Eye of the storm

Princess Nina, prince Tais, Takunda and several Plaskarite troopers stood at the head of a company of soldiers standing at the ready with blasters aimed the barricade of fallen rubble in front of them. Whatever was on the other side was going to face a deadly hail of laser bolts once it got through the barricade.The sounds of exploding coming from the other side of the rubble making everyone very tense. Suddenly a powerful explosion sent cloud of smoke and dust blowing towards them as the pile of rubble gave way.

The ghost figures of the aliens, their fur covered in dust were rushed forward the smoke leaping over the debris, their weapons trained at the Plaskarites. They were met with the furious hail of laser bolts which had been waiting for them as energy weapons discharge flew angrily in the space separating the two groups. Some of the aliens had their fur set alight as they were struck by the laser bolts fired by the Plaskarites.

That dead not seem to bother them as they leapt over the burning corpses of their fallen colleagues.

The aliens were advancing with such tenacity it seemed they would be physically ripping in the defenders within a short space of time.

Almost within arms' reach of the plaskarites, the aliens charged furiously hands raised liked weapons, showing that they had retractable claws which they were going to use to decapitate the plaskarite. As the nearest alien raised a clawed hand to slash Princess Nina, she closed her eyes in anticipation of the deadly blow.

Suddenly the alien stopped and fell to the ground dead.

Then another alien fell and another in quick succession.

Metal hands with attached blades slashed an punched through the air.

Men in power suits rushed through the mob of aliens cutting down ruthless precision.

The last alien fighting to the bitter end fell to the ground lifeless. Plaskarites and earth warriors stood silently facing each other in the settling dust.

Captain Maedza, the mission commander and the other senior officers of the military contingent respectfully rose to their feet as princess Nina dressed in her royal robes was ushered onto the bridge of the Horizon accompanied by Takunda in a formal military outfit and prince Tais in his princely outfit. The president and his cabinet ministers were participating virtually via a media boss link on the the big screen.

"Welcome aboard princess", said captain Maedza. I am Able Maedza, captain of the superlifter, Vessel of Zimbabwe, Horizon". Beside me is the mission commander, General TJ Shumba". We are joined virtually by link on screen by the president...", captain Maedza proceeded to introduce the president and the cabinet ministers individually.

"Thank you captain", said princess Nina. "On behalf of the people of Plaska, I wish to convey warm greetings and thanks to the people of Earth. You came to our aid at our moment of greatest need and we shall always be grateful".

There was a round of applause from her immediate audience.

"You are welcome Princess, we are thankful that we were able to reach you in time. This is a historic moment marking the establishment of friendly relations between our two worlds", said the president.

There was another round of applause.

Emerging from the meeting on the bridge, the plaskarite royals were quickly surrounded by a mob of journalists jostling for princess Nina's attention.

"Princess what did you talk about with the president?", asked one journalist.

"We discussed the possibility of exploring trade opportunities between our two worlds through bilateral level exchanges", replied princess Nina.

"Will you be establishing an embassy on Earth?", asked another journalist.

"What do you wish to say to the people of Earth?" asked another journalist.

"On behalf of the people of Plaska, I wish to convey warm regards and thanks to the people of Earth", said princess Nina.

"When are you going to visit Earth?", asked another

"Will you be establishing an embassy on Earth?", and another.

"Ok that's enough", said Takunda walking ahead of princess Nina and pushing through the crowd of jostling journalists to create a path for her to able to walk through. Suddenly his hand was held in a soft feminine grip. Takunda turned in surprise to see who was holding his hand and found himself face to face with a smiling Maidei.