Death and starlight over Apsu's Rings!
A brace of the freighter's heavy guns leveled on the Archer and fired. Starlock slipped the sloop into cover behind a mountain sized iceberg. Narrowly averted, the shells struck the glacier, exploding it into mist. From the roiling cloud of steam and shredded ice came the Archer and its bold crew, flying against the freighter like a falcon. Starlock shot towards the larger ship, dodging another salvo with a tight barrel roll. In another instant the Archer was inside the range of the gold-ships cannons and headed towards the command center of the freighter.
The tip of the pyramid shaped ship rotated revealing four airlocks. Soldiers in white armor, carrying explosive tipped lances and wearing wings of gold swarmed from the openings. Their appearance was modeled on that of an angel but the malice of he whom they served made mockery of the comparison.
They're launching their Kite-Fighters! Starlock warned. Kesh! Keep them off me, until we're close enough to fire the grappler!
The Emperors' Kite-Fighters descended onto the deck of the Archer. The leader of their charge pierced a crewman with the point of his lance which then detonated in the wound, vaporizing him where he stood. The Kite-fighter ducked back to replace the spent tip but Kesh appeared suddenly beside him. Grasping the foe's forearm he forced the soldiers weapon against its master. Kesh sunk the point into the mans' chest and kicked him from the deck of the Archer. The Emperors man tumbled back into space clutching for the bomb-blade buried in his body. The tip did its deadly work and the soldiers limbs careened into space minus a torso. Kesh then drew a pair of long curved knives from the scabbards that crossed the small of his back. He moved into the melee, seeming to dance through his opponents like a cold quick wind.
If you've anything to do Captain, now is the time! Kesh said, through clenched teeth.
Just...a little...closer...almost there... A bead of sweat stood out on Starlocks' brow, his blue eyes focused on their target.
Captain, behind you! Kesh shouted, as one of the Kite-Fighters swooped down behind Starlock.
Now! The grappler fired and Starlock whirled about. The saber sang through the soldiers neck and his head tumbled across the deck. Kesh stopped it with his foot.
One less clone to do the Emperor's mad bidding, muttered the Farfarer.
Auram is the one who demands blood sacrifice. Better that it should come from one of his vat-born slaves than free men such as you or I. Come Kesh, let's end this battle and in so doing put paid to the folly of thie wretch who dares to call himself a god.
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