Star Raiders and the Lost Expidition (9 page)

“
If you’re an android, why didn’t they disassemble you or something?” Xman asked.

“
Drax thought it would be amusing if I was locked up like a human animal,” CRAIG replied. “I just don’t understand humans sometimes. You are Prince Xman are you not?”

“
Yeah,” He replied unsurely to his cellmate, “How’d you know?”

“
My wireless news network informed me that you were here.”

“
Well, if you’re really an android why don’t you escape or something?” Xman thought.

“
I was ordered to stay in this cell until I rusted,” CRAIG replied, “So as Drax says and I must obey. It is part of my programming.”

“
Well, what if I asked you to forcefully open the door?”

“
Well, it is my program to obey any living person,” The android replied. “But these walls and door are made out of a Xatu metal called Xrylium, an unbreakable metal. Even I cannot break them. So it seems that we will be in here for a very long time.”

Xman then said, “Well, don’t worry. We won’t be here that long.”

“
How do you mean?” The android wondered.

Xman replied, “I got friends in the Colonials who I think right now they are planning to get me out of this hell hole.”

Meantime the
Golden Condor
finally arrived at its destination, Felinoron. It became a dismal planet after the Empire’s latest hit. Smoke bellowed from the remains of the buildings. They saw some Felinis scurrying around trying to put out the fires and rebuild what the Empire destroyed. Tygla frowned and sighed at this sight and wished it never happened. They landed on the royal launch pad in the capital city. The palace was the only building that the empire did not hit too badly. When Mike and Justin first looked at it, they thought they took a wrong turn and ended up in the ‘Emerald City in Oz.’

“
Jeez,” Justin exclaimed as they got down from the bay doors. He looked at the ruined city and said, “It does look like the Empire has been here.”

The port was empty as no one greeted them. Then suddenly a door on the far side of the pad opened and four Felinis guards entered the area with their laser rifles aimed at the new arrivals. Mike, Justin and Tygla were alarmed and confused. When they noticed Tygla, they lowered their guns. One of them mumbled something in his MiniCom. The doors opened once more and an older tiger looking Felinis entered the pad.

“
Tygla?” He called to her.

Tygla turned towards the door and replied, “Father?” She knew that she was in trouble disobeying her father, but maybe he had forgotten as she ran towards her with open arms.

Her father hugged Tygla and said joyously, “Tygla my daughter. When I learned that you disappeared, I-I was so worried,” he then looked at her with a stern look. Tygla’s heart leaped in fear. “I thought I told you to stay in the castle walls.”

Tygla frowned and said softly, “I’m sorry father. I had to go and find help.”

King Rymu looked at the two human pilots and their ship wondering what kind of help Tygla got. He did not like strangers escorting his daughter throughout the galaxy without him knowing.

She looked at her new friends and said, “Oh, I’m rudely sorry father, let me introduce you two. Mike, Justin. This is my father, King Rymu.”

“
Hi,” Mike replied holding out his hand for a handshake.

King Rymu shook his hand in good gesture as he did the same to Justin. Tygla’s father was an older version Xman, but he was a bit shorter and had a grown a furry mane around his chin. Mike thought that he did not look like a king at all, just some father.

Tygla continued, “Father this is Mike Tippin and Justin Jobbs. They’re my, uh, new private guards.”

“
Say what?!” Justin exclaimed not believing what she said as Mike calmed him down with a hand gesture.

Tygla concluded, “They’ll be staying here for a couple of days, if that’s okay with you?”

“
Well,” he pondered looking at them. He did not know why Tygla had picked them to be private guards, but he was sure that she had her reasons. And even now they desperately needed more guards and soldiers he made his decision, “All right, but let me inform you this, it’s been rough for us all, most of the common rooms have been severely damaged, so you’ll be staying in the main castle,” he proclaimed.

Tygla said happily, “Oh, thank you daddy,” she kissed him on the cheek, but her father tried to smile, but he was too disappointed in Tygla’s actions.

“
But I want to talk to you young lady. Alone”

Tygla sighed and replied grimly, “Yes father.”

King Rymu, Tygla and the guards left the launch pad through the door. Mike and Justin got their things and followed them.

Inside it was something that Mike and Justin had never seen in their lives before. Even though that the Empire had destroyed most of the city, the palace seemed that it was never touched. Mike inquired about that and Rymu explained that they had a shield generator turned on round their home. Tygla said after the battle she snuck away in a public transport ship and arrived at Cian. They walked down the hall and Mike noticed all the fancy paintings around. He then saw Tygla’s painting and she told him that it was painted during her coronation when she was eighteen. He then knew that he could never be good for her. Justin was right she was way out of her league.

She escorted the two to their room and Tygla told them that she was going to her room to clean herself up and would see them later. They both entered and saw the room. Justin never thought that he would see the day that he would be sleeping in a luxurious room such as the one Tygla pick out. It was big, so big in fact; you could put the
Condor
in the room. It had a full size bathroom, entertainment center, and more. Justin and Mike was very impressed and started to unpack. A half an hour later, once Mike and Justin finished unpacking, there was a tone at the door. Mike went over and opened it and their stood Tygla in her proper royal gown. She was in a white long silk dress with a v-neck line in front. Her hair was done and braided she glimmered in the sun like a white diamond.

“
Wow, your beautiful,” Mike remarked astonishingly. “Just like a true princess.”

Tygla blushed entering the room, “Why thank you Mike.”

“
OK,” Justin said sitting on his bed, “Why did you lie to your dad back on the pad?”

“
If my father ever found out that you were bounty hunters, he’d kill me,” Tygla replied, “He doesn’t like the idea of ruffians living in the castle. Besides, you promised me.”

“
Yes we did,” Mike commented, “But one clear thing, we’re not bounty hunters, we’re adventures. So what’s the plan for getting your brother?”

“
Well, we have to access the control room, when no one’s around, so we have to do this after hours. Therefore, I convinced my father that you‘d be my special guest for dinner tonight. After dinner, we'll all meet in the control room. I am sure no one will be there at that hour. We’ll then plan for his rescue,” Tygla informed.

Justin said, “I thought we were you private guards?”

“
You are,” she replied, “But for now, you’re my guests, okay?”

“
Yeah, okay,” said Justin, “We’ll play it your way for now.”

“
Good,” she said, “Dinner’s at six. And don’t be late.”

“
Anything else my love, I mean Tygla?” Mike asked quickly correcting himself.

Tygla replied and she thought he said ‘her love’, but ignored it, “Yes, I hope you have something better to wear than what you have on now. When we have guests for dinner, it’s kind of formal.”

“
Don’t worry,” said Mike, “We won’t embarrass you.”

“
I hope not,” she said flirting to Mike as she left the room.

“
You’re getting too cute for her, Mike,” Justin warned.

“
I think she likes me,” Mike replied dreamily as he leaned against the door.

“
Get real,” Justin ended, “Say, do we even have formalwear?”

Later that night in the dining room, everybody entered. Mike and Justin had to borrow a couple of suits, as they were handsomely dressed, with their black tuxedos and jacket. King Rymu however was in his royal purple king’s attire complete with robe. Mike noticed that the room had to be large enough for the long banquet to fit in. He saw more paintings on the wall. Some he recognized from his old earth history book. They must be replicas he thought.

“
I’m sorry for all the mess that’s around here, but some of my servants had to seek safe refuge from the last battle we had with the Xatu,” remarked Rymu.

Everybody sat down expect Tygla. She picked up her glass and said, “I like to propose a toast,” then everybody picked up his or her glasses and Tygla continued, “To my brother, I hope he is here, with us, in spirit. And I also wish he will return home safely.”

“
A beautiful speech Tygla,” commented Mike as she sat down next to him.

“
Can we have the first course?” The King asked.

One of the servants who decided to stay came in with a cart. On top of the cart sat a silver tray with a dome lid. The servant removed the top and the delicious smell filled the room. Another servant entered caring two bowls. One of them was salad, and the other was some mixed vegetables. He placed it on the table and began serving the others.

Mike sniffed the savory odor and asked, “What is it?”

The king turned towards Mike and replied, “It’s a unique old Earth delicatessen you might like, Beef Wellington.”

“
Beef Wellington?” Mike questioned.

The king replied, “What? You thought it was some erotic Felinis dish?” He laughed and continued, “Eat up.”

The Felinis servants served the divine dish and everybody enjoyed it. Mike could not help think what Tygla said in her toast. He wanted to help her, but he also wanted to get some advice.

“
Your majesty,” Mike started as Rymu looked to him after sipping his wine, “I know that your son has been kidnapped and I want to help in any way to get him back for you.”

“
That is a very considerate of you,” replied Rymu “But I’m afraid you cannot help. I don’t have enough soldiers to guard the castle let alone for a rescue mission. I’m sure you understand. Besides, I need someone to guard my only daughter. That is why she chose you, right?”

Mike was distraught and agreed with him, “Right, but if we had enough people to spare, I’m sure you would find a way.” Tylga looked at Mike and did not like where this was leading. “So speaking hypothetically, any idea how we’d spring him out, if we had too?”

“
My boy, you do not know the Empire’s ships as we do. It’s impossible to break in their defenses and ‘spring’ my son out,” the King announced.

Mike could not believe his ears, “So you’re gonna just leave him there for the Empire’s doing?”

“
I don’t like it more than you do Mr. Tippin, but it is the best safest way to ensure my people’s freedom. Now can we change the subject?”

“
Our people’s freedom?” Tygla inquired, “What are you talking about?”

Rymu frowned a bit, afraid to tell her what he had done knowingly that it would upset her.

“
I had to act like a king Tygla, to ensure our people’s lives and freedom. One day when you are queen, you will know what I am talking about.”

“
You traded Xman for your people’s freedom, didn’t you?” Mike said as Rymu nodded slowly.

Tygla did not believe what she was hearing.

“
How could you do that?!” Tygla said in disbelief as tears start to form in her eyes.

“
It was a decision I did not want to make, but it was for best interest to our home. You must understand this Tygla,” Rymu replied.

“
I-I hate you,” Tygla said softly, got up and ordered her private guards moodily, “Mike, Justin. I like to be escorted to my room, now.”

Mike and Justin both got up. Mike noticed that Tygla’s mood has changed and he did not like it. He then thought he probably went overboard asking her father about Xman’s imprisonment.