Page 30 of Uncovered By the Alien Commander
Kaanus’ blue tinted scales shimmer with rage as he looms, menacing over Hyanxa. Then he lashes out with a ferocious strike that echoes with a deafening slap against the Jungarian’s scarred cheek. The brutal force carries her to the cold metal floor in a heap. “You ungrateful bitch, you just don’t listen, do you?” He bellows, his voice filled with betrayal and hurt as Hyanxa cowers beneath him, tears streaming down her face.
The blood rushes through my ears like a molten torrent, my breaths coming in ragged gasps. This savage scene is one I’ve become familiar with. Despite Hyanxa’s cruel torments, a pang of sympathy tugs at my heart as I witness her suffering. But fearconquers all as I turn like a coward, darting out of the bridge as quick as I can.
I am a coward.
I flee, my footsteps echoing in the corridor, accompanied by Hyanxa’s muffled cries that seem to chase me down the passageway. Yet, no matter how fast I run, I can’t escape the haunting sound that plagues my dreams.Only the voice is different.
Finding refuge beneath the gangway near the crew quarters, I seek solace in the darkness, feeling an uneasy calm settle over me as I clutch my locket. With each stroke, my breathing steadies, and I find a fleeting sense of peace amidst the turmoil.
Before long, the ship tilts as the constant thrum of the engines diminishes. The Captain must be getting ready to dock. I wish this ship had another viewport away from Hyanxa and Kaanus, somewhere safe, where I could watch the stars twist and bend as we travel in hyperspeed. And marvel at the array of starships buzzing around us. Each vessel would be different from the last, carrying hopes of discovering my people’s past and maybe a safer future.
The Mutalisk’s Hammer shifts more aggressively now, forcing me to steady myself against the grates above. The sound of the stabilizers thrusting into action is an indication that Captain Kaanus is adjusting, straightening the ship for landing. A roaring sound that vibrates the walls is almost deafening as I hold my breath with nervous anticipation. Until a sudden, crunching jolt reverberates through the hull, followed by complete silence. It can mean only one thing; we have docked at Omega Flux Station.
It won’t be long now until I’m finally safe.
Chapter 14
Tyrxie
Omega
Soon I will befree.
I am lost in my thoughts as I stand amidst the cargo hold. “Tiny, you not count these?” Quad’s booming voice shatters my joyous thoughts. He carries two massive crates in his many arms. Looking even more enormous than usual, clad in his formidable black arcweave armor, resembling a heavy biped tank.
My heart pounds in my chest. I’m so close to executing my plan now. I dare not make my intentions too obvious until the right moment presents itself.Then I will slip away, unnoticed, fading into the shadows.“Pfft, you very slow today!” Quad spits, causing me to flinch as globs of his saliva spray over me.
Lovely.
Wiping my sodden face with one hand, I scan his crates with my wrist console, adding them to the trade tally. Quad taps his feet, waiting for me to finish, while I ponder in silence which of these containers holds the illegal scoomer. “That’s the last of them,” I announce with relief, surveying the sparse cargo hold.
“You blind, Tiny. You forget those.” Quad nods towards the last heap of Klendathian wooden crates in the corner.
Before I can respond, the cargo hold entrance whooshes open, revealing the rest of the crew. All of them carry their weapons and are armored in black arcweave. A fearsome looking group, except for Job and Mod, who both look a touch uncomfortable.
Kaanus strides forward, a bundle clutched in his scaled hands. “Those crates are borack meat. With the Nebia blockade, they’ll be worth a fortune there,” he explains, a smile playing on his lips. It’s a stark contrast to the last time I saw his face contorted with rage as he attacked Hyanxa. “Put this on Tyrxie,” he commands, offering me the package.
“Thanks,” I mutter, accepting the heavy bundle, noticing its arcweave armor, the same as the others are wearing. Without hesitation, I throw the weighted vest over my head, struggling to squeeze into it.
Kaanus approaches. “Let me help you,” he offers, his powerful hands yank the armor into place. But his fingers linger, stroking my midsection and arms, making unnecessary adjustments that cause me to recoil as my skin crawls. “As the newest member of Mutalisk’s Hammer, you should be armored.”
Only a little further now.
I give a brief nod, averting my gaze from his unsettling smile and his unreadable eyes. “Congratulations, Tiny!” Quad’s booming voice interrupts, his face beaming as he marches down the docking hatch ramp.
Kaanus and the others waste no time following, as I twist and turn, adjusting to the sensation of my new hefty armor.Triandale, towering above the rest, gives me a knowing look as he passes by.
As a group, we march down the ramp, our boots thudding against the cold, hard metal. Even now the new atmosphere brushes my senses, the recycled air cleaner, the lack of the humid, sticky feeling on the skin. Its lightness is like an oppressive stifling I forgot was even there, lifting from my shoulders.
“We wait for giant mammaloid Klendathians, added protection? No?” Mod’s voice breaks the silence, his narrow head swiveling among the group.
Triandale scoffs, but it’s Kaanus who responds. “No, we can only trust each other,” he answers, omitting that Xandor might object to being part of an illegal scoomer trade.
Hyanxa strides beside Kaanus, her face shows swelling from their earlier altercation, although the bruising remains hidden beneath her brown fur. The self-destructive, fierce loyalty she has for him is a brutal and impressive feat of endurance, so much so I can’t help but wonder if she should make her own escape.
Meanwhile, down the ramp, Quad loads the final two crates onto an advanced carrier. Despite the weight of almost all our cargo, it hovers above the ground with ease, emitting a strange soft hum. I can’t help but look upward, towards the marvels that adorn this space station.
The expanse of space unfolds before me, a mesmerizing tapestry of twinkling stars and distant galaxies. Above us, a translucent ethereal green shield stretches across the vastness, filtering the cosmic radiance and bathing the surroundings in a soothing, emerald glow.