Mam wasn’t sure what time it was. All she knew was that it would be a long, long time before she drank that much again.

Her head was throbbing, and she could barely bring herself to fully open her eyes.

Listening intently, she could hear Plenn snoring loudly next to her. As she turned slightly to look at him, she saw the shade from one window billowing into the room, as the sound from the district outside, filtered in.

“Plenn,” she whispered to him. “Plenn.”

“Mmmph, what?” he murmured softly.

“Are you awake?”

“…no.”

“Why did you open the window?”

“…I didn’t open the window.”

That snapped Mam’s eyes open despite the throb of her forehead.

The room was still too dark to see anything, and she relied on her ears once again. She waited, and waited, and waited. She didn’t know how long it was, but then she heard it: the faint sound of what had to be padded feet, slowly approaching Plenn’s side of the bed!

It was then that she put her plan into action.

“Mmph,” she murmured, rolling next to Plenn, her breasts bulging against his body, while her left arm moved to reach for the pistol under her pillow.

She perked up her ears for further sounds. It was a few moments later that she heard the soft treading again, but it was replaced shortly by silence. Mam strained her ears, but after 5 minutes, the sound did not return

Whomever is in here has got to still be here, she thought.

It was then that she decided to alter her plan. It might leave Plenn open, but she knew that whomever was here, was surely not out to kill him (but would most undoubtedly kill her).

Rolling off Plenn and onto her back, she kept her arm situated under her pillow, and slapped her right hand against her throbbing forehead.

“Ugh, I do not need this headache,” she said softly, mostly telling the truth.

She then slung her arm over to the night table, pretending to blindly try to find the room lights.

After a few a few thumps against the tabletop, there was the flick of the correct switch, and as the chandeliers came on, she saw their guest, clad in black, a stun weapon in his hand, standing on the wall above the bed!

Mam’s left arm pulled out her pistol and fired, a laserbolt barely grazing the figure before it pushed off and flipped over the bed!

“Huh-whuh?” Exclaimed Plenn, as he started to rise before Mam switched her pistol to her right hand and pushed him down with her left.

“Stay down!!” she commanded, as the figure took aim at her, before she rolled off her side of the bed, but not before her free hand had reached under the pillow, and grabbed the piece of her suit-collar that had been hidden under there.

As she hit the floor, she tore apart her nightgown, and slipping the suit-collar in place, pressed the panic button.

Immediately, the pieces of the suit in her luggage burst out, and swirled around the slightly hung-over ranger, conforming to her body as she rose up and took aim at the dark figure.

“Back away from him,” she said. “I won’t tell you again-“

It was then that the figure grabbed the corner of the covers, and flung them off in Mam’s direction, causing her to pitch forward in a roll, her chest squashing against the floor.

“Fine!” she called out, firing at the figure as it leaped up and once again stood on the wall.

He must be wearing anti-grav pads, she thought.

By this time the racket had gotten Plenn somewhat awake, and he scrambled over to Mam’s side of the bed and rolled onto the floor.

“Come get behind me!” she called out, but noticed him rushing to her luggage! “I said-“

“Catch!” he called out, as he threw a second pistol to her free hand, and equipped another for his own use.

It was then the dark figure pulled out two pistols of their own, and a fierce firefight ensued.

Mam moved around the room, seeking out any cover she could find, while Plenn followed like a second skin, firing off at any chance he could get.

The figure weaved and ran across the walls, taking full advantage of the large space of the room.

“Mam,” called out Plenn.

“Not now!” she cried out, firing as the figure completed a full circuit around the walls.

“I have a plan.”

“A what?”

As Mam fired off two more shots, Plenn whispered into her ear.

“Okay,” she said, giving him all the confirmation that was needed.

And with that, Mam began firing away, causing the figure to run around the walls until it was right over the bed.

“Stand aside,” said Plenn, shoving Mam. “I got him.”

“Plenn, no!” she cried out, as her chest smooshed against the floor.

“You want me?” said Plenn. “Come and get me!”

The figure “crouched,” and leaped off the wall towards Plenn.

It was at that moment Mam fired up at the chandelier in the ceiling. Several blaster bursts succeeded in breaking its wiring, and it began to fall towards Plenn!

It was then the prince dove to the other side of the floor, totally catching the dark figure off guard as it sailed towards where his highness had just been.

It was then that Mam and Plenn’s horns each glowed, and moments later, their aura gathered around the falling chandelier, and forced it down at incredible speed, slamming into the figure, and sending it crashing to the room floor in a shower of diamonds and gold!

Plenn quickly got to his feet, and rushed over to help Mam up.

“You okay?” he asked.

“Fine,” she replied. “Now, let’s get a look at our-“

Suddenly, a blaster-burst nearly shot off her horn, as Mam looked to the window, and saw two more figures crawl in and along the walls!

“Now what?” asked Plenn.

“Let’s go,” she replied, taking his hand and rushing for the door.

“Head towards the lift!” Mam called out, as Plenn ran down the hall with her not far behind.

“Support!” she yelled into her wrist communicator.

“Support engaged,” replied the communicator, and suddenly, the mesh around Mam’s chest solidified, giving her enough space to properly run without her assets getting in the way.

Seconds later, blaster-bursts rang out around the ranger and the prince, as the two figures pursued them.

“I say,” said an older stallion in the hall, “what is going-“

Mam then saw one of the bursts strike him, but instead of the figure crying out in pain, a charged field enveloped him, and he collapsed to the hall floor.

Stun weapons, she thought. At worst, they’ll stun both of us, and then take Plenn along with them.

Mam fired several shots back at their pursuers. One bolt grazed one of them, while the other hit a light, sending a shower of sparks raining down.

An unexpected surprise came when a Mam passed a door and out spilled a drunken brigade of several elites…who soon found themselves in a heap as the pursuers collided with them!

This allowed Mam and Plenn time to reach the lift, only to find it clear down at the bottom of the shaft.

“It’s going take forever for it to get up here,” noted Plenn.

It was then that Mam saw a number of silken curtains running down to the lobby floor, 10 stories below.

“You trust me, right Plenn?” she asked.

“Of course,” he replied.

“Then climb on my back.”

Plenn was about to ask “why,” when the firing of their pursuers stun weapons behind them meant the chase was back on. He grasped onto Mam’s suit from behind.

She hadn’t counted on him being so heavy, but she didn’t dare say anything. Grasping onto one of the silken curtains, she jumped over the edge and slid down the lengthy material, just as their pursuers reached them in time to look over the edge.

Several more stun-bolts missed as they reached the bottom.

“Now where?” asked Plenn, jumping off of her.

“Outside,” she replied. “We need to get away from here!”

“And go where?”

“Back to the ranger station, and my ship.”

The two rushed past the concierge desk, and were soon outside. Even this early in the morning, fancy vehicles were still freely moving about. One of them had just pulled up in front of the hotel, and a valet had just let several passengers out of a 5-seat speeder.

Mam quickly holstered her pistols, grabbed Plenn’s free hand, and rushed over.

“Ranger Corp,” she said to the valet and the vehicle’s passengers, flashing her Ident. “I’m commandeering this vehicle for a royal emergency.”

“Say wha-?” asked one of the passengers.

But that was all Mam said as she literally threw Plenn into the front seat and dove into the rear seat, the doors closing behind them.

“Alright,” she said, draping her torso over the front seat, her chest filling the driver’s area, as she pressed the door lock switch. “Here’s what-“

“I can drive this thing,” said Plenn.

“Well I’ve got more flight experience than you-“

“You’re also my protector, you need to protect me.”

“That’s what I’m doing you-“

Suddenly, blaster-bursts sparked along the outside of the vehicle and a number of elites peeled away in shrill screams as the pursuers rushed towards the vehicle!

Plenn took the chance to grab hold of the controls, and the speeder shot down the lit parkway, with the prince dodging several other speeders before they managed to fly out and over a number of high-density buildings. By this time, Mam had pulled her chest into the backseat, and was scanning their surroundings through the large rear window of the vehicle.

“Destination input,” Plenn called out.

“State destination,” replied the speeders vocal system.

“Local Space Corp station.”

“Your request turned up fourteen different locations.”

“Set course for Space Corp station 246B-LD,” Mam yelled from behind Plenn. “Patch through to the corp station, code 24.”

“Coordinates for Space-Corp-station 246B-LD locked in,” the system replied, as a holo-map spread out before Plenn’s eyes, giving him directions. “Current attempt to patch through holo-call is currently on hold, as the other party is currently experiencing a high influx of holo-calls. Your current place in line is: six.”

“Initiate emergency skip 93076-HSN!” Mam cried out. “Ranger with Precious Cargo-“

Just then blaster streaks shot past the windows.

“Ranger with Precious Cargo in immediate danger!!” she cried out.

“Attempting emergency skip 93076-HSN,” responded the system. “I am sorry, it appears there is somepony else also requesting this service. Your current place in line is: 2.”

“UUGGHHHH!!!!” Mam groaned aloud as a blast-bolt struck the window, spidering a crack in the synthetic material.

“So what now?” asked Plenn.

“Follow the holo-map,” she replied. “We need to get through to someone inside the station. Even if you are a Royal, there’s no way they’ll let us in without confirmed clearance.”

“So where does that leave us?” replied Plenn.

Suddenly, the vehicle was rocked off-kilter as a second vehicle slammed into theirs on the right side! Its occupants wearing the same clothing as their pursuers, and brandishing similar weapons.

“More of them,” sighed Mam.

“Mam,” said Plenn, as his hands gripped the steering controls, “do you trust me?”

“Plenn, what are you-“

“DO YOU TRUST ME!?” he cried out, seeing one of the other vehicles occupants aiming a weapon at the window that separated them.

“Yes?”

“Then hold on!”

Mam found herself nearly screaming as Plenn tumbled the speeder into a controlled dive, and she struggled to cling to the seat.

“What are you doing!?” she cried out.

“Leading them on a little ride,” he replied, as the vehicle shot down past seven levels of traffic, and joined in on one level, weaving through the early morning route of heavily-fortified service vehicles.

“You wanna get us killed?” she cried out.

“I got this,” he cried out, “trust me and keep a look out!”

Looking behind them, she saw the one vehicle closing in. She then began to fire on the rear glass of the speeder, blasting apart a large enough hole as the synthetic material flew away.

She then began to fire at the pursuing vehicle's windshield, when the holo-call system rang through.

“This is Supervisory Ranger HR-340T,” came a voice. “how can I-?”

“Ranger BE-113!” Mam called out, as she continued firing on their pursuers. “Put in a trace, we are in a speeder and being pursued by two hostile vehicles. Requesting immediate clearance and escorts to station 246B-LD!”

“Your vehicular signature is locked, ranger,” replied the supervisor, “at this time unfortunately, no escorts are available. Your best bet is to get rid of your pursuers before arriving. If you arrive being pursued, you will not be allowed entry.”

“Are you kidding?” cried out Plenn.

“Who is that?”

“This is Prince Plenn Te of the Turgid Kingdom. I demand you provide myself and ranger Mam Marella with escorts!”

“My apologies your highness, but as I said, there are none. You will need to take care of this matter yourself.”

“My father is going to hear about this,” said Plenn, trying to be persuasive.

“Once again, I am sorry, but you are on your own.”

“Ugghhh!” cried out Mam, as she reached over the seat and disconnected the call. “Okay, we need to get rid of them. How confident are you that you can-“

“Mam, don’t distract me!” he cried out, as he shot around three service trucks.

Mam took the cue, and resumed firing on the pursuing vehicle. It appeared her efforts were working as chunks of the speeders windshield were flying away, soon exposing the occupants.

As she tried to take aim, she switched her blasters to stun, and proceeded to fire into the vehicle. Her efforts were rewarded as the speeder’s interior lit up, and the vehicle angled off into the opposing lane of traffic, making contact with a truck, sending the assailant’s vehicle spinning off and down into the abyss below!

“One down,” cried out Mam, as the second speeder came into view.

“Why are they taking their sweet time taking us down?” called out Plenn, noting that they were closing in on the ranger station.

“It’s like the hotel,” replied Mam. “Pretty sure they’re not being paid to bring your corpse in.”

“What say we take another detour?” asked Plenn.

And with that, the speeder shot out of the traffic, and across the landscape populated by dozens of lit structures.

“What are you doing?” Mam cried out as Plenn took dead aim at the darkened windows of an immense skyscraper.

Moments later the vehicle lurched into a vertical climb, and Mam clutched the rear seating as tight as possible, bracing herself by wrapping the rear safety belts around her arms and legs. As she did so, she heard Plenn click his own safety belt into place.

Behind them, their pursuer followed along behind. Mam fired off additional blasts before the windshield of their vehicle cracked open!

“Yes!” she cried out. “Clear shot!”

“Are you strapped in?” cried out Plenn.

“Yeah, wh-“

Mam found her question turned into a scream as Plenn flipped the vehicle up and back, the view pitching end-over-end as Mam saw their pursuers look up through the windshield, and then she took aim!

The stun-burst lit up the vehicle, and as Plenn and Mam streaked down vertically, their pursuers vehicle fell past them, and exploded on a structure below!

“Whoo!” cried out Plenn, as he righted the vehicle and hovered it into a crevice between two buildings.

Mam was just real quiet, breathing hard, looking at Plenn, before she just started laughing.

“Still wanna drive?” laughed Plenn.

“Oh shut up,” she replied. “Just turn off the lights. See if anypony else shows up.”

The two waited some time, but the only others who showed up were the flashing lights of a fire brigade, to extinguish the fiery wreck below them.

“System, re-connect to previous call,” Mam declared.

The flight to the station was marred by no further issues, and the speeder Mam and Plenn were in, was allowed safe entry into the fortified walls.

Though a number of rangers requested they be screened for injuries, Mam just requested to speak to the supervisory ranger, and soon she and Plenn were seated in his office, giving their account of what happened.

“Obviously, I feel this area has been compromised,” she said. “At this time, it would be best to have his highness transferred to the Emperors palace as soon as possible.”

“But it is still early where the Emperor resides,” said the supervisory ranger.

“It doesn’t matter. I feel if we just hang around here much longer, who knows what could happen. I have to get him out of here. How are the repairs to my ship coming?”

“His highness’ request for more repair personnel did go through, and additional shifts have pushed it to near completion. The downside is something is wrong with your custom boosters. Word is they need an extra day to fix it.”

“I’ll take my chances with what we have,” said Mam, rising from her seat. “As long as it runs and has proper firepower, that’s all I need.”

Thirty minutes later, Plenn had dressed back into his ceremonial garb that had been stored in a locker at the station, and was seated in his passenger seat, as Mam fired up the controls.

Klaxons sounded as the overhead roof of the facility opened up, and the ship rose into the air, leaving the lights of the cityscape behind.

“How long will it take to reach the Emperor?” asked Plenn.

“At this rate, about 2 hours,” replied Mam. “Even if the ship is pretty well patched up, I’m not gonna push her to the limits, even without working boosters.”

It was then that she heard the sound of Plenn’s safety restraints coming off, and heard his hooves move across the ship to her.

“Plenn, you really should sit back down,” she replied, as he stood next to her.

“You expect me to sit in that seat for two hours?” he asked. “When we get closer to the Emperor’s, I’ll behave.”

“…what do you mean by that?”

“Come on,” he said. “You’re really gonna stay in that piloting configuration all this time? Put on the autopilot, and let’s…talk.”

Fortunately for the two of them, the water reserves on the ship had been refilled, and Mam and Plenn shared some coffee, as Mam popped a capsule that finally erased the last of her hangover.

“Think they’ll be expecting you to ‘perform’ once we get there?” Mam asked.

“Who can tell?” replied Plenn. "Maybe the Emperor will be merciful, and let me get in some prep-time, a meal and a nap.”

“Unless Zircon just has to have this,” she said, reaching out and rubbing his cock through the material, before catching herself. “Sorry.”

“No, go ahead. You can even kiss it if you like.”

“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

“It already likes you, see?” chuckled Plenn. As the two could see his cock causing his robes to rise.

“No, I'm your space ranger again,” she said seriously. “Larocé and Elle...we left them back on H4-RMO, along with all those clothes, and that damage.”

“Once I get to a holo-call machine, I’ll make sure to get all those outfits sent to you. It’s a waste to not give them to their rightful owner.”

Mam was about to say something, when the red light on her control council began blinking.

“Incoming transmission,” said the computer.

“Patch it through,” she replied.

“Finally,” came a voice over the system. “It took me awhile to reach you.”

“Who is this?” asked Mam. “Identify yourself.”

“No, there’s no need to do that. I wish to speak to the prince, if you please.”

“What do you want?” asked Plenn, without a second thought.

“Ah, at last. I must say your highness, it has been quite a chore catching up to you like this.”

What do you mean?” asked Plenn, as he saw Mam rush to her controls, and start punching buttons.

“My employer had expected to obtain you several days ago,” continued the voice. “But I guess, all good things come to those who wait. All it took was one little slip. I guess you needed some extra credits for a good time the other day?"

Plenn gulped, remembering his credit withdrawal at the hotel's beach.

“You can change your name, but your prints don't lie," continued the voice. "And by now, your escort is trying to track my signal. I’m so sorry my dear, but you can thank your royal cargo for rendering those controls moot.”

“…what do you mean?” asked Mam.

“Tell me this, your highness,” said the voice, “do you prefer to have things done right, or do you prefer to have them done fast?”

“I, don’t follow,” replied Plenn.

“I suspected as much from somepony like you,” smirked the voice. “You think you can just throw credits at your problems, and they will all be taken care of. But you royals, you don’t know how this galaxy really works.”

“What are you getting at?” asked Mam.

“Just this, ranger. Your corp has a specific number of mechanics to repair its ships, and take a certain amount of time to do so. Now, if somepony would want to say, speed up said repairs, the corp has to look elsewhere. And let me tell you, when there’s a time-crunch, they aren’t particularly interested in background checks.”

As the final words swirled around in Mam’s head, what the voice was saying finally clicked. Before she could warn Plenn, an electrical charge shot through the ship, causing Mam and Plenn to spasm violently, before everything went black.

“Ranger? Ranger?”

Mam slowly opened her eyes, only to find herself in an examination room, a doctor and a nurse looming down on her.

“W-where am I?” asked Mam. “W-where’s Prince Plenn Te?”

“You’re in a medical facility on T-15HA. Your ship was found drifting into a shipping lane, and was reported.”

“But what about Prince Plenn Te?”

“You were the only one found aboard your ship.”

At this realization Mam tried to get up, but a sharp pain shot through her body!

“You must rest, ranger,” said the nurse. “Your body is still recovering from an electrical shock.”

“No, I have to get up,” pleaded Mam, “my passenger is missing and I have to find him-“

“There will be no searching, Ranger BE-113,” came a voice from a nearby intercom, that Mam recognized as one of her superiors.

“Y-you found him?” Mam weakly asked the voice.

“No. We are still looking for his highness, but your association with this assignment, has been terminated.”

TO BE CONTINUED…

Author's Note

Well, things sure took an unexpected turn, didn't they?

Action stuff in stories like this can make me tense up, because they can create a tendency to over-explain stuff. To alleviate that issue, I sought solace in just listening to fast-paced chase/fight music from a number of films. None really had the proper on-repeat sound I was hoping for, so it was through about a dozen different songs that I was able to find the drive to continue on.

There also was the feel that maybe I needed more dialogue, but I soon realized that the last thing one does in a high-tension situation is do a whole lot of bantering.

And yes, I couldn't help throwing in a little reference to the Disney version of Aladdin. I tend to do that with all these chapters: throw in little pop-culture refs to things that interest me.