“What will you have us do?” Commander Crinnan asked, stepping up to Alec.
“Once it is safe, I need you and your wife to get out of here. I plan on making quick work of them… and take Rubaan with you. I know he means well and he wants to be there for his brother but he is no Centurion.” Commander Crinnan nodded and signaled for Ladia to get in the truck.
“We will wait for your signal.”
Alec nodded and hurried to the garage door. He gently and silently unlocked the door and then shouldered his shotgun.
“On my mark.” Alec looked to Matalo.
“This is Inquisitor Captain Mierhaas,” an amplified voice declared from the front of the shop, “Dauid Landkeeper we have you surrounded. Surrender yourself immediately and you will not be killed today.”
“They ain’t got any idea we’re here,” Matalo whispered with a grin. Alec motioned for him to keep quiet and waited.
“Alec!” Elia ran up and knelt next to him, “Your grandfather needs just a couple more minutes. Flox reports multiple interceptors coming in by land from all directions.”
“We need to get the Jamisos out of here,” Alec ordered, “Take Dierlok’s position; we are about to get violent.” Elia nodded and swapped places with Dierlok. Alec ran back and hopped in the bed of the truck with Rubaan.
“Ready?” Alec looked at his best friend’s brother. Rubaan nodded and shouldered his carbine.
“Remember what I told you,” Rubaan said, “Watch yourselves. We’re running into something you don’t understand.” Alec looked at Rubaan and placed his hand on his shoulder.
“Dierlok at Matalo’s mark open the door. Then get in the bed of the truck.” Dierlok ran to get in position at the door and Alec looked to Matalo.
“Fire at will,” Alec ordered. At that, Matalo raised his grenade launcher and took aim. It only took him a moment to find his mark and when he did, he jutted the barrel of his weapon forward, crashing through the glass of the window in front of him. He watched as some of the Inquisitors focused their attention on the broken window and then he pulled the trigger.
A grenade flew from the barrel of the weapon and collided with the middle interceptor. The interceptor exploded, blowing the two Inquisitors next to it in opposing directions and the other four onto the ground. Matalo looked at Dierlok and Dierlok lifted the door open.
“Come on!” Alec shouted as the door opened. Dierlok ran and jumped into the bed with the others and Commander Crinnan threw the truck into reverse.
“They are getting up!” Elia shouted as she opened fire, “Watch yourselves!”
“Rubaan take the left, Dierlok the right!” Alec shouted as he took position behind the tailgate, “Fire at will!”
The truck rolled out into the smoking driveway where the disoriented Inquisitors had once again found their feet. Rubaan opened fire, hitting one in the chest and Dierlok shot one in the head. The truck came to a stop and Alec jumped out. The other two Inquisitors had taken cover by then.
“Dierlok on me!” Alec shouted, “Commanders get out of here!” Commander Crinnan threw the truck into gear and his wife reached out the back window and wrapped her arm around Rubaan’s waist.
“Not today son,” Alec heard Ladia say to Rubaan, “Your duty is here.” Alec and Rubaan locked eyes as the truck sped away, leaving the Centurions behind.
Alec with his shouldered shotgun strafed around the edge of the interceptor and caught a glimpse of the Inquisitor hiding behind it. The Inquisitor started to raise his weapon and Alec opened fire, blowing his jaw off his face. He heard Dierlok fire two shots and looked back to see that he was okay.
“All clear?” Alec asked as he ran up to Dierlok. Dierlok nodded and slung his rifle over his shoulder.
“That was easy,” Dierlok laughed, “Though shooting fish in a barrel is rarely difficult.” Alec chuckled and looked back at the shop.
“Inbound!” He heard Flox shout from the roof. He looked up and saw Flox firing his rifle into the air above him. Alec looked a little higher and saw three interceptors descending on their position.”
“I need those taken down!” Alec shouted. Dierlok raised his rifle and opened fire and Elia ran out to join them.
“We cannot take off with them in the air!” Alec continued, “Matalo, assist!”
Matalo ran outside and took aim with his grenade launcher. He fired and directly hit an interceptor. The interceptor burst into flames and crashed into a building behind it.
“The others are descending too fast!” Matalo shouted.
“Do not risk it!” Alec shouted, “Everyone take cover, wait for them to land!”
“Alec more inbound from the ground!” Dierlok shouted, pointing down the street. Alec saw two interceptors driving his way.
“Dierlok, Matalo, take them out!” Alec shouted as he took cover behind one of the smoking interceptors, “Flox and Elia keep an eye on the ones in the air, take care of them once they land.
“On it!” Elia shouted as she took cover behind one of the downed interceptors and took aim. Alec nodded and ran back into the garage.
“Are we ready!” Alec shouted as he burst into the boneyard, “We have multiple enemies inbound!”
“Tank’s almost dry!” Dauid shouted, “Should be any minute now.”
“Can Kelso get it started?” Alec asked.
“I mean, you’re not supposed to do that.” Dauid replied, “But I don’t think it’ll be a problem.”
“You heard the man!” Alec shouted to Kelso, “Get her started, we are leaving!”
“Consider it done!” Kelso replied. He flipped a couple of switches and hit the ignition button. The HAPT rumbled to life and Kelso gave Alec a thumbs up, “Everything looks good!” He shouted.
“Standby.” Alec ordered, “Grandpa get the last of the fuel into the HAPT.” Dauid nodded and Alec ran back out into the street.
As Alec stepped into the road, he was greeted by an explosion. He heard Matalo shout something obscene and looked over to find that Elia was firing on the landed interceptors.
“Take them out Flox!” Alec shouted to the roof.
“No line of sight!” Flox replied. “We have them pinned down!”
“Then cover me!” Alec shouted, “Elia you too, covering fire!” Alec raised his shotgun and charged toward the landed interceptors. Behind him, Elia fired on the enemy’s position and above him Flox had his rifle zeroed in, ready to take out any threat that presented itself.
As Alec neared the interceptors, he strafed to his right to flank his enemies, hoping to push them out so that Flox and Elia could make quick work of them. He circled around behind the interceptors where he saw the four Inquisitors kneeling behind them for cover with their handguns at the ready. Alec did not hesitate. He unloaded his shotgun at them, immediately killing two. The others jumped up and tried to run out of the way of his shotgun spread but they were too slow. Alec watched as one took a bullet between the eyes from Flox’s rifle and the other took multiple shots to the chest from Elia’s. Alec fired his shotgun, taking half of the still standing inquisitor’s head off and turned to run back to the shop.
“Everyone get in the HAPT!” Alec shouted as he ran. Elia broke off from her position and joined him as he ran past her and the two nearly collided with Matalo and Dierlok in front of the shop.
“Multiple enemies incoming!” Flox yelled from the roof, ETA about 45 seconds!”
“Get in the HAPT Flox!” Alec yelled just before they ran into the garage. The four of them were through the garage and into the boneyard in no time and Alec ushered them toward the HAPT.
“Get ready to take off!” Alec shouted to Kelso, “We’re getting the fuck out of here!” Alec stopped next to Dauid and the two nodded at each other.
“Come on Grandpa,” Alec said, “Looks like you are coming with us.”
“Golly can I?” Dauid asked as he stepped into the open door of the HAPT. Alec watched as Flox jumped off the roof and ran toward the vehicle.
“You and Matalo need to take care of the incoming interceptors,” Alec said as he and Flox both jumped inside the HAPT, “Kelso get us out of here!”
At that, the HAPT lifted off the ground and began to ascend. Dauid hurriedly took a seat and buckled himself in as Alec joined Kelso in the cockpit.
“Are we going to make it?” Alec asked Kelso as he took a seat. Kelso nodded his head.
“This is nothing,” he promised, “I have flown through worse odds.”
“But without weapons?” Alec asked.
“No,” Kelso replied, “But weapons will not do me any good as we are running this time, not attacking. The interceptors do not have weapons. What I am worried about is if they are going to launch attack craft against us.”
Alec hummed and leaned back in his seat, “Get ready.” Kelso said as he rotated the control wheel, allowing the HAPT to spin to the correct bearing, “Here we go!” He engaged the thrusters and grabbed hold of the yoke. The HAPT accelerated forward and Alec heard Dauid whoop in the back.
“They are definitely gaining on us,” Kelso reported, looking down at the radar below him, “Three coming up behind us and a couple more on each side. This could get bad quick.”
“Flox, Matalo, get in position!” Alec shouted, “Matalo be careful with your aim! We do not want you lobbing grenades into civilian homes!”
“What kind of piss-ant shot do you think I am!” Matalo shouted, “You keep your damn mouth shut and let me do my job!” Alec rolled his eyes and Kelso noted that the enemy interceptors on their right were coming in fast.
“Flox, they’re closing in fast!” Alec yelled, “Take them out!” Flox braced himself and took aim. He fired a shot and made contact with his target. The interceptor went down quickly and he took aim at the next one.
“One down.” Kelso reported, “The ones remaining are gaining on us.” Kelso put a little more power on the thrusters just as Flox took down the second HAPT.
“Behind us!” Alec shouted, “Flox can you see them?”
“Negative!” Flox shouted, “The wing is in the way!”
“Matalo what about you?” Alec asked.
“There’s a wing on this side too asshole!” Matalo shouted. Dauid unbuckled his belt and pointed at a hatch on the ceiling of the HAPT.
“Can someone crawl up on top of the HAPT and take them out?” He asked, “I figure we can tie a rope around your waist to keep you from flyin’ off!”
“I will do it,” Flox volunteered, “It is a good plan.” Elia grabbed a rope that was coiled at her feet and tossed it to Flox. Flox tied one end of the rope around his waist and gave the other to Dierlok.
“Do not let me die,” Flox said as he opened the hatch above him. Dierlok nodded and gave him a boost so that he could crawl on top of the vehicle.
The wind hit Flox’s skin like a thousand needles. Initially, it was painful but he quickly adapted to it. He saw three interceptors following them.
“Pull the rope tight!” Flox shouted as he found his balance, “We have three on our tail!”
Flox shouldered his rifle and zeroed in on the cockpit of the closest interceptor. He quickly found his target and pulled the trigger. Through his scope, he briefly saw the pilot’s brains splatter against the wall behind him and then the interceptor’s nose dove forward and crashed toward the ground.
The other two interceptors broke off and accelerated toward each side of the HAPT. Flox knew he didn’t have much time. He took aim at the interceptor on his right and fired, making contact and sending the vehicle toward the ground.
“Matalo, your side!” Flox shouted as the final interceptor drew closer. He quickly hopped back down into the HAPT and reloaded his weapon.
“Thanks, mother!” Matalo replied as he took aim and launched a grenade. The explosive hit the front end of the first interceptor and blew it to pieces.
“Fuck you!” Matalo shouted and laughed wildly as he turned joyfully to his companions.
In the cockpit, Alec heard a small shard of shrapnel crash through the window at his right and watched it tear through Kelso’s throat to his left taking a large chunk of flesh with it.
“No!” Alec shouted as blood arced from Kelso’s neck and onto his visor.
“I got it!” Kelso choked with what vigor he could muster, “I got it!” His voice and color faded, blood gushed from his wound. He was quickly losing strength and Alec knew he didn’t have much longer.
“Elia!” Alec shouted into the back, “Kelso is hit!”
“Hells!” Elia declared as she hurried to the cockpit of the HAPT. She charged through the doorway and immediately took notice of Kelso’s wounds. She looked at Alec with panic in her eyes and shook her head.
“Get him in the back!” Alec said, “Do what you can!” Elia helped Kelso up out of his seat awkwardly as Alec worked to take control of the HAPT from him without putting anyone else in danger.
Once the others were out of the cockpit, Alec shook his head and took a deep breath. He checked the radar screen in the center terminal to his right. He watched for a moment more and saw the final two interceptors break formation and retreat as they had passed the city walls. Alec sighed and looked back into the personnel hold.
“We did it.” He said somberly. He looked down at Kelso’s motionless body on the floor and then back up to Elia. Elia ran a hand through Kelso’s blonde hair and then shook her head grimly. Alec turned back around and looked out the window as he flew the HAPT past the city’s southern walls.
“It’s gonna be okay son,” Dauid said as he stepped into the cockpit and took a seat in the bloody co-pilot’s chair. He reached out his robotic hand and placed it on Alec’s shoulder, “Let’s go find Crinnan.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Crinnan XVII
The Seventh Hell
Crinnan and Milinka tumbled through the other side of the portal and landed on dust. The fifth level of the Hells was just as dark and depressing as every level that had preceded it. Milinka was standing by the time Crinnan crashed through the portal and he landed on his hands and knees as the swirling blue portal of light closed and vanished behind them.
“Let’s hurry,” Crinnan said, pushing himself up off the ground. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the smooth blue portal stone that DeMaario had given him. He dropped it on the ground and stomped on it with the heel of his boot. A blue portal opened and he grabbed Milinka’s hand once again.
“Through this one too.” He ushered, she nodded her head and the two quickly charged through the portal.
The sixth level of the Hells was unlike all the other levels Crinnan had seen. As he and Milinka emerged from the portal, they found that the sixth level, while dark, had a sky full of twinkling stars. What surprised Crinnan more, however, was the giant orange, green and blue moon that took up nearly half the sky. Their eyes were immediately drawn up toward the moon and then Crinnan had a realization. They were not looking at a moon; they were looking at Duraan itself.
“It’s…” Crinnan stammered, finding it immensely difficult to speak. He could not look away from the planet, he felt too emotional.
“Home.” Milinka slipped her fingers between Crinnan’s as the two stood in silent admiration of the only home they had ever known. “Do you think it is real?”
“I do not know,” Crinnan whispered. His boots were planted on the green grassy ground and as he looked around himself, he saw lush trees and vegetation. The only place he could have possibly been was Igo, the green moon that had illuminated the sky every single night of his life. “If it is real, then that means…”
“Igo is the Hells.” Milinka finished Crinnan’s sentence. “It means everything is really happening, all the bodies, the magic, death, and blood… it is all real. Everything we felt, we really felt.”
“That cannot be.” Crinnan shook his head. “It is all too crazy, too advanced; our world could not create such a thing.”
“Your world did not create such a thing,” Sage’s voice rang
out. “Mine did.”
“Yours?” Crinnan repeated.
“The great minds of the Ancients,” Sage continued, “We created all this. We dreamt it, designed it and made it a reality. I should say it truly was a beautiful thing… once.”
“Before the Empire…” Crinnan uttered, “So you are an Ancient.”
“I am,” Sage revealed. “I have seen it all Crinnan, everything. I have been to the stars, seen other worlds… the Humaans showed me everything they knew. I wanted to bring that to my home, to make it as amazing as I could... I fought the Church in the Sin Wars, I commanded much of the AOC but we just could not win against the ignorance of the people. People want to believe what is not real. They want to think that something that does not exist is more beautiful than all that does. How do you fight that Crinnan? How do you win and survive against such delusions?”
“You wipe it out,” Crinnan found himself saying. “Like a fucking weed, you burn it, poison it, cut it down… whatever it takes.”
“Perhaps you will succeed where I failed then,” a remorseful sounding Sage said. “Your path is greatness, Crinnan. Only greatness, I truly want that for you.”
Crinnan remained silent. He squeezed the handle of his sword and looked down at the grass at his feet. He did not care about greatness, he just wanted to be home again. His eyes wandered back upward toward Duraan and he spoke.
“Am I truly on Igo?” He asked.
“No,” Sage replied, “It is all a computer program. Igo is much more beautiful than what you see right now.”
Crinnan sighed and sat on the ground. Milinka joined him. “So where do we go from here? How do we get back to reality?”
“You are on the cusp of it.” Sage’s voice sounded hopeful and excited, “The sixth level of Hells is where the prisoners are sent for good behavior. I can summon the portal to the seventh and final level of the Hells for you now. You can depart whenever you are ready… Crinnan this may be the last time we speak before we meet. If that is the case, then… well, I should say that I rather look forward to meeting you.”
The Black Knight Box Set Page 55