Mystic Militia (21 page)

“Each hunter can teleport,” Lor explained, “which makes apprehension challenging. They also have nanites that could interfere with our usual tactics. A good blast from a pulse pistol will stun a Mystic badly enough to keep him from teleporting, but I don’t know how it will affect the hunters.”

“Why were our weapons never tested on the hunters?” Dekker asked.

“The Joint Council considers the Shadow Assassins victims of their circumstances and insists that they be treated accordingly.” The bitterness in Lor’s voice made it obvious he disagreed.

“What about a Taser?” Elias asked. “Maybe the current will overload the nanites.”

“I’m not familiar with the term.”

“A stun gun.
It launches penetrating probes that pass current through the victim’s nervous and muscular systems. In humans, it causes uncontrolled muscle spasms and rigid paralysis. The victim basically loses control of their body.”

Dekker moved forward, obviously intrigued by the description. “Do you have one with you?”

Elias laughed. “Asks the man in flexible armor? Is your suit entirely defensive?”

“Of course not.”
Dekker waved away the possibility. “There are four separate munitions routines, each with variable combinations and intensity levels. Our pulse technology sounds similar to this Taser.”

“You two can compare notes once we move back inside.” Lor pushed his fingers through his damp hair. “It’s hotter than hellfire out here.”

“Understood.”
Despite his capitulation Dekker’s shoulders squared. “But I think Elias is on to something. If we focus on incapacitation rather than capture, we have more options.”

The last thing Lor wanted to create was trigger-happy soldiers. Still, he had to consider every possibility. “Will either your pulse pistol or his Taser gun incapacitate without causing permanent damage?” Lor regretted the question as soon as it passed his lips.

A conspirator’s smile passed between Dekker and Elias. “There’s only one way to find out—sir.”

Lor wasn’t fooled by Dekker’s belated “sir”. The soldiers were enjoying this. “I’ll subject Odintar to one or the other. He still needs to be able to fight once this is over.”

“Your compassion is overwhelming,” Odintar grumbled.

“We’re more familiar with the pulse pistol, so let’s test the Taser,” Dekker suggested.

A soft, warm hand touched his forearm and Lor looked down into Tori’s concerned gaze. “Is this really necessary? I’ve seen videos on the internet of what a Taser can do. It wasn’t pretty.”

She’d remained quiet and unobtrusive until someone’s safety was compromised. He squeezed her hand and smiled, pleased by her protectiveness. “He’ll be fine, love. Unfortunately, we really do need to know how each weapon will affect the hunters.”

“If it’s no big deal,” Odintar challenged, “why don’t you let him shoot it at you?”

“I don’t have nanites, but I’d like to link with you. I want to feel how the weapon affects you.”

Odintar stomped past Blayne and stood beside Lor. “This better not take me out of the real fight or I’m coming after you.” Odintar pointed at Dekker and then Elias.
“Both of you.”

“Taser waves are uncomfortable, but there will be no lasting damage.” Elias delivered the line with a straight face, but the gleam in his hazel eyes made Lor suspicious of the information.

Elias walked to his vehicle and dug something out from behind the driver seat. He returned with a black-and-yellow hand gun.

“Does that launch bullets or just electrodes?” Lor eyed the unfamiliar pistol.

“Just probes. I have several other weapons as well.”

No longer concerned with the heat, Lor looked at Odintar. “Would you like to form the link or shall I?”

“Oh, you’ll feel everything I feel. I guarantee it.”

Lor accepted the threat with an understanding smile. “Remember, you’re not just exploring the pain. You need to attempt to escape.”

“Understood.”
Odintar took a deep breath and braced for the pain. “Let’s get this over with.”

Lor opened his mind to the other Mystic. “Dekker, record the results just in case something unexpected happens.” He gave Tori a quick kiss then shooed her back several steps.

“I’m recording now. Let us know when you’re ready.”

Lor honestly thought he was prepared for the pain as he said, “Ready.” Then the probes struck Odintar’s chest and searing agony exploded through his body. They cried out in unison and rational thought was momentarily eclipsed by the excruciating pulses.

Escape
. The singular thought rang through Odintar’s mind, echoing across the link and into Lor. Their muscles convulsed and cramped, making intentional movement impossible. Gathering energy into Odintar’s chest propelled the pain onto a new level, but he refused to release the power. With one violent thrust, he forced the probes from his body and collapsed into the dirt.

Tori knelt at Lor’s side her heart beating wildly. Watching him lose control of his body had been harrowing. He’d flailed for a second then stiffened and fell, not even able to control how he landed. It had been horrible. She brushed his hair back from his clammy face, her hand trembling. “Are you okay?”

“Not something I’d do every day,” he panted, “but I’ll survive.” She helped him sit. His muscles still twitched with echoes of the spasms. “How long did it take him to expel the probes?”

“Five seconds,” Dekker told him. “I’m sure it felt longer. Odintar’s still dazed.”

“How does this compare to your pulse pistol?” Elias asked.

“Looks like the Taser
hurts
worse, but the pulse pistol is more effective,” Dekker concluded. “A good long pulse would have left either of them unconscious rather than dazed. Being able to adjust the output setting gives us more control.”

Odintar sat on the ground moaning as he rubbed his abused muscles.

Lor stubbornly tried to stand, but even with Tori’s assistance, his legs wouldn’t support him. “Both weapons will prevent their escape. How many pulse pistols do we have on board?”

“Six handheld units and four built into armor,” Dekker listed.

“How long would it take for you to train Elias or one of his people to use the armor?
Seems foolish not to exploit every advantage.”

Anticipation lit Elias’ gold-green eyes, making his excitement obvious. “I’m a quick study.” She hadn’t sensed deception in the newcomer since his arrival. He seemed direct and sincere, just a bit too militant for her complete peace of mind.

Dekker shook his head. “It would take weeks not hours. Sorry. Besides you’d need a
neuro
-interface, which requires surgery and a trip to Ontariese.”

Odintar finally stirred enough to speak. “That was fun. Can I demonstrate some of my abilities on Dekker?”

“Temper, temper.”
Dekker wisely turned his head before he grinned. “It was all in the name of science.”

“Science is a Mystic’s worst enemy or hadn’t you heard.” With a little help from Blayne, Odintar made it to his feet.

Odintar’s progress motivated Lor to try again. With her shoulder lodged in his armpit and his arm draped over her shoulders, he maneuvered his feet beneath him. His legs still wobbled, but he finally managed to stand.

After wiping his face with his forearm, Lor motioned toward the ship. “Back inside. I think we have a basic direction.”

“One last thing.”
Elias halted the procession. “What about your abilities? How do Mystics capture other Mystics?”

“Like this.” Blayne threw a web of Mystic energy and it wrapped around Lor like a net. The shimmering strands stung Tori’s arm. She gasped and automatically jumped back. The ends melded together and the semi-solid fibers tightened until Lor could barely move. “Detention chambers at the Conservatory neutralize Mystic energy. Engineers have tried for decades to create mobile chambers. A few of the larger ships have them now, but the
Sentinel
doesn’t generate enough power.”

“Let him go.” She tried to sound commanding as color drained from Lor’s face.

He struggled within the net, each twist slow and ineffective “I’m weak as a babe,” Lor reminded. “This isn’t a true test.” Even so, it held him securely until his eyes narrowed, his hands closed into tight fists and he incinerated the fibers with a burst of flame.

Tori grinned.
Go, Lor
. Every time he commanded fire it made her feel warm and tingly inside.

“That’s cheating,” Dekker objected. “We’re testing teleportation. None of the hunters can command fire.”

“That we know of,” Blayne chimed in. “We don’t really know what they can and can’t do.”

“As long as they’re incapacitated there will be no need to restrain them. Even the Taser will keep them from accessing their abilities and a pulse pistol works even better.” Lor rolled his shoulders, obviously feeling the aftereffects of their tests.

“The Taser can’t be used for an extended period of time without risking serious damage,” Elias told them.

“But it could trap one of the hunters long enough for someone with a pulse pistol to shut them down completely,” Blayne countered.

“Inside.”
Lor’s tone snapped with impatience and authority. “I’m going to pass out if we stand here much longer.”

They quickly made their way back inside the ship. Elias looked around in obvious wonder as they stepped beyond the concealment shields. Dekker headed for the armory so he could rid himself of his armor. When they reached the galley, Tori rushed to the dispenser and filled a tall glass with ice water.

“You’re an angel,” Lor murmured as he took the glass from her outstretched hand and raised it to his dry lips.

“Make mine ale,” Blayne said as he scooted into the booth.

“Make that two,” Odintar joined in.

“Hell, pour a pitcher,” Sid suggested and everyone laughed.

“Not ’til the briefing is over,” Lor cut them off with a scowl. “And
Tori’s
not a waitress.”

A hush fell over the galley as everyone found a seat. Lor had shut down the cry for booze, but Tori filled a pitcher with ice water, gathered glasses, and set it all in the middle of the table.

“We only have one chance at this,” Lor stressed. “Once they see or sense us they’ll flash to the gods know where.”

“
Which means round two is going to be a hell of a lot harder.
” Sid spoke for the first time in hours.

“One round at a time.
Stay focused on tonight.”

Dekker returned from the armory, a towel draped around his neck. Everyone scooted over and almost gave him enough room to sit on the edge of the booth.

Tori tried to stay out of everyone’s way, which wasn’t easy in the crowded galley. “What are you going to do with the hunters once you’ve incapacitated them?” The men distributed the glasses. It took two pitchers to fill them all, but soon everyone was enjoying a cool drink.

“They’ll be taken to the Conservatory so they can be interrogated,” Lor told her. “I’ll need to arrange for an evacuating team ahead of time. Once the hunters are unconscious, they’ll need to be moved immediately.”

“What is the Conservatory?” Elias wanted to know.

“It’s the planetary headquarters for Ontarian Mystics,” Lor said. “That’s where each of us was trained.”

“I was told only half of you are Mystics. May I ask which half?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Dekker chuckled. “The hair alone should give them away.”

“My hair is as short as yours,” Odintar challenged.

“Yeah, but you’re twice as arrogant,” Dekker returned.

Elias’ speculative gaze moved from face to face until he made his selections.
“Lor, Odintar and Blayne?”

“Very good.”
Lor took a final drink of his water then set his glass aside.

“Who will conduct the interrogations?” Tori tried to keep her tone casual, but Lor would likely read the hope in her eyes. She wanted to play an active role in all of this regardless of the possible danger. The hunters might be from Ontariese, but this was her fight too. Nazerel had invited her participation when he targeted her sister.

“That’s up to Tal.”

Tori crossed the room and lowered her voice. “I want to help with the interrogations. The hunters will be safely restrained by then and my gift makes me uniquely qualified for the job.”

Tension sharpened his features, making him appear more aggressive. Still, when he spoke, his voice was soft and low. “I don’t want my mate anywhere near the hunters. It’s too dangerous.”

“But,” she prompted with a teasing smile.

“
But
the head of the Mystic Militia recognizes the truth in your words. Your gift makes you the ideal assistant for an interrogator. Tal has the final say, but I won’t object.”

Suddenly Morgan’s voice came over the intercom.
“Showtime, boys.
I have a signal.” Everyone hustled from the galley. Tori followed the Mystics to the command deck while the soldiers rushed to the armory so they could suit up and retrieve the spare pulse pistols. “As always it was just a flash,” Morgan told Lor. “But I was ready this time thanks to the sensor grid.” She started to explain more, but Lor stopped her.