CassaFire (27 page)

“
You brought this upon our city!” one man said, pointing at the Cassans on the second cart. The other men gathered at the Tgren’s side as he approached. “You and your damned technology, poking about in our business.”

“
Stand back,” ordered a Cassan guard, placing himself between the angry men and the cart.

With an enraged cry, the Tgren who’d spoken shoved aside the guard. His companions joined in the fracas and the Cassan went to the ground. The other guards immediately moved to intervene, pulling the attackers off the fallen man.

The man who’d started the fight staggered against the side of the cart. He grasped the vehicle and looked up at the passengers. Byron’s muscles tightened as the Tgren’s gaze fell on Mevine. The man snarled at the boy and grasped the front of his shirt. Wrapping an arm around Mevine’s chest, Byron grasped the back of the seat and placed his booted heel on the man’s chest. The Tgren fell backward and only Byron’s hold on Mevine prevented his friend from tumbling to the ground as well.

The attacker leapt to his feet and Byron reached for his weapon. The sound of a laser blast, followed by Tgren gunfire, caught everyone’s attention. Byron did not turn his head, but through peripheral vision, he noted two guards with weapons pointed in the air. The man who’d seized Mevine hesitated, distracted by the sound. When his attention returned the science officer, Byron pointed his weapon at the man’s head.

“
Don’t,” Byron said, his voice calm. The Tgren froze, his teeth clenched.

“
All of you, move back,” ordered one of Orellen’s men, waving his weapon at the men.

Mevine’s attacker remained where he stood as the carts rolled past. Byron put away his weapon and slowly sank to his seat. Mevine sat up straighter and adjusted his tunic, his fingers trembling. Byron patted the boy’s good shoulder in assurance and turned his attention to the street.

For the most part, the presence of Orellen’s guards kept the natives at bay. It was still a tense journey, lasting far longer than necessary. Byron breathed a sigh of relief when the carts rolled through an empty hanger and onto the runway.

Garnce’s shuttle sat next to Byron’s and several guards surrounded the craft. The sound of rumbling engines caught his attention. He noticed a line of small Tgren fighters rolling out of the largest hanger. He resisted the urge to confirm Athee’s presence among the pilots. Byron would worry about her safety later.

Pulling up alongside his shuttle, the men at once began to unload the carts. Byron instructed Mevine and another science officer injured in the blast to stow their gear and remain out of the way until the ship was loaded.

You can ride in the co-pilot’s seat,
he told Mevine before he could protest.

Byron began grabbing equipment. The Tgrens stood guard while the Cassans unloaded the carts. Byron made three trips into the cargo hold of his shuttle before he realized Garnce had not budged from his cockpit.

Garnce, we could use your help,
he thought, scowling at his fellow pilot through the cockpit window.

This is grunt work,
the man replied.

Indignation rose in Byron’s chest.
Get off your ass and help!
That’s a direct order, pilot.

The man grumbled in protest, but rose from his seat. Byron hauled a large case to the cargo hold and secured it in place. When he returned for another load, he caught Garnce hoisting a box from the second cart. Scowling, the man carried it into his shuttle. Byron shook his head, annoyed by the pilot’s attitude. He would not tolerate apathy today.

As he secured his passengers, a commotion outside caught Byron’s attention. He glanced out the open hatch and noted two Tgrens arguing with those escorting the carts. He realized they wanted the carts and were protesting the Cassan’s use of Tgren property. The argument escalated into a shouting match within seconds. One man shoved a Cassan security officer and he stumbled back against the cart.

Alarmed, Byron emerged from his shuttle. Before anyone could intervene, two Tgren guards stepped between the man and the officer. The Cassan stood erect and faced his attacker. The Tgren lunged forward again, lips pulled into a snarl. The local guards caught the man before he could reach his intended target. Byron watched the scene unfold with a sick feeling. Tensions would only increase as the day progressed.

“
Officer Byron, we’ll keep several men stationed for your return,” the closest security officer called.

Nodding at the man, Byron stepped back into his ship.
I’ll let you know when we leave the Rennather.

He closed the hatch and hastened to his seat.
Garnce, prepare for takeoff,
he informed the pilot.

Beside him, Mevine shifted in his chair, but did not speak. Byron quickly ran through the systems and lifted the shuttle into the air a moment later. He noted the departing Tgren planes as they launched into the sky and followed their trajectory toward the canyons. The traffic over Ktren was almost as congested as within the city. Sending a message to Garnce, he jumped the shuttle.

The view outside the cockpit changed and the comforting sight of the Rennather materialized. The muscles across his chest relaxed. There would be many more trips today, but his friend was safe. Once the Cassans were all secure on the exploration vessel, he would focus on retrieving one more person from the surface. Byron hoped Korden would acquiesce to his request to bring Athee to the ship.

He glanced at Mevine and the science officer met Byron’s gaze with wide eyes.

That is why I wanted you off the planet, my friend.

Checking the position of Garnce’s ship, Byron guided his shuttle into the landing bay. Once through the double set of doors, he navigated the vessel into the middle of the main bay. Setting it down with a gentle tap, Byron shut off the engines. He opened the hatch from the cockpit and the sounds of hanger crew entering the ship filled his ears. Unfastening his harness, he rose to his feet. Mevine struggled for a moment with his harness and Byron offered his hand. Pulling the slight boy to his feet, he patted Mevine’s good shoulder.

“
Come on, we’ve work to do,” he announced.

“
Sir?”

Byron hesitated and eyed Mevine with curiosity. The young man straightened his back, affecting a rare pose of confidence “Sir, thank you for returning me safely to the ship.”

“
You’re welcome,” Byron answered, offering a brief nod.

“
And I never properly thanked you for saving my life after the explosion…”

Mevine’s voice faltered. A flush of red crept across his cheeks. Byron could hear the crew moving crates out of the cargo hold. He needed to assist with the equipment, if only to prevent damage to his ship. He couldn’t leave Mevine in such a state of agitation, though. Byron approached the science officer and grasped his good arm.

“
That’s what friends are for, Mevine,” he said, reassuring the lad with his thoughts as well. “Now, come on, boy genius. You’ve a code to crack.”

The young man’s eyes brightened. “Yes, sir.”

Retrieving all Cassan personnel required four shuttle trips. Garnce’s last load comprised of security officers from the city and the alien site. The evacuation was far from complete, though. Byron had time for a quick bite of food before the shuttles returned to the surface, each carrying several security officers. Korden had pledged Cassan assistance in transporting the people of Ktren to the Red Canyons. Byron hoped the Tgrens would appreciate this act of good will.

Coordinating with Ktren’s guards, the two shuttles landed near the loading planes. Dozens waited for a ride to safety, clutching sacks, bags, and small children. Byron opened the hatch and coaxed those closest to his ship to board. The men and women approached with hesitation, even with the Tgren guards encouraging them to climb aboard the shuttle. It took several minutes to persuade the first batch to enter, and longer still to stow their baggage and secure each harness. Byron realized his patience would wear thin by the end of the day. He sent a stern warning to Garnce. The last thing they needed was an incident during transport.

The larger Tgren planes were also ferrying passengers to the evacuation site. Byron selected a secure spot to emerge from their jump to avoid a potential collision. The scene below them was mass confusion as people attempted to erect shelters among the canyons. He’d noted a caravan of carts traveling toward the site as they departed Ktren and estimated their arrival would occur under the cover of darkness. He suspected the shuttles would continue to fly until nightfall as well.

The sun continued to drop and soon cast shadows across the landscape. Darkness covered the land as Byron prepared to return for one final load.

Just seven Tgrens and a small load of cargo,
the security officer in Ktren informed him.

Good, because I’m beat, he thought, lifting the shuttle into the sky.
Garnce, return to the Rennather. I’ve got this one.

With pleasure,
the pilot answered.

Byron landed near a small knot of people, grateful for the hanger lights flooding the runway. No planes were in evidence now, although he suspected fatigue as much as inability to see as the reason. His stomach had ceased to rumble hours ago and all Byron craved was his bed.

The security officers assisted with the passengers. Too tired to do more than watch, Byron leaned against his shuttle’s exterior as the men and women entered the ship. He noticed three men from the hanger approaching the shuttle. Byron didn’t move from his position until the light revealed their identities. He stood at attention as the prefect and two guards drew near.

“
Prefect Orellen,” he said in greeting, his husky voice revealing his fatigue.

“
Officer Byron,” the man replied.

Now that Byron could see his face, he realized the prefect’s features displayed a similar exhaustion. The lights cast deep shadows across his face, accentuating the aging grooves in his skin. Orellen glanced at the passengers as they boarded and nodded.

“
Please tell Commander Korden we appreciate your assistance with the evacuation,” he offered.

“
Yes, sir. How many of your people remain?”

“
Less than sixty, and most of those are guards. They are patrolling the streets to ensure no property is damaged and everyone received notification of the evacuation. I am staying until I’m certain no one remains in Ktren.”

“
We’ll return in the morning to assist,” Byron offered.

“
Appreciate that. Let’s hope there aren’t many stragglers,” said Orellen, his eyes on the last Tgren as he entered the ship.

His inhibitions running as low as his energy, Byron decided to make a bold move. “Sir, after the last of your people have reached the safety of the canyons, I would like your permission to take your niece to the Rennather.”

The prefect’s attention shifted to Byron. “You wish to take Athee to your ship?” he asked, his thick eyebrows poised high on his forehead.

“
Yes, sir. She’ll be in no danger. The Rennather will break orbit and depart before the alien ship arrives.”

Byron waited for the man’s response. Orellen eyed him with skepticism, his hands clasped behind his back. To his surprise, he sensed acceptance of the idea.

“
You guarantee her safety?”

Straightening his shoulders, Byron presented his most confident look. “With my life.”

Orellen nodded, his eyes straying to the waiting shuttle. “I’ll contact Commander Korden to ensure that happens.”

Byron felt relieved, but wanted to be sure Athee’s uncle believed him. “I promise Athee will be safe with me.”

“
Of that I have no doubt, Officer Byron.” The prefect’s attention returned to the pilot, his expression somber. “We will see you in the morning.”

Byron wished the man a good evening and entered the shuttle. Checking the harnesses of his passengers, he returned to the cockpit and prepared the ship for one final flight to the canyons. As he lifted the shuttle into the air, his mind replayed the exchange with the prefect. The man’s agreement to his proposal meant he trusted Byron with Athee’s life.

Maybe I’ve finally earned his respect, he thought.

Bleary-eyed from a lack of sleep, Byron staggered out of the dining hall. In his haste, he’d hardly tasted the food. He entered the closest telepod, and his stomach continued to protest the rapid consumption of his meal. The commander would offer a sharp reprimand if he was late to the officers’ meeting, though.

To his credit, he was not the last to arrive. The commander scanned those present, his thoughts shielded and beyond Byron’s reach. Korden began the moment Seheller slid into his seat.

“
Men, the Rennather will break orbit as soon as the evacuation of Ktren is complete,” he announced, hovering over his computer screen. “We will monitor the situation from a safe distance and be prepared to jump if necessary.

“
Officer Byron, how many more on the surface require transport?”

“
The prefect informed me around sixty, sir,” he answered, hoping that number had not risen this morning. “We should be able to move them in three trips.”

Korden nodded and leaned on his desk. “The situation is grim,” he admitted, his brows pulled tight. “The three flagships engaged the alien vessel early this morning. I’m afraid the results of that encounter were not favorable. One flagship lost her shields completely and received substantial damage. The other two ships hope to restore their shields by the time they reach this galaxy. However, despite the intensity of the attack, the alien vessel received minimal damage and lost none of its speed.”