanctum,” Dack reiterated the plan.
The Sanctum was the Syndicates’ main station, a massive manufacturing site, where they built their fleet, including the Journey’s End.
They’d been over it a hundred times already, but he wanted to make sure everyone had it memorised.
“Then what?” He asked Lyla.
“Then, we move the cargo into the main sector of the Sanctum. Once we’re in, you and Tylr will split from the group to locate the Omega Drive ship, the Journey’s End.”
“Right, and then?” Dack looked at Jonir.
“Then, the rest of us wait until we get radio confirmation of the location, and we begin the distraction using the cargo.”
“Excellent,” Dack looked at Hixon expec
tantly.
“While the alarms sound, the five of us will all head towards the Journey’s End, the expectation being that all the security will head towards the distraction, allowing us to get to the ship with minimal interference.”
“Right, and then we will need to get the ship. Jako will override the hanger controls remotely, and we can take the ship, and get out of there.”
“That’s the bit ah feel is most vague,” Lyla said, holding her hand up to make her point.
“Unfortunately, that’s all we have, Ezekiel’s plans gave us the rough layout and security levels of the Sanctum, but we can only be prepared.”
A pinging sound echoed around the ship, and Vittoria’s voice rang out.
“We’re ready when you guys are,” she said over the radio.
“Ok then,” Dack said, “let’s get this show on the road.”
*
They set the Solstice to autopilot, and all moved over to the Chariot. What they saw on arrival was more than they had expected.
Packed into the hanger of the ship, were almost one hundred people, all huddled together.
“Are they ok down there?” Dack asked Valen, as they stood on the walkway above.
“ ‘Ok’ is probably a bit strong, but they all volunteered, and agreed to the mission before they boarded. We need it to look authentic.”
“If you’re sure, Valen,” Dack nodded.
“I am, they are all ready to serve, if it means taking down the Syndicate. Vittoria and I saved them from the slave mines. When we sent the request out, they were more than eager to help be a part of the mission.” Valen explained.
“Let’s hope we can pull it off,” Dack patted Valen on the back, then moved back into the cockpit area.
Inside, the others were all suited in the Syndicate uniforms, watching through the viewscreen, while the Sanctum increased in size as they approached. It was a massive circular station, rotating around a hollow centre, where the ships were built. Defences scattered along its outer walls protected it from any invasion.
It wasn’t much longer, when an alert rang out.
“It’s the Sanctum,” Vittoria explained, she was in the captain’s seat. Flicking a switch to answer the call, a voice blurted out in the room.
“Unauthorised vessel, identify yourself, or we will destroy you.”
“Friendly folk,” Dack said.
Vittoria put a hand up to quiet him, before she held the comms button.
“Sanctum, this is independent vessel ‘The Chariot,’ we are bringing in prisoners due to be taken to the slave mines. I have five Syndicate soldiers on board. The Underground attacked their ship. We picked them up on our scheduled routes.”
They all waited in silence for the reply to come, it seemed to take far too long.
“Vessel ‘Chariot,’ we read you. If there are Syndicate soldiers on board, they should have clearance codes, please relay these for confirmation,” the voice replied.
Vittoria opened the file Jako had sent to the ships computer, and transmitted the file.
“Transmission in progress Sanctum, please confirm,”
“Transmission coming through, one moment while we check the codes.”
They all sat there, fingers crossed, and praying to whichever god they believed in.
Dack looked over at Vittoria, her eyes glued to the console where the transmission was sending. It was taking too long, something was wrong he was sure of it. His mind raced, as he tried to come up with a contingency plan, but everything had hinged on the codes allowing them access to the Sanctum. The base had the largest firepower of any station in the sectors, if they wanted to, they could destroy the Chariot without even blinking.
“Vessel Chariot, do you read?” the voice called out again.
They exchanged glances, the reply sounded ominous, why not just confirm access?
Vittoria nervously held the comms button.
“Er, Chariot here, reading you loud and clear,” she said, trying to hide any fear.
“Codes seems all ok, you are clear for docking. Sending docking channel routes to you now. Thank you for your service in assisting the troops.”
The entire crew breathed a sigh of relief, and started laughing to ease the tension they’d been holding in. Vittoria held a hand up.
“Shush!” She shouted, before holding the button again. “Thank you Sanctum, route is coming in now. Our pleasure to be of assistance,” she released the button, and began laughing herself.
They’d made it through the first hurdle. Now onto the next.
52
The Chariot docked into the Sanctum. Lyla took over the ship controls to land, while Vittoria and Valen got ready to meet anyone who approached to the cockpit side door. Dack and the others were all ready, dressed in their Syndicate uniforms.
The doors hissed open, and an army of Syndicate soldiers with their guns pointed at Vittoria before she could even begin her descent the ladder.
“Halt!” The shout came up from the guards, Vittoria couldn’t see who had said it.
She froze, and raised her hands in surrender as she leaned out of the cockpit.
“Open the cargo bay doors,” the shout rang out again.
She crept back into the cockpit to obey the command.
“We’re surrounded, there must be at least fifty soldiers out there,” she said.
“How could they suspect anything? We’ve used the right codes so far,” Valen shook his head.
“Maybe they don’t suspect anything, all they know is we have a ship full of prisoners, maybe they just want to make sure they’re secure?” Dack, thought through the process.
“So what do we do?” Tylr looked at him.
“Valen, come with me, we’ll wait by the cargo bay doors to meet them, Lyla, give us time to get there, then open the doors.”
He moved towards the cargo bay, Valen shrugged his shoulders, and followed him. The others stood, waiting to see how the events would unfold.
As the hanger door began to open, the lower section opening downwards, a sliver of light came through the centre of the doors, as the hanger outside came into view. Gun barrels were the first thing they could see, followed by the guards holding them.
“This could be they shortest heist in the history of heists,” Valen whispered.
“Just follow my lead,” Dack smiled. He’d missed the taste of danger and adrenaline which was shooting through his body.
As the door opened, he took a small step forward, holding his arms up to show he wasn’t a threat.
“Hey there!” He shouted out, using his raised hand to shield his eyes from the bright lights that shone directly at him.
“Are you in charge here?” A voice called out from the hanger.
“I’m the ranking officer of the soldiers on board, Valen here is captain of this vessel,” Dack replied, taking another step forwards. He was stood out of the ship now, getting a better view of the hanger. It was much smaller than he expected, room for eight craft. He calculated twenty-four guards around the ship, give or take.
A guard stepped forward to meet him, dressed in a Commander uniform he stood in front of Dack, and looked him up and down.
“You’re a little, unkept, lieutenant,” the Commander looked at the markings on the collar of Dack’s uniform to gather his rank.
“Ah, yes, well, we’ve been through quite an ordeal, sir,” Dack replied, an awkward smile flickered across his face. “We met some resistance from the Underground.
“I see, and these prisoners here?” The Commander raised his head to the gathered mass of people inside the ship.
“On route to the Ulysses Mines, under Captain Valen here, his papers are all in order,” Dack motioned to Valen, who produced his transport papers from his slaver trade.
The Commander snatched the papers, and scanned them over with a critical eye. He made an affirmative noise as he checked them. He looked up at Valen, then Dack, and finally the prisoners, then took a sharp intake of breath, which mad
e both Valen and Dack jump.
“Very well, we’ll take the prisoners to hold. Get your troops to the barracks and cleaned up, before reporting back to active duty. I expect a full debrief on your whereabouts, and how you ended up in this situation within the cycle,” the Commander motioned to the guards behind him to stand down, and for three of them to come over.
“Take the prisoners to the brig, we’ll sort transport for them to Ulysses,” he ordered.
The prisoners began to shuffle out of the cargo bay, as the guards shouted at them to move. Dack cleared his throat.
“Sir, Commander, perhaps some of my troops should assist with the prisoner transfer?”
“Why?” The Commander asked.
Dack paused.
“Well, they’ve been monitoring them for some time now, they can help identify and subdue any of the more, aggressive prisoners. There are a few rough ones in the pack, and I’d hate for your troops to deal with anything that could have been avoided,” Dack smiled at the Commander.
The Commander sighed.
“Fine, send whoever you feel is best equipped with them,” he turned, and began to walk away.
Dack signalled for Hixon, Jonir and Lyla to follow the group. Tylr came up beside Dack.
“That was close,” they said.
“It’s ok, it saves us having to split from the group. I didn’t think the Syndicate would be so trusting of us.”
Vittoria and Valen began to close the cargo bay doors.
“Let us know when you’re ready for us,” Vittoria said, as they watched the prisoners leaving the hanger.
“We will, come on Ty, let’s find that ship,” Dack and Tylr left the cargo bay as the doors began to close behind them.
They marched out of the hanger without speaking, or breaking stride. It wasn’t comfortable being completely out in the open, and they felt eyes watching them from around the room.
As soon as they passed the doors leading out of the hanger, they both exhaled their held breaths.
“Step two, successful,” Dack smiled.
“Those were the easy bits,” Tylr laughed.
They began hunting for anything that could help them locate the Journey’s End.
53
The Omega Drive Page 18