“Yes, do what he said! Fire… fire!” Cuddy yelled.
As the orb went on the offensive, Cuddy did his best to take in everything around him: The action outside the observation window; the moving icon representations on the mounted display screens; as well as the orb’s various setting changes and button presses. Somehow, he was tracking it all—actually comprehending complex data he’d never before understood. So this is what it feels like to be smart! It seemed the faster events occurred around him, the more he was able, somehow, to slow things down. As his eyes took in the two Howsh ships out the forward observation window, they appeared to be unmoving, and the orb hovered in slow motion. How am I doing that? Then suddenly the world around him was moving fast—back in real time again. Plasma fire erupted from the Revenge’s port and starboard wing tips. Bright bolts of red coursed through the air—separately tracking the two spacecraft targets.
“Direct hits on both Howsh ships. They are now taking evasive action,” the orb said.
“Yes! We got ’em! Did you see that?” Tony yelled, punching the air with a fist.
Cuddy was well aware both ships were simultaneously hit. Each had lost a drive, resulting in right thrusters flaring out. He watched as the Howsh ships accelerated off in opposite directions—arcing around, while firing off their own plasma weapons. The orb began a series of evasive maneuvers that went well beyond the capabilities of the inertia stabilizers. Grabbing ahold of the console supports and seat backs, all three were violently jerked left and right and up and down. Suddenly, Tony lost his grip and was thrown across the compartment—face first—into a bulkhead. Blood erupted from his already damaged nose and he fell to the deck, unconscious.
“A ship!” Kyle yelled, pointing out the starboard window. He instinctively ducked as enemy plasma fire flashed past by what looked like mere inches.
Cuddy watched the display, noting the second Howsh ship was approaching them from their underside. He was tempted to tell the orb, but he was certain the hovering AI was tracking everything now happening.
Cuddy briefly wondered if the enemy ships were piloted by Howsh crewmembers or by the furry-looking robots? The answer came to him in the blink of an eye—the robots! For the first time since the Howsh alien attacked Momma back at the house, he once again felt the orb’s presence within his consciousness.
When the deck suddenly dropped away beneath Cuddy’s feet, as the Revenge took multiple hard-hitting plasma strikes, he fell hard to the deck, next to Tony’s inert body. An overhead klaxon alarm began to wail and a growly voice repeated an alien phrase over and over again.
Kyle, remarkably, had remained on his feet and was asking the orb questions. But with the loud klaxon blaring and the growly warnings overhead, Cuddy couldn’t hear what the orb said back.
Three more powerful strikes hit the Revenge, one after another, and Cuddy felt the ship’s speed suddenly decline. One of their drives had been struck. Suddenly, the Revenge banked left, then abruptly right. Cuddy found a chair support to grab on to, as Tony’s body slid further away. At least he wasn’t conscious now to feel anything.
Using both hands, Cuddy rose to his feet and stood next to his brother. When he looked out the window, he saw they were up in space. When did that happen? He felt his heart rate increase. We’re in space… does this make us astronauts?
Kyle leaned in closer and said, “Hey… snap out of it! If you haven’t noticed, we’re up shit creek, little brother. Orb’s not sounding too confident we’re going to pull this endeavor off.”
Cuddy noticed more trails of bright red plasma fire crisscrossing the blackness of space. For us to survive this, Cuddy, you will need to assist me.
Cuddy stared at Kyle, then the orb. The request had not been a verbal one… it was instructing his mind. He knew what the orb was asking, but he’d been unable to conjure up those mental powers—whatever they were—ever since the alien altercation with Momma at the ranch.
How?
I will bring the enemy into your field of vision.
Sluggish in its response, Cuddy felt the Revenge change course. It took several moments before a Howsh ship came back into view.
I am here with you, so calm your mind, Cuddy… do not question your capabilities… do what must be done to save those you care about… to save your world…
Cuddy liked the tone of the orb’s mental voice, found it comforting. He concentrated on the fast-moving enemy vessel visible out the forward window. Nothing seemed to happen for several long moments when, all at once, one of the stubby wings on the other spacecraft began to glow. As the wing disintegrated, red hot embers trailed away into space. Next, the back of the fuselage began to glow—first yellow, then red—and then, here too, red hot embers erupted like a Fourth of July sparkler. The Howsh ship was adrift in space.
“Are they… dead?”
“Yes, the hull has been breached. I am not detecting any signs of life,” the orb said.
Beyond exhausted, Cuddy wavered on his feet. It reminded him of being underwater, when he and Kyle were swimming down at Long Pond as kids. Submerged beneath the surface, where it was so quiet only the faintest of sounds made their way into the watery depth.
Cuddy was aware of the other enemy ship, now approaching from directly ahead. He saw that the orb was bringing the Revenge back down into the atmosphere. Red plasma fire filled his field of view, but darkness was closing in around him.
“What are you doing? Do something, Cuddy!” Kyle yelled.
Cuddy fought to stay awake—needed to stay awake. But he was tired and so very weak. Cuddy drifted into unconscious just prior to his body hitting the deck.
Chapter 34
Jackie was still fuming. Who did Cuddy think he was? Who all of a sudden made him the boss? It wasn’t so long ago he had trouble counting to twenty. Now he’s dictating where she can and cannot go!
She arrived at the hospital only to find the parking lot was a total madhouse of activity. Hordes of people coming and going. A hell of a lot more people than lived in the little town of Woodbury. She glanced over to Rufus sitting in the passenger seat. “This is crazy, huh Rufus?”
Having given up, she was now looking for a place to park several blocks out on a side street. She was surprised to see her father was there—slowly walking—arm-in-arm with Momma Perkins. She spotted the old Maxima up ahead. Jackie lowered her passenger side window and pulled up alongside them.
“Dad… Mrs. Perkins… what are you doing here?”
Momma gave a little wave. Her father glanced over to her with a surprised expression. She saw him remove his arm from hers—obviously using her for support. She saw him attempt to stand a little taller.
“What’s it look like we’re doing?” he said. “Are you daft? We’re walking to Dotty’s car.”
“I can see that, Dad… but why are you out of the hospital? You just had surgery… not to mention a heart attack.”
Her father stopped and looked at her. “I’m well aware of what I’ve been through. Heart attacks aren’t something one easily forgets. Dotty’s taking me home. It seems my daughter has been too busy to make time for such trivialities.”
Jackie rolled her eyes. Then saw that there were two cars now waiting behind her—wanting to pass but the opposing traffic was pretty much non-stop. “Any word on Sheriff Bone’s condition, Mrs. Perkins?” Jackie asked.