Storm' Fury: The Shenkar War

by Seth Libby

  “Traitor.”

  Both Shenkar turned to look down at Tim who lay upon the floor, forgotten for the moment. Shizta smiled a wicked smile as he kneeled down infront of Tim. Once he was closer he saw that one of Tim’s eyes was completely swollen shut, his face was badly beaten and covered in his own blood.

  “You think me a traitor?”

  “Liam trusted you, he even called you a friend. Was it all a lie?” Tim said through blood encrusted lips.

  Shizta laughed as he looked at Tim.

  “Of course it was all a lie, do you think I could be swayed so easily? While I may disagree with some of the Shelecore’s choices, I am loyal to the federation. You humans and your allies will be destroyed and the Shenkar will reign as the superior race over all lesser beings.”

  “And what of Cryta? Do you plan to slaughter your own people?”

  The smile upon Shizta’s face slid from his face at hearing the question. Instead of answering he stood and turned to Viero.

  “Do you have any elites stationed upon Lykaa?”

  “No, why do you ask, and what is this talk of slaughtering our own people?”

  “It is not widely known but there is a faction with the Shenkar population that wishes to remove the Shelecore from power and form a new government. One that would work with the other races instead of ruling over them.”

  “You can’t be serious? Work with lesser races? How absurd, they do not possess the intelligence for making the correct decisions.”

  “Maybe so but the fact of the matter is the faction exists and we need to eliminate it. I would like to capture Cryta if possible as he would have knowledge of others within the faction. However if he is killed there would be no consequences. I know some of his loyal friends, I am sure I could obtain the information from one of them.”

  “What would you have of me?” Viero asked.

  “Have a gunship prepared, I wish to depart as soon as possible. For now have someone bring me to where the two female prisoners are located. I wish to speak with them, maybe they would be more forthcoming than the prisoner you have here,” Shizta explained, indicating Tim.

  “Do you wish me to kill this one?” Viero asked as he took a step towards Tim, while removing a wicked looking blade.

  Shizta pretended to think it over for several moments before shaking his head in a negative manner.

  “No, he still maybe be useful, perhaps some of the Akron scientists will wish to dissect him when I get him to homeworld. I do not know what would happen to the Meshtrell technology within him if he were to perish so I think it is best we keep him alive, for now.”

  Viero seemed disappointed but replaced the blade and stepped away from Tim.

  “Now, please summon someone to escort me to where the two females are being held, as I said, I wish to speak with them.”

  Viero nodded and touched a device located at his wrist. A few moments later a Shenkar entered the chamber and quickly approached.

  “Take Overlord Flezinia to the holding cells, he wishes to see our other two prisoners. Follow the standard protocols for high command.”

  The Shenkar hesitated for a moment then saluted and indicated for Shizta to follow him.

  The pair walked in silence for several minutes before Shizta’s curiosity forced him to speak.

  “What are these standard protocols for high command the overlord was speaking of?”

  “I am to allow you to be alone with the prisoners if you wish. Any of our monitoring devices are to be shut down, allowing you total privacy.”

  Shizta nodded to the guard but otherwise said nothing as he followed his escort.

  They moved through the quiet passageways of the Shenkar compound, passing no others which surprised Shizta. Typically Shenkar facilities are always busy with activity and heavily guarded. To move throughout such a facility as they did was unheard of. This would make his job much easier or at least he hoped it did.

  They had walked for perhaps ten minutes before the guard stopped before a non-descript door and opened a hidden panel on the wall next to the door. Inside revealed a keypad with palm reader to which he quickly inputed a seven digit code and placed his palm to the reader. A blue glowing line traveled down the reader and back up before the door chimed, signaling the lock mechanism disengaging. The door slowly opened and the guard waved Shizta to enter.

  Inside Shizta saw a room with no distinguishing features except for a large holding cell that lay upon the opposite side of the room. Inside the cell stood Leah and Alyssa sat upon a bench, both looking up as he entered. Leah’s face revealed nothing that she recognized him but Alyssa’s face showed a moment of surprise before she managed to get herself under control. Shizta hoped the guard did not notice but if so he could simply pass it off that they had thought him a friend. Turning to the guard he spoke in a brisk commanding voice.

  “You may leave us, I will find my way back when I am done here.”

  “I beg your pardon, Overlord but I must remain to escort you back to Overlord Vieros chambers,” the guard explained, no emotion upon his face.

  “Very well, but please wait outside, I am here on official Shelecore business and you are not cleared for such things,” Shizta explained giving a dismissive gesture towards the door.

  The guard gave a quick salute before, turning about and quickly made his way to the exit. Shizta watched him go, only turning back to the holding cell once the rooms outer door had sealed shut. Shizta activated the jamming device he possessed. While Viero has stated his conversation would be private, he did not want to take any chances.

  Studying the pair, Shizta saw that Leah had recently suffered injuries to her face. While the damage looked to be healing, the bruising was still very much evident. He needed to figure out how to get these two free but also free Tim as well. He didn’t think Viero would actually give him the use of a gunship to leave the planet. Right now he was pretty sure Viero was making every attempt to contact homeworld to verify Shizta’s story. He did not think he would be able to but Shizta did not want to take a chance on it. He would have to wait until all three were here in the holding cell and then he would have to free them then. Steve had said he would try and create a distraction but he knew he could not count on this as the human in charge of the ground troops did not seem to be inclined to place his men in harms way until they were ready.

  “Shizta, what are you doing here?” Leah as she came forward.

  “I’m here to free you if possible although I have not come up with a plan yet,” Shizta explained as he studied the cage.

  “What is going on out there? We saw a massive build up in defenses of the facilities when we were brought in.”

  “Yes, it seems the residing overlord also learned of the human presence upon the planet and has moved to protect the facilities with everything he has. Right now, your General Leonid is organizing your troops but he would not send them into battle until he was ready. He had not expected armored support so this is a new issue he needs to deal with. He wanted to simply roll in that bomb you have but he was reminded that you three were being held prisoner here and he would be killing you if he did so.”

  “Any idea on how long before he gives that order?” Leah asked, a bit concerned at the idea of being cooked alive.

  “Not sure but he was also dealing with the Shenkar battle group in orbit so perhaps we have some time. He said he had a plan for them but I left before I learned of what that may be. Right now I think….”

  “Wait, back up….did you say Shenkar battle group?” asked Leah, interrupting whatever Shizta had planned to say.

  “Ah yes, sorry I apologize….it seems one of the gunships had managed to escape and was able to bring in reinforcements. The battle group was much too large to engage in orbit so your General Leonid ordered all troops to the surface. He said he had a plan to deal with the battle group but as to what that plan is I could not say. I needed to confirm you were okay before I moved to do anything.”

  Leah nodded an
d looked around at the holding cell.

  “Any thoughts on how you will free us?” Leah asked.

  “Nothing as of yet but I will think of something, I cannot do anything at the moment with Lieutenant Wellmo still held in the Overlord’s meeting room.”

  Leah looked at Shizta, a look that clearly stated she wanted to ask something but did not dare. Shizta had a fair guess what that question was so he spoke up.

  “Liam does not know you are being held, or at least he didn’t know at the time I departed.”

  This, however, did not seem to comfort her and instead worry grew on her face.

  “I worry what he may do once he learns of my capture. The last time I was captured he ran headlong into the Shenkar just to rescue me.”

  Shizta did not know what to say to comfort her as he knew Liam would not be stupid enough to attack such a large force by himself…at least he hoped he would not. Thankfully he did not have to say anything as Alyssa spoke up as she stepped closer and place a hand upon her shoulder.

  “Don’t worry Leah, he loves you but he is not stupid. I am sure he will come for you but he is intelligent enough to know he cannot take on all those forces by himself.”

  Leah smiled slightly as she reached up to grip Alyssa’s hand briefly.

  “I know I just worry about him all the time.”

  “Don’t worry, you will see him again and then I recommend you change your name from Leah Aecrin to Leah Brennan as soon as you get the opportunity. Just don’t forget, I get to be in the wedding,” Alyssa said cheerfully.

  Leah managed a slight laugh as she squeezed Alyssa’s hand again.

  “If we get out of this all intact then I will do just that and yes you are more than welcome to be in the wedding party.”

  “For now I would not mention you are emotionally involved with Commander Brennan to Overlord Viero. If he learns of this he will use it to his own advantage which could not be healthy for you,” Shizta said to the pair.

  Turning their attention back to Shizta, Leah nodded and spoke quickly.

  “Okay, we need to think of how we are going to get out of here so let’s get brainstorming.”

  January 31st, 2014 11:45pm EST

  Lykaa

  Shizta entered Viero’s meeting room as he thought over the plan they had come up with. He would have to get Tim returned to the holding cell to have all three in the same location. Once he had them all together he would subdue any guards present and sneak them to the port where the gunship was located. He should be able to power up the gunship and leave the area before anyone was the wiser but the plan called for everything to go perfectly. They simply could not risk trying to sneak past the defenses as they were just too heavily guarded. He did not know the layout of the facility to know if there were any secret passages he might take advantage of. This left the gunship port as the only viable way of escape.

  As he looked up he saw Viero, surrounded by four Shenkar warriors, standing next to Tim who was now gagged but was clearly trying to say something to Shizta as he looked frantic and was nodding profusely at him. He had just enough time to register the sound of footsteps approaching him from behind and begin to turn when he was hit from behind. The blow was a blinding pain at the base of his skull that caused his vision to be filled with stars and sent him to his knees. He attempted to get up at the same time reaching for his plasma sword when he was struck again, this time he slipped into unconsciousness.

  February 1st, 2014 12:02am EST

  Lykaa

  Shizta groggily woke from being unconscious to someone slapping him across the face. He was first aware that he was in the seated position with his hands bound behind his back. As his vision slowly came back he was able to focus on the perpetrator that was assaulting him. The inquisitor that he had seen earlier stood over him, face completely emotionless. When he saw that Shizta had regained consciousness he looked over Shizta’s head and spoke.

  “Overlord Viero, he is awake.”

  Viero walked around from behind him into his view a few moments later. While the inquisitor showed no signs of emotions, Viero, on the other hand wore a broad triumphant grin.

  “Ah, I see the traitor has awoken. Tell me, do you have anything to say for yourself?”

  Shizta did not let anything show upon his face that might betray his thoughts, instead, letting anger show upon his face as he spoke.

  “How dare you assault me! I am part of the Shelecore’s inner circle and you will pay most painfully for this transgression. I demand you free me this instant!”

  Viero laughed as he stepped closer.

  “Do not appear the innocent victim with me! I know you were working with the humans.”

  Shizta’s face shown with anger but anger was far from what he was feeling. How could Viero know of his collaboration with the humans? Could this be some sort of test? It had to be! There is no way he could have overheard.

  “I do not know what game you are playing, Viero, but I am not amused! If you do not let me out of these bindings I will see that you die in the most painful of ways possible!”

  Viero’s smile slipped from his face as he held up a small device for Shizta to see. From what he could see it looked to be some sort of data storage device with audio playback capabilities. When he was sure he had Shizta’s full attention he pressed a button on the side of the device. What Shizta heard next could not be possible yet it was. It was a recording of the entire conversation Shizta had held with Leah and Alyssa. This should not be possible; he had activated the device Lieutenant Barrow had given him. The device should have rendered any listening devices useless. So how was this possible?

  “Yes, I can see you are rather perplexed by how we were able to record your conversation with the two humans after you activated your little jamming device,” Viero explained as he held up the device Steve had given him.

  Shizta did not see any point in foregoing the ruse any longer as it was clear Viero was not playing any game.

  “How were you able to record my conversation?”

  “Your little device will jam any transmissions but it will not block anything that is directly recorded. You see that particular holding cell has an adjacent room that allows one to listen in on any conversations within, without anyone detecting monitoring equipment. So naturally, at my orders, your guard positioned himself within and recorded your little conversation for me to hear. I admit you were very convincing with your demands but I did not receive my position for being gullible. From what I have heard these humans are very resourceful but for them to know the exact location where we manufacture the main compound for our clone warriors? That would be information only obtained from someone of high ranking within the federation. The Shelecore is very careful as to who learns of this world. Most Shenkar do not know why were have an outpost here and those that do believe it is a simple mining outpost. For humans to pick this particular location by chance as their first incursion into Shenkar Federation territory is highly unlikely. I am well aware of Shenkar who are looking to remove the Shelecore from power. While the Shelecore has gone to great lengths to remove such individuals, I knew there had to be those of higher rank helping them.”

  At this point Viero paused to study Shizta for several long moments before continuing.

  “I must admit, I was rather surprised to find you of all Shenkar conspiring against the Shelecore. I always thought you to be loyal to the Shelecore or at the very least working your own agenda to rise high among the federation. I never pegged you to side with those that fight against the Shelecore with their hopeless idealistic beliefs.”

  Shizta did not say anything and only glared at Viero as he contemplated his next move.

  “Still nothing to say? Well, I am sure you will have plenty to say once my inquisitor has finished with you.”

  “You truly do not understand who you are dealing with, do you?” Shizta asked in a soft calm voice.

  This seemed to surprise Viero as he looked sharply at Shizta.


  “I am dealing with yet another race that seeks to defy the Shelecore and the Federation. Like any other race they will fall in line or be exterminated. I do not..."

  “Spare me,” Shizta interrupted, “Do not waste speeches on me of how powerful the Shenkar are. I know firsthand our capabilities. I also have seen these humans in combat and that is something you have no knowledge of. You think you could stand against these humans? I invite you to fight one of them in one on one combat…you would most likely lose.”

  Viero’s mouth opened to object but again Shizta cut him off.

  “Oh yes, I am sure you are greatly skilled with the plasma sword and you may beat one of these humans but not all humans.”

  This time it was Viero who cut in, an amused look upon his face.

  “Ah, you speak of this Ghost or Arch-Angel as you called him, the human responsible for so many Shenkar deaths? Do not try and frighten me with these tall tales of an unstoppable enemy. He will die just like any other, perhaps I should demonstrate how easily these humans do die?” stated Viero as he pulled an energy pistol, aimed it at Tim’s head as he looked to Shizta for a reaction.

  “Oh, I did not say they couldn’t die, go ahead and shoot him, but I can assure you that if you harm these humans you will die in the most painful of ways,” Shizta explained quickly, hoping that seeing his indifference to executing Tim would put off Viero from following through.

  Viero looked back to Tim, eying down the site of his pistol as Tim glared up at him. For a moment Shizta thought he might have pushed it and maybe he should have tried a different tactic but then Viero withdrew the pistol and placed it back into its holster.

  “I do not believe this one would make a suitable demonstration. Perhaps one of the females would have more of an impact?”

  Shizta only stared back, not letting his face betray the panic he felt inside. Shizta was just now remembering the beginning of the conversation he had with Leah and Alyssa. Did Viero’s recording capture that part of the conversation? Viero studied Shizta’s face looking for something. Whatever it was he must have found because he spoke again.