Page 47 of On a Rogue Planet
Mal had never heard the name.
“Why do you have Centaxian women here?”
“Payment.” His voice was barely a whisper. “Rexon Dax is paying part of our fee with women.”
Mal felt her stomach turn over.
Xander landed another punch to the Taskmaster’s face, then gripped the man’s head. With a vicious twist, he broke the Rahl’s neck, and tossed him on the floor.
Then Xander was striding to the nearest cage and breaking the lock.
Mal rushed to the next cage and used her multi-tool to pick the lock. “You’re safe now.”
The women were wide-eyed and beyond scared. Stars only knew what they’d been through.
She helped one thin woman who was incredibly weak. Her silver implant looked enormous against her frail neck. “You’re free.”
Mal heard Xander talking to the others as he freed them. She passed the woman into the arms of another, then she met him at the last cage, and watched him rip the lock away with his mechanical hand. The women inside tripped over each other to get out.
One woman stopped in front of them.
She was older and very attractive, with skin the color of melted chocolate. A silver-gray implant sat above her left eye. “Thank you, General Saros.”
The muscle in Xander’s jaw ticked. He nodded.
The woman’s gaze landed on Mal. “You’re Malin Phoenix.”
Mal blinked. “Yes. Do I know you?”
“No.” The woman paused, pressing a closed hand to her throat. “You know my husband. Traxan.”
Mal felt a cold sensation wash over her. “You’re Trax’s Xalla?”
“Yes.”
Mal touched the woman’s arm, needing the contact. “How did you end up here?”
“They—” Xalla’s voice broke, her face fell “—the mercenaries came for Traxan. They blamed him for your escape, General Saros.”
No. Mal’s grip tightened on Xalla’s arm. “Is he okay?”
The Centaxian woman’s lips trembled. “They tortured him. And our son.” A tear slid down Xalla’s cheek. “They loaded me onto a ship to come here. I have no idea if Traxan and Pax are still alive.”
Nausea choked Mal, making her dizzy. Trax. Crusty, tough Trax who’d helped her and Xander escape. “We’ll make them pay, Xalla. All of them.” She gripped the woman’s hand. “I promise.”
Xander was staring at Mal. She lifted her chin. This was her fight now, too.
“Can anyone pilot a shuttle?” Xander asked.
A tall, sturdy woman stepped forward. She was naked and her dark hair was matted, but her face was steady. “I work for Trade and Commerce. Cargo pilot.”
“I need you to get these women to the landing pads. Steal a shuttle and then make contact with a ship called theInfinitas. They’ll help you escape.”
The woman nodded and looked to the others. “Let’s find some clothes and get out of here.”
When Xalla squeezed Malin’s hand, Mal looked back at her.
“Thank you. Both of you.”
