Warlord Conquering (The Great Insurrection Book 3) by David Beers (best historical fiction books of all time txt) 📗

the injured had succumbed to their wounds quickly. Hel didn't care in the slightest what had happened to the bodies; she was just glad the majority of the droid docs were inactive.

When she heard Kane’s direction to the droid doc, she understood she would not be returning to the brig. Since the doc would have to take the clip off to fix the fracture in her forehead, she would bide her time. There was only one to deal with, and despite its innate android strength, it wasn't created to fight.

As soon as the doc took the clip off, Hel made her move. Her face and body were badly damaged, but she was pumped up with enough drugs to feel almost nothing. Her body was working pretty well, which was all she needed.

Hel rose and grabbed the doc’s head with both hands, then yanked backward as hard as she could. The droid offered virtually no resistance. Its metal-and-wire neck came free, and using all her strength, she pulled until fluid started leaking, then dropped the metal contraption on the deck.

She looked at the torso. It wasn't inactive, but close enough. It was shaking a bit on the ground, and one of its legs was contracting and releasing, but it wouldn't be able to stop her. She examined the rest of the medbay quickly, moving from room to room. Everything was silent, meaning Kane had shut this area down.

Hel didn't have her Whip, but she appropriated a scalpel. She could do more damage with a blade than many Titans could with a MechPulse.

When she reached the entrance to the medbay, she realized she was going to have a small problem. Her security clearances would have been erased, so to get off this gods-forsaken ship, she'd have to get them reinstated. She retrieved the droid-doc and dragged it to the wall panel. It felt like she was moving a bag of cement, but she eventually got it there, although she was out of breath. Now she had to figure out how to prop it up to do a lens scan for the panel.

The medbay door opened, and one of Kane's lackeys stepped through. Hel smiled, missing teeth and newly set jaw looking grotesque. "Hi, darling."

Surprised, the lackey reached for his waist, but Hel was much too fast.

She straightened and extended one leg as she moved, catching him in the groin. He doubled over, though one hand was still trying to find his StarBeam. Hel laid her right fist across his jaw hard enough to bring the lackey to his knees. He was still trying to get that StarBeam, though. Hel straddled his back, and with one hand, pulled his head back. She put the scalpel in the other hand against his neck.

"Grab for the weapon again, and I'll carry your head around this ship to open the doors I want. Understand?"

She felt the lackey's hand slacken, and she stroked the scalpel lightly across his neck and face, drawing blood.

"Good choice. Now, we have some things to do before we get off this ship. Come along, my new friend."

As Thoreaux was being escorted out of the medbay with a scalpel to his neck, Servia was making her way to see Prometheus. She'd heard what Thoreaux told her but had disregarded it. Maybe Pro did need to think, but he also needed to talk to her. She'd risked her life more than once for him, and she wanted to know he would do the same for her should the need arise, regardless of what happened to his wife back on Earth.

She went to his quarters, and with her hands on her hips, looked into the lens and said, "I don't care if you're thinking. We need to talk."

Moments passed, and Servia wondered if he was going to let her in.

When the door opened, the drathe was sitting on his haunches, looking up at her. Inside the room, Pro sat on a bed. He was leaning forward, his massive hands clasped, looking at her. "Come on in."

Servia walked past the drathe, who licked her hand as she entered. When the door shut behind her, she didn't go any farther, only waited for Obs to pad over next to his master.

"Thoreaux told you I wanted two hours?" Pro asked.

She nodded. "He did, but I can't wait. I need to talk to you."

"About what?" The man's eyes were red, and while his face was dry, it was clear he'd been crying. Servia softened some at that. She'd thought a lot about those she loved over the past few minutes, and now she saw the toll this was taking on him.

Her voice softened a bit. "I need to know about your wife."

Pro's eyes narrowed. "What about her?"

Servia wasn't sure what to do next. She could proceed as she had originally intended and demand his loyalty. She saw in the man's face, though, that he might not react as she wanted him to. He was guarded about his wife even now.

What is it you want, Servia? Why did you come here? she asked herself.

I want Alistair to not make the same mistakes he did.

She took another step into the room, deciding to tell him something she'd never thought to share with anyone. She swallowed, then said, "What's her name?"

Pro was obviously surprised by the question. "Luna."

"That's a beautiful name," Servia whispered.

He nodded and looked down at his hands.

Servia moved a step closer. "I came here wanting something from you, but I think I'd like to tell you a story if you don't mind. Do you have time to hear it? It won't take too long."

Prometheus stood up and walked to a chair against the wall, picked it up, and placed it in front of the bed before sitting down again. "Tell me your story, Servia. It seems like death is always right around the corner, but it hasn't gotten here yet. Maybe it'll wait a little longer."

Servia took the seat. She was nervous for multiple reasons. She didn't know how much time