The Ninth: Invasion (5 page)

As Angela was about to protest, Hiroko let out a loud gasp.  The ship was already jumping.  Brent couldn’t believe his eyes.  The forward section of the room was
gone
.  Where a wall and doorway had been moments earlier was nothing but the blackness of space.  He spotted a thin ribbon where the ship ended and space began.  The ribbon was getting closer.  Despite the fact he could see open space, he felt no discomfort.  He could still breathe easily, and the temperature didn’t fall.  Brent knew the void of space was an airless bitter cold thing that could kill in short order without some form of protection.  Even though he could clearly see it, the void must not have been able to get farther than the ribbon.

The troopers squirmed as the ribbon slowly moved closer.  Row by row, it devoured the chairs and their occupants.  Despite their discomfort, the troopers didn’t seem overly concerned about their fellow squad mates.  Their frightened gazes were locked on the approaching nothingness.  They stared at it as if the ribbon was some vicious animal hunting them alone.  Before the ribbon neared him, Brent reached out.  As his fingers passed over the ribbon, they disappeared.  The ribbon was just the edge of some invisible wall, one that was ingesting the entire ship.  He couldn’t pull his hand out from the nothingness, but he could still feel it.  There was no discomfort or pain, just a slight tingle where the nothingness sliced his hand.  It was similar to the
pins and needles
sensation he had endured whenever his foot would fall asleep during the more boring lectures.

Brent let out a chuckle as the sensation crept down his arm; it was like a thousand microscopic fingers were gently poking a thin section of his skin.  As the transparent surface passed over his face, he could see the other side of the room again.  It was exactly as he remembered it.  The other troopers were shuddering.  Apparently, they did not share in his enjoyment of the odd sensation.  He tried to move his head but found he couldn’t.  Until the invisible surface had completely passed through him, he was frozen in place.  As soon as it passed, Brent spun around.  The section of the ship behind him didn’t exist; there was just open space.  He watched as the back of his chair slowly reappeared.  The pane of nothingness was moving aft, revealing the ship as the ribbon passed further and further back.  He felt a little disappointed when the rear wall of the room materialized and he could no longer see the odd sight.

“I
hate
that!” Humphrey mumbled as he cringed.

“At least it’s over.”  Hiroko shook Owen gently.  “You can open your eyes now.”

“How many more jumps do we have until we get there?” Marie asked hesitantly.

“None,” Ronald answered calmly.  “Deriso was very close.  We should already be there.  All that’s left is to land.”

“Land?” Cain asked in surprise.  “You mean this rust bucket is a lander?”

“Those were scorch marks on the hull,” Owen answered.  “The ship isn’t old, it’s just had a hard life.”

“Okay, who thought that was fun?” Angela asked sharply.

“
What
?”  Sanderson started surveying the shaken up troopers.

“Even though Cain did a good job, I could still sense some emotions.  When the Wall passed through our section, someone was actually
enjoying
themselves.”

“I thought I heard a faint laugh.”  Marie looked behind her.

“Don’t look at us,” Kindra said in response to Marie’s questioning gaze.  “Sanderson was white-knuckled the whole time.”

Abruptly, the ship started shaking slightly.  Dante, Hiroko, Owen and Erin frantically worked to make sure they were properly secured in their seats.

“Relax, the ship is just entering the atmosphere,” Ronald said as he, too, secured himself.  “This isn’t an exam.”

“Once bitten, twice shy,” Owen said as he fastened the last strap.

The shaking intensified only slightly.  Compared to what they had been through when they first arrived on the academy, it was no worse than a shiver.  However, the four troopers from recruit group C still anticipated the worst.  The horrible crash landings of their exams were not easily forgotten.  They sat perfectly still, bracing for any sign of trouble.  When the shaking finally subsided, they let out a collective sigh.  The rear doorway slid open, and Tyra marched to the front of the room.

“We’ve certainly had worse trips.”  Tyra was clearly troubled as she addressed her squad.  “I’ve been informed we landed without a problem.  The Governor has requested that we all meet with him right away.”

The troopers released their restrains and followed Tyra through the ship.  She easily navigated through the narrow corridors to the disembarkation room.  When they arrived, Tyra hesitated.  Ronald put a hand on Tyra’s shoulder.

“I’m sure everything will be fine,” Ronald said reassuringly.

“I promised myself I’d never return here.”  Tyra kicked the floor plating.

“Orders are orders.”

“I barely managed to escape the last time . . .”

“This time you’ve got help.”

Brent could hear Hiroko sighing contentedly.  She sounded like someone reading a romance novel.  Owen was trying not to laugh.  The hatch of the ship opened to a pale sky.  The landing pad was nestled in the center of a large complex of short, dirty-looking buildings.  It was the complete opposite of the academy.  Instead of gleaming white surfaces, the streets were caked in filth.  The walls of the buildings looked dilapidated, as if they were going to collapse at any moment.

The citizens were shorter than Brent had expected; they stared at the troopers with contempt.  Four long rows of women and men in blue uniforms with the familiar red “V”s waited for them.  The uniforms were dirty and wrinkled.  They were all holding rifles, but not one of them was doing it properly.  It looked like they’d do more harm to themselves than an enemy force.  Even the washout grade of the academy had looked professional compared to the sad rows.

“A Protectorate honor guard,” Cain said with a warm smile.  “They are really pulling out all the stops for us.”

Tyra walked forward uneasily.  The Protectorate split into two columns, clearing a path for the troopers.  As they passed the rows, Brent noticed one of the youngest Protectorates was about to drop his rifle.  Quickly rushing to the boy, he managed to catch the rifle before it hit the ground.  The boy grew pale.  Brent noticed the citizens going about their business had stopped and were staring at him, a look of great concern on their faces.

He straightened out the boy’s uniform and corrected his posture so he was facing forward properly.  When his stance was corrected, Brent demonstrated how to hold the rifle properly.  The boy eagerly tried to emulate him.  After a few minor adjustments, the boy was standing tall, looking as professional as any trooper of the academy.  Brent smiled and bowed to the boy like the tripods did.  Only as he completed the gesture did he realize he had done it again.  Without warning, he was being pulled back by his collar.  Cassandra was dragging him back into formation.

“What are you doing? Pay attention,” Cassandra whispered.

Cain was chuckling to himself.  As the squad continued, Brent noticed the other Protectorates copying the stance of the young boy.  They didn’t look half bad when they finished.  The citizens in the background didn’t seem to know how to respond properly to what they had just seen.  Returning his attention to their march, Brent instantly spotted a large building in the distance.  It was easily three times as large as the tallest of the other structures.  Tyra was clearly heading for it, despite the fact she was dragging her feet.

She moved through the streets with obvious familiarity.  Every now and then he would notice one of the citizens recognizing Tyra.  They’d pretend to go about their business as if they hadn’t realized whom she was, but they would steal glances at her when they thought she wasn’t looking.  As the troopers reached the large building, Brent could make out another two rows of Protectorates standing to the sides of the main entrance.  The doorway was overly elaborate, probably designed to show off the power of those who dwelled within.  The Protectorates saluted as the squad passed into the building.

He had to blink as they crossed the threshold.  The interior was completely different from the rest of the world.  Beautiful tile work covered every surface.  It was spotless to the point Brent could see his own reflection in the tiles under his feet.  Tyra shuddered.  As they moved deeper into the building the patterns in the tile got more intricate.  Tyra finally stopped in front of another set of massive doors, more ornate than the rest of the walls combined.  Ronald rested a hand on her shoulder.  She smiled weakly as she resumed walking, the doors swinging open for her automatically.  Behind the doors was a breathtaking room.  Flowing fountains ringed two large chairs.  It was obviously some sort of throne room.  A man sat in the larger of the chairs.  His face was round with a light scar over his forehead as the only imperfection.  His expression lightened as he watched Tyra approach.  If he was her father, Brent couldn’t see any family resemblance.

“Welcome home!” the man said warmly.  “We’ve been hoping you’d return to us one day.”

“Returning of my own free will and being ordered here are two different things,” she said irritably.

“Perhaps, but, whatever the case, it’s good to have you home.  We’ve kept your room exactly as you left it.  I’ll have one of the Protectorates escort you there.”

“What about my squad?”

“Who?  Oh the
others
.  They will be taken to the Protectorate compound.  I’m sure they’ll feel right at home.”

“I’m not leaving my squad.”

“Don’t be silly, my dear.  I can’t have my daughter sleeping in the same building as the guards.  What would the people think?”

“Nothing they haven’t already thought.”

“No need to be rude.  You’ll see your subordinates tomorrow.  Come now, your mother has been worried about you all day.”

“She can greet me along with the rest of my squad.”

“I tire of this pointless argument.  Protectorate, please see my daughter to her room.”

One of the guards in blue approached her.  In a flash, Ronald blocked the Protectorate’s path.  Surprised by the sudden resistance, the other guards in the room quickly moved in opposition to Ronald.  He stood unwaveringly in front of their squad leader.

“Tyra does not wish to go with you,” Ronald said calmly.  “I respectfully ask you to stand down,”

The Protectorates cast surprised looks at one another.

“He uses your
first
name?” The man on the throne shouted.

“Are you implying she is
above
us?” Angela asked.  “Do you have
any
idea who some of us are?”

“I am the Governor here.  Troopers will hold their tongues unless I ask them to speak.”

“Too bad I’m not a trooper.”  Angela took a step out of formation toward the Governor.

The Governor cast a disapproving look at Angela, clearly not understanding her meaning.  Dante grabbed her arm and shook his head.  Angela pulled her hand away from him but didn’t attack the Governor.

“I think we’ve all gotten off on the wrong foot,” Cain said in a diplomatic tone.  “If you’d just listen for a moment, I’m sure . . .”

“I didn’t give you permission to speak, either,” the Governor said with annoyance oozing through his tone.  “Protectorates, please show the troopers to their quarters.”

At the Governor’s command, about a dozen additional guards filed into the throne room.

“Please,
please
settle down everyone,” Nathan begged futilely as the instructors ranted.

“What is the meaning of this,” a bearded instructor shouted in his deep and rich voice.  “They passed the Gauntlet
last night
how can they be gone?”

“Perhaps it was an elaborate trick,” another said bitterly.  “Get our hopes up and then . . .”

“Highly irregular.  Just like everything else around here lately!”

“I assure you everything is . . .” Nathan tried to start.

“Why now?” an instructor shouted over him.

“Couldn’t we have appeased the Governor with any other squad?” another ranted.

“This won’t stand!  I demand a word with the Governor myself!”

“Silence,” a gruff voice shouted over them all.

The instructors turned and instantly fell quiet.  A man in the unmistakable shiny black of the Weavers was approaching.  Nathan let out a relived sigh.

“Administer Bloom is doing everything in his power to resolve the matter,” the Weaver said.  “Pestering him will only delay things.  Now go back to your quarters and prepare for tomorrow’s training sessions and let him get back to work.”

The instructors left without saying anything more.  It was well known the Weaver and Administer Bloom were good friends.  The Weaver already seemed on edge and harassing his friend was a risk none of them would take.  Once they were alone the plump Administer let out a long sigh.

“Thanks for the save,” Nathan said as he wiped at his brow.

“It was nice to do something for a change.”

“Are you still on about that?” Nathan asked with a raised eyebrow.

“I should have gone with him.”

“Correct me if I’m wrong, but the whole point of this was to hide Brent.  Wouldn’t it defeat the purpose if a
Master Weaver
left an academy full of young untrained Weavers to go play babysitter for
two
on a nearby rural world?”

“I suppose . . .”

“You suppose?  Jack, the only way we could be more obvious than that is if we made a giant arrow pointing at the boy.”

The tall Weaver chuckled despite himself.  The motion didn’t sit well on his rough features.

“You are right,” Jack said with clear resignation, “but he is still my responsibility.”

“And my responsibility is to this academy, a chore you and that boy have made a nightmare since day one.  Sticking around is the least you could do.”

“I do seem to recall you calling him a spleen eating monster,” Jack said with a grin.

“It was pancreases,” Nathan corrected, “and that is beside the point.  The boy is only a single jump away.  If things go too poorly, you could set things right in just a few moments.”

“I’m a Weaver, Nathan.  Not a miracle worker.  The boy has a habit of attracting trouble.”

“How much trouble could the boy possibly get into?  The ship
just
left.”

As the Protectorates gathered around the squad they uneasily prepared for a fight.  They had the authority of the Governor on their side, but the troopers had years of combat training on theirs.  One placed his hand on Cassandra’s shoulder.  She grabbed the hand and lifted the Protectorate clean off the ground.  He moaned in pain as he dangled from his wrist.  The Governor was shocked and appalled.  Brent quickly grabbed her arm and gestured for her to put the man down.

“That’s enough, Herald,” a gentle voice reprimanded the Governor.  “You always go too far.  I know I tell you to take pride in your work, but showing off your status like this gets you into nothing but trouble.”

A tall female in a stunning dress took her seat at the smaller throne.  The Governor shrunk into his own.  The size of the chairs was apparently the reverse of the power arrangement in the family.

“Back to your posts,” she ordered.  “Leave our guests alone.  Tyra, it’s been entirely too long,” she said warmly as she adjusted to her chair.  “I see you’ve made some friends.  Tell me, young man, what is your name?”  She leaned toward him expectantly.

“Ronald L. Murdock, ma’am.”  Ronald maintained his defensive position in front of Tyra.

“Well, Mr. Murdock, I thank you for taking such good care of my daughter.  I’m sure you’ve made her time at the academy much easier.”

“Tyra takes care of herself.  I perform my duties out of respect, not necessity.”

“Handsome
and
well spoken too.  I can see now why she was so insistent on remaining at the academy.  If the rest of the troopers are like you, I wouldn’t mind attending one myself.”  The woman smiled seductively.  “Tyra, if we can’t convince you to stay with us, can we at least convince you to join us for dinner?  Of course, the rest of your
friends
are invited as well.”

She looked over her squad before making her decision.

“We’ll join you, but no tricks, mother,” Tyra said coldly.

“I don’t know
what
you are talking about.  Dinner isn’t for a few hours; please make yourselves at home.”

The lady rose with a calculating smile.  The Protectorates saluted as she stood.  Some of the troopers cautiously saluted as well.  A Protectorate nervously gestured for the squad to follow her.  The guard in blue led the squad down ornate hallways until they emerged from the rear of the large building.  A dozen or so crude buildings awaited them in a large open area.  Protectorates were sparring and idly chatting.  The nearby guards paused their routines as they noticed the squad of troopers approaching what Brent took to be the compound the Governor had mentioned.  When they reached the barracks, their guide stopped.

“I’m sorry for the trouble,” the guard said nervously, “but it’s forbidden for women and men to stay in the same building.  We’ve already cleared out two structures for all of you.  Men will take barracks number four, while the women will take number seven.”

Ronald cast an uncertain look at Tyra.  She sighed and nodded.  The squad separated, each gender headed to the appropriate structure.  The buildings looked like they were standing on their last legs.  The interiors were only slightly warmer than it had been outside.  Obviously unused for quite some time, the bunks were covered in dust and cobwebs.