Thrax

Chapter 9

Suddenly, everyone in the cell was on guard.  The sense of impending danger thickened the air when a Scodax female, flanked by two of the androids, approached the force field holding Agena, Meline, and their fellow prisoners behind it.

The alien female said curtly, “I am Commander Venar, second-in-command of this vessel.  I have questions for two of you.”  She pointed first at Meline, then at Agena.  “You and you will come with me.  If you resist, we will take severe measures to restrain you.”  To the others in the cell, Venar warned, “If you others resist, you will be met with measures equally severe.”

To emphasize the alien commander’s words, the automatons brandished formidable-looking energy rifles, indicating their readiness to use them with the deadliest accuracy.

“Do as she says,” called Meline to the other armored Lacertans in the cell.  “We can’t afford any casualties.  Don’t resist.”

No one inside the cell moved, but Agena’s eyes darted nervously from Meline and the Knights to the female on the other side of the force field.  Her mind raced nervously for answers to questions that she barely had the means to frame.  She could understand why this Venar might want to interrogate Meline; she was Thrax’s second-in-command.  But what business could Venar possibly have with her?

 A possible answer flashed in Agena’s mind.  If the aliens somehow knew her relationship with Thrax, they might intend to use her as a hostage to blackmail Thrax into facing Amlax in the duel.  That’s it; I know it.  They’re going to force Thrax to go along with their plans by holding up my life over him.  He’ll think he has no choice if he’s afraid Amlax will kill me.  Oh, Thrax, no…

Venar pressed her hand to a surface on the outer wall.  The air flickered in the space between the prisoners and their captors, indicating the force field was now relaxed.  One android produced lengths of glowing cable with which they fastened Meline’s hands behind her back, then Agena’s.  The other armored Lacertans fidgeted angrily at this, clearly wanting to rush the androids and take them down, but they obeyed Meline’s order.  The androids led Meline and Agena out of the cell at gunpoint, and Venar pressed the control surface again and reactivated the force field. 

The alien Commander and the automatons led their two prisoners down several corridors of the Scodax craft.  Agena found the interior of the ship both oddly sterile and worn with age at the same time, as if maintenance had been inconsistent.  Walls, floors, and fixtures were basically intact but dulled and stained, in some places showing cracks.  In spite of all the jeopardy she faced, Agena somehow found it strange that the flagship of an alien armada would be in such a condition, and she could not help but wonder exactly whom and what it was they were really facing.

Venar and the androids brought them to a pair of doors that slid open, revealing a spare and spartan room beyond them.  It contained only a large metal table with seats and a viewport showing the topography of the planet below them.  The city of Silverwing appeared as a sparkling area on the land.  “In there,” said Venar.  Agena and Meline stepped into the room.  Venar and the androids entered behind them, and the doors slid shut.  The androids, still brandishing their weapons, took positions on the other side of the doors while Venar circled round to face her two prisoners.

Meline spoke first.  “All right, Venar.  What do you want from us?”

The Commander said, “I want the two of you to listen to what I am about to tell you and take it as the most important thing in this world—because that is what it is.”

Meline and Agena traded a worried look before Meline demanded: “What?”

“Wait,” said Venar.  “I must do one thing first.”  She stepped to one side, faced the androids, and gave a command: “Inert mode.”

Looking over their shoulders, Meline and Agena watched the androids relax their posture.  They lowered their weapons, and the lights in their faceplates dimmed.  To all appearances, they had gone to sleep where they stood.

Now, the dragon woman and the human faced the Scodax female again.  Venar asked, “You, the one who is not in armor, what is your name?”

Perplexed, Agena answered, “Agena Morrow.”

Meline added, “I’m Dame Meline Gable.  What’s the meaning of this?  What are you about here?”

Venar replied, “Agena Morrow, when we captured you, we found you with Sir Thrax Helmer.  When we informed Sir Thrax of our plans for him, he spoke of a female companion, a mate.  I conclude his mate is you.” 

Even more perplexed now, Agena said, “I don’t understand any of this.  What do you want with me, with us?”

“There is little time,” said Venar.  “I am going to release you.  And then…you are going to end this incursion and save this planet.  You are going to stop the Scodax.”

The shock of Venar’s words struck Agena and Meline almost like a physical blow.  They both instinctively took a half-step back at what the alien just said.  “Stop the Scodax?” Meline blurted.

“Yes,” said Venar, “and you must hurry.  I can deceive my people, the few of them who are aboard this vessel, long enough for you to act.  But you must act quickly.”

“What kind of trick is this?” Agena demanded.  “Why are you helping us?  What are you really going to do?”

“If by ‘trick’ you mean a deception,” said Venar, “you are correct.  There has been a deception.  But not the one you suspect.  Amlax is deceiving you all.  This action against your planet is not what it has been made to appear to be.  You have all been put at the mercy of a madman’s lie.  And it is all the worse because Amlax believes his lies to be true.”

“Our cities attacked and our people dead is true enough,” said Meline.

“Yes, but there are things you do not know…about us.  About the Scodax.  It is we who are the lie.”