Series: Zandian Brides Series by Renee Rose
Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 57939 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57939 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
“If I can deactivate the panel, I will. If they are about to capture me, I’ll do what needs to be done. I’ll notify you so you can save yourself.” I swallow hard but my voice is even. “I’m not afraid.”
I know how the weapon works. It can vaporize a being, especially at close range. I don’t want to think about it, but I’m willing to sacrifice myself for the other humans–and for Zandia.
Mirelle reaches out. “I have faith in you, Sia. You can do this.” Her calm voice soothes me.
“I will do my best.” My voice is strong now. My confidence is back. “I have to. I owe it to all of you. To Daven. To every being on Zandia.”
“You’re smarter and stronger than you even know.” Mirelle turns back to the panel. “Landing now. Brace again, please.”
I lean back into the chair, but I’m not thinking about anything else but the lab, even as the craft touches down with a soft bump.
“I know exactly how to get in and how to do the passcodes,” I tell Mirelle. “It’s past the hour when any being is here, and the guard won’t come back until sun up. I just might succeed.”
“They’re going to be furious with me for taking you here.” Mirelle’s voice is low. “But my gut tells me that this is the right thing, Sia. And I’ve made all of my big decisions based on my gut. It’s how I survive. I think my warriors will understand. At least, I hope they will.” She grabs my hand. “Be safe.”
I nod. “You too. Leave immediately if I’m taken.”
Mirelle nods then does a scan of the area via her remote video ability. We landed behind the grove of trees in front of the lab. Larew is mostly empty; the Ocretions use it for experimentation now, and it’s not inhabited except for the colony of overseers and workers.
“This is the best spot,” I tell her. “Easy to get to the lab and not near the lava pit.”
Mirelle wrinkles her nose. “Why do they even have lava on this planet?”
“It’s not really lava. It’s an open hole in the ground full of burning gunk. They use it as a garbage incinerator. And to scare slaves. They threaten to toss us in there if we misbehave. They’ve done it, too.”
I try to push back the horrible memories. “But that’s behind the building on the other side, and anyway, the lava is all contained in the cement pit.”
Mirelle checks her scanners. “You were right. It’s quiet, and there are no beings around. I’ve just used the code you gave me to turn off their motion sensors remotely. Be fast, though.” Mirelle squeezes my arm.
She unlocks the craft door and allows me to descend, and I alight onto the grassy ground.
I immediately start walking. When I turn back, I can’t see the craft. The cloaking is impeccable! I try not to worry about finding her again because right now my entire focus is on getting into that lab and deactivating these chips.
It’s so odd being back here, and more memories rush in. The dormitories, the food hall (so disgusting compared to what we eat on Zandia), the punishments. The lab. The surgery. And most importantly, the main control panel.
I’m a different being than I was when I lived here. The short time on Zandia–my time with Daven–has utterly changed me.
I know so much more is possible than I did when I was here. I’ve seen something worth living for. Something worth fighting for. I’ve seen humans in important roles–like Mirelle. I’ve seen humans happily mated with families. The strength of those humans has seeped into my veins.
The grass is soft and a little dewy under my feet–that’s a new experience. I never was allowed to walk around at night. Apart from that, everything looks and feels the same. As I approach the main lab building, my shoes a little damp, my heart races. Every fiber of my being wants to run back to the safety of Mirelle’s craft and get far away from here.
But I need to do this.
I glance around, smelling the familiar odor of the acrid cleanser they use on the building, even the outside. There are also faint wisps of the aroma of the burning rubbage in the far off lava pit brought to me on the small breeze that whispers past. That scent never failed to terrify us–but I push that thought away.
There are no beings anywhere in sight. I raise a hand, hesitate, and type in the code to enter the lab. “77477564,” I whisper to myself. “My old master’s personal code.”
There’s a brief pause when nothing happens, and my stomach roils, wondering if the codes were changed. Of course they were; how could I be so stupid? Then the door glides open without a sound, and I step inside.