Star's Storm(29)

Jarmen had breathed a sigh of relief that Tai Tek had been called away. It would appear the elusive group of alien warriors he was trying to deal with wanted to meet with him and see what he had to offer in person. Jarmen could only hope they would take one look at the councilman and slit his throat but he didn’t hold too much hope for that simple of a solution. Still, this would give Jazin a day or two to recover before he was subjected to more torture. Jarmen had weakened several links on the chain to make it appear the links gave out from the weights attached and not through the help of someone. He did not want to give the bastard any more warning of the impending invasion than necessary. He opened the door to the Jazin’s prison cell, stepped in and shut it quietly behind him.

“Either an apparition with glowing amber eyes just walked into my cell or the Gods have sent me a savior,” a hoarse whisper sounded in the darkness.

Jarmen grinned and lifted the cloak from his head. His dark amber eyes glowed with an eerie light in the darkness. “Neither, my friend. Just a monster to keep you company.”

Jazin’s dry chuckle hurt so much he drew in a breath until the pain faded. “Don’t make me laugh, Jar. It hurts too damn much.”

Jarmen moved silently closer to where Jazin was sitting up against the back wall. He held out a small container of water and a power vitamin. He turned and sank down on the cold floor next to his friend. He didn’t say anything for several minutes while Jazin drank the water and took the small capsule.

“So, what’s the plan? How did you know where I was?” Jazin asked in a slightly stronger voice. “And do you have any more pain patches? I hurt so bad I can hardly think.”

Jarmen looked at the torn flesh on his friend’s shoulder and felt bad he couldn’t have sneaked a regen bed or something in. Instead, he pulled several patches out of his pocket and handed them to Jazin who placed one on his neck with a sigh of relief. Jarmen watched as the tension slowly ebbed out of Jazin’s face as the medicine took the edge off.

“I was contacted by a friend of yours. She told me that you lived and needed help,” Jar answered in a rusty voice.

Jazin’s head jerked up and he stared at his quiet friend intently. “Who?” He demanded in a harsh whisper.

“A female named Madas Tal Mod. She said she had a dream,” Jar said, handing Jazin an energy bar. “Eat. You will need your strength. She said she is bringing the fiercest warrior in Kassis to save you.”

“The fiercest warrior in Kassis?” Jazin said with a frown of confusion. “Torak or my father?”

“I do not know. She just said the fiercest warrior in Kassis. She said the Gods sent the warrior to help you,” Jarmen said resting his head back and looking around the ragged rocky surface. “My prison was bad but at least it had a cleansing room and bed,” he commented in reflection.

The energy bar hovered halfway to Jazin’s suddenly dry mouth. His throat closed as Jarmen’s words replayed in his mind over and over. The warrior sent by the Gods. The fiercest warrior in Kassis. Star.

His hand fell weakly to his side. “Stop them. Tell them to leave me here. Contact them and tell them whatever you have to but make sure they do…. not…. come…. here!” Jazin bit out savagely. “Now! Before it is too late.”

Jarmen turned to look at Jazin puzzled. “It is already too late. I have been monitoring the star ship we modified. They are not only on the surface of the planet, but at least three of them have disembarked from it. I do not know their location at this moment. They do not have a communications device activated.”

“Damn you,” Jazin cursed trying to stand weakly. “You have to find her. You have to stop her before she gets herself captured or killed.”

“Who?” Jarmen asked puzzled.

The huge Tearnat looked more than capable of protecting herself, Jarmen thought in confusion. He rose and grabbed hold of Jazin’s arm when he staggered drunkenly.

“Star!” Jazin hissed in frustration and fear. “My mate! Star is the warrior Madas was talking about, not my brother, father, or warriors. She is sending Star in. I’m going to kill that lizard if anything happens to my mate,” he vowed, shaking off Jarmen's hand as he tried to make his way to the door.

He had only walked a couple of steps before his legs gave out on him and he sank to his knees. His fists pounded weakly into the cold, hard floor in rage and helplessness. He couldn’t even walk much less fight, how was he supposed to stop his mate from trying to rescue him. It was a suicide mission.

“I will do what I can,” Jarmen said helping Jazin back up and gently settling him back against the wall.