| Doomsday� Chapter Twenty-Four In the Watcher�s control room, Edward and Samantha were watching several hundred ships flying away from the Crusader. �The fools believe that they are escaping.� He stated coolly. �Should we shoot them down?� she asked. �No � let them get home. It will save us the effort of having to hunt them down later. What is the status of the GOD cannon?� he asked seriously. Samantha did a couple of fast key commands on her terminal. �Eighty percent. Oh that reminds me, the Engine Room called. They said that unless you want everything to grind to a complete halt � you will cut power by twenty percent.� She replied calmly. �Twenty? The slaves can�t be hurting that bad.� He retorted. �Well � if you don�t do as he requests � I guess we can find out.� She remarked. �Do it.� He groaned at the thought of losing more time. �Engine Room, cut power by twenty percent. Give the slaves a little break until we get everything under control up here.� She relayed. She then shut off the computer and looked at the exodus of ships. �I still say we should eradicate them.� she stated. �Sam � even if they all turned around and started shooting � the weapons wouldn�t remotely damage our hull. Remember? We designed it that way. Besides � we have to conserve power until the cannon is fully charged.� He retorted. �What of those Quicksilver beings?� she asked. The two looked at the maps of the ship that displayed their Hunter Mechs. A good portion of them appeared to be destroyed. �Your Mechs don�t seem to be doing too well.� She stated. �They aren�t designed to fight polymorphic creatures. That reminds me � what happened to all of the Mutates in the prison area?� he asked on the brink of anger. She looked at him coldly and pushed a button that revealed several of the key prison cameras. From them he could see that all of the Mutates had been killed. �About three million panicking slaves usually beats a couple hundred Mutate guards. While I�m on the subject, your Hunter Mechs aren�t differentiating as to what creatures are theirs and ours. To this moment � three hundred Mutates were shot down while attempting to do their duties.� She stated. �Acceptable losses � we have their DNA on file. We can always clone hundreds more if need be.� he stated calmly. Samantha quietly laughed and pushed another button. A snowy monitor showed what was left of the breeding lab. �Two of those Quicksilvers found it. They got passed my Mechs and really messed the place up. We still have the know how as to how to do it � but for now � what we have � is all we have.� She stated. �Well � this is unpleasant. Wait � how did you know it was two?� he asked. �I did a quick remote refit of all cameras in vital areas. The radiation they give off still messes up the reception, as you have just seen, but not to the point that we can�t make out shapes. See.� She stated as she pointed out two shapes rushing away. �They split up.� He muttered. �Come up with that on your own?� she retorted. �This is no joke! That means that they have at least two objectives.� He replied. �If I was a gambling woman � I would say that one group is trying to find a way to stop the GOD cannon and that the others are trying to find � us. How much time before the cannon is fully charged?� she asked coolly. He sighed and leaned back. �A couple of hours thanks to the set back. That is more than enough time for them to accomplish stopping the weapon by at least two minutes. Can we shift the ship into station mode?� he asked curiously. �It would take a bit of power � but anything is possible.� She retorted. �Switching to station mode will require ten minutes and will almost completely reconfigure the layout of the ship. By my accounting � that would set them back by at least five minutes and would only slow the weapon recharge by four minutes. Do it.� He stated seriously. She shrugged her shoulders and flicked a thumb-sized switch. �Switching to station mode.� She repeated. The entire place began to shake. *** On the outside of the huge ship, seemingly invisible creases depressurized. Sections of the ship began to move up � out and down. Weapons that once appeared to be concealed began to extend outward. Hallways slowly extended outwards to connect passages. Armor plating slowly shifted to reveal ten-foot thick windows. At the center of this new and ominous looking structure the GOD cannon moved into position. Where once a planet sized ship � now stood a war fortress. *** Back in the Watchers� section of the ship. The two now saw the world outside of their ship for the first time in several months. The sight of the multitude of planets and stars caused both to remember things once thought forgotten. �Station mode achieved.� She said quietly. �It took a little power � but it should sufficiently confuse them. Is the weapon recharge still going on schedule?� he asked curiously. �Uhm, yeah. Uhm � do-do you ever wonder�?� she began. �Yes�� he replied. Just then a sharp jolt of pain caused them both to scream out. They fell to the floor writhing. Slowly, several long and agonizing minutes later they made their way back up to their feet. The two glared at each other in clear disgust. �What were you trying to say?� she hissed. �Not a damn thing. Be alert! Those meddlesome freaks are still out there � and until the cannon is fully charged and is appropriately fired at those worthless worlds � we are far from out of the woods.� He ordered. *** In one corridor of the newly formed station, Motun, Tauhn and Samona looked out the window and saw the size of the weapon that the Watchers called the GOD cannon. It appeared to be as long as a mountain was tall. �No good can come from that.� Tauhn muttered. �Do you think Gee and Grey can see that thing?� Samona asked. �They don�t have to � they just have to find a means of stopping it from shooting. Do either of you have any idea as to where Sie disappeared to?� Motun asked hesitantly. The three quickly looked around but could see no sign of him. �He must have got turned around when this place started changing.� Tauhn stated. �Then he is on his own. We have to find these Watchers and put an end to their mad schemes before they inflict other worlds as they have ours.� Motun stated coldly. The others nodded and hurried down the corridor. *** In another section of the station, Sie was slowly waking up. He looked around and saw that he was in what appeared to be an Arena. All around him he saw the remains of C�antaris and hundreds of dead bodies. Some were Moltarian � some Glacorian � some Quagmirian � even some Mutate. �What madness�� he muttered. he was about to leave when he heard a rumbling groan. He looked around but could see nothing out of the ordinary. He then slowly turned and looked to the end of the Arena. It was hard to notice at first, but there seemed to be a huge pit. �The wisdom of the apostles tells me to stay away � but�� he began. Just then he heard the groan again. He let out a sigh and slowly made his way towards the pit. As he got closer � the size of the pit began to intimidate him. �Big pit � big sound � big problem.� He mumbled as he got a little closer. Within minutes � he was at the edge. He slowly looked down and saw a huge mouth full of thousands of silver body-sized teeth straining to bite at anything near. �It-it is in pain.� Sie muttered. The beast let out a deafening roar � only this time � Sie was not afraid. He slowly shifted into a liquid form and slid into the pit and in between the floor of the Arena and the place where the beast seemed to be trapped. �My god � what have they done to you?� Sie whispered. He shifted back into his normal form. And made his way over to where he saw what seemed to be a huge eye. At first he wasn�t sure if the creature noticed him, but when the eye instantly pointed at him � he knew that it did. �I want to help.� Sie stated calmly. Stop � the pain. A voice in Sie�s mind stated. �Who said that?� he asked. Stop � the pain. It repeated. Sie looked around but then slowly looked over at the eye of the huge beast. It was this monster that was talking to him. Sie looked around where he was but could see no sign of anything helpful. �Tell me how.� He requested. Room � end � pain there. The voice strained. Sie looked around and saw a metal door at the end of the room. He quickly made his way there and pulled on the door. When it didn�t give he shook his head. �Open � now!� Sie hissed. His arm grew larger as he violently jerked the door off its hinges. Inside were several monitors and computers. He stepped in and looked at all of the alien looking devices. �This won�t be easy.� He muttered to himself. *** In another area of the station, Gee and Grey found themselves in a corridor right over the GOD cannon. The two looked down at the monstrous weapon. �How long would it take us to get down there?� Gee asked. �Too long. We have to find a way to deactivate it or at least reroute the power.� He replied seriously. They looked around and saw a box-like room connected to the base of the cannon. �That has to be the place.� They both said together. They hurried down the corridor. Just as they turned around the first corner, they and found themselves face to gears with dozens of Hunter Mechs. There was a brief moment when neither side did anything � one second later, all of the Mechs open fired. Hundreds of holes punctured their bodies. Some of the hits stung a bit more than when they were fighting the Storg robots on Earth, but the two fought their way through the robots and hurried away. The Mechs slowly turned and fired at the retreating Quicksilvers. �This is getting redundant! For every six we destroy � ten more seem to pop up out of the woodwork.� Gee complained. Grey smiled as a shot went through his chest. The wound healed in a matter of seconds � but he shared her views as well. �Just keep running. We can deal with them after we deal with that cannon.� He replied. she nodded as several more shots just zinged by them. she let out a frustrated growl. �Go ahead! I�ll deal with these pests!� she hissed. Grey was going to argue the issue but she had already turned and was attacking the robots. He sighed and hurried towards his destination. What felt like hours later, he rounded one more corner and saw a door labeled �weapons control.� �This must be the place.� He said calmly. He wound up and savagely punched the door off its hinges. Three Mutates were inside and quickly turned to see what had caused the door to fall. Before they could react to the intruder � Grey�s arms grew into sharp spears and quickly extended and stabbed two. The third quickly dived and hid behind a row of computers. Grey melted into a silver puddle and quickly flowed over to where the Mutate was hiding. Then, quietly he slowly reverted to his true form. He cleared his throat. The Mutate tensed up. Before it could even think of reacting � his head fell from his shoulders and landed by his feet. �Now how�?� he began as a hand grabbed his shoulder. He was about to turn and attack when he saw that the person that grabbed him was Gee. He groaned at her and knocked her hand away. �Not funny.� He muttered. �Sorry. I got here as fast as I could. I don�t suppose you figured out how to stop this thing yet?� she asked curiously. Grey looked around at all of the complicated controls and shook his head. �If I hit the wrong thing � it might fire the weapon as a response.� He stated. The two looked up and a digital clock that was counting down. The two looked at the clock and saw that there were only minutes left on the timer. �We have to hurry.� She stated. The two began to rush around. *** Back where the Watchers were, they had just learned that the weapon�s control room had been compromised. �They made it in.� she cursed. �How much time is left?� he asked seriously. �Six minutes and forty seconds.� She replied. �We have to�� he began as the door to the room exploded. When the smoke began to slowly clear � the two Watchers looked over and saw three silhouettes through the smoke. �Edward � Samantha � at last we meet.� Motun stated in a grim voice. �Heh. Credit given where due. I commend you on finding this place.� He commented calmly as he leaned against his computer console. Sam looked over and saw what he was up to. �So tell me kids � what did you think of our little place? Isn�t it grand?� she asked curiously. The three Moltarians stepped through the smoke and glared at the last two members of what was the human race. �It is an abomination!� Samona shouted. �You don�t like? Must still need a woman�s touch.� She stated. �Your madness ends with you.� Tauhn stated. The three rushed forward. Edward flicked a switch a panel slid open from the roof. The three attackers felt as though some strong force was pulling them back. Samona and Motun were flung up into the huge electromagnet that was hidden in the roof. Tauhn was still inching forward. His arms shaped into spears � but they bent towards the magnet. �You youthful creatures. Did you really think it would be that easy? As soon as I learned of your presence on our ship � I took certain precautions to prevent you from remotely slowing us down.� Edward stated goadingly. He smiled at Tauhn and kicked him across the face. The last of the Quicksilvers found himself pinned on the magnet like his friends. �But cheer up � at least you three will have a lovely view as your entire solar system gets blown to oblivion.� Sam pointed out. Motun glared at them. Samantha walked over and stood inches away from those that wanted her dead. �Our friends will stop you!� Samona shouted. �They have six minutes to figure out and disarm a system that takes twenty minutes to shut down. You played a good game kids � but you lose � and we win.� She stated with an insane giggle. �Now, how will we � ?� he began as a powerful explosion rocked the entire room. �What the hell was that?� he demanded. The two hurried over to the controls. �Sensors say that there is something wrong with the Star Eating Dragon.� She replied. They did some fast programming until several cameras appeared before them. when the monitor that watched over the control room was snowy � both of them tensed up. They two walked away from the computers and looked at the Arena through the window in the floor. The beast looked as though it was on the verge of being free. �Eject it�� he muttered. The two rushed over to the computer and began to rapidly program. The three trapped Moltarians didn�t know what was causing them to panic so much, but they knew that it had to be something good. �The control is jammed.� She stated. �Try harder.� He replied seriously. The two furiously programmed until they heard a high pitched whine. Once it had passed, they let out a sigh and walked over to where the Arena window was. In the place of where the beast used to be was a huge gaping hole that emptied into space. �Target all weapons on that thing. Planets be damned � if that thing isn�t under our control � it isn�t allowed to live.� He shouted angrily. Samantha keyboarded in the necessary commands. The Moltarians watched as several monitors showed a large section of tube shaped metal drifted through space. Their eyes widened when they saw the face of the creature � it was indeed the Star Eating Dragon that their old legends spoke of. �It�s real�� Tauhn muttered. Edward looked over at Tauhn and groaned. �Of course it is.� He retorted. �But how were you able to catch such a creature?� Motun asked. �We happened onto it purely by chance. If I had to make an educated guess � I would say that it was hibernating or some such nonsense. We drugged the beast and surgically attached it to the ship.� Edward replied as he returned his attention to the weapon controls. �Status on targeting?� Edward asked. �Three seconds to lock � got it.� She replied. �Kiss your precious dragon good bye.� Edward stated coldly. They all listened as they heard the cannon power up. Just then � the darkness of black space turned pure white. In the soundless vacuum of space � a deafening explosion sounded. �Scratch one Star Eating Dragon.� Samantha stated. They turned their attention away from the windows and monitors and returned their attention to their prisoners. The look of emptiness in their eyes brought a black smile to their faces. �Now that the distraction is out of the way � where were we?� Edward asked. Just then a silver spike smashed through the window that watched over the Arena. The two Watchers looked over and watched as Sie slowly crawled into the chamber. �Shit! One found a way in! Sam � scatter! Meet me at the ring.� Edward stated. The two raced out through the blown up doorway. Sie was about to pursue when he heard Motun clear his throat. He looked up and saw them pinned to the magnet. �Don�t come any closer or this thing will get you too.� Samona warned. �How can I get you down?� he asked as he stepped back towards the shattered hole in the floor. �The right side of the that keyboard � Edward did something over there that did this.� Tauhn replied. Sie scurried over and looked at all of the alien looking markings. He closed his eyes and began to chant. He extended one finger and moved it toward the keys. His finger pushed one button. The magnet shut off and his friends fell to the floor. �Thanks for the assist.� Tauhn stated. �I do what I can for the cause of peace.� He replied. �They said that they were running for the ring � do you think that they are heading back towards the Gateway?� Samona asked. Motun looked at the hole in the floor � the computers around the room and then looked at the doorway. �No � that would be too obvious. It had to be a code for someplace on the ship.� Motun stated seriously. �Then where?� Tauhn asked. �Ring � thing without end � time � no time�� Motun muttered. �Lore keeper? You okay?� Tauhn asked. �Shit�it was a bluff � they didn�t shoot the cannon.� Motun stated. He rushed over to the computer and looked at a chart that showed ninety-nine percent. Just then it hit one hundred. �We�re too late�� Motun muttered. Everyone looked at the windows to see some sign of the weapons awesome destructive capabilities � but nothing seemed to happen. They all slowly looked around at each other � but still � nothing. �That was it?� Tauhn asked. �This is Gee to whoever is up there � sorry if we ruined your fun � but we shut this damn thing off indefinitely!� her voice stated. Motun fiddled around until he managed to find a communication channel. �This is Motun in the Watchers� control room � you didn�t ruin our fun � you made our day!� he said happily. �Motun? Did you get them?� Grey asked. �They got away.� Sie replied. �No they didn�t � they are still on this ship � we just have to find them.� Gee said. �They said something about a ring � does that make any sense to you?� Motun asked seriously. There were a few moments of silence. �Not too sure. But if we did manage to foil their plan to destroy our worlds � they had to have some sort of back up plan. These people are nothing if not thorough.� Grey replied seriously. �Motun � if they were willing to blow up their own world to stop us�?� Samona began. As soon as she had spoken � all of the others tensed up. If their own home world meant nothing to them� �They would destroy the ship.� Tauhn muttered. �Gee � Grey! Get out quick! They mean to destroy the place!� Motun shouted. The four hurried towards the broken window and dived out. *** Seconds later � all in space was quiet. Just then, the entire station seemed to pulse. It then contracted in on itself and then violently exploded outward. Where once the mighty war fortress once stood � now stood only debris. |