Chapter 9
The second time Jason was returned to his cell, his lips were so mangled from his biting down on them, that they were swollen to double their size. Finding his way in the dark, he sighed deeply when he sat down, his back on the wall. Only then, secure in the knowledge that no-one was watching – even if there were cameras, the darkness offered him enough cover – did he allow himself to moan. He was feeling increasing light-headed from the constant battering he was receiving. And the food was nothing to write home about either...
"Come on, G- Force, where are you?"
It had been more than 48 hours. They were supposed to be here. He had lasted this long, damn it! How much longer? Maybe there was another attack and they couldn't get to him. He had seen how they had gone off to help Cronus. Maybe the battle didn't go well. Maybe the Phoenix had been damaged. Maybe Anderson had ordered them off to another emergency, choosing to relegate him to a second-tier priority.
"And maybe I'd be better off not thinking like this", he said aloud. He started his breathing again. G-Force would come. He just had to hold out until then.
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"Coming up to the Crab Nebulae, Mark", said Princess checking her monitors.
"Battle stations, everyone", said Mark, sitting in Jason's seat and preparing the weapons systems.
On the monitors, they could see Spectra approaching.
"Tiny, take us down as close as possible to the main military complex we see on Zark's map. Get ready for enemy fire. As soon as land, Tiny, take her up again and go".
"Big ten, Mark!"
Spectra anti-spacecraft guns hit them as soon as they entered the atmosphere. Mark pursed his lips and started firing back. The Phoenix shook from the blasts, but her shields held.
"Princess, get ready to do a thermal scan of the building, to see the number of enemy forces".
"Okay, Mark, coming up".
"Keyop, feed me data on weapons' power in the complex".
"Got it".
Mark kept his eyes glued to this target finder, firing his rockets against the Spectran guns. The Phoenix opened a path through the enemy fire, aiming at an open space behind the military complex. Spectran armoured vehicles were rapidly approaching.
"Mark, I'll be able to stay for a few seconds only. I have to take the shields down".
"Okay, Tiny. Princess, Keyop, get ready. We'll get out from the top".
"Big ten!"
They ran to the bubble on the top of the Phoenix, Mark following them after launching a last volley of rockets. Tiny opened the bubble and they flew out, landing seconds before Tiny took off again, drawing enemy fire away from the landing party, but with the shields holding up until he was out of range, leaving Jason's rescuers on Spectra.
To be continued
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