Chapter 209: Chapter 209

"All friendlies hold fire on the departing sled!" my bodyguard announced over his comm. "It's been commandeered by Amanda Voss, Jaycee Wheeler, and Sergeant Magniveen. We're en route for Ganvis. ETA...?"

I grit my teeth and shook my head, "It's going to take us half an hour. This thing just won't go any faster."

The sergeant nodded as he finished his transmission, "ETA thirty minutes."

By that point I'd dug my commlink out of my pocket. I thumbed the transmit button and said, "Rebecca, Jenny, I'm on my way. I'm in a gun-sled with Jaycee and Sean Magniveen."

"Yeah I heard," the boss replied. "We'll be over Ganvis in under ten minutes. Jenny what's your status? I'm sure I don't need to say it, but do not let any of those people on board the Demeter. Take off if you have to."

I added, "Is Nyssa with you? Maybe it's best to just take off now, don't give them the chance to get close."

Our AI sounded apologetic as she replied, "I'm sorry Amanda, your sister is alone on board the Artemis."

"Damn," I swore under my breath.

Meanwhile Jenny continued, "Nyssa is aware of the situation, both the Artemis and the Demeter are sealed. Unfortunately lifting off will have to be a last resort. According to my sensors the attackers are in possession of three portable surface to air missiles, and I'd rather not take the chance of dealing with those at such close range. Especially not in airspace immediately above the settlement."

"Alright Jenny," Rebecca responded. "Do what you can to keep yourselves safe. Jenna and I will be there as soon as we can. Amanda's about twenty minutes behind us with the cavalry and the medical support."

My girlfriend said something else, but I missed it as the speakers in my helmet came to life again when one of the VDF troops back at Moorefield station started talking. I ended up pulling the helmet off since that was easier than fumbling around with the unfamiliar controls on the body armour, then left it on the floor behind my seat. My ears felt a lot better anyways, now that they were freed from the tight confines.

Jaycee did the same, they pulled their helmet off then angrily tossed it away into the darkness as they swore, "How the fuck did Sidex outmanoeuvre us?! It doesn't make any sense!"

Sgt. Magniveen shook his head, "I only know what the briefing said, but if the guy's really a general then he's going to know strategy and tactics. He had to know there'd be a counter-attack after his strike on Ganvis failed. Especially once the Tullrohane was fully involved. He'd have known, or at least suspected that he'd be dealing with overwhelming odds sometime soon."

I frowned, "That still doesn't explain how he got past all the scans and surveillance. Or how he knew exactly when to make his move. It can't be a coincidence that he turned up at Ganvis right when we were all at Moorefield Station."

"You think someone tipped him off?!" Jaycee demanded. "It couldn't have been anyone from Ganvis! Especially not after that last attack. Folks back home would happily string him up, along with anyone they found out was helping him!"

Sean pointed out, "Nobody from the Tullrohane would have any reason to either. None of us know anything about the guy, and no offence but we don't have any real interest in this world either. We're just here for Princess Rebecca."

"Maybe he's still got friends in the Deveronian armed forces?" I suggested. "Or at least, he probably knows who to bribe. Anyways we can deal with that problem later. Let's just focus on catching the guy first."

Jaycee responded grimly, "I don't want to catch him. I want to kill him."

I nodded once, "Fair enough. I don't think anyone's going to argue with that."

All three of us were quiet for the next minute or two, before Sean spoke up again. The sergeant was the only one of us still wearing his helmet, which meant he was the only one still listening in on the VDF military channel.

He reported, "They've finished clearing the stronghold back at Moorefield Station. Captain Soto succumbed to his injuries, or at least that's what the Deveronian soldiers are saying."

"It'll be a while before they have detailed casualty numbers," he continued, "But it sounds like most of the defending forces surrendered once they realized Sidex was gone and the other leaders were dead. Lt. Maguine says it's going to take at least another day to process everything. She's asking Captain Magoda for more help. And they've forwarded a request to the Deveronian government as well, to get more people in there to help sort out the victims from the collaborators."

I asked, "So we can't count on anyone else to come help us at Ganvis?"

Sgt. Magniveen shook his head, "Sorry ma'am. It sounds like they've all got their hands full back at Moorefield."

"Falcon-3 is offering to help," he added a moment later. "They're not needed for air support at Moorefield anymore, so they're on their way now too. They'll probably pass us... No, Princess Rebecca just ordered Falcon-3 to accompany us the rest of the way there."

"Alright," I sighed. "Thank you sergeant."

I kept the grav-sled's throttle locked down at full power, which meant we were rushing through the darkness at over two hundred kilometres an hour. It didn't feel fast enough though, and I found myself mentally urging the small craft to go even faster.

After another few tense minutes I thumbed my commlink again and asked, "Any news Jenny? What's going on there?"

Instead of the ship's AI it was my other girlfriend who replied. Sarah responded, "We're actually doing a pretty good job holding them off. Those new PDLS units are already paying for themselves."

"We're at something of a stand-off right now," Jenny added. "Thanks to the Demeter's defences the bandits are unable to get close to the ship, but they've taken up positions under cover outside our firing arc."

She sounded worried as she continued, "I'm afraid there's been significant casualties among the VDF personnel that were stationed here."

"We're almost there Jenny," Rebecca stated. "Can you send us coordinates, where are the bandits holed up? We might be able to take them out with a couple strafing runs."

"Transmitting coordinates now," the AI replied. "Good luck captain."

A half minute later the boss announced, "Alright Jenny, Sarah, we're coming in hot. Jenna's on the turret, let's see if we can solve this problem once and for all."

"Be careful!" I added. "And good luck."

I was almost holding my breath as I waited for my girlfriend to update us on the situation. The seconds seemed to keep ticking past though, until it felt like more than a minute had gone by. I finally thumbed my little commlink again and asked, "Rebecca, how'd it go? Did you get them?"

All I got in response was more silence, and a growing lump deep in my gut.

"Jenny?" I asked. "What's going on? Or Sarah? Someone talk to me!"

The ship's AI finally answered, but her voice sounded almost flat and emotionless as she calmly reported, "Captain Piper's shuttle has gone down approximately fifteen hundred meters east of Ganvis. The bandits used two of their portable surface to air missiles. Due to interference from the terrain I'm unable to detect any life-signs from the crash site. I've also lost contact with my sister..."

"It wasn't a direct hit!" Sarah interjected, and unlike Jenny our engineer's voice was full of emotion. She sounded equal parts scared and angry and hopeful as she insisted, "Jenna shot down one of the missiles, Rebecca almost dodged the other one! It couldn't have done more than just wing them. There was no fire, no explosion either. They're both ok, I'm sure of it!"

Despite Sarah's assurances the cold lump in my gut had grown into an entire bucket of ice, and my emotions were all over the place. I didn't know what to say or how to react. Then during that pause Sergeant Magniveen spoke up.

He was still listening to the other comm channel on his helmet as he relayed the news, "Falcon-3 has just joined us ma'am, they're in formation a hundred meters behind and to our left."

I glanced at him then took a quick look over my shoulder, but I couldn't see the fighter back there. Then again it was pitch black out and the other craft was in combat configuration, so it was completely dark.

Then the little commlink in my hand crackled to life once more, but this time it was my sister's voice that came through the tiny speaker. She sounded scared as she said, "Amanda? They're trying to get into the Artemis. I can hear them outside the cargo airlock, they're trying to override the security."

That was the last straw, the moment when it seemed like everything crystallized in my heart and my mind. I reached over and hit the transmit button on Sean's body armour then shouted into the mic on his helmet, "Tanya get your ass to Ganvis right now! Keep those bastards away from Falcon-1, and if you happen to get a clear shot on anyone outside the Artemis don't hesitate to take them out too!"

As soon as I'd given the order Falcon-3 roared past us. Then I thumbed my own commlink again and continued, "I'm coming as fast as I can sis! Look after yourself. If anyone comes on board the Artemis you put that lucky gun of yours to use and shoot them dead. Don't try and be fancy about it. One shot, centre mass, put them down. And keep yourself covered!"

"Ok Amanda," Nyssa replied. "Is Jaycee alright? Is she with you?"

"Jaycee's here," I told her. "And yes, they're fine."

Then for good measure I gave the throttle another shove, and damn well willed our stolen ride to go even faster. What followed after that was probably the most stressful ten minutes of my entire existence.

Sarah and Jenny sent a few more status updates, but I didn't hear anything further from Nyssa. Sgt. Magniveen relayed information from Tanya Nieves, until Jenny got the Persephone's captain onto our frequency so we didn't have to go through the sergeant anymore. Sean had one more report for us though, this time from the Tullrohane.

Apparently the cruiser just launched two light fighters and a shuttle containing their ship's doctors and some elite royal guards, to try and rescue the princess. They weren't going to get to her any quicker than us though, they'd probably reach the crashed fighter around the same time we got to Ganvis. After that the sergeant switched off his built-in comm set so it wouldn't distract him anymore.

When Falcon-3 arrived at the farming settlement Tanya reported that the Artemis' cargo airlock was open and the ramp down, but she couldn't see anyone outside, alive or dead. And Jenny confirmed that the scout ship's engines were offline, so nobody was attempting to flee the planet with it. Then the bandits used their last missile to try and take out Falcon-3, but Tanya's years of stunt-flying paid off and she was able to dodge the thing easily enough. Finally she took up a position circling above our downed fighter, and sent the message we'd all been hoping for.

"She crash-landed, but it looks like Falcon-1's still in one piece," the Persephone's captain announced. A moment later she added, "There's about a dozen bandits trying to approach, but someone in the fighter's holding them off with small arms fire."

I hit the button on my commlink and ordered, "Help them out please Tan. Eliminate any hostiles approaching that fighter."

"Already on it," Tanya replied calmly. Sure enough she added only a few seconds later, "There's no more bandits within five hundred meters of Falcon-1." Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on NoveI[F]ire.net

I thanked her then kept my commlink transmitting as I asked, "Sarah, Jenny, what's the status there? Can you tell what's going on with the Artemis?"

Jenny replied, "Sensors confirm one living person on board the Artemis, and that person is a foxgirl. I'm also tracking nine remaining bandits in our immediate area. Six are using the old shipping containers for cover, while the other three are hiding in what was the makeshift hospital tent."

"Alright," I sighed. "We're almost there. Jenny, Sarah, Tanya, and Nyssa if you're listening, sit tight. We'll be there soon!"

It still took what felt like another eternity before Ganvis Station finally appeared in the distance ahead of us. The settlement was mostly shrouded in darkness, but there were a few lights around the landing area so the Demeter and Artemis were both visible, along with that big tent the VDF people set up.

There were also some lights in the sky to the east of the settlement, and Tanya's voice came over the comm a moment later to confirm what we were seeing.

"The Tullrohane rescue party are here," she reported. "The fighters are taking over for me, I'm setting down along with the shuttle to check on the princess."

I ended up almost holding my breath as we waited for the follow-up report. Fortunately it came just a half minute later, and as soon as I heard it a huge wave of relief washed over me.

"Princess Rebecca is going to be ok!" Tanya announced. "She's pretty banged-up, but the docs say there's nothing life-threatening."

Jenny responded immediately, "What about Jenna? Can you tell if she's ok?"

There was a longer pause before the Persephone's captain delivered the bad news, "The doctors don't know what to make of her. They said she's uh, broken."

That hit me like a blow to the gut, but I tried to assure myself our android crewmate would be ok. I was positive Sarah and Cammie could fix her. Meanwhile I still hadn't heard anything from Nyssa, so she was now my top priority.

As we approached the settlement's landing area I told my two companions, "I'm setting down next to the Artemis. I have to check on my sister."

Sgt. Magniveen nodded, "Understood. I've got your back incase of any trouble ma'am."

"Same," Jaycee added. "I'm as worried for Nyssa as you are."

Fortunately nobody started shooting when I brought the gun-sled down alongside the Artemis. The scout ship's cargo airlock was open and the ramp down just like Tanya said. The interior was fully lit too, and as we landed I got a brief glimpse of two bodies on the deck inside.

As soon as we were down I jumped out of the sled and grabbed my medkit, then with both Sean and Jaycee right behind me I dashed for the Artemis's ramp.

"Nyssa?!" I called as I raced into the small cargo area. There was one body on the deck just inside the cargo door and a second lay sprawled at the base of the ladderway, so I added quickly "Don't shoot, it's me!"

I felt another huge wave of relief when my sister called back from the main deck, "Amanda! I'm up here!"

She sounded grumpy as she added, "Sis I got shot again! I'm really starting to hate this!"

I glanced at the two dead men on the deck as I hurried past them towards the ladderway, and saw enough to know that neither of them would give us any trouble. They were both dressed in black and grey combat fatigues, and the older guy at the base of the ladder was also wearing body armour. Unfortunately for him he forgot his helmet, hence the large hole in his forehead. And the even larger hole in the back of his skull. The younger one by the cargo doors had a matching pair of holes through his chest.

As I hurried up the ladder I told Jaycee and Sean, "You two cover things down here please while I take care of my sister."

"Yes ma'am," the sergeant replied.

When I got to the top of the ladder I found Nyssa sitting on the floor about two paces away from the hatch. She was resting her back against the wall, and had her tail wrapped around her left hip so she could hug it to her chest. Seeing her like that reminded me of when she was a kid back home, she used to cling to a big plush pony toy whenever she was scared or hurt. She had her lucky gun on the deck next to her, and there was blood smeared on her pants and the deck around where she was sitting.

"I told you to stay behind cover," I gently teased as I started cutting the denim fabric away from her injured leg.

My sister pouted, "I did! It's not my fault Amanda, I didn't think that old dude would try and climb up the ladder. Not after I got the other guy."

I sighed as I took a look at her wound, "You're very lucky sis. It was an HVP round so there's no fragments, but another two centimetres and it could have hit the femoral artery."

"Not feeling that lucky," she grumbled. "Getting shot hurts!"

Some wound sealant stopped the bleeding for now, then I gave her a dose of painkiller before finally helping her up off the deck. I was about to take her into her cabin so she could lay down in bed when Jaycee suddenly called out from the lower deck.

"Holy shit!" they exclaimed. "That's General Sidex!"

Sergeant Magniveen asked, "What? Where?!"

"Laying dead on the deck behind you!" Jaycee replied. Then they called up, "Nyssa! You did it, you got Sidex!"

My sister and I exchanged a surprised look. Then her expression shifted to a wide grin and her tail started wagging as she announced, "See Amanda? I told you I'm gonna be a bad-ass! Just like my little sister."