Zero Sum Game (31 page)

So did he.

The bridge was cramped. System consoles lined three walls, covered with screens and dials and buttons. In the middle of the room was the captain's chair and a large rectangular table with a lighted top, where navigation and helm officers plotted courses on transparencies. Beside the table, the long tube of the periscope ran up from the floor and into the ceiling.

The captain and two other officers huddled around the communications station. The ship wasn't a military vessel, but almost all the crew had military training. They wore uniforms to set themselves apart from the scientists.

The officer seated at the station closest to the door noticed them. "Sirs, you shouldn't be here," he said.

Shimizu patted his shoulder. "It's all right." They walked farther into the bridge.

The officer stood up in front of them. "I'm going to ask for your ID badges, sirs. This area is for officers only. Shipboard personnel have their assigned sections."

"Captain Ekimori," Shimizu called out. Everyone turned towards him and Fujiya. He brushed past the man standing in his way.

"Sir," the man called out, but Shimizu ignored him and walked towards Captain Ekimori. The young officer called out again and grabbed Shimizu's right shoulder. Without looking Shimizu snapped his arm up, driving the back of his fist into the man's nose. The impact rocked the man's head back and sent him reeling. He slammed against the wall next to the bridge hatch and crumbled to the deck, unconscious. Shimizu continued to the middle of the bridge where everyone could see him.

Captain Ekimori approached him. "You're not wearing a captain's uniform," he said.

A smug smile pulled at Shimizu's lips. "But I'm your superior, in every way. This is Shota Fujiya and I'm Yusuke Shimizu," he said, and bowed. "And within the next few minutes, we will be in command of this submarine."

The first officer chuckled. "Is this the part where you say you'll kill us if we don't cooperate?"

"No," Shimizu said, "I can't run a ship this size all by myself. I'll still need a skeleton crew. Most of you in this room will live."

A man in the corner spoke up. "Most of us?"

The man's lower lip quivered and sweat formed on his brow. His eyes had trouble meeting Shimizu's. Shimizu enhanced his eyesight and read the man's name tag hanging from the lanyard around his neck, "What do you do, Satoshi Tanihara?" He enjoyed the way Tanihara squirmed.
Let him think I can read his mind
, Shimizu thought.

Tanihara glanced at the captain before answering. "I'm the liaison between the scientists and the crew."

"Then you'll be the second person to die." He and Fujiya smiled as Tanihara pushed himself against the console.

Ekimori glared at Shimizu. "I don't have time for these games. You'll be locked in the brig until we reach port."

Shimizu held up his hand, quieting Ekimori before he could speak again. "This is how it's going to play out," he said. "You'll call in two security guards. I'll reveal myself for what I truly am. I'll disarm the first guard, kill the second. Then I'll snap Mr. Tanihara's neck, and have you in my hands. In less than three seconds, I might add." He watched the three different reactions: Tanihara's expression paled in fear, the first officer smiled and chuckled in disbelief, and Ekimori continued glaring at Shimizu.
This should be fun
, he thought.

"Security!" Ekimori called out.

Shimizu didn't turn around as he sensed two security men come through the door and stand to his left. One gazed at the captain while the other kept his attention on Shimizu.
Like I knew they would. Unimaginative fish
, he thought.

He had debated about his next move. Revealing his true Noigel form would give him an advantage, shocking the humans and giving him additional time to act. Such time wasn't necessary; he could kill every person in this room in less than ten heartbeats. But he was on the brink of saving his homeworld. He would soon be the savior of Noigel. Did he want to accomplish such a feat disguised as a human? As a little fish swimming in a murky, small-minded little pond? No, he didn't. His moment of triumph should be accomplished in his Noigel form.

He reached for the device in his suit pants.

"Take your hand out of your pocket, sir," the soldier closest to Shimizu said.

"Draw your weapon," Shimizu said. The soldier looked at the captain, who nodded. When the soldier had his pistol free and pointed at Shimizu, the Noigel said, "I can't disarm you without it." He pressed the button on the device in his pocket as Fujiya twisted his watch face.

Shimizu's business suit morphed into the black one-piece battle suit while his flash skin sparkled, then flared. When the bright light faded, he stood before them in his true form. Several men gasped. The gun that had been pointed at him earlier now lowered as its owner took in his new target, his mouth hanging open.

Fujiya had been right. It was good to be a Noigel again.

Before the crew could get over their reactions to his new appearance, he fulfilled his earlier promise. He grabbed the security man's hand and squeezed. Along with the sound of crushing metal, there were the satisfying snaps of bones breaking. He raced to the second guard and punched him in the heart; not enough to drive his fist through, but hard enough to break the ribs and send the bone fragments into his fragile organ. He was dead before he hit the console. In another moment Shimizu grabbed Tanihara's head and turned it 270 degrees. He finished by coming up behind Ekimori and grabbing him by the back of his neck. He lifted the captain off the ground and held him aloft in one hand. He cupped his other hand under the captain's chin.

I'm getting weak and soft. That took five seconds,
he thought. The speed and ferocity of his attack left everyone speechless. They looked from the maimed and dead men to Fujiya, who hadn't moved during the fight and was smiling; then to Shimizu and their captured captain.

"Do as I say, or he," and Shimizu twitched his finger towards the first officer, "gets an unwelcome promotion."

"All right. The boat's yours." The words came out soft and raspy, squeezed between Ekimori's lips like caulk from a clogged tube.

When Shimizu saw the bridge crew would comply, he set the captain back on his feet. The man shook his shoulders and stumbled away from him, rubbing his neck. He turned to Shimizu, awaiting his orders.

Shimizu nodded at Fujiya. Instead of the battle suit's neutral form, Fujiya had opted for it to mimic his colonel military uniform. The Noigel pulled a USB drive from his pocket and approached the first officer. "Upload this into your computer," he ordered.

The XO looked at his captain for confirmation. Ekimori nodded. The man took the drive and inserted it into the nearest port. The console's screen showed an upload status bar. After it was full, Fujiya removed the drive.

"That was a Noigel virus," Shimizu explained. "Except for the signals needed for navigation, all communication is blocked. Let me make this clear for your fish-sized brains. You will do what I say, when I say it. If you don't, people will die. That duty is his." He gestured to Fujiya, who smiled. "Even I don't know who he will kill. It's solely up to him. Except for the skeleton crew needed to operate this vessel, everyone else is to be locked away. Captain, make an announcement."

Ekimori walked to the communications console and picked up the microphone. The young comm officer hit several buttons, and a gentle beep echoed through the ship. Ekimori cleared his throat. "Attention everyone, this is Captain Ekimori. I'd like to thank you for your hard work. You must all be tired."

Shimizu glared at him for the ritualistic expression and formal language. He snapped his fingers.

"There has been a change of plans," Ekimori continued. "I am no longer in control of this boat. Everyone who is not essential to the operation of this vessel is to be locked in their quarters."

Shimizu approached Ekimori, who gave him the microphone. "Captain Ekimori is correct. Failure to comply will result in death. My associate will make sure that everyone is behaving as they should." He returned the microphone to Ekimori.

The captain continued. "Do not make an inconvenience for everyone else. Do as they order. Out." He clicked off the microphone and returned it to its cradle.

Shimizu addressed Fujiya. "Make sure everyone not needed is locked in their quarters. I'll stay here. Patrol the corridors. I'll contact you if I need you."

Fujiya nodded and left the bridge.

CHAPTER 27

Hina walked as silently as she could through the submarine. Her advanced senses and luck had made sure she hadn't been spotted.

She turned a corner then retreated. She risked a peek.

Fujiya shepherded several scientists down the corridor, heading in Hina's direction. His alien bulk made him loom over the smaller humans. She almost screamed seeing him in his native form, but she covered her mouth with her hand. He opened the nearest door.

"Get in."

They entered the cramped room, and Fujiya shoved the last one in. He locked the door with a key.

She had heard the announcement and couldn't believe they had already taken over the submarine. She had waited too long in the mini-sub. "Voice, what are we going to do?"

"Our original plan stands," he said. "We search for the case. Avoid contact with Fujiya, if possible. I'd suggest avoiding the crew as well."

"Why?"

"First, explaining your appearance on board will be awkward. Second, the news of a stowaway could get back to Fujiya and Shimizu."

"Oh," she said. "But what should I do if run into someone?"

"If the situation arises, render them unconscious as soon as possible," Voice said.

Hina shuddered. The scientists and crew of the submarine were hostages, innocent people who had no idea what she was fighting for. She didn't want to hurt anyone she didn't have to. But Voice was right.

"Since Fujiya and Shimizu walked on board, they may have an assigned room. I suggest we search there for the case. The rooms are decks C, D, and E. Go forward fifty meters to the next stairwell."

She peeked around the corner. Fujiya was gone. She stepped into the corridor as a man exited a room. He looked in her direction.

"What are you doing here?" he yelled. He reached for her and she caught his arm, stopping it in her steel-like grip. Faster than his eyes could follow, she punched him. His head rocked back, his nose releasing a torrent of blood, and he collapsed against the nearest wall, out cold before he hit the ground. Hina saw the blood staining his face and shirt and managed to stem her scream. She saw the blood on her fist where it had impacted with his nose and wiped it on her skirt. The blood coalesced and slid off, landing in small drops at her feet. She scrambled to keep it from getting on her shoes.

Stepping around the blood, she reached the man and checked his pulse. He was alive, which she was thankful for. She guessed Voice had regulated her reaction, making sure she didn't use enough force to kill him. She could punch through rock and steel, she wondered what it did to human bones. Satisfied the crewman would be all right, she carried him into the room he had exited. It was a small supply closet. She set him on the floor and closed the door. Then she made her way towards the stairs.

Voices echoed down the corridor. She saw a door ajar and ducked into the room, positioning herself by the doorframe. Three crewmen ran by. A rustle of clothing caught her attention. A lone man stood at the back of the room.

He spoke into an intercom set into the wall. She had no trouble hearing the word "intruder."
No use in hiding now
, she thought, and stepped back into the corridor.

CHAPTER 28

The communication officer on the bridge pushed the headphones down to his neck. It annoyed Shimizu when the man addressed Ekimori and not him.

"Captain. We have a report of an intruder."

Ekimori glanced at Shimizu. "Another one like…them?"

"No, sir. She seems to be a stowaway. A girl."

A squeak of metal rang out. Everyone turned as Shimizu pulled his hand away from the periscope tube. He had been admiring it, but the report had caused him to squeeze a large dent in the shaft. The human girl had returned when he was so close to realizing his plan. She had a hard time staying out of his affairs.

He stalked over to the comm officer. "Where?"

"D deck," the officer answered.

Shimizu addressed the captain. "Get every security or trained man to find her and bring her to me. Attempts to help or aid her will be considered disobedience."

While Ekimori relayed the orders, Shimizu spoke into his left wrist, contacting Fujiya via his battle suit. "The girl is on board. Find her."

— — —

Hina made it to C deck. The corridor stretched out before her. She read the sign next to the door closest to her: "Quarter 1C." There was no name. She remembered that Voice said Fujiya and Shimizu had used fake IDs to get aboard the submarine. Their real names wouldn't have been printed on the signs even if they did have names assigned to them.

"How are we supposed to find their room out of all of these?"

"Most of the crew was ordered to be locked in their quarters. We will simply search through whatever rooms have unlocked doors."

She gently turned the handle on the nearest door. It was locked. Moving to the one across from it, she tried again. It was locked, too. She continued in that fashion. The two rooms that were unlocked turned out to be hydroponics bays. She considered herself lucky they were empty of people.

Farther down the corridor, two men appeared. Heavy footsteps behind her caught her attention and she saw two more men blocking the corridor. The closest one swung at her and she ducked.

He jabbed at her and she dodged. The narrow corridor and low ceiling left little room to maneuver in, so she kept her place and swung her upper body back and forth to dodge his attacks. Her enhanced reflexes made it easy, the man moved as if in a slow motion film. He advanced and swung. She bent backwards at her waist and knees, placing her hands on the floor by her head. His arm swung above her body and she kicked out. Her foot connected with his forearm, and he yelped in pain. His arm swung up and his hand bashed itself against a low-hung pipe on the ceiling.