Chapter Fifty
Xexis
“Aphrodite!” he called as the lights came on. He’d lost her in the struggle until the message came across loud and clear. Aphrodite Kerso is headed for the helm through the engineer’s tunnel. Xnasis and Kinsi are locked in the Council room.
He cursed the day he was made to choose between fighting through a mob of creatures for his mate or his brother.
However, Buddy’s other command came across and settled his internal war.
She says this is her hunt, yours is for Xnasis.
And thus, he was off. There was a gaggle of infected in every section of the ship.
They fell apart like tender meat under his blade.
None could be left standing. It took what felt like an eternity to get to the Council room.
The door hissed open and Xnasis and Kinsi tumbled out of the room, arms raised and ready to fight. Then the lights came on and Xexis knew his mate had succeeded in her hunt. Pride surged through him for only a moment until the inevitable comment from Buddy returned to his visor.
Aphrodite Kerso is injured.
His pained roar rattled the ship as he charged through it toward the command deck.
Xnasis and Kinsi on his heels, he did not stop until he came skidding to a halt in the center of it.
Buddy’s text filled his helmet. Pests are eradicated; no other life forms are aboard this ship.
Infection was cleansed. Xexis repeated it over and over as he scooped Aphrodite off the floor.
Xnasis immediately rushed to the command deck of the ship, hailing the Council of Beings. Kinsi stood by Xexis’ side, brushing Aphrodite’s matted, bloodied hair from her face. There would be time to ask what happened later. What mattered now was getting home.
“Buddy,” he barked, “Hail the station, inform Reevar that we are safe and coming home.”
Buddy chirped, filling Xexis’ visor with words he didn’t read.
His attention was on Aphrodite limp in his arms. She was still breathing.
It is my turn to care for you as you rest. He sat down in one of the command ships chairs, Kinsi joining her mate at the helm.
Xexis scanned her body, inventorying all the bruises and breaks his scanner could assess.
There was much he couldn’t study, as his technology wasn’t updated with proper human anatomical scans.
But he knew her heart was beating, her lungs were working, and she was in his arms. He focused on that while Buddy did more scans, and the ship began to lurch.
Guided by the instruction of Xnasis, Reevar over the comms, and the Council on the command deck, Buddy started to drive the ship home.
Unlike the first ship he drove, he did so slowly.
“I will begin dragging the bodies together, best to incinerate them before we return. We will still observe death rites for all aboard,” Xnasis dusted off his robes as he pulled away from the command deck.
“My mate, will you aid the drone in steering the ship. I know it’s been ages since you’ve flown, but… ”
Kinsi grinned, waving him off. “I will do my best, my mate.”
The room went silent as Xexis finally tore his attention from Aphrodite. Xnasis and he locked eyes. Xexis exhaled heavily, “Where is his body?”
“We carved it in two…in the room. I could not stand that monster to taint his memory or create more with us,” Xnasis murmured, looking away quickly.
“Watch over your mate, I don’t want her condition worsening.
The Mphronatch is needed at the station.
As are you, Kannatch. Do not think I will not lay waste to your ear for that stunt you two pulled. ”
“Stunt?” Xexis huffed. “We came for you.”
“For which, I am grateful, Kannatch,” Xnasis snapped, his eyes glaring through Xexis’ mask.
“But what would happen should I perish? What would happen if you had perished with me? In my stay, you are to maintain and keep the station. In the place of the Korzavic, the Kannatch should take control. Why not send one of the other hunters? We have a whole station of them, and yet you launched into the stars to chase after me in a life-or-death hunt? Were you so pent up in your Council office you couldn’t stand to give away another glorious hunt? ”
Xexis could hear the worry in his brother’s voice. Despite his bite and bitter tone, the undertone of relief and mourning came through strong. Xnasis was Korzavic now, which meant that neither of them could run from their duties. They were the new guardians of their people.
“You told me long ago it is the Kannatch’s duty to evaluate and assess every hunt.
The place the right hunter with the right hunt, to ensure success and the betterment of our people.
Xnasis, I would never send anyone less than me after you.
I would not risk your life or the life of the Mphrovic with anything less than the best. If given the chance to redo it, I would still send myself and my mate after you.
Yell all you like, Xnasis, but I’ve done my duty… now it’s time for you to do yours.”
Xnasis fell quiet, hands trembling at his side as he stared deep into Xexis’ eyes. His face curled up in a snarl, but it did not have any malice behind it. “We will discuss this later…I suspect we will have much to discuss. You will bring the watzer.”
They lingered in silence with only the hum of the ship to fill the air. Then, with a broken nod, Xnasis twisted away from Xexis and headed deep into the ship. Xexis didn’t want to hurt his brother, but the fact was…their father was dead and the fate of Vroz fell upon them now.
Kinsi brushed a soft hand over Xexis’ head, bringing his attention away from the empty doorway. “Thank you, Xexis.”
He nodded quietly, adjusting Aphrodite in his lap. Still breathing. Heart still beating. She was preserved. She would be fine. They would be fine…it was all over now.