by Tony Healey
"Thank you," Dajani said, dejectedly, as if he'd been administered a good kick to the fruits.
"Oh, Einstein?"
Dajani turned back.
"Barbie is a girl, and a sensitive, caring one at that. I'd suggest not referring to her as a male to her face, that is, if you like your arms and legs where they are."
Dajani swallowed. "Understood."
He hadn't even cleared the ramp before they'd started laughing uncontrollably.
* * *
"And he agreed to testify?" Jessica asked in her Mother's office.
"I gave him the choice. I left the door open, told him he could call Kerrick himself if he wanted. Report us all."
"Oh," Jessica said, less than pleased. "Isn't that a bit . . . risky for a scientist?"
"You don't get anywhere without taking a risk or two," Kingston told her.
"So then what?"
"He apparently walked out and asked Barbie to tell me he would do what we asked, then he asked her where he should go. Barbie sent him straight to the Spectre, I believe."
"So, that's that in place. He really is the key to all of this," Jessica said.
Kingston reached inside her desk and produced a data tablet. She laid it on the top.
"What's that?"
"My resignation. Once all of this is over, however it goes, I'm done. I want to be far away from all of this."
"I don't blame you. What about renewal?"
Dr. Kingston shrugged. "I got it started. I'm sure the team here, Doctor Caise in particular, can continue my work. I leave it to others now."
"What will you do?"
Her Mother looked away. A picture hung on the wall, showing a vast green landscape, tall mountains in the distance. A lake, with the sun bleeding into it. "I think perhaps I'll work on a little renewal of my own."
14.
Captain Shaw walked the length of the Spectre, headed for the bridge. He looked left and right, as he always did, casually watching for anything amiss that might require his immediate attention. It was simply an old habit of his, one that he was sure might save his life one day.
He walked past the crew quarters and had to double back. Lying across a bottom bunk, his pale legs dangling over one side, the hybrid had his hands folded on his chest, his eyes closed.
Shaw felt his pulse quicken, and his hand instinctively went to his holster – empty. He ran a hand across his chin.
"Somethin' up, mate?" Punk asked.
Shaw jumped out of his skin. The problem with having soft-pawed colleagues was that they could creep up on you unawares. "Jesus! Don't do that!" Shaw hissed.
The hybrid didn't even stir.
Shaw walked farther down the corridor, the Alpor in tow.
"What's got you spooked?"
"Er, that thing in there!? I know I agreed to have it aboard, but . . . can't I change my mind?"
Punk chuckled. "Captain, you surprise me. Honest, you do."
"Look, it's not just that he's–"
Punk laid a paw on him. "Skipper, he's sedated. I told him I was doing it, he just nodded his head and accepted it. What I gave him, he won't wake up for days."
Shaw breathed a sigh of relief. "Thanks," he said, then something occurred to him. "Wait a minute. How will we wake him for the trial?"
Punk dug inside his pocket, produced a small vial of pink coloured liquid. "This stuff's so potent, it'd wake a Cachalotian whale from a hundred-year hibernation."
"Good. What about Doctor Kingston?"
Punk scratched the side of his head. "Think she's comin' aboard soon. I've given her the nice quarters, her bein' a lady an' all."
"Nice quarters? Whose are they?"
Punk walked off. Over his shoulder he said, "Yours."
* * *
Will stood against the counter in the mess aboard the Spectre, his coffee cup in hand. Jessica sipped at hers. A strange silence stretched out between them, as if all that could be said had already taken place. Now there was only the inevitable.
"So . . . you'll hold off someplace until they announce the trial," Jessica said, to break the quiet in the room.
"Yeah. Once we know when it's going to take place, I'll contact your defence and tell them who I have with me. Of course, you'll have to clue him or her in before that."
"I know. They can then wait for you to make contact, and we can go from there."
Will nodded. He sipped his drink, she sipped hers. "I hate these awkward silences," he said.
"Me too." She smiled.
"Have you ever thought of not handing yourself in? Running away with me somewhere, living out our lives in peace?"
"They'd find us."
"I know places. I also know people. We could disappear."
"I wouldn't want to run because I had to, because I was afraid I might get killed," Jessica said. "I want to live, and I want to do the right thing."
"And see justice served?"
"And that."
"Have you given any thought to the possibility this all might fail?"
She looked down. "I try not to think about it."
"Jess, look at me," he said. She did as he asked. "I know this will work, because you say it will. Don't be afraid."
"I'm not."
"Maybe you don't look it, but I know you. I can see it. As well as you mask your feelings in front of everyone else, I see right through you. I would be feeling the same way."
"I don't worry about myself, I worry about the others having to spend time in prison for something I am responsible for, Will."
"Look," he said, putting his cup down on the side. "If it all goes south, at least you know I'll be around to break you out of prison."
"Thanks. It's such a load off."
He opened his arms. "See? That's what I'm here for."
* * *
Kalar rose from behind the helm. "Permission to head to my quarters, sir?"
"Of course. I'll continue the purging of the intakes, Kay. Go do whatever you need to," Shaw said.
"Thank you, Captain. I have a tremendous case of cramp in two of my tentacles."
"Knock yourself out," Shaw said, moving aside for the Xantian as he slithered past.
Will appeared at the entrance to the bridge and ducked out of the way.
"Thanks," Kalar said as he went past.
"He alright?" Will asked.
"I think he just needs to stretch his, uh, tentacles."
"Oh, right," Will said. He sat down at one of the stations. It always felt peculiar to be aboard the Spectre with neither the engines online nor the reactor operating at full power. The ship seemed awfully quiet. "Jessica's making her move."
"Okay."
"I wanted to take a moment and thank you, sir."
Shaw frowned. "Hey, what are you thanking me for? Wasn't it you who saved my life? Came and rescued me from certain death back on Amity?"
"You would have done the same for me, were the boot on the other foot."
"Yeah, but how do you know?" Shaw asked, a cocky grin on his face.
Will was all business, completely serious, his face like stone. "I want to thank you for helping Jess out the way you are, going along with this – admittedly – crazy plan."
"For my own part, this is all about seeing the investigation through to the end," Shaw said. "And honouring Grimshaw's memory."
Will looked down. There was a trail of mucousy slime from the cockpit to the door. "You know, he really is a messy bugger."
"Ain't he just?" Shaw leaned over the helm console, and he attended to the beep emanating from the computer, signalling the completion of the purging cycle. "Hey Will. I want to ask you something."
"Skip?"
"Do we still have those units aboard? The Klexu prototypes?"
Ardai crossed his arms. "Uh, you mean the mobile holo projectors? Yeah they're down in the hold with all the other experimental equipment we seem to get lumbered with."
"Can they be programmed to bear a likeness to someone in the database?"
The Klexu prototypes were intended to look and act like a real person, to cause a distraction or a minor diversion when running an op. But they were simply holograms. They could not move freely, for they were tied to the mobile device itself. But the image could stand and interact with real people long enough to be used as a decoy. They had used them once, back on Koenig VI. Punk had programmed one to look just like Captain Shaw, eye patch and all. It had even fired holographic weapons fire. The sixty-five seconds it brought them was the difference between life and death. But since then, they had not used them. They collected dust in the hold, along with their top secret counterparts.
Shaw smiled, slowly. Will could almost hear the gears grinding together between the skipper's ears.
"Good . . ."
"Why? If you don't mind my asking, what, exactly, have you got planned?"
"Something brilliant, Will my old buddy. I can't believe I didn't think of it sooner."
"What is it?"
Shaw's face became instantly serious. "Revenge."
* * *
Dr. Kingston embraced Jessica at the entrance to the facility, arms wrapped around her, holding her daughter against her chest.
"I've only just gotten to know you, and now I'm saying goodbye," she said, her voice cracked and tearful.
"This isn't a final farewell," Jessica assured her. "Trust me."
Her Mother held her at arm's length, studied her. It's strange, Jessica thought, how much I see myself in her. Does she feel the same way? Does she perhaps look at me and see a younger version of herself?
"I . . . I am so proud of you, Jessica. All that you've overcome. You are not the sum of what was thrown your way. I only wish I could have been a Mother to you. It will be my deepest regret. Always."
"Mother, you will get a chance to make up for lost time. We both will," she stepped back from her. "I promise."
"Good luck."
Jessica smiled weakly, pulled her guard over her nose and mouth and walked out into a raging sand storm. She had to fight the wind to get to the yacht, but she managed it. Hawk, Selena and Meryl were waiting for her. Jessica closed the access hatch behind her, the moan of the wind abruptly cut off.
What tears there had been in her eyes had, thankfully, blow away in the wind.
Hawk brought the engines online. "Are we ready to blow this joint?"
"We are," Jessica said. Not since Captain Singh's passing had she felt such terrible loss. Walking away from her Mother, doing what she was about to do, seemed the most impossible thing in the world.
Yet, she was doing it.
Meryl's hand fell on her shoulder. "Are you okay?"
She nodded. "Yes."
"Everybody hold on to yer hats!" Hawk's hands deftly controlled the yacht's helm, taking her to a stable hover, then taking off, up into the air. They rose through the storm and past it, so that the swirling vortex fell away behind them. Ahead lay the thinning atmosphere as they climbed and beyond that, the darkness of space.
Hawk turned around. "Incoming from the Spectre. I'll put it up on the speakers."
"Hey," it was Will's voice.
"We read you," Jessica said. "What is it?"
"I just wanted to say, to all of you, good luck."
Jessica smiled. "Thanks."
"And that we've got your backs."
"It's appreciated!" Meryl yelled.
Captain Shaw came on the line. "We'll be ready and waiting," he said.
"Thank you. And we'll be relying on it."
"Don't you fret, we'll get Kerrick back for everything he's done. We'll have vengeance and justice. Good luck, Captain King."
"And to you, Captain Shaw."
The line went dead.
"I feel so nervous," Selena admitted.
"I think we all do," Meryl said.
Jessica looked ahead, the air fading to nothing in front of them, the yacht racing toward the stars. Hawk counted down, then punched the lever for the Jump Drive, and she closed her eyes.
Good luck to all of us.
15.
Lisa risked long-range communications with Station 6 to hear Admiral Kerrick's response to the data packet. He did not disappoint.
"Captain, your orders are to hold your position until further notice."
Chang's jaw tightened. "Sir, you're not sending the fleet immediately?"
"Negative. The fleet is scattered throughout the galaxy, it will take some time to gather them in one place for a full frontal assault. Hold tight, Captain, and continue to monitor the Amarax."
"Do you know how long, sir?"
"Not at this minute. I have pressing matters to attend to here, but will keep you appraised. Kerrick out."
The line went dead. Dana looked up. "He's gone, Captain."
"I'd get more from the static," Chang spat, rising from the Captain's chair to stalk the bridge in anger. "Sends us here on a wild goose chase, then tells us to sit and wait. Meanwhile, Cessqa is up to something out there."
"What do we do?" Banks asked.
She turned to her second-in-command, was about to answer, when a proximity alert sounded.
Banks looked up, his eyes wide. "Incoming ship!"
"Shields to full strength," Chang ordered. She resumed her place in the chair. "How did it sneak up on us like that?"
"I don't know, but it's closing in fast. Ten seconds until it makes sensor contact."
"The transmission," Dana said. "They could have used that to triangulate our position."
"Whatever it was, they've found us," Chang said grimly. "Everyone brace for impact. Ensign Gordon, get ready to move."
"Here it comes!" Banks watched the viewscreen, his hands clamped to either side of his station in expectation of the coming weapons strike. The small black ship flew straight over them, but did not fire.
"Doctor?"
Gentry looked up from his readouts. "It made sensor contact. It made a full scan of our hull."
"Why didn't it fire?"
"My theory is that it is some kind of drone. Unarmed, possibly unmanned also. They've sent it out to confirm the fact we really are here."
"Where is it heading now?"
"Back to the Amarax."
Banks swallowed. "Which means the next time something comes by it'll be shooting."
"I agree," Chang said.
Ensign Gordon turned to face her. "Captain, what do we do?"
"If there's one thing I'm not doing, it's sitting here with my hands in my lap. They've seen us, they know we're here. I think it's time we went and said hello."
"Orders?" Banks asked.
Chang strapped herself in. "Sound red alert."
"Aye."
The bridge lights dipped to a heavy red, an emergency klaxon wailed around them.
"Helm, exit the debris field. Then bring us about, C plus twenty-thousand metres," Chang ordered.
"Yes Captain," Ensign Gordon replied. The Intrepid turned, the Ensign steering her free from the debris.
"Lieutenant Oriz, contact command. Tell them we are moving to make contact with the Namar," Chang said.
"Yes Ma'am," Dana was already relaying the message.
Concern clouded Banks's features. "Captain, we're in direct violation of orders."
"Only partially true, Kyle. The Admiral didn't say anything about what to do if they spotted us. In these circumstances I'm well within my powers to act accordingly."
"I was hoping you'd say that."
"Secondly, I'm forcing his hand. He'll have no choice but to rally support and get them here fast as possible."
"Perhaps it would be best if I were present in engineering," Chief Kolvin offered. "Particularly if you expect a frosty reception."
Chang smiled thinly. There was little humour in it. "Might be a wise choice, Chief."
"What if they don't want to engage us in a dialogue?" Dr. Gentry asked.
Chang's resolve was iron. "Then, Doctor, we will match fire with fire."
* * *
The Captain's yacht came to settle gently on the floor of Station 6's main hangar. Hawk shut everything down and turned to face them all.
"Equalizin' pressure. In two minutes we'll be outside, facin' the music."
Jessica stood, straightened her tunic. Meryl, Selena and Hawk watched her.
"You know, I've always worn this uniform with pride," she told them. "But I've never prouder to do so than today. What we're doing is either incredibly courageous, or incredibly stupid. Either way, it is the only choice."
The air lock beeped, the light above it changing from red to green. Hawk looked back through the cockpit window. "Looks like the cavalry is already on its way."
No less than two dozen armed officers sprinted toward the yacht, followed by both Admiral Cantrell and Admiral Jameson and their subordinates. Jessica peered out. "Oh, look. And here's the snake himself."
Behind both Cantrell and Jameson strode Admiral Kerrick, his face dark as thunder, mouth screwed into a tight knot with rage.
"Fella looks upset," Hawk said.
"What a pity. Shall we then?"
Meryl opened the hatch. Jessica led the way, and they exited the craft single file. The armed officers aimed their weapons, shouted orders for them to put their hands behind their heads and drop to their knees. Jessica did as she was told. Meryl, Selena and Hawk followed suit.
Admiral Cantrell stood behind his men.
"Captain Jessica King, you and your co-conspirators are hereby placed under arrest, to await trial at the earliest possible convenience."
Jessica smiled.
"Music to my ears."
Valiant
1.
The Intrepid swept through the debris fields.
Small shards of rock and ice impacted against the starship's energy shield, disintegrating in bright flashes. They did little to slow the craft, Ensign Gordon handled the Intrepid with the same deft skill Kyle Banks had displayed in his tenure flying the Defiant.
Banks stood behind the Ensign, hand on the back of her chair, and Captain Chang could see that little had changed – he may not have sat in the pilot seat himself, but in his head, he was still there.