Saint (Gateway Series Book 2) (16 page)

Mori turned quickly and brought her knee against Martin’s chin as she rose, bending Martin’s torso backwards and causing her to stumble. Huffing to bring in much needed air, she quickly looked toward Henry and Tacitus. She watched helplessly as Tacitus violently twisted and then yanked the sword from Henry’s body. Mori quickly glanced toward Martin, who was rising to her feet. Tacitus, his back facing Mori, was preparing a final downward slash to finish off Henry.

There was no way she could fight both of them.

Mori let out a growl of desperation as she grabbed for the last grenade on her vest, pulled the pin, and let the grenade fall to her feet. Before the grenade hit the floor, she turned and rushed toward Henry and Tacitus. She leapt into the air at a full sprint, flying past Tacitus and crashing into Henry. Mori heard the crashing of glass as the momentum of her body carried both of them through the window. As they fell, a wave of heat and pressure, followed by a shower of glass, wood, and brick enveloped them.

Everything went black momentarily as Mori hit the ground. Her head filled with a painful, high-pitched ring and her ribs and back radiated pain as she slowly regained consciousness. Struggling to catch her breath, Mori tried to roll onto her side but cried out as pain pulsed through her body from her leg. Looking toward the source, Mori saw a piece of metal rebar protruding from her left thigh.

Inhaling heavily, she tried to pull her leg free. She grunted deeply as she pulled on her leg with all of her remaining strength but could not free herself. Soon her body began to tremble from the pain and she let her head fall back onto the ground.

Breathing heavily, she looked toward Henry. He was sprawled facedown beside her. Blood began to pool under his chest. If he was still alive, he wouldn’t be for long. But there was nothing she could do for him in her current state. The anguish over Henry and the pain racing through her body caused her to let out another groan as she pulled a pistol from Henry’s holster and scanned the area for more enemy troops. As she glanced to her left, she saw the body of Tacitus a few meters from her position. His bloody, torn, and broken body had protected her and Henry from the majority of the damage caused by the grenade.

Suddenly Mori sensed movement as a marine rose up from behind cover. Mori spun further to her left and fired two rounds into the attacker, knocking him to the ground. Scanning to her right, she saw a Humani soldier turn the corner of the building. The first thing she noticed was red hair tied in tight ponytail.

“Shit,” grunted Mori as she fired rapidly at Martin. “Die already!”

Mori saw Martin dive for cover behind a small pile of rubble. Struggling to hold her pistol level due to her injuries, Mori watched for movement.

Suddenly Martin rose and fired a burst. Mori returned fire. A searing pain burned through Mori’s left shoulder as one of Martin’s rounds hit its mark. The impact drove Mori’s back toward the ground from her inclined sitting position. Breathing heavily through the pain, Mori balanced her pistol on the knee of her good leg. Her vision was starting to fade but she took another deep breath and concentrated on where Martin was last seen.

Mori sensed movement to her left. Looking upward, she saw a figure jump from the same window from which she and Henry had leapt. It was followed immediately by a second. The figures hit the ground gracefully and quickly brought assault rifles to their shoulders. A wave of relief came over Mori as she recognized the figure. It was Katalya and Magnus.

Mori raised her head and smiled toward her sister. Katalya returned the smile but it was interrupted as rounds impacted around her. Katalya and Magnus quickly spun, dropped to their knees, and fired. With the threat removed, Katalya turned toward Mori.

“You okay?” asked Katalya.

“Stuck,” huffed Mori. Out of the corner of her eye she saw movement from Martin’s position.

Mori, Magnus, and Katalya turned in unison and unleashed a hail of fire in Martin’s direction, again forcing her to take cover.

“Mori!” shouted Stone as he and Thay rushed toward her.

“Tyler,” she returned. “Henry’s hurt bad.”

Stone and Thay quickly made their way to Mori and Henry as Magnus and Katalya kept Martin pinned down. Thay covered Stone as he tended to Mori and Henry.

“Don’t worry about me,” ordered Mori as she reached up toward Stone. Her body ached but all she could think off was Henry. “Henry—”

“We’ve got to get you off this bar first,” interrupted Stone.

Looking up toward the sky above Stone, Mori could see
Hydra
drift over their position.

“Take a deep breath,” warned Stone. “This is gonna hurt.”

Pain exploded through Mori’s body and she let out a scream as Stone ripped her leg free of the metal bar. Breathing quickly to hold in another scream, Mori grabbed Stone’s arm and squeezed tightly.

“Let’s get you out of here,” said Stone as Mori felt him lift her into a metal stretcher lowered from
Hydra.

Her body ached with every movement as Stone strapped her into the cage.

“We’re ready,” spoke Stone into the comms as he straddled the cage.

“I’ll ride up with ya,” he smiled.

“Henry!” coughed Mori.

“He’s coming up next,” replied Stone.

As they entered
Hydra,
Mori felt Stone jump off the rig and then the pressure of Stone’s arms pulling her out of the stretcher. Each tug was excruciating. Next, she felt the pinch of a neuro-med followed by coagulants. Mori’s body ached, but the pain slowly began to recede to a manageable agony. She looked up toward Stone.

“I got ya.” He smiled. “You’re gonna be okay.”

The high-pitched whine of the winch from the stretcher caught Mori’s attention and she sat up quickly. The pain in her ribs caused her grimace; at least a few had to be broken. Looking toward the hole in the deck, Mori slowly saw Thay came into view as he sat on top of Henry’s stretcher.

“That’s everyone,” shouted Magnus as he and Katalya rushed into the compartment having climbed the access trunk.

***

Martin sensed the fire in her direction die down as the roar and whirlwind of debris from the transport drown out everything. Quickly glancing over the debris, she saw
Hydra
start to ascend toward the sky.

“Son of a bitch!” shouted Martin to herself as she felt her prey once again start to slip through her hands.

She raised her rifle toward the ship, pulled the trigger, and held it. Round after round rattled from her gun and harmlessly bounced of the
Hydra
as she emptied her clip in frustration. Her rifle empty, Martin threw it to the ground and activated her comms circuit.

“Reaper 22,
this is Hunter 1. Attack mission against modified Falcon-class transport at my location—”

Martin’s transmission halted as a wave of electro-magnetic radiation overrode her order with a dull buzzing sound. Looking upward, Martin saw a field of blue light start to radiate from
Hydra
as the ship’s nose rose slightly toward the sky. The blue light grew more intense and Martin could feel the hair on her neck start to stand from the static electricity created. Suddenly a heavy blue light shot skyward from the ship and in a brilliant flash of blue
Hydra
disappeared.

“Those ballsy motherfuckers,” said Martin out loud in a combination of frustration and appreciation.

“Hunter 1” came a voice over her comms circuit.

“Never mind,” she replied. “They’re gone.”

***

“Get another coagulant!” shouted Stone as he worked to stop the bleeding from Henry’s massive wounds.

Katalya quickly rose and sprinted toward medical storage for more supplies.

“It’s gonna be okay, cousin,” said Thay as he pressed his hands over the wound on Henry’s abdomen.

Stone looked down toward Henry. His mouth was filling with blood and his eyes held a far off gaze. Mori was still lying on the deck but her gaze was locked on them as they treated Henry. Her mouth was partially open and her eyes screamed with anxiousness.

“How is he?” she asked.

Stone, his arms covered in Henry’s blood, slowly shook his head to let her know it did not look good. Henry had lost a lot of blood and Tacitus’s sword had opened up his chest and abdomen in a bloody mess. And the fall, while preventing Tacitus from killing him outright, had probably caused internal damage. If they were near a medical facility, maybe he would have a chance. Maybe.

Stone felt Henry’s body spasm and more blood spat from his mouth. He again looked to Mori. She also shook her head in acknowledgment and, fighting against the pain, dragged herself to Henry. When she reached him, Mori placed her hand on his forehead and spoke.

“Life’s a flicker of the sparrow’s wings. It’s the crack of lightning in the night sky. It’s the sparkle of light from your sword.” Mori lowered her head to touch Henry’s. “The sparrow has flown and the thunder rumbles across the sky. Now it’s time, my warrior brother, to put your sword away and shine no more. The circle is complete and you’ll rest with the Great Spirit tonight.”

When she finished, Mori put her hand over Thay’s and slowly pulled his hands away from Henry’s body. Stone took in a deep breath, sighed, and stared at Mori’s pained expression as Henry died.

Chapter 12

“Damn it,” grunted Martin as she turned her head toward the bulkhead and grasped the railing on the bed in the sickbay of
Cerilus.

“Sorry ma’am,” apologized the medic as he applied more gel to Martin’s damaged leg.

“I’m fine,” replied Martin. Another bolt of pain shot through her body but she was prepared. Tensing her muscles and closing her eyes, Martin quietly endured the agony of the medic’s probing. Looking across the room, she saw the body of Arilius Tacitus covered with a blanket embroidered with the Tacitus family crest. He had been a good officer despite his First Family attitude. Looking at the blanket, Martin could feel herself growing hot with anger. How could Stone have turned on his own people? She had trusted him with her life on countless occasions and he had never let her down—until he met that…Terillian witch. And the bitch could fight too, which made Martin hate her even more.

Another spasm of pain pulsated through her body.

“How long until I’m good, doc?” she asked after taking in a deep breath to control her reaction to the pain. She couldn’t let the trail on her prey go cold.

“You’re pretty torn up, Paladin Martin,” replied the medic. “The gunshot to your leg didn’t hit the artery but it did some muscle damage and that chunk missing from your neck where…”

“Where that bitch bit me,” supplied Martin. She could see the surprise on the medic’s face. “It wasn’t a fucking pillow fight, sergeant.”

“No. Of course, I didn’t mean to…anyway, that could become infected. Your right knee is bruised but the problem is your elbow and that knife wound. Your elbow will need…we really need to get you to a proper medical facility to get you to a hundred percent.”

“I don’t have time for a hundred percent,” grumbled Martin. “Just plug the holes and give me some meds.” If she couldn’t run Stone and his whore down, Martin would crawl after them.

“Paladin Martin” came a voice at the entrance to the medical bay.

Martin looked up to see the ship’s executive officer with a digital pad and a message chip in his hand.

“What is it, XO?”

“A message from ProConsul Varus. For your eyes only,” replied the XO.

“Great,” complained Martin, barely containing her disdain for Astra.

Martin could see an awkward look of discomfort and anxiety as he stood at the entrance.

“Well,” exhaled Martin, holding out her hand and waving for the XO to move forward. “Give it to me.”

The XO briskly walked over to Martin and reached her the pad and chip.

“Let’s see what our illustrious leader has to say,” Martin quipped as she snatched the data pad from the XO.

She slid the chip into the pad. After placing her thumbs into the print reader to verify access to the classified information, she punched in her personal code to unlock the message. The message read:

PALADINS MARTIN AND TACITUS SUSPEND TRACKING OF THE TRAITOR AND PROCEED IMMEDIATELY TO ECHO FOUR MOON. VERIFY AND REPORT STATUS OF PRAETORIAN HAMRAHI AND ENVOY STERLING OF PORT ROYAL. DO NOT OBTAIN INFORMATION REGARDING MISSION. PROVIDE SECURITY FOR RETURN TO ALPHA HUMANA.
CERILUS
DIRECTED TO SUPPORT AS NEEDED.

“You’ve got to be shitting me,” declared Martin. She had already lost valuable time and now Stone and his Terillian would be in the wind again. A flood of anger replaced the feeling of pain that had pulsated through Martin’s body. And this message made no sense to Martin. She could only imagine what scheme the First Families were up to with the Association for her, a Paladin, to not have authorization to the details. And why the hell would she need to provide protection if a Praetorian was with the envoy?

“Paladin?” inquired the XO.

Martin did not answer. Her mission was finding Stone and now Astra Varus was keeping her from her mission—from her vengeance. She thought about ignoring the orders, but even she couldn’t bring herself to do such a thing.

“Paladin Martin?” he asked again.

“XO, set a course for Echo 4 moon,” she grunted.

“For what purpose?”

“You’ll have to ask the ProConsul,” she replied as she passed the data pad back to the XO. “I’m just a damn trained dog of Astra Varus.”

***

As
Hydra
slowed from jump speed near Port Royal, Stone made his way to his and Mori’s room. He had grown concerned for her over the last few days. Since Henry’s death, Mori had seemed to distance herself from the others. She had even withdrawn from Stone slightly. He had tried to talk to her but she seemed too distracted or just disinterested in the conversation for anything other than quick, to-the-point answers. He knew she hadn’t been sleeping well either and her mood was starting to grow sour. Despite her change, the fierceness in her eyes still remained but it seemed focused on a far-off horizon, one away from Stone and the others. Since the direct route had failed, Stone figured he would give her space to figure it out on her own over the last few days. As he opened the hatch, he saw Mori at the edge of the small bed they shared in the cramped compartment. She looked up to acknowledge Stone entering. To Stone’s surprise, Mori was in full combat gear with her traditional face paint applied and her hair in braids.

“I take it we’re close,” she said as she slid a combat knife into her vest and then methodically loaded a clip into her rifle and racked a round into the chamber. Her face was tight and her determined eyes focused on her weapon.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“I will be soon,” she replied mechanically.

Stone grew concerned. The Ka-itsenko only applied their war paint before battle and he had assumed this would be handled delicately, like everything on Port Royal.

“What’s your plan, Mori?” asked Stone.

She did not answer.

“Ino’ka,” he said loudly. Finally Mori looked toward him. “What are you going to do?”

“I’m gonna find an Association Council member and make him talk.”

Stone saw that determined look and burning fire in her eyes refocus on the present.

“What about the security force? What about the deals the Terillians have with the Association? If you go in hard—”

“I don’t really give a shit,” she replied. As she rose to her feet, Stone saw her grimace from the pain in her ribs, still not fully healed from her clash with Martin. After a heavy breath she grasped her knife in one hand and one of her braids in the other.

“What are you doing?”

“What I have to,” replied Mori as she sliced through the braid. She let the long braid fall to the ground and reached for the other. “These assholes on Port Royal have played both sides of the fence too long. Too many have already died because the Associate is more concerned with profit and political status than justice.” The other braid fell. “And it’s time for someone to balance the scales.”

“Shouldn’t we—”

“You should get ready,” interrupted Mori.

Stone paused and looked into her eyes. There was no changing her mind. She activated the ship’s intercom. “This is Major Skye. Everyone meet in the cargo bay in combat gear. Orion, I want you there too.” She looked back toward Stone. “Hurry up, Tyler,” she ordered as she walked past him toward the cargo bay.

He grabbed his rifle and combat pack and started making his way to the cargo bay. On the way, he met up with Orion.

“What’s going on?” she asked.

“She wants to go straight at them.”

“Well, that’s one way to do it,” replied Orion.

“Something’s wrong. She’s withdrawn…I know you’ve seen it. And now she’s in full combat gear, painted, and she just cut her braids.”

Stone felt Orion grab his arm.

“She cut her braids?”

“Yes. Why did—”

“Damn it,” said Orion through her teeth. “I was afraid this would happen. Henry had been a friend of hers since her commissioning. The hair is a sign of mourning and a pledge for vengeance. She won’t let it grow until he is avenged. It means trouble for whomever she’s after and a lot of action for us.”

“This isn’t the smart thing to do,” replied Stone. “She knows—”

“It’s not always about smart,” interrupted Orion. “Sometimes it’s about returning the balance. It’s our way.”

“Even if—”

“She’s basically declared her own personal war on the Association.”

“What about the others?”

“Thay is already ready for a fight. Katalya, she’s Ino’ka’s sister, and Magnus, well, you know his feelings toward the Xen, Humani, and anyone helping them.”

“And you?”

“What else am I gonna do?” Orion conceded. “We should get to the cargo bay.”

When Stone and Orion reached the cargo bay, the others were already there. Stone approached Mori and gently placed his hand on her shoulder. She looked up to him. He could see a mixture of pain, determination, and frustration on her face.

“Are you with me or not, Tyler?” she asked.

“I am,” he answered. “I just—”

Stone felt her hand brush his hand off her shoulder. She turned to face him directly.

“Remember when I told you that you would have to be able to kill for me? Well, it’s time. This isn’t about protocol or politics or any of that crap. It’s about justice.” Mori pointed toward a large container at the far end of the bay. “Ohcumgache’s body is lying in a box right over there and we had to leave Sandwick on that damn planet.”

She stepped in closer. Stone felt her grasp his combat vest and pull until he was looking directly into her eyes. “They died trying to find out what is going on and these people have the answers. I’m tired of my people dying on these remote planets while we ignore the fact that the Association is the key. They’ve been profiting off my people’s suffering long enough. It’s their turn to pay. Today we’re gonna find out the truth.”

Mori’s words hit Stone like a brick. The pure, simple truth of her words echoed in his thoughts. Damn the implications; today would be pure, uncomplicated…satisfying.

“I’m with you,” he replied to which he saw Mori give him a determined nod of acknowledgment.

“It’s gonna be almost impossible to get through the security to the administration polis,” interjected Orion as she pulled out a digital pad and activated a map of Port Royal. “We can make it through the market polis without too much trouble as long as we pay the fees for weapons. But once we get to the boundary of the admin polis…”

“Then what?” asked Katalya.

“We fight our way in,” answered Thay.

“We need to find another way in,” replied Orion. “It’s too well defended, even for Ka-itsenko. We don’t have the numbers.”

“We’re—I’m—getting in there,” declared Mori. “Somehow.”

“Can we get around the defenses?” asked Magnus.

“The admin polis is a fortress, positioned at the center of the other poli,” said Orion. “Before we could get through the defenses they would be all over us.”

“If we can punch through and make a rush for the estates—”

“The majority of their security forces are at the boundary to the admin polis and we can’t fly into the area. It’s all artificial atmosphere and encased. And moving on the ground will take too long to…” Orion paused, biting her lower lip and lowering her head in thought.

“What is it?” asked Stone. “You’ve got an idea.”

After another few seconds, Orion raised her head and spoke. “We can’t go through the polis and we can’t go over it. Maybe we can go under it.”

“Under it?” asked Magnus.

“The support systems for the admin polis run under the city, so they don’t ‘ugly up’ the scenery,” replied Orion. “I’m sure it’ll still be guarded, but not nearly as heavily.”

“How do we get in?” asked Mori impatiently.

“Access to the main gates would require bribing or threatening a guard or an official, which we don’t have time or the money for. The plumbing, however...” Orion smiled. “Well, we just need to find the right overextended or horny technician. And I’m sure Hanagus will be able to point one out to us.”

“Fine,” declared Mori. “Contact Hanagus and make the arrangements. Tell him we’ll be there an hour after we land and he had better have some names.”

Stone looked around the room. The others, except for Thay, were clearly surprised by Mori’s statement. “Don’t you think that’s coming at him a little hard? After all he and Bianca helped—”

Mori responded to his question with a dismissive “hmm” as she turned toward Stone.

He stared at her as her brow tightened in annoyance at his comment. “He did it for the money,” she added. She then looked directly into his eyes. “And I know what Bianca wanted.”

Stone didn’t—couldn’t—respond.

After a long, dissatisfied look, Mori continued. “I’ll be in the armory until we dock,” she said as she stepped past Stone and walked away, her shoulder slightly bumping his arm as she passed.

Thay smiled after Mori exited. “She’s pissed. I’d better pack up more ammo for this one.”

“Is that all you can say?” asked Stone. “She’s not herself. She’s making rash decisions.”

“She is acting like herself,” replied Katalya. “You just haven’t known her long enough.”