Page 23

Orin

FOR THE FOURTH TIME today, I stood in the meeting room where King Trex consulted with the Protectorate Council and his royal advisors. This time, an emergency communication from one of the Protectorate Captains had everyone on edge.

Appearing on the large viewscreen on one wall was Captain Stusa. His face showed the stress that all warriors working in Alaran space must have been feeling right now.

There was a wave of shock from the males in the room when Captain Stusa gave us the news. “No one was expecting the attack on the human colony, majesty.”

Being the King’s personal guard allowed me access to information that most citizens did not have. Knowing the dangers we were facing didn’t make it any easier now that I had claimed Olivia.

The weight of concern pressed down on me, intensifying with each passing moment as I contemplated the repercussions that a conflict with our enemies would bring.

With increased sightings of Krilex ships over Alara, it was only a matter of time before they tried to land or attack one of the villages or cities.

“Do we know what happened?” asked King Trex.

Stusa wearily scraped his hand down his face, the lines of exhaustion etched on his features, before letting out a heavy sigh.

“From what I've been told, a civilian witnessed one of the guards being killed. Afterwards, they saw the murderer transform into the security guard before escaping. The witness notified another guard who raised the alarm. However, by that time, it was already too late. The assault on the colony was already in progress. The Voletti seem to have discovered a method to infiltrate the Terax 2 colony.”

With a regal bearing, Xilta, the senior advisor to the King, sat tall and exuded an aura of dignity. “Did they find the shapeshifter among the survivors?” he asked.

“Not yet. The guards are looking for shapeshifters now. Everyone they find alive is being tested.”

The King expressed his annoyance with an angry grunt but otherwise remained silent.

I could perceive his anger, even from where I stood. He no doubt wished he could be back on the Chetok, kicking our enemies’ asses. He was a warrior, through and through.

Captain Stusa stated, “In addition to the casualties among both civilians and soldiers, there are also hundreds of people unaccounted for. Though a handful of our ships have rescued many survivors, it appears the Voletti have taken some of the females.”

I watched as King Trex brought his fist down hard onto the table where it remained clenched, startling some of the Council members.

His voice boomed as he spoke. “Finding the humans that were taken should be your focus. If the Voletti have them....” He didn’t finish his sentence, shaking his head.

Trex and I both knew firsthand what the Krilex were capable of. Not to mention what the Voletti intended for the females they had taken.

These devaras had to be stopped.

Stusa gave a single nod. “They are, majesty. There were four vessels tracking two Voletti ships, but they cloaked. Our ships are searching the area for them. There is one Krilex vessel that is being boarded as we speak. Three more Protectorate vessels have taken refugees aboard, including my ship. We are making arrangements for the humans to be taken to safety.”

Angling his head, Protectorate Council member Brek turned to face the King. “Your majesty. I can have accommodations prepared if you want them brought here?”

Trex nodded in acknowledgement. “Do it.” He turned his gaze back to Stusa on the screen. “Bring them here and instruct the other’s ships that we can receive them as well.”

Captain Stusa disappeared from the screen and the Council began to chat among themselves.

Trex raised his voice. “There is one more thing I want to address.”

The room fell silent as everyone looked in his direction.

Trex spoke with me earlier and we had discussed what would happen next.

I carefully watched the faces of the Council members as King Trex spoke.

“I’ve spoken with Vyramos Nura before our meeting.

The Ixul government has agreed to send two Ixul warships to help protect Alara.

They have the ability to detect cloaked vessels and have superior firepower.

Compared to our patrol ships they can do a lot more damage to anyone trying to land here. ”

“This is great news considering how protective they are about their technology,” said Vimur hastily.

“Despite being self-governed and xenophobic, they support the Empire. The decision ultimately revolved around what would benefit all planets within Alaran space. I have given my assurance that we will not share their technology with the Drakkari,” stated the King.

Everyone who’d been raised on Alara knew the Drakkari used to be enemies of the Ixul due to their invasion on Graacux long ago. The situation escalated into a brutal conflict, causing significant casualties for both sides.

The intervention of King Tvar’Ul, Trex's grandfather, and the Ruler of the Empire at that time, resulted in a negotiated peace treaty that finally ended the long war between them. Since then, there had been no significant conflicts in Alaran space.

Xilta spoke in his usual serious manner. “The Ixul harbor long-lasting grudges. I’m glad to witness their eagerness to assist Alara.”

Trex’s lips curled into a wry smile. “As they say, a new enemy can unite old adversaries.”

I DID AS TREX ASKED and followed Vimur, who disappeared into one of the private rooms to make a communication.

While I was outside the room, I overheard him explaining what Trex had just told the Council. The voice Vimur spoke to was not one I recognized, but based on what he was saying, he was indeed betraying the King, and Alara.

I waited for him to leave the room and blocked his path.

“What’s the meaning of this?” he asked, looking afraid.

I grabbed him by the arm and tugged him with me down the hall where Trex waited. He eyed Council member Vimur, and he was fuming.

“You know flutzing well what’s going on. You are a traitor. And for that you will be sent from Alara to live out what days you have left on Ronroth Prison colony.”

Vimur opened and closed his mouth a couple of times before he broke down. “They made me help them. I had no choice.” He whimpered.

“You could have come to me. I would have ensured your safety. Are there other traitors or shapeshifters on Alara?”

Vimur shook his head. “Tinuk and I were the last. The shapeshifters left when they knew their people were coming to invade.”

Trex pushed Vimur against the wall with his arm to his throat. “You’ve allowed the entire planet to be endangered. Did you know Terax 2 was going to be attacked?”

Vimur put his hands out to the side. “No. I did not. I was as surprised as you...but I do know where they are based. I overheard things.... I can tell you.”

Trex exerted more pressure with his forearm against his throat, causing the Council member to let out a pained grunt. When his face color darkened Trex eased up.

Vimur coughed then spoke. “Those Voletti who are not in charge of Krilex ships in Alaran space are stationed on one of Jaxia’s moons.”

Trex and I shared a brief look.

Vimur continued. “They have breeding facilities there, and possibly female prisoners. But it is heavily protected from what I’ve been told. You’ll never get close to it.”

Trex pursed his lips, and I listened and watched Vimur spill his guts about everything he knew about the Voletti.

We learned the shapeshifter prisoner’s words rang true, leaving no room for doubt about the diminishing number of their kind.

“My Voletti contact informed me that they have destroyed numerous worlds, including their own. The Thrala, another race, were pursuing them when they ended up here. They didn’t expect their technology to bring them to an unknown Universe.

They appear to have been exploring this sector when they stumbled into Alaran space.

They were trying to find a new home and a way to stop from going extinct when they met the Krilex.

They were convinced not to ask for help from anyone else and trusted the Krilex to provide what they needed. ” Vimur said.

Trex asked. “Why have they waited until now to attack?”

Vimur’s lips twisted. “They are upset that the Krilex have failed them. The fuel supply for their ships is running out. Furthermore, their efforts to generate new technologies, similar to what they had achieved in their Universe, have been fruitless. Their race is on the verge of extinction, and their small numbers make it impossible for them to confront the entire Protectorate Alliance. Maybe they believe that by targeting Alara and the Empire, they can seize control?”

I shook my head at the council members explanation. If the Voletti were not dealt with here, they would destroy anyone who stood in their way. They were a danger to our entire galaxy.

The fact that Vimur and Tinuk believed the crap they were told and felt threatened made me feel sick.

I would never consider for one moment betraying Alara, the King or my K’sha.