Darkness Falls - The Story
Chapter Three

Wriiten by Pax
Editor's Note - There were three different story submissions this month. What's more - they were ALL good. Pax's story finally got the nod, but I'd also like to thank Ryan Luetzen and Tynar for their terrific efforts.
Kyle stared in horror at the life form sensor as it filled the small security station with it's shrill warning. If he was understanding the screen
correctly, the readings were coming from all around him, and they were closing quickly.
Snatching his Bryar pistol from it's holster, he dashed to the entranceway, stopping, his back to the wall, the door to his immediate right.
After taking a deep breath, Kyle reached over with his left hand and tapped the door open control, following the motion with his body as he dived to the floor, sidearm leading him all the way.
But the corridor was empty, shadows obscurring vision after several meters. Jumping to his feet, Kyle clicked on his shoulder light, moved to the wall and edged his way back along the way he had come. That's funny, he thought suddenly, those ugly yellow security lights were on a minute ago. What's going on?
He followed the corridor back to the vast main mining area, but still found no sign of any life. Reluctantly, he went back to the security station to get another look at that sensor. This time, he examined it more closely. Apparently, it was set to collect readings several stories further down into the mine. In any event, it was still overflowing with life forms, which moved like one massive army as it chased a second life form. Suddenly, the second life form disappeared from the screen, and the advancing army of life halted, the rear ranks suddenly starting disperse.
Kyle flipped off the sensor screen and pulled out his comlink. No need for radio silence at this point; there was no one around to hear."Jan?" he said into the small device. "I've just about had it with this place. I'm coming out." He waited a second for confirmation, but the comlink remained silent. "Jan? Come in, Jan, this is Kyle, over." But still there was no answer.
Kyle cursed and shoved the comlink back into his pocket. Now what? He surveyed the room again, his gaze pausing on the officer's cap for a moment. Nothing else to do there, and he was just about tired of yellow security lights. Finally, he decided to head back up to the main base and look for some transmitter equipment he could use to raise Jan.
Moving cautiously up the mining tunnels, Kyle suddenly got a full blown case of dread. His stomach twisted into a black mass of ice, the hairs stood up on the back of his neck, and every shadow suddenly seemed like a dark menace.
Breaking out in a cold sweat, Kyle started jogging down the dark mine corridor, heading back to the sterilized familiarity of the Imperial
installation. Up ahead the ninety degree turn loomed, then suddenly a white, ghostly form appeared in the middle of the corridor. Kyle skidded to a halt, tearing the Bryar Pistol from his side and thrusting it out before him.
The stormtrooper squealed to an equally rough stop, and tossed his hands up over his unhelmeted head in surrender. "Don't shoot!" he yelled, his voice deep and hoarse.
Kyle noted that he wasn't armed, and side stepped around the corridor toward him. "What's going on?" Kyle asked, his blaster trained on the Imp's head. "Who are you?"
"Name's Garth, and there's no time to explain. If you want to live, you'll leave this rock, now. Everyone else is dead."
As Kyle got closer, he noticed that a large white bandage covered most of the left side of his face, and a large burn mark covered the left side of his armor. "How come you're alive, then?"
"Because I'm luckier than everyone else. Do you have a ship? I suggest we got to it right now."
"Why should I take you anywhere?"
"You're a rebel, right? You must be the one they sent. I'm the one that's been leaking the information to you."
Awfully convienent, Kyle thought. Last man standing happens to be their informant. "How about we adjorn to my ship and discuss it more there," Kyle said at length, a wry smile on his lips.
Without hesitation, the battered soldier agreed. With his sidearm still trained on the trooper, they made their way back to the base. Upon
entering the main foyer, Kyle noticed the computer desk in the corner had something scrolling across it. It read:
ISD Exploitation arrived to investigate failure to make
daily progress report. Troops dispatched to investigate.
Kyle spun around to the trooper, saying, "We have to go, now."
Suddenly, the main door ground open, and dozens of stormtroopers flooded in, their weapons pointing threateningly at Kyle and their battered comrade. "Throw down your weapons, scum, you're under Imperial arrest."
Garth glanced at Kyle. "Too late."
.......to be continued.
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