Angels Can't Fly

by Sam Hval

  "No. It isn't."

  "Why? Why would you-"

  "Your father is alive," she looked him deep in the eye.

  "No, he left me when I was a boy. Where is he?!"

  Blood spilled from her abdomen. Her eyes began to close.

  "Don't leave me! Tell me where he is!"

  "He's... He's..." The room was rumbling now, and the ceiling was falling apart.

  "Hurry up!"

  "He's..." Her eyes slid shut, and the ceiling crumbled to pieces.

  "No!" William looked around him. He was in too much shock to even think straight. The adrenaline pulsed through his body. His head started to hurt. No no no no. Not now.

  He glanced behind him, and saw the way out. He sprinted to the wooden door. He angled his shoulder down. The impact of the door hurt like hell as he burst through it, while the building crumbled into dust behind him.

  Chapter 35

  Above him, Cross could hear Stelly curse loudly, as the gyroscopic vehicle came to a sudden stop, launching both Cross and Goldan out of their seatbelts and into the wall.

  “What the hell is going on up there?!” Goldan yelled as he rubbed his bruised shoulder.

  “The freaking thing powered down!” Stelly replied in frustration.

  “What do you mean?” Cross finally yelled up.

  “What do you mean, what do you mean?” Stelly yelled back. “The damn thing shut down on me!”

  “Alright we don’t have time to figure out what’s going on,” Cross took charge. “Let’s get out, and figure out another way to get back.”

  “Whatever.”

  Stelly slid down the metal ladder, and popped open the door. He then assisted to Cross and Goldan, as they climbed their way out. All three of the men spun around in circles slowly, taking in their hostile environment.

  “Well,” Stelly proclaimed, slapping his hands on his thighs. “We’re dead.”

  The creamy black sky was crowded by the image of hundreds of dying dragons, and exploding Novidian combat ships.

  “Don’t be too discouraged,” Goldan said, pointing a finger toward something in the distance. “I think we found out our way out.”

  Cross took a good look at the blurry mirage in the distance. It was Ullicar, burning in a fury of orange flames. “I don’t understand.”

  “I say we take a shot at looking to see if they have any horses laying around,” Goldan explained.

  “First off, not only is that a stupid idea, but how do you expect us to get there in one piece?”

  “I don’t expect us to, but it’s worth trying.”

  “Cross is right,” Stelly added in. “It’s pretty dumb, but I agree. What else can we do?”

  The three men stood still on the sandy, orange hill, and looked at each other in silence amongst the violent battle above, and ahead of them.

  “Okay,” Cross eventually agreed. “Why not?”

  ***

  William pressed his hand firmly against the excruciating pain in his head. He rubbed his forehead forcefully, hoping it would help rid the pain. But it would not stop. The pains had come and gone for as long as he could remember. The extreme pain and yell0w vision were never explainable. He had searched for help from a wise doctor in an abandoned village on Sector 1, but even he had no explanation.

  So from that moment forth, he kept it a secret. He dealt with the pain, and moved on. They had only been happening every few weeks, but now, they seemed to be coming and going much more frequently. Whatever it was, now was not the time for it to be happening.

  William fell to the hot ground leaned his burned back against a fallen piece of stone debris. He tilted his head back, looked up at the sky, and gazed at the mess of laser, explosions, and fire above him. He wished that he could go back in time, and back away from all of this. But he couldn’t, and now he was stuck. He was stuck lying amongst the burning ruins of a town, slowly waiting for his inevitable death to overtake him. He was exhausted, injured, and dehydrated. There was no way out of it.

  He closed his eyes, took one last deep breath of the dusty, smoky air, and let death carry him…

  “That’s him all right!” A voice sounded off in the distance.

  William felt his ears perk up.

  “It’s the guy that’s friends with that Angel girl, isn’t it?” Another voice came closer. Soon enough, William began to hear footsteps coming up right next to him.

  “Uh, Will? That’s your name right?” A new voice asked.

  There were three of them. They sounded oddly familiar. They obviously knew who he was, so they must be important. William wanted to reply, but all he could give was a small, raspy grumble.

  “It doesn’t matter Stelly,” The leader-like voice came in. “We’re taking him with us.”

  Stelly. He knew who they were. It was the same people who saved him once before.

  Q-Squad.

  Chapter 36

  The beasts rained down from the sky, as the massive streaks of red cannon blasts shot down from 'The Dominance'. The battle below began to clear out. "Retreat! Retreat!" Corridian squad leaders shouted around them.

  The soldiers, scouts, and vehicles began sprinting back to the city walls. What was left of any Oldie knights began chasing after them. That was the wrong decision. The dragons fell from the sky, and landed on the army below. What was left of the Novidian Fleet flew back up to the stars, and the battle was finally coming to a close.

  ***

  Angel could hear the cheers and claps from the command room, as she sat in depression in one of the break rooms. William died. And it was all her fault. She could have kept her eyes on the stats and let him know. But she didn't. She didn't, and now he was dead.

  The door to the break room creaked open. Admiral Torkin slowly stepped in with something in his hands.

  Angel wiped the tears from her eyes and said, "What is it?"

  "I have something you might like," he said with a grin.

  "It's pretty hard for me to like anything right now."

  He walked over and gently placed his hand on her shoulder. "Trust me."

  He put the square object on the round table in front of her. Was that a communicator? "What is it?"

  "Just listen," Torkin said.

  She did, and she was glad she did. "Hey kiddo."

  "Will!"

  His voice crackled over the comm. "I told you I would be alright."

  "It's hard to believe you sometimes," she laughed, and for a minute, she swore she heard him chuckle as well. "Where are you?"

  "I'm in the medbay back at the castle right now. Got a little banged up from the crash."

  "How did you even walk out of that?"

  "I managed to land it straight into a building. Somehow I was able to climb out."

  "You got lucky huh? Did you walk back or something?"

  He laughed, "No, remember that squad that rescued me?"

  "Yeah,"

  "They just happened upon me stumbling around like a drunken idiot. They picked me up, and put be on a freaking horse. They asked me if I knew where the leader was. I guess she died when I crashed into the building."

  "So you killed the leader of the Oldies? On accident?"

  "I guess," he laughed again. She giggled with him.

  "From my understanding Torkin's got you a shuttle ready to delpoy down here to meet me. See in a bit kiddo."

  "Bye," she said. The comm hissed out.

  Torkin picked it up and said, "You ready to head back?"

  "You bet," Angel replied with a smile.

  ***

  "We tried to get back fast to let you know, but we kind of got distracted," Stelly tried to explain to Corridan. Cross knew it was a bad idea to let him talk.

  "You got distracted. Not us," Cross tried to clarify.

  "Don't you worry," the King said reassuringly. "You did a great service by bringing back William."

  "Thank you, your highness," Cross said.

  "For bringing us news of the source of the dragons and
possibly even the war, and also returning an important aid to the Corridian army, you will be honored with medals this evening. Right now, we wait for William's partner to arrive."

  ***

  William watched Angel sprint out of the hovering shuttle. She jumped onto him, and hugged him tight. William squeezed back. She was holding so tight, he was starting to hurt. "I'm still sore," he said with little breath.

  She laughed and let go. "Follow me, we have to get all dressed up I guess," William told her.

  "Why?" She asked.

  "Well considering we just ended a Civil War, and the squad that saved me, saved me. We're getting that reward we promised."

  "You're splitting it with me, right?"

  "Don't worry I got your back," William let her know. "We're aren't just getting Sectorial Credits though. We have to get dressed up because it's a decorating session."

  Angel's eyes lit up. "Medals?"

  "Yup," he said.

  "No way!" She hugged him one more time, and followed him through the red hallways of the castle.

  ***

  Cross drew a straight line across his small piece of crumpled, stained paper.

  "What are you doing?" Goldan asked.

  "Crossing 'Stop a Civil War' off my bucket list," Cross replied with a smile. Stelly stumbled into the living quarters with a colorful suit on.

  "You haven't looked that clean in years!" Goldan exclaimed.

  "Neither have you," Stelly retorted.

  "Hey Stelly," Cross said, as he picked up the brown bottle next to him on the bed. "Here's your beer."

  He tossed it, Stelly caught it, and Goldan chuckled. Stelly's grin stretched to his ears.

  "Alright squad, let's go out there and get ourselves a medal."

  ***

  William stood straight with Angel at his side. The tall wooden doors faced them, and two guards were standing by. William nudged Angel with his shoulder. "Remember, don't say anything. Just nod and smile."

  "What have you been to one of these before?" Angel said jokingly.

  "Maybe," William replied with a half smile.

  The guards gripped onto the door handles and pulled it open. The wooden entrance creaked loudly, and the sound of trumpets blasted in front of them. The music swayed through the long hallway. The stretched doubt red carpet reached all the way out to the throne at the end of the room.

  William looked over at Angel and nodded. She nodded back, and they began strolling down the hallway. Rows of soldiers, guards, and officers were standing at both sides. They slowly transitioned into a mix of Novidian pilots and officers and they walked along the carpet.

  Eventually, they made their way to the throne where the King sat dominantly. They stopped, and stood straight.

  Corridan gracefully stood up from his large, golden throne and stepped down toward William and Angel with a string if medals draped over his arm.

  "For bringing the Corrdian army the Novidian Fleet's aid, and commuting many acts of bravery, including slaying the leader of the Oldie Unison, you are awarded the Medal of Legends."

  Corridan took one of the shiny medals and proudly placed it around William's neck. He smiled, and then nodded. Corridan then took another of the same kind and placed it around Angel's neck as well. She nodded, and smiled.

  William took her hand, and led her off to the side. The trumpets blared again, as Admiral Torkin and General Terren stepped toward the King together.

  "For your ability to lead and give us hope, you are given the Medal of Hope."

  They came and stood next to them. Next, Cross, Goldan, and Stelly approached the King.

  "For your great bravery, and willingness to do what others would not, you are awarded the Medal of Honor."

  The medals were placed gently around their necks, and they stood in place. William, Angel, Terren, and Torkin all joined them at their side. They stood together, side by side, and looked out at the excited crowds in front of them.

  Everyone in the narrow hallway clapped and cheered estatically.

  It was at this moment; William knew he had become what he had wanted to be all along. A good man.

  Chapter 37

  Cross, Goldan, and Stelly walked together side by side through the bustling Corridia shipyards.“You sure you know where you’re going?”Stelly asked.

  “Of course I do,” Cross said.

  “How many times have I heard that?” Goldan added in, as he nudged Cross with his elbow.

  “Enough times for you to believe it.”

  “Nice try.”

  Cross eventually stopped, and looked back up at the ship in front of them. There she was, The Anomaly. “Ordered a new paint job.”

  “Blue. I like it,” Goldan complimented. “Any specific reason?”

  “What color are scouts?” Cross played with him.

  He could see the memories flood back in Goldan’s eyes. “Aliah?”

  “Yup. The ship is still registered under The Anomaly, but we’ll call it Aliah’s Courage.”

  “Fine with me!” Stelly said with smile. They all chuckled, and began heading into the blue transport ship, patting each other on the back as they went.

  “Wait,” they could barely hear from behind them. Cross turned around and saw the rugged figure of Red standing there.

  “Hey,” Cross replied to break the awkward silence. “What’s up?”

  “I would like to come with you.”

  “I thought you were the most prestigious of all of the King’s agents?”

  “I have made many mistakes over the past few days… and…”

  “What is it?”

  “I am ashamed of them. I wish to join you. I have resigned my position.”

  Cross glanced over at Goldan and Stelly. They glanced back at him and gave shrugs.

  Cross looked back at Red, waved his hand toward the ship, and proudly said, “Welcome aboard Q-Squad, Red. We’re lucky to have you.”

  ***

  Corridan watched the citizens clothed dusty rags clean up the dirty streets of the city below. He admired the strength of the soldiers out on the sandy fields ahead, as they cleaned up the bodies of thousands.

  Even though this day was a day of grief, Corridan felt extreme pride. From the start of the battle, he thought he would never be able to handle the pressure. Yet he did, and he did it with great victory.

  Corridan realized this day was not a day to grieve; it was a day to remember. It was a day to rebuild, to become stronger, and learn from suffering.

  Corridan now knew that hope worked, and that it was the one thing that saved him in his time of great stress.

  He did it.

  His father and grandfather before him would be proud.

  ***

  William casually slipped his brown jacket over him, and began heading toward the steep ramp of The Whiskey 2.0. Thankfully, the Novidan base had kept her clean, and left her at the landing bay in Corridia.

  He had a new mission now. He needed to find his father. Not only did he need to find his father, but Corridan had tasked him with finding the unknown enemy who had unleashed the dragons.

  It seemed his whole life had led to this moment.

  "Will! Wait!" He turned around and saw Angel running toward him. "Where are you going?"

  "I have an important mission," William said sternly.

  "Did you forget about me?" He saw the worry in her eyes.

  "No, I just feel you'll be safer here in Corridia."

  "But we're partners!"

  "I always stuck to temporary, and I intend to keep it that way. Thanks for your help, kid."

  "What? What are you even doing anyways?"

  William tensed up. After a few moments of silence, he decided to tell her. "Angel, I've found out about my father. He's still alive." Should he tell her? He was too worried about how she would react to the news. It would be tough to keep the fact that they were related a secret, but he knew it would be safest for her to keep it that way. "I have to go find him. Thanks again."
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  He started his way up the ramp again and almost made it to the top before Angel stopped him. "Do you even know where to go?"

  He paused at her words. His memories flashed back to Paul, and how he didn't walk out on him in his time of need. Paul was a good man, and William needed to carry that legacy on.

  "Alright," William finally said. He turned around to face Angel. Tears were welling up in her eyes, and her arms began to unfold from her chest.

  William gave a smile, winked, and softly said,

  "Come on in kiddo. Let's go somewhere."

  To be continued...

  William and Angel will return in,

  The Breakout Series Book 2: Demons Will Fly

  Coming in 2016!

  Be sure to 'Like' the official Breakout Facebook Page for updates! You can also follow @BRKTUniverse on Twitter as well!

  To get updates and information on all of Sam Hval’s latest projects, please visit www.samhvalauthor.wordpress.com

  Crossing the Great Beyond: A Breakout Universe Novella

  READ ON!

  For a free excerpt!

  Chapter 1

  The approaching image of Sector 6 grew closer and closer as 'The Anomaly' traveled through the expanse of space.

  "Doesn't this thing go any faster?" Conrad 'Stelly' Rodan, the pilot, asked.

  "You picked it. You deal with it." Aliah Wendell, the scout, replied. She slumped down a little in the passenger seat next to Stelly, and closed her eyes.

  "We're almost there," Wilhelm Cross, the squad commander, said. "Have a little patience."

  "Yeah yeah," Stelly continued. "Whatever you say boss."

  "It's a transport ship," Quentin Goldan, Cross's second in command, said. "What were you expecting?"

  The bulky vessel lumbered its way pass Sector 5. The jagged edges of the mass of land almost scratched the side of the hull.