Ch 30) Through the City

Whitey and Tanya pushed their way through the crowd. They were making their way to the northern wall of Komodo's Imperial Citadel. It was two kilometres away and towered above all other structures in the capital. Cloaked in dark hooded robes they kept to the edge of buildings and followed the maze of narrow alleys which wound their way through the city.  Pausing for a moment to get their bearings, Whitey and Tanya threw back their hoods and gazed about them.

"I hope the others have had it as easy as us," said Whitey with a sigh of relief.

"We're not out of danger yet, keep your wits about you and expect the unexpected," cautioned Tanya.

Just as she had finished speaking they heard footsteps coming from around the corner. They quickly pulled up their hoods and turned to walk the other way.

"You there! Stop!" shouted the harsh voice. "Fall in with the rest and help us bring some order to this chaos."

They turned around to see a Captain of the Imperial Guard leading a small band of soldiers and maroon robed priests. The pair paused for a moment unsure how to act and then joined the end of the line. They walked for a few minutes seeking any opportunity to sneak off unnoticed into the night. However, the priest closest to them began talking to Tanya and trying not to reveal herself she grunted approving sounds in agreement.

"Tonight everything will be put to right. Lord Komodo will put an end to that Furtopian bitch and all resistance will be swept away like dead leaves. Ha, these fools. Look how they panic. They are not worthy, they have no faith. Good riddance to them."

Tanya grunted again and nodded.

"What chapel are you from?" continued the priest. "Are you from outside the city?"

Again Tanya nodded.

"Meladroon? Kataron? Were you visiting for the rite of Fhanri?"

Tanya didn't know what to say. She knew that once she spoke she would be revealed so she pushed forward into the group to avoid answering.

"Hold it!" demanded the priest grabbing Tanya by the shoulder. As he did her hood slipped down revealing her face to the crowd.

"It's a woman!" He shouted in fury and shock. "Spies! Traitors!"

Tanya pushed her way free of the group searching about for an escape but the soldiers and priests surrounded her, mad hatred in their eyes. They were closing in fast when suddenly a small tube rolled in between them. A second later there was a blinding white flash. They stood frozen and dazed for a second clutching their eyes as Whitey leapt through and tossed Tanya over his shoulder. She blinked fast trying to regain her sight as Whitey sprinted through the street. He ran at full speed for two hundred metres with Tanya bobbing up and down.

"Not bad, Whitey. You can put me down now," said Tanya with some relief.

"They're not far behind," replied Whitey. "I can hear their shouts."

Whitey drew his blaster and aimed it at the first figure rounding the bend. A pulse of orange energy shot forward hitting the soldier in the chest with an almighty WHUUUUP! He fired again and again in rapid succession. No one followed. Whitey looked about him. They were in an alley surrounded by apartments, however, it seemed to be a dead end. He and Tanya took cover behind a low wall. Tanya drew her own pistol given to her by McRuff only hours earlier. They stared at the dead soldier waiting for his friends to make their move.

"Damn, we're cornered. They'll take their time and wait us out," said Whitey in an agitated tone.

"We're out gunned so we'll have to out think them. If we can't get out we'll just have to go up," said Tanya glancing at the building behind them. Whitey gave her a smile and patted her shoulder.

They fired a quick bust of shots in the direction of the soldiers and made for the door. They ran up the stairs to the upper levels. As they did the soldiers and priests stormed around the corner after them. Tanya fired through the window hitting a priest. His robes caught fire and he shrieked in pain as he fell dead into the dust. The others slowed down and scattered returning fire. Bits of brick and grit flew through the aid narrowly missing Tanya and Whitey as they ran up the final stairwell to the top floor. Whitey smashed open a rear window and the pair climbed onto the flat roof. They could see the whole city spread out before them. They ran along the roof and jumped onto the neighbouring building and then onto the next. Tanya leapt with grace and effortless style, however, Whitey was much slower and heavier and almost fell between the buildings into the alley below. Tanya grabbed his hand as he teetered back and forward on the edge flapping his arms about.

"Thanks," he said with relief.

They looked about and saw the silhouette of Komodo's Citadel against the night sky. Clambering down a drain pipe they made their way back down to the street and pulled their hoods back over their faces. Beneath their billowing sleeves each clutched their blaster in hand ready for any threat.