Dangerous Evolution (22 page)

Sa found a fabric storage bag in one of the cabinets, then wet it
using a water dispenser concealed behind a wall panel. The Sentient wiped the
blood off its neck while we told Del about Rroske, and what we’d learned
regarding the virus.

“I’m sure it was acting independently from the Science Council,”
Del said. “They never would have approved of Rroske’s actions, even
if
they
agreed with the goals; which I’m sure they did not. Except for that band of
degenerates calling themselves the Pure Way, Rroske was acting alone—using its
position on the council to deceive the military.”

“I’d hoped you could explain this to Captain Thov,” I said. “Show
it the proof we’ve found. With this information, we can cure your people of the
virus and
save mine from this war. Thov respects you, Del—the captain
will listen to what you have to say.”

“Commander,” Del began, shaking its head. “Thov respects me
because the captain is from Seveq and I was its ambassador. Thov’s family died
there—along with mine—and now the captain thinks
I’m
responsible.
Anything I do at this point will look disingenuous and self-serving. Thov will
think I’m just trying to save myself.”

“But we have proof,” I protested loudly. Val and Stinson looked
over at us and I lowered my voice. “We have proof,” I said again more calmly.

“Let’s see,” Del said, speaking over the sound of Doctor Sa’s struggle
to pry off the fake bracer. “We have a data disk bearing what we
say
is
the cure, but have wiped out all corroborating research and killed Doctor Rroske;
a member of the Science Council I might add, with direct authority from The
Consensus. Moreover, six months ago I stole a classified military ship and
abandoned my people to collude with humans; the same humans Thov thinks created
the virus killing our people—humans who have now disabled two guards to free
me.”

“The plan loses some of its luster when you describe it like
that,” I said.

“But here we are nonetheless,” Del replied, bending over to examine
the unconscious soldier; even out cold the Sentient looked dangerous. “How long
will it sleep?” Del asked.

“About four hours,” Val answered, as she and Stinson came over to
join the discussion; Stinson was limping I noticed.

I surveyed our unlikely group, realizing what a motley crew we’d
become. Stinson’s normally crisp military appearance had been replaced by
disheveled hair, a stained Kamo suit, and the beginnings of a beard. I felt my
own face, finding stubble as well, thankful that there were no mirrors in the
room. Val looked like the victim of an assault—because she had been—but the
ripped dress, blood matted hair—even the dirt stained fingernails, couldn’t
detract from her beauty. Even Del and Sa looked worse for wear. 

“I’d like to modify your plan, Commander,” Del said, bringing my
weary mind back into focus. “I hope you don’t mind.”

“Uhm…what type of modification are we talking about?”

“I would like to obtain some insurance before we speak with the
captain.”

Something about the way Del spoke made me nervous; my intuition told
me I needed more information. “What
type
of insurance?”

“I intend to arm and take control of a Mass Nullifier.”

“What?”
  Sa exclaimed, “Are you mad? You can’t be serious.”

“I am very serious,” Del said.

“You will kill us all!” Sa yelled, then fell silent—a blank look
on its face.

I don’t know if it was from blood loss, or the numerous electrical
shocks I’d received, but I swear the temperature in the room dropped a couple of
degrees.

“A
what
device?” I asked.

“It’s our most powerful weapon, Commander, and is only carried on
capital ships, like this one. I intend to arm one of them and use it as a
bargaining chip.”

“Powerful,” Sa spat. “Tell them
how
powerful, Ambassador.”

“It can produce a matter void big enough to destroy a planet.”

I looked over at Stinson and Val, noting that we all wore the same
shocked expression. The Sentients didn’t need to kill humans in a long, protracted
war; they could destroy our worlds from orbit with a single device. Now more
than ever, I realized that if we didn’t stop this war, the result would be a
human genocide—maybe not as complete as Rroske’s vision—but close enough.

“Why would an ambassador have access to such a device?” I asked
Del. “And wouldn’t they have rescinded your clearance after you disappeared?”

“Commander,” Del said, “do you really think the planetary governments
would permit the military to have such a weapon without
some
safeguards
in place? Only a ship’s captain or planetary ambassador can arm a Mass
Nullifier. The difference is that the captain has to get the code from The
Consensus; an ambassador needs no such authorization.”

Val was equal parts amazed and horrified. “Why would you develop
such a weapon in the first place?”

Stinson answered before Del had the chance, “Humans.”

“Humans,” Del agreed, “But not to destroy you. If we wanted that,
we could have done so a long time ago. They are for protection
from
you.”

“But we can’t harm you,” Val protested. “Sentients are far more
advanced technologically. The weapon itself proves that!”

“For now maybe, but humans have an incredible capacity for rapid
development. You’ve made great strides since your fractious war; peace is
quickly pushing you forward.”

Del was right about that. Since the Diaspora War, mankind had enjoyed
a healthy competition between the Sectors—driving growth and commerce. Even
though the Sectors mistrusted one another, cross border trading and shared
scientific progress were making us stronger. But fear of the Sentients is what
made this tenuous fraternity possible. If they vanished, and we were left free
to exploit their territories…well…all bets were off.

“But what about changing the codes,” I asked. “Surely they’ve
locked you out of something that important.”

“That would be impossible. The coding is hardwired into the nullifiers;
they have to be removed from the ship and disassembled to change them. Since
the upheaval caused by the virus, I doubt that’s happened. My codes will work.”

“Do you really think this is
necessary
?”

“I do, Commander. It will force Thov to listen to us.”

Despite my own reticence about toying with such power, Del knew
how the captain would react far better than I did. If the ambassador felt this
was needed, how could I refute it? 

“Very well,” I said reluctantly.

The plan called for us to wait in the room while Del went to the
armory and took control of one of the devices. We stationed Sa outside to keep
watch, and the doctor nervously kept looking from side to side. If a relief
guard or anyone else showed up, it would noisily lead them into the room,
giving us time to set up an ambush.

Del would have to avoid getting close to anyone as it moved
through the ship. Even though all Sentients looked alike to humans, they could
easily distinguish themselves from one another. Unfortunately, Seveq was a
major planet, and that made the ambassador a powerful, well-known figure. Stealth
and avoidance would be critical for it to make its way to the armory unnoticed.

Our preparations complete, Del left, promising it would be back
within the hour. Val, Stinson, and I sat down on the wall bench to wait.

“So what do you think of your rescue so far?” I asked Val.

She laughed, “Well it has been rather eventful.”

The sound of her laugh brought a smile to my lips.
Hell, almost
everything she did made me smile.
“What are your plans when we get you home?”
I asked.

“I appreciate your confidence, Ben, but I know our chances.
If
we
get back, I intend to make the Permalife antagonist available to everyone. I
think Lesa is wrong in her philosophy and methods, but there is real suffering
going on because of my treatment. I recognize that, and need to do something to
help.” She pushed my hair back and looked at my neck, touching the injection
site. “I also intend to find a cure for this time limit Rroske placed on our
lives.” Uncomfortable with the sudden intimacy of the conversation, Stinson got
up and started looking through the two cabinets on the other side of the room.

“Because I was always focused on my work, there is so much I never
got to do,” Val said. Her voice became quieter, “I’ve had partners over the
years, but never any serious long term relationships—or children of course.”
Her face brightened a little. “Heck, even marriage looks more appealing now
that I know I won’t live forever.”

She looked at me, appalled. “Oh god, I am so sorry.” She grabbed
my hand, the one with the wedding ring. “I am a thoughtless idiot. Please
forgive me. I am so terrible at talking to people.”

She looked down and away from me.

I reached over and cradled her chin in my hand, pulling her face
up to look at mine. “There is nothing to forgive,” I assured her, “It was a
long time ago. Truly, it’s okay.”

“But you still wear her ring,” she said somberly.

“A remembrance of the past,” I said, looking down at the gold
band, “Of what I had…of what I lost…just memories.” The old feelings welled up
inside me, and it was my turn to look away.

“Do you think you will ever be able to make
new
memories?”
she asked.

I turned back to her, and she took my hands in hers. I looked into
those deep blue eyes and saw genuine compassion…no…it was even more than that.

“Yes,” I said, feeling something strong pass between us as we
stared at one another. “Absolutely.”

Our discussion was interrupted by a frantic, rapid knocking on the
cabin door.  Then it flew open and Sa ran into the room.

“It’s the captain,” Sa hissed, “Thov is coming down the hall!”

Chapter
Nine

I jumped up from the bench, pulling Val with me, and then slapped
the door control panel—knocking it completely off its wall stalk. Sparks
sputtered out of the empty mount before it shorted out entirely. “That should
keep Thov from opening it,” I said, “…for a moment anyway.”

“What are we going to do?” Sa said excitedly. “We’re trapped.”

“Open this door at once,” the captain’s voice blared from the
corridor. “Open it, or I will burn it open.”

Thov’s voice dropped off, and I could no longer make out what the
Sentient was saying. But I knew it had to be calling for reinforcements. Our
odds for escaping this situation had just dropped greatly, especially if they
managed to intercept Del. A real possibility now that the whole ship would be
on alert.

“Jeff,” I asked. “When you searched the cabinets, did you spot
anything we could use as a weapon?”

He shook his head. “Not unless we intend to knock them out with
data disks.”

Through the walls I could hear heavy footsteps coming down the
corridor, followed by more voices. Then there was a loud clang and the door
erupted in blue-tinged glow—growing brighter as the seconds passed. I felt the
hair on my arms rising.

“Everyone, get away from the door,” I yelled. They were burning
through, and there wasn’t a damn thing we could do about it except wait for
them to finish.

Flakes of metal and plastic fell to the floor, leaving little smoking
piles where they hit. Then a thick chemical smell began to permeate the room,
making my stomach queasy and leaving a bad taste in my mouth. The door
shimmered brightly, and thick smoke filled the air.

It wouldn’t be long now.

A loud explosion shook the room, and we steadied ourselves to keep
from falling. Surprisingly, the door was still intact.
What the hell was
that?
I walked over to the wall and listened for sounds coming from the
corridor, but there was only silence. No…there were footsteps now. Someone was
running down the hall. The sound stopped and someone pounded on the door.

“It’s Del! Let me in! Hurry!”

“We can’t,” I yelled back, “I smashed the controls. The door is so
melted and warped now that I doubt it will ever function again.”

“Stand far away from it then,” Del said, “I’m going to remove it.”

Remove it? Oh shit!

I lead everyone to the far corner of the room, then Stinson and I
slid one of the cabinets in front of us for protection. We all crouched down
low and covered our heads with our hands. “Ready!” I called out.

The door exploded off its internal hinges, sending a large chunk
flying across the room. Most of the smoke was instantly sucked out into the
corridor and the air in the room cleared considerably. I looked out from behind
the cabinet and saw Del rush into the room—carrying a bag I recognized as the
one Stinson had used to gather Mendoza’s munitions on Seveq.

That explains the explosions,
I thought. Del
reached into the bag, pulled out my TAC pistol, and threw it to me.