Kaden’s Monster

Prologue

Too late now to take a risk, to be a rebel, to do what he wanted.

Or maybe not.

He could see their final destination through the window, floating in the blackness of space.

The planet was more enticing than any other he’d seen.

So much water made it beautiful. But if it offered the resources they wanted, the thousands of vessels that would follow theirs would split the planet’s skies open like a wound.

Surrender would have been demanded in a language the inhabitants couldn’t understand.

The land and oceans would only have been seen for what they could offer another species.

My species. Cities would have been destroyed.

People wouldn’t have mattered. The planet would have been sucked dry of everything usable.

“Hurry, you coward!” Lanu yelled.

No, 294 wasn’t going to do that. I hate you! As Lanu snarled and leapt towards him, the ship rocked violently and 294 was sent skittering across the deck. He couldn’t help it, but Lanu bellowed with rage, flung himself after him and snagged one of his four arms.

Luckily, it was the wrong arm. The one without receptors.

The mistake enabled 294 to pull back and break their connection.

He glimpsed the fury on Lanu’s face and managed a secret smile.

A death of my choosing. Maybe the best he could hope for.

At least his last act had been one of rebellion.

Then the vessel slammed into the ground and darkness wrapped around him.