Page 175 of Star Claimed Omega
‘Sawa,’ Santi said, voice flat. ‘Shall we knock on their door next? See what reception we get?’
He twisted and gave a grim nod to Kaal. ‘Let’s get boots on the ground, folks.’
The docking clamps released with a hiss, and theEl Lobolowered into Bay Twelve of Cybele Station like a war god descending from the heavens.
Santi stood at the head of the inclined ramp, legs akimbo, his dark floor-length cloak flaring behind him.
Miral positioned herself to his left, her Synth-frame shimmering beneath her matte tactical suit.
Kaal flanked his right, silent and stone-eyed, scanning for threats.
Cybele’s air hit them like stale breath, metallic and heavy with a recycled tinge.
‘Lookie here, cabrónes, we have a welcome party,’ Santi drawled.
Bristling before them was a line of battered autobots and two dozen Accord Legion guards.
Each toting stun carbines aimed at the Signet crews’ chests.
‘I love Cybele already,’ Santi muttered, scratching the stubble along his jaw. ‘Friendly bunch.’
‘State your purpose!’ barked a guard with a dark visor, reaching for cuffs.
Miral tilted her head. ‘Did they not get the memo?’
‘I don’t think so,’ Santi rasped, stepping forward. ‘Gentlemen. I’m Commander Santi Alvarro of Signet Security. United Earth and Accord HQ have authorized us to take command of this facility under Directive 49. Care to check your inbox?’
A younger guard stepped up, puffed with bravado. ‘This is an Accord post. We answer to Lieutenant Rexus, not somefokkin’ pampered lapdogs from Signet.’
Kaal cracked his knuckles.
Santi blinked at the insult and used a lean finger to point at the younger man before him. ‘Lapdog. That isn’t very kind. I’ve been called wolf, wraith, lover, felon, but not that one. It’s new.’
‘You’re trespassing,’ the mouthy one insisted, and when Santi took another step, the kid panicked and fired.
The stun bolt bounced off his shielded armor with a high-pitched snap.
‘Tut, tut,’ Santi murmured. ‘Why did you have to make this personal?’
He moved before the guard could react.
He slapped the blaster from the young man’s hands, who also received a full-force palm to the sternum, which got him flying back into his squad mates like a tossed sack of potatoes.
Kaal charged the left flank, fists brutal, his strikes brutal.
One, two, three dropped with cracked visors and snapped knees.
Another raised a rifle,
Miral’s fingers flicked forward. A beam of white energy short-circuited the weapon, sending the guard convulsing to the floor.
The remaining half-dozen wisely chose to flee, slipping into the chaos of the station’s passageways.
Santi nodded to his twelve squad members waiting on the ramp.
‘After those soldiers, remember to keep it clean as much as you can. Patch in to Miral for instructions on where to find us when you’ve got them by the neck.’
The squad raced off in formation after the fleeing security
