Book 5 - Chapter 20 - Orebiters (2/2)

An orebiter came charging his way like a missile. A few steps later it hit the ground, kicking up a plume of sand as it skid to a halt.

Next the robot guardian burst into action. With its hammer-like fists it tried to pummel the metallic creature. However, none expected the beast to shoot back onto its feet after a shot from Sand Tiger. Where the massive caliber bullet had struck was a terrible dent. Sand Tiger’s shot had wounded it, but the orebiter was still standing.

It swung to the side, ramming into the robot and knocking it away. The creature then opened its mouth and belched out a stream of green acidic fluid.

“Shit!” Sand Tiger scowled. The green fluid was stomach acid, the orebiter’s digestive fluids. That was how it was able to eat anything it got down its gullet. As a weapon, it was probably more effective than any other acid.

As feared, the robot warrior immediately started to dissolve. Its metallic casing melted to reveal complicated circuitry. Before it could back off, the orebiter came in for a second body slam. Like a puppet with its strings cut, the robot was knocked to the ground and stomped to pieces. The valuable computer innards were broken beyond repair.

Sand Tiger was furious. Having his robot guardian broken apart wasn’t terrible – they could find more metal to patch it back together based on designs they already had. But having its circuits turned to dust was a massive and irrevocable loss.

But now wasn’t the time to curse his misfortune. Three orebiters were coming his way. He fired several more times at them, but the beasts were quick and cunning. They dropped their heads to protect their throats, the only part of their bodies his bullets could penetrate. They shrugged off blows to anywhere else and just kept coming.

Dammit, not good! One of the beast jumped into the air in attempts to crush the three puny humans. As its shadow fell over Sand Tiger his face fell. Was this the day he died?

Gray Rabbit and Sister Bug were shaking in terror. They were powerless to protect themselves.

Sand Tiger shut his eyes and prepared for death, but his ears picked up a sharp gust of wind. He opened his eyes to see a figure standing between him and the encroaching monster.

Shocked stares were fixed on this stranger. Was he crazy? Did he think he could stop an orebiter all by himself? Did he know what he was up against?

Under a host of horrified stares the figure stood fast and extended his left hand.

For an instant everything slowed down. Sand Spider could see that the man was covered in bandages except for his left arm, which was encased in a gauntlet. It reminded him of his robot’s arm. With a slight and understated movement of his wrist, the man patted the orebiter’s forehead.

BOOM!

The beast’s powerful charge came to an abrupt end as the impact of an immovable object and an unstoppable force caused the air to ripple. Soundlessly, the creature rolled onto its side while the residual concussive force spread out, causing nearby ruins to collapse.

Sent into a rage, the remaining two orebiters charged at this new threat.

Their mysterious savior pulled a broken sword from his back and swung it at the nearest creature. A spear of fire burst to life, completing the weapon and piercing clean through the orebiter’s metal hide. From the outside there was no visible damage, but the monster’s skin had turned red-hot. One could imagine what that meant for the organs within.

A second swipe from his sword, this one aimed at the third orebiter. It screamed piteously and then died.

Whoever this stranger was just killed three orebiters as easily as squashing ants. The scavengers all stared in wide-eyed disbelief.

Sand Tiger had never before seen such a display of strength. It made no sense that this man could slap down an orebiter the way he did, much less summon fire from a sword to sear a monster from the inside.

“What are you?” Sand Tiger was vigilant and suspicious, but it was meaningless. If this man wanted him dead there wasn’t anything he could do to stop him.

The stranger took his time in answering, returning the sword to its place upon his back. When he spoke his voice was a little hoarse, and when he turned his face was hidden beneath a deep cowl. What little could be seen was also covered in bandages. Nothing was revealed which would show his age – he was a total mystery.

“I’m called Cloudhawk.” He looked out over the crowd and then the dead orebiters. The other orebiters that had surrounded the camp had fled – likely after watching three of their pack mates ruthlessly slaughtered. “Can you point me toward Sandspire?”

“Sandspire? That’s where you’re headed?”

Sand Tiger gave the stranger a suspicious look. He was strong. Too strong. If he made it into town nobody could stand in his way. What was his purpose in the city?

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know so we can fix it as soon as possible.