Page 69

His body shook, and slime dripped off him. “Agreed. I won’t give you any trouble.”

“And give up your idea of using Humans as slaves. As I’ve demonstrated, we’re way too much trouble. Imagine if you had an army of Human slaves and we rioted? You’d be destroyed. We’d have so much fun yanking off these slimy limbs and beating you with them.”

“I’ll be reconsidering our use of your kind,” Ambassador Ulut said. “You’re a new alien to us. These experiments were to determine your viability as—”

“Enough bullshit. No Human slave armies. No any alien slave armies. Do your own hard labor. You got that?”

The ambassador quivered again. “You drive a hard bargain, Human. No slave army.”

She had no clue if this jerk would stick to his word. As soon as she could, she’d report back to High Command, so they would know about the Inkral expansion plans. If nothing else, she could get them tied up in bureaucracy, so their scheme for an enormous slave army would be stopped.

Her gut twisted. High Command was a problem. They considered her trouble. But they’d have to believe her about this. There’d be no reason for her to lie.

“Help me with Rexx,” she said. “Get him up. Keep him on his feet.”

“I am not yours to command,” Ambassador Ulut said.

Daisy grabbed the gun from the holster of the dead Gente. She raised it at the ambassador. “Do it.”

Ambassador Ulut grumbled as he wrapped a thick, muscular tentacle under Rexx’s arms.

Rexx staggered to his feet, groaning as he held onto the leaking wounds on his abdomen.

“We’re almost out of here,” Daisy said. “Not far to go.”

“The Gente will kill you for this,” Ambassador Ulut said.

“Not while I have you as my prize,” Daisy said. “They value your money too much to risk shooting at me and putting a bullet in those sludgy innards. Now, move. Head to the docking ramp.”

She walked behind the ambassador and Rexx, keeping the gun trained on the slimy little twerp in case he did something dumb like call for help. She’d have no problem killing him.

It was slow going, though. Rexx was struggling to stay on his feet and was still leaving a trail of blood.

Worry ate away at Daisy as they edged closer to freedom. There’d be doctors on Laire. This was an advanced civilization, and they welcomed travelers. It was a tourism planet, known for its thermal springs and warm suns. They’d get help. She was certain of it.

Two Gente guards appeared in front of them. She blasted two shots, taking them out.

Ambassador Ulut yelped and ducked, dropping his hold on Rexx.

“Do that again and you get a bullet in your head. Pick up Rexx. Keep moving.” Daisy rested a hand on Rexx’s shoulder. “You still with me?”

“I’m good. Although the fishy smell from this guy is churning my stomach.”

“The ambassador’s tentacles are the only things keeping you upright,” Daisy said. “Hold your breath.”

It took ten minutes of slow walking before they reached the docking ramp.

Daisy wrapped an arm around Rexx’s waist, being careful not to touch his injuries. “Get the ramp unlocked,” she said to the ambassador.

“You won’t get far. I’ll have my guards after you. You’ll be back on the examination table before you know it.”

“Stop talking and start punching in numbers.” Daisy clutched Rexx. He was icy cold, and shivers racked his body. He leaned heavily against her, his breathing shallow.

Her heart beat out an erratic rhythm. She couldn’t lose Rexx. They were so close to getting free.

One problem at a time. First, they get off the ship, then they find someone to treat his injuries. Easy.

The docking ramp slid open. Ambassador Ulut hurried out of the way as Daisy staggered down the ramp with Rexx.