Page 65 of Hooded

Once I’m sure they’re following, I dive back to the ground. The entire place is shattered, deep cracks big enough for a Gryn, but only just. Big enough for these bots too, only they’re programmed to chase.

And I am a predator who normally does the chasing.

We spin through the destroyed remains of a city, the bots cackling with some sort of artificial glee. The noise reaches me in waves. I duck over and under various obstacles at the very last nova-second, and this takes out two more of the bots inlarge explosions which seem to be a balm to my soul. However, a number of the bots remain hot on my wingtips, and they’re gaining on me.

A large portion of a building rises up in front of me. The thing is remarkably well preserved compared to the rest of the planetoid. It’s leaning on its side, but otherwise, it’s recognizable as something created rather than something which is part of the landscape.

I see the small opening made in the exterior. There is a chance it is not going to be big enough for a Gryn, but it is my only option. I pump my wings harder as I hear the bots gaining on me, and with one last effort, I fold them up and dive into the opening, finding it is just, just large enough to take my body.

The momentum carries me through the destroyed structure as I hear the impacts of the remaining bots and feel the searing heat on my boots, just as I burst out into an open area, gasping for breath and remembering to open my wings in order to slow my descent.

Above me, the blast, fire, and debris bursts from the hole I exited as I land, my breath ragged with the chase, and yet a grin wider than a crescent moon spreads over my face. I laugh out loud, unable to stop myself. The bots are gone and it makes me inordinately happy.

“Well done, Gryn,”

A dark shape moves out from under a piece of ancient debris. I extend my claws and set my wings to make myself as big as I can be.

“Stay back if you want to keep your head attached to your body.”

The shape rasps a laugh. “You haven’t changed, Klynn.”

He moves into the light.

“Mylo? What the vrex?”

FERN

I cast a glance over my shoulder at the two Gryn on my ship. Ayar and Vypr. Strykr, the leader of the elite team, insisted I keep them with me, although he cautioned me not to get too close.

“Not if you want your reunion with your mate not to be punctuated by limbs being ripped off,” he said.

Ayar huffed something about ‘try it’, and Vypr pointed out they were mated males and this wouldn’t be an issue.

But I’ve still taken Strykr’s advice and made them sit farther away from me than I normally would. Any help I can get to find Klynn is gratefully received.

And these Gryn were only too happy to help. I can’t quite shake the feeling that, like Klynn, they are more than happy to seek out the fight. Or possibly create one in an empty room.

“Any sign?” Vypr asks, narrowing his eyes at the console in front of him as Ayar slowly works his way through his feathers, preening each one with a look of concentration I’ve seen before.

Klynn might not be exactly the same as these Gryn, but the traits they share are scarily similar.

“The Varangy engine signature isn’t strong, but I’ve locked it in, and we can follow it,” I respond. “There’s some ration bars in the food prep area if either of you are hungry,” I add.

Klynn was always hungry, a huge male like him, like these, needing plenty of fuel.

Clearly, I don’t have to make the suggestion twice to Ayar, who is off like a shot into the rear.

“Ayar never passes up an opportunity to eat.” Vypr shrugs.

“Very sensible,” I reply.

His comm bursts into life with Strykr’s voice.“Have we picked up the engine signature yet?”

“Yes, Guv. Follow us.” He looks over at me as he mutes his comm. “When do you think we’ll intercept them?”

“Bear with me.” I punch in the various calculations I require from the hunter systems. “I have a projected trajectory.”

“Share it with the others,” he says as Ayar returns, arms loaded with rations and his cheeks bulging.

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