Page 90 of Captured By the Scaled Outlaw
I sigh.
This would have never happened if we had gone withmyplan.
Steadying my aim, I apply pressure to the trigger.
Sorry, everyone.
My bolt releases at the same time the compound doors burst open, the metal tip spearing through a soldier’s arm as he’s launched backward.
The civilians scatter like insects, screaming when they see the hulking mass of scales step through the threshold with half a human body dangling from his mouth. The smug look on his face while the workers flee in horror fills his eyes with joy.
I sigh again, loading a bolt.
“This wasn’t the plan, Lowell,” I bark into the receiver.
From where I’m perched, I see Lowell toss me a cheeky wink. His claws drive into the back of a soldier who tries to crawl away.
“Only Gaia 4members are privy to the true plans,” he replies into the radio.
His cackling, obnoxious laugh can be heard all the way from up here. I roll my eyes, unwilling to dignify him with a response.
Grabbing Lowell’s radio, Ginny shouts into the receiver. “Vivida’s intel was wrong. The construction operation was planned and on the books with Nilsan’s Government, but they hid it from their allies.”
My fist clenches in annoyance. “So, change of plans?”
When I catch Ginny in my sight, I see her nod.
“Yup, start lighting this site up.”
* **
The roaring fire of the obliterated job site paints the night sky a deep crimson, a hazy smoke licking the tops of the tree-line.
I adjust my mask, the stench of burning plastics just as heinous as the burning bodies.
“Did the civilians and workers get out fine?” I ask, sliding off the back of Guy’s sandcycle. The treads don’t usually run over grass, but Lowell and I were able to build additions to convert them.
Guy shrugs shyly, his expression unsure. “The ones we could find, yes. Ginny and I did our best. We never found the occupancy record.”
Gaia 4 soldiers rip the camouflage tarp off our new hideout, the dilapidated exterior leaving plenty to be desired.
Between my previous surveying jobs and my knowledge from Grandma’s expeditions and journals, I’ve pinpointed abandoned buildings to relocate and build the Gaia 4 bases in. While some were condemned, others maintained their structure, so Lowell decided to split the bases across the continent for added safety and mobility.
Well, it was actuallymyidea, but as a nonmember, he refuses to give me the credit. Not that anyone but me would care, anyway.
“I’m glad some of them were saved. The scientists are just doing their jobs,” I say, helping Guy conceal his sandcycle.
Guy’s smile is crooked. It’s an unfamiliar look for him. “Lowell would have killed them all if you weren’t here, you know.”
I grimace, my cheeks heating. “I seriously doubt that. He’s still pissed I won’t join. Vivida and the neighboring governments view me as Gaia 4’s official representative, so I don’t get why that’s not enough for him.”
“Anything less than complete devotion won’t be good enough for Lowell. He’s possessive,” Guy says, flicking his eyes over to where Ginny is giving orders.
Once her gaze connects with his, all his attention shifts. I’d be offended, but the fresh bite marks Ginny tries to conceal with a scarf tell me all I need to know.
“You go inside. I’ll catch up with you,” I say, nudging Guy with my elbow.
He startles with a gasp, pressing his lips into a bashful smile at being caught. “Thanks. I’ll see you inside?”
