Chapter 29: Commander Retas

Ret

The moment I saw the ray of light, I knew what it meant – Titanos. Without thinking, I drew my own ray hidden within my shirt, meeting the incoming attack. The clash sent a shockwave through the air, and I could feel the energy ripple through me.

"Everyone, hit the ground!" Hiesno yelled. He was already on the move, disappearing into the forest. I followed suit, my mind racing. We needed to buy Sarudei and the others time to escape.

Hiesno was impressive, brandishing a blue sword that seemed to glow in the dark. He slashed a tree and kicked it, sending it tumbling toward the attackers. A ram against the enemies and a makeshift barrier for those fleeing. Clever.

"What was that?" I heard Night's voice, full of panic.

I didn't have time to answer. I was already moving, my senses on high alert. I could feel them – two Titanos soldiers, hidden in the shadows. I could sense their energy, their intent.

I moved silently, using the shadows to my advantage. My hand tightened around my ray, the energy humming softly. I'd been hesitant to reveal it, not knowing how Sarudei and the others would react. But now wasn't the time for secrets or doubts.

The first Titanos soldier was close. I could hear his breathing, slow and steady. He was waiting, probably for a signal. I didn't give him the chance. With a swift movement, I pushed the trigger. A beam of light swooped through the air. There was a grunt, and then silence.

One down, one to go.

I moved deeper into the jungle, Hiesno's energy a comforting presence nearby. He was handling the other Titanos soldier, his sword moving in a blur. I could hear the clash of weapons, the grunt of effort. I wanted to help, but I knew better. If the rebel saw my weapon, I would be the next target of his blade. Although Hiesno could handle himself.

Instead, I focused on our surroundings, making sure there were no other threats. My heart pounded in my chest, adrenaline surging through my veins. This was dangerous, possibly suicidal. But we had no other choice.

As I moved, I thought about Sarudei, leading the others to safety. I hoped they were okay. I hoped we were buying them enough time.

Because if we weren't, then all of this would be for nothing.

The silence didn't last long. From the corner of my eye, I saw movement. The Titanos soldier I'd struck down was getting back up. My heart pounded in my chest as he stumbled towards a large, ominous shape hidden amongst the dense foliage. His mech.

"Crap," I muttered under my breath. I had to stop him. If he reached his mech, things would get a lot more complicated and dangerous.

Without wasting a moment, I sprinted towards him. The underbrush crunched under my feet, but I had no time to be silent. It was a race against time.

The Titanos soldier was mere steps away from his mech when I reached him. I tackled him to the ground, my ray aimed at his back. But he was stronger than I'd anticipated. He threw me off, scrambling towards his mech.

"No, you don't!" I roared, lunging for him again. But it was too late. With a triumphant grin, he slammed his hand onto the mech's surface.

The ground shook as the mech sprang to life, lights flickering on its metallic frame. The soldier climbed in, the cockpit closing around him. The mech towered over me, a giant made of cold, hard metal.

I could feel the energy build up, the air crackling around the mech. There was a sharp whirring sound, and then, with a blinding flash, a wave of energy exploded from the mech, blasting everything in its path.

I was thrown back, the force of the explosion sending me crashing into a tree. Pain flared through my body, but I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to stay conscious.

As the dust settled, I struggled to my feet, my entire body aching even as I used my ki to numb the pain and cover my bleeding with scales. The mech rose into the air, its lights glowing ominously in the darkness.

I was outmatched, and I knew it. But I couldn't give up. I wouldn't. Taking a few deeps breaths, I slowly stood up, my ray gripped tightly in my hand. I could feel the energy pulsing within it, matching the beat of my heart. The standard mechs had a couple of weak points. That foolish soldier's burst of energy made him vulnerable to one of them. The standard mecha could only unleash so much energy until the thing began to catch fire. That wasn't so much of an issue in the mechas we higher ups had. Ours could use our ki to keep the reactors on them cool. Or used as a backup.

Strangely, that ki backup didn't work on mine. Someone or perhaps a group, had tampered with it, but who? It couldn't have been Commander Yusan. Well, not directly. It would've had to have been a spy who did it. But who? My eyes widened as my right-hand man came to mind. Was it him?

The sound of an explosion shocked me out of my theorizing.

I shook my head, clearing my thoughts. Now was not the time to play detective. I had a Titanos soldier in a mech to deal with.

The mech was charging up for another attack, the energy around it crackling like a storm. I had to act fast.

I took off running, my ray pulsing in my hand. I had to get close, had to find an opening. 

Although, what happened to Hiesno? That blast from earlier had to have been directed at him. Had that soldier killed his own comrade in order to get one rebel? Yusan's men really were cold-blooded, just like him.

The mech turned, its sensors detecting my movement. I could see the energy weapon charging, the glow intensifying. I had seconds, maybe less.

I dove to the side as the mech fired, the beam of energy searing the ground where I had been standing. The resulting explosion sent a shockwave through the air, but I was already moving.

Flames spread throughout the rainforest, but the dampness of the place helped reduce their spread.

I rolled, coming up on one knee and firing my ray again. The beam of light shot towards the mech, hitting it square in the chest. 

The mech stumbled back, its systems momentarily disrupted by the hit. I didn't waste the opportunity. I sprinted towards it, my heart pounding in my chest.

Just as I reached the mech, it recovered, swinging a massive arm towards me. I slid underneath the attack, coming up right next to it. This was it. The moment I had been waiting for.

I raised my ray, aiming for the same spot as before. Beyond it was the pilot. The beam of light shot out, hitting the chest of the mecha. But it failed to puncture the cockpit.

The soldier's voice boomed from the speakers. "Well, well. If it isn't Commander Retas! Just my luck! Commander Yusan has been looking for you! Come with me if you wish to live."

"Why? Just so he can have the 'honor' of killing me himself?!"

I could hear the smirk in the soldier's voice as he responded, "Something like that. But I think he more interested in your... unique abilities."

I didn't respond. Instead, I fired another beam of light at the mech, aiming for the cockpit again. The soldier was quick to react, swinging his mech's arm to block the attack.

A sharp pain erupted in my side as the mech's massive fist collided with me, sending me flying. I crashed into a tree, the impact knocking the breath out of me. 

I pushed myself up, fighting off the wave of dizziness that threatened to pull me under. I couldn't afford to pass out now. Not when I was so close.

As I looked up, I saw the mech advancing towards me, its steps shaking the ground beneath me. But I also noticed something else. The hit had created a tiny crack in the mech's protective shield. It was small, but it was enough.

I got to my feet, staggering slightly. I only had one shot at this. I had to make it count.

With a roar, I charged towards the mech, my ray pulsing in my hand. I could feel the energy building up, ready to be released. 

Just as I was about to reach the mech, I jumped, propelling myself upwards. The soldier reacted too late, his attempt to block my attack failing.

I thrust my ray forward, aiming for the crack. I could see the surprise in the soldier's eyes as my ray pierced the shield, embedding itself in the cockpit.

An explosion of light followed, blinding me momentarily. When I could see again, the mech was stumbling backwards, its systems short-circuiting.

I landed on my feet, watching as the mech collapsed. The soldier was thrown from the cockpit, landing a few feet away from me.

For a moment, we just stared at each other. Then, the soldier started laughing.

"You've won this round, Retas," he said, his voice weak. "But Yusan won't stop until he has you."

I didn't respond. Instead, I turned and ran, leaving the defeated soldier behind. I could deal with him later. Right now, I needed to find Sarudei and the others.

"Halt, unless you wish to end up like your friend," a voice called out from behind. The coldness of a blade pressed itself lightly against my neck. I looked over my shoulder and saw Hiesno. His blue eyes glowed under the moonlight peering down. Splashes of blood covered his face and clothes.

Not too far from him lied the bloody body of the second soldier, whose dismembered limbs were covered in ice.

"Friend? I don't know that person," I said, trying to play it coolly.

He scoffed and jabbed me in the back with his fingers, causing a surge of pain to course through my body. "You know what I mean, Ret. Or should I say, Commander Retas."