Omega Force 5: Return of the Archon (31 page)

“I don’t understand how he hasn’t bled out yet,” Morakar remarked, inspecting the wound up close.

“It’s the nanobots in his blood. He’s carrying a load of general medical bots that will automatically detect trauma and do what they can to stabilize him. The whole crew is, actually,” Kage said. “I’d guess whoever stabbed him wasn’t aware of our unit’s standard operating procedures or they’d have never left him alive like this.”

“I have a very bad feeling about who may be responsible for this,” Morakar said. “What should we do now? I’m not sure who in the city we can trust, but he obviously can’t be left like this.”

“Let me get to the com node here and I’ll try to get in touch with the captain,” Kage said, standing up and looking around the room.

“What com node?” Morakar asked. Kage was making a beeline for what appeared to be just another bit of paneling not unlike the rest that covered the walls. He messed about for a bit, digging at the edge, before the panel rose up into the ceiling and a fully equipped slip-space com node slid out from an alcove.

“This one,” he said with a smile. “I could feel it in here the moment we walked in,” he said, tapping a finger against his oversized cranium and winking at Morakar. He went about configuring the unit, a surprisingly modern piece of equipment by Restarian standards, and allowed the transceiver’s slip-space field to form around the antenna, which was located somewhere else in the building.

Once the field had stabilized and the com node indicated it was ready, Kage began to input the destination address and the encryption standards he knew from memory. It took a few minutes before the other com node negotiated with the unit he was using and opened a channel.

“Kage?” Jason’s voice came from the speaker. “Where are you?”

“I’m in Crusher’s office,” Kage said. “I was playing a hunch … I’m assuming you’re sitting on the bridge of the
Phoenix
right now?”

“Correct,” Jason said. “We’ve reclaimed the ship intact and are currently in slip-space heading back to you. Twingo was very badly wounded, Doc was beat up but looks like he’s recovering quickly. I’m guessing this isn’t a social call.”

“Crusher’s been stabbed through the chest with what looks like a ceremonial short sword,” Kage said grimly. “He was propped up in a chair in his office when Morakar and I found him. His nanobots are keeping most of the blood flow staunched, but he’s going to need serious medical care soon and we don’t think there’s anyone here in Ker we can trust.” He could hear Jason blow out an exasperated sigh.

“I started the core myself, so I’m a little leery of pushing the engines too hard,” Jason said. “I can risk seventy-five percent slip … that puts us there in under five hours.”

“If we can keep him calm that long it should be enough,” Kage said as Morakar shrugged with uncertainty. “By the way, prior to being stabbed he was paralyzed with one of those tricky neural disruptors that Eshquarian Intelligence likes to use.”

“That’s an interesting development,” Jason said. “I plan on putting down right in the square in front of Legion Center. What sort of reception can I expect?”

“Probably none,” Kage said. “The city is more or less abandoned. I’ll explain more when you get here. I’m killing this connection to see if I can raise the
Defiant
… they may be closer than you guys.”

“Copy that,” Jason said. “We’ll see you soon.”

The channel cut off and Kage began to reset the node for another connection. He began punching in the connect codes that would open a channel to the
Defiant’s
unsecured node since he didn’t have the encryption codes for a private channel to the ship’s captain.

The com station began its automated cycle to open a connection over such vast distances. The
Defiant
was also in slip-space, so that made it all the more challenging. Kage set the unit to alert him if it was able to make a connection and went back to check on his friend. He hoped Crusher was as strong as he seemed and was able to hold out until help arrived.

Jason leapt out of the pilot’s seat and ran down to the infirmary, stopping just before the door so that he didn’t burst in like a wild man and startle either of his wounded crewmates.

“Doc, we have another problem,” he said as he walked into the room.

“That seems to be something we don’t have a shortage of,” Doc said blandly. “What’s happened?”

“Kage just made contact. Crusher’s been stabbed through and through with some kind of sword. He said the nanobots you put into all of us are keeping the bleeding to a minimum, but he and Morakar are unable to get proper medical help,” Jason said, raising his hands in a helpless gesture.

“How far out are we?” Doc asked.

“I just cranked our speed up,” Jason said. “That makes it just under three hours until we hit Restaria’s atmosphere.”

“If anybody can hold out, it’s him,” Doc said, getting up out of his seat. “I’ll get a kit together. It it’s just an impalement, an emergency infusion should be able to not only stabilize him but repair the damage on the spot depending on what was pierced along the way.”

“I’ll keep you updated on our ETA if I decide I want to risk coaxing more speed out of the engines,” Jason said. “Right now everything looks nice and stable and the computer is reporting everything well within limits.”

“Thanks,” Doc said distractedly as he moved about the small infirmary. “By the way, Twingo woke up for a few seconds. He knows he’s on the
Phoenix
right now. As soon as I told him that he fell into a deep, natural sleep. That’s the best thing for him right now.”

“That’s a good sign,” Jason said. “I’ll be up on the bridge.” He quickly made his way back to the pilot’s seat and looked over the instruments. Even though it had been a risk, he’d pushed the engines up to eighty percent after talking with Kage. Looking over his indicators, he was reluctant to push them any harder without an actual engineer looking things over. They’d be no good to anyone if a variance between the two engine emitters tore the ship to atoms. Crusher would just have to hang on a little longer.

Instead of fretting over things he couldn’t control at the moment, he busied himself making sure the rest of his ship’s systems were ready for whatever might meet them when they emerged in the Galvetor System. Even though he wasn’t fully confident in his engine configuration, the main reactor was now at full output and the defensive and offensive systems were at full readiness.

*****

“You’ll want to look at this,” Kage said tightly. Morakar and Meluuk, who had joined them after searching the other tower, left Crusher’s side and joined him at the computer terminal that was next to the com station, the latter of which was still trying to contact the
Defiant
.

“It’s the capital,” Morakar said with quiet awe. “That’s why the landers didn’t need to have a carrier ship, they were only flying across the system to invade Galvetor.”

“What does this mean?” Meluuk asked as he also stared at the monitor.

“It means the warrior class has once again betrayed its people,” Morakar said in a pained voice. “We’ve overthrown the rightfully elected government on the homeworld and I can’t imagine that it was for a legitimate reason.” The news feed on the monitor showed the capital city on Galvetor in complete chaos. Fires burned brightly, citizens were running in panic, and armored warriors patrolled the streets, sometimes opening fire on sporadic resistance by the city’s law enforcement.

There was no accompanying commentary with the feed, only randomized scenes of the destruction. The scene abruptly changed to the capital building itself, and whatever doubt there was about a violent coup was erased when they saw the Praetores of the order, along with Fordix, walking among the elected officials of Galvetor’s government. All were restrained and on their knees.

“Is there sound with this?” Morakar asked. Kage messed with the controls on the terminal a bit until Fordix’s voice could be heard clearly over the din of the chaos outside the chamber.

“—too long this body has been corrupt, inept, and blind to the fact that Galvetor can no longer survive on its own without outside assistance. Some of you recognize that, most don’t, but either way you waste away the years with endless debates and public polling instead of being decisive leaders.

“Yet during all this debate and lecturing by supposed enlightened intellectuals, not one of you has thought that the banishment of the warrior class was something that should be reconsidered. No one has felt that a unified gelten race would be advantageous as we move forward. More importantly, as you’ve all squabbled about how Galvetor would benefit greatly from trade alliances, Restaria is forgotten except when used as a bargaining piece … slaves to be sold to the highest bidder to fight their battles while the spoils flow right back here to the capital. This is why we have—”

“Turn it off, Kage,” Morakar said wearily. Kage killed the feed and looked over at his companion. “It’s the same old argument wrapped in a different set of lies,” Morakar said. “Many here bemoan the fact we’ve been forced to live on Restaria, but conveniently ignore the fact that the reason we are here is because of an attempted overthrow of an elected government. For all of Fordix’s righteous indignation, he’s simply proving why those that put us here were right in the first place.”

“This seems like it’s been planned for some time,” Kage remarked after a moment.

“Yes,” Morakar agreed. “All of this would have had to have been well in place even before they asked my brother and me to find Lord Felex. This also makes me wonder if there aren’t some co-conspirators on Galvetor who arranged for Fordix’s arrest. It was the perfect excuse to draw the Lord Archon back to Restaria.”

Before Kage could answer a dull rumble started shaking the building and began growing in intensity. He ran over to the large windows that overlooked the square and was rewarded with the sight of the
Phoenix
coming through the lower cloud layer, extending her landing gear before coming to a not-so-graceful landing that crushed some benches and sculptures under the massive wheels.

“Things are now looking up,” he said, suddenly in much higher spirits. He saw the ramp descend and then Doc, Mazer, and Jason raced out of the ship and into the building. Lucky could be seen walking down to the edge of the ramp to look around before walking back up into the cargo bay to stand guard. From Kage’s vantage point, the engines looked like they were still running.

It was nearly five minutes later when the three exited the lift and crowded into Crusher’s office. Doc was the only one who didn’t recoil in horror when he saw the blade still sticking out of their friend. He moved over quickly, pulled out a handheld scanner, and began taking readings of not only the wound but Crusher’s overall health. After a few grunts and tsks he straightened.

“It was close, but this isn’t necessarily that bad,” he said. “Whoever did this missed his heart, but still did a fair amount of damage. The good news is that it isn’t anything the nanobots I’ve already programmed can’t handle.” He went through his bag and pulled out three large auto-injectors full of the microscopic little machines and lined them up. He pulled the end off of the first one and injected its entire contents near the wound itself. Jason peered over his shoulder and could see the silver tendrils running underneath Crusher’s skin on their way to the edge of the wound.

“Now comes the tricky part,” Doc said. “The timing needs to be pretty close or we could have a real mess.” Just when the swarm of nanobots looked like they might actually make contact with the blade, Doc grabbed the handle and pulled it out in one swift motion. Crusher’s eyes popped open and a gurgling moan escaped his lips before he fell back, his breathing shallow and fast.

The wound did not bleed much as the nanobots poured down into the cavity and instantly began stitching tissue back together and removing any necrosis that had begun around the edges. “Help me lay him flat,” Doc said. Jason, Mazer, and Morakar picked Crusher up, kept him level, and then gently put him on the floor. Doc then used the other two auto-injectors and pumped the big warrior full with a veritable army of the specialized nanobots. Jason had been on the receiving end of one of these treatments and he knew there was massive discomfort associated with the near miraculous recovery.

They waited while Crusher slept and his wound healed right before their eyes. Doc began an intravenous drip to help his patient replace the lost blood and fuel his recovery. Soon his skin lost the cool, clammy feel and his breathing began to return to long, deep breaths. It was nearly ninety minutes after the first injection when he opened his eyes and looked around.

“Captain,” he said, his voice strong and clear. “You’re back.”

“Not a moment too soon, it would seem,” Jason said, walking over to kneel beside him. “What happened?”

“This has all been a setup,” Crusher said. “Everything was to get me back here to get all the legions under a unified command. When I asked Fordix about the troop buildup he stuck a sword through me for my troubles.”

“Where is the Caretaker?” Mazer asked.

“She was involved as well,” Crusher said. “She’s the one that paralyzed me before Fordix stabbed me.” The look of sadness on the faces of both Mazer and Morakar was profound. “What has been happening? How long was I out?”

“Shockingly, you’ve been sitting in that chair with a sword sticking out of you for almost a full day,” Jason said. “I have no idea how that’s even possible, but either way it looks like you’re on the mend. Things aren’t so good on Galvetor. The warriors with Fordix have taken over the capital and have been sending out releases about the new order they intend to build. It seems none of them has really thought it through past the initial takeover, though. I’m seeing a lot of talk and posturing and not a lot of action from him or the Praetores.”

“That’s not surprising,” Crusher said, groaning as he sat up. “They’re as children … full of idealism and conviction, short on planning and logistics. Slogans are no substitute for a well thought-out plan. Speaking of which, what’s our move?”