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Their guide again took the lead, sprinting down another broad passage. The stench and refuse littered on the floor told him this was the route they used to haul garbage out of the outpost.

“There’s others!” Elena anxiously looked up at them as they ran.

“I think our unexpected friend already got them out,” Payim replied and squeezed her hand, hoping he’d interpreted the comment right.

He understood Elena’s panic about anyone being left behind. The thought of living in this place at the mercy of the flesh merchants was horrific and the visual proof was even worse. But as much as he cared about helping these poor people, he cared about Elena more. He’d nearly lost it when they were separated in the ambush. It was time to get out of this place. A part of him wanted to urge everyone to move faster, except the skinny humans looked like they were going as fast as they could.

They rounded several trash wagons and he was relieved to see a large set of doors at the end of the passage. Their guide stopped and swiped her hand on the control, releasing the hatch.

“Everyone out.” The pale-haired female gestured to the refuse spilling down the palisade wall.

As unappealing as it was, people began climbing down, picking their way through the filth.

“Go,” he instructed Elena, helping her over the ledge. “I’ll follow.”

“Okay.” Elena nodded.

As he was helping another person, Scala’s comm pinged.

“We’ve got movement on the west side,” their back-up reported.

“That’s the others,” their guide said as she helped someone out.

“They’re human. Pick them up. We also need assistance at our location, but the Jurou Biljana have sounded the alarm,” Scala instructed.

After the last person was out, Payim leapt down onto the mountainous pile of trash, followed by Faktil and Scala. He looked up to see the pale-haired female still standing in the passage.

“Cruisers are coming to get us.” Scala held out his hand to her.

“I can’t.” The female adamantly shook her head as she took a step back. “Keep your promise. Get them to safety.”

Scala shared a look with Payim as the female took off and the door began to close. What could possibly be more important than escaping? A host of possibilities crossed his mind. The female mentioned the Jurou Biljana Vicarius and she’d obviously been given access, otherwise they never could’ve made it out. Whatever she was doing merited further investigation. Quickly Scala jumped into the opening, before the door sealed.

“If you don’t hear from me within the quarter, get everyone off world,” Scala insisted then sprinted after the female.

“Go with the goddess!” Payim shouted after his friend, then turned to find Elena helping the humans down the giant pile of garbage.

He scanned the landscape for approaching reptiles but didn’t spot any as he picked his way down the mound.

“What are you?” a human male asked when he reached the ground and joined Elena.

Payim realized he looked odd with his head exposed but his body still covered in the reptile disguise.

“His name is Payim and that’s Faktil. They’re Cadi. They look like demons but are good guys and are here to help. Don’t let the fancy disguise fool you. The other guy is an Osivoire.” Elena looked around. “Where’s Scala?”

“He went back in to help the female.” Payim glanced back up at the sealed hatch.

“Then he’s as good as dead.” The human male shook his head before joining his companions.

Elena's brow furrowed, panic transforming her expression.

“He’s armored and very resourceful,” Payim consoled his concerned mate, though he was equally worried about his friend.

Elena nodded, but still looked at the outpost with distress.

Gasps made him spin toward the crowd of humans, his disruptor at the ready. It was a relief to see the cloaked Osivoire cruiser was the cause of their distress.

“Help is here. Don’t fear.” Elena quickly shifted gears and started leading the humans to the landing cruiser.