Lihvan would risk the lives of Luxirian warriors if he chose to combat them.They were simply outnumbered.And Lihvan had always believed in doing what was rational, not what his Instinct wanted him to do.His Instinct only wanted two things: to mate and to fight.The Fates had gifted him with an analytical mind, which had battled against his Instinct’s will his entire life span, but thus far it had served him well.
Lihvan approached the warrior and read the message for himself.It was in Jetu, but Lihvan, like many Luxirians, were fluent in multiple languages, especially the languages of their enemies.
“Grant it,” Lihvan rumbled.
The warrior obeyed and a moment later, a feed connection crackled to life and Lihvan saw the unmistakable face of Gribrak, the Jetutian equivalent of a Luxirian war general.A war general that Lihvan had encountered more times than he’d wanted to in his life span.The same war general, as luck would have it, that had gifted him with the deep and grotesque scar down his face.
In Jetu, Gribrak greeted him with the cloying rasps and long worded syllables of the grating language.
“Ambassador Lihvan,” Gribrak said, voice tauntingly smug.His glowing blue eyes looked eerie on the small silver screen.“This is most unexpected.”
In Luxirian, since Lihvan refused to speak their language, he replied with, “State your demands.”
“I have just had an interesting message from our Krevorag allies,” Gribrak said, eyes narrowing on Lihvan’s face, “claiming that a group of Luxirians stole their supply of human females.”
“I did not know,” Lihvan said, his voice low and controlled, “that you were nothing more than a messenger for the Krevorags, Gribrak.I would think that their affairs were beneath you.”
Gribrak scowled, not liking what Lihvan implied.“I do not care for the human females.Keep them for your pleasure slaves if you wish.You know what my request will be.”
Lihvan gritted his jaw, even though relief flowed through him.The Jetutians did not seem to realize that Luxirians were biologically compatible with humans, or else Gribrak would have demanded them back, considering their main goal was to completely wipe out their race.At least the females would be safe.At least Beks wouldn’t be in any danger from them.
“We have no Luxirian crystals on board,” Lihvan answered him.“You know that.”
“Which is why I will need leverage,” Gribrak replied easily.Lihvan stiffened, but kept his expression neutral as his enemy continued, “We have all of our cannons, ammunition, and laser sensors directed right at your vessel, Ambassador Lihvan.Tread carefully.One wrong move and I will give the order.”
Lihvan glanced back at Vikan.His features were unreadable, except for the slight trembling of his hand.Lihvan knew it was not fear.It was rage.Vikan had always kept it tightly leashed, much like Lihvan.
Lihvan returned his gaze to the Jetutian.“What do you want as your leverage?”
Gribrak smiled.His sharp, jagged teeth were repulsive.“I will use you.”Lihvan gave no outward reaction.He knew any hint of it would please Gribrak to no end.“We will send a vessel to collect you, Ambassador, and ransom your return to your Prime Leader in exchange for thirtyvonnesof Luxirian crystals.”
Lihvan almost laughed.Thirtyvonnes?Impossible.Luxirians only possessed a fraction of that, since mining work had lessened in the past ten rotations.The Jetutians had always assumed that the Luxirians were drowning in crystals, one of the few natural resources that enabled long distance space travel, but that was simply not the case.However, Lihvan knew he bartered not only for the life of the warriors on board and the human females, but fortime.
It was a gamble, but one he would need to take.
“Twenty,” Lihvan returned.Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Vikan start, but he held out a hand behind him, telling his friend to still.“You will see none, however, if you harm this vessel.Our deal is held together by the safe return of my warriors to Luxiria and only then will our Prime Leader be notified.”
Gribrak pretended to consider, but Lihvan caught the gleam of eager greed in his eyes nonetheless.“We will send a transport to your vessel shortly.”
The stream cut off and Lihvan stared at the silver pad, gathering his thoughts, trying not to let hate and disgust overwhelm him.
“Ambassador?” the warrior asked, after a brief moment of pause.“Your orders?”
Loud enough for all the warriors present to hear, he said, “Secure the females and make sure they are safe.Getting them back to Luxiria is still our mission.”
“We should fight them,” another warrior said and Lihvan cut his gaze over to him.He was a younger warrior, fresh from military training, but he should still know better than to contradict a superior’s orders, especially Lihvan’s.“This is an opportunity for us to avenge our lost females!”
Lihvan’s gaze drilled into him so hard that he thought it might cause the warrior pain.“Are you challenging my authority?Did our Prime Leader give direct power to you that I, or Ambassador Vikan, do not know of?”The younger warrior paled, his jaw tightening when he realized that he’d misstepped.“No?Then keep your tongue inside your mouth before I loosen it from your skull,” Lihvan growled, feeling precious moments slip by with frustration.He felt his muscles bunching and swelling in response, but he managed to retain control.
Barely.
Another Com signaled another vessel and the warrior in front of it said, cutting through the thick silence, “A vessel just released from the main Jetutian bay.Approaching fast.”
Vikan strode over to Lihvan and his usually calm friend was tight with anger.Quietly, so the warriors wouldn’t overhear, he hissed, “Have you gone mad?The Jetutians are not to be trusted.When they realize that we hardly have fivevonnesof crystals, they will execute you.”
“I know,” Lihvan murmured lowly.
Vikan inhaled sharply.“Then why—”
