Tiva Boon: Heir of Abennelp (Tiva Boon Series Book 2) (23 page)

“What was that?” Raife said.

“Whose bright idea was it to stop putting seatbelts in vehicles anyway?” Adam grunted as he pulled himself up.

Tiva opened her eyes and glanced over at Aliri. “Are you injured?”

She shook her head. “No, I’m fine…the link was broken, I’m going to have a headache in about half an hour I’m sure.”

“Four more buoys exploded to our left, if t-they blow up enough of them at once, there’s going to be a s-shockwave large enough to disable Ovvella,” Aries said.

“Perhaps you should see the Doctor,” Tiva said, offering a hand to Aliri.

“Thanks, but I’ll be all right,” she answered as Tiva pulled her up. “Captain, I got a partial message to one of the engineers on the
Windrider
, they’re powering up weapons and following us.”

“Good work,” he responded then turned to Emerala. “Any injured after that last jolt?”

“No, we’re okay…and I have minimal sensors now, I can’t get past the buoys to scan, but I’ve locked onto the scout ships, they are heading directly for us, ETA fifteen minutes.”

“Boon, send the fighters out to engage those ships. Nassut keep us moving toward the perimeter. Caedm watch those sensors and alert me if any more ships appear. Teer work on finding a way to communicate with the other ships…” Before the captain finished giving his orders, Aries shouted in a strange language. “What is it?”

“There’s a battle glider h-heading our way.”

“Shit! It must have come through a wormhole, I’m getting energy readings from one right now,” Aliri growled.

“A what?” Adam asked the commander.

“Battle glider, it’s one of the l-largest combat vessels made by the Bujeni. Stronger than the Kihlmaro Stryker…We’ll need more ships if we’re going to f-fight it.”

“Nassut, intercept the glider, let the fighters take care of the other ships.” Captain Maar rose from his chair and went to the middle of the room. “I want everyone on this ship armed and ready to fight. We’re the first line of defense and with no communications, we have to get their attention and distract them from heading to Ovvella.”

The command center buzzed with activity. Everyone contacted his or her teams to ready for another fight. Once Tiva was satisfied security teams were in place, and with the first group of fighters launched, she glanced over to see how Aliri was doing. She seemed fine, for the moment, so Tiva activated the internal security systems and began placing charge-fields around all the important sectors of the ship.

Raife closed the gap between the
Tolox
and the Trakers. The fighters sped across space, and many watched as the ships engaged in battle. Tiva observed helplessly as the Trakers and fighters blasted each other and zipped around. The bottom of the battle glider in the distance began to glow an eerie dark green color. Adam turned back and winked at her, then nodded to Aries and Maar that he was ready.

A tremor from the fight nearby swayed the ship; Raife was struggling to keep them steady. The battle glider’s appearance came into focus. It was a diamond shaped ship with a long tail for propulsion. The craft was at least twice the size of the
Tolox
, and the front of it had two long claw-like wings that seemed to reach out for its enemy. The belly of the beast was still glowing when several smaller vessels exited the starboard side.

“We have Bujeni bomb runner’s incoming!” Adam announced.

“Send out the rest of the fighters, Chief.” Maar turned back.

“Yes, sir,” Tiva answered and did as ordered.

“Keep us heading to the g-glider, we have to damage her as much as possible,” Aries snapped. “Mr. Cooper, as soon as you are in range to f-fire, fire.”

“Captain, I’m getting a weak signal from the
Windrider,
their sensors are picking up another two ships in the distance,” Emerala said frantically.

“Have them contact Ovvella to send more ships and to follow us…” Maar said.

“I’m within canon range of the glider,” Adam said.

“Fire!” Aries demanded.

As the blaze of weapons fire strewed through space, the battle glider moved and began bombarding the
Tolox.
Raife maneuvered the ship away, and circled around a few of the smaller ships as Adam continued his barrage. The second group of fighters entered the fight, and the battle between a dozen ships escalated.

The
Windrider
forced several of the runners to retreat behind the glider. The tactics, however, seem to work to their advantage.

“We’re losing shield power,” Aliri shrieked.

“Ms. Teer, inform the engineering s-staff to work on those shields!” Aries ordered.

Back and forth, the ships fought; canon fire, the
Tolox’s
shadow missiles, and the Trakers pulse guns lit up the darkness of space to an almost brilliant sunrise. The displayer showed most of the battle, but as the ship continued moving around the others, the scenery changed. The battle glider was once again in their path, and Adam continued to damage it. It seemed, however, the crew of the enemy ship had other plans, and it began a trek toward Ovvella Base.

Maar ordered Raife to follow. Tiva sent the last of the fighters out and called the severely damaged ships back to the flight deck and reported their status to Aries.

The
Tolox
continued to shudder and jerk beneath her feet. Several small consoles in the command center took heavy damage. Emerala and the engineering staff strengthened the shielding some, but the closer they moved to the glider, the more forceful the impact was.

“They’ll reach Ovvella base in twenty minutes if we don’t stop them,” Aliri shouted over the commotion of reports.

“Cooper, concentrate on their weapons, the shielding is too thick near the engine section,” Raife called down.

“I’m on it,” he replied and shifted his focus.

The glider slowed, to avoid missing a collision, and the
Tolox
ascended above the ship and maneuvered in front of them blocking their path to the base.

Again, the ship jerked as another blast of pulse fire struck hard against the ship. She held onto her console, but some of the others were not as lucky and crashed to the floor. As she moved around the railing to help Aries, Adam gasped and Aliri shouted to the others, “They’ve got a quantum detonator!”

“Where?” Maar asked. Everyone turned to the displayer to see the top of the ship open. A large silver orb rose up and hovered over the hull. Tiva froze. It began twisting and turning. A hue of green and blue circled it.

“We need all resources to the shields, now!” Aries yelled.

“It’s not going to be enough,” Aliri shrieked.

The captain jumped up from his chair. “Cooper, destroy the orb, quickly!”

“I’m trying, I’m trying,” he replied and continued to fire on the detonator.

“Chief, send out all the fighters I don’t care what shape they are in. If that weapon goes off…”

Tiva continued to stare at the displayer. Her heart raced, and the moons on her forehead undoubtedly revealed her fear and anger. She knew exactly where she had seen that orb before. Her gaze never moved from the screen, even when her console beeped.

The crew commander moved over toward her. “Boon, send out the fighters!”

She couldn’t move. Her body was unresponsive. The orb staring back at her from the displayer was the exact same weapon that destroyed the king’s ship. She knew firsthand the ease of destruction the weapon could do, and this one was four times the size of the one she had seen. The orb would explode and take the
Tolox
and every person with it.

The swirl of colors brightened, the orb moved away from the glider and toward the ship
.
A whip of light lashed outward striking near the command center. Consoles exploded around her.

Emerala screeched, “We’re losing the shields again!”

Still unable to speak or move, she watched the orb’s light flash. The
Tolox
vibrated violently all around her. Two of the fighters exploded in view of the displayer. This was not a nightmare. It was happening again. Tiva prayed to the spirits:
Ease my passage to the Eternal Lands. Shial hear me and bring me to my family.
Another flash of light forced her to shield her eyes and she knew she was going to die.

“T
iva?” Aliri’s voice cut through the silence in her head. She turned to the voice and felt her legs give. “Whoa, watch it…” Aliri rushed over and caught her before she fell. “What’s wrong?”

“The orb will destroy me…”

“It’s gonna kill us all if we can’t strengthen the shields. I need you to hold onto your crystal and your station at the same time. The power of the amethyst will flow through you to the ship. It’s the only way we can make it.”

“What?” Tiva said, coming back from her trance slightly.

Listen to me…

Tiva glanced down at her station. Two pictures were blinking on the screen. One was the image Harai sent her from Neola, the other was a real time image of one of the Bujeni bomb runners. Her fears confirmed. They were the aliens who were supplying the Rebels. Her markings darkened, and she slammed her fist against the console smashing the glass into pieces.

“Tiva!” Aliri shouted. The others turned. Adam rose from his chair, but was given a stern look by Aries and sat back down.

“These are the murderous bastards who killed my family,” she growled.

“We d-don’t have time for personal vendettas, Ms. Boon, we need shields. Work with Ms. Caedm,” Aries ordered.

Tiva glared at the commander, balled her fists, and gave him a curt nod. Aliri chuckled nervously and patted her on the back. “Focus, Tiva, you have more of a reason to help the ship make it out of here in one piece now. Come here…put your hand on the panel, hold the crystal, and let the power transfer through you to the ship,” Aliri said as she tugged Tiva’s sleeve and forced her into position. Without thinking, Tiva touched the station and clutched the crystal hanging around her neck. Immediately, she felt the energy of the amethyst pulse through her body.

“Good,” Aliri stated. “Now you to have to hang on, Raife is going to try to do some fancy flying and get the glider to follow us away from the base, but we need to keep the shields strong.”

Tiva nodded, and Aliri moved next to her and placed her hand down as well. A burst of indescribable power flowed through her, almost knocking her back, but her grip was tight and she faltered only slightly. Her entire body and mind felt completely energized.

You will have to relax and allow the crystal to work though you. You are the organic conduit—the vessel for its power. It is an old power, Tiva and it is very strong. You may feel changes within your body, but they are only temporary. Do not fight; it will not harm you, my friend.
Aliri spoke softly in her mind, reassuring her everything would be fine.

In the background, she heard the crew working hard to maneuver around the ships. The
Tolox
rattled sharply again. Tiva and Aliri bumped one another, but kept steady with their transfer.

“The shields are going up a bit, we still need more…the detonator is about to explode!” Emerala cried.

The room grew hot. Tiva squirmed, but felt Aliri’s mind calm her once again. The power of the crystal forced its way through her to the ship. Aliri accelerated the process.

“Aries, get the engineers to shut down the propulsion and divert the resources to our shields!” Maar commanded.

“Fifteen seconds and it will detonate!” Emerala shouted.

“I-I’m on it, Captain,” Aries responded.

It will not harm you, Tiva…put your trust in me.

I do trust you, but something is…

A crushing eruption of energy flooded Tiva’s body. She ignored the excruciating torment tearing through her, she had to save her friends…she would not allow them to die like her family. Every cell felt on fire, but she forced it through her, it into the ship. She would sacrifice herself for their survival if needed.

Aliri began to weaken, but Tiva didn’t break the link. Just when she thought she could take the pain no more, a fierce surge overwhelmed her body. She cried out as the sensation overpowered them both. She and Aliri flew backward from the powerful blast.

“Holy shit…” Raife gasped.

“Wow,” Emerala said.

“Did the engineers…” Maar began then stopped. “Chief, Caedm, are you okay?”

Tiva opened her eyes just as the
Tolox
started to shudder. Whatever power the crystal held, it was beyond anything she had experienced before. Her arm and hand were numb, the warm tingling feeling rode up to her shoulder. She pulled herself up from the floor ignoring the wave of dizziness as it washed over her. Aliri stood more easily and turned to the Captain. “I think we’re okay, did it work?”

“Hell yeah it did,” Adam cheered. “Not only did it strengthen our shields for a moment, but it reflected part of the blast back onto the glider and its weapons were disabled and our comms are back.”

“Looks like they are running away,” Aries added.

“Fine,” Maar grunted. “Boon, call the fighters back. Teer, have the
Windrider
follow the glider until it’s out of range, call Ovvella, and update them. Caedm get on those sensors and find out how many of our buoys have been destroyed.”

“Nassut take us b-back to Base and Mr. Cooper stand down weapons for now,” Aries finished.

Stunned was only part of what she was feeling as she glanced around the room. The information Aliri’s station gathered confirmed what the others said. The glider had taken severe damage. She gingerly moved back to her area and recalled the fighters as ordered.

Are you all right, Tiva?
Adam’s voice echoed gently in her mind.

She met his gaze and nodded.
I feel a bit overwhelmed, but after some rest, I shall be fine.

Aries took his seat, and smiled over at the captain. “You do indeed have a fine g-group of people here, Trevo.”

“Yes, they are the best.” Maar grinned.

Tiva phased out the congratulatory conversations and tried reviewing the log information from the glider. It was Bujeni, that much she knew, and its runner—the smaller attack vessel—matched Neola’s image exactly. She needed answers. Though she didn’t need further confirmation upon seeing the silver orb to allay her suspicions, having proof might be helpful in the future.

Making a copy of the files and sending it to her personal computer, she erased the transfer using her security codes. Still supporting herself on the station, the dizziness subsided some, but she stifled a yawn, realizing how tired she was despite her body saying otherwise. Aliri seemed to be having a much easier time with the incident.

The crew went about their duties for another hour or so before Raife guided the
Tolox
back to Ovvella Base. She was happy to see it in the distance, but knew she’d spend most of her time left sleeping or preparing for her assignment.

How are you feeling?
Aliri asked an hour before shift end.

I am tired, but I shall manage.

You really don’t have to lie to me, Tiva. I can read you like a book, ya know.

Our link is even stronger now, Aliri, I can sense your own anxiety and lack of energy.
Tiva smirked slightly.

Oh yeah? Well, I’ll be a monkey’s uncle, you’re right. I’m only anxious because I’m worried about you.

I thought you said the crystal would not harm me.

It won’t. You’ll feel stronger for a few weeks, maybe even a month, and your vision will be better. Other than that, you’re not my species so the rest of the side effects probably won’t surface.

Side effects? You mean my elevated temperature?
Tiva completed her work and powered down the console. Adam, Raife, and Emerala had already left the command center. Apparently, while she was in conversation with Aliri, Aries had ordered them to rest. The sector was clear, all signs of the enemy had vanished, and Union Deploy ships were resetting and repairing the perimeter buoys.

Yeah, but it’s nothing to worry about, just have Hino check you out.

“If it is nothing to worry about then why are you worried about me?” Tiva asked with a twinge of annoyance in her voice.

“I’m thinking about this operation you are going on…and don’t take that tone with me. You’re my friend, and I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

“Do not worry, I shall be fine.”

“Yeah, yeah. You say that now…but if you die, I’ll kill you.” Aliri smiled and motioned to the door. “Come on, let’s go. I’m starving.”

“I am still lightheaded from the crystal transfer; I should return to my room and rest.”

She frowned then shrugged. “All right, fair enough. Make sure to at least drink something, you’ll wake up dehydrated if you don’t.”

“I will, thank you,” Tiva said with a smile then exited the room while Aliri went over instructions with her replacement.

“Hold the l-lift,” Aries called out and neared the door. The doors remained open and he stepped in. He tapped for the recreation level, and leaned back against the wall. “Rough day, huh?”

“It was challenging, but not the worst I have faced,” she answered.

“Are you r-ready for your covert op?”

“I am.”

“Well, t-that’s good. I-I’m glad you decided to do it. We r-really need the information the Triune Syndicate has, without it; we might n-never win this w-war.”

It was obvious he was a bit more excitable than normal as they rode down the lift. His stammering was more pronounced, and she was about to lower her guard to gather a sense of him, but she remembered what happened last time. Instead, she turned to him, “Why are you apprehensive?”

“B-blunt, aren’t you.”
“I was brought up to be direct. It has landed me in uncomfortable situations before.”

“I’m sure it h-has. And yes, I am a l-little nervous. This mission you are going on is v-very important, and with that display earlier, I admit I’m a bit…”

“Worried?”

“Intimidated,” he confessed. “I’ve heard about those crystals before, not many people can wield them, yet y-you did, and still carry it. Stories of an ancient race of magical beings are w-well known among my people. They learned to harness the power of crystals just like that one. The fact that Caedm c-comes from a planet where the same type of practice is learned is interesting, but you on the other hand…”

Tiva touched the chain around her neck. The crystal seemed to react to her touch, but with what had just happened, she expected as much. “I have come to realize that my physical abilities and quicker healing differentiates me from the humans, Aliri knows my strengths and weaknesses, perhaps she knew I could handle it…”

“Ah, well maybe that e-explains it.” He smiled and moved toward the doors as the lift stopped. “The Traker will be ready in the m-morning. I will meet you in the flight deck before you depart to see you off…get some r-rest, Ms. Boon.”

“I will, sir, thank you.”

The
Tolox
docked on Ovvella Base along with the
Windrider
and several other ships from the area. The Ambassadors called the captains and commanders into an urgent meeting. Hino gave Tiva a quick scan and double-checked the implant to ensure it was still operational. Her temperature was elevated, as well as her pulse and endorphin levels, but everything was within tolerable levels. Satisfied, he released her from care, but ordered her to bed.

She wondered if she looked more tired than she felt, because her mind and body were completely invigorated. When she retired to her room, she accessed the information transferred from the command center. The Bujeni bomb runner matched the ship that Neola had sent. Harai’s last message said the Rebels had new suppliers, and Pethor said their original ties to the aliens were severed before she left the planet. But neither the battle glider nor the runner matched the one that had destroyed her family. Was it possible the quantum detonator was a shared weapon? Were the Bujeni lurking near her planet and then became the new suppliers? Did that mean the Syndicate was somehow involved as well?