AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Nilt looks at us before replying. “The empire has found Cinq, probably us too, and Jessica doesn’t accept they’re mates. Also, we’re promising to keep her safe if or when the empire kills Cinq’s access.”
Shrugging, Quin says, “All right. We’ve got this. Keep a watch over you when it happens, reinstate your nanos when the empire moves on, and go back to our lives.”
“Only,” I begin. “I can’t have nanos again. They’ll send a code to every receiving system in the galaxy to deactivate anything given to me. Mechanical nanites, biological, some new type not invented yet, all of them will only self-destruct if I’m lucky. Destroy me if I’m unlucky.”
“That’s a bunch of shit,” Quin replies, the feathers resembling hair on the back of his neck ruffling. “Don’t they know you were trying to save someone’s life?”
S’Tou chuckles. “Just wait until you hear who came up with the alert-everyone-with-nanos idea.”
“No, you did, Cinq?” Nilt says before rolling his eyes when I nod. “You’ve fucked yourself over.”
I stare out at the cave’s entrance. “In my defense, I was young and wanted to impress the prior emperor with my skills. Bionans had just been invented. All of us were afraid they’d be destructive in the wrong hands.”
“You were right because they would be,” S’Tou says, putting a hand on my shoulder. “And yes, all of us will protect Jessica for and with you.”
Jessica’s voice echoes through the cavern. “Oh my god, why are you all serious right now?”
We all turn as a unit to find her coming over to us, her beautiful face frowning. I smile at her, entranced at her worried face. “Sorry. You’re going to be safe no matter how repugnant you find the idea.”
“It’s not that at all.” She’s in front of us now, her cheeks pink. “You’re not my boss, my father, or my husband, no matter what you say about our mating. Or being mates. You know what I mean.”
“I understand you want independence and you do have full autonomy here. None of us control you but at the same time, the galaxy can be a dangerous place for an Earther,” I say and hold up my hand when she begins to protest. “You answer to no one, true, but you still need us—"
“Jessica, this is Stacie. Please come out so we can talk.” The disembodied voice echoes through the cave, reverberating off of the obsidian walls. “I’m with aliens who call themselves Gharians and we want to help you.”
As if we’re one person, the four of us take our defensive positions. I drag Jessica with me, my hand over her mouth before she can blink. She’s struggling as I pull her down behind a strategic rock fall. “Stop it,” I hiss at her. “Don’t answer. They may be simulating your friend’s voice.”
Jessica calms and nods, so I let go of her as she says, “You’re right. Anything can be a trap.”
“Jessica?” the tinny female voice continues. “Please come out into the open so we can see if you’re still alive.”
I pull her closer to speak quietly. “They’re fishing for you. There’s no way a ship can lower to the entrance, so they’ll have to guess if we’re here or not.”
A bad way to test our defenses, S’Tou sends me.
Not my favorite way, no, I reply back. I press my lips against Jessica’s temple, then return my attention to the front.
“I can’t stand thinking you might have died down there with none of us knowing what happened. Please answer me, Jess. I’ve been really worried every time a search party comes back without you.”
She stands at the word, “Jess,” and I pull her back down. “Is this a pet name between you?”
“A nickname, yes.” She’s watching the front like we all are. “If this is a trick, it’s a good one. I don’t let very many people call me Jess.”
“Not even your mate,” I murmur to her.
“Not even him.”
This Stacie’s voice continues. “The Gharians aren’t like the other aliens. They’re kind, have better food, and have been searching for survivors like us. Please come out into the open so we can pick you up.”
S’Tou sends, They’re moving away.
Continuing the search, yes, I affirm.
Can she tell the difference in their location, yet? He includes a projected flight path based on the incoming sound waves as well.
I give her a quick glance but her expression hasn’t changed. I don’t think so.
“Jess, this is Stacie. Please come out so we can talk. I’m with aliens who call themselves Gharians and we want to help you.”
