CROSS TO BEAR
“Ahead of us!”
Orion began shooting at the Paprijian soldiers who were lying in wait at the next platform row between the crossings. He stood tall, taking several hits to his spacesuit. The soldiers were trying to cut him down. He focused his target on their weapons rather than their bodies and disarmed a pair. The soldiers dispersed in both directions as Rio and Delly joined him in pushing them back.
Upon reaching the row, his sister ran ahead to the next crossing without slowing down.
“This way.” She said.
Damnit Delly. We’re supposed to stay together.
He shot into the row to his left to keep the Paprijians from regrouping. He felt Rio brush up against him.
“Time to go cowboy.”
He nodded as they attempted to follow Delly to the next crossing. Upon doing so, they were bombarded by artillery on both sides, causing them to dive back from whence they came. He glanced at Rio, just to be sure she was still okay.
“You were saying, love?”
“Never mind that. Just shoot somebody for God’s sake.”
Orion scoffed and hurried back to his feet. He moved into a crouched position and began firing to the left, while Rio was handling the opposite side. The Paprijians had put some distance between them which made it more difficult for him to use his sidearm. His primary weapon would have been much more useful in a battle like this.
“Ah!”
Rio collapsed behind him as Orion stopped shooting and tended to her.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah. Just not used to getting shot I guess. What about your sister?”
“Don’t worry about her. She can take care of herself.” He said. “Now, if you’re finished lounging around, how about you help me stay alive over here?”
“You could always say please.”
“Please.”
Orion extended his free hand to her as she accepted it. He lifted her back to her feet as the two resumed shooting at the Paprijians on both sides. If they weren’t going to be able to get ahead, the least they could do was provide a distraction long enough for Delly to do her thing unimpeded.