Nikhil(87)

That's when all hell broke loose.

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Nikhil didn't bother to sit as the transport shot off the ground in a maneuver typically reserved for only dire combat conditions. His fingers tightened around the structural beam that was constructed from the strongest metal the universes had to offer, leaving deep depressions.

"Who?" Nikhil fired the question at his General and friend.

"I don't know," Treyvon responded angrily. "Or why. Defender! What have you got?"

"General, it's a Zaludian ship, heavily armed."

"How the fuck did it get past you?!!"

"They had all the proper codes and passwords, General, including a false visual projection that only dropped when they armed their weapons."

"Where are they attacking?" Treyvon demanded.

"The base, General."

"Return fire!" he ordered.

"They've already landed within the compound, General. If I fire now, I will destroy the base!"

"Fuck!" Treyvon turned to the pilot, "Get us there! Now!"

"Yes, General!" the pilot responded.

"Why would the Zaludians attack?" Gryf questioned over the roar of the engines. "We know they've been here now. It's not like they can resume mining."

"They want something." Treyvon's mind was racing, narrowing down all the possibilities and he didn't like the few that remained. He looked to Nikhil.

"Mackenzie," Nikhil said through stiff lips. "They had planned on selling her to a Pleasure House."

"True," Gryf said, "and while her uniqueness would have brought a high price, it doesn't warrant this level of attack."

"It might if she were breeding compatible with the Tornians," Treyvon told him quietly.

"What?!!" Nikhil moved toward Treyvon. "What are you saying?!!"

"The female, the one that was with Emperor Vasteri when he crashed, was similar in size and skin tone to your Mackenzie, Nikhil."

"She's human?" Nikhil asked.

"I don't know for sure. Vasteri stayed very close to her, and I only interacted with her for a short time. Vasteri claimed her as his Empress," Treyvon informed him.

"That still doesn't mean..." Gryf started.

"I've heard a rumor that she is with offspring," Treyvon said, "which means..."

"That the Tornians will be searching for more like her," Nikhil responded.

"Yes," Treyvon nodded.

"You think the Tornians are behind this?" Gryf questioned in obvious disbelief.

"No. The Tornians are an honorable race. If they were going to attack, they would attack, not send Zaludians. But that doesn't mean the Zaludians don't see an opportunity here. If Mackenzie was truly breeding compatible with the Tornians then..."

"Then she would be the most valuable female in the universe and there are those in the Tornian Empire that would pay whatever was asked to obtain her," Nikhil finished through clenched teeth.

"Yes," Treyvon agreed.

"How long ago did you hear this rumor about the Empress?" Nikhil demanded.

"Right before we discovered the humans."

"And you didn't tell me?!!" Nikhil growled threateningly, his hands fisting. "When you learned Mackenzie was my True Mate and that there might be a threat against her?"

"There was no threat. It hasn't been confirmed yet that the Empress is with offspring or even that she is human! Nikhil! Do you really think I would knowingly allow harm to come to the first True Mate the Kaliszian Empire has seen in over five-hundred years, let alone yours?!!"

Nikhil knew Treyvon; he was an honorable male that Nikhil had always admired and felt fortunate to call him friend. He was also loyal to his warriors and people, always putting them before his own needs. He would never knowingly allow Nikhil's Ashe to be harmed. He forced himself to calm. "No. You of all males would never allow a female to be harmed."

"We won't let them take her, Nikhil," Treyvon told him. "She is yours."

"She is," Nikhil agreed, reaching up to touch the empty braid that had once held his Ashe and True Mate beads. Goddess, how he wished he wore Mackenzie's so he would know if she were okay."

"The base is in sight, General," the pilot informed them, and all eyes looked on in horror at the smoke and flames that were rising from the survivors’ area.

"Goddess," Gryf whispered."

"Battle Stations!" Treyvon ordered.

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

The first explosion knocked Mac off her feet as she crossed the room to talk to Onp and Nroa. The second had her curling up into a ball, trying to protect herself from all the flying debris as the outer wall of the room was blown out.