“Actually, I found them too busy to deal with right now. Honestly, I’d still be in my lab, but I recently completed some upgrades to our weapons and need to make sure Kuv doesn’t blow us up when he deploys them.”
“You couldn’t just tell him what to look out for over the comm?” Yeke asked.
Chia’s ears twitched. “Once again, you miss the point of being able to witness your creations in action.” She eyed them as they reached the next landing. “You’re going far too slowly,” she proclaimed.
Rei felt her feet immediately leave the ground, surrounded by the glow of Chia’s Essence. The other woman brought her hand forward and all three of them soared through the open part of the stairwell until they reached the top. She set them down gently. Rei opened the door to the walkway and led them through.
“What’s going on?” she asked the moment they cleared the final stair into the bridge.
It was an odd calm, everyone at their stations and giving the systems their orders. “The shielding is now at forty percent, Captain. We’re holding right now but if we keep getting this bombardment...” a crewman at the frontmost console reported.
“They haven’t called any more reinforcements,” Aede said. “I can see communications going between the two vessels, but they’re a bit tricky to break into so we can hear.” Chia went over to Kuv’s station and began to give him instructions in a low whisper. “I’ve also been trying to break into their systems and figure out what their story is, but they’re riddled with viruses and worms just waiting for the files to be downloaded.”
“You sure it’s not someone we pissed off on a job? Sounds like something they’d do,” Yeke asked.
“Out here?” Foniac asked. “We’re not even running a flight plan right now.”
“This stuff is hardcore but mostly old tricks the Federation used to use to disable ships that were close to disabling their vessels,” Aede continued. “I don’t see anyone we’ve encountered using it, but I don’t dare download anything they have unless it escapes my countermeasures.” She bit her lip.
“Grandma is in the safe areas,” Rei informed her. “We saw her on our way up. But good call, we don’t need that on our systems.”
“If I could isolate it, I might be able to do something,” Aede said.
“Can you get a read on what they’re outfitted with?” Yeke said.
“Yeah,” Aede said. “Rather generic shielding and weapons. They seem to rely on old tech and Essence, but they have plenty of ammo aboard. Both have taken a beating, though the first ship is worse. It won’t take much more to get rid of the shields.”
Rei walked over to an empty console and watched the readout, Yeke on her heels. The ship shook, the lights dimmed as power continued to be diverted to more critical systems. She looked up as Foniac guided the ship around a volley of shots, narrowly missing them. Once again, she marveled at the team of Foniac and Chia, keeping such a large ship agile with their respective skills. She saw the pilot run a hand over her Mohawk before gritting her teeth and continuing the intricate dance with the artillery.
“How soon do you want this done?” Chia asked.
“Sooner rather than later,” Rei replied.
“Then give them whatever ultimatum you want and come over here.”
Aede nodded and Rei activated her earpiece. “This is the Kathya calling unknown vessels. Surrender or be destroyed. Make your choice.”
Tension lit the air as everyone looked at the screens in front of them. “Foniac,” Yeke said softly. “Ease up for a second. They’re going to take a break before they respond.”
Rei made her way over to where Chia entered in the last commands on the console while Kuv watched intently over her shoulder. She studied the others while she waited. Aede frantically typed, trying to find one last secret while Foniac gently guided them to where they would fire.
“Your answer?” Rei asked.
The first ship fired at them, the shots obstructing their view for just a moment. The second ship, however, was quiet.
Rei closed off the communication line. “First ship is priority. What do you need me to do?” she asked Chia.
“We’re locked on, but we need you to send enough Essence to the weapon since it’s been dormant since I finished this.”
“It needs a jump start?” Yeke asked from near Foniac.
“This time it does, we had to completely drain the lines. Most of the time it will use what the ship stores for its weapons, though the operator can fuel it with their own in a pinch.”
“How do I do it?” Rei asked.
“Put your hand on the console and just ease it through the system. I have the connection open for you already. It shouldn’t affect anything else as long as you don’t put too much into the system at once. Remember, let the weapon do the work.”
Rei closed her eyes and concentrated on not sending too much. A moment later, she looked up at Chia. “It worked?”
“We should know in a moment. You managed to not blow anything up, so that’s a good sign.”
Heads all over the bridge turned toward the front window as three blue pulses cruised toward their target. Pulses from the first ship intercepted the first two. Several more fired in quick succession and set course for the first ship. It exploded in a haze of blue, the shock wave rattled the Kathya for just a moment before everything went still. Rei gazed out the window as the light faded, the only thing left of their target was a field of debris.
“We surrender,” a woman’s voice came over the common communication channel. “We surrender.”
“Weapons are powering down on the second ship,” Yeke said.
“Tell them we accept and to prepare to be boarded,” Rei told Aede. “I want answers as to why we were just attacked.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
The Kathya’s warm, vibrant walls faded around Rei, replaced with the rusted, worn walls of the remaining ship. Beside her stood Yeke and Kuv, Aede, and a pair of men just behind them. All of them were armed in some way, but Yeke and Kuv held nothing back. Rifles were poised to fire while multiple blasters were visible on their belts. Rei was sure at least one had an explosive or two just in case the need arose.
“Okay, get what you can, Aede, but stay in contact,” Rei ordered.
“Right.” Aede crept into the hall, the men following in her wake.
Rei waited until she was sure that she was well on her way before turning to the Yeke and Kuv. “Let’s go see who’s behind this stupidity, shall we?”
The ship’s emergency lighting flickered where it lined the top and bottom on the walls except for where some areas were bent inward. Rei led them past quickly the damaged sections, hoping the hull wouldn’t give any time soon. Otherwise, despite the occasional spark or groan of the hull settling into place, it was quiet.
They were halfway down the main corridor when figures hurried from a room just ahead, terrified. Fire erupted through the opening, consuming them before the emergency doors came down. Rei took several steps backward until her back pressed into Yeke.
“We can...” Kuv began, but the emergency doors leading to an adjoining hallway were already lowering.
Rei swallowed and cast a shield around the door. “Let’s just get this over with as soon as possible.”
The smell of burnt flesh filled her nose as they gingerly stepped around the bodies. She kept her eyes locked on the path ahead, so she didn’t have to actively think about the figures that were contorted in the last position of their frantic race to escape their fate.
On the other side, Yeke gave the door a probe with his Essence. “Seems like it burned out. That or their internal fire protection finally kicked in.”
“Too late for them, though,” Kuv said, he rose from where he knelt over one. Rei’s eyes widened at the sight of his brown Essence leaving the body, it relaxed as though it was at peace. She simply nodded her approval and set to work removing her shield.
Farther along the corridor, large sections of the ceiling had
caved in; wires dangled from the holes left behind. Rei groaned as the most dangerous bunch hung much lower than the rest, sparking angrily.
“They can’t make this easy, can they?” Yeke joked.
Rei ignored him and cast a shield around the wires which lifted them slightly. The sparks shot upward before falling back against the faint blue barrier. She widened it as much as possible, then gestured for the men to go ahead of her. Despite her efforts, they had to bend down low to get under her shielding and remain above all the jagged metal that littered the ground. The task was much easier for Rei, but as she eased the first leg through, her nose almost touched the tip of one of the larger debris pieces. She could feel the heat of the sparks against the shield where it came close to her back.
She straightened, eyes immediately locking onto a doorway with flickering light.
“Looks like we have more company,” she told the others softly. “Make sure you have your personal shielding at full. This could be interesting.”
Her hand went to the blaster on her thigh to ensure it was ready while she gave them the time to prepare as well. The soldiers shifted slightly, as though uncertain whether they should fire or not. They drew nearer and Rei found herself mildly surprised to see the weapons they held were Federation-favored but older issue ones that had been in use when she had been their guest. Their uniforms were rather plain from what she could see. Rei searched for an insignia of battalion or division but found no identification except for the marks of rank on their collars.
What in the hell have we stumbled into here? she wondered as she stopped several paces farther away from where she would have normally. “We don’t want more trouble for you. Let us pass so we can get us all on our way.”
The soldiers glanced at each other before reluctantly parting. They stood flush against the wall on either side of the doorway. Rei led the way between them, though she could sense Kuv and Yeke’s eyes linger for longer than necessary behind them.
A short ramp led the way into the bridge. It was similar to the Kathya’s with its many consoles dotting the room, though most were dark now. But that was where the comparison ended. Above the consoles, where the entire bridge crew appeared to have gathered, was a large throne-like chair where an older man was seated. It was easily twice the size of what Rei had seen on other vessels she had visited. The crewmen, all in the same in descript uniform, drew themselves as close as possible to the man. His uniform was adorned with ribbons and medals from battles long past. They caught in the dim light like beacons of pride. His pale skin stood out in the dark, long fingers clenched the armrests as he studied each of them under heavy-lidded eyes.
“So, what was the meaning of attacking us?” Rei asked.
“I see you waste no time... Captain,” he spoke. His voice was hoarse, like someone who had spent too much time working around toxic fumes.
“I find things like that tiresome,” Rei confessed. “Especially after an unplanned interruption to an otherwise good day.”
“I am High Commander Nekose, and I oversee all of our forces for the next few systems. We received a distress signal that the ship you destroyed was facing a Federation vessel that was breaking into our borders. We came to their aid.”
“Yet they fired on us first,” Kuv said. “The Federation has given great reason to defend yourself against them, but they have yet to expand this far out beyond a few mining operations. So, whose forces do you command, and why do you treat every ship as though they are part of them?”
Nekose’s face was void of emotion. “Despite the fact you could destroy this ship, I’m not at liberty to say. To do so would compromise our mission. Secrecy, even if it casts doubt about our integrity, is of the utmost most important for its success.”
Rei held up a hand to stop Yeke and Kuv’s protests while she considered her next words. “I can respect that, but in exchange I want something.”
Nekose swallowed hard. “What is that?”
“High Commander, you’ve just been charged with the task to spread word among your people. We’ll be on the fringes for a while and we’d rather not have this situation every time we meet one of your ships. Sorry about the assumption, but given all your secrecy I doubt you can afford another enemy.”
“Which you’ll probably get if you keep shooting first and asking questions later,” Yeke mused.
“And what do you think I should tell them?” Nekose asked.
“It’s simple. Just let your people, whoever they are, know that the Kathya is not Federation and is not to be touched. Anyone who attacks us will be dealt with.”
“One more question before I agree to your terms, Captain. Whose flag do you fly under, if not Federation?”
“Call us contractors who try to be as neutral as possible—our clients like that about us. We have to deal with the Federation because of the territory they own and, chances are, we’ve dealt with some of your people. Don’t hold that first part against us, though.”
“So, you’re mercenaries.”
“Mercenaries imply we like to be part of a fight. Did you miss the part where we offered your friend a lot of chances to stand down? We carry weapons to protect us like anyone sane person in this galaxy. If you want to know about our cargo, we mostly carry families from one planet to another.” She looked evenly at him.
“What will you do with us now?”
She crossed her arms across her chest. “The ship that attacked us originally is nothing but debris. As I said, we’ll happy to let you go provided you vow to deliver our message. Our scans show that your engines should get you in range of help.”
“Just those terms then?” Nekose’s voice was cold with doubt.
Rei shrugged and bit back her temper that the rather generous, in her opinion, offer wasn’t being taken immediately. “If you want, count yourself lucky.”
“Captain,” Aede said over her comm.
“Go ahead.”
“I grabbed what I needed and I am back on the Kathya.”
“Good,” Rei responded before returning her attention to Nekose. “So, is our agreement is more than acceptable?”
“Yes,” he admitted. “I will spread the word for you. None of our vessels will fire upon you unless you do first, after all, you can’t expect us to not defend ourselves too.”
“Excellent. I wish you good travels.”
He nodded and visibly sank back in his seat. Rei gestured for the others to follow before she pivoted on her heel and strode from the bridge. They were almost down the ramp when Kuv leaned toward her, looking around. “What if they report us to the Federation? It could be a good bargaining chip to keep more ships from their territory and someone is bound to have looked us up.”
“They won’t.” Rei paused until they were past the guards, but offered them a nod. She forced herself not to laugh, watching over her shoulder as they ran into the bridge once they determined the three of them weren’t going to charge back in and take everyone out. “Whoever these people are, they’re not able to meet the Federation on equal enough footing to bargain. They wouldn’t need all this secrecy if they could.”
She repeated the trick on the wires, but Yeke gestured for her to go first. She paused and looked at him expectantly. “You just looked them right in the eye and told them to go be your messenger around the galaxy or we’d blow them up too,” he said. “You first.”
She rolled her eyes and approached the opening The debris pile had grown while they had talked to Nekose, Rei balanced on her arms as she started to ease through. The tip of the largest piece of metal came to rest at the base of her ribs, just enough to dig her shielding into her flesh. “Move it...” she growled.
“What?” Yeke asked.
“Move the.... large piece...below...” The words were breathy as she tried to take in as little air as possible.
Together the men attempted to warp the metal just enough for Rei and them to get through, mindful that too many alterations could cause the thing to collapse. More than on
ce, the wires overhead swung violently as things shifted sending a shower of sparks down the shield. At last, the pressure beneath her released and Rei felt safe enough to take full breaths again. She eased the rest of the way through, then critically eyed the opening.
“Are you two going to be able to get through?”
Kuv sized up the expanded passage. “I think so. I’ll try next,” he told Yeke. “Unless you have some objections.”
Yeke motioned for him to proceed. “Go right ahead.”
Rei waited some distance away from the debris pile so Kuv could maneuver on the other side with as much room as possible. His shoulders went through first before he braced himself like she had on the other side and began to drag himself the rest of through. The lace of his boot caught on the metal. After several heart-pounding seconds, he managed to tug it free.
The ceiling shifted once Yeke was halfway across. The dangling wires dropped into the shield and broke it. Rei rapidly replaced it, but one wire was able to make it past before it completely formed. It into Yeke’s shielding, causing it to waver as it made contact. Kuv grabbed his arms and pulled him the rest of the way through. Rei breathed a sigh of relief and released her spell.
“Well, that was fun.” Yeke pushed himself to his feet.
Kuv glared at him while Rei shook her head. “Let’s just get out of here before it becomes a hull breach.”
They raced through the corridor, barely pausing to navigate around the still bodies of the fire victims. They were nearly where they had teleported onboard when Yeke drew to a stop. “Did you hear that?” he hissed.
Kuv and Rei slid to a stop and looked around. “No,” Kuv said, and took a step to keep going.
“Wait,” Rei protested, head tilted as she focused. “I think I just heard it too.” Her hand went to her blaster as she stepped toward a dark room just ahead of where they stopped.
“Rei?” Yeke asked. She heard him following behind her.
“Both of you stay there,” she said, her hand left the weapon as extended a hand, open-palmed toward the opening. “Who do we have here?”
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