VR-Spacebus-Ch6-End-bjh



I got side-tracked with a couple of other projects and it took me a while to get back to this. Those were a couple *long* chapters!

Benton 25sep19

Chapter 6: The Shiss
Posted: 7/23/2019, 5:21:28 AM

'''Lyrrzzzh had joined Hazzzock only recently and by direct command of his Nest leader, another Gray Throat. His lead nestling was as enamored and excited about Hazzzock’s successes and his brash, strong actions against the Union as the rest of the Shiss nation was.'''

Lyrrzzzh was only a Yellow Throat, socially just a caste beneath the Grays but in the Shiss society, it was a huge gap that could never be bridged no matter what.

'''Lyrrzzzh, however, was known to be a brilliant ship commander and so Hazzzock gave him the task to prepare Helzzzhi for cleansing. To the Gray Throat Shiss it was a sacred place and used to bury fallen warriors, to the Union Colonists it was just a planet, they called Bumblebee.'''

'''Unlike most Shiss, especially the Shiss under Hazzzock, his Nestlings area was close to the Union border in the Upward Sector and he had seen some of the power and might of the Union. Many of his friends had been Raiders and very few ever came back. Those who did survive raids into Union space told about the mighty Union Fleet and the incredible Union weapons.'''

'''Of course, Hazzzock did not want to hear about it and believed most of it was exaggerated propaganda. Hazzzock, who had spent decades in another galaxy, was now more than ever convinced the Union was nothing but a bumbling giant, ready to be conquered.'''

Neither did his warriors, but those who were with him had changed their minds.

'''They approached the planet, wanting to orbital bombard it, to prepare for a landing. Eight out of his ten Kashir cruisers were destroyed by some sort of missile. He had watched in horror as these missiles weapons, faster than anything the Shiss could make, utterly destroyed fully shielded Kashir. The weapon appeared to be highly intelligent and countered the feeble evasive actions some of the cruiser commanders tried. The Point defense weapons that were quite effective against Nul mines and Gravo bombs had no effect on the purple-colored energy shields.'''

'''Bumblebee Colony was not a helpless victim at all. It had planetary defenses capable of blowing Kashirs out of the sky'''

Lyrrzzzh had retreated to the outermost fringes of the system and sent a courier with a report to Hazzzock.

Hazzzock, he knew, was just in the next system.

One of his officers reported the courier back and with him came ten new Kashirs and even a Battleship.

'''The courier did not throw himself at the feet of Lyrrzzzh as he knew the Yellow Throat didn’t request these archaic forms of obedience in his bridge. The Red Throat said. “Hazzzock sends you these ships and warriors and expects you to cleanse the Union infestation. Do not return or contact him unless you report the cleansing has been completed. He is taking his force to attack the world the Union knows as Benton’s Colony.”'''

“Did you show him the recordings of the Union weapon?”

“He did not want to see it and dismissed it as you being incapable of evading some expected ground defenses”

'''Lyrrzzzh cursed the arrogance of the High Castes and their inability to see beyond their own tails. He climbed on the command roost that was shaped like a desert rock and was a symbol of prehistoric times when Shiss lizards sat on Rocks to be warmed by the Sun.” Signal the group. We attack and won’t retreat”'''

-””—  (?? Is this a horizontal-rule?  In other places I've seen those coded as '.oOo.')

The almost white Shiss and close advisor to the All-White was a legendary warrior and commander in the eyes of the Shiss but the truth was, that Warazz never really commanded such a huge force, all he did before was engage Nul units in the fringe regions.

'''Being in charge of so many ships gave him a feeling of tremendous power and invincibility, knowing that these 25,000 Combat Units were filled with eager Shiss warriors who would do whatever he said. The feeling they considered his commands to be a direct extension of the Will of the All White could not really be described. But he also was well educated and he had seen the reports and the visuals from the war the Shiss fought against the Union 1950 years ago. He had seen the reports the Raiders and the Diplomats had brought back and he knew about the reports of the Intelligence branch. He had been concerned, but what did reports and visuals mean, when he looked on the scanners and saw the power of the Shiss Empire so real and so immense. The First Nestling was right, Hazzzock was right; the Shiss stood too long in the shadow of the others. This tremendous fleet had been in the making for a long time. It was meant to finally turn the war and end the existence of the Nul.'''

'''The most amazing thing in his opinion was that this was only half of the Shiss strike force. The other, just as numerous was moving towards the Klack Hegemony and would not stop until Klackt was destroyed.'''

His first target was a Union System the enemy called Balmung.

-””—

The City of Bumble was eerily silent and dark, most residents had left, businesses and stores were shuttered up.

All the passengers of the space bus were in the hotel.

'''Boone had disappeared and so had Daphne. The wounded man from Shallow had been transferred to a room where he rested in the stasis field of a spacesuit.'''

Sprewell sat at the bar of the lobby.

Valthim stood by a window gazing outside.

'''Wilcox was dozing in a reclining chair. Baldy and the Shaill played a game while Hawk was glued to a GalNet terminal and listened to the news.'''

Peacock had been talking to the Shiss female who appeared to be the manager of the hotel at the other end of the bar.

'''Sprewell nursed a drink and then said angrily to anyone and no one in particular. “That’s all we needed. A sick woman, a gaggle of kids and a wounded man.”'''

Hawk turned his attention from the terminal, looked towards Sprewell with a disapproving expression, but then turned his back once more, not saying what was on his lips.

'''Sprewell talked himself into a rage. “We’re in a fine fix, my friends. That damn bus won’t go on and we are stuck here. The Army has no right to leave a public place like this undefended.”'''

'''Hawk turned again. “Looks to me like the Army’s got its hands pretty full, mister.”'''

'''Just as Hawk spoke, Daphne came out of the elevator and rushed to the Bar, getting the attention of the female Shiss. Daphne has a rushed color in her cheeks. “Is there a store in town?”'''

The female lizard much smaller than the male Shiss said, “Yes there is, the owners left but they kept the door open for the locals that remained.”

“Can you show me how to get there?”

'''Wilcox raised his head. “What is the matter, Ms. Storm?”  ('Storm' or 'Summer' ??)'''

“Doc Boone needs a few things for the Lady.” Daphne hurried out the door after she got instructions from the Hotel manager how to find the store leaving the men standing.

Doc Boone arrived in the lobby a few moments later walking straight to the bar.

'''Valthim looked over at him with a kind of suppressed fury. “You are a fine member of the medical profession.” Valthim spit on the floor and hissed. “Drunkard. There is a woman needing your help and you are down here indulging yourself.”'''

'''Boone not taking any notice of Valthim spoke to the Shiss woman in a dry, changed voice. “Can I have a mug of coffee please?”'''

'''Valthim walked over. “You drunken swine. You are the only doctor here.”'''

'''Boone taking his coffee then turned on the barstool he just sat down on, to face the man. “Mr. Valthim I am as sober as you are. I am not in the numb cloud I usually am. The entire trip you belittled me and questioned my profession. Now you call on it and insult me further. Mr. Valthim I am a peaceful man but if you open your mouth one more time to insult me, I will personally stuff it.”'''

Whatever Valthim or anyone else said was drowned by a tremendous thundering sound.

Everyone rushed to the windows and saw the Defense towers launch missiles and torpedoes into the sky.

The Loki torpedo tower fell silent after the last torpedo had been fired, but the SII installed towers on the other side still launched HAVOC anti-ship missiles.

'''The Shiss manager who had spoken into a local comm system said. “I think Hazzzock is here.”'''

SHISS

'''He had to watch in horror as the surface weapons decimated his attack force, only two Kashir made it close to the planet. Then a barrage of several enemy projectiles reduced the other one to glowing debris.'''

'''His ship was the last one and it had not survived the last volley undamaged. One of the missiles had shredded much of their drive section, however, he was certain the Union defenders could not fire again, the weapons they used were too powerful to be used that close to the planet. His ship was filled with 800 battle-hungry Shiss warriors and he would give them a fight on the ground.'''

-””—

'''Hawk, standing at the window said. “At least one of the Shiss ships made it through. Something landed!”'''

'''Wilcox pulled his knife and turned to Hawk. “I can’t leave you bound if we need to fight. Will you give me your word?”'''

“You got my word till Benton’s.”

'''The knife sliced through the tough plastic material and then the Ranger went to his bags and retrieved Hawks blasters. “Your word is good enough for me. Here, you might need these and let’s hope we all make it to Benton.”'''

'''Hawk took the guns and rushed to the door. “I go and get Daphne.” ( Letting the "I'll" slide, assume it's how your characters talk.)'''

'''Sprewell still at the bar looked very scared. “We all going to die.”  (And again.)'''

'''Doc Boone, very relaxed, sipped at his coffee and smiled. “We all die sooner or later, Mr. Sprewell, all that matters is how we meet death. I actually prefer it like this than dying in bed alone somewhere.”'''

'''The Shiss woman pulled a massive Pulse Gatling from a hidden compartment behind the bar. Peacock recoiled and wiped his forehead. “Oh dear lord, she’s going to kill us all.”'''

'''Boone padded Peacock’s shoulder. “She and her kind will face worse than we do. She is a Purple Throat.”'''

'''She looked at Boone. “I got more weapons here, do you need one?”'''

“Yes.”

'''She handed him a military-grade modern Pulse rifle and made a gesture to Peacock. “Do you want to go down fighting or being slaughtered?”'''

'''Peacock shook his head. “I never held a weapon!”'''

Sprewell, however, took one of the offered weapons.

'''Hawk returned dragging Daphne behind him. “They landed alright. I could hear blaster fire.”'''

'''Wilcox sighed as they all looked at him for leadership and he said. “From what direction did you hear that?”'''

“Hard to judge but I say about a kilometer or two from the other side of town, opposite the spaceport.”

'''“All right then get the Lady and the wounded man and then we all take the flyer and make it to the port. Let’s hope we can fight them off long enough so Baldy can lift off with the children and the women.”'''

Not surprisingly, no one objected.

-””—

SHISS

'''Lyrrzzzh took stock. His ship made it down in one piece and so did escape pods of at least two other Kashirs. He got signals from over 1000 fully equipped Red Throats. 200 Battle Riders and 50 Hytzzzy Fire Support Robots.'''

'''The light of battle rage was gleaming in Lyrrzzzh's eyes as he screamed into the transmitter. “Raze the Union City, killed the Union Filth and gorge yourself on their flesh! Let no one escape, let none survive. These grounds hold the bones and hides of high heroes past. Make their spirits proud!”'''

'''The Shiss poured into the Union town. Fire and smoke belched out the first buildings.'''

'''A Shiss dragged a woman by her hair out of a basement. Another Shiss angry that he had not found something to kill grabbed the screaming woman’s arm. The two Shiss shredded the woman to a non-recognizable glob of blood and flesh.'''

The slow-moving Hytzzzy towering over the low buildings fired streams of plasma fire into the buildings, systematically destroying everything in their wake.

-””-

The Missile towers started to glow red hot and almost like candle wax, they melted into puddles of glowing liquid metals.

'''Valthim and Peacock carried the bed in which the pale Thauran lady was, covered with a blanket up to her chin. She seemed dazed, not asleep but not reacting to anything much. Wilcox and the Shiss lady carried the wounded man who was still in stasis. Baldy and three humans of the hotel personnel had herded the kids and their mothers into the open flyer.'''

'''Sprewell more than accidentally aimed his blaster rifle at the Shiss lady. “Where is the male Shiss? The one who got us here?”'''

'''She said. “My nest partner was in one of those towers.”'''

'''Wilcox said. “I swear to God, Sprewell if you don’t shut up and pull your weight I shoot you myself.”'''

'''The last one coming out of the now-empty hotel was the Shiss Sheriff. His sled suddenly sported two snub-nosed swivel-mounted guns and he said, “Go ahead I can keep up easy with the bus and provide rear guard.”'''

'''Hawk had climbed onto the rear luggage and freight platform of the transporter and his TKU’s roared. The bright light of the super-heated plasma pulses revealed half a dozen Shiss far down the street, in the center of his fire had been two more.'''

'''Wilcox more or less threw the wounded man onto the bus, offered his arm to the Shiss lady and yelled to Baldy at the controls. “Gun it.”'''

'''The large ground effect skimmer was filled to capacity and was not built for speed. A badly aimed energy bolt melted a piece of the luggage railing right next to Hawk; two more peppered the flyer's rear end. Sparks showered Hawk and Valthim, but both men ignored them.'''

'''The flyer slowly gained speed. More and more Shiss came into sight; Shiss normally walked upright on their hind legs and had two pairs of strong arms. A leathery membrane, indicating that some of the Shiss could fly at one time in their long history, spanned from the upper pair to the body. However they could also drop and use their lower pair as a second set of legs and run very fast, These Shiss were not naked but wore ability-enhancing battle armors and the Shiss were running and gaining on the Skimmer, using their upper hands to fire their weapons.'''

Valthim’s Raketen Gewehr made a fast high-pitched rushing sound as miniature Seeker missiles accelerated fast and each triple series ripped a Shiss to shreds.

The Shiss lady held the Bolter Gatling and poured a blistering storm of fire into the beserking Shiss.

Hawk and Wilcox reduced the attackers, but only Hawk's TKUs could penetrate the shielded Shiss with the first hit.

Smoke poured out of the left pusher turbine, Baldy proved what an excellent pilot he was even with a ground skimmer and compensated with ArtiGrav lifters as much as he could.

Wilcox had a blistering burn mark over his left eye where a drop of molten metal almost blinded him as he noticed Doc Boone no longer shooting; he was kneeling next to Daphne Summer who had a black blaster burn mark in her chest and a waxen pale face.

The Shaill Sheriff had flown next to the bus and fired his pulse guns at the pursuers, his sled protecting him with a shimmering shield bubble, but the Shiss fire biting into the energy barrier was overwhelming, The Shiss sled fell and spilled the wounded Shaill right in front of the raging Shiss attackers that did not seem to decrease in numbers, despite the many killed by the skimmer riders.

The spaceport gate came in sight but even if they made it to the space bus, they had no time to board it with the Shiss so close behind them.

'''As they passed the gate, an Octo bot cargo handling machine rose from its underground storage. A towering autonomous machine with twenty memory metal tentacle arms usually meant to load freighters (incomplete sentence). It began to throw flyer-sized chunks of Duro Crete into the ranks of the Shiss. Not far from the robot they saw the large spider engineer holding a robot control unit and three TKU rifles simultaneously. While waving at them. he directed the huge cargo bot and fired his weapons. The Octo bot was surprisingly effective as the Shiss shields could not displace that much Duro-Crete raining on them like an artillery barrage.'''

But then several Shiss blaster shots hit the unshielded machine and ended its existence.

'''The break they needed, however, came from the automated spaceport defense systems, designed to prevent looters and cargo theft. Nothing military but solid SII technology. A high energy fence shot up and stopped the Shiss cold at least for the moment.'''

The non-lethal paralysator projectors did little to hurt the Shiss but it was a hurdle they had to overcome.

Wilcox actually grinned as he heard the friendly voice of the security system warning the Shiss.

'''Baldy made it to the bus, a crowd of men waited there already. Among them the Purple Throat Shiss.'''

Baldy did not argue or even lose time on a single word as he stormed up the forward ramp to get the preflight procedures going.

'''Valthim and Hawk herded the kids inside while the Shiss woman carried the wounded man. Peacock and Sprewell struggled with the bed but got help from the hotel personnel.'''

'''Wilcox said to Boone. “Ms. Storm (Summer?) is gone?”'''

'''“No, she is alive. A glob of molten metal, not a bolt, she will be alright.”'''

'''The Purple Throat Shiss said. “The Force field will not hold them much longer, we stay behind so you can lift off. We destroyed the weapon turrets so they can’t get the tech.”'''

'''One of the men with the Crhizzz wearing an SII employee uniform sighed. “We all die here and yet we could cleanse the Shiss off this planet easily.”'''

'''Wilcox actually found time to say. “How?”'''

“There are 500 Cerberus Robots in the SII Warehouse over there, Fleet delivery that never got transferred, but only a Fleet Officer can activate them.”

'''Boone dropped his bag. “Get me there, quick!”'''

-””-

SHISS

'''The Shiss poured blaster fire into the energy curtain and even brought portable cannon to bear. That finally made the barrier flicker and collapse. A throaty victory scream went through the roughly six hundred Shiss that made it that far. Lyrrzzzh wanted to make them pay for what they did to his ships. There was virtually no defense down here, the wonder weapons that destroyed his ships self-destructed and the only survivors were running towards something like a big shuttle. They would not leave.'''

'''Through his helmet visor enhanced vision he noticed movement at one of the warehouses, so he zoomed in. Robots were marching out on the landing field. There was no doubt what purpose these robots had, these were battle robots and never did he see a more dangerous and menacing-looking machine.'''

-””-

'''Boone said to the robot that took lead. “Hostile Shiss are invading. Eradicate; no prisoners!”'''

'''The 350 cm tall Cerberus XI snarled. “Command Authority accepted Commander Boone. Order understood.”'''

'''Several Cerberus formed a Cordon around the space bus while most marched with machine speed towards the Shiss. A whole regiment of 100 robots took to the sky.'''

'''There wasn’t a dry eye among them. The Robots tore into the Shiss, with unstoppable force, their purple ParaDim Shields easily deflecting Shiss fire. There was no defense against their Nano Load TL cannons, a nanogram of antimatter, reacting with matter and at the time of explosion transferred right into the bodies of the Shiss, past their shields and armor.'''

The Shiss stopped their advance, as warriors in their ranks suddenly and violently exploded.

Other Cerberus used their Nanite sprayers; deploying millions of aggressive nano dissemblers, swarming over the Shiss like gray carpets of dot sized swarming machines,

The so confident Shiss now tried to flee as warriors left and right shrunk to skeletons and then to dust in mere moments and with agonizing screams.

Cerberus robots were highly intelligent and immediately infiltrated the Communications network of the Shiss, identifying not only the location of every Shiss but also their Command center.

'''Lyrrzzzh realized the stories were true, it had taken the full force of all his ship's cannon to destroy six maybe seven of the Union robots before they swarmed aboard. The whole ship was disintegrating around him.'''

In blank horror, he fired his sidearm into the shimmering shields of a machine that just ripped through six kaptzzh of armored bulkhead as if it was paper.

'''The Machine did not kill him. Snake-like, thin metal tentacles coiled from the fingers of the robot's hand ensnared him and made it impossible to move.'''

'''“You are identified as a hostile sentient life form, Species Shiss, Non-Union Citizen. You are to be terminated.”'''

'''The tip of one of the finger-thick tentacles hovered directly before his eyes and it split open and a wriggling coil of even smaller tentacles engulfed his head. Lyrrzzzh could feel them penetrate his nostrils and into the small ear holes on the side of his head, more pried past his mouth and teeth. He wanted to scream but he could not. A loud voice boomed into his mind, “Biological Command Unit identified, downloading biochemical data. Brain link established.”'''

'''There was no greater horror as he was no longer able to control his own thoughts. Memories, command codes, orders rushed in an ever-increasing feelable speed from his inner mind.”'''

'''All sense of time was gone; he felt nothing but utter impotence, violated to the very core of his being. The Shiss commander drooled and said with a feeble tone, “Have mercy.”'''

'''The Cerberus had none and killed the Shiss. Then the robot filed the information and moved on to complete his orders.”'''

-””-

'''The space bus was loaded to capacity. Baldy had taken the craft into orbit and after his scanners confirmed there was only debris and no Shiss or other hostile contacts, he keyed internal communications and said. “Since it looks like there is nothing at Shallow we go straight to Benton’s. Thirty-two hours more and we made it.”'''

'''Wilcox took his seat next to Baldy and watched the shipmaster taking the ship to threshold speed. “How are we on fuel?”'''

'''“Since we could not refuel at Bumblebee, and we can’t hope to get any fuel at Shallow. We will be 5 kilos short going into Benton’s. Or about 5.3 light-years.”'''

'''Wilcox said. “That’ isn’t so much isn’t it?”'''

'''“Not with working ISAH Pods. Without it, we can accelerate to near light speed and arrive at Benton’s in about 6 years, but we will meet our Great Grandchildren there. Without ISAH Field there is no (?) time dilation.”'''

'''“Well gives them plenty of time to fix GalNet.” Wilcox joked with a serious face and said. “Serious?”'''

“We can use the Water of Life support but it is not compacted and not refined it might come down to you peeing in the Tanks.”

“You are joking.”

“No, I am not.”

--””--

'''The small lounge was even more crowded now. Daphne, the wounded man from Shallow and the sick Thauran lady had been placed in the cargo hold. The good-natured spider engineer and Emerson had shoved the pallets of prickly pear through the airlock to make room.'''

'''Doc Boone came out of the makeshift sickbay even though he was still unshaven, his smudgy outfit had disappeared. He wore the board service uniform of a Union field surgeon. He had carried it along more out of sentimental reasons but now he needed it as it was self-cleaning, antiseptic and had diagnostic subsystems woven into the material, supporting his natural senses to superhuman levels. The gloves of the outfit could enhance his touch sensitivity, project field scalpels, suturing and cutting lasers and project ultrasound and other scanning beams. This board uniform as nice as it looked was much more a tool than a garment and many features were simply there and used by the physician wearing it without thinking on a purely intuitive level.'''

'''The uniform did so much more, it monitored the environment, his own health and status. The uniform had cleansed his body of the poisoning alcohol in moments, diagnosed severe liver problems and synthesized an army of medical nanites that invaded his body repairing cells, waving (?) tissue and eliminating build-ups.'''

'''Neither Valthim nor Sprewell even dared to belittle him now. The friendly, jovial drunk was gone. Doc Boone was gone. In is place was Commander Jeremiah Boone, MD Union fleet and ship surgeon.'''

'''Valthim looked at him with hopeful eyes as Boone went to the Serve-Matic for another coffee. Peacock smiled a shy smile. “Everything alright, Dr. Boone?”'''

'''Dr. Boone gave him a confident nod. “Everything is alright, Mr. Peabody.”'''

The somber mood of the passengers sitting there and brooding was suddenly interrupted by a soft singing voice and soft alien music that soothed the weary minds.

'''Sprewell was the first who parted the curtain to the passenger deck and stopped cold. Peacock and Hawk right behind him, also come to see.'''

'''The monstrous female Shiss cradled a human child in one of her arms while more were sitting on and around her. She was singing in an eerie soft way, a melody both soft and sad.'''

The kids that had been crying and moaning ever since the skimmer ride were now quiet and some of them already asleep, watched over by their mothers who had thankful expressions on their faces.

-””-

'''Baldy pointed at the scanner. “We got contacts, Non-Union.”'''

'''Wilcox clutching his TKU. “Many?”'''

'''Baldy pushing the speed band a little closer to the Red mark. “Yes.”'''

“Shiss?”

'''“I think its Dai, the big contact could be a Dai Mother. I don’t think the Shiss have something that big.”'''

“Well, maybe they will scare the Shiss away.”

'''Wilcox tapped on the scanner screen and pointed to a mass of contacts on the other side of the spherical representation of the space around the bus, representing the range of their scanners. “I don’t think it’s working I am sure these are Shiss.”'''

-””-

Valthim, leaning against the bulkhead next to the small passage leading to the cargo area, said, “Aren’t all the kids up on the flight deck?”

Sprewell muttered, “Of course they are, that is why we are penned up here like sardines instead of using the seats we paid for.”

'''Valthim pointed to the cargo hold door. “I swear I can hear a baby cry in there.”'''

'''Just then the door to the cargo hold door was opening and Daphne appeared. Her torn and burned dress replaced by one of Lady Luna’s fine gowns. There was something small, cradled in her arms, something wrapped in the fur cape of the Lady. The way she was holding it left little doubt of what it was.'''

'''Slowly they all became aware of her. The last trace of hardness had vanished from Daphne as she looked down on an infant in her arms and there was an expression of tender wonder in her face, an expression as old as humankind itself.'''

The men now all got up surrounding her.

Hawk, Valthim, and Peacock even Sprewell were trying to see what Daphne was holding.

'''They all smiled tenderly and in delight. Hawk was putting out a finger to touch the new-born child, carefully, as if he weren’t sure it was real.'''

Wilcox who had left the flight deck to get a drink of water saw them all standing in a close circle walked over and shouldered his way past Peacock, completely overcome; he looked up and with amazement, said, “It’s a baby.”

Daphne’s voice sounded as proud as if the child was her own and her smile was tender and of a maternal way only women could smile when looking at a newborn.”It is a little girl.”

'''Wilcox shook his head. “A little girl? Well, I’ll be doggoned.” He then complained, “Where did that baby come from? We had a pregnant woman among the ones we evacuated?”'''

'''Valthim, the only one of the group who had not smiled, his eyes were intense with anxiety. “How is Lady Luna?”'''

'''Daphne answered. “The Doctor is still with her but she is going to be alright, Mr. Valthim. This is her girl, The lady was pregnant.”'''

'''Wilcox still grinning at the baby.”That explains a few things, of course, I will never understand why a woman would even want to travel in this condition. Well, I’ll be doggoned.”'''

'''To Peacock he said. “Mr. Peabody did you know about this?”'''

Peacock looked up and was about to say something, then changes his mind and looked down at the baby again, grinning.

'''Wilcox wiggled his finger across his lips, making funny gurgling noises, but Peacock stopped him with a fatherly, stern voice. “Don’t do that. You scare the child.”'''

There was so much authority in little Mr. Peacock's voice that Wilcox stopped and looked rather put out.

'''Daphne left the men and hurried back with the baby passing Doc Boone who came through the door into the lounge. As he came forward the men all surrounded him admiringly; even Valthim’s eyes showed a newfound respect. But Doc Boone oblivious of the excitement and enthusiasm, headed single-mindedly past the men to the Serve-Matic.'''

Peacock waylaid him, moving in his path, and grabbed his hand, pumping it.”Doctor Boone.” He seemed about to say something else, but obviously, words failed him.

Peacock then retrieved a bottle of 100-year-old Single Malt and placed it before the Doctor.

'''Doc Boone smiled from ear to the other. “I doctored a man near death, fixed Wilcox’ eye and repaired the severe damage to Daphne’s chest, and yet you celebrate me like a Virtu Celeb for assisting in something that occurred that way, a million years before man ever stepped off Earth. Something where Lady Luna had much bigger part than I did.”'''

'''He poured himself a drink with great anticipation. “But I must admit there is no greater joy for a doctor to be present in such a moment. In all this destruction and violence nature, life prevails and an innocent new life oblivious to its surrounding is born.”'''

'''The Purple Throat Shiss came out the only other bathroom and stopped as she saw Hawk and she said to him in a low voice. “I know why you go to Benton’s, Hawk. I like you. I knew your poppa. He was a good friend of us. If you know who’s in Benton’s you stay away.”'''

'''Hawk looked up into the frightening face of the Shiss. “You mean Luke Carpenter?”'''

'''“Luke ... Ike ... Hank ... all of them there together. I saw them. I know you are good and can kill maybe one, but not all three.”'''

As the Shiss mentioned the names of all three Carpenters a wild shine came into Hawk’s eyes and he grabbed her upper right arm.”You sure of that, Crhizzaa?”

'''The Shiss female was unable to nod in the way humans did but she approximated the gesture by bending her flexible neck. “Yes I am sure, that no good Hank was in Bumblebee a week ago and wanted to muscle in on the Yellow Corn business. He used the usual Carpenter methods. Only trouble was SII and ENROE were there as well and they are the real big boys and weren’t impressed by Hank or the Carpenters hired muscle.”'''

Hawk’s eyes gleamed.” Thank you Crhizzaa, that is all I needed to know.”

'''“Hawk, three or more against one aren’t good odds. I come with you!”'''

'''“No Crhizzaa, you got a Nest partner who might still be alive and a fine business on Bumblebee. The Shiss won’t last against the Union and you have little Nestlings.”'''

'''“Your father helped us to get the franchise and never seen ‘traitorous Shiss’ in us but friends. We owe him.”'''

'''“You owe him to stay alive and out of trouble. I will hear no more of it.”'''

'''Hawk walked off and saw Daphne standing by a small viewport next to the bathrooms staring into space. The experience of the last days had taken the last traces of rebellious teenager out of her face and replaced it with softened beauty. She noticed him without turning and said in an almost whispering voice. “Space is so beautiful, so vast and empty it seems so unbelievable that there isn’t room for all of us.”'''

Thoughts of what she had been and how her life turned out seemed to be crowding into her heart as she stared off into the endless distance.

'''Hawk moved next to her also staring out the viewport. “You visiting in Benton’s?”'''

'''¨No, I ... I have friends there,” She turned towards him, “and maybe I can find work.” She turned away, staring out the viewport once again. “Why don’t you escape, Hawk? Why don’t you escape, you could run right when we land at Benton’s”'''

'''With a low voice, he smiled at her.”I aim to, Miss Storm (Summer?)... in Benton’s, after things are settled.”'''

“Why Benton’s?”

'''“My father and brother were shot down by the Carpenters and they managed to blame it on me. I guess you don’t know how it feels to lose your own folks like that.”'''

Her eyes started to glitter with emotions as her voice turned dull and flat.

'''“I lost mine when I was a kid. There was a Shiss massacre on the Freespirits colony not far from Rigo’s. This isn’t Hazzzock’s first time, you know. That Shiss butcher earned that reputation the old fashioned way, by killing.”'''

'''He looked at her in surprise, while she was looking back at her own dismal childhood. He then said. “That’s tough, especially on a girl. Coming from that independent place with all them no good Drifters.”'''

'''She nodded. “It isn’t a Union colony so no one cared. Somehow you have to live, no matter what happens.”'''

'''“Yeah, that’s it. Somehow you got to live. Even if it is for vengeance.”'''

They both stared into space, each deep in their own thoughts.

'''Hawk was trying to muster courage to express what he felt. Finally he turned to her, with his voice, at first awkward and halting then growing in emotion.'''

'''“Look, Miss Daphne ... you got no folks ... neither have I. Maybe I’m taking a lot for granted ... but I watched you with that baby ... that other woman’s baby...and you looked...” he grinned ”...well...I still got a nice BrownWalkers ranch on the southern continent of Nabtor planet, a nice place...a real nice place...trees...grass...water...a Union Colonist Container with all the basics. Naptor is only an orbit distance of Benton’s.”'''

He took her by the shoulders and kept on talking, ”...a man could live there...and a woman.”

Daphne’s eyes were brimming with tears, as she looked up at Hawk.

Hawk was looking directly into her eyes “ Would you go?”

'''Daphne looked at him as if she could not believe her own ears. “You don’t know me. You don’t know who I am.”'''

'''“I know all I want to know. You’re...the kind of girl a man wants to marry.”'''

'''They stared at each other for a few moments, then Daphne turned away. ”Oh, don’t talk like that.”'''

She was overcome by the rush of feelings that possessed her, gathered up the long skirt of the nice travel dress of the Thauran Lady and dashed off.

-””-

'''Doc Boone, after a few hours nap, yawned, stretched and then cursed in a muttering tone his efficient Fleet Board Uniform. “An entire bottle of the finest Single Malt I have ever tasted and this blasted suit kept me sober, what a waste.”'''

Then he got up and went into his makeshift sickbay.

Lady Luna was propped up on pillows and Daphne sitting by her side braiding the lady's hair.

Doc Boone moved to the end of the bed looking down at Lady Luna.”You’re looking chipper today.”

'''She looked at the doctor. “I know you saved my life and the one of my child.”'''

'''“Complicated births are my specialty, that placental abruption was serious. Traveling and hiding your condition was not the smartest thing to do, I must say and I suggest you visit a Med Center as soon as possible. I am somewhat limited with what I can do at the moment.”'''

'''“You did more than anyone expected. Dr. Boone.”'''

'''Boone turned his attention to Daphne. “You should be lying down yourself. You are far from healed and back to normal, young lady!”'''

'''Lady Luna answered for her. “She didn’t go to bed doctor. She was up all night watching over me and the baby, while I slept.”'''

'''Daphne smiled. “Well, it was nice to stay awake and hold the baby.”'''

'''Doc Boone walked around the bed where the baby was sleeping right next to Lady Luna. Then he used his gloved hands to examine the infant and nodded slowly and satisfied. “She is quite healthy. Nothing wrong at all, but hungry again soon and you are still not lactating.”'''

Luna nodded with pursed lips.

'''He smiled. “Not a big problem actually, but I don’t have the medications and facilities to treat the condition.”'''

'''Daphne held up a bag. “I managed to get the things you sent me for at Bumblebee. I got newborn food and diapers.”'''

'''Lady Luna looked amazed and somewhat ashamed. “You did all this for me?" Then she cried. “Conditions at home were less than ideal, I wanted to be with Ronald, away from all the federal probing and questioning. He is my husband and I hoped to surprise him with our little girl. He has been gone for almost ten months and doesn’t know that he is a father.” She sobbed more and cried. “Now he is dead and I don’t know...”'''

'''Doc Boone took a seat next to her and simply pulled her to his chest. “You need to be a mother first now and everything else is second. Maybe they have news for you at Benton’s. We are less than ten hours away now.”'''

Then the Doc checked on the vitals of the wounded man, who also was in the cargo hold.

'''Daphne followed him. “Doc ... Hawk asked me to marry him.”'''

'''She wiped tears out of her eyes. “Is it wrong, for a girl like me? If a man and woman are in love, it’s all right, ain’t it, Doc?'''

'''Doc Boone frowned. “You’re going to get hurt, child, worse than you’ve ever been hurt. Don’t you know that boy’s headed back to prison or worse he gets killed by the Carpenters. Besides, if you two go into Benton’s...”'''

Daphne listened worriedly.

'''Doc Boone continued. “...together, he’s going to find out all about you.”'''

'''She stared at him. “All I want is for you to tell me it’s alright.”'''

'''Doc Boone looked at her with a depth of understanding. There was something regretful in his eyes as he knew Daphne. “Who am I to tell you what’s right or wrong, child? I am a drunk at the end of my road. If you can find a way to make a new life...alright, go ahead.”'''

'''She hugged him. “Thanks, Doc.” Then she said. “You are not an old drunk, everyone in there seen what I knew all along. You saved my life.”'''

-””-

Baldy’s eyes were glued to the scanners and the trans-light accelerator band was now right at the red mark.

'''Wilcox opened his eyes realizing he had found some sleep after all. “How are you doing Baldy? You haven’t slept a wink.”'''

“Normally I take turns with Emerson, but he is busy down there helping Frabbel keeping their jury-rigged cooling assembly together, besides one look at the scanners and all tiredness leaves me.”

'''“I guess that is some sort of answer. They have noticed us?”'''

“Their scanners are most likely better than ours and the Dai have scanners not far behind the finest Saresii equipment; they know we are here for sure.”

'''He pointed at the two concentrations of signals. Here are the Shiss and that mass over here could be the Dai. I have no idea why we are still alive but so far they have not decreased their distance.”'''

'''Wilcox keyed in a few commands on his console and called up a sector map. “Nine more hours to Benton’s. How we are on fuel?”'''

'''The Shiss lady drained her Blaster magazine into our tanks after Frabbel jury rigged a save transfer method. We might make it sucking on vapors, and we are prepared to dump the Environmental water into the tanks as well, but you’re not off the hook.”'''

“We all will do whatever it takes, Baldy.”

-””-

'''In the lounge, the men were gathered in a tense group. Valthim leaned against the tiny bar with his back to the others; Sprewell stood at the end of the bar drinking. Hawk was sitting by the GalNet Terminal when Doc Boone reappeared from the cargo bay and tapped Hawk on the shoulder. “Hawk I wanted to talk to you.”'''

'''Valthim turned and interrupted him. “How is the lady and the child, Dr. Boone?”'''

'''“Both doing fine. She’s a fine woman, that young lady.'''

Boone approached the small bar and keyed himself another cup of coffee.

'''Sprewell. “Without that woman, we would be in Benton’s by now.”'''

'''Valthim turned to Sprewell. “I wish you were ten years younger, Sprewell.”'''

'''Sprewell yelled back. “Don’t let my white hair stop you. All we ever got from the Thaurans is trouble, traitors and crocks. (Crooks?) If you ask me we should simply kick them out of the Union. The New Siamese Kingdom would take care of you blue skinned bastards once and for all.”'''

'''Emerson, quite small for a quadruped still an impressive sight, came through the door to the freight bay. “Settle down you two or I shove you both out the airlock.”'''

'''Valthim again tried to calm himself down and hissed. “In Benton, Sprewell, in Benton, you will pay for this.”'''

'''Emerson said.”I am afraid the Serve-Matic here needs to be shut down, and one of the bathrooms too. We need every drop of water we can spare. There is an independent Serve-Matic in our crew quarters and I gave Ms. Storm (Summer?) the access code. She is preparing coffee and drinks.”'''

'''Doc Boone elbowed Hawk. “In that case you better make yourself useful, my boy. There’s a young woman out in the galley. She’s making coffee. She needs help.”'''

'''Hawk smiled. “Thanks, Doc.”'''

Boone grabbed him by the arm as Hawk started to move.”Say, Kid, how old were you when you went to the pen?”

“Oh well, I was going on eighteen.”

“Completed Union School?”

“Yes, Doc.” He shook of Boone’s hand with an impatient move, leaving Doc Boone looking after him.

-””-

'''Hawk found Daphne in the tiny galley; he didn’t even know existed, using the Serve-Matic there. She turned and explained. “Emerson gave me the door code. He said the coffee here is better and it doesn’t charge credits.”'''

'''Hawk nodded. “He told us all.”'''

'''He waited there awkwardly for a moment and then spoke, self-consciously polite. “I laid awake most the night wondering what you’d said. Guess you’ve been up, too, with the kid and that sick lady and all. You didn’t answer what I asked you last night.”'''

'''Daphne kept fiddling with the Serve-Matic. Finally, she stopped what she was doing and dropped her hands. Her voice grew urgent as the words poured out. “Look, Hawk why don’t you escape? There will be so much confusion at Benton’s. Wilcox won’t go after you ... he can’t leave the passengers until all is sorted.”'''

“Won’t you go to my ranch and wait for me?”

'''“Wait for a dead man? She turned away. “You haven’t got a chance.”'''

Daphne went back to punch orders into the Serve-Matic, leaving Hawk standing awkwardly behind her.

'''She said. “It was three against one when the Carpenters swore you killed their foreman and got you sent up. It’ll be three against one in Benton’s”'''

'''With a hard expression on his face, he said. “There’s some things a man just can’t run away from.”'''

Hawk now all the way into the tiny galley sat down next to a small food preparation table.

'''Daphne was still not facing him.”How can you talk about your life and my life when you’re throwing ‘em away? Yes, mine too! That’s what you’re throwin’ away if you...”'''

Hawk was looking at her.

'''She said much less intensely. “Just go, go to Benton’s and face the Carpenter’s. Just go and get killed!”'''

'''Hawk spread his arm. “What do you want me to do?”'''

'''Daphne leaned forward and pushed herself away from the Serve-Matic.”Would it make us any happier if Luke Carpenter was dead? One of his brothers would be after you with a gun or they send Assassins. We’d never be safe. I don’t want that kind of life, Hawk.”'''

“I don’t see what else I can do.”

'''She spoke with a pleading tone. “Get away...forget Benton’s...forget the Carpenters. Make for your planet and I’ll come to you.”'''

“You mean that?”

“I do, I do!”

“Then why not come with me right away?”

'''“I can’t leave Lady Luna and her baby. With her husband killed and all. I’ll come to you from Benton’s. I swear it.”'''

-””-

'''Sprewell pressed the button of the Intercom system. “Can’t you fly any faster, thickheaded cretin. We’ve got to make it to Benton’s.” His tone sounded demanding but had a defeated bitter ring to it.'''

“A man works all his life to get hold of some money so he can enjoy life and then runs into a trap like this.”

'''Peacock leaned forward.”A trap? You mean the Shiss?”'''

“Yes, yes, of course, I mean the Shiss.”

'''Wilcox responded to the Intercom call. “A little more than seven hours and we can’t go any faster unless you want us to run out of fuel before we ever make it.”'''

-””-

'''There was a sense of relief on the entire bus. Even though the air was getting thicker with smells and the conditions were less than perfect, the passengers started to chat excited because Baldy had just told them it was less than four hours now.'''

Chapter 7
Posted: 7/23/2019, 5:21:28 AM

SHISS

'''Hazzzock stood before his command perch. “Are you sure these are Dai?”'''

'''His scanner operator turned. “Yes my Liege. The signatures are Dai Than. At least three Clans.”'''

'''Hazzzock was well aware of their reputation but he had never fought the Dai. “What are they doing?”'''

'''“My best guess is they are waiting to pick the defeated colonies clean. They are hunted by the Union!”'''

"They are afraid of the Union? Probably held at bay by the same myths and propaganda stories we've had to endure all these centuries. They are in Shiss space, they are in Hazzzock’s Space. They are to obey my will or perish too.”

'''His eyes fell on the scanner screen. “What is this?”'''

'''The Scanner operator said. “It appears to be a Union Space Bus, my League.”'''

'''Hazzzock eyes closed to slits. “Where did it come from?”'''

'''“Directionality suggests they left from Helzzzhi. Perhaps some Union filth escaping mighty Lyrrzzzh.”'''

'''Hazzzock was not pleased. “This incompetent Parazz. Not one of these cowardly, weak human maggots was to escape punishment for defiling Helzzzhi.”'''

'''He turned to his Signal Officer. “I want Commander Aartthzzz to bring me the heads of these Union maggots.”'''

The Order was transmitted via Tachyon Radio.

-””-

'''Wilcox was sweating like he was back on Cobalt Springs. The fuel gauge readout showed empty tanks. The Emergency reserve was gone to 98 percent. Benton’s was already the most prominent star in front of them and only 120 minutes to deceleration and system entry.'''

Baldy felt the same way, as he noticed the 100 contacts detach off the big cloud of Shiss hostiles and accelerating with the clear intent to pursue them.

He pushed the speedband past the red indicator and watched the fuel vaporize even faster and the heat indicator climb to 140.

-””-

Even Sprewell made an attempt at cheerfulness as he too could feel the end of their ordeal at hand.

'''He looked at his expensive PDD. “ Just ninety more minutes. Well, we’ll soon be in Benton’s. Sorry I flew off the handle, Valthim. Just nervous, you know how it is.”'''

Valthim eyed him sardonically but said nothing.

Sprewell still trying to make good weather, “ No hard feelings, I hope.”

'''Peacock looked rather proud of himself. “Well, all in all, it’s been an exciting...“ coughing, ”...but very interesting trip, now hasn’t it?”'''

'''Doc Boone looked up at him from his place at the tiny bar before the now defunct Serve-Matic. “Well, now that the danger’s past, Mister...”'''

'''Peacock looked at the Doctor with a sigh. “Er, Peacock. Alfons Tobias Peacock, My friends call me Alf.”'''

'''Doc Boone holding up his empty glass. “It’s most unlikely that we’ll ever have the pleasure of meeting again socially, I’d like to propose a toast. He looked looks at each of them in turn.”Valthim, Mr. Sprewell, Hawk and all the ones not present. 'To all our health.'”'''

'''Valthim actually nodded his head in a gallant fashion and said. “Thank you, sir.”'''

A tremendous jolt rocked the bus, the lights went out and there was the high whistle of escaping air.”

'''Red Emergency lights came on a heartbeat later, there was a round melted fist sized hole in the bulkhead. Boone the only one with emergency training acted before he even had a chance to think. He had ripped an emergency container of Yellow Nanite Foam from a holder and sealed the gaping hole with the fast expanding foam. Environmental systems were whining in overdrive replacing the lost air.'''

'''Peacock stared in amazement at his missing arm. The energy blast had burned much of his seat and his right arm, then he collapsed to the floor with a gurgling sound.”'''

Doc Boone, not losing a second, rushed forward and began treating the little man.”Hang on Alf, just hang on so I can keep you alive!”

-””-

Wilcox had raised the seat into the space bus' only gun turret and his sensor enhanced view screens showed at least a hundred Shiss Kashir cruisers in direct pursuit.

The Class III FTL forced energy projector was nothing more than a peashooter and would do them no good.

'''Baldy yelled into the Intercom. “Emerson, Frabbel. I need everything! Hold her together!”'''

The heat indicator climbed to 190 as he pushed the speed band to maximum.

'''The Kashir were still at a distance and only gaining slowly. The ISAH Pods of the old bus, pumping at maximum, were almost as fast as the Kashirs.'''

Another long shot peppered the aft of the bus, but only melted a deep gouge into the metal.

'''More Shiss Kashirs came from the side. The entire force of the Shiss was now in motion, their target Benton’s Colony.'''

-””-

'''Another jolt had hit the bus, making even the Emergency lights flicker. From the passenger deck sounded the frightful wailing and crying of kids and the voices of their mothers.'''

'''Suddenly Sprewell was getting up up as if hit and screamed.” Let me out of here. Stop this bus.”'''

He stomped over Peacock who was helped by Boone.

'''Boone as calm as could be said. “Hawk please be so kind and cut his lights.”'''

'''Hawk got up to the hysterical man and punched him hard across the chin. Sprewell rolled his eyes and sank to the ground. In all this Valthim was suddenly glad he didn’t pick a fight with Hawk.”'''

-””-

The Shiss were now almost within range for their main batteries.

Wilcox fired, hitting the closest Shiss, head on, holding the pulse long enough to weaken the frontal shields to get a bolt past the shields, but it did little to the tough ceramic armor.

'''The space bus was hit again. Some of its energy penetrated the Turret armor. While the emergency systems retract the seat faster than any human being could, Wilcox was still showered with molten debris and severely wounded.'''

'''Baldy was also hit by bits of glowing metal. He ignored the pain and the fires now burning on his bridge and kept an eye on the temperature gauge, it was reading 200”'''

The Purple throat Shiss woman came through the smoke and started fighting the fires.”

-””-

'''Lady Luna, clutching her baby, stumbled into the lounge. “There is a fire in the Hold.”'''

Hawk taking a fire extinguisher, ran inside.

'''Even though they all had been brave, they all knew this was the end. They could not last much longer.'''

-””-

'''The passengers had no water left, everything liquid had been poured into the tanks. The Shiss ships were literally seconds away from firing range and took long range pot shots at the bus.'''

The air was filled with the putrid smell of smoke from the fires, Hawk and the big Shiss had put out.

'''Doc Boone just came down from the flight deck where he was fighting to keep Wilcox alive. “Hawk I need you...”'''

'''The bus jolted again and Lady Luna said with hope ringing in her voice, clutching her baby close, “Can’t you hear that? The GalNet Terminal.”'''

'''Doc Boone virtually flew across the room and hammered his palm on the CITI reader. “Commander Boone, Union Fleet. Priority Contact GalCom. System verify.”'''

'''“Authorization verified. You are connected to the Union Fleet GalCom network.”'''

'''The screen display switched from the GalNet logo to the Union Fleet emblem and Doc Boone spoke as fast as he could. “NELSON II, Emergency assist request. We are in a civilian space bus and in distress. Large hostile force in pursuit coming into Benton’s Colony. Situation critical, do you understand.”'''

'''“Here is NELSON II, Commander Boone. Your Emergency assistance request has been received and rerouted to the nearest United Stars naval Asset. Please stand by...”'''

'''Sprewell shouted. “Whoever you are we won’t stand by anymore. We are citizens and have rights.”'''

The Union fleet emblem was replaced by the face of a man.

'''He had very short hair, styled in a high and tight buzz cut, there was a scar under his right eye. The chin of the man in the all black uniform appeared as if chiseled out of a piece of granite. The man’s eyes were ice gray and had an eerie quality. Most of the passengers recognized the face right away, Hawk sank to his knees as if seeing a god. Boone straightened into parade ground stand without even knowing it and Sprewell suddenly felt fear, even more than before and he hoped the man on the screen would ignore his outburst.'''

Peacock raised his remaining hand and a deep smile curled his lips.

Only Valthim didn’t recognize the man but even he could not deny the incredible authority that radiated from this simple projection.

'''Peacock whispered. “It’s him. The Eternal Warrior!”'''

The man spoke.” I am Admiral Richard Stahl, I am here with the USS Devastator to assist...”

-””-

SHISS

'''Commander Aartthzzz, felt a little cheated. All he was pursuing was a tiny Shuttle, hardly worth the attention of his entire force, while Hazzzock and the others would go on and conquer another star system. This one would be the first real conquest as it had never been a Shiss system.'''

Less than two Flickzz then he would be in range for the main batteries and blow this bug out of existence.

'''There was no warning, it was just simply and suddenly there. His Scanner operator hissed in anger as the mass detectors of his equipment burned out, detecting something so massive so suddenly. Whatever technology allowed to cloak a ship of that size was beyond any understanding of the Shiss. The Ship that was there now, had more mass than all the Shiss fleet combined. The Energies detected surpassed the energy production of a main sequence star.'''

Aartthzzz saw the cannon turrets in the magnified view swivel directly towards them.

Several Shiss cruisers to close to react collided with the shields of the behemoth, three Kashir Destroyers, the pride of Shiss power and might fizzled into nothingness as they were displaced by the ParaDim shields in less than a second.

Other Shiss cruisers opened fire draining their batteries at almost point blank range, a child using a water spray gun trying to destroy a mountain was the only analogy Aartthzzz could think off.

“We are being hailed Commander Aartthzzz.”

'''Before he could even give permission, a voice thundered into every Shiss ship. “This is Admiral Richard Stahl of the United Stars of the Galaxies. My government wants me to give you a chance to surrender. I am giving you this chance if you do so instantly.”'''

The voice was silent for a mere second at most.” Time is up!”

-””-

Hazzzock saw the giant ship on his screens as well and he too heard the voice.

'''And now he remembered the words of the human he had stomped to death. The name of Hazzzock would not be remembered as the great enabler but as the one responsible for his own kinds demise.'''

'''No! He refused to give up. ”Attack that thing. It is just a trick, some sort of projection.”'''

'''Someone behind him said. “You are the fool the old ones said you where and we didn’t listen.”'''

-””-

'''The USS Devastator opened up. Exo Load Translocator cannons firing and, each shot created a new temporary star, swallowing dozens of Kashirs at once.'''

'''Every Wolfcraft fighter of this tremendous ship launched in mere moments. The agile fighters tore into Hazzzock’s fleet decimating it. A full Union battle fleet arrived moments later.'''

Hazzzock was shaking and had to hold onto a rail.

'''His ships exploded with full shields. He yelled at one of his knowledge advisers. “What is happening?”'''

'''“They call it Translocator, Mighty One. The Unions mightiest weapon, not even the Kermac have yet found a way to counteract it. It somehow transfers antimatter at the moment of explosion at a spatial coordinate. No shield or armor we know can stop it.”'''

'''All his arrogance and bluster had left him as he saw his mighty fleet first reduced to insignificance and then to atomic dust. This was the reason the First Nestling conceded and wanted to avoid war with the Union. He understood now.”Retreat towards the Dai. They are enemies of the Union.”'''

-””-

'''Waraz and his 25,000 ships had crossed into Union Space and were less than an hour away from Balmung. Not knowing that this was COWACOM HQ and a major Union Fleet Base.'''

'''He too was hailed by the Union, but ignored their calls. “Let them beg for mercy when I am about to crush them.”'''

'''He too changed his mind moments later as he faced Admiral Bill Strother and twenty Union Fleets. Strother did not mess around and launched swarms of Loki torpedoes and then opened up with TL Sniper cannons.'''

'''The USS Hammerhead commanded by Wild Bill was plowing deep into the Shiss formation. Her turrets releasing broadside after broadside.'''

'''From behind came the USS Shetland, the Union Flag Ship had arrived. McElligott standing behind Captain McKenzie while Deep in her bowels the bomb loader crew was working frantically wiping and pushing red casing after red casing into the TL cannon breeches.'''

'''Two completely smooth 1000 meter spheres without any visible propulsion appeared deep in the Shiss ranks. Union Letters spelled the words ‘USS NARTH 1 and USS NARTH 2’ across the smooth hulls. Shiss ships in their wakes exploded in the most peculiar way, not in violent fiery energy clouds but disassembled into their smallest components. The Shiss within instantly exposed to the vacuum of space had no chance. Proving to the Universe, Narth could kill and they did it in a ruthless, utmost efficient way.'''

Waraz did not have much time to contemplate the fate of his race as a full kilo of antimatter reacted with positive matter transported past armor and shields right where he was standing.

'''No boarding action, no calls to the enemy to surrender and no Shiss unit was permitted to retreat or flee. Not a single survivor, not one ship escaped.'''

The Battle became later known as the Balmung Eradication Engagement and space junk scavengers had rich pickings for years to come.

The Army eager to wipe the stain of shame of their record and with full blessing of the Assembly assaulted the first Shiss worlds with unprecedented intensity.

'''The entire War machine of the mighty Union was turning now and there was nothing in the known Galaxy that could stop it. Union Space Force bunkers released swarms of the most advanced robot bombs.'''

Planet destroyers dropped out of Quasi space approaching Shiss worlds.

-””-

Hazzzock could not believe he actually managed to escape.

'''His Battleship and twelve Kashir reached threshold speed and left without apparent pursuers. The rear facing scanners confirmed that nothing else escaped.'''

'''The Dai on his Scanner horizon were on the move. If they kept the course they would reach Hazzzock’s Home. The ancestral home of the Gray throats, his palace and his family was there and everything he held sacred.'''

'''Like the space bus before, he urged his engineers to get everything out of the engines. He needed to go home, evacuate his family and try to flee back into the distant galaxy and find a place to hide. The Dai were known to be the enemies of the Union and it was known that they fought alongside the Shiss before. The scanner signals were numerous and one appeared almost as big as the Union nightmare.'''

'''Moments later they dropped into real space and close to the Dai Units. “Hail them”'''

'''After communications were established, he said. “This is Hazzzock the gray of the Shiss, I am hailing the mighty Dai Than. Join us in our cause and destroy Union filth.”'''

'''The Answer came right away. “I am Tar-Ka Hi, we are Citizens of the United Stars and part of what you called filth. We know who you are, we are on our way to visit your system. We will do so the way Dai visit the systems of our enemies. Now we avenge your trespass.”'''

Hazzzock sank to the ground taking on the position of devotion, something he hadn’t done since he was a young nestling.

“Not the sacred worlds, we will negotiate, we are willing to sign and adhere to any conditions of peace you demand.”

'''One of his advisors snarled. “Dai do not negotiate!”'''

Juzzzahk, seeing his idol, the mighty Hazzzock, curled up like a Purple throat awaiting punishment from a superior master felt empty and suddenly robbed of all the promised glory.

'''A tachyon radio message could be heard blearing across the bridge. “Hazzzock come home, our defenses are breached. Union Marines and Dai troops have landed. They defiled the holy mound and toppled the holy pillars. We can’t hold out...”'''

The transmissions stopped.

'''Juzzzahk screamed in agony. “Was this your plan all along? What tribe am I supposed to lead?”'''

'''Alarm signals blared. “We are being boarded.”'''

'''The young Shiss watched as Union Marines in heavy destroyer suits crawled like insects all over the hulls of the remaining Shiss ships. They appeared on every visual sensor inside and outside. It took them less than ten minutes to neutralize the last resistance and march onto the command bridge.'''

'''A Union soldier in a deep purple destroyer suit stomped forward. A Shiss face behind the helmet, Juzzzahk could see the upper part of the throat folds.'''

'''The being was a Purple Throat of all beings, a Purple Throat towering above a kneeling Gray Throat. To Juzzzahk there was nothing that underlined the situation more clearly than that.'''

'''The purple throat said. “I am Captain Zezazz and you have no idea how long we waited for this day. The 32nd Colony will be avenged today.”'''

'''The Union Captain ripped Juzzzahk to pieces then placed his armored lower foot onto the back of Hazzzock. “This is where your reign of terror ends, Gray Throat. Crushed to death under the heel of a Purple Throat. Take that along when you wake in the nether lands of the dead. With a powerful stomp he broke the spine of Hazzzock, the butcher, then slowly broke every bone, and finally the skull.”'''

'''Captain Zezzaz opened his GalCom Unit and reported. “The Hazzzock threat has been terminated.”'''

-””-

'''A Union Bison had taken the damaged space bus in tow and deposited it at the Space bus terminal of the small Class D Space Port on Benton’s Colony. Four Wolfcraft fighters had flown escort.'''

'''The space port was busy. A gigantic battleship was sitting on its struts like a man made mountain; dozens of Octo-bots rolling back and forth servicing it.'''

Next to the battered damaged little Leyland Alexander, a new shiny looking 5000 passenger space bus of Gray Lines, preparing to go the distance to Coronado and then to Klackt.

'''A regiment of Marines stomped to a rhythmic cadence towards a waiting drop ship, singing loud and proud. The tiny port was busy beyond capacity with military and freighters. To all this came the fact that it was Saturday night and the town was full of soldiers, ranchers and miners, marines and businessmen. Four planets were colonized around Benton star and everyone with some free time on their hands went to Benton’s Colony to relax, listen to news about the war and party.'''

Not far from the space bus terminal a flight of Apache gunships, parked right at the regional US Army post.

Army personnel was rushing up to the bus, alongside emergency personnel.

'''Only the main landing ramp extended as the one leading to the flight deck was stuck and melted into the hull. The main airlock opened, emergency personnel and med robots rushed in.'''

First to emerge was Lady Luna on a field stretcher, carried by a med robot.

An army captain surrounded by army troops stopped the robot.

'''“Lady Luna, we received a message that you were on board this sub standard conveyance. Your family and half of Royal was worried about your safety! Thank the Blue Virgin you are safe!”'''

Luna turned her head to the captain, ”Where’s Ronald?”

'''The captain said. “He is in a Regen-Tank and is expected to fully recover in a few days. You can see him as soon as you have been checked out.”'''

'''Two finely dressed Thauran ladies pushed their way past the captain and one of them said, “Lord Ronald is recuperating and knows you are here. He asked us to take care of you. Where is the baby, dear?”'''

'''Lady Luna propped herself up and tried to look up the ramp. Daphne was right behind her holding the baby still wrapped in the fur cloak.'''

'''The second Thauran Lady waved at a waiting uniformed child service nurse. The nurse rushed up and took the baby in almost rude fashion. “I’ll take the baby.”'''

The nurse and one of the Thauran ladies turned to a waiting Luxury limousine with the crest of a Thauran Noble house on the side.

'''Before the med robot could carry the lady away as well, she reached out for Daphne and took her hand. She looked up at Daphne. “If there’s ever anything I can do for...” She faltered, lowered her eyes and looked away.'''

'''Daphne stared down at Lady Luna sympathetically. “I know...after all this you still can’t accept the fact that there are people on the other side of the social fence.”'''

'''The robot was urged on by the army captain. “Get her into the clinic at once.”'''

Daphne backed away as the robot established a protective bubble around the patient and flew away.

Daphne paused for a moment looking after the disappearing robot then she walked to the now extending cargo conveyor, ducked underneath it and blended into the crowd, making her way into town.

'''Knowing that no one was waiting for her. The dreams she had ended as the bus landed. Hawk was not supposed to know what she really was.'''

An octo-bot was forcing open the upper air lock that led to the flight deck; then moments later Wilcox was also carried off the bus by a med bot lying heavily bandaged.”

'''After he had reached the bottom of the ramp he told the robot to stop and handed the waiting army officers the dispatch pouch and said with deep emotions as he watched the octo-bot taking a covered body from the flight deck. “He was the best damn ship-master ever and you forced him to deliver a meaningless dispatch.”'''

'''The Captain taking it and said. “I am sorry but he is not the only man who died during this ordeal. How did he die?”'''

“Burning Metal, burned a hole right through him yet he held on saying nothing until he knew we were all safe.”

'''The ranger pointed his finger at the captain’s nose. “You and your boys better go packing and return to defend planets. With a Fleet base none of this would have been necessary.”'''

The army officer turned and walked off without responding

'''Wilcox shook his fist. “Go ahead, walk off you prick. I am a Union ranger and you better believe I will take this all the way to the assembly.”'''

The medic next to him said, “Sir, you are severely wounded and we need to get you checked in at the clinic.”

More robots and med personnel guided the kids and their mothers off the bus.

Among the crowd watching the arrival of the space bus were two seedy-looking characters leaning against a guard rail, one of them pointed at Hawk who now stood in the open door of the flight deck with Emerson next to him saluting the covered body of Baldy as it was lowered onto a cargo sled.

The two men watched in amazement.

'''One of them was thin with a drooping mustache, a real Terran cigar clamped between his teeth; the other, a short, fat little man whose eyebrows raised in childish astonishment and he said with a wheezy gasp. “Hey look isn’t that Hawk Hudson?”'''

Then the fat man turned and rushed away, pushing through the crowd behind him, hastily followed by the thin man.

-””-

Past the small spaceport in the bustling growing Town of Benton were many bars, hotels and saloons.

'''From the Golden Terra Tavern that was only a few hundred meters from the spaceport entrance, music blared from field speakers out in the open. Lights and project-a-signs promised cold beer, Klack sugar water and a new looking sign advertised Nul-Milq and live entertainment. It was only one of several such places drawing guests and travelers at a Saturday night. The town was crowded with refugees from several colonies; the knowledge of a raging war just beyond their orbit made the crowds even hungrier for entertainment.'''

'''Luke Carpenter was sitting at a table in the Golden Terra Tavern playing poker, surrounded by other players. A scantily dressed voluptuous woman leaned against his shoulder on one side. The last chip had been thrown into the pot.'''

'''Luke was a tall human dressed like the successful businessman he was, in an expensive Archa silk suit. He somewhat looked out of place, but the ‘mass assist miners pick ax’ he was wearing in a custom rig across his back confirmed his true origin. This tool, normally used to split rock and scratch the hardest minerals in mines and pits, was customized with an iridium inlaid handle and two needle sharp ends instead of one.'''

He said with a triumphant voice, “ Aces and eights.”

'''A Klack playing the game watched as Luke reached for the pot. “Isn’t there an old name for a hand like this?”'''

'''Another human player nodded. “Yes. K’tggsx they call it the Dead man's hand, don’t ask me why they call it that way.”'''

The two rabbity men who had seen Hawk came into the tavern and rushed up to the player’s table, the fat one coming round beside Luke and said.”Luke, Hudson’s kid’s is in town.”

The thin man nodded.”Yes for real, Luke he came in with the space bus from Rico’s.”

'''Luke looked up, his face was hard, unpleasant and everyone felt the dangerous flair he had about him. He said to the fat guy, “Go get my brothers, quick”'''

'''Luke got up and stared at his cards. “Dead man’s hand indeed. It looks like someone came all the way to Benton’s to die.”'''

He pointed at the chips and barked at the dealer.”Cash me in, I am done for the night.”

'''Then he walked over to the bar, the woman sidling after him. He put his right arm on the bar.'''

'''Wordlessly the Bartender, placed a bottle of liquor in front of Luke and pulled out the stopper. Then placed a glass next to the now open bottle. Luke poured himself a slug of whiskey and tossed the strong liquor back in one gulp.'''

'''The other patrons at the bar all looked round uneasily and gradually started to move. Despite the busy night, the Golden Terra Tavern soon was deserted, only a handful of tough and rumble beings remained.'''

Luke looked from side to side with a vicious expression on his face, but it was obvious to everyone in the room that he was scared and trying to hide it under this show of meanness.

He had spent many years building a reputation of being a ruthless mean man who killed and got away with it, because he has the local police and the judge in his pocket.

'''That this was no longer the case as a Regional Union court had made a local Judge obsolete and everyone with a grievance did not go to the local police but to the also recently established Federal Police precinct, had eroded much of his local power. The recent fiasco at Shallow where he lost two of his best hired muscle was something he tried to forget.'''

'''He thought, despite all this. One man should not be a problem. He needed to kill that boy anyhow, before Hawk could be heard by a Federal Judge.'''

-””-

'''Daphne had reached the other side of the spaceport and stepped onto the busy road. She stopped for a moment and turned around. From a distance she noticed the open freight flier with Baldy’s body on it and wiped a tear from her eye. Only now she realized the wounded Peacock had followed her. Almost reluctant she approached Peacock who held out his left arm and hand. “Goodbye Ms. Storm (Summer?) If you ever come to Earth, you must come to see us, my wife and me. We will be delighted to have you.”'''

'''She smiled a shy, sad smile. “Oh, thanks, Mister ... er...”'''

“Peacock.”

'''Now med personnel caught up with Peacock, scolded him for moving away and gently helped him on a gurney. One of them said. “Dr. Boone kept you alive and we’ll grow you a new arm in no time. No worries.”'''

Without giving them another moment the gurney and the med techs buzzed away.

Daphne sighed, shouldered her bag and turned walking down the paved busy road as a fine drizzle of cold rain started to fall.

““-””

'''Frabbel, Emerson and Hawk made it to the ground and were greeted by the local manager of the space bus company, a beautiful Saresii. She took Hawk's hand, “Thank you for piloting the bus after our man died. Coreward Space Bus Company owes you.”'''

'''Hawk with a stern and sad face said. “Baldy was the true hero.”'''

'''A Union Marshall, followed by two deputies, pressed through the crowd and said to Hawk, “Did you get our man through all right? “ He held up a set of high-tech handcuffs.'''

'''Emerson scratched his head and said. “What are you talking about?”'''

'''Just then Sprewell came down the ramp and pointed at Hawk. ”If you don’t want to lose your prisoner, Marshall you’d better take him yourself. He is right there.”'''

The Marshall was puzzled by having the apparent pilot of the space bus pointed out to him, turned and looked at Sprewell.”What’s your name, mister?”

'''“My name is Sprewell. Henry Sprewell.”'''

'''The Marshall laughed. “Sprewell. You didn’t think they’d have GalNet fixed, by now did you?”'''

'''The Marshall and the Deputies instantly grabbed Sprewell, who started to struggle violently as the Marshall tried to get the handcuffs on him. “You are under arrest for embezzlement and theft.”'''

'''Sprewell was hustled away, followed by a crowd of delighted bystanders. Apparently they had forgotten about Hawk.'''

'''Doc Boone was among the last who came out of the damaged bus and he took a deep breath of the now cool and moist air. Then he turned to Hawk. “I guess nothing I can say will stop you now, right?”'''

'''Hawk put his hand on Boone’s shoulder. “If you see Daphne get her to my ranch. This place isn’t right for a nice girl like her.”'''

'''Boone nodded with a sad face. “Alright Hawk.”'''

All the answers Boone needed were written in Hawk’s face.

“The Shiss paid for what they did, now it’s the Carpenter's turn.”

'''Hawk checked the charges of his blasters. “This time I am not a helpless sixteen year old.” With these words he rammed the blasters into the holsters and walked away.'''

--””--

'''Hawk managed to leave the space port without anyone noticing. He had been here before and he knew it would not take long to find the Carpenters.'''

But there on the sidewalk he noticed Daphne still standing forlorn on the sidewalk.

'''She had now seen him as well. He walked straight up and they looked at each other for a long moment, neither of them really knowing what to say. Hawk had taken her by the hand, said, “Come on.”'''

Wordlessly she started walking, both of them passed loud bars and taverns, trying not to look in each others faces.

--””--

In the Golden Terra Tavern Luke Carpenter dropped his glass and whipped out his Thompson E Blaster as the doors opened and two tough looking men came in, his brothers, Ike and Hank Carpenter.

They both walked straight up to Luke, who was putting away his blaster and nodded towards the door, where a group of bystanders was crowding around looking in.

'''His youngest brother Ike, wearing a hat, looked in the direction of Luke’s gaze; at the same time, he grabbed the whiskey bottle and reached nervously for a glass. He too appeared to be spooked about the news of Hawk’s arrival.'''

'''He looked openly scared at Luke and poured himself a drink spilling some of it on the counter. Luke grabbed the bottle. ”He isn’t tough enough for the three of us.”'''

'''Ike downed the drink and checked his Springfield Thermo Bolter. “Yeah but he just might be tough enough for one of us.”'''

Hank swallowed dryly and he too poured himself a drink, saying nothing.

A few beings at the other end of the bar looked on nervously and as tough as they wanted to be, another one of them peeled away and rushed towards the back door.

'''Despite all the hustle and activity, the town was not all that big. Everyone local knew about the Carpenters and many had heard the Hudson Story.'''

'''Hawk’s father had staked himself a ranch like everyone on a new colony when real estate was free and up for grabs. Only difference was Hudson there found a rich Barite deposit on his land. Even though a quite common metal it was of great value as it was a needed base material to Artigrav lifters and superconductors.'''

Since the metal was among the most important industrial metals there was always great demand and thus demanded a good price.

'''The colony being inside the corridor where much of Union commercial traffic went from and to the Klack hegemony made this Barite mine even more lucrative as logistics were no problem at all. The Carpenter's, so rumors said, simply killed the the Old Hudson and one of his sons. Officially it was classified as a mining accident by the local judge.'''

'''Hawk, the oldest son, went out of his mind and killed the mining foreman. All three Carpenter brothers and two of their employees swore they saw Hawk do it. Hawk was sent to the pen at Charles’s Colony.'''

Now, the word was slowly spreading, Hawk was in town.

All three of the Carpenters whipped around drawing their guns as they heard the door opening again.

'''Doc Boone wandered in and walked up to the end of the bar. Then he pointed at the whiskey bottle. “Can I have that?”'''

Luke Carpenter not really knowing Boone, holstered his weapon once more and then gave the whiskey bottle a push sliding it along the counter.

With a practiced move Boone caught the bottle, looking quizzically up at Luke, then reached for a glass and poured himself a slug, then raised the empty glass, his eyes still on Luke.

The Carpenter's, still nervous, relax slightly as it appears the newcomer was no danger to them and ignored Boone.

'''Luke Carpenter turned to the barkeeper. “Do you still have that Mossberg Shrap gun behind the counter?”'''

'''The Bartender raised his arms. “Luke, the old days are over, we got Federal Police...”'''

'''Luke slammed his hand hard on the counter. “Give me that Shrap gun.”'''

'''The Bartender did not move. Luke put a hand on his own blaster and said, this time even louder “Shrap gun.”'''

The Bartender produced the illegal, military grade gun from beneath the counter and handed it nervously and with silent protest to Luke, who grabbed it compulsively, smashing several glasses on the counter as he did.

The Bartender snapped his fingers at his assistant who was down at the other end and both moved to leave.”Have it your way Luke but we are out of here.”

'''Doc Boone and Luke kept eyeing each other across the bar. The scantily dressed woman sized Luke’s arm and said, “Please don’t.”'''

Luke thrusted her away savagely, the woman stumbled into a table, recovered herself and rushed with a crying shriek to the backdoor.

-””-

'''Hawk and Daphne were still walking down main street, slowly and with no apparent destination. Neither looked at the other. Neither said anything. Her feet seemed to drag as she walked, as if she never wanted to come to her destination.'''

'''This was the sleaziest part of town, right here near the space port. The bright Project-A-Signs above made it quite obvious what services the almost naked women, men and other beings were offering standing near doorways with colorful blinking lights.'''

'''One sign above them read “Cat House”, shrill music and drunken laughter could be heard by the two as they walked past. While Hawk was not exactly a travelled man, he doubted the pelt covered women were real Togar.'''

Suddenly Daphne took a few fast steps ahead and stopped before a pink glowing slideway tunnel that was leading to an establishment with a sign spelling the words ‘Human Girls Galore’ above the entrance.

'''With all hope gone from her voice she said. “Well, Hawk, I...“ she paused and looked down the walkway “... I told you not to follow me.”'''

'''She started to walk away but stopped as Hawk called her. “Daphne!”'''

She did not turn as Hawk came down the slideway after her, too bewildered to say anything, she tried looking away from him.

'''Hawk said. “I asked you to marry me, didn’t I?”'''

'''She finally turned towards Hawk with tears in her eyes. “I’ll never forget you asked me. That’s something...'''

'''Hawk held out his wrists and with a calm voice he said, “See them scars? Handcuffs ... Scars wear off, Daphne.”'''

'''He then rested his hands on her shaking shoulders. “I ain’t gonna give you a chance to forget me. You wait right here.”'''

He then turned and strode off against the slowly moving slideway with much purpose in his gait.

Daphne turned to watch him go, looking after him as if she could not believe what she had heard.

-””-

'''It was deadly silent in the Golden Terra Tavern. While there was life and music spilling out the other bars and saloons, here even the GalNet screens had been turned down.'''

'''All three Carpenters still stood at the bar, their tenseness could almost be seen. Only six men and two Klack had remained.'''

'''As the front door suddenly opened everybody dove down, their hands and similar extremities over their heads while the Carpenter brothers whipped around for the third time this evening and once more, their guns out. To their surprise and not without little horror a muscular Purple throat female appeared holding a Bolter Gatling with blinking ready lights, nonchalantly over her shoulder.'''

'''She slowly waved the clawed fingers of her upper left hand at them. “Hawk said he would be passing this way in six or seven minutes.”'''

The Shiss grinned in the terrifying way of her kind exposing the many rows of sharp teeth and then left out the door as fast as she had appeared.

'''Luke Carpenter was at the end of his nerves. Cold sweat dropped from his nose.'''

'''Luke swung the dangerous Shrap-gun into the crook of his arm and jerked his head to his brothers.”I can’t stand it any longer. You make sure your boys are ready outside.”'''

'''Ike pulled his PDD and said into the device. “Don’t hesitate boys. Kill the bastard on sight.”'''

'''Luke strode towards the door but Boone stepped into his way, wearing his Union Fleet Uniform holding his own PDD in one hand. Then the Navy physician said with an amiable but firm voice full of authority. “I’ll take that shrap gun, Luke.”'''

'''Luke lowered the dangerous gun. “You’ll take it in the belly, if you don’t get out of my way.”'''

'''Doc Boone Stood firm and seemed unimpressed. “If it can stand the kind of whiskey they sell here, it should be able to survive the accelerated shrapnel.” He held up the PDD. “You shoot me or go out that door with that illegal gun and this PDD will send everything down to Fleet Headquarters.”'''

'''Ike became even paler as he is. “Luke do what he said. He is a Fleet Officer, killing him brings the PSI Corps in.”'''

'''One of the Klacks in the background snickered. “Forget the PSI Corps, the Devi is in the system and that means Stahl.”'''

Luke stared hard at Doc Boone for a moment, then tossed the gun on the bar with a clatter.”Well, I’ll tend to you later.”

He then thrusted Doc Boone brutally aside and strode out the door followed by his brothers.

'''Doc Boone came forward to the bar grinning. He mopped his brow with his wrist and took the whiskey bottle the Klack was sliding towards him. Only now seeing the insectoid wearing Union Fleet black over his rigid thorax and the logo of an engineering specialist.'''

'''Boone nodded thankfully and poured a slug, drank it fast, then put the glass down with a sigh. He gasped to the Klack, “Don’t ever let me do that again.”'''

The Klack moved his antennae sympathetically.

-””-

'''In the street outside Luke looked up as Ike pointed out the four men crouched down on the roofs of four buildings, aiming scoped weapons into the street below. Now Luke felt much better and was confident they could overcome just one man.'''

The word of the impending confrontation had now spread outside and beyond the Golden Terra; the street was empty.

As the three brothers slowly moved down the street, they did not look up otherwise they might have seen a terrifying eight legged shadow of a huge spider scurrying up to the roofs.

'''A dog sized Braton Bumper, a local non-sentient scavenger that learned to find food in the trash on the streets came running across in front of them. Hank drew his gun and fired at the almost man sized life form.'''

The bright bolt of energy burned a fist sized glowing puddle into the Duro-Crete pavement of the street.

The Braton Bumper scared but otherwise unharmed scuttled away round a corner.

'''Ike gave a high-pitched laugh. “Hank missed that critter by at least a meter.”'''

-””-

'''At the next street corner people scattered. A man pushed his wife into a flier and cursed, “They are going to far these cursed Carpenters. Acting as if they own the town.”'''

'''She responded as he gunned the flier into the air. “Luke owns half of it.”'''

--””--

'''Through the open door of a local GalNet radio station, light shone on the street. The local radio host, an old looking Holdian was sitting on a tiny chair right on top of an ancient Radiorola GalNet transmitter station reading the latest news of the war against the Shiss into a field microphone.'''

'''Out here in the fringes and far away from the Union core many colonists and settlers only had acoustic GalNet receivers, not able to afford the more expensive Visual or even Avatar enabled GalNet terminals. GalNet Radio was often the only means out here of receiving news.'''

Next to the open door, the window lettered with bright glowing words advertised the Benton’s GalNet Radio Voice.

'''The owner of the radio station was rushed in stopping the broadcast. “Hey, Sarto! Sarto! Kill that story about the fleet action near Balmung. He activated another field microphone.”Breaking news! Hawk Hudson was killed on Main Street in Benton’s tonight... ‘'''

'''He slapped his hand on the music transmitter and pointed his finger at the surprised Holdian “ ... and among the additional dead were ... we report this as soon as we can get a statement of the authorities.”'''

'''The Station Owner, cut his mike and went back to the door to peak outside. The Holdian hopped down to the floor and scurried to the door as well looking between the legs of his employer outside.”I didn’t hear no shooting, Ed.”'''

“You will, Sarto, you will.”

-””-

It was eerie to see the street empty so close to the port and with all the beings in town, but now as the three Carpenter brothers spread out, stalked warily down the street, no one wanted to be caught by a stray bolt.

Then from the other direction Hawk appeared stepping into the middle of the street.

The Carpenters, expecting their hidden gunmen to do the dirty deed for them waited a moment too long.

'''All four hidden shooters found themselves unable to move as much as a toe, tightly wrapped up to their noses in Archa spider silk. Frabbel whispering. “You should thank me, you never again wear so much expensive Archa silk.”'''

The Carpenters drew their guns.

'''Hawk dove forward, face first, towards the pavement and while doing that, drew both his TKUs.Three bolts singed the air and some of Hawk's hair as he hit the ground. His Thermo Kinetic Units roared loud enough to be heard down at the Federal office and the Army Outpost and the bright flashes illuminated the dark street to brightest daylight levels.'''

-””-

'''Daphne was still standing at the walkway where Hawk had left her as she heard the thundering rapport of superheated air pushed away by the TKU bolts, echoed by a chorus of screams of distant voices. Silence followed.'''

'''Daphne hurried anxiously back down to the street level calling Hawk’s name as she went. ”Hawk ... Hawk ... Hawk!”'''

'''She stopped as she reached the main street level, looked wearily off to the right and left. Her shoulders drooped and she sank her head, despairingly, down.'''

-””-

'''The door of the Golden Terra Tavern slammed open and Luke Carpenter came in, surrounded by a halo of smoke, a fist sized still burning hole where his stomach should have been. Whatever held him up no one could say, then the dead man toppled like a felled tree on to the floor. Behind him on the street all that was left of his brothers was Ike’s burning boots and Hank’s left arm.'''

-””-

'''Daphne believing Hawk was dead stood there, dejected and beaten, at the entrance to the slideway tunnel leading to the Cat House she knew would hire her. She was crying.'''

But then the sound of footsteps made her slowly raise her head.

'''It was Hawk who was walking towards her, with singed hair but otherwise unharmed. She rushed towards him, and fell into his arms. Hawk saying nothing, embracing the sobbing woman and holding her close.'''

'''Daphne was crying in earnest now, her throat too full of feeling for a word to pass. They stood there locked in each others arms as the Union marshal approached.'''

Next to the Marshall walked Ranger Wilcox and the big archa spider.

'''Hawk sighed holding out his wrists, but Wilcox smiled and shook his head. “The Judge has received a GalNet report of a certain Shaill. Our mollusk friend back on Bumblebee is badly wounded but expected to pull through. The report was showing evidence the Carpenter's had paid the local Judge sending you up river. Legal Central has agreed to drop all charges of your escape.”'''

Hank (Hawk! And Hank repeated beyond here) stared in disbelief, “I am free?”

“Not entirely, discharging two TKU’...”

'''Hank’s face fell. “The Carpenters...”'''

'''Now it was the Marshall. “We have a PDD recording this archa made; you acted in self defense. And fired after they fired at you but your TKU bolts damaged the post office behind them.That is technically a federal offense.”'''

'''Daphne looked at Wilcox. “How long does he have to go?”'''

'''Wilcox said. “There is a Poodle III at the end of the space port. Go and take your girl to your place and stay out of trouble.”'''

'''The spider said. “Coreward Spacebus Corporation will pay for the damages, no one got injured and the Marshall thinks it was not a deliberate act of Union property destruction. Just go!”'''

Hank thanked them with a giant smile as he simply swooped Daphne of her feet and ran toward the space port.

'''Wilcox, still wearing a Derma patch bandage over his left eye, stood in the middle of the street as the news of the Carpenter's demise spread all over town and music once more spilled out in the streets. He said to the marshall, “You took your sweet time to get out.”'''

'''The marshall also turned his gaze towards the spaceport. “After I knew Frabbel took care of the hiding cowards I had urgent business to check on some licenses half across the continent.'''

'''I am only one Union marshall for four planets. You are a Ranger, you know how it is.”'''

“So his father was a friend of yours too then?”

'''“Yes, old Hudson was as good and decent as they come. Sometimes justice needs to be personal.”'''

“I’ve seen Doc Boone at the Golden Terra, care for a drink?”

“Well I guess I have been on duty long enough...”

They watched as an ugly little Poodle III took off and climbed into the night sky.

THE END

'''Suzhz the All White Nestling paced up and down the hand rail of his favorite balcony. Eagerly awaiting news of his Advisers.'''

'''The former ambassador was late but Suzhz ignored this fact for the moment. “What news do you bear? Don’t tell me the news is true.”'''

'''“What can I tell you then? You mocked Warazz as he prayed to the Gods. You refused to reign in your impertinent Cousin and now you want me to fix what your arrogance caused?”'''

'''“How dare you, speak to the All White. I have you skinned.”'''

“Do as you wish, your sentence will only precede your doom and that of all Shiss.”

'''Suzhz turned spreading all his four arms. “Warazz is gone, Hazzzock fell. Not a single ship returned from the Assault on Klackt. Every hour someone bears messages of another of our worlds lost. I need your diplomatic skills. Go to that Assembly and beg for peace.”'''

'''The Ambassador said. “It is too late for that, First Nestling.”'''

“Why?”

'''The Shiss diplomat pointed at an enormous shadow that darkened the sky. “Because Stahl is here!”'''

Together they watched as orbital bombardment commenced.

-””-

'''On a world far distant, deep in the space of the Galactic Council, the Great Wizard of the Ministry of Control addressed the other wizards and of course the Grand Wizard of the Kermac sitting in the center of the Hall of the most Exalted. “Our sources confirm that the fire that was started by the Gray Throat Hazzzock has spread all across the Shiss Empire and their First Nestling has called for All War.”'''

The new Grand Wizard of them all, who had replaced his raving mad predecessor said, “So you want us to mobilize and join them?”

'''The Wizard of the MOC spread his arms. “Consider the opportunity. The Union weakened by the Shiss attack!”'''

'''The new Grand Wizard however came from the ranks of the Ministry of Information and said. “All our last attempts and plans to gain the upper hand against the Union had been initiated by the Ministry of Control. My esteemed but somewhat misguided predecessor ignored the MOI and consented to whatever you recommended. Let us hear from the Wizard of Military what he thinks before I tell you what I know.”'''

'''The Wizard who was in command of all the military might of the Kermac said. “You did hear that the Nul are soon Union? You heard that the Golden have joined? You do know that the Blue won’t negotiate for us and most of all you know that the Crucible has been destroyed? The call has failed, there will be no Y’All coming to cause havoc. Those who survived the destruction, joined the Union.'''

'''The Shiss will perish, they have woken a monster that won’t sleep until the Shiss empire is utterly and completely eradicated. The Union won’t be weakened by the Shiss. Most of the Union will not even notice that there was a war.”'''

'''The Wizard of the Military concluded. “We attack or provoke them now and cursed Stahl will have his wish fulfilled, our extermination!”'''

'''The MOC Wizard snorted. “Our Military is impotent and cowardly. We are the Kermac.”'''

'''The New Grand Wizard said. “And I intend to keep it that way, by maintaining the Status Quo. The Union never attacks first, so let us learn from the doomed Shiss and keep to ourselves. There is so much space neither the Union nor anyone else claims, let us expand there.”'''

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