“Projectile incoming!” a Hev officer screeched.
“Activate!” K’Raaiia screeched. “Blood for blood!”
The system activated, and space deformed around the section that had been part of the Hev ship. It seemed to shrink, light around its edges that made it glow.
The projectile moved far too fast for any eye to track, leaving only a searing afterglow.
The section that had held thousands of Hev exploded. And for a brief moment, they saw into a hole in reality itself.
The fiery carnage and shattering debris, no matter how fast, could not resist the pull into that abyss. All motion reversed, and into zerospace it went.
Before they could see more, it was gone.
But the effect was immediate.
“Sir!” a Hev said. “The Leviathan has disappeared from scopes!”
“Gone?” K’Raaiia gasped. “Dead? Tell me!”
“Just gone,” Caraval confirmed, reading the sensors. “It . . . I don’t even know what else to say. It’s like it ceased to exist. Or . . .” He looked up. “It returned to zerospace. The explosion was bright to us, but in that place . . . god, it must have looked like a supernova. And we just propelled it across space.”
Something cold creeped up his spine. Had they just done something terrible? If the Craton had awoken something with a shout in the dark, what would an explosion that big bring?
“The Craton is not responding,” Pirra’s voice chipped in. “Her systems appear to be down – I can’t raise anyone!”
Caraval looked to K’Raaiia. “Captain . . .”
The Hev suddenly looked exhausted. He nodded. “We will help your people, as you have helped us.”
“Thank you, Captain.”
K’Raaiia’s expression was something like a wry smile. “I do what I must to survive. But you are in trouble because you helped me. You could have kept going. I repay my debts – and my allies.”
His eyes went to the side, fixing upon Ambassador N’Keeea. “I only ask for one more thing – take him off my ship.” He addressed N’Keeea directly. “I am sure you will understand, Ambassador, that I no longer wish for your commission.”
N’Keeea nodded respectfully. “I understand, Captain. I simply hope you understand why I did what I did.”
The Captain did not reply, and the Ambassador approached him, taking a pistol from his belt carefully, and offering it. “I return your property,” N’Keeea said.
K’Raaiia accepted it without a word.
Caraval watched it all, only able to wonder what that had been about.
“I hope my presence will not be a problem, Commander,” N’Keeea said to him. “I can offer you at least some commission if you wish. Whatever you feel is fair.”
“Not necessary, Ambassador,” Caraval answered, smiling. “We don’t charge commissions – I am sure I speak for Captain Brooks when I tell you – welcome to the Craton.”
Pirra’s voice came through the com. “Commander, I think we had better get back. Immediately.”
Caraval waved to the rest of his crew. “She’s right – everyone, bring only the equipment we might need. Let’s get over there and make sure our people are all right.”
Other Terrestrial 