Tha-lah Read Free Page B

friends alive?
    “AI, update, please.”
    “Partial communications have been restored.”
    Pra’mm was back online, goddess be praised.
    “Give me a full report, please.”
    “Pra’mm suffered a dozen casualties, none on the planet, over ten thousand at the prison and mounting.”
    “Would it be safe to open a commlink to Dal’vyaa’s house?”
    Tha-lah feared for her dear friends. They had guards that weren’t trained in the art of combat. Just some muscle mistress had hired through the years. While extremely loyal to her, they lacked the training of Pendo’rahn or Trac’xian military.
    “Tha-lah, are you faring, good daughter?” Even in the face of danger Dal’vyaa’s concern was for her.
    “Yes, I took cover among some of the rubble. Dal’vyaa, is everyone unharmed?” She no longer addressed the other woman as “mistress” since she was free.
    “We hid in the secret chamber until it was all clear. Everyone’s fine.”
    “I wanted to go back to K’luk and offer my help.”
    “You don’t need to. Full communication was reestablished, and Protectorate reinforcements are on their way.”
    “What of the prison? What’s become of them?” Tha-lah showed compassion, even for the hardened criminals. The goddess spark was within every living creature.
    “The elite warriors arrived shortly after the assault began. I heard most of the prisoners offered no resistance. In fact, they were glad to see them. Now it’s just a matter of time before the Toq’ma’lal returns.”
    “If that’s the case, then I’ll reset my heading for Glaxia Prime.”
    “You should be safe to travel, Tha-lah. May the goddess shadow your journey.”
    “Thank you, friend. In her wisdom, we all thrive.”
    Tha-lah ordered the AI to resume the course for Glaxia Prime. Thank the goddess her friends were spared.
    “I am picking up a faint life signal. It is coming from a pod two hundred miles from our current position.”
    “Can we get closer and bring it on board?” Whoever was inside was from the prison. It didn’t matter one way or the other. Her duty was to help.
    “Yes, but as your AI, I must warn you this action might put you in harm’s way. The occupant could be a violent criminal.”
    “Can you identify the species?” Not all prisoners were violent criminals. The prison was divided into sectors, depending on the type of crime. Some areas housed petty thieves, techno pirates, etc.
    “Negative. There is a lot of interference in the area.”
    “Open the bay door. That’s an order.” She couldn’t ignore her responsibility. Even the most fearsome enemy merited assistance. The goddess demanded infinite compassion and love.
    “Pod has been successfully recovered. Life signs inside still faint.”
    “On my way. Bring the hover bed online. Try to find the encryption to unlock the door. If you’re unable to, get ready to blast it open. I might have to use my supply of gly-urq, but I can’t allow anyone to suffer.” Tha-lah said a silent prayer, asking for strength. She had no weapons to defend herself.
    After several minutes, the AI successfully unlocked the pod’s door. Tha-lah’s initial shock had worn off, leaving her with a lot of questions. The passenger inside was a Pendo’rahn elite warrior, judging by his torn uniform. Most surprising yet, according to the AI, his wound perfectly matched the ro’traal beside him. Someone had run him through with his own weapon, but whom?
    After removing the patch of old gly-urq, she poured her own stash over him. She lingered her hands over the hard planes of his chest.
    “Vital signs are now stable.”
    She blinked, looking around, feeling guilty for indulging in such frivolity. “Activate field and continue monitoring his signs.”
    The field would keep the gel and him in place. She roamed her gaze up and down his fit body, taking in the length of his manhood. This was a warrior’s body, trained and honed from childhood to protect the galaxies.
    A slight stirring