Tag: Pegasus

Pegasus (Part 128)

For too long, I stewed in that bed, longing to touch Tabitha, or at least hear from some of the gang. I wondered where they were and what they were facing. I wasn’t in pain or discomfort; I was just restless for something, anything, to happen.

By now, I had spent hours looking at each imperfection on the ceiling in a trance-like state, wondering if they could be a clue to aid an escape. I could not raise my arms, only move my head slightly. It was like the messages from my brain were unable to reach the rest of my body. I feared it might be permanent.

Every so often, I would hear the electric door and the patter of feet. I would roar out “Help!” but to no avail.

In the service of the Emperor, no doubt.

I wondered about my time since meeting Tabitha. What mistakes had I made?

No, I had made none. She was the love of my life. All I had been doing was dying slowly. No matter what, at least I had given life a try. It might not be about to end well, but at least I tried. And I will always have the time I spent with her.

Pegasus (Part 127)

A familiar male voice came from the other side of the room. “Impressive view, I know. Imagine that all of humanity once lived on that now inhospitable rock. I remember it well. You could breathe the fresh air, look at the sky, and fear nothing worse than getting wet.

Not like now. There were warnings about how bad things could get, but they were ignored.”

I was now sweating profusely. It was the voice of the Emperor. He had heard it hundreds of times on his home habitat, usually speaking in Irish.

“What do you want?” For I could think of nothing better to say.

The voice grew louder and angrier. “What do I want? You’d swear I was the one in the wrong. Don’t think that I don’t know about your plan, and what you signed up for. I’ve been following your actions since you first met Tabitha. There are cameras everywhere in the habitats. It astounds me that the rebels ever thought they had a chance. I found your little adventure quite amusing. However, all good things come to an end, and I’m afraid your little adventure is no exception. But now we must decide what happens next.”

My heart sank. “Please leave Tabitha and the others out of it. It was all my idea.”

The Emperor laughed. There was a sound of an automatic door closing, and I was alone again.

Pegasus (Part 126)

“We need to run Tabitha, they are trailing us.”

Fear is written all across her face. We start to jog, but they match our pace.

I received a voice message from Leanne: It’s a trap. Get out of here. Then I hear the sound of a thud before it ends.

“Run,” I shout out.

They start to run too.

We run out from under the pyramid, but immediately stop. There are more armed men in front of us. We are surrounded.

Everything was for nothing. I suddenly feel cold before a flash of pain from the back of my head.

I thought that was my end – my only concern, the fate of Tabitha. But it wasn’t.

My next conscious thought was the feeling of being unable to move. Instinctively, I tried to raise my arm, but it was to know avail. I shook my head and opened my eyes. I was strapped down on a bed, a gag stuck in my mouth.

I moved my head to the right, where I was confronted by a white wall.

The view, on the other hand, was much more impressive – You could see the Earth, North Africa to be precise.

Where am I, and what has the Emperor planned for me?

Pegasus (Part 125)

Onwards we went through what could have been a tropical paradise. A pungent smell of flowers added to the experience. I wondered if the mission was really worth it; we could just stop and stay here. I shook my head, trying to regain my composure.

The white pyramids drew closer. No guards were in sight, only drones hovering overhead in a gentle breeze.

When they reached the nearest pyramid, the only option was to go underneath it. A handful of silver columns held the whole structure aloft. It was much cooler. I could hear the thud of our feet against the concrete. It made me nervous, and I noticed that Tabitha increased her pace. Nevertheless, the bright light at the other side grew larger and we were soon back outside at the other side.

And yet, there were more. A chill went down my spine. Something was right. We should have been within view of the nearest settlement. I stopped and looked around. But there was nothing unexpected or out of place.

“What’s wrong?” Tina frowned.

“I don’t know.” And I didn’t.

We turned and walked to the next pyramid, which was even larger. The buzzing of the drones had stopped, and even the gentle breeze had dissipated. Once more we went down the ramp underneath.

We quickened our steps still further. I tried to take solace in the sound of our footsteps. But then I heard an extra set, and then still more.

I glanced at Tabitha, and then behind. Armed men in red uniforms were behind us.

Pegasus (Part 124)

As the cargo bay creaked open, I wondered what awaited us. Tabitha and I went one way, Tabitha and the smuggler the other. We set up a communication link between us and the group remaining on the ship. Communications were to be kept to the absolute minimum, as habitat security would almost certainly be listening in.

The habitat was bright. It took a few moments for my eyes to adjust. Lush trees and grass surrounded the ship parking area. The air was clean and easy to breathe.

There was nobody else within view. I looked into the hazy blue sky to see the barely hospitable Earth in the distance.

I had studied the map before leaving and told Tabitha to follow me along a narrow pathway.

She held my hand. “It’s like heaven.”

I stopped and kissed her on the mouth. “It does feel like that. This habitat has pheromones in its atmosphere that give you a happy feeling.” I winked. “But we have to remember that this is a business trip.”

She nodded, and we continued on our walk.

After another few minutes, white pyramid-shaped structures appeared in the distance. Drones were darting from one to the next.

I clenched my jaw.

Pegasus (Part 122)

The entire rag group of rebels stood in astonishment when the Emperor’s habitat finally came into view by the naked eye. I believed it would look like all the others, but I was wrong.

It wasn’t that it was large, but rather the multitude of colors. Nobody could be left in any doubt that this was anything other than the residence of the star system’s ruler. It was semi-spherical, with a huge golden archway linking one side of the surface to the other.

The city, well, more like a town, was located near one of them. The habitat was sparsely populated with no real cities. Most of it was more like a huge wilderness.

I spoke to the others. “We’re about two hours from landing. Now we need a plan,”

“Kill the Emperor by blowing him up.” Tabitha looked at me blankly.

I allowed myself a small chuckle. “Yes, I know. But how and what role will we each play? I’m the only one who will not look out of place. Tabitha and I together should not arouse suspicion. Anymore, definitely will. The rest of you should stay in the ship.”

There were groans.

The smuggler interjected. “That won’t work. At the very least, you will need to complete the drug deal. Otherwise, you will be reported. Make no mistake about it.”

Pegasus (Part 121)

Drugs. I had thought as much. The latest craze was called “E77” and the ship was undoubtedly full to the hilt. Rumours had it that it was being manufactured “en masse” near Neptune. It was one of the most toxic substances known to man. The flesh of regular users just rotted away.

If we were caught with this amount of drugs, it would be an automatic death sentence for us all. Of course, that was what we were facing anyway. Nothing to worry about then.

I left the two ladies and went back to the ship’s controls. Leanne’s Mom gave me a knowing look.

We were three hours away from approaching the Emperor’s habitat. No sign of us being followed. I decided to look up this town called “Darius” on the ship’s computer and read silently to myself –

Darius is the third largest city on the Emperor’s habitat with a population of half a million residents, all of whom are directly related to the Emperor to some degree. It contains a military base and remains an important industrial base.

When I reach the end of the screen, it mentions that it is also a major smuggling hub for drugs and weapons, but these issues are being dealt with by a major clampdown currently underway.

Uug

Pegasus (Part 120)

An hour passed and I was sure we were not being followed. It was a huge relief. I had enough excitement for a while.

Our next destination was the Emperor’s Habitat. Everyone was on the bridge apart from Leanne and the smuggler. They were sleeping. I reckoned that the smuggler’s injuries should be well healed by now. A med laser was used on her a good forty minutes previously.

I rise slowly out of the chair and enter the cargo bay.

On the other side, Leanne and the smuggler are gazing into each other’s eyes, the smuggler’s hand caressing Leanne’s face.

I take a step back and clear my throat waking those around me before stepping back inside. The two ladies look at me with perplexed facial expressions.

Much better, I think to myself.

I walk over to them and look at the smuggler.

“You’re looking far better now anyway.”

“Thanks,” she replied. Her tone solemn.

“You said you could get us into the Emperor’s Habitat? How”

She looked over at some crates.

“Drugs. And there’s a high demand for them in the habitat. I have a contact in Darious, the main port. Actually, he looks quite like you. He makes sure I get through without any problems. Takes a cut, of course.”

Pegasus (Part 119)

There was not a second to waste as I heard laser fire blasting. I ran into the ship and straight to the bridge. Wide-eyed I took a moment to take in the different control panels and visual displays before sitting into the soft pilot’s chair.

Multiple cameras viewed outside the ship from every conceivable angle. From one viewing the rear, I could see that Leanne and her companion had hobbled in. The next minute seemed like an eternity as white flashes appeared. Then, I saw Tabitha, standing and returning fire.

Get into the ship for fucks.

Then the others appeared scurrying into the ship before Tabitha made a run for it.

Immediately, I pressed the button to close the cargo bay door and fired up the thrusters rattling the ship. Pulling back the lever, the ship began to rise just as the blue flashes of its force shield activated.

My finger hovered over the red button to return. Then I pulled it back.

Tabitha came up beside me, kissing me on the mouth. “That was close. I wasn’t sure I’d see you again.”

I reached out and held her hand.

The habitat receded into the distance and my heart began to beat more slowly.

Pegasus (Part 118)

There were no more guards. Two rows of fifty starships of various sizes, classes, and make were parked in front of us.

Sharon, still being aided by Leanne pointed in the direction of her one. I sprinted ahead wary of the reinforcements that I thought were imminent.

“This one?” I shouted pointing to a dishevelled white Betomez carrier.

“The next one,” Leanne shouted.

I ran forward.

No, it couldn’t be. Not a first-class Mitzu. The ship was famous throughout the system for its speed and agility. Then there were the armaments. Two immense laser cannons protruded on each side. They had enough destructive power to give small space habitats concerns for their continuing existence. In my youth, I went through a phase of our Mitzu idolatry, and this was the ship that I always wanted to fly.

“This one?”

“Yes. The code is 0575ew2”

I couldn’t help but smile.

Most others would not have known where to input the code but I did, and I immediately entered it into the panel input device under the left wing. The rear cargo bay began to open, and I heard the unmistakable clicking sound of the laser cannons becoming operational.

Then I heard the sound of distant laser fire – reinforcements had arrived.