Chapter 10 – Motok
TheVindicatorwas under attack.
The warning boom shot across the hull of my ship was proof we’d been fired upon by an enemy vessel. If I had to guess I’d say it was a Zhorn warship but any of the Seekers were as likely to chase us down and board. They wouldn’t destroy our battle cruiser. Our cargo was too precious. Slavers understood the value of their possessions and wouldn’t risk damaging goods.
Credits were only made by the successful sale of such merchandise. Any trauma or lasting effects could negatively impact the potential reward. I may be pissed at such logic, but it kept the human female alive and unharmed. At least for the present.
Noises outside the main hangar proved the enemy vessel had locked onto the hull and would soon be boarding.
Veet!
Rexnor and Orion crouched next to me behind the crates as we waited for the breach. Valtus was on the upper deck with the flight crew, taking control of the bridge in my absence. They would barricade and lock themselves inside. It was imperative that the remaining warriors defend the ship and ensure the vessel wasn’t overtaken. MyFirstwould guarantee our weapons were online and our flight crew unharmed.
The first to enter were the Tylons. I couldn’t help but think these tentacled vermin were the bottom feeders of the alien races. Their only real weapon was that gel-like toxin. Yes, they could regrow those damn tentacles, but they were easily severed in battle. The suckers could leave a nasty mark but didn’t do more than give a slight bruise. They were only a threat to humans. Most species weren’t vulnerable to their clumsy and goopy attacks.
When they entered, I ran forward, claws extended and proceeded to hack my way through the nastyfuckers. The word popped into my head and I was pleased that I used Kerra’s human insult so appropriately. She’d get a good laugh out of that once our ship was secure.
Minutes later, my brothers and I shoved the bodies and limbs into the trash compactor. They were launched into space moments after we entered the corridors of theVindicatorin search of more Seekers. Screams echoed down the hall as I froze. Female.My female.
A rush of adrenaline pumped through my bloodstream. Kerra was in danger. The Tylons were nothing more than a decoy meant to distract us from the true threat. The Zhorn and the Tylons must have reached a temporary agreement. Slavers knew no mercy.
Kerra’s screams echoed down the long, narrow corridor as I roared and charged forward. I no longer cared about the ship or any other being inside it, even my brothers. The entirety of my focus rested on my human. She was in danger. Voices faded into the background as my hearts pounded relentlessly in my chest and the fear of losing her overrode common sense.
Around the next bend, I found the group of Zhorn making their way toward the docking bay as her body was flung over the shoulder of one of the largest among the boarding crew. He turned and caught my furious gaze as his black eyes blinked white and his slimy tongue hissed in response.
He yelled in his language as his companions stopped and turned to fight while he kept up his pace and almost reached the docking bay door. A few more feet and I’d never see Kerra again. The female’s eyes were wide with fright and I refused to allow her capture. My vision narrowed as a reddish haze filled my line of sight. I barreled into the Zhorn as he slammed into the hull and she dropped to the ground. I couldn’t pause in my assault to ask if she was alright. The Zhorn immediately fought back and we grappled with one another, banging into cargo crates and pummeling fists into one another in an effort to gain the upper hand. Our fight brought us directly into the hangar.
We were dangerously close to the docking bay hatch. I spied the emergency release pad only feet from my current position. Kerra’s eyes met mine and I looked pointedly at the button and then the hatch several times in quick succession. I think she understood. Backing up and shaking her head, she ran for the doors as they opened and more of the Zhorn entered. I ducked and swung my fist as it connected with the slaver’s jaw. He slumped down in a daze and I yelled out instructions the same moment my palm hovered above the pad.
“Strap on the harness! To your left!”
I gave her no more than a few seconds to comply.
The emergency hatch popped open as I pressed down and everything in the room was sucked into deep space. The Zhorn leader I had fought didn’t stand a chance. His back was up against the hatch and he flew out the second the release engaged. Kerra was strapped to the side of the interior bay wall as I instructed her to do. Her face was pale, but she was safe. I’d grabbed the only other emergency equipment in the room and was thankful the clasp had secured to the front of my uniform.
My body was weightless as I flew up in the air and dangled while the rest of the Zhorn were sucked out of the airlock and joined their companion in the cold, vast emptiness of space. Another few seconds lapsed before the hatch was closed and gravity reengaged. I landed with a hard thud on the metal decking as the doors opened and my brothers rushed inside.
“Tok!”
Kerra’s terrified scream caused my body to tremble and I disengaged the clasp. I pushed up from the ground and immediately ran forward, meeting her frazzled smile with a reassuring one as she tried to unclasp the emergency harness. Fumbling with the snaps and clasps, she wasn’t doing much more than becoming flustered. Her lower lip quivered as our eyes met and I placed my hands over her own.
“I’ve got this.”
