“Exactly what we promised,” Wyck responded angrily. “Torazine breaks down the outer membrane of the Deplitoxide cells, releasing the pent up superheated mass in an impressive display. No heat source equals no explosion.”
“Then the second dish?” Keryn asked, prodding the experiment forward before Alcent and Wyck entered a bickering contest.
“The second dish was introduced to intense flames and has already begun the fission process,” Tora explained. “Yes, it will explode.”
Wyck passed out shaded goggles to everyone, encouraging the observers to don them before they continued. When everyone was wearing protective eyewear, he entered his next code. The second mechanical arm lowered until it was perched above the dish. Shrinking into his chair, Wyck pushed the second button.
As soon as the Torazine struck the dish, the room erupted into bright orange flames. The fire, originating from the Petri dish on the table, rose and curled like a solar flare. Blast screens that were made to withstand the rigors of deep space rattled from the force of the explosion. Quickly, the fires died, leaving the whole room filled with a choking black smoke.
“That was more like it!” Adam exclaimed.
Alcent lowered his goggles and peered into the smoke-filled laboratory. “This is a cure for the Deplitoxide?”
“Yes it is,” Wyck said proudly.
“So we can use this to restart one of our engines should it get struck by a Terran Deplitoxide rocket?” Alcent asked, his gaze never leaving the room.
“Um…” Wyck paused, scratching his head nervously. “No, not really.”
Finally, Alcent looked away from the laboratory and stared at the young Uligart. “What do you mean ‘no’?” Alcent demanded. “What’s the point in finding a cure to Deplitoxide if we can’t use it? What would this do if we introduced it into a stalled engine?”
“The explosion would probably rip the ship in half,” Tora explained, trying to save Wyck from his berating. Noticing Alcent’s reddening face, she quickly added, “But it’s exactly what Keryn asked for!”
“It’s true,” Keryn said, placing a hand on Alcent’s shoulder. “It is what I asked for and believe me when I tell you that it is perfect just the way it is.” Turning to the two scientists, she continued. “Are you sure you can weaponize this?”
“We’ve already started some preliminary tests on a couple rockets,” Wyck said. “I’m pretty sure we can have this ready in time.”
“Don’t be ‘pretty sure’,” Keryn said. “Make sure it’s ready. Adam, take Alcent and please notify the Revolution of our requirements. I’ll meet up with you both shortly.”
Keryn left the laboratory and took the lift down to the living quarters. Walking the hall in relative quiet, her thoughts drifted back to Yen. After watching the demonstration, she was sure of two things. First, they actually had a chance to pull this off. More importantly, though, she was ready to respond to the High Council.
Entering her room, Keryn turned on her console and entered the code she had been given for High Council. As the screen changed, a small recording symbol appeared in the top corner of the screen.
“This is Captain Keryn Riddell of the commandeered Terran Destroyer Ballistae. I am responding to the High Council’s mission request.”
Keryn took a deep breath before continuing. “I firmly believe that your mission is justified. Yen Xiao has committed atrocities throughout the Fleet. Even now, one of his potential victims is living in hiding on board my ship. I have no reason to doubt that your accusations against Captain Xiao are truthful.
“I had to wonder, for quite some time, why you would pick me to complete this mission. Of all the ships in the Fleet, I couldn’t help but feel that it wasn’t a coincidence that you would pick me, one of his former lovers, to be the deliverer of his death. It was while pondering the why of this situation that I realized why you picked me. It’s because we were lovers once, and that he would trust me enough to let me get close. Using his trust against him would be the ultimate karmic backlash against all his betrayals. While I may not like the task at hand, I do have to appreciate your methods.
“However, it is also your methods that I have to refute. We are getting ready to engage in one of the most difficult battles in Alliance history. This is a battle that we very possibly may not win. As such, the Fleet needs every single available ship, pilot, Crewman,” she paused, staring at the screen, “and Captain that we can find. I cannot, in good conscience, destroy the Revolution during such a difficult battle. And, unfortunately, I can’t bring myself to destroy the ship after the battle, either. Knowing that the crew laid so much on the line to save the Alliance, only to be served so dishonorable a death as payment for their sacrifice… well, I can’t be part of that.
“I want to support you in every way, but I cannot take part in your plan to kill Yen Xiao. I wish you luck in finding a Captain that will. If you decide to change your plan to spare those who are innocent, I would be happy to reassess my position. Until then, Captain Keryn Riddell, out.”
Keryn turned off the screen and tried to stifle the tears that threatened to overwhelm her. With the High Council’s plan, she knew how many innocent people were condemned to death. By leaving Yen alive, Keryn feared how many more innocent had been condemned by her inability to act.
CHAPTER 37:
“Sir,” Tylgar reported from the piloting chair, “we have a direct communication from the Ballistae.”
“Play the message,” Yen replied, knowing that the communication was a recording. Traveling at such high speeds, the relay systems on board the ships were ineffective for extended two-way conversations. Instead, one party sent their message and waited patiently for the other’s reply.
The speakers on the bridge began to crackle to life as the message played. Yen held little hope of hearing Keryn’s voice and, therefore, wasn’t surprised when a man’s voice spoke instead.
“Attention Revolution. This is Warrant Adam Decker of the Ballistae. We have completed our research into a counteragent for the Deplitoxide. Our devised chemical is called Torazine and has proven effective in laboratory testing. Captains Riddell and Alcent have also conceptualized a plan to deploy the Torazine in a battle environment, but we require two Cruisers as support in order to complete our mission. Knowing the capabilities of the communication relay, I will await your response before sending further details of our plan. Ballistae, out.”
Yen was happy to hear Adam’s voice. Since the arrival of the Ballistae, Yen had wondered if his old friend had survived his mission. Still, he yearned to trade places with his former teammate, who shared a ship with his lost love.
“Send a reply to the Ballistae,” Yen ordered. “Give them whatever they want.”
“Sir?” Tylgar asked. “Don’t you want to hear their plan?”
“No, Tylgar,” he answered. “I really don’t.”
Yen’s heart ached at the thought of Keryn’s name. Until he could find a way to win back her affections, he wanted little to do with the rogue Terran ship. His thoughts drifted back to the Captains’ conference. As he replayed the events of the meeting in his mind, he quickly remembered a pair of bickering Captains who had shown obvious disdain for his new mantle of leadership. A smile spread across Yen’s lips.
“Please notify the Ballistae that the Phalanx and the Defiant have been reassigned for support during their mission,” Yen commanded, satisfied at his solution.
With that completed, Yen began focusing on the one thought that had consumed him for the past few days. Somewhere, there was a man who had stolen away Keryn’s heart. Yen was not the type to take so great a theft without putting up a fight. His only mission now was to out who had that much audacity and make this new man bleed for his betrayal.