The StarFuries came about for another round of laser fire and missiles, which only resulted in the Titan screaming in frustration and breaking the ice. It slammed a foot into the ground with tremendous force and all four of those on the ground lost their balance. The Titan then screamed so loudly that the sound waves sent Ryonna crashing against the nearest wall, cracking a few ribs in the process.
Then the Titan turned towards Argos, who was back on his feet and already launching himself towards the beast at full speed. He punched once more in the air but the glacial air current had almost no effect this time, most of the water on the Titan having being shaken off when it smashed the ground.
The Titan’s reaction was immediate and it smashed Argos in midair with both palms. The shock was so powerful that Argos’ body exploded on impact, sending waves of body parts in every direction.
“NOOOOOOOOOOOO!” shouted Chase as he fell to his knees. The full realization of what had just happened blackened his soul once more. In thirty seconds Sarah would die and there was nothing he could do. Argos had been obliterated and Chase could not heal him.
Anger rose within him, but the full power of his emotions was now useless. He entered rage mode, but he didn’t know what to do with the tremendous amount of power running within him.
“Chase!” cried Aphroditis. “Quick! Smash the stone on your pendant. It will reverse time by forty seconds. Make sure Argos doesn’t get hit this time.”
A shiver running through every atom of Chase’s body, he snatched the pendant and crushed it in his hand. Then everything changed. Time seemed to slow down and then reverse. When it resumed its normal course, Chase grabbed Fillio’s StarFury with his mind, ejected her from the cockpit and threw the ship towards Argos, just before he was smashed by the Titan, who hit only air this time. He then took control of Daniel’s StarFury, ejected Daniel as he had Fillio a moment before and danced the starfighter all around the Titan, firing every laser, missile and torpedo at it, making sure the Titan devoted all its attention towards the craft.
He reached Ryonna’s mind and told her to fire the staff at the Titan’s legs. She moaned, trying to get back to her feet, but she managed to direct the staff as instructed and shot another beam of yellow energy that struck the Titan right below the knees. She held the staff and lowered it a little. Soon the Titan’s legs were trapped in a thick layer of brown stone.
Chase then sent the next telepathic command to Tar’Lock, who sprang into action and fired the typhoon at the beast’s back with his trident. He ran as fast as he could. He felt Ares’ presence again within him, which seemed to give his speed a tremendous boost. In an instant he had circled the Titan fully and covered it in water.
Argos did not need any instruction as he flew in the air above the Titan, both arms glowing a bright blue as he unleashed the most powerful shockwave he could muster, putting nearly all his remaining energy into that blast. The result instantly transformed the Titan into a statue of ice.
Chase then touched the red energy and let it send more fire inside his body. Soon a flaming dragon materialized and whirled around him. Lightning, sparks and embers danced in the air as he took a fighting stance. He used the rage in him to power up to the maximum, bringing his energy levels beyond anything he had felt before. His hair flew upward, his eyes turned orange and in a fluid motion he threw his punch forward, and with it the flaming dragon unfolded from around him and shot towards the iced Titan. It punched through ice and stone and impaled the Titan, before circling all around the beast like a boa constrictor. Chase intensified his aura to the maximum, unleashing a deafening war cry, and the Titan exploded from the fiery pressure unleashed upon its sub-zero, flash-frozen body. The explosion released a powerful shockwave that blew ash particles all around at incredible velocity.
The sheer impact of the explosion broke most of the arena’s walls and sent everyone but Chase and Argos flying. He caught his friends with his mind and held them in the air, protecting them with force fields.
When the dust settled, only a pile of melted ash stood in the center of the arena where the Titan once towered, a round, obsidian gem on top of it.
Argos grabbed the fist-sized stone with his telekinesis. He looked at Chase and nodded, a wide smile of contentment across his face.
Chase saw Tar’Lock fall to his knees and flew towards him.
“Are you alright?”
“Well, Ares helped but he suggested you help me with this.” He turned to show the large piece of glass firmly planted in his shoulder.
Chase took the glass out without warning.
“Aaaarg.”
“Sorry, the pain won’t last long. Hang on.”
Blood spilled from the wound at an alarming rate, but soon Chase’s healing hands patched it up and energy rushed back into Tar’Lock.
“Thanks, Chase, feeling much better.”
“No, it is I who thank you, my friend. Without your intervention, I don’t think we would have defeated the Titan.”
“I must admit I had my doubts about that. I didn’t see what we could do that you two couldn’t, but I guess powers aren’t everything.”
Daniel, Fillio and Ryonna all approached them.
“Thanks, guys. I would say you shouldn’t have come, but I would be lying.”
Daniel smiled. “A little heads-up before ejecting us from our starfighters would be nice next time.”
“I second that. I almost soiled myself,” said Fillio.
“Sorry. In the heat of the moment, I didn’t really have time to do anything but act on instinct.”
“Well, it turned out for the best, it seems. That was quite the take down.”
Chase nodded, realizing that the most difficult part of recovering Sarah was now over.
Ryonna stayed silent but Chase could tell she was in pain.
“Mind if I take care of your wounds?”
“It’s just some broken ribs. I’ll be fine.”
“Be that as it may,” said Chase, approaching her and resting his palms on her side. “It will just take a second.”
“Laiyos! When you’re done celebrating with your friends, we have to go,” shouted Argos from afar.
“He’s a hoot. Felt like closing his yapper much in the last few hours?” asked Daniel with a chuckle.
“You have no idea. He’s insufferable.”
“Still, you seem less hateful towards him, or am I reading it wrong?”
Was he? Chase didn’t know. For now all that mattered was to make sure he would hold Sarah and the unborn Chris in his arms soon. The rest seemed to be background noise, no matter how difficult it had been.
“I think he’ll get what he deserves soon enough. Right now I can’t think about that, not while he still has Sarah’s life in his hands.”
“About that. He might not fulfill his end of the bargain. You realize that?”
“I’ll make him. I’m no longer afraid of him. I know I can beat him now.”
“I hope you know what you’re doing.”
“So do I, my friend, so do I.”
Chase arrived back on the bridge of the Iron Fire.
“Welcome back, Chase,” said Aphroditis with a smile.
“Thanks, and thank you for the pendant. I’m sorry I had to destroy it.”
“It was unavoidable under the circumstances. I’m glad you succeeded in your mission. Now we should go get Sarah. I . . .”
“What is it?”
Argos was only a few steps behind, so she decided not to tell Chase about her latest vision.
“Nothing, I’m fine.”
She caught a glimpse of the obsidian stone in Argos’ hand. “So that’s what he wanted, the Pandora stone.”
“Do you know what it’s for?”
“All I know is that nothing good can come from his possessing it, otherwise it wouldn’t have been protected by one of the last Titans in existence.”
“I see. I wish I knew what he intends to do next, but I must admit all I care about is seeing Sarah again.”
“I understand, Chase. And soon you will.”
Argos cleared his throat to get his brother’s attention.
“What do you want?”
“We should get going.”
“I have some conditions, though.”
“I already have what I want. You’re unable to impose anything anymore.”
“Nonetheless, am I right in assuming that you still need Aphroditis’ help?”
“That’s correct.”
“She is not to be harmed, or I let her go this instant.”
“And let Sarah die? I don’t think so. You’re terrible at bluffing, you know?”
Chase’s eyes hardened and flashed amethyst briefly.
“Alright, she won’t be harmed. What else do you want? I’m feeling particularly generous today.”
“I bet you are, and you can thank my friends for that. There’s no way we would have defeated this beast without their help.”
“We would have if you had used all your power.”
“I’m not so sure. I think this battle was never a matter of power.”
“Power is everything.”
“Obviously not, but you’ll learn that lesson one day.”
“So that’s all?”
“No, there’s one more thing. You have to free Sarah before you use Aphroditis for what’s next, and you must promise us safe passage from wherever it is we’re going next.”
“Done and done.”
Chase was surprised by how easily Argos had agreed to his terms. Something didn’t feel right. But he had no choice but to let his fate unfold. He had already reached the point of no return.
“Where do we go next?”
“Not too far. Let me enter the coordinates into your ship’s computer.” Once that was done he added, “You can jump whenever you want. I’ll be in your ready room.”
As Argos left, Chase turned back to Aphroditis.
“Anything you wanted to tell me?”
“It wouldn’t change anything now. Just a word of advice.”
“I’m listening.”
“Forgive yourself when the time comes, but promise me you won’t let the darkness win.”
“You have my word, but I don’t like the sound of that.”
“What comes next is unavoidable now.”
“What is coming next?”
“The beginning of the end.”
Chase joined his friends in the mess hall.
“Hey, guys.”
“Chase,” said Daniel, “come sit with us. You must be tired. Now it’s time to rest a little and blow off some steam. Have we jumped to hyperspace?”
“Yes, soon we’ll arrive where Argos is holding Sarah. I’ve launched a drone to let the Alliance know where we went, just in case they come after us.”
“I wouldn’t count on that,” said Fillio. “Admiral Thassos isn’t as forgiving as Commodore Saroudis. We’ve already lost our commissions with the Earth Alliance, I can guarantee that.”
Chase didn’t like the sound of that. “I’m sorry, guys. I didn’t want to get you in trouble for helping me.”
“You didn’t want our help,” reminded Ryonna. “We decided to come and we did it knowing full well the consequences.”
“Perhaps there’s a way to change the admiral’s mind, if I surrender myself and take all the blame. I could tell her I forced you to do this. That way she could go easy on the rest of you.”
“No way!” objected Daniel. “We’ll face the music, whatever the consequences. Ryonna is right, you made it clear you wanted to do this alone.”
“And yet without your help I would have failed. I don’t know how I will ever repay you. Thank you, every one of you.”
Chase sat next to Keera. “You alright?”
“You have amazing friends.”
“I’m glad to count you amongst them, you know that?”
“That’s sweet. What about Argos?”
“Keera, today is not the day we get to cash your warrant, but it’s only a matter of time. Once I’m sure Sarah is back home and safe, I’ll make sure Argos pays for all of this. I’m certain I can beat him now.”
“Careful. He might have been playing you all along.”
“What do you mean? I beat him twice already. I think I can do it again.”
“Nevertheless, something doesn’t add up. He might have an ace up his sleeve.”
“Thanks for the advice. I’ll be careful.”
“When we return to Earth, I suppose I should be on my way and resume my activities.”
“You’re welcome to stay with us.”
“How will I make a living? I don’t think Earth requires bounty hunters.”
“You won’t need to make a living, and I’m sure we can find something for you to do that will require your abilities.”
“I’ll think about it. Thanks for the invitation.”
“Good. And you’re welcome.” Chase rose. “Everyone listen.”
They all turned their attention towards Chase.
“I’m not sure what’s coming next, but I don’t trust Argos to keep his word. The minute we have Sarah, we should be prepared for things to go wrong.”
“We’re kinda used to that by now,” said Daniel.
“Right. Still, be on your toes. I have a bad feeling.”
Spiros had received a summons from Gaia and went into the communications room. He dreaded each new conversation. He took a deep breath and stepped onto the holo-platform.
Soon he was projected into a virtual representation of Earth. The place was breathtaking. He was standing near a lake with beautiful mountains in the background. The air was pure, and there was no sign of civilization as far as the eye could see.
“Hello, Spiros.”
He turned around and was surprised to see a woman. The most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on, in fact. She wore a complex and detailed white lace robe, so fine and thin it barely covered an incredibly sexy body. Her long, green-blue hair flowed behind her at every step. She looked like the personification of nature herself.
“Gaia?”
She nodded.
“You look . . . stunning.”
“Thank you,” she said, as a bird landed on her finger.
“What is it you wanted to talk about?”
“I’ve thought long and hard about our discussions. I have decided to trust your race. When I first connected with the planet, the feelings of pain, loss and hatred overwhelmed my matrix. But you gave me food for thought. I now see that the Alliance has indeed made things better for this world, so it would be unfair of me to repay your efforts with violence or hatred.”
Spiros was simply blown away by this rather sudden change in the entity’s attitude.
“That’s good. Great news, in fact.”
“I know you’re probably looking for ways to eradicate me.”
“What makes you think that?”
“Because that’s what I would do in your place. I haven’t been the best of hosts, and I’ve threatened your existence since our first interaction. It’s a natural reaction. I get it now.”
“We would be more than glad to live in harmony with you.”
“As a gesture of good will I want to give you full access to the planetary shield. I’ve already uploaded its controls to your systems. You have full access now.”
“It’s already done?” Spiros was unable to hide his astonishment.
“Yes. I have also relinquished access to the drones. You can reclaim them as well. I am confident the shield will stop any more ships trying to destroy this planet and its inhabitants, humans included.”
Spiros was stunned by all this. It was the last thing he expected. But if his long years of life had taught him anything, it was not to take things at face value. So he welcomed this change of pace and attitude from Gaia with reservations.
“And if it doesn’t?”
“Then we’ll work on other technological solutions to protect this world. Together.”
“Thank y
ou. All we want is peace. We also want to save lives, and that includes every inhabitant of planet Earth. As well as any other planet in the universe.”
“I’m glad to hear it. It confirms that I chose well in trusting in you.”
“If you don’t mind me asking, do you really trust us?”
“All humankind? Not yet. I do trust you though. The more I become acclimated to my new feelings, the more they tell me you are a good man.”
He blushed. “I’m honored. And I must say a little surprised by this change of attitude. But it’s sure a welcome one.”
She smiled. “I am always here if you need my help. I will gladly help you construct other defensive systems if you need me to. Your inventions are great. You’re a skilled inventor, and I think you may benefit from my help from time to time.”
“I would love that, and I gladly accept your generous offer.”
“Very well, then I guess there’s not much we need to talk about for now. You know where to find me.”
“Absolutely. Thanks, Gaia.”
She smiled and vanished from the holo-projection, as did the rest of the landscape.
Spiros walked out of the communications room confused. What the hell did that all mean? Was Gaia being truthful? He knew full well they couldn’t take the chance. This could very well be an elaborate smoke screen, an attempt to make them lower their guard. So he would keep working on contingencies and making sure that, if necessary, they could still remove the entity from the equation. But for the first time in days he felt a large weight lift off his shoulders.
He decided to share the good news with the admiral.
22
The Iron Fire arrived in the Telepylos system. There was no planet in sight, but the first thing Chase noticed on the holo-screen was the behemoth-class Zarlack ship waiting for them, appearing as a giant shadow in space with the system’s dual stars shining behind it. Chase knew the Iron Fire wasn’t strong enough to survive a battle with this class of ship. Even with its newer enhancements, it was clearly outgunned. This meant they may have to run for their lives once they got Sarah back.
Argos stepped from Chase’s ready room and onto the bridge.
Universe in Flames – Ultimate 10 Book Box Set: An Epic Space Opera Adventure Page 114
