Dawnwind 1: Last Man Standing Read Online Free PDF Page A

lips.   Her grin was toothy and amorous.   “Not according to my lovers.”
    Jox returned then with John’s meal and Taiaxa left him to enjoy it. John watched her leave, noting the sway of her hips.
    “Is mother going to add you to her collection, Mr. John?” Jox asked, amused.
    John picked up his knife and fork, cut into the sizzling steak.   “If she keeps cooking like this, Jox, maybe.”
    Chuckling, Jox shook his head and went back to work.
    * * * * *
    It was dark when John stepped out of the restaurant.   None of the moons were full, and there were clouds massing above the city, promising to deliver another shower.   John pulled the hood of his cloak up, and headed for a groundcar station a few blocks away.
    He had barely gotten a block away from the restaurant, was passing an alley between two closed shops, when someone grabbed him from behind.   Startled, John froze for a second and was shoved into the alley.   He tripped on his cloak and fell to the ground.  
    Scrambling to his feet, he spun to find the alley entrance blocked by three Zerraxi.   They were young and lean, their eyes glimmering gold in the dark.  
    “It’s a male,” complained one.
    “A Junian male,” said another.   “So it doesn’t matter.”
    The first one snorted, then chuckled.   “I heard they all bend over for one another.   Is that true, little ruz ?”
    “Let’s find out,” said the other.
    John pushed back the hood of his cloak.   “I’m not Junian.”
    “Vezex!”
    The one in the middle snarled.   “No names!”
    Taking advantage of the distraction, John took two steps forward and kicked the middle Zerraxi as hard as he could between the legs.   The man screamed.   His golden eyes bulged, comically, and he fell over, clutching at his groin.
    The Zerraxi on the right gaped.   John turned, stomped his foot at the young male.   Flinching, the Zerraxi dropped his hands, to protect his genitals.   John punched him in the nose and the Zerraxi’s head snapped back.   He howled in pain, as black blood began to pour from his nostrils.   Without hesitation, John punched him in the throat.   The howl degenerated into a hacking gasp as the Zerraxi fell back, clutching at his nose and throat.
    Spinning, hands raised, John was startled to find the third Zerraxi quaking against the far wall.   He took a step forward and the male yipped in terror.
    Pointing a finger at the trembling Zerraxi, John snarled.   “Don’t move!”   He reached up and tapped his comm.   “Emergency.   I need peacekeepers and medics at this location.”
    His com chimed, connecting him to the local Emergency Authority.   A man said, calmly, “Tell me what’s happened.”
    “I’ve been assaulted by three Zerraxi.”
    “Remain calm,” said the dispatcher.   “Emergency personnel are on the way.   How badly are you injured?”
    “I’m fine,” snapped John.   “The medics are for the Zerraxi.”
    There was a moment’s hesitation before the man spoke again. “I’ve accessed your comm’s personal ident, Mr. Epcott.   I’ll keep this channel open, until help arrives.”
    “Thank you.”
    Moments later, three aircars landed outside the alley.   Two bore the neon insignia of the peacekeepers, the third was a medical transport.   Peacekeepers emerged from the cars, wearing pink and blue armored suits equipped with domed helmets.   They were armed with scramblers, weapons that disrupted the voluntary nerve impulses in most known humanoids.   As the peacekeepers descended, en mass, upon the Zerraxi, a pair of medics rushed up to John.
    The woman took one look at him and gasped.   “Merciful pantheon! What did they do to your hair?”   She started scrambling in her shoulder bag.
    “I’m fine,” said John. “I’m not even. . . .”
    Before John could finish, the medic had slammed an injector against his neck.   He jerked back, startled.   The world tilted on its side and before he could say or do anything, it