Page 29 of Slavic

Beforeshe realizes what is happening,Igrab her and pull her close.HowEinargot the translator out of its packaging that fast,Ihave no clue, but his large, green hand practically envelopes her entire head as he tilts it gently against my chest.Ifeel her tense up and even thoughIknow it’s coming;Iam unprepared for the tortured scream that escapes her lips.Ittakes everything bothEinarandIhave to hold her as she fights against us.

Mythroat is so tightIcannot even get any comforting words out.Einartakes her head in his hands, making her look right at him.Whatfeels like a lifetime later she collapses in my arms, small tremors wracking her tiny, unconscious form.Einarnods at me right before releasing her.

“Shewill be fine, the translator didn’t attack her optical nerves, which means it merged with theCochlearnerve successfully.Halfa rising or so, she will recover fully.Youcan leave her here with her sister, while you andMurgultake care of our fuel issue.Iwill suit up just in case you need me.”

Heturns on the warming sheets asIlay her down.Brushingher long mane away, my heart hurts at the pain still showing on her face. “Didthe others react the same?”

“Theyall responded differently, but at least this unfavorable business is over.Youshould go beforeMurgulheads out without you.”

“Easyfor you to say, you can remain with your mate.”

“Ifyou only realized the trauma mine has delt with you would not speak with such flippancy and would look at the spunkiness of yours in a different light.Thebody always heals quicker than the mind, and unfortunately mine is dealing with both.Iam hoping the translators help.Theyneed some peace in their lives after all that has been done to them.Iwill guard her with my lifeSlavic, you know this.Now, go get that fuel, so that we might find a safe haven in which we can become more than what we are.Someplacewe can reach our true potential.”

“Dreamslike that, brother, are dangerous.”

“True, but nowIhave a reason to want more.”

Withhis words echoing through my mind,Ileave my heart behind and walk out of medical.

Chapter Nineteen

SLAVIC

MurgulandIstand at the airlock door, ready to push forward the moment our tractor beam locks onto thePyrkyneship.Thelight turns green, andIrelease the outer valve securing the tunnel connecting us.BikarandFalonwill use our distraction to steal the fuel out of their tanks remotely, while we take care of the crew.Pullingthe plasma cutter out,Iquickly disable the outer seal of their ship and yank the door open expecting to be met with its guards, only to find the hall in front of me empty.

“Bikar, where the frack are they?”

“Iam showing five heat signatures on boardSlavic.Iscrambled all messages coming in and out, but they have not even tried to call for assistance.Proceedwith caution.”

Steppingforward,Imotion forMurgulto head one way, whileItake the other.Ihate separating us, especially against anyPyrkyne, but we need to figure out what is going on this ship.Headingdirectly toward the helm, the familiar layout of the ship makes it easy to navigate.Thedoors slide open, andIdraw my sword as fighting with live ammo on a space cruiser is guaranteed death, only to stop whenIsee the crew.

ThreeyounglingPyrkynehuddle together in front of the control panels.Onethat is slightly older than the others, stands protectively in front of them.Ilower my sword.Imay be a pirate and wanted for more crimes thanIcan count, butIam not a youngling killer.

“Whereare your parental units?”

Imust give this young male credit.AlthoughIcan clearly see the fear on his ugly face, he continues to stand between me and the younglings behind him. “Iam the captain of this vessel.”

“Right. …So,Iam assuming the reason you didn’t send out a distress signal when we locked on is because you either stole this ship, or you are on a joy ride.”

BeforeIcan say another word,Ihear a scuffle behind me asMurgulpushes another two he found into the room.Iturn my head as the female straightens up her clothes, the bite marks, and scratches on each of their skin, showing everyone whatMurgulwalked in on.Ihave a smirk on my face whenIglance over at him.

“Donot say a word, brother!I….That…Ughh,Iwill forever have that burned into my brain.”Heactually shudders in disgust andIcan’t help but laugh.

“LookRukuhks, we do not want any trouble.Youhad no reason to board us, as there is nothing of value on board.”

“Whatwere you doing on theNavale?”

“Pickingup my younger sister and her mate.Mysire was adamant thatIdidn’t possess the skills to fly there and back successfully, butIwas determined to prove him wrong.Are… you going to kill us?”

“No, but when your sire finds out what has happened, you may no longer see my kindness as a blessing.Whileyou are dwelling on that thought, let me tell you what we are going to do.Iam taking your fuel.”Whenhe goes to speak,Iput my hand up to stop him. “Wewill leave enough for you to get home safely.Whilewe are siphoning the fuel,Iplan on looking around and then we will rid your ship of any and all of its cargo.Whilewe are plundering the cargo hold, one of you will accompany me to your quarters where we will relieve you of all your jewels and credits.”

TheoneIam assuming is the sister starts blubbering and snorting.Theyare a disgusting, filthy race.Therotting and putrid smells wafting off their bodies, has me holding my breath. “Whichone of you is going to be our escort?”

Iam impressed when the young male steps up.Hemay be on the small side right now because of his youth, but normally thePyrkyneare formidable opponents simply due to their size and stamina on the battlefield.Whenmy mind tries to drift back to the days of my own youth and the many beatings my brothers andIreceived from this race,Ihave to remind myself that these younglings were not at fault.

Inod forMurgulto watch the others asIgrab the male slightly harder thanIneed to.Marchinghim out the door toward their personal rooms, he enters into the captain’s quarters two steps in front of me.Icannot help gagging when the smell hits me.Theroom lays in ruin and waste, and even thoughIknow how disgusting their race is,Iam still unprepared for the refuse in this area.Kickingthe old food and torn garments out of the way,Idirect him toward the ship’s safe. “Openit quickly.”

Withfumbling, fat digits, he finally gets the code right and the door swings open.Igrab all the documents and chips inside thevault without looking at them, swiftly placing them inside the many pouches attached to my belt. “Whereto next?”

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