It was long past time she took the bull by the horns.
“Can’t we call the planet full of demons or something?” Riley asked.
“I sent a distress signal, but it won’t reach them in time.”
“Just great.” Riley hugged herself.
“No, it’s not great,” Exo replied.
“That was sarcasm.”
The sound at the door made Riley jump. The doors rattled again, and she nearly collapsed.
“The scaly bastards are trying to break in. I hope you’re done.” Riley had a hard time speaking over the lump in her throat.
“I am.” Exo pointed his gun at the doors.
He fired when the door cracked open. Exo’s aim was dead on, but you can’t hit someone who’s not there. Riley frowned in confusion, wondering what the scaly creatures were up to. She coughed when a noxious smell greeted her.
“I need to vent,” Exo choked, then collapsed before he finished his sentence.
Sweet mother of god, Riley cried out silently, as she slumped to the floor.
She fought to stay conscious. Being knocked out, was really starting to get old. But no amount of struggle held back the encroaching darkness. As her mind drifted into oblivion, Riley wondered where she’d wake up next, if she woke up at all.
Cyprian de Praefectus
Cyprian crouched on the tarmac, aimed, then fired at Ashtoret, his friend, and fellow warrior. The general’s shot intentionally went wide, but it looked good for any of the smugglers that happened to be watching him.
A lot had happened in the last few weeks, to lead up to this confrontation on the airstrip. When Cyprian started this mission, he expected to discover a small faction of disgruntled dissidents had been abducting the Toufik. Ever since Daimio Kagan freed the hairy citizens, there had been a portion of Cadi who were up in arms. It was only a matter of time before something like this occurred. But when a dozen missing Toufik, turned into over a hundred, they knew they had a serious problem.
If that mess wasn’t enough, a distress beacon was received from Exo. They’d only been able to make out two words; Jurou Biljana. It wasn’t a coincidence the vile reptiles were lurking in their solar system, at the same time the Toufik went missing. So now he wasn’t just rescuing the Toufik, but Exo, a human stowaway named Riley, and the Miran Sona vessel. That’s how Cyprian found himself playing the part of a traitor, fighting opposite his friends.
The sudden explosion that rocked the hangar, sent Mave and his cohorts scattering. Cyprian hit the ground to avoid flying shrapnel.
“What the torment?” Mave bellowed over the din.
“Son of a metcor,” Cyprian cursed.
June hinted to steer clear of the transports, but sweet mother of creation. The last thing he expected was a goddess damned explosion.
“Take care of these bastards,” Mave yelled to his fellow smugglers, as he wildly gestured toward Ashtoret. “And someone get into that hangar, and figure out what’s going on.”
June, Tytus’ new and unexpected human mate, was trouble. This confirmed it. The general could only imagine how human females were reared on Earth, to produce such aggressive little creatures. Yet all three of the humans he met thus far were spirited. Providence had even been a member of the Earth military. Cyprian wouldn’t mind a race of female warriors so much, if it weren’t for the fact the humans were so delicate. Their bold antics were enough to give a seasoned warrior a heart attack.
Cyprian looked at the carnage and smirked. Twisted metal was all that remained of the rota and supply wagons at the front of the hangar. Fire and smoke billowed from the wreckage. The general had no idea what June did to cause the explosion, but it was impressive. It not only distracted the smugglers, but was proving to be an effective barrier. Hopefully it would give Tytus enough time to commandeer the smuggler’s cruiser, filled with abducted Toufik.
The general shook his head, and turned back to the battle raging on the tarmac. Cyprian fired at Ashtoret, and the males he brought to the airstrip. It was difficult fighting, without actually fighting. He was used to hitting what he aimed for.
The roar of the cruiser engine captured his attention. Cyprian glanced at the hangar, as the large vessel parted the smoke and emerged. The general knew Tytus was at the helm, when the cruiser pointed its weapons on the smugglers. However, Bohdan’s dead body falling to the tarmac clinched it.
Cyprian ducked, avoiding a shot that came from the cruiser hovering overhead.
Dammit, Tytus, that was close!
Cyprian knew Ashtoret and Tytus were attempting to bolster his cover, but that parting shot made his hair stand on end.
Ashtoret took the first opportunity to evacuate, now that Tytus was providing cover with the stolen cruiser’s disrupters. Cyprian relaxed as he watched his fellow warrior’s escape unscathed. He quickly schooled his features, so Gio wouldn’t see his amusement.