“And?” The word was nearly barked in my annoyance as I cut him off.
“I’m required to inform the council if you become compromised during this mission.”
A sneer crossed my face and I was glad he wasn’t present to see it. “That’s a requirement of all crew members. We will both do our jobs, Valtus. I have not forgotten the mission or its importance.”
“Excellent,” he blurted in relief. “I will await your orders.” MyFirstdisappeared and I switched off my comms with irritation. Valtus had no right to question or challenge my choices or this mission. If he proved to be difficult, I would relieve him of duty.
My elevated levels were probably due to the fight with the Zhorn and the Tylons combined with fear and worry over the human. Concerned and alert, it made sense my body would have chemical reactions to these scenarios. It was common in battle to experience such fluctuations. What was Valtus implying? Irritated by his remarks, I began to pace until I heard the female utter a soft sigh.
Soothed by her gentle and even breathing, I decided to wash off the blood and dirt from earlier. Valtus had left an extra pack and I changed clothes. The traditional garb of my people was much more to my liking. The loose-fitting pants buckled snugly above my hips and tapered down the leg where they were tucked into my dark boots with a slightly pointed, reinforced toe. I preferred not to wear a shirt and instead opted for a filmy mesh guard that crossed over my chest followed by a dark cloak. The warrior’s uniform renewed my sense of purpose.
I was ready to leave.
Unfortunately, I was rushed and unable to connect with the female properly first.
This proved to be a problem when the next attack occurred only ten minutes later. I’d let the female rest as a multitude of thoughts swirled in my head and I finished cleaning up. She was so different than I imagined. Nothing like I’d thought of humans prior to our meeting.
She was too close to that vile memory of the video. Her close resemblance to the dead human captive was horrifying and I couldn’t let it go. With signs of shock present, I didn’t want to traumatize the female further. Questions could be answered at a later time. My decision to wait to move her proved inconsequential even as I attempted to let her body recover.
The front entrance of the female’s dwelling was blown open as a landing crew of Zhorn filed into the main living quarters. I snatched the human up and into my arms as I dashed toward the long, sleek planes of rectangular glass. The windows of thisbedroom, as she called it, would never withstand any kind of attack as I glanced downward. A narrow metal staircase led to the asphalt below. Our only chance of escape. Our combined weight was probably more than the flimsy metal could withstand but we were out of options.
The window slid open easily and I slipped through as fat droplets of rain began to drip from her planet’s atmosphere. I’d heard of this wetness before but never experienced it. I didn’t like the soggy feeling that soon penetrated my clothes or the dripping that leaked all over the human and made her shiver. On my home world precipitation was synthesized and scheduled at specific intervals, easily avoided. These humans were so primitive.
I led her to the stairs and slowly shut the window mere seconds before the Zhorn entered her sleeping space. We began our quick descent as she wrapped her arms and legs around my torso, groggy from the nap she’d been taking. A small whimper echoed in my ear followed by the warmth of her breath. She squeezed her eyes shut as I held her closer and broke into a run. In order for the transport to reach us and not draw attention, we had to get to a less congested space. Too late, I realized I could have gone upward to the roof of her dwelling facility.
My communicator located the closest satellite and popped up a map. We were less than two miles from something called aparkwith a field and plenty of trees around the perimeter to shield us from discovery.Perfect.I tapped into my comm device and hailed Valtus.
“Commander, I have the transport ready to leave on your mark.”
“Send it to these coordinates.” I spoke the location and signed off as I picked up speed. The rain fell heavily and was followed by loud booms and crackles that nearly shook the ground beneath my feet. My hearts were beating fast by the time we approached the entrance. The park gates were wide open, and I didn’t hesitate to dash inside. In only minutes, we made it to the field.
The human’s sudden scream was loud in my ear and followed by her tightening hold as she clung to my frame and tried to climb up my body. The Zhorn had caught up to us.
“I will protect you,” I promised as I untangled her limbs from mine and stood in front, effectively blocking the female from the ruthless slavers.
Rage exploded from my chest and without thinking I let my hood fall back and the cloak fall down to the ground in a heap. I couldn’t fight off the enemy without using my abilities and this wasn’t the time to worry about the female’s reaction. Her life was in danger and I needed to protect her from the imminent threat. I’d deal with her response later.
My spine extended outward as I bent forward, and I felt the row of quills rise upward as my spine lengthened and my back cracked. Vision sharpening, I knew my senses were now hyperaware and in defensive mode. My claws pushed through the flesh in my knuckles as I flexed. The Braxtharian war cry launched from my throat seconds before I barreled into the first Zhorn. The smooth red scales of his outer plating shifted as my claws slid down two of his bulky arms. Roaring with frustration, I ducked down and charged into his chest, knocking the seven-foot-tall barbarian into the nearest tree.
The female screamed and I spun to find two of the Zhorn advancing on her the moment my back was turned. Cowards! They worked in tandem to distract me from the female, hoping her vulnerability would provide the opportunity needed to capture their prize.
Not while I breathed and lived would she come to harm.
The Zhorn grossly underestimated my ability to protect the female. I was ruthless and didn’t stop until every last one lay in pieces on the ground. Several bodies were ripped entirely in half while scattered and severed limbs lay next to the vacant eyes of the dead. Red scales bobbed in pools of pale blue blood and were buoyant in various spots, floating in a turbulent current as the stream trickled down the nearest hill courtesy of the Earth’s precipitation.
My claws retracted and my quills deflated of blood, once again resting flat against my spine as I turned to the female in triumph. The thrill of victory coursed through my veins. I briefly wished I could hold her close and inhale her scent or perhaps steal a kiss in recognition of my success. The thought was fleeting but tugged in my chest for long minutes afterward as the urge to reach out and touch her nearly overwhelmed my senses.
All of the pride and glory was snatched away when I saw her horrified expression.
“What the fuck are you!?” she shouted as her voice rose with every word. “The Silver Surfer?”
She was panicking, her gaze darting anywhere but my face. Anxiety rose within my chest and my hearts thrummed against the bones so hard I thought they may burst clear through. Her fear tainted the air as the sickening realization that I was the one she was terrified of sunk into my rage filled brain.
How could I expect any other reaction from a human? She didn’t have experience with the Braxthar, much less a warrior of my stature. Aliens were a foreign and mysterious concept. Why was this human female the only one I had found alive and bearing the mark? Her exposed wrist briefly flashed the familiar symbol as she pushed wet hair out of her eyes.
My shoulders slumped as I dared to look at her, my doubts insignificant. Nothing changed the mission. My frustration rose when the human’s eyes grew wide and she backed away, bumping into the towering tree behind her so hard she smacked the back of her head.
Veet!
