He sighed. “Princess, we’ve been through this before.”
“What was it?” she asked again. Her hand that had been under his suddenly flipped palm up and clenched his tightly, painfully.
“Aaltskog…”
“Tell me. I need to hear it.” Her finger tips were grinding into his flesh. Feln’s body was tough, but so was Aaltskog’s. In some ways, she was a weapon unto herself.
He grabbed her and slammed her down against Denxeiter’s chest and held her there. He knew this wouldn’t hurt her and the glare in her eyes confirmed this. He put his face inches from hers. “I was afraid that I would get absorbed into this thing. There’d be a battle where things would get so bad, we’d reach Resonance. And I’d cease to exist because I’d dematerialize into the Machine.”
“Well, there’s no need…” She started to force her way up against his hand pinning her, but he shoved her back down hard, her skull making a slight cracking sound. She gasped in surprise and Feln realized he may have actually hurt her. But something told him he had to continue on because this was another conversation they’d been avoiding for years that needed to happen.
“Don’t move,” he growled. “You need to shut up and listen. Because you insisted on going down this line of questioning, we’re going all the way.”
She relaxed and said softly, “You’re right.”
He loosened his grip. “I’m sorry.” He sat back up and helped her up. “Are you okay?”
“You know I can survive much worse.”
“That’s not the point.”
“You’re stalling.”
“Fine.” He collected his thoughts. “Okay, on one hand, I was pretty happy when we were assigned to our friend here. If anything else, he looks human, and that’s a comfort. The last thing I wanted to be in was some kind of giant disembodied head-looking thing, or God knows what. And Denxeiter has an excellent service record. There are at least three major fleet battles in the past where this guy singlehandedly turned the tide.”
Aaltskog nodded.
Feln shivered, “But what absolutely terrifies me is that I’m Denxeiter’s fourth pilot and I can’t talk to any of his previous pilots because they’re all gone. One minute, they’re flying along on a mission, and the next, something really crazy happens— a big battle or something— and the Space Knight and Denxeiter are really cooking, racking up kills left and right… Then poof! the Space Knight’s gone and Denxeiter is left hovering in space without a pilot until somebody comes and recovers him. Thank God no enemy’s ever been able to capture this thing during those moments.
“And what makes it even scarier is how there’s never any warning. The Space Knight and Denxeiter are really doing some major damage to the enemy, they suddenly slip into Resonance, and that’s it, the Space Knight is gone.
“The fact that this has happened to every single one of Denxeiter’s pilots before me doesn’t exactly fill my heart with confidence, you know? Plus, of all the Hyper Battle Machines in service, Denxeiter is the only one to have done this to every one of its former pilots.”
“But you’ve been piloting Denxeiter for years! Nothing bad has happened yet. You’re still here. I haven’t heard you talk about these fears for a long time. Now that I think about it, it’s been years since you’ve even said the word ‘Resonance’.”
“Yeah, and thanks so much for making me say it now.” He looked at her pointedly. “But anyway, there’s two reasons for that. First, I think I subconsciously try not to get too synched up with Denxeiter in a battle. I figure if I don’t get too caught up in what I’m doing, I’ll be safe. So even when things are at their worst, I have some kind of subconscious safety valve that only lets me put in 95% at most, you know?”
She nodded. “I understand.”
He looked down and closed his eyes. “The thing about that is, how many times have I screwed things up because of that fear? Maybe that extra 5% I’m holding back could be enough to change the outcome of things. Maybe I could have saved Katashka. And I have a suspicion that I could have saved Valisia and dodged those shots from Ganxeiter if I really put my all into it.
“But even at that moment, at that millisecond, I still managed to have have an argument with myself that said ‘don’t do it. You’ll disappear. If you die, at least, you’re dead and that’s that. But who knows what will happen to you if you reach Resonance and disappear? Where do you go? What will happen to Aaltskog? Don’t do it.’”
He turned and looked at her. “So I didn’t. I made sure to push Valisia out of the way, but instead of pushing myself and Denxeiter hard enough, I let him take those shots. Because I still had more faith in surviving a planetfall crash and you restarting the main engine than I did in the chances of me disappearing in Resonance and somehow coming back.”
He laughed softly, “Worst of all, I tried to tell myself I was doing the right thing because Emperor Gustav would have done the same. What a load of self-serving garbage. If I was really trying to emulate the Emperor’s example, I would have gone all in, with no concern of the risk of Resonance. But no, I held back and lied to myself, hoping that when all was said and done, you’d bail my ass out. Hell, I even repeated that lie to Valisia just a little while ago. Can you believe that? What a joke. It’s not that Denxeiter can’t wake up, it’s that he doesn’t want to.”
Aaltskog listened intently and then slowly said, “I think you might be right about that…”
“Well, I was only half joking when I said it. But right now, he’s for all intents and purposes dead. I don’t think he has any opinion one way or the other.”
“We’ve already established time and again that we don’t know anywhere near as much about Hyper Battle Machines as we think we do. No, I’m quite positive he’s listening to every word we’re saying right now. Somehow.”
She took off her hat and turned it over and over in her hands. “But hey, you said earlier, there’re two reasons you’re afraid to pilot Denxeiter. What’s the second after holding yourself back?”
Feln looked at her. “Isn’t it obvious? It’s because of you.”
Aaltskog blinked. “Me?”
“Don’t act so surprised. There’s something about the way you and Denxeiter function together that is unlike any other Companion and Hyper Battle Machine I’ve heard of. Not that I’m a scholar on these things, but the maintenance guys all say the same.
“There’s always been something different about you— not just as a Companion, but as a Hyper Battle Machine Operations Specialist. It sounds morbid, but when I think of it, I believe Dr. Maass knew that you were the apex of Companion development. And with that in mind, he saw no point in going on with his life.”
Aaltskog nodded contemplatively as Feln continued, “When he died, you always maintained that you were okay with it and that you felt he was going to a better place after a temporary stay in this life.”
“As the years go by, I’ve only grown stronger in that belief.”
“Well, because of you, I’ve grown to feel the same way. Now, considering how hard his other creations took his death, maybe it’s just the two of us who are crazy. But I don’t think so.”
“I do appreciate that.”
“And by the way, I’m pretty sure the two us were always meant to be partnered with Denxeiter. I can’t really explain it— it’s just a gut feeling. But going back to the beginning, the more the three of us became a team, the more I became convinced. And so my worry started to fade. Not enough to get me to put in 100% of course, but when we first started, I was maxing out at maybe 70% or so.”
“Yeah, I know,” she said. “It was pretty obvious. But I had a feeling you’d get better with time. And you have.”
He pulled her hands into his. “I don’t know what makes me so important to this…triumvirate, I guess? But you… you’re the key. I don’t know how, or why, but you are.”
Aaltskog stood up and put her hat back on. “You’re half right. Yes, I’m the key.” She reached down and took Feln�
��s hand, helping him to his feet. “But so are you.” Continuing to hold his hand, she walked over to Denxeiter’s face and placed her free hand against it. She indicated for Feln to do the same with his empty hand and after a moment’s hesitation, he did.
She turned to Feln and smiled. “This is gonna be interesting.”
“I have no doubt.”
She turned back to Denxeiter and closed her eyes. “Big Brother, I know you’ve been listening. And I understand that maybe Feln’s right. Maybe you don’t want to wake up if there’s a chance something like this can happen again if he gets scared. But please understand that we don’t know what happens when a Space Knight Resonates with you. And for as scared as Feln was, I was even more scared. Because I don’t ever want to lose him. If he were to disappear inside of you, it would be like a part of me was gone forever and I’d never be able to come back from that.”
As she said those words, Feln looked over to see tears beginning to stream down her face. She continued, “So please don’t hold that against us. Because that’s now in the past.”
Her voice grew stronger. “I hereby swear that if this Space Knight and this Hyper Battle Machine reach a state of Resonance, this Companion will assure the continuing safety of the Space Knight to not only return from that Resonance, but to also complete future missions where other states of Resonance may be achieved. I make this oath as a Companion and as a sentient being in God’s universe whose fate is tied to both of you.”
Feln started to feel something. At first, he thought it was just the movement of the Tannhauser through space, but then he realized it was a vibration coming from deep within Denxeiter. At the same time, his hand still being held in Aaltskog’s was starting to burn. Her hands were beginning to glow again. Even so, he knew he couldn’t let go at such a crucial moment.
He said, “And I, Feln Koenig, Space Knight of his Imperial Majesty’s Star Navy do hereby swear to always do my best and never hold back in battle, come what may. No matter what happens, I make this promise to Hyper Battle Machine #34 Denxeiter, and to Companion Aaltskog that I would sooner die than betray the partnership and friendship the three of us have forged.”
Aaltskog looked over at Feln and nodded. He’d never seen her look so happy and the tears shimmering in her eyes were now those of rapturous happiness. She turned back to Denxeiter. “And now, with these solemn oaths sworn from Space Knight and Companion…it is now up to you, Hyper Battle Machine #34 of His Imperial Francescan Majesty’s Space Knight Arsenal to approve. What say you, Denxeiter? Will you accept our promises and help us in our time of need? If so, I say…no…I demand… Awaken!” The glow in Aaltskog’s hands briefly spread through both of them and then into Denxeiter.
Feln closed his eyes tight and braced himself for what he knew was coming. Based on Denxeiter’s previous awakenings, he half expected to knocked off of the robot’s chest from a sheer blast of energy as the main engine suddenly sprung to life. But nothing of the sort happened. Instead, the vibration he felt grew steadily stronger and then settled into a quiet hum, barely noticeable. Aaltskog’s hand, previously burning his own had cooled down and he felt her fingers relax. Finally, he worked up the courage to open his eyes.
Denxeiter was awake. Its remaining red eye burning red, although not as angrily as it usually did. Feln could almost swear that if anything, Denxeiter seemed…relaxed. He looked over at Aaltskog and saw her smiling peacefully at Denxeiter. Eventually, she turned to Feln and her smile grew wider.
“Alright, it looks like he’s along for the ride.”
“I gotta say that was a lot more, well, peaceful, than what I expected. That part at the end where you demanded he wake up. Yikes. I thought he’d be pissed.”
“Ah, I just wanted him to know how serious I am. How serious we both are. And hey, it worked.”
“Is he okay? He seems so low-key.”
“Actually, all things considered, this is the best I’ve ever seen him. Of course, he’s hurt pretty bad, so I’m grading on a curve. But I’d say from a psychological standpoint, he’s pretty close to perfect. I mean, since the the three of us have been together, he’s never been this well-sorted.” She suddenly ran over and hugged Denxeiter’s face. “Thanks so much, Big Brother.”
Denxeiter’s eye slowly swung down to regard Aaltskog, and then Feln. But unlike other times, Feln wasn’t disconcerted by this. Instead he was comforted.
Aaltskog let go of Denxeiter’s face and ran over to jump into Feln’s arms in an embrace. He held her close and then lifted her up and twirled her around. He suddenly realized he heard applause and set Aaltskog down to look around. Everybody in the hangar was clapping and when they saw that Feln and Aaltskog had noticed them, cheers broke out.
Feln took Aaltskog’s hand and they both leapt off Denxeiter’s chest at the same time, tumbling through the weakened gravity of the hangar and using various parts of the wall to slow their descent until Feln landed on the floor and caught Aaltskog in his arms moments later.
Kesh and the chief were waiting for them. “I thought you were going to the bridge,” Feln said.
“I was,” Kesh said. “And then I had this odd feeling come over me that I had to come back here immediately.” He glanced at Denxeiter then back at Feln and Aaltskog. “I’m glad I did.”
“I was tagging along anyway, so I just came back too,” the chief said. “Like the Admiral, I’m glad I did.” He held out his hand to Aaltskog to shake. “Little Miss, I’ve never seen such a smooth Awakening. Ever. And to think it came after a hard stop… Incredible. I feel honored to have witnessed it.”
Aaltskog scratched her head, “Oh geez, no need to get so melodramatic.”
Feln lightly tapped the back of her head. “Hey, be nice. You’re the last person in the world to tell somebody else they’re being melodramatic.”
“No, it’s okay,” the chief said. “The way I said that, maybe she’s right. Still, long before it became my career, I was always interested in Hyper Battle Machines. As long as I can remember. I’d hope that by now you’d know I live and breathe this stuff. So when I see something like what I just saw…well, maybe I do get a little melodramatic.”
Aaltskog nodded. “Yeah, I understand. Sorry to give you a hard time. I really do appreciate the kind words.” She gave him a light kiss on the cheek. “Thanks.” Feln was amazed to see the normally hard-bitten chief blush a little.
“When can you be ready for a test run?” Kesh asked. “We’ve been lucky to have some quiet during this time without Denxeiter in action. But the enemy may return at any minute.”
“You know, I can’t shake the feeling that this is more than a coincidence,” Feln said. “I’ve watched the combat footage from the surviving ships in the fleet, from the last attack as well as the time after, while you were searching for me. And honestly, there were quite a few instances where a concentrated enemy attack could have wiped us out.”
Kesh nodded. “I agree and I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t haunt my every waking moment. I tell myself it’s because they’ve already lost too much fighting us and they’re just licking their wounds. But that only works for a few moments before my mind comes back around to the almost certain fact that they’re only letting us have this time of peace because it factors in to their plans.”
“Yes sir,” Feln agreed. “In that case, I guess I’d better get out there and stretch Denxeiter’s legs. Mine too, for that matter. I’ve been out of action for too long myself.”
Kesh nodded. “Agreed. I’ll leave you to it.” He looked at Feln and Aaltskog in what Feln could best describe as a fatherly way. “I’m so happy to have the two…no, the three of you back in action.”
“Yikes, don’t jinx us, sir,” Aaltskog squeaked.
“I’m not. I have every confidence in you— all of you.” He swept his arm to include the entirety of the hangar before turning to leave.
Feln turned to Aaltskog. “Alright, you heard him. Let’s not disappoint.”
A few minutes
later, Feln was buckled inside Denxeiter’s cockpit. Most of the mess from the tentacle’s attack had been repaired. There were a few reminders here and there of that fight, as well as the battle with Ganxeiter: the shattered portions of the screen, the replacement hatches into the cockpit, and new doors for the cabin area.
The area of his screen that would have shown visuals received from Denxeiter’s left eye was still black, so he knew he’d have to stay extra vigilant to keep from getting blindsided. There were also the considerations to his reduced weapons abilities as well as the different balance in Denxeiter’s controls from missing a limb and part of its torso.
As if reading Feln’s mind, Aaltskog appeared on his screen, “Okay, I’ve tried to adjust the balancers and inertial controls to make up for the difference in Denxeiter’s mass. His main computer will also help to compensate as it learns through doing different maneuvers. So when we get out there, do some different things to give yourself a feel for how he operates and to give his computer some time to learn.”
“Sounds good. But what do you mean ‘when we get out there’?”
“Well, we still need to pick up the tarp material from the colony. So I’ll take a tug along to bring the material back. That way I can be close to monitor your performance and make notes of any adjustments I’ll need to make when we get back. Only going from here to the colony should be easy enough to do since we’re within the defensive sphere and it’s a short trip. Best if we test in a controlled environment, y’know?”
“So basically, I’m escorting you to pick up a bunch of tarp?”
“Pretty much. Baby steps, my love.”
“Fair point. Anybody else coming?”
“Not really. Valisia and the rest of the gang are patrolling the perimeter. Besides, do you really think we need anybody else?”
“No, I guess not.”
Even though he couldn’t see them, Feln knew Aaltskog’s eyes had narrowed. “Or do you just miss Valisia? Geez, it didn't take you long to move from one sister to the other.”
Francescan War Chronicles 1: Space Knight Denxeiter Page 19