THE CALM WAS INTERRUPTEDby the shaking of the Chetok and a loud boom. I stood up and exited the room.
We were supposed to be nearing the Javar Outpost.
“Who’s firing on us?” I asked.
“The Krilex are back, Captain. They are part of a blockade preventing us from reaching the Outpost. There are two unidentified ships, along with three Krilex and two Zinid vessels.”
“What do you mean by unidentified? They have to be in the Protectorate database.” I grumbled, standing behind the helmsman and folding my arms.
The crewman paused briefly and used his hands to navigate the panel, pulling up information. “Affirmative. Although there are similar scans of the same type of ship, nobody can identify what alien race they belong to. They are categorized as unknown. First seen in our galaxy one-hundred galactic years ago, sir.”
Krin and I shared a moment of silent communication. His thoughts mirrored mine. We both speculated whether these unknown forces were behind the recent issues with the Krilex.
A thunderous vibration reverberated through my chest as the ship was struck again. Unable to contain my frustration any longer, I let out a loud curse.
The Krilex had developed a habit of retreating whenever the Protectorate approached.What is different now?
“Their weapons can’t penetrate our shields. Their efforts are in vain,” I muttered aloud, then gritted my teeth. “Hail them,” I ordered.
“Acknowledged, Captain. Doing it now.”
To my surprise, Calti Joele appeared when the bridge doors slid open.
She came over to where I was standing. “What’s happening now?” she sounded as aggravated as I was feeling.
I rotated my head to look at her while pressing my lips together. “We are encountering resistance in reaching the Outpost.”
“When will my fleet arrive?” she asked.
A helmsman replied. “Any minute now.”
“Contact them and tell them what’s happening,” she barked.
With a bristling reaction, I conveyed to the Drakkari female that she had no power here.
The starship was not under her command. She moved backward and bowed her head to show deference to me. This was not an easy feat for a Drakkari female.
The ship was violently shaken by another blast.
“Our shields were taken out by that shot, Captain.”
Flutz.I stood tall, with my back rigid.
I couldn’t risk the females or my crew, since the ship had no protection against more hits.
“We have a video transmission from one of the Krilex ships,” announced the helmsman.
“On screen.” I barked.
These confrontations were happening with alarming frequency.
With a sneer, the reptilian alien displayed its wide maw of a mouth, filled with razor-sharp teeth. His eyes were yellow glowing slits, and small horns adorned his head and neck.
His eyes bore into mine with an intense, hostile glare.” I am Commander Zerek. I know you destroyed some of my ships, which is a punishable offense. We’ve successfully disabled your shields. Still, I am fair. If you return my goods, I will consider letting you leave in peace...if you do not return them to me now, we will destroy you.”
I narrowed my eyes while my nostrils flared.
The aliens invading Alaran space and taking what wasn’t theirs had pushed me to my breaking point.
