Chapter Eighteen

Testing the Limits

The smile from William and sarcastic laugh from Mrs. Knight chilled everyone but Sky to the bone. “So, you want to see what the giants among men can do? You want to know what we, the Titan killers are made of”? Rocssanna asked everyone while wrapping her arms playfully around her beloved from behind.

William asked of the group. “How about a little wager, the Knights against all of you. That’s after I have Sky take a look at all of the vids of the combats during your simulations. Not to worry it should only take a few moments to do and we’ll be ready.”

“But Daddy I want to be on Janes side. Couldn’t she fight on our side? After all, we are a team right, please daddy.” Sky begged her father trying to use her cutest pose.

“Sorry Sky from the look upon your mother and father’s faces we’ll need all the help we can get. Sorry angel, Jane is going to have to come with us.” Todd said before he walked to her and ruffled her head.

Fred had a glimpse of inspiration. Both Sky and Jane didn’t look so happy having to be on separate teams. So he spoke up for them with an obvious ulterior motive. “William, Rocssanna why break up their little team. You seem very competent in your skills as fighters; you don’t need your beasty bunny with do you”? He said giving Sky a big wink. Both Sky and Jane caught on to what he was up to. “So why not let us have her on our team so she can pair up with Jane? It only seems fair to both of them to get used to working with each other.” The Knights considered what he was saying but knew it was, so they now had an ace in their cards.

William glanced at Sky and he could tell her attention was divided. Most likely she was watching all the battle sim of the gauntlets in super speed. Her face lite up and a smile widened across her face.

Daddy, Captain Fred Sir. I think your both right. After reviewing the vids of your fighting in the practice room I sure Jane and I can do it. We will take you all on ourselves in the first fight. That way we can get the most practice in the short time we have.” Sky noticed the shocked look on Janes' face and turned to address her. “I hope I didn’t step out of line big sis, did I? Are you okay with it being just us? It’s okay if you want to fight with just Todd’s team Miss Jane, I’ll understand.” Sky asked Jane trying to hide any disappointment from her face.

“No Sky, I’m just surprised that you would want to take on so much with no actual battle experience. On top of that, you have you ever seen your parents in any fight before? I wouldn’t mind starting with everyone against your parents for at least the first round. Then if you want to try it by us when you feel a little more comfortable.” Jane noticed Sky seemed like her spirit was dropping. “You know what, I think your right we have no idea what we’re getting into out there. So why not go for broke and take em all on. What doesn’t kill you can only make you stronger right.” Sky’s face started to shine with her last words, and she nodded vigorously.

Sky hugged Jane with a huge smile. “Thanks for giving me the chance to prove we’re the best team.” She looked up into her eyes with pride. “I’ve seen all the vids of your group fighting, and Fred and Joe practicing you were third best almost second. I’ve learned a lot from Fred, Joe, and you. I actually learned a lot from everyone but you the most, my bestest hero.” She turned to the gathered group, with a smile and a laugh that rivalled her Mom’s. “I hope everyone is ready to go all out. I’m not holding back at all, and I don’t think Jane will either. So sorry for making you look bad; it’s just that we’re better than you.” She told her friends and family soon to be opponents.

Jane just smirked and hoped she toned it down a bit. Rocssanna laughed at her precious daughter’s boosting. “You are very flexible because I’ve never seen someone put both feet in their mouth so easily.” She said then giving her little daughter a quick hug.

Fred tried to be the bigger man in more than one way. “Alright enough smack talk, you guys. This is a military ship, not a playground for picking fights and pulling hair.” He had a hard time keeping a straight face while berating his crew. “Conny can you make you a new simulation with the new data we acquired from our scouting trip. Jane and Sky will be coming in after us when we have set ourselves in. We’ll also need additional combatants on our side to make up for the extra mages that will be in the facilities.” Fred smiled at the dumbstruck Jane. She heard about how tuff the gauntlet sim was. She also heard about how Fred and Joe were the original instructors for the elite soldiers. Jane turned her partner and saw no negative reaction from her at what Fred was planning.

Sky burst into action and started jumping up and down. “This is going to be so fun and cool. We’re aren’t going to have to worry about a lack of targets. Are you as excited as I’m Miss Jane?” She saw an astonished look on her face. ”You seem to be worried about something.” Sky pondered what could be worrying her. “Oh, I know what’s bothering you, I won’t um, tag everyone I’ll leave some for you, almost half at least...” she paused with a contemplative look. “If you want more than a third, you’ll have to go really fast. I mean really, really fast if you want to keep up with me.”

Everyone looked to Sky trying to comprehend her speed. Heather was exasperated and had to ask her. “How fast is your really, really fast”? She sounded kind of nervous at her possible answer. Todd and Courtney waited for the answer with no visible sign of excitement.

She had another wicked grin. “I’ll just say two words boom, boom.” It took a few seconds to for almost everyone to get what she meant.

“is it even possible to move that fast? I can’t even imagine how to see anything moving that fast when you're using your feet.” Courtney asked of Sky

“From what I know humans can’t think as fast as Titans and would likely get seriously banged up moving faster than you can react.” She gave a flourished bow and motioned to herself. “I, on the other hand, I am a Titan and an exceptional one at that. Now with magic, I can move with my clothes on and not without them.” Joe gave out a short burst of laughter before he could stop himself. Fred hid his urge to laugh with a chuckle and a cough. Sky smiled to let them know it was an intentional joke. The new crew didn’t get the joke because the incident happened before they came aboard. “In short I can run faster than anyone because I’m a special cute magical girl.”

Fred just shook his head. “If we’re going to do this, let’s get the show on the roadway. Then we can knock you off your high pony.” He walked towards his ship Little Tooth. He turned to Jane and Sky. You two wait here, and I’ll let you know when you can come aboard. As for the rest of us let get ready to do some a,, kicking.” He turned to William and Rocssanna and smiled as he ushered everyone off the ship. “I hope you don’t mind us ganging up on your daughter and friend”?

“I’m looking forward to seeing what our little angel is capable of. I think honestly, we’re going to get our legs kicked out from under us. But I’m going to give her a run for her coins and not turn over like a log.” Rocssanna said to Fred who was slack-jawed along with everyone else.

As they walked onto Little Tooth spoke openly out of normal ear range. “Aren’t you giving her a little too much credit? She’s never had any combat training or been in multiple engagements. So, what makes you think she’s not just thinking too lofty of her abilities”? Todd sounded indignant at the girl's parents for belittling their chances.

“She has never boasted about anything she was never confident in her performance. She doesn’t brag; she states facts, if she says she can do something well, she can do it perfectly”? Rocssanna told Todd while everyone listened.

“So, you're telling us she is downplaying what she is capable of. Which means she can easily take us out even by herself if she wanted to. Is that why you wanted her on your team at first? You wanted total overkill.” Joe asked Rocssanna.

“No, I had no idea she was that confident in her abilities. When she watched your battle simulation, she must have gained enough insight on how to fight and tweaked it with super speed. So, until she watched the vids and told us of her speed we’re just counting on her magic and martial arts. I think now she’s at least twice as fast as us so we could use that hyper speed incantation. I don’t think it will help us win but maybe last a few seconds longer.” William said with a sigh and Rocssanna fainted a sympathy hug.

“A few seconds, that’s a pretty dismal prediction. What gives you the idea that she can do it that quickly.” Todd asked William and Rocssanna.

Fred was the one to answer Todd. “You have spared with her in martial art right. Well, she held back no matter what she told you. She wasn’t using any spells for speed or strength, since being here, she has been using magic I think subconsciously to make herself more human-like. So, when she needs to be gentle, she’s gentle. Now that she’s able to control her body’s incredible strength. She is going to find out how she can press on to the surrounding without breaking anything with magic.”

He had a brief perception of her abilities. “I think her body has created a barrier over things, so they don’t break from her unyielding flesh. She still has the strength suppression spell on her but not for long. She is going to release everything she’s got for this mission she’s going to see what she can do going all out. She’s going to be all she can be to show herself and us that she can save us all.”

Rocssanna and William nodded to what Fred said. As they were about to enter the practice room they stopped. “Who should enter the room first? We are all restricted by who goes in first. So, she can’t be that much stronger than us, right”? Heather asked Fred.

“I don’t think it matters who goes in first. It works in fractions of strength. Since she is the strongest by so much more than she’ll always be the strongest by a long shot, it’s just the way it is; she is going to wipe us out.” Fred pointed to Heather then Courtney. “I guess we should try letting you or you try going in first. I don’t think it matters who goes in first. But we should try restricting her strength a little bit. Not that it matters, but anything will be better than nothing.” Fred smiled with an idea. “Once we’re inside we cast our hyper speed spell and get used to the surrounding. William, I’ll cast a spell on you, and then you can cast a spell on Rocssanna. That way you’ll both know the spell and can cast it and dispel it at any time.” As he was talking to everyone about his plan as Courtney walked through the doorway first.

“Captain Fred, Sky is the special one you’ll have to show us at least three times before we can pick up most spells.”

Once they enter the room, they could see the gauntlet was set, and they got used to the layout and the location of fifty or more extra mages. Two androids sauntered up, and it’s easy to tell them apart, one with silvery blonde hair the other glossy black. A third Sky soon joined Conny and Swan, a completely virtual older looking Sky. Her features are slightly different more notable is the shining white hair, the facial features resembled someone else they know, and her breast appears to be bigger too.

Right away they knew what the new woman was just not her name. She introduced herself as Dracaena. I’m going to be the new virtual interface of Shining Fang please to meet you all.” She gave them cutesy with a mischievous smile. “I hope to be of use to you during the in the next couple of battle simulations and upcoming mission. I believe these are going to be short but very intense, so do your best before you suffer defeat.”

They all welcomed Drakanna to the team. Joe thought she looked beautiful as he approached her. He didn’t even realize when he put on his seductive charm and tried to ask why she thought they would lose so quickly. She had a wonderful smile; her lips were slightly fuller than Conny’s and Swans.

“It’s simple really, while we can all move very quickly and some very talented in combat. Four of us have years of actual field experience. None of us can process what we see even close to as fast as Sky can. Her comprehension and cognitions are what set her apart from all of us. Even my sisters and I are the most advanced A. I’s.” She made a playful gesture to Conny Swan and herself. We are like toasters compared to her. Thus, when she moves, she does not need to come up with a plan because she has one when she needs it.

Drakanna approaches Joe using a similar seductive style. “She’s seen all of your best moves, all of your cunning tactics, and seen you in action.”. She reached up traces Joe's jawline and pushes it shut. She flirted her long lashes at him bashfully teasing him with a smile before proceeding. “From that, she knows and can predict your every move before you make them. The likes of you won't play her, Joe sir, not now, not ever.

He visibly deflated as she walked backwards her sensual hips swaying and joined her sisters. “That goes for all of you too. She’s watched every practice, every battle simulation, and every possible live combat engagement. Most of you can plan ten scenarios, some of us hundreds, three of us thousands; she can come up with thousands, by the way, your eye twitches.”

Everyone considered the ramifications of the nine-year-olds potential in the future. The look they gave each other was stupefied. The three men who like to think they’re close to the top dog were going to be beaten by a stick carrying little girl

“So, don’t feel bad about losing to her because she only has one weakness and that is her love for all of you. You are all far from weak to the rest of the universe, and the only thing that will slow her down is you second guessing yourselves after these simulations. Remember who and what she is and do your best.”

Fred didn’t like the new A.I’s first impression and grumbled to himself internally “Thanks for the pep talk Drakanna.” He said in a berating tone more for his benefit. You can’t intimidate a computer no matter how big and scary you are. “Right now, we need a plan of attack and defence. I’m sure there is something we can do to prolong our battle with the princess of speed. Any ideas”? Fred said looking to his teammates

William put a hand on Fred's shoulder. “That is Queen of speed my court jester. She is the fastest and you, being the slowest even by a minuscule amount. I think if we hang in the back and cast a double hyper speed spell on ourselves, we can stand with cover and let our bodies react to her movements. With the heightened speed, we might be able to get a few shots off before we’re taken out. Just don’t try to run anywhere; you won’t be able to stop before hitting something or someone.” He told everyone, and Rocssanna sauntered up beside him.

“We’ll do our best to cover you from her attack. But you should fire at Jane whenever possible she’s her weakest part of her team. Sky’s going to protect her as much as possible and won’t be too far away from her. Don’t forget she’s still human and can only think like one.” Rocssanna said with confidence.

Todd shook his head along with his team. “She is human but is a genius in her way. She is one of the rare, very rare people with a super high I.Q. If she had been born to a different family, she could have been someone in power by now. As she is, it’s hard for her to take orders or give them. She has a slight personality disorder. She has to like you a little to even talk to her. To work with her, you have to earn her respect and show you have a strong sense of character and morals. She doesn’t like people who are condescending to others. She has been reprimanded for disobeying orders many times. The only thing that kept her from being dishonourable discharge was then the fact she was so strong and a valuable soldier. The fact she never fought anyone without does cause. She was allocated to my crew, because she was just like us, military misfits.”

“So, what your saying is that she’s the weak link next to Sky but next to us.” Fred paused

“She would be in the top three if the Knights are the top two. She can make Todd look like a novice when she goes all out. So, your plan on using her to slow down Sky won’t likely work. She was able to double cast the high speed and not crash into anything. The double casting makes it faster than the hyper-speed spell. She is going to be a hard target if you can consider her one.” Courtney told Fred, Joe, and Todd who looked like they told they’re playing second fiddle.

“Well, we’ll have to give the girls a run for her words. Either way, Jane is the weakest link of the pair. So, we go after her and William, and Rocssanna will go after Sky. Hopefully, we can get a few hits in before we get hit ourselves.” Fred told everyone, trying to sound like the competent Captain he was.

“I don’t think we’ll get a few hits in on Jane let alone Sky. But with the virtual mages with computer controllers may be able slow them down so we’ll last a little longer. We might be able to fire at them to hold them off for at least six or seven seconds.” Heather said with a little more hope, not to win but to survive a little longer.

After they all found a good defensible spot each, they set the androids to their spots and the virtual mages. They place extra shields on each and let them use the new weapon spells. William and Rocssanna were ready for action holding their new enhanced assault rifles. There was a wash of spent magic coming from them as they cast the hyper-speed and other personal buff spells on themselves. The magic washed away from them two more times with the same speed spell and the tweaked shield spell.

“Are you going to be able to handle casting that spell twice”? Fred asked William. He was watching the couple, and Fred blinked twice when they both appeared before him while he was watching. “I guess that a yes, and you think that we still don’t have a chance to last even a minute”? He asked in surprise before they faded from sight only to reappear at their previous place.

“With this spell, we might be able to hit her if we’re lucky. She may fight with her hands and hold her off for two seconds longer. That if Jane isn’t able to keep up. I fear there is a reason she took to Jane so quickly. She might see something in Jane that none of us see. I hope those spells she cast on her earlier wasn’t to make her more like a Titan.” Rocssanna said with a smile.

Todd smiled then. “She was not able to give her any physical strength but was able to give her special healing spells and shields. She’ll be able to cast the hyper spell and but will most likely double up on the high-speed spell.” Todd didn’t look as hopeful after realizing what he said. “I guess it doesn’t help us much because she has chaos magic making her stronger and giving her armoured skin.”

Fred’s voice was loud as he broke into all the small talk. “I think we kept our foe’s waiting long enough and we’re not going to be any more prepared than we are. So, let’s take our places and get ready to fire as fast as possible.” Once Fred finished talking, spent magic washed over the room that was unheard of by a group of mages their size once they had cast the spells to be ready for the upcoming battle. “Is everyone set don’t forget place extra shields over yourselves and any virtual mages near you. On ten I’m calling in Sky and Jane. They’ll be told after two seconds crossing the doorway the battle will begin.” Everyone answered they were ready. Fred took a deep calming breath and called for Conny to let in the foes.

Sky took a deep breath to calm her excitement. Jane placed a hand on her shoulder. “Don’t get too excited you’ll waste energy.” That’s when the wash of the spent magic came out of Little Tooth. Jane went pale at the feeling of that much magic. Sky just started jumping again and higher.

“This is going to be fun and a learning experience for them and us.” She said holding Jane’s arm as she bounced.

“Didn’t you feel the spent magic coming from the ship? That was a lot of magic coming from such a small group of mages. Aren’t you even a little nervous at the amount they just used just preparing for us? I wonder what they’re going to attack us with”? Jane said looking down to the bouncing Sky.

“They did use a little bit of magic for shields and speed. But so, did I and your shields are not going to be punctured easily by anyone but mommy and daddy. So, I’ll take them out first. They're going to be super fast and the rifles their holding are not toys anymore.” She stopped jumping and gave her a serious look. “You need to keep moving very quickly and deflexed all shots that come for you. I’m sure they are going to target you the most because they think you’re the weaker fighter. Do you think you can handle a double hyper speed spell cast on you? If you can, I can cast them on you, inverted of course.”

Jane shook her head and said “No, maybe I can handle a hyper with a super. But those spells are not compatible with each other. I can handle double super speed spells that add up to just over a hyper speed spell.”

Sky looked to her with a grin, just as she was about to answer her to call came out for them to enter the battle sim, and the simple rules. Two seconds after passing through the doorway the fight begins and won’t end till all are lethally tagged or bound.

Sky paused when she heard the announcement and pulled Jane along towards the ship. “I was about to say, for most the spells might not work together. It’s just a matter of how they linked the cast together. The problem is we have to cast the spells once we go through the doorway.”

Jane opened her side pocket and reached deep inside a pocket space and pulled out an assault rifle a similar Sky’s parents have. She also tapped her tablet and looked to Sky.

“I don’t think your tablet can handle the inverted spell. Even with the upgrades, I gave your little wrist computer. But I could give you the non-inverted one.” She said and touched her tablet as they walked up to the ramp of Little Tooth. “Do you want me to enchant your rifle before we enter the practice room. It shouldn’t take long, and the time only starts after we enter the room not before.”

Jane had a grim as she handed over her rifle. Sky quickly scratched in the runes with practiced ease and powered the runes. Jane still found it amazing that Sky gave off no spent magic with obvious powerful magic. By the time she finished, they had waited at the doorway to the practice room. “Are you ready? Remember to keep moving and firing whichever gets you the best results.” Jane nodded, and they entered the sim.

The problem was you can’t hold a spell when you enter through the spelled doorway. So once through the doorway, Jane lit up with spell castings, and the new spells encased her. Sky just stood in the room looking around noting everyone and their positions. Only the virtual mages and androids moved around slightly. It seemed like forever for the two seconds to end. Jane just finished her speed spell when the fight was about to start. She just had time even with her super speed to shoulder her rifle. She started firing at the incoming mages and androids. She spares a glance to where Sky stood unmoving and faded from sight. The sound from the other half of the room was deafening. Shields crushed, bodies tumbling, and the backlashed magic exploded outwards from the magic failing.

Jane had no idea where she was and had no time to think about it. She had no time to think about much other than moving and firing constantly. She moved around cover and but never stopped once. She moved in her dance of death and could see the rhythm of the battle. She moved with grace to sounds of battle and avoided incoming shots from hitting her directly. Jane managed to take out a few mages and Heather before for everything flashed. Sky appeared beside her and waved away the rest of the incoming rounds as if brushing away flies. When Janes vision cleared all of the crew were unmoving, bound by magic. There was nothing in the room left. The Knights had magic bindings, and Sky smiled and waved her little tongue poking out just visible at them.

Sky wiggled a finger at them. “They tried a few nasty tricks on me. I almost got hit by mommy and daddy. It was a good plan, but they were too slow to make it work. The shields were pretty tuff too. I had to put some extra strength to power through them.”

Jane stopped her recant of what she did to point out that everyone was still bound. You should release them before they get too upset with us leaving them bound.” Jane said approaching Heather who was bound and not moving. “What did you do to them, they’re not even breathing. I see no sign of life coming from them,” Jane said with worry in her voice.

“They’re perfectly fine; It’s the new spell that binds them and puts them in suspending the animation. They are unaware of time or anything else.” I thought I could try it out before we use it in battle.”

“Well, you should free them before they notice the time difference when you finally do,” Jane said touching the shield surrounding Heather.

Before she could free Heather and everyone else, Dracanna made a report. “Rogue mages are coming in this direction. I don’t think they can sense us. They must have picked up on the magic that was released from the broken shields. The power surges leaked even with your amazing shields around this ship and Shining Fang. It might have been like a bleep on their scanning screens. Knowing we should have been spotted by now be bet they’re investigating any signs of power fluctuations.” Dracanna looked at everyone in their bindings. “You should free everyone so we can start our mission. We can start freeing some magic users right away. Three of the five ships have captives in them so you can’t just blow them up if you want to save them.”

Sky body faded slightly then become solid again. Jane heard everyone moving around. Fred flashed and crashed into Sky who stopped him casually with her outstretched arm. She dispelled his hyperspeed spell, and she was gone again. Everyone after was at regular speed, even Jane. Before Fred could voice anything more than sorry to Sky, Dracanna informed them of the incoming ships.

Fred spoke loud and clear. “We all know what we are to do, what we’re here for and what’s at stake. We’ve done our best to be ready for this mission, and we will prevail. The mission might be the commencement, but every ending starts with a beginning. Let’s free some people and show them what we’re made of, and they picked the wrong people to infuriate. To your ships.”

Sky Spoke up right after with a few tears in her eyes. “I love you all be safe and strong; let’s all have cake and tea together afterwards.” William scooped her up in his arms and gave her a hug and kiss to her forehead and passed her to her mother.

“Be safe my little angel and take care of your big sister.” She then passed Sky to Jane who took her in her arm also. She gave her a quick peck on the forehead then placed her down.

“After all of this, you can be a little girl again and go to school like all the other nine-year-olds and learn about magic and the five elements,” Jane told Sky as they entered the cargo bay and walked over to the scout ship. They watched William pull his house out of the pocket space sack and go in and pull the Titan pleasure cruiser to the now impossible wide opening. It looked like the ship was shrunk down to fit into the sack. He did reassure Fred it was going to be full size once it had space for it.

Before leaving Todd, Courtney, and Heather had sombre attitudes pat the little girl on the back while running to the bridge. Soon Shining Fang pointed towards the incoming rogue ships. Fred and Joe gave their secret hero a duffle on the head for luck before getting ready to take Little Tooth out the cargo bay ramp shortly after the scout ship exited Little Tooth’s cargo ramp.

The view for Jane and Sky from the scout ship was different than Little Tooth and definitely the Shining Fang. “Sky could you finish pulling out our ship from the sack? We paid a lot for that sack and we would hate to lose it.” Willian called to Sky using the special communication link.

Sky reached out with her telekinetic hands and took hold of the ship they could see poking out the sack It slowly came out of the sack and ship. The rogue ships turned towards their direction as if something gave them away.

Jane watched the ships, and there was no sign of aggression. Sky released her parent's ship that already looked to be twice the size of Shining Fang and Little Tooth. The ship moved under its own power. Once it was far enough away, the ship started to grow slowly at first then faster as it moved further away. Before it even made it to full size. The rogue ship turned violently towards the growing ship. The shield spell must not have grown fast enough to keep the ship hidden. Todd on Shining Fang moved to intercept the rogue ships. No one saw Shining Fang move in front of the rogue ships because there was no way of seeing them. They only knew because Todd had informed of his actions. Fred and Joe also went to take a protective position until the Knights got orientated.