Star Runners: Scorpions

Chapter 2

2

The trip dragged. Even with the curvature drive, the ride surpassed one hour. Austin sighed. No planetary bodies revealed themselves out his porthole. He had glanced around the shuttle’s cabin when he first stepped in and guessed more than a dozen other men and women were on board, all wearing civilian clothes.

During the trip, Austin found it difficult to sit still, his mind racing about this new assignment. Technically, the Legion Navy could do whatever they wanted with him. He signed their papers, devoting the next five years of his life to the service.

But nothing about his recent transfer had been like anything he had experienced since leaving Earth and joining the Legion. On his first trip from Atlantis and off Earth, he had Jonathan Nubern at his side to guide him each step of the way.

Major Nubern was now in charge of recruitment efforts in Quadrant Eight. The Legion still needed more Star Runners even though tension between the Zahl and Legion had decreased since the death of Sector Regent Knox Tulin. Between patrolling the border and maintaining order within Legion Space, all while keeping a loose eye on the Fringe and Dark Space, it seemed the Star Runners would never be at a loss for things to do.

Shaking his head, he glanced around the cabin. Skylar had taken a seat on the other side of the aisle again. Her eyes were focused on the tablet. Knowing her, she was probably reading up on combat tactics or the latest news within the Legion Navy.

He turned to Bear, who slept with his mouth gaped open like he was drugged. He raised his hand to nudge his friend awake, but hesitated. Bear probably deserved some sleep. Who knew when he would get another chance?

“We are now approaching our destination,” a calm voice hissed over the intercom. “Prepare for landing in ten.”

Peering out the porthole, he saw light beaming from a star in the distance.

“See anything?” Bear grumbled through a yawn.

“Light up ahead. A whole bunch of nothing.”

He put his hand to his mouth, stifling another yawn. “Thought we saw enough nothing at our last stop.”

“Seriously.” He leaned his head back. “Drink still getting to you?”

Bear rolled his eyes. “Not sure it was just the drink, but it started the whole thing.”

“What’s that mean?”

“Been tired lately.”

“You getting sick?”

“Nah. We’d been going nonstop on the Formidable after you, uh, left. Before that…well, still can’t believe I almost got snuffed out.”

Austin looked at him. Bear’s close encounter with the Wraith was also the engagement claiming the life of Gan Patro.

He winced at the thought. “You all right, man?”

“Yeah.” Bear paused a moment. Slowly, he shook his head.

“I understand. Takes a while to get something like that out of your head.”

“You ever get used to it?”

“No. You just cope.”

Adjusting his attention toward the porthole, Bear said, “Looks like that’s our stop.”

Austin turned. A small moon moved into view, a line of blinking white and red lights coming to life on the dark side. Pockmarked with craters of various sizes, the gray surface looked a lot like Earth’s moon. The shuttle veered toward the lights on the surface. Far in the distance, a green and white planet crept just over the horizon.

“Reminds me of when I told you I could see Armstrong’s flag.”

Austin turned toward the aisle. Skylar had left her seat and leaned over Bear’s shoulder.

He shook his head. “I didn’t believe it, you know.”

“Yeah,” she said with a smile, “you did. You used to be so gullible.”

Bear snorted. “Used to be?”

“Okay,” Austin said, turning back toward the window.

The shuttle slowed. Austin stared down, watching as the vessel dipped into a canyon splitting the rocky surface. He craned his neck, pressing his nose against the window as he tried to get a better look at their destination.

The shuttle paused, hanging over the canyon’s floor.

“Well, I don’t see any green men,” Austin whispered, his eyes sweeping across the canyon.

“You were expecting green men?” Bear asked.

Austin looked at him. “You didn’t read that report?”

Bear stared at him, then glanced at Skylar. “What report?”

“Oh, yeah,” Skylar said, taking the prompt. “I was just reading something about that.”

“You guys are full of it.”

“All right,” Austin said with a shrug. “Believe what you want, but we need to keep an eye out. Reports of little green men infiltrating Legion bases on the edge of known space have been filling up the latest reports.”

“I didn’t see any reports on that.” Bear hesitated, blinking as he looked at them. “You mean like aliens?”

Skylar tapped him on the shoulder. “Don’t worry. I got your back.”

Bear nudged Austin’s arm. “Anything I should know about?”

“No one’s really sure, but they think some of these intruders are seen when starlight hits gasses and forms, you know, a rainbow.”

“A rainbow?” Bear asked.

“And that’s when the trouble starts,” Skylar said, placing her hand over her mouth. “Some people say they wreak havoc with systems and cause problems all over a station.”

“Have people died?” Bear asked.

“It’s all been minor so far,” Skylar said, her eyes flicking to Austin’s. “Haven’t they?”

“Yeah,” he said, his voice cracking. “Command’s worried about these lifeforms, though. Not sure if they’re aliens or what, but they’re humanoid. And short. They get really touchy when you get near the end of the rainbow…and the pot of gold.”

Bear punched Austin in the shoulder. “Leprechauns?”

They burst into laughter.

Bear crossed his arms over his chest. “Seriously, not funny.”

Still laughing, Austin shook his head. “You really fell for that?”

“I didn’t believe you.”

“Yes,” Skylar said, propping her elbow on his shoulder and rubbing his hair, “you did.”

The shuttle moved forward, passing into an expanse like a warehouse. The polished floor was smaller than the deck of the Formidable. A line of fuel and maintenance trucks filled his view as the shuttle passed over. Their craft halted and turned as it landed.

And then he saw them.

Twenty Tridents glistened in a line under the artificial lighting. The wings were folded into the landing position, tucked over the fuselage like a predator’s wings waiting to strike.

He sighed. “That’s a good sign.”

“A very good sign,” Skylar said.

Upon leaving the shuttle, Major Wilkos snapped his fingers and led them off the deck, passing a dozen enlisted men and women wearing regulation gray. Judging by the grease stains on their coveralls and the hair matted to their skulls, Austin knew they were the “grease lykers” for this base…wherever it was located.

They marched in silence through the winding corridors, their footfalls echoing. The rock walls had chisel marks moving vertically from the ceiling to the steel floor, revealing the underground base was dug into the moon. Rather than the angular halls on the Formidable, this base weaved through the stone organically. Little traffic filled the halls other than two people, a tall man and a shorter woman wearing green lab coats, who passed without looking at them.

Wilkos came to a black hatch in the shape of an octagon. He pounded on the surface. A popping sound shot across the corridor, followed by a screech of metal. Austin winced at the noise, the passengers around him taking a step back.

The hatch parted, and Austin’s jaw dropped.

A tall woman with vibrant red hair stomped through the opening and stood at attention. With her muscular arms clasped behind her back, she locked eyes with Wilkos and saluted.

“Captain Senza!” Wilkos yelled, responding with a crisp salute. “Status report?”

“Sir!” She lowered her hand. “Scorpions’ Nest is fully operational and ready for your orders, sir.”

“Is the briefing room prepared?”

“Sir, yes, sir!”

Wilkos nodded. “Very well, Captain. Lead these Star Runners inside.”

Austin glanced at the passengers around him. Although he had assumed he traveled with fellow Star Runners, it hadn’t been confirmed until now.

“Yes, sir!” Snapping her heel to the floor, she took a step back and outstretched her left hand. “I am Captain Manami Senza. Proceed inside and take a seat. Briefing begins in two minutes!”

As they passed through the hatch, a man whispered, “Laying it on a little thick, aren’t they?”

“Halt!” Wilkos shouted. “Attention!”

The group stopped. Wilkos marched behind him, but Austin didn’t dare turn his head. The situation reminded him of the PT drills at the Tizona Academy when Javin Sharkey spent countless afternoons screaming about discipline and order.

“Something you’d like to say, Lieutenant?” Wilkos hissed.

“Sir! No, sir!” another team member yelled.

“Oh! So you’re saying I’m hearing things? Is that it?”

“Sir…not at—”

“You think I’m crazy, then? Huh? Speak!”

“No, sir. I didn’t say anything, sir.”

“So, now I’m deaf and mute? Is that what you’re telling me?”

“Sir, I—”

“Shut up!” Wilkos stepped to the front of the group, each boot hitting the deck like a thunderclap. “Drop your bags! All of you!”

Austin did as instructed, allowing his satchel to fall to the floor. He stood at attention.

“When one of you steps out of line, all of you suffer.” Wilkos glanced at each of them. “Now, run.”

The Star Runners glanced at each other.

“Run!”

“You heard the major!” Senza yelled, her eyes wild like a rabid animal. “Run, you lykers! Run!”

They turned and jogged down the corridor. Senza followed, barking orders and goading them to run faster. Bear and Skylar moved next to Austin as they ran through the corridors. The line of Star Runners weaved through boulders, leading to the deck where the shuttle landed, and ran around the hangar’s perimeter.

They lapped the area six times, Senza screaming the entire way. Sweat ran down Austin’s face. Others gasped. He hadn’t run like this since before his mission to steal the Wraith. His lungs burned like they filled with fire and smoke. Skylar pulled out in front several times but dropped back to stay right at his side. Despite his fatigue, he smiled each time she made her maneuver. She had always been the better runner back at the Academy.

On their sixth lap, Bear vomited onto the deck. Green, pulpy liquid trickled down his hula girl shirt. Fragments lingered at his mouth, but he wiped them away and continued running.

With a sudden burst of speed, Senza sprinted ahead of the group. She spun around at the entrance leading back to the corridors and pointed toward Bear.

“All of you head back—except you!” She grinned. “You go back and clean up your mess.”

Bear sighed but pulled away from the others.

They entered the corridors, Senza falling in behind them.

“Good! Remember, you stay together at all times! We eat together! Sleep together! Train together! Get out of line—we’re punished together! Got it?”

A couple of Star Runners grumbled an affirmative.

“What?”

“Got it!” they yelled in unison.

Senza clapped her hands once. “That’s better!”

When they rounded the last corner, Wilkos stood where they had left him with his arms crossed over his chest. He held up one hand.

“Scorpions—halt!” Senza yelled.

The group stopped. Skylar stood close to Austin, their shoulders touching. The corridor reeked of body odor.

Wilkos clasped his hands behind his back. “Anyone else got something to say?” When no one spoke, he c****d his head to the side and leaned his ear toward them. “Anything?”

“Sir, no, sir!” Austin yelled.

Wilkos stared at him, his face hard as if carved from marble. “Very good, Lieutenant.”

Clicking his heels, Wilkos turned to face Senza. “Captain, are you ready to begin your briefing?”

“Yes, sir!”

“Good,” he said, glancing back at the Star Runners, “I’ve had enough of them for now. Proceed.”

Senza ordered the Star Runners to pick up their personal items, and they filed into the featureless gray briefing room. Austin collapsed into one of the black chairs with the connected desk like those found in his high school. The other Star Runners filed in, grunting as they sat.

Austin completed a count of his new comrades: fifteen, including Bear out cleaning up his vomit. He burst into the room a minute after the rest of Star Runners sat down, finding a seat near the back.

Stepping to the front of the room, Senza clicked her heels. “Welcome to Lola,” she said, her eyes falling onto each of them. “For the foreseeable future, this will be the Scorpions’ Nest. You’re all a part of something special now, something never attempted.”

She tilted her head back. “From this day forth, you’ll all forget your past squadrons. False assignments have been filed for each and every one of you, officially taking you from your previous jobs and providing a cover for this assignment. This was done to allow you to become what Command believes you’re capable of becoming. You were selected because your superior officers have seen something special in you. You’re the best the Legion has to offer.” She held her hands out to her side. “Today is your first day as a Scorpion. Congratulations.”

She paced as she continued. “This means you’ll be sent to areas where the Legion needs you most, into the darkest and most dangerous operations in the galaxy. You’re already great. You’re here to become better. When you’re done with training, you’ll be unstoppable. The galaxy will fear you. Marauders on the Fringe will tremble when you approach. Pirates will scurry away at the mere mention of your name. Your presence on the border will terrorize the dreams of Zahlian pilots.” She smiled and nodded. “Now, Scorpions, let’s get to work.”