A Gathering of Digital Heroes
1
Danny Dolan strapped on a gauntlet as he surveyed the various systems that made up the Realm he guarded with his life. Everything looked fine, with no need for intervention by him. That meant he could gather the people he needed to help him carry out a risky mission into the Majestic Galaxy.
Danny didn't like having to use natives from one system to invade another. It was against his office, but he didn't think he had any other options. The Majestic Emperor had shown that his forces had a means to breach the system walls at will. Someone had to make sure that he couldn't hold on to the technology.
That meant Danny was the one that had to take the breacher away from a crazy man, his executioner, and an army of total fanatics who would die before stepping aside.
That's why Danny had asked some of the residents of the other realms to help him out. Once he had explained the situation, they were more than willing. No one wanted an intersystem invasion by people who would exterminate their species as soon as look at them.
Danny hoped they were up to the challenge. They were good in their own systems, but there was no telling if their skills would carry over into the Majestic. If things went really bad, he could be stripping systems of their primary defenders, leaving them helpless.
"Are we ready, Mr. Guide?," Danny asked his computerized major domo.
"All of our invited guests have arrived at their designated spots and await transportation," said the electronic voice.
"Then let's go ahead," said Danny. "As soon as we talk, we can get started on the mission."
Danny headed for the hangar where his vehicles were kept. That's where he wanted to talk to everyone. It was the biggest room under the Green Dome. He arrived as his guests appeared in blue motes of light.
"That was different," Kay Nine said, looking around.
"I'd like to thank all of you for coming," Danny said. "I am about to raid the Majestic, and I need some help to do what I have to do."
"Why don't you lay out your problem so we know what the plan is?," said the pilot.
Danny Dolan looked at the assembled heroes over the briefing table he had asked to be set up in the Green Dome's hangar. They were the best in their own places and times but he was going to ask them to invade another system.
It was against the code, but he didn't think he had a choice. Something had to be done about Lord Corpus's master.
He had asked Kay Nine, from the Fox Cluster, Reo, from the Fungus Kingdoms, Rai, the premiere street fighter, Collard Green, champion Turbo Track racer, and Algernon, a magician from one of the more arcane systems bordering the Loathly Tower, to help him. Their comrades back in their home systems were keeping an eye on things while they were attending the meeting with the Guardian.
"This is my problem, guys," Danny said, deciding to lay everything out as bluntly as possible. "I believe the Majestic Galaxy's Emperor has gained a device to breach the barriers between each system. Naturally I want to make sure that he can't do that. The point is to violate their capital planet, destroy any plans, or working prototypes, and get out. None of us need the civil war going on there spilling over into other places."
"It sounds simple enough," said Algernon. "I suspect there are major obstacles if you need to call on aid."
"The first obstacle is that the Emperor keeps a major fleet in orbit to protect his capital from the Revolution," said Danny. "We'll have to get through that screen if we want to even land on the planet itself. Then we'll have to get through crack troops to get inside his residence and search it for the whereabouts of the system breacher, as well as plans. Then we have to get out alive so we can set up to assault where the machine is. Naturally all three phases are dangerous as heck."
"So how do I fit in?," said Collard. "I'm just a racer."
"Not just a racer," said Danny. "The best racer on the Track. Majestic has people who can drive air cars, but not as good as you."
"I don't mean to butt in," said Reo, hopping on the balls of his feet. "Where do the rest of us fit in?"
"Reo, you are the best plumber, and expert on buildings I know," said the guardian. "Rai and Algernon are here in case we run into trouble while we are breaking in. I can't handle Lord Corpus's mental powers without some back up of my own."
"I don't think we have agreed to terms yet, young man," said Algernon, hands in the opposite sleeves of his robe.
"I can't make you go," said Danny, looking around at the group of older men. "I can only say the destruction on your individual systems will be enormous if I don't make sure the Majestic doesn't have this capability. Only stealth and skill will help us, not overwhelming power. If anyone doesn't want to go, they will be returned to their home system to await developments."
"Self preservation over monetary gain?," said Algernon. "That's a powerful argument."
"I expect the Majestic will do a survey and conquer the more primitive systems, mastering the powers found there before moving on," said Danny. "All of you should be safe for some years, but eventually I expect all of you will have to face this when it comes. The very threat will change your systems for the worse."
"We're going, kid," said Kay Nine, glowering at the others. "It's time for payback against that metal head, and we're going to do it."
Danny went over his plan one more time, looking for holes. Most of it depended on the skills of the heroes he had summoned from their systems. The job was too big for him to do on his own, and he couldn't expect help from the Revolution.
Their priorities and his were totally different horses.
The heroes loaded into The Star Guardian 2. Kay Nine and Danny got behind the controls as Collard Green went over the Star Car to make sure that when it was dropped through the cargo bay, it would do what it should. The others made sure they were ready before grabbing seats in the air vehicle.
Danny had tried to keep things simple. Charts were already loaded for both pilots with places marked for pickup after the thing was done. Reo would have to be able to guide them once they were on the ground, doing the mission. His knowledge of pipes and building ventilation should allow them to cut corners as soon as they had a route mapped to where they needed to go.
Rai and Algernon would act as Danny's protectors until he could hack the data he needed to check on the breacher. Rai was the best unarmed fighter in his system, probably in the entire Realm. Plus he had an ability to summon his chi in fiery finishing moves.
Algernon was a spell caster in his own system. His speciality was summoning spirits to do specific tasks. That would handle large groups as long as he had enough power to work his magic. It might be enough to send Lord Corpus packing.
Danny was sure his gauntlet could hack any system in the Majestic. The problem was that there was no guarantee that the printouts for the breacher would be loaded in the master frame. The Emperor could have it stashed in a personal pad kept in his butt.
The damage could be extensive if the Emperor kept possession of the door opener. No system would be safe from his greed. Danny had to consider taking on the ruler of the Majestic, and killing him and his top official. That might be the only way to keep the borders solid from intrusion.
It was also a direct violation of the Guardian code. He could interfere in limited ways, but only to protect those who needed it. Actively taking a stand in the way a system operated was out of bounds. No guardian before Danny had to do such a thing, and he didn't want to do it either.
2
Kay Nine grinned at the controls of the Star Guardian 2. She handled like a dream. No way were any of those Majestic gimps going to even touch him the way this drop ship moved. Maybe he should get the plans from the Guardian so he could build some for his own outfit.
Of course he had to survive to return to his own outfit, before he could think of new equipment.
Kay piloted the white ship out of the hangar, grinning at the unfamiliar stars that filled his screens and ports. A compass reading and computer prompts aimed him for the heart of the Majestic Galaxy. The mercenary smiled as he used the space fold for the first time to cross the stars.
Alarms sounded as the Star Guardian 2 appeared out of the bent piece of space-time. Orders were barked, but that didn't stop the Fox Cluster pilot from strafing across the shields of the closest capital ship as he headed for the planet-sized city below. Automatic fire from the white spacecraft targeted the closest threats as Kay dodged the streams of return fire.
No matter how well put together the SG2 was, it wouldn't take a full salvo contact more than once from cannons almost as big as it was long.
Kay penetrated the outer shell as fighters tried to group on his graceful swan. The Majestic's defenders weren't matches for his lightning reflexes and computer-assisted gunnery. Debris swept in his slipstream as he reached the middle ring of defenses.
"We're getting close to the drop zone, guys," Kay said into the radio. "Better get ready to go."
"We're all green," said Collard. "Waiting for atmosphere touch."
"You won't have to wait long," said Kay, blasting a net of mines out of his way with rockets and high energy. "We're going in."
The Star Guardian 2 slid through a fighter screen, punching open government shells with shark-like efficiency. Kay kept his eyes forward. His goal was that way and he wasn't going to let a mob of second raters stop him. He was the best of the best, and had earned enough money to prove it.
The Fox Cluster pilot saw the window he wanted as he aimed for the cloudy capitol sky. Fighters trailed behind him like a kite's tail. A feral smile lit his foxy face.
Let's see what you can do, Kay thought. He put the SG2 on course and let it have its head as he worked the gun controls.
Collard Green had the drop vehicle ready for delivery. Danny Dolan was in the copilot's seat, hands away from the controls. This was going to be a little tricky, but the racer knew he could handle it. This was something that he was an expert in after all his years on the circuit.
"Get ready," said Kay Nine's voice over the radio. "We are almost over the mark."
"Everything's a green flag here, bud," said Collard, watching the dials on the dash as he idled the jet thrusters on the air car.
"Releasing," said the pilot. "You're on your own until pickup."
The SG3 shuddered before it started falling from the bigger vehicle. Collard hit the throttle, appreciating the smoothness of the controls. The air car grabbed the upper atmosphere, fleeing the battle at top speed.
"Good luck, Kay," Collard said over the radio.
"I don't need any stinking luck," said the pilot.
Collard grinned. There had been a day when he had felt that way. He had lost his first race because he had thought he was invincible. Now he knew better, but he had skills to rely on.
He knew he wasn't invincible, but that didn't stop him from driving like a mad man.
Collard used the map onboard to show him which building he had to get to before the security forces locked on and tried to chase him down. It was the same type of hologram he used during races on complicated tracks so he wouldn't lose his way.
"We seem to be through the worst of it," Collard said, watching his instruments. "Kay is going to have to handle his part on his own. I'm going to bring us in hot, which means you guys will have to get out quick so I can get out of there."
Danny unstrapped his harness and moved to the back of the flying transport. He held onto a stanchion next to the door, so he could be the first one out in case of trouble. There was little he could do to protect the people he had asked to help him. He could do this much.
Danny waited for the aircraft to hover into position before pushing the button for the door to open. The capitol building was inches below the folding steps as Collard kept the transport to a slow pace across the concrete surface. The guardian jumped, rolling with the impact. He checked himself out as Reo and Rai helped Algernon to the roof with them.
They landed on their feet, holding the summoner between them to cushion him from impact.
Collard poured on the speed to get away from the touchdown point before he was noticed and things got really hot for the heroes.
3
Danny led the way to the bureaucratic headquarters's landing access. It was only a matter of time before he and his companions were noticed by security. He wanted to be inside when that happened.
Troopers appeared on the steps, rifles leveling on the running heroes. There was an exchange of fire as Danny blasted away with his zapper as he avoided the red bolts flying around him. There was a shout as Rai unleashed one of his special moves to cross the distance in a matter of seconds. The rain soldiers were swept up in his whirlwind kick for a few moments, then were dashed against the surrounding walls.
"Excellent," said Danny, rushing the door. Blaster fire made him draw back from the opening.
"No, kid," said Reo. "Not that way."
The building expert went to a vent access that plunged into darkness far below. He pulled the grill off of the opening with gloved hands. He dropped down, using feet and hands to slow down his ascent.
"You go next, Rai," Algernon said. "I am not prepared for this, didn't bring my grappling hook so to speak."
Rai grabbed the magician and put him over a shoulder before climbing into the pipe. He tried to hold the older man away from the metal sides as he emulated the castle plumber. Seconds later, a gloved hand was pulling them out of the system and into an office.
"I don't want to do that again," said Algernon, dusting himself off.
"Where's Danny?", Reo asked, moving to the door. There was no telling when security would get to where they were.
Rai pointed upwards.
"That's helping us," said Reo.
Danny slid into the room, rolling to his feet. He slapped the dust off as he went to the office information storage area on the desk sitting left of the center.
"Good job," said Danny. "This is exactly what we needed."
Danny went to the desk, and used his gauntlet to slice security to ribbons so he could look through it for the things he wanted. He couldn't confirm if the emperor knew about the Breach device or not from what he briefly scanned.
Danny Dolan leaned back in his chair, rubbing his face. He had recruited a group of people from the various systems to help him break into a highly guarded area. He had gained access to the information vault of the Majestic government.
He just couldn't find anything to tell him if the Emperor had the Breacher, or not.
That meant this part of the mission was a failure from his point of view. If the plans had been in the general system, he could locate and destroy most of the copies with an effort. Now he would have to gain access to the Emperor and interrogate him.
They might as well put their faces into a meat grinder. It would be simpler and hurt a lot less.
"We have to talk to the Emperor," said Danny, moving to the door. "This is a big mess."
"Where is this Emperor?," said Algernon, glancing at his temporary comrades. The fighter and the building expert didn't seem too worried about this turn of events. Perhaps he shouldn't be either.
Of course, they could just be as ignorant as he was, and unimpressed because they didn't know how bad this really was.
The magician had a feeling this was a disastrous turn of events before they had really started on their quest.
Danny dug out a map of the city. It turned into a projection floating in the air over the desk. He touched one area, and a building lit up. It was huger than any other castle Algernon had raided. Danny touched a far smaller building on the edge of the map. Various lines of travel connected the two, but all those lines converged on single landing pads on each of the giant building's faces.
"We're here," Danny said, pointing to the smaller building. "We want to go there."
Reo examined the projection, careful not to disturb it. His eyes lit up as he thought about possible solutions. The quick way through a building's defenses was something he excelled at in his home system.
"I would like to look at more of these," he said. "Especially anything not out in the open. Once I have a few lines thought out, we can go."
"Better hurry," said Danny. "We don't have much time before they figure out where we are."
Reo nodded as the floating picture changed to suit him.
4
Reo brushed the sweat from his forehead with the back of his arm as he paused at a junction in the ventilation system. Big buildings needed a lot of area to move air to the inhabitants. That made them the perfect pathways for sneaking around.
It also meant they were the perfect place to get trapped in and fried to a crisp.
Reo decided which direction and started walking. The others had their specialities. This was where he felt at home. He had spent a lot of time dealing with the things under the Fungus Kingdom's castle, and beyond.
Miles of monster infested sewers helped develop your ability to read a map, and your sense of direction.
Reo smiled to himself. He was the only one without special abilities outside of his home system. At least this one thing he had learned was universal. It would be nice to have something from his usual bag of tricks, like the silver hammer.
"Are we there yet?," whispered the mage.
"We have to go to the next corner, make a right, then we go down," said Reo, checking his mental bearings. "Then we have a long stretch on the outside."
The group followed his directions, finding themselves facing a long descent down a vertical shaft. Reo went first, dropping down the duct work. His work boots thumped against the sides of the vent as he bounced down to the bottom. He landed lightly, punching out the grill to exit in a room at the ground floor of the building.
The rest of the group descended at a slower pace, Danny and Rai helping Algernon to the best of their ability. The mage could fly on his own, but they wanted to conserve his energy until they needed it.
Lord Corpus was not going to be a pushover, and the Emperor would be worse.
They would need his ability to conjure fighting spirits to help even the odds. It would be something that no one in the Majestic had dealt with before. Danny was counting on that element of surprise to carry the day.
He was also keenly aware that one telekinetic choke could stop his mage in his tracks.
Reo waited for the rest of the group to join him before he led the way through the lobby he had decided would be the best way to cross over the five streets needed to get to the government palace. Then he and Danny would have to plan a route past the guards and normal lackeys so they could get at the Emperor's personal possessions.
At least they didn't attract a lot of attention with the variety of aliens mixing together. They looked like pieces of the crowd. A trooper glanced at them but allowed them to step through the sliding doors to the street.
Reo headed along the elevated sidewalk, glad that his system had prepared him for the sights and sounds he was experiencing. It was good to walk about sometimes.
5
"That's the palace," Danny said, indicating a building with a head gesture. "The Emperor lives on the top floor."
"There's a lot more security than that other place," said Algernon.
"It also has the same flaws," said Reo. "We just have to take our time to work our way up to the penthouse area. Piece of cake."
"Couldn't we just call Green and ask him to take us up there?," Algernon asked, whining slightly. This was all new to him, and he didn't like it one bit.
"Sure, if you want to get him shot down and be stranded here until I can arrange some other way to get back to Kay in orbit," said Danny.
"I'll pass on that," said Algernon. He had some experience with what happened when your vehicle wasn't around to pull you out of a bad situation.
"I think I can get us in a back way, so we can avoid fighting," said Reo. "Then it will be a simple thing to get to the top of the building. The problem will be if the owner is home."
"Let's do it," said Danny. "The faster, the better."
Reo led the way, looking for something small that the designers had missed. A building like this would have an extensive duct system to work with, multiple entrances, maybe a means to climb the outside without attracting too much attention.
The expert smiled when he saw the changing of the guard on the front of the building. He led the way over after the old shift had disappeared inside the building, seemingly lost and unaware of where he was. The guards came to attention, but didn't consider the much shorter man a threat.
Their gaze was focused more on Rai and Algernon. Those two looked more threatening than a man in a coverall and cap.
"I was wondering if you could give me directions," said Reo, gesturing broadly with his gloved hands. "I seemed to have lost my hotel."
"There is an information booth around the corner," said one of the door guards. "Try there."
"Thanks, pal," Reo said. "Would you mind having your picture taken with us?"
"Yes," said the guard. "Move it along. No loitering."
Reo nodded, moving away with his hands in his pockets. He led the small group around the corner. He openly looked the building over like any tourist, whistling to himself.
"I think I have a way in," he said after he was out of sight of the guards.
It took a small amount of effort, but Reo led the group through a small tunnel for waste. He ignored the complaining this engendered to find a way to higher ground, and then into an elevator shaft that led the way to the top of the building. Emergency ladders had been fitted into walls of the vertical corridor in case of emergencies.
"That's a long way up," said Danny.
"We can't ride the elevator like the regular passengers," said Reo. "That would lead to fighting and being exposed."
"I know," said Danny. "Lead on, MacDuff."
The assembled heroes climbed silently from then on, aware that if they were detected they would have a battle with the multitude of rain troopers that kept order for the Emperor. That would mean being stuck in an open shooting gallery while the soldiers had stable platforms to shoot them.
It would definitely ruin their mission.
They reached the top of the elevator shaft, pried open the door, found an office, and rested after their long climb. Of the four, Reo regularly used difficult routes to get across the Fungus Kingdoms, and Rai suffered more strain after a typical street fight in his home system.
"I hope saving the world is worth all this," said Algernon, working on his arms, stretching and massaging them with opposite hands.
"It will be," said Danny. "Unless we get killed trying."
"I really didn't need to hear that," said the summoning magician.
"We'll get through this," said Danny. "That's what we do."
"Nothing will happen to you, Algernon," said Rai. "Shall we go?"
"Let's get this over with," said the magician. "I never thought I would long for the treks through monster infested forests like I do now."
"We'll have to find the Emperor's entrance to his quarters," said Danny. "I don't think he would leave an unguarded opening for anyone coming up from the street. So that's where we will have our first real problems."
"We'll handle it," said Rai, going to the door.
The street fighter led the way down the halls, walking openly in his search for the private elevator that would take them to their goal. He found it after turning a corner near the center of the building. The guards, trained to respond instantly, weren't faster than Rai, who charged them behind a fist of fire. That was enough to send them into the wall. A flurry of punches and kicks did the rest, leaving dented armor and broken equipment.
Danny rushed to the elevator pad, knowing the doors would be locked from casual intruders. His gauntlet cut through the security in a second. The door slid open quietly.
"Let's go," said Danny, slipping inside.
The small elevator took the four adventurers to the greeting chamber affixed to the front of the Emperor's offices and living quarters. The guards there were faster than the ones in the hall, but not quicker than Rai's fist and Danny's zapper. They went down with hardly a sound made.
Danny rushed to the inner door. This next part would be harder than anything he had done in a while. The Emperor and his personal servant weren't pushovers.
Danny popped the lock on the apartment door with his gauntlet. He moved it out of the way with a hand, as he led the group into the greeting area reserved for the Emperor's guests. Guards tried to stop him but he was faster with his zapper.
Rai moved to the forefront of the group, face locked in concentration. One of the blue rain troopers got in his way for a brief second. That was how long it took the street fighter to take the soldier's rifle from him, and try to hit a home run with his head.
Reo bounded across the front rooms of the apartment, using the leaping ability taught to him in the Fungus Kingdoms. His eyes were peeled for any type of pad.
Algernon hung back, allowing the others to lead the way into danger. He had a small hand to hand ability, but his stock in trade was magic, and his type of magic was summonings. If he was lucky, he would not have to display his talents at all.
That was the way things should be as far as he was concerned.
A group of soldiers took cover behind buttresses and fired at the small group. The fighters scattered to present smaller targets. It was Reo who bounced along a wall to land on top of them with one leap. That knocked the fight out of them with a bone jarring stomp.
The heroes pushed into the Emperor's personal quarters, satisfied that resistance had been dealt with for the moment. They paused at the sight of Lord Corpus in his black armor, holding his weapon of preference in his hands. The Emperor sat behind him, more shadow than man.
"Again we meet, Danny Dolan," the Emperor whispered. "How many times must I defeat you before you leave the Majestic to my sovereignty? It's time that I do away with you, and establish myself as the Guardian of the Realm."
"I've come for the Breach technology you took from the Fox Cluster," said Danny, zapper pointed at the two villains. "Once I'm sure you don't have access to it, we'll leave you in peace."
"You don't think it will be that easy," said the Emperor, negligently waving his hand. "I have already added it to my arsenal. Soon every system will fear me."
"Don't make this a fight," said Danny. "There's no need."
"Lord Corpus," said the Emperor in his hushed tones. "Execute them please."
The master swordsman advanced, sword humming in front of him. Danny decided that he had nothing to lose by shooting the Emperor, and fired his zapper at the ruler of the Majestic Galaxy. The mastermind held up a hand and caught the bolts easily.
"You'll have to do better than that, Guardian," he chuckled.
"How about a POWER GEYSER?," asked Rai, making a chopping gesture with his hands. A line of blue force erupted through the floor, ripping it as it headed for both of the Majestic natives. They summoned their own abilities to block the whiplashing energy.
"Much better than that," said the Emperor, smiling with crooked teeth.
He had been almost laughing until Reo landed on top of him with one of those prodigious leaps that cracked the chair he was sitting in into pieces.
"I thought that was pretty good," said the expert plumber.
An invisible wave hurled him across the room. He slid on his face with an ouch, ouch, ouch.
"You will pay for that," said the Emperor.
Algernon frowned in concentration as he watched the battle seesawing in front of him. He had to admit that the heroes gathered by the Guardian were having a hard time with the robed ruler and his lackey. This is why he had been asked to join the expedition so he might as well take the best shot he could.
Algernon reached into his bag and pulled out a mana ball. He pictured the monster he wanted to summon, and dialed it across the systems. The red and black ball burned away as he sent the spell out.
If the enemy knew what he was doing, it would be easy for them to disrupt the spell.
One thrust of a glowing sword would stop any more spell casting forever.
A blue figure appeared, four arms wielding curved swords as it charged forward on tree trunk like legs. Fire danced in a strip along the top of its skull as a beam of light erupted from a third eye over the two regular placed ones in its ugly visage. Lord Corpus caught the brunt of the beam with his sword, trying to protect the Emperor. The deadly barrage lifted him up and slung him across the room as fast as any pitcher that took the mound.
"You won't live to celebrate that," said the Emperor, pointing at the magician. Lightning raced from his hand. Algernon crashed into a wall, and slumped against it.
Reo leaped across the room from a standing start. His feet crashed against the top of the Emperor's skull. The mystic flew into a door frame, and bounced back. He landed on the floor and rolled to avoid another stomp to his corrupted face.
Rai moved from one end of the room to the other, crossing without walking through that space. His outstretched arm struck the dark lord's shoulder. Lord Corpus sailed forward, smashing into a window, cracking it with his heavy armor. The street fighter backed up. His follow up sent the black knight through the glass with a crack.
The Emperor turned, lightning flaring from his hands. Rai saw it, slid under the flaring bolts with his catlike grace and speed. That only enraged the ruler even more.
It also left him open to a flying drop kick from Reo. King Kopper's nemesis sent the lord of darkness toward the open window where his protege had passed through to the open sky beyond. The Emperor turned to save himself from following Corpus. His hands snagged the edges of the frame, holding himself to the white floor.
Rai stepped in, chi fire running up his arm from the shoulder to his hand. He slammed it against the floor, slicing it as the inner power cut loose. There was nothing that the Galaxy's commander could do to stop the fire running at him, even smashing him to a pulp.
He jumped backwards through the opened lookout and disappeared from sight.
"Doors!," Danny shouted as he ran over to where Algernon had fallen after being hit by the Emperor's lightning. "We won't be able to stay here long."
He worked to bring the magician around. They weren't out of trouble yet.
6
Danny helped Algernon get to his feet, glad that the lightning had merely hurt the magician instead of killing him. It took a few moments for the summoner to focus, but when he was ready a blue sprite appeared at his call. Glowing light surrounded the adventurers, healing their cuts and bruises from the brief battle.
"That's better than a mushroom," said Reo, as he made sure that furniture was in front of the sliding door to form a barricade.
Danny did a quick scan of the ruined room. He saw a data pad flung against the far wall from the battle. He hurried over and seized it. His gauntlet hacked the security viruses without a problem. A search found the Breach file, and according to the data, it hadn't been copied to some other pad yet.
One button push deleted the information for good.
Danny hoped this was the end of it. They had stood off the Emperor and Lord Corpus with their outlandish tactics. He hoped that this thing was put to rest for good. He didn't think a second invasion would go over so well.
One problem solved, now to get out of Dodge before the Emperor came back to squash them like bugs.
"We did what we came to do," Danny said. "Let's get out while we can."
Reo went to the window. That was the quickest way out of the building, if there was something to use to get down to the ground below. He cautiously looked out, not wanting to expose himself to the Emperor's wrath.
He couldn't see either master of darkness. That was bad from the point of view they were still dangerous foes in play. On the other hand, at least they hadn't been killed by the heroes.
"There's a ledge we can use to get to a buttress we can use to get down five or six floors if we hurry," Reo said.
"Let's go," said Danny. "We don't have long before the troops get in here."
Reo went first, practically bouncing down to where the corner of the building formed a slide. He dropped down in a controlled fall, winding up on another ledge girdling the building. He waved up at the rest of the adventurers with a smile.
"I'm not doing that," said Algernon.
Rai didn't hesitate. He flung the magician over his shoulder and started down the building's side with both hands and feet grabbing holds for him as he moved. A half minute later, the fighter put his charge down, making sure he was stable on the buttress.
My turn, Danny thought.
Danny prepared to climb out on the window sill. Red bolts of energy slashed around him as rain soldiers answered the call to assist their emperor. He dove from the frame, hoping he had made the right choice.
Danny flew through space for brief moments before spreading his limbs and steering into the heavy glass windows. He bumped painfully against the thick barriers, but slid down their faces long enough for him to grab a ledge. He looked up at his accomplices. They seemed amazed as he felt that he was still alive.
The guardian could almost hear Algernon say I'm not doing that as he looked for a way down from his perch. He was glad that both Corpus and his master were not in evidence. That would make things twice as hard for his little group.
Blaster fire rained down from above. That sent the heroes scattering for cover. Danny used the zapper to blow out a hole to get into the building. That was better than being out in the open. He shouted and waved before jumping the small gap to the carpeted floor.
Danny swept the room with his eyes before going to the door. Sooner or later, troops would be coming down to this office and try to stop his escape. His group had to get back together and find a way out of this hornet's nest before the RS got organized.
Reo landed inside the shattered window with a smile and upraised hands. Suddenly those hands were full as Algernon dropped into them with a shout of terror. Then Rai appeared as quietly as a cat.
"Don't ever do that again," Algernon declared, trying to straighten his clothes, equipment, and hair while recovering from what could have been a heart attack inducing fright. "I'm not some sack of potatoes to be thrown around."
"If we don't get out of here, you'll be dead," said Reo. "Just take it easy, will you?"
"I don't like it," said Algernon.
7
Kay Nine laughed as he flew through town as fast as he could. He briefly wondered how much damage he had done during this payback mission. He hoped the message was clear.
Stay out of the Fox Cluster.
The Star Guardian's guns were on automatic, except for the ones he controlled in the cockpit. The secondary beams chewed up buildings and vehicles, causing collateral damage as he went, while he used his main guns on any military target that got into his way.
"I need one of these babies back home," he told himself.
The mercenary pilot grinned as he shot down two fighters trying to chase him down. He didn't have to do any evasive piloting for them as they fired the energy cannons under their craft. That almost distracted him from the sudden gauntlet of red lances trying to hack him to pieces.
Kay growled, his red fur standing up in anger. A flip of the switch and all guns fired where he wanted them to fire. He began to strafe the antiaircraft guns, flooding the area with counter fire as he and his borrowed craft became one. A series of explosions on the ground stopped the combat for a moment as the fox fought for control. He pulled up to gain altitude.
"You are really enjoying this much too much," said Collard Green over the radio. "Can you tone it down a bit?"
"Where the heck are you?," Kay asked. He had been focused on threats, not for casual aircraft that happened to be in the area.
"I running parallel to you," said the racer. "Bunch of guys headed your way. Need help?"
"I got it," said Kay. "I think we need to pick up our feet and get out of town."
"I am all over that," said Collard. "We need to give the others a head's up and pull out as fast as possible."
"Get going," said Kay. "I'll wax these guys and head over to pick you up."
"I'm glad you don't race," said Green.
"I could if the money was right," said Kay as the smaller aircraft veered away, heading out of the war zone.
Kay turned to confront his new targets before they could break formation and come at him from different directions. He let the computer pick targets for itself as he concentrated on punching through the center of mass. Once he was inside their wingspan, they would have to shoot themselves to stop him.
That didn't stop Kay from raking their wings and engines as he passed. Once holes were punched in them, they started crashing into buildings and falling toward the streets. Hopefully civilians had enough sense to get out of his flight path.
Kay had only one way to fly, and fight. Excessive force was part of that. He would inflict as much casualties and collateral damage that he could before he was recalled. That was the mission profile as part as he was concerned.
Too bad that jerk in the black armor wasn't around to try and stop him. A rematch would be the thing to clear the old rust off.
Kay broke free of his pursuers, using the buildings as cover as he fled. He had enjoyed himself too much. Now it was time to clear out with his passengers.
8
Danny Dolan led the way down the hall. His zapper pointed at anything that might suddenly become dangerous. The main part of the mission was over. This is where the successful hero fled the castle before it collapsed.
The troopers in Danny's way thought he should stay to face a firing squad. Their energy rifles stuttered their statements at the guardian as he hunted cover in a long hallway in the middle of the governmental palace.
Danny let them know how he felt with the buzzing from his zapper as he dropped behind a column of stone thick enough to stop any fire.
"What do we do now?," Algernon asked. "We're trapped like rats."
"We look for an exit," said Reo.
"I don't see one," said Algernon, frantically searching while red sausages of energy rippled around where he stood.
"Then we make one," said Rai.
Rai concentrated, drawing on his inner power. His hand took on a visible glow as he focused all of his power into that limb. He brought the fist up, then brought it down like the hammer of Thor. Blue energy ripped up the hall floor, smashing into a wall and kept going.
"You heard the man," said Danny, firing at the troopers trying to cut him off. "Let's get out of here."
Reo ran to the new door, hopping over light bolts. He slid through before he could be stopped. Algernon summoned a monster that only existed long enough to cause a tidal wave in the hall to flood the rain soldiers out. That allowed him to walk to the opening without worrying about a blast to the back. Rai took him by the elbow to hurry him along. Danny fell in at the end of the line, making some snap shots to keep the troopers back while he followed his comrades out of the trap.
The channel dug by Rai's powered curtain had penetrated two rooms, and an outside wall. Dark sky gleamed with city lights, then explosions. Streaks of fire denoted the swirling fire from the dancing fighters as they flew at each other.
"I thought Kay Nine would stay out of trouble," Danny said when he saw the reigning chaos.
"He's making Kopper look like a shrinking violet," said Reo.
"Don't rub it in," warned Danny.
"Where's Green?," asked Algernon, looking out on the scene of destruction. "I don't have anything that lets me fly."
"There he is," pointed Reo. "Looks like we're going home."
The small aircraft swept by. Several fighters came next, weapons firing as they tried to keep up with the racer.
"That didn't look good," said Algernon.
"We're running out of options," said Danny. "We have to link up with Collard as quick as we can and get out of here."
Blaster fire reminded the adventurers that their intrusion had drawn a lot of attention to them. The rain soldiers would get organized and drown them sooner or later.
"Isn't that Green coming back?," Algernon asked. "What's he doing?"
"It looks like he's going to crash into the building," Danny said, firing on the open gap into the next room to keep the soldiers back.
Danny spared a glance at the hurling air car, wondering if he had made a mistake asking Collard Green to help him. The white speeder was headed right for the office with Majestic fighters trailing behind it. Laser bolts missed the small aircraft as the racer made his vehicle dance in the smoky air.
Green turned at the last moment, his slipstream buffeting the adventurers as he pulled away from the building. His pursuers weren't so fortunate. They crashed into floors below where Danny and the others watched the scene being played out. The palace rocked from the high speed daggers ripping through it in balls of collapsing metal and flames.
"That was not good," Reo said, adjusting his cap as he looked at the billowing flames coming from below their battlefield.
"Define not good," said Algernon.
"He means we have to get out of here right now," said Danny. "Somebody think of something quick."
"Green is coming back," said Rai. "We might get out of this yet."
"We need a distraction to buy us some time," said Danny.
"I have just the thing," said the magician. "Nothing is going to keep me from getting out of here alive."
Algernon turned to the soldiers, selecting one of the monsters from his inventory. He spent the mana required to do the summons. A white circle appeared on the floor, the white concrete turning black in its confines. A thing with scales, wings, and a hundred eyes rose out of the floor. Red beams erupted from the golden eyes, cutting through the walls and ceiling. The aim was off, but Danny heard the soldiers running from the destruction brought by the summoner.
"Excellent," said Danny.
"Who wants some of this?," Algernon said, shaking his fist in the air. His aide vanished back to where it lived between summonings.
"You did good," said Danny. "Now's the time to go."
Collard Green floated the racer up to the shattered window, extended the steps from the side door. He smiled, gave a thumb's up.
Danny helped Algernon up the stairs first. He had the least chance for survival in the Majestic Galaxy than the rest of the adventurers. And his summoning would be the most sought after by both sides. A living weapon would be the way he spent the rest of his life.
The rest of the group piled into the white vehicle, Danny moving to the front to take the navigator seat. Collard was a better pilot than he, and it would have been foolish to try and take over from him.
"Let's get out of here," Danny said, as Collard pulled away from the building. "We've done enough damage for the time being."
"You can say that again," said Reo, staring at the burning building falling behind them.
Collard Green radioed ahead to let Kay Nine know they were coming. The extensive trail of destruction put him on the path after the mercenary from the Fox Cluster. Gouges were missing from the buildings they passed.
"I should have known something like this would happen," Danny Dolan groaned. "The Revolution is going to kill me."
"He's winning friends, and influencing people," said Green, trying to crack a joke as he scanned the skies. Kay Nine wasn't the only trigger happy pilot he was sharing air space with at the moment.
"You are not making me feel better about this," Danny said.
They spotted the Star Guardian ahead of them. A small cluster of fighters had decided to take the feral Nine on. He was showing them why he was feared in his home system by every pilot who knew him.
It was an acrobatic dance unless you were the one he was chasing through the steel canyons with all guns spewing packets of energy. Then it was a last ride into the sunset.
"We're going to have to link up quick," said Danny. "Tell him to loop around so we can do a quick run. He'll have to shake those fighters first before we can even try."
Collard sent over a set of coordinates as he charged into the fray. The smaller hover vehicle wasn't designed for a dogfight, but it was capable of scaring fighters clear of the air zone for a moment to regroup. That was all the two experts needed.
Collard lined up the bigger ship, as Kay held the Star Guardian straight with the bay open. The racer drove right into the slot, braking at the last moment. The doors shut behind the air car, as the hooks secured it in place.
"What do you think of that?," Collard said.
"I think we need to get out of here as fast as possible," said Danny, getting out of his chair.
"I second that motion," said Algernon.
The adventurers headed for where they thought they could do the most good as Kay headed for the atmosphere. The fox gave a wolfish grin to Collard and Danny as they slid into seats in the cockpit.
"You were supposed to hide and wait for us," Danny said. "I don't think a dogfight in the middle of the city qualifies for that, do you?"
"Shut it, I need to concentrate," said Kay. "We have to get through these planet busters."
"I just want you to know I am deducting the damage from your check," said Danny.
"You have got to be kidding me," Kay said, glaring at the guardian.
"Excuse me," said Collard. "Battle cruiser ahead. It's shooting at us."
"This isn't over, squirt," said the mercenary.
"I deduct for name calling too," said Danny.
"What?"
"Guns are shooting at us," said Collard. "Can we table this until we get back?"
"Fine," said the pilot.
"Fine," said the guardian.
The Star Guardian shot its way free of the defense net and pursuit, heading to where it could return to the Green Dome.
epilogue
Lord Corpus stood near a window. His mask concealed what he thought of the destruction visited on the city by the guardian and his allies. Revenge was not a priority.
The Emperor glided into the room, hands folded in the sleeves of his robe. He regarded his underling with a trace of scorn. The plan had gone awry, but had still worked.
What were a few lives in the service of his demands?
"Your thoughts, Lord Corpus," said the Emperor, sitting on his throne.
"We should have eliminated the Guardian," the dark master said, voice harsh behind his metal face. "He will still interfere with your dream of expansion as soon as he is aware that you have attacked the other systems in the Realm."
"It will be a quiet expansion," said the Emperor. "Allowing him to believe that he destroyed the only set of plans for the Breach machine was a masterstroke on your part. He will think that we will remain confined here with the Revolution dogging our government."
"He will not be fooled for long," said Corpus. "He will come looking for you."
"The next time won't be play acting on our part," said the Emperor. "He will be publically executed for his crimes against the state, and you will have that honor to demonstrate how we deal with external threats."
"He is not to be underestimated," warned Lord Corpus, still looking out the window.
"I've slain enemy after enemy," said the old man on the massive bloody red chair. "I don't think a boy will be much of a challenge."
Lord Corpus stared at his master, glad that his mask covered his face completely for once. Then he looked out on the cityscape once more. He knew that the Emperor's attitude wouldn't change despite the evidence of his own eyes.
The guardian had gathered allies and unleashed a firestorm in the heart of the empire for a blueprint. There was no telling what he would do to destroy an actual machine. He was the most dangerous obstacle in their way.