Page 6 of Bikar

Looking at her, I offer the truth as I know it. “We have a better chance there than anywhere else in the Void.” Nodding her head in agreement, she waits for the rest of us to make a decision.

“Agreed.” Slavic decisively states.

“Frack, I guess that works.” Ruarc grumpily intones.

“I concur.” Einar gently acquiesces.

“Yesss,”Murgul hisses.

They all turn to head down the ramp to leave, but I slide in front of Murgul before he can depart. “Brother, I need a favor from you.”

He pauses, tilting his head to the side contemplatively, causing his alabastrine hair to sway. A lift of his chin tells me he is listening.

Gathering my courage, I blurt it out. “I need you to figure out how to get my mate on this ship and not the Zenith. I do not need Bambi hiding with that other female, Heather, on a completely different ship. She will want to return to something familiar instead of boarding here where everything is new.”

Murgul’s facial expression does not change for a few tics, so I hurry to tell him the rest of my plan.

“You are the most skilled in subterfuge, as it was part of your training. That is why I have not broached this with any of our other brothers. They’re all too frackin earnest and honest, but you and I… we can be sneaky when it is needed. It would be even better if you could figure out how to get our mam on the Zenith as well. Perhaps put mam in Falon’s old room, so she and Atasha have a space to themselves. Bambi and Heather have grown very close, so it would stand to reason that they will wish to remain together. Getting Bambi away from her friend whilst on the shuttle will be my objective.”

Slowly, an evil grin develops until a radiant smile full of wicked glee at my plot is stamped across his scarred face. “Leave… it to… me.”

Relief makes my knees weak for a tic before I force myself to stand strong. I impulsively pull Murgul into an embrace, ignoring the way his body stiffens before gradually relaxing into the contact. Releasing him just as abruptly, I spin on my heel and stalk back to the helm room.

I have work to do.

CHAPTER 6

BAMBI

It’s always fucking something here in Payton Place outer space.

I really shouldn’t be surprised that a planet-eating gelatinous goo is heading our way, though it’s almost too far-fetched to believe. If Bikar hadn’t launched some sort of drone-looking thing to photograph the rest of the planet, I’m not sure he and the others would’ve been able to convince any of us humans. However, the images of a sea of red Jello consuming plants, animals, and everything in between until nothing but macabre caricatures littered the planet’s surface made my stomach roll with nausea.

Shagar, ever the voice of reason, explained to us what The Scourge is, what it does, and how there is no known way to stop it once it’s infected a planet. Our little oasis is the last untouched part of Deapra, and it’s rapidly shrinking. Slavic resolutely informed us that time was of the essence, and ordered us to get the things we wanted as quickly as possible. We’re supposed to gather in front of the rock compound before boarding the ships.

Packing up my room took less time than I anticipated, and really drives home that all my material possessions fit in one small bag.

Not that I’ve ever really had much…

Shrugging off my maudlin thoughts, I grab my backpack and turn to leave my room. But the sight filling my doorway has me stopping short immediately. Unease slides down my spine, and I take an involuntary step back. “He…hello, Murgul. Is there something I can help you with?”

Slowly he leans his head to the side and offers me a smile that makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Taking another step back from him, I wet my lips, gather my courage, and try again.

“Is…is there something you need from me?”

A sharp shake of his head indicates a decisiveno.

Puzzled, I hug my bag to me for comfort and look around my little room in confusion. “Then…why are you here?”

“My brother… he… will die… without you.”

My heart sinks. He, of all people, should be the last person pleading his brother’s case. “I know.”

Even though my voice is barely a whisper, it’s clear he heard me because his reply is decisive.“Bikar… is… many things, but… at… his… core. He is… good.”

He gestures to where I’m unconsciously tugging at the long sleeve of my shirt.“Whoever… made you… fear. Bikar… is not… like that. However, I understand… how… it… feels to be trapped. That… is… why you should… board. The. Shuttle.”

By the time he’s finished talking, Murgul is panting in pain, and even though he terrifies me, I don’t want him to suffer on my account. He’s never done anything untoward to me.