The Broken Cage (Solstice 31 Saga Book 2) (23 page)

CHAPTER THIRTY

Dry Dock

“We finally had hope. Before that, in the back of our minds, we were positive we were dead. Meeting Ulric, knowing he survived the same experience, we knew we could survive.”

--
Solstice 31 Incident Investigation Testimony Transcript: Captain James Worthington, senior surviving member of the Ventura's command crew.

<<<>>>

Keeper Ulric was in his room with Saay and Kia. They were asleep, and he was awake, for once. He tried to drink enough to keep the nightmare away. Then, he heard the music but didn't move. It was coming from the garden, again. He knew better than to get up and look. In fact, he wanted to shrink from the windows.

A silhouette moved in front of the window, and he knew the nightmare was happening and he was unable to wake.

Am I asleep already?

He saw her stand at the foot of his bed. She wasn't burned or bloody, this time. Her clothes were white and clean. She wore a simple tunic and a thick, silk, rope belt.

“You have done well, Ulric.” The whisper came from the foot of the bed. The glow from the dying fire illuminated the curve of her cheek. It sparkled, deep in her eyes. “Soon you may be free of me, forever. But, you must be strong. In the morning, they will return and you must persuade them in a single, small way.”

She turned and walked toward the windows. The glowing coals illuminated her bare shoulders, and the slave tattoos, in high detail. It was the moon of Earth, Luna, crossed with clouds.

Wasn't there a tunic, a moment ago?

“Persuade them? Who? To do what?” he whispered.
Am I awake?
He did not want to wake them. Again.

“Who?” She didn't turn back. “These men from Earth. These Lords of the sky. These women of prophecy. These...destroyers. Do as I say, and this world shall not burn.”

Ulric felt his panic rise. He couldn't look away. His imagination tormented him with visions of sharp needle-like teeth biting through their own lips. And the blood. So much blood.

“Do this one thing,” she said, and turned to face him.

He thrashed. He crab-walked to the headboard as she came toward him. Her face was perfect. Her eyes glowed in the firelight. It was worse. She came closer.

“They must help Grady.” She didn't stop when she reached the foot of the huge, four-poster, canopy bed. She climbed over, slowly. “It's a simple thing, but it must be done. Ronan will know a way.”

The steel piling of her prosthetic leg terminated in a talon, its claws flexing.

“Po is the key. She walks to and fro without realizing she’s holding the leash of a Telis Raptor. Even though it is hungry. So very hungry.”

She stopped crawling when she was between his feet.

It was as if she noticed the young women for the first time as they stirred. Ulric panicked.

“No!” he screamed, out loud. “I mean, yes. I will do anything. Please!” Ulric shrank away, clinging to the girls who were now awake and trying to calm him.

Looking from girl to girl and then back at Ulric, she smiled, a bloody smile. He screamed and squeezed closed his eyes.

The laughter turned into music, as Saay and Kia told him it was only a nightmare, and he clung to them tighter.

***

It took about two hours to load the shuttle. They started with the already loaded sled and the Hammerhead. There were several cases of weapons and ammunitions, next. All the clothes they could find were packed. Most of the medical supplies of the
Memphis
were loaded. Then, the pressure suits and the damaged Hard Shell Maintenance Suit were loaded, followed by tools and gear, and even some small task generators. There was gear Barcus didn't recognize, and cases that were not opened or inspected.

Elkin asked if he could take the time to fabricate and install two parts on the damaged reactor. “If we can leave the reactor up, these will make it much more stable.”

“Do it,” Jimbo said, instantly.

Barcus and Elkin took Kuss and Weston to get started on shutting down that reactor while the fabricator created the new parts. Po was left alone with Ronan in the hangar bay.

“This lower gravity, I knew there was such a thing, but never thought I'd experience it,” Ronan said.

Po jumped again. It was just straight up and down, but it still amazed her. “I wish my nose weren't so stuffed up,” she said, as she landed lightly. “Captain Worthington says it bothers him, too.”

“Po, I need to ask you...” Ronan pulled his beard. “These people, what are they going to do?” He was serious. Worried.

“They will do whatever they like,” she said.

“I don't know you like I know Barcus.” She was looking right into his eyes as she spoke. “Hume told me that Barcus was the least of them. YOU are nothing beside him. And you may be the most powerful Keeper there is. Stay out of their way. Please, Ronan.”

“I will help them any way I can.” He was very thoughtful. “But, the High Keeper will not tolerate their existence. He doesn't care about lives. Maybe not even his own.”

“Then help them, because I think all they really want is to return to Earth.” Po didn't look happy about her statement as she watched Barcus help carry a machine up the ramp into the
Memphis
. “Please don't make them angry. You have seen what happens.” Po was nearly pleading.

“Yes, I have seen what can happen. But, I have not seen him angry. Yet.”

He remembered Barcus as he had faced 100 of the High Keeper's hardest men. Barcus hadn't blinked, until they were all dead, a moment later.

Ronan watched them. “It is wiser to fear a dozen sheep led by a Telis Raptor than to fear 100 Telis Raptors led by a sheep.”

***

They decided to leave the remaining rations for when they returned. Barcus assured them there will be a feast awaiting them in Whitehall. Ronan pledged additional supplies, if they were needed.

“Keeper Ronan,” Worthington said, as the last of the load was secured, “my security chief has reassured me that you will not be a problem.”

“Captain, not all the people of this world need killing,” Ronan said, as Barcus approached. Both men were taller than Ronan. “Even though Barcus may think otherwise.”

“What is the damn planet name?” Kuss interrupted, with her accent thick.

Po, Worthington, and Barcus looked at Kuss and then to Ronan.

“It was called Baytirus, long ago. Use of the name has been forbidden for so long it has almost been forgotten,” Ronan replied.

“Forbidden? Why?” Kuss asked.

“It implied there were other worlds. With other names. Like Earth,” Ronan said.

“Using the name Earth is also forbidden,” Po said, as a matter-of-fact. “Hammer and Anvil. Death offenses.”

Barcus nodded confirmation, as disgust twisted Kuss's face.

“Lord Barcus, you should educate your peers as soon as possible. I'm used to a few death offenses before breakfast, but I am not typical. Just standing here means death,” Ronan said. “The moon is of heaven and reserved for the Keepers.” It sounded like he quoted a scripture.

“Please, it's just Barcus,” Barcus said.

“And frankly, I feel I must say, killing a couple thousand of the Lord High Keeper's men may not have been the best idea, either.” Ronan was looking directly at Barcus.

Everyone else gathered, looked at him as well.

“Hey, I was pissed off.”

“A hornet's nest,” Ronan said.

“When we get off this shit ball, I say we activate planet-facing weapon tubes on our way out.” Kuss pressed into Ronan's space, for some reason. “Stu owns comms systems already. By time we fix
Memphis
, he will crack nuke control systems. We kill them all.”

“Stand down, Kuss,” Worthington ordered, in a voice not to be ignored. “Let me be crystal clear. We will get off this planet. We will also disable the defense grid on the way out, if we can. We will also set a warning buoy.” He pointed at Barcus, “You and I will have a discussion, regarding this campaign of yours. In private.” He faced Ronan, then said, “I expect your discretion. I would like your help. But, I will not threaten you to get it.” He looked at Kuss, then asked, “Is that clear?”

She nodded, respectfully.

“Now, load them up. I need to breathe some real air. Even if it is on a godforsaken planet,” Worthington said, as he moved off.

People began the last preparations before takeoff. Worthington spoke with Dr. Shaw and climbed into the
Memphis
.

Hume came down the ramp to Po and Ronan, where they stood, trying to stay out of the way. “Ronan, I just asked if we should kill you and leave you out there with the other bodies. Barcus and Jim left it to me, to decide.” He noticed her sidearm was in her hand, not holstered. “You will answer one question.”

Resigned, he nodded. Po stepped away two steps.

“Why would you help us?” she asked, still as a statue.

“I believe the Lord High Keeper is insane and has to be stopped,” he said.

“No. There's something else. Do not bullshit me. Not now.” Hume's jaw muscles tensed.

“He is holding someone that means nothing to him, but the world to others. If I help you, I hope you'll help me.”

“Who?” Hume asked, as she holstered her gun.

“Her name is Wex,” he said.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Whitehall Abbey

“I had no idea, at the time, what Barcus had been through. No idea how much these people meant to him. They treated him like a god. You know… They may have been right.”

--
Solstice 31 Incident Investigation Testimony Transcript: Captain James Worthington, senior surviving member of the Ventura's command crew.

<<<>>>

They left the hangar bay unpressurized, but closed, on their way out, to ease their eventual return to the
Memphis
. There was a short debate, regarding bringing it with them, this time. It was decided it could wait for them to take a breath and come up with a long-range plan.

Having the small part fabricator on the Shuttle Transport Unit, changed everything. They will be able to dry dock on the surface and execute real repairs. Even if it took years, they could do it.

They crowded into the STU’s bridge. With inertial dampening on full, the ride was very smooth, and the STU took them to the defense grid hole, easily.

“Captain, with this unit we could even make a larger fabricator from scratch. It would take a while, but we could use the ruined shuttle for the right raw materials,” Elkin said. She was excited.

“We will need to find out how to repair main FTL propulsion,” Worthington said, as he watched the descent to the planet. “Elkin, how much do you know about the FTL systems? I know your specialty was reactors. Anyone?” He looked at the rest, knowing the answer already. “We have a lot of reading to do.”

Barcus laughed, out loud. “Sorry, Jimbo. But the Senior FTL drive engineers on the
Ventura
didn't even know how they worked, really. You'd never be able to build one that functioned.”

“Well, then why the hell are you smiling?” Cook asked.

“I have an FTL-capable ship that happens to have reactor issues.” He smiled, wide. “It needs a lot of work, but you’re going to love it. It's a Renalo-class yacht.”

He saw recognition on their faces.

“I believe you can thank this ship for the hole we just passed through.”

“How do you mean?” Kuss asked, what everyone was about to ask.

“It has an EMP cannon,” Barcus said.

“You have been busy.” Worthington laughed.

“Barcus, we are approaching the coordinates you provided. Nothing on visual yet,” AI~Stu said to Barcus.

Hume spoke up, “Descend to within ten meters of the lake’s surface and approach the coordinates from the north. You'll see it. The hangar opening is huge, but there is a large overhang cliff above it.”

It was late morning there, now. The shadows were deep in the day's bright sun.

They saw a tall figure, standing on the rocks at the mouth of the hangar. The wind blew the figure's cloak to the east. The STU drifted into the hangar slowly, directly over Rand’s head.

The STU entered the hangar and rotated the ship 180° before it settled down. The ramp lowered as the STU touched down. Rand’s silhouette
walked across the hangar floor, arriving at the shuttle about the same time the ramp apron touched down.

They were there, as it opened.

Rand saw Barcus, as he was the first to move down the ramp. He stopped, in front of her. No one else moved or spoke.

Po whispered to Hume, as Barcus and Rand exchanged quiet words, “What's happening?”

“She didn't know he survived. Now, he's telling her about Chen.” Hume paused. “They were all friends.”

“Why does he always make women cry?” Po asked, smiling.

“Not just the women,” Cook said, quietly, from where he stood behind them.

Hume pointed a thumb at Cook, “Cried like a baby.”

Cook smiled, as he nodded.

Rand then threw her arms around Barcus in a fierce hug, much like the one Barcus had shared with Jimbo. Even though she was taller than Barcus, she buried her face in his neck as her shoulders shook.

Jimbo took that as a cue to descend the ramp into what rapidly became a group hug around them.

Po stood at the edge of the ramp with Ronan, Dr. Shaw, Ibenez, Shea, and Edwards.

Ibenez looked at her, and said, “I'm an introvert. No hugging.”

“What is an introvert?” Po asked.

***

Hugs turned to laughs, and then outright celebration. They were alive.

Two more figures appeared from the shadows of the hangar, holding lanterns.

“I want you to meet my friends Vi and Tannhauser,” Rand said.

People introduced themselves. Eventually, Tan’Vi noticed Keeper Ronan and were taken aback.

“Forgive me, my Lord Keeper. How may we serve you?” Tannhauser asked, bowing deeply.

Vi fell to her knees and put her forehead on the floor.

All conversation stopped.

Po looked at Barcus, who had been speaking with Worthington. She saw his jaw tighten.

“Please, rise.” Ronan ignored the awkward silence, and patted Tannhauser on the back like an old friend. “I do believe we have met more than once. Last spring in Exeter. You brought me a message.”

“That's correct, my Lord.”

Po helped encourage Vi to her feet. Vi trembled.

“Do you know who that is?” Vi whispered to her.

Po nodded.

“As soon as we unload all this, we’re headed back to Whitehall, Rand. We have a feast waiting for us. Would your friends like to come along?” Worthington asked.

“It's up to you,” Rand said to them.

“Will you be coming back here?” Tannhauser asked.

“Yes,” Jim said, looking around the hangar. The
Memphis
will fit in here, nicely.

“Then, I think we will stay, to keep the hearths warm,” Tannhauser said.

“Here, take this.” Ronan opened a pouch and handed Tannhauser a plate. “Keep it close, and we can keep in touch.”

Tannhauser held it like Ronan had just handed him a viper.

“It's all right, my boy.” Ronan laughed. “It won't bite.”

***

Within the hour, they had the gear off-loaded and secured. The STU was in the air, soon after, in high spirits.

AI~Stu opened a private channel with Barcus, inside his personal HUD. “Barcus, I expected Em to be within range, by now. The Briggs-Udvar-Green (BUG) surveillance drones have a limited range, but the network they established was along this vector.”

“Stu, is there any unusual traffic on the sat comms you are monitoring?” Barcus asked.

Po leaned on him, in the crowded bridge, and heard his question.

“Is anything wrong?” Po asked, quietly. She sensed his concern from his tone.

“I don't know,” he said to Po. Then to AI~Stu, he said, “Stu, keep trying. What is our ETA?” He looked at the horizon ahead.

“Will do. Twenty-seven minutes at present speed,” AI~Stu replied.

Six minutes later, he saw the smoke on the horizon.

“Hold on, everyone. Stu, faster.” Barcus stood between the seats where Dr. Shaw and Kuss sat. Whitehall Abbey came into view.

It was a crater.

The STU circled the site. The entire thing had collapsed into the redoubt below, creating a giant crater. The surrounding forest had been blown flat, away from the blast area. The outer wall had been blown out, in almost every direction.

“I have located the Emergency Module directly to the east. It's buried in rubble. It's unresponsive,” AI~Stu said, so all heard.

They were quiet now.

“No, no, no. Please, no,” Po whispered through her fingers, which covered her mouth.

“Stu, scan for survivors. Active scans. Now,” Barcus ordered.

“Survivors found directly west. Descending now. Please hold on.”

The STU moved in fast, but smoothly. The inertial dampeners were excellent, even flying on foils.

They landed directly in front of the Bee Keeper's house. It was a low structure with thick, fieldstone walls. Half of the roof was missing, but the walls still stood.

Grady stood in front of the door, axe in hand, as if guarding the door.

Barcus was down on the ground, before the ramp opened all the way.

Grady offered no words as the door opened behind him.

A man named Smith stormed out. It was the right name for the man. Despite his age, he was built like a blacksmith. His face and arms were heavily scarred, more from the lash than the forge. One of his eyes was clouded over, ruined. His clothes were filthy and torn. His face was black, with dirt and with blood.

He struck Barcus in the face with a closed fist, rocking him back. He yelled, “I warned you. You knew they were in danger!”

Po launched herself at Smith. He barely noticed as she threw her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. She hugged him, in relief, as much as to hold him back from Barcus.

Barcus recovered, quickly. “I know, you're right. This is all on me.”

Grady put a hand on his shoulder. “Forget that, for now. We have some injured. Quickly.”

He led them into the ruined house, and said, “There are seventeen alive. The ten that worked outside the walls are not bad. We only found seven alive in the rubble. They need your med bay.”

Dr. Shaw and her team leaped into action, taking control, with the help of the team from the
Memphis
. Smith refused any treatment, until the others were seen.

Po asked Grady, when things began to settle, “Where is Ulric?”

“He was with Olias, this morning. I don't know where any of them are now,” he replied.

Rand and Hume ran to the crater, to scan for additional survivors.

They reported back to Worthington, who had taken efficient control of the situation. Barcus sat on a low wall, after everyone was helped.

Grady walked up to Barcus. “They came, not long after first light. I was hunting to the north when I heard the shuttle flying overhead. I saw the cargo door was open as it flew. Something rolled out, and a white sail opened above a large cylinder. It came down on Whitehall Abbey, slowly. That's when I heard the guns, the one’s Par has. That spider, it pounded it. Chunks flew off it, as it descended.”

Grady played with his ears. “It exploded, before it reached the ground. I don't know how close it was to the ground, but it knocked me off my feet.
And, I was a mile north.”

“It came around, again. The second one made it to the ground. I saw debris flying. A cloud of dust rose. There were no guns as the third one fell, unopposed.”

Rand's voice came over the personal HUD. “We have life signs. I think there are survivors, inside the Emergency Module. Barcus, get over here with the heavy maintenance suit. We need to dig!”

Barcus leaped to his feet and ran up the ramp. He climbed inside the suit with an ease that came from years of practice. He ran to Rand’s signal. Ash was gone. It was just a suit now.

Rand was on top of a pile of fractured foamcrete, waving, as Barcus bounded up. He saw two legs from the EM in the broken debris.

Barcus spoke through the suit's PA system, “You need to move away, Rand. I need to work, fast.”

He didn't wait to begin throwing off boulder-sized chunks.

He followed the legs to the body of the EM, as he shifted debris. He looked up and there was another suit digging on the other side. With no AI behind the control systems, Barcus had to find the suit-to-suit comms controls manually, like he had a lifetime ago.

“Comms check. Jimbo, is that you?” Barcus knew that Worthington was rated to drive the suit.

“Yeah, it's me, bro. Here, help me with this slab.”

Together, they lifted off a giant section of the wall, revealing a large part of the module. It was upside down, unmoving, with no signs of any systems online.

Rand spoke over comms, “Barcus, Hume says that she is picking up two personal HUDs in there, as well as life signs.”

“Jim, just cut that leg joint at the middle elbow. Then, we can slowly turn it over, endwise, and get access to the rear ramp with the manual system,” Barcus said.

“Got it,” Jim said, and as the joint snapped, the EM slid back a meter, causing a small avalanche of small debris.

Slowly, gently, they rolled the Emergency Module over. When it came to rest on its belly, Barcus rotated out a special tool on the suit’s left forearm that he socketed into a depression to the left of the closed, rear ramp hatch. It spun and the hatch lowered.

Barcus saw that Rand, Cook, Hume, and Ibenez were right there, with two stretchers from the med bay in the STU. Barcus powered on the floodlights to illuminate the dark interior.

He was the first to see the unconscious bodies of Olias and Ulric. There was a puddle of blood on the ceiling above Ulric. He bled from his nose.

“They were both strapped in. We may be lucky,” Jim said, over the comms.

“You think any of this is lucky!?” Barcus yelled. “This is anything but lucky, for Christ's sake!”