Page 52 of Hope Forged
“I have the location, at last. It is a bright beacon. How could I have missed it?” Ulta’s voice seemed too loud in the silence of the forest.
“There was some sort of forcefield.” Brac tapped his blaster, setting it to kill. “Scan what is below me.”
“I cannot. The rock formation is the same as Amet’s cavern.”
Brac rolled his shoulders and re-palmed his blaster. “So, we go into the unknown.”
The step through was onto a landing. Stairs spiraled down. A gust of sweltering air flicked Illan’s hair back as he peered over the railing.
“Can you make out anything?” he whispered.
“Muted talking.” Brac frowned in concentration. “We are too far to make out the words.”
The steps were made of Maloidian steel which Illan found odd. An ancient facility constructed with interstellar materials? “They will hear us coming,” he said.
“You, yes. Etterians do not make noise,” Brac stated without arrogance but in a matter-of-fact tone.
“True, my friend.” Illan grinned. “Then carry me.”
He’d learned how strong Etterians were as documented extensively by past Durns and his personal experiences. Still, to be whisked onto Brac’s back without issue smarted, like he weighed nothing.
“Only shoot if they draw their weapons,” Illan whispered. “I will keep mine on stun.”
Brac nodded, moving with care and a speed Illan admired. No wonder Durn had formed an alliance with Etteria—theintellectual in union with the strongest. And yet, the warring planet had outlived Durn.
The humans had an adage: those who live by the sword die by it. That was what Durns had based their future around. And failed. Perhaps they should have stuck to their understanding of balance, that all things had an equilibrium. Focusing solely on gaining knowledge had caused an imbalance that had killed them in the end.
A sickly sweet smell tickled Illan’s nose as they descended.
Brac stiffened. “Genkoo.”
Chapter Fifteen
Maloidians.
Illan frowned. “Why?” he whispered. “They have no reason to be on this planet.”
“Smells like they have lived here for years.”
The reality was remarkable the deeper they went. Along the rock walls, genkoo grew in gelatinous yellow globules.
“It is warm enough for the plant to thrive,” Brac said. “Perhaps they grew tired of rehydrator food?”
Illan couldn’t help but find the male impressive. “Traveled to Maloid?”
“Many a time.”
When they reached the bottom of the stairs, Brac slowed and lowered Illan to his feet.
Brac angled his head, listening intently. “They want to mate with Lady Faerar. Their one female died a while ago, and they are lonely.”
“So they kidnap any female?” Illan tried to hide his shock. After how the Yithians tortured him, he shouldn’t be astounded by the evil in the universe. Still, had they stumbled upon Ziamee on her rounds, she’d be in this predicament and not her mother. Either was bad, regardless.
“She is well, for now.” Brac raised his blaster past chin-height. “Stay behind me.”
Illan nodded. “My focus will be on her.”
“Agreed.” With a finger, Brac nudged the door aside.
