Ethan

I scratch my virtual forehead trying to make sense of the code of this alien while it enjoys a bit of cooked meat in his cell.

-So let me get it straight, the main point of this code is you follow honor, right?-

Xalrak nods while stuffing its face, hunger is hunger even if you can eat radiations I guess.

Or there are not enough radiations to fully sustain someone here? That should be good.

-Take no offense, but I don’t get it. What kind of honor can you find with pirates and slavers?-

The alien chuckles -You speak like a human, Ethan. Honor is not in the actions I have to do. Honor is me and my race.-

I frown deeply as I sit on the side of the cell while observing Xalrak.

-First: I am human. Second: what the heck? I mean you do a pretty dishonorable thing here!-

Xalrak seems a bit surprised but shrugs it off.

-You have had some extensive work done on you. But I can see you still have your left arm. If I am allowed a question: why look like a Granfi? Humans don’t see them kindly.-

Xalrak tries to avoid the question offering me something to ponder upon, well that’s training right there!

-Not my choice. Now please answer the question. How can you say you honor your people and yourself?-

-Why not ask about my gender? I mean your people are curious ...- Xalrak tries again.

-I guess I am hitting a sore spot right? You can’t justify what you do by your code.-

Xalrak sighs audibly -No, that I can’t do. Still, Dexton and my people have an agreement. That’s all I am gonna say -

Virgil? Other than biological data what other data do you have about this specie?

“We have now acquired some relevant data about their moral code. Other than that we possess some historical data. Do you wish to know the specie’s history?”

I nod to the machine and hundreds of images swarm my mind making me have a mild headache.

I wish you’d speak more, man.

-Is Dexton human too?- I ask and Xalrak nods. -Was he between the people that freed you and your people?-

Xalrak laughs out loud and clear with a harmonious sound of pebbles and marbles hitting metal.

-That happened eons ago. I doubt I will ever find a human from that period in time.-

Well, I might be from a time even before that, so who’s to say? I signal Xalrak to continue and he agrees to without further prompts.

-The past of our people matters not. I would not serve under a human just for that. Are you aware of the existence of the galactic council?-

I nod holding back Virgil from downloading into my head other information, I want to hear Xalrak’s version first.

-Well, so you know they are basically racist pricks and your people stay well away from them. You are a born carnivore? Out you go.

Your specie was engineered like mine? Well out you go, even stronger. The only thing you can trust from the union is their lust for credits.

We basically can live only in the fringe, this sector of space. Or within human territory. Some of us accepted, some others wanted to try and be our own thing.-

-Did you fear losing your identity as a specie joining the humans?-Xalrak shrugged.

-Never had an identity in the first place. We were born and bred to be either fighters or slaves. No culture, no history outside the one from the creators of words.

That’s how we refer to those who uplifted our specie. The code is a legacy from that time. We modified it of course, but as you might know, we have genetic memory so it’s a bit … difficult to completely abandon it.-

I nod -So why this leads to serving under Dexton?- Xalrak sighs

-Well, my people are in the fringe, Dexton is in the fringe. While we can manage against the various pirate corvette ships if Dexton were to bring out his flagship cruiser we wouldn’t be able to hold a candle to that. So we made a deal.-

-Service for safety?- Xalrak nods to my question. -So if someone were to topple Dexton it wouldn’t be a bad thing for you and your people.- Xalrak nods again.

I evaluate my words carefully as I weigh my options then I frown a bit, if I were to use the other Li’thirwisz drones as I planned this might backfire big time against an unrelated target.

I sigh, using zombies rather than soldiers is revealed to be a major pain in the ass since I will involve third parties.

-well… you and I might need to try and bring Dexton down as quickly as possible. -

“Warning. Drone Lemela has been engaged in battle.”

Rixxen

Finally, a hunt.

It wasn’t the first time he and his group went below the plate, and this wasn’t the first time Rixxen did it of his own volition to enjoy hunting.

The first layers' artificial corridors and narrow passages held no secrets for him and his mates.

Dexton insisted on calling any group of organized mercenaries a pack, and in this rare instance, Rixxen agreed, he was in a pack hunt with his six fellow Zekarns.

Rixxen moved with a purpose following the most likely passages to descend and this paid off when they found what they were looking for.

Six Li’thirwisz were escorting Xyra and a female Versel in a dimly lit atrium, with many metal support columns.

Why was Xyra moving this time? She was a slave, so probably was the Versel although Rixxen had no recollection of Vexx buying one.

Well, he could always confront this discrepancy with his “friend” later, maybe after having some fun with the merchandise himself.

Rixxen made a gesture with his claws and his reptilian warriors moved with purpose, their forms shrouded by the shadows, the dark hues of their scales allowing them to a bit better.

They had the element of surprise on their side, blending seamlessly with the columns that dotted the expansive space.

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The heat was … weird. Well not that Rixxen had many chances to see a code-bound in the dark but they seemed colder than he remembered.

They also emitted a dimmer light than usual, could they regulate that as well? Had they always had that metallic sheen to them?

Well, they were artificial beings to begin with, no sense in trying to figure out how they were weird.

They were unaware of the imminent threat, and that was all that mattered to Rixxen, he would ambush them, shoot first, and ask questions later. Maybe.

Aim, point, and fire.

It was that easy and energy rifle shots erupted from the weapons.

The energy beams sliced through the air, illuminating the atrium with vibrant hues.

Some shots found their mark with pinpoint accuracy, leaving a burnt mark where they struck.

Rixxen felt a wave of excitement and anticipation wash over him as he watched his warriors leap into action, rifles at the ready.

With each moment, he felt his hearts race with the thrill of the hunt as the enemy started returning fire.

Still, there was something weird in the intermittent light of the rifles he couldn't tell apart the shots that landed on the walls and the shots that hit.

He knew that the Li’thirwisz could regenerate, but some continued to fire even without an arm, as they were humans of tales from the most glorious hunts.

Were they always such worthy foes?

He would’ve challenged them sooner if he knew!

His companions were moving in formation, their reptilian forms moved swiftly and silently, taking advantage of the cover provided by the columns.

The enemy didn’t appear to care for cover on the other hand, while Xyra hid behind one screaming like the coward she was, protected by the Versel.

It seemed that fewer hits were landing now as if the enemy could predict the incoming fire.

Preposterous!

They would then overwhelm them with their superior strength!

He always wanted to fight a Versel, not a woman of course, they made for poor fighters in his mind, but this ought to count for something right?

Rixxen moved forward as the fight was getting heated, and the enemy was returning fire, his men getting wounded.

Rixxen's hearts pounded in his chest as he took cover, a constant reminder of the risks and stakes involved and the telltale sign of a worthy hunt.

A fierce sense of pride surged within him as he observed his warriors fighting the enemy, their reptilian agility allowing them to dart between columns with ease.

Their coordinated movements reflected their training and discipline, filling him with gratitude for having worthy partners and glee for being in such a situation.

He moved with purpose lunging forward as his companions covered him, he reached one of the code-bound.

He clawed the being and it bent back almost unnaturally Rixxen simply spat in the Li’thirwisz face, emitting his natural acidic spit.

Rixxen could hear the sizzling sound from the mixture, he grinned as he attempted a second swipe.

Miss.

How could he miss?

How could the Li’thirwisz move out of the path of his claw with such ease without being able to see?

He looked around, some enemies were watching them, and the enemy had started mimicking their use of covers, they were faster and stronger than he could believe.

He cursed under his breath as the Li’thirwisz he just hit produced a laser sword from thin air.

Rixxen could barely avoid the strike he received, still getting scratched by the blade, his scales sizzling at the touch of the hot blade.

His men had downed three Li’thirwisz, they were in numerical advantage and they still were pushed back, one of his men was mortally wounded and probably joined the great hunter.

Rixxen tripped his enemy with a swipe from his tail and pinned down the enemy with a point-blank shot from his rifle.

Still, the thing fought back cutting his weapon like it was butter, Rixxen couldn't believe it and jumped back avoiding the grasp of the Li’thirwisz.

The Li’thirwisz remained down but still twitched about following him and his dwindling companions as the numbers started to even on the field.

Rixxen noticed that the Versel was moving lips and making gestures, was she giving commands?

Why were the rule-bound following the orders of a slave?

He had to move and think fast, Rixxen's reptilian eyes locked onto the Versel amidst the chaos.

A mixture of determination and caution filled his gaze as he sought a way to neutralize the threat she posed now that he was without a weapon of his own.

He maneuvered with agility, his movements calculated to close the distance; with each step, Rixxen's hearts pounded in his chest.

The weight of the conflict pressed upon him. This was a hunt worth of the great hunter himself.

Would he be up to the challenge?

Beads of sweat would have dripped down his reddish scales if he possessed sweat glands.

Instead, a primal heat simmered beneath his scales, a testament to the intensity of his focus and the beginning of exertion.

He and his men were getting tired while the enemy still moved with ease and precision unburdened by it all.

The Versel was gleaming with a metallic shine as the lights flashed, she met his advance with her fluid grace.

Their movements became a dance of combat, his instincts and ferocity honed by countless battles met step by step by the Versel’s agility and precise, almost unnatural movements.

The clash of their bodies reverberated through the atrium, echoing off the metallic walls.

Rixxen's clawed hands lashed out, seeking to find the Versel's flesh met unexpected metallic defenses.

Sharp metallic claws appeared on her hands, to mirror his natural own, the gleam of a laser blade appeared on them.

Her agility and mastery of her laser claws proved to be formidable.

The flickering glow of her weapons painted streaks of light in the dimness, their strikes evoking sparks that danced through the air as Rixxen was forced to defend with the remainders of his broken rifle.

A mix of emotions surged within Rixxen; frustration simmered as his blows were deflected, and his attacks met with swift counters.

Yet, determination burned brightly, refusing to be extinguished.

He knew that to protect his warriors and secure victory, he had to overcome this formidable adversary.

This was a great hunt, this would be sung in awe and wonder upon his return!

Pain shot through Rixxen's body as a searing strike from Lemela's laser claws found its mark.

His scales hissed as they absorbed the energy, leaving behind singed marks and stinging wounds.

The pain served only to fuel his resolve, to remind him of the cost of his hunt.

He refused to relent, pushing forward with unwavering determination.

In a moment of intense focus, Rixxen launched himself toward the Versel with one final effort.

His claws lashed out, aiming for a decisive strike that would turn the tide of the battle.

The Versel's reflexes were superior, she was swifter and nimbler, and she expertly parried his attack revealing an unnatural strength, retaliating with another swift, searing blow from her laser claws.

Pain radiated through Rixxen's body as the searing strike found its mark.

His body trembled, but his eyes burned with a mixture of defiance and acceptance.

The battle had taken its toll, and victory slipped further from his grasp.

Was he meant to be the prey?

He found himself unable to muster any strength to continue the fight.

His reptilian eyes, filled with determination reflected a flicker of resignation.

Rixxen knew he was about to join the great hunter and see which hunting ground he would stalk.

Lemela

Lemela still couldn’t believe it.

Her body ached, and one of her shoulders burned from the hit of a plasma bolt, still, she could move as she wasn’t hindered.

Her fur had coalesced into a metallic armor shimmering in the low light.

With a mix of triumph and weariness, she observed the defeated Rixxen and his remaining warriors with calculating eyes.

A myriad of possibilities danced through her mind as she considered the aftermath of the battle.

Ethan could use the fallen bodies, strengthening their ranks further, or they could extract valuable information from the surviving combatants.

This was part of the human’s memory and experience she now shared.

Four drones laid on the ground, two Zekarn lay dead, and four were wounded and at the mercy of the drones that still could move about.

She could somewhat feel the other drones rushing from the depths to reach them in the battle, they would be there in a matter of a couple of minutes at most.

A weighty silence settled upon the atrium as Lemela contemplated her next move.

She knew that the lives of Rixxen's group now hung in her paws.

Vengeance against some of her captors or honor for warriors of another banner?

With a solemn expression, she made her decision.

-Lower your weapons- Lemela commanded, her voice carrying authority and determination.

-You are defeated, but your lives do not need to end here. Surrender, and your lives will be spared.-

Rixxen's remaining wounded warriors exchanged wary glances, the gravity of the situation sinking in.

In the face of certain defeat and total annihilation, they reluctantly complied, their hands lowering as their weapons clattered to the ground.

Lemela retracted her laser claws back into her metallic fingertips and approached the defeated Rixxen with caution.

Her silver armor returned into fur that shimmered in the dim light, an ethereal presence amidst the aftermath of the fierce battle.

She extended a paw, a gesture of both assurance and mercy, something she picked up from Ethan’s memory.

-You have fought valiantly.- she said, her voice carrying a hint of respect. -We will take you as prisoners. You will be respected.-

Rixxen, his scales singed and his body weakened, met Lemela's gaze with a mixture of resignation and defiance.

He probably knew that their fates were sealed, but the determination in his reptilian eyes remained unyielding, which preoccupied Lemela.

Would he choose a warrior’s death?

It was within his rights, after all.

With a nod, Rixxen signaled his warriors he comply with her offer taking her paw.

The others raised their hands in surrender, in the hope of survival, the once fierce adversaries were now bound by a shared destiny.

“Good work, Lemela.”

Said Ethan over the link, making her feel proud.

This was her first victory as a warrior, she could fight!

She looked back to a dumbfounded and still scared Xyra and she smiled, forgetting she was a scary predator.