RIPE & DRAGGERS

CHAPTER 21

The Quant is an artificial planet built on top of an old gaseous moon on the Rikish's other end border of the quadrant galaxy. From outer space it looks like a metallic ball with large holes, showing a green luminous core. This is why, many species call the Quant planet the 'green ornament'.

The green gas moon is a primary source of green matter energy that is widely used on thousands of technology. While the blue planet gasses are ideal for battleship fuel, the green gas however are suitable for more sophisticated applications like stealth technology or the highly destructive heavy diffusion-pod guns.

This is why the Runkans are agitated by the Quant technology. One heavy diffusion pod gun can obliterate an entire battleship in one precise hit. And even more alarming is the range of these guns as they can be fired from land to reach outer space in outstanding speed and accuracy. The 'pod-guns' as they would call it, is also built in a 6x6 agile spherical construction much like the ones in frigates and carriers as secondary defense guns.

Hence, a pod-gun attached to a star-ship is quite a formidable combination. A hundred of these star-ships with pod-guns each, can conquer half of the galaxy.

Two hundred in Pedro's fleet, and he can declare himself king.

Ironically, it is only fitting that such technology came from the Quant or the Rikish whereby ambition to expand other than their own ingenuity is never in their nature.

They are not domestic nor exclusive to their culture, but to conquer or to consume is simply not their way.

They would rather build or create than to claim and fight for something, other than their own preservation or freedom.

This is the exact opposite of the Runkans.

That is why they do not recognize the sovereignty of the Runkan Capital that was created thru war supremacy. And so, the Runkans being the opposite, may then claim title because of his greed to consume, and the pod-guns with it.

And what a prize it would surely be.

And while he's at it, why not take out both remaining natural threat like the Scoltice and the Brahm in the process. By this, the longevity of the Runkan specie is secured for at least another thousand year. To battle the extinction. Until something else comes along like Bob predicted.

The truth is, Pedro admitted to himself that Bob has every reason to be correct.

While the capital declares dominion to the known galaxy and classifies its vastness by dividing it into quadrants; but the reality is that only a good 38 percent of the entire galaxy is ever explored. Or it is estimated that by the several wars of the Runkans history; would show that all possible advanced specie has already been discovered. Thus leading to the campaign wars those that are violent enough to indulge or capable enough to try.

And yet the Quant and the Rikish is something else entirely. They will not recognize the capital nor indulge in battle; hence only one move is logical.

To attack.

But make no mistake, both colony of the Quant and the Gakuran is not new to threats. In fact, they have bounced several assailants in the past; however none as big as Pedro's army.

"Hoa-binh, Rikish-Quant, this is Rikish-Runa-Rik, pass-code 1:1.618, we need asylum and medical assistance asap."

"Hello Gener, this is Rik-Telibong; this is a surprise...."

"Hey 'Teli', sorry to rush, but I got an injured passenger here, would you mind helping us please... It's Euclid."

"Oh shit, seriously?"

"Yeah bro... Very serious." Gener said, then describing the injuries for the awaiting medical team to prepare upon docking, at the main hangar of the south east wing.

Within seconds, the remains of the once great frigate called the 'Viva Las Vegas' is automatically lured in sequence to dock at the Quant planet. Gener who then blew a quiet exhale of relief then turned around to look at Kai, who is still staring outside her window, into the blankness of space.

"This is not the first time I saw him do it, believe me... Bobby is alive." he said softly.

"How would you know... Are you blind? Didn't you see the whole damn thing blew up in pieces?" Kai sharply answered without turning her head, only her eyes turned, to dart at the Runkan.

"I know what you mean, but he's not dead. Trust me, this is not the first time he fooled around like this.... And besides, you missed one important detail."

Kai turned her head to Gener. "What?"

The latter smiled as he slowly began to rise from his chair and started to head towards the med-bay. "He didn't say goodbye...." he plainly said and before he exited the bridge he pointed his finger to her.

"Especially to you...." he added.

His words and him pointing at her is like an arrow thru her heart that stabbed her frozen.

She could feel her throat choke and her chest crumple inwards. And as that tear slide down her right cheek, she was powerless to even take a single breath. She could not move and no matter how hard she tried, her eyes just kept on watering her face. Its like the damn thing leaks uncontrollably and wants to soak her and drown her.

It was easy for the yellow-green haired Runkan to bear hope that Bob is alive, but it is not same for her. What she saw is no joke nor a dream to tell her otherwise.

For her, the reality is the loss of her beloved Bobby. And now as her damn eyes leaks salty water down her face, does she realize; that the gravity of a loss depends on the weight of the burden to dismiss. Like a large heavy rock that you carry in your stomach that you need to throw out, painful losses is not so easy to push away. It sticks harder than a scar.

No matter how confident Gener seemed, she cannot dismiss the fact of what she saw on the exploding ships. And that if Gener is wrong, then her eyes, that is now pouring water all over her fucking face, is more truthful than his presumption. So how do you dismiss that?

She gathered all her strength to inhale and control herself. She wiped her wet face with her hands, and it seemed hopeless as her tears continue to roll down her cheeks.

Still, she noticed her little brother and Rodrick on the other side of the bridge. They are silent and obviously very aware of her but they kept quiet, and this made her more furious so she ran towards the mess hall. The last thing she wants is to see her sadness marked on their faces they so bluntly try to hide.

Upon reaching the cramped mess hall, she saw the bench that she and him rested a while ago and she dived to it.

She laid there and let the silence of the room calm her.

A few minutes of grief, andshe slept in exhaustion.