BRIGHT EYES

by Mr. David R. Dorrycott

All characters, locations & Realities

A familiar soft female voice filled the tiny starcar, "Primary Firing Sequence Engaged, Charging."

Minstrel glanced at his daughter Emma, sitting shivering beside him. Behind him sat Fiqure M and Qujo. Several light seconds further behind sat a heavy war cruiser, and on the planet half a light hour further, Phileana.

"Watt 'eans Den Gaged?" M asked, leaning over the seat to point at a blinking green button.

"It means we're going to be turning around in a moment M" Minstrel answered. "Now buckle your seatbelt and SHADDUP!" He glanced at the ?Ammeter? as it showed the drain, internal lighting dimmed. Whatever this weapon was, it sucked energy like a baby on a bottle.

"CARSTAR, Disengage engines and prepare to surrender."

M grunted, Emma looked terrified. Pushing a button on the Starcar's steering wheel Minstrel replied (a reply, regrettable, that cannot be printed in this magazine.)

"Charging Sequence Complete. Searching for Target."

Minstrel grunted, twisting the wheel hard to the left.

With a scream of abused rubber the vehicle skewed, twisted, then spun 180 degrees in deep space. Blue-white smoke billowed as the rear tires fought for traction. With a lurch the vehicle accelerated towards the pursuing warship.

"Target located. Target in range. Target locked. You may fire when ready."

With a growl equaling that of any enraged father, Minstrel pounded the red fire button.

Emma screamed, M cooed, and Minstrel sat in shock. The entire forward grill of the starcar spat liquid fire. Snake-like it reached out, searching for its prey.

Captain 'Buck' Mesquite howled as his prey turned. "Start the lassoes buck-a-roos, we're gonna get the filly back!" he yelled, plopping down in his saddle. Grabbing his bottle of whiskey he was starting to take a swig when the energysnake arrived.

Minstrel drove through the ionic cloud, all that remained of sixty-five mega-tonnes of warship, crew, and assorted cargo. Emma remained balled up against her door, M looked around. . . and whistled.

“Ges Momma Snowy give good bang bang huh?" M asked.

"Uh. . . Yeah" was all the stellar lord of creations could answer.

Clearing the cloud he floored the accelerator. Phileana was still trapped on the planet and he wasn't about to leave her behind.

Besides, he'd just wasted the only warship ABHA had, and she WAS kinda cute.

Phileana dragged herself behind a boulder as another shot screamed overhead. Apparently the ABHA wasn't too happy about losing Emma. From what she'd heard someone had offered big money for the youngster, and they intended on collecting.

She looked up the slope, so far they hadn't hit her but their fire had forced her to crawl. Even her android constitution was strained, she was getting tired and she wished she had a weapon.

"God" she whispered, "If you exist, I really could use some help about now."

Somewhen an eye popped open.

Never pray unless you've no choice, you never know who's sober enough to hear you.

Somewhen, another eye opened.

Minstrel cursed, he had turned to check on his daughter when the meteoroid got in the way. Now the left front fender was dented and he had a feeling the drivers door wasn't going to open either. Turning towards the planet he started slowing.

The sun went out.

Minstrel kicked on the headlights, Emma whimpered again. Whatever those (deleted) had done to her she was still frightened of them.

"Getz Pie-Le-nah nowz?" M asked.

Minstrel looked around, suddenly realizing the sun hadn't just 'gone out', it was missing. His mind spun, something clicked (a rather frightening sound) and HE screamed.

No sun, no gravity, no orbits.

Pulling back on the wheel he started the car into a climb.

"Long time no see"

Phileana looked around. Planet, stars, and pursuers were gone. "Who, and where" she asked.

"Ah. Come on little fluffy. Has it been that long?"

She thought, matching the voice with all those she had ever met. It took a few seconds.

"Oh. Now I remember" she answered. "So how have you been?"

"Bored. My creator hasn't been very busy lately."

"I know the feeling" she giggled.

Minstrel leveled out several light minutes above the planet. Nothing showed, the signal Phileana had been sending was gone. Biting his lip he glanced at his daughter.

Suddenly the starcar was bathed in moonlight. Minstrel looked up and groaned.

"Hello Minstrel" the fluffy moon called. "I've got the teddy bear, what's your bid for her?"

"HIZYAH Deeooh" M called, leaning out the window to wave.

"Charging sequence complete. Searching for target."