An hour before sunrise, the fully loaded army truck climbed the ramp to the exit where Jerrix waited. He hit the button to let them out and closed it again when the truck drove clear. Climbing into the cramped cab with these two friends, it was not long before they were hurtling along the dark country roads.

“I plan to hit the causeway as the tide is receding,” Smitty informed them.

“Good idea,” Jerrix answered. “The less time we spend in the open the better.”

They did not see any of the machines as they drove along, which was an unexpected bonus. When they finally reached the causeway, the sea was reeling back and judging it safe, Smitty pushed his foot to the floor.

The salt water only reached the wheel bolts as it sprayed in wild plumes on either side. The truck never faltered as they reached Holy Island once more. Slowing a little, Smitty guided their catch to the waiting farmhouse without incident.

As they pulled in, Tommy jumped out and pulled down the camouflage netting. Even from the air, it was now protected.

The waiting fighters were delighted by their safe return. Then the planning began in earnest. It was agreed that everyone should be involved in this. Gerry, only ten, had to stay behind.

Smitty put his plan across like this.

“Tommy and I will hit the stockade with the rocket launchers to form a breach.”

After pausing, he continued.

“The rest of you will enter the camp and encourage the inmates to flee. We will try to keep their guards busy.”

“Whatever you do,” Jerrix said. “Don’t waste ammo on the machines. They are fully protected.”

“Don’t worry about that,” Tommy said. “We only want to grab their attention.”

Jerrix smiled and said, “How about hitting it just after sunset? We need the cover.”

Everyone agreed.

“Now about that dump,” Tommy said. “It is large enough for everyone here. As we said, it is fully stocked with weapons and food and water.”

Bob was doubtful.

“Surely we are safer on this island than over there. If we are cornered, we can’t escape.”

Crispy agreed with him.

“Hiding down there sounds rather daft to me mate.”

“I think,” Jerrix said. “They want to stay here.”

Both Smitty and Tommy agreed with the majority, and the idea was quickly dropped.

Smitty gazed around at the little band.

“Everyone should rest now. We have a tough task ahead.”

Everyone trotted off as the clock ticked on.

As the sun sank and darkness closed in once more, the small band of freedom fighters filed from their base and began the longish trek on foot. Only Smitty and Tommy were armed with shoulder launchers. Each with a single shell. The idea was to use their machine guns after the single strike.

It had to succeed. Failure was not an option. Even a glorious one.
They made it to the causeway without incident, and across to the mainland just north of the ruins of Bamburgh castle. They moved on about a mile before reaching the small rise where they lay, staring down at the camp.

Within that large wooden stockade, built by inmates, poorly dressed prisoners with simple implements hoed the soil. At the far end, wooden barracks had been built as machines hovered overhead.
Nothing had changed since their last visit.

Smitty quietly issued his command.

“As soon as the rockets strike, run down and enter the camp. Only then, open fire. Good luck to you all.”

Jerrix too was armed with a machine gun. He felt it was a necessary evil on this occasion. Strictly for his own defence you understand.
Everyone waited as the launchers were aimed carefully before being unleashed. They saw the vast explosion, spitting out orange flame, followed by the sight of a gaping hole.

Without any prompting, the four others dashed down toward it, as the machines turned. Of course, the prisoners had heard the blast and many were running for the hole as the fighters ran in.

“Everyone out!” Jerrix screamed as the people fled.

A machine glided towards them and he opened up. Of course, the flying bullets had no effect. His friends joined in as the machines advanced.

The camp was in uproar now. As bullets flew, as the fighters ran from position to position, the people fled. The machines responded by firing their killer pink rays, killing many. The bolts were not used.

Crispy found himself beside the row of barracks and fired again. A machine swung and opened up. He threw himself down as the building exploded. Thankfully, the inmates had fled at the first sign of trouble.

Picking himself up, he charged the machine firing wildly, trying to close the distance. The machine fired again, missing this time. The fighter was rather satisfied to find himself standing beneath it.

He pulled a grenade from his pocket, pulled the pin out and tossed it upwards toward the belly. Then he ran again.

The explosion was heard across camp but turning, he saw the machine swivelling towards him. Completely undamaged. He ran towards the hole, and seeing him do this, his companions followed suit. Firing at the advancing enemy.

Dashing through, they did not know that at least two-hundred of the inmates were dead. Only fifty had made it to freedom. Now they were being hunted.

“We have to leave now,” Jerrix insisted as rays struck the ground.

The others needed no prompting and fled into the darkness.

As they ran, Jerrix spotted a young woman stumbling and ran to her assistance. Grabbing her rather roughly by the hand, he dragged her down.

“Stay still, let the damn machines pass.”

He watched as the enemy hovered away, before pulling her up.

“Where are we going?” she asked frantically.

“Somewhere safer than here my dear.”

They ran on through the night, Jerrix determined to reach the causeway in safety.

“How can you see so clearly?” she asked.

“I eat plenty of carrots my dear.”

She pulled him to a stop, obviously out of breath. In the distance, occasional gunfire could be heard.

“We can rest for a bit,” he whispered pulling her down.

“Thanks for eh getting me out,” she whispered.

“Don’t thank me yet. We are not out of the woods yet.”

He paused, thinking.

“How long were you in that place?”

“Only a week. They caught me scavenging for food.”

He thought that over.

“Can you tell me anything about what they are up to?”

“Those who can’t work are simply eliminated. Only yesterday, a bloke
informed me that prisoners were being shipped across space.”

“Are you sure?” Jerrix asked.

“That’s what he said.”

“That does not make sense,” he replied shaking his head.

“None of this makes sense,” she told him.

“I agree with you there,” he said. “I think the coast is clear now.”

“I hope you are right.”

He dragged her up and they ran off when one of the star shaped machines came into sight. Jerrix yelled and pulled the woman violently to the right, which caused her to stumble.

The falling weight brought him down too and as he rolled, a pink ray flashed down reducing her to dust. Seeing a nearby bush, he dived inside breathing hard as the machine passed him by.

He quietly cursed himself. He had not even known her name.

He scrambled out, dashing with all his strength toward the coast and perceived safety. He reached the causeway but noticed the tide starting to come in. He realised it was a terrible gamble. Due to the flat sands, it raced in at about four miles per hour.

“I have no choice,” he cursed dashing forward.

As he splashed across, getting wetter by the second, he prayed in earnest for deliverance. In the near distance a voice shouted, “Come on old man.”

It was Tommy of course. 
---
He reached the safety of the island and joined the relieved fighter.

“What happened to your weapon?”

“Lost it,” Jerrix replied. “Even lost an escapee.”

“Sorry to hear that. The others made it. Come on, we are late.”

When they reached the farmhouse, Gerry was relieved to see him. They all were really.

“We thought you had gone,” Smitty said.

“I nearly was. How many got out?”

“A fair number,” Tommy assured him. “The enemy know they have a problem on their hands now.”

“They certainly do,” Terrance chipped in.

“So what is our next move?” Smitty asked.

“A woman told me people are being shipped across space. Got it from some bloke.”

“Is that possible?” Gerry asked.

Jerrix glanced up.

“Possible yes. Probable no. It makes no sense.”

“I think we should all turn in,” Smitty suggested. “Think with clear heads tomorrow eh.”

Jerrix turned to leave.

“Where are you off to now?” Bob asked.

“I need to check something in my ship. Back in a mo.”

He walked out, going carefully towards the castle ruin. Overhead, a pale moon looked down which was comforting. He reached the ship without incident and pulled a drawer open.

Rummaging through it, he pulled out his keyboard and frantically typed the message in galactic code. This was basically a series of numbers and letters. The small aerial transmitted the communication to the prison ship that had saved him.

He waited for what seemed like ages until the reply came through. He stared at the small screen in shock. The late woman was correct.

“Well,” he said. “We can’t have that now.”

He typed in a response before returning the keyboard to its proper place.

He started pacing, hoping his gamble had worked. Without warning, a startled Tarra appeared next to him.

“Welcome aboard,” he said smiling.

She simply glared back.

“What are you doing here? Where is Jerrix?”

He smiled before wandering over to the south statue and inserting his device. From the eyes of the statue, rays of light shot out and he stepped into the glare. As she watched, the bio matrix shell dissolved.

“Good grief,” she muttered.

“Hello Tarra. Nice to see you again my dear.”

The young girl hugged him.

“I thought you were dead?”

“If the prison ship had not beamed me back I would have been.”

“I understand that,” she said. “How did you manage to free me?”

“I simply explained that unless the prisoners were released at once,

I would destroy them. Of course I was bluffing but they believed me.”

“So where are we exactly?”

“Holy Island. A group of us just raided a work camp.”

“Still in the thick of the action eh?”

“Ain’t I always,” he said. “Come on.”

They left the ship and walked back carefully toward the farmhouse where everyone was surprised to see the old cat again. After greeting Tarra, the cat filled them in.

“Having released their prisoners, the shipment of people has
stopped. The battle is now half won.”

“You think they will go now?” Gerry asked.

“Afraid not my boy. I still don’t know how to do that. All we can do
is hit the local camps.”

A sudden explosion from outside, had them all dashing for the window. As they watched, there were flashes from the direction of the castle.

“They are attacking your ship,” Tarra told him.

“Never mind, that won’t work. They probably detected the source of my signal.”

“Which means,” Terrance pointed out. “They will hunt you again.”

Jerrix nodded as his throat clasp flashed again.

“Another message,” he murmured.

He pressed it twice and an audio message played out. It was from the ambassador.

“It appears that Jerrix has survived. An attack upon the signal source seems to have failed. Therefore, I order an immediate onslaught against that island. I want the land scoured.”

Sudden panic ensued.

“We had better leave,” Smitty said heading for the door.

“How can we. The sea cut us off remember?” Jerrix said.

“So what do we do?” Crispy asked. “Wait here to die?”

The cat thought quickly. Then shook his furry head.

“With a truckload of ammo we stand and fight. Time for running is
over. We will give them a last stand to remember.”

He turned to Tarra and Gerry.

“Return to the ship and wait there.”

Gerry refused to budge.

“If you don’t go, I’ll carry you.”

Tarra took his hand.

“Come on. There is no use arguing with him. I have known him longer
than you.”

As the children ran for safety, the fighters left the building and
opened the rear of the truck. As quick as they could, they removed enough ammo to keep them going at least ten minutes.

Tommy and Smitty reloaded their launchers and waited.

“Now, everyone spread out,” Jerrix ordered. “Only fire when you can see the target.”

Without argument, everyone did so. They knew it would be a futile gesture but they had no choice really. Better to go down fighting than running away.

They waited as time passed. Some of them praying. The rest silent and nervous. Alone in the bushes, Jerrix waited to. A machine gun between his black paws.

Suddenly they heard the sound of blasts across the small island as the attack began. It was obvious that every human structure was being targeted. It was a sensible strategy of course, as the wave of death advanced.

Several blasts occurred nearby followed by a huge one as the farmhouse exploded. They were astonished to see the truck had not been hit. Obviously, the enemy thought it a waste of effort.

It was their last piece of good luck.

Three of the deadly machines swept towards them, hugging the terrain. Jerrix saw two rockets flash through the night and explode in their faces. They flew on, undamaged.

As beams struck around them, as bullets bounced off, Terrance broke cover. He charged toward them and was cut down.

The machines veered and made a second run.

Machine guns rattled and two more rockets went up as the battle intensified. Huge blasts shook the air and ground as beams flashed down once more.

Smitty and Tommy, still crouching in the firing position, were turned to dust. That left just Crispy, Bob and Jerrix.

He saw the machines turn and broke cover himself. Bullets spat skyward as the machines struck again. A sudden explosion lifted Jerrix into the air, wrenching his weapon from his paws.

He crashed down and lay still among the scorched bracken. Seeing this, Bob knelt and fired for all he was worth. He did not stand a chance. A machine simply advanced and opened fire.

Then there was silence. Crispy had seen the end and felt he should not live. Bravely standing up, brandishing his weapon, he let rip.

“Come and get me!”

He was quickly cut down before the machines resumed their mission of destruction.

Within the hour, every structure upon the island was ablaze or reduced to rubble. Only when they were satisfied, did it end. They flew toward the mainland, leaving carnage and death behind.

Jerrix remained still and silent, as the night passed. Only at sunrise did he wake from his torpor.
---
He scrambled to his feet, checking his familiar black fur. He looked around and called for his friends. There was only silence. A pall of acrid smoke hung everywhere as fires burned on.

With stooping head, he padded back to his ship.

“Where are the others?” Gerry asked as he entered.

Jerrix glanced up.

“I’m the only one. At last, I have been defeated.”

“So we leave?” Tarra asked.

“I don’t think we have an option,” he said. “Is there nothing you can tell me?”

She shook her head.

“I don’t think so Jerrix. The only peculiar thing is this. I heard on the radio as the attack progressed that they were staying away from the Polar Regions.”

The cat’s bright yellow eyes lit up.

“They don’t like the cold,” he muttered.

“How does that help us?” Gerry asked.

Jerrix smiled.

“The Chinese were working on a weather device and I know where it is.”

“They can control the weather?” Tarra asked.

Jerrix nodded excitedly.

“Only in a small way of course, but if I were to boost it...”

He left the sentence unfinished as he activated the controls.

Seconds later, they found themselves inside a dark deserted building.

“Everyone’s gone,” Gerry whispered.

“Certainly looks like it," Tarra said.

With his feline vision, the cat spotted the domed roof and sitting below, the large white dish they needed. He noted too that a thick cable connected it to a control panel.

“Come on you two.”

When they reached it he muttered, “This is exactly what we need.”

“There is no power,” Gerry pointed out.

Jerrix smiled diving underneath the console.

“There should be an emergency switch here. Ah, here we are.”

The console sprang to life as Jerrix re-emerged.

“Now Gerry, see that dial? Turn it to maximum.”

The baffled schoolboy did so.

“Now Tarra hit that button.”

They watched as the dome cranked back, revealing the afternoon sky of China.

Jerrix then hit the activator.

As he did so, a bright beam of light shot skywards.

“That should agitate the atmosphere a bit eh?” he muttered happily.

“I think you had better explain yourself,” Gerry suggested.

“We are creating cloud cover. Not only here, but all over the planet. Once started, it cannot be reversed. Within one hour, the clouds will be so thick, it will look like night.”

Gerry understood.

“With no sunlight getting through, the temperature will drop.”

“Then snow will fall,” Tarra butted in.

“Of course,” Jerrix said. “That will drive them off the planet. Even if they destroy this station, it will be too late. Earth will not see the sun again for at least a year.”

Gerry was concerned though.

“Won’t that cause an ice-age?”

“Oh no, far too short my boy. There will be widespread famine of course which will be costly. If you ask me though, the alternative would be far worse.”

As darkness came, the temperature did drop. The companions huddled inside the ship as a global snowstorm erupted. With their built in sensors, the Siphonans knew what was happening.

In a final act of vengeance, Moscow was wiped off the map. A second strike force took out the Chinese research station as Jerrix had warned.

They had to leave in the end. They had no alternative. It was either that, or stay and die.

The ambassador ordered his race back into space to find easier pickings elsewhere.

It was snowing heavily when Tarra and Gerry stepped from the ship.

“Where are we?” Gerry asked.

“Oh, Northumbria,” the cat replied. “Once the authorities are back in charge, finding your parents won’t be a problem.”

This was the mainland of course. Behind them, Holy Island still burned, despite the snowstorm.

“I have to leave now,” the cat said gently.

“Can’t I stay?” Gerry asked.

The cat shook its head.

“My life is far too dangerous young man. Stay here and grow old. Just like Tarra.”

Before any awkward moment arrived, the cat stepped inside his ship.
Once there, he pulled the lever behind the north cat statue and watched as the galactic map appeared over the dome. Then he pulled the lever behind the east statue, and his ship vanished.