Heroic Abduction Read Online Free

the exercise, apologize if I’ve accidentally killed one of your loved ones, and now bid you goodbye as I embark on a new quest to save the universe from something as yet undetermined.” Not his best hero speech, but it would have to do. He had a tractor beam to catch.
    Tapping the transmitter on his belt, he sprinted away from the battleground toward the beam of light sweeping toward him. The tingling ray caught him, and his feet lifted from the ground. While it was probably unmanly to admit, Dyre quite enjoyed the sensation as he flew, a power, alas, reserved for the avian races. A shame, because the ability to fly would have proven a great asset.
    The tractor beam sucked him past the lip of his ship, and he flung himself to the side, landing with his knees slightly bent on the deck surface. The ship sealed the bay door shut.
    “I can’t believe you made it.”
    The human’s remark wasn’t exactly overjoyed, probably because she was in awe at his prowess. Understandable. He was a formidable fighter, a thought he squashed down as being a little too prideful. Pride was for mercenaries. Whereas I am a humble knight.
    “Welcome, pale one, to my ship.”
    “My name is Betty.”
    “And I am Dyreokulan, galactic hero and warrior formerly from the planet Aressotle.”
    “Formerly?”
    “It seems my goals in life were at odds with those considered acceptable by my planet.
    “And that goal is?”
    “To provide valiant assistance to those in need.”
    She didn’t seem impressed. “Whether they want it or not, apparently. Well, Dyre, you now have us on board your ship. What’s the plan?”
    Plan? Heroes didn’t plan. They acted. But she did pose an interesting question. “No idea,” he replied with a shrug.
    “What do you mean, no idea? You abducted us.”
    “Rescued.”
    “Whatever. You took us, and now I want to know why.”
    “Who is us?” The answer to his query was soon answered as a Zonian beak edged out the small craft’s door, the broad avian body dwarfing the human.
    Yellow eyes perused him. “He’s big,” she remarked.
    “And about as brilliant as a rock.”
    What unexpected flattery. Dyre puffed out his chest. “I am considered slightly large for my kind and thank you for the comparison to the Roc. Their wisdom is renown throughout the galaxy, and I am honored you would compare this simple warrior to one of their great mental stature.”
    Betty’s mouth opened, revealing flat-edged, white teeth. Were humans herbivores? He’d have to research the care and feeding of her kind. But first, they needed a destination, and a purpose. “Where would you like me to escort you?” he asked. Somewhere dangerous? Somewhere his skills could be used to fight the forces of evil?
    “No need to escort us anywhere,” Betty quickly answered. “Just drop us off once we clear the planet, and we’ll be on our way.”
    His excitement deflated.
    “Don’t be so hasty, little sister,” the Zonian said. “I wouldn’t mind a bit of a break from our cramped quarters and a chance to relax.”
    “You’d let a man pilot?”
    “Why not? He seems capable.”
    “So am I, yet you won’t let me drive the damned ship.”
    “Because the last time you did, you scratched it.”
    “Not that again,” Betty snapped. “How is it my fault that a pair of asteroids collided and shot out shrapnel?”
    “Was the ship nicked?”
    Betty growled. Dyre watched and listened, fascinated by their repartee. Would they come to blows? It was what would happen on his home world. Actually, it took a lot less than that to get the warriors riled.
    The Zonian clacked her beak as she laughed. “Oh, you are so easy to anger, little sister. I just think it would be nice to have some extra space, and I wouldn’t mind exploring this beauty of a ship.”
    “But we have a mission,” hissed the pale human to her companion. “You know, to get stuff.”
    “If it is supplies you need, then I have a hold full of items. No matter how many times I