Author's Note: Well folks this is it, this story's nearly over with the epilogue left. I'm sorry it took so long to complete but realistic and believable fight scenes are extremely hard to write. I have much action and fighting here and an unexpected twist with Princess's double. But this was how the muse went. Once again thanks to all the readers and faithful reviewers for sticking with me, I hope it meets your expectations. No fluff here but lots to come in the epilogue. Enjoy.
RULA'S REVENGE AND PRINCESS' RESCUE
While all that was occurring, the battle royale in the reactor room was becoming no contest with the entire place strewn with the felled bodies of Spectran soldiers and Devil Star female fighters. The Condor and Sparrow were a fearsome tag team as the outmatched and unskilled Spectrans dropped like flies.
Keyop swung his bolas and another pair of laser-toting goons bit the dust as Jason made a trio of Devil Stars topple like dominoes with a vicious roundhouse kick that packed a wallop like a wrecking ball on a condemned shack. The grunts and groans of the vanquished Spectrans were second only to the crunch of their shattered bones as they fell to the enraged and vengeance minded G-Force members.
Jason was in his element, leveling the ones that he had hated since his parents demise at their hands at the tender age of eight. Both had been double agents, top secret ops of the elite Spectran spy agency, yet working under cover for the Federation. But somehow, their cover had been blown and they discovered they were targets of Spectra for annihilation. He had never forgotten how he discovered both, slumped over a picnic table at their beach villa, shot in cold blood as a Devil Star woman operative watched. Then when he had run to his parents and wrenched his father's revolver from the lifeless hand and took aim to fire, she had tossed a rose made of plastic explosive at him, which blew him back and left him unconscious. When he had woke up a week later, he found out that Federation Security Chief Anderson had him hospitalized and was in the process of adopting the sullen and angry boy. He recuperated and then went to live in Anderson's house where he met Mark and Tiny, then a year later, Princess had joined them followed by the laboratory embryo that became the constructed infant Keyop. So as they grew from orphaned children and trained to become elite space commandos his team became his family. These thoughts were driving Jason as he hurled feather shuriken at several Devil Stars, slaying them as the projectiles hit their mark and as he thought of his sister, Princess and what she had suffered at these demons' hands, his rage became renewed. So without hesitation or remorse he wreaked havoc on every Spectran he could get his hands on, both male and female.
As Keyop used his wiry body to mete out punishment, his own thoughts were of a dark-haired girl with laughing green eyes who was like a big sister to him, often embracing him as he sought comfort from his still childlike fears. From the time he first could recall, Princess always acted as a doting older sister and a surrogate mother, wiping his runny nose and tears, providing treats and playing games. As they grew older and were groomed and trained for their duties as G-Force, the relationship became more in the manner of true siblings as he teased Princess over her feelings for their commander Mark and drew her short-lived ire in lively arguments. Keyop felt tears brimming but he ignored them as he focused on making as many goons and Devil Stars pay for kidnapping his beloved sister.
Jason had eliminated another trio of goons as he saw Keyop take out some Devil Stars and called out, "Hey squirt, how ya doing there?"
"Brrrrp---piece----burrrp---of cake," the boy replied airily as he threw the bolas and some goons fell like bowling pins." He glanced over at Jason as more Devil Stars fell at the Condor's hand. "You too?"
"Do ya have to ask?" Jason felled the last goon as the alarm klaxon went off, blaring through the chamber and the red lights flashed. He ran to his teammate and said hurriedly, "With the alarm sounding, we'll have more company pretty soon so Mark better get in touch with us…fast."
"Uh-huh." Keyop nodded as he pointed up to the rafters. "We'd-----brrrp----better make ourselves-----brrp---scarce."
"Right on," Jason agreed as both flew up and concealed themselves as a panel slid open and more Spectran grunts rushed in to find their fallen comrades.
"What the---? What happened here?" demanded a Spectran commander looking like a crazed circus clown with wild orange hair as he entered as well and saw the numerous bodies of slain soldiers and Devil Stars.
One goon knelt by a comrade with a shuriken protruding from his artery, fatally wounded. "Looks like the G-Force brat Condor's dirty work."
The commander strode over and knelt down to investigate. Uttering a curse he rose and barked, "Find those brats and make them pay with their worthless lives now! I'll contact Lord Zoltar for re-enforcements and get help dumping these corpses."
Up above Jason and Keyop exchanged glances as Jason murmured, "We better lay low till Mark contacts us." Man Cap, where the hell are ya?
Keyop nodded with a frown. . . .
Meanwhile, the G-Force commander was occupied as he played the part of the docile captive, the cold muzzle of the laser gun pressed against his neck as his mind flew. Okay, I'm biting but what is this girl up to? And what did she mean 'play along with her'? She's one of them and damn near had me fooled while she was sabotaging PAX as Princess so why am I so trusting of her? Mark's practical mind warred with the underlying yet mystifying feeling of peace that in spite of everything pointing to the obvious, he could trust her. And his driving desire to rescue the real Princess was the force that had him appearing uncommonly meek in his demeanor. Thoughts of her flitted through his mind as he walked down the dark corridor and he vowed for the umpteenth time since this hellish nightmare began to bring her back to himself. He thought of the kisses and tender embraces they had shared when on their recent hiatus from duty before she had been summoned to work on PAX and his resolve, already unyielding became ironclad.
Zoltar's incessant cackling interrupted Mark's thoughts as he ordered Rula, "Stop right there. G-Force Commander, I have prepared another lovely little amusement for you, our latest creation that I'm sure you will find a bit more challenging then the first one."
Rula pushed a concealed button and the panel slid open to allow the two entrance into another large darkened chamber where the shadows appeared still and ominous. Zoltar's grating voice echoed in the chamber.
"Here is the place of your long anticipated demise, Eagle. Are you as eager as I am?"
Mark remained silent as Rula jabbed him with the laser and snapped, "Answer Lord Zoltar insolent scum!"
The Eagle's eyes bored into her as again she sent a conspirator's wink at him and said, sotto voce, Trust me.
Mark barely nodded as he bit out, "I can't wait."
"Good. Swan, show your former commander all my hospitality as you introduce him to our friend. And when he is dead and gone, you can---,"
The alarm klaxon interrupted as the captain's frantic voice sounded, "Lord Zoltar, we have a problem. Several of our people were slain by G-Force in the reactor chamber! Request for backup."
Zoltar cursed and snapped, "Request granted. Go and find the insects and exterminate them." To Mark he said, "It appears your friends have created a rather different end than what I had planned but no matter. The captain is more than capable to rid me of the other G-Force pests and I have the crown jewel in your capture and soon death. So actually I am quite pleased."
Way to go, guys! Mark exulted silently as he took that moment to touch his communicator to his hip and activate the instant summons to Jason. He then said arrogantly, "We're not dead yet, Zoltar."
"Yet is the operative word, Eagle. But that is about to change. Swan, I'm activating the new attack robot so you stay and make sure he's finished off. Farewell my young G-Force commander."
The screen went black as the shadow lit up with the red glow of the attack robot, its scanner eyes appearing like crimson apparitions as they traveled the room. Mark saw it seeking its prey and called out a warning.
"Princess, get out of the way!" He grabbed the girl who appeared in a state of inertia and together they flew up just as the concentrated laser ray found them and melted the area vacated by the duo. Both landed in the rafters of the chamber as the robot's metallic hum filled the air, along with the smell of scorched steel.
"Whew, that was close," the Eagle remarked as he examined his companion's suspended state. He asked in concern, "Hey, you okay?"
Rula stared at Mark and said to herself Even with his bird helmet on his eyes are the most incredible shade of blue I've ever seen. "I'm not Princess," she said tonelessly.
"I know."
At his statement she glanced at him and added, "You've known all along, haven't you?"
Mark nodded, "Yeah, since I saw you in the room before."
She was curious at his being so convinced. "How?"
Mark replied with an even stare, "Because her eyes are different then yours, sweet and innocent."
Rula nodded, "I see. As you pointed out to me once, she isn't a slut." She lowered her head and it appeared as if she were ashamed about what he had implied and so much more. Always the gentleman, Mark took note of her genuinely contrite demeanor and felt sorry for his suggestion.
"Look, I didn't mean to---," he hastened to make amends but Rula shook her head and gave a sad, rueful smile.
"It's okay. I know what I've done and what I am." She then set her delicate chin determinedly as she stated, "That's why I intend to help you and take you to her."
At that moment, the attack robot made a sound that indicated it had homed in on their hiding place, sending a bright red laser ray toward them. Mark grabbed Rula's hand and spreading his wings he pulled her away as the ray hit the wall and melted another hole where they had been. Flying up high and trying to get behind the mecha the Eagle and pseudo-Swan both sought refuge in an open vent as Mark tried to think of a way to take out the killing machine. He scanned the front panel of the behemoth and was dismayed to see absolutely no way to destroy it conventionally. The laser ports were covered in unbreakable glass and they appeared to be able to move in a 360 degree angle, he saw no weaknesses but taking a chance anyway and a hold of his boomerang, he flung it toward the robot. But it was caught in a laser beam and dematerialized, turning into dust.
"Damn!" Mark swore as he saw his weapon destroyed, his heart sinking with the chilling realization. "I don't see how I can kill this thing." Another red ray found them and he and Rula both leapt up and away just as the vent disintegrated, leaving another gaping hole.
They landed near another vent and the room rattled with the hum of the beam ports as they searched for the two. Mark sighed and said, "We can't keep playing tag with this thing, I've gotta find a way to take it out. But how I'm gonna do is a mystery to me." He made a wry remark, "Maybe if we stay completely still it won't find us."
Rula scoffed, "Don't bet on it." As if in response, the hum of the sensor filled the air as the mecha continued to search. Getting an idea she asked, "You have another boomerang, don't you?"
"Yeah, but you saw how the first got destroyed. I don't think I can try to hit it again and risk losing it." Mark scowled as he wracked his brain to find just one place to hit the mecha and blow it up so he could resume his search for Princess. He had sent the signal to Jason to send the explosive into the reactor and although he could not contact his second to see if the deed was done, he knew time was running out.
Rula glanced at the tense expression on the Eagle's handsome face and filling with the resolve to make amends herself she then studied the robot's façade searching for one area. She then spotted the mecha's Achilles Heel, a tiny electric eye that she remembered both Zoltar and Mala had pointed out to her when they had directed her to set the trap for the Eagle. She tugged at him and whispered a plan.
"Listen to me, Mark. The robot's sensors are not only sensitive to movement they are also geared to be like the tracking ability of a mosquito, it follows the carbon dioxide that we exhale and that's how it finds us so easily. But there is a way to disable it and then we can destroy it."
He was intrigued. "How?"
She leaned close and said, "In the right upper corner near the beam ports is an electric eye that sends sensor beams to not only track movement but also track carbon dioxide molecules. If you can throw your boomerang to burst it, the beams will be rendered immobile and useless."
Mark asked, "Where is it?"
"There."
Rula leaned closer to him pointing the area out, a barely perceptible reflection that was no bigger than a pinpoint at their distance. Having been shown the location, Mark now saw it clearly, his vision locked onto the target. But still concerned about losing his weapon, he hesitated and wondered if the same thing would happen.
Rula saw the doubt flickering in the Eagle's azure orbs and informed him, "The beams aren't activated, they have to power up. If you throw your weapon now exactly where I showed you, you can shatter the eye before the robot can shoot the lasers again."
In spite of himself, Mark was impressed. "How did you know all that?"
She replied, "Before I was chosen to sabotage PAX, I was a second lieutenant in the Devil Stars, special science unit. I was on the committee to plan new mechas and this model had been in the final stages of development just before I was deployed." Her eyes darkened with anguish as she added, "Randy was also on the committee before he was sent to infiltrate the Federation cyber forces." She then finished bitterly, "Zoltar killed him when we were brought back after being caught at the ISO."
A tear appeared in her eye and before he could think, Mark reached under her visor and gently brushed it away. The gesture made Rula look at him in a strange way and realizing what he had done, Mark blushed and turned away, embarrassed by his behavior.
"S-sorry about that. It's just that I hate to see a woman cry."
Fact was the Eagle had momentarily lost his aplomb and just saw teary green eyes in a face he had adored forever, thinking that he was with Princess. He cursed and shook himself mentally to bring himself back to reality, the cool and efficient G-Force commander. Idiot! Even if she was Princess, you'd never do that during a mission. To enforce the thought he abruptly turned, drew out his boomerang, and got ready to let it fly.
"Birdrang!"
The sonic weapon flew from Mark's hand as he fired it and it headed straight for the façade of the robot, right at the miniscule electric eye that he would never have seen had Rula not shown him. He watched as the boomerang traveled in a blur and he cheered it on silently as it made contact and hit the mark with a crash and a small explosion complete with electrical arcing and a shower of sparks.
"Bullseye!" Mark waited as the boomerang returned to him, mission accomplished.
Rula lost no time. "Follow me and we'll finish the job."
She leapt down and Mark tailed her as they sprinted to the huge mecha the machine now smoking and arcing as the Princess lookalike took out her version of the Swan's yoyo weapon. She flung the spinning disk and hit the beam ports, sending a charge to the explosive blowing the lasers to dust. The two separate attacks sent a chain reaction that had the mecha crumbling, with control panels and the circuitry all going off like fireworks at Chinese New Year. The room was rapidly filling with smoke as coughing Rula grabbed Mark and both stumbled to the rear to try to make an escape.
She rasped, "Stay close to me and I'll get us to where Mala and Princess are."
Coughing Mark asked, "Mala's with her?"
"Yes. Mala was to eliminate her while I took care of you."
Mark nodded in understanding. "So the plan was to get rid of both of us."
Rula nodded as she affirmed, "None of the members of G-Force were to survive, all of you were to be destroyed."
She punched a sequence into a hidden keypad and part of the wall slid open to let them out. The secret panel closed after them just as the mecha gasped its last breath and blew completely apart setting off a general alarm throughout the Devil Star ship. . .
Back down in the reactor chamber, the Condor and Sparrow both hid in another open vent as laser shots ricocheted about outside. The Spectran re-enforcements arrived and at the captain's order began firing to flush them out.
"Find the G-Force brats and destroy them," he barked as waves of laser toting goons came rushing in and spread out to find them.
Jason and Keyop both pulled out the bomb device and was setting the controls to prepare it for detonation, the summons from the commander clear. Mark's scramble just flashed on Jason's communicator and he was almost ready to roll.
Keyop asked, "Brrp—is----brrp thing ready?"
"Just about," Jason replied as he completed the timer set to thirty minutes and got ready to go out to the reactor rear control panel, and the power port where the explosive could enter the energy line and head into the pulse cannon. He scanned the activity in the reactor room and then gestured to the Sparrow.
"Let's go."
The duo from G-Force flew as the Spectran captain and his goons were rushing all about, searching for the two youths in birdstyle, who had managed to make their way to the rear of the reactor, at the power port. The scene was pandemonium as the klaxons echoed the general alarm within the chamber as the Spectrans swarmed about shouting. Knowing that time was of the essence Jason reached for his tools and worked the buttons until the panel opened, revealing the main power ports. He then turned to his diminutive teammate.
"Okay little buddy this is it. As I take care of business, you go and act like a decoy to keep 'em busy. Then when I finish, I'll join the fight, we clobber 'em, and then split to help Mark get Princess back. Got it?"
Keyop held a thumbs up. "Brrrp---count -----brrrp-- on me." But before he left he asked, "Brrrp---how much----brrp---time----brrp---we have?"
"Thirty minutes."
"Brrrp---no----brrrp---sweat," the Sparrow said airily as he took off, bolas already flying toward some hapless Spectran goons.
With no hesitation, Condor Jason took the timed explosive and shoved it into the main power port that led to the pulse cannon, flipping the switch before he let it go. He then contacted the commander. . . .
Meanwhile, Eagle Mark and the Swan double Rula were sprinting down a dark corridor, that was leading them to the exact location of Mala and Princess's showdown when his communicator beeped and flashed blue. Stopping to answer the summons, Mark raised his arm up as Rula looked on.
"G-1 here G-2, come in."
Jason's voice crackled in triumph. "Mission accomplished, Skipper. Our little love token to Spectra's on its way to the cannon. Have you found Princess yet?"
"Negative, but I'm being guided to her by the Spectran Princess lookalike." He glanced at her and asked, "What's your real name?"
She looked him right in the eye and said softly, "Rula."
Mark nodded and then turned back to his communicator "Rula's guiding me to where she is. So tell me how much time we have."
Jason replied, "Just under thirty minutes. I'm going to help Keyop with cleanup and then we'll head over."
Mark replied, "You don't have to, Rula here will help me. Just finish up and get the hell out."
"Mark, I--," Jason began but the Eagle cut him off.
"Just do as I say. She's leading me right to where Princess is now."
Jason sounded dubious. "You sure you can trust her?"
Mark glanced over at the girl who looked so much like his Princess. "Yeah, I can trust her. Zoltar killed her lover Addison and she just helped me destroy his new mecha. I can trust her." He added brusquely, "When you guys are done, get a hold of Tiny on the Phoenix and tell him to get ready to pick us up."
"Will do. Just get Princess back."
Mark's mouth was a grim line. "Count on it. Over and out." He lowered his arm and said to his companion, "Let's make tracks, we don't have a lot of time."
Rula nodded, "Right."
The faraway sound of the alarm klaxons added to the sense of urgency as they both took off to find Princess. . . .
Meanwhile, on the bridge of the ship, an alarm flashed on the monitoring panel, indicating the first defeat. "Lord Zoltar! Indication here is that the new attack mecha has been destroyed." A goon informed Zoltar in terror.
Zoltar strode over to the flashing warning on the panel and growled, "That blasted Eagle!" He noticed another alarm flashing and asked angrily, "What is that alarm flashing for?"
A diagram came up and showed a blip right in the energy line heading toward the pulse cannon. "Lord Zoltar, Lord Zoltar! There's a foreign object in the energy line, headed for the pulse cannon!"
"What!" Zoltar strode over and pushed the subordinate aside as he saw for himself. "This can't be happening!" He then barked out an order. "Find those insolent G-Force whelps and eliminate them now! I want this ship turned inside out until they are found!"
"Yes, sir!" The squad of Spectrans in the bridge took off for the reactor chamber.
To the one at the panel he demanded, "Send the pulverizer ray into the energy line to stop it."
The goon was horrified. "But Lord Zoltar sir the ray might destroy the line itself. It's madness to do that!"
Zoltar viciously backhanded the fellow and barked, "Just do as I say fool, and keep your opinions to yourself!" He then stood watching his order carried out before the flashing panel saying to himself At least Mala is taking care of the Swan right now. So G-Force you may win this battle but you will not escape unscathed as your teammate dies.
He began to laugh loudly as the Spectran at the controls winced thinking Lord Zoltar is truly insane. . . .
All this time, Mala and Princess were engaged an a savage hand-to-hand battle and found that they were both evenly matched, each showing a level of skill that kept the fight from showing any clear advantage. Princess found herself amazed at the dexterity and agility of the Spectran Amazon and if not in the midst of a life and death struggle, she would enjoy the fact that Mala was proving herself to be a worthy opponent. Both women were circling each other after rising slowly, having dealt each other some rather punishing blows so they goaded each other.
Panting Mala said, "I have to compliment you, Swan. You have proven yourself to be a formidable opponent."
"You too," Princess responded, rubbing a growing bruise on her left cheek that thanks to her cerebonic implant was already healing.
"Thank you but enough of this pointless mutual admiration. Prepare to die!"
Mala took a deep breath and then got into a crouch to issue forth an offensive strike, rushing forth to Princess's midsection in a flying tackle. But the Swan took her arms and with joined hands brought both down on the Spectran woman's spine, knocking her spread eagled on the floor and then she leapt over the prone figure to the other side of the chamber next to the rear wall.
"Sorry Mala but I just can't allow you to keep me from getting back to my teammates. Plus you look like you need the rest, your attacks lack flow."
From her place of defeat Mala moaned, her golden head hanging as she tried to rise. Her voice was raspy and low like she was laboring and in distress.
"Well Swan, it appears that you have me close to admitting defeat, something I do rarely. Again, you should be commended for your skills are quite impressive." She raised her head and her visage was the picture of vanquished sincerity. "I could use some help, if you would be so kind."
Her sense of decency and fair play present, the Swan was moved to compassion for the wounded Spectran. However, Princess remained wary as she crept cautiously forward to where Mala had fallen and asked, "Mala?"
In a split second the Spectran woman whirled to her feet and leveled a small but lethal looking laser pistol, a malicious smile on her face that did not reach her glacial blue eyes. She said scornfully, "You earthlings are really so gullible, so concerned with caring for others. It makes it so easy to draw you into a trap. You're pathetic"
She fired the weapon and Princess leapt up and flew out of the range of the deadly red ray, which blew a hole in the ship's wall. Her face twisted in the furious mask of a crazed killer, Mala kept firing as G-3 kept dodging, now on the defensive.
"Ha, keep running away, little Swan. There's no place to hide and eventually you'll grow tired and I'll have you."
Damnit she's right, I can't keep this up forever. I have to wait for her to hesitate for a second so I can use my yoyo. But she's possessed now and her focus is to kill me. Princess was getting worried as she sensed the predatory insanity in Mala, which made her extremely dangerous. Another ray blast came her way and she flew off, barely missing it. But it did damage as the ship was hit critically again with sparks and small fires breaking out filling the air with smoke.
Mala let loose a cackle worthy of her brother and then hissed, "Fool, you can't hope to escape me so just accept your fate."
Princess stopped at the shadowy far rear of the chamber to catch her breath using the cover of semi-darkness to try to plan her next move. But Mala's maniacal statement rung out from a range that had her cornered.
"The hunter and the hunted. A relationship that is symbiotic in as one cannot exist without the other but the conclusion is painfully evident as is your imminent demise. DIE!"
A red ray came streaming forward and Princess leapt up again to dodge the bullet. But the wall panel slid open at the same moment and two came rushing in, the white winged figures of the duplicate Swan and Eagle, with Rula leading the way. However the timing was such that the ray hit the double point blank on her upper chest.
"AHHHH!" she screamed as she fell to her knees stricken, her eyes becoming glazed with pain.
"OHH" Princess gasped as she immediately jumped down beside her lookalike and knelt to minister to her.
"Rula!" Mark bellowed in alarm as he retaliated and aimed his weapon right at Mala. "BIRDRANG"
The sonic boomerang flew forth at blinding speed and hit the Spectran woman's pistol directly, causing her to drop the weapon as it exploded, a fiery ball that flew up and hit the frame of the ship causing it to shudder violently.
"You blasted brats!" Mala railed her mouth dripping saliva in her mad fury. "You have no victory for it is here you'll die!" She laughed insanely as she ran to the front panel and let herself out, stumbling and holding her bleeding right hand. The door slid shut and a dull explosion followed as sparks flew from the wall and indicated that Mala destroyed the control unit, trapping them.
"Kuso!" Mark swore, using a Japanese term he had often heard Cronus use as he turned and knelt down beside the Swan. He laid a hand on Princess's shoulder and asked gently, "Are you okay, sweetheart?"
"Uh-huh, I'm okay. You both got here just in time. But I'm worried about her, she needs immediate attention." Princess wrapped her arm about Rula and asked, "So is this woman supposed to be me?"
Mark gazed at the unconscious Spectran and nodded. "Yeah. Zoltar had her planted with Addison to help sabotage PAX. That's why they nabbed you." He reached his hand and rested it on her cheek "You sure you're okay?"
Princess nodded as Mark like her wrapped an arm about Rula and lifted her, flanked by G-3. "We gotta get out of here, Jason planted a bomb that Zark created to blow this thing up. So we need to split."
"But how? The panel was just destroyed," Princess pointed out worriedly.
"I-I can get us out," Rula said weakly her eyes flickering open as she hung between G-1 and G-3, both of whom were focused on what she had to say. "J-just go to the panel control, there's a fuse circuit that can be overridden to open the panel in an emergency."
Mark glanced at Princess and nodded as supporting the doppelganger they made their way over to the panel control. Rula took a deep ragged breath and reached for the fuse circuit and flipped the release to override the circuit, causing the door to slide open. The trio then made their way out to the main corridor where the alarm was sounding in a loud banshee wail. Other signs of ensuing chaos were taking place as shouts of panicked Spectrans echoed down the corridor.
Mark shouted over the din, "We have to head back down to the rear. The Phoenix is waiting for us!" He and Princess carried Rula between them through a haze of smoke from the almost continuous sound of dull explosions as the Devil Star ship was in its death throes.
A familiar and chilling cackle greeted them as none other than Zoltar appeared like an apparition from the smoke. The Eagle's eyes narrowed in undisguised hate.
"Zoltar."
"So you're still alive, commander. I see that the mecha failed to do its job." He glared at the slumped form of his former subordinate. "Or should the blame for this failure fall on the shoulders of a treasonous wench?"
Mark snapped, "You're as vile as always, pinning the blame on others for your own mistakes. The fault is yours, always underestimating G-Force and the Federation."
But Zoltar was on a roll as he leveled a laser gun at Rula and barked, "Death to all traitors!"
Before he could get off a shot Mark leapt forward and grabbed Zoltar's hand to wrestle the weapon from him, the two tousling in a death match as the two women watched in horror. . .
Meanwhile in the reactor room the alarm was blaring as the Condor and Sparrow were battling the wave of Spectrans in typical G-Force fashion, leaving no survivors. Even the arrogant captain in a clown suit was rendered helpless by a well flung shuriken, courtesy of Jason.
Keyop tossed his bolas and the final goons toppled as the self assured boy crowed, "Brrrrp----there goes -----brrrp-----the last of 'em."
"Yeah," Jason agreed as he saw the others coming. "But not for long." He pulled Keyop's arm and urged as they flew off in a barrage of laser bullets, "We gotta go get Mark and Princess so we can blow this pop stand. Time's running out."
"Brrrp---how---brrrp---much?"
"About fifteen minutes."
Jason took his gun and blew the door panel open and then the two youths sprinted down the corridor, as the seconds ticked away. . .
At the same time, the commander of G-Force and the Spectran leader were still body to body locked in mortal combat as they struggled with the laser with Mark trying to wrestle the weapon from Zoltar's fingers. In such close contact, the diabolical madman was doing his best to verbally psyche his enemy out.
"Uhhh---you know, G-Force commander---uhhh---your resistance is futile---uhhhh."
"Is that so?" Mark inquired between grunts as he fought to get the gun.
"Indeed. Spectra will eventually conquer Earth and I will conquer you. So why don't you just make it easy on yourself and give in?" Zoltar strained as the Eagle squeezed and twisted his wrist making the hand slightly numb. But in the meantime the cagey Spectran had forced an opening between them and managed to get some space to get his knee in a position of leverage and kicked forward, sending Mark flying. He recovered and seeing Zoltar's intent, rushed forward but he was a split second too late.
Zoltar jumped to his feet and aimed the gun at Rula, lying on Princess and snarled, "Die traitor!" squeezing off a burst of laser right at her midsection.
"AHHHH!" Rula screamed as the blood spurted from the wound, spreading crimson on the pink suit of the Swan.
"Mark!" Princess cried.
Livid, Mark growled, "You filthy bastard! She was one of your own people!"
The Spectran warlord snarled, "Spare me the lecture Eagle and just die already." He aimed the laser pistol to take a shot at the Eagle but Mark had anticipated his move and flung the sonic boomerang before he could pull the trigger. The weapon sheared off the muzzle of the laser and caused it to explode in Zoltar's hand.
"AHHHH! Damn you G-Force brats!" Zoltar howled as he fell back and rose up again to flee. "This is not the end, I assure you!" A distant explosion indicating the pulverizing ray had hit something shook the craft and pieces of the wall fell down as he ran off.
Still furious Mark rattled off a string of curses as he turned and viewed the gruesome tableau of Princess cradling the dying Rula, her identical twin. He had to blink twice to realize that his Princess was thankfully unharmed and he hurried over to kneel beside the fatally wounded Spectran spy.
"Rula," he said softly. "Don't worry, we'll get you on the Phoenix and treat your wounds."
But she weakly shook her head. "No, Mark I-I want to stay here. I'm ready to join my Randy in the afterlife, I-I know he's waiting for me."
"But Spectrans don't believe in an afterlife," Princess pointed out. "The Luminous One is their god."
Rula glanced at the compassionate visage of the girl whose identity she had assumed and smiled, "That's not true. Even if our rulers acknowledge the Luminous One and don't believe in a Supreme God, a lot of us on Spectra believe strongly in God and an afterlife. After all there has to be a better life somewhere."
She coughed up blood and two shadows with wings rushed up as the Condor and the Sparrow came over and tried to hurry their teammates along.
"Brrrp----Princess!" Keyop said happily. "Brrrp---so glad to see you!"
Princess flashed a smile at the boy. "Same here, buddy."
Somewhat impatiently Jason said, " Can we save the joyful reunions for later? This thing's about to blow and we gotta move….now."
Rula coughed again and concerned both Mark and Princess glanced at her. Mark asked again, " Are you sure you don't want to come with us? You can start a new life on Earth."
She shook her head and replied, "There is no life for me without Randy." She then glanced at Princess and said, "You know what I mean."
Princess nodded as she and Mark exchanged a glance that had an entire conversation in its significance. Rula watched the loving gaze and her own eyes rested on the Swan. She coughed again and both again looked at the double as with her eyes flickering she had one last statement.
"You were right, Mark. She does have sweetness in her eyes." And then Rula's emerald eyes closed as she died.
Princess felt her eyes well up as she and Mark both lowered the sad Spectran young woman down. She felt sorry that she had not had time to know the woman who had studied her so diligently to become her. The Swan rose slowly and then was engulfed by an ecstatic and relieved Sparrow.
On his side Mark watched the lovely face that was identical to that of his one and only and felt a measure of regret for if it were not for Rula's help, he would have never beat the mecha and would have probably died without finding Princess. His eyes were azure pools of pity for what he had surmised was a wasted life. But then he saw the Swan and determined that his own purpose and reason for living was still with him. He gave a salute and silent thanks to the woman who helped make that wish a reality.
Never one for sentiment for the enemy and knowing that time was short Jason snapped, "Okay are we done? 'Cause Tiny's waiting in the Phoenix we gotta move, there's only minutes left!"
"Yeah." Mark turned to join his teammates and said to them. "Let's roll."
Princess nodded as Keyop disentangled himself from the bear hug he had given her and then as she attempted to take a step, found that the ordeal and everything she had endured finally caught up with her. She crumpled to her knees, drawing the immediate attention of her teammates and commander.
"Princess!" Mark cried as he sprang to her and caught her. He then scooped her up into his arms and ordered the momentarily stunned Jason and Keyop. "Let's go!"
The three then sprinted down the corridor as the ship continued to shudder, with cracks appearing in the shell as they hurried to the reactor room now filled with smoke as the damage from the pulverizing ray had reached the rear. Fortunately, the air duct that they had used before as an entrance was still intact so the three flew up and then bounded down the vent to the boarding tube of the Phoenix that led to the boarding pod.
In the sleek ship Owl Tiny Harper was at the helm and the door slid open to admit his G-Force comrades, Keyop taking his usual seat but still cradling a limp Princess Mark took the seat next to him. He heaved a sigh of relief as Jason took the seat beside him and barked the order to leave.
"Take off now Tiny, this thing's gonna blow in less than a minute!"
"Big ten," the amiable pilot said as he pushed the thrusters and then opened up the throttle.
The Phoenix rose and turned away, barreling at full speed away from the Devil Star. She was about 5000 miles away when the Spectran ship became a huge white thermonuclear fireball and then a shower of orange as it became space dust, sending a wave that shook the G-Force ship. They all watched as the glowing pieces that was once the Devil Star faded into the black nothingness of space.
The four male members of G-Force continued watch with grim expressions as Eagle Mark rose, still carrying his precious bundle. He issued forth the order to be homeward bound.
"Take us to Earth, Tiny." He then turned and headed to the end of the bridge and added, "If you need me, I'll be in the infirmary."
"Big ten, Commander." Tiny set the course and hand on the thrusters headed the Phoenix for Earth.
Jason made to get up and said, "I'm the other trained medic Chief, I can take care of her."
"NO!" Mark snapped causing the trio to gape at him with wide eyes at the vehemence of his response. "I'll take care of her." And he slipped behind the door that slid shut.
The other G-Force members exchanged glances of understanding and wordlessly remained at their posts as they rocketed home. . . .
NEXT…..,EPILOGUE…..AIN'T NOTHING LIKE THE REAL THING