These Black Eyes Chapter 114: Angel Spear Four part 5, a teen titans fanfic

114. Angel Spear Four part 5

T-Minus: Two Hours, forty-two minutes.

Location: Temple – Central Room

CHTING!!!!!

CL-CLUNG!!!!!

WHURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR-TNK-TNKLING!!!!

The room fills a dying green light. Not the same as the starbolt fury that once inhabited it. But rather, this is the aura of a Tamaranian sunset.

I squint and hold a hand over my visor as I barely manage to look up through the circular door in the center room of the Temple. Two giant, black shadows hover over us. Thrusters hissing. Rocket boosters at ready.

The noise of their rumbling propulsion and hovering apparatuses vibrate the place that we're in.

Lobo shouts above the noise. "I know I should be jumping for joy and crap, but why is it that I suddenly get the feeling we're about to become nothing more than twin kamikaze torpedoes?!?!"

"You got one part right," Katma nods. "We're heading over water. And with the meager time we have left, we have to make it count. We're going to suck every bit of propulsion that's left hiding away in these vessels."

"My kingdom for my hog....," Lobo mutters. A beat. "Heh! My kidney for a kingdom!"

"What of the fallen?" Minnae asks, her hands cupped together. "Surely we cannot desecrate them by leaving them here!"

"Nuja'n thriul canclatta v'mere si wedsaye," one of the Tamaranian soldiers happens to walk by and utter. His eyes are firm, much like the deceased officer. "Feratta siel de X'Hal...benverada nemo sye."

Katma takes a deep breath. "Vlatta kun...," she remarks.

"When you're done speaking Chipmunk...ya mind translating, sweet cakes??" Lobo grumbles.

Katma glares. "They understand the importance for the flight. For us, getting the data to the Capital is a part of history. For them, it's imminent necessity. There world is in peril. Those who have fallen have given their lives for a great purpose. Now they—and we—must move to ensure that their sacrifices were not in vain."

"Oye....," Lobo rubs his head. "Forgive me if I sound dumb. I don't do the whole 'honor and glory' thing. Hell, I look at those bodies and think that they're simply going to waste! I know! Go on and ask the Tamaranian dopes if any of them are hungry."

FLASH!!

"OW!!!" Lobo falls down from a green boxing glove. WHUMP!!!

Katma sighs. "Right...." She looks over. "We're going. Now."

Minnae gulps. "The Frontline?"

"Straight over the Sea to the Mainland surrounding the Capital," Katma declares. "We have to make like the wind."

"And that's just what them cruisers are gonna do, huh??" Lobo rubs his head and mutters. Looking up. "Break wind?"

"Something to that extent," Katma turns and speaks to the one Tamaranian soldier. "Vramanaz thriul!"

"Uln!"

The Tamaranian starts motioning and calling out to the others in the room.

Everyone lifts up as one body and they ascend to the two hover barges. The citizens hold the hands of the children as they ascend. Koriand'r flies by herself. She glances down at me as she exits the roof section.

I'm staring at the ground. Clutching Myrkblade. Breathing in and out slowly.

"........"

"Noir?"

"......"

"Noir..."

A hand on my shoulder.

I look up. I glance around.

Katma stands behind me. Minnae's by her side.

"It's time for us to go, we can't waste anymore seconds," the Green Lantern says.

I take a breath. I nod.

Minnae smiles.

'Mr. Noir......'

I look over at her.

'You do realize we're all in this together?'

I stare at her.

Has any of the blood stained your dress yet...............your highness?

She bites her lip.

I hear nothing further in my head.

"Okay. Let's move!" Katma exclaims. She holds out her ring and three green platforms materialize beneath the feet of Lobo, Minnae, and myself. The Green Lantern effortlessly airlifts us up and towards the two hover barges above the temple...

T-Minus: Two Hours, thirty-nine minutes.

Location: Jungle – Roof of Temple

The hover barges look like big, brown cigars with the top one-fifth chopped off and flattened length-wise. The things would be perfect cylinders if it weren't for the thrusters jutting out obviously on many locations along the bottom hull or the big boosters erected on the rear. Metal 'awnings' of sort cover two locations on the vessels. One awning covers the piloting spot near the front of each barge, and another awning covers the top deck halfway down the length of the top. Each barge has a gun turret on the back, capable of focused phaser bursts in a firing direction of at least three hundred degrees. Two laser cannons flank the bow of the ship, and two small turrets mark the side down the middle of the vessel's hull.

"Hey hey hey....," Lobo smirks. "Ready to rock n' roll!"

Minnae giggles.

I sigh.

"Noir...you're with me," Katma declares as she floats the two of us over to the ship on the right. "We're going to have the data carriers on our barge...which means that they're going to need the most protection for the sake of victory. My shielding and your quick-reflexes should do the trick in the case of any attack or ambush while en route."

I nod silently as I'm lowered onto the deck of the one hover barge.

"What about the innocent civilians?" Minnae remarks from her floating platform. "Do they not need protection too?"

"By all means," Katma nods in mid-air. "But none of them are carrying the data necessary for bringing the Gordanian invasion to a hault. The rules of humanitarianism apply differently here. The data carriers take priority. But don't worry. You and Lobo shall guard the other ship."

"Great...," Lobo rolls his red eyes. "I get babysitting duty."

"Meditate upon it in this fashion, Mr. Lobo," Minnae smiles daintily. "With Captain Tui and Mr. Noir on the other ship, you have total reign over who you kill or don't kill while on our ship. Do you not?"

Lobo smirks. "Hey...I never thought of it that way. Heh. You ain't so half bad for a virgin mega-pixie."

"Errr....," Minnae blinks.

"Just guard your posts...okay?" Katma groans, depositing the two on the left hover barge with her Green Lantern energy. She pauses in thought, then calls out: "Princess Metharsia...is Noir's little friend with the other citizens?"

I glance up.

"Y-Yes...that she is, Captain Tui."

"She's a data carrier. Tell her to join our ship."

"Understood."

I narrow my eyes under my helmet's visor and think.

The data carriers would be at better odds of safety if they were spread evenly on both barges...

I glance at the Green Lantern.

Unless of course......Katma totally expects this ship to survive for some reason.

Katma's green eyes glance at me for a moment...but quickly dart away.

I inhale.

I hadn't seen that from Katma before. Not directly.

Fear......

I sigh again and find a quiet part of the deck to sit down and collapse. I lean my back to the support beam of the middle awning. As escapees file around and get organized all around me, I suddenly remember the deck of cards in my combat fatigues pants pocket. I pull them out and start shuffling casually. My black eyes gaze into nothingness.

Maybe it's not fear......maybe it's disgust......

But what can I say? She got what she wanted. Everybody got what they wanted.

I twirl a joker card

I take a breath....staring at it.

Everybody wants to use the wildcard...but nobody loves it in the end.

I hide it away with teleporting, black fingers.

Not even myself.

I glance up at Katma Tui.

She's still motioning people around and giving orders. To Tamaranians and Angel Spears alike. The perfect Captain.

I hope you got what you wanted......cuz there's no going back to Noir now. Not on this mission.

I look at my metal hand. I eye the purple blood caking its joints. Like rust.

I wince inwardly.

Angel Spear Four......at your service......the wildcard reborn.

"Gromaadul v'ran si b'ala nortblorg!" a Tamaranian escapee manages a smile as he floats over and mans the controls. He was one of the three that summoned the hovercraft over here by remote. "Nuhani slaat'm fortnorb!" Per his touch, the apparatuses that control the ship come to life. The gun turret at the back included. He turns and points at the 'crew'. "Hornablog fietven leeder n'rai! Vra! Vra!"

The escapees and soldiers mumble 'uln' and nod. Half of them descend below deck...to armored safety. The rest of them say on top. Including Koriand'r...who has just floated over and is now standing on the deck. She looks around—scanning the place with her pixie green eyes—and sees me. She blinks.

I stare at her. I gasp and hide the playing cards, wincing. Hoping they didn't resonate in her optics.

Dammit...me and my friggin' trademarks!

"Nu di'jaat!" a Tamaranian shouts.

I glance up.

VRUMMMMMMM!!!

The hover barge starts to shake.

Koriand'r gasps and rushes over to take a secure seat across the deck.

I take a deep breath.

Here we go......

FFFFFFFSHHHHHHH!!!!!

The thrusters fire up. The two barges lift up side by side. The tree canopy of the jungle drops out of vision from either side of me.

I hear Lobo's voice cackle forth from the other ship. "Hey! Anyone for travel bingo?! How many rotting reptiles do you spy?! HA!"

I glance at my Angel Spear wristband.

The illuminated arrow is pointing due north.

And that's exactly where the barges point themselves.

SWOOOOOOOOOOSH!!!!

And we rocket away from the temple.

T-Minus: Two Hours, thirty-six minutes.

Location: In Flight – Central Jungle

The rushing wind is warm. Humid. The planet is just as tropical as it looks. I never knew Starfire's world was so stifling.

I welcome the rushing air as the two hovercraft throttle over the green canopies. Eventually, I get up and creep over to the edge of the deck. I look out onto the landscape blurring beneath us like an emerald mess. I envision dozens of lost Tamaranians and Gordanians somewhere in the lush landscape, battling each other. Unaware of whatever victories or losses could be transpiring around and above them.

Speaking of which......

I glance up. From around the side of the metal awning, I see the same old specks. The flashing pinpricks of light. The tiny puffs of explosions that are huge splashes of chaos taking place thousands of miles above us and beyond the atmosphere. Some dramatic space battle indicative of all history books save those found on Earth.

The universe is a gigantic place. With cultures warring and loving each other left and right. So much of the chaos of the cosmos has even stretched its tired arms into the midst of Terra Firma. But why....why are we so left out? Whey are we still in a galactic stone age? People and things out here bleed and die as much as Earth's fodder does. What's the difference? Why the separation?

I run a hand along the back of my neck. I find a few long strands of hair that have somehow escaped from under my helmet amidst all of my fighting and violent acrobatics. I hastily tuck them all back in and under before anyone—especially Koriand'r—can see me. I take a breath and hug myself...balanced on the side of the deck...looking out onto the passing foliage and wilderness.

A beat.

I glance to my right.

Katma is staring out over the bow. The one Tamaranian soldier is piloting the hover barge. Five more soldiers patrol the deck.....

....

Koriand'r sits on the side of the craft opposite of me. Her cute legs dangling from her seat. Her hands placed nimbly down as her red hair dances in the passing breeze. She's the only one looking vaguely in my direction. And most likely, she's pretending that she's trying not to.

I raise an eyebrow under my helmet's visor.

Why??

Silence.

I sigh.

Why...why is she so...so......fixated on me?

She looks away from me suddenly as if noticing my gaze through my visor. The trick of mine doesn't seem to work anymore.

Was she always so curious? So......so interested in everything?

I reach a hand up and rub the sides of my face under my helmet.

Was it because I was the first to reach her inside......inside that horrible prison cell?

She gazes out onto the passing landscape. She reaches a little hand up and pushes a lock of hair up and behind her ear.

I blink under my visor.

She's so......so quiet. So alone.........

I lean my head to the side.

Is she thinking of Blackfire right now? Is that why she's so.........so deadpan? And yet...there is a strange sense of hidden joy. Nestled in between her trusting and innocent nature. I recognize Starfire in that. But.........

'But what, Mr. Noir?'

I blink.

I turn around and look across the whipping winds.

Minnae sits on the side of the deck facing me from her and Lobo's hover barge. Even from afar, I catch the compassionate gaze of her amber eyes. She holds a laced hand up and waves...then tries to smooth down her whipping, auburn hair as she smiles at me across the safe distance of speeding air.

Forgive me if I'm not so talkative. I'm kinda sorta mute, ya know.

'Your head says differently.'

Is it ever possible to put you on 'mute'?

'I couldn't help but overhear. You are so very concerned for your young friend, aren't you?'

I thought that had been made obvious before.

'Oh, indeed. Though I do not possess an entire understanding of your life of working with the said 'Starfire', I do know you feel greatly responsible for her.'

Uh huh...

'You wonder if she's thinking about her sister...Kormand'r. Is that true?'

I do believe you heard me right.

'Well, you are correct. But.........'

But what, your Highness?

'Do you wish to know what else she's thinking, Noir?'

...............

'She is.........most thankful...for our presence.'

Is she now......?

'Indeed. She understands that—as much as the four of us are outsiders—we're helping give this flight to the Capital the boost that it needs. History may do a good job of taking care of itself. But we are greatly a part and shall always be a part of this event.'

And is it just my imagination that she keeps......keeps.........

'Paying attention to you and you alone?'

...............yeah......

'I'm sure that there are many reasons for that.'

Reasons that you know?

'Hehehe......well, for one......when she first saw you, there was quite a bit of long, dark hair showing?'

Your point?

A beat.

I wince as I remember.

You've got to be kidding me.........

'Young men on Tamaran with black hair are quite rare.........and considered very handsome!'

I don't like this.........

'And—Tamaranian or not—the girl there is at THAT age......the threshold, at least......'

Are you trying to tell me that Starf--......Koriand'r has a crush on me?

'I am merely teasing you, Mr. Noir. True......one can't ignore that factor. Any Tamaranian girl would find you a sight to behold.'

Wow......boy am I lucky......

I chuckle to myself. I then think of Robin in the future. And Starfire....

I smirk.

'But there's far much more to it than that.'

Like what?

'My my...you do seem so curious for my explanation now! Hehehe!'

You have me hooked, your highness.

'Koriand'r is......thankful, yes. She's thankful for our presence. But you......'

I was the one who first rescued her. Physically, at least.

'True. But it's not so much about that as it is......something she perceives in you.'

Like?

'I cannot explain. How much have you been around Koriand'r in the future?'

Well......all the time. I mean...we fight alongside each other. As Titans......

'Then you are commonly in her aura?'

Huh??

'Her aura. All Tamaranians feel a mysterious burning in their hearts. An empathy for other beings. It most strongly reacts to other Tamaranians. Like a hidden fire. Did Starfire ever tell you of this.'

I......I-I remember something to that extent. Yeah......

'It is possible that she detects......something from the future in you.'

I bite my lip.

Like what? You think she knows the truth?

I see Minnae shake her lead from afar. She smiles.

'No. But she knows the emotions. The positive ones.'

I take a breath.

Like??

'Trust. Friendship. Honesty.....................a-and sacrifice......'

I instinctively grip my metal hand with my right one. I sigh.

'Mr. Noir.........your heart is suddenly so heavy!'

Yeah......I'm used to that.

'But...it is a glorious thing. These emotions that Koriand'r recognizes. What she sees and feels burning within herself the closest she is with you. And everything you've done to save her...it's only reinforced this positive feedback.'

Then I've done exactly what I didn't want to do.

'And what is that??'

I affected her too much. Perhaps......p-perhaps the future is in jeopardy after all.

'Hardly, Noir.'

How do you know that?

'For as much as you've intercepted with her life today, your transported emotions are making her think more about the now.'

Blackfire......

'And her family. Her parents. Her sister. She watches you fight and massacre the evil enemy...and she doesn't see a monster. Don't you realize that? She sees exactly what you are, Mr. Noir. What we all are for taking up this haphazard mission. Angels. Angels in disguise.'

I take a painful breath. I grip my metal arm. I sense a touch of the shivers again.....

'You have given her hope, Mr. Noir. The fact that you know her from the future. The emotions and the aura that you have taken back with you. She has consumed them. And her pain from that prison room is gone. For as terrible and tragic the whim of Death and all its Demons are, you have brought the flaming Spear of Life in and carved for her an impervious path. You have given her hope. You've done the exact opposite of harm her future...or your chance of being her friend in the future. In fact, I do believe all the Titans can rejoice. Starfire is most likely what she is tomorrow because of your blessings these days. And your further sacrifices......'

I bite my lip. My throat is swore. I swallow and smile weakly across the way.

You know...for a sheltered animorph who takes fashion statements from the Disney Princess collection, you're rather bright.

'Hehehe...I'll take that as a compliment, Mr. Noir.'

I look Koriand'r's way again.

Just like before, I barely catch the girl's gaze before it hurriedly leaves me and 'inspects' the passing landscape.

Perhaps it was just a schoolgirl crush after all. Good thing my hair's hidden.

I flex my metal fingers. The shivers go away before they come. I sigh with relief.

Your Highness.........

'Yes, Mr. Noir?'

Does she......really have hope? Is she really happy right now?

'I have never known my telepathy to lie to me. Though I do have the most awful time locating Lidikins on multiple occasions.'

I smirk.

'I'm curious though, Mr. Noir......'

Hmm?

'If you could speak—and may the stars bless your poor heart for not being able to—what would you tell her right now? What would you say to Koriand'r......I suppose......as a reaction to her own thoughts?'

You can't figure it out on your own with that head of yours?

'I would greatly desire to 'hear' your opinion'.'

............

'Please?'

Well.........

I look at the Tamaranian girl. I rest my hands on my knees. I sigh and smile gently.

Starfire, I.........I welcome the sight of you. It makes me feel almost as if I'm back home. I never knew just how intense your life was before you became a Titan. I-I mean...you told us and everything. It's just that......seeing it for myself. With my own black eyes. Chopping through it and tasting the leaking horror that is your planet's fight for survival.........I wish I had known before. And I almost wince to think of all the pleasant things you've said and all the kindness you show. For going through so much horror, you are remarkably innocent. It's such a wonder to behold. And I......I don't know. I want to protect you. But I want to do more than that. I think I want to hug you...or maybe just shut your eyes so that you can wake up from all of this. But what it all comes down to.........i-is that I want to get you back to your family. Your sister. Your brother. Your parents. Everyone that you've vaguely told us Titans about. But most of all......I want to see you with us again. With your friends. And I think that's because I want to be there right now. Not in this war. Not in this nightmare. I want to take us both away to safety so that all this will be is a passing dream. A memory. A fading photonegative. But I know that I can't do that. Noir is four or five years in the future right now, walking around the Titan's Tower. Carrying on with his life before it comes time to answer another call. Right now...you're trying not to stare at a ghost. A ghost with a flaming sword. Angel Spear Four. And like a good angel, I'm going to see to it that you live through this thing. That you feel as comforted and as satiated by whatever emotional aura you need until the killing is over and the Demons of Death have retreated. This is your history...your life...and I'm proud to see you through part of it. So very proud. I just......I just can't look at you straight. I can't touch your hand to guide you to safety. I have to remain distant. Please......understand that. It's for your own good. For your planet's good. For the Titans' good.........

......

.........

............

'I think I can see why you're so concerned for protecting your future with her and your other friends. It must be a beautiful companionship indeed.'

I take a shuddering breath and look in the direction of Minnae's barge.

You get a little melodramatic when you're so far away from............family.

There's a nodding, auburn head in the distance.

'I understand......'

I smile.

There's a rumbling sound in the distance.

'What's that?!?!'

I narrow my black eyes.

I glance down past the stern...southward.

I slowly stand up.

Koriand'r and the other Tamaranians murmur around me as I walk slowly to the gun turret. I lean on it and peer out. Katma Tui floats over and lands by my side, also peering.

T-Minus: Two Hours, twenty-nine minutes.

Location: In Flight – Northern Jungle Perimeter

The tree canopy becomes less and less dense beneath us. Swamplands form as the landscape's topography lowers to sea level and we gradually approach estuaries leading into a strait that is part of a huge ocean.

On the green horizon of the jungle blurring behind us, four gray/black specks appear. They have bright thrusters blaring at their rears. And they're coming in fast.

"Gordanian...," Katma mumbles. "Dropships. Just like the ones we faced earlier."

I grit my teeth.

"These barges are made for atmospheric transport only. But those things the Gordanians have...they're built for both air and space. They'll catch up with us in a heartbeat." She glances over at the gun turret. "We're gonna have some heat on our hands. And soon!"

She quickly rushes against the wind towards the bow of the ship, shouting to everyone on deck while I stand by and watch the incoming bogeys.

"Gord'n threatta!! M'neraat thrun leever cunne siel!!"

"Kieterrat'm mortablog!"

"Cedu vrenaz wiwer'm!"

"Uln!"

Tamaranians are scrambling and hovering everywhere. A soldier rushes over and gently escorts Koriand'r below deck to a safer position. The pilot of our barge cranks an apparatus. The laser guns on the bow charge up and glow a menacing blue. The two gun turrets on the side wobble to life as Tamaranians inside the barge man them.

Katma oversees all this. She looks towards the other bard. She sees Lobo standing out in the open beyond the metal awnings, waving a pale hand at her.

Katma takes a breath and concentrates with a finger placed against her temple.

"Minnae...tell Lobo and everyone else on that ship to prepare for the worst."

'Whatever seems to be the matter?'

"Due south of us. Four Gordanian ships are approaching."

'An armed pursuit?'

"Undoubtedly. We're gonna have some trouble on our hands. But between the two of us, I'm sure we can shake them off."

'We had better hurry! We're approaching open water ahead!'

"And once we're past it, we should be okay on the other shore. That's where the Tamaranians are historically setting up their assault on the Front Line surrounding the Capital. The Gordanian dropships would be cannon fodder in the air."

'I do not like the sound of 'cannon fodder'!'

"Your highness, I was only referring to the Gordanians---"

"HEY!!!" Lobo cackles loudly from across the rushing air on his barge with a voice that only the undead mercenary can manage. "Less brain tonguing and more Gordanian popping!!!"

Katma grits her teeth.

A chuckling sound.

She looks my way.

I clear my throat and look innocent.

She glares.

A beat.

"I almost like you more when you're badass.....," she mutters.

I shrug.

"Feveraat! Niel threatta!"

I look firmly southward. I take a breath.

"Here they come...," Katma clenches her fist and hovers three feet above the deck. Her power ring glows brightly.

On the other barge, Minnae cowers under a metal awning. Four Tamaranians hover at ready, their hands glowing. Lobo whips out his shotgun in one hand and a revolver in the other. He reloads both and spins them at ready. Grinning.

"Avast ye, crum-suckers!!"

My metal fingers tighten.

The four Gordanian dropships accelerate. The windshields of the cockpits and the pivoting thrusters can be seen against the hull. The steady roar of their advance starts to mingle with the chaos filling our ears from our own barge.

A Tamaranian rushes over and mans the gun turret of our ship's rear while another soldier does the same on Lobo's and Minnae's ship. I spot the laser banks and turrets against their hull getting ready as well. We've all seen enough battle today. We're more than prepared for this...

CHIIIIING!!!

I unsheathe Myrkblade and watch the incoming steadily.

The Tamaranian glances at me.

I glance back at him.

He looks at my purple-stained sword...then at my face.

".......," I smirk.

"This is ridiculous....," Katma utters, her green eyes narrowing.

I glance back at her.

"This full frontal assault...they must know we have proper defenses at the rear! Why would they send so many vulnerable gunships to our backsides unless....," the Green Lantern gasps. She spins around. She looks up, northward. "Nuru! Gord'n threatta di j'namalan!"

Everyone turns around at once in a flurry of exclamations and gasps. On both barges.

We look up.

My black eyes twitch.

Out from the murderously bright shimmer of the setting sun streak two more dropships from above. And they're opening fire.

BLAM!! BLAM!!!! BLAM!!!!!!

Dark black bolts of energy soar at the ships' bows.

Katma floats up, growls at the top of her lungs, and stretches a green shield in front of our ship.

"RGHHHHH!!!!"

FLASH!!!!!

The dark projectiles splash against the energy projection.

POW!!! POW!! POW!!!

Quicker than a blink, Katma yells furiously and flings whatever shred of energy is left from her projection over into the front of Lobo's and Minnae's ship.

FLAAA-AASH!!!

POW!!!!!

The projectiles shatter apart in smoke.

The two barges shake and tumble in mid-air.

The Tamaranians grunt and gasp in surprise.

SWOOOOSH!!!!

The two frontrunning Gordanian ships swoop down past us.

I grit my teeth.

I turn around.

SWOOOOSH!!!!!!

The ships from the rear are upon us.

BLAM!!! BLAM!!! BLAM!!

Katma rushes to the back of the ship with a ready shield while the Tamaranian gunners on either barge let loose phaser punishment.

ZAAAAAP!!!

ZAP!! ZAAAP!

The four Gordanian ships spread apart. Two rocket between us. The other two arc around us. Between Katma's shield and our return fire, only one of the enemies' blasts get through. It singes a lower portion of the rear hull of the other ship.

"Gorgablag'm slie! Favlaata Gord'n hiyatsun!" Katma shouts.

"Uln!!"

The Tamaranian pilot jams a trigger on the controls.

The laser banks positioned on the front of the ship fire.

ZAAAAAAAAP!!!!!

The other barge follows suit.

ZAAAAP!!!!

Two twin streams of blue-hot energy soar at the four swooping Gordanian vessels as they come around for another pass. One of the dropships is struck hard. It starts smoking and slows down on its return...letting the other three advance upon us as once again.

I turn and look to our rear.

The two ambushing dropships are returning at the same time.

We're being sandwiched.

"Princess Minnae?! Are you all okay?!"

'The rear gunman on our ship has taken a nasty fall! There's a terrible bump on his head!"

"Crud....W-Well who's mining the gun turret now?!"

'Erm.........I-I am, Captain Tui......'

Katma bites her lip.

I look at her.

She looks at me. "I hope for her sake they built seatbelts for that thing..."

I point madly at the incoming dropships.

Katma clears her throat and spins around with power ring outstretched. "Gord'n threatta!!"

"De X'Hal!!!"

"De X'Hal!!!!"

SWOOOOOOOSH!!!!

BLAM!!! BL-BLAM!!! BLAM!!!! BLAM!!!

The dropships swoop by from both sides. Laser cannons, gun turrets, and side turrets fire all at once. Chaotically. Starbolts stream into the insanity as well. My darting eyes catch sight of Katma's green energy soaring out like a huge, green sword and severing off one of the dropships' thrusters. It's the only damage done to the enemy, whereas a few craters form in our hull...causing the ship to shake and the putrid smell of burnt metal to fill the air.

The thruster-less Gordanian vessel lunges and descends slowly to the jungle floor below. It starts to regain its hovering potential and lift up again. That's exactly when a familiar, gruffy voice shouts above the noisce: "HOT POTATO!!!" and a grenade from the other barge sails down and makes contact with the Gordanian ship's hull.

CLANK-BOOOOOM!!!

Cracks form all along the dark-gray ship and fire eats its way inside. The ship spirals and plunges down with a comet tale of flames and leaking plasma.

Cheers rise up from the Tamaranians all around me. Even Katma smirks.

I look over and see Lobo twirling a hulking grenade launcher in his grasp and doing a 'raising the roof' gesture.

I don't know whether to laugh or whimper.

"Hana thrakka saat duramna hiyn'm!!"

I turn around again.

The two remaining dropships from the first cluster of four turn about. But their speed is slower and their altitude is climbing. They rise above us, thrusters thundering.

"????" I raise an eyebrow. I turn around and look past the front of our barge.

The other two ships take their sweet time in coming back around. As if the first two would be in their line of fire.....

"They're gonna board us...," Katma exclaims, her teeth gritting.

I blink.

Giant metal doors in the bottom hulls of the two ships open. Gently, they start to lower down at us.

Katma turns to the rear gunmen. "Havaakan soruut! Niel!"

The Tamaranian shakes his head helplessly as he looks up. "Emblattorg ke sidaartaat colod'm!"

'Captain Tui! They're too directly above us! None of our guns can aim up to hit them!'

"Then there's always the ghetto way...," Katma groans. She raises her power ring.

The other Tamaranians get the idea and charge starbolts.

I grip Myrkblade and I glance at Lobo from afar...standing on his ship and aiming his shotgun and grenade launcher directly upwards.

And just at that precise moment....we reach the ocean.

T-Minus: Two Hours, twenty-three minutes.

Location: In Flight – Oceanic Strait

SWOOOOSH!!!

The line of trees end and the water trickles in the crystal blue mass that is the Tamaranian waters stretching between shore to shore. On the other side of the sea is freedom. Yet, no matter how much the thrusters of the two barges flare...the velocity stays the same and the Gordanian vessels descend closer and the Frontline feels ever so far away...

"Femana laak'm saye!!" a soldier shouts.

As if on cue, two dozen jetpacking Gordanians leap out from the lower doors of the two ships over us.

"De X'hal!!!"

Starbolts stream upward in a torrent. Katma extends a wall of serrated energy. Lobo launches one grenade...two...

FLASH!!!! FLASH!!! POW!!!!

These Gordanians have amazing coordination. They snake together as two separate entities and avoid the projectile assault with twirls and barrel rolls before piercing through the defense with just one or two reptiles dying. They sail in towards the rear of each vessel with laser staffs aimed and their drool-laden teeth gritting.

The Tamaranian gunman pivots the turret to face them. I dash over and perch beside it, charging up Murk and snarling at the incoming.

ZAAAP!!!! ZAAAAAP!!!

Blue lasers lead their advance.

I deflect one...two...and dodge a third.

Six other streams bounce around the turret.

The gunman on our barge flinches once, but pivots slightly and fires---BLAM!!!!

Two Gordanians are instantly vaporized by the blast. The other nine rush at me just as I bring Myrkblade down.

SLASSSSH!!!!!

I slice off the arm of one hissing reptile and smack a second to the side with my hilt. The rest blur over me and knock me to the ground before collapsing against the Tamaranians and Katma throughout the rest of the barge's deck.

SWOOOOOSH!!!!

Starbolts and blue lasers fly every which way. The sound of clashing Tamaranian fists and Gordanian fists fill the air surrounding the barge.

I grit my teeth.

I jump to my feet with a pulse of murk and twirl Myrkblade, ready to strike. Anything.

I glare across the deck from under my shades.

I see two Gordanians immediately to my right. They're in the process of stabbing their spears straight through the quivering gut of the unlucky gunman.

I gasp.

I blur over.

I swing Myrkblade up at the end of my spring.

SLASH!!!!

"HRESSSHA!!" the right Gordanian shrieks and clutches the bloody stump that was once his wrist. "HRESSS---"

THUNK!!!

I plow my metal fist straight into his skull. I clutch ahold of brain matter with digging, metal fingers and—exhaling—swing him by the cranium like a ragdoll into the other reptile.

THWUMP!!!

"HRESSH!!!"

The two entangled bodies bounce off the rear of the barge and fall into the blast range of the engine thrusters. The two invaders melt instantly.

I pant. I rush over to the Tamaranian, who's covered in green liquid. I feel for a pulse.

None.

I bite my lip.

"Noir!! Head's up!!"

Katma's voice...

I jerk and look over.

A huge, hulking Gordanian body is stumbling towards me.

SWOOOSH-SLUNK!!!!

I raise Myrkblade just in time to impale him through the lung cavity.

He lurches forward towards me on the blade. Purple oozes out of his mouth.

My black eyes twitch.

"YAAAUGH!!" Katma comes up from behind him with a heavy downswing of a green axe.

CRUNCH!!!!!

The Gordanian's skull loses half its volume and becomes twice as dense in an instant. Purple sprays everywhere.

Katma pants, looking at me. "Good work," she breathes. Then with a warcry, she spins and rushes over to assist the Tamaranians on the other side of the ship.

I stand up and flex my muscles....preparing to dash over there and help them--

SLASH!!!

SLIIIINK!!!

I let out a silent howl and clutch my left shoulder. Red leaks down from a nasty slice. I grit my teeth and look up.

"HRESSSHA!!!" A bleeding, partially wounded Gordanian takes me on with a forward slash of his spear.

SWOOOSH!!

CLANG!!!

I block with my metal hand. Sparks fly.

I frown.

I jab forward with Myrkblade.

SLASH!!!

The Gordanian barely sidesteps. He kicks me in the side.

I grunt and roll across the deck. I nearly bounce over the side...but catch myself at the last second with my right hand on the edge.

The Gordanian hisses and swing his staff down at my hand.

SWOOOSH-CLANK!!!

I vault up, release myself from the side in time to dodge, flip in the air, and land in a squat behind him. I then hold my breath, stand on my left hand, and use my flesh hand to sweep Myrkblade out like a homicidal broom.

CLUMP!!!

I trip the Gordanian.

He falls to his butt and rolls backwards till he slumps against the side of the gun turret. WHUMP!!!

I roll down from my hand stand and dive with a suicidal Myrkblade lunge.

SWOOOSH!!!

The Gordanian gasps and activates his jetpack...rocketing up and above my dive.

The vision of the hard, metal gun turret fills my visor.

I wince.

WHANG!!!!

I slam directly into it. I wish I could groan.

The Gordanian hisses, humored, and aims his laser staff down at me from where he hovers.

The end of the spear starts to glow.

I grit my teeth, swing my upper body towards the sky like a break dancer. My right ankle makes forceful combat with a control lever on the gun turret.

CLANK!!

WHURRRRRRRRRRRR!!

The gun turret starts an endless, clockwise rotation. The result...the jutting gun barrel slaps the Gordanian upside the back.

CLANK!!!

"HRESH!!!!"

He sails down at me.

I meet him with a metal fist.

POW!!!

He literally topples over and collapses against the rotating gun turret.

I vault to my feet, twirl Myrkblade, and charge him.

With his back to the floor, he raises his staff and deflects my attack.

CLANK!!

Through a shower of sparks, I parry and try to stab straight into his chest.

He rolls to the side and jumps to his feet, hissing.

I take a breath. I lunge at him.

He blocks.

I twirl his staff aside. I make for his lower pelvis.

He twirls, side steps, and swings his staff at my skull like a club.

I kneel, deflect, and push back against him. I stand back up and walk towards him.

He walks back.

I raise my sword.

He raises his spear...

WH-WHUMP!!!

Stupidly, the rotating gun barrel catches us both off guard on its return trip. The turret knocks us to the floor, with the hulking Gordanian on top of me.

CL-CLANK!!!

His spear and my Myrkblade tumble alone across the battle-strewn deck.

I reach for my weapon.

He reaches for his.

We both realize that we're reaching for something and instead switch into a wrestling mode. Terran nimbleness against Gordanian brawn.

It wasn't a pretty sight.

"HRESSSH!!!" WHUMP!! WHUMP!! The Gordanian plows my head into the floor.

"!!!!" I wince. I knee him twice in....well...the spot I imagined all universal genitalia to be. WHAM!! WHAM!!

No effect.

Go figure......

"HRESSHAA!!" he drools down at me and threatens to bite into my neck.

I swiftly roll us over so that he's beneath me. I start to pummel him mercilessly with my metal fist. I hear ribs cracking and moans of pain. I keep plowing my titanium knuckles into his side, panting.

Despite his pain, he eventually shoves me up and off of him. Throwing in the towel...for a split second.

I hobble back and rub my neck, wincing.

The Gordanian limps up and pants at me. Angry. He pulls out a grenade object of sort and fingers a clip on it.

I take a breath and back up apprehensively.

In the best way a reptilian biped can...the Gordanian snickers.

I walk up...then sense something behind me. A rotating gun turret.

The Gordanian smirks.

I smirk back.

"...."

SWOOOOOSH!!!!!

In a rush of smoke and murk, I teleport backwards through and over the body of the rotating gun turret. My timing is impeccable. I now stand right at the controls right as the gun turret rotates to directly face the Gordanian previously threatening me.

His beady eyes blink. ".....HRESHA??"

I smile, wave, and hit the red button.

BLAM!!!!!!

The Gordanian's torso dissolves in the air with a flash of purple. What's left of him gets caught up in the wind and free-falls like a lopsided weight to the choppy seas below.

I hold my breath. I push at the lever. CLANK!! The turret stops rotating on its own.

I rush over and pick up Myrkblade. I glance down towards the bow of the ship.

Two other Tamaranians appear wounded. Katma and the three left standing on top do battle with two last Gordanians from the initial flock.

A thought hits me. I gasp and look across the way at the other barge.

I see Lobo on the distant craft being surrounded by three reptiles....three reptiles that are soon dead by either uzzi fire, strangulating chains, or the simple old fashion right hook of death.

"YEAH!! ASSES!! THE MAIN MAN DEMANDS HIS CAB FARE!!"

I blink under my shades.

Minnae??

'Mr. Noir??'

I sigh with relief.

You're okay......

'I cannot confirm such in our case for long!'

I blink. I glanced forward.

Two of the four remaining ships are coming in for another run. Their lower hulls also yawn open and more Gordanians start to hop out.

I wince. I look at the gun turret. I take a breath and hop in it. I reactivate the controls via the levers.

CL-CLANK!!!

WHURRRRR!!!

I pivot about. I aim at the open doors of one of the ships. I finger the red button...

BLAM!!!

The whole barge shakes.

I gasp and everyone else battling on the deck almost lose their balance and fall off. I glance back as the previous two dropships come by our rear and punish us with focused phaser fire.

That same damn sandwich!!!

BLAM!!!! BLAM!!! BLAM!!!

I pivot the gun turret madly around.

We're hit once more.

The hull starts to smoke.

I cough and try aiming through the smoke.

I can't see.

I reach a free hand out and meditate.

The digits of my fingers pulse murk.

I part the blast fog with my powers just long enough to get a clear shot at the fragile bottom thrusters.

Click!

Silence.

I gasp.

I press the red button again with my trigger hand.

Click!

And again.

Click! Click! Click!

I lean back and look down.

Sparks are dancing across the weapon's computer console. A direct result of the enemy's blaster impact.

I bite my lip. I reach down stupidly--

ZAP!!!

I jolt back and wave my finger, wincing.

I glance up.

The dropships leer closer. Their phaser and ion turrets glow threateningly.

I take a deep breath. I sheathe Myrkblade momentarily and reach my flesh hand to the prosthetic joint of my left arm. I fit my fingers around the joining disc and squeeze at just the right spots.

FHSSSS!!!

CL-CLANK!!!

I detach my metal arm and shove it into the console.

THUNK!!!

The metal fingers connect the damaged circuit. The sparks dance across my detached limb and recharge the trigger device.

I take a deep breath, aim, and---

Click—BLAM!!!!

A bright stream of energy soars from the turret and straight into the belly of the foremost gunship before it has a chance to fire again.

The hull glows red and orange inside out before--

PHOOOOOOM!!!!

The spacecraft shatters apart and whatever smoking hulk of metal is left plummets down between our two barges and splashes explosively inside the crystal blue sea.

SPLOOOOSH!!!!

I gasp. More sparks fly along my metal arm. I pivot the gun turret—WHURRRR—and aim likewise at the second of the close gunships--

"HEY!! SUNDAY DRIVER!!! YAAAAH!!!"

I turn bug-eyed as I spot Lobo literally pouncing off the edge of the other barge's deck and planting himself on the front nose of the Gordanian gunship. Through Herculean strength alone, he clenches his fist and smashes the front turrets to bits.

"RRRGGH!!!"

SMASH!!!

"RAAAAUGH!!!"

CRASH!!!!

He then smirks, spins his shotgun by the trigger with one hand, and utters: "Headlights are out, buddy! Lemme come in there and see your license!!" He ends the shotgun's twirl by aiming it one-handed through the windshield.

BLAM!!!!

Glass shatters and obvious purple streams of liquid splort out the front as the undead mercenary dives into the ship, which is now veering left and right.

I bite my lip.

How can I shoot it down now??

'Where'd Mr. Lobo go?!'

Didn't you see, your Highness? He just dove into that ship!!

'Is that man insane?!?!'

I groan.

Please tell me something I need to know! You did that so well earlier!

'You're about to be overwhelmed?'

H-Huh?!

From behind: THWACK!!!!

I exhale a lung full of forced breath from a spear struck hard against my breath. The whole gun turret shakes from the impact and I and my detached arm go tumbling across the deck.

Two Gordanians leer over me with spears, hissing. I spot a second wave of jetpack wearing reptiles. It must be from the other two dropships.

Son of a bard!!!

I sneer and try to jump up--

CLAMP!!!

A Gordanian boot forces me down.

"HRESSHA!!! The fiend shoves his spear down at my face.

Instead of reach back for Myrkblade, I blur my one good arm up and clamp my fingers around the staff itself...forcing it away from my forehead at a breath's length. I sweat...straining.

The second Gordanian takes the opportunity. He aims a blue laser at my heart.

My black eyes twitch...

WH-PHISH!!!!!

A green, glowing 'tentacle' of sorts rolls in from beyond and slaps the laser staff out of the Gordanian's grasp.

The two reptiles gasp and look over me.

I glance upside down at the same thing.

The first wave of Gordanians defeated, Katma and three other Tamaranians hover across the deck and stare down the two assaulters on top of me.

Katma has her Green Lantern energy transformed into a massively long bullwhip. It glows and settles around her legs like a coiled, radioactive snake.

"You want to shed blood??" Katma hisses. She whips the sparking, green tentacle of fury. WH-PHISH!!! "Come spill it!!"

The Gordanians stare at her. Blinking. They growl. They hiss. They charge at her.

The Tamaranians do the wise thing by ducking.

Katma holds her breath and spins around, tossing the whip of energy like a giant weed whacker. She meets the reptilian rush with serrated accuracy, whipping through their limbs and snapping bone and muscle joints apart with the flick of her wrist.

WH-PHISH!!! WH-PHISH!!

The Gordanians shriek and clutch spouting wounds of purple ooze before Katma puts them out of their misery with a lashing cord shredded through their hearts.

I pant as I watch the scene. I glance over. I see my detached arm. I grab it.

In the meantime, the Gordanians that are flocking around Minnae's ship (greatly unguarded with Lobo's absence) suddenly regroup and head towards ours...undoubtedly challenged by the Green Lantern's dance of death.

Katma Tui eyes them all. She smiles sexily, whips the green tentacle to a stop and motions them to charge.

And charge they do, flying down via jetpacks with laser staffs firing.

ZAAAP!!! ZAP!! ZAAAAAAP!!

Katma flicks her wrist and spirals the Lantern whip from her ring at them, deflecting each shot.

They close in.

She retracts her wrist, gasps, and lunges forward heavily with a terrifying swing.

WH-PHISSSSH!!!

The tentacle rips two Gordanians apart in one slash. The whip draws back and bounces forward again in time to slice off the head of a third, circle around the ankle of a fourth, and draw back with the helpless creature in tow.

Katma twirls to the side and flicks her wrist.

The Gordanian hisses as he's flung far off towards the sea below.

The three Tamaranians take aim at him from afar, pelting him to death with burning starbolts.

In the meantime, I refasten my metal limb. I squeeze the right parts of the prosthetic disk. A sharp chill runs through my body...and I'm back to normal again. I flex my titanium knuckles, sigh, and glance Katma's way.

She continues whipping the corded energy around her like a constantly revolving shield of elastic Hell. One Gordanian tries to dive and come at her from behind. She merely grabs him with one hand, whips her ring power around with another, and flings him violently across the deck...where he lands against the ship's controls with a fountain of sparks.

CLANK!!!!

SWOOOOSH!!!

The whole ship lurches.

The Tamaranians below deck shriek and cry out in surprise.

I fall down, grunting. I look up and gasp as I see Myrkblade tumbling off the uneven deck's side and plunging towards the ocean below.

In a split second, I'm on my feet...blurring towards the side.

I stick two fingers in my mouth and whistle at Katma.

She glances over at me amidst her combating. Sweating.

I point over the side a half second before diving over.

She grits her teeth, swings the Green Lantern 'whip' around her head, and launches it at me.

I reach my right hand out.

GRIP!!!!

I grab ahold of the very end of the whip.

I swing down.

I grab Myrkblade with my metal hand.

I reach the end of the energy whip's length.

I swing up.

My feet blur in mid air and make contact with the ship's hull.

Taut on my end of the cord, I use Katma as an anchor as I run up the side of the ship, slashing two flying Gordanians bloodily along the way, and launch myself up into the air above the careening vessel. I let go of the whip, flip, and fall. My feet land on the metal awning. I slide down effortlessly, switch Myrkblade to my right hand, and dive onto the deck straight at two landing Gordanians.

SLASH!!! SWISSH!!!

I rip through the chest of one reptile, pull Myrkblade out, and slash into the shoulder of the second. With a silent growl, I lift the Gordanian's body up and flip him in reverse over his shoulder so that his bloodied carcass flings off of Myrkblade.

WH-PHISH!!!! YANK!!

Katma flings the whip up and circles the end of it around the neck of the bloody Gordanian. She uses his dead weight as a mace as she now swings the tendril around madly and slams his carcass into oncoming Gordanian jetpackers.

SWOOOSH—WHAM!!! WH-PISH—SLAP!!! SWIIIIISH-THWAP!!!

She spins the body around her head one last time before flinging the dead Gordanian mercilessly into three remaining fliers.

WHUMP!!!

"HRESHSAAAAaaaa...." The quartet plummets to the ocean floor.

Again, the three standing Tamarians let out warcries and take aim with their starbolts.

FLASSSSH!!! FLASH!!! FL-FLASH!!!

Whatever's solidly left of the falling Gordanians easily dissolve in the rushing waters below.

Katma pants and retracts the green energy back into her power ring. She gulps and looks at me.

"You suppose they enjoyed that?"

I shrug.

'Captain Tui! Your ship!'

Katma grunts. "What about it??"

'It is careening towards the ocean!!'

Katma goes bug-eyed. She looks at me.

I nod.

She looks over the deck.

As smoke pours up from the hull, the crystal blue ocean rushes towards us from below.

"Great Galactic Shit!!" Katma twirls around and runs towards the side of the barge facing our sister ship. "Only one thing to do!!"

"H'valt!! Nuneraad'm deru thiel frye?!?!" a Tamaranian exclaims.

I nod. I can't agree more.

Hasn't she done enough?!?!

"The beach is just up ahead!!" Katma exclaims. "We're gonna make it or die trying!! To the Frontline!!"

I glance over the bow of the ship.

T-Minus: Two Hours, twelve minutes.

Location: In Flight – Edge of North Shore

The brown line of the shore South of the Tamaranian Capital comes into view under the red and green sunset. Fiery explosions and smoke line the close horizon just beyond it.

The Frontline......

Katma meditates, takes a huge breath, and utters: "Brace yourselves!!"

I look at her. I see her at the side of the ship. I reach a hand out, gasping--

SWOOOSH!! She leaps over. She glows a bright green and shouts at the top of her lungs as she reaches the rushing air between our plummeting ship and Minnae's safe ship. Katma shoots her fist out and a thick stream of green energy shoots out of her knuckles before splitting into two 'tree branches' that wrap around both vessels with gnarled roots of emerald brightness. Through her powers...Minnae's ship supports our ship like a tether. However—to accomplish this—Katma has become a literal anchor. And it looks oh...so painful.

"NnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnNNNNNNNNNNNNNNGHH!!!!!" Katma strains visibly...audibly....mentally.

I pant. Worrying. Wringing my flesh and metal fingers.

The Tamaranians watching beside me sweat and murmur in concern.

Katma's body flexes and she barely manages to hold our ship up above the waves as we barrel closer and closer towards the dry shore.

"NNNNNNNNNNGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!"

Dancing waves lap at the bottom of our hull. We barely skim over the surface. Ocean spray already starts to kiss at our limbs. The thrusters of our ship sputter and smoke and threaten to die.

Katma's body is nearly at the breaking point. Every artery in her muscles is bulging. Her hair tossed above a glowing face of green sweat.

And as if that isn't enough, the two stable Gordanian ships are presently coming back down at us. They adjust their thrusters in mid dive and aim their gun turrets and phaser banks at the tortured Green Lantern.

I bite my lip. I panic.

This is nuts! We need backup! We need help! We need---

'SNkkkktt!!' a radio of sorts crackles forth from the piloting area of the ship I'm on. "Hahaha!! Look what the Main Man found!!"

The two wounded Tamaranians look at the 'radio' wearily.

My three companions blink and glance at me, confused.

I scratch my head.

"Oh Hell yeah!! This was worth the whole god damn trip!!!"

From a distance: SMASH!!!!!

I gasp and spin around.

I forgot all about the one smashed ship Lobo's on!!

A hole explodes in the back of the Gordanian vessel in question. As the ship starts to careen into the ocean—smoke pouring out of its smashed cockpit and windshield—a red dot approaches us. As the dot gets closer, it turns out to be a sleek and speedy hoverbike. Much like the crossbreed of a Jetsons' cartoon police bike and a Harley Davidson. And who else is riding it?

"YEEEEHAA!!! Look alive, sweet cakes!! I feel born again! HA! Just listen to me! I'm delirious with diesel!!"

Katma squeals from her floating prism of strain. "Don't...you....dare....!!"

I watch.

I glance right.

The incoming gunships fire at her.

BLAM!! BLAM!!!

I glance left.

VROOOOOOM!!!!

Lobo skims the hoverbike over the water, ramps up off a sloshing wave, and snatches her up with a burly arm in mid-air.

SWOOOOSH!!!

The ion blasts from the Gordanian vessels sail through where Katma Tui previously was.

I and the Tamaranians gasp with relief.

FWOOOOOOSH!!!

Lobo settles the hoverbike back down over the tide and whips out what looks like a confiscated, Gordanian grenade tied to the end of his chain. "And look at this!! Someone threw in an air freshner!!" He spins his chain and slingshots the suddenly-flashing device up towards the first of the two gunships.

The Gordanian vessels try flying out of the way...but it's too late.

CLANK!!!

BOOOOOOOOOM!!!!!

The first one's front half explodes from the detonator.

Lobo cackles as he squints through the brightness of the blast. "Whoah-ho-ho-ho-ho-holy shit!! Merry Christmas, children!! HA HA HA!!!"

The huge, hulking debris from the vessel collapses dangerously close to our careening ship.

SPLOOOOOOSH!!!!!

The Tamaranians and I duck out of the way as boiling water splashes against our hull.

On the hoverbike, Lobo winks at the dazed Katma. "See? I'm reliable for an absolute creep after all!!"

"You imbecile...," she coughs and wheezes. She points a weak hand at our ship. "Now it's got nothing to keep it from sinking into the water and drowning half of the escapees." She coughs again.

"Say what??" Lobo glances up. He looks our way. He sees our loss of altitude and sweatdrops. "Ooops. Er...that's gotta suck."

I bite my lip.

The Tamaranians murmur.

I rush towards the front of the ship.

Panting, I peer at the distant shore.

Only....it's not so distant now.

"Bem'braat devora'm!!" a soldier exclaims behind me.

I shrug it off and vault over the bow of the ship with a gasp.

The Tamaranians go bug-eyed.

I slide awkwardly down the nose of the slowly plummeting hovercraft and murk my legs at the last second, clinging me to the hull. The ship starts to make contact with the water, skimming the liquid surface sharply. Rock-hard splashes of water eat up at the space between my parted legs.

I pant and meditate. CHIIIIIING!!! I whip out Myrkblade. I eye the length of water between the falling ship and the shore.

"Hablaa korka'm threebo!! Vrana! Vrana!!" The Tamaranians plead for me to return to the ship.

I ignore them. I grip Myrkblade hard in both hands. I start to pump smoke energy up my limbs and through my weapon.

'Mr. Noir!! Mr. Noir, what are you doing?!?!'

Saving the ship. The Angel Spears must get the data carriers to the Capital!

'But how!! How can you possibly—'

Shhhh. There's a famous book on Terra Firma called 'Exodus'......

'What in the Centauri Nebula does that mean?!?!'

Watch and learn.

I close my black eyes. I concentrate. I merge Construction and Destruction in my head. I find the balance between the two. I exploit it. Like a gun throttling hot lead up my spine and into my arms.

FLASH!!!!

My body dances with smoke. My blood pumps obsidian again and again and again and again--

My eyes open. Smoke dances out. I raise my flickering blade.

SPLOOOOOOSH!!!!!

The nose of the ship starts to plow into the water.

"!!!!!!!!!!" I exhale a silent scream and slash down my smoke-charged weapon with all my might.

FLASH!!!!!!!!!!

A huge stream of onyx energy warbles ahead.

The waters part.

Two huge walls of liquid spout up on either side of us.

A last-second depth of dry air is formed just in time for.......

T-Minus: Two Hours, eight minutes.

Location: In Flight – Northern Beach

....us to grind into the sand of dry land.

SCRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAPE!!!!!!!!

Muddy sand flies up in pellets.

I flatten myself back against the sloping hull of the ship.

Panting.

We reach the dry sand. Huge plumes of white mist-like sediment splashes up and outward.

The ship grinds into the dry ground. Friction takes over. With a mournful groan, the burnt and smoking hover barge comes to a peaceful 'crash landing'. And just then, the engine dies off.

I let out a huge breath and lie against the hull, regaining my breath.

VROOOOOOM!!!

Lobo skids his hoverbike to a floating stop on dry land. "Yeah!! Yeah!! For a Squirrel, you sure know how to make one Hell of a reverse roadkill!! Ha ha!!" He revs the engine in applause.

I smile weakly.

The second barge hovers to a stop and starts to gently lower. I see Minnae and a couple of Tamaranian soldiers on the side of the deck, peering down.

The princess waves happily.

'Hooray!! Nicely done, Mr. Noir!! Very nicely done—"

BLAM!!! BL-BLAM!!!

Everyone gasps.

An ion charge flies in from over the water and slams into Minnae's ship, disabling it.

I sit up straight, mouth wide.

NO!!

Thankfully, the length left between her ship and the ground is about fifteen feet. The drop is a painful one...but undoubtedly everyone inside survives it.

CRUNCH!!!!!

Cries of fear from the citizens inside the ship ring out as the smoking vessel rocks to a dented position in the sand.

Lobo grits his teeth. He and Katma look up.

So do I and my fellow Tamaranians.

The one last Gordanian gunship hovers loomingly over us. Its gun turrets are smoking.

"Oh yeah...," Lobo chuckles. "Forgot about that one."

'Oh dear!! We are doomed!'

I bite my lip. I clench hard to Myrkblade's hilt.

The Gordanian ship aims its weapons at the ship full of citizens. The barrels of the weapons glow.

"No!!!" Katma hops to her weak feet and shouts.

BLAM!! BLAM!!!!!

Everyone freezes....but the blasts do not come from the Gordanian ship. Rather, they emanate from behind us...and slam into the enemy vessel, which bursts madly into flames.

PHWOOOOOOOM!!!!

Lobo and Katma shield their eyes. They turn around.

I spin about too.

I suddenly hear the Tamaranians on both my crashed ship and the other crashed barge cheering proudly.

On the horizon just above the beach, the mounted guns of a Tamaranian artillery division rear their heads. Dozens of amber-skinned, redheaded soldiers hover about the machines and a dozen more. And just over their horizon is an entire field full of Tamaranian guns, Tamaranian hovercraft, Tamaranian infantry, and Tamaranian war drums. Huge volleys of amplified starbolts sail in a constant, deafening bombardment against a string of Gordanian shield batteries surrounding the huge spires of some enormous City in the distance. Full of spires and ruby-red towers. Like porcelain.

Katma must be gaining her strength back...for she smiles and says: "The Frontline."

I exhale. I sheathe Myrkblade.

CHIIIING!!

About damn time.......