The time seemed to slow down, barely crawling to the point when there was a noticeable gap between each of the beats of Rob’s heart. And the latter was running like crazy, being stimulated by a horror that tried to envelop himself in its terrific hugs. The demon’s figure was starting to grow bigger, and more dangerous, radiating the feeling of inevitability of death. The futility of any resistance. It seemed that the whole area was screaming - no matter how Robert would struggle in a potential confrontation against this opponent, the outcome would always be the same. The creature would devour his flesh. It would tear him apart, toying with his body. Only a torturous experience awaited him, nothing else. Rob almost physically felt the cold grip around his guts, turning him into a statute. Any, even the tiniest movement, would lead to death. There was no escape. His fate was already decided. It was better just to stop any resistance…

Oh, fuck you, bastard!

Snapping from this odd state, Rob shouted inwardly, shaking off the stupor. This motion felt as if he popped the bubble, which tried to suffocate him with fear. His step forward led to increased pressure, but once the initial effect was broken, it was much easier to fight against it. All demon’s attention was focused on Robert. Even the creature’s arm was pointing at him as if the red-skinned monster wanted to intensify this attack with fear even more. However, it wasn’t working.

Making another step, Rob felt how the horror was shattering into ethereal pieces and finally freeing him. A moment later he was already sending a small chair into the demonic figure, before following with a charge. The improvised projectile obstructed the vision of the creature, giving Robert enough time to shorten the distance. He wasn’t surprised when the Jaeger knocked the chair to the side with a single swift motion. However, the same couldn’t be said for its next action.

Unnaturally twisting his body as if its torso could rotate, the demon avoided a swing of Rob’s hammer with ease. Simultaneously, it grabbed the conjured handle, instantly halting Robert. Before he managed to realize what was happening, the hellish creature was already sending the elbow into his face. Covered with a bone plate, it hit a timely summoned mask with so much force that it was enough to throw him backward. Still, the Jaeger appeared even faster, not only releasing the weapon but also grabbing the bathrobe, effectively stopping Rob in midair. Pulling to itself, the demon tried to use its claws, but this time Robert reacted.

Summoning the steel and pushing it forward, he made a construct that simply slid against the stretched redskin arm, pushing Rob to the side. Almost pressing to the huge body of the demon, he made a quick jab into the ribs. The brass knuckle created a cracking sound that immediately turned into an angry roar. However, Robert was already jumping upwards, using his lower height to his advantage. Creating a helmet, he basically headbutted the enemy’s chin from underneath, making it stumble.

He wanted to follow with the next hit, trying to press the demon up to the point it would need to focus on defense, but it appeared to be wishful thinking. The Jaeger counterattacked instantly. Ignoring the heavy hits into the chest and face, it simply grabbed Rob’s neck before squeezing. The hast conjuration of steel gave him another second for the attack. Fighting with his own instincts, Robert focused on the hits. Heavy punches with steel-covered fists had shaken the hellish figure. Still, it wasn’t enough to break the grip. Robert felt how the claws were already piercing his skin, being a moment away from death from beheading. The surroundings started to fade, leaving only the image of a grinning monster, who was clearly enjoying the process.

Using the last chance, Robert sent his fist forward, creating something akin to a katar. The weapon, which was basically a push dagger, had no means to pierce the skin, but Robert wasn’t aiming there. Having a three-eyed creature, he chose its middle pupil as a target. The blade flew through the air with lightning speed… only to meet the closed eye, bending itself in a futile attempt. The force from the impact still made the demon scream from anger and pain, loosening the grip enough to make a breath, but not to free himself. However, the short distraction was used by John.

The whip had cut through the reddish skin on the arm, leaving a nasty wound. The demon roared, dropping Rob to the floor, and turned only to meet another flexible weapon, trying to grasp its neck. Ducking under it, the Jaeger attempted to grab it, but this time Robert intercepted. Conjuring the hammer, he smashed the creature’s knee, breaking the bone plate in the process. The following attack into the again sent the demon into the wall. The continuation of the attack was interrupted by John’s yell.

“Run! Now!”

This time not questioning the “newbie’s” advice, Robert pushed his body to the lift. His first shaking steps turned into a sprint instantly, when he heard the chuckle from behind. Jumping inside and barely avoiding crushing into Billy, he caught the sight of the approaching demon. Despite a few cuts, the Jeager looked as dangerous as before, with its crazy grin and hellish appearance. Then the doors closed, cutting off the scene, and Rob felt the push. Surprisingly, the movement was horizontal, which explained its naming as a transportation platform.

“Why did you try to attack it? It’s a Jaeger! You can’t kill it with just bare hands!” John started to shout, only to be interrupted by a calm voice.

“I can disagree with that – you clearly wounded it,” Robert pointed while trying to calm his hastily beating heart.

“What the hell man? Why… Stop. Did they take your chip memory? Oh, what the fuck have you done?” Sighing, John sat down and leaned on the wall of the platform, “That explains a lot.”

“But not for me, newbie. What is going on?” Riley’s serious voice interfered, when she turned her attention to them, “Billy, watch over old man. And you both – explain, now!”

“Girl, keep your commanding voice to you,” replied Robert, slightly irritated with such treatment. The first time it was understandable, but now it started to bother him. Seeing the change of expression on the pink head, he added with a grin, “And try to be quieter – you are too loud. It’s annoying. And can wake up the old man.”

“You… asshole… I will…,” she tried to say anything, but John intercepted her attempt to grab a weapon.

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“Riley, calm down. You too – don’t know your name – stand down.”

“So, either your brother-in-arms from a previous life or a new team of thieves. What will you choose, John?” Robert smiled, easily bluffing and not even trying to correct the misunderstanding.

“Previous life? What is he speaking about?” Riley switched her attention, eyeing her teammate.

“Is it really a good time to speak about it?” John sighed under two gazes.

“The platform is meant for personal usage of VIP and emergency cases, but it’s not fast. We have time. Explain.” Riley added a weight to her tone, once again demanding something based on her own wish. However, Robert ignored it, feeling slightly amused in this odd situation. He didn’t feel anything about losing to the demon and escaping from it. Moreover, the fight wasn’t over as now, knowing the enemy’s strength it was easier to be ready for the second round. Still, the creature was clearly dangerous – much more than its other hellish allies. But everything was overshadowed by the drama that was going on in front of him, which felt so movie-like that he was even scared to ruin anything.

“Okay, I was a space ranger… like this shitass with loose mouth here,” John pointed at Rob only to meet a wide grin, “I was set up by my partner, stripped off the bigger part of my power core, exiled. Fortunately, the memory chip… the thing that contains not only information about previous missions, demons, and codes but also my personal memories… my mentor helped me to keep it, apparently unlike this guy. So, I hid, switched my identity, and wanted to get justice on the bastard that fucked me up.”

“By fucking our team up? That was the reason why you clanged to us to get onto this mission with us to get the goddamn nanomachine serum!” Riley yelled, raising her weapon and aiming into the face of the “newbie”.

“Look, I am sorry. I didn’t know you back there…”

“When back there? We spent the night together right before setting off!” Another Riley’s yell made Robert sincerely regret the lack of popcorn.

“Did you have sex?” Surprised, Billy turned around to look at both of them with wide-open eyes.

“Shut up, Billy!”

“It was just one night,” John gave a long sigh.

“One night? Just one night?” Rediracting his look, Robert noticed how close Riley’s finger was from pulling the trigger.

“Yes, it was wonderful and meant a lot to me, but technically it was just one night. Not that I don’t want more. I do. I really do… This is just not a time to work on our relationships. We can do it later after we survive through all this. Okay?”

Gently touching Riley’s hand, John finished his short speech, looking into the girl’s eyes. Hers were also glued to him. Her finger moved away from the trigger, and she slowly started to lean forward. There was not a single pause in a similar motion from the man as if the gravitation itself was pulling them into each other embraces.

“Now kiss. And you, Billy, call him brother-in-law from now on,” Robert’s comment pushed them back, shattering the atmosphere and ruining the moment.

Damn, where is my popcorn! That is so funny.

“Okay. Tell me about this asshole,” Riley instantly returned her attitude, completely hiding any woman’s attractiveness under the mask of constant irritation.

“Most likely, he is a space ranger that has at least 90% of power taken from his core as his nanobot’s constructs can’t wound demons. Also, his memory chip was taken, leaving him almost in a blank state. Luckily, his fighting instincts and skills seem to be intact. At first, I thought he was a Rhino type, but right not sure. His constructs are too versatile as if they were specifically modified for that. But taking into account his frame and brutal frontal tactic, he was a Rhino for sure,” slowly speaking, John finally shared his thoughts, observing Rob.

“Is he dangerous? What the crime can be to get such punishment? I hope not a mass murder?” Billy’s question made Riley aim the plasma rifle at Robert, who was currently smiling, while barely holding his laugh.

It is quite funny to hear assumptions based on the imagination and wrong conclusions from a short observation. Rob, the space ranger. Damn!

“Nope. It would have led to a death sentence… I really don’t know. He even could be a test subject with experimental nanomachines who was kicked out of a training program. Right now he is on our side, and it is better to deal with our common problem – demons.”

“If you finally decide that I am not your enemy, I would like you to put your weapon down. It can hurt. And, once again – what is Jaeger?” asked Robert, thinking about the sizes of the ship and their long time of traveling on the platform.

“It is a medium threat demon. Acts alone, keeping a distance from the same level of demons. Commands a pack of Hounds and uses them as scouts. Agile, very flexible, strong. Has a passive aura of fear, but can direct on purpose on several close targets, intensifying the effect. Quite hard to kill even with a weapon. Still, it is great that is not a Grenadier…”

“How so?” Billy asked.

“The Grenadier loses in physical abilities and toughness but can create fireballs that have a similar power to plasma balls. The fight with it in tight corridors on a spaceship can be a suicide… And believe me, there are many more options who you don’t want to meet face to face – like Dragoons or Scouts. Especially the last, who are really sneaky bastards, despite their overall weakness. The problem is that the basic summoning scroll couldn’t have led not to such numbers, not even to a single Jaeger. It must be at least a middle-grade scroll to create a stable portal, which means we need to get out of here as fast as possible. The more dead there will be, the more energy the portal will suck, getting an ability to let through a stronger demon.”

“Something tells me that an ordinary random courier couldn’t possibly carry the portal,” John only nodded at Rob’s comment, before adding.

“The Cult might have wanted to use it somewhere, but our accident intervention messed up their plans,” he sighed.

“Messed up to kill the whole ship?” Riley’s remark created a grimace on John’s face. He wanted to answer, but Robert was faster.

“I can assume that this Cult would still have used it, leading to more causalities. And I am not sure if the whole ship has died – I don’t believe that we are sole survivors.”

“Still… I don’t know. We can check the main shelter. There was indeed a warning and most of the guests and crew might have gone there,” the girl muttered.

“Using an escape pod is a better option. We need to treat Roger and there is an inbuilt medical station for emergencies,” John shook his head.

“Hey, why we are traveling for so long? And are we really moving? I don’t know the size of the ship, but it seems we are crawling. It is odd.”

Roger’s question created puzzled expressions on others' faces. Riley immediately dived into her device, while John started to check the platform. It didn’t take even ten seconds before they both cursed loudly.

“Shit. Someone reprogrammed the speed for emergencies, decreasing it tremendously! We barely reached the next section.”

“Well, according to the logs, it was the captain. And if it was him, I can bet a fortune that he could also sabotage escape pods, putting them out of order,” Riley added, raising her face.

“We will see. Stop it in the next section. Others – be ready. Billy, please keep Roger safe,” John commanded, getting near the door. Robert followed, creating a shield. However, when the platform had finally stopped and the doors slid to the sides, there was no threat. Still, the horrible picture made Billy vomit, barely missing the unconscious blonde. Riley was better, only tightening the grip on her plasma rifle. Only John and Robert were not shaken, moving forward and checking both sides of the corridor, before finally turning their attention to a wide-open armored screen in front of them.

“That was a shelter,” a former space ranger explained, looking at a gruesome scene.

“Now it looks like a butcher shop,” Robert’s note sounded in silence, while he was making a first step inside.