Using what remained of the Argonautis’ emergency power, Athena ran a massive scan of space. The United Planets found their targets, the power couplings, and a suitable asteroid field, choosing to divide their forces. The generals ordered Damara to capture an asteroid while they went after the couplings. Carter and Lev traveled through the void with their lieutenants. But soon, they reached their destination, the hypergate! Seeing dozens of energy streams spit from the Titanic hole in space and time sent shivers down their battle-hardened spines!

  "Look at that thing," Clive said.

  "So beautiful, yet so deadly," Norn said.

  "Stay focused, everybody! Lev, how much time do we have?"

  Lev checked her holophone panel."Athena said we had two hours half an hour ago!"

  "So we have to work fast! Are we sure this is the place?"

  "Yes! The anti-theft devices on the couplings are leading us straight ahead!"

  Lev pointed forward, and following her direction, the group saw the couplings floating dangerously close to two ends of the hyper-gate!

  "Perfect," Carter said with an exasperated breath.

  Carter readied to go, but Lev stopped him.

  "What is it?"

  "The gates have a strong gravitational pull. Going too close is certain death! Norn, if you would?"

  Norn swiftly wrapped her strings around Carter and the others' waists.

  "As we go forward, keep us steady as best you can!"

  "Yes, ma'am!"

  Carter, Lev, and Clive sprung into action, diving toward the power couplings. They went in two directions for the couplings, Lev on one side and the men on the other.

  The gravitational pull strengthened with each inch. And adding to the troubles, as if the gate was a living enemy, it commanded its energy streams to split off into a vast chaotic web, hindering their paths. However, steeled by the fates of their comrades, they still went forward undeterred!

  Lev and the men slipped through the cracks of the web. She gracefully flew through the openings, grabbing her coupling. And the men found their way to theirs, readying to pull it home. But as Carter went, Clive pushed him away as a wild energy stream ran by!

  "Thanks, bud!"

  "Don't mention it!"

  Unanticipatedly, another energy stream ran by, cutting Clive's string. He’s swiftly pulled toward the hyper-gate, but Carter dived for him, catching his hand! And he fought against the immense gravitational force that was pulling Clive to his death even as it began dislocating his shoulder!

  Lev hastily flew toward the men, navigating through the deadly energy web with her masterful flying. And she reached them."Hang on, boys!" Pulling them to safety as the coupling began to drift from their grasp to the gate. But as they went, Clive reached out, grabbing the remaining coupling!

  "We did it! Nice flying, Lev!"

  "It was my pleasure, General Carter!"

  "Now let's hurry back and-" Norn lost consciousness.

  "She's not dead, is she?" Clive asked, fearful.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  Lev checked Norn with a sigh of relief."Be calm, Lieutenant Rogers! Our girl merely needs rest!"

  Elsewhere, in space, Daisy flew through the void, reaching a massive asteroid field.

  "Let's see! Athena said I should grab the biggest one I can find!"

  Daisy looked around the asteroid field, scanning the giant rocks, each of similar size, finally fixing her gaze on one.

  "That one looks as good as any other! Let's pray I make the right choice!"

  Daisy flew toward the asteroid, but as she got closer, the black void of space filled with light. She looked forward and saw the sun in the area going supernova! But before it went off, Daisy swiftly raised her giant shield, guarding against the godly burst of energy!

  "Too close!"

  Daisy swiftly felt the mighty pushing force of the sun surrender to a pulling force, and a feeling of dread came with it! She slowly lowered her shield to gaze at the sun in horror. "No!" Seeing the star collapse in on itself, forming a monstrous black hole! And before her eyes, it sucked the asteroid field to its mouth, consuming the thousands!

  Steeled by the need to save her comrades, Daisy dived toward the black hole, chasing the asteroids! She stretched her arm out to catch one, nearing the black doom of its mouth! Daisy inched closer, grabbing it. But trying to escape, flaremane fought against a gravitational force many thousands of times greater than he had felt before! However, Daisy used her flames as jet propulsion."Do it, Flaremane!" Giving him the needed boost to escape!

  "Good boy!" Daisy kissed Flaremane on the head, making him neigh happily.

  At the Argonautis, a heat wave washed over the ship. The soldiers fleed the starboard side by the thousands as the heat increased and flames grew. Carter and Lev guided their forces to safety! But Athena supervised the asteroid’s refinement within a room at the end of the corridor. Daisy summoned her mightiest flames, melting the rock into liquid.

  "Keep it up, Damara," Athena said.

  "Ma'am, yes, ma'am!"

  Later, Athena finished her work on the ship's haul using the newly refined metal. With Lev and other Kai users, who could call upon wind or water, they quickly cooled it to a usable state. She and her staff repaired the damage to its armor most crudely and clumsily. Liquid metal messily filled in cracks, and slabs covered breaches in the ship's interior in a chaotic and wasteful manner. Daisy and the others shared uneasy looks, seeing the amateurish patchwork.

  "Not the prettiest, is it?" Carter asked.

  "She still did her best," Daisy said.

  "You're both too nice! As an engineer, this rush work is shameful! But time is short!"

  "Athena, will it hold until we reach Zeemos?"

  "Yes, General Lev! But my staff and I must continue making repairs on our way there. Now, the power couplings!”

  Carter pointed to the power couplings, and Athena hurried to them. She swiftly inspected their condition, finishing her work on one and moving to the next. But as she checked the other, her eyes widened with horror. "No!" Banging her head on it!

  "What's wrong, soldier?"

  Athena took a small chip out of the power coupling, showing it to the others."This!"

  "What's the big deal?"

  "The chip is damaged, and we need it for the coupling to work. And worse, all the tools I have to fix it are still out of commission from the storm!"

  "So we're licked?" Clive asked.

  "It appears so!"

  "Now, hold on! Describe these tools," Carter said.

  "They're like a surgeon's scalpel! A blade pulsing with immense energy, bordering the strength needed for this vessel but precise enough for closing tiny cracks!"

  "I got it!" Carter drew his sword, presenting it to Athena.

  "I don't-"

  "Try the tip of my sword! It's no surgeon's scalpel, but it should have the power to do the job!"

  "But how?"

  "Dr. Eugene Parker!"

  "Let's hope so!"

  A few tense minutes passed as the group watched Carter repair the chip under Athena's guidance! As simple as a tool like a sword appeared to be, it required an experienced hand. So, using her mechanical telescopic vision, Athena supervised his movements. He slowly drew the tip of his blade over the chip. She watched him with the intensity and focus of a surgeon, guiding his work with her murmuring voice and hand gestures. But soon, fear ran through her circuitry to her spiritcore."Stop!" Making him follow her demands!

  Athena did a final check of the chip. Much like the ship’s armor, the work was crude and clumsy. Her pride as a scientist and engineer ached, seeing it, but it wasn’t the time for perfectionism. The emergency power was nearing its end, and the life support system would follow. There was no choice but to hope the amateurish work would suffice.

  Athena took the chip and quickly installed it." Here goes everything!" Activating the ship's engine. The group watched with weakening breath as the life support systems faded. But as a minute passed, darkness still shrouded its halls. However, as Athena banged her fist in despair, the light returned, the air quality revitalized, and joyful cheers spread across the Argonautis!

  "You did it, Athena, " Daisy said.

  "We did it, Damara!" Athena dropped to her knees, exhausted.

  "Then let there be no more delays! To Zeemos," Lev said.