Chapter 2 - Escape
Hours passed like days, waiting for the time to come. Loki chose not to discuss the escape, perhaps fearful that the guards would get wind of it. In fact, he hardly spoke at all, only offering curt quips to Maria's inquiries.
Agent Hill had an idea, a simple plan that didn't require much review, just some prep work. She ate very little of her lunch or dinner, adding the majority to the sludge in her waste bucket. The next morning, she moved the bucket from its usual spot, guessing correctly that the guard wouldn't think to empty it if he didn't see it. He merely set down her meal and left. Maria dumped in the gruesome porridge then used the bowl to mash and mix it all up— not exactly her finest hour, to be sure.
When her lunch arrived and Byrzon didn't, Maria's hopes rose. She didn't bother to eat, feeling too anxious. Everything went into the muck. Fighting an urge to pace, she sat near the door, the bucket in reach.
Please, God, let this work, she prayed in silence. I want to go home.
"Loki?" she called, careful to find the right volume between too soft to be heard over the machine and so loud that it echoed.
"Bowing out?" he asked, his tone sounding flat, like he expected her to let him down.
"No. Just…"
Raw emotion flooded in to twist her insides and tighten her throat. She took a breath, holding it for a moment before asking, "You promise?"
Surely he didn't need to be reminded of the bargain to which she referred, yet he said nothing.
As they hoped, Byrzon was late by about two hours. The physical exertion of the long walk caused him to breathe hard, and his wheezing alerted Maria to his arrival seconds before he cleared the doorway into their private corridor. The big guy had a distinctive shuffle, his portly limbs scraping against his armored barrel of a body as they moved.
"Hey!" Maria screamed, rushing to her door to stick her arm through the bars to flag him down.
She caught sight of him outside Loki's cell and hollered all the louder.
"Quiet, woman!"
"Come here, you ugly ogre. I'm tired of this shitty food and this shitty place!"
Moving as fast as he could manage, Byrzon crossed to her door, attempting to grab her arm, which she pulled back in time.
"Ready to talk?"
"No!" Maria declared and tossed the bucketful of filth into his face.
The alien startled then roared, trying to turn his head far enough to wipe the mess onto his shoulder. He partly cleared his eyes with the back of his arm then went for the controls. The door swung open and he charged in half-blind.
Maria retreated to the back of the cell. As she hoped, he was too distracted and clumsy to avoid the heavy bucket she left in his path.
He tripped, falling hard on his stomach and losing his grip on the thick syringe-like tool that clattered across the floor. Then he rolled and flailed, sending a strong kick into Maria's shins that knocked her legs out from under her.
Maria was scrambling over him when his meaty paw grabbed her by the hair. He used brute strength to throw her face-first into the wall. Maria managed to turn her head before she hit, but the impact rattled her frame and slammed the air out of her lungs. She crumpled at the base of the wall, dazed and straining for oxygen. The intense smell of shit filled her nasal passages, and she vomited stomach bile, having nothing recent in her system.
Byrzon crawled after her, pummeling her body with his fists over and over so that she couldn't catch a breath or view of her surroundings. Maria gathered the strength to flop over onto her side. She came up at him from below, striking fast to jab two fingers into his eye.
He covered his face with another howl, giving her a chance to push to her feet before he grabbed for her again. A second faster, she could have made it to the door, but he caught her by the material of her jumpsuit. He yanked so hard that Maria fell into his lap— not that a guy that obese really had a lap. His arms enveloped her, pinning her own to her sides, and applied crushing force.
Maria bucked, throwing back her head to strike him in the face, but he was too big. Her skull smacked into his metal chestplate instead, jolting her brain and causing her eyes to tear up.
This has to be the end, she thought.
Through her blurring vision, Maria caught a shift of movement, something small and dark scurrying in the doorway. She blinked and strained to focus, recognizing it as a mouse or similar looking rodent. It pushed up on its hind legs then began to grow and transform, shedding fur and whiskers for raven-black hair and sickly-pale skin.
Loki lunged, snatching the tipped bucket by the handle and swinging it at Byrzon's head. The resulting CLUNK rattled the alien enough to loosen his grip. Then with Loki's return strike, Maria broke free of Byrzon's arms and crawled away.
The bucket-bashing persisted for at least another twenty seconds before the sizable man stopped thrashing and bellowing. Maria stared at the mucked and bloodied features, looking for signs of life, but saw none.
Loki dropped the dented bucket, pulled off the guard's right bracer and turned to her.
"We have to go."
Her gaze shifted from the alien, drifting up Loki's thin and naked form until their eyes met. Maria wouldn't describe him as skeletal in appearance exactly, but unwell came to mind. Months of being tortured and kept alive by the machine had taken a visible toll.
In all fairness, she probably didn't look so good either.
He angered at her hesitation, demanding, "Get up Hill!"
She couldn't speak through her panting, but gave a determined nod. She rolled onto her knees, pushed up onto her feet and exited with him to the corridor. They moved as fast and quiet as they could while keeping a lookout for more guards. Loki appeared to have a destination in mind as he passed several doors and even another passageway before stopping at a particular door.
"Here," he said, placing the stolen bracer against the controls to activate them, then slipped inside.
Rows of storage containers filled the room, all marked with strange symbols. Using the bracer, Loki started opening them, scanning the contents before moving on to the next.
When the door slid shut behind her, Maria took the chance to catch her breath.
"What are you looking for?"
"My armor."
She watched him, inspecting the dark red and purple to black pressure sores on his shoulder blades, tailbone, buttocks, heels and ankles from months of confinement within the machine. They looked terribly painful, especially in the spots where it was obvious that bone was close to breaking through the worn-down layers of skin. Surely the wounds would be even more severe if he were Human.
Stacks of prisoner jumpsuits filled the shelves that lined the same wall as the door.
"Just wear one of these," Maria suggested, pulling a set down to scrutinize the possible fit.
He didn't look up from his task.
"My magic is still recovering. It's unreliable at this point. I want my armor."
Maria shed her own soiled outfit, using one of the clean garments to wipe herself off before pulling on another. For a whole minute, she stood completely nude in his presence, but Loki didn't appear to notice. He did, however, point toward the bins he'd opened back in the line.
"Shoes. See if any of them fit you. It's quite a trip from here to the docking bay."
She investigated, finding her size options for footwear to be too big, even bigger or Hulk-ishly big. She pulled on the smallest boots before seeking him out in the next row where he still searched the bins.
"You're wasting time. Just wear the fucking jumpsuit!"
"Mind your tone," he said with a glower, "and make yourself useful."
Maria decided to take the guard's bracer from him. She hurried down the line of containers, unlocking, opening and leaving each for him to tear through. Around the next row, she discovered larger containers than the rest. Three locks down the line, something metal fell out when she flipped open the door, landing with a clatter beside her boot. She squatted to pick up the gold piece with leather straps.
"Hey, I found something. Is this your bracer?"
He appeared at her side, giving Maria an up close and unexpected view of his— well, uh— privates. Maria averted her gaze, handing off the piece for his inspection while thinking, God, please let this be his armor.
"This is it," he affirmed, reaching in to scoop the lot out onto the floor.
While he dressed, Maria searched for weapons. The bins mainly held clothing and some jewelry. She shoved every small metal trinket she could find into one long sock. Also finding a sturdy leather belt, Maria secured it around her waist and tucked in the sock so it hung against her thigh. Byrzon's bracer slipped onto her left arm and wrist, needing some adjustment to fit. Around her main hand, Maria wrapped a silky scarf, which made it easier to grip a silver, diamond-shaped comb with sharp teeth and edges.
Loki joined her at the door to the corridor. The God of Mischief looked more formidable clad in his battle gear. That is, until he pulled on his horned helmet. Maria understood a warrior would wear such a thing to intimidate as much as protect, but that didn't make that particular piece of armor any less ridiculous-looking to her.
"Alright," he said, inspecting her additions with approval, "the first goal is to reach the vent that drops from this level to the next. Our best chance is to stick to the shadows. Stay close. Follow my lead."
Loki lifted her arm, pressing the bracer to the door controls. He peeked out as the metal slid open, waving her forward. They moved with caution down the low-lit corridor until they reached a T junction and got their first glimpse of a patrol. Luckily, the vessel's architecture embraced an abundant use of arches and balusters for they ducked behind the supports as the guards passed.
Once the coast was clear, they continued on, soon entering a more prominent area of the ship. The number of people milling about increased, forcing Loki and Maria to slow and spend more time hiding and waiting for the right moment to rush to the next area of cover.
While crouched together in one dark corner, Loki turned, his warm breath tickling across her cheek as he whispered, "There's the vent."
She shuddered at the sensation then tracked his gaze, catching sight of the weighted cover beyond a male and female standing in the hub of intersecting hallways. The blue-skinned aliens wore uniforms, but no armor, leaving Maria to assume they were crew members rather than soldiers. From their body language, the couple appeared at ease with each other, suggesting their conversation could go on for a bit.
Loki peeked out, checking the halls and releasing a slow breath. His gaze lingered on the man and woman, his demeanor tensing with impatience. Like Maria, he must have seen their window of opportunity shrinking.
Maria made the quick decision, "I'll take the woman."
A simple nod indicated he agreed.
They burst from concealment to overtake the unsuspecting couple. Maria grabbed the woman from behind. She slipped the bracer around to force her chin up, then plunged the decorative, metal comb into her throat, silencing the woman's scream before it escaped her lips.
Loki broke the man's neck. Not a hint of emotion crossed the prince's face as he dropped the body then casually stepped over it to inspect the vent.
Maria dragged the bleeding woman out of view, stashing her body in the blackest corner she could find before returning for the man. Loki somehow opened the grate by the time Maria completed her task. Upon inspection, the lock appeared to have been melted through.
He hefted the cover, ordering her into the vent first. Then he strained to maneuver into the compact space while still holding the weight aloft. Once inside, Loki eased the cover into place.
They crawled single file along the dark tunnel. Maria's eyes adjusted in stages as only small luminescent dots lighted their path ahead. About thirty meters in by Maria's estimate, they came upon a down chute. A mounted ladder ran the length of the tube. They descended, reaching the exit vent when the ship's alarm started blaring. The sound bounced around the tunnel, attacking their hearing from all sides.
"Damn!" Loki voiced, as they cringed. He looked down through the grate at what appeared to be a bunch of gel-like slabs or mats then drew in close to shout directly into her ear, "This is the wrong one! We're above the barracks."
Maria shouted, "Can we still get to the docking bay from here?"
Her delicate hearing couldn't take the abuse if they stayed in the vents.
Loki considered, his forehead wrinkling with uncertainty. He extended his hand and a spark of blue flames ignited on the metal, melting through the lock. The grate swung open, and he lowered himself through the hole. He dropped for about fifteen feet, landing with a grace that astounded Maria considering his weakened state.
Maria executed a much less impressive landing that ended with her jamming her ankle and toppling onto one of the soft, rubbery masses filled with black goop.
"Now's not the time for a nap," Loki teased.
Maria was trying to not puncture the wobbly, troublesome bed with the comb or metal-filled sock when Loki pulled her roughly onto her feet. Maria rubbed at the sore spots he left on her arms and glared at him.
"Take it easy, asshole."
He shook his head, a faint smile forming in the corners of his mouth.
"We're back to that word again? Really, Hill, we must work to improve your vocabulary."
He took her wrist, dragging her to the door.
"Ow!" She tugged at his grip in protest. "How about douchebag?"
Loki ignored her, pressing the bracer to the panel. Beyond they found an empty gathering and recreational area. With the ship on high alert, Maria assumed the guards were all out searching for them. They rushed through to the biggest of the many doors leading out of that room and found yet another corridor.
Loki headed right, breaking into a run that caught Maria unprepared. She bolted after him, taxing her foot as she pushed to pick up speed. He disappeared around the corner, causing Maria a sudden stab of panic. She cleared the corridor and skidded to a stop. Down the next hall to her left stood a patrol of guards looking the opposite direction, but starting to turn.
Something grabbed her right arm, yanking her into a side nook. She struck out at the open air, the heel of her palm connecting with reinforced leather.
"Quiet," Loki said, (a hard request when she was panting) and pushed her behind him into the corner. "Pray my concealment spell holds."
Maria's lungs burned for air, yet she made herself be still and silent as she huddled against his back. In the past she wouldn't have trusted Loki with her life, yet as the guards neared, her faith in him didn't falter.
The group passed while grumbling amongst themselves about their task. One guard looked, but failed to see the couple. When they'd all gone, Maria drew in a much needed breath.
"That was impressive," she admitted between heavy gasps.
Loki's lean frame slouched.
"And tiring."
They resumed through the maze of hallways, dodging and hiding from the patrols, but kept within an arm's reach of each other at all times. It felt like a lifetime later when Maria and Loki arrived outside one of the docking bays, only to find the doors wouldn't open.
"Shit!" Maria exclaimed, mashing the bracer against the panel.
Angry red symbols flashed on the screen.
Loki said with wide, fearful eyes, "They've reprogrammed the system to reject Byrzon's access chip. We're stuck in the open."
"Can you burn through the doors?"
He put out his hand, his body tensing, but nothing happened.
"No. My magic is depleted and has to build up again."
Maria looked up and down the short corridor.
"Where do we go?"
"I wasn't in Thanos's good graces that long. I didn't memorize the whole ship's schematics."
A trio of armed guards scurried into view, raising their energized staves to fire. Loki charged at them, taking at least one pulse to his shoulder before lowering his helmeted head, spreading his arms and leaping forward to tackle their legs out from under them.
As they fell around and on top of Loki, Maria ran up to kick away the weapons. The guard on the right threw a punch at her, but Loki hooked and pinned his arm before it could connect. So, Maria kneed the man in the face and slashed at his eyes with the comb, making him scream.
The guard at the center of the mass kicked her in the stomach hard enough to push her back. He then turned his wrath on Loki, exchanging powerful punches with the demigod.
Maria forgot the pain and went after Loki's attacker, knocking the alien's broad, silver helmet off with a strong strike of her bracer before jamming the comb into the base of his skull where the spinal column would connect to the brain on a Human. The attack proved equally effective on him as he crumpled to the floor.
She didn't attempt to retrieve the comb as the third guard had rolled onto his knees, crawling and reaching toward the nearest staff. Maria pursued, stamping her boot down on his fingers and pulling the stuffed sock from her belt to hit him with the bulging end across the face. The blow wasn't enough to stun him. Maria made a second swing, but he blocked the strike, causing the sock to whip and coil around his arm. Even enclosed within the cloth, the metal pieces had nicked the man's flesh. Blood trickled down his features as he gnashed his dark teeth and jerked the sock from her hand.
She dove away as he lunged, landing beside a staff, which she rammed into his face to back him off. He made a grab for the weapon, but the next moment Loki had him in a headlock, snapping his neck.
"Grab all their weapons," Loki ordered while bending down to remove the bracer from the man at his feet. "This one has a higher ranking on his armor. Perhaps his chip will work to get through that door."
Maria complied, gathering the staves and meeting up with him. He took one from her before pressing the bracer to the control panel. The doors slid open to a barrage of energy blasts coming from inside. Loki and Maria scrambled for cover, ducking behind a stack of containers near the doorway.
"We don't have time for this!" Loki raged.
They leaped out to fire upon what had to be simple mechanics and workmen since many of them failed to take sufficient cover. Loki and Maria dropped them with quick, precise shots from the staves then moved toward the vessels docked to the right side.
"Not that one," Loki called out when Maria dashed for the first ship that resembled a souped-up minivan with wings.
"Why not?"
"It's short range and too slow. We need a piercer, which is why we came to this bay."
He dashed down the line of strange ships while dodging random shots from the remaining workers and fiddling with the staff in his hands. Maria had no idea what he was up to, but at the far end of the bay, she spotted three swordfish-shaped vessels about twelve feet long and narrow in width, which he appeared to be heading for. She stayed with him, returning fire to keep the men cowering behind the crates and machinery.
Loki ran up to the first piercer, used the new bracer to open the cockpit and stuck the staff inside.
"Keep moving to the end," he barked at Maria, snatching a second staff from her grasp and manipulating it while continuing on to the next fish-ship.
Maria guessed he was rigging the weapons to overload in the hopes of disabling or destroying the small, long-range transports. Her theory held as he repeated the action at the next ship before moving on to the last.
"There's only one cramped seat," Maria pointed out, not that she didn't think he'd noticed. "No way we'll both fit."
Loki climbed the ladder, dropping into the seat. His hands danced across the control panel and the vessel came to life. In the next moment the slender section behind the pilot's spot opened up, revealing a storage area.
"Come on," he coaxed.
Maria complied, climbing into the precarious space. She had to lie down, but there was enough room to accommodate her and the staff. Though she didn't suffer from claustrophobia, something tensed within her psyche when the hull closed, trapping her into darkness.
Loki wasted no time getting them in motion. The ship shuddered with the take off, adding to Maria's unease. She heard discharges from the aliens' energy weapons that seemed to pelt the surrounding metal, but none broke through.
"We're clear of the bay. The computer is calculating the jump to Earth," Loki called back to her. "We've got to build up speed."
Nerve-racking moments passed with the turbulence worsening, but at least there were no indications that they were under attack from any pursuers. Then the ship lurched, thrown into what felt like a tight spin. An intense pressure held Maria in place, straining every muscle and bone and making it difficult to breathe. She tried to endure, but Maria soon blacked out.