Page 50 of Possessed By the Dragon Alien
“What is it?” she asked him quietly.
“I’m trying to count the cost,” he said honestly. “How many will die in this war? How many worlds will be devastated? The Axis may be evil, but they’ve also maintained a kind of order. When they fall…”
“Chaos,” Stavian said grimly.
“For a time, yes.” Nena moved to Madrian’s side, taking his hand in hers. “But chaos is better than oppression. We can help these worlds build something better from the ashes.”
“Will we?” His silver eyes searched hers. “I’ve spent my entire life in systems of control and domination. How canIhelp create something different?”
The vulnerability in his voice made her heart ache. This powerful, dangerous male was terrified of becoming the very thing he’d fought against.
“You’re not alone anymore,” she said simply. “All of us have different strengths and backgrounds. No one is going to let you fall back into Axis ways.”
“That’s the truth right there.” Razion crossed his arms with a grin.
Around them, the others nodded in agreement. These weren’t would-be tyrants seeking to replace one empire with another. They were survivors who had found love and hope in the darkest places, who understood the value of choice and dignity and the right to determine one’s own fate.
“Together,” Madrian repeated, and some of the tension left his shoulders.
“Yeah, together,” she confirmed, lifting their joined hands to press a kiss to his knuckles.
The moment was interrupted by an urgent chime from Rien’s display. Her expression shifted from excitement to alarm as she read the new transmission.
“What is it?” Ellion asked sharply.
“Long-range sensors have detected a massive Axis fleet moving toward the outer rim territories,” she said tersely. “They’re not heading for us. They’re moving to crush the bigger rebellions before they can fully organize.”
The mood in the room shifted instantly from hope to urgency. If the Axis could stamp out the uprising in its early stages, their chance might be lost forever.
“How long do we have?” Takkian asked.
“Two full cycles,” Rien replied. “Maybe less, before they reach the first rebel worlds.”
Ellion looked at Madrian. “You have the most inside knowledge of the Axis. What do you think we should do?”
“We must move now.” All traces of uncertainty vanished from Madrian’s voice. This was the tactical mind that had served the Axis so effectively, now turned to their destruction. “We should coordinate with all available rebels. Tell them to converge on the following coordinates.” He rattled off a series ofnumbers that meant nothing to Nena but made Stavian’s eyes widen.
“Hold on. That’s the edge of Axis Central’s sensor range,” Stavian said. “Why there?”
“The Axis has little surveillance and few defenses in that sector,” he said. “If we can unite some of the rebel fleets before the Axis can divide and conquer them individually, we have a chance to disrupt a significant arm of the armada.”
“And if we can’t?” Sevas asked.
“Then we die trying,” Lilas said with typical bluntness. “But solid chance we live.”
Sevas shrugged. “Okay. I’m in.”
“As am I.” Takkian nodded. “Madrian’s knowledge is the key to defeating the Axis. I say we follow his lead.”
The others agreed, and Nena felt a fierce surge of pride. These wereherpeople—not just the Terians, but all of them. The family they’d chosen, the bonds they’d forged. If this was to be their final battle, at least they would face it together.
“How long until we reach the rendezvous point?” she asked.
“Three hundredpiks,” Rien answered. “Assuming nothing goes wrong.”
“Something always goes wrong,” Razion muttered.
“Then we plan for it,” Madrian said. “Rien, I loaded as much detailed intelligence on every Axis vessel, every weapon system, every defensive position around Central that I could gather before we left. It’s in the data bank of the shuttle. Gather it and send it to everyone here. If we’re going to do this, there are no secrets.”
