Page 23 of Uncovered By the Alien Commander
We three Klendathians watch as Quad flails his arms, attempting to reorient himself amongst the boxes and debris that he’s buried himself into. Noroth smiles, offering a hand to his ridiculous opponent, but Quad refuses with a spiteful slap to the outstretched hand. “You don’t bash!” he complains while clambering to his feet, “You run!”
Noroth frowns in response while I laugh. “Who could’ve guessed bashing had so many rules?” I direct my question towards Quad, who doesn’t look much in the mood for explaining as he resumes another headlong charge with arms flailing.
This time, Noroth sets his feet, intending to meet the attack. They come together with an impressive clash that echoes through the vast metal room. But it’s Noroth who dominates with his massive, powerful physique, overpowering Quad with ease, locking the foolish, brave opponent into a tight headlock.
But Quad doesn’t give up. He twists and wiggles, trying with desperation using his four arms to pull open Noroth’s crushing embrace. Yet he cannot overcome his opponent despite his best efforts. Then, just as I’m about to call an end to this charade, Quad delivers an awkward punch into the side of Noroth that ripples and distorts the very air, emitting a strange sound.
Something’s not right here!I leap towards the embattled pair, witnessing Noroth’s body shudder and shake as he collapses to the ground as if the weight of a battlebarge has fallen on him. Then Quad lifts his arms in triumph, bellowing, “See, I’m best basher!” I twist my hips, thrusting a brutal punch into the treacherous Barlyxian’s midriff.
His eyes bulge as he crumbles to the floor, gasping for the air I stole from him. “Get him to the healer,” I command, looking at Logarn and pointing to Noroth, who remains motionless. Theheartbreaking sight stokes my fury as I kick the whimpering Quad onto the ground. “What have you done, you simple moron?”
Quad scrambles away from me, terror stamped into his deep-set eyes. He tries to placate me with pathetic wrapped hands turned in submission. Yet something catches my eye within the white cloth, a bump protrudes. “What in the void is that?” I demand, snatching one of his arms with a grip as hard as arcweave.
Despite Quad’s feeble attempts to stop me, I pull off the cloth, revealing a handheld graviton disputer. My fury boils even higher at this disgrace, a weapon forged with Gorglaxian gravity displacing technology. “You might have killed him with this!” I roar in his face as I rip off the other wraps on his hands, each one revealing another concealed weapon.
He snivels and recoils at my fury, at my hatred. My heart twists with murderous anger, thinking such a noble warrior as Noroth may die because of this... this loathsome disgrace, disguised as a bumbling fool. My claws extend, their sharp edges reflecting the terror etched in Quad’s deceitful face.
With my hand poised to strike, a soft voice pierces the tempest of molten blood in my veins. “Please don’t hurt him.” I turn to see the human Tyrxie rushing from an opened grate, concern and fear painting her expression.
The surprise at her arrival almost overcomes my anger, which seethes hot and heavy. “You would protect one such as this?” I sneer down at the weeping Quad, who cowers with his arms covering his head. “Do you see what’s he done here?” I gesture towards the graviton disrupters laying at my feet. “Noroth might die because of this!”
Despite my boiling anger, Tyrxie stands with defiant posture before me with arms spread wide. So tiny she is, I tower over her, my eyes glowing with a white-hot Rush that leaks wisps ofgolden fury. Yet Tyrxie doesn’t flinch, Tyrxie who flees at my mere approach, Tyrxie who hides from all, Tyrxie with the sad green eyes. But now they lack any sadness, replaced by a steely resolve that glares back, robbing me of my righteous fury.
My claws retract as my arms fall to the side, yet my eyes never waver from the strange human. “Thank you,” Tyrxie exhales, her relief obvious, before turning to the squirming and weeping Quad who shrinks like a beaten borack. “You’ll be okay, Quad,” she says with a soothing tone while stroking his back. Quad clutches onto her with his four arms, his weeping intensifying.
I grimace at his pathetic crying, and at the whole sorry event. How could a trivial spar spiral into such chaos? Why did I not refuse the Barlyxian’s request? It appears everything on this cursed ship conspires for our downfall.
With a heavy sigh, I reach down to pocket the handheld graviton disputers. They’re black handled devices that curl around my hand, covering the knuckles with a layer of bumpy arcweave. Pressing the activation button, the devices hum, and the surrounding air distorts and vibrates. Only the Gods know how much gravitational force hit Noroth.
Tyrxie’s gaze follows the devices as I tuck them away. “Quad, where did you get those?” she asks, still soothing the simpleton.
Quad snivels, wiping his nose with the back of his hand. “Triandale, give me the Smashers,” he answers, a raking cough shaking him. “He said, it make me best basher,” Quad stirs, now standing up, leaning over, and clutching his stomach. “But Scary, still best basher.”
Triandale the Gorglaxian, whose eyes follow me like a vengeful spirit. It makes sense, his people’s tech, and the desire for revenge, delivered, and disguised in the form of the unassuming Quad. Fury stirs within me, heating my blood at the thought. If not for this ship and my need to reach Nebia, I’d tear off everytreacherous tentacle from his deceitful visage.But how would Captain Kaanus and the rest of the crew react?
Tyrxie interrupts my troubled thoughts, her soft, gentle voice contrasting with my heated unease. “Come, let’s get you to Mod,” she says, turning to lead Quad away.
Witnessing her leaving again stirs an unfamiliar angst within me, a feeling of something missing, a hungering void that I never knew existed. “No,” I command, although I don’t recall deciding to speak. “He can make his own way.” My eyes bore into hers. “You and I have a lot to discuss.” The words spill from me, though I can’t recall why. Tyrxie freezes on the spot, her concerned expression transforming into one of wide-eyed dread.
Why does she fear me so?
Chapter 11
Tyrxie
Exposed
I’m such a stupidbitch!
The thought races through my mind as I stand there, trembling, my heart pounding in my chest. Why did I help Quad? I knew it would bring me face to face with Xandor, but I couldn’t leave poor Quad crying on the floor, on the verge of being killed. The thought of Quad’s brutal execution was too much to bear, even though he might behave in a stupid and dangerous manner. I had to do something, anything.
Now it’s me who needs rescuing as my hands shake and my heart threatens to burst with worry. Xandor the towering giant, steps forward. His expression is a mixture of anger and curiosity. How much does he know? If he knows I stole his mask, will hetreat me like Quad? Gazing into murderous claws awaiting my end?
Quad limps off, clutching his stomach. “Goodbye, Scary and Tiny,” he gasps between sobs, yet I hardly hear him. Xandor stalks forward, his yellow eyes burning with an intensity that shakes me to my core. My gaze shifts to the grate near the cargo hold entrance as it beckons with a promise of safety. Can I reach it before he can stop me?
“Don’t even think about it, little human.” Xandor jolts forward with incredible speed, closing the gap between us in an instant, putting an end to any hope I have of running. “As much as I enjoy our sneaky frolics, my patience is growing rather thin.” He peers down, so close now he casts a shadow over me. To stop my hands from shaking, I rub my locket, trying to find courage amongst my solar storm of fear.
Xandor overwhelms my personal space, my consciousness. Even his musky, earthy scent fills my senses, as his breath brushes with gentleness through my hair, sending tingles through my body. He must know I stole his mask! Unable to endure his intensity, I open my mouth, intending to confess and beg for forgiveness until he speaks. “What were you doing in my room?” his stern voice demands.