The Cull of Lions (Darkening Stars Book 2) Page 7

  “At least there’s no risk of those beggars coming back to haunt us. All we need to worry about now is the last surviving nest,” Braxis agreed. “The one the regulars fucked up on.”

  “You mean the ones the regulars died in. Well, we don’t need to worry about that tonight.” Selena touched her earpiece. “The general’s ordering us back to the city, time for a rest. It’s a new day tomorrow. I expect he’ll get us to hit the last nest then.”

  *****

  Back in the arena in Capulet City much later, Selena sat in the open with Arthur and Singh drinking a cold beer while staring into the flames of a log fire built as a comfort against the night. They raised their eyes and watched as a troopship descended noisily from the dark, cloud filled sky. The roar from the cherry-red engines faded as it kissed the tarmac in the spaceport a short distance away.

  “Wonder what they’ve got for us,” Singh offered. “More beer?”

  “That’s probably the one with our first reinforcements from our new bases in the colonies,” Selena replied. “It appears the admiral’s efforts are finally paying off.”

  “Just as well,” Arthur joined in. “Because at the rate we’re losing people you’re going to end up saluting yourself.” He raised his beer. “Here’s to our fallen, and to reinforcements.”

  “The metal staples in your cheek are an improvement,” Selena remarked to Arthur. “A few inches to one side and you’ll have needed Henry again. Looks like it’s already starting to heal though, and that’s pretty incredible.”

  “Yeah, so’s the fact I can have a beer again and it isn’t spilling through the side of my face,” Arthur replied, downing his drink.

  Just then an unearthly wail rose through the city. It sent a shiver down Selena’s spine. Grabbing her gun she leapt to her feet.

  “What’s that?” Singh asked, standing beside her and looking around.

  “The alarm,” Selena replied. “The city’s under attack.”

  Then a report came over Selena’s battle net, informing everyone the Manta were in the city. All around them soldiers boiled into action, snatching up weapons and forming into squads before rushing off to wherever they were directed. Gunfire erupted and echoed through the streets, mingled with the crump of explosions that left fireballs raising into the night sky. Shrieking people ran through the streets, making the soldiers’ job so much harder.

  “They’re in the city?” Singh bellowed, incredulously. “What about the perimeter?”

  “Control says they dug under it.”

  Screams of pain and gunfire rent the night air. The lights throughout the city came on, bathing the arena and the buildings surrounding it. A few alleyways remained unlit and threatening. As alien shapes leapt from them they were mown down as the troops opened fire. In little over an hour only occasional shots from one quarter could be heard.

  “Where’s are those coming from?” Kes asked.

  “Sounds like the palace,” Selena replied. She looked towards the racket and sucked her lip. “Guess we better go see.”

  “Is that really a good idea?” Kes asked.

  “I won’t know until we get there. With luck the bitch is already dead.”

  “Erm, did I miss something?” Braxis said, eyebrows raised.

  “Nothing you need worry about, yet,” Kes answered. “Let’s go.”

  They ran the half-mile or so to the palace, and found its gates hanging off. There they found dead guards and Manta everywhere, their bodies interwoven. The humans had fought with everything, from the most modern weapons to swords and knives, and even their bare hands.

  “Why’s aren’t there any auto-guns here?” Braxis asked, as he and Kes took cover on one side of the wall while Selena, Arthur and Singh took the other.

  “There’s some inside but there used to be a lot more. I’d say most of those available were reclaimed and placed on the perimeter walls. I guess they didn’t see this coming,” Selena replied. Peering around the shattered entrance she ensured all was clear, “Let’s go.”

  Even more torn, bleeding and burned bodies lay inside. Ignoring them they ran past smouldering buildings and through the gardens. From the corner of her eye Selena caught sight of a manhole cover. It bought back so many memories, for it was the exact one she and her team of assassins climbed out of during their assassination attempt.

  As they ran across the grass a group of Manta leapt from the bushes and raced towards them. The team dropped to their knees, opened fire and took them out. Chitin was torn from the aliens’ shells as the bullets slammed home. Then a microwave hit them and they exploded. Their rancid gore splashed over the bushes and trees, dispelling the sweet, cloying scent of the gardens.

  The doors at the entrance to the passageway leading to the royal quarters had been torn off and the few auto-guns in the corridor beyond had taken a terrible toll of the enemy before the guns were disabled. Alien bodies lay piled up like a barrier, which they had to climb over, while ahead of them the few remaining humans and aliens battled hand to hand. The humans no match for the monstrous invaders, who began to batter at the door to the Queen’s quarters.

  The realising she had to stop them, no matter what, Selena shouted, “Pick your targets, open fire!” Once again the machine gun kicked in her arms and she knew that, no matter how they tried, they were bound to hit the defenders.

  The others joined in, their weapons screaming as they sliced through both human and alien alike. Selena felt sick as she saw the defenders hammered from their feet by her bullets yet she little choice, the guards were too close to the enemy. But then knowing the crimes the guards perpetrated on behalf of the Queen, she had no great love for them either. At least it was some payback for the death of her parents, although she took no pleasure in it. Van Pluy told her to ensure the Queen was alive when she left the planet, and Selena had no choice but to follow those orders.

  Changing grip on her weapon slightly she triggered her grenade launcher, the resulting explosion blowing both the remaining human defenders and their attackers to bits. As the smoke cleared she realised there was no combatants left alive, except one human guard who climbed slowly to his feet, a huge gash across his face. The piles of bodies protected him. Covered in blood and gore, with a blood-soaked sword in his hand, he stared in disbelief at the devastation around him, the piles of colleagues, dead friends and enemies. Behind him were the doors to the royal sleeping quarters, with their ornate and intricately designed golden birds fluttering over green leafed bamboo — at the feet of which the ivory dragons with blood-red eyes glared balefully remained undamaged — apart from the odd bullet or beam mark while occasional rivulets of gold trickled slowly towards the floor. Then the man’s gaze met Selena’s. His eyes blazing he raised his blade, screamed at the top of his voice and stepped forward.

  “One more step and you’re hamburger, drop it.” Singh ordered.

  The man froze, fury painting every look and body motion but he lowered the blade and did as he was told, his eyes promising revenge. The acrid scent of blood and weapon discharges filled the corridor, smoke drifted like pungent clouds. Selena walked up to the man and nodded at the dead Manta piled against his legs.

  “Did you kill all of those?” She asked

  “The guys and I did,” he spat, “when the auto-guns failed but there were so many we couldn’t kill them all, no matter how much we tried. Then you come along and murdered what was left of my friends anyway. What kind of bitch are you?”

  “What’s your name?”

  “Ragnor.”

  “Well, Ragnor, two things. Firstly, you’re a brave man and a good fighter. A lot of people would have run but you didn’t and we could use a man like you. Secondly, don’t ever call me a bitch again, it really pisses me off. If you do I’ll cut your goddamned tongue out, you have my word on that. Now then, you’ve deliberately insulted a senior officer of the military and that’s a crime for which I intend to ensure you’re sentenced to the penal corps.” Without another word she punched hi
m square on the jaw, watching as his eyes glazed over and he slid to the floor unconscious.

  Braxis stared at her. His lips moved but no words came out.

  Selena returned his look. “What, have you got a problem Braxis?”

  “No Ma’am, I sure haven’t.”

  “I didn’t think so,” she replied, then gestured towards the human guards they’d help kill. “If the enemy had gotten through then the Manta would have slaughtered the Queen. Although in my book it couldn’t happen to anyone more deserving, her death would be contrary to orders.”

  It was all that needed to be said.

  Silence reigned for a moment. Cooling metal ticked, the smell of ozone stung their nostrils. Then they moved forward and checked the charred bodies. Beyond them a loud click came from the ornate door, and they stepped back as one. Slowly it opened and Selena found herself face to face with the Queen and four nervous-looking guards.

  Time slowed down, as Selena’s eyes met those of the monarch.

  “Well, well, I know you,” the slim, rat-faced Queen said slowly, her face cold and a slicer nestling in her arms. “You’re Selena Dillon, and you tried to kill me once.”

  “That’s right, and you’re lucky it was only the once. I remember it well. Failure isn’t something I’m used to, nor is it something I’m particularly proud of.”

  Behind them reinforcements rushed up the corridor, General Magki amongst them. “Majesty, are you all right?” He demanded, coming to a stop beside Selena and saluting the monarch.

  “I’m fine, General, thanks to Captain Dillon and her troops. They saved my life, and I have much to thank them for.”

  “Well done Dillon,” Magki bathed Selena with a smile. Then, eying the carnage around them, he added, “I think we’d better leave you in peace now, Majesty, so your people can clean this mess up.”

  “Actually I’d rather you came in for a while. You and your men too, Dillon, but leave your weapons by the door. The others can remain outside.”

  Kes and Braxis followed Selena. They didn’t say anything as they handed over their assault rifles and side-arms, though it was obvious none of them were at all happy about it.

  “Both of you sit,” the Queen began, addressing Selena and the General as the guards took stations around her. Selena’s friends stood around protectively, watching the Queen as she sat stroking the weapon laid across her lap. “Firstly, General, I’d be very interested in how the Manta knew to attack my palace. It would appear they might understand our concept of leadership and somehow knew I’d be here. I’d like you to look into that for me, if you will. In the meantime we have a little problem we need to resolve.”

  Magki looked from the Queen to Selena, and then back again. “We do?”

  “Oh yes,” she said sitting back, her eyes firmly on Selena, “and you’re here as a witness. Now, if I may continue?”

  “Please, go ahead,” the general answered, worriedly.

  “Captain Dillon, may I call you Selena? I know we’ve had our differences in the past but I want you to know I regret the loss of your parents. As it happens, I knew both of them quite well in the old days. We were all good friends once.”

  “You expect me to believe that crap?” Selena snapped, leaping to her feet. “Everyone knows you stole my father and then annulled my parents’ marriage, before forcing him to marry you.”

  “Oh, yes,” the Queen agreed, solemnly, before shrugging. “I did and for what’s it’s worth I regret it, but then you know what royalty are like. However, what I’ve said is true. Your parents, Aunt May and I were all friends a long time ago. If you don’t believe me, then look here.” she raised her right hand, palm up with a small device in it and a hologram appeared in the air just above it. Selena’s throat constricted as she saw an old recording of her mother, father, Aunt May and the Queen laughing together. Then it changed, to show the Queen and her father embracing, then again to one where they were sharing a long and passionate kiss.

  “Those are fake,” Selena snarled, clenching her fists. “Don’t even go there, because I’ll cut your goddamn eyes out, and then I’ll start to make you really suffer. Killing you is my life’s ambition and one day, sooner or later, I’m going to take a great deal of pleasure in doing exactly that.”

  “Captain, erm, time to go I think...” Singh said, and took Selena firmly by the elbow.

  With a last glare at the monarch Selena allowed herself to be led out of the room, while the Queen’s voice followed them into the corridor.

  “I didn’t expect you to believe me, but your Aunt May knows the truth. Ask her, and watch her eyes when she replies.”

  Then they were outside the building, Selena’s breath shuddering as she fought back her rage. She was close to losing control and knew it. Pulling herself together she raised an eyebrow at Braxis and calmed down. He’d collected her weapons and seemed intent on holding on to them.

  “What?” she asked.

  “Jesus, Captain. You don’t do things by half. Remind me not to piss you off.”

  “Braxis,” she growled, striding off, “you haven’t seen anything yet.”

  Chapter Five

  Singh and the others escorted her all the way back to the arena, watching silently as she entered her tent. A few moments later she came out to throw a couple of things into the back of a skimmer.

  “Are you okay, Ma’am?” Kes asked, glancing from her to Singh.

  “I’m fine. Kes, get everyone ready to move out in the morning. Singh, you’re coming with me, there’s someone I need to see.”

  Forty minutes later Singh parked the skimmer in a portion of Capulet City reserved as a park. He waited patiently on what passed for a road, while Selena took off her earpiece and walked up the path to the front door of her aunt’s old dome-shaped colonial home. She hesitated for just a moment, looking over the well-trimmed lawn and copious multi-coloured flowers in the borders next to the white picket-fenced garden. The buildings had been designed long ago to remind the early settlers of ancient Earth and they brought back warm childhood memories for Selena. She shrugged them aside and knocked loudly.

  No answer. She knocked again.

  “She’s gone away. Left a long time ago,” said a voice from behind her.

  Selena turned to see a thin, grey haired old woman standing by the garden gate. A light-blue dress hung from her withered frame and she supported herself by leaning on a walking stick.

  “Who are you?” Selena asked.

  “Oh, don’t mind me I’m just a neighbour. I’ve been tending May’s garden while she’s away.”

  “Do you know where she went, or if she’ll be back?”

  The old woman shook her head, semi-shuffling back and forth. “I’ve no idea, sorry. She left a long time ago. You’ll be Selena. May spoke about you a lot and I remember you as a child, though I doubt you’ll remember me. Sorry I can’t be of any more help.”

  Selena bit her lips and then blew out harshly through them. “You can reach me at any time. Just look my name up on the local call-list, or you can contact me via the Penal Corps. Please, let me know if she comes back.”

  The woman smiled kindly and nodded, watching as Selena got back in the skimmer.

  “Not in?” Singh asked.

  “No,” she replied, looking at him sideways. “I was going to ask my aunt about what the Queen said, but she’s gone away. Guess I’ll have to wait.”

  The craft rose and arrowed back towards the arena. It didn’t take long but as they were approaching gunfire erupted in the city yet again.

  “This is Captain Dillon, what’s going on?” she asked over the battlenet, while peering down at the streets through her binoculars.

  A woman’s voice answered instantly. “We’re under attack. We thought we’d killed them all but as we were cleaning up the dead bodies the Manta hit us again. The bugs caught us off guard a second time and we’re losing people.”

  Then she heard Kes say: “Captain, it’s Staff Sergeant Philips. They used a typ
ical human tactic, letting us leave cover and then springing an ambush. They made mincemeat of us. We’re getting it under control again but it’s costing us dear.”

  “Okay, chuck some anti-personnel mines down those holes and seal them. Treble all guards and I want sonic sensors monitoring those tunnels, and anywhere else that they might pop up. Let’s not get caught on the hop a third time.”

  Once they were landed Selena hurried to Kes’s location. He and the others were still sealing the tunnels.

  “Anything?” she asked.

  “Nope, looks like we got them all. What a mess, but at least we’ve got the extra sentries posted now and the sonics will help. I’ve told the others to get back to the camp and get some rest. It’s going to be a long day tomorrow.”

  “Aye,” Selena replied. “With a little bit of luck, it’ll soon be payback time.”

  “Are you all right?” Kes asked. “You look a little peaky.”

  “Just had a bit of a shock, but don’t worry it’s nothing for you to worry about. With luck all this trouble will stop once we’ve dealt with the nest tomorrow.”

  Kes watched her for a moment. “Is it anything I can help with?”

  “Oh, no,” Selena replied with a shark-like grin, her eyes devoid of all humour. “Just a something I need to catch up on.”

  “I know you, Selena,” he replied, “and that expression. Someone has a whole world of pain coming to them, and I’m sure glad it’s not me.”

  Chapter Six

  The forest close to the last Manta nest was dense, which meant rather than set the skimmers on the ground safely a few miles away the troops used their antigravs to float down, watching as the craft disappeared into the morning mist and they themselves into the foliage. Weaving between the trees with the antigravs was slow business but much faster and safer than running or taking the skimmers. Selena, Kes and the others met up with the senior officers in about a quarter of a mile and were there well in time for the General’s briefing