Zahra smiled as she clapped a hand against his back. "I know you've got my back."
As she walked over to the aliens, fear prickled over her skin. She'd seen them fight this day, both in close combat and in long distance shooting. They knew how to handle those plasma spears of theirs. She figured only a fool wouldn't be scared of them. Now that the Sri’thaens were dead, they might very well come after her and her men.
Stopping before them but keeping a slight distance, Zahra kept her hands by her sides. Without knowing their culture, she figured less movement was better. She didn't wish to insult them on accident. She’d heard of some first contact encounters that had ended in bloodshed to do seemingly innocent gestures. She’d get her men off this planet alive and back to their families.
"Thank you for your assistance today.” Zahra met what she assumed was the leader's glowing blue eyes. "If it's not too much more to ask, would you happen to have a ship that could bring us back to our people?" She had no idea if they understood her or not, but the more they spoke, the better chance her implanted translator would be able to learn their language. Their plasma weapons gave her hope they’d have a space faring ship.
"I am Khaazai.” The lead alien said as he smacked a closed fist against his chest, his eyes closing briefly. "We will bring you back to your people."
Zahra smiled as relief swam through her. The translator worked with their language, and she didn’t have to wait for it to slowly translate. This would make their conversations much easier.
"Are these the last of your crew?" Khaazai asked as his eyes glanced over her shoulder and skimmed over the dismal scene. Then his glowing blue eyes focused back on her.
"Just me and a handful of my crew." She confirmed. "We don't need to be taken far. I know of an outpost on an asteroid. Maybe a day's journey from here depending on the speed of your vessel. I know my people would compensate you for your assistance as well.”
"Gather your people and anything you want to bring. Then we will lead you to our ship."
When Zahra turned to leave and give the good news to her people, Khaazai growled, "But you must leave your weapons here. They will not be permitted onboard my ship."
Zahra inclined her head and headed over to where her people waited anxiously for whatever news she’d bring.
"What do they want?" Logan asked almost immediately, his young eyes sparking with renewed energy.
"They don't want anything.'' Zahra understood the aliens looked intimidating, but they’d assisted them and now offered to get them off this dwarf planet. "They've agreed to take us to a nearby outpost."
Logan nodded, relief flooding his eyes. "I'm ready to get off this damn planet.” He holstered his plasma pistol.
"But their only condition is that we refrain from bringing any weapons." Zahra met each of her crewmates’ eyes.
"You agreed?" Logan’s eyes widened.
"Unless you'd like to wait here for a rescue?" Zahra arched an eyebrow. "I know I won't stick around. I'm ready to get back to our people. To food. To a bed. We can always send a retrieval crew to come back and gather what we leave."
The crew left nodded the moment she uttered the word food. They only had rations and although they kept a person alive, rations weren't the best. Like nutritional sawdust being held together with animal fat. She could go for a hot meal. Roast chicken. Maybe even something more exotic like,vosha. It was similar to a beef stew, but no beef was used. It was some sort of beast from another planet.
"You can stay, Logan.” Zahra shrugged, giving him a dose of tough love. “I'm getting off this planet though. Anyone who wants to join me will leave all weapons here. That’s an order."
Everyone, including Logan, disarmed, dropping their weapons to the ground, and then followed her as she led the way to their saviors.
The one called Khaazai led the entire group as the black aliens surrounded them and led them to a sleek black triangular shuttle. Something about it screamed stealth, and Zahra wondered how long these aliens had been watching the firefight. As they entered the shuttle, Zahra spotted several more of the aliens waiting inside.
Khaazai took a seat beside her, stashing his plasma spear into a holster along the shuttle wall, clicking into place.
"Impressive weapons." Zahra commented as she looked over at Khaazai. She found it hard to keep her eyes from him. She’d argue with anyone that his species might actually be the most intimidating she’d seen so far. Far scarier than any Vrak’rir she’d seen to date.
"They are our preferred weapon." His electric blue eyes skimmed over her briefly before refocusing on the inside of the shuttle as people got themselves situated.
Short. Sweet. To the point. Zahra could take a hint. There wouldn't be much chitty chat between them. Fine by her. Their assistance was generous enough. She wouldn’t demand anything more.
Once everyone onboard seated themselves, the shuttle took off, smooth and effortlessly. It zipped into the atmosphere, and then they broke into space without a single shudder. Zahra wondered if these aliens had witnessed the Sri’thaens pop out of nowhere, shooting down her ship. She wondered how they'd chosen a side. Maybe she shouldn’t think too much on it. Could have easily been the Sri’thaens receiving aide today instead of her people.
She watched the view screen as they zipped around a tiny moon only to have her jaw drop at a larger version of the alien’s shuttle looming ahead of them in the distance. Yeah. If these aliens joined with Earth and the Kellians they might just put this war to an end. Then again, maybe not. There'd been some not so favorable attacks by Earth on the Sri’thaens after the first Sri’thaen attack. Civilian outposts. Zahra believed the aggression had been uncalled for. There’d been no soldiers and no war facilities on that outpost. Not humanities finest moment.
"I had no idea they were here when we dropped out of subspace." Logan whispered on her other side referring to the ship that was only growing larger on their viewscreen.
"We were a bit preoccupied.” Zahra commented.
"True." He whispered back.
