“Definitely risky.”
“Word has it that she’ll be sold at the auction on Marall-9. Typical bidders include other Ocretions and various species. Marall-9 is a lawless planet—it’s why they choose it for such auctions. The females are often not yet of maturity, yet they sell them as sex slaves anyway.”
I shudder. “Our galaxy has such ugliness. Stars willing, we will save this one.”
“Yes.” His voice is pensive. “It’s known that slave buyers on Marall-9 need to bring heavy protection for their purchases because theft is common. We will use disguises as we steal the human. Although they won’t trick Ocretions up close for long, in a short scuffle we can mask ourselves as other beings.”
“I have the star charts memorized.” I tap my head. “In a combination of my own mind and the silicon addition. You should all get it done.” I chuckle.
“I thought Dr. Daneth said it was still too new for the general population?” He laughs. “If it were that easy, we’d all be doing it. Imagine what our warriors could do with sight and your brain tech.”
“Yeah.” I wince, remembering how the operation had affected my nerves. How I couldn’t walk for nearly a solar cycle—and fought my way back from paralysis with painful therapy. Each planet rotation a nightmare of doubt. “Too soon to risk that kind of operation on Zandians who weren’t useless to start. I was a throw-away, so it didn’t matter too much, experimenting on me.”
Drayk frowns. I can tell because my sensors indicate his muscles have moved, pulling his lips downward. “I don’t like hearing you speak in such a negative way. It is important for us to be strong and optimistic. Especially before a mission.”
“Just a joke.”
“Was it?” He stares at me.
I turn my head away. “I’m ready for the mission.”
“Excellent.” He swivels and the displaced air shows me the volume of his form and where it has moved. “The rest of the crew are boarding as we speak. Prepare the nav stats.”
“Yes, Captain.” He’s my best friend, but on missions he’s my boss, and as a Zandian, I give him the full respect of his rank. “Stand by for orders.”
Chapter 2
Zina
“No! Zina!”
I wake abruptly at the scream that rings out through our slave barracks. For a split second I think Enya is having a nightmare—until brutal floodlights pierce the pitch black of our sleeping quarters.
“That one, there, the young human with the black hair. Take her. Barcode 55497.” It’s Ocretion guards. And they’re pointing at Enya.
“Ah, I’d recognize that one without any digits. I’d buy her myself if I had the stein.” A stinking guard leers at her and she shrinks back, whimpering in terror.
I leap to my feet, blinking and wincing at the lights that flash and bob in my eyes, and wrap my arms around the girl beside me, whose entire body trembles with fear. “Zina, don’t let them take me,” she whisper-sobs, gripping me tightly.
The Ocretion guards approach us, shock sticks sparkling, blue electricity dancing at the metal tips. I turn my body and clench my muscles, hoping to shield Enya from the pain.
But it doesn’t come, not this time.
“Wait. Master said no damage,” a harsh voice rings out.
I peer over my shoulder to see. Enya buries her head in my neck.
An overseer raises his hand. “There will be a steep price for any being who puts a single bruise on the young. She is expected to fetch top stein at the auction and must be in perfect condition.”
“No!” I clench my fists. “It’s a mistake. She’s not even of age for auction. She is but nine solar cycles!”
“He’s found a place that auctions them younger,” the guard snarls.
I stand defiant. “Master approved me to continue being her guardian while we both work house duty for the next solar cycle.” Enya whimpers and pushes into me, and I automatically grip her with my arm as tightly as I can. “She’s just a young. Leave her alone.”
“That is not your jurisdiction.” The closest guard snarls and raises his stick, but one look from the overseer has him stepping back, albeit with reluctance.
“Take the nanny as well. We’ll dispose of her later as necessary.” The overseer frowns, assessing me and then looking to the door. “Just get the girl to auction.”