Tiva Boon: Royal Guardian (43 page)

“I suggest you two don’t ever do that again. You don’t want me telling the captain do you?” Gigs huffed, annoyed.

“Yes, actually I do.” Aliri smirked. “Tiva and I have touched upon another ship. I think it is traveling with the mercenary salvagers…but I’m not certain. They are ahead of us, but near enough for us to be aware of them. If the captain or Hill is awake, relay the message.”

“Okay, I’ll go check,” the AI said and departed.

“Tiva, are you shielded again?”

“It is coming slowly. I have not opened my mind like that since I was a child.”

“I know,” she said. “Tiva, I’ve seen some of your memories. You really have had it tough haven’t you?”

She nodded and pulled her legs to her chest, wrapping her arms around them. Resting her head on her knees, she glanced over at Aliri. “I could have chosen another path on my seventeenth remembrance, but I thought I knew my fate, my destiny. I was mistaken, for I have neither now.”

“Nonsense, just because your life is different from what you thought it would be, doesn’t mean you don’t have a purpose. But what you did was very dangerous, Tiva, you could have damaged yourself beyond repair.”

“Yet, it was worth it.”

“The end does not justify the means, Tiva. It’s an old Earth expression.”

“A wise one, as well.”

“You need to rest, I mean it. Don’t make me have the captain confine you to bed or the infirmary. Get some sleep.”

“I promise.”

Tiva did as her friend told her and rested that evening, and the next few nights thereafter. She needed to recharge. The night turned into day and day into night, never a change in the scenery, never a flicker of light in the darkness of space. Far from any planetary system, the long black trail of space held few stars. The
Tolox
altered course based on Aliri and Tiva’s conversation with the captain. He was adamant about finding the salvage ship. He was impressed with his staff, but ordered them not to try such an act again unless he specifically asked.

Her flight trainings with Raife and weapons security training went well, but she knew her heart was not fully in it. Her mind was still reeling from everything that happened, and the fact that Aliri confessed she’d seen some of Tiva’s memories worried her. Jimmi kept his distance, for that she was grateful, but Emerala spent less time with the crew recently. Tiva had an idea of what was going on, but she was not one to gossip.

The fourth day after the episode with Aliri and Gigs, Tiva stood at the command center monitoring incoming reports and once again changing the security codes around the ship. Hill and Maar entered with Raife. The three held serious expressions and each went to their seats in silence.

“Sectors report,” Hill said.

“We’re closing in on something, sir. I have it on the adapted sensors. I don’t get the same reading without using the security network, so I still have them joined,” Aliri said as her fingers worked the controls.

“The power is evenly distributed, sir, no issues here. Communications haven’t picked up anything in the area, no residual signatures or waves, and nothing from command,” Emerala said.

“I have both from my team patrolling levels, sir. If we head into a fight, they will be ready to assist,” Tiva said.

“Good, good. Jimmi, what’s the status of our weapons?”

“I have all laser cannons ready, and the shadow missiles are fully stocked. Our shieldin’ is in perfect condition, I’d say bring it on.”

“Don’t be hasty. We just want to find out what their intentions are, Mr. B’abot,” Captain Maar said. “Of course if they aren’t reasonable and force our hand…”

“I’ll be ready, sir.”

“Captain!” Aliri and Tiva shouted, sensing the presence at the same time.

“Ship just appeared on my sensors.” Aliri turned to Hill.

“Maintain maximum speed, Nassut, program in some shifty flight patterns in case we need to evade an attack,” Hill said.

“Aye,” Raife said.

“Tactical alert, B’abot, full power to our primary shielding, load all shadow missiles on my command. Teer, attempt to contact the ship, and Caedm find out how they just appeared here.”

“Yes, sir,” all three said.

Tiva contacted Ranndom and Hemko and relayed the current situation to them. With the call for tactical alert, she initialized secure charge-fields around the most important parts of the ship. Engineering, infirmary, manual weapons control override station, and various other areas. She wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but Hill and Maar were both deep in thought when the main displayer flickered and went dead.

“What’s our status?” Maar growled.

“Interference from the vessel
, sir. They won’t respond to communications and now…” Emerala said from operations.

“They’re gone,” Raife said.

“What’n the hell?” Jimmi said, glancing back to Aliri.

“I don’t have anything, sir…and I don’t sense their presence close by anymore.”

“Ms. Boon?” Hill turned to her and said.

“No, sir, nothing.”

“I think it might have been a wormhole, sir,” Raife said.

Captain Maar stood. “Remain on tactical alert until we clear this sector. I want all of your teams working on the logs and readings. I want to know exactly how that ship just appeared and vanished without a trace. Hill, you have command.”

“Aye, sir.” Hill rose and when the captain entered the lift, he sat down and let out a deep breath. He glanced at Tiva and Aliri. “Keep whatever you’re using open; if you sense anything at all, I want to know about it.”

They both responded with a nod, and met eyes before returning to their work. It wouldn’t be hard to divide her attention, but she didn’t enjoy it. Tiva lowered her strongest guard then returned to work. The tension in the air ran deep. Everyone was nervous. No one said anything for a while, but the command center continued to beep and whirl with noise as programs and sweeps completed.

“I have something here, sir,” Emerala said before looking up. “That ship is equipped with a device that seems to create a type of stable wormhole.”

“I was double checking those readings too, I thought it was odd for a wormhole to just appear and vanish, makes sense now,” Aliri said. “I didn’t even think it was man-made, all the readings here show it as natural.”

“Cross referencing all logs have been completed, sir.” Gigs appeared next to the captain’s chair. “I confirmed the ship emitted a subspace frequency that caused a fissure to open in the fabric of space. They used a type of ionic pulse to stabilize the wormhole for travel. I need the device or a reading from inside to give you a better understanding.”

“I’d like to get my hands on it too,” Raife said and Jimmi chuckled.

“Well done,” Hill said. “Program the sensor to detect the anomaly again should it happen. We need to be…”

“Sir!” Jimmi said.

The main displayer’s usual blank view suddenly held a vicious looking vessel. Twice the size of the
Tolox’s
fighters, but thin and sleek, obviously a ship of stealth, traveled directly toward them. On the underside of the ship were two devices. One glowed red.

“They are charging weapons!”

“Teer, full power to forward shields,” Hill ordered, gripping the arms of his chair and leaning forward. “Nassut, hard to starboard thirty degrees and take us out of warp.”

The ship slowed and turned as the other vessel closed in. It fired directly at them and hit the side, rocking the entire ship. Everyone held their position, either by holding onto their console or chair. Tiva kept her attention on the screen, this was her first altercation on the
Tolox
and she needed to be prepared for anything.

Again, the ship jerked hard as another volley of weapons fire collided with the hull.

“Return fire, all laser cannons. Aim for their weapons and propulsion systems.” Hill stood up as the captain reentered.

“You betcha,” Jimmi said and pressed several times on his console.

The rumble of the cannon was somewhat comforting. It was more powerful than anything on the king’s ship. Connecting with the enemy vessel, the glowing red device exploded into hundreds of pieces then fell from the oddly shaped craft. The
Tolox
circled around and Jimmi fired again, this time the target was the back of the ship where the engines most likely were. She ran scans of the ship for anything helpful, as her mind reached out to gather a sense of the enemy.

Hill and the captain spoke
quietly. Maar crunched his fingers into a fist and took his chair.

“Damage on the two lower levels, medical team has been dispatched,” Emerala said.

Jimmi turned to Hill. “Shields holdin’, they lost a cannon, but engines are still online.”

“Captain, they’ve initiated warp,” Raife said.

“Follow them!”

“Sirs, I’m picking up…”

A bright flash of light blinded her then the main displayer flickered again. When the view cleared, the enemy ship was gone.

“Damn it!” Raife said.

“Sensors aren’t detecting the ship, sir,” Aliri said.

“All sectors are reporting in. Minimal damage, a few injuries,” Emerala said and glanced over at Tiva, offering a comforting smile then yelped as Gigs surfaced next to her. “Don’t sneak up on me like that!”

“Sorry, I had a lock on that ship and have more information about that device. I thought you’d want to look at it.”

“I do, thanks.”

“Send all reports to me, and maintain present course.” Captain Maar tapped on his side console.

“It is a scout ship, sir,” Tiva said suddenly.

Everyone turned to her, including Gigs. She felt her markings lighten. Tapping quickly on her panel, she sent each station the read out from her scan.

“I did a sweep on their internal defense system. It was not complete because of the shielding, but the ship has hundreds of scanning devices and minimal weapons. I sensed only a couple dozen or so people on board, and with their ability to appear and disappear, the only logical conclusion is they are a scouting vessel.”

“Can anyone verify if it is from the same group as the salvage ship?” Captain Maar said.

“I can try to track their engine output readings,” Raife said.

“I never saw a cannon weapon like that before.” Jimmi rubbed his head.

“We’ll have to search more, sir, and double check readings from both ships,” Emerala said. “Aliri and I will have to streamline our data.”

“Do it, Hill come with me. Jimmi you have command. Maintain high alert, and keep weapons online.”

“You betcha, Capt’n.”

Jay Hill and Captain Trevo Maar were sitting across from one another when she entered the room. Surprised they called her into the office, Tiva tensed as she stood before them.

“Relax and take a seat, Boon.” Maar motioned to a chair.

“Thank you,” she said, nodded, and sat down.

“Jay and I have come up with a rather risky plan, but one that might allow us to get the information we need to find the salvage ship.” He turned to Hill who continued.

“This scout ship is obviously watching or tailing us, and we’ve devised a way to get onto it so we can access their computer database and find any information on the ship.”

“The plan is to lure them out, damage their engines and board the vessel via the docking port. You and Hill will fly one of the cargo ships, Jimmi and Emerala will fly the other. Hill will access the computer while you give him cover. We’ll have several fighters rotate as escorts during this mission so both ships will be heavily guarded.”

“I understand.”

“Good, good,” Hill said. “We don’t know how long until the ship visits again, so we’ll have to shadow the
Tolox
for a while. Bring provisions for a few days.”

“Yes, sir.”

“How is your security team working out?” Maar said.

“Very well, captain. Both seem to acclimate themselves quickly. I recommend Ranndom for my post while away.”

Maar smiled. “Reading my mind?”

“No, sir,” Tiva said, her eyes going wide. “I would never violate someone—”

“Easy, Boon, I was only joking,” he interrupted. She looked down at her lap. “I’ll send the details to your personal computer; ask Gigs for help if you need any. Prepare to board by shift end.”

Tiva rose from her seat. “Yes, sir.”

The second day on the cargo ship began with Tiva sitting at the flight controls. Nothing had happened, yet. The
Tolox
was closing in on the salvage ships’ readings, but they kept a steady pace to wherever they were heading. Hill stayed in constant communication with Maar, Raife, and Jimmi, coordinating strategies with the fighters, and working through ideas. She and Hill took shifts when they needed sleep, but Tiva always found herself back in the cockpit after a few restless hours.

Hill yawned and stretched behind her. He moved to the two front seats and put his hand on the back of her chair.

“Everything all right?” he said.

“Yes, sir. Nothing on sensors, power is within limits and we are keeping pace with the others.”

“Good, good.” He took the seat next to her and grinned. “You seem to be excelling in your duties, Ms. Boon.”

“I am trying my best, it has not been easy, but I enjoy a challenge.”

He bobbed his head, as if letting her words sink in. She dared not lower her shield to sense him; it was not worth the risk. Instead, she remained silent, watching the displayer.

“You know, Ms. Boon…”

The beeping console cut him off quickly. He glanced at her, then the station, and brought the communications online.

“We’re getting a reading on a fissure, twenty-two degrees port side,” Aliri’s voice echoed in the cabin.

“Locked on and tracking,” Tiva said, as her hands glided over the controls.

“Good luck,” she said, and the comm went dead.

Hill said, “Bring weapons online, and make sure our shielding is at full power. We don’t need warp power, so I will route that power to you for the shield.”

“Yes, sir.”

Everything happened so quickly. The scout ship appeared behind the
Tolox
and fired immediately. The two cargo ships and fighters broke from the ship’s side and returned fire. Tiva watched the displayer relaying everyone’s location off screen via the sensors. The
Tolox
dipped below and shot at the scout ship’s underbelly. The program she entered automatically swept the ship as the weapons pattern came to life. The read out would be helpful, for the moment she needed to concentrate on the fight.

The scout struck the
Tolox
; the damage seemed minimal. Captain Maar was not one to take things lightly and they watched the volley of the missile blast the bottom of the craft. Several fighters whipped around, following the ship’s lead.

Hill swung the cargo ship to the port side of the scout and released a barrage against its hull. Jimmi followed suit and ripples of mini explosions lit up the displayer. The
Tolox
moved in between the two cargo ships for another assault. Hill waited for this opening; he maneuvered to the starboard side of the scout. The other crafts and
Tolox
continued to beat down the enemy. A few more hits and they would be ready to lock onto the scout, they just needed it to stop moving.

Jimmi’s craft flew out of view then zipped across the displayer. It circled the scout ship with a fighter in tow and another blast of weapons fire shot out. The ships continued their assault as Tiva watched. She gathered her focus and jolted slightly in her seat when Maar’s voice broke through the silence of the cabin.

“They don’t have engines, go now!”

Without responding, Hill flew toward the docking hatch of the scout ship.
His precision flying is a gift from the spirits,
she thought, as they were but inches from the other ship.

“Activate the clamps,” he said.

She nodded and tapped on the panel. The two ships merged with a jolt and she deactivated the hatch lock, a small smile formed on her lips.

“Ready your weapon to heavy stun, we won’t have much time to do this.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Follow my lead, I haven’t a clue what the ship's layout is, but we’re not going to be welcome.”

Hill jumped from his seat and pulled his plasma gun from his belt. Tiva followed closely behind, attached her Timbur, and gripped her gun tight. They moved to the back of the craft and neared the exit. She lowered her shield and grabbed Hill’s shoulder as he went to open the scout ship’s door.

“Several are waiting for us.”

He scratched his neck, nodded, and then opened the hatch. Hill jumped inside, hit the floor, and fired. Tiva shot from inside first, taking down two of five people in their line of vision. Hill rolled to the side and took cover behind a control panel. Tiva leapt through the access port, firing. He pointed to the opposite side of the room, and she darted to another station. Together, they fired on all present until all were immobile.

“Good, good,” he said, his expression serious. “Guard the entrance, there’s a console here, that’s all we need. I will access the computer.”

She circumvented the room toward the only other door. The aliens lying on the floor unconscious were a breed she had never seen. Their pale green skin color, thin faces, and bodies made her wonder. They did not seem to be a race of salvagers. Those types of people would need bulk and strength to take apart ships. She secured the hallway, and checked on Hill, who was downloading the database. Somewhat satisfied that everything was going well, Tiva moved back into the room allowing the doors to close.

“Almost through, anyone heading our way?”

“They are all around us sir; I cannot gage their proximity exactly.”

“Noted.”

Tiva stepped back, keeping her gun pointed at the door and waiting for Hill to finish. She glanced over her shoulder, her eyes went wide.

“Sir!” she said, twisting around, and fired at the alien behind him. He appeared out of thin air, like Gigs, but it was no hologram. The blast struck the alien in the arm as he squeezed off two rounds at Hill. She ran between the two, and caught the brunt of one of the blasts on her shoulder, the other struck Hill in the chest. She tackled him to the ground then rolled onto her back, saw the alien, raised her gun backward over her head and hit him right between the eyes. “Sir, are you all right?”

“Yes,” he said, his breath sharp and short.

Tiva scrambled
to her knees. Hill’s shaking fingers pressed the datachip into her palm. She secured her claw, helped him to his feet, and rushed to the hatch. She pulled him into the ship and set him down in a chair. Moving to the cabin, she closed the door, unlocked the clamps, and detached from the scout ship. She tapped on the console to guide the ship back toward the Tolox. Then Maar’s voice filled her air via her wrist-com.

“Hill, Boon, what is your status?”

“Mr. Hill is injured; send medical personnel to the fight deck. We have the information, but the aliens, sir, there is—”

“Return to the Tolox quickly; we’ve just been boarded!”

Her heart raced. The captain was in danger. Piloting back into the hanger, she kept an eye on Hill every chance she had. He seemed to be slipping in and out of consciousness; his subtle moans and groans came and went during the short ride. The cargo ship glided into the hanger. She waited impatiently for the doors to close and the room to de-pressurize. Once safe, she dragged Hill out of the ship, helped him down the gangway, and laid him on the floor. The doctor and nurses, as the humans called them, gathered around him tending to the wound. One of the nurses moved toward her, but Tiva ran out of the room before they stopped her.
No time,
she thought. Bounding down the corridor, she grabbed her wrist.

“Captain , where is the threat?”

“Levels one, two, and four, Ranndom is on two, Hemko on four.”

“I am on my way, sir. Is the command center secure
?”

“I have it secure for the moment.”

Tiva jumped into the lift and slapped the console. Using the time to ready, she donned her Timbur again, and gripped her gun. The pain in her shoulder had already dulled. She’d make it through another few hours if needed.

The lift stopped.

She pressed against the wall as the doors opened. Sensing an array of people near, she took the time to filter through them then dove out of the lift. She searched the area quickly, tucked into a roll. Two men stood at the end of the corridor, simple. Coming out of the roll, she soared to her feet and fired her gun. One fell as the other charged. She squeezed the handle twice and crouched to her knees as the alien returned the gesture. The man ran faster. Neared. She waited for the right moment then thrust up with her Timbur and sliced his stomach. He screamed and dropped to the floor.

Without pause, she bolted down the corridor and turned the corner. Three tall, thin men stood in her path. Her markings darkened when she spotted one trying to cut through the command center’s doors. Sprinting toward them, she raised her Timbur to attract their attention
, but fired her gun. The closest man vanished and then materialized behind her. Startled, she jumped into the air and kicked the next man. He stumbled, but fired back, striking her in the leg. Grumbling, Tiva pushed aside the pain, and slashed his hand relieving him of his weapon. The final two closed in around her. One lunged, and she sidestepped then pushed him into a nearby door. Seeing her chance, she spun and fired at the third man, and when the other regained his balance, slashed him across the chest.

“Level one is secure.” She lifted her wrist to her mouth grabbing the comm.

The
Tolox
shook violently. Kicking one of the groaners in the head to quiet him, she stepped through the fallen men and approached the command center. The doors opened. Three plasma guns were pointed at her as the
Tolox
bounced in place. Tiva steadied herself against the doorframe and met Maar, Gigs, and Aliri’s eyes.

“Excellent work,” Maar said, lowering his weapons. “Gigs fire again, Raife move us around to pick up Jimmi and the fighters.”

“Aye, captain.”

“What of the other intruders, you must warn the crew these aliens have strange technology that makes them disappear.”

“They are teleporters, Tiva.” Aliri moved back to her post.

“Your team has secured the other levels, but the scout ship is still fighting.” Maar returned to his chair. “Caedm, have medical come up here and tend to the aliens—”

“Sir, they are gone,” she said breaking into his speech.

“What?”

“Ranndom and Hemko said they disappeared,” Gigs said.

“Keep firing, Gigabyte.”

“I am!”

Tiva went to the door and it parted, sure enough, the three she took down were gone. She turned back, the captain growled. Instead of saying anything, she limped to her area and brought it back online.

“You’re injured,” Aliri said.

“I am fine, for now.”

“Sir, I have the others safely on board.”

“Excellent, move us away, Gigs send them a warning, if they fire again, destroy them…”

“Yes, captain.”

“…and get me a status on Hill.”

“Okie.”

“…and send Tiva to the infirmary.”

“Captain, I am fine.”

“That’s an order.”

“With respect, sir, I will remain here until the threat is over.”

Gigs crossed the room and sat in Hill’s seat. “They are ignoring my messages sir, and are on an intercept course.”

“Raife take us to warp, so they can’t follow.”

“Yes, captain,” he said. “Letting them off easy?”

“They injured Hill and Boon, I don’t consider that easy.” Captain Maar sat up straighter and rumbled.

“No, sir, just trying to ease the tension,” Raife said sheepishly.

Tiva felt the engines vibrate. They were moving away, that was a good sign. She winced as she brought up reports from her team and around the ship. In total over fifteen aliens had appeared on the ship simultaneously. The mysterious way they moved intrigued her. Aliri called them teleporters, she would research the term when there was time.

The captain seemed distraught. She would explain what happened, but first the current matter needed closure. Emerala and Jimmi entered and Tiva felt a wave of relief fill her. No one was badly injured, save Hill. Taking the datachip from her belt, she approached and smiled at Emerala. “I am glad you are unharmed.”

“Likewise, did you get the information?”

“Yes, Hill was successful.” Tiva nodded.

“Where is he?” she said.

“Infirmary, he was injured, but the doc just called, he’ll be fine,” Maar said to the crew. Everyone sighed and returned to their chairs. Tiva conducted internal security sweeps just to be safe, and Gigs went offline for a diagnostic. Things were quiet for a few hours, but the pain in her shoulder would not go away.

Just as shift was about to end, she felt dizzy and leaned against her station for support. Perhaps she had pushed herself too far. Aliri glared at her and motioned to the door. Tiva sighed and nodded.

“Sir, permission to go to the infirmary, I believe I need attention.”

“Yes, Chief, go,” he said.