Lyon opened his eyes. His vision bleary, his eyelids caked with his blood. He can tell he was still floating and that feeling every part of his body ache means that the hull around the engine room wasn’t breached or else he would’ve frozen and be numb by now.

He needed to find Hawkins but he was too weak even just to move his head around---just another vulnerable body for the parasites to feast on and occupy, until his chip detonates and disintegrates his body.

What a way to go. Lyon thought bitterly. He imagined the blinking emergency lights to be stars and waited for his head to explode.

Vyse, you time travelling piece of shit.

A clang resonated throughout the engine room. The Knight secretly wished it was the Captain rallying up a storm or trying to find him. But he knew he was knocked out before he was even before whatever hit them.

What the hell was that?

The clang repeated and was followed by distinctive shuffling sounds. The Knight surrendered all hope at that point. It was clear that some GEOMs survived whatever hit them and were looking for some scraps.

“Guess this is it for me and you Hawkins,” Lyon mumbled.

Not if I can help it.

The Knight would have been startled or question if he was hallucinating if he wasn’t used to the voice prying into his mind every now and then.

Fuck you Max.

Aw. That’s how you treat the one who save your life and who’s just going to do it again? The voiced cooed coolly.

How do you guys fucked up Herodutus and Red 420? I thought you were an SS psychic?

Yet I’m still human old friend.

Are you? Lyon retorted.

There was a brief silence. Before “Max” responded.

I’ve notified the rescue team of your plight and directing them as best as I could. I can still feel Howard’s consciousness. Remember Lyon, He is top priority.

Yeah, Yeah. I’m fine too. Lyon thought in disgust.

By the way Lyon, before I forget--Hawkins knows.

Lyon’s eyes widened. Fucking prick passed down to him all the explanations the Captain would want to hear. He made sure Max would have received that last thought. If the Psychic had heard that thought he did not let the incapacitated Knight know.

He aimlessly floated toward one of the steel foundations of the engine room with a thump--Loud enough for the GEOMS to pinpoint his location.

Great.

The shuffling stoped abruptly. An eerie few seconds past before a burst of rushed steps resounded. They were heading right for him. Lyon, floating on his back, counted the landings above him

One.

The shuffles turned into dull thumps.

Two.

The clangs should mean some have reached the stairs.

He is in the fourth floor of the engine room and the GEOMs were all clumped at the bottom before the blast. Most likely the GEOMs are now on the second floor trying to get to the third floor. The Knight forced his extremities to move. His fingers twitched a little. He can’t feel anything below his ankle. He can start to move his eyelids more fluidly. A crack and a bang sounded below him.

The creatures have reached the third floor.

His neck was so stiff, he tried to look for the nearest staircase or shaft but his body failed him. His training started to kick in. He controlled his breathing, calmed himself and focused. GEOMs are closing in and he was basically paralyzed. He tried nodding to loosen up his neck but as he first successfully lifted his head but his muscles gave soon after and hit his head on the steel foundation he struck earlier; successfully riling up the GEOMS and stirring up his concussion.

Shit.

But then he realized he was slowly floating towards the center of the engine room cavaedium. He sighed in relief, thanking the gods and whatnot and cursing Max and Vyse on sending him into this suicidal body guard/ rescue mission,

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

But a tug pulled him back to the fourth floor balustrades steered him from his thoughts and temporary safety.

“No. No. No! No! No!” The Knight mumbled, struggling in desperation. Part of his suit or what’s left of his armor might have been snagged on the balustrades.

He tried to shake his head and wriggle his arms and legs from the invisible bonds that held him but it was no use. He was completely exhausted.

He could hear the frenzied growls and snarls of the bloodthirsty aliens. Their writhing flagellates and deformed appendages rapping hard on the steel construct--each GEOM racing for the first bite.

“FIRE IN THE HOLE!”

Twin grenade blasts raged at the right wing, third floor staircase of the engine room. The staircase collapse and leaned listlessly towards the second floor bays. Pieces of metal erupted from the impact point and hurtled the immobilized Knight towards the left wing, knocking the wind off of him.

I’m tired of this shit. He exasperated before falling into unconsciousness.

Drip, drip drip, drip--drip.

Lyon was annoyed at the never ending leak. He was tired, numb and cold. All he wanted to do was to get up and turn off what’s making the constant dripping sound. Then there was a clank and a slap.

Then the unmistakable sound of someone breathing over him.

The dripping sound more ominous than ever.

DRIP DRIP DRIP DRIP DRIP.

The Knight gasped for air. Four blurry faces looked over him, one closer than the rest. The woman who may have done CPR to him looked vaguely familiar but before he could think more of it Captain Hawkins slapped him out if it.

“We thought we’ve lost you there Lyon.”

“Yeah me too.” He answered weakly. He can feel his cracked lips and dry throat. “Did you really have to hit me?”

“No. Not really.”

“Give him some water.” The dark-browned haired Lieutenant, the one who was closest to him, beckoned the other soldiers. A bespectacled boy produced a canister. The female officer tilted her head and poured the contents gently which the Knight drank greedily.

“What happened?” He finally asked after he has had his fill.

“UTSF Foot Corps happened sir!” The buzzed-cut female private said with pride. Lyon can’t help but smile, making even the weathered Captain Hawkins grin.

“I don’t mean rush you sir,” the Lieutenant broke the short celebration of victory, “but as soon as you are able, we need to escort you and the Captain back to safe zone sectors sir.”

Lyon agonizingly tried to sit up and just attempted it. “Give me a couple of rations and we’ll get there in a second.”

The two privates looked at each other in confusion before the Captain reassured them that none of them is going crazy or is infected showing both their blood drenched wounds.

“And you know you owe me right Lyon?” said the Captain.

“Yeah, yeah,” The Knight replied, “Let’s get back to the bridge. I have a lot to debrief you about.”

“Speaking of debriefs sir Knight, sir,” The Lieutenant interjected.

“What is it?..err..Lieutenant Shizuka?” The Knight carefully reading the officer’s virtual tag.

“I’ve received reports that we’ve taken control of Red’s moon sir.”

“How many did we lose?” Captain Hawkins asked. “We were greatly outnumbered and they had a lot of codename: Flagship ships.”

“…Almost total sir.” The Lieutenant replied after a brief interlude--which the Captain found strange, knowing the female officer as pragmatic and efficient. “Only the Citadel and the Poseidon are operational, critically and the only other ship that seemed to be intact is the Poseidon but so far they haven’t answering our hails.”

“..mmhhmmmmHhahdmmmrhh..” The Knight mumbled, his mouth full of standard foot soldier rations.

“What now Lyon?” Hawkins asked.

The Knight chewed awhile, swallowed the dry provision and belched, much to the dismay of the Lieutenant.

“I said, what of the enigma class frigate we were on?” Lyon clarified.

“We don’t have authorization codes to communicate with enigma classes sir without them hailing us first sir.” She answered promptly, “Even if we did, I doubt they would reveal their position.”

“Hope Ruslan’s ok.”

“He’s a smart man Lyon, “ Hawkins reassured, “Now, finish the damn rations. I don’t want to stay here any longer to know if we haven’t killed them all.”

The Knight saluted mockingly and started wolfing down the other ration.

The captain grinned in jest but on the back of his mind he couldn’t help but think what secrets the Knights have been keeping from him.

The Lieutenant then asked her leave to check on the sentries guarding the engine room entrance, leaving the confused Captain to his thoughts.

“What do you think this is about Ma’am.” Bacon inquired, “I mean some sike pried into our brain and basically help us squirm our way around the GEOMs.”

The private momentarily averted his eyes from the lone corridor he was guarding and looked at the Captain with steely eyes, “this smells a lot of FUBAR and I don’t want to die for it Ma’am.”

“Pig’s feet’s right Ma’am,” Enriquez agreed, “No Knight sike would ever mind talks with grunts until he hasn’t got no choice.”

Shizuka nodded but she knew it wasn’t his place to question higher rank commands, especially from Knights. But he learned from Sergeant Parks that sometimes you have to let the privates blow off steam or share their thoughts. Sometimes that’s all they need and some assurance.

“Don’t worry about it.” Shizuka assured, “No one else is dying today.”

“Sir!” The two privates fell into salute as the Captain’s head peeked through the doors. Shizuka followed suit.

“At ease,” Hawkins returned their salutes, “Knight Lyon has finished eating, sound to Lieutenant.”

“Aye Captain.” She answered, following the Captain inside.

“You can’t expect me to leave my men behind?!” the Lieutenant exclaimed, they came to the bowels of this ship to rescue you. We wouldn’t even have gotten this far without Knight Max’ help!”

“I understand the feelings you have towards these men of yours,” said the Knight calmly, “I understand it more than anyone else but these aren’t the only men we are responsible for.”

“Lieutenant Shizuka, Knight Lyon could only transport two people with his current strength right now.” Hawkins explained, “Just a one way trip until he could fully recuperate.”

“I have also men sweeping GEOM eggs on Sector A sir!” Shizuka said emotionally. “I can’t just abandon them.”

The Knight sighed in surrender. Hawkins nodded in respect.

“Well do what you must Lieutenant.”

“Sir!” Shizuka saluted.

The Knight stood up and put his arm around the Captain’s shoulders.

“We will be expecting you on the bridge Lieutenant.”

A split second later they vanished in thin air, leaving behind sour vapor.

The Lieutenant held her salute all the while wishing she knew what she was doing.