The Lasaran (Aldebarian Alliance #1) - Dianne Duvall Page 0,114
of the bridge. You handpicked him because you believed him to be the most qualified to take over if you were injured.”
Taelon looked at Lisa. He could feel her trembling where he gripped her arm, could see the fear on her face. He couldn’t lose her, couldn’t let anything happen to her or Abby. They were his world, his everything. But how could he turn his back on his people and seek safety while they fought in his stead?
Lisa stared up at him. “It’s okay.” Swallowing hard, she nodded. “It’s okay. We’ll be okay. Your people need you. I understand that. Just… please don’t die, Taelon.”
He jerked her into a tight hug. “I love you, dashura.”
“I love you, too. Please come back to me.”
“I will.” Releasing her, he turned to Ari’k. “Get them to safety.” His heart tearing in two, he moved to push past the Yona guards.
Ari’k again grabbed Taelon’s arm and detained him. “Under Article 65228379, Section 4, I hereby relieve you of your position as commander. I have already given Jamis control of the bridge so I will be free to get you, your lifemate, and your heir to the royal transport. The rest of the Yona guard and the Lasaran pilots are launching a counterattack as we speak and will defend the ship and your people to the death in your absence.”
“What?” Taelon struggled to free himself as the Yona soldiers surged down a side hallway, taking him and Lisa with them. “You can’t do this. That isn’t what that article is for. Release me!”
Kuxa, a second Yona warrior, joined their scuffle.
Ari’k held firm. “My duty is to protect the royal family—to protect you—and make decisions unclouded by emotion. You are of more value to your people if you leave now than if you remain. You are single-handedly ensuring the continuation of your race. Protesting is futile. If you continue, I will incapacitate you.”
And his struggles were slowing them down. Drek! Taelon wanted to get Lisa and Abby into the royal transport so if the worst happened…
Swearing, he stopped fighting and broke into a jog. Relief rippled across Lisa’s features as she held on to Abby and jogged beside him.
“Wait.” Taelon stopped long enough to pluck a wailing Abby from the sling. Relieved of the extra weight, Lisa was able to run much faster when they once more raced toward the civilian docking bay.
Taelon cradled the baby to him with one arm and curled his other hand around Lisa’s biceps, steadying her when the floor beneath them shifted violently.
Something dark zipped past so quickly it was a blur.
Seconds later it zipped back and Eliana appeared in front of them. “Are you okay?” she called over the noise, turning to run alongside them.
“Yes,” Lisa called back.
Eliana looked at Taelon. “Are you going to one of the escape pods? I can get you there faster.” She sure as drek could. When she ran at preternatural speeds, her movement was barely discernible to the naked eye.
He shook his head. “Royal transport. The Yona will get us there safely. See to the other Earth women.”
She nodded. “I’ve already gotten six of them into pods. I’ll go get the others, then help your people. Yell if you need me.” She zipped away in another blur of motion.
The docking bay, when they reached it, was bereft of people.
“Where is everyone?” Lisa asked, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Seven months in a coma had not left her in the best running condition.
“Hopefully they’re seeking refuge in escape pods,” Taelon said grimly, stunned that the situation had deteriorated so quickly. This damn qhov’rum had left them too vulnerable. “Civilian transports are for short-term travel and carry few supplies.” They were primarily used to carry passengers to and from planets while the ship remained in orbit. “The escape pods can sustain life for two of Earth’s months.”
Thunderous booms filled the docking bay as ammunition struck the invisible shield and birthed bright orange explosions. The shield flickered with a pale blue light, but it held.
Taelon urged Lisa to run faster as they raced across the barren floor.
More explosions lit the shield like Earth fireworks, one after another.
“Shield integrity compromised,” the ship’s computer announced in a pleasant female voice. “Shields at seventy-nine percent.”
More booms. More fiery explosions.
Drek!
Boom. Boom. Boom.
“Shields at fifty-four percent.”
“Carry her!” Taelon shouted.
Ari’k scooped Lisa up and put on a burst of speed. Taelon kept pace with him, Abby wailing against his chest and clutching him tightly. The other Yona followed.