Star Force: Resolution (SF89) (Star Force Origin Series) by Aer-ki Jyr Page A

soft set of footfalls was heard,
echoing into prominence before the source came into view. Nesfa wondered what it was coming their way, for it didn’t sound like the grouping
they’d need to get through the defenses. Then, in casual disrespect, a single
Archon walked out at the end of the hallway and stood there looking at them.
The Trinx didn’t fire yet, wondering what was happening, and the Archon stood
just outside the range of the shell’s weaponry, creating an awkward silence
until the set of pink armor began to lightly walk forward.
    Nesfa and the others opened
fire with their infantry weapons a split second before the larger cannons let
loose, but the Archon just kept walking as the energy was stopped by a
translucent wall before it. A few more steps up and the shell defenses kicked
in, adding to the torrent that the individual was weathering. As it continued
to walk forward it reached behind its back and pulled out two narrow cylinders,
one in each hand. When the shield wall fell a lot of the energy strikes missed
the Archon’s narrow frame with the others hitting a different shield covering
the pink armored plates.
    Both cylinders suddenly extended into poles, and after
another casual step the Archon bolted forward, dodging some of the larger
energy blasts as it closed ranks. Nesfa didn’t think
it’d stand up to much more damage, but it was the only enemy soldier coming. He
kept firing as fast as he could, only managing a few hits before he lost
control of his body and dropped his weapon as he fell twitching to the ground.
    A moment later he stood up grasping for his rifle.
When he got it he saw the pink armor flashing around in front of him, slashing
at the troops with some kind of swords and taking them down with single hits.
It was within the doorway now, somehow having gotten past the barricades
outside. Knowing this was the end he fired another shot, cursing the single Archon
that simply …would…not…die .
    He got two more shots into its armor, gratifyingly
seeing one hit and blast a puff of material away instead of hitting shields
before the Archon dashed forward and whipped one of the swords into the side of
his head.
    Then all was blackness.

 
    When the Prefect woke it was to his great surprise
that he was still alive. Despite the numbness pervading his body, he was
thoroughly confused as to his whereabouts. He wasn’t in the Ancient facility or
the corridors outside. He was inside a small room of alien manufacture and
laying on a cushioned platform.
    He sat up, suddenly finding himself in different
clothes, also of alien design. His head was tingling and it didn’t occur to him
that they were of Star Force make until a screen on the wall suddenly activated
and an image of a Human appeared.
    “ Hello. This is
an automated message triggered by your waking ,” an image of an Archon appearing
outside its armor said. Nesfa could tell by the
uniform it wore, and it had the same disgusting pink identification stripe as
the one that he’d thought had killed him. “ You
Trinx scum are now prisoners of the exalted ass kickers known as Star Force. We
didn’t feel like killing you, so we took your planet from you while preserving
your lives. You’re welcome, but don’t
mistake the fact that we know this is also an added insult. You wanted to die,
so we denied you that, thus preserving your life and spiting you at the same
time. That’s how Star Force rolls ,” the Human said with a disgusting smile.
    “ Now, so you’ll
be aware of what’s happening, we’re giving you a chance to earn your freedom.
Not easily, but it’s there if you want to pursue it. We didn’t spare you just
to stick you in a cage and see you rot to death, so you’re going to be given
access to training facilities and challenges, as well as instructional
material, once you arrive at your final destination. At the moment you are on a
transport ship heading there and will remain in this small room for the
duration. Using