Page 89 of Captive Mate

“What happens when we find the transport unit?” Grazine asked, a grin on his face.

“We will board it by force. And I will take back what already belongs to me. After that, we will begin to make some changes.”

“What about Zican?” This time, his question was asked quietly.

I thought about what he was insinuating. His act of treason should mean his death. “Only when she is safe will I decide on his fate. Her safety is of utmost importance.”

“Understood. I know you’ll do the right thing.”

The right thing. I hadn’t done the right thing my entire life. What I hadn’t realized was that my father hadn’t hated the fact I’d been the rebel. In fact, he’d embraced it, even trying to nurture the fact I was different. I’d ignored his tutelage and my heritage for far too long.

“Contact Ravat, Grazine. I’m going to share the news.”

“He’s in our orbit, Commander,” Lieutenant Pakar said in passing. “Would you prefer to contact him yourself?”

“Send him an invite to the ship. I think I’d prefer to have a talk in person. And Lieutenant, when you locate the transport unit, ensure that we are cloaked. I want on that ship without Manta knowing.”

“Easily done, Commander. It will be my pleasure to have the molecular unit standing by.” Lieutenant Pakar was obviously happy with my decision.

“Excellent. A surprise.”

Given my brother and I had been at odds for so long, the shock was already evident.

And that made me smile. My people would be prepared for additional shocks in the upcoming various moon cycles.

I glared out the window at the beautiful stars. At least I hadn’t lied to her. I couldn’t wait to share the beauty of my planet with her. And vice versa. It would be a pleasure to share the experience of stepping on Earth for the first time. Together.

Little did the Vektorians know a true celebration was in order. For every male and female. And the reason? A new life for everyone.

* * *

Sunny

Clang.

I woke with a jerk, immediately trying to focus in the darkness. Almost instantly, I realized where I was, stuck in a cramped equipment room. At least I was alive. I shifted to a standing position, my muscles aching. Then I listened again to try to determine what I’d heard.

How long had I been asleep? There was no way of telling. However, it was time to find another hiding place. How long could I keep it up?

As long as it took. If I could only find a weapon more powerful than the steel pipe that had broken me free from the cage, then maybe I could take control over the ship. I’d toss the alien’s ass into the cage. But at least the pipe would help if I was attacked.

That’s what I would need to do. It was obvious my hero wasn’t coming to save me. That gave me a moment of sadness, Zican’s words of hatred toward his commander sticking in the forefront of my mind. However, I no longer had the luxury of worrying about whether I’d be saved.

I moved to the small hatch door I’d found, shocked the alien had yet to peer inside. After sucking in and holding my breath, I popped it open. Hearing nothing for a full thirty seconds, I eased it back, struggling to crawl out of the hole. Then I carefully returned the lid into position, scanning the larger equipment room before moving toward the door. It had been left ajar and not by me, which meant Zican had come into the room at least once. With the pipe tightly held in one hand, I moved into the corridor.

Thankfully, there was no one close and no sound either. Without knowing every inch of the small ship, I moved to the right, heading toward what I remembered to be the sleeping quarters. As I rounded a corner, I was stunned into a moment of utter panic.

There he was headed in my direction.

He lifted his head, recognition forming a smile on his face. Then he lifted his arm, beckoning me with a single finger. “Come to me, little human. You’ve been very bad. However, I’ll go easy on you if you obey me.”

I broke free from the moment of paralysis, shifting the pipe from one hand to the other. “Not a chance. Fucker. Catch me if you can.” I took off running in the opposite direction, praying I was headed to the bridge. Although when I got there, I had no idea what I thought I could do. I kept my feet moving even though I was still exhausted, flying down several corridors, glancing over my shoulder only once. The alien was pissed, so much so I was shocked he hadn’t thrown his arm in my direction, allowing fire to flow from his fingertips.

I continued running, realizing I would be cornered in less than a minute. I had to take a stand and fight him.

He issued a harsh bellow and before I had a chance to turn around, he wrapped his hand around my long strands of hair, ripping me off my feet then tossing me against the wall. I hit with a savage thud, sliding down the slick wall, trying desperately to keep my hand wrapped around the pipe.

“No!” I screamed, fighting with everything I had to get to my feet. He watched me do it, an evil grin on his face. When he started to take a swing, so did I, managing to catch him across the face. I lunged forward in an attempt to run away again but he snagged my arm, pitching me backwards. This time, I lost my grip on the pipe, the metal tossed into the air as I watched it almost as if in slow motion.

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