Page 64

A Galaxar lifted his head, the muscles bunching in his neck. “What do you know of this?”

Loka raised a hand to his horn. “Enough to believe that a disruptive code has been inserted into the station’s system. It’s influencing the cyborgs and forcing them to take us captive and separate the humans.”

“They haven’t gone rogue?” A blue-skinned Draxdan stood from the floor. One eye was closed and puffy from where he’d been beaten.

“That’s correct. They’re simply following orders,” Loka said. “It’s not the cyborgs that are the problem. It’s the Banti and the Vincole working together to control things.”

“Banti and Vincole! You’re telling me they’re behind this?” A Galaxar slammed his fist against the cell wall. “Never trust a Banti. They cheat and lie.”

“And they eat humans,” a Koob said. “But Vincoles?”

“They’re tech smart and sell their own mothers if it gets them what they want,” the Galaxar said.

Loka nodded, sensing a change in interest. “If we get past the cyborgs and reach the aliens controlling this, we can stop them. We’ve identified the rogue code they’ve implanted in the system. We need to remove it. Then order will be restored.”

“Sounds simple,” the Retar muttered. “How are you planning to do that without getting your head stamped on again?”

Loka touched the swelling on the side of his head. “With your help.”

Several aliens grumbled under their breaths. Most didn’t look enthusiastic.

A Koob nodded at Loka and smiled encouragingly. “Tell us your plan.”

“The cyborgs are bringing new aliens into the cell every half an hour,” Loka said. “If we time it correctly, we can be ready for their next visit.”

“Jump the cyborgs. That’s your genius plan?” The Retar rolled his shoulders and slumped against the wall. “I thought Picars were smart. You look like you’ve gone a few rounds with the cyborgs already. You didn’t beat them that time.”

Loka frowned. “I was not prepared. We were outnumbered.”

“It looks like you did no better in your own fight,” Hoan said to the Retar.

The Retar looked away, his shoulders slumped further, and his elbows rested on his knees. “We can’t beat the cyborgs.”

“Ignore our pessimistic friend,” the Koob sitting on the floor said. “This could work.”

“Every enemy has a weakness,” Loka said.

“What would you know about that?” the Galaxar who’d slammed a fist into the wall asked. “I recognize you. You’re the science expert mapping this galaxy. You spend your time staring down a microscope. You’re not a fighter.”

Loka stood up straight. “I am when I have something to fight for.”

“I overheard you earlier, talking about Heather.” The Koob sitting by the door stood and moved closer. “If you mean Heather Roberts, I know her. She works at My Single Alien.”

Loka nodded. “That’s right.”

“Hold on. You’re talking about that Heather?” The Galaxar also stood and walked over. He held one arm carefully against his chest.

“You also know her?”

“Sure. Heather’s great.”

Jealousy shredded through Loka. “I agree.”

The Galaxar relaxed and smiled. “Not like that. She’s a cute little human, not fiery enough for me, but smart and funny.”

Loka didn’t find that at all reassuring. Did he have a rival in this Galaxar?

The Koob smiled. “I’m Aho. I run the station’s general store. Heather is a great customer and a nice human. She always buys from any new range of candy when I have it in store.”