“Avrell,” Zoe chokes out. “What if they’re all dead? We should turn around.”
Another explosion rocks the ship, making more people scream within.
“If there’s a chance they’re still alive down there, we have to try and help them.” I mash a button, sending fire power spraying out in front of us, hitting a ship in the process and sending it hurtling into the smoke. “Hold on. This ride is about to get a whole lot bumpier.”
Epilogue
Galen
Day of the Kevins Attack
A few solars before Avrell arrives…
I’m furious.
Fuming.
Explosive.
If I don’t put distance between me and Breccan, I’m going to knock his nog right off his shoulders.
How dare he keep all that food and seedlings and supplies hostage when we nearly rekking died from starvation? I despaired one revolution in the command center over how we would feed the morts and he let me think the worst. Allowed me to feel as though we had no hope.
We had everything down there.
Everything.
My respect for my commander is at a dangerous low.
I need to leave.
As soon as the idea pops into my nog, I can’t unthink it. I want to pack up and walk away. Take some time away from these people—these morts and their happy mates and adorable mortlings. It’s too much. The familiar rage that always simmers below my surface hisses and burns, threatening to spill over.
The morts are busy herding the females and mortlings into The Reserves, but I couldn’t participate. I’ve been pacing the command center, wondering just what I should be doing to expel this anger.
If Avrell and the others at Exilium weren’t planning to head this way, I’d go in that direction just for change of scenery. But, if I go there, I’ll be all alone.
Maybe that’s what I need.
Space.
“Come in…Can…hear me?” a female calls out.
I storm over to the comms. “Zoe? Is everything okay?”
“Not…Zoe…” Static crackles along the lines. “Speak to human.”
Annoyance rises up inside me. “They’re hiding from the impending Kevin attack so all you have is me. Whether or not you like it, I’m going to be the one helping you. Now, where are you? Who is this?”
No response.
“Hello?” I grind out. “If you’re in trouble, I can help. Let me help you.”
“Fine…we’re in a cave…can see your building…”
“You’re close. What can you see around you so I can find you?”
“…lake…”
Lake Acido is the closest one and there’s a mountain on the other side that I can see from the Facility.
“Are you hurt?”
“No…they’re coming for us. We’ve locked…room.”
“Who? How many of you are there?”
“Two. Me…son…Henry.”
Stella. They thought she and her son were dead.
A loud familiar roar rasps through the line, making both Stella and Henry scream.
Sabrevipes.
They’re trapped in a cave and those hungry rekking beasts are going to get them.
“Hurry!” she hisses.
“Stay hidden. I’m on my way.”
Without wasting a second, I rush through the Facility, throw on my zu-gear, grab some weapons and my pack, and rush out the door. The loud sound of ships arriving above bringing an army of Kevins is the least of my worries.
Stella and Henry need me.
Breccan will think I abandoned them, and maybe in a way I’m eager to do this mission because I’m angry with him. It doesn’t matter, though. All that matters are the two very frightened aliens who will become a sabrevipe meal soon if I don’t save them.
Sabrevipes are relentless creatures. They’ll pursue them until they succeed.
I just can’t let that happen.