Shooter
We reached the fence surrounding the compound. It was tall and clearly powered, so would likely shock us if we touched it. But seemed safe to fly over. I darted up and over with ease, ensuring it was safe for the others.
They followed in a staggered patterned so as to not draw much attention. There were people milling about, moving crates and following patrol routes. They were carrying guns of some sort. We wouldn't know what kind of ammo they fired until they were used, but it didn't matter too much. They might hurt but we were tough.
'Get close as you can and try to pick up conversation and surface thoughts. Listen for anything about LaMihinnia or the rebels. Anything of interest.' Galaxy directed.
'Got it.' I chorused with the others. I zipped further away where more people were on the other side of the courtyard. Most of the guys I found were talking and thinking of benal things like what they hoped the cafeteria would be serving or complaining about the weather. One was apparently lamenting the lack of women at the outpost.
"Even some of those Nehwalian girls are starting to look tempting." A man caught my attention as he laughed with another guy. That kind of tone was always reason to pause.
"Come on, man," the other man laughed, "That's like doing a pet." He shivered like it was repulsive, but they were still chuckling.
"Yeah, but these pets have a little bite to 'em. might make it more fun."
"Gross. No thanks."
"Pfft. Just give it a few more months stuck on this rock and it's long, lonely nights." The first said suggestively, inciting another disgusted but amused shiver from the other guy. "Or," he gestured across the way, "There are those fresh faces they're processing. There's even a couple girls. At least we can fantasize..."
I left them as their conversation tailed off. The first man had the potential to be a problem, but from his surface thoughts he'd yet to actually act, though he seemed to suspect some of their supervisors had...which made him feel emboldened. Disgusting.
I made my way to the building they'd indicated. There were no windows.
My siblings brushed curiosity against my mind but trusted me to follow the lead while they continued searching. I didn't know if the people being 'processed' would be helpful, but they were Nehwalian, so maybe they had connections to the rebellion. If not, I still wasn't going to leave anyone to be assaulted. I could teleport them to safety and pop right back.
Just as I was thinking about teleporting in, probably near the ceiling, a door buzzed and opened. An armed guard came out, leading a line of chained people. Their coloring was lighter, various shades of pastels versus the red and violet tinged cream colored guards around them. There was also enough differences in their physique to know they were at least a different race if not a different species.
The ones in chains were trembling. Some had tear streaks on their faces. Their surface thoughts ranged from blind terror, to assumptions of terrible things that would happen to them. Most were worried about loved ones, hoping they were safe, feeling guilt at the possibility their actions may cause them to suffer as well. A few were glancing around, trying to look for a way to escape but frustration and fear were clouding their thoughts.
'They're not our problem right now. We need to focus. We can't fight every fight we come across.' Galaxy reminded me.
I sighed, landing on a parked vehicle to watch at they were led away. I'd make a mental note of where they were taken and maybe I could get them out later.
One of the prisoners started looking around more frantically. Her only thought was, 'Help.' She was looking for someone who could help them. Didn't seem likely she spot an ally here, but she wasn't looking at the people, she was glancing at the sky, between things, towards the wall and trees beyond.
"Hey!" One of the guards shouted, shoving her head forward. "Keep your eyes down! No beasts to help you here. None of you better try anything, got it?" He gave her another shove and eyed the others, who all lowered their eyes and shuffled forward, except one man who reached back with his elbow to help the shoved woman steady herself.
The whole scene pissed me off. The comment about there being no beasts caught my attention, so I made a little trilling sound. This species I was disguised as sounded weird, but not unpleasant or threatening.
Galaxy and the others hissed in my mind about drawing attention, but oh well. I was just curious. And it worked. The woman's eyes found me about as soon as the sound left my throat. Her eyes were big and soft and a mix of blues I couldn't even describe.
"Help." She whispered, barely audible to my ears, but a strange sensation caressed my mind, sending a warm tickle thoughout my body. I was completely enraptured and had to help her.
***
Galaxy
Something reverberated through our connection. It didn't quite sever it, but I suddenly felt cut off from Shooter's mind. I knew he was still there and I could feel a sudden rage and desperation, but it was like they're was now a bubble around his consciousness.
I didn't even have time to try and call out to him mentally before I heard his earth shattering roar. Even the air seemed to shake.
'Crap! Get to him, now!' I shouted through our link to everyone. We all rusted towards him.
Shooter was back in his dragon form, snarling at the group of guards he'd been watching.
"Protect us!" One of the women in chains shouted to him. The guards around her suddenly looked even more terrified. One raised his gun to her. Before I could even blink, Shooter was on him, his jaws crushing the weapon, and his full body weight with added telekinetic power crashed into the man. He crumbled to the ground, unconscious. Either his head hit the ground, or Shooter had attacked him mentally as well.
Shooter had always been a bit of a wild card. He was a shooting star not to be contained. But this was different. He never reacted with such ferocity out of the blue. Something was definitely influencing him.
"The chains!" The woman held up her hands, displaying the thick metal cuffs that covered her wrists, with chains connecting her to the other prisoners.
"Kill it!" The other guards shouted and began firing at Shooter. We were ready for that though, and psychically ripped the guns from their hands as Shooter used his fangs and telekinesis to break the cuffs. I transformed into my LaMihinnia form. Looking like a person versus a beast usually made it easier to end the fighting and find a more diplomatic solution. Usually.
The prisoners scattered and chaos ensued. Fire erupted from somewhere. One of the guards was sent flying back into the building behind them. From the corner of my eye, I saw Minor and Qualin appear in the mix, but I was focused on Shooter.
I grabbed him by the scruff of the neck, trying to pull his face to look at me. My mind couldn't reach his. He thrashed and struggled like he didn't even recognize me. 'LET GO!' He bellowed through our link, nearly overwhelming my mind. It caused my grip to falter and he broke away from me.
Before I had time to react, a shooting, searing pain hit the side of my head. I cut my eyes to that side to see a man holding a weapon towards me. It was smoking and whirring like it was charging for another shot.
I quickly crushed the weapon with telekinesis and sent the man flying back. He'd live, but right now my only concern was my brother.