After rapidly descending five flights, they heard the doors crash open and shouting. Blast-fire rained down from above and shot up from below. The four of them kept advancing downward but clung to the walls.
“How close are we, DeOrchis?”
“Just one more flight, Cap’n.”
On the surface, it appeared to Comron that their enemies had managed to cut off their escape route, but he had a feeling the two in front of him had something up their sleeves.
They reached the next flight. DeOrchis tapped another button on his helmet and appeared to be staring at a solid wall. “This is it,” he announced. He tapped at the controls on his armband. There was a strange whirring noise and then Comron watched as a hole appeared in the wall. DeOrchis nimbly climbed through it. The captain motioned for Comron and Crausin to follow. Once on the other side, Comron realized that they’d climbed out onto the roof of the adjacent building. Looking back, he saw the captain coming out of the hole. DeOrchis tapped the controls again and the hole vanished. Just when Comron began to chalk it up to a simple holographic trick, the captain knocked his fist against the spot, hitting solid wall.
“We’re good,” he confirmed.
Comron looked from one man to the other. “How did you do that?”
DeOrchis seemed to be grinning. “Just another product of my imagination. They’ll assume we’ve gone back into the building through one of the doors in the stairwell. That’ll buy us a few minutes,” DeOrchis said as they ran over to the ledge. Peering down, they saw that the place was swarming with Recaban' and Thalonius’ forces. But all attention was intently fixed on the building they’d just left.
“Check the back door,” Yaeger ordered DeOrchis.
Immediately, DeOrchis ran to the opposite side of the building and looked down the five stories. “We’re surrounded,” he said hustling back over to them. “That didn’t take them long.”
“I think you’re really beginning to make them nervous,” Comron observed.
“You’ve abducted their duke, what did you think they’d do?” Crausin said.
Comron shot him a look and then crouched down with the others when a hovercraft passed directly over them. It shined its searchlight on the adjacent building.
“Time?” asked Yaeger.
“Forty-nine minutes,” DeOrchis responded.
“What happens in foty-nine minutes?” Comron asked.
“Our ride leaves,” DeOrchis answered.
Comron gave Yaeger a questioning look.
“I’ve ordered my men to leave with or without us. Our primary mission is to deliver Vaush to Novoxos.”
“Of course,” Comron said, then anxiously, “Why is she still on Anchorii?”
“Our carrier will only touch down at the specified time. It was too dangerous to keep it on the ground.” Yaeger turned to DeOrchis. “You ready with our diversion?”
“Yes, sir,” he said. Again, his finger tapped at the controls on his armband. “Fire in the hole.”
All of a sudden, a series of explosions went off in several strategic positions below. Total pandemonium broke out as the leaders tried to figure out the source of the random explosions. The captain motioned for them to move off. They sprinted toward the back of the building. Sheldon and DeOrchis pulled out their utility belts and leapt over the side of the wall.
“Use this and follow us down on my cable,” he tossed Comron a spare utility belt. “I wasn’t expecting two passengers. You’ll have to make do.”
“We’ll manage,” he said, fastening the belt around his waist. Yaeger and DeOrchis hopped over the wall and began their descent.
“Come on,” Comron said to Crausin. “I’ll lower us down.”
“Comron, listen to reason, this isn’t going to work. Those are our men out their searching for us. We should—”
“Hold on,” Comron said, grabbing hold of Crausin while securing his grip on the rope. Effortlessly, he leapt over the side with him and allowed the winch to lower them to the ground where Yaeger and DeOrchis waited.
As soon as he reached the bottom, Yaeger disengaged the hooks and reeled in the cable. Moving with great stealth, they crept in the shadows around the corner of the building, ducking behind a large dumpster. They froze in place as a band of soldiers came running around the corner with searchlights scanning the alley. Comron began wondering how much time had passed. He wanted Vaush to get away as soon as possible, but had no desire to be stranded here with half of Anchorii hunting them.
“How do we get out of here?”
“In this,” Captain Yaeger said, slapping the side of the dumpster. “We’re clear, DeOrchis.”
The dumpster began morphing before Comron’s eyes, transforming into a lethal-looking armored vehicle. “Who the hell are you working for?” he asked, knowing that such technology was only available to the upper echelons of the imperial military.
The door slid open, and the four men deftly climbed into the tank. Yaeger jumped into the driver’s seat and fired the engines. DeOrchis slid into the tactical station, manning the weapons system. Comron sat in the co-pilot’s chair and motioned for Crausin to take one of the passenger seats. The tank sped down the back alley, mowing down anything in its path.
“We’ve got exactly forty-five minutes, Cap’n.”
Comron quickly scanned the controls before him, familiarizing himself with the schematics. The alley ended several blocks away from the skirmish. With no other choice, they had to break out onto the main road. For a brief time, the ride was fairly uneventful. But then the tank shook from a thunderous explosion.
“I think they’ve found us.” Yaeger glanced back at DeOrchis. “Let ’em know we see them too.”
“I’m on it!” DeOrchis answered before letting loose missile fire. “Direct hit, sir!”
“Switching to stealth mode,” Yaeger said.
“Shields activated,” DeOrchis responded.
Comron was pressed back into his seat as the vessel quickly accelerated. “We’re invisible to their sensors?”
“Yes, they can see us, but their weapons system will not be able to read us. That should take something off their accuracy.”
“All this technology, it isn’t exactly on the market for retail consumption, is it?”
Yaeger said nothing and, with his face shielded, Comron couldn’t easily read him.
“So, who picks up the tab for all these expensive toys?” And, more importantly, what would they want in return for aiding Vaush?
Yaeger turned the vehicle sharply, taking them off-road. Getting jostled about, Comron fastened his harness and advised Crausin to do the same.
“We’ve got to shake these birds, DeOrchis. We can’t bring all this heat down on the landing site.”
“I’m taking them down.”
Yaeger spared a glance at Comron. “You any good at navigation? This terrain is going to be pretty tricky.”
“I’ll do what I can,” Comron said, studying the foreign controls.
Yaeger leaned over and tapped at the nav-system controls. A three dimensional map appeared. He pointed to a red blinking dot. “That’s us.” Yaeger abruptly turned his attention back to the makeshift road. “Hold on!” he yelled just before they went airborne. Comron gripped the dashboard and the handle above his head. They landed hard, flipping head over heels, finally settling at an upside-down angle. The tank extended stabilizing arms to right itself. Once they were corrected, they were quickly underway.
“That’s exactly what I’d like you to keep an eye out for,” Yaeger told Comron. “We’re moving pretty fast, and that kind of stuff will come up out of nowhere.”
“No shite,” Comron replied as his eyes rapidly scanned the schematics.
“Don’t worry,” Yaeger said, seeing the grimace on his face. “This is the best way to lose the ground pursuit.”
“I can see why,” he observed. “Look at this.” He pointed at the map. “We’re going to hit another gorge in thirty seconds, but there’s a bridge ten
degrees south.”
“Adjusting latitude,” Yaeger responded. “Status on the bridge condition?”
Comron touched the screen, surprised at how intuitive the operation seemed. “Several distress and decay spots along the structure,” he reported. “But we don’t have a choice; the gorge is seven hundred feet deep.”
“Great, we’re coming up on it now.”
The structure was ancient, covered in rust and vegetation. It creaked loudly as the tank crept out over it. Comron tensed as he gazed over the side of the narrow bridge. That was a drop he didn’t care to make.
“Only thirty-five more minutes,” DeOrchis announced.
Yaeger sped up the pace a bit. At this rate, they’d make it across in one more minute. “We’ve got incoming!” DeOrchis yelled. Just then, they heard the deafening roar of jets flying overhead.
“Buy us some time,” Yaeger barked, “We’re almost there!”
An explosion from above shook the bridge.
“A little close, DeOrchis,” Yaeger said as he strained to steer the tank.
“Sorry, Cap’n, they’re coming in fast!
Comron glimpsed the end of the bridge, his heart pounding as the fighter jets continued firing at them, rocking the tank.
Two more explosions in the sky bore witness to DeOrchis’ tactical prowess. Within seconds, they’d reach the other side. Comron started to breathe a sigh of relief when suddenly a blinding flash of light accompanied by an earsplitting boom ripped the end of the bridge away. Instantly, the tank was hurled back and over the side of the bridge, plunging downward into the ravine.
Comron fought for control as certain death loomed before them. He thought of Vaush, feeling some comfort that she would safely reach Novoxos. He glanced back at Crausin who stared back with a hint of serenity on his face—he was dying at his brother’s side having fulfilled his oath. But Comron thought of the life that would never be with Vaush and the child they’d raise—the future emperor of the Sellusion Empire.
In all the turmoil, he saw Yaeger’s hands flying adroitly over the controls. For a moment Comron thought he was experiencing the impact of the ravine floor as they were violently jerked to a halt, then banged against an unyielding surface. It took a couple of seconds for the realization to set in. Somehow, Yaeger had managed to keep his head and fire grappling hooks deep into the side of the ravine wall. Attached to strong cables, the tank lay suspended against the rocky walls.
“DeOrchis, you still in one piece?” the captain asked.
“Barely, but I’ll survive,” he said in a tone that told Sheldon he wasn’t seriously injured. “We’re down to thirty minutes, sir.”
Yaeger turned his attention to Comron and Crausin.
“We’re fine,” Comron replied before he could ask.
Yaeger nodded then activated the winch to begin pulling them up.
“Is thirty minutes enough time?” Comron asked skeptically.
“We sure as hell are going to try,” Yaeger said, exuding confidence. “I’ve been in worse scrapes than this before.”
Comron looked at him in amazement. Yaeger was a natural born tactical leader. His confidence and casual attitude with his men would endear them to him. His courage under fire would win their admiration and awe. His ability to keep cool under extreme pressure would keep them alive. He was definitely a man you wanted on your side.
“Who are you?” Comron asked.
“I’m Captain Sheldon Yaeger,” he replied, keeping his eye on the winch. “You getting anything on the scanners?”
“No, sir,” replied DeOrchis. “I took the last bird down right after he hit the bridge.”
“This little excursion is going to cost us. We’ll have to do double time once we hit the top.”
“Yes, sir.”
Yaeger whipped his helmet off. “This is starting to get in the way,” he muttered. He turned off the winch when they reached the grappling hooks. “Give me the claws, DeOrchis.”
Comron felt the tank rock about as four huge crab-like claws extended from above the treads and stabbed into the cliff wall. Sheldon released the grappling hooks and then shot it a hundred feet up the cliff side. Once he was sure of the anchor, he ordered the crab claws to be retracted. Once again the winch began pulling them up.
Comron took his eyes off the schematic and watched Sheldon. The captain couldn’t have been much older than himself. He had a high, slightly aristocratic brow, pensive grey eyes, a slight crook in the nose, and a stern mouth. His military cut was not as severe as most; it allowed for style while maintaining the discipline of his trade. His looks were not striking, but he’d likely command his fair share of female admirers.
His talent for improvisation and initiative told Comron that he was not part of an orthodox military unit. He and his men were independents, choosing for whom and when they worked. Still these were not common mercenaries; these were not men corrupted by greed. He sensed honor and purpose within them. Again, he considered all the expensive gadgets he’d witnessed. Whoever supported them obviously had deep pockets.
What would they demand of Vaush?
“Rescuing me wasn’t part of your original mission. How is it that you’re here now?” Comron asked.
“Let’s just say the Lady Vaush was quite adamant that we return for you,” Yaeger replied.
“You’re risking the mission and your lives just to appease her?” Comron asked.
Yaeger hesitated for a moment and then confessed, “I’m the one who forced her to leave you in the first place.” He glanced at Comron and shook his head. “But I swear, all of our readings indicated that you were dead, and we had to move quickly.”
Comron exchanged glances with Crausin who listened intently.
“Obviously, I wasn’t dead.” When Yaeger started to dispute the issue, Comron held up his hand. “No matter, Vaush was the mission not me,” he said with a twinge of resentment over this man stealing away with his wife, while leaving him to die.
“She’s a strong one,” DeOrchis chimed in from the tactical station. “It took four of us to keep her from going after you.”
Sheldon shot him a look, and DeOrchis turned back to his scanners.
“That was the deal,” Sheldon explained. “Her grace would remain safe in our custody, if we agreed to retrieve you.”
Comron considered this. He knew how determined Vaush could be under normal circumstances. He could just imagine what she was like hopped up on Murkudahl essence. But these were highly skilled, combat soldiers. Surely, they could have subdued one woman and taken her on to Novoxos without cutting any deals?
Comron’s gaze hardened as Yaeger looked over the schematics.
“Do your superiors know that you returned for my son?” The question came from Crausin.
Yaeger’ eyes narrowed a hair and his fingers hesitated a split second over the keys. “No,” he said in a clipped tone.
Crausin shook his head, “Then this is an unauthorized mission that will likely land you in hot water.”
And there it was—not only was the mission unsanctioned, his superiors would probably have Yaeger’s hide for it when they found out. So much for the hope of a possible alliance between them and House Van Laven.
Comron felt Crausin’s voice crawling around in his mind. He could hear his words so clearly, it was astounding. Yaeger has pulled this move with only one objective in mind—making an indelible impression on the future empress. Given that this man hasn’t an ounce of political ambition in him, there is only one other reason why he’d put himself on the line this way. This man wants your woman!
Comron’s blood began to boil and a quiet rage began rising in him. How evident it had become. Yaeger made the dramatic gesture of rescuing him to earn Vaush’s good graces, only to have Comron cast off the moment his superiors discovered what Yaeger had done. He’d still come off looking like the hero on hand to comfort Vaush in her distraught state.
Comron glared intensely at him, trembling with violent intent.
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As if feeling the weight of his stare, Yaeger looked at Comron. “Is something wrong?”
Comron took a deep breath and shook his head. What is wrong with me? Yaeger wasn’t the first man to be enamored with Vaush, and he certainly wasn’t going to be the last. Was he going to go around beating the life out of anyone who looked at her? She was a breathtakingly beautiful woman who was about to become the most powerful person in the known empire—he’d better learn to cope with his feelings of jealousy or else he’d go mad.
We are constant, our bond eternal.
He shut Crausin’s voice out and repeated the mantra in his head until his pulse normalized and his breathing steadied. He turned his attention to the schematics and studied them until they reached the top and the powerful claws pulled them up onto level ground.
Comron turned to DeOrchis. “How are we doing on time?”
“We’re down to thirteen minutes, sir.”
Yaeger floored the engines, thrusting them all back into their seats. “Just pray we have no more distractions,” he added.
A voice came over the com system. “Captain Yaeger, do you read? I repeat, Captain Yaeger, do you read?”
“Yes, I’m here, Lepkin,” Yaeger responded, clearly annoyed. “You were told to maintain radio silence. We can’t risk giving away our location.”
“We scrambled the transmission. We can’t be traced,” Lepkin assured him. “Were you successful?”
“Yes.” He glanced at Comron. “We have Lord Van Laven … and his father.”
“Comron!” Vaush cried joyfully. “Comron, you’re all right. You’re safe.”
“Yes, Vaush, I’m fine,” he responded, lightening at the sound of her voice.
“Oh, thank God,” her voice trembled. “I was afraid it didn’t work. I—”
“No, it worked fine,” he said, cutting her off before she could say a word about the essence. “Listen, no matter what happens next, you must go with them to Novoxos. No more deals, no more delays.”
“Yes, yes. Fine.” He could hear the smile in her voice. “Just get here as soon as you can, I need you here with me.”
“I know, love, I know,” he said and glanced at Crausin, pleased that he could hear the great affection in Vaush’s voice. “We’re doing our best to get to you.”