Page 14 of Infala: The Alien's Bond
“In fact, do you know how to pilot any spacecraft? Or even an airborne vehicle, for that matter?”
“I mean, no. But how hard can it be? Computers run everything these days, right?”
Maureen let out an exasperated sigh. “Typical man. He probably wouldn’t be willing to admit he was lost in space and ask for directions either.”
Heydar glanced her way. “Are all males on your planet this way?” he asked, shaking his head.
“The stubborn ones are.”
Victor cast an angry look at her.
“Don’t stink eye me, Victor. You know I’m right.”
Darla stifled a chuckle and kept her eyes on Heydar, still fixated on the tall alien suddenly taking command of the situation with such ease. It was quite a shift from his earlier demeanor. For a moment there, he seemed like a natural leader.
The ship rocked and bucked, shaking hard. A wave of nauseating power flooded the compartment, making even Heydar look a little queasy. Darla and Maureen managed to keep their meals in their stomachs, but at least half of the humans were not so lucky, including Victor.
He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and stood up tall by sheer force of will, locking eyes with Heydar once more.
“I’m getting us out of here with or without you. Are you going to join me, or do you like being a Raxxian pet?”
Heydar shook his head but was clearly processing the options. “Do you even know what that was?” he asked.
“Felt like something blew up on the ship.”
“That was a Grommix attack pulse, and at relatively close range. And this craft? It is a transport ship.”
“So?”
“So, that means it is decently shielded, but lacks both the speed and firepower needed to combat so formidable an adversary.”
“What’s your point?”
“My point is, we are in a holding cell. Raxxians keep livestock in central, windowless compartments as a rule. They are designed to be able to be interchanged with other units from other ships if needed.”
“Great, we’re in the middle of the ship. That doesn’t change anything.”
“But it does. This is a safe place. At least, as safe as one could hope for in such an encounter.”
Victor puffed up his chest in a display of bravado. “You may be worried, but I’m not about to give up this chance to play it safe. I’m not worried about my safety.”
“Clearly not.”
“And I’m not afraid of these Raxxians. And I’m sure as hell not going to sit here cowering when we could be using this diversion to escape.”
“All you will do if you engage them is get people killed.”
“It’s worth the risk.”
“To you, perhaps, but the others should decide their own fates.”
“Why do you care? I thought we were nothing more than livestock.”
“To the Raxxians, yes. But my people have been at war with them since before I was born, and I am no supporter of their brutal ways.”
“So you’ll help me then?”
“I did not say that I would—”
