Page 46 of My Alien Sunshine

“You’re an odd fellow, but you’ve got yourself a deal. Now, how exactly do you plan on getting us inside? We’ve been in a standoff with these guys for over ten minutes with neither side getting anywhere.” He casts a nervous look over his shoulder, fingers gripping his weapon tighter.

I pull out two pistols, wishing I’d stopped by the Supernova armory to pick up my hammer and my combat suit. And maybe some snacks, I think, my growling stomach reminding me I haven't eaten in a while. I ignore the hunger pangs. I’ll eat with Nala and Ellen once all of this is over.

The slaves watch me warily. “You’re going in with just that?”

“I’ve gone into worse situations with less. Cover me for as long as you can,” I order, hoping they know what I mean. “But don’t fucking shoot me!”

With a roar, I jump over the improvised barricade, my weapons trained on the airlock. Years of training kick in and two of Drayth’s men drop dead before they even realize there’s a madman charging at them headfirst. Their confusion plays to my advantage, as it allows me to cross the narrow gangway connecting the Crimson Serpent to the Arcade.

I’m so close to the guards now that even someone as lame as the idiots Drayth hired should be able to hit me. I duck to avoid the first volley of laser fire, then tackle the nearest male and use his body as a shield. The stench of burned flesh is incredible as laser fire blasts my improvised shield. I toss the charred body at the guards on my left and lunge right, shooting from both guns simultaneously. I don’t miss. I rarely miss.

“W-wait, please, I—” A guard pleads fruitlessly for his life, the shot between his tiny eyes my only response.

I remember him. He was one of the guards that thought it was funny to burn Ellen with hot steam. He can beg to whichever deity he believes in. I’m not interested.

Seeing that it’s now safe, the slaves pour in through the airlock. The Ataxian in charge clicks his tongue. “You don’t mess around, do you? Perhaps we could use you, after all.”

Right, now he’s interested.

I shouldn’t be helping these guys, as it’s clear they’re destined to become pirates or something worse. But I need to get to Drayth and I’m not about to slaughter a bunch of escaped slaves just because they might become trouble later. I could, but I really don’t want to. And who knows? Perhaps they’ll surprise me and become the good guys. I stifle a snort over that thought.

“The bridge is that way,” I instruct them. “Do you know how to close the airlock manually?”

“We’re not idiots,” the Ataxian replies. “You two! Get the door closed and release the docking clamps. We’re leaving this hell hole.” Yips and cheers ring out through the small room. Most of the slaves head toward the bridge, a few staying to carry out the Ataxian’s orders.

“Hey, hybrid?” he approaches me with a slightly quizzical look. “You know what was going on back there, don’t you? The miraculous disabling of the collars? The cell doors opening?” When I don’t reply, he shrugs dismissively. “Whatever, it doesn’t matter. The real question is, what the fuck are we going to do when we take off? Won’t the Arcade fire at us? It’s a fucking battleship. This floating piece of scrap won’t last more than one hit.”

He’s smart. A little too smart for a male of questionable morals. He’ll make a dangerous criminal. There are no gold rings adorning the bone spikes on his head, nothing marking his kills, but that might be just because the slavers removed them to humiliate him. I notice several indents where I believe the rings were, meaning several beings died by this male’s hand. Still, I can’t bring myself to end his life simply because I’m convinced he and his crew will turn into criminals. Everyone deserves a second chance.

“The Arcade will have other things to deal with,” I say in response to his question. “Just get clear of its gravity well as quickly as you can, then jump to hyperspace. You’ll be fine.”

He nods slowly, his contemplative expression one I can’t decipher. “Thanks,” he murmurs, his eyes roving over my body. “You’re with the UGC, aren’t you? One of the good guys.” He scoffs. “Never thought I’d owe my life to one of you.”

“I’m not interested in blood debts or whatever it is you guys do.” I don’t actually know much about Ataxian culture. Their empire has always been a little closed off, even more so after the brief war with the UGC. “All I want is Drayth. If you insist on doing something for me to even the debt, don’t become a fucking criminal.”

He laughs and grabs my shoulder. “I really like you. Are you sure you don’t want to stay with us?”

“I have a beautiful female and a kid back home. Why the fuck would I want to stay with you ugly fuckers?” I tease, heading for the nearest maintenance walkway. Drayth will have barricaded himself into his private quarters on the upper level of the ship, I’m sure of it. Fortunately, I crawled through this entire ship when looking for Ellen, and I know exactly how to get there.

“Boss, we’ve closed the door!” a female Ataxian yells at the male in charge. “The docking clamps are ready to be released on your mark.”

The leader nods. “Good job. We’re leaving.” He casts a glance in my direction. “You better hurry if you want to leave the ship before we jump to hyperspace. We won’t be waiting for you. And don’t you fucking dare steal anything.”

“Don’t worry,” I mutter, already crawling through the hatch, “there’s only one thing I want and I don’t plan on taking him with me.”

Nala

My tears fall in large droplets as I watch Faelin leave but I don’t call him back. I need him to do this. There’s no moving forward for Ellen and I as long as Drayth lives.

Faelin promised he’d be back. I cling to that thought like a lifeline.

Sliding down the wall until my ass hits the floor, I rest my head against the wall, my legs refusing to support my weight a minute longer. Ellen snuggles into me, her tears slowly subsiding. My poor baby must be just as exhausted as I am, if not more.

The odd looking furry creature wrapped around my neck croaks in panic as footsteps approach. My fingers search the floor for my weapon, but it’s nowhere to be found. I must have dropped it during our frantic escape. It’s unnecessary anyway, because the people coming in are all Faelin’s crew.

Tareq and Astra enter the ship hand in hand, sharing a tender kiss that causes my chest to ache, making me miss Faelin even more. D’Aakh and Omni head straight for where I assume is the bridge. The last to arrive is Lyriana, who’s dragging a scowling Nikolai behind her. “There are still injured people!” he protests, clutching a large bag with medical supplies to his chest. “I can help them!”

“I don’t give a shit. We’re leaving.” She hits the airlock button so hard I’m surprised the cover doesn’t crack. Her eyes rove the room, zeroing in on me. “Where’s Faelin?”

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