Warrior's Pain (Cadi Warriors Book 4)(71)
“What the,” Riley exclaimed with a start when the sash slid over her thighs, then down her calves and into her boots.
She threw open her cape and looked down at the living fabric hugging her skin. Riley found herself wearing a halter top with sleek leggings. The miraculous way the fabric created a seamless jumpsuit had her speechless.
“Riley,” a deep voice hissed from the next cubicle.
Riley’s head popped up. She looked over at the large boots in the next stall.
“What are you doing here, Aculus?”
“Be ready. I’m getting you out of here.”
“No,” Riley whispered back.
“Yes,” Aculus growled low. “Distraho is a total loss. I can’t save all the innocents, but I can save you.”
“What are you talking about?”
“My superiors have deemed the asteroid a liability. They are sending in a force to take care of it,” he said in hushed tones.
Riley collapsed onto the stool.
“No,” she whispered. “You can’t. All these people.”
“It is a small price when compared to planets. I am sorry. Be prepared. I’ll…”
“No. I’m staying,” Riley interrupted him as her anger at the injustice soared. “You don’t have to kill a bunch of people. Do you think you’re the only one with something to lose here? No. But mass murder didn’t enter my mind once. Your people can take out the Overseer and whoever buys your fancy weapons data, without wholesale slaughter. There’s always another way,” Riley hissed vehemently.
“You are being unreasonable. I have monitored how that male has been treating you. I can’t allow this,” Aculus growled.
He’s been spying on us. Riley looked down at the damn pendant with the sensor attached. She didn’t like that Aculus had been snooping, even if it was well intentioned.
“It’s my fucking choice to live and die as I damn well choose,” Riley snarled.
“So, you’re choosing to die with that male, all for the chance of maybe seeing your friends again.”
Riley stopped and stared at her bedraggled reflection in the mirror. She truly looked at herself for the first time in a long while. There wasn’t anything physically wrong with her, but she looked tired and years older than she remembered.
Why are you putting up such a fight?
Aculus was right. She was pinning a lot of faith on Cyprian and what ifs. If Aculus’ people destroyed the asteroid, then Exo’s star map would be destroyed too. And everyone in the colony would again be safe.
You’re falling in love with Cyprian. That’s why. Could you be anymore foolish?
Riley smiled a sad smile as she realized how hopelessly lost she’d become.
“Yes. I’m staying. Maybe I can convince Cyprian to leave before you do anything.”
“How? You are his slave.”
Riley bristled at Aculus’ lack of faith.
“I convinced Cuttles to do a few things. So, don’t patronize me.” Riley paused as the words came out of her mouth. Maybe there was something she could do to save Cyprian and everyone else. “Aculus, what if I get into the Overseer’s office and leave something behind, like you did in the weapons gallery. I’ve been there twice now. He is trying to woo Cyprian and won’t suspect me.”
Riley knew she could manipulate a meeting somehow. She had to, if she wanted to save everyone.
“That will take care of the physical data chip. But I’m certain the Overseer loaded the information into his system. Destroying his office won’t destroy the main data storage center.”
“How is everything,” the boutique attendant unwittingly interrupted.
“Fine,” Riley quickly replied to the shopkeeper. “Where is the data center?” she hissed to Aculus, after the helpful woman left.
“According to my intel it’s at the heart of the asteroid, near engineering.”
“What does it look like?”
“A bunch of computers near a series of large power generators. What does it matter? There are a dozen guards, and the closest I’ve been to it, is when I was led to and from the coliseum.”
“Is it a room with massive cylinders emanating blue lights?”
“Yes,” Aculus whispered through the divider, sounding surprised.
“I’ve been there.”
Riley recalled the large room from when Hoda took her and the reptile on a shortcut to the other side of the auction house.
“Aculus, hold off your people. If I’ve been to those places once, I’m sure I can get someone to take me there again.”
Riley knew she might end up dead, but just maybe she was the only one who could keep everyone on the floating hunk of rock alive. Not all the patrons were evil. Many species used Distraho like a local mall. Then there were all the slaves in the holding cells awaiting auction.