Hypernova Series: Worlds At war

by Paris Cavanah

  Roxie has set up a direct line to Ron from the Communications Centre on Aqua 1.

  “Hey, Ron. Say something!” Her frustration at being consigned to communications is evident from the sarcasm in her voice. I am close enough to Ron that our helmets are touching and I can hear her faintly.

  “Well, what are you going to do?” She is spitting venom and rage.

  “This is your mission, remember? You shouldn’t be sitting there looking useless.”

  “Ok, listen up tough girl!”

  Ron snaps.

  “This is my first time leading a squadron so why dontcha’ cut me some slack?!”

  “Why do you think that I'm the one Citadel member appointed to decide whether you remain a member or not?”

  He smirks “Cause you’re all “buddy-buddy” with the High Council?”

  “I’ll try to forget you said that.” She snarls, “The reason is that I've had comrades die in battle as well. My friends. My family.”

  This shuts him up. Ron’s face falls flat.

  “Miv’s death isn’t what this is about, so don’t bring her up again”

  Another volley of gunfire explodes around us. Phillia shouts over our speakers.

  “Raider troops in the building at twelve-o’clock! Ten in total!”

  Ron is frozen in place. I know him well enough to tell he is straining to deduce a strategy. Now, Roxie is talking to him again.

  “Learning to get over the death of your comrade is vital for making earth a Known Planet. If you can’t prove to me you can rise above your own grief and become a leader, you don’t deserve to be an Altair member.”

  She pauses and her voice softens a little.

  “Remember I’m not being hyper-critical, because I’ve overcome the same grief.”

  Phillia shouts.

  “Etis troops, approach the enemy from the right!”

  “So? What are we going to do?” she demands, in her former harsh voice.

  Clearly, her words have affected Ron. His eyes alight with determination.

  “We’re going to win this war. Watch carefully, Roxie. I’m gunna’ prove to you what I can do!”

  I Get Rejected

  “Altair troops, approach the enemy on the left flank!”

  The eight of us link back up on the other side of the coral building. Ron waves his hand, and we move in unison. Aiming or pistols in the air, we fire at the holes in the building opposite to us. The Raiders duck for cover.

  “Aqua 1 and Aqua 2, use the transport ships as cover!”

  My heart is pounding a mile a minute. I duck clear of multiple bullets and barrel roll to safety. I crawl on my hands and knees, then bolt to the other side of the ship. I stretch my neck, firing once again. The Etis troops have already approached the building. Unlike on earth, the houses are not fitted with doors or windows, so they simply run inside and disappear into the darkness.

  Five floors above, two Raider troops are thrown out of a large hole, presumably made from a grenade launcher, and to the seafloor.

  “Human!”

  Kiwok screams in my ear. I practically jump out of my skin.

  “Idiot.” I snarl. “What are you scaring me for?!”

  Kiwok laughs.

  “You shoot bad. Let me show you how it done!”

  He runs across the clearing. Ron and the rest of our armada watch the armoured idiot approach the building.

  “Kiwok, stop!” Ron shouts. “Stay with us!”

  Roarrrrr!!!

  The city goes dark. Recklessly, I exit my shelter, joining Kiwok and staring up towards the deep blue sea. A snake-like monster, shrouded in darkness is circling the barrier. Its detailed features are impossible to make out.

  “Uhm, Ron!?” I spin to face him. “I think we found Nessie.”

  Naki runs to my side, staring up at the monster swimming in circles.

  “Good gods, it has to be twice the size of our transport ships!”

  Phillia radios in.

  “We don’t have to worry about it for now.”

  Ron responds.

  “Why’s that? You gunna’ tame it with a scooby snack?”

  Hundreds of brilliant yellow and green lights flash in the sea above us. Etis underwater battleships are swooping in. They fire off a magnificent display of gunfire. Each bullet sears the monster's flesh. It lets out a base caterwaul that vibrates the entire dome.

  Naki chuckles.

  “That’ll do it.”

  Ron wipes his hands.

  “Alright troops. We need to be ground support. Keep moving to the city center. Blast the hell outta’ anything that gets in our way!”

  ∆∆∆

  The fight between the unidentified sea monster and Etis troops continues as we sweep into the city center. Admittedly, I feel pretty darned cool. We kill multiple groups of Spawn with ease and continue down the city streets. The roads are made from crystals and diamonds. Tipped over vehicles have flat-bottoms and are similarly decorated with gorgeous gems.

  Phillia pauses. Her single large eye scans the end of the road which is partially hidden by seaweed and rocks. Ron and I take up her flank.

  “What is it?”

  The answer rounds the corner and pushes past the weeds.

  It’s a group of Dree warriors. They seem to be protecting somebody behind them…

  “That’s the Queen’s guard.” Phillia cheers. “I haven’t seen them since we were separated during the initial attack!”

  At the same time, the monster above us screams in agony. We look up. The sea creature uses its tail like a whip and nails an Etis ship which explodes in a rain of debris and sparks. It circles again. Opening its huge mouth, it swallows two ships whole.

  “They won’t last long,” Phillia explains. “Those soldiers are dying to buy us time that we are wasting.”

  Hurriedly, she leads us towards the Queen’s guard. At first, they raise their golden guns. Then they pause, recognizing our uniforms.

  “The palace was destroyed.”

  Who I assume is the head guard, explains.

  “The citizens are in panic. There's nowhere to hide. We have lost this battle.”

  Ron shakes his head and I do the same. We share a similar disposition, no way we’re leaving this place like we did Aronevia!

  “That’s not true.” Ron gestures to my fellow Asters. “We’ll take your Queen to safety and stay here to fight the last of the Spawns and Raiders.”

  The guard snaps back.

  “What of that sea creature?” He points. “Your battleships are fish-bait for that thing!”

  With one bold movement I step forward.

  “We’ll figure something out, sir.”

  Naki joins me. Her voice is stern and willful.

  “We Altairians are known for our improvisational skills on the battlefield.”

  Kiwok roars in delight.

  “Yes! I will join in the bloodbath!”

  My face falls flat.

  “Er, that’s not what we’re saying Kiwok….” but he’s completely oblivious to me. I shrug.

  At Least somebody is enjoying themselves.

  “It’s not just the Queen we are worried about.”

  The man orders his soldiers to step aside. I gasp.

  In the center of their protective circle is a stunning woman in flowing rainbow garb, wearing a silver crown...and a boy. He can’t be more than ten in human years. He’s wearing large glasses made with seaweed and crystal. His nose twitches, and he stares up at us with stunning green eyes. His antenna twitch.

  “This is prince Bub...last of his lineage and heir to the throne.”

  “H- hello.” Bub mumbles.

  “Hello, sir,” Ron says respectfully. “We need to get you to safety immediately.”

  The explosions above us don’t give Ron much time to contemplate.

  “Finn and Naki will lead Bub and the Queen to the transport ship. Aqua 2, and the rest of us will continue on to the city center.”

  My response to
his order is hasty and out of line.

  “I’m not leaving you. Besides, who will be the leader of the group if something bad happens to you?”

  I have a flashback to when Ron was trapped under that debris and I thought I lost him. If he died, not only would I lose all hope of unifying my family, but I would be broken.

  Ron grins. “You will.”

  My mouth goes slack.

  “You're putting me in charge again?”

  He shakes his head.

  “Only if something happens to me, so don’t get your hopes up.”

  He winks and leaves it at that, despite the fact I want to fight against his order.

  “The Asea warriors will come with us and create a distraction so Naki and Finn have a clear shot at the transport ship. I’ll radio you instructions once you reach the objective. Now, let’s move”

  ∆∆∆

  Holding back all remaining objections, Naki, Bub, the Queen and I turn around. We head back the way we came. The fight above is growing more intense, only a few Etis troops are left to fend off the monster.

  Naki turns to the queen.

  “Your majesty..” she begins. “What is that thing? Is it native to this planet?”

  The Asea queen nods. Her large lidless eyes are painted like a lilac sky. She truly is enchanting.

  “It is an ancient sea creature known as Golgaloth. We thought it extinct, it’s bones lost to the sea. How it has come to be here is unknown. As for its aggression. Well, that’s even stranger! My battleships were devoured by the beast, and my beautiful castle was turned to ruin by some bruteish-lizard and his brutal soldiers!”

  Lizard? Brute?! I remember our trip to Aronevia as we maneuver around a destroyed infrastructure. A floating lantern lights our way through the shadows.

  “Did his soldiers refer to him as Zho-Zho?”

  She immediately answers.

  “Yes! That’s the fellow. Oh, that villain! He tried to hurt my poor Bub…”

  She pets her son's head and he seems to appreciate the gesture.

  Naki looks at me. “So, that coward Zho-Zho is here.”

  “Ya...hopefully we can track him down and fire a bullet or two into his chest.”

  My thirst for pay-back is so close to being quenched. Ron may deal with his grief through time...I’ll deal with mine through cold-blooded revenge.

  We reach the outskirts of the Southern Sector. No enemies in sight. I bring my forefinger to my helmet and radio in.

  “Ron, it’s me.”

  His voice is clear as day.

  “Didja’ reach the transport ship?”

  “Yes, we’re bringing Bub and the Queen to safety now.”

  “Good...now what I want you to do is tell the AI to lead you back to Altair.”

  “What?!” I exclaim. “No. I’m not leaving you or this war.”

  Naki and the others are giving me looks of confusion. I ignore them.

  “Dude, why didn’t you give this job to Kiwok?”

  The channel goes dead as he contemplates. This conversation reminds me of when we were kids and we ran lemonade stands during the summertime. Ron would always try and boss me around.

  He’d say, “Finn, go inside and cut more lemons!” or “Yo, go talk to Sarah across the street. Tell her I’ll give her a cup of lemonade for free if she goes to the Halloween Dance with me.”

  I didn’t realize that, up until this moment, I felt more like Ron's partner and not his underling. I don’t like taking orders from him when they are ones I don’t agree with. If he was a stranger I’m sure my response to his demand wouldn’t sound so forlorn.

  Ron holds. This is an open channel and everybody can hear us, so he treads carefully.

  “Finn...the life of Bub and his mother are the most important things to us right now. If they perish, the last of Asea’s original heritage will be lost. I’ve given you and Naki the most important job because I trust you. So don’t let me down.”

  It takes a moment to push past my instinctual concern for my brother and see the bigger picture. We are once again saving a society. Dree can’t end up like Aronevia.

  “As soon as they are at Altair I’m coming right back.”

  Roxie’s sharp and authoritative voice cuts in. I’d forgotten that she was still in the Communications Room.

  “Enough wishy-washy family bullcrap! Whatever the plan is you need to get a move on! We have a job to do.”

  For reasons unknown to me. Ron chuckles. “You heard her.”

  “Copy that…”

  We lower the ramp and enter the ship. I race back to the Communications Centre where Roxie is pacing the floor.

  “What are you doing here, Bates?” she demands.

  “Just what I was going to ask you.”

  Something about Roxie hanging around in the communications tower judging us makes me angry. Afterall, how is she supposed to evaluate Rons capabilities if she’s trapped here? I examine her eyes that are brimming with the need to fight...she glares back at me as I argue.

  “To hell with your cover, it’s pointless now anyway. You’re the one with the battle experience. What’s the point in taking you back to Altair with us when you can kick some major butt? You want to observe Ron? Well here’s your opportunity. Go join him and help save Dree.”

  She stares at me for a long moment and then her whole attitude changes.

  “I can have your memories erased and bar you from ever becoming a Citadel member for talking to a superior officer like that, Bates. Only one thing is stopping me...”

  “Oh, ya? And what’s that?”

  “The fact that you are right.”

  She grins showing off her wicked fangs.

  “There is no way I want to be holed up here when there is much to be done out there. I’ll be darned if I’ll stay here for a joy-ride back to Altair. Move aside!”

  She swoops past me with her hand held high in the air like a drama queen, She opens the line to Ron.

  “Ron, I’m coming to join you while Finn and Naki take Bub back to Altair.”

  With that, she sweeps out of the door, passing an astonished Naki, Bub and The Queen as she storms down the ramp. She has barely cleared it before I withdraw it and have the doors slide closed and sealed.

  I head straight for the AI command center. My hands grip the edges of the table. I use voice recognition software to signify my intent.

  “Set coordinates for Altair. Auto-flight configuration”

  “Coordinates and auto-flight confirmed.”

  A small set of hands wrap around the hem of my uniform. I look down. It’s Bub. He smiles a wide, toothy grin.

  “Dank you fo’ savin’ meh.”

  He speaks with a heavy slur.

  I’m not going to lie. I think kids are the best. They resemble a time in our lives when things aren’t depressing, and life is full of magic.

  “Your welcome, Bub. Just stick with my friend Naki and me. We’ll keep you safe.”

  Naki is leading the Queen up the staircase and towards the railing. We hold on tight as our ship lifts us away from the city and into the water. At this moment, Golgaloth is on the other side of the city. The last of the Etis troops are keeping it distracted.

  A sigh ripples through me.

  Darn, I can’t stop worrying about Ron and the other platoon.

  As if she read my mind, Naki gently taps my shoulder. She must see the worry in my eyes because she sends me a thoughtful grin.

  “It’ll be ok, Finn. Ron and the rest of them will make it out alive.”

  Suddenly, a Raider ship, painted blood red, whooshes in front of us. We are on a collision course.

  “Grab anything solid and hang on!”

  Naki wraps Bub up in her arms and I run to shield the Queen as we ram into the Raider ship with several tons of force. Our shield ripples and the Raider vessel recoils. Firing up its engines it faces us like a matador to a bull.

  “What in the hell is this about?” Naki exclaims.

  The ans
wer comes swimming out of a hatch in the bottom of the alien ship. It floats like a spectre...and behind that solid black visor I can imagine an evil grin, wide as ever.

  “Odium!”

  Here’s Johnny!

  Naki rushes to my side. She glances at Bub, ensuring he is ok before crossing to the Queen’s side. Naki tilts her head.

  “What the hell is Odium doing here?!”

  “I don’t know,” I admit.

  Out of all the millions of galaxies and thousands of planets, why did he come here?

  Odium raises his hand. He points at the distant Gogaloth which gives an ominous roar. The reverberations hit our vessel head-on. My brows furrow.

  “I don’t like the looks of this…”

  Bub is staring up at me. He raises his hand, and I take it. The tiny blue scales are slimy and cold to the touch.

  “It’ll be ok, Bub. Follow me.”

  As I turn to face the stairs, Gogaloth groans. I look back out of the view port. The ancient fish is swimming towards us. Cut and buried in its chest is a crystal. Black as night and all too familiar.

  Odium...you bastard! You're controlling Gogaloth aren’t you? Just like you did Gaqeet! The fact only intensifies my rage.

  Our ship rumbles to-and-fro, the current becoming too strong to bear. I grit my teeth in frustration. I radio into Ron.

  “Ron! We’re under attack! Odium is here. He’s controlling that sea creature and-”

  “BZZZZzzTTT!”

  “Ron? Can you hear me?”

  “Bztt...Raiders!...Bzt. Zho-Zho is at the city center! Bzzzttt. Won’t last-”

  His intermission cuts out, but I don’t have time to panic.

  “We need to get Bub and her Majesty to the escape pods, now!”

  “Leave it to me.” Naki says.

  She scoops Bub up in her arms and rushes down a corridor that leads to the escape pods, with her majesty's coat-tails obscuring my vision.

  “I’ll go out and distract that thing in a battleship,” Naki suggests. “You help the others!”

  Naki remains calm and collected. The Tra’vaneer looks ready to do anything necessary to save our hides. Ron should have put her in charge instead of me I think, without a hint of jealousy.