Page 45 of Infala: Claimed By Rivals
“It is the name of the alloy they use to shield their livestock areas from scans. It makes it difficult for anyone to make claim their people have been taken without the ability to prove it. And without proof, most will not dare openly attack without documented provocation or cause.”
Rykker nodded his agreement. “However, we should be cognizant that there are other search technologies running in the general area besides ours. I masked our scan so they would not detect it, but it is clear there are more parties than just us examining the downed Raxxian vessels.”
That was all Olivia needed to hear. “Then we need to get going. Now!”
“The ship’s propulsion system is damaged. It will fly, but at suboptimal capacity. In addition, with the damage to our shielding systems, I think it is fair to say that from what I havedetected we will need to make the approach on foot to avoid detection.”
“Can you fix it?” she asked, glancing between the men.
“Do not look at me for this matter. Rykker is the more skilled technician,” Arkness noted, his chest puffing with a little arrogance. “I, however, am the better pilot. I can fly pretty muchanything.”
“That’s great, but what about the ship?”
Ryker nodded confidently. “I can fix it, yes.”
Arkness shook his head. “There is no time to waste. You yourself said that others have noted the crash. They could be salvagers. Possibly worse. And if there are injured, I have the most medical training should it be needed.”
Olivia didn’t like the sound of that. Not one bit. “You saidworsethan salvagers?”
“Yes. Regardless, we are few in number and avoiding conflict is paramount. We must split up to better cover more ground given the situation.”
Rykker walked to Olivia and put his hand on her shoulder a bit possessively, ushering her closer to him. “We will go this direction. You branch off that way.”
Anger flared in Arkness’s eyes. “No. She will go withme.”
Rykker matched his angry look in kind. “No, she willnot.”
The tension between them had abruptly flared from a smoldering ember to an open flame, and Olivia could actually smell each of their scents spike in intensity with the conflict. Strangely, the new ink on her chest was also doing something strange in response. The Infala felt like it was churning under her skin, and it was not comfortable at all. In fact, it was a sensation so distracting she had to sit down to compose herself while the men argued.
Arkness’s jaw flexed hard. “I am the senior companion. It is my right,” he growled, fists clenching in anger.
“You are senior only because you are literallydaysolder than I am, not based on skill or merit.”
“The rules are the rules,” Arkness shot back, momentarily silencing his rival with this simple fact of their upbringing.
Rykker thought on it a long moment, his pulse now visible in his neck. “Fine,” he finally replied, his low baritone rumbling with displeasure. “If you want rules, so be it. I invoke the right of challenge.”
Arkness laughed, though to any watching closely his surprise would have been apparent in his gaze. “Challenge? You?”
“You heard me. Do you accept? Or do you concede?”
“You know the answer.”
“An answer which must be spoken aloud. As you say, the rules are the rules.”
Arkness pulled his shirt off and rolled his shoulders. “I accept.”
His counterpart did the same, doffing his top and loosening up with a quick shake-out of his arms and neck. “Then let’s get to it.”
Arkness was already in motion before Rykker had uttered the last word, his massive fist flying square at his opponent’s chin.
Rykker expected no less from him, having trained alongside his rival his entire life. He ducked aside, delivering a quick punch to the ribs as he moved laterally to gain a better angle. Arkness, however, had also paid attention to their training sessions, and he’d taken the blow in anticipation of countering his opponent’s counterstrike.
His elbow flew in a quick arc, hammering Rykker across the jaw. The sturdily built man took it with ease, a low kick to the leg flying immediately, followed by a spinning hammer fist. Arkness blocked the former but was forced to absorb the latter, his thick neck acting as a shock absorber for the impact.
The taller man hooked his arm over Rykker’s shoulder, throwing his hip hard against him, pulling with all his might to yank him off his feet. Rykker, however, was familiar with the move. They had trained under the same teachers, after all. He pushed his forearm against Arkness’s lower back and slid to the side, stepping back to gain distance, but not before landing a parting jab.
The two lunged forward, grabbing one another hard as they transitioned into violent wrestling, each trying to force the other to the ground.
