Spacer Clans Adventure 3: Naero's Fury (54 page)

Naero transported up to
The Star Fox.

Admiral Korleth Tulkas and a score of G’lothc-possessed, Dakkur Champions swarmed all over the Drian ship, tearing it apart
from the outside.

Jia and S’krin attempted to defend themselves and
their ship, but they were outnumbered.

And with the naval battle up in the black still anyone’s game, no one was going to come to the aid of a small, unknown vessel.

“Jia, I’m here,” Naero announced from the hold. The ship continued to rock and take damage. “I’m going out to knock them off the ship. Get out of here the second you can break free. Don’t worry about me–they’re after you and Govae’s body!”

“Understood
!”

Om, get Alala and
The Darkstar
up here to help.
The Dagger
can still cover and pick up Baeven and the rest.

On it.

Naero transported out into space, adjusting her energy form not to need air.

She smashed into the possessed Dakkur in her parti
al Dark Beast mode, knocking and ripping them spinning off into the black.

Destroying them didn’t matter. All she had to do was get Jia free so that she could run.

She fought the foe beneath the vessel and spotted Admiral Korleth Tulkas, also glowing with possessed, G’lothc Darkforce power.

He had
transformed and swollen up to twice the size of the others, a huge monstrosity, crammed with destructive power. He tore a gaping hole right through the hull and reached in, fishing around.

Korleth locked eyes with her and snarled
over the open comlink. “You filthy, rutting, Spack sow! Will we ever be rid of you? No one up here to save you now. I will peel the hide from your guts and devour your entrails and heart, before I grind your skull between my jaws!”

Naero set her stance to do battle, gathering all her might and abilities.

She gripped her Ur-metal blades and clenched her teeth. “Bring your worst, monster!”

“
I will personally exterminate your troublesome kind from this universe!” Korleth came at her impossibly fast.

Naero
matched him. Speed for speed. Blow for blow. They thrashed forward and back, fighting bitterly.

Korleth ripped at her with his claws.
He snapped at her with his great crushing maw.

Naero shattered one
of his thick legs with a single blow.

He grunted and whipped around, nearly cutting her in half with his
regenerated tail.

She barely flipped over the attack to dodge it.

He leaped high into the vacuum at her and they wrestled, both of them crashing and spinning back down into the vessel, fighting and trying to crush each other.

Naero cried out and flip-kicked Korleth three times, blinding fast, shattering his front jaw and
many teeth, knocking him back end over end.

Korleth
grappled with her, and smashed her repeatedly into the ship, doing considerable damage to both, but he also knocked more of his minions loose, hurling them into the black.

Naero startapped and
swelled with renewed energy, feeling her own consciousness slipping away, winking in and out for an instant.

She
plunged her blades into Korleth multiple times, hewing him wide open.

The last four of the possessed Dakkur Champions stopped attacking the ship and rushed to their strick
en master’s aid, trying to overwhelm Naero.

The
y bowled her over, while Korleth regenerated.

One by one
, Naero focused on each of the possessed and slew them, crushed them, and disrupted their energies.

When
all was done, Naero cackled softly as one half-mad.

She could feel it, j
ust like before. She was losing it.

She still had wits enough to try to
protect the ship, although why became fuzzy and increasingly unclear.

By this time, Korleth reached into the breached hull
of the starship, and pulled out his prizes. Jia in one massive, clawed hand, and Govae’s inert protoform in the other. The admiral laughed at her, still spewing taunts and threats, bristling with shifting horrors rippling out from his writhing flesh.

“At last, we have won. And you’re still too stupid to perceive what all of this means. All of you shall fall before us!”

Naero sensed it too late. A terrible Darkforce blast shot out of Korleth’s maw, channeled right through him. Power enough to incinerate her. Korleth held this attack ready just for her.

A green sphere swept in. Khai suddenly interposed himself and Yii between the two combatants. He took the brunt of the
energy attack at the last instant. His defensive sphere shattered.

Khai and
Yii were blasted, and left floating out in space, dead or dying.

Naero kept laughing
and saw her opening to strike. She shot straight at her foe, even when Korleth snapped his crushing jaws onto her extended right sword arm.

That actually hurt.

The soaring pain awoke her lust to kill.

Destroy
ing everything around her became an irresistible desire.

She swelled up even larger.

In an instant, Naero whipped to one side and snapped the creature’s thick neck against the crumpled hull of the starship, as if Korleth’s spine had been a dry stick. She pulled her arm free from its twitching jaws.

“That, was for Zhen!” she snarled.

It still thrashed and boiled with Darkforce transformations trying to attack her. Naero tore off its head in a feat of raw power.

She incinerated the abomination with white-hot beams from her eyes, roasting it to death in her hands.

Korleth’s molten, acidic blood boiled into the vacuum of space.

Naero barely remember
ed to retrieve Khai and the Driathans. She stuffed them all back into
The Star Fox.

She giggled and kicked Korleth’s
thrashing, charred, headless body away from her. The thing went spinning off into the void.

Rational thought became more difficult
each second. Her name.

If only she could recall her own name. Who she was.

Then everything would be fine.

But the headless body of her
defeated foe shook itself and surged back toward her, glowing with strange energies. Had she gone completely crazy?

The raw ragged wound
s of the corpse itself seemed to be chortling at her with grim, eerie voices. The voices even linked with her mind and used telepathy to communicate.

A
new dark, shifting blob-like head pushed and stretched its way out of the ragged, steaming wound, wreathed in Darkforce power.

Red eyes and a grinning red maw tore open like a deep, jagged slash.

“Fool. Even now, you cannot control your powers. They are slowly destroying you. Submit! Bend to our will and serve us. Come closer so that you might become our next vessel!”

Some impossible force
dragged her forward against her will.

A voice roared in her mind.

Somehow she remembered.

Om?

This cannot be. It is becoming a G’lothc, or at least the shapeshifting form of one. Naero. Join with me. Regain yourself. We must destroy it–before it takes us over. If it gains command of us and our powers, it will destroy everyone we care about!

Naero. She was Naero
Amashin Maeris, and all that meant. That was it–and that was enough.

Nothing
was going to take control of her.

A G
’lothc? They were actually fighting one in the flesh?

The Star Fox
shot away and cloaked.

The horrible thing fell upon her
in the black. She sensed its power and its hungry desire to gain control of her mind and abilities. It was filled with Darkforce might. It tried to absorb her, just like in her nightmares.

Naero
fought back and acted instinctively. She shouted back at the abomination in her mind with defiance.

GET OFF ME!

A thick blue-violet beam of energy from her third eye punched into the thing, impaling and obliterating its core from yawning maw to tail.

In an instant the horrific thing broke apart. First it exploded
as its powers disrupted. Then it collapsed like a small singularity and imploded, consuming even itself.

It collapsed into a small
, dark pin-point that threatened to pull Naero inside of it.

The white-hot beam from her third eye struck the phenomena
a final time.

The pinhole drained nearly all of her energies from her in an instant.

They cancelled each other out.

Then
the phenomena winked out of all existence, without warning.

At last,
Naero’s battle and all of her frightening madness came to a crashing halt, leaving her completely limp and exhausted. Yet she still remained herself.

That by itself was a major victory, and the Driathans were
still safe. Hopefully, Khai wasn’t dead.

It was a good thing that she float
ed in space. She couldn’t have stood up if she wanted to. Splitting pain erupted in her skull, as if invisible foes tried to pull her head apart with red-hot, metal hooks. She felt her growing Cosmic sickness make her want to vomit.

The Darkstar
raced back in to gather her up.

49

Naero
waited patiently while Acting Medical Officer Trudi Cheyenne checked over Khai with her healing sight. Her skilled hands and senses rapidly studied the Oden Champion’s internal functions and energy levels.

Naero was very fond of Tru
–but she still missed Zhen greatly.

Trudi
shook her head and then turned to Naero with an impressed grin.

“
I don’t know which of you is more fascinating to examine–you with all of your growing, weird abilities and energies–or this stunning green, indestructible god and all of his powers. Both of you are equally amazing healers and unique specimens–of I don’t know what.”

“
I don’t understand,” Naero said. She knelt at Khai’s side and did what she had secretly longed to do again. She ran her hand through his long, flowing golden hair, brushing it aside from his handsome face with her fingers. His broad chest rose and fell beneath her other hand.

For an instant, it seemed as if his great heart thundered in time with her own.

“He was hurt in my place. Khai stepped in and endured that brunt of that terrible blast that the enemy unleashed on me, there at the end. They meant to destroy me. But Khai saved me; he saved us all. I saw them strike him down and leave him for dead. How could anyone have survived such an attack? I didn’t think anyone could.”

Trudi
stopped smiling. “Yes, he was dying, and it has taken him several hours to slowly regenerate. He’s still in some kind of self-induced, healing stasis, but I think he will revive soon. Haisha, N. He sure is a hunk.”

Naero sighed right along with her. “He is that.”

Trudi sighed. “You know, N. It’s still not too late to get out of here. Why don’t you get away with Baeven and his crew? They’ve avoided the Mystics and their hunters before. You can still get away with them and stay free.”

Naero pulled her hands away from Khai and shook her head.

“No. I gave the Enforcer my word. I swore to him that if he aided us, that I would return with him, willingly and without any resistance, and face whatever judgment or sentence the Mystics pass down.”

“
Naero…you murdered a Mystic High Master. Even Baeven never did anything close to that, and they still have a death sentence on him.”

Naero sucked in a deep breath before she could speak again.
“I know, but Khai kept his word, and his honor. He even went beyond them and sacrificed himself in my place, when all looked lost. Even if they do order my execution, they can just go ahead and kill me. I refuse to break my word and dishonor my clan any further than I already have. I will stand and face justice for my choices and my actions.”

Naero picked up Yii, feeling its immense power, nearly a match for her own. She caressed it, feeling it respond to her touch.

She handed it to Trudi.

“
This sword and Khai are one. I have a feeling that once you place it in his hands, he’ll revive pretty quickly. I need to go explain things to my crew and get them ready to depart. Tell Khai not to worry. He can find me in my quarters, awaiting his orders. We can depart for any destination he chooses. Just tell him to give Enel the coordinates.”

“
Naero. We’re all going with you this time, to help you plead your case before the Mystic High Council. They must know what you and Baeven and all of us have done here. We foiled the enemy biowar attack. We beat back another enemy invasion. And we couldn’t have done it without you, and Baeven, and everyone. We all fought them together. That all has to count for something.”

Naero nearly broke down all of the sudden.
“I never meant to kill Master Vane. He attacked me, tried to destroy me. He said I was the greatest threat to this universe that could ever exist. I never meant it to go that far.”

Naero fell to her knees and stared at her empty fingers.

“And then Master Vane died–by my hands. It happened so fast. So easy. I can still hear him screaming in my mind as I took his life.”

She looked up at
Trudi. She felt her eyes pleading. The terror still filled her.

“
What if…what if Vane was right? What if I am such a threat? Perhaps they
should
kill me now, before all of my abilities come out. Before I go mad like my former brother Danner. Take me out before I get all sick and twisted…by these strange powers I might not ever been able to control. Destroy me…before I can’t be stopped.”

Trudi
hugged her, wrapping both arms around her.

“
You could never do that. We all know you, N. You’re our captain, and our friend–our family. Captain Maeris, you are one of the smartest, best people I’ve ever known. Look at all that you have already done for us, for our people, for the entire galaxy?”

Naero sobbed and clung to her, shaking her head.
“You don’t know, Trudi. How much it all scares the living shit right out of me. When I’m suffused with all of that power, it’s…like the most potent drug in the world. It’s so easy to lose sight of everything–everyone real–to even lose yourself. Do you know what a frightening thing it is to feel like you can do anything?

“
Just consider the ramifications of that.
ANYTHING
–good or evil. And nothing matters any more. It doesn’t matter which you choose to do, because there’s no one to stop you…but you. And you don’t know if you can, or even if you want to. It’s really, really scary.”

Trudi
pulled away and thought for a moment.

“
I think I do see, Captain. I understand a little bit better now. So, what stops you then? What keeps you from whacking out and just slaughtering everyone around you–friend or foe?”

Naero blinked. She sobbed and buried her face in her hands.
“I-I don’t know. I guess think of something Shalaen once told me, how all power is best utilized through love and wisdom, through harmony. I think of my parents, Jan, you, and all of my friends. Everyone who has ever cared about me, our people, our allies. I never want to hurt them. Even more, I don’t want to let them down. Whoever and whatever I become, I want to find a way to do some kind of good, and leave the universe a better place after I’m gone.”

Trudi
pointed one finger at Naero.

“
That’s what you should tell Khai. And that’s what you need to tell the High Masters. Stand up for yourself, Naero. Like you said, you don’t know what you are capable of. You can’t even control it all, yet. But that doesn’t mean that you won’t. Don’t stand aside and let them execute you for not knowing. You might still find a way.”

Naero turned away and nodded, heading toward
her private quarters on
The Dagger
. “I won’t give up. I won’t. Thanks, Tru. You’re a good friend…abani.”

Trudy sm
iled. “All of us would be more than lost without you, N. I owe you my life and more. I can never repay you for all that you have done for me.”

“
You be happy, Tru. Whatever happens to me. Give Khai his sword, and tell him where to find me.”

*

Naero sensed Khai’s presence outside of the door to her captain’s quarters a short while later
.

She rose from her seat and smoothed her hands down the sides of her captain
’s togs.

“
Enter.”

He came in calmly, his chiseled face as impassive and serene as ever.

Then he even smiled slightly.

That
really worried her.

“
Despite our many differences, Naero Amashin Maeris, I have always thought you to be a person of high character and honor.”

She arched one eyebrow.

Khai smiled slyly. “You just do so in your own way, after your own fashion. It pleases me greatly that you have kept up your end of our bargain–eventually–even under such great duress.”

Naero folded her hands in front of her.

“Khai, I thank you, for saving my life–all of our lives, really. Did you…know that you would survive that massive energy attack?”

“
In truth, I did not. But I felt certain that given the chance, you would find a way to achieve victory, where even I could not. I gave you that chance, for the good of all. And thankfully, both the facts and the results have proven me quite correct.”

She chuckled a little.
“You’ve plotted our destination?”

He nodded.
“Kalathar, the new secret, Mystic Homeworld of Chaos Wisdom. It was just selected. Few are they who know its true location. Once there, you shall stand and face your final judgment. I can do nothing to prevent that.”

She took a deep breath.

“I am ready to do so. How long is the journey?”

“
Several jumps I fear, even with your amazing craft. I’m guessing at least a month, perhaps two.”

“
I suppose that will allow me a stay of execution in transit. Would you mind if we made a few brief stops along the way? They won’t delay us long, and you have my word that I will not try to escape.”

Khai sighed. “If we must.”

Naero grinned. “In the meanwhile, I…I hope that you will dine with me and my crew, to get to know us all better along the way.”

He suddenly looked into her eyes.
“I would greatly enjoy that, Naero.”

Naero kept her hands clasped in front of her and chuckled.
“Better than us always on the run, and you stalking us down and attacking us constantly.”

“
Yes. Much better, I agree. You cannot know how sorry I am, for all of that, Naero. Yet starting this night, it begins. We must communicate with the High Council via the Astral Plane and prepare for your trial.”

Naero looked away briefly and sighed.
“So soon? For months I have mostly avoided contact with the Astral Plane, obviously in order to prevent detection and pursuit…and any contact.”

“
Forgive me again, but that cannot be avoided now. The High Masters will want to begin your initial questioning, and get to know you more. They were just starting to when all of this happened. You know, they are more fair-minded and enlightened than you or others might think.”

Naero felt the cold blood drain from her face.

She absently motioned for Khai to take a seat across from her as she slowly sat back down at her own little nanotable.

The demands of honor
were indeed heavy at times.

Naero
had given her word…unto death.

She knitted her hands and leaned forward with her elbows and forearms resting on her thighs to the knees.

“Just promise me this, Khai,” she began.

He looked at her curiously.
“If I can.”

“
I had hoped for a…stay of execution, to avoid all of this. Even for a few lousy days, or weeks. But when it comes down to it. When they sentence me to die, I hope that it is you who will make an end of my life. I know that you and Yii will make it quick…and relatively painless. Please, promise me that.”

Now Khai turned very pale, even for one who was green. His glance softened. His eyes tightened, and he seemed
deeply troubled.

He spoke with effort.

“On my honor, on the lives of my people. You have my word, Naero. Yet if it helps, I heard all that you said to your friend, Trudi. She is right. You must defend yourself and your actions, even before the High Council. Do not fail to do so.”

She wrung her hands until they turned purple.
“For all the good that will do.”

“
Nothing is certain. As I said before, Master Vane was not entirely in the right to act as he did, in such a–unilateral fashion. You were not without cause.”

“
Yet his death at my hands only proved his argument about me even further. I’m too dangerous. I can’t control my abilities. I’m a threat to everyone.”

“
All true. But there are many serious threats in the universe. Look at your former uncle, your former brother? Our many foes and their powers? Yet there is always hope.”

Khai touched her hand.
Naero jumped slightly and looked at him in amazement. What was he doing? What did it mean?

She kept her eyes averted.

“I have seen into your soul, Naero. And I tell you this. You are not a monster, as you fear.”

Her eyes shot up and stared into his. Her voice shook.
“What if I…become one?”

Khai swallowed hard.
“Then we shall deal with that, should it come to pass. Perhaps you can still avoid such a fate, by your own choices and force of will, even.”

She knitted her fingers again.
“Why should they let me live after what I’ve done? I wouldn’t. I wouldn’t take such a chance.”

“
Do not panic, or lose hope, Naero. A way still may be found.”