CHAPTER TWELVE

Anya was then at Travis's side at the controls, "There is one lifeboat pod Travis...for 2 people"

Travis knew that, he nodded as he rode off another shockwave that had Anya clinging to him, "standard procedure for a 2 man crew", he informed.

"So..."

Travis reached over and operated the life pod release valve, he then stood out the flight chair, "Come on, that Lexan ship will catch us up soon enough , and it's better for us not to be on board when it does"

Strevan's frame was in the door way when they turned to leave, he rushed in and grabbed Anya's arm and pulled her towards him, "I think I will be on that life pod, don't you"

Travis didn't have time for this, "let her go", he ordered.

Strevan laughed at him as some of the other inmates were gathering at his rear, "We all want off this ship Travis...who is it to decide that it should be you two"

Travis glared at him, "I think you'll find that is my decision", and with that Travis slapped his hand onto the rail bar and pushed onto the airlock release. The suction was instant as the bay doors opened at the rear of the ship, an emergency alarm rang out. Hoards of prisoners were sucked out into the black void. Anya cried out as Strevan lost his tight grip, Travis reached forward and snatched Anya's arm as she elbowed Strevan in the ribs. Strevan let go and was sucked out into space.

Travis struggled forward and managed to slam his hand onto the closure button to the airlock. Once shut Anya was gasping for air as she went to her knees. Travis stepped forward and extended his hand, she reached out and he pulled her to her feet, "Are you okay?"

"I think so", she panted, Travis nodded not wanting to waste time, "we have no time to lose, that Lexan ship is gaining on us"

Anya understood and pointed to the trap door in the floor, "Down there"

Travis strode forward and heaved up the trap door with ease and let Anya climb down, Travis looked about him, snatched a fallen weapon and then followed her down, slamming the lid behind him.

Down in the cramped lifepod, Anya turned the lock and Travis managed the controls and let the pod fall from the ship, then turned his attention to the mini booster that would blast them away from the prison transporter.

Within minutes the Prison transporter was soon a distant memory, just like Earth.

XXX

The life pod ended up on the planet Kobol. Travis knew this to be a Federation communications outpost world, the citadel should be safe enough to hide out for a while. In the underpass, Travis lead the way hoping he wouldn't be recognised, Anya hurried after him and turned, "What now? We can't hide here forever"

Travis glanced at her and pulled a frown, "You can do what you like, yours and mines destinies are not the same"

Anya was not happy, she got in his way as he went to stride on, "Just like a Space Commander...rotten to the core", she spat.

Travis exhaled and pulled a sigh, "look, it's not personal, but I work better alone"

"We need each other", she protested, "how long before the Administration on Earth realise that prison transporter didn't reach Labora Alpha?"

Travis looked at her for a moment like he was mulling it over and finally nodded, "granted...but if we stay together there is still a greater chance of us getting re-captured"

They crossed to an escalator and rode up, "well you would know better than me...with you being an Ex member of their military ranks", she hissed.

Travis hesitated like he was having second thoughts already, so she grabbed his arm, "Listen, what would you say if I could get us a room here...all I need is access to a database"

There was a public database in the plaza. Anya went over to it and started to access the system to collect some favours. Travis watched her from the street as the docile citizens went about their business. The people of Kobol were just as drug induced as they were on Earth calmed by the irritating music in the back ground.

He looked up to see Federation guards on every street corner. He just hoped none of them had served under him. Just as Travis was about to abandon her, Anya came running over, "I've got us that room, lets get to level 6"

XXX

Anya pushed the card into the lock and the door opened into the large room beyond. Travis stepped in and looked about him, as the inner triangular door to the apartment slide aside, Travis entered and started to take in his surroundings. The room was quite large but was sparsely furnished.

The oval windows at the far end of the apartment were tinted dark so you couldn't see outside. The centre of the room was down 3 steps and was mounted by a centre piece that consisted of a blocked unit that sat 6 silver and gold decorative orbs of different sizes.

He turned to her, "this will do for now, but we will be signing our own death warrants if we stay here too long"