***
It took the town leaders about ten minutes to get the residents calmed down and to organize a group to go meet the strangers.
Mayor Jack Sullivan wasn’t happy about it, but he was leading the group down the eastern road to where the skimmer had landed, hoping this was going to be a peaceful meeting. The fact they’d landed outside of town was a good sign. The men in front stopped as the skimmer came into view and they could see a man in full battledress aiming a large plasma rifle at them.
Jack had never seen this end of a plasma rifle before and he was sure he never wanted to again. But duty called so he pushed his way to the front of the group and called out to the skimmer.
“My name is Jack Sullivan. I am the mayor of Exile. May I approach?”
Captain Stevenson climbed out of the skimmer and waved the man to come closer. The mayor was about five-feet-eight-inches tall and looked in good shape. As he approached the rest of the group spread out.
Alex noted a few of them had hunting rifles and at least one military assault rifle, but no energy weapons. He smiled, knowing how futile their defensive move was.
Mayor Sullivan finally reached the skimmer and held out his hand.
Stevenson reached out and shook it, noting the mayor had a firm grip. He also saw that the mayor was missing a few teeth and his breath smelled of rotted meat. “I am Captain Philip Stevenson of the starship Neptune. This is Sara Tomlin, our assistant engineer,” he said, motioning to Sara as she got out of the skimmer, “and that is Alex, our head of security.”
The mayor gave Sara an appraising look (which made her skin crawl), then looked up at Alex and winked.
Alex decided right then he was going to enjoy killing the man, he just needed a reason the captain would accept.
The captain saw the looks going around and worried Alex might do something rash. The whole crew had been on edge since landfall and he was not sure it was all because of Robert’s death. “We came to see what kind of trade was available. We had a little trouble landing and had to use a few spare parts that I would feel more comfortable replacing. I am also looking to see what kind of luxury items you might have,” he said, hoping to get everyone on the same track.
“We don’t have much, mostly food and carpentry items, but I would be glad to show you around. We’ve been able to salvage a few items from the city including a few ship parts in recent years. I don’t know how valuable they are since they’re so old and we don’t get many visitors,” Jack said, turning to lead them into town. He hoped that Stevenson wouldn’t ask about the other visitors since there truly hadn’t been any in the last eighteen years. “Alex won’t be needing that gun of his. We’re a peaceful group.”
Alex made a point of removing the gun from the skimmer’s power cable in a way that the mayor would know he’d taken it.
When their little group reached the townsfolk who’d waited while the mayor went alone to meet with Stevenson, Jack made the introductions and then sent them to the center to tell the rest that they could go about their business. One of the men suggested a party be thrown in honor of the first civilian visitors to town in years. Sullivan agreed, not letting Stevenson object.
“Can I kill them now, Cap?” Alex asked.
Sara tried not to look startled at the venom in Alex’s voice when she heard it through her earpiece.
“No. Wanting to party wasn’t a capital crime last time I checked,” the captain said, using his sub-vocal microphone, glad Alex hadn’t used his helmet speakers to ask the question, and wondering why he was so eager to start killing. It couldn’t be the Rift radiation affecting him this quickly, could it?
Sara looked around as they moved through the town. She noted that most of the buildings were fortified and all the people carried weapons: some were holding rifles while others carried knives. She wondered why they felt the need for walls as they moved inside the walled area. The guards on the walls watched them as they passed, giving Sara more than casual looks. A group of about twenty people were waiting for them in the courtyard. They all wanted a look at the strangers. More than a few used their weapons to point at Captain Stevenson and his crewmen. Sara was glad when the mayor stopped in front of a large building just inside and to the left of the gate. A sign above the door read Kazvin’s General Store.
“Let me introduce Arthur Kazvin. He’s the owner of this fine store,” Sullivan said, introducing a bear of a man coming forward from the back of the building.
“Good to meet you. How can I help you?” Arthur asked as he extended both hands palms up.
Mayor Sullivan asked what they had for trade and what they were interested in.
Sara handed the captain the list of parts and materials they needed. The two men set about looking over the list and figuring out what items the town could help them with. Sara wandered off to check on what else was for sale. She found a nice selection of fur cloaks that would sell for a good price on Nebular 4. Now all she had to do was figure out what she had she could trade for them.
Alex stood in the middle of the store watching the negotiations and keeping track of everyone in the store with the armor’s sensors. He didn’t like these people and he wasn’t sure why. They were just being cautious but they were taking it to the level of paranoia. Paranoid people were either crazy or scared for a reason. He didn’t like not knowing which category these people fell into and he found that the most annoying. The other problem was, ever since they’d touched down, he’d been on edge. Controlling his temper had never been a problem before, now it was a constant battle.
Captain Stevenson was having a good time. He loved to haggle and these people used the barter system more than currency. They seemed interested in the items he’d brought and Arthur was sure he could come up with most of the items on Sara’s list. Sara would have to check them out to make sure they were going to work but all in all this was turning out to be a good detour.
The negotiations were reaching the final stages when Sara returned to talk to the captain. Arthur stood as she reached the table and stepped around to get a better look at her. Sara was used to guys leering at her but this was different, more dangerous. Sara moved slightly behind the captain in a vain attempt to hide, which caused Arthur to laugh in an even more unpleasant way.
“What’s the matter, missy? You and me are going to become good friends.” He said with a wink.
Sara got out a surprised, “What?” before the captain broke in.
“What the hell are you talking about? And stay away from my crewman.”
Alex listened to the exchange and smiled; they were about to give him the excuse he was waiting for. He flicked the safety off his rifle and changed the setting to tight-beam single-shot, using the controls in the helmet so no one knew what he was doing. He knew it wouldn’t be long now. He just had to be patient a little longer.
Jack Sullivan stood up slowly, trying to calm everyone and get things back under control. “Please calm down. Arthur only meant he intends to purchase the young lady.”
“She’s not for sale.”
“Of course she is. Why else would you have brought her, if not to sell her?” the mayor asked calmly.
Arthur moved a little closer to Sara, who in turn moved a little farther behind Stevenson.
Alex stood motionless, watching and waiting.
“I have no intention of selling or letting you have any of my crew. Tell him to back off or Alex will end this.”
Stevenson was barely able to register Sullivan flick his wrist, causing a small pistol to drop into his hand. He had seen wrist holsters before but never had he seen anyone so adept at using one. Everyone froze at the sight of the gun except Alex, who carefully inched his rifle barrel up. Arthur made a grab for Sara, who was no match for his speed. He spun her into his chest and locked his big arms around her, both as a shield and to keep her from running away.
“I see we are going to have to start all over again. First tell your—”
Alex blasted Jack Sulliv
an in half with a single hip shot. Arthur dove for cover with the reflexes of a seasoned fighter, taking Sara along for the ride. He turned as he fell so Sara was first to hit the floor, taking most of his weight as she did, getting the wind knocked out of her and bruising a few ribs.
Alex fired off two more shots that killed the other two men hiding in the store before focusing on Arthur.
Stevenson had also dived for cover but instead of stay in one place. He rolled up onto one knee, bringing his pistol up as he did.
“Stop or I’ll snap her neck!” Arthur yelled from behind one of the display racks.
“Let her go and you can walk out of here alive,” the captain lied as he inched around the display he was hiding next to.
Arthur wasn’t sitting idle waiting to be shot. He was on the move, thinking he was being careful not to give Alex a clear view of him or Sara. He could hear that an alarm was being raised outside and he figured his best chance was to get out the front door where the wall guards could give him some cover fire. He crawled on his back toward the door, holding Sara up on his chest as he went. She wasn’t much cover but she was the only reason he was still alive.
Alex waited, listening to the alarm and watching the scans of the movements outside the store. He switched to area-of-effect fire and took a single shot at the door—it and about twenty inches on each side of it exploded outward in a ball of fire. The blast had the effect he was hoping for: Arthur rolled away from the blast, dropping Sara in his haste. Arthur realized his mistake and started scrambling back to Sara as she struggled to crawl away from him. Stevenson lunged around the end of the rack and fired as Alex switched back to single shot and stepped around the other end of the rack.
Alex was annoyed the captain had beaten him to the kill.
The captain moved to check on Sara as Alex went to stand in the ruins of the front door. He scanned the area as a few guards took shots at him. Their bullets bounced harmlessly off his armor as he knew they would, nothing but energy weapons and gauss rifles were capable of penetrating battledress. Nobody here had either of those types of weapon or he would have registered them on his sensors. Alex killed four of the guards before he looked back to see how the captain and Sara were doing.
Stevenson had moved Sara back behind the cashier’s counter, where he started checking her for injuries. He decided she was going to be fine, just sore from a bruised rib or two.
Sara lay very still, trying to breathe shallow to reduce the pain.
“Alex, you’re going to have to get the skimmer and bring it in here,” Stevenson ordered.
“I tried to radio the ship but something is screwing up the signal. I think they got the red alert, but I’m not sure.” Alex said. “The four wall guards are down and I’ll try keeping their attention on me. If we’re lucky most of them will be too busy hiding to come after you two.”
“Watch out for surprises out there. You’re our only chance of getting out of here alive,” Stevenson reminded Alex unnecessarily as he started to look for ways to fortify his position.
7
Faust had just gotten to the edge of town when he heard the four quick shots. He cursed himself for being late and prayed that he still had time. He guessed the shots came from the center of town, which would make sense. He sprinted to the main road, feeling the adrenalin start to flow, erasing his fatigue. He stopped at a bend in the road about hundred and fifty yards from the gate.
A few seconds later an explosion reduced the gate to burning splinters, scaring livestock and townspeople alike. Faust dropped to the ground and readied his rifle. Sergeant Fitzgerald had told him not to chamber a round of ammo until he was ready to fire. The sensors in battledress armor would be able to pick up the energy signature and warn the wearer of where he was. He was still locking the front legs into position when the armored man walked through the ruins of the gate, firing a plasma rifle in random directions. The sight made him hesitate a few seconds before he finished and took aim.
Alex walked through the gateway scanning for life. He fired a few blasts at areas where people seemed to be gathering. Better to keep them scattered, he thought. He turned toward the skimmer when the alarm in his helmet lit up. He dodged to the side, reacting even before he knew what had triggered the alarm. But even that was too late: The gauss round ripped through his armor, sending him flying with the force of the impact. He landed in a pile five yards from where he’d been standing just a second ago.
Faust couldn’t believe the man in the armor had almost dodged his shot. He was walking away when Faust had loaded the round and fired. He’d hit the man but he wasn’t sure how badly. He didn’t give himself time to think before he was up and running to where he could get another shot. Faust had learned over the years just because an animal was shot didn’t mean it was dead or even helpless. This fight wasn’t over until he was sure the armored guy wasn’t getting up.
Alex rolled over and activated the combat drugs in the armor’s medical kit. The armor had already sprayed his wound with drugs to stop the bleeding and ease the pain. His sensors told him someone out there had a gauss rifle. He’d lost the rifle’s energy signature, which meant the guy had training in how to fight battledress. His target was on the move, so he’d better get moving, too—which was when Alex found out his hip was broken. The combat drugs were keeping him conscious and alert but he wasn’t going anywhere except by crawling.
Alex rolled onto his stomach and looked around. He was still trying to think of what to do when the alarm went off again. He pulled the trigger on his rifle as he switched to max-effect, continuous-stream. The gauss round passed through the plasma spray without losing any speed or significant mass. Alex would never know if he’d hit his killer or not. The gauss round hit him square in the head.
Faust dragged himself to his feet. Luckily he’d been able to roll behind the building he’d been using for cover. Alex’s shots destroyed four buildings before the gun finally stopped firing. Faust’s right arm and face were burned but he would live. He chambered another round in the rifle and slowly made his way to the armored remains. The last round had taken Alex’s head off. Faust reached down and took the plasma rifle, disconnecting the power cord from the armor.
Townsfolk were starting to come out of hiding as Faust finished looting the armored corpse. Someone went running to loot the skimmer as others got weapons to deal with the other two in the store.
“No, wait!” Faust yelled to the crowd heading into the fort. “We should take the others prisoner, not kill them.”
Most of the townsfolk were still scared and hadn’t gotten angry yet so it was pretty easy to convince them to follow his lead. He gathered a group of men armed with clubs and they rushed the store. The grouped didn’t know where Stevenson and Sara were hiding so they spread out as they entered. Stevenson was able to kill two men before the rest converged on them. Sara had been able to wound one man while firing her pistol without taking time to aim.
The mob quickly subdued and tied up their captives. They took Stevenson to the town blacksmith’s forge for some old-fashion torture and interrogation. They hung Sara by her wrists from one of the rafters in the store until they could decide what to do with her. Once that was done, they started the grim task of collecting and burying their dead friends. The town mechanic started working on getting the skimmer running.
Stevenson did not hold up to the torture for long. He told them all about his ship and the crew he’d left behind. Richard Benson, the ranking town councilman, called a town meeting for later that day to discuss what to do with the girl and who was going to attack the ship.
Faust knew he should have felt bad about how they’d tortured the man, but he didn’t. He was too focused on how to complete the next part of his plan. So far, he thought things were going well.
8
Councilman Richard Benson called the town meeting to order. Runners had been sent to all the outlying farmers and mines. A couple of tables had been brought out and were now covered with f
ood and drinks. The town square was full of people. Some were even up on the wall watching and listening.
Conversations died out as Richard banged his mallet on the head table. “All right, all right, everyone quiet down and let me talk,” he yelled. “As everyone knows, we had our first visitors in years today. And as you also know it didn’t go very well. Them damn foreigners came in and decided to rob us. They killed fifteen of our friends and neighbors, including Mayor Jack Sullivan, before we stopped them, and there would have been a lot more deaths if it wasn’t for Faust Grayson and that rifle of his.”
The crowd cheered Faust.
Richard continued when the noise had dropped down to a level where he could be heard again. “The captain has informed us there are only four people left with his ship and none of them have powered armor. His ship was damaged getting past the orbital defenses and is about fifty miles west of here. I am looking for ten volunteers to take the ship. Talk to me after the meeting and remember that is about three days’ travel inside the Rift zone.
“We have decided to keep the skimmer as town property. We will use it to patrol the area around town and other stuff if Henry can get it running. As for the wench, I talked it over with the other town elders and we have decided to sell her to Faust for three bear hides and the energy rifle from the armored guy. He has also agreed to forget all the debts people owe him for things he’s acquired over the years, and he will donate five hundred pounds of smoked meat to the town. We will distribute the meat to the families of the dead and those that didn’t get anything from the sale.” Richard stopped as the crowd started to argue about Faust getting the woman. The arguments died down after only a few minutes which told Richard there were no serious objections to the sale. He nodded to Faust and returned to the meeting.
Faust wasted no time leaving to collect his prize. The guard at the store had been told about the sale so he didn’t object to Faust taking her away. Faust lifted the bound woman over his shoulder with ease. He handed the guard one of his hunting knives in payment for keeping her safe for him.
The woman tried to struggle so Faust slapped her on the butt, and whispered, “Be quiet and don’t move.”
Faust had no choice but to pass by a few people as he left town. Most people just made rude comments, but a few swung at the woman or threw things at her.
Sara tried to talk to Faust but was drowned out by a roar coming from the town square. The roar died out, replaced a few moments later by Captain Stevenson’s screams. Sara had no idea what they were doing to him and didn’t want to know. She tried, but she couldn’t block out the sound of her captain’s screams.
Faust shifted Sara down into a cradle position to guard her for most of the attacks. The adrenalin and excitement of the last few hours was starting to wear off and Faust found he was near complete exhaustion. He finally had to stop when they were about a hundred yards from town. He lay Sara on the ground and slowly drew his fighting knife.
“What’s your name?”
“Sara Tomlin. What are you going to do with me?” she asked not sure she wanted to know.
“Hello, Sara. My name is Faust Grayson. I’m taking you to my farm where we can talk. I’m going to untie your feet but if you kick me or try to run I will break your leg. Got it?” Faust stated as he reached his knife between her ankles and cut the rope binding them.
Sara didn’t know who this man was but she believed he could and would hurt her if she provoked him. She needed to think but her head was still heavy from whatever had knocked her unconscious, so all she could do for now was follow the man’s instructions.
Sara led the way across a vegetable field to a small path leading into the woods; she would have missed it if not for Faust’s directions. She didn’t like traveling through the woods at night. Her night vision wasn’t as good as his so she stumbled many times, but once they were in the woods the man wasn’t in such a hurry.
“How much farther are we going?” she asked, trying not to sound as scared as she felt.
Instead of answering, Faust simply pushed her forward as he looked around.
After about twenty minutes they reached a clearing with a house, a barn, and a few other buildings to the right of the trail. The house was a small, single-story log building with the classic fireplace chimney built on the side facing away from them. It had a narrow porch which looked like it ran the length of the house; the porch faced the barn. She could only see a few windows, which made her wonder how they had made the glass. Each window had a set of heavy shutters with an old-fashion bar slide on one side and a bracket on the other to hold them closed. The barn didn’t have windows but a few of the small buildings did, which made Sara curious what they were for. The care that had gone into the construction of the house was missing from the other buildings.
“Dad.”
The word was spoken so softly Sara almost missed it. Faust and Sara both jumped a little and turned to the speaker. Sara was startled at how close and how big the man was who had spoken to them. He had to be well over six feet tall and was standing right behind them. How could he have gotten so close without them hearing him?
“I checked the trail for anyone following you. I didn’t find anyone or anything,” Daemon told his father in a whisper as he leaned in closer to them. Sara was surprised when she saw his face and realized he was just a boy. He had jet black hair cut short and the blackest eyes she’d ever seen.
Daemon had leaned in to get a better look at the woman more than any need to hear his father’s answer. She had a pretty face, with green eyes and reddish-blond shoulder-length hair. Who was she and why did he have her tied up? Daemon really wanted to ask but knew better than to do so instead he stood waiting for instructions.
“I take it your sister knows we’re coming?”
“Yes, she told me you were on your way home and that you were hurt. So I came to see if you needed my help.”
“Take this,” Faust told him as he handed Daemon the rifle he was carrying. “It needs to be cleaned before it’s put away.”
They resumed walking toward the house. A young woman had come out onto the porch, holding a steaming mug, watching them approach. Sara noted that the woman was taller than she was, and broader at the shoulders, built like an athlete. She had long black hair that hung almost to her waist. Then, as they got closer, Sara felt the oddest thing: It was like a sense of relief passed through her; she didn’t know why but she felt better, less scared.
“Here’s some tea, Dad. I have ointment and bandages already out on the table in case my healing isn’t enough. I also warmed up some food; I thought you were hungry. But I see it’s your guest that’s hungry.” Angelica handed him the mug.
“Put the rifle in my room, Daemon, and then come take Sara here to the creek so she can get cleaned up some,” Faust instructed his son before taking a long drink of the tea.
“Yes, sir,” Daemon replied as he ran into the house.
Faust turned to Sara. “Once you get cleaned up and fed, we’ll talk about our future together.”
Sara didn’t like the sound of that.
“When did you decide to buy a wife?” Angelica asked, annoyed that he’d buy another human being.
Daemon would never question him but Angelica was old enough to feel she had the right to.
Sara was thinking more clearly now and definitely didn’t like the way they were talking about her. She had to escape and soon.
Daemon returned from the house in time to hear his father explain to Angelica, “I did not buy her as a companion. We’re getting off this planet and she’s going to help.”
Daemon took Sara by the rope that bound her hands and started leading her away. He wasn’t paying much attention to her as they walked around the side of the house and toward the woods. The edge of the yard bordered a small stream that had been dug out to form a shallow swimming hole. Daemon stopped at the edge and took off Sara’s bindings.
Sara looked around, trying to think what to do.
“Come on, hurry up, Dad’s not very patient,” Daemon said as he shooed her in the direction of the water.
Sara slowly walked into the pool still wearing the torn remains of her jumpsuit. The water was cold but bearable so she waded deeper in to get away from Daemon. It was only waist deep in the middle and she felt sand on the bottom. She started washing the dirt and filth off her jumpsuit, thinking about how to escape.
Daemon tried not to make it obvious that he was watching her. Angelica had complained about how the guys in town stared at her so he figured it wasn’t acceptable behavior. He wasn’t allowed to go to town, so he hadn’t had a chance to see many women. Sara filled out her jumpsuit very well; she was shorter than Angelica, but she had rounder hips and larger breasts.
The funny thing was, she was thinking about how to hurt him. He could feel her desire to hurt him, but he didn’t think she could, even if he let her hit him a few times. He decided he’d let her so she’d understand that it was useless. But then she changed targets and started thinking about his sister. Daemon didn’t know how he could feel other people’s bad intentions and he didn’t care, what mattered to him now was that Sara was thinking about hurting Angelica and he wouldn’t tolerate that.
Sara was startled out of her train of thought as Daemon came crashing down next to her with a huge splash.
He grabbed her arm and lifted her by it until they were looking eye to eye. He then stated in a calm menacing voice, “If you ever hurt Angelica, or even think about it again, I will rip off this arm and beat you with it.”
Sara was terrified by the malice and hatred in his eyes and voice.
Daemon dropped her as suddenly as he’d grabbed her and turned to wade to shore.
Sara slumped in the water, her arm numb; she feared it was dislocated. She watched Daemon leave and prayed he wasn’t going to hurt her again. He walked up onto the bank and stood there, shivering, his back to her. Sara cradling her hurt arm, climbed out of the water and started walking to the house, all thoughts of escape gone.
Daemon stood on the bank of the pool, trying to calm down. He had felt her fear and it had triggered something deep within him. He had never felt that powerful and alive before in his life, and he wanted more. The ideas flashing through his mind of what he wanted to do to Sara made him sick. He had no idea where these ideas were coming from but he had to get control of them. He watched her walk to the house. He could still feel her fear but it wasn’t as strong.
Angelica had felt something was wrong and was now standing at the corner of the house. Daemon realized Angelica may have felt what he was going through and shame drove out all other emotions.
Angelica met Sara and led her into the house, glancing over her shoulder at her brother.
Daemon stood there, embarrassed, for a few minutes before he mustered the courage to go into the house and face his sister.
Sara felt a tingling sensation where Angelica was holding her. She wasn’t sure what was causing it but it felt good. The tingling moved to her hurt shoulder and turned into a warm pulsing feeling. Her arm made a popping noise as it relocated itself. Sara jerked away in surprise.
“Don’t be worried,” Angelica said. “I was just using my healing ability to fix your arm. I am sorry Daemon hurt you; sometimes he forgets how strong he is. Please don’t tell our father he hurt you.”
Sara knew Daemon had done exactly what he’d intended, but kept that to herself.
Sara, Faust, and Angelica were sitting at the table when Daemon returned. Faust was drinking his tea; Sara was eating. Faust’s face was fully healed and his arm was only slightly red from the burns. Angelica was just sitting, patiently waiting.
“Sit down, Daemon. I am going to explain to Sara a little of what we’ve been through and why we need to get off this planet and you two may as well hear it, too.” Faust set his mug on the table. “I’ve been living with the Rift for the past eighteen years. The day the Rift opened a horde of really strange-looking creatures came through it. The monsters seemed to be attracted to large groups. They swarmed over the city, killing anything and everything, including each other. They killed hundreds in the first few hours. Some people ran to the spaceport and got away on ships before it was overrun, some escaped into the woods.
“Your mother and I had already been planning a picnic and to do some hunting in the woods that day so we got to the woods before most of the others. We could hear people screaming behind us. Monsters chased us for miles. They didn’t want to kill us quickly. They seemed to be more interested in playing cat-and-mouse games. Finally, your mother collapsed; she was exhausted and couldn’t go any farther. I helped her to sit up against a tree, with you, Angelica, in her arms. I handed her my pistol and stepped out into a small clearing to face whatever was coming. I don’t know how long I stood there waiting, but nothing came.
“We traveled east for two more days before we finally stopped. We hadn’t heard or seen any sign of the monsters for the past two days, so we hoped they had stopped chasing us. We built a bonfire and watched for other survivors, who came in, one by one, or in small groups. The town you came to, Sara, sits on the sight of that fire. We didn’t want to get too far away so that when the rescue ships came they would easily be able to find us.” Faust stopped to take a sip of tea. He was too ashamed to tell them that their mother had forced him to light the signal fire; he had been afraid it would attract some of the monsters, but she had convinced him that they needed to help other survivors.
“We searched for stragglers. A few of our new townsfolk went back to the city for supplies, but most never came back. It was during those searches that we found out the monsters couldn’t or wouldn’t go too far from the Rift. Finally, twenty days later, an assault landing ship showed up. It landed at the spaceport and still sits there today. It was another month before the next ship came, another assault ship. The captain of this one landed near town. A group of marines came to town expecting a warm welcome, so they weren’t ready when they got ambushed, instead. The townsfolk killed a few before they were able to retreat back to their ship. I am still not sure why that captain didn’t kill us all that day, but he just dumped a bunch of crates of supplies and took off.
“Well, it was close to a year before another ship showed up. They stayed clear of both the town and the ruins. A group of us left to go talk to them see if we couldn’t get passage or supplies or anything. By the time we got there they were already fighting with each other. The winners took the ship and left; we never did figure out what started them fighting. After that it was a long time before anyone came back.
“Now a group of scientist and marines show up about once a year. They only stay a few days, taking their reading and samples and what not. Every once in a while a group lands too close to the Rift and gets slaughtered. Yes, Sara, slaughtered is the best way to describe what happens.”
“What happened to their ships?” Sara broke in.
“Being military ships you need the command codes to get the hatches to open, without those codes there was no reason to risk getting that close to the rift.”
“Over the years I’ve discerned a few things about the changes that have happened to everything on this planet. The opening of the Rift has allowed something to pass into this world. It causes heightened aggression—which I believe is why our townsfolk attacked the first Marine rescuers all those years ago—and gives people special abilities, like Angelica’s calming aura and healing ability and Daemon’s strength and speed. I’m not sure what decides what ability a person is going to get but everyone born since the Rift opened has something special about them.”
Sara said, “I think that’s what the captain came here for. Nelson, our ship’s doctor, said some of the plants are collecting some kind of radiation that emanates from the Rift, and storing it. The plants are worth big money back in the Federation.”
“That makes sense. If they can get enough of it, they might start developing their own abilities. The side-effects can be terrible, t
hough. Do they know about those?” Faust asked.
“Nelson told us that some of the people that take the drug go insane.”
“So, Sara, now do you understand why I will do anything I have to in order to get us off this cursed planet? And I need your help to do it,” Faust said, hoping he’d made her a friend and she’d help, not fight him.
“Help you? You’re the one that killed Alex, which led to the captain and me getting captured. Why should I or any of the crew help you?” Sara asked, feeling a little bolder than normal.
“They don’t have to know about Alex, at least not until we get on board. I am sure you can talk the rest of the crew into giving us a ride, especially if I have the parts you need to fix your ship. I’ve also collected jewelry and other valuables from the ruins over the years, so we can pay if that will sway them.”
“I’ll talk to the crew for you, but I can’t promise anything; they’re going to be pretty upset about losing Captain Stevenson,” Sara conceded, feeling more cooperative then she expected.
“I’m sorry I hurt you at the creek earlier,” Daemon told Sara in a low, sheepish voice. “But I meant what I said, and it goes for everyone on the crew, too. Anyone that hurts Angelica is going to die.”
“Stop that! I won’t have you threatening anyone on my behalf. I can take care of myself.” Angelica scolded as she punched him in the ribs.
“Enough!” Faust cut in, causing both of his children to stop what they were doing. “I have a collection of spare parts in the shed. In the morning, Sara, we will see if we have what you need. If not, I’ll go to the ruins to get it. Angelica, Sara sleeps in your room tonight. Daemon, I want you to stay on guard tonight. I don’t expect anyone from town to come after Sara, but we better not take any chances.”
Sara’s eyes went wide at the thought of a town mob coming for her.
“Yes, Dad,” Daemon answered, and feeling Sara’s fear told him how serious the threat was.
Faust went to his room, leaving the girls to talk. He had a hard decision to make and he would have to make it soon. He heard the door open and close, signaling Daemon had gone out to watch for trouble. The girls started talking softly so they wouldn’t disturb him—or so he couldn’t hear them, he wasn’t sure. Once in his room, Faust lay down on his bed and fell asleep almost instantly, all thoughts of his plan swept away by exhaustion.
9
The next morning, Angelica made Daemon breakfast and sent him to bed before Faust woke up.
Angelica could hear her father moving around in his room so she started making him a plate. She enjoyed cooking; it was a simple way to make others feel better.
Faust was carrying two bags when he came out of his room. He placed them near the door before taking his seat at the table.
Angelica placed a plate of steak and eggs on the table in front of him. “I called Daemon in and sent him to bed. Sara was tossing all night so I don’t think she slept much. What happened in town?” Angelica asked as she sat down with a cup of tea.
“I’m not sure what started it by the time I got there that guy Alex she mentioned was shooting up the town. He was in powered armor and had a plasma rifle. I was able to get the drop on him as he came out of the fort. After that I convinced the crowd to take Sara and her captain alive. They had killed too many people, so I couldn’t save the captain but I was able to bargain for Sara. I got her out as soon as I could but she still got to hear enough of what the townsfolk were doing to her captain that it’ll be a while before she sleeps easy,” Faust said, stopping to eat some and swallow some tea. He hoped Angelica didn’t push for a better description of what had happened; he really didn’t want to think on any of it. “I have to go back to town to deliver the bear skins and meat today that I swapped for Sara. While I’m gone I want you and Sara to look for the parts she needs in the shed. If anything happens to me, I want you to take those bags and get to their ship. Daemon can get you there safely and, if need be, he can show one of their crew where to look for the parts they need in the ruins.”
“Don’t talk like that. Nothing is going to happen to you,” Angelica scolded him as she sipped her tea. “You’ve been planning this for a long time, haven’t you? Why didn’t you ever mention it to me or Daemon?”
“I couldn’t risk you saying anything to anyone in town.”
“Why can’t we tell the rest what we’re going to do? It’s not fair that we get to escape but they have to stay.” She looked at her father for understanding.
“Life isn’t fair. If I told one person that person would have told someone else who would have told another until everyone knew what I was planning. Plus, my whole plan is based on a nightmare you had years ago. I’ve been praying it would come true, but there was no way of knowing for sure. So I decided not to tell you so you wouldn’t be disappointed if it never happened.” Faust took his daughter’s hands in his. “Angelica, your brother and I aren’t going with you. I’ve been thinking about this for a long time. Daemon can’t leave this planet. I’ve tried to teach him to control his temper but I don’t think he can, at least not enough—just look what he did to Sara. If he ever reached a populated world, sooner or later he’d hurt or kill someone and then Federation police or troops would be all over him. God only knows how that would turn out.”
“If you two aren’t going, then neither am I.”
“Yes, you are. You’re not like the rest of us. The Rift hasn’t tainted you like it has everyone else. It’s evil and it’s making everyone on this planet evil. It took every ounce of discipline I had not to stay and watch them torture Captain Stevenson. The Federation turned this planet into a prison for good reason. Everyone here deserves to be here except you.”
“How do you know you won’t get better once you leave?”
“I don’t. I could very well get better, but Daemon won’t. The taint is too strong in him; he’s always going to have his temper and he’s going to hurt people and destroy things when he loses control of it. I half expect him to kill me when I stop him from going with you.”
Angelica wanted to argue with him, make him change his mind. But she was too upset, things were changing too fast. She needed time to think, to figure out a good argument. She had to convince her father that she needed them both.
Sara had heard enough, so she carefully moved away from the door and back to her bed. She still felt like a prisoner but at least it sounded like the old man was sincere about letting her go. The fact that he didn’t intend to go or to let Daemon go was a relief. It would make convincing the rest of the crew to help Angelica a lot easier. She liked Angelica and wanted to help her escape this hell hole of a planet. She stamped her feet into her boots to let the others know she was coming this time.
“Morning. We have a busy day ahead of us, so when you’re done eating Angelica will show you the parts I’ve collected. I have to deliver supplies to town today and see what they’re up to.”
“Do you want me to get Daemon to help with the hides?” Angelica asked, trying to hide how upset she was. She made a plate of steak and corn meal for Sara.
“No, let him sleep,” Faust replied as he got up to leave.
Angelica watched her father as he left. She desperately wanted to go after him and keep arguing but it was no use. He had made up his mind and she knew there was no chance of her changing it without a well-thought-out excuse. She turned to the sink and started washing the breakfast dishes.
Sara could tell she was trying hard not to cry. Sara stood up to give Angelica a hug. They stood there comforting each other, lost in their own sense of loss and drawing on each other’s strength to get them through their pain. Neither of them saw Daemon slipped into the kitchen.
“Hey, can you keep the emotional static to a dull roar, please? I was trying to get some sleep,” Daemon barked at them.
Both girls jumped in surprise at his sudden appearance. Daemon laughed and pointed at their expressions. It had been a long time since he’d truly surprised his sister. He stopped lau
ghing, though, when he saw that Sara was hiding behind Angelica for protection.
“If you’re going to sleep then get back in bed before I tell dad you’re up,” Angelica told him, pointing at his room.
“Are you going to get control of your emotions, or at least go outside? First, your talk with Dad, now this. You’re an emotional wreck. How am I supposed to sleep through all that sadness, anger, fear, desperation, and now arousal?” He laughed again at her embarrassment at that last bit.
“I am not aroused, you pervert,” she shot back at him as she punched him in the stomach.
“Sara, how many people can your ship’s life support handle?” he asked, changing the subject.
“It’s rated for twenty, but we could probably handle twenty-five if we had to.”
“You need to toughen up some, girl. I don’t bite… much.” Daemon grinned, looking remarkably like the young man his sister had told her about, and not the monster that had threatened to rip her arm off. “Plus, I’m her protector whether she likes it or not, which means I’m also yours as long as you two are friends.”
“Boija tamoi, will you stop being so dramatic? Last night you were going to kill her; this morning you’re going to protect her. You really need to think before you start acting or talking. Now get back to bed or else.”
Sara shrank down into her seat as Daemon turned and left. “Angelica, could you do me a favor? Please don’t give him any reason to hurt me again,” Sara requested as Daemon closed the door to his room.
“Oh, don’t worry about him; he won’t hurt you again. He doesn’t consider you a threat anymore.”
“How do you know that? I mean, how can you be so sure?”
“Well, if he did think you were going to hurt one of us, he would’ve taken that knife you’re holding and pegged you hand to the table with it,” Angelica replied casually, drying and putting the clean dishes away.
“What’s up with you people? Just how well can you read minds, anyway?” Sara exclaimed, dropping the knife she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.
“Keep it down unless you want him back out here. First, we have to take threats seriously around here; this is a very dangerous place to live. Second, I can’t read minds. I sense people’s emotions and from that I can get a good idea what they’re thinking. If I concentrate, I can sometimes affect other people’s emotions a little. The problem is, I can get caught up in their emotions and I start feeling the same way they do. The only other thing I can do for sure is heal people like I did for you last night.”
“Daemon has a kind of danger sense. He can feel when something near him is aggressive. If he is focused on one person he can tell if that person means to hurt someone and who the target is. I figure that’s why he attacked you last night: You must have been thinking about attacking me as your best chance to escape.”
“Okay, that’s just too weird, that’s exactly what I was thinking about when he attacked.”
“Are you ready to go look through Dad’s junk pile?”
“Sure, but I have one more question: What is it with the two of you? I mean most siblings are protective of each other when they’re not trying to kill each other, but you two take it to a whole different level.”
“Daemon and I have had a special link ever since he was born. We can tell what each other is feeling, if the other is hurt, what direction we are from the other, stuff like that. We tried a few times to use telepathy but have never had any success. Dad has been drilling it into our heads that we have to look out for each other for as long as I can remember. The woods are full of dangerous animals and every once in a while someone in town will go crazy and start attacking people. Dad has only recently started letting me go to town with him. Daemon and I have had to depend on each other a lot over the years.”
“What happened to your mother? Why isn’t she here to help?” Sara asked.
“Mom died giving birth to Daemon. Something bad happened and dad won’t talk about it. Sometimes I think he blames Daemon for her death.” Angelica answered, a feeling of loss and sorrow passing over Sara as Angelica thought about her mother.
Angelica waved to her father as they crossed the yard on the way to one of the outbuildings. He was dragging a small cart out of another building to a waiting bicycle. Sara stopped to watch as he hooked the cart up to the tow hitch on the bicycle. The cart had what she thought were three furs on it, but Faust yelled to Angelica that he would be back in an hour or so to get the second one. He quickly had the bicycle moving down the trail they had used the night before.
Angelica showed Sara into a small building with two windows and shelves full of old parts, some for vehicles, some for spacecraft, some things she didn’t recognize. She started looking over each of the shelves; if the items were here it might take her hours to find them. Angelica lit a lantern hanging next to the door to give Sara extra light. Sara quickly became engrossed with the stacks of parts. She found a few she needed and thought Mac could make do with a couple of others. She figured she’d found enough to get them in the air for at least one flight. Sara was pretty happy with the selection Faust had put together. She also found a couple of components they could use as spares.
Angelica was glad Sara’s mood had improved; Sara seemed to have forgotten what had happened yesterday and was fully immersed in examining everything she found.
10
Faust returned from town in a bad mood, so Angelica left Sara to find out what had happened. He was in the house, getting a drink. Angelica offered to make him some food but he wasn’t hungry. Daemon came out of his room to see what was going on. Faust sat down at the table to explain to his children what he’d learned.
“Henry has the skimmer running and Richard is organizing a group to attack the ship. He asked if I would lead the group,” Faust said before taking a long drink from his beer.
“What about the crew? They’re not going to let you just take their ship,” Angelica said, worried that more people were going to die.
“I plan on going with the group to see if I can find a way to stop them. But it means I’ll be at the ship and you will have to get there on your own,” Faust said, looking at both his children, concern etched on his brow.
“Don’t worry, I will get them there safe,” Daemon stated
“I know. I’m more worried about how I’m going to stop the townsfolk and not get killed by either side,” Faust confessed.
Angelica felt the pride her father had in Daemon. How could he feel so much pride and still plan on condemning him to a life on this planet? She had to find a way to change his mind.
“They are planning on attacking sometime tonight. They asked me to help plan the attack so I’ll be gone most of the day. I’ll try to get back for dinner before we leave. If I don’t, I want all three of you to take whatever she needs and anything you want to take with you and leave before dark. I know it’s dangerous but I don’t want you here if someone from town decides to come after Sara when they figure out the attack on the ship failed.”
Faust went to his room to get a couple of rifles. Daemon went to load the second bear hide on the cart. Angelica made a pitcher of tea and then went to check on Sara, who was hard at work on some gadget she’d found. Sara half jumped out of her skin when Angelica tapped her on the shoulder. Angelica laughed and handed Sara a glass of tea before she could complain about being surprised.
“So, did you find something interesting?” Angelica asked.
“Oh, nothing much, just an old power converter,” Sara lied.
“One of the advantages being able to read people’s emotions is that I can always tell when I’m being lied to,” Angelica said “Now do you want to tell me what that really is?”
“You know, that’s not fair. It’s an old radio. I was trying to get it working when you surprised me.”
“Do you think you can contact your ship with it?”
“I hope so, but I’m not sure; it’s only a handheld unit and I am not even sure I can get it working
.”
“DAD!” Angelica yelled over her shoulder, not taking her eyes off Sara.
Daemon came running into the workroom first, follow by Faust, both were armed when they arrived. Daemon made a quick scan of the room, checking for any aggressors, then relaxed and leaned up against the wall, having sensed nothing in the area.
Faust looked around, waiting for an explanation.
“Sara found a radio. She thinks she can use to contact her ship once she gets it fixed,” Angelica said.
“Great, Sara, how long before you can get it working?”
“I don’t know. It looks in good shape and is hardened against radiation. It may just need power. Do you have any charged power units around here?”
“Daemon, go get one of the batteries from the barn and be quick about it. The townsfolk are planning to send a group to attack your ship. We need to warn them,” Faust told a confused and defensive Sara.
“They’re going to attack the ship? How? When?”
“They got your skimmer running and are planning to use it to get to your ship and take control of it before the rest of the crew figures out anything is wrong. They asked me to lead them since I have the only gun that can penetrate powered armor and I have the most experience that close to the Rift. Your captain told them there are only four crewmembers left so they figure we can take it. Once they have control, they’ll force the surviving crew to take some of them off-world, or at least move the ship to town.”
“That sounds familiar,” Sara accused giving Faust a look. “So you want me to warn them you’re coming so they can defend themselves?”
“Yes, and my plans are nothing like theirs. I have no intention of killing or torturing anyone.”
Sara was considering warning Faust about the ship’s defenses, when Daemon ran back into the little barn, carrying a small battery pack. He handed it to Sara and then stepped back to give her room to work and make her more at ease. Anybody could tell she was nervous about him being within arms’ reach of her but somehow the events at the river had awakened a new ability in him: Now he was able to sense fear in others.
Sara examined it before setting it down on the work bench. “Give me a few seconds to get this hooked up and we’ll see if it works,” Sara told them as she attached wires to the radio and then to the power supply.
When she was done she took a deep breath and hit the ON switch for the radio. At first nothing happened, but after a few seconds the display panel lit up, stating it was running a diagnostic check. Everyone huddled around as it ran through its check. Finally a green light came on and the main menu came up on the screen. Sara programmed in the frequency the ship used.
“Neptune, this is Sara. Can you hear me?” Sara asked, pressing the send button.
“Damn, girl, never use names on an open radio frequency. What’s wrong with you? Put the captain on,” Mac replied.
“The captain is dead. I repeat, the captain is dead, so is Alex. The people in town ambushed us.”
“What! Those bastards. Where are you? Are you safe?”
“I’m okay. One of the locals helped me escape.” Sara looked up at Faust to judge his reaction. “The guy wants our help getting his family off-planet in return. He also has most of the parts we need.”
“Is he with you now? Let me speak to him,” Mac barked at her.
“This is Hunter, what can I do for you?” Faust asked into the radio, instinctively using his old call sign.
“You can let Sara go, and start running because I’m going to blow that town into atoms.”
Sara gasped at the venom in Mac’s voice.
“She’s free to leave any time she wants, but the parts stay here unless we get passage to another planet,” Faust replied calmly.
“There is no way I will ever let you step foot on this ship. Sara, get back here as soon as you can. We’ll get the parts from the spaceport. Out.”
Sara just stood there in shock, scared of what Faust was going to do next. Would he really let her go and if he did, how was she ever going to find the ship? The others just stood waiting, until finally Faust said, “I think we should all sit down for an early lunch.”
“I’ll be right in. I’m almost done loading the skin,” Daemon told them, pointing to the pile of fur lying near the cart.
The other three went to the house.
Sara followed, trying to make sense of what was happening. Mac was definitely not acting like himself. She’d known he was going to be mad but she’d never thought he’d get so crazy-mad he wouldn’t accept help. Faust didn’t look upset at all; in fact, he was acting like the Mac had invited him to join the crew. Once inside the house, Sara and Faust sat at the table and sipped tea while Angelica pulled a roast out of the oven.
“Well, I think that went pretty good,” Faust observed, breaking the silence.
“Were you listening to the same conversation I was? Mac sounded like he was going to fly the ship back here and blow the town to bits. I’ve never heard him so mad,” Sara blurted out, amazed.
“I was expecting him to get upset, but the fact he was calm enough to talk to me means he hasn’t been overcome by the Rift madness yet. As long as we can talk to him, we have a chance. How long do you think it’ll take him to fly the ship over here and attack?” Faust asked in a matter-of-fact manor that baffled Sara.
“An hour to power up, then fifteen minutes flight time and he’ll be in range to attack. That is, if he doesn’t just launch a long-range missile attack. If he does that, the missile will be here anytime.”
“I don’t think he’s going to do that. He’s mad but he doesn’t want to kill you. I figure he’ll fly over town and drop a few bombs on it or use energy weapons, if the ship has any.”
“You’re not going to warn the town?” Angelica asked a little startled at how easily her father was talking about the death of the people in town.
“Nope. If I did, this Mac character might get mad at me and that wouldn’t be good. Plus, they would want to know how I know about the attack.”
Before Angelica had a chance to reply Daemon came running in carrying the radio and power supply. “Dad, the ship has been calling for Sara.”
Sara checked the wires as Daemon set the radio down to make sure they were still connected properly. She then tried to contact the ship.
“Sara, I got some bad news,” Mac said, forgetting his own instructions not to use names. “Looks like we need at least one power coupling, both the main and secondary are burned out. All we have left is the auxiliary and that won’t get us airborne. I’m sorry about losing my temper earlier.”
“Don’t worry about it. I got the parts we were after. Faust, uh, Hunter, has a collection of stuff in his barn so he may have the coupling, but I doubt it, cuz I didn’t see it earlier. He said he can get anything we need from the spaceport, though. I just need the coupling and I can come back. The people in town have the skimmer, so I’ll have to walk back. Faust says they’re planning to use the skimmer to attack you. Do you have enough power to defend yourself?”
“That won’t be a problem.”
Sara shivered at the sound of Mac’s replied. “Good. Oh, tell Nelson to up the radiation medication. The Rift radiation causes increased aggressive behavior. You may be starting to feel the effects already,” Sara warned him.
“That explains a few things. You better get back here as soon as possible.”
“We’ll head out this afternoon. As soon as we get the parts; I’ll radio you again.” Sara turned off the radio and checked the power reading: less than half a charge left.
Angelica set plates out for each and then placed a platter of cooked vegetables and sliced meat in the center of the table. They all sat and ate quietly. Angelica and Daemon were used to eating in silence. Sara picked at her roast beef, trying to figure out a plan of her own.
Faust was busy mentally altering his plans to fit the new information and problems. “Sara, are you sure there isn’t a power coupling in the work shed?”
/> “I didn’t see one and they’re pretty big, so it would have been easy to spot.”
“Bleen, that means I have to go to the ruins and get one. I’m going to need you to tell me what it looks like and where the best place would be to start looking for it,” Faust said in frustration.
“It would be easiest if I went with you. We don’t have time for you to keep going back if you get the wrong piece,” Sara said reasonably.
“I think we should all go. Daemon has gone with you a lot in the last few years and I can help keep Sara out of trouble while you two get us there,” Angelica said, looking to Daemon for support.
“Don’t look at me. I’m going to do what I’m told this time,” Daemon said defensively.
“Much as I hate the idea, I agree we should all go together. Daemon, is the cart loaded?”
“Yes, everything you told me to load is loaded and ready to go.”
“All right. I have to take that stuff to town and go to the meeting. I’ll be back before dark. I’ll leave my rifles here; that’ll give me a reason to come back and let you know what’s going on. I’ll try to stall the attack until morning. If I can, I want to leave first thing in the morning. If not, we’ll leave tonight, so I need you to pack now. Pack only the things you can’t replace because we aren’t coming back. Make sure to pack enough food for a week, hard tack should do.” Faust instructed as he turned toward the door. “Oh, if anything happens and I don’t make it back by morning, I want you to go without me. I’ll catch up as soon as I can. Daemon, make sure your sister doesn’t forget these bags,” he said, toeing the bags near the door.
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