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T he next day, the Tenacity entered a cloaked high orbit over the Zuvgran-controlled planet Praxis.

Their scans indicated the freighter, the Sept Reserve , kept loading supply crates of some sort.

Wurvez attempted to hack into the freighter’s computer, but eventually he growled, leaned back, then huffed.

His tail flicked in short, fast movements.

“We could use Lady Emmy right about now. According to Tolvex, her skills would have that database wide open for us already.”

“I apologize that I am unable to assist. I can’t even code a synthesizer. I usually ask Volax to do it,” Grulen said.

“We’ll add some computer courses to your training.”

“Please don’t do me any favors.” Grulen shuddered.

Wurvez chuckled.

“I’ll keep trying, but for now, let’s just follow them and see where they lead us.”

“As you command. I’m trying to determine the number of beings on the ship, but even on the ground, they are using a dampening field.”

“Of course they are. Well, we wouldn’t want it to be too easy, would we?”

“Easy would work for me. We could get back to the Invictus sooner. Synthesizer food and rations are poor imitations for Previv and Lady Ava’s cooking.” Grulen pouted.

With a grin, Wurvez slapped Grulen’s shoulder. “A male whose stomach agrees with mine.” Crekkin’ male loves to hit my shoulder.

Some time later, Wurvez tapped the console and waited.

“Opening an encrypted comm to the Invictus .”

Durek and Tolvex appeared holographically.

“Report,” said the commander.

“We found the freighter and should be close enough in another hour or so to begin following it. We believe they will be landing on Praxis to take on more supplies.”

Durek’s fangs gleamed against his golden bronze skin.

“Excellent. You may be able to determine the sites of numerous labs.”

“From your lips to the Goddess’ ears.” Wurvez paused. “Anything new about the traitor onboard?”

“He appears to be taking a break from harassing the females. They’ve been spending most of their days in the War Room while we deal with Earth’s nonsense,” Tolvex answered.

“Yesterday, the Defiant broadcast Talia’s videos and released the proposed draft treaty as well as the medical information about the virus.” Durek’s smile widened. “The initial responses on Earth’s social media have been voluminous and show no signs of ending soon.”

“Well, that’s one way to open up discussions.” Wurvez’s lips turned up.

Tolvex’s braids brushed his shoulder as he shook his head.

“Already there are groups gathering with signs asking us to ‘beam them up.’ Emmy said we might have to consider psychological testing before allowing any of them on a ship.” He shrugged. “I’m not entirely certain she was joking.”

Grulen snorted. “My interactions with Lady Emmy would suggest she probably meant exactly what she said.”

“I concur,” said Tolvex who turned to look at Wurvez. “We’re still working to pare down our list of suspects to identify the traitor. It’s going slowly.”

“How is Nerid Mantoor?”

“Ash’n has been keeping him sedated. The traitor using an implant to brainwash Mantoor made his mind delicate. He has no recollection of attacking me.” Durek’s growl rumbled low. “We hope the mind healers on Costonia will be able to help him recover.”

“Brainwash?” Grulen asked.

“I’ll explain later,” said Wurvez.

“Anything else?” Durek said.

“No. Only that we may not check in when we’re close to Praxis, depending on how long the freighter remains there.

I’m not sure what capabilities the Zuvgran have to catch transmissions near one of their worlds.

” Wurvez’s eyes hardened. “We’re too close to potential answers, and I don’t want to inadvertently give away our position. ”

Durek’s facial scar whitened.

“I don’t like you going dark.”

“It probably won’t be for long.”

“Report no later than three days from now, even if you have to break off from your surveillance temporarily.”

Wurvez sighed. “As you command.”

Hopefully, we’ll have something good to report soon.

“The fourth stripped world in three days. Why wouldn’t the Zuvgran have their labs on the worlds where they live?

Wouldn’t it be easier to keep them safe and supplied?

” Grulen listened to Wurvez grumble as they watched the Frezzian freighter skim low over the planet’s surface and drop crates.

Grulen made notations in their computer for the coordinates and everything they observed.

“I don’t know. It doesn’t make sense.”

Wurvez sat back, and his tail swayed slowly. He extended his claws and lightly tapped the console.

“Secret labs. Stripped worlds. No outside contact.” His eyes widened. “I think it’s because they’re working with biologics. If the scientists make an error and a virus gets loose, an unoccupied planet is easier to contain or destroy. Zuvgran deaths would be limited to those already on the surface.”

Nodding, Grulen said, “Now that makes sense to me.” I can see why he is such a good tactical officer.

“Looks like they’re changing direction. I wish I could get into their database.”

Grulen tapped the console and entered a heading to follow the freighter. Frowning, he looked at the projected course.

“They appear to be flying toward the asteroid field near Millus.”

An angry rumble emanated from Wurvez’s chest and his jaw hardened.

“That’s much too close to Costonia.” The tails of both males flicked in hard movements. His jaw hardened. “Send an encrypted message to the Invictus with everything we’ve discovered so far and our heading. We’ll wait until we know exactly where the next lab is before we check in.”

Grulen grunted. “There are solar flares in the Lestanus system. The message may not make it through intact or at all.”

“ Crek . We’ll have to try again later. Increase speed to get closer to the freighter. I don’t want to lose them in the asteroid field. We need to know if there’s a lab close to the home world.”

“As you command.”

After maneuvering through the asteroid field the next day, Grulen and Wurvez watched as the Sept Reserve conducted their low altitude run and dropped crates in the ruins of an ancient gladiator pit on Millus. Numerous Zuvgran appeared as soon as the freighter left the atmosphere.

“Scans show a Svesti speedster approaching the planet.”

“How far out is it?” Wurvez asked.

“A little over two hours at their present speed.”

Wurvez’s fingers drummed on the armrest. He turned to Grulen.

“Feel like hunting?”

“What are you thinking?” I’d like to get off this shuttle for a bit and do more than observe.

“We know a Svesti noble has been working with the Zuvgran. This might be our chance to discover who he is.”

“I like the idea of identifying a traitor. What is your plan?” Grulen’s tail sped up.

“Land on the leeward side of the pit. Less chance blowing sand will reveal the ship and it’s in the shadows of the walls.

We’ll leave the ship cloaked and get to high ground with our surveillance equipment so we can watch and if we’re lucky, we’ll be able to hear.

We should still be able to track the freighter when we’re done here. ”

Grulen tapped the console.

“I’m not seeing any planetary defenses or active scans. There is a chance of passive scanning potentially revealing our presence.”

“I believe it’s worth the risk. Take us down. I’m going to gear up and gather the equipment. When I return, you can get ready.”

“I’ll try to send another encrypted comm to the Invictus with the latest update. Hopefully, it will get through.”

“Good thinking.” After he stood, Wurvez slapped Grulen’s shoulder. “I’m looking forward to this.” Again with the crekkin’ shoulder.

The yellow moon provided minimal light as Grulen and Wurvez swiftly and silently made their way to the top of the seating surrounding the pit.

Layers of brown dust stirred briefly as they lay prone and set up their surveillance equipment.

Centuries ago, the Zuvgran invaded Millus, but the Svesti joined the fight and pushed them out of the solar system.

However, they couldn’t save Millus itself—it was now another lifeless world.

They watched as the speedster landed in the center of the pit.

Three Svesti disembarked. One stepped forward to meet the Zuvgran waiting.

Wurvez’s chest rumbled with a silent growl.

Grulen took the magnifying equipment Wurvez handed to him.

When he looked and saw the noble, his tail flicked hard once before stilling.

The long-range microphone did not catch everything discussed in the pit, but they heard enough to confirm that the noble informed the Zuvgran of the human females being on Theron the intent to infect them with the virus.

Another Zuvgran approached the males and he heard, “We are not alone. Did you send others?” Crek.

“You recognized the noble?” Wurvez whispered. He quickly gathered the equipment and handed the packed bag to Grulen.

“Yes.” Grulen’s response was barely audible.

“Go back to the ship and depart. Hide in the asteroid field if you need to. Relay everything to Commander Durek or King Sovex—no one else.”

“What are you going to do?”

“Be a distraction long enough for you to escape. This information must make it to the king.”

Grulen shook his head. “Come with me.”

“No.” Wurvez’s voice was firm. “The odds are better if we split up. Once you know they receive the intel, you can request additional warriors to return for me.”

“I do not like this plan.”

“Go now. There’s little time. That’s an order.” Wurvez made his way in the opposite direction of the cloaked Tenacity .

Grulen silenced his unhappy growl at having to leave Wurvez behind. We are supposed to be a team. He’ll be unprotected.

Grulen powered up the Tenacity, checked the cloaking device, and took off for the asteroid field. He ran a low-level scan of the surface. Crek! It looks like Wurvez was captured.