The place felt more like a Delvian retreat. There was a large clear dome over the area enabling stars to glisten over us, in the middle a sunken pool lay between columns with a fountain to one side spraying water rhythmically into the pool creating a dappled light effect around its edges.
Feschlik placed his arms around Rygel and I ushering us towards a small flight of stairs, at the top a low table came into view encompassed by around twenty other guests who sat on floor cushions.
He leaned into me “You have brought along some friends I see” I wasn’t sure if he was pleased or not as his face was entirely dispassionate.
“They are acquaintances of mine” I smiled “you don’t mind do you, they were complaining there wasn’t much to do on this station” I slid an arm around his neck “I thought it would give us a chance to talk”.
I could see his shoulders relaxing as my tone sweetened,
“If we could get business out of the way then we would be free to enjoy the rest of the evening”
He gave me another of his twisted smiles “I have the goods here, you can pick them up as you leave, I’ll even provide an escort if you desire it.” He tightened his grip around me, frell he wasn’t going to let us go until he was done. I hadn’t thought about what he would do if Rygel cleaned them out, would we even get out of here. I glanced around taking in how many guards Feschlik had in here; their presence was deceptive staying covered by the shade of the arches surrounding the edges of the palatial hideaway.
We were seated at the head of the table with Feschlik and waved his hand to begin the games. Several Tardek tables were lowered from above us there was to be a series of small games and holoscreens lit up behind each player. Rygel had told me to trust him, not only was he an incredible strategist but he had a natural talent at bluffing, not that I’d tell him that of course.
I had total faith that he could handle the gambling, I just wasn’t sure if I could handle Feschlik. After a few games had ended and the players had begun rotating around the table Feschlik asked me if I would join him for a walk.
As we approached the pool a laser blast ripped through the tranquil water, I dove behind the nearest pillar and once again reached out with my mind beyond time to see where the blast had originated.
Laser fire streamed through from several directions around us, guards crumpled and panic had overtaken the guests. The aggressors weren’t uniformed this was either the result of a private vendetta or a play to usurp Feschlik’s power in this station and they had superior numbers.
Rygel had floated under an archway to gain cover whilst Feschlik to the side of me was making his way along the floor to a section of wall covered by sculpted stone; it had to be a hidden way out. I vaulted and tumbled towards Rygel ducking out of range of the surrounding fire.
“We’ve got to follow Feschlik” I screamed over the noise of the weapons, “I think there’s a way out”
“Ha and how the hezmana are we are going to get through that lot” he pointed towards the debris and bodies flying through the air caught in the cross fire.” His throne sled was wavering from side to side from the backlash of the blasts.
“Easy” I laughed as I made my way to the closest fallen guard, I picked up what weapons I could and flew across the floor back to Rygel. I sat hunched on my knees behind an archway.
“We’ve never gotten ourselves killed yet have we” I shouted and then closed my eyes and counted.
___________________
I covered myself with my hooded travelling cloak and urged Rygel to do the same, Rygel’s bodyguard scuttled over to us and gave me the foulest look, probably for endangering his Dominar in this way and making his job so much harder.
“So what’s the brilliant plan then?” Rygel grunted “anything that doesn’t involve us getting blown to Hezmana”
“You get across the room as fast as you can, and erm duck.”
“Duck, oh that’s going to w**k, your plans are worse than Crichton’s”
“Trust me” I cocked my head to one side, I can see a weakness”
I’d taken a look up at the glass dome earlier; there was a power source in the centre that was generating a shield surrounding it. It was invisible to the naked eye, most eyes but my new ability enabled me to register power and heat emissions. If I could hit the power source then I was hoping the shield would shortcut creating a massive power surge and probably blow the whole structure. Hopefully we’d have enough time to get out of here before the place vacuumed.
“Ready?” I shouted over the blasts that were getting closer.
“I didn’t even finish my game” Rygel moaned.
I counted my fingers down and gave the signal.
Rygel’s bodyguard went first with Rygel hovering after him, wavering frantically to stay out of the crossfire.
I froze pouring everything into seeing into the field generator, my mind followed the intricate pattern of the device until I found my target. I fired off pulse blasts let my mind recede back into my body and then tore across the room.
The shield went faster than I thought creating white blue lightening like energy bolts that shot out everywhere. As I’d hoped it stopped the fighting as everyone tried to find cover, I heard the dome glass cracking, frell, we only had microts to get out of here.
A bolt hit the other Hynerian and his wrinkled little body plummeted to the floor, there wasn’t any time to check if he was still breathing, we had to get out, I threw myself at the thronesled and we glided through the stone doorway before the structure collapsed. I pushed my body against it to force it closed and then crumpled onto some nearby crates panting for breath.
“See” I choked “Great plan”.