Vontaura

by James C. Dunn

  ‘We Sonii. We come for Gilaxiad.’

  Anna threw the black clothes behind the bed when Gílana entered the room. She sat beside her without a word. Anna placed her arm around her. ‘And how’re you two?’ she asked.

  ‘Baby boy’s excited,’ she replied.

  ‘And mummy?’

  ‘Less excited. Scared.’

  ‘Auntie Anna, too.’ The two sat in silence for a time as Anna stroked her sister’s long blonde hair. Eventually Gílana fell asleep. Her hair was soft like silk, but smelled funny, like her own. Moments like this had never existed before the occupation. One thing at least to be thankful for.

  After an hour Gílana stirred. ‘I was dreaming,’ she said, sitting up and hugging her big sister. ‘You, me, and Jon were back on the Stellarstream, hiding at the bottom of the ship. We were scared, but excited. You were so happy. I’m sorry, Anna. I know you don’t like to talk about Jon—’

  ‘It’s not that, sis.’

  ‘I know, but I am sorry—’

  ‘Gilana, don’t—’

  ‘No, Anna! You always stop me when I want to say it. I’m sorry.’

  ‘I know you are.’

  ‘Keeping that secret was the hardest thing I ever did.’

  ‘I have a secret,’ Anna blurted out, unable to stop herself.

  ‘What secret?’

  ‘Have you ever heard of the Accentaurian?’

  ‘I’ve heard of Accentauria, the star-system. But I’ve never heard of the Accentaurian.’

  ‘What would you do,’ Anna said, ‘if you knew a secret. Something so important, but you didn’t know what to do with it? What would you do if you had to risk what you loved most in order to discover what the secret meant?’

  Gílana sighed. ‘I don’t know.’

  ‘I keep thinking,’ Anna said. ‘What would Uncle Ruben do?’

  ‘You shouldn’t ask that, Anna.’

  ‘Then what would you ask?’

  ‘I’d ask what would my big sister do?’

  Anna’s head dropped. She was right. Uncle Ruben was not here. He wouldn’t be coming back. She had to make her own choices, had to take her own risks.

  ‘It’ll be time soon,’ Gílana said. ‘They’ll find out about the baby. Then they’ll come for us.’

  ‘And we’ll be ready.’

  ‘You promise?’

  ‘I won’t let anything happen to you, Gílana.’

  ‘I know.’ She rested her head on her sister’s shoulder. ‘As impossible as it sounds, I know you won’t. What would I do without you, sis?’

  Anna smiled. ‘Heaven knows.’

  Everything was ready. That night, Anna checked and double checked her plans. The explosives were set near the openings of each outlet tunnel – all except the one she would use. There were six in total, ready to be utilized if things went awry.

  She looked over the plans of the Martial City and the enormous prison complex. Having poured over the plans for hours already, she had realised that it was possible, if she could get the Sonii to the nearby exit designed for urgent evacuations, she could get them through the nearby underground tunnel and back up to the apartment from there. Then they could stay hidden in the vault until she figured out a way to escape. At least the Sonii would be safe here. Safer than in that cell.

  She placed over her eyes a pair of heavy goggles she had fashioned based on the one she had lost, slipped into the Crilshan uniform Gordian gave to her, and prepared to head down through the secret tunnel leading out of the vault. She took three deep breaths, calmed her nerves, and slipped away into the tunnel, down and through into the underground channels.

  In the office of the Lady of Titan, serene strings sounded. Sudana was sat still when General Vagrida’s voice appeared on the end of a communication:

  —Mistress Sudana, he said. Sorry to disturb you at this hour. Something interesting has come about.

  ‘What is it?’ she asked, placing the veil back across her deadened face.

  —An alarm, my lady. An alarm has been reported to me, originating from the underground tunnels.

  ‘I thought you had them all closed down.’

  —So did I. A . . . Apologies . . . m . . . my—

  ‘An alarm, you say.’

  —Somebody is down there.

  ‘One of yours?’

  —Negative, my lady. I think you should see this.

  An image link came into view. A young woman with long, dark hair trudged through the Twelve Cities’ sewer system.

  —It’s her, Vagrida said. The Berenguer girl.

  ‘I can see that, General. Do you know where she’s going?’

  —Not yet. We’ll stop her as soon as she surfaces.

  ‘No,’ she said. ‘Don’t stop her. Let her pass. I want to know where she’s going, and what she wants. Keep your distance. I will watch myself.’

  —Yes, mistress.

  Sudana watched for some time as Anna Berenguer emerged within the Martial City, well disguised as a young Crilshan, with goggles and uniform. Important point, she told herself; discover where she got them from.

  As General Vagrida kept his men at bay, watching and waiting for her signal, she observed intently.

  ‘Allow her through the checkpoints.’

  —Yes, mistress.

  ‘Don’t make it too easy though.’

  —As you wish.

  Anna held her breath as she passed through the last of the checkpoints. Without Gordian, she hadn’t imagined it would be possible to get this far. But they had believed her. It had worked.

  As she entered the solitary area of the prison with her homemade key fob, again based on Gordian’s, she considered going to see Kramer, or Ferranti, or even Ketrass if she could. But she forced herself to remember why she was here. Those creatures, the Sonii, had said Gilaxiad. She needed them. They may be the only way to save Gílana.

  She stepped slowly down a flight of clanging steps, and down into a puddle of water. Each step was carefully placed, aware that people were within these darkened cells. Maybe she could let them out.

  No, no, you have to help the Sonii.

  Movement down the corridor nearby. At once she pushed herself up against the cold concrete wall, breathing quietly through her mouth, her chest rising and falling before she moved on again. She reached the door, recognised the lack of markings on the metal, and pressed the fob up against the panel. It groaned open, and her wrist juddered painfully. It was here.

  She activated the dim light and looked down at six pale creatures.

  ‘Sonii,’ she said.

  ‘Masterium,’ it replied. ‘No harm.’

  ‘No harm,’ she repeated. ‘I won’t harm you. I will save you. Come with me.’

  The largest stepped forward, as tall as her thigh, and touched her hand. It was freezing. She took it by the hand and pulled it out.

  ‘You had better know what you’re doing, Anna Berenguer,’ she told herself. ‘This had better work.’

  The leading Sonii followed her down the tunnel, the other five following cautiously. They did not head the way she had come down, but instead carried on down the passageway. On course for the urgent outlet. An emergency door. Somewhere. It was here. The plans had said so. A wave of relief covered her as she found the door. The key fob worked, and they emerged at the edge of the City. Nobody in sight. Straight ahead was the hatch leading back into the underground conduit. The tunnel was in sight. She pressed the Sonii on, now holding the smallest in her arms, and ran for the exit.

  * * *

  Sudana smiled, placed an extra coat around her shoulders, and pressed her comm link. ‘Keep watch now, General. Let the girl return. Fetch your men and meet me downstairs.’

  FIFTY-SIX

  ANNA SNATCHED A deep breath, wrestling with the smallest and, as luck would have it, liveliest of the Sonii as it charged about her uncle’s vault. She hoped nobody could hear. Where the others remained quiet, timid, and watchful, the smallest raced back and forth, picking up gad
gets and coilbolts and throwing them about, unafraid and inquisitive.

  ‘Shhh,’ she told it. ‘Quiet! For Titan herself, be quiet.’

  One of the larger Sonii hobbled over and threw the tiny thing over its shoulder, regarding Anna with a single fleeting look, before returning to the corner with the others.

  Anna took another deep breath, made sure the secret exit was closed, and opened the door back into the apartment, before turning to the Sonii and kneeling. ‘I’ll be right back,’ she said, her wrist trembling. She hoped they could understand. ‘I’ll be gone only a few moments. If you want, I’ll bring some food and water. If that’s what you eat . . . or drink. Make some kind of gesture if that’s all right.’

  The tallest Sonii, still holding the smallest still, made a sort of bow. Anna took it to mean yes, and made her way back through the corridor into the apartment, as quiet as she could. She opened the secret closet and stepped foot back inside, where she stopped. Anna stood frozen, but her body shook. The reality of what was coming struck her to the core.

  Stood before her, the Iástron Sudana peered down. Her dark veil was nowhere to be seen, but the scarred flesh and hanging skin made her as sick as she had felt the first time she had witnessed it. Sudana moved away and sat upon the couch, crossing her legs.

  Callista and Gílana sat shaking beside her. Several Crilshans stood silent in the open doorway. Without thinking, Anna spun and reached to pull the vault door closed, but a boot from nowhere struck her in the head, sending her to the floor. Spinning. Dizzy. A hand wrapped tightly around her shoulder, and a reeking Crilshan threw her onto the ground before Sudana. Gílana whimpered and Callista held her head close to hers. Anna noticed her belly was covered in a sheet. She prayed they hadn’t discovered the pregnancy.

  Sudana rose and drifted in a circle around her. ‘Did you really think it would be that easy to get them out?’

  Anna leant on her knees. ‘You let us go?’

  ‘I do what I always do.’ She walked past her and into the open vault, a cackle-of-a-laugh erupting out of sight, and she walked back into the apartment shaking her head. ‘Tut, tut, tut,’ she mocked. ‘Oh, Anna. Child. You don’t know what you’ve done. You have made a grave miscalculation here.’

  ‘Not as grave as yours, Sudana.’

  ‘Empty the vault,’ she ordered the Crilshan in charge. ‘You’ll find your creatures inside.’

  The Crilshan nodded, signalled, and several moved within. Screeching and crying rang out, and Anna’s heart strained. The soldiers returned, each with a tight grip around the small beings. The smallest Sonii wriggled free and ran towards her. The closest Crilshan kicked out, sending it in the opposite direction, where it was picked up by another.

  ‘Stop it!’ Anna cried. ‘These creatures are peaceful. Harmless! You locked them up. There’s an old thought on Earth. I’m sure you’ve heard of it. It’s called Karma.’

  Sudana turned to the Crilshan. ‘Have the chamber stripped and disassembled, General.’

  ‘Yes, Sudana.’

  A dozen more Crilshans entered the apartment and began to empty the vault. Coilbolts and blasters and electronic equipment were carried from the room. It took mere minutes, in which Anna remained knelt where she was. Callista and Gílana sat together on the couch nearby. Tears fell down their faces.

  The last Crilshan left the vault. The general took out a grenade and threw it inside. A powerful rumble shook the apartment, and smoke flowed in from the only hope that had been left. The bookshelf collapsed, littering wood and Crilshan statements across the room. One fell before Anna. Through the smoke she focused on one line.

  THERE IS NO DESTINY.

  THERE IS NO FATE.

  THERE IS NO CHANCE.

  Anna considered the words as her life fell apart. It would seem so.

  The general stood back. ‘What of these creatures, Mistress?’

  Sudana looked to Anna and smiled. ‘Shoot them.’

  ‘No!’

  Each creature was thrown to the floor. The rattle of gunfire filled the apartment. The Sonii dropped, lifeless, and one-by-one were dragged from the room; dark blood marked their massacre.

  The veiled woman approached. ‘I hope that you understand now, Anna Berenguer. There is something about you I cannot place. Something about you is different. But that does not mean you can resist what is inevitable.’

  ‘What is inevitable?’ she asked.

  Sudana smirked, and glanced at Callista and Gílana. She frowned, then pushed Anna aside and marched over to the couch. She thrust Callista back, lifted Gílana to her feet, and flinched.

  Gílana burst into tears. The Crilshan general shook his head. Sudana stood back, arms folded.

  Anna began, ‘Please—’

  ‘Quiet, girl!’

  Callista sobbed.

  ‘And you, old woman! Why? WHY?!’ She placed her hands behind her back. ‘Do you think I enjoy this? There are rules. You break them, you pay the price.’ With a flail of her hand she said, ‘General, have her scheduled for your . . . clean . . . pure procedure.’

  ‘The Pure Gene?’

  ‘Yes, that!’

  The Crilshan looked shocked. ‘Were you not informed, my lady? The governors elected to have the Pure Gene written off for non-Crilshan mothers. Execution was called for instead.’

  ‘Really? Well, do that then.’

  ‘No!’ Callista cried. ‘You can’t!’

  Gílana whimpered beside her.

  ‘I assure you, old woman, I can do whatever I choose. I’ll see how I feel come morning. Expect a call. Don’t expect a call. I care not anymore.’

  They departed, Sudana last, leaving the three in silence.

  Mistress Sudana entered her office and slammed the door shut. The cold air hit her from the window she had neglected to replace. She liked the cold. It kept her sharp. Crossing the room, she leaned onto the desk with both hands, and waited there for some moments.

  Let them have their Pure Gene death nonsense, she thought. Soon she would be away from this infernal city, and back home on Earth where she belonged. Lord Malizar would call for her any day now. She had done her duty, and done it well. Ten-thousand Titanese men and women had joined the Crilshan legions. Ready to oppose the Greater Threat.

  But as she sat behind her desk and activated her interstellar comm-link, preparing to hail her master back on Earth, a sound struck her ears like no sound she had ever perceived. Hisses and screeches and screams and roars. Sounds of hell. She shot to her feet, knocking the receiver off, and then fell to her knees, hands covering her ears.

  But there was no unhearing that sound. That hell.

  She gripped the desk, pulled herself up.

  ‘No,’ she said, over and over. ‘No, no, no. Not yet!’

  She knew what it was. It was hell. It was that thing. It was coming. There was only one thing she could do.

  FIFTY-SEVEN

  WHEN XERIN KRAMER opened his eyes, he knew he was not in his cell. A cold air swathed his face until it felt numb as a gentle silver glow filled the office in which he sat, hands lashed to the arms of his chair.

  Stood at the window, with a straight back and hands clasped at the base of his spine, General Zolf Vagrida spoke. ‘We are alone.’

  Kramer peered the length of the room. With his Crilshan capacity for sight among the dark limited to but one eye, it took some seconds to realise he was being honest.

  ‘What do you have to tell me,’ Kramer said, ‘that requires us to be unaccompanied?’

  Vagrida turned from the window, his pale cheeks merged with sunken eyes and crooked jaw. ‘You misunderstand, Xerin. We are alone upon this world. It injures me to say it, but I need your advice.’

  ‘I can barely stand, General. Advice is the last thing I want to give you.’

  ‘Then remain seated.’

  ‘You say we’re alone. How alone? Mistress Sudana—’

  ‘Mistress Sudana,’ Vagrida interjected, ‘has seen fit to abandon us.’

&
nbsp; ‘Sudana, the sovereign bitch of steel? Fled?’

  ‘She left late last night. I watched her leave, saw her unveiled face.’ He looked away. ‘She was afraid.’

  Kramer considered what he knew of her. ‘Something must have called her home. Or scared her into leaving. Of all the women I’ve met, she has by far been the most resilient.’

  Vagrida assented. ‘I know what scared her.’

  ‘No games,’ Kramer said.

  ‘No. No games.’ In three strides Vagrida crossed the room and leaned over the wooden desk. ‘Prepare yourself, Xerin.’

  ‘For what?’

  The sound of a million souls crying out filled the room. The echoing of symbols and bells far off in lonely mountains. Evil creatures burned and tortured. Death. Death and ruin. It was relentless. Screaming and crying. Men and women and demons, deep voiced. It blocked out everything but the sound, took over all the senses, destroyed all the light and hope that existed.

  Vagrida switched it off. Xerin’s heart beat at a thousand times its normal pace. He had no words. No words to describe how he felt, or the reality that hit him as he listened.

  The Crilshan general gazed at him, eyes half open.

  Kramer breathed in. ‘Play it . . . again.’

  Vagrida pressed the switch at once, pressing his eyes shut like the sound couldn’t penetrate him if he did. Kramer knew it. He knew the sound. He was filled with panic, but he suppressed it.

  Vagrida switched it off and crossed over to the window opening.

  ‘When was this beacon first received?’ Kramer asked. ‘Tell me quick.’

  ‘Last night. Will you help?’

  ‘How many hours ago? Where did it originate?’

  ‘Ten hours, professor. Now tell me—’

  ‘Where did it originate?’

  ‘You forget your place, you repugnant—’

  ‘Tell me the source of the beacon or damn, I swear you’ll be dead before tomorrow’s dawn!’

  ‘An ultimatt path,’ he said scornfully. ‘The path that links Accentauria and Proxima.’

  ‘Have we a trajectory yet?’

  ‘Not yet.’