Chapter 23

“I knew it was you,” the creature who had boarded Drake’s ship said.

Jamie frowned, looking at her companion’s face. It was rigid, angry. This was the same Hareema who’d greeted them at Command. The same one she’d known Drake had recognized.

The Hareema masquerading as a Zantharian continued. “As soon as I heard the alarm, I knew you had something to do with it. And look, you did.”

He inched closer, and Drake moved towards Jamie, attempting to shield her with his body.

“But you look a little different now, don’t you,” the creature said, motioning to Drake’s appearance. Yet I can tell you’re not a shapeshifter, not like the one behind you. That is your true form.”

The Hareema laughed, and it sent a chill down Jamie’s spine. It was an evil noise, one that made her feel sick to her stomach.

“A Zantharian male in the mating frenzy.” The Hareema pointed the gun in Jamie’s direction. “And this is your mate, if I’m not mistaken.”
Drake growled. “Don’t fucking point that thing at her if you want to continue breathing.”

The Hareema laughed again. “I was right. She is your mate. How amusing.” He stalked closer. “I see you’ve stolen my two most valuable prisoners. I can’t just let you blast off with this expensive cargo.”

“You’re too late,” Drake said. “You can’t stop us now.”

“Can’t I?” The Hareema flashed a chilly smile. “It would be easy enough to dispatch you.”

“You’ll only get one shot off before we take that weapon away,” Drake replied.

“Oh, but I only really need one shot. Let’s see, do I shoot you, or do I shoot your mate? Either way, you die.”

Jamie was tired of these alien asshats threatening her man. It was time to do something, once and for all. She crept behind Drake, crouching low.

The Hareema laughed. “It looks like your female has made the choice for you. Are you really sure she’s so keen to be your mate?”

Drake stiffened, the words hitting their target, but Jamie patted him gently on the leg to reassure him. In the meantime, she picked up Herman and held him close to her chest.

“I’m sorry, little guy,” she whispered. “But I need you for one more diversion.”

The lights on Herman’s surface blinked in accord. Jamie straightened, just in time to hear the next threat.

“My men will be here soon, and then we’ll take all four of you back to your cells. Lakewood will keep cranking out technological advances for my people, and the traitor will be our key to infiltrating the resistance and dismantling it once and for all.”
“You, however,” the Hareema continued, “will be the most rewarding one of all. I’ll keep you caged, in sight of, but just out of reach of, your precious mate. You’ll be able to see her, to smell her, but never to touch her. And she and I will have the pleasure of watching you suffer until the frenzy consumes you and you die.”

Jamie could feel the anger rising up inside her and it gave her strength. “Be ready” she whispered, and she saw Drake’s shoulders stiffen.

“Maybe I’ll even take your form,” the Hareema said. “Maybe I’ll claim her in front of you, one last twist of the knife before you succumb.”

“You fucking bastard,” Drake growled, his fists tight by his sides.

“Now,” Jamie shouted, coming out around Drake’s side and throwing Herman with all her might.

The robot ball flew the short distance across the chamber towards its target, slamming into the Hareema’s chest. Drake didn’t waste a second, knocking the weapon from the creature’s hand and setting about pummeling it to a pulp.

The rebel agent picked up the weapon, aiming it towards the enemy.

“Drake,” Jamie said softly, not wanting to get too close while the male was intent on delivering a well-deserved beating. “We don’t have time for this, unfortunately. Let’s kick his ass out of here and get a move on.”

It took several moments for the blood lust to clear from his eyes, but at last Drake allowed her to pull him away from the Hareema. The Zantharian form looked much worse for wear, and the creature was sluggish as it pulled itself up.

The rebel agent marched it towards the hatch, pressing the weapon into its back. Once it had set foot outside the ship’s confines, Jamie heard a blast.

The Hareema rebel had fired. Then he hit the control to close the hatch.

“Did you have to kill him?” Jamie asked, having mixed feelings about the exchange.

“Yes. He had knowledge of our escape, and who we are. He could not be allowed to share that knowledge with others.”

“I’m glad he’s dead,” Drake snarled.

Jamie opened her mouth to respond, but her words disappeared when she saw Lakewood holding Herman in his arms. The little robot was dented, half of his lights not functioning, the others blinking fitfully.

“Herman, no!” she yelled, putting her hands on the damaged ball. “I’m so sorry.”

“No apology needed,” he said, his voice skipping.

Jamie felt the tears start to fall. “Oh, no.”

Drake pulled her into his arms. “Shh…dear heart.”

“I’m sorry for interrupting,” the Hareema said, “but we should depart immediately.”

Jamie nodded, pulling away from Drake. “He’s right. Get us out of here.”

Drake strapped himself into the control seat and Jamie took her seat, motioning for the others to find their places. In moments they were shooting upwards towards the hole in the hangar ceiling. Then they were through, joining the other ships as they blasted into space.

Jamie turned her head in Dr. Lakewood’s direction. “Can you fix the little guy?”

“I think so. If I can get access to the right equipment.”

Jamie nodded. “You have to. We wouldn’t have made it without him.” Her voice caught in her throat, and she wiped the tears from her cheeks. “He’s a hero.”