by Saxon Andrew
Slick went up and down on his eight legs, “This is cooool.”
Iggy said, “What about me? I don’t have a built in blaster system.”
Grant smiled, “No you don’t. But your hide is developed so that any blaster beam fired at you will be reflected back at its source. Your hide can withstand almost any solid weapon fired at it so you should be safe from most weapons used against you.”
“And just how am I going to do any damage to those that attack me?”
Grant shook his head, “Iggy, you’re three hundred feet long. You could level a building by swinging your tail. I suspect you will do the attacking and your enemies will probably run for cover.”
Iggy looked at Grant and Slick, “If I choose to join you? What happens next?”
“You’ll stay here until I find one of the Invader’s planets and then I’ll take the two of you there for a trial run. If all goes well, we’ll start paying them back for what they did.”
Iggy looked at Slick, “I’m in, what about you?”
“I’m in as well. Anything beats the boredom of this place.”
Grant smiled, “I’ll be back. Thank you for helping in this quest.”
“Don’t keep us waiting too long.”
Grant laughed, “I won’t Iggy. Thanks for not eating me before.”
“You’re welcome. This sounds like fun.”
Chapter Four
Cinny watched Grant board the scooter on the wall display and said, “Are you sure you could have stopped Iggy from killing him?”
“I have a dart in my inventory specifically designed to penetrate his hide. I could have put a force field around Slick and prevented him from attacking.”
Whippet said, “A force field wouldn’t have stopped Iggy.”
“Nothing will stop that monster. His strength is incredible and that hide of his is immune to most forms of energy. His designers only completed his development after a means of stopping him was developed.”
Cinny watched Grant rise above the planet and shook her head, “What do we do next?”
Whippet shrugged, “I was hoping you would start looking for the Orion. The sooner you find it; the faster I can take possession of this ship.”
Cinny pursed her lips, “Do you have any idea where we would start?”
Whippet looked up, “Perhaps where you last saw it would be a good place.”
“I can tell you without question that Lydia took it somewhere else and that any clues at that place would be worthless. Its location is like a riddle and it’s going to take an AHA moment to find it.”
“You know your former partner better than any of us. Surely you have some sort of idea where she might have gone?”
“Cinny, I have absolutely no idea where she might have gone. She knew I might be captured so she wouldn’t do anything that I might suspect. No, you and Grant are going to have to figure this out.”
Grant entered the bridge and heard the Hologram’s last comment, “I’ve been thinking about that. Is it true that the Orion can be parked in subspace?”
“It is.”
“Then there is a real possibility that we may never find it.”
Cinny’s eyes narrowed, “What are you saying?”
“Until we come up with an idea on where to start looking, we should start our quest to punish the civilization that destroyed Earth. We have two tools on the planet below and we should find a place to put them to use.”
Whippet slowly shook his head, “That civilization is huge. They have millions of warships and the Creator knows how many planets.”
Grant looked at Whippet, “Do you know how to go about eating Iggy?” Whippet’s eyes narrowed and he shook his head. “One bite at a time. We start and see where it takes us.” Grant looked up, “Did anyone in the military ever find one of the attackers’ planets?”
“No, all of our forces were tied up keeping them away from Earth.”
Grant nodded and said, “Then we have to have another meeting with them and follow them afterwards.” Grant looked at Cinny, “Would you like another serving of that meal that was interrupted?”
Cinny smiled, “You better believe it.”
Grant looked up, “Ana, you said that the key unlocked abilities in our ship that were previously unavailable. What were you talking about?”
“The ship’s force field and beams are now operating at full power. Your contact with it allows the systems to function.”
Whippet frowned, “Do you mean that it won’t have the added power if I’m flying it?”
“That’s exactly right. It’s the two pilots’ skin that allows the additional power to flow.”
Cinny said, “What about our skin?”
“Your bodies are made up of Stem Cells that, like Slick, can transfer tremendous amounts of energy. The weapons detect your touch and go to optimum power.”
Grant shook his head, “Why did they use Stem Cells?” There was a moment of silence and Grant said, “Why did they use Stem Cells!?!”
“If a part of your body is shot off, it will regrow.”
Grant and Cinny were stunned by the comment. Whippet said, “Are you saying that they can’t be killed?”
“If every cell is burned, then they will die. However, if one cell survives, they will regrow.” The three were silent thinking about what that meant when the computer said, “However, the chances of that happening are somewhat remote.”
Grant said, “Why is that?”
“The two of you will put on your new armor that is now available in the landing bay. It was developed to reflect blaster beams back at the source. It would take a warship’s major blaster to damage it and even then it would have to continuously hit it for ten seconds.”
Whippet blew out a breath, “Why didn’t you use these new weapons against your attackers? It appears to me you had the tools to defeat them.”
“These new tools only work with humans that have been given the Stem Cell skin. The energy would have killed a normal human. Cinny and Grant are a quantum leap in genetics.”
Whippet stared at the ceiling and had a thought that gave him chills. He kept his expression under control but Cinny saw something anyway, “What’s bothering you, Whippet?”
Whippet shook his head, “Let’s hope you don’t have to see if you survive being blasted.”
Grant smiled, “I’m with you on that.” Cinny knew something else was bothering Whippet but the computer distracted her, “This ship also has the capability to hang in subspace. As long as one of you is holding the controls, it will remain outside normal space. That should allow you to follow a ship that enters subspace close to your location.”
Whippet said, “Are you saying that the ship will lose its increased power if one of them is not in contact with it?”
“Unfortunately, it will.”
“What?”
Whippet looked at Grant, “I would highly recommend that one or both of you not wear shoes while on board.”
Grant looked up, “Would that work?”
“As long as any part of your body is touching the ship’s surface, it will retain its full power.”
“What about when we sleep?”
“Cinny, just sleep on the cots without any clothes.”
Cinny giggled, “I already do that.” Grant’s face turned red. Cinny saw it and giggled again, “You big prude. You should do it as well.”
Grant shook his head and looked at Whippet, “Do you want to go down with us?”
“Nope. I don’t have armor like yours.”
“I have armor for you that is very effective against most weapons. I also have blasters that are more powerful than those used in the past.”
Whippet sighed, “Alright, I’ll be a look out. Just make sure the two of you don’t take any stupid risks.”
Cinny smiled, “Whatever do you mean?”
“I suspect the two of you are now thinking that you’re invulnerable and you might hang around to take your revenge on the Yellow Warriors that a
ttacked you. What happens if six warships enter atmosphere and fire all their weapons continuously at your location?”
Cinny and Grant’s expressions changed. Cinny blew out a breath, “I’m glad you’re with us, Whippet. You keep us grounded.”
“He makes a good point. Just killing their warriors will not make any significant dent in their numbers. Get out and don’t risk it.”
“We will, Ana. Are you going to keep watch in orbit?”
“I am.”
“Good. By the way, what color is the new armor?”
“Crystal blue.”
Grant looked at Cinny, “They’ll be looking for two humans in black armor. If we keep our helmets on, we should be OK until we raise them to eat.”
“Let’s go! I’m ready for another serving.”
• • •
Grant and Cinny sat at a table next to the back wall of the restaurant and waited on their meal to arrive. “We really made a mess of things last time we were here.”
Grant shook his head, “Actually, it was those Yellow Armored Warriors that did most of the damage. Every beam we fired hit one of them.” The stairway was just being completed and the walls on the second story had been replaced. They still had to be painted but the room was close to looking normal. They kept their faceplates down and looked at the customers around them. “This was a planned attack the first time and most of those present were in on it. It appears most of those here tonight are just civilians out for an evening meal.”
Cinny nodded, “I really don’t want to put them in danger.”
Grant nodded, “Then how do you want to do this?”
“We’ll only raise our faceplates enough to eat. Once we finish, we’ll start out and raise them as we’re exiting the entrance.”
Grant looked at a light in the upper right corner of his faceplate, “Whippet, how’s it looking?”
“I’m on top of the building across from the restaurant and nothing looks suspicious.”
“Stay alert. We’re going to finish our meal and raise our faceplates as we exit.”
“That should do it.”
Grant nodded as the server brought them their meals.
• • •
The meal was extraordinary and they enjoyed the peaceful moments while they ate it. Cinny sighed and said, “Grant, why aren’t we attracted to each other.”
Grant paused with the fork a few inches from his mouth, “What do you mean?”
“You saw the history of Earth and the great love affairs of humans throughout its history. Anthony and Cleopatra, Napoleon and Josephine, Paris and Helen; we’re the only two humans alive; why aren’t we attracted to each other?”
“I suspect there are prohibitions against it in our minds.”
“Why would our creators do that?”
“They had a reason, Cinny. Just like Iggy and Slick aren’t allowed to reproduce until they leave that planet. I can feel the compulsion every time I look at you. Don’t you feel it as well?”
“I do.”
“We just have to trust that there’s a good reason for it and hope we find the proper circumstances where it will be removed.” Cinny stared at Grant and smiled. Grant smiled, “Like Ana said, we’re not fully developed yet.”
“Are you ready to go?” Grant nodded and stood up. They walked across the restaurant and approached the Head Server. Grant handed him a gold stone and raised his faceplate fully. Cinny raised hers as well and Grant said, “This should be enough payment.”
The Head Server’s face went from green to red. He recognized them and began nodding so hard that Grant thought his head might pop off. They walked out the door and Grant saw him raise his communicator. “Whippet, show time.”
“Stand by.” Cinny and Grant walked down the street to the south and they heard, “I have two warships warping into normal space above the planet and transports are leaving the landing bays. I also detect high power scans from them to the surface.”
“Thanks, Ana.”
“I can see the transports in high atmosphere moving at high speed toward your location.”
Cinny and Grant lowered their faceplates, “Whippet, you need to get out of here.”
“On my way. I’m taking my scooter to the north and I’ll remain below the level of the buildings. I’m reasonably sure you were reported to be moving south.”
Grant looked up and saw the bright glow of the transports as they entered the atmosphere. Twenty bright dots were getting larger by the moment. Their helmets showed the scans from the warships washing over the area searching for them. They remained under the signs and roofs that extended out over the sidewalk. “It looks like they haven’t been able to see us yet.” Cinny nodded as they turned into an alley and walked slowly toward their scooters.
“I really want to take a shot at those transports.”
“If we do, they’ll crash into a highly populated area. Just follow the plan.”
They climbed aboard their scooters and suddenly disappeared. They were just outside normal space with only their faceplates still in normal space. In the darkness of the alley, they were invisible. “Ana?”
“Twenty more warships have just jumped in and one very large ship that I’ve never seen before. It’s highly armed but the other ships surround it. I suspect someone high up in their chain of command is on board.”
“That’s the ship we’re going to follow.”
“Do you want to come back on board?”
“No, pick up Whippet and we’ll meet you at your current coordinates later. I suspect it might take a while before they leave.” Grant looked at Cinny, “Do you want to go to that ship now or see what happens here?”
“Let’s wait and see.” Grant nodded as the first transports landed in the street outside the restaurant. They moved the scooters high above the alley and remained in the shadow close to the street. Grant looked up and shook his head. A hundred more bright dots were moving into the atmosphere high overhead.
• • •
The first transports to land dropped their landing doors and hundreds of yellow armored warriors rushed out and spread out. Right behind them, huge mobile blasters began rolling out of the transport’s landing bays and began moving north and south. Their scanners were extremely powerful and they began scanning both sides of the street. Grant and Cinny moved closer to the walls of the building next to them. Their faceplates may give off a return but it would be so small that it should be ignored. One of the transports slowed as it passed the alley but resumed at full speed after a moment. Grant looked at Cinny and saw she had her hand on the thruster controls. They waited as the numbers arriving swelled at an astonishing rate. Soon the attack fighters arrived and they began crisscrossing above the city. They could hear the loud sirens wailing and the local population was running to get out of the immediate area. It looked like massive chaos in the streets.
“I have a large armored shuttle leaving the big ship.”
“Thanks, Ana.”
They looked up and saw the large bright dot descending toward them. They knew this was the one they were going to follow.
• • •
The large yellow Commander picked up his communicator, “Has anyone detected a subspace jump?”
“No, Sire. None has been detected.”
He watched the city getting closer on his display and wondered if a mistake had been made. The two humans would normally have run as soon as his forces made an appearance but so far no jumps had been detected. He saw numerous blaster discharges on the surface below his approach and knew his troops were firing first and asking questions later. He arrived on the ground and a local government official arrived at the same moment. He exited his ship and the official came running up, “WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?!”
“We’ve received a report that the two humans we’ve been pursuing are present here.”
“You’ve not been given permission to conduct a military operation.”
“We will pay for any damages done, Councilor.”<
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“Show me your evidence.”
“Come with me.” The large being walked over to the entrance to the restaurant and found the Head Server surrounded by a platoon of his troops. It was clear he was scared out of his senses. “Why did you call us?”
The Head Server started stammering and the Commander slapped him. The Head Server pulled his communicator out of his tunic and activated the camera system. The Commander took it and played what he had recorded. He saw the two humans walking out of the entrance and turn south. “They are here, Councilor.” He played the recording for the official and he recognized the humans from the previous encounter.
“Well, you’ve not found them yet and my people are reporting that you have killed more than six hundred of my citizens.”
The Commander’s eyes narrowed and he lifted his communicator, “Have any jumps been detected?”
“No, sire.”
He looked at the official and his expression turned grim, “Order all our forces out of the city and move the warships overhead. If a jump is detected, you will notify me immediately.”
The official stared at the Commander, “What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to level the city.”
“You can’t do this!”
“I would suggest quite strongly that you leave quickly.”
The Official stared at the Commander as he turned and walked toward his transport. He screamed as he ran toward his shuttle, “YOU CAN’T DO THIS!!”
Cinny and Grant saw the warships entering low orbit and the transports start lifting off the surface as the yellow armed forces scrambled on board. Cinny shook her head, “Surely they wouldn’t.”
Grant’s expression turned hard as he said, “Let’s move out to that ship.”
“Grant, we have to jump away.”
“If we do, we’ll reveal that we can hide from their scans. This is not on us. Let’s go!” The faceplates disappeared and the two scooters moved to twenty miles from the large warship hanging in space.
• • •
The Commander pressed his console and the Principal appeared on his panel, “Yes!”