OMEGA Exile (9 page)

As we waited for our jump out, a gunship turned and sped in our direction. "Mr. Gruend, I hope they have a portal opening in the next few seconds!"

I turned the
Daunte
away and pushed the throttle to full. The gunship continued to gain on our position.

Joni yelled, "They are firing at us! Hard right! Hard right!"

I pushed the stick over, and the two high-energy bolts streamed past our position, missing the
Daunte
by only a few hundred meters. As a second set of bolts came our way, I pulled up on the stick, then over, performing a hard roll to the left. Again, the ion bolts missed their target.

As I prepared for another evasive maneuver, the "portal closed" indicator came up on the nav screen.

Joni said, "We just lost our way out!"

The second gunship soon joined the pursuit. "I don’t think we can evade for much longer."

As I spoke, the twin cannons of the
Jess
fired on the gunship as Garrett Rourke entered the fight. His first shots damaged an engine, forcing the gunship to slow and allowing us to move beyond its effective range. The
Jess
fired a long shot at the second gunship before once again disappearing from the nav screen.

Joni pursed her lips as she shook her head. "You know, for years I have hated the fact that my father had some monkey following me around everywhere I went. Now, twice in the last few weeks, I have owed my life to it. As aggravated as that shadow always made me, I’m now thankful that they are there."

As we continued to speed away, the two gunships broke off and returned to their mission. I set a course for the next-closest colony at Barrington Station. It was a two-day journey, but we would be able to once again establish a portal sweep back to SS5 from the Barrington system.

During our ride to Barrington Station, I studied the nav recordings. "That is our third time looking over those gunships. We checked for broadcasts and found nothing recorded. The ships have no markings, and they are not a design that I recognize."

Joni replied, "We had a dozen of those transports showing on our sensors at any time. They were coming and going in a steady stream. That had to be a raid on that colony."

I nodded. "That is what I believe too. What I don’t understand is that this is the Alpha sector. Who would be so brazen as to raid an entire colony right here in the capital sector of your uncle’s systems? I know our military ships only reside at the security stations, but where are they?"

Joni sighed. "As much as I hate it, I will give my father a call when we return. They have to have some contingency plan for handling this type of thing. I mean, come on, that’s a whole colony back there!"

I slowed the
Daunte
as we approached Barrington Station. "I don’t believe it. Barrington is being raided as well. This is insane."

Joni spoke. "Gonath has two million citizens; Barrington is nearly double that. And they are all defenseless."

As we watched, a small freighter entered the Barrington Station system. One of the two gunships monitoring the raid moved into action. The freighter
Monak
attempted to turn, but was easily caught by the much-faster unmarked warship. We watched in horror as repeated ion streams bored through the untimely freighter. Her captain and crew and any others aboard were quickly dead.

The next-closest colony was another two and a half days’ travel. I set a course and again pushed the throttle to full before the gunships monitoring Barrington Station turned our way.

Joni leaned against the panel. "Wow. I was not expecting this. These are peaceful colonies, 65 percent Human. Gonath is primarily a mining colony, and Barrington is all farms. I can only imagine the horrors of being torn from your homes without warning."

The ride back to SS5 was filled with discussion of the events that had transpired. How was it that a sector as wealthy and powerful as Alpha was being raided? Gonath and Barrington Station were colonies on the edge of Alpha sector space. The edge of the Delta sector, which lay just beyond the two colonies, was as wealthy and peaceful as Alpha, and both were under the control of the Salton family.

As we set down and the ramp-way lowered, the Captain was waiting with his hands on his hips. "No more risk taking, Beutcher. We can’t keep risking young Miss Salton’s life! I had it out with the Chief this morning, and she is in agreement. You two will be sticking close to home here. I don’t care if the biggest thing you bust is a Begrid trader transporting rotten carrots. You will be staying within five light-years of this station. That gives you two planets and four colonies to police. You two are confined to that space until further orders."

I replied, "Glad to see you as well, Captain. Have you seen the video feeds we sent?"

Paq Wendell shook his head. "That information was classified before it reached my desk. The only word I have had is that the two of you left your portal space and the link was shut down. Whatever was on those video feeds had better be important!"

I nodded. "Gonath and Barrington Station were both under attack, Captain. We believe their entire populations were being carried away."

Before I could continue any further, two men in dark gray uniforms were standing beside us. "Captain Wendell, anything Mr. Beutcher just mentioned to you is now classified information. You would do well to forget whatever it is that you just heard. If any attempt is made to spread that information further, whether it be through a ‘how was your day’ conversation with your wife or in discussion with your Chief, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent possible. Do you understand what I am saying here, Captain?"

The Captain nodded as he looked back at me with confusion in his eyes. "I understand. We were just discussing—"

One of the uniformed officers held up his hand. "No further discussion, Mr. Wendell. The penalty for any transgression on this matter will be swift and severe. You would do well now to return to your desk and your daily matters."

The Captain nodded, slowly turned, and walked away.

I looked at the officers as Joni stepped up beside me. "Miss Salton, Mr. Beutcher, I am Major Carter, and this is Mr. Barnett. Please come with us."

We were herded into a conference room for a debrief. As we sat in chairs around a table, the major set a holo-display device on the table in front of us and powered it up. The man simply named Mr. Barnett stood silently by the closed door.

The major spoke: "Let me start by saying that we are aware of the two incursions you witnessed. We are as shocked about them as you are. As I am sure you are aware, this type of raid has happened before out in the outer sectors, but never in Alpha. I want to assure you that we have formulated a response, and action is being taken as we speak. I am not at liberty to discuss the matter with you any further than that."

I looked at the major and then over at the silent man by the door. "I can guess that we are not to discuss what we have seen with anyone, at any time, under the risk of severe penalty, as you just told the Captain?"

The major replied, "You are correct, Mr. Beutcher. For the next week, the two of you will be confined to your ship while we figure this situation out. You do understand that no word of these raids can reach the public. The panic that would ensue would throw this sector, and most of the Salton sectors, into complete chaos. The people need to feel that they are secure for our civil societies to function properly."

I raised my hand. "Perhaps if the Saltons were not taxing so heavily and confiscating resources, the people would not so easily be thrown into the chaos that you speak of. They would willingly rally in support of the government."

The major pursed his lips for several seconds. "There is much you do not have vital information on, Mr. Beutcher. Sometimes actions that otherwise look suspicious or unfair have reasons behind them that you are unaware of. Regardless of your concerns, your silence is required under threat of the severest of penalties should you break that silence. Miss Salton, that goes for you as well."

Joni laughed. "You don’t have to worry about me, Major. I don’t have anyone other than Mr. Beutcher here that I would discuss anything with. I… we... will keep our silence."

I gestured toward the door. "I am curious, Major. The two of you wear the same uniform, and yet only you have a rank. That seems odd to me."

The major replied, "I am sorry, Mr. Beutcher. I am not at liberty to discuss anything with you other than to emphasize your need to be silent and that you will be confined to the
Daunte
for the time being."

The major stood and held his hand out toward the door. "If you would care to return to your ship, Mr. Beutcher, Miss Salton, we will be on our way. Either I or Mr. Barnett will be in contact with you once any decision concerning your confinement has been made. Until that time arrives, your silence is required."

Our week in isolation was excruciating. Our coffee supply was running low with no way to replenish it. The Captain had not been seen or heard from. A single man in one of the dark gray uniforms remained standing at the Bay-17 door. As day seven turned into eight, Major Carter walked halfway up the ramp-way, stopping just before a growling Raptor.

"It’s OK, Major," said Joni. "Come on up. He won’t harm you."

Raptor’s expression quickly changed from one of hostility to one of light concern. The major took the last few steps slowly before stopping beside the muscular dog. Raptor leaned hard against the major to let his continued presence and concern be known.

The major spoke. "Miss Salton, Mr. Beutcher. After much deliberation, the organization that I work for has decided to offer each of you a position. We would like you to be our representatives with the Security Inspection Corps. You will be our eyes and ears in the Alpha sector and will report directly to us on incidents such as with the happenings of last week. There is no pay associated with these positions. And should you decline this offer, the fact that an offer was made or that our organization exists remains classified information with the same penalty for unauthorized dissemination as before."

I replied, "You make it sound so appealing, major. I would ask only one question before offering an answer."

The major nodded. "Fair enough. What is your question, Mr. Beutcher?"

I looked over at Joni and then back. "Is this organization sanctioned by and under the authority of the Salton family?"

The major again nodded. "It is. I can go no further in description of the organization or of its mission without acceptance of this job from both of you. Before you answer, I would also like to add that once you have accepted, there is no going back. Members of this organization may only leave under a narrow set of circumstances. Death and severe disability are among those reasons. If such a case as this were to occur while you were under a direct mission for the organization, your direct family members would be cared for through a fund set up by the Salton family."

I turned to look at Joni. "I think I already know your answer. You would be in favor of the adventure that joining such an organization would offer."

Joni smiled and nodded.

I turned back to the major. "Miss Salton is interested, and I am as well. Our motivations may be different, but I believe that they are equally valid reasons. Seeing the events taking place here in our sector has me disturbed. I feel it is my civic duty to help to restore lawful order in any way I can. If that is the goal of the Saltons, then I accept as well. If this is an effort to further tighten the grip on the freedoms of the people of this sector, I would like you to know up front that I will not be a willing participant."

The major reached out his hand with a smile. "I can assure you, Mr. Beutcher, your wishes and those of the Salton family are closely aligned. The two of you will be given instruction through your Chief to attend a one-week-long security symposium on SS9. You will be taken through orientation during that time, with the final day being a study day. The study materials will be provided to you and sent back to your Chief, validating the external reasons you were selected to attend. In other words, your cover."

I replied, "Will we be attending in the
Daunte
?"

The major shook his head. "You will be traveling through a direct portal to SS9. Your travel data will indicate that you transferred through the eighteen normal hops to get there, but you will be going directly using the organization’s systems."

I raised my eyebrows. "Does the organization have a moniker?"

The major nodded. "You will receive communications through the Zed Corporation, although you are never to repeat that name. If asked, you will deny all knowledge of its existence. This will all be explained to you during your orientation. Now, I must be going. I would advise that you enjoy the few free moments you have with the world as you understand it. That world is about to change. If you have family, call them. If you have friends, say goodbye, as you will likely be too busy to interact with them going forward. And remember, you can give no indication of what you are involved in."

Joni half smiled. "Well, that should be easy. I’m intrigued, but still confused as to what this is all about. I was going to call my father and question him on what we saw out at Gonath and Barrington. Is that information still classified?"

The major slowly closed and opened his eyes as he nodded. "I’m afraid it is. You are both intelligent people—use discretion when talking to others, and you should be fine. Keep in mind, though, once I walk down this ramp, you will be under surveillance by the organization from that moment on. Expect your orders to come within the next twenty-four hours. Best of luck to you both in your new journeys."

The major reached down and rubbed Raptor on the head before turning to proceed back down the stairs. As he walked across the deck, he was chatting away on his comm. The man in the gray uniform standing guard at the bay door opened it. The major walked through to never be seen by us again.

Joni turned. "Well, that was kind of bizarre, but I have to say that I'm almost excited by the prospect of being in the know about what is going on out there."

I shook my head. "If you think they are going to tell us much more than the bare minimum, I think you are mistaken. We will know only what they deem necessary for us to be able to gather the information they desire. Get ready to receive and enact orders that come in without reason."

Joni tilted her head as she looked back at her holo-display. "You sure seem to know a lot about what’s coming our way."

I pulled up my display and looked at our dwindling coffee store. "I’ve had experience over the years dealing with organizations like what we just joined. They operate on a need-to-know basis and expect orders to be carried out as instructed. I cannot fathom this organization operating any differently. Their secrecy is what allows them to exist and have effect. Should the media catch wind of any such organization, they would no longer be able to operate. Hence, the need-to-know level of information they will provide to you."

Joni smiled and replied, "Hmm. I guess if you have never been in that situation, it doesn’t make much sense to you. What you just explained—I guess I can see the reasoning behind it. There is one thing I think we should do before we go any further."

I offered a half smile in return. "What’s that?"

Joni stood and walked to the galley as she spoke. "We should have a cup of coffee—you know, something to get the juices flowing, something to power us through the rest of the day. I’ll be calling my father afterward, so I will need the boost beforehand."

I laughed. "OK, a cup sounds like a reasonable first step. We will need to acquire more, though, if we are going to save the New Alliance."

Joni returned with a full cup of the Orientus for me. "Hmm, save the New Alliance. I kind of like the sound of that."

I sipped. "It may be more true than you know, so be careful what you wish for."

I spent several hours on the comm with my wife and children while Joni called her father. He was a secret board member of the Zed Corporation and was partially behind our recruitment and fast acceptance. He promised to give us a more detailed and private briefing after our orientation was complete. I looked forward to knowing a little of what he might know.

The following day, orders came through for us to proceed to SS9. We would be carrying nothing with us but the clothes on our backs. I wondered what would become of Raptor as we approached the gate to the portal complex. To my surprise, we were waved immediately through while the remaining travelers waited in line for their security checks. Traveling between portal stations had become a time-consuming event, while it had previously been a simple walk through to the other side.

As we moved forward with the crowd toward the first portal, a gentleman in a dark gray suit stepped in front of us. "If you would please come with me."

We followed. A door was opened by another gray-suited gentleman. We entered and proceeded down a long hall. An elevator door opened, and we were soon twelve floors below the main portal gates area. After a trek down another long hall, we were taken into a room with a ramp that went up into midair and ended.

Our escort spoke. "Please wait here. A portal will open at the end of the ramp. Please proceed through to the other side when it does. Have a good day."

As the door closed behind us, a hum and crackle could be heard as a portal to SS9 was established.

I held out my hand. "I believe you Humans say ‘ladies first’?"

Joni smiled as she offered a modest curtsey. "Why thank you, kind Sir. Raptor, you heard the man. Let’s go."

As we stepped through to the other side, the portal room was busy with sixteen other ramps in use. I took note of two Gandons, a Mulati, almost a dozen Humans, a Fantonian, and four Igari. A gray suit was soon standing in front of us.

"Igari?" I said, "What are they doing here? I thought they were part of our problem."

The man in the gray suit replied, "I am not at liberty to answer questions, Sir. Please proceed to the check-in desk at the end of the hall for your registration. You will be fully briefed when your orientation begins."

Joni was the first to be checked in. Hair, saliva, and blood samples were taken, as well as deep biometric scans. Every bit of physical information that could identify Joni as herself was captured. As the tech proceeded to attempt to draw my blood, his facial expression turned to one of confusion as the needle would not penetrate my tough skin.

I laughed as I raised my shirt. "Here, try under my arm."

I winced as the sample was taken. The underarm of a Grunta was a sensitive and vulnerable spot that we did not like to reveal. If we were involved in a fight, it was the one area we had to protect most. With the right pressure or a hard blow, a Grunta could become disoriented for several minutes, as a major nerve bundle ran near the skin’s surface. It was a weakness we never talked about.

We were next hustled through a sonic shower and changing rooms. Our old clothes were destroyed and we donned our new gray training suits. The fit was good and the material comfortable.

When I stepped back out into the hallway, Joni was waiting. "Wow. You look sharp. Gray is your color."

I looked at my hand and then at the sleeve of my suit. "I don’t know. Some might say it is a little too much gray, but Gruntas are not known for their fashion, so I will have to take your word for it."

Our next stop was a classroom. After several minutes of new recruits filing in, an instructor entered. Gernell Wofford was a stout Human woman with a constant scowl on her face.

Gernell spoke. "OK, listen up. Your lives as you knew them are over. You are going to learn things today that may be contrary to what you believe. It is important you accept what you hear as the truth, as it is important that you have faith and trust in the organization. Look around the room at the others around you. These people will be your new family for the next month."

One of the recruits raised his hand. "I thought this was only for a week?"

Gernell shook her head. "This class is the first. It was decided that a more extensive training regimen was required to ready agents for their first missions in the field. The situation out there is constantly in flux, and we have to roll with those changes if we want to be effective. If you are wondering about your covers back home, don’t. The lengthened stay will all be handled for you. Now, how many of you are from Alpha sector?"

As I looked around, the entire class raised their hands.

Gernell continued, "Exactly. You are all here from Alpha, and you will be returning to Alpha. Each of you was selected for the organization for your unique job skills. Whether that be transport pilot, portal gate operator, or food inspector, all your talents are vital needs. If we are to accomplish the mission before us, we need you to provide us with timely information and possible actions. Anyone who is here that thinks this is going to be fun and exciting, I will tell you now that you are sorely mistaken.

"This is serious business, and our performance will mean the difference between freedom and life, or captivity or death. There are forces at work against the New Alliance that could not have come at a worse time. I am sure you have all heard the rumors surrounding the closing down of the Andromeda Galaxy gateway? Some say the Dullen family is in a trade squabble with the Saltons. Others say it's just an effort to further restrict the movement of previously free citizens.

"I am here to tell you that it is neither of those two, or any of the other rumors you may have heard. Here is the shocker. The Alliance is under attack. That’s right. Outside forces, forces that thus far are superior to our own, have invaded."

The room rustled with quiet comments as some of the participants muttered to themselves or their partners.

Gernell held up her hand. "There will be time for discussion later. For now, I need you to listen. The Andromeda galaxy is under attack from an external force."

Gernell pressed several buttons on her arm pad, and a holo-display appeared, covering most of the wall behind her. "This is what we know. These ships, of unknown origin, have taken nearly 20 percent of the galaxy from the Dullex family defenses. Two security stations, just like this one, have been overrun. Thirty-nine inhabited planets and 126 colonies have been taken. We don’t know if our citizens on those worlds survived, were slaughtered, or were taken away to be made slaves.

"We are taking measures to stop this attacking force. As some of you may have heard, a ship construction yard is being built here in the Theta sector. I know the rumors have been flying that it is privateers or other families, or that it is even the beginning of a rebellion. All those rumors are false. It is a construction yard being built to turn out warships for the New Alliance. The first of those ships will be ready in the next few months. Production should ramp up quickly after that.