“GET DOWN!”
The Myst Guard pushed Ver to the ground as something exploded behind them. Ver tried to turn around and see what was going on, but the Myst quickly got him to his feet and pulled him away into an alcove, where they could better protect him.
“What is going on?”
“Attack…” one of the Myst muttered. Three heavily armed Vrekans circled round Ver, as the others peered out. A blast of energy flew by, ricocheting off a wall, then creating a small crater in the ground ahead of them. Two Myst Warriors dashed into the incoming cloud of dust, the remains of the explosion, while more Myst Guards gathered to get Ver to his vehicle.
The ship wasn’t too far ahead. a Myst Warrior had already started the ship’s engines, they just needed to get the King inside.
A Myst Tanker arrived, wearing his signature huge shield on his back. He charged over to the alcove and pushed Ver in front of him, while four Myst Guards flanked him, two on each side. Something flew past them, some sort of mortar, but its explosion did nothing, neutralized by a fast-acting Myst Warrior covering it with a heavy slab of concrete. More bombs flew buy but were all taken out by the Myst.
Finally, Ver got to the ship and was shepherded in by the Tanker and two of the Guards. The other two slipped off, to the other, smaller ships. The ship lifted off the ground, narrowly avoiding yet another explosion. The Myst Guards’ ships hovered around the ship, firing at the cloud of dust and rubble to cover Ver’s ship as they escaped.
Back down on the ground, the rest of the Myst swiftly cleared up. There was no trace of who attacked them, but they left evidence of who they might have been. The Myst Prime, the leader of the elite group, scanned the area, while other Myst members patrolled the scene and kept other Vrekans away.
“What in the holy Lord of War’s name was that, Kellian?” a voice crackled through the Myst Prime’s communicator.
Kellian growled. He was still scanning. The cuts, burns and damage from the blasters could have been done by anyone. None of the materials from the bombs were of Vrekan origin. Smooth, white and silver shrapnel. All very similar shaped, which is impossible with Vrekan war tech.
“Prime, we have an unusual body. Well, parts of one. Somevok who wasn’t supposed to be here.”
Unusual Body often meant a dead, non-Vrekan being. The Myst had done their job well, there were only Vrekan injuries, no deaths.
“Who is it?”
“Cassid. Unknown name. No ID. Heavily armoured. Carrying two blasters. Finger and toe tips burnt off to avoid identification.”
“Cause of death?”
“Self-detonated grenade explosion.”
“Not good.”
“No, Prime. Not good at all.”
Kellian grunted. This had been an organized attack, that was obvious. But he hadn’t expected it from a Cassid. His communicator crackled into life, with an angry king demanding to know what was going on.
“Kellian, are you there?”
“Yes, my king. We are gathering details now, but we believe this attack was caused by a Cassid.” The Myst Prime paused. “Do you wish to continue with the plan?”
There was a moment of hesitation. “No. Whoever is behind this knows that I and the medicinal staff have an antidote to the plague. Get me to Threa, I need to meet with the High General of the Retha and the Queen Prime, whoever is currently standing in for her.”
“Very well. We will inform the Rethan and Vohran leaders of our circumstances. Travel safe, King Ver.”
“Thank you, Kellian. And thank you for protecting me.”
Kellian allowed himself a small smile. “You are welcome, ser.”