The Overseer swiped a trembling tentacle over his personal communicator.
“I am not able to track Riley’s wristband. Our entire grid is down. Distraho is running on life support only.”
“How long will that hold?” Vintor demanded.
“Two days if systems aren’t brought online again,” the Overseer said with a wavering voice.
“Is there life support in the slave wing?” Cyprian asked as he picked through the rubble. He located his bandolier and strapped it on.
“Yes.”
“Good. We find Riley, then we return for the Toufik,” Vintor said.
“Get us to the other hall.” Cyprian hefted the Overseer onto his back. “Hold on.”
“That way,” the Overseer coughed as he weakly pointed a tentacle.
They headed down the empty corridor and exited the far door, leading into the primary back hall. Guards were rushing toward the destroyed office, while other employees were scurrying the opposite way, attempting to flee the scene of destruction.
“You. Help us,” the Overseer choked to a passing guard.
An amphibian and two Verrater stopped.
“Overseer,” one exclaimed.
Something caught Cyprian’s attention as he scanned the hall. His head swung to the left. A wisp of black and purple hair was visible in the chaos.
“Vintor, stay with the Overseer. Get our people.”
Cyprian passed the Overseer off to his men, then started pushing his way through the crowd.
Aculus has her.
The bony warrior moved faster, when he reached the esplanade. Cyprian dodged evacuating patrons as he tried to close the distance. He lost the pair as they approached the nearest concourse.
Aculus is heading for a ship.
Cyprian studied each group entering the airlocks, as he sprinted down the frustratingly long concourse. He ran faster when he spotted the distinct robed figure cradling Riley. The bony male was heading toward a portal, leading to a sleek silver vessel.
“No,” Cyprian roared as he watched the doors seal.
Cyprian slammed into the portal. He punched the control panel, but it refused to open. The general studied the vessel as it revved its engines and lifted off the asteroid surface. Cyprian panned the tarmac in desperation.
I need to commandeer a vessel.
Cyprian looked to a nearby airlock as a large group of gray beings evacuated. It would take too long to subdue them and gain access to their cruiser. That’s when he noticed a dozen surface jumpers docked nearby. They would be the quickest way to reach his cruiser, several concourses away. Cyprian ran to the airlock.
“Open the door, now.” Cyprian bellowed at the guard stationed by the portal.
The male moved to pull his weapon, but Cyprian was faster, fueled by rage. He struck the Verrater in the jaw, reveling in the crunch. The general snatched the odd disrupter and leveled it on the guard.
“You stand between me and my female. Don’t make me end you. Open the airlock,” Cyprian snarled, gnashing his teeth.
The guard swallowed hard as he tapped on the control panel. The second the door opened Cyprian rushed in. He reached the first jumper and opened the hatch to the one-man vessel. Cyprian jumped in, straddling the seat. He leaned forward and gripped the handlebar controls. The surface jumper lurched forward, disengaging from the dock, when he revved the controls. It wasn’t too different from a rota.
Cyprian took off, skimming the surface of the asteroid, heading toward his cruiser. He glanced over his shoulder to see if he could pick-out Aculus’ vessel among the other fleeing ships. He could barely make out the shining teardrop, as it headed into a cluster of space debris. Cyprian pushed the jumper faster over the rocky asteroid surface. He veered around docked and departing cruisers, as he approached his vessel. Cyprian landed the jumper by the rear hatch of the Zaxes cruiser.
“Come on. Come on,” he growled.
Once the connection was air tight, Cyprian manually opened the hatch and launched himself into the cruiser. He ran to the control room and started up the engines. As the viewing screen came online he smiled. Mave and his band of smugglers were outside, unsuccessfully attempting to access the ship.
“Not today.”
Cyprian engaged the cruiser and set a course for the clump of space debris.
“I’m coming, Little Manx.”
Riley
“We have a vessel rapidly approaching,” Aculus growled.
Riley wasn’t paying attention. The moment Cyprian entered the office, kept replaying over and over. The way his dark eyes connected with hers for a brief second, taunted her. So many things were conveyed in that glance, yet not enough to hold her a lifetime. Riley clamored to hold onto the image of his sardonic, maddening smile and the sound of his deep voice, as devastating anguish lashed her. The horror sent very real pain slicing through her. It was more than she could bear. Riley wanted to scream at the terrible injustice and agony that overwhelmed her. She opened her mouth but nothing came out, as she was pulled deeper into a swirling abyss of torment.