Tha-lah Read Free

clock to restore power. It was up to him to make sure the message left behind by the Kreeh-nosh reached Pendo’rah without delay. Security Chief Mah’yanna’s time might be running out. Working as fast as he could, Groo’lat activated the portable satellite.
    Now he needed an escape pod, and he knew exactly where to find one. Flying to Pra’mm would be dangerous. By now, it must be on high alert. He didn’t have a plan on how he was going to stop the Kreeh-nosh. For his family’s sake, he’d atone for his mistakes. He was as good as dead whatever the outcome. For Groo’lat, this was a suicide mission. He’d reached the point of no return.
    The prison was now a battlefield with convicts trying to escape from the enemy. Those captured were either eaten on the spot or stored for later use. Groo’lat knew Zu’thro’s crew practiced dh’ram, consuming live prey. Aiding the Kreeh-nosh was a ruthless pack of Jog’nafan.
    He didn’t have time to help anyone. Only one thing mattered—rescuing Security Chief Mah’yanna. This would be his last act as a warrior. Bending over, he’d picked up a dead guard’s ro’traal and then hacked his way through the melee.
    Screams of agony mingled with battle cries as the brutal enemy made his way through the prison. Groo’lat’s wound opened again, and his vision blurred. Dense smoke filled the corridors, making it hard to breathe. He thought he saw some warriors fighting, but couldn’t tell which unit they belong to.
    Groo’lat ignored pleas for mercy, running down a darkened corridor. If his memory was correct, there were a couple escape pods in the medical bay. He hoped to find at least one since few people knew about them.
    “Warrior,” a squeaky voice called from the shadows. “I know where you’re heading. Let me come with you and I’ll override the pods’ security locks.”
    Groo’lat turned around and faced Fael, the treacherous Labonian. It didn’t surprise him that the critter knew about them. Fael was an expert hacker, after all.
    “Why would I do that? You deserve to die like the miserable traitor you are,” he ground out, barely looking at the insignificant wretch.
    “Because I know T’zaal’s plans for Security Chief Mah’yanna. You see, he created a new bioweapon, and will use her to test it.”
    He hesitated for a second. “Do you have proof? The word of a dirty Labonian holds no value.” Right now, he didn’t care about anything beyond saving his commanding officer.
    “I have all you need stored in a data module. Just take me with you and you can have it.”
    The slimy critter was trying to negotiate safe passage, because he knew he’d never make it out alive on his own.
    “If you’re lying to me,” his face inches from Fael, “I’ll cut you into little pieces. Do I make myself clear?”
    “Absolutely. We must hurry. She doesn’t have a lot of time.”
    “Stay behind me. I’ll clear the way, but I won’t wait if you can’t keep up.”
    He didn’t give a frackk if the smelly rat got what he deserved. Groo’lat could probably figure out the security lock, but the Labonian would do it faster. That was the only reason he’d agreed to the deal.
    They reached the medical bay, which contained two hidden pods. Designed to evacuate medical personnel in case of attack, they were hidden behind the medical equipment. At the first sign of a takeover, the medics could clear out without leaving their restricted location.
    Evidently, no one had been prepared for what happened, judging by the three dead medics on the floor. The place had been ransacked, and Groo’lat was sure the rest were taken to the Jog’nafan ship.
    “Get to work,” he said, pushing the Labonian toward the hidden door. “If you try anything, I’ll run you through.”
    “No need for that. See, I’m done already.”
    Fael tried to rush to one of the pods, but Groo’lat cut off his head with one swipe. He quickly retrieved the data module from the Labonian’s tunic.