Mastered for Their Use by Ivy Barrett

Author:Ivy Barrett [Barrett, Ivy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Stormy Night Publications
Published: 2018-12-14T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

Protectorate-controlled space

Ramnyth Dulvet watched the Elizian grow ever larger on the main view screen as tension coiled through his gut. “Steady,” he cautioned Jarton, his navigator, without shifting his gaze from the display. The command deck was silent. No one moved, most hardly breathed. Yashonty warriors were lively and talkative by nature, so the stillness was particularly chilling. Anxiety gripped each male present and all eyes were fixed on the enemy ship.

This was far from their maiden voyage. Most of Ram’s crew had served together for the better part of two decades. Each male was battle-tested and devoted to their cause, annihilation of the vile Skarilian scourge. Today was the first full-scale test of their camouflage shielding, however, and no one was certain of the outcome.

“Are you sure this is wise, sir?”

Ram shot his first officer, Moxtel, an annoyed glare. “The only way to be sure the shields work is if we test them. Our simulations can’t predict recent changes in Ventori sensor arrays. This must be done.”

“True,” Moxtel agreed, “but the Elizian is the best ship in the Protectorate fleet. It might make more sense to—”

“That’s the point,” Ram cut in. “If Styre can’t sense us then no one in the Protectorate can.” Ram had never actually met Kellan Styre, commander of the Elizian, but Ram felt as if they’d been adversaries for years. And Ram knew his enemies even better than he knew his friends.

Ram’s ship, the Dantexit, was a sleek and agile fighter, unlike the hulking destroyer they approached. If the larger ship detected them, the Dantexit could easily escape. Still, it injected excitement into an otherwise routine situation.

“If they were going to sense us, sir, they would have—”

As if to mock Jarton’s boast, the Elizian suddenly came about. The navigator’s hands flew through his control grid, dipping and twisting as he frantically plotted new coordinates.

“Hold course, Jar. Not yet.”

Jarton looked at Ram as if he’d lost his mind, but didn’t launch the new sequence.

“They sense something, but they’re not sure what,” Ram deduced. “Have they locked on to our position?”

“No, sir,” Jarton admitted. “But they’re scanning like crazy.”

“Let them. This is what we need to know. What can they sense, and what is simple instinct.”

Tension pulsed all around him as they waited and the Elizian searched in vain.

“Weapons lock!” Someone shouted.

“They’ve found us,” Jarton agreed.

“Get us out of here. Now!” Ram yelled.

Jarton complied without delay and the ship banked sharply then engaged their hyperdrive. After a stunning burst of acceleration, everything smoothed out and stabilized. The bridge officers let out a collective sigh and everyone returned to their individual duties.

Ram activated his control panel with an impatient wave of his hand and verified that there was no damage and that no one was pursuing them. “Return to sector nine. Clearly we’ve still got work to do.”

“Yes, sir,” Jarton replied, still seeming a little rattled.

“May I speak with you privately, sir?” Moxtel asked, his voice tight and serious.

After deactivating his controls, Ram pushed to his feet and motioned toward the door.

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