“You said you received a message from Hunter’s transport?” Jesse asked. “What are you doing about it?”
“It was the emergency signal transmitting their location. Their personal ES are moving which indicates that Hunter and Saber are on the ground heading toward the line where we have control. Our troops are pushing forward. I have been informed to keep you posted per the council,” the man assured her. “We do not leave our men behind.”
Jesse nodded. “I promised him I would not leave him behind either,” she said quietly. “Thank you for letting us know what has happened.”
Jesse rose automatically when the others did. Her heart was heavy as Scout escorted the man to the door. She turned when Jordan murmured to her and hurried from the room. Jesse started to follow but stumbled.
“Jesse,” Shana said in concern.
“He’s alive,” Jesse whispered. “He promised me he would always come back. He has to keep his promise.”
Jesse’s eyes pleaded with Shana to agree with her as Hunter’s mom slid a supporting arm around her. She couldn’t accept losing him. He had to come back. They were going to be parents. He needed to know that.
“He will come back to you, Jesse,” Shana promised. “He has a family now and a new one on the way. That is the greatest gift a Trivator warrior can ask for and he would never give that up without a fight.”
Chapter 22
“Get your ass up,” Hunter growled at Saber. “You can take a damn nap when we get across the line.”
“Fuck you,” Saber slurred. “We are both going to die if you don’t leave me.”
“Then we both fucking die,” Hunter retorted. “Now, help me get your ass up. We have to move.”
Hunter heard the loud hiss that Saber emitted as he wrapped his arm around his waist and lifted him. They had been on the move for over a week now, one step ahead of the opposing military. He cursed when he smelled fresh blood coming from Saber. His friend had lost a lot of blood and couldn’t afford to lose any more.
The Alliance military had taken control of this planet two years before after the initial Trivator contact had secured it. Unfortunately, the Alliance governing board that monitored planets after the Trivator troops left had been slow to call in re-enforcements when an insurgent group rose up. The civil war between two different factions had caught the Alliance off guard.
His people had been called in to save the asses of the Alliance ambassadors and the merchants who had followed them. Hunter cursed as Saber sagged again, barely conscious. Neither one of them were in that great of a shape. He knew he had at least three broken ribs, a dislocated shoulder that he had snapped back into place before wrapping it tightly to keep it from popping out again and was covered in cuts and bruises.
It was Saber he was worried about. He had set Saber’s broken leg but it had been an ugly break. In addition, he knew Saber had head injuries along with broken ribs, a broken arm and several deep lacerations that he had to cauterize. He suspected one of the wounds had re-opened.
“Come on, Saber, we’re close. I can feel the other members of our team,” Hunter grunted. “It is growing more powerful. They will be able to sense us soon if they haven’t already.”
“Tired,” Saber muttered. “Hurt. Sleep.”
“Soon, not now. Now, I need you to stay awake,” Hunter demanded. “I swear I can’t believe you are giving up. Hell, even Taylor would kick your ass,” he said desperately. “She liked to kick it when you were in good shape.”
A choked sound was the closest sound to a chuckle that Saber could make. Hunter knew he had found the one thing that might keep his friend motivated. He hadn’t been wrong about Saber’s interest in Jesse’s younger sister.
“She needs her ass spanked,” Saber mumbled. “Takes too many risks.”
“It is going to be hard when she is of age to decide which warrior can handle her,” Hunter said, pausing at a section of buildings and scanning the area to see if it was safe. He scented the air. There, to the left. He could just catch the scent of another Trivator warrior. “She is going to be a handful.”
“Already is,” Saber muttered.
“So, which warrior do you think would be good for her?” Hunter asked, gripping Saber tighter and half dragging, half carrying his friend.
“Needs someone strong,” Saber grunted.
Hunter heard Saber hiss when he stumbled and Saber instinctively used his bad leg to keep from falling. Hunter felt Saber pitch forward as he lost consciousness. Gritting his teeth against the pain, he pulled Saber’s limp body over his good shoulder. He would not leave his friend behind.