My Journey

[stryker99]

(Ch 16 continued)

I was appalled that she had drained it of nearly every unit of fuel, and her launch thrusters were low too. I informed her, “This isn’t happening again. I’ll make sure you have a full tank, and all the resources you need.” This also amazed her as such generosity was rare in Euclid, and she was thrilled over it.

As we rose into the air and she formed up deftly to my side, I watched in amazement as we shot into space and her sleek ship unfurled solar panels which must also collect charged particles and plasma. They might also extend her range just a bit. I had never seen anything like it. She called it Smertelny Poriz, which meant something like Deadly Cut. I’m sure she was as glad as I was to be done with the dusty oven of Wers XIII, though as I looked back in parting, I thought that it could have been wers. Ba-dum-tsh.

The flight to her world was going to be quite the scenic route, as she would only travel through uninhabited systems she knew of. Scenic? The distance would be more than double, and she didn’t have near Star Sword’s range. Her ship needed upgrades and a big load of fuel to boot, though this would have to be done discreetly without her presence, since I didn’t want to risk that junior Traveler thing on a Station with a girl of a race which was being preyed on by Pirates. Besides that, her suit just didn’t measure up to Traveler standards.

We chatted along the way as she was quite curious of the galaxy they hid from, and I had plenty to share with her eager ears. She gradually seemed much more at ease with me, while a safe distance away from her in my own ship.

At our first system-stop, I urged her down to a planet listed in my registry as Trettis in orbit around Leskivayask IX (Unknown System), which puzzled me. How did it have a name if it was unknown? Was it generated, or taken from ancient records? There were a lot of details of this universe and its workings I simply didn’t know. I also had a realization: I could no longer upload any system data to the network, at least until I was solidly within normal, well traveled space again, and with whole regions of star systems redacted. The safety of Yila’s world as well as K’tarsgh’s depended on my keeping them a well hidden secret.

She tried not to sound disappointed as I explained my scheme but she didn’t do a good job, and when we landed and disembarked, she gave me a wistful look. She was excited over the prospect of visiting a Space Station for the first time, seeing the Gek, Korvax and Vy’keen parading around, as well as Travelers. I had built up a grand image of Civilized Space, recalling my own first experience of it, what I remembered, but coming with me was just too risky. I had a feeling that part of it was she would miss me. It seemed I really was winning her over. I guess not being snared in my lap had something to do with it. She asked, “How long… will you go?”

“Oh… I can’t imagine it would take more than an hour or two, maybe three at the most,” I replied, looking at the star charts on my tablet. “I want to go to a couple of stations to make sure I get a good number of upgrades for you. Your ship needs a lot more range, protection and firepower. A lot.”

She was sorely impressed with my generosity. “You may have as many… minerals and metals from our world as you need in pay. I’m sure my people will agree.”

“Ohh… that would be fine. But honestly, I would be more happy to have… trinkets, tokens of your world and your people. Things to remember you by and cherish fondly.” I dared to give her a friendly bump on her arm with a smile. “Now listen, this world seems to be a good one, but—”

We drank the water

That memory had me clenching. Yila saw it clearly and asked, edging closer, “Nijal? What is wrong?”

“Uhh… one more thing.” She watched in amazement as I began fashioning a purifier for her, explaining, “Use this when you need water. It will destroy any diseases, impurities or contaminants… bad stuff. Don’t drink the water directly from the world, the pools and streams.”

She was baffled, watching as I finished up the device for her. “But… why?”

“Well, because the Oracle warned me about the water on unknown planets, and I read bad things in logs on shipwrecks about it too. I have no idea why, but don’t take a chance. And this world is as unknown as it gets.” I also made a Beacon so I could find my way back quickly, making sure the channel was secure, then stowed my fabrication tool. “So, promise me.”

She nodded, murmuring solemnly, “I promise.”

“Good.” On impulse, I leaned forward and gave her a kiss on her hairy forehead, making us both blush. I drew back quickly to judge her reaction, but she seemed conflicted if anything. “Uh… now, be good, and I’ll be back soon with lots of goodies. And helmet on unless you eat or drink, at least till I come back.”

She seemed to be blushing profusely now, and was befuddled, replying in a soft voice. “I promise. I… will await.” I gave her a smile and dashed a bit quickly to my ship. Damn. Even after seeing examples of my impending infidelities with my own drug-hazed eyes, I had to watch my flirty habits like a hawk. Like eight days a week.

Looking back at our little campsite as I lifted off, I could see her staring after me like a lost little puppy cat. I couldn’t deny that I was growing fond of her too. And I would have to keep it to that.

I was supremely glad that there was only one interruption on my journey, and it amazed me that it had to do with another new settlement under attack from Sentinels yet again. I had hoped it was being harassed by the Raiders in order to interrogate one of them. I didn’t want to waste time and hovered over the haphazardly made village, doing away with the Walkers troubling it with fire from Star Sword, which I was getting better at controlling in a hover. I stayed over the scene, helping out now and then with a burst of Photon Cannon until I was sure they had won. Then tipping my wings in salute, I flew off. I had a feeling the waves they gave me weren’t just in celebration, but I didn’t have time to waste refusing overtures to be their new mayor.

At the stations in two star systems, I bought up all the good upgrades they had, and found one for my own ship as well, though it would require removing a Photon Cannon unit. Well, that was something more for Yila, and it was A Class. I stopped by the guilds, as much to see if they were manned by multiple races, but they were all Vy’keen. At the Mercenaries Guild station I asked if anyone had reported attacks from Raiders. I felt they deserved to be capitalized as to me, they were Enemy Number One right now. The boss gave me a shrug. “Sometimes.”

Sometimes… were they measured about their raids, paced them out to keep from attracting too much attention? “Any idea where they’re coming from?”

He snorted. “If we did, they would be squashed.” That was a boast, because the threats in Euclid never seemed to be squashed. But I gave him a grah instead, and welcomed another bounty of nanites. They were the one guild I kept very happy.

As I readied to leave, the Station Boss messaged me. “You have not filed many flight plans. You should do that.”

My answer had him blinking. “I know. Traveler’s exemption.” Before he could respond, I left and wasted no time jumping out.

When I arrived back at Leskivayask IX, I gave the system a scan and saw that the planet we sheltered at was a verdant world with freezing storms. I was hoping that the last Reset had eased up on the bizarre environmental mood swings.

Thanks to the beacon, I found the camp soon enough and settled down, glad to see Yila trotting up to greet me. Though I wasn’t glad to see she wasn’t wearing her helmet, and something was with her, drifting in the air beside her. It was hard to see just what it was as I climbed out, but as they came closer I got a better look. “Nijal, I found a friend,” she told me with a smile, beckoning to the thing beside her in mid-air. It was a glowing translucent fish, ones that lived in the atmosphere, a rather pretty flourescent green-yellow fading to bright orange, and I had encountered their kind before.

But I didn’t care for her disobedience, and said to her, “That’s very nice honeyyyYila.” I just missed catching myself, and she could tell that it was an endearment as she looked aside in consternation. “But… why weren’t you wearing your helmet as you promised?”

She muttered, giving me furtive glances, “But… you are here, now.”

There were too many buts between us, though I didn’t want to test her emotions after my reckless flirt. “Ohh… okay, well enough, I suppose. So who is your new friend?”

She quickly relaxed with the opportunity to show off her pet, reaching up to stroke it with her fingers, which it seemed to enjoy. “I… don’t know. It won’t speak.”

My question was rhetorical, of course. I decided to give it a scan, donning my helmet.

S. Sypriniformae
Discovered today by Nigel Fox

Gender: ambiguous
Weight / height: 0.01kg / 0.2m
Notes: denisens of the planet Trettis, these floating fishlike creatures appear to be sustained by the magnetic fields of the planet itself, though they also seem to feed on the aphids found on fruit bearing flora. Internal sacs of hydrogen enable them to hover, directing themselves with their fins. They cluster in schools like water-borne fish. Docile for the most part, they will only accept the company of those creatures as gentle as themselves. Though they have mouths, their primary source of sustenance are apparently the aforementioned planetary fields.

Additional observations: dislikes being scanned, aggressive

Docile for the most part? As I was reaching up myself to get acquainted with the creature, I gasped in alarm as it opened a mouth lined with large fangs, giving an angry squeal. I backed away but it pursued me, and I produced my Multitool, shouting, “Get down, get down!”

She was slow to take the hint, gaping at all this in confusion. “But… Nijal, what is—?” She cried out, ducking then as I fired a Scatter Blaster round at it, and it burst into something like flourescent tatters. She stared at me as I recovered, asking in a hurt voice, “Why? Why!”

I huffed a breath at her, readying a lecture on the hazards of wildlife encounters when I heard a chorus of those shrill whines, and they came from an approaching school of the damned things. “Get behind your ship! Move!” I exclaimed, and backpedaled to draw them from the camp as I unleashed round after round into them. They proved fragile enough, thank God, and in time I had reduced the weird threat to colorful dayglow confetti. Scanning around again to make sure it was safe, all I saw were a few bobbing red dots fleeing the area. Good riddance. “Okay… you can come out now.”

She looked crushed as she emerged, and after all, I did just shoot her pretty pet to pretty bits. She repeated in a sad, girlish voice, “Nijal… why?”

I drew a breath and put a hand on her shoulder, which I withdrew as she blinked at it. I explained in a fatherly tone, “I’m sorry, but this is a tough lesson you need to learn. Creatures on alien worlds can be unpredictable, sometimes dangerous, even if they seem nice. So don’t go making friends unless I’m with you. Okay?” I gave her arm a friendly bump, though she didn’t seem all that receptive, so I added, “I would be very sad if I found that your little friend had invited all of its friends to dinner, and you were the dinner.” That had her eyes opening in understanding, and she gave me a meek nod. I checked the sky and saw that it was getting late. I had just enough time and sufficient daylight to do the upgrades before a slightly late bedtime. I nodded to my ship. “Come on, let’s talk while I do these upgrades.”

She followed, though she seemed to struggle with something. “But… I thought that… you were buying these things for…” She was a bit too embarrassed to say that last word.

“You?” I said, just managing to catch myself before I tussled her hair. “I did, but I found one for me too, so we all get goodies.” That made her much happier, as every girl liked receiving gifts. Even from lechers who shot pets to death.

Before we got far, I was startled as a familiar voice came over the suit speakers. An accusing one. “Nijol? Where? Are? You!” this was followed by a “Yeah!” Oh my Lord, I forgot all about Seri, and Adja too? Great, just great… and this call couldn’t be avoided, though I had no intention of making it private.

I accepted it with my tablet, and said brightly into the display, “Hi, honey! Adj—”

“Do not honey me!” she grumbled hotly. “I have messaged you… where have you—?”

“Listen, I’m with a friend,” I cut in and gave a curious Yila an inviting look.

Seri huffed a breath, muttering dubiously but a bit more civilly, “A friend?”

“Yes, someone I think you’ll enjoy meeting.” I dragged the girl over, which had her blushing and looking awkward. Her people must be quite reserved. “Say hello to my wife - my mate, Seri, and our friend Adjaha.”

“I know the word,” she said with a demure smile, though she went through quite a transformation when she saw the screen, and put her hands to her muzzle in shock. “Oh! Ohh boog… oh tenari, inni ludzie! It is true!”

My wife was just as amazed. “Ay Tanri… men ne gorurem?”

“Serineh, Adjaha,” I said to them, making sure to keep the shy girl close, “I’d like you to meet Yila. Her people are having some troubles, and I’m going to help them.” I shouldn’t have been too surprised that the trio had fallen into a stunned silence, but it was cute. I gave Yila a little nudge. “Say hello.”

She fidgeted nervously, trying to calm herself, and murmured, “Uh… greetings! Uhhm… sinzilehh… tanis olmaquaahh… oh, to za trudne.” I wondered at that. Was she struggling to speak a small bit of Ishadi?

Seri giggled, while it seemed that Adja was content to observe. They were both wearing some pretty clothes, perhaps to help sway me to come take them on my mad Journey. “Why do we not speak in Lingo? It will be easier.” She put her hand to her chest, murmuring, “This is so strange… other people… I thought I would never see them again! Oh, uhhm… it is my honor to meet you, another child of Tanri.”

“Oh yes… I am full of joy myself!” Yila enthused. “So long… we are alone!”

“This is so true of me also. You are an amazing sight!”

Yila gazed at Adjaha in wonder. “And this one… is like you? And not your wife?” That hadn’t occurred to me. How in the name of Tanri did I explain this?

Adjaha took up the challenge. “It’s a long story, but I’m an alien like you. It’s so cool to meet you… you look amazing!”

Seri gave me a questioning look, as I was still visible. “And… she is quite pretty.”

Adjaha had to add to the discussion with typical teenage mischief. “Yes, she is.”

I gave them a shrug. “Another child of Tanri.”

Yila picked right up on this and worked to smooth things over. “Nijal, he is coming to protect us.”

“Is he now.” Seri’s eyes were still on me as she muttered dryly, “I would have enjoyed knowing this. He left without one word… is this why?”

I said to her apologetically, “Dear, I had a dream. It has been a strange, busy journey, and her people’s problems hit me out of the blue. They’re having the same troubles your people had from invaders.”

The pair deflated at this bit of news, Seri’s expression softening. “Invaders… oh, no… slavers? I am so sorry… is this true?”

Yila returned a resigned shrug. “I… do not know… maybe? But, such trouble… we truly need help.”

I looked at the setting daystar and decided to briefly intrude. “Listen, girls, I have work to do on Yila’s ship. Why don’t you get to know each other? Seri can tell you all about me.” That might have been a brain dead thing to say, but those dice had been rolled, and she likely would anyway. If she made me sound like a cad, oh well. I handed the tablet to a startled Yila, telling Seri in parting, “We can talk more in a bit. Love you both.”

“I love you too,” she murmured, and didn’t look too happy at being brushed off so soon.

Yila watched me leave with similar misgivings clear on her face at being pawned off like this, but I really did need to get at it. I didn’t enjoy the thought that time was flowing, and getting to Yila’s world would take more than I liked. Who knew what would be awaiting me, and what might happen? I felt better as I worked. Not only to have something to occupy my mind, but it sounded like the girls had delved into an actual conversation, punctuated with giggles here and there. At my expense, likely as not, but at least they sounded happy.

[stryker99]

(Ch16 continued)

As I was installing hyperdrive upgrades on Yila’s Fighter, which had to be done by hand, she came up, poking me with the tablet. “Your wife, your friend… they wish to tell you things.”

The star was close to setting, but I had enough sense to know this mattered more, so I put my tools down and took it from her with a smile. “Pardon me,” I said, knowing that this chat should be private. Going over to my ship, I said with perhaps a bit too much cheer, “Yes, my precious babies.”

“So precious, you leave us without a single word?” Seri grumbled. “Nijol, how could you be so mean!”

“Yeah!” Adjaha chimed in, always the conversationalist.

I hoped this managed to satisfy them. Some. “Girls, I stayed so long with you, even though I felt like I should leave right then, because I had no idea what would be best, taking you with me or leaving you behind.”

“How is this best?” my wife snapped.

“I had a dream,” I said quickly. “And we died, all of us.”

“W… we…” she blubbered, and this was going to be painful. “Th-then you should have allowed us! So I could be in Paradise with you!”

“No, no… I want you there, safe, Adja too,” I murmured, hoping to console her. “I want you both to live, no matter what happens. Besides, we died because you came with me. We were killed by Sentinels. But the attack already happened, and I lived through it. At least I hope so.” I wasn’t sure humor was the best thing in this situation, but it couldn’t be worse. I also wasn’t sure the attack fit the dream all that well, but it was close enough.

“Ohh… your childish humor,” she grumbled, but she was quiet for a moment as she mulled over what I said. “You… are a Traveler… I know this, but… you are not perfect. And I am your mate. You should let me also decide our fate together. Not just you. Do you have faith in Tanri, or not?”

“Well… yeah, of course I do,” I replied, and she had a point. But this Path… the importance of each step… was that the real answer? “Honey, my Walk… I went to an oracle, a seriously powerful oracle, and she told me that no one could Walk our paths but ourselves. That each step on my journey, I had to decide myself. She would barely tell me anything… or actually, Tanri took much of it from my mind to be sure that each step I made was my own choice, without much foreknowledge. I don’t like not knowing something of my future, but that’s what I’m stuck with. The destinies of all people, especially you two, depend on it… depend on every choice I make. Anyone walking with me… I’m afraid I’ll be misled, make mistakes, lose my way, and there could be problems - it could lead to disaster.”

“Wow… so deep,” Adjaha murmured, even though I was rephrasing her own words. Seri was quiet, her eyes bowed. I prayed that she understood.

After a lengthy pause I asked her, “Seri? Do you see why this is so hard for me?”

Her head swayed slowly back and forth, and her ears lay back as she murmured in a small voice, “Why… why you? Why, my treasure? Oh, Tanri… why not someone else? Why?”

“I don’t like it either,” I said, making her snort; she knew me too well. I couldn’t keep from trying to solve every problem, heal every affliction that I came across. “I’m sorry you joined lives with such a reckless hero, who fights everyone else’s battles. I guess this is my Fate, and your burden.”

“You are sorry?” she asked in an accusing tone, glancing at me.

“Well… bad choice of words,” I muttered. “I’m very glad to be your mate.”

She was still looking down as she settled something in her heart. “All of this is true. You are reckless, and I am burdened. You do have a great destiny, I know this. But I have one too, which you do not know. So, for now, I will pray, and seek Tanri’s guidance. And, we shall see.” She lifted her eyes to mine, saying evenly, “Fare well, my foolhardy child of a diplomat. Be safe.” Adjaha had to add her two bits. “What she said.”

The screen went dark, and I heaved a heavy breath. “So… that went… okay.”

“Nijal?”

I jumped, nearly losing my balance, and fumbled the tablet out of my hands in an arc that ended at her feet. “Yila! Oh! Hi! Uhm…”

She knelt down to get it, edging forward sheepishly, and held it out to me. “Here, your… thing. Uhhm… I… listened.”

That confession was irritating for a moment, but I couldn’t be too mad when I eavesdropped every chance I had. “Tablet,” I told her, taking and holding it up before stowing it. “And… that’s all right. It wasn’t really private.” Much.

She fidgeted, struggling with something. Hopefully it wasn’t because she sensed my brief irritation. “Your words… this Walk… where does it go? Why are we on your back?”

Like Atlas, carrying the universe on my shoulders… what an association. Why not be honest? “I want to talk to… It.” I pointed into the darkening sky. “The Machine. Make it leave us alone so we can live well, rightly, the way we want.”

She gaped at me in shock. “You… the Machine? No!” she exclaimed in concern. “It is… cruel! It will make you…” She looked aside, muttering bitterly, “Nothing. Put that burden down. Pick up another, smaller one.”

I gave her a thin smile. “I can’t. It’s who I am. I’m a warrior, I fight. This is the biggest fight, the most important fight, the hardest. But the one most worth winning. And I will win, or die trying.”

She kept looking off, and swallowed down some bitter emotions. “You are… difficult. Why are you this way?”

“I’m a warrior,” I repeated. “We’re difficult. It takes difficult people to win fights, and all we do is fight. In our path, all we leave after us are wins and defeats, and often death.”

She huffed a sour breath. “I know… how I know. But you are…” She looked into my eyes with an expression of hope and admiration. “Special… needed. That fight is too big for one! Please… don’t.” Her eyes fell in perplexion, sensing I wouldn’t listen.

“Hey, I appreciate it,” I said, approaching her, to which she backed away nervously. I wondered if Seri made her even more afraid of me. “It’s always good when friends worry about each other. And we are friends, right? Would you be sad if I died?”

She glared at me, exclaiming, “Don’t make such jokes! It’s not funny! It’s… mean.” She gave me a pained look that touched my heart.

I nodded, sighing. “Sorry, I apologize. It’s my warrior language, and we say mean things sometimes without thinking if it hurts our friends. But your burden… too heavy, too big for you. But not for me?”

She looked hurt again, knowing her own words trapped her. “But… they…” She looked down, wondering how to reason out of her own corner. She declared, “I will fight with you… we will, all.”

That was something I would have to explain when the time came. I might sound like I was making mad claims that I could destroy every ship, friend and foe, in such a fight alone. So instead I gave her a smile. “That’s what a true friend would say. Now listen, it’s late. It would be better to rest here tonight than risk messing up jump coordinates with tired eyes. I know I spent time on my upgrade hunt, but it would have been a longer journey if I hadn’t, with your ship holding us back. And I want your ship to be the best, so we can get to your world quickly.”

She seized on that, asking in wonder, “Best? More than yours… as good?”

I had to chuckle at her expression. “Uhh, no. But the best of all your people’s? Maybe! Now, let me finish working on your ship. If you ate, why don’t you make a bed for yourself? I’ll sleep when I’m done.”

She looked like she didn’t want to be sent to bed rather than spend time with her rich, clever, destiny daring benefactor, but she consented, saying, “O… okay.” She went around to the other side of her ship from the tech bay where I was buried, under the shelter of a wing. I couldn’t resist peeking a couple of times when I felt she couldn’t see me, and I glimpsed a stout but feminine form emerging from her suit, wearing blue underclothes rather like mine, and with a lion-like tail complete with an end tuft. And that ended my risk of fidelity, and curiosity of her, for the day.

There were a few complications fitting the upgrades but nothing that some resources wouldn’t fix, so I wrapped up an hour or so later under a splendid moonlit sky. I threw my own bedding under my ship and stripped out of my suit, which felt good if a bit brisk in the chill of the evening, and much more comfortable. I gave Yila one more peek to see if she was peeking me, but if she was I didn’t catch her. With such a long day, it wasn’t hard to get drowsy, though I felt lonely with no wife to cuddle, or adopted daughter-cousin clinging to my side…

Warning: extreme weather event approaching… warning

My eyes popped open to the sound of my nearby suit yammering its weather alert, and from under the wings I could see flashes of lightning rapidly closing in on us - us? That girl… Yila. I had to warn her, and ran over in my bare feet and briefs to where she slumbered in her bedroll. Crouching under her Fighter, I jostled her shoulder, saying, “Yila? Honey, get up, bad weather’s—” She slapped my hand back and rolled away from me, mumbling grouchy slured syllables as she made to go back to sleep. “No, no, dear, this is bad bad weather!” I grabbed her shoulder and pulled her around, and this time she came fully awake, gaping at me in near terror as she clutched her bedroll to her as a shield. “Yila, please, get up! Get everything into your ship right now.” I reached over to get her suit as she watched uncertainly.

She mumbled out in perplexion, “But… sir… Nijal… weather? Why?”

“Because you could freeze to death if you don’t. Now get a wiggle on! Scoot!”

That got her attention, though she grabbed her suit from me, saying, “Awright, but… go! Away! And do not look!”

I had a feeling that when the temperature plummeted she would get a clue what the situation was, so I hurried over to my own campsite and wrapped up everything in my bedding. It was heavy and bulky and not much fun to stuff into my cockpit, but as the lightning began to flash overhead with dramatic thunder crashes, and the first drops of icy rain stung my exposed skin, I found a little extra incentive to make it fit. I cringed as the girl yelped and squealed, but she looked to be well enough along so I closed my canopy, making sure she made it in safely herself before it really came down on us. She did, thank God, and then it did, sheets of frigid gale-driven rain whipping madly across the vale, the moisture clinging to the canopy and blurring the world outside. Whew… that was close.

My radio came to life with an image of a shivering puppy cat, looking at me wide-eyed as she clutched her bedding to cover up. She sneezed twice quickly, which was adorable. She snuffled, “My apologies. But, Nijal… this weather… what is wrong!”

I heaved a sigh as I fought to tug my own bedding out of the hasty bundle I made of it and get comfortable myself. “Honey, I wish I knew. And listen, turn on your heat. Don’t catch a cold.”

“I am… I… I am not a child!” she growled when she realized I was talking down to her.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I just… hate to see you suffering.” At least her irritation seemed to make her forget her chills. “This all started happening years ago when the universe began going though… changes, instant changes, because of the Machine. We call them Resets.”

“Resets…” she repeated, trying to think of what I meant. “Oh. We say nedivnomysch… strange difference. So… some worlds get… awful weather?”

This meant that her homeworld must not suffer such ridiculous disturbances, for which I was very glad. “Yeah, a lot of them do, and it worries me,” I muttered. “It’s another reason why I want to try to reach Atl… the Machine, so that this kind of nonsense stops before worlds are ruined by it.” She yawned at me and it was contageous. “Listen… these storms don’t usually last too long, but they can happen all through the night, so why don’t we try to get some rest in our ships?” She gave out a frightened yip at a dramatic nearby lightning strike. “And your ship will protect you completely, so just ignore it as best you can.” I snuggled down into my seat to sleep, but I noticed she hadn’t cut off the signal yet, still gazing at me, which I found cute.

“Nijal… I am… sorry I was so… I didn’t…” She murmured something that sounded like, “Nepovahya… did not respect you.”

“Oh, well… that’s alright, you didn’t know what a charming person I was.” I gave her a lopsided smile.

She smiled back briefly. “No, but… in honesty, I was rude at you. I know you are a man with honor.” She added with a giggle, “Some honor.”

“Well, thank you for finding it! Please tell Seri that sometime,” I chuckled, and we enjoyed a laugh together.

She gazed at me wistfully for a moment. “She should be happy to… find you,” she murmured, whispering, “If only, such a man… for…”

I wasn’t sure if I heard that right, but I decided I hadn’t. “I found her, and she made sure I kept her found. And I like you too, now… try to get some rest. Goodnight, and sweet dreams.” She was a little slow to sign off, so I saved her the trouble, curling up in my seat as the lighting and rain started up again with a vengeance… swell, but it gave me something else to think about than a cute puppty cat…

[stryker99]

(Ch 16 - yes, continued)

The morning sun streamed through the windows, waking me, and I peeled from the bedding with a luxurious stretch. Outside, I could see her in the waters, standing up to her thighs as she cast a net to harvest fish that swam close. “Honey?” I called. “Yeni?” No, that wasn’t right… “Yeli?”

She turned and smiled at me, until she heard that name, then she wasn’t as happy. “Can you not remember a small name?” she grumped as she came splashing up.

“Well… it was…” How long, a day? If that?

“It was what?” She smirked at me, coming close, when I saw that she had nothing on. I mused as my eyes wandered over her that there must be some otter in her DNA too. And her curves looked sweet, with that cute tuft of fur right there, and I wanted her, badly. Her eyes began to twinkle with mischief, seeming to know my desires, and she growled, “Now, I get to punish you. My way.” She pulled my shorts down, and as my cheeks burned in anticipation, I had a twinge of fear that something was wrong, bad wrong - was she my One? - especially when she knelt down and—

I lurched up, banging tender toes on something, and saw that I was in my ship, with drops of glistening rain on the canopy blinding me in the morning sun. Well… crap. I wasn’t in the mood to rouse just yet, and wanted to get back to a dream I really shouldn’t. I began to roll over when I caught sight of the girl outside, wading in the nearby lake as she cast a net out into the waters. Oh, marvelous… the last thing I needed was to wander up to my young puppy cat in the lake with nothing on. What an invitation for mischief. Sleep was a much better idea…

We drank the water

My eyes gaped open in alarm - oh that awful, terrible phrase! I struggled to get out of the cockpit, then realized I was only wearing my briefs and t-shirt. Fighting to pull my suit out of the tight storage area behind the seat, I began shouting wildly, “Yeni! Yani! Yeli! Yila!” I realized she probably couldn’t hear a thing, and tried to hurry more. If only this suit would get on faster… finally, I scrambled to get out of the cockpit, tumbling over the side in my haste, and pushed myself up to run for her. The dreadful vision haunted me of a girl in agony clasping my shaking hand, making me nauseous with worry. Oh my God, my God, my dear dear God! If anything happened to her, I didn’t think I could handle it. “Yila!” I cried shrilly.

She turned to look to me, and I slowed a bit when I saw that she was wearing her suit. Oh, thank God for that. “Nijal? Yes… what is this?” She slowed in her net gathering, first from curiosity, then in concern.

“Hiiihh…” I drawled out, wondering what to tell her. “Just… wanted to make sure you were alright.” Even wearing a spacesuit, which didn’t look to be more than a flight suit, I didn’t like the idea of her being out in the water like that. Still, was I being an overprotective paranoiac? I then remembered that I had a scan visor in my suit and implored to it, “Please tell me you can analyze the water for any sort of impurity.” I donned my helmet and turned it on the shallows of the lake, but nothing came up but red dots, some of them caught in Yila’s netting—

Abruptly, I staggered back as something big hit me in the face, flecked with red dots. The scanner quit and I saw that Yila had swung her fishnet at my head. “Ta durak… you… oaf! You think I… if water is bad, I won’t swim! I am no fool!”

“Of course not, of course not!” I shouted insincerely, and made to wipe my helmet clear, then just removed it. “Honey - dear - I mean…” Her eyes opened wider with each word, and I waved in frustration. “Yila, please, it’s just that… my time with the oracle, I saw a girl, and she… could have died. I felt helpless.” I hoped that was enough to get her to understand. “I won’t stop protecting you, so get used to it.”

That stilled her temper, somewhat, and she felt led to explain something too. “Nijal, we both were wet. No suits, no helmets… remember? If something… would happen, it would be now. Yes?” While that wasn’t necessarily true, it was a fair point. She held up the netting with her wiggling prize. “I have… morning food. I will cook it.”

I gave her a thin smile. “We say breakfast, and I’m grateful, and hungry. Thank you.” She returned a sweet smile and climbed out of the lake, kneeling on the bank to clean her catch. Just to be doubly sure, I put on the helmet to scan the waters again, but it all looked normal. Still, what would abnormal water read like? I had no wish to find out.

Even though it seemed I didn’t need to, I poured on the charm during the meal, which seemed to please her. She was a good cook and well prepared, having brought along utensils, seasonings and dinnerware, which she washed afterward in the lake herself. She would make a great housewife.

We continued the conversation in flight on the way, the very long way, though I only had to refuel her upgraded ship once. The name Deadly Cut sure fit it now, and she seemed to relish the performance of her like-new Fighter, which was transformed into a stout A Class, as was her new Multitool. I kept admiring the vessel on the flight, with its elegant but robust solar sails, and was eternally grateful that these modern upgrades worked in their antique tech, with occasional extra work. Her people were called the Oshazin, and she advised me that they were a rustic folk, not all that advanced, so I shouldn’t expect to be impressed. I assured her that I would be quite happy, and I was growing excited at the impending arrival - to meet a whole new race! I prayed it was a peaceful occasion. I wanted to get a threat assessment before diving into battle with the Raiders.

At the end of the day, we finally warped into her system; an unassuming G Class star named Dipishi X, an Unknown System which was deep in a nebula, so it was well concealed. If I had looked the neighborhood over on the Galactic Map, I might never have noticed it. Among three other worlds, the one she called home was Partan, and the blue-white orb rested in the violet tinged space just ahead. She seemed both elated to be home and pensive, which I could certainly understand. After opening a channel, she spoke rapidly in her language.

“Yestobo statek.” A challenge, I assumed.

“Ta, foks, Nijal Fox.” Oh yes, my name. “Vinash ratonivik, vin mandryvnik, hosporit lingo.”

“Ah! Veladovashinko, mushimishe spokach.”

She heaved a sigh, explaining, “I told of you. No trouble, yet. Follow me.”

“Lead the way, my lady,” I replied, but I checked myself, feeling the need to lay down some self-imposed ground rules. Stop with the flirting. No terms of endearment. No touching. Politeness and charm but nothing more. Right, Nijal? Right?

As the world came up rapidly under pulse drive, I observed the kinds of colors on the planet I hoped to see: your basic tans, browns and greens for land, deep blue for water. Thank God, no psychedelic color schemes, and lots of clouds streaming through the atmosphere but nothing deadly as far as I could tell, which I was also grateful for. Of course, there wouldn’t be extreme weather or she would know about it.

We entered the atmosphere, and then Yila directed me to her village, saying, “Land… down… south, somewhere. I will be seeing you.” She flew on the other side of the village which was peeking in-between trees, and what my compass told me was north. I was dismayed that this part of the world was in broad daylight, while my bio-clock was closing in on bedtime. Oh well, when I did go to bed I’d sleep soundly.

I found a little opening in the forest and set the ship down, then unsuited with a deep breath. This was a momentous occasion: the very first real, actual encounter with the remnants of a culture from the Civilized Age. My heart beat fast and warm in anticipation, tempered a bit from the trouble ahead.

As I approached the village, I found that the village was approaching me; hundreds of Yila’s people, and all running up to meet me. Adults, children, male, female, tall, short, laughing, talking, with eyes of brown and gold and green and blue, and all with ample heads of hair, some trimmed. They were dressed lightly in simple clothes of basic coloring, but they might have been in royal finery for all I cared. I was overcome with emotion, wanting to fall to my knees and grovel before them all in sheer joy and gratitude, to finally see with my own eyes real living people from the previous Age, not just one or two. I raised my hand, waving, and rasped out a little faintly, “Hii… I’m… Fox… Nijal Fox.” I had to smirk at myself when I caught that. It would darn well be my name now.

Leading them and scattered through the crowd were men and women in uniform, and a rugged trio stood at the front. The most imposing one in the middle came forward, holding up his hand in greeting, a male who was graying around his face. “Ah! Laskavo prosym! Greetings! Welcome, Nijal, to our village!” He faced the crowd, declaring, “Vitayemo nasha rativnya! Fox! Nijal Fox!” I really needed to watch that rhythm. There was a brief chorus from them, all giving some sort of greeting in their language, some saying Foks, others saying Nijal, and it all sounded glorious. They settled down and all bowed courteously, which made me feel both warm and awkward as I bowed in reply. I wanted to see Yila, but she wasn’t there yet. He beckoned to me, saying, “Nijal. I am called Nazar. Come, we have many things to discuss.” Did we ever, and it was good that he sounded fluent in Lingo.

He led me through their village, and it was like some incredible dream to see a village, a real village, which was full of native people, not Pirates, outcasts or adventurers under attack from Sentinels. Simple but good looking architecture, decorated in the unique style of the people, reflecting a simple lifestyle. A sight which outsiders hadn’t seen for thousands of years. Except for Raiders, which was an unpleasant thought. I would see about that.

The military honor guard shepherding me along kept the throng at a distance and speaking quietly. I was decidedly the highlight of the day, as those not trailing after me watched and smiled and waved from their homes, and as we went into what must be a business area, their shops. So this wasn’t a village but a city, and seemed to have escaped the Raider attacks. We proceeded through, ending up in the somewhat upscale area of town where the village officials, aristocrats and upper crust military must reside. Nazar guided me towards a largish building which I assumed must serve as his headquarters and residence. Without being told, the villagers stopped at a certain boundary and watched in silence as the uniformed officers escorted me into the building, which was furnished in a measure of opulence befitting one of high rank. The highest? Highest enough.

We went into a large central room with large doors which they closed behind us. Six of the troop followed inside, evidently high officers. In the middle of the room was a large table surrounded by a number of chairs, with some electronics fitted to it of displays and such. There was an ornate comfy looking chair, which I assumed was his. I was surprised as he offered it to me. “Please, sit.” He nodded to an officer which went to a metal cabinet which seemed refrigerated, taking out a bottle that was fairly ornate.

While I would love to try some excellent liquor, I didn’t want to burden him. “Uhh… if that’s for me, don’t bother with the good stuff.”

He chuckled. “Humble… good, but this is a great day for us.” I hoped he thought so when I was finsihed talking. At least he was generous, as the other six officers got fine glasses of their own. Only so generous as they filled them halfway, but which I appreciated. We toasted my arrival, one of those universal customs of military, aristocracy and spacer. “To our friend, Nijal, the first of the answers by Tenari for our troubles.” The others grunted in agreement, and we downed some rather tasty wine. I was pretty sure it was wine, if a bit strong. We took our seats and commander Nazar said to me, “We are glad for such a swift deliverance. We dispatched our pilot to the oracle one week ago. We know that she is a Great One, her words are… serious answers, huge answers, like monuments, so we know for certain that you will save us. So, when are the others arriving?”

There was a commotion outside which I might have welcomed, but I really wanted to get that awkward question out of the way. I was surprised to hear it was Yila, though perhaps I shouldn’t have been. “My pardon,” Nazar said to me, then snapped over his shoulder, “Odeshli yon!”

“Wait, no!” she said through the door, clearly so I would understand. “You send me on this journey, so far, and I come with help - and now I’m thrown away? Let me…!” But at that point they must have forcibly removed her as her voice faded, indistinct.

I felt seriously out of place. I had a feeling that was more than just her wanting to drink in the ambiance, or the liquor. “Maybe… she has something to say,” I offered, but my host chuckled dismissively.

Then he leaned towards me in anticipation. “So, the others… what kind of fighting force will it be?”

His proximity gave me pause. I didn’t want that hint of drama, but I rolled with it and replied directly, as confidently as I could, “I am the fighting force.”

Naturally, they were dismayed. One laughed, two uttered what had to be curses, but they all grumbled save for Nazar, who fixed me in a stern gaze as he muttered, “Perhaps, what you said, you are right.” He growled over his shoulder, “Pryochich pilota Yila.” They were all staring at me, and being military, I knew that my trademark humor would not be well received, so I remained stoic.

A few moments later, I heard the approaching rapid tromp of boots, no doubt hers, and then a knock. She announced through the door, “Pilota Yila vorozni zvituye zhidno nakazu, dodoka.”

“Veisch!” he barked tersely, rising to meet her as she entered. She was startled, but quickly assumed her military decorum and saluted, which he returned crisply, then abruptly began grilling her, probably about expending all their resources to bring back such a small catch. I hoped I could convince this tough crowd that I was a small but meaty catch.

She surprised him by again switching to Lingo. “Be fair, speak his language. Explain to him—” He began to dig into her again but she said over him, “Listen to me. I did speak to the oracle. She told me what he told me, that he was our… lifesaver. Two answers, the same answers. I didn’t believe at first also. But he is rich and powerful. He made my own ship powerful, maybe the most powerful here. Now, what am I to believe?” She looked to me with a hint of a smile. “I believe in him. And more, he believes too, in Tenari. Do we believe in Tenari, or do we not?”

He huffed a deep, irritated breath to her. “We all believe in Tenari. But weapons and men are more sure. I am a warrior, not a priest.”

“I am too,” I interrupted, adding as I turned to face the pair, “If I may. A soldier, a pilot, for much of my life. A Traveler.” The others looked confused but Nazar knew what that meant; one mark in the plus column for me. “I am a veteran of many, many battles, of all kinds.” I summoned my tablet, listing off my accomplishments. “I have defeated… more than two hundred predators.” That brought a laugh from them - so I was a brave hunter, but I was hardly finished. “Twenty-three five star criminals, seventy-six rogue mercenaries, more than four hundred Pirates, one thousand Sentinels, nineteen of them Walkers, well more than two hundred Sentinel Fighters. Oh, plus five of their Dreadnaughts, and an evil god. With almost no help at all with any of it.” As I put the tablet away I admitted, which sparked some more laughter, “Well, except for the evil god. That required a high yield bomb which I didn’t drop. But I killed almost two hundred of its cursed minions.” That gave them something to chew on. I leaned forward, lacing my fingers in front of me as Yila edged up, putting her hand on my shoulder with an awestruck expression. “Those are my credentials, guided by Tenari every step of the way to victory. That is what I offer you. Now, tell me about these damned Raiders. I want to get rid of them once and for all.”

Commander Nazar regarded me sternly for a moment, but said to me, “I see this is no boast… I will speak honorably with you.”

This went better now that they took me more seriously. The intruders attacked with little warning, though they had developed satellites recently which afforded them some small advanced notice. The Raiders jumped in close to the planet, attacking villages on the outskirts of their domain. Their ships were much too powerful, so they had to shelter their own until one desperate mission to a legendary Oracle could find them some much needed help. That part utterly baffled me. “If you don’t travel but hide in this nebula, how on Earth did you find out about her?”

“We monitor transmissions constantly,” Nazar replied. “To see if other peoples exist from before The Evil War, if we could possibly find allies again… we come across some strange bits of information, and the Oracle was one of them.” Dilligence, and SIGINT, of course. But what he told me next left me in shock: those far flung villages were staffed with volunteers, lures to be captured.

“What the hell?” I exclaimed. “Why!”

“For the sake of the rest of us,” Nazar replied. “If we were stronger, we would ambush them. But sadly, the galaxy has developed around us, far past our level.” I couldn’t argue against that. It was one thing to be constantly helping Fighters that couldn’t fend off Pirates because they didn’t save up for good upgrades. It was another to be stuck defending yourself with essentially antique technology. I was determined to fix that problem too.

[stryker99]

(Ch 16 continued)

The marauder attacks weren’t completely random. They varied over the course of a few weeks, and it was coming up on time for another raid. I just hoped they were feeling a little fat and sassy right now, and put it off for a while. I wondered what to do about the Raider’s homeworld, but I’d cross that roach nest when I came to it. Now for the final question, and Nazar asked me, “How many ships will you need to fight with you?”

I shook my head. “None.” The others were quite vocal in their opposition, but Nazar took me seriously. “Listen, my ship and its weapons are extremely deadly. I don’t want to have to worry about flying through a swarm of weak Fighters using tactics and maneuvers I’m not used to. I could end one or more of your good pilot’s lives with a single burst from any of my weaponry, and I’m serious. The only kills I want on my conscience are the enemies.” They all nodded at my reasoning, and one of them murmured, “That is good.”

One officer asked just to be certain, “You are truly that strong?”

I told him as sternly as I could, “I am definitely that strong.”

There was only one thing more to explain, and I told them, “I will be staying in one of your villages there, waiting for the attack.” They didn’t like that either, particularly Nazar and Yila, but I was adamant that no time was wasted dealing with the villains. I was determined that there would be no more captures, other than the Raiders.

Nazar concluded the meeting and we rose. “Now, be our honored guest for the day, though I desire you to remain here until the attack. There will be food and entertainment for you. Please, enjoy our hospitality.”

I held out my hand for a shake, which he accepted as I grasped his hand. I explained, “This is how my people seal an agreement. Yila fed me well, so I look forward to it.” I smiled at her blush, then she looked up in surprise as I asked, “By the way, would it be acceptable if she was my escort, to guide me, and be sure I don’t make some bad offense?”

They shared a look, and he replied with a brief hesitation, “Of… course. I was going to assign an assistant for you anyhow. She can be good with people.” He gave her a meaningful look. Can be? I had managed to smooth that over in my favor. There was a terse exchange between them as she stood at attention, then she saluted, wasting no time to guide me out. As we emerged into the daylight which was summery but not overbearing, she muttered, “Men—” which she cut off with a blush.

I tried not to laugh, sort of. “We cause you problems… even your people?”

She replied awkwardly, “Er… uh… well… yes.” She looked around, making sure she was out of earshot of her fellows. “Not all can help or fight, so we girls must join, support our people. And from us, nothing is ever big enough! It’s why… from you, when you… act tall, I get angry. Sometimes. But no more.” That surprised me. I must have made quite an impression on her over the past two day’s travel together, and at Nazar’s meeting. I was about to make some amusing remark about it when she cut me off with an eager look. “You must talk, tell me more… of this… universe, your… adventures! All those… things you said! And a god? I must hear it!”

That wasn’t a particularly happy time, but she was insistent, and I can’t say no to a pretty girl. So for hours, she ravenously drained me of my life experiences, what I could remember of them. This surprised her, my Reset Amnesia. “What have you forgotten?”

I gave her a shrug, admitting, “A lot, unfortunately. I can remember almost nothing of my Awakening in this universe.” This sparked another whole discussion, since she knew almost nothing about Travelers, and that stunned her: the thought of a being from a different universe entirely. If she wasn’t awestruck before, she was now, and went right back into draining every scrap of memory I could recall. I was surprised myself at what I had lived through in a little over two months. It was practically an entire lifetime’s worth of experiences in just eight short weeks. And it made the gaps in my recollections all the more vexing.

I wanted to go into the shops so we went through a few of them, full of foods and quaint offerings, and as I expected they had their own currency. I did have gold, and before I left I wanted to barter for a few nice gifts for Yila, perhaps a bauble that caught her eye, a violet crystal on a gold chain. As we went along, we attracted a growing crowd of youngsters, and a few mothers or older sisters with their young charges, and I was a big hit. At first Yila tried to shoo them off, but I told her not to, saying that I wanted to know her people, which I found delightful. She might want to hog my company, and of course I had to soften my tales for the sake of the kids, but she couldn’t really deny me. And being a bit of a ham, I played it all up to them with such drama, they were mesmerized, swinging from wide-eyed fear to laughter with each scene, the older who spoke Lingo explaining things to the younger.

All of a sudden, Nazar made an announcement over loudspeakers, and the whole village emerged to listen. I waited until it finished, feeling better from their reactions that it was a good thing. Yila explained, “It is your… festival. They will prepare it soon, and all will bring food and drink and - oh durny ya! I forgot, I will be chewed so hard… your place! Let’s go there now, quickly!” I waved to my disappointed audience, telling them I would see them at the celebration. She half-hurried me on a scenic route to a nice looking home next to some others that were downright luxurious and inhabited. A guest house among the upper crust? I would definitely have to mind my manners here.

She led me inside through a pair of ornately carved double doors of richly varnished woods to the spacious interior. It wasn’t quite the den of opulence Nazar’s abode was, but it was still lavish with lots of seating, most likely for visitations. There was a kitchen with more than the essentials, likely stocked after my arrival, and upstairs, a lovely bedroom with an expansive bed. I wasn’t used to sprawling, so I was looking forward to that. I had to remind my wearying body that this would come later. In an ajdoining room was a bathroom, and there was a separate restroom, so they followed the same pattern as the rest of the galaxy. “Is this… good for you?” she asked.

“Ohh, it’s good… very good, the best accommodations I’ve ever seen. I owe your people a debt of gratitude,” I enthused.

This puzzled her. “But… you are risking your life for strangers. We should offer you more.”

“I suppose that’s true, but I can’t help but offer favor for favor,” I told her, which made her smile. “And listen… this is a celebration, after all. Why don’t you put on something more… comfortable?” I hoped that didn’t sound inappropriate, and her blush made me cringe. But she seemed flattered.

“That would be… good, but, I am your escort, on duty all this time. I must remain uniformed. Buut… if you so ordered…” she began slyly, though just as quickly she reconsidered. “N-no, I dare not try those waters. I can’t walk them… they may drown me, such a small officer.” That little allegory reminded me faintly of a legend… from my world… my creed? I wasn’t sure.

“Hey, that’s okay,” I began, stroking her arm, and that made us both flush. I drew my hand back, giving myself an infraction. One, Nijal… one…

“Uhm… well…” she began roughly, “you… do you need some… time? To prepare?”

I considered a shower, but with this summer warmth I didn’t think they would even notice. They had their own faint aroma, so I was likely good, and I would really rather spend that time with her. However, it had been some time since I had properly relieved my bowels, and they began nudging me about their neglect. “I guess I could use a restroom break - to relieve myself,” I added at her curious look. “So if you needed to return to your quarters to—”

“Oh no! My assignment is to you, so I must stay with you.” For some reason, I glanced at my bed - which was a reflex, honest. She saw that clearly and now she really blushed, muttering, “If… you need rest… I can wait…” Two, Nijal… two…

“No I’m fine!” I blurted out. “So… go… rest, yourself. Take a break downstairs and I’ll… hurry.” I flashed the befuddled girl a smile, which she faintly returned. As I made to indulge the toilet, she added quickly, “Oh, may I… also? After?”

It took a moment to realize what she’d asked. “Oh! Sure, in fact go ahead, and I’ll—”

“No, no, you go—” she giggled, pushing me towards the facilities, then flinched back when she realized what she was doing, “Apologies. I did not mean to… oh, uh… I mean… I will wait.” And with that, she scurried to the stairs and rushed down them. I sighed and went to do my business, pondering this complicated life. I stared at my hand while in there, and its complicated love line. Yila at least seemed quite prudish, so I shouldn’t be in any danger from her. But there was the issue of a certain typical male who seemed to have a bad habit of flirting with every girl he became acquainted with. And if the biology of this universe reflected my own, I recalled that more than half the species were female, therefore a good number were available, like Yila. I might be badly outnumbered, but this wouldn’t defeat me, it just wouldn’t. Now, if I could just keep from defeating myself…

When I finished, Yila relieved herself, sneezing twice while she did, to which I called up, “Bless you.”

“Hm?” I heard from her, then she replied, “Oh! My apologies.” They apologized for sneezing? What a polite people. I wished I could stay there, learn of their culture, immerse myself in it. And… well, be close to Yila, get to know her better too. But not only did I have a Quest to follow, I really should see if I could locate Seri’s world. While she didn’t feel led to ask me to find it, and surprisingly didn’t seem to care, I felt a duty to learn where it was and take her there, perhaps settle there. And the Oshazi evidently knew something about it from their history.

Yila came down a short time later to join me in the living room, brushing her hands on her uniform, which was a deep shade of blue and showed off her figure nicely. And she looked stiff, awkward, which made me stiff and awkward as I rose to meet her. She must have thought over a few things in her restroom break. For a change of setting, and hopefully mood, I suggested we go watch them set up for the festivities. She told me, “Oh… well… they will be expecting to find you here. In truth, I was ordered to keep you here, somehow.” I tried not to let that sound suggestive, but gave myself an infraction anyway as she was close and I enjoyed it. She beckoned for the couch, taking her own seat, crossing her legs in a way that was quite alluring, and gazed at me hopefully. “Please, speak more of your life. It is… amazing.” How cute, and one of Adja’s pet phrases.

And Adjaha was a good subject, so I told her the tale of how I met the Dragon girl. I had almost forgotten what a rollercoaster that time was, and while she seemed to want to hear of things more heroic, she became caught up in it as I described the whole escapade to her. She gaped at me in wonder as I elaborated the astonishing encounter with the other Dragons, and what Father Ooaarn did for us, and particularly for me. And then we reached the part where we brought Adjaha on board - Lord, what an adventure in itself - then the details of her embarrassing transformation to Human form. And then my own realization that I had wasted so much time and effort to provide for a Dragon which didn’t quite exist anymore… I was so mad at her. I had Yila howling with laughter at the scene, and she had to stop me, wiping tears away. “Oh - ohh! Oh Tenari! Oh space… please, slow down… that sorry girl… sorry you… I cannot stop laughing!”

Just as I was enjoying a laugh with her, there was a loud knock at the door and she stopped, doing her best to calm down and primp herself, then pointed at me frantically. “Oh… yes,” I called.

“We are readying for you,” the officer replied. “Perhaps ten minutes to prepare.”

“I look forward to it!” I shouted, then gave her a lopsided grin. “I’ll try to keep from being so funny tonight.”

In spite of her qualm, she began to smile, then to giggle. “No, no… it was so good. I have not laughed so hard since… many months. You are an amazing story weaver… such a gift.”

I murmured my thanks as my gaze settled in hers, and we lingered in silence for a rather long moment. She had such beautiful eyes. We jumped at another knock, this time from Nazar. “Friend Nijal, come, let us celebrate your arrival.”

I rose with her, asking with a smile, “Would you please join me, my lady?”

She replied with a blush, “It will be my joy.”

It was quite a time. Tables were set out with all manner of foods, and it was all delicious. I insisted on tiny portions because there was so much, and I wanted to sample it all, from vegetables and salads to meat of fish and fowl and beast. All were seasoned, some was spicy but none were hot, which I greatly appreciated. And the desserts, oh how good they were. More tables had been set up for us to dine at, and benches for some sort of ceremony. We ate beside each other, and she enjoyed my delight of their cuisine. Lord, was I stuffed, with no room for thirds.

Some musicians were playing stringed and wind instruments, and singing songs I couldn’t begin to understand. Later, some girls danced for us in some very pretty clothes. I would have liked to see Yila in one of them. She looked to me as if an invitation to join in, but it didn’t seem serious. Besides, I doubt I could have managed to follow any of it, and with our boots, we might end up mostly stomping and kicking each other. She sat close to me, and as the evening wore on, she leaned ever more into me, her tail curling around my rump. I noticed a few people ogling us, but I wasn’t going to tempt another infraction, as much as I would have enjoye it. It was all wonderful, and all the better because of some very sweet company. It made me glad that these people could enjoy a day like this, without worrying about—

And that brought to mind that dark memory, which I had nearly forgotten. I resented how it tainted the mood, and looked to the sky beginning to turn violet after sunset, somewhat like Yila’s eyes, and murmured, “Tanri… Tenari… please, no attack tonight. Leave all that for tomorrow. Surely they deserve a time of peace like this, don’t you agree?”

“Nijal? What are you saying?” Yila was looking at me curiously.

What acute 'earing. “Ohh… I was thanking Tanri - I mean, Tenari for such a wonderful celebration, and someone nice to share it with.”

She hmphed with a smirk, settling more against me. “You speak of yourself.”

“Maybe… maybe someone better,” I murmured with a lopsided smile. I was unsure if she was trying to flatter me, but it sounded good. She hmphed again, laying her head on my shoulder. After a time, I rested my head against hers, trying to keep from tickling her ear. I felt her stirring, and we both turned, our eyes looking into each other’s from very close. She had such pretty, alert, intelligent eyes. It was all so soothing, so sweet, after such a long day… I had to rest my eyes for a second, but we kept edging into each other, our mouths growing close, our lips searching as she brushed my cheek with her fingers. She whispered my name, and her voice was like honey. “Nijal…”

“Nijal, would you say a few words for us?”

I sat up blinking, as did Yila, and I had to shake off mists of drowsiness. This had been a very long day. Nazar was looking to me expectantly, hopefully for my reply, and she was too. Had that been a dream? I should hope so, I really should. Four, Nijal…

“Shut up,” I muttered. “I mean - sure I would! Uh, if you’ll excuse me,” I said to Yila, who beamed me a smile. He led me to the open area where they had done their performances, and there I stood, wiping my face in hopes of some typically profound Nigel speech coming from nowhere. And… here it was. Right here. Just on the tip of my tongue. I stared out as fireflies danced all around us, pretty but uninspiring. The silence was getting longer, I was growing nervous… I decided to just start babbling and hope for the best.

“Hello… greetings,” I began, still feeling wooly. “I had no idea your people even existed. I prayed you did, that others do. I looked so hard, for so long, hoping to find someone… anyone. And here you are. I am… so happy to find you, to see you. I know you’re suffering a terrible threat, and you sent out a desperate call for help in one young pilot. I’m so glad she found me, and I found you through her. She is a gift from Tan… from Tenari, and did her task perfectly. I don’t think anyone is stronger than me in this quadrant of the galaxy, so she found the best hero for you. I’ll do everything in my power to eliminate these Raiders terrorizing you. They won’t bother you, or anyone, ever again. I won’t return until that is true. And then, I’ll work even harder to make sure there are no threats anywhere in the Euclid Galaxy, and find all the survivors of The Evil War, so you can have allies, and be strong, and live as you want, in peace and freedom. This is my promise, and my gift, to you. You wonderful people… you precious children of Tenari.” I bowed to them, murmuring, “Thank you for welcoming me, giving me the gift of your friendship, my new friends.” I looked to Yila as I finished, and saw her gazing back in admiration, brushing back a tear, and that was as dear to me as a standing ovation.

But there was no other reaction, very quiet for a moment other than an infant yammering, and I wondered if I sounded foolish, or if many of then knew Lingo at all. But gradually they began to murmur, then to speak in a clutter. It must have been their language, and much of it was. But it began to form a pattern, a chant, as they began to find their rhythm. My name, which they said over and over, ever louder. I couldn’t believe myself, what I’d just said; basically promising them Paradise on a silver platter and a clucker in every pot, but I would deal with that infraction later, and I reasoned that their reaction was what mattered, for now. Once again, I managed to strike a chord, found a way to inspire, sound remotely heroic. And found a very special friend among them all.

[stryker99]

(Ch 16 - still continued)

There was a little more to the celebration, but it was becoming an exhausted blur, and it was late for everyone. Nazar gave a benediction over the evening in Oshazi, which Yila softly translated for me. Then the food was gathered, tables put away, and I trudged beside Yila as she escorted me to my guest home. I said to her, “That was… a wonderful festival, and the best meal I’ve had in this entire galaxy.”

“Which? You ate everything!” she laughed, and I enjoyed one with her. To be sure, there had to be dozens of cooks, and only a few were slightly better than the others.

We stopped outside my door and stood there. And stood. I gazed into her eyes and didn’t want the moment to end, even as exhausted as I was. She was similarly inclined, her eyes glistening into mine. I was happily married, I really was, but she was… special. “Your people are wonderful. I feel like I’m home again. And you are…” I hesitated, knowing I was about to get another infraction.

“One of many… I know,” she murmured. her fingers playing over the fabric of my chest. “You… sleep well, Nijal, you… annoying, wonderful warrior. You are…” She heaved a sigh, leaving a similar thought unspoken.

“Yes, you are,” I finished for her.

She chuckled softly. “You have not an idea what I would say.”

“Maybe not…” I murmured with a lopsided smile. “But maybe.”

“You silver tongue…” She sounded and looked melancholy, her hand dusting my shoulder for want of something to do. “Listen… go dream of your wife, which is… proper.”

“I will dream… yes.” I had to leave it at that myself, murmuring, “Sweet dreams for you, too, Yila. You are… dismissed.” As much as I should utter those words, I hated to, and she seemed a little hurt as I said them, even as we both knew we couldn’t stand there all night. She gave me a melancholy look as she reluctantly drifted away, and I watched as she marched off to her quarters, though not very fast, and her head was bowed. I kept looking after her, even after she had long disappeared into the shadows, foolishly wishing she would come back to me. I felt like the biggest cad in the universe, the greatest fool, at the mercy of a mark in my hand and a lecher’s heart.

---

I dreamed of Yila, many dreams, unsettling, disappointing ones. I tried not to pursue her, but I did, and she tried to resist me, but she didn’t, and always with a cloud of anxiety over us. And each time I managed to corner her, whether she was unwilling or not, that damned evil god appeared in a cloud of dark fog, reaching for us with her tentacles - her? What a thought.

Just as I began to enjoy some time with her, a very cozy moment, I was rudely interrupted by a bunch of children. I was jarred awake as they pounced me in my bed for real. I guess I felt so safe there, it hadn’t entered my mind to lock up, though there were a few ways to sneak in. I terrorized them briefly for their invasion, sending them laughing and squealing as I chased them. An officer barged in, scolding them soundly in Oshazi, but I begged him off, telling him it was fine. I knew that I did have important matters to tend to, so I promised them some goodies before I left, and that delighted them. I watched the chattering mob as they left, feeling a tightness in my chest. Life was always most cruel to the children. But, it was going to be a lot less cruel shortly, I swore to them.

Before I showered, which I was glad existed here, I inadvertently gave myself a full shave. Trying to trim back whiskers which were beginning to get out of hand, I whacked off a big hunk of moustache. Fantastic… there was no way to fix that. When they grew out, they itched on my lips and chin, and it would be hard to take care of properly on the trail anyhow, so off it all went. I wondered what they would make of my new look.

To my surprise, and delight, Yila was waiting downstairs in the living room for me. She rose with an odd look on her face, and she looked tired. “I was yelled at for allowing - yakoho bisa?”

Now she was gaping at me, and I wondered why for a second. “What…?”

“Your… kuvania.” She motioned at her face - oh, right. “Your… markings, why did you cut them?” She seemed disappointed, which disappointed me.

“I’m sorry, I was trying to trim and… one side was too trimmed. But it’s the same wonderful troublesome Nijal underneath. And it grows fast!” I held out my arms wide with a smile, which had her grinning. “Anyhow, why did they yell at you?”

“Oh! I failed to prevent an attack of little Raiders this morning,” she muttered, yawning, and that was contagious too. “The night was… long, but the morning was not.”

“Yeah, the military seems to stop holidays before they stretch into the next day. I’m sorry I kept you up.” I was, but I wasn’t. It was a sweet memory, and no doubt fed some very sweet dreams.

“Oh, no! It was…” She waved a hand feebly, unsure of what to say. “You know.”

I gave her a lopsided smile. “I know. And if we should linger here for a while, I promise not to report any naps.”

That pleased her, briefly, but then she shook her head. “Oh no, we must prepare for the Raiders - the real ones. I was ordered to hurry you.”

“And I agree with that. But I hope we are allowed a breakfast.” In spite of last night’s feast, that was many hours ago. “Is your dining hall still open?”

“Oh! I brought with me some food, from last night,” she informed me. It must be in the fridge, and she led me to the kitchen. “Come see.”

I was amazed to find it stuffed with containers, like Tupperware, and drinks, both dairy, juice and otherwise. “Wow… you were a busy bringer!”

“Uhm, yes, and I was hoping…” she drawled out slyly, “you might… share?”

“Mine!” I cried with an intense glare, shutting the door.

At first she was flustered, but then she squealed with laughter. “You… jester! Ahem…” She recovered, smoothing out her uniform and murmured with the cutest puppy cat eyes ever, “Please?”

“Well… since you beg so nicely…” I chided, which earned me a snort and an arm slap.

She watched in wonder as I dragged literally all of it out and opened every container, scooping a couple of bites out of each one onto a plate. This had her laughing all over again. “You make the same meal?”

“Well, I like it all!” I told her, then I realized that this would take a while and backed away. “Where are my manners? Ladies first.”

She gave me a lopsided smile of her own. “Well… if you so order…”

She chose a few different tidbits, though she was more selective. It was a good thing they had a microwave, as the oven would have taken longer and I did want to hurry. I mostly remembered which portions were the most delicious and ate them in order. It was a rather silent meal with some look sharing between us. She had to be patient and wait when she finished as I chewed my food throroughly, something everyone had to adjust to, so it was a longish meal. I would have given almost anything to know her thoughts, which… yes, was an infraction. She insisted on doing the dishes, as she was the assistant, and while she cleaned the few things we sullied, she broached the matter of the day’s agenda. “So, what do we do today?”

“Well, I am flying out to the village which is the greatest target,” I replied, adding more quietly, “and you are staying here.”

She whirled on me, objecting. “Oh, no, no no no… Nijal, I have orders. I must watch after you.”

“And you must follow mine,” I said with folded arms. “Most likely.”

“Mine… deny yours,” she muttered, scrubbing a plate more vigorously. Great, the typical male chauvanist was being tall at her again, and she was offended. This was definitely not how I wanted our last morning together to be, for a while. “Do you know why I was chosen to fly to the Oracle?”

“Because you were a pain and wouldn’t behave till they let you?” I snarked before I could stop myself.

She flung sudsy water in my face. “Because, you maddening… man, I did greater than all but the best five pilots, who were not worth losing.”

Goodness, she was as stubborn as a certain wife, but so was I. “Yila… you are not worth losing either.”

“And what of you!” She resumed furious scrubbing. “Our hero… savior of the galaxy… what happens if you are lost because… vicha hordist… male pride?”

I shrugged. “I haven’t lost yet.”

“There is a first time!” She was really upset now, but tried to calm down, thinking hard. “Listen, one man… a certain power. With two, more power, advantage… strategy. You know?”

I did know, and she had a point, a valid one, though I wasn’t about to concede it to her. Or continue a heated argument when I wanted to enjoy these last moments together. “That is definitely true.”

“Good. So… stop. Please. Okay?” She gave me a hopeful look, and enjoyed using my own charming venacular.

I gave her a nod, murmuring with a half-smile, “Okay. Let’s bury that argument.”

“Very much,” she said, finishing up her work, though she added something under her breath which I had a pretty good idea what it was.

We had a final meeting with Commander-Mayor Nazar, at least that’s the title I aassumed of him, and he was caught off guard at my appearance. Naturally, they had no concept of shaving. “I… do this sometimes,” I told him. “Now, one last run through of info before I take off.” Yila edged closer at that with one of those feminine looks. It was as much a formality for both of us as anything, but I wanted to make sure I had it lodged firmly in my mind. I also wanted to mention something to him and drew him aside, speaking discreetly. “Listen… I was wondering if my escort could be assigned some… very important mission, like… delivering lunch, or mail or something. She seems to want a safer assignment.”

He frowned at that, muttering, “She does?” I gave him a wink, hoping he caught the meaning, and he seemed to. He gave me a hum and turned aside, snapping, “Yila!”

She jumped to attention as I began to make a less than discreet exit, which couldn’t be helped. She figured it out quick, and I felt two eyes burning me through as she yelled after me, “Nijal!” Yeah, I’m a male chauvinist, but this was for a good cause.

There wasn’t much to pack, and though I wanted to take along some of that delicious cooking, I didn’t want to be eating such fine food around others with less. And I had to hurry in case Yila caught me, and then there would be a whole new kind of festivity. There was the sound of a ship lifting off, and I listened to be sure it wasn’t headed toward my objective. I would have to find some way to make it up to her. If she would let me.

As I lifted off myself a short time later, I got a message from Nazar. “Hold here, Sir Nijal, I have a good pilot to accompany you.”

I waved him off, saying, “He can check storage inventory.” These people looked so amusing when they were taken aback.

The village had the lovely name of Oat Fields; I wondered what they grew there. I set down close to an oat field in the middle of a stand of trees, and thankfully Star Sword found an acceptable opening. As I went towards the village, some people came out to meet me. The one leading must be the local boss, and he was burly enough. I approached, holding up my hand to him. “Egon?”

“Yes, greetings. You must be our repellor, Nijal.” He looked around briefly. “Flying solo? Dobre. Now, you will be helping us, like all workers, and I will treat you the same. I mean to not offend, but… who knows what they see? We have work clothes at the shack.”

“Understood, just tell me what to do,” I said, and walked back with them. Looking the area over, I had to wonder why they stuck with such a big target, and asked him about it.

He smirked at me. “Try feeding the hungry mouths of a planet with backyard gardens. And before you say, make more smaller villages… too much work, and we must put a juicy steak in front of them so others won’t be harmed. We are the steak… we have no good choice.”

“But… your people… just to keep losing them…” I lamented. There was something fatalistic in what he told me, and I didn’t like it.

“Listen, this is a new thing,” he explained. “For… centuries, since The Evil War - it passed us over, no one saw us, and so puny, almost worth nothing. All this time, lived alone, but in peace. Finally, we need help, risk contact… found you.” He gave me a dubious look. “One man… you had better be one god of a man. But this is your job, so do it with big force.”

I gave him a thin smile. “I have big force, and I will use it.”

He looked at me again, examining my face. “I thought you had markings.”

That again. I gave him a shrug, saying, “Sometimes, sometimes not. I have moods.”

There was something familiar about the farm village, as if I had spent time on one or lived in one. The peace and quiet, other than the farm machinery, was an odd contrast to the unknown threat I would be facing. All I knew for sure was that it was yucky and violent.

As I was settling into my new wardrobe, and picking out a few lingering straws of hay, I heard a sneeze - two sneezes, and an apology. And they both sounded rather familiar. Thinking it warranted investigation, I followed the source, and rounding a corner I encountered a group of girls, one of them Yila. She had a brief moment of astonishment, then I said to her with feigned delight, “Why Yila, what a pleasant surprise—”

I flinched back as a finger jabbed at my face, and she growled, “As. If!” Well, that was uncanny. “No talking! You… slovoch! Ai… what you did… coward! But you are stuck with me now.” She seemed to relish throwing my own words back at me.

I smirked to her, folding my arms. “You know, disobeying Nazar’s orders, and my orders… you could be shaved for this.”

I was shocked as she squealed at me in outrage. “Do not even joke that! Gah… listen. You made me strong, my weapon, very strong.” She drew out her pistol from beneath her overalls, much as mine was concealed. “There is no use with such a weapon guarding shops! You need me here. When the attack comes, we fight - together.”

Well… I was stuck with her, alright. I took it from her, saying as she blinked at me, “Okay, so let me give you a little refresher course. No exploding things; grenades, bombs, stuff like that, unless it’s far and at an enemy. In fact, only use these two, the Boltcaster with the big magazine, and the Scatter Blaster with the big pellets.” I switched between them to illustrate. “And never at your people. You could kill them easily, or me. Understand?”

“I know, I know,” she grumbled, beginning to pocket it.

I took it gingerly from her, having pulled a trick, and set the safety. “And always make sure that is on, always.”

“Mmmeh…” she growled, concealing it, “I know, but, you are… distracting.”

“Well, you are too, so we’re even.” And as I gazed at her, she definitely was while out of uniform. Even in farm garb, she had svelte curves and a nice bust under her top. She began to blush from the attention, and I began to blush, and I sought for some way to end this moment, though I didn’t try too hard.

We jumped as Egon said loudly, “Reunion over? Good. Come, we have work for you both.”

I donned a wide straw hat, saying in an orderly tone, “You heard him. Make yourself useful, farm girl.”

As I turned to follow, I found the hat tipped over my eyes from behind. “As if you know how!” Touche, little lady.

[stryker99]

(Ch 16 - much continued)

I told Egon to put us rather close together since we had the best firepower, so we could work as a team against the Raiders and hope to do them in. “Alright, but we would like one captured if possible. We need data.”

“You and me both,” I agreed.

And then, the work… the drudgery… the struggle… the… work. Goodness, what a job. I gained all kinds of respect for farmers. I thought I was strong, and I was, but I’d been slacking in my workout since going to K’tarsgh’s system, been relying too much on my suit which I now couldn’t, and I had slipped back a few pegs. We were stuck with much of the crew weeding the fields by hand, as neither Yila or I had any real farming skills, and the constant stoop wasn’t just tiring but uncomfortable. The minor heat became dreadful, and I had to take frequent water breaks with few poddy breaks. I had to keep dehydration in mind. Yila smirked at me now and then, plenty visible over the short early summer crop, though it didn’t look like she was doing much better. But, this was why they paid me the big units. Though in this case, no units. I wanted a raise. And a vacation. And dental…

There were a few breaks, but a couple were because of arguments, one of them rather heated involving Egon. The long hours of rough work in the summer warmth combined with the tension of not knowing when an attack would come had to be hard on them. I found myself hoping that the Raiders showed up soon just to get this ordeal overwith, and grant the Oshazi some much deserved peace.

We had arrived late in the morning so lunch was relatively early for us, but it sure didn’t feel like it. We joined the others on benches under the trees as basic but tasty chow was set out for us, a stew with bread and cheezes. I sat across from Yila so I could see her face well, as she wasn’t so visible at work. Between bites, I asked around sarcastically, “Is there any AC?”

She looked puzzled. “What is that?”

“Air-conditioning… central air? Cool air.” That was clear enough, and she smirked at me.

Egon slapped my should as he walked past. “You’re having it.”

“Oh! I hadn’t noticed, thanks,” I said, smiling, and laughter ran around the tables.

Yila asked dryly, “You joke about everything?”

“Does this look funny?” I pointed around with a piece of bread. “No, and I don’t like that, so I joke about it. It makes hard times better.” She nodded in understanding. I rolled my shoulder to loosen a tense muscle, grumbling, “And I know this will sound foolish, but I hope the attack happens before they bury me with the oats. I wish those Raiders had a mailing list.”

She gawked at me in disbelief. “You do joke about everything… even terrible things.”

“Well… yeah, and my humor is a little raw sometimes, but I mean well, and it helps my mood.” Among the terrible things were some scenes from dreams and visions, some of which seemed dreadfully apropos in this situation, some of which worried me over my perpetual colleague. “Listen, one serious thing. When the attack comes, if the situation turns bad, you take cover and fire on the Raiders from a distance. Promise me that.”

She gave me a haughty look. “Oh, Mister Brave Coward who runs from girls, wants me to fight from inside a bunker. Well… I promise that I will be just as far from danger as you.”

Extort me, will you? “Aheh… okay, but I’m warning you. If you do something stupid and get captured, I’m not speaking to you again until I rescue you. Understand?”

She was a quick study, and held her hand to her forehead in a faint, saying dramatically, “Ohh, the burden you lay on my soul…”

“Are you mocking me little lady?” I growled at her.

She burst out laughing, “Yes!”

I laughed with her, “Well, as long as we understand each other.” Everyone overheard this and the whole gang erupted with laughter. One of the ladies made a remark which had them all giggling and chatting about it, and it made Yila blush. I murmured guardedly, “Uhh… what are they saying?”

“We sound… uhm…” She blushed even deeper. “Married.”

“Oh. Yeah. Uhh…” I looked aside, scratching my head, and felt hoist in my own petard, but I enjoyed my banter with Yila. And flirting. And while she did too, maybe not as much. Right now she looked a little glum, so I worked on my meal quietly.

“Thank you,” she said to me after a time. “You are… so much trouble, but such good trouble. And so fun.”

I tossed her a quick smile. “I’ll try to be more good, less trouble.”

She beamed me a warmer one. “I would be so grateful.”

Egon walked past again with another hard slap on my shoulder. “So, grateful new marrieds, back to work.”

I doubled my fist, groaning, “Darn, there’s that word again,” and everyone enjoyed a good laugh at my expense.

And… nothing happened that day, except I was worn out, and hot, and thirsty. And I groaned at the thought of another day like this. Supper was the bright spot on the clock, mostly because I got to spend it with Yila, though the sight of her looking as spent as me was discouraging. She sighed as she ate slowly, “Please, say something to make this dreadful day funny. I need to laugh.”

I lifted my head, blinking for a moment as my mind almost emptied. Finally I said in weary delight, “I… love this job.”

I managed to hit her funny bone because she laughed out, “You liar!”

As the others began laughing too, I asked in dismay, “Does it show?” They loved that even more.

Egon gave me his usual hard shoulder slap. “Nijal, you are an… okay worker. But you are top funny man.”

“Is the pay better?” I quipped, and that had them roaring.

Still laughing, Egon sat beside me. “Ohh, Nijal… you truly are sent from Tenari. Look at these people. Before, we were unhappy, nervous, argued, just… not so good. Now, just today, morale is higher, we fight less, we work a little more… such a better thing. You even fill us with courage at how small are your worries. All these jokes. If for only this, we are glad to have you. And your ladyfriend.” This had Yila choking; it must mean girlfriend, or more. Oh goody…

I had been pondering this situation through the day, and said to him, “Hey, listen… could I… talk with you about this assignment after supper?”

“Sure, but make it soon after, or you will have to talk before breakfast.” He rose, nodding to me. “Till then.”

I returned it. “Yeah, that’s good. I’ll be there.”

Yila asked quietly, “What will you speak of?”

I didn’t want to get her hopes up, but replied, “Well… and don’t assume things will change, but I’ll see if we can get some relief from this work. We won’t be our best if there’s an attack and we’re exhausted.”

She closed her eyes, murmuring, “Ohh, blessed Tenari… if we could only have an easier day, some small thing… it would be wonderful.”

“I’ll do my best for my ladyfriend,” I said with a smile.

She returned a droll look, muttering, “Listen… just… not that. But…” She laid her hand on mine, adding quietly, “You… you are a gift, truly.” That made me feel much better.

There was a small issue of finding Egon’s residence, though one of the workers told me what should have been self-evident; the big house near the barn. As I knocked on the open front door and was invited inside, I entered and was caught off guard to find Egon undressing. In an open bedroom door was a woman already in bed… oh dear. “Am I too late?” I couldn’t have come much earlier.

“No no… what is in your head?” I wasn’t sure what he would think of this, but I explained how draining the work is, and how as warriors we need to be at our best when fighting. He grunted with a smirk. “So, you want to quit after one day of small work?” Yeah, that was the reaction I feared. As I began to fumble through an elaboration, he waved me off. “I felt this coming. Yila is… okay. You are… a little less okay, and I worried you were trying too hard to impress us. I was going to speak to you of this myself. So, you want to be only a guard?”

“A hidden guard, yes.”

“Still better.” He began taking off his shirt, and he looked well muscled. What a worker. “Tell Yila it is acceptable, for you both. She should enjoy such news. Now, if you’ll pardon.”

“Yes, of course.” I thanked him and left for Yila’s place and knocked on her door softly, calling for her less softly. There was no answer. I thought of knocking again but stopped myself, as she could really use the sleep if she was out, as would I.

My place was right next door, and I wondered about the vacant house. Who had lived here before? Were they captives? Slaves by now? That was a dreadful thought. As I began to undress, it felt stuffy inside in spite of wide open windows as there was no wind, and I saw a cot in another room. Outside, it was cooler, and it was a starlit night…

I dragged it outside with a light blanket from a closet and pillow from the bed, and set it up under an overarching tree next to the front porch. The porch itself was a bit cramped with chairs, and if it rained, surely I could get inside quick enough. As I lay there, the leaves barely stirring, with the faint singing of night bugs, I sagged into the cot, relief fighting against sore, tired muscles and joints, and thought of… things… so many things…

I looked up at a sound, and was alarmed at a tall figure over me, drawing back to strike - oh my God! I coiled my body and thrust my legs at it in as hard a kick as I could manage - and awoke with a painful cramp in my left leg - oh my God! I sat up, wheezing and groaning as I gingerly tried to stretch the muscle but… damn it hurt—

“Nijal?”

I looked around in shock at the voice, and saw Yila in her cot next to mine - when did this happen? She got up, telling me, “Please, sit in the grass.” She was wearing her blue top and briefs, and for a brief moment my cramp was forgotten in my shock. I must be dreaming… then another pull in my muscle made me gasp. She was most likely blushing but it was too dark to know for sure. She grabbed my hand, ordering me, “Sit!”

“Uhh… yes ma’am! Doctor,” I replied, and did as I was told. She sat at my feet, taking my leg in her hands, and gently extended the tender limb, then flexed my foot, stretching it more. Damn, it hurt, but as she worked the leg straight, the cramp eased and there was only a lingering ache which she began to massage out.

“You drank plenty water, I saw, but… you need salts or something,” she told me, which was true enough. The touch of her hands, soft and sure and gentle, were soothing, sweet. Even in the shadows of ambient moonlight she looked very pretty, with a nice shapely form. “You are so strong, but helpless, like most…” She reconsidered her remark and fell silent.

I couldn’t resist finishing for her. “Men?”

She tried to hold in a chuckle, snorting out, “Per… haps.”

That was a good distraction from my lurid notions. I really should distract myself further, and I did have a good one. “I talked with Egon, and we don’t have to work anymore.”

That delighted her and she stopped for a moment. “Ah! Truly? Oh, Nijal!” She resumed her massage, grinning with joy and relief. “You are a worker of miracles. Now we will not die for sure.”

“Well, that’s great news,” I joked, which had her giggling. It was nice to see her happy like that, very nice. But I had a feeling, after a few more infractions, that some disarming humor was also in order. “So, doctor, what is my prognosis?”

She grinned as she kept her eyes lowered. “I believe… the patient will live.”

My eyes were not lowered, and I admired every curve of her body, which she had to know. “It’s… good that you got over being shy of me.” I dare say, dragging a cot out to sleep beside me.

She gave me a little shrug, a thin smile. “Well… we are betrothed.” That made my heart skip and she laughed at the reaction. “In their eyes. And… it is good practice for… well…” She couldn’t finish, and I was sure I caught a blush.

If I was a stand-in suitor, I could live with that. “Thank you, Yila, it feels… wonderful. And listen, before I leave, I want to get you a little something. A small token of friendship.”

She slowed, stopped, and looked into my eyes. Somehow, a light found its way to them and they glistened as she murmured in a very small voice, “Thank you, Nijal, for… not just that, but…” Her hand brushed along my leg to my thigh which made my tummy flutter, and she whispered something that sounded sweet. I reached for her hand, and it seemed to nudge her out of a reverie. She sighed, drawing back, and peeled away from me. “Well, I am… dismissed.”

I was so disappointed, but… seriously, what did I expect to happen? Things that shouldn’t? I stood with her, but she wasted no time getting into her cot, murmuring as she faced away, “Sweet dreams, Nijal. Of your wife.”

More disappointment, as much at myself. It figured that the girl would have more sense than the guy about this, the typical guy. The letch. I had to soften this hurt, and said what I really should have at the start. “Thank you, Yila, for being such a good friend.”

“M-hm,” she hummed out, and snuggled a bit as I lay down in my own cot, looking precious. But as I grew comfortable, except with my thoughts, I caught a sniff from her. I reached over and stroked her shoulder lightly, and she clasped my hand, holding it. I turned over to face her, so I could lay with my arm out to her comfortably. Even as bittersweet as this was, I wanted to enjoy the moment, while I could…

[stryker99]

(Ch 16 - get comfy, it’ll be a while)

“Rise with the day, sleepy eyes!”

I blinked, trying to focus, and saw a worker looking at me with a smirk. The daystar had just cleared the horizon, painting the landscape in gold and long shadows, and he could see everything. Oh, great, how on Earth did this look with Yila beside me? “Uhh… we’re excused—” I began, until I noticed her cot was gone, as was she, back where they belonged. I flashed him a smile, murmuring, “Thanks,” and waved him off. Taking my cot back inside the house, I thought about a short nap, but at that point I was mostly awake. Breakfast was being readied, and I was hungry, and sore, working muscles yesterday I hadn’t used for weeks. And I wanted to see Yila. My dreams, what I recalled of them, would earn me a number of infractions, but it was hard to care.

My cute puppy cat, however, was sleeping in which irritated me. If I had known that, I might have grabbed a few extra winks myself. But, breakfast would be welcome. I had my uniform on instead of the farm clothes, which got everyone’s attention. One asked, pointing, “What is this?”

“We’re on guard duty,” I informed him, which made a few of them grumble. Some others seemed to take up for us, sparking a short debate in Oshazi which Egon quelled with a few terse words. Thank you, boss.

I was surprised to see Yila hurry to the table in her own uniform, turning aside to sneeze twice; always two quick sneezes, and it was another cute aspect of her. “My apology… and for being late.” She sat across from me with a little smile, saying discreetly as she took up a plate, “I forgot that we were freed of work, and had to change.”

I was glad she had missed the discussion, as some clod might have been rude to her about it. “You didn’t miss much,” I told her. I wanted to thank her for the massage, for her company, for watching over me through the night, but she seemed shy about it, which made me shy about it, so it was probably for the best we remained silent. Her presence was good enough.

I watched over my charges like a hawk as I lurked in the barn. A rather tired hawk, thanks to a few awakenings through the night. I left my helmet off to conserve suit power so it was quite warm, and I had to drink almost as much water as yesterday. I took relief breaks, donning my helmet to cool the suit, my perspiration chilling me. Yila rested on the side, reclining on some hay bales with a pillow of wadded straw, which was better than lying on the ground but it didn’t look too soft. We were taking shifts and mine was actually done a half hour ago, but I let Yila sleep a bit more. Just a bit. The thought of a nap did feel pretty good though…

There was a sharp rap on my head, and I nearly fell over in shock - had I dozed off? Yila told me in a scolding tone, “Taking my watch and napping too… if we both sleep, what kind of guard are we? Go rest, sleepy eye!” I began to protest but even I knew I was being a fool, so it was no surprise that she shoved me over to the bales where she napped, and pushed me down onto them. She gave me a warmish smile, murmuring, “And don’t find yourself another cramp just to distract me.”

“It might be fun, though,” I said to her as I got comfy, which made her giggle. She brushed over my leg as she went to take up her watch. I rested my head in the nook of her hay pillow which was barely comfortable, but it was better than nothing, and prevented a crick in my neck from a bad angle. And it allowed me to gaze at her as she kept diligent guard over the fields and the workers in them. Such a pretty young puppy cat…

An alarm sounded, and someone was screaming, a girl—

I floundered awkwardly to my feet as others began shouting too, and Yila gasped, “Oh Tenari… zovis neh!”

She began firing, and I hurried to her side, warning her, “Not around people!” She began to protest as I came to her, and I gaped in shock at what I saw. Huge blobs of some kind were descending to the ground. Those vague descriptions were quite accurate. I was told they were strange, but this? I’d never seen anything like them! I had no idea what they were - ships? Monsters? The workers were running away from them like mad. “Come on!” I ordered, donning my helmet and grabbing my Multitool, then dashed out of the barn. She shouted after me, as my suit was augmented and extremely fast. I tried to keep in cover along the trees bordering the village, hoping for some element of surprise, even as I was caught with my own pants down.

One of the things rotated and settled to the ground on weird organic legs, just missing a woman who looked back in terror, four similar monstrosities landing around the edge of the field. I had no idea if it would do any good, but I fired over her into the mass of it. I had my answer as a foursome of short, stout, well armored marauders emerged from the thing as if giving birth to them - so these were actually ships, and they looked like Gek. One of the Raiders near the girl aimed something, and a blur flew at her to ensnare her in it - netting, and she was caught good, screaming in near hysteria. Oh God… what could I do for her! I jet-boosted into the air and tried to get a clear shot on them, but they clustered around her while two of them gathered her up. I could see I had their attention though, all of them. The others were further away so I switched to the Plasma Grenades and fired on the squads of three closing in on the fleeing villagers, but far enough away for such a deadly weapon. With four massive blasts, the Raiders went flying, or pieces of them. Those who weren’t dead would be stunned for a good bit. I growled triumphantly as I began to descend, “Eat that, bastards!”

Now for the girl. I landed and switched to the Boltcaster but they crowded close to her, firing at me with some weapons which felt unpleasant, and stepped into the orifice which parted for them. I couldn’t fire, I didn’t dare, or I might kill her. I cried out in frustration, but that quickly became fear as the thing lifted into the air and turned around, the business end aimed at me. Oh shit…

I ran underneath, firing into the bulk of it, and they tried to get it turned to face me but I could run faster than they could maneuver. So they had the same problem with close planet flight as I did, and I used it to my advantage. I had no idea if my Multitool was causing them any problems, but I had to do something. Finally they tired of this and flew off, or so I thought. They wheeled around and began making strafing passes. Oh dear God, this could be fatal. I jet-boosted out of the way, and they were frustrated again, looping back around to make another pass. I could hear Yila and the others shouting at me, and I looked around for them, hoping they had enough sense to stay under cover.

But I had other worries as I caught movement in my peripheral vision, and blaster fire ate at my shielding. There were four survivors of my attack who had recovered enough to try taking me on. They were too close for the grenades, so I raked them with Boltcaster but many rounds ricocheted off. Damn, that must be some good armor. The Scatter Blaster wouldn’t be any better, so I tried my Mining Tool, which was deadly in and of itself, firing at one’s leg. It took a second, but he squealed in agony and toppled. One down.

As I took on the other three, Yila shouted over the radio, “I’m going to my ship!” That suited me fine, it would keep her out of harm’s way. The other Oshazi were firing in support of me. Their weak weapons had no chance against that armor, but it served to distract them. I kept at it till they were down too. That left the ship which was ominous for its lack of fire. I caught sight of it rocketing off into the blue sky, and after it I heard the roar of Deadly Cut in hot pursuit. I opened a channel to her, shouting as I jet-boosted to my own ship, “Yila! Wait for me to form up with you!”

“But… they have a capture! You saw!”

“I know, dear… just… stay safe.” I sincerely doubted that only a five ship had come in for this raid. Would she do what I wouldn’t? I prayed she had as level a head as when she brushed me off. One worry twisted in my heart as I made it to Star Sword and lifted off; how in flaming black Hell could we rescue that girl?

I thrusted quickly after them, using her pipper on my display to guide me, and shot past them both, then cut speed to turn back on the miscreants intent on escaping with its prize. I knew they couldn’t warp so close to a planet and was sure I had them. I told Yila, “Only warning shots, okay?”

She grumped back, “I know, I know! I have a brain!”

“Right, right,” I murmured from her scold. I beamed a channel right at the bizarre craft in Gek, “Surrender, or face the consequences!”

They were Gek all right, but there was only a blank image with their caustic response. “Eat your own thing!” he graveled. Well, that was rude. I had to do something aggressive, but not too aggressive for the sake of the prisoner, and gave it one quick burst of Photon cannon right near what had to be the canopy. The plump mass seemed to flinch - so, it could feel pain?

But just as I did that, Yila shouted to me, “Nijal, behind!” In the same instant there was Photon fire on my six. That was a rookie mistake, focusing on bait for a trap, but I was hardly a rookie in skill.

As I accellerated to fighting speed and turned to face my new foes, I ordered Yila, “Stay out of this, keep on that ship.”

She replied hotly, “Are you mad? So many of them!” And to be sure, on the display were about ten of the damned things, and all firing on me.

Of the two girls I had encountered so far, neither one would stay out of trouble any more than I would, so I advised her, “Okay, just stay the hell out of my fire, whatever you do! Wingman.” I hoped she took that as encouragement, as well as tactically.

She snarked back, “I am a girl, you forget?”

I had no time to respond to that, returning fire on the closest one which didn’t last too long, ten to go, or nine plus one anyhow, but the others took note of my quick victory and spread out. Now to see how good these Raiders were at dogfighting. I prayed that they weren’t, and Yila was at least half as good as me. And then a thought struck me and I withered; what if they had captives too? “Yila, only fire when you have a clear shot at the cockpit - where the pilot is,” I amended in a quick specific to be sure.

She was aghast. “What?”

“Please? For the sake of any prisoners?” My voice was tight, and not just because I turned in on a close pair of the living ships.

She grumbled back, “Aargh… understood… not easy, but will try.”

These two weren’t rookies, and to make things worse the others were hounding me from my rear. One of them turned a Phase Beam on me which burned off shielding at an uncomfortable rate. I led one of the bastards and when the nose of their ship crossed my gunsight, I gave it a burst which proved deadly and it began flying straight. I cried out in jubilation and turned to give the business to the one behind causing so much trouble, it’s pipper still flashing. Locating it, I had to dodge a fighter which messed up a quick shot, and he veered away from me. I figured my missiles were weak enough and let two of them fly as I continued in pursuit. Another was coming into view so I took the opportunity to give its nose a blast, and it flew off aimlessly too. I hoped this was a sign of an impending victory.

The others clearly didn’t like the turn of events and weapon fire of all kinds streaked past the ship, some landing. One shield was down but two more were intact so I let it go to focus on the battle with Mr Phase Beam. I almost lined up another shot on an easy trget, but then saw it was too easy as it was drifting. “Woah… Yila! Are you winning?”

“Ohh, so I might be as good a warrior as your magnificent self?” she joked back. I had to laugh.

This new one might be the commander as he seemed to know when I was near landing a fatal shot on him, and that small cockpit was eluding me. Restricting myself to nailing those cockpits was making this extremely hard, but I couldn’t bear the guilt of killing innocent people. “Come on… come on!” I growled in frustration. Suddenly, a stream of fire cut through the nose and it went stupid with the other losses. “Oh… Yila, thank you,” I radioed to her.

I got a smug giggle in reply. “My pleasure. On your wing,” she added, and came alongside a moment later.

I turned on the others but saw that there were only two of them, and this amazed me. Doing some quick math, I realized that Yila was an ace plus one, six kills! Good Lord. I beamed a channel to the pair of Raiders and began to troll them, but they streaked off, most likely to a jump point. Yila exclaimed, “We pursue! Right?”

“Help Please help!” It was a female voice, sounding desperate, and had to be the captive. “Do you hear? I wish to live!”

My heart sank at the situation. To my knowledge, I had never faced anything like this, and I struggled to think of a plan. Any plan. “Yila, hold. We have to help her.” She acknowledged, but didn’t seem to like my tone. I replied to the girl, “Yes, we hear you, and we will help.”

“Oh slava bohu… thank Tenari! Hurry! This thing… horrible!” I hated to think what she had suffered through, and was still pondering solutions.

First off, to figure out which ship of the nine it was, and I couldn’t count on the luxury of time. If that fleshy hull had a leak, it wouldn’t be long before she suffocated. She must have dealt with her captors first, which solved one problem. I asked Yila with faint hope, “Do you remember which of these was the first?”

“I… don’t know! They all look the same. Maybe… the far one?”

That made sense, and I radioed to the girl, “Stop your signal, and I’ll try to contact you. I’m trying to find you.”

“Yes… ye—” she replied, so she did her job. Now for mine. I cruised over to the ship which looked closest to the world, though there were five others remotely in the same situation and beamed a tight signal to it. “Hello, hon, do you hear me?” But there was no reply. I dreaded a prisoner hunt and had no idea what the safety margins were, but then I recalled something: I had upgraded scanners. I begged Tanri with all my heart that they worked. Aiming in the general direction of the ships, I triggered a scan, and a green dot appeared in one at the far edge of the cluster. I prayed it was her. I drove my ship over to it, Deadly Cut at my side, and opened a channel again, saying, “Hello, do you hear me?”

“Yes! Thank Tenari… please, so afraid…” The emotion in her voice ate at my gut.

I tried to sound confident to her. “Hold on, we’re… working on a way to save you.”

But my confidence was near zero, and as we arrived, I still had no solution. I muted her signal as I had to vent my worry and frustration. “Oh, dear God… what do I do, what do I do?”

Yila’s own voice was tense as she said, “Nijal, we might… need to…”

“No we don’t. There’s an answer… there always is,” I snapped, knowing what she implied. But damn if I could fathom what it was. I was sure I’d never done search and rescue before. I was a warrior, just a warrior… but a clever one. Surely something could be done. But this ship… I looked over the bulbous hulk for any sort of features. Did it even have an airlock? I said another brief prayer, begging Providence for the answer, the best answer… and an idea began to form. Half baked, but it was all I had right then. “I’m going to try something.” I had a feeling she wouldn’t like it.

“What?” Yila watched, probably with nerves on edge as I evacuated the cockpit atmosphere and opened the canopy. “Are you… what are you…? Nijal!”

As I unbuckled and drifted out of the cockpit into open space, I replied, “Relax, I have a suit. For God’s sake, girl, I have a brain.” I had to smile at a chance to toss her own sarcasm back at her.

She growled, “You arrogant… poblazhy… man!”

“Yeah, that would be me,” I quipped, but as much to myself to give my emotions some sort of grounding. I gave a brief boost to send me over to the hideous vessel, with only the hope of finding some sort of feature up close, anything. I tried to remember what the landing and capture had looked like, and I did, though it was quite gross. At the rear, under the engines, there was some sort of a seam, like a… womb. Such a delightful image. I didn’t have a link to the ship so I said to Yila, “Tell her to hold her breath.”

She didn’t like this either. “What… why?”

I heaved a nervous sigh. “Just in case there’s a… problem.” If there was a problem, this would go very badly, no less for me. Please… no troubles, no issues, for her sake, I prayed.

[stryker99]

(Ch 16 - more)

After a very long few seconds, Yila informed me, “She is ready.”

Now it was my turn. Crossing myself, I drew a breath and touched a panel which was as much a blemish in the hull. After a short moment of inactivity, I flinched as the lips of the seam parted. And oh God, was I so glad there was no gust of atmosphere. “Yes!” I cried and gingerly drew myself into the unsavory looking orifice.

“What, what is it?” Yila asked worriedly. “Is she safe?”

“So far,” I replied in a tense voice, as I didn’t like this airlock, at all. If anything, it looked like a stomach with a rounded hollow, or… I’d rather not think of that again. As the lips closed on me, I heard the hiss of air, so it was still functioning properly. In the skin opposite was a sort of window, and around it, a doorlike seam. Peeking through, there was a larger area where I saw what seemed like tatters of cloth on the thing’s floor. I hoped that didn’t mean anything bad. To the side of the seam was another blister-panel, so I touched it. I stepped back as the thing peeled back like a membrane. Good God, what an awful ship! I stepped inside, walking gingerly on the squishy floor, with my pistol out in the slight case there was trouble. “Hello?”

I heard a gasp of breath - she still held it as ordered. “Oh? Oh! Nijal! Oh Tenari! Slava bohu, mie mistru!” The girl dashed into the chamber and flung herself on me, bawling in fear and relief. It was that worker they captured all right, and she was naked, which infuriated me. What had those monsters done to her!

“It’s okay, it’s okay,” I said as soothingly as I could, stroking her hair lightly. Conversation would be therapeutic. “What’s your name?”

She looked up to me with relief finally visible in her expression. “Tori… I am called Tori. Yila, is she… with you?” She looked around me to see.

“No, I’m afraid it’s just me,” I told her, and now she was blushing for obvious reasons. “Look… I’ll be polite as I can, but I have to focus on getting you home.” She nodded and drew back, covering up as best she could with arms and hands and looked aside, trying not to seem embarrassed. I stowed my Multitool and knelt to pick through the tatters of clothing, but they were too small and torn up to be any help. They were damned thorough. Surely they didn’t have time for… anything else.

“Nijal,” Yila called, “let me know what you are… doing.”

“Will do, commander,” I replied, making her snort.

I went towards the front where the cockpit was, and found the remains of the crew. It looked like she fought at least one of the Gek and did him in with his own weapon. These Oshazi must be real scrappers. I still had one big problem as I looked the interior over: just how did I get this poor girl back to Partan? She came up behind me, noting my hesitation. “You will fly this… thing?”

“Yeahh… that’s the idea,” I murmured uncertainly. If I couldn’t, the only other option was quite a risk to her. I glanced back, wondering what to do for her. I had nothing to stich her tatters into anything like a cover for modesty, but then I saw that one of the Gek bore a cape. I summoned my combat knife and hacked it off, as the fabric was quite tough.

I handed it to her, and she snatched it from me with a faint smile, draping it over her front. “Thank you so for the… blessing.”

Now to see if I could be a greater blessing for her. I dragged the bodies into the chamber behind, likely where they kept their prisoners, and she helped with one. I said quietly to Yila, “I’m… going to try to figure out the controls of this… ship, and see if I can fly it back. If I can’t, then… I’ll have to get her to your ship in space before it kills her, and you’ll have to let her inside.”

“Let…? But how? I only have the one…” And then she remembered our cozy flight to her Fighter and advised me sternly, “Only your ship is big enough for two, closely, so you will have to - and be proper!” She finished with a huff, “So, I rather urge you to be a good pilot and learn that space beast soon.”

Space Beast… that was a good name for it, alright. Hopefully I wouldn’t have to commune with the damned thing. Maybe if I sat at the controls… and the seat was big enough, and the controls laid out in a rather familiar way. Most importantly, the panels didn’t resemble mushroom farms or tendrils, just normal consoles. Could this actually be a simple operation? I took the stick in hand, figuring it was time to give it a shot, and said to the girl, “Tori, strap into a seat. I’m… going to try this.” I kept my eyes forward as she edged up to comply, though I figured a glimpse of legs wasn’t much of an infraction. She hissed and grunted as she strapped in, but there was no way around that, and when she let me know she was ready, I gave her a smile which I hoped was reassuring.

Gently, I tried to direct the ship forward, and found that it seemed to respond normally, barely moving. I got a little braver and gave it more thrust, and it seemed to control much like any other Shuttle. Well! I gave a look out the viewport, which seemed to be mending itself from Yila’s attack, thank God for that. I gave Star Sword a goodbye. “Hold on girl, I’ll be back for you. Somehow.”

“Oh no! You will not leave me here!” Yila exclaimed. She was quite vexed as I laughed at her. “It is not funny!”

“No, but your reaction is,” I chuckled, trying to regain control. “No, I was saying goodbye to my ship. You are definitely coming back with me, and to a hero’s welcome.”

Now she was flustered. “Oh. Uhm… very good.” I assumed it would be very good. Now, to make a very good landing…

It actually handled like a heavy Fighter, if a bit more nimble in some respects, so flying it was second nature. I tried not to take it in too fast for the sake of the healing viewports, but it still had a re-entry burn which had Tori mesmerized. Yila led the way to the farm, as it would have taken me some time to figure out its location. As we drew near to it, Tori became emotional, waving at the scenery. “Ohh, oh, svidko, popiash… please, quick, hurry… I wish to be home!” I couldn’t blame her one bit.

I could see the villagers approaching uncertainly at the sight of Yila guiding a Space Beast in for a landing without my ship, brandishing weapons. That had to baffle them. The other four living vessels squatted at the edge of the field on crops, and the ground was laced with tracks, craters and ship’s fire. It wasn’t much damage, but it meant a little more work for them. Tori was so excited she was bouncing in her seat, and unbuckled before we’d even landed. She almost forgot the cape in her urgency to leave her dreadful prison, grabbing it up and clutched it to her with a blush. I settled the ship and unbuckled, giving her a smile as I went to the rear of the ship and opened the airlock. I beckoned to the world outside, saying, “Welcome home.” There was a clamor of hopeful voices outside calling for us.

She ran out into the warm summer sun shining on her fur, dropping the cape, and fell into the welcoming arms of a group who were all in a state of tears, all of them crying, and Tori practically wailing herself in the grip of her emotions. I watched this all play out as I grappled with my own sentiments, close to tears myself, having been consumed with worry that I would lose her to death or slavery, or worse.

Tori caught me off guard as she turned and lunged on me, throwing her arms around me, and planted a number of kisses on my neck and cheek, then ran back to her friends just as a slack jawed puppy cat approached me with eyes more purple than violet. “Well,” she said flatly, “good job. But that mission is finished, so drop that.”

I muttered, half-trying not to smile, “You’re so cute when you’re jealous.”

She looked outraged, growling, “I am not jealou—!” It was all she could get out before I grabbed her head in both hands and planted a big kiss on her mouth. I drew back to find her blinking and disoriented, and so darn adorable. A hard slap struck my cheek just that quick, and she growled in renewed anger, “But you are a… ya ne mozhu tsoho skazati… scoundrel! Thinking a kiss will satisfy me! Now! We must talk.” At first I wondered if she meant of our relationship, which would be tricky to say the least. Instead, she turned me around and marched us over to the ship. “What do we do with these… abominations? And how do we find where is the Raider world?”

I liked my idea better - which was another infraction, and I said without thinking, “We?”

I edged back as her eyes became even redder. Before she could tear into me, someone cleared their throat to my rear. I was glad to see Egon, folding his arms at us. “My pardon for interrupting you songbirds just as it was becoming interesting.” Yila and I both gaped to each other, blushing profusely. “But I want to thank you both for the miracle of this day. Tenari had His hands on you two. You were wise to ask out of work. So many attacks, so many losses, before. But today, just one, and a short time only! Inconceivable! My doubts are no more. You are… true champions, both.” He grabbed Yila in a hug first, giving faux kisses on the cheeks, then a big bear hug for me, with more kisses, and hard back slapping.

It clearly meant a lot to both of us. I gave him a fairly hard pat on the arm, saying, “Thank you, Egon, for such great praise.”

“Well earned,” he replied, then waved. “Now, I leave you both to talk… strategy.”

As he wandered back to join his comrades, Yila said adamantly, “Yes, we.” She didn’t miss a beat, that girl.

“Uhm… right, right. We.” I gave her a thin smile, adding, “My apologies, but I did warn you that I’d never stop protecting you.”

That brought forth a lopsided smile. “And I… will never stop protecting you.” She jabbed her finger in my chest for emphasis. “So get used to that yourself, you rogue.”

“Fair enough,” I said, grinning. “And I like your idea about finding their homeworld. Let’s see about that.” I turned to the ship I had flown in, telling her, “I have to warn you that they’re even less pretty on the inside.” And naturally when I opened the orifice, it had her gasping in disgust.

It was quite a busy day. We had to park the Space Beasts off of the field, and remove the dead Gek from mine. Fifteen corpses and blasted remains, stripped of weapons, personal effects and some almost-Traveler-level armor. I was particularly interested in their tech: minis, tablets, data cards, cartridges and thumb drives. Credentials might come in handy. Thank God there were no booby traps, but they probably had no fear of failure.

Yila nudged one with the toe of her boot. “These monsters… Gek?” I nodded to her. She muttered, “They smell. Do they even make good fertilizer?”

While that would have normally seemed cold to me, I wasn’t feeling all that charitable towards them either. “I thought smells meant good fertilizer.”

She pursed her mouth at me, her eye twinkling. “Fair play.”

Egon observed, “General Nazar wanted at least a prisoner to question. But such is life, or the lack. Done with these?”

I dusted my hands symbolically as I rose. “They’re all yours.” A wagon had been brought up while I worked, and the bodies and remains were loaded onto it. I had a feeling they really were headed for the compost heap, though I wouldn’t care one way or the other. Strip prisoners naked, will you… no wonder Seri was upset at the sight of Gek. And General Nazar, that answered another question.

Yila edged closer to me, and seemed eager. “So, do we retrieve your Fighter now? Go to their world and cause them troubles?”

I loved this girl’s determination. And while it was wrong, I loved her, and I knew she knew. I would have to disappoint her a bit longer. “We will, but I have a few things to do first.”

I familiarized the others with the Gek weapons, making sure they understood how to use them, and what was required to replenish them. And which of the settings were very dangerous, and not to use except at a distance or in extreme cases.

I examined the Gek data I had. I didn’t expect to find the keys to their galactic bank accounts or the like, though there actually were a couple of them. I would somehow put them to use for the Oshazi. Nanites were always useful. There were a few mentions of station duties and transfer of prisoners. There would be no more of that. There were references to The Plan and the First Spawn? They sure liked the thought of keeping that legacy alive. I guess the First Spawn themselves weren’t much different, being genocidal racist slavers too. Many of them referenced Amdontin and Tumussid. I didn’t know what they were or where they were, but I was determined to find out.

Yila watched in fascination as I summoned and set up my Signal Booster in an open spot, looking at it in amazement as a red beam shot into the sky. “What is it?”

As I linked my suit and scrolled through the transportation options, I said to her, “You are about to see. Now stand back.” I moved away with her, and initiated a summons.

After a few moments of inactivity, she murmured with a bit of snark, “I see nothing.”

I smiled to her, though it occurred to me just then that I had never initiated an emergency evac and then called for my Fighter afterward, so this might be quite the anticlimax. And require a Shuttle flight out to it which would eat into more time I didn’t want to waste. But at that moment, I heard a familiar whine of approaching engines, and Yila watched in amazement as Star Sword dropped from the sky and settled to the ground. “Good girl!” I said, giving the still hot skin an affectionate pat.

She bounced on her toes excitedly. “Now we go!”

“One more thing,” I told her, which made her groan.

“Is this the final one more thing?” Still, she trotted along faithfully at my side.

“Hopefully… maybe one more.” She barked at that and punched my arm.

I looked around for the cape I had scavenged for Tori… where had she thrown that? Oh yes, out near the ship. I ran out to collect it from the ground, shaking the grass, dust and straw off of it. Yila muttered dubiously, “And why do you want that awful thing?”

I smirked to her, asking, “Have any glue?” She could not believe I asked that…

It took a little more time than I thought, as Star Sword would be sitting this one out, and I transferred over the essential upgrades and resources to make Space Beast a superbeast. That required I have Gek credentials which was something I had never tried before, but a call to Tesky for some guidance walked me through it, and Suit was accommodating with the ID swap. I really should keep my living computer friend in mind from now on. That was the last one-more-thing, and Yila was ecstatic.

As she swooped in overhead in her Fighter, I made a quick call to General Nazar. “Commander. This is Nijal. I know the credentials are messed up, but listen. I have some news for you. We have defeated one wave of Raiders, and a second one in space. There—”

“Wonderful… incredible!” he shouted in jubilation. I hoped his joy made the rest acceptable. As if.

“Sorry to interrupt, but listen. There are no Raider prisoners, but there are suits of advanced armors, some very strong weapons and four of those weird ships on the ground intact. And in space we managed to dispatch the crew of nine more of them, and I believe all are intact. If you fly people out to them, they have airlocks in the aft sections which… you’ll figure it out.”

This astonished him. “Are you serious?”

“Yes. Now officer Yila and I are going to locate their home base, and if possible, destroy it. Or at least give them a pounding they will never forget.”

As expected, he was utterly opposed to it. “What? Just the two of you? This is mad talk! Wait. I will assemble squadrons of our best men and ships—”

“No, commander, I won’t have you losing good pilots in a fight they have little chance of winning. Yila and I are fully capable of handling this mission. All I ask is that you and your people pray for our sure victory. With Tenari’s help, we can’t lose. We’re on our way now. Nijal Fox, out.”

“You are insane—!” he bellowed before I cut him off.

“Yeah, that’s the consensus opinion,” I murmured.

Yila couldn’t help but laugh. “You are some warrior, telling off a general.”

“Traveler rank. I hope I didn’t get you in any hot water.” As if that was in question.

“Boiling,” she admitted. “But we should go now.”

“Right. Pulse out to moon orbit. Follow me,” I ordered.

“I obey, commander.” I heaved a sigh, as that sounded so good, but at the same time, so very frightening. I hated people being in harm’s way on my account, especially those I loved. Especially those I loved dearly who would risk everything for me, and I prayed she wouldn’t, but knew she would.

[stryker99]

(Ch-16 - much more)

I ran through what I had figured out. There would be a Space Station, a huge space building in the vicinity of a world, possibly their base world. There might be innocents there so we weren’t going in guns blazing. I would go into the station solo to check the place out and report to her as she waited at the edge of the system.

Of course, she objected. “What? No! I am going with you—”

“And have them see immediately that I was with one of the people they preyed on? They would capture us right quick,” I informed her. She didn’t like it, but there was no arguing the fact. After that, I explained, we would find and attack their base together. Just no heroics on her part.

She gave me a petulant snort. “No less than you. Now, do you have a destination?”

“I was just getting to that,” I told her, and found what seemed to be… yes, the Galactic Map. And as expected, a course was plotted which stretched off into the starfield. These beastly ships had some beastly long jump range, but with my upgrades it was fantastic. I would only be held back slightly by Deadly Cut. I pushed through the map, following the trail a good nine thousand light years off to another Unknown Sector, and at the edge of a nebula of its own, it ended at a star system named Amdontin, the center of a cobweb of flights. I fumed to myself that one of them probably led to Seri’s world. But, I would set fire to this web of evil, or scorch it good. “I’m sending the course to you now… star system Amdontin, a five jump trip.”

“I… have it,” she reported.

I heaved a breath, murmuring, “Tenari… Lord… please grant us much success.” Yila whispered her agreement, with a plea of her own in Oshazi. Mustering a more confident tone, I said, “Commencing jump.”

The systems I had us warp into were all Gek, likely all friends of our larcenary foes, or at least indifferent, and fortunately made without incident. Two transiting Fighters; who would bother with that? But with each jump, each system bringing us near our enemies, my nerves were more on edge. Nazar was right, this was madness, and I was dragging Yila into it, though she would refuse to stay behind. And as much as I disliked the idea, I needed her with me.

Finally, we arrived at Amdontin amidst glorious booming flashes, a five world system. I chanced a scan and located a planet with the unsurprising name of Tumussid. I kept my transmission tight for now. “Do you see the world, Tumussid? And the pipper for the Station?” She confirmed both for me. “Good, now find an asteroid field to hide in and stay on station out here. I’ll keep my channel open for you, so you can hear every one of my heroic deeds.”

She chuckled wryly. We were both nervous and humor fell flat. She warned me, “If you are being… less than heroic, having a problem, I’m coming for you.”

“As expected of my cute puppy cat,” I remarked without a thought.

“What?”

“Uhh… you’re a good wingman,” I amended, and it didn’t sound the least convincing, so I added in a whisper what I really wanted to say. “I love you.”

She heard it, and her voice was even more tense than mine. “I know. Be safe… you wonderful scoundrel… my… Nijal. Ya tesh tebe lubu.”

I also love you. Somehow I heard it clearly. “Be safe,” I murmured somberly, and pulsed off to my Fate.

It seemed like much too short a flight as the beastly ship braked abruptly at… this was a surprise, a station which looked in need of repair, a lot of it. This had to be a system contested over in the past, either during The Evil War or more recently by the Raiders.

“Nijal, please report.” She must have caught my sounds of wonder.

“The station is in rough shape,” I replied. “They must have captured it in the past… from other Gek? This must be one hell of a band of mercenaries, like Pirates. Thank Tenari, I don’t sense any prisoners.”

“Keep me advised,” she cautioned me. I promised her I’d keep a terse running dialog with her, or try.

No one seemed to notice, so I took Space Beast into the station, named Aberk-Tatin, and landed without incident. While it superficially resembled the other Stations, they had done some remodeling, expanding the interior with small booths or trade stations resembling the ones at the Anomaly, a bit off from the landing pads. I disembarked and began marching around as if I belonged there, getting scant notice from the beings around me. The cape flapping on my back might help with my subterfuge.

Here was another surprise; some of them were Vy’keen, and even more so, a few Korvax! What the hell? But then, I had encountered some Korvax Pirates in the past, which still baffled me. Their presence likely explained why I was ignored. What I did expect was an oppressive sense of evil, and it felt thick. I related all this to Yila.

“This is unusual?”

“Very.” I tried to think of what to do. Stations disabled the use of Multitools, so I couldn’t go blasting the place, and I had enough sense to know that striking up a conversation would probably last all of one sentence before it went south. But… what to do besides leave? Buy supplies? I’d rather not waste the time. But then I caught sight of a familiar feature I’d seen a number of times.

It was the Station Terminal. I’d checked them out before but they were all locked to me. I hoped my benefactor had been a Gek in good standing, or this one was more open to inquiry. I strode up the ramp like I knew what I was doing and drew out a data cartridge, inserting it in a slot where it fit perfectly. Now… what to—?

I was surprised again as a screen popped up with options, and at a glance, some of them looked tantalizing. At the top was a title banner reading:

Mighty Sixteenth Stream
Of The Mighty Sixth Gek Swarm
Heirs Of THE GLORIOUS AND ALL MIGHTY FIRST SPAWN

“Jack pot,” I murmured with barely contained glee, rubbing my gloved hands.

“What, what is it?” She wasn’t so much worried as curious.

“I’m not sure yet,” I replied without thinking, and this made her growl. “I mean… it’s a terminal, and it’s loaded with data, lots and lots of data, and it looks juicy. I’m gonna download what I can.”

“Ohh, Nijal… is this necessary?”

“I’ve been looking for something like this for ages, and your people need intelligence, right?” That quieted her, and I went to work. The menu was both exciting and a bit disturbing.

⦁ Message From COMMANDER NARFNYK
⦁ State Of This Stream Of THE PLAN
⦁ Future Proposed Amendments To THE PLAN
⦁ Mission 000: Daderme-Gek / Nytanu-Gek - Base Secure
⦁ Mission 001: Ajorteb / Skirtini VII - Base Secure
⦁ Mission 002: Amdontin / Tumussid - Conquered and Base Constructed
⦁ Mission 003: Shirond / Guerika - Harvesting - In Progress
⦁ Mission 004: Dipishi X / Partan - Harvesting - Delayed

It sounded like some mix of established conquests and slave raids. That last one poked me in the eye. I would see if I could close that. And there were a few more.

⦁ Aberk-Tatin Station Assignments
⦁ Tumussid Base Troop Status / Assignments
⦁ Tumussid Base Resources / Requirements
⦁ Slave Pool Status

Crap, I wanted all of this! Hopefully it was mostly just text, tables and spacial coordinates which wouldn’t take much memory or time to download. The first thing I wanted to do was close that Dipishi entry. I opened it and saw a list of the pilots assigned, their duties and an entry for results. I was so tempted to enter them all as deceased, but instead I marked the mission as complete. The system was nice enough to list my Gek name for me, Gwsaah. Such a fine name, though right now it was Compost.

“What are you now doing?”

I’d forgotten my nervous puppy cat and replied softly, “I’m beginning to download that data.”

She gasped in dismay, “Still that? Nijal, do not—”

I selected every listing for saving to cart, and initiated it. “Honey, listen… if you were here, you’d understand how big this is, how important for all peoples, not just yours. Another planet is suffering raids right now.” I watched the progress bar which was creeping with agonizing slowness. At the bottom of the screen, countless entries flashed past at an inobservable rate.

There was a healthy pause. “Other… peoples?”

“Yes,” I muttered sourly, thinking of a young Ishadi girl who had suffered a life of slavery from them or their fellows, and many others besides. “This has to end, and I’m going to rattle every cage I can think of to get someone to put a stop to this, once and for all. Or do it myself.”

“If… you could help us… with weapons, upgrades… we would fight them for sure!”

I had to smile at her enthusiasm and determination. She sounded like me. “Hell, I’m rich enough. I’ll do everything I can for your people, and help in that fight. See if I can bring together all the survivors of The Evil into a coalition so you can defend yourselves from this new evil.” And then my Walk intruded on my motivational speech, and I amended, “At least, when I’m done with my—”

“Hey, you aren’t Gek.”

Yila caught this and hissed in alarm, “Nijal?”

The voice came from behind me, a Vy’keen, and as I recovered, I readied myself to react in such a situation. “I’m not? You mean, mom lied to me all this time?” As I turned to face the chuckling brute, I swung my Puncher set on maximum charge into his gut, and as I hoped, he crumpled to the platform with only a muted groan. That was the best case scenario, thank God. I caught him and tried to drag him out of sight as best I could, glancing at the display: three quarters done…

“I saw, I saw! Intruder!”

I ducked instinctively to avoid fire that wouldn’t come, another muted cry from Yila sounding in my ears, but as I came to myself I readied my Puncher and Stunner for whoever wanted to take me on up there. I was stunned myself as blaster fire came from the rotten little toad - well, son of a bitch! Replacing them quickly with my rifle, I gave him a few seconds of deadly Mining Beam which had him shrieking in pain. I needed something more potent and switched to a weapon I rarely used, the Blaze Javelin, because the whole station was now focused on me.

“I’m coming, I’m coming! Don’t tell me no!” Yila cried, practically wailing at me in fear for my life.

“Good, do that!” I replied, ducking a hail of fire that seemed quickly to ease up. Oh of course, the Terminal, they didn’t dare ruin that, but I couldn’t risk using it as a shield either. I sighted in on the miscreants coming for me, and with each pulse, one went down. “Just wait outside and give the Station a burst of Photon Cannon now and then to get their attention. Watch for any ships that fly out and take them out as they emerge.”

“What? No! I’m going in!”

“No, you’re not,” I insisted. “Trust me, you’re more useful giving hell to this place and whoever flies out to deal with you. I’ll be fine!” I winced as I got tagged with a particularly strong beam.

She growled something which sounded rude, adding, “Fine! But if I hear one more sound of pain, I join you! You blasted… man!” Well, that was the best I could hope for.

They were trying to pincer me from opposite sides so the Terminal wasn’t an issue, but my fire was too deadly, my rifle too well upgraded, even for their armor. I must have had years to work on my tools, and their body count was growing rapidly from it. They decided to muster their numbers and rush me, and I was ready for such a move, as I was about to do the same thing. I hated to do in a helpless victim, but as the Vy’keen came to behind me, I dispatched him with the Scatter Blaster. I ran out to meet the surprised troop, shooting round after round into them. Some of the pellets scattered but they still dealt severe wounds, and I was thinning them out. Abruptly, I heard a thuum from one of them, and a sphere arcing towards me. I jet-boosted away just as a grenade landed where I’d been with an ear-splitting blast. Damn, it was loud in here and the shockwave jarred me through. At first I thought it was echoing down the vast chamber, but as the thugs looked around in dismay, I knew what it was and laughed in celebration. “Go Yila! Give 'em hell, babe!”

“I am… I’m a good wingman,” she retorted, and seemed to be smiling for a change.

Some peeled off my group to run to their nasty ships, and I couldn’t down but one of them. “Ships coming out!” I warned her, and she gave her thanks. I still had problems to deal with, firing at the few still wanting to take me head on. But many I thought I’d killed were still very much alive, taking cover behind booths and stalls. I ran up on the survivors hiding in one, yelping as I took fire, but I was anxious to finish this. As the Station rocked from Ballista fire, broken as Yila picked off a ship as it emerged from the bay, I unloaded the last of my Scatter Blaster into them, and they dropped in lifeless heaps. I switched to my Boltcaster, hoping to snipe the bastards, but they watched to see who I aimed at and tried to do me in with joint fire. This wasn’t going to work, and my shields were depleting badly. I ran behind my ship and replenished everything, which no doubt they were too, but I was about to go banzai on them.

My cape flying behind me, I jet-boosted to the nearest booth with a cry, catching the goon cowering behind it off guard just long enough for me to unload with a stream of Pulse Spitter fire on them. They went down with a wail and I took up position in their cover, readying to take on the next one. He decided to try the same move, but that wasn’t a wise choice and he didn’t make it halfway. I made to fire on the last of them but they waved their weapons in surrender, and damn if I was going to refuse mercy even if they might not offer me the same. Lord, the carnage… dozens of them had died. No wonder they surrendered. Keeping an eye on them, I pillaged their booths of all their valuables, from resources and tech to upgrades, units and nanites. I kept my rifle trained on them as I made a circuit, daring them to try something, but they knew who was boss today.

It was a lot of work, and yesterday’s taxing farm job helped drain me as my adrenaline level dropped. She was still giving the station a pounding. I heaved a tired breath as a less tired thought struck me. “Oh, wait… Yila, cease fire.” She asked why, and I wondered what she would think of this. “Because we may have just captured this place!” I collected the weapons from the dead and tossed them in my ship. Those should come in very handy for my friends.

“In honesty? So, they are all dead?”

She groaned as I replied, “For the most part. I’m just wrapping up in here. I have a lot of toys for your people to play with, and - oh crap, the data!”

“What?”

“Just keep an eye out for invaders,” I told her as I ran a bit slower than usual up to the ramp. Just then, I noticed a face on many of the displays, muttering something which didn’t sound over any speaker but did on my suit. He must be the commander. “Reply! Respond! What are you gromits doing! Are you being attacked? Tell me!”

I stood in front of a display, not sure if he saw me or not, and decided to risk some Gek-level bravado. “You have been invaded! Your Station is lost! Now it is ours! Prepare to eat your deaths for your crimes!” He was livid and shouted a stream of jibberish at me which likely meant poverty and hardship on all my offspring. I gave him a rude gesture as all the screens went dark. “You have a really bad day yourself, toady ass.”

[stryker99]

(Ch 16 - so much more)

Yila had to laugh at how brash I was. “You have no fear of authority!”

“I’m not afraid of a bunch of cowardly slavers,” I muttered, hurrying to the terminal, and saw the progress bar seemingly stuck on 99% - oh hell, how many times had I suffered through this, but not now, of all times! “Come on, come on!”

“Nijal, just take what you have! We still have the base!” she advised me, and that was good advice which I really should have heeded, but I wanted this as insurance.

“It’s almost… done, juust…” I drawled out, making her groan. “There!”

I grabbed the cartridge as she snarked to me, “Wonderful! Now leave!”

“Right, I’ll be out in a second—” I yelped in shock as rounds hit me and streamed past. With them, a blaster bolt, maybe a Blaze Javelin of their own, just missed me and burned a hole right through the terminal. And suddenly I was weightless. Well… this was an unexpected development.

“What! What happened!”

As I jet boosted up to engage the others in the same predicament, I informed her, “Oh… I lost just about ninety-five kilograms.”

“Of what?” She growled at me as I began to pick off the remaining villains who couldn’t be trusted, and wailing and cursing and floundering around in midair were basically sitting targets. But with no honor among Raiders, they had their chance and blew it. I guess there were times I could be cruel. “Nijal!” she cried in exasperation.

“I’m fine, I’m fine,” I replied, and she finally breathed easier. I flew over to Space Beast and crawled in through the orifice, then pulled myself up to the cockpit to strap in. I opened a ship’s channel to her, saying, “I’m finally heading out, so hold your fire.”

“Oh, thank Tenari… how were you ever a military man? You obey no order!” she chided.

“Hey, I follow orders, mostly,” I joked back which had her laughing. But suddenly my humor was dashed as another one of the ships lifted up and shot into space - oh dear God, one survived. “Why… you little shit!” I growled, rushing through the launch procedure. “One got out!”

“What are you saying - what are you doing!” she cried, clearly taking fire from the enemy craft.

“Hold on dear, one lived! Daddy’s coming!” I barked, and set off in hot pursuit of the ship which was marked with a green pipper. It wouldn’t be for long. I got off a short burst on them, and that green triangle was now flashing red. We got into a tight circle fight, and it was hard to get an advantage on him. I guess they had some ace pilots too.

Yila was frustrated, and called to me, “Nijal, which one is you!”

“The pretty one, dear. Now… just hang back and let your commander do his job.” That had her snarling with joy. There were differences between these ships, but I couldn’t keep track of them either. I tried to keep her own red pipper in mind as there was no way I could figure to manually change it. I groaned as he managed to pul a wingover which was too hard to follow, something worthy of an atmospheric maneuver, and I tried to swing out into a two circle to reset the situation, but he had pulled deftly onto my six. Damn, he was good. We nearly plowed into Deadly Cut, and I barked at her hotly, “I said back out!”

“I will not leave my wingman,” she said back defiantly.

While that irritated me, it also reminded me of a line in a show I’d watched, and I called to her, “Oh yeah? Bet you can’t do this!” I yanked the stick to the right which sent the ship spinning through a turn.

“Oh! Oh ho ho! A stick-over spin… you have me there!” She had clearly caught my meaning, and a moment later, the enemy craft had sliced open from a Phase Beam which landed right in its center mass.

I heaved a breath and said to my bright young protege, “Thank Tenari, you’re a quick study. Now…” My good cheer dwindled as I turned my attention to the planet below. They hadn’t sent out any squadrons to confront us, yet, probably because such a bold attack on them would normally indicate a massive fleet had jumped in. I wanted to give her a hug in the worst way because of what was coming, and I knew what she would say to this. “Honey… I order you back to Partan.”

“Don’t you honey me with such an order - I refuse!” she snapped back.

“Then… let’s go get that base,” I murmured through a tight throat. “Pulse in, not long, and break out of it on my command. I want to make a quick scan first. And pray along the way, real hard, love.”

“Yes, my… ohh, Nijal,” she replied, and began to whisper fervently as she followed me in.

I wanted to halt a good ways out in order to assess the situation. They would basically do one of two things: either fly out in force to meet us, or hunker down in their base to conserve their assets, perhaps because their PLAN spread their forces thin. To my great relief, for whatever reason, the skies were empty. I triggered a scan on Tumussid, which came up as another hot dustbowl. While I could see dozens of insignificant icons, there was one large one. I fed her the data, and told her, “Honey, attack with God’s speed. Thrust on full. If anything flies, shoot missiles first.”

“I comply, my one,” she said, and shot on ahead of me. Why you… darling little ass.

Fortunately I had pretty good reflexes when I was afraid, and I was afraid for her, likely as she was for me. I was a little faster so I managed to close on the trail of her thrusters and drifted ahead, which resulted in an irritated snort at me. Neither of us had time for salty banter as after the colorful entry plasma and slowing for thicker air, the base was coming up fast. The sleek aerodynamic fuselage of Star Sword would fare better down here in atmosphere, but Space Beast seemed to handle quite well. I made another scan, hoping to see signs of life. The main complex was surrounded by a high wall and riddled with green dots, but there was another large building set off from the main complex with a few dozen of them, and a curious red spot. I directed her attention to it, asking, “Hon, does that look more like a prison than a barracks?”

We were both long past watching our affectionate talk and she exclaimed, “Oh my precious… ta! Oh ta, yes, my people! A fence to keep them in! It must be!”

“So everything else is fair game - crap, ground fire!” I shouted in warning. as streaks of light came our way. “Watch your shields! And I see a hangar. Attack that first. If it flies, it dies!”

“Ta, dodoka!” she replied, and I saw her own ship’s fire streaking past me. While she raked the hangars over, I worked on taking out the ground defenses. The tactics were similar to attacking a Sentinel Dreadnaught. Rows of cannons got streams of Photon Cannon, more powerful single emplacements and missile turrets were scorched with brief Phase Beams, and buildings suffered the pounding of Ballista. Plumes of smoke began to rise all over the place as the Raiders found themselves caught in a surprise attack they couldn’t seem to match. And with only two ships assaulting them, they had to be seething with outrage.

I caught sight of a second aerial pipper in my display and Yila called to me about it. “One got through. Keep on the hangars, I will deal with this.”

It figures she would be giving me orders, but for once my instincts told me to agree. “Copy, I’m on it. But no heroics, darling.” She didn’t reply but I had to leave it at that. I swooped low, launching a Ballista almost straight into the bay, and as I peeled off I caught a glimpse of ships being bowled over and exploding. Fire and smoke billowed from it as I did a wing over to give it another look, and nothing else emerged so I called that target dead.

Since there seemed to be few ground defenses firing now, I focused on the buildings. One clearly was a barracks as some troops were pouring out of it. I gave it a good strafing, and a Ballista to flatten much of it. There were many towers, some with guns atop still firing at us, though one burst into flame from ship fire, and I caught sight of my precious puppy cat alone in the sky with me. There was one spire taller than all the others, and at the top were windowed floors with quite a view. I hoped one of the viewers was Commander NARFNYK who got a good look at a Ballista as it blasted the top few floors off. Most likely he was in a bunker, shrieking at his subordinates for letting two little ships rape them so soundly. But maybe that was his love nest I demolished.

I gave Yila a call. “Hon, are there any defenses left on the side closest the prisons?”

“No, my one,” she replied. Lord, she was so capable, and sweet.

“Alright, I’m going to pay them a visit.” I did another scan, and there was a complex below the main base that was still littered with numerous life signs, which was hardly a surprise. “I need you to fly cover. There are a bunch of Raiders underground. Anything shows its head, kill it.”

“Aye, my dear one. But… what will we do about the people?”

What a dreadful question. I couldn’t just leave them. “I’ll… do what I can. Be safe, angel.”

She sighed, “And you, darling… please, every step with care.”

“I will see you soon, I promise. Out.” With a sigh of my own, I blasted the main gate to scrap and set Space Beast down near the debris. Brandishing my rifle, I dared anyone to oppose me, but no one was outside. With my Mining Beam, I seared through the lock on the front doors and kicked them open, calling inside in Gek, “Drop all weapons!” The response was a stream of oblique fire, some of which made it outside. “Well, I tried the easy way. Now we play hardball, you bastards.”

I couldn’t risk my grenades, not knowing how close any prisoners were, so I used direct fire weapons starting with the Pulse Spitter. With its massive clip, I could fire liberally, though I disciplined myself to bursts. I dove in and sprayed a mob of five waiting for me just inside. They went down like bowling pins. There was a wide corridor that seemed to circle the outside of the building, and a junction that divided the structure into fourths. Using my scanner, it revealed a group of green dots around that corner. I hugged a narrow wallpiece and shouted, “If you wish to die, keep fighting!”

They ran around to confront me, opening fire, one crying, “Eat your own thing, meat!”

That wall piece was quickly shot away and the beams began to work on my suit, so I resisted the sting of it and fired back, burst after burst. They were either brave or foolhardy, but no match for my weapon. I went up and examined the bodies. They must be prison guards, hopelessly outgunned by me. Were they that dedicated to this wicked cartel and its ghastly business? I shouted around the corner, “Listen to me! I am a Traveler! If you fight me, you will die! Just leave!”

“Wait!” The raspy call came from around the turn a short distance down it.

I hugged the corner, worried about a trap. Scanning, I could see another small group bunched together a ways down. “I’m waiting. What do you have to offer?”

“I am warden here. My gasenth, we are charged with keeping captives. We must. We have no option. But you, why do you care for the life of animals?”

That burned in my gut. “They are good people! Animals abuse people!” I gave a peek around the corner, and saw a small troop of them aiming weapons into what must be a cell block. Oh, dear God, I doubt they liked that… please, help me reach them! I tried to calm down, think of a diplomatic tact. “Look… the Vy’keen hate you, wage war on you for what your First Spawn did to the Korvax. Hate Gek who live, for Gek who no longer exist. I do not support that. I do not support selling people either. Both are wrong. I help many Gek against the Vy’keen. But if you do not stop, I will stop you. Kill you. Life or death. There is no profit in death.” I heard Yila whispering in Oshazi what must be a prayer, and I joined her in spirit. Please, help them see reason.

He began hesitantly, “You… Traveler… you have no notion of what shit your nose is deep in. But… you are wise, like a Gek, understand, like a Gek… I will heed.” My breath failed me for a moment - I could hardly believe it! Now if only they were being honest…

But then I cringed as one of them began to chitter angrily. The warden seemed to be trying to persuade him. He barked and raised his weapon, aiming into the room, and I heard people cry out. I whipped around the corner and nearly fainted as there was gunfire, brief but loud, my rifle aimed at them, but somehow I held my fire. The Gek was on the floor, bleeding and lifeless, the other five or six holding their weapons up in surrender. In every group, there tended to be at least one zealot. Thank God this one failed. The warden said to me, “Hold, hold! Our bargain… the prisoners, for my gasenth, for myself. We are dead, you killed us. See? We destroy this place when gone, burn to the ground. Acceptable?”

I felt weak with relief, and lowered my rifle. “Yes… yes. When you… die, take up new lives, join with good Gek, profitable, happy Gek, safe Gek. Live long, happy lives.”

He nodded to me, murmuring, “I… was Bokol.”

I nodded in return. “I am Nigel.”

He began backing away, waving. “The new me will remember you. Hurry… time runs away.” They backed off and then turned, running with all the speed those toady legs would muster. I had a fear that it might be a trick, a trap, but I let them go.

I leaned into the wall heavily, crying, “Ohh, thank God!”

Yila was practically in tears, gasping, “They… live? Ohh, Nijal… oh, love!”

“Yeah, yeah,” I panted out, gathering myself, and rounded the corner to see those poor beings in their prison. I was appalled to see them standing around naked like the girl, about a dozen of them in their cell, which was large enough for perhaps a hundred. Four blocks, four hundred? Lord, what a terrible notion. I tried not to think of Seri and her fate.

Half of them were in tears, the girls, but one of the men began shouting at me and pointed outside. He clearly didn’t care to see his captors let go. I said to them in Lingo, “Be calm, and I’ll have you out of here in—”

Something dreadful caught my eye: a counter, counting down rapidly, right next to a blinking red light. It wasn’t hard to figure out what it was, and I cried, “You backstabbing asshole!” A classic betrayal. Yila asked worriedly what was wrong, but I had no idea what to tell her - we might all be about to die? I raised my rifle, fumbling to get the Mining Tool set up again, when my eyes returned to the clock, and I felt a measure of relief. Ten minutes before what had to be self-destruct, but would that be enough? As I began to cut through the cell door lock, I told her, “Darling, this place is set to blow up shortly. I’m getting the prisoners out - I can’t talk, I’m sorry.” As the lock was cut away, I threw the door open and shouted, “Out! Get outside! Run!” They needed no more incentive than that.

I went to the next cell in the quad holding ten prisoners. As I cut through the lock, I explained quickly that I was there to rescue them and to run outside and get as far away from the building as they could, that the others were out there, waiting. Fortunately they wasted no time. The next cell held nine, but when I freed them a pair refused to leave, saying, “There is others there!” meaning the fourth block. I had no idea what they were getting at, injured or what, but I had no time to argue. When I entered, the sight of who was inside stopped me in my tracks.

There were only two of them, and they looked like wolves or jackals. One was a mature female, growling savagely and trying to shield a small boy from me. Good Lord, were they feral? Was there any way to communicate with them? I forgot the pair with me who began to speak haltingly to her in words that didn’t quite sound Oshazi. Whatever it was, it got her attention. I looked to the clock as I began to cut the lock. At this point there was less than four minutes left. How far did we have to be? Thanks for all the details, Bolok! “Tell them I’m a friend and they have to run!” I shouted urgently. The girl picked the boy up and held him to her bosom to cover herself, watching with perplexion, clearly unsure what to make of this stranger with the frightening metal cutter. I swung the door open, kicking away the last bits of hot metal and beckoned for them frantically, which only served to make her unwilling to get close. “Oh for the love of… back away!” I told the other two who were babbling like mad and waving for them. When we were what she considered a safe distance, she scurried through the door, but then paused and crept near me, giving me a little bow. She said something like “Wuth,” and then bolted for the doors. The boy shouted for me, reaching out, and I reflected briefly at how I wished I had time to get to know them. But that lethal clock was ticking.

She stopped at the four way intersection, unsure of where to go. I shouted, pointing to the right, “That way!” I realized as she dashed off that she could get lost, even as simple as the layout was, and I would have to make sure they weren’t stuck in this death trap. Three minutes left. Oh, my dear, dear God, this would have to get complicated…

I ushered the two Oshazi out of the building and went back in, calling, “Hello! Are you outside? Come this way! Freedom!” One of them appeared next to me and began shouting himself, then gave a wild howl like a wolf. Would that really work? As I began to urge him to leave, I heard another howl down the hallway, and damn if she hadn’t made a wrong turn and was running towards us with everything she had. A little over two minutes were left. She slowed as she came up to us, but I didn’t have time to be diplomatic or delicate and grabbed her up in my arms. She gave a yelp of alarm and the boy gave a similar cry, though he seemed to be enjoying himself. When this place went up, neither one of them would enjoy it.

I dashed out with the two canoids into the lengthening shadows of late afternoon. But as I made to join with the others outside the gate, I slowed to a halt as a terrible sight faced us; a couple of squadrons of those awful beast ships, all approaching and fixed on us, standing out in the open like living targets.

[stryker99]

(Ch 16 - more more more)

The Wolf girl gave a terrified wail at the sight as I put her down and tried to cover her, but I heard her running off. I prayed that the Gek wouldn’t open fire on her, which thank God they didn’t. Yila gasped in alarm when she caught sight of them. She was evidently too focused on the installation to notice their arrival. But for all I knew, that might have saved her life. “Nijal… what do we do?”

“Stand down, honey… surrender. We have no choice,” I told her weakly. I held up my rifle in submission, but knew that the building was set to blow in just over… how long, a minute or less? We had to get away, far away! I prayed harder than I had my entire life as I told the others quietly, “Match my pace and keep moving, away from the prison. It will explode. Maybe the blast will distract them.”

Just then, I heard a message over the radio. “Do you require a hand?” My heart jumped in excitement. Could that actually be…?

Yila confirmed it for us, exclaiming, “Oh dyaku Tenari… milos!” As I began to ask, she said over me, “My people, they fly the ships here!”

That was the best news yet, but the prison was about to blow. I shouted to the hoard of captives, “Run! Run away! Now!” I herded them as far from the place as I could, ducking at a series of loud booms behind us, the detonations smothering their cries. Fortunately, the heaviest remains of the place weren’t blasted out. But the debris from it pelted us and could still harm them. I tried to shield a few of them but I was only so big. As I was making sure they were alright, the pilot exclaimed, “Ai, Tenari… what the flaming black hole hell was that!” He was more polite than I would have been.

I waved to the hovering ships, still a bit faint from my emotional ordeal. “That was a self-destruct, but I rescued all the prisoners. They need shelter and clothes, obviously. And that Raider base still has a contingent of militants underground.”

“Oh, does it now? We shall see to that.” He gave an order and the entire flight settled to the ground. Behind them were several squadrons of Shuttles I had missed. From the rears poured squads of troops bearing weapons and wearing some stout looking body armor. There had to be an entire military company’s worth of men, at least one hundred twenty, and likely more. They had been very busy Oshazi after I left.

I stood there for a moment, catching my emotional breath, watching the rubble burn here and there, and angry at how little time we had to escape. But the most important thing, thank Tenari, I managed to save them all. That should definitely cover Bokol’s tracks.

“Nijal, my lo - commander, do I continue to overwatch the base?” I sighed at the thought of no more sweet talk, for now.

“Yes, but listen in on our conversation. I’m afraid I might need your help with the commander of this force. I need him to understand that I call the shots here.”

“Uhh… you may try your persuasion. He has his orders and will take them most seriously. But I will try my help, hon.” That last word from her was a sweet morsel.

The leader was busy assigning a small group of them to take care of the prisoners, which had sorted into a circle of males shielding some very embarrassed looking females from everyone’s eyes. I looked around for the wolven girl and the child, but of course they were long gone. I wish I could have communicated with them, been able to find out where they lived - another race in the galaxy! Maybe I could locate them later.

When all that was settled, the commander eyed me as I approached, as I wanted to assert some measure of authority, or at least autonomy. “Yes? You must be Nijal. I am Commander Meelos.” I had a feeling that was Milos. He seemed to be waiting for a salute so I obliged him, and he returned it crisply, giving me a curious eye. “You are responsible for… all this?” He swept his hand around the area, from the retreating prisoners to the flaming wreck of the base.

“Not just me. Officer Yila was a great help in our victory. I couldn’t have won without her.” I nodded to the ship hovering above the base, and I caught a warm breath from her. Every girl loves praise, especially to other male chauvanists.

“You both, only.” He didn’t sound questioning as the answer was self-evident.

“Yes. So, whatever your plans are, and I assume with a force like this you want to attack the base, I want to take point. Lead,” I added just to be clear.

Milos shook his head. “I lead, and we welcome any support you wish to give.”

I looked his men over, and they were a credible fighting force to be sure, but I knew their weapons weren’t as powerful as mine, their armor as good as mine, or reparable in combat. “I insist.”

He gave me a droll look. “Your insistence is noted, friend Nijal. But you will obey my orders.” He and his men were watching me intently to see if the Interloper knew his place.

I wasn’t in a mood to know my place, but I wasn’t sure how to resolve this disagreement amiably. Go along with them, then disobey? “Uhh… listen—”

“Nijal!” Yila called, just as she opened fire on some threat. “There are… walking tanks approaching!” Walking tanks… mechs? She began taking fire herself, so it was time for action.

“I’m going to support her! Back me up!” I shouted, producing my rifle, and made sure my helmet was on good. As I scanned over the area, I could hear Commander Milos snarling after me, then barking rapid fire orders. I scanned over buildings as I began to enter the base, but none of them were occupied. Undoubtedly, the Gek troopers were holed up in the barracks and the bunker under the main tower. Between the buildings, I could see the mechs as they tromped towards us, their focus on the ship giving them fits. “Honey, watch your shields,” I advised her.

“I know, I know! I am not a rookie! Gah, such a troublesome wingman… are you putting on me your own mistakes?”

“Wingman again? Have I been demoted?” I quipped to her, which had her giggling.

“Perhaps… equal,” she replied. “Now you watch where I am shooting, and stay away! Understood?” She was doing proper ground support, making definite northeast / southwest runs while adding in some variation to keep from becoming a predictable target.

“I copy… you’re doing good.” Still, I wasn’t too sure as they weren’t falling like dominoes. Observing them around the corner of a building, I saw that a few of them were down, maybe four, but that left at least twelve more still active. I had to help her out, even if that meant only serving as a distraction.

I flinched as I took blaster fire from my flank, and saw Gek troops advancing and firing on me. “Why you little—!” I growled as I switched to Plasma Grenades, firing one, and ducked as it went off fairly close and very loud.

Yila called out worriedly, “Nijal! What—?”

“Stay on the mechs!” I ordered. I saw Gek, lots of Gek, well armored Gek, pouring around buildings to get at us. The Oshazi - I had to protect them.

Let not one die

I took that warning to heart as I fired another Plasma Grenade at the leading force beginning to close on the troops on my other side. As I feared, the fire from the Oshazi glanced off this tough battle armor, no doubt relics of the same gear used by the First Spawn to bathe Euclid in the blood of countless races. That wasn’t happening today, I swore it on my own life.

I had to get a bird’s eye view and jet-boosted up to see where the Gek troops were swarming. It might have been better judgment to land grenades in the largest clusters, but I fired them into the ones leading the charge on their invaders, and bodies went flying as Plasma Grenades detonated in their midst. I fired more as they looked up to see the source of actual threat to them, and blew the miscreants back, the survivors taking shelter around nearby buildings.

They weren’t the only ones focused on me, and I cried out in agony as an orange beam scorched my suit good. I landed on the ground hard as I didn’t have the faculties to catch myself, and crawled to the side of a building for shelter. Giving my systems a look over, nearly all my shielding was gone, good Lord—

“Nijal! Love, what is it!” Yila sounded frantic.

“I’m fine, I’m fine,” I replied - the hell I was, but I tried to sound like it as I gathered my wits, replenished my suit and watched for signs of the Gek advancing on me. This wasn’t good enough and I boosted on top of the building to look down on them. “Keep those mech occupied, and do whatever it takes to put them down! I’m dealing with the Gek troops.” Looking back on the Oshazi, my friendlies were advancing to give me support I seriously didn’t want, and radioed to Milos, “Keep your men under cover! I’ll let you know when I need support!”

He snorted back, “We are not your children!” He ordered his men to move up and attack, but I knew full well they were outmatched.

I would have to make damned sure they advanced on corpses and ran to the edge of the roof, reloading as I went, and unleashed salvo after salvo on the Gek below as they dared to advance themselves. I shouted to him, setting my transmitter on broadband, “Keep your troops away from the Gek lines! My weapons are deadly and might kill your men!” If the Gek overheard, they might pull back after seeing firsthand how true was that warning.

Milos grunted back sourly, “Understood!” He gave new orders to his men, and for once it seemed he was taking me seriously. I had to take the Geks seriously, particularly those walking tanks, as their own weapons were extremely deadly, much like captured Sentinel Walker armaments. Yila kept them busy, but they seemed to replenish their numbers with each mech lost from that underground bunker. How many did they have? My own cover was becoming ropey as the Gek below and the mechs towering in the distance landed shots meant to take me out. I had to jet-boost away as a swarm of small orbs arced in the air towards my perch, and I knew exactly what they were. I just managed to escape with minimal damage as cluster grenades detonated all over that part of the roof. The blasts, dozens of them, were almost deafening, and the shrapnel would have killed anyone else. I didn’t escape unscathed, feeling tender cuts in my backside. I could hear them crying jubilantly below, sure that they finally did in their troublesome foe.

Milos called for me anxiously, afraid he might have lost his ace in the hole, and unfortunately Yila caught this herself. “Nijal, love! Are you all—?”

“I’m fine, I’m fine!” I shouted, boosting overhead to give the Gek below a good blasting in return just as they were firing on the Oshazi troops. I was beyond angry at them and landed in front of the group, opening fire with the Pulse Spitter, and I sprayed them good. Some rounds bounced off that stout armor, but enough penetrated to cut them to ribbons. I heard cries behind me, and turned to see the Oshazi outflanked by the others. Oh no no no.

I jet-boosted over their heads to gun down the Gek who had swept around the building and landed right close to them, kicking one in the helmet as I landed, and switched to the Scatter Blaster, pumping round after round of the deadly pellets into them. I shot the dazed one at my feet, and it took his head off with his helmet. The others fared no batter and dropped as I fired into them mercilessly. “Grab their weapons!” I shouted, still firing until the last visible Gek was dispatched. They needed no permission from Milos, doing as I ordered. Then my heart sank; there would be no such order as Milos was down. “Pull back! Get them to cover! I’ll hold them off!” I cried. My spirits lifted as I saw Milos waving to them, if weakly. If I found out that bastard was leading the charge, and if he lived, I promised to give him such a piece of my mind…

I saw that they were hesitating, looking between their commander and me uncertainly. That damned fool was countermanding my orders. I pointed at the corner of the building, shouting, “Take cover! Now! I’ll deal with the Gek!” I began backing them up myself, and I managed to persuade them with my sheer determination as they complied. I spent just a moment to make sure Milos would live. He had a bleeding head wound, a patch being set over his left eye, and a shot given into his cheek by a medic which made me cringe. I told the men there, “Pick up every Gek weapon you see. Stay under cover but give me fire support when you have a clear shot. Stay under cover! Understand?” A number of them grunted their assent, and the rest looked ready to comply.

I ran around the corner, and as expected I was immediately fired on by the Gek. I jet-boosted right at them to escape a barrage of cluster grenades, and fired into the leaders. I fought like a savage, not giving them a break till I had to reload, and the bodies began to pile up. I pressed on, not giving the ones behind them a chance to catch their breath, firing a Plasma Grenade at them as they hugged close to a wall. They tried to flee around the corner to escape, but about a dozen of them perished, the rest flung back by the blast. I shot a pair of grenades to either corner of the building to clear out any would-be heroes. Walls blew off and windows shattered, and I heard faint cries of agony and despair. Maybe with all this carnage, they would understand that I would kill them all if they kept fighting. To drive that point home, I shouted in Gek as I ran up, “Surrender! Or die! All die, or surrender! You choose!” There were cries of support from behind, as the Oshazi troops trailing after me celebrated this victorious reprieve.

I rounded the corner and felt a rush of jubilation myself as the last of them had turned tail and ran - finally! But I was shocked as a mortar landed right in their midst, the blast scattering the bodies into bloody fragments. Their own forces had fired on them. No wonder Bilok was so reluctant to surrender. Those poor bastards - and poor us as I heard the thoom of another mortar inbound. “Run! Take cover!” I screamed, hoping the ones behind me weren’t too close, and jet-boosted towards the mechs which were still trying to advance on us, avoiding the blast completely. They had to clamber over the wrecks of their fellows, as Yila had been doing her job to take them out as best she could. “Yila! I’m coming to help out!”

“Coming… what?” she asked in shock. “You cannot mean… stay away from those death machines! I am still firing!” As if to confirm that, the ground shook as a stream of Photon Cannon raked over one mech, the rest pulverizing the grounds uncomfortably close as she roared past in her Fighter. “Go to your ship! I could use the help! Please, my one!”

I ducked behind the corner of a building as an orange beam swept towards me, and I saw that the ground where I had been was chewed up with a stream of automatic cannon fire. Either weapon could end my life if I was caught in it. I boosted around to the opposite side, telling her, “Just keep your fire from the buildings, and I’ll be okay. Trust me.”

“Trust you… typical male! Why listen to someone who cares for…!” she grumbled. “Commander Milos! I request at least one ship in support!”

I was about to tell her that Milos was out of action when I heard his faltering voice on the channel. “Request denied… all men are involved in… base capture. Continue your attack… make us proud.” She muttered a reluctant affirmation. He didn’t sound too strong, but at least he was lucid, and as single-minded as ever. “Nijal… we are coming with support for you.”

I didn’t want to hear that. People serving as distractions might be throwing their lives away. As I ran around the corner of the building, I found myself right at the feet of the mech Yila had fired on. Fortunaely its attention was on her. “Stay under cover!” I replied, firing a Photon Grenade up at the body of the mech. They weren’t that tall, perhaps six or seven meters, so it reached easily but as I feared, the grenades weren’t powerful enough. I backpedaled as the monstrosity turned to face the nuisance, trying to avoid shards of its armor falling my way. Just as it aimed its weapons at me, a pair of missiles struck it and it fell back, slamming into one beside it, and they both toppled over. “Yila! Great timing!” I cried.

She sounded confused as Milos cut her off. “You have my men… to thank for that.” His voice sounded close and I turned to see him approaching with a cadre sporting missile tubes. “Is this cover enough, commander?” While he was on his feet, and as snarky as ever, he didn’t seem all that strong, and not entirely in control of his faculties.

“Milos… look, you’re wounded. Go to rest with the other casualties,” I told him advisedly.

“I will not let… some Interloper tear the command from my sleeves,” he told me as stubbornly as he could, though his one eye looked tired.

At first I shook my head at him, but I knew that arguing would waste time. “All right… but, I take point.”

He looked at my suit, riddled with scars from my numerous brushes with death, and nodded. “You take point. My men will obey your orders. Hey, you have been winning.”

[stryker99]

(Ch 16 - more is always better)

I gave his arm a pat. “Good. Now first—” I cut myself off at the nearing tromp of a mech. “Retreat! Everyone move!” I grabbed Milos and his aide in either arm and dashed with them away from the shelter of a building where we hid, and just avoided the blast of a mortar round. It must have been aimed near its own feet.

As we collected around the corner of the neighboring structure, the aide pushed out of my grasp in a huff. “Hands off me! Commander Milos may be near death, but I can walk, you know.”

“I will forgive that insult, Kral,” he muttered, and eased away from me. “Err… my thanks, Nijal. Now, I hope you mean to keep fighting rather than babying me and my men.” This had Yila giggling.

I peeked around the corner to see that she was still doing her job on them, the mech dispatched, and nodded as we had a few moments of peace. “Yes, but first some quick strategy.” I motioned to the troops beginning to gather around us to get close. “Stay behind cover, anything substantial. If those walking tanks see you, you’re dead. Understand?” I eyed them intently, making sure they did. I directed the missile men to split up into three teams, sent around to three separate buildings to attack the mechs from three sides. Attack their rears if possible, and wait for me to fire to provide a distraction for them. All others were to stay behind cover till every mech was down. I made sure they all understood, as well as Yila, who knew I would do what I wanted. “All right, let’s go.”

I jet-boosted to the next building and waited for her to make another pass, cowering from the detonation of a Ballista. Damn, those things were devastating, and the target was blasted to pieces. The wreckage of the mechs were all over the grounds, some in piles, along with a number of armored vehicles. It was quite a scrap yard, but how the hell many were left? Six, after felling more than two dozen?

I aimed high with a grenade to reach the feet of the closest one which was a good football field off. It detonated and blew off some armor. He and the one to its side rotated to deal with their pest while the remaining four kept focus on Yila’s ship. Two orange beams swept my way, and along with that was a stream of gatling cannon fire which chewed hunks out of the wall, forcing me to jet-boost for cover. This was going to be dicey. I heard a whine of engines and found myself facing a mech which had launched itself on top of the building where I was hiding. But as it tagged me with that awful orange beam, there was the scream of two missiles and the blast of the impacts, which sent it toppling over the edge. The Oshazi off to the side gave jubilant cries, and that was a very welcome sound. Five left. Please, only five…

I dashed from around the edge of the building and had to boost into the air at the sound of a mortar coming my way, the blast and shrapnel stinging my feet and legs. The price of being bait, and I made sure they knew I was their target by launching grenades back at them. One hit solidly in the cockpit of the closest one and it staggered for a moment, but the armor was too strong. As I dropped, those orange beams and gattling fire sweeping at me, six more missiles streaked for their target, sending them both to the scrapyard. I made sure my weapons and armor were replenished as I ran towards the remaining three. Yila likely saw my pipper on her display and warned me as she made another pass, “Nijal, stay back! You damned stubborn…” She was keeping it to Photon Cannon for my sake, which was a mixed blessing as her targets shrugged some of it off.

The three remaining mechs were confused now, as the ground threat seemed to be as much trouble as the Fighter harassing them. I found myself to be the center of attention when I dashed out into the open as they unloaded on me. Orange beams, gattling fire and a salvo of grenade clusters began to hit all around me, and I had to jet-boost out of the area, but not without suffering for it. Along with the pain, I saw that two full shields were down. If they weren’t serious before, they were now, and I hurriedly restored my suit. But I had no choice; I had to be their main target because none of the brave Oshazi depending on me would live through that hell.

I dashed out of cover to launch a pair of my grenades at them, only to find myself in the middle of another barrage. They were firing defensively themselves, aiming for the corners of the buildings that might cover me, and I walked right into one. A gattling round or two hit me square in the chest and knocked me flat on my back as the grenades began blasting all around me. I cried out in pain as the detonations rang in my ears and the blasts jarred me half senseless. Voices were screaming for me to get up and run, and that helped me focus. If only I could run, struggling to my knees as I heard the thoom of another mortar. That got my attention, and I boosted out of the way just as a massive blast cratered the ground where I had been, and the devastating blast sent me into a wall. I was dazed, blinking back stars as I got to unsteady legs, stinging from shrapnel, and had the sense to jet-boost off to cover, any cover. I aimed for the corner of a neighboring building and fell to the ground behind it. There were several more loud booms but these were distant, and after three heavy thuds shook the ground with the crash of metal, I dared to look around my cover to see if by any chance this final fight was over. I grew brave enough to stumble out in the open, and coughed out in relieved laughter to see them all downed, at last! As I fell to my hands and knees, my body wracked with pain, the jubilant cries of the Oshazi troops was music to my ringing ears.

My comrades helped me to my feet, welcoming me with lots of arm- and backslaps. I removed my helmet, trying to return their smiles. Just then I caught Yila over the racket, her voice pleading. “Nijal! Please, tell me you are well! Nijal—!”

“I’m fine… I’m fine—” I began weakly, but she cut me off herself.

“You lying… I do not believe!” Her voice broke, and it touched my heart. “You are such… a thoughtless…”

I had to reassure her, as her voice stung my heart. “Honey, I’m a warrior… and a protector,” I told her, “but I’m alive… because I have such good friends protecting me. One in the skies.”

“Ohh… listen you,” she blubbered, chuckling in spite of her emotions. “Using words like a diplomat… as a shield. When I land, I will so…”

That sounded so good right then, whatever she intended, but a distant boom set my feet back on the ground. “Hey, this battle isn’t won yet. Stay vigilant over us.”

She huffed a breath, sounding like she wanted to order me with Milos to the infirmary. “I comply… my one, wingman.”

“Nijal,” came a tired voice at my side. Unfortunately, Milos looked weaker and needed his aid’s help to walk, while my suit had almost restored me. “You have eyes, right? Scanners? Tell me what you see.”

I scanned around and saw a few green dots here and there among the grounds, but a whole bunch of them clustered in a complex below the surface. “There are Gek survivors—” I began, stopping as one of the dots winked out, another next to it.

“My men… are doing a cleansing operation,” he panted. He was looking and sounding even more frail, and that worried me.

“Listen, you’re seriously wounded! Go rest with the others,” I told him, mustering a half-smile. “That’s an order.”

“Piss you,” he muttered, then to my horror he collapsed, and the aid had to catch him. I began to bark out orders, but his men were way ahead of me and dragged him off as I whispered a brief prayer for him.

His aid lingered at my side, and seemed forlorn in spite of a brave face. “Commanders are stubborn, and he is most stubborn.” Before I could reply, he snapped to attention with a crisp salute. “Lieutenant Commander Kral, serving you.”

After a moment’s fluster, I returned it. “Kral… very good. Uh… I need you to muster your men after the sweep of the grounds is complete. We have a big mess of these Gek in an underground complex we need to defeat. We have to take into account that they may have called for reinforcements, so we should have all your Fighters manned and some contingent of them in the sky, just in case we have to retreat.”

“So, we plant explosives… collapse it on their heads,” he suggested.

I shook mine at him. “Let’s try to capture it first. Make it your base.”

“Ours…” His voice trailed off as he surveyed the area. The place was in a mess, with wrecks of numerous war machines lying where they died, the grounds blasted from weapon fire, and buildings in serious need of repair. There were fires burning with plumes of smoke rising into the heavens, and the faint sound of alarms in the distance. But their base, their headquarters, taken from their enemy; he clearly liked the idea. “Let’s do this.”

I nodded with a thin smile. “Yes, but my way.” He groaned at that, but he had seen how stubborn a commander I was. And how successful, still alive after running recklessly through hell.

I had completely forgotten about the Gek weapons I had scavenged from the Station, and distributed them to troops who needed them. With the mass of arms collected from the battlefield, the Oshazi now had firepower equal to their foes. I then did a thorough scan of the complex below ground, what I could from above, and while I couldn’t make out all of it, I charted out the essentials on a tactical field display for the troops. I had no doubt we were being observed and took that into account. I advised them about ambushes and booby traps and where they might be, and that the Gek might initiate a self-destruct if they knew they were losing. These weren’t typical mercenaries, but much more like a military force, and superior to ours. They must have earnestly taken up that mantle of the First Spawn legacy. But why, when they essentially ran the galaxy with their commerce - ran all galaxies? Were they as racist and cruel as their namesakes? Did that question answer itself?

After show and tell with the troops, and with evening approaching, it was time for action. There was a shallow ramp leading down to some nigh-invulnerable looking doors, much like a Freighter’s landing bay. We would put that to the test. Watching over my comrades, and with the entire force poised far back of the entrance, three small squads of demolitioners approached the doors to set up breacher charges. But just as we reached them, there was a series of deafening bangs from the other side which rang through the barriers, and had us falling back, stunned. I gathered my wits and saw that five bulges appeared in the stout metals. Good God, were they firing cannons from the other side? “Out! Back out!” I cried, helping one boot to his feet, and I ran out with them. Besides cannon fire itself, shrapnel from the doors when they failed would be deadly.

And there was, just as we made it to the top of the ramp. Gek were blasting the vault-like doors from within, and bits of metal sprayed from it as large holes were blown out. We were definitely being observed, scanned or both, and I made sure everyone was behind cover as the massive doors were blasted out of their frames. I called to a lookout perched in a building facing the ramp entrance, “What do you see?”

He radioed back, “Five armored vehicles with cannons and autoweapons.”

“Confirming that,” Yila called to me, hovering above him in Deadly Cut. She yelped as a tank round struck the fuselage, but I knew it had less impact than a Fighter’s weaponry.

“Return fire, Yila,” I told her.

“With much pleasure,” she replied, and fired into the maw of the entrance with Photon Cannon. The blazing pulses burned into the metal, and in short order, the first tank suffered an internal ignition of its ammo which streamed from the turret and hatches in a dramatic spray of bright yellow sparks, and the second exploded outright. The other three didn’t fare any better.

I scanned over the interior which was a large vehicle bay where the dozens of mech squads had been parked. There was no one left inside, the smoldering tanks now little more than coffins. A number of vehicles were still there: tanks, armored troop carriers, as well as a trio of mechs. I wouldn’t let anyone advance with me, afraid that the tricky Gek might have remote control of their weapons. I wasted no time, jet-boosting to the burning wrecks and dove for cover behind them as three defensive turrets up high in the far wall opened fire on me. Rather than waste my own resources on them, and knowing that my comrades were itching to bare their fangs, I radioed to them, “Missiles on the turret points, up high, back wall.” They were promptly taken out, the bangs of their warheads surprisingly loud inside the vehicle bay. I ran around the interior, giving it a good looking over for traps, but none were visible. “Veisch, quick!” I ordered, remembering General Nazar’s command to Yila. This had some of them chuckling and cheering me. Watching over the vehicles and mechs like a hawk, I breathed a sigh of relief when nothing happened, and the troops flooded into the chamber. Kral came to my side and hung close.

“I wish to be with you… supporting you,” Yila murmured fretfully.

And I’m glad you’re not, I thought, keeping that to myself. “You have the strongest Fighter. We need you there to protect us,” I reminded her. “We’re counting on you.”

“I know, I know,” she sighed, adding, “Be safe, my man… my wing man.”

“You too, guardian angel.” That was as close to love talk as we dared on an open channel, at least while we were calm.

It was ominously quiet with an entire company of men together like this, and the air was thick with tension. I scanned the area beyond the doors, and they were thick with groups of green dots, with a large bunch in the corridor beyond. I said to the men guardedly as we huddled together, “This half of you, break for the left wall, the other half to the right, and protect your ears. Got it?” When they nodded, I ordered, pointing, “Break, go.” If any hadn’t got the message, they followed suit and bolted with the others. I said to Yila, “Hon, blast those doors in the far wall with a Ballista.”

“I got you, though… not easy,” she replied, nearly landing on the ramp, and fired one of those devastating rounds. It cleared the wrecks of the tanks, shot past us with its terrible mass, and slammed into the doors, tearing through them as if they were paper. There was a huge explosion as it delivered its incredible energy to what lay beyond, and while the others were recovering from the concussion, I dove in front of the doors, my rifle at the ready.

It was a mess, and half shrouded in smoky gloom. The flooring had been blasted away, as had a lot of the nearby walls and ceiling, in a long wide cone of destruction. The only lighting was here and there on far walls, so I had to light my torch. Beyond that in the murk was blood, a lot of it, and torn bits of Gek flesh. It was a wide open area, especially after that Ballista blew it out. I scanned around and saw that it was clear of enemies for some distance. A wheeled armored personnel carrier was small enough to fit through the doors and the wide corridor beyond, and it had a mean looking autocannon. I turned and shouted to the still recovering group of soldiers, “Anyone familiar with armored vehicles, get that thing going and follow me!” Kral barked orders in Oshazi as they were slow to comply, and they all snapped out of any lingering stupor to prepare for the fight to come.

As the vehicle roared to life, I ran in front which had Kral shouting after me to wait for them, briefly, before realizing I wouldn’t listen. As I was picking my way over the subflooring, I stopped quickly as fire streamed at me from down the intact corridor. I hunkered down and sent a Plasma Grenade their way, and the fire stopped for a time as it detonated. I wasn’t about to lose a single man to these vermin. I shouted over the radio, “Man the main gun in that armor and fire on anything you see. Just watch for my movement.”

I heard Yila grumble, “And if you harm him, Tenari help you…”

I ducked as that gun opened fire immediately, a heavy caliber slow-firing automatic with a booming report that echoed loudly throughout the interior. I crept forward, watching as fat tracers streaked down the wide corridor towards armored Gek gathering beyond. It made short work of those slow to take cover. I ran to the side walls and dashed down the corridor to stay out of their fire, and the others joined with the APC to lend cover fire in support of me. I could hear shouts behind me, which no doubt meant they were intent on following after. I had to deal with whatever threats were up ahead, leaving it to them to play cleanup crew, even if they didn’t like me hogging their fight for myself. I was not about to trade posthumous glory for a single one of their lives.

I gave a quick scan over the area ahead, and saw that it opened up into another large chamber, with Gek hunkered to the left and right. I came up to the corner, shouting, “I am Traveler Fox! Surrender or you all die! Life is of far more profit than death!”

Their answer was a stream of fire into the wall corner. With it came a voice booming over speakers, “Don’t listen! Don’t listen! Remember your megeba! Our forces are gathering! We will defeat them! Destroy them! Use the worthless survivors like our ancestors before us! Remember the First! We will rule this galaxy again! Rule all galaxies!” There was a shrill cry after that stirring little speech. They took themselves way too seriously. I would personally take them down a notch in the name of all the innocents their ancestors had killed. And if reinforcements were coming, I had to hurry this up.

The area ahead was some sort of large community or dining room with tables and chairs placed around, and fortunately fairly well lit, with low walls for a border with planters along the top. They were crouching behind them and opened fire as I dove around the corner. I launched a pair of Plasma Grenades to either side at them, and ducked back after taking more of their fire than was comfortable, cringing as the grenade blasts rang in my ears and debris went flying past me. This was one hell of a loud battle. I could hear groans of pain as I hurried past, leaving the survivors to the capable hands of my comrades who I could hear coming up behind me, along with that armor. As I replenished my resources, I said over the radio, “Park the armor there. Corridors run off to either side, so they could be massing troops to rush them. I’m continuing down the main hallway. And listen, their leader said something about reinforcements. If that’s true we have to wrap this mission up quick. And Yila.”

“Yes my… wingman.” I could feel the tug of her heart on mine.

I hated to tell her this, but I had to. “If they are sending support here, you and the other Fighters are going to have to hold them off while we regroup and escape. I’ll join you as soon as I can.”

“Understood,” she murmured somberly. I prayed that NARFNYK was bluffing.

[stryker99]

(Ch 16 - getting there)

It was quite a rabbit nest I found us in, as there were many rooms branching off of the main corridor, both large and small, and Gek hid in them waiting for me to reach them. Thanks to my scanner I had the advantage, and could see them where they sheltered. The fully charged Blaze Javelin would penetrate the walls easily as well as their armor, so the only surprise attacks were mine. I called for them to surrender or death would be their fate, but they all chittered at me defiantly. A common theme with them was “Remember the First!” and that was beginning to wear thin with me.

I shouted back, “The First are all dead! And you will join them if you keep fighting!”

“Bah! You will remember us when you are dead yourself!” one screeched to me. I dispatched him quickly which I hoped the others took as a sign. They didn’t, and one by one I picked them off. I found that I had help as fire streaked past me.

I cast a quick look over my shoulder to see Kral approaching with a contingent of a dozen or so behind him. “You will not fight this battle with your own strength. Stay low.”

“You stay—!” I began, but he gave me a headshake. Well crap, I had backup whether I liked it or not. “Then stay behind me.”

“Oh I will. You are an amazing shield.” I had to chuckle at that. And I did everything I could to shield them, even holding back when I would normally rush the damned toads. This slowed us down a little, but even with the threat of a possible counterattack coming, I treasured their lives more than my own.

We took the Gek down, threat by threat as we advanced. From what I could make out with my scanner, we had finally reached the central hub of the complex, and it was the Gek “First’s” last stand. They made barricades of whatever furniture they could drag into a large chamber and gathered their remaining forces behind them, laying down a hail of deadly fire. There was even a shielded gun emplacement, akin to the gun on the APC. This was going to be tough. I had us all sheltering around the corners of that last hallway of death, and refused to advance further until that deadly threat was taken out. Kral began to summon up a missileer but I held them back. He growled to me, “What are you ordering here, commander? That we sit and wait patiently while we have a nice chat? They must be put down! You said—”

“I know what I said. And if reinforcements are coming we’ll need every boot to help us escape with your people.” That was only part of it, and I was betting that he knew I wouldn’t risk a single Oshazi life for my own. “Now give me that missile tube,” I ordered a trooper, beckoning for it. He gave Kral an uncertain look, to which the commander nodded grudgingly. I asked for a quick brief on its workings, which were simple enough. Then I crept up and peeked around the corner which resulted in another hail of fire, including a few rounds of that fearsome cannon which had us all pulling back. Large deadly holes were punched in the walls where we had been hiding. I had a small measure of sympathy for the Gek we’d killed.

There was one function on my Multitool I had passed over for the sake of its offensive weapons, and that was a shield. This was a hell of a time to give it a test, but at the moment I needed all the protection I could get. Selecting it, a transparent illuminated curved surface made of hexagons sprang up, and with a quick prayer, I ran down the hallway as Kral and his men cried out in alarm.

The Gek unleashed utter hell on me, with blaster fire streaming in between cluster grenades and those lethal shells from that damned gun. The explosions were all around me, the blasts deafening, and while the shield was doing its job, it was depleting rapidly. I focused half my attention on that shield integrity meter as I planted, doing my best to ignore the deadly fire coming right at me, I leveled that tube and fired just as the shield collapsed. Explosions knocked me off my feet, and I dimly heard people screaming at me. My body was numb and tender, my mind in a fog, and through the delirium, all I could think was, I have to get up, I have to get up…

And then I came to myself somewhat, and realized that there was a lull in the fire. Looking up through half-blurred eyes, I saw that the gun was a twisted wreck, the shield half blown away, the barrel angled toward the ceiling, and there were bodies all around it. Gek were screaming in confusion and disarray at having their trump card blown out of their hands, and Narfnyk was shrieking at them to fight to the last. The tromp of heavy boots and shadows flew past me, and as strong hands helped me to my feet, I could hear over wooly ears the sounds of weapon fire. I realized what was happening and mumbled out, “Wait… let me…” No one paid me any heed, but I was encouraged as I saw Kral and his men ruthlessly taking out the remaining survivors. He spent a moment to locate the speaker from which the Gek commander was screaming and shot it silent, muttering something in Oshazi which sounded crude.

“Nijal!” Yila wailed over my ringing ears. “Please speak to me!”

“I’m… fine,” I mumbled out, but she was getting damned tired of that disposable line and cursed me good.

Kral glanced at me as he and his men kept their weapons trained on the bodies they had dispatched, saying, “My pardon, if we fight a little while you sleep. Now that your nap is over, be useful and see if any Gek live.”

As I regained my composure, I scanned around, shaking my head. “Not out here.” Finally, we could enjoy a brief moment of peace.

I told the men helping me that I was fine and stood on mostly steady legs, when I heard a caustic remark from Yila, who was still emotional. “You say that… always, no matter how near death… how can I listen to you seriously!”

Out of habit, I quipped to her, “Well… hon, if you hear me reply—”

“No jokes!” she cried, which had Kral laughing.

I said in placation, “Okay, okay… but seriously, I’m afraid this was such a hard battle, without the two of us, many, many of your people would have died.”

She huffed an exasperated breath at me. “I know… how well I know, now, but… put down some burdens! Please, my… oh, Nijal…”

I hoped she would welcome this news. “It’s nearly over, hon.”

She exclaimed, “There is more?”

This had Kral laughing with his men, and he said some things that made Yila snarl. He added in Lingo, “Officer Yila, we are ever grateful for both of you, and that you remain vigilant while we win this battle.”

She groaned in exasperation, “I am… pleased to serve you. Be safe with what you do. And Nijal,” she snapped hotly, which had them laughing again.

Kral said to her, “With your… wingman, we will fight more safely. Now pardon us while I borrow him from you a little more.” He pointed to a large curving wall with armored doors spaced out around it. “See if you can take down this last obstacle. It is the last, right?”

I nodded to him as I approached, fully recovered and my systems restored. There was a large thick wall that enclosed a substantial chamber with a wide heavy-looking door that resembled one made for a vault, and on the other side of it were a number of green dots, perhaps twenty of them. If this wasn’t command central, I’d eat a tire. Over speakers a ways off came the grating shriek of that Gek commander. “Damn you! Curse you! Fakr! You will all suffer for this!”

I cried, “Shut up, Narfnyk, and surrender! We own your base now!”

That had him choking silent for a brief moment. “How do you know my name!”

“I read some of your love notes to your underlings at the Station, which you lost too. You use too many capitals,” I chided. Kral and the others watched me with questioning looks as I bantered with the Gek leader.

“You! You! It was you! Pathetic Interloper! Enjoy a short victory! That dish will be taken from you soon! Soon! You have no idea the shit you pushed up your nose!”

Kral asked of me, leaning close to be heard over Narfnyk’s ranting, “What are your orders? Blast the doors? Shall I summon explosives?”

I shook my head, snatching up a tube and motioning to the others as I handed it to him. They could only be cluster grenade launchers. “Pick these up and use them if my negotiations fail.”

“Negotiations? With them? The way they treat us?” he snorted in contempt, and indicated the grenade launcher. “You should negotiate with one of these yourself!”

“The ones inside are officers. They will give up the best intelligence,” I told him advisedly. “And we both need that kind of treasure.”

He returned a sour look. “Officers usually take that treasure to geneha with them.” He nodded towards the door. “And they are in no hurry to greet us.”

“I’m about to see to that. Now, if things don’t go my way and they won’t surrender, I need you and your men on either side of me to shoot inside with those. They will launch grenades, lots of them, so get ready for the bangs.” I didn’t wait for his assent and went to a panel on the right side of the door, saying to Suit, “Please tell me you can hack that.”

“Affirmative… high level security… additional intrusion time required.”

What else was new. “Alright, get on it,” I said, but she was already hard at work. As with many computerized tasks, I saw the progress bar and the numeric values creep up, jump up, jump back… it was quite nerve-wracking.

Kral came alongside to watch and asked, “What is happening?”

“My suit system is overcoming security measures,” I replied, which had him looking amazed.

“It does that?” he asked with wide eyes. “What else does it do?”

“Oh… run life support and protections, manage my bank account, handle friends lists…” He gave me a dubious look, but by then it was getting close to complete, and I urged him back to position. I poised beside the massive door, holding my own Gek tube weapon at the ready. I finally heard locks unlatching, and the thing crept ponderously open. From inside I could hear anxious cries from the Gek officers, and terse orders to be quiet.

I waited until I caught the sounds of movement. The door was mostly open at that point, and I could hear the Oshazi heaving nervous breaths as they watched. When the Gek sounded close, I jumped in front of the door, catching them off guard. We both fired, though I shot first, and they were stunned as they found themselves caught in the same netting they used to capture the Oshazi. It was such poetic justice. I took a few rounds from Gek poised behind walls of consoles as I switched to my rifle, and a few more from those snared in the netting. I kicked their weapons out of their hands and shot the others into submission. A few hung back, hiding behind consoles and desks for cover, refusing to give up, and had to be killed save for one notable Gek. Only the ones caught in the netting surrendered.

And then the commander himself stood to face me, firing a pistol and shrieking Gek slurs at me as he half-ducked near systems in the center of the chamber. I winced as his weapon was not the strongest but still something to be respected. I shrugged it off as I ran around to take him on hand to hand. Before he could switch to a blade, I bashed him in the chest with the butt of my rifle, knocking him to the ground half-dazed. I twisted his helmet off and shoved my rifle in his face, growling, “Knock it off, Narfnyk! In case you haven’t noticed yet, you lost. Now don’t try my patience because I don’t have much left.”

He blew me off, squawking, “Damn you! Curse you! Faka you! You Interloper spawn of shit beetles!”

Shit beetles, huh? Now I was in a really bad mood. I yanked him up by the arm and practically threw him on a console that had a microphone on it. I pushed his face towards it, snarling, “All right, you little shit toad! Tell everyone to surrender!” He began repeating the same derrogatory language almost word for word. I’d had enough of his belligerence, grabbing a flabby blob of his throat where I felt a gland, and mashed it. He began squealing loudly now, which clearly pleased the Oshazi. Just then, there was a shot and one of the men went down. The others made sure the Gek with the concealed pistol was dead, and began to fire on the rest. “No no!” I shouted. “Don’t be cruel like them! We need them to cooperate!”

Kral was quite upset with me, and after beginning to shout something in Oshazi, continued in Lingo, “Do not ask me to be kind to these… animals! And with a man down because of them!”

That hurt me deeply, and I asked in a weak voice, “Is he dead?”

“Good! Die—!” Narfnyk began, but I choked him rather savagely to silence.

“Not for lack of the effort!” Kral retorted hotly. Still, he added, “Do not be surprised if they happen to die on us for this!”

“Okay,” I husked out to him, then turned my attention back on my captive. “Now you are going to order your megaba to surrender.”

"Eat your own thing—! he shouted, but I grabbed that gland again, which must be quite tender as he began screaming even louder. I triggered the mic and began working his mouth with the other hand, so he sounded like he was squealing, “Stop! All! Now! Stop!” An unpleasant smell oozed up from him, and I welcomed that as a sign he was outraged and in agony.

I said into the mic myself, “Listen to your commander, Narfnyk! I am doing very bad things to him! But if you surrender, I will stop, and you will live!” Hopefully, any remaining Gek would take this seriously. I left the mic open as I released my hold and grumbled, “Now, I’m not usually a cruel guy, Narfnyk. But you and your fellow Gek have done some very bad things to people who are friends of mine. If you want to keep living, you do as you’re told. Understand?” He couldn’t respond, still recovering, but he gave me a nod. “All right. No tricks from you, and I’ll keep my bargain.”

As I marched him out with the others who had difficulty with their netting, Kral muttered to me, “If you had truly been one of us, you would not be the least kind to them.”

I huffed a breath as I came to his side, and he practically radiated hate for these beings. “Kral, I know, believe me, I know. My wife… she was probably stolen from her people and sold as a slave by these same Gek!” I jostled Narfnyk roughly, making him squeak. “…When she was just a young girl. Believe me when I say this isn’t easy for me either. But at some point, we have to try to get along as people, or we won’t stop killing each other until no one is left. And there are many more Gek than Oshazi.” That caught his attention, and he looked down in thought. I gave his arm a pat and reminded him that reinforcements might be coming, and to be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice. I was glad to see that the man who was shot only had a minor wound with little blood loss. Thank God that body armor had lived up to its name.

To their credit, almost all of the survivors did surrender, though there weren’t more than forty of them left by this point. The Oshazi had a small celebration, shouting my name over and over, which made me feel pretty good. Yila overheard this and murmured, “Nijal, my dear one… my hero.”

“And you’re mine, my angel above.” I could practically hear her smile.

We disarmed the sheepish Gek and marched them outside, the APC trailing behind and a cadre of well armed troop besides, so no one dared try anything. Some of the outdoor lights were still working, as the sky was well dark, so we herded the prisoners in a group under one of them with a ring of ten guards plus the vehicle with its massive gun to keep them under control. My helmet was off, and the air smelled of war, but a victorious one. And thank God, it went down far better than I feared it would.

[stryker99]

(Ch 16 - almost there)

I gazed around the installation, which to my surprise was halfway intact. Only a few fires were still burning and they were small. I said to Kral, “Congratulations, you won yourself a new base on a new world. Your first conquest.”

He smirked at me. “To be exact, you won the base with only your two hands. We were as much as in your way. So…” He came to attention, giving me a smart salute. “Commander Nijal Fox, would you be so kind to relinquish control of the base to our command?”

I returned it, saying, “I do hereby relinquish. Take good care of it. I nearly died a couple of times winning the blasted thing.” This caused a sharp gasp from Yila, to which I murmured, “Slight exaggeration.”

She puffed a sour breath at me. “I do not believe.”

I said to Kral, “Lieutenant Commander, where is Commander Milos? I want to see how he is doing.”

“One moment,” he said rather stiffly and marched over to where the APC was stationed guarding the prisoners. I decided to tag along which earned me a grumpy look from him. He addressed a troop near the vehicle who saluted smartly, and there was a short exchange between them, the soldier giving me an uncertain look.

This made me a little curious, and on a hunch I asked Kral, “Is there anything you’d like to share with the former base commander for all of an hour?”

He gave me a look I had trouble reading. “Friend Nijal, try to understand, but do not interfere.” He said in address to the soldiers, “Vebety yikh.” My stomach clenched as they raised their weapons, some of them glancing at me. The Gek began chittering and screeching and jumped to their feet. In their midst, Narfnyk began shouting hoarsely, “Traitor! Liar! I knew, I knew!”

I dashed in front of the APC, my arms outstretched as if to cover as many of the Gek as I could. “No no no! Stop! This is wrong! I gave them my word! They trusted me! Don’t make me a liar… don’t do this!”

Kral had raised his hand, but lowered it slowly which I hoped against hope was a good sign. His tone said otherwise. “Nijal… stand aside. Think sensibly. There are some forty troublemakers, nearly a third of my group… too many. They would have died anyway.”

“No! Wait!” I shouted, trying like mad to think of some line of argument to defuse this standoff. “You would die filled with hate for them if they promised you fair treatment, and then killed you and your men - and rightly so! Lying to you like that, just to be slaughtered like animals. You’re supposed to be better than that, people of honor, all of you. And you would drag me into this sin with you? Please, think about what you are asking your men to do!” This reached many of the men, most of them lowering their weapons, and all of them were fixed on me, particularly Kral.

I had to be even handed though, turning to face the startled Gek. “And you! Selling people like animals, like objects! Killing those who won’t submit to you! There is good reason the Vy’keen still attack your people, kill your people. You never repented of your own sins committed by the First Spawn. Killing entire races! Even your own kind turned on you. Slaughtered their parents for their evil. You can make this wrong into a right. Obey your new masters! If you do one wrong thing, they would have every right to kill all of you! Do you understand me?” I cried. They cringed back, wailing at me for mercy. Thank heaven, they weren’t belligerent as prisoners.

I turned to Kral, asking in a more humble tone, “Please… they ask for mercy. You own their lives now. Do what would honor your people. Do what Tenari would want.”

He stared at me in an angry perplexion for a while, then turned away with a lowered head, grumbling, “I give you back your base. Their fate is… yours to decide.”

“Ohh… thank you, thank you,” I murmured, then turned to the guards, instructing them to keep back twenty-five meters, the same for the APC. Give warning shots for aggressive acts, then disabling ones if they still disobeyed. Lethal fire at their discretion. I made sure the Gek heard this too. I ordered them to pass this on to their replacements, and to take hour and a half shifts. When I finished, they nodded to me and saluted. I turned to the Gek, telling them, “I bargained for your lives. That is good profit, life over death. Don’t throw it away.”

Narfnyk stood up, looking conflicted. “You… a male of honor. You value our lives. So rare… our gratitude is yours.” They all grumbled in agreement.

“Even though I hate what your people did, you have mine in return,” I told them. “Just remember, your lives depend on your obedience.”

Yila said to me, “I think I know you, and then you have such surprises for me. You are… one amazing thing after the next. Standing for Gek! I would not have been so kind.” She had been listening all this time, the adorable little snoop.

“Didn’t I tell you I was a charming man?” I was relieved as she giggled.

“Say, charming man, am I ever to be relieved of duty?” It hadn’t occurred to me that she had been cruising over the base for most of a day, and could stand some actual relief and a meal.

“I’m sorry hon, of course you are.” I looked after Kral, tromping in a miff to a building. “I think I should make up with Kral. He doesn’t look too happy.”

“Well, you ruined his fun,” she said advisedly. “He will not like you for some while.”

“I have to try,” I told her, then hurried after him. Catching up to him, I began to talk but he cut me off.

“You whip me naked, and then want to chat like old friends?” He heaved a sigh as I walked alongside uncomfortably. “But… damn you… are right. Why don’t you be right somewhere else for a while?”

This was too somber a moment to enjoy a laugh. “Alright, but I’d like to see Milos, and the other wounded, see how they are doing.”

My heart dropped as he told me, “He is… not doing so good, last I heard.”

“Where is he?” I asked in a tight voice. He told me where an infirmary had been found and I shouted my thanks as I bolted off. I just caught him muttering something that was probably Gek lover.

It was the Gek infirmary, which made sense, and a few non-medical people were there to greet me, mostly female. “Where’s Milos?” I demanded.

An officer consulted a tablet. “I think… just leaving out of surgery—”

“Where?” I insisted, edging forward. “What’s his condition?”

She pushed me back. “Very low. He will not be awake for a visit. Just leave and—”

“No, no, I have to see.” The troop gave me a sour look at my belligerence, but gave me directions. Down a long corridor and to the right were a series of examination rooms, empty save for one, thank God for that. Further down were a few larger double doors, and out of one came an Oshazi wheeled on a gurney by an attendant, a pair of doctors in light green surgical gowns at his side. His head was bandaged with a large patch over his left eye. As one of them pulled his mask off to speak with me, I asked, “Is this Milos?” Then I looked at his face and it was obvious, especially with that eye patch. I was so observant.

“Yes, he is,” the surgeon confirmed. “Now listen to me, he will not be awake—”

“I know.” I took up the pace alongside them as they made for a nearby recovery room. “What’s his condition?”

He shook his head sourly as they entered a room and made to hoist his limp body into a short Gek-sized bed, which fortunately had an extension. His frail condition worried me. “His indicators are… very low. Damned fool nearly killed himself with so much effort despite wounds… a typical commander.” He looked at me in surprise as I began to unsuit. “What are you—?”

“I can help…” I began, but then it struck me that there were other casualties too. “Are there any others worse off… much lower than Milos?”

He shook his head in perplexion at me. “No, he is worst case. But why are you—?”

I held my suit up with the helmet. “Get him into this.”

He coughed at me in dismay, and the others shared in that sentiment. “Are you mad? Why? And it is not clean!”

Unsanitary, no doubt. “It won’t matter. This will restore him.”

It took a lot of convincing to assure them that my suit had regenerative systems that healed the occupant like magic. They weren’t happy about it, but removed the IV tube in his arm and sensors they had just put on him to let the pushy maniac with the magic suit have his way, for a short time. When the helmet was secured, they watched for a reaction, giving me dubious looks when nothing changed. It was a tight fit, his nose just touching the helmet glass. Then all of a sudden, he arched his back, groaning weakly in obvious pain. I held them at bay as I assured them that the suit was doing its job, and it was just a response to tender flesh being mended. I hoped, and prayed fervently, quietly, adding, “Come on, Suit, do your job…”

It was a tense several minutes as he breathed rapidly, almost panting, but that was a good sign for me and I felt better. The others weren’t reassured, but watched in perplexion. People came by the room and began to gather outside to gawk at this strange sight. And then they gasped in astonishment as Milos opened a fluttering eye, and raised his hand to feel around the helmet covering his head. His weak but very welcome voice came from the suit speakers. “De ya… where… am I dead? In space? What… is this?”

The medical personnel could hardly believe it, all crying out in shock and delight, slapping me hard on the back. The one doctor shouted, “Amazing! Such quick recovery…” And then he seized my arm hard, his voice still animated. “Can we use this on more wounded?”

“Of course. That’s why I asked about others. I just need that back when you’re done.”

“Yes, yes… for sure,” he muttered, turning his attention on the commander who was still in a fog of confusion and drugs.

As they removed my exosuit, Milos gaped at me in wonder, asking faintly, “Is that… your suit?”

I nodded, giving his shoulder a pat. “It did you some good. And listen, I have to see about some other suffering troops, but I’ll be back to talk in a while, when you’re awake.” He nodded after me, his eye closing as I went with the doctors, my suit in hand.

There were four others in pretty bad shape, one who had lost a leg. I advised them to give him a bit more sedative as this would hurt a lot as it regenerated a limb. We watched in sympathy as he was in some distress for the duration. But at the end of his unconscious agony, he had his leg back whole and sound. The other three with lesser wounds from Gek fire did much better. Kral found me during this, and he was in a much better mood. In fact, he regarded me with awe. “I heard… but could not believe. You truly are a worker of miracles.”

He snorted when I said to him, “I hope this is worth a few Gek lives.”

“Perhaps,” he muttered, though maybe with a bit less grudge.

There were two fatalities, and while it hurt, I had to accept it. War never changes, and it never becomes safe for the warriors. And to be sure, in a battle this treacherous I feared there would be many more deaths, and without me to help, there might have been a slaughter. That awareness helped me deal with it. All in all, this was such a good end to the day, and it was much better as Yila found me in the infirmary and stood close, having trouble containing her emotions, her eyes glistening. She stroked over my chest, murmuring, “It’s good to see you out of that clunky thing so I can… be nearer. You infuriating man.” Just as I thought she wasn’t that mad at me, she shoved me against the wall, shouting, “If I could just speak my inner words at you!” Those remotely close to us began to drift away with wide eyes.

I held my hands up, beginning, “Honey, it was a war and I—”

“No honey!” she exclaimed, huffing a breath at me, then her expression softened into a smirk and she went on a bit more cooly, a little more affectionately, “I should beat you so hard, but… you suffered…” She stroked over my chest but muttered with her attentions, “And you… forced my suffering with you.”

I clasped her hand over my heart. “Yila, darling, I’m sorry—”

She put her fingers to my lips to silence me. “Please, not that. You are sorry, but not, and then I am sorry… no more sorries. Talk of other things… your suit. What does it do?”

I told her with a lopsided, relieved smile, “The suit had a job to do, and it’s… busy.” I explained to the puzzled girl what I had been doing with it, or more properly, what the doctors had been busy doing, and she gasped at me in amazement. “If only…! I… don’t guess that you can make more such suits?”

I shook my head, admitting, “I have no idea how I got mine. We Travelers seem to wake up to this universe with our exosuit on. Each one seems tailor made for us. I would make thousands if I could.”

She was disappointed, but was philosophical about it. “At least you have the one, man who carries the universe on your shoulders.” She knew me so well. As I stood there with her, I wanted to say a lot of things to her, so many things… wanted some alone time. Wanted to make love to her, but that was a mortal infraction. She seemed to know this, not getting closer but not drawing away either, her eyes smoldering in mine. I needed to break this spell, because the infractions were beginning to pile up.

Fortunately, this Atlas was likely as hungry as she was, my stomach growling. “Say, would you like to share a meal of war rations? My treat.”

She burst out laughing, giving my chest a fond pat. “You… so generous to me!”

After a meal sprinkled with some nice chatter, we settled down for the night. It occurred to me that if Gek reinforcements did come, the prisoners would all be killed, so for both our sakes I prayed that nothing happened.

She had parked her Fighter next to Space Beast, and we laid out our bedding close to each other. A soldier came up to her as we were undressing and looked uncertain as he spoke to her. I wondered if they wanted her to be with their forces, or if sleeping so close to me was inappropriate. He didn’t seem all that satisfied by what she said, but he saluted and left us alone. “I told him that Commander Nazar himself assigned me to you,” she explained as she finished removing her uniform, and she wasn’t too shy about it which was pleasing to my eyes. I decided I didn’t need my top, which seemed to please hers. Nothing could come of it, sadly. I shouldn’t be sad, I really shouldn’t…

There was a sweet tension from being so near to her, and I enjoyed gazing into her eyes, as she did mine. Hers seemed to hold much more emotion. I said to her quietly, “I thank Tenari that He kept you safe… that you listened to me, and stayed out of the worst danger.”

She returned with a wry smirk. “And you, who will listen to no one… obeys only your own orders… who makes me afraid for you… will you please…” She reached over and stroked my cheek softly, murmuring, “Please… keep yourself safe? For me, my one?”

I clasped her hand to my cheek, savoring the warmth of her bare palm on my skin. “I’ll try… try not to make you afraid.”

She sighed quietly, “Nijal… you horrible man… I must pray Tenari’s hand on you always. Only He will save you from your own foolishness.” I could read her lips as she whispered, “If only for me.”

As we lay there, our eyes doing most of the talking, sleep crept up on us both. My dreams were a turbulent swirl of combat, and some very bad infractions.

[stryker99]

(Ch 16 - finis)

There was an invasion that night, but it was of Oshazi. I awoke to find my hand clasping Yila’s, and we blushed to each other, parting with a fond squeeze. It was quite a force; squadron after squadron of Fighters, and many more Shuttles full of troops to occupy the base. I got up and dressed to meet the commander of the expedition, as I had a feeling that the hero of the day should be involved in the briefing. He was a grizzled officer named Amek, one of the men in that first meeting with General Nazar. As I explained the sequence of events leading to the capture of the base and the prisoners, Amek’s gaze intensified. “The report I received… I wanted to hear it from yourself. You did not lie… truly, a one man army.”

“Well, I try,” I replied with a thin smile.

“Try for more sleep,” he advised me. “The coming days will be busy.”

And they were. After a much-too-quick breakfast, I got half-dragged into it, half-intruded, as the base was fully taken over. I had to say goodbye to Yila as I got involved with repairs, and my tools made themselves very useful restoring defenses, and my suit for hacking into secure systems so the Oshazi could use them. I browsed the communication logs and data base for information, and it was a mixed bag. The Plan kept being mentioned, though details were sketchy at best, which made sense if it was common knowledge to the Gek. It seemed to involve spreading their influence throughout the Unknown Systems and enslavement of the forgotten races living among them. I was quite happy to put a stop to that. There were mentions of the races found on the conquered worlds, and I worried over them, particularly that second planet they raided. I was anxious to stop them as well. I wanted to leave to deal with it right that minute, but it probably made more sense to let their captives be imprisoned, to keep them away from the battle I would wage to free them. I now had a burning desire to find all the lost remnants of the Civilized Age, knowing they were out there. I had been pining away for this opportunity, when all I had to do was stop avoiding what I considered empty sectors. Live and learn, young Nijal.

By that point the day was half over. I ate a quiet lunch with Yila, and then while most of the soldiers were busy with salvage and getting the potent Gek armaments into their hands, the officers had a meeting in one of the Gek planning rooms, and I was cordially invited. As if I would miss it. I brought Yila along for moral support. They had the holo-displays working, a galactic map floating above our table. Commander Amek had to use an authoritative voice from time to time to keep them focused because the officers were mesmerized at this amazing gadgetry. He pointed out three systems connected by travel lines. One of them was this one, Amdontin, the third was a far off system named Shirond, and in the middle, the hub of this web of evil, was Daderme-Gek. By that name, the Raiders evidently wanted to serve notice to the galaxy that this was their undisputed domain, but I grew concerned as the Oshazi command intended to dispute it in a war. So this was why such a large force arrived in the middle of the night.

This made me quite uncomfortable. To declare war after a swift victory on a lesser objective was reckless. The world, Nytanu-Gek, would no doubt be much better fortified, and even if they had dispersed much of their forces in the conquest of neighboring systems, I dreaded to think of the fight that the Oshazi would be facing. It would no doubt be a bloodbath for both sides, and I feared very much that the Oshazi would lose - unless an unexpected hero came along to insure victory. The hero in question had a mission of his own to pursue. But, could I abandon them in such a dangerous but necessary endeavor? At some point it would have to be fought, and if they didn’t take it to the Gek, the Raiders would amass a force of their own to take this world back, and that would go badly for my friends.

Yila was next to me, and we kept sharing nervous glances. I understood, but I did not like this. And then I noticed it was quiet, and all eyes were on me. Great, I had spaced out at a crucial juncture, and that juncture was clearly me. “I’m sorry, I was pondering this entire mess. Could you repeat that?”

Amek looked disappointed. “Will you join us—? Perhaps I should rephrase this… will you lead us in this battle?”

I should have expected that. “At the risk of sounding like I blew off the entire meeting, let’s go over the details of the invasion of…” I looked at the display to refresh my memory. “Nytanu-Gek again.” He looked chagrinned, but was almost patient about it as he was restated the entire lecture in a nutshell. The officers weren’t reckless, naive tacticians, and his points made sense. Staying here would make them sitting targets to a potential force of overwhelming numbers, and it would be a battle of attrition they had a good chance of losing as the Gek did. Taking the fight to them could catch them off guard, particularly if a certain hero with a Gek ship and Gek credentials could infiltrate first to soften their defenses as I had on Tumussid. And then on the ground, my superior shielding and weaponry would enable them to more easily penetrate enemy defenses and capture their leader, as we had, insuring a more swift and certain victory. Even though the third system was probably more vulnerable, they wanted to make a decisive assault to crush the Raiders. It made sense and was logically laid out, but even with a heroic Traveler to lead them, it was a gamble. A daring, risky gamble, and with much of their force equipped with outdated tech.

They were intent on doing this, lighting that fuse with or without me. I felt as trapped as K’tarsgh when I threw my request in his face to fight an evil god. Did I dare abandon them to tackle such a perilous Fate themselves? Leave my precious Yila?

I had little choice but to agree. I couldn’t let them face this battle alone, this complicated little war, and it would be a war. I felt hollow as we worked out the rough details of the mission, based on the one we had just completed victoriously. Most likely, the main Gek base was laid out much like this one, with the same threats and challenges. If there were any tactical differences, I would adjust and improvise accordingly. And then I swallowed as they ordered me to set off immediately.

[stryker99]

Entry 017: A Complicated Little War
Day 77

They had little choice but attack now if they were going to strike at all. Otherwise, reinforcements would gather and we could easily lose, and lose a lot of men.

I walked with Yila to my beastly Fighter. It was quite a somber little walk. When we reached the ugly thing, we both spoke at once. “Go ahead,” I told her.

She tugged her mouth aside in a rather Nijal-like way. “I… well… be safe. Be very safe, my… wingman. And I mean that!” After her rather hot outburst, she stroked my cheek, adding in a tender voice, “No more near-death, please.”

I knew we were taking up time with this goodbye, as the whole mission waited on my departure, but I lingered as our eyes shared secret passions and fears. I murmured to her, “You be safe too, and message me if you have any trouble.”

“Yila!” someone called, waving to us.

She muttered something, seeming to gather herself, and grabbed me about the neck in a tight hug, whispering, “Return to me… my one.”

I gave her a kiss on the cheek, hugging her back as hard, saying to her, “I promise, my darling, precious angel.”

Just as they were shouting again, she groaned and pushed out of my arms, muttering, “Go, get this overwith so we… ohh, be brave and true.” I wanted to hear more, wanted to say more, but the clock was ticking. I watched her run off and forced myself to enter Space Beast, my stomach in knots.

Daderme-Gek spread out in front of me, an Unknown G Class System infested with Raiders. I wondered if there were any of the rightful inhabitants still living there in fear of capture, lurking in remote areas. If there were, I prayed that none were in the base.

Of the four worlds in the system, the one which concerned me was the second, Nytanu-Gek, a pleasant verdant world, and a name I was determined to edit with extreme prejudice. I pulsed to it, a trip which was over a bit too soon for me. I was shocked when I broke out of pulse drive to hear a number of Gek distress calls. Sure enough, near the Space Station and poised over the planet were a number of Freighters being swarmed by Fighters, streaks of weapon fire spraying into the void. A battle was already raging? What the hell was going on! Could it possibly be the indigenous people trying to defend themselves? I decided to hail a Freighter, calling, “This is Traveler Fox, Nigel Fox. Please identify and give your status.”

“Interloper?” My next surprise was that it was Vy’keen. “I am Commander Tersgh’ah of the Second Battle Group of the Fifth Fleet of Admiral Yaigh’nekh. If you would lend your blade, it would be best used on the cursed Gek fortress on Nytanu. Do you need coordinates?”

I performed a quick scan and found the base indicator just over the horizon of the world below. “No, I’ve got it, thanks. I’ll join your blades shortly.” And then a thought struck me, and I added, “Commander, I have something else to report. I just came from the Amdontin system where another Gek base was located. I joined a battle group and we captured it. It’s in our hands now.”

He gave out a big gasp of shock. “You are…!” I sensed that he had almost called me a liar. “You speak the truth?”

“Yes, it’s true.” This must be the conflict that Vy’keen had gone to Isvelda to ask about. It was too much of a coincidence, which meant a separate battle group was heading for Amdontin. Thank God I had the presence of mind to mention it.

He still looked amazed in my display. “I will inform the other battle groups of this. Now our forces will be less divided. We still welcome your support.”

I wondered how welcoming he would be of my Oshazi friends. “I have one last item to report. I am in command of a fighting force, and we were coming to defeat the Gek ourselves. I request permission to join in the attack.”

“Force?” He gave me a puzzled, dubious look. “What kind of force? Vy’keen? Korvax?”

I steeled myself for his reaction. “Oshazi. They are great warriors.”

Now he really looked puzzled. “What in the name of Hirk is that?” He then shook his head at me. “No matter. If they are… others, tell your force to stay out, go back. Joining with others is trouble.”

I was afraid of that, and said evasively, “I will… take that under advisement. May you succeed with great glory. Nigel Fox, out.” Great, great, just great…

“Nijal, report in.” It was Amek. I had a feeling he wouldn’t care for my news.

“Nijal here. Listen, this world is currently under attack by—”

“Already?” He was understandably incredulous. There were plenty of surprises to go around today.

“Yes, by Vy’keen. Why don’t you recall your forces and secure the base at Tumussid, let us deal with the forces at Nytanu?”

He puffed a sour breath at me. “The hell we will. Our battle group is about to join you.”

This was almost worse than taking the Gek on ourselves. While it would seem that joining forces would help insure victory, I had no idea how the Vy’keen would react to an army of outsiders joining in battle like this, especially a race they had never seen before, and in defiance of a direct order. I also hadn’t thought through what joining forces entailed. Without rigorous training first, joint combat was a bad idea. And if they attacked my friends, even by mistake, I would have to defend them. “I copy,” I replied soberly. “But listen, a Vy’keen battle group may show up at Tumussid soon. If they do, contact them immediately because they think they still have a Gek base to invade. I told my Vy’keen chums about you, so hopefully there won’t be any confusion.”

“Understood. Tenari bless your victory,” he said to me and signed off. Tenari would definitely need to bless this mess.

When the Oshazi jumped in, they gave voice to their amazement at the incredible battle raging in the distance. They had never witnessed such a sight, as nothing like it had occurred for thousands of years. This was a first for me as well, sure that I had never lead an invasion group before. “Commander Nijal, your orders.” It was Milos, and I was glad to hear his voice.

“How is your eye?”

There was a hint of pleasure in his voice. “Like new, thanks to you. Eye owe you.” I just caught the pun, laughing, but he cut me off. “Now, to the battle… your orders.”

“Follow me in,” I told him. “And listen, Vy’keen are people devoted to war, so for Tenari’s sake stay away from them. I doubt they will like our interference.”

“Our interference?” he scoffed. “This is our battle! But I will pass down your directive.”

I guided my flotilla far away from the fight raging around Commander Tersgh’ah’s ships, and thankfully no Gek seemed to notice. I couldn’t count on that forever. I took my own battle group in high until we were close enough to see the Gek base in the distance, and it was big, at least twice as large as the one on Tumussid, smoke rising from it. Then I brought us in low and a distance off from it, approaching at hilltop level, and set down in an open area near a forest about two kilometers away. As the flight made to land, the many fauna ran for their lives toward the surrounding forest. It would be a short hike, but I wanted a decent buffer zone between me and any combatants on either side. I would have to rely on my hopefully keen negotiating skills to navigate through any tricky dialog with the Vy’keen commanders, and I wasn’t looking forward to their reaction. I radioed to Yila, “Set your two squadrons down next to the group, and be ready in case we need fire support. And be aware that the Vy’keen pilots may not yield to you. Don’t fight for airspace with them.”

“You’re serious?” she asked in dismay, grumbling, “Of all the ridiculous… ohh… understood.” Surely there would be no problems between two headstrong people…

As I set my ship down and disembarked, there were a series of booms off in the distance, and the sky above the trees was grimed with smoke. I was glad that it was a sunny morning here, so most of the battles should be easier to conduct. When the commanders sorted the troops into their companies and platoons, I said with a wave, “All right, guys, let’s move out.”

The forest ringing the base would be good for shade and concealment. I cradled Yila’s heart in mine as I led the force of Oshazi through the woods, growing tense as the sounds of battle drew near. Then I heard something that had my whole body clench; a voice, a stern one. “Hold… you stop!”

I put up my hands, my rifle in my right and aimed skyward, hissing behind me, “Halt, everyone, and stand at ready.” It wasn’t a Gek, nor Vy’keen… was it one of the natives? Thank God they knew Lingo, at least some. I peered into the wood but only saw a hint of bodily forms here and there.

The voice muttered uncertainly, “What… are you? Machine, or living?”

My helmet concealed my face in the dimness of the wood, so they wouldn’t know. They seemed more cautious than aggressive, so I decided to trust them. I slowly put my rifle away and undid my helmet, revealing my face. “I am Fox, Nijal Fox, a Human. I’ve come to fight the Gek for you… we all have.” Behind me, Commander Milos gave an unsure grunt. “Could you show me who you are?”

There was a tense moment of inaction until one of them emerged, training a Gek weapon on me. He was a tall, stocky, well muscled reptile with markings of gray and brown in natural camoflage. A crest of thin blackish feathers or hair ran down the center of his head and neck, and he wore scant clothes. He looked a bit like a Raptor, but intelligent and fully humanoid. “I am—”

“A lizard!” someone shouted, and there was quite a commotion behind me at the sight of the strange alien.

He didn’t like it, snarling with bared fangs, “You… fur balls!” followed by language with lots of sibilants. A number of the same beings emerged from cover, looking no less displeased, armed with Gek weapons as well as more primitive things, but all looking deadly. Both sides were on edge, growling out what had to be rude language.

I had to get control of this and quick, positioning myself between them. “Hold on! Wait! We have a common enemy! The Gek! We have to fight them. They hunt my friends too.”

They both quieted down, but there was a lot of tension in the intervening silence. Finally, he lowered his weapon, as did the ones behind. “Be nice with your words!” he grumbled sternly. Race relations had clearly suffered over the last few thousand years, and I was stuck playing diplomat. What would dealing with the Vy’keen be like?

This would have to be quick, daylight was burning. I motioned for Milos to join me, saying, “Let’s talk. I promise, nice words.”

As I figured, he was the leader of one group of his people, a male named S’ndelek. They were Shlaadi, and for a decade or so the Gek had control of their planet. They were a bit primitive, lacking in technical know-how after surviving The Evil which ravaged their world, and trade between systems came to an end, so the Gek faced only token opposition. Many were captured, no doubt enslaved and sold off. With the sounds of battle today, they came to see what the situation was, and if they could help fight. We explained our side briefly, letting Milos do much of the talking since it was his force at risk, but I took up at the end to explain about the invaders. “They are called Vy’keen, and they are fierce warriors who don’t like people getting into their fights. We need to stay out of their way. They may fight us too, and we can’t let that happen because I am also friends with them.”

“Then make them hear you,” S’ndelek told me pointedly. Oh, if only I could, and I explained that they probably wouldn’t hear me, so it was best to back off and let them fight unless they asked for help, which I doubted very much. He mulled this over with an aid, a female and perhaps his mate, and nodded at last. “We will take up your words. Our folk will be a shadow close by.” He clearly meant to fight with us.

I looked the group over. The ones who didn’t have Gek weapons were armed with spears, bows, slings and clubs. I couldn’t believe they would be anything but a sacrificial distraction, and I hoped to dissuade them. Particularly with those makeshift weapons, what use would they be? “I wish you would stay out of the fight.”

One of them scowled at me, thrusting a spear my way. “These make bad pain,” he told me, and rather than a spearhead of wood or stone, it was a mean looking Gek blade. Their arrows must be similar.

“Right, right,” I murmured with a nod, then said to S’ndelek, “Let’s go then, and thank you for the shadow. This will probably be a hard fight.”

As he moved off with the others, he replied, “Hard fights are the most worth.” That was true enough, but would they be up to it?

We continued on, our Shlaadi shadow off to our left, a force which seemed equally male and female, so there was no chauvinism with them, perhaps from necessity. While they all looked quite strong, they had no body armor among them so they were much more vulnerable. I didn’t need this new responsibility, but I was stuck with it.

The Gek base was being pounded good, and the boom of explosions grew louder and more jarring. Finally we saw the high wall encircling the base, and abruptly the treeline stopped as the Gek had cleared a wide space around their fort. There was a massive gate with a stout door lowered over the entrance, as I expected, and began to get out for a better look at the gun emplacements when S’ndelek pulled me back, pointing at the top of the wall in front of us where two big gun turrets were occasionally shooting at Vy’keen ships. “Those are sure death.”

“So are we,” Milos retorted, looking to me. “Attack now?”

“Take 'em out,” I replied. He ordered a quad of missileers forward, who took up position behind sturdy trees, aimed and fired. Four missiles streaked to their targets, and with satisfying bangs the turrets were taken down. I ran out into the open, counting on no turret fire, and when there was none I motioned everyone forward. It was quite a motley crew of Oshazi and Shlaad which dashed across the open land. I ran up to the side of the doors where a panel was and said to my Suit, “Hack away, darling.” She dutifully set on the task, and in short order the gate began its ponderous opening routine. Now the sounds of combat rang out even louder.

Milos was disappointed. “I would liked to have blasted that to scrap.”

“Let’s only break what we have to,” I reminded him, hoping for less salvage and repair work at the end of this. “Now keep your missile men forward—”

“No need to say the obvious,” he said over me, and motioned his men to advance.

Now we were approaching the thick of battle, with Vy’keen ships swooping in to attack through a hail of defensive fire. The layout of the base was almost identical to the one on Tumussid, with outlying buildings leading to ever taller, more sturdy structures, with a large open area in the center fronting a tall main tower, and likely spacecraft hangars beyond. There was the racket of Photon Cannon and other weapons, with the Gek forces returning fire. They had yet to land any troops of their own, working to soften the target area up first. I scanned around to make sure we weren’t near any Gek, and cautioned everyone to stay behind me as we advanced through a maze of buildings. As brave a front as the Shlaad put up, they were clearly intimidated by the unnerving ferocity of this mortal combat. I hoped they took the threat of death seriously.

I tried to hail a Vy’keen pilot, and one responded. “Who is this!” he demanded of the stranger on his channel.

“Traveler Fox, Nigel Fox,” I replied. “I have troops with me inside the Gek base.”

“You have… troops?” he asked in amazement.

“Yes, other races, and we can help take out ground targets for you so you can land your own troops sooner. I would appreciate it if you kept your fire focused on main targets, away from buildings unless they’re swarming with Gek. Do you see us on your scanners? We’re just inside the west gate.”

“We cannot, and we cannot swear on your safety, so you stay back from our strikes,” he warned me. “But I will tell the others.”

“Fair enough… out,” I replied, turning to the men huddled with me to state what should be obvious. “This fighting is deadly, so keep behind cover. Especially you Shlaad,” I warned them as earnestly as I could.

S’ndelek nodded. “I hear you, but if we see Gek close, we fight them.” I saw that there would be no negotiating that point.

There was a tremendous blast nearby that rattled us, and the sound of something crashing into a building. I looked, hoping to see a fallen mech but it was a Vy’keen Fighter, half embedded in the wall of a structure and a wing dug into the ground. It was burning, and the pilot was stuck in the cockpit. “Oh dear God - wait here!” I exclaimed, and bolted off for the wreck. I cringed as I heard footfalls accompanying me, and glanced back to see Milos and S’ndelek both running at my heels and giving each other looks. Just what I needed, rival heroes who wouldn’t obey orders. I ran up to the burning ship telling the pair with me, “Stay back, this could explode!” as I tried to get the canopy release to work, but it was stuck. I shouted to the scared looking pilot, “Cover up!” I crossed my arms over my helmet to demonstrate in case he couldn’t hear. As he did, I fired a hard Blaze Javelin shot through the canopy, which shattered away. I reached in to help him up but he was still strapped in. “Unbuckle!” I cried, beginning to assist but he managed, and I reached in to haul him out as flames began to lick around his legs. Even I could feel the heat, and I fought harder to free him. He could have baked alive in that hell.

[stryker99]

(Ch 17 - continued)

Two pairs of hands reached over me to pull him out of my grasp, and S’ndelek won that contest, throwing the startled pilot over his shoulder, and hopped down from the rapidly dying ship as he ran with us. “I told you to stay back! But… thanks,” I said to him.

“You are too weak, too small,” he panted bluntly.

I had no argument for that, and caught Milos smirking at me. Just then the ship exploded, a terrible blast that sent us all flying. Good God, what was it armed with! Between the explosion and two days of battle racket I’d suffered through, my ears were ringing, even as they were shielded somewhat by my helmet. I shook my head to clear away stars and got slowly to my feet. The others didn’t have the same protection I did and were slow to recover. I helped them up and hurried them behind the corner of the building where we grouped. Through my buzzing ears, I got a message. “Nijal, please respond!” It was Yila, and evidently her calls to me had been lost in the commotion.

“I’m sorry hon… I was a little busy,” I told her, which she didn’t like.

“Busy risking death, like I ordered you not to?”

“Honey, a Vy’keen pilot could have burned to death,” I replied.

That gave her some pause. “Ohh… Tenari proteger mi uno… will you please not risk your life with every chance?”

“I’ll do my best, commander.” She snorted back to me, and I reflected that perhaps it wasn’t the best time for humor.

As the Vy’keen in question came down from his battle rush, he realized who and what he was surrounded by, his eyes growing wide. “Interloper?” I realized myself that it was that Vy’keen I met at the Sage’s place. Well, what a small galaxy. But then he pointed, asking in amazement, “Why are you with these animals!” Seriously? That’s gratitude, insulting the ones who rescued him.

Naturally, both people took offense at that, baring fangs and snarling insults back, and again I was dealing with wounded egos. “Look, they helped save you from being burned to death! Show some respect, please.”

That got his attention and he gave a feeble wave. “I… spoke rashly.” Well duh.

I looked to the others briefly, asking, “Good enough?” I didn’t wait for a reply, saying to the warrior, “I’m glad you’re here, though. You can help coordinate us with your Fighters, right?” He didn’t look too sure of that, giving the Shlaad a particularly critical eye, but nodded. “What’s your name, by the way?”

“Patek,” he replied.

“Good name. Now let’s win this battle, together,” I said, leading him as much as he led me through the crisscross hash of buildings and roadways towards the combat area. As before, it was fought in a wide open area near the center of the base, where the Gek forces clustered around the main tower.

Milos leaned close as we went, muttering, “These uncouth barbarians are your friends? And you want us to work with them?”

I gave him a resigned shrug. “Hey, they trouble me too. But they make up about a third of the people of the galaxy, and they serve to counterbalance the Gek, so we have to. The ways of Tenari are mysterious.” And complicated.

Patek contacted his flight to let them know he’d survived, which sparked a small celebration with them. He added with some uncertain looks to us, “There are… people with me, an Interloper-Traveler and… others who might wish to fight the Gek with us.” Milos and S’ndelek both seemed ready to smart off about that but held their peace. There was some kind of response that Patek covered up, and after a brief exchange, signed off. He pointed off towards the center of the base, saying, “There are walker armors and ground craft. They want us to kill them.”

The same tactics as before, but it should be as effective. I gave his arm a bump. “Then let’s do that.”

It seemed like the fight at Tumussid was a dress rehersal for the battle here. Milos changed up the tactics slightly, having his missile men position themselves to hit the backs of the mechs which had less armor, taking squads of troops with them for support. One of the men looked up in dismay as Patek took the missile tube from him. He began to protest, but Milos shook his head. The Vy’keen said flatly, “Show me how to shoot,” and though the Oshazi bore a dour look, he explained the working of the launcher, and to wait till the target was turned away. This budding relationship was going to take some work.

With a salvo of four missiles, two of the mechs staggered from the explosions to their rears and toppled. The armor on the grounds didn’t take kindly to their mechs being downed, and began to hunt for us. This was my cue to risk death, and I jet-boosted out into the open, launching Plasma Grenades at the tanks and APCs. Between them and the Oshazi missiles, they had their numbers whittled down along with the mechs. These Gek meant business though, and I had to rush to escape mech mortars, gatling fire and armor cannon rounds. I knew that any one of them could end my life.

I began to question my career choice as a tank round just missed but still blew me to the ground, a load of wall rubble burying me, and the vehicle was approaching. Oh my Lord, I was trapped - this could go badly. A sudden explosion had me cowering under the debris, but the quiet afterward made me aware that my friends had taken out the armor. I hauled myself from under the rubble as a fountain of sparks from the dying tank sprayed over the vicinity. I had to vamoose quickly as a Vy’keen Fighter raked the area with Photon Cannon. That was a little too much, risking fire from all sides. I would have to keep an eye out for the Vy’keen Fighters, as they seemed to fire indiscriminately. I was glad that Yila didn’t nag me at the sounds of battle engulfing me, praying quietly instead, but my heavy breathing must suffice to let her know I was still mostly alive.

I couldn’t be too circumspect as the ground forces began to ignore the Fighters and direct their fire on my comrades, who were picking them off from the cover of the buildings. To make things worse, Gek soldiers began to pour from barracks near the main tower, likewise shielding themselves among the buildings to make their way toward us. This could easily become a rout with heavy loss of life. I boosted up to the roof of a building and began to launch Plasma Grenades at them liberally, and while it blew the hell out of those in range, the others began to work around this threat. A bunch peeled off, intent on eliminating me. I called to Patek as I ducked behind a rapidly shredding wall, “We need Vy’keen Fighter cover! Gek armor and troops are headed our way!”

“I see! And the fight will be glorious!” he responded with annoying delight.

“Not if you’re dead, you dumb galoot,” I muttered under my breath, but I had to keep in mind who I was addressing.

He grumbled back, “If you worry about your friends, tell them to leave!”

Sure, the exact opposite of what should be done. Did these ruffians have any sensible tactics at all? “Milos, listen, you might have to pull back—”

“We can not let them have any advantage,” he retorted. I heard a series of blasts in my headphones; those wicked cluster grenades. I prayed they weren’t too close, and more, that someone would listen to me.

“What advantage is there in being wiped out!” I exclaimed, when someone cut us off.

“I’m coming in.” It was Yila, and that had me clenching. “I won’t sit quiet as worthless Vy’keen refuse help!”

I had to flee my perch because the fire was really coming at me now and my cover was about gone, saying as I landed, “Honey, you shouldn’t—”

“You can’t rely on your own strength to fight this battle,” she interrupted, “and you can’t tell me not to take such risks when you won’t listen either!”

That settled that, like it or not. I radioed Patek, informing him that Oshazi pilots would be flying in. “I heard,” he replied. “That could be… trouble.”

Shit, shit, shit! Why did this fiasco have to be such a damned fubar! After firing back at the approaching force to give me a breather, I opened the channel to the Vy’keen Fighters and told them our own craft were joining the battle. The flight commander told me in no uncertain terms that they would not be let into the fight, or they could be shot down. That blew my seals and I yelled back, “You listen to me! If one of you dares to shoot at one of my friends, I will get in my own Fighter and kill every single one of you! And then I will attack your Freighters until no one is left! I am Traveler Nigel Fox and I do not lie and I do not boast! Check my record! I will faka kill you all! Hear these words well, Blade!”

There was a very long silence. At the end of it, he replied with a tight voice, “You… are a strong one, Interloper, and your spirit is of a true warrior. I understand. It… is allowed.”

Unfortunately, it took that kind of bluster to get through to the hardened, single-minded warriors. I had to calm myself down, and remember I was still engaged in serious combat, peeking from behind a building to fire on the Gek forces threatening me and my friends. I took some painful return fire to make sure they couldn’t advance, then replied to the flight leader. It wasn’t proper Vy’keen etiquette to apologize after such a rant, but I did anyway. “Thank you. We both want to defeat the Gek. We’re on the same team. I’m fighting for you as much as my people.”

The Vy’keen coughed out in surprise at me. “After such hard words, you say that? You are a strange one, Interloper.”

“And my hero,” Yila enthused. “I’m coming in for a strafe. Vacate, Nijal.”

I was never so glad to run for my life, giving a victory cry as Yila and her flight came in to pound the armor gathering for an attack. She hit a tank formation dead center with a Ballista, and three of them bounced into the air from the incredible blast. She toppled a mech on the way out for good measure, and her comrades gave hell to some of the other forces. In fact, they were dealing out death so handily, I began to wonder how strong, or not, most of these Vy’keen ships were. If only I’d known.

I had to run for my life again as a salvo of those damned cluster grenades began exploding in rapid bangs all around my position. A squad had snuck up on my side. I boosted to the top of another building and fired on the miscreants below, ducking as they returned fire briefly, before my own grenades sent them to their eternal fate. I had to scoot out of the way as Photon Cannon streaked down from a Vy’keen Fighter doing their own cleanup job on the remainder. I peeked above a badly damaged wall to see the remaining few mechs and armor retreating towards their bunkered garages, with a few platoons of Gek survivors running with them. They didn’t anticipate such a devastating attack from above. I notified Yila of this. She replied, “I see them, but they will not make it.” True to her word, she blasted them good along with her cohorts, though a couple of them had to evade an ambitious Vy’keen who flew into their path. Yila uttered some choice words for their edification.

I lowered myself to the ground with some booster jet, training my rifle all around in case there were any Gek intending bad things for us, but a scan indicated that everything nearby was dead. After one last insurance strafe over the remaining Gek armor by Oshazi and Vy’keen Fighters, the battlefield was quiet, and I thanked Tenari for our first victory. I ran over to where Milos had his men gathered, along with the Shlaad, and I was relieved to see that they had kept to my orders and for the most part were apparently alright. He dampened my enthusiasm somewhat as he reported their situation, and he was injured himself. “Six of the reptiles died and we lost two, but to their credit they saved several of my men, and we exchanged favors. We fought together… okay. We have fifteen wounded, they, about three dozen, much of their force. Those damned cluster weapons… they gave us problems.” I noticed his bandaged tail with bloodspots, and there were still bits of shrapnel in his backside.

“Better your tail than your face, right?” I said, trying to make light of it.

He gave me a light punch in the chest. “My tail would like a word with you.”

“Does your tail know where S’ndelek and Patek are?”

“Patek went to see if there was anything left of his Fighter. Thank Tenari, he gave back the missile tube. And S’ndelek…” He nodded to the Shlaad who was approaching. I winced as his left side and leg were well bandaged with flecks of red, and he was limping.

He clasped me by the forearm, and I returned in kind, asking, “Are you alright?”

“Well enough to fight more,” he replied with Vy’keen-like chutzpah.

I gave him a nod rather than fret over him. “I hear you fought well, and your two people are getting along better.”

He and Milos shared a look. “Fight together, bleed together… it brings us together.”

That was a welcome sign, though I did fret over their casualties. “I heard you lost some people. I’m sad to hear that.”

He gave me a shrug. “Better to die in a fight for freedom, not waste as a slave. And Taarneh…” He pointed to the sky. “He brings them home now.”

That realm that Andonai visited so briefly; there were a few more souls going there today. There was some small comfort in the sentiment. “I’m sure of it.”

“We still must kill them.” He pointed off to the massive tower overlooking the Gek base, marking the entrance to an underground complex, a lair of pain and death.

I worried about that, particularly in regard to S’ndelek and his people. He didn’t need any more bandages to prove his valor, but I held my peace on that. “Yeah… we do.”

He gave me a nod. “I leave, and ready my folk.”

Milos observed as he departed, “Interesting guy.”

I gave him a thin smile. “I’m glad to see you two getting along so well, now.”

“Eh… he’s right about that fighting and bleeding. They fight without fear, but not foolishly, and when you save someone, it means a lot to both.”

It struck to me to ask, “Are any of your fighters in bad shape?”

He looked to my Exosuit with a smile. “Your magic suit? Thank Tenari, our wounded are doing okay. I’m not sure the Shlaad would fit anyhow. So…” He surveyed the area in the afternoon light. It was much like the scene on Tumussid with wreckage and fires, but worse for the Gek, much better for us. I only faced death a couple of times. “Let me think… we have to wait for these Vy’keen to get their hands out of their rear quarters, so they can throw themselves on the Gek weapons and get shot to pieces. Am I right?” Yila was still eavesdropping and that made her giggle.

I gave him a shrug. “Pretty much, and almost as badly as I feared you would do on Tumussid.”

He scowled at me. “Please, don’t sell me so short. I care for my men.” He gazed at the tower off in the distance. “But I’m of a mind to attack now, not let them ready to greet us with hugging arms. What do you say?”

I looked up at the sound of approaching ships. “Let me get back to you on that,” I murmured, watching as a number of troop Shuttles landed, discharging platoon after platoon of Vy’keen warriors. It was quite a force, and I wished my teammates would be agreeable to let them do most of the fighting, or all, though I doubted there was much chance of that. I didn’t relish negotiating those turbulent waters.

I waited till they had assembled into groups and ranks with officers over them, and one commanding them all who began barking out orders. I broached the issue to Milos quietly, saying, “It would be a good idea to let them take the base from the Gek.”

As I expected, he snorted at me. “This is our fight! We and the Shlaad. They have nothing to do with it. Let them know, will you?” That would go nowhere, but I agreed to give it a shot. How could I get both sides to see reason?

[stryker99]

(Ch 17 - continued)

Patek ran up to them and waited for the commander to finish addressing the Blades. I excused myself and joined him. He gave me a fist of greeting which I returned, both of us listening to the speech. The Vy’keen were being directed to assault the bunker complex with only the most basic of strategies: attack, attack and attack, until there were no hated Gek left. Such a well thought out plan. When he finished, he turned to Patek who explained that his Fighter had been downed, but he was ready to join the battle. He gestured to me, adding, “The Interloper-friend, Nigel Fox, has… people who wish to fight at our side.”

The commander, Tr’nagh, a big brute, gave me a critical eye. “What kind of people? Travelers?”

Patek shook his head. “Natives. They are… fuzzy and scaly.” Well, that was a typical Vy’keen assessment.

Tr’nagh immediately shot that idea down. “We don’t need help from weak primitives under our boots.”

“I ask your indulgence. They are stronger than Interloper-friend. They fight well.” I would take issue with that, but I was honestly surprised. Could he persuade the Vy’keen commander for me? He continued, “They saved me from my ship, when they could have died. And hear this. I was the one tasked to seek the counsel of the Sage. She had fearful words for me, and is why we were limited in our battle. She told me that we must - must - treat them well and… include them in battle if they wished, and to not take their worlds from them. If we did not heed her, we would suffer a curse, and fail, and watch as they took the glory for themselves.”

Tr’nagh’s eyes popped open at Patek’s declaration, as that glory stuff meant a lot to them. He asked what sounded like a formality. “You speak the truth, without question?” Patek nodded emphatically, replying, “I do.”

Tr’nagh stared at me hard. “And you, Interloper-friend.” He didn’t sound pleased. “You are the one who threatened my entire force with death, unless you had your way?”

I stood up straight and declared adamantly, “I did, and I meant every word.”

There was a rather uncomfortable if brief staring match, but then he snorted. “You’re bigger than you look. Very well. Tell your fuzzy scaly friends they may help, a little. But we order, they obey, or they leave. Understand me?”

That was about the best I could hope for, and I gave him a slight bow. “Understood.”

He returned a dismissive wave, saying, “Yes, good… we are done.” And that was that.

I said to Patek quietly as I made to leave, “Thank you for that.”

He shook his head. “No need. I spoke the truth of what the Sage told me.”

“I know—” I began before I could catch myself, and froze as I saw his reaction.

His eyes bugged open and he grumbled, “You listened?” The others watched curiously as he gave me a punch in the chest that staggered me, and I feared I was up for a beating, but then he laughed. “No matter. The God put us together, and all of it was meant. I see that now, life saver. I owe you.” It had to be true, and I marveled all over again at how intricately my Walk had taken me right to where I needed to be at just the right moments. It was downright scary sometimes.

Milos didn’t care for my report. “That’s the best you could get? I should have spoken myself!”

I told him advisedly, “There would only be a fight from it.”

“So?” he shot back. Oh, the pride and stubbornness of all these people. I prayed that this wasn’t a portent of trouble to come.

I didn’t have any time to prepare, none of us did, as the Vy’keen troops set off immediately for the bunker. Milos gave hasty orders for their two groups to ready for battle, and I just managed to replenish my gear. He grumbled to me as we set off, “Those friends of yours aren’t very good at communication.”

“No, but they are very strong. Let them face the brunt of the fight,” I told him, and hoped my friends would yield to those well armored brutes. I also prayed they didn’t take personally the wide-eyed looks cast their way, as the Vy’keen caught sight of these other races for the first time.

Yila called to me, “Nijal, I’m coming with Fighters to lend cover. Don’t tell me you forgot me already!”

I had to chuckle at that. “I’m sorry, my faithful commander, but things are a little rushed. Believe me, we appreciate your presence.”

“Well… I will overlook it,” she joked. Her Fighters came overhead, leading the others to shadow us. I loved that dear puppy cat.

S’ndelek came alongside me. “Those… Vy-keen… is not their fight. We should lead. And they will take from us our prize.”

Milos bumped his arm. “Well spoken.”

I hoped I could satisfy them, whether they meant loot or glory. Likely both. “I’ll make sure they don’t take much.”

We marched among the bodies of fallen Gek, Oshazi and Shlaad both picking up useful weapons. Milos and I both gaped at the Vy’keen as they marched right towards the same sort of ramp down into the complex as on Tumussid, and the Oshazi troops all began buzzing about it. He remarked dryly, “They may be strong, but they are not too smart. Do they wish to die?”

“I’ll make sure they don’t,” I replied, and ran off for the head of their column.

“Why bother!” Milos called to me, and I saw that they were all coming up behind. Great, now if they would just keep their mouths shut.

I came to the commander’s side as they approached the onset of the ramp, saying to him, “You should wait some distance back. They must have a mass of vehicles and mechs waiting on the other side of those armored doors.”

“So?” he snarked at me. Was that the word of the day or what? I began to explain that such a force would have given us a lot of trouble and casualties, but he waved me off. “We have troops, we have weapons. We will prevail. Tell your weak fuzzy friends to stay back if it is so dangerous.” My comrades understood the intent of that slur, and began growling things in their languages I’m sure weren’t flattering.

“Please don’t insult my friends,” I told him. “And look, throwing the lives of your Blades away for no good reason will just make the fight to come harder on the rest. Let my friends open the wound. You can plunge your blades into it for certain victory.”

He regarded me in a way that looked disdainful, but I evidently had learned enough of their etiquette to reach him, and he puffed a breath at me. “You speak like a Vy’keen, Interloper. Go then, show us the strength of your friends.”

I gave him my thanks, which he seemed to ignore. A short ways off, Patek gave me a thumbs up. I called to Yila, “Set two of the strongest Fighters on either side of you, and do as you did on Tumussid. When we’re out of the way, blast those doors off and kill everything on the other side.”

“Will do,” she replied, passing along orders to the other ships with her.

As two craft formed up on either side of her, I urged everyone back, warning them, “This is going to get very loud.” The damned Vy’keen were a little slow, which irritated me. But when we were behind cover on either side of the ramp, she unleashed Ballista fire on the heavy doors which crumpled under such a devastating weapon, and Lord was it loud, the shock of it jarring through me. It had to be worse on my friends with their sharper ears and no suit to protect them. I edged forward to peek, Milos and S’ndelek close by, and we both fell back as a round exploded on the other side of the low wall bordering the ramp, concrete pelting me all over. They still had working armor after that?

“Nijal! Stay back!” Yila shouted anxiously as she continued to fire, dipping low to get a better angle into the bunker. “They moved their weapons further inside!”

“Right, right,” I panted from jangled nerves. I looked to my comrades who indicated that they were fine, if shaken. I was amazed at how resilient they were.

To my dismay, the Vy’keen began to run towards the ramp, but held back when they saw that they would be running right into the ship’s fire. Milos shouted to me, “Did I say they were stupid? I need a stronger word!” I waved him back as he bumped fists with S’ndelek, thinking he wanted to be overheard. He was, and a few heated shouts came our way. Was I going to be stuck playing negotiator all day long?

Yila was doing her job, as the bunker entrance was rocked with explosions and flames, smoke billowing from it. After a few more rounds of fire, she told me, “I can see no more… the rest must have moved back to the insides.”

“Good enough, hon, thanks for the support,” I replied. “Stay on station in case of sneak attacks.”

“Understood,” she muttered. I knew she would rather be nearby, protecting me from my own bravado.

The Vy’keen wasted no time moving in. I had to stop my comrades from joining them, telling Milos and S’ndelek, “Let our friends take point in this. Use them to our tactical advantage to keep casualties to a minimum.” After the ear-blasting skirmish we had just endured, they were a little more accepting of my advice, but they insisted on joining when half the Blades were on the ramp. It was dark inside, even with the burning wrecks of armor to give some light, but I could see that at least one central door leading inside was open. I scanned ahead and saw green dots a ways inside the facility. Were they far enough away that we could enter safely?

We both paused as the Gek opened fire on the Vy’keen, so clearly not. I gasped as a few of their bodies practically burst from the deadly hail sent their way, and I urged my troops back. Milos resisted me, as did S’ndelek. “We have missiles!” he advised me, and the Shlaad added, “And we, those many bangs.” He held up a cluster grenade launcher.

“And I have a suit that’s better than all your armor,” I reminded them, but they were insistent, and this was a point we could definitely use that firepower. “All right… but keep behind me, out of the line of fire.”

“Give me some credit. You are a living barricade,” Milos snapped, and S’ndelek nodded in agreement. I couldn’t seem to help being Captain Obvious all the time.

Yila was listening in as usual, and told me, “The same for you. I… cannot protect you in there.” I let her know I would do my best to obey her, mostly, which made her groan.

Two groups of us, Oshazi to the left and Shlaad the right, entered on either side of the bunker entrance, keeping behind the ruined armor and mechs. I hurried over to Commander Tr’nagh who was stuck behind some wrecks in the center, telling him, “We’re going to take out the armor ahead that has you pinned down. Keep their attention without losing any more of your Blades.”

Naturally, he took offense. “You will? Who are you to give orders!”

“The Traveler-friend who wants your victory to be great,” I replied earnestly. “We have good weapons for this. Just be patient. Don’t end up like… them.” I pointed out the remains of a few Vy’keen on the ramp, their bodies blown to carnage. That lowered his pressure a little as there was glory, and then there was suicide.

I ran across the area to the left, ducking as Gek unleashed heavy arms at me, but my suit made me too fast for them. I caught myself on the far wall and hurried to Milos who sheltered with his men behind some wreckage. Up ahead was an inner motorpool with its own armor waiting for us, that deadly center door open, but that was our opportunity to return fire. “Take out what you can, and be quick.” I motioned to S’ndelek to the right to have his people be ready.

Milos nodded to his missileers, who got into position and raised up just long enough to fire. S’ndelek and his folk did the same, and the chamber on the other side of the opening was rattled with thundering explosions from both weapons. S’ndelek himself crept to the doorway and fired straight into the space inside with his many bangs, and took out a number of Gek troops sheltering near the armor. I added my own fire, jet-boosting across the open gateway to launch a Plasma Grenade in the center, where a tank was sitting. I scored a direct hit, but I had a feeling that it had only stunned the Gek manning it. I gave S’ndelek a wave and shot back across to the left, sending another round inside just as something exploded, and I found myself blown into a burning APC. As I fought to get my legs under me, I saw the Vy’keen running past to flood the Gek on the other side. One of them stopped to haul me to my feet, and I saw that it was Patek, who patted me on the shoulder. “Your friends fight well!” he shouted, then hurried on with the others.

“I’ll pass that along,” I panted, making haste for the Oshazi cover.

Milos shouted to me, “We should join them!”

I shook my head. “We don’t know their tactics, and they won’t let us in any case. I’m stronger than all of you, and I’m a bit player in this fight too, so let them have their glory, while you enjoy a longer life.”

“We should be close though, as those brutes will lose a lot of their comrades, and blow up half the insides from the way they fight.”

“We’ll see, we’ll see,” I said, praying this all went remotely well. When the last of the Vy’keen pushed their way inside, I motioned for my comrades to follow. The area beyond was indeed a second motor pool, littered with burning armor and mechs, with a few intact ones along the sides. Any wall turrets in here had been taken out by the Vy’keen. There were a large number of fallen Gek, and some of my friends armed themselves with a few more Gek weapons. I motioned to an intact APC, ordering some nearby Oshazi, “If any of you are trained in armor, get one of those going.” They had proven small enough to fit in the wider corridors, and we could use that gun.

To my surprise, a Shlaadi girl came up, saying, “I will help!” She held a spear and probably felt useless in this battle. I shrugged, looking to an Oshazi who shrugged back, taking her by the arm, and explained some things along the way. Well, that was amazing, and I had to give the Shlaad more credit for their adaptability.

There was no getting past the Vy’keen while they filled the hallway, so we hung close to the APC as it rolled on its huge tires after them. There were more explosions and gunfire exchanges up ahead, and I cringed at the thought of Vy’keen laying down their lives in their single-minded pursuit of battle glory. But as Romat had said, they had to make their Walk through life and death their own way.

We ducked instinctively as fire shot over our heads, and the whole mass ground to a halt. I wanted to push ahead and see what the problem was, but knew that the Vy’keen were a living wall. I was surprised as Patek pushed through the ranks and came right to me. “That war machine, we could use it up here. Your people too.” Milos, S’ndelek and I shared amazed looks. So, they were beginning to think sensibly about this after all, though that had to mean casualties.

This would take some arranging. I shouted to the Vy’keen to line up single file along the walls of the corridor, Patek backing me up on that order. I told the Oshazi and Shlaad to get behind the APC, those with explosive weapons right behind it. It took some doing, but finally the Vy’keen were aligned on both sides, and the APC maneuvered carefully between them. Most of them didn’t care for being literally sidelined like this, and I warned Milos, “No gloating from anyone. This is tense enough as it is.” He passed back a terse order, and S’ndelek added his two bits to the Shlaad. I went around the APC to be in front, leading it along, as I wanted the first look at what we would be facing.

As we approached the scene, the rows of warriors on either side ended, and I saw many bodies of Vy’keen on the floor, with Gek beyond them, just before the hallway made a turn. Commander Tr’nagh was standing behind an aide, a very brave one. He said to me, “We have some trouble. Do away with it.” I edged around the corner and activated my Multitool shield as weapon fire came my way. A scan would have to do, and I fixed the locations of what it spotted in my mind. In the open area beyond the hallway was an APC of their own, as well as three of those gun turrets we had faced at Tumussid, and a mass of well armed Gek besides. This would be very hard.

[stryker99]

(Ch 17 - continued)

I shouted to the APC, “After I fire, move up and open fire on all targets!”

The only thing I could come up with was a brash, Vy’keen-like direct assault which would no doubt have the warriors cheering me, and Yila screaming. Taking a moment to steel myself, I ran around the bend to the end of the corridor, and unloaded three Plasma Grenades which detonated with tremendous blasts on the targets, just as my shield buckled and an incredible pain tore all through me, and everything went pitch dark - oh no, no, please God no…

My gut twisted in the most awful terror as I realized that I had finally gone too far, taken too great a risk, and my life was over. Time began to crawl, and I could perceive it all happen with agonizing clarity as I drifted through the air, blown backward by heavy weapon shells which struck me with dreadful force, and in spite of Suit’s best efforts to save me, threatened to tear my body to pieces. People were shouting at me, calling for me anxiously, and some of the worst pain was the awareness that I let them down. Let her down, when I had all but promised not to, that I would be there for her, with her, forever. Their voices were all mingled, encouraging, pleading, and woven through it all clearly were the frantic cries of my precious puppy cat, my living treasure, who I would never see again, not in this world. It was hard to think as a gloomy murk enveloped my mind, and I didn’t want to think from the overwhelming sorrow of losing in the worst way ever, and still, they cried out to me. I could swear that even Suit was calling to me.

Nijal… no! You cannot be… no!

My love, please! Speak to me! Anything!

Get up, get UP!

But I didn’t want to. Sleep was so much better… or… that light, which gradually filled the universe with its splendor. I felt such peace from it, and I ached to go there, that Paradise which Andonai spoke of in such awe and wonder, and I finally understood why his voice was so faint, why he had been as close to tears as I had ever seen a Vy’keen… and it was overwhelming, the joy and peace which was as warm and welcoming as a mother’s love, but infinitely sweeter. I could feel my spirit straining to fly there, to my Home, to them, to Him, but something was pulling me back… I had a purpose to fulfill, a Quest to walk, people to rescue from peril, the worst Peril ever…

The light became dull, then red, and with it came pain, building, filling me, and with it, regret… was this the best choice? But then, did I really have a choice?

My eyes sprang open at the inkling of something terrible, and I floundered around in alarm, but that caused all kinds of agony. With the pain came a terrible noise that filled me with fear. Strong arms held me fast, and then I saw familiar faces looking at me in concern. A wolfish looking Cat, and a Raptor? A Vy’keen… two? More? A girl… Yali? She was shouting in my buzzing ears, nearly hysterical. “Nijal! Nijal! Please talk to me!”

And then it all came rushing back, and I cried hoarsely, “The Gek! The armor… what happened!”

The Wolf-cat began laughing, and I recognized him as Meelos. The others gave him strange looks, the Reptile… Sindarek? The Vy’keen… Patak? My mind was beginning to focus more as Milos said to me over the ringing in my ears, “You nearly get blown to pieces like a Vy’keen playing hero, and all you can think of are others! Only you.”

“Nijal, tell me yourself that you are all right!” Yila was practically screaming at me.

I muttered to her, still a bit dazed, “I’m fine, hon, I’m fine.” I struggled to get up as she chastized me good, fighting off the awful pain. I felt like a truck had hit me square in the chest. They tried to hold me down, but when they saw that I was alright, after a fashion, Patek let me up though they were still quite worried. S’ndelek looked particularly emotional for a saurian. “But… what happened? The last thing I remember was…” An APC… gun emplacements… dozens of Gek, all firing on me as I unleashed my deadliest weapon on them and… I died?

Milos gave me a pat on the arm, stopping as I gasped in pain. “Are you well?” He gave me a dubious look, then continued, “Anyhow, you blew away the guns just as they took you down, and did some damage to the armor. We were sure you were dead, and all in front threw everything they had at those Gek bastards, taking out the armor and most of the Raiders. The Vy’keen are mopping up the last of the mess now.” In the background, even over my ringing ears, I could hear distant sounds of battle, and the slow staccato boom of our APC. I was surrounded by Oshazi, Shlaad and a couple of Vykeen troops with Patek who wanted to make sure their rescuer would live. And as I flexed tender limbs I felt better, but my shields were gone, and most of my systems with them.

Hurriedly, I began fixing and restoring everything. “I have to get up there… come on!”

Patek held me back as many of them began to protest, particularly a girl who was dear to my heart. “Nijal, please! You suffered too much! Let them finish this battle!”

“I would, darling, but… I can save many lives. It’s my destiny,” I told her.

She sobbed out, “Your destiny is to live for me!” Her voice faltered as I kept silent, and she murmured in resignation, “My… precious hero. Just… no stupid risks, please. I don’t know if I can survive much more.”

“I promise, honey,” I said to her, but I sounded less than sincere. She caught it too, snuffling out, “Don’t tell me… such a lie.”

“No, darling… I swear to you that I will be more careful.” I tried to take my near-death seriously, and she seemed to accept this. Now, if I could just keep my word.

They all followed, flanking me protectively as we went, even though I should be covering them. We had to walk over many Gek bodies, which was unsettling. I was amazed to see that some of them were pierced through with arrows. Damn, those primitive Shlaad weapons weren’t so primitive after all. S’ndelek noticed this and said to me, “See? I tell you true, we are not weak.” No, not at all.

I must have been out of it for some time because we passed through section after section, and all were littered with Gek bodies and blasted interior as the Vy’keen, Oshazi and Shlaad had all fought through them. We passed a few ruined obstacles, low walls and furniture barricades, but as we approached the center, the sounds of combat grew less until an ominous quiet prevailed. At last we arrived at a familiar looking core, and to my great relief our side had won, though the Vykeen had lost a good number of them to secure it. I was very glad to see that there were no Oshadi or Shlaad laid alongside the Blades who had given their lives. My comrades had taken my advice to heart. And again, they had managed to fight fairly well together, evidently with the Vy’keen too. But I wasn’t glad to see that Commander Tr’nagh was arguing with Lieutenant Commander Kral, though thankfully Kral wasn’t making as much of a fuss over their contention. He looked glad to see us, saluting Milos, and muttered to me, “See if you can make these ruffians know reason.”

I said over Tr’nagh’s outburst, “What’s the problem?”

He growled, “They want to help us ruffians get in!”

I couldn’t believe this, and held up my hands, looking appalled. “So? Is that a problem?”

He added hotly, “And they want us to hold back, and not damage their precious toys!”

The Vy’keen might not have much use for sensitive information, but the Oshazi did, and I certainly did. And being able to take over a functional installation was much better than trying to piece it together bit by bit. I tried explaining this to him, which wasn’t going much better, when the sound of a distant Gek ranting reminded me that there was one small force left to deal with. I looked up for a speaker, but saw that the one above me was scrap, and evidently all the others in the area were too. When I asked about them, he scoffed at me. “That cursed Gek wouldn’t shut up! So I did.”

You did, huh? Fantastic. I excused myself more politely than I wanted, and went to a nearby meeting room with a closed door and a very noisy speaker on the other side. Opening it unleashed a shrill rant at me in Gek. Fortunately there was also a working mic inside. I took off my helmet and managed to get his attention, saying, “Thank you… this is Traveler Fox, Nigel Fox. I think you know by now that we captured your base and surround you.”

A large wall monitor had come to life, and the lovely mug of the Gek commander was on it, glaring at me as fiercely as a Gek could. “Baah! Megh! Fakr! You have nothing! Without this center, you have nothing! Nothing!” I forgot that Vy’keen didn’t have a monopoly on stubborn single-minded A-plus ego.

Time to put on my negotiator suit and hope it worked. “Listen. We can get in there. We did it to your base on Tumussid and—”

“Lies! Lies! Commander Narfnyk would never allow it! Never surrender! Liar!” My, how well these negotiations went lately.

“At the risk of sounding like a liar… well, why don’t you give him a ring? A call?” I amended just to be clear. As the Gek fussed with his communicator, I said into my radio guardedly, “Milos, get your demolition team to set up those breach charges on the doors.” I had a feeling these Gek would need to be assaulted this time, and a good blast in their faces should serve that cause well.

“We have been ready, Nijal, but these know-better Vy’keen act like we’re standing on their toes and won’t allow it,” he replied.

“I’ll be right the hell there,” I grumbled, trotting out and hurried to the scene in front of the vault-like door. Milos was facing off against Commander Tr’nagh who stood there with folded arms. I snapped to him, “What is the damned problem now?”

A pair of Vykeen were there with him, armed with a heavy beam weapon fed by a massive energy pack with cables attached. “We have our own way of opening doors,” he declared. “No more unasked help.”

I gave him a dull look. “That is slow, and alerts the Gek to what you’re doing. Explosives stun the people inside, making surprise much more likely. Plus, it has a chance of breaking toys in there like you want!” I couldn’t keep the vexation from my voice.

He glared at me with growing anger, and his own voice was dripping with venom. “Tread softly, Interloper. You have crossed many lines already.”

“Well, isn’t life a bitch,” I muttered, staring back, and said over my shoulder, “Get those charges—”

Just then there was a shriek of anger from the meeting room, many shrieks with lots of foul language. But what he said next scared me. “Baah! Megh! You think you have won? Won? You will have nothing! Nothing! But this! Eat this, fakr!” Abruptly, red lights flooded the area, and on wall displays, an all too familiar countdown began, but this one was set to three minutes and the seconds ticked away with mortal speed.

I opened a broadband transmission and cried, “You two! Set those charges then get out! Everyone evacuate! All troops! Evacuate right now!” Milos and Yila were talking over each other as the perplexed munitioners affixed their charges out of reflex. I stopped them as they began to run out, waving frantically, shouting, “Detonators, detonators!” Why in Hell was I doing this? Did I seriously think I could stop it? Would this be the end of me after all? I was counting on the Sage’s prophecies to guarantee my hopefully still charmed life. Milos was grabbing for my arm but I jerked away. “Get out! You too!” I added to Tr’nagh.

He shook his head. “You will not have more glory than me!” Oh for crap’s sake…

“Then get down!” I shouted, grateful to see that all the others had fled, Milos and S’ndelek both taking up the rear with anxious looks to me as they ran for their lives. Yila was trying to reason with me, but I blurted out to her, “Hon, please don’t talk right now, I’m a little busy.” I put my helmet on, ducked behind a wall with Tr’nagh and set off the charges. Damn, were they sharp and loud, and shrapnel went flying our way, shards embedded in the walls. I had no time to waste and while the Vy’keen commander recovered, I ran through the smoke to a gaping oblong hole in the massive door and began shooting everything that moved within, shouting, “Down! Drop weapons! On the floor or you die!” A few of them resisted and I made sure they were dead before I hauled myself through the jagged hole made by the blasts. Training my rifle around the command center, I watched carefully for any sign of resistance. One jumped up but I was so on edge, I shot him dead before he could fire. I saw that it was the commander. Sorry pal, sucks to be you. I had to hurry or it was going to suck to be me.

Yila was in tears, crying for me, begging for me to leave. “I have a chance, honey, I have a… Suit! Hack the self-destruct system!” It directed me to a console near the commander. Unfortunately, the controls on it made no sense, so I had to hope that the suit could pull this off.

An arm reached past me, and I jumped in reaction, almost shooting him, but it was Tr’nagh, who coolly pressed a number of red buttons strewn across the console which changed to amber. How in hell could that lummox be so calm? I looked to the display, but lights were still flashing red, it was still lit red, and counting down like mad. I was growing nauseous and short of breath from the tension. “Nothing happened.”

“Just watch,” he told me, and in spite of every instinct telling me to run, and Yila pleading with me anxiously, I stood firm.

“Honey,” I said over her, “I think we got it.”

“We? Who!” she blubbered at me. “Please, my precious… just leave!”

Finally, the countdown… was it slower? It was! The lights changed to orange, and I fixed my attention on that clock. It still had a minute left, and was still ticking off numbers, but it was ever so gradually beginning to crawl. “No, angel… I think we’re good.” My voice was a little faint, and my strength nearly spent.

“You think? Nijal, please… please, my darling…” Her voice was a dagger in my heart. But as I kept watching, the lights changed to yellow, and finally as the screen went blank, to white. “You get out of that death pit or so help me I’ll—!”

“No… you won’t have to,” I interrupted, “we’re safe now.”

“Safe?” She was too used to my brush offs and added hotly, “No more lies!”

“Not this time, sweet heart,” I panted, and fell heavily into a Gek sized chair, gaping up at a smug looking commander as I removed my helmet. The tang of explosives in the air smelled damned good just then. “Thank you,” I said weakly, still coming down from my cliff of emotional doom. “There… you have your wonderful glory. But I have to ask you… how many lives did it take for you people to learn that?” I pointed to the console.

“Enough,” he replied simply. I hacked out a laugh. How typically Vy’keen.

“N-Nijal… are you—?” Yila began, but she was cut off by Milos. “Nijal! What is happening? There is no explosion!”

“There won’t be one,” I replied. “And I’m coming out with Commander Tr’nagh, who saved the base by the way, and we’ll be leading a group of Gek prisoners.” A few of those Gek began to peek over the frames of the consoles in the command center, and found themselves in the sights of Tr’nagh’s pistol and my rifle. I motioned toward the damaged door. “Okay, guys, hands in the air, get that door open, and march out single file.”

We were greeted like heroes, all three peoples cheering and applauding, though in the case of the Shlaad it was more a lot of whistling with a few shrill cries tossed in. And the Vy’keen gave us chants of grahs, of course. They took control of the prisoners, Tr’nagh and his officers regarding me soberly afterward while the Oshazi and Shlaad waited with feigned patience, along with a pilot girl I was fond of who quivered in anticipation.

“You…” Tr’nagh began slowly for extra drama, “have been a most troublesome Interloper. The most trouble I can ever remember. But you have been a help delivering a Gek base into our hands. For that you shall be rewarded. Now, we will assume control of the base.”

I turned rather grim at all that, and noticed Patek edging up to add some input to this little meeting. I said to Tr’nagh measuredly, “No, you will not.”

He looked ready to explode, him and a few of the officers. “We will not? Who are you, Interloper, to say such a thing to me!”

“I am only the messenger of the God, and of a certain Sage, and he,” I gave a nod to Patek, “has some sound instructions you may have forgotten.”

He turned to face the pilot, and looked a little pale, grumbling to himself. He must be remembering a certain prophecy. Patek was rather meek at first, but then was more assertive as he went along. “Commander, I told you at the beginning of how the Sage commanded us to—”

“Yes, yes,” he muttered, adding in a muted voice, “but why should we heed an old hag?”

“But… commander, she knew of these strange people! We have found no people but the Three Races before now - and here are two right before us! I was warned that we must honor the needs of these strangers, and their rights to their worlds, and to treat them kindly. You must take her warning seriously!”

I chimed in. “And believe me, she knows things. She’s probably watching right now to make sure you honor your commitment in exchange for the prophecies of victory for your little fleet.” He didn’t care for that slight. “And she knows secrets, secrets of mine she didn’t even tell me. Secrets of yours that could be planted in the minds of those who might want to see you pushed aside so they can stand wearing your rank. And that’s before she even curses you, and any others guilty of that sin. And I might feel led to let her know of any betrayal of my friends, who risked their lives to save many, many of your Blades.”

[stryker99]

(Ch 17 - yes, continued)

He clasped his hands in frustration. “So… what do we get for our blood spilled today!”

He really wanted this base and world badly, but he was assuming a lot for his superiors. “I think that kind of discussion is best left to Fleet Commander…” I faltered, unable to remember the name, and beckoned to Patek.

“Commander Tersgh’ah.”

“Thank you, who personally invited me into this battle.” That had him blinking. “Now, your people are due some bounty for your efforts to graciously free my friends of the Gek occupation. But besides that, have you forgotten about things like trade?”

He muttered, “Trade? With those anima—?”

I growled over him loudly. “You had better watch your language, because that Sage has taken a liking to me.” That had him blinking too. “Oh, did I forget to mention that? Now… maybe if I ask nicely to the leader of the people who call this planet home, who rightfully own all this, they might agree to give you a good freighter load of whatever your commander wants.” I summoned S’ndelek over for a quick conference. I was sorry to see him still a bit hobbled, and went to him. “You wouldn’t mind giving the Vy’keen leader whatever he wants for setting you free of the Gek, would you?”

He didn’t look too sure of this, murmuring, “What ever…?”

“It would just be metals, precious stones… some other substances. This is a huge world. Even if they filled their Freighters, you would still have more than you could ever need. I’ll make sure they behave honorably. And if you have stuff they want, they would probably trade for things you want. What do you say? And tell him, so he won’t be so angry with us.”

“Yesss…” he drawled out, coming forward to give the Vy’keen commander a gracious bow. “We are grateful for our freedoms. We will be glad to give you a good weight of… whatever you want.”

The orc gave me a red glare as if he was being jilted, the typical barbarian, and to be sure, a load of resources was nothing compared to a world. But he said with a clenched fist, if not sincerely, “Eh… your generosity is most welcome.” I knew there should be more, and cleared my throat at him. He ended with a grumble, “And will be rewarded in kind.”

“There. Isn’t getting along better than arguing? Now if you’ll excuse me, I want to talk with my friends.” I seriously wanted to crank him more, but I knew not to push it further. S’ndelek was still limping but refused help. “Are you alright?”

He gave me a thin reptilian smile. “We won, I live. It is very good.” I guess you couldn’t put it better than that.

As we approached the cheering crowd of the two people, Yila came running up to me. I opened my arms to welcome her, then I saw that she didn’t look happy, at all. In fact she was coming up very fast which had me backpedaling and S’ndelek backing away. “Yila, uh—” A very hard slap had my eyes starring up, my cheek stinging, and I mumbled out, “Honey… y-you seem… rather upset—”

“Don’t you honey me! You stupid oaf… tai muchysh moye sertse… how you torment me! And act as if nothing… as if you had not… you nearly… oh, damn you!” She pounded my chest plate with clenched fists, crying, “You terrible… foolish… ohh, Nijal…” She fell into my arms, bawling loudly as S’ndelek watched in utter perplexion, and Milos began to call for her, but I put my hand up to fend off any interruption. I held her and let her cry as her arms encircled me back.

I couldn’t blame her, but she knew we both had duties, particularly me, and eventually let me go, straightening up and wiping her cheeks. “I am… sorry, but… uhh… I will… see you at the meal, yes?” She looked absolutely miserable, and I wished I could stay with her.

“Yes,” I murmured, brushing her cheek. “Will you be alright?”

She clasped my gloved hand to her, nodding as she replied, “Yes, but… please, without this smelly thing.” I guess the suit did rather stink of battle and contrary emotions. I assured her I wouldn’t.

First, we had the Raider’s captives to free. I brought a handful of well armed Oshazi and Shlaad with me, and a couple of bowmen insisted on coming along too. They must be their snipers, and considering how well they could slay armored Gek, they were welcome. For once, I was glad Yila wasn’t with me. The poor thing would need some time to recover.

I made sure they understood I would try diplomacy first, which dismayed them, but they were learning that their Interloper-friend had his own ways and acquiesced. I made sure they brought along blankets and towels to help cover naked prisoners, which angered them both. It felt good to know they were beginning to care for each other.

I found only five green dots in cells among the entire prison complex, which saddened me at the thought of where the others ended up, the fates they had in store. I tried to reason with the warden and his group, telling him how wasteful it was to face death for so few captives. He didn’t care, as stubborn as the commander, and we had to shoot him and most of his underlings dead. We swept through the complex, but had to slay most of them. Only two surrendered, and thank God, they didn’t have time or didn’t try to enable any self-destruct. Five embarrassed Shlaadi were very happy to see us, and that we had some cover for their modesty.

I wanted to head off immediately to see what was going on in the third system of this former Raider empire, but I had at least one duty to manage first. Milos let me know discreetly that he wanted the base for himself, which I was afraid of. He did have a point. “These are primitive folk. What would they know of running an installation like this?”

I still had to put him in his place, as he almost sounded Vy’keen. “Compared to my people, Oshazi are primitive too. And the Shlaad are quick learners, using Gek weapons to save some of your troops at the risk of their lives.” This quieted him, but I threw him a bone, letting him know I would discuss it with them.

I wanted to get it overwith, so we sat down in a meeting room in an intact surface building, with open windows so the Shlaad would be comfortable, even if it was a bit warm for me. I brought the issue of the base up first. “Milos and his people would like to run it for you, at least for some time. They understand its workings. They would like to take it over themselves, but they know that this is your world, and everything on it belongs to you. What do you say?”

“This… place? All of it?” S’ndelek shared looks with his mate and chief advisor, a grizzled looking old warrior, and both of them shrugged. “They can have it all.” That pleased the Oshazi, though Milos cautioned them to keep quiet. He went on, “These… machines… you are right, we do not know them. What good are they? But that battle…” He shivered at the memory of it. “Terrible… worse than I could dream, even a bad dream. So loud. I ask for protection, for my people, until we learn this new way to fight, with those hard… clothes, armor, with these machines. You teach us this. Maybe… later, much later, we will want this place. But not now. Is this good for you?” he asked Milos.

He nodded. “I swear, we will protect you. We will need… stuff from the ground, like the Vy’keen want, to repair things, make new gear. Metals, other stuff, trees. And we must stay here, many of my people, and more will come too. If you want to help, that would be good. It will take many of us to protect you. Is this good for you?” S’ndelek nodded back. To my relief, that was the gist of the negotiations, and he let us know that the Shlaad would like to host a celebration meal for us. Milos wisely asked something I hadn’t thought of. “Good, but… no bugs, no worms. Okay?”

He made crawling motions with his fingers and S’ndelek’s eyes opened in understanding. “Oh! No, just meat, good meat, and plants, good plants. Okay?” That sounded good to all of us.

Just as I was resigning myself to another day-long session of playing maintenance man, I remembered something important.

Shirond

I couldn’t remember the world, but somehow the name of the star came to mind. That last Gek harvest mission… I had to be at that third base when it arrived. I grabbed Milos by the arm as the group rose to end the meeting. “Listen, I need three or four squadrons of your best Fighters, and shuttles full of pilots that know how to fly these beast ships.”

He gave me a tired look, murmuring, “And why do you ask such a small favor?”

I hoped he shared in my urgency. “Because another world of people like yours are being raided.”

That got his attention, but he asked me, “And you are certain of this? How?”

“It was in the data we used for our attacks. I don’t want to waste time. Just have them fly to… Ajorteb, at the world where the last Gek base is. And I want complete authority.”

He gave me a wry smirk. “Ehh… savior of the peoples… we owe you, so there is no denying. Only… be worth the trouble, please.”

Just as I clapped his arm, Yila appeared, declaring adamantly, “And I am coming with you, without question.”

I gave her a lopsided smile, glad to see her so perky. “There is no denying. But there is hurrying.”

She punched my arm with a laugh, dashing off with me. “You and your jokes!”

I did rush us both, as I had no idea what the situation was at the third base, and I prayed that the Gek Raiders had some trouble with their mission to make them fashionably late. I also hoped that Milos took me seriously and the flight of Oshazi joining me wouldn’t be too late themselves. If there was trouble there, I wanted to hedge my odds.

Commander Tersgh’ah let me know that combat was still ongoing as of last report, which meant I might need to inject myself into it. Upon jumping in, I hailed the Fleet Commander, Kr’nagh, who informed me that operations at the Gek base were about wrapped up. Thank heaven that meant no space battle, which should make obvious any starship appearance. I inquired of any Gek arrivals during the base capture, which he told me there were none. I asked him if the base commander had been captured. “Captured? You mean, killed? They refuse surrender. But yes, my Blades are taking the base from the nasty toads.” I heard Yila whisper thanks to Tenari, knowing I’d want to join that fight myself. If not for my vigil, I would.

“Were there any prisoners? Natives?” My stomach clenched as I asked it.

His image shrugged. “Ohh… some, but those are of last importance.”

Not to me, they weren’t. “You must protect them. Do you remember the words told by the Sage, which your pilot went to hear?”

He paused as what I said came to him. “Yes, I do.”

“I’m grateful for that, and ask only that I have authority to deal with the prisoners myself, and take custody of them. I have a flight of ships coming to join me, so be aware of that. I have information that a flight of Gek ships may be coming here, and we will deal with them ourselves. If your Blades need assistance, I will be glad to help afterwards.” That didn’t sound like too big an ask.

I was gratified when he waved to me. “Yes, yes, you have permission for all of that, and to do with the strangers what you will. Much victory and glory to you… in your weird Walk,” he replied, and closed the channel.

I heaved a sigh of relief. “My… that went well.”

Yila giggled to me, “You have no fear of even the most fearful authority.”

“Well, I am my own authority,” I said, which made her snort. Was I too obvious?

A short time later there was the flash and boom of incoming ships in the distance. I held my breath as I scanned them, but just then I got a call from one. “Commander Fox? This is Lieutenant Commander Kral, with those ships you demanded. Perhaps you remember me. Are we late to the party?”

“No, not yet,” I replied, calming myself. “Form up with us. We’ll have to wait on the Gek ships to show up.” Now, if they would be so accommodating…

I made sure the Vy’keen forces were aware of our friends, and then began a waiting game since I had no idea when the Gek would arrive. The Oshazi didn’t like the instructions I gave them, that in any combat they targeted the enemies’ cockpits, and Kral exclaimed, “Are you insane? What kind of crazy order are you giving, here!” I could make out similar chatter among the other pilots.

Yila said over me, “I, a mere woman, have managed it well enough.”

That made him growl. “Meh… but… why are you making this… ridiculous order?”

“Because they have prisoners, other people captured for slavery like yours,” I told him gravely. “I made sure to rescue one of your people who was trapped on one of those ships. I intend to save everyone I can.”

Yila reminded them, “He is our hero, and he has risked his life to keep that promise to us. Can we do any less than try?” That tempered their grumbling, as they didn’t want to appear less capable than a girl.

As time wore on, they became bored and Kral messaged me. “Listen, has it hit you that maybe these Gek won’t be coming here? I wager they won’t want to meet you.”

Yes, it had, and it vexed me. “Let’s hope they either don’t have word of the Vy’keen invasion, or they at least want to scout the situation.”

He chuckled at me. “You ask us to play a waiting game with no end?”

“No, but let’s hope they don’t take too much longer—” I began, when there were flashes in the distance. “Incoming craft. Pulse in with me,” I snapped, counting on Yila to be hot on my tail as I shot off towards the site of the arrivals. If they were Vy’keen I’d have to rein everyone in quickly.

But as I cut my engines, I saw several of the beast ships, and a channel from one opened promptly. “Ah! Friends! What happens? Vy’keen over our world! You have news, orders?”

“Yes I do,” I said, making no effort to disguise my voice. “I am Traveler Nigel Fox, and I order you to surrender your ships, crew and cargo. Or I will kill you.” My sensors caught one of their ships, apparently the lead, powering up for an emergency jump. I fixed on their cockpit as the Oshazi maneuvered into position, and fired a Phase Beam through it. Apparently the crew were all killed as it failed to depart. “Listen to me!” I shouted. “There is no profit in death! Your lives will be spared if you—!”

“Fakr,” one of them spat out, and to my horror, bodies spilled out from one of the ship’s rear.

“Save them, save them!” I screamed, and fired through that cockpit with Pulse Cannon, shredding it. “Damn you shitty little toads! One more act like that and you all die!”

A stream of nervous chatter came from them as my intent and skill were clear, and then one of them said over the others, “Wait! Hold! Stay your evil hand! We submit! Submit!”

My voice was shaking as I anxiously watched those bodies twisting in the throes of the airless void, and a beast ship drifted close to attempt a rescue. “The rest of you Gek! Do you want to live, or die!”

There was a chorus of “Live! Live! Please, life! Not death!”

“Then prepare for boarding,” I snarled. “And so help me, any tricks will end your lives! I do not lie!” There was another muted chorus of surrender. I couldn’t calm down, as this brutal act left me feeling angry and nauseous. Thank God, the Oshazi were skilled pilots, and managed to collect the bodies, three of them, though they had stopped moving. I prayed so hard for them…

A Vy’keen radioed me, “Are you having some trouble with those toads?”

“Oh please, not now,” I murmured, then replied, “No… we have everything under control.” Their kind of help wouldn’t be welcome in such a situation.

An Oshazi messaged me next. “We have one survivor. He is in bad shape.”

I really didn’t want to hear that, and a groan escaped me. “Thank you for the effort. Now… you know what to do. Evac the Shuttles, two men to a Gek ship, one to guard the crew. Make sure the hostages know you’re friends come to save them.”

“Yes, we know, and obey.”

Yila said to me in a soothing voice, “Nijal, my one… this could have been much worse. Be glad of the victory.”

“Thank you, my wingman,” I murmured. She was right, but I hated losing anyone. So much for let not one die.

There was one more issue to deal with. They were short one man to guard the Gek or pilot the ship. I informed them that I would depart my Fighter to join the last one. Yila heaved a sigh, but she knew that this could be done without incident.