by R. E. Graham
“We need to stick to the plan,” Nina said confidently. “The Captain is still counting on us.”
“How do we even know he is alive?” the gunner asked sarcastically. “I’m not runnin’ to meet a fragging inquisitor without backup.”
“Either way I am returning to bury my family,” Riko said as he stepped forward. “This conversation is pointless. We know what the plan is, and we need to get movin’.”
Poli remained quiet while Nina nodded. Jax crossed his arms in frustration while Joker also agreed with the mech pilot.
"Enough!" Rhonda thundered. "The plan doesn't change just because the Cap isn't here. If he says Onyx ships will show up, then I trust him."
“If he’s wrong though, then this is a suicide run,” the overrider suggested as he rocked in his seat.
“Why would he lie to us?” Rhonda asked. Her tone was becoming more aggressive as she was reaching her limit with the talking.
Nina’s wrist piece lit up. She looked down distracted by the glow and saw the ship had received a text message. “I just got a message from the Midnight.”
Everyone quieted down to listen as she read it aloud.
“It says that we are to head straight for Largo. That we need to signal once the Lawman shows up and then they will attack.”
“Pffft, now he thinks he is callin’ the shots?” Hern asked rhetorically.
“Well actually, yes,” Jax said coldly. “We can’t do much on our own. We need Onyx.”
The gunner just shrugged and walked off.
Nina stepped forward and looked at everyone. “We stick to the plan. The Captain will be doing everything he can from his end to make sure this pulls off without any hiccups. We need to come through for him.”
“Let’s do it,” Poli said meekly.
Rhonda observed the way everyone was acting. It was as if they were all broken but trying to hide the pain. Most of them were frightened to go up against an inquisitor in a straight up fight.
This is gonna get bloody. Let’s hope we do more to them than they can to us…
The Only Hope hopped into Destiny's planetary system at the primary trade point. Nina looked at her station to check the ship for damage.
“Everything looks good,” she said as she continued confirming.
Joker called out. “All good here.”
“Good,” Hern said coldly.
It had taken them most of their fuel to hop back to their home, and the gunner had more than once expressed his lack of desire to go through with this plan. Nina had decided that as long as he was still performing his duty that she wasn't going to make a big deal out of it. She knew she needed to keep the crew together as best she could, but she did miss the Captain.
“Take us in Joker,” she said as she continued watching her station.
“Aye,” the pilot said as he accelerated the freighter for the dusty planet.
While everyone was nervous about the mission to come, Rhonda had been the one to keep things going relatively smoothly. Riko isolated himself as much as possible, and Poli was still grieving the loss of Jaymes.
A notification popped up on her screen. It was an encrypted message that read, “Stay away from Largo. It has been destroyed by an inquisitor with elite troops. They are hiding nearby waiting for your arrival.”
Nina felt a tug on her heart for those that died as she read the short message once more. She shook her head to regain focus.
“I just got a message that the Inquisitor is still on the planet and that he is waiting for us.”
“Who’s it from?” the pilot asked as the ship neared Destiny.
“It doesn’t say.”
“Maybe Patrix?”
“I don’t like this,” Hern said. “Not one bit.”
“No one does Hern. But we have to stay the course,” Nina said as she glanced over to the gunner. “Nothing has changed.”
She undid her harness then walked over to the Captain's chair. After setting the microphone to connect to the entire ship she raised it to her mouth. Strangely she felt that some kind of motivational speech was appropriate, but she never had to give one before, so she settled on presenting the facts.
“This is Nina. We have arrived in system and are heading in. Everyone knows what to do. Right now, we can’t focus on what we’ve lost only on the job ahead. The Captain is counting on us.”
Riko and Poli finished checking a system on the Goblin.
“I think she’s ready to go,” Poli said as she took a step back to admire her work.
Compared to the boxy look of the Corre Republic WarMechs, the Goblin had smoother surfaces and had a bit of a hunch when it walked. It was an iconic Union of Stars design still in use today.
Riko closed a panel on the mech’s back and stood up.
“What do you think of all this?” the pilot asked as he wiped his hands on his pant leg.
“Do you mean going home?”
Riko nodded. “Coming back to fight is not the right way to do this.”
“What would be?” she asked as she tapped the datapad she held on her thigh.
“I know what we have done is wrong and evil, goin’ about and stealin’ from others and all. Maybe this is the universe’s way of punishing us for our mistakes.”
Poli sensed the pain in Riko’s heart as his countenance changed to being very sad. “I don’t know anythin’ about that Riko.”
The pilot took a deep breath and wiped a tear that started. His lip quivered, but he fought to hide his swirling emotions. He cleared his throat then used the workstation frame around the Goblin to walk up to its cockpit.
“We need you right now,” Poli said as her voice echoed through the hangar.
Riko stopped before climbing in. His right hand trembled as he struggled within himself of wanting revenge and wanting to live up to his feelings of peace. He didn’t look back to the young mechanic. Instead, he climbed in and shut the cockpit. His ears felt pressure as the canopy became airtight.
Poli sighed then shuffled her feet over to the other side of the hangar.
Riko sat in the red glow of the Goblin’s gut and cried.
“Why have you taken them from me?” Riko asked weakly.
His entire body felt tired and sore, but his heart was fired up. A tear fell onto his grease-stained pants. He gripped his head tightly then he noticed the picture of his wife and children stuck to one of the panels above him. The memory of that lovely day where they all were smiling came back to him.
“They didn’t deserve to be punished for my failures. Why didn’t you take me? Wha…what did they do? My children were so young.”
Riko didn’t receive an answer right then, just more silence. He sat inside the cockpit as the Only Hope began to enter the atmosphere.
Chapter 40
Cycle: 434 Month: 3 Rotation: 11
Corre Republic Space
Prefecture: Siimon
Planet: Destiny
Location: In the system, aboard the Midnight
Mikhail watched the Only Hope begin to descend toward the surface of Destiny inside the bridge of the Midnight. Unlike his personal ship, a large panel had been installed on the Onyx ship's deck in the floor which acted as a much larger hologram projector. The Goto ship seemed so small compared to the vastness of the planet.
“So far so good,” he whispered to himself.
While he was a prisoner of sorts aboard the Onyx ship, he had taken the opportunity to observe as much as he could. He had never been able to watch a larger crew of pirates operate before, and it had proven to be an eye-opener.
Deimos was clearly the one in charge of his men, but they all respected Lord Horsh and jumped anytime he spoke. Yondo, in Mikhail's eyes, was little more than a toddler that wielded enormous power. He barked meaningless orders and pushed his people around like they were slaves. If it wasn't for the fact that the Lord had brought seven other pirate vessels along with him that some of the crew may have protested. Not Deimos though. He seemed to be totall
y loyal which was something that the Captain could both admire and abhor.
Not wanting to draw unnecessary attention to himself, Mikhail remained quiet and just listened to the commotion of the crew as reports came in and Yondo continued to look foolish.
“Lord all ships have reported in,” Yaeger, the Midnight’s comm officer, said as he confirmed his data.
“Excellent!” Yondo exclaimed loudly. “Now all we do is sit and wait for those poor fools on the ground to spring the trap.”
Something in the Lord's comment alerted Mikhail.
“We are going to arrive once they signal us?”
Lord Horsh waved his hand. “More or less.”
“What does that mean?”
Standing tall next to his lord, Deimos glared hard at the Captain.
“Lord, I just thought that the plan was we were to engage the Lawman when he arrived,” Mikhail corrected himself.
“Oh, we will attack. We will,” Yondo said as he sprang to his feet. “But we are going to wait to make sure all of his forces engage them first.”
“We are going to wait until after their dead?”
Yondo became angry at the questioning. "Look Mik, I like you. But your people are pawns, and their job is to draw out the Inquisitor and his people. If they see us coming, they will divert their forces toward us and we will lose the ability to ambush them."
Mikhail took a step forward, and Deimos jumped in between the two men with his arms up ready to fight.
“I’m not going to fight you Deimos,” Mikhail said as he peered over his shoulder to lock eyes with the pirate lord.
“We can’t leave them to die. They trusted us that we would arrive in time.”
“Give me one good reason why I should risk the lives of my men for one Goto freighter?”
Rage consumed Mikhail’s mind and body.
“You bastard!” he shouted just before Deimos grabbed him and held him in place.
“They trusted you!”
“That was their mistake. One of many I’m sure. Once this is done, I will grant you a new ship Mik, don’t worry about that,” Yondo said coldly as he sat back down in his seat.
He motioned with his hand, and two guards came forward and helped hold Mikhail back.
“Let me go!” the Captain growled.
“Take him away. I don’t want this moment ruined.”
Deimos nodded and helped assist the guards in escorting the enraged Mikhail off of the bridge.
Despite the Onyx pirates’ efforts, the Captain resisted and still tried to get back to the bridge until one of the guards busted him in the head which dazed his vision.
The Onyx Captain reached over and pulled up Mikhail’s head up by his hair. “You will be still and listen to me.”
Mikhail tried to yank one of his arms free but failed.
“Captain Tarvus,” Deimos began. “…struggling will not help your people.”
“He sent my people to die!” Mikhail shouted angrily.
“Losing your temper will not save them. You must calm yourself and think clearly.”
Still pissed, the Captain took the advice and took several deep angry breaths. His nostrils flared with each exhale.
“Now, listen to me. There is still a lot of fighting ahead of us, and we have to strike once the Inquisitor lowers his guard. In a straight fight they could defeat us.”
Mikhail’s eyes shot up and connected with Deimos’. “You don’t think we can win?”
"It does not matter what I think. What matters is the victory." Seeing the Captain had relaxed some he motioned with his head so that the guards released him and took a step back.
“What can I do though?” Mikhail asked feeling defeated inside.
“Stay out of the bridge and wait for the signal for us to land.”
“Then what?”
Deimos didn't respond, but instead, he and the guards returned to the bridge. The door remained open, but Mikhail didn't want Yondo to accidentally see him. He began to pace back and forth down the corridor as worried about the coming hours.
Everything hinges on getting a jump on the Inquisitor. Otherwise, I may never be able to get my family back. Aaaah!
Chapter 41
Cycle: 434 Month: 3 Rotation: 11
Corre Republic Space
Prefecture: Siimon
Planet: Destiny
Location: Aboard the Silverbolt
The Tribune had regained order among his men, but many of the troopers remained furious with the Inquisitor. None of them dared to approach him openly though. Despite not being in the Republic Armed Forces, they all knew that an inquisitor was trained extensively, not to mention did have direct authority over the mission.
It had now been over two weeks since they had landed on Destiny. The crew was apparently beginning to get stir crazy, but the Inquisitor was diligent. He had adamantly believed that Mikhail would return, but even he was starting to doubt. The thought did cross his mind that maybe he died on some raid, or that he caught wind of the attack on his home town and went into hiding.
Cyrus had continued reviewing files with the intel officers for so long now that when he closed his eyes, he saw scrolling numbers and data. He leaned back in his chair and rubbed his face. They had discovered several entries that were worth pursuing, but none were very blaring.
Today was the last day of his deadline given by the Prefect. Tensions were getting high, and something needed to change. The Inquisitor felt as though his opportunity for advancement in the order was slipping right through his fingers. The trap had been set for his prey, but the pirates had to return for him to be successful. At this point, there was no time left to go on the hunt. He genuinely didn't think this would have taken so long.
Just before he was going to get up and go on a break, the Tactical Action Officer called out across the bridge. "Sir, we have confirmation that the Only Hope has arrived in system at the trade point.”
Finally!
“Where are they heading?” the Inquisitor said excitedly as he hopped to his feet.
He walked over to the holotable which transformed from data to a screen showing the suspected trajectory of the pirate vessel.
“Looks like they are headed for Largo, sir.”
Aries spoke above the conversation. "Set the fleet to combat alert." He picked up a microphone connected to the holotable. "Report to your stations. Prepare for combat. I repeat, prepare for combat."
Cyrus looked at Aries from across the table. Both had longed for this moment and we're excited it had finally arrived.
“We stick to the plan until they set the signal,” the Inquisitor said over the blares of the alarm sounding through the ship.
The Tribune nodded then went on with his duties. Cyrus watched as the pirate freighter continued on toward the ashes of their town.
Finally, this can be brought to an end, and I can be recognized by the Prefect.
Chapter 42
Cycle: 434 Month: 3 Rotation: 11
Corre Republic Space
Prefecture: Siimon
Planet: Destiny
Location: Aboard the Only Hope
Joker guided the Only Hope over what remained of Largo.
“Oh my…” Nina started as she covered her mouth in shock.
The town looked like it had been a warzone. Every single structure had been flattened. Some had clear signs of weapon damage, while others looked like they had been smashed to pieces. Even the roads were torn up and gouged.
Hern snarled at the destruction. “Ain’t right to kill folks like this.”
Riko had a signal from a camera mounted on the hull of the ship fed into his cockpit on one of his screens. He fought back more tears as he recognized what was left of his home. He saw the charred remains and clenched his fists so tightly his hands began to shake.
“I…I’ll kill ‘em.”
Rhonda shook her head as she watched the flyby with Poli in the hangar.
“This is terrible,” she said softly
.
“So much destruction because of us,” Poli remarked.
Back on the bridge, Nina stood up when she saw what looked like a grave site. A lone person was standing out in the dusty and scarred ground.
“Is that Patrix?” she asked.
"I think so," the pilot said as he kept the ship going in a full circle above the town.
“Take us down,” Nina ordered as she nearly cried at the number of graves.
Even Hern felt saddened by the carnage. He had been on plenty of worlds and in more fights than he could ever hope to count, but this bothered him.
Patrix watched the ship straighten out from its turn and hover over the stonecrete landing pad. It began to lower slowly sending dust blowing out from under it. The tarmac was covered with debris, but the landing feet of the Only Hope crushed it, and the ship came to a smooth landing.
The loading ramp lowered, and Rhonda stepped off with Hern, rifles at the standby. Riko remained in the cockpit of the Goblin and still kept it powered down. Poli and Jax stepped off and were overwhelmed by the silence of the scene.
“This is incredible,” the overrider said as he took the devastation in.
A breeze howled angrily sending pieces of scorched clothing tumbling through the street.
Nina and Joker were the last ones off the ship. They joined the group of pirates.
“How could they do this?” Joker asked as he turned around looking for any sign of life left.
Rhonda spotted Patrix hobbling over toward them. He was covered in so much blood and dirt that he would have been confused with the victims if he hadn’t been standing. His eyes appeared hollow and empty of life. It was the blank look on his face that pierced right through the rifleman as she watched him approach.
“Patrix?” Poli asked with tears in her eyes.
He did not respond but just stared. His skin looked sunburned, and both of his hands were covered with filthy bandages.
Jax carefully walked up to his friend and extended a canteen. “Patrix, take this water. You look dehydrated.”
The Chief glanced down at the container but did not reach out for it. “Eighty-nine.”