Intergalactic Wizard Scout Chronicles 1: Wizard Defiant (13 page)

“You bet your sweet hinny they’re live,” said Sergeant Hendricks. “So don’t go pulling any pins. You have two anti-personnel grenades along with a starburst grenade for signaling.” Sergeant Hendricks took the grenade from Richard and attached it to the utility belt along with the other two grenades.

The armorer picked up the canteen. “And here is a canteen,” he said as he hooked it to the right rear of the belt. “I have absolutely no idea how it works. I couldn’t get the cap off. I think it’s attuned to your Power frequency. The canteen and this pack arrived yesterday with orders to issue them to you.”

“A canteen’s a canteen,” Richard said. “How hard can it be to work?”

“Yeah, well,” said Sergeant Hendricks, “maybe you guys with the secret wizard-scout-handshake know how to work it, but I certainly don’t. And, I’ve never seen anything like the backpack either. It’s too small to hold anything useful in my opinion. But, orders are orders, so here it is.”

Richard had long ago given up trying to figure things out, so he moved on to something more solid. “And the knife?” he said picking it up appreciatively. “It’s beautiful. And it’s very light.”

“I made that one myself,” said Sergeant Hendricks with a note of pride. “It’s one of one, so don’t go losing it. It’s got a blackened finish, so you don’t have to worry about reflected light giving you away. The edge is creallium. That’s the same material as the core of your phase rod. You’ll probably never have to sharpen it. I doubt you could without some very high-tech grinders. The sheath’s made to attach to the right boot of your battle suit. I’ve seen you in the practice ring during knife training, and you’re pretty good. I think this knife will serve you well.”

“Thanks, sergeant,” Richard said appreciatively. “It’s a sweet weapon. I’ll take good care of it.”

“You better,” said Sergeant Hendricks, “because I’ll never be able to make another like it. The knife wasn’t part of your equipment specs. But, I figured anyone as good with a knife as you should have the best, so here it is. Besides, I had almost unlimited funding for your equipment project. Therefore, I made a command decision to create you a one-of-a-kind-knife. It would’ve been too expensive to make under normal conditions. I had fun making it.”

Richard was touched. He hadn’t realized the sergeant liked him that much.

“That was very kind of you, Sergeant Hendricks. I won’t forget it. I owe you one.”

“Yeah, well, we’ll see if you feel the same way when you’re a real wizard scout. In the meantime, I have one more treat for you which I think you’re going to appreciate.” Reaching under the counter, the armorer pulled out a small assault rifle.

“An M63 lightweight plasma assault rifle,” Richard said with a whistle of appreciation. “That’s a nice weapon.”

“So it is,” agreed Sergeant Hendricks. “It can fire two thousand two hundred and twenty-six rounds on a single isotopic battery. It’s tough and nearly maintenance free. You can fire a thousand rounds then use it as a club until your arms get tired, and then fire another thousand rounds with no problem. You can drop it in mud or take it underwater if you so desire. It has almost no kick, and it’s accurate out to four hundred meters in single-shot mode. I put a shoulder strap on top so you can fire from the hip. And, in case you’re concerned about style, it comes in black so it doesn’t clash with the rest of your equipment. Questions?”

“None, sergeant,” Richard said. “I’m a happy cadet.”

“Well, I’m done with you then, 832. Your next stop is the commandant’s office. Good luck.”

Sergeant Hendricks reached out with his hand, and Richard took it and returned the armorer’s strong handshake. Richard then positioned the utility belt around his waist, strapped the pack to his back, and shouldered the assault rifle. He turned and walked out the door to find out what awaited him at the commandant’s office.

*       *       *

While walking to the commandant’s office, Richard was struck by the surrealism of the situation. Here he was walking down the sidewalk in full battle gear and armed to the teeth. He had trouble believing he’d been issued live ammo in a garrison environment. He wondered if things could get any stranger.

“Cadet 832,” came the deep-based voice which Richard had come to know so well. TAC Officer Myers pointed to a position to his front and said, “Front and center. Now!”

Richard double-timed to his TAC officer and hit a brace. “Sir! Cadet 832 reporting as ordered, sir.”

Richard held his breath as TAC Officer Myers looked him up and down.

“So,” he said, “you think dressing up in a battle suit and carrying a few weapons makes you a wizard scout, do you?”

“Sir! No, sir.”

“You can say that again, cadet. Your high-level friends can issue you all the toys they want, but it will be a cold day in Sirius before you will be worth the sweat on a real wizard scout’s brow. Do you understand, cadet?”

“Sir! Yes, sir!”

Richard stayed stiffly at attention and barely breathed while he waited for his TAC officer to get to the point.
Once a jerk, always a jerk
, he thought.

He’s only doing his job, Rick
, said Nickelo.

I can’t believe you’re defending him, Nick
, Richard said.
He enjoys being a jerk. Case closed.

TAC Officer Myers chose that moment to get directly in Richard’s face and tap the brim of his instructor’s hat into Richard’s forehead. As his TAC officer spoke, he kept time with his words by pulling his head slightly back and tapping the starched brim into Richard’s forehead with each word. It didn’t hurt, but it irritated Richard to no end.

“You are to report directly to the teleport center, cadet 832,” said TAC Officer Myers. “You are being sent on a mission as part of an internship. I have no doubt your unknown friends have gotten you a cozy assignment somewhere with the intention of calling it training. Well, enjoy it while you can, cadet 832, because when you get back, you’re all mine. Do you understand?”

“Sir! Yes, sir.”

“Well then, why are you still standing here? Get moving, cadet!”

“Sir! Yes, sir,” Richard said as he did an about face and took off running in the direction of the teleport center.

Oh, yeah, Nick. He’s just doing his job, right?

I’m glad you agree with me, Rick
, Nickelo said with a chuckle.
We’re finally getting our minds in synch. Just stick with me kid, and I’ll teach you a thing or two.

Whatever
, Richard said.
By the way, do you have any idea what our mission is?

No, Rick
, said Nickelo
. I really don’t. However, I’d advise you to keep on your toes. Despite what TAC Officer Myers said, I think there’s less than one chance in a million it will be a milk run.

You figured that out all on your own, Nick? Or did you have help?

There’s no use being snooty about it, Rick
, said Nickelo.
I was… heads up, Rick! A teleport sequence has started.

What
? Richard said. He could feel a tingling sensation throughout his entire body.
How can I be teleporting? I’m nowhere near the teleport center yet? I have to be on a pad to teleport.

Rick
, Nickelo said with concern in his voice.
Activate your best stealth shield. This is it. I’ll help as best I can if I’m with you. If not, do your best and be careful.

Before Richard could answer, everything started shimmering in and out of view. Richard heard an unfamiliar voice in his head say,
Map it
.

“Who said that?” Richard yelled out loud.

We are
‘the One’, said the voice. Then everything went black.

_____________________________________

Richard materialized in utter darkness. None of his Academy training had prepared him for this. The darkness had an evil feel to it, and he started to panic.

Rick
, said Nickelo.
Calm down. Your heart rate and breathing are way up. Seal your suit.

Where are we, Nick? What’s going on?

First things first, Rick. Seal you suit. We’re in danger. Seal it now.

Richard forced himself to get control of his emotions enough to think the command to seal the suit. The reddish glow of the battle suit’s visor lowered as the suit sealed. Richard barely paid attention to the tubes invading his body. He had bigger things to worry about than mere comfort. His main concern was the Power concentrations he sensed nearby with his passive scan. He raised his M63 assault rifle, snapped off the safety, and looked around. The battle suit’s night vision illuminated everything in the immediate vicinity. He was in a small cavern with several tunnels leading off into various directions.

Nick
?

I’m here, Rick. You’re doing fine. We’re in no immediate danger. Your stealth shield is holding up well. You’re basically invisible unless you do something to draw attention to yourself. You’d have to be physically seen or heard in order for us to be detected.

I’m sensing life forms nearby, Nick. Are they dangerous?

We don’t have a shared space yet, Rick. You have to allow me to sense what you see with your scan. Do it like we did during our training.

Richard pictured the information he was sensing with his passive scan and concentrated on sharing the data with his battle computer. It must have worked, because before long, Nickelo told him he was analyzing the data.

Well
? Richard said impatiently after what seemed a long wait.
I thought you said you processed data at nanosecond speed. What’s the verdict?

Didn’t your momma ever teach you to be polite to battle computers when you were growing up? I’m trying to connect to the tele-network, but I’m not finding an open connection point.

I was an orphan
, Richard said.
My momma didn’t teach me anything to the best of my knowledge.

I was just making a joke, Rick. Obviously, it wasn’t a very good one. The nearby Power readings you are picking up aren’t life forms. They’re dead. They’re undead.

What
? Richard said.
Don’t try to scare me with ghost stories, Nick. We’re in serious trouble. It’s no time for your stupid jokes.

I’m not joking, Rick. Look at the Power readings and compare them to what you’ve sensed in the past. If you concentrate, you can probably even pick up a hint of evil.

This whole places stinks of evil, Nick. And, yeah, I do see a little difference in the Power readings. Why do you think they’re undead? Do you mean like zombies and vampires? It seems pretty farfetched to me. Have you had much experience with that type of thing in the past?

No, Rick. As far as I know, I’ve never dealt with undead before. But, I do have a lot of information in my databanks on them. In fact, I have an inordinate amount of information in my databanks on undead and magical creatures. I’m not sure why.

Richard said,
I’ve only heard tell of undead in fantasy stories. I don’t think undead and dragons and such exists.

Oh, they exist, Rick
, said Nickelo.
As I think you’re about to find out. Do you have any idea why we’re here? What’s our mission?

I don’t know, Nick. I heard a voice in my head say something about mapping just before we teleported. I asked who it was, and he said he was
‘the
One’ whoever the hell that is.

You were to map it? Then Richard, I’d say we’d better get busy mapping this tunnel system.

Piss on that
, Richard said angrily.
I may not be the smartest cadet on the block, but we are not on an internship mission for the Empire. I’ve talked to plenty of senior cadets about theirs, and they were well briefed beforehand with official orders. We didn’t get a briefing. We didn’t even make it to the teleport center. Speaking of which, how is it possible to be teleported without being on a tele-pad? And where in the galaxy are we? I just want to get us back to the Academy. To hell with Mr.
‘the One’
and the comet he rode in on.

Rick
, said Nickelo,
teleporting is very expensive. That’s why it’s limited to priority missions for deep-recon scouts, spies, and high-level dignitaries. Everyone else has to take starships. Teleporting from outside a tele-pad has been done in limited cases by the Empire, but it’s unimaginably expensive and requires centralized equipment built specifically for a specific person. As for where we are in the galaxy, the answer is we’re not.

What are you mumbling about?
Richard said.
Where are we?

We aren’t in the galaxy you have known. We are in a sister galaxy in another dimension. Even if we got out of this tunnel system and somehow found a starship, we couldn’t get home. My advice is to do as ‘
the One
’ said and map this place. There’s a ninety-seven percent chance
‘the One’
will teleport us back to the Academy when the mission is complete.

Richard was overwhelmed. Speaking of undead as if they were real was bad enough. The idea they were in another dimension in a sister galaxy was too much for him. Richard momentarily panicked. He tried to yell, but with the tubes in his mouth and nose all that came out of the external speakers was an unsatisfying gurgling sound. The sound was loud, but it did not convey the emotion Richard felt.

Rick!
said Nickelo in warning.
Keep quiet. You’ll give our position away.

But it was too late. Richard could sense the nearest life forces moving in his direction. Other Power readings began appearing at the fringes of his passive scan. Richard was past the point of caring. He mentally yelled,
Get me the hell out of here. I’m not you’re slave. I’m not going to map this place or any other place, so get me out of here. Now!

Map it
, said the voice.
We are
‘the One’.

Up yours!
Rick said as he sent ‘
the One
’ a thought filled with all the fury and finality he could muster.
I’m not mapping anything!

Noncompliance
, said the voice.
You must be punished.

Richard felt a tingling sensation throughout his body. At that moment, a creature from Richard’s worst nightmare came shambling around the corner of the nearest tunnel opening. Rotting flesh hung from its bones.

The voice spoke again in his head.
Map it. Find it. We are
‘the One’.

Then everything went black.

*       *       *

Richard materialized in a small cavern with several tunnels leading off in various directions. It was dark, but Richard had no trouble seeing with his battle suit’s night vision equipment. Everything had a reddish tint. Richard was just able to stop himself from squeezing the trigger on his M63 lightweight plasma assault rifle. The small cavern was empty. The creature from his nightmare was gone.

Nick?
Richard said.
Are you there?

I’m here, Rick
, said Nickelo.

Richard felt a sense of relief. His battle computer had become his only link with reality. He needed to hear a friendly voice right now.

We’re in a different location, Rick
, said Nickelo.
It’s similar, but it’s different. The rock is different, and the tunnel layout is slightly different.

I know
, Richard said.
There’s more life forms as well, but they’re stationary. They were moving in the other place. Do you think we’re in the same tunnel system but in a different location?

Negative
, said Nickelo.
I don’t think we’re even on the same planet. We are in the same dimension though. I heard ‘
the One
’ speak to you this time. He increased your mission. You said initially it said to ‘map it’. Now, you not only have to map it, you also have to find it. You’re also missing a piece of equipment. Your shoulder holster and 9mm pistol are missing.

Richard automatically felt of his chest where the shoulder holster should have been. There was nothing there.

‘The One’
said I would be punished
, Richard said.
I guess he made the mission harder and took away the 9mm to prove his point. At least it was one of the antique solid-projectile weapons. It’s not that big of a loss in my opinion.

Don’t be so sure, Rick
, said Nickelo.
The 9mm pistol had a silencer. That could have come in handy. Your M63 assault rifle is pretty loud.

Yes it is
, Richard said,
but at least I’m used to it. An M63 is what I carried when I was in marine recon. It served me well enough in combat for over a year. I’ll take an M63 over an antique pistol any day.

Rick
, said Nickelo,
I recommend you start reconnoitering the area. I can plot a map as we go. I’d recommend we stay away from active or electronic scans until we get a feel for the area. If you use only a passive scan and keep your best stealth shield up, we should be nearly undetectable.

Richard saw the logic in Nickelo’s recommendation, but he didn’t like the idea of being someone’s puppet. He needed more information before he could make a decision.

Before we do anything, Nick, I want you to tell me about this sister-galaxy thing. I’ve never heard of it.

I don’t think this is the time or place for a lecture, Rick.

Well, make it the time and place
, Richard said adamantly.
I need information.

Fine
, said Nickelo.
You’ve heard of multiple dimensions, haven’t you?

I’ve heard of a theory that there could be multiple dimensions
, Richard said noncommittally.

It’s more than a theory, Rick. The Empire has sent tele-bots into two other dimensions. Each of those dimensions has a galaxy in the same spatial position as the galaxy you call home. They have different time flows, and these dimensions operate on different physics. The dimension you were born into is in the physical plane. Another dimension is in the magical plane, and the third dimension we know about is in the spiritual plane. We believe many other dimensions exist, but we have no solid proof. The dimension you are in right now is in the magical plane. Undead, dragons, elves, and orcs all exist here.

Richard took a moment to digest his battle computer’s words before replying.
You mentioned three dimensions and also three planes. What’s the difference?

Let’s save the lecture on the differences between dimensions and planes for another time, Rick. The facts you need to know are that we are in a place where magic is real, and we can’t get home on our own.

All right
, Richard said,
we’ll let that one slide. You also said tele-bots had been sent into the other dimensions. I assume you meant they were teleported. Have they teleported living creatures into other dimensions as well? If not, how did we get here?

I don’t remember, Rick. There’s nothing in my databanks about it, and I’m denied access to the tele-network. I’m sorry. With that said, I’d recommend we get started with the mapping. Who knows how long it will take to ‘find it’, whatever ‘it’ is. So we need to get started.

Reaching a decision, Richard said,
I’m not going to do it, Nick. I don’t know who the hell
‘the One’
is, but he’s definitely not in the military chain of command. He’s not my boss. I’m going to prove it right now.

Rick, don’t do anything rash or stupid.

Hey you!
Richard mentally shouted.
I don’t know who you think you are, but you don’t own me. If you want to map this place, then you better come map it yourself. And, if you want to find something, why don’t you try finding your ass and pull your head out of it?

Pausing for effect, Richard told Nickelo,
That should get a reaction.

I’m sure it will, Rick
, said Nickelo.
You may have just signed our death warrants.

Richard’s body began tingling. A voice in his head said
, You must be punished. We are ‘
the One
’. Map it. Find it. Give it.

Then everything went black.