Page 70 of Uncovered By the Alien Commander
Noroth releases a sudden booming laugh that would frighten many. “Afraid of us?” he asks with a frown, unaware of his imposing physique. “Only our enemies should tremble in our wake. Not pretty allies such as you.” He thumps his broad chest, before turning towards me. “Unlike those voiding Gorglaxians, isn’t that right, Xandor?”
Noroth’s a fine war brother. I know what he seeks to do, but I refuse to be drawn into a conversation.
“Right,” I respond in a tone that could strip paint from a battlebarge hull, tapping my claws on the table.
“That’s a relief,” Tyrxie says with sweetness, undeterred by her fear and my uncooperative attitude. I’d be impressed if it wasn’t so disconcerting.Is she here seeking revenge?The sudden thought prompts me to glance in her direction to see if she carries the Nebian pistol. For the faintest heartbeat, our eyes cross and expressed in her celestial orbs of emerald paradise lies a haunted look of sadness and disappointment, that almost twists my heart to bursting.
I need to go to her; I need to see her smile...No! I refuse! Damn her and damn this bond!This is another silly game. Lacking attention, she now covets it, only to reject me again later.I will not play this game, I’m done.I avert my gaze to inspect the ends of my claws, attempting to appear bored.
“Now that I’ve met you, I know I made a mistake,” Tyrxie continues, her tone carrying remorse, and I can sense her gaze shifting in my direction. “I’ve made a lot of mistakes,” she adds another dagger to pierce my already ruptured heart.I need to end this conversation. I can’t endure this much longer.
“We’ve all made mistakes. The important thing is to learn from them and move on... swiftly,” I reply, maintaining my bored demeanor and tone.
“Mistakes can also be mended, like a damaged hull can be patched,” Tyrxie retorts in that stubborn way she possesses.
“Some hulls should just be replaced.”Entire ships, for that matter!
“If you work hard enough, with enough arcweave, even the most damaged hull can be saved.”
“Then you’re left with a rickety old pile of useless space junk, like this ship.”
“This ship is full of stories and personality.”
“Some of those personalities keep threatening to stab or shot other personalities.”
“Maybe because that personality was terrified of the other personalities that threw their weight around.”
“My personality only sought to help!”
“What in the void are you two babbling about?” Noroth interrupts, his disbelieving face glancing between Tyrxie and me at each retort.
I suppress a laugh at the ridiculousness. “Nothing. Tyrxie was just leaving,” I demand, chancing a look over to see the disapproving frown of Tyrxie burning into me.That’s the look I remember! Just a little push and she’ll leave.“We’ll be done soon. You should come back later.”
“Actually, I didn’t come for food. I came to ask you a question,” Tyrxie asserts, her tone growing impatient as my heart pounds in my chest, wondering where her stubborn resolve has come from.
“Then ask your question, female,” I state cooly as Noroth and Logarn retake their seats, the chairs groaning in protest under their bulk.
Tyrxie pauses a moment before speaking. “I was hoping we could talk in private...” she suggests with uncertainty in her voice. My eyes widen at her bold words, fearing if I’m alone with the female, the bond will twist my resolve into a broken, useless thing in an instant.
“No, I trust my war brothers with my life. And there are no secrets between us,” I assert as my disapproving frown shifts to Noroth. “Even though some secrets will scar the eyes for decades.”
My words amuse Noroth, while Tyrxie has her hands clasped together with a look of fearful confusion that batters my very soul. Yet despite the unease roaring through my consciousness, Irefuse her, like a blind warrior refusing the glimpse of a beautiful sunset.
“Okay... What I was going to....” Tyrxie begins, her voice trailing off. “Why’s there smoke coming out of the food dispenser?” she adds, with a touch of alarm.
“The voiding borack steaks!” I exclaim as my eyes shift to the growing black plumes of smoke leaking from the infernal machine. Jolting out of my seat, I hurry over to inspect the treachery. “I thought I could smell something,” I complain, swatting the smoke away.
Noroth scoffs. “I thought Logarn farted,” he taunts with a wrinkled nose.
How do I disable this voiding thing?I glimpse Tyrxie approaching and my face begins to heat, whether from embarrassment or her presence I can’t tell. “You’re the one!” she accuses, and at that moment, I know my crimes are discovered. “I’ve had to fix the overheated displacer on this three times,” she adds with a sigh.
Offensive is the best defensive.“Obviously, the whole thing’s defective,” I protest, smirking down at the annoyed female. “Someone competent should really fix this thing properly.”
“Oh, yeah?” she challenges, shoving against me with surprising determination. “Out of the way, so I can see what fresh nightmare you’ve created for me,” she tuts, peering down at the controls. “Void sake, Xandor no wonder the displacer is overheating. You’ve set the heat beyond the default maximum.” Her hands dart over the machine with practiced ease. “How did you even manage that?” She adds her tone incredulous.
Wish I knew.“You wouldn’t understand,” I taunt, smiling at her, struggling to contain my laughter.
She stares at me in disbelief until her face blossoms into a beautiful smile that sends my heart soaring, carrying away mybond-driven madness. “You’re ridiculous,” she relents with a soft laugh.