“Can you get an update? I wish we could see what’s going on.”
Abby got to her feet. “I can get us into the tactical team headquarters, where they’re monitoring everything—but you have to make me some promises first.”
“Anything.”
“You have to take a seat, remain calm, and not interfere. The crew manning HQ when a team or teams are on missions don’t mind me slipping in because Howard gave me access, since he knows I’m always looking out for our guys. I never give them a reason to write an official report to Commander Bills about me freaking out if things turn scary. I always hide my reactions. Can you do that?”
Darla nodded. “I just want to know what’s happening.”
“Okay. Let’s go. Just remember our Veslors kick ass, and if one of them gets hurt, keep calm. They heal fast, as I said. Veslors are super hard to kill.”
“Thank you.”
“I just hope your mate isn’t pissed at me when he finds out. I’m supposed to keep you in our cabin so you don’t hear any details coming in as we take the Elth ship.”
Darla was grateful that she hadn’t changed into lounging clothing or taken off her shoes. Abby led her out of their cabin and to the nearest lift, taking them to another level.
“For all we know, our grouping could still be onboard, and Defcon Red is going to get into a fighter battle with the Elth. Our guys won’t get the chance to fight if those are launched.”
“Fighter battle?”
“Think sleek, remote-controlled shuttles with deadly weapons. If Commander Bills believes the Elth ship might have the ability to damage Defcon Red, he’ll send in the fighter shuttles to take out their weapons. Sometimes ships blow up when that happens. Theirs. Not ours. That would mean all the Elth will die before our people can even board their ship.”
“That sounds like the best solution.”
“I sat in on a meeting Howard had with fleet headquarters on Earth. They’re worried that the Elth might have enslaved other aliens that could be aboard that ship. That’s why Defcon Red didn’t blow it up while our guys were on their mission. The last thing we want are innocent aliens dying. Humans will come out looking better if we search the ship before blowing it to hell. We do have a lot of alliances with alien races.”
Darla couldn’t argue with that. She’d been a captive of the Elth, hoping for rescue.
Abby stopped before sealed double doors and pulled out a badge. “We walk in, go to the seats to the left, and remain quiet. Ready?”
“I am.”
“Okay.” Abby waved her badge at the scanner and the double doors parted. She grabbed Darla’s hand and pulled her inside a large room. There had to be over a dozen men and women inside, wearing uniforms that were similar but slightly different from the tactical team uniforms she’d seen.
A few people glanced at them but no one demanded they leave or approached them. Abby took her to some comfortable plush chairs along one wall. A big screen filling another wall showed a ship in space. They both took seats and Abby leaned in close, keeping hold of her hand. When she spoke, her voice was low enough Darla had to inch closer to hear her.
“The guy with the blue armband standing closest to the screen will give updates every few minutes. Sometimes they stream live feeds from the tactical teams. Just keep calm and quiet.”
“I can do that,” Darla whispered back.
Abby squeezed her hand. “I’m with you. Our guys are going to be fine.”
The man with the blue armband turned to look at them—particularly at Abby. “We deployed a fighter to fly ahead and take readings of the Elth ship. They have heavy damage to their two main engines and are still in the same location where the Blaze last spotted them. Their weapons failed to track or engage the fighter when it was flown in for a closer inspection. It appears they’re too damaged to flee or use their defensive weapons, and all hails have gone unanswered. Commander Bills has ordered us to send in six tactical teams. Fighter shuttles will provide cover in case the Elth try to attack the incoming transports.”
“Thank you,” Abby stated loudly.
The man nodded before turning back to the screen.
Darla made sure to remember to whisper. “Our grouping’s going in, aren’t they?”
Abby gave a nod before meeting her gaze. “Our guys will demand to take the lead on this, since they have a lot of experience fighting the Elth. We’re boarding that ship. Have faith.”
Darla focused on the screen and her heart rate accelerated when dozens of black arrowhead-shaped shuttles appeared, flying straight toward the big ship. Six larger, boxy-shaped shuttles followed behind. She knew Gnaw and the other Veslors were on one of those transports.
* * * * *
Gnaw took a deep breath and blew it out. They’d just landed in the Elth shuttle bay and established a protective shield over the hole they’d blown in the doors to gain entry, to stabilize the breach.
A thick fog of white smoke greeted them as they exited the shuttle. He remembered that gas. The suit he wore this time protected him from getting it on his skin and from breathing it in.
“Cowards,” he snarled.
Motion out of the corner of his eye had him turning, pointing his laser rifle.
A tall white streak ran at him with a sharp blade held in a tentacle.
Gnaw aimed and fired. A shrill shriek sounded, and the Elth hit the floor in front of him. He stormed forward as more of the enemy attempted to attack.
Gnaw had no mercy as he fired his weapon
