Book 6:Dangerous Deception:Interlude Two
Hunk and Pidge:Illusion of an Old Love/Capture!
How it happened, both Hunk and Pidge wern't sure, although Hunk took a guess that reason they lost Lotor's ship was that it was 'souped up' with the latest engine, combining Doom's technology with that of the Alliance.
"Wouldn't put past Zarkon to lift a coupla parts here 'n there."Hunk groused to his friend and teammate,Pidge.
"Big Guy, you're probably right." Pidge replied over Green Lion's com. "We need to get back to Arus, fast!"
"You said it, little buddy. No tellin' where Lotor's at now. Hunk replied. "Hey, Pidge-O, where ARE we? I dunno where we're at. I mean I don't see nothin' I recognize on my starchart. Check yours out. Maybe Lotor damaged it."
"He got a couple of pot shots at you, Hunk. I'll check mine."
"Huh?" Hunk heard Pidge exclaim.
"What, little dude?" "This is weird!We didn't chase Lotor too far from Arus, but..."
"Say it already, Pidge!" The Yellow Lion raised his voice.
"We're in the Crimson Galaxy, where Planet Doom used to be."
"Somthin' fishy's goin' on here." Hunk scowled. "You call Galaxy Garrison, I'll get the Castle."
A few moments later...
"Weird. I'm not gettin' a thing."
"I'm not reaching Galaxy Garrison or Alliance HQ, Hunk. You don't suppose..."
"Oh, hell!" Hunk's eyes grew wide. "They took over! We gotta book back to Arus!!"
"Yeah!!" Pidge grew pale. "Lotor doubled-back! We just go back the way we - AAAGGHH!"
"Little buddy! What th -?"
"TRACTOR BEAM!!" Pidge cried out.
"Well then, we gonna break the sonavabitch!" Hunk growled. I'll get you out, Pidge!!"
"HUNK! I can't get out of it!! Don't try it!!"
"Easy,Pidge, we'll get - AAAAAAAAHHHHH!!"
"HUNK!!HUNK!! Answer me!!"
No response!
"Oh man!" Pidge put out a distress call and then looked at his readings to see just where they were being dragged to.
Zanthar...2nd moon that orbits Planet Doom...I think. Hunk, I hope you're ok!
Moments later after both Lions landed, Pidge activated his com.
"Hunk,Hunk, you there?"
"Uuuuhhhh..." Hunk was still out of it. After making sure the atmosphere was safe, Pidge exited Green Lion to check on Hunk in Yellow Lion.
Whatever pulled them here pulled to nowhere.
"There's nothing here but sand and rocks..." Pidge said under his breath."Hunk, Hunk..." Pidge finally reached his friend.
"Uhh, Pidge? Wha' hit me?" Hunk slowly pulled away from Yellow Lion's console panel.
"That tractor beam."Pidge replied."We're on Zanthar, one of moons that orbit Planet Doom."
"That rock? Nothin' there now..." Hunk rubbed his head.
"Maybe this is some kind of leftover Doom technology. Maybe the old security grid." Pidge replied.
"Hello!!Hello?" A female voice from outside suddenly called out.
"A woman?" Pidge pushed his glasses. "But I didn't register any life -."
"Hey, ya said yerself that the readings wern't right. That tractor beam musta done some damage. We gotta check this out." Hunk had already left the cockpit and ventured outside.
"Hunk! Wait up!" Pidge followed his large friend. Pidge ran into Hunk a moment later as he stood stock still.
"Jenna?" Hunk's eyes were wide."I must be seein' things!"
Pidge saw a young attractive woman on a horse. The woman was wearing the remnants of a Garrison uniform. She was young and pretty.
"Johnny? Johnny Simon? Hunk?" The girl slipped off her horse and ran towards Hunk, suddenly encasing him in a hug.
"HUNK!!HUNK!!! OH!!" Tears ran down the young woman's cheeks.
"Jenna? Man, I can't believe it you! I haven't seen ya since we served on Intimidator!! Baby, what are ya doin' here?"
The big man looked puzzled.
"Ahem..." Pidge interrupted.
"Oh,uh..." Hunk looked embarrassed. "Jenna, this is Pidge Delano, Pidge, this is Lt. Jenna Blakesly of the U.G.A. Intimidator..
Jenna and Pidge shook hands, exchanging greetings.
"I'm glad to see you two! We've been here for years..." Jenna looked sad.
"Wha-? How, Jenna?" Hunk asked her."Last time I heard, TheIntimidator in Milky Way fightin' off the 'redeyes'.
"Redeyes?" Pidge raised a brow.
"Ya know, Pidge, Throk's Drule goons - the ones who joined up with Zarkon's bunch!
Jenna looked puzzled.
'Corse we gotta catch up." Hunk looked rather moony-eyed at Jenna.
They must been an item on the Intimidator... Pidge thought to himself.
"You're right, Johnny, but not here in the open. I'll show you my place,maybe we could have some dinner." Jenna replied.
*GROWL...*
"OOPS, sorry..." Hunk looked sheepish.
Pidge and Jenna laughed. "Same ol' Johnny! C'mon, both of you! Your - ships are quite safe, no one's here anymore." Jenna led her horse a short distance away, Hunk and Pidge following behind her.
Later, after a simple but satisfying meal, Jenna and Hunk remenisced about old times, to which Pidge half-listened to.
When Jenna told her story about the capture of the Intimidater crew, Pidge wondered how Jenna came to be here on Zanthar instead of D - ...wait. Hadn't Lotor detached Castle Doom from planet Doom?
"Hey, guys, sorry to interrupt." Jenna and Pidge looked questioningly at Pidge.
"I need to step out for some air." Pidge replied.
Jenna looked worried. "Be careful,Pidge, there are creatures out there that are pretty dangerous."
But when we landed, Green Lion didn't register any life signs,and Green Lion is most attuned to biolife! I gotta to tell Hunk he may be in danger! I don't think Jenna is who she says she is! But before Pidge could get back to alert Hunk -
"HUMAN, HALT!!" A chillingly familar voice barked.
A Doom soldier!
Pidge spun around, intending to attack the soldier, when he several clicks - the sound of several Doom lazon guns being set.
"Move, and your - friends at the cave will be exterminated."
Pidge gulped.
Meanwhile, Hunk leaned back on the comfortable pillows that Jenna had set throughout her living area.
"Man, that was SO good!" Hunk patted his stomach."I can barely move!"
"Really?" Jenna giggled as she turned her back from Hunk to set the rough hewn dishes aside. "You ONLY had five helpings!!"
"Well, babe. That's what a pretty woman and good food does for me." Hunk yawned as Jenna came to sit back down beside him.
Jenna smiled fondly at Hunk. "You know, Hunk, I've missed you so much when you were reassigned.
"Me too." Hunk replied. "Uh, I mean you, Jenna!"
Jenna giggled. "Everyone couldn't see what I saw in you, Hunk, but I didn't care. I - loved you."
"Really?" Hunk looked surprised. "Me?"
"Yes, you, you big lug. We had a thing going there, it's just -"
"Maybe - " Hunk moved just a little closer. "We can start again."
Jenna leaned over and whispered, "Yes, Hunk."
And then Jenna kissed him. Hunk's eyes flew open in surprise and he saw - he SAW not Jenna, but the open skeletal maw of a spider creature!!
"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!" Hunk yelled as he scrambled away from the creature, heading towards the cave's only exit."
"You'll not escape ME, my fine piggle!!" The creature hissed, as she extended a web to trap Hunk.
"PIDGE!! PIDGE!!" Hunk yelled as the web nearly caught his foot. "DON'T COME BACK!! JENNA AIN'T -"
"I *AM* Jenna and the rest of the Intimidator crew, my fat piggle!!" The spider creature hissed back. "I ATE them - more to add to my collection. Soon, you'll be part of me!!"
"NO!!" Hunk pulled out his weapon as he tripped.
"You always were a klutz, Hunk." It turned back into Jenna's image. "You can't shoot your - girlfriend now, can you?" 'Jenna' purred.
Hunk's hand shook. "No, you're not HER. Not HER!!"
Then he shot at her, hitting 'her' in the chest, disruputing the illusion, but not the web that was shot out, trapping him.
"Enough play, piggle..." The creature crawled towards him."It's dinnertime!!!
"Your large friend is there, yes?" One of the soldiers asked him. Pidge remained silent, earning him a painful blow to his head.
"Be careful with him!" Another one said. "Zarkon wants them alive for the games! This one and the fat one will be the comedy relief!"
Pidge heard Hunk's cries. They were close!!
"Sounds like Slithia's trying to catch her dinner!!" One of his captors said.
"Damn it!" The lead commander cursed."Zarkon wants the big ox ALIVE, not in Slithia's belly! Hurry!!!" All of them broke into a run.
"Now, piggle, close your eyes. You won't feel a thing."Slithia opened her wide cavernous mav, slime dripping from her 'jaw'.
"Mother of God..." Hunk scrinched his eyes shut in horror. Goodbye, Pidge, I - UH!!"
"HOLD, CREATURE!!"
Then the sound of a lazon weapon...
Hunk opened his eyes. Slithia had been pushed far from him!!!Hunk looked up at the Doom commander. Never had he ever thought he'd be happy to see one!
"Free the human's bindings, except for his wrists and ankles. We still want him restrained for the games. The commander ordered one of his men. Prepare both of them for transport to Doom."
"Hunk! Man, I'm glad you're -" Pidge tried to say.
"Silence. Save your energy for the Games." Pidge's look was angry, but the Doom commander anticipated that.
"Don't." The Commander's bored into Pidge's. Zarkon has your princess. Would you wish her harm?"
Pidge stood stock still in shock. He barely noticed Hunk beside him, the webbing now just on his wrists and ankles. Despite Hunk's strength, he couldn't break the silken bonds.
The commander suddenly shot his weapon, barely missing Pidge. Pidge and Hunk turned their eyes where their captor had fired.
It - Slithia - was - dead.
"Outlived it's purpose..." he said under his breath.
Just then, one of the Doom soldiers ran up to the Commander. "Sir! Location of the two lions located!"
"Good." The Commander said. "Store them in the compound with the other lions. All we lack now is one. Zarkon will be pleased."
Hunk and Pidge looked at each other. That 'one' was Red Lion!
Lance!!
INTERLUDE 3:Keith: The Sleeping Knight
The Doom soldiers led Pidge by a rope around his neck. Instead of being led to a slave ship, Pidge was led back into the direction of the cave.
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