Thursday, July 18, 2019

TBT: Alien Outcast

Friends in low places...

Piper stepped out of the Kalquorian craft behind the man identified as Weapons Commander Sesin. She kept close to Ob, almost plastering herself against his heavy frame. She could smell the Kalquorians’ hatred for her companion as well as she could Ob’s natural reek. She feared they would renege on their promise not to kill him until he had a fair hearing from their captain. 

At least his collar had stopped tormenting him. He snuffled as if he had a runny nose, but that was normal for Ob. And better to listen to than squeals of agony.

Her grip stayed tight, if sweaty, on the knife she’d stolen from her master’s head torturer weeks before. She remained vigilant, though her gaze luxuriated in the bright light levels of the raider’s small shuttle and fighter bay. Her skin rejoiced in the cool temperature. She damned near sighed to be free of stifling heat after years of living in the baking, dark environment the Bi’isils preferred. 

As they descended the short ramp to the bay floor, Piper darted a glance at the bearded warrior behind her. Despite his fearsome aspect, fed by many scars and two missing fingers on his left hand, Subcommander Terig seemed the most civilized of the group. And he wasn’t so bad looking, not now that she could see him closer and in better lighting. Once past the scars, he was quite attractive, in fact. Better yet, his gaze was bright with intelligence—more than the brute Sesin, who’d spent most of the time on Prince Yel’ek’s shuttle arguing to kill Ob, even if that meant teaching Piper a lesson by killing her too.

Terig had made it plain he would not allow that. A reluctant ally, since his glare at Ob told Piper he’d rather see the Tragoom dead as well.

Not after all Ob’s done for me. Not after all he’s suffered already. That her companion was a finer being than her, Piper knew without a doubt. He was probably superior to these Kalquorians, too.
She owed him. Once she told their captors what was happening, they’d realize they owed him too.

 


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