by D. J. Holmes
Emilie shook her head in amazement at her change in circumstances. She could hardly believe she was actually on her way to Intrepid! “Why are you doing this?” she asked a few moments later as her curiosity rose to meet her astonishment.
“Because many of us are fed up. We are fed up running, fed up being stuck on our ships and fed up having to wait for the elders to pass on before we can reproduce. Many of us want families of our own,” May-sic answered. “Wal-sma told me about your offer to help us find a new homeworld, even help us build new ships. Ever since the Karacknids destroyed our homeworld, we have not been able to build new city ships. Any smaller ships we’ve built have been built by cannibalizing the city ships we have. That means our population has been fixed. Since we fled our home system, we can only have offspring when space opens up on one of our ships for them. There are many millions of Kalassai waiting to start their own families. For that opportunity, many of us are willing to risk confronting the Karacknids.”
“I… I am sorry to hear that,” Emilie said as her mind grappled with what May-sic had shared. “That must be very difficult for your people. I had no idea… But it just makes me want to help you all the more.”
May-sic gave Emilie a gentle squeeze with her tentacles. “You are just as kind as Wal-sma said. I will ask you to keep this information to yourself. The Mothers will be angry enough as it is. They would not react well to learning that some of our closest secrets have been shared.”
“I will not tell anyone,” Emilie replied, but then she thought about for a second. “But maybe you would let me make one exception. My uncle, he is one of my people’s key leaders. I trust him with my life. If he knew this, he would be all the more willing to help you.”
“Then I will trust you to decide whether or not you should tell him if you see him again Captain,” May-sic responded.
“Thank you, I know he will keep your confidence,” Emilie said. “If Wayfarer escapes, do you think the other city ships may choose to help us?” she asked as her mind raced through the new possibilities.
“They may, the Mothers of our two city ships here are among our most conservative. There are one or two more open-minded Mothers. That is not where our hope lies, however. There are many captains like Wal-sma and I. If we can convince enough of them, then we could help you even without our Mother’s permission. If we turn to open warfare with the Karacknids, our city ships would be of little use. With all of our people on board them, it would be too risky to try and fight with them. But that means that we who command our smaller ships would not need the Mothers’ permission to fight.”
Emilie couldn’t help but smile. “I’ve seen what Wayfarer was able to do to Intrepid. I’m sure if enough of you chose to fight, you could cause the Karacknids a real headache. If we fight together, then who knows what we may be able to achieve?”
“Who knows indeed Human,” May-sic replied. “But such things are a long way from happening. It will take months for Wal-sma to spread your news among our people. And many months more for any kind of decision to be made. You must not count on our help any time soon. But at least you can return to your people and perhaps one day we may go side-by-side into battle. You for the future of your species and I for mine.”
“That would be a good day,” Emilie replied. She had her lips open to say more, but May-sic’s grip on her tightened, almost forcing her breather out of mouth. The rest of May-sic’s tentacles brought the pair of them to a halt with one forceful swoosh. When Emilie looked in front of them, she saw what had brought them to a halt. Six Kalassai were floating just ten meters away. As unfamiliar as Emilie was with Kalassai expressions, she didn’t have to be a genius to know they were angry. Very angry.
Chapter 37
We have encountered thousands of species over the last half century. Whilst there are many differences between them, they have all shared at least one thing in common; they are all capable of violence. Both direct physical violence against another individual, and geopolitical violence against their neighbours. Of course, some like the Kulreans seek to live as pacifists, that does not mean they are not capable of taking a different path if pushed.
-Excerpt from Empire Rising, 3002 AD.
“Captain May-sic, what are you doing here with these Humans?” One of the Kalassai demanded without identifying itself. “Dancer is currently under repair. You’re meant to be supervising the work.”
“I have business with these Humans,” May-sic replied. “Business that has nothing to do with you. Stand aside.”
“We cannot do that Captain. We have strict orders to ensure the Humans stay in their apartment. Hand them over now,” the same Kalassai said.
“Does your mate know how to fight?” May-sic asked quietly.
“You bet,” Emilie whispered back.
“Good, they are going to try and apprehend us,” May-sic said quickly. “I’ll have to release you to fight them off. Tell your mate to rip off their tentacles. The pain will be excruciating, but it will not kill them. They can be easily regrown. If he punctures their torsos though, they will die. That can only be a last resort. If any lives are lost here the Mothers will use that as ammunition to turn my people against your species.”
“All right, I’ll tell him,” Emilie replied.
“This is your last warning Captain, release them or we will have to take you into custody.”
“I’m not handing them over,” May-sic replied.
The tentacles that were holding Emilie unfurled, releasing her. Emilie quickly swam to where Walker was floating. “There’s going to be a fight,” she whispered to him. “May-sic says to rip off their tentacles. Don’t puncture their torsos unless you have to. You heard what she said earlier, time is of the essence.”
“Right,” Walker said with a nod as he tensed his muscles. “Get back,” he added as he pulled Emilie behind him. Turning, Emilie saw the Kalassai were already approaching them. Three quickly shot forward and entangled May-sic in a ball of tentacles. Within seconds, Emilie was unable to see what was going on or who was winning. The remaining three swam around the ruckus and closed with her and Walker.
Before any tentacles could reach towards them, Walker pushed himself down to stand on the corridor’s deck. Then he sprinted forward. The move caught the Kalassai completely off guard. He was upon one of them before they reacted. Grabbing a tentacle, Walker squeezed with all of his reinforced special forces marine strength. Despite the noise coming from May-sic’s struggle, Emilie heard the pop as Walker’s fingers burst through the Kalassai’s tentacle and a high-pitched scream echoed all around her. Walker wasn’t done. He already had two more of the Kalassai’s tentacles in his grasp. Two more pops quickly followed and the volume of the screams heightened. Then Walker disappeared as the other two Kalassai dove upon him. Multiple tentacles wrapped around him and dragged him off his feet. For a few seconds Emilie thought Walker was going to be suffocated. Then he pulled himself into a ball and, quicker than her eyes could follow, stretched his arms and legs out as far as he could. The sudden movement threw both Kalassai back. Walker used the one hand he had free to peel back the tentacles around his other, then he began to grab and squeeze more tentacles. Soon all three Kalassai were lurching around screeching uncontrollably.
“Come on!” Walker shouted as he turned and gestured for her to swim past them. Screwing up her face, Emilie started swimming. She wanted to cover her ears, but she needed her hands to move. The high-pitched screaming was almost too much for her. “I don’t know who is who,” Walker said as he gestured towards the spinning ball of tentacles that was May-sic and her opponents. Just then, one Kalassai broke free and charged them. “I guess that answers that,” Walker said as he moved in front of Emilie and engaged the Kalassai. Within seconds he had ripped off two of its tentacles. Either from pain or out of fear, the Kalassai allowed Walker to use another of its tentacles to throw it down the corridor.
In front of them, the scuffle suddenly broke apart. Another Kalassai moved toward
s Walker, just as Walker started to engage, May-sic spoke, “It’s me, it’s me.” She looked past Walker to the four screaming Kalassai. “Please, don’t do that to me,” she almost pleaded. Not waiting for an answer, she turned back to the two remaining Kalassai. “Stand down, you cannot apprehend us. Move out of the way or I’ll let him attack you too.”
“Traitor, you are a traitor,” one of them shouted. “You will be punished.”
“We did not start this,” May-sic countered. “Stand aside or we will finish it. See to your friends and we’ll be on our way.”
For a couple of seconds Emilie thought Walker was going to have to attack them as well, but then the Kalassai swam up and around them. “Come on,” May-sic said as she swept Emilie back into her tentacles. We need to keep moving before more of them arrive.”
“Let’s go,” Emilie said as she fought to get over her revulsion at being embraced by May-sic again. For the next couple of minutes she was reduced to the role of passenger as May-sic quickly swam through the city ship. “Are we not taking one of the currents?” she asked.
“No,” May-sic answered. “It would be too risky. You would both stand out and there would be far too many Kalassai around to fight our way through.”
“A good point,” Emilie replied. There had been hundreds of Kalassai in the current when she and Walker had used it. As good as Walker was, there was no way he would be able to fight off so many. “Are they really going to be okay?” Emilie asked as her mind turned back to the ones Walker had hurt.
“In the long run, yes,” May-sic said. “Though I think they’ll have nightmares about Walker for a few weeks. The pain really is excruciating. I lost a tentacle when I was a juvenile. I still remember it. But they can be regrown. So no lasting damage has been done… Ah, here we are,” May-sic said after another minute or so of swimming. “Your ship is just through here.” As she spoke, a door appeared in the wall of the corridor they were in. As it peeled back, Emilie saw a small chamber on the other side. It wasn’t full of goo. “Go through,” May-sic instructed. “I’ll close the door behind you. One of your ship’s docking umbilical cords is attached to the other end of the chamber. Once the seal on this side has been made it should open for you. Your crew are expecting you. We’ve already released the clamps holding your ship in place.”
“Thank you,” Emilie said as May-sic released her. “We owe you our freedom. Thank you for everything.”
“You owe me nothing, I was just returning to you what my people took. Just make sure you use it well. The more you hurt the Karacknids, the safer my people will be,” May-sic replied.
“Don’t worry on that account, we will do everything we can to destroy them,” Emilie promised. “Hopefully one day you will be able to join us.”
“Hopefully. And perhaps our offspring can befriend one another in a time of peace rather than one of war and fear,” May-sic said.
“That is a pleasant thought,” Emilie replied as she swam through the door. She had never thought of having children. For her, it was hard to see a future beyond the war with the Karacknids, but if there was to be one, May-sic’s description was a pleasant thought. Turning, she raised a hand in farewell to the Kalassai. May-sic waved a tentacle in reply and then reached out with a tentacle to close the door.
Emilie held the Kalassai’s gaze as the door closed again, separating them. By the time the door vanished from sight the small chamber had already filled with goo, but Emilie knew it would soon be sucked back out. Sure enough, it quickly disappeared and was replaced by air. As soon as her head was uncovered, Emilie took off her breather. Turning to Walker, she grinned. “We are about to get back on board Intrepid. I bet you never thought we’d see her again.”
Walker’s mouth dropped open. “But.. But I was the one telling you…” He shook his head as Emilie grinned at him.
“Come on,” she said as she turned and activated the chamber’s second door. As it pulled back, she was met by the very pleasant sight of a mechanical docking umbilical. Reaching out, Emilie gave it a tap. “It’s real,” she said as she stepped out of the chamber. Quickly, she ran forward. But for Walker, she would have stumbled. He caught her when her legs didn’t quite move as fast as her brain had been telling them to.
“Careful,” he said as he sat her back on her feet. “We haven’t been used to running around for a few months now, let’s not trip our way onto Intrepid. That might be a tad embarrassing.”
“Right,” Emilie said as she dusted herself off and reached up to tap the access hatch. With a pleasant swish, it retracted revealing a decompression chamber. Stepping in, Emilie and Walker closed the hatch behind them and waited for the next hatch to cycle open. When it did, they stepped out into one of Intrepid’s hangar bays. A roar of applause and shouts met them. Emilie broke into a grin. At least twenty of Intrepid’s crew were there. Looking around, she saw the face she had missed the most.
Alvarez moved up to her and pulled her into a hug. He held her tightly for several seconds. “I wasn’t sure we would ever find you,” he whispered into her ear. “But we did! We did!”
Wiggling out of his grip, Emilie looked up into his eyes. “You did my love,” she replied before pulling him in for a long kiss. She didn’t care about the whistles and renewed shouts that greeted her action. When they broke apart, she grinned when she saw Alvarez’s cheeks had reddened. “Come on, there’s no time for embarrassment. We need to get to the bridge.”
“Of course Captain,” Alvarez replied as he turned to follow her.
“It’s great to see you all,” Emilie said to the crew as she moved through them. “You have no idea. I’m sure we all have stories to tell. For now, let’s get to safety. Back to your stations.”
A chorus of agreements met Emilie’s words and then the crowd quickly broke up. Emilie was already out of the hangar bay and jogging towards the bridge. Turning, she grabbed Alvarez’s hand and held it as they ran together. “Jones has already disengaged from the Kalassai mothership,” he informed her. Wayfarer left about twenty minutes ago, pretty much every Kalassai ship in the system is chasing her.”
“It sounds like Wal-sma is taking quite a risk,” Emilie replied.
“She is,” Alveraz agreed. “I guess I misjudged her. When she abducted you, I thought the worst.”
“I can well imagine,” Emilie said. “They are a very secretive people, but they are good as well. Hopefully, Wal-sma and May-sic can convince the majority of their people that our cause is worthy.”
“Captain on deck,” someone shouted as Emilie and Alvarez burst onto the bridge. Every officer was standing in salute.
Emilie instinctively returned the gesture. “At ease,” she said. Moving over to her command chair, she grabbed Jones’ outstretched hand and shook it warmly. “Well met Lieutenant,” she said, “or I guess, Acting Captain.”
“Intrepid is all yours Captain,” Jones said as he stepped aside to allow Emilie to sit in the command chair. “It is good to have you back.”
“It’s good to be back,” Emilie said as she released Jones’ hand and looked around at her other officers. “Good indeed. We can get reacquainted later. What is our status?” she asked as she took her seat.
“We’ve disengaged from the Kalassai city ship,” Jones replied at once. “We are racing away at full military power. We can’t head directly for the shift passage out of the system. It is being guarded by more Kalassai warships. But we can get to the mass shadow and safety.”
“That will do for now,” Emilie said with a nod. “No ships in pursuit?”
“Two,” Jones answered. “They fired a salvo of their missiles at us. But our point defenses took them all out. We are pulling away from them.”
“Good job,” Emilie replied. “And Wayfarer, how is she faring?”
Jones tapped on his command chair and nodded towards the main holo projector. “She’s being chased, but she had a good head start. It looks like she’s going to make it to the mass shadow as well.”
“Can we get a COM channel open to her?” Emilie asked.
“Yes Captain, she’s just in two-way communication range,” Intrepid’s COM officer replied.
“Then hail them,” Emilie requested.
Moments later she was looking at a Kalassai who she assumed was Wal-sma. “Captain, it looks like you’re having quite the adventure.”
“Emilie, it’s good to see you again,” Wal-sma responded. Her tentacles swished back-and-forth. “This is not exactly the kind of thing I’m used to being involved in. It seems your visit has had an effect on me.”
Emilie smiled, “I am glad to hear it.”
“I’m glad to see you safe and sound on board your ship. I hope you won’t bring too bad a report back to your homeworld about us,” Wal-sma said.
“I won’t,” Emilie promised. “You and May-sic have been very hospitable. I’m just sorry your Mothers didn’t feel the same. What will happen to her?”