Page 7 of Trusting Warik (Hissa Warrior #9)

Chapter 7

Nisha

“We’re partners, right?” she said as they gathered their stuff to leave.

He stopped moving and stared at her. “Yes, why?”

She grinned and pointed. “Then I need to carry something. It’s all my stuff anyway. You shouldn’t have to act as my burden droid.”

Warik looked like he was about to argue, then changed his mind and handed her the smallest sack he was carrying. “Here. These are delicate anyway, I probably shouldn’t be handling them.”

She took the bag of carved figurines representing a full Hakmin family, even including several pets. They weren’t practical at all, but she wasn’t able to resist them. When this adventure was all over, they’d help remind her of all the things she got to see and do.

“Youl wrapped them well, I don’t think you need to worry much,” she said as she took the sack. “Give me something else, this isn’t much.”

“No,” he said and held out an empty hand. It took her a moment to realize he wanted her to link her fingers with his before leaving the eatery. She slid her hand into his, thrilled as his fingers tightened around hers. It was a simple thing, but it felt like so much more.

You’re holding hands! This is like those Earth vids! Shift said. It’s so cute. Stare at your hands for a moment, I want to get a good image capture of it for my detailed memory files.

Nisha did as Shift asked, which of course made Warik curious. “We don’t have to do this,” he offered. “You could hold onto my arm as we were doing earlier.”

“No, I like this!” Nisha answered quickly even as Shift mumbled sorry . “It’s just, um, I think this is the first time I’ve held anyone’s hand as an adult.”

Warik didn’t seem startled. “Many species don’t hold hands. If you didn’t grow up around other humans, it’s not something you would be accustomed to.”

“It's nice,” Nisha said, squeezing his hand with hers. “I didn’t think holding hands would feel so intimate. But it does.”

She could almost imagine they were a couple enjoying leisure time together.

How does it feel? Shift asked. Darn, you can’t answer me. Okay, you need to note everything you’re feeling and thinking right now so you can tell me later. I need a droid so bad! I wish I could see this from another point of view. I bet you two look adorable.

Shift was talking so rapidly that Nisha had to really focus on not stepping wrong and tripping on her own feet.

You know, the way he swooped in and rescued you at the eatery was soooo romantic! Shift continued. He was all growly and protective. I think he would’ve—oh shit! This isn’t good!

Because Shift was looking through her eyes, Nisha knew exactly what the AI saw to make her react like that. The Hakmin from the restaurant was standing in front of them with six others, all staring intently at her and Warik. Even worse was that they all had bludgeoning weapons clutched in at least one hand.

She looked behind her to find the area beyond them had mysteriously emptied of pedestrians. A glance up showed no working vid captures. They were all pointed straight down and covered in dust. The system must’ve stopped working long ago and no one ever bothered fixing it. She couldn’t say she was surprised. One of the shopkeepers had suggested she hire one of the gangs on the station to act as protectors.

She’d assured the shopkeeper that she was fine because she had Warik. This current situation was stark evidence she’d been na?ve.

There’s a service port to your left in the support pillar, Shift said. Urgency and fear made her deep feminine voice pitch up. Plug me in. I can integrate with the ship's systems and help.

Nisha didn’t hesitate. She jerked her hand free of Warik and lurched sideways, practically running into the post. She almost dropped Shift’s interface cylinder when she grabbed for it. Noise and motion exploded behind her as she jammed the cylinder’s end into the port.

Safety protocols, damn it ! Shift cursed. Who would’ve thought a station this poorly run would have so many walls of safety protocols? Run and hide, Nisha. It’s going to take me a few minutes to get past these.

“I can’t,” she said, turning to see Warik engaging the attackers in a flurry of movement. The man was fast and skilled, but his attackers were armed and determined.

All the bags were scattered on the floor, and she could see the bag with the bolt stick right in the middle of the melee. She wasn’t going to be able to get close to that.

Good news! The layers of safety protocols aren’t as bad as I thought, Shift said. I’m almost there.

“There you are!” the Hakmin from the restaurant said. She stumbled back as he advanced on her. “I was only trying to offer you some friendly protection, and you turned me down. Now I’m going to take what I want and afterwards, I might let you live. It depends on how good you behave.”

Nisha ducked behind the pillar. “Shift, I need you to hurry!”

“Don’t run,” the Hakmin taunted. “I don’t want you to be too tired to service me!”

“Shift!” Nisha said again. “I’m scared!”

I’m trying, Shift said, her tone frantic. Run toward the striped section of the wall.

Nisha managed to barely miss getting grabbed by the Hakmin and sprinted to the wall. The signs were all in Hakmin so she couldn’t read them, but her trust in Shift was absolute.

A hand grabbed the back of her shirt, and she came to an abrupt stop. The front of the shirt tightened against her neck, making her choke as she was hauled up into the air and turned around.

The Hakmin put his face to hers, lust and satisfaction radiating off him. “Did you think I’d let this go?” he asked, each word sent spittle flying into her face.

There was no point in reminding him that he was the one who had approached her at the eatery, or that he was the one who wouldn’t leave her alone. Logic had no place in this bully’s mind. Only force would work.

Her brain worked fast, despite how hard it was to breathe. She grabbed hold of the arm holding her shirt with both hands and used it to lift her body a little, releasing the pressure on her neck. She couldn’t hold that position for long, but it gave her the leverage to bring her legs up and plant her feet against the Hakmin’s chest and push with all her might. The strength of his single arm wasn’t a match for her entire body.

“Wha—” his word was cut off as he was forced to let go. There was no time to catch herself, so she hit the floor hard on her back, knocking the wind out of her.

“That’s a better position anyway,” the Hakmin said as he looked down at her.

Got it! Shift crowed. Take this, you bastard!

A section of the striped wall slid open, and a cleaning droid shot out, mowing over the Hakmin.

Can you move back, Nisha? Shift asked as the cleaning droid drenched the Hakmin in every fluid in its reservoir. With a roar of anger, the Hakmin grabbed the droid with all four arms and tossed it away. The droid landed hard and broke into pieces, scattering parts all over the floor.

“Moving,” Nisha gasped as she crab walked backwards until her back hit something. The rest of the striped wall’s doors slid open, and a small army of cleaning droids rolled out. They all attacked the Hakmin. A few of them were droids designed to eradicate small vermin that would often sneak onto stations from ships. That droid was equipped with a small flamer with limited range. The range was enough to allow the droid to burn a line across the Hakmin’s belly.

“Burn his balls!” Nisha yelled.

The Hakmin was growling and trying to fight the droids off when Shift aimed the flamer lower and set his pants on fire. Howling, the Hakmin went from fighting to trying to get away.

Take that, you waste of skin! Shift said. I bet your mother shat you out instead of giving birth to you!

Relief at being saved was making her giddy so Shift's weird insult made her laugh. The sound of flesh hitting flesh made her look over in time to see Warik taking a blow to the back while trying to fend off two attacking at the front. Several bodies lay moaning or unconscious on the ground, but the battle was starting to wear Warik down. The blow sent him to his knees and another Hakmin raised a piece of metal support strut, ready to bring it down on Warik’s head.

“Shift!” Nisha screamed. Shift could still see through her eyes, so the AI knew exactly what Nisha was screaming about.

On it! Shift responded.

One of the droids pivoted and extended a hose arm out of its center. The hose shot out a blanket of foaming material, startling the Hakmin who was about to brain Warik. The pause was enough for Warik to swing his leg out and knock his opponent down.

While Shift drenched one of the Hakmin with cleaning foam, she sent three other droids after the remaining Hakmin. The droids bashed into them, knocking two over and falling on top of them. The fight went from being focused on Warik to chaos. The Hakmin were screaming out curses and bashing the droids. They were so distracted that Warik was able to pick up one of the weapons and knock out his remaining opponents with violent efficiency.

That was well done! Shift exclaimed. Warik is a total baddie! If he’d had some kind of weapon in the beginning of the fight, I don’t think they’d have been able to get as far as they did.

“I agree,” Nisha said as she got to her feet. Her legs felt shaky, and she had to lean against an empty decorative planter behind her. “He’s amazing.”

If you guys had kids, they’d be smart and strong, Shift said. They’d be unstoppable.

“Not a good time,” Nisha said and let go of the planter to walk to Warik. The warrior was standing in the middle of the unconscious Hakmin and panting. As she got closer, she saw the rips to his clothes and the way he was holding an arm to his side as if it hurt.

“Warik?”

He swung his gaze to her. His eyes focused on her, filled with some kind of primal aggression. He leapt over several bodies, despite his injuries and fatigue. She watched with wide eyes as he turned his back to her and pressed back until she was wedged between him and a support column.

“Don’t move,” he growled. “I’ll protect you.”

That’s so sweet, Shift said. A little unnecessary now, but still sweet.

“I think he’s hurt,” Nisha said, opening up one of the rips in Warik’s shirt to see a long, bleeding cut on his back. She was sure there were also plenty of bruises and maybe even some cracked bones.

“I’m fine,” Warik said, reminding Nisha that she couldn’t talk straight to Shift anymore.

Help is coming, Shift said. After they secure the gang, we can get Warik help. There’s a medical suite on the station. They have one tech who can treat him. I’m calling her in right now.

Nisha looked past Warik to see several station security guards hurrying toward them. She touched Warik on the back of his arm, the only place she was pretty sure he wasn’t hurt.

“You can move, we’re safe now.”

He grunted and straightened up. “I don’t think you’re entirely correct.”

Nisha didn’t get a chance to ask Warik what he meant. The security ran right past all the attackers and formed a half circle around her and Warik.

“You are found guilty of violence against station citizens,” one of them said. “All your possessions will be confiscated, and you’ll be sold at the next slave auction. Until then, you’ll be housed in our station prison.”

This is bad!