“No matter.” I pointed to the monitor as our ship dove into the water. “Send out two missiles ahead of them. Low yield.”

Had my Femeni not been on the craft, I would suggest something stronger. Not so overpowering that it would destroy the craft. Fuath was mine.

On the monitor, I watched while the probes swam in a wide arc to overtake the saucer-shaped vessel. As ordered they exploded in a bubble of white foam and the creatures quickly swam away. The explosion on their transport was noticeable. It jerked violently within the blue while it barely affected ours. Only a slight swell reached us.

“Approach the middle. Between the fins. Two groups. One from the middle down. I’ll lead the one toward the top.” Again, I looked at the layout. It ‘felt’ like he was there.

I breathed in deep and frowned. Once back he was staying in his room. It wasn’t to be like the Soturi of old, but wartime wasn’t the ideal time to indulge in foolish freedom.

The creatures returned and pushed against the ship. Their ship shimmied and jerked within the blue and a circle of aquatic animals.

You’ll not hide behind them.

With every quick heartbeat, my personal craft closed the distance. I smiled as the ship lurched as the tractor beam was close enough to grab on. After a few seconds, my ship pressed against the other as if mating.

Perhaps it was the docking tube that forced its way into the middle that caused the image.

With no thought and pure instinct, Gerlari, the rest of the guards, and I jumped down. We landed within damp, dark corridors.

I stepped slowly while I walked toward the forward observatory. Gerlari was the closest one to my size and strength. Instinct wanted me to order him to come with me, but it would be unfair to his men.

I will handle Fuath on my own.

My fingers wrapped around the shaft of the Vibro-Blade. One swipe was enough to remove the head of an enemy. Simple strength would do it on its own, but in battle the quicker the better. Another miracle of superior Volardi technology. As it sunk into the flesh, force fields on each side would press away at the meat. The end effect was a head leaving the body as if propelled by an ocean jet.

My nostrils flared, and I smelled the same sharp brine as before.

Right before my Peter was kidnapped.

It was another minute of slow walking and confirmation from my royal guard. No resistance from the Ryba. Had we not detected life signs, I would wonder if this is a trap. My head shook to my speculation. I could smell both enemy and mate and the intensity increased with every step. If it was a trap, then it wouldn’t be one that would easily capture me.