A Space Story 28

            News would be getting back to Earth in no time that the Spectral Horde had been driven out of the Solar System and the Daedlus would soon be starting the next stage of its mission.  Therazan Sajan and her security team decided there would also be a message that the Deadlus was under human control.  They followed Zai to the viewing room on the east side of the ship.  Zai stood there as if waiting.

            “I know you are there,” he said.

            They did not answer with words.  They fired restraining cables that wrapped around his legs and arms and neck.  Before Zai could react one of them shot a blast of foam at his feet and at the device on his right arm.  The foam hardened in seconds.  Therazan Sajan and her security officers surrounded Zai.  They each held an electric stun staff.

            “Give it up alien,” said Therazan, “without that device on your arm you can’t control the ship or use that impressive stealth ability of yours.  We have plenty more of that foam and we are going to encase your whole body in it unless you surrender the ship to us.”

            “This plan of yours is quite clever,” said Zai, “you have taken away my mobility while keeping out of range of any physical attack.  You have left me unable to use the onboard computer built into my battle suit.  You have taken into account all the factors and abilities you have observed.  In other circumstances this plan of yours might have worked.  But there is a key problem.  I am Raath and you do not know what that means.”

            The foam over his right arm exploded.  Two large, sharp and all around evil looking swords appeared out of nowhere into Zai’s hands.  He cut the restraining cables.  The security team attacked.  Zai repelled them with ease.  He cut through the last of the foam freeing his feet.  The security team kept fighting and Zai kept beating them.  Soon they were all on the ground in pain.  Only Therazan Sajan remained standing before Zai.  The swords he held disappeared.

            “My battle suit’s onboard weapons are made from liquid smart metals stored within,” said Zai, “there is much you do not know about Raath.  You do not know what I am.  You do not know how my weapons work.”

            Therazan backed away.  Zai grabbed her and held her against the viewing window and said, “You are loved.”

            “What are you talking about?” she said terrified.

            “You are loved by another being that is what matters,” said Zai, “You are loved.  Do you know how hard it is to find that?  Do you have any idea what it is to truly know love and have it taken from you?  There is a person on this ship that loves you and you waste your time with this foolishness.”

            Zai let Therazan go and stepped away from her.

            “I have one last thing I want you to know,” said Zai, “I have many skills.  One of my skills has always been programming and codes.  It is a skill that must often be practiced to keep it sharp.  I practice my computing and programming skills all the time so that I do not become too reliant on other methods.”

            “Other methods of what?”

            Zai looked down at her and said, “Full stealth.”

            And Zai was gone.  Therazan looked at the bleeding wounded men around her.  She was not sure if she wanted to scream or cry, neither happened.

            In Kerrigan’s office Anyantha Whitecross held up her com watch.

            “As you may have heard,” said Kerrigan, “our head of security thought it would be a good idea to take Zai down herself and now her whole team is in the medical center being treated for various wounds.  It is clear we can not stop Zai with conventional means.”

            In another room on the ship, Evan Evaide held out his com watch while Suchin Markjon, Roweth Sinclair and Ryoko Jeagan listened.

            “With your skills we can take control of this ship.  Ms. Markjon’s team has made no progress with the horde signals so they will now work on a new project.  When Zai activated the ship’s new weapon systems we were able to monitor the signal.  Ms. Markjon was able to copy the signal and use it to get into the ship’s mainframe.  We now have access to all of Zai’s secrets.  And we will use them against him.”

            Janessa was in the social bar trying to relax with some kind of green drink with monkey shaped ice cubes.  A lot of people were there enjoying themselves, celebrating victory.  Junitha was up on the stage singing Jimi Hendrix’s Purple Haze.  Duron came into the social bar.  A lot of people offered him congratulations.  He nodded to them but he headed straight for Janessa.  He wanted to talk.  For some reason she agreed.  In the hall just around the corner they talked.  Janessa went first because she wanted to know something.

            “Did you know about this crazy strongarm and razor system?” she asked.

            “No,” said Duron, “of course not.  Zai has done nothing but lie and keep secrets from us.”

            “Was he lying when he said he selected the crew for this mission?”

            “That was true.  I asked Kerrigan.  Zai did select most of the key crew members.  Kerrigan was allowed to choose the rest.  Everyone else was chosen according to their performance records.”

            “Why did you ask me to talk to you out here Duron?”

            “Because it is long past time I explained myself,” he said, “I want to tell you why I left.  I told myself it was because I was afraid you would not understand that you would not be able to forgive me.  But that was a lie.  The truth is I could not forgive myself.  If I had gone back to you… You would have forgiven me for what happened to Tania and I would not have been able to accept it.  It would have destroyed us.  I did not want that to happen.”

            “It would have destroyed us?” he repeated, “It destroyed us anyway Duron.  It’s over.  There is nothing left between us.  All we are now is a commander and a subordinate.”

            “I see,” said Duron, “Then I will not trouble you with this anymore.  I just want you to know Janessa that no matter what has happened I still love you.  I will always love you.”

            He walked away.  All Janessa could do was stand there and look at his back.  She wanted to scream.  She wanted to run up and punch him.  She wanted to beg him to stay with her.  She hated him.  She hated herself.  She wanted him.  How could he do this?  Just when she thought it was finally over, he had to say the one thing that would make sure it never would be.  And the worst part was she knew he did not mean to hurt her.  She knew that in his heart he was trying to do right by her.  And all it did was hurt.  Janessa wanted someone to answer for it.  Someone had to pay for it.  Someone had to explain why she felt this way.  Someone had to responsible because this was all so twisted and stupid and painful.  And then the spark of an idea came to her and she knew who was going to answer for it.  Janessa was not on this mission by accident.  She had been chosen and she was going to make Zai tell her why.

            Therazan Sajan wandered the halls of the Daedlus aimlessly.  Dr. Faction had found nothing physically wrong with her.  All of her men were going to need stitch patches.  They would be fine in a day or two.  She had failed.  And now she was alone.  This hall looked familiar.  One of those storage closets was around here.  One of the ones she used to meet Zemwell in.  Then she saw him standing there waiting for her.  Had he known she was coming?  No.  He had been going to all their usual meeting places in case she showed up.  And now here she was.

            Therazan Sajan went up to Zemwell Tickbird and kissed him.  Then they went into a storage closet together.  A few minutes later they both came out and went their separate ways.

            Janessa did not know or care how long she had been running back and forth along the ship searching the viewing rooms.  Zai had to be in one of them.  Soon the only one left was the viewing room at the rear of the ship.  Janessa ran there sustained by frustration.  She found Zai, last of the Raath there.  He did not seem to notice her.  She was going to barge in and start demanding answers.  Then she noticed he was not wearing his mask.  It was dark and it that dim light Janessa saw his strange ugly alien face.  And he looked tired.

            Zai, last of the Raath opened his mouth wide.  Zai began to sing.  He sang like an opera tenor.  He sang in a language Janessa had never heard before, a language that was now spoken by only one being in the whole universe.  The song was slow and steady and sad.  How could this be?  How could such a terrifying and violent creature be capable of this?  How could something so beautiful be coming from this monster?

            Janessa stayed for a long time and listened to Zai sing in the dark.  Tears came to her eyes.  Maybe it was from her frustrations that the tears came.  Maybe it was the beauty of the song that moved her to tears.  Maybe it was that some part of her knew that this song was not truly meant to be sung alone.  But no one else in the universe knew this song, so tonight and forever more this song that had once been sung by choirs would always be a solo.

END PART 1

A Space Story 27

            Over the next few weeks the battles came often.  They pushed past Jupiter and then headed towards Saturn.  The battles were not as easy as the first.  The Spectral Horde was learning.  Duron had to keep coming up with new battle strategies.  Ryoko had to think of new battle formations and deployments.  The regular Solar Fleet military followed behind the Daedlus and easily cleaned up what was left.

            After their initial assault on Saturn they found survivors from the last failed battle campaign.  They had abandoned ship and been living on the remains of an old Saturn space station for over two years.  One of them was a general.  Kerrigan knew him.  They talked and after Kerrigan said, “the last time I saw that man he told me I was damned.  Now he is moved to tears to see me because I am a familiar face.  What a strange universe we live in.”

            They were victorious on the moons of Saturn just like on the moons of Jupiter.  They made their assault of Uranus and observed the Spectral Horde fleet retreat towards Neptune.  During every battle, Zai was present in the command and control center.  He never said anything.  He did not even move.  He simply stood in the back by the door with his arms crossed and watched.  When the battle was over Zai would wander the halls of the Daedlus.  Whenever someone saw him coming they would hug the wall to let him pass or move into a doorway or down another hall to avoid him.  Sometimes people saw him in the common hall or in one of the viewing rooms.  A few times he went by the commissary or the social bar but he did not enter them.

            All of the Spectral Horde’s remaining forces in the Solar System were gathered between Neptune and Pluto.  This would be the most important battle so far.  It started out well.  They broke through the Spectral Horde’s line easily.  It quickly became clear it was a trap so the horde could surround them.  For the first time since their mission began they were taking real damage.  Vanz Kerrigan usually waited out the battles in his suite but for this one he was present in the command and control center and Anyantha was with him.

            “Damn it,” said Ryoko, “they are figuring out our attack plans before we can even begin them.”

            In the command and control center of the Daedlus, Commander Duron Ardiniero tried to out think his enemy.

“Switch to attack plans Epsilon 2,” he ordered.

            But whatever plan he used the Spectral Horde seemed to know how to counter and make it useless.

            “Begin attack plan Sigma 3,” he barked out.

            “You are losing,” said Zai.  It was the first time he had ever said anything during a battle or moved from his spot at the back of the room by the door.  Now he was standing next to Duron in the command circle.

            “Unless you are going to help I ask that you stay out of the way,” said Duron.

            “You can not win this battle,” said Zai, “not with your current strength.”

            “You were thinking about killing us anyway,” said Duron, “Now you can watch the horde do it for you.”

            “I never planned to kill any of you,” said Zai, “it was always my intention to take you all back to Earth before leaving in the event that you proved to be unworthy.  However I have not had enough time to make my decision and I would like my ship to be in one piece when I take it back.”

            Zai flipped open his arm device and began typing.

            “What are you doing?”

            “I am authorizing the release of the kite fighter strongarm system.  I will also be activating the razor system on the Daedlus.”

            Over the communications Ryoko shouted, “What the hell is he talking about Ardiniero?”

            “You will see in a moment,” said Zai.

            It happened all at once in every kite fighter squad.  The panels on the sides of their fighters opened and deployed what appeared to be mechanical arms.  And in what looked like holsters behind the front tip of the fighter there was something that looked like a pair of handguns.

            “What the fuck is this?” said Raddy.

            “That is the strongarm system,” said Zai, “use the handheld controls to manipulate the grapple arms and use your torso to steer and maneuver the fighter.”

            Junitha was the first to use the grapple arms.  She made them grab the guns from the holsters and she began shooting.  The rest of the pilots followed her lead.  The Spectral Horde did not expect anything like this.  Their enemy had sprouted arms and was shooting them with handguns in space.  Many of the pilots could not figure out how to use the grapple arms and they flailed wildly.  Janessa was able to get the arms to grab the guns but she could not seem to hit a target.

            In the command and control center Zai went back to activating the razor system on the Daedlus.  While he did this Kerrigan gave Anyantha a signal.  She nodded and whispered into her com watch.  Elsewhere on the ship Evan listened to what she said.  He nodded and Suchin Markjon got to work.

            In the command and control center a ring descended from the ceiling and surrounded Duron.

            “What is this?” he demanded.

            “That is the control ring for the razor system,” said Zai, “With it you will be able to use the Daedlus itself to fight off the Spectral Horde.  However when you use it you will have to shut down all other weapon systems on the Daedlus.”

            Duron looked over the holographic display that described what the razor system was.

            “Is this for real?” he asked, “Can this ship really do this?”

            “It can,” said Zai.

            So Duron gave the order, “shut down all cannon platforms.  Close all gun ports.”

            Ryoko called out, “Ardiniero, we have the pod fighters on the run but we can’t get close enough to the cruisers to use the pulse cannons.”

            “I am ordering you all to take up defensive positions behind the ship,” said Duron, “we are initiating the razor system.”

            “What the hell is the razor system?”

            “It is something almost as insane as that strongarm system you are using right now.”

            All of the squads did as they were ordered and the Spectral Horde fleet battle cruisers tried to move in for the kill.  The wings of the Daedlus began glowing blue and they started to expand.  The Daedlus charged forth as if to ram the incoming ships.  Then the Deadlus began to maneuver in ways and with speed a ship that size should not have been capable of.  The wings of the Daedlus began cutting the Spectral Horde battle cruisers in half.  In the command and control center Duron Ardiniero stood in the center of a floating ring with his arms stretched out.  The movement of his whole body told the Daedlus which way to go.  Soon the remaining Spectral Horde ships were retreating.  With the battle over Zai was about to leave the command and control center.

            Duron called to him, “You did not tell us about these weapon systems.  You kept more secrets from us.  How are we supposed to trust you?”

            “What makes you think I care if you trust me?” said Zai then he was gone.

A Space Story 26

            Vanz Kerrigan walked the halls of the Daedlus with Anyantha Whitecross close behind.

            “What is next on today’s schedule Anya?” he asked.

When she did not answer he stopped to look back to make sure she was still there.  She was there and she looked up at him and said, “Are we really going to do this Mr. Kerrigan?  Are we really going to just go on with the usual routine and pretend things are all right?”

Kerrigan just looked back at her expressionless.  Then he said, “What is next on today’s schedule Anya?”

She sighed and checked her data frames.

“What is that?” asked Kerrigan.

“What?”

“What is that on your wrist?”

“Oh it’s a com watch,” replied Anyantha with a smile, “Evan gave it to me.  It’s just a toy really.  It’s something from his childhood.  He always carries it with him.  He has one and I have the other and we can talk to each other anytime with them.  We both have such busy schedules with these we can talk anytime.  You know he has a twin sister, just like me.  Well it’s not quite the same.  People confuse me and my sister sometimes.  Evan never had to worry about that.  He and his sister look alike but they are not identical.  That would be odd if they were identical since they are a boy girl twin pair.”

“Yes of course that is all fine and whatever,” said Kerrigan, “but those com watches, they don’t use regular digital signals do they?  They are not part of any network.”

“No they don’t need to be,” said Anyantha, “they are just play things really.”

Kerrigan smiled and said, “Anya your new boyfriend may have just given us what we need to fight back.  I want you to call him.  But not right now.  We need to go through the crew roster and make a list first.  Then I need you to find something out for me.”

“What have you noticed?” asked Therazan Sajan of her security team.

They had spent days observing Zai now.  The Daedlus was getting closer to Jupiter and Therazan wanted to know as much about Zai as possible before they entered the real war zone.  It was clear they needed more time to come up with a plan of attack.  But there was one thing they had all observed, perhaps Zai’s key weakness.  The device he wore on his right arm.  Whenever he did anything on the ship or went anywhere, he used the arm device.

            Evan Evaide met Anyantha in the social bar like she asked.  He did not like it here.  The funny colored light made it hard for him to read his data frames and the music was obnoxious.

            “Anya I did not know you liked this sort of place,” he said.

            “I don’t like this place,” she said, “but Mr. Kerrigan thought it would be the best place because as far as anyone can tell Zai never comes here.”

            “What does Zai have to do with us?”

            “Evan, Mr. Kerrigan needs our help.  We need to talk to these people.  Do not say their names out loud.  Mr. Kerrigan is worried Zai might be listening.”

            “Why are we talking about Zai?”

            “Evan, Mr. Kerrigan thinks he may have come up with a plan to take control of the ship away from Zai and you and I may be the only ones that can make it possible.”

A Space Story 25

            Ryoko Jeagan stared off into space and Dr. Winchester Faction explained her recovery.

            “You should be all right by tomorrow,” he said, “Your arm might ache a little but that’s a common side effect of bone healer serums.”

            “And my knee?” she asked, “You had to replace it.”

            “Yes, your knee cap was crushed.  I had to put in an artificial one.  Once we get back to Earth they can regrow the bone.  We don’t have the equipment for that on this ship.”

            “But this artificial one will function just as well as the real thing correct?”

            “That is true.”

            “And I will have a scar from the procedure you performed?”

            “That too can be treated cosmetically back on Earth.”

            “I think I will keep them, my scar and my new knee.”

            “If you like.”

            “You were born to be a soldier,” she said to him.

            He paused before replying, “yeah I was.”

            “So was I,” said Ryoko, “I am supposed to be the best.”

            Winchester did not know what to say to that.

            “You were born a soldier and you became a doctor.”

            “It doesn’t matter where you were born,” said Dr. Winchester Faction, “You can always choose to be something else.”

            “I want to be the best,” said Ryoko, “and I was.  But that being, Zai, he’s better than me.  I will be the best again.”

            Ryoko lied back and said nothing more.  Winchester left the young woman to her rest.

            Raddy Volcane had already been planning to talk to Dr. Vandis Bane.  Now he had a great deal more on his mind than just his suffering sex life.  But still he could not help noticing that Dr. Bane had very nice legs.  She was pretty good looking for an older lady.  Raddy had been with older ladies before.  Raddy Volcane did not believe a woman should be judged by her age.  Unless she was over fifty or maybe up to fifty-five was okay to.  But any more than that and a lady really start to lose it.  Raddy also liked Dr. Bane’s accent.  What was she French maybe?

            “What country are you from again?” he asked.

            “I come from Russia,” said Dr. Bane, “part of the Eastern Alliance.”

            Raddy remembered where Russia was.  It was always really cold there right?  Anyway Raddy had things to talk about.

            “I got my ass kicked the other day,” said Raddy, “by a god damn alien.  Can you believe that?  And he thinks he owns this ship.  Last I checked that was the Solar Fleet logo painted on the side not some alien shit.”

            “How did it feel when he beat you?”

            “It hurt like a bitch.  No I know what you mean.  How did it make me feel inside?  It felt like shit.  It felt like…”

            Raddy remembered what Janessa had said to him.

            “Is something wrong Mr. Volcane?”

            “No it’s just that… yeah something is wrong.  It wasn’t just that damn alien that humiliated me.  Janessa Kepshawn.  I was just trying to be nice to her.  And she said some things.  They reminded me of… It doesn’t matter.  She doesn’t matter.”

            “Did she remind you of your mother?”

            “What do you know about that?” said Raddy unsure.

            “I know all about it,” said Dr. Bane, “I have read detailed files on all of the crew’s key personnel.  You mother, Ruthen Volcane, she was abusive towards you.  When the United States military learned that she was psychologically abusing you they had her committed to an institution for the criminally insane on grounds of treason.  The report says you greatly improved once she was gone.  It explains a lot about you considering the way your mother tried to convince you that you that you were worthless, that no one would ever really want you.  It all begins to make sense, you attitudes towards women and the way you seek popularity.  Did Janessa Kepshawn make you feel the way your mother made you feel?”

            Raddy got up and left.  He knew he had to get out of there because otherwise he was going to do something bad.  What was wrong with these people?  Why were all the women on this ship all such huge bitches?

            “Raddy I heard you were released from the medical center,” said Felina Golumbine as she rushed towards him, “Are you better now?  I’m so sorry I didn’t come to see you sooner.  This whole alien thing... ”

            “You know what,” said Raddy, “I think you might be the only woman on this ship with any kind of sense.  Don’t ever change.”

            “What’s wrong?” she was truly concerned for him.

            “Lots of things are wrong, but I will find a way to make them right.”

            Raddy Volcane gave Felina Golumbine a quick kiss and smiled at her and then he was gone.  Felina was worried about Raddy.  She knew he was a good man and her feelings for him were growing.  She wondered what troubled him and felt helpless to do anything about it.  So she decided to try something.  She took one of the extra cameras and started recording.  She observed.  She watched.  She documented.

A Space Story 24

            The ship’s social bar had not seen much use in the first week.  Now suddenly the place was packed.  The social bar played music and there was a dance floor and various colored blinking light and hologram effects.  And of course there was the bar.  There was no alcohol served in the social bar but they did have a wide variety of drinks with many different colors and flavors and novelty shaped ice cubes and little decorative objects to hang on the side of or stand up in a glass.  It had been Junitha’s idea to come here and Janessa did not mind it.  The loud garish music helped keep her from thinking too hard.  She imagined that’s why a lot of people were down here now; they did not want to think too hard because if they did they all might start to freak the hell out.

            “Where did you get that white jumpsuit?” asked Janessa.

            “I made it,” said Junitha, “It was supposed to look like Wonder Woman’s old kung fu outfit but then I added a few extra things to it.”

            “Hey there how are you guys doing?” said Zemwell Tickbird as he came up to Junitha and Janessa at their table.

            “Are you guys having a good day?” he asked, “I’m trying to have a good day.”

            “Are you feeling okay Zemwell?” asked Janessa.

            “You can call me Zem,” said Zemwell, “And yes I am feeling very okay.”

            “You look smashed,” said Junitha, “that’s quite a feat considering there isn’t a drop of alcohol on this ship, trust me I checked.”

            “I got these little yellow capsules from a guy,” said Zemwell, “he’s a staffer.  And before you say anything, they are not illegal.  They are all organic and stuff.  You like organic stuff right.”

            “I’m going to see if they serve anything here that might even him out,” said Junitha as she got up.

            Zemwell sat down next to Janessa and put an arm around her and said, “You are really pretty you know that.  Therazan, she’s pretty too.  No she is gorgeous.  I like her.”

            “That’s great, Zem,” said Janessa, “and I get that you have some kind of mood altering substance in your system, but you need to move your arm so its not on me.”

            Zemwell was not listening to what Janessa said.  He was looking at the social bar’s main door where Therazan Sajan was standing.  Janessa might have made an effort to say things were not what they looked like but she was not sure how involved she wanted to get with Zemwell and Therazan’s affairs.  It became a moot point as Therazan left and Zemwell bolted after her.

            “Thera wait,” Zemwell called as he caught up with Therazan in the hall, “let me explain.”

            Therazan stopped and said, “You don’t have to explain.  I don’t care.  If you want to grope some natural hipper chick go right ahead it does not matter to me.”

            Then Zemwell smiled and said, “Yes you do, it does.  You are totally jealous.”

            “Shut up,” she said.

            “I know it looked like I was trying to hit on her but that’s not how it was.  And you know just because you’re jealous you don’t have to say mean things about her.  Anyway I met this guy and now I feel good and I think I can finally say it.”

            “What is wrong with you?” said Therazan, “Did you have too much sugar today or something?”

            “I love you Therazan Sajan,” said Zemwell Tickbird.

            “Excuse me,” she replied.

            “I love you,” he repeated, “and who knows what the future may hold.  We might get married someday and live on a farm.  Do you like farms?  I’ve never lived on a farm.  Farms are nice right?  But we don’t have to get married.  Maybe we can just have sex again.  If that’s what you want, if you ever need me to meet you in one of those closets again, I will do it because I am in love with you and I will take it anyway.”

            Therazan just stared at him for a moment as he smiled at her then she said, “I am going to go now because I have work to do.  And I hope you recover from whatever the hell is happening to you because I do not have time for this crap.”

            Therazan walked away and Zemwell called after her, “I’m still in love with you.”

            Zemwell was feeling good about this.  He thought it would probably not last.  He would probably regret everything he just said once the little yellow capsule high he was on wore off.  But for now he felt good and he was going back to the social bar for a drink and maybe to get more of those little yellow capsules from that guy.  Zemwell did not find that guy.  Zai, last of the Raath found that guy first.

            Duron did not know what to make of it when Zai entered the command and control center and threw one of the staffers on the floor.  When the staffer fell a container he was holding broke open and little yellow capsules scattered across the floor.  The staffer lied on the ground shaking with fear.  Zai picked up one of the little yellow capsules and held it up for everyone to see.

            “I believe the proper term for these is lemon shots,” said Zai, “they are a legal stimulant supplement you can get over the counter at pharmacies all over the Earth.  However they are known for being addictive and over time having a detrimental effect on the human liver.  I understand it is a crime to distribute these if you are not a licensed pharmacist.  I am turning this man over to you Commander Ardiniero so that you may discipline him by your laws and regulations.”

            Zai kneeled down and got close to the staffer and said, “If I should find your species unworthy I want you to know that you will have helped contribute to that outcome.  If I find your kind to be worthy then it will be in spite of men like you.”

            Zai stood up again and before leaving he said, “If I catch anyone else on this ship dealing in this sort of substance again or something worse, then I will not turn them over to you Commander Ardiniero.  I will deal with them in my own way.”

            Duron had head of security Sajan crack down and search for any possible sign of unregulated substances on the ship.  They did not find much.  A few crew members would have to be turned over to the police before the Daedlus left the Solar System.

A Space Story 23

            On one of the ships viewing deck rooms, Zai, last of the Raath watched an asteroid float by the ship.  He was waiting for someone.  Junitha Findragon came into the viewing room without being seen.  It was as if one moment she had not been there and the next moment she was.  She was not wearing one of her t-shirts with a funny quote.  She was wearing a form fitting white jumpsuit.  Junitha and Zai faced each other.  They both stood unmoving, Junitha with her hands on her hips and Zai with his hands clasped behind his back.

            “I know who you are,” said Junitha breaking the silence, “I know where you come from Zai, last of the Raath.  I know how to fight you and I know how to bring you down.”

            “I would expect nothing less from you Junitha Findragon,” said Zai.

            “Is he really going to do this?” she asked, “Did he really send you here to judge humanity?  To decide if we deserve to live or die?”

            “I do as That Which I Serve commands.”

            “Why?  Why would he do this?  What the hell is he thinking?”

            “I do not question the will of That Which I Serve.”

            “So that’s how it’s going to be,” said Junitha.  She made a gesture with one hand like a magician doing a trick and there was a single crescent shaped blade in her hand.

            “If you continue to help us I won’t take any action against you,” said Junitha, “I won’t reveal what I am.  But if you should decide we are unworthy…”

            Like a fan opening or a like showing a deck of cards, Junitha revealed that she was in fact holding six identical crescent shaped blades and said, “Then you and I will have a problem.”

            Zai walked directly towards Junitha.  He stopped close enough that she could have taken a swipe at him with the blades.  He looked down at her and said, “Understood.”

            Zai left the viewing room.  As he walked away Junitha flourished her hand again and the blades disappeared as if in some kind of magic trick.

A Space Story 22

            Head of Sercurity Therazan Sajan put out an emergency alert to her security team.  She was going to need to come up with a plan fast.  And she needed to change out of this little green work out outfit.  She had been thinking earlier that she should not have taken Kerrigan’s advice and sat in on the super soldier fitness demonstration.  But now she was glad she had been there to see this Zai creature with her own eyes.  Damn did she even have time to change?  Who knew what else Zai was capable of?  No she had to get in uniform.  She had to look like a head of security if she was going to lead her men.  Zemwell Tickbird chased after her.

            “Thera are you okay?” he asked.

            “I’m fine,” she replied.

            “Hell of a thing,” said Zemwell, “I guess this kind of puts things in perspective doesn’t it”

            “That it does.”

            “So I just want you to know, that I’m there for you Thera.  Whatever happens I want you to know how I feel.  I want our relationship to be…”

            “What?” said Therazan as she stopped, “are you really doing this?  Right now?  Fine we’ll do this now.  We do not have a relationship Zem.  What we do together, that is not a relationship.  That is us helping each other do something that feels good to relieve stress.  Now in case you were not paying attention, there is a fucking alien on this ship that basically just threatened to kill all of us if we don’t behave.  I need to get my team together and come up with a plan.”

            Therazan did not wait for Zemwell to react before rushing off again.  She was concerned about the fate of the crew and fearful for what Zai might do.  But also in the back of her mind was a thought and with it hope.  This was her chance.  She was going to take down this alien Zai and it would make her career.  It was not going to be a super soldier or the commander; it was going to be her.  Therazan Sajan was going to lead the Daedlus security force against a hostile alien and make it possible for humanity to win against the Spectral Horde without any distractions and she would be a hero for it.  This goal entered her mind and she would allow for no others.

            Evan Evaide often went to the common hall to think.  The last time he went there Anyantha Whitecross had been there to and they had talked and it had gone well and they were going to meet and have lunch together tomorrow.  Now things were different.  She was Mr. Kerrigan’s assistant and he would need her now more than ever and she would probably not have time for Evan.  At least that is what Evan Evaide thought until he saw Anyantha in the common hall again.

            “Are you all right?” he asked her.

            “I’m not sure,” she said, “I think Mr. Kerrigan is scared.  I’ve never seen him scared of anything before.  He asked me to leave him be for a while.  I can’t do anything to help him.  Evan there’s an alien on this ship that might kill us all.  And we can’t do anything about it.  You saw the broadcast didn’t you?  You saw what he did to Ryoko and Raddy?”

            “Yes I saw.”

            They stood there looking at each other for a time.

            “Do you want to kiss me Evan?” she asked.

            It took him a moment for his brain and his ears to communicate and process what he heard before he said, “yes.”

            “Then I think you should kiss me because I’m so scared right now I think I might cry and I really don’t want to and I think if you kissed me it would help.”

            “Okay.”

            At first neither of them did anything they just kept looking at each other.  Then Anyantha took a step closer and he put his arms around her and they kissed.  Afterwards they did it again a few more times.

           

A Space Story 21

            “Attention crew of the starship Daedlus,” Zai said, “this broadcast is now being received in all parts of the ship and can not be interrupted.  I am Zai, last of the Raath and this ship belongs to me.  I came to your planet one year ago and offered the leaders of your world the opportunity to use it to fight the Spectral Horde.  Everything you have been told about this ships origin and its technology is a lie.  The only thing the Solar Fleet contributed was a new coat of paint.  The Daedlus is the last Raath warship in existence as I am the last Raath warrior in existence.  Understand this; I have not come here for altruistic reasons.  I am here because That Which I Serve commanded me.  That Which I Serve has sent me not to save or aid humanity, but to judge you.  Most of you are on this ship because of me.  I selected the crew of the Daedlus.  I selected you to serve as the example of humanity to prove if you deserve to be saved.  I will be watching.  If you prove to be worthy, I will continue to aid you and help you defeat the Spectral Horde.  But if you prove to be unworthy, I will take my ship and leave you to whatever fate the Spectral Horde intends for you.  And have no doubt that without this ship you will not be able to win.  You may continue to conduct yourselves in any manner you wish but no one on Earth is to know of my existence.  Any attempts to send a message about me or to make a recording of me and send it to Earth will be intercepted and destroyed.  I can monitor everything on this ship.  I have defeated two of your greatest soldiers with ease.  Only one of them was smart enough not to take on an unknown foe.  Do not make any attempt to attack me or disable me or take control of this ship away from me.  I am Raath and the consequences will be severe.  I will no longer hide in shadow.  I will walk the ship in plain view for all to see.  You have no secrets from me.  Fear me if you feel you must but I will do no harm to you as long as you do not attempt to harm me or each other.  That is all.”

            With a gesture of his arm the arm device flipped shut and Zai put his mask back on.  The silver liquid crawled over his scalp and reformed the helm.  Zai walked out of the gym through the main door.  Regular control of the camera was restored but any footage of Zai was gone.  Junitha’s eyes followed Zai as he left but she did not move from the spot where she was standing.  Janessa went to Junitha’s side.

            “Why would he do this?” said Junitha.

           

            In his suite Vanz Kerrigan sat in his office and looked at the now blank screen.  Anyantha Whitecross stood right by him and said, “Mr. Kerrigan, what does this mean?”

            All Kerrigan could say was, “Fuck.”

           

            In the command and control center the command crew asked Commander Duron Ardiniero what they were going to do about this.  All Duron said was, “this was not part of the agreement.  He lied to us.”

A Space Story 20

            Raddy stepped aside to let Ryoko and Janessa take the floor.  Ryoko was more than ready to prove enhancile superiority.  Janessa was in a bad mood and just wanted to scream and hit things and break stuff and she was going to take that enhancile bitch down a notch.  It only took Janessa a second to realize what a stupid thought that was and that she was about to completely and utterly get her ass kicked.  Janessa hesitated for a long time.

            “Are you going to make a move or not?” said Ryoko, “Or did I miss something about hipper philosophy?  They do like to stir up trouble but they never actually want to get in fights.  At least that’s the impression I get from their record so far.  Always preaching, never getting anything real done.”

            Janessa got angry all over again and tried to sucker punch Ryoko.  Ryoko caught Janessa’s fist in her hand.  She then yanked Janessa forward and sent her tumbling to the floor.  Janessa got back up quickly and Ryoko was coming at her again so she jumped.

            Janessa was a better pilot than she was a fighter.  But Janessa was also a trained gymnast.  Her favorite event had always been the uneven parallel bars but she practiced the others as well.  Janessa jumped and flipped and Ryoko missed her.  Ryoko was as surprised by this as Janessa but that only slowed her down for a second.  Ryoko came at her again so Janessa kept jumping and flipping and avoiding the blows.  Ryoko found it quite frustrating.  Janessa knew she would not be able to keep this up forever so she had to come up with something else.  Before she could Janessa landed funny and a second later Ryoko was grabbing her by the ankle.

            Janessa remember flying through the air and the room spinning around her and hitting the mat hard.  Someone told Janessa that Ryoko had thrown her across the room.  Someone helped Janessa to her feet.  Once she was standing and felt a bit more clearheaded she saw it was Samal.

            “Anybody else wants to challenge me?” said Ryoko much less playfully than she had been earlier, “who else wants to challenge the best enhancile super soldier humanity has to offer?”

            “I will take that challenge,” said a deep voice that Janessa recognized.

            Zai appeared out of nowhere in the middle of the gym floor mat.  Ryoko looked him over and said, “What the hell is this?”

            “You really believe you are the best humanity has to offer?” said Zai, “let us put that to the test, unless you fear to do battle with me.”

            “I don’t know where the hell you came from and I don’t care,” said Ryoko, “We can talk more after I beat you down.”

            Ryoko attacked Zai.  And it was obvious that she was no match for him.  Zai barely moved.  He swatted her blows away easily.  When she tried to kick him down, he forced her off balance and she fell.  She got right back up and went at it again.  Zai countered her effortlessly.  Then he caught her arm by the wrist.  He made a quick strike and everyone close by heard a cracking sound.  He let go and Ryoko stumbled and fell on her back.  Then she screamed, “You broke my fucking arm you bastard.”

            Zai lifted his foot and stomped down on Ryoko’s knee and everyone heard the crack of breaking bone again.  Ryoko screamed in pain and rage but there was nothing she could do.  She could not even stand up now.

            “Get the hell away from her,” shouted Raddy as he charged at Zai.

            Zai threw a single punch into Raddy’s face.  Raddy fell back as blood came pouring from his nose and mouth.  Zai was not done.  He grabbed Raddy by the throat.  Then he reached down and grabbed Raddy by the crotch and lifted him.  Raddy was not small.  He was not as tall as Zai, but Raddy was a heavy muscular well built man.  And Zai was now lifting Raddy up in the air above his head.  Zai threw Raddy and he landed with a thud against the watering unit.  Junitha stood frozen looking at Zai and dropped the cup of water she had been drinking.

            “What are you doing here?” Janessa was the first person to attempt to talk to Zai, “Why are you doing this?”

            “Who are you?” demanded Samal.

            “You are the last super soldier,” said Zai, “Do you wish to challenge me as well?”

            Samal hesitated before saying, “Are you going to hurt anyone else?”

            “Only if they are foolish enough to believe they are capable of defeating me,” said Zai.

            “Then no I will not challenge you,” said Samal, “No one is to attack this creature do you understand me?  Will you allow us to take commander Jeagan and pilot Volcane to the medical center?”

            “Do as you please,” said Zai.

            Samal directed people to help Ryoko and carry Raddy out of the gym.  A great number of people followed them.  Samal and Janessa stayed at the edge of the mat just out of Zai’s reach.  Felina followed Raddy away from this, the cameraman kept recording.  Junitha remained unmoving, staring at Zai.

            “How did you do this?” said Samal, “how is it humanly possible for you to defeat two enhancile super soldiers so easily?”

            “Whoever said I was human?” replied Zai.

            Zai grasped the front of his helm by the four mandibles that were perfectly placed for gripping.  The part of the helm behind his head turned to silver liquid and descended into the suits collar.  All that remained of the helm was the front part, the mask part with the goggle eyes and mandibles and the antennae.  With the rest of the helm gone everyone got their first look at Zai’s true face.  He had not hair whatsoever.  His skin was gray and had a glossy sheen to it.  His ears were large pointed things; some might have said they were elf like.  Then he lowered the mask.  His eyes were yellow like an animal, like some nocturnal predatory cat.  His nose was a flat ugly thing like the nose of a bat.  His lips were thick and full and behind them he had pointed white teeth.

            The mask attached to Zai’s left sleeve so he was free to use both hands.  There was a device on his right arm that flipped open.  Zai began typing on a little keyboard.  The camera moved towards Zai.  The camera man was no longer in control of it.