Dante’s Command: Scifi Alien Abduction Romance (Science Fiction Alien Romance) (Survival Wars Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

strode away from her
without a second glance, and mounted a short ramp up to his circular array of counter
and screens.
     
    His face was a hard mask of anger and concentration, and
suddenly she realized that he was going to protect her.  At least, that was
what he thought. 
     
    And she thought about how he said the word “females” before,
and a slow bit of an idea blossomed in her mind.  She shook her head to clear
it, though.  There would be time for that later.  This was important.
     
    The man holding her still suddenly stiffened.  Mariella
turned her head to follow his gaze, and caught sight of three flickering blips
of light on the largest screen.
     
    The Mites?
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Chapter Four
     
    He would protect her.  Treasured female, brilliant mind, she
was the last hope for his people and he would do anything within his power to
ensure she arrived home safely.
     
    He reached out to his screen and wordlessly tapped out
commands, the camera zooming in on the small gathering of Mites.  Part of him
wanted to growl with anger, while the rest of him was relieved, in a way. 
While the nasty bugs were dangerous in any amount, their small number meant he
could dispatch them with ease –hopefully before they got too close.  What they
traded for in size and defense, they made up for in speed.
     
    Of course, that meant his bulkier vessel would be in for a
rough time if they got within range.  He set his mouth into a grim line and,
though he hated to do it, ramped up the ship’s power.  Watching their valuable
resources being drained into the energy cannon, he felt a niggling sense of
urgency crawl up his spine and spin in agitated circles at the nape of his
neck. 
     
    Such an inconvenience, he thought, and felt the minds
of his brethren stirring angrily in agreement.  Though he had planned on
returning from this voyage having used up minimal fuel –and thus hopefully
lessening his punishment- now it seemed as though they would be returning
practically empty –and with a single human to balance out the waste.
     
    He sincerely hoped this was the right thing to do, as there
wasn’t going to be a chance after this to try again.
     
    If this Mariella failed, it would mean his death.  And no
one else would attempt another radical solution such as this.  The Mites would
win.
     
    Focus, he scowled at himself, and glanced down at the
screen.  Fantastic.
     
    The enemy had caught sight of them.  Their little ships had
adjusted slightly, the fronts pointed in his direction and accelerating so
rapidly now that he could begin to make out the spines at the front and the
finned sides, which seemed to swim through space.  Comparing their speed and
the progress of the charging cannon, he gritted his teeth and anxiously turned
up the power a notch more.  It would be so incredibly close…
     
    His men were rattling around anxiously at their own screens,
either working at the cannon, or aiming, or simply piloting the ship, while
others delivered the commands to continue heating up all the fuel.  Though his
was the ultimate authority, all actions went through a manned system of checks
and balances to ensure there were no problems along the way.  It was a simple
system, though not the fastest.
     
    Of course, the ship’s system hadn’t been updated in years,
either…
     
    At least, this seemed to be an unprepared scouting party. 
Their charging him seemed to be a good indicator that they had no help to
summon.
     
    Only dimly was he aware of Mariella in the background,
saying things in her human tongue.  The bracelet was still translating but she
was one voice lost amidst the murmurs of his men, sharing as they did in that
buzzing language which was felt more than heard.  Their minds were quite
connected, as was proper for their colony life, and he smelled their tension
and aggravation, just as he knew they could smell and taste his.  And as he
readied the shot, and the man who