Nokx should have told him something reassuring and sent him back to his family to await the Slasu arrival, but when Nokx saw EJ and the look in her eyes... He swallowed his irritation. His mate cared for the youngster immediately, which spoke well of her character and her ability to shelter those weaker and younger than her. All admirable traits that confirmed he’d chosen well in taking her as a mate. If only she would agree to it.
He’d sensed a thawing in her anger when the power failed and left them in the dark, but he knew he hadn’t done enough to regain her trust. Nokx kept his attention on the terminal. “We must warn the passengers. The crew turned off the alarms. Most of the ship won’t know what has happened until they’re locked in by the Slasu. At least if they know what’s happening, they stand a chance of defending themselves.”
“Yes,” EJ said, nodding. She turned to Klee. “Do you know how to operate the shipboard announcement system? Can you send a message to the entire ship?”
The Klonz’s four eyes grew even larger and rounder and more yellow. “I know in theory how, but...”
“I’ll say it,” Nokx said, sensing the youngster’s nerves. He didn’t blame him for not wanting to draw too much attention to himself. “You can record it on the terminal and then repeat it on a loop so that everyone hears it multiple times. Place it on a loop, then get back to your family.”
Klee blinked and blinked, then wobbled a slight dip in his head and arms. “Yes. That I can do.”
“Good.” Nokx gestured for him to set things up, then drew EJ to the side so they could talk while the young alien set to work. “The settlers are in no position to really defend themselves. I thought perhaps we would not need to release the prisoners, but...” He watched the delicate Klonz move around the terminal, the iridescent purple feathers mesmerizing and beautiful. It would be a crime to expect a youngster like him and his family to face off against the Slasu. They didn’t stand a chance. “We should release the prisoners.”
EJ looked determined, not uneasy, and nodded. “Yes. But we will have to move quickly. As soon as your message is broadcast to the ship, the Slasu and the crew will be hunting for us. The guard station on the fifth deck has the main controls and the address system. I can communicate with the... well, the Psonil runs all the prisoners. If anyone can get them to go in the right direction, it’s Gygak.”
Nokx didn’t like that she knew that, or had had contact with whoever Gygak was. He bristled in anticipation of facing down the roughest, most brutal criminal on the ship. No one would be able to control so many prisoners without being an absolute psychopath. Perhaps he was an ex-Fleet officer. He snorted to himself and disregarded Klee’s nervous look.
Nokx recorded a message in three languages after running the message by EJ and Klee. EJ said the original was too abrupt and Xaravian in tone, so he tried again. Nokx happened to think that giving orders in that situation made more sense than just asking the settlers to rise up against the crew. Most beings would not take action if they were simply asked. Orders and instructions made everything very clear.
But EJ gave him a look he had learned meant she did not like what he did or said, so Nokx sighed and tried to be less authoritative when he spoke. It must have worked, because Klee stopped cringing every time he opened his mouth. Nokx’s hearts beat faster as the recorded message was finalized and set up to be played, and the seconds ticked away while the ship remained eerily still and quiet.
EJ gently patted the Klonz’s shoulder as she retrieved the comms puck, which still flashed and spiraled in wild patterns. “You did great. Thank you for your help, Klee.”
The purple iridescent colors swirled and rippled in what Nokx assumed was a Klonz blush, and the youngster bobbed his head and appendages again as he whispered, “You are the truly important ones. Without you, we would not know what was happening. At least now, we have a chance to remain free.”
Nokx’s hearts sank. It was a long shot no matter what he and EJ managed to pull off with the prisoners. The Sraibur couldn’t defeat an entire Slasu