Page 70 of Sol Survivor

He spluttered a chuckle.“I’m not saying.”

“Fine.”She released him, then punched him with her inhuman fist, snapping his head to the side.Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.He groaned but glared at her.She grabbed him by the collar and dragged him behind her.“You know Leah, your lover?”

“No, don’t hurt her.”He slapped at her hand gripping his shirt.

She said nothing, just continued to the airlock.

“Vic,” Drafe warned.“We need him,gevatia.”

Caah sliced a glance at Drafe, his cheeks paling.Interesting.She’d ask Drafe about the endearment later when she had him at her mercy.

“Relax, I’ve got this.”Outside the airlock, she tapped her neck device twice, then hit the depressurize button.Nikko cried out and fought harder to free himself.“Oh, and for your information, Nikko,” she paused for effect, “Leah’s dead.”

The man wailed, screaming denials.

Drafe rested his hand on her shoulder.“Vic, please.”

“Do you trust me, Drafe?”She met his pale-yellow eyes.They darkened to amber as he studied her.Something whispered across her mind.The deep resonance lingered, gentle and filled with familiar warmth.

“Yes.”He stepped back and activated his neck device.Caah did the same.

She grinned, her chest swelling with a profound emotion she couldn’t name.“Right answer.”

The door slid open.She tossed Nikko into space, then waved as he traveled, his mouth contorted in horror.Punching the button, she closed the door and waited for the airlock to pressurize.After touching her neck device to deactivate the shield, she kissed Drafe, slipping her tongue in to claim him, to relish the taste of him.

Breaking away, she smiled at the ceiling.“Computer, replay archival footage from the bridge for previous security protocols when approaching the Carne medical facility.”

“In chronological order?”

She basked in Drafe’s grin.“Start from most recent.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

Year: 2219

Aboard the Mula Pesada.

Vicunholsteredherblasterwhen she paused outside Trent’s door.“Computer, remove lockdown ship-wide.”

Awake, he sprawled across his bed, wearing nothing but his pants.“What’s going on, Vic?”

“Seems like Nikko’s been trafficking humans to be used as medical test subjects.”

Trent gaped, his toothpick falling from his parted lips.“Legit?”He rose to his feet, his gaze resting on Drafe looming behind her.

She hesitated.Trent’s shock seemed real.“I suggest you stay in your quarters until we can ascertain your role in this.”

“Sounds fair.”He frowned.“As inrealpeople, Vic?”

“Women and men, about thirty of them.”

“Farg.”He stumbled back and sat on his bed.The door closed on his pale face.

“Computer, the lockdown on Trent remains in place.”She smiled at Drafe, loving the patience and peace rolling off him.“Now, to Grunt’s.Computer, has the new maintenance crew chosen a manager?”

“They have.”

“Please send him to Grunt’s quarters.”Vic paused, pressing her body against Drafe’s.“He’s a cute kid and doesn’t deserve to die.”

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