Once Upon A Stellar Oath by N.D. SHAR & Natalie Debrabandere

Author:N.D. SHAR & Natalie Debrabandere [SHAR, N.D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-10-16T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER

17

I swivel around to see what might have caused his reaction, just in time to see Stella disappearing head first into the portal. For a second, the outline of her leaping body is highlighted against the foggy, swirling center, but she’s quickly swallowed up by it. Just like that, she’s gone. I blink in surprise, dismay, excitement, and the urge to laugh out loud. Trust the astounding Stella to pull a stunt like this… I love her and admire more in that moment than all my favorite foods and naked blades put together.

“Whoa!” Bryn holds me back with a vicelike grip over my wrist. “Stay with me.”

“Are you kidding?”

“We’re to RTB. Boss’s orders.”

I don’t care about Stella’s orders for us to return to base and the Storm Dancer at this point. I have reached my limit in terms of being a good obedient soldier.

“Watch it,” I growl, and shoot the head off of an advancing Krohn.

Two more rush at us like they’re eager to be reunited with their ancestors. Bryn and I gladly provide an open door for them into the next world.

“Beautiful!” Ortan yells at no one in particular.

The center of the gate is beginning to change color. Turning purple now, and the wind is also dying down. What begins must end, and it looks like we’re nearing the conclusion of this little episode. I turn to face the gate.

“Stand down,” Bryn orders.

In the firefight, we got separated from the rest of the team. They’re at one end of the plateau, nearer to the Jwal base, while Bryn and I are closer to the gate. Must be fate, or whatever.

“It’s going to close, Bryn.”

“Commander,” he warns. “No.”

Every cell in my body is pulsing. Adrenalin rushes through my veins. I am so pumped that I’m surprised I’ve not started to levitate. Some of it is fear, for sure. I don’t know what awaits on the other side of this portal, but I suspect it’s got to be some kind of worse than anything I can imagine. Still – my crewmate is on her own out there. I’m not going to hide behind a senseless order and lose another buddy. I already died once, and it did not kill me. So, with nothing left to lose and a partner’s life to guard, I start to run.

“RED!” Bryn shouts.

The fact that he’s angry does nothing to reassure me as to the nature of what I am about to face, but I don’t even allow myself time to reflect on it. I’m committed now. A low hum is emanating from the portal. The swirling mass at its center is throbbing, as if to tease, although not as hard as my pounding heart. I sense there is probably only seconds left before this thing shuts down, trapping Stella alone inside another dimension. Not on my watch. Get in there, Red! Somewhere along the way, my inner voice started to sound like Sanchez. I’m very grateful for his continuing presence. With a quick intake of breath and a final push, I launch myself through the gate like a champion diver.

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