With their primary target dead, the Bright Lance mercenaries headed for safety.They were stretched out in a line across three hills, two rivers, a plain and a gorge. At the safest end, the Hedgehog Heavy Mech slowly turned to lunker back towards the Asred patrol zone. Behind it, Captain Lance in the Acrobat quickly caught up to escort it safely. Next in the line was the Goshawk Sniper, which quickly descended on their position and joined up.Farther back, two Skirmishers were still running away from several Pawns. Last of all one Light Scout sneaked through dangerous territory trying its best not to draw attention to itself as it retreated.Beeps announced an incoming transmission. Grand Master Ay’eni was calling. “Captain Lance! That was a job well done! Well done indeed!”Captain Lance went straight to the point. “Did you know it was a Lordling?”“Uh… not exactly. We had suspicions, but it didn’t

Acid spit and bone spikes were flying overhead as the Star Wizard ducked and clumsily stumbled toward the rendezvous point. “Artillery, are you still there?” Lance dodged spikes and almost tripped over a boulder. “Ready and waiting, captain!” “Prepare for immediate lift-off! We’re coming in hot!” “Understood! We’ll try to give you some cover fire!” But despite his best efforts, the Star Wizard took hit after hit. By the time he reached the firing range of the Dropship, not only had his armor sustained significant damage, the mech even had some internal damage. “Open fire!” the pilot of the Hedgehog yelled. Scattered bursts of large crackling energy bolts rained down on the pursuing Pawns. Lance ducked, bringing the Star Wizard into a defensive crouch as explosions erupted on every side. “Don’t stop! Lance, the Knight is right behind you!” Captain Lance burst into action, running full-tilt for the Dropship, heedl

“Alani! I need help!” Remian’s plea came in while Alani was on her way to meet Fel for a Psionics training session. “Whatever’s the matter?” “We need to find a princess a doggie!” “So go to a pet shop.” “She doesn’t want a normal doggie! She’s sticking to my wolfcat Silhouette!” “Then turn it off.” “She’ll throw a tantrum and her grandfather would be mad at me!” “So what?” “Her grandfather is Zor’khan-dras!” There was a short silence. “I’m coming.” Alani sighed, and called Fel to let her know what was up. At least the communication crystals still worked with someone’s personal mana. There was almost no ambient mana left to speak of; the burden of powering magic devices with one’s personal mana was now greater than it had ever been. Even the little communications crystals could now completely exhaust the average mage after just a few uses, depending on how far the call had to reach and how long th

  Chubs woke up when Nai’khan started bouncing on his back. At first he was bewildered, until Nai’khan said, “Doggie, bond-bond!” It didn’t take a genius to figure out what she wanted from him. [Uh… how did this happen?] Chubs had to ask. But there was nobody there to answer him. Everyone and everytail had already fled the scene. It was at that time that Alani finally arrived. “There you are!” Chubs finally saw hope of salvation. [Alani… help!] “No!” Nai’khan grabbed on to him with both hands. “Doggie ride! Bond-bond!” Alani shook her head. “That’s not how it works, dear. You have to be nice to them and be friends. They’re not slaves.” “No! Doggie MINE!” Nai’khan shouted, and then fire burst out from her mouth. Alani raised a hand and swatted the head-sized fireball aside. There was a sizzling sound as it sputtered out, leaving a cloud of smoke in its wake. “He doesn’t belong to you. Comrades are no

Remian expected as much, considering the treatments he could afford while he was in ‘jail’. If he had had the money, he could have not only been fixed, but could have had his life extended to a few hundred years. But of course, that much money was completely out of his reach, as well as the reach of the average Blue Star Corporation employee. There was a bit of a chance with Xiao Yan’s world. They had alchemists and elixirs that could have restored his health, but again, at a terrifying price. He had been able to make some money there, but nowhere near enough to cure himself. At the most, he managed to extend his life with Green Jade Vitality Pills. He still had four of those Pills. The first one had extended his life expectancy by a few years. The second, he was told, would be less effective, only granting half that much time. The third could only offer a year, the fourth just a few months, and the fifth perhaps a month or two. After the fifth, the effects would be hardly worth ment