Page 41 of Torn from the Alien Commander

Felixus leans down, inspecting the two, scrunching his face. “Oh no. But they’ll be out for a few hours yet.” His words bring the smallest hint of relief, my anger for Xandors suffering still simmering. Hyanxa holsters her gun, snatching up a laser pistol from the guards, using her good hand.

As I motion to continue, a sudden movement catches my attention, hitching my breath. A door to my right slides open. I raise my rifle, but Quad’s bulk blocks my view.

“Who... who are—” a male voice begins, his high pitch a clear indication of his shock and terror.

“Hello!” Quad booms, before clapping his four hands together. The sound of a body hitting the ground follows, like a sack of trade goods.

My eyes dart around, awaiting more enemies but seeing none. As Quad steps aside, a pleased smile etched upon his deep-set features, he reveals the collapsed form of a Nebian wearing a long translucent polymer coat. “Voidsons!” Felixus exclaims, moving to inspect the fallen Nebian. “I’ve done work with this scientist before,” he adds, shaking his head.

“Now he can take the rest of the day off,” I jest, eager to get a move on, knowing the armory lies next door. “Quad, take these three and bundle them into this room,” I gesture to the collapsed Nebians, worry gnawing at me that we’ll be discovered soon.

“Okay!” Quad yells, yanking the load-snoring scientist in one arm like he’s carrying a toy. He moves to grab the others, whistling absently. I head towards the next room, standing aside the door, taking a deep breath. Hyanxa joins the other side. Giving a silent nod, I flash a hand in front, the door sliding open in response.

No voices, no sound—the way is clear.

Chapter 14

Tyrxie

Execution

We dash inside, weaponsraised, my gaze scanning the room for any flicker of movement. Finding nothing, I breathe a sigh of relief. “Clear,” I declare, my tension giving way to wonder as I see the myriad of laser weapons lining the walls, along with racks carrying dangling suits of segmented Nebian armor, most in the color of purple or brown.

Hyanxa whistles, echoing my awe. “Shame, my arm is shit,” she laments, running her good hand over a long laser rifle.

I’m more interested in the armor, knowing how useful the shields will be. I run my hand through the suits, growing more frustrated as each one is too small and squat to wear. “Felixus, is there any armor we can wear?” I inquire, noticing the noisy arrival of the others.

“We only make armor for my own people,” Felixus announces, his words stoking my disappointment. “But we do sometimes hire mercs,” he adds with a smile, moving towards a large metal locker. He climbs inside grumbling before reappearing, clutching strange blinking black discs with crisscrossing polymer straps. “These little buggers generate laser shields. Not as durable as our armor, mind you, but still beats any crap the Scythians come up with.”

“I was sold onlaser shields.” I beam with excitement, looping my arms through the straps. The disc sits between my chest, now emitting a low hum, and the blinking light shifts to solid red. “Oh, now we’re ready,” I state, seeing the others greedily snatch their own ones.

“What’s this?” Quad booms, after flipping over the lid of a massive metal chest, scratching his head.

Felixus rushes over, tip-toeing to peer inside the huge container. “Um, I don’t think you need to worry about this one, big lad,” he says in a rush. But Quad only smiles, reaching into the chest and retrieving an immense multi-barreled repeater laser cannon, which would look more at home on a spaceship than in someone’s hands.

But Quad handles it with relative ease, using three arms to support the immense weapon. “Big boomer!” He declares, laughing while Felixus’ blue skin pales as he looks on with disbelief, shaking his head, his mouth working soundlessly.

I can’t help but laugh, overcome with adrenaline and excitement. “I don’t suppose this one has a stun mode?” I ask in jest, knowing it’s a silly notion.

“Actually, it does.” Felixus perks up at my words, moving to press a button at the base of the giant gun. “Thanks for reminding me.” He nods.

“Oh,” Quads laments in disappointment, but thankfully doesn’t change it back. My eyes fall on the others, all equippedwith portable shields. Mod and Job exchange their pistols for larger caliber laser rifles. Hyanxa pockets some ominous-looking knives and throwing devices, while Felixus slides a long narrow box from under a standing drawer.

“I think Xandor will get a kick out of this,” Felixus says with a smile, beckoning me over. “You know how the Klendathians like the up-close and personnel, touch... bloody barbarians,” he says with a soft chuckle. Standing behind him, I gasp, seeing the huge curved sword, taller than me, crafted in polished black metal, engraved with intricate golden swirling patterns.

“Some battlesuits pilots use these. But Xandor’s massive, I reckon he can manage it,” Felixus continues, running his hand over the long handle that takes up almost a third of its length and a switch at the guard, hinting that the sword might be laser-edged. “Do you think he’ll like it?”

His question hits me with a pang of shame—I don’t know if Xandor will like it. He’d always fought with claws, and I never asked him such questions, enjoying his humor more than talk of fighting. “It’s beautiful,” is all I say in answer—the simple truth.

Felixus nods in satisfaction before grunting with titanic effort, prying the massive weapon out of its container. I rush to help, straining to lift one end as it teeters in Felixus’s arms. “Void, it’s heavy!” he complains, echoing my thoughts.

“Quad, give us a hand, please,” I ask, stunned to see the hulking Barlyxian striking poses with his massive laser cannon.

“Nope, I hold big boomer!” Quad declares, shaking his head.

The one time he doesn’t want to pick something up!

“It’s fine, I’ve got it,” Felixus stresses, leaning back, the weapon cradled in his trembling arms, looking like he might pop a vein at any moment.

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