Cathian threw back his head and roared in rage.
Cavas understood; he had already done that a few times now. He turned his focus to Raff. “We’re going to need your skills, cousin. Flax is run by Yorlian Trevis. He’s a Tryleskian who bought the planet twenty years ago. He has childhood ties to both of our fathers and is a known criminal. If Crath was on Flax, Trevis could easily snatch him, holding him as a favor to my father.”
“I’m going to kill our father,” Cathian snarled.
Cavas gave a nod, not surprised. “I wanted to snap his neck as he stood before me threatening our youngest littermate, but I refrained. Crath will stay alive as long as our father believes that he can use him against me. Right now, he probably figures I’m taking advantage of the bars and pleasure houses that make Rave station popular. I also had Marrow take some of your systems offline to prevent him from finding out I’ve joined forces with you and your crew. He might be monitoring your main computer, Cathian.”
“I’m in,” Raff growled.
Cavas wasn’t surprised. “Thank you.”
Dovis and York came forward to join them. “We’re all in,” Dovis said.
Cathian nodded. “We’re going to get our brother.” He turned, gesturing to a long-haired human female. “Mari, I know I usually ask you to keep things in great working order…but get rid of our transponder, shut down all exterior communications, and tear out anything that will help us be tracked. Shut down anything you need to, even if we go all manual.” He pointed at York. “Change course once she’s done. You heard where we’re going.” Then to Dovis, “Start preparing for battle. Make sure every weapon is charged and ready to use.”
The three of them rushed from the dining hall to carry out his orders.
Cavas reached out and touched his brother’s chest. “We’ll get Crath back. We’re always strongest together.”
Cathian gripped his hand, the touch helping their bond reconnect. “Always.”
*
During his research, Cavas had learned Yorlian Trevis had committed crimes ranging from murder to kidnapping for ransom to illegal slave ownership. He’d even been brought to trial, and should have received life in prison, or even execution. Instead, a wealthy family on the Tryleskian home world had intervened, then he’d been banished from ever returning to the planet.
It had pissed Cavas off when he’d learned his father and uncle were the wealthy Tryleskians who’d aided Trevis.
The criminal had fled and bought Flax, a small dirt planet far from the Tryleskian home world, where Cavas had just landed The Vorge’s shuttle. They’d painted it with a new name to hide the shuttle’s identity.
Flax colony was the only existing city on the planet. It was loud, overcrowded, and had become a haven for outlaws.
Cavas adjusted his tinted goggles that hid his eyes and part of his face, reaching up to shove his dark blonde hair out of the way. It annoyed him, but a nearly shaved head indicated he was military. The medical android on The Vorge had helped him rapidly grow it a bit, injecting simulation shots into his scalp. He wasn’t used to having a mane.
The male on his left looked equally uncomfortable. Dovis usually traveled in his furry form. To avoid them being recognized, the shapeshifter had stayed in skin. Another growl tore from the male’s throat as he adjusted the loose sleeves over his arms.
“I understand,” Cavas muttered. “I hate their clothing, too. They wear them four times too large. And I’m already sick of the dust flying around here.”
“Why do they dress this way?”
Cavas hid his amusement over how annoyed Dovis sounded. “They think it will keep all the dust from getting inside their clothing and becoming trapped. I never said the people who live here were smart…but we need to fit in.”
“I hope the others are having better luck than we are.”
They’d separated into two teams when they’d landed on the surface. Cavas had paired up with Dovis. Cathian stuck with their cousin Raff. York had stayed on the ship in orbit to protect all the females, in case The Vorge was attacked. He’d been chosen because his mate was pregnant, and Cavas had easily agreed. The Parri male might be an excellent fighter but he had a family to think about.
Cavas understood the need to protect family. His younger brother by two minutes was being held against his will.
They needed to find and rescue Crath.
Life sign scans hadn’t helped locate him. They also hadn’t been able to bring down one of the Pods to scan for his littermate’s thoughts. Pods were valuable on the black market. There were over three hundred Tryleskian males on the surface, and few with integrity would work for someone like Yorlian Trevis. Pods would be too tempting to steal on a planet of thieves.
That left the four of them walking aimlessly around the colony, searching for information on their own.
They entered Yorlian Trevis’s favorite bar—which he owned—taking seats on opposite ends of the long counter. Rumors implied there were hidden holding cell somewhere on the premises.
Cavas ordered the strongest drink they served. All his years in the military gave him an advantage. It had become almost impossible for him to get drunk.
He hid a smile, thinking of the friends he’d grown close to who loved to buy drinks for their superior officer, trying to get him wasted, to no avail.
Anger followed. That life had been taken from him. He could never return to military service for his planet. His father had made certain of that.
A green female approached him. He couldn’t identify her race, but he recognized traits from a few. She was probably a blend of many. It was common for multi-species breeding on outlaw colony planets. He’d visited several of them over the years.
The woman took a seat and flashed her orange teeth. “Buy me a drink?”
“Sure.” He motioned to the bartender, who hustled over, as if expecting it.
Cavas made note of that.
“What’s your name? I haven’t seen you here before.” Her light, flirty tone belied the sharpness in her yellow eyes.
“Jorgan.” He had false identity to back up the name. “You?”
“Pree. What brings you here?”
He lifted his drink. “To get drunk.”
She laughed, the braying sound grating on his nerves. “I meant to our little colony.”
“I’m between jobs and seeking work.” He let his gaze trail over her body, playing his part. “Do you know anyone hiring?”
“It depends on what you do.”
“Anything that pays well.” He shrugged, taking another sip.
She accepted her drink. “Looking for some fun in the meantime? I’m available for a price.”
Cavas took in the details of her dress, the flashy jewelry she wore, and his suspicion piqued. She looked too high-quality for a dive bar.
Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted two bouncers inching closer.
She worked there, all right, but Cavas didn’t think it was for sex. He’d been in situations like this before. She was testing him.
He’d play along. “How much? I have to watch my creds.”
“A hundred…but nothing violent.”
He forced a smile. “That sounds good. Do you have a place nearby we could go? I doubt you want to follow me all the way to my shuttle, but I’m game if you are. I really want to see you out of that dress.”
She downed the contents of her glass. “You know what? I forgot I need to be somewhere.” She speared a barely noticeable glance at the bartender, shaking her head subtly. The woman strolled toward the other end of the bar.
Cavas sipped his drink, having assured the female he wasn’t an undercover authority. If he were, he’d have arrested her for propositioning him, or at least turned her down flat.