Eleven
He’d woken to find her gone. For a moment, he’d considered not following her. If she was foolish enough to try to make it across hostile territory in the dark, she deserved a messy death.
She hadn’t even stopped to pick up food and water. She wouldn’t last long.
Then he saw she’d taken her bag and an unwelcome suspicion formed. Why take an empty bag? Unless… unless it wasn’t empty.
Drek.
The human had a way to communicate. That was what she was on her way to do. And it would bring more of her vile compatriots to the planet.
She couldn’t have gone far. She didn’t have the night vision of a Vraxian and she was minus one boot. Nevertheless, she was out of range of the yashak collar. He would have to go after her. If she had a communication device, he’d take it off her and use it for himself.
Is that the only reason you want to chase her? Or is it… something else?
He tried to ignore the inner voice which had been getting increasingly loud of late. Just like he’d tried to ignore the female’s scent whenever she was close.
It didn’t matter what other odors were present: the pungency of sweat, the sulfurous steam from the springs, even the stench of zift she’d had to wash out of her clothes, he could always detect her underlying aroma.
He didn’t understand why it was affecting him so. But it was driving him mad.
With his enhanced sight he was easily able to follow her trail. At one point he came across spots of blood and his stomach tightened. She was injured.
When he saw the pawprints travelling in the same direction, he started running. Using his tentacles as extra legs, he was able to reach speeds of more than twice that of a human sprinter. Even so, he was nearly too late.
When he finally caught up to the female, she was on the point of being eviscerated by another of the planet’s savage inhabitants. He acted without thinking.
Using one of his tentacles like a club, he swung it violently into the hound-beast, injecting it with a full dose of arak as he batted it from her. It flew through the air, paralyzed and dying before it even hit the ground. The alien strode to her side, trying not to acknowledge his relief that she was still alive.
“You’re safe, human,” he told her.
He spoke too soon.
Two more large animals erupted from the shadows without warning. They launched themselves at him, snapping and snarling, piercing flesh and crushing bone with their powerful jaws. One clung to his arm and the other bit down on his thigh.
The Vraxian beat at their heads and shoulders, trying to get them to loosen their grip. He touched a tentacle to one of their backs but his supply of toxin was depleted. The creature twisted and sank its teeth into the limb.
Kara gasped as blood spurted. She saw the alien’s face crease in pain. He managed to knock one animal off him but it immediately charged back and closed its fangs round his calf.
Frantically she shone her torch round looking for her blaster. There! She scuttled towards it on hands and knees just as the alien managed to draw his laser-blade. It cut through the air and two halves of the same animal fell away.
The second beast dropped to the ground with its eyes fixed balefully on the Vraxian, muzzle drawn back in a snarl. It crouched on its haunches, preparing to leap again.
Kara looked at the alien. By the light of his laser-blade she could see jagged edges of torn skin flapping on his shoulders and torso, and the slow drip of blood running down his arms. One tentacle hung limply behind him. He swayed as he tried to focus on the beast.
The creature sprang. And Kara shot it.
It thudded to the ground with a whimper and fell silent.
She lowered her weapon and locked eyes with the Vraxian. He mumbled some words, tried to take a step towards her.
Then simply folded up and collapsed.
Kara holstered her gun and got to her feet. She spotted her bag and slung it over her shoulder, then resolutely turned towards the hills.
It would be light soon. Already she could see the line of pale gold on the horizon that heralded dawn. The alien was in no shape to follow her. In fact, he was bleeding so much he might not even survive.
She straightened her back and marched off.
“He’s not my problem,” she muttered to herself. “Let him die. He’s a bloody snake.”
Her footsteps slowed.
“You’re not going back. You’re a lieutenant in the Space Defense Force. And he’s the enemy. A fucking Vraxian.”
She stopped.
A Vraxian who had saved her twice now.
She let out a groan of exasperation.
“Goddamit!”
She couldn’t leave him there. Not like that. She was an officer, not a cold-blooded killer. She’d take him back to the cave, treat his wounds, then head back to the hills to activate her beacon.
She could be humane and complete her mission.
He was still on the ground when she got back to him.
“Hey, snake-boy. Wake up. Hey!”
She shook him hard and his eyes opened. Black slitted pupils focused on her.
“ Hooman. ”
“No shit, Sherlock. Now you’re going to have to help me. No way can I carry you, so you’re going to have to walk. On your feet, soldier.”
She tugged his arm to show him what she meant. Unsteadily, he rose to all fours and then to his feet. She put an arm round his waist as he wobbled.
“We’ll take it slowly, okay? One step at a time. Let’s go.”