Page 26 of Hunted By the Dragon Alien

“I know the long-distance frequency my people use most,” Ulo said, then hesitated. “And there’s a secret distress signal that only other Dokkol can recognize.”

“You’ll be sharing this secret, I hope,” Bruil said in his usual gruffness. “And I’ll promptly forget it. I want you to get home, lad.”

Takkian watched as Ulo awkwardly crossed the short distance to the front of the ship. He had to crouch and brace hands and feet on the ceiling and floor to maneuver in weightlessness without crashing into anything. He explained to Bruil what to do and the older Zaruxian input what Ulo gave him.

But Takkian couldn’t pull his gaze away from Sevas for long. She seemed to get more beautiful every time he looked at her. It was all he could do to not pull her into his arms, kiss her, and blubber on about how much he adored her. He was a hardened warrior, forfek’ssake. He’d won final matches in that arena. He’d fought without mercy more times than he wanted to think about. But here he was, gazing lovingly at an alien female who had somehow become his whole world.

“I’m inputting the signal now. Message transmission sent,” Bruil said, then glanced back at Takkian. “Let’s hope they receive it soon. We can’t stay in one place too long.”

“They’ll respond,” Takkian said, dragging his gaze from Sevas. “We’ll get Ulo home.”

Bruil’s gaze moved over him and Sevas. The look on his face told Takkian that Bruil had something to say about the two of them but wasn’t ready to say it, yet. That was fine with Takkian. If the older male had an objection to his bond with Sevas, he didn’t want to hear it, anyway.

“The power cells are charged,” Bruil said. “If Ulo’s people are close, we can get him to safety before the Axis realize we’ve gone.”

Takkian cast a glance at Ulo, who hovered against the side wall of the ship, trying to not fill the entire cabin with his size. Whoever owned this ship before them was smaller than Ulo.

Bruil looked back to his console. “We need to find a safe place to hide until we receive a reply. Someplace where we’ll avoid detection.”

“What about a gas planet?” Ulo suggested. “I saw one on the navigation chart. My people take cover in the thick gas atmospheres of them when our freighters are pursued. The one I saw was close enough to get to at the highest speed setting and should provide cover.”

“Good idea, Ulo,” Bruil said, checking the charts. “It’s mostly gas, according to these readings. We can slip into its atmosphere and use the clouds as camouflage.” Bruil adjusted the ship’s course. “I’ll set us on a direct approach.”

The ship shuddered slightly as Bruil engaged the thrusters and they powered forward.

Takkian rubbed a hand over his face, more exhausted than he recalled ever being. Rest was desperately needed, not just for him, but for all four of them. Bruil stared out of the viewportwith a dazed expression. Ulo’s eyes kept falling closed, and Sevas just looked worn out. She was covered in soot and dirt. He fingered the burned ends of her yellow hair. “Ah,fek,” he ground out. “I burned your hair.”

She made a face. “You destroyed an arena and you’re worried about my hair.”

He furrowed his brow, thinking of her stricken face as she told him to stop his fire. “Did I hurt you?”

“No. And I like my hair short,” she said, turning her head back and forth as her hair swung around her shoulders. She looked up at Bruil and Ulo. “Do we know if these ships carry rations?” she asked, her voice tired but hopeful as she pressed a hand to her belly. “We all need food and water.”

“There should be a replicator,” Ulo replied. “Let me check.”

Takkian watched as Ulo moved about the ship. His massive fingers deftly checked over the array of devices. The ship hummed along, pushing toward the gas planet that loomed on the navigation chart.

“Found it.” Ulo grinned. Confidence shone through his earlier uncertainty. “I’ve never used this model before, but they’re all the same. I’ll make us something.”

“Thank you, Ulo.” Sevas’ expression shifted to one of relief.

Takkian could see the exhaustion creeping back into her features. She had fought hard and endured so much, but now she was spent.

“Protein pellets should be easy to program,” Ulo said, concentrating on the replicator’s interface. “And they are moisture rich, too. I’ll make enough for all of us.” His fingers moved over the controls.

Takkian turned his gaze toward Sevas, who was watching Ulo with a mix of gratitude and fatigue. He knew she had more strength in her than she let on, but the toll of their escape andher first fight weighed heavily on her. “Once we get to that planet, we’ll lie low for a while. Plan our next steps.”

She smiled wearily. “That sounds wonderful.”

“Almost done.” A series of beeps and whirrs came from the replicator, followed by the soft hiss of the compartment opening up. Ulo grabbed the tray, lifting it to reveal small, circular protein pellets that smelled surprisingly decent. “Here we go.” His enthusiasm brought a faint smile to Sevas’ lips.

“Good job, Ulo,” Takkian said, taking a few off the tray as Sevas did the same. “We’ll need this energy if we’re going to keep moving.”

Sevas leaned into the seat, breaking a pellet in two and popping one half in her mouth. She closed her eyes and chewed slowly. “This is more delicious than it should be.”

Ulo chuckled. “It’s as basic a nutrient compound as it gets.”

“Still better than that tasteless goop they gave us at the arena,” she muttered around chewing. “Even the settlement’s food was better than that.”

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