Saturna and the Battle for Zard
Page 41
“Don’t be ridiculous Thor! It was a meager attempt to regain the castle. The child Queen, a Kievil, some useless Urites, and sleeping gas. I’ve been assured by experts that the barracks are inescapable. We didn’t even hear alarms. So, let’s focus on finding Saturna and cleaning up this mess before Queen Detis arrives tomorrow. Everything must be in order or we won’t get the promotions we’ve been promised,” said Pont as they swiftly walked towards the barracks behind the marching Veectoreze sentries.
The Veectoreze had been asleep for nineteen minutes. But it had taken them another twenty minutes to get organized and reprogram the castle computer to turn on the lights. There had been no sense of urgency or panic. Pont, unlike Thor, felt no threat from Saturna’s unimpressive group. As the Veectoreze sentries approached the inner courtyard, they stopped abruptly in their tracks, surprised to see Yuko and Anton standing alone and unarmed on the mound.
“Move on, move on,” yelled Pont, pushing his way forward until he too saw the two Zardites on the mound. “What have we here? Were these inhabitants not placed in prison with the others, Thor?”
Completely ignoring Pont, Anton looked at Thor and calmly said, “Zard Officer Thor, I believe you stand with the wrong group of soldiers.”
Towering over the other Veectoreze, Thor bowed his head in embarrassment and did not respond.
“Dignitary Pont, you and your sentries are surrounded. You will put down your arms immediately and surrender peacefully, in the way of our Solar System. You are now formally charged with treason against the Queen of Zard and our Solar System,” said Yuko in a most dignified manner.
“Really Yuko, how humorous, this is almost as funny as Saturna’s attempt with the sleeping gas. Surrounded, where? I don’t see anyone,” replied Pont with a snort.
“Please address me with my full title. It is Queen Saturna to you!” said Saturna, stepping out from behind the enclosure where Anton had placed her for her safety.
Several of the Zardite sentries now came into view with their weapons drawn. Thor drew Pont’s attention to the sentries on the roof of the barracks.
Stepping closer to Thor, Pont took a deep breath, “You misunderstand me, My Queen, and fellow inhabitants. I was sent to Zard to improve communications when we feared you were lost.” Whispering something quickly to Thor, Pont discretely removed Thor’s weapon from his belt. “We must celebrate, now that you are alive and well. Shall we return to the Grand Dining Hall?” he asked, inching his way slowly backwards towards the castle.
“Veectoreze, drop your weapons and proceed quietly to the barracks,” yelled Anton when he saw Pont changing position.
Ignoring Anton’s order and stepping in the direction of higher ground, Pont turned suddenly and took aim at Saturna. Leaping in front of her Anton yanked the Queen down just as Pont pulled the trigger. They fell to the dirt and rolled to the bottom of the embankment. The mound where Saturna had been standing exploded, sending a shower of dust into the air.
Thor snapped his head in Pont’s direction and took two rapid steps toward him. As Pont raised the laser a second time, Thor grabbed him by the arm and collar, twisting his hand until he dropped the weapon. Before it had a chance to hit the ground, four other beams originating from the castle wall, hit Thor and Pont in the chest causing them to collapse. Watching this transpire, the other Veectoreze sentries instantly released their weapons surrendering to the Zardites.
A single high pitched whistle was heard and the Zardite army reacted by emerging from all hiding places. The area was immediately flooded with soldiers, who began rounding up the Veectoreze. Thor and Pont still unconscious from the stun laser were assessed by the Zardite physician, and then moved to the prison along with the others.
At the bottom of the mound holding Saturna for one moment more than was proper, Anton stood and lifted her to an upright position. He said nothing at first because he felt slightly embarrassed about the situation. Not sure if he should apologize or try to explain why he did what he did, he finally decided to say nothing about Pont and the laser. “You should make your way to the Vaulted Room and stay there until things are settled,” he said, motioning for three sentries to escort her.
“Thank you,” she whispered, thinking mere words were not enough for saving her life. She brushed the dirt from her jacket and looked longingly at Anton as he gave orders to the sentries, who had come to stand beside her. She felt an incredible closeness to him. As she turned to make her way up the path to the castle, their minds linked. “I belong at your side Anton,” she said through thought.
“And I with you, My Queen,” he answered, flushing at the boldness of his reply. He stole one last glance wishing their fates were different. Knowing he must remember his place, he turned back knowing protocol would never allow them to be together.