The Esper of Algol: Protector

Wanted

It was a day and a half flight from Uzo back to Gothic, and in addition to the foreboding that Luveno's ship was about to be torn to pieces on reentry into Palma's atmosphere, Alis wasn't talking to him. The visit to Tajima had at least assured him that she wasn't a monster incubating. But a whole other issue had now arisen. Noah had been sort of hoping that he'd never have to approach it, that maybe simply leaving when they were finished - provided they survived - would be enough to put any sort of idea of a closer relationship out of both of their minds. Now, he had to deal with this bout of cowardice

Yes, he'd decided that's what it was. He should have followed Odin's advice, long before Odin had given it, and told her. He didn't because he was afraid of ... what? Hurting her? That she'd be angry? Well, she certainly was, and hadn't he promised to be straightforward with her? Now he'd failed at that again. He thought it was presumptuous to think that his Lanai vow of celibacy would affect her in any way, really. So was he afraid of admitting that he felt...?

But no. Even now, he can't allow himself to feel anything other than camaraderie toward any of them. That she knew nothing could come of it should only make that easier, right?

As the turbulence subsided, a conversationally robotic voice drifted from the cockpit, "Landing in Luveno's Gothic port in five minutes. Please remain seated until we are fully stopped."

As soon as they landed, there was a worried mewl from Myau perched on the control dash, "We might have a bit of a problem..."

Looking out of the window, Noah saw a circuit of robotcops barring the side entrance to the main street of Gothic.

"Shit," he breathed.

Alis finally spoke, "We're going to have to back out into the woods. Unless you think we have a chance against them, Odin?"

Odin had already begun gathering everything he could carry, including HAPSBY. He glanced back at her dark-circled eyes and responded, "Probably not. They're looking for us. They likely know we've been using Luveno's ship, too."

The others started gathering the accumulated items they could carry as well. "How do you figure that?" Noah asked.

Odin pointed out the window for a brief moment, past the stationed guards and into the street. There was a large poster tacked to a tree, unmistakably a wanted poster, and even from this distance the eclectic mix of the members of their little party were discernible.

As Alis got the pot full of Laerma nuts strapped to her pack, about half a dozen robotcops marched toward the ship. They absconded as quickly as they could and headed for the trees nearby.

"Follow them!" a harsh voice called.

Both Alis and Noah began whistling, and before they knew it, the four of them were deep in the woods with not a guard in sight.

"We need to get further away," Odin stated. "Not only the guards, but I reckon some of the destitute of Gothic will be searching for the bounty."

"Did you see all those zeros they want for you guys?!" Myau exclaimed appreciatively. "It's enough for anyone to sit in luxury while Lassic kills the world. So, how are we gonna get away? Think you can use your teleport trick to get us someplace safe?"

"If I have a clear picture of where I'm transporting everyone too, maybe," she responded.

Just then, the air was rent by a BOOM! that shook the ground they walked on. A plume of red, orange, and black puffs rose in the sky above Gothic, debris peppering the sky.

They all ran southward. "HAPSBY," Odin said as they sprinted, "where did we leave the hovercraft?"

"The hovercraft was left on the shore outside Scion, but I can bring it to the nearest shore."