War for the Iron Planet

Chapter 16: Jailbreak

Vanbrook was taking out some aggression on a punching bag. The gym was empty this time of day, and he was glad for that. Sometimes it was nice to be alone in the world. While he was contemplating, someone walked into the room.

He looked up in time to see Raivyn turning around at the door.

"Rai, wait," he called. She stopped, and slumped her shoulders. She half-turned, looking at him over her shoulder from the doorway.

"What do you want, Vanbrook?" she demanded.

"To apologize," he said flatly, staring at the floor. "I was pretty shook up. I said something stupid. It won't happen again." He looked back up, grimacing.

Raivyn stomped into the room, fist shaking and eyes flashing as she went. Vanbrook picked his head up, looking her square in the eyes as she closed the distance between them, shaking an accusatory finger in his face.

"Do you understand what kind of responsibility I have?" she demanded. "Do you know what it's like to be a 'freak?'"

Vanbrook winced and looked away, not sure what to say.

"No," Raivyn continued, wagging a finger in Vanbrook's face. "No, you don't. I follow the Republic's psychic-specific rules of engagement to the letter to avoid doing anything irresponsible or inappropriate with my abilities. I knocked, you opened the door, and I kicked Traelby out of your tiny, little mind. So yeah, you said something stupid. And I sincerely hope it won't happen again. But you said it. We will keep working together; Talon Squad will continue to be the most effective special squad the Republic has. But I will not pretend that my tolerance for you goes beyond professional courtesy."

Vanbrook stared at her, stone faced. He walked over to the wall and picked up his gym bag and moved past Raivyn to the door.

"Gym's all yours," he said brusquely. "See you for the next job."

Just then, alarms started sounding through the ship. Jasken's voice came over the ship's public comm channel.

"All hands, there has been an incident in the brig area. Details are unknown at this time. All systems are to go into lockdown. All non-combat personnel, lock yourselves into the nearest room. All combat personnel, a picture of all three current prisoners will be sent to your comm devices immediately. These individuals must be stopped immediately. Take them alive if possible."

Vanbrook dropped his gym bag, rifled through it and pulled out his revolver and a large knife, which he clipped onto the waistband of his athletic pants.

"Guess it's time for the next job," he said, not looking at Raivyn. She pulled her comms unit out of her sweatsuit, calling the other members of the squad.

"Everyone, I want to know where you are and what you know. Reclan, meet Vanbrook at the brig. Everyone else, head for the main hangar. No doubt Traelby will head for the star tree."

***

Moments before, Traelby had been quietly stewing in his cell when he felt something change. Then the lights went out. The T-wave blockers were down, he was sure of it.

The two guards were wearing T-proof helmets. He could probably break through their defenses, but there was an easier way. Reaching out with a mental hand, he ripped the closer guard over the bars of his cell, put an arm around his neck and pulled his pistol, shooting the second guard. He then turned the gun on the guard he was choking and shot him point blank.

He pushed on the cell door and it swung open without resistance. The other two prisoners did the same. The first prisoner darted for the other guard's gun and Traelby shot him in the back.