Authors: Lisanne Norman
* * *
Introductions over, under the cover of first meal, Kaid and Tirak briefed them all again on what they planned to do.
"We're going to try and escape using bits of broken furniture against those armored Primes?" asked Zashou, looking from Tirak to Kaid. "We'll be like bugs against them!"
"We only need one guard, then we've got two weapons," said Kaid. "They each have a rifle and a sidearm."
"Manesh, round up the knives you've been adapting," said Tirak in a low voice. "Sheeowl, you and Giyesh loosen the faucet taps. I'll tell you when to disconnect them."
"Taynar, help Kate. Jo and Zashou dismantle drawer units for planks. T'Chebbi, you and Jeran get all the liquid soap containers."
"We get ours," said Annuur through his translator. "Also berry stones. Lots of them. On ground, make Primes fall."
Kaid grinned and reached out to pat the Cabbaran leader on the shoulder. "Well thought out. Keep some back for throwing at their heads, too. It'll distract them just long enough for us to get in close."
Annuur's prehensile lip wrinkled back in a grin. "They fall hard. We jump on them and chew through armor. Already spotted places."
"Guns first," reminded Kaid. "With them we can keep those guards down. Helmets next to stop them communicating with each other."
"Soap?" asked Carrie.
"Cover faceplates," said T'Chebbi. "Squirt in breather grilles. Stops them communicating with each other." She grinned evilly, showing her teeth. "Makes them feel sick!"
"Put some water in the containers first," Carrie advised. "More suds."
T'Chebbi continued grinning. "Know that, don't worry."
"What am I doing?" asked Rezac.
"Helping me dig a hole through the wall to the door controls," said Kaid, getting up. "I want you to try using some of those psi tricks you showed me. Annuur, can your people grip the door when we're ready to try pulling it open?"
The Cabbaran nodded, the crest of hair on his head bobbing with enthusiasm. He held his hands up, showing his long, thick claws. "Can dig into door, too."
"The rest of you can gather round us, hiding us from any surveillance devices," said Tirak.
"Let's move it. The longer we take, the more chance of them noticing what we're doing," said Kaid.
"What can I do?" asked Carrie, catching hold of his hand and drawing his attention to her.
"Help us with the wall," said Kaid, gripping her hand briefly. "Just use whatever psi abilities you think will work. You've done amazing things in the past."
"Don't know that I've any rabbits left to pull out," she murmured, getting to her feet.
Kaid's brow wrinkled in thought over her reference, then the meaning came to him. "You never know till you try," he said.
* * *
The wall, being a partition rather than one of the structural ones, was made of some lightweight plastic compound. Using a fork with all but one tine bent back, they were quickly able to stab their way into it, then use a knife to snap out larger chunks. Underneath the thin outer skin they discovered a softer expanded foam center. In the midst of this nestled the metal casing for the door mechanism.
"The back plate's riveted on," said Tirak in disgust.
"Let me." Rezac pushed forward to see it. "I'm not as good as Jaisa was, but I can try shaking it free," he offered.
"Try," ordered Kaid, glancing at his comm unit. Ten minutes they'd taken so far. Too long.
Rezac reached inside, putting his fingers on three of the rivets, and closed his eyes in concentration. Within moments, Carrie laid her hand on his shoulder, making him start and turn round.
I can help,
she sent.
He nodded and began again.
Kaid watched with interest, feeling it for himself because of his Link with her, adding a little to the help Carrie was giving Rezac. Slowly Rezac began to draw his fingers back and as he did, the plate suddenly pivoted down, hanging from one rivet.
Rezac let go, leaning against the wall for support while Carrie continued to hold his shoulder. Gradually the paleness around his nose faded and he nodded his thanks, moving out from under her hand. "Don't weaken yourself," he warned her.
Meanwhile Tirak had grasped the plate, carefully easing it free to expose the tangle of wires and circuits.
Kaid took Tirak's place. He was seeing the mechanism in reverse. What he had to decide now was whether to try and pull the whole unit inside and betray the fact that they were tampering with it, or try to activate it from this angle.
As he looked at it, a small light began to glow, flicking from point to point, across the access side of the panel. "Someone's coming!" he hissed, turning round and pushing Carrie behind him.
The group providing cover scattered, leaving Rezac at the other side as the door slid open.
Knowing the Primes stood just at the edge of the doorway, Kaid reached round and grabbed hold of an armor-clad arm. Using his weight as a pivot, he hauled the person into the room. Tirak grabbed hold as well, added his strength and weight, and the Prime was dragged in to smack, faceplate first, against the wall. As Kaid reached for the sidearm, Annuur and his fellow Cabbarans leaped on the staggering Prime, bearing him to the ground.
Kaid spun round and pointed the gun at the other Primes as Rezac and Tirak raced for the nearest guard. Surprise gave them the precious seconds needed to wrench the rifle from his unsuspecting hands and pull him into the room, where T'Chebbi, Mrowbay and Sayuk jumped on him, grabbing his sidearm.
Rezac muttered an oath and demanded the handgun. As he was given it, he passed the rifle back to T'Chebbi.
Rifles are trank darts far as I can tell,
he sent.
I'll check the pistol.
A moment later he sent again.
They're live.
Pistol aimed at the remaining Seniormost and guard, he advanced on them.
Jeran shot past him, diving for the Seniormost's legs. A shot barked out, the trank pellet just missing Jeran as he knocked the Seniormost into the guard, tumbling them all to the ground.
The rest of Tirak's crew erupted into the corridor, and within seconds, the Primes were pinned down and their weapons taken.
An alarm began to blare out, echoing throughout the corridors.
"Get them inside," Kaid roared over the noise. He'd heard no sounds of combat from behind him. That bothered him until he sensed from Carrie what was happening.
This one's wearing a gold tabard,
she sent.
A leader or senior officer at least. His faceplate's cracked. The Cabbarans are trying to get the helmet off. He's struggling a little but it's under control. Same with the guard.
Hauled to their feet, the other two captives were dragged into the room.
"Release the Seniormost," said a translator. "There is no need for this. We were coming to free you."
"Which one spoke?" demanded Giyesh, looking at the two that were on their feet.
I can read them,
sent Carrie.
The gray one spoke. It's the gold one, he's their leader, and they're afraid for his safety.
Kaid sensed her uncertainty. Something was bothering her, but there wasn't time for him to concern himself with that now.
"Get their helmets off," said Tirak, taking the pistol from Nayash and stepping forward to help cover the door.
Abruptly, the alarm stopped, the silence sounding deafening by comparison.
"Watch the corridor," ordered Kaid, walking over to see the gold Prime for himself. "Strip them of all their armor. I want them as vulnerable as us."
The gold-robed Prime lay stunned, one hand moving slightly, as Sheeowl helped the Cabbarans to unlock the helmet. The faceplate was cracked but not enough for him to see the occupant. He turned back to the other captives. The first guard was still on the floor with Mrowbay and Sayuk crawling over him.
"This is unnecessary," repeated the gray Seniormost. "You are to be released."
"We
are
leaving, with you as insurance. Tell your people that," said Kaid, gesturing to Manesh and Taynar to remove his helmet.
"Leave our helmets. You will gain nothing by removing them," said the Seniormost, struggling between Manesh and Taynar. "You have not been harmed. Why do you attack us?"
"Break his faceplate if he keeps struggling," ordered Kaid, turning to watch as the gold's helmet was finally lifted off. He blinked, not trusting his eyes, then moved closer till he was standing over the unconscious Prime. "Vartra's bones! Valtegans!" He spun around to watch as the others' helmets were removed.
The gray Seniormost turned to look at him, large green eyes blinking rapidly in the unaccustomed brightness.
From the doorway, Rezac looked back as he heard Kaid's voice. His gun swung round to aim at the Seniormost but Tirak grabbed him.
"Eyes front!" he snarled. "You're on duty now!"
Growling, Rezac turned back to watch the corridor.
"We are releasing you," said the Seniormost in Sholan. "There was no need for this attack."
"You attacked us!" said Zashou from where she was helping to pull the second guard's helmet off.
"We did not attack your craft. We took the
M'ijikk.
We found you on board their ship."
"You took us from our companions and examined us against our wills!" she shouted, dropping what she was doing to start to her feet.
"Enough, Zashou!" ordered Kaid, striding into the center of the room. "Get back to work! We're not discussing this now!" He looked over to Sheeowl and the gold Prime. "Get him out of that armor and on his feet, conscious or not. I want us out of here as soon as possible. And put his gold tabard back on him so they know who we have. You," he said, turning back to the Seniormost, "Tell your people that you are our hostages and we want safe passage down to the flight deck and onto our ship. Jo, over here and make sure he tells them what I said."
"I need my helmet for that," the Valtegan said.
"Give it to him," Kaid ordered Jo.
"Kaid, this Prime's got an implant on his head," said Mrowbay from where he knelt by the prone guard. "Just like Giyesh said."
"This one's also got an implant," said Jeran, tossing the helmet to the floor.
"Tell the guards to obey us, then send the message," said Kaid.
They waited while the Seniormost spoke to the guards, then to his commanders. Listening to the guttural speech, Kaid was acutely aware of Carrie's distress at being in their presence again.
You're doing fine,
he sent to her.
They can't touch you, remember that.
The gold Prime was being held in a sitting position, being stripped of his armor. He'd come round but was looking decidedly groggy.
"He's different," said Carrie, watching him. "They all are. Not the same as those on Keiss. For a start, three of them have crests. And the Seniormost, he's smaller, with rainbow colors round the eyes. Same with the gold. I've never seen one that pale yellowish color before."
"Later, Carrie," said Kaid, looking round at the other two Primes. "Get something to tie their wrists with, please. Get that armor off fast, people! I want to get out of here today! Those with rifles, they're trank darts. Use them only on unarmored targets. I reckon we'll see a lot more of them outside this area."
"You will have your safe conduct," said the gray Prime as the helmet was taken away from him. "You had it anyway, I told you. But you must..."
"We must nothing!" said Kaid harshly. "You're the prisoners now, remember that! Strip him quickly," Kaid said to Manesh and Nayash. "Don't bother with fastenings, cut through them if you can."
"We could use the armor," said Jeran, hefting a breastplate up and examining it. "We're about the same size."
"Tie him up," said Carrie, handing him one of the strips she was ripping off a sheet.
"Legs are different," said Rezac from the door. "Theirs' are like the Humans. Suits won't fit us."
"Done," said Sheeowl, tossing aside the last piece of the gold's armor.
"Me, too," said Mrowbay, dragging his captive closer to the door.
"Almost there," said Manesh, hauling the final leg protector off as Taynar bound the gray Seniormost. "Ready!"
"Let's get going," said Kaid, heading for the door. "T'Chebbi, you at the rear with one guard, the gold in the middle with the civilians and the Cabbarans. Get the other two at the front near Rezac."
They began to assemble in the corridor, Rezac to the front, Tirak to the rear, until they were in position.
Kaid picked up a helmet, handing to Jeran. "Hang onto that for as long as is practical, in case we need it," he said before going to the front with Tirak.
"There's no damper out here," said Carrie. "I can sense the way ahead of us."
"Do it. You, too, Rezac. Zashou and Jo, check our rear," he said, leading them up the corridor to the junction on their right. A short distance, then they were heading down the corridor to the elevator. It was deserted, like a ghost ship.
"I reckon this gold Prime is important," said Tirak quietly as they waited for the elevator to come up. "It's as quiet as the grave here. Too quiet."
Kaid merely grunted, watching to make sure the elevator was empty as it came into view.
"How many do you want on?" asked Tirak.
"All of us. It's large enough," replied Kaid, gesturing to the others to leave their cover in the corridor. "Check out the fight deck, Carrie, Rezac."
"Done," said Carrie. "Two groups of ten about two hundred yards from here. More, farther in two largish groups and a smaller one."
"Agreed," said Rezac.
"Yell down the shaft and get them to move," Kaid ordered the Seniormost.
"If you'll listen to me first," the Seniormost began.
"No deals," interrupted Kaid. "Just do it."
"We want a treaty with you," said the Seniormost, speaking in a rush. "You were to be released. Your ship is ready. All you have to do is..."
Kaid pushed him toward the elevator cage. "Enough! Tell them to move!"
The Valtegan shouted down in his own language. Beside him, Jo translated.
This is so strange,
sent Carrie.
I sense none of the usual fear or aggression from any of our prisoners. The gold and the Seniormost are terrified of us, the guards are just waiting for new commands.
That's not a male,
sent Rezac, staring the gray Prime full in the face.
That's a female! The Gods know what she's doing here, but it's a female.
Focus on what we're doing,
Kaid reminded them.
"She says it's clear," said Jo.
"They've backed off," agreed Rezac.
"Keep alert, people," said Kaid as they filed on and he pressed the control.
Whining and creaking under the weight, the elevator began to descend. T'Chebbi and Tirak crouched down so they could see the flight deck as soon as the cage cleared their floor. Kaid kept his hand poised over the stop button.
"They're clear," said T'Chebbi, standing up.
With a jolt, they came to rest. A hundred yards away, the
Profit
stood facing the bay doors, engines already running.
"As I said, your craft is waiting for you," said the gray Prime. "Proof of our good intentions."
"Cool heads, people. We take our time," said Kaid, opening the gate. "Same order as before. If you have to fire, make every shot count."
Those with the guns joined Kaid, forming a shield in front of the others and their captives as they filed out onto the flight deck. While he waited, he looked around, gauging their surroundings and assessing the numbers of Valtegans present.
Behind them and to their right— some hundred and fifty yards away— were maintenance areas with twenty or so mechanics. Two large vehicles berthed there were obviously being worked on. Beyond them, half a dozen fatigue-clad soldiers stood beside another cage elevator.
On their left, barely ten yards from them, was the
M'ijikk
with two shuttle craft berthed beyond her. From that direction he caught the whiff of volatile lubricants. Though he couldn't see anyone from this position, there was plenty of opportunity for soldiers to hide between the vehicles. Level with the
Profit,
near the starboard bulkhead, were another two large craft and some thirty people.
"Remind them we have safe passage," said Kaid to the Seniormost. "Tell them if they shoot at us, we'll shoot you."
She yelled the message out, her voice echoing strangely as it bounced off the walls and high ceiling.
"Those with guns, fan out, cover us on all sides," said Kaid.
Slowly, very slowly, they made their way across the open hangar deck toward the
Profit.
Round the edges, the groups of Valtegans stood in tight knots, keeping very still. Here and there they spotted the odd armored guard.
"Don't like this. Still too easy," muttered T'Chebbi, maintaining her grip on the pistol she carried.
"They're scared, T'Chebbi, terrified of anything happening to the hostages," said Carrie from behind her. "Particularly the gold one. Many of them are terrified even to be seeing him."
"He's the Enlightened One I heard them speaking about," said Giyesh suddenly.
"Later," snapped Kaid, constantly scanning with mind and eyes. "Keep focused."
With only a few yards to go, Kaid caught the sudden movement by the leg of the
M'ijikk
out of the corner of his eye. A cry of pain, quickly stifled, came from the rear of his group before he could get his shot off. The armored marksman fell without a sound.