Page 93 of Dark Gambit Reliance
Still, it might be a mistake to let Valstar live even for a few more hours.
As the human saying went, a bird in the hand was worth two in the bush, and one kill was better than none.
But it wasn't just about revenge.
If Igor got a whiff of anything being amiss in the compound and ran, her people would never be safe. He would find a way to rebuild his force. By locating the other pods and compelling the survivors to serve him or, if he didn't know where the others were or he knew and they were all dead, by renewing his breeding program and producing as many hybrids as he could until he had a force large enough to come after his former subjects.
65
MARCEL
The scenes unfolding on the screens in front of Marcel were mesmerizing.
The Kra-ell charged as predicted, splitting their force to deal with the invaders on both sides.
The Guardians and Kalugal's men must have seemed like aliens from a nightmarish sci-fi movie with their imposing exoskeleton suits and weaponry.
It was a testament to the Kra-ell's courage and ferocity that they hadn't even paused before charging the invaders. Or maybe it was Igor's compulsion at work.
Morris and Charlie guided a couple of small surveillance drones equipped with infrared cameras over the main building of the compound, looking for potential snipers or for other warriors lying in wait for any who might make it through the main body of defenders.
He spotted two splinter groups that were stealthily approaching their teams' flanks. They melted into the night and moved like animals on a hunt, but they were no match for the infrared cameras of the night-vision drones.
"Over there." Marcel pointed at them on Morris's screen.
"I see them," the pilot said. "We need the big bird back."
"Mine is on the way," Charlie said.
Marcel wondered how the two managed to fly two drones each. Their computer screens split between the view from the small surveillance drone and the large military one. It required amazing coordination.
"Do we fire at them or just around them?" Morris asked. "Those drones are not equipped with tranquilizer bullets."
"Aim at the ground around them to distract them," Onegus said over the com. "The Guardians are aware of their approach, and they need them distracted. Make sure to aim behind the Kra-ell, so you don't hit any of ours."
"Roger that," Morris said as he brought his drone right above the Kra-ell's heads.
"I got the group approaching Yamanu's team," Charlie murmured.
"Fire at will," Onegus commanded.
A staccato of rapid fire from the anti-aircraft gun on board each of the drones lasted for all of twenty seconds, but that was all the distraction the Guardians needed.
Once the dust settled, four shadowy figures twitched on the ground in one location and six in the other.
The tranquilizer worked quickly, paralyzing them almost immediately, but it took up to several minutes for the drug to knock them out completely.
The Guardians didn't wait, though. Pulling titanium cuffs from the pockets of their suits, they bound the Kra-ell’s wrists and ankles and connected the two with a chain in the back. They weren't taking any chances. For now, it didn't matter whether they were purebloods or hybrids. They were all bound in the same way. Later, when it was time for Toven to work on their minds, they would be separated into two groups.
Transfixed by the action on the video feed, Marcel might have missed the drama unfolding on the other side of the courtyard if not for Morris's whistle.
"Look at her fight." He pointed to where two Kra-ell were engaged in a fierce sword battle.
A male and a female were going at each other with vicious stabs, and watching their deadly dance was mesmerizing.
"Is that Jade?" William asked.
"It's either Jade or Kagra," Marcel murmured. "They are both free of Igor's compulsion and eager to get the revenge they've been craving for over two decades."