Page 5 of Subchief Flander

The robot immediately started heading up the steps. When she opened the elevator, all of them got in. She pushed the top level, and the elevator moved incredibly fast. They were lucky that none of the people on the squad were ill in any way because it was that fast. When they reached the top floor, and the door opened, he almost grinned when he saw how quickly the rest of the squad exited. He and his mate were the only ones that didn't rush to get out.

“What now?” He asked.

Hel pointed at several doors, and she went to the first one and opened it. This one held a mini robot half the height and narrower than the first one.

"This is SR3, and he will help us. He has many skills. SR3, we need to find the plans Kasey left here for you to give us," Hel said.

“What is SR3?” Flander asked.

“Small robot model 3. I told you I don’t name them.” Hel replied.

"Looks like the little guy is getting things done," Ronner observed.

“It looks like he has all the plans we need now. He's filling another tub with computer gear I'm not sure we can use, but we'll take it anyway.”

“Looks like he’s done. What the hell is he doing?” Jaird asked.

SR3 lifted into the air and attached to B3PO’s head.

"They are joining and combining their abilities," Hel explained.

“Why?” Flander asked.

“SR3 isn’t fast enough to keep up with us, but he will give B3PO added energy and firepower. It's the perfect solution under the circumstances.”

“You know a lot about your sister's work even though you weren't involved.”

“She ensured that Lane and I kept up with her work. I can't repair the robots, and I can't tell you everything they do. I have the skills of an operator, and that's all," Hel explained.

“I think that's pretty cool," Tomsin declared.

“It's coming in handy now," Ronner mentioned.

Flander had to admit it was true, and that was probably what Kasey had in mind when she started training her siblings. She had been a forward thinker and planned for the possibility that she and/or her dad wouldn't be available when needed. Her mom hadn't worked with them and had her own career and concerns. That only left Hel and Lane to pass the information on to. Most employees had run when the planet was attacked, showing she had made a good choice.

It was time to exit, or at least it would be as soon as the ship flashed up the tubs of plans and technical items. He thought about it, and there it went, and everything was gone. Flander motioned for everyone to exit, and the robot began down the stairs. It still moved fast, but he was sure they would have to wait for it to make it all the way down since there were six levels. Theyloaded into the elevator to conserve energy in case things were worse on the way out. He knew they would be happy even if they only ended up with the robot.

The wait wasn't as long as he expected it to be. He'd admit that he worried as he waited, thinking that all the gangs that had seen them come in would still be waiting outside for them. When the robot arrived, it headed directly to the door, which opened automatically, and went outside, guns blazing. He had to admit that having a weapon like the robot would save many of their lives. Since they had made a deal with Mercury, he was sure that they would be available everywhere before long. Because his race was warlike, that was the number one cause of death among men.

It was true that many females signed up and trained to be warriors before they ended up doing something else. None of those wanted to be here in the hot zone. Many of them came to find a warrior mate. Flander couldn't prove it, but that was what he thought. He had been hit on by many of them, but they weren't the right ones for him. They had found someone else willing to accept someone who wasn't their one where they had seen the one for them.

He should feel lucky that he had found his one, even if he would have to fight for her. Flander was sure he was about to get the promotion he wanted since he had begun as a warrior. Why did he feel so sad when everything in his life was moving forward? Maybe he was afraid that Hel would reject him and that he would lose his chance at the promotion, or perhaps that he or his mate would die going down to this dangerous planet. Weren't those good enough reasons to be worried?

Even with the robot who was firing more than he had before, the bullets were going everywhere. His squad moved fast, and he was relieved when he saw his mate open the door andrush in, moving to the pilot's seat so she could get the ship going. That was good in multiple ways because the automatic guns on the shuttle would begin firing at those trying to hit them. In a way, it was sad because they were killing young people who had been desperate, and that was why they had signed up with this gang.

He'd prefer if they could bring them in and turn them into useful citizens. The Emperor didn't do things like that. He couldn't care less about what happened to those he considered the enemy of the Empire. Ranni's father had never been nice, and it didn't look like he ever would be. The shuttle lifted up, and they all took a deep breath in relief. It was a shame that they left a pile of bodies behind. A warrior didn't enjoy killing, at least not one that was a good person.

They landed on the ship and unloaded. Ranni and Kasey met them in the bay. The robot took two tubs and carried them off the ship, then returned and got two more. Now, he stood by the tubs, waiting for further orders. Kasey gave him some directions, and he picked up two tubs and exited the bay. Two warriors came forward to carry the other tubs away.

"Good job," Kasey observed.

Everyone in the squad nodded. It was good to be recognized for a good job. Ranni was less likely to do so. He was more likely to jump on anyone who messed up. The warriors not getting in trouble simply knew they were successful in their mission.

“Flander, I need you to give me a report," Ranni directed.

He followed as they headed toward the office that Ranni used. That was where he gave him a full report on everything that had happened and what had occurred.

“The enemy had heavy losses, and many of them were young. It just seems to me that a better way could be found.”

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