The Space Spinster (on HOLD)

Log 8. Enter Epsilon

Time Stamp: 31st of the 3rd month, year 2696 CE, 17:35

Location Stamp: Planet Jupiter, Solar System, Milky Way Galaxy

***

I crouched on my board, scanning the advancing variels. The biggest slug would be their alpha, then the next one beta, and so on. As threatening as their gaping maws looked, they also were variels' chief vulnerability... if I could keep my distance.

For ranged combat, the gang didn't pack return-to-sender weapons Lola had described ad-nauseum. Instead, the slug-squad had multi-charge wide-muzzled sonic bludgeon guns. While those were the only guns useful in Jovian conditions, they were slow to charge after each shot and my suit could absorb a dozen blasts before the hits shattered my bones. It was better not to escalate to this point, duh.

"Greetings," I said in my best negotiator's voice.

The variels trained their weapons on Mikado and me.

"Shameel, the variels are threatening us with their peashooters."

"Any demands?"

"Negative. We're at a standoff." Maybe I could stare them down until the cavalry rolled in. I winked at Mikado. "Three for me, and one for you. The small one. We'll make it."

Mikado's helmet had an advanced hyper-transparent visor, but even so I couldn't read his expression. He was naturally pasty-pale, and his eyes were murky, without distinctive irises and pupils. He did have eyelids, so he blinked at me, before floating away from the hatch, with his arms raised.

The good news was that the academician knew how to stay out of my way.

"Status update, Gorelko?" Shameel asked.

"Positioned between the client and the perps, no attack yet. Tell the cavalry to hurry."

The fifth variel, a giant one, unencumbered by any weapon, stepped out of a vapor spout behind Zan'Zar. Okay, so this was my alpha-slug then. Making the former Alpha into Beta, the former Beta—into Gamma, and... screw that!

The biggest slug could be whatever came after delta. Epsilon, he's a frigging Epsilon to me.

Epsilon's feeler whipped forward, intending to lasso in his target, Zan'Zar. The cha'na ducked and I threw myself at my client's assailant.

Mikado's face zipped across my peripheral vision. His damnable eyes remained blank, but his smirk spelled danger. So, instead of taking the hits from Alpha to Gamma's guns, I flattened on my hoverboard as much as my mag boots would allow.

My tendons screamed, as the blasts tore tunnels through the mist, leaving a terrifying emptiness in their wake. The aftershocks spun me around, and delta's blast glanced off my right hip. Just what did he aim at?

First hit is always the worst. It's just a bruise, don't look! I glanced down expecting a hole through my thigh with bones protruding from it. Instead, the suit had a dent and a bunch of sparks spread from it in all directions...

Then, all pain stopped.

Numbness, what a blissful... and dreadful sensation! "Shameel, the variels engaged. I'm hit with a paralyzing charge, design unknown!"

"Ms. Gorelko, surrender, please. There's no need for anyone to get hurt," Mikado whispered.

That smirk of his! "You wouldn't know anything about this weapon upgrade, Doctor?"

Alpha, Beta and Delta pumped the red plungers like mad to recharge their weapons, which gave me the opening I needed to deliver Zan'Zar from his abductor.