where a new set of guards took over, scanned them again for
weapons and logged them into their computer system. Nobody said anything more
than they had to. They all were just taking in everything that was happening.
Torque studied the entrances, exits, number
of guards, computer system access and video surveillance. He saw Brianna doing
the same. The only person who seemed at ease was Sam, but even he remained
quiet for the most part and Torque wondered if the man was more on edge than he
looked.
People were rushing everywhere and tension
could be felt in the air. The Egesa would continue to escalate their attacks
until the planet surrendered. They would destroy all military and tracking
facilities and seats of government to plunge the planet into chaos. They’d
deploy their foot soldiers to kill any militia-type groups, including any
pockets of Xylon Warriors they found. Then they’d terrorize and enslave the
remaining population. Torque saw the concerned look on Brianna’s face. She was
thinking it as well. They might already be too late.
A guard took them to a holding area with
seats and a few tables. Some machines that looked to contain edibles stood in
the back. “Wait here.” He closed the door.
Torque heard a lock click. Another delay.
“How long are they going to hold us here, Briggs?”
“I have no idea.”
“Wonderful.” Torque kicked the leg of a
chair. He wandered around the room. No other exits existed. Not a window, not
even a vent large enough to fit through.
“We’re being observed,” Leila said, looking
up at a dome above their heads. She set the medical case on one of the tables.
Sam looked up. “I imagine they’re listening
too so don’t say more than you want anyone to hear.”
Torque snorted. The humans didn’t actually
think their hidden surveillance system was fooling anyone, did they? He could
take that out in a heartbeat if he wanted to. And if the humans kept them
waiting too long, he might actually do it. That would get somebody in here.
* * * * *
Underground, Planet Xylon
Tara savored the small amount of food Pitch
shared with her. They couldn’t survive down here much longer without more
supplies. “Pitch and I should be the ones to scout around, find supplies and a
way out or a safer location. Alexa, you and Josella should stay here with the
babies.”
“What happens to us if you two don’t make
it back?” Alexa asked, a worried look on her face. “I think we should all stay
together.”
“Normally I’d agree.” Pitch took a sip of
water from his supply bottle. “But it would be too difficult with the
triplets.”
“Pitch and I could go,” Josella said. “That
way Tara would be here with Alexa if anything happened, like the Def’mal
showing up.”
Tara shook her head. “You’ll slow Pitch
down. We don’t need further delays.”
Josella visibly stiffened.
“I’m just being practical.”
Josella raised her chin a notch. “I
survived on the Sand Moon by myself. Not many women can say that. Just because
I’m quiet and like to stay in the background, it doesn’t mean that I’m not
capable or knowledgeable.”
Pitch patted her hand. “Josella and I will
go. We’re a good team and she knows how to get out of tight situations. It’s
decided.”
“Just like that?” Tara asked, taking a sip
from a bottle that Alexa had given her.
“I’m ranking officer. It’s done.”
Tara hesitated then nodded. She still
hadn’t gotten used to being busted down in rank. She used to give orders to
Pitch. Now it was the other way around. But she’d abide with his wishes. It
actually wasn’t such a bad idea. Braden would want her to protect his mate and
children. “Do you have an extra weapon to leave with me?”
Pitch smiled. “Of course.” He reached down
into his boot and pulled out an electro-zapper. “Not as good as a disruptor but
it’ll get the job done.”
Tara took the weapon. Barely better than a
pain inducer, but it didn’t need
weapons and logged them into their computer system. Nobody said anything more
than they had to. They all were just taking in everything that was happening.
Torque studied the entrances, exits, number
of guards, computer system access and video surveillance. He saw Brianna doing
the same. The only person who seemed at ease was Sam, but even he remained
quiet for the most part and Torque wondered if the man was more on edge than he
looked.
People were rushing everywhere and tension
could be felt in the air. The Egesa would continue to escalate their attacks
until the planet surrendered. They would destroy all military and tracking
facilities and seats of government to plunge the planet into chaos. They’d
deploy their foot soldiers to kill any militia-type groups, including any
pockets of Xylon Warriors they found. Then they’d terrorize and enslave the
remaining population. Torque saw the concerned look on Brianna’s face. She was
thinking it as well. They might already be too late.
A guard took them to a holding area with
seats and a few tables. Some machines that looked to contain edibles stood in
the back. “Wait here.” He closed the door.
Torque heard a lock click. Another delay.
“How long are they going to hold us here, Briggs?”
“I have no idea.”
“Wonderful.” Torque kicked the leg of a
chair. He wandered around the room. No other exits existed. Not a window, not
even a vent large enough to fit through.
“We’re being observed,” Leila said, looking
up at a dome above their heads. She set the medical case on one of the tables.
Sam looked up. “I imagine they’re listening
too so don’t say more than you want anyone to hear.”
Torque snorted. The humans didn’t actually
think their hidden surveillance system was fooling anyone, did they? He could
take that out in a heartbeat if he wanted to. And if the humans kept them
waiting too long, he might actually do it. That would get somebody in here.
* * * * *
Underground, Planet Xylon
Tara savored the small amount of food Pitch
shared with her. They couldn’t survive down here much longer without more
supplies. “Pitch and I should be the ones to scout around, find supplies and a
way out or a safer location. Alexa, you and Josella should stay here with the
babies.”
“What happens to us if you two don’t make
it back?” Alexa asked, a worried look on her face. “I think we should all stay
together.”
“Normally I’d agree.” Pitch took a sip of
water from his supply bottle. “But it would be too difficult with the
triplets.”
“Pitch and I could go,” Josella said. “That
way Tara would be here with Alexa if anything happened, like the Def’mal
showing up.”
Tara shook her head. “You’ll slow Pitch
down. We don’t need further delays.”
Josella visibly stiffened.
“I’m just being practical.”
Josella raised her chin a notch. “I
survived on the Sand Moon by myself. Not many women can say that. Just because
I’m quiet and like to stay in the background, it doesn’t mean that I’m not
capable or knowledgeable.”
Pitch patted her hand. “Josella and I will
go. We’re a good team and she knows how to get out of tight situations. It’s
decided.”
“Just like that?” Tara asked, taking a sip
from a bottle that Alexa had given her.
“I’m ranking officer. It’s done.”
Tara hesitated then nodded. She still
hadn’t gotten used to being busted down in rank. She used to give orders to
Pitch. Now it was the other way around. But she’d abide with his wishes. It
actually wasn’t such a bad idea. Braden would want her to protect his mate and
children. “Do you have an extra weapon to leave with me?”
Pitch smiled. “Of course.” He reached down
into his boot and pulled out an electro-zapper. “Not as good as a disruptor but
it’ll get the job done.”
Tara took the weapon. Barely better than a
pain inducer, but it didn’t need
Similar Books
