Chapter 1

 

With one hand, Casey’s fingers instinctively closed around the metal grip on her weapon as a low, throaty growl sounded to the left. She held her breath, and the flashlight in her other hand wavered. She thought maybe it was a guard dog and immediately scolded herself for going along with the dumb idea of going inside the warm kitchen to wait for Thorn. “Where the heck is the light switch?” But she wasn’t about to stick around to find it. It was time to head right back into the winter wonderland, pronto. Sprinting out of the kitchen, she felt a wave of fear wash over her. “What was that?”

Jack cringed and glanced over. “Nothing friendly.” He aimed his gun toward the kitchen and peered at her from the corner of his eye.

The deep growl came louder, followed by the sound of breaking glass. Casey thrust her flashlight deep into her pocket. She focused, gun drawn, her feet frozen, anchored to the ground. Whatever was there, she’d shoot first, then ask questions later.

The kitchen door burst open, and a four-legged creature with a powerful body and bushy tail strolled forward, growling. To make matters worse, the thing was turquoise, freaking turquoise!

“Oh man!” Casey swallowed hard past the lump in her throat as she regarded the animal. With its pointed snout, long, thick, weirdly colored fur, and pointed ears, it resembled a wolf, but it was closer to the size of a lion. Goosebumps crawled up her arms. In the end, whatever it was didn’t matter, because a predator would do what a predator always does: hunt, pounce, and eat.

Mike and Jack bumped into her, and she grabbed their arms tight. The wolf shook its head, shimmering fur rippling over its shoulders and body like turquoise water. It had ice-blue eyes, like a white tiger, giant paws like a bear, sharp claws like an eagle, and razor-sharp teeth like a hyena. The animal was frightening, yet it was the most beautiful creature she’d ever laid eyes on.

“Is it real?” whispered Mike.

Casey recoiled. “I think so, because last time I checked, holograms can’t crash through doors.” She searched the room for an exit, but all she could see were towering icebergs and large sheets of floating ice. Seals continued to bark, penguins waddled, and whales spouted water. It would have all been quite serene and relaxing, if a wild animal wasn’t about to tear her apart. She shivered, but the trembling didn’t come from the cold winter wind blowing across the arctic land. “No way out except where we came in.”

“Walk over there…slowly.” Jack inclined his head, motioning to his right.

“The door we came through is gone!” said Mike. “Where is it?”

He was about to panic, but she couldn’t let him. If the animal was anything like a wolf, it would smell his fear and attack, considering him easy prey. Glancing in every direction, she spun in a slow circle, whispering, “We’ll figure something out.”

“How?” asked Mike.

She shrugged. “I don’t know. The room’s changed so much.” Her gaze fell on a dark shadow on the opposite wall. It was large, almost as high as the ceiling, yet inconspicuous behind the glaring light. Her gaze wandered from the animal to the dark shadow in the distance. “I see it—over there by the polar bears I think.”

The beast’s jaws stretched open, letting out an unearthly roar. Casey blinked, snapping from her trance. She took a deep breath, steadying her gun, and fired three times. Red beams of light bounced off the wolf-like creature’s head. There was another shot, followed by two more. The wolf flinched and yelped, but it didn’t collapse. Casey’s knees wobbled, her breath coming in ragged rasps. “Why isn’t this working?”

She took aim again and fired, striking the creature in the chest. Somewhere behind, Mike and Jack joined in. The wolf snapped its head back, a piercing howl turning into a wail. Taking slow, measured steps, it crept toward her, its claws clicking against the glass floor.

“It’s not going down!” yelled Jack. “We have to get to the exit!”

Casey’s knees continued to wobble, threatening to give out any minute. Her heart was beating so fast she thought she might faint. Their weapons were useless on stun, but nobody had shown them how to turn up the power. All she wanted to do was get out of that cafeteria. They’d come too far to let some overgrown wolf eat them up and ruin the mission. It wasn’t the first creature she’d faced, though, and if she could survive a T-rex, surely she could somehow outwit this thing.

As the wolf approached, it curled its upper lip and growled, flashing white. In a split second, the creature’s eyes changed to green.

Mike’s voice pierced the air. “Did you see that?”

She did, and it was beyond freaky. It reminded Casey of the color-changing water back at the beach. “Split up. Mike, you distract it. Jack, find some weapons in the kitchen. I’ll get to the door and find Thorn.”

The wolf snapped its head forward. Casey jumped back, then spun and leapt on top of a cafeteria table. Jack and Mike took off to the left and right. She sprinted for the door in the distance, running across the rectangular tabletops, her heart thumping in her chest. The adrenaline kept her moving, running as fast as she could from the wolf that was in hot pursuit of her. She dared a glimpse back and winced at the saliva dripping from the animal’s fangs. Judging from its growling, it wasn’t keen on losing its meal. She had no idea how the bizarre creature got inside the spaceship unless it was something the aliens bred with their crude experiments. Her breath caught in her throat, and she almost tripped over her own feet. Even scarier was the thought that where there was one, there could be many more.

Mike let out a long whistle and then yelled, “Hey, wolf. Over here! My, what big teeth you have. The better to eat me with, right?”

She noticed Mike waving from the corner of her eye. With a loud snarl, the wolf turned and headed toward him. “Mike, no!” she hollered.

“I’ll distract it,” he called out. “Don’t worry about me.”

“No way!”

“Keep going!” he shouted. “Finding the exit is the best shot we have.”

She didn’t know how she was supposed to stay focused with that thing going after Mike. She needed to help Mike, but first she had to find a way out. It was their only hope. From what she remembered, the exit couldn’t be far away. Casey jumped from the table and started patting the wall. “Where the heck is it?”

Across the room, Jack yelled. Casey spun around and gasped as the wolf sank its fangs into his backpack. Mike bounded over and slammed his foot into the monster’s side. Jack tried to slide out of his backpack, but the wolf lifted him off the ground with its powerful jaws and shook him like a ragdoll. Casey stiffened, her pulse spiking. She couldn’t let the thing hurt Jack or Mike, but she didn’t know what she could possibly do to save them from the attack. She had to do something—anything.

Distracting the predator so Jack and Mike could get away was the only chance for her best friends to survive. She knew the thing could kill her with one bite, but she would have rather died fighting than to watch her friends get torn up. Besides, she had a pair of nails on her that would make any predator think twice; she could claw its eyes out. Setting her jaw, she bolted toward Jack, who was still struggling to break free from the animal’s deadly jaw.

Jack pulled out his gun and fired at close range. Nothing. “Get it off of stun! We’ll just wound the thing.”

Casey whipped out her weapon and fumbled with the control panel, frantically hitting the tiny dials as she pointed, then pulled the trigger. A weak beam emerged, barely hitting the animal’s shaggy fur. “Crap!” She quickly slipped her weapon back into her holster and lunged forward, pounding on the beast with her fists where its body rippled with muscles.

The straps from Jack’s backpack tightened and snapped, and he fell forward with a thud. “Head for the kitchen!”

Mike and Casey pulled him to his feet, then helped him jump on the tables, bolting across the room. The wolf followed a split second behind, swiping its claws at Casey like a great cat aiming to kill.

“Run faster!” she yelled. She shrieked as the animal’s breath heated her neck. A claw ripped into her backpack, dragging her off the table. Screaming still, she hit the ground hard and rolled onto her side, panting. The creature stood inches from her face, its lips pulled back, exposing razor-sharp fangs. Several snarls came low and angry. She scrambled to her feet, cowering against the wall.

“It’s going after Casey!” Jack shouted from somewhere to her right.

Long whiskers brushed against her face, saliva dripping from the animal’s open mouth. She braced her back along the wall, her hands pressed against the cold glass. Her knees trembled, and her gaze was glued to the glowing green eyes staring at her. She knew she should look away, but she couldn’t force herself to do so. Death was near, whether the animal struck now or in a minute. She knew she’d never see her parents again, and that thought made her let out a long whimper that turned into a silent prayer.

The snarling wolf stepped back and crouched, ready to pounce. This was her glimmer of hope, her last chance. With all her might, she kicked her steel-toed combat boot, striking the animal square in the chest. It felt like kicking a brick wall: Her foot connected, but nothing happened. The irritated animal swung at her with a huge paw, and she flew against the wall, landing on the floor with a grunt, the impact knocking the wind out of her. Stars danced in her vision.

Something clattered across the floor just inches from her. She lifted her head in time to see the creature turn away, lunging for Mike’s throat, barely missing as he jumped back with a shriek. Only Mike would try something crazy, like throwing his helmet at the darn animal. “Don’t mess with this beast,” she croaked as loudly as her shallow breathing would allow. The creature spun toward her and inched closer. “Leave me alone,” she screamed.

In one swift move, the animal jumped, pinning her on her back and crushing her shoulder with a powerful paw. She threw punches with her fists at its legs. Her ribs ached with every move she made, but she’d die fighting, that was for sure. If only I could reach its eyes. The creature growled softly, placing a second paw on her chest, making it impossible for her to draw a deep breath. Casey’s heart pounded under the weight. Groaning, she struggled to rise, but she was trapped.

Mike’s and Jack’s shouts echoed through the air. Mike yelled something about charging the creature, but that was a bad idea that might have gotten them torn to shreds. Not only would she lose her friends, but there’d be nobody to chip the weapon. Sure, there was Thorn, but only a human could activate the microchip. The sweet smiles of her parents flashed across her mind. Mike and Jack needed to stop trying to play hero. If they didn’t go chip that weapon, her mom and dad would be dead soon—and so would everyone on Earth.

“How’re we going to get anywhere near that thing?” yelled Mike.

“We need a weapon,” said Jack.

“The kitchen,” she heard Mike say.

“No!” Casey cried. “If you fight, it’ll kill you. If you wait, the enemy will capture us all. The clock’s ticking. There’s nothing you can do. Quit wasting time and go take care of business!”

Mike’s eyes flared wide, and she could hear the raspy sounds from his labored breaths. “I don’t know what to do. I’m going to find Thorn.”

She wiped a tear with the back of her hand. “Jack, go with him.”

He shook his head. “No way. I’m not leaving you behind.” His voice choked with emotion.

She took shallow breaths, fighting for oxygen, as she whispered, “If it wanted to hurt me, it would’ve already. Thorn’s not coming back, so just go. You guys chip the weapon first, then come back to get me.”

He lowered his voice and stared down into her eyes. “I’m not going. I’m not abandoning you.”

She blinked back more tears that she refused to let him see. “Go! You’re going to get yourself killed.”

Tears brimmed in his eyes as he slowly said, “If I die, I die. I swear I’ll fight to save your life, even if it’s with my very last breath. It’s my risk to take.”

He was determined to fight for her, to die if he had to, like some kind of gallant knight. It was very honorable, but she couldn’t bear to see anything happen to him. He meant everything to her, not to mention the fact that millions of people would perish, including her parents.

“No, it’s not your risk at all.” Her head felt dizzy from the lack of air. She had to get them out of there before she fainted and they decided to do something stupid, like trying to save her life. They needed to go chip that weapon and save her mom and dad and everyone on Earth. “If we all die here, there’ll be no hope for anyone on our entire planet. How dare you gamble with those lives just for me!”

“Because I love you, Casey,” shouted Jack, through the roaring wind.

“Get away from the lodomodo!”

She heard Thorn’s voice above the screeching wind and let out a sigh of relief. She hoped he would know how to deal with this thing.

Walking swiftly toward them, Thorn pointed his gun at the lodomodo. “He has the strength of three of your Earth lions. You could never fight him. He’s way too strong.”

The lodomodo swung his head away from her and growled.

Thorn slowly lowered his weapon. “I have enough power to kill the creature as a last resort, but first I want Casey to try and communicate with him. These animals are telepathic. I know this one well. The lodomodo has been my brother’s pet for over 100 years.” Thorn took a few steps closer. “He’s blocking out my thoughts because I share his owner’s bloodline. Casey, his concentration is focused on you. Use your mind. Tell him we’re not going to harm him.”

“I don’t think I can,” she whispered, but she closed her eyes nonetheless. At least she now knew what the creature was called and that it was, in fact, a male. She felt his hot breath on her neck, like the breath of any dog. The panic inside threatened to choke her. She was sure the thing was going to rip her throat.

Thorn’s soothing voice cut through the fog of fear enveloping her. “Relax. He’ll hear you. Clear your thoughts. Think of nothing. Allow your mind to hear what he’s telling you, and a link will form.”

Boots shuffled across the floor, and the beast snarled. She opened her eyes with a jolt in time to catch a glimpse of the animal snapping at Thorn. Shutting her eyes tight, Casey allowed her thoughts to dissipate into nothingness. She felt a tickle at the edge of her consciousness. Is that you? Can you hear me? She grasped no words, but the tickle soon turned to the distinct presence of someone else at the verge of her mind. It is you! She felt her heart pound even harder. Listen to me. I’m not here to hurt you, and I’m freezing. Please just let me get up. A rush of energy exploded inside her head, spreading throughout her entire body and coursing through her veins. The startling sensation caused her to jerk.

Your thoughts are pure, and your intentions true, young one.

Emotions filled her brain, not through words, but she could feel the creature’s desires. She understood the beast’s thoughts and felt something raw: fear.

Take me with you off this ship and back to Earth.

Every corner of Casey’s consciousness flooded with the lodomodo’s grief. Images flashed before her, like watching a movie: Tio’s angry face, the crack of a whip, yellow sparks, and piercing howls. Casey’s back arched, and her arms shot out. Her own flesh burned under Commander Tio’s lashing whip. She shuddered as a current of electricity pulsed through her, and every nerve in her body screamed out in pain and stung like a 1,000 jellyfish. She wondered if that was how it would feel to be electrocuted or struck by lightning. In an instant, the pictures receded, and the stinging disappeared. Tears slipped down her cheeks.

My master will kill me if I betray his trust by letting you leave—unless you agree to help me.

Casey flexed and contracted her numb fingers as the cold continued to bite into her. She couldn’t take another minute in that place. Time was running out. She curled her fingers into the lodomodo’s long fur and tugged. All right. Her mind yelled into the beast’s thoughts. I promise. Surely, Thorn wouldn’t have a problem. He seemed to genuinely care about his wellbeing.

A few moments passed with no reply from the lodomodo. Casey opened her eyes and peered around her. Something wasn’t right. She tried to lift her arm when she realized she still couldn’t move. Squeezing her eyes shut, she screamed, but no sound came out of her mouth.

Clearly, the beast didn’t believe her.