Page 29 of Torn from the Alien Commander

“Job, stop trying to scam, Quad,” I reprimand with a stern look, and to my surprise, Job flinches. “Everyone gets one hundred and twenty-five thousand, including the payment I’vealready given.” My gaze falls to Mod, his arm limbs poised beneath his mouth. My pulse races, wondering what he’ll decide. “So, can I count you two in?”

“Yes. Yes?” Job says in a rush, filling me with hope.

“No. No?” Mod interjects. They both round on each other, their antenna fluttering. Crushing my fledging hopes.

This is bad.

“With that many credits we retire to Veridesh, attract many females, start hive, sire new swarm. Yes?” Job implores with frantic arm limb movements.

“We already have twelve thousand and five hundred credits. What good is more if we expire? No?” Mod retorts, the two brothers now face to face.

Mod, always the smarter one.

“But not enough to retire. We gamble, we become hive-sires, just one mission. Yes?” Job snaps back, his words carrying my fleeting hopes.

“You gamble when you should hold, foolish spawn-kin. No?” Mod replies. They flutter their arm limbs at each other until they lock antennae in the strange and familiar way they do during heated disagreements.

“Huh?” Felixus approaches the two Glaseroids who are now completely motionless. “It’s like someone turned them off,” he adds, jabbing a finger into Mod’s shoulder, who doesn’t react. “Some sort of nonverbal communication?” He speculates with a downward frown.

I hope Job wins this one.

“They’ll snap out of it soon,” I explain, my gaze shifting to Hyanxa, who still puffs on her vaporstick, her posture pointed away.

“Let’s say we get in. What do we do about the guards and how the void do we get out with our hides intact?” Hyanxa asks in a sudden rush, her eyes shifting between Felixus and me.

She’s thinking about it.

“If we get to the control center, Felixus is confident we can subvert their security systems, even creating distractions,” I reply, noticing Felixus standing proudly with a puffed-out chest. “Then we go out the way we came in.”

“If...” Hyanxa scoffs, approaching with a stern look. “I know from experience the dangers that lie in such easy words. It’s the Nebian Imperial court! The place will be teeming with voiding battlesuits, laser-equipped guards, and void knows what!” she finishes with a dismissive wave.

“Actually, that’s not accurate,” Felixus interjects, peering up at the heated Jungarian. “Most of the defenses are on the perimeter, preventing access, but we won’t have to worry about them. Think about it. They’d never expect anyone to breach such a heavily defended fortress in a million years.”

“If we get in, if we don’t trip the alarms, if we get to the control center, if there’s a distraction. If we don’t get blown to pieces from voiding orbit!” Hyanxa shouts, shaking her head with disdain. “I know you care for Xandor but this is madness. What’s the point of throwing your life away? Take the credits and live a good life, for void sakes.”

Her words strike my heart like an icy blade. Yet my eyes find hers, expelling any doubts in a stern glare. “Because I care. That’s the difference between you and me. I won’t abandon someone who’s risked their life to save mine, someone I love...” My words trail off as my face heats at the public admission.

“Come on, Tyrxie, you’re smarter than—” Hyanxa begins,

“Don’t you care about Noroth? If we rescue Xandor and he gets their peace deal done with Felixus’ help. Both he and Logarn will be released, too,” I interrupt, imploring with outstretched hands.

“Noroth?” Hyanxa frowns, taken aback with surprise. “He’s a good male. A bit of fun. But I’m not about to waste mylife in some vain attempt to rescue him.” She puffs from her vaporstick.

I’m losing her. She’s not like me; she’s not motivated by the same things. What could motivate her?

“Think about the stories you could tell. Six...” I pause, turning to Felixus. “Blockheads assaulting the Imperial court of Nebia itself. Your name will go down in history—Hyanxa, the daring raider, and her crazy fearless crew, striking at the heart of the mighty Nebian empire. One last job, one massive payout and a legacy that will echo through the galaxies.” The words spill from my lips, as if I’m possessed.

Hyanxa remains silent, her eyes downcast, lost in thought.

“Like the old days...” she whispers finally, the weight of nostalgia evident in her voice. The room seems to hold its breath.

Then, with a solemn nod, she meets my gaze. “Void it. I am in.” Her words send my heart soaring with hope. “I know I’m going to regret this.”

“You won’t regret it, I promise. We’ll succeed. I feel it in my heart,” I reply, rushing over to give Hyanxa a heartfelt hug. “Thank you, Hyanxa,” I add, squeezing her tight as she stands, giving me a weak pat.

“Another hug!” Quad booms, approaching us, sending my pulse racing.

Hyanxa and I break our embrace in the blink of an eye, terrified of Quad’s brutal ‘hugs.’ The hulking Barlyxian stands with his arms thrown wide, a look of confusion spreading over his face. “Oh...” he hangs his head in disappointment.

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