Post by cross on Dec 16, 2015 12:49:58 GMT -5
Ultimate Threshold #1
Just Business Part 1
Just Business Part 1
-Present Day-
-Vega Star System-
"Threshold, this is The Rembrandt. Permission to dock?" The small, two man craft slowly moved through space waiting for an answer.
"Permission to dock granted. Good to have you back, Rayner." Kyle smiled at the comment and increased thrusters to move into the docking bay of the much larger Threshold.
Kyle waited for the green 'Atmosphere' light to illuminate. After a brief moment, it did giving Kyle the all clear to exit the small craft. The top of The Rembrandt opened and Kyle jumped over the side instead of waiting for an automated exit ladder to arrive. "Hello beautiful." Kyle loved the Threshold and was visibly happy to be back on board.
"What'd ya find this time?" A humanoid resembling an Earth rabbit walked the steps of the Threshold descending towards Kyle and his cargo. His small five foot tall stature and visible scars covering his body showed the obvious experience the creature had in rough travels through the galaxy. He rolled up the red sleeves of his jacket as he shook the hand of Rayner.
"Not much, Captain. The ship was abandoned like the scanners read. Looked like it had been already scavenged over by our likes." Kyle waved his hand to the small pile of parts on the bay floor next to The Rembrandt.
"We can't keep going on these runs if we ain't getting nothing from 'em, Rayner." The Captain folded his arms in frustration.
"I know. I used a few hits of fuel on the trip but tried to keep mostly to low power cruising." Kyle ran his hand through his scruffy yet still styled hair.
The door to the docking bay flew open as another human burst through. "K'ROT! WE FOUND THEM!"
The captains face lit up with a wicked looking snarl. "Your trip may have been worth it, Rayner!"
THUDUNK!
Using his rabbit shaped legs, K'Rot leaped from the bay floor to the one story high landing and ran through the door following the other human.
K'Rot followed to the bridge of the ship and looked through the windows. In front of the Threshold moving quickly against the black color of empty space was a large slaver ship covered in Gordanian markings. "No frakin way!"
The old aged human moved around the bridge of the Threshold getting the sensors of the enemy ship to display on the captain's display hub. "The ship is reading as 'Gordanian' in nature and looks to be a slaver ship."
As the details of the ship were being read aloud by the human, Kyle entered the bridge to see what had K'Rot so excited. He made eye contact with the older human who knew his way around the sensors console. "You made good timing kid. Slaver ship in front of us!"
Kyle studied the scan results on the captains hub screen. "Glad to be back Starr. Why are we excited about a slaver ship in the Vega System? No Green Lanterns allowed in these parts."
"I don't give a frak about the Lanterns!" K'Rot spun on his feet and tossed a pistol to Kyle. "They're far enough from Karna that if we hit them and run we can get some serious income without them tailing us for retaliation. The market always kills for some Gordanian materials."
Kyle holstered the pistol. "And what about the slaves?"
The older looking man tilted his head over his shoulder. "We can head over to the next sector and drop them off in Lantern Space."
"Damn it Ric! We don't gotta help everyone we come across. Sometimes we can just do good by us and leave well enough alone." K'Rot's left ear started to twitch as it always did when he was flustered.
"I'm the pilot and I say that's where we are heading after this." Rikane smiled at his obvious win of the argument over the Captain. "Unless you'd like to fly?"
K'rot let out a sigh and read over the scan results again. "Starr, you keep a good distance from the ship but stay with it. Rayner, you're with me."
The pair turned to exit the deck almost running into a female. "Shayera, get your gear! We are heading towards a Gordanian slaver ship. Goin' need your expertise in stealing some parts."
K'Rot laughed as he ran down the hallway towards his living quarters to get ready. Kyle slowly squeezed past Shayera and smiled. "Good to see you Shayera."
She made eye contact and returned the smile. "Glad you're back."
***
-10 Years Ago-
-Sol Star System-
-Earth-
A red convertible sped down the highway leaving Metropolis in its rearview mirror. Kyle took a deep breath enjoying the new feeling of freedom. He pulled out his phone and dialed a number he knew too well. "Hey Mom. Y-YES, IM DRIVING WITH THE TOP DOWN! I'M OFFICIALLY ON SUMMER BREAK! YES I LEFT SCHOOL A SECOND AGO! I'LL BE HOME IN ABOUT AN HOUR!"
Kyle hung the phone up and tossed it into the passengers seat next to his art supplies bag. As Kyle adjusted his sunglasses a glint of light glazed over his car. As he looked up the blinding light beamed down on the young man and he was suddenly gone.
***
-Present Day-
-Vega Star System-
The Rembrandt drifted towards the Gordanian slaver ship. Kyle turned off the thrusters and let the ship sail on its own momentum towards the much larger ship. K'Rot, behind him in the passengers seat, used a hand held scanner to identify the ships armor plating value. Stuffed behind K'Rot squatted Shayera. She tried to contort her body to get comfortable but it was no use. The Rembrandt was clearly a two person ship.
"Okay. We are as close as we can get." Kyle steadied the ship to match the pace of the slaver ship. "I'm going to board their hull and then we are cutting our way in."
K'Rot spun the plasma cutting tool in his furry hand flashing his snarl again.
Kyle ever so slightly turned the controls of the Rembrandt. The two ships were now touching hulls. Kyle flipped a switch to activate the docking magnets. The Rembrandts exit door opened to reveal the outer hull of the Gordanian's ship. The seal of ship to ship hulls held perfectly. "Tell me that that's the perfect docking. C'mon, say it you cute bunny you."
The Captain glared at Kyle until Shayera kicked his seat. "Move it Captain, I want out of this thing. I need to stretch my wings."
Kyle whipped his head around to look at the cramped Shayera. "Ha! I get it!"
KKKEEEEEESSSSHHH!
After five minutes worth of plasma cutting, the outer hull of the Slaver ship fell to the ground. K'Rot frantically tried to grab for the piece but couldn't keep a firm hold. "Frak!"
CLANK!
CLUNK!
The noise echoed through the empty walkway. K'Rot lowered his head into the foreign ship to look around. "Nothing, Lets go."
The Captain, Shayera, and Kyle all dropped from the Rembrandt to the inside of the ship. "Ready your weapons. We are looking for the slave cells, The engine room, and if we have time I'd like to hit the bridge."
Shayera pulled from her bag a piece of glass with a few touch locations on it. She held it up to her eyes and scanned the ship walls and Gordanian markings. "Translator is reading that the Slaver Cells are to the left and the Engine room is straight ahead. Oh! The Bridge is just to our right and up a floor!" She put the translator device away and began walking towards the engine room.
"Hold it! Where the hell you think you're goin'? We stickin' together on this one. Gordanians are rough." K'Rot steadied his rifle and peered up the hallway to see where the door to the bridge was located.
"Adaptoids." Kyle looked at The Captain with boredom plastered all over his face.
"We got lucky on that one. The only reason we survived that was cuz of the equalizing disease that her people naturally have." K'Rot knew he had lost control of this mission and sighed. "Fine. Get back here quick and keep in touch over the coms."
Kyle spun his pistol around his index finger and ran towards the hallway Shayera identified as the Slaver Cells. K'Rot nodded towards Shayera once more to signify safety and ran down the corridors towards the bridge.
SHLANK!
A larger than average spiked club dropped to the kneecap of Shayera as she gripped it tightly. She ran towards the engine room.
***
Rikane matched the speed of the Threshold to the Gordanian Slaver ship. The Rembrandt could barely be seen hanging onto the side of the much larger ship but wouldn't be picked up by the ships crew. He sat back in his pilots chair and propped his feet up on the steering console.
WHOOP!
WHOOP!
The alarm was a communications alarm that Rikane recognized. he had been spotted. The transmission opened on the Captains hub screen. "Translation begin." Rikane let the computer sync up the order and then came into view of the Gordanian Captain.
"I am the Captain of the Gordanian Slaver ship [Title Not Translatable]. You have changed the course of your ship and are now following us. For what purpose?"
"I'm just an old Space Ranger, Captain. Havent seen a Gordanian Slaver ship in a long time. Just was admiring." Rikane smiled at the story he had made up on the fly.
"[Word Not Translatable], You are following us! Turn back now or face death!" The Gordanian Captain was obviously suspicious and not buying the story.
"I read you loud and clear. Can you at least tell me where the nearest fuel station is?" Rikane sent the transmission remotely to K'Rot as the Gordanian gave him the location.
As the transmission ended, Rikane did as was demanded and turned the ship towards the nearest fueling station. "Good luck guys."
***
Kyle kept close to the metal walls of the ship as he crept along, peeking around each corner. He hadn't seen any guards or personnel since they had entered the Slaver ship and it was beginning to worry him. He continued on down another empty hallway until a green flash spilled out from a window in front of him. He looked through the glass and his eye grew in shock. Bouncing off of the walls of a tiny containment cell was a Green Lantern ring. Kyle looked into the far right corner of the room next to a door and saw the remains of the rings owner. The ring stopped its frantic flight path and turned as if it was looking at Kyle. Rayner looked around the holding cell and could see a faint yellow shine to the room. The yellow shine was spread over every inch of the room. Kyle slowly remembered his mission to free the slaves and walked away from the window. The Green Lantern ring followed him as far as its containment walls would let it. As Kyle walked past the window he could hear the Ring return to bouncing off of the walls again.
ZZZZSSSHHH!
A bright red spot charred into the wall just missing Rayners head by mere inches. Kyle dropped to one knee and spotted the gunshots origin. Behind him standing in front of the Green Lantern rings window stood two bulky seven foot tall Gordanians. They roared in their native language and charged Kyle. Both aliens raised their weapons and fired again sending red bolts of energy flying past Kyle.
KEZZZ!
KEZZZ!
KEZZZ!
Two of the three shots that Kyle had fired dropped one of the Gordanians. The missed shot had hit the cell window leaving a spider web crack in the thick glass. Kyle saw the remaining Gordanian aim and fire again. He tried to roll out of the way but the blast had made contact with Kyle's personal pistol.
ZZZSSSHHH!
The gun melted just as Kyle threw it to the ground. Before the huge beast could fire again, Kyle jumped to his feet and slammed his shoulder into the Gordanians stomach. The force of the tackle rocked the alien off of its feet and sent it through the containment cells glass, shattering it and sending the Gordanian into the cell. Kyle breathed hard and drew his secondary pistol from his holster strapped to his lower leg. He turned and continued to make his way to the Slaver Cells.
***
CLUNK!
CLUNK!
"YEAAARRRHH!" Shayera roared in her bloodlust as she repeatedly smashed her spiked mace into the armored head of the Gordanian engineer. The large reptilian looking creature was covered from head to claw in a dark bronze metal armor and had a gun surgically attached to its arm. The light treading footsteps coming from behind the Thanagarian were picking up speed. Shayera had had enough training on her home world to know what a sneak attack sounded like. She spun in place and swung her weapon upwards into the chin of the attacking Gordanian. His armored helmet ripped from his face as he flew into one of the many alien machines running the large vessel. Shayera smiled as she caught her breath.
"I haven't had a fight this good in a long while! Thank you for reminding me of the rush!" Shayera holstered her weapon and went to work on finding a value that the ship would go for on the market.
***
K'Rot bounced all around the bridge of the ship. Four Gordanian bodies covered in a thick black blood laid on the floor. The Captain hailed the Threshold. On the screen in front of K'Rot appeared Rikane. The screen strained to hold connection. "Rikane! We have taken the ship and are heading to your coordinates!"
The screen faded quickly but K'Rot could tell he had said enough to make Rikane ease his worries. "Captain!"
Shayera walked into the bloodied bridge. "The Engine Room is secured and priced. We are going to make a fortune on this thing!"
K'Rot nodded in approval and typed away on the alien ship's steering console to bring up a layout of the ship. The security layout appeared on the screen and the two stared at the Slaver Cells waiting for Kyle to give the all clear.
***
THUD!
A Gordanian body dropped to the metal floor in a slump with a smoking hole going right through its head. Kyle was covered in the black Gordanian's blood and felt sick from the putrid smell of the dead aliens. "My name is Kyle Rayner and I am here to free you good folks!"
The many aliens locked in the slaver cells looked confused by his proclamation. Amid the large crowd, a female moved through to face Kyle. She grabbed him by his shirt and before he could break free she kissed him. Kyle stopped trying to free himself and closed his eyes. He felt a feeling of pure love and happiness wash over his body and mind. The orange skinned woman broke free from the kiss and looked into Kyle's eyes. "The console on the wall to your right is a language translator."
"I love you too." Kyle shook his head and realized that the woman hadn't professed her love to him. She was trying to help him instead. He went to the console and began informing the slavers of the plan to free them. The varied aliens began to speak in their native languages most translating to 'praise' and 'thanks'.
Kyle found the locks and freed the prisoners. "Rayner. We can see that the slaver cells are unlocked. Everything go good?"
Kyle recognized the voice of K'Rot in his com. "Yes Captain, Everything is fine down here."
***
Kyle entered the bridge being followed by the orange skinned beauty who had assisted him in freeing the captives. He smiled when he saw K'Rot and Shayera. They didn't smile back. "Everything okay?"
Shayera finally broke her silence. "Kyle do you even know who that is?"
Kyle turned around and felt the warm feeling of love inside of his body while looking at her. "Nope."
"That's the captive princess of Tamaran." Shayera dropped to her knee and bowed.
K'Rot did the same. "Princess Koriand'r. I did not know you were on this ship."
Kyle stood frozen in place by pure confusion. "Wait. What?"
Koriand'r smiled at him. "My name is Koriand'r. I'm a Princess on my home world of Tamaran. I have been held in slavery by these Gordanians for a long time. Thank you for freeing me."
Kyle continued to stand frozen in place. "Wait. What?"
ZZZZSSSHHH!
The blast erupted from a Gordanian propped up against the wall of the bridge. Kyle lifted off of the ground from his feet and fell to the floor. His shirt and skin smoldered from the blast as he looked down at the wound and began to go into shock.
ZZZIIIPPPP!
Faster than a blink of an eye the Green Lantern ring flew into the room and onto Kyle's finger. A huge, green colored wall of energy willed itself into existence and slammed into the Gordanian, dropping it to the ground. Kyle held his ring wielding hand up to his face to look at what had just happened. The ring had a life of its own. He could feel something in his head trying to communicate with him. The word 'Heal' sounded off in his head. Kyle began to fade out of consciousness. The last thing he saw was green energy wrapping the wound on his chest.
***
The Threshold slowed it's thrusters and found an empty port to dock at. The welcoming transmission came over the screen as Rikane sat down in front of the captains hub. "Welcome to Hardcore Station."
Rikane leaned back in the chair. "This is the Threshold. We have another ship coming behind us that will need to be docked in this port as well."
The docking personnel made a note on his screen and nodded. "Okay that shouldn't be a problem. What's the nature of your visit?"
"Pleasure."