They all walked in a single file through the corridor. The colonel was leading the way with her rifle pointed in her right hand and the severed arm in the other. She was followed closely behind by Estramos. One of her soldiers was behind Estramos while Kristen was following this soldier. The last soldier made up the rear of the queue watching their back as they filed through the corridor.
They soon got to the door at the end of the corridor. The colonel peered through the small window. She saw three guards sitting at a desk at the other side. Their attention was focused on some monitors in front of them.
The colonel lifted up the severed arm and placed the palm on the panel. The hand was scanned and the door opened.
The guards on the other side were too busy watching their screens to notice when the colonel came into the room. By the time they became aware of her presence, it was already too late. Two of them had their necks sliced through by the beam from her laser gun. Their heads toppled off from their bodies like oranges falling off a table. The severed heads landed on the floor. One of their bodies fell forward and landed on the table while the other slumped deep into the chair.
The colonel hurried over to the desk. She opened one of the drawers and grabbed her holster with the pistol inside it. She quickly strapped it to her waist. She then brought out the rifles that were there and placed them on the desk. When the others came into the room, she tossed the rifles to her soldiers, who caught them with their free hands.
The colonel turned to the monitors and as she peered at one, Estramos came into the room with Kristen.
“What are you trying to do?” Estramos asked. “I’m trying to see how I can disable their alarm system so they won’t be able to alert others,” the colonel replied.
“Let me see.” Estramos came over and peered at the monitors. He began to type on some keys. “Do you know what you are doing?” the colonel asked. Estramos nodded. “I should,” he replied. “At least I have been here long enough to observe their way of doing things around here.”
The two other soldiers were watching around and checking to see if there were any more guards coming. Kristen was uncomfortable with the situation in which they had put themselves in. There were already dead guards all over the facility. And that made all of them fugitives.
“Are you guys sure you know what you are doing?” Kristen asked.
“I am sure we do,” the colonel replied, looking at what Estramos was doing. “Or don’t we, Estramos?” “I am not too sure anymore,” Estramos replied. He stood up and pointed his rifle at the screens. The laser beam tore through the monitors and the others went off.
“Estramos!” Colonel Havlun exclaimed. “What have you just done?” Estramos shrugged. “The whole thing was no longer making any sense to me. So I decided to do away with it.”
“By destroying them? Was that the best way to handle the issue?” the colonel asked.
“That’s what I figured. Anyway, they will not be making use of that system for a while.” Kristen waved at them. “Colonel, we are wasting too much time here. What is the plan? We need to be moving and not staying put in one place.”
Estramos nodded. “Your friend is right, Colonel. We should be moving out of here. What do you think?”
“Okay then,” Colonel Havlun agreed. “We go out with our guns blazing.”
“Okay. But what about your friend? She should have a gun of her own,” Estramos pointed out. “No way,” Colonel Havlun replied. “She will be safe with us. We will cover her as we move.” “Cover?” Estramos repeated. “Are we shielding an important asset or are we in the middle of an escape battle? Why not let her have a rifle so we have more guns shooting?”
“This is my decision, Estramos. And I said no. Let us move out now,” the colonel replied. Estramos looked at Kristen and shook his head. He could not understand why the colonel did not want Kristen to be armed. But Kristen was not bothered. Kristen knew the colonel did not trust her hostage to be armed while they were making their escape. Perhaps she was afraid Kristen might use the gun against them at the slightest opportunity.
Kristen was not bothered. Already, she had heard and seen enough to know the colonel did not mean well for her and her crew members. And Estramos’ statement had further confirmed her suspicions. These Gualdions were not to be trusted, just as they did not trust anyone.
The colonel opened the adjourning door and stepped outside, followed by the others. Outside, she began to fire her rifle at the guards who were stationed there. They were caught unawares as many of them fell down. Estramos also engaged fire, expertly handling the two rifles in his hands. The two alien warriors were also firing theirs as well. Kristen remained in between the colonel and her soldiers as they moved along.
By the time they got to the hovercraft, there was a blaring noise and red lights were flashing from some overhead light sources. The guards must have turned on the alarm systems to alert others. But their moves were not coordinated. As more of them came out of various rooms and facilities, they fell to the firepower of Estramos and the colonel.
They all hurried into the hovercraft and the colonel started it up. The others were still taking shots at the guards as she spun the hovercraft around. They were soon flying out of the region and heading to the parking bay where their ships were located.
“You need to inform your folks to get ready to depart immediately,” the colonel said to Kristen as they sped off.
“No problem, Colonel,” Kristen replied. She turned on her radio console on her wrist. “Hello, Lynda. Can you hear me, Lynda? Good. Get the Atlantis ready for departure immediately. We are coming in right now. It’s an emergency. Do it now.”
“Your friend has a separate ship?” Estramos asked. “Yes,” the colonel replied. “But you will be flying with me and not them.”
“Okay. Whatever you say. You are the boss,” Estramos replied. They soon arrived at where the ships were parked. Kristen and the soldiers jumped down with Estramos but the colonel stayed back on the hovercraft.
“What are you doing? Are you not coming?” Estramos asked. “I need a minute,” Colonel Havlun stated. “Go on with my soldiers while I make some modifications to this hovercraft. And you too, Captain. You all should board your ships while I complete this.”
Kristen nodded. As she ran towards her ship, she saw the colonel dock and fire at some oncoming guards. Estramos also returned a lot of fire from his rifles as he followed the soldiers towards the wasp ship.
Soon, Kristen was inside the Atlantis.
“What the hell is happening?” Lynda asked when she got to her seat. “That colonel is one hell of a madwoman,” Kristen replied. “It is a jailbreak. She broke out her contact and now we have to make a run for it.”
“That is madness!” Lynda replied. “How do they think we are going to get away with this?” “She must have thought through it all before we came to Axis Fort. And from all indications, that contact of hers must be really valuable for her to make such a dangerous move,” Kristen replied. She looked outside at the scene that was unfolding.
The colonel appeared to still be fiddling with the controls in the hovercraft while Estramos was firing his rifles at oncoming guards. At the last moment, the colonel jumped from the elevating hovercraft. As she made the leap, she turned over backwards and was firing from the rifle in her hand. While still airborne, she was able to aim and eliminate a handful of guards that had come out from another building. Eventually she landed on the ground and raced to the wasp ship. Estramos followed her into the ship while giving her covering fire.
Just as the doors of the wasp ship were closing, the hovercraft suddenly turned and started to fly towards one of the buildings. It appeared to be piloted by someone. However, it was completely empty. It veered through a couple of turns until it got to an open door and flew right into it.
The explosion which followed was huge, and the force of it reverberated throughout the entire fort, causing the occupants of both the wasp ship and the Atlantis to
shudder violently. Outside, a plume of smoke, fire, and bright explosions could be seen in the distance as a building collapsed in a heap of debris and smoke.
“What did you do?” Estramos asked as the shuddering continued. “I only turned their hovercraft into a hover bomb and then directed it for what I felt should be their fuel supply dump. That should give them something to be occupied with while we make our getaway,” the colonel said. She turned to her soldiers: “Quickly, engage our engines and use full speed to get us all out of here,” she directed.
Immediately, the wasp ship’s engines were engaged and it began to lift up. Kristen had seen the hovercraft fly off. Then a couple of seconds later they had all heard and seen the explosion in the distance. The vibrations had been violent and the Atlantis shuddered violently from the impact of the explosion.
Kristen did not have to be told what had happened. She could hazard a guess that the period during which the colonel had stayed back on the hovercraft had paid off immensely. Kristen could see guards running all around, barely mindful of their ship.
“Captain. Captain. Captain, can you read me?” Colonel Havlun’s voice came over the radio. “Loud and clear, Colonel,” Kristen responded. “Loud and clear.”
“Follow us right now. We are leaving this fort,” the colonel directed.
“We are right behind you,” Kristen replied Soon, they were both flying at high speed out of the fort. Behind them they could see a huge inferno burning and bellowing huge plumes of fire and clouds of smoke.
“Something tells me your reputation is going to get a further bashing after this incident,” Estramos stated as they flew away.
“Is it today?” Colonel Havlun asked. “I never did have a good reputation. I don’t think now is the time to dwell on image laundering. I’ll leave that to the PR guys in fairy land.”
“PR guys in where?” Estramos repeated. “Wherever.” The colonel waved aside the issue. “How are you doing, Estramos?” He adjusted himself where he was sitting inside the wasp ship. He was on a seat close to the one the colonel was seated on. He still held the two laser rifles he had gotten from the deceased guards on the fort. He touched his arms and massaged his thighs before he looked at Colonel Havlun. “Maybe a little sprain on my ankle and shoulder. But apart from that, I think I am still in good shape,” Estramos replied.
“You’d better be in good shape because we are heading out immediately,” Colonel Havlun stated. “Heading out immediately?” Estramos repeated. “Wait a minute. Are you not heading back home to the Gualdion Protectorate?”
The colonel shook her head. “No, Estramos. I’m sorry, but we are not heading home. At least not yet.” “Really?” Estramos asked. He glanced behind them at the fort they had just departed. The colonel saw his glancing. “Are you looking to see if we are being followed? They dare not. Their hands will be too occupied trying to put out that fire I caused back there,” she said.
Estramos nodded. “That was very impressive, I must say.” He pointed at the Atlantis, which was flying close to them. “What is the deal with them tagging along?”
“They are not tagging along,” the colonel replied. “I asked them to come with us. They are our prisoners.” “Only prisoners? Or maybe more than prisoners,” Estramos said.
“I don’t know what you are talking about.” “Come on, Colonel. We both know you do not really need them unless they are of some value to you. You are too efficient to tolerate hangers-on. And humans? That should be the last species you would ever deal with unless they are going to place something on the table that will be of valuable interest to you.”
“What do you really know, Estramos? It appears you have been incarcerated for too long to realize I go for what I want and not necessarily what I need.”
“So what do you want with these humans, Colonel?”
“It is none of your business,” the colonel replied. “I bet it isn’t. Just like your little visit to see me at Axis Fort. Is that too none of my business? Why did you really burst me out of jail, Colonel?” Estramos asked.
The colonel saw that Estramos was still holding the two rifles. She also observed that his fingers had tightened their grip on the triggers of the two rifles.
“You can relax, Estramos,” the colonel said. “You should know better than anyone else I would not have risked my life, as well as those of my soldiers, to save you if it was not for a very good reason.”
“Really? Then make me feel more convinced than I am currently feeling, Colonel.”
The colonel sighed. “You already know most of the story. What else must I spell out to you, Estramos?” “Maybe I used to know you, Colonel. But that was way back when we used to patrol the Southern Regions and rob ships that came by. That was ages ago, if I recall correctly. Even before my incarceration, I don’t think we had spoken for at least a year. Why the sudden interest? You suddenly realized you missed me?”
“It is not like that, Estramos. We have been running low on gold,” the colonel said.
“Gold? What do you need that for?” “You have forgotten?” the colonel asked. “Okay. Can you remember what two tons of gold does for us, and my people?”
“Two tons of gold?” Estramos repeated. “I don’t know. You tell me.”
“That is the price of one Seed,” Colonel Havlun replied.
“Seed? You mean a seed costs that much?” Estramos asked in amazement. Colonel Havlun smiled. “Maybe you have forgotten. Or perhaps you just never knew. Yes, it does cost that much. And that is from the black market. Unfortunately, we have been running quite low on gold. In fact, we simply cannot afford to buy at that price anymore. This is why we came for you.”
Estramos’ grip on the rifles relaxed. “I see. So you want me to help you get more Seeds, right?” “Estramos, you are our only aid to saving my race. Just think of this—would I have really risked everything just to save you? We need you to help us find the seeds of life. Otherwise, our race will perish forever.”
“You really don’t want to go in search of the Seeds, Colonel,” Estramos said. “It’s a dangerous venture that even I would not advise any person to go into.”
“But we have no choice, Estramos. Can’t you see?” “I get your point, Colonel. But it is too risky. Even for me. It is not something I would want to think about right now. I mean it. Seriously.”
“Okay then. Maybe I have to motivate you. What would you want us to give you?” “Give?” Estramos repeated. “You mean as payment? Come on. No amount of money can make me embark on such a trip. It is not possible.”
“Are you sure? What about two?”
“Two? Two what?” Estramos asked.
“Two tons of gold.”
“You must be joking.”
“I am not joking, Estramos. I will give you two tons of gold if you can help us get the Seeds of Life.” “You are not serious, Colonel.”
“Maybe I am not serious enough. But I am definitely desperate. Will two be enough?”
“Colonel, please, let us not start this. Just drop the topic.” “Then two and a half,” the colonel announced. “Two and a half?”
“Yes. Two and a half tons of gold.”
“Colonel, why are you doing this to me?” Estramos asked, as if he was confused. “I am sorry, but I have no choice, Estramos. I am going to give you two and a half tons of pure gold for your troubles.”
Estramos looked away. His gaze caught sight of the Atlantis that was flying after them through the dark, starlit skies of space. “What about them?” He pointed at the ship following them.
The colonel looked behind and saw the Atlantis. “You mean the humans? I am keeping them for the time being. Sort of like insurance.”
“Insurance?” Estramos repeated.
“Yes. I attempted a cross-fertilization procedure before we came in search for you.”
“What? Are you insane? How can you cross-fertilise with the humans? That is abominable.” “Oh please, spare me the talk on ethics. I told you I am serious, and de
sperate. I can do any and everything to preserve my race. I am dead serious about it.”
“What was the result?”
“It is not yet complete. The final analysis should be ready in a couple of minutes from now.” Estramos was shaking his head. “From my little knowledge of genetics, what you have attempted to do cannot stand. It cannot survive. Can’t you see? You do not inseminate or cross-fertilize with races that are not of your kind.”
“Really? Maybe you are right. Maybe you will be wrong. Anyway, the results will prove what it will prove.”
“And if I am right, then what?”
The colonel pointed at the Atlantis. “Then I will have no need for them anymore. Or will I?” “No, you will not need the humans again. Maybe you can give them to me,” Estramos smiled. “What would you need them for?” the colonel asked. “Are you kidding? There will be a good price to get from each of their heads on the black market. I hear their race is going to soon be extinct, all thanks to their wickedness and stupidity. Just imagine what I can get for each head of a soon-to-be-extinct human being.” “So you are interested in them, then?”
“Interested?” Estramos repeated, with his eyes rolling. “Of course I am very interested in them. Apart from what I will get from the black market on each head, I can also enjoy them in my own exotic ways.”
“Then we will strike a deal: you will help us gain access to one of the major suppliers of the Seeds, and I will let you have the humans, as well as two and a half tons of gold.”
Estramos’ eyes were still glued to the ship. As he nodded, he was grinning and salivating at the same time. “You’ve got a deal, Colonel,” he said. “You just got yourself a sweet deal.”
*** Back on the Atlantis, Kristen was checking up with the app she had designed. She was making some comparisons on her main monitor when Mahmud came up to her.
“How is it going, Captain?” Mahmud asked. “Pretty much okay,” Kristen replied. “For now, the efficiency rate is over 80 percent. I am aiming on getting it to over 95 percent. Hopefully, if we continue on this course and for a prolonged duration, we should easily accomplish this.”
The End Of The World Page 13
