Trekachaw Read online

  THREE Umdul battleships were en route with less than a two-day arrival time. Captain Pify reported a victorious crusade at a mining outpost where one Crozin flag ship was destroyed. The celebration was cut short when an intercepted transmission divulged at least five Tejat Rakta Crozin battleships were in pursuit, seeking retribution. Ship to ship, Victis transmitted to Captain Pify, “Do you have coordinates on the Crozins?”

  Transmission received. Umdul C-9 Captain Pify, “Well, well, the tail we see ago the cargo ship. I’m pretty sure by the time the caw Crozins reach Palatu, distance we favor. If not, they’ll watch the path abaft.”

  There were times Captain Pify drove Victis mad with his double talk. Clueless and no more informed than before, Victis thanked him for his allegiance and ended the transmission.

  ATUE AND VOPAR MORPHED INTO body form at the dense, gas edge of the Helix Nebula. It had been a while since they last saw Vious and Duro, but it made sense they’d pursued Myosis in that direction. From there, they weren’t sure where to go since no one would be foolish enough to enter the ominous Nebula. Even so, Atue felt compelled to share his concerns, “Do you think they would go in there?”

  Vopar ignored the question. He was too busy flying alongside the gaseous border, trying to find a viable opening. It wasn’t long before two familiar lights exited the Nebula and streaked towards them, spiraling into Duro and Vious.

  “Keep up this time,” demanded Duro.

  Begrudgingly, the wayward Trekachaws streaked towards Palatu without the satisfaction of revenge.

  Not far from the Nebula, five massive Crozin battleships flew in “V” formation with a Gystfin cargo ship trailing behind. Duro motioned for them to stop; he had a plan.

  “I say we sabotage the battleship trailing on the right side of the ‘V.’ Atue, you and Vopar locate the main solar power grid and disable the ship. Atue, um… Einstein do you remember engineering?” Duro asked.

  “Yeah, most everything,” replied Atue.

  “Good. Vious and I will target the bridge and the communication station. When you’re finished, we’ll wait for you on the bridge. Keep your ears open for anything we can use later. Now that we’re Trekachaws, we can do whatever we want.”

  “Wow Duro, I hope you’re not serious?”

  “You need to have some fun, Atue.”

  “Your fun is going to get us all killed,” replied Atue.

  Like it or not, everyone decided to follow Duro’s grand plan. Atue and Vopar entered the Crozin’s battleship through the main power grid station. To minimize detection, they flew in fast and dimmed their energy into concentrated orbs. By now, Duro and Vious should have breached the bridge. The Crozin crewmen were unaware of their presence and the ship’s security system had not considered them a threat. To their advantage, the Crozin ship was almost a duplicate of a Ryquat ship. Of course, that was to be expected since most of the ships in the galaxy were designed by Ryquats and Umdul engineered.

  Four, maybe five Crozins exited the power grid deck just moments after they floated through the wall. Their timing was perfect. Only two Crozins left to kill, and they were oblivious as to what was behind them. Vopar flashed red and waited for them to turn around. Both remained squatted on metal stools and fixated on a lit solar screen. Vopar flashed bright red again. That confirmed it, they were oblivious. Looking over the Crozins’ shoulder, Atue could see a smaller schematic relay displaying where power was being regulated throughout the ship and, more importantly, to the bridge. From there, Atue knew how to disable the ship without destroying her. He signaled Vopar and morphed into body form to lock the hatch door, “Clunk’. In sync, the Crozins sat up and spun around on their stools. Vopar landed softly behind them on top of the power grid console ready to pounce.

  The Crozins jumped to their hoofs, “What is that? Kill it.”

  Vopar grabbed their bulging heads and slammed the two together. ‘THUNK’… they sounded like watermelons being smashed. He held on to them until their bodies became limp. Thoroughly disgusted, he dropped the Crozins onto the floor and wiped his hands off on one of their uniforms. Atue didn’t even notice. He was too busy disconnecting vital circuit relays from the power grid, causing a massive surge. The battleship violently pitched forward, spiraling into an accelerated descent before losing power. The two dead Crozins floated in the air for a second, then slid across the deck floor before slamming into each other. Vopar snapped his fingers to get Atue’s attention, then pointed at the hatch. It was too late. Vopar had already unlocked the door.

  Atue shoved the circuits he was holding into a small gap between the floor and the relay station, then flashed into energy to hide with Vopar inside the ceiling halo track. The hatch crashed open and a half-dozen Crozins rushed in. After a detailed inspection, they were baffled at what caused the damage and the ship’s malfunction. Apparently, no one suspected foul play. Even more ironic, they assumed the two dead Crozins had died from injuries sustained during the ship’s violent turbulence.

  Throughout the ship, emergency lights were flashing, and back-up systems had activated. Crozin crewmen scurried about the decks trying to put out fires. On the bridge, the navigation crew had been thrown across the flight deck causing a multitude of injuries, and the Captain was preoccupied listening to overlapping exigency updates and intermittent static transmissions. Neither Vious nor Duro had linguistic chips to understand what was being said. However, Vious’s Ryquat half could speak some Crozin. He was pretty sure the Crozin Captain was waiting for another battleship to rendezvous with his stranded ship. Soon after the transmission ended, a Crozin battleship locked in at a docking platform. The injured, along with most of the crew personnel, were transferred, leaving a skeleton crew behind. Given the new development, Vious and Duro concocted a new plan. As soon as Vopar and Atue were on the bridge, they’d take command of the Crozin battleship and fly it to Palatu.

  CAVERN VILLAGE HAD GROWN EXPONENTIALLY with neighboring Quizans seeking refuge. The Gystfins were on a killing rampage, lashing out indiscriminately. Clearly, they were furious about the Ryquats’ betrayal and their missing cargo ship. Making matters worse, they were short on supplies and had no weaponry. Azha called for an emergency briefing with Choan and Belton to discuss options for ending the Gystfin’s carnage. For now, his search for Phera and Deneb would have to wait.

  “The Gystfins need to be stopped. Today, we attack them at their campsite. Have your soldiers bring as many rocks and spears as they can carry. Instruct them to go in quietly and camouflage themselves amidst the trees above the campsite perimeter. Once everyone’s in position, Choan and I will begin the attack.”

  Upon arrival, the campsite was exactly what Azha had imagined. The presumptuous Gystfins were gathered inside a dome modular building with no perimeter sensors or guards posted outside. A Quizan soldier crouched in an overhanging branch above the modular, waved at Azha to confirm they were in position. Azha whistled an Ayak bird call at Choan to get his attention.

  “Shhh, follow me. Let’s have some fun.”

  Choan thought it strange that Azha would think this situation fun. But, rather than question his request, Choan followed blindly, landing silently next to him on the roof above the doorway. Azha snickered, then jumped off the roof, landing on the ground in front of the door. Low and behold, he’d lost his mind. Azha started shaking his butt while dancing a little jig for all to see. He picked up a rock lying on the ground and began tossing it up and down in his hand. Choan’s and the soldiers’ mouths dropped, shocked by his outrageous behavior. It had to be Azha’s Human-half making him act that way. Yes, that had to be it.

  Azha wound his arm up and pitched the rock at the door hitting it with a bang.

  Trying not to laugh out loud, he jumped onto the roof with Choan and waited for Gystfins to investigate the noise. One Gystfin cracked the door open just enough to stick his ugly head out. He took a quick look around, grunted, and shut the door. Azha snort-chuckled and jumped off the roof to search for another r
ock. He didn’t have to go far. Next to the side of the modular was a boulder calling his name. Quietly, he rolled it in front of the door and picked it up with both hands. Raising it high above his head Azha launched the massive boulder hitting the door square in the middle. ‘KA-BOOM.’ The same Gystfin swung the door wide open looking mad as hell. He fidgeted in the doorway scratching his head, then his hairy butt. Exasperated, he looked behind the door and noticed the huge dent, then slammed the door shut. Azha almost fell off the roof trying not to laugh out loud. By this time the soldiers understood the prank and were laughing hysterically. Choan waved his hands in the air, signaling the soldiers to quiet down while giving Azha a stern look.

  “That felt so good. But you’re right Choan, let’s turn into energy and check out what the Gystfins are doing inside.”

  Azha didn’t have to ask Choan twice. The metal building was nothing more than an open, long, corrugated room. He estimated approximately fifty Gystfins sleeping on stacked cots at the far end of the room, and at least ten more huddled together at the opposite end. The Beasts parted, revealing a Leader Gystfin lying on a padded bunk. It was the same vile Leader Azha had stabbed in the chest. He should’ve died, but there he was boasting to his pack of worshiping Gystfins.

  Filled with rage, both his and Choan’s energy flashed purple as they raced towards the traitor with one thought in mind; they were determined to kill him once and for all. Mid-air, they flashed into body form and landed on top of the Beast. Azha fought the worshiping Gystfins, while Choan gouged his thumbs into the Leader’s eye sockets. Seeing they were no match for the Trekachaws, they ran away yelling for the others to wake up. Screeching in pain, the Leader clawed at Choan’s arms trying to free himself from the Trekachaw’s grip. Digging his thumbs deeper into his brain, Choan roared, “Die Quizan, rot inside this Beast, never to ascend!” Azha and Choan flashed into energy and streaked through the ceiling before hordes of slumbering Gystfins were able to fall from their cots and save their hero. Pandemonium ensued inside the dome, and the Beasts ran amok out the door into the open, searching for the Trekachaw assassins.

  From above, Victis swooped in, landing on a large limb next to Azha and Choan. Their smug smiles were self-explanatory. “How are things on the ship?” Azha asked.

  Victis wasn’t amused, “Escort the soldiers to Cavern Village. Don’t waste any more time here.”

  Azha took offense, “We just killed a Leader Gystfin. That’s not wasting time.”

  Victis ignored Azha’s insolence. “I’m sterilizing the area. The faster we vacate, the better the odds to vaporize the entire Gystfin camp. I can’t afford to allow any of them to escape.”

  Azha stopped defending himself and signaled the soldiers to immediately mobilize and fly back to Cavern Village. As they flew away, the Gystfins howled, wagging their long tongues. Some gyrated their hips in vile humping movements while others urinated, directing the stream at them.

  Azha knew something had gone wrong, but what, and why now? The reality was that Victis had no choice. The Gystfins had broken their ten-year raw material contract and had negotiated a new one with the Crozins for a higher price. Trying to reason with intoxicated, grey-death energy Gystfins was impossible. Therefore, every Gystfin on the planet had to be sterilized before the Crozin battleships reached Palatu. If it were possible to request Ryquat auxiliary support, life would be simple. Except life wasn’t simple and that was out of the question. For now, he had to keep the new Trekachaws a secret from the Viceroy Counsel or be condemned for his flagrant disregard for Fidus Achates Decrees. His crew and the Trekachaws were on their own, aside from his old comrade Captain Pify.

  Victis and Azha stayed behind to watch the pulsating blue beam sterilize the Gystfin’s camp. At least that threat was gone. Upon their return, tired soldiers were sprawled out across the courtyard soaking up the bright Targus sun. Even though the threat was gone, Victis remained serious and anxious.

  “Azha, find Choan AFAP and meet me at Belton’s cavern.”

  “What’s AFAP?”

  “As fast as possible. What did you think it meant?”

  “It’s ASAP on Earth.”

  “No, it’s not. ‘S’ is for slow, just go.”

  Azha sensed that Victis was about to unveil some seriously bad news. Choan was easy to find and equally curious as to why they were in such a hurry to get to Belton’s cavern. Azha was still trying to remember whether ASAP or AFAP was correct. Victis’s way did make more sense.

  Belton’s recovery was amazing. Other than a slight limp, he almost appeared normal. Before anyone was able to get comfortable, Victis stormed in and began the meeting by ordering everyone not to interrupt.

  “I just spoke with an Umdul Captain who confirmed that five Crozin battleships will be in Palatu’s orbit within two days. A Gystfin cargo ship is following them and will arrive in approximately three days. They believe I’m en route to Europa to reclaim the confiscated Gystfin cargo ship. What they don’t know, is that I know our contract is void, and that they’ve contracted with the Crozins to purchase all the containers of raw materials on the planet. In exchange, the Gystfins demanded the eradication of Palatu, Azha, and all Quizans.

  I destroyed the Gystfin’s communications on Palatu before they had a chance to warn their superiors or the Crozins of our plans. Originally, there were three Umdul battleships en route for reinforcements. Unfortunately, that has changed. Two of the battleships were redirected to intercept a Crozin battleship in violation of Planet Opus air space. Therefore, Captain Pify and I came up with another plan. With that said, there must be no misunderstanding; we are outnumbered. Our only advantage is the element of surprise. If we fail, the Crozins will destroy Palatu.

  Azha, I need you and Choan on the planet to defend the Quizans from a Crozin ground invasion. I had Tech Division resize the Neco glove to fit a Quizan soldier’s hand. Twelve portable Laser Necos were just delivered outside Cavern Hall. Choan was a Neco instructor, he can show you how to operate them. Do what you can before the Crozins attack.”

  Outside, loud cheers and hurrahs disrupted the meeting. Everyone scurried pass Victis to see what all the ruckus was about. Bigger than life, Phera and Deneb strolled into the village. Azha’s stripes turned brilliant green and he shoved through the crowd. Against all odds, she’d survived. Victis allowed the frivolous reunion for a few minutes, but they were running out of time to prepare for an impossible counter-attack. He could feel his blood pressure rising and a knot form in the pit of his stomach. Enough celebrating! Victis put his fingers in his mouth and let out an ear-piercing whistle.

  “Now that I have everyone’s attention… glad you’re not dead, but I need to break up the festivities and continue our meeting. Belton, Choan, Azha and you two, (pointing at Phera and Deneb) let’s go.”

  Belton apologized to the crowd for the interruption and encouraged the celebration to continue. Azha caught up with Victis, wondering why Deneb and Phera were invited?

  Victis grumbled, “Get your head on straight and focus on what’s important. Getting Quizans to move is like herding cats.”

  Azha stomped ahead, “You’re an ass.”

  With all present, the meeting continued.

  “Belton, Phera and Deneb, are you willing to merge with a Ryquat? If so, I handpicked Ryquats for each of you. Deneb, your Ryquat’s name is Darcy. She’s a weapons specialist assigned to Special-Ops. Phera I matched you with an Ops-female named Tara. She has several accommodations for bravery, excels in combat tactics and navigation. Belton, your Ryquat is called Larry. These three Special-Ops are some of my best soldiers.”

  Belton did not hesitate this time. His new goal in life was to kill Myosis and inflict as much pain as possible along the way. Deneb’s only question was if Roon was alive.

  “Yes, Roon is a Trekachaw on my ship. He merged with a Ryquat Science Officer named Simon,” replied Victis.

  Deneb agreed to join if Phera would. Phera raised her hand. “It’s a yes for both of us.
”

  “Whoa, whoa, whoa”… Azha interrupted. “Phera will not merge with a Special-Ops female. Find a Science Officer or something else.”

  Victis was curt, “Tara is one of the females that you requested on ship… remember?”

  “No, No, No, Phera I forbid this. It’s too dangerous, wait for a female who is not Special-Ops.”

  Phera scowled, “Don’t tell me what I can, or cannot do. I survived without you for a hundred years. Ryquat Victis I want this, do not listen to him.”

  Deneb seconded with, “Me, too.”

  Azha snapped at Phera, “I said, NO.”

  Glaring at Azha, Victis cocked his head sideways, “You cannot forbid Phera. In my world, females are equal to males. Azha, you never listen to me, or anyone else for that matter. You will not dictate to her, nor will you order me to disrespect her decision. You can knock off the bad attitude and stop turning purple, I’m sick of it.” Victis touched his wrist to contact the ship, “Confirmed, have Ops. Tara, Darcy, and Larry standby in the lounge.”

  “C-9, Uketotta.”

  Azha was regretting his swap with Roon. The whole purpose for returning to Palatu was for Phera.

  “Captain, can I swap with Belton after the merge?”

  Victis had already planned to make the swap; nonetheless, he’d keep that to himself. Azha’s Human-side had a rebellious streak that liked to challenge his authority in front of others. Putting Azha in his place was necessary. Chuckling to himself, Victis thought it was hilarious when he told Azha to stop ‘turning purple.’ In his mind, he pictured a bright purple balloon caricature blowing up until his head popped.