The lieutenant greeted them with a terse nod. He pushed a few buttons and a small view screen turned on. A woman appeared. She had dark skin, only a bit lighter than the soldiers. Her dark hair flowed down to her shoulders. She was very beautiful, but her eyes were a dark shade of yellow that Myra found a bit distracting.
“So,” she said. “You are one of the people that infiltrated my ship. I don’t suppose you are in the mood to tell me how you did it.”
Myra smiled. “We have powerful allies,” she said. “You should be more careful of who you invade.”
The woman laughed. “Come on. Can you at least tell me how you learned our language?”
Myra resisted answering in Kultish, just to show off. “Lets just say, I’m a fast learner.”
She seemed less pleased with this answer. “Perhaps we should continue this conversation in person,” she said then turned to the lieutenant. “Bring her to me.”
“It’s a mistake to invade us,” Myra said. “But you know this already. You are one of the best generals in the history of your people. Certainly you have studied your enemy. We can be as conniving as the Velarian’s and as ruthless as the Kults.”
“I’m well aware of the challenges that await me,” she said.
“You also know the consequences of your own people,” Myra continued. “Your namesake once stood up to a tyrannical leader for the betterment of her people. Your greatest civilization was the result.”
“She remained loyal to her people and her queen, as do I,” she said. “You are right of course, but I have my orders, and I will carry them out to the best of my abilities.”
Myra searched her mind for something else to say. It shouldn’t be that long now, “Ziazi isn’t concerned with the welfare of her people,” she said. “It seems to me you can’t serve both her and your people. You have to make a choice.”
“I’m sorry to hear human loyalties can be divided so easily,” she replied, but her thoughts were clearly elsewhere.
“I’m sorry to hear the women of Biaz are so easily lead astray,” Myra replied.
“I’m not sure what your game is, but I think it is time…” she said, but was interrupted by gunfire and bullets dinging the hull.
Myra smiled, “I guess our conversation will have to be postponed,” she said.
The gunfight outside began to become fiercer. Myra was thankful the hull of the ship protected her. Still she hid in the corner just to be safe. Aiusiz waited calmly and silently.
The lieutenant, who was also the pilot began preparing the ship to take off. Fortunately it took a minute or two, and from the sounds of the gunshots and bullets hitting hull, he wouldn’t have the time.
Finally several men shot the last of the soldiers standing guard outside the ship. The men entered with guns blazing. Myra covered her face as shots ricochet around the inside of the ship.
The lieutenant was quick to turn and face his opponents. He managed to kill one, but was far too outnumbered to really stand a chance. Once he fell to the ground with a cry and a splatter of blood, the ship fell silent.
Myra opened her eyes to several men surrounding her with guns pointed in her direction. “Wait,” she yelled. “I’m one of you.” The men lowered their weapons and helped her up.
One of the men had already released the prisoners in back and they were all flooding out of the ship. “Lets get out of here,” one of the soldiers said. Being in the ship clearly made him nervous.
The man in front of Myra motioned for her to go first. “I’ll just be a second,” she said. “You should go on ahead.” Myra went back to the head of the ship, where she knew Aiusiz would still be waiting.
Myra stepped forward so that she could clearly see her. “Ziazi is as much your enemy as she is ours,” she said. “We need to help each other, or both our people will be in grave danger.”
Aiusiz smiled, “As I have said. I have my orders,” she said. She reached down and hit a button out of view. The view screen went blank.
Myra turned and almost ran into a man, one of her rescuers. “Who are you?” he asked.
Myra smiled and said, “Myra Stone. The one and only.” She walked past him and out of the ship.
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