Star's Storm(26)
“No,” Armet said harshly looking at the little human female in frustration even though he knew she was right. “I promised I would keep you safe.”
“And you will,” Star interrupted, leaning forward to place her hand on top of his. “By getting us out of there safely. I can do this. You’ve been working with me and I have a few tricks up my sleeve. Please, Armet,” she whispered looking into his eyes with determination. “I can’t lose him. I love him and I can’t lose him, not again.”
The muscle ticked in Armet’s jaw as he stared into Star’s bright, light blue ones. His eyes moved to Dakar who was sitting back with a grim expression on his face as well. Their eyes collided with the unspoken message that neither liked the plan but they both accepted it was the only way. His eyes finally traveled to the huge female Tearnat who was sitting back with a smug look on her face and a twinkle in her eye. If he didn’t know better, he would swear she knew something that neither he nor Dakar were aware of and that just made the muscle tick faster.
“I want to go over some strategies with you before we drop your ass off,” Armet said in a low, gruff voice. “You better not get yourself captured or killed. I swear, if anything happens to you I will personally take that damn place apart stone by stone. You are just too damn small and delicate to be doing this,” he added under his breath.
Star squeezed the hand she was still holding. “I may be small and I may not be as strong as a Tearnat female, or even a Kassisan one, but I have a strength built on love and determination to bring my mate home. I won’t fail and I won’t die. I have too much to live for,” she declared in a quiet, passionate voice. “Believe in me.”
“I do,” Madas said reaching out and laying her slender, green hand on top of Star and Armet's hands.
“Oh Gods,” Dakar muttered in a dark voice before laying his hand on top of Madas’ hand. “I do too. It is so crazy it just might work,” he said with a disbelieving chuckle as he watched the image of the fortress circle slowly in the center of the table.
Chapter 9
Star and Madas giggled like a couple of high school girls at a classic car show with their boyfriends as they listened to Dakar and Armet oohing and awing about all the modifications to the star ship. One of the defense system upgrades to it was the ability to deflect any type of radar from detecting it. The second upgrade was the new engine design. Jazin was able to develop an engine that was not only more powerful but also did not release a heat signature. This made it virtually impossible to detect and track. The last upgrade was the most important as it would give them the advantage they would need when Armet came in hot and fast – it had a cloaking device.
“Guys aren’t much different when it comes to their toys,” Star said as she watched the two men talking excitedly as they discovered another feature they had missed earlier when they were exploring.
“Gril is the same,” Madas replied with a shake of her head. “He understands the things he can touch, not the things he cannot,” she added softly. “I miss him. I am not used to being away from him for this long.”
Star reached over and touched her friend’s hand. “Is he going to be upset with you?” She asked, biting her lip in guilt.
Madas chuckled and looked at Star with a mischievous look in her eyes. “I hope so. I like it when he is upset.”
Star’s eyes widened at her friend’s innuendo and she blushed, drawing another chuckle from Madas. “I never thanked you for giving me hope,” Star murmured as tears formed in her eyes.
If Madas hadn’t come to her, she would have never known what had truly happened to Jazin. He would have been left to die at the hands of Tai Tek and no one would have been any of the wiser. He might still die but Star refused to believe that she could come so close to finding him and he not survive. He had to be alive. She touched her chest, feeling the steady beating of her heart and drew strength from the thought that it still beat because his did as well.
“It was the Gods who gave you the guidance that you needed. I am merely their messenger. Plus, I was ready for an adventure. It is not fair that Gril gets to have all the excitement. It will do him well to remember that I am a warrior as well. Your mate will learn that about you too, little warrior. You were right when you said you might be smaller and more delicate but you have a strength inside you that one does not often see, even in the biggest, fiercest warrior. Your heart will guide you in your journey,” Madas stated confidently. “I consider myself fortunate to call you my friend and to stand beside you in battle.”