Page 39 of Galactic Sentinels, Vol. 1 (Chronicles of Pherebos #1)

Pherebos.

I carefully slip out of our hiding place. I don't want to draw attention to our presence here. I'm not trying to attract the attention of the drones or the massive abyssal creatures with their oversized eggs.

I figured they’d be more active at night, and that the stench of niank oil would cover our scent. Looks like I was right—we’ve made it nearly two miles without running into a single one.

On the other hand, the niank grease, though sticky, has almost entirely disappeared. The smell is still there, but way less than when we made the crossing. My torso is pretty much a sore spot now, and I haven't seen the rest of it!

I quietly slide into the water, trying not to make a noise.

This is my second time in the water today, and I'm focusing on the present danger instead of my past trauma.

If the waves are going to put me through this ordeal, I have to prove myself worthy.

Especially when my dear Ileana's life depends on it.

I open my eyes and take a look at the outside of our shelter. I've set the laser torch's beam to its maximum range. Now, I just need to find a gap and wedge the lamp so it's pointing at 90° to the surface of the water.

I walk around this pretty big, hard-packed egg. Bird droppings and the passage of time have masked its distinctive regular shape, which is why I hadn't guessed what I was dealing with.

After searching for a while, I finally spot what I'm looking for in a small pile of fresh droppings. I use these to wedge in my laser beam. When I'm done, I head back to the opening to meet up with my partner.

I'm worried. The distance between us and the flat rock, the only possible recovery point for boarding the SIL, could be described as short if the waters weren't full of these creatures that eat people.

Ileana and I are wounded, so we're weaker and slower than before.

Escaping without too much damage is going to be extremely complicated.

I look at the complex, which is easy to see even from far away. There are a bunch of drones in the sky, which shows that things are busy over there.

Right now, a ship has just exploded. They don't know much more than that I took the opportunity to escape with Ileana.

Noviosk's not dumb; he figured the two events were linked and asked me about the info I gave him. Why else would I have risked running away? Based on what I've seen, the Srebat isn't the type to let something like that go. He'll probably do everything he can to find me and make me pay.

The good news is that, other than my escape, it looks like he's not suspecting the imminent arrival of the Confederation's armed forces. That'll only happen when Wingo picks up on my luminous message and sounds the alarm.

I hope it doesn't take long. The damage these carnivorous larvae have done to me is extensive, and the pain is dull and numbing. I don't think I can last much longer like this.

I pull myself up into the opening of the egg, but it's tough. In the dim light, I can barely make out Ileana's silhouette.

I quickly undo my jacket and block the opening. The drones will probably scan the area more meticulously, since it's the only one accessible from the complex for two people to swim. I'd prefer to avoid any risk and make sure they don't find out what this little rocky peak contains.

‘’But Pherebos, you can't see a thing!’’

‘’What an observational mind you have!’’ I whisper. ‘’Sweetheart, the drones are close. We have to stay quiet. Let's wait and rest for a bit.’’

‘’Okay, sure. But let me touch you first.’’

‘’My Faksaya, I appreciate the gesture, but this isn't the right moment or setting for that!’’

‘’Rhooo, men!’’ she grumbles softly. ‘’Women don't just have one thing to talk about, you know?’’

‘’No? I'm disappointed.’’

She chuckles softly, and it's like music to my ears.

‘’I'm willing to bet you picked up a few more of these in your brief outing. We're in the dark and I can't see them, but I can feel them. I still have your magic pen in my hand.’ ’

‘’I don't want you touching those bugs. We'll be fine until we get back to SIL.’’

‘’No, that won't do!’’ she says, contradicting me. ‘’They eat flesh. We have to get rid of them as soon as possible.’’

‘’We don't know if they can't change hosts. I don't want to take any chances with my Dedicated Soul.’’

‘’I told you I'm fine! They didn't have time to come back.’’

‘’Perfect. You don't mind if I check, do you?’’ she asks, putting her hands on my shoulders.

I flinch a little. There's nothing on my shoulders, but I think I've recovered one or two around my waist.

‘’Ileana, please remove your hands from my person. We'll deal with this later.’’

‘’I'd love to agree with you, but then we'd both be wrong. So I'm gonna do what I said and make sure you haven't brought any unwanted creatures with you. If you want to help me, it'll go quicker, if not, too bad!’’

‘’Pfff! I let out a deep sigh. Like I said, you're stubborn. My shoulders are fine. Check lower down.’’

‘’Like this?’’ she asks, moving down to my chest.

‘’Even lower!’’ I whisper. ‘’Even... even lower.’’

‘’But... are you kidding me?’’ she says indignantly.

‘’Why's that? Ah, I see what you were thinking! Men don't just have one thing to worry about, you know,’’ I say with a smile. ‘’Check a little below my waist, please.’’

Without a word, she keeps going with her thorough check. I can barely feel the warmth of her hands on me, my skin half-anesthetized, though burning .

‘’I can feel it!’’ she says, focused on her task. ‘’Rhoo, that's a big one!’’

If Wingo were here, he'd probably have something to say about it, whether he needed it or not. But the Flots know this isn't a laughing matter.

‘’And here's the second!’’ she gloats.

Ileana must be right. Besides the semi-anesthetic in their saliva that keeps us from screaming to death and the coagulant that stops us from bleeding, they must have some kind of psychotropic or other substance that would explain why my thoughts are inappropriate when the situation is serious.

I just got a few muscles chewed, I'm trapped with my companion in a huge animal egg, I've made a terrifying Srebat mad by lying to him, I have no idea how long it will take Wingo to find us, and finally, I'm not even sure I'll have the strength to swim to the only platform suitable for the SIL.

But even with all that, Ileana's innocent words still manage to get me going.

‘’Hmmm, trust me, you don't want one of those things to come into contact with your... your trunk!’’ she says, slipping in when she realizes what's going on.

These words have a huge effect on my distracted thoughts. I mean, the thought of one of his nibblers on my most precious body part is pretty scary!

My sweetie finishes her task with application and I don't move a muscle.

‘’Do you think we could open for a few seconds and throw their bodies out? The smell is terrible.’’

‘’We're out of niank oil. I think we should save them for our next trip. What do you think?’ ’

‘’I think this is a very bad idea. You've seen how their saliva affects us. We're not about to smear ourselves with it!’’

‘’Ah, yes!’’ I say simply as I feel myself floating gently away.

We wait in silence as the sounds of searching outside intensify. I doubt they'll find us safe in this place.

My body is numb, but I'm almost pain-free. I know that's not exactly good news, but I don't really care.

Here I am, my companion curled up in my arms. My mind wanders, unable to focus. Maybe I'm high.

I gradually slip into a semi-conscious state.

After some time, someone shakes me and tells me to wake up.

‘’Pherebos! Go on, it's no time to take a nap!’’ Wingo tells me.

‘’Pherebos, I hear Wingo!’’ Ileana's excited voice calls out. ‘’He's coming to get us. Wake up! Wake up!’’

I get it. Wingo's here, and they want to go somewhere. But we're not in any rush, are we? I'm tired and I need to sleep some more.

‘’Pherebos! Listen, I’m coming in with the SIL, but the moment I land, Noviosk’s crew is gonna show up and try to take us out. I need to know you understand—and that you’re ready to reach the contact point.’’

‘ ’Wingo? I’m sorry. I’m not in any shape to bring my Dedicated Soul out of here. You’ll have to retrieve it and keep it safe. I’m entrusting it to you. Don’t worry about me,’’I finish in a breath .

A sharp slap snaps me fully awake.

I blink. The shelter is dim, shadows clinging to the walls. Ileana’s pulled my jacket away from the exit.

“You really think I’m gonna leave you here alone? Not happening!”

Wait—what is she talking about? And why would anyone stick a finger in their own eye? Has she lost it?

She crosses her arms.

“Good, you’re awake. We’re moving. And just so you know, you didn’t answer Wingo—you were mumbling nonsense I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear. Now get up!”

She steps over me, already poised to slip into the water. That water… crawling with leeches—and probably worse things.

“Come on!” she urges. “We’re not dying in some fossilized dinosaur egg or whatever the hell this thing is. We swim to the platform, and Wingo gets us out. Let’s go!”

She’s right, of course. But I’ve got nothing left. It’s like those things drained not just my flesh and blood—but every last ounce of strength I had.

‘’Pherebos?’’ Wingo’s voice cuts in. ‘’Ileana tells me you’re back with us and getting ready to move toward the contact point. I’m in position.’’

‘’Wingo… I’m exhausted. I feel completely drained. I don’t know if I can—‘’

‘’So you’re going to let your Dedicated Soul face what’s coming alone?’’ he asks, sharp and deliberate.

‘’No. Absolutely not!’ ’

‘’Then protect her. Dig deep. Make it to the SIL—and I’ll take it from there.’’

He’s right.

Ileana stands at the edge of the shelter, ready to slip into the deadly water. She glances back at me, anxious, waiting for a sign. I give her a weak nod.

“Ease into the water—quietly. No splashes. We can’t afford to give ourselves away,” I tell her. “I’m right behind you.”

I push myself up, groaning as pain tightens through every muscle. My whole body feels like it’s been crushed from the inside. Swimming the hundred feet or so to the platform is going to be brutal.

‘’Move, now!’’ Wingo urges. ‘’The SIL’s been spotted.’’

‘’Wingo, alert Akifumi. The Confederation needs to move—our traitor’s here, and one of the coalition’s top leaders is with him!’’

‘’Already done. I triggered the greenlight protocol for Akifumi. As for the rest—you’ll have to explain it yourself!’’

I slip into the dark green water right behind my beautiful human. But unlike her, my entry isn’t silent—it’s marked by a splash far louder than I’d like.

Too late to fix it now.

I try to move, to follow her lead, but my limbs are stiff and uncooperative.

Damn it. I’m putting my Dedicated Soul in danger.

Gritting my teeth, I force my battered body forward. Inch by inch, I manage a few feet—just enough to stay afloat in the lukewarm water .

Out of habit, I dip my head below the surface for a quick look at what’s lurking underneath.

May the Currents protect us.

A swarm of small yellow tendrils glides through the water, graceful and hungry, reaching for anything that drifts too close.

And then I see it—something massive, moving with slow, terrifying purpose.

That’s the one. The creature that laid the giant egg on the sand bed.

Or one of its kind. Either way, it could swallow us whole.

A jolt of adrenaline surges through me, just enough to push forward, to catch up with Ileana as she nears the edge of the platform.

Relief hits me hard when I see her climb onto the mound, grimacing as she brushes off the writhing, man-eating tendrils.

I’ve got maybe fifteen feet left—and I can feel it. The big one’s noticed me. The water stirs around me, too much to be coincidence. This is going to be close.

When I finally reach the edge, the look in Ileana’s eyes says it all—panic, fear, and something else: she’s not letting me die here.

I press my palms to the rough surface and push with everything I’ve got. It’s not enough.

But then she’s there—her arms under mine, hauling me up with everything she has.

We collapse together, sprawled out on a bed of slimy leeches… but we’re out of reach. Safe—for now.

I sit up, gasping, and watch the sea giant sink back into the depths, just inches from our fragile refuge.

Well… that was way too close .

"I’m landing. Stay right at the edge!" Wingo informs me.

Seconds later, my beloved SIL glides in and touches down gently on the cramped surface of the flat islet. I just hope those disgusting slugs don’t eat through composite materials—because if they do, we’re in trouble.

Ileana helps me to my feet as the access ramp begins to lower. This nightmare is almost over. And not a moment too soon.

Limping, we drag ourselves toward the base of the SIL’s launch ramp.

A single, precise shot slams into the ground—just inches from my feet.

I look up—and lock eyes with Noviosk.

He’s straddling a short-range flyer, hovering just above the water, maybe sixty feet out. Through the transparent spherical cockpit, I can see the fury in his eyes. He wants us alive, obviously. But he’ll kill us before he lets us escape.

A second shot lands in front of Ileana’s feet. Message received.

He grins, baring his canines. He knows he’s got us. If we board the SIL, he’ll blast it out of the sky—no hesitation. And Wingo will die with us. Worse, Wingo can’t take manual control to fire back. He’s helpless.

Damn it. This day just keeps getting better. Carnivorous slugs, a sea monster the size of a shuttle, and now this smug Srebat bastard.

“May the Currents drag you under!” I shout, fist raised, as Noviosk watches with amusement .

Ileana glances at me, worry etched across her face—then turns sharply toward the sea, alerted by a strange sound.

Before either of us can react, the abyssal giant erupts from the water and swallows Noviosk and his craft in a single, monstrous gulp.

We freeze, stunned—then scramble for the SIL.

“SILMAR, it’s me—Pherebos, ID two-one-five. Get us out of here, now!” I bark.

“Hello, Pherebos. We’ll depart as soon as the ramp is secured,” she replies calmly.

Seconds later, I feel the SIL lift—just a gentle upward motion, but enough to put us out of reach of that thing. I can finally breathe.

Exhausted, my body gives out. I slide down the wall and collapse onto the floor. I’ve burned through every last reserve just to make it here. I’m about to black out.

With one final breath, I give my last order.

“SILMAR… follow any instructions Ileana gives you.”

And with that, everything fades...