Flame Rider I: Rise of a Warrior

Chapter 3: The Final Test Phase

“We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm.”

George Orwell

Reqziga, 11/06/2998

Ralcos’ POV

It was a stormy night, with ash clouds blotting out the sun, of the planet Reqziga. An inhabitable world in the outer rim of the Milky Way galaxy, covered with volcanoes and endlessly flowing molten rock rivers. My shuttle approached a volcano which gave the planet its name. As the shuttle approached its destination, the crew beheld an enormous cliff nestled in the side of Mt Reqziga, and settled out of sight, was my destination, a large landing platform that jutted out from the underside of the cliff.

The landing platform and entrance way, were the only structures of the facility that were visible from the outside. The rest was encased in the black rock of the explosive mountain. All around the landing platform, mechanical soldiers stood at attention.

The blast doors that made up the entrance way, opened into a large opening that was the first room of the installation. Two beings emerged from the black maw and strode towards the black craft as it landed on the platform.

The taller of the two was encased in black armour, which looked strangely out of place, as it was of earth medieval origin, with a helmet with a series of spikes on top. A black cape trailed behind him, hanging loosely off his shoulders.

The second being was wearing blood red robes, with a dark cape encasing his body from head to toe. Blue eyes shone from under his hood. Both had a sword hanging from their belts, along with a cylinder next to each sword.

The shuttle’s ramp extended from the base of the cockpit, till it rested on the cool steel platform. As the craft’s hydraulics hissed, I began to stride down the ramp confidently, followed by an honour guard of six armoured soldiers, three on each side of me.

My guards and I stopped before the two cloaked men. I bowed bending at the waist, and then straightened.

“Minster Ralcos, welcome to the Reqziga,” said the black caped man.

“Delsk Jrecsktfra, it is a great honour to inspect this clone army that you have promised the Imperial Earth.”

“Of course you think it is,” sneered Delsk Jrecsktfra, “But, I believe introductions are in order.”

Stepping forward, the red cloaked man stepped forward, and drew back his hood, as Delsk Jrecsktfra introduced him.

“This is my apprentice, and the first of many clones of my prisoner,” explained Delsk Jrecsktfra, “Delsk Cre^dus.”

“So he defeated the training subject….,” I stuttered, “Argh! I’ve forgotten his name again!”

“Blaze is no match for me,” stated Delsk Cre^dus mockingly, “though, Master Jrecsktfra would not allow me to finish off the pathetic weakling.”

“Aah, but you see, without Blaze,” I said, sneeringly, “You wouldn’t have anyone to command. Not that you are worth the time, or energy, commanding troops.”

Suddenly I found myself at the mercy of the man I had just insulted, as I soon discovered hands of iron squeezing my throat, closing off all passage for the air that I so desperately needed to stay alive. My guards reacted, after some hesitation, rising their assault rifles towards Cre^dus, who continued to choke me.

“How dare you insult me,” spat Delsk Cre^dus, angrily, “I could tear your mind apart, rip your throat out, your crush your head, all with only my hands!!”