by Frank Carey
Akira took the pad and looked at it. His eyes went wide. “I totally agree,” he said as he pulled out his datapad and looked at the instructions Andromeda gave them. “That console over there to the right. It houses the primary weapons control system. Destroy it and the guns can't rollout. Cora, find us a way out which doesn't involve the delivery boy out there. Ladies, with me,” he said as he and the others ran to the console to set charges while Cora ran the scanner around the room including walls, floor, and ceiling.
Another loud thump against the door caused Cora to hasten her search.
While Cora looked for a way out, the others reached the console and found themselves locked out even with their keys. The thumping at the door got louder. Finally, abandoning all hope of obtaining access in a civilized fashion, Nyla extended her claws and thrust them into one of the consoles front panels. With a quick jerk, she sent the panel flying across the room, gaining them access into the console itself.
“Charges,” Akira said as he peered inside. The others pulled out seismic charges with timers sticking out of them. Akira set the timers and activated them as he threw them inside the console one by one. “Five minutes. Cora?”
“Over here, Boss,” she said, pointing to an open access cover. They ran over and peered inside just as the room's double door exploded inward followed by a dozen large and angry bots led by a behemoth the size of a small truck.
As Cora and Nyla laid down suppressive fire, Akira jumped into the hole with his rifle at the ready. He landed and saw the area clear. “Come on down,” he yelled as he got out of way. Moments later Joanie and Maddie joined him, but no Cora or Nyla.
On the deck above, the two women were having an argument over who should go next while they destroyed bots. “Nyla, get the hell down that hole,” Cora yelled as she snapped another energy pack into her rifle.
“Hardly, girlfriend. You're next,” Nyla yelled as she grabbed Cora by the back of her uniform and dropped her into the hole feet first followed by slamming the panel closed while continuing to lay down fire.
Cora hit the ground screaming mad, but there was no time for that. Akira grabbed her and dragged her away from the panel while the other two ran ahead. Moments later an explosion rocked them in the between-deck access tunnel. “Nyla!” Cora screamed while trying to break free of Akira's grip. He held her there while Maddie ran a scan. She looked up with tears in her eyes while shaking her head.
“Cora, she's gone,” Akira said as he slowly released his grip. She stood there, lost. “We have to go,” he said while putting his hand on her shoulder. “She died with honor.”
Cora shook free of his grip and gave him a look that could shrivel a rhino, but said nothing as she ran down the accessway toward the aft part of the ship.
“We've got this, Boss,” Maddie said as she and Joanie headed off to catch up with their friend. Akira looked up at the panel above his head for a moment, saying a silent prayer before joining them.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Nyla stood on the panel firing on the bot swarm, destroying most of them except for the big one, the one which had its eye on her. As the last bot died so did her gun, Nyla dropped the weapon on the ground and faced the behemoth unarmed and alone. She realized she only had seconds left before the bombs went off, but she didn't care. Nyla was doing exactly what she was supposed to do, protect others, so she let nature take its course as the giant bot advanced on her. She screamed defiance as her claws and fangs fully extended. As her heart rate tripled, she transformed into one of her planet's greatest warriors--an angry Tyen. She watched as the bot reared up, intent on crushing her. Just as the beast's metal body brushed her hair, the room disappeared and was replaced by a blank wall.
“What the hell?” she said as she stared at the wall in utter shock. “Where the hell's the bot?” she asked as she turned around. She stopped when she found herself facing dozens of women in uniform. She found herself in a barracks of some sort.
“Hello,” one of the women said.
Realizing what she must look like to them, Nyla relaxed, retracting her fangs and claws in the process. She smiled at the others and replied, “Hello.”
“Hello,” another said as she walked up and clasped forearms with Nyla. “My name is Capt. Freya Heranna of the Olympian Warship Artemis. Who are you, and do you know where we are?”
“Artemis? Wait a minute, Andromeda said she was from the Artemis,” Nyla said as the others crowded around the two of them.
“By the gods, you know Andromeda? You've spoken to her?” the captain exclaimed.
“Yes, she is well. Wait a moment,” Nyla said as she pulled out her scanner and panned it around the room. “Just as I suspected. Captain, I don't know how, but we're inside Annihilator. Our life signs have been masked somehow which is why we didn't pick you up earlier. Someone is going to a lot of trouble to hide you.”
“I don't understand,” the captain said.
“Okay. Let me start from the beginning. My name is Nyla Jinks, crewman aboard the League Transport Vessel Hippolyta. We are in orbit around a planet called Earth.” Before questions could start, Nyla explained what happened from the time they found Andromeda to the present.
“The mind boggles, but at least Andie is alive and well. I suspected we were aboard a ship, and I think I know how we got here.”
“I'm all ears, Captain,” Nyla said as she rubbed the pointed tips of hers.
“Our scientists have developed a device which can move objects from one point in space to another instantaneously. Annihilator was equipped with several prototypes which were to be tested during her shakedown cruise. The pilot must have used them to save us.”
“Make that pilots. According to your Admiral Galactus, this baby is being run by two pilots, one of which wants to destroy Earth while the other was sent to stop her.”
“Blast and damn!” the captain said. “If we could only get out of here.”
“I may be able to grant that wish,” Nyla said as she took off the key. “Where's the door?”
Freya led her to a large hatch. “Let's see if this still works,” Nyla said as she pressed the key against the lock pad. The door quietly opened.
“By the holies, you are a miracle worker,” Capt. Heranna said.
“It was nothing. Captain, I need to rejoin my team and stop Annihilator, and you need to get your people out of here.”
“Aye,” Freya said. “Capt. Lansk, Capt. Senta, get everyone into the life pods and eject immediately.”
“Freya, we...”
“I will not hear of it. You have fulfilled your duty. Now, the task force needs you and the others to stop this thing if we fail,” she said as she clasped their forearms.
“Um, Captain, where are you going?” Nyla asked as she watched the others dive into life pods lining the corridor. As the pods filled, their doors sealed followed by audible thumps as they ejected into space.
“I'm going with you. Annihilator and its pilot destroyed my ship and two others without hesitation. I suspect the other pilot couldn't stop her, so he used the teleportation system to save us. I find such behavior commendable in a male.”
“The male's name is Romulus Galactus,” Nyla said as they watched the last pod leave.
Freya stopped abruptly. “What did you say?”
“Romulus Galactus, the admiral's not-so-deceased son.”
They walked down the corridor toward the bow. “You will have to regale me with that story when we have time. Though she tried to keep it secret, I knew Andromeda was the admiral's daughter. I did not know the admiral had a son, deceased or otherwise.”
A few minutes later, they stopped at a door marked “Armory.” Using her key, Nyla opened the door and whistled as the lights came up. “You could take over a small country with these weapons,” she said as she picked up a blaster rifle. “Do you normally carry a fully stocked armory on a shakedown cruise?”
“A small planet, actually,” Freya said as she geared up. “A girl can never be t
oo careful or too well-armed.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Adm. Washington stood at the holoprojection of Annihilator and wondered what the hell was happening in that huge ship. Half an hour ago, the Starguard Rescue Ship Zheng He had returned with its Olympian escort. The news was not good. No survivors or even bodies had been found at the site of the Olympian Task Force's encounter with the massive warship. No one had even the slightest idea how this could be possible.
“Admiral, look!” Capt. Brock said while pointing at the image of Annihilator. Trisha looked and saw hundreds of life pods ejecting into space.
“What the...?”
“Science, scan those pods for life signs,” Kelly said as her training took over.
“Scanning, Ma’am... Definite living beings on board. Humanoid, female, four per pod. Annihilator is ignoring them.”
“Communications! Signal all ships to begin rescue operations and coordinate with Capt. Brock,” the admiral ordered.
“Aye, aye, Admiral”
“Sound general quarters! Set condition Rescue One. Scramble all shuttles. Sickbay, prepare to receive casualties! Communications, signal the fleet we are at Condition Rescue One.”
“Aye, aye, Captain. We are at Condition Rescue One. Earth, League, and Olympian fleets are responding, Ma’am.”
Kelly walked over to stand next to Trisha. “Damn, look at all of the pods. There must be a hundred of them. Who the hell could be on board?”
“I'll bet a pound of my best coffee that we have found the missing crews from the Olympian Task Force. Somehow they got snatched off those ships before Annihilator destroyed them.”
“How?”
“That's what I want to find out. Signal Sickbay I want to talk to a survivor ASAP.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Kelly walked up to Trisha and gently touched her arm. “Admiral, Capt. Angelica Senta of OWS Aphrodite would like to speak with you.”
“Yes, of course,” Trisha said as she signaled a yeoman to bring tea.
Kelly brought over a young, tall woman and made introductions while tea was served. “If you'll excuse me, I have duties to attend to,” Kelly said as she walked away to give the captain and admiral some alone time.
“Welcome aboard, Captain,” Trisha said as she handed Angelica a cup of tea. “I hope my people are seeing to your needs.”
“Your hospitality is wonderful. Thank you, Admiral,” she replied as she looked around her. “Admiral, I talked to Adm. Galactus and she has ordered me to cooperate fully with you, so please ask me anything.”
“Thank you. I have one burning question: How is it you and your people are alive? Your ships were obliterated with no evidence of even a single escape pod making it out.”
Angelica explained about the teleportation devices. “They were never meant to be used with living things, only cargo and munitions.”
“Munitions?”
“Arm a bomb, then transport it to the enemy ship. At least that was the idea. Personally, I don't like it at all. Too impersonal.”
“I agree. Did you ever have any communication with either pilot?”
“No, Ma’am. One minute we were in our ships facing death, the next we were in the crew's quarters. We saw and heard nothing until Crewman Jinks appeared. She had a worker key which she used to let us out. That's it.”
“I see. Well thank you for all your help. I assume you are anxious to report to Adm. Galactus, so I won't keep you.”
“Thank you, Admiral,” she said, saluting before being led off the bridge by a yeoman.
“Teleportation device,” Trisha said as she went back to staring at the holodisplay. “Ain't that the damnedest thing?”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Standing in the Penthesileia's Landing Bay Reception Area, Athena waited and watched as survivors from the ill-fated task force were brought on board. Standing out of the way, Joshua watched as dozens of women streamed through the small room on their way to Sickbay for examination.
“Selene!” Athena called out as a tall young woman with striking golden hair entered the room
“Admiral!” the woman said as she came to attention with a sharp salute.
Athena immediately returned it before clasping the Captain's forearm. “By the heavens, you've returned. How do you feel?”
“Fine, confused but fine,” she said as she looked up and saw Joshua standing there.
“Capt. Selene Lansk, this is Fleet Adm. Joshua Fenstrom of the Earth Defense Force,” Athena said as she introduced them.
“Capt. Lansk,” Joshua said as he clasped forearms with her, “I am glad to see you and the other sailors safe.”
“Thank you, Admiral,” she said as she stared at him while rubbing her forearm where he had touched her.
“Pull it together, Captain,” Athena whispered in admonishment. “You've seen a man before.”
“Not like this, Ma’am,” Selene said as she averted her eyes to break the spell.
“Captain, do you have any idea what is going on in Annihilator?” Joshua asked.
Selene explained what happened and what Nyla had told them. “Admirals, if I know Capt. Heranna, she stopped at the Armory and stocked up on weapons before heading to the Control Center with Crewman Jinks. It sounded like the security bots are fully functional.”
“Security bots?” Joshua asked.
“Semi-autonomous robots which roam the interior of the ship looking for unauthorized intruders,” Athena explained. “Either pilot can control them as well as the ship's computer, or the bots can roam freely under their own control. I won't minimize the danger your people are in, especially when the bots could be under the influence of someone like Procis Hallas.”
“Admiral, how long will it take the Annihilator self-repair systems to repair the damage?” Joshua asked.
“Captain?” Athena asked Selene.
“One hour minimum from the description Crewman Jinks gave of what they used to destroy the console.”
Athena walked over to a wall communicator panel and hit the activation button. “Bridge, this is Galactus. Status of Annihilator's shields?”
“Admiral, shields are at full power. Sensors indicate weapon's control is out.”
“What about propulsion and central control?”
“Unchanged, Ma’am.”
“Keep me posted. Galactus out. I hate this not knowing,” she said.
“Copy that,” Joshua said as the last of the task force crewmembers passed through the reception room.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Fiona and her group made their way along the corridor while keeping watch for security bots or any other surprises Annihilator may throw at them. As they walked, Resh kept watch with his scanpad. When they were half-way to their destination, the lights in the hallway dimmed as they felt more than heard a far-off explosion. Fiona looked at Resh who was already changing the settings on his scan pad. “Massive explosion forward of our position. Power fluctuations across all systems. No change to ship's shields or life support.” He changed settings. “Four life signs coming this direction--one male and... three female. All human,” he said almost dropping the pad.
Sheila tried the communicator, but couldn't break through the interference. Resh wanted to run back to where Akira and his group were, but Fiona grabbed him by his furry shoulders. As she held him, he tried to break free. “Resh! Focus. We have a mission to accomplish. I need you, here.”
He stopped struggling and looked at her. “Okay, but I'm going to go find her when we're finished,” he said, his voice almost breaking.
“And I will be right beside you. All of us will.”
He took a deep breath before heading down the hallway. The others followed while Sheila hung back to talk with Fiona.
“Sheila, is he going to be okay?” Fiona asked as they proceeded down the corridor.
“He's tough, but I'll keep an eye on him. Now, how are you doing?”
“I've had better days,
” she said. “Look, I'm dealing with all of this, I promise.”
“That's all any of us can ask for,” Sheila said. “I think we've arrived.”
Ahead of them, Andromeda, Resh, and Saul had come to a halt in front of a large door flanked by two sentry bots who stared at them with red glowing ocular sensors.
“Are they safe?” Fiona asked as she fidgeted with her rifle.
“If we don't threaten what's beyond these doors, they will stand there and watch,” Andromeda said as she thumped the left one on its chest. “If we become a threat, they will attack while calling every security bot in range, so I suggest you don't raise that rifle too high.”
“Right,” Fiona replied as she lowered the barrel to her side. “How do we get in?”
“Let me try some of my access codes,” Andie said. While she input data into the lock pad beside the doors, the others kept watch. After twenty minutes of futile attempts, Andromeda stepped back from the pad. “Either the codes have changed or something is blocking us. I suggest...”
Resh walked up and ripped the pad off the wall. “Hold this, please,” he said while handing his scanpad to Andromeda. He knelt and rewired the lock. Unfortunately, the two bots took his actions to be hostile.
“Saul, Sheila, take them out!” Fiona said in reference to the two sentry bots who were advancing on Resh and Andromeda. They opened fire, quickly turning both bots into smoking piles of debris.
“Saul, full scan,” Fiona said as she watched down the corridor.
“On it, Boss. Shit. Andromeda, how many bots did you say there were?” he asked, his eyes wide from what he saw on the pad.
“Several hundred, give or take.”
“Well, they're all coming to visit. ETA less than three minutes.”
“Resh, buddy, you need to get the door open,” Fiona said to the fur-covered crewman.
“Working on it, Captain,” he replied.