Chapter 59

　　The Odin was on Rise before Tamara could recover, gripping its front armour panels and ripping them away. Jack laughed with enthusiasm as he relished the feeling of cutting loose. It was so rare that he got to enjoy himself like this, he often tried to maintain a sense of decorum, but this was a true pleasure.

　　Tamara tried to stop herself from spinning, to push off the Odin with one of her remaining wings, but Jack gripped tighter. Straining, he freed the wing segment, tossing the large, metallic shield-like appendage into the void.

　　Bang! Bang! Bang! The Odin struck the cockpit of the Rise with its clenched fists like a berserker, Jack was unrestrained with his aggression, and the inexperienced Tamara couldn`t react quickly enough to deflect his attacks.

　　Watching from his Starship`s Command Centre, Kal felt utterly helpless as the onslaught continued. Without the Rise to support them, the line of Nyx and Erebus Mechs began to crumble, overwhelmed by the Pirate`s forces.

　　Next to him, tears streamed down Talha`s face as she watched the attack on her grandmother. She would be out there, fighting next to her if there were any Mechs to spare. Every single machine was in the conflict, and the holds were empty.

　　As Jack began to find his stride, his communication link with his command ship chimed. Irritated at the interruption, he ignored it, only for it to override his control and connect. In his HUD, Erika Pearson appeared, her arms crossed and a disappointed look on her face.

　　"Have you forgotten our purpose here, Jack?" She asked, reminding the supposed Pirate` that he was working for Aesir. They were close to their goal, and the complete destruction of Baron Caledon and his forces was at odds with what they sought.

　　Jack frowned at the feeling of the invisible shackles around him, holding him back from his desires. But, as her words sunk in, he realized there was enjoyment to be had in other ways.

　　During Jack`s short conversation with Erika, Odin paused momentarily, giving Tamara enough room to right herself. Back in control, she struck her opponent`s Mech with one of her remaining wings.

　　Knocking the Assault Mech backwards, she righted herself, finally stopping the out-of-control spin.

　　Pulling out a blade from a storage container in her Mech`s leg, she extended the sword. The intense light of the energy-coated blade lit the darkness, shining a blinding blue as her reactor fed it directly. Capable of cutting through the densest metals, its high power usage restricted it to higher-class Mechs.

　　Shooting forward, propelled by all her remaining thrust, Tamara raised the blade high, sweeping it down on the Odin as Jack recovered from her earlier strike. Rather than evade, the Odin pushed forward, its arms raised to stop the weapon by gripping her clasped hands just as it was about to impact its head.

　　They floated there, the momentum of their movements carrying them across the battlefield, arms locked as Tamara tried to inch the burning blade closer while Jack attempted to wrest it away from her. Unlike the desperate Tamara, Jack was enjoying the tussle.

　　"I think it`s time to end this little charade," Jack said, his words carrying to every Mech through the universal channel. Tamara was confused by his words. He didn`t have the upper hand at all! If anything, they were evenly matched at the moment.

　　Unnoticed by Tamara, a single Erebus Mech was drifting in the blackness behind her, already raising its Lasgun to aim the larger Assault Mech.

　　"Now, Son," Jack ordered. Gareth pulled the trigger, watching in satisfaction as the beam of bluish-white energy shot toward the Rise. His aim was perfect, and the beam sliced between a gap between two of her remaining wings, deflecting off her shields harmlessly but distracting her enough that the sudden thrust of the Odin pushed her back.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

　　Ripping the blade from her hands, Jack tossed it aside and clawed at the Rise, gripping its head firmly in its clawed hands as he pushed it back towards Kal`s trio of Starships. The two Mechs were a bright stream of light from their thrusters, propelling them into the side of the Starship next to Kal`s own.

　　The impact from two massive Mechs colliding with the side of the Starship was too much for it to withstand, and the structure buckled. Wedged against the metallic surface, Jack repeatedly struck the head of the Rise until its armour crumbled, and Tamara`s sensors went dark.

　　Satisfied that it wouldn`t be a problem anymore, he struck a final blow against its cockpit, driving Odin`s clawed hand into the cockpit but falling just a hairsbreadth short of dealing the killing blow.

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　　Talha gripped the console in the Command Center as she watched one of their Mechs turn on Rise,` shooting the Assault Mech in the back. Cursing loudly, she punched the console, her fist denting the metal as she angrily shouted.

　　On the display screen, the Pilot`s name was highlighted for them to see, Gareth Quade had betrayed her grandmother, and now she was at the mercy of some maniac.

　　"I`ll kill him!" She screamed, tears leaking from the corners of her eyes. Helpless, Kal pushed himself forward in the zero gravity environment and gripped her by the shoulder, lending comfort for a moment.

　　"Later, we need to see everyone through this first." Kal reminded Talha of her duty and the responsibility they had. Thankfully, Odin seemed unwilling to deal the killing blow, leading him to believe that the supposed Pirate` leader would be contacting him.

　　No sooner did Kal have that thought than a notification was highlighted on the communication`s console. With a nod to a crewmember, Lying Jack appeared once more on the display screen. Dressed in his golden Pilot bodysuit, his helmet even had a stylized crown built into its design.

　　"A valiant effort, Lord Caledon. But as you can see, your champion has fallen. Order your troops to stand down, and you will have my guarantee that they will live." Jack said.

　　"What is it you want?" Kal asked.

　　"Why, everything you own. I believe you have a sizable fortune hidden in a vault on Caledon, and you may have a certain machine in your possession that an associate of mine is quite interested in getting her hands on. Surrender, and I will escort you to your planet, where you will release those items into my custody." Jack grinned, seeing the frustrated and angry look on the young Baron`s face.

　　"And what guarantee do I have that you will keep your word?" Kal asked, watching Jack`s forces surround his own, ready to deal the killing blow to his demoralized and tired Pilots.

　　Kal`s forces had lost hundreds of Mechs in the fighting, while Jack had suffered even more casualties, but the numbers were in the enemy`s favour. Combined with the Assault Mech Odin,` Kal could see he was running out of options.

　　"None, I`ll give you a moment to discuss it with your advisor,` but the Emperor himself could not save you now, Kal.`" Jack stated with derision, giving Samuel a wink before cutting the communication link.

　　Kal watched the display silently, taking in the hopeless scene. Remains of Mechs drifted through the void, while thousands more waited for his decision. The space above the icy planet was littered with the remnants of their battle.

　　"We can`t let him get away with this!" Talha shouted, her fiery red hair floating around her face as she stared at Kal. Not seeing a response, she turned to the Imperial Herald, hoping he would have a solution.

　　"If you surrender, I don`t know if Johnathan will keep his word. He has earned the name Lying Jack.` He has always been unpredictable and fearless of the repercussions of his actions." Samuel advised, watching patiently for the young Baron to make his choice.

　　"Our reinforcements are on their way. We only need to hold out for their arrival." Talha said with hope. Kal shook his head, knowing that any coming Starships would arrive much too late to help.

　　"Imperial Herald, no, Samuel, I need your help," Kal stated, turning to the Imperial Herald. Samuel shook his head at the words.

　　"I can`t help you fight this battle, Baron. This was a task given to you by the Lord Emperor."

　　"I`m not asking for you to fight. I want your help with seeing Caledon through this turmoil. If something happens to me, if I fall, I want you to promise me that you will protect my home and rule in my stead until the Emperor selects a worthy successor." Kal asked, looking the Imperial Herald in the eyes.

　　"Kal, what are you planning?" Talha asked, confused.

　　"Promise me that you will protect the people of Caledon if I die," Kal repeated. Samuel paused, searching Kal`s eyes and seeing the resolve there. He nodded.

　　"I promise."