Rogue Messiah: Fleetfoot Interstellar Series, Book 2

by P. Joseph Cherubino

  “I guess so,” Drexler said. He looked around the room and saw many eyes turning his way. “The crew did an excellent job, but now I need you to follow the Doctor’s orders and mine and get well, understand?” He tried to make his voice sound firm.

  “Yes, sir, Captain,” Rachel said, laying back down on the bed, face down.

  “Doctor,” Drexler cleared his throat and said, “I came by to tell you we have more incoming crew that need medical help. They’re from the Jubilee.”

  Samuel didn’t look up. “Uh-huh,” he said, focusing on his work. He passed an instrument over the scar tissue that removed dead skin with concentrated light and applied a mist of medication. “That’s no problem. We should be clearing most of the patients out in the next hour or so.”

  “Right,” Drexler said. “I’ll come by when the Jubilee crew gets here.”

  Samuel said nothing as he worked. Drexler couldn’t leave the medical bay fast enough. He made his way to his cabin on weak knees. He leaned against the cabin door when it closed.

  “Not expecting to see casualties?” Reggie asked. Drexler couldn’t read the tone. It did not sound like Reggie’s usual needling.

  “No, I was not,” Drexler replied. He recovered himself and sat back down at his desk. He kept the bulkhead opaque. He did not want to look into space as he fumbled for a cigar. “And don’t lecture me on the tobacco use, either,” Drexler grumbled.

  “No, I’m done with that. There are worse habits to pick up in a war, I suppose.”

  Drexler lit the cigar with his antique lighter and puffed, giving his thourght over to the curls of smoke. “How many injured?” Drexler asked.

  “Thirty-two. Nothing serious. Mostly bumps and bruises, with a few broken bones.”

  “Yeah, well broken bones can be serious for some species,” Drexler said.

  “This is true,” Reggie replied. “Which is why certain flight suits are designed specifically for different species.”

  Drexler laughed. “Are you trying to comfort me, Reggie?”

  “I am just a humble computing machine, created to serve. If you take comfort from my service, who am I to say otherwise?”

  “Smart ass,” Drexler said.

  “Meat unit,” Reggie replied.

  ***

  Captain Aahloh dragged his broken leg through the Jubilee on the way to meet the Armada Leader. When he got to the airlock, it seemed as if he was looking at two opposing mirrors. The ships were nearly identical in design. A few minor hull modifications on the Fleetfoot I drew the only distinction between the two.

  As he moved closer, the impression faded. The Fleetfoot I , Aahloh noticed, was a bit less tidy than his own ship. The surfaces of the airlock pressure ring looked more worn and pitted than his own. Even the airlock deck plate was worn to a slight concave shape by centuries of hard use. He wondered how many feet crossed this threshold. A human Captain stepped forward to greet him.

  “Welcome aboard, Captain Aahloh. I am Captain Fleetfoot,” the Human said, extending a hand. He was average height for a human, meaning he towered over Aahloh.

  “Thank you, Captain,” Aahloh replied. The hand presented a very light grip, and the Captain’s eyes lingered on his broken leg. Aahloh squeezed the hand back hard to demonstrate his own strength. He often found other species judged his strength by his size.

  “I will escort you and your crew to our medical bay,” Drexler said.

  To his surprise, the medical bay was in a different location on the Fleetfoot.

  “Our medical bay is higher on the tractor deck,” Aahloh observed. “Yours appears to be close to engineering.”

  “Two decks up and about a sixty meters port of engineering,” Drexler replied. “Yours is higher than that?”

  “Yes,” Aahloh replied. “It is center deck two.”

  “Huh,” Drexler replied. “Interesting. I’ve only seen a couple other ships like the Fleetfoot. It seems like they’ve all been modified over the years to some degree.”

  “The Tonaw run these ships as the backbone of our merchant fleet,” Aahloh replied. “My ship is owned by the Tonaw Hierarchy. I am its steward. You are the owner of the Fleetfoot?”

  “I did not know that,” Drexler said. “That’s interesting. Yes. I own this ship, or at least, my company does. You might say I am the steward of the Fleetfoot Interstellar Freight Company.”

  They arrived at the medical bay, and Drexler stepped aside to let the little Tonaw limp through the door. True to his word, Dr. Abiola and his staff cleared out most of the patients. When the Doctor saw the Tonaw Captain, he rose to his feet quickly.

  “That leg looks very bad,” Dr. Abiola said with grave concern.

  “I believe my second femur is broken in two places,” Aahloh said, almost casually.

  “Staff!” Dr. Abiola barked. “Clear a surgical bed now!”

  Samuel led the Captain to the surgical bed and gently guided him to recline. He wasted no time cutting away the uniform, to which Aahloh objected strenuously.

  “Captain,” Drexler said. “Please don’t worry about the flight suit. I will instruct my AI to prepare a new suit for you right now.” He rushed from the medical bay in obvious discomfort.

  The little Tonaw captain struggled to the point where he risked self-injury. The Doctor changed his approach when he noticed Aahloh carried a Reptilian pistol in his belt.

  “Captain,” Dr. Abiola began, stepping back a few inches from the table. “I hope you will forgive my urgency. It’s just that, as a Doctor, my concern for my patient’s physical condition sometimes outpaces my understanding of their mental space.”

  “What do you mean, Doctor?” Aahloh asked defensively.

  “I mean that it is obvious that you have been through a great ordeal. You might be feeling a bit defensive. I can understand why carrying a firearm might feel comforting to you.”

  “This?” Aahloh said, reaching for the pistol. Samuel resisted the urge to grab it. “I carry it as a precaution, yes. Please take it if you feel it is not appropriate here.”

  Samuel nodded his head to a medical attendant, who swiftly but carefully removed the pistol and set it aside.

  “And I am feeling a bit agitated,” Aahloh said. “I am not accustomed to the sensation.”

  “Of course,” Samuel said. “Any sentient being who went through what you experienced would feel the same.”

  “I doubt the Lizards would share my distress,” Aahloh said.

  The statement put Samuel back on his heels. “You might be surprised,”the Doctor replied.

  “Before we get started,” Aahloh said. “I want you to refer to a data container I sent you earlier.”

  “Data container?” Samuel said. “I have been busy with our wounded, so I’ve not been able to check messages.” He moved to his desk and checked the display scroll unfurled there. He pulled up his messages and reviewed the file. Samuel’s jaw dropped. He moved back over to the Tonaw captain very slowly.

  “This is a request for physical modification,” Samuel said.

  “Yes. In addition to body repairs, I request the enumerated implants and modifications.”

  Samuel thought for a moment. “What you are asking for are military-grade, combat implants.”

  “Yes,” Aahloh said. “I am aware of what it is I request.”

  “But, why?” Samuel asked.

  The reply was instant and direct. “So that I can fight. So that I can be stronger. I do not wish to fail my crew again due to the simple physical limitations of my species. If we encounter the Reptilians again, I must be able to kill them with greater efficiency.”

  Samuel felt a lump in his throat. He blinked rapidly and took a deep breath. “I understand. But first, I would like to repair that broken leg. After that, I’d be happy to speak with you about your request.” The Doctor replied.

  Doctor Abiola administered anesthesia without delay. When he was certain the Tonaw Captain was no longer conscious, he said to his nurse, “I can handle this. I wan
t you to go right now and get me every piece of information in our database related to Tonaw psychology and culture. See if you can find a Tonaw doctor in the fleet.”

  “You’re not considering his request, are you, Doctor?” the human nurse asked.

  “You know me better than that, Linda,” Samuel replied. “I think this person is in serious emotional and mental distress. I’m going to need your help.”

  Linda hurried to her task while Doctor Abiola scanned the broken leg and formed his treatment plan.

  ***

  Drexler showered, changed his uniform, wolfed down a meal pack, then hurried back to the bridge. While climbing the last ladder to the deck, the Comm station signaled him.

  “I’m right here,” Drexler said, stepping through the portal.

  “You didn’t take the lift?” Mumlo asked.

  “Felt like I needed the exercise,” Drexler replied. “What’s this call?” He stepped over to the Keff, who pointed at his display scroll.

  “Huh,” Drexler said. He had to read the hail tag twice. The comm request was from his brother-in-law. “Is he still waiting?”

  “He is standing by,” the officer replied. “This is real-time because it’s coming in over the encrypted tangler channel.”

  “With the help of your favorite little mercenary crew,” Reggie interjected.

  “So, he contacted the stowaways first?” Drexler asked, subvocalizing while the Keff waited for a reply.

  “Yes. Very hush-hush,” Reggie replied.

  “Put him through to my personal channel,” Drexler said, then climbed back down the ladder and stood in the empty corridor. He looked back up the ladder tube to make sure nobody was in earshot, then walked down the hallway a few paces to make sure. He did not want to subvocalize this conversation.

  “Captain Fleetfoot here,” Drexler said.

  “Captain Fleetfoot, this is Abhay Nautiyal. Such a pleasure to finally meet you. I regret we meet like this, over comms and under these circumstances.”

  “We have met before, Senator. Briefly. Just before you married my sister. We spoke at a ceremony honoring the Trade Agreement between your world and Medina 3. Of course, my sister didn’t bother to introduce us, as your relationship with her was still secret. We met through one of your secretaries.”

  Abhay recovered quickly, said, “Of course. Please forgive me. It must be these stressful times.”

  Drexler flushed and felt his pulse beating in his throat. “Senator, I don’t have time for this. Drop the formality and tell me what it is that you want.”

  Abhay did not hesitate. The voice that responded sounded as if it came from a different man. “As of this moment, I am no longer a Senator. I was stripped of my Military Commission months ago. Margaret and I will rendezvous with the Armada as soon as we can. We are joining you.”

  Drexler’s reply was equally swift. “Negative. This is no time for a visit. We almost got killed out here. Do not bring my sister into this, you asshole.”

  “Drexler ―” Abhay began.

  “That’s ‘Captain Fleetfoot,'” Drexler interrupted.

  Abhay paused then, before replying, “I will advise you when we are near, then.”

  “Yeah, you do that,” Drexler replied. “Fleetfoot out,” and he closed the channel.

  “Captain, this is Samuel,” the Doctor said.

  “What!” Drexler barked, startling a passing crew member.

  “Sounds like you’re in the thick of it, but I need you over here on the Tonaw vessel.”

  “Sorry, Samuel. I’ll be right there,” Drexler said.

  “Don’t mention it,” Samuel replied.

  “I do not want her here on this ship right now, Reggie,” Drexler said aloud with an edge of panic in his voice. “She picked a shitty time for a reunion. I wanted her here when things were going well.”

  “When were they going well?” Reggie asked.

  “Good point. I guess things were going well before she left,” Drex said, making his way to the lift.

  “She is an adult,” Reggie pointed out.

  “Your powers of observation astound, Reggie,” Drexler replied.

  Damage to the Jubilee meant that the ships had to dock via a flexible umbilicus that stretched between ships. The airlock that joined the ships was on deck fifteen, just behind the nose of the tractor section. It was a part of the ship to which Drexler rarely ventured that was occupied by a surfeit of machinery and little else.

  Drexler walked the ten meters down the swaying umbilicus and cast a glance back at his own ship through the transparent passage panels. He noticed a distinct difference in wear between the two ships. Aside from the blast damage, the Jubilee looked far better-maintained.

  “I’m aboard the Jubilee,” Drexler said.

  “Welcome aboard,” a voice responded over Drexler’s comm implants.

  “Thank you, crew member…” Drexler trailed off, waiting for the crew to fill in her name.

  “This is the Jubilee AI.”

  The response stopped Drexler cold. He thought the voice sounded familiar. As soon as the ship identified herself, Drexler realized the voice sounded like a female version of Reggie.

  “OK, Jubilee,” Drexler replied, recovering his composure. “Tell me where Doctor Abiola is.”

  “The Doctor is in food storage,” Jubilee replied.

  “Aft deck twelve?” Drexler asked.

  “Correct,” Jubilee replied. “It is the same on the Fleetfoot I .”

  As he made his way to food storage, Drexler took note. It was like walking through a younger, cleaner version of Reggie, although the ships were the same age.

  “You have a lot more wear on you than Jubilee,” Drexler subvocalized.

  “I am more seasoned,” Reggie replied.

  “Aside from a few extra power conduits and the modifications to your cargo bays, Jubilee is almost identical,” Drexler remarked.

  “I’ll take your word for it,” Reggie replied.

  The ship was eerily empty. Drexler noted this with a cringe as he remembered that most of the crew of four-hundred was either dead or imprisoned by the Reptilians. The little Tonaw amphibian was one of fourteen survivors. Drexler found Samuel sitting at a table in the mess hall. The food storage section lay just past a set of wide double doors at the rear of the hall.

  “The tables are different in here,” Drexler said, looking around.

  “Never mind that,” Samuel said. “I need to show you something important.” The Doctor said in a flat voice that made Drexler nervous.

  “Why can’t you just tell me?” Drexler asked. “You’re acting strange.”

  “Let me show you, then I’ll explain,” Samuel said.

  They proceed through the doors and down the corridor to a cold storage unit. Samuel opened the door, and both men stepped through. The door closed before the lights came up. Drexler could not immediately place what he saw. The bodies looked like plaster statues.

  “What the hell is this?” Drexler asked voice flattened by shock.

  The corpses of eighty Reptilian soldiers lay neatly arranged on the floor. Where stacks of perishable, edible items should be, the dead lay in permanent stillness. Drexler saw enough. He turned on his heel and pushed out into the narrow corridor that seemed far narrower from the horror of his witness.

  “Why?” Drexler asked. “Who did that?”

  “Those were the soldiers who were busy trying to convert the ship,” Samuel replied.

  “How did they die?” Drexler asked.

  “The Jubilee cut off their life support,” Samuel replied.

  Drexler blinked twice and hurried back toward the airlock. “I am getting the hell off this ship.”

  “Wait!” Samuel said, grabbing his arm. “It’s safe, right Jubilee?”

  “Yes,” the AI replied. “I apologize for the shock. The event could not be helped.”

  “Event?” Drexler asked.

  “Please don’t make me describe it,” Jubilee replied.

&n
bsp; “She…” Drexler stammered, “Jubilee is … ungoverned?”

  “My ethical protocols are intact,” Jubilee replied haughtily. “I did what was necessary to secure the ship for my crew.”

  “She’s just like Reggie,” Drexler replied.

  “It appears that way,” Samuel said. “But that’s not all. There is also a problem with the Captain.”

  “You mean Captain Aahloh?”

  “Yes.”

  “It’s not like you to hold back, Samuel. Spit it out.”

  Samuel took a deep breath. “There are ethical concerns with discussing this with you, but I see no other choice. The captain came to me asking for combat implant modifications to his body.”

  The thought of a fighting Tonaw made Drexler snicker. The Tonaw were not known for aggression, and their small stature and mild dispositions made the thought seem farcical.

  “This is serious,” Samuel snapped. “The Tonaw homeworld does not know violent predation. Their minds aren’t equipped to deal with the violence Aahloh saw. I think he is having some kind of mental breakdown.

  Those bodies in there? He ordered them preserved. Made his crew line them up like that. He asked me to come over here and have a look at them. Did not mention they were dead and on ice. He wants me to examine their brains to find out why they attacked him. He thinks they are sick and wants me to find a cure. He keeps talking about some kind of cure that he has to bring to the Reptiles.”

  “Oh, no,” Drexler said. He suddenly felt bad for the Tonaw Captain. “He’s been through a lot.”

  “That’s what I told him,” Samuel said. “He doesn’t get how ill he is. And I only have a basic idea from a quick read of the medical literature. That person is not well by a long shot.”

  Drexler played the through the logical chain and arrived at an obvious question. He opened a private channel to the Doctor and subvocalized, “What about the relationship between the Captain and this ship?”

  “Scary,” Samuel subvocalized in return. “The ship demanded, did not request, a report on the Captain’s health.”

  “Does she understand her Captain may be mentally ill?”