18. Varak
CHAPTER 18
VARAK
M y boots pound against the railroad ties as I sprint after the train. The metal rails vibrate beneath my feet, but the rumble grows fainter with each passing second.
"Teletran, I need that jetpack. Now."
"Already incoming, sir. Though may I point out the statistical improbability of catching a train moving at--"
"Shut up and give me an ETA."
A shadow passes overhead. Not the delivery drone - something much larger. The sleek silver hull of a Grolgath saucer breaks through the cloud cover, its presence as subtle as a supernova.
"Well. That complicates things." My hands clench into fists. "The timeline is already compromised. Humans aren't supposed to see alien ships for another century."
"Indeed sir. Shall I alert Veritas command about this breach of--"
"No time." The train vanishes around a bend, taking Aileen with it. My chest constricts at the thought of her in Grolgath hands. "Where's my jetpack?"
A whine of repulsors announces the arrival of the delivery drone. The jetpack drops into my waiting arms, its familiar weight settling against my back. The straps click into place.
"Sir, protocol dictates--"
"Protocol be damned." The thrusters ignite with a roar. "She's my jalshagar, Teletran. My soulmate. The timeline, Veritas, none of it matters compared to her."
I launch into the sky, the ground falling away beneath me. The wind whips at my face as I accelerate after the train.
"I just pray I'm not too late to tell her."
The jetpack's thrusters scream as I push them beyond safety limits. The UFO grows larger in my vision, its silver hull reflecting the setting sun. Three massive metal claws extend from its belly, gripping the train car like a carnival prize.
"Sir, the structural integrity of that car cannot withstand--"
"I see it."
The entire car lifts off the tracks with a screech of protesting metal. But something's off about the scene. A gossamer sheen coats the exterior of the car, rippling like soap bubbles in the wind.
"Teletran, analyze that field."
"Scanning... It appears to be a variant of their quantum membrane technology. The car is sealed in a temporal stasis field."
The pieces click into place. "They can't risk Garros breaking containment."
"Correct. The field prevents any matter from passing through. Rather elegant solution, actually. Though terribly wasteful of resources."
My fists clench around the jetpack controls. Aileen's in that car with a cornered super soldier. And I can't break through to help her.
"What if we disrupt their tractor beam?"
"The car would fall approximately eight hundred feet to the ground. Might I suggest--"
"Later." The UFO banks hard to port, dragging its prize toward the clouds. "Right now we follow them. And pray they lead us somewhere I can follow."
"Sir, the train car lacks pressurization or life support systems. The Grolgath can't take it above thirty thousand feet without killing everyone inside."
"Perfect. They'll stay low enough to track." I angle the jetpack upward, diving into a bank of clouds. The moisture beads on my face as I weave through the cotton-white maze.
"Multiple heat signatures detected. Incoming missiles."
Red streaks pierce the clouds. The missiles arc toward me, their guidance systems locked onto my jetpack's thermal signature.
"Cutting power." I kill the thrusters, letting gravity take hold. The missiles overshoot, their trajectories carrying them harmlessly past.
"The UFO is now two miles ahead and increasing distance."
"Not helping, Teletran." I reignite the thrusters, but the missiles bank around for another pass.
A sharp dive sends me plummeting through the cloud layer. The ground rushes up to meet me. At the last second, I pull up, skimming the treetops. The missiles impact the forest behind me, their explosions lighting up the evening sky.
"Additional missiles launching."
"How many?"
"Four. No, six. The Grolgath appear quite determined to eliminate you."
I weave between office buildings, using the urban canyon for cover. Glass windows blur past as I push the jetpack harder. The missiles follow, their guidance systems refusing to give up the chase.
"The UFO is now three miles ahead."
My teeth grind together. Every second I spend dodging these missiles puts more distance between me and Aileen. But I can't help her if I'm blown to pieces.
"Sir, might I suggest--"
"Not now." Another missile streaks past my shoulder, close enough to singe my jacket. "Kind of busy."
"Time for something stupid." I cut power to the jetpack. The missiles' tracking systems lose their lock as my heat signature vanishes.
"Sir, we are now in freefall."
"I noticed." Lake Michigan spreads below me, its dark waters rushing up fast. Wind tears at my clothes as I plummet. The missiles streak harmlessly past, confused by my disappearance.
I jam the ignition switch. Nothing happens. The jetpack remains dead, its systems frozen.
"Teletran, restart the power core!"
"Attempting emergency reboot. Twenty seconds required."
"We don't have twenty seconds." The lake surface transforms from a distant blue expanse into individual whitecaps. At this velocity, hitting the water will be like slamming into concrete.
"Fifteen seconds to impact."
My fingers dance across the emergency override panel. Warning lights flash red. The power core remains stubbornly offline.
"Ten seconds."
I can make out individual waves now. My heart pounds against my ribs.
"Five seconds."
"Come on, you piece of junk!" I slam my fist against the power core. The impact jars something loose.
Blue fire erupts from the thrusters. The sudden acceleration crushes me against the harness as I pull up. My boots skim the water's surface, sending up twin rooster tails of spray.
"Power restored. Though I must point out that physical violence is not a recommended troubleshooting method."
"Save the lecture." I bank hard, climbing back into pursuit position. The UFO's silver hull glints in the distance, still dragging its captured train car toward the clouds. "We've got a saucer to catch."
The saucer's airlock crumples under my fist. Alarms blare as I storm through the corridor, my holographic disguise dropped. Three Grolgath guards raise their weapons.
"Wrong move."
My plasma rifle hums to life. Three shots, three bodies hit the deck. The bridge door slides open to reveal the pilot, his scales shifting color in panic.
"Get away from those controls."
"You don't understand what's at stake--"
My boot connects with his jaw. He slumps unconscious over the console. The ship's systems respond to my touch, familiar after centuries of stealing Grolgath vessels.
"Teletran, plot us a course to that island."
"Coordinates locked. Though I must point out this is highly irregular--"
"Just do it."
The saucer descends, hovering over a rocky outcrop barely big enough for the train car. The quantum field dissolves as I release the clamps. Metal groans as the car settles onto solid ground.
"Aileen!" I tear the door off its hinges.
She stumbles out, followed by Garros. His black scales gleam in the sunlight as he steadies her.
"You came for me." Aileen throws herself into my arms.
My mouth finds hers. The kiss deepens, relief and desire mingling as I pull her closer. Her fingers dig into my scales.
The compad's chime breaks the moment. Captain Pyke's stern face fills the holographic display.
"Agent Varak. Care to explain why I'm getting reports of a UFO over Lake Michigan?"
"Sir, the Grolgath--"
"Save it. Half of Chicago saw that ship. The timeline--"
"We can fix this." I squeeze Aileen's hand. "Tell the media it was special effects. A movie shoot gone wrong."
Pyke's ridges furrow. "That... might actually work. The humans do love their science fiction."
"I'll handle the cover story, sir."
"See that you do. And Varak? No more unauthorized rescues."
The display blinks out. Aileen's lips curve into a smile.
"My hero."
The familiar scent of garlic and oregano fills my nostrils as we step into Papa Marella's. My holographic disguise flickers back on just as Sam bursts through the kitchen doors.
"Aileen!" He wraps her in a bear hug. "Where have you been? We've been worried sick!"
Selene rushes out from behind the counter, tears streaming down her face. "My baby!"
"Mom, Dad, I'm okay." Aileen squeezes them both. "Charles... I mean, Varak saved me."
Sam's eyes narrow as he looks me up and down. "So. You're really an alien?"
"Yes sir. A Vakutan, to be precise."
"Like in Star Trek?"
"Not exactly, dear." Selene pats his arm. "Let them sit down first."
We settle into a booth. Aileen takes a deep breath. "Mom, Dad... I need to tell you something. I love working here, but..."
"You want to move on." Selene reaches across the table, squeezing her daughter's hand. "We understand."
"Really?" Aileen's eyes widen.
"Of course." Sam nods. "You're young. You should follow your dreams. Besides, this alien fellow seems like a good match for you."
"You mean it? You approve?"
"He fought off evil aliens to save you." Sam grins. "That's good enough for me."
Aileen beams, throwing her arms around my neck. "See? I told you they'd understand!"
"You don't know what it's like with Sicilian parents," she adds with a laugh. "But boy, you're about to! Oh man if you thought the Grolgath were tough wait until you meet my Grandmother."
"Mama Mia," I say, earning chuckles from everyone at the table.