Chapter 16
Luna gasped as she stared out the viewport. Somehow, Balarr’s ship was avoiding all the beams of red that shot toward it. Also somehow, his vessel was causing the Threxal ships to explode.
She couldn’t believe that, until now, she’d forgotten about the first ship that had attempted to strike the Cormma, as well as the three Vaxxlian ships chasing it.
After her shower, she’d been so excited about the prospect of mating with Balarr, that all rational thought had fled her mind.
She’d been focused on one thing only—mating with Balarr. Belonging to Balarr.
A shudder moved through her as she considered the cruelty of the Threxals.
She couldn’t believe they wanted to force the few remaining Vaxxlian females to have as many children as biologically possible.
She also couldn’t believe they wanted to harvest eggs from those females and grow babies in artificial wombs.
She thought of the horrors she’d experienced at Zalora Biotech, and she felt a pang of compassion for the poor Vaxxlian females they’d tried to kidnap.
Balarr had assured her that the Threxals hadn’t managed to take possession of any Vaxxlian females—yet—though they kept trying.
They’d also attempted to harm the VAMOB program numerous times.
She hoped Commander Harnn’s mission to hunt them down was successful.
But it appeared Balarr was helping with that.
Already, six of the Threxal ships had been destroyed.
A glance out the viewport showed more were incoming, however, and she tensed as she tried to count the approaching ships.
But there were too many to count, and her stomach bottomed out as she worried that the entire Threxal fleet that had come to Earth was targeting Balarr.
“You’re right,” he said as he stroked her hair.
He kept his other hand on a console next to his seat, occasionally tapping the small screens and buttons.
“They do want something from me—they want the technology on the Cormma. Their fleet is old and in disrepair, and the Cormma is more advanced than anything they possess.”
“That makes sense.” She glanced around the bridge of his vessel, peering at the various consoles and screens with a sense of awe. “Um, am I distracting you?” she asked. “I feel like I’m a bit in the way. I’m happy to sit in the other chair.”
He snuggled her closer, and warmth promptly flowed through her.
“No, sweet Luna, you are not distracting me.” He gestured at the array of consoles and screens.
“The auto-navigation protocols are working seamlessly to avoid the Threxals’ weapons fire, and my auto-defense prototype is also working to eradicate the rebel ships. ”
“Auto-defense prototype?” She glanced at the small console he kept touching. “So you aren’t directly taking out the Threxal ships yourself?”
“No, but I’m monitoring the progress of the navigation and weapons system I’ve designed, and occasionally, I divert more power to the auto-defense prototype or the Cormma’s shields.
” He continued stroking her hair, and he leaned close and took a deep inhale.
“I prefer to keep holding you while I work.”
The communication device on his wrist beeped and buzzed, and he lifted it and displayed another 3-D message in the air. She had no idea what the strange Vaxxlian symbols indicated, but whatever it said caused a deep frown to mar Balarr’s face. A low growl also emanated from his chest.
“What’s wrong?” she asked in a whisper, wishing she didn’t feel so useless. If only she could monitor a console or do something to help. But Balarr’s ship was the first spacecraft she’d ever set foot on, and she had no idea how Vaxxlian technology worked.
“It’s a message from one of the diplomats. Apparently, the doctors and surgeons from Zalora Biotech have been executed, though not by my people. All evidence points to the United States government—likely a cleanup operation.”
Dead. The monsters who’d tormented her were dead. She wasn’t sure how she felt about that. But she didn’t understand why Balarr appeared so upset by the news. Earlier, he’d offered to vanquish the doctors and surgeons who’d caused her pain. He’d even asked for names.
Still trying to process the information, she drew in a shaky breath and met her mate’s green eyes. In her peripheral vision, she saw a bright orange blast—the explosion of another Threxal ship.
“Why do you appear displeased by this news?” she finally asked.
He gave another growl, though his visage softened as he stared at her.
He tucked an errant strand of hair behind her ear, and she shivered as his fingers trailed down her neck.
“I had hoped to be the one to kill the doctors and surgeons who’d hurt you, Luna.
I’m your mate—it should’ve been me who killed them.
Not the fluxxing United States government.
” He shook his head and heaved a disappointed sigh.
She grasped his chin, overcome by the urge to console him. To make him understand that she didn’t think any less of him just because he hadn’t killed them. “It doesn’t matter who killed them, Balarr. I’m just glad they can’t hurt anyone else.”
Then she remembered the security guards and debated whether to ask the question that rested on the tip of her tongue. Eventually, her curiosity won out.
“Did you kill anyone at Zalora Biotech? Surely you must’ve met some resistance. I know there are security guards—they captured me every time I attempted to escape.”
“I used a stunner on all the guards I encountered as I searched for you, rather than a blaster on kill-mode.” He paused and tucked another strand of hair behind her ear.
“But if I’d known then that you were being held as a medical prisoner, I would’ve killed them on the spot. I regret that I didn’t.”
She read the truth in his eyes, glimpsed the bloodlust that flared in his green depths. He would kill for her—because she was his mate. Because as a Vaxxlian warrior, he was honor-bound to avenge any wrongs committed against her.
Part of her took comfort in this knowledge—the knowledge that he would fight for her. He would shed blood for her without remorse.
She placed her hands on his chest and nodded her understanding. But her throat was too tight for her to speak. She was that deeply touched by his ruthlessness on her behalf.
Balarr suddenly glanced out the viewport, then down at the small console beside his chair.
“It would appear we have company. Commander Harnn has brought a fleet of one hundred Vaxxlian cruisers.” He chuckled.
“A bit excessive, if you ask me, but I suppose he wants guaranteed victory against the Threxals who made it to Earth.”
Luna released a long breath as relief filled her. She hoped the danger passed soon. Then they could finally depart war-torn Earth. Balarr could bring her to his home on New Vaxx. She could continue putting the nightmare of the last two years behind her.
She glanced out the viewport again, peering at the smog covering the city in the distance. She doubted she would miss this place.
The main communication screen on the bridge suddenly illuminated, and a sneering Vaxxlian male appeared. Behind him, Vaxxlian males rushed around what looked like the bridge of another ship.
“Hello, Balarr. I never imagined I would see you on Earth, brother.”