Chapter 5

Ravok

Ileave a path of death and destruction in my wake.

The metallic taste of adrenaline buzzes on my tongue as I silently creep along the sterile hallway of this wretched facility. I can sense the faint, almost indistinguishable hum of my ship vibrating through the walls of this building. It is located somewhere above me. I need visual affirmation to discern its exact location. Yet, its familiar energy tugs at the edges of my consciousness, urging me toward freedom. Like a single red thread in a celestial tapestry, it beckons me, pulling me toward escape.

My skin prickles with anticipation. As I proceed, my senses are elevated – tuned into each muted whisper, each stealthy footstep of an approaching human that resonates as clear as a tolling bell.

A uniformed figure steps into the corridor, thunderstruck at the sight of me. Surprise gives way to fear as he fumbles for his weapon. I notice the shift in his stance in a fraction of a second, launching myself forward. His eyes barely have time to widen in surprise before I slam into him with the force of a comet.

A shout goes up behind me as two more males approach at a sprint. As the chaos escalates, one of the panicking men manages to pull the trigger of his weapon. A projectile slams into my shoulder, almost spinning me off my feet. Agony surges through my body as the piercing bolt of hot metal lodges itself into my shoulder. Pain radiates white-hot through my veins. Shaking my head to dispel the pain, I know that the nanites coursing through my bloodstream shall reverse this damage, but only if I can break free from my captors. With a roar of rage, I quickly dispatch the two males with ease. The sterile, bleached walls of the hallway quickly become splattered in red blood, painting a grotesque abstract tableau in my wake. But the hum, the call of my ship, soars above the cacophony.

An ear-splitting siren begins to blare overhead, making me cringe. As I sprint toward the silver doors of an elevator, my enhanced senses can hear warriors gathering around the corner, preparing to attack.

One of the males peeks around the corner, pointing his weapon at me. Knowing what to expect this time, I easily duck out of the path of the projectile. Raising my stolen weapon, I wait for the male to peek around the corner again. The moment he does, I aim and return fire. The spray of red as I hit my target is very satisfying. That should keep them all back long enough for me to escape.

I turn my attention back to the closed metal doors before me. My gaze locks on the steel barriers that are keeping me imprisoned. I step forward, flexing my hand and unsheathing my claws. I send my nanites to my muscles to increase my strength. With a deep growl, I wedge my fingers into the narrow crack between the elevator doors. I put every ounce of my might into prying them open. The doors scream a protest as I pry them apart. Amid the chaos, the siren continues to scream like a wild kriuven beast above my head.

I look into the darkened abyss of the transportation shaft. The male voices behind me are growing louder. I hear them calling to one another, gearing up for a coordinated attack. These fools still don't know that I can understand their words. I listen as they plan their attack on me. It's a cacophony of terror and violence. I know what I must do.

I swing into the dark elevator cavity, find a handhold in the grimy wall, and hoist myself up into the shaft. I pull myself up, clutching the steel, and begin to climb.