The Breeding Experiment - Laurann Dohner Page 0,74

over. He and his grouping cut down dozens of Elth as they made their way to double doors that would give them access to the rest of the ship. Drak slapped a hacking device onto the access panel. In seconds, the doors slid open to reveal a gas-free corridor.

They advanced deeper into the ship. More Elth attempted to attack with their laser weapons, but they quickly took the enemy down. Roth ordered the human team following them to split from their grouping when they came to two wide corridors.

“We’ll take the right. You take the left,” Roth ordered.

Team Three immediately broke from them, their weapons drawn. Roth led their grouping onward.

Three Elth suddenly darted out of a room, shrieked, and ran back inside. The door sealed behind them. Roth motioned for the grouping to take cover.

Drak approached the access panel, tore it off, and began to override the lock.

“We have a problem,” a human yelled over communications. “This is Martin from Team Two. The Elth have hostages. I’m seeing over twenty blue aliens, ranging from what I’m guessing to be adults to a few infants. The Elth are demanding clear passage to one of their shuttles or they’re going to kill them. We can’t get into a good position to fire since we’re in a large open space with a balcony area above. That’s where they are. The Elth are using the blue aliens as shields against the railings. We have no way to hit them without blasting through blue bodies.”

“Fuck,” Clark yelled. “Stall them but agree to let them go. Do not fire. Turn on your locator, Martin. Roth, do what you boys do best. Get those hostages set free.”

Gnaw immediately lifted his arm, staring at his wrist pad. A map of the ship instantly showed, with a flashing red light in one section. It was close to them. He glanced up to see his grouping also looking at the map on their wrist devices. He met their gazes when they lifted their heads—and all of them began to strip off their suits.

“Fast and vicious,” Roth snarled. “Protect the blue aliens and take out the threats.”

Gnaw felt adrenaline surge, pure rage coming with it. His skin tingled but he managed to keep in control until he’d shed the last of his clothing. Then he dropped to his hands and knees, his battle form taking over. Bones popped as he shifted.

They turned to run back down the corridor they’d just traveled, all of them having memorized the map, and headed directly for Martin. They reached Team Two quickly. The members had taken defensive positions where the corridor opened into a large space.

The team members glanced at them and hugged the walls as Gnaw and his grouping ran past.

Gnaw spotted the blue aliens above as he rushed forward, saw an open space to the far left, and picked up his speed. He leapt, flying high into the air, and his claws caught the railings above. He scrambled over the edge to land on that balcony level and the blue aliens—Althins—screamed and dropped down to their knees when he did. He knocked a few over with his big body but was careful not to injure them.

He attacked two Elth holding weapons, tackling them.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the rest of his grouping doing the same. A few laser hits nailed his body but he ignored the pain, glad the Elth were focusing their weapon on him instead of the Althins.

He used his claws and mouth to rip into the Elth until they stopped moving. He roared out in fury as another laser tagged his back right leg. He spotted the Elth who’d fired on him and lunged. The enemy attempted to turn and flee but Gnaw took him down, his claws tearing into the alien’s white body and shredding it apart.

Gnaw glanced around, looking for another target. There were none. His grouping had killed all eleven Elth.

He turned his head, studying the Althins. They were huddled together against the railing, all down on their knees or sitting on their behinds with their young cradled in their arms. One male seemed injured, his leg bleeding.

Maith shifted first, reaching that male. “We’re clear up here, Team Two. I need a med kit, and send more medics.”

Gnaw was about to shift when Roth nudged him. Their gazes met, and Gnaw gave him a nod, assuring their leader he was fine. Roth jerked his large head and snarled, flashing sharp teeth. Gnaw