CODE: S2/S23
Episode Twenty Three
Niall Turner
Future Signs
Falex felt himself surveyed with an appraising eye.
The man turned to the woman. “Well what do you think?”
The woman said nothing, just smiled a dark eyed smile. Falex supposed she was very beautiful. Nick would know. Then he felt her voice in his mind.
“Hello, Falex.”
The smile hardened.
“I’ve been waiting for you for such a long time now.”
***
It was comfortable here, underground. Far from the surface hubbub. From responsibility. The God Empress Jaahkathna yawned and stretched, programming the grav chair for another circuit of the lower records hall. The only sounds were the low hum of the chair and occasional distant activity from the upper halls.
Akrulan would be looking for her but only Ultarch knew she was here and the guard commander could be trusted. Powering the chair towards the upper racks, Jaahkathna stared then looked away from the gaudy fresco on the records hall ceiling. Borakkaruss the Fourth in his legendary fight with the three-headed swamp lizard of Gaasshnaarrkk. She remembered first coming here with her father as a girl and the picture had sent a chill through her then. It was something she couldn’t explain to herself even now. The scene was savage but it was more the use of colour, dark and claustrophobic greens and silver against the cold white stone. Jaahkathna shivered, concentrating on finding the records she wanted. The halls were a bolthole but an eerie one. She frowned … Yes, there! She extended an elegant hand and the thin vacuum shell that protected all of the files parted around it, recognising her by chemical molecular scan.
Slipping the holo file inside her robes the Empress powered the chair down to the archaically named reader’s circle and selected a holo console. Inserting the file she waited for the system to power up. Seconds passed and there was a soft chime. The recording began to play, a cold season day some twenty years past. The outer grounds of the palace. Jaahkathna frowned, strained to make out the figures. Her mother and then her father, retainers and guardsmen all about them. And there, tiny, swathed within a med drone’s vac field-herself. She reached out, the image popping and jumping at her touch.
Other, familiar faces in the background now. A young Vorkuuthh, junior ensign to the admiralty. A smiling Abraxaarr. Jaahkathna shivered. Akrulan and Ishkavaarr. Now her father was leaning forward, switching off the drone’s protective field and hoisting her onto his shoulders. Delighted laughter and polite applause. The Emperor turned full on to the camera, his infant daughter playing with the high collar of his robe. His smile was confident. Strong.
Jaahkathna froze the image, staring hard.
Alive.
Her father is alive inside these dead seconds of infinity. If she could step inside that space, turn back time…
“My Lady.” Ultarch, at her shoulder.
Jaahkathna smiled to herself, flicking off the image. “Speak, Commander.”
He bowed. “Senator Akrulan is ready to review the celebrant arrangements.” There was a hint of humour in Ultarch’s eyes. “He has searched most extensively and fears for your safety.”
Jaahkathna nodded, containing a smile. “I will attend immediately.” She held Ultarch’s gaze. “And my husband?”
“The Prince Karnalis’s retinue is within the west palace. He awaits your instruction.”
Jaahkathna smiled a sad smile. “Then he shall receive it soon.”
***
Still point. Every sensation, every secret, every second was magnified. He was back in the white void, clasping the arms of a comfortable chair. He also didn’t appear to be breathing and could feel the creature behind him, hands on his shoulders.
Another figure sat opposite him in a similar chair. A man with grey white beard and hair, eyes closed as though sleeping.
“It’s all about making a choice.” The creature’s voice, whispering, sibilant. Those things that felt like hands… He shuddered. Something scratched at the back of his neck, feather light. “You came to this place to get away,” continued the voice. “But getting away is no choice at all.”
Soft, snickering, insect laughter from all around him.
“You may have won the war but the battle’s not even begun.”
“Maybe I don’t want to fight!” Every word was an effort.
“Like I said, no choice at all.”
“Couldn’t… have… put… it… better… myself!”
More laughter, threatening to crack his skull.
“You can walk away but you’ll still find things have a way of catching up with you.”
“Yeah, or they just sit there waiting!” Slow, very slow, he stood up. Approached the figure in the chair opposite him. “I know him don’t I?”
“Do you? Does he even know himself?”
“Who is he?”
“A possibility. A responsibility. A liability.”
The void was darkening around him now, white turning to green. The sleeper in the chair was fading from view, translucent, an outline, then gone. Three mirrors, tall and brass backed stood there in place of the sleeper, eerie in the gathering gloom, the outer two angled in towards the centre. The glass was tarnished, black and pitted in places. Standing between them, looking from side to side was unsettling, an endless succession of self, mirror image upon mirror image, angling into infinity.
“So what do you want? What is? What is not? The tick or the tock? Whose side are you on?”
Something angry was growing inside him now. “Paging Sigmund Fraud! I want out of here! Now! This is wasting time!”
Further laughter. “Exactly our point.”
A pause. The panels of the mirrors seemed to be closer around him, the warped tunnel view aside and ahead suddenly clearing. Away to the left and right mad laughter echoed, lunatic figures materialising from the gloom. Ragged, nightmare versions of himself. They scrambled closer, eyes luminescent pinpoints of green.
“How fast can you run?”
“I can’t run! My legs are bloody broken! I…”
The figures were very close now.
He ran.
***
Falex watched the star field pan out below him. They were far from the planet now. From Nick and Alf. He found he didn’t mind.
Beside him the woman’s hands moved deftly over the ship’s controls, making adjustments to their course. He settled back in his seat, tracing patterns in the twisting spirals of the outer galaxies.
“I am Europa.” The woman answered him before he could ask.
Falex smiled. “I knew you weren’t with the pirates. You’re not stupid like them.”
She flicked a final switch then turned to face him, swivelling in her seat. “I would never call a Void Pirate stupid. Not to his face.”
“They didn’t scare you!” objected Falex.
A predatory smile. “No they didn’t. But I’d much rather shoot them in the back.”
Falex found he couldn’t think of anything to say. This talk of killing was intoxicating.
A hand cupped his face, ice cold fingers tracing the lines of his tattoos. “Yes, my brothers have chosen very well.”
“Your brothers?”
“Mercenaries, killers, madmen.” Her eyes were liquid silver now. “You’ll meet them in good time.”
“What about the pirates?”
“What indeed?” She stretched and got to her feet, lithe and dangerously athletic beneath the close fitting body armour. “Irrelevant children, Falex.” She knelt beside him and Falex realised with a shock that he couldn’t feel anything from her. Nothing at all. As though she were-
“Unlike yourself.” She held his chin with forefinger and thumb, black painted nail drawing a bead of silver blood. “You’re a very relevant young man indeed.”
To Falex’s infinite relief the creature in the shape of a woman beside him released its grip and made it’s way towards the back of the small ship.
“Where are we going?”
A panel slid closed and Europa disappeared from view but her bored sounding voice still drifted back to him. “It’s all about making a choice, Falex.”
***
Nick kept running. He was on a flight of stairs, faceless concrete, multi-storied. The sound of pursuit from above and below him. Insane animal snarling and laughter.
Someone was standing beside him. A girl. Hair tied back in a ponytail, torn black jacket and earnest eyes.
“Which way?” she implored him.
“What? I don’t know! I…”
“You’ve got to make a decision! Which way?” She turned away from him, angry, making her way down the stairwell at a run.
She disappeared from view.
Nick stopped, listening. It was suddenly quiet. A cry drifted up from below. The girl - he shouldn’t have let her go! But then the mad, bubbling laughter started again, welling up from the depths.
Shadows moved on the concrete wall.
Nick didn’t want to see. He turned and ran, heading upwards…
…He arrived at a high landing, dull grey skylight to nowhere above him. A bare bulb swung on the ceiling in front of three doors, all closed. The wood of each was scarred with age.
Nick paused, listening. It had fallen silent again.
Careful, very careful, he reached out for the antique bronze handle of the door on the left.
He staggered back. The corridor of a futuristic train was shooting towards him, a shaven headed black woman with a mad grin and silver eyes raising a lethal looking handgun.
From behind her there were shouts and screams of terror beneath bursts of high-powered weaponry. She raised the gun. “Got you this time, homeboy!”
Nick pulled the door closed as a sanity-swallowing laugh threatened to engulf him. He staggered back on to the landing. Almost without thinking he leant towards the door on the right, pulled it open…
Abraxaarr, High Priest of the Black Pearl stared back at him from a coruscating beam of grey white light. A low, menacing thrum filled the air.
Nick took a step back, the door slowly closing.
Abraxaarr was mouthing something but Nick couldn’t hear it, a shrill static screech starting to fill the air.
The door was closed again. Silence returned. Nick stared at the central door, every fibre of his being prickling with anticipation. His head felt hot, his throat raw. Slow, not wanting to but doing it, he opened the centre door…
…An empty room, yellowing walls and thick dust on a bare stone floor. There was a single chair, turned away from him, the high back hiding the occupant from view. A wall-mounted mirror in front of the chair was black and pitted with age, revealing nothing. A dark mist seemed to swirl within the mirror, figures moving, indistinct.
The chair was turning, slowly swinging round, the lunatic laughter starting up again. Nick froze, had to use all his willpower just to turn around. He didn’t want to see, he really didn’t want to see…
…Something tickled his neck, the screaming chorus of animal malice and insanity rising to an unbearable pitch…
…Somewhere, somehow Nick found the will to turn round. “All right.”
The sound stopped.
There was nothing. Nothing at all. Just an empty room…
***
Jaahkathna watched the preparations in the Square of Heroes below her. Vast ranks of white stone seats, flanking the great stage at the south end of the square. Much of the upper seating to the north was taken up by the vast holo screens and sub space satellite dish equipment for transmission of the ceremony. Taurean engineers moved under Draconian direction, a tableau of insect colour and movement. As their pilot turned the hov-pod into another circuit of the square she leant towards Akrulan, seated beside her.
The senator was tapping at a data pad, frowning as he listened to an ear-mounted transceiver.
“Is there any word from Vorkuuthh?”
Akrulan looked up. “Nothing beyond the last transmission, my Lady.” He pulled a face. “From what we know of the planet, plus Kolataar’s theories, he would be unlikely to be able to transmit.”
Jaahkathna smiled. “You think I am wasting time.”
Akrulan returned the smile. “No, I do not think that, my Lady. Kolataar is a fantasist however. He is in love with these myths and legends, whatever his talk of ‘divining the substance’. No,” his face grew sad, “Ishkavaarr would have had more time for such debate.”
Jaahkathna touched his arm lightly. “Senator?”
Akrulan looked to the square below. “It will be a capacity crowd.” His tone was distant. He returned to the subject in hand. “Vorkuuthh will be largely reliant on auto systems support if he does make the planet’s surface. He will have very little time to find them, cut the psionic link and then get back to his own craft. There are reportedly very few species able to physically set foot on the surface of the planet without major bio adjustments.” He snorted to himself. “Surface! The very concept is absurd!”
There was a brief silence.
“I am sorry about Ishkavaarr,” said Jaahkathna. “He was a good man.”
Akrulan shook his head. “No, I am sorry, my Lady. You are the one who has lost a mother and a father.”
“Vorkuuthh a son,” reminded Jaahkathna, feeling threatening to crack her mask of office.
There was a low beep from the data pad on Akrulan’s knee. He studied it. “Prince Karnalis and his retinue have arrived at the West Palace, my Lady.”
Jaahkathna nodded, seemingly lost in thought
The hov- pod turned into another circuit of the square.
***
Nick woke up. Really woke up. He knew he was awake because of the pain. The sky whorled vivid green above him, splashed with corkscrew black and silvers. Damn. Still here then. He shifted uncomfortably, sharp objects catching at his back. Sitting up, he winced in pain. He had a hell of a headache. His back and arms hurt as well. The gear the Martians had given him seemed to be malfunctioning. Yet again. He blinked, remembering abruptly. Anotyne and Bartholomew. Especially Bartholomew, the arch bastard! Scrambling around he succeeded in cutting his hand and realised where he was. The Pharmacopoeia - the ruins of the underground room from the tower. Everything was exposed now, the tower and the cocooning eggshell white shattered all around him. Most of the towers and habitation around the plaza were fallen or broken. Very slowly Nick got to his feet, and staggered a few cautious steps.
Something bumped hard against his elbow. A Sky Barrel. The creature was wounded, it’s mossy hide cleaved by what looked like a sword blow. It gave a sad little burble. At the same moment there was a raucous shout from across the plaza.
Nick squinted as the Sky Barrel burbled in alarm at his side. The approaching figure looked for all the world like a pirate from the legends of old, down to the striped leggings and outsize golden earrings. Unfortunately he was raising an energy weapon not a sword.
“Arse!” Nick jumped into the Sky Barrel. “Look mate, I can’t pay you but-”
The Sky Barrel didn’t seem to mind. There was an angry shout from the pirate but it was lost far below him as the Sky Barrel veered upwards and then banked away towards the lower regions of the nameless city. Hair streaming out behind him Nick let out a cry of sheer exhilaration as he hurtled low through the cobbled streets, then upwards again. All about the ground below the strange pirates were herding groups of creatures towards a vast black ship that hovered over the garish tents of the bazaar. Which was where the Sky Barrel appeared to be heading…
“Ah! Excuse me, mate!” Nick struggled to be heard above the slipstream. “That doesn’t win the prize for top landing site y’know!” No response. The barrel veered in lower towards the tents and Nick found himself hitting the ground with unwelcome speed and force.
“Ow!” He struggled to his feet, never an easy process. “This is not… oh…” He stopped, staring at the bizarre half woman floating in front of him, holding Alf in reed like arms.
“Put her down!” Nick stepped forward, acting on instinct.
The barrel bumped between him and the woman and he swiped at it, angry.
The woman appeared to be singing, softly crooning to the unconscious Alf. Her eyes flared red as she looked towards Nick. One long fingered hand gently stroked the Sky Barrel that settled at her side.
“Oh they’re good creatures they are.” She gave the barrel a fond smile then looked back to Nick, her face hardening into something unfriendly. “Why did you come here boy?”
Nick found himself taking a step back as she floated closer. “I don’t know. Christ, I don’t know where here is! We just had to get away… It’s not been a good day…” He trailed off. “I just don’t know, all right?”
“No, you don’t do you?” Her tone was almost spiteful now. She drifted closer still, handing Alf to him.
Nick stumbled under the new weight.
The woman was drawing away from him, towards the barrel. Both were fading, disappearing from view.
“Typical,” muttered Nick
The woman’s soft laughter seemed to hang on the air.
“Nick?” Alf stirred in his arms, eyes opening. She struggled abruptly and Nick almost fell over putting her down. “What are you doing?”
“You were unconscious all right!” Nick sounded defensive. “Ask her!” He gestured towards thin air.
“N'hestereeza?”
“You what?”
“It doesn’t matter…” Alf was shaking her head. “I remember now, the tent and the dream.” She gave Nick an accusing look. “Where the hell were you?”
Angry shouts and the ominous hum of machinery were getting closer.
“Making a choice I think.” Something landed with a wet splat at Nick’s foot. “Oh look, it’s raining frogs.”
Hundreds of the creatures, slick and diminutive blue were raining from the mad artists sky above them.
Alf was pulling frogs from her hair and clothing, hands jumping at occasional static electrical charges the creatures were giving off.
Nick caught one of the creatures and held it in his palm. Ignoring the regular, jarring charge travelling up his arm he studied the frog. It blinked back at him with liquid eyes. Nick sighed. “I think, therefore, what the bollocks is going on?”
“Chrono Frogs!” The answer was supplied by a giant of a pirate, who stepped towards them through the nearby tents. His beard and hair were matted wet and he caught one of the frogs in a tricorn hat as it fell. He tossed this to another newcomer that dwarfed even him. With an ape grin the creature devoured the frog.
“Borukks!” Alf had taken a step back.
“I beg your pardon?” Nick looked at her curiously. “You turning Japanese on me or something?”
“Borukks! They’re mental!” Alf indicated the leather-clad giant.
“Oh, right.” Nick nodded. About half a dozen pirates now faced them in a semicircle.
One, small and rat featured, leered at Alf. “Oh, very pretty, yes. Make very good dreamers for the engines won’t they ,Captain?”
“That they will!” bellowed the black bearded leader. “Take them, Mr Gakk!”
The grey skinned giant started forward.
“Now wait a minute!” Nick slipped on one of the frogs, although the downpour appeared to have stopped. The rat nosed pirate had scurried off, directing the operation of what looked for all the world like an absurd, aerial hoover. It sluiced up the blue groundswell of amphibians with ease.
The Borukk had stopped, looking at Nick with evil curiosity.
Black beard spoke again. “Wait a minute?” His tone was sneering, dismissive. “Who in the hells’ can stop us?”
A beat.
“I can,” said a familiar voice.
Nick and Alf turned in disbelief.
It was Supreme Admiral Vorkuuthh.
***
Jaahkathna made her way up the broad sweep of the West Palace tower, half-listening to Akrulan at her side. Commander Ultarch tailed them dutifully, armed escort ever present.
“The delegates and citizen representatives from Ossobos, Alpha Centauri, Qux and Omnisci have all arrived, and despite reservations, King Garet of Peladon has agreed to attend,” continued Akrulan. “We expect the representation from Taureas II within the next segment.” He lowered his voice as they approached the doors to the prince’s chambers. “The presence of both yourself and your husband will be required, my Lady.”
“Yes, yes,” Jaahkathna waved the information away. “I would discuss the matter we have spoken of with my husband first.”
Akrulan bowed low. “You are determined, my Lady.”
“As ever senator, as ever.” Jaahkathna threw the doors open without ceremony.
***
“A Dragon?” The lead pirate seemed amused. “How did you get here my honourable friend?” He stepped towards Vorkuuthh.
Nick took a step back, drawing Alf with him. He’d seen some lethal looking weaponry in his time but the gun Vorkuuthh was carrying was in a league of its own. It appeared to be some sort of twin barrelled harpoon, transparent casing around deadly looking black darts.
Vorkuuthh still didn’t move, just stood waiting where he had appeared between the tents.
“You must know the rules here?” continued the pirate leader, taunting. “Your kind never come here willingly, only to die.”
The Borukk was growing impatient. It flexed powerful muscles, swinging a blue metal cudgel in a dangerous arc. “We take now, Captain! Kill the Dragon!”
Vorkuuthh smiled.
“Oh shite.” Nick backed up further, almost tripped over the guide rope of one of the tents.
Something stepped forward, casting a shadow over even the Borukk. Mad lightning flashed in the sky as the newcomer raised a weapon that was a natural extension of its arm.
Nick stared. It was a Draconian in brilliant, flawless chrome. A gleaming samurai-
“War Droid,” said Alf. She grinned hugely at the pirates. “You are royally screwed my friends.”
The Borukk was staring, open-mouthed.
All things considered it wasn’t a good move.
There was a high pitched whine as precision weaponry focussed and powered up.
No Borukk.
Nick found his ears popping at the deafening retort.
The remaining pirates ducked and ran at a hoarse cry from their leader. “You haven’t heard the last of this, Dragon scum!”
Vorkuuthh shouted a command. “Kill them all. Take no prisoners.”
“I UNDERSTAND.” The War Droid pursued the scattering pirates across the bazaar.
Vorkuuthh watched for a minute as tents and bodies, plus the bizarre floating hoover, disappeared under the impact of heavy fire. He spoke into a control unit. “Circuit and guard. Await further instruction.”
There was a distant acknowledgement and the War Droid began a circuit of the bazaar, loosing off energy blasts at any pirate foolish enough to come within range.
“Wow,” Nick stepped towards Vorkuuthh. “Am I glad to see you.”
Vorkuuthh had his back to him.
“How did you find us?” continued Nick.
“There is no time for talk.” Vorkuuthh turned towards Nick, levelling the harpoon gun.
There was a shout of alarm from Alf. “Hey! What the hell are you doing?”
If Vorkuuthh answered, Nick didn’t hear. Something hit him hard in the stomach and he lost consciousness.
***
“I thought you were here to discuss our duties for the coming celebrations, my dear!” Prince Karnalis’s tone was sour. He studied the west palace gardens from an ornamental window.
“All in good time, husband.” Jaahkathna's tone was arch.
Akrulan and Ultarch stood watching, uncertain. There was the personal as well as the political here. Both senator and guard commander seemed uncertain if they should make any intervention.
“So tell me again,” Karnalis stepped back from the window, crossed towards Jaahkathna. “You wish to discuss the events on the Black Sun Station? Where I so nearly died I might add!”
Jaahkathna was dismissive. “Entirely your own fault.” She clicked a finger and holo images appeared in the air. “You recognise them?”
Karnalis frowned. Three figures, dressed in a sleek approximation of Draconian battle armour but modified. He glowered. “Yes, yes, I recognise them.”
“Do you know who they are?” Akrulan.
“Dead if I ever encounter them again!” exploded Karnalis. He rounded on Jaahkathna. “Why do you taunt me with this?”
“Calm yourself, husband.” Jaahkathna sounded almost affectionate. “We merely seek to understand.” Another click and two further sets of holo images appeared.
Karnalis studied them, unaware of his wife’s hand on his arm. “No, no I do not know these.” He looked to Jaahkathna. “The first three yes, they were on the station. The others I’ve never seen. Are they connected?”
Akrulan stepped forward. “They have been caught on security footage from various worlds.” He paused. “But never apprehended.”
“I still don’t understand.” Karnalis looked from one to the other of them.
“Nor do we entirely but the Empress is declaring an interest,” said Akrulan. “Hundreds of thousands of lives have been lost in the conflict with Nova Mondas.” He gestured towards the holo images. “Whoever they are we believe these terrorists to have been exploiting the galactic situation for their own ends.”
“Terrorists?” Karnalis spoke almost to himself. “They were taking equipment from the Black Sun Station, of that I am certain.” He turned to Akrulan with renewed interest. “These others though,” he indicated the old man and the boy, the tall black woman and her associates, “I don’t know them. I am curious though. Do you hope to apprehend them?”
Jaahkathna smiled. “That may be difficult, especially if the ship they used at the Black Sun Station is any indication of their power.”
“We are liasing closely with Ossobos and Taureas II on this,” said Akrulan. “Members of each group, sometimes together, sometimes apart, have been sighted at various incidents.”
Karnalis was thoughtful now. “Yes, the monorail disaster on Ossobos, I recall it. And the Peace Timer barricade…” He grimaced. “That was a disaster by all accounts. There was some involvement there?”
Akrulan nodded. “It is likely. The Supreme Admiral may be able to contribute further to the picture on his return.”
Karnalis’s eyes gleamed with interest. “Yes, where is Vorkuuthh? I haven’t seen sight of him for days. Is this why the ceremonials are delayed?”
There was a brief silence.
Karnalis grinned. “I’ll take that as a yes.” He became aware of Jaahkathna's proximity to him and smiled curiously. “My dear?”
Jaahkathna took a step back. “There is much to discuss, husband. Duty must be done. Then we shall talk of these things further.” She clicked a finger and the holo images faded.
Karnalis nodded, his smile disappearing with the spectral terrorists. “Very well then, let us talk of duty.”
***
Vorkuuthh awoke with a jolt. Systems were alive all around him. One thought occupied his consciousness. Time. He didn’t have any! The planet loomed huge in the forward screens. The War Droid was piloting the ship beside him, turning it in to dock with the Pleasure Seeker, a converted Taurean merchant man. With Nick and Alf. The tranq gun fell to the floor beside him. Head heavy, Vorkuuthh struggled to un-strap himself. The Strategicians were right, the planet was a living nightmare. Had he really been down there? Truth be told he didn’t care to think.
The War Droid swivelled its head. “DOCKING WITH MERCHANT MAN IN A QUARTER SEGMENT.” Alarms began to sound. “HOSTILE SHIP IN PLANET’S LOWER ATMOSPHERE.”
“Dammit!” Vorkuuthh struggled towards the air lock. “We have to dock! Monitor hostile craft! Raise shields to maximum!”
“UNDERSTOOD.”
***
Captain Jarrad BlackStar stood at the helm of the buccaneer, staring forward as his crew busied itself about him. He was through with shouting orders now. Ratnose steered the ship on a dead course for the Draconian’s ship, docking with the merchant man above them.
“We have ‘em Captain! We have ‘em!”
“Damn right we do rat!” BlackStar wiped away a tear. “Mr Gakk shall be avenged!” He leant forward to power up the main guns as the null space engines scream rose to a higher pitch. “Where is Serren damn her?”
“No sign of her, Captain!” Ratnose shouted back. “I told you the bitch couldn’t be trusted!”
“Enough!” roared BlackStar. The Draconian was square in their sights, docked with the merchant man.
“We’ll lose some cargo!” shouted Ratnose. “Good lot of sleepers on that merchant, Captain!”
BlackStar wasn’t listening. “Damn their eyes! Damn them!” He didn’t hear Ratnose’s sudden cry of alarm.
“Ship off our starboard bow, Captain!” The half-breed stared at the nav console in horror. “She’s launched warp torpedoes!”
***
Vorkuuthh ran through the darkened corridors of the merchant man like a man possessed. He knew he didn’t have time but still he ran. The merchant man was adapted, a pleasure seeker. All paths led to the modified central deck, a circular amphitheatre with row upon row of willing sleepers.
Vorkuuthh turned on his heel, frantically scanning the faces of a hundred different individuals, a dozen different races. There! Towards the front, leaning drowsily forward. Nick and Alf. Pale, near comatose but alive. Vorkuuthh strode forward as automated proximity alarms began to sound. There would be no crew response, they were doubtless here amongst the others, willing slaves to the intoxicating atmosphere of the planet for the duration of the trip.
Nick struggled to sit up as he approached, fell back against Alf. “V…Vor…” His head lolled back, ugly black leads and psionic transceivers attached to temples and ears, journeys end credit allowing an out of body trip to the poisonous world below.
There was no time. With all his considerable strength, Vorkuuthh tore the transceivers away, scooped Nick over his shoulder in a fireman’s lift and Alf under the other arm. He headed back for the airlock in an ungainly run.
He could see the buccaneer from the corner of his eye as he made his way along the outer corridor of the merchant man. There was a clear observation panel running its length. The buccaneer was taking time to aim, confident. Knowing it was hopeless Vorkuuthh dropped the two bodies he carried and fell in a dead weight beside them. He had come so close.
The War Droid would do it’s best but their armament was nothing compared to the buccaneer.
Vorkuuthh waited for the inevitable.
Something zipped across the starscape outside, almost subliminal. The buccaneer vanished in a soundless explosion of electric blue light that faded against the teal globe of Chronos behind it.
Vorkuuthh stared for some time. Eventually he got to his feet and carried first Alf, then Nick back to the ship.
***
Preparations complete, Vorkuuthh let the War Droid plot the homeward coordinates. The machine was ruthlessly efficient and nothing if not trustworthy. He looked towards Nick and Alf, slowly coming to their senses on the low bunks at the back of the ship.
“Christ my head!” Nick gave him a very bleary stare. “What just happened?” He clutched at his stomach. “Ow! Who the hell kicked me in the stomach?” He studied the purple blue bruising in bemusement.
Vorkuuthh grinned, made his way back towards them. “You’ve had a very lucky escape. Thanks to-”
Before he could finish there was an urgent alert from the forward controls. The War Droid’s head rotated three hundred and sixty degrees to face them. “UNKNOWN SHIP INCOMING.”
Before it could continue the forward screen flickered and cleared to show a lunatic cherub and an elderly dandy in crushed green velvet and cravat.
“Thanks to us! Yay us!” The child punched the air, eyes hidden by ridiculous multi faceted insect goggles. It was hard to discern any details of their craft.
Vorkuuthh stared. “Who are you? I know your faces!”
“He knows our faces! Sweet! Are we going large with this goodness trip or what?”
“Shut up, Anotyne.”
“Yeah, right, whatever.”
“Oh god.” Nick was struggling forward, sounding sick. “What are you doing here? I remember now… on the planet… Is this the pay off?”
“No, no,” Bartholomew reassured him. “Just giving the good admiral a helping hand.”
Alf was at Nick’s shoulder. “It’s all about making a choice right?” Her voice was dull, tired.
“Damn right it is!” Anotyne grinned and raised a tumbler of green liquid to a similar one held by Bartholomew. They drained them at a gulp and regarded their audience with beatific smiles.
Anotyne hiccoughed explosively. “Why damn, I find myself feeling most justified and righteous!”
“Plus a little ancient,” murmured Bartholomew. Something alien flickered behind the old man’s eyes.
Nick shivered. “So what now?”
Bartholomew smiled. “Put your best foot forward, dear boy.” He turned to in his seat. “Mr Anotyne, set the controls for the heart of the fun!”
“Aye, aye sir!”
Bartholomew grinned. “See you on the Left Bank! Maybe!”
Anotyne leant forward, Bartholomew winked and the screen went blank.
“THAT SHIP IS NO LONGER THERE,” stated the War Droid.
“What?” said Nick. “I mean, just what?”
“Just bollocks?” wondered Alf weakly.
Supreme Admiral Vorkuuthh looked from one to the other of them. “Gordon Bennett?”
***
Far away, on the land surface of Alpha Centauri, in front of a curio shop that was much more than a shop, EnalcKarnip stood watching a young boy play with stones in the street.
Falex.
“He is very powerful.” Europa at his side.
EnalcKarnip did not look at her, sensing the creature as it really was. “No more powerful than yourself.”
The woman shape shook its head. “He is a conduit. A possibility. Potentially very much more powerful.”
“Maybe.”
“Maybe…”
“Others are coming.”
“Yes I know, the boy and the girl. One of your kin encountered the girl on Chronos, saved her. They were very foolish to go there.” A smile. “One other comes too, unknown, even to himself. The pattern is set.”
“Very true.” EnalcKarnip turned his face up to the cross ring silver of the Centaurian sky. Soft rain was beginning to fall. “Now the reaction will start.” He paused. “Where would you have me take the boy?”
“Home. Then it can begin. For better or for worse.”
“Very well. But the other still to come. He will fight you. It is the way of things.”
“Always.” The woman shape disappeared.
EnalcKarnip shook his head. “Such games. A pity you would risk this universe and the next for them.” He shook his head. “Doctor, Doctor, what have they done to you old friend?” He smiled an unreadable smile. “But perhaps there is still a way. Time will tell.” The smile broadened. “You have hidden allies as well as enemies.”
Time passed, a linear concept for some, a lateral abstract for others.
N'hestereeza slowly materialised, fading into existence beside her kin.
EnalcKarnip smiled. “I sensed you would come.”
A chuckle. “Our part is played now. Their choices are made, witting or unwitting.”
“Yes, future signs are in the air.” The Mind Dwellers’ shared an other dimensional laugh.
Falex approached, curious. The creatures before him were very strange, a thousand different faces, colours, and bearings. Endless possibility. So different from the other who had brought him here. She was a thing of infinite otherness, so dead inside…
EnalcKarnip smiled a thousand smiles. “Yes indeed, young master. Think well on that.” He extended an ever-changing hand. “Come, we have a journey to make.”
N’hestereeza wheezed laughter, watching. “Young master! ‘Tis aptly put!”
***
“So, how do I look?”
Alf had to stifle a laugh. She and Nick were in one of the royal dressing chambers, deep beneath the Square of Heroes on Draconia. Since their return they had been fussed and fought over by media and public alike. She paused to regard Nick, honorary nobleman of Draconia as he was about to become. The armour was slightly outsize but it didn’t notice beneath the ceremonial cloak. The helmet was something else but she didn’t dare comment.
“Yeah, I know, fantastic hat!” Nick sat in one of the ornate chairs placed at each corner of the chamber, looking forlornly at legs, Martian implants hidden beneath the armour. “God, I’ll be glad when this is over and done with!”
“I know what you mean.” Alf adjusted her ceremonial robes of honour. “But it’s an important day for Jaahkathna.” She gave Nick a serious look. “Lost her mother as well as her father.”
“Yeah, I know, I know.” Nick raised his hands in a placatory gesture. “How is Falex do you think?”
Alf pulled a face. They’d been through this a hundred times. Both of them knew the Taurean had been with them on Chronos. She didn’t think Nick could quite believe he’d allowed the boy to come with them on board the merchant man. She certainly couldn’t herself, but then there’d been a general sense of shell shock what with the fall out from the Doctor’s death and the devastation of Nova Mondas.
“Well?” prompted Nick, interrupting Alf’s train of thought.
“I don’t know Nick, you know I don’t know. I feel bad enough about it as it is.”
“Yeah, the Doctor would have our guts for garters! Total cock up. EnalcKarnip's message said he was fine but I don’t know if he’d want to be here or not!” Nick glowered to himself.
Alf crossed to stand beside him and began gently massaging the back of his neck.
“You’ve thought things weren’t right with Falex from some time back haven’t you?”
“Yeah? So? Doesn’t make losing him on Chronos feel any better! Biggest collection of drop outs, freaks and drug abusers in the known universe! And I took him there!” He shrugged away from her and attempted to stand up, then fell back with a cry of frustration, the Martian implants failing.
“Look!” Alf was cross now. “This isn’t the time! And don’t you think I feel exactly the same? We’ll talk to Falex when the time’s right. He probably needs some space.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know. He seemed all right on the holo vid. But I was with him when his mum died. Me and the Doctor, we saved him. Now I feel like I’ve let him down.” Nick frowned. “Except I wasn’t really getting on with him anyhow! Arse! Life never makes sense does it?”
“You can only save yourself,” said Alf quietly.
Nick didn’t appear to have heard, glaring at himself in one of the room’s full-length mirrors. For some reason the image of himself made him shiver and he turned away. Irritable he began to practise awkwardly sheathing and unsheathing his sword for the ceremony ahead.
“Do you think that the Doctor may have survived on Nova Mondas?” Nick asked Alf’s reflection.
“Nick, it will be years before the Federation can send a team down there to look for bodies. Nothing could have survived the fall out. Including the Doctor.”
There was a soft chime and the chamber door slid open. Thunderous cheers wound down from above them. Akrulan stood in the doorway, smiling a calming smile, as though sensing their disquiet. “It is time.”
“Good,” muttered Nick. “Let’s get on with it.”
***
The ceremony itself was a blur. There were proclamations and speeches of acceptance from all sides. Standing near the front of a vast, purpose built stage, Nick squinted to see clearly but often gave up and relied upon the vast screens to each side of the square that were broadcasting live to every planet in the system.
The square itself was full to the brim, row upon row of assembled Ossobans, Centaurians, Qux, Omnisci, Pels, Taureans, Martians and Draconians. As each honour was bestowed, each event recounted by a new speaker there was further thunderous cheers. Theramin was speaking now, urgent and impassioned. She spoke of the ultimate sacrifice made by the Doctor, seemingly casting a smile towards Alf. Fireworks bloomed in the late evening sky and ceremonial trumpets sounded with deafening frequency.
Nick realised Alf was squeezing his hand. It was their turn.
“Oh shit!” Broadcast by the microphone in his tunic Nick’s comment bounced audibly around the square but was somehow lost beneath the roar of the crowd. From the corner of his eye he was aware of the various seated dignitaries observing as he walked across the stage to the diminutive but proud form of Jaahkathna, Alf at his side. Admiral Sshaarp and Lord Wellarzlee stood beside Emperor Izlyr, Commander Tkoorsh beside the familiar figure of Vorkuuthh. Dennai and Rhyi'za Serapart of the Qux, inscrutable as always.
Alf was bowing low, receiving the ceremonial medallion that bestowed the status of honorary noble and freedom of the Empire upon them.
Nick followed suit. The medallion was surprisingly heavy. Slowly he looked up. The square had fallen ominously silent. All eyes were on him. He swallowed and using all his strength, got on to the central podium. A gigantic image of the Doctor beamed back at him from the far wall of the square.
“Um…” His voice bounced crazily around the square, amplified a hundred times. Arse, arse and arse!
A puzzled look passed between the Qux dignitaries on stage.
Jaahkathna gave Nick an encouraging smile.
Nick leant forward, resting on the podium, then indicated the medallion. “This,” and he pointed towards the silent image of his dead friend. “Is for the Doctor.” He paused. “I don’t think any of us would be standing here today if it wasn’t for him.” Drawing his sword from its sheath he raised the blade high. “No surrender!”
The crowd roared.
Nick brought the blade down over his knee, snapping it clean in two and hurting himself badly in the process. He tossed the sundered halves to the floor, stumbling backwards into Alf.
“You silly bastard!” Alf grimaced, realising she’d announced this to the entire square.
The huge crowd had fallen into a puzzled silence.
Jaahkathna stepped forward to stand by Nick’s side, drawing her own sword, her father’s blade. “No surrender!” Her voice was strong and she broke the blade with ease. “Now let us find a way forward together!”
Vorkuuthh stepped forward, copying the gesture, Tkoorsh close behind him.
The crowd erupted.
“Well,” said Nick, from the floor, tearing away his mike as broken swords reigned down around him, “That was painful!”
Alf followed suit, smiling. “Well done, you idiot!”
The face of the Doctor beamed down over the cheering crowds.
***
It was some days later. Nick shifted uncomfortably in his seat, never one to wait on protocol, as he had ably proved at the ceremonials. He and Alf were in Akrulan’s private chambers, together with a really quite impressive collection of heads of state. Surveying a motley collection of holo imaged figures.
“If you could explain further, Nick.” Jaahkathna prompted him from where she stood beside the figures.
Nick shrugged, aware of Alf watching him. “I don’t know I can tell you a lot.” He began to walk down the line of figures. “They call themselves the Construct. Whatever that means. These two call themselves Anotyne and Bartholomew.” He paused. “Possibly friendly, although like me, you might find this hard to believe.” He studied the other figures, two groups of three. One lot from the monorail, the other from the Black Sun Station. “This one,” he indicated the tall, black woman, “is dead.”
“How do you know this?” Dennai Serapart, sharply prompting.
Nick pulled a face, uncomfortable. “I killed her.”
“Then they can be destroyed! “ Dennai turned to her colleagues, clearly excited. “If they are killable they are controllable.” She smiled. “Assessable.”
Nick cleared his throat. “Yeah, well, that’s as maybe. I should point out we were quite literally going off the rails at this point. Plus I was using one of their own weapons.”
“What weapon?” Dennai looked at him expectantly.
“We have it in storage thanks to Nick.” Strategist Kolataar leant forward from his place at the circular table around which the dignitaries were seated. “It has proved most resistant to analysis.”
“Then perhaps we can help! A pity we could not have known of this sooner!” Dennai turned back to Nick, eager. “What of these others?” She gestured towards the remaining images.
Nick shook his head. “Those two were on the monorail but they made it off. I saw them later on Ossobos. The others,” he gestured at the final group. “I don’t know.” He frowned. “I might have seen the woman on the station…”
“I saw them!” Prince Karnalis interrupted, angry. “They were taking equipment from the station!”
“But what for?” said Alf. “What do these lunatics want?”
Vorkuuthh was nodding his agreement. “This is what is important. We must divine their purpose.”
Jaahkathna spoke, calm and clear. “Whatever their purpose, they allied with Abraxaarr. And as such are directly responsible for my father’s death!” Her tone grew fierce. “We must all be united in hunting them down!”
A cross babble of conversation broke out. Nick looked at Alf and sighed.
She smiled. “The war’s over and the battle hasn’t begun.”
Nick stared, memory turning within him. “What did you say?”
***
Later still.
The Draconian cruiser turned in low towards the atmosphere of Alpha Centauri.
Vorkuuthh looked back from the controls. “We will be there within a segment, our clearance is priority one.”
Nick nodded from where he was strapped in beside Alf. “Oh yeah, very important persons and all that.”
Alf caught his hand, held it.
Nick smiled back. His stomach lurched as Vorkuuthh brought the craft in for a smooth but abrupt landing on the overland spaceport. As the Supreme Admiral relayed his transponder signal to Centaurian control, Nick looked out to the grey green sea beyond the landing port, thinking of the city deep below. His arrival here all that time ago with the Doctor. First meeting Alf.
Vorkuuthh had unstrapped and was walking towards them. “I will not accompany you. As you know, I intend to go straight on to Taureas II. Voraann is there and I will check on Falex. Be assured I will contact you promptly if I have any concerns.”
Nick smiled. “Thanks, Vorkuuthh.”
“It is as you say, not a problem.” The Admiral moved back to the front of the craft as Centaurian control responded to his transponder signal. A steady rain was coming in from the sea now, waves crashing, huge and powerful.
Nick looked to Alf. “You ready?”
She smiled a sad smile. “I guess so.”
***
Strategist Kolataar was hard at work in the lower records hall, poring over ancient texts, some of them manuscripts so old the paper threatened to fall apart under his touch. He had spent much of his time here since the ceremonial’s because there was much to be discovered. Vorkuuthh’s return from Chronos with the offworlders had merely confirmed his theories. With history, as with the present and future, there was a pattern. But more than that. A guiding hand, a presence aside the now and the then.
He swivelled in his seat, leaning to turn a holo console on. It slowly powered up. Kolataar glanced at his wrist mounted communicator. The Empress would be with him soon. The information he had, especially relating to the pattern of the terrorist activity would be of undoubted interest. He found the events on the Black Sun Station particularly fascinating with regard to some of what he had learnt regarding Taureas II and the planet Redemption. Yes, there was definitely a pattern…
“Yeah, history’s the mother of all bitches I’ll give you that!”
Kolataar jerked in alarm. There was an unknown humanoid at the holo console directly to the left of him, corkscrew blond hair atop a lined face and smiling eyes. Insect black eyes. One leg was crossed idly on a dusty materialed knee. The stranger struck at the spur of a black boot and leant towards Kolataar, extending a hand.
“How you doing? I’m Garvary.”
Kolataar shivered. “How did you get in here?” He started again as he felt his chair turned around from behind.
A handsome black male with intricately braided hair looked down at him, resting powerful hands on his shoulders. Pressing him back into the chair. This second stranger wore some form of body armour, smooth and close fitting.
There was a giggle from behind him. “Guess we must have wandered in from somewhere. This is Rhamon by the way. He’s going to kill you.”
The dark male smiled, a look of awful complacence.
Kolataar felt his heart thudding in his chest, opened his mouth to scream. A strong hand closed it, fingers pinching his nose shut at the same time.
“A little learning is a dangerous thing,” whispered a mad voice by his ear.
Then nothing…
Garvary stared down at the screaming face of Strategist Kolataar, imprinted on the open page of the book that lay before the holo console. “Nice touch.”
“Malleable species. I love ‘em.” Rhamon let the book fall shut with a heavy thud.
“Case closed.” Garvary smiled a beatific smile.
They disappeared.
***
Scant minutes later light footsteps approached.
The God Empress Jaahkathna looked about herself. There was no sign of Kolataar. It was strange, he had been most insistent. She noticed a book by a powered up holo console. A heavy thing, antiquated, a tract on planetary alignments and sub space physics.
“Strategist?” Jaahkathna turned, uncertain. The records hall was oddly cold.
Deciding the meeting could wait until morning, the God Empress returned the book to its shelf and left the records hall with a final uneasy glance around her.
***
The shop looked exactly the same as it always had done. Nick didn’t know what he’d been expecting. The occasional Alpha Centaurian and offworlder drifted by, giving him and Alf brief, curious looks.
Nick approached closer. The shop was dark and silent. “Looks like it’s closed.”
“Well check and see!” Alf was shivering in the cold. The rain was getting heavier. “It’s miserable out here!”
Nick tried the door. It jangled open and he entered. He looked around the familiar, crowded shelves. Curios from a thousand different worlds. No sign of EnalcKarnip.
“Hello?” called Nick, cautious.
Alf stepped inside, closing the door. There was a soft, untraceable luminescence and Nick felt a strange sense of anticipation. He looked at the shop counter and then to the beaded curtain that led to the back of the shop. EnalcKarnip's special wares and private chambers.
Nick stared. There were amulets, curious and triangular, on the counter, bronzed red metal.
“What are they?” Alf stepped up to the counter, taking one of the amulets. “They’re very light.”
“I don’t know.” Nick took the other, without knowing why.
There was a rustle from the beaded curtain. They both stared.
Nothing.
Nick shrugged, strangely disappointed. Why had he come here expecting something to happen? He knew it was really to say goodbye. The Doctor was gone. He shook his head. Irreparable damage.
“Come on,” said Alf in a small voice. “Journey’s end. We’ve come full circle, Nick.”
“Yeah-”
The shop door clanged noisily open behind them and a figure in an outsize rain coat bustled in, hood pulled up, it’s arms full with an outsize teddy bear and an ornate vase.
“EnalcKarnip...” began Nick.
It was the Doctor, larger than life and grinning from ear to ear.
“Bloody hell!” said Nick.
“If you say so!” The Doctor gave a furious nod and spread his arms wide. “Nick! Alf! How very good to see you both!”
“But you’re dead!” said Alf as the bear and vase fell to the floor, the vase shattering irreparably.
“No, no, not that I’m aware of!” The Doctor grinned a frown at them and pulled a face at the broken vase. “Priceless! Absolutely priceless! Ming dynasty! Absolutely unique you know!”
Nick noticed the Doctor was wearing one of the amulets about his neck.
The Doctor knelt to the floor. “No point in crying over spilt milk!” He beamed and rubbed noses with the bear. “I’ve always wanted one of these!”
“A, I don’t understand and B, you bastard!” said Nick. “ The ceremony and everything!”
The Doctor waved a hand, an impossible vision of ricocheting energy. “Details, details. Stuff and nonsense.”
“You said it.” Nick pinched himself hard, wondering if he’d ever got off Chronos. Nope. The Doctor was still there. “What the hell is going on?”
“Okay. Explanations quickly, then time to be off.” The Doctor led Nick and Alf to a table opposite the fifth wall. As they approached the three amulets glowed. Once seated, the Doctor beamed at them. “Nick, I haven’t seen you since you left on your mission to New Mars. And Alf, last time I saw you was shortly after we learned that Nick had vanished.”
“Hold up. That was six standard months ago!”
Nick butted in. “She’s right! What about on Mars? You spoke to me through that Martian priest.”
“Did I?” The Doctor shook his head. “No. That was a clone of me.” The Doctor nodded at the blank looks from Nick and Alf. “Yes, a clone. After I learned that I had a Cyber chip in my head I realised that the only way to stop the Cybermen was to die. So a plan hatched in my head. Do you remember our trip to that Qux station, Nick?”
“Of course. You didn’t enjoy it.”
“Correct. As I later learned the Qux had stolen some of my DNA. I still have no idea why, but I did know that I could make use of that and their cloning techniques at the same time. So I stole copies of my DNA from them, along with a cloning tank.” The Doctor pointed at the fifth wall. “In there I set about creating a perfect clone of myself. And it was that clone that headed off to Nova Mondas to stop the Cybermen once and for all.”
“And it was the clone that died on Nova Mondas?” The Doctor nodded, and Nick became awash with emotion. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I did not know where you were. And then the war began and I had no chance of getting a message through. So I stayed here and finished off my time travel project.”
Nick wiped his face. Alf gave his hand a squeeze. Everything seemed so much more hopeful all of a sudden. Nick had his best friend back, just as Alf had the only link to her past back. She fingered the amulet.
“Ah yes!” The Doctor nodded to himself. “I see you’ve discovered the results of my time travel project. Very effective too!”
“What, these?” Nick studied his suspiciously.
“Yes, go on!” The Doctor, the impossible, lunatic, returned from the dead Doctor was obviously desperate for him to put the amulet on.
Nick put the amulet on. “What are these things?”
The Doctor grinned. “Time Amulets.”
Alf decided to follow Nick’s example, putting the amulet around her neck.
“Excellent! Excellent!” The Doctor was nodding manically to himself. He held his hands out. “Well, are you coming or aren’t you?”
Alf took Nick’s hand, squeezed it hard. “It’s all about making a choice.”
Nick returned the squeeze. “I guess it is at that.” He glared at the Doctor, who took hold of Nick and Alf‘s free hands. “You, are bloody impossible! You know that?”
“Oh yes, yes, quite probably, very frequently!”
The Doctor’s grip was powerful.
Alive.
He looked from one to the other of them.
“Are you ready?”
“Ready for what?” wondered Nick.
The air frizzled around them, and together they disappeared.
“Arse!”
The Doctor’s disembodied laughter seemed to hang in the air for a moment, over the head of the outsize toy panda.
And then they were somewhere else.
To be continued ...
CAST
starring:
Brian Blessed as The Doctor
Nick Pereira as Nick
Sophie Aldred as Alf
and
Elijah Wood as Rahlena Falex
with
Bernard Horsfall as Supreme Admiral Vorkuuthh
John Woodnut as Senator Akrulan
Winona Ryder as God Empress Jaahkathna
Ian Hogg as Strategist Kolataar
Terry Walsh as Commander Ultarch
David Daker as Captain BlackStar
Adrian Edmonson as Gakk
Rick Mayal as Ratnose
Claudia Black as Europa
Mary Morris as N'hestereeza Half a Body
Michael Jackson as Anotyne
Alan Rowe as Bartholomew
Seth Green as Prince Karnalis
Ian Richardson as EnalcKarnip
Angela Basset as Martura
Lara Flynn Boyle as Dennai Serapart
Gene Wilder as Garvary
Denzel Washington as Rhamon
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