Page 13 of Sol Survivor

Drafe ran, dodging the males eager to grip his arm.He paused beside Umda and rested his hand on his shoulder.Nothing needed to be said.As soon as Drafe neared Larya, Kael reached across the circle’s edge and yanked Drafe over it.

No tears trickled down Larya’s cheeks.To do so was to waste precious liquid, but she gripped his hands.“So happy for you, Drafe.”

“Take care of my sword and Father’s water pouch.I will return.”He handed the pouch to her and cupped her cheek one last time.With a nod at Kael, he strode to the craft and climbed into the dark depths, the smell metallic and foreign.A strange coolness swept across his skin as he waited, unsure what was expected of him.

“Sit,” an Ivoy said, gesturing to a wall-mounted ledge.

Drafe obeyed.Straps shot across his legs and around his waist, holding him to the structure.He could move and wasn’t uncomfortable.An Ivoy sat on the opposite ledge, strapped in place, so nothing Drafe needed to be alarmed by.

Ulvus staggered into the craft, and the last standing Ivoy ushered him to a ledge.The male was in agony, his shoulders curled in, his cheeks still gray and glimmering in the craft’s pale lighting.The door closed, sealing them inside.As soon as the Ivoy assumed a ledge, the craft lifted.Images of Meorri flitted across one wall, the Ki’irinzi Mountains in the distance until blue skies darkened into a star-studded black.

“Drink,” an Ivoy commanded, holding out a cylindrical container.“As much as you want, Meorri, for water is abundant on Ivoy.”

Drafe twitched but accepted the gift.The sweet scent of water tickled his nose, and he tipped the bowl to his lips.Ice cold droplets fell onto his tongue.He paused after five.

“As much as you want,” the Ivoy repeated.

Drafe did so, drinking his full, feeling like a child with too much garak meat on his birthing day.As he leaned back, cradling the container to his chest, his stomach cramped.For the first time in his life, he’d quenched his thirst.

Chapter Five

Orbiting Earth

Onboard the Conqueror.

Vichadn’tbeenableto sleep, thrust into a world not of her choosing.She tried to think of ways to escape but ended in the same spot, here, in a bunker beneath Ande, on a spaceship orbiting Earth.

Trapped.

Running a fingertip over the neck device, she winced at the raw skin where she had tried to scratch it free.

Snores peppered the barracks.A dim glow illuminated the path to the ablutions.Her cheeks warmed, and she ran her hands along her thighs.Before light’s out, men and women had disrobed, standing in the sol rays without shame.Ande had stared at her, his lips curling, as if her clothing was hideous.Sure, it was stained and brown, but then working on machinery would ruin her best clothes.Though, nothing she owned could compare to the soft pants he’d given her.

She rolled her lip to swallow a whimper.Her things were gone, lost forever, along with her cycle.She had nothing and no one.Gathering the thin blanket around her, she crushed her shirt’s hem in her fist.Fire ebbed and flowed, climbing up her chest to squeeze her throat.She blinked back the tears brimming on her eyelashes.Farg, I hate my pa.

Sucking in slow breaths, she struggled to clear her vision.This was her life…for now.Her ma hadn’t raised a fool.Vic was a hard worker.She would knuckle down and earn her freedom.

A low drone began, building in volume until it vibrated the beds.She flung the blanket aside and her legs off the bed as the other captives did.The boy with the busted arm sported a cast.

Relief was swift to slump her shoulders.At least, medical treatment wasn’t denied to them.

Ande rolled off his top bunk and glowered.So, not a morning person?

“Get dressed.”He gathered her folded garments and shoved them at her.“Canteen is a free-for-all.If you want the most palatable food, you get there first.”He stomped off after yanking on similar clothing to yesterday’s.Watching him disappear into the ablutions, she hurried to snap her boots on, not wanting to lose her one ally, as grumpy as he was.

“Mm, you’re too old for this.Where’ve you been?”With her hands on her hips, a dark-skinned, black-haired girl smiled at Vic.

“Working my sol farm.”Vic rose, forcing the girl back.

“Name’s Fiona.”

Vic stared at the outstretched hand.‘Nice to meet you’seemed trite.“Vic,” she muttered and took the offered hand for a quick shake.“Got to get food.”She darted around Fiona for the canteen.Used to odorless, cubed pastes, the unusual aromas were intriguing.She hoped it was edible and would assuage the ravenous monster in her belly.

A wall of muscle halted her progress.Blond, tall, and solid, the blue-eyed boy side-stepped when she did.She’d dealt with his kind before, thinking his God-given attributes entitled him to ‘special’ treatment.A knee to the groin would be a treat.She smirked and dipped her head to hide it.Aggravating him wouldn’t help her.

“Name’s Devlin, princess.Ready for some serious action?”He rolled his hips, his meaning clear, despite his gaze resting on Ande.Why he bothered with her, she couldn’t say.

“Devlin working his magic.”Someone laughed.

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