Fall of Icarus

Switching off the radio, he turned toward Pelasi. “Get us in range as fast as you can.”

Even with the inhibitors, Yen could feel the strain as the Cair Thewlis accelerated quickly, trying to put a distance between the Terran defensive fleet and themselves. Even accelerating, Yen could see a number of red dots breaking away in quick pursuit. Suddenly, the Cair Thewlis jerked as it was struck repeatedly by weapons fire.

Yen growled in anger. “What’s our status?”

Pelasi checked the gauges. “No serious damage, sir. I don’t think they were Terran fighters. It looks like they’re firing older weapons that are having trouble puncturing our hull.”

“I don’t care what they’re firing,” Yen snarled. “Give them enough time and they’ll find a way to blow us up.” Angrily, he turned back on the radio. “Alpha Leader, where the hell is my cover fire?”

“I’m on my way, sir,” Iana called back, the frustration evident in her voice. On the radar, a blue dot broke away from the pack and hurtled toward the pursuing Terran ships. Though the Cair Thewlis continued to shake from weapons fire, Yen saw the missile launched from Iana’s ship. Immediately, two of the red dots disappeared from radar. The gunfire eased as the Cair Thewlis closed the rest of the distance toward the satellite.

“Are we within range?” Yen asked to Pelasi.

The Uligart pilot checked his console before nodding.

“Then blow that bastard out of the sky.”

Two plasma missiles leapt from the rocket tubes underneath each of the ship’s wings. Streaking forward, thick smoke trailed behind them as the two missiles locked onto their target. The Cair Thewlis turned aside before the rockets found their mark, exploding violently in a spray of blue and purple plasma. The explosion tore through the outer plating on the satellite, showering the delicate inner wiring and computer processors with superheated flames. As though erupting from within, the satellite rocked from a series of explosions as the plates buckled and the nodule tore itself apart.

“Alpha Leader,” Yen called over the radio. “Our mission is complete and we are heading for the surface. Think you can make a hole for us?”

“I think we might be able to manage that,” Iana called back.

Three of the four Duun fighters dropped into a wedge formation in front of the Cair Thewlis, which turned and began diving for the planet. The Terran defenders bunched their ships in front of the four Alliance attackers, firing their meager weapons in hope of deflecting the diving ships. The outdated weapons of the Empire’s modified transports had little effect on the Alliance fighters, which shattered through the defensive wall in a violent explosion of plasma and machine gun fire. The broken Terran ships fell away, opening a gap through which the Cair Thewlis passed on its way to Earth.

“We’ll mop up the rest of these,” Iana called, “and then join you on the surface. Be careful until then.”

Yen didn’t bother to respond. Instead, he turned toward Pelasi. “Take us into the atmosphere.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Though the streets of the mining town on Pteraxis were empty, Keryn could feel the prying eyes of people watching her from the shuttered windows and store fronts as she and Adam entered the town. It was unnerving to feel so exposed. On the periphery of her senses, she could almost make out the inane gossip of their presence in town being spread from building to building. Their chatter was like that of mice, burrowing through a wall; scratching just beyond the realm of hearing.

“Where is everyone?” she muttered, as much to herself as to the Pilgrim who walked at her side.

Adam ran a sleeve across his brow, wiping away the dripping sweat. Even in the dry air, the warm breeze leeched the moisture out of his skin. Keryn suffered much the same, a sheen of sweat glistening across her tan skin and matting her silver hair, though she suffered in silence.

“If they were smart,” Adam replied, “they’d be hiding inside, out of this heat. I’ve been outside for less than half an hour and I’m already sweating like a fat kid.”

Keryn smiled, despite the situation. “Maybe we should follow their example. Do you see any buildings that look open for business?”

Adam shook his head. Since they’d entered the town, they’d passed a number of signs advertising general stores and different forms of entertainment, yet no signs hung claiming that the stores were open. The doors on the fronts of the stores were closed tightly, as were the shutters. Though Keryn preferred to believe that they were closed due to the heat, that the residents of the town took a form of rest during the warmest parts of the day, she couldn’t shake the feeling that they were just as much closed because of their presence. They had passed so many guards near the ships who stood openly in the heat to believe that everyone on Pteraxis took a break as soon as the sun began to set and crested over the protective shading of the plateau.

Involuntarily, Keryn’s hand drifted under her coat to the pistol concealed beneath. Her nerves were on edge, both from the long flight and now from the suspicious reception on the planet. Like entering a den of predators, she felt like a prey set on the wrong path by the High Council.

“I want to get off the street,” she said, her voice pleading as much as it was ordering. Luckily, Adam seemed eager to agree.

“There’s got to be something open around here.” He pointed to the nearest storefront. A faded wooden sign hung above the door, shaded by the awning that overlooked the street from the second floor. Though worn from wind and sand, the hand painted sign still clearly read Yuchurio’s Imports. Watching the street as they walked, both turned sharply and headed toward the store.

Stepping onto the porch, Keryn kicked her boots against the wooden support beams, knocking off some of the clinging dust in a thick cloud. She could taste the dust from the back of her throat entering her nostrils, as though she were trying to breathe through a thin film of mud. Though she wanted to choke and spit the taste from the back of her throat, she refrained.

Adam raised his large hand and pounded loudly on the door. “Hello?” he called as he knocked again. “Is there anyone home?”

To their surprise, the door creaked open. The glint of metal chain told Keryn that the door wouldn’t open much wider, it being held closed by a chain lock. From within the gloom, silhouetted by a much dimmer light pouring out of the building as compared to the bright red sun, a wind-worn face peered out.

“What can I do for you strangers?” a low voice asked the pair.

“We were wondering if you were open for business,” Keryn said, her response not entirely a lie.

“No, I’m not,” the Uligart store owner replied, his head moving back and forth as he took in the sight of the unusual pair. “We’re closed down early today for… extenuating circumstances. Nor are you likely to find another store open around here.”

Keryn frowned, the Uligart’s words confirming her suspicions. The townsfolk, whether they knew Cardax or not, knew trouble was inevitable when they spotted Keryn and her team. As was often the case, the town went into hiding, hoping just to survive the pending storm.

“Listen,” Adam interjected. “We’re not here to cause trouble. All we want is to get out of this sun and ask you a few questions.”

“You just want to ask a few questions?” the store owner asked suspiciously. “I’ve heard those words spoken before, every time a lawman comes to Pteraxis. Neither of you look much like the law, but you hardly look like merchants either.”

“We’re not the law, I promise,” Keryn said. “Please, we just want to come inside for a second. We have money to make it worth your while.”

The Uligart paused before nodding. “Show me.”

Adam fumbled under his coat for the bills that they had been given before departing. The store owner hissed slightly as the red sun glinted off the metal barrel of Adam’s rifle, which was exposed as he moved aside his long jacket.

“We’re not here to cause you trouble,” Adam reiterated, holding up a wad of money for the Uligart to see.