Yunix Superweapon, Orbit of Ire, Bavern System
17th Helios (17th April), 1930 Hours (Ire Time), 1503 AGW
Michael found himself on his knees, the hangar spinning. Blood leaked from his left temple, spattering the floor in little crimson circles. More blood oozed from the tip of his fingers. Immense pain blurred his vision and clouded his thinking. Gingerly, he placed his unwounded hand to his left temple and felt the warm, sticky blood, fresh; the wound recent. A haze of dark smoke congealed near the ceiling and blackened air that brought a foul stench of melted rubber, and ozone. He thought he caught the faint smell of decaying flesh, but he was not so sure.
The rapid flashes of light, which he could not make out, made his movements seem jerky, like a marionette swaying around in unpracticed hands. His whole body ached and felt as if he had been beaten. His skull felt as if someone had driven a nail through it. He continued to move towards a figure, his eyes unable to focus. He found it hard to focus on anything as his field of vision started to spin. His bleary eyes watered from the smoke. The little starburst of lights, coupled with the sound of gunfire, disoriented him, preventing him from gathering his thoughts.
What happened? He could not remember. Far worse, he could not think straight. Michael continued to wobble and sway, nausea pushing bile into the back of his throat. And then he felt it: a strong tackle. He fell once again, his head colliding with the ground. The pain in his temple spiked, a white-hot flash of agony that summoned a prolonged scream. He steeled himself against the pain in his head and stood on weak legs. A voice spoke; he could hear it faintly.
"Are you alright?" she asked.
Michael squinted his eyes, attempting to identify who it was. His mind was in such a daze that even by voice, he was not able to recognise. He felt a stinging sensation in his left arm for a moment, as if a needle was injected. After a while, his vision started to improve and his consciousness began to return to normal. He looked at the girl who had just saved him from a gunshot. It was Tesex. He scanned his surroundings, the sight of heavy fighting between Republic troopers and Rebels flooded the entire main hangar, with many Republic ships severely damaged.
"Have you made contact with Yanu'Kai?"
Tesex nodded. "They should be arriving at any time soon. At least they can provide some much-needed artillery against the enemy."
Michael ran towards the far corner, where the rifles were placed. He grabbed one and tossed it to Tesex, and took another for himself. They shot a few rebel troops as they retreated back to the corridor. Michael spotted a starship approaching the hangar, firing at the battlefield. Michael could care less if there were Republic troopers killed by the ship. The ship cleared most of the enemies, docking at the vacant bay towards Michael's right.
With the situation at the main hangar brought under control, Yanu'Kai, Glenn, Sojan, Riflona and Ainz exited the ship. Michael was glad to see the success of the rescue mission but knew better that the war was far from over. Within weeks, the rebels have seized control of several planets within the Republic, including the capital of Dieusia. The Grand 11 needed to talk it over on the subsequent course of action they will take to turn the tide of the war back into their favour.
Glenn sprinted towards Michael and wasted no time. "Get the rest here, now!" Glenn ordered. "We don't have much time. The rebels have a weapon of their own. Our defence shields are damaged and this entire superweapon will be destroyed. We got to evacuate!"
Michael could not believe what he just heard. It did not make much sense to him that the weapon he built was going to be destroyed. Then it occurred to him. Cherilyn and Mandy knew the flaws of the weapon. A simple tactic by the rebels would destroy the superweapon. But what weapon was Glenn talking about? He had no time to ponder about that thought. He contacted Fang Hook, Exiyu, Jixu and Jaygini and within a few minutes, all of them were in the hangar.
"Get in the ship!" bellowed Yanu'Kai, who appeared to be more anxious than ever before. "We gotta get out of here! We'll cloak ourselves so that the rebels won't know we escaped."
The ship flew out of the hangar unnoticed, the Grand 11 escaping their doom by the skin of their teeth. As they flew away, they saw the rebel cruisers entering from hyperspace and a beam of hot magma penetrated the weapon so viciously. The damage was far greater than Michael could imagine. It was far stronger than the Yunix Superweapon. The Republic was on the run. To remain under the radar, Michael knew it was necessary. However, he needed to discuss it with the rest. For now, only an atmosphere of relief shrouded the ship, glad that they made it out alive.
