Page 42 of Krin

“Who knows. He is probably not speaking the truth,” Ezan said aloud in response to my telepathic comment.

The holo-screen finally lit up with a Krilex alien staring back at us. He was a massive reptilian alien, with an intimidating yellow-eyed gaze.

“I am Zash of the Krilex ship Gnox. We will not lower our shields and leave ourselves vulnerable. We will not attack you. I want to speak with you.”

Standing proud, my chin went up. “What are you doing this far inside Alaran space?”

A shift in his expression occurred, turning oddly serious, bordering on sadness. He ignored my question.

“Why are you attempting to board the freighter?”

Zash looked to the side, still not responding.

I grunted, annoyed. Then thrusted my hands to my hips. “If I don’t start getting some answers, you will not leave Alaran space alive.”

The thought of the risks posed by the presence of Voletti weapons did not deter me from standing my ground.

The prospect of facing foes equipped with Voletti weapons made the task of winning a fight seem considerably more difficult.

In a recent communication Captain Stusa made it clear that the ship that attacked us rotations ago was not equipped with Voletti weapons. They were on edge, thinking we might attack, so they were eager to take the first shot.

It was becoming apparent that the Krilex were starting to doubt the intentions of their overlord, ‘Yaz the Strong,’ as well as the Voletti.

The reptilian on the screen glared at me, and I sensed he wanted to say something.

To demonstrate the sincerity of my words, I nodded in the direction of the security officer.

The Krilex suddenly interrupted, raising one clawed hand. “Hear me out. We may be able to help each other.”

“We don’t helpflutzing devaraslavers.” I folded my arms, giving him a skeptical gaze.

“We aren’t here to cause trouble with the freighter crew. What I was trying to do was return a couple of human females.”

My brows pinched. This was not what I expected to hear. “Since when do you return females? Tell me what theflutzis going on,” I ordered.

“Our leader, ‘Yaz the Strong’, has ordered our ships back to the Ashrak cluster. Our agreement with the Voletti has soured. We no longer have a deal with them.” He gave his version of an angry scowl. “They are a demanding race, even by Krilex standards. We cannot keep up the pace with what they are asking for, and still look after our own interests in the nearby systems.”

I released a bitter laugh. “You mean they are cutting into your profits?”

The Krilex gave a barely noticeable shrug. “Something like that.”

A dozen enemy ships had been destroyed since they began entering our system. It didn’t surprise me they were fed up with trying to get past our patrols to give the Voletti what they wanted.

I dropped my arms to my side. “Where are the human females now?”

“They are still here on the ship. We don’t want to go to war with the Alaran Empire. The Voletti are not worth the trouble. We are raiders, and businessmen.”

I snorted. “Is that what you are calling yourselves now? You deal in stolen goods and slaves. Not a very honorable business model.”

The alien stiffened. “Nonetheless, we do not want to go to war with you. We are returning to our own territories and planets within our system.” He sounded sincere. Though I knew he could not be trusted. The reptilian race only cared about profit.

“Teleport the females over to my ship, or the freighter. Now.”

The Krilex Captain glanced to the side once again. He nodded, then looked at me. “They have agreed to go with the freighter. We are lowering our shields to transport them.”

‘Make sure they make it and check on their well-being,’ I told the helmsman telepathically.

Seconds passed before my helmsman nodded. Confirmation of the females’ safe return to the freighter was acknowledged.

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