“We love you, too, Raia. Stay safe,” Evetta said.
Raia closed the communication hologram and sat back in her seat. Her focus moved to the glow of lights from the large warships moving in the distance. She had activated the hologram disks attached to the outside of the EA II, adjusting them to reflect the surrounding space. She had also cut all power to the engines. The only thing running was environmental.
She had piggy-backed on the communication channels of ships within range to hide her transmission. It helped that Hanine had encrypted the signal so that everything came out sounding like normal chatter between freight captains. Of course, nothing would sound out of the ordinary—well, mostly nothing as long as it wasn’t something like a hoard of Marastin Dow boarding your freighter.
Where’s the Curizan military when you need it? she thought with a sigh.
Chapter Five
Reynar pushed the melted remains of the electronic box away and rose from his seat. A cold rage built inside him as he walked over to the window overlooking the prison. The destroyed cell block was clearly visible, even in the dark, thanks to all the construction lights illuminating the shambles caused by the blast.
The report he just finished reading confirmed his suspicions—Behr De’Mar had escaped. Video surveillance supported the surviving guard’s statement. The Dregulon, along with two unusual creatures, were responsible.
What infuriated him the most was that, at one point, De’Mar had been mere feet from him. The video cut out after the explosion. The only other information was images of the dilapidated freighter from Bay 8 and the melted remains of the device attached to the computerized locking panel.
There was a brief knock before the door opened. He turned and waited as his newest assistant introduced the three guests he had requested. He waved his hand in dismissal. His assistant bowed his head and closed the door.
“General Maradash,” the woman coolly greeted.
“Akita,” he replied with a nod before he turned his attention to the two men standing beside her.
“From the looks of the damage, someone kicked your ass,” He’lo proffered as a greeting.
He’lo carefully scrutinized his damaged face. The scarred skin on Reynar’s cheek tightened and pulled when he pursed his lips. It was obvious that the assassin was referring to his wound rather than the damage to the prison that was visible through the glass behind him. As much as Reynar detested working with these three assassins, they would be a necessity.
“I have an assignment. The first one to deliver will receive two million credits,” he stated.
“What is the target?” Orb asked.
Reynar turned to the short, stocky assassin. The man’s flattish snout twitched while he flexed his wide mouth—causing the twin tusks protruding from his lower jaw to move up and down. Layers of ridges along his cheeks, rising to his forehead, were marred with scars from previous battles. Orb’s black, beady eyes looked like two pieces of polished obsidian—a match for his name.
“A prisoner escaped. I want him and the Dregulon who broke him free found and returned to me alive,” he ordered.
“Alive? That will cost you extra. It is always harder to bring them in alive. They tend to fight,” Akita drawled.
Akita was one of the rare Marastin Dow warriors born with a deeper purple complexion and a shock of white hair. The milky glow of her red eyes was deceptive. Many would have assumed her blind. Her own parents had, so they gave her to the Marastin Dow researchers who replaced her retinas with ones that could read heat signatures.
“I want them alive,” he reiterated.
“Akita’s correct, bringing them in alive is difficult. It is also more dangerous—for us. Men about to die are a little more passionate about escaping,” He’lo replied, folding his massive arms.
Reynar glared back at the Triloug. The man’s two tails moved in sync. Through the opening of He’lo’s shirt, Reynar noted a fresh scar across the man’s bright yellow chest plate. The wound had to have been deep to penetrate the thick scales that protected the Triloug’s vital organs underneath.
“I don’t care how you do it. You’ll only get half of the credits if either of them are dead,” he retorted.
“Do these targets have a name? Images would help,” Akita added.
Reynar walked over to his desk and picked up three information disks. He held one out to Akita before handing the other two to the male assassins. He pursed his lips, which pulled on the wound to his face again, when Akita’s attention returned to his ravaged cheek.
“They are most likely still together. The first man is a Marastin Dow. His name is Behr De’Mar. You’ll find all the information you need, including his images, on the disk. The second man is an unknown Dregulon. They are traveling together. We’ve been unable to locate his freighter—yet. The identification number given to us belonged to an obsolete freighter that was scrapped six months ago,” he stated.
“Behr De’Mar…,” Akita murmured with a purr.
Reynar’s eyes narrowed at the amused note in Akita’s voice when she said De’Mar’s name. She returned his glare with a raised eyebrow and cold eyes. He studied her face for a moment longer before he spoke.
“What about the two furry creatures? Are they part of the package?” Orb asked.
Reynar waved a dismissive hand. “You can kill them. I have no use for the creatures,” he said.
“Is there anything else you require?” Orb requested.
“No. Inform me the moment you have either of them,” he stated.
Orb and He’lo studied each other before they nodded. Reynar ignored the gleam of greed in both of their eyes before they turned and exited the room. He returned his attention to Akita. She was standing at the window, looking out over the damaged cell block.
“Aren’t you concerned they will find De’Mar before you do?” Reynar asked.
“I hope they do. Once he kills them, they will be out of my way,” she answered with a shrug.
“What makes you think De’Mar can best them?” he asked, walking over and standing a short distance from her.
Her eyes flickered over the damage to his cheek again. “Because, brother, he already bested you,” she stated, turning away.
Reynar narrowed his eyes as she walked across his office to the door. She didn’t pause or look back. There had been something in her tone that bothered him. It sounded suspiciously like she was pleased that he had been bested.
Behr woke with a mild sense of disorientation. The slight rumble of the engines told him they were in motion again. A glance at the time showed he had slept over twelve hours. He froze when he felt a slight movement on the bed next to him.
He slid his hand over the cover. His fingers encountered a furry mass. Lifting his head, he noticed Pi curled up against his hip. He lowered his head and blinked when Chummy climbed up on his chest, circled around and laid back down with a wide yawn.
You sleep better than Raia. She snore and kick sometimes.
Behr remained still for a second, then reached up and touched the black and white spotted Quazin Chumloo. Chummy lifted his head and stared at him. He gently scratched the creature behind its ear.