by David Roman
Damocles sighed. “I can never get used to this.”
Spaide pulled a lever, and the back hatchway opened up, forcing the companions to tumble out onto the ground. He then opened the cockpit and leapt out. The contaminated air of the planet filled their lungs at once, forcing them to cough.
“Hurry!” Exander jumped up to his feet. He darted his gaze left and right. “Damocles, get Duell and the swords and let’s go. Run!”
“But Vincent can carry—” Damocles began.
“I don’t want to hear that nonsense!” Exander retorted and took off with Spaide and Gaia.
Damocles threw his master over his shoulder, grabbed the swords, and staggered after his brother up the ramp that led out of the factory.
Confused at the blonde Xenian’s reaction, yet unwilling to start another fight, Vincent quickly followed.
The ceiling soared to such heights that it was completely engulfed in darkness, the only sources of light of that subterranean factory being the lava pits and the floating lanterns, which were a class of robots. The workers were appalled, looking at them with large luminous eyes. They were humanoid aliens, the size of small children, with a rock-strewn textured orange skin. Their faces were motionless and had an infantile smile. The decadence of their race left them nothing but servitude, and occurrences such as an Imperial fighter vessel crashing in their workplace didn’t happen very often in their sad lives.
“We’re going to have to cut through the street,” Exander said, monitoring his device and disregarding the creatures or the machines.
They spanned several hundred yards without incident. The crashed ship was still visible in the distance, releasing fumes. Surprisingly, it wasn’t swarming with the Imperials yet.
Exander turned left into another passage. “Here.” The path was a long case of stairs leading up to the surface with landings every fifty or so yards.
As they began ascending, two soldiers came running out of one of the doors at the landings, and almost bumped into Exander, who—buried deep in his navigator—wasn’t paying any attention.
There was a pause as the startled soldiers looked at each other and at the Xenian.
Before Exander pulled out his sword, Gaia threw a small disk that flew like a bullet, striking both of the soldiers in the head and coming back to her wrist-guard before they collapsed.
“No need for bloodshed,” she said, pulling down the sleeve of her uniform over the deadly device.
“Now, that’s a woman, huh?” Damocles said, passing by his surprised brother.
“Charming,” Exander murmured.
Spaide and Exander then proceeded to carry the unconscious soldiers inside the factory, discarded their weapons, and shut the door.
“Try to be stealthy once we reach the street,” Exander warned everyone as he looked around and once again took up the lead.
“Stealthy?” Spaide fussed. “The entire spaceport’s probably on the lookout for a blonde Xenian!”
The street was already in full view as the alarm resonated throughout the facility. The diminutive workers began to run down the stairs in horror, almost knocking the companions down.
“Damn,” Exander cursed and picked up his pace. There was an open gate on the next landing where half a dozen troops ransacked a room full of equipment. “Don’t look at them,” Exander cautioned the group and began walking calmly.
The soldiers had a group of the worker creatures on the ground, jamming rifles into their backs and demanding information. One of the soldiers, a young Xenian man without a helmet, stood at the entrance, bewildered, but horrified, for he was the only one who saw the outlandish party pass before his eyes. He opened his mouth and his hands began to shake.
“Freeze…” he muttered, raising his weapon.
Damocles stared the soldier coldly in the eye as Exander and Spaide blasted three of the others. Sensing their unavoidable end, the remaining two dashed past the group. Supporting herself on Vincent’s shoulder, Gaia spiraled and kicked one in the head. The soldier fell down, unconscious. The other guard dropped his rifle and—raising his arms—ran down the stairway five steps at a time.
“No!” Exander pushed away Spaide’s revolver. He then kicked up a small crate that lay in the landing, and while it was in midair, kicked it again, sending the box after the fugitive. The crate smashed against the soldier’s head more than two hundred feet away.
Spaide scoffed. “Why didn’t I think of that?”
“No need for bloodshed,” Exander said, mocking Gaia. He then turned to the captive workers. “Go.”
The creatures got up and ran away.
“Well?” Damocles said to the Xenian soldier who practically collapsed from anxiety as his comrades fell down within seconds. He continued to stand there, wavering.
“Are you going to shoot me?” the big guy demanded.
The Xenian docilely dropped his weapon and stepped back, raising his arms.
“Let’s move.” Exander continued, ignoring the soldier.
They finally reached the street.
“ATTENTION ALL CRAFT,” the announcement passed through the intercoms, “REMAIN DOCKED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. FAILURE TO COMPLY WILL RESULT IN DRASTIC ACTION.”
“Blend in,” Exander warned as he snatched a hooded jacket from one of the vendors, “and conceal your weapons.”
“I’ll try,” the big guy grunted, holding his unconscious master over his shoulder and carrying three swords. “What about Vincent?”
“He’s the least of our problems. I think we’re the only non-military Xenians on this planet.”
Cruisers in the shape of a winged van floated over the street, hosting countless soldiers that scouted the crowd below.
Their heads down, the party made their way through the busy boulevard.
“There.” Exander pointed at a building ahead, turning off his navigation device. Part of their docked ship was visible glistening on the roof.
They shoved the pedestrians aside, turned into an alley alongside the building, and neared the side entrance. Exander and Damocles hurried ahead, followed by Gaia and Spaide. Vincent came last, looking over his shoulder. But just as he was about to enter the staircase, an array of blasts hit the open door over his head, forcing him to duck. He raised his rifle and began exchanging fire with the squad of troops that followed them.
“Come on, you fool!” Spaide grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him inside.
“Why is everyone stretching out my collar?” Vincent fussed as they began ascending. “It’s the only shirt I’ve got!”
“They’re going to surround the building,” Exander said.
“They’ll have soldiers on the roof before we get there,” Spaide added.
By the time the party reached the third floor, the pursuers entered the staircase and began to shoot at them from below.
“This oughtta slow ’em down,” Spaide said and threw down a round device. As they reached a safe distance, he pressed the button on his detonator, collapsing the lower portion of the stairs.
“We have to make sure the ship is on when we board it,” Exander said. “So we can take off faster.”
Spaide cleared his throat. “They might—”
Exander shot him a quick look. “Damn it, Spaide!”
“Dagoneth, start the ship!” the Dirsalian yelled into his transmitter. “Happy? I wouldn’t be surprised if that hunk of metal invites the Imperials aboard.”
As they reached the sixteenth floor, they heard more soldiers coming down to greet them.
“Stop!” Exander halted the party.
“What do you want to do?” Spaide asked. “Engage them?”
“No, we’ll cut through to the other stairwell and make our way up,” Exander replied, approaching the door.
Spaide neared the railing and looked up. “There’re too many from the sound of it,” he said. “I hope that path leads us there.”
Exander kicked the door. The entry opened a way into a long corridor, its right sid
e lined with oversized windows made of thick glass that provided a view of the spaceport. After making sure it was safe, the team locked the door and hurried to the other end.
“Wait!” Exander stopped halfway through, once again sensing danger. “Get down!” he screamed, jumping backwards and toppling his brother along with Duell.
A rocket cracked through the window and exploded into the wall several feet away, covering their path in dust and debris. There was a helicopter outside with four Imperial soldiers: two pilots and a couple of gunners firing at them from the side door—one of them with a rocket launcher over his shoulder.
“Run!” Exander knelt down, pulled out his blaster, and began shooting back.
Spaide swiftly made his way across the rubble, shooting at the assailants, while Damocles ran through with Duell. The Dirsalian took out one soldier and Exander the other, leaving the pilot and the gunner with the rocket launcher.
“Go!” Exander yelled at Vincent and Gaia for lagging. As they lurched forward, another rocket struck the hallway, tearing a portion of the building apart.
Gaia screamed as the blast collapsed the floor beneath her feet, dragging her down. Vincent managed to clasp her wrist at the last second.
The blast created a huge gap between them and the rest of the party, taking out several floors.
“Damn you!” Exander stood up and furiously blasted away. A hole appeared in the pilot’s helmet, and he fell on the dashboard, crashing the helicopter into a nearby building.
The gunner managed to jump out and extend his parachute, but several shots from Spaide turned him into a corpse floating over the city.
Vincent used his strength to pull the Princess up. She worriedly hugged him as she reached the top. He then glanced over at his liability: the gap was over twenty feet wide, and the sound of soldiers descending the stairs made it impossible to turn back.
“Damocles!” Exander cried out to his brother. “You’ll have to get them!”
As the big man turned around, blasts came through the locked door behind Vincent and Gaia. The soldiers were already there. They were trapped!
Gaia swallowed. “This can’t be it,” she said. She pulled out her blaster and began shooting at the door.
Vincent looked at her and instead of the rebellious Princess saw a helpless young girl ready to meet her doom. The weight was on his shoulders again—he had to do something. “Not today,” he said as he wrapped his arm around her waist, ran forward, and leapt. He jumped like he’d never jumped before—as if some force inside boosted him to fly.
They landed next to the twins.
The brothers exchanged shocked glances.
“You’ve got a lot of explaining to do,” Exander said to Vincent as they continued on their way.
*
The soldiers entered through the shattered door but stopped short before the gap.
The escaping party was out of sight.
“Turn back!” the commanding officer shouted. “We’ll engage them on the roof!” They turned around and stormed back to the staircase.
*
“Dagoneth, prepare to lower the gangway!” Spaide screamed into his radio.
They made their way up, staying close to the wall because of the continuous blasts from ascending soldiers. When they finally reached the roof access, Spaide kicked open the exit door and stuck out the barrel of his gun. After there was no reaction, he peeked out. “Six soldiers to the left,” he said, “headin’ for the ship.”
“Cover my back.” Exander passed Spaide onto the rooftop and darted at the soldiers.
As the troops raised their guns at their bold assailant, Spaide came out with his revolver-blasters. Before they knew what was going on, four of them were down. Exander came hacking down on the fifth, spun around, and cut the last one apart.
“Everyone inside!” Exander sheathed his bloody sword, pulled out his blaster, and stood beside the ramp as Spaide, Damocles, Duell, and Gaia entered the ship.
Enemy fighters and gunships were approaching fast from afar.
“Hurry!” Exander yelled at Vincent and ran after the others.
As Vincent was nearing the entrance, blasts whizzed over his shoulder. The troops flocked out of the other roof access, feverishly discharging their guns. Vincent whirled around and began shooting back.
“Vincent!” Gaia cried out.
Vincent realized he was the last one. The rush of adrenaline had misplaced him from reality. He hurried up the ramp just as the Serpent began lifting off.
“Raise the ramp!” Exander cried out to the robot, blasting away.
The gate finally closed, and the party rushed to the cockpit. Damocles stopped in the cabin to lay his master on the couch and strap him with safety belts.
“Tend to me later,” Duell slurred out, closing his eyes.
“Shields to full power!” Spaide commanded, jumping behind the wheel. “Now scram, Dagoneth!”
“We’re going to have to redirect some energy into offensive.” Exander took his place in the co-pilots chair, pushing on certain switches. “Dagoneth, turn on the turrets.”
The droid stopped in confusion from the multiple commands.
“Damn robot,” Spaide fussed. “Retire after you turn on the cannons!”
“As you wish, sir,” the machine responded.
“Princess, Vincent.” Exander whirled around. “There are two gun turrets on either side of the cabin. I need you two blasting away any enemy ship you see. I’ll control the main gun while Spaide gets us out of here.”
Gaia nodded and ran to do her duty.
“Wait a minute,” Vincent said. “I don’t know how to use it.”
“Damocles is too big to maneuver in the turret, so you’ll have to,” Spaide added in a hurry. “Besides, Dagoneth will turn everythin’ on for you. Just point and shoot.”
“Like this!” Exander said, pushing the knob on his controls. The gun atop the cockpit released a ball of energy at the approaching helicopter, blowing it into tiny shards.
“Okay,” Vincent muttered as his heart began pounding in excitement once more. He hurried to the deck and proceeded up the rungs to the tower.
The turret was an octagonal cylinder with windows made of thick glass. The chair with the controls and the gun were attached to a revolving floor—allowing the gunner to fully rotate.
Vincent jumped in the chair and strapped himself in. “Oh, yeah,” he said, grabbing the control handles. Multiple screens appeared on the glass surface before him, displaying the sky from every angle. He jerked the wheel to the left, and the entire turret turned. “I’m in a friggin sci-fi movie,” he said, still trying to conceive what he was about to do.
As he got familiar with the turret, he didn’t become aware that the fighters were hot on their trail, beginning to attack.
“This isn’t a damn movie,” Spaide’s said through the intercom. “Now, take aim, and the very second the guns are activated, I want you to shoot like crazy!”
Vincent cleared his throat. “Right,” he said, changing his tone to a more serious one.
An Imperial frigate was dead ahead. Nevertheless, rather than avoiding it, the crazy Dirsalian flew straight at the battleship.
“We can’t take on that ship!” Damocles cautioned.
Spaide exchanged looks with his first mate; Exander bit his lower lip and nodded.
“Yes, we can,” Spaide said and accelerated.
The frigate opened its bay, and several fighter ships headed down.
Vincent turned the turret towards the gaining squadron composed of half a dozen fighters. He set his sight on the nearest one and waited.
“Battlestation operational,” Dagoneth’s computerized voice said after a second. “Fire at will.”
Small crosshairs appeared on the display screen.
“Okay, here we go…” Vincent targeted the nearest ship and pushed the buttons on top of the controls. The cannon released two green blasts: the first one raised the enemy fighter’s energy shi
eld, and the second blew it to bits. “Great! I can get used to this.” He targeted another. The second ship met the same fate. Several more ships blew up—the work of Gaia.
Two more remained in pursuit.
Vincent shot several blasts at one of them, striking the ship in the wing. The pilot lost control, and the vessel exploded into the other.
A small image of Gaia appeared in the left-hand screen. “Nice going, Vincent.”
He shrugged. “Beginner’s luck,” he said, surprised at himself.
“Stay alert,” Spaide said. “More approachin’ from the east,”
Vincent rotated the tower to the left and waited.
Exander had his own share of action as the mighty frigate produced fighters and rockets that flew down to meet the approaching Serpent. His hands knew no pause: he shot at every moving object in their path. The windshield was pummeled with more fragments of metal than enemy blasts.
Despite the assault, Spaide increased speed.
“We’re going to crash!” Damocles shouted into his ear.
“No we’re not!”
“Spaide!”
Spaide leaned over and pushed a button, sending a rocket at the frigate. At the last second, he jerked the helm, and the Serpent passed over the enemy vessel just as the missile found its target.
There was a series of chain explosions and the frigate blew up, taking out the other fighters in its vicinity.
Exander let go of his controls and flexed his fingers. “Nice work.”
“They we’re so busy shootin’ at us they neglected raisin’ their own shield,” Spaide said in confidence.
“I swear, I’ll never doubt you again,” Exander said.
“Yeah.” Spaide scoffed. “That’s what you said the last time.”
“Now let’s hope our gunners take out the tail.”
Gaia was a natural shooter. She never ceased to surprise the team, taking out enemy fighters one by one. Vincent managed to take out several on his own, but was no match to her skill.
