Chapter 15

“Thank goodness we’re medics, we don’t have to worry about battle like the others do” Lifeblood told Restore. “Hey, where is Welder anyway?”

At that moment, Welder and Hitatron came crashing into the med bay. They were entangled; they were so alike neither of them could gain the advantage.

“Get me the laser scalpel!” Restore shouted to Lifeblood.

Lifeblood tossed the tiny device to Restore. He then picked her up and threw her at Hitatron’s head.

“Time to pick your brain!” Restore jammed the instrument into the side of Hitatron’s head. He shouted but Welder held him still. Within moments, Hitatron was deactivated. “So much for our oath.”

Welder got up and threw him to the ground. “Another satisfied customer.”

“Actually, we don’t take customers, we take patients” Lifeblood said.

“Yeah? Well I’m losing mine!” Welder replied.

“Actually, considering I deactivated him I’m losing MY patients” Restore corrected.

Lifeblood sighed. “We really need to get out more.”

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Xaraxus ran to the bridge. “I need somewhere to put this, the bridge is the only place it’ll be safe now” Xaraxus shouted as he ran past Cuffs.

“I’ll join you” Sunspot said.

“Don’t worry, this should all be over in a few minutes. If all goes as planned, we’ll be home free” Xaraxus assured her.

Sunspot was worried. “What are you going to do Artifice?”

Xaraxus sat at the helm and began his work. “Just do as I say and everything will work out.” He turned to Sunspot and smiled. “Trust me.”

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Aries met up with Admiral Lilwall. Both were exhausted and wounded. “You know, all of this started right about when Artifice arrived.

“Now is not the time to - ” Admiral Lilwall pondered Aries’ statement. “Systems failures, missing log files...” Admiral’s thoughts trailed off.

“The reason we couldn’t find any system errors was because there were none. Artifice knew our system. He could have deleted the log files and fixed it so we couldn’t find any trace of them” Aries suggested.

“He hasn’t been himself since he came back.” Admiral continued.

“Where is he now?” Aries asked.

“Computer, locate Artifice” Admiral Lilwall commanded.

“Crew member Artifice is currently on the bridge” the computer replied.

Admiral Lilwall looked at Aries. “Then that’s where we’re going.”

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Xaraxus saw the LONAC members moving closer to his location. He began closing off the area.

“What are you doing?” Sunspot asked.

“Looks like our guys are losing. I’m closing off the area,” Xaraxus told her.

“No offense, but what good is that going to do? Where can you possibly take this ship that’ll make any difference?” Sunspot was perplexed.

Xaraxus smiled. “Believe me, it’ll all make sense once we get there.”

“What is it with you and your smiling? Tell me wha-” a noise at the doors of the bridge cut Sunspot off. “What was that?”

Xaraxus got out of his seat without a word. He brandished a LONAC issue riffle and proceeded to the door.

A voice shouted out from the other side. “It’s the end of the road Xaraxus! Time to surrender!”

“Xaraxus?” Sunspot asked. “He’s crazy, Waitstate killed that scum months ago.”

“It took me a while, but now I’m sure.” The voice was now clearly identified as Gravix.

“He’s obviously malfunctioning” Xaraxus said as he went back to his seat. He began adjusting the flight controls.

Gravix continued. “Listen to me Sunspot. Don’t let him get the book!”

“How much persuasion do you need? He’s cracked!” Xaraxus shouted as he began opening corridors in preparation for his escape. “Damn it, someone’s locked me out of the system! I couldn’t open all of the-” suddenly the ship’s primary lighting system was shut down.

Sunspot ran for the book, but Xaraxus saw what she was trying to do and stopped her. A moment later, the main view screen dimly lit the entire bridge. A large shadow was cast on the wall behind Xaraxus, revealing his true form.

“It’s true then-” Sunspot struggled to say.

“It’s too late for this crew. The ship is on a collision course with the planet you see on the viewscreen. Perhaps if you’re good, I’ll keep you as a hostage when I get off this tub” Xaraxus told Sunspot as he opened the doors to the bridge. Gravix stood ready to fight, but moved aside when he saw Xaraxus had a gun pointed to Sunspots head. “That’s better” Xaraxus said. He continued walking and disappeared around a corner.

Gravix stood silently and watched Xaraxus slip away.