Page 59 of Monstrous Baby
She nodded vigorously.
:Starting countdown.:Crouching, I sprang upward with my powerful thighs, scrambling as quietly as possible onto the tree. I shifted around into the thicker branches, concealing my location.
At my count of thirty, Akylla trotted out into the open yard and boldly approached the ISPD. She stopped only a meter and a half away. Close enough he could jerk his head around and devour her in one gulp. Tension strained through my muscles, willing her to be careful. Smart. And above all, fast.
:Whatcha doing?:Her voice echoed on the grid, bright and curious.
The ISPD’s head snapped up, plumes of fire cut off.:What the fuck? Where did you come from?:
Oh shit. This was already going sideways.:Riz, did you open a channel to this squad’s grid?:
:Fuck, no. She did it all by herself. Hold on. I’m adding extra encryption and blocking any attempt to access our network. Holy fuck, Natalie’s going to roast your ass.:
I grinned widely, huffing softly.:Probably so.:
Note to self: Akylla can not only ghost the grid but she can also open channels to other squads. That wouldn’t have occurred to me. I’m not a comms specialist.
:I live here.:She bent down to sniff at the carcass.:What is this? Is it good to eat?:
:Fuck no,:the ISPD replied.:It’s contaminated.:
:Why are you cooking it?:Her head popped back up, tilted sideways as she eyed the giant four-legged Sauropod.:I’m hungry. Areyougood to eat?:
:No fucking way. Hey, Cazr, have you ever seen a dynos so small? Where’d it come from?:
Evidently she’d not only plugged herself into their grid—but opened their entire network to us. Data streamed onto our grid as Riz started downloading all their logs and databanks.
:Cazr’s busy,:the NSTG replied as he lumbered over to investigate.:Female, too. I didn’t think females were ever sent outside of the breeding program. They’re too rare.:
Fuck, fuck, fuck. I didn’t need both of them falling into our trap at the same time.I’m good but not that fucking good.
:Sure we do,:Axxol said.:Done here and headed your way.:
:Hurry the fuck up then.:
:Whatever’s in the hurricane makes landfall in ten minutes,:Riz said.
:One problem at a time,:Axxol growled.:Let’s put additional stress on Cazr. Riz, are you up to harassing the Pterons until we eliminate the two on the ground?:
:I’ll do my best but make it snappy. I won’t be able to stay out of their reach for long with the busted wing.:
:Phase two, Menace,:Axxol said to Akylla.
I couldn’t help but notice he didn’t call her alittlemenace any longer.
She grinned, dived at the ISPD, and tore a hunk out of his leg. Then she sprinted toward my hiding place.
The ISPD roared, blasting fire into the night sky.:You little fucker!:
:What’s the matter, Izzy?:The NSTG laughed.:Is she too feisty for you to handle by yourself?:
:You taste like shit,:Akylla taunted on their grid.
Giving chase, the ISPD blanketed a wall of fire in her direction.
Sheer terror squeezed my heart in razor talons for two full beats. Then my little girl burst through the flames.Running flat out, her legs pumping, eyes bright. Laughing. Manically.:Missed me, little fucker. Is that all you’ve got?:
:I could use a little fucking help here,:the ISPD growled.
