Return of the Guardian King

by John E Bujanowski Jr

  “Star 9-7-K… Thanks for fighting for us, Night Star.”

  Tears ran down Boone’s face as he listened to each ship sound off during his exit. They each had encouraging words for him and thanked him and his crew for the many things they did for Obipherion. Even Mace managed a few tears after hearing the many words of encouragement. The Night Star reached the end of the procession and Star Leader, Commander Shadowback, became Boone’s wingman.

  “This is Star Leader. Night Star, we don’t know how things will go for you and your ship but we are happy to have you back anytime. Best wishes, Boone. May the Father of the Heavens and all creation be with you.”

  Boone cleared his throat and answered, “Thank you, Shadowback, thanks, everyone. We and the Night Star want to thank you for your salute. We also hope all goes well.”

  Shadowback added, “Boone, I’ll escort you to the edge of the system. Prepare for main engines. On my mark…”

  The Night Star and Shadowback darted to the outer edge of the Obipherion system then Shadowback remained behind. Boone was officially headed to Kova.

  …

  Inside the royal estate, the 5th prime and Obipherion’s chief investigator, Officer Tanner, waited inside a detention room. Infiltration and deceit had caused grave problems, not just for Obipherion but for the spatial corridors of the Abdomanon Constellation. The Court of Primes was finally making some progress and fighting back.

  Inside the detention room, six royal guards stood behind them for protection. Outside the room, six more royal guards stood.

  From a long corridor, a man was escorted to the detention room. Two High Guard officers only told him his presence was needed and urgent. He had no suspicions. But, once they turned from the main corridor and into a narrower hallway which hosted the detention rooms, suspicions came. He saw six royal guards. They opened the door for him and his curiosity took over. He stepped inside and saw the 5th prime and Investigator Tanner. He was surprised to see an empty chair across from the prime and the Obipherion investigator. Jok stood and motioned for him to sit down.

  “Commander Dowey, my old friend. Please?”

  Jok’s arm was extended toward the empty chair; Commander Dowey then realized his days of infiltration had just ended.

  …

  Jona, his newest friend, Robi, and a few others were in the top level of the ship. The Star Lab was a sight to behold. The glass dome provided awesome views to the many stars and bright suns contained within the Abdomanon Constellation. Jona immediately tried to ascertain the position of the Ambulas in correlation to the Xeraxes system. He feared asking questions.

  Moments later, Jona was laying on the deck underneath a large communications console. They were pulling every wire from the COM console, checking them for continuity, and replacing those that needed replacing. The problem was some were routed down the corridor, down several decks below through a conduit near the elevators then down another corridor toward the bridge. Some wires were very, very long. As they toiled, Qwi'mae watched intently.”

  “So, Rayne, is it?”

  “Huh?” Jona grunted.

  “Where are you from? Chanko was our friend.”

  Jona glanced at her quickly then looked at his wire bundle. “Uh, oh!” he fretted. “These wires are stupid! We don’t wire things like this anymore. We should upgrade them to wireless sub-relays!” hence avoiding answering her questions.

  She continued to gaze and study him. She admired Jona’s large muscles, his smooth brown skin, and his long dark-brown hair with many thin leather strips keeping the braids together. She liked the thin black band he wore around his neck. It had green pinstriping winding around the length of it. He was unusual and Qwi'mae had doubts.

  Jona noticed her suspicions. He slid out from under the console, gripping a wire harness he yanked free from its bracing. He slowly looked her over as she did the same. She was tall, though not as tall as he was. Her dark skin and deep brown eyes appealed to him. Their eyes finally met.

  He replied, “Qwi'mae?” She nodded, yes. “I’m sorry about Chanko. Maybe now, we can be friends.” He smiled at her but she did not return the smile.

  They both looked at the entrance to the Star Lab when they heard the large doors slide open. An old man strolled in. He gazed at Jona and Qwi'mae. Then the old man motioned to speak to her privately. For the first time in a long time, Jona became anxious.

  …

  Meanwhile, as Rumble Leader led his thirty-nine ships toward Isoter, blips began to appear on his monitor. The queen’s forces were not going to idly stand by and let the High Guard forces from Xeraxes go unopposed.

  Rumble Leader to group: We have a welcome party to contend with. Stand by for orders.

  There were two other leaders in the group beside Rumble Leader, the air attack leader and the ground forces leader. Attack leader was called, Sky Leader, a woman with long red hair, and the ground forces leader was called, Deck Leader. Deck leader was an older man, a decorated veteran from the Xeraxes Star Guard from the days before the institution of the High Guard. The two leaders acknowledged and awaited orders. They already had an action plan in the event they encountered resistance.

  Every ship in Rumble Group watched blip after blip appear on their monitors. In a few short minutes, 178 blips appeared from the planet, Isoter. They were led by a man loyal to the queen. His name was Kora. Rumble Leader addressed his force.

  Rumble Leader to group: Looks like their force is 178 and they are grouping into formations of five. Isoter force is seventy-five minutes away. Stand by.

  Captain Eisen and the Sim-Sa Gale continued to orbit Xeraxes. They communicated to Rumble Leader and they kept a watchful eye on what was happening in the Xeraxes-Isoter corridor. Every single ship in his force was searching for the Ambulas. He assumed the dreaded ship to be in hiding and his plan hinged on that assumption. Even if the Ambulas did make an appearance, he and his crew were ready to fight. He let his force of 516 ships do their jobs while he prepared for an attack unprecedented in the history of the Abdomanon Constellation.

  Chapter 12

  Still working on the top level of the Ambulas, Jona was standing next to Robi in the main corridor. They were accessing a large panel where hundreds of wires met. The access panel was not far from the main elevators which, of course, were under repair. There was a small team working on the elevators. There was a door next to the elevators which gave access to a ladder – the only means of reaching the decks below.

  Soon, once the Ambulas reached its port, many workers would join them as ordered by Rena and Qwi'mae. Jona kept an eye on Robi and the workers at the elevators, wondering how he could supplant them. He didn’t want the COM system nor the elevators repaired but he had to act as though he was concerned about the ever-important systems. Then the announcement came via ship-wide speakers:

  ‘We are entering the Adjelon system, Adjelon in one day. We are entering the Adjelon system, Adjelon in one day.’

  Jona became concerned as he contemplated entering the heart of the queen’s lair. But, concern turned into great trepidation as a large man with a phase blaster appeared from a door next to the elevators – the very door that led to the ladders and the main corridors below. As Jona watched him slowly walk his way, man after man, soldier after soldier appeared from the door. Moments later a dozen armed men were standing in front of Jona. The men were followed by Rena, Aderian, Jak and a very disgusted Nell. Qwi'mae also appeared behind him, coming from the direction of the Star Lab. Rena kept her distance, standing behind everyone.

  Qwi'mae asked, “You didn’t think we could track you?” Jona glared at her. “Stupid!” she added as she shook her head from side to side in disgust. “We know you launched from the Sim-Sa Gale.”

  Rena stepped forward, “Rayne? It’s not, Rayne. Is it?” she asked. Jona let out a deep sigh and grimaced. He didn’t answer. “Take him!” she ordered.

  The men shoved Jona, face first, against the steel wall of the corridor and bound his arms
behind his back with metal cuffs held tightly together with magnetic bands. They turned Jona around to face the crowd. Jak walked up to him.

  “You lied to me!” Jak threw a vicious punch into his belly and Jona buckled over, gasping. Jona straightened and chuckled, sneering back. The second Jona recovered from the vicious blow, Jak gave him another. Jona hunched over again, “That’s for playing me!” Jak was poised to punch him in his face but Rena stopped him.

  Rena walked up to him, “Jak! You can have your fun later.” She looked at Qwi'mae then at Jona. “So, what were you doing aboard the Sim-Sa Gale?”

  “You have it all wrong!” He shook his head from side-to-side. “I escaped from there!”

  Jak threw another quick furious punch to his belly. Jak yelled, “We know you’re lying. So, big boy! Every time you lie,” Jak turned and looked at a few men much larger than himself. They were as big as Jona. “They will reward you. Understand?”

  Jona huffed again. He answered, “I think we should all settle this like real men. One-on-one, hand-to-hand.” Jona looked at Rena and said, “I did escape from the Gale ‘cause I don’t like the High Guard either but you all are insane!” He gazed at each one of them and let out a disgusting pant. “Pfft! I can’t believe all of those men, women, children, those old people you all just killed. On Copiannis, too! You all have lost your way in this.”

  Jak pulled one of the larger men forward; he immediately punched Jona in the face then in the gut. Jona bent down in anguish.

  “Wait!” Aderian said. “I want to hear this.”

  Rena immediately wondered what Aderian was thinking. Her mind recalled the harsh scolding he gave her a day ago. Aderian was saddened by all the killing but Rena was too preoccupied and overwhelmed with hatred and revenge, she could not feel the same compassion and sorrow the others felt. Rena wondered about Aderian.

  Aderian asked, “I want to know what the High Guard is going to do about it? You give us INTEL, we just might let you live.” Aderian glanced at Rena to see if she agreed but it was also a glance to see if she still trusted him. His actions didn’t fit the typical Aderian she knew.

  Jona lifted his head, “I am against the High Guard and I am against all this killing, looting of cargo ships, blowing up people’s homes, killing the children while they sleep in their beds. Who are you people!” he shouted. A man was ready to punch him again but they all stood, ashamed and listened to Jona’s rant. “What have they done to you? This makes you all cowards! You’re just cowards!”

  Nell blasted, “Why are we cowards? We are taking back what that evil establishment has taken away from us!”

  Jona sneered, “Then go fight them, face to face! Don’t kill the innocent. I’m going to get free and I will kill you all for Copiannis, for the Ganes Trek, and for Nepa’pa.”

  Everyone was stunned as Rena had no words for Jona. They all knew Jona was right. They took their revenge against the innocent. Everyone watched her.

  Rena said, “Stop your lies. Take him to the brig. I will get the INTEL from him.” Rena stepped closer and studied him. She sneered at him and added, “Rayne? Tell me what I want to know. Because I have some nice tools for you, whoever you are.”

  The men took Jona away and Rena studied Aderian. He asked, “What’s next?”

  She answered, “He has INTEL and I am going to get it from him. Are you OK with that? Adere?”

  She slowly stroked his face and chin with her hand. It was her way of calming him down from all the fighting and destruction. She knew she could elicit anything from him she desired. In this case, she wanted his approval. She tenderly caressed his cheek with her thumb.

  Aderian, though, did not feel the same way. As she slowly caressed his face, he understood she could lash out at him in an instant, like a deceptive creature would before it strikes its prey. Aderian felt vulnerable before her but kept his focus.

  “Your plans for Obipherion, you said you were coming up with a plan?”

  “Yes, a lure, for the Gale. I know they will not come for this rebel. He really does hate the High Guard, though. I can see it in his eyes.”

  “Then what?” Nell asked. Nell and Jak wanted to hear about the new plan as well.

  She glanced at everyone, “We will fix our shadow panel then we will fix our laser turrets then I am going to find Jurias. I have someone there, now, to rescue him. Then Obipherion will pay.”

  “How?” Jak asked. Aderian was very glad Jak asked so he wouldn’t have to.

  “With the help of my friends, the Axeon’s. All I can say is, ‘Remember Capseon!’”

  They immediately understood – a moon in the Capseon system was destroyed by a gamma bomb. They wondered whether or not she or the Axeon rebels had another one.

  Nell asked, “How will you get Rayne to talk?”

  “Are you worried about him? Nell?” she asked.

  Aderian recognized Nell liked Rayne. He tried to foster her help by getting Rena to admit she had more horrible things to do.

  He asked, “What did you have in mind? Knives? Burns? Some Nanos?” Nell’s eyes glared.

  Rena answered, “I really need more experimentation with my new hand-held laser. Don’t you think?” she asked, solely to see if he really agreed with her. She wanted to know if her three soldiers were becoming compassionate. It troubled her. She would not tolerate mercy.

  Aderian slowly nodded his head. He made a decision.

  Qwi'mae added, “Ma’am, you need to see what’s happening in the system.” Qwi'mae pointed in the direction of the Star Lab. Rena nodded and led Jak, Nell, and Aderian to the Star Lab.

  In the Star Lab, Qwi'mae explained. “Ma’am, they just left Isoter. I’m still counting but right now, there are 152 ships headed toward the High Guard force.”

  “Ha!” Rena rejoiced as well as Jak and Nell. Aderian tried to muster a smile and no one noticed his lack of enthusiasm. “Well done, Kora! I know we will lose some fighters today but those thirty-nine ships are no match for our 152 ships!”

  “Oh,” Qwi'mae added. “Five more!” They all chuckled.

  “What is the Sim-Sa Gale doing?”

  “Ma’am,” Qwi'mae answered. “She is orbiting Xeraxes and all of her ships are searching the corridors.” Qwi'mae stepped to her left and pointed toward the ceiling at one of the spatial corridors. “Here, fifty ships are searching the Xeraxes-Obipherion corridor, fifty are searching the Xeraxes-Gorledeon corridor, fifty are searching the Xeraxes-Abdom Center corridor, and fifty are searching the Xeraxes-Adjelon corridor. 237 ships are searching inside the Xeraxes system. They are looking for us!” she laughed. “The ships searching our corridor are sixteen hours behind us, they don’t see us, and they can’t catch up to us.” She smiled as did Rena and the others. “There are some intergalactic runners searching the spatial corridors between the three planets, Xeraxes, Efferium, and Isoter but they are hours from our ships.”

  Rena asked, “When will the engagement of our 158 ships take place?”

  Qwi'mae smiled, “Ma’am, now there are 178 ships and I predict they will engage in one hour. I’ll let you know.”

  Rena patted her on her back and smiled. She glanced at the others as she strolled to the exit. Come along, come along, I’ve got important business to tend to. Time to get the INTEL.”

  Jak and Nell eagerly followed her as Aderian reluctantly lagged behind. It was time to deal with Jona. They followed Rena down ladders, down wide corridors and elevators to the middle of the ship on the lowest deck of the Ambulas. Upon entering a large room with several other offenders chained to the walls, their gaze fell upon a man and a woman severely beaten and near death. Jak, Nell, and Aderian were astonished by their appearance. Then their eyes fell upon Jona.

  Jona’s body, from head to feet, was pinned against a wall, immovable. An old man stood next to him holding a small rod in his hand – a torture tool. The lower left side of Jona’s abdomen was bleeding. Rena smiled with approval. She looked at Jona’s constraining apparatus and admired the
old man’s handiwork. She looked at her hand-held laser and smiled at the device. Jak, Nell, and Aderian watched. The cold dark steel room hosted several other torture-like apparatuses as others hung, attached to the walls. As they watched her prance the room, they saw a side of her they had never seen before.

  “It’s a shame no one else can see me, Rayne.” She picked up a small device and began recording the ordeal. “Can I have your real name?”

  “Can I have your real name,” he answered.

  “Ah, you’re good. Strong, in the face of torture.” She looked at Jona and admired his defiance. “I wish I had you by my side, I can see what kind of man you are. Tough, loyal, smart but you got caught.”

  “I only needed a few more hours,” Jona sighed and let out a painful grunt.

  Rena activated the hologram, “I am sending this out to all of my outposts. The High Guard will see it and so will your friends. Who are your friends?”

  “You killed them! On Efferium.”

  Rena’s smile withered away. “Remove his head brace,” she ordered. The old man released a brace which held Jona’s head firmly in place. The old man laughed and jeered at him. Rena smiled and said, “I won’t mind if you move your head, Rayne.”

  She turned on her hand-held laser. A holographic ray emitted from it and inside the ray, a small laser beam pulsed. She nodded to the man. He gripped the edge of Jona’s ear with a pair of pliers and stretched his ear away from his head. Jona tensed, grimaced, and moaned. Jak, Nell, and Aderian were shocked as Rena walked up to him.

  She said, “This beam will slice your head open, Rayne. I’m going to take your ear first. Then, hmm? If you move in the slightest, the beam may cut into your head. Understand?” she giggled.

  “You can hurt me all you want. Here is your INTEL, you are sick in the mind. You are only evil! Let me go and we’ll see if you can fight or not. Coward!”

  She pointed the laser at his ear and slowly proceeded to bore a hole in it. Jona let out a loud continuous moan.

  “Move your head, Rayne! Move it! I know you want to turn away!” Jona screamed. It was a loud controllable reflex as he held his head still while she slowly and carefully enlarged a burning hole in his ear. She wanted to slice his head but needed the INTEL from him. Jona took the pain and torture and didn’t move his head, whatsoever.