Supernova on Twine by Mark Alders Read Free Book Online Page A

more
important than their sport of killing Zane where he stood.
Interesting. “We will let you live if you give it to
us.”
    He’s lying , Motac warned.
    Duh! Don’t you think I know that . Zane
verbalised, “How can I trust you’ll keep your word?”
    The
smaller one said, “You can’t.”
    “ I thought you’d say somethin’ like that.” With those words,
Zane threw the knob with all his might into the bottomless chasm
below — where the
spires of crystal engine were, where finding it would be near on
impossible.
    So what exactly did that knob do? Zane
asked.
    Absolutely nothing.
    Say what?
    It does nothing , Motac stated
matter-of-factly. How can a whole planet,
one powered by a living crystal engine, be brought to a halt by a
small metal object? Impossible, wouldn’t you say?
    Again Zane mentally chuckled to himself, if somewhat
dryly. Yeah, I s’pose you’re right. Now
that you mention it, this sure ain’t the Death Star—well not
something that can be destroyed by a fluke happening, at any
rate.
    Clearly
the Banshan warriors had no understanding of the mechanics of what
they were guarding. Panic had taken over their otherwise smug
expressions. They looked at each other. The larger one said, “You
go down there. Get that object. I’ll deal with the monkey
descendant.”
    “ Yes, sir,” the smaller one said. He soon disappeared from
view.
    Congratulations, beautiful. You got rid of one of the Banshan
without so much as raising a sweat .
    Zane was
now preoccupied with the fact the remaining warrior had pointed his
weapon in his direction once more, the sound of its charging
filling the air with an ominous tone. “You won’t get away with
this, I can assure you of that.”
    “ And you’ll be hung, drawn and quartered for letting a mere
human bring down the whole empire of the shadow eternals, you
fucking bastard.”
    The
Banshan sneered. “I will take great pleasure in presenting your
head to Erkla to claim my prize of capturing the one who tried to
bring us down.” No sooner had he spoken those venom filled words
than he fired off a shot.
    Much to
Zane’s relief, the warrior’s aim left a lot to be desired,
considering his point-blank range. Then again, Zane soon understood
why the energy bolt had blasted above his head instead of inside
him to splatter him to the four winds.
    Tink had
jumped from a gantry above, claws slashing at the Banshan’s back.
As Zane noticed, there was a moment of sheer agony as the warrior
turned to face his attacker, but thankfully, Tink was prepared. The
reptilian alien was soon a scratched up mess on the steel grating,
seconds after the initial strike. Tink wasted no time sinking his
claws into the Banshan’s flesh to pierce his chest and puncture
something vital.
    Zane’s
heart was lodged in his mouth, he was sure. Witnessing Tink fight
was like watching deadly grace incarnate. He was amazing, and one
thing was certain, Zane never wanted to get on Tink’s bad
side.
    As soon
as Tink had dispensed with the Banshan, Zane ran to embrace him.
They held each other tight. Zane loved the feeling of being in his
man’s arms once more, the feel of his skin and their intimate
contact when their dicks touched. “I’m glad you’re all right,” he
said.
    “ Tink can look after himself.”
    So we saw, Motac added.
    “ I know you can, Tinkles. But it doesn’t stop me from worryin’
about you, does it?”
    Tink
kissed Zane.
    Their
kiss lasted for what seemed an eternity, yet was only as long as
needed, considering their situation. The last thing they would want
right now was any more Banshan entering the induction flow room
while they were still in it. Yes, their tongues danced, and Zane
felt elated, light on his feet and thankful he was being held, but
he was also aware of their urgency. Time for love could
wait.
    They
parted their kiss.
    Zane
said, “Let’s blow this place and get to Mirko and Zoltan before our
ugly friends return.”
    Tink
nodded. “Tink hears