CassaFire (28 page)

The weight of the news fell on the room with a nauseating thud. Byron felt sick to his stomach and wished he’d forgone food this morning. If three flagships couldn’t stop the invader, what options remained?

The commander tapped his computer pad. “A recovery vessel was also lost, but only three Cosbolts were destroyed. Either they are too small and fast,” Korden said, shaking his head, “or the alien vessel doesn’t view the fighters as a threat.”

“
If the flagships couldn’t penetrate the hull, then I doubt fifty squadrons of Cosbolts could inflict much damage,” Anceptor observed.

“
There is talk of loading several drones with explosives and detonating them beside the engines,” offered Korden, dropping his chin. “This tactic would have to be performed before the alien vessel reaches orbit, though.”

“
And if that doesn’t work?” someone asked.

The commander raised his head and focused on his chief science officer. “That is why I hope you have some good news for us, Officer Seheller.”

The man shifted in his seat and gripped his computer pad tighter. “Sir, I don’t have a solution just yet, but I can tell you what we’ve discovered so far. I’ll begin with the data we’ve translated,” Seheller said, leaning back in his chair and licking his lips.

“
It appears the Tgren race was an experiment.”

“
A what?” demanded the security officer.

“
An experiment? By whom?” another man asked.

Byron stared at Seheller in stunned disbelief. The entire population on Tgren was nothing but an experiment? He’d heard of other races tampering with genetics, but not on a planet-wide scale. It was beyond the abilities of all the known races.

Korden held up his hand for silence. “Elaborate.”

Seheller nodded. “The Tgrens are not indigenous to this planet. They arrived in an alien craft, the remains of which we uncovered near Ktren. Once released, the Tgrens were allowed to develop at their own rate. From what we can tell, they were one of many such experiments.”

“
Were they under observation?” Anceptor asked, leaning forward.

“
We don’t believe so. Not active observation. From what we’ve translated so far, it appears the race that planted the Tgrens was interested in how long it would take them to reach full development.”

“
In what? Technology?” demanded the commander.

The science officer slumped in his chair. “We don’t know yet. But the device that scanned Ullen was attempting to verify that development, and the Tgren did not possess it.”

The commander’s cheeks drooped and he sank into his chair. Byron leaned back in his seat, at a complete loss for words. Had they indeed unearthed the alien device too soon? Was the Tgren race now doomed to extinction?

“
We also compared the schematics of the alien site’s technology and that of the approaching vessel,” Seheller continued, his voice unusually loud in the still room. “Sir, they are of the same design.”

“
Have you determined the purpose of the alien ship?”

The man straightened his shoulders, his eyes on the commander. “The sensor data that we’ve collected indicates that the ship houses a device similar to the one on Tgren. We believe its first course of action will be to scan the area around Ktren for the appropriate level of development.”

Korden drummed his fingers on the desk. “And if it doesn’t find what it seeks?”

“
My people are still working on the final translation,” Seheller offered, swallowing hard. “But we think it might consider the experiment either tampered with, or a failure, and shut it down.”

“
You mean annihilation?” demanded Anceptor.

“
It’s a possibility,” the science officer conceded, his voice low.

As voices rose, protesting this development, the commander called for silence.

“
Seheller, it’s imperative that your team discovers what this ship seeks,” Korden stated, his deep voice overriding all others. “I want a brief report I can forward to the flagships immediately.”

“
Yes, sir.”

“
Dismissed!”

The men rose to their feet and Byron sent the commander a private thought.
Sir, if I could have a word before I depart?

Officer Byron, I need to speak with you as well.

Commander Anceptor and the security officer lingered, asking questions. Byron waited with a growing sense of impatience. He was pressed for time, but refused to leave without stating his plea for the removal of one Tgren from the planet. He hoped Orellen had conveyed his request, which would validate Byron’s proposal to ensure Athee’s safety. If Seheller’s assessment proved correct, he was not about to leave her on the surface to face certain death.

As the two officers exited the room, Byron approached the commander. “Sir, I’d like your permission to grant Athee sanctuary on this ship and remove her from Tgren before the alien ship arrives,” he said in an urgent voice.

“
Officer Byron, I received a similar request this morning from Prefect Orellen,” Korden stated, gazing at his computer screen. “Considering her importance, I am inclined to accept “Officer Byron, I received a similar request this morning from Prefect Orellen,” Korden stated, gazing at his computer screen. “Considering her importance, I am inclined to accept his request.”

A weight lifted from Byron’s shoulders. “Thank you, sir.”

“
You have your orders. Dismissed.”

Chapter Fifteen

Notifying Garnce of their departure, Byron dashed to the hanger. The two shuttles launched a few minutes later and teleported to the surface. The sun had cleared the mountains, filling the valley with bright rays of light. The clear morning was a sharp contrast to the darkness approaching Tgren, and Byron felt his chest tighten. Why did the morning have to be so bright and cheery while those inhabiting the planet were on the brink of destruction?

Sixty-three people remained in Ktren. He and Garnce performed two trips to the canyons and returned for the final load. The prefect greeted him as the hatch opened.

“
I believe this is everyone, Officer Byron,” he announced as he entered the ship. “I sent word for Athee to meet us upon our arrival.”

Byron ushered the man into the cockpit while he secured the other passengers. Confirming Garnce’s readiness to leave, he lifted the ship into the air. The prefect did not speak during the short flight. Byron had detected his heavy mood the moment the man entered his ship. Orellen might be unaware of the approaching ship’s purpose, but he knew the situation was grim. Byron didn’t voice his concerns. The Tgrens didn’t need to know today might be their last.

As he set the shuttle down on the dusty canyon floor, Byron caught sight of Athee among those waiting for the prefect. He shut off the engines and opened the hatch by remote. Tossing aside his harness, he turned to assist Orellen to his feet. The man grasped his forearm, forcing Byron to meet his eyes.

“
You keep her safe,” he ordered, his voice but a hoarse whisper. “And if something happens…”

“
I’ll keep Athee safe. And we’ll find a way to defeat this enemy,” Byron answered, mustering conviction he did not feel.

Orellen nodded and released his arm. The prefect exited the shuttle and was greeted with a firm embrace from his niece. The man stepped aside while the other passengers disembarked, maintaining his hold on Athee.

Byron confirmed nothing remained in the cargo hold before returning to the open hatch. He caught the Tgren woman’s distress at once. She struggled in her uncle’s arms, wiggling in an attempt to break free.

“
Uncle, I’m not leaving you!” she cried.

“
Athee, I am ordering you to return with Officer Byron to the Cassan ship,” he responded.

She continued to squirm, pulling away from the prefect. Alarmed she might break free, Byron trotted down the ramp and placed his hand on her shoulder. Athee flashed him a desperate look, her face twisted with agony. Determined her anguish wouldn’t sway him, Byron presented a firm expression. His thoughts enforced his resolution to take her to the Rennather. Uttering a desperate cry, she faced her uncle again.

“
I can’t leave you now,” Athee cried.

“
You have to go.”

She attempted to break free, but to no avail. Uttering an anguished cry, she threw her arms around Orellen’s neck. Byron released her shoulder and stepped aside. The prefect hushed Athee, his eyes closed.

“
You go with Officer Byron,” he said in a soothing voice. “You’ll be safe with him, understand?”

“
What if I never see you again?” she gasped. “You’re my only family!”

Orellen patted her back. “We’ll see each other when it’s over. I promise.”

Releasing Athee, he nodded at Byron. Grasping her shoulders, Byron pulled her free and guided her up the ramp. A wave of panic burst from Athee as they entered the shuttle, and Byron wrapped an arm around her middle. Hitting the button that controlled the door, he closed the hatch. Athee cried out as the door sealed and her uncle vanished from sight.

In the confines of the ship, her agony broadcast loud and clear. The sensation pounded at Byron’s temples. He blocked the memories Athee’s tortured thoughts brought to the surface of his mind. He had to keep a clear head.

Maintaining his hold on the distressed woman, he led her into the cockpit. She ceased to struggle and dropped with resignation into the co-pilot’s seat. Byron fastened her harness before sliding into his seat and preparing for liftoff. He signaled to Garnce and the two shuttles rose in the air. Turning away from the canyons, he placed a suitable amount of distance between the ships and the Tgren encampment. Tapping into the teleporter’s power, he jumped to the Rennather’s location.

Secure at last in the exploration vessel’s hanger, Byron shut off the engines and powered down the systems. The ship fell silent, allowing ambient noises from the hanger to penetrate the hull. The deep hum of the Rennather’s engines permeated the shuttle’s walls, vibrating the air. Unfastening his harness, Byron glanced at his unwilling passenger. Athee had not moved or uttered a sound. The woman continued to stare out the cockpit window, her breathing slow and steady.

Sliding out of his seat, Byron reached for Athee’s harness. She offered neither resistance nor assistance with the procedure. Her demeanor appeared calm, but he could hear the tumultuous feelings raging inside the woman. Dropping to one knee, Byron spun her chair and forced Athee to face him. Her body began to tremble. She bit her lip as if to forestall the tears that now filled her eyes. A gasp escaped her lips and Athee covered her face with her hands.

This time, Byron couldn’t just watch her cry. Wrapping an arm around her body, he pulled Athee closer. Without any inhibition, she grasped his neck and clung to the pilot. Byron didn’t know what to say and focused on calming Athee with his mind. He held her close as the tears gave way to short gasps for air.

“
Officer Byron, did you acquire the prefect’s niece?”

Korden’s voice discharged with force from the com system. Reaching for the control panel while maintaining his hold on Athee, he pressed the button. “Yes, sir. Shuttles are secure in the hanger.”

“
Very good. We’re breaking orbit now.”

Byron’s attention returned to Athee. She wiped her eyes with the back of one hand and took a deep breath. Raising her chin, she met his gaze.

“
Come on,” he enticed, grasping her hands.

How will we know what’s happening?
she thought, her mental voice heavy with distress.

Byron rose to his feet. “We’ll watch from the bridge, all right?” he said, gesturing for Athee to stand.

Leading her from the cockpit, they exited the shuttle. Byron maintained a hold of Athee’s hand as they strode across the hanger. She couldn’t run now, but his touch had a soothing effect on the woman. Selecting the closest telepod, he transported them to the bridge.

The control room bustled with activity. The commander noticed their presence, his eyes meeting the pilot’s for a brief moment. Korden nodded but did not order Byron and Athee from the bridge. Stepping away from the entrance, Byron selected a vantage point out of everyone’s way. Athee curled one hand around his arm and clung to the railing with the other, her grip tight on both. She stared at the elongated window, her gaze occasionally straying to the many screens surrounding the natural view. The large screen on the bottom revealed the view from behind as the planet began to shrink in size. The Firenta was already lost to the naked eye.

They observed the scenario in silence. Athee’s thoughts were troubled and filled with anguish. It was almost beyond comprehension that they might witness the destruction of every person on her planet. Byron couldn’t imagine losing everything he’d ever known on such a massive scale. When the day drew to a close, Athee might be only Tgren in existence.

“
Commander Tencor on the com, sir,” an ensign called.

Byron glanced toward Korden. The commander nodded at the man and leaned on the display table.

“
Commander, we have reached our vantage point,” he stated in a loud and resigned voice. “We will monitor the situation from here.”

“
Very good. We will break orbit shortly and intercept the alien vessel,” Tencor answered. “The Cosbolt drones are ready and all three flagships will release their fighters in one hour. If the drones don’t stop that ship, we’ll engage the enemy until our shields are exhausted.”