The old marine unloaded on the BG and pushed it back, out of range of its long staff, both ends angry red blades. Greeley recovered, scrambling backwards, reset his weapon and they both fired on the mech until the chestplate was cherry red. The big warrior lurched forward, straight into the stream of both Fed rifle blasts, the worm inside crying out in a high-pitched wail, and made one last attack, the glowing blade swiping down again from on high. The mech started to fall towards the cell and Barth jumped back onto Jolo, the blade swooshed overhead and came down carving a black gash into the wall of the cell and the warrior fell screaming into the center of the tiny room. Smoke rose up from its chestplate, a melted mess of alacyte and burning worm.
Jolo pulled Barth back against the wall, but the BG did not move, the screeching had finally stopped. It was dead quiet suddenly, the only sound was heavy breathing and the sizzle and pop of the worm frying inside its own armor.
Finally Jolo stood up and grinned, “Smells like a barbecue.” Greeley, still clutching onto the Fed energy weapon, stepped over the fallen Fed marine and the tangled alacyte mess of BG warrior.
The young marine without his rifle jumped up and demanded Greeley hand over the weapon. “Unauthorized use of a Federation firearm is against the law and punishable—” he said, but then Jolo had him by the neck and walked him back against the wall.
“Be quiet,” Jolo said. He loosened his grip and the marine started up again so Jolo threw him in the cell. Greeley held him inside at gunpoint. “Shoot him if he says another word,” said Jolo.
The old marine was kneeling over Filcher, checking for a pulse. The admiral was splayed out on the floor, the pool of blood from the dead marine had engulfed Filcher’s legs in a glossy, dark slick. “Is he okay?” said Jolo.
“He’s alive. He knew the blast was coming but he didn’t get out of the way. He told us to stand back.”
“Maybe he wanted to go,” said Jolo.
“I’m gonna call in a med team.”
Jolo took the downed marine’s knife and cut away the thick black strap, then slid the knife under his belt and took the energy rifle. “Greeley, Barth, let’s go,” he said.
“Your ship is in the impound. I can take you there,” said the old marine.
“How we gonna get around security?”
“I’m captain of the guard. I’ll call them off.”
“Why are you helping?” said Jolo.
The old marine looked down at Filcher. “Because he told me what’s really happening.”
Decisions
Aboard the Argossy
1 day left
The old marine named Kess put neck rings on Jolo, Greeley and Barth. “This is just for show,” he said. “They aren’t active but most won’t be able to tell.” Then he marched them straight to docking bay 7 four levels down with his rifle aimed at their backs, cursing them when other Feds showed up in the passageways of the big ship. Jolo glanced over at Greeley and the big man had a smile on his face.
“Head down and try not to look so happy,” said Jolo.
“Cain’t help it, Cap’n,” said Greeley. He aimed his head down and tried to erase the smile but ended up with a strange grimace.
In this way they made it down to the docking bay. There was a small sec detail on the deck and Kess ordered them up to the cells where they’d just come from. All four marines hustled out and the only people left were ground crew who didn’t seem to care about the gray haired marine and the three prisoners.
The docking bay was huge. They walked past two smaller transports and there, right next to a gunship was the Argossy. It stood out amongst the Fed ships with its old-style rounded nose and odd dorsal fin. The Fed ships were angular and had an aggressive look, but Jolo knew in a pinch he’d take the old Argossy any day over one of the Fed boats.
The docking bay door was a giant energy field much like the cell door they’d just left. Jolo could see out into the blackness of space, but he could also see the energy field shimmering and the blue generators on either side glowing.
“How we gonna get through the door?” Jolo said to Kess.
Kess turned to a one of the ramp hogs, a skinny man with a dirty coverall and a red hat. He carried a big spanner used to lock the power cables that recharged the boats.
“Private,” Kess yelled to the man and pointed at the Argossy. “This thing juiced up?”
“Yes, sir. She’s full up, but locked down,” he said, heading for one of the smaller Martin GX transports. Lately, the Fed had begun to rely on outsourced boats like the little Martins since the Fed had slowed ship production.
“How about unlocking it?” said Kess. The man stopped and eyed Jolo and company.
“I’m not supposed to… uh… I’ll need authorization.”
“Well, we’ll need to bypass authorization. You’ll have to do it manually.” He aimed the rifle at the man’s head, then reconsidered and pointed it at his knees. “Call ops and you’re gonna need some new legs.” Then he turned to Jolo. “Y’all take off the collars.”
