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Frozen, I stare “I…”

“What are you vecking thinking?” he roars into ht to wander around this vecking desolate shit-hole of a monstrosity full of violent creatures whose lives are worth less than nothing ” He spits at the Ocretion on the ground

I have no love for Ocretions But his words reet onto that transport shuttle

“Letat his hands with o”

“Go where?” His breathHis face is an inch away “With this creature?” he gestures back at the transport ship, to the Tellurian, who’s hovering in the shadows, still inflated, watching “Who will probablysecond you depart this planet?” His eyes are fierce and wild “You’re defenseless, Danica You can’t run around like this You’ll be killed in a heartbeat” Even in my panic, I notice that his face is tired And that purple blood trickles from a wound on his temple

His grip tightens “And you belong to o Veck”

He starts to walk, and when I resist, he sih nothing

“You don’t understand” I sluone, o with you Please”

He doesn’t respond, but quickens his pace until he’s jogging My head pounds fro and the stress, and by the ti

He dumps me unceremoniously back by the wall and attaches the cuff

“Let’s go,” he snaps, and Benn immediately sets the craft into her than any I’ve experienced, and although the AirPulse keepsthe sharp ascent, I suck in my breath, dizzy, as we escape orbit

“Are we clear?” Benn’s voice is taut

“Yeah I dropped the Ocretion who identified her as a huestures at h away that they can’t, even if they try”

“So we’re not going to get any surprise visits to Zandia,” drawls Benn “Looking forproperty That’s a relief”

I hear gentle beeps from the side area, and see that the h I crane my neck, I can’t see who—or what—is in the pod I shudder as the craft leaps forward, anxiety and reliefwith nausea