by M. Shaunessy
“Why don’t we all go outside so we don’t kill anybody in here, huh?” Justin suggested. “That and I don’t like the thought that all of us could be spending eternally in the Neptune Correctional Facility.”
Tuskin thought then replied, “Good point, why don’t we? But no tricks!”
They all started to head outdoors. Justin, hoping he could get a quick and unnoticeable shot at Tuskin, he quietly took out his blaster, turned then said to him, “Aw wait a minute, it’s too hot out there to play. Besides,” he then shot Tuskin in the leg, “I hate playing with a cheat like you.”
Tuskin cried in pain as he fell to the ground. The two ran outside like scared rabbits into the busy dust like street. Mike did not know that Justin was going to do that to him, but Mike smiled, as he never thought of a better friend then Justin.
“Head for the ship!” Mike ordered to his companion as he took out his own blaster.
The Warlin limped out of the tavern. They both ran down the street as laser blasts were shooting at them from Tuskin. Merchants and buyers screamed and took cover as their laser blasts illuminated the scene. Mike and Justin took a quick left turn into a rustic open-roofed garage, as he quickly shot back at Tuskin missing him. Justin pushed a button as the door slid closed. He then ran towards the ship’s ramp following Mike. Once they gotten to the cockpit, they quickly started her up and took off as the garage door slid open. Tuskin started to shoot at the ship, but it was all ready too late. The ship blasted into the blue sky.
“I will find you,” Tuskin said to himself, “Then you will be dead!”
“Man,” commented Justin trying to catch his breath, “That was close.”
“Yeah, too close,” replied Mike calming down.
Justin then asked, “What now desert fox?”
“Well, we need to find another safe hidden port,” Mike replied as he checked the map quadrants. “Somewhere that Mama’Halb does not know about.”
Justin asked, “Where? The Empire conquered most of the galaxy. It’s not like we can waltz in and say ‘hey can we crash here for a while?’ And besides we still don’t have enough money.”
“I know. Hold on,” Mike replied pointing at his screen, “Well, we can always got back to Cian.”
“Cian?” Justin replied, “The last time we were there, they turned the planet to a colonial military base.”
“That’s right,” said Mike as he explained, “And Mama’Halb is not that stupid to send any of her bounty hunting friends there to shoot up the place.”
Justin said uncertainly, “Mike, they’re not gonna set us up with anything except military positions, you know that. And even if they did, do you think we’ll be interested?”
“Don't worry, I think Digan is stationed there,” replied Mike.
Justin said, “How do you know? He hasn’t contacted you in months.”
“Well, the last transmission he sent was from Cian. I just hope he’s still there.”
Justin looked at his friend wondering if he was right. He hoped that his idea would pay off. Mike then set the coordinates and the Golden Condor rocketed into space towards their home world, Cian.
At end of the Deneb System sat the monumental star ship Hades. Like most star ships, Hades was different. Xatu wanted a starship that the colonials would fear. The outer hull had a skeletal look to it with probe spikes shooting out everywhere. The first time that Naku saw this ship, he knew that they were doomed. Inside, the commander Lord Drax sat in his little throne room planning.
“Captain,” he said into his visual transmitter, “Bring in the Felinis prisoner.”
Alexander Drax was once human. He was once a slave to the Xatu Empire until one day they were looking for a human that knows secrets of the Earthian race. They offered money, power, and freedom and as greedy as Drax was, he did not hesitate join them. He began to serve as a solder in their army, until a couple of years ago when he was in a terrible accident that left his skin turn into a bluish color, but the accident also left him a strange gift, an ability to morph his body to anything he wanted. The Emperor heard this and instantly promoted him to a powerful lord in his army.
The captain nodded to Drax, a few moments later the door slid opened, and guards dressed in red armor pushed in the Felinis Prince. Xman was hand cuffed and chained to the guard like some slave. He looked up to him and instantly recognized the commander. Drax’s blue skin, white hair, and evil red eyes have some of the men in his ship tremble when they are near him, but Xman was not trembling. He knew him all too well. His face grew angry and growled like a hungry wolf.
“Ah, Xman,” Drax said icily, “Long time no see.”
“Drax,” Xman replied unhappily, “How long has it been?”
“Too long I’m afraid,” he replied as he looked to his two-crew members, “Guards, leave us.”
They chained Xman onto the floor as a grapple forced him to kneel down and the guards left them. Xman did not know why this was happening to him. All he did know that he wanted to rip Drax’s heart out of his blue skinned body.
“Do you know why my fleet didn’t destroy you and I dragged you in like a cod fish, so you could live?” Drax asked.
Xman looked up at Drax in despite of him and finally replied sarcastically, “Not really. Why don’t you tell me?”
“I spared your planet because my master wanted to enslave your people. You Felinis are strong good workers. Perhaps your father is willing to trade his people’s freedom for his loving son.”
Xman looked at him in disgust and said, “My father is not that stupid Drax. I rather die for my planet than have it turn to a slave pit.”
Drax frowned at that little remark and said, “What a pity, but then again, if you want to die, it won’t matter to me.” Drax then smiled at that thought and had an evil idea. He then pressed a button on his visual communicator once again. “Guards, take him to the Security Cells.”
The guards came in, unhooked Xman, and took him back into the prison center deep inside the ship.
Moments later in another part of the galaxy, the Golden Condor finally landed on Cian after waiting hours for clearance. They found a landing pad in the city of Phlan. Phlan was small city, about ten thousand inhabitance work and play here. Mike remembered when he was kid, playing Spaceball with Justin in the same streets. He missed those times, but now the streets were cover with soldiers of all kinds.
Mike and Justin found out where Digan was working from one of the fighter pilots. They entered a very tall spiraling like building to find their old friend Digan. They arrived on the 10th floor and walked down the hall to the offices of the Colonial Personnel Dept. Digan was a humanoid from the planet Cian. Like most humanoids, Digan did posses a unique gift, the power to see in dark places, not as if he was nocturnal, he still can see well in the daylight. He was older than the Mike or Justin about ten years older. They knew that he colonials redrafted Digan as a paper pusher about a month ago while he was managing his bar back on Sadr. Before that, he was best space pilot during the assault on Earth until he crashed landed his ship on a nearby station breaking his leg and several rib bones. He then considered himself retired.
“Hey Digan,” Mike said entering his little office, “What’s happening?”
Digan looked up and smiled as he recognized his old friends. “Hey, Mike Justin, long time,” He replied as he got up. He shook both of their hands and sat back behind his desk, “What can I do for you my old friends.”
“Listen we need a job that will pay fifty thousand Galatical dollars and fast.” Mike replied as he and Justin sat down across from Digan.
“Fifty thousand?” Digan laughed thinking that was joke, “Jeez, you got to knock over a bank for that kind of money.”
“Yeah we know that, but I got pay off a couple debts.” Mike replied.
Digan then said, “Mama’Halb eh,” Mike nodded, “Listen, things here are a bit tight with the war and all. I can’t promise you any big jobs like I did back in the day. I’ve been up t
o my armpits with this trade route problem the Colonials have, so don’t expect anything anytime soon. So here my suggestion, you guys just hang around here, and if something comes up I'll give you a call all right? You still got that old Condor ship of yours?” They nodded sadly. “Good. Hey, don't worry something bound to come up. Just hang in there.”
“Thanks buddy,” said Mike.
Digan smiled and replied, “No problem. Now if you excuse me I gotta get back to work.”
Digan felt sorry for them and wished that he could give them the money now. He knows how Mama’Halb can be when she doesn’t get what she wanted. Digan greeted them out and he went back to his work. Mike and Justin sighed, not knowing what to do. They knew it would not be any time soon that Mama’Halb would find them with another bounty hunter on their scent, and they could not stay there too long. What they needed was a miracle.
Meanwhile in another area, Tygla was waiting in line wearing cargo pants an old T-shirt and a brown leather jacket. She did not want anyone to know who she was, as it might prove dangerous. Unfortunately, Tygla had everyone staring at her immense beauty, but that day she was not looking for a mate. She was angry at the war that was going on and even worse, somebody reported that her brother has been missing in action. She had nowhere else to turn too. She hoped that the Colonials could give her some answers or better yet, some help to find him. The man behind the desk called to her and explained her story to him. The clerk did not seem interested though.
“Listen,” she exclaimed, “My brother has been kidnapped by the Empire and all you can say is that you can’t do a damn thing about it?”
“I’m sorry, but we don't have any solders to spare with the war going on,” the clerk replied, “My best bet for you young lady is to hire a bounty hunter or something. Next.”
She growled at the clerk touchily, “Do you know who you are talking to?”
The clerk look at her, “Yes an irritating cat, now please, I have other customers to tend to. Next!”
She did not want to deal with the low paying clerk as she might tear him a new mouth. She just stormed out of there trying to hold back her tears and anger. She then looked at Mike and Justin, and wondered if they were someone she might use.
“So what do we do know? We need money and fast,” said Justin informed his friend.
Just then Mike was tapped from behind they turned around and it was the Felinis. Mike mouth dropped to as he thought he died and went to heaven as he laid his eyes on her slim athletic body. She had short orange wavy hair that burned with passion, and her dark brownish stripes wrapping around her exposed body. Mike immediately fell for this striking creature.
“Excuse me,” she said in a calm voice, “I couldn’t help over hearing, but uh, my name is Tygla and I heard you need a job?”
“Y-yeah,” Mike replied admiring her lovely yellow cat eyes, “You got one for us?”
“Well yes,” she said politely, “How much you need?”
“About fifty thousand,” Justin replied.
Tygla then said, “Fifty thousand? Well, that should not be a problem.”
“Great,” Mike said as he and his friend smiled. He did not believe it. Some miracle he thought. “My name’s Mike Tippin and this is my friend Justin Jobbs.”
“Hi,” Justin said friendly.
Mike continued, “So, what’s the job?”
“A rescue operation,” she replied, “My brother Xman has been kidnapped by the Empire and I need you to help me get him back.”
“Whoa, hold it sister,” Mike said stopping her with his hands, “The Empire is way out of our league. The last thing we need is entanglements with the Xatu. Couldn’t the Colonial army help you?”
“No,” Tygla replied sadly, “They said that their militia was low and could not spare anyone.”
Mike felt sorry for her. Something inside him told him that this was woman was unusual. After he dumped Julia, he vowed not to be taken by another woman again, but he thought that Tygla could be different. He looked upon her sad face and frowned a bit, but then this could be another deception. He glanced to his friend and he knew as well as Justin knew that they need the money badly, but go against the Empire, he would not take the risk with his friend. He had heard stories from Digan about the Empire, kidnapping humans and turning them to mindless slaves.
He thought his feelings over and finally said, “Look, I’m sorry, but the Empire isn’t our thing. We could get killed. If your brother was kidnapped by a greedy Slugton maybe you got a shot.”
“Mike,” Justin said, “Can I speak with you for a minute?” Justin pulling his ear brining him to a conclusive spot where they can speak to each other, “What the hell are you doing? We can pay off Mama’Halb for this one job and you said yourself that in this business there’s going to be life threatening risks and great rewards, well fifty thousand is a great reward, and facing the Empire for that money? Heck, I’ll do it.”
“I know, I know,” Mike replied, “Look,” he paused for a minute glancing over to Tygla. She was thinking that this was going nowhere and frowned even more. He did not like her frowning and could sense that she was about to cry. Mike then said, “Alright let’s do it.”
They turned back to Tygla and Mike said, “Ok we’ve discussed it and we’ll take the job.”
“Great,” she said gracefully, “Thank you very much.”
“No problem,” Mike smiled.
Tygla smiled back to him, “I have to get my stuff and tell you everything what happened. Oh by the way, where should I meet you?”
“Port 23,” Mike replied.
Tygla said, “Thanks again.” She shook their hands and a glimpse of hope rekindled in her heart.
“Again, no problem, oh except for one thing,” Mike said, “You will be paying us in full after the job, right?”
“Of course,” she replied, “Why wouldn’t I?”
“Well, we had a lot of cheating clients in the past,” Mike replied looking in her eyes again, “But I think we can trust you.”
Tygla smiled, turned and left to get her things while Mike examined her slim attractive body. He was hypnotized the way her long tail slithered like a snake. He did not know if he was still alive or died and went to heaven. Was Mike in love with this beautiful creature?
“Don’t even think about it,” Justin said breaking Mike’s thought as he was looking to his friend then to Tygla, “She a Felinis.”
“So?” Mike questioned.
Justin replied, “Do you know what Felinis do to humans when they fall in love with them? I heard stories that they kill them in their sleep.”
Mike retorted turning to him. “Na, that just an old wives tale, come on, she can be all that bad.”
“You’re walking on thin ice Mike,” Justin warned.
“Now you can’t tell me that she didn’t turn you on?” Justin just looked at him as Mike sighed in defeat of the argument “Let’s get back to the ship.”
Justin was a bit concerned with his friend. He knew Tygla was beautiful, even if she was human, she still could be dangerous.
Chapter 3
Promise for a Tyger
Standing in the transmission room on the Hades, Drax and Hiss, Drax’s Jungle green-scaled snake Serpian stood before a giant seventy-two inch screen that showed a live video feed of King Rymu.
“You know I have your son,” Drax stated, “Now know this, the people of Felinis will work for the Xatu Empire in the mines of Jupiter or your son will share the same fate as your wife.”
Rymu was furious and replied, “You will release him immediately you traitor!”
“Now, now your majesty, you are lucky that I haven’t kidnapped your daughter, but that could be a matter of time. So I wouldn’t make that same mistake twice.” Drax saw Rymu sighed in defeat.
Rymu knew he was right, but he did not want to answer too harshly as he knew that there had to be another way. He closed his eyes remembering why he had become king. He had the people to protect, even if i
t meant to sacrifice his own son. Besides, he knew his son is more resourceful, his only hope was that Xman could escape that ship on his own.
He opened his eyes to meet Drax’s and replied, “No. My people will fight for their freedom. And as for my son, you better pray that he does not break free from your grasp Drax.”
Drax frowned at that answer.
“A pity, you will soon learn the fate of those who do not cooperate with the Xatu Empire.” Drax said as he switched the vidcom off. He turned to Hiss and commanded, “Bring Xman to me.”
“Yesss my lord right away,” Hiss replies as his slithered out the door.
Hiss has become very obeying to Drax and the empire during his service with them. His race was easily persuasive to join the Xatu as the Serpitans loved power and money. Hiss however, wanted to follow Drax in hoping he too could once lead an entire Xatu fleet to victory.