As they are boarding the ship, the sound of many footsteps down the entrance exiting the shipyard can be heard. Turning towards the noise I notice a large group of fully armed Garudan's being led by a Wokan commander. Realising the reinforcements have arrived I lunge forward and drop behind some storage crates, for cover. Leaning to the side I open fire with my laser rifle, killing two soldiers instantly. Causing the rest to step back behind the corner for cover.

Tova, who was ferrying the Garudan's aboard arrives with four of his men. They crouch behind their own cover. Tova then leans out and opens fire, the corridor lights up with red sparks of death. Our side fires many times before the enemy starts firing back. Even more, laser bolts arc across the battlefield some reaching the Garudan's trying to push towards the ship. A few of them are hit by the crossfire, leaving a few injured and one dead. The former prisoners began screaming in fear and start trying to force their way into the ship.

The situation has become dire, I try to think of a solution whilst firing back. I turn my head to the visage of the Gatling laser now on the ground, the two carrying it had abandoned their duty. Coming up with a plan I grab one of the storage crates and push it towards the centre of the firefight. With the two sides filled with stacked crates used for cover, the centre just in front of the exit was clear until now. The sight of the lone crate clearly confuses the enemy, they stopped firing.

I rush back and pick up the Gatling laser with my suit's enhanced strength. Rushing back to my cover, once the cannon is in my arms. I had to place my own weapon on the ground before arriving back, the lull in the battle was my chance as I pushed the cannon across the floor. It lands just behind the centre crate. Without any more hesitation, I perform a barrel roll. The enemy starts firing more in earnest.

The quickly passing presence caused them to focus fire on me, the crate shielding me is nearly torn to shreds from the condensed firing. I grasp the cannon with both hands analysing its configuration. The weapon is assembled in a similar manner to the laser rifle, with a similar trigger mechanism. The cannon is much larger and bulkier with four revolving barrels on the end. On the left side is a glowing panel, showing many lines, likely some sort of ammunition indicator, hopefully, this means there is sufficient ammo.

Grasping the heavy cannon in both hands, my right gripping the trigger and my left holding the barrel. I wait for a lull in the battle, and a short time later, my opportunity arrives just before my improvised cover is obliterated. Rising to my feet I throw the bulky weapon and lay it across the crate, aiming the barrels towards the now-shocked enemies. Squeezing the trigger roughly, the barrels begin to spin, and the sound of the revolution causes a ruckus amongst the enemies. They began to turn back, but before they can even vacate the corridor. The weapon I wield flashes red continually.

The wiring sound is accompanied by the arc of many laser streams, spewing forth like death incarnate. The corridor soon descends into absolute chaos. The soldiers are struck by the many laser bolts, carving through them like they are thin air. Blood splatters all over the corridor, drenching the region in the green colour of Garudan blood.

The sight was an absolute slaughter, the enemy soldiers are massacred with few survivors. They are either escaping around the corner or cowering in fear, lucky enough to survive. Still drenching the corridor with bloody death, I turn to Tova. His people are commanding them to return to the ship, still firing, I move back towards the ramp. Reaching the off-ramp, I stop firing the cannon and enter the ship weapon in hand.

After entering I quickly close it and the familiar appearance of a Hellmak vessel appears. I quickly sprint down the corridor and head to the ship's central room. The sight of many Garudan's appear before me, many of them scared and confused. I look around and notice the three Demthesian's, approaching them I brandish the bulky Gatling laser and ask each of them a question. "Which one of you knows how to fly this ship?" I ask as my own skill at piloting his negligible, despite Quroken's minor instruction, I was not confident in flying this ship.

The older Demthesian looks back at his comrades, before looking at me warily, he pauses with a loud sigh before speaking up. "I can fly the ship." He speaks with resignation towards his fate, something I was expecting. The sight of such a large weapon in my hands and the faint traces of blood on my suit likely convinced him to obey.

I turned back to Tova and gave him some quick orders to keep an eye on the two Demthesian's and the remaining Garudan guards. He affirms my orders and I make my way to the cockpit. Arriving there with the Demthesian leading the way. We both enter and seat ourselves on the two pilot seats. I am seated on the right and he on the left, resting the Gatling laser on my legs with its barrel aimed at him, he quickly switches on the ship's panels. The engines start to activate, yet I can feel not a single vibration, the main observation screen power up displaying the closed shipyard.

The Demthesian then activates a few commands and the hangar bay door starts to slide open exposing the outside world. The remaining soldiers that survived my onslaught quickly rushed forward. A loud Wokan was screaming orders behind them, compelling them to press on despite their injuries and losses. Honestly, I was quite loathed to kill the rest of them and instead moved my hands to quickly seize control of the ship's weapon systems. The Demthesian beside me was stunned, yet he kept his head down after I glared at him intensely. He returned to his piloting while I activated the mounted rail guns.

The weapons spun from the left side of the ship and aimed directly at the sparse group of enemies; on the monitor I could observe them with a crosshair. The weapon quickly locked onto them, their group then seized their movements and froze like scared animals. The sight of the rail gun's aiming towards them likely frightened them, a moment later they all come to their senses and started to disperse for cover. My threat was successful, despite the Wokan commander roaring at them from behind, they ignored him and took cover.

Only the Wokan commander remained in the open and began furiously firing upon the ship with his laser pistol, not the smartest denizen, is he? I turned to the controls, locked onto him and fired without hesitation. The rail guns powered up with electromagnetic energy, fired a high-speed metallic object tearing the Wokan apart and leaving behind a bloody mess. With that unnamed Wokan commander's death, the ship raised from the platform and headed toward the exit.

The ship glided graciously through the air heading towards the sky, and the compound and surrounding forest became more and more distanced from the ship. Once we ascended high enough, I accessed the communications channel. The sound of Pok's voice resounded in my ear. "Commander, we lost contact with you, we are now at the alternate extraction point." His words were truly something I missed, the disconnection with my soldiers was not a pleasant experience. Yet I had anticipated that potential situation and planned accordingly.

With my voice, I softly replied without a hint of hesitation. "Good work, tell Zatrophos that we are heading to you, we have stolen an Intopa and will arrive soon to pick you up, we must return to the Ruktan." Without wasting any time, I explained the situation clearly, and he replied with affirmation and stated he would remain at the extraction point until I arrived. Satisfied with the situation, I turned to my Demthesian pilot. He was calmly controlling the ship, yet every time I glanced his way he would shiver slightly. I had not observed any Demthesian's until now, yet they are quite similar to my own species.

I shifted the weapon on my lap before speaking to him in an authoritative tone. "Who are you and how are you alive... I was told all the Demthesian's were executed by Zekton." I leant to the side, quite curious as to the origins of this person and how he survived what can only be called a ship-wide purge. Visibly frightened by my presence, the Demthesian shudders, but still maintains his control of the ship, likely piloting is a reflex. Time passes slowly as the tension between us grows denser. I shift on my seat causing the Gatling laser to rise and fall, not intentional but it had an effect. The Demthesian gulps likely in fear, narrowing his eyes onto the control panel.

Finally, he spoke up in a baritone voice. "I am... I was a Legionary Exploratory Officer, Xirak Kastes. But I suppose rank no longer matters anymore." His head dips, and his voice turns slightly solemn towards the end. He seems rather downcast, likely directed to his current and past predicament. I did not speak in reply and instead insisted he continues his explanation. He glanced back at me and then spoke up again. "After Zekton took over, he began executing my fellow officers one by one. I survived along with the two others after Randax hid us aboard the ship. Next thing we knew we were on the planet, building ships for him." His answer was not exactly filled with many details, but it was sufficient for now until I can interrogate him later.

I am satisfied with this, as it makes sense, Randax seems far more intelligent and ambitious than his brethren. He likely faked their deaths to use them to develop Demthesian technology, for his eventual coup against Zekton. Likely if I never showed up, Randax would have seized control of the majority of the Garudan's with his divine persona. Then retaking the Ruktan with a surprise attack. Once he does so, he would become the undisputed ruler of the planet and could easily continue his divine charade, atop a throne of metal.

Not a bad plan really and not too difficult to pull off considering the resources at his disposal. Still, I don't believe posing as a deity is the best option to take control of this planet. The majority of the populace does not believe in gods and would naturally resist. But I cannot change the past as I cannot return to it. So best to stay the course, pick up my soldiers and return to the Ruktan post haste.

Accessing the navigation panel, I bring up a map of the planet, locate my soldiers on the map and direct Xirak to fly towards them. The ship banks to the right and heads away from the compound towards a dense forest. The ship is easily put into autopilot with the navigation set. Now with the ship heading towards my destination, I finally relax for a moment, settling my thoughts for the next step.

The situation is dire despite the gains, I have rescued at least half the Garudan captives, with the rest apparently scattered throughout various mining operations. One thing I don't understand is the need for slave labour for mining, wouldn't the automatic construction bots be more efficient? Perhaps they are limited in supply or they are unable to reprogram them for mining. Many thoughts flashed through my head. Suddenly I am awakened out of my daze by a communications request appearing on the communication panel of the ship.

I turn to Xirak with a questioning gaze, his response is also confused, he turns to the control panel. Curious I accept the communication request, leading to the visage of Randax appearing on the holographic monitor. Despite the situation, Randax seems completely calm, as if my escape was nothing to worry about. This initial analysis causes a dire warning.

Before I can speak, Randax interrupts me with that authoritative tone of his, not granting me a single syllable. "Well, I am impressed, you slightly surprised me with that grand escape of yours, truly impressive." He nods slightly, a gesture noticed for a few moments before glancing at his smug smile. His beady eyes examine me for a time before he continues his monologue. "Detonating the prison door, quite brutal and slaughtering all those poor Garudan's. You are quite the ruthless killer." I sense a high degree of sarcasm in his words, they don't seem genuine and signify a mocking tone.

I exhale a breath before sighing, lift my gaze and reply with equal sarcasm and I'll admit my own sense of mockery. "That is strange for a false deity and ruthless slave owner to say." I narrow my gaze and throw back his words, this action causes him to snort derisively as if the words, although accurate do not have an effect.

Randax begins chuckling in joy, the grave laughter is not very pleasant to hear and luckily does not last long. His expression quickly morphs back into an indifferent one, he raises his posture as if to look down on me and speaks with that voice once more. "Gods don't need to explain themselves and slaves serve at the behest of their betters, such is the way of the galaxy. A lesson in power, I will have to teach you... Best brace yourself." Randax lowers his gaze to the right side and immediately after delivering that chilling line, raises a datapad.

Curious about the reason, he quickly enters a command onto the pad and suddenly the ship's control panel turns dark, the entire ship losing power. Only Randax's smiling face could be seen right before the ship descended towards the ground at immense speed. Time seems to move slowly, yet also immensely fast as the forest below moves towards my gaze at speed. The distance shrinks until nothing but a loud crash and then darkness.