by Troy Snyder
“No. Thank you for this,” He said gesturing to the wound. “I refuse to heal it. I will wear this scar proudly in honor of a great warrior.”
The two men shook hands in the earthly fashion and went their separate ways. Antonio and Alexander headed down a smaller elevator and toward their barrack room. They were brought food as they had been before and after they ate they prepared for their trip to the planet’s surface.
Alexander felt a knot in his stomach. The task at hand, though smaller in the big picture of things, was still daunting. He had never attempted to negotiate a peace between groups of people, let alone two races of beings. He sat on the bottom edge of a double bunk and looked to his friends. The Demon Boys had grown in reputation here as well, mostly due to Alexander and Antonio taking out two parties of Dwarves, Alexander injuring Athils, and Trent stealing and flying a Broushin ship.
All the humans left the barrack blocks together and headed toward the hangar. They all wore the same military issued kit that was meant for the Craxi warriors, fitted for them by the Valkyries. The brown tunic fit snugly and the dark brown leather pants were a bit long but were held in place by the strong soled boots. Draped over their shoulders was a thick fur and leather cloak, the images of Earth showed rain. No one but Alexander and Antonio had been allowed to wear braces, but Alexander hand snuck his smaller brace into Trent’s bag tied to his waist.
James was given a tonic to help with his air sickness and Trent was given the most honorary gift according to the Craxi, one of Odin’s own goats, and both received shields in honor. The shields were trimmed in bright gold, six lines formed into the center and the shield’s boss connected the lines, it was another piece of bright gold, but the gold was somehow strengthened to be stronger than steel, and lighter. Between the lines was painted carum wood, the strongest tree on the Craxi home world, all hand painted with intricate designs.
Once the group reached the hangar they met up with Odin. Odin had his two light elves with him, both eyed Trent angrily, but tried not to show it. Odin had also chosen Athils and Raixo to guard him on the expedition. The large catwalk that they met on above the ships and men below had an amazing view Alexander had to admit and asked which ship they would be taking and in response received a point from Odin.
In the back corner of the hangar the floor began to open. A ship raised from the depths in a shape Alexander remembered from history class. It was in the shape of a very prominent symbol. “Mjolnir,” He said.
“Not quite,” Odin said raising an eyebrow. “That is an older model much outdated. Thor named it as he was not only the first to pilot it but was also the best. We don’t make small combat crafts like that one anymore. If any planet does battle in space we do so with large ships. The small crafts are for landing troops only.”
“So, Thor’s hammer wasn’t actually a hammer?” James asked.
“No, Mjolnir was a ship. Thor fought with sword and shield.”
“So Gungnir, it does not have the ability to control lighting like Mjolnir was supposed to?” Alexander cut in gesturing toward the weapon Odin carried. Odin was dressed in full armor. His entire left arm was covered in the metal that up brace, and Alexander realized that was his brace, the power was overwhelming.
“No weapon does. You thought Mjolnir was a hammer?”
“Human mythology.”
“I see, maybe I will learn more one day. Well let’s go talk to your leaders; it appears our ship is ready.”
Following Odin, the entire party made their way to the end of the catwalk and down onto the hangar floor. The Ship was larger close up than Alexander had thought. Just the smaller end, which was opened with a ramp leading into a storage area, was large enough to fit an Abrams tank and more. It truly was a ship meant for Craxi.
All the men got on board, but Alexander asked Odin to stay back so they may talk.
“Odin, I think it’s best when we land if I walk out alone first. We don’t want them thinking we’re invading. I can signal you when it’s clear.” Alexander said looking up at the white bearded giant.
“Very well,” Odin said. “I have a question for you though. What will you do if your people decline our offer for peace and unity?”
“I don’t know.” Alexander decided it was best to be honest.
“We shall return to the question if it comes to that.” With that Odin gestured Alexander on board.
After everyone was loaded on, the ship began to hover above the deck of the hangar. The endless swirls on the bottom lit up green with pure energy keeping the ship afloat. After waiting for clearance two circles in the rear of the ship opened up and began to glow blue, they gained energy and soon the ship was speeding forward through the abyss of space.
The planet was drawing nearer as the ship sped along. Alexander, the only human allowed on the flight deck, stared out at the approaching planet with a mix of nervousness and determination. As the ship broke into the atmosphere the heat on the outside began to build and the pilots closed a shield over the window. They cruised into the atmosphere leaving behind a train of smoke. It was picked up by the humans, missiles were fired.
The pilots picked up the incoming objects as soon as they were fired. With no weaponry on their ship they were seemingly defenseless and the missiles fell in behind them, closing the distance quickly. Both pilots began yelling and maneuvering the ship as best they could to try and lose the pursuing missiles.
“Bring the ship as close to the water as you can,” Alexander yelled over them.
Odin nodded, he wanted to see what the human would do, and the pilots did as they were ordered. Alexander nodded his thanks and headed to the storage bay where his men waited.
Alexander barged through the storage door and shouted to the first Craxi warrior he saw, “Tell the pilots to open the bay door.”
The Craxi warrior ran to the flight deck to give the order.
“What’s going on?” James demanded.
“Our friends decided to throw us a welcome home party.” As the bay door opened they saw the missiles not far off. “Here come the fireworks.”
Water was so close under the ship they could reach out off the end of the bay door ramp and touch it. James’s face went pale, he knew something crazy was about to happen, and he downed the rest of the tonic he had been given.
“I know you’re planning something crazy,” He said. “Let’s do this.”
Alexander looked to James and gave him a smile. “Now you’re talking like a Demon Boy. How do you feel about water skiing?”
Alexander called Antonio over to him and explained his plan. Antonio nodded, but he seemed disappointed in his role. Both Alexander and Antonio stood at the end of the opened bay door and watched the water rushing beneath them. They both crouched slightly then formed a triangle on their right hands. They braced themselves and mentally prepared. One slip up and their friends were gone. Trent took hold of Alexander’s triangle, James took Antonio’s, and their hands were enveloped.
Both Antonio and Alexander let out a long rope made out of the metal to give them room for the jump. Trent took the bright silver shield in his other hand and looked out toward the water.
“I’ve wanted to do this for a long time. Well, without the missiles, or a space ship, but you know what I mean.” Trent said.
Trent threw off his cloak as the others had and let out another of his joyous shouts whenever he did something crazy and jumped into the air. Midair he placed the shield under his feet and then he hit the water. The rope connecting to Alexander snapped taunt pulling him off balance. He regained it and let out a grunt trying to keep his friend steady. James followed his friend in with less enthusiasm.
Alexander felt as if his arm was going to be torn out of the socket as his friend glided over the water. He ran the metal over his arm and it lent him strength. Noticing the movement Antonio followed suit. Both men began to let the rope out more and more sending their friends toward the oncoming missiles. Alexander looked to Antonio, sweat was
beginning to form on his friend’s brow, the brace was draining both their energy fast, they had to hurry.
Trent came alongside his missile first. As planned he raised him arm into the air to show he had reached the goal. Alexander concentrated even further and Trent saw the metallic liquid from the handle he was holding begin to crawl up his arm. It went around his shoulders and up his arm forming into an elongated blade on his hand. As instructed he put all his strength into it and sliced downward at the end of the missile. The blade cut through it like butter and the end went flying off, dropping into the water and slamming down in an explosive spray.
Water covered the bay door in a slippery layer. The explosion of spray from the downed missile sent a shock wave right to James, who had yet to reach his own missile, but rather was sliding from side to side with not much control. James jerked to the side sharply from the blast tugging on the handle. It jerked Antonio who lost his footing and began to slide toward the end of the ramp. His foot slid off, followed by the rest of his body.
Alexander shot out another metallic rope from his free hand faster than he ever thought possible grabbing Antonio around the waist. At first Alexander thought Antonio was going to release his own cord connecting to James, but he did not. Antonio grabbed the tether around his waist and stood himself up beginning to ski on his heels. James miraculously was still on his shield, but Alexander knew the plan had failed, he needed to bring them in, now.
The weight was becoming too much to bear, Alexander’s legs were beginning to shake in exhaustion. As if matters could not get worse, he thought to himself, he was beginning to slide. Alexander leaned back against the weight and began to reel in his men before it was too late. It took all his concentration to do so, he could not risk taking steps back to pull and risk slipping and falling in with them.
As Alexander began to slip forward more he felt something pull on the back of his tunic. Turning his head Alexander could see Trent’s goat. Its teeth were clamped tight on the back of his tunic and the goat was straining with all its effort to keep Alexander in place. Sweat trickled down the back of his neck and he could feel the energy slipping from him, he was near the point of giving out.
Defeat threatened to overwhelm Alexander when a gigantic figure appeared in the corner of his vision. Raixo’s gigantic hands clamped down on the ropes and he began to pull the three men in. With his help Alexander made it off the ramp onto the dry platform of the storage bay. He began to bring in his friends with all his might. As soon as they got close enough, one by one Raixo helped the men back onto the ship.
Hugin and Munin entered the storage bay to find the Demon Boys, Raixo, and the goat sprawled out on the floor panting. They only checked to ensure the goat was safe, much to Alexander’s curiosity. Then both looked up and saw one missile still following and hurried to update Odin. The ship took a sharp turn and gained altitude. The missile followed continuing to close the distance.
In seconds the ship was over Washing D.C. and buildings began to fly by underneath. All of them knew they needed to get rid of the missile, but at the same time not harm the citizens. People below began to point and stare as the ship went by with blurring speed followed by a missile. Some ran, some stared in awe, and some cheered the missile on.
Antonio was the first on his feet. He stared out the opening in the rear of the ship and saw the missile was almost on them. By now the ship had gained enough altitude for the missile to go off without harming anyone or anything. Antonio made his choice. He began to sprint down the ramp toward the edge. Alexander and the others yelled after him, but there was nothing they could do, Antonio leapt off the edge.
With the last of his energy Antonio wrapped a metal rope around the missile and pulled himself in. He covered his entire body in the metal, he and the missile were in a game of chicken, he thought. Before he knew it, the missile was on him. He slammed his fist straight into it with as much force as he could muster and it blew.
Chapter 12:
Alexander’s heart stopped as he saw the explosion. He stood at the edge of ramp in a mix of shock and terror. Just when he felt like jumping himself, he spotted the suits metal. It was hard to see in the now cloudy rain, but it was there. It may not be as strong as the ones he wore, but Antonio wore a brace that was stronger than any human metal. Alexander watched the figure fall, he knew Antonio would survive, but he did not know in what condition, he had used so much energy already.
Alexander fell back and let out a long sigh of relief, his friend was safe. Trent was given a quick order to tell Odin they should continue on, they were not far from the white house and Antonio could either catch up, or they would collect him after the meeting. They storage bay door was shut and Alexander began to make his way to the cockpit.
Inside the two pilots looked thoroughly relieved. Rain beat down hard on the windshield and the sky was darkened by clouds. The ship was traveling much slower now and all the men in the cockpit could see the people below stopping and pointing again. Soon the people were off the street and only military checkpoints could be seen as they neared the white house. At Alexander’s suggestion the pilots flew close to the buildings so the tanks would not fire at risk of harming those inside.
The ship glided right above the road, knocking over many light poles and stop lights in its way. As the white house came into view, the ship turned so the back end was facing the front of the building and landed. Immediately it was surrounded by armed men as Alexander thought. He was low on energy, but at risk of being killed he would have to cover himself in the suit.
Alexander made his way from the cockpit with Odin and his two elves.
“You know I could have blasted those missiles with energy, correct?” Odin said smiling at him.
“Why didn’t you say anything?” Alexander demanded.
“I wanted to see what you would do.” He said as he entered the storage bay.
Back in the storage bay Antonio’s absence was noticeable. James and Trent hung their heads in worry and even though Antonio annoyed Raixo, even he was worried about the human. No one spoke as the back entrance of the ship was opened and formed a ramp to the ground. The men surrounding the ship raised their weapons.
The walk down the ramp seemed as if in slow motion to Alexander. He was covered in the suit, but this time it was no simple stealth outfit. The helmet was conical and fell down to cover the back of his neck. Cheek guards protected his face and a piece of it went down over his nose ending in a diamond shaped point. Eagle wings of dark grey shot upward from the sides and an amethyst facemask of energy covered his face, seemingly weak, but impenetrable.
Alexander’s shoulders were guarded by three layered pieces of dark grey metal wrapping around. The chest was a seemingly endless chain linked vest of the metal. The arms were covered by plain silver metal leading into thick dark grey gloves with spiked knuckles. Another layered set of three covered his waist and sides of his legs. Underneath this layer was another layer of the endless chain link armor and the boots coming half way up his shins completed the suit. All together wearing the suit, to those around him, he seemed quite menacing.
As Alexander’s foot hit the ground, a nervous soldier’s finger slipped. A bullet slammed into the shoulder of the armor and ricocheted off into the ground. The hit made Alexander stagger, his concentration and energy were waning making the suit lose strength. Commanders quickly called a ceasefire and silence filled the air with tension. The only noise came from the rain pattering on the ship and ground.
“I am Lance Corporal Alexander Grayson Cooper of the Demon Boys,” Alexander called. The helmet made his voice seem alien to himself. “I’m here to negotiate a peace between them,” He gestured to the ship, “And humanity. I wish to speak to the President.”
Met only with stillness Alexander began to get frustrated. With the mask he wore he could see faces all around staring him down, waiting for orders. He zoomed in toward the white house. Faces appeared looking out the windows, they stared and points whis
pering to one another.
A man stepped from the crowd and Alexander’s stomach sank. Frank was striding towards him in his suit. A man followed behind him carrying an umbrella while he himself was subject to the rain. Also, behind them were the two other franks, dressed in military uniforms carrying rifles with fingers on the triggers. Alexander knew if they used them he would not be able to withstand the shots; his armor was about to fall and he was ready to collapse. With each passing second, he could feel his energy draining away.
Frank stopped in front of Alexander and looked at the man in the armor. He kept his face blank of expression. “Alexander, I see you have failed your mission.”
Alexander let the armor fall completely and he visibly let out a sigh of relief. Frank was slightly caught off guard by the outfit he wore and he showed a hint of surprise, Alexander smiled inwardly to himself. “My mission,” He said with a hint of anger, “Was foolish. These are not the same ones that destroyed Mexico City and they only fought back after we destroyed some of their ships. I’m here to negotiate a peace between our peoples in hopes of going after the one who did.”
After a moment Frank came to a decision, “Follow me.” He said walking toward the white house.
With a signal Odin and Raixo appeared on the ramp. The sight of the near eight-foot-tall aliens sent a wave of fear through the ranks of the surrounding soldiers, but they did not raise their weapons again. Following Odin and Raixo were Hugin and Munin along with James, Trent, and the goat, who never left Trent’s side. The group made its way toward the white house and their meeting with the president.
As the party walked through the halls, people within stared and the tension was palpable. All Alexander could do was hope the situation did not escalate. He was exhausted, all he wanted to do was get this over with and sleep, but a feeling in his stomach told him this was not going to go as smoothly as he hoped.
After being led through the tension filled halls the group finally reached the oval office. Frank told them to wait and he entered alone. Moments later he reemerged and motioned them in. The group entered and their fur cloaks continued to drip on the carpet as they came to a halt, but luckily their boots had been cleaned on the carpet throughout the walk to the office instead of in it.
