Resurrection (The Inherited War) Read Online Free Page B

leader of the Esii looked from the dead thug to Cole, a look of hatred on his face.  “What will be easier?”
    “Defeating you guys.  If all I have to do is make you look stupid, you will kill each other.”  Dayja whipped her hand backwards and caught Cole in the nose.   The attack startled him and sent him stumbling back a few steps.
    “Show no fear, do not be arrogant.”   Dayja’s voice came and went in an instant.
    “You dare mock me?”  The Esii leader said.  “I will drain your life in an instant and feed you remains to the other animals.  And you, you are no Sjukdomur, you both will be fed upon and disposed of.  Take them away.”
    Dayja’s voice came rushing back.  “Defend us or we are both dead.”
    Cole, who was still rubbing at his stinging nose, reacted in an instant.  He took a few steps to gain momentum and leapt upon the Esii leader.   His body kicked in his adrenaline and fed blood and chemicals to his brain.  For Cole, time slowed to a crawl.  He knocked the leader sprawling, taking him out of the fight for a few moments. Cole spun around in time to meet the charge of the remaining two thugs.  They didn’t have a chance. 
    Cole’s foot shot out and impacted on the closer ones knee.  His knee buckled and bent back the wrong way, sending him cart wheeling to the ground with a cry of agony.  The second one tried to plunge a knife into Cole’s neck.  Cole’s arm shot up and deflected the attack.  He grabbed the attacker’s hand that was holding the knife and brought it down hard across his knee.  The attackers arm broke like a twig.  Cole tore the knife out of his hand and rammed it up under his chin into his brain.  The knife lodged in its skull.  Not attempting to pry it out, Cole dropped and rolled forward.  The leader had regained his feet and had attempted to decapitate Cole from behind.  Cole had felt the rush of air over his head as he had dropped and rolled.
    Cole regained his feet and turned to meet his attacker head on.  Dayja was still standing in the same spot, not moving or helping.  The leader had a long wicked looking dagger out and was moving forward to attack.  To Cole’s heightened senses he looked to be moving in slow-motion.   Cole had to finish him fast.  If he could take this one out then turn on Dayja, he may be able to win his freedom here and now.  Cole struck.  He knocked the Esii’s leading hand out wide and launched a kick at his shoulder.  Cole put all his weight into that kick and it sent the Esii spinning.  He jumped on the Esii’s back and locked his arms around his neck.  He was trying to break the Esii’s neck and end the fight quickly.
    He underestimated his strength and the weakness of the Esii’s ligaments and tendons.  With a mighty jerk, Cole ripped his whole head off.  The unexpected consequences of his action sent Cole stumbling backwards and falling to the ground.  He started to scramble back to his feet when his brain exploded in pain.  His adrenalin and battle rage faded away leaving him shrieking and writhing on the floor in agony.
    The pain slowly faded away, but Cole found himself unable to move his arms or legs.  Dayja leaned over him.  “That was showing no fear.  Now lay there and wait.  If you attempt to get up, I will bring the pain back.”  So they waited.  The lights in the bay slowly came up and made the dimensions of the room visible to Cole.  The interior of the ship reminded Cole of the alien hive in the movie Aliens.  Jet black and glistening with reflected light.  He could tell it was made of metal and not secretions.   It still sent a shiver down his spine.
    Cole lay on the ground as still as he could and stared up at the ceiling.  So much for escape.  He heard a door open on the other side of the room.  “I apologize for the mess,” Dayja said to the newcomers, “but they needed to be taught a lesson.  I am Dayja of the Sjukdomur Clan, I was ordered to possess this