Ambush

  Turning to Masson. “Thanks again, I appreciate all the help.”

  “Anytime, now I need to get back. I left abruptly and did not check in after the fight earlier. Anne, my wife, likes to check on me personally after a battle. Says I take after her sister too much. Ha, she has no room to talk. My wife is normally my flight partner but… well… in her condition, Jeanne would not hear of it… and when Jeanne says to do something, you do it, even Anne.” responded Masson.

  Running out of the shuttle, Zeke made his way to the lift. As it arrived, he was not surprised to see Isolde inside.

  “Where you headed?” inquired Zeke.

  “I was going to head to the sick bay, but wanted to check with you first. I want to see how Gunner is doing while we have the time. Do you need me?”

  “No, not immediately. Do not stay long, I will need you shortly. Please me know Gunner’s status when you get back.”

  Entering the lift, he watched Isolde head towards the adjacent lift that would take her to the medical bay. He stopped the lift doors just before they closed when he saw Isolde wiping her eyes as she walked past.

  Captives

  After taking a few minutes to clean up, Zeke walked onto the bridge that was a bustle of activity. Many of the workstations were empty as Jax and his repair crews were working madly on the damaged areas. Nodding to Jax, Zeke made his way around another group that was in the process of cleaning up the area where Juan had sat.

  “Another lost soul that I will have nightmares on. I still remember the day when Juan first sat down and looked around with so much pride and excitement. He had finally made it. And now… no one may even know of his exemplary courage and dedication if we do not make it.”

  Looking around, Zeke saw that Hawke, Khaleesi and Will were leaning over the main planning table in a heated discussion. Dressed in her usual flamboyant outfit, Jeanne was causally leaning on it with an air of amusement with Jan standing close by looking bored.

  “Ok, gentlemen, ladies, what’s up? Sounds like we have a disagreement” interrupted Zeke as he walked up next to Jeanne.

  All except Jeanne turned around in surprise. Hawke jumped around Will to grab Zeke by his arm in a Sorath handshake. Only those familiar with the hold would know it is a sign of great affection.

  “It was good to hear you were back on board. That was a close call, too close. How’s Gunner?” expressed a relieved sounding Hawke.

  “If not for Jeanne, it would be a different story. Gunner is in Medical under Dr. Preruet’s care, once he has an update to report, he will let us know. Isolde also went to check on him.” answered Zeke.

  “It is good to see you, Jeanne, I gather you decided to join this motley group instead of heading back to the Fox.”

  “I wanted to check on my flight crews that are stationed here and see what the plans were for when we reach Nocuous. But based on what I heard, not much has been decided yet.”

  “Sorry to hear that, but we may want to check something out first before we finalize any decisions. I would be interested in your viewpoint, care to join us?” Zeke said as he offered his arm for her to hold as he turned towards the exit.

  “Oh, this sounds interesting. Lead on. What’s up?” Jeanne asked while taking Zeke up on his offer and resting her hand on his arm.

  “I am going to visit with our guests. I have some ideas I want to flush out. Gentlemen, ladies, if you would join me.” ordered Zeke to the rest of the group.

  “I am not sure how I will ever be able to repay you for the shuttle. Masson was instrumental in getting Gunner back here.” Zeke told Jeanne as he waited for her to enter the lift. Turning to the left once in the door, Zeke made room for Jeanne to stand next to him as the rest of the group made their way in.

  “Where are we going?” queried Will.

  “Doc has informed us that Hawke’s ‘friend’ is awake, been so for a few hours. Time, we said hello, don’t you think?” Zeke responded.

  “I would be honored to welcome him, in my own fashion, if you know what I mean” murmured Hawke just behind Will.

  It was only a few moments later that they were all standing at the entrance to the brig. On each side of the entrance stood two armored Marines in full battle gear who snapped to attention once they saw Khaleesi, not himself noticed Zeke with amusement, but only when they saw Khaleesi in the group.

  As they walked through the entrance, Jeanne noticed there was another pair of Marines flanking the door inside. Looking around Jeanne could see that security was utmost in everyone’s mind as she saw a few more in Battleoids situated around the room fully armed.

  “Hmm… I guess you are not going to take any chances that the Chohish may get loose, are you?” queried an amused Jeanne.

  “Nope, I watched the battle recording and saw what they could do with no mechanical enhancements. I am not ashamed to say, the thought of having one running around free of restraints, scares the bejesus out of me. As my dad always said ‘better safe than sorry’” answered a smiling Zeke.

  “This area is also being monitored by another reactionary security team that is even larger than this one. A quarter of that team is suited up at all times.” Khaleesi interjected. “I agree with Zeke that we need to take extra security precautions as we do not know their full capabilities at this time.”

  “Wow, you two do not do things in half measures do you” Jeanne commented.

  They were all made aware that Hawke had not stopped with them to admire the security arrangements when they heard his growl from a large observation window. “I have not forgotten what they are like. Nor what they have done. I would be willing to take my chances with them if you would give me a few moments alone.”

  “Not yet, my friend, not yet. I have use of these Chohish for the moment. Let’s check on them and see if we can learn anything.” answered Zeke.

  Sliding up next to Hawke, Zeke looked in on the cells containing the Chohish. The cells were huge, reaching twenty to twenty-five feet high while being twenty feet in length and fifteen in width. Five cells could be seen from their vantage point. One Chohish to each cell except for one that was empty. Medical personnel could be seen busy outside the cells with another dozen armored Marines stationed around the room.

  As they watched, the Chohish directly in front of them charged the cell. The Chohish ran straight into the bar only to bounce away. Shaking, the Chohish slowly stood to make its way to the bars. Gripping the bars, it was evident that he was trying to pry them apart. Several of the medical staff straightened in alarm while the rest went on about their duties without even indicating they were aware.

  “You can tell the new medical techs immediately; the experienced ones ignore the brute. I was informed that ever since the big Chohish woke up, he has been attacking the bars every fifteen mins or so. I must say that Hawke’s guy is persistent, I will give him that. Although, not too intelligent if he keeps doing the same thing repeatedly expecting a different result.” wondered an amused Will.

  Leaning into the window well to look at the other three cells, Jeanne asked. “Any chance of them breaking out?”

  “No, not unless they are super beasts. The bars are made using the same process as the new ship armor. It would take much more than several Chohish to breach those bars. This ship was designed to assist with transporting rare animals throughout the known worlds. Some are truly fearsome and much more dangerous than our friend in there. We are not fighting all the time, so, the ship was developed with several uses in mind. Terraforming being one. What you cannot see from here is that there is also a force field just outside the bars so even if they got through them, they are going nowhere.” explained Will wearing a pleased look on his face.

  “Why are they in separate cells. And unless I am mistaken, each Chohish is uniquely different. What’s up?” asked Khaleesi.

  “Ahh… I was curious if you would notice. A guess at this time, but if you look at each of the four Chohish, you will see that each are different in size along with their ma
nner of dress. The one in the far-left cell, the smallest individual, looks to be the laborer. The one next to him, bigger and with a different attire, I believe anyway, is one of their engineers, as they were the ones that worked on putting the weapons on the camp wall and installing the shields. The next cage, larger still, their basic soldier. While the one on the far right, the largest, is an officer or commander. I have watched all the others take orders from others like that one. That particular specimen is the one Hawke caught.”

  “How’d you come up with that? If you do not mind me asking.” a puzzled Jeanne asked while examining each of the Chohish.

  “Watching the videos of the camp before Khaleesi very expertly eliminated them. That is why I asked Governor Titus to make sure I have one of each type sent to us before we left Niflhel. There were no other officers caught alive. There were only a few of them that I could see to begin with, hence my request to Hawke. It was crucial we get one alive. The rest, well, what we could guess from seeing their actions the past few hours.” explained Zeke.

  Turning and walking up to one of the tech’s in the room, Zeke tapped him on the shoulder. “Are we ready for the test…?”

  The technician had been anxiously watching Zeke since he arrived. “Sir, it is an unusual request, but I think we are ready. At least as best as we can be.” After a moment, the tech continued. “I hope you do not mind me asking sir, but are you sure about this? What are you trying to accomplish?” the puzzled tech asked.

  Patting the tech on his back, Zeke quipped good naturedly. “Actually, I have no idea on what is going to happen. Just a hunch. But it sure should be interesting, if nothing else.”

  Walking next to Jeanne, who had been joined by the others, Zeke asked with humor in his voice. “Everybody ready for some fun? I hope somebody has brought the popcorn, I like extra butter on mine, how about you Jeanne?”

  “What are you up to my friend? Last time I saw you this secretive, while being jovial, several classmates were only minutes away from being slimed during graduation celebrations.” a puzzled Hawke answered.

  “I hope to see what makes them tick, my friend. If I guessed correctly, it will go a long way in understanding our enemies and how best to defeat them.” divulged Zeke.

  All crowded around the observation window. The tech, glancing back to Zeke, who gave him a smiling nod in confirmation, spoke into a speaker stationed just above the tech’s desk. “It is a go, I repeat, it is a go.”

  Just after the tech finished speaking, a door opened at the far-left end of the room containing the cells of the Chohish. Two Marines in Battleoids walked in. Behind them staggered a Chohish quite a bit larger than even the Chohish officer. This Chohish was being roughly directed where to go by two more Marines in Battleoids, stationed on each side, through rods whose ends crackled with electricity. A final two Battleoids followed closely behind. Everyone but Zeke and the tech who had signaled gasped. The medical staff ran to get out of the way.

  The new Chohish was dressed in a rich black leather vest draped casually over an opulent shiny short sleeve white shirt that was tucked into a black leather pants that matched the vest in richness. On his massive arms were a pair of intricate gold arm bands. Finishing off the attire were dark black knee-high boots of some unknown material. The Chohish would have looked like a visiting dignitary if not for the heavy chains that were attached to his ankles and wrists.

  As the Chohish walked, you could hear the heavy chains being dragged along on the floor, interspersed with deep grunts every time he was shocked on where to move. The grunts were accompanied by the subject’s head rearing backward in pain. It was obvious that this Chohish had been roughly handled. One of the Chohish lips was deeply cut and the left eye was swollen shut. Green blood splattered his ornate vest and a good many of his scales were missing showing open wounds.

  The Chohish officer, whom Hawke had captured, flew into a rage. Gripping the cell bars, the officer roared his anger. The speakers boomed his interpreted words. “Sovereign, how dare they? They dare touch your royal personage… aarrgghhh……”

  Same reaction for the Chohish Zeke thought was a soldier, but more subdued. No screams, no words were spoken, but the same outrage was evident in his actions and expressions. The soldier pounded away on the bars.

  The other two Chohish acted totally different. Both were on their knees with their heads bowed and arms crossed in front of their chests.

  Waking slowly, pain evident in his face and body, the new Chohish slowed down just as he reached the front of the Chohish officer’s cage, He raised his head high and turned it towards the officer. Just as he was about to say something, he was electrically shocked on both sides by the two Battleoids.

  You could hear the loud sizzle and smell of burnt scales that wafted through to the room where Zeke and the rest stood. The Chohish dropped to his knees and raised his head high to scream in pain but it never materialized. For just as he was about to, one of the Battleoids smashed him on the back of the neck with a closed fist that silenced the scream before it could even be released.

  All the Chohish now screamed out their rage. All were at the bars trying to pry them open.

  “I sure hope those bars hold; they look really pissed.” an astonished Jeanne murmured.

  “Well, if they don’t, I think I will go check on our pilots while you all manage the situation.” a smiling Jan interjected. Jan shrugged his shoulders when Jeanne gave him an icy stare before rolling her eyes.

  The new Chohish struggled back to his feet, grunting in pain. It was obvious he could barely walk. Blood dripped from the new wound onto his neck to stain his leathers even further. The chains rattled loudly when he was roughly pushed forward by the Marines behind him.

  “I am not sure about this type of torture Zeke, kill them I am all for, but torture, no.” Khaleesi advised.

  Zeke looked at her with a smile on his face. “We will do what we need to do to survive, Khaleesi, we cannot afford anything less.”

  She knew Zeke could be ruthless in battle, a good officer had to be. But she had never seen, let alone heard, Zeke condoning torture, Khaleesi was disappointed as this was not like Zeke. Even the few times she would not have been surprised, considering the horrendous crimes some had inflicted on civilian populations. And smiling while watching the torture, that was unheard of for any RGN officer.

  “Where did you get the this last one? I do not remember seeing any Intel on him. It is a him, no? Looks important, shouldn’t we have been informed of such an important personage?” quipped Hawke, who could not take his eyes off what was happening in the other room.

  He did not get an answer, but then again, he did not expect one. At least not right now. He was quite used to Zeke’s sometimes puzzling methods. But when Zeke was ready, they would be told. But until then, all Hawke had eyes for, was watching this new Chohish. He was massive.

  The tech, hearing Hawke’s question spoke up while still paying attention to the controls he was manipulating. “All in the room are male. No females were found among the living or dead. Not saying there weren’t any, but we did not find any.”

  They all watched as the Chohish was directed, sometimes dragged, across the room to exit the door at the far end. All the while, the Chohish screamed in rage. It would be hard to believe they could get any angrier. But once they saw what lay beyond the doors that had opened to let the new Chohish out, they all went into overdrive. The Chohish threw themselves at the bars regardless of the damage to themselves

  Everyone standing by the observation window, again except for the tech and Zeke, gasped in astonishment when they spied what that new room contained. The walls were lined with instruments of torture. On the floor were antique stretch racks, beds covered with nails facing up, along with another half dozen that could be seen prior to the party finally making their way in and closing the door.

  All, except Hawke, turned to look at Zeke with horror written on their faces only to see him staring intently at the four Choh
ish in the room.

  Furious, Jeanne was about to interrupt him when Zeke, without looking, raised his arm and ordered. “Not now, I will explain in a moment, but I need to see this. It is vitally important.”

  There was only one, besides the technicians and Zeke, that did not show any sign of anger at the thought of the Chohish being tortured. Just the opposite, he was swaying gleefully.

  All waited patiently, if not angrily, while Zeke monitored the Chohish in the room. After a good five minutes, Zeke sighed and turned around with a thoughtful expression on his face.

  Imagine their surprise, when instead of addressing them, Zeke walked past to where the technician had risen and was watching his approach with apprehension.

  “Is that what you wanted? You will have to excuse me, sir, but it was hastily put together. I hope you are satisfied.” the tech squeaked out just before Zeke lifted him up in his arms and swung him around in a circle.

  “That was better than I could ever have imagined, Dale, you are a genius, a freaking genius. Get your brother and crew in here so I can thank them properly.” an exuberant Zeke proclaimed. “They need to make it quick, we do not have much time”.

  The tech, now smiling ear to ear, spoke into the small mike on his headset. “Danny, bring the crew in. The Captain wants to talk with you all. Snap it up man, no time to change.”

  The door from the hallway opened a half minute later. In walked the new Chohish with all his guards. It was obvious, though, that the Chohish was no longer in pain, but stood straight and tall with no chains evident.

  Both Hawke and Khaleesi went into fighting stances immediately. Jan grabbed Jeanne and threw her behind him. Yelling at Khaleesi who was leveling her pistol for a shot to stand down, Zeke stood in front of the Chohish.

  “Woah, people, woooah! No need to get excited. They are friendly. So please relax before you give me a heart attack. Firing on our own people, really!” Zeke spouted having trouble catching his breath he was laughing so hard.

  As the eyes turned towards him, Zeke held up his hands in mock surrender. Turning back to the tech, Zeke bowed and addressed the tech. “Meet Dale, my puppet master, the genius behind everything you just witnessed.” Twirling, he then pointed to the Chohish and guards. “And his brother, Danny, along with his crew who happen to be the stars of a show of a lifetime. Never will there be another one like it.”