Chapter Fourteen

Selt and Kuran stood shoulder to shoulder as they reviewed the news footage. Selt opined, "She's in no real danger here, but safeguards must be put in place. The problem is keeping her cooped up in her quarters or under heavy guard when she's moving about."

"Hardly a life for a young woman her age," Kuran said. "Despite our security protocols where Matara Charity is concerned, trade and diplomatic visits mean there's the chance a Dark can gain access to the station again and go after her. A slim chance is too much in my book."

"Agreed. Have you been able to reach Admiral Piras?"

Kuran switched off the vid. "No. You worked closely with him for years. Do you think he'd agree to move her to another location?"

During his stint on Captain Kila's spyship, Selt had overheard a number of conversations between Clan Piras in reference to their families. He hadn't tried to eavesdrop, but a spyship was small and privacy could only be had in the tight quarters where its crew slept. Having been in exile for five years, Clan Piras had had many discussions about their concerns for extended family members in his hearing.

"The admiral would do whatever is necessary to guarantee Matara Charity's safety…as would his clanmate, her sister Hope."

Kuran nodded. "She's ultimately your responsibility on the station since they made your clan her guardians. Do you have any idea on what to do about this?"

"I do. I doubt Matara Charity will find it appealing, but New Bethlehem has joined Mercy in demanding she be surrendered to them for questioning. We have to hide her." Selt drew a deep breath. He felt he'd somehow failed Clan Piras, but as he'd heard Hope say before, the genie was out of the bottle. Given the circumstances, he could only find another bottle to put the genie in.

"Whatever I can do, don't hesitate to ask," Kuran insisted.

"Thank you, sir. If you'd request Governor Nichols' and Admiral Tranis' assistance, I'd be grateful."

"The big guns, huh? Let's make some coms."

* * * *

Earth II

Blythe Nelson scowled as Retoft's com frequency buzzed insistently. It wasn't picked up. Because she was undercover on Earth II and it was a clandestine connection, she had no option to leave him a message. Muttering a string of obscenities, she clicked her unit off.

She was furious Jedver's news bureau, her actual employer, had exposed Charity Nath's presence on the space station. Had Retoft had a hand in it? He might have been under duress to put the young woman's life in danger by running the story, but Blythe couldn't imagine him caving under any circumstance. Not even for a big scoop like this.

Under the anger was great fear for her editor and friend. Though it opened her up to being outed as an undercover reporter, she'd dared to leave a message on Retoft's official com link. She'd done so as an Earth journalist to avoid suspicion from those scrutinizing his contacts, asking him for more information regarding the Charity Nath and orphanage stories. Retoft, of course, would know she was checking on him.

He'd offered no response, either officially or secretly.

She recalled her intuition days prior that he was in danger. She had another nasty feeling at the lack of response. Something had happened to him. Those he'd worried were watching him had removed him from the bureau. She could only hope he'd been simply put on leave…and nothing worse.

Blythe clicked her com again. When her spy boyfriend Dramok Deram answered, she said in a cheery voice for the benefit of those in the crowded newsroom who might overhear, "Hi, Dan! I'm comming to let you know Rob's out of his office for what appears to be extended leave. Do you have other contacts who could help me on the story we discussed?"

His smooth voice expressed sympathy. "Blythe, I'm sorry to hear Retoft might be missing. Hopefully, he's okay. I'll let our field head of the spy division know the Jedver news bureau is totally compromised as of now, and he can kick it up the line."

"Thanks." She switched to her other concern, though Deram would have already told her if there'd been an update. "Any new word on our friends on Mercy?"

His already soft tone gentled further. "Unfortunately, it's become impossible to trace your mother since they evacuated the refugee shelter she was in. My contacts are watching for her…but between the insurrection and the virus, they've lost track of her whereabouts."

It was an effort to keep her tone crisp and businesslike. "Thanks for trying. I'll continue to check on the leads I get."

"I'll see you tonight."

Blythe clicked off. It had occurred to her to beg Deram to ask if Kalquor's spy division could perhaps get a lead on Retoft's location, but they were focused on the members of the Galactic Council itself. Because the Darks could detect phased Kalquorians, they had yet to make any inroads in the matter…including a rescue of the Kalquorian secretary-general of the GC, Dramok Mereta. A mere news editor would fall far down on the list of Kalquor's effort to defeat the All.

As for her estranged mother, who'd disowned Blythe years ago…she too fell far out of Kalquor's sphere of interest since Mercy's dramatic upheaval weeks before. There was nothing Deram or Selt could do to discover what had happened to her.

Blythe rose from her desk and left her cubicle, the heels of her pumps clicking the tiled newsroom floor. She managed to fend off frustrated tears until she reached the privacy of the restroom.

* * * *

Kila's spyship

"They're here."

Weapons Commander Jado's announcement came as if Kila couldn't see the twenty-three Galactic Council prime defenders on the vid feed approaching Mymah.

He's doing his job. Calm the fuck down. A hard task when the protective warrior considered the GC was threatening women and children. A monumental task.

"Hold position. Remain in phase," he instructed his bridge crew.

Com officer Veko, his mop of long black hair obscuring his face and half his operations panel, spoke next. "They're in com range but making no attempt to contact the orphanage."

"Continuing to approach," Jado growled. "They're in weapons range."

To fire on the orphanage was unthinkable…but the first GC group that had made contact had been willing to take hostages. Piras had been of the opinion they'd been prepared to do worse. He was certain Ydru's rider had intended to kill Matara Cheryl.

"What are those?" Kila barked as dozens of small objects began emerging from the four lead warships on the monitor. He turned cold all over. They sure as hell weren't shuttles or single-man fighters.

Jado's answer was a shout. "Captain! Sensors show they're old Earther devices…city-killers! The bastards are sending city-killers to the orphanage!"

Horrified gasps filled the air. Someone uttered a sound suspiciously like a sob.

"Impossible," the helmsman whispered. "The city-killers were supposed to have been decommissioned at the end of the Earth-Kalquorian war."

"Obviously, some were missed. Time to impact." Kila's heart thundered. He watched the burners on the devastating weapons ignite and speed them to the moon.

"Less than a minute." Jado had stopped shouting, his voice now registering as a growl. "There's no chance of stopping them all."

"It'll take just one to turn the orphanage into a crater." Kila watched in helpless fury as the horrific devices sped to their target. "Fucking soulless monsters."

"Twenty seconds to impact."

"Stand by."

Heads bowed as Jado counted the last ten seconds off. Faces were hidden in hands. Many on the bridge didn't witness the bursts of white fiery destruction as the orphanage and its grounds were obliterated. Those surrounding Kila who did see it cried out.

"It's only buildings and fields. The people who lived there are what's truly important, and they're safe," he told the two look-alike staff members Marci and Darci and the twenty teenagers who crowded the bridge alongside his crew and the grim-faced Piras.

Every free space on the spyship was crammed by most the orphanage's residents Kila had taken on board. The majority were in the emptied shuttle and fighter bays. The shuttles and fighters, hovering around the spyship like children sticking close to their mother, were likewise laden with the rest of the souls who'd called Open Arms Orphanage their home.

Kila and Piras had thought the incoming GC ships might fire on the orphanage, resulting in some casualties. To unleash a single city-killer was an atrocity. To have sent multiples to massacre a defenseless group of innocents was the act of sheer evil.

Jado was barely intelligible. His fangs had unhinged, adding a slur to his growl. "Are we really not firing on them, Captain? They would have—"

"But they didn't." Kila drew a steadying breath to still his shaking. He willed his own fangs to fold to his palate. "Every mote of my being screams for it, but we'll remain standing down. We've won this battle."

He turned his attention to the mop of hair hanging over the com station. "Report, Com Officer Veko."

"The attack was recorded, Captain, and we continue to broadcast live to the Premu Relay Station. My readings indicate all Galactic Council member planet systems are receiving our signal."

"Excellent." Vengeful satisfaction swept through Kila. Let the Darks try to explain themselves now. Especially after what would come next. "Switch the feed to Shuttle Bay Two."

A small monitor next to the larger view of the attacking armada was filled by Cheryl Taupin's pale face.

* * * *

Cheryl was unable to quell the trembling running through her. Perhaps it was just as well. The occasion of such brutality as she'd viewed on the vid monitor in the shuttle bay deserved the horror she felt.

"You're live," Hope whispered. "Speak to the galaxy about what's happened."

Cheryl gazed into the vid camera the other woman held. "Members of the Galactic Council of Planets, my name is Cheryl Taupin. I'm the head administrator of the Open Arms Orphanage, which until seconds ago, was located on the moon Mymah in Galactic Council space. This orphanage was established after the original Earth's Armageddon at the close of the Earth-Kalquor war. For nine years my staff, which includes a mere dozen Kalquorian protectors, has cared for and raised the parentless children of the first Earth, with the Galactic Council's support and blessing.

"What you've just witnessed was a group of Galactic Council warships using old Earth's city-killers to destroy our orphanage. During a previous inspection, in which they searched the orphanage for our Kalquorian security team…a team that has also cared for and taught our children…they attempted to seize a number of us as hostages. We managed to avoid capture at the time.

"Today they returned, but not to capture Kalquorians or humans. They came to kill. They gave no warning prior to the attack, which took place mere seconds ago. However, thanks to the Kalquorian Empire sending in help, we were able to evacuate the facility before they succeeded in murdering our children."

From the corner of her eye, she saw the monitor displaying her speech widen to include the tearful, frightened youths surrounding her. Cheryl didn't mind that Piras had insisted the youngest of the orphans be placed front and center. It might have been crass propaganda to use the most vulnerable of her wards, but the Darks had done the unspeakable. They would have done worse had Open Arms' residents not crowded aboard the spyship and its smaller vessels, all of which were beyond advised capacity.

Cheryl continued, her tone firming in anger. "The Galactic Council, overcome by an unseen enemy we refer to as the Darks and the All, will no doubt insist we've faked the destruction of the orphanage on Mymah. I beg, believe what your eyes tell you. The Kalquorian Empire isn't fabricating the existence of these merciless killers. The Darks have come for our children. They're coming for all of us."

* * * *

"Captain, the GC warships are phasing!"

Kila and Piras swung around at Jado's cry, interrupting Cheryl's impassioned plea. "Phasing?" the pair barked at the same moment.

"The signature is the same as our technology. Half have phased. The rest remain in our dimension."

"The entire group is heading our way," First Officer Esren at the helm added. "As soon as they phased, their scanners picked us up."

"The Darks must have acquired our phasing capabilities when they had hold of Fleet Admiral Hobato," Piras said, his tone filled by quiet dread.

"Now they're going to hit us. If we come out of phase, the rest are waiting to fire. Helm, make a run for it. When they catch up, we'll turn and fight." Kila shouted, "All hands, battle stations! Shuttles and fighters, head for empire space. Fighter squadrons, do not—I repeat—do not remain behind to help us. Take the children you have to safety."

No one mentioned the shuttles and fighters didn't have the range to make it to Kalquorian space. The pilots would have to get as far from what promised to be a short battle between the spyship and the prime defenders and hope the spy arm of the fleet would be able to pick them up later. They might survive.

Meanwhile, Kila still had three hundred fifty children on board. He refused to look at the frightened faces on his bridge. The teens were quiet and remained in their assigned places, reminded by Marci and Darci keep still to give the captain and his crew the room they needed to work.

"Engineering, I want everything. Full speed, including the juice I added for this party."

Lokmi knew the score. Usually, he'd argue about safety parameters and the likelihood of the engines blowing apart thanks to Kila's tinkering. This time he simply said, "You've got it, Captain. We'll keep them running as long as we can."

"Enemy warships are deploying their single-man fighters. Some are coming for us, some for our shuttles and fighters." Jado had gained control of his rage and spoke with the cool efficiency of a trained warrior.

"Focus our fire on those chasing the smaller craft. Give the shuttles in particular the chance to get away." The shuttles held up to twenty children apiece, while each fighter had room for only one. Every life was precious, but Kila had to focus on saving as many as possible. At least the fighters had a decent chance to maneuver and battle their way free of danger.

"Firing spread. We're taking hits from the GC fighters, Captain."

"Defensive shields holding for now," the weapons subcommander at Jado's side reported. "Minimal damage."

"Helm, what are those prime defenders doing?"

"Catching up, Captain. They'll be in firing range in five minutes."

"Run program E-K-Seven."

"Perfect," Piras said. "I like that program."

Kila glanced at Piras, who bent to the captain's computer console next to him. His Dramok's fingers flew over the controls while he muttered further commands to the system. Whatever his clanmate was up to couldn't possibly save their asses against such odds, but Kila was glad to have the expertise on his side. Piras would buy them valuable minutes. Any life saved would be a victory.

It was a shame Kila wouldn't be around to celebrate it.

"We're fending off most their fighters from our smaller vessels. A few have gotten through the spread, and our fighters are taking them out," Jado reported.

"Keep it up. Give those children every inch of space you can."

Kila toyed with the idea of ordering Hope to the bridge. He wanted her close when the finish came. Lokmi too, but his Imdiko wouldn't leave Engineering as long as he could coax the ship to fly. Kila had no doubt Hope likewise wouldn't budge from the frightened children in the shuttle bay, where she'd been transmitting Cheryl's statement.

I love you all. While this is the glorious death I'm glad to go to for myself, I'm sorry I couldn't save the rest of you as a Nobek should.

"Enemy ships in firing range in less than a minute, Captain."

"Shields are down five percent from the fighter fire."

"They're about to go down a lot more. Helm and weapons, get ready to turn and fight." He set aside regret to welcome the battle every warrior worth his blades lived for…the hopeless confrontation that saved innocents in the end.

"Computer, enact program Piras-One-One on my mark." Kila's Dramok stared at the large vid screen showing the pursuing warships.

"What are you up to?" Kila grinned in anticipation.

Piras returned the grin, every bit as malicious as his clanmate's. "You're going to love this."

Kila punched his own command on his computer. "When we turn, rush us straight at the GC forces, helm. I want us in the middle of the garbage, taking it out on every side."

He sensed rather than saw his crew glancing at him from the corners of their eyes. They knew what was coming. Fortunately, the kids didn't. It would be quick, and they'd never know what had happened.

"Computer, enact program Kila-S-D on my mark."

The system beeped compliance. When he gave the order, the ship would self-destruct, blowing itself to hell. Hopefully, he'd take a number of the enemy as well.

"Enemy in firing range."

"Turn and attack."

"Computer, Piras-One-One," Piras called the moment Kila had given his order.

"Executing," the system's deep robotic voice responded.

Whatever he'd done, it wasn't immediately obvious, and Kila had no opportunity to ask. The vid screen lit up as the warships unleashed a barrage at the spyship.

The bridge shook, but not as much as Kila had expected. First Officer Esren had maintained the psychotic speed they'd been traveling as the navigator turned and began flying in an evasive pattern toward the GC force. Jado and his underling were firing everything the ship had…and from the many blooming explosions on the enemy ships, they were scoring major hits.

A few of the younglings cried out as they were jolted, but they held steady. No sign of panic. Brave kids, Kila noted before directing his full attention to his readings.

"Engines steady. Slowly creeping into the red. Shields down thirty percent," Esren reported. A remarkably low loss, given they were flying to the heart of their opponent's numbers.

"Piras—" Kila began.

"I programed the ship's phase to fluctuate at random intervals," his clanmate chuckled. "Half of the enemy that's unphased can't get a lock on us when we appear. The phased ships can't hit us when we drop phase."

"You are truly the best admiral and Dramok I could have hoped for," Kila said in a low voice. Not because he was embarrassed to share his feelings in front of his crew, but because the heartfelt sentiment was for his clanmate alone in these final minutes.

Piras' response, a brilliant smile, was a wonderful vision to hold onto as they fought what was undoubtedly their last battle.