Wanderer Ch 20: Time To Escape, The Flying Ship!

(Jack)

The air was thick with smoke and the scent of burning metal as I bolted toward the pyramid-like structure, the one place that might hold my way out of this nightmare. Explosions roared above me like thunder, and I stole a quick glance up, despite every nerve in my body screaming not to. I caught sight of their silhouettes—massive figures half-hidden behind clouds, fighting a war I couldn't begin to comprehend. Each punch, every move of theirs, sent shockwaves through the sky, and even from miles away, I could feel the force ripple through my bones.

This wasn't my world, and this wasn't my fight. I wanted to help, I really did, but there was no denying the fact that I'd only get swallowed up by it. Those stellar titans... somehow, I knew they were after me. I had no idea why, but I couldn't let these people pay the price for my existence, especially now that there were two of them up there, tearing the heavens apart.

The ground shook, and I stumbled forward, my arms flying out to steady myself as pieces of orange and bronze architecture crumbled around me. The city's towers, once shining, now littered with rubble, had been reduced to ash and twisted metal. Crashes echoed as massive Krugar ships plummeted from the sky, slicing through the buildings like knives through paper. Each one of those crashes sent debris flying, collapsing walls, smashing glass, and scattering Krugars who barely had time to dive out of the way.

I dodged past another crater as I neared the building, my breath catching in my throat when a pillar of light came down from the heavens. Another group of Krugars, running in terror, was swept into its red glow, their bodies going limp, foam forming around their mouths. The light... it wasn't golden this time; it was red. A cold chill ran down my spine. What the hell did that mean?

I finally made it inside the building, slipping through the chaos of scientists and engineers who looked like they wanted nothing more than to disappear into the ground. There was no time for questions as I burst into the lab. My ship stood in the middle of the vast room, gleaming under the lights and almost looking out of place among the bronze and orange structures around it.

I grabbed the arm of a scientist running by. "Hey, is my ship ready?"

The Krugar scientist, with eyes wide and pupils dilated from terror, nodded quickly. "We've made all necessary repairs, and we've studied it—advanced technology you've got there. It should be able to get you out of here." He paused, looking me over. "But... are you sure you don't want to come with us to the underground shelters? That's where everyone's heading now. Safer than flying out there."

The idea tempted me for a split second. Staying underground, away from those titans, sounded like the most rational thing I could do. But looking at my ship—my ticket out of this chaos—made the decision for me. I shook my head.

"Thanks, but I've got to get out of here," I said, turning back to the ship, a thousand questions swirling through my mind. I didn't know what I was going to do once I was in the air, but staying here wasn't an option.

I climbed into the cockpit, the familiar hum of the engine under my fingertips. The console flickered to life, screens lighting up, and for the first time since I landed on this planet, I felt a sliver of control. I could still hear the scientist shouting warnings from below as I started up the thrusters.

***

(Thalassa)

The ships around me shattered as easily as droplets caught in a clenched fist. I barely needed to move, the flick of my wrist or a twist of my fingers was enough to scatter these pathetic specks into nothingness. They fought as if they had a chance, but they were no more than mites to me. I watched their small explosions flicker around me, like dim sparks, never even scratching my skin.

"Pathetic," I muttered, smirking as I turned my gaze to the little planet below. It was strange that these tiny creatures thought they could challenge me, thought they had power.

Eclipsa laughed softly beside me, almost amused by their efforts, though she hadn't so much as lifted a finger. "They should see how weak they really are," she murmured, her crimson eyes soaking in the waves of useless blasts from the ships below.

I nodded, my smirk widening. "I agree," I said, drifting closer to the planet's surface. Leaning in, I could see the cities, small as dust against the planet's bronze-colored land. My voice echoed through space, cold and unyielding. "There will be no debate, no second chance," I called out, my words as hard as iron. "I'll give you ten minutes. Hand over the one I seek, or your world will be destroyed."

Eclipsa's smile faded slightly as she looked my way, a faint glint of thought in her eyes. "Destroying the planet could be... unwise," she said, resting her head against my shoulder. "The one we're after is somewhere down there. You'd destroy him along with them."

I narrowed my eyes, hovering there, watching the little planet below. I didn't answer her right away, mulling over her words. She wasn't wrong, but I couldn't stand the thought of letting these creatures think they'd won even a moment of defiance. I was about to answer when something bright caught my eye, flickering in the darkness.

It moved up from the planet's surface, drawing closer, until it floated just near my chest. A tiny ship, hardly bigger than a fleck of dust to me. "Oh my, what's this?" Eclipsa whispered, leaning forward to rest her chin on my shoulder, curious.

I peered down at the minuscule craft, recognizing something in the design, a trace of what we'd been searching for. This was it—this was the ship. The one he was on. This was the end of his little hide-and-seek.

Then, from my ear, I heard a voice, clear and calm, yet edged with tension. "My name is Jack Hartson," he said, each word deliberate and careful. "What do you want from me?"

Professional. Bold, even. I allowed myself a faint smile as I stared down at the tiny craft. It was about time he showed himself.