Alien Soldier's Prize by Athena Storm

Author:Athena Storm [Storm, Athena]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Athenaverse Press
Published: 2023-01-30T18:30:00+00:00

Twenty-Three

Auric

When I’m told the plan in the officer’s quarters, I think my head is going to explode. Orvi can barely contain his excitement.

“Cross the Lakes Kingdom border. See what you can see. Get an idea of numbers. Whether there are any weapon systems in place. Come right back. Easy enough, right?” Orvi licks his lips as he speaks, as if savoring each and every word.

The thought of sending out newbies for what might possibly be a suicide mission seems to give him a thrill.

I want to throttle him. And Feryx. If they want information, why are they sending out a terrified young boy, a bully with barely a thought of his own in his head, an injured human and me?

It’s beyond ridiculous.

We’re expendable.

Maybe they think there’s no real information to be found. Or maybe there is, and they are hoping we’ll stumble upon it. Either way, they aren’t about to risk their best fighters.

Feryx and Orvi are waiting for some sort of answer from me. What do they want me to do? Jump up and down that I’m being sent on a death mission? That there’s every possibility we’re not going to get back in one piece?

“Yes…sir,” is all I can say. Rage and fear take turns doing somersaults in my stomach.

“Thought so,” Feryx says, clapping me on the shoulder. “Now, you go get your team assembled. I’ll make sure the night uniforms are sent over.”

Orvi claps his hands with glee and we leave the officer’s quarters. Dinner hour is just about to end. After today’s long and brutal day, delivering this news is going to be extra difficult. I can’t imagine what Orin’s body feels like right now. That body with those beautiful…

“Hope you bring back something useful,” Orvi says, breaking me from my thoughts. For once, I’m grateful for the interruption.

Breaking the news to the team is more painful than I expected. They all look exhausted and when the news hits them, their bodies seem to sag even more. Orin, especially, looks like she’s hit a breaking point. I try to apologize with my eyes.

She says nothing.

We are sent back to the sleeping quarters where we are met by another officer, Junir, who outfits us with dark fabric night uniforms. They are in better shape than our regular clothes, which are a drab olive green, and I suspect they have not been used much. If at all.

How special are we that we get to wear them now?

As I change, I feel the outline of my notebook in my regular pants. I debate whether I should bring it with me, but I can’t risk it falling into anyone’s hands. If I’m going to get shot at in the middle of the night, I want the only thing that’s brought me joy to come with me.

Well, not the only thing…

When no one is looking, I transfer the book into my new pants. The weight of it helps keep my anxiety down, a slight bit of familiar comfort along for the ride.

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