3. Bikar
BIKAR
Icannot say that receiving an abbreviated message from SCOUT directly into my cranial interface is how I foresaw this rising starting, but here we are. Being summoned via an abrupt “Get up. There is a delivery for you’’ is more than a little unsettling.
The fact SCOUT figured out I am not an entirely organic being should concern me, but if he truly meant me any harm, he would have acted on it while he was here.
Glancing over at my mate, I see she is safe with the other females under some shade trees just outside the rock compound.
I don’t have to see my brothers to know they are following along behind me; their presence is reassuring even though none of them are currently pleased with me.
We reach the vessel just as it finishes settling on Deapra’s surface, and I cannot help but be impressed by what I see.
It is a shuttle, unlike any I have ever seen, and appears to have been modified to function similarly to a luxury liner.
One that is typically only utilized by the very rich.
My brothers and I have raided many ships, some owned by upper-class beings, but this shuttle puts most of them to shame.
Curiosity burns through me, and I itch to dive into the onboard computer systems.
Slavic steps up next to me as the rear hatch ramp fully extends and grinds to a stop in front of us. “I am going to assume that you knew this was coming since you pinged all of us to meet you at the Zenith.”
His disapproving tone does not fill me with comfort. “Eh. I received a message from the one they call SCOUT that there was an incoming delivery for us. My best guess is this holds the supplies ViN and EvO discussed with you all. If you will recall, I was not privy to those conversations.”
He has the grace to look slightly abashed at the bite in my words. Without bothering to say anything else, I head up the ramp to explore what awaits us.
The tic I enter the shuttle, the onboard AI links with me, and I am bombarded with information.
Thankfully, due to the experiments the Aynar subjected me to, I can process everything the shuttle is throwing at me immediately.
Thus, I’ve learned exactly what is onboard, why the shuttle is here, and its purpose in the time it takes for all of my brothers to join me aboard.
I am rather shocked to find out that SCOUT and DaR included luxuries such as a CIP, replicator, and enough room for everyone on Deapra to fit on board comfortably. There are even recreational areas for long-distance traveling.
Without bothering to spare any of them my undivided attention, I wander deeper into the shuttle towards the helm room and the comm center. Stalking through the door, I glance around appreciatively at the setup. SCOUT must have custom-made this just for me.
But…
How did he know there were ports in my back, hidden amongst my spines that can attach to tech leads?
My brothers do not even know those exist, as I have never allowed them to look too closely at my back lest they find my wing slits and the non-organic tech installed there.
This comm center would allow me to literally plug myself into the ship, integrating so deeply that I would be the ship, controlling the entire thing as if it were an extension of my body.
The sound of the helm door sliding open pulls me from my musings, and I look over my shoulder. To my surprise, I see Murguls’ intimidating form filling the space.
This is the first time we have been alone since my treachery was discovered and Vrog beat me to a bloody pulp outside their quarters aboard the Zenith. Shifting uncomfortably, I stifle a wince. My body is still sore and covered in bruises from Vrog venting his rage.
I know my nose is now definitely crooked from being broken by his giant fist, and the tip of one of my tusks is gone. Truthfully, I am lucky I am not missing any other body parts, considering how deadly my little brother is.
He definitely got his licks in, but it could always be worse.
I offer him a hesitant, lopsided smile since my lips are still healing from being split. “Murgul. Is something amiss?”
He huffs in frustration and shakes his head, but has an almost expectant air about him.
While he seems to be wrestling with something or someone—most likely Vrog—I jump at the opportunity to apologize. Taking a step toward him, I drop to my knees, looking up at him with remorse. “Murgul, little brother. I owe you a long overdue apology.”
Murgul’s head jerks up so fast it is a surprise that he does not hit his horns on the door behind him. A flash goes through his eyes, and I know that Vrog is now present for this conversation as well.
Not comforting.
Murgul has sense…Vrog does NOT.
“I truly, to the bottom of my black soul, am sorry for what I tricked you into doing. Initially, I only intended to get you aboard that Korgon ship for the wormhole tech. Which would have been a simple in and out. That part is true, but when Bambi triggered my mating collar and instantly rejected me.” My voice cracks under the weight of my words, and I have to take a deep breath before I can finish saying what needs to be said.
“I dug deeper into the Korgon ship searching for any inkling of information about humans—the entire universe knows they were stealing them from their home planet and were consequently being hunted down by the House of DaR. My desperation to bridge the gap with her, and my fear of mating sickness, took over. So, I used you to get the human records I discovered aboard their vessel. I should not have done that. No matter what, because you are my brother and I love you dearly.”
My words end on an emotion-filled whisper as I force myself to maintain eye contact with Murgul. His jaw drops in shock, and his mistrust dwindles as he slowly approaches me.
Bracing myself, I wait.
To my surprise, he pulls me up off the floor and into an embrace, chuffing as he playfully knocks his horns against mine.
My hearts melt. It is something he has not done in many orbital rotations…
not since the Velgriddix tortured him, and physical contact with other beings became something abhorrent instead of comforting.
And with that small, silent, affection-filled gesture, I know I am forgiven for my misdeeds.