by Tony Healey
"Doc! Get in!"
The security officer called for reinforcements, aiming his weapon for another shot.
Barbie levelled the stun gun at him and fired. The blue beam hit the officer in the face. His eyes rolled inward, mouth working numbly, then he fell in a jumble of arms and legs. Barbie chuckled to herself, got into the yacht and closed the hatch.
"All aboard?" Hawk yelled. He fired up the engines, the yacht lifting into the air. The motorized sound of the landing gear ground up into the belly of the craft.
Dr. Kingston checked Dajani. "Sleeping."
"Well, these are for when the little scamp wakes up," Barbie said, clamping cuffs on his wrists.
Several bursts of weapon fire hit the hull as the yacht climbed, scooting over the officers on the ground and fading into the blue.
"Yeeehaaaa!" Hawk hollered as they reached space and he spooled the Jump drive.
Barbie settled into the seat next to him. "Ready?"
"Let's punch the clock!"
The stars shrank back, then burst all around them, and the Captain's yacht went to Jump.
* * *
Jessica closed the channel with the yacht. A cool wind blew in off of Steria's dark side.
"They got him?" Ardai asked.
"That they did," she said. "I told Hawk we'll rendezvous with him at the facility on Zac'u IX."
Punk lugged a crate of supplies into the Spectre. Jessica and Will watched him go past.
He rolled his eyes at them. "Can't blame a fella for loadin' up when he gets chance."
"I didn't say anything," Will told the Alpor. "What's in there, anyway?"
"Coffee, mate. Tins and tins of bloody coffee!" Punk burst into throaty laughter, and continued up the ramp.
Jessica followed Will inside and spared Twilight Town one last look as he raised the ramp and sealed them in. "How's Shaw?"
"Doped up on meds right now. Meryl's seeing to him."
Jessica shook her head. "I'm not so sure about Meryl's bedside manner, to be honest."
"What's her story? She was your Chief of Engineering, correct?"
Jessica swallowed. "Yes. She was dating my number two, Commander Greene. When we engaged Cessqa and the Namar, Del was mortally wounded in combat. He . . . he died in Meryl's arms."
She had to blink back the tears. Will put an arm around her. "So she's all front. All that attitude is covering up what happened to Del."
"Right. I know that deep down she's really hurting. Just as I am. I want vengeance, Will, but I so want to just find a peaceful solution to all this."
"I understand."
The Spectre jostled left and right, the engines roaring to life, and the pair held on as she stabilized. Kalar's voice came over the speakers. "Getting us into orbit."
Will hit the comm. panel. "I'll be there in a minute, Kay. Out."
"Will." Jessica ran her hand up his arm. She looked into his eyes. "Now I've had a taste of what Meryl and Del had, I don't ever want to lose it. I don't know where she gets the strength because I don't think I'd be able to do the same."
"You won't lose me. I won't let that happen," Will said and kissed her.
But as they walked to the bridge she couldn't help but think, The good things in my life are always gone too soon. Surely, what I feel, what I have with you, cannot last.
* * *
Professor Dajani stirred, opened his eyes, then closed them again. He groaned, shifted, or tried to before realising his hands were bound. He opened his eyes again, this time more alert, more awake.
"Hello Professor," Dr. Kingston said.
"What're you doing with me?" Dajani croaked.
The yacht vibrated slightly from the forces of the Jump. "We are currently en route to my facility on Zac'u IX, Professor, where you will be held as our political prisoner until the time is right."
"Right? You have no right! I demand to be freed!"
Barbie growled from the cockpit. "Tell him to calm down, Doc, or I'll have to put my foot on his throat."
"Hear that?" Kingston asked. She sat opposite him, her arms crossed. Dajani was on the deck of the yacht, helpless in his bonds. "I think you need to calm yourself and evaluate the situation."
"What situation?"
"Of what you've done, what you've had a hand in. The people I am assisting are in deep trouble, labeled traitors to the Union because they stumbled on the truth about your work, and the methods of not only Admiral Kerrick but the Vice President himself."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"You do."
"Doctor Kingston, you kidnapped me, took me by force. Shall I add that you took me away from my very important work in the field of pathogens and viruses on Siup. Work it is imperative I continue."
"Before you were a man working for the common good, you were engineering super-soldiers to support Kerrick and the VP's personal motives."
He drew a heavy breath. "That is false."
"Confound you, Professor! I worked with you. Don't deny it to me. Do you not realise the gravity of your situation?"
Dajani scowled at her. "You have changed, Doctor. You were loyal. A good scientist. Someone who could be trusted. Obviously that has changed. How far you have fallen, dear Doctor."
"On the contrary, I've found my true calling. I will help these people as much as I can. I will reveal the truth about Admiral Kerrick's dealings with the VP. I will do so because yes, I am a good scientist. I never wanted this."
"Can you say the same about the Sun Hammer, Doctor?"
She licked her top lip. "I am ashamed of my part in those experiments."
"And you share the blame."
"The work I do now–"
Dajani shook his head. "You're as bad as I am. Worse, even."
"The work I do now is, in principle, the complete opposite of the Sun Hammer. It's called Renewal. It couldn't be any further in principle and intent than that dreadful device."
"You will have to kill me before I'll help you."
Barbie left the cockpit and stalked slowly toward him, her towering figure the embodiment of pure terror to the miniscule Professor.
"That can be arranged, little man."
"You d-d-d-don't scare m-m-m-me."
She picked him up by the scruff of the neck, held him as high as she was able, his head against the roof of the space craft. "How about you reconsider your position, given the fact I'm tempted to throw you out of the airlock at the earliest opportunity."
"I-I-I-I . . ."
Barbie put him back down, gave him a long hard glare, and returned to the cockpit.
Dr. Kingston made to continue her argument with him, but stopped herself. Professor Dajani shook all over and, she noticed, had done a good job of wetting himself in the process.
I think our conversation can wait for another time, Kingston told herself. I've got to give the man some dignity . . .
13.
"So now we have two prisoners," Ardai said.
Captain Shaw limped along beside him, clutching his ribs. "God you've been busy. I was only away for a few days."
"You make it sound like you were on leave."
"I was. I like getting my ribs broken, you know. It's that sort of vacation. You should try it," Shaw said.
He peered in at the hybrid locked in one medical bay, chained to the operating table with whatever the staff at the Zac'u IX facility had had to hand. In the next room, Professor Dajani sat on the floor, hugging his knees.
The giant albino simply lay where he was, body completely relaxed, staring up at the ceiling.
"He spoken yet?" Shaw asked.
"No. Neither has Dajani, but I think Kingston is going to have a go with him, convince him he has to testify for us."
"If not I'll torture the little sucker with my bare hands," Shaw said. Will turned a disapproving eye on him. "What? You know I'm only joking."
"I wonder sometimes."
The door behind them opened and Jessica walked in. "Good to see you up and abo
ut."
Shaw bowed his head. "All thanks to you, of course."
"I can only take one tiny fraction of the credit, but thank you anyway. Now, how's our hybrid?"
Ardai shrugged. "Just lays there. Admittedly, chained up the way he is, he can't do anything else, but still . . ."
"Is it even capable of speech?" Shaw asked.
Jessica used the control at the side of the medical bay door to open it. "Let's find out."
The two men watched from the doorway as Jessica approached the hybrid where he lay.
"How are you?"
No response.
"I know you're not happy, the way you've been treated. And I don't blame you. But you must understand we're not your captors, we're your saviours."
Nothing.
"You were made by scientists, raised by the military, and trained to be killing machines. But there's a big part of you that is human, that is exactly the same as us. I believe it's what made you all want to escape and flee Outland. I believe your human need to be free necessitated your escape from that place."
A flicker of recognition in his strange eyes. Barely noticeable but it was there.
"Listen, my intention is to expose the corruption in our leadership, to have those responsible for your creation and slavery dealt with to the full effect of the law. But in order for me to do that, so that you can be free, I need your help."
He turned his head to look at her.
"Good. You are listening then."
"What can you do?" he asked, slowly. "The moment they have me, I will be sent to a lab and tested. That will be my life. This will have been my only freedom."
"No, I won't accept that. I am going to see to it that you are afforded the same rights as the rest of us. You can either start a life somewhere, or take a position in the Union. It will be up to you. You shouldn't have to suffer for the circumstances of your creation, which were entirely beyond your control."
"What can you do to help me? I don't see what you can do."
"I can tell the truth, in a court of law. I can fight your case," Jessica held her breath as she reached out, touched his big hand. She imagined him grabbing hers and crushing her fingers like dry sticks in his iron grip. But he didn't. The sensation of her skin touching his seemed to make a connection.
"How can I trust you? We were raised as slaves, chased across the galaxy and attacked. Your own people, there," he looked at Ardai and Shaw in the doorway. "They found us, took me prisoner."
"They were acting on orders. You did some bad things."
"We had to. We wanted to . . . live."
"Then live. Stand by my side when I tell them all the truth, and be my testimony. Tell the court your story. Fight for your freedom, as a human would."
"Jess! What're you doing!?" Ardai squeaked as she hurriedly unlocked the locks holding the chains taut over the hybrid's body. They fell slack to the floor, but he remained on the bed.
"If he is going to trust us," she said. "We must trust him."
The hybrid sat up, swung his giant legs over the side of the bed. He looked at her, and she could almost see emotion in his eyes. He held out his hand. "All I must do is tell the truth?"
She put her hand in his. "Truth and trust. That's all I ask."
The hybrid's hand closed around hers, ever so gentle, then released her hand. She heard Will breathe a sigh of relief behind her.
"I will trust you."
"Please stay here. One of the team at this facility would like to check you over, measure you for some sort of clothing, and see if there's anything you need."
He nodded, once. Jessica left the room, shutting the door behind her, but not locking it.
"That was risky," Will said, unimpressed. "He could've killed you in seconds."
"He could have, but he didn't. I had to take the risk. Imagine what will happen when he stands up in court and tells his story!"
"I'd feel more comfortable posting Barbie down here, outside the room, just in case," Shaw suggested. "A few broken ribs are one thing but I don't fancy a broken neck if you know what I mean."
"I do. Go ahead. But she needs to be as cool with him as possible. Don't incite anything."
"Got it. But, you know, that's easier said than done when it comes to a Mantipor . . ."
* * *
"Ready to hand yourself in and be a prisoner?" Selena asked.
Hawk ran a diagnostic of the yacht's systems, grains of silicate striking the window in front of him like sharp rain.
"It won't be for long, darlin'."
"We don't know that for sure," Selena said. She slumped into the seat next to him. "To be honest, I have my doubts about the plan."
"Ya don't wanna go through with it?"
"Not that. I'd follow the Captain to the ends of . . . well, the Galaxy I suppose," Selena assured him. "It's just, the thought of actually handing ourselves in, standing trial. It has me nervous."
"Ah, me too! But ya know what? It's sorta excitin' too."
She shook her head, laughing. "You are crazy."
"No, I am a legend. A hero. That's gotta count for somethin', ain't it?" Hawk asked.
"You are unbelievable sometimes."
The side of his mouth lifted in a cocky grin. "Unbelievably handsome?"
Selena looked away, didn't want him to see her smiling. If they did go down for what they'd taken part in, if they were imprisoned for the rest of their lives, at least there had been smiles and laughter. There had been friendship and love. And, surely, that's more than anyone can hope for . . .
* * *
Dr. Kingston walked through the door to find not only a gigantic Mantipor leaning against the far wall, huge rifle propped up next to her, but the medical bay left wide open.
"Hey, Doc."
"Why is the door open?"
Barbie shrugged. "Talk to Captain King. I've just been told to wait here. So that's what I'm doing."
"I . . . see . . ." she walked gingerly up to the door and peeked in. The hybrid sat on the operating table, legs over the side. He looked up at her and raised a hand, wordlessly.
She went over to Barbie. "You know that the door's open, don't you? I'm not hallucinating this?"
Barbie nodded. "Yep."
"Right."
Stranger things have happened, she thought, going to Dajani's room. Like your daughter turning up, out of the blue.
She unlocked the door and walked in, Dajani sat on the floor with his head in his hands.
"If you're here to try another tact with me, Kingston, it won't work. I will not be a part of your terrorist plot."
"Oh, give it up," she said, pulling a chair across and sitting. "You know that Kerrick had Grimshaw killed, don't you?"
He looked up. "I think you'll find it was Jessica King who did that."
"No. Because she requisitioned her old ship against orders, Kerrick twisted her actions and fingered her as the Admiral's assassin. But it was really Kerrick. She and Grimshaw had had a breakthrough in their case and were ready to make a move against Kerrick, but he was too quick. He moved first and had the Admiral killed."
"You're lying."
"Whatever you want to believe, Professor. But hear this, and believe me. We are probably the only thing standing between you and death right now. Because if you think for one second Kerrick won't go to every effort to cover his tracks, then you're deluded. I have no doubt I am on his hit list also."
"How do you know for certain that King did not kill him, huh?"
Dr. Kingston leaned forward. "Because one of the team assisting Jessica was kidnapped by a bounty hunter aboard a Union space station. When they made a move to rescue him, this same bounty hunter was also present. He was mortally wounded in the ensuing fight and admitted to Jessica and Commander Ardai that it was he who set the bomb, killing Admiral Grimshaw, and that he did so under Kerrick's orders."
Dajani swallowed. "I'm still not sold," he said, but she could see that he was.
"Have it your way," Kingston said, risin
g from the seat and walking to the door. She opened it. "I am going to leave this door open, Professor. If you truly believe there is no threat to your safety, then by all means feel free to walk from this room and contact Kerrick. Tell him everyone is here. Turn them all in. Let's see how long it takes him to have you vaporised."
And with that she strode from the room. She leaned in close to Barbie and said, in a low voice, "If he walks out of that medical bay and makes any attempt to contact the Union, tear his arms from their sockets."
The Mantipor's eyes twinkled. "Doc, you're ruthless," Barbie said. "I like it."
* * *
Hawk helped Ardai with supplies and Dr. Kingston's personal items while all Captain Shaw could do was look on.
"Wish I could help," he said.
"Skipper, you're alright. We've got this."
"I feel like a goddamned leper."
Hawk laughed. "Well, least you don't look like one."
"True. I have that to thank I suppose," Shaw said.
Will thumbed in his direction. "Yeah, that's right. He may only have one eye, and hair like a badger, but he doesn't have the complexion of someone racked with plague."
"Wait a second, I don't have hair like a badger . . . do I?"
Will shrugged.
All Hawk could do was laugh.
"Hey, listen, you really are Gerard Nowlan, aren't you?"
Hawk nodded. "One and the same."
"I still can't wrap my head around you being here," Shaw admitted. "Like, how it's possible."
"It's a long story," Hawk sighed. "And probably won't make sense even after I've told it to ya."
"You're probably right. And can I just ask, is that the famous kataan?"
Hawk took it off his belt and flicked it out, the blade glimmering under the lights. "Same one."
"Damn!"
"You should have seen him in action back at Amity," Will said. "It was quite something."
"Aw shucks, fellas. You're making me blush."
He put the weapon away. Professor Dajani approached them. "Excuse me, but your Mantipor friend told me to report here. He said you'd find me a bunk."
Shaw clapped him on the back. "Good. You came to see sense. Go on inside, the little furry fella, goes by the name of Punk. He'll sort you out."