by GARY DARBY
“Move!” Bianca almost screamed. “They’re going to vent out the oxygen!”
Together they vaulted through several hatchway doorways, the Sha’anay right on their heels. Just as they reached the last hatch, the Sha’anay reached out, grabbed Bianca and Anyar, lifted the two, and dove through the door.
With a thud, they hit the metal deck plating and rolled several times before coming to a hard stop against a bulkhead.
Just behind, the half-moon-shaped door slid together with a loud bang. Bianca let out a long breath of relief before turning to the Sha’anay, who lay next to her. She patted him on the shoulder and said in Sha’anay, “I thank you, friend.”
The Sha’anay nodded, curled his lips back, and gave her a couple of hard pats on the shoulder. “And I thank you for trying to save our comrade,” he said. With that, he rose to his feet and padded off down the passageway.
Bianca eyed the sealed hatch and murmured, “I hope they got everyone out.”
“We helped get six,” Anyar replied. “But I’m not sure all of them were alive.”
Just then, Tam came running down the corridor. She stopped to peer at them with a worried expression. “You two have been playing with fire again, haven’t you?”
Bianca rose to her feet, and with the back of her hand wiped at one cheek, smearing the ash and grime mixed in with sweat across her face. “Not anymore, I’ve learned my lesson.”
She held out a hand and Anyar pulled himself up. “Tam,” Bianca asked, “where’s Doctor Stinneli? A piece of bulkhead clipped Anyar on the head. He needs to be checked out.”
“If it’s just his head,” Tam quipped, “put a BandAid on it and he’ll be fine.”
“Gee, thanks,” Anyar replied.
Tam turned serious and said, “I’ll get him to the doc. Meanwhile, ma’am, you’re wanted topside, Ki’mi Som’al is asking for you.”
“Understood,” Bianca replied. “But first, is everyone on the team accounted for?”
“Yes ma’am. Everyone’s okay, a little smoke inhalation, couple of minor burns, nothing serious.”
“Good, and where do I find you after I’m finished on the bridge?”
“They just moved us to their forward hangar,” Tam replied, “and put us in what I think is their version of a scouter. But, about three times the size of a scouter, I might add.”
“Really?” Bianca returned. “That’s odd.”
“Gets even more curious,” Tam said with a concerned expression. “The two Sha’anay that came and got us were quite adamant about us boarding the craft.
“Just before they sent me to find you and relay the message, they were instructing Granger, Lia, Josh, and Hanjeh on not only how the ship worked, but how to pilot it, too.
Tam gave Bianca a frank look and said, “Cap’n, if I were to guess, I think they might be getting us ready to abandon ship.”
Bianca returned Tam’s open expression with one of her own. She ran a tongue over dry lips, sizing up Tam’s pronouncement. “That’s not good,” she replied.
Giving Tam a nod, she instructed, “I’ll find out what’s happening from Som’al. You two head for that vessel, and you,” she pointed to Anyar, “get your head checked. I’ll join up as soon as I can.”
With that, Bianca hurried away. The ship was like a wild hornet’s nest, with Sha’anay lumbering down the wide passageways, carrying various pieces of equipment, no doubt in response to the ongoing emergencies.
Tri-colored lights flashed over certain compartments while every so often an authoritative voice brayed out commands through the corridors and sections in the guttural Sha’anay language.
Through the plating under her feet, Bianca could feel the great warship shudder and shake as if it stumbled through the cosmos. An intense, violent shuddering caused her to reach out and grasp a bulkhead stanchion until the tremor passed.
She glanced around, wondering if the ship were indeed coming apart. From the extensive damage she had seen following the Mongan attack, that wasn’t out of the realm of possibility, and Tam’s comment wasn’t that far off the mark.
Bianca reached the bridge where a Sha’anay ushered her into the presence of Ki’mi Som’al, the female leader who led the A’Gesi’s crew. She was speaking to three Sha’anay, so Bianca stood in respectful silence to one side.
The Sha’anay leader said something quietly to the others that caused the trio to give a quick bow and leave Som’al and Bianca alone.
Bianca strode forward and gave the traditional greeting to a Sha’anay leader; hand to chest open palm inward. “I greet Ki’mi Som’al,” Bianca said in a polite tone.
Som’al returned Bianca’s greeting. “And I greet the human Bianca.”
She gestured for Bianca to sit in one of the high-backed and oversized Sha’anay chairs. “My subordinates have told me that your warriors have saved many who would have perished if not for your bravery.”
Bowing her head toward Bianca, she murmured, “For that, my people and I thank you.”
Bianca raised a hand in reply while saying, “Ki’mi Som’al, your people have done mine an incredible service; I am grateful that we were able to give back in some small measure. Is there more that we can do?”
Som’al shook her head. “At this time, no. Thankfully, the fires are all but out, and my own people can tend to the wounded.”
She let out an almost human sigh and said in low tones, “We were so close to escaping. A few more minutes and the nebula would have hidden us from the Mongans.
“Given us time to repair our engine and other essential ship’s systems, but now . . .” her voice trailed off as if she were thinking about how much better things might have gone for her crew and ship.
“Is the A’Gesi badly hurt?” Bianca asked.
Som’al pressed her lips together and peered at Bianca before answering. “That is part of the reason I sent for you. Yes, the A’Gesi is severely damaged. That the Mongans withdrew when they did after their attack was the only thing that saved us from destruction.
“We have entered the cloud, and we will try to repair what we can, but I am afraid that there is so much destruction that there is serious doubt that we can keep the ship functioning.
“Not only is our hyperdrive engine all but destroyed, but we’ve not been able to repair our communication system either. We are unable to call for assistance, and my engineers tell me that the Mongans’ attack destroyed what was left of our repair stores.”
She stopped and then said, “But that is a matter for us to resolve, if we can. Come, there is something I would have you see.”
Som’al led Bianca to a large, waist-high console which held a black half sphere in the center. She ran a hand over the device and a hologram appeared in midair.
Waving a hand at the holo image, she said, “While we battled the Mongan cruiser, our sensors recorded this. I think it is why they left us when they did.
“However, I am afraid that this will cause you great sorrow, but I believe you should know what has happened.”
The somber tenor of Som’al’s voice caused Bianca to tense while she watched the hologram. A portion of the Helix Nebula came into view and then the image zoomed in on a bright point of light that she recognized as the star system where she and her team had encountered the Sha’anay and the Mongan extraterrestrials.
The scene expanded until Bianca felt like she stood on a pedestal peering down upon the planetary system. In the center was the world they had just left, a tantalizing lookalike to Earth. The view magnified until the planet filled a full third of the image.
Tiny, bright flashes, followed by another, and then another began to dot the image.
Like dancing fireflies that swarmed around the planet, flickers of light erupted, shattering the ebony darkness of interstellar space. They continued for several seconds until the scene again magnified several times over.
Bianca gasped and brought a hand to her mouth.
She stared at the shattered and broken
wreckage of numerous Imperium Navy vessels, floating weightless and dark around the planet.
The hologram shifted views several times, but each time it was the same, a shattered fleet of once proud ships that were now burnt-out hulls and drifting derelicts.
“I don’t understand,” she whispered to Som’al. “What happened?”
Som’al laced the six fingers of each hand together and held them close to her waist. With an air of almost disbelief in her voice, she said, “I believe that the Mongans surprised your forces, attacked in numbers that we have never seen from them before.”
Sighing, she said, “Even one of our fleets might not have withstood such a devastating attack.”
Gesturing again toward the devastation, she said, “Some of your ships survived and have retreated. Where they have gone, I do not know, but we cannot follow.”
With sad eyes, Som’al peered at the image before saying, “It was only by good fortune that we received forewarning of an impending attack. If not, the Mongans would have easily destroyed us before we could rise off the planet.”
Bianca pressed her lips hard together as she clenched her hands into tight balls. “Do you know how many of our ships survived?”
“No,” Som’al replied. “The survivors scattered in many directions and our sensors did not record their individual transits.
“But I assume that they would make for the boundaries of your space, and I am afraid that I must steer this ship in the opposite direction to seek the safety of my own people and our battle group.”
Som’al was silent and her face took on a thoughtful expression as if she was pondering her next words. “And that leads to the second reason that I have cause to speak with you. I have come to the conclusion that it would be unwise to keep you and your clan mates onboard.”
Her shoulders seemed to sag just a bit as she said, “If you have not guessed by now, then I will state it plainly for you. The A’Gesi is a dying ship.
“Our way requires that we continue to try and save her, but that may not be possible. If so, then we will take to the lifeboats and attempt to reach our battle group.
“However, without communications to let our people know where we are, such a venture could prove to be long and arduous, even for us.
She gestured toward the hologram. “Unfortunately, we are certain that no other Sha’anay vessels are near. The one that gave us warning had to withdraw, and no doubt has since gone into hyperspace to rejoin our main body.
“Even now, without us being able to tell them differently, they may think that we are one of those ships which now float lifeless around the planet. They will mourn our passing but will wait until they have sufficient force and strength to return.”
Som’al reached over and pressed on the console at several spots. The hologram image changed to show a red giant star, and then a massive gas planet.
Pointing to an orbiting moon, she said, “From what you have described to me, this appears to closely match your homeworlds and has the necessary elements to sustain life.
“Unfortunately, it does not appear to be populated and it does not lie on the route that the A’Gesi must take. We have managed to repair one of our Rau’ver sky craft. It can reach this world in several of your days, and I believe that this is the best course for you.”
Her thin lips turned down at the corners and she spread her hands wide. “I wish this were not so, but, it may well give you the best chance for your own people to find you and for your own survival.”
She paused before saying, “I am saddened to say that I cannot spare any provisions to send with you. I can only hope that you will find food on the planet. But I can offer you a limited quantity of medical stores, a few of our ta-guns, and other supplies.”
“Thank you, Ki’mi Som’al,” Bianca replied. “That is most generous. You not only saved our lives, but you have offered to share what you actually cannot.
“Fortunately, we still have some food left from what we brought with us, but your weapons and anything else you can spare will be greatly appreciated.”
Som’al bowed her head in response. “I am saddened that we were not able to save all of your clan mates on the planet. My prayer is that they did not fall into the hands of the treacherous Mongans. Better to die in battle than become a slave to the evil ones.”
Bianca’s nod in answer was slow and solemn while her lowered eyes held sadness as she said, “Yes, I wish that you could have saved them, too.”
Som’al asked, “Those others that we had to leave behind, I believe you said that they were of cub age, warriors in training?”
“Yes,” Bianca replied with several sad shakes of the head that caused her chin-length chestnut hair to swish from side to side. “I was responsible for them and I wasn’t able to bring them home.”
Som’al brought a hand to her mouth and held it there while she eyed Bianca. Speaking in slow tones, she said, “It is one thing for the very old to pass beyond, but when it is the loss of a young one, then it is sometimes hard to understand life itself.”
She turned with a gesture for Bianca to walk with her. As Som’al moved, her forest-green uniform rustled under the sword scabbards she wore across her torso. “We have a saying among the Sha’anay, ‘Dying begins at birth, but let the dying be long, that the living may be finally ready to die’.”
Bianca nodded in response and said, “Thank you; I will remember that.”
She then asked, “Do you have any sensor information on where the Mongans are? Is there any chance we’ll run into them once we leave the A’Gesi?”
Som’al was slow to answer. “Once we entered the cloud, our sensors became very limited, and we do not have anything that indicates there are Mongan ships in the immediate area. I would believe that most of their ships are in the star system we just left.”
Bianca drew in a deep breath. “That would be my guess too, but I would hate to come up against them without my own armada in tow.”
“I believe you will be safe, human Bianca, or I would not advise a departure at this time. But without long-range communications I cannot tell you what you will find outside the cloud though I am confident your transit will pass smoothly.”
Som’al gave a little grunt that came out as a small chuckle. “I wish I could say the same about the A’Gesi.
“That we still fly and have not broken apart, with pieces scattered throughout the nebula is a miracle in itself. My one hope now is that we either find our fleet, or they find us, before the Mongans do.”
She left unsaid what would happen if another Mongan ship found the almost defenseless A’Gesi. Those on board would only have a moment of life left before the Mongans all but vaporized the ship.
Bianca nodded in acceptance of Som’al’s pronouncement. “Will we have enough time to learn how to pilot your craft before we must leave?” she asked.
“I believe so,” Som’al answered. “Even now, two of my best pilots train your warriors. Our sky craft are simple in design and piloting; your people should be able to master them in the remaining time.”
Her mouth turned down in a deep frown, “We had hoped to get one repaired on the planet in the hope of searching for our own missing but the warning came before that happened.
“Hopefully, it will serve you well and I believe that you will find that it will more than accommodate all of your people.”
A Sha’anay came running in and whispered in Som’al’s ear. The Ki’mi jerked her head up when he finished and spun around to Bianca.
“You must hurry to join your clansmen, I’m afraid our time grows shorter than I expected and you must ready yourselves for departure. Ka’nal here will lead you to your people.”
She raised a hand in farewell and said, “I wish you and your people well, and pray that we will meet again under better and happier circumstances.”
“Thank you, Ki’mi Som’al,” Bianca replied. “May you reach a safe harbor and quickly.”
Giving again the traditional Sha�
��anay sign of respect, Bianca hurried away, following the lumbering Ka’nal to the ship’s landing bay that held the Rau’ver craft.
Bianca rushed into the craft to gather everyone together. “I just met with Ki’mi Som’al,” she began, “and, I’m afraid it’s not good news.”
She rapidly described the interstellar battle between the Imperium and the Mongans, finishing it with, “From what I saw, the Imperium fleet is in tatters, so I’m not sure how much help we can expect there.
“In addition, she made it clear that the A’Gesi is on her last legs, in fact, there is a real possibility that she may begin to break apart any minute now.
“If that happens, they’re going to abandon ship and take to their lifeboats, but from what she said, it could well turn into a death voyage, so they’re going to give us a fighting chance for survival by providing us with this craft.
“There’s a Terra-sized moon orbiting a gas giant a few days’ transit from here. That’s where we’ll head.”
Granger spoke up to ask, “Captain, any specs on this moon?”
Bianca shook her head. “No, but Som’al believes it has oxygen, water—the essentials for survival. I don’t think she’d send us to a place that’s inhospitable to life.”
“Why don’t they do the same?” Anyar asked. “Land on this moon, too?”
Bianca frowned while saying, “I’m not sure, but I think they had a decision to make for their own people, and that was to stay with the ship. They’re trying their best to save it even though Som’al all but admitted that it’s probably a lost cause.
“And it appears that their route takes them in the opposite direction of Imperium space.”
She lifted one shoulder in a tiny shrug. “From their perspective it makes sense to send us to an Earthlike planet and hope that Imperium forces find us.
“After all, the Helix is probably going to be a hot spot of activity for a while. Who knows, that moon may just turn into an Imperium forward operating base shortly.”
She motioned to where their individual torso vests and kits lay. “Som’al was blunt. They couldn’t offer any provisions, so we need to keep to our strict rationing regimen until we downplanet and see if we can subsist on what we find there.”