Page 43 of Hunted By the Dragon Alien

“37-D,” Sevas muttered to herself, her eyes darting upward to scan the narrow pathway signs mounted above each docking bay. So far, she only saw ones in the low twenties. “This traffic isn’t helping.”

Bruil sounded tense as he huffed beside her. “Don’t push so much. You’ll draw attention. That broker wasn’t wrong—Axis patrols are looking for us, too.”

An alien hauling a hovercart full of shimmering blue crystals cut across their path. Sevas stopped short, narrowly avoiding a collision. “Hey!” she shouted, but the alien waved her off and disappeared into the fray.

“This place is insane,” she hissed. “It’s like everyone’s trying to be in the way on purpose.”

Bruil squinted ahead. “Dock numbers are counting up. We’re getting close.”

The crowd thinned slightly, and Sevas spotted the illuminated sign above the docking bay—37. In there, the ship should be on platform D. “There!” she said, breaking into a jog. Bruil followed, but his heavy footsteps weren’t as light as hers. As they pushed through the last cluster of workers and into the docking bay, the platforms came into view. Sevas’ breath caught.

The ship wasn’t what she had expected. Among the enormous freighters and sleek transports stood a massive, dark structure. Its jagged surface shimmered faintly under the harsh lights of the bay. It looked old and intimidating as it rose in a series of tapering towers.

Sevas stumbled to a stop. Her eyes widened in disbelief as memories rushed her, unbidden. How could this be? Before her rose the fortress from Settlement 112-1—the overseer’s fortress. Her heart thudded painfully as she stared at it, her mind racing to catch up.

“Is that…” Bruil’s voice trailed off as he came to a halt beside her. His gaze went wide with awe. “It’s afekkin’warship. And not just any ship, buthers. Haven’t seen that one since…”

“It’s the overseer’s fortress,” Sevas whispered, unsure what Bruil was muttering about. Her breathing came in short bursts as some of what he was saying sunk in. “You’re saying that thing wasalwaysa ship?”

Bruil glanced at her, his brow furrowed deeply. “It’s aroyalZaruxian ship from before the war. These served as mobile fortresses for the rulers of our planet.”

“I walked past it every day,” Sevas said, her voice a mix of awe and frustration. “I thought—it didn’t—how can it be a ship?”

Bruil frowned, his scarred face hardening. “Probably didn’t want anyone knowing it could take off. More importantly, why thefekis it here?”

Sevas didn’t respond. Her focus narrowed entirely on the ship as the massive docking latches that held it in place began to retract with a low mechanical whine. The large clamps groaned and lifted one by one, releasing their hold on the massive vessel.

“They’re leaving,” Sevas said, her voice rising in panic. She jolted forward, shoving past a group of workers who shouted after her in annoyance.

“Sevas!” Bruil called out, but she couldn’t stop.

Her feet pounded against the metal floor. She raced toward the closest ramp leading to a massive, sealed hatch on the ship’s side. Her lungs burned as she sprinted. The heavy thud of her steps echoed in her ears. The docking latches were halfway up now, groaning as they retracted. The noise mixed with the ship’ssystems, which were warming up for departure. She couldn’t let it leave—not without her.

“Wait!” she screamed. Her voice strained against the din of the bustling docking bay. “Stop!”

Sevas hit the ramp at full speed, her momentum carrying her up the incline. Bruil was well behind her, shouting something she couldn’t make out. She skidded to a stop in front of the huge closed door, chest heaving as she slammed both fists against the cold, unyielding surface. “Open the hatch,” she shouted. Her voice echoed in the confined space. “I know you’re in there. Hey!”

There was no response. No movement. Nothing. She banged on the hatch again, harder this time, ignoring the sting in her fists. “Please, open up! I need to see you!”

The ship rumbled louder, a deep, guttural sound that vibrated through the ramp. The docking latches were fully retracted now. The ship wavered slightly, no longer attached to the platform. Her breath hitched. They were going to take off.

Bruil finally reached her, pulling up beside her with a grim expression. “Sevas, they’re not opening it.”

“They will,” she said through gritted teeth. She slammed her fist against the hatch again. “Fivra! Turi! Anyone—please. It’s Sevas!”

“Sevas, we need to move.” Bruil’s hand landed on her shoulder. “If they lift off while we’re too close, we’ll be blasted to shreds.”

Sevas shook her head, tears stinging her eyes. “No! They can’t just leave. They have to hear me!”

The ship suddenly quieted. The rumble faded and Sevas froze. Her heart pounded as she stared at the hatch. For a moment, she dared to hope.

A faint hiss cut through the air as the thick metal hatch slid open, revealing a tall, imposing figure she recognized too well.

It washim. The overseer from Settlement 112-1. His dark purple scales glinted in the light. His silver eyes were just as piercing as Sevas remembered and the exact same shade as Takkian’s. His broad shoulders filled the space, and his wings were partly unfurled, making him look even more massive.

His expression was unreadable at first—stern, as always—but his gaze landed on her and widened. “Sevas?” His voice was deep, just as flat and commanding as she remembered, but there was a note of incredulity buried in it. “What are you doing here?”

Before Sevas could find her voice, a blur of motion shot out from behind Ellion.Turi?

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