Ben was listening as the Galaef and Brale were discussing what to do next, but Em ignored them and stepped into the stairwell. Ben and Samsung were quick to follow, and as they did the Galaef and the others fell in behind.
Em walked down the stairs and stepped onto the top landing. He moved toward the door. Again he used his magic. He put his hand on the code lock, then punched the palm lock with the butt of his hand. The door slid open.
Ben watched as Em hesitated. Why was he waiting? Suddenly Em ducked into the hallway as a red beam shot over his head and through the opening. It just missed Ben as he jumped out of the way. Em brought his phasor into action. The blue streak leapt out, and the man fell to the floor in stun.
How the hell did Em know that man was there? Or maybe he was just being cautious.
As Ben, Samsung and the others followed, Em hurried down the hallway leading toward the front of the building. They came to a wide corridor, which led to the left away from the corridor they were in. It appeared the corridor was at least twenty feet wide. There were ten closed doors on both sides. It traveled approximately two hundred feet and ended in a corridor which was vertical to it at the other end of the building.
Em looked to the left down the long corridor, paused a moment, and then continued straight hurrying toward the scent room. He passed from the opening of the wide corridor with the others close behind him, but still in the intersection. As Ben continued to watch, one of Hurd’s elite guard step around the corner at the far end of the wide corridor and fired a red bolt. Much to Ben’s chagrin and certainly to the Galaef’s displeasure, the bolt hit the Galaef in the leg creating a big black hole in his calf muscle. He went down in pain, cursing.
Ben and the others scattered in both directions moving to safety and out of the line of fire. When Ben looked around he was surprised to see that the Galaef was still lying on the floor writhing in agony. Why hadn’t he pulled himself to safety?
Ben started back to help the Galaef, but a red phasor bolt tore down the hallway just missing the top of his head. He turned and ducked behind the corner of the corridor.
He leaned around the corner with his phasor with the intention of returning fire. He hoped they could get to the Galaef before he was shot dead, but before he could squeeze off a round a whole barrage of phasor bolts from several of Hurd’s elite guard lit up the hallway.
A door at the nearest end of the hallway opened, and one of Hurd’s elite guard ran out. He grabbed the Galaef pulling him into an upright position, and putting a gun to his head he backed down the hall with the Galaef in tow.
Brale cleared his throat, hesitated, then said to Ben, "We could stun them both."
Ben looked perplexed, but didn't hesitate to say, "No. If we do that, then they'll both be lying in the middle of the hallway with phasor bolts being fired over and around them on both sides. Although not probable it's possible the Galaef would be hit again. I think instead that Samsung should go after him."
Ben looked at Samsung. "How about it?"
Samsung nodded his head, “Yes. I will get him.”
"Good," said Ben. “If anyone can rescue him, it’ll be you. Xilil, Phist, Brale, the three of you go with Samsung. The rest of us will continue on to the scent room."