by Chris Fox
“Yes, sir,” Hannan said. She glanced at Edwards, and grew a shade paler. She kept moving, though. She and Izzy moved to the far side of the room, their weapons scanning the corridor that led in the direction they hoped the bridge was.
“Nolan, you might want to see this before we go,” Lena called. She was standing in front of one of the pods.
Nolan approached cautiously, peering through the window. He could only stare. “My god, what are they doing?”
Inside was a human, or what was left of one. All that remained was a spine and a brain, and they floated in a viscous green liquid. The pod began to hum, and the bottom opened. Nolan peered down, watching as a shape rose into the liquid. A familiar metallic frame, with too-thin limbs.
“This is how they make Judicators,” he said, horror turning his bowels to ice. “They’re harvesting people to make more troops.”
“This is barbaric,” Fizgig hissed, peering into the pod. She rounded on Nolan. “We must stop these things. At any cost.”
Nolan gave a tight nod, then started trotting up the corridor. Before, he’d been scared. He’d been tired. Now? He was angry. These bastards were going to pay. He would find a way to make them pay.
They ran up several flights of stairs, then through a maze of corridors. Nolan let Lena guide them. She didn’t have a true map, but the info contained in the VI was the closest thing. Minutes passed, and the anger continued to smolder. He could read it on all their faces.
He expected to meet more resistance, but they saw no other Judicators as they made their way closer and closer to the bridge. Finally, they rounded a corner and found a room that could be nothing else. A large black platform sat in the center of the room. It looked almost identical to the one on Purito, where they’d found the VI. The link between Primo technology and the Void Wraith continued to trouble him.
“Okay, fan out and lock down the exits to this room,” Nolan commanded.
Hannan, Izzy, and Fizgig fanned out. There were two doorways—the one they’d entered through and another at the far side of the room. As with every room they’d passed through, there were no doors, and thus no way to truly lock down the room. If other Judicators were on the ship, they could assault them at any time.
“Lena, what can you do to get us control of this ship?” Nolan asked.
“Nothing,” a metallic voice said. Nolan spun to see a holographic figure appear over the black platform. It was Primo, just like the VI they’d brought with them. “Your deaths are assured, your efforts wasted.”
“What the hell are you?” Nolan asked, instinctively aiming his rifle at the hologram.
“I am Sentinel,” it said, watching him impassively, “though that information is useless to you. Wraith are already on their way. Your existence will be terminated in four minutes and thirteen seconds. Your genetic matter will be harvested, and converted into more soldiers.”
Nolan was silent for a moment. He glanced at Lena, but she only shrugged. “Why are you attacking us?” Nolan asked. “What do you get out of it?”
“I fulfill my purpose,” Sentinel answered, metallically. “Nothing you do here will matter. Your struggle is futile.”
“You know,” Nolan said, narrowing his eyes, “every time I’ve heard anyone tell me something like that, it’s because they fear me. If we’re so powerless how did we reach your bridge? Lena, can you deactivate that thing?”
“It will take me a little time, but I think so,” Lena said, moving to crouch next to the black platform.
“Your efforts will avail you not,” Sentinel said, watching Lena.
“Maybe,” Nolan said. “I believe otherwise. You fear us. You fear something we’d learn, otherwise why did you go to the effort of wiping out all those Primo ruins? You knew there was something that we could recover, something we could learn that would be a threat.”
“Your arrogance is impressive,” Sentinel said. It paused, studying Nolan. “I harvested the ruins to obtain more virtual intelligences. They are required to run vessels such as this. Their construction requires immense time and effort. Recovering them is a more expedient way of expanding my forces. This is why the worlds belonging to the race you know as the Primo Genitus were targeted first.”
The wheels began to turn in Nolan’s head, and a grin spread across his face. This thing had inadvertently revealed something vital.
“Your amusement will be short-lived,” Sentinel said, a hint of emotion finally infusing its tone. “The other vessels I have created have nearly arrived. Even if they had not, over two dozen line units will soon be assaulting you.”
63
Allies
“Mighty Khar,” one of the Tigris called. “Twelve vessels are emerging from the Helios Gate.”
Dryker watched from his place in the corner, saying nothing as the view screen shifted to show a fleet emerging from the sun’s corona. The vessels were tiny specks, too small to identify visually.
“Are they broadcasting an ident?” Khar rumbled. He hadn’t risen since sitting in the captain’s chair, which didn’t surprise Dryker. Khar’s fur was still matted with blood, and none of his injuries had been tended to. One of his eyes was swollen shut, and he bled freely from wounds on his chest.
“Yes, Mighty Khar. It’s the Fourth Claw of the Leonis Pride,” the comm officer said.
“Rejoice,” Khar roared, giving a booming Tigris laugh. “Get me the lead vessel on screen.”
A moment later, a black-furred Tigris face loomed on the screen. It stared hard at Khar before speaking. “Where is Mighty Fizgig? We have come to aid her in battle.”
“Mighty Fizgig is aboard the Void Wraith vessel near us,” Khar said. He leaned forward in his chair. “She is attempting to seize control, with the aid of the humans.”
“The humans?” the black-furred Tigris said, clearly surprised. Then its gaze fell on Dryker. “I see you have one of those humans aboard your ship, and not just any human either. You’ve captured Dryker, the worm who destroyed one of our science vessels. Why is he not restrained?”
“Because I’m not a prisoner,” Dryker said. Letting Khar speak for him would be a mistake, and he knew it. Tigris only respected strength. “My ship is gutted, but with its destruction Khar and I killed dozens of Void Wraith. Maybe hundreds. We gave my first officer and Mighty Fizgig time to invade their vessel.”
“He speaks the truth, Mighty Varr,” Khar said, nodding respectfully. “We do not have time to discuss this, though. Six more Void Wraith vessels have left the station you’ve no doubt seen on your sensors. They will engage us shortly.”
“Interesting,” Varr said, giving a feline smile. “We will see what these fairy tales can do in real combat. My fleet is moving to support you, Mighty Khar. Fight with honor.”
Then the view screen went dark. Dryker removed his tablet from his pocket, reviewing the data he’d accumulated since arriving in-system. The first massive structure was clearly a factory, but what about the second—the one containing the vast amount of that mysterious heavy element? It must be important to the Void Wraith, and he was afraid they’d soon find out why.
64
VI Removal
“How’s it going, Lena?” Nolan asked. He’d moved to stand just beside the doorway they’d entered through. He didn’t see any sign of the enemy yet, but if Sentinel was telling the truth they’d be under assault by the ship’s forces soon.
“I’ve exposed the panel, and I can see the data cube containing Sentinel,” Lena called. She was bent over the black platform with an electro spanner in one hand.
The entire ship shook violently, and Nolan barely caught himself against the wall.
“What the hell was that?” Hannan called from the doorway she was guarding.
“That,” Fizgig said, “was a massive explosion. Given the resulting kick, I’d guess we’re no longer docked with the Johnston.”
“Shit,” Hannan said. She gave Nolan a sober look. “Do you think the old man blew up the gauss cannon?”
“It makes sense,” Nolan replied. He glanced up the corridor. Still nothing. “If he detonated the gauss cannon, he’d take out all the Void Wraith forces—meaning they can’t return to stop us here.”
“A noble sacrifice,” Fizgig said. Her tail drooped. “Dryker was the most feared human commander during our brief war with humanity. He will be sung about in our legends.”
“Contact,” Hannan yelled. She dropped to a knee, snapping her assault rifle to her shoulder. The sharp report of automatic weapons fire filled the bridge as she fired down her corridor.
Nolan considered running to join her, but resisted the urge. His job was to guard this doorway, and if he left it the Void Wraith could flank him from behind. He faced the doorway, his stomach dropping when he saw movement. Several shimmering forms were approaching. “We’re about to have a lot more company. What’s the status of deactivating that VI, Lena?”
“I need a minute,” she yelled.
“We don’t have a minute,” Hannan called back. “Izzy, I need you over here.”
The white-furred cat sprinted to join Hannan. The pair laid down continuous fire, and for the moment nothing was making it through their doorway. Nolan turned back to his. The shimmering forms were getting closer.
“I see at least three coming my way,” he yelled, then carefully raised his assault rifle to his shoulder. He fired at the closest target, and the Judicator stumbled back three paces. Its cloaking field dropped, and Nolan used the opportunity to target the thing’s head. He squeezed off a three-round burst, and the Judicator dropped to the deck.
The other two fired a steady stream of blue plasma, and Nolan had no choice but to duck behind cover. He waited two seconds, then ducked back into the doorway to fire another burst. Both Judicators fired the instant his head appeared, and it was only dumb luck that he got back into cover in time. The bursts of plasma shot into the room, one exploding a control panel in a shower of sparks.
“They’ve got me pinned over here,” Nolan yelled. “Two bogies. They’ll be into the room soon.”
“I’ve almost got it,” Lena yelled.
“Four targets inbound,” Fizgig roared, firing down her corridor. “We are surrounded. I mean no disrespect, holy one, but if you cannot deactivate the VI we’ll be dead in moments.”
Nolan dropped prone, then extended his rifle along the floor. He fired blindly, then yanked the weapon back out of sight. A pair of plasma bursts cratered the floor where his weapon had been, sending up a spray of shrapnel that pinged off his armor. One of the fragments hit his visor, sending a spiderweb of cracks along the right rear portion. At least the HUD still worked.
“I’ve got it,” Lena yelled triumphantly. Nolan risked a glance. She was holding aloft a cube that looked nearly identical to the Primo VI.
“They’re still coming,” Hannan yelled. “Whatever you did didn’t work.”
65
Engage
Dryker felt helpless, nothing more than a bystander in what could be the most important conflict in recorded history. He watched as the Tigris vessels fanned out, moving with the practiced precision that had given the Leonis Pride such an advantage during their war with the humans.
The ships moved in unison, shifting formation to form a net around the Claw of Tigrana and the seemingly dormant Void Wraith vessel. Then it was a waiting game. They knew six Void Wraith vessels were out there, but their cloaking technology allowed them to choose the time and place they would engage. It was the type of advantage that a smart foe could use to devastating effect, and Dryker found himself holding his breath as he waited for the assault to begin.
It came sooner than he expected.
“Mighty Khar, three vessels have de-cloaked off our starboard port. They’re moving to engage the fleet,” the comm officer called.
The view screen shifted to show the three Void Wraith vessels. Each was charging their main weapon, the ball of blue plasma that did such catastrophic damage. All three fired at the lead Tigris vessel. The first shot impacted against the shield, which flickered, then dropped. The second and third shot both hit the central line running down the Tigris vessel. The impacts disintegrated huge chunks of the vessel, and it broke apart in a fiery explosion. The remnants began drifting sunward, pulled by the immense gravity.
All three Void Wraith vessels shifted to the next closest target, unleashing a similar barrage. The second Tigris vessel fared no better than the first, its remains joining the wreckage floating toward the sun.
Four Tigris vessels moved to intercept, firing cable after cable. They surrounded the first Void Wraith vessel, pulling it into a web it could not escape. More Tigris vessels moved to intercept, but the remaining two Void Wraith cloaked.
“Mighty Khar, we’re under assault,” the comm officer yelled.
Proximity alarms went off, and the lighting on the bridge changed from white to a soft red. Then the ship shook as something impacted. A moment later, a second impact came, and sparks showered from several terminals. The lights flickered, then died.
“Damage report,” Khar yelled.
“We’ve lost main power, Mighty Khar,” a voice called in the darkness. “Life support is operational, and we’re working to restore secondary power.”
“What hit us?” Khar roared.
“Two Void Wraith vessels de-cloaked off the aft side of the ship,” the comm officer replied.
Dryker clenched a fist, wishing there was something he could do. The Void Wraith outclassed the Tigris. The Tigris might inflict casualties…but there was no way they could win this fight.
66
VI Replacement
Nolan waited until the first Judicator stepped through the doorway, then jammed the barrel of his rifle into the place he suspected the face was. He fired a three-round burst, and was elated when the Judicator dropped to the deck with a clatter. He danced backwards, but then realized that they weren’t exploding. If they had been, the fight would already have been over. Thank God for whatever directive made them less explosive aboard this ship.
“Lena, what have you got for us?” Nolan said, aiming his rifle at the doorway. The last Judicator hadn’t stepped through.
“Uh, I’m going to connect the Primo VI to the ship,” Lena yelled back. Her voice was nearly drowned out by the staccato of gunfire coming from Hannan, Izzy, and Fizgig. “I have no idea what that will do, but it can’t be any worse than where we’re at right now.”
“Do it,” Nolan yelled.
The third Judicator stepped through the doorway. Nolan tried the same trick, but this Judicator was expecting it. It slashed down with a trio of blazing plasma blades, and the weapons sheared through the barrel of Nolan’s rifle. He dropped the useless weapon, backpedaling as the thing advanced on him. He couldn’t even see its face, since it was still cloaked. But he could see it raise the shimmering outline of a plasma rifle barrel.
Nolan drew his sidearm and began firing. The shots knocked the Judicator back, but he knew it wasn’t going to be enough. He was dead.
The Judicator’s head exploded, and it toppled onto Nolan. The weight of the body pinned him to the deck, and he struggled to kick the thing off him.
“You owe me, Commander,” Hannan yelled. “Now get back on your feet and secure the damned doorway. More of these things are coming. Izzy, go back him up.”
The white cat bounded over, reaching down to tug the headless Judicator off Nolan. He could see her arms straining, and it reminded him of the much larger Judicator still pinning Edwards somewhere in the ship.
“Thanks,” he said, accepting Izzy’s paw as she helped him to his feet.
“I’ve got it,” Lena called excitedly.
Nolan spun to the platform. The holographic display flickered to life, this time showing the same VI they’d met back on Purito. It looked down at Lena. “I have bonded with this vessel, and now control all vital systems. What are your orders?”
“Turn off the Judicators,” Lena yelled. “Make them stop atta
cking.”
“Acknowledged,” the VI answered. It closed its virtual eyes, and the Judicators advancing up the corridors shimmered into view and then just…stopped. They froze mid-stride, some with weapons still raised. “I’ve ordered all units to stand down. They will take no further action until ordered to do so.”
67
More Allies
“Secondary power online,” the golden-furred comm officer called. The lights flickered back on, though they were weaker than normal.
Dryker leaned against the railing that separated the rear deck from the main portion where the crew was performing vital bridge tasks. He longed to take action, but his role in this battle was over. He was an observer, and all he could do was hope the Tigris found a way to prevail.
“Status report,” Khar demanded.
“Five Tigris vessels have been destroyed, and one more is disabled,” the comm officer said, his tone subdued. “At least two Void Wraith vessels have been destroyed, possibly three. The rest have retreated for now.”
“They’re falling back,” Khar muttered. He spun his chair to face Dryker. “Why? Why would they do that, Captain?”
“They had the advantage,” Dryker said, studying the view screen. “The only reason they’d fall back is if they expected reinforcements.”
“Mighty Khar, the large structure near the factory has begun to move toward the sun,” the comm officer said.
The view screen shifted to show the enormous vessel powering slowly toward the sun. It looked like a giant turnip, and if Dryker’s data was correct it was easily the size of Earth’s moon.
“Captain, do you have any theories about that thing?” Khar asked, turning to him.