Page 107 of Rebel Fates

PROTECTORS

GEMMA

The Hathorans, Sekmets, and Freedom Raiders all arrive around the same time, responding to our call. Together, we move through the Sol system and close in on Earth. We stop far out beyond the moon. North America is currently in our view.

As I look out the cockpit of our ship, and see all the ships that have joined us, a chill runs up my spine. “It feels like we are invading Earth.”

“Protecting Earth,” Serrat reminds me as he pulls me to his side. “Protecting females like you.”

I give him a hug and purr with the happy thought that women won’t be taken to be sold like I was.

“We’ve intercepted a distress call from Earth. LunaTek has spotted our ragtag armada,” Rok informs us. “Syndicate reinforcements should arrive soon.”

“Oh hold on, we’re getting an incoming message,” Zeek says. “From Earth.”

“Prince Crax?” A deep voice of an older man comes through. “It’s General Williams here.”

“I’m here. Go ahead,” Crax says with the air of a prince allowing a servant to speak.

“I received your message about your…visitto Earth. As I have communicated to you before, you know where I stand on humans being taken. I have informed the other military leaders that you are handling the issue that we have not been able to properly deal with. They will stand down and allow you to proceed without interference.”

“Thank you for reaching out to us,” Crax says. “And so you know, we will retain a detail here of Freedom Raiders who will protect your planet from slavers reaching your planet in the future.”

“On behalf of the human population, thank you for your help.”

The General signs off, and I stare at Crax in awe.

“What the fuck,” I say, then I ask about what I really want to know besides how he has connections like this. “Why hasn’t the general stopped the trafficking?”

“The Syndicate threatened the entire planet. Specifically, all the political and military leaders who weren’t agreeable to their operation,” Crax explains.

“The Freedom Raiders should have been involved before now,” Serrat mutters.

“There are plenty of planets in need of protection,” Rok argues. “Their group can only do so much.”

“It will be up to us to protect all of Earth from the Syndicate,” I say.

Just then, as if on cue, three large ships come into view from around the moon.

“Shax,” Zeek shouts. “Speaking of the Syndicate.”

So it begins.

“We got this,” someone says through our open channel with the other ships. “Keep your female safe. She will be needed to assist with the humans in the days to come.”

All four of my mates glower at the console, likely pissed that the other male would suggest they wouldn’t keep me safe. But I understand his reasoning. I will be the key to unlock the possibility for them to have mates—omega mates.

Although from what Crax told me, the Hathorans and Sekmets would be happy to cherish and love any female willing to be theirs. They have been desperate for companionship since the warlords killed almost all the females from their home worlds.

The enemy ships shoot torpedoes at us.

Zeek pilots Leva into an evasive maneuver. Then he positions us toward the far end of the skirmish. Taking heed of the males’ advice to keep us out of the line of fire.

Five of the ally ships break off to engage our enemy.

They exchange weapon fire and some of our ships sustain damage.

I’m holding onto Serrat, worried that the males brought in to help us might die because of our call.

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