SOMEWHERE OTHER THAN A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY...
Commodore Yarc Micco looked at the strange world orbiting far below.
"Are you _sure_ this planet isn't on any of our charts?"
The PRIDE OF CORUSCANT's astrogator nodded, adding:
"I think that worm hole transported us to someplace in the Unknown Regions."
Micco glared at the junior officer.
"Thank you, Ensign Obvious! That will be all."
The junior officer saluted, then left. Walking as fast out of the commodore's cabin as his dignity would allow. Captain Nepo Thighah (commanding officer of the HERO OF CARTAO), shook his holographic head.
"You've only just been promoted, Yarc. Don't let all that new power go to your head, so soon!"
"Never mind, that," replied his ex-military academy roommate: "Have you found any trace of that freighter, yet?"
"Unfortunately, no. But, if they were scouting for the Rebel Alliance, you can rest assured they didn't get off any messages. We started jamming all out-going subspace radio traffic the moment we identified the Nightshrike!"
Just then, as if to correct him, a series of electronic beeps came through the intercom. Followed by the voice of the PRIDE OF CORUSCANT's radioman.
"Sparks to Commodore Micco! Sparks to Commodore Micco!"
"Go ahead, Sparks."
"I just deciphered an alert from one of our probots. It thinks it may have found the Nightshrike!"
"Dispatch a party of recon troopers, to the surface, along with one Scout-AT."
"Aye-aye, sir!"
* * * * *
ONE HOUR LATER
Alexander Fitzhugh and Barry Lockridge looked at the strange search party coming towards them. They had been out hunting suitable vegetables that Betty (the Spindrift's stewardess) could prepare as side dishes, for everyone's supper that night, when, suddenly, Barry's dog Chipper had begun growling. Fearing the approach of one of this planet's giants, they immediately hid themselves in the nearby underbrush (as their nearly three years of hard-won experience had taught them).
What was actually coming towards them, however, doubled their anxiety. For they had seen nothing like it, before!
"What do you think they are, Mr. Fitzhugh? Robots?"
"That tall contraption could certainly be one," replied the erstwhile naval officer: "But, those figures in white look more like armored warriors of some kind."
It was at this point that Chipper started growling again. And, Barry hastily tried to hush him up! But, the damage had been done.
"Hey, Sarge! I just picked up a sound to our two o'clock."
"Fan out and investigate!"
"Barry, my boy?" whispered Fitzhugh: "I think it is time we made a strategic retreat. Run!"
Barry did just that. Though, not before putting Chipper down beforehand, as the dog's four legs could get him back to the Spindrift far faster than just two!
"There they are!" yelled one of the stormtroopers.
"Halt!" blared one of the hidden loudspeakers on the exterior of the Scout-AT: "Halt, or we'll open fire!"
Naturally, the two stranded Earthmen did anything but. Prompting the pilot of the Scout-AT to order the firing of a warning shot. The co-pilot complied. Resulting in a red beam of light flying over Barry and Fitzhugh's heads, and striking a low-lying tree branch.
Half that branch was blown to splinters. The rest of it nearly landed atop Fitzhugh's head!
"Ah! Those barbarians! Barry; you continue on back to the ship. I will lead them off in this direction. Hurry!"
Barry nodded and carried out his instructions.
* * * * *
MEANWHILE...
Lee Noticias (current star of the Llebpmac Circus) was about to instruct her older daughter Kyle to jump when she heard it. A series of explosion-like sounds that appeared to be getting closer to the circus grounds. And, both of her daughters heard it, too.
"Hey, Mom!" Leslie suddenly exclaimed: "Look! Over there."
She pointed in the indicated direction. And, soon, both Kyle and their mother saw it, also. A series of red flashes blazing an almost-indiscernible trail through the grass at the edge of the circus grounds. Prompting the trio of lovely trapezists to descend and see for themselves what was going on.
tbc
Giantess World
