Thunde

by Arcadia Shield

  “I’m just relieved we’re here,” said Thunde. “I never trust your coordinates.”

  Laughter echoed down the comms link. “You know me, barely know my left from my right. Is all well?”

  Thunde looked over at Jessie and smiled. “Everything is good.”

  “Docking station’s open,” said Lazet. “Come on board whenever you like.”

  Thunde sat back in his seat and pointed at the console. “You want to take us in?” he asked Jessie.

  Jessie’s mouth fell open, and she nodded. “I’d love to. Do you trust me?”

  “Of course,” said Thunde. “I promise, I won’t even close my eyes as we dock.”

  Jessie leaned over the controls, her eyes sparkling. “If we do crash, at least we had a good time before we die.”

  Thunde grinned and crossed his arms over his chest. “I have no doubt you will get us in safely.”

  Jessie hovered her hands over the controls and steered the ship through the doors of the Deorg craft before setting it down with a shuddering thump.

  “That’s my best landing ever.” Jessie shot a grin at Thunde. “I’m beginning to like this space travel business. I might even invest in my own ship.”

  Thunde laughed. “You’re welcome to one of mine. But maybe try a few more test flights before you commit to investing in a craft of your own.”

  “We’re definitely going to have to do some traveling when we get time,” said Jessie. “I like being on board these ships.”

  “And I like you being here.” Thunde took hold of Jessie's hand and pulled her from her seat. “Come on, there are people we need to see.”

  They hurried along the ship's corridors, and Thunde lowered the boarding ramp. Standing in front of him was Axen and Lazet, and right next to them was Eloise and a female human with wild red hair.

  Jessie gave a squeal and dashed away from Thunde. “Eloise! Melody!” She flung her arms around both women, and they danced together in a circle.

  Thunde walked down the ramp, grabbing hold of Axen’s outstretched arm firmly by the bicep. “It’s good to see you, brother.”

  “And you,” said Axen. “Glad you managed to find your own way out of the game.”

  Thunde nodded as he slapped Lazet on the arm. “I have Jessie to thank for that. She figured out how to distort the force field so we could fly right through.”

  Axen and Lazet turned and looked at Jessie, who was still laughing and swiping tears from her cheeks as she talked to the other women.

  “She got you out of the game?” asked Lazet.

  “She’s incredible,” said Thunde. “She found a way out, figured out how to remove our shock collars, and beat my fists and weapons several times with her cleverness.”

  Axen’s hand went to the collar around his neck. “She does sound extraordinary.”

  “As we’ve all found out, these human women are not to be underestimated.” Lazet’s gaze softened as he focused on Melody. “Let me introduce you to my woman.”

  Lazet and Thunde strode over to the three women, and Lazet caught hold of Melody around the waist and pulled her to him. “Thunde, I’d like you to meet Melody. She was my game prey.”

  Melody thumped Lazet in the chest. “But I taught him a thing or two, especially how good humans are at setting traps.”

  Lazet nuzzled Melody’s neck. “And a few other things.”

  She smacked him on the arm and grinned, her cheeks reddening.

  Thunde smiled at them and reached over to take Jessie’s hand, drawing her to his side. He nodded at Eloise. “It’s nice to meet you in person.”

  “You too,” said Eloise, smiling broadly at him. “And thank you for bringing my friend out of the game alive.”

  “In truth, she brought me out,” said Thunde. “We wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for Jessie. She has a number of excellent skills, some I’m just learning about.”

  Jessie ducked her head. “Most of it was dumb luck.”

  Thunde kissed the top of her head and pulled her even closer. “You’re amazing, Jessie Keenan. Don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise.”

  “You bring out the best in me.” Jessie raised her gaze and met his.

  Thunde kissed her lips softly. “We bring out the best in each other.”

  Lazet loudly cleared his throat and shook his head. “You two are sickeningly sweet.”

  “I could say the same for you,” growled Thunde, seeing the way Lazet fussed over Melody.

  “It’s these women,” said Lazet. “They do something to us.”

  Axen joined them and wrapped an arm around Eloise’s waist. “And that’s a good thing. Now we’re joined by our life partners, we can get to work on our true mission.”

  Thunde raised his eyebrows. “Which is?”

  “To end the Fraken games and bring down their tyranny,” said Axen.

  Thunde and Jessie sucked in air at the same time.

  “That’s quite a challenge,” said Thunde.

  “We’re up to it,” said Lazet. “We’ve been making plans while you’ve been having fun in your game. Things are almost ready.”

  “They are,” said Axen. “There's one more game left to play, and then we’ll all be together again and can set to work on ending the unfair rule of the Fraken.”

  “Bladen’s game,” said Thunde, a shiver of anticipation running through him. “He’s next in the games?”

  “He is,” said Axen. “And he’ll be up against your companion, Grace.” He looked at the three women. “She will be the last human in the games.”

  Jessie shot Eloise a worried look. “Grace was sick when I left her, and the Fraken weren’t treating her illness.”

  Melody bared her teeth and hissed. “Typical Fraken scum. Just like them to weaken their prey before they go in a game.”

  “Don’t worry. Bladen will protect her,” said Axen. “He’ll treat her condition and make sure Grace is strong enough to get through the game and out with him.”

  “You have nothing to fear about your friend,” said Thunde to Jessie. “Bladen is a true and honest warrior.”

  Jessie nodded. “I trust him if he’s with you.”

  “He’s with us,” said Axen. “And will be joining our mission as soon as possible. Are you both willing to join as well?”

  Thunde looked down at Jessie and tightened his grip on her. “Are we ready?”

  She tipped her chin up and met his gaze with her own steady expression. “If you’re in, then so am I.”

  He kissed her forehead. Pride and satisfaction ran through him as he realized how lucky he was to have such an extraordinary woman by his side.

  Thunde looked at Axen and nodded. He looked around the rest of the group, at his warrior brothers and their women. They were now a part of something incredible, and he was grateful for that.

  “We’re with you,” said Thunde.

  “Yes, we are,” said Jessie.

  Axen smiled at them both as Eloise leaned against him. “Our mission will shortly begin. And with all of us together, we will succeed and be victorious against the Fraken.”

  As Thunde looked at Jessie, he realized he’d already won. He’d discovered this incredible female, convinced her he was good enough for her, and now had his warrior brothers by his side. He’d never felt happier and more at ease. Whatever the Fraken might throw at them, he’d be ready. With Jessie by his side, he was unstoppable.