Star Warden Book 2: RQ Chapter 6

 

Vicious Assault.

“Out of all the things I thought I would do in life. Attacking a train was not on the list.” The Warden observed the Sprites march in single file as they were loaded into the train cars. Linked together with electronic shackles that emitted special vibrations to prevent the Sprites from casting spells. A stronger version in the form of powerful sound waves covered the entire loading bay. Sam couldn't hear it due to it existing outside of the human hearing range. Kaguya however could and she found it nearly unbearable. 

He caught a glimpse of Bridget giving a defiant look to the SWAT-bots before the train door was slammed shut.

“Atta girl.”

The train left the station using some sort of magnetic levitation. It even had a retro-futuristic design to it, though its beauty was buried under a cold and industrial aesthetic. As he followed the train with the stolen SWAT-carrier part of the Warden was still uneasy about the situation. First, how easily they came across the information gave him a feeling that this was some sort of trap.

Second, why would the Domain use a train and keep them all in one place? It would be logical to just fly them out on a convoy of carriers. Use decoys and at least mitigate them losing any Sprites. Benjamin and the other Guardians speculated that the Domain would use the carriers as decoys because their enemies would not be expecting them to use the train to move the sprites. Which made sense as Daimos would be smart enough to change up his patterns.

Still the idea that he was walking into a trap burned in the back of his mind. But he knew that trap or no trap he had to rescue Bridget and the other Sprites. He would also have to discard the carrier after this, it was pushing his luck using it back to back.

He stayed high and above the train until it was far out into the sands. Jeremias took control keeping steady while the Warden lowered himself to the train car door. The Talisman executed a small EMP program to shut off the locks. He slid opened the door and leaped into the car.

“Someone call for a rescue?”

The Sprites looked up at him with smiles.

“About time,” said Bridget. “you almost made me look like a liar in front of everyone.”

“Well excuse me, princess. You should have left a note saying you would be missing.” Sam began removing their bonds while talking. “Okay everyone we got a ride for you. Once you're free fly over into the carrier. It will be a tight fight but you're small guys so I'm sure you'll have enough room.”

Some of the Sprites laughed at that.

“Star Warden, did you see the monster,” asked one of the Sprites.

“No. It's why I don't own any mirrors. But what monster?”

The train came to a sudden halt and knocked the Warden off his feet. His mind was screaming “Called it. Called it!” But he calmed himself and got on his radio.

“Sit rep now!” He rushed back to free the last of the Sprites.

“The train ceased movement with no outside influence. Jeremias says that communications are being interfered with. You were correct this was a trap.”

“Okay everyone off the train. Double time!”

A roar followed by the sound of ripping metal caught his attention. A towering bipedal metal dragon tore through the train car. It had dark golden eyes and two arms that ended in glowing claws. It crushed the floor with its steps causing sparks to fly from the rail line beneath it. This is the monster that destroyed the Oasis. Its name is Vicious, an Archon of the Stygian Domain. The Sprites screeched in unison as they saw the nightmarish creature that destroyed their home.

Bridget screamed a warning. “SAM! WATCH OUT ITS BREATH IS RADIOACTIVE!”

His suit's radiation sensors confirmed it as his heads-up display lit up like a Christmas tree when Vicious open its mouth. A radioactive energy stream in the form of black and green flames poured into the train car and the Warden jumped out of the way. Creating a virtual construct of a large net to sweep the remaining Sprites out with him and into the carrier. The train car liquefied then vaporized before his very eyes, he put his radiation sensors on silent.

Kaguya surrounded Sam and herself with several defensive spells to keep the heat and the radiation at bay. Jeremias put the craft at maximum speed and fled to escape the creature. Escape was futile as Vicious exerted little effort in catching up with it in the air. The Warden ordered Jeremias to get back to the Haven while he and the Princess left the carrier.

“Warden!” The cold flat voice contradicted the monstrous visage Vicious presented. “Surrender! By order of Lord Daimos!”

“Bite me!” He blasted the dragon with his fusion cannon. Vicious responded with its atomic breath. The clashing energies exploded and covered the field with radioactive dust. The Archon took flight followed by all the dust which inhibited his sensor equipment. The dust soon formed into a powerful tornado trapping the Archon inside. A gap in the tornado opened up followed by a blast of radioactive particles knocking it back. Trapped in the winds rocks and dust slammed against Vicious.

The Star Warden materialized a chain with a collar at the end and wrapped it around Vicious's neck. He dragged the dragon across the ground and with a mighty yell flung it into the nearby dunes. Following up with a blast of his fusion cannon to ensure it was destroyed. Dawnbringer glowed and Sam felt the sensation of a pat on the back in his head. When no movements were detected for several minutes he landed to confirm the kill.

That's when Vicious's tail popped out and struck him in the head. Rising from the sand Vicious pounced on Kaguya swinging its claws. Her barrier did little as vibrations in the claws tore the magic to shreds. Before the next swing could scar her face Sam parried the claw and went to follow up. But the tail swept his legs out from under him letting Vicious grab him and jump back before the Princess could retaliate.

Discreetly it placed a device on the Warden's body. While laughing in Kaguya's face as it used her husband as a shield. Kaguya summoned a flash of light overhead which briefly disoriented Vicious. Giving Sam enough time to stab it in the chest. The celestial energies caused the Archon to flicker and freeze. The sleek metal body turned blocky, which reminded Sam of really bad textures on a video game. Breaking free of its grasp he severed its arm and Kaguya destroyed the other arm with a blast of light.

Vicious elected to flee when its systems rebooted. Kaguya rushed over to Sam.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah.” He put a finger near his mouth to signal her for silence. Then he pointed to his back beneath Dawnbringer's scabbard. Kaguya grabbed then dropped the device on the ground. Crushing it under her heeled boot. The two then flew away from their area making their way back to the Guardian Haven.

“That machine wasn't as slick as it thought. I'm guessing that was a tracking device.”

“Daimos underestimated you again. Thank Kira this is one mistake he has not learned from.”

“Well let's not make the same mistake. Let's do a full check on the armor just in case he did have any backup devices.”

“Right. Oh, before I forget. Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Protecting me from that attack.”

“You don't need to thank me for that. I would always do it for you.”

“and I will always thank you for it.”

Sam couldn't help but blush at that. “She is just the sweetest in the world.”

A quick stop to check over the armor thoroughly for any secondary devices that might have been implanted. Finding none they returned to the Guardian Haven. Sam wanted a good rest and another rat burger.

******

Wireframe vectors emerged followed by flat textures materializing over them. Shifting into a higher quality state to return Vicious's limbs to full functionality. This was all done in a special regeneration chamber designed to restore damaged or deleted data. An Archon is no more than an advanced virtual construct so repairing it only required a direct link to the Codex and a data restore command.

“Embarrassing,” It snarled.

“You will have ample opportunity to avenge yourself soon,” said Daimos in its head. “Phase 1 of RG324 is complete. Ensure all units are keeping to standard patrol routes. There must be nothing is out of the ordinary to the rebels. Begin preparations to execute Phase 2.”

“By your command.” It left the chamber and took an elevator up to the command and control center. Various data-processing robots worked guarded by SWAT-bots at the doors. A holographic window showed a view of the ruined city below. The Archon did not know or care to know the name of it. It was simply a processing center that turned the feline aliens into servitors. The floating fortress above it provided extra security just in case the rebels got the bright idea to try and rescue them.

Vicious did not know why the meat would want to be rescued from its fate. Did they not care their bodies would be unproductive in a few short decades or centuries depending on species? As Servitors, they could serve out their primary functions, and more importantly would have a function, for the rest of eternity. Organics were idiots as far as it was concerned, Lord Daimos was giving them what their gods had denied them. Yet they fought against what was in their best self-interest.

“Fools. They deserve to be destroyed.”

It turned to a screen that showed a yellow dot that represented the Star Warden. The computer reported that the target had been stationary for more than one hour. Its master gave a command to activate the visual function. The computer screen showed a real-time visual of the Warden and the Princess eating at a table with some of the natives eating at other tables.

“Visual received, Lord Daimos.”

“Any sign of detection?”

“No, Master. His armor's systems have not noticed its presence.”

“Vicious, send visual.” It did so and a holographic screen with the same content opened up in the Dark Lord's throne room. He tapped into the helmet's visual data and found all the evidence he needed. 

“The Guardian Base. Yessss!” Daimos steepled his claws. “Identify location.” The computer did so. “So they hid in the canyons. This explains much.”

He turned to look over at a second screen. Displayed on it was the armor of Eli Bailey, the Silver Star. It was a bright silver-gray armor of similar make and model to the Star Warden's. Daimos originally kept it as just a trophy, today he was glad he found another use for it.

“Even in death, you serve me. My old friend.”

Chapter 7

Chapter 5