The Arrival by Adair Hart Page A

narrowed his eyes and looked at the man. With his extended arm forward at a ninety-degree angle, he shook it and snapped. The cells disappeared.
    The slavers looked around at each other for a moment, then turned on Evaran. The first slaver on the right rushed forward and kicked his leg out at Evaran. Evaran caught it. He twisted the man’s ankle, breaking it. The man fell to the ground, crying out in pain. The other two slavers charged Evaran. Evaran stepped to the left and side kicked the leftmost slaver in the chest, sending him flying across the room. The last slaver hesitated, then pushed forward, swinging with wild arms. Evaran caught one of his fists and squeezed. The man fell to the ground, screaming.
    Evaran looked around. “Does anyone wish to try again?”
    The men shook their heads in unison.
    “Good,” said Evaran. He walked to the room’s entrance and signaled to someone outside the room.
    After a few moments, three Bilaxian prison guards entered the room. They wheeled in cots with body straps.
    Evaran pointed at the slavers. “They will need medical attention.”
    The Bilaxian guards looked at the slavers, then at Evaran, with raised eyebrows.
    Evaran drew his lips down. “They got loose. I will be outside with Warden Borox. Greecho is in the medical lab and is ready for transport.” He exited the room then the Torvatta.
    Warden Borox stood at the end of the Torvatta’s ramp. “So only four this time, huh?”
    “Yes. I appreciate you taking them. I know this was unexpected,” said Evaran.
    “Not at all.”
    The Bilaxian guards began walking out of the Torvatta with Greecho’s men strapped to the cots.
    When Greecho passed by them, Evaran extended his hand out causing the guard to stop. He turned his head toward Borox. “This is Greecho. He is a slaver.” He faced Greecho. “So you know, you are in the Andromeda galaxy. These are the Bilaxians, once an enslaved race, by their own kind. They do not take kindly to slavers, as you can imagine. They have agreed to your incarceration on my behalf.”
    “What?” said Greecho as he was wheeled forward with but a motion from Evaran. “You can’t leave us here!”
    Borox shook his head. “They won’t last long. They may not be Dalrun, but they look close enough.”
    “I am aware of that and will find another prison that is closer to where I captured them and not corrupt.”
    Borox smiled. “Like you did here. Smart.” He looked around. “Where’s U4?”
    Evaran looked down. “Greecho and his men killed her.”
    Borox’s eyes widened as he pulled his head back. “Oh … I’m sorry to hear that. If you need any help …”
    Evaran nodded. “It is appreciated, but U4 was unique. There are some parts of her that technology cannot replicate, or repair, for that matter.”
    “You and U4 were close.”
    Evaran’s lips drew down. “We were. She was one of my oldest friends. I miss her already.”
    Borox cleared his throat. “So, what are you going to do now?”
    Evaran paused as he looked out into the dark void of space surrounding the landing pad. “I think I found what I was looking for. I will head back.”
    “Are you going to get another robot companion?”
    Evaran rubbed his chin. “It would appear that I do, and it will be named V.”
    Borox nodded. “A new chapter.”
    “Yes,” said Evaran. He extended a hand toward Warden Borox.
    Borox eyed Evaran’s hand.
    “It is an Earth custom. It is how they greet each other, at least in the region I visited.”
    “Physical contact. How bizarre.” Borox shook Evaran’s hand.
    Evaran wheeled around and headed back to the Torvatta.
    “Will I see you again?” asked Borox as Evaran walked onto the Torvatta’s ramp.
    Evaran pivoted to face Borox. “You will. I will make sure of it. Thank you for helping me out once again. Unfortunately, everything is as it should be.” He turned around and entered the Torvatta.

Note from the Author

    I hope you enjoyed the prequel to the Evaran