Chapter 27
CHAPTER 27
D’Var
T he temperature in the compound is low and the lights are blinding. I blink a few times to let my eyes get used to them before I continue. The Caudata are close, I see the maze of hallways unfolding before me, my wrist comp calculates the route I have to take. We are not cloaked here anymore, so I need to be quick, before somebody does a body scan of the compound.
Three turns and I smell them. Two more and I hear them, behind a black door with flashing lights. I unsheathe one of my knives, clutching it and quietly, very quietly open the door. It appears I hit the jackpot, because I look at a control room. Two Cadauta male, wearing the same uniform, are sitting in front of a wall filled with screens.
I do not give myself time to look around and methodically slit the first Caudata’s throat from behind. The other one is so shocked he is slow to respond, I take advantage of his shock, drop my knife - grab his head with both hands and twist it so I break his neck. I let his body slump to the ground, pick up my knife and clean it with his clothes.
“Two Caudata taken out.” I confirm to O’Rec.
“Well done. I am getting close, it is starting to reek here.” I snicker...
I look around the room to see if my scans missed any threats, but all looks clear. Apart from the screen filled wall and the big chairs, the room is bare, with only switches and buttons. I focus my attention on the screen. What they show me has me chilled to the bone.
There are indeed cells in the compound, there are eight of them on display. Six contain slaves in various states of consciousness. I see another set of cameras angled at the hallways of the cells, where I see two Caudata and one Sternotheri. I growl, one of them has to be Yalix.
“I see the others; they are in the hallways down by the cells,” I tell O’Rec.
“Are they coming up or going down?” Is O’Rec’s response. I wait for a bit, look at my wrist comp and then the screens.
“Up,” I respond and O’Rec curses.
“You have to get them first,” he tells me. “I will get the Sternotheri. Three is no match for an Arracate Warrior. Especially if we have the element of surprise.”
“Enjoy,” I grin a feral grin and tap into my calm. I cleanse myself of all thoughts until all I am is Warrior, and I make my plan. Yalix is going down.
My targets are coming up to the top level via an elevator. Assuming they will gather with the other Sternotheri, they will have to cross a few hallways to get there. Based on our analysis of the scans, it is some sort of common area where they came back to the last couple of times.
I will cut them off at one of the first junctions, where I can easily sneak up after them and where they are not too close to help. First, I will kill the Sternotheri, as a trained fighter is the biggest threat and then, I think with a feral grin. Then I will end the Caudata.
When I arrive at the junction, I already smell the foul Sternotheri. I hide myself flat against the wall of the left hallway, knive unsheathed when I hear them coming through the right hall. They are chatting, boasting about the depraved things they did to one of the slaves and my anger rises. These aliens are filth, it only fuels my determination to kill them all. The fuckers are so busy with themselves that they just walk on, and it is easy to sneak up behind them. The Sternotheri is walking next to a heavily embellished Caudata. The Sterno is sucking up to him, so this has to be Yalix.
The lone Caudata walking behind them throws my plans off. There is no other solution, then to kill that one first. This is not my plan, but plans change. I need to do this quickly.
I sneak up behind the male covering his mouth with my hand, at the same time I slit his throat. He sags to the ground with a thump, gurgling and the Sternotheri turns around in his tracks. He sees me and hisses, grabbing for his weapons, but I am faster and within moments there is a knife embedded between his eyes and a second one in his heart. He falls back before the first one totally comprehends what is going on. And I approach, teeth bared.
“Yalix?” I ask, and I see the shock in his eyes as he realizes I am coming for him.
“Not so big anymore now that you are facing somebody of your own size, are you?” I mock him, causing a fire in his eyes.
“So, you know who I am,” he smirks. “Then you also know you will never get out of here alive.” And he spits in front of my feet. “Arracate scum. You have no idea what awaits your future. You think you are so clever, but you can never win. The Sternotheri will kill you all. ”
I laugh as I stalk towards him, and he backs away from me.
“We will always be superior,” he shrieks.
I growl throwing the first knife, hitting him in the shoulder and he screeches.
I circle him, tail flicking in anticipation, wanting to draw this out. My second knife hits him in his upper leg, causing him to sag towards the ground. I stalk even closer. He is helpless already. Stupid fucker. Only big and bad when he is preying on the weak.
“You are not going to defend yourself then, Yalix?” I smirk as I grab his hair and pull his head back. “Only strong when it is someone you can control easily? Is that why you have the Sternotheri do your dirty work?”
His beady eyes are darting back and forth, trying to find a way out of the situation, but there is none. He will die and I will make it quick, unfortunately.
“Is that why you are here? Because I work with them? Then heed my warning. This is not over yet, you may kill me, but I will be avenged. And the Sternotheri will kill all of you, scum. The Great Commander has a plan that cannot, will not fail.” I roll my eyes, I have just about enough of this monster, and I feel O’Rec through our bond.
“Make it quick, my friend, I need you.”
I cast the Caudata of my mate’s nightmares one last glance, and then I grab my biggest knife. I whisper in his ear, “This is for L’Ren,” and then I pull on his hair, raise my blade and cut off his head with one swift slice of my blade.
Then, I walk towards O’Rec. Dragging Yalix head behind me.