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Back out into the hall, I make my way to the last door finding the medic bay Slye so desperately needs. Equipped with the latest medical tech and supplies, the room is a relief to see after my search for potential threats. I quickly take note of the various diagnostic machines, and life support scanners before I head down the lift to the cargo hold in the belly of the spacecraft.
Inside is a boxy hauler that runs on spiked, metal tracks in an otherwise empty hold. The conveyance is attached to the floor with heavy clamps. All this empty makes me wonder again what it was the Kaul was searching for inside the prison compound's storage room. What would have been inside to attract the attention of a Star Maverick rich with enough tellic to barter for most anything?
At the control podium, I trigger the exterior cargo door to extend. As it touches the ground, I'm hit with a wave of sultry heat courtesy of the bright orange sun followed by rich scents of Zune's flora.
I stroll down the ramp and into the cross hairs of Rooke's stunner. Palms up I smile into the expectant faces of the males and females I left waiting outside. "You can drop your weapon, space pirate. It's all clear and you won't believe what I found."
Zoe sprints toward me, launching herself into my arms. "I'm so glad you're okay."
I scoop her up, enveloping her in a fierce hug. Her curves melt into me as her arms and legs wrap around my neck and middle like a provuian constrictor. There's no place in the Universe I'd rather be then entwined in my mates loving embrace.
Tris lets out a little squeak and leaps onto my head. Her miniature talons curling into my mane as she hangs on to me.
"There's a nano barrier inside the cargo hold we can use to keep the prisoners contained," I tell the males. When engaged, nanite particles will solidify to form a transparent wall. "The medic bay is well equipped to monitor Slye's vitals. Follow me and I'll show you where it is."
Rooke carries Slye up the cargo ramp and onto the lift where we ascend to the upper level, down the hall and into the medic bay. The pirate gets his second in command settled while I take the others on a tour of our newly acquired spacecraft.
Drax and Bruke drag the unconscious Kaul between them, leaving him tied up and lying in the hall with Bruke standing over his body with a stunner. Without a doubt, even the slightest of movement from Qhix and Bruke will fire on him again.
"Take a look at the Kaul's weapons cache." I flip open the trunks filled with plasma guns and laser blasters.
Drax whistles low helping himself to a plasma gun. "There's enough fire power in here to outfit a fleet of Lita Comtras."
"Makes me wonder who he stole it from," I say.
"Who cares, now it all belongs to us." Drax picks through one of the trunks and pulls out a set of dilium metalliod shackles. "These are perfect to make sure the Star Maverick can't get free of his bonds. Dilium metalliod is indestructible. I'm going to go shackle him to the helm. We'll need him close by so we can use his biometric signature to fly this thing."
Drax exits the room with a purpose, dragging Qhix to the bridge and restraining him to the helm with the shackles while the females scatter, eagerly exploring every inch of the ship.
A flurry of activity ensues as Rooke, Drax, Bruke and myself haul in and unpack the many bags we brought with us from the lab. Before we know it, lockdown ends, and the luminetric barriers inside the prison dissolve, freeing the prisoners for another cycle of limited freedom.
While Rooke stands watch outside the sleeping quarters where the females are safely housed, Bruke, Drax, and I gather the prisoners as they file outside. All of us armed in case anyone gets any funny ideas about trying to steal our ship.
"Any who wish to travel to the space port on Elysis to begin a new life can make the journey in the hold," Drax presents the group with two options, and holds up the key to the confinement collars. "Or you can remain on Zune. Either choice, you'll be released from your confinement collars and given your freedom."
The prisoners shuffle forward, their eyes wide with anticipation as they approach the front of the line where Drax uses the key to unlock and free them of their collars.
This is the moment they've been waiting for, the chance to finally taste freedom after twenty rotations of confinement. Some can't contain their excitement and break into a run, eager to be among the first to board the Thrushian cargo hold and begin their journey to Elysis.
But not all are so quick to leave Zune behind. A handful choose to stay, content with their current surroundings. We respect their decision and share rations as well as a medical cuff, and other provisions before bidding them farewell.
With the nano barrier engaged, the prisoners choosing to leave are contained inside the cargo hold. They happily share rations and water cylinders while discussing their plans for when they arrive at the space port on Elysis.
"Time to go." I join Rooke and Drax standing on the end of the ramp.
"Had Truyn just hung on for a little longer, he would have finally tasted the freedom he longed for." Rooke gazes into the distance at a handful of graves.
"We both tried to save him from himself, but his mind was too far gone." Drax claps the space pirate on the back in a show of shared sorrow.
Having spent my cycles in solitary and then unexpectedly freed of my confinement collar after the guards deserted us, I didn't know Truyn, just as I was unfamiliar with most of my fellow inmates. Unlike me, these males had spent time with each other, formed bonds and friendships.
As my time on Zune draws to a close, I reflect on the unexpected experiences I've had here. I never would have imagined forming friendships with the males at my side, finding a mate, or adopting a furry companion. But now, as I prepare to leave this moon, I realize I am leaving with more than what I had when I arrived.
I follow Drax and Rooke up the ramp and onto the bridge where my lula awaits. Zoe greets me with a tender kiss before we claim our launch seats along the back wall with the others.
"Are you ready to go in search of a new home?" I gently squeeze Zoe's hand, savoring the warmth that radiates from her touch.
"You are my home, Mordox." Zoe beams at me, and I swear my lula's smile could illuminate the entire Universe. I am filled with a sense of contentment and love that only she can evoke. In her presence, I feel whole and complete, like nothing else matters except for the two of us.
