Episode XXIII:
The Warrior’s Cobalt Wings
 

 The trail was obvious. The rip in the wall too noticeable to miss. Kate stopped for a moment, she felt inside the broken metal with her fingers. The cut hadn’t been made long; the cut was still slightly warm from the friction of the blade. Kate drew her sword slowly, gripping the handle with both her hands. She reached out a hand and pushed herself off the wall. Slowly, she smoothed back her hair, and continued down the hallway. In the brightly light, brown corridors, Kate could hear Richtoven, he wasn’t far up ahead, and his laugh filled the inter base.
 Kate walked up to the dead body of the officer. She pointed the tip of her sword into the ground, and knelt by the fallen officer. She leaned against her sword, and felt the officer’s neck with her free hand. He was definitely dead. Kate grit her teeth and pushed herself up, and glared down the hallway.
 “It ends here Richtoven.” Kate said, Richtoven never herd her. She ran off down the hallway the walls were destroyed, but Kate kept pushing, her braid flying back as she ran. The silk blond threads flapped in the wind. Kate pushed herself; she knew where Richtoven was headed. She turned a corner and saw the large airlock door looming in the distance. It was wide open; the air was slowly sucked out unto the planet surface. Kate pulled herself back; her braid whipped out in front of her, it was pulled out. Kate grabbed it and flung it back over her shoulder. She grit her teeth and edged her way along the wall. She reached a small box on the side of the wall near the airlock. Her uniform flapped in the wind. Kate opened the box and pulled out a breather. Nestling the mask over her nose she let the wind take her.
 Kate was pushed out unto the platform, the wind changed direction, and her braid flapped in the wind. She brought her sword up, into the usual stance. Richtoven stood, his sword held by one hand and stretched out, point down. He laughed slowly.
 “So you have come the face me then?” Richtoven asked slowly, he continued to laugh slowly.
 “You’ve caused the death of thousands, and for that you will pay.” Richtoven laugh quickened. He flung his head back, in shear humor. He laughed at her, slowly, steadily, then it stopped. Richtoven’s head flung back to its normal position. All the meaning, all the purpose, even the coolness was drained from his face. Only shear hatred remained hatred for Kate, hatred for everything.
 “Pay? Only you will pay! Pay for what he did to me!” Kate sneered, she knew who Richtoven was talking about, Samuel Morrison. Somewhere, sometime on that long timeline, this deranged man had met Samuel Morrison, and his life had been ripped apart. “He destroyed me, and for that, I will destroy you!” Richtoven brought his sword up fast, he charged quickly, and flung his sword down at Kate. Kate stepped quickly back, and pushed her sword up to meet the attack. The swords clanged noisily. Kate brought her sword down quickly; she slashed at Richtoven in one long movement. Richtoven moved with surprising agility, he blocked the attack over his shoulder, with no effort what so ever. He laughed again. “Nice try.” He said slowly. Richtoven attacked again, this time swinging at Kate’s legs. Richtoven squat quickly and swung at Kate’s knees. Kate jumped high, missing the swing. In midair Kate spun her sword and brought it, point down, over her head, and swung down as she fell. Richtoven crossed his arms and held his sword, he rolled out of the way.
 Kate’s sword fell down into the ground, clanging of the deck, one knee bent, touching the ground, her foot in the metal. Richtoven came out of nowhere, swinging down. Kate moved to the side, and the hit missed her. Kate swung at Richtoven’s knees, but he jumped backwards and out of harms way. Richtoven watched Kate move half mesmerized. Kate jumped up, and waited for the next move.
 Richtoven stood slowly. “You are better then Samuel Morrison ever was.” Richtoven laughed. “Mm…” he said slowly, laughing. Kate gritted her teeth. The sun rose slowly over the dark red landscape. Dust swirls sprung up from the earth and moved through the sky. Light exploded through the clouds, illuminating each and every particle. Light glinted off of Kate’s sword.
     “You going to talk all day?” Kate said, her teeth closed. Richtoven laughed slowly, he bowed quickly, and brought his sword up. Kate thrusted forwards, Richtoven saw the move and quickly bashed Kate’s sword of course. Kate missed; Richtoven slid his sword up along Kate’s weapon. He slid it off quickly, pushing Kate’s sword to the ground; Richtoven spun slowly, and swung at Kate’s neck. Kate ducked quickly; the sword almost grazed the back of her head.
 Kate spun quickly, and swung down at Richtoven’s face. Richtoven missed the hit, he tried to dodge but the blade cut deep into the man’s face. Richtoven stopped, his sword fell to the ground and he staggered backwards. He slowly raised a twitching hand to his wound. He felt the blood cover his fingers, and he began to laugh.

     * * *

 Ridow, Vo’rant, and Dove slowly emerged from the base. They looked up into the sky and saw the battle raging overhead. Dove stepped forward. He watched as the station was attacked. Green beams exploded across the sky. A massive explosion erupted from the station, as it began to fall apart.
 “Did we win?” Ridow asked slowly. Vo’rant nodded slowly.
 “I believe so.” Vo’rant said slowly. Dove searched the ground in front of them. He fixed his mask slowly, trying to get more air. He saw several Loky class fighters lying in prepped positions on the dark red sand. The battles on the ground ended quickly, as everyone gazed up into the heavens. The Station was ripped apart, and pieces of it began to float down into the planet. The NTF fighters screamed, as pieces of the station began to enter the atmosphere.
 Pilots jumped from their ships and began to run out across the sand. Where were they going? Ridow didn’t care, just as long as it was away from them. A large piece of the station began to burn as it fell through the atmosphere. And as the sun rose from the horizon, the piece of the station fell into the ground, sending sand high into the air. Ridow turned, and looked back at the station.
 “Oh-no.” He said slowly, as he saw Kate and Richtoven fighting slowly on the landing pad. Ridow turned to Dove and Vo’rant. “Take a ship, and get back to the Requiem.” Vo’rant stepped forward.
 “And where are you going?” He asked slowly, the barker spurting its usual mellowed tone. Ridow stepped backwards.
 “I’ve got to help Catherine.” He said slowly. “Now go.” Vo’rant nodded slowly. Then he shook his head slowly.
 “Well, Commander, if I’m not mistaken I have command here.” Vo’rant said slowly, his head bowed slightly. With that, Ridow pushed forward, angry, and half-full with rage.
 “You can’t just leave here there.” Ridow said, throwing a finger up at Vo’rant. The Vasudan nodded slowly. He turned his back and began to walk towards the ships. “You can’t leave her there, I don’t care, I’m going back.” Ridow said quickly. Vo’rant spun on his heals, quickly, and without hesitation. Dust rose around his feet.
 “Listen commander, this is a direct order. You return to the station and support Captain Norrow, I will take Dove and bring re-enforcement’s.” Vo’rant said quickly, he smiled slowly. Ridow returned the guestur. “Now is that understood Commander?” Vo’rant asked. Ridow nodded quickly.
 “Sir, Yes Sir.” Ridow turned and began to run across the sand, he stopped quickly, and turned sharply. “And Vo’rant, thank you.” Vo’rant nodded slowly. Ridow disappeared into the station. Vo’rant turned to Dove.
 “In the mean time, we have got to get one of these craft operational.” Dove nodded. The two jogged off across the field heading towards the nearest craft.

     * * *

  Richtoven felt his wound slowly. He continued to laugh. Kate was petrified, she gripped her sword hard, and sweat began to bead on her body. Sparks exploded from Richtoven’s cheek. Richtoven laughed, he reached in and pulled the face apart as if it were a rubber mask. Blood slickened Richtoven’s face. The thing underneath was hideous. It had no expression, no features, nothing. Only a sharp nose broke the flat face. Richtoven flung his head back laughing. Richtoven pushed his foot down unto his sword breaking the blade in half.
 “I won’t be needing that anymore.” He said slowly. His back exploded in a flurry of flesh and blood. Blood stained the deck and covered the creature. From its back, Richtoven brought forth two swords; both glowed, dark black blades of Shivan Steal.
 “What—“ Kate said in disbelief. The creature cut her off.
 “… Am I?” Richtoven laughed slowly. He pulled the dual swords from his back, and the cage slammed back into his back. Richtoven’s hideous half-face was stained with blood. “I was an android created by The Shivan Cron’is to deal any Terran or Vasudan defectors during the first Great War.” Richtoven continued. “I met Samuel Morrison and Tak’eye Vo’tion when they came aboard my ship, they killed my master, Cron’is.” Richtoven was growing angrier by the second. “I was reprogrammed by a member of the Triplicate, to return here, and destroy you.” Richtoven rushed Kate, his dual swords moving at inhuman speed. Richtoven smashed a sword down at Kate’s head. Kate knelt and deflected the blow by raising her sword high. Richtoven stood there a moment, their swords connected, he tried to force his weapon down through Kate’s. Kate’s arm began to shake with the pure strength of Richtoven. Richtoven suddenly moved, he brought his sword around towards Kate’s side. Kate pushed Richtoven’s crushing sword high, and pushing herself to the side, she blocked the second blow. Quickly she pushed herself up and stepped backwards.
 Richtoven attacked again, this time from the right. Kate guarded, and Richtoven’s blow struck Kate’s sword uselessly. Richtoven’s second sword came from nowhere, pulling up from the ground. Kate pushed herself into the ground, the blade just missing her.
 Kate struck the ground hard, she grunted as her back painfully connected with the ground. Her sword clattered on the ground, the sharp metallic clang filled the air. Richtoven jumped on her; Kate pulled her sword up quickly blocking the Richtoven’s dual swords. He smiled delightfully.
 “You can’t win Catherine Norrow.” Kate grit her teeth.
 “Want to bet?” She said angrily. She pushed both her feet into Richtoven’s stomach and threw him off. Richtoven flew across open space, he lashed a sword out at Kate, it caught her mask, and cut the device from her face. The oxygen left her body, she grabbed at her throat. Richtoven smashed into the platform. He landed on his back, but he had felt nothing. He slowly rose to his feet. Kate watched Richtoven get up, she gasped for air. Richtoven laughed.

     * * *

 The run through the nearly empty base was nerve racking. Ridow passed a few fleeing NTF officers, but they paid him no mind. Ridow ran, ran like he had never run before. He found the scar in the side of the wall, the scar that had been made by Richtoven’s blade. But Ridow didn’t need that, he kept running, had to make it in time, he had to, he just had to make it. Nothing else mattered anymore.

     * * *

Kate forced air into her lungs, but there wasn’t much oxygen, her muscles turned to rubber, she almost fell limp. Richtoven walked over to her, and crouched next to her.
 “What’s wrong, Kate?” Richtoven said smiling, he pressed a foot against Kate’s head and pushed. Kate went sliding across the platform. She sprawled out on the platform, trying desperately to keep a hold of her sword. She gasped for air, and looked like a fish out of water. Richtoven walked over to where Kate lay. Kate reached over, trying to grip her sword, trying to pull herself up. “Having problems breathing Leader for the Shivans?” Richtoven continued to laugh. He stood over Kate, looking down at her. He smiled dryly.
 Richtoven pushed his foot down unto Kate’s neck. Richtoven’s laugh filled even space itself. Kate could feel Richtoven’s heavy boot on her neck, the pain shot through her intire body, her breathing was cut off, she couldn’t breath. Terror gripped her; she let go of her sword and clutched the metallic boot. Richtoven smiled. He twisted his boot slowly. The pain increased, Kate felt it flowing through her, she had to break free, but how?
 “What do you have to say now? Leader for the Shivans?” Richtoven laughed, he flung his head back into the air, and raised both arms high into the air. “I am the Leader for the Shivans!” He yelled, screaming at the heavens above. “And you will not survive the dawn!” Richtoven threw one of his swords aside, he gripped the hilt of his last sword in both his hands, he raised the weapon over his head. “And now, Catherine Norrow, you die!” Richtoven laughed.
 “Get away from her!” Someone yelled. A thousand green blasts ripped through the air and crashed into Richtoven. Richtoven went flying across the platform. Flesh was ripped from his metal body with each green blast. Richtoven yelled as he flew across the platform. Ridow stepped from the airlock with both his guns drawn. A breather hang from his gray belt. Ridow kept walking forward, with shear determination in his eyes. Richtoven got to his feet, but another volley sent him flying to the ground. Richtoven didn’t move. Ridow ran over to Kate, he helped her fit the mask on. Kate coughed, and sputtered, she felt her throat, trying to regain her power. She looked up lovingly at Ridow.
 “Thanks.” Kate said, reaching for her sword. Richtoven began to laugh. He was standing now, his metallic chest black with scorch marks.
 “You can’t defeat me.” Richtoven threw his fists out at them, and his arms exploded in a flurry of blood. Red laser blasts exploded from cannons hidden in Richtoven’s arms. Kate rolled to the side, and Ridow jumped. The blasts scorched the ground. Ridow hit the ground hard, his shoulder hurt. He quickly fired off two shots, but neither hit.
 Kate jumped to her feet and rushed at Richtoven. Richtoven didn’t move. Kate sliced at Richtoven’s chest, leaving two long sparking gashes behind her. Circuitry sparked through the holes on the armor. Richtoven laughed. He performed a perfect high-kick, hitting Kate in the jaw. Kate was sent flying. She crashed hard into the deck. Ridow fired several more shots into Richtoven, sending him to the edge of the platform. Richtoven smiled and fired two shots at Ridow. Ridow rolled out of the way. The two shots struck the deck harmlessly. Ridow looked over at Kate. Kate pushed herself up off the ground, and coughed blood. She shook her head and started to get up. Richtoven smiled, and stepped forward.
 The sudden sound of engines filled the area. Richtoven spun on his heals. Vo’rant come flying up out of nowhere.
 “For Vasuda!” He yelled. Richtoven raised an arm. Vo’rant swung the large sword, Richtoven yelled as the weapon past through his neck, severing his head. The blade continued moving, cutting off his arm as well. Richtoven yelled as his head and arm fell to the ground. Vo’rant disappeared. Kate pushed herself to her feet, and walked towards Richtoven, to try and see what happened to Vo’rant. The sound of the fighter grew steadily louder as a Loky, piloted by Dove, Vo’rant stood, sword point down into the ground. Kate smiled.
 “I rise again!” Richtoven said slowly. Sparks flew from Richtoven’s neck. He raised an arm slowly, aiming at Kate. Dove switched unto speakers.
 “Kate, get out of there, Hang on Vo’rant.” The shield systems of the Loky switched on with a colorful blue flash. Kate turned and began to run. Dove switched on the dual missile system and locked on. “Go tell hell.” Dove said slowly. He hit the fire button, and two missiles exploded from the Loky. One smashed into the deck, exploding. The other crashed into Richtoven. The massive explosion that was Richtoven’s death light up the intire base. The Loky’s shields shown bright blue as debrey crashed into the ship. Kate was caught by the explosion, she was thrown across the platform at great speed. Kate crashed into the deck, pain shot through her back. She continued to slide, the platform ran out beneath her and she fell.
 “Kate!” Ridow yelled he threw both of his pistols down and charged at the spot where Kate had disappeared. “No!” Ridow reached the edge, looking down he saw Kate holding unto the platform with all her strength. Kate lost her grip on the platform. Ridow reached down, Kate reached out. She was falling, but Ridow caught her wrist. Kate smiled, and breathed out a sigh of relief. Ridow strained and pulled Kate up from the edge.
 As soon as Kate was up they both collapsed on the deck. Ridow breathed a sigh of relief. Kate eased herself over to where Ridow lay. She was breathing hard. “Thank you Jack.” She said slowly. Ridow waved his hand, and breathed out slowly.
 “It was nothing.” Ridow said slowly. Kate reached up and pulled off her mask. She smoothed back her hair, and then pulled Ridow’s mask up. She reached her head over and kissed Ridow, she could feel his lips beneath her own, slowly, Ridow relaxed a moment.
 “Ah, are we interrupting something? Because we can come back later.” Vo’rant said smiling. Kate stood slowly, fixed her mask quickly, and laughed. Dove slowly got down from the Loky, and walked over to where the rest of them stood. Vo’rant helped Ridow stand. Ridow fixed his mask and smiled. Pain shot through Kate’s leg, she fell over unto Ridow. Ridow helped support her.
 “You all right?” Dove asked slowly.
 “I’ll be fine.” Kate said slowly. They looked over at the smoldering remains of Richtoven. Fire leapt from two badly burnt legs. Pieces of metal lay scattered about the deck. And the Sun rose in the sky. The sound of metallic boots could be heard across the platform. Several guards walked up to the small party.
 “Are any of you called ‘Dove’?” one of the guards asked.
 “I’m Dove.” Dove said. The guards moved forward and quickly snapped handcuffs on him. “Hey!” Dove said in surprise.
 “You are under arrest for treason.” The guards began to pull Dove away. Vo’rant suddenly moved forward, he picked one of the guards up, and lifted him over his head, the guard squirmed and tried to break free. David came running out of the airlock.
 “Vo’rant!” David yelled. “Vo’rant. You’re not making things any better.” Vo’rant slowly eased the guard down. “Don’t worry.” David said to Vo’rant. “We’ll get him back, I promise you that.” David said, looking angrily at the guards. And they watched Dove get taken away.

    To be concluded…