By Zorack...
I shouldn't be surprised.
Still, my mood was the worst. And it had been a close call that all six of us there were alive. In fact, a huge barrier of fallen stones isolated us from the rest of the access to the excavated tunnels. Of course, we didn't have any really effective weapons to kill K'Aldriants. And humans had decided to innovate artillery on their own. A collapse and a grenade.
In such a situation the way is to protect yourself.
The fragments had spread for almost ten meters and in less than 5 seconds exploded. There hadn't even been an option to run. The way was to seek protection or throw yourself on the floor and stay down. And the fragments were launched into the air. There was not much to do besides that.
It all came down to staying out of the shrapnel path. I still had time to see Klaus try to hold him and I screamed, managing to free myself from the clutches that held me.
Hold a grenade to throw it back?
Quite frankly. If it is very fast and tremendously lucky, it is only two seconds for you to see the grenade, react, bend down, pick it up, position yourself. Not to mention raising your arm and throwing it back, far enough away that the explosion doesn't hit you. All of this assuming that you were the luckiest in the Universe and that a K'Aldriants were not ready to tear your throat out.
I managed to throw Klaus against the ground, protecting our heads while the shrapnel was doing the job and it wasn't long before the inevitable. The precarious protection of the dug tunnel collapses. Everything collapsed. The noise came from deafening and the dust spread through us.
It was all at the same time. The old doctor screaming and Spike looking like a demented man after having the brilliant idea of throwing the grenade. Just as we were safe, the underground was also sealed within reach with a K'Aldriants and Angel inside
My fury was limitless and I cared little about the cut on my arm.
- What the fuck, Spike. If you were going to kill us, you didn't have to let a hungry alien jump on me. Klaus narrowly missed.
Klaus beside me sighed, knowing my genius. I was going to explode with all the frustration I had.
-Now! Damn it! I saved our lives! - Spike was the image of Mr. Perfection offended.
Did I say I was starting to hate that hellish kid?
And the miserable teenager was not the whole problem. I was suddenly embarrassed by klaus. It was not really a question of the customs of the planet. I didn't know how my ex-lover would behave back on earth after being abducted and having lived so many years away.
Even so, I did not miss the opportunity to fan the unfortunate.
-Save it? Did it really save our lives? How did you save Angel? Your incredible feat has set us free from the miserable creature and has trapped him inside the tunnels.
Spike and the doctor looked at each other half-down with my criticisms. And finally Max decided to make the situation worse.
-Zorack is right. replied my first officer hesitantly. The base is ours again for now and a K'Aldriants does not justify the temerity of isolating the girl from these creatures. Even more so now in her condition which can be a threat to all of us. Not even the doctor knows how to evaluate what we can expect.
I stared at Max for the first time uncomfortable and I was sure he was not referring to the small detail of Angel taking the form of those things. I was not finding it pleasant to realize that things were happening that I didn't know.
-What do you mean in her condition? - I asked dryly.
Implants!
The damn hybridization implants? Just the thought made my muscles contract.
- Damn it, Max. What the fuck. This is the oldest blow I know. "Klaus reacted indignantly to my growing astonishment.
And damn throbbing arm.
If the pain were not so uncomfortable, I could easily catch Spike's or the doctor's thoughts. Max was always more reserved and demanded more concentration from me.
-No one is sure of anything here. - Grant grunted awkwardly and looked away awkwardly from mine.
Curse! I hated it when they did that. You were supposed to know everything there, right?
-What do I still not know or have not informed me? - I asked too harshly.
And everyone stopped undecided looking at Klaus.
Hell of customs on that planet. It's all right. It was probably already known to all my connection with klaus. And? Nobody had to make guesses.
"Well, now that you seem to have your old life again you shouldn't be so bothered by that, should you?" Spike teased viciously. - I don't even know why you should bother so much with humans that they probably won't even survive, from what I said before.
I rolled my eyes in anger.
-Okay, unhappy kid. - Said containing all the bad mood.- Let's forget for a while that I don't like you. I can't stand your way of getting attention and wanting to be the center of everything. Nor are we going to mention that I don't want you all the damn time with Angel. What's going on here that I still don't know?
Max sighed uncomfortably and grunted.
"I figured you knew, buddy." Max spoke very slowly.
And that was usually the start of bad news.
"You imagined that I knew ..." I repeated calmly.
Klaus reacted indignantly at my side.
- It's just a damn blow. You can't be sure yourself, Grant. And he's a doctor. Then say it is absurd. This is totally impossible.
But what was impossible and absurd?
-Shit! Can someone decide to spill? What the hell is going on around here?
Of course, if it was serious, she certainly would have told me.
I swore under my breath.
Not even sick without food and with Spike having to steal the blood bags the girl had decided to say something. Too proud. Too used to making her own decisions alone. And that displeased me. Anyone would have asked for help with the hellish implant in the arm to have it removed. Ah, anyone but Angel. It was too much for the ego of someone who liked to be in control of everything.
-Did you decide to drive me crazy? What the fuck is going on around here? "I demanded, starting to alarm me.
Something serious.
It could only be something very serious that that fool, on a whim and pride, had decided to hide from me.
-If she really liked you or were sure she would have told you, Zorack. - Klaus appealed worried and with little confidence. - It's not the kind of thing that hides like that. Not when you're sure. Can believe. The girl is a scam. And you were never the type of guy to worry about that before.
I looked at Klaus seriously and frustrated, before running my hands through my hair and sighing, looking at the others.
-I think the conversation is now kind of personal or you don't care.-I declared without accepting excuses.
Apologies that didn't come. Everyone seemed relieved to get away. Finally, I vented irritation and tension.
"Do you want to tell me what the fuck is going on, Klaus? Do you want to drive me crazy now?" I don't think he remembers that I'm the type of guy who hates surprises.
Klaus swallowed and nervous. There was the feeling of panic building in my gut absorbing the reality that it could only be something really, really bad. Anxiety was little at the time.
-It's okay, Zorack. - He started hesitantly.
Shit. Klaus is not quite the type to show hesitation.
-Klaus?
-Hells! - Klaus looked away for a moment and looked at me very seriously. - It is nothing yet certain .. I heard the pleidian talking to Scarllet. The girl's plague was not feeling very well.
I shook my head, not surprised.
-Of course it is. She is a hybrid. Her body will not be satisfied with the basic food they have around here.
- Damn it, Zorack. - Klaus exploded anxiously. - I can't believe you've been having fun with this ... this ...
He fell silent at my frown.
- Taking into account that I believed you were dead, yeah, I think I went around having fun. Were you able to worry for just a moment to let me know the small and insignificant detail, klaus? You and Angel are the same. Always making decisions without telling me. And it usually ends badly. They almost die for it and I'm crazy behind you. What the hell are you hiding now?
Klaus reacted hurt and angry. That was how I ended up making him speak at those times.
-Me?! Because I didn't walk around in bed with others, nor was I irresponsible about leaving bastard children like I was when I was young. Is that you? Can you say the same? He took the opportunity to fuck as he likes and took no care.
I stopped dumb and without action. The words made no sense to me. I looked at pale klaus.
-As? - I managed to speak.
-Pregnant! Klaus showed disgust. - It seems that the unfortunate woman is pregnant. You know, little miniature adults that you usually hate.
My eyes widened. What do you mean the girl was pregnant? There was no chance of that happening. Unless Joshua had been wrong to measure the hormones. What the fuck!
-Pregnant?! Pregnant with a son ... mine? - I asked petulantly. - And who assures me that the hellish kid is not the father? They shared the same room. Want to tell me how the fuck happened? I shouted angrily.
It was my defense not to think about responsibilities. No way. The life I had ... The life of a Gargoyle had no space or security to include a family. To be honest it was the last thing I could want. I didn't like children. They were too much work. They were noisy and only cause concern. Ah, they were noisy miniature adults, who never obeyed orders and stank. I already had a lot to worry about. I certainly didn't want children at all. It was hard enough to deal with klaus and Angel and worry about their safety at all times.
-As well? - klaus did not let himself be saddened. - Do you really need me to tell you how you managed to get pregnant a girl you didn't even know before? They usually use condoms around here. Didn't you notice that the kid still needs to throw himself in your arms to get more attention from you? He flirts with you in the biggest stick!
I stopped without answers with the back of my neck tingling. I was sure that pinpricks radiated throughout the body. It is not every day that you receive such disastrous news. I had even managed to get rid of plans for revenge on that girl, but that was the end.
-Pregnant? - I uttered possessed.- She received doses of hormones so that it didn't happen. Are you really telling me that the girl is pregnant with my child and that you knew and did nothing? Absolutely nothing?
And who assured me that the son was mine? Had she been missing so long? I wasn't about to accept a found-out bastard from K'Aldriants. If Ravenack ...
If klaus was looking for fights he had found it. I was shaking, possessed.
-I didn't do anything ?! Klaus looked surprised.
And my patience has evaporated. It was too much to absorb. His return. Angel and a son I didn't want.
-I know that irresponsible wretch does not know Édrin's customs, but you cannot claim the same. He lived a long time with me. He knows the responsibility that we have to preserve the gift of skills over elemental forces. Worse. Know the customs. It was my companion. A stable and legally recognized union ...
At this point I was screaming furiously more than ever. It was betrayal. I was very, very angry.
-And is it my fault now? - Klaus reacted to my accusations.
I didn't capitulate like that.
-Considering that you are still my companion and that I have not heard explanations from you for all that time gone, you can bet that it is. Any damned Edrian in his place would know of obligations to the lineage of our race.
Klaus did not answer and went pale.
-Me...
-I really don't want to hear explanations or excuses now! I knew better than anyone that I am the heir to the house of Igneous. The seven towers ...
What the hell. Obligations! I certainly detested such obligations. I didn't want to be responsible for anyone. Especially for a people who accepted without questioning the Confederation's guidelines, violating the basics of our customs. The story of creating life in laboratories was absurd, but safe. The ancient rituals that were taken care of by the nirvanas on my planet ...
-Zorack ...- Klaus called me down.
I could pull my hair out like anger and frustration.
-Fuck everything! To hell you two. I'm sick of your jealousy. I should have been informed. You can even accept that that unfortunate wretch hasn't told me, but you ...
Can I really trust you, Klaus? Can I?