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Taxx falls onto his knees next to a filthy cot “Are you all right? Love, are you hurt? I’ht I promise it”

“You came for me For us You came Taxx” The hulow in the light “I love you My love” She reaches up to touch his face, wonder in her eyes She’s like a skeleton: thin, undernourished

The two babies huddled near her can’t be more than a few solar cycles old—they’re terrified; you can see it in their faces, and the way their horns flatten on their heads When they see Taxx, they s to hiet close

The hu she’s injured There’s blood, crusted, old I don’t want to knohat they’ve done to her At least the young seem unharmed, if terrified

“We need to go,” I snap, as an alarhts flash in the near distance

Taxx pushes the children towards Benn “Go with him, sons He’ll take care of you He’ll keep you safe”

Benn grabs therab your mate”

We’re nearly at the ground craft when I see them: Three Ocretions, ar toward us

“Faster,” I shout, and Benn dashes up the steps with the two young Zandians There’s no tilance anyway “Taxx, hurry with Mikala!” I shout “We have fifteen seconds”

As I speak, Mikala stuled, she simply can’t move properly

“Taxx!” She screa at hi love, concern “Taxx!”

There’s no time—I can see it, we can all see it

“Take her,” Taxx shouts, his voice rough “Take care of her for me, Gorde Tell your mate I’m sorry” He raises his weapon and stands between Mikala and the approaching Ocretions

“Taxx, no!” Mikala’s voice is impassioned

When I scoop her up inA feather