“The general isn’t entirely foolish. She suspected the Krampusonians might try and renege on their terms and has ensured my commanders can’t be beamed by them out of her custody before the trade,” Beta explained.
It also meant Beta couldn’t beam them aboard either, though.
The general strode outside and held up a chunky walkie-talkie. As she spoke, they heard her on the bridge.
“This is General Davis. I have the prisoners ready to go. Release my grandchildren and I will hand them over.”
The reply emerged gravelly and heavily accented. “Let us see them.”
The general half turned and signaled.
Jaspar and Cade required no prodding to step forth into the open, standing tall and unafraid.
“Remove the signal-blocking covers,” barked the alien.
“Not until you release my grandchildren,” the general snapped back.
The red and green burst of light that hit the ground disappeared to reveal three kids, huddled close and crying. As if preplanned, soldiers snatched the blankets from Cade and Jaspar and flung them over the children.
And in a new burst of color, Colette’s blue hunks disappeared. From one prison to another.
Colette felt her heart cracking. “Now what?” she whispered in an unsteady voice.
“Now we hope the plan succeeds.”
If it didn’t, then instead of waking up to presents on Christmas morning, the world would be begging their new overlords to spare their children.
17
Allowing himself to be beamed aboard the Krampusonian vessel had to be the most foolish and brave thing Jaspar had ever done. But knowing his and Cade’s sacrifice saved some children? Worth it. Especially since it now gave them a chance—a slim one that Beta hadn’t softened—to stop the threat.
The beaming deposited them in a cage, the bars of which hummed with current. To greet them, a large and leering Krampusonian with massive, curled horns.
Jaspar showed no fear despite knowing the odds of his survival were slim.
So slim.
Usually that wouldn’t have bothered him. He’d been on countless dangerous missions. Faced death often enough he didn’t quake anymore. But that was before meeting Colette.
Now, Jaspar wasn’t so keen to die, not when he had something, someone, to live for.
“Well, well, if it isn’t a pair of blue worms,” grunted the male.
Jaspar pursed his lips. “You’ve made a grave mistake taking us captive.”
“Says the worm in my cage,” scoffed the Krampusonian.
“Release us and leave this galaxy now or face the consequences of your actions.” Cade offered a stern warning with crossed arms.
The big brute snorted. “Big talk for a prisoner.”
Thump. Thump. A second Krampusonian entered, a short squat female with sharp tusks on either side of her mouth.
“Look at what the humans gave to entertain us,” grunted the thick male.
“I can’t believe you got rid of our tasty dinner for their tough carcasses,” complained the female.
“As if we’d ruin our palate eating them. We shall fetch some fresh and tender meat in a moment. Now that our biggest threat has been removed, the planet is ours for the plundering.” The male rubbed his hairy hands together.
