The commander leads Robert out into the hallway. The dead bodies of Lida and Podor fighters both laid face down in their own blood. Their weapons dropped futilely beside them. The blood was everywhere Robert couldn't help but step in it. the smell was a burning iron, septic tank. The commander pushed Robert forward while forcing his head down. The battle was still raging behind them. Only twenty feet away. Some Liba guards ran past the two of them. As Robert could only look down he noticed that the hallway floor was cut and burned in spots. When the force on his head vanished, Robert looked up and found the ladder to the next floor looking worst for wear.

“Tom, wait.” The commander said as he stopped a Liba guard who was climbing down to them. “Take this man back to the caravan, and hold him there for me. He's an important witness. He is not to be harmed.”

"Yes Sir," Tom said, as he grabbed Robert's arms. The man was strong and Robert's legs were still numb.

“Hey, wait. Thanks for the healing, and all. I mean it. But are you taking me, prisoner, again? ” Robert asked as he was pulled towards the ladder. He was still a little foggy from the green medicine. “Hey, easy.”

“Yes, we are. If you don't like it. Bring it up with the general.” the Commander said, fixing his glasses and turning away. “You hurry up now Tom. I got to go find myself an invisible kidnapper.”

“Yes commander,” Tom said, as he dragged Robert up the ladder. “Come on, now. Are you limping on propose?”

"No, I'm not."

Robert was led up the ladder. It was the same ladder to the barrack. The room was destroyed beds burned and turned over. Luckily there were nobodies. Now it looked just like the wracked ship's barracks. An explosion rocked the ship and Robert fell. Tom grabbed a nearby bed.

“What was that?” Robert asked as he stood up. “Did something just explode?”

“Seems someone just used a whole lot of Cinta, all at once,” Tom muttered, looking back. “I hope that wasn't aimed at the commander?”

“I don't really care.” Robert Barked, glaring back at Tom. “I have been treated unfairly by both the Podor and the Liba. So in my book. You're all Very crappy people. If you people even have a Hell, I hope you all go there.”

“I don't like your tone very much, prisoner,” Tom said, as he begin pushing Robert again. “Take my advice. Be careful who you insult, if I wasn't under orders against it. I would have struck you for that.”

Tom lead Robert to the far side of the barrack where a second ladder was set. This one was worse than the last. The floor under it was covered in sand and more sand was flying in.

Tom forced Robert up a ladder to the deck. Wind and sandblasted Robert's face as he reached the top. In such wind, he could hardly breathe. The whole ship was caught in a sandstorm. Sand flew around in every direction, blocking out everything beyond the ship. The deck was getting covered in piles of stuff. Robert could hardly keep his head up. When Robert managed to look around, he noticed three Liba Guards were approaching them. They made no attempt to cover their eyes from the sand. Robert realized that their hair was strangely moving with the wind, but the sand seemed to flow around their heads like they were wearing glass fishbowls.

“I'm bringing this one to the caravan,” Tom shouted, as he reached the top. He pushed Robert past the others. “ Commander's orders!“

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“Yes sir!” One of them shouted over the wind. as Tom dragged Robert to the edge of the ship. Tom didn't look like he was going to stop at the edge.

“Wait? What are you doing? Hey, stop! We'll fall!” Robert shouted as he made Robert climb over the railing. Tom climbed up the railings with him and leaped from the ship. Dragging Robert with him. “ Oh, crap!”

For a moment everything was overwhelming pain. The roaring wind in his ears. The scraping sand against his skin. Soon the pain stopped and the sky became clear. The sun was out and there were no signs of a sandstorm. The air felt thinker somehow and the two falling men were slowing down. Until they come to a gentle landing on the sand. Before they landed, Robert noticed many Liba guards below. They were all standing around and staring. All of them had their eyes to the sky, and some with helmets had their hands out.

“Ow. I hate you.” Robert muttered as he grabbed his head and turned to Tom. “How did we survive that fall? Our legs should have been ruined.”

“Can't you see, Fool? They caught us obviously. ” Tom said as he pointed at the helmeted guards. “Now move. I got to get back up there fast.” One of the helmeted guards approached them.

“What's this? I thought the general said no prisoners?” The helmeted man asked as he scanned Robert up and down.

“Commanders orders,” Tom said, pushing Robert forward. “He told me this man is a witness.”

“Really Tom? Are you sure.....?” the helmeted guard asked, then he looked up. “Hold up, incoming.” He raised a hand and the wind whipped around them. Robert turned around and looked into the sky. His jaw dropped open. About seven stories up in the air. Was a massive ball of swirling sand. A mini sandstorm. They were controlling a mini sandstorm. A flash of yellow crossed Robert's view, as a third guard landed beside them.

“Reporting in.” the new guard stated, as he got up. he burst himself off. “We have gone through most of the ship by now. But we found no sighs of the princess. The surviving crew have locked themselves in and are putting up a real fight. The general says they must not have the princess. Because they haven't yet tried to use her as a hostage. That's it send me back up.”

“Ok. Ready guys in three, two, one... Now.” the helmeted guard said, as he flicked his arm. The messenger guard was sent flying into the air. He reached the ball in seconds and vanished inside.

Whoa! That was a leap. But that isn't really flying, was it? Do they not have flying Magic or good flying Cinta? Is Cinta the word for Magic here? Robert thought as he glanced up that the ball again. Wow, that thing's insane. How can they even control all of that?

"Ok move it. I'm going to put him in one of the empty storage wagons." Tom said as he led Robert away. "Then you can help me back up there later." The helmeted guard must have approved of the idea because he went back to watching the sky.

Tom moved Robert away and toward the wagons. The caravan had formed a circle around the floating ship like a boa constrictor with its prey. Upon reaching the wagons. Robert was led to the door of one. But like the other wagons, this one had a door made of wood. As Tom opened the door, a shocked shout vibrated through the crowd. Tom turned and that allowed Robert to see too. Above the ship had appeared from the ball, it had escaped the sandstorm.

“Someone quick, go tell the elders that the as the ship moved out of alignment!” The helmeted guard yelled as he faced the crowd. “Well go on.”

One of the crowd turned and ran off to a larger wagon. He opened the wagon's door and entered. A minute later the sand ball reabsorbed the ship.

After seeing that, Tom started pushing Robert up and inside the wagon, but he didn't get very far. Robert was pushing back and yet another yell shook through the crowd. Both men turned again.

A dozen yellow dots had appeared from the sand ball this time. They were falling fast. The guys on the ground panicked, quickly raising their hands. Several large tornados appeared, shooting up to catch all of the falling men. Some of them landed awkwardly. Robert realized why they were carrying bodies. The general and the commander were among the guys who landed. The helmeted guards rushed to help.

“Move! Move aside!” The general roared, as he pushed past the helmeted men. He stomped off toward the elder's wagon. He passed the crowd. “Get out of my way.” He forced himself inside the wagon and immediately the sandstorm ball disappeared. The sand simply felling to the ground. The floating Podor ship was free but very damaged.

“Men, prepare for any counter attacks!” The commander yelled as he walked through the crowd toward Robert. “They might drop firebombs on us. So move the caravan out of the way. ”

"Hey ow," Robert said, Tom grabbed Robert's head and forced it down.

“What's going on commander?” Tom asked.

“The general is letting them go. They threatened to blow the whole ship up.” The commander stated as he stopped in front of Robert. "What are you doing with him?"

"Ah, well I'm thought the empty storage wagon would work as a temporary cell?" Tom said as he pulled Robert's head up.

“Good idea. But I need to talk to him first.” the commander said.

Oh, dear? This is going to be the inspector all over again, isn't it and he doesn't look as calm as the inspector was. Robert thought as he rubbed his neck. His mood means they haven't found the princess either. Crap.