Page 20 of Torn from the Alien Commander

“Don’t thank me, I’m most likely sending you all to your deaths,” Thalaxia interrupts with a stern expression. “And if you get caught, I will deny all knowledge.” She grimaces and shudders before adding. “Take it from me—it’s better to die than to fall into the hands of the Praetorian Guard.”

My poor Xandor.

My chest tightens at her words, and I reflexively probe Xandor’s presence, which now lurks in my consciousness. Searing pain whips through me, causing me to gasp and recoil in shock, breaking the strange connection.I can’t leave him like this!The raw heartache hardens my resolve, filling me with an impatience that borders on madness. “I’m the only one whoknows of your involvement, and I’ll die before letting those bastards have Xandor,” I vow.

Thalaxia gives a solemn nod. “I believe you,” she intones, her eyes shifting to one of the floating holographic projections. “Let’s go. The all-clear has been announced,” she declares.

Thalaxia leads me back to the streets. The city, though shaken, begins to return to its usual state of vigilance. Nebians go about their business with a renewed sense of purpose, their eyes flicking to the sky every so often. We walk in silence for a while until Thalaxia stops before a grand building with sweeping arches and intricate designs.

“I forgot you don’t have a NeuroLink. Here, let me see your wrist console,” she gestures to my device.

“What’s a NeuroLink?” I ask, eager to learn anything that might help my desperate mission.

Thalaxia smiles, taking my device and inputting some coordinates into the nav menu. “NeuroLink is the latest feat of Nebian engineering genius. It functions like a wrist console, but interfaces with your thoughts directly. We’ve even started operating battlesuits remotely,” she finishes, standing proud.

I frown, looking at my device, “A wrist console in your brain? That sounds painful,” I reply, rubbing my head.

“The procedure is painless. Almost everyone has one now. It’s been a huge leap forward for my people. Many believe it’ll bring us victory,” Thalaxia continues, undeterred, full of pride and hope.

“It does sound amazing,” I concede, although the idea of having a device attached to your brain makes my stomach queasy.

Thalaxia lets go of my wrist console. “I’ve entered the coordinates of the Praetorian Guard’s primary facility, though it seems you might already know its location somehow,” she states with an inquisitive look, to which I shrug, as mystified asshe is by my sudden knowledge. “Anyway, it lies in the heart of the Imperial palace, heavily fortified. I’ve no idea how you’ll succeed.”

Neither do I.

Then something Xandor mentioned resurfaces in my mind—his Nebian contact. “Do you know anyone named...” I pause, struggling to remember, “Felixus? Yes, Felixus.”

I examine my wrist console as Thalaxia scoffs, “Felixus is a common name. Do you know his family name or his citizen’s number?”

Crap, I should’ve paid more attention.

Scrunching my face, I grasp at the faded memory, desperate for any nugget of information. Then, like a bolt of inspired lightning, I remember something. “He’s an engineer, who failed on a peace mission to Klendathor,” I finish excited, having remembered.

“A peace mission to Klendathor? Doesn’t sound right.” Thalaxia frowns before continuing. “Let me check my NeuroLink.” Her eyes become vacant for a moment. “Bloody Scythian dung. A top-secret mission, sealed by the Imperator himself. Even I don’t have full access. But there’s a name attached—Felixus Remus, the Magister Machinator to the Imperial court, no less.”

“That must be him!” I exclaim, feeling hope blossom in my chest.

“So, the Dominus sought peace? Incredible.” Thalaxia shakes her head, taking my wrist console again and with deft hands enters the coordinates. “He lives in the capital. I’ll add his address.”

I inspect the new coordinates, glad to have some leads. “Thank you so much, Thalaxia.” I smile and bow to her, mimicking the way I’d seen other Nebians greet her.

“In this building on the fifth floor, you’ve been authorized a tenancy,” she gestures to the massive ornate sand-colored building beside us. “This is where we part ways,” she says, her tone heavy. “You’ve given me much to think about.”

Overcome with gratitude, I give the diminutive Thalaxia a hug, which feels strange, having never hugged someone so small before. “I won’t forget this,” I say, filled with genuine appreciation.

Her light blue skin turns a deeper shade as she blusters, “Just be careful and may the stars guide you, lass.” Her eyes linger on me for a moment longer before she turns and walks away, her red cloak fluttering behind her.

Careful left the spaceport ages ago. Now is the time to rescue my Xandor!

Chapter 7

Xandor

Away

Crashing onto the floor,which should be the wall, jars my senses and rattles my teeth. The ship is listing to the side, possibly over ninety-degrees, tilting the entire interior in a confusing way. But that’s the least of my worries. Despite my thick arcweave armor, the heat on board reaches unbearable levels. Coupled with the roaring sound of friction amidst the blaring siren and groaning metal, it can mean only one thing—we’re crashing onto Nebia.

A glimpse of hope surges within me, assuming I don’t get cooked alive in this floating tomb turned active food dispenser. Sweat drips from my face, and my vision blurs from the evaporating moisture.I don’t have much time!The atmosphericcontrols are nonexistent, and the heat blazes hotter, forcing me to rack my brain for a desperate solution.

---