After the kuta touched down and the door opened, Cylo waited.He had no intention of disembarking.
Durok caught the edge of the doorframe and swung out.“Delivery of a Durn?”
Ending it in a question tempted Cylo to smirk.
“Greetings, Operative,” a male said, stepping onto the ramp.“And welcome, Zucis.I am Supreme Commander Jokta.”
The Durn bowed his head at Cylo and strolled out of the kuta.“My thanks, Supreme Commander.”Zucis glanced over his shoulder at Cylo then trailed Jokta out of the shuttle bay.
“Fyca, head to theKevolfor pick-up.”Cylo grabbed the strap hanging from the compartment’s ceiling.“I want no more delays.”
On theKevol, he gestured to his males to head to the comm for one last check-in.As soon as Qaff gave up the pilot seat, Fyca sank into it.Cylo gazed at the males gathered around the holographic of Iphara.Afax had chosen well.Cylo could trust these males with his life.That mattered on an important mission such as this.Each one would act with honor—well, as much as being an operative would allow.Olin had done his research, with the underground facility fully known.Cylo tapped each room that was a possible location.
“These are single laboratories.”Olin flicked the holographic to display the layout of a room.Cabinets lined one wall, and in the middle sat a table with straps at the corners.
Cylo grimaced, his imagination adding a squirming victim.“Find one female and free her.Seven have been taken.If the Maker blesses us, seven will be saved.”He met their gazes.“This is a Malo-sanctioned mission, and I have every intention of destroying this facility.Fyca, as pilot, you will remain on theKevolas our exit strategy.I need you all to gather what data cubes you can.Any information gained will be crucial in discovering what the Yithians are up to.But rescuing your female is your priority.”
“As far as I know, Iphara does not have a port-dampening shield.I could port you in and out with minimal fuss,” Fyca said.
“I prefer that option,” Durok said, palming his med-gun.
“As do I,” Cylo said, “but it is one way to miss someone.We cannot allow them to send comms outside of the island.Which leaves us sweeping the facility and eradicating any who seek to stop us.”He grinned.“Let us teach these Yithians not to steal what does not belong to them.”
“I agree.”Nhyht folded his arms across his chest.“We do not know for certain where these females are.Porting in might put us at a disadvantage and place our targets in harm’s way.”
“We go in on foot,” Olin said.“I will start a body-heat scan.Fyca will run continuous surveillance and share the results with us all.I would prefer not to waste time on empty rooms.”
Cylo couldn’t help but be impressed by his males’ ingenuity.“Excellent, Olin, I did not want to wait while theKevolran another diagnostic.”
Fyca typed on the console.“What manifests I have found have one ship landing on the island within the last ten days.It is no longer planetside, but that does not mean our breach will be uncontested.”
“They anticipate our arrival?”Koddo asked, a frown forming.
“I hope not,” Cylo said, stroking his jaw.“Anyone who runs such a facility should not be complacent.They would be fools.And these Yithians managed to pass our defenses with females onboard.”
“Indeed,” Olin said.
“Once you have returned with your female, see to her well-being.If she has serious injuries, you know how to work the med-E.D.”Cylo bowed his head, praying the females were well.
Olin gripped Cylo’s shoulder.“You have considered all the variables, and we have planned accordingly.”
“We will succeed.These females need us to,” Koddo said.
“We depart in ten.All of Etteria is with us,” Cylo said as they parted, leaving him staring at the 3D holo.
To slip in, they’d enter through the front doors then descend into the lower levels.He didn’t believe the Global Council or G.C.condoned whatever happened down there.If they managed to learn anything, King Xeus would take the evidence to the G.C.and insist Yithia cease this nonsense.Etterians needed humans.King Xeus had made that clear.Not to mention, he’d placed Earth under Etteria’s protection.
And yet…
Cylo clamped down on his simmering anger.
There had to be something Etteria could use to force Yithia to comply.King Urio claimed that Yithia had no interest in Earth.Which either meant he lied or was ignorant of what his males got up to.Etterians informed Xeus of everything.Perhaps King Urio was kept in the dark on purpose?No, that made no sense.Cylo couldn’t believe such a strong male could be anyone’s puppet.
“What is the worst you are expecting?”Olin asked, zooming out to reveal the island and its many caves.
Cylo tapped a cave system, more out of curiosity.“We are overwhelmed, are unable to find the females, or they are dead.”
“And your plan for each of these?”Olin peered at him, patience in his still stance.
