by Rick Bentsen
The energy bow was invented by a Duterian over a hundred years ago. The energy bow was just that, a bow of pure energy. In standby mode, it’s a simple small black box with a port for an energy cell. When activated though, the ends of the box open and concentrated energy forms the blades of the bow, which takes on the appearance of a recurve bow. Where the string would be is empty unless the archer is preparing to fire an arrow. When the archer wishes to fire an arrow, he simply grips where the string would be, and pulls back like he would any other bow. A string and an arrow made of pure energy appear, and releasing the string lets the energy arrow fly. Few Duterians actually mastered the art of accurately firing the energy bow. K’Alan Ilan Bryce was one of the best. K’Alan almost never missed what he was aiming for.
He did not miss this time either. He let fly with an energy arrow and one of the guards fell to the floor, a small hole burned into his chest where the arrow had hit. He fired a second arrow, then dropped back down behind the cover of the crates in front of them. He did not see where the second arrow hit, but he heard the curse as another guard went down.
“I’ve never seen a weapon like that,” Crovax said.
“It’s a Duterian energy bow,” K’Alan said as he risked a peek around the crate. A blaster bolt almost took off his head as he ducked back behind the crate. “There are still six guards out there that I could see. And they’re not getting spooked by their partners getting cut down.”
“They wouldn’t,” Crovax shook his head. “They’re more afraid of their bosses than they would be of you. Against you, they’ll have a quick death. Their bosses will not be so merciful should they allow you to escape.”
“Wonderful,” K’Alan rolled his eyes. “This day just keeps getting better and better.”
“Did you expect to just walk out of here?”
“I was kind of hoping it would be that easy.” He watched as another blaster bolt left a black scorch mark on the wall next to him. “Then again…”
K’Alan cautiously rose to his knees over the safety of the crates. He let off two quick shots and ducked back down before the guards could pick him off. He watched Crovax lean around the side of the crate and pick off two guards with his blaster.
“Two left,” Crovax said.
“Think they’d surrender if we asked them to?” K’Alan asked.
“There’s your answer, K’Alan,” Crovax said as two blaster bolts tore into the crate in front of them.
“Yeah. That’s what I thought,” K’Alan sighed.
Crovax shrugged and stuck the blaster out and fired, missing both guards. K’Alan, while Crovax was distracting the guards, brought his bow up to bear on them and fired twice, taking out both of them.
“Nice shooting, K’Alan,” the Cor’vat said admiringly.
“Thanks. Now, let’s go get Chancellor G’Kiron and get out of here.
“Agreed.”
The Duterian and the Cor’vat crept from around the crates cautiously, still expecting more guards to show up. When no more guards did, they breathed a sigh of relief and slowly made their way back to the A cell block where K’Alan had been prisoner just a few short hours ago. Crovax proved to be an excellent guide, and they soon found themselves in front of G’Kiron’s cell.
“G’Kiron, wake up,” K’Alan said.
“K’Alan? What’s going on?”
“No time for questions, Chancellor,” K’Alan smiled. “Get away from the door.”
K’Alan raised the energy bow, and G’Kiron raced back to the back of the cell. Energy lanced from the bow to the locking mechanism, and the door swung free on it’s hinges, creaking slightly as it did so.
“Thank you, my boy!” the old chancellor croaked as he rushed out of the cell.
K’Alan smiled at the old chancellor then led the way back out of the cell block. There was a guard post just outside the cell block that they had to go past. K'Alan motioned for the other two to stop and be quiet. The three men hurriedly hid themselves in a supply closet near the guard post.
“How many guards would be in the guard post, Crovax?” K’Alan whispered.
“No more than six,” Crovax hissed quietly.
“Six?” K’Alan chuckled. “That’s it? Ok. I think I can get most of them to leave, but we’ll likely still have a couple left to deal with.”
“We will be ready, K’Alan,” Crovax assured the Star League captain.
“Ok. You’ll hear some explosions,” K’Alan warned the other two. “Don’t let it surprise you. It’s just me.”
“Thanks for the warning,” Crovax mumbled. “Just don’t get killed, all right?”
“I don’t intend to,” K’Alan smiled. “I have a baseball game to play in a couple days.”
K’Alan slid out of the supply closet leaving Crovax and Chancellor G’Kiron looking at each other and shaking their heads in classic “he’s lost it” fashion.
The captain pulled the energy bow back off his belt and checked the settings.
Good, he thought. This should make some interesting sounding explosions.
Checking the guard post quickly, he noted that the door was closed. That was a condition that wouldn’t last long if what K’Alan had in mind worked. K’Alan wordlessly activated the energy bow and fired five energy arrows in rapid succession. Before the first one hit, he dove back into the supply closet and left the door slightly ajar. He kept an eye glued to the open crack of the door and waited. The explosions came seconds later. As he expected, the five explosions caught the attention of the guards. Five guards rushed out of the guard post in the other direction to check on the source of the explosion.
K’Alan put his energy bow back on his belt and drew Shatterstar, the blade that Mario had given him. Wordlessly, he opened the door to the supply closet and nodded to the other two. They’d watch his back, he knew. He kicked the door of the guard post open to see one remaining guard.
The guard, upon seeing a free and armed prisoner, began to move his hand over to the alarm button—
Only to find his hand severed from his wrist by an angry Duterian.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” K’Alan said simply.
The Brentax guard just looked at him with a blank expression on his face.
“You won’t get away from this prison, you know,” the guard, whom K’Alan recognized as D’Boran, said.
“Care to lay odds on that?” K’Alan chuckled. “I think I have a better than average chance of making it.”
“You will be a hunted man, Duterian,” D’Boran croaked. “Nothing can save you from the gibbet.”
“I beg to differ, D’Boran isn’t it?” The guard nodded. “Not only am I going to leave this prison, I’m going to leave Brentax III unharmed.”
The sounds of blaster fire punctuated his statement.
“K’Alan,” Chancellor G’Kiron called. “The guards are returning. We’re taking care of them, but we must hurry.”
“Well, that sounds like my cue to leave,” K’Alan smiled. He started to turn away from D’Boran, then turned back and placed the tip of Shatterstar against the guard’s neck. “Oh, and by the way. The High Gentlewoman that you spoke of in such disgusting terms happens to be my wife.”
The last word was clipped and punctuated with the thrust of the sword. D’Boran’s lifeless body slid off the point of K’Alan’s blade, the guard’s face freezing in an expression of total shock.
“Come on,” K’Alan growled as he exited the guard post. “Let’s get out of here.”
Chapter 40.
2.8.2136
1602
SLS Creighton
The Bridge
CAPTAIN Tom Keevan leaned forward in his chair, willing the Atlantia to go faster. Itching to beat the White Knight to the Gamma Epsilon Station, he was slowly going wacko because of the inactivity caused by the time it was taking for the Atlantia to arrive in the Khrinnus system.
“Helm, ETA of the Atlantia?” he asked for the thousandth time.
“They
are entering the Khrinnus system now, Captain Keevan,” the helmsman replied.
“Good. Prepare to take us out of the Khrinnus system. Prepare to get to the Gamma Epsilon Station at best possible speed,” Tom ordered.
“Acknowledged,” the helmsman nodded and turned back to his console.
“Captain Goldthorne on the line for you, Captain,” Kim Ericson said.
“Holo,” Tom ordered.
“Hello, Swamp Rat,” Laura said.
“Laura,” Tom said, blushing slightly and shaking his head. “The Khrinnus system is all yours.”
“Great. Now go bail Captain Bryce’s arse out.”
“That’s the plan, Laura,” Tom smiled. He couldn’t believe how Laura Goldthorne still set him on edge.
“Good. I expect to hear that the mission was a success in a couple days, Swamp Rat.” The blonde woman smiled. That smile had always been a little bit disarming to Tom.
“Expect no less,” Tom chuckled. “Captain Keevan out.”
The holo flicked out, and Tom couldn’t help but notice that his communications officer was snickering at her post.
“So, why does she call you Swamp Rat, Captain?” Kim asked innocently.
“That’s a very long story that if you get me very drunk some day I might tell,” he shook his head at Kim. “Helm, get me to the Gamma Epsilon Station as fast as you can.” He turned back to Kim. “You will have to get me very very drunk.”
Chapter 41.
2.8.2136
1622
SLS White Knight
Medbay
COMMANDER Erin Sykes strode into the medbay rubbing her temples. Jewel came running up to her, a look of concern on her face.
“Commander? Can I help you?” the doctor asked.
“Yeah,” Erin nodded. “You got anything for a migraine?”
“I can give you a shot of polypropezene, Commander,” Jewel shrugged. “Only thing is you’re going to want a nap after a while.”
“I have news for you, Doctor,” Erin smiled a weak smile. “I already want a nap.”
Jewel chuckled as she prepared the syringe. She rolled up the commander’s sleeve and swabbed an area of her forearm with an alcohol wipe. Carefully and quickly, she stuck the commander with the needle.
“There,” Jewel smiled. “You should feel better in no time.”
“Thank you, Doctor,” Erin took a deep breath. “It’s just been one of those days, you know?”
The doctor’s only response was a small nod and a faint smile. Erin wondered how much sleep the doctor had gotten since the Duterius Prime massacre.
“Commander Sykes to the bridge,” Kath’s voice called over the shipcall. Erin rolled her eyes at the loudspeaker and sighed loudly.
“No rest for the wicked," the commander said on her way out of the medbay.
2.8.2136
1631
SLS White Knight
The Bridge
The bridge was a bustle of activity when Commander Sykes strode on the bridge and over to her station. Her face was an expressionless mask as she sat at her station.
“Report,” she barked.
“Commander, we have the Shuttle Kiarin on short range scanners,” Masha reported. “They are being closed on by a Duhari class heavy cruiser.”
“Damn!” Erin swore. “Drop cloak and put us between the cruiser and the shuttle. And open all gun ports. Bring all weapons to bear on that cruiser.”
“Acknowledged,” Masha said as her fingers flew over her tactical panel.
“Commander, the Brentax vessel is hailing us,” Kath said.
“Holo,” Erin sighed.
“This is Subcommander T’Marik Kodan,” the particularly ugly specimen of a Brentax officer that appeared in the holo said. “You are in violation of Brentax space. You will either turn your ship around immediately or surrender. If you do not, you will be destroyed.”
“This is Commander Erin Sykes of the Star League Defense Force,” Erin said, absent-mindedly tugging on the bottom of her uniform tunic. “We’re leaving Brentax space soon enough. But we’re not leaving without our shuttle.”
“The shuttle stays,” T’Marik growled. “It contains war criminals. They are to be brought back to Brentax III for trial and execution.”
“Sorry. I can’t allow that to happen. Soon as the shuttle docks, we’ll be on our way, but not a moment before,” Erin smiled.
“You have been warned,” T’Marik roared.
“Have a nice day,” Erin said sweetly as the holo faded.
“Masha, as soon as the shuttle is on board, I want all the cloaking systems back on. Helm, as soon as the cloaks are activated, turn back to the jump gate and give me better than the speed that we got here with. Sarah, keep a close eye on those engines. I want to know immediately if something goes wrong.”
“Understood,” all three officers said in unison.
Seconds felt like hours as the White Knight sped to position herself between the Brentax vessel and the shuttle. As soon as the shuttle was safely behind the protection of the White Knight, Erin let out the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.
“Commander, the Brentax ship has weapons lock on us,” Masha reported coolly. “Her weapons are hot.”
“Damn,” Erin swore under her breath. Louder, she added, “Full defense screens!”
“Defense screens are full,” Masha acknowledged.
“Commander, Colonel Bonetti is on the line for you,” Kath reported.
“Holo!” the commander barked.
Mario’s face appeared in the opening in the center of the bridge, his smile plastered on his face.
“Excellent timing, Commander,” Mario said. “Few more seconds there and it would have been bye bye Mario.”
“It’s good to see you too, Colonel,” the commander said. Erin gripped the armrests of her chair as the White Knight shuddered under a direct hit from the Brentax vessel. “While I’d love to talk longer, Mario, get your tail on board. Now!”
“Don’t have to tell me twice, sweetheart,” Mario chuckled.
The holo faded with that smile Erin found so damn irritating still plastered on Mario’s face.
“Do you think K’Alan would mind if I hurt him just a little?” Erin whispered to Kath.
“Not sure, Commander,” Kath chuckled. “If he asked me, I would tell him that it was justified though.”
“Damage report,” Erin barked getting back to the business at hand.
“Defense screens holding,” Masha reported. “No structural damage. Screens are holding steady at eighty seven percent.”
“Excellent. What’s the status of the shuttle?”
The bridge rocked as they were hit again.
“Screens down to seventy eight percent,” Masha reported. “Shuttle is entering defensive screens now. Five minutes before they’re docked.”
“Understood,” Erin sighed.
“Shall we return fire?” Masha asked.
“Fire all weapons on low settings. I want to distract and disable them not destroy them.”
“You got it, Commander,” Masha nodded as she started the firing sequence.
The bridge officers watched as pricks of light danced across the space from the White Knight to the Brentax vessel. The beams impacted against the Brentax ship, most reflecting harmlessly off the ship’s defensive screens. A couple shots, however, penetrated the screens. The blasts impacted upon the hull of the Brentax vessel, causing small fires to flare momentarily before being extinguished in the cold vacuum of space.
“Minor damage to their outer hull, Commander,” Masha reported. “They’re still coming at us.”
Erin cursed under her breath as the bridge rocked with another hit. The lights on the bridge flickered off for just a moment.
“We can’t take too much more of this,” Erin sighed. “Masha, keep firing. And let me know as soon as the shuttle is on board.”
“Aye, Commander,” the security chief nodded as she continued to implement
the fire orders. The ship rocked again as they were hit solidly. “Shields down to fifty seven percent, Commander. The shuttle has just landed.”
“Commander, reading a minor hull breach in section 7,” Sarah reported from her engineering station. “Emergency bulkheads are in place. I am sending repair and rescue crews now.”
“Good,” Erin sighed. “Cloaking systems on now!”
“Cloaking systems engaged,” Masha reported.
“Helm, take us back to the jump gate. Full fusion drive!” Erin ordered. “And get Mario and his guest to the conference room.”
“Acknowledged, Commander!
2.8.2136
1702
SLS White Knight
The City
Inside the palace, K’Itea Bryce had felt the ship shudder under the impact of the Brentax weaponry. Having talked to the commander about the possibility of a Brentax attack while retrieving the shuttle, she was well aware what the shaking of the ship meant. Her priority over the last half hour had been to try to alleviate panic amongst her people. She was about to address them in fact. S’Era was waiting at the podium to announce her. The address would be broadcast throughout the city. It was an important address. She knew how many of her people felt about the Brentax, and she had to word everything just right. There were many amongst her people that would not welcome peace with the Brentax, although she believed that it was necessary.
She only hoped K’Alan was all right.
S’Era motioned for her to go to the podium, and the High Gentlewoman composed herself, putting on her mask of authority, and headed to the podium. She looked out at the assembled Duterians and smiled at them. Her people meant a great deal to her
“My fellow Duterians,” she began. “I come before you today to speak of history. I come before you to speak of hope. And I come before you to speak of peace.
“Our prophets referred to a coming time that will be known as the Trial of Fire. It is said that this Trial of Fire will reshape not only our future, but the future of the entire quadrant. I cannot tell you for sure that this is true. I can only tell you that I believe that the Trial of Fire is upon us.