by Saxon Andrew
Whippet saw the two lift their scooters off the ground and the gold rope around his neck started vibrating. He shook his head, sprinted toward the female, and jumped on the seat behind her. She lifted the scooter and said, “You may want to throw that bomb and blaster away. If you still have them in a moment, I’m going to drop you.”
Whippet held on tight to the female and saw they were accelerating at high speed into the atmosphere. He blew out an angry breath and threw the pocket bomb and blaster away. He saw twenty military grade attack craft flying toward them but they were falling behind. He saw a force field was around the small flying machine and then he saw a warship above them in orbit moving at high speed to block their escape. He shook his head and knew it had the advantage. He looked to the right and saw the male press a button in the middle of his handlebars and a huge missile came out of the bottom of his flying device. It was three times larger than the device it emerged out of. The missile ignited and flew away at an unbelievable velocity. He watched it home in on the destroyer, which immediately began evasive maneuvers. It failed. The missile hit the warship and a massive explosion rocked the ship. The ship appeared unharmed for a moment and then it exploded in a blast that lit up the night side of the planet below them.
He heard the female say, “You didn’t have to use one of those.”
“Check out the opposite direction.”
The female looked to the far left and saw the forty large battleships appearing in space. “You’re right, we have to turn that way to escape.”
Whippet saw the battleships go to full thrusters and start moving in at maximum thrusters. It was almost mesmerizing to watch them move through space and he couldn’t take his eyes off them. Then the two scooters exited the planet’s atmosphere as their star drives activated. They disappeared a brief moment before a hundred heavy blaster beams ripped through space.
Whippet watched as the two small fliers emerged into normal space and moved toward a small red colored ship hanging in space about ten miles away. It wasn’t as small as he thought. As they moved closer he saw that it was about three hundred feet long and had a hull that was covered with irregular shapes. Just before they entered the landing bay, he saw the structures were blaster emplacements and missile launchers. He found it hard to believe that the small blaster barrels and missiles could do much damage to a warship. Then he remembered the large missile that emerged from the small device that the Male was flying.
The scooters landed and were magnetically pulled to the deck. Cinny stepped off and looked at the Werstag. She tried not to smile but couldn’t help herself. The Werstag had a coat of red fur and its hands and feet could best be described as dainty. It had a narrow snout with a black nose on the end of it and eyes that were solid emerald green except for black pupils. It stood about three and a half feet tall and she knew it had incredible reflexes. She had seen a Werstag step out of the way of a blaster bolt on the first planet where they had been attacked by the armored warriors. His species was known for its speed.
“What are you smiling at?”
Cinny slowly shook her head, “It’s surprising how fast your species is.”
Whippet’s left upper lip went up, “Especially since we’re so small.”
Cinny nodded, “Especially because of that.”
“Why did the two of you force me to come with you? I’ve never done anything to you!”
Grant looked at the small being, “Everyone in that bar didn’t recognize us; you did.”
Whippet stared at Grant for a moment and then turned to Cinny, “He does get right to the point doesn’t he?”
Cinny laughed, “Subtlety is not a part of his demeanor. However, he’s right. You were the only one in the place that was shocked but not surprised by our appearance. The others knew about our image but you’ve seen one of our species before.”
Whippet slowly shook his head, “How could you possibly know that? I didn’t make much of a reaction.” The two stared at him and Whippet said, “How?”
Grant said, “Ten raised their communicators to contact someone. They didn’t know what we were but they knew our image. Your reaction told us that you knew what we are. How did you know?”
Cinny said, “Let’s take this to the bridge and continue this conversation.”
Whippet watched them leave the landing bay and felt the gold rope around his neck start to vibrate. He quickly ran after them. Cinny looked over her shoulder and said, “My name is Cinny and this is Grant. And you are…?”
“Whippet. Is this rope still active?”
“It is.”
“Just checking.”
They arrived on the bridge and Grant looked up, “Provide our guest…”
“You mean prisoner!”
Grant looked at him and smiled, “Prisoner with a chair.”
A chair rose out of the deck in front of the two command chairs. Cinny looked at the small Werstag and said, “Where have you seen my species?”
Whippet stared at the two and after a moment decided that he really had no choice. The rope around his neck removed all possibility of escape. “I flew on an old commercial transport with a human.”
“Human?”
Whippet looked at Cinny and his eyes narrowed, “Your species call themselves humans.” Cinny looked at Grant and saw him say the word slowly. “I was hired to replace the human as chief engineer. The old bucket transported agricultural products from Guden to Amelrox. Tom worked on the ship for three years before I showed up.”
“Tom?”
“Tom Lavaroix.” Whippet stared at them for a moment and said, “The two of you don’t know anything about your species, do you?”
Grant blew out a breath, “No, we don’t. And if you’ll tell us what you know, we’ll remove the rope and drop you on the planet of your choosing.”
Whippet saw the anticipation on their faces and he slowly shook his head, “You might not want to know.”
Cinny said, “Why not?”
“Because the planet where your species lived was blasted into rubble about seventeen years ago. Tom was the pilot of an attack fighter during that battle and received radiation burns on the entire left side of his body. The reason I was hired to replace him was that he was dying with cancer.”
“I thought cancer was treatable?”
“Not back then. And no one knew your species or how to treat them. I only had a little over a year before Tom died.”
Grant stared at Whippet, “Please tell us what he told you.”
Whippet lowered his head and then looked them in the eyes, “Tom was one of the kindest and honest beings I have ever met. Toward the end, the pain was becoming too much and I made him talk to me to take his mind off it. It was during those days that he told me about Earth.”
“Earth?”
“His home world. He said his civilization had just started exploring the stars when they encountered a rather nasty civilization that didn’t want competition. He said that the higher ups in the Military said that the civilization really wanted their planet to settle and that humans would have to go. A war broke out and raged for more than a hundred years.”
“Do he say what civilization was attacking…Earth?”
“It’s the same one that sent those battleships at the planet where you picked me up.” Grant looked at Cinny and then whipped his head back when Whippet said, “That civilization has been passing out flyers with a picture of a human male and female on them for the last fifteen years. They want to eradicate your species pretty badly. The reward is huge for anyone that reports seeing one of your species.”
Cinny said, “Go on.”
Whippet slowly shook his head, “Tom said that Earth was close to developing weapons that would end the war.”
“What sort of weapons?”
“Tom said they were top secret but heard from other members in the military that animals were being genetically altered to use against their enemy. He also said that a warship had been built that was the most powe
rful weapon ever built.”
“What happened?”
“They weren’t allowed enough time to complete them. Their enemy must have learned about the developments, sent every warship in their arsenal, and attacked the planet in force. More than a half million enemy ships were destroyed but one of them made it through the defenses and crashed into the planet with a planet buster. Tom says the entire planet went up in flames. Every living thing on it died.” Whippet paused and saw the two’s sadness. He continued, “Tom says the surviving warships jumped away and gathered out in open space between galaxies. They decided to attack the Government Planet of their enemy. Tom was injured during that battle when a battleship exploded close to his small ship. Of the two hundred thousand Earth ships that attacked, more than half were destroyed by the planet’s defenses. But one of them made it through and the engineer ruptured the reactor holding more than six tons of antimatter. The planet ceased to exist. Tom says the surviving human warships scattered to find another place to start over. Tom’s ship was so damaged he couldn’t follow them. He jumped away and managed to land on a civilized planet in another galaxy. His ship was beyond repair and he found a job working on a commercial transport.”
Grant and Cinny were silent. Whippet said, “You two don’t look like you’re related.”
Grant looked up and said, “We’re not.”
“How old are you?”
Cinny smiled, “We’re not related but we were born the same day. The temple confirmed it.”
Whippet’s eyes narrowed, “How old are you?”
Grant shrugged, “We turned eighteen six months ago.”
Whippet’s eyes went wide and both of them saw his fear. Whippet grabbed the rope around his neck and pulled on it as he started moving out of the chair. He was stopped by a blaster barrel stuck in his mouth. Grant said, “Don’t even think about it!” Whippet was breathing fast and was close to hyperventilating.
Cinny leaned forward and grabbed his small shoulders, “Slow down! We’re not going to harm you!”
Whippet forced himself to breathe slower and he fell back in the chair. After a few moments Cinny said, “What about our age frightens you so much?”
Whippet looked up at them and said, “The warship they were building.”
Grant said, “Yes, what about it?”
“Tom told me it had been completed. The only thing it needed was for the ones genetically produced to pilot it to come of age. He said a male and a female child were developed to activate it.” Whippet shook his head, “He said that the babies must have died with the planet. Without them, the ship would never come alive.” The Werstag looked at them, “You two are the most dangerous beings in the universe. You have to be the pilots of that ship!”
Chapter Two
Cinny looked at Grant and then turned to Whippet, “Relax, we’re not who you think.”
“Then who are you?”
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
“I spent time with Tom and, though he was sick, his reflexes, speed, agility, and strength were nowhere close to what you’ve demonstrated. You are different from the other members of your species.”
Cinny stared at Whippet and then looked at Grant. She turned back to Whippet and said, “We weren’t always like this.”
Whippet’s eyes narrowed, “What do you mean?”
“We were delivered to a Choten-Zan temple as babies. The priests there developed our physical abilities.”
“No one is allowed inside a Choten-Zan temple.”
Grant said, “We were.”
“Why?” The two looked at each other and Whippet saw they didn’t know. “Didn’t you ever ask them who brought you there and why they took you in?”
Grant sighed, “No, I guess we didn’t. We were so happy to get out that we didn’t hang around to ask anything.”
“Where did you get this ship and armor you wear? The Choten-Zan are not exactly friendly with technology.”
Grant looked at Cinny and she said, “They held the ship for us until we came of age. The armor was on the ship when we boarded. We’ve been learning how to use it for four weeks.”
“Doesn’t that strike you as beyond odd?” Whippet stared at their confusion and suddenly realized that the two humans were little more than inexperienced children. Whippet said, “They didn’t give you everything.” They turned and looked at him. “If someone delivered you there, then they would have left something to tell you who you are.”
Grant looked at Cinny, “He’s right.”
“Do you really think he withheld something?”
Grant looked at Whippet, “Where is this all powerful warship you’re talking about.”
Whippet shook his head, “Tom says it was removed from Earth and anchored in subspace.”
Grant shook his head, “Nothing can remain in subspace.”
“Tom was of the opinion that the ship was put there while the pilots were being prepared to take control. I don’t know if any of this is true, but Tom really believed it.”
Cinny looked at Grant, “What about Iggy?”
Grant shook his head, “Not now. We’ll take a look at that later.”
Whippet said, “Who is Iggy?”
Grant shook his head, “It is more like what is Iggy. However, I think a trip back to the temple is in order.”
Cinny tilted her head, “Are you sure you want to go there?”
Whippet saw the smile on Grant’s face and felt his fear rekindle, “Oh yes!”
Cinny turned to Whippet, “Where would you like us to drop you off?”
Whippet had control of his emotions and said, “If it’s all the same to you, I’d like to hang around until you find out about yourselves. Besides, I suspect those beings in the yellow armor now have a bounty out for me as well. They saw me with you when you escaped.”
“You cannot go to the temple with us.”
“I don’t want to. However, if you’re who I suspect you are, I’ll probably be safer with you than away from you.”
Grant shook his head, “We’ve been attacked everywhere we’ve gone by that yellow civilization. It isn’t safe around us.”
“Have they managed to stop you?”
“Well, no.”
“Then allow me to stay here. The rope is your guarantee I’ll behave.”
The two looked at each other and after a moment Cinny looked up, “Can you prevent him from doing any damage in our absence?”
“I can.”
Cinny looked at Grant and saw him nod. “Ok, welcome aboard.”
Whippet looked up and said, “Where do you come from?”
The voice said, “I am a ship’s shuttle assigned to the Earth Ship, Orion’s Sword.”
Cinny and Grant looked at Whippet who said, “Tom told me that the ultimate weapon was named Orion’s Sword. You are who I think you are and it appears that yellow civilization knows you’re alive. They’re going to do everything in their power to prevent you from finding that ship.”
Grant stared at Whippet and smiled, “If you think of any more questions, please feel free to ask them.”
Cinny smiled, “But first, the temple.”
Grant nodded and looked up, “Take us to the Choten-Zan.” Whippet looked out the forward view port and saw the star drive field form around the ship.
• • •
The green world appeared below them as Grant and Cinny stood up. Whippet said, “I have one more question before you go.” They turned and looked at him and Cinny nodded. Whippet looked up and said, “Do you have any information in your memory banks about a planet called Earth?”
“Information is present but can only be released by inserting the key into the main console.”
Whippet looked at them, “I suspect you’re going to be looking for some kind of key.”
Grant walked over to the main console and saw a small black metal cover on the left side. He lifted it and saw a hole with a hexagonal shape. He turned to Cinny and nodded toward the door. Cinny lo
oked over her shoulder, “Try not to blow anything up. I’ve turned off the distance control on your rope.”
Whippet smiled, “You kids go and have a good time. I’ll babysit the ship.”
Grant shook his head as he went through the door.
• • •
Grant and Cinny arrived in the massive garden outside the main entrance to the Choten-Zan Temple they had been brought to as babies. They stepped off the scooter and heard, “You will leave now and not return.”
They looked at the huge door leading into the temple and saw a seven-foot tall, green colored being standing at the top of the steps. Grant’s eyes narrowed, “We will leave the moment you give us what you withheld from us when we left, Pazan.”
“You will leave now.”
Grant walked up the steps and Cinny followed him up the steps watching the six priests standing behind him. “You withheld an object that was left for us by the one that brought us here. Give it to us and we will comply with your wish.”
Grant and Cinny knew the Choten-Zan were masters at hiding their emotions but both of them saw the slight pale area beside Pazan’s nose. They knew they were right. Grant arrived at the top step and said, “You can’t hide what you’ve done. You’ve given yourself away and you will give us what belongs to us.”
“Our contract with you ended when you left. You have no further rights here.”
“The contract was not fulfilled. You did not give us what was left for us. You will deliver it to us now!”
Panzan’s mouth became a sneer and he said, “Or you’ll do what?”
Grant stared at the giant Choten-Zan Priest and said, “I’ll remove something that belongs to you.” Panzan stared at the two in silence. Grant took a breath and said, “Have it your way. I am going to the central prayer room and I’m going to fire a blaster into the painting hanging over the altar.” Grant stepped around Panzan and the tall Priest reached for him.
