“For breeding purposes,” Rexnor spat, clearly disgusted. “This is disturbing, but we already knew this information.”
“Unfortunately, that’s not the only Intel we discovered.” Orion’s expression betrayed his anger. “Kacie Hargrave was sold to Ambassador Krol nearly four solar rotations ago. Rymar did not honor the sale but abducted her from the starship she was on and held her in captivity for two. She was among a handful of captives that he placed on each of his ship’s for personal use.”
Roaring, I shot to my feet, enraged at the thought of her suffering. Rymar was pure evil. “I must go to her, ask her to reveal the truth. She needs to verify this information and –”
“She may not wish to speak of it,” Rexnor replied gently, cutting me off. “Trauma affects each soul differently. You know this, Valtus.”
I did. My quills lifted from my back as the heat of rage and anguish pumped through my bloodstream. I wanted to take away Kacie’s pain, erase any memory of the agony she endured. Two solar rotations in captivity. She was at his mercy for far too long.
If given the chance, I would rip Rymar apart with my bare hands and shred him into pieces with my claws. Justice would be served as I promised Kacie, whether he was convicted of his crimes or not.
“How many are being sold?” Motok asked, clearing his throat.
“Hundreds. The Hargrave sisters were purchased within solar rotations of one another. They weren’t the first or the last to be bought, sold, and taken. The ISP and human government are ignorant of the connection. They’re weak and can’t protect their females. Not like we can.” Orion’s passion filled words resonated deep inside each one of us.
“There must be a way to protect Earth and not alert the slavers or the traffickers we are aware of their violation against the treaty or risk angering the humans.” Motok stood and began pacing the length of the compartment.
“We can,” Rexnor announced. “We visit every planet listed in those documents we recovered and liberate any females we find.”
I agreed with Rexnor. “Yes. That’s why I chose Cryton in the first place,” I reminded the brothers. “The files that I scanned in the Capital’s Complex contained similar Intel. I wanted to eliminate Cryton before we moved to another planet or system.”
None of us would allow any humans or other races to be sold into slavery. We found many females on Cryton that corroborated all the Intel uncovered.
“We stop more of these purchases from taking place, starting with those who are responsible for the purchase and sale of human females. Rymar and Bly are in custody. They need to be questioned. I volunteer to interrogate the traitors of Vindar,” I offered.
“Valtus, is that why you turned in your resignation?” Rexnor inquired.
“Yes. I will do whatever is necessary to discover the connection to the ISP, Kacie and Kerra Hargrave, the mysterious gene mods used to alter DNA and created Kacie’s double for that propaganda video, and the link to human females being purchased as sexual slaves.”
“A security breach was recognized thanks to Valtus and the evidence leaked to the High Council. Elite Guards were sent to investigate Bly, his crimes, and the video footage from Bly’s attack on Kerra.” Motok clenched his fists and then relaxed, his reaction to Kerra’s attempted rape obvious. “How much of the High Council is compromised? Have we discovered any additional information?”
“That remains uncertain as this time,” Orion answered. “Rymar and Bly are in custody and will remain there until the allegations against him can be substantiated or dismissed.”
“It’s not much but it’s a start.” Rexnor leaned back in his chair, staring up at the ceiling, deep in thought. “Valtus,” he called out as he lowered his head and our eyes met. “You found something else, didn’t you?”
“The name of my sister’s attacker was located more than once in the documents I uncovered. I have several possible locations.”
Silence filled the compartment.
This information was life altering. I searched for Grohm for numerous span. He remained elusive until now. “This is why I must separate from the Vindicator and crew. I seek revenge in the name of my family and my cherished sister.”
The brothers nodded. No further words were needed.
“We’ll all have to separate,” Valtus concluded. “Rexnor, we will deliver Rymar to Vindar and hand him over to the High Council. You will oversee the interrogations and report all findings directly to me and Orion. Reveal only what you must to the Council until we discover who can be trusted. Valtus, you may question Rymar before you leave the Vindicator.”
I hoped that he would offer that ability and I nodded in acceptance.
“Orion, we will split off and lead two separate legions, dividing the list of planets with suspected female captives. Our task will be faster with two Commanders instead of one.
Orion bowed his head, overwhelmed, and honored. “It is my pleasure.”
Vindar’s vulnerable condition affected every soul on this battlecruiser. The starship was as large as a city and contained hundreds of warriors. Our response was critical. We had to act before the Conclave ruled against us or the High Council released Bly.
We would gather enough evidence to stand before the Galactic Assembly and prove the Braxtharian race was the greatest in the galaxy. Honor, loyalty, and sacrifice. Our people would thrive on Vindar and our nation praised for tearing down the slave trade and those responsible, no matter what their position. Rank would not save the guilty.
Braxtharian warriors would ensure justice was achieved and humanity saved.
Not a soul existed who would stop us.
Chapter 6 – Valtus
“There’s one more subject we need to discuss,” Motok announced. “Kerra and Kacie have Braxtharian blood in their veins. The two females are more than human captives. They are our blood. Our cherished females of Vindar. Family. I fear for their safety.”
Rexnor stood and placed a hand on his brother’s shoulder. “The information is classified but there appears to be a connection that the High Council wants to eliminate.”
“What kind of connection?”
“We can only speculate but interrogating Rymar and Bly may yield answers,” Orion added.
“Kerra’s my one, regardless of her humanity. That’s why we have such a strong bond.” Valtus stopped pacing and sank into a chair. “The sisters are at risk of discovery if they are taken back to Vindar. I don’t trust anyone to keep the females safe other than the males on this vessel.”
All four of us agreed.
“They must remain on the Vindicator, Motok. I need to know Kacie is safe with her sister while I search for Grohm.” I would beg Motok if I thought it would influence his decision.
“Kerra and Kacie will stay on the Vindicator. Rexnor will remain on Vindar as we discussed. Orion, the Dauntless is yours for command unless you wish for another battlecruiser.”
“The Dauntless is acceptable.”
“Valtus, take any ship you need.”
The decisions made, there was little left to discuss. I thought the briefing was over until Orion spoke.
“We’ve been told our whole lives that the only possible mates we can have are other Braxthar females. What if that’s not true?” He turned to each of us, watching our reaction. “What if we’ve been trained to believe a lie? What if our true mates are females from other races too? Like humans? Kacie and Kerra have Braxtharian DNA. They are compatible. Other human females may also be possible brides for our warriors.”