They regrouped at a gate outside of the city. Mao stood in front of Imma and his fur was bristling everywhere. Pure frustration about this event but Ya’Cahin didn’t really care about that. Some of the other guards that they had fought were there as well.
“To think that one of my own, someone that I raised and trained myself, would do this.” He growled under his breath visibly shaking.
“He didn’t act alone. Other members in the faction that sided with him. Even though you’ve got the leader I can’t imagine that this’ll be it.” She said to him. “I’d advise going through each of your guardsman to find traitors. No promises that that will be enough.”
“Yes. We will have to flush the entire royal guard. It will be taxing but needed. Your services have been greatly appreciated. You will be rewarded for this.”
“Thanks. If that’s it then we’re going to leave. Things to do. The galaxy to explore.”
She turned without a second thought. Her crew followed immediately and she let out a sigh, putting her arms behind her back and stretching. “That was an experience huh team?”
“Quite. Don’t really get a chance to stop a royal coup that often.” Tahu said listening. They could hear the beginnings of music as well as the voices of someone trying to bargain. “Looks like the festival is still going in some parts.”
“Why waste an opportunity like this?” Rizier asked. “The minds of the crowd are starting to grow. By the way this belongs to you captain.”
Holding out their hand the crystal sparkled in the light. She took it and smiled lightly. “Thanks. Sure you can manage without it?”
“I believe so. I do not plan to linger though.”
“Me either. Resting on the ship is my plan.” She turned toward both zorgs and held up a hand. “Before either of you ask, yes. You can shop and deal and buy things. We’ll wait for you on the ship. Just don’t take long.”
Though Ula restrained themselves, they allowed a smile while Tahu was a bit more obvious with their excitement. “Thanks Yaya. Come on Ula. Our sparks of life are blazing! Let’s go find some cool new stuff for my arm.” They grabbed their companion by the arm and dragged them off despite protest.
She laughed lightly and tweaked one of her spines. “Come on Rizier.”
Rizier retired somewhere else on the ship but Ya’Cahin took the observation deck. Even though she had her own room this was where she liked spending her time. Closing her eyes she sat in her chair and let her mind settle. Let the energies in her body rest. Slowing her breath, she folded her arms and slipped away.
The humming of the ship awoke her and it was dark outside. The sun had set and the had darkness settled like a blanket. She grumbled to herself and rolled over slightly as the ship moved. She watched the trees flow below them and they sailed well over them.
They turned slowly, facing the ground as the ship shot into the sky. Breaching the atmosphere soon and space’s vastness welcomed them. She slowly stood up and stretched here and there. Running her fingers across her head slowly she walked down the hallway to the half circle room. Rizier was there, observing Ula silently. They were working at their containment unit.
“How’s the work Ula?” She asked and her companion nodded slowly.
“It’s nearly done. The parts from the festival have been more of a help than I initially imagined. I believe that I can finish this.”
“Nice,” She said and laughed. “Alright. Wow. So, let’s figure out what to do next. I assume Tahu’s in the driver’s seat.”
Ula nodded. “Yes. They’re debating on where they want to go as well.”
“Do they think they’re the captain?” Ya’Cahin arched an eyebrow and even Ula had to chuckle at that. “I’m going to go set them straight.”
She tapped Ula’s shoulder and then went to the cock pit. She got as far as the hallway in front of it when the ship rocked. Stumbling she grabbed the wall for balance and moved forward slowly. “What the hell was that?”
The ship shook violently this time and she fell to her knees and an alarm started going off. She knew that alarm and swore. Her eyes glowed as she got to her feet and started running toward the cockpit. The door swept open and she looked out the cockpit as a huge dreadnaught floated into view. A wall of metal and sharp jagged edges. She rubbed her eyes but it was actually there. No illusion or virtual reality. Real deal.
“Tahu what the hell did you do?”
“I didn’t do this!” they shouted their fingers flying around the dashboard trying to turn around the ship. “They just dropped out of hyper jump and started attacking.” The ship shook as another blast slammed into the hull and everything jerked. She slid into the other seat and stared at the ship before going to their communications.
“This is captain Ya’Cahin! Why are you firing on us?”
There wasn’t a response, just static. Scowling she tried another channel and repeated the message. She repeated the message to several channels and no response came. She hit the dash and immediately grabbed the other yoke and turned it hard. Opening up the ships communication she called out, “Ula! We need you up here right now!”
They managed to get a full turn around when another shot hit them and they lost their lights for a second. Green emergency lights flashed and the door opened up. The other zorg arrived and Ya’Cahin swapped places with them. “Can we hyper jump out?” she asked quickly.
“Unsure captain. Under this amount of fire, we will not be able to build up enough power.”
“Can we out fly them?”
“Negative. The dreadnaught’s gun range will destroy us before we can get away.”
Putting both her hands on her head she swore in several languages. Who had a vendetta against them strong enough to just attack them out of nowhere. The ship did a quick turn and flashes of laser passed beneath them. Both zorgs were doing their thing, syncing with the ship to evade but no matter how good they were doing, this dreadnaught was just too big.
“Can we fire back on them?” She asked though she knew the answers.
“Negative Yaya. Our guns won’t even break their shields let alone make a dent in that things hull.”
She opened her mouth to try another option when a headache tore through her mind. Her eyes glowed bright blue and she dropped to her knees holding both sides of her head. Keeping back the pain she heard a soft voice in her ears. A whisper speaking a language that she couldn’t understand. Yet it also flashed pictures into her mind.
A distant planet, burned orange in color. A crystal as big as their ship if not bigger. She felt the semblance of power from it radiate through her body and she knew that feeling. That scary feeling when nothing was impossible for her.
She felt a hand on her shoulder and gasped, looking at Rizier’s hooded face. Each of their eyes were focused at her and glowed in much the same way as her own. “The stone. Something is happening with it.”
She nodded quickly and followed her fellow psykik back into the room. The moment the door opened light covered her face. She was bathed in the glow of the stone and her eyes narrowed. “What the hell is going on?”
“After the ship started to shake and you left. I felt power from the stone. And then suddenly it began to glow and now it is doing this.” They said extending a few arms toward it. “I was hoping you would know what it meant.”
“Sorry Zier, but I don’t. Not in the least.” A lightning bolt of pain crashed into her forehead and she whimpered as she stumbled into the table. Holding onto the edge of it she groaned, her eyes opening slits. She stared into the light of the crystal and it didn’t hurt. It pulsed and waves of power radiated over her arms.
The ship rocked once more and she found herself almost under the table. Pulling herself back up, panting and glaring she reached for the machine that was holding the shard. The dampener was finished and now she had to force open the container. But they had one shot. Another shake and an alarm this time.
“Sorry Ula.” She said softly and placed her glowing palm on the dampener. With a short pulse and flash, it broke apart underneath her hand. The shard was in her grasp and she hesitated. “I hope I don’t regret this.” She mumbled and grabbed it.
Power immediately washed over her, flowing through her arm, through her chest and spreading all around her. Eyes flying open the glow filled her up and she almost screamed from the intensity of it. But there was so much more to it than that. She could feel the currents of power from herself, from Rizier, from even the ship and the dreadnaught attacking them.
She turned her head and it was as if she were outside, in the vacuum of space staring at the ship. She could smite it down now if she chose. But no, she needed to get everyone out of here and that’s what she did. Turning her gaze into the distant stars, the planet she saw in her head flashed to mind. A once green and blue planet now stained orange and red.
She thrusted her hand forward and the entire ship was engulfed in energy. And suddenly they were warping. Warping through space faster than even hyper jump could do. She reached with her hand and wondered if she could touch planets, mess with the rings and the comets.
She focused again on the distance, the planets that they were traveling and slowly she felt the energy ebb out of her body. Slowing down as ring planets and a giant gas planet blurred past. A belt of asteroids they drifted through. She felt the power leave her body and she fell to her knees, consciousness reentering her body.
Falling down and gasping for breath. She couldn’t see, she couldn’t hear or function. She was burnt out in every way shape and form right now. Just lying there, no feeling. Her wanted to blank and turn off, but she felt the power from the shard in her hand. It wasn’t overbearing anymore, just a dull static behind her eyes.
She vaguely felt hands on her back and then felt the ship shake again. She almost panicked, fearing that they had been followed but instead it wasn’t that at all.
“We’re entering the atmosphere of the planet.” Rizier said through her mind and she gave a very short nod.
“Just let me get my bearings.” She said softly and started to get up. Shaking, her senses came back gradually. Rolling onto her back she got to her feet slowly. Using the table for support she coughed and tried not to heave as she caught her breath. When she turned around she blinked slowly because there was a new person there. Someone who hadn’t been there before.
She had dark skin, blonde hair, and green eyes. She was bewildered beyond belief and to be honest Ya’Cahin was just as confused. This newcomer didn’t look like she belonged here. She looked around the ship before focusing on Ya’Cahin and Rizier. This was weird. Was she really there or was she just something that she was imagining?
Reaching out toward her suddenly she vanished. Ya’Cahin shook her head quickly and pushed her hands to her face. What was going on? She knew using the shard would cause her to be delirious. Lose her mind. Leaving the half circle room, she went to the cockpit and both of her zorg companions were in one piece.
Tahu was leaning back and Ula turned back towards their captain. “I’m not sure but we made it. But our ship is in a bad shape. We need to land.”
Ya’Cahin nodded and rubbed her eyes. “There’s a planet coming up. Should be okay for us. Do we know who those guys were?”
“No.” Tahu said looking at her. “At least not right now. I have some ideas but I need a breather.”
She started to leave but then Tahu called out her name. “Yaya. How’d you get us out of there?”
Ya’Cahin nodded slowly. “I used the stone. And got us out of there. The thing seems to be recharging.” She glanced down at the stone which she realize she was still holding it. She didn’t realize it until now. Staring into the depths of the crystal she pulled it away from her eyes. “I think I could use a second to get my head together.”
“Do so captain. We will be landing soon. We can assess the damage afterwards and then figure out the next course of action.” Ula working with the panels available.
Walking back to the half circle room Ya’Cahin sat at one of the chairs and shut her eyes. But rather than the welcoming darkness she saw something else entirely. She saw someone flying across the air. Several someone’s. They were traveling along on discs. One of them looked like they were keeping them up. From her angle she saw their ship, flying through the air.
She snapped back to her mind and groaned leaning forward. She felt the ship land with a soft shake and hum. Even without being connected to it like the zorgs she could feel it wasn’t in good shape. Opening her eyes she rubbed her temples and then stared at the shard. “What happened?”
Looking up she looked at Rizier and shrugged her shoulders. “The shards really powerful. I was able to just pick where we were going and it threw us there.” She frowned for a moment. “Except I didn’t pick where we went. It told me.”
“What do you mean?” Rizier asked looking between her and the crystal.
“It’s been showing me things. Flashing my consciousness to places. Hell, this planet that we’re going to came from a vision I saw during the attack.”
“The stone wanted us to come here?” Rizier didn’t understand it that much but being a psykik was something they were still new to.
“I don’t get it either. This is like, origin of reality for me right now. Messing with powers that I can’t control.” She flapped her fingers as if she were speaking and then laughed. “But I might actually spend time learning what this thing is. They may have originated near my home but they’re way older. And I don’t think I can afford to keep ignoring this one anymore.”
“I think it’s a dangerous gambit but I do agree. This is a tool that we shouldn’t overlook.” Rizier folded their many arms and then turned their head to the side. Ya’Cahin winced shutting their eyes as the stone pulsed once under her fingers. “We have company coming.”
“I know. I saw them.”
“The stone?” She nodded. “Then let’s go greet them. I’m sure our companions won’t be leaving the ship any time soon.”
Standing the pair of psykiks walked to the elevator and took it down to the docking bay. Rather than take either ship they just let the ramp go down. The first thing hitting them was the wafting heat that almost took them off their feet. Wincing in it she raised her hand and took a few steps forward observing it. Looked like a landing zone for ships though none of them looked ready for space travel. Barely looked ready for land travel. How behind was this planet?
Coming down the ramp slowly she saw four beings standing there. They were wearing tattered clothes. All of them looked like they hadn’t had a decent meal in a cycle. They stared at her blankly. Maybe they’d never even met another creature outside of their planet. Why did the crystal want her to come here?
She paused though when she looked at one of the girls. It was the girl who had somehow appeared on the ship. And there she was, standing there bewildered. There eyes met for a second and something clicked. Ya’Cahin couldn’t understand it but she knew she had to bring her along. The shard in her hand was vibrating almost to show agreement.
The girl raised her hand and suddenly the crystal flew form Ya’Cain’s hand and to the girls. But the moment it touched her bare skin she shrieked recoiling away. The crystal fell to the ground, clinking on the ground but it pulsated. The two males jumped in front of her while the other girl brought out a bladed weapon.
Ya’Cahin glanced at the stone shocked. She’d never seen it do any of that before. Was that girl a psykik like the rest of them? Hell, the thing reacted to her and she just pulled it to her. She tensed in case of a fight. The girl though got to her feet, and picked up the crystal with her mind. It floated around her hand which just confirmed Ya’Cahin’s suspicions.
She walked toward the ship when Rizier made their presence known. Ya’Cahin glanced at them and motioned forward. “See this? They don’t have space travel but they have psykiks. Think this is one of the reasons it wanted us to come here?”
“It seems like it.”
“Hey, how long have you had the abilities?” She asked but the girl she’d seen in the vision seemed confused and shook her head. She glanced at her people but none of them could verify. “Great. Zier can you help us out?”
Nodding the telepath snapped a few fingers and she tried again. “Can you understand me?”
“Yeah?” She replied hesitantly. That was an interesting accent they had. Never heard it before. Then again the galaxy was a wonderfully large place.
Smiling she nodded. “Cool. Thanks, Rizier.” She pointed at herself. “I’m Ya’Cahin. You gonna hold onto that or can I have it back?”
She looked at the stone shocked and nodded. Throwing her hand forward it flew in a measured way toward her. The moment Ya’Cahin snatched it out of the air it made her arm shudder. Its glow returned and the energy was back to coursing through the crystal but it wasn’t overwhelming anymore. Manageable for the time being.
“I’m Jenny. How can I understand you suddenly?”
Ya’Cahin pointed to Rizier. “They’re a telepath. They’re translating everything we’re saying. I doubt you guys speak any of the galactic languages so this is the next best thing.”
Jenny blurted out, “So you guys are aliens?”
“I mean to me, you guys are the aliens.”
“Why’d you come here? I mean. Aliens. On our planet. And after it’s been destroyed. I don’t get it. This is a huge fucking day.”
Ya’Cahin started laughing, looking down first and then back up to the gathered four. She’d been called a lot of things but an invader was not one of them. Not seriously at least. Walking down the ramp slowly she smiled. “We didn’t come here to invade or anything like that. We’re just bounty hunters. Unfortunately, we had to do a fast escape and that brought us here. But we’ll be on our merry way soon.”
Jenny raised her hands and took a breath but then turned around to look at her group. She must have been the leader of them. Though she didn’t seem like she’d been doing it that long. Actually, she reminded Ya’Cahin of herself when she was younger. Back when Xilo was the captain.
Jenny finally turned back to face her. “That crystal. What is it?”
Turning it in her hand, she held it up and the crystal seemed to react to her direct gaze on it. “This is a souvenir of my home planet. I really shouldn’t just have it out like this to be honest.” But she smiled at her, pointing a finger at her. “But it likes you.”
“It likes me? Like a dog?”
“It means that it could interact with you. Reacted to you and whatever powers you have. That makes you special kid.”
“What do you mean it makes me special?”
“The crystal reacts to psykiks. And you’re a psykik if I’ve ever met one.”
She frowned looking down. “I guess. I can only really mess with metal.”
“That’s close enough. Trust me, there’s a lot of metal out there.” She pointed up with the crystal. Though it was atmosphere up there she was seeing the darkness above. The stars that were her home. The crystal caught the light and the vortex of energy within it spasmed to life and she smiled. “You wanna come along?”
Jenny didn’t reply immediately. In fact, she turned around and started talking to her people. Whatever their native language she could not understand it right now. She glanced back at Rizier and glared at them. But they merely shrugged.
“You really only picked out her voice?” She asked mentally.
Rizier nodded. “I didn’t think that multiple minds were needed.”
“Didn’t think it would become an issue?”
“Can you understand what they just said?”
Ya’Cahin gave her companion a pointed look but turned back to Jenny and shook her head. “Nope. Just you. Rizier’s a lazy one sometimes.”
They conversed again before she turned back and asked, “Can my friends go with me?”
Ya’Cahin hadn’t thought about that outcome. Adding one more person to the crew was one thing but adding four. There ship was big and spacious but maybe not for that many people. She frowned thinking it over.
“Are you sure that adding four more members to the crew will be a good idea?”
“No idea. Connect me with Ula and Tahu. I’ll check with them too.”
After a pause Rizier nodded and Ya’Cahin spoke. “Ula. Tahu. I need some quick feedback.”
“Yeah Yaya?”
“What is it captain?”
“I’ve met some locals form this planet. Promising psykiks. They don’t look dangerous. Mostly look like they just need food and a bed. But the shard, brought us here and reacted to the leader, I think, of the band. I want that one to join us but she wants her friends to come with. I’m getting an all or nothing vibe from it.”
“The ship was made to accommodate a crew but we will be getting to the maximum size limit soon.” Ula said. “But more hands would make for lighter work and more missions. It would be beneficial to upgrade if we were to do so.”
“I’m totally down for new people on the ship. And I always said that the ship they gave us was cozy but not good enough.” Tahu replied and then added. “Can any of them help to fix the ship?”
“I’m sure they’re teachable.” Ya’Cahin said with a short amount of thought. “So you’re both alright with this?”
“Sure thing Yaya.”
“Yes Captain.”
Coming out of the mental conference she looked at Jenny who was still focused on her. “Is it just the four of you?”
“Yeah.”
“Hm. Why not then? We’d have to upgrade the ship but having a bigger crew isn’t a bad idea. Plus, a bigger ship might be necessary.” She was mostly repeating the conference to herself out loud to commit it to memory. Standing up she walked back into the ship and breathed a huge sigh. Things were about to get interesting for them. Her thoughts went to Xilo and she chuckled. Wondering what he would say if he saw her now.
“Ula! Tahu! Let’s get it back in the air. We’ve got a lot to do and see. Galaxies a huge place and we’re just getting started.”
The Harlequin Library 