Galactic Gale

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Into The Fire

Drawing the ship closer to the King in an arched pathway, Alex did her best to ensure their approach seem unsuspicious. It was vital those aboard the King did not notice their hesitation to draw near, but Alex could not bring them in too quickly for the same fear of upsetting the massive ship's crew.

Either way, with the cruiser's shields still covering the landing ports there was nowhere for them to land.

Crashing into the King's shields was not the way Kael planned to go.

"What's with you and Captain Lee, then?" Alex had the communication microphone under Don's chin. Her finger rested on the activation button.

"It's not what you think," Kael said.

"You're not in a loving relationship? Don't you love your friends?"

The ship rocketed and Kael was thrown in his seat. The straps he had made sure to tighten to best fit his frame dug into his skin through the jacket he wore. He cursed and quickly unlocked the clamp at his waist, sliding free to the floor.

Kael grabbed a hook and held on as Alex tilted the ship. They grazed the side of the King, Alex only just managing to get things under control. The ships whose crossfire they had been caught in rumbled by - a Red Runner hunting one of the cruiser's guardships.

A leaver snapped on the control panel thanks to Alex's foot and the radio crackled to life.

"Say hello," she said, jaw clenched. Her fingers twitched towards her blaster.

Lingering in the background, Kael planted his hands against the floor. His clammy palms helped to keep him in place when the ship rolled.

"That weapon is about to be fire, so speak. Or we'll all end up scraps." The chair rolled closer to Don, Alex riding it with her face grimly set. Kael would not have dared to pick up the microphone and hail the King if he were the one she had her eyes set on.

A stray shot hit the side of the ship. Kael rooted himself in place and refused to allow his body to flatter. After another hit to its right side, the ship recovered its balance and picked up its course once more.

Taking the slender device from Alex and holding it in both hands, Don turned the microphone on, lips curling down. "King, King. This is Guardian Five. King, King. Guardian Five."

Nothing. Kael reached for the radio and turned up the speaker's volume. Even with the sound at is maximum level, he could hear no response. He waved a hand at Don and told him to try again.

"King, Guardian Five. Guardian Five calling. We were lost over Yolkemi. Our ship was badly damaged. We here to reunite with fleet. I repeat, we escaped Red Runners." Don hesitated before pulling the microphone from his lips. He glanced nervously at Kael. "Not working."

Light flared. Kael whipped around to the window and clamped a hand over his mouth as a burning ship hurled by. It could have easily been their vessel which had been shot down.

Inside the battered ship, the ongoing battle was muted. The faint popping and crackling of metal was all he could make out, the single window making watching the fight near impossible. Alex was moving back and forth the control panel, obscuring Kael's view.

Something hissed on the speakers. Kael cranked the volume up again and rocked back on his heels. A voice was telling them a landing dock would be opened on the King's rear-left side.

"Did you catch that?" Kael patted Don on the shoulder as he stood, moving awkwardly to Alex. The unstable balance of the ship made placing his feet difficult.