Page 3

Otho isn’t one for empty statements. I don’t let myself take my fingers off the trigger of my Orb-Beam for a second – but I glance at the scanner, which reads the layout of the system ahead.

My eyes widen.

Otho isn’t wrong. There’s a source of Orb-Material ahead that’s larger than any I’ve ever seen.

But now is not the time.

“Eyes forward!” I bark – and Otho instantly refocuses.

He pilots us in closer, the controls gripped tight in his skillful hands.

His skills are focused on flying – but he’s distracted by what he saw on the sensors.

“If those readings are right, than this asteroid yields the richest Orb-Mine I’ve ever seen.”

I narrow my eyes.

No wonder the Scorp came here. If there’s one thing that draws them more reliably than humanoid life on a helpless world, it’s the Orbs.

Scorp are drawn to sources of Orb like moths are drawn to a flame. It’s where they find the source to grow more eggsac ships; but also its as if theyconvenewith any Orbs they find.

As if they worship them – or the Orb fills the mindless void between the red eyes of those deadly Scorp.

I shake my head. That’s a horror story – not fact.

One truth remains, though. This asteroid contains so much Orb-Material that the Scorp eggsacs could sense it from two systems away.

I frown, and bark: “Take them out.”

Those eggsacs are filled with death – but until they land, the terror is a nightmare rather than a waking threat.

I tighten my grip on the triggers of my Orb-Beam and fire.

Carefully targeted lances of black-blue energy spear out, and with each of them I slice open the first eggsac like I’m carving a ripe jumba fruit.

Green, chitinous bodies pour out of the wounds I cut – tumbling into space.

Scorp – still dormant in their life-sacs.

Lazar joins me in firing, and the Scorp are picked apart.

The eggsacs are the real danger, but each of those Scorp must be destroyed. Somehow, they can live without air – and should they miraculously survive reentry, could still pose a threat to the humans down below.

I cut through them, one by one. Revulsion floods my mind as I slice apart the tumbling, flailing creatures.

Scorp are beyond wrong. An obscene mishmash of human, insect and reptile. A species that should not exist.

Like mine, Lazar’s aura hardens as he massacres the Scorp.

Within seconds, they’re all gone – and, down below, the miners on that asteroid had no idea how close they came to death.

2

Natali

Iwake up, groaning. I was woken once again by the metallic clack of the Sentinels moving around outside.

I know the noise should have been a comfort to me. The robotic Sentinels keep me safe at night – safe from the many dangers of Marn.