Page 64 of Guardian's Soul

"Let's have another chat," Thrax said, pulling out a chair for Possedion.

Warily, the Ohrur walked over and sat down.

"Tell me about the forcefield," Thrax questioned without preamble.

"There's nothing to say. It can't be breached," Possedion answered defiantly.

"Hannah, do you mind filling up the pitcher?" Thrax reached for the pitcher on the table and handed it to me.

"It'll be my pleasure," I responded sweetly. I might have balked at him for not doing so himself, but I understood that he didn't want to leave Possedion and me alone in the room, even though the bathroom was right there.

"That won't be necessary," Possedion protested.

"Just a precaution."

I heard the threat in Thrax's voice when I returned with the filled pitcher.

Possedion took a deep inhale. "Fine. No other ship but an Ohrur ship can pass through, and only if there are at least three Ohrurs on board."

"Hmm." Thrax studied him and must have concluded he was telling the truth. "Does it only allow for Ohrurs to be on board, or can others be on it too?"

Possedion opened his mouth to reply, but Thrax stopped him, "Remember, you'll be onboard as well."

Possedion glared at him. "No, only Ohrurs can go through."

"How can you turn the forcefield off?"

"It can only be turned off planetside," Possedion replied. It would have seemed smug, but the hint of terror on his face and body posture ruined the effect.

Thrax didn't look happy, and I didn't blame him. This sounded to me like one of those bio-imprint security devices I had seen in movies where people had to have their retinas scanned or even leave a drop of blood. In one show, the hero cut a dead man's hand off to gain access.

"Maybe we can make an Ohrur skin coat from him and wear it," I suggested, wondering when I had gotten this vicious and if I even considered following through with the threat.

Possedion seemed to think so, while Thrax looked rather amused at me.

"That's not going to work. The forcefield recognizes a specific biological and energy signature, meaning they have to be alive."

At that, Thrax sent an appreciative nod at me. He looked even more impressed. Damn. I might have to up my game.

Thrax pushed his comm toward Possedion. "We'll figure that out later. Give me full access to your database and yourrealdatabase."

Possedion glared but took the comm into his hands and began tapping away.

"No tricks," Thrax warned. "It'll be really easy to send the drones back in or to pour water over you."

Possedion stopped to look up. I swear his expression screamed murder before he focused back on the comm. After a few minutes, he pushed it wordlessly at Thrax, who tried it out. When he seemed satisfied, he nodded.

"When are you going to let me go?" Possedion demanded.

At that, Thrax laughed coldly. "First, you're going to meet some old friends."

The plates above Possedion's eyes drew up in question.

"It's going to be a surprise party."

With that, Thrax rose, and I looked at him questioningly. I would have assumed he would interrogate Possedion for hours.

When we were back in the hallway and the door to Possedion's cell closed, I asked him about it.

---