Maybe, the Duke (3)

"Sir, you can't be serious," Command answered.

"It should be strong enough to kill the Duke."

"And maybe everything else along with it!"

"I admit there is a significant amount of risk. However, it is like Vega said. Asbestos will fall if we don't do something."

"Feel free to fill me in anytime here," I interjected. "What is the Eclipse Procotol?"

"Detonate Asbestos' central power reactor," Command answered. "But it's suicide! Even if we were to throttle its power so it doesn't blow everybody to kingdom come, we'd be without power for four days."

"We have stockpiled enough food and oxygen to last four days until the rescue ships arrive. The vault's emergency electrical supplies will last one day. We can manage that with scheduled power cuts to give everybody time to eat and perform their natural duties. It will be uncomfortable, but we will survive."

"If it holds. You've seen how unreliable the vault's power systems are!"

"The alternative is death, Cymmand. How long will it take to prepare the reactor?"

Command sighed. "About five minutes."

"Then start the Command Center's evacuation procedures."

"Yes, sir." The earpiece clicked when the Overseer disconnected. "I can't believe this."

"Will it work?"

"I don't know. I have to disconnect everything from the reactor as part of its overload. That includes the plasma cannons. So you'll have to keep the Duke busy until then."

"I'll do my best. Wait, does this mean the plasma cannons won't be online for future battles."

"Can you see why I didn't suggest it?"

"Damn."

"Initializing Eclipse Protocol." Command announced as a counter appeared inside my visor. Both cannons gave their last thud before their barrels sagged into their resting position. It saddened me to think they would never fire again. "Five minutes until detonation."

"Last push, Cerviel!" The booster activated as I pushed the button inside my glove. The Duke had arrived at the outer-most dome. He was making progress now that the plasma cannons weren't pushing him back. The Muthafa dome would fall within a minute if we didn't intervene.

"Incoming attack," I looked up at Cerviel's comment. The Duke had taken note of my impending charge and was already throwing a strike in my direction. I rolled around its attack before flying alongside its arm. Black blood would spill each time I landed a blow on its arm. It would amount to little more than a papercut, but those were still annoying.

"Let's aim for the head again." Cerviel adjusted her trajectory after I landed another blow. Its left arm was coming around, swiping up its right to shake me off. A twist of my feet changed my trajectory to a diagonal one, allowing me to dodge the incoming threat by flying on the opposite side. The Duke wasn't impressed. A bent elbow signaled the approaching danger. I barely managed to dodge the backward strike, but I had to fly away from the main body to dodge it. That exposed me to any follow-up attacks, which the Duke started with a roar and a swing from his left claw. Being away from the main body gave me space to move. I dodged the blow with a touch of the afterburner before continuing my way towards its head.

Three and a half minutes remaining, I glanced at the clock. C'mon, Cerviel. I tightened my grip around Cerviel's sword as I continued. The goat-like head was beginning to get closer. I debated where to strike. The nose seemed to be a good target. The cartilage around it would be harder if it followed the same design as a regular animal. I would struggle to get through that. The nose it is.

"Cerviel, prepare to brake."

"Yes, pilot Vega."

I should have seen it. I was so fixated on the Duke's nose that I didn't expect the sudden snap of the head as it lunged forward. Only a jerk on Cerviel's part dodged the incoming teeth. Even that wasn't enough to prevent us from slamming into the side of the demon's head. Red lights communicated Cerviel's unhappiness at the impact.

"Booster damage critical. Unable to maintain current trajectory."

I could feel the booster starting to sputter as its thrust became irregular. Instinct made me press the button a few more times. It didn't help. Cerviel's capabilities were limited to ensuring we didn't crash against the ground as we approached it.

One of the Duke's red eyes watched my descent. It wouldn't be long before it aimed a strike, and with Cerviel's lack of thrust, there would be nothing I could do against it. The clock indicated that three minutes remained. I could only pray that would be enough.

It was nice fighting alongside you, Cerviel. I braced as the Duke started to raise his hand. I didn't close my eyes. I would willingly stare at death until it claimed it. A last act of deviance before I entered heaven.

That is why I could see one of the Duke's eyes exploding. It abandoned its onslaught immediately as it reached for the afflicted body part.

"Valoel? Was that you?"

"Almost." The voice that answered was weaker than I was used to, but I recognized it immediately. "Miss me, sister?"