Beyond

Chapter 2

There was no way Jamie was going to allow his mum to fall to the hands of the Cronoids. He wouldn't let them kill her, wouldn't let them take her prisoner, who knew what would happen to her then. He needed to protect her. Despite his already growing fatigue, a surge of adrenalin gave him the energy he needed to reach his mum; quickly. As he neared, he saw to what extent the trouble his mum was in. But not just his mum... his dad was there as well. It was just the two of them, back to back, a look of pure fear on their faces. Against nearly every form of Cronoid troop in the fleet. Yes, they were surrounded by many Cronoids, but they were two of the most talented fighters Jamie knew. It would be a challenge, but working together they could get out alive. So why were they so mortally scared? Then it appeared through the fog. A Detainer. That was the only name it had. Despite its size it was one of the Cronoids most feared craft in their fleet. When its tractor beam has locked onto you, there's no hope. Rendering you completely paralyzed it slowly closes in, preparing to put you in on of its translucent, purple, holding cells. Then with its other victims, you would be shipped of to Cronia and no one, ever, leaves Cronia.

Jamie was no more than 250 meters from his parents now. Cyan sensing the urgency of the situation, dashed ahead, showing off his incredible speed. Jamie could see that his parents were under the influence of the tractor beam. Their bodies were completely paralysed, they couldn't do anything to prevent the Detainer slowly closing in. Jamie was now only 200 meters away. The Detainer's landing gear connected with the dusty terrain. 175 meters. One of the pods was beginning to open, ready to collect its victims. 150 meters. The tractor beam was slowly pulling them in. 100 meters. Jamie's parents noticed him. The fear was swept from their eyes, but what emotion replaced it? 75 meters. Jamie didn't stop to work out what his parents were trying to say. 50 meters. They were in the pod now. The capsule was closing. All of Jamie's responsibilities were forgotten, the battle raging around him was forgotten. He had to save them. 25 meters. The Cronoids had noticed him. Cyan had already engaged. He had to get passed. 15 meters. Jamie crashed into the Cronoids. The desperation surging inside him fueled him into an almost unstoppable fighting machine. 10 meters. Almost there. He could make it! But no! The Detainer's jet were already firing up. NO! Jamie, destroyed the last of the surrounding Cronoids. Only to watch the Detainer to maneuver out from its collection point and take to the skies, breaching Dwarbtain's atmosphere and into the endless abyss, no doubt to Cronia where it will dock at the Cronoids headquarters. And there his parents will be kept, as prisoners, for the rest of their life, or, more likely, until Lord Croxin tortured them to death, using every resource know to unveil the secrets of the Quarlic Republic. One thing was certain, Jamie wasn't going to see his parents again,

"Mum, Dad! NO!"