The Space Empress He Craved

Chapter 103

POV: Lyra

I was surprised Annie couldn't detect the signature, so I asked, "Don't you sense it? There's something pungent, like xenon compounds, synthetic salts, tritanium residue and something else."

Annie was even more confused. "What? Are you sure, Lyra? I only detect the exhaust fumes from the transports around here."

I was certain I wasn't imagining the signature. I continued scanning as I instinctively pulled Russell closer to my legs. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, a figure emerged from behind one of the transports and threw a blade at a low level in my direction. I saw him when the blade left his hand, and I reflexively pushed Russell toward Annie as the blade cut into my left leg. I screamed in agony as I fell to the ground.

The male's eyes showed shock, irritation and loss before he turned to run. I was weakening, and I couldn't hear Russell crying and screaming my designation as Annie held the small youngling behind her, shielding him. I gritted my teeth and pulled the blade out of my leg before throwing it back at the retreating figure. When the blade stabbed into his lower back and I saw him fall, my own vision blurred as I used the last ounce of strength I had and mind-touched, 'Orion...'

In Orion's study, they were reaching the end of the report when Orion's eyes glazed over for a mere microsecond. Christian's eyes then glazed over too. The alliance noticed this, and the chamber fell silent.

Orion tried mind-touching back to his match but she wasn't responding. He stood from his seat, and his features turned hard with worry as he tried to link her over and over again, his cardiac rhythm increasing by the second when there was nothing but silence from the other end of his link.

Suddenly, he was brought out of his failed attempts by someone tugging the front of his bio-suit in panicked movements. It was Christian, whose eyes were wide with horror as he screamed out, "Orion! WE GOT TO GO! WE GOT TO GO NOW! ANNIE'S TAKING THE EMPRESS TO THE MED-STATION! WE GOT TO GO!"

Christian dashed out of the chamber with Orion next to him as the alliance followed behind without knowing anything except for the fact that I was being brought to the medical station. Orion yelled to his cousin, "WHAT THE VOID HAPPENED TO HER?!"

Christian continued dashing in the direction of Orion's transport bay as he shouted out the explanation, "The Empress was attacked! Someone threw a blade at her, and she's now unconscious! Annie said she's still breathing but she's getting pale."

The alliance who was oblivious before now got worried as well. Juan linked Hale before they all got into their transports and followed Orion's vehicle with Christian in the passenger pod. They rushed to the medical station where Annie was taking me.

As soon as they reached the med-station and entered through the entrance, the medical staff present stiffened, and the chamber fell silent before one technician at the reception yelled out, "Eighth level, Operating Bay 1, Your Eminence."

Orion dashed for the emergency lift as his cousin shouted a 'thank you'. When Orion found Operating Bay 1, he saw Annie peering into the operating chamber with Russell by her side. The small youngling was sobbing into Annie's garments.

Orion approached her, and was immediately met with her watered eyes as she said, "Orion, he came out of nowhere. She sensed something, and then a blade was thrown at her leg. I couldn't do anything to stop him. I'm sorry." Christian finally caught up with Orion and went to Annie's side as he held her in a tight embrace, letting her optical fluid flow freely onto his bio-suit.

Orion couldn't say anything as he peered through the transparisteel, where he saw seven med-techs in sterile suits running around and inserting tubes into his match's body. I laid unconscious on the med-table, paler than he'd ever seen me. When one of the doctors noticed his presence, she muttered something to the younger doctor next to her before making her way to the portal.

When she came out, the alliance arrived. Orion asked in panic, "What's happening to her? Will she be okay?"

The doctor looked nervous but tried to stay calm as she began explaining my condition. "My Emperor, the Empress has a significant amount of Xytherium toxin in her system, especially in her left leg. We're trying our best to extract the poison." Xytherium was strong enough to terminate a Lyrokan. Needless to say, it was even more lethal to a Kaelari. As far as anyone knew, not even a bio-fluid transfusion would be able to save a Kaelari from the poison.

Orion hated hearing the line 'trying our best' from doctors. It just meant that more likely than not, there was no hope. He growled in anger with glistening eyes and asked in fury, "WILL she be okay?"

The doctor was visibly frightened. "W-We can't tell, Your Eminence. At least not yet. But we're doing everything we can."

Orion looked the poor doctor dead in the eye as he said in a low, murderous voice, "Make sure that you do." She nodded and disappeared into the operating chamber again.

Orion tried to mind-touch his match, miraculously hoping that she would answer. When she didn't, optical fluid streamed down his hardened face as he thought to himself, Star-heart, wake up. Please, we've been through this! We talked about this just this morning! My cardiac pump isn't as strong as yours. I can't afford to lose you. Please, wake up, star-heart. Please. I'll do anything. Please, just wake up.

The alliance members were already crowded in front of the transparisteel, and Zelena exclaimed a soft 'no' in despair at the mention of Xytherium before Zeke pressed her into his chest. Lovelace's legs gave in at about the same time, and Raden and Sylvia had to support the station leader, letting her fall onto one of the seats in the corridor as she hid her face in both hands. On Lovelace's side, Raden and Sylvia had nothing but anger and worry written on their faces.

Juan peered through the transparisteel at his pale-looking sister, and muttered under his breath, "Lyra, you're not done yet. We're not done yet. Please fight."

Toby was muttering to himself with glistening eyes too, "Lyra, we still have that combat session. You can't just leave. We had a deal! Lyra, you can't go yet. We still have that session." He didn't care how merciless his best friend was going to be with him when they trained anymore. He just wanted her to be okay again.

Tate was close to releasing optical fluid too, something that he hadn't done in a long time. He spoke to her in his mind, C'mon, Lyra. You've been through worse. You can fight through this. We're with you... I'm with you. C'mon, Lyra. Fight!