Looking back at River through narrowed eyes, Torak nodded. “We will give you safe passage home. Release us.”
River backed several paces away from him before turning and nodding to Star as she moved past her. “Jo, on my mark.”
Torak growled softly when he saw River move silently down the darkened corridor out of his sight. He strained against his restraints trying to control the fury building in him. How dare she disobey him! Jazin’s growl was louder and his eyes flashed as Star moved away from him. He fought against his restraints trying to watch where she went.
“Now.” Came a soft call just before the female named Jo hit the release button on their restraints.
Before they knew what was happening she was running on silent feet down the darkened corridor where River and Star had disappeared. Jazin growled as he spun and raced down the corridor after the females. He slid to a stop as he watched Jo’s feet disappearing through the vent opening. Torak was right on his heels growling up at River.
River leaned over the opening staying far enough back the men below couldn’t grab her. “We’ll meet you in the shuttle bay in forty-five minutes if all goes well. If one or more of us aren’t there by the time you are ready to leave go anyway. There is no sense in taking the risk of all of us getting caught.”
“You will come down here now. You will stay with us where we can protect you.” Torak snarled up at River.
Torak wanted to wring the female’s neck. She had no idea how much danger she was in. She was a female, not a warrior. It was his men and his responsibility to protect them, not the other way around. He couldn’t wait to get his hands on her once they were safe. He would teach her who was in charge.
River raised her eyebrow, “In case you forgot, we just rescued your butts. We have some things to do to slow the ugly green dudes down a little. You can fly one of those spaceships, can’t you?”
“Of course we can. You need to stay with us so we can protect you.” Jazin insisted looking up at Star who had bent over to peek down on them. Star blushed a bright red as she saw him looking up at her so intently and pulled back into the vent earning a deep growl from Jazin.
“There are some weapons in cell block three under the bed. Now hurry. I don’t know how long we’ve got before they find out we killed their friends. Remember, forty-five minutes.” River slid the grill back over the cover and took off running for the engine room ignoring the snarling demand for her to come back.
Torak was furious. Never had a female disobeyed one of his commands. Hell, none of his men disobeyed a direct command. He looked at his men fiercely before taking a deep breath. “Let’s go. We get the weapons then head for the shuttle bay. Jazin, see if you can get a communications link open to Manota. I want him here now!”
Jazin could barely contain his own fury. The female named Star was too small, too delicate, to female to be doing something as dangerous as killing Tearnats. He moved to the console and quickly hacked through the computer system to their main communication console sending out a beacon for their warship. Setting it to send out a continuous signal, he followed the others to get the weapons the females had told them about.
River set the charges for the explosives to go off in five minutes. She would have to hurry to get far enough away so she wouldn’t be caught in the blast. She had set different charges up high so the top railing would collapse on the equipment below. She said a silent thank you to Bombing Bill for all his lessons on fireworks and explosives. Bombing Bill had set up and managed all the firework displays for the circus including the special effects during performances. He had worked for years as a special effects artist in Hollywood before joining the circus. He had always been patient showing River, Jo, and Star how to create fuses and stuff that frightened the daylights out of their parents. It hadn’t stopped them from sneaking into his tent in between performances or on holidays to watch and sometimes help him build some of his displays.
Sliding back into the vent with the fuse, she lit it and took off at a run. She figured she had to get up two levels before the explosions began if she wanted to get clear of the automatic doors shutting off access. She had discovered during her trips through the vents there were several hatches that would close off the vents in case of fire. She had to get above the ones that would close when the engine room caught fire. She was almost to the second level when she felt the ship shudder and a loud explosion sounded behind her. Breathing fast, she climbed the rings as fast as she could. She had to get out of the upward vent or it would shut her in. She could already smell the smoke from the fire that had started.