Page 67 of Salvation for the Alien Mercenary
"Go," she nodded. "I'll clean up and meet you in engineering."
He hesitated, then leaned in and kissed her. It was hard, fast, and possessive. Not asking. Taking. And fuck if she didn't want to be taken.
Then he was gone.
She stood there for a moment, heart hammering against her ribs.
Spot chirped at her feet, offering a steak knife handle-first.
"Thanks, buddy." She laughed, taking the knife. "Good to know someone's watching my back."
13
The combat shuttle broke through Cetaaris IV's cloud cover, engines growling as Rann guided them toward the research facility. Davis rolled his shoulders, fighting the tension that always built before action. He felt good. Better than good. Something close to normal. The bizarre changes of the past days seemed to have run their course.
He glanced across the shuttle's interior. Ryke checked his assault rifle with practiced moves. Covak's massive body filled two seats, amber eyes alert as they descended. Jesh sat motionless, her blank stare the only sign she was running diagnostics.
"Approach trajectory clear," Rann called from the cockpit. "No activity on the ground. ETA three minutes."
"Copy that." Mira's voice came crisp through the comms. "We can't get a good reading down there. Jex says mineral deposits in the earth are blocking our scans."
"Let us know when you have something," he replied. Things were good between them now. Really good. Memories of last night replayed in his mind. Her skin against his, her body fitted perfectly to his, her voice gasping his name when?—
"Touching down in sixty seconds," Rann announced. "Prepare for potential resistance."
Davis focused, checking his sidearm one final time. Mira was safe aboard the ship with Jex. That was what mattered.
"I still think this is bullshit,"Mira's voice cut through."Just because I'm human doesn't mean I'm useless. Jesh looks human, too, and she gets to go."
Silence fell over the shuttle, and he shot a glance at Jesh. Her shoulder-mounted weapon pods gleamed under the lights, metal components jutting from her shoulders and arms.
Covak snorted. "Sure, because nothing says 'blend in with humans' like having pulse cannons grafted to your shoulders."
No one would mistake Jesh for human anymore. Not with those modifications.
"Mira," Jex's voice was gentle but firm. "Perhaps set your comm to a private channel next time."
A mortified groan filled the speakers.
"We left Jex behind, too," Davis said, keeping his tone light. "Eight-foot battle suits tend to cause a bit of panic."
"Touching down now," Rann said from the cockpit. "Careful out there. Sensors show recent weapons discharge nearby."
The shuttle settled with a metallic groan. The rear hatch lowered, revealing the research facility… or what remained of it, anyway. Smoke billowed from the eastern wing, and debris scattered across the landing area. Nothing moved.
"Well... shit." His stomach tightened, and his sense of well-being vanished, replaced by familiar tension.
Ryke was already moving, rifle raised. "Standard sweep. Covak, Davis, you take the right flank. Jesh, with me. Rann, secure our exit."
Davis nodded, following the Reaper leader down the ramp. He stepped onto Cetaaris IV, sidearm ready.
The stench hit him as they approached the building. Charred synthetics, melted plastics, and the copper-sweet smell of spilled blood beneath. Bodies lay scattered across the entrance courtyard. They were Latharian. Researchers in lab coats and security personnel still clutching weapons.
He surveyed the carnage. They hadn't stood a chance. This was methodical. Professional.
He tapped his eyecam off.
"Davis?" Mira's voice filled his ear immediately. "What are you seeing? Your feed cut out."
