Page 7 of Chieftain (The Outlander Book Club… in Space! #1)

"The machine can reset a human body to its most perfect state of health," Charick explained as he dug through a basin of Medical tools.

"For some humans, the aging process is reversed and stalled. For others, it means chronic illnesses are cured. Females are especially changed; the chamber alters their reproductive system so that human women can breed with other species.”

"Our directive is to rescue humans and return them to Earth. Once a human has been through the healer, they can never return home." I turned to my Sage, mind made up. "Charick, we will take the Garoot Healer and any other viable tools and supplies aboard our ship."

My Sage's eyes widened fractionally, the only sign of his surprise at my decision. “Of course, Chieftain. And the ship itself?"

“Destroy it.”

It took half of what humans call a day for my crew to strip the Trogvyk vessel of usable supplies, including the Garoot Healer.

Once the last transport ship left the dock with our bounty, Tarook, my weapons master, hacked into the ship's self-destruct sequence, giving us a few minutes to get clear.

Charick grumbled that we should leave more time on the self-destruct counter—but where would be the fun in that?

“Congratulations on another successful mission Chieftain." Daicon stood on the ramp, drenched in dark green Trogvyk blood so that his broad smile was starkly white.

“Did you capture anyone?” I queried, my left brow cocked high in question.

Daicon gave a huff but didn't answer. He didn't need to.

Faced with certain death for their crimes, the Trogvyk chose to die in battle—as any true warrior should.

Our only prisoner was the healer we found in Medi-Bay.

If he was anything like our healer Hakkar, he would know as much about the Trogvyk ship as its captain.

“Good work, warrior," I squeezed Daicon's shoulder, my hand coming away smeared with drying Trogvyk blood.

"All our people are on board, chieftain," Tarook informed me, comm in hand. "Will three minutes be enough to get clear?"

"Not for most," I gave him a wry grin. "But we are Vaktaire." My remaining crew gave a loud rumbling whoop—the Vaktaire battle cry.

Tarook's fingers hit his keypad, starting the clock. I turned to ascend the shuttle ramp after him when an alarm sounded on Bartuk's scanner.

"Is that a perimeter alert?" Charick asked, stepping beside the younger warrior to peer down at his screen. Foreboding skittered along my spine. Nothing should remain alive on the ship sans my crew.

My Sage's head whipped up, eyes wide, my hint to snatch the comm from Bartuk's trembling fingers.

Even from the gray, grainy feed, I could tell she was tiny, with a riot of curls tumbling over her shoulders.

The cabinet she climbed from was low to the floor and metallic, lead-lined, most likely.

Slaver ships always employed lead-lined cabinets to hide their bounty since Alliance scanners couldn't get a read on the contents.

"She's in the escape pod bay." Daicon peered over my shoulder. "She'll be able to get out in the pod, and we can intercept.”

Except she couldn't.

The escape pod hatch was located one floor below the docking bay.

Blasting our way inside caused an avalanche of debris on the lower floor, a large piece of what looked like a steel beam blocking the entrance to the last escape pod.

Watching her yank futility against the metal sent my heart straight into the pit of my stomach.

"Goddammit!" Charick bellowed another favorite curse. The way his voice faded in my ears prompted the realization that I was running. It wasn't a conscious decision or thought. My body moved of its own accord, poised and attuned with one purpose only.

Get to the female and keep her safe.

“Get the shuttle back to the cruiser—now!” I ordered through the comm unit on my wrist as my steps clanged against the metal floor. Streams of smoky exhaust poured through the vents, an acrid, blinding fog.

Yet instinctively, I knew my way.

To the pod bay.

To her.

The males of my clan spoke of the hyper-focus and protectiveness that accompanied recognizing one's mate.

Only this human couldn't be my mate—I hadn't scented her yet, and a mate's smell was the thing that initiated our mating bond.

She was human, and while Vaktaire took pleasure with other species, we only mated with our own kind.

The hammering of my heart and dread at her being in danger must be an offshoot of my instinct to protect.

"Listen to me, you idiot," Charick hissed into my ear. The comm unit made his voice crackle.

"Is that any way to speak to your Chieftain?” I shot back.

“I’m not talking to my Chieftain,” Charick’s voice was calmer. “I’m talking to my dumbass friend that just took off into a self-destructing ship with a minute and a half to …blooey!”

“Blooey?”

"Quick being a fucking smartass," Charick grumbled. "We’re clear of the ship, and you’ve got one chance not to get your ass blown up.”

The door to the lower level was jammed. I kicked it open, taking the stairs downward three at a time.

“You need at least thirty seconds for the pod to travel far enough not to get caught in the aftershock of the explosion.” Charick's voice in my ear was barely discernable against the heavy thud of my feet on the metal walkway.

"And for Valana's sake, don't forget to engage the homing beacon, or we'll never find you. "

"Yes, Mother," I muttered, shouldering open the doorway that led to the lower hallway.

It was a debris-filled obstacle course. What was that word Charick favored?

Oh yeah.

Fuck!

To earn a designation as a warrior, a Vaktaire must complete the gauntlet—a weeklong trial of skill and courage.

The obstacle course in the gauntlet covered half a planet.

The hurdles were creatures with razor-sharp teeth and claws, lava pits, or the Tenso forest, where every plant, animal, and tree was sentient and out for death.

I felt less fear at the beginning of the gauntlet than I did at this moment.

“Location of pod hatch,” I barked into the comm, plowing through the rubble.

"Fourth door on your left, Chieftain,” Bartuk’s voice trembled. "You have only a lepti left before detonation.

A minute.

Bartuk was getting a crash course in Earth terminology when I returned to the ship.Vaulting over a waist-high pile of wreckage, I ran for the door, not bothering with the access panel as I shouldered my way inside, sending the door panel screaming from its hinges.

She turned when I slammed into the room, a small eep of surprise escaping her full lips, and the movement made the curls dance around her head like a fiery halo.

I'd seen humans before, but no one quite like her.

She was smaller than I expected, but the tautness of the muscles in her arms as she yanked at the obstruction overlaying the pod entrance spoke of strength.

The set of her jaw, her lowered brows, and the expression on her beautiful face showed determination.

Green eyes met mine, and the universe melted away—save for her and the need to protect her.

“Forty seconds Khaion." Charick's shout over the comm brought me back to the present.

Surging forward, I flung the piece of metal out of the way with one hand while I gathered her close with my other. A mass of curls hit my face, almost crippling me with a delicious scent.

She stiffened, small hands pushing against my chest, and the acrid scent of fear wafted through my nostrils.

“You are safe little human,” I muttered. Her sharp intake of breath echoed the swish of the pod hatch opening. Holding her against my chest, I dove inside, slapping my palm against the escape button.

The ejection from the ship was smooth but not forceful enough to give the distance needed. I tucked the precious female against my chest, curling my body around her as the Trogvyk ship exploded, covering us in a blitz of fire and darkness.