Page 27 of Uncovered By the Alien Commander
Yet I cannot resist being drawn to the large holographic projection shimmering above the briefing table. Glowing in blue is a station, the answer to my earlier question. “No,” Hyanxa finally responds, gesturing with her console. “He was invited. See?” She frowns at me as if I possess three heads.
Her projection shows she speaks the truth.Could someone have intercepted the message?But who would do such a thing?My suspicion shifts towards the droopy Gorglaxian who’s seated at the table. With a bored expression, his gaze turned toward the projection. I’m almost certain he’s behind the jammed gun, Noroth’s terrible condition, and now this—my exclusion from the meeting. My lips curl, revealing fangs for an instant. Revenge simmers within me, a volatile brew awaiting release.
“Strange,” I say, moving to stand behind the treacherous Gorglaxian. My disdain for him almost stokes my Rush as my blood seethes in my veins. “A lot of strange events happening recently and such a coincidence they’ve all affected me and my warriors, too,” I add, my voice is stern and full of dark promise as my eyes bore into his back. “What are the odds, Gorglaxian?” I sneer.
He erupts from his seat, fumbling for his long-barreled graviton rifle. But it’s an awkward maneuver, and I’m too close. My hand shoots out, seizing his wrist, twisting until he crumples to his lanky knees, agony etched across his features. “What void-forsaken madness is this?” Captain Kaanus demands. The two Glaseroids scramble from their chairs, seeking refuge in a corner, their insectoid limbs trembling.
“This one plots our downfall.” I glare at the Gorglaxian who sneers back, his runny eyes laced with hatred as he squirms and struggles with feebleness to free himself from my arcweave like grasp. “He gave me a malfunctioning gun against the Mutaliskand gave Quad the graviton disrupters. He’s a vipertail in our midst.”
“Release him. Now!” Kaanus roars. To my shock, I notice he’s aiming his plasma rifle at me. Its nozzle sizzles and distorts the air with a threatening blue glow. “Triandale has served on this ship for decades. I’d trust him with my life. Now let him go, and we can talk this out like civilized beings,” his stern voice wavers, revealing a hint of fear beneath the bravado.
Even his female Hyanxa has drawn two ballistic weapons aimed at me. Her scared face twisted into a fierce snarl. The tension in the air is palpable as I weigh my options, staring into the eyes of this treacherous Triandale. But without my armor, Kaanus’ plasma rifle would reduce me to molten goo, unless I reach him in time to rip out his throat... But then I’d have no crew to pilot this heap of junk.
I breathe out with a loud sound. “Have it your way.” I release my grip on the loathsome creature. Kaanus relaxes with a deep breath and lowers his gun.
Triandale straightens, his lanky height equal to mine as he stands before me, rubbing his wrist. “As I warned from the beginning, Captain. Klendathians are savages, bent on murder and destruction. This one proves my words,” he says in a drawl.
“I only kill those that deserve it,” I sneer back, my fury still simmering.
Triandale tentacles bristle as his eyes narrow. “And my wife and children, did they deserve to be murdered?” He shouts, his slow tone now replaced with righteous anger.
“I’ve slain no children nor females who weren’t warriors. Is this why you move against us, for misplaced revenge?” I challenge him, hoping in his rage he will forget himself.
“You monsters—” Triandale begins.
“Enough!” Kaanus roars, stiffening the backs of the others. “This is getting us nowhere.” He thumbs his white eyes infrustration. “Xandor, we heard what happened to your soldier Noroth, a damn shame, an accident, but still a damn shame.”
“This was no accident.” I turn my attention towards Kaanus. “Quad told us himself that the Gorglaxian offered him the graviton disrupters. You heard him, Tyrxie?” I ask, turning to the corner of shadows to find, just that, shadows and no sign of the human female.When did she leave?
“Useless bitch is never around when you need her,” Hyanxa scoffs as she re-holsters her two guns.
Triandale slinks off to claim one of the Glaseroids seats on the opposite end of the table. “Quad came to me, begging for a way to improve his combat ability. I had no inkling he’d turn it against you.” His drawls test my patience.
“Is this true Quad?” Kaanus asks, gesturing towards the simpleton, who is quietly twiddling his many fingers. He appears oblivious as all eyes on the room pivot towards him.
“Who, me?” he startles, his green head darting between everyone as a broad grin crosses his lips. “Hmm,” Quad hums, as he taps his fingers against his mouth. “Don’t remember.” His laughter elicits groans from the others.
“Void’s sake, Quad,” Kaanus laments, with a furrowed scaled brow. “Mod, you were telling us earlier that Noroth will make a full recovery, right?” he asks, nodding towards the tiny Glaseroid.
Mod takes a tentative step forward. His beady eyes dart with a frantic motion as he retakes a seat beside Triandale. “Giant mammaloid prognosis excellent. No?” he says with a quick pace, his many arms flailing with excitement as he continues. “Operation successful, cracked ribcage, remnants sawed through, fragments clamped, reinforcements bolted, applied acids—”
I grimace at each ‘treatment’ he lists as my heart aches for my war brother. “Sounds more like you sent him down to a scrap heap.” I glare at Mod, my anger rising.
“Not scrap heap. Art center. No?” Mod answers, tilting his head. “Red-haired one will be on feet by tomorrow. No?” He nods his flat head repeatedly.
But I can’t fathom Noroth recovering so fast, not after witnessing him so broken. “Surely not on his feet by tomorrow?” I challenge, not allowing myself to believe such fortunate news.
“Mod, might not look like much, but he gets the job done,” Kaanus interjects, a smile playing on his lips.
“I protest first statement. No?” Mod says, turning to Kaanus waving his antennae.
Kaanus’s laughter echoes through the room, and I find myself sharing in the relief. “You see, Xandor all’s well that ends well.” He reaches up to clap me on the shoulder, his tone light. “As I was telling the crew before you arrived, tomorrow we’ll dock at Omega Flux Station. Now we have some business to attend to. So why don’t you and your soldiers kick back and relax on the station? And we can all come back refreshed.... A new beginning and forget about this minor dispute,” he says, his tone one of levity as his gaze shifts toward Triandale. “Sure, we’ll be out of each other’s way soon enough.”
“Maybe you’re right, Kaanus,”I respond, moving to exit the room, overcome with the need to check on Noroth. Until nearing the door, I turn to Job. “What about my war gear?” I ask, glaring at him.
Job waves a dismissive set of arm limbs. “I still repair, I leave for you tomorrow. Yes?” he replies. His casual demeanor fills me with confidence.
“You have my thanks. The both of you,” I reply, nodding between the two Glaseroids, before I resume my exit towards Noroth.