Salera's Storm
***
“Status,” asked Marante, sitting in the captain’s chair on the bridge.
The two Chaslean-human crewmen, Hapnu and Advon, were to his right, busily monitoring the activity on Vorkis’ ship. Tolba was to his left next to Oxil, another Chaslean-human, and both were working on holos, managing the emergencies throughout the vessel. Each station displayed numerous holos and it took months of study on Salera to learn how to merge and manipulate several holos at once. They were the best.
The bond between Salerans and Chasleans was sealed centuries ago. The evil society of Vassons had tricked both civilizations into believing the other was preparing for war. Kalin and Marante saved each other’s lives and people, forming an eternal bond of friendship between both races, something unheard of in the five thousand years of recorded Saleran history. How grateful he was to have a brother such as Kalin.
“The Eloquin’s shields are absorbing the blasts of our Monto Lasers,” said Tolba. “Two hundred Zorcons have boarded. Security walls have been activated in the hallways but the Zorcons are implementing Vion Blasters. The shields will not hold very long.” He glanced at Marante. “Sir, this is the first time we have encountered anyone with technology equal to ours.”
“With all the diversified species in the universe, I am sure this will not be our last,” said Marante. “Our first priority is to get the Captain aboard Vorkis’ ship. We must find a way through his shield.”
“The new Edia Beam is small enough to penetrate Vorkis’ shields,” said Tolba, studying a holo, “but it must be exact. I am surprised Vorkis has not altered his shield for this latest Saleran science.”
“He was forced to leave Salera is a hurry,” said Marante. “Position the Captain closest to Rina yet guarded for his immediate safety.”
“Aye, Sir.”
Marante tapped an orb on his armrest and a holo swirled up from the floor in front of him. He had to find out why the REM shield had failed. Ilya walked in and stood next to Marante. She was wearing a light blue, sequined two-piece skirt and top that barely hid any flesh. From the corner of his eye, he could see her creamy, smooth stomach and the shape of her enhanced breasts.
Her sweet perfume masked her unnatural ways. Although the males in her race did not lack Henual Cells, the projected ten-year study to help the females during puberty was cancelled because the women enjoyed their ghastly behavior with animals. Tàtresses made him sick and he hoped she wouldn’t touch him.
“Zorcons are all over the place,” she said, putting her hand on his shoulder. “I’ve come prepared.” She held up a hand Barra. “Can I be of help?”
“The Trinon Crystals of the REM are almost depleted,” said Marante, concentrating on the grid in the holo. “Someone deliberately used a high-energy power source to drain them. They will have to be restored. Tolba, start the emergency reparation. Who was the last person at the system?”
“Don’t bother,” said Ilya.
Marante felt the cold nozzle of the Barra press into the skin on his head. Immediately, Tolba and the other crewmen sprang out of their seats.
“Stop!” she said, gripping the Barra with both hands. “I’ll shoot him! Back off!”
Marante raised his hand and they halted. The holo switched off.
“You two,” she said, pointing to Hapnu and Advon, “get over by Tolba.”
The men were staring at Marante, waiting for a signal. He dared not allow Vorkis another victory by killing anyone on this vessel; besides, he had to find out the details of Ilya’s mission. He nodded his head and the crewmen joined Tolba.
“Why?” he asked.
Waves of visions flashed through Marante’s mind; she was allowing him access. His stomach ached with nausea.
“He loves no one but himself,” said Marante. “You are just another pawn.”
“He loves me,” said Ilya, her lips squeezed together in contempt. “Everyone I touch loves me. I’m the best he’s ever had.”
Marante faced her, peering straight into the nozzle of the Barra. He sensed a strong determination in her. It was not passion or recklessness; it was something deeper, something...no!
“You gave birth to Vorkis’ child?” asked Marante, shocked a Saleran conceived an offspring outside its species.
Ilya smiled proudly. “Yes, and our daughter is just fine.”
“How?” asked Marante. “Your kind is not compatible with a Saleran.”
“Poor Marante,” said Ilya, sliding the nozzle along his cheek. She leaned down close to him, nose-to-nose. “How about a big kiss?” she said, deliberately blowing her putrid breath in his face.
Stupid Kalin. “Do it,” he said. “I will enjoy what I can then toss you aside like the others.”
“Your mind games won’t work on me,” she said, annoyed. “I’m smarter than you, because not only have I been helping Vorkis for months, we also discovered another use for teleporters.”
“I see,” he said. “The implantation of a pre-altered embryo at the moment of molecular reconstruction.”
“You got that right, big boy,” she said, smirking. “Our baby has grown at a tremendous rate and is smarter than anyone I know. Vylla is loyal to me and her father. She’s the heiress to the Saleran throne and I will be Queen.”
“Your child is a mutation,” said Marante. “She will not survive long enough to enjoy life. That experiment has been tried on off-worlds and the creatures lived for no more than six months before their bodies began to decompose.”
“My baby will live,” she said, nervously pointing the Barra. “Vorkis promised, and he would never fail me.”
Marante was silent. Ilya was convinced their plan would work.
“I can’t wait to see the color of your blood; I love florescent blue. Now get out of the captain’s chair. I don’t want the seat dirtied when I blow your head off.”
“No,” said Marante.
Tolba, can you hear me? he said in his mind.
Yes, answered Tolba.
Lurch the ship.
Ilya stepped away and held the Barra straight out with both hands. “Move it!” she said.
The Quasar jerked hard and Ilya stumbled. A laser shot whizzed past Marante’s head and he vaulted from his seat. He wrestled the Barra from Ilya then twisted her arms behind her back. She is surprisingly strong for a woman. Hapnu and Advon rushed over and seized her, holding her in place.
Outraged and humiliated, she roared while squirming to free herself, rustling her blonde hair and tearing the seams of her short skirt with wild kicks. White foam drooled from her mouth. Her skin reddened to almost a light purplish color and her eyes became bloodshot.
Perhaps more than Henual Cells are absorbed, thought Marante.
She truly was acting like an animal. A cantankerous look covered her face. Her desire to kill him had taken over.
“Nothing you do will matter,” she said between heavy breaths. “The Quasar is ours. You’ve lost.”
“We will never lose to the likes of you,” he said. “Tolba, teleport the Captain when ready.”
“Aye, Sir,” said Tolba, grinning. “Teleporting now.”
Two Chaslean guards dressed in red uniforms entered the bridge. One guard pointed a Menzor Light at Ilya and she stiffened inside the pink beam that encased her. Hapnu and Advon released her. The other guard removed a Binon Strap from his black belt and touched it to Ilya’s wrists. Immediately, the glowing orange band enringed her joints and clamped tight.
“I hate you!” she screamed.
“That is acceptable,” said Marante, reseating himself in the captain’s chair. The holo rose up again and he began his adjustments. “At least I cannot be easily fooled.”
The guard pressed another button on the Menzor and she lifted off the floor. She was ready for transport.
“Put her in Brig A3,” said Marante. “She is to have no visitors.”
“You won’t win!” she shouted, still fighting to free herself as they glided her away. “He’ll come for me!??
?
Her voice faded as the doors to the Lift slid shut.
“Sir,” said Tolba, “what chance does the Captain have on Vorkis’ ship alone? He is severely outnumbered.”
“He has a fifteen percent chance of survival,” he said. “That is more than he has faced on other missions, and his hatred will give him strength.”
Marante sensed the others, though worried, had accepted his reasoning. He just wished he could do the same.