Renee grabbed the table so hard her knuckles went white and leaned in. “We didn’t have anything to do with the bombing, Bimbo. You accused the wrong people. Now renew our visa.”
“Like, have you been in prison or something? Don’t you know, EEK!”
Mary squeaked as Renee went to jump over the table and strangle her, but Oliver’s large arms were steel bands around her waist as he lifted her kicking and cursing. He stepped away and yelled “RENEE!!! ENOUGH!!!”
“No one this fucking annoying should be a receptionist!”
“People skills, Red.” He said, letting her feet hit the ground.
“My people skills are just fine!” she huffed. “My tolerance for morons, that needs work.” Her chest heaved.
Sparky stepped between Renee and the woman to look at Mary who seemed so oblivious to the danger as she still had that plastered smile on. “Mary, tell us why you cannot renew the visa. It is imperative you do not anger my rider further, nor me.”
“Oh, well our operations in Galicom are being denied access. The servers that run basic space travel and starship manufacturing are being hijacked. Here is the news report.” She twirled her finger in the air and a holo-screen appeared.
“This is Amanda Lockwell reporting from GNN on Verard, the Galactic News Network. Today is day three of the lockdown at Galicom’s primary starship factory. Millions are still without any hope of many basic Terran Network access. Marines sent in were all expelled completely naked as the terrorist Davan Took finally had this to say.” The screen switched to a grainy video of a blue skinned man with two black lines running vertically over his head. The lines pass over his eyes and near encircles everything. His voice was as soft as his features. He was far from intimidating, but it showed his strength lay in the mind. “My name is Davan Took, former employee of Galicom’s scientist division concerning Time-space Energy and Warp Technology. I was fired for no other reason than an incident not of my own doing. The footage of me killing my own assistants was falsified by someone in the upper echelon of Galicom who wants to steal my research. Until I either get the footage of the murders cleared and get my innocence proven or I get ten billion credits, I’ll make sure no one will enjoy the ease that Galicom has pulled the wool over your eyes with convenience and shiny new things to buy. Those are my demands. Chose well.” The screen switched back to anchorwoman Amanda Lockwell. “And there you have it folks. As of right now the Marines are not saying a word as to the validity of the suspected murders and all attempts to gain entry have been proven ineffective. Since our soldiers cannot gain entrance, Captain Stav is calling for any class one Hunters who can root out the madman. As to other news, President Chandler of Galicom has this to s…” the screen disappeared.
Mary’s manic grin stayed on. So did her high pitched voice. “So, like, as you can tell… my hands are tied. You can feel free to leave a complaint, but till that terrorist is found you’re out of luck. You can come back later when the situation is like, resolved.”
Jessica said “Then can’t you suspend the hours the Dorgenox has left before we start getting fined?”
“Without the servers, the time will continue to accumulate.” Mary responded matter of fact.
Oliver kept one hand on Renee who still smelled of hatred, but turned to Stone and Satellite. “What do you two think? Should we go and try our luck?”
Hunter and companion looked to each other. Satellite shrugged his wings. “Beats sitting around, Stone. It’ll be like old times breaking into Valdez square all over again. Perhaps Galicom defenses may be interesting to run as a gauntlet.”
“I like the way you think.” Stone calmly smirked and went to the desk. “Miss, which factory is the criminal hiding in?” Mary gave details.
“Are you seriously going in there?” Renee had to ask. He nodded. “Fine, but you’ll need a medic as backup. You head that way and I’ll go get my synthesizer I left back in my med bay.” He nodded and she passed Sparky to hold her hand out to the woman. “I want the visa pearl back right now.”
Mary pulled out her desk and gave over the topaz marble. “Please come back if you don’t die. And if you do, it’s been a pleasure.” It was impossible to tell if she meant it.
“Sparky, want to fly out that window to get my ship?” He dipped his muzzle.
“What about us?” Jessica asked as Renee climbed up on her partner.
“You’re in Galicom.” She rolled her eyes. “Spend the day shopping or go to the movies. This place can keep you entertained for weeks. We’ll be back long before then.”
“You had better be careful. If Jake finds out…”
“You won’t tell Papa anything. I’m just as capable of doing this as he is. If he goes all hell will break loose. At least with me no one will get seriously hurt.” Sparky went to the nearest window which opened to a balcony both he and Rose took off from.
“Enjoy yourselves.” Stone told the two women. “Brother, we should arrange transport.”
The shuttle wasn’t long in coming after being called and soon they landed behind a ring of hovering soldier crafts. Someone of rank was ordering the shuttle to leave and it did, but not before dropping off its three passengers. Oliver stared over the approaching men to find the building to be gigantic to be putting it mildly. It was easily sixteen kilometers long by twenty wide and five tall. It clearly produced some massive starships. The officer touched his collar and his helmet retracted. He was clearly displeased, but said “Give me one good reason you flew in a no fly zone?”
“Because I outrank you Captain Stav.” Oliver said and absorbed his glove to show off the tooth glowing in a clenched fist.
“An elder, eh? I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure. How do you know me?”
“I don’t. I saw you on the news as well it’s displayed on your left breast.” The captain nodded. “I’m High Elder Void and this is Stone Callicko, class one Hunter and his companion Satellite.”
“Very well, I’ll take your word for it because I don’t have time to verify.”
“Also, be aware, another shuttle will be coming soon. Renee Dorgen, our ship’s medic will be accompanying us.”
“Dorgen? She wouldn’t by any chance be related to Jake Dorgen would she?”
“That is his daughter.”
“So the monster king finally spawned another. Damn, the files I’ll need to report will take all week. Oh well, I can’t deny a medic for any Hunter willing to head into that. I just ask you make sure she doesn’t level the place.”
Oliver chuckled. “Sorry, I cannot make that promise. How many are inside the factory?”
“Twenty three scientists are unaccounted for and with the barrier field up, we cannot gain any scans inside to see where Took is holing up. We’ve come to believe he’s in the very back servers. We’ve allowed in only two other Hunters inside from different entrances, but one was escorted out by security drones just like the troops I sent in.”
“Any deaths?” Satellite chirped.
“Not to current reports. But with hostages we can’t put too much pressure on Took or he may finally snap. Negotiations have failed, he won’t budge on his earlier demands, but anything over a billion credits will take weeks to scrape together. And he wants ten. We have no idea as to his mental condition and don’t know if he’ll wait.”
“Anything else pertinent we need to be aware of, Captain?” Oliver asked seriously.
“Just know that at the push of a button he can turn security stunners to kill-bots. If you can free the scientists, we can go in with our elite tactical teams, but if you find Took, don’t hesitate to end him. The worst could be that Took is not working alone. He is a genius after all and was well liked before he killed seventeen assistants in cold blood. He could have sympathizers under him so be aware. Our intel is spotty, but if you can successfully offer aid, I cannot deny Hunter help. I did after all, issue the need to the reporters.”
“Ah, here she comes.” Oliver said as he looked up.
Captain Stav said through his com “Stand down. I’m allowing this shuttle to land. Let her through.” The blockade moved aside and before long the ship’s landing gear slid out of the boat’s hull and touched down.
The cargo door lifted and out came Renee in a white, skintight flight suit identical to the standard issue all medics wore. Beside came Sparky wearing tactical black plated armor that covered his entire body except for his wings. He was exceedingly more impressive and fierce looking. Renee lithely leapt into the leather seat made into the armor. The captain groaned softly, seeing Jake’s features in her. Beside them followed Rose, but she was unarmed. They came forward and Renee asked “Is the place shielded, I couldn’t get a readout on my way down.”
“It is.” The captain of the troops admitted.
“Then I shall be the link to the outside through my mate.” Rose told the group.
This made the soldier sigh. “I would be very grateful, Lady Drake.”
“Call me Rose. Sparky, be safe.” Sparky ran his rough jaw down her long neck as a caress.
“Ready or not, here we come!” Renee said.
Oliver drew his sword and his helmet grew on completely in readiness for battle. Stone did the same and Renee cast a kinetic barrier around herself and Sparky as he took off hovering over to the wide entrance.
The grand double doors displaying ‘GALICOM’ didn’t open automatically as would normally happen to customers and Stone’s activated hatchets spun, shooting off four slicing waves which cut open a large square which Oliver leapt at and double kicked to make an entrance Sparky could zip into. Unlike most buildings, this starship factory was made of steel and concrete with minimal crystal integration. Fiber optic cables ran throughout the corners to give off light. Red lights flashed down the long entrance hall, but didn’t wail as someone had let the emergency alarms get cut, but left the lights functional. The air was cooler than outside and Oliver took the right side of the entrance while Stone took left. Satellite flew ahead with caution to gain intel on what lay ahead. Sparky didn’t fly anymore as the entrance wasn’t wide enough to dodge. Renee though threw up a visible electrical barrier around the two of them as they followed further behind. Renee’s eyes were lit constantly.
The moving walkways were disabled as the two Hunters proceeded with weapons ready. Satellite’s talons grabbed a vent before disappearing into the narrow ventilation system. He didn’t get far before dropping out and telepathically having Stone relay “He can’t sneak through the vents. The security system is active and lasers would cut him to ribbons. He’s going to find us safer paths.”
“Hold on.” Oliver said as he heard something ahead. He knew Hunter hand signals and told Stone to hold back. The large black man did just that.
Oliver slid his back along the wall to the corner and peeked, but saw nothing except a wall three meters in and stepped around.
The barest of ‘zzzst’ sounds came out of nowhere and was so close had Oliver bend his knees and spring backwards, arching his back to rotate his body and flipped around to land in a crouch. He saw the barest of translucence movements and threw himself forward to swing his sword at whatever it was.
Stone, seeing a blue-white glow intensifying out of thin air, aimed directly at Oliver’s exposed back had him move from his hidden position and chopped down just behind the light. He then kicked randomly where a body would be and connected to something heavy and solid.
A humanoid sentry robot, when severely damaged, loses its ability to go invisible like Phantoms. Oliver’s swipe sliced his opponent from hip to shoulder and was followed by a second, which made its head go flying. Stone’s opponent was chopped from crown to groin when he could see what he dealt with.
Davin Took watched from the monitors to swallow thickly as he saw the two Hunters so easily destroy two of Galicom’s most advanced robotics with no hesitation. Despite the fear these two men instilled, he connected to the intercom built into the head of the robot Oliver’s separated from its shoulders. “Not bad. I see someone called in the professionals, but you don’t understand…”
“No one cares what you think, Asshole!” Davan looked at the screen as it zoomed in on a fierce looking redhead with eyes showing she had immense power. He did a facial recognition search and found her name was Renee Dorgen and groaned as he saw her personal files to realize not only who her father is, but of her own history and prowess as a top ranking Phantom graduate and field medic. “You’re fucking with things that are upsetting lives.”
“You want to talk about upset lives? Really? Are you accused of murdering people you thought of as family? I loved those I worked with. They were all I had in life and they were stolen away from me. Now not only has my research and reputation been flushed down the drain, but I lost dear friends.”
“Oh Boo Hoo, get over yourself. I don’t give two shits about your problem since you fucked with mine. Just give up before you regret making us kick your ass out.”
“Renee, I hope you don’t mind me calling you Renee, but I’m not going anywhere before my name is cleared or I get my… credits. If you try getting in any deeper you’ll face more than invisible sentries. I’ll throw all this factory has at its disposal after you.”
Of all the things she could do, Davan never would have guessed she’d smile. “It won’t be eeenough.” She lilted sweetly.
Oliver noticed a terminal for guests visiting the factory to see how starships are made and moved straight for it. Stone backed him up so he could work. Oliver spotted a crystal port for secure file transfers and willed his vambrace to access it. A tendril plugged right into the port and instead of transferring data to his brain he began to see holographic displays through the eyelets of his helmet that only he could see, much like Renee’s chip. He stole buried blueprints and integrated them into his suit, willing it to show the way to Davan Took’s location, but the area in question was blacked out and Oliver said “I can’t bypass his control myself. The lines have been likely severed from remote control. I have though found where he’s most likely located and to access him means we’ve got to go through restricted areas.”
“What of the hostages? Did you find them?” Stone prompted.
Oliver was quiet for a few minutes as he stayed plugged in and searched though twenty camera views that flashed faster than the human eye could follow. Eventually he said “Got ‘em! I found only two scientists. One is unaccounted for… Damn, three are badly wounded from kinetic burns. The others are helping…”
Hearing of injuries had Renee atop of Sparky commandingly say “Where are the injured?”
“In the second most secure vault in here… and it’s far from Davan. We’ll get the hostages first…”
“No, Sparky and I will go to them. You and Stone take care of the stupid genius. Just tell me where to go.”
Worry for her safety tugged at his heart, but knew that tone and would be pointless to stand in her way. He unplugged from the terminal and aimed his right arm at her. A thin tendril shot and passed through her constant shield to connect to her bracelet. Her eyes shut and her armor turned black and silver, growing into battle-mode and spiking. Data copied to her and she saw the last image of the wounded people he located and a display showing the most efficient path to reach them. “Thanks, Olly. Kick the bastard’s ass. Sparky, fly!” four green wing’s spread and carried them out and into the tunnel to get hit by a barrage of kinetic beams that didn’t put a dent in her erected shield.
“Stone, how long can you throw up a shield around us?”
The shiny, practically new helmet turned to him saying “If I pace myself I can keep it up for twenty minute intervals with five minute rests in between, but I won’t be able to fight. If I do then it will drop to five minutes with ten minute rests.” The armor cleaning program Oliver made allowed battered armor to be shiny once more.
“Then watch my back and intervene when you must. My armor is versatile. Especially against their pseudo kinetic blasts. I can take a few hits, but if I get surro
unded you better get back before I unleash a wave.”
“Satellite says he’s had to hole up by the inner door leading to the final assembly hall and is pinned down. We need to go now.” But what Stone didn’t say was he never liked leading. As a Hunter he was aggressive and preferred solitary hunting, but in groups he preferred others to take lead. He was one who stood back to analyze a situation before diving into battle, it kept him alive so far.
Oliver charged down the intersection opposite the one Renee and the armored Sparky soared down. He relied on the twirling motion he had been practicing as a dozen or so points of light charged up in midair to release the charged gun’s energy. Two hit his shoulder as he dodged the bulk, but the output was set to stun and didn’t even tingle so Oliver used the one weakness to select where to swing his sword. Being invisible is good, but the weapon system in place gave it away.
Stone took several minor draining hits, unable to move with the inhuman jerky motions Oliver was capable of doing. In the lower gravity, Stone was far from helpless, but continuous fire on his psionic shield covering his body weakened him with each connection. His hatchets buried in passing, keeping up as Oliver cleared the bulk of the sentries blocking the way. Stone couldn’t run on the walls and ceiling like Oliver, but he did use them similarly to mostly avoid the defenses.
“Two minutes.” Stone called out and Oliver knew what it meant. Oliver accessed the building’s layout and located a storage room with one vent and one door. He turned them to it and cut down only one robot he could detect and cleared the room before Stone went in and lowered the barrier around himself to sit down immediately and breathe with eyes closed.
Oliver heard a scraping sound of metal on metal from in the vent, but before a drone could drop down it was destroyed by a starlit cutlass.
In four and a half minutes Stone got back up and nodded he was ready and they ran further. Steel grates lined this area of the building and clanged no matter how softly they ran.
“Glad you guys could show up. I was afraid I’d molt and grow my feathers back before I could see your ugly faces again.” Satellite chirped from deep in a very small hole. The falcon exited and walked up onto Stone’s arm.
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