Guy on a Spaceship β Chapter 38
Knowing that time was of the essence, Xara and Guy moved much quicker returning to the cathedral than they did leaving it. Thankfully, the firefights were occurring somewhere else on the station, and it seemed like the patrols had already made it through that area. Their route was surprisingly free of difficulty, and they were able to make it to the access tunnel leading into the power supply station.
As they entered the power supply station, Guyβs eyes landed on an unconscious Harmony on the floor. He immediately ran forward. Xara tried to grab him but missed.
βBe careful!β She hissed.
He ignored her and went straight to the body, grabbing her. As he did so, there was a shock of electricity, but it wasnβt enough to keep him from pulling her up. He brought her away from a tesla-coil-looking conduit that must have discharged the electricity that took her out and then brought her to an area that seemed safe. He lay her down and then immediately felt for her breath.
He didnβt feel anything. A feeling of dread came over him. Had the electric shock stopped her heart? If that was the case, how long had her heart stopped beating? She was still warm though, she had to be alive!
He grabbed her and tilted her head back. Then, his lips touched hers as he breathed into her mouth. Xara let out a small noise of surprise, but Guy ignored her as he ripped open Harmonyβs shirt, exposing her naked chest. She wasnβt wearing a bra, so her modest chest and pink nipples were immediately on display.
βWh-what are you doing?β Xara cried out. βThis is hardly the time!β
Guy ignored her, feeling her sternum and then placing his hands how he had learned. He had done these kinds of CPR tests a few times in his life, so he knew the basic mechanics. He had no clue if such a thing would work on an alien, but he also wasnβt willing to give up. He had heard that CPR no longer involved the mouth, but he was old school and he figured it wouldnβt hurt. After pumping her chest, he began to breathe in her mouth again.
Xara was making movements like she wanted to stop him, but couldnβt. It was only after the second compression, when he put his lips on her again, that Harmonyβs eyes popped open.
βMmm!β She let out a cry.
Guyβs eyes focused on hers and he was so relieved that he forgot to bring his lips away. It was Xara who finally grabbed him and pulled him off of her. He let out a cry of relief.
βYouβre alive.β
Harmony frowned, and then looked down to see her exposed chest. She covered it with the torn remains of her shirt and looked away, her cheeks turning pink.
βPervertβ¦ nyaβ¦β
βYou werenβt breathing. I was helping!β Guy cried out defensively.
βYou mean you werenβt fondling her and kissing her while she was unconscious?β Xara asked.
βWhat kind of person do you take me for?β Guy snapped back.
βWellβ¦β
βDonβt answer thatβ¦β
βWhy are you here?β Harmony asked, her usually deadpan expression returning. βAnd why is she here, nya?β
βI heard that the power relay would knock you out, and I was worried about you, so I came.β Guy declared.
βW-worriedβ¦β She repeated. βWell, as you can see, Iβm fine. The invasion?β
Guy bit his lip, sharing a look with Xara. Guy had used that reason because the next part would be a bit harder to explain. She was someone who believed in the Galactic Alliance. How could she accept that they wanted her dead?
βTheβ¦ umβ¦ invasion has gone on without a hitch. It was good to see they didnβt just blow up the station.β
βThey wouldnβt have done so with Galactic Alliance operatives on board. βBesides, space stations are expensive and difficult to build. Throwing away a resource like this, especially a station so deep outside Galactic Alliance territory, would be a waste. After this, the Galactic Alliance will be able to extend our influence farther than ever before.β
Her voice had just a bit of excitement, but it only made Guy feel even more uneasy. She was truly someone who believed in her government. Guy did not doubt that they would have happily blown up a station with their operatives on it. However, he also believed in money and convenience. Destroying such a valuable station would have been a waste, so it seemed like he didnβt need to worry about them doing such a thing. He still needed to explain all of this to Harmony.
βHarmony, we need to talk.β
βFirst, we need to connect with whoever is running the boarding party.β Harmony declared, standing up.
With her uniform torn in half exposing her upper half, she struggled to find a way to cover herself. Eventually, she settled for tying her shirt together. This covered her chest like a daisy duke top, exposing her stomach and giving her breasts some nice cleavage. Guy didnβt have a chance to admire it though, as he was trying to keep her from leaving the power relay.
βYouβre talking about Commander Dirik? We saw him earlier.β
βHeβs with the landing party?β Harmony asked in surprise and then smiled. βThis is good. Most commanders remain on their ships, so I didnβt think heβd come himself. However, since heβs here, heβll know my situation.β
She turned away, but Guy grabbed her arm and pulled her back. βThatβs what Iβm trying to tell you. Commander Dirik wants you dead!β
βWh-what?β Harmony blinked, looking genuinely surprised for once.
βThere was an informant on the station who confronted the commander. We saw them shoot him down.β
βAn informantβ¦β she shook her head. βThatβsβ¦ fine. If they were a criminalβ¦β
Guy shook his head immediately, trying to stop her from arguing her way out of this. βLook, he said that he wanted you dead too. We heard him.β
Xara nodded in affirmation, but rather than look convinced, Harmonyβs expression darkened. βWhy should I believe you?β
βHarmonyβ¦β
βYouβ¦ youβre both criminals!β
βHarmony, listenβ¦β
βNo! You listen!β She lifted something in her hand, and it was only at that moment Guy realized that she had somehow acquired a gun that had been at her belt and was now pointing it at the two of us. βI finally have the opportunity to return home. I wonβt allow you to mess it up.β
βSeriously? After everything?β Guy was more surprised than hurt.
Women were deceptive and dangerous in the best of times. Ferrin was a perfect example of that. At one moment, she seemed like a sweet and innocent girl. The next moment, she was a raving lunatic. Madame Priscilla as well, although it wasnβt much of a secret that she was a bit crazy. However, for some reason, Guy hadnβt expected Harmony to do such a thing.
Harmony looked hesitant for a second, but her resolve quickly formed on her face and she nodded. βHands up. Youβre both under arrest.β
βI helped you.β Guy stated. βYou made promises.β
βYeah? Well, you shouldnβt have trusted me, nya.β Harmony declared coldly. βI said, hands up!β
Xara put her hands up. βOh, go back and save her, you said. This will be fineβ¦ you said.β
βI didnβt see it going this way,β Guy spoke back, raising his own hands.
βI will tell them what you did for the Galactic Alliance. Assuredly, once they learn of your deeds, you can be returned to your planet,β Harmony responded.
βI donβt think itβs going to work that way,β Guy warned.
βWhatever, just get walking!β
Guy and Xara didnβt have any choice but to walk out. He knew Harmony was being ridiculous, but with a literal gun to his back, he could only keep moving. If he tried to overpower her, he didnβt doubt that sheβd fire, and one of them would end up getting hurt. The three continued out of the maintenance hallway and back into the main area. As if to insult the ease with which they were able to reach Harmony, they immediately stumbled into a group of soldiers.
It was a group of five men. He couldnβt see what their appearances were, as they all wore black armor which included helmets that covered their heads. They were also holding rifles much larger than the weapon Harmony had. If they attacked, there was little question about which way the battle would lean.
The leader immediately raised his gun, but he didnβt fire. The man looked our group over, noticing that Harmony had her gun up behind us. She was using us as a human shield. Had she been wrong, they would have been shot and she might have had a chance to run. Guy tensed, planning to leap to the side, grabbing Xara with him at any moment. He couldnβt protect Harmony if things went down, and at that exact moment, he wasnβt feeling particularly protective of her.
After having done so much to protect her, he was feeling completely betrayed. Of course, he had originally been planning on betraying her by telling the wedding party of their attack. However, many things happened and it didnβt turn out that way. As far as Harmony knew, he had done everything she asked from beginning to end. If he had the chance, he would pay her back for this. That wasnβt to say heβd kill her, but heβd come up with a way to put her in her place.
βHarmony X0123322.β She declared. βIβve arrived with prisoners.β
βHarmonyβ¦ this is the one?β The leader asked, lifting a radio. βWe found a cathariβ¦ she has two prisonersβ¦ Iβm sending their signatures now.β
The man held out a baton and waved it over us. A red line crossed over us, and there were three distinct beeps. Harmony acted as if this was normal, but Guy was as tense as he had ever been. As soon as the man raised his gun, everything would go down. Guy reckoned he had only a few split seconds to choose between life and death. If Guy made the wrong move, then they all would die.
Guy watched the manβs trigger finger closely. Time seemed to stretch as he waited for the command to fire.
βCommander Dirik says bring them immediately to him.β A voice responded.
Guy nearly collapsed on the spot. This was not the orders he had been given earlier. He could hear Xara exhale next to him. She had been just as wound up. Maybe he wanted to execute her himself? Something about all of this seemed off. Guy spared a glance at Harmony, who merely cocked her eyebrow as if to tell him, βwhat now?β. Guy closed his mouth, but he still didnβt trust any of it.
βWhere is command right now?β
βTheyβre in the personal shuttle dock, preparing to depart back to the ship. Escort them there immediately.β
βAs you command.β
The man ended the conversation and then made a gesture. βMove.β
Harmony stepped to the side and then gestured with her gun to move Xara and Guy on. She was acting like she was still escorting them, except the other guys had their guns up behind her. So even as she held her gun to their backs, five armed men held their rifles to hers. She was being escorted just like her two prisoners. Was she being intentionally obtuse?
Guy decided that she was beyond help and only proceeded to go where he was lead. They walked for a bit longer, heading back in the direction of the docks, however, instead of going to a seedy area of the station, they ended up traveling a posher route. The floors were carpeted and there was fine art on the walls. They eventually came out into a dock area that resembled more of a first-class airport waiting area than a place for offloading supplies.
As soon as Guy entered the room, several men came from the sides. They popped collars onto Guyβs neck and Xaraβs neck. Another went for Harmony, and for the first time she let out a noise, lifting her gun. One of the men snatched the gun and twisted it from her hand, and she was collared immediately.
βWhatβs the big idea, nya?β
βItβs nothing personal.β A voice caught our attention. βIβm just deciding if you can be trusted.β
The three of us all glanced at the source of the voice. The waiting room had several master windows that gave a clear view of the area outside the station. The cruiser that they came on could be seen in the distance, which the radio had said was their destination. Well, that was assuming they werenβt executed immediately. Commander Dirik was standing in front of that window, his hands behind his back as he looked across the stars.
βTrusted, nya.β Harmony breathed. βIβm loyal to the Galactic Alliance. I brought down the shield and I captured prisoners!β
βYes.β The cathari man responded, turning around. βThe only reason youβre alive right now is because of those prisoners. Youβve done me a great service.β
βThen, whatβs the big idea, nya?β
He made a face. βI see you havenβt learned proper speech. Nya? So, unsophisticated.β
Harmonyβs face flushed, but she didnβt argue back, instead, lowering her head. He didnβt pay her any mind, instead turning to Xara.
βXara Dresdon. Iβve already captured your father. She didnβt respond to that. Perhaps, sheβll surrender once she learns we have you?β
βYou bastard!β A voice shouted, and a man being held by three others tried to step forward.
The collar around his neck turned red, and he let out a cry as he collapsed to the ground, his body shaking like he was being electrocuted.
βFather!β Xara cried out.
She took a step forward, only for her collar to also turn red. She collapsed with a cry as well, but hers only lasted a moment, leaving her gasping for breath. When Dresdon finally recovered, he looked up, but not at Xara or Dirik. His eyes fell on me.
βUseless! You were supposed to get her on the prison ship!β
Guy winced. βI trusted the wrong pussy.β
Harmony shifted behind him but didnβt say anything.
Commander Dirik laughed. βOh, yes, the prison ship. Theyβre still waiting for a lost crew member. Theyβre not going to be able to hold much longer. I wonder if that woman will still flee knowing her sister is caught now.β
βS-sister?β Xara frowned. βWhat are you talking about? My sister is in jail!β
Her eyes looked at Dresdon, who glanced away. Commander Dirik let out a laugh.
βWhy do you think Iβm here? Of course, taking this station is an achievement, but nothing close to apprehending the leader of the great rebellion. We figured it was only a matter of time before sheβd return to family, so we took the opportunity to set this trap for her.β Dirik lifted some kind of transceiver and clicked a button. βBroadcast on all frequencies. Prisoner #B-055. I have your father and your sister with me. Surrender now, or I will execute them both. You have a minute to give your answer.β
He clicked it again, a small grin on his face. After thirty seconds, the radio blasted back.
βCommander!β
βIs she surrendering?β He asked smugly.
βWe need help! Oh, my ga-β There was an explosion, much more powerful than any of the attacks from before.
Everyone was thrown to the ground as the station rumbled. A few moments later, the window looking out revealed the prison ship. Guy had only seen it once from the outside, but it was unmistakable. They had managed to launch and were now on a course fleeing the station. The girls had made it after all. Guy let out a small sigh of relief. He might end up dead or imprisoned, but at least he didnβt cause them to get captured.
βThat bitch!β Commander Dirik screamed. βCatch them! Catch them.β
βSir, we canβt! They destroyed all the docks. We canβt launch any ships until the debris is cleared.β
They had apparently to set off some kind of explosion, taking out the docks in the process. The Galactic Alliance had used the docks to quickly board and take over the station, but it was that same fact that was used to trap them on the station.
Commander Dirikβs expression darkened, and his eyes ended up falling on Xara, who was still on her knees. βFineβ¦ she gave her answer. Then Iβll give my response.β
βYou better not touch her!β Dresdon shouted, the collar going off causing him to convulse on the floor.
It seemed to trigger when someone had a rebellious thought. As Guy was thinking this, he was shoved down next to Xara as Dirik made a gesture.
βGirl, you wish to prove your worth? Fine. Kill these two immediately.β He made another gesture, and one of the men handed Harmony a rifle.
βWh-what?β
βDid I nya?β He snapped. βExecute these criminals.β
βAhβ¦s-sirβ¦β Harmonyβs face became pale. βI have no problem executing the girl. However, this guy helped me escape. He also helped me bring down the shield. Heβs not completely useless. We can allow him to live.β
Commander Dirik sneered, and then lifted some kind of device in his palm. To Guyβs surprise, a holographic image appeared. It was an image of him. Specifically, it was him shooting at the bugs, killing them all. The image showed him gunning a few, and then it quickly changed to a profile picture. There was text scrolling up and down it that he couldnβt read. Harmonyβs mouth fell open.
βThis creature is a mass murderer. Heβs a criminal of the Galactic Alliance, the same as any of them. He was originally coded as believed deceased, but his body wasnβt recovered. It wasnβt until you brought him to us and his signature was scanned that it was determined he was still alive. Heβs considered extremely dangerous, execute on sight.β
βG-Guyβ¦β She looked down at me, shaking her head like she couldnβt believe it. βHow could you?β
βThey tried to hurt who I cared about,β I responded simply. βIf anyone tried to hurt my friends, I would act in kind.β
βEnough of this.β Commander Dirik waved his hand. βYouβre a soldier. You shouldnβt have even needed such an explanation. This is an order, and also your last chance. Eliminate the targets.β
βD-donβtβ¦ bastard!β Dresdon spat through clenched teeth, his body still shaking.
Harmony lifted the gun. It was the end of the line.