Nolun straightened his jacket as he and Elicia walked in awkwardly after each other. He looked and saw that most of the officials of the Resistance were looking at him, and both Edvard and Andress were giving the both of them deadly glares. Nolun sighed and stood by Dante. He didn't see the point in trying to explain himself. Besides, they had bigger problems to worry about. General Kovak waited until the room was silent and spoke in his booming voice. "As you all know, we have managed to secure two of the eight Dorado Pieces thanks to the crew of the Renegade. The information provided by them also has lead us to the location of the third Piece. We've managed to trace the beam to this specific point. Now many of you have most likely noticed by now that we have stopped outside of the beam's reach, as it extends beyond where the Dreadnought has stopped. We did a scan when we arrived in the system, and found that there were several anomalies. Commander Barton." Kovak motioned for Koil to turn on the holographic radar system. Koil activated it, and it zoomed in to show the Dreadnought behind the large planet that was currently in front of them in real life...and an entire fleet of GDF on the other side. The entire room murmured and Nolun's eyes widened. "As you can see, the GDF's supply fleet is currently docked here. And as the beam does continue through the planet, judging by it's trajectory...we can safely assume that the GDF has one of the Dorado Pieces."
The room began to grow louder, as Nolun turned and looked at Andress, who had an equally shocked expression on her face. Kovak continued after the room died down. "We've managed to keep the ship out of range of the fleet's scanners, but it won't last long. So...we've decided to make a tactical retreat until the rest of the Resistance fleet regroups with us." The room started again, and most of the heads nodded in agreement. Except for one. "No!" Nolun said, slamming his hands down on the console. Everyone turned to look at him, surprised. "We can't just leave it! This is your mission! You told me yourself General, that this is your dream. And now you're just going to run away from it?" Kovak narrowed his eyes at Nolun. He spoke in a very precise tone. "There's a different between running away, and not risking innocent lives. And I would like to remind you, Mr. Metreo, that I am the Captain of this ship, and you are a guest here, so as long as you remain here, you'll do as I say. Understand?" Nolun stood up and looked back at Kovak with no fear. "As far as I'm concerned, I didn't ask to be rescued by you guys. And I'm not one of your toy soldiers to push around. I don't listen to anyone but myself. Because I'm the only one around here with enough common slagging sense to actually do something." Nolun walked out of the bridge with a look of contempt on his face. Andress was about to follow him, but thought better of it. But, surprisingly, she saw that Dante was the one who followed him, him having been listening off to the side the entire time. Nolun...she thought. What are you doing?
Gottlieb's personal shuttle flew fast as it neared the supply fleet on the other side of the large planet. Project EO sat by his side, wearing his now repaired armour, but even if Gottlieb could see through his mask, he would know that he had an expressionless face. The shuttle reached one of the large looming ships, and docked in the hangar. Gottlieb saw the procession of troops and soldiers lined up in formation, prepared for his arrival. The ramp lowered, and Gottlieb walked down it, through the precession, with Project EO following close behind. A man in a captain's uniform stood in front of him and saluted. Gottlieb saluted. "Captain Lylouche." "Director Gottlieb. I just wanted to say what an honour it was for you to choose the Avalon Zeta as your ship to carry the AU Prerogative." Gottlieb gave a small smile and nod, but rolled his eyes in his head. Lylouche was known for being a kiss-up to his superiors. He was most likely trying to be promoted after this mission. The fool didn't even know he was playing a pawn. Gottlieb walked with Lylouche. "I want to see it for myself." Lylouche nodded. "Of course, Director." They went down on a lift, to a safe vault, where both the Director and the Captain used their thumbprints to make it past the door. There were several armed guards stationed in the hallway leading up to the safe. One of the guards attempted to stop Project EO from entering, but EO simply looked over at the guard. The guard shrunk back and let him past. When they reached the safe, both Gottlieb and Lylouche entered their personal codes and DNA. The door slowly opened, and revealed a golden cylinder that tapered off into small cubes standing on a pedestal in the middle of the room. Gottlieb admired it, then stepped forward. "Careful sir!" Lylouche said. Gottlieb turned and looked at him. "There's a disintegration forcefield surrounding the pedestal. Only I have the code to disarm it." Gottlieb cracked a rare smile. "I must admit Captain...I am impressed."
Dante walked through the halls of the Dreadnought, his black coat flowing behind him. He looked around in the corridors, the private cabins, but couldn't find any trace of Nolun. He had one last place to look, and it was there that he found him. Nolun was in the hangar, standing by one of the Vulcan fighters. He was spinning his repeater around on his finger, then drawing it quickly. "Your form's good, but remember to keep your hand off the trigger when you draw." Nolun looked over at Dante, then back at his gun. "Don't any of you guys say hello when you walk in?" He sat down on a crate, and Dante walked over to him. "Come to scold me?" Nolun asked sarcastically, looking up at Dante. Dante stared down at him. "No. I've come to educate you. What you did back there might have sounded brave and courageous to you, but childish and whiny to everyone else. The General is right. We can't risk innocent lives for a treasure." Nolun stared up at Dante, looking incredulous. "Are you serious?" Nolun stood up so he was eye-to-eye with Dante. "Hearing that come from you is like saying that Kovak has a stuffed bunny in his office! You're the slagging Inferno! I used to read stories about you when I was a kid! You didn't fear anything, and you wouldn't hesitate to go after a treasure like this." Dante glared at Nolun. "Well, I've got news for you, kid. That Inferno, the one you read about in legends and stories? He's just that. A legend and a story. That's not who I am anymore." Nolun stepped closer. "Then what are you? You're just a coward." Suddenly, Dante's sword was at Nolun's throat. "And you're just a kid who's in way over his head, obsessed with some stupid treasure!" Nolun leveled his gun at Dante. "It's not a stupid treasure. You know why I'm obsesses with this whole thing? Because this will decide the fate of life as we know it! And as far as I'm concerned, I'm the only person in this entire slagging galaxy smart enough to make the right choice on what to do with it!" The room was silent for a few moments, until Dante finally spoke. "You really believe that, don't you?" Nolun stared into his eyes, with no regret or uncertainty. "Believe it." Dante stood still, then lowered and sheathed his sword. "Well then, Mr. Obsessed, what's your plan on getting that Piece?" Nolun stood there, slightly shocked, then smirked. "I'm working on one." Nolun thought he could detect a hint of a smile on Dante's face.
YOU ARE READING
Slingers (The Slingers Trilogy, Book 1)
Science Fiction(Highest Ranking: 37 in Science Fiction) In the 24th century, mankind has moved away from Earth, and spread to new planets. But, after uncovering a map to an ancient treasure, promising power and riches, humanity is now on the hunt. Now, an archeolo...