[dcs_p]“Okay, whatever you say Strider. Go get it and I’ll cover you.”
Strider squinted one eye, looking at Xandar curiously. He wasn’t sure if he could
trust the Savior of Oberon, but he didn’t have too many choices. Xandar would
either stand in his way or help him. There were no other possibilities under the
circumstances.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]“You got it…” Strider said calmly. He looked over once again suspiciously at
Xandar. “I’ll be covering this corner. You are the last leg of defense for Joanna
and the final hope of anyone surviving this rather unfortunate situation. Good
luck, Xandar Harlow.”[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]“Thanks a lot Strider. What happens after we kill this lot?” Xandar probed. He
was unsure if Strider would search out Kinta alone, or request Xandar’s aid.
“Who’s going Kinta hunting?”[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]“I go alone. Without any knowledge of Kinta’s habits, you are useless. No
offense of course,” Strider said. “You’d be best to stay in the command room
and protect the single captain left.” Strider looked at his leg. His nerve injection
was coming full effect. Though he could feel a heightened pain in the appendage,
he could also detect a heightened sense of hearing and taste. He hoped these
would help in his fight against Kinta.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]Just as Xandar began to answer, Strider cut him off. “Shut up, I hear
something.” he whispered suddenly. Crouching low, Strider strode quietly over to
the heavy needler. He checked the polymer ammo block after pulling the weapon
up off the ground. The ammo level was high enough to make the weapon
sufficient for another firefight.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]“I’m moving up to the corner. Watch yourself Harlow…” Strider whispered. He
tiptoed up to the corner, where he struggled to hold the large needler at the
ready. Hushed voices echoed through the corridor. Strider suddenly realized
that Banter’s burning body lay exactly where the pirate had fallen. Since the body
was not moved, the pirate group would soon see Banter’s blazing remains.
Deciding nothing could be done about the body, Strider prepared for the firefight.
He slowly positioned the needler into its natural, underslung position. Rising to his
full height, he lined his back flat against the wall behind him. Strider readied
himself for the ambush attack he knew so well. He felt confident thanks to his
extensive training in firefights.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]Hearing one of the nearing pirates curse aloud, Strider whirled, pivoting on his left
foot. He quickly found himself away from the safety of the corridor’s corner.
Coming to a stop to face the pirates, he pressed the heavy shredder’s trigger.
Though the needler fired a high volume of plastic, its firing action was rather easy
to sustain. With little or no kick, the weapon produced a large stream of high
velocity death without punishing its firer. Strider was at ease with firing the
weapon, except for its great weight. He quickly tilted the needler from side to
side, catching all the enemies before they could turn to retreat or fire back.
Among the 4 pirates, 3 fell instantly. The fourth, which had used the corridor wall
to keep him upright, now drew his own weapon at Strider. Noticing the enemy,
Strider dropped the needler and whirled back to the safety of the corridor’s
corner wall.[/dcs_p]