Compelling Evidence Read online

  Tabitha eyed Michael, eyebrow raised as he shrugged. She looked down and poked the alien with her foot, then flipped it onto its back with a harder shove.

  They stood around the twitching alien with its chest blown open and its spindly metal legs waving uselessly. The alien most closely resembled a grub, if grubs had eight eyes, were blue, and had merged with technology to get around better.

  The grub on the floor was wracked with pain, its dying convulsions twisting its limp body and jerking the mechanical legs around in a way that made the merging of flesh and machine even more disturbing.

  Gabrielle gagged a little.

  Bethany Anne said what they were all thinking. “What the shiny fuck is that?”

  Gabrielle readied her flamethrower. “I don’t know, but there’s more of them.”

  Outer Quarantine Zone, QBS Valiant

  The EI Valiant broadcast loud and clear from every speaker on the ship. “This is the order to evacuate. All hands to the ship’s bays. This is not a drill.”

  Captain Petra Deveaux stumbled against the railing of the platform from which she was watching the last evacuees scramble into their Pods when the ship shuddered from a third impact.

  The evacuation had been triggered when the Valiant had taken a hit which had disabled the life support systems. The surrounding dreadnoughts were providing what cover they could while the crew made their escape.

  Petra, however, wasn’t ready to give up on her ship just yet, or on Valiant. She was pissed as hell that she was out of the fight, and the urge to stay with the ship until the bitter end was overwhelming.

  “How are you holding up, Captain?” Valiant’s voice in her ear was a comfort.

  “How do you think I’m holding up? My ship is only good as a diversion and you are about to die making some big heroic sacrifice, and there’s not a damn thing I can do about it!”

  Valiant cut in as the ship shuddered again. “Captain, please think logically. I am backed up, and will continue to update my backup up until the final moment. I’ll be up again in no time, and a ship can be replaced. You cannot, Petra, so please allow me to do my duty and protect the people of this ship. We will fight together another day.”

  Petra sighed, her fingers tapping the railing. “Okay.”

  Twenty-two seconds later she made her escape from the Valiant and watched from a safe distance while Valiant turned the beleaguered ship and made a run for the enemy line to give the rest of the fleet a chance to regroup.

  “Give ‘em hell for the rest of us, Valiant,” she murmured as the shields around her ship flared brightly.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  The alien grubs poured from every door along the wide corridor. These were armored and held weapons in each of their four hands. They moved to block the corridor, brandishing their weapons at the humans with guttural snarls.

  Bethany Anne tilted her head, looking past the grubs to the door at the other end of the corridor. It was twice as big as the one they’d come through, and she sensed it was also much thicker. ADAM, can you get that door open while we clear this corridor?

  >>I’m working on it,<< he replied. >>I don’t know what their technology is based on, but it’s every bit as good as ours.<<<br />
  Just do what you can. I’ll take care of the rest.

  The grubs attacked. Bethany Anne gathered Etheric energy even as she reshaped her nails into talons. She threw the energy at the closest grubs and sliced up the front of another in two easy steps. The grubs rushed her, and she took out six more of them with another energy blast.

  The others fought around her, islands of destruction in a sea of dead and dying grubs. The noise was incredible. She dialed out the screeching and focused on working her way up the corridor toward the door.

  Michael made his way through the crush, his progress marked by bright flashes and flying, burning grubs. You weren’t going to run ahead without your backup, were you?

  She swept a hand and released the energy, making skittles out of the grubs around them. I was not. ADAM hasn’t managed to crack the door yet. She flung another volley of energy balls at a particularly large and aggressive grub. It roared in her face but retracted its head when she roared right back at it with her eyes red and her gleaming teeth exposed.

  She thrust a hand through its carapace and dragged her claws through its insides, then kicked it away and moved onto the next. ADAM, get that door open!

  >>About that…<<<br />
  Bethany Anne slashed and kicked the oncoming grubs, which were finally dwindling in number. You can’t open it?

  >>Not so much. Sorry.<<<br />
  She rolled her eyes. “Do I have to do everything around here?”

  Michael frowned. “He can’t open it?”

  Bethany Anne shook her head. “Nope. Everyone, cover me. I need to concentrate.” She held her hands up. She could feel Scott, Darryl, and John regroup around her, facing out as they took care of those trying to assault her. Bethany Anne’s hands grew bright, her training time with TOM coming to mind as she opened a small portal and fed the released energy into her efforts.

  Bethany Anne shot a stream of burning Etheric energy to clear a path to the massive door, then stood in front of the door and gave herself a little pep talk as she shook herself. “No big deal. It’s only the most Etheric energy you’ve ever attempted to control, and it’s totally not going to tear you apart.”

  It is not going to tear you apart, Bethany Anne, TOM chided. You have practiced for this, and you are ready. Now blast that bitch.

  Bethany Anne snorted, but she shook off her doubt and raised her palms toward the door. Okay, now I’m ready.

  TOM chuckled. My work here is done.

  Thank you. I needed that.

  One thing life with you has taught me is that a little humor goes a long way in these situations.

  True. She stopped talking and paid attention to her breathing. When it was deep and regular, she reached for the Etheric and began to pull once more, spooling the energy up until the raw power of it filled her almost to bursting.

  Good, now compress the energy. Trust your instincts.

  She tightened her hold and willed the energy to harden almost, drawing in more to feed the growing mass she held just outside of reality until it felt just right. “Fire in the hole!” she yelled. The energy left her hands and collided with the door with a blinding flash of white light and a deep, reverberating CLANG!

  The shockwave sent a ripple through the ship and the floor bucked unexpectedly, making everyone stumble. Bethany Anne and Michael recovered their footing first and immediately headed for the door, which was now less of a door and more of a glowing, superheated portal to the room beyond.

  They entered the large amphitheater-style room with the others close behind.

  “Holy shit!” Scott exclaimed as he ducked a droplet of molten metal.

  Tabitha dodged as he jumped back to avoid another. “Watch out for the glowy red stuff, superstar.”

  Scott gave her the finger and moved off to keep watch over Bethany Anne and Michael.

  Bethany Anne looked down at the “stage,” where two aliens sat working under a semi-translucent dome, oblivious to the intrusion. They had four arms, eight eyes attached to stalks on their heads, and grub bodies.

  Ugh, exactly what I was afraid of. TOM, do you know anything about these aliens? What’s up with them not noticing their front door just got blown in?”

  They are a mental species, he explained. They have enormous skill with the Etheric, which is how all of this is working together so well. They are not concerned with this reality, other than how they can manipulate it to serve them.

  Michael adjusted his position to get a better view of the aliens. Do they have any links to the Kurtherians?

  No, TOM replied. Just your garden variety shit-bags who love to take over other races.

  Must be Kurtherian cousins, then, Bethany Anne quipped. Of the Seven, not the Five, she added quickly. She created a ball of energy and threw it
at the dome to test the strength of the barrier. “Couldn’t just be easy, huh?” she wondered aloud when it had no effect other than to draw the attention of the aliens.

  Michael wasn’t there to reply.

  “And you talk about me running off without backup,” she grumbled.

  She looked around, seeing everyone but Michael. “Where did you—” She was dropped to her knees by a sudden stabbing sensation in her brain. The others were on the floor around her, clutching their heads as the aliens pressed their psionic attack.

  Michael was still nowhere to be seen.

  Bethany Anne screamed her rage at the intrusion through gritted teeth and pushed the aliens from her mind. She forced herself to her feet and clenched her fists until the dizziness receded. “Nice try, assholes.”

  The aliens were taken aback. They chittered to each other animatedly, clearly fascinated by Bethany Anne.

  The stalks on their heads turned as one to scrutinize her.

  “Such power,” the first crooned. “New powers… So raw, so talented…”

  The other cut in. “So tasty. Can you imagine what her mind will taste like?”

  Her translation software handled the conversation, although by that point she wished it hadn’t bothered.

  They chuckled, and Bethany Anne was hammered with a much harder attack. She screamed, barely able to fight back as the aliens ravaged her with wave after increasing wave of pain.

  TOM stepped in. He blocked Bethany Anne’s pain and placed himself between her mind and the aliens. Oh, no, you didn’t just threaten to eat my friend’s mind. He unleashed an attack of his own, giving Bethany Anne time to recover.

  The aliens recoiled. “A Kurtherian?”

  Damn right, a Kurtherian. However, I am not the deadliest being in this room at the moment. Now, die.

  The aliens pulled themselves together and launched a fresh attack to counter TOM’s.

  “There are two of us,” one pointed out. “And only one of you. Kurtherian or not, your host is damaged.”

  The silky smooth voice of death spoke from behind them.

  “His host’s husband is not,” it said.

  Michael turned to Myst and began to probe the alien dome. It had a perfect seal, preventing him from getting inside no matter how thin he spread himself. When the aliens began their attack, the dome relaxed just a fraction. It was enough for him to start to push himself through the barrier a few molecules at a time.

  The dome weakened further when they focused on Bethany Anne. It killed him to see her in pain, but he knew that the quickest way to end her suffering was to get through the barrier and tear the hearts out of the alien grubs.

  TOM’s attack gave him the opportunity he’d been waiting for.

  The dome flickered for less than a tenth of a second, but the pressure he was exerting over the entire surface caused his molecules to plummet to the floor inside the dome when the resistance was removed.

  Michael pulled himself into a cloud behind the aliens just as they were talking proudly about having damaged his love. He solidified and, having taken off his gauntlets, reached into their backs with two fully clawed hands.

  When he pulled them out, they held two dripping, steaming lumps of flesh that were still half-attached to the insides.

  “I don't know if you need these,” Michael hissed into their ears as their eyes opened in shock. “But I know I have your attention now. I'll just take these until you can prove you won't attack my wife again... Just kidding.” He ripped their organs out the rest of the way, and they slumped to the floor. “You can die. I really don't care.” The dome failed and he dropped the organs with a look of distaste, then noticed Bethany Anne's eyes opening.

  Michael looked around as the team started to get to their feet. John and Gabrielle were up first and checked on the others while he headed to Bethany Anne’s side.

  Quarantined System (twelve hours later)

  Bethany Anne stalked irritably ten feet ahead of the demolition teams as she led them through the alien ship to talk about dismantling it.

  “Go through this place and strip it of anything that looks even remotely important.” She tore another strip off the roll of tape she was carrying to mark items she wanted to be sent straight to Jean’s lab on the ArchAngel II and pressed it to the console the aliens had been working at. “You have twelve hours, since in fourteen hours I want there to be a fuck-load of nothing at all here. Do you understand?”

  She dismissed the teams and continued her walkthrough, stopping when she got to the loading bays to allow herself a minute to observe the bustle. Ships moved in and out of the massive hangar doors in turn, and shuttles zipped in with a bunch of people and out again loaded with machinery for the return.

  The first demolition team came in, then went out again. They had captured some of the bigger chunks of the battleship and pulled them into the hangar, leaving other pieces to be blown by the explosives teams. The retrieved pieces had been laid out in an open area, and there were people all around working on them.

  Michael wandered over to Bethany Anne to watch the proceedings with her. “What are they doing?” he asked, indicating a few of the workers who appeared to be painting the pieces of wreckage.

  Bethany Anne grinned and tapped the side of her nose with a finger. “That would be telling, wouldn’t it?” She slapped his ass and walked off. “I have a call with my dad. I’ll tell you about the painting later.”

  Michael let her go without pressing for an answer. He had a secret of his own to check on. He made his way to a secluded part of the ship and opened an Etheric connection to Eve.

  “How are the children? he asked the moment Eve appeared.

  “They’re doing extremely well,” she told him proudly. “They have completed the island scenario and rested for the night. They are about to become the first virtual reality players in this system to put on their helmets, grab their swords or magic wands, and create new characters for Dragons and Caves.”

  Michael smiled at Eve’s excited spiel. “Little do they know that their real training is about to commence.” He snickered. “Make sure they can beat their first couple of levels quickly. I want them suckered into the endorphins of leveling up.”

  Eve snorted. “Are you trying to teach me to suck eggs?”

  Michael laughed. “I apologize, Eve. I should respect the true genius you represent.”

  “Damn right,” she stated. “OH! They are picking their character classes now. I have to go before Addix takes the one I want. See you when you get back.” She cut the connection without another word.

  Michael frowned. “Dammit, now I don’t get to be there when they take their first virtual steps.”

  Bethany Anne tapped the table as she listened to the General’s report. She didn’t miss the look of concern her father gave her when he saw the dark rings under her eyes. “I’m okay, Dad,” she reassured him. “So, how did it go from your end?”

  “When the satellites hit the system, all they found was smoking debris strewn for kilometers.” He let slip a small smile. “The Leath and the Noel-ni are going apeshit wondering who did this.”

  Bethany Anne shrugged. “Let them wonder.”

  The concerned look returned to Lance’s face. “I trust there is nothing there to pin this to you?”

  She smirked. “Not a sausage. We cleaned up the system, but we left a few clues to divert from looking too hard at it.”

  Lance raised an eyebrow. “Clues? To what?”

  “The Dread Pirate Roberts Dark Empire Squadron, of course,” she told him. “High Tortuga has come out victorious...” She thought of those who hadn’t made it through the battle. “Although we took some hard losses as well. Next time you come here and bring my brother, I'll show you the video.”

  They spoke a little more, then Lance excused himself.

  “I have to smooth some ruffled feathers,” he explained. He hesitated before signing off. “I am sorry for the losses the High Tortuga fleet suffered. Thank you
all for your sacrifice.”

  Bethany Anne nodded soberly. “We may not be wanted, but we’re not asking for recognition either. We will be there in the darkness, watching and waiting. Some of those who whisper will have whispered the truth. One of these days—may it be a long time in the future—the Queen Bitch will be back.”

  Lance shrugged. “What will be, will be. For now, it is an enigma that will occupy them for a while. It helps me keep their focus away from all the other shit I'm pulling.”

  “Whatever you need, Dad. You know that.”

  “You too, pumpkin.”

  Michael wandered in just in time to wave to Lance before he signed off.

  Bethany Anne took in his smile and his practically jaunty posture and was instantly suspicious. “What are you up to?”

  “Nothing,” he told her. “Just making sure the children are studying.”

  “The children love studying. Why would you need to check?”

  Michael held his hands up. “Can’t a loving father miss his children while he’s away from them?” He sighed, affronted, then turned and left.

  “Hmmm.” The spring in his step told a different story than the pout he’d given her, but she decided to let it pass. “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth,” she muttered as he left again. “He’s taking on the responsibility for the children. I should be happy, excited, and beyond joyous that he’s so involved…”

  Then why aren’t you? Tom asked as she headed out.

  “Because he’s up to something. Any time that man is that happy, he’s up to something.”

  High Tortuga, Space Fleet Base, The Dome

  Bethany Anne dropped her robe in preparation for the training session and took her usual cross-legged pose on the mat with her hands resting loosely on her knees and her chin on her chest. She had just begun the breathing part of the process when ADAM interrupted.

  >>Bethany Anne?<<<br />
  What’s up, ADAM?

  >>We have received a data burst from one of the scout explorers, the Loralei.<<<br />