“I think once we get them out of these cages and into a better environment, we’ll find out what we’re dealing with better.”
Ari leaned over Morgan’s shoulder to watch the interaction between them.
“Okay, let us know when they’re ready to go. If you need help, just let us know. In the meantime, we’ll stand by.” Chloe’s image blacked out and shifted to some schematics.
Morgan glanced at him over her shoulder.
Ari smirked when she didn’t appear to be surprised he was there. For a non-psychic, she was truly impressive. He couldn’t resist placing a hand on her left shoulder and drawing her close, making JR12 yelp as he jumped off her and extended his wings.
JR12 buzzed to hover in front of Ari, making his eyes cross.
“Dang, A-Man! Warn a person next time.” The small bot snorted and zoomed to land on Ari’s shoulder.
“I’ll see what I can do.” Ari non-promised. “So, what’s going on here?” He waved to the moaning creatures in the small cages. “Are these Ozevroc prisoners?” From the stench, filth, and obvious neglect, that’s what made sense.
“No, these are female Ozevroc,” JR12 supplied. “As far as we can tell, they’re kept like this to service the whims of any Ozevroc male who wants to get their doinky-doink on.”
“JR12!” Morgan put her fingers against her mouth and unsuccessfully hid her trembling grin. “I can’t believe you even know what that is.”
“Yeah, so what?” The bot shrugged the upper part of his small body. “I’m right, aren’t I?”
Ari frowned. From the small forays he’d made on the Ozevroc leader’s mind, he never got that the male enjoyed making others suffer. But, then again, the alien thought little beyond his own needs and interests. He glanced at Morgan’s profile. “I gather you have something in mind.”
Morgan nodded. “Oh, you bet I do.” She turned to face him with arms crossed, as if bracing herself for him to argue with her.
Ha! Little did she know, he’d do just about anything she asked to erase that scowling frown from her beautiful face.
“I want you to switch the male Ozevroc with these females. Give the assholes a taste of their own medicine.”
Ari’s brows rose. “Really?” He dragged his eyes from her to survey the room. There didn’t seem to be much movement from the females in their small cages. “Are they strong enough to be taken out of where they are?”
“Come here. I want you to meet someone.” Morgan grasped his forearm and stopped in front of a cage. “This is Zara.” She proudly introduced the small Ozevroc.
The small creature blinked her four black eyes at him with a look that was clear, direct, and unafraid. Her painfully thin body made it easy to see she was breathing hard. Her three sets of skeletal arms did little to hide her protruding ribs.
Ari crouched to meet the Ozevroc eye to eye. “Hello, Zara. I’m Ari.” He had to swallow the roar of anger that threatened to escape at the pitiful sight of the abused female. “Would you like me to take you out of there?”
Morgan stood next to him and translated for him in the Ozevroc guttural language.
Moving the Ozevroc around would take some doing since he’d just expended a lot of energy healingElemi.But at least he won’t have to create something new.
Zara tilted her snout up and replied.
He didn’t need the translation to know she was more than willing.
“One other thing, A-Man.” JR12 poked his neck with this needle-like front leg. “Think you can get us the Talon of Ancients from its place in the replicron drawer?”
“I can.” He glanced at the bot. “Why?”
“Once Zara has that in her possession, she’ll assume all Ozevroc authority as high chieftain.” Morgan helpfully supplied. “That’ll demote Welozz to a common male.”
“What’s stopping him from fighting her for it?”
Morgan’s full lips twitched into a sardonic smile. “See, that’s the best part.” She stood straight with her arms crossed. Ah, there she stood in his favorite pose, putting those plump breasts on the shelf of her arms.
He dragged his eyes from her chest as he stood. It took everything he had to zero in on excited expression on her face instead.
“Did you know Aylzrunth comes from a tight matriarchal society? The females there rule with an iron fist. What better place for these females to learn how to rule than from them?” She lifted her handheld. “I spoke to Chloe, and they both agree to take these females to his planet, Runihura, where a place for them has already been set up.” Morgan nodded to Zara, who was still watching them with avid eyes. “They’ll receive excellent care, while the Federation Consortium takes custody of the males for the galactic crimes they’ve committed.”
