Page 57 of Galactic Sentinels: Vol 2
“I’m the guy you and your band of thieves should’ve left the hell alone,” he says with a cocky half-smile.
I let the silence settle, watching him. There’s an echo in his words—a bluff. His posture is all show. He knows he’s outmatched.
“When exactly did you disable his ship?” I ask the Penubians.
“Right after they left Gekkaria’s lower atmosphere. That planet’s pretty lame. Nothing worth looting… just food.”
“Perfect. That means their ship had no other coordinates logged. The pulse you hit them with likely fried their comms too. Even if he’s from the Confederation, they don’t know where he is.”
I turn back to the Human, baring my teeth in a smile. He’s not smiling anymore.
“What makes you think I’m with the Confederation?” he asks.
“Because you threatened us. Which means you still think someone’s coming for you. But you and I both know—you’re well and truly trapped.”
His icy blue eyes darken. He knows I’m right.
“I’m guessing you’re the Coalition boss around here,” he says. “Let’s make a deal. You let my sister go, and I stay quiet. No one needs to know where this place is.”
“Why would I do that?”
“She’s no threat. Let her go. I’ll keep your secret.”
I glance at the Penubian beside me, who answers my unspoken question.
“Beautiful female. She’s a bit roughed up from the capture, so she won’t be fit for tomorrow’s auction. But we’ll have buyers lining up for her at the next one. Same eyes as this guy.”
The Human’s entire body tenses. He lunges, but the Penubians hold him fast.
“Listen,” he says, his voice tight. “You’re right. I’m with the Confederation. Let my sister go, and I’ll forget this place exists.”
“Do you even know where you are?” I ask, amused.
“Somewhere within thirty hours of Gekkaria. Based on the ship’s speed and course, there can’t be more than ten viable planetary systems in range.”
He’s good. Too good. He’s traveled. He’ll find us again.
And I believe him when he says he’ll stay silent… if we let her go.
But I don’t trust easily. Especially not my enemies.
“You say you’ll stay quiet,” I sneer. “But who exactly would you tell, if I keep her and dispose of you? Your buyers? They already know where Vagantu is.”
“You think I’ll sit in a cell forever?” he snaps. “I’ll escape the first chance I get.”
“Truth,” I say softly.
“What?”
I sigh. Time to explain.
“I’m a Srebat. I can tell truth from lies. You’re telling the truth. You’ll escape—and bring the Confederation right back here.”
He flinches. He understands. The only way to protect Vagantu… is to silence him forever.
“Please,” he whispers. “Let her go.”
I grimace. I hate seeing strong men beg. It strips them of the dignity they should die with.
