by David Roman
Three of the enemy ships remained, continuing the volley.
The Serpent was already far over the city, swimming through the polluted clouds.
“Vincent, Gaia,” Spaide said through the speakers, “we’re about to rip through the atmosphere. We can’t take any more fire for it can veer us off course and drag us back down. Take them out immediately!”
“I’m trying!” Gaia said.
Two more ships blew up, leaving only one.
“Good job,” Vincent said. “I’ll try to get this one.” He opened fire at the last vessel, but it used evasive action, crisscrossing between his and Gaia’s discharges. “This guy must be the leader,” he said.
The guileful enemy positioned behind them, blasting away at their shields and targeting their engines.
“Get him, damn it!” Exander screamed. “We can’t take any more damage!”
The sky began to darken.
“Vincent! He’s out of my range!” Gaia panicked.
Vincent nervously blasted away at the moving mark, but missed every shot.
“Now!” Spaide and Exander both shouted.
Vincent closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and carefully began targeting the eluding ship. The force of the wind lapping at the turret made it near-impossible to achieve a target, much less a precise hit. He exhaled and pushed the trigger thrice.
The enemy vessel blew to smithereens.
“Good job,” Spaide said. “Everyone hold on. More await us in the orbit.”
The Serpent left the gravitational field, and weightlessness took over the crew.
Four carriers were nearby, releasing a swarm of fighters in their direction, and the Nomad was seen in the distance, heading for them like an outraged monster chasing after its escaping prey.
“Here they come!” Spaide said as blasts began rocking them again. “The shields are almost down,” he grunted. “We’ll be out of the auxiliary power before we get out of here.”
“They want us alive,” Exander said.
“Then why are they shootin’ at us?”
“To wear down our shields and take us in.”
“Precisely, and I’ll be damned if they do.” Spaide looked around, seemingly in search of something. “If I could only have a few seconds of stillness!” He raised his arms in anger. “I can’t jump into hyperspace with all this havoc!” He then reached over and pulled a lever.
“What are you doing?” Exander exclaimed.
“Spaide!” Gaia screamed into the intercom. “The cannons are off!”
“I know, we need to salvage all the power we can,” the Dirsalian replied.
Exander became pale. “I hope you know what you’re doing.” Even though he had known Spaide for the better part of his life, he still couldn’t figure out just what the crazy Dirsalian was thinking.
“You said you’ll never doubt me again, right? Now wait!” Spaide then turned to the robot, said, “Dagoneth, activate all the missiles.”
“All the missiles?” the twins asked.
The salvo stopped.
“Incoming message,” Dagoneth stated.
Spaide looked over at Exander; the Xenian nodded.
“Put it through,” Spaide said, adjusting the levers.
A small hologram of Marz appeared on the panel.
“Surrender your ship,” he said with a commanding tone, “and perhaps we shall spare your lives.”
“Sorry, can’t do it,” Spaide responded, ignoring the warning and continuing to set up the jump to hyperspace.
“Your arrogance far exceeds your abilities. We have you in target, and your shields are drained. I must admit, though, your attempt to escape was most gallant. Now, stop your vessel and prepare—”
“Shut the hell up!” Spaide slammed his fist on the panel, turning off the hologram. “Sure likes to hear himself talk, that punk.”
“I told you they want us alive,” Exander said.
The assault on their ship sustained, some of the blasts beginning to penetrate the shield and rip off strips of metal from the Serpent’s hull.
“I don’t want to stay here any longer to find out,” Spaide said. “The coordinates are set. Now, we need a hiatus.”
“The carriers are getting closer,” Damocles said, looking up as their tiny vessel fell under the shadow of one of the dreadnoughts. “They’ll turn on the magnetic beam! Hurry!”
“Launch the missiles!” Spaide sputtered. “All of them!”
“Sir,” Dagoneth stated, “I do not think that is a very rational decision.”
“Shut that damn robot off! Ex, fire!”
Exander reached over to the big button in the middle of the panel and firmly pushed it. The nine remaining rockets exerted into every direction, destroying nearby enemy ships and covering the space around them in a cloud. The Serpent was free from the onslaught for a few seconds, giving them a window of opportunity.
“Almost there!” Spaide yelled out as the ship began vibrating.
Everyone held their breath. They all knew that one single blast could disrupt the entire process. Once the smoke cleared, any chances of escape would’ve been gone. And then in an instant, the pursuing vessels froze, and their discharges became nothing more than balls of orange energy.
Then everything disappeared and turned into a void.
They jumped into hyperspace.
“Yeeeehhaaaaaaaaaa!” Spaide screamed in joy. “We did it!” He grabbed Exander by the shoulders. “Can you believe it? We did it! This is by far the craziest, the most suicidal, the most stupendous stunt we’ve ever pulled!”
“Calm down! We still don’t have Oryon’” Exander shrugged off the Dirsalian, took off his belt, and got up. “Tell Gaia and Vincent to meet us on the deck, for we’ve much to discuss.”
*
Marz clenched his fist, barely controlling his urge to smash the monitor. I failed, he thought. It’s unacceptable… He turned to his master.
Na’ar was beside him, gazing out of the window at the cloud of smoke that was left behind the escaping ship. He didn’t yell, but simply stood there, quietly caressing his goatee.
Marz swallowed and said, “We secured a tracker aboard their vessel.”
Na’ar looked up at him indifferently. “You did your best,” he said, turned around and walked away, leaving Marz baffled by his reaction.
.
CHAPTER VIII
The Path to Urtan
The exhausted party gathered around in the cabin. After patching up her wound, Gaia helped the big man with Duell, who appeared far improved, opening his eyes and even sitting upright. They took off his breastplate, wrapped him in a blanket, and gave him several medicine caplets.
Spaide rested against the nearby wall, waiting for the Xenian master to regain his senses. Their successful escape seemed to profoundly affect him; he fidgeted with excitement, eager to chat with his long-time friend.
Exander walked in circles around the table, panting in frustration. They achieved the impossible by rescuing Duell—a feat that will never be forgotten—but still, the question lingered: Where is Oryon? He guessed the worst, just as he’d guessed before, but quickly abandoned the thought. What he needed was a scapegoat. Yes, a scapegoat on whom he could displace the boiling anger… and who was the best candidate? Who showed up announced, unwelcome, and surrounded with a mysterious aura? He slowly turned his head in Vincent’s direction.
“Just who the hell are you?” he said through his teeth.
“What…?” Vincent was shocked, looking around the room. Here he was, thinking he was a part of the clique, but unfortunately, they still didn’t trust him.
“Well?”
“I don’t understand…” Vincent shrugged, the feeling of being an outsider coming back.
“Quit playing games with us, human. Or is there even such a thing as a ‘human’?” Exander began to approach Vincent, throwing his accusations. “Who do you work for? Did Zeth send you?”
Vincent leaned against the wall and c
lasped the sides of his head. He was really tired of defending himself. He closed his eyes and asked, “Why are you still accusing me of being a spy?”
“Exander!” Gaia stood up. “What is your problem?”
“Save your compassion for the Urtans!” Exander said to her without taking his gaze off Vincent. “The human has some explaining to do.”
“I’ve told you who I am many times, yet I never receive any answers,” Vincent replied.
“Liar!” Exander lunged forth and grabbed Vincent by the collar with both hands. “How do you explain the stunts you pulled?”
Vincent seized the Xenian’s wrists and held him away. “What do you mean?”
“How did you clear that gap?”
“What?”
“The hole in the Heradonn building… how did you jump so far?”
“I… adrenaline rush, I guess…” Vincent stammered. He honestly didn’t know how he jumped so far himself and hadn’t even given it a second thought.
“I’ll show you an adrenaline rush, you—”
“He saved my life!” Gaia stepped between them, shoving the enraged youth away. “Why can’t you see he’s not a spy?”
“Because he’s a liar!”
“What more do I have to do to gain your trust?” Vincent fumed. “I’ve killed for you, damn it!”
“Tell us the truth!” Exander insisted.
“I told you everything I know!”
“Everything?”
“Ex, come on, now.” Spaide got up, pulling back his mad accomplice. “He’s proven himself, hasn’t he?”
“He has powers like us!” Exander shouted, shrugging off the Dirsalian.
“Now you’re just exaggeratin’. Just cuz he managed to leap over some—”
“He fought off Na’ar using a Palermius sword! Grandfather’s Palermius sword, Spaide!”
Spaide turned to face Vincent with a perplexed expression. “What?”
Damocles got up, waiting for a response as well. Gaia, on the other hand, seemed confused.
Vincent exhaled and glanced down. He was beat at last, worn out from all the running, jumping, and space travel, ceasing to care what was going to happen to him. He frowned and finally snapped, “I have no idea what you’re talking about! I’m tired of these games, these stupid rebellions, the godforsaken Republic, and of this entire baloney! I try to do the right thing by helping you guys out—killing people in the process I might add—but instead, I’m the one being attacked! Also, every time I ask a question, I am told to shut up! I’m not your damn prisoner or some frigging caveman! I’ve no idea what the hell ‘Palermo’ is, and honestly, I don’t really give a damn!” He stepped closer to Exander and with a challenging tone added, “Now, I want some answers!”
The companions exchanged astounded looks; Vincent had lost his cool.
A forced smile lifted the corners of the blonde Xenian’s mouth.
“Okay,” he said. “How would you explain this, then?” With a quick move, he pulled out his sword, flipped it, and pressed its hilt against Spaide’s hand.
“Arrgh!” Spaide clutched his fist. “Idiot! How many times I’ve told you not to do that!”
Exander then threw the sword to Vincent. “Catch!”
Vincent easily caught the blade by the handle.
Spaide’s jaw dropped. “Damn…” he muttered.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Gaia asked.
“I… don’t know…” Spaide replied, looking at the twins.
“I don’t understand,” Vincent said, noticing the stunned faces. The sword felt ideal in his hand, almost weightless, but despite its outdated appearance, he knew it was a deadly weapon.
“Only those who have our power can wield these swords,” Exander explained. “The power of the Tel Kasar.”
“Power?”
“A hereditary power that was passed down a hundred generations amongst certain Xenians,” Exander briefed. “And today, I witnessed a man from an unknown planet with such ability.”
“Just by holding this sword?”
“Not just that. How did you jump so far?”
“I don’t know,” Vincent said, admiring the sword. “Some instinct just took over my body… I cannot explain it…” He whirled the blade and thought, I can get used to this. “…It was as if I knew that I’d do it… and I just… well, I went for it.”
“Impossible…” Damocles whispered. “He does have our power…”
“Do us the honor and explain to us again what occurred on this so-called ‘Earth,’” Exander said sternly, yanking his sword away from the curious human. “In full detail.”
“Well,” Vincent said, relieved at the fact he received some form of an answer, no matter how ridiculous he found it to be. “I’ve already told you everything I know.”
Exander’s face twisted in anger.
“As I’ve mentioned before,” Vincent started before the youth flew into another rage, “an unknown object had penetrated our airspace and landed on our soil.”
“And what are you on your planet? A constable of sorts, right?”
“Yes, something like that. I was monitoring the vessel as it opened up, revealing an entrance, and that’s whenever my curiosity took over. As I ventured inside, I saw a man who seemed to be hurt. It’s the last thing I remember, and only vaguely. I tried to examine him closer and called for help. That’s when I saw thousands of lights and passed out.” He paused, then raised his arms and said, “I’m sorry, but as I’ve told you before, I don’t remember anything else.”
“I’ve heard this already, but that doesn’t explain how you have the power of the Tel Kasar!” Exander began to get loud again.
“I… I just don’t know.”
“Maybe all of these humans possess it?” Damocles proposed.
“Texanorra…” Duell’s tired voice stopped the squabbling.
Everyone turned their attention to the elder Xenian.
“Master,” Exander said in surprise as Duell got up, stretching. Spaide and the twins quickly embraced the Xenian master.
“Thank you, my brothers,” Duell said. “Thank you for saving my life.”
As the group hug broke up, Spaide began the introduction, “Vincent Saturn, meet Sage Duell Kammasiarra.”
“It’s an honor to meet you, sir,” Vincent said properly, extending his hand.
Duell looked Vincent squarely in the eye and firmly returned the grip. “The honor’s all on this side, Vincent Saturn,” he replied with his calm deep voice as he scrutinized the human.
Duell was a muscular man of medium height, slightly shorter than Exander. His features said that he was a strict man, yet his eyes suggested that he had a good heart. He looked fearless, with no signs of any recent poisoning. But the thing that impressed Vincent the most was the air of the man’s demeanor. Certainly, Duell was someone who could provide him with answers.
“What is that?” Gaia quietly asked Spaide. “The Texanorra?”
“A legend,” Spaide responded. “A transfer of the Tel Kasar power… But how? It’s impossible…”
“What happened on Zazaban?” Exander asked first.
“It was a trap,” Duell began. “They knew we were coming… Zeth, Na’ar, Dragoons, and countless other troops. They attacked us while we were several miles beneath the surface. We fought our way up to the ship, taking out their numbers along the way…
“It was the bloodiest battle I’ve ever participated in. At the last minute, we came to the conclusion that it’d be best if we were to separate. That was the last time I saw him… my master… my mentor… Oryon Krynne.” He looked at them, but his gaze went beyond in deep contemplation.
Spaide cleared his throat. “What happened then?”
“I managed to divert most of them, and realizing I wouldn’t be taken alive, they poisoned me. Those cowards… I was weak, too feeble to do anything…”
“What about grandfather?” the big man sniffled, his eyes welling with water. “You don’t actuall
y mean Texanorra’s for real?”
“As I was being transferred, I overheard Zeth inform Na’ar that Oryon had escaped, but left behind his sword.” Duell stepped back and glanced away.
“Impossible!” Exander exclaimed, stifling his own tears.
“Zeth’s an animal. He’s a devious man, unworthy of the Tel Kasar title. No one but him knows just what had occurred in that tunnel, not even Na’ar, for all of the other witnesses were killed.”
“They didn’t chase Oryon?” Damocles asked.
“The Shadow was bombarded by a series of rockets before it jumped into hyperspace.”
“Thus it landed on my planet…” Vincent concluded.
“No…” Damocles shook his head.
“I’m sorry to say this,” Duell said, still avoiding the looks of his companions. “But that is what happened. And it’s the only logical explanation to Vincent’s newly acquired power.”
“I don’t believe it!” Exander cried out.
“Using his last strength, Oryon must’ve programmed the ship to Sebalon 2 and performed the Texanorra on our new friend.”
Vincent was confused. “What is this ‘Texanorra’ anyway?” he asked. “What’s happening to me?”
“Impossible!” Exander continued. “Texanorra’s a myth! It has never been done, especially on lesser species!” As he said those last words, he furiously pointed at Vincent.
“Oryon’s ship was empty whenever I found it…” Spaide said, a single tear streaking down his face. “…and the information in the vessel’s memory confirms it.”
“Rubbish! How could this human usurp our power?”
“He didn’t usurp it,” Duell held. “Rather, it was a mutual agreement between them.”
“What’s happening to me?” Vincent loudly repeated.
“Texanorra,” Duell turned to him, explaining, “was a legend of a dying Tel Kasar …” He paused, realizing it’d take him all day to properly explain something he hadn’t himself understood. “I’ll keep it simple: when Oryon grabbed on your arm, his powers transferred to you.”
Damocles sobbed. “So that’s it.”
“I’m sorry.” Duell faced the twins. “But your grandfather, my mentor, has passed.”