• “Now what the hell do we do?” David was propped up against some crates, a few passages away from the cells. “I mean it was pretty thoughtless of them to not build the armoury right next to the cells wasn’t it.”
    Adanis looked up from his healing. “We’ve still got that rifle off the guard. We could use it to get to the armoury and get our stuff.” He looked back down at the long burns across David’s skin.
    “Yeah, sorry to disappoint you on that Adanis but in reality the armoury will be guarded by more than just one guard.” David winced as his burns disappeared under Adanis’ hand. “And any minute now this place is going to be swarming with soldiers.”
    “Oh don’t worry about that,” Said Raphael, looking down at his implant, “we’re highly trained, and above all unarmed prisoners on a break out. Luck should be on our side. But just in case.” He pressed a few buttons and looked up. “Alright lets get to the armoury.”


    The guards outside the armoury were restless. They were stuck on the graveyard shift for the third week in a row. They all knew that no one could break in; it was a top security building after all.
    Alex looked up as another droid passed by, doing its rounds. He leaned against the wall and withdrew a cigarette from his pocket.
    “You really shouldn’t smoke those things, you know.” Paul had leaned around the corner. His black uniform armour reminded Alex of a computer game he once played. Thick black metal covered him entirely, exaggerating his muscles and overlapping at the joints. Covering his head was a space helmet; jet-black with a deep purple visor and inbuilt comm system.
    “Why not? You do.” Alex removed his helmet and put the cigarette in his mouth. “Or are you going to give me the whole ‘they’re bad for your health’ speech?”
    Paul laughed. “No mate, I’m just worried you’ll get caught.” He stepped aside for a droid and carried on. “That’s the problem with this post, there’s dozens of cameras watching this place. And anyway there’s the captain and his patrols. You get caught and you’re on mop duty for weeks.”
    “You know that guy in the control centre doesn’t watch the cameras at night.” Scoffed Alex. He continued searching for a light. “Anyway this is my last night on this shift. I transferred to the Oracus.”
    “Really?” Paul looked impressed. He looked down and produced a lighter. “Should be quiet last night then.” They both were silent for a few moments. “I was considering transferring to the Fortitude you know.” Paul said at last.
    “Yeah, I know.” Alex looked up at him though the clouds of smoke. “You could easily have made it. Why didn’t you?”
    Paul looked back down the corridor. “I couldn’t leave my family.” He said eventually. “Not with my daughter so young.” Alex shifted uneasily. “Here take this.” Paul handed over his silver lighter. “Its magnetic so it’ll stick on the inside of you’re armour.”
    Alex looked down, stunned, at the engraved silver. “I can’t take this.” He whispered.
    “Yes you can.” Paul looked stubborn. “I’ve known you for nearly 5 years. Take it as a gift from an old buddy.”
    Alex reached out to take the lighter as another droid went past. Then paused, his ears pricked. “Where’s Zaman and the new kid?”
    Paul looked back around the corner at the armoury door. The other two guards were nowhere to be seen. “Maybe they went off to patrol.” He said, “They probably went a few minutes ago.”
    Both of them stood, uncertain, as the droid went past again. Then Paul started talking into his comm.
    “Zaman what is your position? Zaman come in. What is your position?” He shook his head as he heard no reply. “All I’ve got is static. Something’s jamming us.” He took out his rifle and cocked it. Alex did the same as the droid came around the corner for the third time. It stopped in front of them.
    “Open the armoury.” It stated in a cool yet hostile voice. “I have full authority.”
    “Where?” said Paul his rifle rose as Alex edged forwards towards the droid.
    “Here.” Said D3 pulling out his integrated rifle with one hand and holding up a trigger in his other. The door behind them erupted, blasting both guards into the walls.
    Paul raised his head, his vision swimming and ears still ringing from the explosion. The droid had kicked both rifles well out of their reach and was standing in front of them. It’s silvery bodywork projected its smugness at a fooling them, as it loomed over them, menacing them with it’s own rifle. Alex’s nerve broke.
    “Spire control. Come in Spire control.” He screamed. His voice tinged with terror. “Echo forty declaring emergency. Repeat level 1 emergency.” It was impossible for D3T to smile as his face was permanently fixed in an attitude of indifference. But some flickered in the eye sockets revealing his amusement.
    “I have an integrated disruptor in my matrix.” It stated with glee. “You can scream until your blood curdles. No one will hear you.” A group of men rushed past behind D3 and into the armoury.
    “Nice one D3.” shouted Hall. “Perfect timing.” Satisfaction radiated from D3 as he turned back to his prisoners.


    Adanis grabbed his pistol and sword from the rack in the armoury and cast around for his armour. As he moved along the aisles of weaponry something caught his eye. A number of small spheres were arranged along one shelf. They were attached to a bandolier; similar to the one David had carried when they entered the spire. He reached over and picked one up. It was made of some kind of metal and was rather heavy for it’s size. He tossed it up and down a few times, then his questing fingers found a small button on the surface of the sphere.
    “Yeah. I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” David had caught up with him. He already wore his long coat and had slung his shotgun across his back. “Those are explosives. Grenades.” He reached across and picked up the bandolier. “Your armour is over there by the way.”
    When David and Adanis walked out of the armoury they saw Raphael standing in front of the two captured soldiers. He held his sword in one hand and his pistol in the other. Although neither was really necessary since the soldiers were already shaking with fear.
    “What’s being said on the comms?” He demanded, “Answer me!” He took a step forwards. The soldiers scrambled backwards until their backs were pressed against the wall.
    “We don’t know.” Wailed Alex. “Your droid has stopped our signals.” He looked imploringly into Raphael’s eyes. “Please don’t kill us. I have a wife and children.”
    Raphael said nothing. He turned back to David and Hall.
    “Try and find a way down to the hangers.” He commanded, “We need to get out of here quickly. Envar must already be on his way.”
    “State the obvious, why don’t you.” Said David as he and Hall hurried away.
    Raphael turned back to Adanis. “You and D3 follow them, make sure that you get back to the ship, at any cost. Go!”
    As Adanis hurried away, Raphael turned back to the guards. “Your friends are around the corner. We took them by surprise, they never felt a thing.” He looked down at them, his face immobile. “I’m afraid there’s nothing left for you to do. Don’t worry, your families will soon join you.” He raised his pistol.