The Cull of Lions (Darkening Stars Book 2) Read online

  The twitch on Singh’s lips spoke volumes.

  Van Pluy poured them all a drink, added ice with a clink and sat on the edge of his desk. He raised his glass in a toast, took a sip and then set it down beside him on the dark-brown highly-polished wood. “Now, let’s get back to our discussion. We didn’t dare try to contact you, because any signals from yourselves could easily have given your location away.

  “With Mantis destroyed things in the military changed considerably. Luckily I developed a feeling something wasn’t right and alarm bells started ringing when the Admiralty became both elusive and reticent. I couldn’t put my finger on exactly what the problem was, but it was my decision to keep your location secret, even from the President, and I’m glad I did. All everyone knew was that you’d completely disappeared after the battle. Only a limited number of my own personal staff had any idea what happened to you, and even fewer where you were. To be honest most people thought you were dead.”

  Van Pluy stood, picked up his glass and wandered over to the window, looking out at the lush green forest outside the town, stretching far into the distance. Taking a puff from his cigar, the ash dropped but dissolved in mid-air before it hit the floor. He put it into the transparent ashtray on his desk then cradled the crystal tumbler in both hands. He looked down at the softly clicking ice and said, “It appears the admiralty didn’t relish the thought of thousands of battle-trained ex-convicts roaming their streets. They planned a rather nasty surprise for us, despite all we’d done and everything we’d achieved. We’d arranged for the second and third Penal Fleets to replenish at Bernard’s Star and pick up much-needed supplies for Loreen. We had no reason to suspect anything out of the ordinary, but the bastards booby-trapped those stores with low-yield nukes and once our ships were on their way out of the system the bombs detonated.

  “A large Regular Navy force then swept in and finished off the job. In a few moments those entire fleets ceased to exist. The regulars from the Federation of Man didn’t offer a chance to surrender, and we lost an awful lot of our people that day. Luckily some of our ships were running behind schedule and they only arrived in the system as the battle was ending. A few of them managed to escape and bring us the bad news.”

  “My God, that explains the Federation destroyer that chased us as we came into the system,” Selena said, sitting back in her chair. She was stunned. Taking a sip of the fiery golden liquid she swallowed and then sucked on a lump of ice, still unable to absorb the news of betrayal. “I’d heard there’d been losses but nothing about this at all. How many ships did we lose?”

  “Eighty-seven in that one battle plus another fifteen or so over the next week, and that’s without those that were badly damaged and in need of repairs. In all we’ve lost one hundred and two ships, not to mention the thousands of men and much needed supplies. The Federation of Man also hit some of our smaller bases at the same time, and their main fleet came out of hyperspace in the Loreen system three days after the tragedy and engaged us here. Lucky for us we had the battle stations up and running by that time. They weren’t expecting that and we beat the living shit out of them. Both sides have been licking their wounds and growling at each other ever since. I’ll get a patrol sent out to see if we can get rid of that destroyer. That kind of thing happens every now and again.”

  Van Pluy added another cube of ice to his drink. Then he swirled the liquid around, watching the ice dance about in the amber depths. The white hair and lines on his face showing the stress he’d been under.

  “That was shortly after your attack on Mantis,” Van Pluy continued. “When the news of what you did got out every person on every world cheered, and then this happened. Thank God we had Loreen to fall back to and had fortified her as quickly as we did. We even have shipyards in the inner system now, and thanks to them we’re repairing our damaged ships and building others as quickly as we can.”

  Kes looked the Admiral straight in the eye. “Where does that leave us, Sir? We can’t take on the whole FOM. They have hundreds of worlds, while all we have is Loreen and a few minor outposts and I guess if we’re now the enemy then that means we won’t be getting any reinforcements, either.”

  Van Pluy walked over to the blood-red wall on Selena’s left. He clicked a switch on a dark screen. It instantly lit up to depict the layout of the Penal fleet by class of ship and number of vessels. Selena’s eyebrows rose in surprise.

  “It’s not all doom and gloom,” the admiral said “We made quite an impression on the outer colonies during the war. Many of them had been left high and dry by the Federation, when they withdrew their ships to protect their more important assets. Naturally those worlds felt quite aggrieved about being abandoned, and who can blame them? As soon as they heard about the FOM’s treacherous attack at Bernard’s Star they left them and joined us.”

  He turned to look out of the window and they followed his gaze, watching as the ships flitting back and forth in the space port beyond, as the admiral continued.

  “Our combined fleets are more than a match for the regulars, if they try anything again. As part of our deal with the colonies we’re upgrading their ships and battle stations to our latest specs. We’ve helped build space docks in some of their systems and we have contingents on many of their worlds, training their own armies. In return, all those serving in the Penal Regiments have received limited pardons from all allied worlds. In other words, while we still have to finish our sentences we can settle where we like when we finish our time: meanwhile we can continue to recruit directly from their Restorative Justice Programmes and even accept volunteers as well as criminals.”

  The admiral chuckled. “Why anyone would want to volunteer is beyond me, but believe me they do. So yes, luckily we’re getting reinforcements again and lots of them too. Another bonus, of course, is that by having contingents on allied worlds we no longer have all of our eggs in one basket. All in all I’d say we’ve done remarkably well, considering.”

  “How about here on Loreen? It must have been quite a shock for the locals when the shit hit the fan.” Selena observed.

  “We’ve kept our word. These colonists need us and we need them. We bring in supplies, employ them, buy their goods and so far everyone’s a winner. You did damn well here, Commander, when you got them to work with us, all of you did. I believe you’re aware that the aliens survived the destruction of Mantis and their system; a colony ship of some kind got away. They’ve set up a base somewhere, although God knows where, and they’ve begun rebuilding their own forces too. But the worst news, as you know, is they’ve landed on Capulet.”

  “Yeah, we heard. I expect you know that’s my home world. What’s the situation there?”

  Van Pluy picked up his cigar, stared at it for a moment before mashing it into the ashtray and selected another one from a wooden box on his desk. Then he returned to his chair, leant back and sucked on the cigar. It self-lit and as he puffed away and the aromatic smoke rose around him in purple clouds, which were instantly whipped away by the tiny air conditioner on his desk. He watched Selena carefully from behind hooded eyes. “Capulet’s not lost…yet. Ironically both ourselves and the Federation have sent in reinforcements. Rather than us fighting each other we have a temporary truce while we try to save the planet. Luckily the Manta are nowhere near as powerful as they once were, thanks to you guys.”

  “So far we’ve managed to keep their ships away from the planet. We’re bombing the hell out of their bases, not that we’re getting through their shields, and are landing more troops all the time but there’s been a high attrition rate. Thankfully we’ve abandoned the ‘poisoned earth policy’. Personally I believe that saving the planet is do-able. I know where we stand with the Manta. It’s the Federation I don’t trust.”

  “I’d like to return to Capulet, Sir,” Selena said, “to fight for it. Trouble is that’s where I committed my crime and the rules state that I can’t return there.”

  “Yes, I’m sure that you do want to go back, Co
mmander. For your information those old rules don’t apply anymore. The limited pardon means you can return to any allied world, even where you committed your crimes. But before you return home we need to find Hope, that’s your priority at this moment in time. As the Colonist leaders here on Loreen, Franks and Amanda’s support are vitally important to us and we need to keep them on board. Now, they’ve personally asked for your assistance and I’m not going to let them down. Once all this is resolved, then you can go to Capulet.”

  “Got it, and I’ll do all I can. Is there anything else?”

  “Yes, a couple of things. Lacey, you and Philips have both been awarded the Military Cross and promoted, which makes you, Lacey, a Lieutenant Commander and you, Philips, a Staff Sergeant.” He paused to offer Selena a smile. “As for you, Dillon, you’re one of the first to get the Sunburst; a new medal that’s the highest award for bravery we have. You’re also promoted to Captain with immediate effect,” He handed her a small box, with her new buttons. “Congratulations and again, very well done.”

  Van Pluy added that the other members of the attack on Manta had been awarded the MC posthumously; and that a statue in honour of both ship’s crews that had fought in the mission was to be erected in at one side of the citadels new parade ground.

  Just then an alarm sounded, Van Pluy froze for a second and then he activated a wall screen. “What the hell’s going on?” he demanded.

  A harassed looking young female lieutenant looked back at the admiral. “Sir, intruders have broken into the labs.”

  “Intruders, Roberts? Explain.”

  “Aye, Sir, intruders. We’ve no idea where they came from but the area’s being secured as we speak.”

  Van Pluy turned to Selena and the others. “You better come with me.”

  They arrived at the labs minutes later. Armed troops had already surrounded the building and a lieutenant with a face like a train crash was waiting for them. He came to attention crisply and saluted the admiral.

  “Lieutenant, stay here and ensure no-one gets out,” Van Pluy returned his salute. Then he gestured to several troops stood close by. “Corporal, you and those three men come with us.”

  The main door lay open and a burnt, electrical smell greeted them as they entered. Selena, Singh and Kes pulled their side-arms and followed as the four man team led the way, Van Pluy besides them. Much to their surprise the labs were empty. Then Selena glanced down and frowned.

  “Christ, is that Henry?” she asked, prodding a mess on the floor with a booted foot.

  “It was,” Singh replied, staring in disbelief at the smouldering and badly melted heap of scrap. “What happened to him?”

  “No idea,” Kes interjected, his nose wrinkling at the acrid scent of burnt metal. “I fear your days as a brewer are numbered, shipmate.”

  Just then there was a faint noise from one of the many chests of equipment. Neon-blue lights flicked on and then ran up and down its sides. The sealed doors across the top began to sluggishly open upwards with a barely audible hum. A sickly, dull orange light spilled out and the troops’ training kicked in. Selena and the others instantly took what cover they could, levelling their weapons at the strange sight that was slowly being revealed. As the doors opened more fully, and then recessed into the sides of the chest, a startlingly white man-shaped robot was lying on a bare metal trolley of sorts, straps across its shins and chest. The machine stirred slightly, rolling its shoulders and moving its head from side to side as it shuffled around on the trolley. Then, with a sudden snapping sound, the tan-coloured fabric restraints binding it to its silver bed fell away.

  “What on Earth?” Singh gasped.

  “Hold your fire,” Van Pluy ordered, as the robot lay still again.

  For a moment nothing happened and they all held their breaths, weapons at the ready. Then the robot opened electric-blue eyes and the head turned to look at them. Its hands reached up for the sides of the cabinet and the automaton pulled itself into a sitting position, before rubbing at its face with both hands. This caused a tooth-jarring scratching noise, like metal on metal, and at the eerie sound a low groan escaped it. To their disbelief the face flowed like liquid and rearranged itself into once familiar features. Then a voice they knew so well said,

  “Hello again, Commander. It’s me, Arthur.”

  Chapter Two

  “What the hell…Arthur?” Selena gasped. “It can’t be, we buried you back on that God forsaken planet we just escaped from.”

  “Yeah, well, these are strange times. You never know what’s going to happen next.”

  The robot’s fingers again ran over its face, fluttering in a mannerism they all knew so well.

  “How...” she lapsed into silence, before adding, “You’re a robot.”

  “This has something to do with Henry, doesn’t it?” Kes interrupted. “I saw you working on him every spare moment you had before we attacked Mantis. I guess you knew Singh would be tempted to keep hold of Henry, what with his interest in booze and Henry’s built in survival encyclopaedias. I suppose it was also obvious that at some stage we’d come back here.”

  “I need you,” Selena said turning to the tall, barrel-chested corporal. “What’s your name?

  “Braxis Ma’am,” the man replied, looking a little daunted.

  She raised an eyebrow. “What kind of a name is that?”

  “The only one I have. You should hear what they called my brother.”

  “Arthur, are you for real?” Singh interrupted, staring at the robot as it climbed out of the coffin-shaped machine and stood backlit by the strange orange glow

  “I’m as real as it gets. Hey, Braxis is it? Will you pass me something to put on? I may be a machine now but I still have a sense of decorum. There’s a coverall over there on the stool next to you, be a good egg and pass it to me.”

  The corporal reached down, picked up the dark blue garment and tossed it one-handed, not once taking his eyes off the bizarre looking machine. Arthur’s neon eyes looked somehow demonic. They watched him dress in silence and when Arthur had finished he looked at them. “You can put the guns down, I don’t bite.”

  “Well, let’s just say you’ve some explaining to do,” Selena replied, keeping her side-arm raised. “Corporal Braxis, I want you and those other three men to take over from the lieutenant outside. Tell them the area is secured and it was only a false alarm. Then leave the other three men on guard outside and come back in alone. Whatever you do, don’t let anyone enter this building. With your permission, Admiral?”

  “Of course. Corporal Braxis, follow the Captain’s orders. You will report directly to her from now on.”

  “Aye, Sir.”

  Braxis and the other three left immediately, shutting the outer doors noisily behind them. Selena and the others heard a muffled conversation, and then shouted commands from the lieutenant to fall out. A few moments later Braxis returned and stood behind them, weapon at the ready.

  “So,” Selena began, glancing at the remains of Henry while nudging them with her foot. “Was there something you didn’t want us to know, Arthur?”

  The white, ceramic-like lips twisted into a smirk. “Hardly, that wasn’t exactly intentional. Before you ask, I’ve been working on this...mechanical body, for a long time. Call it what you will, clinical immortality if you like. That would make sense, because I’ve learned to copy a human being’s consciousness and to download it into these shells. All you really need to do is to have the robot ready, and the means to transport and transfer the saved memory data.”

  “We don’t have technology like that yet,” Van Pluy said, chewing the limp end of a thick, dark and unlit cigar. “Neither the machines themselves or that transference crap you’re on about. I’ve never even heard of it before.”

  “What you mean is we didn’t have it yet but, like I said, I’ve been working on this for several years, in my own time of course. The trouble is a lot of my work has been destroyed.” He nodded towards the remains of Henry.
/>   “Bit of a coincidence, wouldn’t you say?” Selena asked, deadpan.

  Arthur looked at her silently, then blinked those sapphire eyes and changed the subject. “Where are the other members of the crew? What happened after we attacked?”

  “You, Samantha, Bryn and Za’an were killed. As I said, we buried you after we crashed.”

  “Samantha?”

  “You heard me, but for what it’s worth I’m sorry. I know you two were close.”

  “Not as close as I’d like us to have been. That scum Za’an’s gone too, eh?”

  “As dead as the proverbial dodo,” Singh replied, watching him closely.

  “Good, then that saves me the effort of killing the bastard doesn’t it.”

  “Actually, this raises quite an issue,” the Admiral said. “The reports state that it was you who killed Za’an. You shot him in the head just before the lifeboat went down. In my eyes that makes you very much a murderer, Lieutenant.”

  “Ah, Admiral,” Arthur replied. “That wasn’t me at all. You see, this body wasn’t around then. It’s just a copy, as I mentioned. It was the other Arthur who killed Za’an. You can’t blame me for a murder I didn’t personally commit, now can you.

  “My consciousness was uploaded into Henry just before the battle began. You brought Henry to Loreen and I was downloaded from him into this body you see before you. Consequently I only have the memories prior to the battle and know nothing of, nor am I responsible for, Za’an’s death. For the record, if he were alive now I’d kill that son of a bitch in a second. If possible I’d keep recreating and killing him for eternity. I have the memories of what he did to my wife, Mira, things like that are hard to deal with.”

  “Let’s continue this in my office,” Van Pluy said. “This lab isn’t exactly the ideal place for discussions like this. Lieutenant Jones, for the time being, consider yourself under arrest. Braxis, I want all of this equipment secured. Allow no one near it.”