∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Nikhil had his blaster drawn as he made his way through the mine, the confines of the walls making it impossible for him to use his sword. So far they'd discovered nothing but empty caves. Stepping in to search the next one, he felt his heart start to pound as he recognized it from Mackenzie's description. This cave was where the Zaludians had kept his True Mate. This was where she'd had to learn to survive with males that, while they had protected her to a point when it came right down to it, they had let her go.
He moved to the back of the cave searching for the crevice she said she'd used to hide in. Finding it, he could understand why the Zaludians had never found her. From the front, it looked like any other wall. It wasn't until you got right up next to it that you saw the narrow opening. How had his Mackenzie managed to fit in there? Nikhil tried and couldn't even get one leg in.
"Find something, Squad Leader?"
Nikhil turned to find Treyvon standing at the cave's entrance. "No, General, just checking something." Nikhil moved toward the entrance. "This area is clear."
"This is where the humans were kept," Treyvon told him.
"I know."
"How? I didn't think you made it this deep into the mine."
"I didn't. Mackenzie described it to me." The sound of the General's comm beeping stopped Nikhil from saying more.
"Rayner."
"We found it General," Gryf's voice came over the comm.
"Where?" Treyvon demanded.
"In the main Zaludian cave,” Gryf told him tensely. “You're going to want to see this."
"On my way."
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Treyvon watched as Gryf connected their interface device to the Zaludian computer sending the transmissions. They'd found no one in the mine and no evidence that anyone had been there since they'd left. All the seals and alarms were still intact and armed.
"Was it preprogrammed, Gryf?" Treyvon asked.
"No. This unit received a signal yesterday telling it to start transmitting that signal. It was also instructed not to try to hide or encode the transmission."
"They wanted us to discover it," Treyvon said thoughtfully, looking at the unit.
"I believe so," Gryf agreed.
"Why? For what purpose? It wasn't a trap," Treyvon looked around the room, "there's no one here." Treyvon's comm went off again. "Rayner!"
"General, this is Warrior Gulzar."
"What is it, Gulzar?" Treyvon asked impatiently, his mind on other things.
"General, I wanted to inform you that the resupply ship is on its final approach."
"What? Why would you contact me about that?" Treyvon demanded.
"I... General, you ordered that you be informed immediately of all ships coming near Pontus."
"Yes, but..." Treyvon trailed off and began to frown. He'd just talked to Darzi the Captain of the Fenton, last night. Darzi was an old friend and had contacted him to let him know they'd gotten delayed leaving Crurn and would be late arriving. That wasn't the Fenton approaching! "Notify the Defender and put the base on high alert!"
"General?" Gulzar questioned.
"That's not the Fenton! Get everyone notified. Now!" As Treyvon gave the order, he heard the first explosion come over the comm. "Gulzar!" When all he received was static, he snapped his comm closed. "Fuck! I want everyone back to the transports! Now!"
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Mac couldn't help but smile as one by one the guys allowed Paul to shave and cut their hair. It was amazing to see the difference it made in them. Each one came out standing a little straighter, their shoulders thrown back a little farther. They were rediscovering who they once were.
"They look good, don't they?" Mac said smiling at Jen.
"They do, but..."
"But what?" Mac asked.
"Why are those Kaliszians staring at them like they have two heads?"
"What?" Mac's eyes flew to where Onp and Nroa were standing by the doors and saw Jen wasn't wrong. The Kaliszians were staring at the guys with such a look of shock and horror that she almost laughed. She needed to explain to them what was happening and why.
"For a Kaliszian, the ultimate punishment is to have their hair cut off. It removes their Suja beads, removing their identity. It is reserved for only the most abhorrent of offenses."
"Really?"
"Yeah. You should have seen Nikhil's reaction when I first got here and commented that mine was such a mess that I should just cut it."
"Not good I take it."
"No. Not good at all. I'd better explain to Onp and Nroa that this is normal for humans. That the guys aren't being punished for something." Giving Jen's arm a squeeze, she rose and crossed the room.