Page 80 of Uncovered By the Alien Commander
The workshop door begins to open, and to my Rush-enhanced senses, it feels like an eternity. Finally, the way is clear, revealing my worst fears. The fierce Jungarian looms over a collapsed Tyrxie, pushing some device that sparks a wicked blue into her chest. Her sadism knows no bounds as she’s torturing my human female!
Wisps of golden fury leak from my eyes as I thunder across the room in an instant. In slow motion, Hyanxa turns her head, horror spreading over her features. Good, for horror awaits herfor this crime. “Wow, wow. Wait!” she protests with outstretched arms.
Her words do not move me, only her hateful actions. Without replying, without remorse, I deliver a blow to her midriff. Hyanxa doubles over, falling to her knees, choking for agonizing breaths. Yet I pulled my punch, not intending to end her life—not yet.
“Stop...” a frail voice reaches my ears, weak and almost unheard amidst the Rush roaring through my veins. “Stop, Xandor!” Tyrxie insists, dispelling the haze of my joyous rage. My eyes glance at the human, who rests on elbows, a weary look of pain and concern etched on her pretty face.
Confusion washes over me, that she pleads for the one that has tormented her so much. “You wish to spare her? This black hearted vipertail?” I ask, gesturing to the spluttering crumpled form of the brown furred Hyanxa.
“Yes, she was helping me!” Tyrxie exclaims, and icy fingers of regret and guilt wrap around my chest.
“Helping you?” I repeat in utter disbelief. “Helping to send you to your ancestors?”
“No, you dummy!” Tyrxie yells, pulling down her shirt to reveal a savage charred area on her chest where the brand once was. “She was removing this!”
Comprehension springs to my mind as I study the blackened, weeping, blistered skin with a look of incredulity. My eyes shift from her wound to her gaze. “What madness possessed you to do such a thing?” I ask with a grimace.
“Conviction,” Tyrxie snaps back, and I frown, already knowing this is my fault somehow. The human rises with a wince, her pain evident with each movement. I offer a supporting hand around her waist before she hurries over towards the wheezing Hyanxa.
“Hyanxa, I’m so sorry,” Tyrxie consoles, placing an arm around the shoulder of the kneeling Jungarian. “I’ll use some of Mod’s ointment,” she offers, reaching for a jar of black oily substance that rests on a cluttered bench nearby.Don’t these two hate each other?
The icy fingers of regret now squeeze my chest with increased force.Bah! With such a scene, how could I not assume the worst?“My apologies for the pain I’ve caused you,” I say, helping the Jungarian to her feet, who weighs nothing in my hands.
But she squirms and slaps me away in a feeble, angry gesture. “Let go of me, you giant bastard!” she yells, her voice still raspy from my punch.
I do as she asks, without hesitation, not wishing to compound my awkward shame further. “Here,” Tyrxie offers a sodden cloth to the midsection of Hyanxa. “This will help.”
The Jungarian winces, but clutches the cloth next to her exposed stomach. “I’m going to be pissing blood for a week,” she laments with a scornful look in my direction.Thank the God’s I never used my claws!“Maybe wait a second next time, before you turn murderous psycho!”
Life and death dangle between those vital nanoseconds.Yet I remain contrite, my sense of guilt holding my tongue. “Very well,” I respond with a solemn nod.
Hyanxa spits some blood before her expression takes on a blissful aspect. “Ah, the ointments kicking in now,” she says, tilting her head back with eyes growing distant. “That’s the stuff,” she exhales.
“This was my fault,” Tyrxie interjects, with an exhausted, weary look of concern directed at Hyanxa. “I had no idea Xandor would show up so quickly.” She turns to me, her expression tired yet narrowed. “How did you know so fast?”
Last time I mentioned the bond and the Gods, Tyrxie had mocked me. But I don’t care to lie or evade the question. For too long, confusion and miscommunications have soured our relations. Seeing Tyrxie injured sears my heart, wishing no harm to come to her, to only see her happy.
“I can feel your pain through our bond,” I state, gazing at her with intensity to convey my seriousness.
“Bond?” Tyrxie repeats, a frown creasing her shallow brows. “Is that the same thing you mentioned about your gods before?” she asks. I nod, locking my eyes on her stunning green ones. The human glances at Hyanxa, who only shrugs in response. “That can’t be real,” Tyrxie states, shaking her head.
I throw my arms wide. “Well, here I stand, like I did on Tier Three,” I reply. Tyrxie scrunches her face, shifting her gaze downward.
Hyanxa winces and groans as she straightens. “Let me take you to Mod’s lab,” I offer with an open hand.
“Void no,” Hyanxa scoffs with a sharp, dismissive flutter. “I just need to lie down.” She moves to exit the cluttered room, clutching her stomach. “I’ll leave the ointment.” She stops to smirk at Tyrxie. “You might need it.”
I frown at her words, at her dishonorable implication that I’d dare hurt Tyrxie. But I remain silent, still awash in guilt for hurting Hyanxa in error. “Thank you Hyanxa. Thanks for everything,” Tyrxie says, waving at the Jungarian. I scrutinize the pair and the room, trying to fathom what happened here that prompted this drastic transformation in their relationship.
“Good luck, you two crazy bastards,” Hyanxa waves back, hobbling out of the workshop.
Relief washes over me as she departs, taking a portion of my regret and shame with her. Yet Hyanxa’s parting words raise a question. “Good luck with what?” I inquire, glancing down at Tyrxie.
Tyrxie stiffens at my question.These two have planned something!But the thought only amuses me, wondering what their conspiracy might be. “I... I think she means my brand,” Tyrxie offers after a moment. However, I remain skeptical.
I cast the thought from my mind, examining the diminutive figure of Tyrxie, noticing the tiredness behind her eyes that she’s trying to mask beneath a smile.Always hiding, but she can’t hide from me.“You need rest. Let me take you to Mod,” I suggest, gesturing towards the exit.
“No!” she snaps back with an intensity that surprises. Tyrxie rubs above her scorched wound with a grimace. “I want to see if this voiding brand is gone now,” she states, moving to stand before a polished sheet of metal.