Page 46 of My Big Scaly Alien Naga
“Commander Lhu, what are you planning to do now?Will you go for an outright attack?”
“Our strategists are still calculating the risk/benefit of various plans.We shall contact the Bloodstar if we need your assistance.”
Sensing he was about to end the communication, I quickly interjected.“Are you aware there is at least one more Peritan female on the planet’s surface?She was sent there just before Clare and me.”
“We are aware.However, according to our calculation, there are at least 521 victims on the space station.They have to be our priority, along with capturing the remaining game makers.It is a pity Jarra can no longer be put to trial.”
He vanished before I could respond.Pity my arse.I did not regret killing Jarra.He had threatened my mate.I only regretted that I had not killed him by burying my fangs deep in his throat.
I slowly opened my eyes only to look into the concerned face of my mate.
“Are you alright?You went very still and almost stopped breathing.”
“I am fine.But… I could do with another waffle.”
There was nothing to do but wait.
The others trickled back into the bridge shortly after our conversation with Commander Lhu ended.Vruhag came first, nodding to me with a grunt of quiet respect.Then Silus, practically vibrating with half-swallowed energy.Pria, calm and practical.Penny and Qong entered together, hands brushing briefly.A tight circle of experience and scars.We were all survivors now.
But no one quite knew what came next.
Fay crossed her arms and broke the silence.“So?Do we sit on our hands while the IA makes their move, or do we start doing something useful?”
“They’ll call when they need us,” I said before anyone else could.“Until then, we don’t jeopardise the mission by guessing.”
“Agreed,” Vruhag rumbled.“The last thing we want is to spook them into thinking we’re some rogue operation.”
Silus opened his mouth, likely to suggest exactly that, but Pria shot him a look.He reconsidered.
“Should we contact the chii now?”Clare asked.“I kind of miss them.And I want to make sure they’re safe.I really hope the Tyvarin didn’t attack their cave.”
Fay’s eyebrows shot up.“You met the chii?”
Clare nodded sadly.“Yes.We’re mind-linked to two of them.And we never got to say a proper goodbye.”
Fay smiled.“You don’t have to.I speak to my chii, Ali’quii, all the time.The mental bond isn’t strong enough to reach her from here while I’m awake, but as soon as I’m asleep, I can talk to her.At first, I thought it was just a dream, but then Vruhag experienced the same thing.”
The orc nodded.“I asked them once whether they wanted us to take them along with us, once we’d rescued all the Peritan females.They saved our lives.We owe them a debt.But they have decided to stay on Kalumbu.It’s their home.”
I put an arm around Clare’s shoulders.She leant into my touch as if she’d done it a thousand times before.My fangs ached with need.I wished we were alone, the two of us.
“I think it is best to wait until we go to sleep and try to contact them that way.The game makers will be on high alert just now, after our escape.If we were to send the chii a message, they might track our transmission.I don’t want to endanger them.”
Clare sighed.“That makes sense.I just hate waiting.I want to do something.”
Fay turned to Clare and me.“Alright.While the rest of us avoid pacing holes into the floor, how about a proper tour?You’ve earned at least that.”
We followed Fay through the corridors – all smooth curves and sloping tunnels.It reminded me of something organic, something grown rather than built.The Bloodstar had history in her bones.
She pointed out the canteen with its humming fabricator unit.I caught Clare’s expression as the scent of waffles still lingered in the air, and my hearts did something strange.They fluttered.Briefly.Sharply.
We passed rooms lined with stars and screens, virtual chambers and holo projections, a lounge that shimmered with rearranging furniture, even a swimming pool.Clare took it all in with wide eyes and cautious wonder.I had to remind myself that this was her first time on a spaceship.At least the first time that she was conscious.She had travelled so far to come here from her tiny planet, but she had been in cryosleep for that journey.I made a mental note to ask her later if she needed help with any of the ship’s functions or if she had questions about how everything worked.
We stopped by the medbay for a few clicks so that Clare could get the tracker implant removed.She was a bit apprehensive going into one of the medpod – probably remembering waking up in the cryopod – but then squared her shoulders and followed the medical AI’s instructions.The procedure was done almost instantly and caused her no pain.Still, it wasn’t easy watching her lie in the pod, as if she was unwell.
Both of us were glad to leave the medbay and continue our tour.We passed a cosy observation lounge with huge windows showing Kalumbu and the stars beyond.I’d love to take Clare here one cycle and enjoy the view, preferably with a drink or two.
Then Fay stopped at a curved door.
