Far Pangaea 67 : Uphill Battle

"Feast Brothers and Sister." Gaicazar rides upon the T-Rex as it clamps jaws around a Technoride and slams it effortlessly against a container. Its riders toppling to the metal below. Discarding the bike the T-Rex devoured the two soldiers in a bloody mess of body parts. The sight making Zor'Bakk bulge his eyes. He was unprepared for a dinosaur.

Leaping from the T-Rex Gaicazar landed proudly in front of troops and began cleaving a swath to reach Zor'Bakk. Their weapons not effective on his armor. Glowing sword arching found soldiers dead upon impact.

"We were not told of such Humans." Zor'Bakk grimaces, "Kill them."

As his forces do battle, inside the Ganthorian ship the troops scoured the area. Finding James and Xander at the Bridge. Xander barking at their arrival. One of the soldiers speaks into the com link on his chin, "We found the boy. No sign of the pregnant woman."

James stood up with his hands held out in front of him, "Easy Hairball. Put your guns down and I won't hurt any of you." The soldiers in turn laugh at his bravado. James smirks, "Didn't think so." Orbs appear hovering all around them. Eyes tremble at their appearance. They knew from the Ganthorian scientists exactly what these drones were. "You would attack us with surveillance bots?" The lead soldier raises a brow. He then moves to his belt and lifts a tiny remote. A simple press of a button and the orbs fall like raindrops and collide with the floor. James was taken off guard. Chuckling nervously he orders Xander away, "Run!"

Evading the troops Xander bolted through the halls. A single Hordakian gave chase. Rounding a corner near the arsenal room Xander stops and sits down awaiting the soldier. As the soldier reached him he grunts and aims a rifle at the dog. Xander merely whines and tilts his head. Two more orbs appear swiftly and pummel the soldier against the wall with rapid fire ion ports. The soldier felt organs collapse inside him and he slips to his death down the wall. Prepared to leave Xander halts in step to smell at the wall a few feet from him. It begins to glow blue. Suddenly, without warning Xander against his will is sucked into the portal and it vanishes. The orbs hover without further commands.

James however was bound and tied. Hauled from the ship closely until Elle and Gaicazar could perceive his capture. Pausing in combat Elle winces at James.

"All the fight you got?"

James shrugs, "Sorry Elle."

Zor'Bakk steps over to the boy and grips him by the chin brusquely, "Where is the pregnant woman?"

"Doctor's appointment. Should be back tomorrow." James huffs.

Amused by his fearlessness Zor'Bakk switches eye contact with Elle, "The pregnant woman. Bring her to me."

"Wouldn't even if I could Mr. Piggy." Elle whips her spear about as the T-Rex devours two more soldiers behind her. The gruesome sight made Zor'Bakk grunt loudly his distaste. "Contain your beast or the boy dies."

"Somehow I'm thinking the plan to kill James there isn't in your best interest. You need him for something or you wouldn't be here. So, I say release him or I have Dino eat the rest of your troops."

"You are wise." He nods, "Not that wise." Zor'Bakk lifts his hand away from James and points it out toward Elle and Gaicazar. A gauntlet moves parts over his palm and a strange effect stimulates the air around them. Equilibrium off Elle and the Roman stagger in step. As does the T-Rex. Feet failing them they fall to their knees. James could only watch in horror.

"Get the boy back to Orin." Zor'Bakk orders, "I shall find the pregnant woman myself." The soldiers containing James force him toward a Technoride. Tying him backwards to the seat a soldier controls the bike skyward. An escort ride followed him. James was gone in minutes.

"Kill these Humans and their pet. Whatever it takes." Zor'Bakk then turns away with a pair of soldiers following him. His vertigo gauntlet passed over to another soldier to maintain.

Once gone the soldiers congregate over Elle and Gaicazar and begin a point blank devastation of Sonics. Others taking aim at the T-Rex. It was a horrible sight to behold. In their vibrational attack they hardly noticed another vibratory assault. This one approaching violently.

In a well trained stampede Greta Winston drove her cows in to trample the soldiers. The Hordakian with the vertigo gauntlet finds the bullet from a Winchester rifle right between the eyes. More shots fired take out two more. Cows crush three more. The others stood haunted by the ghost stampede. Not knowing what was going on.

In their confusion Elle crawled to her feet and pierced a Hordakian up through his chin and out the top of his head. Behind her Gaicazar rises in full combat mode. Head spinning but in control over his swords trajectory. Soldiers dropped like flies.

As the dust settles Greta on Quiver rides up next to Elle, "They took James. I wasn't fast enough getting here to stop them."

Elle looks at open air just following the Cowgirl's voice, "I'm going after them. These cycles can't be that difficult to figure out. Anton? I know you don't like going on that ship but dammit...get in there and gut some Hogs."

Nodding with a bit of hesitance he agrees. The Roman would overcome his claustrophobia and fulfill his mission. The Ganthorian ship reminded him far to much of the Coliseum of Rome. Even in its infancy.

Hopping on a Technoride Elle examines the controls. It wasn't rocket science. Gravitating in the air above them the T-Rex roared up at her as if asking if she needed his help. Elle didn't take the time to notice. In a shot she was off. Pushing the throttle full speed. Luckily a GPS unit led her toward the cave system.

The T-Rex wolfed down the pigs.

Greta dropped off of Quiver and cocked her Winchester. Following behind Gaicazar she meant to offer backup. Both scaling the ramp cautiously.

"Want me to take the lead Big Guy?" Greta whispers, "Can't see me coming like they can you."

Hesitating he guides her invisible form around him, "Aye friend Greta. Stealth before storm. A wise woman indeed."

"Hand a lil' higher Big Fella. That's my ass you're pattin'."

"I know." He sighs heavily. In front of him she could only smirk. Her lead cautious she stops at the threshold above to listen for voices. There were only three Hordakians left. Following their chatter Greta realized they were down in the basement along the underground pool. A pool leading into the offshoot caves going down to where Sophia had gone in search of a Princess. Unknown to the others the Princess was a hoax.

Creeping along Greta motioned a sweating Gaicazar to step lightly. At his size that would prove impossible. Teeth gnashed she knew this would be a fire fight. Rushing down ahead of him she discovered the three soldiers prowling at three separate corners. Their leader Zo'Bakk leering into the water with curiosity.

Turning visible for only a brief instant Greta points out the two soldiers. Telling him she would handle one, he the other. Agreed upon she softly turned invisible and stalked her prey. She knew a gunshot would draw attention so she chose a new tactic. From her boot she drew out a bowie knife. Her Father had taught her how to hunt. Even in Kansas they had boars. These were just the biggest boars ever.

Behind her a loud squealing death cry was heard just as she stood behind her target. Gaicazar had beheaded his target with ease. So much for the element of surprise. In response Greta's prey reeled around to face her and charges to his friends aid. In doing so he plows Greta right off her feet. Invisible obstacle made the soldier look down for what was in his way. Legs wide he squints in the gloom. Nothing there. Not until he felt his balls severed between his legs. With eyes erupting he staggers. Blood falling and pooling up on Greta's chest. Her invisibility obstructed by a fresh coat of paint. Growling in agony he points his gun down at her prepared to fire when he feels something slither about his neck. Crushing his windpipe. Convulsing the Hordakian gurgles up blood as his arms are pried away from his gun.

"What the tarnation?" Greta mumbles as the Boar was hurled away to her left. Above her now stood an unexpected sight. The hybrid Octopi Tyrakuus. Smiling in his own grotesque way as his tentacles lower to wrap her waist and assist her to her feet.

Near the pool Zor'Bakk turned to absorb the nature of his men. Smelling death he snarls. From the shadows approached Gaicazar. His sword lighting the way now that there was no need for stealth.

"Time to die Swine." Antonaeus stands before the Hordakian Field Commander.

"Wait! I can get you to the boy." The Leader pleads stepping back into the water. Waist deep as Gaicazar follows him. Suddenly, Zor'Bakk feels a wall behind him. He knew there was no wall that close. Water dousing him from all sides. Eyes like bulbs the Hordakian gasps and looks up at a dark figure with a bit of white on his cheeks. The creature was hulking, his body forced to slouch over. Head touching the ceiling. Even Gaicazar stood back in awe his gaze altering as the giant grew fuller in stature. As if his body ballooned out. He had no idea that the creature was friend or foe.

Joining them Greta and Tyrakuus held Gaicazar back.

"Easy Anton. They're friends. This here is Tyrakuus. The bigger guy is Oophalah. I hope I said your name right." She waves up at him. The mighty Oophalah merely blinks his eyes at her. Zor'Bakk felt his arms held to his side and bones creaking.

"Why do ya'll want poor James?" Greta turns fully visible for the confrontation.

Zor'Bakk feels his pulse rapid. Fear taking over. All manner of strange creatures around him made him panic. Sword held to his neck the Leader gives in.

"Orin Ridge wants the boy. The pregnant woman. For what I am not privileged to know. I merely serve the Hordakian High Command. Kill me if you must."

"Where are they taking young James?" Gaicazar flares his eyes menacingly.

Before he can speak Tyrakuus mentally invades the Roman's mind. Showing him the cavern and the second Ganthorian ship. A vision of Madigan also. Of Animahni numbing the poor primitive man Moe to keep him quiet. As the images fade Gaicazar lowers his blade.

"Where doth this be?" Gaicazar narrows his gaze.

Greta touches the Roman's armored bicep, "Ain't it obvious Anton? It's where Sophia went chasing after that Princess."

"There is no Princess." Zor'Bakk snorts.

Greta bites her lower lip, "I wish Ruby was here. I dunno what to do. No way we can get there safely. Underwater. Elle took off so we got no idea how to follow her."

"Yon horses that fly. We ride together Beautiful Greta."

"Ummm!" She blushes as Tyrakuus touches her with a tentacle offering her a flash of the Roman's thoughts of her. It made her tremble. Gaicazar had feelings for the Cowgirl. Gathering her emotions she nods, "What about my cows?"

"The Lizard shall watch over them. Be at ease their belly is full."

"Never gonna get used to the Their when all I see is an It."

"What of me?" Zor'Bakk swallows.

Yanked from his feet the Hordakian is dragged into the depths. Oophalah would take him home. Tyrakuus nods that his mission was done. Waving he follows Oophalah. They would join the battle below.

Racing outside Greta and Gaicazar decide upon the Technoride that looked the safest. Armor devolving into his life fiber the Roman made room on the seat. In front of him he pats the seat.

"Fancy saddle." She whimpers crawling over the seat in front of him. She barely had room due to the Roman's build. Looking over the controls she says a prayer. Gaicazar recites Amen after. Surprising herself Greta managed to get the bike into the air.

Gaicazar pointing at the T-Rex to behave and stand guard. The souls within the great beast would honor his request. The dynamic duo were riding a bucking Bronco every mile in pursuit. Gaicazar would have motion sickness. Greta would struggle to overlook the Roman's mighty erection rubbing along her backside. Her thoughts simple, "God help me."

Xander found himself in a lush grassy plain on looking the ocean. Pausing to whine at his strange environment he hears a rustling behind him. Darting his gaze he tilts his head at a strange old man using a staff to walk by. Meeting eyes the Elder smiles at their encounter.

"Why hello there. What brings you to Avalon?"

Strangely, Xander's tail couldn't stop wagging.