Page 28 of Balarr
“Keissa’s dead and she’s never coming back,” Balarr roared.
Another gasp sounded behind him.He knew he should give Luna a comforting look, or perhaps say something to reassure her, but he was too angry at Araxall to manage the act.His guilt increased.
Fluxx, what would Luna think of him after this?
Would she worry he didn’t really want her?
He resolved that as soon as the Threxals were dealt with—including his former brother-in-law—he would have an honest conversation with his new mate.
The calculating look remained on Araxall’s face, and it caused a hollow pit of unease in Balarr’s stomach.Clearly, the rebel had more to say, and Balarr knew he wouldn’t like whatever information the male planned to share.
“When the war started brewing, I suspected the Irrcons would eventually target our females and our children.So, I began developing the artificial wombs as a precaution, and I may have taken DNA samples from Vaxxlian female volunteers at that time—samples I kept safe all these years.”An evil grin spread across his face.“Would you believe that my dear sister was my first volunteer?I made her promise not to tell you, of course.It was our little secret.”
“No.”The single word echoed throughout the bridge.Balarr leaned forward on a console, stunned—and horrified—by Araxall’s revelation.
“It’s true.I’m in possession of Keissa’s DNA.Not only can I clone her, but I’m able to accelerate her growth.In addition to the artificial wombs, I’ve created maturation chambers.If I started today, in less than a year, she would be a grown adult—and a pureblood Vaxxlian female in need of a mate.”He laughed again.“I could even transplant some memories.I could make her want you.”
Horror continued spiraling through Balarr.His hands went numb, and he felt cold all over.Shock.He was hovering on the verge of shock.“No,” he said again, this time a whisper.
“Join us,” Araxall said in a confident tone, as though he believed Balarr could truly be tempted.“Your technological advances could help our cause, and in return for your gracious assistance, I would provide you with a clone of Keissa who possesses some of her memories—a pureblood Vaxxlian female who yearns only for you.”
As Balarr’s shock deepened, another screen on the bridge flashed with an incoming call.It was Commander Harnn’s ship hailing him.Why hadn’t the commander’s fleet taken out the remaining Threxal vessels yet?
A glance out the viewport showed the rebel vessels were getting into an attack formation—and theCormmahad stopped targeting them.Fluxx.What was going on?
The radar screen went blank again, and Balarr cursed and slammed his fist on the console.He terminated the connection with Araxall and accepted Commander Harnn’s incoming call.
“They’re in possession of blocking shields that are disrupting my radar,” Balarr said by way of greeting.
Commander Harnn frowned.“They’re doing the same to our ships.I’ve just ordered my fleet to manually target their vessels.We’re also working to dispel the blocking shield tech around your ship so that you can target their ships—particularly Araxall’s ship.There aren’t many of them left, but a scan of their vessels shows they are well-armed.I will transmit the signature of Araxall’s ship to you in hopes that you’ll eventually be able to take him out with that auto-defense system of yours.At present, his ship is well protected in their formation, and we haven’t managed a single hit.”
“Understood.”
Balarr’s hands flew over the console as he also attempted to disrupt the blocking shield tech.Blasted Threxals.They must’ve bought the technology from a distant outpost.It was unlike anything he’d ever encountered before, though he reminded himself that the first time they’d used it on his ship, it had weakened quickly.
All the various communication screens on the bridge flashed suddenly, and Commander Harnn’s face disappeared.Somehow, Araxall was back—his smug face staring at Balarr from another screen.
“I’m not joining your lost cause,” Balarr said with a sneer.
“Are you sure?”He laughed.“Because that human female of yours is nowhere to be seen.Did you send her away?Perhaps now that you and I are finally alone, you can tell me the truth—you can admit that you’re tempted by my offer.All you have to do is say yes, then transmit your auto-navigation protocols to my vessel, as well as that auto-defense system I saw traces of when I scanned your ship.It’s that easy, Balarr.Then, in a year, I’ll give you Keissa.”
“It won’t be Keissa!”Balarr screamed, his fury igniting all over again.Even if Araxall planted some of Keissa’s memories into the clone, it still wouldn’t really be her.
“It would be close enough.”
“I am already mated to another,” Balarr said.He paused to glance over his shoulder, looking for Luna.But Araxall was right—at some point, she’d fled the bridge.He turned back to his former brother-in-law.“As you know, our people mate for life.I cannot forsake my human mate.”
Araxall made a gagging noise.“Spare me the Vaxxlian honor.Just kill the human female.That’ll end your attachment to her.It’s that easy—kill her and then accept my offer.”
Chapter18
“It’s that easy—killher and then accept my offer.”
Luna stood outside the bridge, stunned by the conversation that was unfolding.Feeling like an intruder, she’d departed the bridge not long after Balarr’s brother-in-law had boldly proposed giving him a clone of Keissa.
Keissa.Apparently, that was the name of Balarr’s late mate.And they’d had children together.A boy and a girl.
Her heart ached for all he’d lost.
