by Trevor Gregg
Alis hesitated as she watched the two Dras fall, but recovered in an instant, returning her attention to Benjam. She was microseconds away from pulling her trigger, when Benjam dashed through the gate to his right.
Emerging from the gate to the left in a flying tackle, he crashed into Alis. She was driven through the opposing fade gate and back into the center of the plaza, but somehow maintained her balance. Dropping into a combat stance, her wrench transformed into the plasma axe. Oh dear, she was deadly serious, he thought in a panic.
The music continued to blare loudly, drowning out what Alis was trying to say to him as he righted himself in the alley mouth. She swung her axe casually to the side, shearing off the top of the holoplayer. Silence descended upon the courtyard.
“There, now maybe you can hear the real music,” Alis called.
“No, that isn’t going to happen, Alis,” he said, thrusting his stun wand through the gate.
It emerged to Alis’ left, but she deftly dodged. Damn Dralok’s training, this was going to be harder than he had anticipated. She lunged through the right gate and slashed at Benjam from behind, severing several of his tentacles.
Shrieking in pain, he whirled and tried to bring his other stun wand to bear. But Alis sliced through that tentacle as well, dropping the wand to the ground. Fleeing her onslaught, he squiggled through the gate, but she dashed after.
Alis tackled him, pinning him to the ground. She straddled his torso and raised the plasma axe, intending to shear him in half, no doubt. He squirmed and squiggled, but couldn’t get free. Black blood streamed from his severed tentacles, slicking the ground. Using a remaining tentacle, he managed to extract the injection gun loaded with nanites.
He drove the gun against Alis’ thigh just as she started her swing, bringing the axe down towards Benjam’s face. Pulling the trigger, the nanites flooded into her body. Suddenly, she went rigid and fell to the ground, her wrench clattering to the stones.
Benjam righted himself and checked Alis’ vitals. They were all over the place. He looked as her eyelids fluttered and her eyes rolled back into her head, leaving only the whites. She began to twitch and convulse, her body wracked with spasms. As suddenly as it had began, it was over. Her body relaxed and her eyes opened. But they stared into nothing, all sign of her presence gone.
60
Silent Mob
Kyren finally slipped his bonds, after working at the ropes for what felt like hours. They had left him alone, unguarded. That had been their mistake, on which he had gladly capitalized. He was loose, and there would be hell to pay.
He cautiously crept to the door and tried the simple latch. It swung open without a sound. He gingerly stepped into the empty hall, spotting a door ajar at the end, revealing shadowed street beyond.
Peering through the gap, he could make out little in the darkness, beyond the tiny pools of light from widely spaced fusion lanterns set atop their tall poles. He pushed the door open and continued creeping along, ready to bolt at a moment’s notice.
He stopped and listened, sounds drifting on the wind. Sounded like… music? Maybe someone singing? He located the direction of the noise and crept down the street towards it.
As he approached it became clearer and louder. Startling him, the music suddenly ceased. He heard the sound of someone keop. That was Alis, he was sure of it. Wondering what could be going on, he picked up his pace and cut down an alley toward the source.
He rounded the corner, coming up short before ten Dras, all armed with makeshift weapons. Neither Kyren nor the Dras hesitated, but Kyren was moments quicker. He realized his training with Dralok had some benefits as he struck his first opponent.
Delivering a vicious jab, he immediately followed up with a block, stopping the arm attached to the incoming knife. The force of the block caused the Dras to drop his knife. Kyren drove his elbow into the Dras’ face, snapping his head back and inducing unconsciousness.
The narrow alley kept the remaining Dras from surrounding him. Dropping into a fighting stance, he mentally prepared himself. Eight opponents stood before him, all bearing knives or clubs.
The Dras charged, rushing him without a word. Their utter silence was eerie. But he had no time to contemplate, the first was upon him in moments, swinging a heavy section of pipe.
Kyren lashed out with a kick to the Dras’ knee while dodging the swinging pipe. The pipe whistle past his head, missing by mere inches. The Dras’ knee buckled and he went down with a thump.
He bent and scooped up the pipe, whirling and using it to block the next incoming strike. Spinning again, he blocked the next Dras’ incoming strike. Counterattacking, he caught one of the Dras on the side of the head with his fist, felling him.
Not fast enough to avoid the next strike, he was hit across the back, pain blossoming. He staggered and was hit by the next. Crashing to the pavers, dazed, he tried to scramble backward.
As a Dras approached, Kyren lashed out with his foot in a scything kick, dropping the Dras to the ground. But it was too late, the others fell on him with flurries of kicks and punches. As pain blossomed all over, he began to despair.
Then there was a thunderclap, and the Dras paused. They turned in unison and stared for just a moment. Then they turned and ran. Kyren looked up and saw Alis and Benjam standing in the alleyway.
She bore her sonic emitter, pointing it at the fleeing Dras. He saw a look of fury in her eye. He expected her to pull the trigger, but she hesitated, clouds of doubt crossed her countenance.
Benjam squiggled over to him and questioned, “Are you okay, Kyren?”
He pushed himself into a sitting position, groaning at the bruises he knew were developing.
“I think so,” he replied shakily, trying to stand.
Alis rushed to his side and got her shoulder under his arm, helping him to stand.
“We’d better get back to Leicara,” Benjam suggested.
“She’s okay?” Kyren asked, noting a look of anger that briefly flitted across Alis’ face.
“Yes, for now, although I doubt she’s out of the woods. At least her vitals were stronger when I left her.”
“Alis, I’m so glad you’re back,” he said, straightening and bearing his own weight.
“Yeah, I’m, um, glad to be back,” she replied, a faraway look in her eye.
Suddenly, the sound of whining engines kicking to life drifted to them from the other side of the compound. Moments later, a shuttle lifted off and streaked away.
“Looks like they fled,” he spoke, pointing.
“They’re going to the capital, to finish preparations,” Alis responded.
“Good, so we’ve got the place to ourselves now, right?” Benjam squeaked.
“Yeah, that’s great and all, but how much time do we have left? Any idea, Benjam?” Kyren said, his frustration a burning itch in the back of his mind.
“I know,” Alis said quietly. “There’s only days left, at the most.”
“How do you know, Alis?” Kyren questioned, worried about the answer.
“It was in my head with me, I could feel it there. It was a glorious feeling, like your best, happiest memory made manifest,” she said somberly. “I could tell it was getting closer, the music grew louder every hour.
“Well, I’m glad you’re back, Alis,” he said, pulling her into a tight hug.
She went rigid for a moment, then relaxed into it, wrapping her arms around him too. The embrace only lasted only a moment, before Alis pulled away.
“Let’s get back to the quartermaster’s station. I need to check on Leicara,” Benjam suggested.
They made their way through the darkened streets to the quartermaster’s station without incident, the city truly appearing deserted. Well, except for the many bodies of the Yal, strewn throughout the streets, left where they fell.
Entering the quartermaster’s chambers, Benjam went straight to Leicara, lying on a low cot. He picked up several gadgets and began scanning her. Leicara’s eyes suddenly flu
ttered open. Her gaze was unfocused, but soon cleared.
“Kyren,” she said, reaching out and touching his hand.
He noted Alis’ ears go flat and a dark cloud pass over her countenance. Leicara struggled into a sitting position, wincing.
“What has happened? Please tell me all?” she questioned intently.
Benjam spent a moment relaying to Leicara the sequence of events since she had gone unconscious.
She appeared to ponder the situation for a moment, then spoke, “So we must have the compound all to ourselves now. I think I’m finally beginning to understand the future the computer showed me.”
“What do you know, Leicara?” Alis asked, Kyren detecting the bitterness in her voice. “Are you finally going to be honest with us? Are you finally going to help us, or are you going to continue withholding from us?”
“I am truly sorry for that,” she said abashedly. “I had to protect my people, though. So I had to make sure you’d still be around to fight the Kirugi. I understand now why. My people are gone, the Halifax must be closing in. But hope yet remains. You must defeat the Kirugi. You can defeat it, I’ve seen it.”
She reached out and touched Kyren’s cheek affectionately.
“Enough!” Alis cried, grabbing Leicara’s wrist and pushing her hand away. “He’s not interested in you, don’t you get that?!”
Leicara turned on Alis. Kyren could see the look of anger on Leicara’s face.
“How do you know? I think you should stay out of it, kitty,” Leicara growled back.
“You don’t know him. You haven’t been through what we have. We’ve survived together. We have a bond,” Alis said passionately.
“Hey you two, take it easy,” Kyren said, embarrassed.
“Enough of this, let’s not make a scene,” Leicara said, her condescending tone unmistakable.
Suddenly, Alis grabbed his face in both hands and drew him close. She planted a kiss firmly on his lips. Surprised, he just stared for a second. And then he found himself responding. Alis kissed him deeply then drew back, glaring at Leicara.
“See, you’ve got no chance, so give it up, lady!” Alis cried.
Kyren just wanted to kiss her again. It was all he could think about. Maybe he did have feelings for her? Maybe they had survived together for a reason. Maybe, someday, they could explore this. But first, they had a galaxy to save.
61
Mind Share
Exhaustion nearly overwhelmed Elarra as she followed Joraq into the bright morning light. She squinted as she followed, waiting for her eyes to adjust. Her head swam as she struggled to keep up. Fatigue had set in long ago, she was well beyond that point now.
They walked deeper into the compound, to a row of hangars. Joraq knocked on a small service door beside the massive sliding doors and it opened with a creak. A nar'raxi motioned them in.
The interior of the expansive space was shrouded in darkness, save for a dim pool of light at the center. Sitting in the pool of light were two of the most ancient rho’kar Elarra had ever seen.
“Yes, now you see!” Joraq screeched, spotting the look of recognition that must’ve passed across her face. “We are to share. It is predestined.”
Elarra felt a deep, gripping fear. She felt terror at the prospect of being mind-linked to Joraq. That was truly an unknown. What could she take from Elarra? How would it affect her? She realized with horror there wasn’t any way out. It was going to happen.
Joraq led Elarra to the bulky chairs. As she approached, she smelled bile and noted a pool of dried vomit near one of the chairs. Someone had been here before her, and recently. Was it the effects of the rho’kar that had resulted in sickness, or what Joraq had shown? And who had it been? One of her companions perhaps?
Knowing that she couldn’t avoid what was coming, she climbed into the chair and the basket lowered over her head. Joraq did likewise and leered at Elarra, licking her lips. The familiar tingling sensation began in the back of her mind, then grew to a crescendo until all went still. The rho’kar was now active, her mind was linked with Joraq’s.
“Eeeelaaaarrraaa…” Joraq’s disembodied voice echoed through her mind.
She could see now, that she stood in semi-darkness, some sort of gray nothing extending in all directions. Eyes lit up in the distance, dancing with an inner flame.
“Come, Elarra, let me peer into your soul,” Joraq crooned, the eyes moving closer and closer, until they were inches from her face.
Fear gripped her, but she stood her ground. This was all in her mind, well, their collective mind, as was the present case. Suddenly flames burst from the eyes and boiled over Elarra’s face and body. She felt skin char and blister, clothing and hair burn. She felt the agony of being cooked alive.
She knew she had to fight back, but the fatigue had left her mentally exhausted. She struggled but it was too weak. The fire was overcoming her. What would happen if Joraq overpowered her? What would she do to her mind? She felt her memories slipping out as Joraq tinkered with her mind.
Rallying, Elarra found a reserve of strength and pushed back, visualizing cool and wet. The empty void around them began to fill with mist, the fire dampened and went out.
“No!” Joraq screamed, appearing in front of Elarra.
She didn’t hesitate, if this didn’t work then she probably was already lost. Her fist rocketed out and landed squarely in Joraq’s face. The blow staggered her back, but she quickly recovered. Lashing out with a clawed hand, Joraq’s nails dug furrows down her cheek, gouging out chunks of her cooked flesh.
Pain filled her mind as she staggered backward, attempting to get out range. Joraq floated after her, pressing the attack.
“You can’t escape this, you’re weakened, you’re inexperienced, you are no match for me, Elarra.”
Elarra tried to scramble back but stumbled and fell heavily on her back. She lay there stunned as Joraq climbed on top of her. Joraq’s body began to fade away, leaving only the fiery eyes again.
“Now you will truly see!” Joraq screamed, fire pouring from her disembodied eyes.
The flames boiled what remained of Elarra’s body away, reducing her to ash. Leaving only her own eyes behind. Tendrils of flame danced out from Joraq’s eyes and speared into Elarra’s.
“Drink,” Joraq said quietly.
Then Elarra’s mind was flooded with visions, memories flying past at a million miles an hour. Images and impressions danced by for what felt like a millennia. Maybe it was a millennia, or even several. She suspected she was seeing Joraq’s life, her memories.
Elarra attempted to process and comprehend the flood of images pouring into her mind, but it was too overwhelming. She began to feel as if her own memories, her own self were being snuffed out, stifled by the flood of images and impressions.
It wasn’t stopping. It wasn’t diminishing. The feeling of her identity slipping away grew stronger, as she mentally struggled against the tide. Suddenly, she felt herself go under, memories surrounding her, pouring into her lungs, her eyes, her mind.
And pouring out were her own memories, her own self. She could feel Joraq on the other end, drawing them out like liquid through a straw. With a flash, it overtook her and she felt her own will snuffed out like a candle flame.
Suddenly, she was elsewhere, standing in field of green grass gently undulating in the stiff wind. The plain went on for as far as she could see, no features but wide open sky. It looked suspiciously like the field in which she had awoken, after having been killed by Tharox.
“How did you survive?” Joraq said from behind her.
Elarra whirled to face her. But she wasn’t what she expected. Her wrinkles and hanging flesh were gone. She was a child again, as she had been just after her visikaji.
“Survive what?” Elarra asked, puzzled.
“Your mind should be dissolved by now, your essence mine. Instead we are here, in your mind,” she replied, a note of uncertainty in her voice.
“So you’ve attempted to m
ind-wipe me after claiming my memories, is that it?”
Elarra realized Joraq must’ve tried to soften her up with the fatigue. But somehow she had resisted, had brought them both here.
“It matters not whether I can penetrate your mind. We will all serve the Obregon in the end. Our pain will sustain it until the end of time. It will persist until the very end, until the very last quark stops spinning,” Joraq said
“The what?” Elarra asked, unsure of the reference.
“You think your paltry Kirugi is a threat? There are things out there in the galaxy, things I’ve seen. They are infinitely more frightening than the Kirugi. The Obregon is the paramount of those things.”
“What is it, then? What could be worse than an unstoppable infestation throughout the entire galaxy?”
“It eats pain and suffering. Entire civilizations have fallen, becoming corrupted and delivering it exactly the torment it needs to sustain itself.”
“And that is why you’ve chosen a life of horror,” Elarra finished.
“Indeed. Now let us finish!” Joraq screeched, and Elarra was plunged into darkness again, returning to the gray nothingness.
Joraq’s fiery eyes hovered before her, and she felt them piercing into her soul. Fire flooded in and she felt herself burn away.
62
Back to the Future
“Leicara, it’s time you told us everything,” Kyren said seriously.
Alis was relieved that he seemed to be keeping her at arms length. She hadn’t been sure if her kiss had the desired effect or not, but now it seemed maybe it had.
“I’ll explain what I can, what I understand, at least,” Leicara began hesitantly. “I visited the Computer, and it showed me the future. Unfortunately, the data is too much for the Azorian brain to process without a mind lash, so my comprehension, my understanding, well, it’s limited. Much of what I saw had no context, so I haven’t understood it until it came to pass.”