Page 28 of Fated to the Dragon Alien
Stavian’s pulse ticked in his temple. “Zaruxians were involved in all three. I can see why the Axis are upset.”
Darven nodded once. “That’s why networks are slow. Axis leadership thinks there’s a pattern. They’re locking down reports until they decide how to handle it.”
“That doesn’t make sense.” Stavian ran a hand down his jaw. “Zaruxian loyalty is higher than any other rank base.” Even as he said the words, he knew they were untrue. He himself had been pondering how to free himself and the miners from the Axis system. Every scenario he envisioned had flaws, however. None ended well for the miners.
“Was,” Darven corrected. “Your kind is giving Central a headache.”
Stavian didn’t reply. His thoughts went to Cerani. To what Bendahn had told him—that Terians were being kept buried and any deviation from Axis policy would result in extraction and likely execution. He’d been flagged once for questioning protocol. If someone noticed how much time he’d spent nearCerani, how many reports he’d altered, how many override codes he’d used…
They’d send a team. Not to audit. To extract her.
He clenched his fists at his sides and tried to keep his voice even. “Were there any other incidents?”
Darven shrugged. “Plenty of rumors. Talk of data leaks, a raided ship that had recently done business at the Falmic-5 auction, and even a skirmish at some remote neutral outpost. At least two of those had Zaruxian involvement. The Axis don’t think this is a coincidence.”
“Do you?”
Darven grinned. “If I were paranoid, I’d say all of you finally snapped. Still—three confirmed failures, all with your species involved? That’s not nothing.”
Stavian stared past him through the window where the transport shuttle had landed. His mind raced. He wasn’t the exception anymore, the one Zaruxian quietly questioning the system. Others had already made their moves. Big ones. Some were gone. Some had vanished so well that the Axis couldn’t find them.
No wonder Bendahn wouldn’t give him clearance. She knew what was happening elsewhere in the Axis network. Knew something had shifted. And now the remaining Zaruxians were being watched. Monitored. He wondered about the Zaruxian who was in the Central Council. The scrutiny there must be intense.
Darven leaned in, his voice just above a whisper. “They’ll be watching you.”
Stavian said nothing, but Darven’s words echoed his thoughts perfectly.
Darven stepped back and shifted his weight. “Hope the mine holds steady. We wouldn’t want that pretty little gem of yours getting caught in the crossfire.”
The words landed like a gut punch. Stavian’s eyes snapped to his. “What did you just say?”
“Come on.” Darven smiled, slow. “You think no one’s noticed the way you watch her?”
Stavian started forward, heat rising fast in his gut.
Darven raised his hands. “Relax. I don’t care what she is to you. Just take a little advice.” His tone dropped, low and almost casual. “Don’t give Central a reason to look too closely. Because if they dig, and they don’t like what they find, they’ll take your memories. Take your existence. They’ve done it before.”
Stavian forced himself to breathe. He’d heard of this memory-erasing business that Darven spoke of. It was a well-known “secret” weapon to keep Axis leaders who were not at high levels, in line. Rebel and you’re taken away to a medical facility. When you leave, you’re a blank slate. It had been whispered about, but never confirmed by Central.
But the warning was clear—and it held weight.
Darven took a slow step backward, like he’d already said too much and was waiting to see if Stavian would call him on it.
“I’m not a fool,” Darven said. “I know those suit improvements didn’t come from Axis design protocol. The materials were sourced off-manifest. The seam points don’t match Central fabrication patterns. And no one—not even your best tech officer—bothered to log them.” Darven tilted his head. “She gave you the plans, didn’t she? The Terian girl.”
“You’re making a lot of assumptions,” Stavian said coldly.
“I don’t care who gave you the schematics. I care that my reputation will be ruined if this place burns,” Darven said. “They’ll purge us all.”
Stavian stepped forward and straightened. His wings flared. “You’d rather we keep the old suits with poor seals and thin seams?” His tone sharpened. “And lose half our cycle workers within nine shifts?”
“I’d rather Central didn’t know we’re letting miners build infrastructure,” Darven shot back. “You don’t see the line anymore. These are criminals, Stavian.”
Stavian’s jaw locked. “You need to remember your place, Lieutenant.” His voice dropped low. “The efficiency numbers will speak for themselves. Those suits are functioning at sixty-eight percent higher endurance rates, now, because of the changes I implemented.”
Darven scoffed. “You implemented. Right.”
“Do not question my decisions.” Stavian took one last step forward, stopping just inside Darven’s space. “Central cares about numbers. They’re pleased with ours.”
