I watched while my men fought armored creatures before the succumbed to claws the size of a Soturi arm. Others fell to creatures like those around me. Instead of holding them in place, they squeezed until my men’s faces turned purple. In the shadows, I saw a thick bald man who could only be Gerlari. With quick swipes, he fought at the ‘eels’ that attacked his men. Every passing second brought more creatures against his skin. Eventually, they covered him and he moved no more. A mass of living tissue squeezed before I looked away.

I’ll kill you.

The image shifted, and I saw more of the creatures surround my ship. For a short time, Volardi armor held before it buckled under their combined strength. Air bubbles appeared. Some were long trails while others exploded into bursts of white. Then it slowly sank into the darkness below. Fuath smiled. “Your men are dead, and your ship destroyed. Your mate is next to my guards who will listen to orders from their king. You are bound and helpful. You’ve lost.”

I turned toward Peter who panted. He trembled and leaned up. From his splotchy face, I could see it cost him effort. He nodded, but it wasn’t to say I lost. However, he confirmed what Fuath said. He explained about the ‘Electric Eels’ as he called them and the tests they ran on him. They made no attempt to stop him when he shared his belief they had another virus.

My heart pounded within my chest and again I flexed to destroy the ‘eels’.

Another virus! No. Not again. Not ever.

I glared up and chastised myself for my leniency. Ours was never a cordial relationship. Previous empires would have killed him without thought.

I shall adjust my thinking.

He spoke in his guttural language while the monitor-cameras hovered around.

“You have one choice,” he said. “Give up your claim on our planet. All you have to say is ‘The Volardi should leave’. Do that and you get your Omega back.

In the background, I saw Peter scrunch his forehead as if in pained thought.

Fuath spoke. “I’ll even release my creatures, so you can stand like a true king. Until you are no longer a king of course.

He walked over to Peter. “Will you stand?”

An image of Fuath’s severed head filled my mind. “Yes.”

Wet and grey living rope slithered off me as I stood. They were a deceitful people, but I could learn from them. Obeying the letter of a request if not the spirit is how they thought and fought. I stand. I promise nothing more.

With practice reflexes, I reached down and grabbed the Vibro-Blade’s handle. I raised it up high.