The Third Book of the Alienbutt saga. Emperor of the Universe. Part 6.

Fighting to keep control, and with sparks flying from a control panel behind his seat, Hydroponic turned his ship to try and ride out the worst of the shockwave. Regaining control, he looped his ship around and saw the remains of the space station. The entire top half of the central column and more than half the docking ring had disappeared. All around the ruined space station, the ships that had been locked in battle were either drifting lifeless, smashed by the flying debris from the explosion or trying to limp away, taking advantage of the sudden lull in fighting. With a quick look at the giant ship as a new wave of droid fighters swarmed out of its thousands of hangar bays, Hydroponic decided it was time to beat a hasty retreat.
Already the Ji ships that were able were speeding away from the battle field; the firepower of the large ship convincing them that they should hunt for the pet another day. Accelerating away, Hydroponic jumped to light-speed, heading away to a pre-set location. The entire Ji force had been routed within minutes by what could only be Mr Fluffy.
While the Ji could never be mistaken for an organised force, they were good fighters alone or in small raiding parties. How many of them would make it back to their own space, Hydroponic didn’t have a clue and if they did make it, he didn’t think they would be safe even there. That ship out-gunned anything he had ever heard of and he doubted even a full squadron of Ick dreadnoughts would slow it down. He decided it was time for him to find out where the survivors of the Ick were so he could tell them to find a deeper hole in which to hide.

The Big Ji personally flew his ship towards the giant ship. He knew in his bones that the great pet, the legendary mortal enemy of his people would be on board. The ten members of his crew were in a celebratory mood and cheered every time the three Ji operating the gun turrets destroyed another of the droid fighters. His ship was larger than most of the Ji ships but even so, the gun turrets were all based on the bridge. The main turret was just in front and below his pilot’s chair, in the nose of the ship. The two side turrets were mounted where the wings met the main body of the ship. The Ji weren’t big on interior design on board their ships and went for the open plan option so it was easier for them to pass the drinks around during battle.
As they raced towards the giant ship, it opened fire from a battery of large cannons at its front. Seconds later, Big Ji felt his craft buck as a shock wave from the explosion behind lifted the back end of it and almost sent his ship spinning into a somersault. Fighting with the controls, he was aware of his crew being flung across the deck. Fitting seat belts had never been high on Ji priorities in kitting out the inside of their ships.
Finally coming to rest, he sat looking at the remains of the space station. The shockwave from its destruction had spun them around to face the opposite direction. Big Ji gazed from the ruined space station to the destruction of the ships that had been close to it.
“Bugger, that ain’t good.” Big Ji looked around at his crew picking themselves up from the floor. Turning his ship around, he saw that the giant ship had continued its advance and thousands more droid ships swarmed from its sides.
“Get on the blower to all the lads, we’re outta ‘ere.” Big Ji shouted as he pushed the vessel to full speed and shot away from the giant ship, all thoughts of the pet hunt disappeared. The Ji were realists and knew when to get away from a battle, it was not cowardice to run from an enemy that was stronger than them. The Ji didn’t understand the concept of cowardice but they did understand dead Ji Hunters didn’t get breakfast.

To be continued.
All images are mine.