Page 86 of Salvation for the Alien Mercenary
Mira cried out as Spot was flung clear of the wreckage, the small drakeen core spinning across the floor. "Spot!"
The little robot's sensors flickered weakly, three legs damaged beyond function. Still, it righted itself and scuttled toward them with awkward, desperate movements.
He pulled Mira against him as he fired at approaching enemies with the pistol in his other hand. Each shot found its mark. Spot reached them, climbing onto Mira's boot and clinging to her pant leg with its remaining appendages.
"We need to go," he said, his voice deeper than before, barely recognizable. "Now."
"Davis," she said, her voice cutting through his focus.
He turned to her, automatically positioning himself between her and any threats. A small cut had opened on her forehead. Her pupils were dilated, her breathing shallow.
"Stay behind me," he ordered.
The battle unfolded around him in vivid detail… Covak's massive form breaking through the western barricade, Jesh picking off enemies with precise shots behind him. Ryke and Rann were in the northern corridor, each covering the other with practiced efficiency. Anson'ske'lathpulsed beneath his skin, the blue glow intensifying as blast doors slammed shut on unsuspecting M'Suun squads.
Davis scanned the battlefield. The tide was turning. M'Suun formations broke against the combined assault of the Reapers and Jex's overwhelming firepower from the Scorperio.
A flash of movement caught his eye. K’ell, darting through a service door. The Latharian's arms clutched several data cores and sample containers against his body. He tensed, instinct pulling him toward the fleeing scientist. But then Mira moved beside him, and his priorities shifted between one heartbeat and the next.
Nothing matters except keeping her safe.
Movement in the corner of his eye caught his attention. A wounded M'Suun hiding behind a damaged assembly line raised his weapon. Davis spun, reaching for Mira, but the M'Suun fired before he could move her clear.
The round clipped her side, tearing through her jacket. She gasped, stumbling against him. Blood. Her blood. The coppery scent flooded his senses, and his vision tinged red at the edges.
A low growl vibrated in his throat, and he moved, closing the distance to the M'Suun in three strides. His hand closed around the man's throat, lifting him clear off the ground. His grip was brutal, and he watched as the life fled from the M'Suun's eyes. He dropped the still-warm body like garbage.
When he returned, Mira had her hand pressed against her side. Blood seeped between her fingers.
"It's just a scratch," she said, wincing. "I'm fine."
He ignored her words, focusing on her elevated pulse and the slight hitch in her breathing. His hand covered hers, applying pressure to the wound.
"Local security inbound," Ryke's voice cut across the comms. "Two minutes. Everyone to extraction. Move!"
He swept her into his arms, cradling her and Spot against his chest.
"Put me down! I can walk."
"No."
"Davis, it's barely a scratch. This is ridiculous."
He tightened his grip. "You're injured."
She pushed against him ineffectually. "It's a graze! I don't need to be carried like some damsel in distress."
He didn't bother responding.Nothing will stop me from protecting what's mine.
The team moved in formation toward the extraction point. Jesh and Covak took point while Anson and Rann covered their flanks. Ryke brought up the rear, laying down suppressive fire. Spot skittered alongside them, sensors constantly scanning. He adjusted his grip, securing her against him as they moved across the courtyard toward the waiting shuttle. Jex stood guard, onboard weapons tracking any movement. Spot chirped, waving his undamaged front arms at the former cyborg.
"We've got incoming," Ryke announced. "Thirty seconds."
He picked up his pace, careful not to jostle her wound. The stabilization protocol K’ell had developed was gone. Whatever was happening to him would continue unchecked.
He should have been terrified. Instead, as her warmth pressed against him, all he could think was that he would do whatever it took to keep her safe. Tightening his hold, he continued toward the waiting shuttle, every step bringing Mira closer to safety.
Nothing else mattered to him.
