Vigilante (45 page)
They stopped before turning onto the wheel’s main semicircular-shaped
corridors. David Ray poked his head out, and pulled it back to confer with Matt. Up to this
point, they’d been talking in low tones or whispers. David Ray held his finger in front of his
lips as a warning.
corridors. David Ray poked his head out, and pulled it back to confer with Matt. Up to this
point, they’d been talking in low tones or whispers. David Ray held his finger in front of his
lips as a warning.
“We’re going to have to run around this corridor, where there’ll be
plenty of chances to be seen from connecting spokes. No more talking. Move quickly and
quietly.” He breathed his words softly.
plenty of chances to be seen from connecting spokes. No more talking. Move quickly and
quietly.” He breathed his words softly.
David Ray looked around the corner again, and started running. Matt
followed behind, remembering Dr. Lee’s comment and again wondering how old the counselor was,
in absolute terms. David Ray was surprisingly spry.
followed behind, remembering Dr. Lee’s comment and again wondering how old the counselor was,
in absolute terms. David Ray was surprisingly spry.
They ran past several intersections. Turning, Matt saw familiar
corridors.
Going right back to where we started this nightmare.
He
adjusted his grip on the baton.
corridors.
Going right back to where we started this nightmare.
He
adjusted his grip on the baton.
The birthing center doors were open, which was unusual. The first one
they reached was to Birthing Center Two, and David Ray stopped short, winded. Matt stepped
around him, holding the baton up, but didn’t step into the opening.
they reached was to Birthing Center Two, and David Ray stopped short, winded. Matt stepped
around him, holding the baton up, but didn’t step into the opening.
“Get out of the way!” shouted a rough male voice.
They heard the sound of equipment breaking.
“No! Don’t hurt her—Allison!” This was Dr. Lee Pilgrimage’s voice,
shrill with anger. “Stop it. These embryos were ordered by Abram.”
shrill with anger. “Stop it. These embryos were ordered by Abram.”
“And his orders are clear. If we pull out or lose the system, we kill
these things.”
these things.”
“These are children, not things,” Lee said.
“My God, one of these is an abomination. Abram never authorized
females
, not for first-born.”
females
, not for first-born.”
“Let me go!” Lee’s voice sounded panicked.
Matt gripped the baton and readied himself. He leaned into the opening
to see a short, muscular man take Lee by the shoulders, shake her, and throw her sideways
against the birth chamber wall. She collapsed like a rag doll, next to another crumpled body in
a white lab coat. The man stepped back and, apparently intent upon destroying an occupied birth
chamber, raised a weapon that looked like a slug pistol.
to see a short, muscular man take Lee by the shoulders, shake her, and throw her sideways
against the birth chamber wall. She collapsed like a rag doll, next to another crumpled body in
a white lab coat. The man stepped back and, apparently intent upon destroying an occupied birth
chamber, raised a weapon that looked like a slug pistol.
Matt steadied the baton over his other arm, lined up the small sights on
the man’s torso, and pressed the second stud. The man screamed. He turned toward Matt and
started convulsing. Matt realized he was still pressing the stud and he released it. With no
smoke or haze, he couldn’t see the beam’s path.
the man’s torso, and pressed the second stud. The man screamed. He turned toward Matt and
started convulsing. Matt realized he was still pressing the stud and he released it. With no
smoke or haze, he couldn’t see the beam’s path.
“Lee!” David Ray pushed past him.
Matt followed more slowly and looked numbly down at Lee’s attacker,
obviously in his death throes, the side and front of his chest looking like something had
chewed its way out, rather than in. He felt like vomiting, but was distracted when David Ray
tugged the leg of his coverall and pointed to the other technician.
obviously in his death throes, the side and front of his chest looking like something had
chewed its way out, rather than in. He felt like vomiting, but was distracted when David Ray
tugged the leg of his coverall and pointed to the other technician.
This was obviously Allison, who must have hit her head going down. Her
neck and back met in a strange angle, so Matt felt carefully for a pulse. He didn’t feel
anything. Beside him, David Ray cradled Lee in his lap while he muttered and prayed. Something
about opting out, settling down together, just like he promised her, if only she was okay,
please Gaia, let her be okay—
neck and back met in a strange angle, so Matt felt carefully for a pulse. He didn’t feel
anything. Beside him, David Ray cradled Lee in his lap while he muttered and prayed. Something
about opting out, settling down together, just like he promised her, if only she was okay,
please Gaia, let her be okay—
“Stand up, crèche-get.”
Matt looked up to see another isolationist, with a squat, grav-hugger
body, standing in the doorway and aiming a flechette pistol. His hand tightened on nothing;
he’d set the Gaia-b’damned Minoan baton down somewhere. He started standing as the man was hit
from behind with what sounded like a high-power stunner.The pistol flailed around before the
man dropped, and Matt instinctively twisted and crouched down over David Ray and Lee. He yelped
as he felt flechettes burn his right arm.
body, standing in the doorway and aiming a flechette pistol. His hand tightened on nothing;
he’d set the Gaia-b’damned Minoan baton down somewhere. He started standing as the man was hit
from behind with what sounded like a high-power stunner.The pistol flailed around before the
man dropped, and Matt instinctively twisted and crouched down over David Ray and Lee. He yelped
as he felt flechettes burn his right arm.
Quiet. He looked around to see two figures in environmental suits
standing in the doorway over the body, holding firearms that looked like rifles. The AFCAW
crimson crest of the Labrys Raptor on their shoulders stood out against the white of their
suits. He never thought he’d be so happy to see that symbol.
standing in the doorway over the body, holding firearms that looked like rifles. The AFCAW
crimson crest of the Labrys Raptor on their shoulders stood out against the white of their
suits. He never thought he’d be so happy to see that symbol.
The figure in front slung its rifle over its shoulder and stepped
forward. It pushed a button on its wrist. The reflective shield slid up, quickly followed by
the regular shield, to reveal Lieutenant Diana Oleander’s green eyes and oval face.
forward. It pushed a button on its wrist. The reflective shield slid up, quickly followed by
the regular shield, to reveal Lieutenant Diana Oleander’s green eyes and oval face.
Matt was bewildered. His right arm hurt and he wanted to pull the
needles out, but knew he shouldn’t. His left hand kept creeping toward his right arm.
needles out, but knew he shouldn’t. His left hand kept creeping toward his right arm.
“Matthew Journey, do you know me?” Her face looked worried.
“Yes. Diana.” Of course he knew her. She’d been nice to him when Edones
took him to Karthage on the
Bright Crescent
. He felt dazed. She’d
showed him around the ship.
Oh, she’s wondering if I’m thinking
straight
. His right arm and hand were dripping blood.
took him to Karthage on the
Bright Crescent
. He felt dazed. She’d
showed him around the ship.
Oh, she’s wondering if I’m thinking
straight
. His right arm and hand were dripping blood.
“Matt, there’s a problem.”
Behind Lieutenant Oleander, the faceplate flipped up on the second
figure, exposing a young man. He started calling in a medical emergency, four civilians
wounded, two aggressors down.
figure, exposing a young man. He started calling in a medical emergency, four civilians
wounded, two aggressors down.
There’s a problem?
No kidding
.
That’s as obvious as the Great Bull’s balls
. Matt’s vision blurred, and he
tried to focus on Diana’s face.
No kidding
.
That’s as obvious as the Great Bull’s balls
. Matt’s vision blurred, and he
tried to focus on Diana’s face.
“Matt, it’s
Aether’s Touch
. It’s fried and
coming in on autopilot.”
Aether’s Touch
. It’s fried and
coming in on autopilot.”
“Isrid? Answer me, please.”
He opened his eyes to see Garnet’s face above him, her forehead lined
with worry. “Chander?” he croaked, and her face smoothed into a smile.
with worry. “Chander?” he croaked, and her face smoothed into a smile.
“Sabina’s with him. He’s fine, physically, but they gave him a sedative
to calm him. He didn’t get pumped full of drugs.”
Like you
, her
eyes said. “When you’re ready, you’ve a lot to deal with—more than thirty contractors and
civilians are dead. We’ve got fourteen prisoners.”
to calm him. He didn’t get pumped full of drugs.”
Like you
, her
eyes said. “When you’re ready, you’ve a lot to deal with—more than thirty contractors and
civilians are dead. We’ve got fourteen prisoners.”
He remembered. Abram. Major Kedros.
The stolen
weapon
. He was lying on the smooth, cold floor. Garnet knelt beside him and a member of
his security stood at the door, part of the security detail that he’d foolishly left on Beta
Priamos.
The stolen
weapon
. He was lying on the smooth, cold floor. Garnet knelt beside him and a member of
his security stood at the door, part of the security detail that he’d foolishly left on Beta
Priamos.
“Kedros. My ship.”
Garnet nodded. “They kidnapped Kedros, stole the
Candor Chasma
, and headed into a close orbit about the sun. Another ship
followed, the
Aether’s Touch
, but Maria doesn’t know if it was
stolen or not.”
Candor Chasma
, and headed into a close orbit about the sun. Another ship
followed, the
Aether’s Touch
, but Maria doesn’t know if it was
stolen or not.”
He managed to sit up, with Garnet’s help. “They have one of our TD
weapons. Do you know—”
weapons. Do you know—”
“Maria monitored the FTL display. She says
Candor
Chasma
dropped out of real-space.
Aether’s Touch
turned
about and headed toward Sophia One, before the interference blanked out our sensors. We’re
having bad solar flares, so comm’s out.”
Candor
Chasma
dropped out of real-space.
Aether’s Touch
turned
about and headed toward Sophia One, before the interference blanked out our sensors. We’re
having bad solar flares, so comm’s out.”
“She must have pushed the detonation into N-space.”
“She?” Garnet was applying a cold pack to his face and it felt
wonderful.
wonderful.
“Major Kedros. I’m betting that she saved us.”
Garnet paused, her eyes turning cool. “The destroyer of Ura-Guinn just
became a hero by saving G-145?”
became a hero by saving G-145?”
“Maybe. But don’t worry about thanking her, Garnet. I doubt she could
have survived.” He took a sip of water, feeling immensely better. “After all, I forgot to warn
her of the solar side effects after she pushed the detonation into N-space.”
have survived.” He took a sip of water, feeling immensely better. “After all, I forgot to warn
her of the solar side effects after she pushed the detonation into N-space.”
CHAPTER 25
The Pilgrimage Criminal Justice System, as defined in
Pilgrimage Operating Manual
, Series 12, will apply to
all civilian criminal offenses. AFCAW personnel will be
adjudicated under the Consortium Uniform Code of Mili tary Justice, unless . . .
Status of Forces Agreement Between the
Consortium of Autonomist Worlds and Pilgrimage Ship Line
, 2085.210.12.00 US, indexed by
Heraclitus 4 under Flux Imperative
T
he chaos had barely started. The Minoans had
taken the control deck, because Warrior Commander’s voice suddenly reverberated through the
Pilgrimage III
.
he chaos had barely started. The Minoans had
taken the control deck, because Warrior Commander’s voice suddenly reverberated through the
Pilgrimage III
.
“To all isolationists. Please surrender to the nearest guardian.” The
Minoan voice was soulless and polite. After all, it said “please.” There were no threats. There
didn’t have to be.
Minoan voice was soulless and polite. After all, it said “please.” There were no threats. There
didn’t have to be.
Abram’s followers weren’t tripping over themselves to turn themselves
in; on the other hand, the guardians were stomping through every corridor on the
Pilgrimage
, searching. They opened hatches everywhere. Even where they
shouldn’t have access to search, they were. The isolationists couldn’t find any safe
haven.
in; on the other hand, the guardians were stomping through every corridor on the
Pilgrimage
, searching. They opened hatches everywhere. Even where they
shouldn’t have access to search, they were. The isolationists couldn’t find any safe
haven.
Medics carefully lifted Dr. Lee to a stretcher and took her to the
Pilgrimage
’s medical center. She was alive, but unconscious, with
internal bleeding and broken bones. David Ray looked devastated, but Matt couldn’t think of
anything to say as the counselor trailed after the stretcher.
Pilgrimage
’s medical center. She was alive, but unconscious, with
internal bleeding and broken bones. David Ray looked devastated, but Matt couldn’t think of
anything to say as the counselor trailed after the stretcher.
Matt tried to ignore the Minoans’ repeated announcement and concentrate
on Diana’s words while an AFCAW medic fixed his arm. According to her,
Aether’s Touch
had been pursuing the Terran State Prince’s ship, called
Candor Chasma
, near the sun. The TLS
Percival
had been following them, but for some reason—here’s where Diana was
vague—
Candor Chasma
had dropped out of real-space and both
Aether’s Touch
and
Percival
were
heading back, under heavy radiation.
on Diana’s words while an AFCAW medic fixed his arm. According to her,
Aether’s Touch
had been pursuing the Terran State Prince’s ship, called
Candor Chasma
, near the sun. The TLS
Percival
had been following them, but for some reason—here’s where Diana was
vague—
Candor Chasma
had dropped out of real-space and both
Aether’s Touch
and
Percival
were
heading back, under heavy radiation.
“Last I knew, Ari and Joyce were on Priamos. I’m not sure who’s on
Aether’s Touch
.” Matt tried not to wince as the medic pulled
another flechette. Under anesthetic, it felt strange, since the flechettes had tiny fins so
they wouldn’t come out of the flesh without a fight.
Aether’s Touch
.” Matt tried not to wince as the medic pulled
another flechette. Under anesthetic, it felt strange, since the flechettes had tiny fins so
they wouldn’t come out of the flesh without a fight.
Diana’s story matched what Matt already learned with the Minoans, with
the exception of the
missiles
the
Bright
Crescent
shot off. The first warrior commander called them “Assassinators.” When was she
going to get to that part of the story?
the exception of the
missiles
the
Bright
Crescent
shot off. The first warrior commander called them “Assassinators.” When was she
going to get to that part of the story?
“Is the radiation due to the TD weapon?” He hoped to jog more of the
story free.
story free.
Diana’s face took on the familiar, stubborn look that he’d seen before
on Ari, Joyce, and Edones—the look that said he wasn’t supposed to know certain things, that
said she couldn’t answer his questions.
on Ari, Joyce, and Edones—the look that said he wasn’t supposed to know certain things, that
said she couldn’t answer his questions.
“Look, Diana—the
Minoans
told us that a
temporal-distortion wave was generated and pushed into N-space. They
know
, and they seemed pretty pissed off by it.” Matt was irritated; this was
exactly like talking to Ari, or even Edones.
Minoans
told us that a
temporal-distortion wave was generated and pushed into N-space. They
know
, and they seemed pretty pissed off by it.” Matt was irritated; this was
exactly like talking to Ari, or even Edones.
Shock widened Diana’s eyes. The medic working on his arm paused.
“Okay, don’t tell me about the TD weapon. Where’s Ari?” Matt closed his
eyes.
eyes.
“We think Major Kedros was on the
Candor
Chasma
with the isolationists, perhaps as hostage. When the
Candor
Chasma
dropped out of real-space, they were too far away to get a lock on the buoy, even
if they had authorized codes.
Percival
recorded an emergency pod
ejected right before transition, and their last message said
Aether’s
Touch
took the time to pick up the pod. That was almost at the same point as the—the—I’m
sorry, Matt, we don’t know if Major Kedros made it off the
Candor
Chasma
. The sun’s going nuts and solar flares are playing havoc with comm. We can’t talk
to anyone, unless they’re practically on our doorstep.”
Candor
Chasma
with the isolationists, perhaps as hostage. When the
Candor
Chasma
dropped out of real-space, they were too far away to get a lock on the buoy, even
if they had authorized codes.
Percival
recorded an emergency pod
ejected right before transition, and their last message said
Aether’s
Touch
took the time to pick up the pod. That was almost at the same point as the—the—I’m
sorry, Matt, we don’t know if Major Kedros made it off the
Candor
Chasma
. The sun’s going nuts and solar flares are playing havoc with comm. We can’t talk
to anyone, unless they’re practically on our doorstep.”
Ari might be lost in N-space, with the
Candor
Chasma
. On the other hand, she might be on the
Aether’s
Touch
, fried by radiation, hurt, or perhaps just out of contact. Matt sighed heavily.
I’m going to be optimistic, until proven wrong
.
Candor
Chasma
. On the other hand, she might be on the
Aether’s
Touch
, fried by radiation, hurt, or perhaps just out of contact. Matt sighed heavily.
I’m going to be optimistic, until proven wrong
.
“The
Percival
is docking with radiation
casualties.” Diana grabbed Matt’s attention. “The colonel wants you on the control deck,
because we don’t know if the
Aether’s Touch
is coming in under
control or not. You have remote command capability, right?”
Percival
is docking with radiation
casualties.” Diana grabbed Matt’s attention. “The colonel wants you on the control deck,
because we don’t know if the
Aether’s Touch
is coming in under
control or not. You have remote command capability, right?”
Matt got to his feet, with the medic’s help, and numbly followed Diana.
She had said that
Aether’s Touch
had taken the time to pick up the
pod, meaning that the
Aether’s Touch
had taken more radiation
exposure. If the
Percival
had serious casualties, they would expect
that Ari had suffered the same—but AFCAW personnel weren’t familiar with the
Aether’s Touch
.
She had said that
Aether’s Touch
had taken the time to pick up the
pod, meaning that the
Aether’s Touch
had taken more radiation
exposure. If the
Percival
had serious casualties, they would expect
that Ari had suffered the same—but AFCAW personnel weren’t familiar with the
Aether’s Touch
.
When Matt got to the control deck, Edones turned toward him. The strain
had taken its toll on the colonel. Edones’s normally bland face was pale and lined with worry.
He’d been looking at a casualty list displayed on the wall. At the top was the name “Alexander
Joyce” and beside it was “Status: Critical” in red letters.
had taken its toll on the colonel. Edones’s normally bland face was pale and lined with worry.
He’d been looking at a casualty list displayed on the wall. At the top was the name “Alexander
Joyce” and beside it was “Status: Critical” in red letters.
“What happened to Joyce?” he asked Diana.
“Abram took over Beta Priamos and Joyce took it back.” Edones said
before Diana had a chance to answer.
before Diana had a chance to answer.
“By himself?” Matt was impressed.
“Almost. They don’t expect him to make it, considering they can’t get
him here to the
Pilgrimage
because of the radiation. He needs
organs grown and replaced, and only the
Pilgrimage
has the lab
facilities for that, in this system.”
him here to the
Pilgrimage
because of the radiation. He needs
organs grown and replaced, and only the
Pilgrimage
has the lab
facilities for that, in this system.”
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