Page 8 of Fate of Draga

The flight back to the Core only took half an hour. Veri had spent longer than she cared to admit trying to get one of these to Asher alive for questioning. It was hard not to feel like a failure when there was a small chance they would have known about the horde long before if only she’d caught one earlier.

But Veri knew it wouldn’t have mattered.

With those numbers…they may still be able to win the war but there wouldn’t be many of them left to enjoy the victory.

She sent out her genetic code and the front lines let her pass. Asher had already moved most of the armies outside of the Core. Veri took in the warships that went on forever as she hurtled toward theRoyal Rosanera.

They had billions of fighters. Their tech was being upgraded including weapons. Supplies had been stocked and were continually sent from the Core planets. She prayed it would be enough until the next shipment, because once they reached Khara there was no going back. They could plunder resources, but rationing would be necessary.

No one knew how long this would take.

Veri landed in theRoyal Rosanera’s massive hangar and opened the hatch so she could jump out. The Neprijat ship was one of many they’d captured. But this time the warrior should still be alive when she had the door pried open.

Mechanics came with their tools, warriors with their cuffs, and Veri crossed her arms over her chest as she watched it all – as they waited to see what would be inside that ship.

Nothing happened when the door was pried open. It wasn’t the first time either. Only one had tried to charge them – knowing he wouldn’t survive. Veri’s orders had been too late and the Neprijat was shot down instantly.

She was the one who entered the foreign ship – she always was. Veri would never ask anyone to risk their lives in a way that she would not. Kneeling beside the prone body she checked for a pulse.

Veri grinned. “This one’s alive! Take him to the brig for questioning. Bind him up tight. I don’t want him to be able to useanythingwhen he wakens.”

Such foolish dedication. Veri wanted to know how the Neprijat king instilled such maniacal loyalty. Or was it fear? It was difficult to tell when she assumed it was some strange mix of both. Did their powers of persuasion work on their own kind? Or perhaps just the king was capable?

It was of no consequence regardless. They would find out soon enough.

Veri loosened the neck on her armor and strode towards the lift after the prisoner of war. She couldn’t wait to tell Asher of the present she’d brought him.

No one stopped her as she made her way to the brig. She’d already sent a cast to Asher. He would make it there before she did thanks to the size of the ship.

The warrior on duty stood and bowed as she entered. Veri waved at him in dismissal. They didn’t have the time for protocol anymore and she couldn’t say she missed it.

“I brought you a present,mia principe,” she said. “The first one we’ve captured alive and another ship to add to the collection. You are welcome.”

“Alive?” Asher asked.

Her prince stood at one of the only windows and watched the stars fly by in white streaks. With the new speed it would only be days before they reached Adelina and her armies at the borders of Draga, Hai, and Khara – right where they all intersected.

“Yes, he’s alive.” Veri threw her arms around Asher, not caring if anyone saw.

The only reason she wasn’t afraid, the only reason what came next didn’t make her want to give up, was because of Asher. He would be by her side as they fought. She would walk onto the battlefield with him.

Veri had no intention of living if he died. She would make the Neprijat pay if such a thing came about and she knew Asher felt the same. Smiling up at him she gave him a brief, sweet kiss. Knowing she had him – which they would fight to the death with and for each other…Veri was not afraid.

Asher held her face a second longer than he normally would have, and Veri knew that despite his calm demeanor, her prince was worried. Whether it was his sister, or the upcoming battle for Khara that they could very easily lose, she didn’t know. But Veri gave him a long look and nodded.

She would be there for him regardless.

Asher nodded too and released her. They turned as one to the warriors who came into the brig, dragging the unconscious body of the Neprijat – bound within an inch of its life. He wasn’t just tossed into a cell; he was secured so each hand was as far from his body as possible, and the same for his feet.

Once the plasma shield went up, Veri tapped a command on her gauntlet and shocked the warrior awake.

He roared and thrashed against the bonds instantly. The only thing they hadn’t bound was his mouth, but everyone took precautions now. Every ship had been fitted with a newly-developed system that sent out silent wavelengths that canceled any persuasion the Neprijat had.

Veri supposed they would finally see if it worked.

“Tell me,” Asher said. “How many of you are left in the Draga System?”

Somehow Veri could hear her prince despite the Neprijat’s roaring.

---