Viper's Hope (Anguis Defenders Book 1)(70)

Unfortunately once they were sure no one survived on Earth, the allies would be forced to radiate the planet's surface. Hope had been despondent when he broke the news to her. She had cried in his arms but had nodded her head in painful acceptance. Viper was still amazed at how understanding Hope could be even when face with an awful fate.

Viper did not feel guilty about slaughtering the humanoid Morbo. They'd discovered that the scourge was indeed nothing more than a large expression of a virus. Their only instinct being survival. Only in association with other Morbo did they seem to form a sentience that really only amounted to organized swarms of cells. They were a plague upon the universe.

It angered Viper as he focused on the horde of protesters. The mob had no clue that it would take a unified populace, regardless of species, to keep the Morbo at bay. Not to mention other deadly threats that might lurk in the universe yet undiscovered.

Viper grabbed his comm-unit and tapped into the projection system on the vehicle his mercenaries brought to help contain the agitated mob.

"Anguis!" Viper spoke and heard his voice reverberate among the crowd. "I understand your concern and acknowledge your right to express your opinion, but your aggression towards the humans has earned you naught. They have as much right to survival as you or I. Where would we be today if we didn't have our allies?" Viper entreated them with logic."The loss of another species would be a tragedy, you are well aware."

"Find another colony for them!" Someone shouted.

"Your mating is an insult to Kadru." Another cried out.

The insult instantly angered Viper. It was understandable if the people worried about their own well being, but just outright prejudice was an affront to him and his subeo. To slight one's mate was an outrage, an unforgivable offense.

Viper refused to let the insult pass. He stormed into the crowd and growled down at the foolish male.

These people questioned his mating. The way they did it so openly also proved they questioned his honor, strength and dominance. He was the Prognatus! His clan ruled because they were the strongest. Today this rabble would be reminded of that fact and repercussions would be swift.

Viper knocked the offender off his feet.

"Never insult my subeo, your Uxorem!" Viper roared at the male.

Suddenly chaos broke loose.

Ophidian was instantly at Viper's side. They easily fended off the press of angry bodies. Fists weren't directed just at Viper and his mercenaries but also among the crowd themselves. It seemed they didn't even agree with each other. Foolish mob mentality!

"The mercenaries are bringing in the calming gas, let's get back to the perimeter." Ophidian shouted to Viper over the din.

"This degraded fast no thanks to me." Viper frowned.

He probably shouldn't have charged in snarling. But the crowd had been spoiling for a fight. It was unheard of to insult a male's mate, especially to his face. If he did not cement the fact that he wouldn't stand for such behavior it would continue.

Viper pictured Hope's and just the brief thought of someone hurting her in any way wrecked him.

It was that distraction that caused Viper to miss the flash of a knife. Viper deflected left but his fool of a first Imperator, Ophidian, played hero and stepped where he shouldn't.

Viper watched in horrific slow motion as the blade sunk into Ophidian's chest. Lightning fast Viper reached out, grabbed the offending male's head and twisted till he heard a sickening crunch.

Ophidian stumbled and Viper caught him. He didn't know how he hefted his friend at the same time as he forced his way through the violent throng, but he managed to reach the edge of the crowd without suffering any further injury. A medic was by his side almost instantly. Viper was relieved someone had called them in.

"The Evac vehicle is over here Prognatus."

Viper lowered his friend into the vehicle then hopped in. As the medic joined him, Viper hazard a glance down. Blood pumped from the wound in the center of Ophidian's chest. The knife was embedded nearly to the hilt. Ophidian already looked so pale.

"Hold on brother were almost to the infirmary." Viper demanded trying not to choke on the words.

The instant they arrived Viper was separated from his friend as the physicians raced to get Ophidian into a surgical unit.

"Shit I hope we made in time." Viper ran a bloody hand over his face.

He'd seen injuries like this before, it wasn't good.

"I want the cryo-freeze prepared if surgery fails!" Viper barked at one of the technicians.

He prayed it wouldn't be necessary. The cryo-unit would be a last ditch effort to save Ophidian for a future when someone might be able to fix his injury. It was an honor only extended to the greatest of Anguis citizens. Viper's friend would be dead to him, but Ophidian might live on one day. Viper hoped it wouldn't come to that as he tugged at his hair in frustration, feeling helpless.