The Soul Eaters (The Thin Hex Line Book 1) by Gwyndolyn Russell (e reader txt) 📕

arms. "He was extremely strict. Wanted everyone at the top of their game at all times."

"He’s still super strict." Sparrow frowned.

"He's quite relaxed now compared to then."

Reaper and Jackal stepped back into the room. Jackal was visibly pouting, Reaper looked exhausted.

"You know," Yaaranam grinned, "my people fight to settle their differences. A good hand to hand brawl can solve any issue."

"That's a wonderful idea!" Reaper jumped in before anyone else could say a word. "Jackal loves to fight. I also missed your little brawl back on Thacatis."

"Yeah, apparently you kick some ass?" Ruby questioned. "Turned Mjolnir into a unicorn! That was pretty sick. Luckily that knife wasn't long enough."

Mjolnir rubbed his forehead. "Next time I won't go easy on you."

"It's not that impressive." Yaaranam shrugged. "There's a distinct biological difference and clearly a training difference."

Jackal's face twisted into a scowl. He honestly got it in his head that eldiravan were physically weak. He rarely saw them outside of their armor, which was comprised of multiple layers of metal, insulation, computer systems, and an exoskeleton. Surely they were weak sacks of flesh and bone on the inside having grown dependent on technology to get them through existence.

Looking at Yaaranam now, a fairly undressed eldiravan within arm’s reach, he was mistaken. Her dark skin was nearly completely transparent, giving a window to the muscle below. He didn't know much about anatomy beyond weak spots and which exercises were good for what part, but an eldiravans muscles looked quite different from a humans. The same general shape, only more defined bundles of gray sinew that rippled through the skin. Then there was the odd growths of osteoderms, rock hard scutes that acted as natural armor.

"What? Afraid you'll embarrass yourself?" Yaaranam teased.

"Let her earn her place on the team." Reaper crossed his arms.

"Fine! Whatever!" Jackal pulled his shirt up over his head. "Don't cry if you get hurt."

Sparrow whistled. "Big boss is getting serious!"

"H-hey," Ruby stared at her. "You aren't even excited for the fight!"

"Yes, I am! I never get to see the Lieutenant fight!" She sat back down on the bench. Mjolnir and Ruby joined her.

Yaaranam and Jackal made their way up to the mat.

“What’s at stake?” The eldiravan asked, readying her fists.

“Whatever you want.” Jackal spat.

THIRTY-THREE

"Captain Reaper," Yaaranam knocked on the office door.

"Come in." He called.

The door opened and she pulled herself in.

"How can I help you, Yaara?" He smiled.

"I wanted to request a temporary stop at Razhaun."

"What for?"

"There is a colony there called Tunizha that is a well-known hideout for rogue soldiers. It's far from the reach of my people, so we never frequent the sector. Just a few hours will let me check for any signs of my father."

Reaper tapped on his screen to pull up the map. A quick once over showed they were about to fly right by the planet.

"All right. We can stop there for a while."

"Thank you, sir. I'll make quick work of the area."

"How have you been settling in?"

"Surprisingly well!" She smiled. "I expected quite the opposite, but everyone has been kind. Sparrow has asked me to teach her to fight better. Mjolnir makes for a great sparring partner. Fenris on the other hand doesn't speak to me, and Jackal...well.”

"He's still young. That war was all he knew and propaganda runs unchecked on Mars. He'll warm up to you eventually."

"I've been meaning to ask, sir," she gently hugged herself. "Your superiors...what--"

"They think you're still on the run. We are searching for you as we speak with no luck to be had. I've busied the Admiral with the prospect of the eos. He has faith that we will find you one way or another."

That made her smile.

"Will I be able to get my armor back soon?"

"To visit Tunizha? Absolutely not. Your armor is quite iconic. I don't want to risk the truth of your status getting out there."

"I see. You are right about that. Perhaps it needs a new paint job."

"Meanwhile, you can visit the armory to get new clothes fit for the security team, I'm sure there's something...in your size."

"Thank you, sir."

It had been a long time since she acted like a lower rank. Her rank belonged on the field anyway and terrestrial warfare acted much differently than ship. Answering to a Captain was bizarre. She normally commanded them.

Alas, this was not her military. The ranks were different and she was technically not part of the Federation. Yet her rank was not ignored. She was still treated as a Sergeant Major with salutes, and even questions. Many of the folk simply fell in line without question. Either they didn't care, or had the utmost faith in their Captain's decisions. She had no intentions getting in the way of the Syndicate's operations. She was a guest here. Still when lower ranking personnel came to her with questions, she answered them the best to her ability, or directed them to someone more knowledgeable. Humans had a lot of questions.

Perhaps these humans really weren't as bad as her empire made them out to be. They weren't little gremlins out to destroy everything. They simply reacted violently to attempts at their own destruction. She saw the kindness in them, and the openness. They accepted her and gave her a home when her own home casted her out.

She would do her best to fit in. This was a good chance to learn something new. She gathered up the basic bag of boot camp goodies for the Federation. While she studied it all, the hardest thing to commit to memory was the rules of conduct and rules of engagement. She thought Garchtun had a lot of pointless rules….

In an attempt to be friendly with Jackal, she searched for him while reading one of the books. She found him in the barracks gym, going through the daily workout regime. Extreme resistance training.

"Oh, Lieutenant, there you are." She closed the book and tucked it under her arm.

"What do you want, raven?" He sat upon a seat, strapped in