by S. E. Smith
“Universal… Ancients… I… Whatever you say, old man. I’m Ashton Haze, but everyone calls me Ash. Can you tell me where in the hell I am?” Ash had finally responded, rising to his feet when Kubo had removed the long, twisted stick from his chest and motioned for him to stand.
Kubo had leaned against the long stick and tilted his head in curiosity. “You are on Torrian,” he had replied.
That encounter had begun a beneficial partnership between the two men. Kubo guided Ash around the city and shared his meager dwellings while Ash supplied them with food. Kubo had explained the strange disappearance of the majority of the residents during the day. They moved underground, which is where Kubo lived, and left the crowded marketplace to the alien visitors of their world during the hottest part of the day.
Ash watched several more soldiers march by the entrance to the alley. Over the last few days there had been an increase in what appeared to be the local military. He assumed they were military from the way they were dressed and the way they moved, but one thing was very clear – no one liked them.
Ash narrowed his gaze when two of the soldiers stopped one of the merchants. They were questioning the man, but they were too far away for Ash to make out what they were saying. All he knew was he had to make several detours when he discovered checkpoints where they were searching people.
He discovered that acting like a crazy homeless person worked just as well here as it did back home. Whatever worked, he would take it, because some of the shit he had seen almost scared the piss out of him. There were creatures, both big and small, here that were straight out of Fright Night at one of the theme parks.
“They search for a long box that fell from the sky,” Kubo murmured, tilting his head to the side with a frown. “They are offering a large number of credits for it…. and for the contents inside.”
“Yeah, well good luck with that,” Ash retorted, reaching up and adjusting the goggles covering his eyes to a more comfortable position.
“They will not find it. If they do, they will be dead. Come, it is best to retreat underground where they will not come,” Kubo chuckled, rising.
“What makes you think they won’t come underground?” Ash asked, standing and following Kubo.
Kubo walked slowly down the alley in the opposite direction of the soldiers. As usual, Kubo took his time answering Ash’s question. It wasn’t like it was a particularly difficult one. Ash decided Kubo just liked to jerk his chain. He started to open his mouth when Kubo hit him in the shin with enough force that it knocked him sideways.
“Clumsy, boy. His feet are as deformed as his brain,” Kubo stated loudly. “He is only good for carrying my purchases.”
“Identify yourself,” a soldier ordered.
Ash had lowered his head to rub his shin when he saw the tops of the soldiers’ boots. The curse he was about to utter turned into a guttural snort. He followed it with an exaggerated Frankenstein’s Igor shift.
“They are just Torrian beggars. This one is blind and the other one doesn’t function correctly. Let them pass. They can give us no information,” a soldier stated.
“Yes, sir,” said the soldier who had stopped them.
“Move along,” the other soldier ordered.
Kubo nodded and turned. Ash’s lips twitched when the two soldiers jumped back to avoid getting hit by the long staff Kubo was holding. The smile turned to a grimace when he felt his shin protest the abuse. He was going to have a talk with Kubo about better ways to alert him. Crippling him wouldn’t help if he needed to fight or run.
They were silent until they stepped behind one of the vendor’s carts. The cart shielded the alley behind it. To most, it would look like a dead end. It wasn’t until they reached the end that Kubo held up a crystal tied around his neck and flashed it. Ash resisted the urge to jump when the ground opened up in front of the wall and a staircase appeared.
He followed Kubo down the staircase, glancing over his shoulder when it sealed again. Four Torrians stood on either side with weapons while another operated a video surveillance system. Ash quickly looked away when one of the men glanced in his direction. Kubo had barked out a sharp word to the men the first day he brought Ash down here. Ever since then, it appeared every resident in the city had kept their distance, even as their eyes followed his movements.
“It is time, Ashton Haze, that you told me about your journey to my world,” Kubo stated several minutes later as they walked beside an underground river.
“Now?” Ash asked in surprise. “I thought you told me to keep my origins to myself.”
Kubo glanced in his direction with an amused expression. “I did, but now I think it is time you told me,” he replied.
Ash followed Kubo across the short but wide bridge, glancing at the other aliens passing by. Ash noticed there were more guards and armed citizens than before. There was also a tension in the air that was missing this morning.
He noticed that the residents were bowing their heads when Kubo passed. He turned in a circle, trying to decipher the subtle changes from this morning. Something was off.
“What’s going on?” Ash asked with a suspicious voice.
Kubo chuckled again. “Follow me,” he ordered.
Ash noted they were heading in a different direction from the humble hole in the wall that Kubo took him to the first night they met. Each time they entered the underground city, it was through a different entrance. Even the vendors up top moved around to the point that he seriously doubted he would be able to recognize a way in.
Primitive, yet complex dwellings, much like the homes of the Ancient Pueblo Indians, were built into the walls of the cavern. Ash followed Kubo when he crossed the large, sparsely populated cavern to the far side. There was nothing there but the uneven red and tan rocks that made up most of this planet from what he could tell. Ash started in surprise when the wall of rock suddenly moved. The opening revealed a set of stairs carved deeper into the ground. Reaching out, Ash trailed his fingers along the uneven surface as they slowly descended. Thick grains of quartz glowed in wide veins, sparkling and lighting the staircase from some hidden source contained within the rock.
“Seriously, Kubo, what the hell is going on?” Ash asked, trying to decide if he should find a way out of the underground maze or trust his gut to stay and find out what the hell was happening. His gut was generally pretty accurate – generally, but he never had to test it on an alien world before. “I don’t like going into a situation without knowing what the hel….”
Ash’s lips parted in surprise when they stepped into a large cavern filled with activity. This was a lot different from the dwellings above. Shops and homes surrounding a park in the center took his breath away. Large trees rose almost fifteen meters above to the top of the cavern, and thick, bluish-green grass grew on each side of the river that cut a path through the center of the city. The staircase exited near the waterfall that probably originated from the river in the upper cavern.
“Welcome to the ancient city of Torrian,” Kubo murmured with a wave of his hand.
“Wow! What the hell were we doing upstairs when you have this down here?” Ash asked in awe.
Kubo chuckled. “We guard our cities well. Only a few outsiders have ever seen the true cities beneath our sands. It keeps us safe. We built above for the visitors who come and to shield us from those who would try to attack. Torrians are not as stupid as the Legion would like to believe we are.”
“I’d say not,” Ash agreed, stunned at the sophistication of the city he was staring at.
A young Torrian hurried forward and bowed his head in greeting. “General Gomerant, Commander Dungway has sent a message,” the man said, glancing curiously at Ash.
Ash frowned. ‘General Gomerant’! What the hell did the young man mean by General – as in military General? Ash turned to stare at the old man who he thought was practically homeless. That cunning son-of-a-bitch had conned him.
“General?” Ash asked with a raised eyebrow.
Kubo grinned again. “This way, Ashton Haze,” he chuckled.
Ash shook his head and pointed a finger at the old man walking away from him. “You, old man, are the one who has a lot of explaining to do,” he called out behind Kubo.
Kubo’s laughter rang out around the cavern, drawing the attention of those close enough to hear him. Many of the residents gazed at Ash with curiosity, while others held a measure of suspicion. Ash lifted a hand up and pulled the goggles up to rest on his head scarf before he yanked the bottom cover down. Several people stopped to stare at him. He flashed them an easy grin, knowing it didn’t quite reach his eyes. His right hand fingered the long rifle hanging from his side. He sure as hell hoped he would not have to shoot his way out of here.
5
Alarmed communications between freighter captains near the planet described unexpected boardings and arrests. Kella listened to the chatter and learned that General Landais’ Battle Cruiser had taken up a position near the third moon of Torrian. He was one of the Legion Director’s most feared generals. Those wary of being boarded were either avoiding the area or coming in from the far side of the planet. They stayed low along the mountains and desert regions, using known smuggling routes that were dangerous to traverse.
Kella took their advice, and was lucky enough to find a berth at a landing region just outside the city. It was outside the regularly checked area, so she was less likely to receive an inspection.
The tracking device she mounted on Hutu’s ship had either malfunctioned or disintegrated upon entry and she was left with no idea where Gomerant’s spaceship landed. Kella glanced over her shoulder, taking note of the landmarks to memorize the location of the landing port. She had to leave her freighter here, but unease ate at her. Legion forces were massing around this area. Yet, it would have been more dangerous to have landed farther outside the city. Kella had no doubt that the desert raiders would have her ship dismantled before the end of the first night.
Kella moved smoothly through the crowded Torrian marketplace, covered from head to toe as one of the freighter pilots who frequented the city. She was ignored by those busy with their daily activities.
She had traveled to three cities in almost as many days, but this was the right one. The former Knight of the Gallant had been seen in this city. She had investigated everywhere within the city’s boundaries for nearly five solar days now, but she knew she was close. She had the description and location of the merchant willing to sell directions to ‘Sandsabar’, Hutu’s mysterious hideout. She spotted the merchant’s cart first, then among the crowd, she saw her informant. Kella sidled up close to him and placed the credits in his hand.
“Sandsabar,” Kella murmured in his ear.
The man looked her up and down before jerking his head to a building farther down the street. “Down there,” he replied, his voice deep and rough.
“Ta tie,” Kella replied, giving the standard Torrian thanks.
The man grunted at her and turned to a customer. Kella strode forward, scanning the area. The Sandsabar appeared to be a busy drinking establishment. Her gaze paused on two men standing near one of the huge desert beasts. One of them was stroking the long tusks of the creature. He looked innocent enough, but his gaze scanned the crowd. Kella turned her back to him, but not before she saw the second man caressing the blaster by his side.
She continued her surveillance of the area. Three of the merchants in front of the establishment were more interested in observing the people walking by them than selling anything. Another woman near a fountain had already filled the same container four times. Kella turned and continued past the building. The roof of the Sandsabar was dome shaped, which meant she couldn’t use it. A quick scan told her that wouldn’t be a good option anyway. Guards patrolled the rooftops of the two buildings on either side.
Kella walked past several buildings before she turned and retraced her steps. Taking the front steps into the Sandsabar, she paused to allow her vision to adjust to the dim interior. Crowds of traders, pilots, and laborers mingled in small clusters. She spied two men leaving one of the small booths in the corner and strode over to it.
She had no sooner slid into the seat than one of the waitresses came over. Kella ordered a Torrian liquor and sat back in the corner. Her hand automatically moved to the laser pistol strapped to the inside of her arm. She adjusted it so that she had a firm grip on it.
A wry smile curved her lips. This was tame compared to the bar Tallei owned. Kella had lost count of the bodies and body parts she’d been forced to clean up over the years. She nodded to the waitress and tossed a credit onto the tray when the woman placed her drink on the table.
“You want anything else?” the waitress asked in a barely audible voice.
Kella glanced up at her. “How is the food here?” she asked.
The waitress smiled, showing off a line of crooked teeth. “Good, and safe. Devona is picky about what is served,” she replied.
Kella nodded. “Bring me the house special, I am hungry,” she ordered, tossing two more credits on the tray.
The waitress’s eyes widened and she eagerly nodded before turning away. Kella knew she would get excellent service. She had overpaid for her drink and her meal. Tallei would have lashed out at her for doing that. It was not the way of the Turbinta. It would cause her to be more memorable than if her behavior had been unremarkable, but Kella knew how hard the work was and hadn’t missed the fact the waitress was with child. She justified her actions as a fair trade for receiving fresh food that wouldn’t leave her sick, or in the extreme case, dead.
Nearly two hours later, Kella was rewarded for her patience when Hutu Gomerant stepped into the bar. Kella nursed the drink in her hand, watching as the owner of the bar eagerly hurried toward Hutu. Her gaze followed them to a booth near the back. Devona nodded to the men sitting in the booth next to the one she and Hutu slid into, then sent a meaningful look to the bartenders behind the bar. Tallei had given Kella that same look many times before. They were bracing for hostile company.
“You think I’m what?!” Ash exclaimed.
He lifted his hand to push against his chin. He knew his mouth was hanging open. It tended to do that when he was shocked speechless.
“You are an Ancient,” Kubo repeated.
“I’m thirty-two,” Ash automatically responded, running a hand down his face.
Kubo shook his head and sat forward in his chair. “You know the number of planetary cycles since your birth is not what I am talking about,” he chided.
Ash’s hand dropped to his side. “Come on, Kubo. You expect me to believe I’m some Knight of the Gallant Order, magically returned to help defeat the Legion and restore order to the galaxy? If you do, I have a bridge in Brooklyn I’d love to sell you,” he retorted.
Kubo sat back in his seat. “I do not need a bridge from Brooklyn. The galaxy needs the Knights of the Gallant,” he stated, folding his hands around the handle of his cane.
Ash looked suspiciously at Kubo. “How in the hell did you come to the conclusion that I’m this… this… Gallant Ancient?” he demanded, throwing his hands up in aggravation.
“You came through the gateway built by the Ancients, fell from the sky, speak the old language, and the Legion is searching for you and the others. It matters not what the rest of us believe, though it will help our cause. What matters is that Director Andronikos believes it,” Kubo replied with a wry grin.
“This sounds like something out of a comic book,” Ash groaned, slumping in his seat before he sat up when Kubo’s words sank in. “Wait a minute! Did you say others? What others?”
Kubo raised an eyebrow at him. “Did you come alone through this gateway you told me about?” he asked.
Ash clenched his fist to keep from shaking his finger at the old man. He’d discovered the guards standing off to the side didn’t take kindly to him doing that. Instead, he glared at the blind man in aggravation.
“No, I told you there were five
of us. Has anyone else been found?” Ash demanded.
“Perhaps,” Kubo responded with a shrug. “The Legion searches for the others. General Landais wants you found. His men search the desert near Commander Jubotu Dungway’s base.”
“Well, good luck finding anything. I saw five guys hauling my escape pod away, and what do you mean ‘perhaps’?” Ash asked, folding his arms across his chest.
“There may be another,” Kubo stated. “Hutu is here. There were three others with Hutu; Cassa and Packu de Rola and a stranger from another world.”
“Where?” Ash asked, his eyes narrowing on the serene face in front of him.
Kubo raised a hand. One of the guards near him stepped forward and murmured in his ear. Kubo nodded and the man stepped back.
“My son, Hutu, meets with others in the resistance. He meets with Devona at the Sandsabar,” Kubo finally stated.
“Your son!” Ash exclaimed, dropping his arms to his lap.
“Yes, my youngest,” Kubo replied.
Ash stood up. If there was a possibility of finding more survivors from the Gliese, he wasn’t going to sit by and wait. Josh, Mei, Sergi, and Julia, they might not all be dead. One of them was with Hutu at the Sandsabar.
“I want to go to the Sandsabar,” Ash stated.
Kubo nodded. “I suspected you would. It would not be wise for me to be seen there. I will send someone to guide you,” he paused, then continued in a suddenly old and tired voice. “You must not draw attention to yourself, Ashton Haze. The rebellion needs you and the others alive.”
Ash was about to argue again about who they thought he was, but instead he just sighed. The only thing that was truly important right now was finding the others. Kubo murmured to his guard, and Ash wandered off, trying to curb his impatience while he waited for the guide.