Too Old To Die, page 23
“Our vessel,” Gareth said, “it’s big enough to get us out of here. But we need to talk about this while moving. People are incoming. If we’re stuck in here, we might as well close the door.”
“Let’s go.” Chelsea led the way. “I’ve got a waypoint that’ll lead us to the ambassador’s ship.” She picked up the pace. “I’m guessing you’re Lyra Vahst.”
“Don’t tell me,” Lyra said, “you’re Chelsea Weston?”
“Glad to catch up with you finally.”
“Christ, don’t you have anything better to do than chase me? How long has it been? I didn’t think the military let you fail so many times before they gave you easier work.”
“Knock it off,” Gareth said, “there’s no time for arguing. We’re in this together right now. Whatever shit the two of you can be hashed out later.”
“I’m not leaving,” Lyra replied, “until we know we got the nav data from the computers here.”
How the hell does this idiot not realize she’s under arrest? Chelsea agreed with her father, they didn’t have time for the conversation at that moment. Movement up ahead made that all the more obvious. Six dots approached. She held up her hand for the rest of them to stop.
Bryce came to stand on her left. Her father took the right. The other guy watched their back with Lyra and the ambassador crouching between them. They barely got into position when the approaching forces came into view.
“Fire!” Chelsea shouted, letting loose on the pirates. She took a knee while her companions pressed against the walls. The exchange lasted seconds, energy beams flickering through the air like a strobe light in a nightclub. When they ended, their opponents sprawled in the hallway. “Everyone okay?”
“I took a hit,” Bryce said, “probably two. Armor held.”
Chelsea’s HUD showed she experienced the same. “Anyone else?”
Lyra stood, hurrying over to the bodies. “Thank God for morons. At least we’re armed now.” She grabbed a couple rifles, tossing one to the ambassador. “Now… shall we just…”
“Stop.” Chelsea aimed her weapon at Lyra’s face. “Put that weapon down right now. You don’t need that.”
“Uh… you gave my guy one.” Lyra indicated the big man at the back. “And considering the numbers? And the fact Alfy’s here? You want me to have a gun, lady. Trust me.”
“Wait.” Chelsea sighed. “Alfy Toombs?”
“He’s famous.” Lyra shrugged. “But yes, that’s him. He’s got some grand scheme and he escalated to kidnapping.” She pointed at the ambassador. “But I don’t think he’s hoping for ransom. There’s more to it.”
“Why did you come here?” Chelsea asked. “What’s the point?”
“Nav data,” Lyra said, “I’m doing a little treasure hunting. That’s all.”
“Is that why you broke into a secure facility to steal regional map data? Then came here? Try again.”
“Dead serious.” Lyra tilted her head. “I don’t need to convince you. I couldn’t care less if you believe me. But this isn’t happening right now.”
“She’s right,” Gareth said. “We have to stick together if we want to get out of here. I don’t know this Alfy character, but if you both are aware of him, he must be dangerous. And we still have a lot of pirates on this deck. Seems to me we have multiple objectives. Take care of the ambassador’s ship, deal with Alfy, get the nav data.”
Chelsea groaned. “That last bit isn’t going to happen! Are you kidding me? We can’t give a pirate nav data! And what makes you think you aren’t coming back with me as a prisoner?”
“Because you don’t have time to worry about me,” Lyra said. “You have a new charge. Saving the ambassador means a lot more than putting me in prison. Besides, isn’t Earth under assault or something? You’ve got bigger problems than me. I haven’t done anything nearly as bad as the Veldon. Take it out on them.”
“That’s enough.” Gareth stepped between them. “Sergeant Driver, you and this big guy… what’s your name?”
“Barty, sir.”
“Good to meet you.” Gareth gestured. “The two of you are on the ambassador’s ship. Take care of it right away.”
“I’m going,” Nila said. “I need to download something before it’s destroyed anyway.”
“Is that a good idea?” Bryce asked. “Are you sure?”
Gareth shook his head. “No time. She’s on the mission with you.” He turned to the others as the first party moved out. “Going on old data here, folks, but I’m guessing this pirate leader is probably in a command center. Where you can find the nav info. Two birds, one stone. We head over there, hit them hard.”
“Dad,” Chelsea turned to him, “they might have the entire pirate force in that place. We can’t just—”
“You afraid?” Lyra asked. “Alfy’s dangerous, but he’s also a buffoon. Likes to pontificate. You guys came along before he could come in and gloat. I expected him to give up his plan but honestly, if I get what I want, I don’t care. I’ll happily blast his happy ass into space if I get the chance.”
“Good to know,” Chelsea muttered. “It’s just the three of us. Are we honestly going to try this?”
“Yep.” Gareth nodded. “Because we have the element of surprise. Let’s move out.”
Fantastic. Commander Weston’s back. Chelsea glared at Lyra as the woman fell in beside her father. Can’t wait to see where this all goes. If they managed to take down Toombs, she had a bad feeling about what might come next. If their temporary alliance ended in anything but violence, she’d be shocked.
Today, Lyra Vahst will likely die. All that time I chased her, ending here like that. I really wanted to bring her up on charges. Guess we’ll see.
***
Bryce led the way, moving swiftly through the corridor. He caught the sound of footsteps up ahead. Two hip shots put the person down just as they rounded the corner. Their body hit the wall then collapsed face first into the deck. Lethal settings. I don’t have time for them to wake up… or absorb a stun.
“Nice work,” Barty said. “You’re a sergeant?”
“I am. Did you serve?”
“Ground forces. Sergeant, actually.”
“Can’t wait to hear what happened.” Bryce held his hand up for them to be quiet as they neared the next corridor. It should have led toward their ship. He recalled the trip when they were taken prisoner. If these morons aren’t guarding it, I’ll be shocked. But that wasn’t a concern. As he moved slowly along the hallway, he heard voices.
There they are. Bryce turned to Barty, motioning for him to take the opposite side of the hall. They continued their approach until they reached the next corner, close enough to hear their targets chatting.
“I’m telling you, I heard it!” a whiny voice complained, “there were definitely shots fired down there!”
“Just stop,” a woman replied, “seriously, I’m sick of your constant paranoia. No one’s shooting. And if they are? It’s target practice. I’m bored. So why wouldn’t someone else be?”
“You’re bored? We have notorious criminals on this station, people I’ve heard of, and you’re bored?” The guy coughed. “You’re an idiot. If those people get out, they’re going to be dangerous as hell!”
“What’re they going to do?” She asked. “Chew through the door? Relax, for God’s sake! You got an ulcer? Or do you need therapy? I’m serious, you might consider it after all the bitching you do.”
“Go to hell.”
Barty pushed away from the wall. “Screw this.” He paced out to the others. Bryce hurried to catch up. “Hey, assholes!” The two pirates turned to look at them. They weren’t wearing helmets. Their eyes widened, practically in tandem. The woman lifted her weapon.
Barty put her down first, shooting her in the face. The other fled, running in the opposite direction. Bryce popped him in the back.
Nila came around the corner. “That was… a little reckless.”
“Nah,” Barty said, “they didn’t know what they were doing. Amateur dumbasses. Bored. You don’t get the point of guard duty if you can’t stay focused. Whatever. This is the ship, right?”
Bryce nodded. “But there are people aboard. Let’s take this cautiously. They might not be as big of idiots.” He tapped the panel, opening the outer door. “Better make it fast too.” They stepped into the airlock… then proceeded down the plank toward their vessel. I can’t believe we have to destroy this.
Though another idea struck him. We should try to take this station back. The opposition doesn’t seem all that tough. We could pretty easily…
The door at the end opened. Two shots came racing down the plank. Bryce threw himself against the wall as Barty opened fire. That drove their opponents back enough for them to charge forward. As they reached the door, they had a few inches of cover to press against. That’s when Bryce noticed Nila.
She reclined in the hallway, lying on her back with her chest smoldering.
No! Bryce resisted the instinctual urge to charge over, to check her. “Barty! I need you to cover me or… or we have to get in there!”
“I’ve got it,” Barty said. He leaned his weapon in, opening fire. Someone yelped. As they darted away from their cover, the other one grabbed the rifle.
Barty pummeled them with a hammer fist to the top of the head, then booted them in the gut. He shot the other one then blasted his point-blank victim in the face. “We’re clear!” He shouted. “Check the ambassador! Make it fast!”
Bryce hurried to her side, dropping to his knees. “Hey!” He called to her. “Look at me!”
Nila stiffened, struggling to open her eyes. “Hi…” She muttered. “That… happened way too fast… I didn’t think… to move. After everything you taught me… I didn’t…”
“I’m taking you to the infirmary on the ship.” Bryce put his hand under her knees. He started to lift. She cried out. “I know it hurts, honey… but I have to move you! This is a bad wound!”
“Get… the files,” Nila said, “have that… that JTF officer… she can find a way… decrypt… open them up. That will… be how you…” She stiffened. “Don’t… forget… them…”
“Damn it, Nila! Hold on!” Bryce lifted her. She went limp. “No!” He ran down the hallway, carrying her onto the ship. At the infirmary, he set her on the gurney. Scans told him what he already knew, what he didn’t want to believe. He tried again, praying for a different answer but it remained the same.
She was gone.
“Hey.” Barty touched his shoulder. “I get that she was important to you, but we have to get our part of this done.”
“You don’t get it,” Bryce muttered, “she… this was my job. Keep her safe, man. Look at this. Fucking pirate assholes…” Tears burned his eyes. “I should’ve…”
“They are,” Barty said. “And you’ve got every right to be pissed. But we’ve got a job to do, man. Let’s blow this thing up so we can get back to the others. If we want to survive this, if we want to do right by her, then we need to move.”
“I… can’t leave her here…”
“I’m sorry, brother. We can’t bring her with us. What would we do with her? It’s better she…” Barty sighed. “You and I both know she’s gone. That’s not the ambassador anymore. Let’s set the reactor, get ready to detach, and bail.”
“I have to download some files,” Bryce said. “That’s what she asked me to do. We have to hurry. Get to the reactor, do your thing.” He looked at him. “I need just a second alone, man. Okay?”
“Don’t take too long.” Barty patted his shoulder. “I’ll see you back at the docking ring!”
Bryce turned to look at Nila. I love you. He swallowed hard. I’m so sorry. We’ll get the information where it belongs. I promise. He pushed away from the table, making his way for the bridge. And I’ll be sure to take as many of those pirates down on my way out of this place. You’ve got my word on that.
***
Gareth led the others down the hallway in the opposite direction of the ambassador’s ship. The whole place seemed to be twisting corridors with few rooms in that section. Living quarters would’ve been in the section opposite the command center, on its own to prevent leisure time spilling into work.
This depot needed some help. Grime covered everything, even the deck. If the air happened to be as toxic as it seemed, the people without helmets would’ve had some serious health problems to contend with. Fortunately for them, any reasonable infirmary had the capacity to reverse the damage.
They cut around a corner. Gareth shoved his people back when he caught sight of a crowd at the end. As they made cover, their opponents opened fire. Energy blasts splashed against the wall. The gunk sparked, bursting into tiny flames from each hit, and the attack didn’t lighten up.
“We have to press,” Gareth said, “or at least take some of them down.”
“No problem.” Chelsea pushed him aside. She poked her weapon around, just the barrel. Three shots brought some screams. The shooting slowed. “They’re taking cover now. Looks like…” She paused. “We’ve got an alcove some thirty feet up to the right. And another one on the left. I guess they lead into rooms. Doors are closed though.”
“No surprise,” Gareth said, “nice camera action.” He turned to Lyra. “How’s that armor?”
“They didn’t take it.” Lyra shrugged. “I’m not going to run out there first, if that’s what you’re hoping. You two are wearing military grade shit. This is what I could find on the black market. Cobbled together from guys who ran from battle and had to get rid of their gear fast. So… you know how that is.”
“Uh huh.” Gareth fired over her shoulder, putting someone down as they tried to sneak up on them. “Then you watch our backs. Don’t let that happen again.”
“Commander?” Keppler’s voice boomed over the speakers in his helmet. “We have some problems out here! That ambassador’s ship you talked about just detached. The thrusters have fired and the reactor’s critical! It’s going to explode in the next five minutes. I’m not sure if it’ll be far enough away from the station.”
“We’ll feel it,” Gareth replied, “but it shouldn’t cause any appreciable damage. Anything else?”
“Yeah, the civilian freighter just left as well.”
“What?” Gareth turned to Chelsea. “One of the ships just took off. Not the ambassador’s.”
“Maybe it’s Lyra’s friend,” Chelsea replied. “Abandoning his buddies. Zed? You still here?”
“Wait,” Lyra said, “you know Zed?”
“Recently acquainted.” Chelsea continued to monitor the hallway. “Come in, Zed.”
“I’m still here. Looks like they stopped trying to break in so thanks for whatever you did.”
“Attention!” A deep voice burst over the station’s PA speakers, echoing through the hallways. “This is Alfred Toombs, coming to you with an important announcement! First, to my dear friend Lyra Vahst. I genuinely wanted to kill you, but didn’t get around to it. My apologies. You’re still on the list.”
“Go to hell!” Lyra shouted.
“Second,” Alfred continued, “to my loyal followers. I present to you an opportunity. There are intruders aboard the station. They have escaped their confines. Ethyl and I decided to take a little flight while you prove your worth. Kill them, report back to us with proof of their bodies, and we will return to pick you up.”
“Way to build loyalty,” Chelsea muttered.
Alfred said, “And to everyone aboard the station, know that I got what I needed from the ambassador’s ship. And I’ve rigged the fuel lines to detonate. So if you’re going to kill Lyra and her friends, you have twenty minutes. After that… well, no one will be able to save you. Since I’m going to remove the final ship from the docking clamp.”
“Oh, shit.” Chelsea sighed. “That’ll complicate things.” She drew back from her post at the corner, checking the computer on her wrist. “My ship’s out of range. I don’t think I can get it back here in time to pick us up. Not to get us out of here at the same time.”
The station trembled then shook violently.
“Guys?” Zed called over all their comms. “The ship seems to be drifting. How the hell? What happened just now? Did you detach the vessel?”
“You got your hazard suit on?” Lyra asked.
“Yes, why?”
“Get off the ship,” Lyra said, “right now. Don’t hesitate, get through a hatch and rocket away. If you don’t, you’re going to die. You’ve got twenty seconds.”
“He might not make it,” Chelsea replied. “Not if your pirate friend is about to blow that ship out of the sky.”
“He’s not my friend!” Lyra shouted. “Okay? Just… stop. We’re not all pals!”
“They’re coming,” Gareth said. “I’ll hold them.” He dropped into a crouch, leaning around the corner. Four people rushed down the hall. He opened fire, taking one in the middle down. They shot back, hitting his cover, driving him away for a moment. He repositioned, stepping to the opposite wall to suppress their advance.
“Keppler!” Gareth called, “we’re going to need a pickup really fast!”
“What do you mean? What’s that mean to me?”
“That you have to fly down here and get close to the docking ring!” Gareth took a shot to the shoulder. He jerked back then blasted the attacker in the head. The other two careened around toward him. Lyra and Chelsea cut into them, blasting until both bodies went still on the floor. “Seriously hurry!”
Keppler replied, “There’s a ship attacking another one out here!”
“I’ve got an idea,” Chelsea said. She worked the computer. “Okay, this might not happen fast enough to help but I’ll give it a try.”
“We still need the data!” Lyra cried. “The control room isn’t that far away! Another two hundred yards, people!”
“Through more pirates,” Gareth replied. “Whatever you’re after isn’t worth your life! Sergeant Driver? Do you read me? Can you hear us on this channel?”
Gunfire filled the speakers as Bryce replied, “We read you, sir! We were on our way back to your position when we started taking heavy fire!”
