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Dawn turned and gasped. Yon and another Vassi she didn’t know stood in full armor with weapons aimed at them. The newcomer jammed his to the back of Sevanti’s head with a sneer. “Don’t move, High Commander.”
“Pilan.” Sevanti’s black eyes blazed and he rose to one knee.
The one he called Pilan slammed the side of his blaster into Sevanti’s head and he crumpled to the ground on a groan.
“Sevanti!” Dawn reached for him but Yon’s clawed fist grabbed painfully at her arm and yanked her to her feet. “Why are you doing this?”
Yon eyed Dawn in disgust. “Because you brought out unnatural desires in a great soldier. I didn’t believe it when the medic on the Black Star spoke of the former commander’s obsession with you.”
Her mouth dropped. “This is because Venik likes me?”
“It’s more than that.” He released her and cocked back his arm. His fist drove toward her face but he must have forgotten Dawn wasn’t easily defeated. She dodged the blow and swept her leg out, tripping him where he stood.
Yon fell to the ground on his back and the blaster flew from his grasp to land some distance away. She leaped for it, dodging his hand. Yon twisted about and yelled at Pilan. “Stop her!”
“Absolutely.” Pilan blocked her path to escape and slid into the traditional knubtu stance. “I’ve heard about your fighting but you’re nothing.”
“Talk is cheap,” she sneered.
He stepped forward and swung. Dawn could have taunted him at the lack of effort behind the move but didn’t. Callie and Harum, hell, even Yon presented more of a challenge. Using the thilas in her hand, she sliced up then down and brought her knee into the motion as she did a full rotation around him.
Pilan screamed, grabbing his face where Dawn had cut clean through the flesh to the cheekbone. It was the only place she could think to strike due to the armor he wore. A steady stream of yellow poured from the gaping wound.
“Interloper!” Yon snarled.
Jerking around to face him again, Dawn miscalculated. She tripped over Sevanti’s sprawled form and by the time she regained her balance, Yon’s fist plowed into her jaw. Pain burst across the side of her face and she spun as she fell.
“Fuck!” Her vision swirled with colorful spots. His fists were like steel plated hammers.
“Since you like kicks so much,” Yon gloated from above.
A booted foot smashed into the side of Dawn’s head and the world went dark around her.
***
If they could hold off long enough, Yon and whoever he’d hired would be caught. At another break in weapon firing, Venik launched up and took off for where he’d seen Anders disappear. The jjaawir hovered at the side of the communal building and a dazed Callie sat upright with her back to the wall. She’d lowered her helmet guard, revealing strained features.
Relief filled him. Aside from her attack on Dawn, he’d always respected Callie. During his tenure as High Commander, she’d served under him well. His gaze roved over her battered form. Holding a laser in hand, she had one leg stretched out awkwardly.
“How bad?” Venik asked.
“I’m fine, Former Commander. Twisted the knee joint when I went down.” Callie braced her free hand on the ground and shoved to her unsteady feet. “I saw Anders and came this way.”
Venik glanced to Anders to confirm her condition and received a firm nod. He accepted the answer. Callie was a soldier. She knew enough to account for her own condition. “Did you get a count, Anders?”
Anders raised his weapon and fired several times. “There were fourteen. Now six.”
“Sifi?” Venik asked.
“I sent him on his way,” Callie spat.
Dead. Venik firmed his lips. Good. It was one last person he had to kill for daring to harm Dawn.
Dawn.
Venik shifted slightly to peer around the corner of the building. He didn’t see Sevanti or Dawn and exhaled in relief. His friend more than likely had her well on their way to the protective walls of the Black Star. No one could touch her there.
“Lom Dawn. Was she hit?” Callie asked, expressing a show of concern that shocked Venik.
“She’s safe. Sevanti took her away.”
Anders’ shoulders eased and the dark look in his black gaze faded. “That’s good news, Commander. Yon is wrong for this attack against the soft skin.”
A chill rolled down his spine. It was too simple and yet a rash bold action to take. Yon had to know he couldn’t get away with this in such a public venue. His brow ridges lowered and a kernel of an idea began to form.
What if this was all a diversion? Horror washed over him and Venik tapped his wrist comm. “Sevanti?”
No answer. Stiffening, Venik tapped the comm code for Dawn. “Indira?”
Stunned, Callie and Anders jerked around to gaze at him but Venik ignored them and waited. Nothing came through from Dawn or Sevanti.
Chest tight, he faced the others. “Something’s wrong.”