Both went over, but if they yelled or screamed, it couldn’t be heard over the deafening noise from the fight and the spectators inside the arena. Only someone in the luxury boxes could see them if they turned their heads away from the fight.
There had been four guards. The other two weren’t in sight. He spun, ran to Jill where she waited inside the short hallway, and bent. She had those short legs, and they didn’t have much time. He threw her over his shoulder, fisted the chain to prevent the leash from catching on anything, and then raced toward the mountain. The faster they could get out of the open and to the other side, the better.
Jill clutched at his back, but she didn’t kick or struggle while lying over his shoulder. It wouldn’t have mattered if she had. She wasn’t a big female.
The double doors were open but the inside was dark. He ran into the mountain and made sure they were clear of possibly being hit by a laser blast from one of the arena guards before he gently dumped Jill back on her feet.
Cavas didn’t have time to check on her. Instead, he quickly assessed the situation. There were overhead lights but they weren’t on. Only sunlight came through the two exterior doors. There were cell-size containers with closed sides, backs and tops lining the walls, some two rows deep. Narrow paths ran between them. Prisoners were locked inside most of the ones he could see.
A male wearing a guard uniform walked around one of the cells, but he was looking at a data pad in his hand.
Cavas rushed forward silently and leapt, but the guard must have heard something, because he looked up right as Cavas crashed into him. He punched the surprised male hard in the face, breaking bone. The guard went limp under him, but he still breathed. A quick search found two weapons on the male. Cavas took them. He also found one of those bracelet keys for the locks, which he also swiped.
He rose up and noticed that he’d gained some attention from the prisoners. Cavas ignored them, storming back to Jill. She hugged her exposed waist, the chain wrapped around one of her arms, and she clutched the leash in her hand. He stared out into the sunshine and the metal walkway. No guards were rushing across it yet, coming to attack, but it was only a matter of time. The fight would end at some point and someone might notice the missing guards or them inside their viewing box.
He strode to the control panel next to the massive doors. It only took seconds to figure it out, and he began to flip switches, turning on the lights while sealing the mountain. Motors came to life and the heavy metal doors began to press together.
“What are you doing? You’re locking us in here?” Jill’s voice came out high-pitched.
“Yes. I have a plan.”
“Do you want to share?”
“Not now.”
She grumbled something he didn’t catch. The doors met with a loud grinding of gears. There was probably a way for someone outside to open them again, but it would warn him of incoming enemies. It would also give him much-needed seconds to prepare a defense. He hurried to the first row of containers, peering inside.
“Crath?”
His brother wasn’t inside. He walked behind them, looking into the other containers. His brother wasn’t inside any that he passed.
Had he and Jill risked their lives for nothing?
He stomped across to the other containers, checking them all. He noticed there were a lot of blue aliens locked away, more so than any other color. Yorlian Trevis really did dislike them for whatever reason. It was just one more thing to detest about the criminal.
“Let us out!” a few of the prisoners demanded or begged.
“I’m looking for a Tryleskian. That’s my race. Has anyone seen one? He’d be locked up, too.”
A Parri slid his thick blue arm between the bars of his cell. It wasn’t the same man from the prison under the drinking establishment. “There are two trainers of that race, but I saw a Tryleskian prisoner. Maybe that’s who you’re looking for? I’ll tell you where he is if you let me go.”
Cavas marched over to stand in front of the male’s container. “Hair color?”
“Black.”
That could be his brother. “Deal. Where did you see him?”
“Let me out and I’ll show you.”
Cavas eyed the lock but hesitated. “Don’t betray me. I plan to let everyone out of here.” He wasn’t about to mention he planned to repeat what he’d done when he’d found those cells under the bar. The prisoners could rush out together first, and he’d escape while they provided a distraction. By closing the doors, he hoped it drew attention. That would mean the guards would gather on that walkway. Letting out the prisoners would mean they’d be the ones to confront them. That walkway would give the prisoners an advantage with close fighting quarters. They could lift and push the guards over the railings, making them fall to their deaths.
The Parri male glanced toward Jill, who’d crept closer.
“She’s with me. No harm comes to her. Your word, Parri. You don’t touch or go near her.”
“Given,” the male swore.
Cavas waved the bracelet and the lock popped open. The large blue male came out and pointed toward the back wall of the cavern. “There’s a small opening there. They brought the Tryleskian prisoner in and took him that way. They haven’t dragged him out to fight yet.”
Cavas saw the scars on the male, including some healing injuries. “You were forced to fight?”
“Yes. I came here for engine parts and they arrested me, stole my shuttle, and brought me here. I didn’t deserve any of this.”
After everything he’d learned so far on Flax Colony, Cavas was willing to believe him. Most Parri he knew were good and honorable. “How many guards?”
“Usually just one or two during the fights. The trainers all left to watch. They’ll be back soon.” The Parri glanced at the closed doors. “We need to leave before it’s over.”
“Not yet. What’s your name?”
“Nell.” He glanced at Jill again, scowling.
“Don’t look at her.”
Nell met his gaze. “She’s your slave?”
“No. She’s a member of my team.”
A quick show of relief flashed across the male’s features. “Good. No one should own slaves.”
“We agree.” Cavas motioned for Jill and she moved to his side. He kept his body between her and the male, walking quickly toward where Nell had indicated his brother might be.
“Do I get a weapon?” she whispered.
“No.” Cavas didn’t want Jill to accidently shoot herself. She had no knowledge of alien weapons. He had both blasters in his pockets, within easy reach if he needed them.
They approached a smaller cavern with a few dim lights strung along the ceiling. He inched in front of Jill.
The first thing he saw in the much smaller space were boxes of supplies stacked about ten feet high. They made haphazard walls, blocking areas from his view. He moved around one and scanned the area. Six bunks were spaced apart, and there was a portable bathroom unit. It must be where the guards and trainers slept.
He gripped Jill’s arm as he spun around, moving toward another blind spot. “Crath?”
There was a scuffling sound, but his younger littermate didn’t call out. Cavas led Jill around another wall of stacked boxes and found a cage with bars on all sides. It contained a cot, and a small container with a lid for body waste.
A male stood locked inside.
Cavas grinned—he had never been happier to see his brother. “You idiot. How did you get yourself into this mess?”
Cavas released Jill and visually scanned Crath, taking in every detail. His brother had lost weight since the last time they’d seen each other. Bruises marred a few spots on his face and bared arms. Welts showed on his exposed chest. He wore only pants, ones that looked too big and needed washing. There were cuts on his feet but none seemed to be actively bleeding. The same for the scratches on his hands wrapped around the bars.