Chapter 27
Let's jump right into the action!
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Etagllot security poured into the hangar armed to the hilt with phase guns and began firing as the black, oval ship entered the bay area. The effect was immediately evident.
Nothing.
The vessel moved forward, absorbing phase energy blasts as if they didn't exist. Warren swore. If he and Ettwanae were together, they could conjure the brilliance of Source and maybe repeat the victory of Neu, but she was trapped outside.
He was still within the shield cocoon. If he moved, what would happen? Then again, healing abilities would make fast work of any injury. Reaching out quickly with a hand, he felt a thickness and resistance as it passed through the barrier unharmed. Decision made.
Warren sprung into the air. A quick glance down revealed Den-neer rising to his feet as he and Phai stared in the direction of the enemy vessel. Warren knew that look of concentration from other telepaths.
Suddenly, the Eilu ship began moving in an odd manner as if having difficulty with the helm. An energy blast shot out directly at Phai and Warren's heart instantly jumped to his throat, but the beam ricocheted inches from the Shozen's chest to hit the far wall, sending rock spraying.
Was Phai generating a shield herself or was it someone or something else? Since they knew from personal experience that Eilu weapons could ultimately penetrate Eshaar'ne shields, it was either temporary protection, the Shozen ship's doing, or something else was going on. Knowing the Shozen, it was something else.
In an orchestrated move, the two Eshaar'ne and Phai's Uulophar fired upon the intruder. The lights in the hangar flared to blinding intensity. Warren went sightless and could only hover in place, defenseless and a sitting duck if the Eilu took a potshot at him. At least it confirmed the Shozen had planned for their current predicament.
Mutant genetics returned sight in seconds, but the light remained unbearably bright. Shielding eyes with one arm, he swooped to a new location while aware the black vessel returned fire with several shots in quick succession. Eshaar'ne shields were holding, at least for the time being.
Turning in mid-air to face the Eilu, Warren wasn't sure, but through the glare of white brightness, he thought the surface of the Eilu vessel started rippling. Was the bright light having an effect? A black beam hit the overhead lighting, but was thwarted by more shielding.
Warren was suddenly not quite so sure they were all doomed. In fact, as the enemy vessel wobbled and rippled more dramatically, he felt that entering the installation was a death trap for the darkness-loving foe. But that didn't mean other Eilu ships wouldn't simply blast the mountain down around them. Did Phai have a strategy for that, as well?
The struggling Eilu vessel shifted slightly to one side, exposing a narrow slit of light from the exit's end. It was time to make his move while the Eilu ship and Phai were occupied. Warren gathered himself, and in a burst of muscular power and surging adrenaline, propelled himself down the throat of the tunnel.
###
Flint couldn't see shit; just burning white through tears. Covering eyes with hands helped, but he was still blind. Peeking through fingers, he tried to see what was happening. Could have been light playing tricks, but he thought he caught a familiar streak flash by the black ship, heading out.
'If that's War, I'm gonna be pissed!'
Squinting, he took in the large, black mass. It looked to be melting or something equally weird. The ship attacked the overhead lighting again and then again. Third time was the charm, for the Eilu bastards anyway, Flint thought ruefully. One bank of lights exploded dramatically. He could see much better as the brightness level dropped.
Scrambling to feet, Flint searched the room. Den-neer and Phai were standing stock still, glaring at the ship, arms slightly spread out from their sides. Vo, Bae, and Phai's ship, whom he could never remember the name of, continued to fire on the Eilu, and Warren was nowhere to be seen.
'The bastard – it was him!'
Flint toyed with running down the long tunnel to the outside, but remarkably, thought better of the idea. It'd take him way too long to get to the women on foot. Then he saw something he wished he hadn't. A black mass suddenly blocked out the light from the far end.
"More company!" he yelled to anyone listening.
Action at the black ship grabbed his attention. Rolling suddenly onto its side and looking very much like a rippling, black oil drop, something was messing with it. Den-neer and Phai's hands moved forward and up and the ship rose in tandem. Then it hit Flint. Phai was telekinetic, too! She and Den-neer were doing whatever 'kinets do, and it was causing the Eilu ship big problems.
In a move that made him suck air in surprise, the ship suddenly flew down the tunnel and directly into the approaching second ship. The impact was spectacular in a creepy way. As the teen narrowed his eyes to catch the action, the tossed ship slammed into the other and melted away into nothingness. He let out a whoop, only to nearly choke when he realized what remained after the impact was a bunch of black, six-legged creepazoids scuttling his direction.
"Ah, gang? We got problems!"
The second vessel shot past the shipless Eilu and into the hangar, targeting overhead lighting and ignoring everything else. As the good guys' trio of ships sent a barrage of weapons fire at the black mass, Den-neer and Phai turned attention down the tunnel.
Flint decided he was best off close to the telepathic / telekinetic duo and ran over, cursing for a second time that all those months ago War was right. There would be times when his fire-starting ability was useless. 'Damn it!'
Struggling against the still-intense light, he was miffed that Den-neer and Phai seemed immune, while his eyes wouldn't stop tearing.
"What now?" he asked sliding to a stop next to the Shozen, wiping at wet cheeks.
Phai looked at him with cold, crystalline-blues that sent chills down his spine. "We kill Eilu."
###
As Warren rocketed out of the tunnel, a black ship whizzed by and into the passageway. Thoughts turned to Flint, but he could only trust Phai and Den-neer to keep the kid safe.
He aerially jumped when an out of nowhere energy beam cut a black swath directly in front of him. Only years of training and honed reflexes allowed him to avoid the deadly streak. 'These guys are good!'
Any thoughts of an easy flight to Ettwanae were dashed. Instantly, a ship was dogging him, firing in rapid succession. Warren was fast, but he was no match for a space ship that maneuvered as agilely as the black vessel did. Fatigue would quickly be his doom. He needed to shake the ship long enough to reach Ettwanae and for them to conjure Source. Tall order. All the while, he wouldn't lead the Eilu to the Esha'Aru or he'd get the women killed.
He focused mentally with all his might. / Phai! Den-neer! One of you, answer me! /
/ You should not have left. /
The mental voice was definitely male. / Can it! I need you to act as a relay between me and Bae. / Warren knew Den-neer had no mental connection with Volu, but he had maintained a link with Bae even after Eshaar'ne and her Other had been reunited.
/ I'm rather busy. We've a second ship and several Eilu on the loose. /
/ Then quit arguing, and we'll make this quick. /
Warren felt a resigned mental sigh and then the 'go' signal.
/ Bae, tell Volu to connect with Ettwanae. Ettwanae needs to be ready to conjure Source but not until my signal, got it? Ready, but not yet – not 'til I'm there with her! /
Another black beam cut so close it struck feathers as he twisted his body out of the way and continued at top speed away from the mountain.
/ Warren, what you ask risks Ettwanae perhaps needlessly. She is not of interest to them right now, but in the instant she taps Source… /
He performed a barrel roll out of the line fire as blackness sliced the air.
/ I know! I won't ask her to reveal herself until we have enough time to revved up Source and blast these bastards into oblivion like on Neu. /
Prickly intuition told Warren the enemy's weapons tracking was learning from its missed shots. Another few attempts and it may very well correctly anticipate his avoidance tactics.
/ Archangel, how many Eilu ships do you see? / It was Phai.
/ Haven't had much time to look around, but there's only one after me. I don't see any others, but I'm heading away from the installation. /
/ Warren, Volu has been told. She was hesitant, but will tell Ettwanae to be ready. /
/ Thank you, Bae. If Ettwanae and I can pull this off, we may all survive yet! /
First problem solved. Glancing back over his shoulder, he was stunned at how close the oval-shaped ship was.
'Now for my second problem!'
###
Several things happened in quick succession in the hangar. The second Eilu ship managed to knock out another bank of high-intensity floodlights. Volu and Bae rose and began to glow with surging power as they hit the vessel with everything they had. Uulophar changed tactics and fired what appeared to be sun-bright flares at her target.
Eilu that had been in the first ship moved with incredible speed to bodily attack the Etagllot guards, their phase weapons having no affect in holding back the partially-phased beings. Screams of the men and women caught in the unbreakable grasp of the lifeforce-feeders sliced through the air.
Flint covered his ears and nearly lost his thin hold on bravery, just as he caught sight of Hercjell in the doorway of the facility, her mouth agape.
Suddenly, a container hung in the air above the tangled group of Eilu and guards.
/ Flint, ignite the container – now! /
He whirled toward the Shozen. "I can't – it's in the air! I can't transmit through air!"
The woman appeared flustered – a first, if Flint had to guess.
"Will this help?" Den-neer asked as a strap of some sort flew to wrap around the container and trail to the ground.
"Bingo!" Then his stomach flopped. "The guards?"
"Now, Flint, or they die anyway!"
Flint has no idea what was in the container, but he'd set it off if flammable. "One, two, three!"
Nothing?!
/ Close your eyes! / the woman commanded. He did, just in time.
A brilliant explosion shook the hangar, hurting his eyes through lids. New screams – chilling, inhuman screams – sliced to the core. Had to be Eilu!
As the dazzling light faded, he counted several less Eilu, and the remaining ones were crawling on the floor toward the black ship.
"Guess we showed them!" he said proudly. He'd done good. Even better, it appeared the Etagllot weren't killed, but they obviously couldn't see. Then his heart stopped as the Eilu vessel turned toward them.
"Ahhh…think we got their attention, guys."
A black shot erupted as Phai's hands came up in a protective gesture. The impact of energy against Shozen telekinetic shielding would have impressed if Flint, Phai, and Den-neer hadn't been sent flying several feet from the backlash to hit the ground hard. Something had changed. Were the Eilu finding a weakness in the kinetic shields? Before they could get their bearings, another streak slammed into Phai's shields. She groaned, but her field held. For how long, though?
"Den-neer, another container," the woman ordered, her voice sounding weakened enough that the teen was worried. "Flint, you know what to do."
The next container sailed across the floor, heading to the belly of the black ship. It didn't make it the target zone before the ship destroyed it, the powdery contents dispersing through the hangar, without igniting. Too diffused to be effective, the weapon became useless.
"Son of a bitch!" Flint yelled. Now what?!
###
Warren was out of ideas and tiring. He had no weapons, couldn't shake his pursuers, and had the distinct impression they were toying with him, perhaps enjoying the chase.
He made a decision and strained hard to perform a sudden up and backward 180-degree roll to head back to the facility. Scanning with incredible visual clarity, he could see no other black ships aside from the one dogging him.
/ Den-neer! / Acknowledgement. / Have Ettwanae power up – I'm heading back! /
###
The situation was turning against them, Phai realized. Time for Volu to leave.
/ Uulophar, lead the way out – ram that ship down the tunnel if you must. Tell Bae to follow Volu out – we've still at least one more ship outside to deal with. /
/ Phai, come aboard. /
/ Don't waste time! Do as I command. /
/ You will perish. /
/ Go! /
At Uulophar's tender mental brush, Phai left the AI's bio-engineered mind. Den-neer was working to upset the black ship, but he alone wasn't powerful enough. Grabbing hold telekinetically of the partially-phased Eilu ship was like trying to hold onto a greasy, glass orb. It would take both of them to have an affect.
Out of one corner of her eye, she spied the Eilu that survived the luminous assault heading their way. Behind them, the three ships were beginning to move. The Eilu responded quickly, with one final blast against Phai's weakened shields as it moved to block the hangar exit.
The trio cried out in pain as some of the black energy got through and burned patches of skin. To Phai's sickening horror, inky spikes grew out in all directions from the ship making it larger than the tunnel opening. Black energy shot out not at her group or their ships, but at the ceiling and walls of the hangar. The affect was immediate – rock flew and fell from all directions.
"They're gonna bury us!" the young Human screamed, his panic hitting her emotional shields like a tsunami.
###
Outside, Warren rocketed toward the facility, randomly swerving and dipping and rising to never offer a steady target. Adrenaline could only take you so far and the black pursuer had been pushing his limits for too long. He'd have one chance.
Not far from where the hangar entrance burrowed into the mountain, a steep cliff rose up at least a thousand feet. Closer and closer he raced, wings and heart pumping. Another streak of black off his right side, eerie in its silence until it hit the mountain directly ahead.
He'd gauged the enemy's maneuverability and studied their reaction times as best he could the last many minutes while lulling them (hopefully) into thinking they could match him move for move. In a tried and true maneuver he prayed worked on the Eilu as it had so many other opponents, Warren streaked straight at the cliff. 'Might work. If not…'
Warren had run out of tricks and nearly exhausted his peak performance window. 'One good move left in me.'
###
Like a shot, Uulophar sprang across the hangar and plowed into the mass blocking the only exit, but gained little, except a brief disruption of the assault to the integrity of the hangar. Once again, all three ships fired at the enemy. Yet with so much of the energy simply disappearing within the black mass, the attack was less than inspiring.
With attention away from her and Den-neer, the telekinetic duo slid all containers and anything else that may be combustible toward the Eilu ship in one swift move. Flint didn't need to be told what to do – he set it ablaze. Dazzling brilliance filled the bay as the containers exploded. Then as unignited powdery particles floated and touched, Flint's ability raced to set off the millions of luminous grains until cascading ignition took over in a blinding flashover. Eilu screams joined the roar of weapons fire and container explosions. Suddenly, the screams were no more.
Uulophar rammed the black ship again, but in a sideways blow meant to knock it out of the way, while Bae and Volu used shield manipulation to assist. Phai and Den-neer added telekinesis to the joint shove. Without warning and with a thundering roar, the back half of the hangar ceiling collapsed and dust rolled over them, choking lungs.
Flint knew he was about to die. He thought of his mom.
###
At the last millisecond, Warren pulled straight up, nearly scrapping bodily against the rock face and causing strained muscles and tendons to cry out their discontent. He was not so foolish to believe the ship would be destroyed, though it would be a fabulous surprise if it was. All he needed was to shake off the enemy for a few seconds.
Without taking time to look back, he side-slipped hard to the left, then right around the bend of the mountain and toward the garden. Sharp eyes scanned desperately as the garden came into view three seconds later.
'Where is she?!'
As soon as his line of sight cleared the garden wall, he saw the two women huddled in the corner behind a bench.
"Ettwanae! Power up – full blast! Now!" he screamed while plunging downward.
The woman's head popped up and cloak-darkened orbs instantly grew wider than Warren had ever seen.
"Behind you!"
A lightening-fast glimpse over a shoulder confirmed. "Fuck!"
Not only was he in enemy cross hairs, but he'd exposed Ettwanae as a target.
Landing was no longer an option – they'd be killed instantly. "Into the air!" he shouted as he swooped past.
"Gatebi's hurt – I'm not leaving her!"
The voice was full of defiance and determination, and Warren was both incensed and panicked. Didn't she understand they were sitting ducks unless she moved? Banking sharply, he swung himself around and straight up to face his pursuers, only to watch helplessly as a sweeping black beam shot down to hit the ground beyond the small garden sending plants, rocks, and dirt flying everywhere as it cut a leisurely swath directly toward Ettwanae and Gatebi. The bastards were being dramatic, taking enjoyment in Warren's horror as the killing energy swept toward its target. He tried to pull attention away from the grounded pair, but the ship ignored him as if a buzzing gnat.
Clouds of dirt and dust quickly obscured his view, but Warren still dove toward the corner of the walled garden, praying he could somehow beat the energy beam and pull them out before black death struck. His heart clenched; adrenalin pumped. He couldn't loose her! Couldn't watch her life snuffed out.
Suddenly, Ettwanae shot out from the dust cloud straight up, Gatebi in her arms. The cloak was off. She glowed faintly. Without slowing, he desperately fought momentum to reverse trajectory and match her rapid, vertical ascent. They exchanged knowing glances as he came up next to her and latched on.
Power encased her – pulsating, surging…growing heartbeat by frantic heartbeat with an almost angry feeling. Warren opened himself to that power. The pull was instantaneous. As Ettwanae focused to keep a tight hold on Gatebi and channel Source, Warren took over flight responsibility and steered them in an avoidance pattern.
Faster than he believed possible, inner gateways burst wide. Power exploded to merge with Ettwanae's. As Source surged, Warren feared he'd become unable to maintain flight, let alone perform complicated moves. Yet as adrenalin-slowed seconds ticked by, he became more confident that would not be the case. Then he relaxed and let the power flow of its own volition…everything got easier.
Anyone watching from the ground may have believed a second sun had materialized in the sky. The enemy hesitated in its pursuit. Without warning and in a move Warren wasn't sure was entirely Ettwanae's doing, a single, massive ray of brilliance shot toward the black ship. Pain ripped through his body as the pull of Source increased exponentially. He could beat wings no longer. They would fall, and he could do nothing about it. But they did not; instead floating within the swelling energy field. For a moment, he could have sworn there was intelligence in the flow and perhaps…vengeance.
In less than five seconds, it was over. The golden beam was gone. The black ship, gone. Pain was no more. The entwined trio began to fall.
With a yelp, Warren caught air to hover in place. He was exhausted and shaky and Ettwanae looked ready to collapse, but they weren't done. People they cared about were trapped with the enemy.
"We need to get to the others," Ettwanae said weakly as if reading Warren's thoughts.
He nodded and changed aerial attitude to begin descending. "Our next stop. Can you repeat what we just did?"
Determination crossed the beautiful face. "I'll be ready to kick more Eilu ass!"
Gatebi's eyes fluttered opened. "Ettwanae?" the Alcab asked so softly it was barely audible over the sound of the wind.
Warren watched as Ettwanae's eyes scanned her friend's face and arms. Not a scratch or bruise on the woman, only dried blood. "You're okay, my precious Gatebi. You're okay." The Alcab rewarded her with a smile.
They rounded the mountainside, pulled apart, and alighted at the mouth of the tunnel. Ettwanae eased Gatebi to the ground.
"Stay here. Warren and I have more to do."
Without waiting for Warren, Ettwanae took wing and was off like a dart down the aphotic passageway. He did likewise.
Enhanced night vision took what little light reached the far end of the tunnel to reveal something black and spiked blocked their way. It could be only one thing. Landing in unison and grabbing each other's hand, they opened to Source.
Warren barely shoved Ettwanae out of the path of a burst of black energy. They had seconds at best before the tunnel became their grave. He retook her hand and flung open the internal gateways.
Light flared, energy rushed to consume them a second time. Swaying from the Source tsunami, the pair sank to the ground. Something more than energy came surging through – rage. Rage against the black beings and their god who were attempting to destroy all that light had begot. Fury for the lives already lost and the trillions of others they sought to obliterate.
The tunnel went supernova. Warren could hear Eilu screams as their ship melted around them and their existence burned away an instant later by the all-consuming golden brilliance. He felt himself detaching as Source flow peaked. Everything became surreal. Awareness began slipping away as a mysterious presence touched his mind and soul.
Then with breathtaking suddenness, the flow ceased. Warren and Ettwanae crumpled into each others arms, shaking violently. The tunnel whirled for several moments as they held tightly to one another, breaths and heartbeats rapid as if they'd been flying hard and fast. All was deathly quiet. Too quiet, Warren realized with dread. What of their friends?
As he pulled gently back from Ettwanae, he struggled to find voice. "We need…to check on…the others."
Running footfalls began echoing off the tunnel walls. Warren squinted down toward the sunlit opening.
"Gatebi!" he managed a hoarse yell.
"I'm coming, Warren."
Another voice echoed off the rock walls. "War! Twae! You guys okay?"
/ You did well. / It was Phai. / However, we must assume other Eilu ships were summoned. We evacuate immediately. /
###
Within minutes, three ships left Ekkamm with only a handful of people – Phai, the clones, and Hercjell in Uulophar; T'Qilla aboard Bae; and Volu with her usual accompaniment. Inclusion of Hercjell seemed odd to Warren, and he didn't buy the lame excuse that the clones needed to have medical supervision. Den-neer headed out in the only Etagllot vessel at the installation, a Turzent Runner class, but his destination was not revealed.
What Warren did not know was as the two Eshaar'ne ships slipped into FTL toward the first rendezvous coordinates, Uulophar's powerful weapons destroyed the facility and all who remained. The damaged facility was easy prey and posed too great a security risk, especially since their hasty departure did not allow time for memory sanitation. Phai had simply deemed Hercjell al'Verta an asset with continued value; although, the arrogant and abrasive scientist would find herself on a tight leash. Phai's tolerance only went so far.
###
"I need you on Sat'rey."
"As you command," he acknowledged with a slight bow of head as disappointment sunk into his chest. It wasn't often he felt strong emotion, but when he did, it was usually associated with the woman who was responsible for his creation and had raised and trained him. He'd come so close to losing Phai in the attack at her hideaway home.
The Shozen Elder of Elder's holo imagine stood on the small bridge of the Etagllot vessel. Sequi's murder had impacted Phai more than she'd ever share, but he had seen it in her face and voice when she had commed with that news. "Life is a treasured gift, Den-neer – Sequi died fighting to preserve it. I will not allow his sacrifice or that of the many others who gave unknowingly to be in vain!" the Elder had declared in rare, impassioned moment.
As Den-neer turned from reflection back to the present, Phai's elegant head with its long, flowing white hair tilted as rare warmth filled the usually intense eyes. Den-neer took comfort in the tender look his mother offered.
"I, too, wish we could fight together at Atmos, but we must ensure Ztar performs his final task. I will entrust that responsibility to no one but you."
"I will not fail you."
"You never have, my dear Den-neer. If we cannot stop the Dark Coming, know I am forever grateful for your steadfast support and proud of you."
His chest tightened. "As I am of you, my mother."
Phai's back stiffened as she appeared to work to control rising emotions. Then the motherly tenderness in her face faded to the usual unemotional mask she wore. "Stay in the background until the signal comes, then ensure Ztar does what is necessary."
"Yes, Elder."
"Comm when you have reached Sat'rey. Use top speed, Den-neer, and be watchful. War is escalating rapidly."
As Phai's holo avatar winked out of existence, Den-neer prayed silently to Ozshi'wanae for one more embrace from the only person he had ever loved.
###
Hope the action sequences were successful in your mind as they are most challenging for me to write. Let me know if they worked for you or not.
Meanwhile, not sure if there will be a weekend chapter posting as I'll be enjoying the company of a dear friend from out of town. Will be back on schedule for sure next week. Thanks for reading!