James B.

Outpost Seven: Darius II James B.

Hawkins fired again, melting sand into great slabs of glass. The dune was in full sun and Hawkins thought he saw the outline of a great cat, but he was unsure if it was reality or his imagination. Not having a better target, Hawkins fired several shots at the hazy image before him, motioning Chandra into dubious protection at his back. Screams of pain vibrated through Hawkins' skin, pulling chills over his flesh like carrion beetles over a corpse. The light shafts of the laser vanished into empty air, not striking the sand dune behind. Hawkins had found his target and each bolt was taking its toll. But the toll was not great enough. No matter how many hits Hawkins made, the beast absorbed the energyThe Companion looked directly into Hawkins' eyes. The young lord fell into the void of the creature's hate-filled gaze. It was a trap of eternal pain and torment, of destroyed dreams and shattered hopes. Here the soul of the Companion had followed its master into a scientifically created hell. For Hawkins, all hope vanished. How could he fight such pain? He lowered his weapon. The cat sprung.