by Amy DuBoff
* * *
General Carzen entered the Officer’s Lounge feeling pleased with himself. As it would seem, hospitality had proved much more effective than intimidation in taking the first step toward turning the future Primus Elite Agent to the side of the Bakzeni Empire. Though he couldn’t access Wil’s inner mind, Carzen knew he was being led on. That was expected. Yet, he had also detected a glimmer of sincerity in the Junior Agent’s statements: the Bakzen were powerful and could offer far more guidance than the TSS. That truth was something to exploit.
Carzen stopped in the center of the room. The Bakzen officers looked up at him from their various positions throughout the lounge.
“It’s time we take a little trip with our guest,” Carzen proclaimed. “He needs a nudge in the right direction.”
Tek glowered. “We need a formal meeting. That was never part of the plan.”
“Yes, of course,” Carzen agreed. “It would not be proper for us to proceed without the Imperial Director’s approval.”
“Would you like me to set up the meeting?” Major Komantra, one of the younger officers, asked. He had yet to earn any scars to set him apart from the other officers in his genetic line, relying solely on his uniform name tag and ribbons to express his distinction.
“No, that won’t be necessary. I’ll get in touch with him myself. There are other matters to discuss.” Carzen glanced at Tek. “We will convene in the Strategy Room at 16:00.”
The officers nodded in acknowledgment.
Carzen pivoted around and walked out of the room. There were many things to do.
* * *
Wil looked around his new quarters. Though far from luxurious, the accommodations offered the basic comforts—mattress on the bed, a washroom, desk. It was compact, but not cramped. There didn’t appear to be any communications systems in the room, but that wasn’t surprising.
As soon as the guards left, he scoped out the shower. That’s the first order of business. It was a square meter stall of stainless steel with a translucent plastic door. Seeing no controls, Wil stuck his hand into the stall and water automatically rained down from a spout in the ceiling. He quickly retracted his hand to keep his jacket sleeve from getting soaked.
Still skeptical of his captors’ intentions, he waited a couple minutes before stripping down—just to make sure his hand didn’t fall off due to acid in the water. Carzen claimed they want me alive, but you never know. He felt a little silly, but the precaution seemed worthwhile.
Once satisfied that the water was safe, Wil removed his clothes. He set them in a pile next to the shower, wanting to keep his handheld and the explosive film close.
The hot water felt amazing as it washed over him. Days of resting on stone and metal had left him with a chill. Warmed by the water, he tried to set aside his worries and be thankful for what he did have. I’m alive. I have a plan to stay alive. Besides, all this first-hand experience with the enemy has to be of some use…
He finished up in the shower and put his clothes back on. Though a clean outfit would be nice, he still felt much improved.
Wil returned to the main room. He inspected the plain gray walls and utilitarian furniture crafted of metal and black plastic. All of the furnishings were deliberate, arranged to leave just enough room to navigate around each object. Even down to the most minute details, everything had a purpose and nothing was out of place. The more Wil thought about it, the more uncomfortable it made him. There was no heart to the space—unapologetic function over form. Why would anyone choose to live like this?
He sat down on the bed, the chill returning. I hope I won’t have to stay here long. The TSS must be looking for me, right? I just have to hang on…
* * *
Banks paced his office, waiting for Kate to arrive. He was surprised she had requested a meeting, after how their last conversation ended. Under normal circumstances, he would have been eager to patch things up with her. However, the request came so soon after his heart-to-heart with Cris that Banks had to question Kate’s motives. Maybe Cris asked her to punch me on his behalf?
The buzzer at the door sounded.
“Come in,” Banks said, taking a seat at his desk. Having a physical barrier to separate them might be wise.
“Hi,” Kate greeted as she entered. She closed the door and walked over to take a seat across the desk from Banks.
“What can I do for you?”
Kate looked embarrassed. “I owe you an apology. Cris sent me a message and said to get off your case.”
“Did he say anything else?” Banks asked, bracing for the worst.
“No, just that you weren’t the one working with the Bakzen.”
So he’s keeping the war to himself for now. No need to bring it up unsolicited. Banks gave her a reassuring smile. “I can understand your suspicions, Kate. No hard feelings.” There would be other times to discuss the war and her part in it.
Kate crossed her arms. “So what do we do now? I have a shortlist. Just start questioning everyone on it?”
“Most likely, we’re dealing with an Agent. It wouldn’t be easy to get a confession.”
“There are only four Agents with the right skills and clearance who don’t have an alibi for the time of the break-in.”
“What did you consider an alibi?”
“Being with someone, or captured on video somewhere else,” Kate replied. “But, that might not be good enough.”
Banks sighed. “Footage can be doctored, and there could always be multiple people working together and covering for each other.”
“Right. So that list of four Agents could really be forty.” Kate leaned back in the chair. “I just wanted to get to the bottom of this so badly, I jumped ahead. I know better than to follow such shoddy research methods.”
“It’s not shoddy, Kate. You’ve done more than anyone else,” Banks assured her.
Kate threw up her hands. “Shite, I doubted you. How’s that productive?”
If only she knew what all of my private conversations were about. “This isn’t the kind of investigation we can conduct in a couple of days. We need to go through the mainframe security protocols line by line.”
“That’ll take weeks!” Kate protested.
“I know. I want this put to rest as much as you do.”
Kate sighed. “Who’s going to comb through everything? I’d offer, but programming is hardly my strong suit.”
Banks steepled his fingers. “Believe it or not, I actually know a thing or two on the subject.”
Kate looked at him quizzically. “I didn’t know that.”
“I wasn’t always TSS High Commander, you know,” Banks said with a slight smile. “I started out working in Communications.”
Kate’s eyes narrowed. “Not Command?”
“It was a bit of a circuitous route,” Banks replied, wishing he’d never mentioned it. “All I’m saying is, I’m looking into it personally. Our traitor won’t stay hidden for much longer.”
Kate continued to eye him with a hint of suspicion. “Any luck so far?”
“No more than what you found yourself. To move things along, I have two other teams working on it independently. We’ll see if we all come to the same conclusion.”
“While a traitor continues to walk among us.” Kate suddenly looked like she was about to break down. She took a slow, deliberate breath.
Banks leaned forward and placed his hands on the desktop. “We need to have each other’s backs. But we’ll get through this. Together.”
Kate nodded and rose from her seat. “I’ll keep looking. Maybe something will jump out.”
Banks stood to see her out. You might find more than you expect. “Get some rest, Kate.”
“I will. But the day isn’t over yet.”
* * *
General Carzen made his way to the Strategy Room. His preemptive conversation with the Imperial Director had gone smoothly, considering the subject matter, but he wasn’t sure his warning about Tek had been ta
ken seriously. The colonel’s behavior was alarming, especially with the Primus Elite around. Carzen hoped his concerns were unwarranted.
Most of the Bakzen officers were already seated around the table when Carzen arrived, including Tek. Each represented a separate genetic line of specialized commanders—the pinnacle of cunning and physical prowess for their roles, unlike the simple-minded drones that carried out their orders as soldiers and laborers. The officers were all hardened soldiers versed in war. All had seen combat over the years and they still sought action on the front lines. Battle wounds were a badge of pride, and many boasted electrical burns from ships damaged in combat. Each of the officers held an advanced rank, indicated by the sashes on their tan uniforms.
Without hesitation, Carzen walked to the far side of the circular table and took his usual seat. Tek eyed him as he passed by, but Carzen ignored him. As the most senior among them, everyone deferred to Carzen’s model of silence.
The room dimmed in anticipation of the meeting. Carzen drummed his fingers impatiently on the tabletop.
At precisely 16:00, there was complete stillness when the holographic projector activated. Hovering above the surface of the table was the perfectly rendered figure of the Imperial Director. He was old for a Bakzen, his skin almost beginning to wrinkle. But his gaze was wise and keen, his red eyes glowing.
“I understand that the Primus Elite is amenable to working with us,” said the Director.
“Yes, sir,” replied General Carzen. “He informed me earlier today that he acknowledges the superiority of the Bakzeni Empire and sees an opportunity for mutual benefit. It will take time to fully sway him, but I believe we could expedite his realignment by showing him what lies inside the rift.”
The Director nodded. “Any time we can save is to our benefit. We need to prepare if we are to come out victorious against Tararia.”
Tek looked taken aback. “Sir, how can we be so quick to find an ally in someone who’s been our sworn enemy since birth? This change of heart is sudden, and suspicious.”
“Nothing is assured,” the Director replied. “We must proceed cautiously, but a seed has been planted in his mind that we can cultivate.” The Imperial Director was silent in thought for a moment. “I agree with General Carzen. It’s time we show the young Dragon the might of the Bakzen.”
* * *
Guards prodded Wil down the hallway. It had only been a few hours since he was shown to his new quarters. Where are they taking me now?
He attempted to question where they were going, but the escorts refused to answer. The questioning was initially out of simple curiosity, but interest turned to fear when Wil realized that he was being led down an unfamiliar hallway. This isn’t the way to Carzen’s office. Maybe I’m finally being led to my execution. He frantically looked for any possible escape. The guards surrounded him both physically and telekinetically, forming an impenetrable wall. This is the end.
The procession came to an abrupt halt. Wil was surprised to see an open door to a transport ship. The hull was rough and patchy compared to TSS ships, and was heavily armored. The guards looked expectantly toward Wil for him to step into the vessel.
Wil stood his ground. “Where are you taking me?” he asked again with all the authority he could muster.
The guards looked at each other, wondering if they should answer.
“We’re going to show you the truth,” said a familiar voice from behind.
Wil turned to see General Carzen approaching. “What do you mean?”
Amusement touched the corners of Carzen’s mouth. “You’ll see.” The general stepped into the ship, gesturing for Wil to follow.
Though he resisted the prodding hands of the guards, Wil was shoved in after him.
Seats lined either wall of the passenger cabin, facing each other. Wil was secured into one of the seats across from the door with a four-point harness. The seat was only lightly padded and sized for someone much larger than Wil; even with the harness fully tightened, it barely felt secure.
Without any delay, the outer door was sealed and the Bakzen escorts took seats surrounding Wil.
Wil sat in silence in the windowless cabin, listening to the engines as the ship strained to pass through the atmosphere and then glided through space. After some time, he heard docking clamps latch onto the hull. “Where are we going?” he asked Carzen. The general didn’t reply.
The door to the transport shuttle slid up, revealing a gangway. The escorts unstrapped Wil and pulled him to his feet.
Exiting the shuttle, Wil could see through small windows in the gangway that they were walking into one of the colossal branches of a spaceport. Other branches curved away in the distance. The small party proceeded into the central corridor for their docking wing.
Walking on the familiar-feeling floor of a space dock, Wil looked around in wonder, taking in the immense size of the port. The entire roof was transparent with only thin metal support beams interrupting the clear view into space. The dock dwarfed that of the TSS and it held at least twice as many ships. Wil had never seen so many vessels in such a compact area outside of a major manufacturing yard. Their forces are so much more powerful than ours. We don’t have a chance. As he turned his head to look through the ceiling behind him, Wil caught sight of another group of guards heading toward General Carzen and himself. The guards took their places around Wil, and Carzen led them toward a corridor connecting to further docking sections.
Their course took them to a substantial craft with a smooth outer hull similar to interstellar TSS ships, but the aesthetics stood out from anything in the Taran worlds. He was led up the long gangway and then escorted up a lift to the Command Center, which was at the top of the vessel rather than in the middle of the body like TSS combat ships. The escorts directed him to a seat in the back corner of the room.
Gazing at the consoles at the front of the Command Center, Wil noticed that there were some unfamiliar inputs. He took in the details of his surroundings. They must have some trust in their ability to get me on their side or they never would have brought me to the Command Center where I can see everything. What “truth” are they going to show me?
Carzen gave the order to pull away from the dock. Wil was about to ask where they were headed, but a cold look from a sentry standing over his right shoulder stopped him. Or they’ll just kill me if I don’t cooperate.
Wil studied the viewscreen at the front of the Command Center. All he could see was the space dock. Beyond that, there were only stars stretching out in all directions. Soon, the vessel turned and he could see the planet where he had spent the past few days. Its bland brownish colors looked out of place in the intense black surroundings. The ship turned again and only stars were visible through the viewscreen.
Wil was just about to look away when a well-known form darted across the front of the screen.
“Report!” demanded Carzen with a hiss.
The helmsman looked up. “It was the TSS ship, sir.”
The Vanquish! Wil concealed his smile.
“No matter now,” Carzen dismissed. “They won’t be able to follow us much longer. Just capture their ship like we planned. It should make for good study.”
The Bakzen ship lunged forward in one smooth motion. The Vanquish matched their speed and began inching closer.
“They’re charging their weapons,” an officer next to the helmsman warned.
“They won’t fire,” Carzen said. “They won’t risk harming their precious Primus Elite.” The Vanquish inched closer, practically on a collision course with the Bakzen ship.
“We can’t outrun them on maneuvering thrusters, sir,” the helmsman informed.
The general stared out the viewscreen. “Take us home.”
“Aye, sir.” The helmsman turned his attention to the set of controls that Wil had seen earlier. He began entering in information to the computer. After making all the necessary inputs, he pressed the final button.
The ship began to vibrate as i
f it were preparing for a spatial jump. The vibrations continued to intensify as the space around the ship took on a color-shifting quality like a jump to subspace, but it felt unusual. Just as the vibration seemed too much for the ship to take, the world outside the viewscreen began to distort, as if looking through a pool of water. A blue-green wave rippled past the ship. Everything became still. The ship floated in the blue-green light for a split second before the distortion dissipated.
Wil took a deep breath. What was that? Cautiously, he began to peer at his new surroundings. The energy in the room felt different than it had before—the actual makeup of the surrounding space. It was invigorating. Wil looked out of the viewscreen. “Where are we?” he asked.
“Welcome to the rift,” Carzen stated.
Wil stared with a slack jaw at the new world around him. Subspace pockets had been discussed in astrophysics literature, but traveling into a stable rift was considered next to impossible. He gripped the armrests of his chair, as his pulse spiked. Shite! The Vanquish can’t enter the rift. I’m on my own.
The viewscreen revealed a space dock even larger than the one in normal space. The dock was completely full of warships, and small vessels ferried between the dock and other structures in the distance. Below it was the planet they had just left, but it looked strange—pale and distant, like it was just a reflection. Wil craned his neck to try and see what lie beyond the space station. If the Bakzen live in a rift, what else can they do?
“Here,” said Carzen, “let me give you a better look.” He nodded his head toward the helmsman, who pressed another button.
The walls of the Command Center shimmered as a wave washed over them. Like a curtain opening, the view changed to a perfect rendition of the surrounding space. Wil looked up and saw the expanse of space stretching over his head and curving down below his feet. The chairs and control consoles around the room remained intact and solid, but were seemingly floating. It was a similar effect to the Command Center on the Vanquish, but far more thorough.