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As for Kaxek...Xeda just had to hope the monster was in as bad of shape as him and that there was no one else to interfere.

Aeriz slipped by his room, standing outside making sure no one was around to see. "Niks has snuck in. The others are ready on our mark," he said.

Xeda dipped his head as Aeriz stalked away. From the doorway of his room, he could see down the hall to the guards standing there by the entrance. Only a matter of time. But time was running out.

* * *

They waited longer than expected, longer than Xeda could stand. Eventually, he turned to pacing the halls again when he saw the door leading to the body disposal open, a healer walking out. To most eyes and senses, they couldn't see her, but Xeda could spot just the tiniest reflection from Niks' suit.

"Back to your room please, or I'll have to tell the guards!" said the healer as she walked quickly past. Xeda turned, knowing Niks was now right beside him.

"Well?" Xeda asked.

"I've got something," she whispered. "Tucked in my suit."

They headed for her room and, when no one was looking, slipped inside. Niks peeled off the head piece of her suit, then took something out from under her sleeve. A slender handheld device with a small screen like a tranciever. At its end was a short metal rod.

"They used this," she said, waving it at him. "I saw a nurse woman put it to the back of the grex's collar. She plugged in a code into this screen."

"Did you get the code?" Xeda asked eagerly.

"Only one way to know." Niks jumped onto her bed. "Turn around."

Xeda eyed the door, then quickly placed his back to her. She pressed the metal rod into his neck, and he waited.

He heard her curse as she pressed the rod harder against him. The collar flashed, then beeped twice before he heard a soft click.

On instinct, his hands flew to the collar. Claws curling around it, he ripped it off.

The collar split open, then fell to the ground.

A wave of powerful energy pulsed through him as if the collar had been keeping his strength at bay. He wanted to roar with victory but knew now was a time to keep silent.

Soon. Soon, his true victory would come.

A shadow moved at the corner of his eye, and he looked over to see Aeriz standing there, staring.

"It worked," he whispered.

Niks jumped up and down in celebration on her bed. "Come on, Aeriz, you next."

Aeriz stood before her, and just like Xeda, he tugged his off as soon as he heard the soft click. He showed his teeth in a wicked smile, then took the device and turned it on Niks. Freed of their collars, they knew they were one bad encounter away from one of the healers calling for the guards.

"Go to the others quickly," Xeda said to Niks as Aeriz handed her back the device. "Get everyone freed of these. Then tell them to be ready to follow me. If any oppose you or try to run before we’re ready, tell them I'll end them myself."

Niks didn't hesitate. She slipped her suit up all the way, then turned ghost and crept out of the room.

"We'll have to be extra swift in the lab," Aeriz said. "The guards will find a way to call on reinforcements before we can stop them."

"Whatever we can do will have to work," Xeda said, watching the door for Niks. "I'll get everyone to the lab, then up to the arena. After that...do what you have to without me."

"You really are going to risk getting that woman back? A trainer?"

Xeda bowed his head. "Yes."

"I don't think you need me to say it but...you won't make it out of here if you do. We won't wait to take off, and they'll lock down the ports as soon as possible. You understand it's either her or your freedom."

Xeda knew. "Get as far as you can," he said, without taking his eyes from the doorway. "Destroy everything you can. And don't look for me."