Ethereal Lives: A Romantic Sci-Fi Novel

Chapter 21

Ariane strained to hear from beyond the confines of the wardrobe. The gunfire outside had stopped some time ago, but she had no idea what the outcome had been. Her hand hovered over the button to raise the wardrobe. She'd been told to wait here until they came for her. But if things had gone well surely they'd have arrived by now. How long was she supposed to wait? She couldn't stay down here forever.

Taking a deep breath she pressed the button with a shaking hand. The wardrobe creaked as it made its way up into the room. For fancy, state of the art technology, it made a hell of a lot of noise. Cringing when it screeched to a halt, she opened the door a crack and peered outside. It stood empty just as she suspected from the lack of noise. Creeping across the room she listened to the hallway.

"Bloody fancy doors," she mumbled to herself as she pressed her ear against it. There was no way to open the door a crack, and peek out, she would have to just press the open button and hope for the best. This would be a good time to pray but since she now knew what God was, it seemed pointless.

Giving a sigh of relief at finding the corridor empty, she snuck to the control room. She was unsurprised to find it deserted but shocked by a huge hole in the viewing window.

"Shit," she muttered, not sure what to do. Then she saw the monitor that flashed showing the rest of the ship's damage. Well, if anyone remained on the ship they would be there, trying to repair it. Leaving the control room, she crept down the corridors. Pausing at each corner, she listened to make sure no one was there before continuing.

"Hey guys," she said cheerfully, walking into the damaged room to find Bizax and Trel trying to cover a hole in the ship's wall. Two guns suddenly appeared at her forehead.

Bizax lowered his first. "Fex Ariane, don't sneak up like that, we could have killed you."

Ariane chuckled. "Perhaps if you were more alert I wouldn't be able to sneak up."

Trel lowered his gun too. "I forgot you were on board."

"Gee, thanks," she drawled.

Bizax's cheeks took on a hint of pink. "Sorry," he murmured putting his attention back on the hole in the wall.

"So how can I-" she finished on a gasp when the barrel of another gun touched her temple.

Bizax and Trel glanced back at her and froze.

"Well what do we have here," a voice said in her ear, "we either have three Ethereals, or two Ethereals and a human. You just made our year."

Ariane froze as Bizax and Trel turned fully to face her.

Another voice joined the first. "What have you found?"

"Next year's salary," the first replied.

"Let the lady go," Bizax warned, squaring his shoulders.

"Drop your weapons," the Xan countered.

"Guys, it's okay," Ariane said gently.

Bizax raised his gun slowly. "No it's not, Let her go," he warned again.

Ariane huffed. "I said it's okay," she repeated, bringing her elbow back onto the Xan's crotch. There were definite advantages to being a short human around tall Xans she thought as he staggered back while squealing in pain. She could hear Bizax and Trel firing their guns but ignored them. She had a Xan to thrash. Spinning around she punched him in the stomach making him stagger again. Her foot came down on his as the heel of her hand made contact with his nose. Blood poured down his face from her attack. Raising her knee, she once again aimed for the crotch. It appeared to be a sensitive spot no matter what being you were. When the Xan fell to his knees, she kicked him in the chest as hard as she could causing him to fall flat on his back. His head hit the floor with a satisfying thump, knocking him unconscious. Next to him lay the other Xan, now with three gunshot wounds to his chest.