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An Excerpt From: SAVAGE
Copyright © L.A. DAY, 2007
All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing,
Inc.
Savage sighed as he ran his fingers through his
wet hair. He had stopped wanting acceptance as a Rabian years ago. He rubbed his hand down the
strip of hair on his neck and upper spine. He wasn’t accepted as an
Earthling either.
Thankfully, his mixed blood allowed for a milder
mutation. Even so, it was too much. It had been three years since that day.
Alaya was twenty-four now, a woman. It was past
time he returned to Sa-Ro Five.
Turning off the water, he stepped from the
shower. “What are you doing here, 110?” Water dripped from Savage as he
wrapped a towel around his hips and narrowed his eyes at the droid. A.L.
110 was the droid who’d helped him track Uber and
many other bounties.
“I asked you to call me Al.”
“All right Al, what the fuck are you doing in my
private chambers? Now that you have your upgrades, do you get your rocks
off watching me shower?” The words were harsh but Savage was feeling harsh
at the moment.
“I do not think so but you seem to find joy in
getting your rocks off, as you say.”
Heat suffused Savage but he didn’t respond to
the droid. After all, 110 had seen him do worse. “Speak your piece and get
out or I’m going to do Ulric a favor and fry your
circuits.”
Al’s head tilted to the side and his humanoid
eyes narrowed. The upgrades A.L. 110 received had changed him in thought
process and appearance. If Savage didn’t know better, he’d think Al was
human.
“Uber’s body is being
processed at the morgue.”
Savage grimaced. “I’m sure Ulric
was overjoyed with the news.”
“He did not seem pleased.”
“Is that what you came to tell me?”
“There is a new mission being discussed.”
Savage cursed silently. There was always a new
mission somewhere. This time someone else could deal with it. “I’ve been
out for a month. I have some personal business that is way overdue.”
“There is a disturbance on Sa-Ro Five.”
The clipped words resonated in the small, tiled
room. Savage’s knees weakened. “What did you say?”
“There is a situation on Sa-Ro Five. A rescue
mission is in the planning stage.”
Savage reached for his dirty leggings—he didn’t
have time to find clean clothes. “Fuck!” he roared as teary green eyes
flashed through his mind. If he was too late— He wouldn’t think that way.
“Tell me everything you heard. Which Farm Op is involved?” Savage tugged on
his leggings and scooped up his discarded tunic.
“It is Farm Op Four. It seems the inhabitants of
Sa-Ro Five excavated crystolium and shipped
samples to Lab Tech for analysis. Apparently, someone stole the results and
sold them to an interested party. Three days ago, a team of Algera pirates arrived on Sa-Ro Five. There has not
been a distress call but a small pod was able to get away. It arrived on Azo Eta hours ago.”
Algera
pirates! He’d had no dealings with them but knew from intelligence briefings
that they were brutal, vicious killers. Algera
had no representation within the Amalgamation. Therefore the draw of
unclaimed crystolium was huge. Savage’s heart
pumped with nervous anticipation. “Who was in the pod?”
Al shook his head. “An unidentified male.”
“What’s the status of the other inhabitants of
Farm Op Four?” Alaya and his aunt were both
residing at Farm Op Four or at least they had been over a month ago. That
was the last time he’d corresponded with his aunt.
“Unknown. Viper is on alert status upon
my order,” Al replied.
“Give me twenty to clear before you alert Ulric.” Strapping on his utility belt, Savage checked
his laser charge before snapping it back into its holder.
“I will accompany you,” Al volunteered.
“You can’t. This upgrade has you in enough
trouble. You don’t need this.” The upgrades A.L. 110 had received didn’t
just disturb him, they disturbed everyone—Ulric
included. A status review lurked in Al’s future. An unauthorized mission
would not play to his favor.
“It matters little.”
“I appreciate everything you’ve done 110—Al.”
“The weaponry has been restocked. I personally
stocked your pack and placed it on Viper.”
“Charges?”
“Affirmative.”
“If I don’t come back, don’t let them shut you
down without a fight.”
Al’s eyes flashed with an emotion that might
have been fear. He placed a firm hand on Savage’s shoulder. “Alaya is what is important.”
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