Orillion Space, Tralis

When Klora Ascip reached the lift, two heavily armed guards stepped out. ‘Are you here to meet me?’ She asked, surprised.

‘No, sir,’ they said, ‘the chief has sent us to secure the bridge door.’

Good, she thought, Nedrius won’t let this ship collapse to some saboteur’s attack.

One of the men was staring a little too much. He must be new, she thought. He seemed uneasy.

The two spies had communicated with a glance as soon as the lift had opened, ‘can we take her out?’ ‘Better not risk it.’ Discharging their weapons in the corridor would trigger an alarm and the bridge would be alerted.

Perhaps he’s never seen an Avalian before? Thought Klora.

She grew self-conscious of her stunted wings, they poked through slits in the back of her vest. Her species wasn’t capable of flight, but their wings did increase their speed and agility.

Grow up, she chided herself, you’re the damn officer here, think like one.

The bridge officers carried side-arms, the door had seals and automated defences. It was the most secure room on board the Damas.

Two extra guards in full battle gear were, probably, not strictly called for in this situation. It made sense to take one of them with her. Especially as Klora was heading to the bowels of the ship with a saboteur at large.

'Is there a problem?’ She asked the guard eyeing her.

He was startled to be called out. ‘No, sir.’

‘Good, then you’re coming with me.’

‘We... I—’ The spy was frustrated. He had just eliminated the weapons bay; the plan now, was to neutralise the bridge and capture the ship.

‘You say ‘yes sir’.’ First officer Klora said. She might be one of the youngest to reach that rank, but it was to be respected.

Strange, any regular crew member would jump at the chance to impress an officer, she thought. It didn’t bother her though, the poor guy probably just wanted to carry out Nedrius’ orders.

‘Yes, sir’ the spy said. They couldn't make a scene here and compromise their mission.

With a guard by her side she felt more confident moving forward. Avalians liked to fight up close, having some ranged support would help.

Her nerves were buzzing, she wasn’t sure how much of it was due to fear or excitement. She’d finally get to fight with Nedrius!

Together, they’d either ambush whoever it was at the power core, or they’d follow the captain’s directions and hunt the traitor down.

She trusted her fellow bridge officers, they’d figure out who was behind this soon enough.

Klora collected her thoughts and entered the lift. She flashed her bracelet at the scanner, she was going to level 3. It wouldn’t take long.

The spy entered with Klora. He would have to trust his partner to seize the bridge, she had the ability. If he could take out Klora in the lift, then he’d rush there to back her up.

He imagined slitting the Orillion officer’s throat when they were alone. His laser knife would cauterize the wound and her feathered body would tumble lightly to the ground. He’d act quickly before they reached level 3.

***

Skirmisher Vos came to a decision.

‘All Nestors follow me.’

He wasn’t going to let his commander hold back the waves of Junkars with only half his fighters to command.

‘Come Again, you’re on your own.’

‘Vos,’ came the voice of the female captain, ‘The Orillion Fleet can’t abandon citizens in space. You must stick with us until we are safely through the Gate. That’s why the Damas is here isn’t it? Are you going to abandon your mission?’

He sighed. The arrogance of this lady. She didn’t care about the Damas, only her own safety. It was obvious to a blind fool that things were going wrong. The guns had been silent far too long.

‘It’s Skirmisher Vos to you, captain Fiargo,’ he hissed, ‘And my duty is to the Damas, what will happen to you if she’s taken out?’

‘If we—’

‘If we survive this then feel free to submit a complaint to the Fleet. Over and out.’

He clicked off.

The Nestors had flooded their engines with power and were screaming towards the right flank of the debris strewn battlespace.

His squad trusted in him completely, none of them wanted to leave the Damas or their fellow Nestors without support.

On their starboard they past the distant Damas, quietly standing her ground.

She looks vulnerable like this, thought Vos. The Damas was a small sized frigate.

Like the rest of her class, she was built to fulfil tasks that were beneath larger vessels and too much for lighter ones.

With a crew of 700 and only 3 main decks, the Damas was dwarfed by the giant Tanker-class ship Vos had left behind.

He looked ahead to the battlespace.

Distant flashes of laser fire between Nestors and Junkars lit up the mess of broken metal in greens and blues. The Nestors were ambushing the slower fighters in pairs and darting between cover. But there were only 25 of them, not enough.

The Suurian’s eyes calmly took in the scene.

He gripped his controls, it was time to show what sort of professional he was.

***

Klora kicked off her mesh boots before the lift even closed.

See wasn't setting a poor example for the guard. During combat, uniform regulations were relaxed to allow Orillion soldiers to fight at the full potential of their species.

Her taloned feet clacked against the metallic lift floor. Unsheathing them made her feel like the predator her species had been.

Razor sharp and diamond strong.

They had only drawn blood once, in her coming-of-age battle. She had spared a life that day and still lived with the guilt. Soon I might have to kill with them, she thought, but the guard beside me is probably just as anxious.

‘Don’t worry,’ she addressed the guard, ‘no one will last long if they’re foolish enough to get close to us.’

Why had that made him more nervous? She wondered.

The captain had pointed out she lacked the leadership skills of a more experienced officer, so she liked to take every opportunity to practice bonding with the common crew. However, her brash nature often stood in the way.

It seemed she still had a long way to go.

The spy immediately ceased any move to draw his knife. He swallowed and eyed the Avalian’s talons with worry.

Klora tried again, ‘You just need to watch my back, soldier.’ She rolled her talons across the floor, ‘These girls will rip apart anyone before they reach you. Once we get to Nedrius we can both relax.’

First officer Klora finished, feeling satisfied. Other officers seemed to succeed with this sort of banter, she thought.

The spy felt a cold sweat burst out along his back. He took a step back, ‘Ye-.. yes, sir.’ This wasn’t the plan, he thought, but if we’re going to meet Nedrius…

They travelled quickly and silently through level 3’s corridors under emergency-yellow lighting.

Klora looked about her suspiciously, the crew were confined to battle stations. Any wanderer was likely to be the saboteur.

But she encountered nobody, and each step forward built up the tension she felt.

When Klora approached the core room and still had seen no sight of Nedrius, or the security team, she began to worry.

We were meant to rendezvous before we entered the core room, she thought. ‘Damn…’ she muttered, her claws echoed off the floor as she slowed and approached with uncertainty.

Klora activated her comm.

It didn’t work.

4 security guards rounded the corner.

As Klora sighed in relief they raised their blasters and opened fire.