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

  Franks shook his head disbelievingly. “Surely it can’t be that simple.”

  The caretakers didn’t return for the rest of the day and Selena and her party spent some time combing the area. Early next morning Selena was patrolling the perimeter when she heard, “Captain, come quickly.”

  It was Jack who’d shouted from the other side of the camp, and they all ran up to him before stopping to stare in disbelief, as a group of the machines marched out of the jungle interlocked into one solid platform, on which a young girl sat half asleep in a lotus position.

  “Hope!” Amanda shrieked, and ran to greet her daughter.

  Chapter Three

  Van Pluy looked up from his desk as Selena entered his office back at the citadel. “Report, Captain. Where are Franks and the others?”

  “All three are in sick bay, Sir, being checked out. They seem fine, but Hope isn’t saying much. I’ve asked her several times what happened, why she left in the first place and why she was gone so long, but all she can remember is falling. That’s it.”

  “Falling?”

  “Aye, Sir. All we know is while she was on Eden Hope decided to go for a walk, bearing in mind she’s only four. Arthur’s guessing she saw the caretakers acting peculiarly and followed them into the rabbit hole, as did her mother and father after her. When Hope arrived in what we now call Arcadia, she fell down an incline and hurt herself. She just remembers waking up as the caretakers were carrying her into the base camp, after Amanda asked them to find her for us.”

  “Hmm, does she have any injuries?”

  “None that I could see. I’ve arranged for her to be checked out, just to be sure.”

  Van Pluy’s fingers danced over his keyboard and then he peered into the small screen in front of him. He leant forward suddenly, intent. Then he sighed heavily. “It’s just as well you did. Take a look at this.” The display flicked onto a larger wall-screen on the wall, to Selena’s left.

  Selena felt herself go rigid with shock. “What...?” she gasped, staring at the body scan.

  “It appears,” the admiral replied, sitting back in his chair, “that our young friend has had all her bones replaced by the same glass-like alloy the ForeRunners had. This means either Hope was badly injured during her fall and the caretakers carried out medical procedures to help her, or this isn’t our Hope at all.”

  “What about Franks and Amanda? I had them checked out as well. After all they were there for a long time too.”

  The screen changed to show Franks’s and Amanda’s reports. Van Pluy relaxed visibly and said, “No, they’re okay, normal from what I can see, although we need to get them to sickbay to run more tests. Eventually I’m going to have to tell them about Hope though. God knows what they’re going to say. Imagine losing your child for all this time, and then getting her back to find she might not be who you think she is. In the meantime, there’s a transport leaving with reinforcements for Capulet in two days. I want you and your team on it.”

  Selena’s eyes narrowed and her lips thinned. “The Queen won’t have forgotten what I did. She’s an untrustworthy evil bitch. What’s to stop her having me killed when I get there?”

  The admiral rested his elbows on his desk, steepled his fingers and looked at her thoughtfully. “She’s signed up to our treaty. If she does anything wrong we’ll get you out and walk away from that world, and she knows it. We’re still Humanity’s best fighting force. We may be down to five battalions but we’re building our numbers back up again.”

  Selena gritted her teeth, fighting back the rage building in her. “I knew the Federation of Man bastards hurt us but not that badly.”

  “There are still things you don’t need to be aware of, Captain. To be frank, with you going into enemy territory and fighting alongside those backstabbing bastards then you really don’t need-to-know. Now, you’ll join the Second Regiment, Fifth Century.”

  “I’ve got one hundred men?”

  “Yes, but, as I said, Kes and the others are to go with you, including Lieutenant Jones. We’ll soon see what this new Arthur is made of, if you excuse the pun. Your Commanding Officer is one of ours, General Magki. Apparently he’s of Korean descent. His second in command is a regular by the name of Colonel Bob Matthews, a good man. Do you have any questions?”

  “What are the battalion’s current orders?”

  “To kill the enemy, something you appear to excel at. That’s all there is to it. Capulet City’s still standing, the charged defensive metal ring around it has kept them fairly secure, the Manta haven’t been able to get past it. We’ve taken this on board and have recommended all allied world re-instigate the design in their cities. We’ve also ensured our own citadels and bases re-adopt their original design, which included it. You’ll be billeted in Capulets Arena, which we’re using as a barracks for the time being. Oh, and there’s one other thing.”

  “Admiral?”

  “I know your feelings on the matter but Capulet’s Queen is currently still alive. Just make sure she is when you leave.”

  Selena studied him for a moment, her face devoid of emotion, and the admiral stared straight back at her. “Yes, Sir,” she replied, tight lipped.

  He leant forward suddenly and jabbed a manicured finger at Selena. “I mean it, Dillon. I know you have an axe to grind, but it will have to wait. As you pointed out, in the old days you’d never have gone back. We’re fighting alongside the Federation of Man on this one and we need to do things by the book. While there’s a temporary truce in place we’ll work together against the aliens. I don’t need the media making the most of any indiscretion. I have enough problems as it is. Do I make myself clear?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Good, then you’re dismissed. Oh, and by the way, good luck.”

  “Thank you, Sir.”

  As Selena closed the door behind her she stopped in mid-step, jaw dropping open. “Kotes, what are you doing here?”

  He grinned. “If you remember you have a shuttle that belongs to me. Singh ‘borrowed’ it to rescue you and I’d quite like it back. As it happens, the admiral’s ordered me to take you and the others to Capulet. I promise not to take a detour on the way, like I did the last time I took you somewhere.”

  “Thank you, Lieutenant, I’d really appreciate that.”

  “Good.” His grin came back. “Now, could you tell me where I can find Singh? He owes me some supplies, that beggar drank all my whiskey.”

  *****

  Despite expectations the Magellan’s journey to Capulet went without issue and their time was spent on hard physical training and re-familiarisation with weapons. Before long Selena and the others found themselves on her home world, somewhere she thought she’d never see again. Kotes met them on the gangway, as they disembarked. He shook their hands and looked askance at Arthur, as if unsure what to do, but Arthur resolved the situation by simply ignoring him and walking straight past without offering his hand. Selena offered Kotes an apologetic look, shouldered her belongings and assault rifle and strode down the gangway after Arthur. Once on the tarmac she stopped and looked around. It had been a long time since she’d been here but the old city hadn’t changed much. It was still surrounded by a sea of green grass and the forest, yet somehow smelt like a dusty hell-hole. The spaceport was within the tall crenulated city wall, with its countless colourful flags and pennants fluttering in the warm, dry wind. Even from where they were she could see a lot more gun emplacements and men manning them.

  “Are you all right?” Singh whispered. “It must be weird being here again. By the way, it looks like we have a welcome committee.”

  On the tarmac in front of the Magellan was a small diminutive officer of Asian descent. His black uniform was impeccable and he saluted smartly as Selena strode up to him.

  Selena returned his salute. “You are?”

  “Lieutenant Rai, Ma’am.”

  Selena proffered her hand, which he shook, almond eyes crinkling with delight. “Now, if you don’t min
d,” she continued, “I’d like to see my quarters.”

  Rai led them to a skimmer and once aboard they rose above the buildings and were taken straight over the busy streets and market places directly to the arena. Selena felt her eyes drawn to the old stone court house, and the cell in which she’d been imprisoned all those years ago before being taken away for induction into the Penal corps. Their craft slowed and landed. As they climbed out she glanced at Arthur, then paused and peered more closely at him. “Hey Arthur, are you all right? You look kind of swollen, and you’re walking a bit stilted.”

  The once gleaming face looked somewhat dulled, but he immediately said: “I’m okay, Captain. I don’t think this new body’s used to trips through space.”

  “Yeah, well, I guess not, though that seems a bit odd, after all you’re a goddamned robot. It’s not like I can get a doctor to check you out or anything, although maybe a mechanic. Let me know if it gets any worse, and if there’s anything I can do.”

  Arthur nodded, his sapphire gaze took in the multitude of pennants fluttering in the warm breeze on the city’s battlements, “Oh, trust me Ma’am, I will.”

  *****

  “The arena hasn’t changed much, apart from all the tents on the grass where we used to hold the events,” Selena said to Singh. “You guys unpack. I’ve a few things to do.”

  Her eyes caught the massive grey-stone entrance with its colonial crest. Instantly Selena saw her mother standing there all those years ago, her white gown flapping gently in the breeze and giving tantalising glimpses of her superb, well-toned body to those so far below. The pennants fluttered as she raised her arms and spoke, her voice carrying over the arena as she told all those before her the Queen was responsible for the death of Raynor, her husband and the one person she’d ever loved. Then Selena saw her mother fall to her death from that precipice once again. Shaking off the memories she turned away, so her friends couldn’t see the tears in her eyes.

  Selena dropped her belongings off in the chameleon tent assigned to her and reported to HQ. There she found her senior officers were both away, but they’d left orders for her and the troops to join them in the morning.

  Returning to her tent she unpacked, took a shower in the ablutions block and, once refreshed, told Rai to muster the men. Introducing herself she briefed them on their orders and inspected them, finding herself pleased with the results. She, Singh and the others ate dinner in the mess tent before she excused herself and decided to get an early night. When she returned to the tent and undressed, it took a while for her to get to sleep. When she did Selena’s dreams were filled with her parents. It was about two a.m. when Singh woke her.

  “Captain, we’ve got a problem. You’d better come and take a look.”

  “What is it?” she asked, pulling on her clothes before joining him outside.

  “It’s Arthur. You need to see this, Ma’am.”

  They ran the short distance under a clear night sky filled with a profusion of brilliant stars, while the small twin-moons, Romeo and Juliet, bathed all with their soft warm glow. As they entered Arthur’s tent, Selena stopped short, the breath catching in her throat. Arthur lay still, like a cast-aside toy on his bunk. He looked swollen, his body plating disjointed and cracked. The once pristine white armour had turned a horrible greyish colour and started to lift in places. Selena approached him and looked more closely. What was that underneath those lifting scabs of ceramic? Her eyes widened, it couldn’t be. Kneeling on the groundsheet she reached down and tugged gently at a piece of the plating. It came free with a rasping, sticky sound. Behind her she heard Singh gasp, as he too realised what it was that lay beneath the plating.

  Human skin.

  Urgently they pulled away more of the material, until they’d revealed a whole left forearm, and then a hand. There was a smell of rank, rotten cheese – enough to make them retch. Then they noticed Arthur’s mask was lifting too and, reaching forward, they carefully lifted that away as well. It came free reluctantly with a sucking, slurping sound, as if they were pulling a boot free from deep gelatinous mud. Selena took a tissue from her pocket and wiped away some of the yellow mucous that lay underneath like congealed pus, revealing the sleeping face of the Arthur they knew so well. His ragged breathing changed suddenly, increasing and becoming more robust. He grunted and raised his freed hand to rub away more of the disgusting goo. Long strands of the snot-like gunge dribbled from his face onto the bed. Then he opened those blue eyes, and looked at them with surprise.

  “Hello, Captain. Looks like I have some explaining to do.”

  *****

  “Are you’re telling me,” Selena demanded, interrupting Arthur as he sat on the side of his bed, dressed in one of Singh’s spare tee-shirt and shorts, both of which were far too big for him, “that when we first found the device which activated the rabbit holes, there were data crystals there and you didn’t declare them?”

  “Ermm, yeah, I’m afraid so. I didn’t realise what they were at first. I just kind of picked them up and put them in my pocket, while I was brushing off all the other dust and debris off the device. It was only a couple of days later that I remembered them and cleaned them up.”

  “Don’t bullshit me,” Selena snapped, her eyes flashing as she poked him in the chest. “You’ve said yourself you don’t forget anything.”

  He looked guilty and shrugged. “Like I said, I didn’t realise what they were. When I did we were already aboard the Magellan and on our way to the Dutch Lady. There was a lot of time to kill once we’d settled in, I was fascinated and wanted to fully investigate what this all was before I said anything. Yes, okay I admit once I’d figured out what the crystals were and how to download their information I kept it all to myself, but that wasn’t until I was absolutely sure of what it was I’d found. Even when I tried it I didn’t really know what I was doing and had to work it out as I went. I thought it was just a machine my consciousness could be downloaded to. How was I to know it would build a clone of me inside it, or as the body matured the shell would die and eventually peel away.”

  “You didn’t report it and you should have. You know that.”

  “Yes, you’re quite right, but I was intrigued and the journey to Mantis allowed me the time to start the research I needed. I certainly didn’t expect to be bloody killed! I’d already sent the plans for the mechanical body to Franks, asking him to keep it to himself and arrange for it to be built as part of a secret project. The poor guy was so thankful for our help on Loreen that he did exactly what I asked and kept quiet about it, apart from those he personally involved in the project to help him.

  “It was only just prior to our attacking run I downloaded my ‘memories’ into the transference device that I’d built into Henry. That’s honestly the last thing I remember and, as I said before, Henry was destroyed when the device activated and I’ve no idea why; so all of my research had been lost.”

  “Where are the data crystals now?”

  “Probably still with the old me, buried back at the crash site.” He rubbed some more of the gel away and flicked it towards the floor with his fingers.

  “I don’t believe a word of this, Arthur. It’s bullshit and all too coincidental. We’ll talk about this later. In the meantime, let’s get you over to medical.”

  Luckily the bunks were designed to be used as stretchers, when needed. They called a couple of guards, who soon had Arthur in the medical tent.

  An hour later Selena looked at his scans. Speaking to Arthur over her shoulder she said, “It says here you’re in incredibly good health. You certainly don’t need those spectacles you used to wear anymore, although why you never got your eyes fixed in the first place is beyond me.”

  “I’ve always been a bit funny about my eyes. I can’t stand anyone playing with them, makes me go all cold.”

  “These scans also show your bone structure is made from the same glass-like material the ForeRunners used, the same as Hope’s. Care to explain that one away?”


  Arthur pursed his lips. “Do you recall the DNA scanner that allowed us access to the rabbit holes when we first discovered them? I believe they granted us access because they recognised us as some sort of descendent from the ForeRunners, because our DNA matched theirs. It would also explain why the caretakers brought Singh an apple, and Hope back when Amanda asked them to. It may be they see our requests as orders.”

  “Ah,” Selena replied, light dawning. “Hope said the last thing she recalled was falling. So when the caretakers found her and realised she was injured they must have repaired her, thinking she was a ForeRunner.”

  She fell silent and looked closely at Arthur. “If this is all true then the question is whether you two really are human, or something else entirely?”

  *****

  Returning to her room Selena called the admiral. Luckily, Van Pluy was still up and answered quickly.

  “Report,” he ordered.

  She told him about the developments with Arthur and then about Hope, finishing with, “My concerns, Sir, are whether these really are Arthur and Hope, or are they really some kind of ForeRunner copy? In either case, can they be trusted?”

  Van Pluy puffed his cigar into vermillion life, blowing a grey cloud to one side. “Those are good points you’ve raised, Captain. So what do you suggest?”

  “There isn’t a lot I can do, Sir, except clap him in irons and at the moment he doesn’t deserve it. The other thing is the Forerunners and Manta fought against each other, so I’d rather have him at my side helping us than rotting somewhere away in a forgotten cell, or even being dissected for that matter.”

  “Agreed. Okay, keep him with you at all times and watch him like a hawk. I’ll arrange for Hope to be monitored constantly. I have to admit, Selena, I’m still troubled by those skeletons you found on Arcadia. Something doesn’t add up and alarm bells are ringing. There’s also the issue of the power loss, the last thing we want is more people marooned over there.”