24


Rejon led me back to the Jellybird, where I exchanged Horvath for Elise, Locke, and Path.
“Thanks for keeping this big jerk alive, Horvath.” Elise grinned.
“You are overconfident.” Horvath had been quiet since observing the honored stasis of his friend’s body.
“It’s what I do,” Elise answered. “It’s what we do. Right, Path?”
I waited for the sword saint’s answer, curious. Had the man learned to talk smack while teaching the kid to fight?
“It is what we do when it is what needs to be done.”
Elise laughed and punched him on the shoulder. “You’re cool as ice, Path-man.”
We checked our gear. I consumed nutrient bars and drank water until X-37 told me I could stop. Rejon and a few of his trusted soldiers escorted us to the Shield of Xad, one of the five SIC ships that had been hidden below the surface of the planet for hundreds of years.
“I cannot believe you convinced the Council of Xad to do this,” Rejon said. “The crew is excited to finally launch the ship. They are as overconfident as the girl-kid and don’t believe the Union forces can take and hold the Shield.”
“Let’s hope they’re right,” I said.
The plan had changed dramatically. Instead of letting Nebs’s men capture me and take me onboard the Dark Lance, the soldiers of Xad would launch an immediate counter attack and board the Union ship, taking advantage of their hard won knowledge, experience, and creative equipment.
The Shield of Xad was still bait. If half of what Rejon told me was true, then it would also carry a nasty surprise for Nebs.
We boarded the warship and felt the vibration of the engines’ warm-up through the deck.
“This ship is much smaller than the Alon hulk where we found the SIC network devices,” X-37 reported. “Before you ask, it is on par with most Union ships of a similar class. There are problems with a direct comparison, of course, but I believe you understand my point.”
“Yeah, X. This ship is good but nothing special. Rejon is packing it with his best fighters and hoping to swarm the Dark Lance using their own boarding shuttles and tubes.”
Rejon addressed one of his officers, then came back. “I would like you to review the men. Most have seen video of you fighting the Tagron. I have also explained you were an elite soldier of our new enemies.”
“Why not?” I asked. “Show the way.”
We strode through several passages and took a lift. From time to time, there were announcements over the intercom—summoning people to battle stations, engine rooms, and other support areas. X-37 helped me understand the dialect.
The final lift opened to a flight deck where they expected the Union to send boarders. Choreographed system failures would make it a target too good to pass up.
Union spec ops soldiers and Archangels would send a wave of shuttles, quickly followed by boarding tubes to deliver even more attackers into the fight. This second stage would also include combat engineers, pilots, and field medics.
I knew how the Union took a ship. I also doubted Rejon’s people were ready for the murderous intensity of the fight to come.
Rows of Xad soldiers stood at attention on the flight deck. I walked beside Rejon as he examined their motley assortment of gear.
“Kyle,” he said as he stopped before one of the squad leaders. “Congratulations on your promotion. You earned it.”
“Thank you, sir,” the man responded.
We continued down the line. Several other units arrived and took positions. I was actually impressed they’d amassed this many men and women ready to risk their lives.
“The odds of our success are improving,” X-37 announced.
“You’re not wrong, X. The more I study this ragtag army, the more I recognize the way they are organized. At first, I thought they had random weapons, but seeing the pattern repeat, I realize each squad has a heavy gunner, medic, and several riflemen. Not sure what the other specialist is, though.”
“I believe you are looking at an EVA specialist and equipment repairmen,” X-37 said. “He is carrying several specialized items in addition to his weaponry.”
The inspection continued as the ship captain announced the lift-off timetable.
“What do you think, Reaper?” Rejon asked.
“I’m impressed.”
“Good.” He nodded. “We can’t afford to fail.”
“Attention all hands, this is your captain. Prepare for launch. All hands, prepare for launch,” came the dignified voice of an older man.
Rejon ordered his soldiers to their launch chairs located in rooms adjacent to the flight deck. “Let’s be ready to fight like Tagron demons. Let’s show these Union forces how the people of Xad fight for what is theirs!”
A cheer went up, then men and women moved in good order to ready themselves for the launch. Rejon took me to the bridge, where he introduced me to the captain, a man named Brutus Kaldon.
“Welcome aboard, Reaper. I’ve seen more Tagron fights than most and must compliment your survival,” Captain Kaldon said. He nodded toward Rejon. “I’m sure this character appreciates your skill.”
“Thanks, Captain,” I replied. “We will try to stay out of your way.”
Elise and Path showed their respect and we all hung back.
“Once we have cleared the planet, you will need to resume your places on the flight deck to repel the attack of the Union forces,” Captain Kaldon said.
He was significantly older than the rest of his bridge crew but fit. Only a slight limp and stiffness in his right hand seemed to slow him. His gray hair still had some brown in it and his eyes were full of intelligence and vitality.
“I can’t wait to see this,” Path said.
“Really?” I asked. My sword saint friend rarely talked about what he wanted or hoped for. His meditative, ultra-calm, and effective existence focused on appreciating each moment without a lot of wanting stuff like good cigars and whiskey.
“It will be very unique to see the planet open and allow us to launch,” Path stated.
“They will have to launch all of their ships soon,” Elise added. “Once Nebs knows there is a hidden civilization under the surface, he’ll blow the planet to hell if he doesn’t get what he wants.”
I wanted to discuss this with Rejon, but he had moved to a position near the captain.
“Gentlemen and lady,” a young ensign said. “Please take your places in this row of launch seats and strap in for your safety.”
Elise smiled at the young officer and he blushed.
“Stop flirting,” I ordered.
“I so wasn’t flirting,” she fired back.
Lights dimmed and switched to red. The countdown began.
“Are you holding your breath, Reaper Cain?” X-37 asked.
“No, X. I’m totally relaxed. What could possibly go wrong with a ship this size launching into space from an underground hangar?”
A crude holo viewer showed the ceiling opening above the launch pad. That sight by itself was the most amazing thing I’d ever seen. The sky was revealed as the aperture opened.
“The crew of this ship are very intent on their work,” X-37 observed.
The bridge was far larger than the Jellybird or even the Nightmare. Dozens of people manned workstations, each with their own small screens and control panels.
“They’re a lot more organized than I thought they would be,” I said.
“Starvation and patched clothing present a false image.” Path looked around. “What I see is a strong people with strict laws and a unified purpose. They look like scavengers or pirates, maybe they even look like cannibals, but their society is formal and rigid.”
“You get all that from watching them work?” Elise looked at him quizzically.
“Is there a better way to know them than through their actions?” Path held her gaze for a meaningful beat.
“Good point,” Elise admitted.
“Lift off in three, two, one, engage engines,” said Captain Kaldon.
The ship shook so violently, I would have fallen had I been standing. The Shield of Xad moved slowly at first, then picked up speed.
“Jelly advised they will follow when the way is clear,” X-37 informed me. “She has experienced some difficulty with the local air traffic control authorities but has found a workaround.”
“What kind of workaround?” My words were shaking in time with the vibration of the ship launch. Rocket exhaust expanded around the ship, blocking the camera view until the ship climbed above it.
“You don’t want to know, Reaper Cain. Two of her previous captains were smugglers.”
“As long as she doesn’t get herself blown to pieces, I’ll approve of her methods.” If it worked, I didn’t care how Jelly did it.
Rejon made eye contact once the ship had cleared the planet and the bridge crew cheered. I gave him a thumbs-up. He returned his attention to the captain and the bridge crew.
“That is freaking amazing,” Elise exclaimed as the main holo-view showed Xad below us.
“Reaper, it is time to fight.” Rejon strode toward us.
“You can’t be part of the boarding party.” Elise sounded almost worried and her eyes flicked to me, Rejon, then back to me. “That’s stupid.”
“I am a good fighter,” he promised. “Much more useful there than on this bridge, where I will only undermine the authority of the captain.”
“Your choice, Rejon. Just don’t get in my way,” I instructed.
Rejon, his guards, Elise, Path, Locke, and I rejoined the soldiers preparing to defend the flight deck. By the time we arrived, the first of the fake system failures was done. Soon, there would be a simulated power failure that we hoped would bait the Union boarding party.
All we were doing was choosing the time and place, which was half the battle.