Page 72 of Hooded

Formidable. Undefeated.

We are Gryn and we will triumph.

“You sure you don’t want a pulsar?” Jay asks me.

“Why would this gladiator need a pulsar?” Syn says. “He only requires a sword to kill ahalf blooded space worm,” he says, imitating me.

I lift my lips, exposing my fangs.

“Ignore him,” Jay says, flicking a rock at Syn’s head. “We all do.” He hands me a pulsar on a belt. “You can never have too many weapons, am I right?”

I snort over at Syn but take the pulsar. “Thanks,” I add, the word forcing itself out of my throat.

“We’ll make an elite member out of you yet, Klynn,” Strykr says, risking his hand as he claps it on my shoulder.

I should snarl, but I don’t. I don’t even flinch from his touch.

“Maybe I’ll make gladiators out of all of you,” I respond.

“I’ll be a gladiator,” Ayar says, spinning a sword from hand to hand.

“Then you’ll be my double,” I say. “If your swordsmanship is up to it.”

“I can kill bots with the best of them.” Ayar snarls, an expression of extreme violence crossing his face. “I like killing bots.”

“Were these two separated at birth or something?” Syn asks.

I ignore him.

“It’s time to end this, here and now,” I respond. “If you’re with me, you’re with me.”

I feel a hand curl into mine and look down on my Fern.

“I’m with you,” she says. “Until the end of time.”

FERN

It’s clear this place once had a civilization. Broken relics poke up from the dust like jagged teeth. It gives me the shivers just thinking about what was once here and what happened to those who inhabited the planetoid.

The Galactic Council has much to answer for if they have been allowing the being called Proto to do this to more than one planet. But then, it’s in their interest to crush species which might challenge their existence. Species like the Gryn, who are clearly more than just a force to be reckoned with.

They are different to any warrior I’ve met, any other species keen on violence, and bounty hunting attracts a few. But the calmness with which theeliteare approaching this showdown with the Proto, the way they prepare, the way they have accepted Klynn without incident, and the way he has accepted them—it sets them apart.

It warms my heart to see Klynn with the Gryn. Initially stiff and defensive, the more he talks with them (and the more weapons he’s handed) the more I see his body relax. He even laughs, sort of. Finally, Strykr gives a brief order, causing the group to scatter, and Klynn returns to me, handing over three pulsar rifles.

“Thanks.” I take them and select my preferred one, the sniper. “Do they have a plan?” I say without much hope.

Klynn blinks as if I’ve heard his thoughts, not something which is happening with any regularity today.

“They have a plan. Two ships, yours and the other one, are a decoy for the bots. Proto has an energy signature. I’m to locate it and take it out.”

“Did you know it had a signature?”

“I’ve met it, but it kept me busy with bots,” Klynn says, feathers bristling. “Some larger species have energy signatures I can feel.”

Strykr calls out to us both, beckoning. Klynn takes hold of my shoulders, his gaze raking over me before his lips hit mine.

“You are to hold back. No matter what. I don’t want to leave you behind, I can’t leave you behind, but this is not your battle, myeregri. This one is for the Gryn. You must stay safe and keep our youngling safe.”

---