Topic: The Crying Child-From Requiem-Kindle... | |
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The Crying Child.
A month had passed since the walking dead, and Jerrix and Tarra had returned to their village home. On this morning, she found the moggy sitting in the garden shed, eyes scanning the radio telescope. “Any word about the war?” Jerrix turned and smiled. “It seems that the enemy planet has been located child. The galactic forces are preparing for a final assault.” “At least you won’t be involved. What with your ship having been destroyed.” “I have sent a message to Commander Robbs on Tronse. If he needs me I’m ready to go.” “Are you insane Jerrix? That final vision should have told you to stay away. Do you enjoy living dangerously?” “What else have I done but live dangerously. You really don’t expect me to grow old and senile I hope.” “I know you don’t,” Tarra replied. “We both know what my future self said.” Jerrix shrugged her shoulders. “You could come with me of course.” “Would you allow that?” “If this is really my last hurrah, I would insist. Besides, you did well at that hospital.” A flashing light from the panel interrupted them. “Seems our transport has arrived,” Jerrix said standing up. As she adjusted the travel bracelets she whispered, “Are you really up for this?” Tarra kneed the moggy in the shins. “Let’s go.” A moment passed and they found themselves inside a military transporter. The deck was packed with armour and heavy weapons. “We should report in,” the cat muttered. She led the way to the lift and selected the bridge. As they stepped inside, the cat was astonished to see Robs waiting for her. “I had to meet you here Jerrix. We have a war to win today.” “So the battle plan is complete?” Tarra asked. “Not quite. The planet remains elusive but the last of their cruisers have assembled not far from this location.” “Just how many cruisers do you have?” Jerrix asked. “Only two I’m afraid. We make up for it with strike craft and weaponry.” “Only if you get through the shield,” Jerrix reminded him. “We intend to hit their fleet from three sides. I don’t see a problem with that.” Jerrix shook her head as the screen showed a wall of enemy craft approaching. “Battle stations!” Alarm klaxons sounded as the allied fleet broke formation and began the engagement. Upon a digital map, the movements of both sides was closely tracked. A volley of laser bolts rattled the ship as enemy strike craft roared in. “Shields at maximum,” the commander ordered as a troop carrier exploded. “That’s the third sir,” an officer reported. “Acceptable casualties.” “Acceptable?” Jerrix argued. “You just lost another thousand men.” “We will break through this,” Robs insisted. “We shan't be denied victory now.” Another volley shook the ship when the screen suddenly showed a small spiky object spinning towards them. “That’s a mine!” Jerrix yelled. “Hard to port!” the commander screamed. For a few moments, it looked as if the mine would swing past harmlessly, but their luck had ran out. As it passed by starboard, a spike struck the defence shield and detonated. The awful explosion ripped a gaping hole in the side of the transporter as the helmsmen battled to retain control. “Stabilisers gone sir?” The commander shook his head. “We can’t abandon ship. There is only empty space out there.” The ship heeled over, sending the crew slamming against the far wall. “This must be the end!” Tarra screamed as the enemy fire smashed through the failing shields. Jerrix quickly adjusted their bracelets and whispered, “I really don’t know where we are going you know.” Tarra smiled as the bracelet was activated, hurtling them both toward an unknown planet. When they landed upon the hard sandy surface, Jerrix gazed skyward at the surrounding battle. “This place was not even detected my dear.” “Who do you think is winning?” Jerrix pointed toward the battling ships. “It looks like the enemy I’m afraid.” She stared around at the bleak surroundings and pointed toward a nearby lake. “We should get a drink right now. Dehydration could be a real problem.” As they crossed the tortured ground, Tarra kept her eyes open for signs of the enemy. “Is this their home planet then?” “I believe so child. Certainly Robs thought so.” The lake looked dark but placid as they reached it. Jerrix drew out her faithful device and scanned the surface. “It’s certainly drinkable.” They knelt and gulped down handfuls of the rather sweet liquid. Overhead the battle raged, ships exploding in the vacuum of space. “We can’t get home now I suppose?” Jerrix glanced at Tarra before removing the bracelets. “Not without power my dear. We will just have to steal a ship I suppose.” She tossed the useless bracelets into the lake and sat back for a moment. “What are you thinking?” Tarra asked. “It’s obvious to me that a planetary shield is in operation. So the wise thing to do is disable it.” “If you can get past the enemy,” Tarra reminded her. Jerrix pulled the purple cloak closer, and placed her chin upon her paws. “I suppose you know that if this is really their home world, their leader must be here.” “That would make sense.” “Perhaps we should try and get rid of him,” the cat suggested. “He would only be replaced,” Tarra said. “You have a point there child. Now, are you fit?” They stood up as the cat scanned the way ahead. “The damn surface seems to have no landmarks.” “Choose a direction then” Tarra suggested. The cat smiled and pointed toward the far side of the lake. “How about there?” Tarra held her paw and led them towards the distant target. After an hour’s trudging, they reached the far side and the cat spotted a distant shimmer. “That is more than just a mirage my dear.” “Something hidden?” “Very probably. Come on...Now we have something solid to go on.” When they reached it, Jerrix knelt and started clawing away at the hard dirt. “What are you up to?” “These barriers have a weak point Tarra. They do not penetrate the ground. We can get through by digging underneath.” “Oh I see.” She joined the moggy and started pulling the dirt back with her bare hands. When a large enough gap had been created, Jerrix crawled under and Tarra soon followed. “Stay low,” the cat whispered. When Tarra emerged, she saw the tall buildings and tarmac of a military base. The runway was dotted with silver, sleek, strike craft, each safe from the prying eyes of the galactic forces. “That’s what I call an airbase,” Tarra whispered. “This lot could cause terrible trouble. We have to bring down the damn shield.” Jerrix produced the device and ran a scan. “No sign of the source here. That’s a nuisance.” Tarra spotted a column of enemy troops marching towards one of the large buildings. Their hairy bodies were hunched over and their sharp talons were gripping laser rifles. “How can they see through that brow slit?” “Beats me,” Jerrix replied. “We really need to follow them.” “You must be out of your tiny mind. What good would that do?” “Locating their leader remember. Now stay low and follow me.” Jerrix dashed toward the first building, noting the thick plate windows and patrolling guards. A small cupola lay between them and the travellers stopped behind it. “This is a piece of luck, it’s a cooling vent.” Tarra watched as the cat gripped the smooth sides of the domed top and twisted. She held her breath as it came off with a clang. The guards failed to react as Jerrix peered inside. “This should lead towards that building. Though why it’s located here is beyond me.” She climbed inside as Tarra quickly followed. A long metallic ladder led down and the cat noted the huge rotating fan far below. “Whatever you do my dear, just don’t fall eh?” Tarra tried a nervous laugh that died upon her lips. Jerrix clambered down until a horizontal shaft appeared in front of her. Carefully stepping from the ladder, she crawled inside as Tarra hesitated. “I can’t possibly do this.” Jerrix glanced back. “Why not? Just close your eyes.” She followed the instruction and soon found herself behind the intrepid hero. “Now we crawl my dear.” She crawled rather quickly as the conduit widened out. An occasional aperture appeared beneath them, which they simply crawled over. “Rather a strange set up this,” the cat muttered. “It is certainly no ordinary cooling system.” A grate now blocked their way and Jerrix thrust her shoulder against it. When it gave way, they crawled on until loud beeping noises became audible. Stopping for a moment, the cat whispered, “Just stay close while I observe.” Jerrix crawled on until she saw a grate underneath. Peering through, she saw a large enclosed room where a conference was underway. “Well, I’ll be damned.” “What can you see?” “The entire top brass my dear. These chaps have uniforms, unlike the ground troops. One of them is over seven feet high. I suppose that must be their president.” She listened to the constant beeps, but could make nothing of them. “Damn silly language anyway,” she complained. She stuck her face against the grate and peered at the large table. A projection of the battle clearly showed that they were winning. “Our boys certainly need a hand my dear. With only us here, we have to reverse it.” “It would be suicide, and you know it.” “At least we can agree on that my dear. Now, I need to explore this cooling system more closely so back yourself up.” Tarra slowly crawled back until she reached the ladder once more. “Which way do you want to go?” “Straight down of course.” Tarra rolled her eyes. “It would be that way.” Jerrix once more took the lead as they descended toward the whirling fan. The suction grew stronger as they reached a ledge just above it. Jerrix peered toward a second conduit and suddenly exclaimed, “Eureka!” “Found something?” “This whole planet is artificial. There’s something at the end of this conduit.” “How could they build such a thing?” “It must have taken then centuries of course,” Jerrix replied. “That explains their sudden appearance.” “So they piloted it here?” “They certainly did child. You know, we could be dealing with Andromedans.” “You better tell our high command about this then.” “Unfortunately the shield would stop that. Come on, more crawling to do.” Jerrix crawled along until they entered an open space. Thankfully, it was high enough to stand up in, which they both appreciated. “Some kind of anti chamber?” Jerrix nodded as she peered at the metal lined walls. “No sign of an exit. Just that peculiar circular device hanging from the roof.” A second later, an energy bolt struck the floor and the cat grabbed Tarra roughly. “Get back inside!” They managed to re enter the conduit as further bolts struck. Breathing heavily, Tarra muttered, “Not very good shots.” “That was just a warning. Obviously they don’t want us going any further.” “Sounds fine to me.” Jerrix grimaced as she peeked toward the auto weapon. “I’m certainly not going to be stopped by some pop gun. Now let me try this.” She activated the device and set it to laser cut. Increasing the strength, she aimed carefully and fired. The laser weapon exploded into flame as Jerrix entered the chamber once more. Reaching the far wall, she started knocking frantically. “There must be an entrance here somewhere.” Her paws tapped the blank wall until a hollow sound was returned. “Found it.” She started pressing until the hidden door suddenly rolled up. “Now let us end this war eh?” Jerrix found herself face to face with an immense crystalline structure. Flashing lights indicated power levels, and the structure was connected to the wall by thick pipes. “Do you know what this is?” Tarra shook her head. “It’s the drive system child. Though not one I am familiar with.” “Then don’t tinker.” Jerrix turned sharply. “I certainly will.” She padded forward and studied the strange structure carefully. The west section could well be shield and the east looks like the drive. The whole thing has been integrated.” “How do you know for sure?” “In truth I don’t. Call it an educated guess.” Jerrix followed the flashing lights and mumbled to herself. Reaching out slowly, she tapped one of them. When she did this, the western lights turned red and a loud klaxon sounded. “Done it. Now to shut the drive system down.” Reaching toward the east section, she tapped the lights and smiled as they too turned a dull red. “Now we can inform the high command.” She activated her faithful device, and sent a short but succinct message. Drive system and shield deactivated. Imperative an immediate assault is launched. Turning quickly, she led Tarra back toward the ladder. “We really have to leave child. The counter strike will start pretty soon. Between you and I, this is no longer a safe place to be.” They clambered up toward the outside world where a series of deadly blasts had begun. “Come on you,” Jerrix shouted. “Our strike craft will destroy everything.” Emerging from the cupola, Tarra saw allied strike craft strafing the base heavily. A series of laser bolts struck the main building, which was at once enveloped in flames. Grabbing her hand, Jerrix dashed toward the runway and suddenly spotted a seven-foot figure emerge from the burning building. “That’s the damn leader! We have to stop him!” The leader did not see them as he reached a strike craft and clambered inside. “He can’t escape now!” Jerrix muttered as bolts struck the tarmac. They dashed forward but as they reached the tarmac, Jerrix saw the strike craft rising towards the stars. “We’ll never catch him,” Tarra said. “You want a bet child? Come on!” They raced for the nearest silver craft and the cat slid the cockpit open. As she climbed inside, Tarra looked petrified. “There is no room for me.” Jerrix gripped the seat lever and pulled, sliding the seat forward. “Get yourself behind me right now.” She clambered inside and the cat sealed the cockpit hood. “We have to finish this today Tarra. Regardless of the consequences.” Jerrix pushed the ignition, and as the craft came to life, she throttled up. The craft trundled forward with increasing velocity until the joystick was pulled back and it soared skyward. As they reached orbit, the mighty galactic squadron began the final bomb run, screaming into the atmosphere and strafing the enemy capital. Looking down Jerrix smiled. “Looks like our boys are dishing it out down there.” As the ordinance struck, buildings and laser cannons disintegrated as whole areas became a living sea of fire. Jerrix had other things on her mind and activated the hyper drive. The craft surged forward at extraordinary speed until the very stars seemed to vanish. The cat scanned the combat control screen and hissed. “He is heading for Earth!” “I think the admiral is in for one hell of a surprise,” Tarra muttered. Jerrix spotted a nearby pulsar and smiled. “That should produce enough sling shot.” She aimed the craft straight at it as Tarra closed her frightened eyes. At the last second, Jerrix skewed the stick and the craft banked heavily. As it did this, it gained unbelievable velocity until a small dot appeared in the near distance. “We have the blighter Tarra!” Jerrix armed the cannons and fired wildly. Bolts shot from the wings and detonated near the escaping leader but he dived and swung until the explosions stopped. “Quite an expert at this,” the cat muttered. “Never mind, I’ll soon have you.” Jerrix dived as their craft gained upon the fleeing warlord. Tarra peeked and saw the sleek craft getting rapidly larger. “You're not going to ram him are you?” Jerrix glanced back. “That’s exactly what I’m going to do!” The leader saw the threat and banked as Earth came into sharp focus. “Oh no you don’t!” Jerrix shouted. She pushed the stick forward and jerked it to the left, until the collision could not be avoided. The startled leader beeped twice as the nosecone smashed through his left wing. The impact was quite sickening. As debris flew in all directions, Jerrix battled with the stick as the right wing flew off. Glancing down, she saw the enemy craft spiralling into the atmosphere. “I can’t hold her!” she yelled as the craft lost stability at last. Tarra found herself pushed to the floor, as the craft dived at a severe angle into the white fluffy clouds. The exterior heated rapidly until it was a bright metallic white. “The damn heat shield had better hold,” Jerrix muttered. Far below, the leader had his own problems. Having survived re-entry, his wounded craft lurched toward a silent village that was unaware of what was coming. Jerrix saw the temperature gauge fall and sighed with relief. “We made it! Now, where is he?” She glanced down and saw the leader flying lopsided toward the village, as she too battled with her own stricken craft. “That looks damn familiar,” she muttered. Tarra glanced down and gasped with terrible shock. “It’s Oakbury Jerrix! Our home.” Jerrix just managed to level off, as the leader screamed at roof height over the country homes. His remaining wing clipped a building before the craft turned completely over. Jerrix saw the building burst into flame and seconds later, saw the enemy craft explode as it smashed into the distant field. “I have to put us down Tarra. Now hang on!” She activated the remaining airbrake and brought the nose up, as a hay bale came into view. “Soft landing I hope!” the cat screamed. The damaged strike craft struck the soft ground before bouncing into the wall of hay. It smashed through and landed again, screeching across the field as debris was thrown aside. “Just hold together!” the cat shouted, as the crazy ride slowed until at last, it stopped completely. Jerrix pulled the hatch back and helped Tarra out. “Now run for it!” They managed to reach another bail as the ship exploded violently. Picking themselves up now, Jerrix glanced at the burning craft and shook her head. “We have had some lucky escapes Tarra, but never like this.” Tarra gazed toward the nearby village and saw the column of black smoke. “Someone’s luck just ran out. What do you think is happening on that planet?” “A final bombardment my dear. Don’t you worry your little head. The war ends today. Nothing can survive that.” The cat was right of course. The air bombardment continued, until the entire society was reduced to a smoking ruin. As the dust settled, the commander sent the following short message. “Operation vengeance complete. Returning home.” The short, second galactic war was over at last. The travellers walked across the field as sirens rent the air. “So Jerrix. No ship to travel in now eh? I think you should retire. After all, we have done our bit.” “No argument there my dear. I just want to peek at that burning building before you make me one of your brilliant carrot stews.” They had reached a side street that led to the village green. When they arrived, firemen were busy spraying water at the obvious inferno. Above the hellish din of the flames, Jerrix Tau heard a pitiful, yet familiar cry. “Mama, mama, mama.” Jerrix stopped dead. “You can hear something,” Tarra said. “That child again.” The cat’s eyes opened wide. “She’s in there Tarra. She is trapped!” “You can’t be thinking of rescuing her?” The cat unclipped the purple cloak and handed it over. Turning grimly she whispered, “I’m Jerrix Tau and this is what I do.” It was as if time had slowed to a crawl. The cat dashed toward the burning building as startled firemen looked on. “Don’t go in there!” Jerrix ignored them as her shoulder smashed through the front door. Picking herself up, she dashed up the stairs and swung right. “Where are you?” As flames crackled and thick smoke billowed, a child’s voice replied, “I’m in here.” Jerrix kicked the door down and dashed inside. The child was dressed for bed, just as in the visions Jerrix had been seeing. She picked her up and dashed into the corridor. As they reached it, a whorl of flame leapt up the stairs, cutting off their retreat. “Damn it!” Jerrix swung round and saw the window. “It’s a calculated risk but never mind that.” Jerrix dashed toward it as the inferno intensified. Putting the child down, she opened the window and without ceremony hung the child outside. “Someone catch her!” A fireman saw the rescue and dashed forward. “Just drop her mate. I’ll catch her alright.” At that moment, the child’s frightened eyes stared into the cat’s. “Can you fetch my dolly?” “Of course I will sweetheart. Get you out first eh?” Jerrix released the child who fell through space and into the fireman’s arms. As the crowd cheered and Tarra put her palm over her mouth, Jerrix dashed back into the vacant bedroom. The doll was lying upon the smoke damaged bed. A tall girl with long red hair and dressed in a combat suit. Jerrix smiled as the face of Yoland drifted through her mind. She picked it up, but as she did so, the doll sent out a heart-rendering cry. “Mama, mama, mama.” The cat’s blood ran cold with terrible recognition. “That voice, those words,” she stammered. “It was the doll all along.” She lurched into the smoke filled hall as flames reached the far ceiling. The cat’s senses picked up a terrible odour. “That’s gas,” she muttered. Jerrix dashed for the open window as a wall of flame shot toward her. Before it reached her, it slammed into the ruptured gas pipe and promptly detonated! From the green, Tarra heard the mighty blast and saw with horror the building being blown apart. She fought towards the front as the crowd screamed. “Jerrix!” A firemen grabbed her roughly. “It’s no use mam!” Without thinking, Tarra Jenkins punched him so hard that the officer collapsed in pain. She dashed toward the burning mound of rubble and frantically started pulling bricks off. To her delight, a paw came into view and she pulled the surrounding debris away. Grabbing the paws tightly, Tarra dragged the cat free until she reached the green, and laid her down gently. The familiar brown wrinkled skin was burnt black, and the eyes were firmly closed. She groaned with emotion until the chest started to rise and fall. “Get a ruddy ambulance now!” She screamed. The eyes slowly opened and a terrible burnt paw held her hand weakly. “You ruddy fool,” Tarra said. “It was my destiny my dear,” Jerrix whispered. “You cannot outrun that.” “There’s an ambulance coming,” Tarra told her. The cat glanced at the cloak and tried to smile. “Take good care of that, but leave the fork shaped device alone eh?” “Now they will have to build that damn memorial!” Tarra told her dying friend. “I hope not Tarra,” Jerrix whispered. “It looked truly awful...” Her paw fell loosely to her side and those bright, intelligent eyes went dark for the very last time. As a fireman dashed up he said, “The ambulance is on its way mam.” Tarra stood and gazed at the body. “A little late for that.” She hugged the cloak and with head bowed, wandered toward her waiting, but empty home. Adventures of Jerrix the Cat. The End. |
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