16. Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Vornas

I stand at the threshold of the control room, staring ahead at the sight before me.

Inside is an army of metallic monstrosities, their cold, lifeless eyes fixed upon us.

"Zyrillian," I growl, my eyes never leaving the robotic horde. "Get to that console. We'll clear your path."

The insectoid engineer chirps an affirmative, her antenna twitching with nervous energy. I glance at Chloe, my fierce little human mate, and I say, "Stay back. We can't risk you getting hurt."

She opens her mouth to argue, but I silence her with a look. There's no time for debate. These aren't the single robots we've been facing before, and I'm not about to risk my mate.

With a roar, I charge forward, the Kro'tek warrior at my side. We crash into the first wave of robots like a tidal wave against unyielding rock. My claws tear through metal and wires, sparks flying as I rip apart our mechanical foes.

The Kro'tek is a force of nature, his rocky hide deflecting blows that would cripple a lesser being. He bellows with each swing of his massive fists, crushing robot skulls and tearing limbs from bodies.

But for every machine we destroy, two more take its place. They press in from all sides, a sea of cold steel and emotionless efficiency. I feel my strength beginning to wane, my movements growing slower with each passing moment.

Still, I keep fighting. I have no other option.

The Zyrillian scuttles past us, taking advantage of the path we've cleared. She reaches the main console and immediately sets to work, her multiple limbs flying over the controls in a blur of motion.

"How long?" I shout, my voice nearly drowned out by the roar of battle.

"Minutes!" she chirps back. "Just… minutes!"

I grit my teeth and throw myself back into the fray. Minutes might as well be an eternity in this maelstrom of metal and mayhem. But we have no choice. We must hold.

The battle becomes a blur of motion and violence. My world narrows to the space immediately around me—slash, dodge, rip, tear. The floor becomes slick with oil and lubricant, the air thick with the smell of fried metal.

I lose track of time, my entire being focused on the rhythm of combat. But even I have limits, and I can feel myself slowing, my reactions becoming sluggish.

Just as I think I can't go on any longer, a high-pitched whine fills the air. The robots around us begin to twitch and jerk erratically.

"It's working!" the Zyrillian calls out. "The Administrator's neural network is overloading!"

As if on cue, the robotic army begins to collapse. One by one, they fall to the ground, their lights flickering out, their limbs twitching in their death throes.

In a matter of moments, the room falls silent. Where once there was chaos and violence, now there is only the quiet hum of machinery and our labored breathing.

I turn to find Chloe, my heart racing. She's leaning against a wall, and when our eyes meet, I see my own relief mirrored in her gaze.

We've done it. We've won.

The Zyrillian breaks the silence, exclaiming, "By the stars!" I turn to her to see she's still at the console, digging deeper into its files. "There's a program still running on another server. It seems to be sending out those drones to snatch up more poor creatures. This program has been running for…" She pauses. "For centuries. Goodness!"

I bare my fangs, a low growl rumbling in my throat. "Make it stop. Now."

The Zyrillian's eyes flash with understanding, and her limbs blur over the controls. "It's done," she reports.

The Host groans, and I turn to see him on the Kro'tek's back. "What is it?" I snap.

"My beautiful program," he laments. "You mustn't stop it. I've cataloged so many species, collected so many specimens with it."

I'm at his throat in seconds. "This program is your doing?"

"It's how I've found so many promising candidates."

"Well, the Administrator is dead now!" I roar, causing him to flinch back against his bindings. "You will tell us how to release everyone you've abducted and return them to their rightful homes at once!"

"Not necessary," says the Zyrillian. "There's a return protocol. I simply need to activate it, and all the cryofrozen specimens will be returned to their origin worlds via the transport pods, where they'll be unthawed as if nothing ever happened."

I glance at the Host, confirming, "Is it really that simple?"

He hesitates, before saying, "Yes, though you will need my passcode. I kept my own operations on a separate server, hidden from the Administrator so as to give myself some leverage. The robots… They had no concept of data security, so they didn't have the faintest clue about my secret files and operations."

I find it odd that he's revealing so much. "Is that so?"

He nods. "And with my passcode, not only can you return all the alien specimens, but you can also return your frozen Saberkai females, and retrieve the cure."

"Well then," I say, unsheathing my claws and putting them to his throat. "You will give us the passcode at once."

The Host's feathers ruffle, his eyes darting between Chloe and me. "I-I assure you, there's no need for threats," he stammers, his bravado crumbling. "I'm cooperating fully."

It's Chloe who gets in his face this time, her eyes narrowed. "The password. Now."

The Host blurts out a string of characters, his beak quivering. "There. That's it. I hope… I hope this earns me your mercy."

I snort, unimpressed by his sudden remorse. "We'll see about that. Zyrillian, access that account."

Our insectoid ally scuttles to the console, and before long, she says, "Yes. I can activate the return protocol, and the females are here, and… yes! The cure too!"

My heart leaps. "Activate the return protocol," I command. "And bring us that cure."

The Zyrillian's antennae twitch as she works. "Returning specimens to their home planets now. And… there, I've sent a command for a drone to bring you the cure."

Moments later, a sleek drone glides into the room, depositing a metallic cylinder in my waiting paws. I turn it over, marveling at its potential.

"It's an atmospheric cloud seeder," the Host explains, his voice steadier now. "It will rain the cure down on the planet, ensuring everyone ingests it."

Chloe's brow furrows. "Everyone? All races?"

The Host shifts uncomfortably. "Well, you see, the compound can be set to cure just one race, or all of them. It's Vornas's choice."

I bare my fangs at the assumption that I'd choose to doom the other races. "Show me how to set it for all races. Now."

The Kro'tek finally slings him off, untying him. The Host then quickly demonstrates the process before handing the device over to me. I cradle it carefully, knowing this small cylinder holds the future of Mythos within it—not just for my people, but for all.

"What do we do with him?" Chloe's voice cuts through my thoughts as she nods at the Host.

I consider our options. Part of me yearns to make him pay for his role in our suffering. But as I look around at my companions—Chloe, the Kro'tek, the Zyrillian—I realize we have a chance to break a long cycle of violence.

"We let him go," I declare, my voice low but firm. The others look at me in surprise, but I hold up a hand to forestall any objections. "Not out of kindness, but as a warning."

I stalk toward the Host, my movements fluid and predatory. He shrinks back, his feathers ruffling in fear as I loom over him. "Listen well, Barbakak," I growl, baring my fangs. "You'll return to your planet, but know this—if you ever cross paths with the people of Mythos again, you won't face just one race. You'll have the wrath of all three to contend with."

The Host's eyes widen, darting between me and the others. He nods frantically, his beak clicking as he struggles to form words. "I-I understand. You have my word, I'll never—"

"Your word means nothing," I snarl, cutting him off. "But your fear… that, I believe in." I step back, gesturing toward the exit. "Now go, before we change our minds."

As the Host scurries away, I feel Chloe's hand on my arm. "What now?" she asks softly.

I stand tall, the weight of the cure device in my hands feeling both heavy and liberating. A question burns on my tongue, one I've been avoiding since our fates became intertwined.

"Chloe," I begin, my voice low. "Now that this is over, do you…" I can hardly say it, but I must give her the option. "Do you wish to return to Earth?"

She's silent for a long moment, and my heart clenches, fearing her answer. But then she smiles.

"Vornas," she says. "After everything we've been through, do you really think I'd want to go back to designing logos and worrying about student loans?" She steps closer, her scent enveloping me. "I want to go to Mythos with you. I want to see your world, to help rebuild it. I want…" She pauses, her cheeks flushing. "I want us."

My chest swells with a warmth I can barely contain. I reach out, cupping her face gently in my hands. "You continue to surprise me, my queen," I purr. "I had hoped, but I dared not assume."

Chloe leans into my touch, her eyes never leaving mine. "Well, get used to it, buddy. I'm full of surprises."

A chuckle rumbles through me. "That you are." I lean down, pressing my forehead to hers. "We have quite the journey ahead of us, don't we?"

"Good thing we make a pretty great team," she murmurs.

Our moment is interrupted by a polite chitter. The Zyrillian engineer steps forward. "The transport pods are ready. It's time for us to depart."

Reality crashes back in, and I straighten, nodding to our allies. "Of course. Thank you, both of you, for everything."

The Kro'tek grunts, a sound like rocks grinding together. "It was a good fight. You will make strong leaders for Mythos."

Chloe smiles. "We couldn't have done it without you. Either of you. Or the Lumenari."

The Zyrillian's compound eyes shimmer with emotion. "It was an honor to work alongside you. Perhaps our paths will cross again."

"I hope they do," Chloe says warmly.

As we say our goodbyes, I take a moment to consider how far we've come. From adversaries to allies, from strangers to mates. The word still sends a thrill through me.

With final embraces exchanged, Chloe and I make our way to the docking bay. A sleek transport pod awaits us, its hull gleaming under the harsh lights. I pause at the entrance, looking down at Chloe.

"Are you ready?" I ask, suddenly aware of how much she's giving up.

But there isn't any doubt in her eyes as she says, "More than ready. Let's go save Mythos."

Her confidence, her bravery, it never ceases to amaze me. And with one last look at the facility that both imprisoned and united us, we step into the pod, ready to face whatever challenges Mythos holds for us.