22. Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Tareq

I'm so overcome with relief that my knees sag and I slide onto the floor. An entire legion of enemies could descend on us now and I don't think I would care. Astra is alive. She's going to be okay.

Zarkan crouches in front of me with an amused smile. "It sounds like you have an interesting story to tell."

"You have no idea," I reply, laughing. "But now is probably not the time for it."

"Agreed. D'Aakh, what's the progress on the door?"

Still watching the datapad, our tech raises two of his thin fingers. "Two minutes."

"Perfect," Zarkan replies, touching his comm link. "Faelin, Lyriana, Omni, return to us. We're ready to take over the bridge."

As they voice their acknowledgement, I pull myself up from the floor and wipe my tears from my face. Emotions can wait until later. Now I need to act like a professional Voidstalker once more. Maybe for the last time. It took Astra nearly dying to make me realize I never want to be away from her again. If giving up my job is the price for that, I'll gladly pay it.

I grip Faelin's pistol tighter, missing the familiar weight of my rifle. I should have stopped by the Dart to pick it up but I've been too distracted with worry over Astra. Which means that now, I'm stuck with a single pistol against Ancestors-know how many enemies on the bridge. Lovely, not.

Lyriana quirks her brows at me in silent question. She's probably been listening to my conversation with Astra and is now wondering whether I've lost my mind. I might have, but in the best way possible.

Like always, Faelin is much more open with his affections. He clasps my shoulder and gives me a wide smile. "She sounds lovely! I'm so happy for you, Tareq. What does she look like? Does she have fur? Extra limbs? Sharp teeth? Is she really from a primitive planet? I didn't understand what she was saying, but she sounded intelligent. I thought we were rescuing a bunch of animals, not sexy ladies. Are there more of them?"

I chuckle over the flurry of his questions. "Now's not the time, Faelin."

"No, it's not," Zarkan agrees. "I'm sure Tareq will provide us with an in-depth explanation later but for now, let's take out the rest of these slavers. Remember our orders. Capture alive if you can, kill if you can't. Don't put yourselves in danger. D'Aakh?"

"Ready on 3."

Zarkan looks at each of us to see if we're ready, then counts to three. The blast door to the bridge gives an awful screech as half of the servomotors fight to keep it closed and the other half, those which D'Aakh has hacked, try to open it. Our half wins. It always does.

We lob a sonic grenade inside, covering our ears to shield ourselves from the noise it emits. Without my usual protective gear, my ears hurt like a motherfucker, but I don't have time to complain.

Faelin charges in before the door is fully open, roaring and swinging his hammer around like a barbarian. I exchange an amused grin with Lyriana as we follow Faelin inside.

The bridge is in disarray. The Genixarians are running around like a flock of scared chicks, yelling at each other. A few are fighting each other to get to a small door at the side of the room, which no doubt leads to a ready room that can be sealed from the inside.

"Initiate emergency procedures!" one of them shouts. His bodysuit is gray like the others', the Genixarians aren't into colors, but he has black symbols printed on his shoulder indicating he's the captain.

"Emergency procedures initiated," a computerized voice responds.

Oh, great. This ship has AI.

I hate AIs. Sure, they can autopilot the ship, run the scanners and do all kinds of useful stuff, reducing the need for a large crew even on the biggest of ships. But I always found their disembodied voices coming from everywhere and yet, nowhere in particular, downright creepy. Plus, the thought that a computer might just decide to turn off the oxygen due to its own messed up logic is not a pleasant one.

Two or three Genixarians manage to get inside the safe room before the door closes. The captain is left outside, cursing them up and down in a rather non-Genixarian way. At the sight of us, he throws his hands up. "I surrender!" he yells. "Take what you want, pirates, but let my crew live."

Pirates? I roll my eyes at him and I'm not the only one. I'm not wearing a uniform, but the rest of my squad is and the UGC logo is clearly visible. The Genixarian hasn't missed it and I wonder what his point is.

"We're not pirates," Zarkan calmly announces, looking over our captives. The fight ended before it even began. When their captain surrendered, the rest of the crew swiftly followed. D'Aakh is working on breaching the ready room door while the rest of us round up the surrendering crew and tie them up. Lyriana, Omni and Faelin begin escorting them away to lock up somewhere until we can hand them over to the relevant authorities.

"We're here on the orders of the United Galactic Council," Zarkan says. "You are trespassing. This is a forbidden system."

"We were experiencing a malfunction in one of our power converters," the Genixarian lies shamelessly. "We needed to drop out of hyperspace to make emergency repairs. That is not in violation of the Non-Interference Directive."

I growl at his outrageous lies. "What about the slaves in your cargo hold? And the shuttle full of your men that has just returned from the surface of the planet, carrying several kidnapped primitive creatures? You won't talk your way out of this."

"My men landed on the planet, yes. It was unfortunate, but necessary to finish our repairs. We will pay the necessary fines for that, but as it was an emergency procedure, it is exempt from the Non-Interference Directive. Any primitive creatures found hiding in the shuttle must have snuck on board without the knowledge of my men. That was an oversight we will clearly apologize for.

"But as you can see, no laws were broken. In fact, you and your fellow pirates are the ones who've invaded my ship and killed my men. I will surely demand reparations from the UGC, along with an official apology and your punishment."

I want to throttle the arrogant asshole. It's a good thing I'm not the leader of our squad because I would have killed this idiot on the spot. Zarkan, however, remains calm. "I see you have all your bases covered," he says. "But what about the slaves aboard your ship?"

"There are no slaves on board this ship," the Genixarian captain replies, smirking victoriously. "There might be some leftover hunks of rotting flesh in the cargo bay, but no slaves."

I punch him. Faelin and Omni drag me away before I can turn the bastard's face into mush with my fists. At least his nose is now crooked and bleeding.

Zarkan squeezes my shoulder. I know he wants me to calm down, but I can't. The life support failure on the lower levels was no accident. He did it on purpose to kill the slaves and get rid of any evidence. He tried to kill my Astra and nearly succeeded. I want him dead. I don't give a shit that we're supposed to bring him in for trial. I want to beat him to death with my bare hands.

Astra's voice sounds from my comm. "Uhm, Tareq?"

She sounds scared and I immediately stop struggling against my friends and shake off their hands to tap on the device. "I'm here. Everything is alright, we're in control of the ship now."

"Yeah, that's great. Except…" She hesitates, a somewhat hysterical giggle escaping her. "We're not on the ship anymore."

"What? How?" My thoughts race. How can they not be on the ship? She was safe in the escape pod and— Oh, fuck. The Genixarians initiated emergency protocols, which means that active escape pods would have been launched. And I told Astra to activate theirs. "The pod launched, didn't it?"

"I think so. There's just this tiny window on the door but well, it showed the spaceship getting smaller and smaller and now I can't even see it. This is bad, isn't it?" She's trying to sound calm and collected as if she doesn't want to scare the others, but I can hear the panic in her voice.

Beating the Genixarian captain to a bloody pulp can wait. My Myále needs my help. "It's going to be alright, I promise," I tell Astra. "I'll pick you up. Just sit tight and enjoy the ride."

"Oh, okay. That's good, because I think we're going to land on some planet. And, um…I didn't get a good look at it because it just briefly flashed by the window, but it kinda looked like a rocky wasteland. So, not my ideal vacation destination, if you catch my drift." She giggles nervously.

She's frightened, and it's all my fault. I should have never left her. "It's okay. This is what the pod is designed for, Astra. It will land and keep you safe until I can get to you. Just stay inside and you'll be fine."

"Oh, okay. No biggie then. I'll just put on my damsel in distress slippers and wait for my hero to come rescue us."

"Exactly." I can't help but smile. I love the way she thinks. And talks. And laughs. And murmurs in her sleep. "I'll be there before you know it."

Her voice is a tiny whisper as she asks, "Promise?"

"I promise. After all, I didn't get to taste you yet."

Astra giggles. "You can have me the second you get here. Now … think … …"

The signal's breaking up, which means the pod is descending through the atmosphere. I won't be able to talk to her until the pod lands and by then, I plan to be in the Dart, heading down to retrieve her.

I'm shaken out of my reverie by the sudden grabbing of my arm, but I suppress my snarl when I realize it's my captain. I respect Zarkan too much, even if he is keeping me from going to my mate right now.

"Tareq, wait," he says, gripping my arm tighter. "You can't go."

"Like hell I can't!"

Lyriana runs her hand through her short hair, scratching at the base of her horns. She does that when she's nervous. "Ralax 8a is a forbidden planet, Tareq," she says slowly. "We can't land there."

D'Aakh and Omni nod, and Faelin looks devastated. No one disputes her ridiculous claim. "These assholes just went there," I say, pointing at the smug Genixarian captain. "I'll just take the Dart. I'll be there and back in an hour."

"Look," Zarkan says and I hate how fucking calm he sounds, "how about we contact headquarters. We'll get permission to land on the planet and everything will be fine."

I don't want to wait, but other than punching Zarkan and running off, I have no other option, so I grunt my approval and glare at everything and everyone while he establishes a secure connection to Voidstalker headquarters. He quickly explains the situation, still calm and composed. It's a good thing he's making the call because I'd be yelling at the person on the other end the entire time.

Astra will be fine, I keep repeating to myself. The pod's purpose literally is to get the occupants safely to a nearby planet. It will land and they'll all be safe inside until I arrive to pick them up. Then I'll take Astra away somewhere for a week. Or several weeks. We'll do nothing but have sex and talk and sleep.

The voice from Zarkan's comm draws my attention away from my pleasant fantasies.

"Negative, Nova 1. You do not have permission to land on Ralax 8a."

Zarkan frowns. "This is an emergency, General. Over two dozen creatures are stranded down on the planet. A very inhospitable planet with dangerous fauna. Surely—"

"I'm sorry, Captain Zarkan, but the answer is no. The Non-Interference Directive strictly states the cases when rules can be broken, and retrieving a bunch of primitive creatures is not one of them."

I punch the wall, roaring. "Primitive creatures?! Give me that comm, let me talk to that idiot!"

Naturally, Zarkan doesn't hand the device over, he only mutes it so that the stupid general on the other side doesn't hear my outburst. The captain raises his hand to silence me, then activates the comm again. "Sir, with all due respect, I'm sure an exception could be made. These are not primitive creatures, but highly intelligent lifeforms. We're sentencing them to death over a bureaucratic oversight."

The general sighs. "Look, Zarkan, I hear what you're saying and I understand. But you know just as well as I do that I cannot give you the go ahead. I can't, my friend. I'm sorry."

"Copy that," Zarkan replies solemnly. "Nova 1 out."

"Well, that was a ginormous waste of time," I scoff. "I'm taking the Dart and getting Astra. You can fucking arrest me when I return." They'll have to. Right now, I'm disobeying a direct order. Seems like my days as a Voidstalker are over whether I want them to be or not. I can't find it in myself to care, though.

D'Aakh looks up at me from his datapad, the tips of his antennae glowing softly. "You can't take the Dart." Seeing I'm about to yell at him, he gives me a solemn smile. "It's a UGC ship, which means they can take control of it remotely. You'd never make it to the planet. Headquarters would just cut you off from the controls and direct the ship back home, straight onto a prison landing pad."

"Fuck!" I run my hand through my hair, tugging desperately on the strands. What do I do?! "What about the second ship in the hangar bay? The one these assholes used to get down to the planet?"

D'Aakh just shakes his head. "Damaged during the fight. Someone," he scowls at Lyriana, "shot the cargo hatch circuit board. I can fix it, but it will take time."

I punch the wall again, ignoring my bleeding knuckles. "Are you telling me there are two fucking spaceships here, but I can't use either fucking one of them to save my mate?!" This is a nightmare.

Tapping at the scales on his chin, Zarkan gives me a thoughtful look. "Actually, there are three spaceships."

I stare at him, confused. I didn't see any other ships in the hangar and I know a cruiser of this type doesn't have multiple hangar bays. Then it dawns on me, and I want to smack myself in the face for being so stupid. "We are standing inside a ship. We could land and pick Astra up."

Cruisers aren't intended as space-to-surface vessels but they are built to withstand most atmospheres and can land on planets if necessary. It's not done often because it's easier to just send a smaller transport ship, but it is possible. And right now, this might be my only option to save Astra.

Of course, there's one problem. I'm not alone here and I can't ask my squad mates to potentially throw their lives away for me.

I rub the bridge of my nose, giving myself time to collect my racing thoughts. "You guys take the Dart and wait here," I suggest. "There's no need for you to get involved in this."

"No need?" Lyriana snorts with an incredulous look. "There's every need. You won't make it five minutes without someone covering your back. I'm in."

"But—"

Zarkan clears his throat and silence spreads over the bridge. There's just the six of us now, plus the Genixarian captain, but he's wisely keeping his mouth shut. Zarkan looks us over, his expression solemn. "Going down to that planet directly violates our standing orders. You know what this means."

We know. Disciplinary committees, dishonorable discharges. Months in prison. The UGC will want to make an example of us. "That's why I'm going alone," I say with determination. "I have to go. Astra is my Myále. I'd do anything for her and I'll gladly accept the consequences, but I'm not bringing you all down with me."

Lyriana smirks. "I'm going with you. Try and stop me."

"Me too," D'Aakh says. Omni stands by my side, squeezing my shoulder.

Faelin seems torn. He keeps looking between me and Zarkan, his fists clenched. I hate myself for putting him in this position. Zarkan is the closest thing Faelin has ever had to a father. I'm the closest thing he's ever had to a brother. We're all his family and making him pick a side is cruel.

"Faelin, stay with the captain," I say, wanting to make this easier for him. "All of you. I really appreciate your offer but I don't want—"

"No," Faelin interrupts me. He wipes a tear off his cheek, then stands next to me. "I'm sorry, Captain, but I'm going with Tareq. His mate is in danger and we can't just stand by and do nothing. We all signed up for this job to save lives and help those in need. To make the galaxy a better place. If we leave those creatures stranded down there, we're no better than the scumbags I grew up with."

Zarkan watches us with an unreadable expression. "You guys do realize that this will either land you in prison or make you fugitives from justice?" he asks.

"Been there, done that," Faelin smirks. "At least this time, it's for a good reason."

The other three merely nod. They're not changing their minds. I'm overcome with so much gratitude that it almost makes up for the nagging guilt.

I expect our captain to look at us with disappointment. To order us to stand down, to try and arrest us. I pray he doesn't because I really, really don't want to fight him.

I respect Zarkan. Everything I know, I've learned from him. I hate that a bunch of stupid bureaucrats are putting us on opposing sides.

This isn't even just about saving Astra anymore. It's about following stupid orders versus doing good. And I've never been very good at following orders.

"Hmm," Zarkan hums. To my surprise, he's grinning. "It seems like I have a mutiny on my hands." He's not wrong, of course. Before any of us can think of anything to say, his grin grows wider. "Well, you know what they say? If you can't beat 'em… Let's get this ship moving."

I gawk at him, unable to utter a sound. Finally I squeak out, "But…you…?"

"Captain, what about your career?" Lyriana asks, frowning. "This is your life, you can't just—"

"Bah." Zarkan waves his hand dismissively. "I've never cared about my career. I only ever cared about you idiots. You're like the kids I never had. You're the reason I stayed, even though I could have retired years ago. If you think I'm gonna let you do this on your own, you've got another thing coming. Plus, I can't wait to meet the female who managed to capture Tareq's hearts."

They're all willing to throw away their lives for me. Every single one of them. My hearts feel like they're about to burst. "Guys, you shouldn't…" I try one last time to dissuade them.

"Shut the fuck up, Tareq," Lyriana interrupts. "It's decided. What's the plan?"

Zarkan gives me a questioning look. He doesn't have to ask the question out loud, I know what he means. He's offering me the proverbial mantle. If we're going rogue, he's not our superior officer anymore. I could lead the squad.

I briefly humor the idea before dismissing it. I'd make a mess of things. Zarkan is an outstanding leader because he's calm even in the most stressful situations. He thinks before charging in. He's all the things I'm not and I'm happy to follow his lead.

I give him a nod. "Captain?" I ask, letting him know my decision.

He smirks but nods back at me. Grateful, perhaps. We both know I'd be a shitty leader. "Well, I think it should be rather simple. Computer?"

"Yes?" the AI's voice responds.

"Take us down onto the planet's surface. Land the ship as close as safely possible to the escape pod's position."

"No." The machine doesn't even pause to think about Zarkan's request. Then again, it doesn't really think. "Emergency protocols have been initiated, which means the only one who can give orders is the captain of this vessel. Of which you are not."

I growl, ready to punch something again. Did I mention that I hate AIs?

As usual, Zarkan keeps his composure, turning to the Genixarian captain. "Transfer command of the ship to me."

The asshole smirks. "Why would I do that? So that you could rescue those primitive creatures and use them as proof of my crimes? You'll never get control of this ship."

"I see." Zarkan shoots a look at D'Aakh, who only shakes his head. He's an excellent tech, and he could probably bypass the ship's protocols, but it would take time. Too much time.

The longer we stay here, the bigger the chance that a UGC battleship will arrive to take control of the situation. We'll never get the chance to rescue Astra if that happens. They'd blow us out of the sky if we went anywhere near the planet.

Zarkan rubs his chin again, looking lost in thought. "Alright," he says eventually, "there only seems to be one solution."

He pulls out his pistol and shoots the Genixarian captain straight into his chest.

My jaw hits the floor, and I hear Faelin's gasp.

"Wow, he was totally going to attack you," Lyriana says, faking a relieved tone so badly I laugh. "He just threw himself at you. Good thing you shot him before he could hurt you, Captain."

Omni grunts. "Mhm. True."

D'Aakh just rolls his eyes—and his antennae—then addresses the computer. "Your captain is dead, killed by our captain," he announces. "By the old pirate laws, we claim ownership of this vessel. Do you recognize the transfer of power?"

We all wait with baited breaths for the AI's response. I'm determined to get a crowbar and smash every computer on this ship into pieces if it doesn't agree to help us.

The AI is only silent for half a minute, but it feels like an eternity to me. "Welcome aboard, Captain," it finally says, lifting the emotional boulder off my chest. "Orders?"

Zarkan grins. "Well, it seems like we're rescuing Tareq's girl and then… We'll see. Take us down to the planet below."

"Calculating route."

My hand shakes as I raise it to squeeze Zarkan's shoulder. My day has been such a rollercoaster of emotions, I'm struggling to hold back the tears but I manage to contain my outward composure, just. Lyriana would tease me for years if I actually burst into tears right now. "Thank you, Captain," I say, my voice trembling almost as badly as my hands. "I can't even…"

"It's alright, Tareq," he replies, his face showing nothing but a kind smile. "We're the Nova squad. We've always had each other's backs. Plus," he adds, his smile turning into a wide grin, "I've always wanted my own cruiser."