Page 59 of Galactic Sentinels: Vol 2
So now I’m seriously injured, stuck on a tiny Human ship, riding shotgun with a girl barely big enough to qualify as a threat.
I study her carefully. I don’t recognize her.
But those eyes… That deep, brilliant blue… I’ve seen thembefore. On the Human male we captured not long ago. The one who—died. I made sure of that.
No doubt now. She’s his sister.
That’s going to be… inconvenient.
For now, I need to focus on survival. Rest. Regain use of my shattered limbs.
A wave of exhaustion crashes over me like a flood.
Everything blurs. It’s like trying to stay awake underwater.
— Relax, she says gently. I gave you a mild sedative for the trip. I’m going to top it up. You really weren’t supposed to wake up until we got there. We’re almost at Gekkaria, the tiny planet where I live. You’ll be safe there. You’ll have time to heal.
Truths.
Her voice softens into background static.
I let go.
And the void takes me.
I wake up with difficulty. Once again, pain pierces through every part of me. Every breath is torture, every movement an ordeal.
“Easy now,” says a soft female voice as multiple hands hold me up and keep me from collapsing.
I grit my teeth to stifle a scream of pain.
I open my eyes and quickly take in my surroundings.
The ones carrying me are humanoid reptiles. Not Penubians, thank the Stars! They follow Sam’s instructions as she points toward a massive tree, making small approving clicks.
When she sees I’m awake, my so-called savior turns to me.
“We’ve arrived in Gekkari territory. They’ll carry you up to your pod, where you’ll stay until you’ve healed. Sorry, but the climb might hurt a bit…”
No kidding!
At the base of the tree, several Gekkaris leap toward its smooth purple bark and grab hold of my arms. I’m hoisted up, passed from hand to hand like a damn package, with all the delicacy of a cattle auction.
This Vagantu-grade torture finally ends when the trunk gives way to a small hut woven from branches.
“Lay him down there,” Sam instructs.
I can’t even open my mouth to chew her out. I’d probably vomit from the pain and humiliation.
I shut my eyes and try to mentally assess the damage.
My wounds must be deep, my bruises countless, and the bones in my right leg—crudely stabilized with splints—feel shattered in several places. My ribs are messed up, too.
And the shame… Stars, the shame! Me, a Srebat, reduced to this pitiful, helpless state.
After a moment to gather myself, I try sitting up, but the pain is unbearable. The Gekkaris are gone, but Sam’s still here.
“I almost dropped you off in Gekkar Creek,” she starts. “But Felone’s ship was parked there. He’s a nasty crime lord who’s taken over this system. Given your condition, I thought it was safer to hide you here.”
