The space battlecruiser commanded by Captain Fizard left the sea in the coastal area of the Gulf of Mexico. They were still far from Star Hunter ship, but they wasted no time. From their hangar, they released other smaller ships, guided by the master computers of the command room. There were seven scouting ships that could get to their target faster. There were still other attack ships stationed in the hangar, in case they failed. While Fizard left the Atlantic coast and crossed all of North America to reach California, hundreds of miles from there the battleships had already entered the territory of Texas, shortly to reach Merko's ship.

"Attention Lieutenant Warky, attack the enemy with all we've got. In the area where Merko is, there are no humans. Use full force to finish him and his ship. Destroy them!"

"Yes, sir Commander! Understood." Answered the officer who coordinated the action.

One robot was positioned inside Captain Fizard's ship, ready for the attack, while the other was chasing Merko's ship. The latter sent a signal to the others, passing on the correct coordinates of Star Hunter. Fizard concluded that certainly Merko would be commanding the ship and ordered the robot to start attacking with its powerful cannons.

The robot began to approach the enemy spacecraft, taking the Arizona desert as a combat scenario. The ship jolted when it was hit by the iridium giant's first rocket.

For it not to be destroyed, Star Hunter ship made a sudden shunt to escape the enemy. Nicholas held himself as he could, feeling his stomach twist. The captain, then, gave the order:

"Z8, concentrate the laser cannons on the robot."

"Weapons ready, sir."

"Now. Fire!"

Z8 fired a green beam right into the middle of the luminous eyes of the metal monster. He felt the impact of the ship's firing, crashing into the desert floor with a great bang. It laid there for some time. Merko looked at him through the hatch that occupied almost the entire wall of the command room and saw its grotesque silhouette stretched out on the floor.

He tried to restrain himself from vibrating with that victory. He didn't know if the robot had already been defeated.

***

Meanwhile, Zara left her mother-in-law, her daughter Helen and Sophia at Lorena's great-aunt's house, far from the conflict.

"Mother, why do you have to go? Stay here with us."

"Darling, I need to help your father and grandfather. I'm a doctor and I have to be at their side if anything happens..."

"Take care Zara!" Lorena said, worried.

"I will, Lorena."

Zara hugged Helen and kissed her forehead. Then she said goodbye to Lorena and Sophia and set out for battle.

After leaving them in safety, she walked into a nearby diner and went to the bathroom. Noticing that no one was around, she pressed a button on her bracelet on her left wrist and teleported into ship Star Hunter to help the others in battle. She materialized on the command bridge while it was trembling, recovering from the robot's attacks. Zara held to the command armchairs until the ship stabilized. From the glass that reflected the sandy landscape of the desert, she saw, terrified, a giant robot rising.

Inside the ship, she received an order from Captain Merko:

"Zara, you pilot the ship while me and Nicholas go down to face this robot. Soon the other ships will appear to attack us. So, I ask you to monitor everything through the radar and let us know when any trace of the enemy approaches."

"Be careful!" said the doctor, who was already very nervous by now.

Merko and Nicholas wore full combat armor, which despite the strong, steel-like structure, fit perfectly into their bodies. They checked the helmets and the enemy's information transmitted by Z8 appeared on their visors. They checked the communication channels and went out on two smaller ships, from where they would fight the others that were to arrive.

These allowed more agile maneuvers in the face of combat. And Zara would give the necessary cover with Star Hunter spaceship. Suddenly, something appeared in Merko's field of vision: it was the robot, which apparently recovered, started firing in the direction of Star Hunter. Merko passed by him and tried to attract its attention, to take it towards the mountains. But the metal giant seemed to ignore him.

As she tried to dodge the enemy's shots, Zara swallowed and ordered the master computer:

"Z8, activate the deflector shields."

"Will the ship's defenses be able to withstand much longer?" Nicholas pondered from the small ship, worried about Zara.

The robot, after a while, must have realized that Merko was in the smaller ship, as if a sensor had captured him, for it suddenly began chasing him, firing its laser beams and rockets. One of the beams struck Merko's ship, causing it to completely lose its stability and hit a cliff, destroying the aircraft. Merko managed to teleport at the last moment and, upon reaching the ground, triggered the defense mode. Answering his request, a giant armor came from Star Hunter ship, coupling to his body. So, he stood face to face with the robot, who landed to face him. The two metal bodies ran, one against the other. The shock could be heard by Zara, inside the ship.

Merko threw a straight punch into the robot's chest that fought back with right hook in his metal frame at the chin. The captain felt it, but fired from the cannons that came off his shoulders, striking the iridium monster. He turned to Merko and launched rockets that exploded around the armor.

Merko thus disappeared during the explosion, leaving Nicholas worried when he could no longer see him from his ship.

What would he do if Merko were destroyed? During chaos, he tried to communicate with his father:

"Merko, have you been hit? Are you injured?"

A little stunned, he replied:

"I'm fine. Put the ship on autopilot and send it to the hangar on the mother ship. Teleport to the ground and stand here by my side. Quick!"

Nicholas followed his instructions while Zara fired at the robot to draw its attention from the two. Z8 broke the concentration of Zara, warning of the proximity of the enemies. The siege was tightening. Drops of sweat dripped from Zara's forehead.

The robot, even receiving attacks from Star Hunter, stood still. It also fired with its cannons, and smoke poured from its heated pipes.

On land, Merko had an idea that could be very dangerous if it went wrong. He freed himself from the structure that protected him and took his son's hands.

"Nicholas!" He cried out through the noise of battle, "We'll use our powers together. Apply your telekinesis on its right leg by moving it back and I'll lift the left leg. Its own weight, along with the fall, will destroy it. We'll have to make a big effort, as it is very heavy."

The robot seemed distracted, concentrating its firepower against Star Hunter spacecraft.

Nicholas and Merko raised their arms and concentrated the telekinetic forces to move the robot's legs. Nicholas became unstable and fell, stunned using his energy. At that moment, the attack machine located them, preparing to shoot its beams at them. Its eyes turned red, ready to attack them. The young man wasted no time: he managed to position himself and joined Merko for the fight. He used his full strength, ignoring his head that seemed to scream in protest.

Suddenly, the robot's legs swayed and were lifted back. Its lasers lasers were thrown up without hitting any targets. The war machine fell forward, striking heavily on a pile of stone, separating the head from the body in an explosion.

Zara acted, crushing its head with the ship's rockets. The body still rehearsed an attempt to get up, then fell back again. It was its end.

When they saw that the robot was finished, the scouting ships arrived attacking Zara's ship with all their might. She began to shoot at the ships, which dodged with great agility.

"Z8, can you map the ships and create a displacement pattern to focus the cannons on the following move positions and thus anticipate the trajectory of the target?"

"I'm setting the positioning pattern of the ships, ma'am. I'll prepare the cannons."

Nicholas watched the ships attacking Zara. Merko held his hand in his and they teleported into the middle of the desert. A sense of anger seized the boy and he began to concentrate, screaming with hatred, channeling all the telekinetic energy of the cosmos at his disposal.

An energy field was built around them, also reaching Star Hunter ship. Merko joined his power to his son's once more and the mountains began to shake. At the same moment, several rocks, of the most diverse sizes, began to hit the ships like projectiles.

Some of them lost control of the flight and fell to the ground. Others were destroyed by the weapons of Star Hunter spacecraft that continued to attack. Together, father and son energized with great power and Zara stared at them, bewildered, from the holographic monitor on the command bridge.

Before long everything was over. Nicholas fell to the ground, without strength, and Merko supported him. Zara threw a shiny metal ball from the ship, released a swarm of devouring nano-insects, which clustered all over the wreckage, destroying it completely. This was also done with what was left of the scouting ships. She couldn't leave any vestige there for humans to find out.

It was time for father and son to teleport to the ship. Inside, Nicholas gave a triple hug to Zara and Merko. However, they couldn't celebrate yet. They needed to be alert and eagerly awaited the arrival of the great rival ship.

The battle was just beginning.

Nicholas and Zara looked at each other with apprehension because of the danger they were going through and knew of the possibility of defeat. Fizard, seeing as his team lost the battle, summoned yet another space cruiser for combat.

"It won't be easy to destroy the ships commanded by Fizard," Merko said, taking advantage of his last moments of rest. "I myself trained the captain and his men. I think he must have other ships in the rearguard. But I'll fight to the end, I won't give up. It's the future of the Earth and of the planet Life that is at stake."

"We're with you, Captain," Zara said.

Nicholas agreed, shaking his head. He put his hand on Merko's shoulder, showing support.

There was no turning back. The Earth would be invaded with all the extraterrestrial firepower.

***

Zara, Nicholas and Merko were gathered inside Star Hunter planning a defense strategy. They were hovering over the Arizona desert waiting for their enemies. They knew it was no use hiding anymore. The sensors indicated that they would soon be around.

"It won't be possible to escape the robots that will arrive, besides the other ships. They are too many. We're putting at risk the safety of all humanity and the future of our own planet in this battle. The worst is that I don't see any alternative," Zara said, very apprehensive.

"Merko, wouldn't it be better if we tried to disable the robots or put together a plan to sabotage the ships' operation and the command of the mission? Maybe something that just knocks down the Commander. Without him, the rest of the crew will be lost, becoming more vulnerable," suggested Nicholas.

"Right now, I can't see a way to defeat them other than fighting."

Silence hovered between them for a moment, before the master computer announced what they feared the most:

"Commander, battlecruisers are approaching near the State of Utah. The fleet ships are moving to intercept. They'll be here in a few minutes. The radars detected another spacecraft approaching the atmosphere."

"Z8, place the protection shields at maximum force and prepare all weapon systems for attack. Make a damage report," Merko ordered. "Nicholas, while Zara fights them with Star Hunter ship, we'll go down with two attack armors, thus dividing their attention. It'll be easier to fight if we are apart. We'll have a greater chance of confusing them."

"Attention, Captain Zidrone," said Fizard inside his ship.

"Listening loud and clear, sir," replied the commanding officer of the ship Interceptor.

"Send one of your attack robots and order it to destroy Star Hunter ship."

Zidrone released the second metal monster to attack Merko's ship.

The alarm cut the air of Star Hunter, alerting about the danger. The three of them together saw that another robot was approaching. Zara ran to the controls, leaving the rockets ready for firing. Merko and Nicholas, as combined, put-on new metal armors, with propeller jets on their feet to fly, seeking to draw the scary monster's attention from the ship.

The visors of the robot lit up, preparing for the attack. It gave its first volley of shots at the ship, with all its might.

Upon seeing that, Merko used the armor cannon and fired a bullet, exploding in the robot's chest. So, the machine turned to his direction. Recognizing him through its database as its primary target, the robot began to chase him.

"He's after us now, damn it!" Nicholas said, as they flew trying to escape in the middle of the rock formations.

"Nick, follow me."

In a few seconds they were more than three hundred feet high. Nicholas began to line up with Merko. For the young man, wearing that outfit was difficult, but it was necessary to use of all the advantages in his favor.

The robot approached them and the two separated, accelerating the flight. Nicholas tried to follow the enemy's movements, but the machine focused on overthrowing Merko. The captain dodged the uneven surfaces, while the robot, with its large size, destroyed everything where it passed, not losing sight of its target. Merko turned back and fired at his executioner while it retaliated by firing its powerful cannons at the commander's direction.

"This robot's a bastard! It doesn't get off my tail! I need to outwit it," the captain thought as he fled from his ruthless pursuer.

Nicholas tried to follow them, but his effort was in vain, because the two were flying much faster, since the young Terran had not yet had much experience with the attack armor. He touched a small button on his helmet and a hologram revealed itself, showing where Merko and his opponent were. They seemed to come toward him.

"Be careful!" Merko passed by him, shouting, but there was no time for Nicholas to dodge.

He felt the impact of the robot on him, its claws catching his leg and hurling him toward the Colorado River. The robot then prepared to shoot the young man when Merko arrived behind it and grabbed it with the powerful arm of his armor, punching him in the chest.

The monster seemed to shudder for a moment, sparks sprouting from its chest, but it still had the strength to hold Merko and push him against a rocky wall. At the last moment, he managed to dodge with a propellant jet and went to the dirt floor, accompanied by the creature. Then they began a fierce fight. After a succession of blows, Merko flew, holding the monster's head and projecting it to the ground. It still stood up and attacked Merko.

It was at this moment that Nicholas came out of the water, shooting at the back of the death machine. Even so, the metal monster struck Merko, breaking the armor. The commander fell, wounded, with blood mingling with the metal of his armor.

When the robot was about to give the fatal blow, Nicholas desperately used the telekinesis to pull a large rock from the top of the cliff. The fatal machine had no time: it was crushed by the rock. If the robot hadn't been destroyed, it would be out of action for some time.

Nicholas approached Merko, teleporting them back to Star Hunter. The helmet visors lifted and the armor opened for them to leave. Zara quickly began to give Merko first aid.

Watching Zara take care of Merko, Nicholas was losing hope. He knew he needed to escape, take his father and Zara away from there. The rest of the enemy ships was about to arrive and they wouldn't have compassion. That's when the alarm went off again. Nicholas ran to the bridge and saw the robot's hand rise up through the wreckage. He cursed mentally. He knew that in a little while the bastard would be on his feet.

As Merko was injured, Nicholas imagined that it would be the end for them. But he knew he had to fight. So, he decided to get a ship in the Star Hunter hangar and go after the robot. While he was looking at Zara, who didn't even blink while giving Merko first aid, he said:

"This monster sounds unbeatable, but I need to try to destroy it." Before Zara said anything, the metallic voice echoed.

"A ship is approaching!" Z8 warned.

Suddenly, a large object appeared, casting a large shadow over them.

"It's not possible they're already so close! We'll not be able to escape," said Nicholas, letting all hopes finally die. "Damn it!"

A communication appeared on the holographic screen of Star Hunter ship. And when Nicholas finally understood what was happening, he began to cry in a mixture of joy and relief.

"Nicholas, we've decided to come to planet Earth to help. We thought the battle would be disproportionate. So, we decided to join you."

Sivoc, the commander friend, was the one who arrived, aboard the gigantic Science. With him were Crom, who had deserted from Mirov's army; Drako, in the communication commands, and Tibor. A crew of allies to the rebel cause had also accompanied them. Now, yes, Nicholas had hopes.

"Sivoc, I can't believe you're here! It's too good to be true," replied Nicholas with a smile on his face. He then asked them to take his father to the other ship. There they would have more resources to help him. As soon as he entered Science, Merko was seen by a medical team.

Meanwhile, Crom and Tibor teleported to Star Hunter spacecraft to help Zara and Nicholas in combat.

It was during the time this occurred that the robot started to stand, in position of attack. Zara, serious, ordered Z8 to launch a missile at it.

"Eliminate it, Z8."

"Done, Doctor Commander," the computer responded, after attacking the war machine with a missile.

The projectile hit the monster's body, which fell for the last time. The metal monster was finally stretched out on the floor. However, although it seemed to be disabled, its eyes remained lit. It stood motionless, watching the enemies' movements... Finally, relieved, Zara hugged his friends and kissed Nicholas, celebrating the luck of having received a great reinforcement at the last minute. Then she teleported to the other ship, heading straight to the nursery to take care of Merko. From what Zara had seen, he needed to go through a surgery urgently.

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