“The escape pod has landed,” Savaas announced via the private comm channel the Akseli military had embedded in every cyborg’s brain. It operated much like the Lasarans’ telepathy, enabling the cyborgs to communicate with each other on the battlefield without the enemy’s knowledge. “It’s in the meadow at the base of Mount Shojaa.”

The tallest mountain on the planet’s only continent, Mount Shojaa allowed anyone in the watchtower they had constructed in its peak to see clearly in all directions. Savaas and his team currently perched up there, ready to launch heavy artillery if this situation got out of control.

Wonick led his crew from the armory. “And the Gathendien ship?”

 “Stationary outside our atmosphere. But they launched a G-27 dropship that followed the escape pod.”

Boom.

Birds burst from the trees and fluttered away.

 “It just cleared a large enough swath of forest to land near the pod.”

Activating the cybernetic implants in his head, Wonick projected a translucent map on his visor and began searching for heat signatures.

 “The female left the pod,” Benwa announced. Wonick and Savaas had positioned a team near every large clearing that would be visible from the projected atmospheric entry point of Rachel’s escape pod. Benwa and his team were dug in at the base of Mount Shojaa. “She looks Lasaran,” he said, curiosity tingeing his mental voice. A snort of laughter carried across comms. “She just made a gesture toward the Gathendien craft that I’m certain must be obscene on her planet and took off.”

Wonick nearly laughed and wished he could’ve seen it.

 “What the srul?” Benwa continued. “You have to hear this.”

Moments later, a female voice carried over the channel. “What’s taking you so bloody long? Come and get me, motherdrekkers!”

Laughter erupted on the channel.

Her heat signature appeared on Wonick’s map, a small red splotch that stood out starkly against the cool jungle she ran through.

He frowned. Her gait was odd. She didn’t run like he and his men did, with smooth precision. She ran with her arms straight out to the sides and seemed to drag her feet.

 “Why is she running like that?” Jovan asked.

 “Unknown,” Wonick answered. “Stay focused.” Rachel headed toward a much smaller clearing a third of the way to the cyborg settlement. He veered in that direction to intercept her.

 “Gathendiens have powered down engines,” Benwa told them. “The first unit is disembarking.”

 “How many?” Wonick asked.

 “Twenty. And two sedapas.”

Swears erupted.

Sedapas were vicious reptiles with two spiked tails, multiple rows of sharp teeth, and an incredible sense of smell. They would have to be dealt with swiftly to keep the Gathendiens from locating the cyborg settlement.

 “Have they posted guards?” Wonick asked.

 “Not yet.”

Good. Wonick’s heartbeat picked up. Not from running at such high speeds. His augmented heart could easily sustain such for hours. But because he was nearing Rachel’s position and would finally see her for the first time.

He and his brothers arrived at the clearing seconds before she did. Stay back, he ordered and strode forward a few paces to stand in front of them. He didn’t want her first glimpse to be of armored warriors bearing weapons. He wanted her to see an apparently unarmed male.

With that in mind, he adjusted the strap of his O-rifle, ensuring the long weapon dangled down his back, out of sight.

“Wooooooooohooo!” Rachel cried.

He winced at that and at the sound of her clomping through the forest. What was she doing? Did she know nothing of stealth? If she didn’t—

“I’m waaai-ting!” she called merrily.

Seconds later, a figure burst from the trees.

He gawked. She ran with both arms extended, a long sword clutched in each hand, cutting a swathe through the foliage that even a complete imbecile could follow. And she was intentionally scuffing her feet!

“Come and get me, boy—oh sh**!”

Skidding to a halt, she regarded them with astonishment.

Wonick thought his heart would pound right out of his chest. This was Rachel?

Like Janwar’s lifemate, she had a slender build and was small enough that he didn’t think her head would even reach his shoulder. Her skin was paler than his and lacked the ruddy bronze hues common among Akselis. Her long dark hair was drawn back from her face in a wavy bunch that fell to her waist. And perhaps most surprising, her clothing closely mirrored his own: black pants with many pockets, a long-sleeved black shirt that hugged a narrow waist and full breasts, and sturdy-looking black boots.

She was absolutely beautiful.

“There are people on this planet?” she blurted. Before he could untie his tongue and find his voice, her eyes widened. “Oh no.” Sheathing her swords, she strode toward them. Her brown eyes locked with his. “I am so sorry. I didn’t know anyone lived here.” She jerked a thumb over her shoulder. “There are some really bad aliens after me, and they’ll be here any moment. You need to go. Now.” Grabbing his arm, she spun him around and gave him a push toward the others. “Run. Find somewhere to hide. I’ll lead them away from you. And once I’ve dealt with them, I’ll return and let you know it’s safe.”

Wonick dug in his heels, finding it surprisingly hard to keep her from pushing him farther.

His men stared at them with flabbergasted expressions behind their helmets’ visors.