by TS Paul
“Sir. We haven’t found anything but animals so far. Is command sure they came this way?”
The officer pushed off the tree he was leaning against to yell at the reporting sergeant when there was a crashing sound. A small cloth-wrapped body fell from the tree onto the ground.
“A spy! Seize him!” The officer drew his sidearm and pointed it at the small boy.
The sergeant grabbed the child and pulled him to his feet.
“Search him!”
That was all Bai Hu wanted to remember. Pain followed by even more pain. He held his hands out in front of his face and cried out. They were covered in dried blood! The memory of how it happened came roaring back into his head.
Rough hands grabbed his arms as they pulled and ripped the clothing his mother made for him. Bai Hu struggled and pulled at the strong grips trying to break free. The hands became more forceful and more violent as they searched his emaciated body. His anger grew.
“Sir, it’s just a child. Nothing on him except this.” The soldier held up a necklace Bai Hu thought was securely around his neck.
The officer holstered his weapon and took the small gold chain from the troop. It was rope gold with a small gold tag at the end. It had the look of being old and well rubbed. It might bring a good price at market. “Search him again and start questioning him.”
Name, what is your name, kept being repeated to Bai Hu. He saw his father's most prized possession in the hands of the enemy and growled at them.
“Sir!” The officer continued to stroke the gold and only glanced in the direction of his men.
Bai Hu felt the change coming over him, and he didn’t try to stop it this time. He would have his necklace back!
Too much blood. He opened his eyes again to the forest that surrounded him. Time to run. Checking his neck again, he tucked his prize away and ran.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“No.”
“But…” Jeo recoiled back from the Queen. Her eyes were starting to go red.
“What part of ‘NO’ didn’t you understand Jeo? You almost got yourself, and five of our kids killed!” Queen Bethany Anne told TOM to reign in her emotions for this.
“Exploring Earth’s engineering feats is how I teach.” Jeo held up his hands before the Queen could launch into another tirade at him. John Grimes, her bodyguard, and friend raised an eyebrow at that. It took a brave man to cut the Queen off like that!
“You told me yourself those kids are our future. We shouldn’t be afraid to teach them, and they shouldn’t be afraid to learn.” Jeo pointed toward the academy.
Bethany took a deep breath before answering. She didn’t know Jeo had it in him to stand up to her like this. “And what happens if they get killed? What if you get killed?”
“Then we die with honor. When school is over, each of them may have to make that choice for themselves. Everyone here says the same thing. The moment we step through that gate we are at war with the universe. This is just a supply run to Hell. We have to train them the best we can for the future. If it means taking a few risks along the way so be it. Now, you can yell at me some more.” Jeo rocked back on his heels and stared up at John Grimes.
He has a point. I know that my niece, Tina, would take any chance to better herself. She wants to be here, with us. John said looking at his boss.
I absolutely hate the fact that we could be sending children to their deaths here. But he does have a point. Do you know if Bobcat has finished that ten-person pod yet? Bethany Anne responded.
Jeo was starting to sweat. He could almost feel the silent communication between the Queen and John. Like much of the information he had gathered, the whole telepathy thing was an open secret. Particularly among those in the inner circle. He was studying his feet in great detail when he heard his name.
“Lost in space there Jeo? Now that I have your attention, I have my decision. I will allow you and the children to continue your class visits to Earth.” Queen Bethany Anne stared at him. He had no idea she was reading his mind.
“Before you start celebrating I have two conditions.”
Inwardly Jeo cursed. Good or bad?
Bethany Anne smiled. “First you will give Team BMW back those experimental pods. Bobcat swears he needs them for a project. Instead of them, you will be testing the new ten-person pod they built for me. Try not to scratch it, please.”
“My second condition is one of protection. The recent tension on Earth is increasing exponentially. Spain, Bulgaria, and now Egypt has seen recent violence against our people with us or in the Unknown World. Too many lies and twisted truths exist. Our time here grows short, only a few more months and we will be ready. I am assigning one of the Black Eagle Pods to you. Peter can fly it, but it will be under the EI’s control. You will call for help if attacked. Understood?”
The fear in the room ratcheted up, and the Queen’s eyes took on a red cast.
Jeo nodded vigorously. Pissing her off was not a good career move. “Yes, Ma’am. I will do whatever you wish. Thank you.”
She only nodded. “Peter? Keep a firm eye on both him and the kids please.”
Pushing off the back wall, Peter stepped forward into the light. “Yes, My Queen.”
What is this My Queen stuff? I blame you for this. Bethany Anne looked in John’s direction.
She looked back at Jeo. “Just do a good job. Thanks, Peter.”
Peter chuckled as he stepped forward and grabbed Jeo’s arm. “Come on. Audience over.” He all but picked the man up and carried him out of the room.
Jeo could only stare down at the grip of iron that held his arm. He knew Peter was strong, but this was crazy!
“Where are we going?” Outside the room, Peter let go of him and smiled.
“BMW’s lair. They are supposed to have completed the pod that the Queen just said to use. They won’t be happy to give it to us.” Peter grabbed Jeo’s arm and pointed him in the direction of the tram.
~~~~~~~~
“Any reason you can think of that Jeo and Peter would be coming here to see us?” Bobcat spoke to his two friends. He just happened to look at the security feeds and could see the two reaching for the door.
“Merideth? Do you know why we have visitors?” Bobcat looked up out of habit. Merideth was the EI that helped to run the asteroid base.
“Yes, Bobcat. The Queen ordered them to see you.”
“Hmm. She usually calls us directly for stuff.” Bobcat muttered to himself.
Marcus looked up from the design platform he was using. “Did you say something?”
“It wasn’t important. We are about to have some visitors.” His last word almost echoed in the room. Marcus had put his head back down and tuned him right out.
Bobcat sighed, “Talking to myself again it seems.” Leaving his two friends to their work, he sauntered down to the main entrance to meet his fate, yet again.
~~~~~
“Did you know I’ve never actually been inside this place since they took it over? I was here when one of my digging crews hollowed it out with the Yollin mining equipment. We were doing this practically by hand with modern, for Earth, digging equipment. The work went really fast after that.” Jeo frowned remembering his mining days.
“Where did you meet them at then? I know from your file… oops. Forget I said anything.” Peter stepped ahead of Jeo.
“I have a file? Why? Am I some sort of security risk or something?” Jeo stopped dead in his tracks and yelled at Peter’s back. “Hey, answer me!”
“He can’t Jeo. He’s under orders. If it’s any consolation, I was upset when I found out about my file.” Bobcat called out to Jeo.
Turning, Jeo looked at his former boss. “Why have them in the first place?”
“You’re a scientist. How do you collect data? Think about it for a moment. We are surrounded by Electronic Intelligences and ADAM, the Artificial intelligence all the time. As part of their programming, they track things. It’s both for security, and it helps them internall
y. Where we go. What we do. Who we talk to. About what? There are no private thoughts here. Half the Queen’s Rangers can read your mind at the drop of a hat.” Bobcat pointed at one of the sensor clusters that dotted the entire base.
“That’s horrible! I had no idea!” Jeo looked horrified.
“Yes, you did. We all did. Don’t tell me you never even considered it? We are all here for the same general purpose. Anyone with disloyal leanings or masters they report to other than the Queen is asked to leave. A small group was set down in Australia just last week. People are human. Humans are complicated. Has having your movements or conversations tracked hurt you in any way?”
“No, I don’t think so at least.” Jeo looked back in the direction of Peter. He was slowly returning.
“Unless it’s an emergency, no one sees that data. Only ADAM has control of it. There is a very short list of who can and cannot view any of it. Pretty much only the Queen, the General, and her closest can. Medical practitioners have access in life-threatening situations .”
Jeo began to nod. “I can see that. It still bothers me.”
“I understand buddy. I understand.” Bobcat looked at Peter and smiled. “Hiya Peter.”
“Good explanation there. I didn’t know you knew about the system.”
“Sure, you did. It’s in my file.” He laughed.
Peter pursed his lips. “Possibly true. Couldn’t tell you if it was anyway.” He looked at Jeo. “We good?”
“We are. Sorry I freaked out a bit there. The idea that I was being watched just freaked… Wait a minute.”
Jeo looked at Bobcat with fresh eyes. “Is that how you found out about my former assistant and um… The special avatars I was using at the time?”
“Sort of. I would suggest you not talk about or bring that up.” Bobcat nodded in Peter’s direction.
Peter’s eyes were slowly shifting to that of wolf eyes as the two men watched. “Whoa! Is he shifting?”
“Not if I can help it.” Bobcat walked over the Guardian commander and moved to tap him on the shoulder.
Peter grabbed Bobcat’s hand before he barely moved it. “Don’t poke the wolf!”
They watched as Peter regained control of himself and his eyes went back to normal. Peter looked at Jeo. “Do not mention that again. Especially in front of any of her personal guards. John might kill you himself if he heard of it again. Just… don’t.”
“I didn’t know that you knew I…”
Peter raised his finger at Jeo. “What did I just say? I swear you have a death wish.”
“What can I do for the both of you?” Bobcat thought to change the subject.
“The Queen told us to trade you our two pods for the new ten-person one she had built.” Jeo looked away from Peter, glad of the subject change.
“Why? Did you break my pods?” Bobcat looked suspiciously at the young scientist.
“No. We had a small problem over Egypt and thought to upgrade to something bigger. Peter’s going to be flying one of the Black Eagle fighters. Queen’s orders.” Jeo smiled.
“It’s armed. Did you know that? We put in a half dozen of the mini-rail guns as well as a complete evasion package. It is supposed to be the Queen’s new transport for official functions.” Bobcat blew out a breath. “Let me confirm with the Queen, and I’ll bring it to the construction area.” Bobcat waved them off and returned to the workshop.
“What did they want?” Marcus didn’t look up from his project.
“The new pod. Good news is we get both five-man pods back. We can go pick up those supplies now.” Bobcat sat down at his station.
“Not until that cloaking device is ready you can’t. The minions just about have it working.” William momentarily looked up from his work.
“Crap. I guess I’ll go give them a hand then.” He walked out the back door to the workshops.
“What supplies does he need now?” Marcus asked.
“Beer making stuff. We have everything we need except hops. He has a line on a couple of tons of New Zealand hops, and he wants to go get them.” William paused again and looked at Marcus.
“All he has to do is send a cargo pod. The EIs can bring it back to the ship no problem. Why is he stalling?” Marcus asked.
“The Queen. He’s trying to keep it secret.” William went back to work.
“Maybe we should start calling him Bozo. Sometimes it fits.”
~~~~
Back on Earth Bai Hu was at his limit. He had run until he couldn’t run any longer. The pads on all four of his feet were worn down to raw nubs. The small forest gave way to plains and desert. Very little water and almost no game. Too tired to move he curled up against the lee of a stone and went to sleep.
His sleep was fitful as he dreamed of his mother and father.
“Bai Hu, you need to run! Flee this place we will cover your escape!” His mother was bleeding, and he tried to comfort her. She pushed him away as her eyes began to change color and elongate.
“Take this. It is our clan's most prized possession. One day it might save you.” She thrust a glittering gold thing into his hands. “Nowww go. I loovee you.” Her voice grew guttural and deep as she became an enormous cat. With a howl, she threw herself at the nearest soldier ripping into him like a buzz saw.
All around him members of the clan were fighting and dying. He ran dodging soldiers and bodies. The road was slick with blood and things best left unsaid. In his dream, he watched his blood-spattered young body slip between two trees and disappear into the brush. He could hear roars and gunfire as he went. Only later when he was miles from the road did he look at what his mother handed him. Could this be what they wanted?
A loud squawk of a bird woke him from his deep slumber. Bai Hu instantly froze! He was lying against a building, not a rock. Looking up into the morning sun, he could see rock walls and large rocks. Where was he? In the distance, there were broken sections of a giant wall that extended into the desert.
CHAPTER TWELVE
“This thing is cool! What are the bumps on the roof for?” Ron and Nestor walked around the new and improved larger pod.
“Weapons and defensive suites. This pod was meant for the Queen to use for diplomatic missions. It, like the others, is a prototype.” Peter climbed out of the pod’s side door. Unlike the smaller ones, this pod could be used as a cargo ship with a few minor modifications.
“This trip you all will ride in there with Jeo. I am taking that for a spin.” Peter pointed at the Black Eagle pod sitting in the corner of the construction bay.
“Have you flown one of those before?” Nestor asked Peter.
“Not the new model. As a Guardian, we get specialized training on all new Empire equipment, but you have to have time to do it. The only real difference between models is cockpit size and speed. The new compensators modified with Yollin tech allow the Pods to make tighter turns and get even closer to enemy ships.” Peter pulled up the public specs on his tablet. There were a few things better left unsaid about them.
Ron peered at the diagram. “Why make it bigger? It looks to be half-again bigger than the old model.”