Star Raiders and the Lost Expidition (19 page)

Xman looked at her and questioned, “Why? Are you in trouble with father?”

She sulked and replied, “Well, I sort of snuck out when I’m supposed to be grounded.”

Xman frowned disappointedly, “Tygla, I thought I knew you better.”

She frowned and said regretfully, “I’m sorry, but when I heard father say, that he traded your life with our freedom, I-I lost it. I figured if daddy wasn’t going rescue you it would be up to me.”

Xman sighed the said to her “Tygla, I can’t lie to father, besides. You’re a brave little sister, but sometimes, you got to be braver and take the punishment you are dealt with. But I’m sure father would understand that you traveled all the way here to find me, killed a Xatu guard, and faced my wrath.” Tygla frowned even more as Xman saw misery her eyes. He could not bear to see her in this way and said, “It’ll be ok. I’ll, I’ll come up with something.”

Looked to him and brightly smiled. She hugged him tightly and said, “Oh thank you Xman.”

“
You’re welcome, but uh, you owe me, big.” He said firmly.

She nodded in understanding, “I know.”

Xman disappeared into the bar and Mike turned to them, “Look, it’s not gonna take the Xatu too long before they send more troops. So I suggest we finish putting the Star Hawk to together quickly and get the hell out of here.”

“
Then what? We go find the Condor?” Justin hoped.

Mike replied, “No, we gotta stop the Empire.”

“
Uh, stop the Empire, from what?” Justin wondered. “Getting their hands on that energy that Xman talked about? Mike, we don’t know that even exits. And besides, we’re adventures, not freedom fighters.”

Tygla then said to Justin, “Justin, if the Xatu get to that energy they’ll unstoppable. They’ll destroy my home world and dozen others.”

“
And that includes Sadr and Cian. Look, I know you don’t like fighting the Empire no more that I do, but if they find this power you can kiss ‘Star Raiders Inc.’ good bye. Because once they wipe out the rest of the colonials, who do you think they’ll go after next? Every opposed humans left in the galaxy and that includes us.”

Mike was right Justin thought and replied, “Alright, but if we do survive this. I think we deserve something. Maybe half what you were going pay us Tygla? I mean we almost rescued Xman,”

“
How can you think of money at a time like this?” Tygla wondered astonishingly.

“
Easy, I just do,” Justin replied.

“
Justin, we’ll find another job, after this,” Mike said to him.

“
But Mike, we got a huge payment to make,” Justin reminded him.

“
What huge payment?” Tygla inquired.

Mike looked to Tygla, “It’s complicated, I’ll tell you later.” He looked to Justin, “Look, maybe Digan has something for us. You did talk to him right?”

“
Yeah,”

“
And?”

Justin sighed and frowned, “Nada.”

Mike sighed as Tygla felt a bit sorry, “Look,” she started, “I am sorry that I couldn’t pay you guys, but if you need money badly, I’ll gladly give my weeks allowance, just to tie you over.”

“
No Tygla, don’t,” Mike said, “We didn’t fill our end of the bargain, but don’t feel sorry for us. We’ll survive.” He turned to Justin, “Right?”

Justin said sorrowfully, “Yeah I guess you right, well if we going to get out of here fast I’m going to need an extra hand.”

“
Don’t worry partner,” Morgan said as he patted on Justin’s back, “I know that ship inside and out.”

Mike said, “Ok, while Xman talks to his father, you and Sheriff Morgan get to work on the
Star Hawk,
while Tygla, CRAIG, and I get the parts.”

Chapter 10

Uno Po’Du’s Discovery

“
They What?!” Tila said angrily at the officers in her quarters in the Hades.

They bowed their head to her and reported, “I’m sorry Lieutenant, we lost contact with their ship, that is when our Vrampian spy contacted us, and said…That Xman killed the crew and destroyed a B’tar ship.”

She frowned, not liking what she heard. She ordered them to get out, before she kills them for this news. The officers bowed again left her alone. She did not know what to say to Drax. She got up and decided to face their punishment. She was used to that.

Ever since she was very little, her father comes home drunk and beats her a lot. It started to happen when her parents had gotten a divorce just a year after the destruction of Earth. A freak accident killed her mother as the Xatu suddenly captured their family and placed them in to the nuke pits on the moon of Andorna as slaves. Their job was to help cipher the nuclear liquid from its pits. A dangerous job, even for the Xatu, that was until Tila’s mother accidentally fell into one of the pits and died. Then, someone told her that her father had pushed her mother in. Tila had to tell the Xatu authorities the truth after the third night of the beatings. They executed her father for treason and the empire released her from slavery and placed her in a Xatu school. Tila began to like the Xatu ways and she became more loyal to the Empire. That is where she entered in military school and became a lieutenant of the
Hades
security unit.

As she entered Drax’s office, he was alone as he gazed at the stars. His eyes were particularly set on a lone planet far away.

“
Lieutenant?” Drax said.

“
Sorry for disturbing you my lord, but, I have bad news to report,” she said, “Hiss’ plan has failed. Xman and his sister are still at the port.”

Drax frowned at this then remembered what the Emperor said. He turned to her and said, “I knew that it would. Do not be concerned about their failures. I will deal with Hiss in time. Come here Lieutenant, I like to show you something.” She walked over to him wondering what she wanted. He nodded towards to the small green dot ahead of them, “There it is Lieutenant, our destination, the Uno System. Do you know that we are first ones since Uno Pu’Do to rediscover it? My science officer informs that there is a great significant of pure negative energy.”

“
Negative?” Tila wondered.

“
Yes, that’s what I wondered,” he replied as Hiss entered, “Hiss, you have disappointed me for the last time.”

Hiss gasps and he wondered what he was talking about, “Why? Sssss.”

“
You’re plan has failed,” He looked to him and his eyes glowed redder at him, “Xman is still there.”

Hiss now afraid as he back away, “Failed? Do not b-blame me sssir. It wassss the offisser who carried it out. They are the onesss who failed.”

“
But it was your plan,” Drax argued.

“
How would I know thissss would happen?”

He turned to Tila and asked, “How many were sent?”

She hesitated before she answered, “Only one my lord.”

“
Ssssee itsss her fault, Ssshe’sss the one who sssend the oederssss,” Hiss snitched as he pointed his chrome finger at her.

Drax looked to her frowning and asked, “I hope you have a good explanation for that lieutenant?”

Her mouth opened not knowing what to say as she stumbled fearfully, “I’m, I’m,” Tila closed her eyes and lowered her head in grief as she answered, “I’m sorry my lord, I must have underestimated Prince Xman. I am ready for my punishment.”

Drax looked at her, and then realized it was not really her fault. He should have told her of what Xman was capable of. He looked back to the planet.

“
Lieutenant, don’t look like a fool,” Drax said as Tila looked up curiously, “You are still young. Still learning. Just don’t let it happen again.”

Hiss was surprised at his. He was sure that Drax would hit her or something. It did not seem fair to him.

“
Thank you my lord,” Tila said a bit surprised.

“
Where was I?” Drax asked

Tila answered, “I think you were talking about Uno Pu’Do, sir.”

“
Oh yes,” said Drax, “Hiss, I want you to tell Captain Tah, to move closer to the planet.”

“
Ssir?” Hiss started, “Issn’t that dangerousss? I heard that Uno didn’t quite make it back.”

“
Those are just rumors Hiss,” Drax remarked, “Legends, to scare the weak minded like yourself. Now don’t make me repeat myself.”

“
Yessss my lord,” he nodded as he slithered over to the intercom. He pressed a couple of buttons as Tah answered, “Captain, Lord Draxsss, wantsss you to move the sship clossser to the planet.”

“
Move forward?” Tah asked.

“
Yes Tah,” Drax answered loudly from across the room, “Move the ship forward.”

“
Aye Aye sir,” Tah replied.

On the bridge, Tah ordered his helmsman to proceed ahead one quarter of power. The ship moved and not more than a minute, the ship trembled and everybody on the bridge shook with it. The lights went out in Drax’s Office and the sound went dead for a moment. Suddenly, Drax just felt the pureness of the energy and liked it. He wanted more of it. Energy like that, think of the possibility Drax pondered. Hiss though, had different opinions. On the bridge, the crew started to talk amongst themselves wondering what to do.

“
Report,” Tah ordered.

The Xatu lieutenant acknowledged, “Sir, all of our systems went down for a moment. It’ll take a few minutes to reboot.”

The ship quaked in the office again as Hiss spoke, “You we’re ssaying my Lord.”

“
Maybe I shouldn't underestimate Uno,” Drax retorted.

“
Thiss plasse is curssed,” Hiss said.

“
Don’t be a fool,” Drax commented.

All was then silent. They waited for a few minutes for the computers to be up again, but nothing happened as if something drained their power. Tah, on the bridge, ordered the ship to back away. The auxiliary engines suddenly kicked in and the crew did as Tah ordered. Interesting, Drax thought, as he pondered in his office, this planet drains all energy if anyone comes close. Once the ship was out of range the power and lights came back on. He decided to take precaution just as the Emperor told him. He needed more info on the planet and the energy source before he could start an expedition.

“
Hiss,” Drax started, “Tell your science officers to start scanning more of the planet. Then report to me if you have anything interesting.”

“
Yess sssir,” His replied as he slithered out the door.

“
Lieutenant, you are dismissed,” Drax ordered.

Tila nodded to him, “Thank you my lord. What should I do with Xman?”

“
Don’t worry. He will soon come to us.”

“
Sir?” she wondered

“
He has too much ego and pride,” he proclaimed, “That is a mistake in war. Now I like to be in peace.”

As soon as she left, Drax was alone. He sat in his chair thinking. With this new power, he could have his revenge on Xman and his friends. No one could stop him not even the Emperor himself. He could destroy Mi’Tuk and the Xatu Empire and rule the galaxy for himself. He smiled and chuckled at that evil thought.

As the elevator opened Mike, CRAIG, and Tygla entered the old hanger carrying plastic white bags. CRAIG however was caring five pieces of heavy engine parts. They walked over and placed the bags on the Entertable. Mike told CRAIG to set the parts on the floor by the ship. Everything was working as planned.

“
Justin! We’re back!” Mike called out.

Justin was busy in the engine compartment of the ship patching some wires as the sheriff was in the cockpit trying to get the onboard computer systems to work.

“
Did you get the Neoxite?” Justin asked loudly.

“
Yeah,” Mike replied. Then Justin walked down the ramp and over to them. “It wasn’t cheap. As a matter of fact, I didn’t have any money left over to pay for it.”

Justin cocked an eyebrow wondering why and asked, “So how did you get it?”