Matlock drew in a deep breath. “I was right. We're helpless against Davron.”
“If he wanted to take us out, he could have done so ages ago. If he wants to control the Venom, he could.”
“Great,” snarled Matlock. “Thanks for sharing, Jazz. Now tell me you've found a way we can hit back at him.”
“We don't.”
“Come again? Isn't that supposed to be our mission?”
Belle shrugged. “Things change. Dale. Davron is our friend. Not our enemy. But we do have an enemy. When Davron fires his cannons, he's not trying to hit Earth. He's stopping an alien race from doing that.”
Matlock stood up. “Bullshit, Captain. One thing the W S A would know about would be other ships.”
“Not these. Only Davron's ship has the technology to see them approaching Earth. He hasn't warned Earth, because if they sent ships after them, it would be suicide. But he's only one man on one ship. He's spent nearly all his fuel saving Earth. One more attack, and it's game over. He needs our help.”
Matlock said, “That's crazy talk, Jazz. He's suckered you into his trap.”
“No. Patrick isn't a monster. He isn't crazy. Think about it. You've known all along he could take out both Earth and this ship, right?”
“I knew that. And that's your proof, is it? We're still alive so Davron can't be all bad.”
“Patrick isn't bad at all. He didn't mean to kill his father. He only intended to stop his father playing one side against the other for financial greed. And that space-station. You said yourself you admired what he did with that. Does that sound like our enemy to you?”
Matlock considered Belle's reasoning. “No. That and the fact you and I are still alive to have this conversation. Ok. You got me. Now what happens?”
“We convince the other two.”
Chapter 32
Belle and Matlock joined a suspicious looking Danders and Akrins on the flight-deck.
“The plot thickens, apparently,” said Danders glancing over at Akrins. “What's going on, Captain?”
Belle sat down with the others, wondering where to start. It took much heated discussion to get her story across, bringing out the HATED for them all to see.
“That's it?” said Akrins, doubtfully. “You actually went onto Davron's ship using that?”
“It happened.”
“But back in time?” said Danders. “Nothing can do that.”
Belle said, “That's harder to explain and I'd be sceptical if I'd just heard it the way you have. I've used meditation many times. Months of mending in hospital beds gave me time to perfect it. This HATED takes it much further. The inventor died using it. With luck, I'll never have to use it again.”
Akrins was naturally most vociferous with his opinions. “Might as well just hurl ourselves out of the damn airlock right now. Save Davron the trouble of killing us.”
Matlock reined him in. “Don't be stupid, Akrins. If Davron wanted us dead, we already would be. Captain. Why not demonstrate the HATED for us?”
“Take a trip to see Patrick, you mean?”
“Maybe. Just to shed the last vestige of doubt.”
Danders said, “If we watch you go, and you can give us conclusive proof, we'll back you one hundred percent. We will, won't we, Akrins?”
“And how can she do that?” Akrins demanded.
It was a question not easy to answer. Belle couldn't physically bring anything back from the Romulus as proof. Danders offered a solution. “Captain. If you can get on the ship to see Davron, get him to fire his cannons twice. Not enough to drain his fuel, but just two short bursts. We can pick that up from here.”
“Not a bad Idea, Jazz,” said Matlock. “Are you game?”
“And if I can do it, we'll help Davron?” Belle was looking at Akrins' face when she said it.
Akrins looked at the others, staring back at him. He sighed and said, “That'll convince me. Ok. Do it.”
Reluctantly, Belle agreed. “I'll do it in my cell. You can watch from the doorway. Come on. Lets get this over with.”
Belle led the way to her cell and unlocked it. “You three stay outside. This is hard enough to do without an audience.”
Belle lay on the bed, mentally preparing herself, the HATED in her hands. “What you will see is me here on my bed. A green light will fill the room. That's normal. I'll enter a deep, meditative state. I won't be asleep, because that's a different brainwave activity. This thing works on my alpha waves. My consciousness will be released and with my imagination enhanced, I'll be back on the Romulus. Whatever you do, don't touch me or try to wake me. Just let me be. None of us knows what Davron is doing at the moment. He could be asleep for all we know. Either way, this could take a few minutes or longer. Akrins. Matlock. You can watch me here. Lieutenant Danders. You watch the screen and monitor the Romulus. You see a couple of cannon blasts, that will be your proof. Everyone understand?”
They all said yes, then stood and watched Belle slip into her state as the green light appeared. All three gasped as they saw what Belle herself hadn't seen. From her physical form, her subconscious self rose out of her, shown by the green light. It lasted but a second, then vanished.
“Damn,” gasped Danders.
Matlock tapped her shoulder and pointed towards the flight-deck and Danders nodded and left the men watching Belle in her cell.
Chapter 33
“Can't keep away, Jazz?”
“This is a sort of a test to prove we're all on the same side. I told them all about this and they're watching the ship as we speak. Patrick. Can you give the cannons a short double blast so they can see it?”
“Damn it, Jazz. I can't afford to waste any fuel.”
Belle said, “Just the absolute minimum. Enough that they can trace its source.”
Davron weighed it all up. “Then they'll work with me?”
“Yes. They just need convincing.”
Davron sighed. “Ok. Two minimum blasts. But no more than that.”
It took a minute to align the cannon with the path of the Venom and take the power down to almost nothing. “Lets hope they're watching down there. Here we go. One.” He counted to three in his head. “Two. Done.”
The radio crackled. “Wow, Captain,” said Danders. “You are really there with Davron?”
Belle nodded to Davron who replied to Danders. “Captain Belle is here with me.”
That's all he said. The less the W S A knew what was happening for the time being, the better. Davron cut the radio transmission.
“What happens next?” asked Belle.
“The Venom is just hours away. Keep on that course. Once here, I'll take your fuel.”
“All of it?”
“The Venom is useless to us. It is too slow and has limited cannon fire. As far as the enemy is concerned, it's good for nothing but target practice. If they don't find it, perhaps the W S A will get it back to Earth one day.”
“Are you suggesting we abandon the Venom and shack up with you on the Romulus?”
“Think about it, Jazz. If you try to return to Earth in the Venom, there's a very good chance you'll be discovered by the enemy and destroyed. This is the only ship capable of taking them on and to do that, we need all the fuel onto this ship.”
It was a big decision for a W S A Captain to be asked to do. “We abandon the Venom, we can kiss our careers goodbye. Possibly a hell of a lot more than that. Patrick. You're asking us to give up any chance to return to Earth, ever.”
Davron stared at the green lady. “And if you don't do it, there won't be an Earth to return too. Go back to your crew, Jazz. Tell them everything. They say no, you can turn around and take your chances. If it's yes, keep coming this way and we'll have a slim chance of survival.”
They stared at each other in silence for a moment, then Belle said, “I can't make a decision like that for the others. We'll have to talk it over. If we all agree, we'll join up with you on this ship. Patrick. If we say no, can you get back home?”
/>
Davron shrugged. “If I get out and push.”
Belle understood and said, “It's possible I'll never see you again.”
“Entirely possible.”
“I'll get back to the Venom. Patrick. Whatever happens....”
“Yeah. Same. Good luck, Jazz.”
Belle prepared her mind to return. Then she paused and kissed his lips. There was a weird tingling of different energies as their lips softly touched. “Good luck, Patrick.”
“You too, Jazz.”
He watched as his green lady vanished.
Chapter 34
She had left her body to join Davron on the Romulus with her crew suspicious and doubtful, staring at her. Now they were still staring, but their expressions were different from before.
Danders said, “You did it. You actually did it.”
The experience had drained Belle. All she wanted to do was rest, maybe even sleep. There were more urgent issues to deal with first.
Matlock said, “That was quite amazing, Belle. Are you ok?”
“Just tired.”
“We actually saw you leave your body,” said Danders. Her animosity towards her captain had mostly gone, now, and she had developed a healthy respect for her.
“Not for the feint-hearted,” said Belle. “I have to tell you something. Patrick is right down on fuel. He can't get home and needs our fuel to do that. If we do that, we have to go with him on the Romulus.”
“Not end up back on Earth?” Danders asked.
“No. He still faces the death penalty on Earth,” replied Belle. “He lives on a new planet. I've seen it and it's beautiful.”
Akrins snarled, “Yeah. And there's the kicker, right there. That's what he really wants. He couldn't give a damn about us. He just wants to take our fuel.”
Belle snapped, “He didn't have to be here at all, remember? He's preventing an attack on Earth.”
“You know that for sure, do you?” said Akrins. “This alien ship the mighty W S A can't pick up, but oh! Guess what? Davron can do it. Surprise, surprise. Captain. There are no alien ships. Davron's sick in the head. He's deluded. Deranged. He's tilting at windmills and wants you as his Sancho Panza. Well, I'm not falling for it. I say we go back to Earth.”
Danders was being swayed by Akrins. “Captain. Have you actually seen one of these alien ships?”
“Of course not. We can't detect them.”
Akrins said, “Exactly. Listen to me. He's mad. Don't get suckered by him. If we can't kill him, lets turn this ship about.”
Belle looked at Matlock. “Dale? What about you?”
“I think after what I saw you do, I believe your instincts about Davron. He's for real. I say we join him.”
“lieutenant?”
There was an awkward silence as Danders made her decision. “I'm convinced. But if Earth is under attack...”
“Crap,” snapped Akrins.
“If Earth's under attack,” said Danders, ignoring Akrins with a frosty glare, “We shouldn't just abandon them to their fate.”
Belle said, “Even the Romulus can't hold them off indefinitely. Maybe we can figure something out.”
Matlock said, “That's three to join Davron. Akrins. This is all down to you. We know the W S A couldn't care less about us. One last time. Do we join Davron or not?”
“Hell, no. We return to Earth.”
Belle frowned but wasn't surprised. Akrins had had his say and saying it, had sentenced Patrick Davron to a lonely death on the Romulus. He had left a paradise to protect Earth, now they were going to die alone, just him and his pet winged monkey for company. She was as tough a captain as any in the service, but a solitary tear ran down her cheek.
“Lieutenant Danders. Plot a course to Earth.”
Chapter 35
“Well, pal. What do you think?” He stroked Muffin's head as he perched on his shoulder. “Are they going to join us, or are we stuck out here on a limb?”
They had been watching the Venom on their screen. It was still heading their way. Then it veered off its direct course to the Romulus and started its journey back to Earth.
“I guess that's our answer, Muffin.” His chances now didn't look too good. “Not enough fuel to get to Spero. And if we use it to shoot a drone, we have nothing left. Sorry, pal. I let us both down.”
As if in sympathy, Muffin muzzled up to Davron. He didn't understand what was going on, but picked up on Davron's sad mood.
With a sigh, Davron said, “Maybe if we keep our speed down and make our supplies last as long as we can, perhaps we can...”
The alarm sounded. The alien suit, patched into the powerful Romulus' computer, heralded the threat of a drone. Davron set Muffin down and jumped into the suit with the tentacles and sealed himself in. From the inside he could secure the helmet down. The visor in front of his face lit up with images and incomprehensible numbers, letters and squiggles. The computer translated it all for him.
“Oh, Crap.”
The drone wasn't about to attack Earth. It had been heading his way and now it was on the tail of the Venom. A ship and crew who would be completely unaware until it struck and destroyed them. He had one shot at it with the reduced fuel. The Venom was almost directly between the drone and the Romulus. The figures on his visor told him the drone was ready to fire. It was being repeatedly eclipsed by the Venom. His computer was continuously locking the cannon onto the drone.
In one corner of his visor, the figures may have been those of an alien race, but he knew enough to know it was a countdown, with precious little time left on the clock. Davron closed his eyes and called it, as the final second of the countdown vanished.
“Fire.”
Chapter 36
Lieutenant Danders had a million things going through her mind. Particularly the reception they could expect from Burns from what was essentially a failed mission. As if they weren't reviled enough already. Maybe she should have pushed Akrins into making a different decision. She sighed. Too late. Settling back in her pilot's seat, she became instantly alert. There came a blue flash and the soundless shock-wave rocked the Venom.
Belle, Matlock and Akrins raced into the flight-deck together.
“What the hell was that?” Belle demanded, dropping into a seat.
“Who else, Captain?” snarled Danders. “Your new best friend Davron just fired at us.”
“Damage?”
“Not picking any up. He just missed us.”
Matlock said, “If we're not hit, he wasn't shooting at us. Even a close call wouldn't rock this ship like that in a vacuum. A rocking like that could only come from gasses escaping something else. Something else being hit.”
“He's right,” said Belle. “Computer. External recordings, last ten minutes. Run now.”
On their screen, the ships computer ran the external events of the previous ten minutes. It was space, followed by more space. Something exploded. “Computer, stop. Back one second intervals. Stop. Forward one second intervals. And...stop. There.”
“Shit!” gasped Matlock. “A ship.”
Belle said, “A drone. Ever see anything like that from Earth?”
They all knew the answer to that question.
“Davron just saved our hides,” said Danders.
“Proof positive,” said Belle.
Matlock saw and fully understood Belle's expression. “That was his last shot, wasn't it? He's stranded. Nowhere to go, completely unarmed.”
“Still think he's the bad guy, Akrins?” asked Belle, her eyes burning holes in his head.
“We go and join him,” said Danders. “I'll plot the course.”
“The hell we will,” said Akrins. “We have to warn Earth. Hey. You know I'm right. We need to stick together, yeah?”
Matlock lost it and grabbed the smaller Akrins, lifting him clear of the floor. “That man just gave his life to save us. We leave him, either those aliens get him, or he dies of hunger one day. Is that what you want, you little
snivelling runt?”
“let me go, you damn ape. Captain. Make him let me go.”
Instead, Belle said, “Earth or Davron, Akrins? Make the right decision.”
Akrins, still off the floor held up by the furious Matlock, looked to Danders for support and got nothing back but the evil eye from her.
“Ok. We join up with Davron.”
Matlock put Akrins down and gently slapped his face. “Good idea, Akrins.”
Belle grinned and turned to Danders. “Plot the course to the Romulus, Lieutenant Danders.”
“I already have, Captain Belle.”
Chapter 37
“You look so...normal.”
“Thank you, Patrick,” said Belle. “The nicest thing anyone's said to me all day.”
“I meant now you're not green. Hey. Welcome aboard, everyone. I'm kinda pleased you dropped by.”
“Patrick. This is Sergeant Dale Matlock. Weapons specialist and terrorist killer.”
“Er, hi. I sincerely hope I'm not on your hit-list, Sergeant Matlock.”
Matlock shook Davron's hand in an iron grip. “Not any longer, Patrick. Call me Dale.”
“Thanks, Dale.”
Belle said, “Lieutenant Liz Danders. One of the best pilots around.”
“Actually, the best pilot around. Thanks for saving my life, Patrick.”
“My pleasure, Liz.”
“And lastly, engineer Toby Akrins. If it can't be fixed, it isn't broken.”
“An engineer is always good to have around,” said Davron, extending a hand. Akrins ignored it. “Not a fan, I take it.”
“Not my choice to be here,” snarled Akrins.
Davron laughed. “Something we have in common, then. But if I'm to take us to my home, we need to transfer the fuel to this ship. Can we do that?”
“Of course,” said Belle. “An outside job.”
“I'll do it,” said Danders.
“I'm the engineer. I'll do it,” said Akrins.
Danders said, “Ok. Come on. The two of us will do it together.”
Belle gave Danders a 'keep an eye on him' glance and the pair went to the airlock to transfer the fuel from the Venom to the Romulus.
“Wait,” said Matlock. “We have a ship full of stuff out there. Including plenty of useful weapons. Stupid to leave it all behind.”