Star Alliance Read Online Free PDF

smiled, and the pressure was gone. “In this you are mistaken. You’ll find that we can control a great many things. What is your species called?”
    Zack glared defiantly at the Xiiginn.
    Mar Arden stood back up and went over to the wall, where he keyed in a security code, and a panel opened. He retrieved a silver rod and closed the panel.
    “The physiology of every species is truly enlightening. One thing we’ve found across all species so far is the innate avoidance of pain,” Mar Arden said. The Xiiginn crossed back over to Zack and held the silver rod in front of his face. “This has been configured for your physiology since we’ve had a small amount of time to study it. When I activate the field, it will cause your central nervous system to react. With a flip of a switch I can cause you to know pleasures you’ve never thought possible or pain you’ve never imagined.”
    Zack’s eyes widened, and he tried to shuffle away across the floor.
    Mar Arden crossed the distance in two strides. “Now, what is your species called? Where is your star system?”
    Zack’s eyes locked onto the rod, and he tried to brace himself.
    Mar Arden’s face twisted into a sneer, and the tip of the rod glowed blue.
    In an instant Zack felt like his entire body were engulfed in flames. Every inch of his skin felt as if it were melting away. He screamed and rubbed his hands all over, trying to get the pain to stop. It hurt so much that tears streamed from his eyes. “Humans!” Zack shouted. “We call ourselves Humans.”
    The pain stopped, but it took a few moments for Zack to realize it.
    “Humans, excellent. Now, how did you come to be in the Nershal star system?” Mar Arden asked and leaned in.
    Zack felt the pressure intensify in his head. He squeezed his eyes shut. “No!” he growled and lashed out with his fist, catching Mar Arden by surprise.
    The Xiiginn was knocked back, and Zack scrambled for the door, but something caught hold of his feet, and he went down. Zack struggled to move as he was pulled back into the room. Mar Arden had his back to him and Zack glanced at his bound feet, realizing that the Xiiginn had used his tail to capture him. Mar Arden pivoted with his hips, and Zack was swung through the air and slammed into the wall.
    Mar Arden released him and waited for Zack to sit up.
    “Now that the useless escape attempt has been gotten out of the way, are you ready to answer my questions?” Mar Arden asked.
    Zack tasted copper in his mouth and spat blood onto the floor. “Go to hell,” Zack said.
    Mar Arden laughed. “Wrong answer,” he said, and the rod in his hand glowed. It was the last thing Zack saw before he became engulfed in pain.
    Zack woke up with his face on the floor. His body ached so badly that he didn’t try to move. He just stared in front of him. The floor felt wet under his face.
    “I don’t have time for this,” Mar Arden said.
    Zack glanced up, and his heart thundered in his chest, but Mar Arden wasn’t speaking to him.
    “There is increasing unrest on Nerva. Your presence has been requested on the Nershal home world.”
    The two Xiiginn glanced toward him, and Zack shut his eyes, pretending to be unconscious.
    “We need to release a statement about the information leak from the research facility that was attacked.”
    “Fine, Kandra can take over for me,” Mar Arden said. “This species is highly resistant to compulsion. I think some time in the pit should soften his resolve.”
    “According to his vital signs, he’s awake.”
    Zack opened his eyes and saw Mar Arden’s sneering gaze.
    “I know,” Mar Arden said.
    The stomping of boots came toward him and a Xiiginn roughly pulled Zack to his feet. Zack couldn’t stand on his own, and his head sagged to his chest.
    Mar Arden stepped closer to him. “You’ll learn, Human. Trusting the Boxans is a fatal mistake.”

C HAPTER F IVE

    N EEDING TO GET some distance from the Boxans, Kaylan was back on the Athena for a few