Page 52 of Crossing Quinn

My psychic senses went on red alert. I groaned as a dozen bristly bushes were suddenly shoved into my head and swirled it around. Something really, really bad was heading our way. “Get back to the ship. Trouble is coming.”

The command computer mechanical voice stated, “Enemy vessels detected. Shields activated. Bringing weapon systems online.”

Two Tai-Kok destroyers suddenly popped out of warp drive and went into a high orbit.

Big trouble. The Talon didn’t have enough firepower to take them out. Running was the only option.

Mami exclaimed, “Those are Tai-Kok ships!”

“I know, Mami. I won’t let them eat you.”

Her eyes rolled back in her head and she hit the floor.

I sighed.

“Report,”Papa said sharply.

I automatically replied, “Two Class Five Tai-Kok destroyers are now orbiting Qeeturah.”

“How did they find Qeeturah?”Papa let out a low growl. “Dolon.”

“I’ll drop the shields long enough for you to teleport onboard.”

“No! Do not lower the shields,”Quinn commanded. “The Class Five Destroyers have been equipped with a new scanner that can pick up energy fluctuations from our cloaking devices. Leave orbit and hide behind the moon. The storm will conceal us for now.”

“I’m not leaving you behind. Besides, there’s a good possibility the Tai-Kok ships have been infected with Detja’s virus. A couple of well-placed torpedoes should do the job.”

“And if they are not infected, the Tai-Kok will destroy the ship. I’m not losing you,”Quinn countered.

My father snapped, “Do as he says, Xenia.”

The command console beeped a warning. I scowled. “Heads up. The Tai-Kok have transported eight warriors to the surface. They’re wearing level five body armor and are heavily armed.”

“Our scientists discovered the Tai-Kok warriors’ internal organs react badly to any kind of radiation,”Quinn advised.

I could feel my father’s pitiless satisfaction as he announced, “During a sandstorm, the subatomic particles are even more deadly.”

“And don’t forget the var bugs,”I said gleefully. “Mami ran some tests, and the bugs really liked Tai-Kok blood.”

Quinn asked curiously, “Where did you get Tai-Kok blood?”

“We had a little run-in with one of their scout ships during a supply run. Mami wanted a sample of their blood, and Papa was happy to oblige.”

“Nothing quite as enjoyable as killing those drekking monsters,”Papa said.

A brilliant orange light popped into existence on the bridge.

“Adan is back,”I informed Quinn

Papa inquired, “Who is Adan?”

“A Katanic shapeshifter,”Quinn replied.

“Where the drekk did you meet a Katanic?”

“Long story, Papa.”

“Adan can teleport through shields,”Quinn stated.

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