River's Run(12)

Jo and Star had appeared on time at the shuttle bay, River had not. By the time Jo and Star had reached the shuttle bay the Galaxy Quest had made an appearance. What had surprised Torak the most was Manota was not the only one to board the ship. Gril Tal Mod, Supreme Leader of the Tearnats and father to Trolis, had also boarded. He had been waiting to meet with the chancellor to express his concern over his second son’s decision to continue the war against the Alliance. When the distress signal had been received he and his men had insisted on joining Manota. Gril Tal Mod had been furious at the audacity of his son to so openingly defy his orders to return to their home world.



Over the past two hours they had captured the members of the crew still alive, including a very angry Trolis. Torak and his men had dispatched with quite a few of the Tearnats on their fight to the shuttle bay. What concerned Torak now was there was still no sign of River. Jo and Star had finally been convinced they would be more comfortable on board the Galaxy Quest but only after he had promised them he would find River, no matter what and let them know. Jazin had insisted he escort the sisters back to the warship.



“Keep searching. I want the female found.” Torak said tensely. He refused to accept she had been killed.



River stood just inside the narrow passage between the crates waiting for the huge creatures to move off. She would try to work her way around the shuttle bay to see if she could find the prisoners they were holding. Just as she was about to make a move to another strand of crates she heard a familiar voice.



“Torak?” River called out softly.



Torak swirled around when he heard his name spoken softly. Running his eyes around the crates near him he paused to listen carefully. “River?” He called out.



River shook with fear. Torak was standing out in the open with the other creatures but he didn’t seem to be worried about them. He had been walking around calmly with one of the other men from the cell block. Moving cautiously out of the shadows between the two crates, River kept her swords drawn in front of her in a defensive stance.



Torak drew in a breath when he saw her soot streaked face and the obvious evidence of dried tears. He had never felt as overwhelmingly protective of another being as he did right then. Striding towards her Torak paused in front of her staring down into her dark blue eyes.



“You had us worried, little one.” Torak said softly not missing a single detail as he studied her. He could see the exhaustion in her eyes. “Sheath your swords we have control of the ship.”



River looked at him a moment more before letting her eyes roam around the shuttle bay. She was still standing near the crates in case she had to make a break for it still not trusting what her eyes were seeing.



Looking up at Torak with uncertainty, she asked softly, “Jo, Star?”



“They are safe. Jazin has taken them to my warship. I promised I would notify them as soon as you were found.” Torak replied waiting to see how River handled the information. He could tell she was ready to flee.



Looking at the huge Tearnat she had heard talking she nodded toward where he was standing watching her and Torak. “Who is that? Isn’t he like the others?”



“That is Gril Tal Mod. He is the Supreme Leader of the Tearnats and a member of the Alliance council. He and his men were aboard my warship waiting to meet with the chancellor. He will take control of this ship and its prisoners.” Torak answered. He could see the distrust flash through River’s eyes before she nodded slowly lowering her swords to her side.



“Lord Torak, would you introduce me to the female?” Gril Tal Mod asked behind Torak.



Gril Tal Mod had been startled when he had seen the female come out from between the crates. He had met the other two females, apologizing for their capture by one of his people when they had told him how they had come to be on the ship. He had enjoyed the brief talk he had had with the two of them before Torak’s brother, Jazin, had become overly protective and insisted on taking them to the other warship. This one though was totally captivating. He had listened as one of the men from Torak’s group had explained how a blue-eyed female had killed three of the Tearnats’ most feared warriors. Progit had been known for his cruelty. The fact this small, delicate creature had slain him defied all reason.



Torak turned as River tensed, openingly staring at the huge Tearnat in front of her, “Gril Tal Mod may I present Lady River.” He said with a slight bow.



River stared at the huge creature before slowly taking a hesitant step forward. She bowed her head slightly before replying, “Sir.”