A Pride of Lions

by Mark Iles

  “Ah, there you are at last,” Meths said softly. “I’ve been waiting for you. My, you do look cold. Here, allow me to warm you up...”

  As the Manta stood looking about in confusion, their top mechanical eyes snapping back and forth for the source of the voice, Meths opened the hatches at either end of the ladder that led up to the lifeboat, just as the vehicle’s engines ignited and the inferno flooded down into the room, incinerating Manta and computer alike. As Meths’ mind faded away, she watched sadly through the cameras, as the lifeboat carrying her creator and friends streaked away from the doomed vessel.

  “Dammit,” Za’an exclaimed, as they shot through the incoming alien fleet. “Just look at this lot, and there’s not a single weapon on this whole damned ship!”

  “Less weapon, more engine,” Arthur replied testily. “We want to get out of here alive, don’t we? But don’t worry, those beggars aren’t going anywhere. When that planet blows, it’ll take those sons of bitches with it.”

  “Hang on,” Bryn said, brow furrowed in puzzlement. “Another asteroid has changed course. It’s using fleet-engine signatures, and it’s heading straight towards the sun; Van Pluy must have sent another unit as well as ours, without telling us — in case we didn’t make it.”

  Just then Samantha brought a communication screen online, and all they saw a bulldog-like stern-faced officer in a black uniform. “Hello, Commander,” the man said. “Long time no see.”

  “And hello to you too, Commander. The last time I saw you was in basic training. You were an instructor and we called you Grunty, back then.”

  “Yes, so I understand. Well, as you can see, I’m an officer too now; times change but the name stuck. You’ve done well, Selena. Both career wise and particularly on this mission. The Commodore had our ship billed as a second line of attack — a backup, if you like. While you drew all the fire our plan was to wait and see what happened, then begin our attack on the enemy’s sun and so obliterate the entire system. They don’t want any mistakes, and that derelict fleet really has the Admiralty worried. I guess if one of our ships failed the other would get the job done. Mantis would have been doomed either way.”

  “Good luck, Commander,” Selena said. “I hope you all make it to safety. I look forward to buying you a beer someday.”

  “Unfortunately that won’t happen, as much as I’d like it to. There’s no escape for us, Ma’am. The sun’s gravity will see to that. Like you, we have to crash the ship directly into our target. But by the time we get close enough to ensure success we won’t be able to escape on the lifeboats, due to the intense gravity. This is a one way trip for our team. Good luck, and farewell, Commander.

  “Oh, and before I go, I almost forgot. We have someone onboard that you know. A Lieutenant Muller, formerly the commander in charge of the base on Loreen. It appears one of my team was suddenly needed elsewhere and had to pull out. Commodore Van Pluy assigned Muller to us at the last moment. The Lieutenant sends his regards.” Grunty touched his brow and nodded a salute as the communications link closed, leaving Selena and the others staring at a blank screen that immediately snapped back to show the carnage going on around them. The Manta were firing desperately at the Dutch Lady, as it lanced through the heavens like a huge arrow of flame towards the enemy home world. And then, to Selena and the others’ delight, the battleship finally slammed home and the whole planet shuddered, convulsed and then exploded in such an eye-searing explosion that the external cameras burned out; even as Bryn ignited the jump engines on the lifeboat and the ship snapped forward.

  They almost made it.

  Two enemy fighters were closing in on them even as the lifeboat began to gather speed, allowing the alien ships only parting shots as they themselves were overcome by the waves of energy exploding outwards from Mantis. They fired salvos of energy beams before they were consumed, in a last ditch attempt to stop the lifeboat — and fate was unkind enough to let several of those shots hit home. The aft shield glowed whitely as it deflected the initial beams, but as it drew on more power the shield started to ripple. Even as the little ship disappeared into hyperspace the shield failed and a final blast slipped through and hit home. There was a deafening explosion aft and all the lights went out.

  “Switching to backup power,” Singh shouted, while flames burst from his controls. As the auto fire-suppressers kicked in and he switched over, there was a deafening bang and tinkling noises, and pieces of machinery scattered throughout the ship.

  The lights flickered back on, dimmed and then returned in full — leaving Selena to stare in disbelief at the devastation around her. Lumps of metal and burning plastic were strewn around her; it was a miracle that no one had been hurt. Clouds of choking smoke drifted about and loud hissing noises assailed their ears, as the lifeboat’s automatic fire fighting equipment continued to kick in, smothering the flames while ventilators sucked valiantly at the billowing smoke.

  “We’re losing speed,” Bryn said. “Dropping out of hyperspace; we need more power!” He turned to Selena as he spoke, and for the first time she saw the blood dripping from a huge tear in his face and neck. Even as he spoke there was a disgusting slurping sound, followed by an electrical fizzing. A black treacle-like substance burst from a pipe, soaking Samanatha and she quickly turned the isolation valve next to her, shutting off the leak.

  “Bryn?” Selena gasped.

  “I have to drop the shields,” Singh shouted, “it’s the only way to get the power we need.”

  “Then do it,” Bryn snarled, “or none of us are going anywhere, except straight to Hell.”

  Singh’s hands danced and the ship surged forward once again. Then the black liquid still dripping from the burst pipe touched an electrical conduit and there was a brilliant flash and another explosion. When the smoke was sucked clear by the air conditioners seconds later, Selena was stunned to see that Samantha been thrown across the room, her face and chest ripped wide open. She lay in an expanding pool of blood, clutching the hand of a stricken Arthur. They gazed into each other’s eyes; she tried to say something, but it was too late and she died in his arms.

  “No,” Arthur wailed, clutching her to his chest. “Oh, God; no!”

  Selena was shocked to see compassion on Za’an’s face, as he looked at the couple. “I’m sorry, Arthur,” he said, softly. “I really am.”

  “Za’an,” Selena shouted, as Arthur stared at him. “Help me with the extinguishers!” There were several mounted on the bulkheads, and if they could get to them, and support the lifeboats automatic systems fight the fire, then they stood a better chance. But as they struggled with their belts, the ship lurched and shuddered, as if shaken by a giant hand. The two pilots were struggling with the controls when Bryn turned to her, and said, “It’s no good, Ma’am, we’ve had it. We’re going to have to put her down. Brace yourselves!”

  Singh was already initiating the distress procedures, not only sending a mayday but activating the small emergency computer that automatically guided them towards the nearest habitable planet. Suddenly the artificial gravity failed and Samantha’s body began to drift about the room, accompanied by globs of blood.

  Then the screen burst back into life, showing a pearl of a planet below them as the dying craft dipped towards it. All around them fires sprang back into life and burned more fiercely.

  The ship bucked as it entered the atmosphere, bravely trying to save its human cargo. An emergency sign flashed the word “Oxygen” and they all grabbed masks from under their seats, pulling at the tubes to start the airflow before putting them on.

  The ship ploughed through the atmosphere, their hull a brilliant crimson, and a rising scream resonated throughout the craft. The air pressure buffeted them one way and then another, as the two pilots fought desperately to bring the craft down in one piece.

  Through the port holes Selena and the others could see a long string of green islands flashing past in a turquoise sea, and then the ship heaved over to one side and slammed into the
planet with a sickening crash.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Selena raised her head and winced. God, it hurt. Something warm trickled down her face; blood? She moved her head and instantly felt sick and groaned aloud. Her stomach heaved and she threw up. The retching amplified her headache and from a distance she heard someone calling her name, over and again. Then abruptly her mind jumped back to her childhood. She’d fallen, that was it. Somehow she’d hurt herself, banged her head again like she was always doing as a child. The voice called again, this time closer.

  “Ma, Mamma,” she answered, “is that you?”

  Then someone was shaking her.

  God, she wished they’d stop!

  “Selena, come on, I’ve got to help Bryn, he’s hurt badly and we need to get him out. Come on, you’re okay. Now get your ass in gear, Commander!”

  Selena opened her eyes and saw Kes struggling with her straps. Frustrated he pulled a knife and cut them, then dragged her free. Behind him, Singh was struggling desperately to get Bryn out. Selena tried to sit up and screamed, as a white hot pain lanced through her right forearm. She looked down to see a jagged piece of bone jutting through her blood-soaked sleeve and her pain faded a bit as Kes administered a shot into her thigh. He pulled her to her feet and pushed her towards the exit.

  “Get outside; we’ll be with you in a minute. I’m going to help Singh.”

  Selena staggered forward, not even pausing to stare around her, knowing that if she stayed there she’d just be in the way. Then she saw the remains of a console covering the lower parts of Za’an’s body, trapping him. There was a small bullet hole the size of her little finger in his forehead, and a fist-shaped hole in the back of his skull. Poor Arthur lay in a bloody mess beside Samantha, a pistol in his hand. So, he’d gotten his revenge after all, she thought.

  Acrid smoke began to fill the craft, making her eyes stream, and she slammed her fist into the red emergency button next to the exit. The door blew outwards with a loud bang and went cartwheeling off into the trees, slashing its way through branches and bracken as it went. Selena fell out of the doorway onto the grass a few feet below, coughing and spluttering before breathing in shuddering lungfuls of fresh air. Crawling one handed towards safety, she looked over her shoulder to watch as Singh and Kes pulled Bryn from the wreckage and half carried him past her to the shelter of the trees a short distance away. She climbed painfully to her feet and staggered after them, holding her injured arm tightly to her side with her good hand. Then Kes hoisted Bryn over his shoulder in a fireman’s lift and staggered on further still, before finally lowering him gently at the base of a huge tree. There they rested for a moment, coughing, retching and wiping at their eyes; while Kes treated Selena’s arm and Singh administered a shot to Bryn, fussing over him as though he were a child. After a while, Bryn opened his eyes.

  “Hey, Selena, are you okay.” He coughed.

  She assured him she was and then Bryn asked about the others. She shook her head sadly, regretting the effort. “Arthur, Za’an and Samantha are gone,” she said. “Arty got his revenge, by the look of it. He put a bullet through Za’an’s head.”

  “I knew he’d get him, one way or another. Hey, Singh, you look kinda beat up, old pal; not quite so dapper as usual. Kes, glad to see you made it.” He turned back to face Selena, a distant look in his pain-filled eyes, as he said, “I really fancied that log cabin on Loreen, Selena. There was the most beautiful sunset over the lake, while we were there. It was so beautiful: the way the colours slowly changed and how the water turns blood-red as the sun goes down; the shadows of the trees lengthen on the water until they blend in with the night. It would have been great living there, you know?”

  She reached down and took his hands in hers. Looking into his eyes, she said, “It will be, Bryn. I love you.”

  Bryn started to laugh and then coughed harshly, blood spilling down his chin. “Hell, have you only just admitted to that? I knew you loved me a long time ago, way before you did. And even when you did finally realise it, you were just too dumb, or stubborn, to say so; but I knew. I love you Selena, and I have since the day we first met.”

  She gave a chuckle of pure delight. Then bending to kiss him on the lips her sharp blue eyes twinkled and then closed as their lips met and a sweet, savage joy swept through her. His answering kiss burned hungrily against hers and she almost relished the coppery taste of his blood in her mouth. Then he slumped and lay still. “Bryn?” she asked, opening her eyes to see the glaze in his. “Bryn?”

  It was Singh who put his arm on her shoulder and lifted her gently to her feet. “I’m sorry, Selena, he’s gone.” He held on to her as the sobs racked her body, until she finally pulled away and wiped at her tears with a blood-stained hand. She watched as he choked back his own sorrow, and then she said softly, “You loved him too, didn’t you?”

  “Yeah,” he replied, wiping at the corners of his eyes. “But he just wasn’t interested, you know? In fact I don’t think he ever suspected; nor could I let him, really. It would have changed things between us, you see? Ruined our friendship; he just wasn’t interested in guys at all – not that he had anything against it. Each to his own, I guess. That’s just the way it goes.”

  Selena turned and walked away. Cradling her arm as best she could, she stopped a short distance away and leaned back on a tree, staring out at the wide blue ocean before her, and the gentle undulating waves under a cloudless azure sky.

  The gentle rush of waves back and forth on the golden sand made a soft shushing sound, as if to comfort her in her grief. Then the tears came in torrents and she sank to her knees and sobbed uncontrollably.

  She could almost hear her mother’s voice again, after all these years, whispering in her ear: “It was better to have loved once, Selena, than never to have loved at all.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  The surf made a loud booming noise, as the larger than usual waves crashed onto the rocks on the far side of the beach. Its constant angry rhythm remained a sharp contrast to the gentler swish of the waves in the sheltered cove against the golden sand, on which Selena lay naked. Now and again there came the eerie cry of a seabird, or the occasional scream of something much larger and far more sinister prowling in the depths of the plush forest behind her. Having lain in the baking sun for much of the day, Selena got up and stretched, watching the sun slowly setting over the sapphire waters. She always found this time of the day both moving and peaceful. There was something almost hypnotic about the blood-red sunset over the sea. Bryn would have liked it here; he’d liked such scenes.

  Her lithe, once-white body was now tanned to a deep golden hue like honey, by constant exposure and long days spent under the baking sun. Yawning, she glanced at her watch. It was time to be heading back. She slipped on her briefs, leaving her breasts bare to soak up the last rays of the setting sun. A gust of wind whisked away the grains of sand clinging to her body and from around her feet, as she bent to pick up her tube top and towel. She shook the towel several times and then slung it over one shoulder, so that it formed a tantalising garment draped down one side. It fluttered in the breeze like a flag, giving away glimpses of her well-honed body. She picked up the machinegun that had lain beside her on the towel, took off the magazine and cocked it several times before easing the spring and sliding the magazine home again. Satisfied, she nestled it in the crook of one arm, finger near the trigger. She’d not had to use it once since they got here, but by the sound of the creatures in the forest — which were getting bolder by the day — she was pretty sure that such a time would come before too long. Besides, they could all do with fresh meat, and she knew from the results of the rigorous tests they done that the creatures here were edible.

  She walked slowly along the water’s edge, pausing to look back at her foot prints in the wet sand and imagining another set beside hers. Then a pink and blue striped shell caught her eye. Attention diverted, she bent down and scooped it up, dropping it quickly when a short transparent,
vicious-looking spike shot out of one end, no doubt poisonous. With a snort of disgust, Selena picked it up again and threw it as far out into the ocean as she could, and then turned to continue her journey.

  At length, she rounded the grey and muddy-coloured rocks at the far side of the beach, and passed into another cove, which they’d named Heaven’s Bay. It was half-moon shaped and about a mile or so long. Here the water was always crystal clear and usually calm. Selena sat for a while on a limestone rock that jutted far out into the water, dangling her feet in the cool depths, as the waves tickled her feet and she watched the fish swimming below her.

  Faint rose-coloured clouds bloomed in the sea here and there, almost giving the water a polka-dot appearance; while fish shot in and out of the red masses, feasting. The plankton held a strange fascination. She scooted over, reached down and scooped up some of the water from such a cluster, where the plankton was thickest, and held her hand up to her face so she could squint at it better, yet she was still unable to see the tiny microcosms that she knew made it up. She let the water trickle through her fingers, rinsed her hands in clearer water, then rose and continued on her way. It was time to go back.

  Tall, palm-like fronds grew out of the sand, rustling as she passed by and continued to rustle long after she’d gone, whispering thousand-year-old secrets. Her eyes and concentration were on the ground and on the tracks she’d left earlier in the day, on her way down to the beach. Now she followed them back to their base; it was the same routine most evenings for her: such a peaceful but lonely existence.

  She stopped, impulsively reaching down and clutched a handful of sand, holding it aloft so that it trickled between her fingers to be blown away on the warm gentle wind. Her life was just like this, simply trickling away. It was almost dark now and getting much cooler. Slipping on her top, she continued on her way.