by C A Ardron
Diving down into a sideways Cat-Roll, Falcon could barely believe it. No Emissaries, no convoluted plan of capture – he just wanted her dead. She had no idea why he’d singled her out, but she’d take it, it made things so much simpler.
As Python moved in Falcon stretched her arm out, answering his powerful aura attack with one of her own.
Python dodged out the way of the icy blue arc of light, but it made him back off, which was all she wanted.
Falcon found her feet, letting the energy fizzle out before it hit anything. Python drew the large sword off his back and Falcon retreated, there was no way she was countering that with her daggers or claw.
She threw out a jagged shard of ice, hoping to slow him. Python blasted it apart with a bright aura sphere and then threw out another.
Falcon gasped at the size of it, she flapped her wings and jumped to the side. The sphere erupted as it hit the cement floor. Falcon yelped, caught on the edge of its explosion.
Grunting as she was hurled back, Falcon bit off her scream as the metal shelving behind raked across her wings.
Falcon stumbled onto her knees, trying to draw breath, her wings numb from the welts.
She heard Hawk struggling again, it must be killing him having to watch this. Falcon raised her hand as Python rushed in, letting her azure sphere expand, icicles beginning to form around it. She let it go, barrelling it forwards.
Falcon saw Python swerve out of its way so ignited it early, catching the Sarpien in the explosion. She got to her feet, her breathing laboured.
Trying to move her wings, she gave up after a second, wincing at the sudden pain. Glancing back, she could see the shelving had made them bleed.
She tried to recover her breath as Python found his feet again and turned to face her. He raised his hands and Falcon retreated, her breath catching at the three small pinpoints of emerald light. They grew bigger, forming into snakeheads.
‘No,’ Falcon breathed, realising what she was looking at. Summoning up an energy sphere in each hand, she let her claw retract.
The energy snakes began winding their way through the air, so Falcon threw her orbs. Her aim true, she managed to take out two but was forced into another Cat-Roll to avoid the third.
Falcon yelped as it caught at her arm, pulling her off-balance and beginning to weave around and latch onto her armour, sucking at her strength.
Gritting her teeth, Falcon summoned up some ice-mist, coiling it around the snake and forcing it off.
The green energy finally faded, and Falcon let out a tiny sigh of relief. Energy snakes could end a battle before it even got started.
Her claw unsheathing once more, she turned just as Python grabbed at her arm, closing in.
Falcon gasped, his fist finding her stomach. She reeled back but the Sarpien didn’t release his iron grip. Trying to shake him, her breaths became laboured as she attempted to gather her will for another aura sphere. Nausea swept over her at the snake’s enforced Power-drain. Falcon tried to fight the extreme tiredness in her limbs, the way the room shifted momentarily.
Python’s chuckle was horrible as he lashed out again. This time he released her, letting her fall back against the shelving, her knees buckling.
Falcon’s hands trembled on the floor and she struggled to draw breath. The sound of Python’s steel boots filled her ears. He was almost on top of her, but Falcon could barely move.
Her head lifted at the sudden whistling sound and the Sarpien’s surprised grunt.
A small knife clattered onto the ground after dinging off Python’s armour. Falcon blinked at it, the blade was silver, the hilt moulded with sharp eyes and the face of an Insect.
Her eyes narrowed a fraction. No, couldn’t be.
Chapter Twenty
The lithe form of the silver warrior zipped past her on whirring Insecta wings, crashing into Python and knocking him over.
Falcon fought the way to her feet. For a moment she watched Locust as the woman drew her slim blaster, forcing the Sarpien to retreat.
‘Don’t you have someone to rescue?’ Locust called to her.
A smile tugged at Falcon’s lips. Whatever the fugitive’s reason for being here, she wasn’t going to turn the help down.
She ran to Hawk, pulling at his gag before attacking the tight knots.
‘Falcon!’ Hawk sputtered. ‘You’re crazy! I can’t believe you actually came here.’
‘Don’t be silly, I wasn’t going to leave you in Sarpien hands. Can you handle the rest?’ she asked after tugging loose one of his wrists.
‘Yeah, go get him.’
Falcon turned and drew one of her daggers before stepping to Locust’s side.
‘So,’ Python grated, ‘you brought aid after all. An interesting choice, Predgarian. The reports of you were accurate, you truly are an unpredictable adversary.’
Falcon didn’t respond, she certainly wasn’t going to let on to him she had no idea what Locust was doing here.
‘I warned you, Falcon. Now you get to watch your partner die.’
Falcon’s teeth clenched but didn’t glance back at Hawk, it was probably what Python wanted.
As an energy sphere grew in the Sarpien’s hand, Falcon moved to intercept. Without armour Hawk didn’t stand a chance.
Locust rushed towards Python and Falcon focused her mind, praying she had the strength to actually counter the attack. Throwing out a sphere of her own to meet it, she dropped back as it collided, noting Locust was doing the same.
‘Hawk, get out of here!’ Falcon yelled at him. She swore, noting Locust’s amused smirk.
‘Whatever,’ Falcon muttered. ‘I’ll be suspended by the end of the day anyway.’
‘You have to live that long first,’ Locust told her. The Insecta fired some more blasts from her pistol at the Sarpien.
‘Got it.’
Falcon turned to Hawk just in time to see him disappear in a bronze pillar of light. She gave him a slight nod, relief flooding her as he reappeared, stepping forwards in his familiar light plates.
‘Good to have you back,’ Falcon murmured as he joined her.
He drew his short sword.
Python growled, backing from the three warriors. He threw out an arc of emerald, forcing them to dive out the way.
Falcon grunted as she regained her balance and stood straight, looking about the place. ‘Gone,’ she muttered.
‘He can’t be far,’ Locust spoke.
‘He can camouflage,’ Hawk added with a nod. ‘Falcon, aura sweep?’
She nodded and cast her mind out. ‘He’s making his way to the other side of the warehouse. He means to flee.’
‘Then let’s go,’ Hawk replied.
Falcon caught at his shoulder as he passed. ‘No, we should return to West Sector.’
‘But-’
‘I got you back, and unharmed, that’s all that matters.’
Hawk sighed. ‘I guess you’re right. I still can’t believe you came here alone though.’
Falcon grimaced but decided not to tell him the whole story. She turned to Locust. ‘Thanks for your help. That was the Green Python, he’s pretty tough.’
Locust nodded. ‘I’ve heard of him, he and his sclithe have recently moved here from down south.’ She took a few steps back and raised her blaster.
‘What are you?’
‘Sorry, this isn’t over yet. I need you to come with me, Falcon.’
Falcon gaped, ‘what?’
‘I’d never just stand by and let a Sarpien kill a fellow warrior, but it’s not why I’m here. I need you for a few hours, after that, I’ll let you go free.’
‘Over my dead body,’ Hawk grated.
Locust sighed. ‘If I have to take both of you, I will, but I only need Falcon.’
‘Why?’ Falcon asked.
‘It doesn’t matter why.’
‘Oh, I think it does.’
‘Yes,’ a new voice drawled from nearby.
Falcon jumped and looked around her.
> ‘This is all very interesting.’
Falcon found she was gaping again as the man stepped out of the shadows. Her eyes narrowed on his handsome face and groomed, blond hair. His tight black trousers and silk shirt stood out in the dusty warehouse.
She caught herself on the cusp of speaking his name. What was Caban doing here?
He pointed right at her. ‘That’s the medallion the visiting Sarpien was wearing in my club yesterday. Interesting, so you were actually a Predgarian? But Jackal played along with your act. What game are you two playing?’
Falcon eyed Locust, the woman was giving her a suspicious glance.
‘I was undercover,’ she muttered. ‘I’m not a Sarpien spy.’
‘Yes, I know that,’ Locust replied, her voice just as soft. ‘Sarpien spies try to blend in, not draw attention by getting into fights every week.’
Falcon sighed, ‘why does everyone think I’ve been starting the fights?’
‘So what are you doing here?’ Hawk asked.
‘I’ve been sent to ensure Falcon’s safety, of course.’
‘Pardon?’ Falcon asked, ‘by who?’
‘General Red Jackal. He has some interest in you and doesn’t want the red Sarpiens getting to you first.’
‘Oh, great,’ Falcon breathed.
Caban grinned and pulled a medallion from beneath his shirt.
Falcon couldn’t help her sharp intake of breath, seeing the brown coin with the large, muscular lizard in its centre. ‘You!’
Caban laughed. ‘Your silver friend spoilt my fun, Falcon. I was looking forward to the fight, but as long as I don’t kill you, I’m sure we can waste a bit of time before going our separate ways.’
‘Back off,’ Falcon hissed to Locust and Hawk as the man activated.
The brown light was wide and when it dissipated, the warrior revealed was far bigger than the man which had previously been stood there.
‘Light,’ Hawk swore. ‘That’s him, isn’t it? The rogue you fought yesterday.’
‘Yeah,’ Falcon replied, ‘Komodo Dragon.’
Locust hissed between her teeth. ‘His armour’s sparking – he’s unstable.’
Falcon winced as Komodo Dragon let rip a gigantic roar.
‘Yep,’ Hawk agreed as they backed even further. ‘I’d say that’s pretty unstable.’
‘I don’t know what you want with me, Locust,’ Falcon said, ‘but this guy almost killed me yesterday. We’re going to have to work together to get out of this alive.’
She nodded, ‘of course.’
Hawk nodded too and took out his radio. ‘We should let the local Predgarians know what’s happening.’
Falcon placed a hand on his, lowering his arm. ‘Um, yeah, about that.’
Hawk groaned. ‘Falcon, what have you gone and done now?’
‘I was supposed to contact them before coming to rescue you.’
Hawk stared. ‘You mean you weren’t supposed to come here alone?’
‘I didn’t want to jeopardise your safety,’ she told him.
Locust sighed and shook her head. ‘That was a stupid move, Falcon. You played right into Python’s hands.’
Falcon swallowed, realising Locust was right, but she really had expected Python to have back-up.
She had no time to apologise. Komodo Dragon made a rush for them, his agility surprisingly swift considering his enormous bulk.
Dragon’s razor-sharp claws raked at them. Hawk’s sword came up, deflecting the huge gauntlets.
Falcon stabbed forwards in a Talon-Slash, finding her mark but drawing back immediately. His armour was too thick to penetrate with her smaller blade. She winced again, receiving his awful roar full in the face.
He pushed forwards and Hawk staggered back and fell over. Locust fired some blasts from her pistol, trying to halt the big rogue’s advance.
Falcon took a deep breath, fuelling the icy orb growing in her hand. She was too tired for this. Not as powerful as she would’ve liked, Falcon threw it anyway.
Shaking her head, Falcon retreated some more, it hadn’t even made him flinch. Hawk was back on his feet and lunged in with a Sweep-Strike. The sword which would’ve cut into armour at any other time produced light scratching.
The Avian used the Veer-Off manoeuvre to avoid those devastating claws and retreated.
‘We can’t beat him,’ Hawk panted. ‘There’s no way.’
‘We have wings,’ Locust spoke, ‘I suggest we use them.’ She fired one more shot and zoomed upwards.
Falcon tilted her head to follow her path. The Insecta used her blaster to burn a hole in the plastic skylight above and zipped out into the air.
Hawk took off and followed but Falcon hesitated, grimacing as she unfurled her bloody wings.
Komodo Dragon screamed in rage. Falcon gasped, shaking her head as those yellowish sparks increased.
Her eyes widened as bubbles began to appear in his helmet, running along it like some strange, watery surface.
‘No,’ she whispered. ‘It’s too late.’
Dragon’s next scream was high-pitched and barely human. His helmet began to bulge outwards. Falcon withdrew from him as it formed into a long reptilian snout.
Dragon had stopped trying to attack, screaming in pain and confusion. Falcon put some distance between them, navigating the large, empty shelves back to the door.
She could still see him though. The helmet had separated and was growing razor sharp teeth, row upon row of them. Dragon crouched over, his legs becoming bent, his feet and hands distorting into claws.
Falcon gasped as his arms became stunted and lizard-like. A long, thick tail sprouted out behind him - it was over. Falcon beheld the mottled, dark-hided half-man, half-lizard. It was too late for Caban now. The medallion had been too much for him and had taken over.
As she reached the door leading back out of the warehouse Falcon saw the deformed lizard’s forked tongue flicker, scenting the air. It was definitely time to leave.
The medallion absorption seemed to have made Komodo Dragon lose interest in her, but she hurried up the passage anyway. She deactivated her medallion for a moment before putting her armour back on, resetting her wings and getting rid of the stinging cuts.
Returning to the small staffroom, Falcon climbed out the window and lifted into the sky, her sharp gaze roving across the crowds below before turning to scan the sky.
What had happened to Hawk? Falcon adjusted her flight path, dipping down onto an enclosed avenue a few blocks from the warehouse district.
She took the radio from her belt. ‘Hawk?’
‘Falcon? Where are you?’
‘I’m out of the warehouse. My wings were injured, I had to take a different route.’
Hawk swore. ‘I knew Python had bloodied them a little, I hadn’t realised they were that bad.’
‘It’s fine, I’m safe. We need to get back to West Sector. Before I left, I saw Komodo Dragon’s armour absorb.’
‘Absorb? What does that mean?’
‘It means there’s no more Caban, we’ve lost him for good. The medallion has taken over, fusing armour and human body together. He has the mind of the animal now.’
‘Isn’t there any way to change him back?’
‘No. We have to get back and tell Lion about this, the Unicians need to know they’re out of time. This has to be dealt with before he decides to go hunting for food.’
Hawk swore again. ‘Well…I’ll meet you back in West then.’
‘Hawk, I think we should-’ Falcon cut off as her partner ended the transmission. She frowned down at the radio, why’d he ended the call like that? It wasn’t like him. She sighed, he was probably angry with her for disobeying orders.
Well, guess she’d better get used to that, Lion would give her an earful when she got back – but at least Hawk was safe.
Falcon turned and let out a strangled gasp, finding herself face to face with a medallion warrior.
Her gaze roved across his golden armour and bruti
sh mask. Oh no, it wasn’t.
‘You’re the Silver Falcon, I believe. What are you doing in my Sector?’ Golden Baboon asked.
Chapter Twenty-One
‘Ah,’ Falcon began. Light, she was in so much trouble. ‘That’s a bit of a long story.’
Baboon folded his arms. ‘I’m listening.’
Falcon paused, her mouth open as the golden captain was joined by two Avian warriors. They flapped down onto the street.
Falcon noted right away the owl mask on the first, whilst the other’s azure wings were so huge and elongated, she decided he must be an albatross.
‘My partner was kidnapped by a Sarpien last night,’ she told the captain. She was already in trouble, there was no use in being evasive, it would only make matters worse.
‘Who’s your partner?’ Baboon interrupted her.
‘Bronze Hawk.’
He nodded, ‘continue.’
Falcon frowned at him, was he testing her truthfulness?
‘The Sarpien left a message, saying if we wanted to see him alive again I had to come here at noon to see him.’
‘It’s not noon yet,’ the owl warrior commented.
‘I know. I decided to go in early and scout the place out, I found Python there with Hawk.’
‘Python?’ Baboon mused, ‘not a Sarpien I’m familiar with, which sclithe?’
‘Red, from North Sector.’
‘Indeed?’ Baboon replied, his voice detached. ‘What did the snake mark look like?’
‘Thick bodied, and it had horns like a rams.’
Baboon grunted. ‘All right, Silver Falcon, I’ll admit you know what you’re talking about. What happened when you went to this Sarpien?’
‘We fought,’ Falcon decided against mentioning Locust. Baboon might arrest her if he thought she was working with the Dakkonin fugitive. ‘I managed to get Hawk free and Python fled.’
‘I heard you talking on your radio about armour absorption,’ Baboon mentioned.
Falcon nodded. ‘Yeah, we were interrupted by a rogue warrior who’s been causing trouble in West Sector. He’s found a Komodo Dragon medallion from somewhere. He lost control of it and the armour has taken him over. I saw it fuse with him – he’s half-man, half-beast now.