Page 47 of Warrior's Purpose

8 Dark Side of the Moon

Abby

“This is so wild.”

Abby held onto Ash and stared out the window as they descended toward the moon’s craggy surface and slipped into the large spaceship. They stepped off the cruiser into a bay the size of a football field, filled with several other similar ships. She stared at the strange equipment, seamless blue walls and radiant light illuminating everything with a soft glow. Never in her wildest dreams did she expect to find herself on the freaking moon in a spaceship.

Or with a horde of aliens!

She gaped at the group of aliens waiting in the loading bay. There were a handful of red, bare-chested Cadi wearing leather kilts, and bony characters, like Aculus. They all were so tall; they made the average human look downright puny. Her gaze swung toward two creatures covered in fur, like Chewbacca the Wookiee. At least that’s what she assumed since they wore long shorts. One Wookiee’s hair was nearly as red as hers and the other was blond.

“There’s so many different people.” She couldn’t help the high pitch of her voice.

“I don’t think I can handle much more,” Hope voiced a similar sentiment, and hid her face in Aculus’ shoulder.

The rogue had the audacity to smile.

“It’ll be all right. These people are my friends,” Ash encouraged them.

“I get that, but a few days ago humans were all I knew. I was just getting used to you and now this.” Abby waved at the menagerie. She prided herself on being accepting of others, but this adventure was stretching even her tolerance to its limit.

“We’re going to get Vintor back,” one Cadi said and it was instantly translated through Ash’s communicator. Hearing the voice she associated with her big guy added another bizarre layer to the situation. The man eyed her critically, then slammed his fist against his chest and bowed to Ash. “What are your orders?”

“Let me get Providence’s sisters settled, Payim. This is Abby and that is Hope.”

“Welcome.” Payim bowed to her. He then stared, his eyes going wide. “Ashtoret, does she bear your conjugo mark?”

“She does,” Ash replied proudly and pulled her close.

“Congratulations.” Payim grinned.

“Uh, thanks,” she replied, confused by what they were talking about, her eyes ping-ponging between the two giant red men. With everything going on she was having a hard time following the conversation.

“Peanut, this here is Payim, and that’s Cerdic, Faktil and Terentius.” Ash pointed to the other Cadi. “Those hairy warriors are our Toufik brethren.” She instantly recalled the story about them being slaves. “Fire and Thunder.” He gestured to the red then the blond-haired Toufik.

Both Toufik made a gesture she assumed was hello.

She overheard Aculus making similar introductions to her frazzled sister as they exited the large bay and headed down a corridor. They entered another cockpit straight out of a sci-fi movie. Aculus set Hope in one of the seats near the large screen at the front of the room, then started fiddling with the console. Ash set Abby in the next chair. He kissed her forehead then stood to his towering height.

“I’m connecting us to Cadi now,” Aculus said.

“We need to report what’s happened, then you can talk to Providence.”

She nodded to Ash and eagerly watched the flickering image on the wide screen. Even though Ash alluded to other humans living on Cadi besides her sister, it was still a shock when a woman of Indian descent appeared.

“Ashtoret, Aculus, we didn’t expect you to contact us.” The dark-haired woman then focused on her. “Wow, you look a lot like Providence.”

Abby nodded, her eyes misting again.

“You’re correct, June. These are her sisters, Abby and Hope,” Ash introduced them. “We need to speak with the Daimio. It’s urgent.”

“Crap, okay. Let me hail him and connect you to the manor living room. Tytus is actually there now. It was nice to meet you.” June waved before the image shifted to a blank flickering screen again.

It seemed like forever before a giant, rugged Cadi man appeared.

“Ashtoret.” The man nodded.

“Daimio, we’ve hit a snare,” Ash reported. “Vintor and Providence’s sire were captured by the Earth authorities.”

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