Jago: The Millennium Galaxy Race

Chapter 9: Quwallie

"We are outnumbered, and our blasters are out of commission from our last encounter," Tammy announced after checking her panels. But the way she said it was just like the way she'd say anything-monotone and calm. When I looked around, everyone seemed just as cool and composed while they thought for a moment, like they were deciding what to make for dinner.

Was I the only one who was freaked out or what?

Finally, Cashel spoke. "Tammy, tell them we're giving them Vaughan in exchange for safe passage. Kiko, Rei, prepare to make the transaction. Agree to any of their demands."

As much as I wanted to see Vaughan pay for his crimes, safe passage sounded like a pretty good plan to me. Then Cashel added, "Sarth, you better go with them to translate."

I wasn't expecting that, but it wasn't like we could do anything else. Kiko and Rei took off to the lower deck, and I followed as fast as I could. In the lower deck, Kiko opened the circular hatch in the floor that Rei had kicked Vaughan in when we first arrived.

I was the only one who spoke the language, so it was my dubious honor to tell the jerk that he was getting rescued. "Get up here!" I yelled down into the hole.

Vaughan smiled as he made his way up the ladder. His appearance had drastically changed the past few weeks. He had grown a scraggly beard and had a nasty, rotting smell about him. He wasn't quite so wide in girth either.

Kiko took the restraints off his wrists, and we stood there, waiting.

Soon Tammy's voice came through the intercom. "The Quwallie is about to board for Vaughan."

I was nervous about seeing him again. Maybe Kiko sensed it because she stepped in front of me. My heart calmed down a little knowing she was right next to me. Even Rei slipped me one of her 'don't worry' smiles.

The gel wall appeared before us, and then the Quwallie, along with some guards, stepped out. He was still cloaked in entirely in black with a mask that covered his face but left a slit that exposed his eyes. Kiko and the Quwallie glared at each other. You did not want to be between them.

Vaughan pulled away from my grip and walked to the guards. I hated that he was getting away, going back to Sola where he could continue his cruel reign as master of masters, but what else could we do? They were about to leave when he noticed that the Quwallie was still locked in a dominance battle with Kiko.

"What is it?" Vaughan demanded.

His voice was deep and sinister when he answered. "I wish to battle this one."

Something was different about him. It took me a second to realize it was his eyes. Once green, they were now glowing bright blue. I didn't know what that meant but doubted it was anything good.

"Then bring her with us, I haven't got all day. You took forever getting here." Vaughan sneered.

What? No way! My hand twitched, instinctively wanting to reach out for Kiko, and the small motion drew Vaughan's attention. His gaze crossed over me and then doubled back.

"Take him too. He belongs to me," he said.

My stomach sank. This deal had gone south, very south. I knew the rest of the crew wouldn't want to let us go, but we were once again brought to the question of 'what else could we do?' They put restraints on Kiko but didn't bother with me. This was eerily familiar. I wondered if I was headed for another public execution, or something worse. I swallowed hard and took a step to follow them into the gel when Rei grabbed my hand.

"Be careful," she warned.

My hand tingled as she pressed a finger in the middle of my palm. Her hands were soft and warm, relaxing my tension a little. I gave her a nod and walked through the gel wall with the others. Neither Kiko nor I tried to fight; we knew we had no choice but to do as Vaughan wished. His battleships surrounding us made sure of that. We walked through the connecting corridor that led to the large Sola battleship. Once safely on the mid deck of their ship, he turned and gave us a nasty grin.