Privateer ~ Nikolai Lantsov

Chapter 23

I dropped the rifle pulling on my ears trying to hear people and not ringing instead.

I looked around everyone seemed to be laughing but I couldn't hear them. I ought to wait a couple of minutes to get my hearing back.

Mal came up from behind me tapping me on the arm. He said something but I didn't know what.

"Can you hear me?"

There you go.

"Phew, I was panicking. Thought I would never hear again."

"You good?" Mal asked.

"Mhm just great."

Mal stayed beside me but looked out to Sturmhond, "There are more of them." Are you kidding me?

"How do you know?" The privateer asked.

"I just know," he shrugged. Hmm... very helpful Mal.

"Where?"

"North," he pointed, "that way."

Sturmhond called out orders to lower the Hummingbird. Not completely on the ground but close. It made me feel so much better. Not so high up anymore.

I wiped my forehead which had gross sweat dripping from it.

Peace. Until we heard screams.

Three Volcra came from nowhere. They looked scared and hurt. Their backs were to us. They were trying to get out of the light.

Then it was silent. Until Sturmond spoke, "Tolya, Tamar, grenatki."

the twin's rolled two iron shells and lifted them on the edge of the rail.

I felt bad for the Volcra that was whimpering and dying. But then I remembered they kill. They're Volcra. They are monsters.

"Squallers! On my signal." Sturmhond ordered, "Fuses! Gunners drop heavy!"

The shells released cut the ship's wheel hard to the right.

The squallers arms shot up and the Hummingbird shot skyward.

Silence. Then boom!

The heat of the explosion at the ground struck the hummingbird.

"Steady!" Sturmhond shouted.

And finally, the Hummingbird stopped shaking.

Alina looked injured so I ran towards her. Everyone cheered but I didn't. I held Alina in my arms as she began to shake.

"Enough," Alina whispered to Mal looking over my shoulder.

"Alina are you ok? Talk to me!" I asked her.

"Please- Mal—" She went into this weird gaze. She stared wide-eyed backing away from me looking at something behind me but I didn't know what. There was nothing there.

She looked around wildly gasping.

"Alina! Look at me! What's wrong?"