10 Minute Tales

Apr 2

They entered the airlock, Error close behind. She tapped at a control panel and the door slid shut, closing with a thump and a hiss. Queenson and Abe exchanged brief nods, gripping their weapons.

"Caution." Error announced. "Entering low-pressure environment." The air hissed out of the airlock; Queenson's stomach rumbled. With their communicators blocked by the jammer they'd hastily assembled, they wouldn't be able to communicate until they found an atmosphere again, and if Sentinel had drained the atmosphere in the base they wouldn't get that opportunity. Queenson moved over to the door, staying in cover. Abe took the other side. Error calmly keyed in the command to open the door and it rumbled open, sliding into the ship's wall. Before they could even react, the brilliant flashes of energy shots streamed into the airlock, the robotic guards showing no mercy to the hall. Queenson glanced at Abe, so badly wanting to say "I told you so", but soon got his head back in the game. He stooped down low and took a pot shot at the guards. The shot missed, but it was enough to disengage their fire and send them scurrying for cover. Abe took the opportunity to leave the airlock, diving behind a sturdy-looking box and priming his rifle. The guards had found cover for themselves and were preparing to unload a second volley. Queenson made a snap decision to stay in the airlock, shooting at one of the guards. This shot was better, and caught the guard on the shoulder. Energy crackled over the wound and the limb drooped; it must have been overwhelmed by the energy and lost power. Abe saw this and shuffled to the side of his cover, peeking around it carefully to take aim. The rifle's round sung silently through the space, striking the same guard's head and disabling it outright. At the same time, the second guard shot at Abe; the recoil from Abe's rifle was all that saved him from what would have been a fatal wound. The suit was able to deflect the majority of the shot's energy, but there was enough left over to send him reeling back. Queenson quickly shot a few rounds in the offending guard's direction, making him duck back into cover - and giving Abe enough time to recover. Error calmly walked down from the airlock, peacefully striding towards the main door. The guard took aim; Queenson took the opportunity to land a powerful shot on the shoulder, disabling its trigger arm. Abe followed this up with a firm shot to the head, disabling it outright. Queenson looked around, nervous, but eventually decided. It was safe. He stood up, weapon still at the ready, and followed Error towards the door. They hadn't even entered and it was already hectic.