Lasher reached for something beside an assortment of gear. He held up an earthen vase, painted in an assortment of reds and greens over the brown pottery. “Tradition was for him to have his ashes scattered over the Athalon, but I thought he would find more rest here. I'm very sorry.”
She dropped her helmet, tears like twin rivers finding their way to the ground as she took the pot, kneeling with it held against her chest. “How did he die?”
“Like he lived.” Tears of pain and joy raced down Lasher’s cheek. “As a lion.”
“Did you avenge him?”
Lasher helped her up, kissing her on the forehead. “And then some. In that box is all his gear. I'm sure Nikko would have wanted it.”
“Nikko, what will I tell Nikko?”
“He already knows.”
She cleared her eyes, recovering the pride she’d walked up with. “Of course, he does. Space magic. Could we convince you to stay for a while? Nikko would love to spend some time with you. We're a little short on family at the moment.”
Lasher bowed. “I would be honored, as long as you could accommodate one more guest.”
“Of course, your guest is ours as well.”
“I really wish you had said that a bit softer.” Lasher said, grimacing.
The pool behind them splashed meters into the air with the rapid introduction of a playful monster mech. Lions scattered in all directions, nearly upending the rovers parked down the slope to escape the enormous panther.
“I am Doom-Splasher!”
Orin rolled his eyes. “We’ll try not to overstay our welcome.”
KODORAM MOON – PLANET SEREDOR – FRONTIER SPACE
“Why did we have to leave Sadosia so soon?”
“You broke their couch,” Lasher responded.
“The lion broke the couch.”
“You were wrestling with the lion.”
“Who broke the couch. It smells like old dead feet down here,” Fluff remarked.
“Where has your nose been?” Lasher asked.
Fluff snorted. “Apparently, nowhere good.”
They approached the nondescript door at the end of the tunnel access, weary of booby traps or camouflaged security systems.
“Can you hack the door?”
Fluff stabbed his tendrils through both sides of the portal, tearing it from the frame with ease.
“What if there was explosives?” Lasher asked his impulsive friend.
“You wouldn't be standing here to ask that question. I'd probably be okay, though.”
The two proceeded into the medical station. Working over a systems board, they brought life support from continuous to resuscitation protocol. The ceramaclear cylinder in the center of the room canted, bringing its occupant to a position that would make walking from the bed simpler. Gases vented onto the floor as the hatch opened.
“Seems we've run into a bit of trouble if the cypher-link and the panamorphic environment is down. How long have I been out?”
Lasher pushed his pistol against the man's head.
“Damn. Orin Lashra.”
“Don't forget me!” Fluff said through his murderous grin.
Anaxis scowled. “I was just about to ask where your troublesome robotic partner was.”
“Orin, he called me partner! The last one called me a pet.”
Anaxis looked perplexed and scared. It was an expression the duo was becoming accustomed to witnessing.
“You have one chance to keep me from shooting you in the head. Gorgon Protocol. Where is it?” Lasher asked.
“How many times have you killed me?”
“Wow! He asks that question every time,” Fluff said.
“Where?” Lasher demanded.
“That many, huh? Do you know what it is?”
“We do.”
Anaxis shook his head. “Then you know why I can't tell you.”
The round savaged the man's skull, painting the wall with metallic flak covered in brain matter, blowing him back into his bed.
“Eventually you'll get to one that'll talk.”
“Truth be told, Fluff, I'd rather they fight back a bit. Still, it's not so much about finding the stupid protocol as it is to make sure we wipe out every copy of him once and for all.”
“Good thing you read his mind before the original got swallowed,” Fluff commented. “Finding these places on our own would have been murder. Anyway, that's four down. How many more?”
“Next one is in the CORAL, but I was thinking we take a break for a field trip,” Lasher offered.
“Yes! Where to?”
“Doeseidos.”
Fluff gasped. “Can we do the safari for the Dragomidon? I mean, I don’t really want to kill it anymore, I just want a selfie.”
Lasher turned to regard his friend. “You want to take on one of the most dangerous creatures in the universe for a selfie?”
“I mean, we can take video, too.”
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ALSO IN THE HUNTER’S MOON SERIES
THE MONGREL
THE REVENANT
THE SENTINEL
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