Page 20 of Rescued By the Alien Acolyte

I feel a surge of rage at the mention of the Marauders. These are the beings responsible for Loelle’s crew member’s death, for putting Loelle in danger. My hands clench into fists.

Kuran steps forward, his cybernetic eye whirring as it projects a holographic map of Terrax, the droughtlands, and Crimson Ridge onto the cluttered table. The blue light illuminates the worry lines on his face. “We’ve got a plan,” he says, his voice steady despite the gravity of the situation. “It’s risky, but it might work.”

As he outlines the strategy, I watch Loelle in admiration. Gone is the vulnerable woman from our intimate moments. In her place stands a formidable leader, her eyes sharp as she analyzes every detail of the plan. She offers modifications and alternatives with a confidence that commands respect. This is her element, and her crew responds with a practiced efficiency that speaks of long experience and deep trust.

I find myself impressed by their cohesion and their readiness to take on such a dangerous mission. It’s unlike anything I’ve experienced in the Nexus, where fear and blind obedience were the norm. Here, there’s a sense of family, of unity in the face of overwhelming odds. It stirs in me a longing for connection I never knew I had… or needed.

“The plan is solid,” Loelle declares, her voice firm and commanding. “But we’ll need to split into three teams to maximize our chances.”

She turns to the hulking Baelarian. “Zax’r, you’ll lead the distraction team. I need you to create chaos in the market district. Use those four arms of yours to their full potential. Make it look like we’re trying to escape the city, then meet up with Kuran.”

Zax’r nods, a fierce grin spreading across his face. “Consider it done, boss. I’ll give them a show they won’t forget.”

“Kuran,” Loelle continues, “you’re on tech. I need you to hack into the city’s security systems. Blind their cameras, scramble their communications. Make us ghosts in the machine. Then arrange our escape transportation.”

The tech expert’s cybernetic eye flashes. “Already on it. They won’t know what hit them.”

“Leera, you’re with me and Finzar. We’re going straight for the heart of the Nexus.” Loelle’s gaze meets mine, and I see the fire of determination burning in her eyes. “We’ll infiltrate their temple and put an end to this Solstice ritual once and for all. Disrupt and kill any sun scum who get in our way.”

I nod, a grim smile playing on my lips. “I know every inch of that place. Every secret passage, every weak point. We’ll tear it down from the inside out.”

The crew nods, determination etched on their faces. I can feel their energy, their readiness for battle. It’s intoxicating.

As dawn breaks, casting long shadows across the cluttered hideout, we make our final preparations. Weapons are checked and double-checked. Comms are synced and tested.

Kuran hands out small, intricate devices to each of us. “Distress beacons,” he explains, his cybernetic eye whirring as he exhibits their features. “If things go south, activate it. It’ll send your location to the rest of us and jam Nexus communications in your immediate area for about 30 seconds. Should give you a fighting chance to escape or for us to mount a rescue.”

I examine the device, noting its crude construction. “How reliable are these?” I ask, skepticism clear in my voice.

Kuran shrugs, a grim smile on his face. “About as reliable as anything cobbled together from black market parts anddesperation can be. They’re untested in the field, but it’s the best I could do on short notice.”

I strap the device to my wrist, feeling its negligible weight. It’s a small comfort, but the dangerous reality of our mission is that we’re going in with limited resources, untested technology, and the very real possibility that help might not come if we’re caught.

Loelle gathers us all for a final briefing. “Remember, our primary objective is to stop the Solstice ritual. But if we can take down the Nexus in the process, all the better. Watch each other’s backs out there. We’re not just a crew—we’re family.”

Her words hit me hard. Family. It’s a thing that was stolen from me. A notion I’ve never truly understood until now. I look around at these people—Loelle’s people—and I realize that I would fight to the death to protect them. For Loelle.

As we prepare to move out, a distant explosion rocks the building. The floor trembles beneath our feet, and dust rains down from the ceiling. Kuran’s eye flashes red, scanning rapidly.

“They’ve found us,” he says, his voice tight with alarm. “The Marauders are here. Multiple heat signatures converging on our location.”

Loelle’s eyes meet mine, a mix of determination and fear in their depths. “Looks like we’re starting early,” she says grimly. “Everyone, move out. Now.”

We rush to our positions, the sound of approaching vehicles growing louder. As we reach the hidden exit at the back of the hideout, I grab Loelle’s arm, pulling her close.

“I won’t let them hurt you,” I growl, my voice low and fierce. “Any of you. I’ll tear them apart first.”

Loelle’s hand cups my face, her touch gentle despite the surrounding chaos. “I know you will,” she says softly. “But remember: we do this together. No lone wolf heroics, got it?”

I nod, feeling a warmth spread through my chest at her words. Together. It’s a new concept for me, but one I’m quickly coming to cherish.

As we slip out into the early light of dawn, the city around us is in chaos. Sirens wail in the distance, and we can see the glow of fires lighting up the sky. The Marauders haven’t been subtle in their search.

We quickly adjust our plans in light of the Marauders’ arrival. Zax’r pivots from his original distraction mission to securing a route out of the city. “I’ll clear a path through the eastern sector,” he growls, all four arms flexing in anticipation.

Kuran nods, his cybernetic eye whirring as he processes the new information. “I’ll tap into the city’s transport network, commandeer whatever vehicles I can. We’ll need something fast and sturdy to get through the droughtlands.”

Loelle approves with a quick nod. “Good. You two rendezvous at the spaceport. If anyone’s not there in thirty, move out anyway. Don’t risk getting caught. We’ll see you at Crimson Ridge.”

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