The Djaromir had begun to fall back to their ship even as they provided cover for their leader where he huddled close by.
“K’hor! We must take off now!” A Djaromir underling yelled at the warlord that had been advancing on Maggie. “The Traccorians have focused their fire on the ship!”
Hix saw that the warning was true as bolts of electricity ricocheted off the large silver shuttle. He watched as the man named K’hor debated his next move. With a torn expression on his face, the warlord glanced down where Hix was protecting his bride.
“She is priceless. Protect her as such,” the man ordered with one last glance at Maggie before running back to the ship his men were defending.
Hix could only nod but was filled with confusion. The man had clearly been threatening his bride yet acted as though he had been trying to protect her. Either way, Hix was relieved to see the warriors retreating.
As he watched, the Djaromir fell back to their shuttle boarding faster than Hix could have imagined possible. Still taking fire from the Traccorians, who were only being held back by the newly arrived Phaetons firing upon them, the Djaromir warlord and his men took off. As the visibly damaged shuttle sped away, Hix stayed down as much as possible to avoid creating a large target for the mercenaries who were still attacking.
Shouts filled the air coming from Axis and the other Phaetons as they slowly advanced on the Traccorians. The mercenaries, streaming onto the landing field, came to a halt at the unexpected defense from the Phaetons. His old brothers moved closer to where Hix was still laying in the middle of the fire fight providing him desperately needed cover.
Hix had seen Maggie take a direct hit to the shoulder but things had happened so fast he wasn’t sure if she had been struck anywhere else. Lifting up far enough to scan her body, Hix searched for any signs of further injury. With the cloak melted and singed at her shoulder, his gaze stopped on the blood that leeched into the fabric around the wound. The shroud that had been previously powdered red by the dirt around them now showed a darker scarlet stain spreading on her wounded shoulder. The larger the stain grew the paler Maggie’s face became as if she were draining away right before his eyes.
“Axis!” Hix screamed, panic filling him. “Hurry!”
With sweat dripping down his face and into his eyes, he wiped impatiently only to find them already wet. Tears he had not noticed before trailed from his eyes and down his cheeks.
She could not die…not after all they’d endured.
Losing her would kill me.
Axis slid on the ground next to pair. Breathing hard with his weapon ready, the warrior’s eyes locked on the hand Hix was pressing against Maggie’s wound.
“How bad is it?” Axis asked quickly, never taking his attention off the Traccorians where they were holding position at the entrance of the field.
“I cannot tell. It was a direct hit and she is still bleeding.” Hix’s throat felt tight with emotion as he choked out the information.
“We have to get her to Phaeton One!” Axis shouted over the gun fire still zooming past. “When I say go, you run with her as fast as possible to the shuttle,” Axis ordered.
“If I go down, you make sure she gets there,” Hix yelled back, unwilling to move until he heard an agreement from Axis. “Understand?”
“Understood!” Axis positioned himself slightly in front of the pair to provide cover as Hix prepared for what he hoped was a fast getaway. “On the count of three!”
“One! Two! Thre—”
Hix didn’t wait for the full count before he was up and running, his arms wrapped tightly around his injured bride. Praying he didn’t take a hit to his back, Hix ran to safety, using all the speed he had left in his shaking legs.
Chapter Thirty
“What have you found?” Wheaton questioned as Kaine watched from where he was seated at the large table in the councilman’s chamber.
“The Verge sold the shipment to the Traccorians only to have it intercepted by the Djaromir miners. From what we can gather, the crates started disappearing a few at a time,” Paine relayed as he stood at attention with Rowe at his side.
“That is what Hix also relayed in his report?” Kaine asked as he tapped through the pages uploaded on the tablet in front of him.
“Partially. He reported that over the span of a few days the number of crates slowly decreased,” Paine explained. “He was unaware of the particulars regarding how both the Traccorians and the Djaromir were involved. Just that they were.”
Clearing his throat, Rowe added, “At first, it was believed the shipment had been split up and sold to multiple buyers.” The moment he stopped speaking, his eyes landed on the man standing cuffed in the corner.
Although he did not agree with the detention of Hix, he understood the concern the council showed to the warrior. His participation in the kidnapping of Maggie could not be overlooked if they were to continue with the shaky pacts they had in place with the governments of Earth. Still, he didn’t support the man being immediately shackled and gagged, making him unable to defend himself if needed.
“And the human?” Kaine looked up from his tablet to narrow his eyes on Hix when he shifted restlessly at the mention of Maggie.
“The human is in the med center.” Rowe’s gaze remained fixed on Kaine, but his words were meant for the prisoner who had stiffened at the mention of his bride’s condition. “Although she sustained a direct hit to her right shoulder, the doctors believe she will make a full recovery with time and rest in their care. The damage has already been repaired in a regen bed and her readings came back normal.”
“Sir?” Paine interrupted politely, pausing to let Wheaton acknowledge him before speaking. Only when Wheaton gave him a nod did he continue. “Claudia and Finch have requested permission to visit her in the med center…”
Wheaton chuckled and shook his head. “I find it hard to believe that Claudia merely requested permission.”
“You would be right in that assumption, Councilor Wheaton. I believe the words she used specifically were that Rodin needed to move his scrawny ass out of her way so she could check on her sister-from-another-mister.”
Both councilmen nodded as if the verbiage Paine had repeated was not surprising. “That sounds more accurate. Do the doctors believe she is well enough for visitors?”
“Yes, sir. Rodin and Tamin have submitted a report with all of their findings and it is in the database ready for your perusal when convenient.” Rowe stepped back after giving his final statement.
Wheaton took a seat next to Kaine at the table and crossed his arms. Transferring his attention to Rowe’s fighting partner, he asked, “Do you have anything else to add, Paine?”
“Only that I disagree with the shackles and vocal restrictor that have been placed on Hix and would like it noted in the log.”
Rowe coughed to hide his spirits at his partner’s protest. Glancing toward Paine, he lifted one brow in question. He really should not have been surprised that Paine made his views known, but the man had never approached things this delicately.
“I know you agree with me so do not pretend you do not,” Paine whispered with a shrug and met Rowe’s gaze with a quick glance as he stood beside him.
“And do you agree, Rowe?” Kaine inquired, his attention now focused squarely on him.
Rowe swallowed back the immediate answer, an emphatic “yes,” and approached his reply the way he did most things…with diplomacy.
“Sir, I admit that although Hix showed poor judgment. He did, however, assist in helping the kidnapped human escape,” Rowe argued.
“You are referring to the female he claims is his bride?” Wheaton looked toward Hix as he voiced his question.
Rowe also watched his former brother at the mention of Maggie, noting the way his hands balled into fists beneath the thick steel cuffs that bound him. Even with the restrictor covering his vocal chords, he could see Hix restraining himself.
“Yes, sir.” Rowe nodded before tucking hi
s arms behind his back once again as he stood tall.
“I have trouble understanding how two of my most loyal warriors could possibly believe a traitor to the Phaeton race deserves to have his bindings removed,” Kaine prodded, which earned him a questioning look from Wheaton.
Paine and Rowe both looked to Hix where he stood ramrod straight, his body visibly vibrating with tension. Amazingly the man stood still and completely silent, showing a restraint that Rowe didn’t believe he would have had in the same situation. His composure only went to show the type of warrior he was, regardless of the actions that earned him the shackles he was wearing.
“You heard the recording yourself, Sir.” Rowe met their gaze head on as he referred to the conversation he had sent to Phaeton One immediately after he had found Hix. “I believe Skrammon Hix and the claims he has made regarding the Verge and their plans.”
“Without his knowledge and actions, we would not have even been aware of the conspiracy to kidnap and sale of volunteers for the pact. Hix may have joined the wrong faction but I believe his response to their plans may have saved many lives,” Paine cut in.
“That is another situation that needs to be addressed.” Leaning back in his chair, Wheaton scrubbed a hand down his face in frustration. “We have yet to discuss the fate of the human females Hix claims were in the crates taken by the Djaromir.”
Rowe and Paine both nodded in unison. “We are ready to move as soon as the orders are given.”
Kaine smiled with a toothy grin that made Rowe more than uncomfortable considering he had never seen his councilman show such emotion.
“That is why you are two of our most valuable warriors.” Kaine nodded before passing his tablet to Wheaton. “According to our intel, the Djaromir have already landed back on the mining planet.”
The councilman’s answer was somewhat surprising considering the mining planets were a great distance away. From what Rowe could recall, that distance generally took at least a day or two for a ship of substantial size. The large cargo shuttle must have been flying at full burn for their arrival to have been so quick, a speed that he doubted it would have been able to make with the damage it had sustained before lifting off.
“And the women?” Rowe shuffled his boots slightly as he asked the question. The sound was loud in the quiet chambers.
“Their condition is unknown.” Kaine cleared his throat before continuing, “Another point that needs to be addressed is the fact that the final number of crates transported to the Djaromir Mining Planets has not yet been confirmed.”
“What we need to find out is how many of the crates may have been picked up prior to the warlord’s interference,” Wheaton informed them, his attention on the tablet in front of him instead of the bodies in the room. “The report that Hix supplied stated there were crates disappearing from one day to the next. It would be foolish to assume that the Djaromir were the only ones who managed to sneak into the storage facility.”
Paine frowned and stepped forward slightly. “Do you believe that some of the females did not end up on the shuttle?”
“We do not want to rule anything out at this point. We have yet to establish communication with their leaders and will refrain from filing a formal report until that happens.”
“But it is a possibility?” Rowe glanced sharply at Paine as he voiced the question. When his friend met his gaze, Rowe was surprised at the seriousness in his eyes. “You know as well as I do that if even one of the females is still in the Pleasure Sector they will not last long.”
“I agree,” Rowe nodded, transferring his attention to their superiors. “How soon do you believe we will be able to establish communication with their leaders?”
“Longer than we would like.” Wheaton rose from his chair and walked the length of the room before turning back around to face the men. “The planet is currently experiencing static storms that are blocking the waves we have been sending since your arrival.”
“Static storms, sir?” Paine asked, unfamiliar with the mining planets and their weather patterns.
“Yes,” Kaine nodded. “Honestly we were surprised they were even able to land with the storms surrounding the planet. Depending on how long they last, we may be better off sending a shuttle to confer with them in person versus waiting to see if they would even acknowledge our attempts to communicate.”
“I was under the assumption that our interaction had always been friendly.” Rowe looked to Wheaton, who nodded in agreement.
“So far it has been,” Kaine drawled, letting out a heavy sigh. “However, our questions may not be as welcome when centered around the theft of human females that were sold on the black market by our enemy.”
“Good point,” Paine said under his breath, managing to bring forth a small grin from Wheaton.
“When will it be decided if we try to make contact in person?” Rowe questioned.
“Normally I would handle a mission like this myself—”
“But his very pregnant bride would not take kindly to Councilor Wheaton participating in such a mission at this time,” Kaine interrupted.
“Of that I have no doubt,” Paine grinned. “I am surprised she is not at this meeting with you, sir.”
“Especially considering the last time we were here, it was apparent you did not appreciate being separated from your bride…even for short periods of time,” Rowe added.
“That is very true.”
Rowe felt a splinter of jealousy at the look of contentment and peace that settled over Wheaton’s face at the mention of his heavily pregnant bride. Not wanting to dwell on the unwelcome feeling taking residence in his gut, he looked pointedly at Hix standing in the corner.
“Has a decision been made regarding the detention and punishment of Skrammon Hix?”
This time it was Paine who coughed to hide his reaction to Rowe’s words, leaving Rowe to hide a smile. It wasn’t often he was able to catch his partner off guard so when those moments happened, he relished it.
The councilors sitting opposite of them did not share in his amusement though…at least as far as he could tell by the rigid expressions on their faces. Snapping to attention once again, Rowe presented the picture of respect even though his words may have been slightly out of line.
Chapter Thirty-One
Wheaton leaned back in his chair and tapped his boot impatiently against the shiny steel floor of Phaeton One. The paired fighters in front of him were two of the best warriors he had ever met. They were loyal, smart, strong and fierce in their protection of the Phaeton race…and they were also right when it came to the Skrammon warrior currently restrained in the councilor chambers where they were conducting the debrief.
The council had been stunned when it first heard the recording Rowe had broadcast from the surface of the Pleasure Sector. The knowledge that the Verge had kidnapped Maggie with the help of Hix had not been a surprise. What had shocked the council had been the news that she had only been one of many humans shuttled off Earth without permission.
The mere idea that there was an unknown number of brides stolen right under their watchful gaze had been more than simply a shock. The actions of the Verge threatened everything the Phaetons had put into place with Earth regarding the Bridal Pact. Now, because of the kidnappings, the negotiations they had worked so hard for were on the precipice of falling apart.
“And you believe Skrammon Hix should be released to join his bride?” Wheaton asked the men standing tall before them but kept much of his attention on the man cuffed in the corner.
Paine cast a fast glance at Rowe before nodding in agreement.
Kaine cleared his throat, the noise gaining his attention. “And what of the bride he claims as his own? Were either one of you able to verify her desire to stay with him during your time on the planet?”
“No, sir,” Rowe relayed. “We did not locate her until the end of our mission and by that point she was already injured and unable to communicate.”
“But you believe him
when he says that she was willing in their joining?” Kaine interrupted.
“Yes, sir.” Paine countered, his gaze unwavering as he answered the question.
Wheaton watched as Kaine leaned back in his own chair, obviously coming to the same conclusion that he had before their meeting had even started.
Hix was Phaeton through and through.
There was no other explanation for his actions in the Pleasure Sector other than trying to correct mistakes he had made. The proof of his loyalty had been recorded by both warriors speaking on his behalf at the impromptu hearing. The information Hix had supplied to the council had been vital in helping track the women the Verge had kidnapped. The files Hix had stolen from Verge Prime had been recovered in his bride’s blood-covered robes after she was rushed to the med center. Folder after folder containing the profile pictures of unsuspecting women had been carefully sifted through as Wheaton had been overwhelmed with not only anger but disgust at the actions of his former brothers.
He wasn’t alone in his anger either. Kaine and other councilmembers had convened to make decisions as to what their next step was to be. The first council action being the one where they decided the fate of the wayward warrior.
“Hix, please step forward.” Releasing the magnetic bond keeping him held in place at the corner of the room, Kaine gestured for the once proud Phaeton to stand next to Paine and Rowe.
Wheaton used the tablet in front of him to enter the security code to power down the vocal restrictor Hix had wrapped around neck. The bindings had been put in place almost as soon as the shuttle had landed, barely giving the man time to be relieved of his burden. It showed what type of warrior Hix was that he had not fought the guards placing the restraints on him earlier. In fact, the only protest Hix had made since his arrival was that his bride be treated and saved at all costs.
Warriors of Phaeton: Hix Page 19
