The Athena Operation (9 page)

“You aren’t getting within one hundred feet of that fuckin’ ship in what you’ve got.” Drever said. “It’s a goddamn suicide run, and you all know it.”

“We might be able to do it,” Ret said. “We’re just going to have to send the reinforcements in a transportation vessel ahead of us and hope that they draw the gunfire long enough for us to land and go to work.”

Sadhis nodded. “That may work, though I suggest we split up the reinforcements into three separate vessels. We’ll have one go to each side of the ship, and we’ll head for the bottom loading bay. There usually aren’t any weapons near the bottom, so it’s likely our best opportunity.”

“And then what?” Drever asked. “That door’s gonna be sealed tight as fuck.”

“We can activate the Knex Drive,” Ret suggested. “As long as we kill it before we enter hyperspace, it should give us enough speed to smash through. Our ship will be fucked, but we can worry about an escape afterward. Maybe one of the fleets can pick us up.”

Drever shook his head. “You think that fucking ship’s not going to have armor plating for the cargo hold?”

“I spent some time working on ships,” Sadhis said. “The weakest point of the door is the center. The larger the vessel, the bigger the area they have to cover with the hinges on the doors. Trust me, with a ship as big as the Baryon, we hit the center at a hundred and fifty percent speed, we’ll make it inside. Ret is right, there’s an eighty percent chance we won’t make it back out, but it would work.”

Seraph nodded. “Alright, if that’s the best shot we’ve got, we have to do it.”

“There’s one more issue,” Sadhis said. He turned to Diam and Lylo. “Where is Lahen? Has he left the Chamber to join the rest of the seythra?”

Lylo sighed. “We don’t know. He disappeared this morning on Vidron. Diam caught a glimpse of him, even called after him, but he left.”

Diam nodded. “He got off Vidron as quickly as he could. He wasn’t gunning anyone down. But he was in a hurry to go somewhere.”

“He could be leading seythra here right now to kill you both,” Seraph said. “I think you need to get out of here. You can’t come with us, though. It’s far too dangerous trying to board the Baryon with soldiers, let alone with the Confederate Chamber.”

Ret leaned forward. “Do you have any idea why this is happening? What the seythra are trying to do? The Chamber must know something.”

“Unfortunately, we know nothing more than you do,” Lylo said. “The seythra were a very private race. They were here long before most of us; we always respected their privacy. That may have been our ultimate mistake, looking back.”

Diam turned to Seraph. “To answer you, Seraph, there’s not much hope for us one way or another. We go with you, we’re in imminent danger, but the same holds true if we stay here. It’s best if we split up. These last few days have been hell. There’s very little left we have control over, except for a few scattered military forces. Most of the major government officials are lying on Vidron, massacred. I will come with you and your crew to assist the best I can, though I place all command between you and Lieutenant Loxai.”

“You’re going to get killed, old man,” Drever said. He turned to the group. “You’re making a mistake.”

“I’ll probably die if I choose to remain,” Diam said. “I trust Lylo to run things from here. I know she can handle it. And I may be old, but I can still operate a gun. If I kill even one seythra, then I’ve done my part in helping you and all of our people.”

Drever chuckled. “This is why I’m the only sane one left. All of you sticking your goddamn necks out, knowing they’re going to get cut off. Someone remind me again why, for fuck’s sake, we’re not utilizing this place? We have shields. There’s rations here. Guns. The doorway will make it easy to kill anyone who tries to get in. We could survive here until either the food or ammo runs out. That fuckin’ stairwell, and the switching door? They would limit our opposition to no foreseeable end. This is the place equipped to protect the most important people in the galaxy and we’re leaving?”

Diam came face to face with Drever.

“You truly do not know what it means to be othal. We are a people of peace, diplomacy, tranquility. But when our hand is forced, we act. We care for others. We lend a hand to our fallen brother; we do not leave him in the darkness. If even an ounce of you is othal, you must understand this. Everything we know, everyone we love, it’s all at stake. Are you going to hide, or take back what they’ve stolen from you?”

“Don’t fucking preach to me,” Drever said. “You high-rate politicians sit up in your tower and watch the wars play out, the soldiers fall, the civilians die. It’s nothing to you, until now. Until your own asses are on the line. Don’t tell me you care. Compassion doesn’t work in this world.”

Sadhis moved between the two and pushed them apart. “Easy, easy. We have to work together if we’re to survive this. We have a common enemy. We don’t need to target each other.”

“Gettin’ real sick of this real fuckin’ fast,” Drever muttered as he walked away.

“I think we should all remain here tonight,” Diam said. “You all need your rest. We need to be as close to one-hundred percent as possible when we hit the Baryon.”

Seraph sighed. “I still don’t think this is the safest place to be, but you’re right; We’re all more or less running on empty. The ship's low on power, too. We'll leave it on low power overnight, let the drive recharge.” Seraph turned to Lylo. “You sure you’ll be alright here after we leave? Do you want someone to stay back with you?”

“I’ll be all right. Thank you, Commander. There are weapons and shields here, and if I die, I die doing my best to protect the galaxy.”

Seraph nodded and extended his hand to her.

Lylo shook his hand and patted Seraph on the back. “You can do this,” she said.

Seraph could only pray that she was right.

CHAPTER 16: DUBIETY

              The crew split off into several small groups as they settled down to rest.

Ret turned to Sadhis and motioned to Seraph, who was with Diam.

“Is there any other reason he’s in charge besides the fact that he’s higher ranking than you? I know you two have worked together before, but, I dunno, he seems pretty shaken. It’s just got me worried about following him into something with stakes this high. Don’t get me wrong, I was with him for most of Vidron, and he knows how to get the job done. But how stable is he, really?”

Sadhis nodded and stared over at Seraph.

“I understand your concern. But I trust Seraph. He's saved my life many times on our missions together. We see things differently. We have different ideas about how to get things done. But I’ve seen him escape situations I would’ve thought impossible. He knows how to survive nearly any situation. But he has a long, harsh past.” Sadhis glanced back to Ret.

“Yeah?”

“His family was slaughtered when he was a child. Butchered by a gang of thieves. Even his baby brother. He grew up alone. After he grew up, he hardened. Joined the military, tried to make something out of his life. He took on duty with reckless abandon. Not in a careless way, but in a brave, sometimes brutal manner. Like I said, the best survivor I’ve ever seen. But his mind has taken some hits. During one of his missions, a family he was protecting turned on him. They knocked him out cold, stole all his weapons and military gear. Stuff’s worth a ton. The blow to the back of his head put him in a coma for four months. His commanding officer and I were the only people who ever came to see him. He doesn’t have anyone. Ever since that incident, he was never the same. He’d always had a hard time trusting people, but after that, he shut everyone out. It’s really messed with him, not having anyone. It’s screwed with his identity. I don’t think he knows what he wants or why he does what he does. But all that aside, I respect him more than I respect anyone else.”

Ret let out a low whistle. “Man, that’s rough. But you’re right. He seems to know his stuff. How ‘bout you? How long have you been in the military?”

“Long enough,” Sadhis said. “I’m going on eight years, originally in the Fesar Military, but four years in I transferred to the Confederate Military. You said you were just about done with basic. Who was your drill instructor?”

“Um. I’ll be right back.” Ret stood up and walked to the other side of the room to help Drever load the guns.

Sadhis stared after him, wondering what he was thinking.

The loud snap each shotgun shell made as it was loaded into the gun was almost comforting to Drever. This, at least, was something he understood.

Drever noticed Ret staring at the weapons locker and nodded to him.

“You were a pretty okay shot with your rifle back there on Vidron. Always been a sniper?”

Ret shook his head. “No, not quite. Before everything, when I was a kid, I had a BB rifle that I used to carry with me. I didn’t live in the best area, but we didn’t have any real guns. It helped fend off the homeless guys who tried to steal from me, anyway. I got a scope for it, and I realized that long-range was more of my game than anything else.”

“Ever kill anyone before today?” Drever asked.

“What? I-I don’t even . . . it’s not like I went around killing the guys that tried to steal from me.”

Drever shrugged. “Alright, fair enough. Y’know, I was like you once. Not quite used to guns or violence. Still had some innocence. But now, everything’s changed. It changed a long time ago. These seythra, they’re just different versions of the same old enemy. I learned long ago how necessary killing was. Ever since then, it’s just been part of me.”

He set the shotgun down and turned back to Ret. “You know this is suicide, right? Don’t throw your life away, kid. Stand with me. We can survive this. Both of our odds go up the more people we take with us.”

Ret’s eyes fell to the table housing the shotgun. He shook his head. “I couldn’t live with myself. I can’t. I have to fight these bastards. I have to know I’m doing everything I can to stop them.”

“If it means throwing your life away, go ahead. Just thought I’d fuckin’ offer.”

“You fought with us on Vidron. We need you, Drever. We need your help. Please.”

Drever sighed. “I’ve been through too much shit to know how this ends.” He turned and walked away from Ret.

Ret turned to walk back to Sadhis, but he couldn’t help staring after Drever. Maybe he was right.

Maybe this wasn’t going to work.

**

Lylo woke in the middle of the night to the sound of footsteps on the stairs. She nudged everyone awake and directed their attention to the blinking computer monitors. A dozen or so people were headed down the stairs, and while they were difficult to make out, they didn’t appear to be seythra.

“Any idea who they are?” Seraph asked.

“Lylo! Diam! It’s Tameron!” A crackly voice emitted from the speakers attached to the monitor.

“Open up!” Lylo said. “It’s Tameron!”

Diam pulled the doors open and the group charged into the room. There was a human woman leading the group. Blood, dirt, and grime covered her skin and spotted her armor. She looked like hell. Behind her were two other soldiers and a handful of civilians, all fesar.

“No sign of seythra for eight miles,” Tameron said.

She nodded at Seraph and his crew.

“About time someone else made it here. Gotta be honest, I was hoping more soldiers would have made it. Was Vidron hit that hard, or do they need to amp up the emergency protocol in basic?”

“Things really are that bad on Vidron,” Seraph said, taking in Tameron's appearance. She had blonde hair, loosely tied back with strands falling into her face. Her piercing green eyes stood out among her round face.

She shook her head. “I was worried you’d say that. I’m Tameron. Ensign Amanda Tameron.” She motioned to the other two soldiers. “Those two are Host and Tregher. We were the first soldiers here, aside from the Chamber. We just got back from a recon mission.” She glanced around at the Chamber and the civilians. “Now, all of you look calmer than before. Who wants to fill me in on the plan?”

CHAPTER 17: TAKE ME TO THE GRAVE

Seraph’s crew filled Tameron in on the plan. Tameron had reluctantly agreed that she and her soldiers would stay behind and provide security for the civilians.

The group was only a few minutes from departing when dawn cracked on Danae Pilus. Seraph finished gathering his things, then called the group to order. Everyone watched him as he moved to the front of the room. He cleared his throat.

“Alright, you all know what’s at stake. This isn’t just our planet, our people, our lives. This is the universe at stake. Everything. Everyone you’ve ever known and loved. They’re going to be killed unless we destroy the seythra. We’re hitting the Baryon hard. One shot, no plan B. We’ll meet up with one of the remaining fleets, pick up a few soldiers, then both fleets will fly to either side of the Baryon and try to board while we fly under and enter from below. Kill every seythra you see. Do not hesitate. Once we’re inside, we’ll break off into two teams. One team will head for the bridge and attack the captain. Ret and I will head this team with whatever soldiers we manage to pick up. Sadhis will lead the second team along with Diam and Maxen. You three will go for the Goliath Drives. Once they’re down, we’ll regroup where the ship entered and get out. Get the job done, men. No mistakes, no hesitation. Let’s go.”

“I wish you all the best,” Lylo said. “I have faith in you. I pray to B’yon that you’re successful. It’s up to you all now. I’ll alert the remaining fleet to begin their approach on your command. They’ll be on frequency 5206. They know what’s at stake and they’ll follow you into battle willingly. I will be here, awaiting word of your success.” Lylo saluted them all.

The crew saluted back and turned to leave when a loud grunt caught their attention. Behind them stood Drever, loaded with armor and a shotgun. Seraph smiled. “You up for this?”

Drever shrugged. “Figured I’d rather die killing some of those fucking black-skinned freaks than starve to death somewhere. I’m with you.”

The group followed Seraph out of the room and up the staircase.

They emerged from the door in the ground and took up position. Sadhis glanced out the window. “Ship’s still in one piece.”

“Good,” Seraph said. “Let’s move.”

The group reached the first floor. They were about to rush on when they heard a voice. Seraph froze and planted himself against the wall near the stairs. He signaled the group to fall back.

He peered around the corner and saw an elderly human doctor and a young human woman. The doctor was wearing a tattered lab coat covered with blood stains. Seraph’s eyes grew wide when he saw that the doctor had the young woman on a leash made from a chain.

The woman’s clothes were stained with blood and her arms were covered in wounds. She cowered as the doctor shouted at her.

Seraph motioned for the group to stay put as he advanced.

The doctor yanked the leash. “Come on, you heartless little bitch. Move! Now! We have to get upstairs.”

Seraph stepped into the room and aimed his gun at the doctor. “Let me see your hands!”

The doctor chuckled and shook his head.

“I’m not the dangerous one here, you’re making a-”

“I said let me see your fucking hands! Now!” Seraph cocked the rifle.

The doctor sighed. He raised his hands and the leash fell to the floor. He turned to Seraph. “She’s going to attack-”

Before the doctor could finish, the woman grabbed the other end of the chain and wrapped it around the doctor’s throat. She yanked it hard.

“Hey!” Seraph shouted. “Hey, what the fuck are you doing? Hands in the air! Sadhis, guys, get in here, restrain her!”

Sadhis rushed in and pulled the woman back and pinned her to the ground. The rest of the group followed, weapons trained on the doctor and the girl.

“One of you two want to tell me what the hell’s going on?” Seraph shouted. “What are you even doing here?”

“Hah! Ask her, the little witch!” the doctor said. “I’m trying to fight the seythra! I’m on your side, soldiers! This fucking woman tried to kill me!”

“He’s lost it!” the girl said, brushing her bright red hair from her eyes. “I came here to find my mom. My mom’s a half-breed, and she settled here months ago. He slaughtered one of the settlements and took me prisoner!”

The doctor cackled. “No, child. The lies leak from your lips with confidence. Don't you wish to tell them how you strapped me to a chair? Tortured me? Demanded to know everything inside my head?! Ah well, you'll get your punishment in time, child. This much I can promise you.”

The doctor glanced back at Seraph. “If you’re planning to destroy the seythra, you’ll need me. You surely know you need to hit Trini 5010 to even have a chance. I’ve done much research there. I know the world's security, the planet's layout. You’ll need me to get you in. To get you to the heart. That’s where they are. The three. The secrets of the seythra and Trini 5010 will come to light!”

Sadhis looked the doctor up and down. “Just who are you, exactly?”

“Someone who needs a bullet in his brain,” Drever said. He turned to Seraph. “Don’t tell me you buy into this, Aydrian. He’s pleading for his life. Making shit up to make you feel like you need him.”

The doctor smirked. “I’ll have you know that I am Doctor Orron Vinnor.”

“I fucking knew it.” Seraph said.

Ret stepped forward for a better look. “No shit. I’ve heard of this guy. Yeah, we learned about you in school. The extremist surgeon. You attempted surgeries that were deemed unethical. Inter-species transplants, cross-species mutations. . .”

Drever grunted. “‘Cross-species mutations’? The fuck is that?”

The doctor considered. “It was rather-”

“This fucker took the brain of a fesar, implanted it into a human, then kept the human alive on othal organs,” Ret shouted. “He transplanted an othal heart, both parts, into the human body. It was conscious. Alive. For a day or so, anyway.”

“It was a fucking disaster.” Seraph moved forward and kicked the doctor’s knee. The doctor dropped to the ground. “I don’t like the sick shit you’ve done, Vinnor. I saw things. I saw your mess. We hunted you for a while. But I know that we’re out of our depth here with the seythra. Now, here’s what’s going to happen. You tell me why I shouldn’t kill you right now. Be fucking specific.” Seraph planted the end of his rifle against Orron’s chest.

“Do it!” The girl shouted. “He’s a liar and a murderer! He was going to kill me, I swear!”

“Easy,” The doctor said. He chuckled. “Aydrian, is it? If you wanted me dead, you would’ve killed me by now. I'm a doctor. You need me, not only as your medic, but without me, sure, you might eventually get in Trini 5010, but only one or two of you. The rest, you’ll be dead. And those couple? Mowed down by the guards. I can get you in quietly. Once we’re in, you’ll have to make some noise, but entry is half the battle. You better believe me.”

“How long’s it been since you’ve been there, Vinnor?” Ret asked. “Things change. The layout could change. You could be a lost old man leading us through a maze.”

“Even so, it’s more of a shot than you have now. And if it works, well, heh, you’ve earned yourself a new friend, along with saving this god-forsaken universe.”

“Don’t do it!” the girl shouted. ”Don’t trust this fucking bastard.”

“And what about you?” Seraph moved over to her. “Who the hell are you? What’s your story?”

“I’m . . . Kyla Temen,” the girl said. “I worked security for the Temen Space Station, I’m Head Operating Officer John Temen's daughter. Call to verify if you must. My ID is KT10901.”

Seraph stared her up and down. “Why did Vinnor tie you up if you were no threat?”

“Like I said, he’s crazy. I’m just trying to reach my mom. She disappeared after he attacked the village. He’s paranoid.”

“What’s her name?” Sadhis asked.

“Rahkil. Her name is Jamine Rahkil. She lives in Sector F. It’s thirty miles north of here.”

Sadhis turned to Seraph. “Seraph. A minute.”

Seraph nodded and turned to the rest of the group. “Watch them. Both of them. They try anything, take out their kneecaps.”

Seraph and Sadhis moved back to the staircase for privacy. Sadhis stopped and turned to Seraph. He shook his head. “The Rahkil line is long dead. At least thirty years removed. Sector F doesn’t exist. She’s lying.” Sadhis pulled out his portable communications device and began typing.

Seraph sighed. “Great. So what now? She may be lying, but that doesn’t mean she’s dangerous.”

“The rest of her details check out,” Sadhis said. “John Temen does indeed have a daughter, Kyla. Twenty-six years old. She works as a security agent at the Temen Space Station.”

“What are we going to do with them?” Seraph asked. “Leave them with Lylo? Hell, Tameron would probably kill them.”

“The girl is quite capable if she’s working security. I recommend we bring her. She could be valuable. Convincing her may be an issue, but if she refuses, we can just release her without incident. The doctor is a bit more unpredictable. We do need someone with medical expertise. Plus, if what he says is true, he could be an invaluable asset. But if he’s deceiving us, he could lead us right into a trap.” Sadhis tapped his fingers on the wall, contemplating. “I think we should take him. Just make sure Drever watches him. Any funny business, and he’ll be dead before he can blink.”

“I just don’t know about putting the lives of our crew into some lunatic doctor’s hands,” Seraph said. “If he manages to gun down one or two of us, that’s a substantial blow.”

Sadhis nodded. “I know. Believe me, I’ve weighed the consequences. That’s why we make Drever his personal escort.”

Seraph hesitated for a moment, then nodded his consent. “Alright, let’s do it.”

The two headed back into the room. Seraph motioned for Ret move his gun off of Kyla. Seraph knelt down next to her and stared her in the eye.

“Listen, me and my crew, we’re on a mission to stop the seythra. I don’t care who you are or what you’re doing. I do care, though, that you’ve got some extensive training under your belt. My crew and I could use someone like you. We don’t trust you yet, but we need someone with your background. If you work with us, we can stop this. You’re free to walk away if you choose. But I think you know what’s at stake here.”

Kyla hesitated for a moment. She stood up slowly. She looked the crew over and shook her head. “I don’t know what kind of crew you have. Only a couple of you are military. So I can’t say I trust you either.” She pointed to Vinnor. “But if you kill him, I’ll take it as a sign of good faith.”

Seraph crossed his arms. “No can do. If we get wounded, we'll need him. And if he’s telling the truth about Trini 5010, then he could be what wins this war.”

“And if he’s not? If he’s lying? And he tries to kill you all like I’m telling you he will?”

“Then he’ll be dead. Drever will watch him, and believe me, he’s got an itchy trigger finger.”

Kyla scowled. “And what if the moment you give me a gun, I shoot him dead myself for trying to kill me?”

“Then we shoot you and carry on,” Seraph said. “We were taking on this mission before you, and we can damn sure continue it without you.”

Kyla sighed. “I guess I’ll end up dead anyway if nobody stops these damn seythra. Okay. Fine. I’ll go. Just keep him the hell away from me.”

Seraph nodded. He turned to the rest of the crew. “Alright, everyone grab your weapons. Let’s move it out. The Baryon’s our next target.”

They reached the ship without trouble and loaded in one by one. Before they could file in, Sadhis grabbed Seraph’s shoulder and pulled him aside.

Sadhis shook his head. “Seraph, my mother’s here. On Danae Pilus”

Seraph didn’t have to ask what Sadhis meant. For the first time, Seraph heard a hint of fear in Sadhis’s voice.

“Listen,” Seraph said. “We do this, and when it’s over, you and I will come back and find her personally. Deal?”

Sadhis nodded and shook Seraph’s hand. Seraph gave Sadhis a reassuring pat on the back, but in truth, Seraph wasn’t confident he could keep his promise. Anything could happen.

After boarding the ship and setting course for the Baryon, Seraph brought Vinnor and Kyla up to speed on the plan. He explained the two teams and assigned Vinnor to Alpha and Kyla to Bravo.

Seraph was hesitant to arm either of them, but he told himself he could trust Drever to watch them. Seraph told himself a lot of things, but the truth was, he wasn’t sure of any of them. Drever seemed confident, as always. But Ret was trembling. Maxen was pacing the floor. Seraph knew his team was rocky and the mission was a long shot. But they would go forward.

They had to.

“It’s time.” Seraph’s words echoed through the ship and shook the crew to its core. No one aboard believed that they would see another day.

But no one backed down.

The ship kept everyone on their toes throughout the trip, with power levels fluctuating among jerking and blaring alarms. At one point, the ship died entirely, and the crew were left floating in space as Sadhis and Seraph struggled to bring it back to life. The ship started after Sadhis modified some of the wiring, but the ship sounded worse than it had before when it finally started.