Battleship Endeavor

En route to Creos single moon, Ebi

11:53 PM Terra Firma Pacific Time

The Endeavor’s crew was very energetic. They could almost smell the hour of rescuing Jaruka coming. The new recruits slacked in with their preparations as usual. I could tell they were afraid of making the slightest mistake and starting a fight with the veteran crew members as they breezed through their orders without stress.

The corridors and passageways radiated with energy as Irna and I walked them. They brimmed with activity—laboratories with wizards and chemists creating health potions and stun gas, soldiers heading to their posts, and ensigns carting supply crates full of ammunition. I gave them confidence with my presence. Officers and others saluted us with either hands, paws, claws, pincers, or tentacles to their chests or forehead. Irna was oblivious to them as she read me reports from both ships.

“Obi and the Assassin are showing that they have received five Marin’zal gunnery dropships in its arsenal,” she said, walking right beside me and able to avoid everybody else. “The techs and mechanics modified them with sub-standard gauss rifles. Obi added nerve-freeze dispersers for defense purposes.”

“Excellent, I’ll notify Kantra,” I said with a smile. “Ask Obi for permission to have two of them transported here. The more we can hot drop troops, the better.” I favor the nerve freezers to slow down enemy foot soldier attacks. With the dropship’s superior armor plating, no human bullet or tank round could penetrate them.

“Certainly,” Irna agreed.

I saluted a summoner and she saluted back as she carried crystal vials for her summoning magic made from soil and metal. It’s always a plus to manipulate the enemy’s artillery. “What about our ground troops?”

“Battle ready and on standby.” Irna heard a beep and poked something on her touchpad. “That’s from the officers in the War Room. They’re waiting.”

“I know. I had to get this first so…” I had to whisper in case someone picked it up, “so Denverbay can join us.” I pulled an object from my pocket and held out a silver disk to Irna, an egg of nanotechnology woven with rune magics. “Understand that he is the key to this mission and if we don’t get clearance from him to enter protected space then there’s no hope for Jaruka.” I hoped that my talk with him did the trick; I was concerned that he had asked specifically to be at the meeting. Denverbay was serious because I had mentioned Jaruka.

A Quil’Da heavy came running down the corridor making whoever was in front stand back and squish against the walls and open rooms. Yelling in a garbled voice, “Ice grenades, coming through,” with black boxes in his arms protruding from his back. We ducked into a washroom to let him pass. It took him ten seconds for his long, worm-like body to go by until we resumed our walk.

We neared the elevators. I was about to ask about how many operational battle armors we had, but I realized Irna wasn’t standing beside me. Standing a few feet behind me, she looked deeply worried, her pointed ears drooped to perfect loops. “Irna, is there something bothering you?”

Standing almost seven feet tall, she towered over me by four, but always saw me as if I tower over her. She held her touchpad close to her chest and looked at the floor like she was nervous to go out with her friends. That look brought back memories the day I first met her on recruitment day. Irna was in traveling clothes, tattered from constant travel from planet to planet, coming to Nova with nothing but a stuffed duffle bag and a picture of her sisters. The elf grew to a sword master, then to second in command, but importantly, one great friend. She could be giving up on the mission just looking at her. “P-Permission to speak freely, sir?”

In regard to her feelings, I nodded.

She came up shaking, “Brill, you really think he will grant us his blessing? Between me and everybody else in the universe, he and the Council are close to gods. They can shut anybody down with a finger, even Nova. When he showed up on my monitor outside your quarters I fainted until Obi woke me up.”

“You don’t know him like I do, we went to the university together. We shared a dorm with slime people. He can be harsh on his judgments, but with the right persuasion, he can do what I ask.” I tried to be supportive as possible to her.

“I’m more worried about Jaruka after he’s rescued. Jaruka has a record, and he will use that against us. He can shut us down just like the Storm Riders for almost killing off a colony while on drugs.”

“I’m aware of that, Irna, it was hard changing his mind. Plus, that group had it coming and they took their punishment.” It took the entire Royal Navy to obliterate their fleet and operations. I shuddered at the memory.

“I don’t. Captain, what I’m saying is that I don’t want Nova Company to be decommissioned by that guy. I can’t go back to my parents and face the Calling. I just can’t.” The Calling is her people’s way of forced marriage and motherhood, a road she fears will drive her to madness.

I stretched my hand out and touched her arm to give her some comfort, but I don’t know if I really helped. “Irna, Nova will never be decommissioned, I promise. Our involvement with Jaruka’s kidnapping is entirely my fault and I will take the blame as the board covers me, if that will the case. The group will live on and you will still have a home.” I let go of her and went into the elevator. “You have control of the ship. Once on Ebi, refuel and stock up on Slipspace crystals. We’re gonna need all the crystals we can get to hold communications up.”

Irna still looked bothered, “Are you sure he will listen? He has a poor track record of listening to people.”

I held the disk up with two fingers, “Trust me, he will listen. Carry on, Irna.”

She was still worried, but she managed to salute me with a shaky hand and walked off, her head was still down. I caught her shrugging with frustration as the doors closed. I sighed. I told the elevator, “War Room,” and it revved to life.

I’ve seen what Irna was talking about. Over the years I’ve seen what Denverbay done to battle groups, least to say he wasn’t kind on his final decision, never leaving any room for redemption or mercy. He became that once he was voted in, it’s his job. To me, he’s still my political ally and friend. He has a family, a good one too. Standing in that elevator, looking at the disk, I planned out how to convince him. I just hoped that all the years being a councilman didn’t impair his judgments, like my battle group and the evidence.

“Get to the heart before everybody else,” I murmured, I yearned for a drink.

Seconds passed and the doors opened, revealing the large, spacious holo-room called the War Room. All around there were metal bleachers stacked like a stadiums for spectators or other group members to watch us delegate decisions. The middle held thirteen chairs of various sizes surrounding an oval holo-desk. Three chairs were occupied. Commander Nodus Kantra sat at the farthest left of the desk patiently eating his dinner while reading over his notes, grumbling between chewing. Captain Obi was there too pacing back and forth on the desk, his faerie wings were mixed colors of anger and irritation; he could be still stunned about Denverbay’s involvement. Sergeant Russ Decathan and Lieutenant Manis Wringheart were working on the holo-desk jabbering about Jaruka’s nanites and possible remote control capabilities.

The weapons officers and others weren’t needed, tactical was my priority. I leave the shooting up to the professionals.

They heard the doors and snapped to attention, saluting. Kantra swallowed the rest of his blood noodles. “It’s about time, captain,” he grumbled, “I was about to give up and get some sleep.”

“Sleep can wait. At ease,” I said and they lowered their arms. “Sorry it took this long, I had to overlay Irna’s orders for the refuel.” I sat at my own chair at the end of the table. “To start off, have you studied Jaruka’s footage, Wringheart?”

The taur nodded and cleared her throat, “Yes, sir, I have. It was rather jumpy but I got the gist of what happened, some of it made me sick of what those humans are capable of. I mean, they viciously destroyed Jaruka’s home. Then that human in the suit. I got a really bad vibe from that human.”

I nodded, “I believe so. And what about the nanites?”

“Handled, sir,” Decathan said for Wringheart. “The code is updated and the bugs were kicked. With your permission, we can activate the microphones.”

“Wait, what microphones?” Obi interjected. They reviewed the microphone feature and the problem with Obi on the first test sessions, but Obi didn’t favor that. “As much as I love you Wringheart for all the inventions you cook up, I’m more worried of blowing Jaruka’s ear drums with this, or a chunk of brain.”

“Nothing will come to harm to Jaruka, Obi, he’ll be fine.” I thought I heard Wringheart whisper “I hope,” but it must’ve been my imagination.

I pulled out the disk and Obi, as I expected, changed from being concerned about Jaruka’s health to snicker at me and look away. “We all know that Terra Firma is a Red Flagged planet guided by the Protection Act. It’s not easy to rescue him without the proper permission from the Galactic Council. Unfortunately, that leaves a problem for Jaruka. Oh, that reminds me, Decathan show us Jaruka’s current health.”

He touched the table and a hologram window appeared in front of us with light green borders. He then pressed a few more keys and entered his access code to display the monitoring system linked with the Slipspace nanites in Jaruka’s system. There were five rows of blood pressure, brain activity, chemical analysis of his blood, a constant stream of his beating heart performing very slowly, and his magic level at zero. To the left was a brief profile detailing his record with Nova. His picture, an outdated profile from twelve years ago, with his shoulder-length skin dreads tied up behind his head and a hint of irritation and bitterness in his black eyes, but his gold iris’s stayed strong and proud as it was taken. He had never updated the picture.

Decathan skimmed through the report, “He’s been stable for a while, sir. The drug levels in his system, much stronger than the gas, have been depleting for some time. Oh, and I discovered signs of torture from the pain sensors.”

“How bad?” He’s alive and that’s important, but Decathan’s tone about the injuries didn’t make me feel happy.

“Bruises on his face, back, and torso. Minor concussion, nanites say rocks or wood or something. Scars on his knees from being dragged I guess. ” I can imagine Jaruka killing humans for treating him like a punching bag. Damn humans and their primitive understanding of life. “The nanites also register pressure around his wrists and ankles and low blood pressure in the arms.”

Kantra hummed under his breath then leaned over the table. “Shackled no doubt,” he guessed. “Reminds me of my childhood before I became a man. Pretty impressive tech, Russ.”

“All thanks to this furry brainy genius.” Decathan nudged Wringheart with his armored shoulder and she smiled.

“What about location? Is he off the mountains yet?” I asked.

“No, still there,” Wringheart interjected, “roughly twenty miles east of the crash site. From the maps, looks like a parking lot near a lake.”

Those two have done so much with the nanite technology it was close to being implemented later in the century. , “I’m proud of you two. Good work.” They graciously accepted it. “Now I think it is best we bring in a sixth party to help us acquire permission into restricted space.”

“I suppose you asked the help of an ambassador?” Kantra added.

Obi was the first to interject. , “Captain, think about what you’re doing. This is career suicide. Why in all that is still good in the galaxy want to summon anybody but him?” Kantra and the rest became quizzical from Obi’s blunt feelings.

“In regards, captain, he is the best we can get to gain access to that system without public alarm. If you want to step down from this mission, fine by me, but you’re still coming. You have to realize the time it took to persuade him to show up. Keep your harsh judgments to yourself.” Obi never liked, and feared, Denverbay, both seeing him as a flesh-and-blood god and a politician. He shuttered, then his eyes leveled, wings turning red. I told him to move next to Kantra. He took it scornfully and did as I said. I silenced them before they even spoke why.

I pressed two buttons on the side of the disk, then I threw it with a flick of my wrist over the table and into the bleachers with a metallic clank. Wringheart and the others recognized it. The disk suddenly shot and floated in mid-air with a red light appearing on top. It indicated that Denverbay was on standby so he can attach special headgear to make a connection. The red light turned green and the disk began to shape and mold into a ball.

The Nano-Summoner, as it’s called, is what I keep to myself at all times. Nova didn’t make it, it is government-permitted tech used for political and military purposes. Sometime I imagine using it to lower the death rates of my infantry. It works very similar to a ritual summons, except it’s both magic and technology, and much more expensive. The headgear that comes with it puts the wearer in a state of trance while the disk makes an exact copy of the wearer’s body. A plus for integrating Slipspace communications if you don’t want to leave your home.

Three spikes grew from the bottom and quivered. Insect-like exoskeleton formed on the surface, lengthened, then worked on the lower body. Denverbay’s tripod stance landed on the benches, gaining dark reds and purples of his species distinct pattern. Fabric formed from the nanites to become the start of black councilman robes, three yellow rings wrapped around the middle of his legs as a sign of marriage, mimicking the metal shine. The nanites kept growing, molding his torso and the rest of his robes; the all-too-familiar v-shaped crest of the galactic Council hung from a black shawl over his shoulders and down his spiked back. The robes finished with trails of blue and green lines then creating small badges of honor of his time in office. I noticed he gained a few the last time we met face to face. His three-elbow arms grew, ending with two three-fingered hands with claws, covered with long, wide sleeves. His round head gained spots of purple and yellow on his face. The quills over his eyes were straight and neat, the ones in his scalp moved to his accordance like long plain grass. For a Creosen, Trygo Denverbay still tries to look good for others.

Everybody except Denverbay and me gasped in total fear and disgust. Obi still flinched from his presence. No need to bow for me, we have a strong friendship. “Councilman Denverbay, it is so nice to see you again my old friend, and an honor to be on the Endeavor of Nova Company,” I addressed.

He bowed at me and folded his arms behind him. His voice was deep and backed with power that if any closer he could mimic a giant, “As do I, Captain Secambre, I am welcome.” He stepped down from the bleachers and approached the table, each talon making a dominant clank from the nanites. Left talon, back talon, right talon, back talon; a creepy insect-like pattern. “Been on hold for quite some time. I wondered if you already forgotten me.”

“On top of the distractions around here, you were still on my mind.”

I was about to give out introductions, but conflict stirred. Guess who had the guts to speak in the presence of a councilman without permission.

“This is outrageous!” Kantra exclaimed. Kicking his seat away, he jabbed a finger at me and said, “Brill, you took it way too far this time. Summoning a council member is not what we need for this rescue mission, especially the Hammer. Decathan, back me up.” The spikes behind his back rattled with intensity of breaking apart as his shadow raged.

Decathan was staring at Denverbay, unable to participate. Wringheart appeared to start fainting, or maybe the alcohol was still in her system. She didn’t thank goodness.

“What? You guys are for it? Brill, I don’t think you thought this through. This is currently the most blunt stunt you performed.”

I was about to tell Kantra to stand down or else, but Denverbay did it for me, “It seems that I’ve upset you Octocre citizen. However, the captain did summon me for these reasons alone. I’m only here for consultation for permits. Nothing else. Unless there’s more to this story than you are referring and I’ll rethink the permits limitations.”

“Oh, don’t give me that pre-peace talk. I still haven’t forgiven you for those budget cuts.” I didn’t know what Kantra was talking about, but it had to stop before things went off topic. His species are not fond of politics, and love to run their mouth off.

“Commander Nodus Kantra, I’m ordering you to stand down. We have a councilman here and you talked out of line. That, my friend, is a sign of absolute disrespect for the lifeblood of our government. So sit back in your seat and let us not waist any more time. Understand?” I was in total control of myself since my friend was with me.

Kantra knows that when I get mad, he gets treated by my psychic powers. He knows he has no other choice. He muttered, “such a mistake this is,” and sat back down. I ushered Denverbay to speak.

“First I can forgive him for yelling, no need for punishment at this time. Everybody else in this room, set aside any differences you have of me. For what it’s worth, these decisions are vital. This concerns a Red Flagged, Protected planet, most likely one with a very unstable, primitive species with much to learn. As of the events and recorded video captain provided me to review, I can concur that Darka Teal has… yes you have a question.”

Wringheart was raising a shaking paw, “It’s Jaruka, sir, Jaruka Teal.”

“My mistake… Jaruka Teal sparked First Contact.” I listened carefully. Seems that convincing him worked. “The fact that stands is we need to eliminate our presence on the planet and prevent any accelerated advancement in human technology. Mercenary Teal’s rescue is priority, meaning they can use his Halcunac plant-based body for medical advancement, not to mention his dismantled ship. Captain Secambre will have to follow my orders to make this a smooth and somewhat clean operation. I’ve also done my research and confirmed that the relay station on their single moon has been destroyed after this so called ‘asteroid strike.’ For Secambre’s needs, I did provide us with the up-to-date topographic maps of Terra Firma.”

When he said I will have to follow his orders, it made my stomach sink. If anything goes wrong, he could call us back and leave Jaruka marooned or else burned alive before we touch him. Also, he will have to call in the Royal Navy and several other Council-appointed battle groups to make certain the Lunar Spear’s remains were rendered to carbonized rubble. But he’s not like most selfish council members that care about their own personal decisions and beliefs; he’s the kind of member that actually listens to both parties, the bad and good, and base his decisions on his notes. Irna was wrong about that. I hoped he was on our side if what he was talking was fake. Can’t be too careful with any council member, even if it’s my friend.

“Excellent, lets proceed,” I said.

Denverbay accessed the database, tapping his clawed fingers on the table. Holo-panels appeared before him, selecting commands and file paths to broadcast the information. I out of courtesy lowered the lights to make the image shine. All too soon, colored lines and solid objects flowed through the room, some shimmered through our bodies. Clusters shaped as spikes formed and settled on the desk, gathering into a spherical shape. Each one showed unique surface textures. Took nearly fifty spikes to complete the Terra Firma hologram model. The oceans were sky blue, the mainlands and islands ranged between greens, reds, browns, and grays, topped with two polar ice caps. Clouds formed and flowed with the wind patterns. The holo-planet hovered over the desk.

Back in the university I once gazed at Terra Firma’s surface with amazement and awe, one stable planet boasting with beauty. Wringheart and I were on the same page.

“Beautiful,” she said in awe. “A collage of every piece of the galaxy in one place. I fell jealous for of the humans, yet sad that the planet will be gone in a thousand years.”

“If only they listen and stop the carnage,” Obi said with a faraway look.

Kantra had the honors of providing the planet’s stats while shaking his head. He was still mad at Denverbay. “Half hour before the station was destroyed. So much for knowing where the asteroid struck.” He got up and read over the report. “Seven continents, seven seas, and over forty established countries. The major countries within their economic and military systems are China, United Kingdom, France, Japan, Australia, North and South America. North America is where Jaruka is located.” Each country he managed to pronounce was indicated with a red dot and data panel on the holographic globe. The North America dot was green for Jaruka’s location.

“Current weapons technology for infantry and vehicles?” Wringheart asked.

“The classic kind. Ballistic. Projectile. Lead and gunpowder. Like yours without the goggles and zeppelins.”

Wringheart rolled her eyes and Kantra continued, “The most dominant is their nuclear technology in missile but I wasn’t able to gain any intel of where they’re located or how many.”

“Right, the missiles,” I said and Kantra nodded. I can understand the problem in the planning. “Without those locations we could be flying in their atmosphere blind.”

“We do actually,” Denverbay said and Kantra looked up startled. “True that information is restricted for public eyes, but I have access. I’m letting your engineer do it for she knows how to operate this hologram a little better.”

Wringheart thanked him and brought up a separate holo-panel, along with Denverbay’s access codes. I’m very surprised at how well Vyrokas move through technology. Not only that over two-thirds of their collective population are hard working technology geniuses, mechanics, programmers, and engineers, they treat it like magic, talking to it with their minds.

“Got it. Patching the locations now,” she said professionally.

The backwater planet became blotched and plagued with yellow dots holding a single atom signifying nuclear danger. Most were in the heavily populated cities and farming lands, some were in the ocean, moving. We all gasped and produced nervous sounds. Obi let out a long whistle.

“Wow. Talk about being paranoid,” Wringheart joked.

I nodded slowly, I guess getting Jaruka out got a little harder. “Now… indicate Jaruka’s current location,” I said nervously.

Wringheart did as commanded. The planet turned and zoomed on to North America, then further zoomed to the mountains in the country’s southwest corner. Jaruka’s dot was colored blue. To help see it better, I lowered the planet to table level to spread out the map.

“This looks troublesome,” Kantra shook his head. “I’m seeing a couple active bases around Jaruka’s location and one coastal base with submarines carrying huge quantities of nuclear missiles. No way of sending ground troops with those high winds. We’ll have to use wizards to summon him out of there and leave in like… oh say, half hour.”

“Try ten minutes, sergeant,” I said shaking my head. “We saw the video. Even with that small of a force, more will come in a matter of minutes, and quite possibly using a missile to take out us and their own. Besides, his DNA signature for a summons is out-of-date. It must be a manual operation.”

“Could be,” Denverbay said while tapping a claw on the desk, “but a rescue attempt within that small town is impossible. They could be hiding a military force to ambush your team.”

I was quiet while the rest thought of ways to get him. Nothing seemed right. “Since it’s a small tourist town, why haven’t they left?” I asked. They paused to let me speak my mind. “Jaruka should be in a military base by now if by human motives. That asteroid strike must be what’s causing their halt.”

“Seems odd to me too,” Denverbay added.

Decathan said, “Jaruka did say it was snowing. Wish we had footage during the strike…”

Denverbay raised his hand to interject, “Wait. Something occurred to me. Captain, bring up that footage Jaruka recorded. I think we missed something.”

I didn’t want to ask why; I wanted to know what he remembered. I accessed the video feed. Each of us had a holo-panel of the event. Hearing Jaruka’s distressed and angered voice shuddered me again. Denverbay made us watch from the time the camera was activated to the just before the tank shot it’s first round.

“Pause,” Denverbay ordered. Seeing the army again enraged me, as did the others. But I saw something in Denverbay’s eyes. He caught what he wanted. He then made the video replace the globe and display on the desk. He pointed at an object seven feet from the tank and jammed into the street. “Zoom and enhance. What is that?”

“It… looks like… a crystal,” Wringheart said squinting. “From the shape, I say it is over thirteen feet tall and jammed deep into solid asphalt. How could I miss that?”

“We all did,” I said. It’s not apparent to the non-magical species see that as something alarming. Denverbay’s concerns were no exception.

“Terra Firma’s climate and magic level is incapable of growing crystals that big on the surface. Only caves and the planet’s mantel is suitable for crystal growth,” Denverbay added.

“You sound like you know this planet, councilman,” Decathan noted.

“I did my research.” Denverbay went silent then spoke with interest, “In essence, I say there is something else, something far darker than First Contact issues. We must investigate this thoroughly.”

Several beeps came from Decathan’s holo-panel. The medical officer scanned through it. In seconds he let out an excited curse. “People, this might be some rotten timing for all of us, but from the depleting levels of drugs, Jaruka is waking up.”

I shot up from my seat. “Terrible timing indeed. For a time like this, consider this a perfect opportunity to understand the enemy. Wringheart, activate those microphones now.”

In no time and thanks to Wringheart’s quick computer skills, she produced sound. Not the clarity we hoped but no time to debug; I told her to record. I picked up sounds instantly: footsteps against wood, chains jangling, and the moans from a familiar friend and current POW.

Boulder Bay Park, unmarked white truck

Big Bear Lake, California

12:29 AM

I had no choice. The opportunity was there and I took it without listening to my gut. The only jobs available at that time were mineral mines, and that was last resort. The payment was real, the length of time was a concern for my sanity, but what mattered to me was stay floating. Man do I hate scams. Begs the question as to who tried to talk me out of it.

Everybody from the Endeavor.

Flash forward three months and humans captured me, still alive, and waiting to be tortured to death. By the time I was waking up from those stupid chemicals, a high-pitched shriek in my head woke me up.

My body was twitching from the lack of nourishment, my stomach felt pulverized from the suit’s shoes, a vein pulsed against my skull, and my back felt like I rolled down a hill of rocks and trees. Oh wait, I did. My eyes opened slowly, but all I saw was darkness. Further debunking, I was blindfold. I felt chains and cuffs around my wrists with my arms raised above my head, both against the wall. I felt nothing, the blood gone. I feared the worse. My ankles were shackled to the wall, and to be certain I couldn’t escape, a wide collar was around my neck.

I cursed and tried to pump my hands to move blood. They stung and felt like dead meat. My right shoulder burned with pain, and then remembered the bullets. My mouth was dry but felt saliva around my chin and neck. If I didn’t know better, that position was familiar. I sighed, but stopped when I smelled something. Flowers. I was still in the truck so it came to me that I wasn’t alone.

A voice broke the silence and echoed in the truck, “Well, well, well, look who’s awake.” It was female, that voice I recognize. That Agent Jessica bitch that shot me was in the truck with me, watching me. Sure enough that pain in my shoulder registered as a painful throb. She clapped very slowly, like being amused at my predicament.

Remember what you learned, Jaruka, I thought, don’t tell them anything.

I felt her come close to me, her breath fell on my face. Her pungent floral perfume got stronger. “Let’s take that blindfold off, I wanna to see those gorgeous eyes of yours.” She gripped it and tugged it down my face to rest on my neck. I was blinded by the interior lights but adjusted quickly.

I got a good look at my captor. She kneeled on one leg, arms on one thigh, and staring at me with menacingly playful dark eyes. Jessica was thin but built as what they call Marines under her pressed black suit, with a good set of curves. Her long blond hair was tied into a tight bun behind her head, and for a government representative or whoever she worked for, she chose to wear makeup. She was the first human I had met. Something inside begged me to kill her before she touched me. Incapable of doing that, I was under her power.

Everything else, she had the face of a predator, like those Kaluni female assassins I despise running into (long story behind them), displaying deep self-discipline and determination. Strong chin, plump cheeks, tanned skin, yet the eyes, I couldn’t tell what color, not with the supplied light. No human has those type of eyes, there was no way to depict any iris signature. Hers were level with mine, changing to show curiosity.

Keep cool. Don’t let her think you’ll break, I thought. I puffed up my chest to make a stand, a crude message that if she frees me, her delicate neck is the first to break.

“Incredible. I can get lost in those eyes,” she said calmly. “An all black eyeball with a gold iris. Like… leopard eyes. Too bad, mister. You’re my pet for a while.” She giggled, like a demented child. Chills ran up my spine.

I kept looking at her, being brave for certain doom. “Piss off, human,” I said low in my native tongue, calm and control.

“I can tell you said something nasty to me, and I don’t need a translator to understand emotions. I’m sorry this has to be this way, but you did ask for it, so to speak. My men have no such manners these days.” She cleared her throat, “Now I want you to be clear with me. From your eyes and those minute twitches from your ‘dreads,’ I know you understand my words. If I’m right, you can speak them too. I’ll start first.” She placed her hand on her chest. “My name is Jessica Bane. What’s yours?”

She talked sweet, yet not hypnotic to make me obey. Good, but not good enough. So vile of her.

“Maybe this collar is preventing you from speaking. Lets loosen this up shall we?”

Yeah… lets.

She unlatched the collar and I was able to move my neck from a cramp. Then out of nowhere I screamed and grimaced from a high-pitched screech appearing in my head. Jessica backed away but laughed like she’d maimed me.

a familiar male voice yelled.

I had to scream and cheer, in my mind. It was really good to hear a voice again after the crap I’ve been through. I knew what thinkspeak is, a technique for psychics to talk to other psychics. I’ve done it before.

For the record, Brill, you just made my day, I thought.

“There, isn’t that better?” She smiled and I hoped Brill and whoever else saw this could hate her like I did. “Now, come on, I know for certain you understand me. It’s not hard to tell. Do you have a name or not?”

I figured the voice was from Commander Kantra. Another voice, Wringheart’s by remembrance, made it happen.

I kept my mouth shut and still didn’t play Jessica’s game.

“One more time,” she said, then without notice her right hand went straight for my throat and started squeezing it, making me gag and choke. Her eyes shifted to pure rage and her voice went so deep it was like she was possessed, “What… is… your… name?”

Wringheart spoke and I thought I heard something break.

I barely took in any air. I wanted to die right there and end that pitiful and embarrassing existence. At a split second, I figured out that this was all wrong. Humans don’t sound this way except acting or with a throat problem. Not even the strength. Something was up with this chick. She wants to play with me, and certainly she wants me alive. Then Brill’s voice came in. He said to stay alive and do as told. What was he smoking?

There were too little of choices. What else do I have to lose? My freedom? Yes, of course.

Decathan demanded.

Against Jessica’s strength, I sucked in air while finding those particular words for their race’s most dominant language. How do I know it? Nothing else to do on the Lunar Spear, had to do something else besides glassblowing. Had to learn their language over the news feeds if my ship was discovered on the asteroid, or learn a new trick for the ladies. See? Be prepared. Good enough opportunity to use it.

“My… name… is Jaruka Teal!” Jessica let go and I took big breaths and coughed. “Happy now?!” I barked.

Her complexion changed to a pleased and satisfied look. “Nice, like the name already,” she said. “Now since the language barrier is gone, I need to know a few things. For starters, who do you work for? Are you part of some armada planning to destroy earth? Most importantly, did you do something to Helen’s sudden change in trajectory?”

From her tone, I believed they know nothing. An armada? Yeah right, if an armada gained its blessing from the Galactic Council to eradicate all humans, the war would’ve ended yesterday. And I knew who Helen was, the asteroid. Brill told me to lie.

“I-I don’t work for nobody nor to take over your world,” I lied, not bringing up Nova Company. It was a struggle to speak human words, even if they were simple. “Long story short, I’m a mercenary and I was passing by your planet when I got caught in the gravitational pull. That is it.” I came out very hard and serious as I could.

Good enough, I told them

Brill said.

Jessica sighed, rather disappointed. “Okay, then tell me this ‘mercenary.’ About a half hour before it crashed, our satellites detected some strange energy signatures coming from the asteroids surface. At that time it was a clue, but it seems much more. Care to enlighten me?”

Humans are not that far advanced to detect Slipspace or fusion energies, the Archives said so. I shuttered from thoughts that I might be in trouble. With a straight face I said, “I do not know what you are talking about.” Then tried to throw her off. “Maybe if you buy me some beer and let me watch you get humped by those goats I heard so much about, I’ll reconsider.”

I heard short laughter in my brain and a female coughing and knocking something over. It makes my day to cause a Vyroka to hysterically laugh and stop breathing.

Jessica scoffed at me, “Heh, whatever the reason is, I have time to pull it out. For instance.” She got up and brushed her knees. “I can do this.”

Now her strength was really odd, but I didn’t expect how fast she was as she balled her fist and punch me in the face. My temple caught it, I cried out from my head ringing in pain. Some of my skin dreads dangled over my face. I regained my posture, breathing hard to think past the throbbing flesh.

“How about you tell me this, Mr. Teal.” She shook her punching hand again at me. “Tell me the name of your home world and I will lighten the blow.”

“Bite me!” If anybody starts to have a grudge against my people, they will have to go through me. “I will never tell you my origins!” Jessica didn’t take it lightly and made an upper thrust punch under my chin—I chipped a tooth—and a kick in the chest.

As I screamed, I heard Obi say, One of these days, Obi, one of these days.

It must be Kantra, being morally pissed at my attitude.

Whatever you say, I thought back.

Fluid built up in my mouth with the taste of blood. I spat it on the floor, nowhere near the woman’s perfect shiny shoes. She stared at my blood. “Huh, red blood,” she said, “that’s something in common with us, even from a creature not in God’s image.”

I snickered, “File a complaint.” I flinched when her hand came near me, and froze when she combed back my dreads to show my face. The stroke was smooth. First she pummeled me, then treating me with care? How creepy.

Yes oh mighty red one.

“So Miss… Jessica,” I started, holding back a growl, “before I even want to answer more questions from you, how about I ask my own?”

“Seems proper to do so.” She stood straight and folded her arms. “Okay, shoot, and they better be good or else.” She shook her fist at me.

“The asteroid. What happened to it? You and the rest of your kind, even me, should have died from the blast, but there wasn’t.”

Jessica hummed again. Does she have to pause every time? “True. Something strange happened to Helen that caused a rising shift in power. Earth is on the verge of internal collapse of its inhabitants. I can’t tell you the real details because I’m leaving it on a need to know basis.” Bitch.

Decathan said.

“Why not now?”

“Because you are chained to a truck, silly.” I noticed hesitation in her tone and a vein pulsing near her forehead. Jessica was, and I was betting on this, that she knows too well what I’m capable of. “Although after we gassed you,” she continued, “I was amazed by the number of weapons on you. Seems by my estimation you were preparing to hide on our planet until a rescue party comes just with the stuff on your back. We can identify most of it, but this made me really curious. Quite possibly where you came from.” She reached over the shelf above me and I felt my rage rise and my gut wrench.

Decathan mentioned.

Jessica held my sword, my freaking katana in both hands. The strap fell in front of me, dangling from the sides of the sheath. I began to growl while her smile grew and grew. “Marvelous piece, truly is, Mr. Teal,” she commented while her hands moved up and down the sword’s leather and dark metal sheath. I shuttered and made my bonds shake as she unsheathed my baby in a brisk fashion, gazing at the single-edged blade, too big for her to swing and chop. “Unknown metal, five feet long, tight leather grip, and sharper than a chef’s knife.” She moaned and shook her head as if my sword was some form of rare food. “Clearly this is something to look over deeply. On our planet this belongs to a Japanese emperor, a respected samurai, or a greedy collector. Well taken care of, for a dirty mercenary like yourself.”

This bitch was touching my sword. Nobody touches it. She broke my prime rule.

“Better put that back before something bad happens to you,” I demanded. I tried pumping my fists to move blood and winced from how half-dead they felt.

“If you insist.” She sheathed it like a good girl. “However, since you are my prisoner, swords don’t tickle my fancy as an important weapon at this day of age. Primitive items that belongs in the Smithsonian.” Then, as a child not caring, she threw my baby on the floor behind her.

Primitive my ass, that represents my crogen soul!

I screamed and flailed anything that wasn’t tied down. She backed away to let me yell in torture. The voices in my head gasped, including a sixth voice I couldn’t place. “You bitch. You monster. You will pay for that!”

Amused, she laughed at my pain, “Oh I doubt that.”

“It’s a promise you dolt.”

“Whatever, but this next piece is something we will benefit.” That devil went back to the shelf and retrieved the next weapon. She had to shift her stance from my plasma rifle’s weight. We were told to not introduce technology more advanced than what they have for it can bring disaster to everyone. With humans and their unbridled imagination, that’s danger in a can. If these suicidal maniacs combine plasma tech with their nuclear technology, on top of technology from my destroyed ship, they can start the foundations for Black Hole generators—planet eaters—and they won’t realize it until it’s too late. Creos would be first on the list. I’ll let that idea steep in your head for a while.

The T31ZK Plasma Rifle was too big for her; she had to hold the strap in one hand and the other hand on the trigger handle. The magazine was still in and the weapon’s charging system was dormant. If it was, I could've trick her so good to make her pull the trigger, sending plasma into her foot. “Now this is remarkable. Oh ho, the scientists and technicians will have a field day when I present this to them at the base.”

the voices exclaimed. The sixth voice growled, odd that this one was quiet for a while.

“Put. My gun. Down. I will shove that barrel up your ass if you don’t,” I threatened her.

Jessica didn’t listen. She found the magazine and unclipped it from the housing with the lever on the side. Steam still seeped from the spent charge a while ago. And with her small fingers, she popped out a single green plasma bullet. Her eyes shined with all out bliss. Most of my ammunition is factory made, but I like to make my own in junction with my glassblowing craft for my rifle. All the stable plasma is encased in a glass shell then fused to an igniter button. When the bullet is electrified, it becomes a flying ball of bone-melting plasma through the air. Jessica just had to settle her curiosity of what I used.

“Imagine the weapons and technology we can create with just this rifle alone.” She made that hunger moan again.

“You might not live long to see it. You have no idea what you are messing with, Jessica.”

“We’ll see.” She put everything back together with sharp clicks—professionally. Made me wonder what her background is. A musical tone came from her jacket. “Oh darn, hang on a sec.” She put the gun back on the shelf before retrieving a small black box from her jacket pocket. I’ve also kept tabs on the technology they possessed. What Jessica had is their communication device. Pretty ridiculous to name it after a little berry. Jessica walked away talking low.

Brill asked.

She is talking to someone. I’m guessing it’s her boss.

I gave them a thick description of the inside of the truck including the shackles along the walls and fair description of Agent Jessica. I had to repeat “truck” to Wringheart. They mentioned I woken up prior so I told them that, how I managed to kill a human without using my rifle. Kantra was impressed. I just realized about my shoulder and looked. Decathan took notes as I described the wound having ten stitches and something puss-like seeping out. Later I was told it was medical foam.

A short pause followed. My dreads curled a little when I recognized the sixth person’s deep voice.

he said.

I growled in my head, deeply annoyed. Denverbay. I should’ve known Brill would lure in the big guns of the Republic. Brill you out done yourself this time.

Kantra said so, whatever that meant. Denverbay continued. I smirked but didn’t let Jessica catch it.

So I’m just an object to these monsters? I asked in the silence, I’d rather be sent into a meat grinder than to be a tool to their advancement.

Brill asked.

I could smell the bureaucratic nonsense a mile away.

Jessica hung up, stopping our quick brain session, and banged on the doors leading outside. “Okay, let her in,” she yelled. Locks creaked and the truck’s doors opened, stirring me of what’s happening. Three guys were outside, one I suspected could bench press a forklift (that’s a vehicle to lift boxes without magic). All three wore the same dark clothes as Jessica but wet from trudging through the snow. Beyond them I saw a lake and a couple of rock formations. I told Brill what was happening right to point when they flung a human body in the truck.

“What the crog?” I said in my language. Jessica glanced at me and went for the body. I cursed because I noticed something “odd.”

The human unconscious on the floor was not human; I described it as best I could to Brill and the others. It was female and had long blond hair. On the sides of her head were two perfect elf ears sticking out. More things I noticed like strange armor patterns on her arms and legs and… tail. As Jessica dragged her, the thin robes covering her upper body were getting ripped. I knew them as hospital gowns. It clearly was that she was under heavy drugs because of the amount of bandages on her body, and a few little ones along her face. I counted several blotches of black and blue skin. Jessica dragged the woman to the locks and locked her in place.

I was so fixated on the creature. So many ideas flowed through my mind. The agents might’ve beaten her from the level of damage to her perfect body. So why the gown? Man I wished I knew more of this. Wringheart or Kantra thought of a dimensional being. I thought so too; she wasn’t human after all. New species perhaps?

“Where are the others?” Jessica asked the dark skinned leader. “You said you would be bringing four.”

“As if. We had to get her out first without alerting the nurses. Then we followed the deputies to the sheriff’s office for that crazy lunatic that almost beat her to death. We tried to get him, but once he saw us he belched ‘the Man will never have me,’ then jacked the cop’s gun and shot himself in the head. Poor crazy bastard.” He pulled a small brown cylinder from a small case and lit it, letting out puffs of smoke.

“What about the couple from the complex?”

The guy held his miniature cigar between two fingers, “We let them drive off because of the commotion the boyfriend caused. Their location is known and are protected by an Iraq War veteran and his wife.” He then looked at me, “And looks like the big green bastard is awake. You sure he’s locked up tight?”

“Positive, he’s not going anywhere,” Jessica said with certainty and laughed.

I couldn’t take much more of it, “Jessica, I demand you to tell me what is going on. Who is she? Is she part of the asteroid? Did that thing rip a dimensional gate from another world? Tell me woman, tell me right now!”

“Dag gone, he can speak our language,” the agent said.

Jessica beamed at me, “Relax, Jaruka, this is only a pest problem were starting to eradicate. Nothing to worry about.” She blindfolded the woman. “Agent Roland, get a hold of our informants in Washington. Tell them to stand by to initiate Plan B. The General will commence it. I’ll take care of this loud mouth.”

Roland laughed a little, staring at me, and proceeded to close the doors but not all the way. All that’s left was his musty tobacco smoke.

I was left with the crazy woman again and the sleeping woman in chains. Now it reminded me of a familiar place. Jessica then pulled out a needle out of her pocket and held it up, freeing it from its safety casing and the air bubbles. The liquid inside was clear.

“Mr. Teal, I’m sorry but I believe it is time for you to sleep for a while. A busy time is coming for us and I need you to behave like a good alien.” She kneeled before me, I rattled my bonds from fear.

I didn’t want to go to sleep again. Decathan saw this and was demanding me to break free.

“What’s Plan B? Tell me NOW!” My voice got louder from the adrenaline rush. I thrashed and the pain in my arms was going away.

“In time, green man, in time. After all, we have plans for you.” Then quick as a second she grabbed a few dreads, pulled me close, and kissed me on the lips, catching me off guard. One second later she pulled away and shoved the needle into my neck, driving the plunger down and the liquid directly into my vein. I screamed for her to stop.

Her mouth quivered into a menacing smile again, the smile of an accomplished hunter with her prey. She came close to my ear hole and whispered, “Starting with blaming you for the Wave.”

I stared slipping away again. Boy did I feel pissed off. And I was back into darkness, my friend’s voices fading.

After Jaruka was comatose again, the only sound in the War Room was Denverbay’s claw tapping on the desk. The rest of us were confused and speechless. We might’ve had ideas of the future outcome, but it all looked grim. More questions; why does it have to be more?

“Ooookaaayyy.” Wringheart broke the awkward silence, “Is it just me or does anybody else smell something off about this?”

“This is bad,” I said slowly, “very, very bad.”

“Obviously, captain, we must take action,” Obi said next. “I smell conspiracy too. Other than that they have the resources. We have to go now. Councilman, give us the permits now or we’ll go without them!”

To my surprise, Denverbay didn’t answer. He kept staring at the planet hologram. His three eyes were different, way different, and I never seen them before to know what he was thinking. Denverbay, it seemed, was over his head.

Kantra stepped up and took control of the room. “I say we blow everything in a fifty mile radius at his exact spot, just to be sure we got them.”

“We need to make a quick decision, guys, I’m reading the makeup on the drug and it’s not as strong as the first,” Decathan addressed. “His body can break it down. He’ll wake up soon enough.”

“I’m more interested in that strange elf girl, or whatever she is,” Wringheart added. “Must be a key of some sort.”

“Wringheart, we can wait for that,” Kantra told her, then face me. “Well captain, what do you suggest we do?”

I had to think a while. I had to juggle between root ideas for a rescue and wonder what was that creature Jaruka saw. Picturing what it looked like was difficult. It’s practically impossible for an asteroid to create a dimensional rift without the right ingredients. I looked at Denverbay, still thinking deeply.

“We must wait until he is not mobile and await the permits. I want to uphold Republic law,” I said, staring at my Creosian friend. “For an idea, we’ll perform a hot drop with the Endeavor itself. We’re all ready as of supplies. Tell everybody to slow down and not exhaust themselves.”

They sensed I was troubled. I don’t blame them. “We’re now in intel gathering mode. I want whatever the nanites recorded and catalogued for evidence. Gather as many clues as you can, even the tiniest of sounds. No shred of information must not be ignored. All three of you are on it except Obi. He needs to send a few new dropships to us. Is that clear?”

They nodded, nobody asked questions.

“Good, I’ll be spending time with Denverbay for the permits and consulting the rescue plan with Kantra. You have your orders. Dismissed.” They saluted me and left. Wringheart didn’t stop herself from setting her paw on my shoulder for reassurance before she went back to Engineering. Obi and Kantra looked at Denverbay one last time, shaking their heads. When they were gone, it was me and the councilman left.

“I assume that you’re more troubled on this matter than ever,” I asked him. He didn’t look at me. I could’ve sworn he’d said something, but I couldn’t figure out what. “Trygo, you okay?”

Denverbay shook his head, “Oh, right, sorry. Been thinking a lot.” He walked towards me, gliding on the floor.

“I didn’t expect that unknown party. You became very still all a sudden when he described her. I assume that it is what’s troubling you. Am I right?”

Denverbay glanced away, “Doesn’t matter. Although, remember what we discussed. Jaruka broke the law, you know that.” I nodded, slowly. “For all intent, when he comes back to Creos, he will have to go against the Council and defend himself for his crimes.”

I sighed. Not the kind of words I wanted, he’s adamant that Jaruka broke a sacred oath of the galaxy. “I told you before, he was tricked. The client disappeared. He’s not that kind of person, Jaruka makes up for his mistakes.”

Denverbay stopped a few inches from me. “I’m aware of that, Brill. I’ve read his psyche report. It was the first thing I read.”

“Then I suppose you know his history with his own people? He made a choice to pull himself from a cruel life and he can’t go back despite that.”

He nodded, “And he dug himself another hole thanks to his ill-thought agreement. Republic law is absolute and he will be tried. He can’t escape from it.”

“Yeah,” I said reproachfully. “And to think with all the magic and technology in this galaxy readily useable, it always boils down to politics.” My voice was suddenly drained of power. “If only there was a backdoor.”

Denverbay looked back at the planet’s hologram, “Whatever is happening on Terra Firma is indeed interesting. I have to go.” He looked back at me. “Is there anything else you want me to review?” He asked.

I shook my head and looked over the desk, “Just get the permits ready. That’s all I want now.”

“You’ll have to come to my home to receive the physical permits and the current star charts. In the mean time, I’ll consult his punishment.” He placed a clawed hand on my shoulder. “It’s good to see you, old friend. When this is over, let’s catch up on our stories and a drink.” He pressed a button on his claw and the nanites retreated to the disk. It levitated than clanked on the table.

I was alone for an hour, doing nothing but thinking about Jaruka’s and Terra Firma’s future.

Blaming you for the Wave.

“What does it mean?”

Irna called me that we have the Slipspace crystals. I left to get a drink at my quarters before seeing her at the station’s platform.