Star's Storm(38)

The door leading from the tower opened suddenly. Jarmen immediately went into defense mode, turning so his body was between the door and the female in his arms. He raised his arm, several beams of light focused on the center of Madas and Dakar’s chests as his head turned toward them. The male thrust the female Tearnat he met on outer edges behind him and raised his own weapon.

“You the informant?” Dakar asked harshly.

“You the rescue party?” Jarmen asked briefly in return.

Dakar kept his weapon aimed at Jarmen but raised his other hand, palm out in greeting. “Yes. Now, let go of Lady Star or I’ll blow your head off,” he gritted out.

Madas chuckle behind him, pulling Dakar’s attention away for a brief moment. It was long enough for Jarmen to assess the protective tone the male had for both females. Jarmen reluctantly released the tiny female in his arms and stepped back. He was surprised that this was the first time he really looked around the room. He had been so fascinated by the tiny female he had not even assessed the room. He quickly counted ten unconscious forms. Frowning, he looked at the female again trying to understand how she could have taken out so many warriors at one time.

“What is this?” Jarmen asked, gently touching the woven mask covering the lower half of Star’s face.

“A plant fiber mask that Madas made for me. It protects me from the knock-out bombs she gave me,” she replied pulling the mask down.

Jarmen breathed in deeply. He could faintly pick up the residue from the plant pollen in the air. He shook his head as a slight wave of dizziness threatened him. He would need to analyze it more in-depth when he returned to his home. For now, they needed to hurry. It was late so many of the guards were sleeping but that would not last long once someone tried to use the communications system and realized it no longer worked.

“We must hurry before they become aware that something is wrong,” Jarmen said. “I will take you to Jazin. Dakar and I will carry him out. Are you capable of defending us should the need arise?” He asked, looking first at Star then at Madas.

Both women looked at him with a raised eyebrow. He wasn’t sure what that meant but hoped it was a yes. He was about to turn away when he froze. An incoming message was being transmitted. Tai Tek had returned and he wasn’t alone.

Jarmen turned his head and looked at the three warriors standing near him. “It is too late. Tai Tek has returned. I will detain him and his men as long as possible while you rescue Jazin. Go to the end of this corridor, down two levels, turn left for the next two turns then three rights and down another level. He is in the fifth cell. I will return if I can. Hurry, Tai Tek has brought additional warriors with him.”

Star watched wide-eyed as the man with the glowing amber eyes disappeared through the door and down the opposite way he told them to go. She started when Madas gripped her arm and started pulling her out the door and down toward the stairs at the end of the corridor. Her heart began beating as adrenaline kicked in. Dakar followed closely behind them.

“How will we carry Jazin if he can’t walk?” Star asked as they hurried down the stairs.

“I have something that will help,” Dakar muttered behind her. “Don’t worry, we will get him out of here.”





Chapter 12


Ajaska stared at the information coming in. There were almost a dozen Elpidios warships in orbit around the small planet. With the nine Kassisan warships and the three Tearnat warships that were just coming into orbit they were evenly matched in number. The biggest difference was the technology. The Kassisan warships were superior while the Tearnat and Elpidios were evenly matched in not only technology but in their viciousness in fighting. Ajaska had only had the privilege of meeting a Elpidios warrior once before. Actually, it was three Elpidios warriors and he was lucky to have survived the incident. He rubbed the back of his neck and glanced at his oldest son in discomfort. He had never mentioned the encounter simply because he could barely remember most of it. He had been very drunk at the time and had been much younger. All he could really remember was he barely made it out with his life and a massive hangover the next morning.

“Sir, we are being hailed,” the ensign at the communications console called out breaking into his thoughts.

“Open communications,” Ajaska said standing up straight and clasped his hands behind his back with a silent prayer to the Gods.

The Gods were obviously not listening at the moment, he thought in resignation when he recognized the face in the center of the view screen.

He winced as the face that appeared in front of him turned dark as surprise and something else flashed across it. He wasn't the only one who remembered a little more about that night so many years ago. A sigh was wrenched from deep down as he studied the face he had hoped to never see again. It was a little older like him but he would never forget it.