The New Prince

Chapter 20

Chapter 20: The Window of Opportunity Closes

As they crashed onto one of the moons located by the Ruby Star System, Sergeant Tadacks tried desperately to land without damaging anymore of the ship's systems. Maryann hit her head against the head cushion of her chair. She felt a sharp pain in the back of her neck as the ship struck with a hard thud against the rocky ground. She considered herself lucky once she opened her eyes; it could have been much worse.

"Sergeant, are you alright?" She asked as she turned around to face the pilot.

"Barely," he replied as he shook his head to push away the stars appearing in the front of his eyes. "I need to continue trying to reach Garrison." Tadacks commenced to punch in the codes to the computer. After a couple of failed attempts, he grunted in frustration. "We need to leave. Run for cover somewhere," he told her as he stood up from his chair and headed to the back of the ship. "Now, Doctor! They'll be here at any moment."

She quickly nodded and stood up as well, following him. "Can we breathe out there?"

"I'm not sure. I have oxygen tanks and anti-gravity suits as well." He answered as he opened a compartment in the back of the ship and handed her an oxygen mask. "Put this on."

Maryann quickly did as ordered. The sergeant took a step ahead of her and looked over at the window on the door, "Looks like no one's out there yet. We better hurry up though."

She nodded again, unsure of where he was going to take her. "What about the suits?"

Tadacks shook his head, "There are parts of the ships scattered everywhere and they're not floating around, this place has gravity. We have to go. On my signal, I'll open the door and we'll both quickly head out"

"Ok."

"One...two...three!" he opened the hatch and once he did, Cossack made an abrupt entrance. Maryann screamed as the Drule took out his weapon and fired into Tadack's face. The beam broke through the mask's glass, killing the man instantly. The sergeant fell to the floor and he knew no more. Maryann screamed and attempted to run, but Cossack held her by her hair.

"Just where do you think you are going Doctor? Don't you know? Zarkon has requested your services."

"I'm not going anywhere with you!" She hollered.

"I beg to differ Maryann." The doctor heard a female voice now. 'I know that voice!' she thought as she watched the blonde woman walk into the ship, "You!"

Starr smiled, "Hello Doctor. Nice to see you again." She pleasantly greeted her then hit Maryann. "You don't have to worry about oxygen, the Rutger moons are one of those rare anomalies where living things can survive without the assistance of oxygen tanks." She concluded as the doctor briefly noticed that the other woman had no mask on her.

Cossack let his captive go, long enough for Starr to take off the doctor's mask.

"There, see. You can breathe." The blonde woman smiled cryptically.

Maryann stared cautiously at the woman standing in front of her, "What have you done with my chips?"

"That should be the least of your worries, Maryann." Starr replied waving her hand. "Your question should be, what is Zarkon planning to do with you?"

The doctor attempted to run, but her efforts were worthless. Cossack grabbed her once again as she began to break away from him. "Let me go!" She screamed. The Drule held her tighter, laughing at her futile attempts.

Tired of the pathetic display brought on by the other woman, Starr retrieved the weapon from her holster and then hit Maryann across the head, knocking her out immediately.