Through The Fire and Flame (The Kurtherian Endgame Book 3) Read online

  Then more hooks protruded and tore back the panel, revealing the multi-limbed drones packed into every inch of the space above.

  The mind-controlled enemy dropped from the ceiling and Peter dropped his hand. “Firrre!”

  The Marines loosed their weapons on the rain of drones. They killed scores before they landed, but it made as much difference as scooping a bucket of water from the ocean.

  The ones who survived the hail of kinetic, laser, and disruptor fire uncurled as they fell and landed imperfectly on their mechanical legs before swarming down to the much wider permacrete platform below the gantry which contained the chamber’s exits.

  Peter growled and hopped the railing. He called back as he landed, “Protect the corrre. We’ve got the exits!” He was followed by Jian and the other seven Guardians, who fanned out around the doors to prevent the drones from escaping into the ship.

  The Marines had the advantage of the high ground. They worked in pairs to keep the space around the core clear, and the Guardians fought as if possessed on the platform below.

  The drones died in their hundreds all around the core chamber. The corpses piled up around the doors, forming a barrier that gave the Guardians some leeway.

  The Marines switched focus as the Weres advanced their loose circle.

  Robinson paused to change out his magazine. “How the hell do we win against numbers like that?” he mumbled to nobody in particular, then shouldered his rifle and took aim again as his partner stepped back to swap out her empty magazine.

  “This is a battle of numbers versus intellect.” Shun chuckled and fired without pausing a beat. His shot took out three of the aliens and incapacitated a fourth. “We have a tried and tested method for dealing with this type of engagement.”

  Zhu called from farther along the gantry, “I might feel bad for these things if they had any mind of their own. It could actually be considered unfair,” he paused to clear three drones from Jian’s flank, “to drop an angry Pricolici into such a target-rich environment.”

  As if to prove Zhu’s point, there was a frustrated roar from below and a shower of mechanical body parts flew up past their heads. They looked over the railing and saw Peter tearing through the enemy a handful at a time and flinging the remains away.

  He tossed away the two halves of the drone that he’d just parted from its legs and knocked a half-dozen more flying with a swipe of his furry forearm. “This is taking toooo looong!”

  The six wolves snapped and tossed the drones around like ragdolls. Jian took a different tactic. He danced elegant circles, slashing the organic parts of the drones around him to ribbons with his claws.

  Atalanta announced another breach, although this one was not accompanied by a kinetic strike. The drones continued to swarm the core as fast as the Guardian Marines could clear the space around it.

  Jian was overrun, and he went down in a tide of probing mechanical legs. His Marines fired into the surrounding area to give him a chance, but it was too late for the cat; the drones had him.

  Still, he fought. His body became human again when he lost his battle for consciousness. His partner Marines on the gantry screamed for him to wake up.

  There was nothing any of the others could do to help. They stole glances around to keep the swarm at bay as he was passed along the seething mass and up the wall like a twisted parody of a stage diver surfing the crowd.

  Peter watched with horror as the drones fed the Guardian through the hole in the ceiling.

  Then Jian vanished.

  Peter saw red. He plowed through the crush to get to his friend, unheeding of the drones that took advantage of his distraction to attack.

  He felt a sting in his thigh and looked down to see a dart sticking out of the muscle. He pulled it out and stuck it into the brain of the nearest drone with a hoarse laugh.

  He pushed through the burning in his muscles, feeling his nanocytes working to clear whatever they’d injected him with. “Your drugs have no effect on m…”

  10

  Immersive Recreation and Training Scenario: Fantasy Wars

  The Dark Lord rose from the ground, the air around him darkening as he built his magic into a crackling black-magenta sphere around himself.

  Bethany Anne looked around for a way to reach the floating despot before his shield solidified and her gaze caught on the stands. She sprinted at the stand on her right and leapt, hitting the wall feet-first.

  Bethany Anne kept her momentum going by running a few more steps up the wall before she twisted and used the wooden planks as a springboard to launch herself at the Dark Lord.

  Now!

  Alexis and Gabriel appeared at the top of the stands at the exact moment Bethany Anne landed on the Dark Lord’s back. They dipped, and then rose again. The Dark Lord writhed to escape Bethany Anne’s clutches while she fought to take control of him.

  Hold him still, Mom!

  Bethany Anne looked up to see Gabriel with his bow and Alexis readying her magic. She snaked her arms around the Dark Lord’s neck, locking his legs down with hers so his chest and stomach were exposed.

  Alexis lit Gabriel’s arrow with her magic, and he loosed the glowing arrow without hesitation.

  The Dark Lord flung another pulse of magic, knocking the arrow away. However, Bethany Anne was somewhat more difficult to dislodge.

  She tightened her grip around the Dark Lord’s neck and stuck her knee in the small of his back. He lashed out over his shoulders, trying to remove Bethany Anne by punching her away.

  Bethany Anne laughed and used her body as a counterweight to swing them around as they dipped again, thinking to turn them to where Gabriel held his bow loosely with another arrow nocked and ready.

  Without warning, Bethany Anne and the children found themselves falling when the Dark Lord, the stands, and the whole plain vanished.

  Michael’s voice came from all around them in the featureless void which replaced it. “Do not be alarmed. There is an urgent matter that needs your attention, so I’m pulling you all out.”

  The twins were less than impressed.

  “But it’s Mother’s Day!”

  “We were just about to beat the Dark Lord!”

  Bethany Anne gathered Alexis and Gabriel to her. “We can finish the game another time. What’s going on?”

  “Let me get you out first.”

  The void faded, and Bethany Anne woke up in the Vid-doc wondering what the hell was so important that Michael would disturb her day with Alexis and Gabriel. Then she felt the familiar tingle of her connection to the Etheric and Kael-ven and Kiel’s situation flooded in.

  She lifted the lid, slipped out of the Pod, then glanced at the children, who were still coming round, and turned to Michael. “Tell me what’s going on.”

  Michael’s solemn expression spoke volumes. “The Atalanta made it to the system to relieve Kael-ven and his crew. There was an attack, a battle. We lost people.”

  Bethany Anne’s knees went soft for a moment. “What people? How many?”

  Eve and Addix walked in, deep in conversation.

  “We have video,” Eve announced. She went over to the console, and a few seconds later the end of the battle between Bethany Anne’s forces and the alien ships began playing on the wallscreen.

  “Oh, cooool!”

  All four turned to see Gabriel standing in his Vid-doc, staring at the screen with shining eyes.

  Bethany Anne waved at the screen. “Pause the playback, Eve.”

  “What game is this?” Alexis asked, rubbing her eyes as she sat up. “Can we play it?”

  Michael lifted them out of the Vid-docs one at a time. “I believe that a whole morning in the game is plenty for now. Sleepy children need to eat and take their naps before lessons this afternoon.”

  Gabriel yawned. “Is that why you’re here, Aunt Addix?”

  Addix nodded. “It is. Mind your father so we can all have fun together.”

  Michael walked over to Bethany Anne and murmured into
her mind as he kissed her goodbye. I have a full afternoon and evening planned for our children. When you learn the rest of what Eve has to share I want you to be free to take the appropriate action.

  Bethany Anne noted her husband’s careful expression and nodded. She bent to kiss Alexis and Gabriel. “Sleep well, and have fun with your father, kids. Thank you both for a wonderful Mother’s Day.”

  When the door had closed behind Michael and Bethany Anne was sure the children couldn’t overhear, she asked Eve to continue playing the video of the battle.

  Bethany Anne followed the battle to its uncertain conclusion. The two sides limped away from each other to lick their wounds and salvage what they could of their ships.

  Eve frowned. “That’s not all. The EI, Loralei—her backup was included in the information Kael-ven sent. She’s hidden something in there, I’m digging it out right now.”

  Bethany Anne had a good idea what the EI had sent. “I need that information.

  Eve made an apologetic face. “I’ll pass it on to you as soon as I get it extracted.”

  Bethany Anne raised an eyebrow. “You can’t just take it out?”

  Eve shook her head. “Not without the risk of damaging Loralei irreparably. She may not be an AI, but she has sacrificed herself twice now.”

  Bethany Anne nodded. “That deserves going the extra mile for, but don’t take too long recovering that information. Lives could depend on it.”

  Eve hung her head. “You don’t have to tell me. I know.”

  Bethany Anne took one look at Eve’s dejected posture. “We got out of there mostly unscathed, didn’t we? What’s the problem?”

  “The problem,” Eve told her, “is that they took thirty-seven of our people with them. Peter and his team are among the captured.”

  Bethany Anne headed for the door. “Roust the fleet. We leave no one behind.”

  Eve tilted her head. “The entire fleet?”

  Bethany Anne turned back, her eyes blazing red. “Every. Single. Ship. High Tortuga is going to war.”

  Eve’s expression blanked for a half-second as she checked the status of all of the ships Bethany Anne had to call on. “That will take some time to arrange.”

  “Just ready the damn fleet, Eve. Whatever ships aren’t ready to go can join us as soon as they are.”

  High Tortuga, Space Fleet Base, Queen’s Suite

  Bethany Anne looked up from her desk as the door to her suite slammed open. The familiar sound of Tabitha stomping down the hallway from the anteroom preluded the appearance of the capricious one.

  She flounced in and came to an abrupt stop in front of Bethany Anne’s desk with her arms crossed and her head tilted at an upward angle that Bethany Anne recognized as trouble waiting.

  Bethany Anne put down the report she was reading and raised an eyebrow. “Hello, Tabitha. To what do I owe the honor of this unexpected visit?”

  “Don’t you give me that!” Tabitha pointed an accusing finger at Bethany Anne. “You know exactly why I’m here.”

  Bethany Anne shrugged. “It can’t be because I grounded you. A seasoned Ranger wouldn’t argue orders that are in the best interests of everyone.”

  Tabitha kicked the visitor chair into the desk. “I’m not a Ranger anymore, Bethany Anne.” Her arm pointed out to space. “Pete is out there, and you can’t make me stay behind while the man I love gets mind-fucked by aliens.”

  Bethany Anne gestured at Tabitha’s mess. “This is exactly why I’m not allowing you to go. An outburst like this could get everyone with you killed.”

  Tabitha scowled and picked the chair up. “I don’t know what you mean.” She huffed as she dropped into the chair with her arms folded. “I’m fine.”

  “You are not fine.” Bethany Anne sighed, her face softening. “You’re not in control of your emotions at the moment. I don’t know what’s going on with you and Peter, but it’s affecting you, Tabbie.”

  Tabitha winced, her anger disarmed in two syllables.

  Bethany Anne frowned. “What did I say?”

  Tabitha looked up and away to hide the tears she couldn’t prevent falling. “Merry called me that, and so do Alexis and Gabriel, and Kevin.” She sniffed, meeting Bethany Anne’s eyes. “And so does Pete. You have to let me go. Please?”

  Bethany Anne shook her head. “You know I’m not going to move an inch on this. Why are you pushing it?”

  Tabitha took a tissue from the box on Bethany Anne’s desk and blew her nose. “Because, okay?” Her scowl deepened. “I’ve been a bitch to him recently.”

  Bethany Anne snorted, then immediately held up a hand. “I’m sorry. That was unfair.” She sat forward and laced her hands on the desk. “But Tabitha, you’ve been a bitch to pretty much everyone recently, and none of us know what’s going on with you because you’ve been too damn prickly to talk to.”

  That set Tabitha to crying again. “Dammit, I know, okay?” She covered her face with her hands and let the tears come.

  Bethany Anne got to her feet and walked around the desk to wrap her arms around the former Ranger. They stayed like that for a while. Tabitha clung to Bethany Anne and wept in great, heaving sobs, and Bethany Anne made small shushing noises and rubbed Tabitha’s back until the outpouring subsided.

  Tabitha was pale and drawn when she let go of Bethany Anne. “I’m not feeling so good. Can I just lie down a minute?”

  Bethany Anne took one look at Tabitha and helped her over to the couch. “Are you okay? Do we need to get you in the Pod-doc?”

  Tabitha waved her off. “I’ll be fine in a few minutes.”

  Bethany Anne frowned. “Stay there.” She covered Tabitha with a blanket and went to the fridge to get her some water.

  When Bethany Anne turned back to give Tabitha her water, some of the color had returned to her face. She took a few sips and replaced the cap on the bottle. “Bethany Anne, you have to let me go.” Her voice was soft yet full of steel.

  “You’re not going to let go of this, are you?” Bethany Anne sighed when Tabitha shook her head resolutely. “What’s this really about? I’ve never seen you like this, ever.”

  Tabitha pulled the blanket around her, and her eyes grew bright again. “I just need to make sure Peter is safe. I shouldn’t have let him go—not without telling him I’m pregnant.”

  Unnamed System, Battle Zone, QBS ArchAngel II, Viewing Platform

  The ArchAngel II sliced through an ocean of twisted metal and melted plastic, cutting a path through the debris-littered vacuum to the Atalanta.

  Bethany Anne stood at the window with John at her back, watching Gates wink into existence around the system as the ships of the High Tortuga fleet made their staggered entrance.

  ArchAngel brought the ship to a stop when they reached transfer range, giving Bethany Anne and John a view of the damage the Atalanta had taken in the battle.

  Her people had taken a beating.

  “So much destruction, all to prevent us from getting hold of Loralei’s information.” She leaned on the railing, the curtain of her hair not quite obscuring the red glow of her eyes.

  Off in the distance, another much larger Gate opened. The shimmering light heralded the arrival of the Astraea and the Adrastea, here to take names on behalf of their sister ship.

  Bethany Anne gripped the railing tightly as she looked upon the devastation. She calculated that at least half the support ships had been destroyed, and the Atalanta was in a sorry state.

  The superdreadnought lay off to the side of the ArchAngel II with her insides exposed and vulnerable.

  However, she was not going to die today.

  John placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “We’re lucky that Kael-ven thought to call us in or we would have been left with some Bermuda Triangle shit to solve.”

  Slowly but surely, the struggling superdreadnought was repairing herself. The gaping holes in the flank crept closed a millimeter at a time as Atalanta’s repair systems worked to reseal the ship.

  Bethany A
nne looked down at the stern, where the damage was worst. Three support vessels held a massive shard of the ship between them, playing an elaborate game of push-pull to maneuver the amputated piece back into place. “It’s a miracle there weren’t more losses.”

  John made a noise of agreement. “We’ll recover Mellor and Robinson’s bodies. There’s already someone on their way to the last known location of the transport Pod.”

  Bethany Anne’s face hardened as she turned away from the window and reached for John’s shoulder. “Good, but still, two lives lost is two too many.”

  She pulled John into the Etheric with her and brought them out again aboard the Atalanta after checking that the deck they were about to step out onto wasn’t open to space.

  Bethany Anne squeezed past John to open the door of the storage closet and stepped into the hectic corridor beyond. “We’re going to make sure we don’t lose any more.” She looked left and right to familiarize herself with their location, then strode off in the direction of the bridge.

  John turned to the side to make way for a trio of linked antigrav carts. Once they had passed, he hurried to fall in at Bethany Anne’s side. “What’s the plan, boss?”

  “The plan is that we plan.” Bethany Anne swerved to avoid bumping into a pair of junior crewmembers who froze at the sight of her, and she made the turn for the elevators without pausing. “Eve extracted the data Loralei embedded in her backup. It was the key to access the data from the drones she sent out during that first encounter. I also have the feeds from the spy drones Atalanta’s captain attached to the enemy ship during the battle. We’re on our way to meet with him now.”

  John looked at her with a mixture of amusement and concern. “You know where our enemy is and we’re still here?”

  She gave him a pointed look in return and gestured at the organized chaos around them. “You are well aware of just how much I enjoy waiting.” She led them into the elevator and told it to take them to the command deck.

  John chuckled as the elevator began to move. “You’re frustrated.”

  Bethany Anne arched an eyebrow. “Just a little bit.” She waved a hand. “It’s not important. There is more at stake here than answering an insult or solving a dispute. Thirty-seven lives could be lost if we fuck it up, including Peter’s.”