Fire Falcon, page 18
part #1 of Force 9 Series
“It just breaks me, Raven.”
“Every day we hear new stories of injustices our people are suffering.” Raven leaned forward, placing his hands on the table. “It is imperative we act quickly and release this planet from her selfish grasp. Perhaps then other planets in the system will be able to get aid through to us until we recover. Then focus on finding our lost crystals.”
“You are sure the vaults are empty, and the crystals are off-world?”
“Positive. Rumour is that our wealth has gone to a few different worlds – probably Nuetar, but even the Pysans may have a hand in its disappearance.”
Vann flinch at the mention of that race. “So you have a plan for tomorrow?”
“We do, your highness, we have been working on it for weeks.” Raven waved his hand over the table and a set of holographic controls appeared beneath his fingertips. A 3D image of the mountain was projected before us with a wireframe plan of the bunker, the palace ascending the rocky foothills and a tunnel linking the two. “These are the caves we built our base in, known only to nomads who wander lands far from the city. We refined it into a safe and hospitable dwelling, a shelter from persecution while we work on a restorative plan, but while we were digging out new sleeping dorms we discovered the tunnel which goes from here… right through the mountain, and into the dungeons beneath the palace.” We watched a flashing red orb moving slowly through the projected image. “As far as we are aware, Ardena and Valesha have no knowledge of this hidden passageway. They certainly have not sent anybody from their end to disturb us.”
“So we would go on foot, obviously.” Vann leaned back in his chair.
“Yes. Indeed it is a long walk to the other side, perhaps half a day, and in total darkness.” Raven spun the view of the mountain around and enlarged the palace so we could see more detail. “The tunnel goes all the way to here.” The cursor stopped at the point where the tunnel split three ways. “Originally there was only one entry point, but we felt it was too risky so we have constructed an extra two branches, both stopping just short of the dungeon wall here… and here.” He pointed to where two green glowing rectangles appeared at the end of the tunnels. “When we attack, we will blast through the last foot or so of stone, and all three entry points will be exposed simultaneously. Then our army will storm in and reclaim the palace.”
“An excellent plan.”
“Each of the Generals has been assigned a section of the castle to infiltrate with their troops. Every one of our soldiers will be armed with a dual lethal-stun gun, sleep serum cartridges, and a blade. However, these are our people we are fighting and we want to avoid loss of life, so have instructed them to inflict the least amount of injury possible. Each guard we find will be stunned and adhered to their surrounds with a bio-restraint, so when they recover they can’t get up and cause more damage.”
Brilliant. They’re going to glue the guards to the walls to stop them running after us.
“A merciful solution. I do not want to win the throne with the blood of Trathosans.”
“I understand your team are professionals?” One of the Generals leaned forward and addressed Vann for the first time.
“Yes. Each of my friends are highly skilled in combat and medical aid. They have agreed to be of use wherever they are needed the most.”
The Generals acknowledged each of us with a nod. “Welcome to Trathosa. Thank you for joining a fight which is not your own. You will be richly rewarded when the time comes.”
At the end of the meeting, Sten, Kalmin, Maren and myself were taken to some very humble accommodation in a dug-out cavern. Vann was escorted away, casting me an apologetic look as he went. I didn’t mind being separated from him, but I tried not to think about what sort of luxurious royal suite he would reside in while I was resting on a rock-hard, paper-thin mattress under a slightly damp smelling blanket, using my jacket for a pillow. I apologised to the rest of the team for the discomfort, but they laughed it off.
“It’s only for one night, right?” said Kalmin as he huddled next to Maren, who looked slightly less impressed with the setup. “Tomorrow night we shall be slumbering in a palace!”
I was robbed of sleep that night due to the uncomfortable bed, the noise of the other occupants snoring, and the fact I was in a completely different time zone. It was still the middle of the day on Asvellah. Yellow gas lamps from the hallway leaked their light into our cave and I watched the shadows dancing on the rough stone wall as the flame flickered in the draught. I wondered how long the other resistance soldiers had endured these conditions.
At long last I heard people moving around in the tunnels. My roommates started to stir, complaining that they too had not slept a wink - although their snoring told me otherwise. After using the bathroom facilities to refresh myself the best I could, I followed the trail of people who were moving towards the mess hall for breakfast. But before I could find a table I was discreetly ushered away to a private room where Vann awaited me.
“I am so sorry!” He rushed over, taking hold of my hands. “I had no idea that would happen! I was so angry, but they insisted it be done this way.”
“Vann, what are you talking about?”
“Your room! I cannot imagine how primitive it was. The future Queen of Trathosa should not be housed in such squalor! But they insisted it be done this way to respect the Trathosan rules. If you had joined me in my bedchamber, you would have been marked as a concubine and would never have been allowed to marry me or ascend to the throne.”
“Vann, for goodness sake! I’m not some fragile porcelain doll, I was fine! Besides, can you imagine me sleeping in luxury while the other guys were in the cave? It wouldn’t be right.”
“Exactly! And it wasn’t right that I was in that room, while you were over there!”
“Vann!” I was exasperated. “It was only one night, for goodness sake!! I am not a princess. Well, technically I suppose I am… but you know what I mean!”
“I know what you are.” He embraced me firmly and tried to nuzzle my neck.
“Not here. Not now.” I wriggled out of his hold. “We need to be out there with the others.”
“I know. I just wanted to explain myself… and to see you again. I will not be able to fight alongside you today my love, as I will be at the front… and you will be safely towards the back.”
“What!” What?
“I knew you would be angry. But it is decided. My only regret is that I will not be able to protect you. So I have enlisted one of Raven’s best men to be your bodyguard.”
“Protect me? Vann!” I am Atrana of Asvella, the original bad-ass. I don’t need protec…. Oh that’s right, the Cytarian Rilla incident… Sigh.
“There is no point arguing with me, Atrana. Let us enjoy these last moments we have together. Once we leave this room we will not be united again until the battle is over. But I promise you my Sarai, I will do everything in my power to ensure you are safe.” He stepped forward and reached one hand around my waist and the other behind my head, and kissed me deeply. I threw my arms over his shoulders and clung tightly as tears stung my eyes. Please don’t let this be the last time I hold you.
“I will see you again. Very soon.”
“Very soon,” I echoed. I knew in my spirit that it was the truth.
◆◆◆
The air was static with tension as our army stood in the great hall, waiting nervously for the stroke of noon so we could begin the trek through the mountain. We had timed our journey so we would arrive right on dusk. The cover of night could be an advantage. We were prepped, briefed, armoured and fed with slow-release energy food for the long walk and battle ahead.
My three friends stood beside me in silence and seemed nervous as we listened to Vann deliver another rousing speech. The holographic clock above the tunnel entrance hit 12:00 and we began to march into the unknown.
Detailed maps had been programmed into my wrist comm so I could track our journey through the mountain and navigate around the palace when the time came. I was irritated about being stationed at the tail end of the army, but I knew I would get a fair share of action eventually. We moved slowly, so to take my mind off the monotony I visualised myself fighting, an effective way of enhancing and refining my skills. I can still practice in my mind.
After five or six hours of trudging in near-darkness we reached the split in the tunnel and my team veered to the right, coming to a halt a few minutes later. I loaded my body with the prescribed cocktail of performance enhancing serum and liquid energy which would supercharge me for the next part of the attack. As I waited for it to kick in, a silence settled on us. The only sound was the quickened breath of my companions. Then I jumped as a loud shout rang out. I covered my ears and crouched with my back towards the wall before a violent blast of noise and wind engulfed us. We’ve broken through.
Chapter SEVENTEEN
It only took a few seconds after the explosion before the blood-chilling noise of war reached me. Metal blades clashing, screams of pain and anger, the clicking, snapping sound of laser guns firing. I flicked my visor down to sharpen my vision and alert me to unseen danger in the dim light of the tunnel as I stealthily crept behind Sten, gun drawn at the ready.
My specialised weapon had a dual firing mechanism – first it would stun the target without harming them physically, then with a quick flick of a switch it would shoot out a hard-setting liquid which glued them down like a giant spider web. This was a more humane way of winning the battle without shedding too much blood or taking lives. I just hoped it was going to work. I wasn’t here to kill Trathosans.
We edged forward, clambering over debris and ducking our heads as we entered the dungeon through the hole they had blasted, creeping silently down the claustrophobic stone hallways. Soon we emerged into a wider passage lined with heavy iron doors. Cheers from prisoners echoed around us, but all we could see were dark eyes glinting behind rusted bars.
We carried on, casually stepping over legs of unconscious guards who were already disarmed, disabled and glued to the stone walls. A few of our own lay injured along the passageways so one by one, Sten and I checked their vital signs, patched them up quickly and stabbed them with mercy tranqs if necessary so they would survive in comfort until the battle was over. For now, the resistance needed us to focus on the fight, rather than applying non-critical first aid.
It didn’t take long to secure the dungeon and we worked our way up stairways and passages to the ground floor of the palace in all its grandeur. Loud sirens filled every space and echoed off embellished walls around us so I set the sound filter on my helmet to dampen and muffle the noise pollution. The situation was stressful enough without blaring alarms resonating in my skull. The main areas had been taken care of already, we ascended the grand staircase to the first floor. Leave some for us, guys! I was frustrated that I hadn’t seen any action yet, not realising I was about to get more than my fair share.
A couple of masked soldiers joined my group and I presumed they were from one of the other platoons, but a shift in my gut told me to be on my guard. Something seems slightly off about them. Although they were dressed the same as the rest of our troops they seemed… cleaner? They directed us with authority, using confident hand gestures but before I had a chance to question them, Sten, Kalmin and Maren were sent off down one hallway and I was alone with them, walking briskly in a different direction. I looked around nervously. We were instructed to stay close together in a group. Why am I separated from the others? I stopped and was about to turn around, but one of them shoved me violently, taking my gun from me and ripping my helmet off before grabbing my arm so I couldn’t send a distress signal.
“What the hell?”
They marched me roughly through the maze of corridors lined with elaborate lamps, paintings and statues until we came to a guarded door, intricately carved and encrusted with precious stones. My kidnappers removed their masks and hoods, and one of them spoke in a voice I knew a little too well. A quick glance up at his face confirmed it. Thom.
“Her highness has instructed me to bring her this prisoner.”
“You asshole!” My outburst earned me a punch in the back of the head from the other guy.
“Hey, go easy Lanchy. She’s just a chick,” Thom’s harsh laughter echoed down the hall.
“Just a chick that kicked your arse last time I saw you,” I lifted my head back up.
“You didn’t let on that your boyfriend was the Achisar, did you baby?”
“No, I’m not that stupid.”
“Stupid enough.”
“Stupid enough not to kill you when I had the chance. I won’t make that mistake next time.”
“We’ll see.”
The palace guards stepped aside and the large wooden doors swung open, revealing the most beautiful woman in the universe, standing in the middle of a lush boudoir, with a light in her eyes and an unsettling smile on her lips.
Everything about Valesha seemed long and dramatic. Tall and lean, she wore a hollow crown of gem-encrusted silver feathers which stretched upwards by a foot, adding to her height. Her thick mane of silky black hair flowed over her shoulders and skimmed the plunging neckline of her dress, framing an enormous ruby pendant. Her eyelashes dominated her entire face as they fluttered in front of her dark eyes, curling upwards until they almost brushed her arching eyebrows. Heavily made up, her face was plastered in thick foundation, layers of mascara, stripes of eyeliner and a slash of dark burgundy lipstick. Long silver chains dangled from her earlobes and clinked against the thick neck-rings coiled from collarbone to jaw. Skeletal hands rested on her narrow hips, claw-like red fingernails contrasting against her charcoal skirt like the bride of a vampire. The fabric of her bodice was shot with fine golden thread, adorned with glittering jewels and decorated with majestic silver feathers. Her very essence spewed power, beauty, vanity and pride.
“Your Majesty,” Thom bowed his head as we entered. “Where would you like the prisoner?”
“Tie her up over there.” She pointed to the enormous gilded four-post canopy bed. “Then leave us.”
“As you wish.” He dragged my struggling body over to the bed and threw me against the carved wooden frame, pressing himself against me as he forced my hands up for the other soldier to tie them tightly to the timber. I turned my head away from his smirking face, just millimetres away from mine, but his stale warm breath wafted over me, mixing with the familiar smell of his cologne, making me gag with the memory.
“Coward,” I whispered, but he just leered at me, inhaling my neck deeply as he ran his hands over the curves of my breasts and hips. If only I had enough room to get a well placed knee in his crotch, but he’s too close. Damn it. You’ll keep, you prick. Valesha waved him away and he left the room in a cloud of smugness.
Vann’s twin sister cast me a beautiful smile and took a few slow steps towards me, her gown rustling with the movement. Glinting in her hand was an intricately engraved metal dagger.
“So,” she stepped forward and ran the cold blade across my throat. “You are Sarai Selah.”
“Selah is dead. My name is Sarai Atrana.”
“Sarai Atrana, is it? You can change your name, but you will still be the same sniveling little girl you always were, falling all over a boy like Thom. And now you believe you have captured the heart of our Prince? Do you think you could take all this away from me?” She waved her hand around the luxurious suite.
“Well, it could use a little redecorating. It’s a bit outdated, the Renaissance look went out of fashion with Medieval Earth.”
“Silence!” She pressed the point of her blade a little firmer into my neck and I felt the warm trickle of blood creep downwards. “Did you think that you and your little friends could just march in here and destroy what I have worked for my whole life? You nobody, half-blood, spiteful little bitch! I don’t know what sort of promises my brother has given you with these little trinkets,” she tapped her dagger on the metal of my bracelets without breaking eye contact. “But the Achisar would never love somebody like you. You are nothing! An ugly peasant girl like you could never be a queen. The people would despise you! In fact, I am not even sure that you are a female. You are so… butch. Shall I check, perhaps?” she cast her eyes down towards my groin.
“By all means do, if you’re in to that sort of thing.”
She slapped me across the face with the back of her hand. “I am sure no doubt my brother has had his fill of you,” she spat venomously, resting her blade down on a small table with a ‘clink’ of metal against glass. She picked up a small silver box, flipped the lid open and withdrew a long, slender cigarette, put the tip of it in her mouth, struck a match and lit it, taking a long draw before. She looks so glamorous. I wonder if I would look that majestic sucking on a coffin nail? She removed it from her pouty lips with the V of her fingers and exhaled, blowing a long stream of smoke into my face. Yeah, that’s not cool. Unflinching, I took a deep, dramatic inhalation and closed my eyes. I’d given up smoking a long time ago, but still enjoyed the occasional second-hand whiff. Still, I wasn’t sure why I was trying to aggravate this woman. Perhaps because she was putting her perfectly manicured finger into every single one of my insecurities. She was calling out my fears and bringing them into the cold light of day. Unphased. I must remain unphased. Don’t let her see she’s getting to me.
“You played perfectly into my brother’s plan,” she continued. “He has led the resistance right into our trap. Now we will slay every last one of them, along with your little friends. And it is all thanks to you.”
My mind started spinning. What was she talking about? Was Vann on her side? He had admitted he was close to his sister once, so perhaps they were collaborating to weed out the resistance and slay them?
