CHAPTER SEVENTY-THREE
Andy and the native moved off to rejoin the Mudarchers and Tomahawkers, but Alf stood behind for a moment, staring dejectedly at the Spoocebow in his hand. How was he going to fight off Sligs with nothing but this stupid weapon he had never used before?
He was still standing there several minutes later, even after the Mudarchers and Tomahawkers had moved off toward the Sligs. He stared after them, his face the picture of indecision. “Should I go with them, or be true to myself as a coward?”
He scratched his head, then decided he wouldn’t look like a coward for one year longer than he had to and raced off after his compadres.
* * *
Captain Ullig shook his fist in the air. “King Fragg’s leads were correct; that’s more Mudokons than I’ve ever seen before.”
His aide, an ordinary Worker-class Slig, asked, “Do you want us to ask for reinforcements, sir?”
“What for?” Ullig snorted, baring his huge arms and reaching for his DonnerPacker. “Just because we’re outnumbered doesn’t mean we’re beaten. Circle around back.”
* * *
Alf could only hear the sounds of battle coming from up ahead; he couldn’t really see what was going on. He saw the tall green shapes of Mudokons mingled with the short brown shapes of Sligs and the huge yellow shapes of BigBros, connected by flashes of laserfire and charged Spooce energy. Sligs and Mudokons fell down and didn’t get up again.
It was fascinating. It was amazing. It was powerful.
It was terrifying.
Alf had never been one to fight before; if he’d needed something, usually he’d cut corners and do things that edged on evil to get what he wanted. He looked down at the Spoocebow in his hand; he needed to start establishing himself as a hero, like Abe.
He glanced behind him, as if he expected to see a shadow version of himself being left behind –
And instead, he saw the band of Sligs Captain Ullig had sent around back. They charged forward, laser carbines at their waist.
Right toward Alf.
“Now would be a really good time for a miracle,” Alf grumbled, and raised his Spoocebow.
* * *
|