My heart still raced from my run through the ship, and I strode to the platform overlooking the rest of the consoles and warriors manning the command deck, leaning forward and gripping the metal railing. “I know that name. Why do I know the name of that planet?’
“It was recently liberated from the empire by the hordes of Raas Kratos and Raas Kaalek.”
That was it. The Vandar victory there had resulted in many lost imperial soldiers and ships. “And now they send out a distress call?”
Taan tapped his fingers across the screen of his console and static filled the room. The transmission was weak and the signal spotty, but the voice that came through was clearly in distress.
“Transmitting on an encrypted Vandar channel to any Vandar horde within range. This is Fenrey of Carlogia Prime. Zagrath ships have appeared over Carlogia again, and we fear they intend to resume their mining operations. You said to use this channel if we ever needed help again.” There was a heavy pause. “We need your help, Vandar raiders.”
Then the voice disappeared, and there was only the hiss of static. All the warriors stood motionless at their posts for a moment before Taan discontinued the transmission.
“This Carlogian mentioned mining,” I said. “Tell me about the planet.”
Taan swiped his screen. “Pre-warp society, with a developed societal structure. Their core contains rare minerals that the empire previously mined for use in their technology and weapons. Our last raiding mission on the imperial cargo ship brought us closer to Carlogia Prime. We could be there within a single standard rotation.”
I clenched my hands around the metal rail until my knuckles went white. “Our hordes repelled them, but now they have returned? We’ll see about that.” I cut my eyes to the battle chief station that remained empty, then looked away just as quickly.
“You wish to engage, Raas?” My majak joined me on the platform.
“Where are the other hordes? The ones who are familiar with Carlogia Prime?”
“Too far out of range to receive the transmission. Or, at least to receive it in time to respond. Raas Bron, who took over Raas Kratos’ horde, is no longer in this sector, and the last reports of Raas Kaalek have him nearing Zagrath headquarters.”
I nodded. That sounded like Raas Kaalek—running headlong into the mouth of the beast. It also put him too far away to reach the threatened alien planet before the empire seized control.
“It looks like we’ll be going this alone,” I said. Although I intended to send an encrypted message to the bounty hunters, they’d gone dark and might not receive it or be able to respond.
A rumble of approval passed through the warriors on deck. Alone was how we’d battled in the far reaches of space where the rules of war were easily discarded, as were the rules of law. My warriors preferred it that way, as did I.
“Set a course for the planet and alert the rest of the horde about our intentions,” I told Taan. “And hail the bounty hunters.” I lifted a fist into the air and raised my voice to a boom. “Prepare the ship for battle!”
Fists pumped high as low bellows joined my own. Heavy boots stomped the floor, making it shake.
My majak returned to his console, his fingers flying as he sent transmissions. “The bounty hunter ship has responded to hails, Raas.”
“Onscreen,” I ordered, facing forward and clasping my hands behind my back.
Once again, the Dothvek warrior K’alvek appeared on our view screen, his gold skin a sharp contrast to the Vandar standing next to him.
“K’alvek.” I inclined my head at him, acknowledging him as the leader of the ship. “Corvak.”
Both men nodded at me, but it was the former Vandar battle chief who spoke. “Raas Vassim.” He clicked his heels together, the movement and sound barely noticeable since I only saw the warriors from the waist up. Still, I valued the gesture of respect. “We were surprised to be hailed by you so soon. We have been following your raiding missions.” His lips curled into a smile. “The empire is very displeased by your relentless attacks.”
I returned his smile. “I am glad to hear it. The empire has earned every moment of its fate.”
“Do you require assistance?” K’alvek asked.
“It is not we who require assistance. We have intercepted a distress call from the planet of Carlogia Prime.” I nodded to Taan, who played the transmission for the bounty hunters.
When it was over, both males were frowning.
“You have been to this planet, yes?” I asked.
“We both have,” Corvak answered. “It is how we met.”
K’alvek nodded beside him. “We were chasing a bounty we believed to be Raas Kaalek.”
“The bounty the empire had set was actually on Raas Kratos,” Corvak added. “While the bounty hunters were on the planet, having tracked Raas Kaalek and his human mate to the surface where they’d crashed, Raas Kratos joined with his brother’s horde to liberate the planet and retrieve the Raas.”
I exchanged a look with my majak then turned back to the screen. “Things with the Raas brothers sound complicated.”
Corvak grunted. “They could be. As much as they did not get along as boys, they are still brothers.”
“Do you believe the Raas brothers will answer the hail from Carlogia Prime?” I asked.
“Raas Kaalek owes his life to the Carlogians. He will not hesitate. I would say the same about Raas Kratos, only because the planet harbored his brother and he is grateful to them for that, but he is no longer Raas.”
“And Raas Bron?” I didn’t know everything about the former battle chief’s history with the new Raas, but Bron had exiled him and stripped him of his beloved position in the horde.
Corvak’s jaw tightened as he thought. Finally, he loosed a breath. “Raas Bron is an honorable Vandar. He will answer the call.”
I nodded, impressed that Corvak had put any personal feelings aside to assess his former Raas. It spoke to his own honor. “That may be so, but neither will reach
