Cylo grunted, aware of Olin’s strategy to ease his anxiety.“We fight, we tear the facility apart, and we bring their bodies back to Earth.”He prayed, out of all the adventures he’d been through and would go on, that this one was the easiest with the best outcome.
Olin took over from Cylo to fiddle with the map, entering and exiting the caves without bothering to study them.“Every male on board would die for the good of Etteria.Females in danger does not change that.”
Cylo spared a nod before striding from the comm room.
“Cylo, I have a concern,” Durok called, forcing Cylo to stop.“Where will they sleep?”
“Anywhere we can find.They will be with us for the time it takes to reach the closest battleship.”
“True.”Durok inclined his head.“We shall ask the females.The narrow confines of the barracks might be too much for them after their ordeal.”
“Wise.”Cylo smiled, thankful that Afax had added Durok to his crew.They needed a male who considered the females’ comfortsbeforethey were onboard.
Cylo headed to his room which he shared with Nhyht.It didn’t sit well with him to use the only officer’s quarters when his rank was above any male on board.The door sealed behind him, granting him a small measure of privacy.Spread on the table were all his daggers.He’d brought his entire arsenal, even the tiny ones he was in the process of crafting.Not sure what he’d need, he hadn’t taken the time to decide.The new gold nugget Tius had mined for him was center stage.He palmed it.
Tension tightened his body, making blade smithing too intricate for him to handle in his current state.He flicked the gold into the air and caught it, falling into pacing as he did so.Energy pulsed along his veins, stealing his peace and sleep.No doubt, Malo would’ve been commanding this mission had Prince Enyl not sent him to Earth.
Cylo smirked.Malo as an ambassador would’ve been entertaining to observe.The Malo he knew would struggle with diplomacy.All Etterians would when it required a tongue used to deceiving or spinning the truth in a more favorable light.
“Fyca, comm the nearest battleship orbiting Yithia.”Cylo waited, his gaze on his O.D.I.He flipped the nugget and caught it.
“Supreme Commander Jokta,” a male answered.“Operative Cylo?”
“My apologies, Supreme Commander, I did not wish to discuss my mission with Zucis nearby.Have your males noticed a change in the shipping routes—from Earth to Iphara?”
“Days ago, a Yithian trade ship left Iphara for Maloid.”
“Maloid?”Cylo frowned.Geffa’s involvement was no coincidence—something Malo didn’t believe in.“Will thePhoenixbe remaining in Yithia’s orbit?”
“We have not received instructions otherwise,” Jokta said.
“Excellent.Prepare quarters for seven human females.”
“Seven?”Jokta cleared his throat.“Of course.How long will they be remaining with us?”
“That is for them to decide.”Cylo shut his eyes for a moment, hoping one of his males would find their Dar Eth among these females.
“All will be as asked.In addition, my pilot, Msar, will ensure the next battleship en route to Earth will detour to Yithia.”
“My thanks, Supreme Commander.”Cylo ended the comm then winced.As an operative, his rank wasn’t above Jokta’s.The right to ‘end a comm’ belonged to the superior officer.What he knew of Jokta, the male would not take offense and report Cylo to Adviser Kanzo.He swung his braid and caught the tail, stroking the tips.Dishonor would cost him a foot of his hair.
He swapped the nugget for a dagger.Time to choose what he’d carry with him.He also needed a clear path.Strolling through the front doors was a bold move.With three weak suns, Yithia had eternal daylight.There’d be no cover of nightfall to hide them.Fyca’s suggestion to port had merit, but Cylo didn’t want to admit to any of his males that his fury simmered just below the surface.He wanted to storm the place and cause the biggest destruction possible.Then erase any sign they’d been there.If the buzz claimed it was an accident with few casualties, that would be a job well done.
Any Yithian he encountered would die—no justification existed to excuse what they had done and were doing.
He grimaced, prepared to do what he must.“Olin, can you still not pick up anything—no comms, access to their data cubes?”
“It is frustrating, Cylo.I have never faced such resistance.”Olin almost sounded impressed.
“Keep trying.If we can harvest what we need before the strike, I will be less reticent in my actions.”
“I will consult with Kemt on thePhoenix.”
Cylo waved a dismissive hand Olin wouldn’t see.“Let me know the findings, no matter the hour.”
“As you command, Cylo.”
The comm ended.
