09-29-2012, 06:25 AM
The little girl, smile still fixed on her face, hugged the pillow closer to her face as reached down and slowly, carefully pulled the blankets over her sleeping form. She made a soft noise of contentment as he stepped back from her bed.
She looks so peaceful. So… normal, and human, and everything else that a little girl deserves to be.
But then she was gone. The image changed, to a few hours afterwards. A tiny Arrow light fighter, an insignificant speck against the grand backdrop of stars behind it, flew away from him.
The girl’s terrified voice over open comms, crying out for him to save her. The smug, satisfied voice of the Rogue, Buster. And his own voice, screaming curses at the oblivion the girl was flying into. The tiny ship outran his Guardian with ease, and soon he watched her little light wink out, and her ID vanish from his screen.
But there had still been another person there, and he’d turned on her with a desperate fury. Amy, another of the Rogues, who had been part of Buster’s scheme. He’d dealt with her, putting her someplace the Rogues would never look. But what now?
You know what now, idiot. Start shooting people until we get what we want. It’s what you should’ve done from the beginning.
His eyes snapped open. He was in his room on the Missouri, on the bunk where he’d been unsuccessfully trying to sleep. But that last thought hadn’t been… his.
Look at what you’ve done to yourself. You’ve gone soft. Trying to save little girls now? You used to be someone! A man people knew, and feared!
Lambert stood, in a panic.
No, no. Not my head again. They didn’t get in. They couldn’t have…
Idiot. I’ve always been here, watching and waiting. You don’t recognize me?
I… what? No.
He didn’t want to hear any more. He leapt for his desk, where a breather mask connected to a tube waited. He snatched it up, pressing it to his face, and sucked in the gas.
Grown soft and stupid, have we? I’m…
He sighed as the voice faded. He continued to suck in the cardamine until the voice was completely gone. It was a lot more than he usually took, but he didn’t care.
He floated high on a current of air, being carried up and up. Time seemed to slow down slightly, as he felt re-energized and healthy again. The drug was a wonder, instantly turning him from an exhausted, unfocused mess to a strong, awake, and motivated person.
But best of all, it got rid of the voice.
He spent a moment considering his plan. He could go visit either of his “assets”, but the timing wasn’t yet right to start that phase of things. No, he needed to wait a little longer, but he couldn’t just sit around either. He needed to get out and DO something.
A patrol would do him good. He could go off the book a little bit and search around some out of the way places while he was at it, too.
A little over an hour later, he was in space in the California system, patrolling an asteroid field that tended to see a lot of Rogue activity. It was dead quiet; he hadn’t seen a soul in quite some time.
He was about to call it quits and move on to another area when he picked up something on long range scanners. He closed on it, and his ship’s CIC tentatively identified it as hostile. It was a Rogue alright, cruising along and making no effort to evade him.
He stopped the Rogue’s ship, a Wasupu. The pilot, a woman, didn’t seem to care. He asked who she was, and she evaded the question. Then he recognized the ship’s callsign, “Microsoft.Works”. It was the same ship he’d left Buffalo on; the one Pita had been flying when he had been rescued!
Careful boy, this one is dangerous.
The voice was back. Wonderful. But it was right, best to be careful.
He carefully asked about Pita, and she went on a rant about how annoyed she was with the girl. He pressed, and she described her irritation with how Pita had gone and gotten too close to a “Navy man”. By now, he was convinced he was speaking to the infamous Ruby herself.
Then she made her first move.
“Oh, let me guess. That brat told you all about how awful we are to her, made you feel so sorry for her... I bet she got something of value from you, didn’t she? She does that to all the boys. Tomorrow, she'll be onto the next one. Don't think you’re special because she took a shine to you, last week it was a man named...what was it? Greg.”
It took every ounce of his being to keep from flinching at the verbal assault. Still, his face paled a bit.
She’s lying. It’s a desperation play, an attempt to throw you off.
How could the voice possibly know that?
Because I haven’t forgotten who you really are. I’m not soft, and that’s what you need now, more than ever.
She continued, pressing her attack. “She plays the innocent kid well, doesn’t she? Had me fooled for a while too. Don’t feel too stupid, you’re not the only one she has wrapped around her little finger. It’s funny what big blue eyes can get a girl, huh? Especially one who’s that cute. You fell right into her web!”
He was struggling, but he managed a response. “If that's true, how about you tell me where she is so she can extort me some more, then? Isn't that what you want?”
She laughed, “She’s off with her other boy now. Police, I believe, this time. He did the same thing you did… a night out of town. Pity. That’s what the kid thrives on. Pity. You show any sign of weakness and she’s all over you. I trained her well!”
No, it couldn’t be true. The girl had cared, right? Surely he hadn’t been that wrong! But he couldn’t remember the specifics so well at the moment… had there been signs? But no, he was staking his life on the fact that she had been genuine. It was far too late to back down now.
Or was it? Could he walk away now, and wash his hands of the whole affair? Go back to being just a Navy pilot with no attachments and no ambiguity?
Wow, you have gotten weak. Would I have ever asked myself those things? No, when I start things I damn well finish them, whatever it takes.
No, it couldn’t be. The voice wasn’t…
That’s right. I’m the man you used to be. Erwin. And right now I think you need me more than ever to deal with this bitch.
Whatever had caused the voice to come about, whatever it represented, it didn’t matter. It was right. There was no way around it.
So he carefully unlocked the pit deep inside him, and unleashed the monster within.
His face drained of all emotion as his mind altered state. It was a true “poker face”, with the uncaring flippancy of a sociopath. He stared back at Ruby with a predator’s glare in his eye.
“So what’s to stop me from killing you, right here and now?”
“You want to know about the girl. You want to know all about what she’s been doing, how she played you like everyone else. You want to hear it so you can choose not to believe it. And you won’t kill me, because I know where she is, and you don’t.”
“Go on,” he said, voice more dead than a sun-drenched desert.
“It’s only going to upset you. I wouldn't want to do that, not after all she’s already done. It would be heartless...”
“That's a lie. Such a thought wouldn't even cross your mind.”
She ignored him. “I’m sure you want to hear all about how she traded in the last boy’s diamond earrings for some pain pills and Synthetic Marijuana. How do you think she affords that, hmm? She’s a child, she can’t go pirating like we can.”
“And how many times has she done this?” he asked. He had to keep her talking.
“I lost count after eight. You might be… the tenth? I don't pay attention, it’s not my business. She does it all the time.”
“And you say she's already moved on to her next target?” he asked.
“Love, when she left with Buster that was her way out. You wouldn't shoot a poor kid being taken against her will. I know your type, and you wouldn't ever do that. You'd try to find her, track her down. Everyone does, and they all end up dead.”
Emotionlessly, he said, “What a clever girl. She went to such lengths to try and convince me she was being taken.”
“She’s had practice, just leaving or going willingly never worked out for her, that’s how she got the bruises. She upset the wrong man, he saw her for what she really was. But hey, it all adds to the act, hmm?”
“That's true.”
“After all, what would you have done if she went willingly? Just let her go, right? Well, then she would have the problem of trying to lure you out to get the boys to finish you off. It’s easier if you go to her, love. Makes for a tidier job.”
“Why kill me, though? Why not do it before, when I was helpless?”
“Why? You must have something she still wants... money, jewelery, your ship, maybe.”
“I don't think so,” he said, voice still robotic and apathetic. “I'm just a simple Navy officer, living a simple life.”
“You're doing well, love. You almost have me believing you don’t care about her. Let me guess, you'd kill her, because she is a Rogue. After all, the torment and the suffering she put you through on Buffalo…”
“Kill her? That’s not what I’m going to do at all.”
“No..? You'd keep her as your own. You think she loves you like a father. Her real father is still on Alcatraz, with her mother.” She frowned. “You don’t want to know what she’s doing...”
“Oh? Try me. I'm curious.”
“I'm sure you are. There is a ship, somewhere in Sirius. Pita is on this ship, with some of her old friends. She’s safe, from people like you, anyway.”
“What old friends? Friends such as Buster?”
“Poor Buster. Thought he was doing her a favor, saving her from the awful navy man. He didn't expect me to be there waiting. Why would he? He assumed he would be able to get her somewhere safe.”
“What happened to him?”
“Oh, he’s about. He’s still looking for her. Silly boy should have kept a better eye on her.”
“I see.”
“You can't expect to keep someone safe if you don't watch what they are doing! And no, I didn’t take her. She was there waiting, told me she wanted to go home, that she wanted everything to return to normal. She thinks you've forgotten about her. You let them take her without a fight. She saw that, you know. She was so upset, the poor girl.” Ruby stared at him, a wild look in her eye.
Lambert felt a momentary stab of fear and guilt, but then realized something…
Yes, her tale begins to unravel. The lies begin to reveal themselves. Keep her talking. Give her enough rope to hang herself with.
“Upset that she didn't get to finish the game? To kill me?” he replied, a hunger in his eyes now.
“Upset that you didn't even try to get her back. She was fond of you; otherwise she would have killed you on Buffalo. Instead she took you out of harm’s way and let you go. And you couldn't even go try and save her!”
“That's right. And good thing I didn't, too,” he lied with a practiced smoothness. “Now, are you finished?”
She ignored his question, having built up a head of steam and pressing forward, blind to the trap she was walking into. “Right. Because you don't care. If I killed her now, you wouldn't care. She’s just another Rogue, after all.”
Lambert looked her straight in the eye. “You're right. But you won't.”
“She’s already on the floor of that ship unconscious and bleeding, why wouldn't I finish her off?”
And boom goes the dynamite. Time to move in for the kill.
“Why would she be unconscious and bleeding? I thought she was doing exactly what you wanted her to?”
“Because she decided to get close to a navy man, the foolish child. Right up until that point, she was doing what I wanted. But hey, I guess it’s not her fault you were nice to her, made her feel wanted. That’s the way the cookie crumbles now though isn't it? After all, you admitted you don't care.”
Lambert pressed forward, probing for weakness. “And that caused... what exactly? What made her deserve a punishment?”
She laughed, a shrill sound that spoke of insane obsession. “She was going to leave. She was going to leave to go live happily ever after with you. I won’t let that happen. She’s my child. Not yours.”
Lambert offered her a wolfish grin. “A tip for you, Rogue. When you spin your web of lies, you had best first be sure you're not going to get caught in it yourself.”
Ruby blanched. “You’re smarter than most. I'll give you that.”
“Anything else you feel like telling me? I don't suppose you'll make this easier on everyone and just tell me where she is…? Trust me, it will work out much better for you if you do.”
“Now why would I do that? If I tell you where she is, I'll just need to go and kill her quickly.”
“I didn't think so, Ruby. Now let me tell you what's going to happen. You're not going to do anything else to her. There is only one thing left for you to do now... and that is to die. Target acquired -- weapons hot!”
His Guardian sprang to life, leaping towards her stationary ship and spitting blue fury. She shrieked and quickly cut the connection, desperately dodging most of his fire.
The battle was on. Lambert fought with a calm, furious focus, the cardamine enhancing his perception, and the voice inside him feeding his iron will. Usually shaky, uncertain movements were crisp and decisive. The ship became an extension of his body, and he thirsted to enact vengeance on the woman who had caused so much pain and suffering.
The Guardian screamed into another sharp turn, ripping around an asteroid to make another pass at the Wasupu. Lambert opened up at close range, and Debilitators and Vengeances ripped through Ruby’s shields and caused some hull damage.
Lambert was taking it around for another pass when a new voice, deep and male, came over the comm. “So, someone wants to mess with my lady. Alright, boy, you're mine!”
A rough-looking Rogue ship sped out of the field, targeting Lambert’s Guardian. “Stay out of this, whoever you are,” Lambert said.
“You're kickin’ my wench’s ass, boy. Only I GET TO DO THAT!”
The new entrant opened up, ripping into Lambert’s shields. Ruby, already getting low on nanobots, taunted Lambert, urging him to run.
Surely a Navy pilot won’t run from two pathetic Rogues? You can kill the “wench”, at least. Or, rather, I can.
Lambert moved without actually thinking, surprised as his hands worked the flight stick through a perfectly executed anchor turn. He made a firing pass at the new ship, then blasted Ruby further. His mouth opened and he howled with rage at the inside of his cockpit. Ruby would die, or he would.
The fight continued, and despite his best efforts, he was losing. Together, they simply had too much firepower for him to keep up with. He just had to get her first…
Soon, his console displayed the red warning that indicated depleted nanobots and shield batteries. Suddenly, the computer screamed out a warning, and he wrenched the stick to the left, trying to evade…
His ship blew apart around him, and he was propelled away from it as the automatic ejection system kicked in. The pod instantly formed around him, and before he knew it, he was floating in space.
The comm was silent, as it could only pick up directed burst transmissions. The silence was palpable, as the weight of his failure crashed down around him. They would take him now, that or leave him out here to rot. And he didn’t even have a way to end it himself and be spared the torment.
Tears welled up in his eyes as he contemplated his complete powerlessness in this moment. He had come so close, and had done so well up to this point! Now the girl would die along with him, and there was nothing that he could do about it.
In that moment, a part of him shriveled up and died. A small, pathetic man wept for his loss, an insignificant speck on the face of the universe. It was cold, and silent. A tomb as fitting as any.
She looks so peaceful. So… normal, and human, and everything else that a little girl deserves to be.
But then she was gone. The image changed, to a few hours afterwards. A tiny Arrow light fighter, an insignificant speck against the grand backdrop of stars behind it, flew away from him.
The girl’s terrified voice over open comms, crying out for him to save her. The smug, satisfied voice of the Rogue, Buster. And his own voice, screaming curses at the oblivion the girl was flying into. The tiny ship outran his Guardian with ease, and soon he watched her little light wink out, and her ID vanish from his screen.
But there had still been another person there, and he’d turned on her with a desperate fury. Amy, another of the Rogues, who had been part of Buster’s scheme. He’d dealt with her, putting her someplace the Rogues would never look. But what now?
You know what now, idiot. Start shooting people until we get what we want. It’s what you should’ve done from the beginning.
His eyes snapped open. He was in his room on the Missouri, on the bunk where he’d been unsuccessfully trying to sleep. But that last thought hadn’t been… his.
Look at what you’ve done to yourself. You’ve gone soft. Trying to save little girls now? You used to be someone! A man people knew, and feared!
Lambert stood, in a panic.
No, no. Not my head again. They didn’t get in. They couldn’t have…
Idiot. I’ve always been here, watching and waiting. You don’t recognize me?
I… what? No.
He didn’t want to hear any more. He leapt for his desk, where a breather mask connected to a tube waited. He snatched it up, pressing it to his face, and sucked in the gas.
Grown soft and stupid, have we? I’m…
He sighed as the voice faded. He continued to suck in the cardamine until the voice was completely gone. It was a lot more than he usually took, but he didn’t care.
He floated high on a current of air, being carried up and up. Time seemed to slow down slightly, as he felt re-energized and healthy again. The drug was a wonder, instantly turning him from an exhausted, unfocused mess to a strong, awake, and motivated person.
But best of all, it got rid of the voice.
He spent a moment considering his plan. He could go visit either of his “assets”, but the timing wasn’t yet right to start that phase of things. No, he needed to wait a little longer, but he couldn’t just sit around either. He needed to get out and DO something.
A patrol would do him good. He could go off the book a little bit and search around some out of the way places while he was at it, too.
* * *
A little over an hour later, he was in space in the California system, patrolling an asteroid field that tended to see a lot of Rogue activity. It was dead quiet; he hadn’t seen a soul in quite some time.
He was about to call it quits and move on to another area when he picked up something on long range scanners. He closed on it, and his ship’s CIC tentatively identified it as hostile. It was a Rogue alright, cruising along and making no effort to evade him.
He stopped the Rogue’s ship, a Wasupu. The pilot, a woman, didn’t seem to care. He asked who she was, and she evaded the question. Then he recognized the ship’s callsign, “Microsoft.Works”. It was the same ship he’d left Buffalo on; the one Pita had been flying when he had been rescued!
Careful boy, this one is dangerous.
The voice was back. Wonderful. But it was right, best to be careful.
He carefully asked about Pita, and she went on a rant about how annoyed she was with the girl. He pressed, and she described her irritation with how Pita had gone and gotten too close to a “Navy man”. By now, he was convinced he was speaking to the infamous Ruby herself.
Then she made her first move.
“Oh, let me guess. That brat told you all about how awful we are to her, made you feel so sorry for her... I bet she got something of value from you, didn’t she? She does that to all the boys. Tomorrow, she'll be onto the next one. Don't think you’re special because she took a shine to you, last week it was a man named...what was it? Greg.”
It took every ounce of his being to keep from flinching at the verbal assault. Still, his face paled a bit.
She’s lying. It’s a desperation play, an attempt to throw you off.
How could the voice possibly know that?
Because I haven’t forgotten who you really are. I’m not soft, and that’s what you need now, more than ever.
She continued, pressing her attack. “She plays the innocent kid well, doesn’t she? Had me fooled for a while too. Don’t feel too stupid, you’re not the only one she has wrapped around her little finger. It’s funny what big blue eyes can get a girl, huh? Especially one who’s that cute. You fell right into her web!”
He was struggling, but he managed a response. “If that's true, how about you tell me where she is so she can extort me some more, then? Isn't that what you want?”
She laughed, “She’s off with her other boy now. Police, I believe, this time. He did the same thing you did… a night out of town. Pity. That’s what the kid thrives on. Pity. You show any sign of weakness and she’s all over you. I trained her well!”
No, it couldn’t be true. The girl had cared, right? Surely he hadn’t been that wrong! But he couldn’t remember the specifics so well at the moment… had there been signs? But no, he was staking his life on the fact that she had been genuine. It was far too late to back down now.
Or was it? Could he walk away now, and wash his hands of the whole affair? Go back to being just a Navy pilot with no attachments and no ambiguity?
Wow, you have gotten weak. Would I have ever asked myself those things? No, when I start things I damn well finish them, whatever it takes.
No, it couldn’t be. The voice wasn’t…
That’s right. I’m the man you used to be. Erwin. And right now I think you need me more than ever to deal with this bitch.
Whatever had caused the voice to come about, whatever it represented, it didn’t matter. It was right. There was no way around it.
So he carefully unlocked the pit deep inside him, and unleashed the monster within.
His face drained of all emotion as his mind altered state. It was a true “poker face”, with the uncaring flippancy of a sociopath. He stared back at Ruby with a predator’s glare in his eye.
“So what’s to stop me from killing you, right here and now?”
“You want to know about the girl. You want to know all about what she’s been doing, how she played you like everyone else. You want to hear it so you can choose not to believe it. And you won’t kill me, because I know where she is, and you don’t.”
“Go on,” he said, voice more dead than a sun-drenched desert.
“It’s only going to upset you. I wouldn't want to do that, not after all she’s already done. It would be heartless...”
“That's a lie. Such a thought wouldn't even cross your mind.”
She ignored him. “I’m sure you want to hear all about how she traded in the last boy’s diamond earrings for some pain pills and Synthetic Marijuana. How do you think she affords that, hmm? She’s a child, she can’t go pirating like we can.”
“And how many times has she done this?” he asked. He had to keep her talking.
“I lost count after eight. You might be… the tenth? I don't pay attention, it’s not my business. She does it all the time.”
“And you say she's already moved on to her next target?” he asked.
“Love, when she left with Buster that was her way out. You wouldn't shoot a poor kid being taken against her will. I know your type, and you wouldn't ever do that. You'd try to find her, track her down. Everyone does, and they all end up dead.”
Emotionlessly, he said, “What a clever girl. She went to such lengths to try and convince me she was being taken.”
“She’s had practice, just leaving or going willingly never worked out for her, that’s how she got the bruises. She upset the wrong man, he saw her for what she really was. But hey, it all adds to the act, hmm?”
“That's true.”
“After all, what would you have done if she went willingly? Just let her go, right? Well, then she would have the problem of trying to lure you out to get the boys to finish you off. It’s easier if you go to her, love. Makes for a tidier job.”
“Why kill me, though? Why not do it before, when I was helpless?”
“Why? You must have something she still wants... money, jewelery, your ship, maybe.”
“I don't think so,” he said, voice still robotic and apathetic. “I'm just a simple Navy officer, living a simple life.”
“You're doing well, love. You almost have me believing you don’t care about her. Let me guess, you'd kill her, because she is a Rogue. After all, the torment and the suffering she put you through on Buffalo…”
“Kill her? That’s not what I’m going to do at all.”
“No..? You'd keep her as your own. You think she loves you like a father. Her real father is still on Alcatraz, with her mother.” She frowned. “You don’t want to know what she’s doing...”
“Oh? Try me. I'm curious.”
“I'm sure you are. There is a ship, somewhere in Sirius. Pita is on this ship, with some of her old friends. She’s safe, from people like you, anyway.”
“What old friends? Friends such as Buster?”
“Poor Buster. Thought he was doing her a favor, saving her from the awful navy man. He didn't expect me to be there waiting. Why would he? He assumed he would be able to get her somewhere safe.”
“What happened to him?”
“Oh, he’s about. He’s still looking for her. Silly boy should have kept a better eye on her.”
“I see.”
“You can't expect to keep someone safe if you don't watch what they are doing! And no, I didn’t take her. She was there waiting, told me she wanted to go home, that she wanted everything to return to normal. She thinks you've forgotten about her. You let them take her without a fight. She saw that, you know. She was so upset, the poor girl.” Ruby stared at him, a wild look in her eye.
Lambert felt a momentary stab of fear and guilt, but then realized something…
Yes, her tale begins to unravel. The lies begin to reveal themselves. Keep her talking. Give her enough rope to hang herself with.
“Upset that she didn't get to finish the game? To kill me?” he replied, a hunger in his eyes now.
“Upset that you didn't even try to get her back. She was fond of you; otherwise she would have killed you on Buffalo. Instead she took you out of harm’s way and let you go. And you couldn't even go try and save her!”
“That's right. And good thing I didn't, too,” he lied with a practiced smoothness. “Now, are you finished?”
She ignored his question, having built up a head of steam and pressing forward, blind to the trap she was walking into. “Right. Because you don't care. If I killed her now, you wouldn't care. She’s just another Rogue, after all.”
Lambert looked her straight in the eye. “You're right. But you won't.”
“She’s already on the floor of that ship unconscious and bleeding, why wouldn't I finish her off?”
And boom goes the dynamite. Time to move in for the kill.
“Why would she be unconscious and bleeding? I thought she was doing exactly what you wanted her to?”
“Because she decided to get close to a navy man, the foolish child. Right up until that point, she was doing what I wanted. But hey, I guess it’s not her fault you were nice to her, made her feel wanted. That’s the way the cookie crumbles now though isn't it? After all, you admitted you don't care.”
Lambert pressed forward, probing for weakness. “And that caused... what exactly? What made her deserve a punishment?”
She laughed, a shrill sound that spoke of insane obsession. “She was going to leave. She was going to leave to go live happily ever after with you. I won’t let that happen. She’s my child. Not yours.”
Lambert offered her a wolfish grin. “A tip for you, Rogue. When you spin your web of lies, you had best first be sure you're not going to get caught in it yourself.”
Ruby blanched. “You’re smarter than most. I'll give you that.”
“Anything else you feel like telling me? I don't suppose you'll make this easier on everyone and just tell me where she is…? Trust me, it will work out much better for you if you do.”
“Now why would I do that? If I tell you where she is, I'll just need to go and kill her quickly.”
“I didn't think so, Ruby. Now let me tell you what's going to happen. You're not going to do anything else to her. There is only one thing left for you to do now... and that is to die. Target acquired -- weapons hot!”
His Guardian sprang to life, leaping towards her stationary ship and spitting blue fury. She shrieked and quickly cut the connection, desperately dodging most of his fire.
The battle was on. Lambert fought with a calm, furious focus, the cardamine enhancing his perception, and the voice inside him feeding his iron will. Usually shaky, uncertain movements were crisp and decisive. The ship became an extension of his body, and he thirsted to enact vengeance on the woman who had caused so much pain and suffering.
The Guardian screamed into another sharp turn, ripping around an asteroid to make another pass at the Wasupu. Lambert opened up at close range, and Debilitators and Vengeances ripped through Ruby’s shields and caused some hull damage.
Lambert was taking it around for another pass when a new voice, deep and male, came over the comm. “So, someone wants to mess with my lady. Alright, boy, you're mine!”
A rough-looking Rogue ship sped out of the field, targeting Lambert’s Guardian. “Stay out of this, whoever you are,” Lambert said.
“You're kickin’ my wench’s ass, boy. Only I GET TO DO THAT!”
The new entrant opened up, ripping into Lambert’s shields. Ruby, already getting low on nanobots, taunted Lambert, urging him to run.
Surely a Navy pilot won’t run from two pathetic Rogues? You can kill the “wench”, at least. Or, rather, I can.
Lambert moved without actually thinking, surprised as his hands worked the flight stick through a perfectly executed anchor turn. He made a firing pass at the new ship, then blasted Ruby further. His mouth opened and he howled with rage at the inside of his cockpit. Ruby would die, or he would.
The fight continued, and despite his best efforts, he was losing. Together, they simply had too much firepower for him to keep up with. He just had to get her first…
Soon, his console displayed the red warning that indicated depleted nanobots and shield batteries. Suddenly, the computer screamed out a warning, and he wrenched the stick to the left, trying to evade…
His ship blew apart around him, and he was propelled away from it as the automatic ejection system kicked in. The pod instantly formed around him, and before he knew it, he was floating in space.
The comm was silent, as it could only pick up directed burst transmissions. The silence was palpable, as the weight of his failure crashed down around him. They would take him now, that or leave him out here to rot. And he didn’t even have a way to end it himself and be spared the torment.
Tears welled up in his eyes as he contemplated his complete powerlessness in this moment. He had come so close, and had done so well up to this point! Now the girl would die along with him, and there was nothing that he could do about it.
In that moment, a part of him shriveled up and died. A small, pathetic man wept for his loss, an insignificant speck on the face of the universe. It was cold, and silent. A tomb as fitting as any.