Archives of the Frontier Universe: An Assassin's Assignment (17 page)

As Meyer approached the command center, he could already hear Lonng shouting orders. He readied his patience as much as possible and entered with poise. Personnel were running every which way, bringing different systems online and completing logistical tasks. Over by one end of the room, a gravity-based holding brace displayed the Eiltheen memory spike. Technicians and others were around it, plugging in and trying to access its contents. And then there was Lonng.

“Try a different approach!” the colonel demanded in the fire display. Meyer thought the method of the Forcurrian display to be perfect for his mood. “Have you even checked our other databases for clues to the encryption? If not, do so! Get into that damn thing!” Lonng turned, glaring at Meyer, as he neared. “Captain! So, finally you decide to show up! What’s the status on your agent?”

Meyer bowed as far as would be ceremoniously sound and then opened his mouth to speak . . . But what he saw up close startled him. Colonel Lonng, though dispensing orders as well as ever, had apparently sustained some sort of head injury. A long, thick black bruise was painted on his face, running from his forehead, down his left eye, ending halfway down his cheek. And then Meyer spotted another, smaller but more serious . . . and still dripping blood. After spotting these horrendous injuries, the captain then noticed Lonng’s hair was a mess and his fine uniform was torn in places. Stunned by the atrocious display, Meyer hesitated.

“CAPTAIN!” his superior bellowed violently. Meyer flinched, nearly jumping out of his skin. “Your agent! What’s the status of the mission?!”

“I-In progress, sir,” he reported, trying not to look the man in his bad eye.

“How many times do I need to tell you: I don’t need redundant information! Of course it’s in progress. ‘What’ progress exactly?”

“Yes, sir. My agent has identified a woman whom we now believe has the codes. As of several minutes ago, we are working on confronting this figure . . . apparently the leader of the representatives. She has the codes.”

“Why was I not notified of this?” spat the colonel.

“Sir, we only just got a fix on the leader’s location. My agent is en route as we speak. She’s—”

“How long then?” the man interjected. He then lifted a hand and wiped his bleeding wound quickly. Distracted again, Meyer paused. “Captain!” yelled Lonng.

“Uh . . . a half hour perhaps. She’ll need time to take the codes and return here. After that, we should be able to access the device and—”

“No! That is too long, Captain!” swore the man. “I NEED that device de-encrypted, and then—”

Suddenly, Colonel Lonng stopped in mid-sentence, choking. He held his mouth agape and his body jerked as if convulsing. Then, out of the center of his chest, a black shard tore through his coat, stained with his blood. Like a skewered animal, Lonng began spraying blood every which way, and the dark liquid began soaking his clothes. The colonel glanced down at the gash in horror, lifting his hands to it weakly. But with blood already draining from his mouth, he could produce only inane groans.

“
Your motivational skills are exhausting, Colonel!
” echoed a horrible, soulless voice. Reacting to the evil tone, Meyer took a step rearward. Along with him, everyone in the room stopped what they were doing and looked to Lonng’s wriggling body. “
It is apparent now why this team’s progress has been so poor!
” Out of nowhere, a group of flames leapt off of Lonng’s display and transformed into an approaching gauntlet. The huge metal hand seized Lonng’s shoulder, covering it entirely, and gripped him so hard it could have broken his collar bone. “
No matter, there exists a solution. You are relieved, Colonel!
”

Before Meyer could speak, a massive boot reached through the nothingness behind Lonng’s display, planted itself in his back, and kicked him off what could now be seen as a bloody arkanverre. The colonel went down with a thud, the fires of his body fizzling out. Holding the black glass blade, the murderer stepped completely into focus, the fires burning his shape into the air. Captain Meyer stared at the figure in horror. From his armor-covered body to his piercing white eyes searing through his visor, his species was irrefutable . . . and so was his name and standing.

“
Pity!
” the Norvanull growled. “
I provided the simplest of orders. However, incompetence ever seeks to impede the duties of greater figures—something I will not tolerate.
” The giant warrior sheathed his still bleeding arkanverre and faced Meyer directly.

Not wanting to become the next victim, Meyer straitened up the best he could and bowed lowly. “Warlord Furnocter! It’s an honor.” He rose again, and then faced the rest of the room. “Show some respect!” he commanded. “Bow!” Though he meant no real harm to his subordinates, Meyer pointed around the room cruelly. Every Pirate in sight seemed all too happy to bow, however, and bent generously.

“
An acceptable first impression, Captain
,” wheezed Furnocter. He then waved a hand declaratively.

Meyer bowed again and then faced the room. “Very good. Back to work!” Everyone nodded and turned back to their terminals. Meyer grudgingly faced Furnocter again.

“
Believe it or not, you’ve already shown more promise than our late colonel there.
” He pointed to the floor, though Lonng’s corpse could not be seen. “
But I would take extra care in allowing that to diminish your efforts.
”

“Of course, Warlord.” Meyer bowed his head respectfully.

“
Very good. Now then . . .
” He held out a hand. “
Your progress with the memory spike, Captain? Might I request a recap
?”

Though it would be redundant information, Meyer gladly repeated himself, thoughts of protest seeming altogether absurd. “Absolutely!” he answered happily, almost overcompensating. “My agent has returned the memory spike to this installation. However, despite the best efforts of my staff, the device remains locked. The representatives placed an insurmountable security encryption on it.” Furnocter simply stood like a statue, his burning white eyes beaming. “My agent has reentered the field in search of the codes necessary to access the device’s contents.”

“
And the progress of this assignment
?” asked the ghostly warrior coldly.

“She has identified the person in possession of the codes and is on her way to secure them. If all goes well, we should have access to the device in full within an hour’s time.” Meyer held a confident posture, praying his estimation would be enough for the Norvanull.

Furnocter stood statically for a long while, shredding Meyer’s confidence with every second. Finally, however, he moved a bulky metal arm. “
This figure you speak of
,” he began abruptly, “
is this person one of the original representatives
?”

“Yes, sir,” answered Meyer prematurely. He then hesitated. “Well, we believe so. No one at ‘this’ installation actually met with them. However, my agent obtained her identity directly from one of the others—one she
knew
to be one of the original . . . Or at least one of those who she recovered the spike from in the first place.”

“
I’m assuming your agent terminated this representative during this interrogation?
” He continued his perpetual staring, obviously wanting an answer.

Meyer paused again, for as long as safely possible. On one hand, he did not want to reveal that Byruhme had acted against Command’s wishes (despite the fact they could have been simply Lonng’s wishes). On the other hand, lying to Furnocter seemed like a good way to become dead. “Affirmative, Warlord,” he said sort of sheepishly.

The metal giant sort of grunted with what sounded like approval. “
Ah, excellent! I found myself no longer advocating Lonng’s career after he informed me he ordered the traitors spared. Betrayal carries a heavy price, Captain. And those who elect this path will face severe consequences.
”

Meyer swallowed inconspicuously and nodded. “I completely agree, Warlord.”

“
Now, see to it that this person in possession of the codes meets a similar fate. There is no sense in allowing those who oppose us to live.
”

“I’ll pass the order along to my agent immediately,” replied Meyer respectfully. “Is there anything else I might do?”

“
I want to be informed first after she secures the codes. Because of Colonel Lonng’s stupidity, I will be assuming command for the duration of the op. You will report to me until further notice. Am I clear
?”

“Yes, Warlord.” Meyer bowed again.

Furnocter pointed. “
Secure that code, Captain. Do not fail me as Lonng had.
” His harrowing finger was aimed at Meyer’s face for a few more seconds, before it flared and was consumed by fire. The display then died, and the session terminated.

Meyer let out a soothing sigh and dropped his tight shoulders. He stood in place for several seconds, contemplating the numerous creative murders that could befall him should Byruhme fail. Where before he thought Lonng an undesirable superior, now he was sure he served under the worst. The most positive aspect of his assigning to Forcurrier was now undone. Rather than working with the Norvanulls like General Morgan’s forces (his former head superior), he was answering to their highest authority. For a while, the captain did not even realize that the room had fallen unusually quiet. He looked up to see everyone staring at him.

Opening his mouth, he paused. “. . . Good work, everyone!” he announced finally. “I-I could not have foreseen Lonng’s . . . replacing . . . You all handled that well. Continue your efforts on cracking the device and monitoring Court traffic. I must . . . contact my agent and update her on the Warlord’s orders.”

“Yes, Captain!” sounded several shaken voices.

Without even replying, Meyer simply nodded and departed. Once in the hall again, he broke into a jog until reaching his office. He promptly reactivated his terminal, placing the call to Byruhme . . .

Finally back at Kyte’s former installation, Roszephnye swung across an overlooking building, landing on the target structure again. Security had lightened significantly since the unnecessary battle the previous day. Most of those remaining on site were forensics units. Patrolling the lengths of the ground floor, military paced around, oblivious to her vertical advantage. On the way over, she had spotted a few more groups on various floors, but it appeared that her search for Hiellta would be less dangerous than her escape had proven.

Rose reached the edge of an overlook and jumped up another level. She found a door, approached it, and withdrew her pick. Squatting down and inserting it into the keyhole, she began to adjust its shape.

“Byruhme!” shouted her comm. “Are you there!” She flinched, pulling the pick out and almost throwing it in aggravation. “Byruhme!”

Rose stood back up straight. “My God, Captain!” she hissed. “Did you have to yell so loud?”

“My apologies,” he said. “I needed to speak with you immediately. Have you engaged Hiellta yet?”

“No. I’m working on getting back inside Kyte’s installation. As a matter of fact, you can help me by monitoring traffic again.”

“I’m already on it. But some things have come up.”

Rose knelt back down and reinserted the pick. “What kind of things? I’m nearly there; wasn’t that enough for Lonng?”

“Byruhme,” pressed the man with effort. “Lonng’s dead!”

Hearing this, Rose stopped again. “What?! How? You just talked to him!”

“Yes, and he was murdered right in front of me. Byruhme, it was Warlord Furnocter. Apparently, he traveled to Command to check on our status. Colonel Lonng appeared in transmission a few moments ago looking . . . beat up.” He exhaled sharply, almost with an emotionless laugh. “I didn’t know what was going on. But then when I reported to him, he lost his temper. He was going on about how ‘he’ needed the spike’s contents . . . and the Norvanull killed him!”

Rose put a hand to her mouth. “Why?” she asked, though she already had a guess.

Meyer huffed in distress. “I . . . don’t know exactly why. But I believe it to be because of the lack of progress.”

“We’ve made progress, Captain. I’m practically on Hiellta’s doorstep . . . figuratively. Did you explain this to them?”

“Heh!” the man expressed. “And you think that Norvanull cares about what I’ve got to say?”

“He could.”

“Well, he didn’t. I told Lonng about our progress actually . . . It wasn’t enough. He panicked. He must’ve known Furnocter would kill him if I reported anything but the acquisition of the codes or cracking of the spike. Heh!” he laughed again, but in more of a snort. “And boy did he kill him!”

Rose took a breath, looking down to the stone walkway. “Well, what happened next? He didn’t give you any orders that’d compromise the mission, did he?” Being so close to Hiellta as she was, Rose felt that if necessary, she would go rogue and complete the mission—whether by Furnocter’s consent or not.

“Yes, that’s perhaps the single positive glimmer in this whole situation,” he oddly affirmed. “The warlord actually supports your killing of the reps. and of Hiellta.” Rose’s heart calmed. “But I’d definitely not take my time. I’m next on his list if this assignment isn’t completed soon.”

Reassured now, Rose inserted the pick again. “Don’t worry, Captain. This is my last stop before returning to base. So long as Hiellta
is
here, that is. Can you get on monitoring that chatter for me?” She cracked open the lock finally and stowed the pick. Opening the door a smidge, she felt the inner hall for movement.

“Certainly,” answered the captain. “I’ve actually already tagged a feed, and she’s still talking to boot. Here, I’m patching it through.”

As Rose verified that the hall was clear, she slipped in and shut the door. Hiellta’s severe tone filled her ear at once.

“Lieutenant, just give me relevant information. I have much to do tomorrow and I want to finish my inspection here as quickly as possible.”

“Yes, Representative,” answered the other. “According to our reports, the Pirates who escaped used ships in the hangars. If you’re at the middle hangar, the rooftop isn’t that much further up. Since you’re looking for clues of the former officers here, it would be a good bet that some of them—”

“Evacuated using the rooftop hangar,” completed Hiellta. “Splendid!” she praised, almost sarcastically. “If it’s something that must be reported, tell your men I’m on my way there. I should be only a few minutes.”

The feed ended abruptly, obviously cut off by Hiellta herself. Rose turned down the hall, making for the first elevator. “She could be on her way up any time now,” she said. “I’m taking an elevator to the roof.” She rushed into the first available elevator and blew open its service hatch. She fired her harpoon to the top floor and ascended. Flying by at high speed, each level barely blinked into view before she was past it. Finally, she reached the roof and pried the doors open, using her power.

Stepping out of the shaft, Rose felt the wind pick up greatly. She stood outside again, alone, with only piping systems and maintenance rooms to accompany her—for the moment. She stood in the center of four separate elevator entrances, waiting for Hiellta’s to arrive. “I’m here,” she reported. “Hiellta should be getting here any moment.”

“Alright. Remember what I was telling you before. She could be pretty powerful. Better not take any chances. And don’t turn your back on her.”

Rose tossed her head. “I think I can handle myself, Captain. But thanks for your optimism.”

“Just looking out for you,” he said. “You’re pretty much the only person keeping me alive right now. I’d appreciate if I stayed that way.” He laughed sort of nervously.

“No one’s going to touch you, Captain. I’ve—” Suddenly, she felt an elevator approaching! “Got to go!” she hissed.

Turning for a set further down the rooftop, Rose hurried over to the one with activity. She reached the doors just before they opened and primed her left harpoon to fire. Right as the doors began to shudder, she froze, hiding her position from the councilor. Swinging characteristically slowly, the doors finally opened. Rose motioned to blast Hiellta with her harpoon . . . but halted.

No one was in the elevator.

Standing perplexed, she began to think the lift was simply programmed to stop at the roof, and her target could have gotten off already. But then, she picked up the faint warning of scraping metal. In the nick of time, Rose leapt from the floor, flipping into the air. Skewering her former position, a long, jagged iron pole soared into the elevator, impaling the wall. Rose turned in air, landed gracefully, and stood slowly. She looked up, staring her assailant in the eyes. Standing atop the opposite elevator housing was Councilor Hiellta Silatine.

Rose cocked her head freshly. “Not the most inviting of individuals, are you?!” she hummed, with a smile. “You know, you could’ve killed me! What if I was a cleaning lady?”

Hiellta took a step forward, now standing on the edge of the housing. “Oh, in that case, I beg your pardon . . . servant!” she enunciated. “How silly of me. I mistook you for a member of society who could’ve mattered.”

Rose crossed her arms. “Indeed; we can’t all be decorated leaders whose best pastimes involve cheating those we’ve sworn fealty to.” She shot the woman a rude smile. “Next time, I suggest you simply ask for an ID.”

“Yes, well, I was intrigued by your unusual choice of equipment.” Hiellta gazed conspicuously to Rose’s dual arkanverres. “Were you anticipating an attempt on your life while playing cleanup? Because I’d regard that specific equipment more appropriate for . . . espionage . . . or assassinations.” She put her hands on her hips. “Furthermore, there’s hardly anything to clean up here.”

“Oh, I think there is,” she replied sassily, eyeing the councilor.

Hiellta smiled back. “Perhaps that mouth, yes.”

“I assure you,
Councilor
,” she bowed satirically, holding her arms out dramatically. “My bite is much worse than my bark.”

Hiellta hopped off of the elevator housing towards Rose, her lavish robe fluttering on the way down. Her stylish formal boots clopped on the roof only a few scant meters away, and she stood slowly. Acting un-intimidated, Rose simply held her arms to the sides near her swords.

“Well, it will be my extreme pleasure to reverse that before terminating you. Do you even realize who you’re dealing with, assassin?” she asked. “You can’t possibly be so foolish as to have thought you’d stab me in the back. Sure!” she praised, holding a declarative hand to the air. “Yes, congratulations! You managed to kill a few senseless diplomats. You won’t find me so easy.” She then motioned to Rose’s side and the tear in her shirt. “THAT should’ve been warning enough for you!”

“More like an incentive to set the record straight.” Rose widened her stance and drew her dual ruby swords, flourishing them.

Hiellta straightened her face severely. “You kill five of my associates in cold blood then hunt me across Forcurrier City and ‘you’re’ the victim? Imbecile! What crooked lies the Union’s feeding you people.” She grabbed the glistening hilt of her marvelous weapon and withdrew it slowly. The glass of her blade was stained in running patterns of dark brownish red and orange and glowed fiercely (like autumn leaves). Offering no sort of graceful salute or flourish of her own, Hiellta simply widened her stance. “And here you are, wrongfully convinced you stand a chance against me.” She leaned slightly. “Allow me to enlighten you . . .”

Hiellta threw her left arm up, blasting a bright energy right for Rose’s face. Rose evaded to the side, the energy crashing upon the elevator housing behind her and busting the stone. Conjuring her own quick power, Rose cast a bright red beam straight back for the councilor. Hiellta dodged at superhuman speed, casting another of her own. Rose evaded again, throwing a volley of beams back, each successive blast nearing the target but impacting on rooftop structures instead. Hiellta moved right and left, evading each one and nearing. Finally, she appeared directly in front of Rose, swinging her autumn-colored sword for her neck. Rose barely blocked the weapon in time, but before she could ready a counterattack, the Eiltheen kicked her in the shin.

Roszephnye went down on one knee, forced by the powerful kick. She repositioned her swords, swinging both for the councilor’s legs. Hiellta blocked long before the ruby swords came within even a foot of her, and struck back viciously. Rose blocked three rapid strikes, barely able to get a fix on her target. Slashing like a slice of sunset, the autumn blade flashed every which way, obscuring its owner. Finally, Rose was able to ward off the assault long enough to stand, when suddenly, a flying fist penetrated the three blades. It impacted on the left side of her face, throwing her to the ground this time.

“Come now, assassin!” chastised Hiellta. She followed Rose to the ground, dropping her vengeful arkanverre. Again, Rose barely blocked in time. “You’ve even got a weapon advantage.” Hiellta stomped her left foot on Rose’s right arm, trapping it and her sword. Rose swung her left frantically, trying to stop the woman from cutting her. The councilor lifted her blade again, before slamming it down. The two glass weapons impacted, spitting colorful shards everywhere, which immediately evaporated. Still holding Rose’s right arm with her foot, Hiellta knelt, pressing her right knee into her chest. She then punched Rose directly in the face. “Pathetic!” She cocked back again.

Furious now, Rose turned both her palms upside down on the stone and blasted a shockwave under herself. She and Hiellta rocketed into the air. With both hands free again, Rose twisted and slashed back ferociously. They connected blades five times before falling back to the roof. Using her power again, Rose launched herself forward, drove a leg into Hiellta’s chest, and slammed the despicable woman on the stone. The councilor grunted in pain but swiftly conjured another bright energy before planting it into Rose’s chest. The Loene was blown off, but she fell gracefully back to the stone, readying herself again.

“Impressive, assassin,” commented her prey. She bent into a springing stance. “But you can’t hope to defeat a master.”

“A master wouldn’t be so ashamed of her heritage!” barked Rose.

As if insulted, Hiellta sprung forth like lightning, swinging her autumn blade madly. Rose clashed with her several times, before getting the chance to strike back. She ducked the falling blade, twisting, and slicing for the councilor’s midsection. Almost effortlessly, Hiellta avoided the dual swords, thrusting a rapid leg out. The kick caught the Loene in the center, but she was able to redirect most of it. Then she kicked back, throwing Hiellta rearward.

With the opening forged, Rose shot forward, slashing for every exposure possible. The councilor proved to be indeed skilled, simply blocking or avoiding each attack. However, the pressure of the flurry forced her to retreat back towards the housing she had stood upon. Obviously realizing this, the woman evaded another strike and then fired two quick blasts of psychic energy. Rose slashed the first from her path, avoided the next, but met a third, this one channeled. She caught the beam with her right arkanverre, holding it away from her body until walking close enough to strike. Slashing at the councilor, Rose lunged forth.