Cassidy

CASSIDY

I blinked rapidly, my mind spinning as I tried to process what was happening. Liora's familiar face stared back at me, her expression cold and calculating behind the transparent visor of her environmental suit.

The shock of her betrayal hit me like a phaser blast to the chest. This was the woman I'd shared meals with, who had seemed so passionate about protecting endangered species. Yet here she was, threatening the very creatures she claimed to care so deeply about.

Doanor's arms tightened around me, the only thing keeping me grounded. His body trembled with barely contained rage as he glared at Liora. "Why?" he growled, his voice a deep rumble that reverberated through his chest. "After everything we fought for, how could you betray our cause like this?"

Liora scoffed, her lips curling into a mocking smile. "Cause? Don't be so naive, Doanor. This was always about the money." She waved her blaster dismissively. "A government salary could never afford me the life I deserve on a paradise planet. But with the fortune these Lazamai will fetch..." She trailed off, her eyes glinting with greed.

I struggled against Doanor's hold, my anger flaring hot. "If you were just going to steal them, why hire me as a caretaker? What was the point of this whole charade?"

"Insurance, my dear." Liora's gaze flickered to me, and I felt a shiver run down my spine at the cold calculation in her eyes. "A human with no connections to the underground trade – you're the perfect scapegoat. When this is all over, you'll take the fall, and I'll be long gone with my prize."

The air seemed to still around us, tension crackling like static electricity. Doanor's fingers dug into my arm, his jaw clenched so tightly I could see the muscles straining beneath his ruddy skin.

"You won't get away with this, Liora," he snarled, his voice low and dangerous.

A sharp bark of laughter escaped her lips. "Won't I? Face it, Doanor, you're outmatched here. My crew has taken over your ship, and you're surrounded." She gestured with her blaster, and I noticed for the first time the dozen or so armed figures emerging from the shadows, their weapons trained on us.

Doanor shifted, shielding me with his body as a low, rumbling growl vibrated in his chest. His fingers found mine, giving a reassuring squeeze that belied the tension coiling through his muscles.

"Don't do anything foolish," Liora warned, her tone mocking. "Just hand over the Lazamai, and this can all be over painlessly."

Doanor's grip on me tightened further, his warmth seeping into my skin. I could feel the pounding of his hearts, steady and strong despite the dire circumstances.

Trapped, with no way out and the fate of the Lazamai hanging in the balance, I found myself clinging to Doanor's strength.

We were together. We'd find a way through this.

The tension crackled through the air, thick and suffocating. I could feel the Lazamai's agitation growing, their usual gentle chirps taking on a frantic, unsettling tone. Something about Liora's betrayal, the blatant greed in her eyes, had struck a chord deep within them.

A shrill whistle pierced the silence, and my gaze snapped to the enclosure. The Lazamai were swarming against the mesh, their iridescent fur shifting rapidly through shades of crimson and violet. Their tiny wings beat furiously, creating a sound like the buzz of a thousand angry insects.

"What's happening?" Doanor's voice was taut, his fingers digging into my arm as he pulled me closer against his broad chest.

Liora's brow furrowed, and she took a step back, tightening her grip on the blaster. "They sense the tension. Stay calm, or they'll become more agitated."

But it was too late. With a resounding crack, one of the Lazamai slammed against the mesh, its tiny body distorting impossibly before snapping back into shape. Another joined in, and then another, until the entire colony was a frenzied blur of motion.

The enclosure groaned, the metal frame shuddering under the onslaught. I clutched Doanor's arm, my heart pounding in my ears. "Doanor, they're going to break out!"

His jaw clenched, the muscles in his neck straining. "Get back!"

No sooner had the words left his lips than the mesh shattered, shards of plex raining down as the Lazamai burst forth in a kaleidoscopic wave.

With a piercing screech, the creatures converged on Liora, their forms shifting and contorting in a nauseating display. Gossamer wings stretched into leathery, bat-like appendages, and tiny bodies elongated, sprouting wicked talons and rows of razor-sharp teeth.

Liora's eyes widened, and she backpedaled, firing wildly into the swarm. "What in the nine hells are these things?"

The nightmarish beasts descended upon her, shredding through her environmental suit with ease. Liora screamed, a high-pitched wail of agony that sent prickles down my arms.

I recoiled, burying my face in Doanor's chest as the creatures tore into her, their shrieks mingling with the sickening sound of rending flesh. Doanor's arms encircled me, shielding me from the horror unfolding before us.

Blaster fire erupted around us, but the Lazamai were relentless, their fury unleashed in a maelstrom of violence. I could taste the metallic tang of blood in the air, sharp and cloying.

Then, as suddenly as it had begun, the chaos stilled. The creatures retreated, their forms reverting to their usual fluffy, innocuous selves. They hovered around me, chirping softly, as if seeking reassurance.

Doanor's grip on me loosened, and I pulled away, my gaze falling on Liora's wounded form. She lay on the ground, her suit in tatters, blood seeping from multiple deep gashes, but she was alive, moaning softly in pain.

I swallowed hard, fighting back the urge to retch. Doanor's hand found the small of my back, steadying me.

"Are you alright?" His voice was a low rasp, tinged with concern.

I nodded mutely, unable to tear my eyes away from Liora's injured body.

A soft weight settled on my shoulder, and I glanced over to find one of the Lazamai perched there, nuzzling my cheek. Its gentle warmth seeped into me, offering a stark contrast to the brutality we had just witnessed.

Doanor's arm slipped around my waist, pulling me against his solid frame. "They were protecting you," he murmured, his breath ruffling my hair. "Defending their caretaker."

I leaned into him, drawing strength from his presence. The Lazamai had revealed their true, savage nature, all for the sake of shielding me from harm. A shudder ran through me at the thought of what might have happened had they not intervened.

Doanor's free hand cupped my cheek, tilting my face up to meet his intense gaze. "I would have done the same, . Anything to keep you safe."

His words hung between us, laden with unspoken emotion. I searched his eyes, finding nothing but raw honesty reflected there.

Before I could respond, a faint groan drew our attention. Liora's fingers twitched, a weak spasm of life amidst the ruin of her body.

Doanor stiffened, his features hardening into a mask of grim determination. "Stay here," he rumbled, disentangling himself from me.

He stalked over to Liora, his movements slow and purposeful. Crouching beside her, he leaned in close, his words a low growl.

"You brought this on yourself, Liora. Your greed blinded you to the truth – these creatures are more than mere commodities to be bought and sold." He shook his head, his expression a mix of pity and disgust. "You never understood what you were dealing with."

Liora's lips moved, but no sound emerged. Doanor regarded her for a long moment, then rose to his feet, his gaze finding mine across the room.