“Go straight and stop at the edge of the chasm. Wait for the third bridge to pass, then jump,” Tiana spoke at the same moment as the voice.
“Are you a Program?” Tiana asked, voice weak, doubting she would hear a response.
“No, we are like a Program, but not the same,” the kindly voices replied.
“Then what are you?” Vickie asked quickly, probably thinking the same as Tiana, that the answers may not last long.
“A remnant from your melding. We followed, watched, adopted an aspect, and found a home,” the kindly voices explained. Tiana didn't understand.
“Melding...do you mean with Trent and Sasha?” Vickie asked.
“Time is short...you must continue,” the voices instructed as they started to fade.
“I think you are right, I......I feel something from...from the necklace...” Tiana stuttered, legs weakening as she began to fall forward. But Vickie held her steady, strengthening her embrace.
“Yes, that would make sense. We should ask Vin when we escape this place,” Vickie said, her unwavering confidence almost made Tiana smile. But the overwhelming pain once again racked through her flesh, burning away the feeling of euphoria brought on by the kindly voices.
An icy breeze struck her skin as they came upon a chasm, deep and dark. The first whooshing sound struck unaware, with a trailing whine, as if something metal was dragging against the wall. But she only saw a blur as it moved past; the first bridge.
“I can't jump on that,” Tiana breathed, flustered.
“We do not have to...it was after the third bridge passes,” Vickie responded. Tiana tried to recall the voices instructions, but they were distant, locked in a deep fog. Her gaze fell on the deep darkness when she realized what Vickie meant, hoping that the voice was not leading them to their doom.
The second bridge whooshed past and Ash whined from her bosom just before a deafening screech filled the darkness below. But it didn't loiter, whatever creature it was born appearing to follow right behind the second bridge.
“Ready?” Vickie asked.
“No...” Tiana responded as the whooshing of the third bridge speeding past struck their ears.
They jumped.
Refreshing, ice cold water enveloped her flesh as she plunged into a river of rapidly flowing water, being quickly pulled under its surface. Vickie vanished from her side, having lost her grip, being dragged into the waters darkness. Tiana tried to breath, but only water surrounded her, filling her lungs as she continued swimming desperately for the surface. Her chest exploded in agony as the down current continued to pull her relentlessly, it being too strong, dragging her deeper into the waters icy embrace. Her mind began to fade, then her strength as the image of her mother and Gil'Da, Regalia and Yukie, standing next to a smiling Sasha, who suddenly became Trent, appeared before her.
“We will save you...” Sasha/Trent’s hand reached out...
She fell against a hard floor, coughing spasmodically as she expelled the water from her lungs.
“Tiana,” Vickie's wheezed, voice ragged as she crawled to Tiana's side, rubbing her back to help her clear all the water from her lungs.
It was a miracle. Again, she had faced death and somehow come out alive. She didn't understand how until her coughing ceased and she was able to force her eyes open. She slammed them shut again after witnessing the floating water just above her head.
“Gravity manipulation...” Vickie muttered as she helped Tiana slowly to her feet.
“Move forward...and please do not give up hope...” the kindly voices were barely a whisper.
“We will...and thank you...” Vickie responded. Tiana wanted to voice agreement. But she couldn't, the pain being just too great.
They moved from under the floating river, into a tunnel which quickly widened, its dull lighting replaced by a bright glow. Walls of yellow stone gradually shifted to white as the floor turned to silver. A golden doorway with a crest of a sun in the arms of a man who appeared larger than life, a horrible man she recognized as the marquis, blocked their way.
“Very interesting. The underdogs, the Gorgeous Vixens of Death, have surpassed my greatest expectations, surviving the Maze of Confusion!” A projection of Sir Rostil, a tall, “noble perfect” man, with long blond hair, who adorned a robe and crown of pure gold, appeared before the door.
“Now...enter and allow your fate to be decided by the Wheel of Destiny!” the marquis spoke with flourish, waving his arms in unison with the golden door that swung open behind his projection.
Tiana could only cover her eyes as a blinding light struck her. The area beyond the door was immense, a giant hole that extended to depths infinite. Floating in its center, reflecting a light so bright only one thing could be its source, was a round platform of gold, the Wheel of Destiny, or so she gathered. Six narrow planks extended from the wheels edge, each less than a meter wide with a number projected overhead. Two of the planks already had people standing on their ends; Sir Georigi and Lady Wedra.
“Sir Georigi,” Vickie whispered as she began to move forward, down the bridge leading from the golden doorway to the Wheel of Destiny. Tiana could sense Vickie's hope, wanting to hurry to the side of the man she loved, but resisting the urge as she carefully escorted Tiana. She almost stumbled off the bridge at the sight of what illuminated the wheel, hovering far below.
“An “artificial” star...” Tiana whispered as she turned her sight away. But she had held it long enough to see what would happen if they fell.
There would be no body left, like the ones from the previous encounters, since what lied below was a miniature, “artificial” neutron star, similar to those used in NSD core’s on starships, contained by a unstable singularity and dark matter matrix, patiently waiting for the next victim to fall within, which Tiana couldn't help thinking, would be her.
*********
He was too slow.
The massive golden door slid open to expose an ambush of more combat armored guards then he could count. Sasha took a laser bolt to the face and tumbled back as he tried to lead her from the hail of fire. Alutia Guards collapsed on all sides as he scooped Sasha’s lifeless form in his arms and dove for the wall, behind the scant bit of cover provided by the doors edge.
“Sasha!” he screamed, unable to think clearly as he ran his trembling fingers over the limp form of his love, his life.
“Vin! Is she ok?” he asked desperately, ignoring the shouts of the remaining Alutia Guards who were returning fire while trying to retreat to cover.
“Grand Duchess Sasha Alutia has suffered a severe cranial impact. Combat armor is reporting nanite treatment administered for a minor concussion and laceration,” Trent's head drooped as his breath escaped. She was alright.
“Sir Trent!” a shout brought him back to the firefight that was raging around him. Laser bolts continued to pour relentlessly through the door while six Alutia Guards lay silent, combat armor riddled with holes.
“They're pushing forward!” Alutia Guard Commander Usa'Pol shouted through the com.
Trent didn't think, rushing past the Alutia Guards firing around the edge of the open doorway and firing his combat arc at the approaching ranks of enemy guards with reckless abandon. An enemy, a mere three meters away, was struck in the chest by his first shot, tumbling into those who followed close behind. Trent's sudden appearance caused the wave of enemy guards to slow, their attention turned to him as the Alutia Guards, from the far side of the doorway, laid constant fire on their exposed flanks. Trent ignored the return fire that ricocheted off his gorian combat armor, dropping an enemy guard with each shot of his combat arc. But the enemy guards quickly recovered, organizing their return fire as they again started slowly marching towards the tunnel entrance.
The front rank of enemy guards took a knee, while the second rank kept standing, and as one, fired on the lone clear target; Trent. Pain exploded through his chest as the combined fire struck him, the force sending him tumbling backwards across the gra
ted floor. They didn't provide him time to recover; laser bolts raining upon him as the second row kneeled, allowing the third rank to fire as one with the first. He gritted his teeth as he tried to recover his feet, rolling back as more and more laser bolts struck his gorian covered body, the pain being just too great; his strength fading.
“Stay Down!” a guard shouted from behind as unbroken streams of laser bolts passed just overhead. Gorian armored guards stormed passed him, the first few carrying repeater arcs, laying deadly fire upon the tightly bunched ranks of the Don'Alutia Guards. Another squad followed the first, forming a protective circle around him, one helping him to his feet.
“It is good to see you alright, Sir Trent,” the voice of Sir Erio broke over the communication channel.
“What are you...Sasha! She's hurt!” he responded through pained breaths, the image of her lying lifeless on the grated floor flashing within his mind.
“I'm fine, Trent....” Sasha whispered over the com, her voice trembling.
He pushed through the protective circle of the Empress Guards, rushing to Sasha's side. She was trying to pull herself to her feet as the Alutia Guards surrounding her continued to lay fire on the now retreating ranks of the Don'Alutia Guard.
“My love,” he steadied her as they embraced.
“My duke...what happened? My head...” her words were woozy.
“A laser bolt took you unaware...I'm so glad you're alright...” he briefed, his relief obvious by his words. She placed an unsteady hand to the side of his gorian covered face, flinching as the occasional laser bolt flew through the doorway.
“It hurts...you must...I didn't realize...” Sasha's shaky words were broken, uneven.
“It doesn't matter, my love...the pain is bearable,” he wanted to say it was nothing. But that would be a lie; his broken ribs a testament to that fact
“Your Graces...the Empress Guard has secured the entryway,” Guard Commander Usa'Pol explained without emotion.
“Thank you. Where is Sir Seb'Losh?” he glanced at the guards around them, finding four of the six of those who had been struck during the first volley, groaning painfully, field medics attending each.
“Not good, sir, he needs to be tubed ASAP!” a field medic responded over the com.
“Oh, Trent...” Sasha whispered, concern overflowing from her pained words.
“Get him and the other wounded to the shuttle and back to the ABF Alutia...now! Inform the pilot to disregard all safety protocols...and someone contact Captain Daiyu and have her lock down all space and atmospheric travel!” Trent instructed, letting his instincts take over, no time to think. “The rest of the guards with me,” he went to turn and thought he noticed Sasha wince. “Can you continue?” he whispered.
She nodded. “Yes...I am your wife and equal...this bit of pain is nothing,” he knew she was bending the truth. But no matter how much he wanted to, he couldn't tell her to leave with the wounded.
A strange thought started coursing through his mind since he witnessed her shot; that if she left his side, even for a moment, he would never see her again. He threw the thought away and grasped her hand, rushing through the golden archway with seventy-four newly arrived Alutia Guards in his wake.
*********
The battle stations alarm blared, startling Regalia as she looked up from her studies, to her equally surprised mother. They'd arrived at Don'Alutia earlier that morning and after seeing the Empress and Alutia Guards off, she returned to her morning lessons. Her mother had explained, like always, that no matter what may be occurring around them, a young lady’s duty was to study, and that was what Regalia would do. Plus, she knew it would help keep her mind off the danger the other ladies were facing down on the surface below.
“Can we-,” she wasn't allowed to finish her thought as her mother grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the door.
“Yes, your place is on the fleet command deck with the empress,” Belia explained sternly, making Regalia feel at ease. Her mother always knew what to do.
They rushed out of Regalia's private sitting room within the lady's apartments and into the corridor that cut through the center of the noble section of the starship. They quickly made their way to the starship's primary corridor, pushing into the flow of crewman rushing to their stations. She lost her footing as the starship shook violently, but two crewmen were in a perfect position to catch her and her mother.
“Are you alright, My Lady?” the polite crewman asked.
“Yes, I thank you,” she replied, looking to her mother, who did the same. They pushed on, through the personnel at the transport tube station. She squeezed into a single person tube transport beside her mother. Within a few moments they emerged on the fleet command deck, battle station alarms falling silent.
“You're late!” Yukie shouted as Regalia exited the tube.
“I'm sorry,” Regalia said honestly. Yukie looked her up and down, then pointed to the command chair to her left. Regalia nodded, smiling at her mother, who after curtseying deeply to the empress, darted to the sensor station situated adjacent the CID on the ABF Sasha's fleet command deck.
“I knew we should have finished them at Heclutia,” Yukie sighed as soon as Regalia had locked herself into place.
The CID projection displayed the local space around Don'Alutia and her two moons, showing many private starship and freighters traveling amongst the hundreds of Duct Repminers and food production orbitals. On the far side of the large brown and red moon, nine NHA starships blinked red, the nine remaining starships of the traitorous ABF battle group lead by Knight Rear-Admiral Quo'Nup.
“How did we not see them when we arrived?” Regalia asked.
“They were hidden on the dark side of the moon, running silent. We were lucky, one of them stuck their head out too soon and we were able to extend the gorian spiral tail just in time.” Yukie pointed to ABF Sasha on the CID, moving slowly towards the moon in question. The sound of desperate panting filled the air to Regalia's side and she turned to find Donnlie, uniform disheveled, grasping his knees.
“I'm sorry, Lady Regalia, I...I thought you would wait for me...” he stood at attention, glancing at the five remaining Empress Guards, who stood on alert close by.
“I knew you would catch up, Donnlie,” she smiled, causing him to blush.
The ABF Alutia trembled as the NHA Super-Capital ABF Yulee peeked around the moon; blasting its 1600 large LPA's with reckless abandoned.
“Oh no!” Yukie screamed as the plasma began to swirl on the noise of the behemoth warship moments before an enormous, 10 km wide plasma beam erupted forth. It cut through two massive bulk freighters that were trying to escape the chaos, both starships falling silent, gaping holes through their centers.
Regalia gasped in horror as the beam continued swirling on, well wide of the ABF Sasha, on a direct course for the surface of Don'Alutia. She squeezed Yukie's hand as they both watched the beam break through the atmosphere, all clouds within a 1000 km's vanishing moments before it struck the colonized surface.
*********
Trent pulled her close as the world around them bucked violently, throwing everyone from their feet. She tried to recover, but the vibrations were just too strong, bouncing the combat armored guards against the walls like they weighed nothing. Then, as quickly as the earthquake had begun, it stopped, and the battle raged on.
“Push!” Trent shouted as soon as he recovered his feet, pulling Sasha forward with him. Unlucky enemy guards had been thrown clear of the fortification and into the clear view of the Alutia Guards, unable to flee back before laser bolts burned through their armor. Trent pushed himself against the wall, moving behind the Empress Guards who continued to push forward without pause.
“An earthquake?” she asked Sir Erio as he took a break from the action, another gorian armored guard taking his place in the formation.
“No...something just struck the surface. The chatter is chaotic, but from initial reports, a....a plasma beam broke through the
atmosphere and...” Sasha froze, squeezing Trent's armored covered hand.
“Any word from the ABF Sasha?” Trent pulled his head back as a laser bolt missed by less than a centimeter.
“No...all primary channels are being jammed. Only civilian are still active. But they are overwhelmed with emergency announcements,” Sir Erio responded sternly, but Sasha thought she caught a hint of concern in his voice.
If Yukie was in trouble, “we don't have time to worry. I trust Captain Daiyu,” Trent said as he leaned out to fire a blast from his combat arc, Sasha doing the same a moment later.
“As do I,” Sir Erio reassured himself.
“Good...then let's move!” Trent shouted.
The Empress Guards rolled out as one, Alutia Guards close behind, charging yet another fortified barricade that was trying to keep her from saving her ladies.
*********
Regalia was almost thrown clear of the command chair as the plasma beam struck the exposed ABF Sasha, which hadn't even tried to avoid it. She looked up to Donnlie standing over her, holding the arms of her chair to make sure even if she did lose her grip, she wouldn’t slide off the fleet command deck. Nodding her thanks, she turned to Yukie, being held steady by two Empress Guards.
“Yukie, do...do you think...think it will be like Earth?” she asked, her voice trembling as the memory of that time returned. The sight of the plasma beam striking the surface, destroying almost five-thousand square kilometers of Rovial, capital city of Don’Alutia, was horrifying. But she knew it could get much worst; the super-capital and capital ships each stocking a planet killer. Yukie's eyes went wide as if the thought hadn't even occurred to her.
The Noble Petty, Complete Edition (Alutia Rising Series, Book 2) Page 72