“So, you failed,” Isara declared.
Norlien fell upon her knees in supplication, squeezing her eyes shut behind clasped hands. The floor squished beneath her. Azra had seen some scary things in her time, but this place put them all to shame.
The aliens had a network of tunnels running through the bowels of a mountain, and every one of them was coated in some unnatural, glowing flesh. The walls of this cavern gave off a ruddy light. Damp air clung to Azra’s skin and frazzled her wavy hair. It was much too hot down here.
Hanging her head in shame, Norlien shuddered as though she expected swift retribution. “Forgive me, Mistress,” she pleaded. “I ordered Kasan to retreat, but he refused to go!”
Isara wore her skin-tight red suit with her guns displayed prominently. Standing over the other w
